Efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of probiotics in oral mucositis induced by chemotherapy or radiotherapy on patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Clinical trials were screened from January 2010 to April 2024. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing the efficacy of probiotics in treatment of oral mucositis in HNC were eligible. Outcomes of interest were incidence of oral mucositis and severe oral mucositis. The PROSPERO registration number was 42022384685. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB2) was used to assess methodological quality of studies and GRADE criteria (GRADEpro) was applied for rating the certainty of evidence. Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.4. RESULTS: A total of eight RCTs comprising 691 patients with HNC were included in this meta-analysis. Probiotics administration significantly reduced the incidence of SOM (RR = 0.60, 95%CI: 0.46-0.78, P = 0.0002). However, it showed no distinct advantage in reducing the overall incidence of oral mucositis (RR = 0.88, 95%CI: 0.76-1.02, P = 0.08). Subgroup analysis found more benefit for reducing SOM in multi-bacterial treated group (RR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.17-0.73, P = 0.005) than mono-bacterial treated group (RR = 0.69, 95%CI: 0.58-0.82, P < 0.0001). In Addition, probiotics could reduce the incidence of SOM in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (RR = 0.43, 95%CI: 0.26-0.70, P = 0.0006). CONCLUSION: Probiotics reduced the incidence of SOM caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy for HNC. The multi-bacterial combination therapy was more efficacious than the mono-bacterial therapy. Moreover, probiotics also reduced the incidence of SOM in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the advantage of probiotics had not been established in the overall incidence of OM.

[Determination of three anthroic acids in petri dish cultured Antrodia camphorate by quantitative analysis of multi-component with single marker].

The present study is establish the quantitative analysis of multi-component with single marker for determining three anthroic acids, (25S)-antcin K, (25R)-antcin K and (25S)-antcin C in the petri dish cultured Antrodia camphorata. The relative correction factors of (25S)-antcin K and (25R)-antcin K were established by high performance liquid chromatography with (25S)-antcin C as the internal reference. Relative correction factors were used to calculate the contents of (25S)-antcin K and (25R)-antcin K which were difficult to gain in abundance. At the same time, the contents of these three compounds were determined by external standard method. Two methods were compared to evaluate the accuracy and rationality of the multi-components with single marker method in the determination of the petri dish cultured A. camphorate. It was found that the quantitative method of multi-component with single marker and external standard method showed no significant difference. In summary, taking (25S)-antcin C as the internal reference, the method of multi-component with single marker can be applied to the quantitative analysis of (25S)-antcin K and (25R)-antcin K in the petri dish cultured A. camphorata.

Development and internal validation of a nomogram based on peripheral blood inflammatory markers for predicting prognosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory markers, including the product of neutrophil count, platelet count, and monocyte count divided by lymphocyte count (PIV) and the platelet-to-white blood cell ratio (PWR), have not been previously reported as prognostic factors in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. In order to predict overall survival (OS) in NPC patients, our goal was to create and internally evaluate a nomogram based on inflammatory markers (PIV, PWR). METHODS: A retrospective study was done on patients who received an NPC diagnosis between January 2015 and December 2018. After identifying independent prognostic indicators linked to OS using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, we created a nomogram with the factors we had chosen. RESULTS: A total of 630 NPC patients in all were split into training (n = 441) and validation sets (n = 189) after being enrolled in a population-based study in 2015-2018 and monitored for a median of 5.9 years. In the training set, the age, PIV, and PWR, selected as independent predictors for OS via multivariate Cox's regression model, were chosen to develop a nomogram. Both training and validation cohorts had C-indices of 0.850 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.768-0.849) and 0.851 (95% CI: 0.765-0.877). Furthermore, compared with traditional TNM staging, our nomogram demonstrated greater accuracy in predicting patient outcomes. The risk stratification model derived from our prediction model may facilitate personalized treatment strategies for NPC patients. CONCLUSION: Our findings confirmed the prognostic significance of the PWR and PIV in NPC. High PIV levels (>363.47) and low PWR (≤36.42) values are associated with worse OS in NPC patients.

Study on Chinese Farmland Ecosystem Service Value Transfer Based on Meta Analysis.

An analytic database was built based on meta-regression analysis (MRA) method, mainly including ecosystem service type, farmland division, cultivated land type, value assessment method, and farmland characteristics. The feasible weighted least square (FWLS) method was adopted to comprehensively investigate the seventy observations from empirical studies. The results indicate that: (1) except the negative impact of farmland area on farmland value, such factors as paddy field, good soil conservation function, mainly providing agricultural products, and using market value method for assessment all produce positive effect on the promotion of farmland value. (2) In meta-regression analysis, the average transfer error is 36.74%, and the median transfer error is 14.59%. (3) Under the A1B, A2, B1, and B2 scenarios of IPCC SRES, it is discovered from calculation that the value changes under different scenarios have some differences, in which, the total value rises significantly under A2 scenario and will reach to 15,220 billion yuan until the year of 2100; while the total value loss is the greatest under B1 scenario and will fall to 6320 billion yuan until the year of 2100. Finally, this paper gives some suggestions for scholars to deeply study the service value of farmland ecosystem as well as for the government to formulate differentiation policies.

Knowledge of Hyperemic Myocardial Blood Flow in Healthy Subjects Helps Identify Myocardial Ischemia in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

BACKGROUNDS: Dynamic CT myocardial perfusion imaging (CT-MPI) allows absolute quantification of myocardial blood flow (MBF). Although appealing, CT-MPI has not yet been widely applied in clinical practice, partly due to our relatively limited knowledge of CT-MPI. Knowledge of distribution and variability of MBF in healthy subjects helps in recognition of physiological and pathological states of coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVES: To describe the distribution and normal range of hyperemic MBF in healthy subjects obtained by dynamic CT-MPI and validate whether it can accurately identify functional myocardial ischemia when the cut-off value of hyperemia MBF is set to the lower limit of the normal range. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one healthy volunteers (age, 38 ± 12 years; 15 men) were prospectively recruited. Eighty patients (age, 58 ± 10 years; 55 men) with suspected or known CAD who underwent interventional coronary angiography (ICA) examinations were retrospectively recruited. Comprehensive CCTA + dynamic CT-MPI protocol was performed by the third - generation dual-source CT scanner. Invasive fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements were performed in vessels with 30-90% diameter reduction. ICA/FFR was used as the reference standard for diagnosing functional ischemia. The normal range for the hyperemic MBF were defined as the mean ± 1.96 SD. The cut-off value of hyperemic MBF was set to the lower limit of the normal range. RESULTS: The global hyperemic MBF were 164 ± 24 ml/100 ml/min and 123 ± 26 ml/100 ml/min for healthy participants and patients. The normal range of the hyperemic MBF was 116-211 ml/100 ml/min. Of vessels with an ICA/FFR result (n = 198), 67 (34%) were functionally significant. In the per-vessel analysis, an MBF cutoff value of <116 ml/100 ml/min can identify myocardial ischemia with a diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of 85.9% (170/198), 91.0% (61/67), 83.2 % (109/131), 73.5% (61/83), and 94.8% (109/115). CT-MPI showed good consistency with ICA/FFR in diagnosing functional ischemia, with a Cohen's kappa statistic of 0.7016 (95%CI, 0.6009 - 0.8023). CONCLUSION: Recognizing hyperemic MBF in healthy subjects helps better understand myocardial ischemia in CAD patients.

[Expression of YY 1 protein in human insulinoma and its clinical implication].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Yin Yang 1 (YY1) protein in human insulinoma and explore its clinical significance. METHODS: Nineteen pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor tissue were collected from patients treated in Nanfang Hospital between 2000 and 2014. The protein expression of YY1 in benign and malignant insulinoma tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Positive expression for YY1 protein was detected in both benign and malignant tumor tissues, but the malignant tissues had a significantly greater intensity of YY1 expression than the benign tissues (P=0.042). The intensity of YY1 expression was positively correlated with the nature of the tumor, and the insulinomas with high expressions of YY1 had significantly greater malignant potentials (P=0.037). CONCLUSION: The high expression of YY1 protein is associated with the development of insulinima. YY1 may serve as a new tumor marker for detecting the malignant transformation of insulinoma.

An enterovirus 71 strain causes skeletal muscle damage in infected mice.

OBJECTIVE: To study the target organs for enterovirus 71 (EV71) in infected suckling mice. METHODS: 5-day-old BALB/c suckling mice were infected with an EV71 strain. Tissues of the infected mice were processed for histopathological examination, including immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, ultrastructural observation. RESULTS: Some mice developed limb paralysis, trouble walking and loss of balance. Results of the histopathological study showed that a large amount of EV71 existed in the skeletal muscle tissues, accounting for the damage of the skeletal muscles. CONCLUSION: The EV71 clinical isolate used in this study presented evident myotropism. Skeletal muscles are important target organs for EV71 in the infected suckling mice. To clarify the relationship between EV71 infection and muscle diseases may contribute to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of EV71.

[Mitochondrial injury in enterovirus 71-infected Vero cells and its mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mitochondrial injury in enterovirus 71 (EV71)-infected Vero cells and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: A clinical isolate of EV71 was inoculated to Vero cells and the EV71 antigen was detected by immunofluorescence assay. The morphological changes of Vero cells were observed using optical microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The diameter and area density of the viral particles and the ratio and area density of vacuolated mitochondria in the cells were measured on the ultrastructural images. RESULTS: EV71-infected Vero cells underwent obvious changes and to a spherical morphology followed by cell death EV71 particles were detected in the cytoplasm by immunofluorescence. Ultrastructurally, the infected cells contained a large number of viral particles in the cytoplasm, with a clustered distribution and lattice-like arrangement. The diameter of the particles were 16.3 nm and the mean area density was 38.3%. Most of the mitochondria presented with swelling, vacuoles and degeneration. The ratio of the vacuolated mitochondria was 90.9% with a mean area density of 89.2%. Viral particles were also found in some mitochondria. CONCLUSION: EV71 proliferates in the cytoplasm and invades the mitochondria of infected Vero cells leading to mitochondrial injury and cell death, suggesting that mitochondria are the targets for EV71 infection.

Malignant transformation rate and p53, and p16 expression in teratomatous skin of ovarian mature cystic teratoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence of malignant transformation and P53 and P16 expression in teratomatous skin of ovarian mature cystic teratoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on ovarian teratoma specimens in nearly 10 years were reviewed. P53 and P16 expression were detected by immunohistochemistry in 25 cases of teratomatous skin of ovarian mature cystic teratoma, 20 cases of squamous cell carcinoma and 2 cases of squamous cell carcinoma originated from teratomatous skin. RESULTS: Of 1913 cases of ovarian mature cystic teratoma in nearly 10 years, only two cases of squamous cell carcinoma were found in teratomatous skin, with malignant transformation rate of 0.1045%. P53 expression was detected in 2 cases squamous cell carcinoma originated from teratomatous skin and P16 overexpression in one. There were no expressions of P53 and P16 in 25 cases of teratomatous skin of ovarian mature cystic teratoma. Of 20 cases of squamous cell carcinoma P53 overexpression (positive rate of 55%) was detected in 11 cases, P16 overexpression (positive rate of 35%) in 7 cases. The positive rates of P53 and P16 expression in squamous cell carcinomas were significantly higher than that in the teratomatous skins (p< 0.001, p= 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: There was low risk of malignant transformation in teratomatous skin of ovarian mature cystic teratoma which can be explained by lower P53 and P16 expressionin teratomas than that in squamous cell carcinoma.

Pathological examinations of an enterovirus 71 infection: an autopsy case.

We report an 8-month-old female infant with the fatal enterovirus 71 infection here. Clinically, she developed respiratory failure and severe pulmonary edema rapidly. Histologically, the lung specimen showed diffuse, severe pulmonary congestion and edema with focal intra-alveolar hemorrhage and typical features of acute encephalitis were easily identified under light microscope. Immunohistochemically, enterovirus 71 antigen was positive in the cerebella and brainstem. We measured the viral loads of different tissues and found that the brainstem and mesenteric lymph nodes showed the highest viral loads among all tissues. We hope that our case report may help to have a better understanding of the enterovirus 71 infection and provide clues to the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Expression of Tiam1 predicts lymph node metastasis and poor survival of lung adenocarcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: To assess the value of Tiam1 in predicting lymph node metastasis and survival after curative resection in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for Tiam1 was performed on 98 adenocarcinoma and 30 normal lung tissues. The association of Tiam1 protein expression with the clinicopathological characteristics and the prognosis of lung adenocarcinoma were subsequently assessed. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis showed that 60 of 98 (61.22%) adenocarcinoma tissues showed high expression of Tiam1, and high Tiam1 expression was significantly associated with advanced TNM stage (P < 0.0005) and lymph node status (P < 0.0005) of lung adenocarcinoma. Moreover, the lung adenocarcinoma patients with low Tiam1 expression had higher overall survival than patients with high Tiam1 expression (log rank value = 10.805, P = 0.001). High expression of Tiam1 predicted poor overall survival of patients in stages I + II (P = 0.006). Furthermore, multivariate analysis indicated that high expression of Tiam1 protein was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (P = 0.011) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest for the first time that Tiam1 expression may be beneficial in predicting lymph node metastasis and survival of patients with lung adenocarcinoma. A future study will investigate whether Tiam1 can serve as a novel therapeutic target in lung adenocarcinoma. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1377798917111123.

XPD Lys751Gln and Asp312Asn polymorphisms and susceptibility to skin cancer: a meta-analysis of 17 case-control studies.

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies have explored the influence of XPD Lys751Gln and/or Asp312Asn polymorphisms on skin cancer susceptibility. However, the results remain inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation, we conducted a comprehensive search to identify all available published studies and performed a meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic literature searches of the PubMed, CBM and CNKI databases were performed up to March 2014. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to assess the strength of associations. RESULTS: Seventeen case-control studies were included with a total sample size of 6, 113 cases and 11, 074 controls for the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism, and 10 studies (3, 840cases and 7, 637 controls) for the XPD Asp312Asn polymorphism were pooled for analysis. Overall, no significant associations were found between the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism and skin cancer risk in any genetic model. On stratified analysis by tumor type, XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism was not associated with increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, but was significantly related with increased risk of cutaneous melanoma (Gln/Gln vs Lys/Lys: OR=1.15, 95%CI=1.02-1.29, p=0.023; dominant model: OR=1.09, 95%CI=1.01-1.18, p=0.036). For the XPD Asp312Asn polymorphism, no significant association with skin cancer risk was observed in overall or subgroup analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis suggests that the XPD Lys751Gln polymorphism may contribute to the risk of cutaneous melanoma from currently available evidence. Further investigations are needed to obtain more insight into possible roles of these two polymorphisms in skin carcinogenesis.

Expression of PBK/TOPK in cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

UNLABELLED: objectives: To evaluate the expression of PBK/TOPK (PDZ-binding kinase/T-LAK cell-originated protein kinase) and its clinical significance in cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. METHODS: PBK/TOPK expression was detected in 28 cases of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINI), 62 cases of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and 80 cases of cervical cancer by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then, the correlation between PBK/TOPK expression and clinicopathological features was quantitatively analyzed by measuring the positive unit (PU). RESULTS: PBK/TOPK expression was significantly greater in cervical cancer than that in high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and CINI (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, PBK/TOPK expression in high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia was significantly higher compared with that in CINI (P < 0.05). In addition, PBK/TOPK expression in cervical cancer significantly correlated with histological type, differentiation, lymph node metastasis, vaginal and cervical invasion, TNM stage and tumor size (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PBK/TOPK expression is closely associated with cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, which may be served as a useful target for tumor diagnosis and immunotherapy.