[Preliminary analysis on COVID-19 case spectrum and spread intensity in different provinces in China except Hubei province].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of COVID-19 case spectrum and spread intensity in different provinces in China except Hubei province. Methods: The daily incidence data and case information of COVID-19 were collected from the official websites of provincial and municipal health commissions. The morbidity rate, severity rate, case-fatality rate, and spread ratio of COVID-19 were calculated. Results: As of 20 March, 2020, a total of 12 941 cases of COVID-19 had been conformed, including 116 deaths, and the average morbidity rate, severity rate and case-fatality rate were 0.97/100 000, 13.5% and 0.90%, respectively. The morbidity rates in Zhejiang (2.12/100 000), Jiangxi (2.01/100 000) and Beijing (1.93/100 000) ranked top three. The characteristics of COVID-19 case spectrum varied from province to province. The first three provinces (autonomous region, municipality) with high severity rates were Tianjin (45.6%), Xinjiang (35.5%) and Heilongjiang (29.5%). The case-fatality rate was highest in Xinjiang (3.95%), followed by Hainan (3.57%) and Heilongjiang (2.70%). The average spread ratio was 0.98 and the spread intensity varied from province to province. Tibet had the lowest spread ratio (0), followed by Qinghai (0.20) and Guangdong (0.23). Conclusion: The intervention measures were effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and improved treatment effect in China. However, there were significant differences among different regions in severity, case-fatality rate and spread ratio.

Experimental study on synergistic effect of HIFU treatment of tumors using Bifidobacterium bound with cationic phase-change nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE: Anaerobic bacteria can enter the solid tumor in the hypoxic region to colonize and proliferate. Aggregation of nanoparticles in the tumor area can enhance molecular imaging and therapy. It is hypothesized that the combination of the two could possibly achieve better imaging and tumor treatment. This study presents a biocompatible bacteria-based system that can deliver cationic phase-change nanoparticles (CPNs) into solid tumor to achieve enhanced imaging and treatment integration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cationic phase-change nanoparticles (CPNs) and Bifidobacterium longum (BF) were mixed to determine the best binding rate and were placed in an agar phantom for ultrasonography. BF-CPNs complex adhesion to breast cancer cells was observed by laser confocal microscopy. In vivo, BF-CPNs and control groups were injected into tumors in breast cancer nude mouse models. Nanoparticles distribution was observed by ultrasound and in vivo fluorescence imaging. HIFU ablation was performed after injection. Gross and histological changes were compared and synergy was evaluated. RESULTS: Bifidobacterium longum (BF) and CPNs were combined by electrostatic adsorption. The BF-CPNs particles could increase the deposition of energy after liquid-gas phase-change during High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) irradiation of tumor. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows a valid method in diagnosis and therapy integration for providing stronger imaging, longer retention time, and more effective tumor treatment.

Anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody (basiliximab) for prevention of graft-versus-host disease after haploidentical bone marrow transplantation for hematological malignancies.

Haploidentical donors are available for most patients who need allografts but do not have matched donors. However, GVHD, rejection, delayed immune reconstitution, and infections have been significant barriers. We designed a haploidentical BMT protocol focusing on prevention of GVHD and rejection. A total of 53 leukemic patients underwent haploidentical G-CSF-primed BMT without ex vivo T-cell depletion. GVHD prophylaxis consisted of antithymocyte globulin, cyclosporine, methotrexate, and mycophenolate mofetil. In all, 38 patients (the CD25 group) received additional anti-CD25 monoclonal antibody basiliximab. The results were compared to 15 patients who did not receive basiliximab. All patients achieved trilineage engraftment with full-donor chimerism. The incidence of acute II-IV GVHD was 11% in the CD25 group vs 33% in the control group (P=0.046). The overall incidence of extensive chronic GVHD was 15%. T, B, and NK cells recovered within 12 months post transplant. The disease-free survival at 2 years was 53% with a median follow-up of 31 months. In conclusion, G-CSF primed haploidentical BMT along with sequential immunosuppressive agents as described here deserves further study.