[Clinical characteristics and prognosis analysis of gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis].

Objectives: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of bone metastasis of gastric cancer, analyze the influencing factors of bone metastasis and the effects of different treatment methods, and provide a basis for early detection and treatment optimization of bone metastasis of gastric cancer. Methods: A total of 142 gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis admitted to the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2011 to December 2021 were enrolled, including 60 cases of simple bone metastasis and 82 cases of bone metastasis combined with extraosseous metastasis. 142 patients with stage Ⅲgastric cancer without distant metastasis and 142 gastric cancer patients with visceral metastasis admitted to this hospital during the same period were also enrolled for comparison. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of bone metastasis, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate the influencing factors of overall survival (OS) of patients with bone metastasis. Results: Among the 142 patients with bone metastasis, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma was the main type (123 cases), and 45 patients had simultaneous bone metastasis. Rib metastasis (100 cases), spine metastasis (88 cases), and pelvis metastasis (84 cases) were more common. A total of 110 patients had multiple bone metastasis, and 82 patients had extraosseous metastasis. Results of the stage Ⅲ gastric cancer group, the visceral metastasis group, the bone metastasis group, and the bone metastasis with extraosseous metastasis group were compared. There were significant differences in age, degree of differentiation, Borrmann type, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, serum calcium, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase isoenzyme, lymphocyte, hemoglobin, platelet, CEA, CA19-9, and CA724 (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Borrmann type was an independent protective factor of bone metastasis of gastric cancer (type 3: OR=0.07, 95%CI: 0.01-0.64, P=0.018). Alkaline phosphatase (OR=2.54, 95% CI: 1.07-6.01, P=0.034), serum calcium (OR=2.71, 95% CI: 1.15-6.41, P=0.023), creatine kinase isoenzyme (OR=16.33, 95% CI: 1.83-145.58, P=0.012), platelet (OR=10.08, 95% CI:1.89-53.85, P=0.007), and CA19-9 (OR=2.40, 95% CI: 1.14-5.05, P=0.021) were independent risk factors of bone metastasis of gastric cancer. The median OS of the stage Ⅲ gastric cancer group, the visceral metastasis group, the bone metastasis group, and the bone metastasis with extrabony group were 47, 13, 18, and 6 months, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The median OS of patients with bone metastasis only who underwent primary tumor surgery was 33 months, better than 6 months of patients without surgery (P=0.048). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that extraosseous metastasis (HR=2.45, 95% CI: 1.56-3.85, P<0.001) and decreased hemoglobin (HR=1.54, 95%CI: 1.02-2.34, P=0.042) were independent risk factors of OS of gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis. Conclusions: The prognosis of gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis alone is significantly better than that of other stage Ⅳ patients. For such patients, surgery on the primary site combined with chemotherapy after full evaluation may prolong the survival time.

Manejo de derrame pericárdico: revisión sistemática de la literatura / Management of pericardial effusion: systematic review of literature

Resumen Objetivo: Revisar sistemáticamente la efectividad del tratamiento no quirúrgico para el manejo del derrame pericárdico moderado o severo. Metodología: Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática desde febrero hasta junio de 2016 en las bases de datos Pub Med, SciELO y Lilacs, en inglés y español. Los términos de búsqueda utilizados fueron: Pericardial Effusion and Acute Pericarditis, Treatment, Therapy, Therapeutics, Management. Se eligieron artículos publicados entre 2011 y 2016 que abordaran el tratamiento del derrame pericárdico no quirúrgico y la pericarditis aguda. Se excluyeron artículos que evaluaran el manejo de taponamiento cardíaco, pericarditis constrictiva y derrame pericárdico por lesión miocárdica. La selección de artículos estuvo a cargo de dos evaluadores y, en caso de discrepancias, se consultó un tercer evaluador. Resultados: Se identificaron un total de 2.998 referencias; posteriormente, se seleccionaron 138 artículos, de los cuales se evaluaron sus resúmenes. Se eligieron dos artículos para la lectura a texto completo, y se aplicaron a estos las guías Strobe, para estudios observacionales, y Consort, para ensayos clínicos aleatorizados. Se evidenció que la pericarditis recurrente ocurrió en 26 de los 120 pacientes en el grupo de colchicina y en 51 de 120 en el grupo placebo, RRR: 0, 49 (IC = 0, 24-0, 65; p = 0, 0009). Conclusiones: la colchicina asociada a antiinflamatorios no esteroides evidenció ser efectiva en la pericarditis aguda idiopática y asimismo en sus recurrencias. Sin embargo, aún es necesario consultar más ensayos clínicos con mayor tamaño de muestra para determinar con exactitud la efectividad del tratamiento.

Abstract Objective: To present a systematic review of the effectiveness of non-surgical treatment for the management of moderate or severe pericardial effusion. Methodology: A systematic search was made from February to June 2016 in the databases of Pub Med, SciELO, and Lilacs, in English and Spanish. The search terms used were: Pericardial Effusion and Acute Pericarditis, Treatment, Therapy, Therapeutics, Management. Articles published between 2011 and 2016 that approached the non-surgical treatment of pericardial effusion and acute pericarditis were chosen. Articles that were excluded were those that evaluated cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, and pericardial effusion due to a myocardial lesion. The selection of the articles was the responsibility of two evaluators and, in case of discrepancies, a third evaluator was consulted. Result: A total of 2,998 references where identified, from which 138 articles were later selected, and their Abstracts were evaluated. Two articles were chosen in order to read the full text, and the Strobe guidelines for observational studies and the Consort guidelines for randomised clinical trials were used. It was shown that recurrent pericarditis occurred in 26 of the 120 patients in the colchicine group, and in 51 of 120 in the placebo group, with a relative risk ratio (RRR): 0.49 (95% CI; 0.24- 0.65; P=.0009). Conclusions: Colchicine combined with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs showed to be effective in acute idiopathic pericarditis, as well as in their recurrences. However, more clinical trials with a larger sample size need to be consulted in order to determine the effectiveness of the treatment with more accuracy.

Enteral myiasis causing acute dysentery: A case report

@#Enteral myiasis or intestinal myiasis is acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated with dipteran fly eggs or larvae. Here, we describe a patient with intestinal myiasis presenting with acute dysentery caused by the larva of Hermetia illucens. The larva was identified morphologically, and its species confirmed through molecular analysis using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (COI).

Experimental Study on Plasmodium knowlesi Normocyte Binding Protein Xa Region II (PkNBPXaII) for Erythrocyte Binding

@# Normocyte binding protein Xa (NBPXa) has been implied to play a significant role in parasite invasion of human erythrocytes. Previous phylogenetic studies have reported the existence of three types of NBPXa for Plasmodium knowlesi (PkNBPXa). PkNBPXa region II (PkNBPXaII) of type 1, type 2 and type 3 were expressed on mammalian cell surface and interacted with human and macaque (Macaca fascicularis) erythrocytes. The binding activities of PkNBPXaII towards human and macaque erythrocytes were evaluated using erythrocyte-binding assay (EBA). Three parameters were evaluated to achieve the optimal protein expression of PkNBPXaII and erythrocyte binding activity in EBA: types of mammalian cells, post transfection time and erythrocyte incubation time. COS-7, HEK-293, and CHO-K1 cells showed successful expression of PkNBPXaII, despite the protein expression is weak compared to the positive control. COS-7 was used in EBA. All three types of PkNBPXaII showed rosette formation with macaque erythrocytes but not with human erythrocytes. Future studies to enhance the PkNBPXaII expression on surface of mammalian cells is indeed needed in order to elucidate the specific role of PkNBPXaII in erythrocytes invasion.

High incidence of Plasmodium knowlesi malaria compared to other human malaria species in several hospitals in Malaysia

@# Through the regional control programme, Malaysia has been successfully reducing the incidence of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections. However, the incidence of zoonotic malaria Plasmodium knowlesi infection is increasing and now has been the major cause of malaria in Malaysia especially Malaysian Borneo. The emergence of knowlesi infection has threatened the malaria elimination programme which the government aims to reduce the overall malaria infections by 2020. Unlike other benign human Plasmodium spp., P. knowlesi can cause fatal infections. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and distribution of five human malaria parasites including P. knowlesi in Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo. A total of 112 blood samples were collected from seven states and district hospitals in Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo from year 2015 to 2016. The samples were examined by microscopy and further confirmed by nested PCR assay targeting 18S rRNA gene of Plasmodium spp. Following the nested PCR assays, a total of 54 (48.2%) samples were positive for P. knowlesi infections, 12 (10.7%) cases were positive for P. vivax infections, followed by 7 (6.3%) cases of P. falciparum and 4 (3.5%) cases of P. malariae. There were 3 cases (2.7%) of mixed infections (P. knowlesi/P. vivax). However, no cases were identified as P. ovale. A total of 32 (28.6%) cases were found as negative infections. LoopMediated Isothermal Amplification Assay (LAMP) was performed to confirm inconclusive results produced by microscopy and nested PCR. P. knowlesi showed the highest prevalence in Sarawak (n= 30), Sabah (n=13), Pulau Pinang (n=5) and Pahang (n=6). PCR and LAMP was not able to detect a large number of microscopy positive samples due to DNA degradation during storage and shipping. Among all the states involved in this study, the highest prevalence of P. knowlesi infection was found in Sabah and Sarawak.

Elimination of contamination in loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for detection of human malaria

@# The LAMP assay, amplifies the target DNA rapidly, with 10-fold greater sensitivity than conventional PCR. The greater sensitivity also comes with greater risks of contamination. To overcome this issue, the current project includes either uracil DNA glycosylase (UDG) or a mineral oil overlay in the LAMP assay. Our results indicated that UDG or a mineral oil overlay can effectively prevent carryover contamination in the LAMP assay for the detection of human malaria. By incorporating these preventative methods, contamination can be eliminated and LAMP can potentially be used in the field; and point of care diagnosis for human malaria.

17-year follow-up of a randomized prospective controlled trial of adjuvant intravesical doxorubicin in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant intravesical doxorubicin in superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder on long-term follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between July 1986 and November 1991, all patients harboring superficial bladder cancers (Ta or T1) with one or more of these criteria (stage > a, grade > 1, size > 1 cm, multiple or recurrent tumors) were randomized to receive either 50 mg doxorubicin or no adjuvant therapy. Patients with recurrences were allowed to receive doxorubicin or other intravesical agents. Recurrence, progression and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 82 patients included (64 males and 18 females). The mean age was 64 years. Forty-six patients were randomized to the doxorubicin group and 36 to the control group. Final analysis was made at median follow-up of 45, 128 and 131.5 months for recurrence, progression and survival, respectively. Recurrence free, progression free and disease specific survival did not differ significantly between groups. The 10-year Kaplan-Meier estimates for recurrence free, progression free and disease specific survival were 67 percent, 84 percent and 92 percent, respectively for the doxorubicin group, and were 50 percent, 89 percent and 97 percent, respectively for the control group. Tumor size predicted recurrence (p = 0.013) and grade predicted progression (p = 0.004) with multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant intravesical doxorubicin could not be shown to improve recurrence, progression and survival of superficial bladder cancer, compared with control on long-term follow-up. Tumor size and grade were shown to be prognostic factors for recurrence and progression, respectively.

Seismic behavior and design guidelines for steel frame structures with added viscoelastic dampers

In order to determine the effectiveness of adding viscoelastic dampers to structure on the reduction of their seismic response, a comprehensive analytical experimental program was carried out. The experimental program was first conducted on a 2/5-scale five-story steel frame under precisely controlled ambient temperatures and subject to simulated ground motions with peak accelerations ranging from 0.12g to 0.60g. Results show that viscoelastic dampers are very effective in attenuating seismic structural response at all levels of earthquake ground motions, and that their energy dissipation capacity decreases as ambient temperature increases. However, they are effective at all temperatures tested in the research program. A rational seismic design procedure for viscoelastically damped structure is developed based on these results. Further tests using a full-scale prototype structure confirm that damping in the full-scale structure can be significantly increased by adding relatively small viscoelastic dampers. The damper design procedure developed based on the scaled model can also be applied to the full-scale structure. This full-scale analytical and experimental study provides an important base for applying the extensive data generated from the scaled model testing to the full-scale structures.(AU)