Pelvic floor dysfunction and electrophysiology in postpartum women at 6-8 weeks.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and electrophysiological indicators in postpartum women at 6-8 weeks and explore the influence of demographic characteristics and obstetric factors. Methods: A survey questionnaire collected information about the conditions of women during their pregnancy and puerperal period and their demographic characteristics; pelvic organ prolapse quantitation (POP-Q) and pelvic floor muscle electrophysiology (EP) examination were conducted in postpartum women at 6-8 weeks. Results: Vaginal delivery was a risk factor for anterior pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (OR 7.850, 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.804-10.617), posterior POP (OR 5.990, 95% CI 3.953-9.077), anterior and posterior stage II POP (OR 6.636, 95% CI 3.662-15.919), and postpartum urinary incontinence (UI) (OR 6.046, 95% CI 3.894-9.387); parity was a risk factor for anterior POP (OR 1.397,95% CI 0.889-2.198) and anterior and posterior stage II POP (OR 4.162, 95% CI 2.125-8.152); age was a risk factor for anterior POP (OR 1.056, 95% CI 1.007-1.108) and postpartum UI (OR 1.066, 95% CI 1.014-1.120); body mass index (BMI) was a risk factor for postpartum UI (OR 1.117, 95% CI 1.060-1.177); fetal birth weight was a risk factor for posterior POP (OR 1.465, 95% CI 1.041-2.062); and the frequency of pregnancy loss was a risk factor for apical POP (OR 1.853, 95% CI 1.060-3.237). Conclusion: Pelvic floor muscle EP is a sensitive index of early pelvic floor injury. The changes in muscle strength and fatigue degree coexist in different types of postpartum PFD, and each has its own characteristics.

Clinical feasibility and oncological safety of non-radioactive targeted axillary dissection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in biopsy-proven node-positive breast cancer: a prospective diagnostic and prognostic study.

BACKGROUND: Targeted axillary dissection (TAD) includes biopsy of clipped lymph node and sentinel lymph nodes. However, clinical evidence regarding clinical feasibility and oncological safety of non-radioactive TAD in a real-world cohort remains limited. METHODS: In this prospective registry study, patients routinely underwent clip insertion into biopsy-confirmed lymph node. Eligible patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by axillary surgery. Main endpoints included the false-negative rate (FNR) of TAD and nodal recurrence rate. RESULTS: Data from 353 eligible patients were analyzed. After completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 85 patients directly proceeded to axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), furthermore, TAD with or without ALND was performed in 152 and 85 patients, respectively. Overall detection rate of clipped node was 94.9% (95% CI, 91.3-97.4%) and FNR of TAD was 12.2% (95% CI, 6.0-21.3%) in our study, with FNR decreasing to 6.0% (95% CI, 1.7-14.6%) in initially cN1 patients. During a median follow-up of 36.6 months, 3 nodal recurrences occurred (3/237 with ALND; 0/85 with TAD alone), with a 3-year freedom-from-nodal-recurrence rate of 100.0% among the TAD-only patients and 98.7% among the ALND patients with axillary pathologic complete response ( P =0.29). CONCLUSIONS: TAD is feasible in initially cN1 breast cancer patients with biopsy-confirmed nodal metastases. ALND can safely be foregone in patients with negativity or a low volume of nodal positivity on TAD, with a low nodal failure rate and no compromise of 3-year recurrence-free survival.

Seasonal variations, source apportionment and dry deposition of chemical species of total suspended particulate in Pengjia Yu Island, East China Sea.

Total of 172 total suspended particulate (TSP) samples and its chemical compositions were collected and analyzed from January to December 2010 in Pengjia Yu Island, an open region in East China Sea (ECS). Despite the predominance of sea-salt major ions (Na+, Cl-), the presence of non-sea-salt SO42- (nss-SO42-) and NO3- as well as combustion-derived trace metals clearly establishes the impact of anthropogenic sources over ECS. The annual contributions of coal, heavy-fuel oil and traffic to the measured chemical species were 21.0 %, 15.0 % and 15.5 %, respectively. Especially in spring, the contributions of crustal minerals to measured chemical species during dust period (33.6 %) were higher than that (13.2 %) during non-dust period. The calculated annual average dry deposition fluxes for trace metals and total inorganic nitrogen were 246.1 ± 345.8 µg/m2/d and 2950.4 ± 2245.0 µg/m2/d, suggesting that atmospheric deposition is an important source of nutrient elements for the south of ECS.

Role of brachytherapy in post-operative cervical cancer patients with risk factors other than positive stump.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of brachytherapy in post-operative cervical cancer patients with risk factors other than positive stump, and to identify the candidates most likely to benefit. METHODS: Newly diagnosed, non-metastatic cervical cancer patients treated in our hospital between January 2012 and November 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Early stage patients receiving radical surgery and needing adjuvant external radiotherapy were included, but those with positive stump were excluded. All patients received external radiotherapy. They were divided into two groups: one group received vaginal brachytherapy and the other did not. The 5-year local-regional recurrence free survival (LRRFS) and overall survival (OS) rates in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-five patients were included in this study; while 99 received brachytherapy, 126 did not. The brachytherapy group had significantly superior 5-year LRRFS (87.7% vs. 72.5%, p = 0.004), but did not show a significant overall survival benefit (78.4% vs. 75.3%, p = 0.055). In multivariate analysis, brachytherapy, pathological type, high-risk factors, duration of radiotherapy, and transfusion were independent prognostic factors for 5-year LRRFS. In stratified analysis, the brachytherapy group showed superior LRRFS in those meeting Sedlis criteria (p = 0.017). CONCLUSION: The combination of external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy can improve LRRFS in post-operative cervical cancer patients with risk factors other than positive stump. Therefore, brachytherapy should be considered for these patients.

Contouring the accessory parotid gland and major parotid glands as a single organ at risk during nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy.

Background and purpose: No research currently exists on the role of the accessory parotid gland (APG) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We thereby aimed to assess the effects of APG on the dosimetry of the parotid glands (PGs) during NPC radiotherapy and evaluate its predictive value for late xerostomia. Material and methods: The clinical data of 32 NPC patients with radiological evidence of the APG treated at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital between November 2020 and February 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinically approved treatment plans consisted of only the PGs as an organ at risk (OAR) (Plan1), while Plan2 was designed by considering the APG as a single organ at risk (OAR). The APG on Plan1 was delineated, and dose-volume parameters of the PGs alone (PG-only) and of the combined structure (PG+APG) were analyzed in both plans. The association of such dosimetric parameters in Plan1 with xerostomia at 6-9 months post-radiotherapy was further explored. Results: Fifty APGs were found, with a mean volume of 3.3 ± 0.2 ml. Significant differences were found in all dosimetric parameters between Plan1 and Plan2. The mean dose and percentage of OAR volumes receiving more than 30 Gy significantly reduced in Plan1 itself (PG-only vs. PG+APG, 39.55 ± 0.83 Gy vs. 37.71 ± 0.75 Gy, and 62.00 ± 2.00% vs. 57.41 ± 1.56%, respectively; p < 001) and reduced further in Plan2 (PG+APG, 36.40 ± 0.74 Gy, and 55.54 ± 1.61%, respectively; p < 0.001). Three additional patients met the dose constraint in Plan1, which increased to seven in Plan2. With APG included, the predictive power of the dosimetric parameters for xerostomia tended to improve, although no significant differences were observed. Conclusion: APG is anatomically similar to the PGs. Our findings suggest the potential benefits of treating the APG and PGs as a single OAR during radiotherapy (RT) of NPC by improving PG sparing.

Genome Sequence Data of Leptosphaerulina arachidicola, a Causal Agent of Peanut Scorch Spot in China.

Peanut scorch spot caused by Leptosphaerulina arachidicola is one of the most severe leaf diseases of peanut that causes significant yield loss. Here, we report the first high-quality genome sequence of L. arachidicola JB313 isolated from an infected peanut leaf in China. The genome size is 47.66 Mb, consisting of 65 scaffolds (N50 length = 1.58 Mb) with a G+C content of 49.05%. The information in this report will provide a reference genome for future studies on the peanut scorch spot pathogen in peanut.

Enhanced Efficacy of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy with Nab-Paclitaxel and Platinum for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer.

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of albumin-bound paclitaxel ("nab-paclitaxel") and platinum (NACT-nPP) in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC). METHODS: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed, non-metastatic LACC were recruited retrospectively between October 2016 and June 2020 in our hospital. All patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) alone or neoadjuvant chemotherapy. We compared the complete response (CR) rate and 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) between patients receiving NACT-nPP and not receiving regimens or other regimens of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: A total of 195 patients were enrolled (78 in the NACT-nPP group and 117 in the control group). Upon chemoradiotherapy completion, 72 (92.3%) patients in the NACT-nPP group and 96 (82.1%) patients in the other group achieved CR (P = 0.042). For patients with squamous cell carcinoma, the NACT-nPP group had superior 2-year PFS than that of the control group (89.7% vs 74.1%, P = 0.027, HR = 2.486, 95% CI = 1.077-5.739) whereas for adenocarcinoma, 2-year PFS was 37.5% and 36.5%, respectively (P = 0.863). In multivariate analysis, NACT-nPP and stage were independent prognostic factors (P = 0.046 and 0.012, HR = 2.357 and 2.499, 95% CI = 1.016-5.465 and 1.216-4.930, respectively). The acute hematological adverse events above grade 3 were manageable in the NACT-nPP group (46.2%, 36/78), and the rate was lower than that in the control group (55.6%, 65/117). CONCLUSION: Compared with CCRT alone, NACT-nPP followed by CCRT could improve the CR rate and 2-year PFS of patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma, and the toxicity was tolerable. NACT-nPP was an independent prognostic factor for 2-year PFS. However, further prospective studies are needed to confirm our results.

Endophytic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens YTB1407 elicits resistance against two fungal pathogens in sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.).

The endophytic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens YTB1407 was previously reported to promote the growth of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas cv. Yanshu 25). Here, we demonstrate in both in vitro and pot trial assays that pre-treatment with YTB1407 suspension could enhance resistance against root rot disease and black rot disease, caused by Fusarium solani Mart. Sacc. f. sp. batatas McClure and Ceratocystis fimbriata Ell. & Halst on sweet potato, respectively. When seedlings were infected with fungal pathogens at 10 days post irrigation, pre-treatment with YTB1407 suspension decreased these pathogens and YTB1407 bacterial biomass in sweet potato roots. The pre-treatment activated the expression of salicylic acid (SA)-responsive PR-1 gene, raised SA content, and reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the host to resist F. solani, while it enhanced the expression levels of SA-responsive NPR1 and PR1 genes and increased SA content to resist C. fimbriata. The disease resistance control effect initiated by pre-treatment with YTB1407 for root rot pathogen (F. solani) was better than for black rot pathogen (C. fimbriata). The results indicated that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens YTB1407 played a pivotal role in enhancing resistance to two fungi pathogens in sweet potato, through production of some antifungal metabolites to decrease infection in the early stage as well as induction of SA-dependent systemic resistance.

Risk and mechanism of glucose metabolism disorder in the offspring conceived by female fertility maintenance technology.

Although female fertility maintenance technology (FFMT) provides an effective option for preserving fertility in patients with cancer suffering from fertility loss due to cancer treatment, previous studies have shown that the technique has certain potential risks and requires an assessment of the health status of the offspring since FFMT may lead to glucose metabolism disorder in offspring mice. The present animal study examined the glucose metabolism of adult mice offspring born from ovarian tissue cryopreservation and orthotopic allotransplantation. The mice were divided into three groups: normal, fresh ovary transplantation, and cryopreserved ovary transplantation. We recorded fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, and fasting serum insulin level for six months. Liver DNA, RNA, and proteins were extracted to detect the interaction between DNA methylation and Grb10 expression and insulin signaling pathway factors such as P-IGF1R, P-IRS2, P-AKT, and Grb10. Female recipient mice that received FFMT could successfully give birth after mating. The average litter size and total litter size of the cryopreserved and fresh groups showed marked differences compared with the normal group. Compared with the normal group, the fasting blood glucose and fasting serum insulin levels were higher in the cryopreserved and fresh groups. The mRNA and protein expressions of Grb10 were higher in the fresh and cryopreserved groups. Compared with the normal group, the DNA methylation status of four of the 11 sites of the Grb10 promoter was lower in the cryopreserved group. Grb10 overexpression inhibited the downstream phosphorylation protein factor expression (p-IGF-1R, p-IRS2, and p-Akt) of the IGF-1R signaling pathway. Female fertility maintenance technology (FFMT), including ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC), and orthotopic allotransplantation techniques might lead to glucose metabolism disorders in offspring mice.

Building radiation-resistant model in triple-negative breast cancer to screen radioresistance-related molecular markers.

BACKGROUND: To build the triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) radiation resistance model in vitro and vivo, and screen the molecular markers that related to radiation resistance. METHODS: We used X-ray to irradiate MDA-MB-231 cells repeatedly to build radioresistant cell (231-RR), then select one gemcitabine-resistance of MDA-MB-231 cell (231-GEM). We screen differentially expressed genes of these cell lines. Then, we would select 2 genes of them associated with DNA damage repair or cell cycle, and build RNAi lentivirus vector to knock down related gene. We also used X-rays repeatedly exposure TNBC tumor xenograft to build tumor with radioresistance properties, and then verify previously screening differentially expressed genes using IHC. Finally, we used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to validate the relationships between radioresistance related genes and the prognosis of breast cancer. RESULTS: We got 161 up-regulated genes and 156 down-regulated genes from three cell lines. Cellular results show the 231-cell with knock-down CDKN1A or SOD2 gene, its radiation sensitivity was significantly enhanced. We successfully got the TNBC xenograft tumor with radioresistance properties. Immunohistochemical results show that the radioresistance of tumor tissue with higher p21 (CDKN1A encoding protein) and SOD2 expression (P<0.01). The prognosis of patients with low SOD2 expression is better than that of high expression, but have no statistical significance (P=0.119); patients with low CDKN1A expression is significantly better than high expression (P=0.000). Multivariate cox analysis manifest that CDKN1A gene expression level is an independent prognostic factor in breast cancer patient (P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Construction of radiation resistance cell and xenograft tumor with radio-resistant properties model for radiation biology research is feasible. High SOD2 and CDKN1A is associated with the poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. These two genes could be used as a predicted makers of breast cancer radiation sensitivity.

Acupuncture based on meridian diagnosis for chronic atrophic gastritis / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the efficacy between acupoint selection of meridian diagnosis and regular acupoint selection for chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG).@*METHODS@#A total of 70 cases of CAG were randomly divided into an observation group (35 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a control group (35 cases, 5 dropped off). In the observation group, according to the hand diagnosis of meridians and the results of 80-channels energy determinator, based on the principle of child-mother relation acupoint combination, the -connecting point and back- points were added for excess syndrome, and the -primary point, front- points and -sea point of foot meridians were added for deficiency syndrome; in addition, the acupoints of the eight extraordinary meridians were added based on the nature of acupoints. In the control group, Zhongwan (CV 12), Neiguan (PC 6), Zusanli (ST 36) and Gongsun (SP 4) were selected as the primary acupoints, and additional acupoints were added according to syndrome differentiation. The two groups were treated twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday, respectively), totally for 6 months. Six months after treatment, the follow-up was conducted. The clinical symptom score, gastroenteropathy patient reported outcomes (PRO) scale score before treatment, after treatment and during follow-up as well as the score of pathological changes of gastric mucosa before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment and during follow-up, the clinical symptom scores and gastroenteropathy PRO scale scores were decreased in the two groups (<0.01, <0.001); at the follow-up, the gastroenteropathy PRO scale score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.01). After treatment, the scores of pathological changes of gastric mucosa in the two groups were decreased (<0.01), and the score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The acupoint selection of meridian diagnosis is superior to regular acupoint selection for CAG, which has better efficacy, more significant improvement on gastric mucosa pathology, and more stable long-term effect.

Glomerular Filtration Rate Is a Major Predictor of Clearance of Oxcarbazepine Active Metabolite in Adult Chinese Epileptic Patients: A Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Oxcarbazepine (OXC) is almost completely metabolized to its10-monohydroxy derivative (MHD), which is responsible for the pharmacological effects of the drug. Several studies have described the population pharmacokinetics (PPK) of MHD in pediatric patients, but little is known about its pharmacokinetics in adult patients. In addition, no study to date has proposed a model to investigate the influence of genetic polymorphisms on MHD pharmacokinetics. The aim of this study was to establish a PPK model of MHD to investigate the effects of genetic polymorphisms in UGT2B7, UGT1A9, ABCB1, and ABCB2 in adult Chinese patients with epilepsy and to develop a new dosage guideline for OXC. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected from 187 adult patients with epilepsy who were taking OXC. MHD trough concentrations were detected by enzyme-multiplied immunoassay. Patients were genotyped for 4 single nucleotide polymorphisms (UGT2B7 802T>C, UGT1A9 I399C>T, ABCB1 3435C>T, and ABCB2 1249G>A). Other covariates included sex, age, body weight (BW), hepato-renal function, and concomitant medications. Data were analyzed using the nonlinear mixed effects modelling software. RESULTS: The apparent clearance (CL) of MHD was significantly influenced by glomerular filtration rate and BW, and was unrelated to other covariates such as genetic polymorphisms and coadministration with levetiracetam, lamotrigine, and topiramate. Moreover, a new dosage guideline was proposed based on the final model to individualize OXC regimens for adult patients with varying BW and renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Glomerular filtration rate was first found as an important covariate influencing MHD CL. A PPK model was established to estimate the individual MHD CL for adult patients taking OXC and may be applied for individualizing doses in the target population.

Grafted Neural Stem Cells Show Lesion-Specific Migration in Radiation-Injured Rat Brains.

Neural stem cells (NSCs) exhibit preferential homing toward some types of brain lesion, but their migratory property during radiation brain injury (RBI) remains unexplored. Here, we use the superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology to determine the migration of transplanted NSCs in two partial RBI models in real time, created by administering 30-55 Gy of radiation to the right or posterior half of the adult rat brain. SPIO-labeled NSCs were stereotactically grafted into the uninjured side one week after RBI. The migration of SPIO-labeled NSCs in live radiation-injured brains was traced by MRI for up to 28 days after engraftment and quantified for their moving distances and speeds. A high labeling efficiency (>90%) was achieved by incubating NSCs with 100µg/ml of SPIO for 12-24 hours. Upon stereotactic transplantation into the healthy side of the brain, SPIO-labeled NSCs were distinctively detected as hypointense signals on T2-weighted images (T2WI), showed sustained survival for up to 4 weeks, and exhibited directional migration to the radiation-injured side of the brain with a speed of 86-127 µm/day. The moving kinetics of grafted NSCs displayed no difference in brains receiving a high (55 Gy) vs. moderate (45 Gy) dose of radiation, but was slower in the right RBI model than in the posterior RBI model. This study shows that NSCs can be effectively labeled by SPIO and traced in vivo by MRI, and that grafted NSCs exhibit directional migration toward RBI sites in a route-dependent but radiation dose-independent manner.

Highlights on molecular targets for radiosensitization of breast cancer cells: Current research status and prospects.

In the past, searching for effective radiotherapy sensitization molecular targets and improving the radiation sensitivity of malignant tumors was the hot topic for the oncologists, but with little achievements. We will summarize the research results about breast cancer irradiation sensitization molecular targets over the past two decades; we mainly focus on the following aspects: DNA damage repair and radiation sensitization, cell cycle regulation and radiation sensitization, cell autophagy regulation and radiation sensitization, and radiation sensitivity prediction and breast cancer radiotherapy scheme making. And based on this summary, we will put forward some of our viewpoints.

Excessive Pretreatment Weight Loss Is a Risk Factor for the Survival Outcome of Esophageal Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Radical Surgery and Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background: The prognostic values of weight loss and body mass index (BMI) in esophageal carcinoma remain controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of weight loss on the survival of patients undergoing radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: The medical records of 189 consecutive patients with nonmetastatic esophageal carcinoma treated in our hospital between January 2012 and December 2013 were reviewed, and 121 patients were included for analysis. Results: Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the 3-year overall survival rate was significantly higher in the low pretreatment weight loss (pre-LWL) group than in the high pretreatment weight loss (pre-HWL) group (P < 0.001). In addition, the 3-year overall survival rate of normal weight group was higher than that of overweight and underweight groups (P = 0.007). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that pre-LWL group had a significantly better 3-year overall survival than pre-HWL group (P = 0.027, HR = 1.89, and 95% CI = 1.07-3.32). pN stage and age were also the survival prognostic factors. Conclusions: Our study showed that low pretreatment weight loss predicted a better survival outcome in the esophageal carcinoma patients with radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. However, BMI and weight loss during treatment had no impact on the survival outcome.

Prognostic factors in breast phyllodes tumors: a nomogram based on a retrospective cohort study of 404 patients.

The aim of this study was to explore the independent prognostic factors related to postoperative recurrence-free survival (RFS) in patients with breast phyllodes tumors (PTBs). A retrospective analysis was conducted in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. According to histological type, patients with benign PTBs were classified as a low-risk group, while borderline and malignant PTBs were classified as a high-risk group. The Cox regression model was adopted to identify factors affecting postoperative RFS in the two groups, and a nomogram was generated to predict recurrence-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years. Among the 404 patients, 168 (41.6%) patients had benign PTB, 184 (45.5%) had borderline PTB, and 52 (12.9%) had malignant PTB. Fifty-five patients experienced postoperative local recurrence, including six benign cases, 26 borderline cases, and 22 malignant cases; the three histological types of PTB had local recurrence rates of 3.6%, 14.1%, and 42.3%, respectively. Stromal cell atypia was an independent prognostic factor for RFS in the low-risk group, while the surgical approach and tumor border were independent prognostic factors for RFS in the high-risk group, and patients receiving simple excision with an infiltrative tumor border had a higher recurrence rate. A nomogram developed based on clinicopathologic features and surgical approaches could predict recurrence-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years. For high-risk patients, this predictive nomogram based on tumor border, tumor residue, mitotic activity, degree of stromal cell hyperplasia, and atypia can be applied for patient counseling and clinical management. The efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy remains uncertain.

Gene identification of rare B(A) blood group.

OBJECTIVE: To study serologic and gene characteristics of the B(A) blood group of blood donation volunteers in Jilin Province, China. METHODS: ABO subgroups were identified by standard serologic techniques in ABO typing discrepancy samples from all donors at the Jilin Blood Center (410,354 non-repeat donors). DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) was collected from each sample and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) was used to sequence exons 6 and 7 and intron 6, part 5 from the ABO subgroup samples. PCR products were sequenced to identify ABO subgroups and the B(A) allele. RESULTS: Four cases of B(A) blood type were found after sequencing, including two different alleles: B(A)02 and B(A)04. Three of the four alleles were B(A)04. CONCLUSION: Among blood donation volunteers in Jilin Province, China, B(A)04 is the most common B(A) blood group allele, followed by B(A)02. The B(A) blood group is associated with a complicated serologic phenotype and DNA detection is necessary for this atypical phenotype sample.

Radiotherapy with neoadjuvant chemotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy for ascending-type nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective comparison of toxicity and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: In the era of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in treating ascending-type nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is under-evaluated. This study was to compare the efficacy of NACT followed by IMRT (NACT + RT) with the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) on ascending-type NPC. METHODS: Clinical data of 214 patients with ascending-type NPC treated with NACT + RT or CCRT between December 2009 and July 2011 were analyzed. Of the 214 patients, 98 were treated with NACT followed by IMRT, and 116 were treated with CCRT. The survival rates were assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, and the survival curves were compared using a log-rank test. RESULTS: The 4-year overall survival, locoregional failure-free survival, distant failure-free survival, and failure-free survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (all P > 0.05). However, patients in the CCRT group exhibited more severe acute adverse events than did patients in the NACT + RT group during radiotherapy, including leukopenia (30.2% vs. 15.3%, P = 0.016), neutropenia (25.9% vs. 11.2%, P = 0.011), and mucositis (57.8% vs. 40.8%, P = 0.028). After radiotherapy, patients in the CCRT group exhibited significantly higher rates of xerostomia (21.6% vs. 10.2%, P = 0.041) and hearing loss (17.2% vs. 6.1%, P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment outcomes of the NACT + RT and CCRT groups were similar; however, CCRT led to higher rates of acute and late toxicities. NACT + RT may therefore be a better treatment strategy for ascending-type NPC.

Gene analysis of two cases with CisAB/B blood subgroup.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the precise ABO blood type subgroups with genotyping. METHOD: We screened ABO blood type from voluntary blood donors in our blood collection center. Samples were first examined with a routine serological method. Samples with ambiguous results were further examined with genotyping to identify ABO subgroups. RESULTS: Two samples identified as AweakB by serology were considered to be A/B and B/B by PCR-SSP. However, the gene sequencing results revealed the precise subgroup to be CisAB01/B101 and CisAB05/B101, respectively. CONCLUSION: It may be difficult to identify non-typical AB patients with a routine serological method. Genotyping is a more precise method to identify blood subgroups.