Effect of waiting time for radiotherapy after last induction chemotherapy on prognosis of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The effect of radiotherapy waiting time after last induction chemotherapy (IC-RT) on prognosis of patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC) needs further discussion. METHODS: Three hundred and six patients with LANPC diagnosed pathologically by induction chemotherapy (IC) and radiotherapy (RT) from 2013 to 2018 were selected for this study. RESULTS: The IC-RT was a risk factor for the post-treatment progression of LANPC (OR = 1.017 95%CI: 1.003-1.031), For patients with LANPC, the IC-RT > 40 days significantly reduced 5-year PFS (70% vs. 55%; p = 0.0012), 5-year OS (84% vs. 73%; p = 0.028), 5-year DMFS (80% vs. 66%; p = 0.003), 5-year LRFS (77% vs. 67%; p = 0.012). Indicating that patients with stage IVa who IC-RT > 40 days were found to be a significant predictor of aggravated PFS (HR = 2.69; 95%CI: 1.57-4.6), OS (HR = 2.55; 95%CI: 1.29-5.03), DMFS (HR = 3.07; 95%CI: 1.64-5.76) and LRFS (HR = 2.26; 95%CI: 1.21-4.21). CONCLUSION: The prognosis of patients will be adversely affected if the IC-RT exceeds 40 days, especially for stage IVa patients.

A rare case report of infratentorial cisternal angiolipoma with review of literature.

Angiolipomas are slow-growing benign mesenchymal-derived tumors consisting of mature adipocytes and thin-walled blood vessels. While the majority of angiolipomas are found in subcutaneous tissues, rarely there are case reports of intracranial lesions. We present a case of cisternal angiolipoma in a 10-year-old female. She presented with vague symptoms like dizziness without neurological deficits and radiological evaluation confirmed a left-sided infratentorial cisternal partially enhancing mass. She underwent craniotomy and had complete resection of the mass, which was histologically composed of mature adipocytes and blood vessels, consistent with angiolipoma. A review of the literature found only 18 cases of intracranial angiolipoma ever reported with our case representing the first case of infratentorial cisternal region.

Giant Pediatric Supratentorial Tumor: Clinical Feature and Surgical Strategy.

Purpose: To analyze the clinical character of giant pediatric supratentorial tumor (GPST) and explore prognostic factors. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the clinical data comprising of 35 cases of GPST from a single center between January 2015 and December 2020. The tumor volume was measured by 3D slicer software based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) was used to evaluate the short-term prognosis. Result: The tumor volume varied from 27.3 to 632.8 ml (mean volume 129.8 ml/ median volume 82.8 ml). Postoperative histopathological types include ependymoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, choroid plexus papilloma (CPP), craniopharyngioma, primitive neuroectoderm tumor (PNET), choroid plexus carcinoma (CPC), immature teratoma, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), anaplastic astrocytoma, and gangliocytoma. Tumors in children younger than 3 years and tumors located at the hemispheres appeared to be larger than their respective counterparts, though no statistical significance was found. A patient with giant immature teratoma died during the operation because of excessive bleeding. Postoperative complications include cerebrospinal fluid subgaleal collection/effusion, infection, neurological deficits, and seizures. The mean GOS score of patients with GPST in 6 months is 3.43 ± 1.12, and 83% of patients (29/35) showed improvement. Favorable GPST characteristics to indicated better GOS included small tumor (≤100 ml) (p = 0.029), low-grade (WHO I-II) (p = 0.001), and gross total resection (GTR) (p = 0.015). WHO grade was highly correlated with GOS score (correlation coefficient = -0.625, p < 0.001). GTR and tumor volume were also correlated (correlation coefficient = -0.428, p = 0.010). Conclusion: The prognosis of GPST is highly correlated with the histopathological type. Smaller tumors are more likely to achieve GTR and might lead to a higher GOS score. Early diagnosis and GTR of the tumor are important for GPST management.

A Novel PIFA/KOH Promoted Approach to Synthesize C2-arylacylated Benzothiazoles as Potential Drug Scaffolds.

To discover an efficient and convenient method to synthesize C2-arylacylated benzothiazoles as potential drug scaffolds, a novel [bis(trifluoroacetoxy)iodo]benzene(PIFA)/KOH synergistically promoted direct ring-opening C2-arylacylation reaction of 2H-benzothiazoles with aryl methyl ketones has been developed. Various substrates were tolerated under optimized conditions affording the C2-arylacylation products in 70-95% yields for 38 examples. A plausible mechanism was also proposed based on a series of controlled experiments.

Case Report: Whole-Exome Sequencing of Hypothalamic Hamartoma From an Infant With Pallister-Hall Syndrome Revealed Novel de novo Mutation in the GLI3.

Background: GLI-Kruppel family member 3 (GLI3), a zinc finger transcription factor of the sonic hedgehog pathway, is essential for organ development. Mutations in GLI3 cause several congenital conditions, including Pallister-Hall syndrome (PHS), which is characterized by polydactyly and hypothalamic hamartoma. Most patients are diagnosed soon after birth, and surgical removal of hypothalamic hamartoma in the very young is rarely performed because of associated risks. Case presentation: A 7-month-old boy with PHS features, including a suprasellar lesion, bifid epiglottis, tracheal diverticulum, laryngomalacia, left-handed polydactyly and syndactyly, and omental hernia was referred to our service. His suprasellar lesion was partially removed, and whole-exome sequencing was applied to the resected tumor, his peripheral blood, and blood from his parents. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis of hypothalamic hamartoma, and molecular profiling revealed a likely pathogenic de novo variant, c.2331C>G (p. H777Q), in GLI3. Magnetic resonance imaging follow-up 1 year later showed some residual tumor, and the patient experienced normal development post operation. Conclusions: We presented a case of PHS that carries a novel GLI3 variant. Hypothalamic hamartoma showed a distinct genetic landscape from germline DNA. These data offer insights into the underlying etiology of hypothalamic hamartoma development in patients with PHS.

Rational Construction of a N, F Co-doped Mesoporous Cobalt Phosphate with Rich-Oxygen Vacancies for Oxygen Evolution Reaction and Supercapacitors.

Transition-metal phosphates have been widely applied as promising candidates for electrochemical energy storage and conversion. In this study, we report a simple method to prepare a N, F co-doped mesoporous cobalt phosphate with rich-oxygen vacancies by in-situ pyrolysis of a Co-phosphate precursor with NH4 + cations and F- anions. Due to this heteroatom doping, it could achieve a current density of 10 mA/cm2 at lower overpotential of 276 mV and smaller Tafel slope of 57.11 mV dec-1 on glassy carbon. Moreover, it could keep 92 % of initial current density for 35 h, indicating it has an excellent stability and durability. Furthermore, the optimal material applied in supercapacitor displays specific capacitance of 206.3 F g-1 at 1 A ⋅ g-1 and maintains cycling stability with 80 % after 3000 cycles. The excellent electrochemical properties should be attributed to N, F co-doping into this Co-based phosphate, which effectively modulates its electronic structure. In addition, its amorphous structure provides more active sites; moreover, its mesoporous structure should be beneficial to mass transfer and electrolyte diffusion.

Distally Based Perforator-Plus Sural Neurocutaneous Flap with High or Low Pivot Point: Anatomical Considerations and a Retrospective Study of a Clinical Series of 378 Flaps.

BACKGROUND: This study is to describe the distribution of natural true anastomoses associated with the distally based perforator-plus sural neurocutaneous flap (sural flap), summarize our experience in the flap with high pivot point, and compare the outcomes between the flaps with high and low pivot points. METHODS: Five amputated lower limbs were perfused, and the integuments were radiographed. We retrospectively analyzed 378 flaps, which were divided into two groups: pivot points located ≤8.0 cm (low pivot point group) and >8.0 cm (high pivot point group) proximal to the tip of the lateral malleolus. Partial necrosis rates were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The arterial chain surrounding the sural nerve was linked by true anastomoses from the intermalleolar line to popliteal crease. True anastomoses existed among peroneal perforators and between these perforators and the arterial chain. There were 93 flaps with high pivot point and 285 flaps with low pivot point. Partial necrosis rates were 16 and 9.1% in the high and low pivot point group (p = 0.059), respectively. CONCLUSION: True anastomosis connections among peroneal perforators and the whole arterial chain around sural nerve enable the sural flap to survive with a greater length. The sural flap with high pivot point is a good option for reconstructing soft-tissue defects in the middle and distal leg, ankle, and foot, particularly when the lowest peroneal perforator presents damage, greater distance to the defects, discontinuity with the donor site, or anatomical variation.

Network Pharmacology Analysis of the Therapeutic Mechanisms Underlying Beimu-Gualou Formula Activity against Bronchiectasis with In Silico Molecular Docking Validation.

BACKGROUND: The classical Chinese herbal prescription Beimu-Gualou formula (BMGLF) has been diffusely applied to the treatment of respiratory diseases, including bronchiectasis. Although concerning bronchiectasis the effects and mechanisms of action of the BMGLF constituents have been partially elucidated, it remains to be determined how the formula in its entirety exerts therapeutic effects. METHODS: In this study, the multitarget mechanisms of BMGLF against bronchiectasis were predicted with network pharmacology analysis. Using prepared data, a drug-target interaction network was established and subsequently the core therapeutic targets of BMGLF were identified. Furthermore, the biological function and pathway enrichment of potential targets were analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic effects and pivotal signaling pathways of BMGLF. Finally, virtual molecular docking was performed to assess the affinities of compounds for the candidate targets. RESULTS: The therapeutic action of BMGLF against bronchiectasis involves 18 core target proteins, including the aforementioned candidates (i.e., ALB, ICAM1, IL10, and MAPK1), which are assumed to be related to biological processes such as drug response, cellular response to lipopolysaccharide, immune response, and positive regulation of NF-κB activity in bronchiectasis. Among the top 20 signaling pathways identified, mechanisms of action appear to be primarily related to Chagas disease, allograft rejection, hepatitis B, and inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSION: In summary, using a network pharmacology approach, we initially predicted the complex regulatory profile of BMGLF against bronchiectasis in which multilink suppression of immune/inflammatory responses plays an essential role. These results may provide a basis for novel pharmacotherapeutic approaches for bronchiectasis.

Rational Design of a N,S Co-Doped Supermicroporous CoFe-Organic Framework Platform for Water Oxidation.

It remains a challenge to rational design of a new metal-organic framework (MOF) as highly efficient direct electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we developed a simple and effective method to explore a new pillared-layered MOF with syringic acid as a promising OER electrocatalyst. The isostructural mono-, heterobimetallic MOF and N,S co-doped MOF by mixing thiourea were quickly synthesized in a high yield under solvothermal condition. Moreover, the optimized N,S co-doped MOF exhibits the lowest overpotential of 254 mV at 10 mA cm-2 on a glass carbon electrode and a small Tafel slope of 50 mV dec-1 , especially, this catalyst also possesses long-term electrochemical durability for at least 16 h. According to the characterization, the incorporation of N and S atoms into this heterobimetallic CoFe-based MOF could modify its pore structure, tune the electronic structure, accordingly, improve the mass and electron transportation, and facilitate the formation of active species, as a consequence, the improved activity of this new N,S co-doped MOF for OER should be mainly be ascribed to higher electrochemical activation toward the active species via in situ surface modification during the OER process.

Whole exome sequencing of multiple meningiomas with varying histopathological presentation in one patient revealed distinctive somatic mutation burden and independent clonal origins.

Background: Although meningiomas are common intracranial tumors, multiple meningiomas (MMs) are rare entities in patients without neurofibromatosis type 2. Previous studies suggest most sporadic MMs are of monoclone in origin. Objective: To elucidate the clonal relationship between two sporadic meningiomas from the same patient by using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) platform. Methods: Two MMs, located frontally and parietally on the right side, were surgically removed from a 52-year-old male. Pathological examinations and whole exome sequencing were performed on tumor samples, followed by Sanger sequencing validation. Results: MMs were diagnosed as secretory and fibrous subtypes, respectively, on histology (WHO grade I) and tumor DNA exhibited distinctive somatic mutation patterns. Specifically, the secretory subtype carried more single nucleotide variant while the fibrous subtype had much higher copy number variation. Besides, the two tumors demonstrated different mutation profiles in predisposing genes and known driver mutations. For example, the secretory subtype had missense mutations in TRAF7 and KLF4, while the fibrous subtype had frameshift deletion of NF2 gene in addition to copy number loss of NF2 and SMARCB1, genetic events that have already been associated with the development of meningiomas. Significantly mutated gene analysis revealed novel mutations of LOC729159 in the secretory subtype and RPGRIP1L and DPP6 in the fibrous subtype. Sanger sequencing validated important point mutations in TRAF7 (c.1678G>A, p.G560S), KLF4 (c.1225A>C, p.K409Q) and CDH11 (c.169T>G, p.W57G). Conclusion: Our data suggest the two meningiomas might develop independently in this patient and molecular subtyping by NGS is a valuable supplement to conventional pathology. Further study is needed to ascertain whether these novel genetic events are tumorigenic or simply passenger mutations, as well as their clinical implications.

[Pollution patterns and health risk assessment for polychlorinated biphenyls in soils from a capacitor storage site].

Concentration profiles of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and toxicity risks of dioxin-like PCBs were investigated in soils collected from a capacitor-burial site. Based on the USEPA model of human health risk assessment, cancer and non-cancer risks for these soils were also estimated when used for residential and industrial purposes. It was observed that the average concentrations of total PCBs (sigma PCBs, 22 congeners) in the soils were 6.23, 19.3, and 1 540 mg x kg(-1) at different depths of 0-30 cm, 30-100 cm, and 200-250 cm, respectively. Tri-CBs and Tetra-CBs were the largest contributors to the total concentrations in the soils, making up 75.7%-94.0%. The toxic equivalent concentration (TEQs) of total PCBs was up to 457 microg x kg(-1), and PCB 126 had the highest contribution. Health risk assessment showed that under residential land uses, children was the most sensitive receptor although cumulative non-carcinogenic risks for both children and adults (0.927-1 760) nearly exceeded the acceptable level, while under industrial land uses except for the topsoil, the total non-carcinogenic risks for workers exceeded the acceptable level. Under residential and industrial land uses, PCBs in the soils had high carcinogenic risks that were more than the acceptable level of carcinogenic risks (10(-6)-10(-5)). Inhalation exposure was the major way subjected to the carcinogenic risk as well as to the non-carcinogenic risk, regardless of children, adults, and workers involved.

[Influence of culture mode on bacterial cellulose production and its structure and property].

Acetobacter xylinum NUST4.2 has been applied in the studies to examine the production, structure and thermal property of bacterial cellulose (BC) produced in stationary culture and in the stirred tank reactor. These differences are as follows: BC yield reached 7.5 g/L in stationary culture for 6 days and its productivity was 0.052 g/L/h. BC production reached 3.13 g/L in the stirred tank reactor for 72h and its productivity was 0.043 g/L/h. SEM showed that there was almost no difference between network structure built of entangled cellulose ribbons produced in static culture and in the reactor. But the cellulose ribbons produced in static culture were a much more entangled and denser network with curved and overlapping cellulose ribbons in comparison with that one produced in the stirred tank reactor. Also the thickness of the cellulose ribbons seems to differ between the two BC samples, with the one from static culture distinguished by the slightly thinner ribbons. FT-IR revealed that there was no effect of stirring on the chemical structure of BC, but intermolecular hydrogen bond of cellulose was weakened. Furthermore, BC synthesized in static culture displayed I(alpha)-rich cellulose. XRD results indicated that no remarkable change in the cellulose crystallographic form of the BC samples. Nevertheless, BC produced in static culture was characterized by a higher crystallinity, higher I(alpha) content and higher crystalline size than cellulose that was produced in the reactor. All of these results revealed that stirring in the reactor interfere strongly in the process of nascent microfibrils crystallization, favoring the formation of smaller size microfibrils and increased I(beta), the more stable allomorph. Compared with cotton cellulose, the changes of thermal decomposition behavior in the BC samples were that BC produced in static culture displayed better thermal stability, but BC produced in the stirred reactor displayed better flame retarding.