[Efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon alpha-2b for patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon alpha-2b (PEG-IFN-α2b) in the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Methods: Thirty-four MPN patients receiving PEG-IFN-α2b treatment in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from August 2019 to October 2022 were prospectively included. Among the patients, 9 were male and 25 were female, and the median age [M (Q1, Q3)] was 57 (19, 78) years. Patients' clinical characteristics were collected and the follow-up was performed. As of January 30, 2023, the follow-up period [M(Q1, Q3)] was 24 (16, 33) months. The efficacy, safety and changes in immune cell and cytokine levels after 12 and 24 months of treatment were analyzed. Results: During the follow-up period, 4 patients dropped out, and the efficacy was evaluable in 30 patients. Following 12 and 24 months of treatment, the complete hematologic response (CHR) rates were 57.1% (16/28) and 75.0% (18/24), respectively. The complete molecular response (CMR)+partial molecular response (PMR) rates were 27.3% (6/22) and 55.0% (11/20), respectively. The bone marrow histopathological overall response rates (ORR) were 34.6% (9/26) and 47.6% (10/21), respectively. At 12 and 24 months of treatment, the proportions of CD8+HLA-DR+T cells, effector T cell subpopulations, CD56bright natural killer (NK) cells, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) were higher than the pre-treatment levels, while the proportion of CD56dim NK cells was lower than the pre-treatment level (all P<0.05). The levels of motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and TNF-ß in bone marrow all increased from those prior to treatment, while the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL-4) decreased from those prior to treatment (all P<0.05). Among hematological adverse reactions, white blood cells decrease [47% (16/34)] was observed with high incidence. Among non-hematological adverse reactions, asthenia [44.1% (15/34)] and transaminases increase [32.3% (11/34)] were observed with high incidences. Conclusions: PEG-IFN-α2b has high hematologic, molecular, and bone marrow histopathological response rates in the treatment of MPN. It can reduce malignant clone loads and regulate the immune microenvironment and is safe and well tolerated overall.

[Analysis of risk factors for thromboembolism in patients with JAK2V617F gene mutation positive myeloproliferative neoplasms].

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of thrombosis in patients with JAK2V617F mutation positive myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Methods: A total of 223 MPN patients with JAK2V617F mutation in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from September 2017 to May 2023 were retrospectively enrolled, including 111 males and 112 females, aged [M(Q1,Q3)] 57(21,66) years. According to the presence or absence of thromboembolism during follow-up, the patients were divided into thrombosis group (n=102) and non-thrombosis group (n=121). The clinical characteristics, laboratory characteristics, cytogenetics and other disease progression and survival of the two groups of patients were analyzed. As of March 31, 2023, the follow-up period [M (Q1, Q3)] was 6 (3, 10) years. The influencing factors of thrombosis in JAK2V617F positive MPN patients were analyzed by using the Cox risk model. Results: Among 223 JAK2V617F positive MPN patients, 144 were polycythemia vera (PV), 51 were essential thrombocythemia (ET) and 28 were primary myelofibrosis (PMF). The mutation rates of ASXL1 and BCORL1 genes in the thrombosis group were 19.6% (20/102) and 6.9% (7/102), respectively, which were higher than those in the non-thrombosis group [9.1% (11/121) and 0.8% (1/121)] (both P<0.05). The proportion of monocytes, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-1ß (IL)-1ß, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-ß (TNF-ß) increased in the thrombosis group were higher than those in the non-thrombosis group (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that age≥60 years (HR=2.132, 95%CI: 1.376-3.303, P=0.001), history of thrombosis (HR=3.636, 95%CI: 2.121-6.202, P<0.001), ASXL1 mutation positive (HR=2.245, 95%CI: 1.093-3.231, P=0.022) and elevated TNF-ß (HR=2.009, 95%CI: 1.113-3.624, P=0.021) were risk factors for thrombosis in JAK2V617F positive MPN patients. Conclusions: In addition to age, history of thrombosis and positive ASXL1 mutation, elevated TNF-ß is also an influencing factor of thrombosis in JAK2V617F positive MPN patients. Intervention of inflammation may have a certain effect on the prevention and treatment of thrombosis.

[Clinical and laboratory features of SF3B1-mutated myeloproliferative neoplasms].

Objective: To explore the clinical and laboratory characteristics of SF3B1 gene mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) patients. Methods: The clinical data of 273 MPN patients who were diagnosed MPN and treated in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from November 2017 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 133 males and 140 females, with a median age M(Q1,Q3)of 56(46, 67) years. The molecular biology and cytogenetic characteristics were detected by second-generation sequencing (NGS) and R+G banding techniques, and the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with SF3B1 gene mutation were analyzed. Results: SF3B1 gene mutations were found in 13 patients (4.8%, 13/273).The types of SF3B1 mutations included missense (92.3%, 12/13) and nonsense mutations (7.7%, 1/13).Compared to the non-mutant cohort, patients in SF3B1 mutant cohort had older ages [68(51, 76) vs 56(45, 66)years,P=0.025], higher proportion of splenomegaly [46.2%(6/13) vs 15.8%(41/259),P=0.014]and secondary tumor [23.1%(3/13)vs 3.8%(10/260), P=0.018]with higher proportion of bone marrow blast [0.5%(0, 1.5%) vs 0(0, 0.5%),P=0.002] and lower hemoglobin[(104±36) vs (137±40) g/L,P=0.004] and hematocrit [31%(22%, 40%) vs 41%(35%, 52%),P=0.003]. All of the 10 patients in the SF3B1 mutant cohort whose ring sideroblast (RS) could be evaluated showed no RS formation. The overall survival, thrombosis-free survival and leukemia free survival of MPN patients in SF3B1 mutant cohort were 4.0 (2.0, 6.0), 2.0 (0.5, 4.5) and 4.0 (2.0, 6.0) years, respectively, while patients in the non-mutant cohort were 6.0 (3.0, 10.0), 5.0 (1.0, 8.0), 6.0 (3.0, 10.0) years, respectively, there were no statistical significance between two groups (Z=3.69, 1.66, 2.05, all P>0.05).The secondary tumor free survival of SF3B1 mutant cohort patients was 4.0 (2.0, 6.0) years, which was lower than that of non-mutant cohort patients [5.5 (3.0, 10.0) years, Z=18.18, P<0.001). Conclusions: MPN patients with SF3B1 gene mutations are older, more prone to splenomegaly and secondary tumors. They also have a higher proportion of bone marrow blast, lower hemoglobin and hematocrit, and show no RS formation.

[Efficacy and prognosis of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients treated with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of VRD (bortezomib+lenalidomide+dexamethasone) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients as well as the effect of the regimen on the long-term prognosis. Methods: The clinical characteristics, survival rates, response rates and minimal residual disease (MRD) of patients with NDMM at Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital from January 1, 2013 to January 1, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Subgroup analysis was also performed among groups according to the cytogenetics and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) of patients. Results: A total of 87 patients were retrospectively analyzed. The age[M(Q1,Q3)] of all patients was 56 (51, 61) years and males and females accounted for 58.6% (51/87) and 41.4% (36/87), respectively. The overall response rate (ORR) was 95.9% (71/74) after 2 courses of induction therapy, with 13.5% (10/74) achieving the deep response [complete response (CR) or better] and 51.3% (38/74) of patients achieving a very good partial response (VGPR) or better. After 4 courses of induction therapy, the ORR achieved 95.2% (60/63), and the proportions of the deep response and VGPR or better grew up to 46.0% (29/63) and 77.7% (49/63). According to the treatment, the patients (≤65 years old) were divided into transplantation group and non-transplantation group. After the induction therapy, 88.8% (32/36) of patients in the transplantation group achieved VGPR or better, and 55.5% (20/36) reached the deep response. After the transplantation, the proportion increased to 97.1% (34/35) and 77.2% (27/35), respectively(88.8% vs 97.1%,P=0.174;55.5% vs 77.2%,P=0.055), with the rate of undetectable MRD increasing from 44.4% (16/36) to 77.8% (28/36) (P=0.004). In the non-transplantation group, 74.2% (23/31) of patients achieved VGPR or better after 4 courses of induction therapy, 35.5% (11/31) of the patients achieved deep response and the rate of undetectable MRD was 37.0% (10/27). Compared with the non-transplantation group, transplantation was associated with a higher rate of complete response (89.5% vs 53.1%, P<0.001) and a lower rate of MRD detection(78.4% vs 55.2%, P=0.045). The median follow-up time of all patients was 26.3 months (20.8, 33.8). The median progression-free survival and overall survival were not reached. The three-year PFS and OS rates were 78.4% and 87.2%, respectively. None of the standard-risk group, the high-risk group, the transplantation group and non-transplantation group achieved the median PFS and OS. Conclusions: VRD regimen has a promising efficacy and results in a substantial survival benefit. ASCT after VRD induction therapy is associated with higher rate of deep response, higher rate of undetectable MRD and longer survival.

[Clinical characteristics and prognosis of 46 patients with macrofocal multiple myeloma].

The clinical characteristics, laboratory results, response to treatment, and prognosis of 46 macrofocal multiple myeloma(MFMM) patients at our center from January 2013 to December 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. The other 92 patients were selected as matched-controls based on diagnostic period and treatment. Among the 1 137 MM patients, 46 patients met the definition criteria of MFMM (4.0%), with median age 56 years, which was not statistically different from whole MM population (P=0.066). According to the international staging system (ISS) and Revised ISS, the proportion of patients with advanced stage in MFMM group was less common than that of controls (P<0.05). More plasmacytomas in MFMM patients were presented (43.5% vs. 18.5%, P<0.05). Regarding cytogenetic abnormalities, there were minor patients manifesting high-risk features in MFMM group (15.8% vs. 32.2%, P=0.058). Translocation(11;14) could be detected in 32.4% MFMM patients and 9.4% typical myeloma patients (P<0.05). The treatment regimens were comparable. As to the best response of treatment, the complete response (CR) rate in MFMM group was significantly higher than that of controls (78.3% vs. 60.9%, P<0.05). The median follow-up time was 37.9 months. The median progression-free survival in MFMM and control groups were 77.5 vs. 39.8 months, respectively (P<0.05). The overall survival (OS) of MFMM patients was significantly longer (not reached vs. 68.2 months, P<0.05).

[Clinical characteristics and outcome of malignant hydronephrosis associated with colorectal carcinoma].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and outcome of hydronephrosis associated with advanced or metastatic colorectal carcinoma. Methods: Clinical data of 311 patients with locally advanced or metastatic colorectal carcinoma between June 2017 and March 2020 in National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital & Shenzhen Hospital were retrospectively collected. Thirty-nine patients with hydronephrosis diagnosed by CT scan were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, Log rank method was used for comparison of survival between the two groups with or without hydronephrosis, and univariate and multivariate analyses was performed by Cox proportional risk regression model. Results: The incidence rate of malignant hydronephrosis associated with metastatic colorectal carcinoma was 12.5% (39/311), 26 were male, and 13 were female. The median age was 43 years (23-74 years). Among the 39 patients, 29 had unilateral hydronephrosis and 10 had bilateral hydronephrosis. Eleven patients with hydronephrosis at the initiate diagnosis, 28 patients with hydronephrosis at relapse or advanced course, and the median time to hydronephrosis was 17 months (4-62 months). The disease control rate (DCR, 77.8% and 84.6%, respectively) and progression free survival (PFS were 6 and 7 months) were not significantly different between patients with hydronephrosis and without hydronephrosis received the first-line chemotherapy (P>0.05). The median overall survival (OS) after presence of hydronephrosis was 26 months (95%CI: 8.3, 43.7). Multivariate analyses showed that the blood vessel invasion (LVSI) was an independent risk factor for OS (P<0.05). Conclusions: Malignant hydronephrosis had no effect on the efficacy of the first-line chemotherapy and PFS of patients with colorectal carcinoma received the first-line chemotherapy. LVSI was the independent prognostic factor for OS of patients with malignant hydronephrosis.

[Immunoglobulin M multiple myeloma: a six-case report and literature review].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, responses, and prognosis of immunoglobulin M multiple myeloma (IgM MM) . Methods: The clinical characteristics, laboratory results, bone marrow biopsy results, response, and prognosis of six cases of IgM MM in the Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from December 18, 2009 to October 29, 2020 were collected and analyzed. Results: All six cases met the diagnosis criteria of IgM MM. There were four males and two females. The median age at first diagnosis was 70 (59-81) years. According to Durie-Salmon (DS) staging, 2 cases were in ⅠA, and 4 cases were in ⅢA. According to the International Staging System (ISS) , 4 cases were in Ⅱ, and 2 cases were in Ⅲ. The initial symptoms were as follows: 4 cases of bone pain, 3 cases of hyperviscosity, and 2 cases of lymphadenopathy or hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory results showed the following: median blood M protein: 39.11 (3.61-75.56) g/L; median serum IgM: 69.35 (4.35-137.00) g/L; median hemoglobin: 87.0 (70-131) g/L; median blood creatinine: 83.6 (53.0-129.6) µmol/L; median blood calcium: 2.12 (2.11-2.50) mmol/L. The median ratio of bone marrow plasma cells was 0.390 (0.255-0.590) , and in four cases, plasma cells were observed in blood smears. Karyotype analysis and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) examination showed the following: 1 case of hypodiploidy, 2 cases of P53 gene deletion, 1 case of 1q21 amplification positive, and 4 cases of RB-1 gene deletion positive. The immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) rearrangement was positive in all cases, of which 3 cases were CCND1/IgH fusion gene-positive identified with t (11;14) rearrangement. Immunophenotyping revealed that all cases were positive for CD38, CD138, and monoclonal light chain and four cases were weakly positive for CD20. All cases accepted proteasome inhibitor-based regimens and attained the response of partial remission to strict complete remission. Conclusion: In addition to the typical clinical manifestations of myeloma, IgM MM is also characterized by hyperviscosity, lymphadenopathy, or hepatosplenomegaly, and t (11;14) is the most frequent cytogenetics aberration. Furthermore, the response and prognosis of IgM MM are similar to other common myeloma subtypes.

[Long term follow-up results of anlotinib in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma].

Objective: Anlotinib is an oral multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with dual effects of anti-proliferation and anti-angiogenesis. Phase Ⅰ clinical trials showed anlotinib was well tolerated and had therapeutic effects on a variety of tumors. The aim of this study is to explore the safety and efficacy of anlotinib in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Methods: Between January 2014 and November 2015, a single-center data was obtained from a phase Ⅱ clinical study of anlotinib versus sunitinib on advanced renal cell carcinoma and a phase Ⅱ clinical study of anlotinib on advanced renal cell carcinoma which failed to respond to TKI treatment. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, while Log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates. Results: A total of 36 patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma were enrolled in this study, including 19 patients without any target drug treatment, 12 patients with sunitinib treatment and 5 patients with sorafenib treatment. The median number of treatment cycle was 16. Partial response (PR) was obtained in 11 patients (30.6%) and stable disease (SD) was obtained in 24 patients (66.7%). The disease control rate (DCR) was 97.2%. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 12.6 months, the 1-year survival rate was 80.6%, and the median survival time was 22.2 months. Up to the follow-up deadline, 3 patients still received treatment, the PFSs were 52.6 months, 65.0 months, and 66.7 months. The most common treatment-related adverse events of grade 3 or 4 included hypertension (19.4%), hand-foot skin reaction (11.1%), proteinuria (5.6%) and anemia (5.6%). Conclusions: Anlotinib shows good anti-tumor activity and is generally well-tolerated in the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. The adverse reactions of anlotinib are milder than sunitinib or pazopanib.

[Research progress in major intrinsic protein genes of congenital cataract].

Congenital cataract is a common eye disease that seriously affects the visual development of infants and children. Nearly 30% of cases have cataract-linked, inherited mutations. With the development of molecular genetics, especially gentechnik, more and more genes, such as crystallin genes, membrane protein genes, transcription factors and cytoskeletal protein genes, have been confirmed to be associated with the onset of congenital cataract. There have been many studies on crystallin genes, but studies on the pathogenesis of membrane protein genes have gradually been emphasized as well in recent years. Furthermore, major intrinsic protein (MIP) genes belong to membrane protein genes, and the MIP translated by them accounts for about 50% of the total cell membrane proteins.It has been found that more than twenty mutations in MIP genes participate in the development of congenital cataract. How do these mutations further affect the cellular function and eventually lead to cataract? The recent progression about inherited congenital cataract related with MIP genes at the levels of genes and proteins is summarized in this review. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 386-392).

Three-dimensional evaluation of condylar morphology after closed treatment of unilateral intracapsular condylar fracture in children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: To investigate the condylar morphology after closed treatment of unilateral intracapsular condylar fracture in children and adolescents through three-dimensional evaluation and to explore the influence of age, types of fracture, follow-up period, treatment methods, and concomitant fractures on the treatment effectiveness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of patients who underwent closed treatment for condylar fractures from January 2006 to December 2018 were reviewed. The fractured sides were included in the study group and the opposite healthy joints were included in the control group. The height of articular eminence, depth of glenoid fossa, length & width & thickness of condylar process, length & width of the ramus, and deviation of pogonion were measured three-dimensionally. RESULTS: 31 participants were included in the study. The length of condylar process was 2.10 ± 3.77 mm (P = 0.004) shorter, the depth of glenoid fossa was 1.09 ± 2.13 mm (P = 0.040) shallower, and the length of ramus was 1.55 ± 2.49 mm (P = 0.002) longer in fractured side than the ones in healthy side after closed treatment. The pogonion deviated 0.48 ± 1.7 mm to the fractured side, but no statistical significance was found (P = 0.129). CONCLUSIONS: Children had great growth potential to compensate the shortening of condylar process after intracapsular condylar fracture, so closed treatment could be an effective therapy for young children and adolescents.

Experimental System of Solar Adsorption Refrigeration with Concentrated Collector.

To improve the performance of solar adsorption refrigeration, an experimental system with a solar concentration collector was set up and investigated. The main components of the system were the adsorbent bed, the condenser, the evaporator, the cooling sub-system, and the solar collector. In the first step of the experiment, the vapor-saturated bed was heated by the solar radiation under closed conditions, which caused the bed temperature and pressure to increase. When the bed pressure became high enough, the bed was switched to connect to the condenser, thus water vapor flowed continually from the bed to the condenser to be liquefied. Next, the bed needed to cool down after the desorption. In the solar-shielded condition, achieved by aluminum foil, the circulating water loop was opened to the bed. With the water continually circulating in the bed, the stored heat in the bed was took out and the bed pressure decreased accordingly. When the bed pressure dropped below the saturation pressure at the evaporation temperature, the valve to the evaporator was opened. A mass of water vapor rushed into the bed and was adsorbed by the zeolite material. With the massive vaporization of the water in the evaporator, the refrigeration effect was generated finally. The experimental result has revealed that both the COP (coefficient of the performance of the system) and the SCP (specific cooling power of the system) of the SAPO-34 zeolite was greater than that of the ZSM-5 zeolite, no matter whether the adsorption time was longer or shorter. The system of the SAPO-34 zeolite generated a maximum COP of 0.169.

[Association between hand-foot skin reaction and effectiveness of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the association between hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) in the treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) and the effectiveness of VEGFR-TKIs. Methods: Clinical data of 155 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with VEGFR-TKIs at the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2006 and January 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received first-line VEGFR-TKI therapy. The treatment effectiveness and outcome between patients developing HFSR and those without HFSR were compared. Comparison of treatment response rate (RR) was performed with χ2 test, survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The median survival of all the 155 patients was 36.2 months. Among the 117 (75.5%) patients who developed HFSR, 19 patients (12.3%) had grade Ⅰ HFSR, 73 (47.1%) had grade Ⅱ, and 25 (16.1%) had grade Ⅲ; there were no grade Ⅳ events. The RR and median progression-free survival (mPFS) in patients who did not develop HFSR were 15.8% and 6.7 months, respectively; while the RR and mPFS in patients who developed HFSR were 52.1% and 13.8 months, respectively (P<0.001, P=0.002). The RR and mPFS in patients with grade Ⅰ HFSR were 42.1% and 9.5 months, respectively; those in patients with grade Ⅱ HFSR were 56.2% and 12.2 months, respectively, in patients with grade Ⅲ were 48.0% and 22.2 months, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the three grades of HFSR (P=0.001, 0.009). Conclusions: HFSR might be an effective predictor for effectiveness of VEGFR-TKIs in mRCC patients. Large-sample studies are warranted to further prove these results.

[Relationship between treatment-related hypertension and therapeutic efficacy of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) are widely used for the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between treatment-related hypertension and the therapeutic efficacy of VEGFR-TKIs. METHODS: Clinical data of 155 mRCC patients treated with VEGFR-TKIs at the Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from 2006 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients received first-line TKI therapy. Among them, 69 patients were treated with sunitinib, 14 cases with pazopanib, and 51 cases with fazotinib. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate the survival of the patients. RESULTS: The median survival for the whole group (n=155) was 36.2 months. Among the 98 (63.2%) patients who developed hypertension, 9 patients (5.8%) were evaluated as grade Ⅰ, 54 (34.8%) as grade Ⅱ and 35 (22.6%) as grade Ⅲ, and there was no patient with grade Ⅳ hypertension. The occurrence of TKI-related hypertension was correlated with age and MSKCC score (P<0.05), while not significantly correlated with gender, nephrectomy, T stage, number of metastases, lung metastasis or sunitinib treatment (P>0.05 for all). For the whole group (n=155), the therapeutic efficacy rate was 43.2% (67/155), the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12.0 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 36.2 months. The response rate (RR) was 26.3% (15/57) in patients with normal blood pressure and 53.1% (52/98) in patients with hypertension (P=0.001). The median PFS was 7.1 months in the cases with normal blood pressure and 13.8 months in patients with hypertension (P=0.032). The response rates were 33.3% (3/9), 51.9% (28/54) and 60.0% (21/35) in patients with grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ hypertension (P=0.006). The median PFS was 7.1, 9.7, and 12.0 and 19.5 months in patients with normal blood pressure, and patients with grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ hypertension, respectively (P=0.039). Both univariant and multivariant analyses indicated that treatment-related hypertension is an important predictive factor for the efficacy of VEGFR-TKIs therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension might be an effective predictive factor for efficacy of VEGFR-TKIs therapy in mRCC patients. Large-sample studies are warranted to further prove these results.

Activation and blockade of serotonin7 receptors in the prelimbic cortex regulate depressive-like behaviors in a 6-hydroxydopamine-induced Parkinson's disease rat model.

The role of serotonin7 (5-HT7) receptors in the regulation of depression is poorly understood, particularly in Parkinson's disease-associated depression. Here we examined whether 5-HT7 receptors in the prelimbic (PrL) sub-region of the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) involve in the regulation of depressive-like behaviors in sham-operated rats and rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the medial forebrain bundle. The lesion induced depressive-like responses as measured by the sucrose preference and forced swim tests when compared to sham-operated rats. Intra-PrL injection of 5-HT7 receptor agonist AS19 (0.5, 1 and 2 µg/rat) increased sucrose consumption, and decreased immobility time in sham-operated and the lesioned rats, indicating the induction of antidepressant-like effects. Further, intra-PrL injection of 5-HT7 receptor antagonist SB269970 (1.5, 3 and 6 µg/rat) decreased sucrose consumption, and increased immobility time, indicating the induction of depressive-like responses. However, the doses producing these effects in the lesioned rats were higher than those in sham-operated rats. Neurochemical results showed that intra-PrL injection of AS19 (2 µg/rat) increased dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA) levels in the mPFC, habenula and ventral hippocampus (vHip) in sham-operated and the lesioned rats; whereas SB269970 (6 µg/rat) decreased 5-HT levels in the habenula and vHip, and the levels of NA in the mPFC, habenula and vHip in the two groups of rats. The results suggest that 5-HT7 receptors in the PrL play an important role in the regulation of these behaviors, which attribute to changes in monoamine levels in the limbic and limbic-related brain regions after activation and blockade of 5-HT7 receptors.

Normal evolution of pregnancy complicated by a giant placental chorioangioma.

Placental chorioangioma is a benign vascular tumour of placental origin. Here The authors report a case of a pregnant patient who presented placental chorioangioma measuring 11 cm in the greatest diameter at 37 weeks at term and in labor.

Significance of combined detection of p53 and FHIT in cervical carcinoma diagnosis.

PURPOSE: To explore the significance of combined detection of p53 genes and fragile histidine triad (FHIT) genes in cervical carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens taken from 161 cases invasive carcinoma, 23 cases carcinoma in situ or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia III (CIN III), 74 cases CIN I - II, 25 cases normal cervical tissue, and 32 cases tumor-adjacent tissues were processed by immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of p53 and FHIT genes. The results of the combined detection were compared for clinical diagnostic value of cervical carcinoma diagnosis. RESULTS: The p53 gene, FHIT gene and the two genes combined examination of cervical carcinoma diagnostic sensitivity were: 65.8% (121/184), 66.3% (122/184), 90.2% (166/184), respectively. There were no significant differences between the p53 gene and the FHIT gene detected (p > 0.05). Combined detection of the two gene were more sensitivity than single detection, the difference was significant (p < 0.001). Although diagnosis specificity had dropped somewhat, no significant statistical appeared (chi2 = 0.022, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Combined detection of p53 genes and FHIT genes can increase the sensitivity diagnosis and specificity diagnosis for early cervical carcinoma and precancerous lesions has a positive meaning.

Individualized treatment of NSCLC: from research to clinical practice.

The exact clinical significance of EGFR mutation status in NSCLC at the time of initial diagnosis remains disputable. The gene expression module in NSCLC for chemotherapy outcome prediction needs to be developed. We analyzed 56 patients with NSCLC received chemotherapy either with (n=20) or without EGFR-TKIs (n=36) between 2008 and 2012 in China. EGFR mutation test and gene expression profiling were performed in samples obtained before medication treatment by liquidchip platform. Significant association (P = 0.028) was seen between EGFR mutation status before first-line chemotherapy and EGFR-TKIs treatment outcomes, which even can be found from the status before second- or third-line treatment. A14-gene expression profiling had been studied. Patients with low mRNA expression of ERCC1 or TYMS preferred higher DCR to cisplatin and pemetrexed than those with high expression (P = 0.39 and P= 0.11). Highly co-expression of TUBB3 and STMN1 gene has associated with the resistance to antimicrotubule drugs (P = 0.03). Our data suggest the EGFR mutations status, even at the time of initial diagnosis, is predictive of outcomes of TKIs treatment after chemotherapy. The mRNA expression profiling investigated in this study has a predictive value in NSCLC treatment, but further research with expanded samples is still required.

Clostridium difficile infection in hospitalized cancer patients in Beijing, China is facilitated by receipt of cancer chemotherapy.

The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and risk factors for infection in hospitalized patients with diarrhea in a cancer hospital in Beijing, China. A total of 277 patients with hospital-associated diarrhea (HAD) were studied of which 41 (15%) were positive for fecal C. difficile toxin A/B. For each CDI case identified, a control with HAD but negative C. difficile specimen was enrolled to look for CDI risk factors. Receipt of cancer chemotherapy occurred in 20 (49%) patients with CDI and 9 (22.0%) patients with non-CDI HAD (OR3.39, 95%CI 1.78-10.05). Median length of chemotherapy before HAD developed was 39 days for those with CDI and 22 days for patients with CDI-negative HAD (P = 0.0391). The study found that CDI is commonly seen in cancer patients in China with increasing risk for patients who receive chemotherapy.