Molecular features and clinical outcomes of EGFR-mutated, MET-amplified non-small-cell lung cancer after resistance to dual-targeted therapy.

Background: Some studies of dual-targeted therapy (DTT) targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) have shown promising efficacy in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Consequently, patient management following DTT resistance has gained significance. However, the underlying resistance mechanisms and clinical outcomes in these patients remain unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to delineate the molecular characteristics and survival outcomes of patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations and acquired MET amplification after developing resistance to DTT. Design: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with NSCLC with EGFR mutations and acquired MET amplification who exhibited resistance to EGFR/MET DTT. Methods: Next-generation sequencing (NGS) was performed on patients with available tissue samples before and/or after the development of resistance to DTT. Stratified analyses were carried out based on data sources and subsequent salvage treatments. Univariate/multivariate Cox regression models and survival analyses were employed to explore potential independent prognostic factors. Results: The study included 77 NSCLC patients, with NGS conducted on 19 patients. We observed many resistance mechanisms, including EGFR-dependent pathways (4/19, 21.1%), MET-dependent pathways (2/19, 10.5%), EGFR/MET co-dependent pathways (2/19, 10.5%), and EGFR/MET-independent resistance mechanisms (11/19, 57.9%). Post-progression progression-free survival (pPFS) and post-progression overall survival (pOS) significantly varied among patients who received the best supportive care (BSC), targeted therapy, or chemotherapy (CT), with median pPFS of 1.5, 3.9, and 4.9 months, respectively (p = 0.003). Median pOS were 2.3, 7.7, and 9.2 months, respectively (p < 0.001). The number of treatment lines following DTT resistance and the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status emerged as the independent prognostic factors. Conclusion: This study revealed a heterogeneous landscape of resistance mechanisms to EGFR/MET DTT, with a similar prevalence of on- and off-target mechanisms. Targeted therapy or CT, as compared to BSC, exhibited the potential to improve survival outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC following resistance to DTT.

Plasma ddPCR for the detection of MET amplification in advanced NSCLC patients: a comparative real-world study.

Background: Mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) amplification is a crucial oncogenic driver and a resistance mechanism to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is the gold standard for MET amplification detection. However, it is inapplicable when tissue samples are unavailable. Objective: This study assessed the performance of plasma droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) in MET amplification detection in NSCLC patients. Design and methods: A total of 87 NSCLC patients were enrolled, and 94 paired tissue and plasma samples were analyzed for the concordance between FISH and plasma ddPCR/tissue next-generation sequencing (NGS) in detecting MET amplification. In addition, the efficacy of patients with MET amplification using different detection methods who were treated with MET-TKIs was evaluated. Results: Plasma ddPCR showed substantial concordance with FISH (74.1% sensitivity, 92.5% specificity, and 87.2% accuracy with a kappa value of 0.68) and outperformed tissue NGS (kappa value of 0.64) in MET amplification detection. Combined plasma ddPCR and tissue NGS showed substantial concordance with FISH (92.3% sensitivity, 89.2% specificity, and an accuracy of 90.1% with a kappa value of 0.77). The efficacy is comparable in these NSCLC patients with MET amplification detected by FISH and plasma ddPCR who were treated with MET-TKIs. Conclusion: Plasma ddPCR is a potentially reliable method for detecting MET amplification in advanced NSCLC patients. Combined plasma ddPCR and tissue NGS might be an alternative or complementary method to MET amplification detection.

Pathological characteristics and tumour immune microenvironment of lung malignancies with RET rearrangement.

BACKGROUND: For patients with lung malignancies with RET rearrangement, the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors is limited. The characteristics of the tumour immune microenvironment (TIME) and molecular pathological features of these patients have not been well elucidated. We aimed to investigate their clinical outcomes and explore characteristics of TIME, using multiplex immunohistochemistry technology (mIHC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The pathology and TIME characteristics of 29 patients with lung malignancies with RET rearrangement were retrospectively analysed, and their relationships with clinical efficacy and prognosis were investigated. Gene detection relied on high-throughput sequencing, and TIME detection was based on mIHC. RESULTS: Of 29 patients, 25(86%) had adenocarcinoma, and the acinar type accounted for the greatest percentage of patients, followed by the solid type, regardless of whether the disease was early or locally advanced and metastatic. In addition, we report a novel KIF5B-RET(k24:R8) rearrangement in pulmonary sarcoma. The density of CD8+ T cells in tumour stroma in early-stage patients was significantly higher than that in locally advanced and metastatic patients (P = 0.014). The proportion of M2 macrophages in tumour stroma was significantly higher than that in tumour parenchyma (P = 0.046). Although the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.098), patients positive for M2 macrophage infiltration into the tumour parenchyma (≥5%) may have a better prognosis. Seven patients received immunotherapy and disease control rate was 85.7%. CONCLUSIONS: A novel KIF5B-RET rearrangement variant in pulmonary sarcoma shows similar TIME characteristics to lung cancer. amongst patients with lung malignancies with RET rearrangement, patients with M2 macrophage infiltration into the tumour parenchyma may have a better prognosis, but further studies with larger cohorts are needed.

Response and acquired resistance to MET inhibitors in de novo MET fusion-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVES: De novo mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) gene fusions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are a promising target for MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). We aimed to examine the response to targeted therapy with MET TKIs and resistance mechanisms in de novo MET fusion-positive NSCLC as these have not been comprehensively explored. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the MET fusions in 4,429 patients with advanced-stage NSCLC using targeted next-generation sequencing and validated the results using RT-PCR. We analyzed cellular models harboring MET fusions and established a patient-derived organoid (PDO) model. RESULTS: We identified 13 (0.29 %, 13/4429) patients with de novo MET fusions and found EPHB4, THAP5, TNPO3, and DST as novel MET fusion partners. The most common concomitant gene with MET fusions was TP53 mutations. Among 12 patients receiving MET TKI treatment, two achieved stable disease, six achieved partial response, and four underwent progressive disease. An in vitro study showed that EPHB4-MET is a functional driver gene. MET inhibitors significantly inhibited the proliferation and phosphorylation of downstream STAT3, AKT, and ERK1/2 in EPHB4-MET overexpressing cells. Acquired MET D1228H/N or D1246N mutations were found in patients harboring MET fusions after acquiring resistance to MET TKIs. Tivantinib showed optimal suppression efficacy in a PDO model with an acquired MET D1228N mutation. CONCLUSION: MET fusions occur in a rare subset of patients with NSCLC and represent a promising therapeutic target. MET secondary mutations D1228H/N or D1246N present the potential resistance mechanisms of MET inhibitors in patients with de novo MET fusions.

Using patient-derived organoids to predict locally advanced or metastatic lung cancer tumor response: A real-world study.

Predicting the clinical response to chemotherapeutic or targeted treatment in patients with locally advanced or metastatic lung cancer requires an accurate and affordable tool. Tumor organoids are a potential approach in precision medicine for predicting the clinical response to treatment. However, their clinical application in lung cancer has rarely been reported because of the difficulty in generating pure tumor organoids. In this study, we have generated 214 cancer organoids from 107 patients, of which 212 are lung cancer organoids (LCOs), primarily derived from malignant serous effusions. LCO-based drug sensitivity tests (LCO-DSTs) for chemotherapy and targeted therapy have been performed in a real-world study to predict the clinical response to the respective treatment. LCO-DSTs accurately predict the clinical response to treatment in this cohort of patients with advanced lung cancer. In conclusion, LCO-DST is a promising precision medicine tool in treating of advanced lung cancer.

A potential treatment option for transformed small-cell lung cancer on PD-L1 inhibitor-based combination therapy improved survival.

OBJECTIVES: Transformed small-cell lung cancer (T-SCLC) has an extremely poor prognosis, and no remedies based on immunotherapy have been evaluated among T-SCLC patients. We retrospectively analysed the efficacy and safety of combining atezolizumab with chemotherapy for T-SCLC. METHODS: Forty-seven patients harbouring EGFR mutations who developed T-SCLC were enrolled. Eleven patients who used immunotherapy were defined as the I/O group, and the remaining 36 were defined as the Non-I/O group. Clinical characteristics, pathological data, and survival outcomes were collected. RNA sequencing and whole-exome sequencing (WES) were performed for in-depth analysis. RESULTS: All patients received at least one line of EGFR-TKI before rebiopsy to confirm T-SCLC. Nine patients received atezolizumab-bevacizumab-carboplatin-paclitaxel (albumin-bound) (ABCP), and the remaining 2 received atezolizumab-etoposide-carboplatin (ECT) in the I/O group. The objective response rate was 73 % (8/11). The median progression-free survival (mPFS) of T-SCLC on post-transformation therapy with I/O group and Non-I/O group was 5.1 m and 4.1 m, respectively. The median post-T-SCLC overall survival of the I/O group was significantly longer than that Non-I/O group (20.2 m vs 7.9 m, P ＜ 0.01). T-SCLC harbouring EGFR L858R tended to be longer than EGFR 19del (mPFS: not reached vs 3.7 m, P = 0.11). Positive PD-L1 status was also associated with PFS benefits (mPFS: 6.0 m vs 3.7 m, P = 0.20). Furthermore, RNA sequencing revealed that expression of SFTPA1 is significantly higher in the durable clinical benefit group. WES showed that STC2 mutation is more frequently observed at the time-point immunotherapy acquired resistance. Combination therapy based on a PD-L1 inhibitor was well tolerated, and the safety profile was consistent with previously reported studies. CONCLUSION: Our study first demonstrated that a PD-L1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy ± bevacizumab could be a potential safe option for specific SCLC-transformed patients. Subsequent studies with more patients are essential to verify the efficacy and potential biomarkers.

Cervical pregnancy: a case report of hysteroscopic resection and balloon compression combined with systematic methotrexate treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Cervical pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. When the pregnancy is terminated, it will sometimes lead to persistent bleeding. In some cases, hysterectomy is inevitable and the patient loses fertility. Therefore, early diagnosis and targeted management with systemic or local injection of methotrexate is the first-line treatment. Multiple interventions of cervical pregnancy were used to prevent massive hemorrhage, including dilatation and curettage, laparoscopic resection, hysteroscopic resection combined with uterine artery embolization, or uterine artery clip. CASE REPORT: We report a case of cervical pregnancy with a high beta-hCG level accompanied by a visible fetal heartbeat that was successfully treated with hysteroscopic cervical tissue resection and balloon compression combined with systemic administration of methotrexate. CONCLUSION: Efficacy and safety with preserved fertility were important issues in the management of cervical pregnancy. We provide a safe, simple and effective treatment of cervical pregnancy.

Cytogenetic discrepancy between uncultured amniocytes and cultured amniocytes in mosaic trisomy 18 at amniocentesis in a pregnancy with a favorable fetal outcome and maternal uniparental disomy 18.

OBJECTIVE: We present prenatal diagnosis of mosaic trisomy 18 in a pregnancy with a favorable fetal outcome and maternal uniparental disomy 18. CASE REPORT: A 38-year-old, primigravid woman underwent the first amniocentesis at 16 weeks of gestation because advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XX [22/22] in cultured amniocytes, and 36% mosaicism for trisomy 18 and a maternally inherited Xp22.31 microdeletion by array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) in uncultured amniocytes. The second amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation revealed 47,XX,+18 [14]/46,XX [36] in cultured amniocytes and 36% mosaicism for trisomy 18 by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) P095 in cultured amniocytes. Prenatal ultrasound was normal. The parents were phenotypically normal. The third amniocentesis at 23 weeks of gestation revealed 47,XX,+18 [3]/46,XX [17] in cultured amniocytes, and in uncultured amniocytes, aCGH revealed 45%-50% mosaicism for trisomy 18, interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) revealed 36% (36/100 cells) mosaicism for trisomy 18, and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) showed mosaic maternal uniparental heterodisomy for chromosome 18 and mosaic trisomy 18 of maternal origin. The fourth amniocentesis at 32 weeks of gestation revealed a karyotype of 46,XX [20/20] in cultured amniocytes, and in uncultured amniocytes, aCGH revealed 50%-60% mosaicism for trisomy 18, FISH revealed 21.8% (22/101 cells) mosaicism for trisomy 18, and non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) showed chromosome 18 gene dosage increase in the maternal blood. At 34 weeks of gestation, a 1480-g phenotypically normal baby was delivered. The cord blood had 47,XX,+18 [10]/46,XX [30]. The umbilical cord had 47,XX,+18 [4]/46,XX [36]. The placenta had 47,XX,+18 [40/40], and QF-PCR analysis confirmed trisomy 18 of maternal origin. When follow-up at age four months, the neonate was phenotypically normal, FISH analysis on buccal mucosal cells revealed 2% (2/100 cells) mosaicism for trisomy 18, and the peripheral blood had 47,XX,+18 [18]/46,XX [22]. When follow-up at age eight months, the neonate had normal development, the peripheral blood had 47,XX,+18 [15]/46,XX [25], and the buccal mucosal cells showed maternal uniparental heterodisomy for chromosome 18. CONCLUSION: Cytogenetic discrepancy may occur between uncultured and cultured amniocytes in mosaic trisomy 18 at amniocentesis. Cultured amniocytes may present progressive decrease in the levels of mosaicism for trisomy 18 as the fetus grows. Mosaic trisomy 18 at amniocentesis can be associated with a favorable outcome.

Cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes in mosaic 46,XX,dup(9)(q22.3q34.1)/46,XX at amniocentesis in a pregnancy with a favorable outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We present our observation of cytogenetic discrepancy between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes in mosaic dup(9)(q22.3q34.1) at amniocentesis in a pregnancy with a favorable outcome. CASE REPORT: A 37-year-old, gravida 4, para 0, woman underwent amniocentesis at 18 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age. Amniocentesis revealed a karyotype of 46,XX, dup(9)(q22.3q34.1)[8]/46,XX[16]. Prenatal ultrasound findings were unremarkable. She was referred for genetic counseling, and repeat amniocentesis was performed at 21 weeks of gestation, which revealed a karyotype of 46,XX,dup(9)(q22.3q34.1)[7]/46,XX[25]. Simultaneous array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes revealed no genomic imbalance, or arr (1-22,X) × 2. Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis on 105 uncultured amniocytes detected only one cell with the dup 9q signal with a mosaic dup 9q level of 1%, compared with 0% in normal control. At 37 weeks of gestation, a 2640-g female baby was delivered with no phenotypic abnormality. The cord blood had a karyotype of 46,XX,dup(9) (q22.3q34.1)[4]/46,XX[36], the umbilical cord had a karyotype of 46,XX,dup(9) (q22.3q34.1)[2]/46,XX[38], and the placenta had a karyotype of 46,XX. aCGH analysis on cord blood revealed no genomic imbalance. At age 2½ months, the baby was doing well, the peripheral blood of the baby had a karyotype of 46,XX,dup(9) (q22.3q34.1)[4]/46,XX[36], and interphase FISH analysis on buccal mucosal cells revealed no dup 9q signal in 100 buccal mucosal cells. CONCLUSION: Cytogenetic discrepancy may occur between cultured amniocytes and uncultured amniocytes in mosaic dup(9) (q22.3q34.1). Molecular cytogenetic analysis on uncultured amniocytes is useful for rapid distinguishing pseudomosaicism from true mosaicism under such a circumstance.

Clinical outcomes of EGFR+/METamp+ vs. EGFR+/METamp- untreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: MET dysregulation has been implicated in the development of primary and secondary resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. However, the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of patients harboring EGFR-sensitive mutations and de novo MET amplifications still need to be explored. METHODS: A total of 54 patients from our hospital with non-small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR-sensitive mutations and/or de novo MET amplifications were included in this study. Survival rates were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank statistics. Lung cancer organoids (LCOs) were generated from patient-derived malignant pleural effusion to perform drug sensitivity assays. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients with the appropriate clinicopathological characteristics were enrolled. MET FISH was performed in 40 patients who were stratified accordingly into two groups: EGFR+/METamp- (n = 22) and EGFR+/METamp + (n = 18). Survival rates for EGFR+/METamp- and EGFR+/METamp + patients respectively, were as follows: the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 12.1 and 1.9 months (p<0.001); the median post-progression overall survival (pOS) was 25.6 and 11.6 months (p = 0.023); the median overall survival (OS) was 33.2 and 12.7 months (p = 0.013). Drug testing conducted in LCOs derived from malignant pleural effusion from EGFR+/METamp + patients showed that dual targeted therapy was more effective than TKI monotherapy. CONCLUSION: EGFR+/METamp + patients treated with first-line TKI monotherapy had poor clinical outcomes. Dual targeted therapy showed potent anticancer activity in the LCO drug testing assay, suggesting that it is a promising first-line treatment for EGFR+/METamp + patients. Randomized controlled trials are needed to further validate these results.

Association Between Preeclampsia Risk and Fine Air Pollutants and Acidic Gases: A Cohort Analysis in Taiwan.

Background: Fine air pollutant particles have been reported to be associated with risk of preeclampsia. The association between air pollutant exposure and preeclampsia risk in heavily air polluted Taiwan warrants investigation. Methods: We combined data from Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) Research Database (NHIRD) and Taiwan Air Quality Monitoring Database. Women aged 16-55 years were followed from January 1, 2000, until appearance of ICD-9 coding of preeclampsia withdrawal from the NHI program, or December 31, 2013. Daily concentration of NOx, NO, NO2, and CO was calculated by Kriging method. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for risk assessment. Results: For NOx, Relative to Quartile [Q] 1 concentrations, the Q2 (adjusted hazard ratio adjusted = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.50-3.22), Q3 (aHR = 7.28, 95% CI = 4.78-11.0), and Q4 (aHR = 23.7, 95% CI = 13.7-41.1) concentrations were associated with a significantly higher preeclampsia or eclampsia risk. Similarly, for NO, relative to Q1 concentrations, the Q2 (aHR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.26-2.63), Q3 (aHR = 7.53, 95% CI = 5.12-11.0), and Q4 (aHR = 11.1, 95% CI = 6.72-18.3) concentrations were correlated with significantly higher preeclampsia or eclampsia risk. Furthermore, for NO2, relative to Q1 concentration, the Q2 (aHR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.37-2.90), Q3 (aHR = 6.15, 95% CI = 3.95-9.57), and Q4 (aHR = 32.7, 95% CI = 19.7-54.3) concentrations also associated with a significantly higher preeclampsia or eclampsia risk. Conclusion: Women exposed to higher NOX, NO, NO2, and CO concentrations demonstrated higher preeclampsia incidence.

Erratum to: Transmission risk of patients with COVID-19 meeting discharge criteria should be interpreted with caution.

Erratum to: J Zhejiang Univ-Sci B (Biomed & Biotechnol) 2020 21(5):408-410. https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B2000117. The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. For Fig. 1a in p.409, the citation of a reference, as well as the permission to reprint this picture, was missing. The correct version and the corresponding reference are given below: (a) Chest computed tomography (CT) image of Patient 1 on admission presents multiple ground-glass opacities distributed in the periphery of inferior lobe of both lungs. Reprinted from Zhang et al. (2020), with kind permission from Springer Nature.

Transmission risk of patients with COVID-19 meeting discharge criteria should be interpreted with caution.

As of Apr. 22, 2020, the World Health Organization (2020) has reported over 2.4 million confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and 169 151 deaths. Recent articles have uncovered genomic characteristics and clinical features of COVID-19 (Chan et al., 2020; Chang et al., 2020; Guan et al., 2020; Zhu et al., 2020), while our understanding of COVID-19 is still limited. As suggested by guidelines promoted by the General Office of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China (2020) (from Versions 1 to 6), discharged standards for COVID-19 were still dependent on viral real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests of respiratory specimens, showing that recovered COVID-19 patients with twice negative RT-PCR could meet discharge criteria. Here, we examined two cases in which nucleic acid test results were inconsistent with clinical and radiological findings, leading to suboptimal care.

A case report of pyopneumopericardium following bungee jumping in a patient with tuberculosis.

RATIONALE: Pyopneumopericardium related to bungee jumping is a rare occurrence in the current antibiotic era. We present a case of esophagus-seeded Streptococcus sanguinis pyopneumopericardium in a young man with tuberculosis who had just completed bungee jumping. PATIENT CONCERN: A 27-year-old man was hospitalized with a 1-day history of fever, chest tightness, and intermittent sharp chest pain after bungee jumping for the first time. DIAGNOSES: Clinical examinations, thoracentesis, and pericardiocentesis revealed pyopneumopericardium, pyopneumomediastinum, and suppurative pleurisy secondary to bungee-jumping-related traumas. Pericardial fluid cultures were positive for S sanguinis, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex genetic test was positive in both sputum and pleural effusion. INTERVENTIONS: The patient improved with drainage and comprehensive antimicrobial therapy. OUTCOMES: The patient developed constrictive pericarditis and underwent pericardiectomy after 6 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment. During the 6-month follow-up after surgery, he recovered uneventfully. LESSONS: This case adds to the long list of bungee-jumping complications. Early diagnosis to initiate appropriate therapy is critical for pyopneumopericardium patients to achieve good outcomes.

Epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics of 74 cases of coronavirus-infected disease 2019 (COVID-19) with gastrointestinal symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The SARS-CoV-2-infected disease (COVID-19) outbreak is a major threat to human beings. Previous studies mainly focused on Wuhan and typical symptoms. We analysed 74 confirmed COVID-19 cases with GI symptoms in the Zhejiang province to determine epidemiological, clinical and virological characteristics. DESIGN: COVID-19 hospital patients were admitted in the Zhejiang province from 17 January 2020 to 8 February 2020. Epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory, management and outcome data of patients with GI symptoms were analysed using multivariate analysis for risk of severe/critical type. Bioinformatics were used to analyse features of SARS-CoV-2 from Zhejiang province. RESULTS: Among enrolled 651 patients, 74 (11.4%) presented with at least one GI symptom (nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea), average age of 46.14 years, 4-day incubation period and 10.8% had pre-existing liver disease. Of patients with COVID-19 with GI symptoms, 17 (22.97%) and 23 (31.08%) had severe/critical types and family clustering, respectively, significantly higher than those without GI symptoms, 47 (8.14%) and 118 (20.45%). Of patients with COVID-19 with GI symptoms, 29 (39.19%), 23 (31.08%), 8 (10.81%) and 16 (21.62%) had significantly higher rates of fever >38.5°C, fatigue, shortness of breath and headache, respectively. Low-dose glucocorticoids and antibiotics were administered to 14.86% and 41.89% of patients, respectively. Sputum production and increased lactate dehydrogenase/glucose levels were risk factors for severe/critical type. Bioinformatics showed sequence mutation of SARS-CoV-2 with m6A methylation and changed binding capacity with ACE2. CONCLUSION: We report COVID-19 cases with GI symptoms with novel features outside Wuhan. Attention to patients with COVID-19 with non-classic symptoms should increase to protect health providers.

Patients with chronic hepatitis C receiving sofosbuvir and ribavirin-based treatment, with or without interferon in Zhejiang, China: An observational study.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most important virus as the cause of liver disease in China. The aim of the present study was to explore whether sofosbuvir and ribavirin-based treatment can cure patients with chronic hepatitis C in eastern China. We examined a cohort of HCV-monoinfected patients and 9 patients agreed to participate in our treatment and research. The patients were diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C with or without cirrhosis. Nine patients including 4 female and 5 male met the requirements for selection and were willing to participate in this experiment. Sofosbuvir and ribavirin-based treatment with or without interferon was given to the patients. Viral loads, cytokines, and chemokines were recorded during treatment and after treatment. After 2 weeks of sofosbuvir and ribavirin-based treatment, the viral load of patients decreased to limits of detection. Eight patients were cured. Patients had rapid virological response (RVR) with undetectable viral load at week 4 and sustained virological response (SVR). The interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10) decreased after the treatment. However, the patient with cirrhosis failed, as the virus reappeared during SVR4. At the same time, the IP-10 dramatically increased as the relapse of the HCV virus. In summary, the IP-10 has the potential to be the biomarker for the prognostic of HCV.

Detection of no isochromosome 20q by interphase fluorescent in situ hybridization on uncultured amniocytes in a pregnancy with mosaic isochromosome 20q in cultured amniocytes at amniocentesis.

OBJECTIVE: To present prenatal diagnosis and molecular cytogenetic characterization of mosaic isochromosome 20q at amniocentesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 36-year-old woman underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation because of advanced maternal age, and conventional cytogenetic analysis revealed a karyotype of 46,XY,i(20)(q10)[12]/46,XY[7]. Repeated amniocentesis was performed at 20 weeks of gestation. During repeated amniocentesis, array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF-PCR) were performed on uncultured amniocytes, and conventional cytogenetic analysis and interphase FISH were performed on cultured amniocytes. RESULTS: Conventional cytogenetic analysis of cultured amniocytes revealed a karyotype of 46,XY,i(20)(q10)[4]/46,XY[16]. Interphase FISH analysis on 217 uncultured amniocytes did not detect isochromosome 20q, aCGH on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes showed no genomic imbalance, and QF-PCR analysis on the DNA extracted from uncultured amniocytes excluded uniparental disomy 20 (UPD 20). Interphase FISH analysis on 115 cultured untouched amniocytes revealed 13% (15/115 cells) mosaicism for isochromosome 20q. CONCLUSION: Mosaic isochromosome 20q detected at amniocentesis can be a cell culture artifact. Detailed ultrasound examination, performing interphase FISH and/or aCGH on uncultured amniocytes for confirmation of true mosaicism, and performing QF-PCR to exclude UPD 20 may be useful under such a circumstance.

Short-term effects of particulate matter on stroke attack: meta-regression and meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Currently there are more and more studies on the association between short-term effects of exposure to particulate matter (PM) and the morbidity of stroke attack, but few have focused on stroke subtypes. The objective of this study is to assess the relationship between PM and stroke subtypes attack, which is uncertain now. METHODS: Meta-analyses, meta-regression and subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the association between short-term effects of exposure to PM and the morbidity of different stroke subtypes from a number of epidemiologic studies (from 1997 to 2012). RESULTS: Nineteen articles were identified. Odds ratio (OR) of stroke attack associated with particular matter ("thoracic particles" [PM10]<10 µm in aerodynamic diameter, "fine particles" [PM2.5]<2.5 µm in aerodynamic diameter) increment of 10 µg/m3 was as effect size. PM10 exposure was related to an increase in risk of stroke attack (OR per 10 µg/m3 = 1.004, 95%CI: 1.001 ∼ 1.008) and PM2.5 exposure was not significantly associated with stroke attack (OR per 10 µg/m3 = 0.999, 95%CI: 0.994 ∼ 1.003). But when focused on stroke subtypes, PM2.5 (OR per 10 µg/m3 = 1.025; 95%CI, 1.001∼1.049) and PM10 (OR per 10 µg/m3 = 1.013; 95%CI, 1.001 ∼ 1.025) exposure were statistically significantly associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke attack, while PM2.5 (all the studies showed no significant association) and PM10 (OR per 10 µg/m3 = 1.007; 95%CI, 0.992 ∼ 1.022) exposure were not associated with an increased risk of hemorrhagic stroke attack. Meta-regression found study design and area were two effective covariates. CONCLUSION: PM2.5 and PM10 had different effects on different stroke subtypes. In the future, it's worthwhile to study the effects of PM to ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke, respectively.