Endoscopic ultrasound for the diagnosis and treatment of primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Chronic liver disease has emerged as a significant global concern, with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) representing a critical consequence of this disease. However, early detection of HCC remains challenging in clinical practice. Recently, there has been a growing interest in applying endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) as a diagnostic tool for gastrointestinal diseases. Nevertheless, using EUS to diagnose and treat HCC is uncommon. In this review we described the diagnostic and therapeutic applications of EUS in primary HCC and evaluated its clinical significance. The diagnostic procedures primarily involve EUS-guided fine-needle biopsy or aspiration, assessment of metastatic lymph nodes and portal vein thrombosis, portal pressure monitoring, and portal vein blood collection. Treatment mainly includes EUS-guided tumor ablation, brachytherapy, injectable chemotherapy, and managing variceal hemorrhage related to portal hypertension.

[Effects and Mechanisms of Homoharringtonine on Expression of CEBPA Protein].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of homoharringtonine (HHT) on CEBPA protein and explore the mechanism of HHT in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with double CEBPA mutations. METHODS: The K562 cell line expressing CEBPA p30 (K562 CEBPA p30) was established. Western blot was used to determine the changes of the expression of CEBPA protein in K562 CEBPA p30, U937 and MOLM-13 cell lines before and after treatments with HHT, daunorubicin (DNR) or cytarabine (Ara-C). The effects of protease inhibitors and protein synthesis inhibitors on the expression of CEBPA protein were also determined. RNA-seq was used to analyze the difference of gene expressions and pathway enrichments between HHT group and DNR group. RESULTS: Both the endogenous CEBPA protein in U937 and MOLM-13 cell lines and the exogenous CEBPA protein in K562 CEBPA p30 were decreased by HHT (P<0.05) while were not by DNR or Ara-C. Proteasome inhibitors can increase the expression of CEBPA protein (P<0.05) while protein synthesis inhibitors can decrease the expression of CEBPA protein (P<0.05). The ribosome biogenesis related pathways in K562 CEBPA p30 were upregulated in HHT group while were not in DNR group. CONCLUSION: HHT can inhibit the synthesis of CEBPA and reduce the expression of CEBPA protein and this may be the mechanism of HHT in the treatment of CEBPA-double-mutant AML.

[Effect of Wenyang Zhenshuai Granules on autophagy and apoptosis of myocardial cells in septic rats via regulating miR-132-3p/UCP2 expression].

This study aimed to investigate the effect of Wenyang Zhenshuai Granules(WYZSG) on autophagy and apoptosis of myocardial cells in rats with sepsis via regulating the expression of microRNA-132-3p(miR-132-3p)/uncoupling protein 2(UCP2). Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into modeling group(n=50) and sham operation group(n=10). The sepsis rat model was constructed by cecal ligation and perforation in the modeling group. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups, model group and positive control group. Rats in the sham operation group underwent opening and cecum division but without perforation and ligation. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of rat myocardial tissue. Myocardial cell apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR) was performed to detect the expression of miR-132-3p and the mRNA expressions of UCP2, microtubule-associated protein light chain 3(LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ), Beclin-1 and caspase-3 in rat myocardial tissue. The protein expressions of UCP2, LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and caspase-3 in myocardial tissue were detected by Western blot. Dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the regulatory relationship between miR-132-3p and UCP2. The myocardial fibers of sepsis model rats were disordered, and there were obvious inflammatory cell infiltration as well as myocardial cell edema and necrosis. With the increase of the WYZSG dose, the histopathological changes of myocardium were improved to varying degrees. Compared with the conditions in the sham operation group, the survival rate and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) of rats in the model group, positive control group and WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups were decreased, and the myocardial injury score and apoptosis rate were increased. Compared with the model group, the positive control group and WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups had elevated survival rate and LVEF, and lowered myocardial injury score and apoptosis rate. The expression of miR-132-3p and the mRNA and protein expressions of UCP2 in myocardial tissue in the model group, positive control group and WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups were lower, while the mRNA and protein expressions of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and caspase-3 were higher than those in the sham operation group. Compared with model group, the positive control group and the WYZSG low-, medium-and high-dose groups had an up-regulation in the expression of miR-132-3p and the mRNA and protein expressions of UCP2, while a down-regulation in the mRNA and protein expressions of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ, Beclin-1 and caspase-3. WYZSG inhibited excessive autophagy and apoptosis of myocardial cells in septic rats and improved myocardial injury, possibly by regulating the expression of miR-132-3p/UCP2.

[Clinical Analysis of SET-NUP214 Fusion Gene Positive Patients with Acute Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the characteristics and prognosis of acute leukemia(AL) with SET-NUP214 fusion gene. METHODS: The clinical data of 17 patients over 14 years old newly diagnosed with SET-NUP214 positive AL admitted in Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital from August 2017 to May 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Among the 17 SET-NUP214 positive patients, 13 cases were diagnosed as T-ALL (ETP 3 cases, Pro-T-ALL 6 cases, Pre-T-ALL 3 cases, Medullary-T-ALL 1 case), AML 3 cases (2 cases M5, 1 case M0) and ALAL 1 case. Thirteen patients presented extramedullary infiltration at initial diagnosis. All 17 patients received treatment, and a total of 16 cases achieved complete remission (CR), including 12 cases in patients with T-ALL. The total median OS and RFS time were 23 (3-50) months and 21 (0-48) months, respectively. Eleven patients received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT), with median OS time of 37.5 (5-50) months and median RFS time of 29.5 (5-48) months. The median OS time of 6 patients in chemotherapy-only group was 10.5 (3-41) months, and median RFS time of 6.5 (3-39) months. The OS and RFS of patients with transplantation group were better than those of chemotherapy-only group (P=0.038). Among the 4 patients who relapsed or refractory after allo-HSCT, the SET-NUP214 fusion gene did not turn negative before transplantation. While, in the group of 7 patients who have not relapsed after allo-HSCT till now, the SET-NUP214 fusion gene expression of 5 patients turned negative before transplantation and other 2 of them were still positive. CONCLUSION: The fusion site of SET-NUP214 fusion gene is relatively fixed in AL patients, often accompanied by extramedullary infiltration. The chemotherapy effect of this disease is poor, and allo-HSCT may improve its prognosis.

Different expression of circulating microRNA profile and plasma SP-D in Tibetan COPD patients.

COPD is the fourth leading cause of mortality, and is predicted to be the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2020. But few studies on Tibetan COPD of China. This study identifies distinctive miRNA signatures in Tibetan COPD patients from Tibetan healthy subjects that could serve as diagnostic biomarkers or describe differential molecular mechanisms with potential therapeutic implications. In this study, a total of 210 differentially expressed miRNAs were screened. Analysis of the functions of target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs via GO enrichment analysis revealed that they mainly influenced guanyl-nucleotide exchange factor activity, cell morphogenesis and the positive regulation of GTPase activity. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that these target genes were mainly enriched in signaling by NGF, Axon guidance, developmental biology, ubiquitin mediated proteolysis, and PDGF signaling pathways. MiR-106-5p and miR-486-5p expression was validated in the complete cohort. Age, plasma miR-106-5p, miR-486-5p, SP-D protein levels, and SP-D mRNA level were also determined to be correlated with FEV1%Pred, and may as the risk factors of Tibetan COPD. The combination of plasma miR-106-5p, miR-486-5p and SP-D mRNA expression may be the best model to assist the diagnosis of Tibetan COPD.

[Distribution of ETV6-ABL Fusion Gene in Hematopoietic Cell Populations of Myeloproliferative Neoplasm].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression level of ETV6-ABL fusion gene in different cell populations in patients with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) and therapeutic effect of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI). METHODS: A 42-year-old man who presented with fever, marked leukocytosis and chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) like MPN was reported. ETV6-ABL fusion gene was detected by real-time PCR and confirmed by direct sequencing. ETV6-ABL mRNA expression in each cell population sorted from peripheral blood by flow cytometry was detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: ETV6-ABL fusion gene was found out in bone marrow cells and confirmed as type A by direct sequencing. ETV6-ABL fusion gene transcript level in polymorphonuclear cells was nearly 3.6-fold relative to that in total cells, which was significantly higher than that in T cell, B cell and monocyte subsets. The complete blood count (CBC) returned to normal level after treatment with imatinib (400 mg) daily for three months. After TKI treatment for 6 months, the ratio of ETV6-ABL/ABL decreased from 174.1% to 1.9%. CONCLUSION: ETV6-ABL fusion gene positive MPN may have a CML clinical presentation and is sensitive to TKI. ETV6-ABL fusion gene is specifically expressed in polymorphonuclear cells.

Management of Sonographically Suspicious Thyroid Nodules 1 cm or Smaller and Candidacy for Active Surveillance: Experience of a Tertiary Center in China.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate the management of patients with asymptomatic suspicious thyroid nodules ≤1 cm. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients with sonographically suspicious thyroid nodules ≤1 cm and without distant metastases, suspicious lymph node metastasis (LNM), or extrathyroidal extension (ETE). RESULTS: Of the 386 enrolled patients, 174 (45.1%) had immediate surgery (IS), while 212 (54.9%) underwent active surveillance (AS). In the IS group, 166 (95.4%) patients were confirmed as having papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. LNM and ETE were observed in 24.7% and 2.4% cases, respectively. In the AS group, nodule size increased by ≥3 mm in 11 (5.2%) patients and 39 (18.4%) had a >50% increase in nodule volume after a median follow-up of 12 months. Nodules with smaller volume at diagnosis were more likely to increase in volume later. Newly suspicious LNM was detected in 23 (10.8%) patients. Delayed surgery (DS) was performed in 101 patients, with 27 showing disease progression. ETE and LNM were detected in 3% and 36%, respectively, of patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Compared with IS, tumors in the DS group more frequently showed lateral LNM and capsular invasion (P < .05). No patient had recurrence or died of thyroid cancer during postoperative follow-up (median 26 [4-60] months). CONCLUSIONS: IS or DS of patients with asymptomatic suspicious thyroid nodules ≤1 cm was relatively high in China. The inertia of low-risk nodules and the effectiveness of DS for those that progressed make AS a feasible strategy.

Arsenic trioxide replacing or reducing chemotherapy in consolidation therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL2012 trial).

As all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) are widely accepted in treating acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), deescalating toxicity becomes a research hotspot. Here, we evaluated whether chemotherapy could be replaced or reduced by ATO in APL patients at different risks. After achieving complete remission with ATRA-ATO-based induction therapy, patients were randomized (1:1) into ATO and non-ATO groups for consolidation: ATRA-ATO versus ATRA-anthracycline for low-/intermediate-risk patients, or ATRA-ATO-anthracycline versus ATRA-anthracycline-cytarabine for high-risk patients. The primary end point was to assess disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 y by a noninferiority margin of -5%; 855 patients were enrolled with a median follow-up of 54.9 mo, and 658 of 755 patients could be evaluated at 3 y. In the ATO group, 96.1% (319/332) achieved 3-y DFS, compared to 92.6% (302/326) in the non-ATO group. The difference was 3.45% (95% CI -0.07 to 6.97), confirming noninferiority (P < 0.001). Using the Kaplan-Meier method, the estimated 7-y DFS was 95.7% (95% CI 93.6 to 97.9) in ATO and 92.6% (95% CI 89.8 to 95.4) in non-ATO groups (P = 0.066). Concerning secondary end points, the 7-y cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was significantly lower in ATO (2.2% [95% CI 1.1 to 4.2]) than in non-ATO group (6.1% [95% CI 3.9 to 9.5], P = 0.011). In addition, grade 3 to 4 hematological toxicities were significantly reduced in the ATO group during consolidation. Hence, ATRA-ATO in both chemotherapy-replacing and -reducing settings in consolidation is not inferior to ATRA-chemotherapy (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT01987297).

IgH translocation with undefined partners is associated with superior outcome in multiple myeloma patients.

BACKGROUND: In multiple myeloma (MM), impact of specific chromosomal translocations involving IgH (14q21 locus, including t(4;14), t(11;14), and t(14;16)) has been explored extensively. However, over 15% MM patients harboring IgH translocation with undefined partners have long been ignored. METHODS: A prospective non-randomized cohort study with a total of 715 newly-diagnosed MM cases was conducted, 13.6% of whom were t(14;undefined) positive. The whole cohort was divided into four groups: no IgH split (47.7%); t(14;undefined) (13.6%); t(11;14) (17.6%); and t(4;14) or t(14;16) group (21.1%). RESULTS: Median OS for the four groups was 84.2, not reached (NR), 58.7, and 44.2 months, respectively, with P values for t(14;undefined) vs no IgH split, t(11;14), and t(4;14)/t(14;16) groups of 0.197, 0.022, and 0.001, respectively. In bortezomib-based group, the survival advantage gained by t(14;undefined) group was much more significant compared to t(11;14) and t(4;14)/t(14;16) groups. Importantly, t(14;undefined) turned out to be an independent predictive factor for longer OS of MM patients in multivariate analysis, especially in the context of bortezomib treatment. Similar results were also observed in the PUMCH external validation cohort. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our data confirmed and externally validated the favorable prognosis of the t(14;undefined) groups, especially in the era of novel agents.

[Efficacy of Arsenic Trioxide Combined with ATRA and Chemotherapy for Relapsed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia Patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of arsenic trioxide combined with ATRA and chemo- therapy for treatment of relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients. METHODS: The clinic data of 25 patients with relapse APL treated in our hospital from 1996 to 2013 were collected and analyzed. Among the 25 patients, 15 patients suffered first-time hematological relapse (HR), and the other 10 patients showed first-time molecular relapse (MR). The patients with first-time replase were treated with ATO+ATRA+Anthracycline re-induction chemotherapy. The clinical features, complete remission (CR) rate, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and adverse events after re-induction therapy were analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen of 15 hematological relapsed patients achieved the second-time hematological complete remission (CR2) after re-induction therapy except one patient died of bleeding complication during the re-induction. 8 of 14 patient showed molecular complete remission (CRm) after two cycles of therapy with this regimen. Totally, eleven out of the 14 HR patients were alive without disease till the last follow-up, and 3 of the 14 HR patients died because of bleeding complications. All of the 10 molecular relapsed patients received the second CRm after treated by the regimen. Among these 10 patients, 6 patients suffered only once relapse and continued with the molecular CR2 status, and for the other 4 patients with more than two-relapses, only 1 survived untill 89.3 months after achieved second-time CRm, and other 3 patients died because of bleeding complications. CONCLUSION: For relapsed APL patients, the treatment with ATO+ATRA+chemotherapy regimen after relapse still shows encouraging efficacy, no matter whether or not the application of ATO in the previous regimens. In addition, patients with more than two molecular relapses show a poor prognosis.

Role of Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Therapy Compared with Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: an Update Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Monoclonal antibodies targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have showed clinical benefit in combination with chemotherapeutic cytotoxic drugs in the first-line therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Data from randomized studies comparing these monoclonal antibodies as initial therapy is conflicting, and their comparative efficacy remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the combination of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) therapy and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy on mCRC patient outcomes by combining the data from randomized clinical trials. Three trials meeting the eligibility criteria, and four randomized studies were included in the meta-analysis. For MCRC patients with KRAS wild type (KRAS-WT), the ORR was superior in patients treated with anti-EGFR compared with those who treated with anti-VEGF therapy. This effect was even better for all RAS-WT patients. Progression-free survival (PFS) rates were not significantly different for KRAS-WT mCRC and all RAS-WT mCRC between the two groups. The overall survival (OS) was higher for RAS wild-type (RAS-WT) mCRC patients who received anti-EGFR, but the KRAS-WT patients compared to the anti-VEGF therapy. The results of our research indicate that superior ORR and OS between the addition of anti-EGFR therapy VS anti-VEGF therapy in all RAS-WT patients with MCRC. There was no significant difference in OS and PFS between the two groups for KRAS-WT mCRC. These results suggest that anti- EGFR monoclonal antibodies can achieve an equivalent efficacy when compared with anti-VEGF therapy of all RAS-WT mCRC patients.

Ultrasound-based radiomics nomogram: A potential biomarker to predict axillary lymph node metastasis in early-stage invasive breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To establish a radiomics nomogram integrating clinical factors and radiomics features from ultrasound for the preoperative diagnosis axillary lymph node (ALN) status in patients with early-stage invasive breast cancer (EIBC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between September 2016 and December 2018, four hundred twenty-six ultrasound manually segmented images of patients with EIBC were enrolled in our retrospective study, which were divided into a primary cohort (n = 300) and a validation cohort (n = 126). A radiomics signature was built with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm in the primary cohort. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to establish a radiomics nomogram model based on radiomics signature and clinical variables. The performance of nomogram was quantified with respect to discrimination and calibration. The radiomics model was further evaluated in the internal validation cohort. RESULTS: The radiomics signature, consisted of fourteen selected ALN-status-related features, achieved moderate prediction efficacy with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78 and 0.71 in the primary and validation cohorts respectively. The radiomics nomogram, comprising tumor size, US-reported LN status and radiomics signature, showed good calibration and favorite performance for ALN detection (AUC 0.84 and 0.81 in the primary and validation cohort). The decision curve which was demonstrated the radiomics nomogram displayed good clinical utility. CONCLUSION: The radiomics nomogram could hold promise as a non-invasive and reliable tool in predicting ALN metastasis and may facilitate to develop more effective preoperative decision-making.

[Clinical Features and Therapeutic Efficacy in Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1)].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy in adult ALL patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1). METHODS: The clinic data of 19 adult ALL patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) in our hospital from Nov. 22, 2010 to Apr. 4, 2018 were collected. The clinical features,complete remission (CR) rate, overall survival (OS) rate and relapse-free survival (RFS) rate of patients received chemotherapy and chemotherapy+HSCT were analyzed. RESULTS: In all the 19 patients, the median age was 24 (14-66), median WBC count was 16.47×109 (1.8-170.34)/L, median Hb level was 98 (65-176) g/L, median Plt count was 50 (15-254)×109/L. Pre B-ALL were 17 cases (89.5%), and common B-ALL were 2 cases (10.5%). Patients received the induction therapy, the overall CR rate was 94.7%, one course CR rate was 94.7%, 4 year OS rate was 47.1% and RFS rate was 43.3%. The OS rate and RFS rate of patients received transplantation were slightly higher than those of patients not received transplantation (OS: 62.5% vs 36.7%) (P=0.188)；RFS (62.5% vs 38.9%) (P=0.166). CONCLUSION: Most adult ALL patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) is Pre B-ALL by Immunophenotyping, as compared with the pediatric patients, the therapeutic efficacy for adult patients with t (1; 19) (E2A-PBX1) is worsen, therefore, stem cell transplantation is still acquired for better long term survival.

[Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Ph+ Mixed Phenotype Acute Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical biological characteristics and prognosis of the patients with mixed phenotype acute leukemia with t(9;22)(q34;q11.2) and/or BCRABL1 (Ph+ MPAL). METHODS: The morphological, immunological, cytogenetic, and molecular features of 33 in patients with Ph+ MPAL were retrospectively analyzed in our center from June 2002 to June 2016 according to the scoring proposal of European Group for the Classification of Acute Leukemia(EGIL )1998 and WHO 2008 criteria. All the cases were either treated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) induction regimen or combined chemotherapy regimens for both acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia,part of which also received tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI) and 5 cases underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) after complete remission. RESULTS: Ph+ MPAL occurred predominantly in male patients (ratio of M/F was 1.75∶1), and a high WBC counts at diagnosis; the WBC count was higher than 30×109/L in 25 patients( 75.8% )， and appeared higher than 100 ×109/L in 13 patients ( 39.4%). Among all the 33 Ph+MPAL patients, 32 (97.0%) had a myeloid / B-lymphoid (M/B) phenotype， and 1 case(3.0%) had a myeloid/ B-lymphoid/ T-lymphoid/ (M/B/T) phenotype. There was no patients displayed myeloid / T-lymphoid (M/T) or B-lymphoid/ T-lymphoid/ (B/T) phenotype. 19 of all cases(57.6%) met the diagnosis criteria of Ph+MPAL based on EGIL 1998 criteria, while the remaining 14 cases can be diagnosed as Ph+ MPAL by WHO 2008 classification,but excluded as Ph+MAPL by EGIL 1998.Karyotype analysis was successfully performed in 31 cases, and out of them 13 (41.9%) had a sole Ph chromosome, 10 (32.3%) had additional chromosome aberration and Ph chromosome was not found in 8 cases (25.8%) .In 31 patients the fusion gene BCR/ABL (P190、P210) was detected,including 17 (54.8%) cases with the p190 BCR/ABL transcript, 8 (25.8%) cases with the p210 BCR/ABL transcript, 4 (12.9%) expressing both transcripts and 2 (6.5%) without any one of these 2 transcripts. 24 out of 33 patients (77.4%) achieved complete remission after induction therapy. The median time achieving CR was 43(26-98)days. The CR rate of patients treated with and without imatinib after the first inducion treatment was 81.3% and 46.7%,respectively (P+0.05). Within the 17 patients treated with imatinib at induction stage，2 of which became BCR/ABLnegative．At consolidation chemotherapy stage, 9 out of 16 patients became BCR/ABL negative, including 3 patients already subjected to HSCT. The median time reached to BCR/ABL negative was 2.87（1.13-9.20）months. CONCLUSION: Ph+ MPAL is more common in male, and inclined to high WBC counts at diagnosis. Myeloid/B lymphoid phenotype is more common, and the prognosis of patients with Ph+MPAL is poor. Imatinib and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve survival of patients with Ph+MPAL.

[Exploration of Mechanism for Meisoindigo-Inducing K562 Cell Apoptosis by Using Quantitative Proteomic Analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To screen the differentially expressed proteins at the early stage of K562 cells treated with meisoindigo by using tandem mass tags (TMT)-based proteomics technology, and to explore the mechanism for meisoindigo-inducing apoptosis. METHODS: The half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of mesoindigo on K562 cells was determined by CCK8. The flow cytometry was used to assay the apoptosis of K562 cells treated by meisoindigo or DMSO. Total proteins were extracted from the cells treated with 0.2% DMSO (control) or 20 µmol/L meisoindigo (Test) for 2 hours. Then, the TMT-labeling HPLC-MS/MS was used to identify and quantify the peptides and their abundance, all the tests were repeated for 3 times. The Mascot software was used to identify the proteins; the GO annotations, enrichment and cluster analysis were used to analyze the differentially expressed proteins. RESULTS: Meisoindigo-induced K562 cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner (r=0.98), 5 544 proteins were identified, 4792 of which were quantified. The protein with expression difference>1.5-folds in Test group accoanted for 8, out of which the expression of 4 proteins were up-regulated and 4 were down-regulated. The differentially expressed proteins mainly associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS). CONCLUSION: Several proteins including DDIT4 were found to have dramatic changes in the early stage of K562 cells treated with meisoindigo by using quantitative proteomics technology. The ROS metabolic process may play important roles in meisoindigo-inducing apoptosis of K562 cells.

[Primary Prophylatic Effect of Voriconazole Against Invasive Infection of Pulmonary Aspergillosis during Remission-Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Myeloid Leukemia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of primary prophylaxis of voriconazole against invasive infection of pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) during remission-induction chemotherapy (RIC) of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). METHODS: Clinical data of 102 de novo AML patients who received primary anti-IPA prophylaxis during the first induction chemotherapy were analyzed retrospectively. All the cases were divided into voriconazole-treated group and posaconazole-treated group according to the prophylactic agent. The incidences of IPA and systemic antifungal treatment during induction chemotherapy were analyzed for both groups. RESULTS: Among 102 enrolled cases, 42 cases received voriconazole and other 60 received posaconazole as primary prophylaxis. IPA occurred in 3 cases of voriconazole group (1 probable, 2 possible); IPA occurred in 4 cases of posaconazose group, and all were possible cases. The incidence of IPA during remission-induction chemotherapy in variconazole group equaled to posaconazose group (7.1% vs. 6.7%) (P=0.925). Beside IPA cases, 2 cases in voriconazole group and 4 cases in posaconazole group received intravenous anti aspergillosis drugs preemptive treatment, and no significant difference of prophylactic success rate was observed between two groups (88.1% vs. 86.7%) (P=0.831). Visual disturbance was the most common adverse event occurred in voriconazole group, but no significant differences of incidences of other adverse effects were observed when compared with posaconazole group. CONCLUSION: According to similar prophylactic effect with posaconazole, voriconazole appears to be a good alternative for primary prophylaxis of IPA during remission-induction chemotherapy in AML patients.

[Values of Procalcitonin for Predicting Outcome of Infection in Acute Leukemia Patients with Bacterial Bloodstream Infection].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of serum procalcitonin(PCT) levels for predicting the outcome of bacteria bloodstream infection in acute leukemia patients. METHODS: Clinical data from 236 patients with acute leukemia accompanied by bacterial bloodstream infection during July 2014 to November 2017 were retrospectively analyzed, 236 patients were divided into 5 groups (<0.05 ng/ml, 0.05- <0.5 ng/ml, 0.5- <2.0 ng/ml, 2.0- <10.0 ng/ml and >10.0 ng/ml) according to PCT concentrations. RESULTS: The median age of patients was 40(13-73) years old. The male 123 cases(52.1%) and female 113 cases(47.9%) in 236 patients. The incidence of infection-related dealth in 5 groups was 0%, 1.4%, 13.8%, 25.0% and 33.3%, respectively; the incidence of septic shock and other serious complications in 5 groups was 0%, 2.1%, 13.8%, 25.0%, 33.3% and 6.4%, 7.0%, 24.1%, 41.7%, 50.0%, respectively, showing the concentration dependent manner and statistically significant difference (u=2127, P=0.000; u=2234, P=0.000; u=4102, P=0.000). Further analysis showed that with the increase of PCT concentration, the cumulative incidence of septic shock, infection-related death and other serious complications was gradually increased with statistically significance (HR=2.887, P=0.000, 95%CI:1.960-4.260; HR=3.158, P=0.000, 95%CI: 2.100-4.740; HR=2.158, P=0.000, 95%CI:1.550-3.000) respectively. Increased procalcitonin level is an independent risk factor for septic shock and infection-related death (HR=2.517, P=0.000, 95%CI: 1.520-4.168; HR=2.881, P=0.000, 95%CI: 1.692-4.904)respectively. CONCLUSION: Serum procalcitonin level positively correlates with the incidence of serious bacteria bloodstream infection complications in the patients with acute leukemia. Increased procalcitonin level is an independent risk factor for septic shock and infection-related death, indicating that procalcitonin may be an important prognostic factor for infection outcome in acute leukemia patients with bacteremia.

Leisure time physical activity and risk of prostate cancer: a dose-response meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity (PA) may be a protect factor against prostate cancer (PCa). We aim to investigate and establish the potential relationship between leisure time PA and PCa. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed, Embase databases were searched for eligible studies (cohort) before Aug-11, 2016. We conducted a meta-analysis to pool the dose-specific effects between leisure time PA and PCa. Subgroup analysis was employed to investigate the potential variation among each group. Sensitivity analysis was used to examine whether our results were stable. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Twenty-one cohort studies were identified, with a total of 803,872 subjects and 28,707 PCa cases. In our meta-analysis, no obvious evidence of non-linear relationship was observed. The RRs of each 500 MET-s/week increment of leisure time PA was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99-1.01) for total PCa, 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98-1.01) for local PCa, and 1.00 (95% CI: 0.98-1.02) for advanced PCa. In subgroup analysis, for Americans, the RR of each 500 MET-s/week increment of leisure time PA was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99-1.01); and for Europeans the RR was 1.00 (95% CI: 0.99-1.01). Sensitivity analysis suggested our results were stable. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence based on observational studies suggests no obvious association between leisure time activity and risk of prostate cancer, regardless of total PCa, local PCa, or advanced PCa.

[Relationship between High Expression of c-FLIP and Drug Resistance of Leukemia Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of c-FLIP expression on drug resistance of Kasumi-1 leukemia cells and its mechanisms. METHODS: Tet-on inducible system was used to construct the conditional expression vector of c-FLIP by cloning the c-FLIP gene into lentivirus vector pLVX-Tight-Puro, then the Kasumi-1 cells were transfected with lentivirus pLVX-Tight-Puro-c-FLIP. The expression of c-FLIP was induced by doxycycline(Dox) for different time and doses, and verified by qRT-PCR and Western blot. On the basis of the overexpression of c-FLIP, the Kasumi-1-c-FLIP cells were treated with CH11 and PB in order to induce apoptosis, and the Giemsa staining was used to show the apoptotic cell morphology. RESULTS: qRT-PCR and Western blot showed the overexpression of c-FLIP, the CH11 and PB can induce Kasumi-1 cell apoptosis, while the c-FLIP overexpression weakened this effects. Western blot showed that the c-FLIP blocked the caspase-8 activation. CONCLUSION: The overexpression of c-FLIP inhibits the apoptosis caused by CH11 and PB, and leads to drug resistance in leukemia cells.

Polymorphisms in methotrexate transporters and their relationship to plasma methotrexate levels, toxicity of high-dose methotrexate, and outcome of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

High-dose methotrexate (HDMTX) plays an important role in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) although there is great inter-patient variability in the efficacy and toxicity of MTX. The relationship between polymorphisms in genes encoding MTX transporters and MTX response is controversial. In the present study, 322 Chinese children with standard- and intermediate-risk ALL were genotyped for 12 polymorphisms. SLCO1B1 rs10841753 showed a significant association with plasma MTX levels at 48 h (P = 0.017). Patients who had the ABCB1 rs1128503 C allele had longer duration of hospitalization than did those with the TT genotype (P = 0.006). No association was found between oral mucositis and any polymorphism. Long-term outcome was worse in patients with the SLCO1B1 rs4149056 CC genotype than in patients with TT or TC (5-year event-free survival [EFS] 33.3 ± 19.2% vs. 90.5 ± 1.7%, P < 0.001), and was worse in patients with the SCL19A1 rs2838958 AA genotype than in patients with AG or GG (5-year EFS 78.5 ± 4.6% vs. 92.2 ± 1.8%, P = 0.008). Multiple Cox regression analyses revealed associations of minimal residual disease (MRD) at day 33 (hazard ratio 3.458; P = 0.002), MRD at day 78 (hazard ratio 6.330; P = 0.001), SLCO1B1 rs4149056 (hazard ratio 12.242; P < 0.001), and SCL19A1 rs2838958 (hazard ratio 2.324; P = 0.019) with EFS. Our findings show that polymorphisms in genes encoding MTX transporters substantially influence the kinetics and response to HDMTX therapy in childhood ALL.