Use of subsequent PET/CT in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients in complete remission following primary therapy / 癌症

Interim 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (I-PET/CT) is a powerful tool for monitoring the response to therapy in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). This retrospective study aimed to determine when and how to use I-PET/CT in DLBCL. A total of 197 patients treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) were enrolled between October 2005 and July 2011; PET/CT was performed at the time of diagnosis (PET/CT0), after 2 and 4 cycles of chemotherapy (PET/CT2 and PET/CT4, respectively), and at the end of treatment (F-PET/CT). According to the International Harmonization Project for Response Criteria in Lymphoma, 110 patients had negative PET/CT2 scans, and 87 had positive PET/CT2 scans. The PET/CT2-negative patients had significantly higher 3-year progression-free survival rate (75.8% vs. 38.2%) and 3-year overall survival rate (93.5% vs. 55.6%) than PET/CT2-positive patients. All PET/CT2-negative patients remained negative at PET/CT4, but 3 were positive at F-PET/CT. Among the 87 PET/CT2-positive patients, 57 remained positive at F-PET/CT, and 32 progressed during chemotherapy (15 at PET/CT4 and 17 at F-PET/CT). Comparing PET/CT4 with PET/CT0, 7 patients exhibited progression, and 8 achieved partial remission. Comparing F-PET/CT with PET/CT0, 10 patients exhibited progression, and 7 achieved partial remission. In conclusion, our results indicate that I-PET/CT should be performed after 2 rather than 4 cycles of immunochemotherapy in DLBCL patients. There is a limited role for subsequent PET/CT in the detection of relapse in PET/CT2-negative patients, but repeat PET/CT is required if the PET/CT2 findings are positive.

Qualitative visual trichotomous assessment improves the value of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in predicting the prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma / 癌症

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18 F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a powerful tool for monitoring the response of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) to therapy, but the criteria to interpret PET/CT results remain under debate. We investigated the value of post-treatment PET/CT in predicting the prognosis of DLBCL patients when interpreted according to qualitative visual trichotomous assessment (QVTA) criteria compared with the Deauville criteria.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this retrospective study, final PET/CT scans of DLBCL patients treated with rituximab-based regimens between October 2005 and November 2010 were interpreted using the Deauville and QVTA criteria. Survival curves were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and compared using the log-rank test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 253 patients were enrolled. The interpretation according to the Deauville criteria revealed that 181 patients had negative PET/CT scan results and 72 had positive results. The 3 year overall survival (OS) rate was significantly higher in patients with negative scan results than in those with positive results (91.6% vs. 57.5%, P<0.001). The 72 patients with positive scan results according to the Deauville criteria were divided into two groups by the interpretation according to the QVTA criteria: 29 had indeterminate results, and 43 had positive results. The 3 year OS rate was significantly higher in patients with indeterminate scan results than in those with positive results (91.2% vs. 33.5%, P<0.001) but was similar between patients with negative and indeterminate scan results (91.6% vs. 91.2%, P=0.921).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Compared with the Deauville criteria, using the QVTA criteria for interpreting post-treatment PET/CT scans of DLBCL patients is likely to reduce the number of false positive results. The QVTA criteria are feasible for therapeutic outcome evaluation and can be used to guide risk-adapted therapy.</p>

Clinical impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT on suspected cervical cancer recurrence / 中华核医学杂志

Objective To evaluate the clinical impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT on patients with suspected cervical cancer recurrence. Methods Fifty-one cervical cancer patients, clinically suspected to have tumor recurrence during follow-up, underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT examination. 18 F-FDG PET/CT results were compared with those of conventional images, as referred to histopathology or clinical follow-up. Impacts of 18F-FDG PET/CT were evaluated based on documented changes of clinical management. Results In total, 43 patients were found to have positive lesions by 18F-FDG PET/CT, in which 40 were true recurrence,but 2 were pelvic abscess and 1 was radiation enterocolitis. Other 8 patients were found negative by 18F-FDG PET/CT and confirmed by pathology or follow-up. In patient-based analyses, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the detection of tumor recurrence were 100% (40/40), 72. 73% (8/11),and 94.12% (48/51) respectively. In 7 patients, the clinical management was changed due to 18F-FDG PET/CT findings. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT is an efficient tool for determining the recurrence of cervical cancer and instructing the clinical management.

Determination of sperm DNA integrity by improved sperm chromatin structure assay test / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To search for a simple, quick and accurate method for the sperm DNA integrity test by modifying the conventional sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, and to investigate the reference value range of normal sperm DNA integrity by the improved SCD assay.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We modified the conventional SCD test in its procedures, reagents preparing and utensils to be used, compared the improved method with the conventional one, and detected 293 normal semen samples for sperm DNA integrity by the modified SCD test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>An improved SCD test was established, and no statistical differences were found between the results of the modified and conventional methods. The reference value range was determined by the improved SCD assay for normal sperm DNA integrity, which was < 32.58% for abnormal sperm DNA integrity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The improved SCD test could detect sperm DNA integrity more quickly, and it reduced the cost in reagents.</p>

The effect of p38 on the cycloheximide-induced HL-60 cell death through mitochondria pathway / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of p38 on the cycloheximide (CHX)-induced HL-60 cell death through mitochondria pathway.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Inhibition of p38 pathway was by SB203580 (SB). Four groups were set up: control, SB only, CHX only and SB + CHX. Sub-diploid cell ratio was detected by PI staining flow cytometry at 6, 9, 12, 18, 24 h time points, and apoptotic cell ratio by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining flow cytometry at 6 h and 18 h time points. High J-aggregate cells were evaluated by the J-aggregate contents, measurement of the J-aggregate (FL2) and J-monomer (FL1) by JC-1 flow cytometry, calculation of the delta psi m by FL2/FL1 and analysis of the delta psi m changes at 18 h time points.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sub-diploid cell ratio in CHX group was significantly higher than that in control group at 6 h time point, and the ratio in SB + CHX group was significantly higher than that in CHX group at 9 h time point. At 18 h time point the apoptotic cell ratios in both CHX and SB + CHX groups were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference of apoptotic cell ratio between CHX group and SB + CHX group (P > 0.05). At 18 h time point the necrotic cell ratios in both CHX and SB + CHX groups were significantly higher than that in control group (P < 0.01); and that in SB + CHX group was significantly higher than that in CHX group (P < 0.01). The high J-aggregate cell ratios in CHX and SB + CHX groups were significantly lower than that in control group (P < 0.05), and that was signficantly lower in SB + CHX group than in CHX group (P < 0.01). For the FL2/FL1 value (delta psi m) CHX group (0.17 +/- 0.01) and SB + CHX group (0.05 +/- 0.003) were significantly higher than control group (0.38 +/- 0.02) (P < 0.01), and SB + CHX group was significantly lower than CHX group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CHX can induce HL-60 cell apoptosis and the cell mitochondria depolarization, and the latter was intensified by inhibition of the p38 pathway. p38 pathway may related to the cell necrosis in the cycloheximide-induced HL-60 cell apoptosis model. s</p>

Study on the mitochondrial mass change in dexamethasone induced mouse thymocyte apoptosis / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study on the mitochondrial mass change in mouse thymocyte apoptosis.Method Control and Dexamethasone(DEX) groups were set;at 6h,we studied mitochondrial mass changes by NAO and Mitotracker Green(MG) staining flowcytometry and detected mitochondrial membrane potential change with DiOC_6(3) staining flowcytometry.We also used Annexin V-PE/MG double staining flocytometry to examine the mitochondrial changes in apoptosis progress.Results NAO staining results showed that 1 ?mol?L~(-1) DEX stimulation reduced the cardiolipin content of thymocyte mitochondria(P