Transcatheter arterial infusion of anti-programmed cell death 1 antibody pembrolizumab combined with temozolomide or nab-paclitaxel in patient with primary anorectal malignant melanoma: Four case reports

Primary anorectal malignant melanoma (ARMM) is an extremely rare but aggressive tumor. We assessed the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial infusion (TAI) with anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab at a dosage of 100 mg with 0.9% NaCl at a volume of 100 mL administered over a 30-min period every 3 weeks, combined with temozolomide or albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) in four patients with ARMM. Temozolomide was administered orally once per day at a dosage of 200 mg/m2/d for five consecutive days about every 4 weeks. Nab-paclitaxel was administered at a dosage of 200mg/m2/d once about every 3 weeks. Among four patients with a median follow-up of 8.9 months, two cases showed Murine Double Minute 2 (MDM2) amplification. Case 1 with Stage II ARMM showed pathological complete response after four cycles of TAI with pembrolizumab combined with nab-paclitaxel. Case 4 was at Stage II and showed stable disease consistently throughout the treatment. Case 2 was at stage II and Case 3 was at stage III, and they showed partial response after four or three cycles, respectively, of TAI with pembrolizumab combined with temozolomide. No Grades 3–4 adverse reactions were observed. Therefore, a combination of TAI with pembrolizumab and temozolomide or with nab-paclitaxel appears to be a promising option for treating ARMM. However, multicenter clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of this procedure

Melanoma liver metastases with special imaging features on magnetic resonance imaging after microwave ablations: How to evaluate technical efficacy?

Purpose: To evaluate the technical feasibility of microwave ablation (MWA) for melanoma liver metastases with persistent high signal on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Seven patients with 22 target melanoma liver metastases who underwent MWA treatment were included. All procedure-related complications were observed and recorded. One month after MWA, the imaging features of treated liver metastases and ablation zones with different MRI sequences were reviewed to evaluate technique efficacy. To verify the correctness of the evaluation, MRI scans during patient follow-up were reviewed and compared with images before MWA to analyze changes in treated liver metastases and ablation zones. Results: All ablations were performed successfully, and there were no procedure-related major complications. After ablation, according to MRI T1-weighted pre-contrast or contrast sequences, the persistence of high signals from the treated lesions was noted inside the ablation zones of 19 lesions. Among these 19 lesions, 17 were completely covered by the ablation zones and were considered successfully treated, whereas two lesions were not completely covered and were considered unsuccessfully treated. Three lesions could not be detected on any MRI sequence after ablation and were also considered successfully treated. Finally, MRI scans during patient follow-up care verified these evaluations. Conclusion: MWA is a technically feasible option for melanoma liver metastases with special imaging features on MRI

Weak central coherence of metaphor semantic processing in adults with high-functioning autism / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To explore that if the weak central coherence cognitive characteristic exist in metaphor semantic integration and how does it change through the familiarity of metaphor in the adults with high functioning autism (HFA).Methods:Totally 20 adults with HFA from a service institution of autistic disorder and their 20 typically developing (TD) peers from ordinary schools were recruited into present study who were matched on intelligence quotient (IQ).Priming task was used in present study,in which were set two groups of metaphor sentences (novel-metaphor sentences,conventional-metaphor sentences) as priming sentences and four groups of word (metaphor-relationship-explaining word,vehicle-relevance word,irrelevant word,pseudo words) as target words.A recognition task was used to support the results of priming task.Results:HFA adults showed the highest processing efficiency of vehicle-relevance word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor priming conditions,the reaction time were (960.7 ±9.7) ms and (747.5 ± 12.8) ms,and the accuracies were 94.8％ and 98.4％.TD adults showed the highest processing efficiency of metaphor-relationship-explaining word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor priming conditions,the reaction time were (817.4 ± 9.0) ms and (619.5 ± 9.9) ms,and the accuracies were 93.3％ and 98.2％.In recognition tasks,HFA adults showed the highest recognition efficiency of vehicle-relevance word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor conditions,the reaction time were (732.2 ±11.9) ms and (788.8 ± 11.7) ms,and the accuracies were 78.9％ and 81.8％.TD adults showed the highest recognition efficiency of metaphor-relationship-explaining word in the novel-metaphor and conventional-metaphor conditions,the reaction time were (694.0 ± 10.8) ms and 696.1 ± 11.2)ms,and the accuracies were 76.7％ and 84.2％.Conclusion:It suggests that HFA adults have weak central coherence cognitive processing characteristic on the deep semantic processing level such as metaphor,and this kind of characteristic would get more obvious from conventional-metaphor to novel-metaphor.

Expression of Csk-binding protein in esophageal carcinoma and its possible implications / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of Csk-binding protein (CBP) in esophageal carcinoma and its association with the tumorigenesis and progression of esophageal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>RT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to determine the expressions of CBP at the mRNA and protein levels in 50 pairs of fresh esophageal carcinoma tissue and the adjacent normal tissues.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CBP mRNA and protein expressions in normal tissues were 1.43- and 1.28-fold higher than those in the cancer tissues, respectively (P<0.05). The expressions of CBP mRNA and protein were positively correlated (P=0.015). The decreased expressions of CBP were significantly correlated to lymph node metastasis of esophageal cancer (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of CBP gene is decreased in esophageal carcinoma, which might contribute to the tumorigenesis and progression of this malignancy.</p>

Pathological observation of femoral refracture after removal of plates / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the reasons and the treatments for the femoral refracture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From 2004 to 2008, 10 cases of femoral refracture after plate removal were selected and treated with open reduction and bone nail internal fixation, included 4 males and 6 females ranging from 19 to 48 years with an average age of 33 years old. According to Müller classification, there were 4 cases of type A, 3 of B, 3 of C. The skeletal tissues were taken for pathological analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten patients were followed-up for 10 to 18 months (averaged 14 months). All wound healed at one stage,there were no complications. The fuction of lower limbs walking and weight loading werer recovered. Pathological section showed that part of the lamellar bone tissues were necrotic. The bone architectures were chaotic, micrangium blocked, Haversian canals were atrophy, new vessels and Haversian canals growed in necrotic bone. The tunnel in rigid bone and new Haversian system were formed. The structure was cutting cone. It was the process of new bone substitutting necrotic bone in bony remodeling.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The internal fixation using ordinary plates overwhelmingly destroy blood circulation of bone and cause necrosis of bone. It can also effect bone remodeling and descent mechanical property. Refracture can readily happen after the plate removal. Treatment of open reduction and bone nail internal fixation can achieve excellent and good effect.</p>

Effect of effective components of huanglian jiedu decoction on hypoxia, reoxygenation injury and the expression of VCAM in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective mechanism of geniposide, baicalin and berberine on hypoxia and reoxygenation injury in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A model of four hours hypoxia and twelve hours reoxygenation injury in rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells in vitro was established. The injured cells were treated with geniposide (0.128, 0.064, 0.032 mmol x L(-1)), baicalin (0.028, 0.014, 0.007 mmol L(-1)) and berberine (0.024, 0.012, 0.006 mmol L(-1)), respectively. The immunocytochemical method and techniques of image quantitative analysis were used to detect the mean optical density and mean area in order to match the protein expression of VCAM-1. The method of RT-PCR was adopted to observe and match the mRNA expression of VCAM-1.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>As compared with the normal group, the mean optical density, the mean area and the mRNA expression of VCAM-1 of model group were significant increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.01). As compared with the model group, both the mean optical density and the mean area of all treated groups were decreased, and there was significant difference between them (P < 0.01, P < 0.01). As compared with normal group, the mean optical density of baicalin (0.007 mmol x L(-1)) and berberine (0.012, 0.006 mmol x L(-1)) were significant decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the other groups and the normal group. As compared with normal group, the mean area of baicalin (0.0014 mmol x L(-1)) was significant decreased (P < 0.05), but there was significant difference between the other groups and the normal group. The mRNA expression of all treated groups was not only lower than that of the model group but also higher than that of the normal group (P < 0.05, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggest that geniposide, baicalin and berberine, which are effective compositions of huanglian jiedu decoting, can protect hypoxia-reoxygenation injuried rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells. One of the protected mechanisms is that they can inhibit the expression of VCAM-1.</p>

Effect of effective components of Huanglian Jiedu decocting on NF-kappaB in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells injury induced by hypoxia and reoxygenation / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective mechanism of geniposide, baicalin and berberine on hypoxia and reoxygenation injury in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>To establish a model of hypoxia four hours and reoxygenation twelve hours injury in rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. The injured cells were treated with geniposide (0. 128, 0.064, 0.032 micromol mL(-1), baicalin (0.028, 0.014, 0.007 micromol mL(- 1)) and berberine (0.024, 0.012, 0.006 micromol mL(-1)). The expression of p65 subunit of NF-kappaB was detected by immunocytochemical assay and techniques of image quantitative analysis. The protein expression of NF-kappaB was calculated with the mean optical density and mean area. The nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB was calculated with the percentage of positive cells and ratios of light transmittance of cytoplasm and cell nucleus.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with the normal group, both the protein expression and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB of model group were significant increased (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, the mean optical density of all treated groups was decreased ,but these was no significant difference between them. As compared with model group, the mean area of all treated groups was significant decreased (P < 0.01). The percentage of nuclear translocation of all treated groups is not only lower than that of the model group but higher than that of the normal group (P <0.01). Compared with the model group, the ratios of light transmittance of cytoplasm and cell nucleus of all treated groups was significantly elevated (P <0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results suggesed that geniposide, baicalin and berberine could protect hypoxia/reoxygenation injuried rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells injury. One of the mechanism may lie in inhibiting both the protein expression and the nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB.</p>

Protective action of effective components of Huanglian Jiedu decoction on hypoxia and reoxygenation injury in cultured rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the protective effect of geniposide, baicalin and berberine for the rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cell.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The model of hypoxia and reoxygenation injury in rat cerebral microvascular endothelial cells in vitro was established. Both normal and model cells were treated with geniposide (1.024, 0.512, 0.256, 0.128, 0.064, 0.032, 0.016, 0.008 micromol x mL(-1)), baicalin (0.224, 0.112, 0.056, 0.028, 0.014, 0.007, 0.003 micromol x mL(-1)) and berberine (0.192, 0.096, 0.048, 0.024, 0.012, 0.006, 0.003 micromol x mL(-1)). Cell activity was measured by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) test.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>After hypoxia/hypoglycemia cultures for 4 hour and reoxygenation for 12 hour, geniposide (0.128, 0.064, 0.032 micromol x mL(-1)), baicalin (0.028, 0.014, 0.007 micromol x mL(-1)) and berberine (0.024, 0.012, 0.006 micromol x microL(-1) could protect the injuried cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Appropriate concentration of geniposide, baicalin and berberine, which are effective components of Huanglian Jiedu decoction, could protect the injuried cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.</p>

Functional magnetic resonance image study on the brain areas involved in reading Chinese, English, and Nepali in Nepalese / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the different brain areas activated by Chinese, English, and Nepali word tasks in Nepalese by using the functional magnetic resonance image (fMRI).@*METHODS@#To determine the neuroanatomic functional brain areas responsible for Chinese, English and Nepali reading as well as sentence-formation, blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) block design by fMRI was performed in 6 healthy Nepalese volunteers.@*RESULTS@#During Chinese reading, the activated areas included bilateral motor area, subfrontal gyri, superior temporal gyri, and superior parietal lobule; during English reading, the activated areas were left motor area, left subfrontal gyrus, left supra temporal gyrus, left insula and bilateral cerebellum; and the Nepali task demonstrated the activation of left anterior central gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus. Aside from the bilateral occipital lobes, both English and Nepali activated areas were the left cerebral hemisphere dominant.@*CONCLUSION@#The more familiar with the language, the fewer areas are activated. Superior temporal gyrus might be involved in sentence-formation.

Effects of Early Activities on Duration and Expenditure of Hospitalization and Activities of Daily Living of Patients with Myocardial Infarction / 中国康复理论与实践

@#ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of early activities after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) on duration and expenditure of hospitalization and activities of daily living (ADL) of patients.Methods68 AMI inpatients without complications were divided into the early activity group (33 cases) and control group (35 cases). Patients of the early activity group started early activity training by the bed from the 2nd day after admission, and those of the control group from the 10th day. One week before discharge, ADL of all patients were assessed with Barthel index (BI), and duration and expenditure of hospitalization of two groups were compared.ResultsThe average duration and expenditure of hospitalization in the early activity group were obviously lower than those in the control group (P<0.05～0.01), but the total scores of ADL and the scores of most items at discharge were markedly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05～0.01).ConclusionEarly activity training by the bed can obviously shorten the duration of hospitalization, reduce the medical cost and improve the ADL of AMI patients.

Investigations on the molecular mechanisms of saponins from Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge using oligonucleotide microarrays / 药学学报

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the molecular mechanisms of saponins from the rhizome of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Oligonucleotide microarrays consisting of 87 probes representing 87 human cardiovascular disease-related genes were constructed. Effects of saponins on gene expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells were analyzed by comparing hybridization of Cy 5-labeled cDNAs from saponins-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells and Cy 3-labeled cDNAs from untreated human umbilical vein endothelial cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results indicate that angiotensinogen gene, alpha 2A-adrenoceptor gene and endothelin-converting enzyme 1 gene were downregulated 2.8, 1.9 and 3.1 folds respectively after human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated in medium containing 80 mg.L-1 saponins.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results suggest that saponins may have beneficial effect on cardiovascular diseases by modulating the function of vein endothial cells and microarray can be used to investigate the biological action of extracts from traditional Chinese medicine.</p>