[Microwave ablation versus radiofrequency ablation for solid or predominantly solid benign thyroid nodules: a randomized controlled clinical trial].

Objective: To compare the short-term efficacy and the safety of microwave ablation (MWA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules (BTNs). Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial, performed from December 2019 to September 2021, included 36 patients with solid or predominantly solid BTNs who met the eligibility criteria and provided written informed consent at the Nanjing sub-center (Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine). Patients were assigned to either the MWA group or the RFA group (18 patients in each group) at a ratio of 1∶1 using a block randomization design and allocation concealment using sealed envelope randomization. The independent-sample t-test and χ2 test were used to compare the volume reduction rates (VRRs), effective rates (VRRs≥50%), cosmetic scores, and complication rates at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment between the two groups. Results: The clinical characteristics of the two groups of patients were comparable. After ablation, the nodule volume was significantly reduced in both groups. At 1, 3, and 6 months, there was no significant difference in the volume between the two groups (all P>0.05). At 3 months, the RFA group had a larger VRRs than that in the MWA group (62.08%±12.46% vs. 46.90%±23.16%, t=-2.45, P=0.021). However, at 1 and 6 months, no statistical significance was observed (both P>0.05). No significant difference was observed in the effective rates at the last follow-up (14/18 vs. 18/18, P=0.104). However, the RFA group had a lower cosmetic score than that in the MWA group (1.78±0.43 vs. 2.17±0.51, t=-2.47, P=0.019). There was no statistically significant difference in the complication rates between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Both MWA and RFA were effective and safe treatments for BTNs, with no significant differences in short-term efficacy and safety. In addition, the RFA group showed slightly more favorable outcomes than the MWA group in terms of cosmetic improvement.

[Maintenance of efficacy and its predictors after discontinuation of eltrombopag in adults with primary immune thrombocytopenia].

Objective: To determine the efficacy of eltrombopag for primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in adults and the predictive factors for treatment-free response (TFR) . Methods: Clinical data of adults with ITP who received eltrombopag from June 14, 2013 to May 31, 2021 in the Hematology Department of Ruijin Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University Medical College were retrospectively analyzed. The initial dose of eltrombopag was 25 mg/d, and the maximum dose was 75 mg/d; the dose was adjusted to maintain the platelet count to within 50-150×10(9)/L. Treatment was discontinued according either to the protocol, on the patient's wishes or doctor's judgment (prescription medication), or based on clinical trials. The efficacy of eltrombopag and factors for TFR among patients who achieved complete response and those who discontinued treatment were analyzed. Results: Overall, 106 patients with ITP (33 men and 73 women) were included in the study. The median age of patients was 50 (18-89) years. There were 2, 10, and 94 cases of newly diagnosed, persistent, and chronic ITP, respectively. The complete response rate was 44.3% (47/106), the response rate was 34.0% (36/106), and the overall response rate was 78.3% (83/106). Meanwhile, 83 patients who responded to treatment discontinued eltrombopag; of these, 81 patients were evaluated. Additionally, 17 patients (21.0%) achieved TFR. The median follow-up duration of patients who achieved TFR was 126 (30-170) weeks. The recurrence rate was 17.6% (3/17), and the relapse-free survival rate was 76.5%. The results of univariate analysis revealed that non-recurrence after discontinuation of other treatments for ITP (P=0.001), and platelet count and eltrombopag dose of ≥100×10(9)/L (P=0.007) and ≤25 mg/d (P=0.031), respectively, upon discontinuation of eltrombopag were predictors of TFR; these effects were attributed to prolonged effective duration of eltrombopag. Multivariate analysis showed that there was a correlation between non-recurrence and prolonged effective duration after discontinuation of other treatments for ITP (P=0.002) . Conclusion: Eltrombopag is effective for patients with ITP as it can result in TFR. Predictors for TFR include non-recurrence after discontinuation of concomitant ITP treatment, and platelet count and eltrombopag dose of ≥100 × 10(9)/L and ≤25 mg/d upon discontinuation of treatment, respectively.

[Establishment of morphological reference values for the differential count of white blood cells in peripheral blood smear, as well as nucleated cells and megakaryocytes in bone marrow smear].

Objective: To establish the morphological reference values for the differential count of white blood cells in peripheral blood smear as well as nucleated cells and megakaryocytes in bone marrow smear. Methods: From April 2012 to June 2020, 4 221 healthy donors for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Hebei Yanda Lu Daopei Hospital were selected. The median age was 36 (3-72) years old, including 2 520 males and 1 701 females. They were divided into four groups according to age: children group, with age≤14 years old [n=334, 11 (3-14) years old], youth group, with age >14 years old and <45 years old [n=2 855, 33 (15-44) years old], middle-aged adult group, with age ≥45 years old and < 60 years old [n=929, 49 (45-59) years old], and older adult group, with age ≥60 years old [n=103, 62 (60-72) years old]. Gender subgroups were established in each age group. According to different hematopoietic characteristics, the children group were divided into two subgroups: children group 1 [n=48, 6 (3-7) years old] and children group 2 [n=286, 11 (8-14) years old]. According to the clinical routine, 100 white blood cells in peripheral blood, 200 nucleated cells in bone marrow, and cell numbers/4.5 cm2 for megakaryocytes were classified and counted. The results of cell count in different age and gender groups were compared, and the reference values of morphological classification were established for different groups with statistical or clinical significance. Results: Due to the existence of statistically significant differences between children and adult groups and different gender subgroups in adults (all P<0.05), the reference values were established for children group and adult gender subgroups. The counts of segmented neutrophils and lymphocytes in peripheral blood were 46.65(43.97-49.32)% and 44.00(10.60-65.10)% in children group 1, 50.73(49.50-51.96)% and 39.55 (38.36-40.74)% in children group 2, and 57.00 (39.00-75.23) % and 33.00 (17.00-52.00) % in adult group, respectively. Bone marrow segmented neutrophils, orthochromatic erythroblasts, and mature lymphocytes were 11.54 (10.68-12.41)%, 14.20 (13.19-15.21)%, and 23.99 (22.06-25.92)% in children group 1, 12.50 (7.00-21.50)%, 15.00(9.50-25.50)%, and 21.02 (20.24-21.81)% in children group 2, 13.50 (7.50-21.00)%, 16.50 (10.50-26.00)%, and 15.50 (7.50-26.00)% in adult male group, and 14.50 (8.00-24.50)%, 14.50 (9.00-23.00)%, and 17.50 (8.50-29.00)% in adult female group, respectively. The myelopoiesis/erythropoiesis ratio in children group, adult male group and adult female group was 1.86∶1 (1.14∶1-3.23∶1), 1.96∶1 (1.12∶1-3.19∶1), 2.22∶1 (1.30∶1-3.69∶1), respectively. The numbers of granular megakaryocytes and thromocytogenic megakaryocytes were 138 (25-567) cells/4.5cm2 and 86 (13-328) cells/4.5 cm2 in children group, and 92 (13-338) cells/4.5 cm2 and 38 (3-162) cells/4.5 cm2 in adult group, respectively. Conclusion: The morphological reference values for the differential count of white blood cells in peripheral blood smear as well as nucleated cells and megakaryocytes in bone marrow smear are successfully established, which is helpful to improve the application of morphological examination in disease screening, diagnosis and monitoring.

Efficacy and safety of intrathecal morphine for pain control after spinal surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of intrathecal (IT) morphine for postoperative pain control in adults undergoing spinal surgeries. We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL up to 1st January 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or controlled clinical trials (CCTs) comparing IT morphine with placebo or other analgesics. Twelve studies were included. Eleven were RCTs and one was a CCT. Our meta-analysis indicated a statistically significant reduction of pain scores with IT morphine at 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours, 8 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours; but no significant difference at 48 hours. Meta-analysis indicated a statistically significant reduction in analgesic consumption with IT morphine as compared to control. Pooled analysis indicated that IT morphine had no statistically significant effect on length of hospital stay. Our analysis indicated no statistically significant difference in the risk of nausea, vomiting, sedation, respiratory depression, headache, and urinary retention between IT morphine and control groups. The incidence of pruritis was significantly increased in the IT morphine group. The certainty of the evidence was judged to be "moderate" for pain scores at 12 hours, 24 hours, and analgesic consumption. To conclude, our review indicates that IT morphine results in significantly better pain control in the first 24 hours after spinal surgery. The risk of pruritis is significantly increased with the use of IT morphine but not for other opioid-related adverse events. Future RCTs should focus on finding the most optimal dose of IT morphine for spinal surgeries.

[Cell morphological analysis of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma gamma-delta type].

Objective: To analyze the cell morphological features of hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma (HSTCL) gamma-delta (γδ) type, differentiate from acute leukaemia (AL). Methods: This was a retrospective study. The clinical data of four cases of HSTCL γδ type who were treated in Hebei Yanda Ludaopei Hospital from 2009 to 2014 were collected. Their initial morphology diagnoses in other hospitals were all acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Morphological analysis and cytochemical stains to their bone marrow (BM) aspiration and peripheral blood (PB) smears were completed when they had no response to previous chemotherapies, and the morphological reports were compared with results of immunophenotyping, chromosome, and T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement. Results: The percentages of malignant cells in four patients' BM aspirations were 7.6%-40.0%, and in two patients' PB was 9% and 10%, respectively. The morphology of four cases had a very high similarity in Wright's stain. Predominantly medium-sized cells were seen, with rich cytoplasm and frequently one big conspicuous nucleolus. The malignant cells resembled blasts, especially monoblasts, but with coarse granular chromatin, more compact than that in monoblasts. When comparing to malignant myeloblast and lymphoblasts, HSTCL cells were larger and more irregular in cell shape, with more abundant cytoplasm and prominent nuclear irregularity. The cytochemistric stain played an important role in differential diagnosis. HSTCL malignant cells showed non-specific esterase (NSE) negative or focal punctate activity which couldn't be inhibited by sodium fluoride. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain was negative or positive with a form of coarse granules. The myeloperioxdase (MPO) stain was negative. Conclusion: Malignant cells of HSTCL γδ type have very distinct morphological features of mature lymphocytic neoplasm. The quality of Wright's stain, being short of complete cytochemical stains, lacking of awareness of this disease, and acute leukemia or MDS like appearance in some cases, result in the possibility of diagnostic error as malignant blast, and probably are main causes of misdiagnosis of HSTCL γδ type.

[Efficacy and safety of recombinant human thrombopoietin in adult patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia during the perioperative period].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) treatment for primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) patients during the perioperative period. Methods: Adult ITP patients who were refractory to first-line glucocorticoid therapy and underwent selective surgery were enrolled to be treated with rhTPO at the dosage of 1.5×10(4)U/d subcutaneously during the perioperative period. rhTPO treatment would not be terminated until one of the following conditions occurred: ①Platelet counts met the requirement of surgery; ②Platelet counts were ≥100×10(9)/L; ③Completed the 14 days of therapy. End points of the study were surgery rate, rhTPO therapy response rate, rescue therapy rate and adverse responses. Results: 42 patients were enrolled from Jan. 1, 2016 to Jun. 30, 2018. 14 were male and 28 were female. The median age was 60 (25-73) years old. There were no newly diagnosed patients. 5 patients were persistent and 37 were chronic. 27 patients completed selective surgery. The surgery rate was 64.3% (27/42) . Among them, 13 patients were under local anesthesia and 14 under general anesthesia. Of 42 cases receiving rhTPO therapy. 31 patients achieved responses, The overall response rate was of 73.8%. Among them, 24 patients achieved CR. The CR ratio was 77.4% (24/31) . 7 achieved response. The response ratio was 22.6% (7/31) . 11 patients did not respond to rhTPO therapy. The non-response rate was 26.2% (11/42) . The median time to reach CR was 7 (3-16) days. The median time to reach the peak of platelet counts were 10 (3-21) days. rhTPO was used for a median of 7 (3-14) days. The median platelet counts of patients undergoing surgery before rhTPO therapy, before surgery and at day 7 after surgery were 33 (20-89) ×10(9)/L, 125 (78-245) ×10(9)/L and 72 (30-250) ×10(9)/L, respectively. The median peak of platelet counts was 149 (101-466) ×10(9)/L. No infection, bleeding, thromboembolism and therapy-related adverse responses occurred in the patients. Conclusion: rhTPO for ITP patients during the perioperative period is safe and effective.

[Prognostic study of 229 follicular lymphoma patients treated with rituximab combined with chemotherapy].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of follicular lymphoma (FL) in the era of rituximab combined with chemotherapy and the prognostic significance of the follicular lymphoma international prognostic index (FLIPI), follicular lymphoma international prognostic index 2 (FLIPI2), international prognostic index (IPI), revised international prognostic index (R-IPI), National Comprehensive Cancer Network international prognostic index (NCCN-IPI) among Chinese patients. Methods: 229 FL patients who were treated initially with rituximab combined with CHOP-like (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone) chemotherapy from November 2008 to April 2018 were analyzed retrospectively and all were scored by the above clinical index. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis were performed on 201 patients who completed the treatment and were followed regularly. Results: In the univariate survival analysis, age>60 years, hemoglobin<120 g/L, elevated serumß(2)- macroglobulin, involvement of bone marrow and elevated CRP were the risk prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Moreover, the analysis of the OS and PFS between rituximab (R) maintenance (RM) group and non-maintenance (non-RM) group showed that the OS and PFS of RM group were better than those of non-RM. In the multivariate analysis of OS, hemoglobin<120 g/L, involvement of bone marrow, elevated CRP and non-RM were independent prognostic factors. In the multivariate analysis of PFS, hemoglobin<120 g/L, CRP and non-RM were independent prognostic factors. When FLIPI2 was included in the multivariate analysis, CRP and FLIPI2 were independent prognostic factors in both OS and PFS, and non-RM was independent prognostic factors in PFS. Conclusion: FLIPI2 is the better risk stratification in FL patients in the era of rituximab.

Tea Consumption and Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Although tea consumption has been reported to have various health benefits in humans, its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been investigated directly. We aimed to examine the relationship between tea consumption and HRQOL among older Chinese adults. METHODS: We analyzed community-based cross-sectional data of 5,557 older Chinese individuals aged 60 years or older who participated in the Weitang Geriatric Diseases study. Information on tea consumption and HRQOL assessed by the European Quality of Life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) were collected by questionnaires. We estimated the relationship of tea consumption and the EQ-5D index score using linear regression models and the association between tea consumption and self-reported EQ-5D health problems using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The EQ-5D index score was higher for habitual tea drinkers than their counterparts. In multivariate linear analyses controlling for socio-demographic conditions, health conditions, and lifestyle habits, the differences in ED-5D index score between individuals with and without tea drinking habits was 0.012 (95% confidence interval, 0.006-0.017). In multivariate logistic analyses, habitual tea drinking was inversely associated with reporting of problems in EQ-5D dimensions mobility (odds ration [OR], 0.44; 95% CI: 0.23-0.84); pain/discomfort (OR, 0.74; 95% CI: 0.61-0.90); and anxiety/depression (OR, 0.60; 95% CI: 0.38-0.97). These associations were more evident for black or oolong tea than green tea. CONCLUSION: Habitual tea consumption was associated with better HRQOL in older adults.

Ultrasonography of fetal cleft lip and palate in first-trimester.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To explore the ultrasonographic methods towards cleft lip and palate (CLP) in first-trimester. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 3,795 fetuses were scanned for facial structures including cross section of upper alveolar process, oblique coronal section of upper lip, and postnasal triangle section when measuring nuchal translucency (NT). The abnormal cases underwent ultrasonography for clear diagnosis at 17-18 gestational weeks (GWs), while the negative cases underwent systemic ultrasonography at 20-26 GWs, and followed up until birth. RESULTS: Among the 3795 fetuses, 16 cases had CLP, with an incidence rate as 4.2%; 12 were detected in first trimester, with a detection rate of 75%, and the detection rate of bilateral CLP was 100%, four were missed, with a misdiagnosis rate of 25%, and 12 cases examined at 17-18 GWs met first-trimester diagnosis. Among the four missed cases, two were diagnosed with systemic ultrasonography, and two were diagnosed postnatally. All cases were confirmed after induction of labor or after birth. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography in first-trimester could diagnose severe case of CLP.

[Feature of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease].

Objective: To assess the imaging features of 43 patients diagnosed as clinically possible or probable Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) for providing referential information and experience on applications of MRI in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CJD. Method: All patients who were diagnosed with "suspected CJD" and hospitalized in Xuanwu Hospital from January 2013 to November 2015 were collected, and their clinical information and MRI imaging features were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Totally 62 patients with "suspected CJD" were rectruited in this study, and 43 of them were diagnosied as probable and possible CJD when they were discharged.The typical MRI feature of CJD patients was "cortical ribbon" sign in MR DWI sequences and/or high signal in cortex or bilateral basal ganglia.In all patients, the simple coritcal involvement was the highest(76.47%, 26/34), followed by the cortical cortex and basal ganglia(23.53%, 8/34). MRI positive group had more prominent extrapyramidal symptoms than MRI negative group (26/31 vs 9/12, P=0.015), but no statistical difference in clinic feature was found between the group with simple cortex affected and the group with both cortex and bilateral basal ganglia affected (P>0.05). Conclusions: MRI images of patients with CJD have special characteristics and have corresponding changes when the patients are in different stages of disease. In combination with the clinical evaluation of disease progression, brain microscopic pathological changes of CJD patients can be assessed by regularly brain MRI examination.

Identification of aac(2')-I type b aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes in resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism underlying the drug resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii toward aminoglycosides. A total of 32 A. baumannii strains were identified by molecular identification and subsequently isolated. The isolates were then amplified by polymerase chain reaction to analyze the 9 aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes and 7 16S rRNA methylase genes. Five types of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes and 1 type of 16S rRNA methylase gene were detected in the 32 drug-resistant A. baumannii strains. Positive genes included 7 detection modes, of which the all-6-gene-positive mode aac(2')-Ib+aac(3)-I+aac(6')-Ib+ant(3'')-I+aph(3')-I+armA exhibited the largest number of strains (12, 37.5%). The resistance of A. baumannii against aminoglycosides resulted from the presence of 5 types of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes and the 16S rRNA methylase gene armA. This study is the first to isolate the aac(2')-Ib aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme gene from A. baumannii in a domestic clinical setting.

Enhanced MC3T3-E1 preosteoblast response and bone formation on the addition of nano-needle and nano-porous features to microtopographical titanium surfaces.

Micro/nanotopographical modifications on titanium surfaces constitute a new process to increase osteoblast response to enhance bone formation. In this study, we utilized alkali heat treatment at high (SB-AH1) and low temperatures (SB-AH2) to nano-modify sandblasted titanium with microtopographical surfaces. Then, we evaluated the surface properties, biocompatibility and osteogenic capability of SB-AH1 and SB-AH2 in vitro and in vivo, and compared these with conventional sandblast-acid etching (SLA) and Ti control surfaces. SB-AH1 and SB-AH2 surfaces exhibited micro/nanotopographical modifications of nano-needle structures and nano-porous network layers, respectively, compared with the sole microtopographical surface of macro and micro pits on the SLA surface and the relatively smooth surface on the Ti control. SB-AH1 and SB-AH2 showed different roughness and elemental components, but similar wettability. MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts anchored closely on the nanostructures of SB-AH1 and SB-AH2 surfaces, and these two surfaces more significantly enhanced cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity than others, while the SB-AH2 surface exhibited better cell proliferation and higher ALP activity than SB-AH1. All four groups of titanium domes with self-tapping screws were implanted in rabbit calvarial bone models, and these indicated that SB-AH1 and SB-AH2 surfaces achieved better peri-implant bone formation and implant stability, while the SB-AH2 surface achieved the best percentage of bone-implant contact (BIC%). Our study demonstrated that the micro/nanotopographical surface generated by sandblasting and alkali heat treatment significantly enhanced preosteoblast proliferation, ALP activity and bone formation in vitro and in vivo, and nano-porous network topography may further induce better preosteoblast proliferation, ALP activity and BIC%.

Changes of inter-hemispheric functional connectivity between motor cortices after brachial plexuses injury: a resting-state fMRI study.

OBJECT: The aim of this study is to explore the changes of inter-hemispheric functional connectivity in patients with unilateral brachial plexus injury. METHODS: Nine patients with five roots of unilateral brachial plexus avulsion injury and 11 healthy controls were recruited in this study. Resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance image was used to study the differences of inter-hemispheric functional connectivity between patients and healthy controls. Four areas were defined as regions of interest (ROI): the two primary motor areas (M1 areas) and two supplementary motor areas (SMAs) in the two hemispheres activated when the healthy controls performed unilateral hand grasping movement of the two hands, respectively. Functional connectivity maps were generated by correlating the regional time course of each ROI with that of every voxel in the whole brain. Then, functional connectivity was calculated by correlating the functional magnetic resonance image signal time courses of every two ROIs. RESULTS: Resting-state inter-hemispheric functional connectivity of the primary motor areas was reduced following brachial plexus avulsion injury. The correlation coefficients of the SMAs showed no difference between the brachial plexus patients and healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that brachial plexus injury decreases resting-state inter-hemispheric functional connectivity of the two primary motor areas. These results provide new insight into functional reorganization of the cerebral cortex after brachial plexus injury.

Giant piezoelectricity on Si for hyperactive MEMS.

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) incorporating active piezoelectric layers offer integrated actuation, sensing, and transduction. The broad implementation of such active MEMS has long been constrained by the inability to integrate materials with giant piezoelectric response, such as Pb(Mg(1/3)Nb(2/3))O(3)-PbTiO(3) (PMN-PT). We synthesized high-quality PMN-PT epitaxial thin films on vicinal (001) Si wafers with the use of an epitaxial (001) SrTiO(3) template layer with superior piezoelectric coefficients (e(31,f) = -27 ± 3 coulombs per square meter) and figures of merit for piezoelectric energy-harvesting systems. We have incorporated these heterostructures into microcantilevers that are actuated with extremely low drive voltage due to thin-film piezoelectric properties that rival bulk PMN-PT single crystals. These epitaxial heterostructures exhibit very large electromechanical coupling for ultrasound medical imaging, microfluidic control, mechanical sensing, and energy harvesting.

Preoperative diagnosis and successful laparoscopic treatment of incarcerated obturator hernia.

Obturator hernia is rare and frequently delayed in surgical treatment and, thus, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. It is often found in thin, elderly, multiparous women. We reported a case of early diagnosis due to clinical alert and in-time computed tomography (CT). The patient received laparoscopic surgery and had good postoperative recovery. The regular use of CT for diagnosing nonspecific abdominal complaints associated with pain over the inner thigh, especially in thin, elderly, multiparous women, will result in increased preoperative detection of the obturator hernia.

Eriocalyxin B induces apoptosis of t(8;21) leukemia cells through NF-kappaB and MAPK signaling pathways and triggers degradation of AML1-ETO oncoprotein in a caspase-3-dependent manner.

Diterpenoids isolated from Labiatae family herbs have strong antitumor activities with low toxicity. In this study, Eriocalyxin B (EriB), a diterpenoid extracted from Isodon eriocalyx, was tested on human leukemia/lymphoma cells and murine leukemia models. Acute myeloid leukemia cell line Kasumi-1 was most sensitive to EriB. Significant apoptosis was observed, concomitant with Bcl-2/Bcl-XL downregulation, mitochondrial instability and caspase-3 activation. AML1-ETO oncoprotein was degraded in parallel to caspase-3 activation. EriB-mediated apoptosis was associated with NF-kappaB inactivation by preventing NF-kappaB nuclear translocation and inducing IkappaBalpha cleavage, and disturbance of MAPK pathway by downregulating ERK1/2 phosphorylation and activating AP-1. Without affecting normal hematopoietic progenitor cells proliferation, EriB was effective on primary t(8;21) leukemia blasts and caused AML1-ETO degradation. In murine t(8;21) leukemia models, EriB remarkably prolonged the survival time or decreased the xenograft tumor size. Together, EriB might be a potential treatment for t(8;21) leukemia by targeting AML1-ETO oncoprotein and activating apoptosis pathways.

Probing nanoscale ferroelectricity by ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy.

We demonstrated that ultraviolet Raman spectroscopy is an effective technique to measure the transition temperature (Tc) in ferroelectric ultrathin films and superlattices. We showed that one-unit-cell-thick BaTiO3 layers in BaTiO3/SrTiO3 superlattices are not only ferroelectric (with Tc as high as 250 kelvin) but also polarize the quantum paraelectric SrTiO3 layers adjacent to them. Tc was tuned by approximately 500 kelvin by varying the thicknesses of the BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 layers, revealing the essential roles of electrical and mechanical boundary conditions for nanoscale ferroelectricity.

Nano-alpha-Al2O3 by liquid-feed flame spray pyrolysis.

Nanometre-sized particles of transition (t)-aluminas are important for the fabrication of high-quality alumina ceramics. Multiple tons are produced each year using a variety of gas-phase processes. The nanoparticles produced by these methods consist mainly of the undesired delta phase with some gamma- and theta-Al(2)O(3). Nano-t-aluminas should provide access to dense nano/submicrometre-grained alpha-Al(2)O(3) shapes offering significant advantages over micrometre-grained shapes. Unfortunately, polymorphism coupled with the high activation energy for nucleating alpha-Al(2)O(3) greatly impedes efforts to process dense alpha-Al(2)O(3) with controlled grain sizes, especially for submicrometre materials. Typically alpha-Al(2)O(3) nucleation within t-aluminas is sporadic rather than uniform, leading to exaggerated grain growth and vermicular microstructures without full densification (5). Thus, production of quantities of nano-alpha-Al(2)O(3) from multiple nano-t-aluminas for seeding or direct processing of alpha-Al(2)O(3) monoliths could greatly change how alpha-Al(2)O(3) components are processed. We report here that liquid-feed flame spray pyrolysis of nano-t-aluminas converts them to dispersible 30-80 nm alpha-Al(2)O(3) powders (50-85% phase transformed). Surprisingly, the powder surfaces are fully dehydrated. These powders pressureless sinter to more than 99.5% dense alpha-Al(2)O(3) with final grain sizes < or =500 nm without sintering aids.

Studies on treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia with arsenic trioxide: remission induction, follow-up, and molecular monitoring in 11 newly diagnosed and 47 relapsed acute promyelocytic leukemia patients.

Fifty-eight acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients (11 newly diagnosed and 47 relapsed) were studied for arsenic trioxide (As2O3) treatment. Clinical complete remission (CR) was obtained in 8 of 11 (72.7%) newly diagnosed cases. However, As2O3 treatment resulted in hepatic toxicity in 7 cases including 2 deaths, in contrast to the mild liver dysfunction in one third of the relapsed patients. Forty of forty-seven (85.1%) relapsed patients achieved CR. Two of three nonresponders showed clonal evolution at relapse, with disappearance of t(15;17) and PML-RARalpha fusion gene in 1 and shift to a dominant AML-1-ETO population in another, suggesting a correlation between PML-RARalpha expression and therapeutic response. In a follow-up of 33 relapsed cases over 7 to 48 months, the estimated disease-free survival (DFS) rates for 1 and 2 years were 63.6% and 41.6%, respectively, and the actual median DFS was 17 months. Patients with white blood cell (WBC) count below 10 x 10(9)/L at relapse had better survival than those with WBC count over 10 x 10(9)/L (P =.038). The duration of As2O3-induced CR was related to postremission therapy, because there was only 2 of 11 relapses in patients treated with As2O3 combined with chemotherapy, compared with 12 of 18 relapses with As2O3 alone (P =.01). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis in both newly diagnosed and relapsed groups showed long-term use of As2O3 could lead to a molecular remission in some patients. We thus recommend that ATRA be used as first choice for remission induction in newly diagnosed APL cases, whereas As2O3 can be either used as a rescue for relapsed cases or included into multidrug consolidation/maintenance clinical trials.

[Application of western blotting technique in the serodiagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection].

We have used western blotting technique for examining antibodies in patients with tuberculosis and in healthy individuals. In patients with tuberculosis, the number and intensity of the developed antigen bands were much higher than in normal individuals. Furthermore, disease-associated protein antigens of 30,000-43,000, 28,000 and 25,000 were found to react with patients' sera. A specificity of 0.9639 and sensitivity of 0.9012 were obtained about 30,000-43,000 antigens. 25,000 antigen reacted with 41.74% of patients' sera but with none of the controls.