Three-Component Domino Reaction of Thioamide, Isonitriles, and Water: Selective Synthesis of 1,2,4-Thiadiazolidin-3-ones and (E)-N-(1,2-Diamino-2-thioxoethylidene)benzamides.

The three-component domino reaction of thioamides, benzyl isocyanide, and water in the presence of a catalytic amount of both Pd(dppf)Cl2 and Cu(OAc)2 afforded novel 1,2,4-thiadiazolidin-3-one cyclic compounds, whereas the same reaction with tertiary alkylisonitriles in the presence of rare earth metal salt [La(OTf)3] resulted in (E)-N-(1,2-diamino-2-thioxoethylidene)benzamide open-chain products. This divergent reaction enabled the one-pot construction of five (N-S, C-S, C-O, and two C-N) or four (C-S, C-N, C-O, and C-C) new chemical bonds. Mechanism studies indicate that the oxygen atom of the product was derived from H2O.

Short-term outcomes of radiofrequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma using cone-beam computed tomography for planning and image guidance.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and a minimally invasive alternative to hepatectomy for treating tumour recurrence. RFA is often performed using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) and/or ultrasonography. In recent years, angiographic systems with flat panel image detectors and advanced image reconstruction algorithms have broadened the clinical applications of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), including RFA. Several studies have shown the effectiveness of using CBCT for immediate treatment assessments and follow-ups. AIM: To assess the treatment response to RFA for HCC using CBCT. METHODS: Forty-eight patients (44 men; aged 37-89 years) with solitary HCC [median size: 3.2 (1.2-6.6) cm] underwent RFA and were followed for 25.6 (median; 13.5-35.2) mo. Image fusion of CBCT and pre-operative CECT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for tumour segmentation and needle path and ablation zone planning. Real-time image guidance was provided by overlaying the three-dimensional image of the tumour and needle path on the fluoroscopy image. Treatment response was categorized as complete response (CR), partial response (PR), stable disease (SD), or progressive disease (PD). Disease progression, death, time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS) were recorded. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: Initial post-RFA CECT/MRI showed 38 cases of CR (79.2%), 10 of PR (20.8%), 0 of SD, and 0 of PD, which strongly correlated with the planning estimation (42 CR, 87.5%; 6 PR, 12.5%; 0 SD; and 0 PD; accuracy: 91.7%, P < 0.01). Ten (20.8%) patients died, and disease progression occurred in 31 (35.4%, median TTP: 12.8 mo) patients, resulting in 12-, 24-, and 35-mo OS rates of 100%, 81.2%, and 72.2%, respectively, and progression-free survival (PFS) rates of 54.2%, 37.1%, and 37.1%, respectively. The median dose-area product of the procedures was 79.05 Gy*cm2 (range 40.95-146.24 Gy*cm2), and the median effective dose was 10.27 mSv (range 5.32-19.01 mSv). Tumour size < 2 cm (P = 0.008) was a significant factor for OS, while age (P = 0.001), tumour size < 2 cm (P < 0.001), tumour stage (P = 0.010), and initial treatment response (P = 0.003) were significant factors for PFS. CONCLUSION: Reliable RFA treatment planning and satisfactory outcomes can be achieved with CBCT.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of bronchial arterial infusion chemotherapy for the treatment of central non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of bronchial arterial infusion (BAI) chemotherapy in the treatment of centeral non-small cell lung cancer. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with central non-small-cell lung cancer, who were assessed as difficult operable or non-operable by imaging examination, received BAI of cisplatin, epirubicin and mitomycin alone or in combination. It includes 51 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 6 cases of adenocarcinoma and 1 case of adenosquamous carcinoma. The cinical stage before BAI wasIIb in 3 cases, IIIa in 26 cases and IIIb in 29 cases. Long term follow-up was conducted and the results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The total effective rate of BAI was 43.1%. The mediam survival (MS) of all 58 patients was 29.1 months. 31 patients after BAI became operable and were resected, had a median survival of 65.2 months. 27 patients after BAI were not resected and had a MS of 15.9 months. There was a significant difference between the patients who had been resected and not. The MS of IIIa stage patients was 39.0 months, and IIIb stage 20.4 months. CONCLUSION: Bronchial arterial infusion chemotherapy is a better choice with a definite efficacy for treatment of center-based NSCLC patients, estimated as difficult operable but without distant metastasis.

[Evaluation of efficacy and influence factors of transarterial interventional therapy in patients with liver metastasis from malignancy of alimentary tract].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and prognostic factors of transarterial interventional therapy (TAIT) in patient with liver metastasis from malignancy of the alimentary tract. METHODS: 266 patients with unresectable liver metastases from malignancy of the alimentary tract received totally 754 sessions of transarterial interventional therapy. Cox regression was used in the proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: The overall response rate of TAIT was 45.4%, The median survival time (MS) was 14.3 months in this series. The 0.5-, 1-, 2-, 3-, 5-year cumulative survival rate (CSR) was 83.1%, 56.8%, 17.7%, 9.3% and 1.5% , respectively. No severe adverse reaction was observed except nausea, vomiting and mild fever as well as pain in the hepatic area. It was found that portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), the blood supply of tumor, metastasis from esophageal carcinoma, the number of metastasis, multi-lobe involvement, resection nature of primary tumor were independent factors affecting survival. CONCLUSION: Transarterial interventional therapy is effective for treatment of liver metastasis from malignancy of the alimentary tract. Portal vein tumor thrombosis, metastasis from esophageal carcinoma, multiple metastatic lesions, multi-lobe involvement are poor prognostic factors, while complete resection of the primary tumor and rich blood supply of metastatic lesion are good independent prognostic factors.