Survival outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with salvage surgery for hypopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with salvage surgery for hypopharyngeal carcinoma after radiotherapy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed, including 26 patients treated in Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital between January 2010 and December 2015. All patients were males, aged 48-83 years, of whom 8 cases were local residual after radiotherapy alone, 8 cases were local recurrence after postoperative radiotherapy, 2 cases were residual of cervical lymph nodes after radiotherapy alone, 2 cases were recurrence of cervical lymph nodes after radiotherapy alone, 2 cases were recurrence of cervical lymph nodes after postoperative radiotherapy and 4 cases were recurrence of tracheal stoma. The salvage operations included: local resection, local resection with neck dissection, simple neck dissection, tumor resection of tracheostomy, and additional repair according to the defect. Chi square test was used for recurrence and metastasis analysis, Kaplan-Meier method for survival analysis, Log-rank test for univariate analysis, and Cox regression model for multivariate analysis. Results: The complication rate of salvage surgery was 23.1% (6/26). The recurrence rate was 65.4% (17/26) and the distant metastasis rate was 42.3% (11/26) in the 5-year follow-up after salvage surgery. Patient's age and tumor invasion extent were correlated with recurrence. Initial treatment, tumor persistence or recurrence after radiotherapy, recurrence location and tumor invasion extent were correlated with distant metastasis (all P<0.05). Overall, 3 year and 5 year survival rates were 42.3% and 23.1% respectively. Age, recurrence location, surgical margin and tumor invasion extent were related to prognosis (χ²=6.56, 10.68, 9.32, and 7.90 respectively, all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that surgical margin and tumor invasion extent were independent risk factors for prognosis (OR (95%CI) = 3.19 (1.03-9.84), 14.37 (2.46-84.08), both P<0.05). Conclusion: Salvage surgery is the first choice for patients with recurrence after radiotherapy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Safe surgical margin should be ensured, especially in tumors invading muscle, bone tissue or lymph node capsule.

Silencing of LncRNA C1RL-AS1 Suppresses the Malignant Phenotype in Gastric Cancer Cells via the AKT/ß-Catenin/c-Myc Pathway.

Purpose: Numerous studies have shown that lncRNAs play vital roles in the development and progression of cancer. However, investigations of lncRNAs in gastric cancer are limited and need to be further pursued. Materials and Methods: According to RNA-seq results of gastric cancer (GC) tissues, we identified a novel lncRNA, C1RL-AS1. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression level of C1RL-AS1 in paired GC and normal tissues. Nuclear/cytoplasmic fractionation was applied to evaluate the distribution of C1RL-AS1 in GC cells. For functional evaluation, CCK-8, colony formation, transwell, and apoptosis assays were used to determine the oncogenic role of C1RL-AS1. Results: C1RL-AS1 was upregulated in GC tissues, and high expression levels of C1RL-AS1 were associated with poor prognosis. Further in vitro functional assays revealed that silencing C1RL-AS1 attenuated the proliferation rate and migration ability and enhanced the apoptotic rate and the senescence of GC cells. The subsequent underlying mechanistic investigation revealed that Wnt/ß-catenin was involved in C1RL-AS1-mediated signaling. Rescue experiments suggested that C1RL-AS1 probably promoted the malignant phenotype via the AKT/ß-catenin pathway by downregulating c-Myc. Conclusions: C1RL-AS1 probably exerts its biological function by mediating the AKT/ß-catenin/c-Myc pathway, indicating a novel therapeutic target in GC.

Broad-spectrum enhanced absorption of graphene-molybdenum disulfide photovoltaic cells in metal-mirror microcavity.

The optical absorption of graphene-molybdenum disulfide photovoltaic cells (GM-PVc) in wedge-shaped metal-mirror microcavities (w-MMCs) combined with a spectrum-splitting structure was studied. Results showed that the combination of spectrum-splitting structure and w-MMC can enable the light absorption of GM-PVcs to reach about 65% in the broad spectrum. The influence of processing errors on the absorption of GM-PVcs in w-MMCs was 3-14 times lower than that of GM-PVcs in wedge photonic crystal microcavities. The light absorption of GM-PVcs reached 60% in the broad spectrum, even with the processing errors. The proposed structure is easy to implement and may have potentially important applications in the development of ultra-thin and high-efficiency solar cells and optoelectronic devices.

Analysis of the related risk factors of postoperative delirium in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection / 天津医药

Objective To analyze the related risk factors of postoperative delirium(POD)in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection, and to guide clinical practices. Methods The clinical data of 118 cases [81 males and 37 females, average age (55.0 ± 10.3) years] with Stanford type A aortic dissection in Tianjin Chest Hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were analysed in this study. According to whether developed delirium after surgery, the patients were divided into POD group(n=56)and Non-POD group(n=62).The preoperative,perioperative,and postoperative clinical data were collected.The univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk factors of POD in patients with the Stanford type A aortic dissection. Results Single factor analysis showed that the proportions of drinking and cerebrovascular history significantly increased,the proportions of early electrolyte disorder and hypoxemia significantly increased, the levels of granulocytes / lymphocytes, circulatory time and blood volume during operation increased significantly, and the duration from onset to operation was decreased, but fibrinogen level decreased significantly in POD group than those of Non-POD group (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic analysis indicated that the more intraoperative consumption of blood (OR=1.733, 95% CI:1.409-2.129) and early postoperative electrolyte disorder (OR=10.500, 95% CI:2.930-37.622)were independent risk factors of POD,while the higher level of preoperative fibrinogen(OR=0.157,95% CI:0.050-0.635) and longer time from onset to surgery (OR=0.871, 95% CI:0.808-0.943) were protective factors of POD in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection.Conclusion The early identification of risk factors of POD,and the active intervention of POD have a positive significance to reduce the occurrence of POD.

[Characterization of the size variants of a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody (rhumAb1)].

The composition and potency of the high temperature (40 ℃) stress induced size variants of a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody(rhumAb1) were characterized by means of SEC-HPLC, non- reduced CE-SDS, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. The molecular masses of the four size variants (SEC-1-SEC-4) separated by SEC-HPLC and seven size variants(NR-1-NR-7) detected by non-reduced CE-SDS were all characterized by LC-MS. The major low molecular weight variants were generated due to the hinge region fragmentation of heavy chain. The hinge region cleavage was found mainly in the Ser221-Cys-Asp-Lys-Thr- His-Thr-Cys228 sequence, in which C222-D223 and H226-T227 were the major cleavage sites. The size variants of rhumAb1, namely dimer and fragments, have significantly reduced ADCC activity in comparison with the intact rhumAb1 drug product. This study provided insights into the stability profiling for rhumAb1 drug product. The study protocols presented here may be applicable to the analytical characterization of other monoclonal antibody-based therapeutic products.

Characterization of the size variants of a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody (rhumAb1) / 药学学报

The composition and potency of the high temperature (40℃) stress induced size variants of a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody (rhumAb1) were characterized by means of SEC-HPLC, nonreduced CE-SDS, liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and antibody dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) assay. The molecular masses of the four size variants (SEC-1-SEC-4) separated by SEC-HPLC and seven size variants (NR-1-NR-7) detected by non-reduced CE-SDS were all characterized by LC-MS. The major low molecular weight variants were generated due to the hinge region fragmentation of heavy chain. The hinge region cleavage was found mainly in the Ser221-Cys-Asp-Lys-Thr-His-Thr-Cys228 sequence, in which C222-D223 and H226-T227 were the major cleavage sites. The size variants of rhumAb1, namely dimer and fragments, have significantly reduced ADCC activity in comparison with the intact rhumAb1 drug product. This study provided insights into the stability profiling for rhumAb1 drug product. The study protocols presented here may be applicable to the analytical characterization of other monoclonal antibody-based therapeutic products.

Hemi-pharyngolaryngectomy and laryngeal reconstruction with free flaps in T3 and T4 hypopharyngeal cancer / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Resection of local advanced hypopharyngeal cancer often results in laryngeal preservation impossible. Free flaps were used to reconstruct and to preserve functional larynx.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Retrospective review of 11 patients who underwent resections of extended squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx from September 2005 to September 2011. Of 11 patients, 5 had T3 lesions and 6 had T4 lesions; 2 underwent radiotherapy before surgery and other 9 had postoperative radiotherapy (60 Gy). A total of 12 free flaps, including 10 radial forearm flaps and 2 anterolateral thigh flaps, was used in the 11 patients for laryngo pharyngeal reconstruction.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 3 year over all survival rate and disease-specific survival rate were 43.6% and 48.0%, respectively. The incidence of surgical complications was 72.7%, including 1 with carotid blow-up, 2 flap failure, 3 fistula, and 1 stenosis. The rate of decannulation was 72.7%, 90.9% patients were with oral feeding and 81.8% patients achieved reasonable speech.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Free flaps can be used to reconstruct a functional larynx in local advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma, ensuring a better quality of life for patients.</p>

Solitary pulmonary nodules: comparison of multi-slice computed tomography perfusion study with vascular endothelial growth factor and microvessel density / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) is one of the most common findings on chest radiographs. The objectives of clinical practice are to differentiate malignant nodules from benign nodules in the least invasive way and to make a specific diagnosis. This study was aimed to evaluate the correlation between perfusion imaging features and microvessel density (MVD) and vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) in SPNs using multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT); and to provide the theoretical basis for SPN blood flow pattern and blood flow quantitative features. Also, the study called for the discussion of the method's clinical application value in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant SPNs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight patients with SPN underwent multi-location dynamic contrast enhanced (nonionic contrast material was administrated via the antecubital vein at a rate of 4 ml/s) MSCT. Precontrast and postcontrast attenuations on every scan was studied. Perfusion, peak height, and the ratio of the peak height of the SPN to that of the aorta were analyzed. Perfusion was calculated using the maximum gradient of the time-density curves (TDC) and the peak height of the aorta. The quantitative parameters (perfusion, peak height, ratio of peak height of the SPN to that of the aorta) of the blood flow pattern were compared with MVD and the VEGF expression of immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The perfusion peak heights of malignant ((96.15 +/- 11.55) HU) and inflammatory ((101.15 +/- 8.41) HU) SPNs were significantly higher than those of benign ((47.24 +/- 9.15) HU) SPNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). Ratios of SPN-to-aorta of malignant and inflammatory SPNs were significantly higher than those of benign SPNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between the peak height and SPN-to-aorta ratio of malignant SPNs and inflammatory SPNs (P > 0.05, P > 0.05). The precontrast densities of inflammatory SPNs were lower than those of malignant SPNs (P < 0.05). Perfusion values of malignant and inflammatory SPNs were significantly higher than those of the benign SPNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). The VEGF positive expressions appeared in 32 patients with malignant SPNs and 2 patients with benign SPNs, and the average value of the MVD was higher in patients with malignant SPNs (36.88 +/- 6.76) than in patients with either benign (4.51 +/- 0.60) or inflammatory (26.11 +/- 5.43) SPNs (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). There were statistically significant correlations between the CT perfusion feature and the MVD. The highest correlation was between the peak height of SPN and the MVD (r = 0.657, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Tumor microvessel density and VEGF expression facilitate the exploration of the pathophysiological basis of CT perfusion in SPNs. Multi-slice CT perfusion has shown strong positive correlations with angiogenesis in SPNs.</p>

Study on the probability of hepatitis B virus infection at public service places / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To provide data for the control and prevention of hepatitis B and HBV surface antigen(HBsAg)status among the appliances and practitioners working in the public service places.Methods 63 beauty parlors,barber shops and bathing centers selected under stratified randomization sampling method and 682 workers were investigated through questionnaire.HBsAg from the appliances of the public service places and employee was detected by RIA.Results Two main sanitizing modes that including alcohol cleaning(34.60%)and ultraviolet light disinfection(30.79%)were used.The rates of testing on HBsAg among the appliances were 2.13% at the public service places,and were 0.63%,2.67% and 3.70% in large-.medium-and small-sized appliances respectively.The rate of testing on HBsAg on large-,medium-and small-sized appliances were statistically different(χ2=6.68,P＜0.05).The positive rates of HBsAg on the appliances of beauty parlors,barbering shops and footbath inns were 2.97%,0.61% and 3.42% respectively.People working in different service sites had different rates of HBsAg:those who worked at the‘acne needle'and the forceps were 5.13% and 4.17%.The positive rate of HBsAg among the workers in the public service places was 7.13%.The rates of HBsAg among the workers in large-,medium-and small-sized public service places were 7.34%,8.33% and 2.94% respectively.The rates of HBsAg among the workers in beauty parlors,barbering shops,footbath inns and bathing centers were 9.01%,6.37%,4.35% and 7.29% respectively.HBsAg positive rates were different among the workers working at different service sites:13.33% at tattoo business.12.68% in pedicures workers and 8.03% in massagists.Conclusion It is important to improve the sanitizing management of the appliances used in the public service places and to improve the knowledge,attitude,as well as practice of vaccination on hepatitis B among those populations.

Bone diseases in rabbits with hyperparathyroidism: computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Hyperparathyroidism (HPT) occurs at an early age and has a high disability rate. Unfortunately, confirmed diagnosis in most patients is done at a very late stage, when the patients have shown typical symptoms and signs, and when treatment does not produce any desirable effect. It has become urgent to find a method that would detect early bone diseases in HPT to obtain time for the ideal treatment. This study evaluated the accuracy of high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with spiral computed tomography (SCT) scan in detecting early bone diseases in HPT, through imaging techniques and histopathological examinations on an animal model of HPT.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty adult rabbits were randomly divided into two groups with forty in each. The control group was fed normal diet (Ca:P = 1:0.7); the experimental group was fed high phosphate diet (Ca:P = 1:7) for 3, 4, 5, or 6-month intervals to establish the animal model of HPT. The staging and imaging findings of the early bone diseases in HPT were determined by high field MRI and SCT scan at the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th month. Each rabbit was sacrificed after high field MRI and SCT scan, and the parathyroid and bones were removed for pathological examination to evaluate the accuracy of imaging diagnosis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Parathyroid histopathological studies revealed hyperplasia, osteoporosis and early cortical bone resorption. The bone diseases in HPT displayed different levels of low signal intensity on T(1)WI and low to intermediate signal intensity on T(2)WI in bone of stage 0, I, II or III, but showed correspondingly absent, probable, osteoporotic and subperiosteal cortical resorption on SCT scan.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High field MRI combined with SCT scan not only detects early bone diseases in HPT, but also indicates staging, and might be a reliable method of studying early bone diseases in HPT.</p>