The evaluation of blood compatibility of biomaterials is crucial for ensuring the clinical safety of implantable medical devices. To address the limitations of traditional testing methods in real-time monitoring and electrical property analysis, this study developed a portable electrical impedance tomography (EIT) system. The system uses a 16-electrode design, operates within a frequency range of 1 to 500 kHz, achieves a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 69.54 dB at 50 kHz, and has a data collection speed of 20 frames per second. Experimental results show that the EIT system developed in this study is highly consistent with a microplate reader ( R ²=0.97) in detecting the hemolytic behavior of industrial-grade titanium (TA3) and titanium alloy-titanium 6 aluminum 4 vanadium (TC4) in anticoagulated bovine blood. Additionally, with the support of a multimodal image fusion Gauss-Newton one-step iterative algorithm, the system can accurately locate and monitor in real-time the dynamic changes in blood permeation and coagulation caused by TC4 in vivo. In conclusion, the EIT system developed in this study provides a new and effective method for evaluating the blood compatibility of biomaterials.
Electric Impedance ; Animals ; Tomography/instrumentation* ; Biocompatible Materials ; Materials Testing/instrumentation* ; Cattle ; Titanium ; Alloys ; Prostheses and Implants

Objective:To investigate the effects of β-glucan combined with agonistic anti-CD40 monoclonal antibody (5C11) on the immune functions of dendritic cells (DCs) and the possible molecular mechanism.Methods:Mononuclear cells were separated from fresh concentrated white cells (granulocytes) of healthy subjects using Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and induced by GM-CSF and IL-4 to differentiate into immature DCs. Following various stimulation (5C11 alone, β-glucan alone, 5C11 combined with β-glucan), flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86 and MHC-Ⅱ molecule HLA-DR on the surface of DCs. ELISA was used to detect the secretion of cytokines including IL-12, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-10. Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation of proteins related to MAPK signaling pathway.Results:Flow cytometry suggested that β-glucan significantly induced the expression of co-stimulatory molecule CD40 on the surface of DCs ( P<0.05). After the DCs were co-stimulated with β-glucan and 5C11, CD80, CD83 and CD86 expression were further significantly increased, and a strong synergistic effect on CD83 expression, a key marker of DC maturation, was observed ( P<0.01). ELISA showed that β-glucan combined with 5C11 could significantly promote the secretion of cytokines such as IL-12, IL-6 and TNF-α by DCs, and have a synergistic effect on the secretion of IL-12, a critical cytokine in regulating DC functions ( P<0.01). Western blot indicated that the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and p44/42 MAPK in DCs was increased significantly after combined treatment, and the phosphorylation started earlier and lasted longer compared to that in DCs stimulated with 5C11 or β-glucan alone ( P<0.01). Conclusions:This study suggested that β-glucan combined with 5C11 had a synergistic effect on promoting the maturation and improving the immune functions of DCs, providing a new strategy for the preparation of anti-tumor DC vaccines.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of recurrent thrombosis in patients with polycythemia vera (PV) and essential thrombocythemia (ET) to probe the risk factors for recurrent thrombosis in patients with ET and PV. Methods: The clinical data of 104 ET and PV patients with thrombosis in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from February 2001 to November 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Thrombosis reoccurred in 38 patients. Statistical analyses were performed by multivariate logistic regression for risk factors of recurrent thrombosis in ET and PV patients. Results: Recurrent thrombosis occurred in 36.5% of patients with ET/PV, the total incidence rate in ET and PV patients was 9.8% patient-years, 12.3% patient-years and 5.7% patient-years in ET and PV respectively. There were a total of 56 re-thrombotic events, and 42.1% of events occurred within 1 year after the first thrombosis. The arterial re-thrombosis was 97.4% (most of acute coronary syndrome, ACS), and venous events was 2.6%. The most common cases of re-thrombosis were ACS in ET patients (18 cases, 64.3%), and cerebral infarction in PV patients (7 cases, 70.0%). The number of PV patients with 2 times or more re-thrombotic events was significantly higher than that of ET patients (9 cases, 90.0% vs 7 cases, 25.0%). The proportion of the patients with WBC>12.5×10⁹/L or Hct>45%, and thrombosis history or splenomegaly and high risk thrombotic events were higher than those with a single thrombus (52.6% vs 31.8%; 50.0% vs 30.0%; 86.8% vs 13.6%; 84.2% vs 33.3%; 52.6% vs 15.2%; 94.7% vs 53.0%; P values were 0.036,0.046, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that thrombosis history (OR=13.697, P=0.025), splenomegaly (OR=13.301, P=0.034) and high risk stratification of thrombotic events (OR=44.618, P=0.025) were independent risk factors for recurrent thrombotic events. Conclusions ET and PV patients had a higher risk of re-thrombosis. The incidence of re-thrombosis in ET was higher than in PV, ACS was more common cases of re-thrombotic events; but PV patients were more susceptible to multiple re-thromboses than ET ones, also with more cerebral infarction. Previous thrombus history, splenomegaly and high risk stratification of thrombotic events were independent risk predictors for re-thrombosis of ET and PV patients.

Objective: To determine the clinical benefits of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM-SLNB) acquired by breast cancer patients with clinically positive axillary lymph node (ALN), and further optimize the IM-SLNB indications. Methods: All primary breast cancer patients with clinically positive ALN from February 2014 to September 2017 were prospectively recruited in this study. IM-SLNB was performed under the guidance of the modified injection technique. The success rate and visualization rate of IM-SLNB, metastatic rate of internal mammary sentinel lymph node (IMSLN) and its related factors were analyzed, and the clinical benefits were accessed according to the current guidelines. Results: Among 126 patients, all of 94 patients (74.6%) who showed internal mammary drainage successfully underwent IM-SLNB. The incidence of internal mammary artery bleeding and pleural lesion were 4.3%(4/94) and 9.6%(9/94), respectively. The metastatic rate of IMSLN was 38.3% (36/94), which was significantly associated with the number of positive ALN (P<0.001) and tumor size (P=0.024). The lymph node staging of 94 patients who underwent IM-SLNB was more accurate. Among them, 36 cases with positive IMSLN underwent internal mammary radiotherapy (IMRT), while the other 58 cases with negative IMSLN avoided radiotherapy. Conclusions IM-SLNB should be routinely performed in patients with positive ALN. IM-SLNB can provide more accurate staging and guide tailored IMRT to benefit more breast cancer patients.

Objective To determine the clinical benefits of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM?SLNB) acquired by breast cancer patients with clinically positive axillary lymph node ( ALN), and further optimize the IM?SLNB indications. Methods All primary breast cancer patients with clinically positive ALN from February 2014 to September 2017 were prospectively recruited in this study.IM?SLNB was performed under the guidance of the modified injection technique. The success rate and visualization rate of IM?SLNB, metastatic rate of internal mammary sentinel lymph node ( IMSLN) and its related factors were analyzed, and the clinical benefits were accessed according to the current guidelines. Results Among 126 patients, all of 94 patients ( 74.6%) who showed internal mammary drainage successfully underwent IM?SLNB. The incidence of internal mammary artery bleeding and pleural lesion were 4.3%( 4／94) and 9.6%(9／94), respectively. The metastatic rate of IMSLN was 38.3%( 36／94), which was significantly associated with the number of positive ALN (P＜0.001) and tumor size (P＝0.024).The lymph node staging of 94 patients who underwent IM?SLNB was more accurate. Among them, 36 cases with positive IMSLN underwent internal mammary radiotherapy (IMRT), while the other 58 cases with negative IMSLN avoided radiotherapy. Conclusions IM?SLNB should be routinely performed in patients with positive ALN. IM?SLNB can provide more accurate staging and guide tailored IMRT to benefit more breast cancer patients.

Objective To determine the clinical benefits of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM?SLNB) acquired by breast cancer patients with clinically positive axillary lymph node ( ALN), and further optimize the IM?SLNB indications. Methods All primary breast cancer patients with clinically positive ALN from February 2014 to September 2017 were prospectively recruited in this study.IM?SLNB was performed under the guidance of the modified injection technique. The success rate and visualization rate of IM?SLNB, metastatic rate of internal mammary sentinel lymph node ( IMSLN) and its related factors were analyzed, and the clinical benefits were accessed according to the current guidelines. Results Among 126 patients, all of 94 patients ( 74.6%) who showed internal mammary drainage successfully underwent IM?SLNB. The incidence of internal mammary artery bleeding and pleural lesion were 4.3%( 4／94) and 9.6%(9／94), respectively. The metastatic rate of IMSLN was 38.3%( 36／94), which was significantly associated with the number of positive ALN (P＜0.001) and tumor size (P＝0.024).The lymph node staging of 94 patients who underwent IM?SLNB was more accurate. Among them, 36 cases with positive IMSLN underwent internal mammary radiotherapy (IMRT), while the other 58 cases with negative IMSLN avoided radiotherapy. Conclusions IM?SLNB should be routinely performed in patients with positive ALN. IM?SLNB can provide more accurate staging and guide tailored IMRT to benefit more breast cancer patients.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of consolidation chemotherapy combined with allogeneic natural killer (NK) cell infusion in the treatment of low or intermediate-risk (LIR) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) . Methods: A cohort of 23 LIR AML patients at hematologic complete remission (CR) received NK cell transfusion combined with consolidation chemotherapy after 3 consolidation courses from January 2014 to June 2019 were reviewed. Control group cases were concurrent patients from Department of Hematology, and their gender, age, diagnosis, risk stratification of prognosis, CR and the number of courses of consolidate chemotherapy before NK cell transfusion were matched with LIR AML patients. Results: A total of 45 times of NK cells were injected into 23 LIR AML patients during 4 to 7 courses of chemotherapy. The median NK cell infusion quantity was 7.5 (6.6-8.6) ×10(9)/L, and the median survival rate of NK cells was 95.4% (93.9%-96.9%) . Among them, the median CD3(-)CD56(+) cell number was 5.0 (1.4-6.4) ×10(9)/L, accounting for 76.8% (30.8%-82.9%) ; The number of CD3(+) CD56(+) cells was 0.55 (0.24-1.74) ×10(9)/L, accounting for 8.8% (4.9%-20.9%) . Before NK cell infusion, the number of patients with positive MRD in the treatment and control groups were 9/23 (39.1%) and 19/46 (41.3%) (χ(2)=0.030, P=0.862) respectively. After NK infusion, There was no significant difference in terms of MRD that went from negative to positive between the treatment and the control groups (14.3% vs 22.2%, χ(2)=0.037, P=0.847) . In the treatment group, 66.7% (6/9) of the MRD were converted from positive to negative, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (10.5%, 2/19) (χ(2)=6.811, P=0.009) . Morphological recurrence occurred in 1 case of MRD negative in the treatment group and 2 cases of MRD positive in the control group. By the end of follow-up, the median follow-up was 35 (10-59) months, the number of patients with morphological recurrence in the treatment group was 30.4% (7/23) , which was significantly lower than that in the control group (50.2%, 24/46) (χ(2)=2.929, P=0.087) , although there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. There was no significant difference on MRD-negative between the treatment and the control groups (43.5% vs 43.5%, χ(2)=1.045, P=0.307) . The 3-year leukemia-free survival was better in the treatment group [ (65.1±11.1) %] than that in the control group [ (50.0±7.4) %] (P=0.047) . The 3-year overall survival in the treatment and control groups were (78.1±10.2) % and (65.8±8.0) % (P=0.212) , respectively. Conclusion: The consolidation of chemotherapy combined with allogeneic NK cell infusion contributed to the further remission of patients with LMR AML and the reduction of long-term recurrence.
Consolidation Chemotherapy ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/therapy* ; Prognosis ; Remission Induction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features and treatment in patients of marginal zone lymphoma (MZL)with monoclonal immunoglobulin (McIg).

METHODSThe clinical data of MZL patients with McIg, including 3 cases diagnosed and treated in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from Jan 2007 to Dec 2014 were retrospectively studied, meanwhile 36 patients searched from literatures were reviewed.

RESULTSOf a total of 39 patients, the ratio of male and female was 1.05∶1 with an average age of 65.1± 12.3 years old. 28 cases (71.8%)were with mucosa associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas (MALTL), 9 cases (23.1% )with nodal marginal zone lymphoma, and 2 cases (5.1%)with splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Nine cases (23.1% )were in the early stage, 30 cases (76.9%)in the advanced stage. The common initial symptom was non-mass lesions (65.5%), such as skin purpura, peripheral neuropathy; 13 patients (33.3% )were accompanied by autoimmune phenomenon, and most were with Sjogren's syndrome. Among MALTL patients, the common primary lesion was in non- gastrointestinal tract (17 cases, 60.7%). Most of patients with McIg were one with McIgM (82.0%); the others with McIgA, Mcκ-light chain, McIgG and double McIg. The level of plasma McIgM was (25.55±21.31)g/L, which was higher in advanced stage patients than in early stage ones [(29.85±20.60)g/Lvs (3.23±2.95)g/L,P= 0.008]. The complete remission (CR)rate was 56.0% and the overall response rate (ORR)92.0%, respectively in 30 patients treated by chemotherapy. At a median follow- up of 10 months, the 3- year progression free survival and the 3-year overall survival were 44.7% and 76.5%, respectively. The rates of ORR and CR in the patients received rituximab- included regimen were seemly better than those without rituximab one (100.0%vs 78.6%, 63.6%vs 50.0%;P>0.05), but no statistic differences were found. The CR rate in patients with McIgM was significantly higher than that with non- McIgM (P=0.026). The plasma McIgM level decreased after chemotherapy (P=0.002).

CONCLUSIONThe MZL with McIg, perhaps a kind of unique subtype, usually occurred in 60 years or older patients. It was often diagnosed in patients of advanced stage and susceptible to autoimmune phenomenon. MALTL in non- gastrointestinal tract was more prone to find McIg. In MZL patients with McIg, McIgM was more common and other McIg rare. Rituximab-included regimen produced a better therapeutic response.

Adult ; Beijing ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; pathology ; Male ; Paraproteins ; metabolism ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab ; therapeutic use ; Sjogren's Syndrome ; complications ; Splenic Neoplasms ; pathology

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to determine the impact of routinely performed internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM-SLNB) on the staging and treatment, and to analyze the success rate, complications and learning curve.

METHODSAll patients with biopsy-proven breast cancer who underwent sentinel lymph node biopsy between 2012 and 2014 were included in a prospective analysis. Internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM-SLNB) was performed in all patients with IM-SLN visualized on preoperative lymphoscintigraphy and/or detected by intraoperative gamma probe detection. The adjuvant treatment plan was adjusted according to the current guidelines.

RESULTSIn a total of 349 patients, 249 patients (71.1%) showed internal mammary drainage. IM-SLNB was performed in 153 patients with internal mammary drainage, with a success rate of IM-SLNB of 97.4% (149/153). Pleural lesion and internal mammary artery bleeding were found in 7.2% and 5.2% patients, respectively. In 8.1% of patients (12/149) the IM-SLN was tumor positive. In the group of patients who underwent IM-SLNB, lymph node staging was changed in 8.1% of patients, and IMLNs radiotherapy was guided by these results, however, systemic treatment was changed in only 0.7% of the patients.

CONCLUSIONSIM-SLNB has a high successful rate and good safety. Identification of internal mammary metastases through IM-SLNB may provide more accurate staging and guide the tailored internal mammary radiotherapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATIONClinicalTrials. gov, NCT01642511.

Breast ; pathology ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Learning Curve ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Mammary Arteries ; Neoplasm Staging ; methods ; Neoplasms, Second Primary ; Prospective Studies ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy of MRI for estimating residual tumor size after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technique.

METHODSThis was a prospective study. The data of 61 patients with pathologically proven solitary invasive ductal carcinoma (IIA-IIIC) who had received 6 to 8 cycles of NAC from July 2010 to August 2013 was analyzed. All the patients were female, aging from 31 to 70 years with a median of 49 years. Breast specimen after surgery was prepared with part-mount sub-serial section, and residual tumors were microscopically outlined, scanned and registered by Photoshop software. The 3D model of pathological and MRI residual tumors was reconstructed with 3D-DOCTOR software. The longest diameter, maximum cross-section area and volume of the residual tumors determined using 3D MRI were compared with 3D pathological findings, and the associations between MRI and pathology were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation and Bland-Altman analysis.

RESULTSThe longest diameter, maximum cross-section area and volume of the residual tumors after NAC measured by MRI and pathology was highly correlated (r=0.942, 0.941, 0.903, all P=0.00). MRI appears to underestimate pathology in the longest diameter, maximum cross-section area, but slightly overestimate in volume, and two methods had a good consistence (MD=0.3 cm, 95% CI: -1.43 to 1.9 cm; MD=1.39 cm², 95% CI: -9.55 to 12.34 cm²; MD=-0.433 cm³, 95% CI: -7.065 to 6.199 cm³).

CONCLUSION3D MRI reconstruction after NAC could accurately detects the residual tumors after neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and contribute to select patients who received breast conserving therapy after NAC with tumor downstaging.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Middle Aged ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm, Residual ; diagnosis ; Prospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed