Objective To investigate the level Ⅰb contouring,dose analysis and regional recurrence in level Ⅰb lymph node-negative (Ⅰb-negative) nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).Methods One hundred ninety newly-diagnosed,Ⅰb-negative NPC patients treated by IMRT were enrolled.Level Ⅰb contouring and dose prescribing in this cohort were classified into planned prophylactic irradiation (PPI) group (56 cases) and non-planned prophylactic irradiation (non-PPI) group (134 cases).The mean dose (Dmean) of the level Ⅰb bilaterally and submandibular glands (SMGs) was recorded for comparison.Results After a median follow-up of 47 months,there was no level Ⅰb regional recurrences noted in the entire group.The mean doses of level Ⅰb and the submandibular glands were significantly lower in the non-PPI group than those in the PPI group as follows:(50.81±5.37) Gy vs (59.68±3.32) Gy for the left level Ⅰb,(51.55±5.02) Gy vs (59.66±3.85) Gy for the left submandibular gland,(51.55±5.02) Gy vs (59.66±3.85) Gy for the right level Ⅰb and (57.25±4.69) Gy vs (63.41±2.88) Gy for the right submandibular gland (all P =0.000).Conclusion In this retrospective analysis of non-randomized single institute data,it seems unlikely that PPI to level Ⅰb is necessary in Ⅰb-negative NPC patients treated by IMRT.

BACKGROUND:Hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes is the sign of starting endochondral ossification, and it is also an essential step in endochondral ossification, which is a cascade reaction and difficult to be blocked once started. The end result is the formation of bone structure. RNA interference is a post-transcriptional gene silencing. Relevant studies have shown that the use of RNA interference to block the expression of core binding factorα1 (Cbfα1) can effectively inhibit the formation of heterotopic ossification. OBJECTIVE:To use RNA intereference technology to suppress Cbfα1 expression so as to achieve the purpose of blocking the hypertrophic diferentiation of chondrocytes. METHODs: We constructed an adenovirus containing siRNA against Cbfα1 (Ad-Cbfα1-siRNA). Retinoic acid and interleukin-1α were used to induce hypertrophic differetiation of chondrocytes, and then Ad-Cbfα1-siRNA was utilized to inhibit the hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes. Immunohistochemistry method was used to analyze the expression of Cbfα1. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After induction with retinoic acid and interleukin-1α, the chondrocytes in the negative control virus group appeared to have hypertrophy and the expression of Cbfα1 was positive. In the Ad-Cbα1-siRNA group, the expression of Cbfα1 was negative. These findings suggest that the inhibition of Cbfα1 by RNA interference can be a powerful way to prevent the hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes .

Objective: To explore age-based clinical and immune parameters in Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) to determine clinically useful markers reflecting disease characteristic. Methods: A cohort of 502 patients with HSP were enrolled into this retrospective study to evaluate their clinical and immune data. Results: Majority HSP cases occurred at age ≤14 years and showed significant immune imbalances of ESR, CD3⁺ cells, CD4⁺ cells, CD3^-CD16⁺CD56⁺ cells, CD4⁺/CD8⁺ cells, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgE, complements C3/C4 and ASO in the acute phase. Compared to patients aged >14 years, symptoms of joint were more frequent at disease onset in patients aged ≤14 years (20.8% vs 7.6%, χ²=13.547, P<0.001) , and involvement of digestive tract and joint were also more frequent (57.4% vs 33.8%, χ²=24.106, P<0.001; 55.9% vs 32.5%, χ²=23.768, P<0.001, respectively) , but not for involvement of kidney (21.4% vs 51.3%, χ²=42.440, P<0.001) . The patients aged ≤14 years had distinct immune state, reductions of CD3⁺ cells, CD4⁺ cells and IgG were more frequent than patients aged >14 years, also increase of ASO (33.1% vs 20.0%, χ²=6.656, P=0.010) , but not increase of IgA (2.6% vs 39.4%, χ²=15.582, P<0.001) . In addition, reduction of IgG and increase of IgE were positively associated with digestive tract involvement (P<0.001, P=0.001, respectively) , reduction of CD3⁺CD4⁺ cells and normal IgM were positively associated with joint involvement (P=0.004, P=0.003, respectively) , increase of CD3⁺CD8⁺ cells and normal CD3⁺ cells were positively associated with kidney involvement (P=0.032, P=0.014, respectively) . Conclusion HSP showed significant immune imbalance in the acute phase, patients between aged ≤14 and >14 years had distinct clinical and immune characteristic, and abnormal immune parameters were significantly associated with organ involvements.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the risk factors and sonographic variables that could be integrated into a predictive model for endometrial cancer (EC) and atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) in women with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included 1837 patients who presented with AUB and underwent endometrial sampling. Multivariable logistic regression was developed based on clinical and sonographic covariates [endometrial thickness (ET), resistance index (RI) of the endometrial vasculature] assessed for their association with EC/AEH in the development group (n=1369), and a predictive nomogram was proposed. The model was validated in 468 patients. Results: Histological examination revealed 167 patients (12.2%) with EC or AEH in the development group. Using multivariable logistic regression, the following variables were incorporated in the prediction of endometrial malignancy: metabolic diseases [odds ratio (OR)=7.764, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 5.042–11.955], family history (OR=3.555, 95% CI 1.055–11.971), age ≥40 years (OR=3.195, 95% CI 1.878–5.435), RI ≤0.5 (OR=8.733, 95% CI 4.311–17.692), and ET ≥10 mm (OR=8.479, 95% CI 5.440–13.216). :A nomogram was created using these five variables with an area under the curve of 0.837 (95% CI 0.800–0.874). The calibration curve showed good agreement between the observed and predicted occurrences. For the validation group, the model provided acceptable discrimination and calibration. Conclusion The proposed nomogram model showed moderate prediction accuracy in the differentiation between benign and malignant endometrial lesions among women with AUB.

Objective:The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), metformin combined with thiazolidinediones, α-glucosidase inhibitor, and inositol.Methods:Eligible studies were searched in databases of PubMed, EMBase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang data, and CNKI based on population, interventions, comparisons, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) principle (inception to Nov 2020). Two researchers independently screened randomized controlled trials in strict accordance with the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted basic information and outcomes of included studies, and used Cochrane risk of bias tool to evaluate the methodological quality of the literature. Network meta-analysis was conducted by STATA 14.0. Continuous variables without dimensional differences were calculated by weighted mean difference and 95% CI, and continuous variables with dimensional differences were calculated using standardized mean difference and 95% CI. Results:A total of 27 studies with 1 445 patients were included in this study. Network meta-analysis showed that acarbose presented a better efficacy than other interventions in reducing total testosterone [surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA): 89.4%]. GLP-1RAs may have the best efficacy in reducing body mass index and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; SUCRA: 99.1%, 89.2%, respectively), while using inositol may be a good choice to reduce serum fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, blood total cholesterol, and blood triglycerides (SUCRA: 94.5%, 85.4%, 96.6%, and 82.8%, respectively).Conclusions:Acarbose may have advantages over other antihyperglycemic drugs in lowering blood testosterone. GLP-1RAs are more helpful to improve body mass index and HOMA-IR in PCOS patients. Inositol, as an insulin sensitizer, has a favorable effect on reducing fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, blood total cholesterol, and blood triglycerides, and there are no reports of side effects in current researches. Further study is still needed to confirm its efficacy.

Adipose tissue is not only involved in energy metabolism, but also recognized as an important endocrine organ.With declining ovarian function, endogenous estrogen levels decrease, leading to body fat mass accumulation and centripetal redistribution in postmenopausal women.Furthermore, energy metabolism, adipokine levels, local estrogen synthesis and the expression of estrogen receptors in adipose tissue also undergo changes, which may induce adipose tissue dysfunction.Changes in body fat mass and fat distribution and adipose tissue dysfunction are associated with increased risk of metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases in postmenopausal women, which have a negative impact on their health and quality of life.In this paper, the impact of menopause on body fat mass, regional distribution and adipose tissue functions and the underlying mechanisms are reviewed.

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical characteristics, and the effect of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) clone size and its evolution on response and survival in aplastic anemia (AA) patients.

METHODSThe clinical data of 90 AA cases with PNH clones from 316 AA patients between January 2011 and September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed, their clinical characteristics were analyzed, and the influence of PNH clone evolution and size on response and survival were explored.

RESULTS① Of 316 patients, 90 cases (28.5%) with PNH clones. Of 83 cases with long-term follow-up data available, the complete (CR) and partial response (PR) rates were 43.4% and 33.7% respectively, with the overall responsive rate of 77.1%. The 3-year and 5-year overall survival (OS)rates were 79.4% and 76.1% respectively. ② After immunosuppressive therapy (IST), the PNH clone changed from negative to positive in 24 cases, persistently positive PNH clones were observed in 22 cases, disappeared in 10 cases. There were no significant differences in terms of overall responsive rates, survival rates, absolute reticulocyte value, TBIL, IBIL and LDH among the three groups (P >0.05). Ten cases became AA-PNH after a median time of 15.6 months, no significant differences were found in overall responsive and survival rates between the 10 cases and the other 46 cases who were monitored for PNH clones (P values were 0.896, 0.688, respectively). ③ According to univariate analysis, age≥55, infection, VSAA, ANC <0.5 × 10(9)/L and absolute reticulocyte value <0.012 × 10(12)/L had significant influence on survival (P values were 0.026, 0.000, 0.001, 0.000 and 0.010, respectively). Cox regression model analysis identified that age, infection and ANC were independent prognostic factors affecting survival (P values were 0.050, 0.012 and 0.050, respectively). The PNH clone size had no significant influence on response and survival based on univariate and Cox analyses.

CONCLUSIONThe PNH clone size and its evolution had no significant influence on response and survival.

Anemia, Aplastic ; complications ; pathology ; Clone Cells ; Hemoglobinuria, Paroxysmal ; complications ; pathology ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Reticulocytes ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To analyze clonal evolution and clinical significance of trisomy 8 in patients with acquired bone marrow failure. Methods: The clinical data of 63 patients with acquired bone marrow failure accompanied with isolated trisomy 8 (+8) from June 2011 to September 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, the clonal evolution patterns and relationship with immmunosuppressive therapy were summarized. Results: Totally 24 male and 39 female patients were enrolled, including 39 patients with aplastic anemia (AA) and 24 patients with relatively low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) . Mean size of+8 clone in MDS patients[65% (15%-100%) ]was higher than that of AA patients[25% (4.8%-100%) , z=3.48, P=0.001]. The patients were was divided into three groups (<30%, 30%-<50%,and ≥50%) according to the proportion of+8 clone. There was significant difference among the three groups between AA[<30%:55.6% (20/36) ; 30-50%: 22.2% (8/36) ; ≥50%22.2% (8/36) ]and MDS patients[<30%:19.0% (4/21) ; 30%-<50%:19.0% (4/21) ; ≥50%61.9% (13/21) ] (P=0.007) . The proportion of AA patients with+8 clone <30% was significantly higher than that of MDS patients (P=0.002) ; and the proportion of AA patients with+8 clone ≥50%was significantly lower than that of MDS patients (P=0.002) . The median age of AA and MDS patients was respectively 28 (7-61) years old and 48.5 (16-72) years old. Moreover, there was no correlation between age and+8 clone size in AA or MDS (r_s=0.109, P=0.125; r_s=-0.022, P=0.924, respectively) . There was statistical difference in total iron binding capacity, transferrin and erythropoietin between high and low clone group of AA patients (P=0.016, P=0.046, P=0.012, respectively) , but no significant difference in MDS patients. The immunosuppressive therapy (IST) efficacy of AA and MDS patients was respectively 66.7% and 43.8% (P=0.125) . Comparing with initial clone size (27.3%) , the +8 clone size (45%) of AA patients was increased 1-2 year after IST, but no statistical difference (z=0.83, P=0.272) . Consistently, there was no significant change between initial clone size (72.5%) and 1-2 year clone size (70.5%) after IST in MDS patients. There was no significant difference in IST efficient rate between +8 clone size expansion and decline group of in AA patients at 0.5-<1, 1-2 and>2 years after IST. We found four dynamic evolution patterns of +8 clone, which were clone persistence (45%) , clone disappearance (30%) , clone emergence (10%) and clone recurrence (15%) . Conclusions AA patients had a low clone burden, while MDS patients had a high burden of +8 clone. The +8 clone of AA patients didn’t significantly expanded after IST, and the changes of +8 clone also had no effect on IST response.

Objective: To determine the valuable hemolytic characteristics in differential diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and hereditary spherocytosis (HS). Method: The clinical and hemolytic characteristics of 108 PNH patients, 127 AIHA patients and 172 HS patients diagnosed from January 1998 to April 2017 were compared. Results: ①Reticulocyte percentage (Ret%) of PNH patients [6.70% (0.14%-22.82%)] was significantly lower than that of AIHA [14.00%(0.10%-55.95%), P<0.001] and HS patients [11.83%(0.60%-57.39%), P<0.001]. The Ret% in PNH patients were significantly lower than those in AIHA and HS patients at the same levels of anemia, except for in mild anemia between PNH and AIHA patients. However, when comparing the Ret% between AIHA and HS patients, there was significant difference only in mild anemia [7.63%(1.87%-29.20%)% vs 11.20%(3.31%-22.44%), z=-2.165, P=0.030]. ②The level of TBIL in HS patients was significantly higher than that in AIHA and PNH patients [79.3 (11.2-244.0) μmol/L vs 57.6 (7.6-265.0) μmol/L, z=5.469, P<0.001; 79.3(11.2-244.0) μmol/L vs 26.2(4.6-217.7) μmol/L, z=-2.165, P<0.001], and the proportion of HS patients with TBIL more than 4 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) (64.1%) was significantly higher than that of AIHA (37.7%, χ²=19.896, P<0.001) and PNH patients (4.6%, P<0.001). ③The LDH level of PNH patients was significantly higher than that of AIHA and HS [1 500 (216-5 144) U/L vs 487 (29-3 516) U/L, z=-9.556, P<0.001; 1 500 (216-5 144) U/L vs 252 (132-663) U/L, z=-11.518, P<0.001], and the proportion of PNH patients with LDH more than 1 000 U/L (79.1%) was significantly higher than that of AIHA patients (13.0%, χ²=93.748, P<0.001) and HS patients (0, P<0.001). ④Splenomegaly occurred in 43.5% of PNH patients, including 16.0% with severe splenomegaly. In contrast, the occurrence of splenomegaly was 98.6% in AIHA patients and 100.0% in HS patients (P<0.001), and 63.0% of AIHA patients (P<0.001) and 90.4% of HS patients (P<0.001) were with severe splenomegaly. ⑤The prevalence of cholelithiasis in HS patients was up to 43.1%, significantly higher than that in AIHA patients (10.5%, P<0.001) and PNH patients (2.9%, P<0.001). Conclusion The comprehensive assessment of the five hemolytic characteristics is simplified, practical and efficient, with great clinical significance, providing specific indicators for differential diagnosis and efficient approach for making further work-up.

Crohn's disease(CD)is a chronic non-specific intestinal inflammatory disease,and the incidence of perianal fistulizing CD(PFCD)is 17%-43%. Non-cutting setons is the first choice for surgical treatment of PFCD. Some new surgical methods are effective for specific types of PFCD,however,the efficacy of most new methods remains to be confirmed by further studies. The multidisciplinary team(MDT)mode has become a new direction of PFCD surgery. This article reviewed the advances in surgical treatment of PFCD.