Objective To evaluate the effect of ginsenoside-Rg3 on cellular immune function of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with radiotherapy. Methods 50 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with radiotherapy were ran-domly divided into Rg3 group ( n=25 ) and control group ( n=25 ) . After the radiotherapy, the peripheral blood lymphocy of each group were collected. MTT method was used to detect lymphocyte proliferation. Lymphocyte sub-group was detected by Flow Cytometry/financal capacity model. IgG,IgM and Th1/Th2 cytokines was detected by ELISA. Results Ginsenoside Rg3 could promote the proliferation of lymphocytes in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy,upregulation of CD4 +,CD4 +/CD8 +,IgG,IgM,IL-2,downregulation of CD8 +,IL-6,and showed dose dependent. Conclusion Rg3 ginsenosides can significantly enhance the peripheral blood lymphocyte immune function of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with radiotherapy. Rg3 ginsenosides may be a potential im-mune immunosuppression caused by nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy enhancer antagonism.

Acute radiation dermatitis is one of the most common toxicities of radiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. It leads to a series of symptoms such as erythema, desquamation and necrosis, which severely affect the quality of life. No concensus has been achieved on the standard prevention and treatment. In this article, literature review was performed in the prevention and treatment of acute radiation dermatitis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and relevant problems and prospects were proposed, aiming to provide certain reference for clinical trial and scientific research.

Objective To investigate the role of β-arrestin2 in intestinal inflammation and illustrate the mechanisms from the perspective of epithelial barrier function. Methods Dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)is used to induce acute intestinal colitis in mice. The experiment groups are designed as the wild type control(WT),the wild type colitis (WT+DSS) and the β-arrestin2- knockout colitis (KO+DSS). The expression of β-arrestin2 gene by mRNA and protein level is compared between the WT and WT + DSS groups. The difference of weight loss , disease activity index(DAI),spleen weight,colon length,histological score,intestinal permeability and important tight junction proteins (occludin ,claudin1 and ZO-1) were detected in the WT+DSS and KO+DSS groups. Results Compared with the WT group,the expression of β-arrestin2 was significantly higher in the colon of the WT+DSS group. Compared with the WT+DSS group,the KO+DSS group had less weight loss(P < 0.05),lower DAI(P<0.05),smaller spleen,longer colon and lower histological score(P=0.002). The KO+DSS group had a lower intestinal permeability(P = 0.009)and higher protein level of occludin and claudin1.There was no signifi-cant difference of ZO-1 in the two groups. Conclusion β-arrestin2 may promote mouse colitis through impairment of epithelial barrier function.

Objective To establish a method based on 3D printing radiology equivalent phantom for individual radiotherapy dose verification,and to offer an assurance for the safety of 3D conformal radiotherapy.Methods Two patients' CT data was collected,reconstructing the first patient's skull and brain tissue to generate a skull-brain phantom for the purpose of testing the equivalent material.The second patient's data was used for whole head tissue reconstruction to produce a head phantom with equivalent material.By inserting ionization chamber dosimeters to target region for radiotherapy program,equivalent phantom dose distribution of lesions location was obtained in order to verify and calibrate the actual radiation treatment planning for patients.Results DR,CT images of the phantoms revealed that the difference of X-ray gray value between brain skull phantom and patient's skull was 13 721,CT value difference between equivalent tissue of brain skull phantom and that part of the patient was 35-40 HU,and CT difference between head phantom temporalis and that of the patient tissue was 18-28 HU.The imaging data indicated that the radiation equivalence of 3D printing phantom was similar to that of human body tissue,and the equivalent dose distribution accorded well with the normal range of treatment.The dose verification of phantom model can effectively improve the accuracy of the radiotherapy system.Conclusions The personalized radiotherapy phantom which based on the 3D printing and tissue equivalent technology is suitable for personalized radiation therapy validation.With advantages of easy accessibility,highly-personalized degree and high precision,this technology provides a reliable and safe way for radiation therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between hypoxia-inducible foctor-1α (HIF-1α) and neovascularization in early atherosclerosis plaques by establishing rabbit carotid atherosclerosis models, and to observe the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the detection of neovascularization. METHODS: We provided high-fat diet combined with the implantation of silicone rubber ring to establish carotid atherosclerosis in rat models. On the 14th and 28th days, we detected neovascularization in the carotid atherosclerotic plaques by contrast-enhanced ultrasound, obtained the peak intensity (PI) of the contrast agent in the plaques by time-intensity curve (TIC) and analyzed the difference. We also tested the level of HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), α-actin, and RAM-11 by immunohistochemical method in each group, analyzed their correlation, and the correlation between PI and CD31 expression. RESULTS: On the 14th day, contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed the neovascularization in the carotid atherosclerotic plaques. On the 14th and 28th days, the intensity of contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed significant difference, the mean optical density of HIF-1α, VEGF, CD31, RAM-11, and α-actin within the carotid atherosclerotic plaques also showed statistical difference. The expressions between HIF-1α and VEGF, HIF-1α and CD31, HIF-1α and RAM-11, HIF-1α and α-actin, as well as PI and CD31 showed highly positive correlations. CONCLUSION During the process of atherosclerosis evolution, neovascularization in the atherosclerotic plaques has come into being in the early period, and HIF-1α in early atherosclerosis can promote the formation of neovascularization. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound can detect the dynamic changes of neovascularization within early atherosclerotic plaques.
Animals ; Carotid Artery Diseases ; complications ; metabolism ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rabbits

Objective To investigate the significance of computed tomography(CT)and 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)for esophageal carcinoma. Methods Thirty-five patients newly diagnosed with esophageal carcinoma who received radical radiotherapy in our hospital from November 2013 to April 2015 were enrolled as subjects. Target volume was delineated on the CT images and MRI images(T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted fusion images). The MRI-and CT-based IMRT plans were designed using the same dose prescription and dose constraints for organs at risk(OAR). The target volume,prescribed dose,and doses for OAR were compared between the two plans. Results In the two plans, dose distribution and planning parameters met the clinical requirement. The length of lesion,gross tumor volume (GTV),and planning target volume(PTV)defined by 3.0 T MRI were significantly smaller than those defined by CT(P=0.00,0.03,0.03). There were no significant differences in the D 2%,D 98%,D 50%,homogeneity index,or conformity index for primary GTV(PGTV)and PTV-PGTV between the two plans(all P>0.05). Compared with the CT-based plan,the 3.0 T MRI-based plan had a significantly smaller mean dose to the lungs and an insignificantly smaller actual dose to the lungs(P=0.00;P>0.05).There were no significant differences in maximum doses tolerated by the spinal cord or heart between the two plans. Conclusions In terms of target volume delineation and dosimetric parameters, both CT-and 3.0 T MRI-based plans meet the clinical requirement. The 3.0 T MRI-based plan may provide potential benefits for some OAR due to a smaller target volume compared with the CT-based plan.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze variant of LDLR gene in a patient with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) in order to provide a basis for the clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling. METHODS: A patient who had visited the Reproductive Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University in June 2020 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient was collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was applied to the patient. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. Conservation of the variant site was analyzed by searching the UCSC database. RESULTS: The total cholesterol level of the patient was increased, especially low density lipoprotein cholesterol. A heterozygous c.2344A>T (p.Lys782*) variant was detected in the LDLR gene. Sanger sequencing confirmed that the variant was inherited from the father. CONCLUSION The heterozygous c.2344A>T (p.Lys782*) variant of the LDLR gene probably underlay the FH in this patient. Above finding has provided a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for this family.
Humans ; Cholesterol, LDL/genetics* ; Heterozygote ; Hyperlipoproteinemia Type II/genetics* ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Phenotype ; Receptors, LDL/genetics*

Objective:To analyze the variation and characteristics of gene mutation in patients with 6-pyruvoyltetrahydropterin synthase deficiency(PTPSD) in Henan province, and to provide the theoretical basis for early diagnosis, treatment, genetic consultation and prenatal diagnosis of PTPSD.Methods:One thousand nine hundred and six children with hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) treated in Henan Neonatal Screening Center, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1998 to December 2018 were included.Chemiluminescence was used for pheny-lalanine (Phe) detection in blood or dried blood spots.For patients with Phe concentration >120 μmol/L, urine pterin analysis was carried out, and the activity of dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) was detected.Mutations of the PAH, GCH1, GFRP, PCBD1, PTPS and QDPR in 79 children with tetrahydrobiopterin deficiency(BH4D) were detected by using the high-throughput sequencing.All variations were verified by Sanger sequencing. Results:Among the 1 906 children, 79 cases were diagnosed as BH4D clinically, and they all were PTPSD.The incidence of PTPSD in HPA in Henan was 4.14%.One hundred and fifty-six out of 158 alleles in 79 children were detected, and the detection rate of gene mutation was 98.73%, 30 mutations were identified and most of the variants were located in exons 5(92/156 cases, 58.97%). Variants of c. 259C>T (61/156 cases, 39.10%), c.286G>A (17/156 cases, 10.90%), c.155A>G (13/156 cases, 8.33%) and c. 272A > G (10/156 cases, 6.41%) were more common.Six novel variations were detected, which included c. -77G>T, c.158A>G, c.262C>T, c.207G>A, c.316A>G and c. 332C>G; 38 genotypes had been identified, including 3 homozygous mutations and 33 compound heterozygous mutations.Conclusions:c. 259C>T is the hot-spots gene mutation in Chinese PTPSD patients in Henan province.The identification of 6 new mutations enriches the gene mutation profile.

PURPOSE: The significance of neuroendocrine differentiation (NED) in gastric carcinoma (GC) is controversial, leading to ambiguous concepts in traditional classifications. This study aimed to determine the prognostic threshold of meaningful NED in GC and clarify its unclear features in existing classifications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining for synaptophysin, chromogranin A, and neural cell adhesion molecule was performed for 945 GC specimens. Survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test and univariate/multivariate models with percentages of NED (PNED) and demographic and clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: In total, 275 (29.1%) cases were immunoreactive to at least 1 neuroendocrine (NE) marker. GC-NED was more common in the upper third of the stomach. PNED, and Borrmann's classification and tumor, lymph node, metastasis stages were independent prognostic factors. The cutoff PNED was 10%, beyond which patients had significantly worse outcomes, although the risk did not increase with higher PNED. Tumors with ≥10% NED tended to manifest as Borrmann type III lesion with mixed/diffuse morphology and poorer histological differentiation; the NE components in this population mainly grew in insulae/nests, which differed from the predominant growth pattern (glandular/acinar) in GC with <10% NED. CONCLUSIONS: GC with ≥10% NED should be classified as a distinct subtype because of its worse prognosis, and more attention should be paid to the necessity of additional therapeutics for NE components.
Adenocarcinoma ; Chromogranin A ; Classification ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neural Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Prognosis ; Stomach ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Synaptophysin

Objective:To explore the survival prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients over 60 years old with comorbidities treated with microwave ablation.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 267 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma aged 60 years or older admitted to the PLA General Hospital from April 2012 to September 2022 were analyzed, including 179 patients with preoperative comorbidities and 88 patients without comorbidities. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the two groups were compared by the Log-rank test, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate ablation-related risk factors.Results:A total of 267 patients were included (comorbidity group, n=179; no comorbidity group, n=88). There were no statistical differences in OS and PFS between the two groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that comorbidities were not risk factors that affected the survival prognosis (OS and PFS) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after microwave ablation ( P>0.05). Total bilirubin (hazard ratio 0.356, 95% CI=0.174-0.731, P=0.005) was a risk factor affecting OS; tumor number (hazard ratio 0.538, 95% CI=0.365-0.793, P=0.002) and international coagulation normalized ratio (hazard ratio 1.022, 95% CI=1.001-1.043, P=0.040) were risk factors affecting PFS. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with a maximum diameter of >3 cm and female patients, the OS of the comorbidity group was significantly lower than that of the non-comorbidity group( P<0.05). Conclusions:Microwave ablation therapy remains an effective treatment modality in hepatocellular carcinoma patients over 60 years of age with comorbidities, and its survival prognosis is not inferior to patients with hepatocellular carcinoma without comorbidities.