BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of subsequent radiotherapy (RT) following first-line treatment with durvalumab plus chemotherapy in patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). METHODS: A total of 122 patients with ES-SCLC from three hospitals during July 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) analysis was performed to address potential confounding factors. The primary focus of our evaluation was to assess the impact of RT on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: After IPTW analysis, 49 patients received durvalumab plus platinum-etoposide (EP) chemotherapy followed by RT (Durva + EP + RT) and 72 patients received immunochemotherapy (Durva + EP). The median OS was 17.2 months vs . 12.3 months (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17-0.85, P = 0.020), and the median PFS was 8.9 months vs . 5.9 months (HR: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.32-0.97, P = 0.030) in Durva + EP + RT and Durva + EP groups, respectively. Thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) resulted in longer OS (17.2 months vs . 14.7 months) and PFS (9.1 months vs . 7.2 months) compared to RT directed to other metastatic sites. Among patients with oligo-metastasis, RT also showed significant benefits, with a median OS of 17.4 months vs . 13.7 months and median PFS of 9.8 months vs . 5.9 months compared to no RT. Continuous durvalumab treatment beyond progression (TBP) prolonged OS compared to patients without TBP, in both the Durva + EP + RT (NA vs . 15.8 months, HR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.14-1.63, P = 0.238) and Durva + EP groups (12.3 months vs . 4.3 months, HR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10-0.81, P = 0.018). Grade 3 or 4 adverse events occurred in 13 (26.5%) and 13 (18.1%) patients, respectively, in the two groups; pneumonitis was mostly low-grade. CONCLUSION Addition of RT after first-line immunochemotherapy significantly improved survival outcomes with manageable toxicity in ES-SCLC.
Humans ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma/therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Lung Neoplasms/therapy* ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Aged, 80 and over

Cell therapy based on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been a hot research topic in recent years, including the traditional cell therapy strategy based on living cells and the new cell-free therapy strategy based on soluble proteins or bioactive molecules such as extracellular vesicles (EVs). At present, MSC-induced cells have mature functions and specific structures, and insitu transplantation combined with biomaterials or organic technology has greatly improved the settlement rate and function. On the other hand, as the large-scale culture technique and EVs separation technique evolve, it is possible to obtain a large number of pure EVs, and EVs are gradually becoming a hot spot of current research. An increasing number of studies have shown that the therapeutic effect of MSCs not only occurs by implantation and differentiation but also manifests as the paracrine effect of MSCs. In this review, we discuss the emerging outcomes of cell therapies and acellular therapies to alleviate these pathological conditions.

Objective:To investigate the effects of fasudil hydrochloride(FH) on Rho-associated kinase 2(ROCK2) protein and ferroptosis in hippocampal area during early brain injury in rats with subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH).Methods:Total 36 SPF grade Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups by random number table method: Sham group, SAH group and SAH+ FH (a ROCK2 protein inhibitor) group (FH goup) with 12 rats in each group.SAH animal model was established by internal carotid artery perforation.The rats in FH group were injected intraperitoneally with FH(15 mg/kg) 30 minutes after successful modeling, and rats in Sham group and SAH group were injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution.Twenty-four hours after the intervention, shuttle box test was used to observe the learning and memory ability of rats.The Fe 2+ content in rat hippocampus tissue was detected by colorimetry, and the protein levels of ROCK2 and ferroptosis-related long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 4(ACSL4) and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4) in hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 20.0 software.One-way ANOVA was used for multigroup comparison, and LSD test was used for further pairwise comparison. Results:(1)In the shuttle box test, there were statistically significant differences in the number of avoidance reactions and avoidance reaction time of rats among the three groups( F=20.348, 22.316, both P<0.05). The number of avoidance reaction in SAH group was less than that in Sham group ((17.92±2.94) times, (27.13±3.48) times, P<0.05), the time of avoidance reaction in SAH group was longer than that in Sham group ((9.15±2.87) s, (3.68±1.09) s, P<0.05), while the number of avoidance reaction in FH group ((21.63±4.11) times) was more than that in SAH group, and the time of avoidance reaction ((6.08±1.76) s) was shorter than that in SAH group (both P<0.05). (2) The colorimetry results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the content of Fe 2+ in hippocampus of rats among the three groups( F=7.965, P<0.05). The Fe 2+ content in SAH group was significantly higher than that of Sham group((0.091±0.032) nmol/mg, (0.038±0.024) nmol/mg, P<0.05), and the Fe 2+ content in the FH group ((0.065±0.021) nmol/mg) was lower than that of SAH group ( P<0.05). (3) There were significant differences in the number of ROCK2, ACSL4 and GPX4 positive cells in hippocampus of rats among the three groups in immunohistochemistry ( F=7.602, 14.171, 36.077, all P<0.05). The positive cells of ROCK2 and ACSL4 in SAH group ((21.63±4.72), (55.13±19.41)) were significantly higher than those of Sham group ((11.63±3.62), (23.38±3.74)) (both P<0.05), and the positive cells of ROCK2 and ACSL4 in FH group ((15.88±6.64), (44.75±8.29)) were both lower than those of SAH group(both P<0.05), while the number of GPX4 positive cells in SAH group (25.38±6.30) was significantly lower than that of Sham group (60.25±10.36) ( P<0.05), and the number of GPX4 positive cells in FH group (45.13±7.51) was higher than that of SAH group( P<0.05). (4)The results of Western blot showed that there were significant differences in the expression levels of ROCK2, ACSL4 and GPX4 proteins in the hippocampus of rats among the three groups( F=4.812, 12.573, 10.849, all P<0.05). The protein expression levels of ROCK2 and ACSL4 in SAH group were significantly higher than those in Sham group(both P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of ROCK2 and ACSL4 in FH group were lower than those in SAH group (both P<0.05), while the expression level of GPX4 protein in SAH group (0.27±0.09) was significantly lower than that in Sham group( P<0.05), and the expression level of GPX4 protein in FH group was higher than that of SAH group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:FH can inhibit ferroptosis in the hippocampus and improve the learning and memory ability of rats, and the mechanism may be related with down-regulation of ROCK2 protein.

COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has being spreading around the world, posing a serious threat to human health and lives. Neutralizing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors for virus replication cycle are the main antiviral treatment for novel coronavirus recommended in China. To further promote the rational use of antiviral therapy in clinical practice, the National Center for Infectious Diseases (Beijing Ditan Hospital Capital Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine) invited experts in fields of infectious diseases, respiratory and intensive care to develop an Expert Consensus on Antiviral Therapy of COVID-19 based on the Diagnosis and Treatment Guideline for COVID-19 ( trial version 10) and experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in China. The consensus is concise, practical and highly operable, hopefully it would improve the understanding of antiviral therapy for clinicians and provide suggestions for standardized medication in treatment of COVID-19.

Objective To analyze the mortality risk and evaluate the curative effects of surgery and non-surgery on NSCLC with diameter > 7.0 cm. Methods We collected the data of NSCLC patients with diameter > 7.0 cm from 2010 to 2015 from the SEER database. The 1, 2, 3-year survival rates were analyzed by life table method. Overall survival curve was estimated by Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze the independent prognostic factors. Results The 1, 2, 3-year survival rates were 51.8%, 33.0% and 25.0%, respectively. In univariate and multivariate analyses, tumor size, N stage and treatment were the independent prognostic factors (P < 0.001). Conclusion Surgery is benefited for the prognosis of stage N0-N1 NSCLC patients with diameter > 7.0 cm. And for stage N2 NSCLC patients with diameter 7.0-9.0 cm, surgical treatment has advantages in improving the prognosis. Surgical and non-surgical patients with tumor diameter ≥9.0 cm or lymph node N3 stage have no statistically significant differences in prognosis. In addition, palliative treatment does not improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective:To evaluate the accuracy of lung ultrasound score (LUSS) in predicting emerging hypoxemia after tracheal extubation in the patients in postanesthesia care unit (PACU).Methods:A total of 333 patients of both sexes, aged 18-89 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologist physical statusⅠ-Ⅲ, scheduled for elective abdominal surgery, were included in the study.Lung ultrasound examinations were performed before operation (T 0) and on admission to PACU (T 1), and the LUSS were recorded as LUSS 0 and LUSS 1.Arterial blood gas analysis was conducted at 20 min after tracheal extubation, and oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2) were recorded.Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the oxygenation index: PaO 2/FiO 2<300 mmHg group (hypoxemia group), and PaO 2/FiO 2≥300 mmHg group (non-hypoxemia group). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and the receiver operating characteristic curve were used to evaluate the accuracy of LUSS 1 in predicting the emerging hypoxemia after extubation in the patients in PACU. Results:The incidence of emerging hypoxemia in PACU after extubation was 9.0%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that LUSS 1 and body mass index were independent risk factors for emerging hypoxemia after extubation in the patients in PACU.The area under the ROC curve for LUSS 1 was 0.873 ( P<0.001, 95%CI 0.812-0.935). The patients with LUSS 1<7 had a lower risk of hypoxemia after extubation (LR -=0.15, 95%CI 0.05-0.45), and the patients with LUSS 1>10 had a higher risk of hypoxemia after extubation (LR + =17.25, 95%CI 7.35-40.51). Conclusion:LUS can effectively predict the development of hypoxemia after tracheal extubation in the patients in PACU.

Objective:To explore the efficacy of a combination regimen by Lopinave/Litonawe (LPV/r), emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (FTC/TAF) for the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia.Methods:We design the protocol as a real world study, which includes two groups: prospective intervention cohort (T1) and historical control group (T2). For the T1 group, ninety patients who are diagnosed as NCP will be enrolled. All patients in the T1 group will receive standard therapies following the recommendation in the Guidelines of National Commission of Health, and will be administered an anti-virus regimen including LPV/r and FTC/TAF. The T2 group will enroll patients who have received single regimen of LPV/r. The major outcome is the survival rate of patients. Secondary outcomes are the time of seroconversion of RNA, ARDS progression rate and length of hospital stay.Conclusions:The results of this real world study might provide clinical practitioners a high efficiency and fast antivirus regimen for novel coronavirus pneumonia patients. In addition, the conduction of this study will accelerate screening for other new effective therapeutic method.

Objective:To assess the application value of China consensus on the protocol of early gastric cancer screening in Guangdong province.Methods:A new quantitative scoring system was used in Cantonese residents who underwent early gastric cancer screening from March 2018 to March 2019. According to the scores of initial screening, patients were divided into high-risk, medium-risk and low-risk groups. The detection rates of early gastric cancer, precancerous diseases and precancerous lesions under gastroscopy in each group were compared. Chi-square test was performed for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 545 individuals were selected for gastroscopy, in which 32 cases were classified into high-risk group, 184 into medium-risk group and 329 into low-risk group. The results of gastroscopy examination showed that high-risk group had the highest detection rate of early gastric cancer (12.5%), followed by medium-risk group (1.1%) and low-risk group (0) ( χ2=41.85, P<0.01); the detection rates of precancerous diseases exhibited a similar pattern: high-risk group (60.9%) > medium-risk group (52.4%) > low-risk group (34.3%) ( χ2=18.00, P<0.01). The detection rates of precancerous lesions were 17.9%, 8.8% and 8.8%, respectively, with no significant difference ( χ2=2.58, P=0.28). In terms of the positive rate of endoscopy, high-risk group (71.9%) showed the highest positive rate, followed by medium-risk group (57.1%) and low-risk group (40.1%) ( χ2=21.54, P<0.01). Conclusion:China consensus on the protocol of early gastric cancer screeing is of application value for the screening of early gastric cancer and precancerous lesions in the populations at risk of gastric cancer in Guangdong province.

Objective: To explore the efficacy of a combination regimen by Lopinave/Litonawe (LPV/r), emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate (FTC/TAF) for the treatment of novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP). Methods: We design the protocol as a real world study, which includes two groups: prospective intervention cohort (T1) and historical control group (T2). For T1 group, ninety patients will be enrolled who are diagnosed as NCP. All patients in T1 group will receive standard therapies following the recommendation in the guidelines of National Commission of Health, and they will be administered an anti-virus regimen includes LPV/r and FTC/TAF. The T2 group will enroll patients who have received single regimen includes LPV/r. The major outcome is the survival rate of patients. Secondary outcomes are the time of seroconversion of RNA, ARDS progression rate and length of hospital stay. Conclusions The results of this real world study might provide clinical practitioners a high efficiency and fast antivirus regimen for NCP. In addition, the conduction of this study will accelerate screening for other new effective therapeutic method.

Objective: To illustrate the epidemical characteristics of the dog-biting events and molecular evolution of rabies virus (RV) strains prevalent in Shuangbai county of Yunnan province, China. Methods: Epidemical investigation on the dog-biting events and human cases were conducted and the brain tissues of the biting dogs and human cases were sampled post-mortem. Nucleoprotein (N) genes of the RVs were sequenced. Homology and phylogenetic analysis were performed using the relevant bioinformatics software. Results: A total of 12 dog-biting events took place between 2011-2017 in Shuangbai county and 35 persons were bitten. Of the 12 events, 11 were investigated in time and 32 bitten persons received proper wound management and a full post-exposure vaccination course. Rabies has not developed in these wounded cases until now. However, due to failure to receive medical intervention and post-exposure treatment in time, 1 of 3 bitten persons in a single event died of rabies. RV N genes from 5 dogs and 1 person were sequenced. Phylogenetic tree showed that RV strains prevalent in Shuangbai county were closely related with the ones found in neighboring counties/cities such as Chuxiong, Lufeng, Jingdong and Xiangyun. All these strains were related to the ones denoted as clade China-I and prevalent in Sichuan province. Homology analysis showed 99.6%-100% homology in nucleotide and amino acid among the 6 RVs prevalent in Shuangbai county and those prevalent in Chuxiong, Lufeng, Xiangyun and clade China-I of Sichuan province. Compared with the China-I strains prevalent in Chuxiong, Zhaotong and Qujing prefectures between 2006-2007, the homology of nucleotide and amino acid were 97.1%-99.3% and 99.1%-99.6%, respectively. Conclusions Surveillance on the dog-biting events can prevent rabies in humans effectively. RV strains prevalent in Shuangbai county belong to clade China-I and have a close relationship with those of neighboring prefectures, cities, counties and the ones prevalent in Sichuan province.