Objective:To explore the feasibility of applying ArcherQA to independent dose verification of MR-guided online adaptive radiotherapy (ART) plans performed on Elekta Unity 1.5 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance-linear accelerator (MR-Linac).Methods:The dose calculation accuracy of ArcherQA under a specific magnetic field was validated using a homogeneous water phantom. A total of 32 patients who received MR-guided online ART on Elekta Unity were randomly selected by lottery, with 32 offline plans and 177 online plans for five treatment sites (brain, mediastinum, liver, kidney, and vertebral body) enrolled. Finally, the γ pass rates (threshold: 10%; criteria: 3 mm/3% and 2 mm/2%) were compared among the result upon independent dose verification of ArcherQA, measurements of ArcCheck, and calculations using the Monaco treatment planning system (TPS) to quantitatively evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of ArcherQA in independent dose verification of online plans on Elekta Unity.Results:ArcherQA was proven accurate in calculating the dose distribution of therapeutic photon beams under the specific magnetic field. With the 3 mm/3% criterion, the γ pass rates of verification result exceeded 99% in all square fields of a water phantom. Under the stricter 2 mm/2% criterion, the γ pass rates also surpassed 95% in all square fields except 20 cm × 20 cm field. Regarding the verification of treatment plans, the ArcherQA result were found to be highly consistent with those measured or calculated using ArcCheck and Monaco TPS, with the average γ pass rates exceeding 99% under the 3 mm/3% criterion and above 97% under the 2 mm/2% criterion. ArcherQA was acceptably efficient for independent dose verification of online plans, with 50 to 150 s, (108 s on average) required to complete the independent dose verification of 177 online plans.Conclusions:ArcherQA allows for accurately and efficiently calculating the dose distribution of therapeutic photon beams under a specific magnetic field, establishing it as an effective supplementary tool for independent dose calculation of MR-guided offline and online ART plans, thereby ensuring the safety of patient treatment plans.

Keratopathy-associated cataract, that is, on the basis of corneal disease, and later the development of lens opacity, seriously damage visual quality. In order to avoid corneal transplantation for some patients, partial visual quality can be restored. A comprehensive and accurate evaluation of the effect of corneal opacity on visual function is of great improtance for determining cataract surgery alone. Due to the opacity of the cornea, the operation is very difficult and challenging. Therefore, it is of clinical value to develop and use new assistive technologies, including capsule staining, endoillumination, pupil dialation technology, femtosecond laser assisted technology, etc., avoiding problems such as limited visibility and decreased light flow caused by corneal opacity and facilitating cataract surgery. This article reviews progress of assistive technologies for keratopathy-associated cataract, hoping to guide clinical application.

Lipids have been found to modulate tumor biology, including proliferation, survival, and metastasis. With the new understanding of tumor immune escape that has developed in recent years, the influence of lipids on the cancer-immunity cycle has also been gradually discovered. First, regarding antigen presentation, cholesterol prevents tumor antigens from being identified by antigen presenting cells. Fatty acids reduce the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I and costimulatory factors in dendritic cells, impairing antigen presentation to T cells. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) reduce the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells. Regarding T-cell priming and activation, cholesterol destroys the structure of the T-cell receptor and reduces immunodetection. In contrast, cholesterol also promotes T-cell receptor clustering and relative signal transduction. PGE2 represses T-cell proliferation. Finally, regarding T-cell killing of cancer cells, PGE2 and cholesterol weaken granule-dependent cytotoxicity. Moreover, fatty acids, cholesterol, and PGE2 can improve the activity of immunosuppressive cells, increase the expression of immune checkpoints and promote the secretion of immunosuppressive cytokines. Given the regulatory role of lipids in the cancer-immunity cycle, drugs that modulate fatty acids, cholesterol and PGE2 have been envisioned as effective way in restoring antitumor immunity and synergizing with immunotherapy. These strategies have been studied in both preclinical and clinical studies.

Mevalonate metabolism plays an important role in regulating tumor growth and progression; however, its role in immune evasion and immune checkpoint modulation remains unclear. Here, we found that non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with higher plasma mevalonate response better to anti-PD-(L)1 therapy, as indicated by prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival. Plasma mevalonate levels were positively correlated with programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in tumor tissues. In NSCLC cell lines and patient-derived cells, supplementation of mevalonate significantly up-regulated the expression of PD-L1, whereas deprivation of mevalonate reduced PD-L1 expression. Mevalonate increased CD274 mRNA level but did not affect CD274 transcription. Further, we confirmed that mevalonate improved CD274 mRNA stability. Mevalonate promoted the affinity of the AU-rich element-binding protein HuR to the 3'-UTR regions of CD274 mRNA and thereby stabilized CD274 mRNA. By in vivo study, we further confirmed that mevalonate addition enhanced the anti-tumor effect of anti-PD-L1, increased the infiltration of CD8⁺ T cells, and improved cytotoxic function of T cells. Collectively, our findings discovered plasma mevalonate levels positively correlated with the therapeutic efficacy of anti-PD-(L)1 antibody, and provided the evidence that mevalonate supplementation could be an immunosensitizer in NSCLC.

AIM: To compare the differences and agreement of anterior segment biometric parameters of myopic patients measured by domestic Scansys and the imported Sirius based on the principle of Scheimpflug imaging technique.METHODS: In this case series study, 103 cases(103 eyes)that underwent pre-refractive surgery(including small incision lenticule extraction, femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy and implantable contact lens implantation)at Aier Excellent Eye Hospital from May 2022 to October 2022 were recruited. Preoperative keratometry(Km), central corneal thickness(CCT), anterior chamber depth(ACDEndo.), anterior chamber angle(ACA), anterior chamber volume(ACV), white to white(WTW)of patients were recorded.RESULTS: The results of Km, CCT, ACA, and WTW measured by Scansys and Sirius were 42.88(41.54, 44.60)and 42.98(41.56, 44.52)D,(541.52±29.08)and(549.55±29.62)μm, 42.70°±2.67° and 46.63°±5.13°, 12.10±0.60 and 11.98±0.47 mm, respectively, showing the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.01). The ACV measured by Scansys and Sirius was 194.26±31.06 and 191.47±25.65 mm3, and ACDEndo. was 3.40(3.17, 3.57)and 3.43(3.19, 3.56)mm, with no statistically significant difference(all P>0.05). The range of Km, CCT, ACA, ACDEndo., ACV and WTW values measured by the two instruments was small, with an average difference close to zero, and the points percentage of 95% limits of agreement(LoA)was <5%, which is of good consistency.CONCLUSIONS: Scansys and Sirius have small differences and good agreement in the parameters, which can be replaced by each other in clinical practice. Scansys could theoretically be used to extrapolate the implantable contact lens model or could be a new option for anterior segment parameter measurements.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2023.04.002.].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the consistency and reproducibility of aortic root measurements by Anythink, a semi-automated preoperative CT analysis software, with those of 3mensio. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December, 2016 to February, 2022 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. A cardiology resident who completed his professional training used both the software Anythink and 3mensio (as the gold standard) to reconstruct the aortic root model and analyze the parameters of the aortic annulus and the surrounding structures. The correlation and consistency of the measurement results of two software were analyzed. Two independent residents also used Anythink software to repeat the measurements for the same patient for assessment of the reproducibility of Anythink measurements. The valve models were selected based on the measurements by Anythink and 3mensio, and similarities and differences of the two software in clinical valve selection were assessed. RESULTS: The measurements of the distances from the anulus plane to the left and right coronary ostium, average diameter of the anulus, anulus area, anulus perimeter, and the angle between the annulus and horizontal plane did not differ significantly between the two software (P > 0.05), and their measurements showed positive correlations (r= 0.884-0.981, P < 0.01). The intra-group and inter-group correlation coefficients of the anulus parameters measured by Anythink ranged from 0.894 to 0.992 and from 0.651 to 0.954, respectively. The Kappa-test values of valve models selected by Anythink and 3mensio based on the average diameter, area diameter and perimeter diameter were 0.886, 0.796 and 0.775, respectively. The intra-group Kappa values for the valve models selected based on Anythink measurements were 0.819, 0.841, and 0.795, and the inter-group Kappa values were 0.812, 0.812, and 0.768, respectively. Compared with the measurements by 3mensio, the recommended area diameter measured by Anythink was slightly greater in patients with postoperative paravalvular leakage, but slightly smaller in patients with postoperative new-onset conduction block. CONCLUSION Anythink has excellent measurement consistency and high reproducibility for aortic root measurements, and trained cardiologists can use Anythink to obtain accurate aortic root parameters before TAVR.
Humans ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Reproducibility of Results ; Retrospective Studies ; Aorta ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

As cataract surgery has entered the era of minimally invasive and accurate refractive surgery, higher requirements for perioperative infection control are needed. In recent years, “dropless cataract surgery” has been proposed and is gradually applied in clinical practice. It is based on the combination of different local injection forms in cataract surgery, in which antibiotics and steroids are applied to the operative eye through immediate or sustained release, so that patients do not need to use eye drops throughout the perioperative period.It can not only achieve the purpose of anti-inflammation and anti-infection after surgery, but also reduce the burden of patients, patients' family members and doctors.This article reviews the concept of “dropless cataract surgery”, the combined treatment methods, including combined anterior chamber antibiotic injection, triamcinolone acetonide and moxifloxacin hydrochloride(TriMoxi)and triamcinolone -moxifloxacin and vancomycin(TriMoxiVanc)intravitreal injection, combined dexamethasone lacrimal puncture implantation, continuous or sustained release drug delivery mechanism, as well as its efficacy and safety, with a view to provide a new idea and direction for the prevention of postoperative cataract infection.

In the past 37 years, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has undergone various major transmission routes in China, with the world most complex co-circulating HIV-1 subtypes, even the prevalence is still low. In response to the first epidemic outbreak of HIV in injecting drug users and the second one by illegal commercial blood collection, China issued the Anti-Drug Law and launched the Blood Donation Act and nationwide nucleic acid testing, which has avoided 98,232 to 211,200 estimated infections and almost ended the blood product-related infection. China has been providing free antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2003, which covered >80% of the identified patients and achieved a viral suppression rate of 91%. To bend the curve of increasing the disease burden of HIV and finally end the epidemic, China should consider constraining HIV spread through sexual transmission, narrowing the gaps in identifying HIV cases, and the long-term effectiveness and safety of ART in the future.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/prevention & control* ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks ; HIV Infections/prevention & control* ; Humans ; Prevalence

Immunotherapy strategies targeting the programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1)/programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) pathway in clinical treatments have achieved remarkable success in treating multiple types of cancer. However, owing to the heterogeneity of tumors and individual immune systems, PD-L1/PD-1 blockade still shows slow response rates in controlling malignancies in many patients. Accumulating evidence has shown that an effective response to anti-PD-L1/anti-PD-1 therapy requires establishing an integrated immune cycle. Damage in any step of the immune cycle is one of the most important causes of immunotherapy failure. Impairments in the immune cycle can be restored by epigenetic modification, including reprogramming the environment of tumor-associated immunity, eliciting an immune response by increasing the presentation of tumor antigens, and by regulating T cell trafficking and reactivation. Thus, a rational combination of PD-L1/PD-1 blockade and epigenetic agents may offer great potential to retrain the immune system and to improve clinical outcomes of checkpoint blockade therapy.