Objective:To study the expression and regulatory mechanisms of pyroptosis in pulpitis.Methods:The activation sta-tus of cell deathes in pulpitis was analyzed using GSE77459 and GSE92681 datasets.Subsequently,pulp tissue and gingival crevic-ular fluid samples were collected from the subjects with pulpitis(infected)and healthy(non-infected)(n=10)respectively.The levels of GSDMD,NLRP3,caspase-1 and apoptosis proteins were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot;the levels of IL-1βand IL-18 were assessed by ELISA;and the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and mitochondrial membrane potential were exam-ined by probe method.Results:The levels of pyroptosis in the samples of patients with pulpitis in both GSE77459 and GSE92681 datasets were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses revealed that compared to controls,the expression of GSDMD,NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the samples of pulpitis was significantly higher(P＜0.05);the levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential in pulpitis were significantly elevated;the levels of eleaved caspase-3,caspase-8 and caspase-9 were significantly increased.Conclusion:The elevated level of pyroptosis in pulpitis that promotes inflammation may be related to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of lenalidomide and rituximab (R2) for short-cycle maintenance therapy in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 19 B-NHL patients who received R2 regimen maintenance therapy after achieving complete remission through chemotherapy or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at Dongguan Kanghua Hospital from February 2018 to January 2024 were collected, and the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), adverse reactions, changes in lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels before and after treatment were analyzed.Results:Among the 19 patients, there were 7 males and 12 females, with a median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 49 (45, 65) years. The median follow-up time was 56 months, ranging from 5 to 77 months. The 1-year OS and PFS rates were 89.2% and 88.9%, respectively. The 2-year and 5-year PFS rates were both 83.2%, and the 2-year and 5-year OS rates were both 88.9%. Common adverse reactions included hematological adverse reactions and infections, with 4 cases (21.1%) experiencing grade 3-4 hematological adverse reactions and 4 cases (21.1%) experiencing infections. There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of lymphocyte subsets (total T cells, helper T cells, regulatory T cells, NK cells, B cells, and CD4/CD8) and cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ] before and after treatment (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:The R2 regimen for short-cycle maintenance therapy of B-NHL is effective and well tolerated by patients.

Objective:To study the expression and regulatory mechanisms of pyroptosis in pulpitis.Methods:The activation sta-tus of cell deathes in pulpitis was analyzed using GSE77459 and GSE92681 datasets.Subsequently,pulp tissue and gingival crevic-ular fluid samples were collected from the subjects with pulpitis(infected)and healthy(non-infected)(n=10)respectively.The levels of GSDMD,NLRP3,caspase-1 and apoptosis proteins were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot;the levels of IL-1βand IL-18 were assessed by ELISA;and the levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and mitochondrial membrane potential were exam-ined by probe method.Results:The levels of pyroptosis in the samples of patients with pulpitis in both GSE77459 and GSE92681 datasets were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses revealed that compared to controls,the expression of GSDMD,NLRP3 and caspase-1 in the samples of pulpitis was significantly higher(P＜0.05);the levels of IL-1β,IL-18,ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential in pulpitis were significantly elevated;the levels of eleaved caspase-3,caspase-8 and caspase-9 were significantly increased.Conclusion:The elevated level of pyroptosis in pulpitis that promotes inflammation may be related to mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of the combination therapy of lenalidomide and rituximab (R2) for short-cycle maintenance therapy in patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 19 B-NHL patients who received R2 regimen maintenance therapy after achieving complete remission through chemotherapy or autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation at Dongguan Kanghua Hospital from February 2018 to January 2024 were collected, and the overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), adverse reactions, changes in lymphocyte subsets and cytokine levels before and after treatment were analyzed.Results:Among the 19 patients, there were 7 males and 12 females, with a median age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 49 (45, 65) years. The median follow-up time was 56 months, ranging from 5 to 77 months. The 1-year OS and PFS rates were 89.2% and 88.9%, respectively. The 2-year and 5-year PFS rates were both 83.2%, and the 2-year and 5-year OS rates were both 88.9%. Common adverse reactions included hematological adverse reactions and infections, with 4 cases (21.1%) experiencing grade 3-4 hematological adverse reactions and 4 cases (21.1%) experiencing infections. There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of lymphocyte subsets (total T cells, helper T cells, regulatory T cells, NK cells, B cells, and CD4/CD8) and cytokines [interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ] before and after treatment (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:The R2 regimen for short-cycle maintenance therapy of B-NHL is effective and well tolerated by patients.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of hypersensitivity quantitative fecal immunochemical test (hs-qFIT) in colorectal cancer (CRC) and advanced adenoma.Methods:From July to December 2020, consecutive patients aged 50 to 75 years who underwent colonoscopy in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, and had the Asia-Pacific colorectal screening score of medium or high risk were enrolled. All patients were requested to complete two hs-qFIT before colonoscopy. The diagnostic efficacy of hs-qFIT for CRC and advanced adenoma were assessed. Receiver operating characteristic curve of hs-qFIT in CRC diagnosis was drawn and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.Results:A total of 811 patients including 20 (2.5%) cases of CRC, 47 (5.8%) cases of advanced adenoma, 206 (25.4%) cases of non-advanced adenoma, 219 (27.0%) cases of non-adenomatous polyp, 76 (9.4%) cases of other colorectal lesions and 243 (30.0%) cases of non-colorectal lesions were involved. When the fecal hemoglobin cut-off values were 10, 30, 50, 75 and 100 ng/mL, the positive rates of hs-qFIT detection were 17.9% (145/811), 10.9% (88/811), 8.3% (67/811), 7.4% (60/811) and 5.8% (47/811), respectively. When the cut-off value of fecal hemoglobin decreased from 100 ng/mL to 10 ng/mL, the sensitivity of hs-qFIT for CRC diagnosis increased from 90.0% to 100.0%, and the specificity decreased from 96.3% to 84.2%; and the sensitivity of hs-qFIT for the diagnosis of advanced adenoma increased from 19.1% to 66.0%, and the specificity decreased from 95.0% to 85.1%. The AUC of hs-qFIT for the diagnosis of CRC and advanced adenoma were 0.981 (95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.970 to 0.992) and 0.846 (95% CI 0.807 to 0.886), respectively. When the optimal cut-off values were taken, the sensitivity and specificity were 100.0% and 91.2% for the diagnosis of CRC, and 66.0% and 85.3% for the diagnosis of advanced adenoma, respectively. Conclusion:Hs-qFIT can help the early screening of CRC and advanced adenoma.

Dasatinib is a highly effective second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In 2007, a pivotal phase-2 study of dasatinib as second-line treatment was initiated in 140 Chinese CML patients. This report from the 4-year follow-up revealed that 73% of 59 patients in chronic phase (CML-CP) and 32% of 25 patients in accelerated phase (CML-AP) remained under treatment. The initial dosage of dasatinib for CML-CP and CML-AP patients were 100 mg once daily and 70 mg twice daily (total = 140 mg/ day), respectively. The cumulative major cytogenetic response (MCyR) rate among patients with CML-CP was 66.1% (versus 50.8% at 18 months), and the median time to MCyR was 12.7 weeks. All CML-CP patients who achieved MCyR after a 4-year follow-up also achieved a complete cytogenetic response. The cumulative complete hematological response (CHR) rate among patients with CML-AP was 64% (16/25), with three CML-AP patients achieving CHR between 18 months and 4 years of follow-up; the median time to CHR was 16.4 weeks. The adverse event (AE) profile of dasatinib at 4 years was similar to that at 6 and 18 months. The most frequently reported AEs (any grade) included pleural effusion, headache, and myelosuppression. These long-term follow-up data continue to support dasatinib as a second-line treatment for Chinese patients with CML.

Objective To analyze the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy after chidamide pretreatment in 16 cases of high-risk and refractory lymphoid malignancy. Methods The efficacy and adverse reactions of 16 patients with high-risk and refractory lymphoid malignancy who received chidamide combined with chemotherapy after 3 days pretreatment of chidamide were analyzed. Results Sixteen patients included 6 males and 10 females, and the median age was 49.5 years old (23-88 years old). The median course of previous systemic chemotherapy was 4 (range 0-22). Among 14 patients who received induction chemotherapy, 7 patients achieved complete remission (CR), 7 patients achieved partial remission (PR). Fourteen patients had achieved clinical efficacy, and the overall response rate (ORR) was 100 %. After 2 cases had remission , the patients who entered this regimen for consolidation chemotherapy also had durable CR. The median follow-up time was 13 months (range 2-24 months) until December 2017. Nine cases had overall survival (OS), 7 cases died and 9 cases had progression-free survival. Common adverse effects of the chemotherapy included mild and controllable gastrointestinal reactions after chidamide. Conclusion Chemotherapy after chidamide pretreatment may improve the effect and prognosis of high-risk or refractory lymphoid malignancy.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide in a real-world clinical practice in Chinese patients with multiple myeloma (MM).Methods It was a prospective,multi-center,observational study.A total of 165 consecutive patients with MM treated with lenalidomide-based regimens were enrolled in 12 hospitals from June 2013 to November 2015.Relevant information was recorded,such as baseline clinical data,cytogenetic abnormalities,treatment regimens,and duration of treatment,safety,and survival.Results (1)There were 126 relapsed and refractory MM (RRMM) patients,25 newly diagnosed patients and 19 maintenance patients.The evaluable RRMM patients accounted for 120 cases,among which 74 cases(61.7％) reached the partial response (PR) or above,and a very good partial response (VGPR) in 16 patients (13.3％),a complete response (CR) in 14 cases (11.7％),a strictly complete response (sCR) in 4 cases (3.3％).Thus,a VGPR or above in 34 patients accounted for 28.3％.(2)The median follow-up was 13 months,the median time to progression 12 months.The median survival after receiving lenalidomide was 19 months,and the median overall survival (OS) was 62 months.(3) The univariate analysis in 120 RRMM patients suggested that prognostic factors for significant improvement in PFS included normal karyotype,international staging system (ISS) Ⅰ-Ⅱ,t(4;14) negative (detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization),non-bortezomib resistance and response to previous regimens.As to OS,nonbortezomib resistance,response to previous regimens and non-primary refractoriness were positive factors.Multivariate analysis showed that the response to previous regimens (PR or better) was an independent good prognostic factor for progress-free survival (PFS),non-bortezomib resistance and non-primary refractoriness for OS.(4) Grade 3 or 4 adverse events that occurred in more than 10％ of all enrolled patients were neutropenia (12.7％),leukocytosis (11.5％) and thrombocytopenia (12.7％).Owing to intolerance of toxic side effects,7 cases withdrew lenalidomide.Conclusions No matter what combination,regimens containing lenalidomide are effective to RRMM patients with overall response rate 61.7％,a time to progression 12 months and an overall survival 62 months.The toxicity is quite tolerable and manageable.In addition,the response to previous treatment (reached PR or above) is the independent good prognostic factor for PFS,non-bortezomib resistance and non-primary refractoriness for OS.Clinical trail registration Clinicaltrials.gov,NCT01947309

AIM:To study the expression of signal transduction molecules in the striatum G protein protein 4 (RGS4) and dopamine D2 receptor (D2) in conditioned place preference (CPP) rats treated with methamphetamine (meth).METHODS:METH dependence CPP model was established (1 week and 2 weeks of METH dependence groups),The protein expression of RGS4 and D2,inhibitory G protein alpha-subunit (Gαi),mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) in striatum were determined by Western blotting (WB).The changes of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content in striatum of rats were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).RESULTS:Compared with saline control group,the average time of rats in the methamphetamine-paired chamber for two groups was increased (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with saline control group,RGS4 protein expressions in the two METH dependent groups were reduced (P ＜0.01);compared with 1 week of METH dependence group,that of 2 weeks group was reduced significantly(P ＜ 0.05).D2,Gαi,MAPK protein and cAMP expressions in the two METH dependent groups were increased (P ＜ 0.01);compared with 1 week of METH dependence group,those of 2 weeks were increased significantly (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:RGS4 and D2 receptor signaling pathways in striatum have changed in METH dependent rats,RGS4 may be involved in the regulation of METH-dependent D2 receptor signaling pathway in METH dependent rats.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the early hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular responses in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia in chronic phase（CML-CP）and initially treated with a generic imatinib（Xinwei）, manufactured by Jiansu Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.

METHODS107 newly diagnosed patients of CML-CP, whose ages were above 18- year- old and who had never received any tyrosine kinase inhibitor（TKI）were treated with Xinwei 400 mg QD. The hematologic, cytogenetic and molecular responses were assessed at 3- and 6-month, and adverse effects were evaluated throughout the study.

RESULTS107 patients were treated with Xinwei for at least 3 months, 54 of them were treated for 6 months or more. At 3- month, the complete hematologic responses（CHR）rate were 98.1%（105/107）; 47/57（82.5%） patients achieved major cytogenetic response（MCyR）, and 20/57 （35.1%） patients complete cytogenetic response（CCyR）; BCR- ABLIS was ≤10% in 77/106 patients （72.6%）, 11 of them（10.4%）achieved major molecular response（MMR, BCR-ABLIS was ≤0.1%）. At 6-month, the CHR rate was 100%（54/54）; 28/39 patients（71.8%）achieved CCyR; BCR-ABLIS was ≤1% in 37/54 patients （68.5% ）, 18 of them （33.3% ） achieved MMR. The grade Ⅲ leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and anemia rates were 19.5%, 23.0% and 13.8%, respectively. No grade Ⅳ hematologic toxicity occurred. The common non- hematologic toxicities were edema（74.7%）, nausea（48.3%）, bone pain（42.5%）, rash（36.8%）, diarrhea（34.5%）, fever（23.0%）, cramp（11.5%）and impaired liver function （3.4%）. No patient experienced grade Ⅳ non- hematologic toxicity. No adverse effects related death occurred.

CONCLUSIONOur results revealed the excellent early haematology, cytogenetic and molecular responses and safety of Xinwei in treating patients with CML-CP.

Anemia ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Cytogenetics ; Drugs, Generic ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; Prospective Studies ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; Remission Induction ; Thrombocytopenia ; Treatment Outcome