Stapled peptides with significantly enhanced pharmacological profiles have emerged as promising therapeutic molecules due to their remarkable resistance to proteolysis and performance to penetrate cells. The all-hydrocarbon peptide stapling technique has already widely adopted with great success, yielding numerous potent peptide-based molecules. Based on our prior efforts, we conceived and prepared a double-stapled peptide in this study, termed FRNC-1, which effectively attenuated the bone resorption capacity of mature osteoclasts in vitro through specific inhibition of phosphorylated GSK-3β. The double-stapled peptide FRNC-1 displayed notably improved helical contents and resistance to proteolysis than its linear form. Additionally, FRNC-1 effectively prevented osteoclast activation and improved bone density for ovariectomized (OVX) mice after intravenous injection and importantly, after oral (intragastric) administration. The double-stapled peptide FRNC-1 is the first orally effective peptide that has been validated to date as a therapeutic candidate for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP).

【Objective】 To analyze the correlation of whole body tumor burden of ¹⁸F-prostate specific membrane antigen positron emission computed tomography （¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT） with prostate specific antigen （PSA） and Gleason score so as to evaluate the value of ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT whole body tumor burden for predicting serum PSA progression in prostate cancer. 【Methods】 We retrospectively recruited 213 patients with prostate cancer who underwent ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT scanning from March 2019 to April 2021. The serum PSA and Gleason score were collected. Whole body tumor burden was measured by a semi-automatic method. The correlation of tumor burden with serum PSA and Gleason score was analyzed. After radical prostatectomy， the patients were divided into groups according to negative or positive ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT. PSA differences between groups were compared， and the receiver operating characteristic curve （ROC） of the subjects was drawn so as to obtain the threshold value of PSA to predict the positive rate of ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT. The patients were followed up for PSA after radical surgery， divided into groups according to the progress of PSA， and the differences in tumor burden between groups were compared. 【Results】 In Gleason score ≤7， =8， and ≥9 groups， whole body tumor burden was correlated with PSA in each group （P=0.001）， and tumor burden significantly differed between the groups （P<0.001）. In initial diagnosis and treatment group， biochemical recurrence group， and medication group， the correlation between tumor burden and PSA was statistically significant （P=0.001）. The Gleason score of primary prostate lesion was significantly correlated with systemic tumor burden （P<0.001）. The area under ROC curve of PSA predicting the positive rate of ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT after radical prostatectomy was 0.821； when PSA>0.577 ng/mL， the sensitivity and the specificity were 66.7% and 96.8%， respectively. The mean whole body tumor burden in ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT positive patients with PSA progression was higher than that in patients without PSA progression. 【Conclusion】 The whole body tumor burden of ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT is significantly correlated with PSA， which is helpful in predicting the serum PSA progression in prostate cancer. PSA can predict the positive rate of ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT to a certain extent. At the same time， PSA can also predict positive results of ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT to a certain extent， and guide clinical rational selection of this examination.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a very important pathogen, especially for children.On a global scale, GAS is an important cause of morbidity and mortality.But the burden of disease caused by GAS is still unknown in China and also has not obtained enough attention.For this purpose, the expert consensus is comprehensively described in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of GAS diseases in children, covering related aspects of pneumology, infectiology, immunology, microbiology, cardiology, nephrology, critical care medicine and preventive medicine.Accordingly, the consensus document was intended to improve management strategies of GAS disease in Chinese children.

【Objective】 To compare the detection efficiency of ^99mTc-MDP SPECT and PSMA PET/CT in detecting bone metastases in patients with prostate cancer. 【Methods】 We retrospectively collected data of 83 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer in The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from March 2019 to July 2020, concurrent with ^99mTc-MDP SPECT and ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT whole body imaging in the same period. Two nuclear medicine physicians attending a double-blind interpretation compared whether the patients with bone metastases detected by two imaging methods under different PSA levels and different Gleason scores, and further analyzed the location and number of inconsistent bone metastases as well as the ability of PET/CT to detect metastatic lesions other than bone. 【Results】 Compared with ^99mTc-MDP SPECT, ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT could detect more prostate cancer patients with bone metastases (P<0.001). When TPSA<10 ng/mL or >20 ng/mL, the detection rate of PET/CT for bone metastasis was higher than that of whole body bone scan (P<0.05). When Gleason score>8, PET/CT was more effective in detecting bone metastasis. The detection rate was higher than that of whole body bone scan (P<0.05). The lesions with positive PET/CT but not diagnosed by bone scan were mainly located in the chest bone, spine bone, and pelvic bone; the lesions with positive bone scan but missed by PET/CT were also more common in chest bone, with low nuclide uptake. The average SUVmax was 2.62±0.47 (1.60-3.30), and adjacent to the liver, spleen or salivary glands with higher metabolism. There were 21/51 (41.18%) cases of lymph node metastasis found outside of bone, 5/51 (9.80%) cases of lung metastasis, and 1/51 (1.96%) cases of liver metastasis. 【Conclusion】 ¹⁸F-PSMA PET/CT imaging is significantly superior to ^99mTc-MDP whole-body bone imaging in diagnosing bone metastasis of prostate cancer, and it can detect metastases other than bone.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of multidisciplinary team collaboration (MDT)for the treatment of hip fractures in elderly patients.Methods A total of 157 elderly patients with hip fractures meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria were admitted into our department from 1st September 2015 to 31st December 2017.The patients were randomly divided into the traditional treatment group and the MDT group.The differences in treatment time,cost,postoperative outcomes and postoperative Harris hip function score were compared between the two groups.Results The preoperative length of stay,total hospitalization time and the time of antibiotic use after operation were shorter in the MDT treatment group than in the traditional treatment group (all P ＜0.05).Total costs of treatment and costs for bed,laboratory examinations,and nursing were lower in the MDT treatment group than in the traditional treatment group(all P＜0.05).The off-bed activity time after operation was earlier in the MDT treatment group with femoral neck fractures [(5.36 ± 1.56)d vs.(10.07±2.26)d,P =0.002]than in the traditional treatment group with intertrochanteric fracture patients [(30.26 ± 3.01) d vs.(42.28 ± 3.52) d,P =0.017].Harris hip function score was higher in the MDT treatment group than in the traditional treatment group at 3 and 6 months after surgery (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions As compared with the traditional treatment mode,MDT treatment mode can shorten the preoperative stay in bed,the length of hospital stay after surgery and the off-bed activity time after operation,reduce hospitalization costs and postoperative complications,and can promote the recovery of hip joint function in elderly hip fracture patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

METHODSTwenty-one patients with advanced ACC in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses were treated in our department between February, 2007 and May, 2016. The clinical manifestations, T-stage, N-status, treatment, histological grade, recurrence and distant metastasis of the tumors were analyzed. Univariate survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test, and the factors affecting the prognosis of the patients were explored using multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazard model.

RESULTSAmong the 21 patients, 10 (47.6%) had ACC containing less than 30% of solid tumor tissues and their overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 100% and 70%, respectively; in the 11 cases (52.4%) with solid tumor tissues no less than 30%, the overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 70%, 40% and 10%, respectively, showing significant differences between the two groups (P=0.02). The Log-rank test and survival analysis using the covariate variable model curve indicated a significant impact of the pathological classification on the patients' prognosis. The patients in T3 stage had slightly better prognosis than those in T4 stage; tumors originating from the maxillary sinus had a slightly better prognosis than those from the sphenoid sinus. Surgery combined with radiotherapy resulted in better outcomes of the patients than surgery or radiotherapy alone. Multiariable Cox regression model analysis showed that the pathological classification (P=0.045) and the disease course (P=0.028) were closely related with the prognosis of the patients.

CONCLUSIONACC in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses has a low incidence without specific symptoms. Its early diagnosis can be difficult, and most of the patients are in advanced stage upon diagnosis. We recommend comprehensive treatments combining surgery, postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy for these patients. The pathological classification, disease course, lesion site, clinical stage, treatment approache, compromise of the peripheral nerves, status at the edge of resection, and postoperative radiotherapy dose can all be factors affecting the prognosis of patients with advanced ACC.

The bleeding in liver resection is an important factor influencing the operation risk and postoperative out comes.Hepatic vascular exclusion technique is an effective method to control the bleeding,which has been improved after being widely used in clinical practice.In this paper,the research progress on the clinical application of various kinds of hepatic vascular exclusion techniques was reviewed.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the therapeutic effects of combined administration of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) and recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) on radiation-induced severe haemopoietic acute radiation sickness (ARS) in rhesus monkeys, so as to provide experimental evidences for the effective clinical treatment.

METHODSSeventeen rhesus monkeys were exposed to 7.0 Gy (60)Co γ-ray total body irradiation (TBI) to establish severe haemopoietic ARS model, and were randomly divided into supportive care group, rhG-CSF+rhTPO treatment group and rhG-CSF+rhTPO+rhIL-2 treatment group. Survival time, general signs such as bleeding and infections, and peripheral blood cell counts in each group were monitored. Bone marrow cells were cultivated to examine the colony formation ability. The histomorphology changes of bone marrow were observed at 45 d post irradiation.

RESULTSAfter 7.0 Gy (60)Co γ-ray TBI, monkeys of supportive care group underwent tarry stool and emesis, then died in 12~18 d. The overall survival rate in this group was 16.7%. Gastrointestinal reactions of monkeys in two combined-cytokines treatment groups were inapparent. Combined-cytokines treatment induced 100% survival. Complete blood cells declined sharply after irradiation in each group, but two combined-cytokines treatment schemes could elevate the nadir of all blood cells, shorten the duration of pancytopenia and accelerate the recovery of hemogram. Compared with rhG-CSF+ rhTPO treatment, rhG-CSF+ rhTPO+ rhIL-2 treatment could increase the counts of lymphocytes and monocytes. The colony-formation rate of haemopoietic stem/progenitor cells in bone marrow dropped markedly at 2 d after irradiation. Combined-cytokines treatment promoted the ability of colony formation on day 29. Hematopoietic cells mostly disappeared in bone marrow of animals in supportive care group, but hematopoietic functions were recovered after cytokines were administrated.

CONCLUSIONrhG-CSF+ rhTPO and rhG-CSF+ rhTPO+ rhIL-2 treatment can significantly promote hematopoiesis recovery, improve the quantity of life, simplify the supportive therapy, and enhance the survival rate of rhesus monkeys with severe haemopoietic ARS induced by 7.0 Gy (60)Co γ-ray exposure. Especially the application of rhIL-2 can accelerate the recovery of lymphocytes and monocytes and restore the immunological function. Thus, combination of rhG-CSF, rhTPO and rhIL-2 on the basis of supportive care is an efficient strategy to treat severe haemopoietic ARS.

Animals ; Bone Marrow ; pathology ; Bone Marrow Cells ; pathology ; Gamma Rays ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; pharmacology ; Hematopoiesis ; drug effects ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Macaca mulatta ; Radiation Injuries ; drug therapy ; Random Allocation ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Thrombopoietin ; pharmacology ; Whole-Body Irradiation

OBJECTIVETo find an approach for trans-oral endoscopic thyroidectomy (TOET) and cervical lymphadenectomy using conventional endoscopic surgical instruments on frozen fresh cadavers.

METHODSSix frozen fresh cadavers were used in three groups of trans-oral trocar installation experiments: oral vestibule installation, sublingual region installation, and combined bi-vestibular and sublingual installation. TOET (with pretrachealis method to thyroid fixation removal) and cervical lymphadenectomy were performed experiments on another 6 frozen fresh cadavers using the best access approach found in the aforementioned experiments.

RESULTSIn oral vestibule trocar installations, the trocars caused large lacerated wound and damaged air tightness. In sublingual installations, only one trocar could be installed in the sublingual area because the space in sublingual area was limited. In combined bi-vestibular and sublingual installations, no gland, vessel or nerve was damaged. Combined bi-vestibular and sublingual access were selected as the surgical approach on the basic of analysis the merits of each approach. TOET and cervical lymphadenectomy in area III, IV, VI, VII were performed without making any accessory damage through combined bi-vestibular and sublingual access approach.

CONCLUSIONSTOET is feasible. Combined bi-vestibular and sublingual approach is available for TOET. Part of the cervical lymph nodes could be resected. Pretrachealis approach to thyroid fixation removal can still be used.

Adult ; Cadaver ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; methods ; Neck ; Thyroidectomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo isolate and identify human periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC) by improved methods and assess the characteristics of PDLSC ex vivo.

METHODSThe periodontal ligament cells were obtained from the healthy impacted third molars and teeth extracted for orthodontic purposes and used to isolate PDLSC by limiting dilution assay. PDLSC were cultured and expanded in alpha-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS. Colony-forming assay, immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, osteogenic and adipogenic induction were used to identify PDLSC.

RESULTSThe obtained cells had high colony-forming efficiency and were positive staining for vimentin and negative for pancytokeratin. Flow cytometry revealed that the isolated cells were positive for STRO-1 and CD146 antibodies and most were in the G0/G1 phase of cell cycle. Under specific conditions, they could differentiate to the osteoblast and adipocyte lineages in vitro.

CONCLUSIONLimiting dilution assay is an effective method to isolate PDLSC and the single-cell-derived colonies demonstrate the properties of stem cells in vitro.

Cell Differentiation ; Cell Separation ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Osteoblasts ; Periodontal Ligament ; Stem Cells