AIM:To compare the efficacy and safety of early combination therapy with ranibizumab and dexamethasone intravitreal implants versus ranibizumab monotherapy for the treatment of macular edema secondary to retinal vein occlusion(RVO-ME).METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on a total of 62 cases(64 eyes)of patients who were first diagnosed with RVO-ME at the Eye Centre of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University between February 2022 and February 2023. The subjects were divided into two groups according to the different treatment regimens: 32 cases(34 eyes)in the monotherapy group received only ranibizumab [3+pro re nata(PRN)regimen], and 30 cases(30 eyes)in the combination therapy group were injected with ranibizumab once first, followed by dexamethasone intravitreal implant 3 wk later(1+DEX regimen). The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central retina thickness(CRT), foveal avascular zone(FAZ)area, macular vascular density(MVD)at the level of the deep vascular complex(DVC)of the retina, the incidence of ocular adverse effects, the number of drug injections, and the total cost between the two groups were compared before and after treatment.RESULTS: At 3 wk, 3 and 6 mo, and at the final follow-up of the two groups of patients, the improvement in BCVA, CRT, and MVD in the DVC layer was significantly better than that before treatment(all P<0.05); there were differences in the comparisons of BCVA and CRT between the two groups at 6 mo and the final follow-up(all P<0.05), and the increase in the number of letters of BCVA was the most pronounced in the combination therapy group at 6 mo of treatment. Statistical significant difference was observed in the comparison of MVD in the DVC layer between the two groups at 3 and 6 mo after treatment and at the final follow-up(all P<0.05). However, no significant change in FAZ area was evident before and after treatment in both groups(P>0.05). The combination therapy group exhibited a reduced number of injections and total cost in comparison to the monotherapy group. The combination therapy group exhibited a slightly higher incidence of high intraocular pressure and cataract progression compared to the monotherapy group, with no statistical significant difference(all P>0.05). Furthermore, no serious adverse events were observed in either group following treatment.CONCLUSION:Compared with ranibizumab alone, ranibizumab combined with dexamethasone intravitreal implant significantly improved vision, reduced macular edema, and lowered the frequency of injections and total treatment cost in patients with RVO-ME. CRT and MVD in the DVC layer are reliable prognostic indicators for patients with RVO-ME.

Objective To extract and identify Trueperella pyogenes(T.pyogenes) heparin high affinity proteins(THHAPs),and analyze their immunogenicity, so as to provide a reference for exploring the interaction between T.pyogenes and heparin.Methods The surface proteins of T.pyogenes were extracted using a bacterial membrane protein extraction kit. THHAPs were extracted from the surface proteins by adsorbing with heparin-agarose, washing with 1 mol/L NaCl solution, and eluting with 8 mol/L urea solution, which were then analyzed using SDS-PAGE and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS). Bioinformatics algorithms were used to analyze the subcellular localization, signal peptides, transmembrane domains and immunogenicity of THHAPs. Fifteen female Kunming mice were immunized with THHAPs. After two weeks of the second immunization, five mice were collected for blood samples from the orbital vein and the serum was isolated, and the other 10 mice were intraperitoneally injected with 9 × 108CFU of T.pyogenes. The immunoprotective effect and antiserum hemolytic inhibitory activity were detected.Results THHAPs were observed to form a major band accounting for 98% of the protein content. A total of 1 767 pyolysin(PLO) peptides were detected, accounting for 98. 06% of the detected peptides(1767/1 802). THHAPs were composed of 1 cell wall protein, 11 secreted proteins, 1 lipoprotein, 7 membrane proteins, and 1cytoplasmic protein, 8 proteins among which might be antigens with immunoprotective properties. The mice(9/10) immunized with THHAPs were able to resist T. pyogenes infection, and their antisera exhibited hemolytic inhibitory activity.Conclusion THHAPs have been successfully extracted from the surface proteins of T. pyogenes, with PLO as their major component, which can induce a protective immune response in mice.

Objective To determine the immune protection rates of the identified antigens and potential antigens against Trueperella pyogenes(T. pyogenes) in order to screen for protective antigens.Methods The ATP binding cassette(ABC)substrate-binding proteins(SBPs) were searched from the proteins annotated in the genome of T.pyogenes strain 2012CQZSH(GenBank: CP012649), and the conservation and strain distribution rate of the genes were analyzed using BLSAT. The screened proteins were expressed in the GST fusion protein expression system, purified by Glutathione-Sepharose 4B and used to immunize 20 female Kunming mice. PBS without recombinant protein was used as control group. On the 14th day after the second immunization, the mice were attacked with lethal doses of T.pyogenes strain ZSH-2020[(8. 9 ± 0. 4) × 10~8CFU]via intraperitoneal injection. The number of mice that died within 21 days after the attack was recorded, and the protein protection rates were calculated. The proteins a with protection rate greater than 80% were judged as protective antigens.Results The genes encoding ALD74485(pyolysin, PLO), ALD74170(iron-binding protein, IBP), ALD74643,ALD73390, ALD73068, ALD73591, and ALD73669 were conserved and widely distributed in the strains, and their recombinant proteins were prepared. The protective rates of recombinant proteins PLO, IBP, and ALD73390 were 87. 5%, 81. 25%,and 81. 25%, respectively, which were higher than the protective rates of other proteins.Conclusion PLO, IBP and ALD-73390 are protective antigens against T.pyogenes infection, and the multi-component vaccine composed of these proteins may enhance the effectiveness of the subunit vaccine against T.pyogenes

Objective:To explore whether the specific synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) targeted imaging agent ( R)-4-(3-fluoro-5-(fluoro- 18F)phenyl)-1-((3-methylpyridin-4-yl)methyl)pyrrolidin-2-one ( 18F-SDM-8) can be used to detect epileptic foci. Methods:Twenty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (8-9 weeks) were injected with 1.2 μl of kainic acid (16 rats in the epilepsy group) or saline (4 rats in the control group) into the right hippocampus. 18F-SDM-8 and 18F-FDG mircoPET/CT imaging were respectively performed at 1-2 d (acute phase), 6-7 d (incubation period) and 45-60 d (chronic phase) after the seizure. Asymmetric index (AI) was used to evaluate the epileptic foci identify ability of 18F-SDM-8. Paired t test, Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze data. Results:In the three periods of 18F-SDM-8 imaging, the differences of AI of hippocampus between the epilepsy group and control group were statistically significant ( z values: from -2.64 to 2.67, all P<0.05). Both imaging agents had asymmetric uptake in the epilepsy group (right was lower than left), and the decrease in the medial right temporal lobe was the most significant. The pathological staining results were consistent with the imaging results. In the chronic phase of the epilepsy group, the differences of 18F-SDM-8 SUV mean (right versus left) in each brain area of interest were statistically significant ( t value: from -33.40 to -5.60, all P<0.05). The asymmetric uptake of the two imaging agents in the hippocampus had a better correlation ( r=0.97, P=0.001), and the AI of 18F-SDM-8 ((34.2±8.4)%) in this area was 1.4 times higher than that of 18F-FDG ((24.6±4.7)%). Conclusions:18F-SDM-8 PET is a promising method to test the level of SV2A. It can reflect the changes of SV2A in the rat epilepsy model induced by intrahippocampal injection of kainic acid, and improve the sensitivity of molecular imaging for epileptic foci.

Objective:The real-world clinical data of patients with newly diagnosed ovarian cancer (including fallopian tube cancer and primary peritoneal cancer) who received first-line maintenance therapy with poly adenosine diphosphate ribose polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) were retrospectively analyzed, and the prognostic factors were preliminarily explored.Methods:(1) The clinicopathological data and follow-up data of ovarian cancer patients treated with PARPi first-line maintenance therapy from August 2018 (PARPi was launched in China) to December 31, 2021 in Sichuan Cancer Hospital were collected (real-world clinical data). (2) According to the different types of PARPi, real-world clinical data were divided into olaparib group and niraparib group, which were respectively compared with the inclusion and exclusion criteria of representative domestic and foreign phase Ⅲ randomized controlled trials (RCT), including olaparib as first-line maintenance therapy for advanced ovarian cancer patients with BRCA1/2 gene mutation (SOLO-1 study), niraparib as first-line maintenance therapy (PRIMA study), and niraparib as first-line maintenance therapy for Chinese advanced ovarian cancer patients (PRIME study). (3) The prognosis of the two groups and the prognostic factors were analyzed.Results:(1) A total of 83 patients were included in this study, with a median age of 51 years (47-57 years), including 75 cases of ovarian cancer, 5 cases of fallopian tube cancer, and 3 cases of primary peritoneal cancer; 5 cases of stage Ⅰ, 9 cases of stage Ⅱ, 55 cases of stage Ⅲ, 12 cases of stage Ⅳ, and 2 cases of unknown stage; neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) was performed in 40 cases and non-NACT in 43 cases; 62 cases had no visible residual lesion after surgery (R0), 9 cases had residual disease lesions <1 cm (R1), 8 cases had residual disease lesions ≥1 cm (R2), and 4 cases with unknown postoperative residual disease. Thirty-two cases had PARPi treatment interruption, 40 cases had PARPi reduction, and 1 case terminated treatment due to acute leukemia. Of the 83 patients, 35 were in the olaparib group and 48 were in the niraparib group. The proportion of patients with high-grade serous carcinoma (100% and 75%, respectively) and the proportion of BRCA mutant patients (91% and 10%, respectively) in the olaparib group were higher than those in the niraparib group (all P<0.01). (2) Compared with the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the SOLO-1 study, the olaparib group had only 60% (21/35) coincidence rate; compared with the inclusion and exclusion criteria of PRIMA and PRIME studies, the coincidence rates of niraparib group were only 31% (15/48) and 69% (33/48). The most common reasons for non-compliance were number of chemotherapy courses, histopathological type, and surgical pathological stage. (3) Of the 83 cases received first-line maintenance therapy with PARPi, the median follow-up was 15.9 months (11.3-22.9 months), the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 29.7 months (95% CI: 25.9-33.6 months), and the median overall survival was 49.8 months (95% CI: 47.4-52.2 months). Univariate analysis showed that unilateral or bilateral ovarian cancer, efficacy after platinum-containing chemotherapy, presence or absence of measurable lesions at the end of chemotherapy, and total number of chemotherapy courses were significantly associated with PFS (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that unilateral or bilateral ovarian cancer, total number of chemotherapy courses, and efficacy after platinum-containing chemotherapy were independent factors affecting PFS in stage Ⅱ-Ⅳ patients with PARPi first-line maintenance therapy (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Unilateral ovarian cancer, the total number of chemotherapy courses no more than 9, and achieving complete response after platinum-containing chemotherapy before maintenance therapy are independent influencing factors of PFS benefit in patients with PARPi first-line maintenance therapy. Due to the large differences between the patients in real clinical practice and the research subjects of phase Ⅲ RCT, the results of representative retrospective studies still have important clinical reference significance.

Objective:To prepare a 68Ga labeled probe targeting integrin alpha M(CD11b) receptor, namely 68Ga-1, 4, 7-triazacyclononane-1, 4, 7-triacetic acid-Glycine-Arginine-Glutamate-Arginine-Glutamate-polyethylene glycol 11-1, 2, 4, 5-terazine/CD11b antibody-F(ab′) 2-trans-cyclooctene ( 68Ga-NOTA-Polypeptide-PEG 11-Tz/anti-CD11b-F(ab′) 2-TCO), and to explore its feasibility as a molecular probe for CD11b receptor through microPET imaging. Methods:Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of CD11b on the surface of RAW264.7 cell. CD11b specific monoclonal antibody (M1/70) was conjugated with TCO, and anti-CD11b-F(ab′) 2-TCO fragment was obtained. The ligand NOTA-Polypeptide-PEG 11-Tz was labeled with 68Ga, and its specific activity and radiochemical purity were detected. Pre-targeted cell binding experiment was conducted to evaluate the binding ability of molecular probe. CT26 colon cancer bearing mouse models were established, and then pre-targeted biodistribution and imaging experiments were performed. Immunohistochemical experiment was used to verify the expression of CD11b receptor in tumor. The one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the data. Results:The results of immunofluorescence demonstrated CD11b receptor was highly expressed on the surface of RAW264.7 cell. Anti-CD11b-F(ab′) 2-TCO fragment was verified by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). 68Ga-NOTA-Polypeptide-PEG 11-Tz was successfully synthesized, with the labeling efficiency of 94.6%. The specific activity was 7.0-7.4 MBq/μg, and the radiochemical purity was higher than 95%. Pre-targeted cell binding experiment confirmed that the molecular probe bound to the CD11b receptor. The biodistribution and imaging experiments showed that the kidney radioactivity uptake was high at pre-targeted 4, 12 and 24 h intervals, which proved that probe was excreted through the urinary system. In addition, molecular probe had higher radioactive uptake at the tumor site, with the tumor/muscle ratios of 9.23±1.45, 12.53±1.36 and 10.74±1.11 ( F=848.8, P<0.05). When the radioligand was injected 1 h after the pre-positioned 12 h interval, the images contrast was the best, with the standardized uptake value (SUV) in tumor and muscle of 0.67±0.12, 0.09±0.04, respectively. Immunohistochemistry verified the highly expression of CD11b receptor in tumor. Conclusions:The pre-targeted molecular probe 68Ga-NOTA-Polypeptide-PEG 11-Tz/anti-CD11b-F(ab′) 2-TCO is successfully synthesized. The molecular probe has targeting ability for CD11b + colon cancer, and is expected to be used as a tracer targeting CD11b receptor in vivo.

Objective:To screen 89Zr-labeled anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) monoclonal antibody molecular probes suitable for monitoring the gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma bearing mouse models with low glucose metabolism. Methods:The expression of EGFR and HER2 in the MGC803 gastric cancer cell line was verified by analyzing cell slides and xenograft tumor sections. 89Zr-Deferoxamine (DFO)-Cetuximab and 89Zr-DFO-Pertuzumab were prepared and the radiochemical purity was detected. Cell binding experiments and blocking experiments were performed to verify the binding ability and specificity of the probes. Twelve gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma bearing mouse models were divided into 3 groups ( n=4 in each group): 89Zr-DFO-Cetuximab group (7.4 MBq/mouse, 74 μg/mouse), 89Zr-DFO-Pertuzumab group (7.4 MBq/mouse, 70 μg/mouse) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) group (7.4 MBq/mouse). MicroPET imaging was performed at 4, 24 and 48 h ( 18F-FDG group underwent imaging at 1 h only) post-injection. The biodistribution study of 89Zr-DFO-Cetuximab and 89Zr-DFO-Pertuzumab was conducted in 2 groups ( n=4 in each group) 48 h after the injection. The independent sample t test was used for data analysis. Results:The immunofluorescent staining demonstrated EGFR expression was significantly higher than HER2 expression in MGC803 gastric cancer cell line. The radiochemical purity of 89Zr-DFO-Cetuximab and 89Zr-DFO-Pertuzumab were both more than 95%, and the specific activities were 100 and 95 MBq/mg, respectively. The two probes had good stability in normal saline and fetal bovine serum, with the radiochemical purity higher than 80% at 72 h. MicroPET imaging showed that the uptake of 89Zr-DFO-Cetuximab in the MGC803 tumor was significantly higher than that of 18F-FDG and 89Zr-DFO-Pertuzumab. The biodistribution study demonstrated the 89Zr-DFO-Cetuximab uptake (percentage activity of injection dose per gram of tissue, %ID/g) of tumors at 48 h was significantly higher than that of 89Zr-DFO-Pertuzumab (56.3±12.0 vs 22.0±3.6; t=4.31, P<0.05). Conclusion:Compared with 89Zr-DFO-Pertuzumab, 89Zr-DFO-Cetuximab has a better potential for non-invasive monitoring of gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma with low glucose metabolism.

Objective:To introduce the technical essentials of cytoreduction surgery (CRS) with extensive peritonectomy （“rolling carpet” surgery） in stage Ⅲc epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and evaluate the feasibility and safety of the operation by analyzing the incidence of surgical complications and perioperative mortality.Methods:From December 2017 to December 2019, 30 patients with stage IIIc EOC who underwent “rolled carpet” CRS and 30 patients who underwent traditional CRS at the same period in Sichuan Cancer Hospital were collected. To summarize the key points of “rolled carpet” CRS operation technology, i.e. the extraperitoneal space was the cut path of ovarian cancer operation, and the tumor in the pelvic cavity was dissociated from the extraperitoneal space of the pelvic cavity. The tumor in the pelvic cavity and all the implants or potential metastases on the parietal peritoneum were removed completely. The clinical and pathological characteristics between the two groups were analyzed retrospectively, and the feasibility and safety of “rolling carpet” CRS were evaluated by comparing the operation related indexes and the occurrence of surgical complications between the two groups.Results:(1) Clinicopathological features: the age of patients in “rolling carpet” CRS group and traditional CRS group were respectively (55.4±9.6) and (54.6±9.5) years, and the median peritoneal cancer index (PCI) was 12 (range, 4-24) and 10 (range, 5-18), respectively. There were no statistical significance between the two groups (all P>0.05). (2) Operation related indexes: in the “rolled carpet” CRS group, all patients （100%, 30/30） were performed optimal CRS, reaching completeness of cytoreduction score （CC score）, named CC-0 score, and there was no visible residual lesion after operation. While, in the traditional CRS group, 23 patients （77%, 23/30） reached CC-0 score, 5 cases （17%, 6/30） reached CC-1 score, 2 cases （7%, 2/30） reached CC-2 score, and there were statistical significance between the two groups ( P=0.011). The median surgical time was 315 minutes (range, 252-446 minutes) vs 268 minutes (range, 215-372 minutes), the median intraoperative blood loss was 589 ml (range, 300-900 ml) vs 450 ml (range, 250-800 ml), the median ICU hospital stay time was 2 days (range, 1-7 days) vs 1 day (range, 0-5 days), the median total hospital stay time was 14 days (range, 9-17 days) vs 12 days (range, 7-15 days). There were no statistical significance between the two groups (all P>0.05). (3) Surgical complications: there were respectively 5 cases (17%, 5/30) and 3 cases (10%, 3/30) complications with Clavien-Dindo grading Ⅰ-Ⅱ, which was significant no difference between the “rolled carpet” CRS group and the traditional CRS groups ( P>0.05). No re-operations were needed and the operative mortality was 0. Conclusion:It is safe and feasible to perform “rolled carpet” CRS in patients with advanced stage Ⅲc EOC with peritoneum implantation and metastasis, which could achieve optimal CRS, and has an acceptable incidence of perioperative complications, no perioperative death.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the involvement of different CD4 T cell subtypes in the anti-asthmatic effects of acupuncture in asthmatic mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were challenged by ovalbumin (OVA) for the establishment of experimental asthma model. Mice were divided into 4 groups by a random number table including the normal control, asthma model, acupuncture and sham acupuncture groups (14 per group). Acupoints Dazhui (GV 14), bilateral Fengmen (BL 12) and Feishu (BL 13) were selected for manual acupuncture treatment every other day for 4 weeks and Huantiao (GB 30) was selected for sham acupuncture. Airway hyperresponsiveness was examined by Buxco Pulmonary System. Pulmonary histopathology analysis was performed for inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion by haematoxylin eosin staining and periodic acid-Schiffstaining. Inflammatory mediators assays of serum were investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Bio-Plex. CD4 T cell subpopulations including the expression levels of important factors in T lymphocyte polarization in lung tissue were examined by flow cytometric and Western blot analyses. Related pathways were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS: Compared with the OVA-induced asthma model group, acupuncture could attenuate airway hyperresponsiveness, inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, acupuncture increased the expressions of T-bet and Foxp3, the cell numbers of CD4 interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and CD4 Foxp3 in lung tissue and the level of Treg type cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 in serum (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Meanwhile, acupuncture reduced the RAR-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) level, the cell numbers of CD4 IL-17A as well as the levels of IL-5, IL-13 and IL-17A in serum (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, both acupuncture and sham acupuncture could inhibit the phosphorylation of p38 and p44/42 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION Acupuncture could alleviate allergic airway inflammation by strengthening the activities of Th1 and Treg, thus regulating the balance of CD4 T cell subtypes in experimental asthmatic mice.

Objective To observe the genetic predisposition of complement C5 gene polymorphisms in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) in Chongqing Han population.Methods 400 type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients (case group) and 600 age-and sex-matched healthy controls (control group) were enrolled in this study.There were 8 PDR patients in case group.All the subjects were Han ethnic people.The immune-related representative SNP locus of C5 gene including rs2269067,rs7040033,rs7027797 were screened by linkage disequilibrium analysis.Locus rs1017119 was selected by TagSNP and was around the above three loci.Subjects' peripheral venous blood was collected and DNA was extracted.Genotyping was examined by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.The level of C5 plasma protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay.Results The frequency of GG genotype of rs2269067 was significantly increased in PDR patients in cases group compared with controls (Pc=3.4 × 10-5,OR=1.87,95％CI=1.43-2.44;P=3.1 × 10-6).There was no differences in frequency of G,CC and CG genotype of rs2269067 between two groups (P=1.4 × 10-4,1.000,1.0 × 10-6).There were no differences in frequency of G,CC,CG,GG genotype of rs7040033,rs1017119,and rs7027797 between two groups (P＞0.05).The production of C5 plasma protein was significantly increased in case group as compare with control group (P=0.0004).An increased production of C5 plasma protein was observed in rs2269067 GG genotype cases compared to CG or CC cases (P=0.003,0.001).Conclusion C5 rs2269067 GG genotype may be associated with the PDR of T2D in Chongqing Han population.