Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) in the treatment of recurrent and refractory malignant tumors.Methods:The data of 14 patients admitted to Xiamen Humanity Hospital from September 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively collected, including 7 patients with primary brain malignancies and 7 patients with locally recurrent inoperable head and neck malignancies. All patients received intravenous infusion of boron drug (NBB-001, p-dihydroxyborylphe nylalanine, a patented freeze-dried formulation) at a total nominal dosage of 500 mg/kg (11 patients) or 750 mg/kg (3 patients), and were irradiated with neutrons (operating with NeuPex system). Adverse events after treatment were recorded and assessed. The primary efficacy endpoint was the 90 d objective response rate (ORR), while the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and complete response rate (CRR). Data were compiled and analyzed by SAS 9.4 software. The rate and 95% CI were calculated using Clopper-Pearson method. Results:The median dose delivered to 80% of the target volume (D 80%) was 16.80 GyE (range: 8.93-23.79 GyE). The most common adverse reactions were hyperamylasemia, alopecia, and hyperprolactinemia. Five patients experienced 8 cases of grade 3 or above adverse events, including 1 case of grade 4 acute kidney injury and 7 cases of grade 3 adverse events. All adverse events were recovered after observation or treatment. At 90 d after treatment, the ORR of all patients was 9/14 (64%, 95% CI: 35%-87%), disease control rate (DCR) was 10/14 (71%, 95% CI: 42%-92%), CRR was 2/14 (14%, 95% CI: 2%-42%); and the best overall response during the entire course included an ORR of 10/14 (71% ,95% CI: 42%-92%), DCR of 13/14 (93%, 95% CI: 66%-100%), and CRR of 3/14 (21% ,95% CI: 5%-51%). The 1-year survival rate for head and neck malignancies was 71.4%, and the 2-year survival rate was 42.8%. The 1-year survival rate for recurrent brain malignancies was 42.8%. Conclusion:AB-BNCT demonstrates favorable safety and promising efficacy in treating primary brain malignancies and recurrent/refractory head and neck malignancies, representing a potential therapeutic option.

Objectives:To assess the impact of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)guidance for drug-eluting stent(DES)implantation on the long-term outcomes in coronary artery disease(CAD)patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 1 800 CAD and CKD patients who underwent coronary DES implantation at Nanjing First Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022.Patients were divided into IVUS-guided group(IVUS group,n=333)and angiography-guided group(angiography group,n=1 467).Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed at a 1:2 ratio to adjust for differences in baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics between the two groups.Major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE),including cardiac death,target vessel myocardial infarction,and clinically driven target vessel revascularization,were evaluated over a 2-year follow-up.Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify independent predictors of MACE.Results:After propensity score matching,333 patients in the IVUS group were matched with 666 patients in the angiography group.Following matching,there were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and angiographic data between the two groups(all P>0.05).Regarding procedural data,IVUS group had a higher number of stents implanted,longer total stent length,larger average stent diameter,more frequent use of post-dilation balloons,larger post-dilation balloon diameter,and greater contrast agent usage(all P<0.05).MACE rate was significantly higher in the angiography group than that in the IVUS group(23.9%vs.18.0%,P=0.037).The difference was mainly attributed to a higher rate of cardiac death in the angiography group(16.1%vs.10.8%,P=0.013).Additionally,patients in angiography group had a significantly higher all-cause mortality rate compared to IVUS group(19.7%vs.13.8%,P=0.022).Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that IVUS guidance(HR=0.73,95%CI:0.55-0.99,P=0.042)was an independent protective factor,while hypertension(HR=1.60,95%CI:1.13-2.26,P=0.008),type 2 diabetes(HR=1.56,95%CI:1.19-2.05,P=0.001),acute coronary syndrome(HR=1.92,95%CI:1.12-3.30,P=0.018),and moderate to severe calcification(HR=1.55,95%CI:1.18-2.04,P=0.002)were independent risk factors for MACE at 2 years after DES implantation in CKD patients.Conclusions:Patients with CAD and CKD,IVUS-guided DES implantation is associated with a reduced risk of MACE and all-cause mortality at 2 years post-procedure compared to coronary angiography-guided implantation.

Objectives:To assess the impact of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)guidance for drug-eluting stent(DES)implantation on the long-term outcomes in coronary artery disease(CAD)patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 1 800 CAD and CKD patients who underwent coronary DES implantation at Nanjing First Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022.Patients were divided into IVUS-guided group(IVUS group,n=333)and angiography-guided group(angiography group,n=1 467).Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed at a 1:2 ratio to adjust for differences in baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics between the two groups.Major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE),including cardiac death,target vessel myocardial infarction,and clinically driven target vessel revascularization,were evaluated over a 2-year follow-up.Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to identify independent predictors of MACE.Results:After propensity score matching,333 patients in the IVUS group were matched with 666 patients in the angiography group.Following matching,there were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and angiographic data between the two groups(all P>0.05).Regarding procedural data,IVUS group had a higher number of stents implanted,longer total stent length,larger average stent diameter,more frequent use of post-dilation balloons,larger post-dilation balloon diameter,and greater contrast agent usage(all P<0.05).MACE rate was significantly higher in the angiography group than that in the IVUS group(23.9%vs.18.0%,P=0.037).The difference was mainly attributed to a higher rate of cardiac death in the angiography group(16.1%vs.10.8%,P=0.013).Additionally,patients in angiography group had a significantly higher all-cause mortality rate compared to IVUS group(19.7%vs.13.8%,P=0.022).Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that IVUS guidance(HR=0.73,95%CI:0.55-0.99,P=0.042)was an independent protective factor,while hypertension(HR=1.60,95%CI:1.13-2.26,P=0.008),type 2 diabetes(HR=1.56,95%CI:1.19-2.05,P=0.001),acute coronary syndrome(HR=1.92,95%CI:1.12-3.30,P=0.018),and moderate to severe calcification(HR=1.55,95%CI:1.18-2.04,P=0.002)were independent risk factors for MACE at 2 years after DES implantation in CKD patients.Conclusions:Patients with CAD and CKD,IVUS-guided DES implantation is associated with a reduced risk of MACE and all-cause mortality at 2 years post-procedure compared to coronary angiography-guided implantation.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) in the treatment of recurrent and refractory malignant tumors.Methods:The data of 14 patients admitted to Xiamen Humanity Hospital from September 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively collected, including 7 patients with primary brain malignancies and 7 patients with locally recurrent inoperable head and neck malignancies. All patients received intravenous infusion of boron drug (NBB-001, p-dihydroxyborylphe nylalanine, a patented freeze-dried formulation) at a total nominal dosage of 500 mg/kg (11 patients) or 750 mg/kg (3 patients), and were irradiated with neutrons (operating with NeuPex system). Adverse events after treatment were recorded and assessed. The primary efficacy endpoint was the 90 d objective response rate (ORR), while the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and complete response rate (CRR). Data were compiled and analyzed by SAS 9.4 software. The rate and 95% CI were calculated using Clopper-Pearson method. Results:The median dose delivered to 80% of the target volume (D 80%) was 16.80 GyE (range: 8.93-23.79 GyE). The most common adverse reactions were hyperamylasemia, alopecia, and hyperprolactinemia. Five patients experienced 8 cases of grade 3 or above adverse events, including 1 case of grade 4 acute kidney injury and 7 cases of grade 3 adverse events. All adverse events were recovered after observation or treatment. At 90 d after treatment, the ORR of all patients was 9/14 (64%, 95% CI: 35%-87%), disease control rate (DCR) was 10/14 (71%, 95% CI: 42%-92%), CRR was 2/14 (14%, 95% CI: 2%-42%); and the best overall response during the entire course included an ORR of 10/14 (71% ,95% CI: 42%-92%), DCR of 13/14 (93%, 95% CI: 66%-100%), and CRR of 3/14 (21% ,95% CI: 5%-51%). The 1-year survival rate for head and neck malignancies was 71.4%, and the 2-year survival rate was 42.8%. The 1-year survival rate for recurrent brain malignancies was 42.8%. Conclusion:AB-BNCT demonstrates favorable safety and promising efficacy in treating primary brain malignancies and recurrent/refractory head and neck malignancies, representing a potential therapeutic option.

Objective:To explore the long-term effects of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) guidance on patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) undergoing drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation.Methods:Data used in this study derived from ULTIMATE trial, which was a prospective, multicenter, randomized study. A total of 1 448 all-comer patients were enrolled between 2014 August and 2017 May. Primary endpoint of this study was target vessel failure (TVF) at 3 years, including cardiac death, target-vessel-related myocardial infarction, and clinically-driven target vessel revascularization.Results:ACS was present in 1 136 (78.5%) patients, and 3-year clinical follow-up was available in 1 423 patients (98.3%). TVF in the ACS group was 9.6% (109/1 136), which was significantly higher than 4.5% (14/312) in the non-ACS group (log-rank P=0.005). There were 109 TVFs in the ACS patients, with 7.6% (43/569) TVFs in the IVUS group and 11.6% (66/567) TVFs in the angiography group (log-rank P=0.019). Moreover, patients with optimal IVUS guidance were associated with a lower risk of 3-year TVF compared to those with suboptimal IVUS results (5.4% (16/296) vs. 9.9% (27/273),log-rank P=0.041). Conclusions:This ULTIMATE-ACS subgroup analysis showed that ACS patients undergoing DES implantation were associated with a higher risk of 3-year TVF. More importantly, the risk of TVF could be significantly decreased through IVUS guidance in patients with ACS, especially in those who had an IVUS-defined optimal procedure.

Objective::Patients with untreated severe aortic regurgitation (AR) have a high risk of mortality. Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) is a treatment option for AR; however, the safety and efficacy of this technique have not been sufficiently established. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and anatomical variables correlating with device success of TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system for pure AR.Methods::Patients with pure native severe AR who underwent TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system were registered at 5 Chinese centers. The primary endpoint was device success at 1 month after TAVR. The secondary endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 6 months, including all-cause death, ischemic stroke, emergency conversion to cardiac surgery, and permanent pacemaker implantation. Echocardiography was used to analyze the left ventricular function before the TAVR procedure and during follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were performed to find relevant independent risk factors.Results::Between September 2019 and February 2022, 79 patients with AR were enrolled in the study. At 1 month, device success was achieved in 60 (75.9%) patients. By 6 months, 29 (36.7%) patients had MACE. Echocardiography revealed improved left ventricular function after TAVR. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score (odds ratio 0.760, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.584-0.989; P = 0.041) and annulus perimeter (odds ratio 0.888, 95% CI: 0.796-0.992; P = 0.035) were 2 predictors of device success. Moreover, annulus perimeter (<80.2 mm), but not Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score, was associated with a significant reduction in MACE at 6 months (hazard ratio 2.223, 95% CI: 1.060-4.659; P = 0.028). Conclusions::TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system appears to be a safe and feasible treatment for patients with pure native severe AR, particularly those with a less enlarged annulus.

Objective::Patients with untreated severe aortic regurgitation (AR) have a high risk of mortality. Transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TF-TAVR) is a treatment option for AR; however, the safety and efficacy of this technique have not been sufficiently established. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and anatomical variables correlating with device success of TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system for pure AR.Methods::Patients with pure native severe AR who underwent TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system were registered at 5 Chinese centers. The primary endpoint was device success at 1 month after TAVR. The secondary endpoint was the composite of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) at 6 months, including all-cause death, ischemic stroke, emergency conversion to cardiac surgery, and permanent pacemaker implantation. Echocardiography was used to analyze the left ventricular function before the TAVR procedure and during follow-up. Multivariable logistic regression and Cox regression analyses were performed to find relevant independent risk factors.Results::Between September 2019 and February 2022, 79 patients with AR were enrolled in the study. At 1 month, device success was achieved in 60 (75.9%) patients. By 6 months, 29 (36.7%) patients had MACE. Echocardiography revealed improved left ventricular function after TAVR. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that the Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score (odds ratio 0.760, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.584-0.989; P = 0.041) and annulus perimeter (odds ratio 0.888, 95% CI: 0.796-0.992; P = 0.035) were 2 predictors of device success. Moreover, annulus perimeter (<80.2 mm), but not Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score, was associated with a significant reduction in MACE at 6 months (hazard ratio 2.223, 95% CI: 1.060-4.659; P = 0.028). Conclusions::TF-TAVR using a self-expanding valve system appears to be a safe and feasible treatment for patients with pure native severe AR, particularly those with a less enlarged annulus.

Objective:To investigate the expression of LncRNA ANCR in human glioma tissues and its relationship with malignant proliferation of cells.Methods:The samples of 10 normal brain tissue,13 low-grade and 45 high-grade gliomas were regarded as normal group, low-grade group and high-grade group, which were collected from neurosurgery department in Linyi Central Hospital, and the expression of ANCR and potential interaction molecule eIF4B was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in vitro. Lentivirus transfection in vitro was used to construct the U251 shRNA ANCR and control cell line in human high-grade gliomas as control, test 1 and test 2 group cells in the study. QPCR detect the expression level ANCR, eIF4B and Myc mRNA in cells. Western blot was used to detect the expression of eIF4B and c-Myc protein, CCK-8 assay was used to detect the relative proliferation ability of cells, and the colony formation assay was used to observe the change of cell clone formation. SPSS 21.0 was used for statistical analysis, analysis of variance was used for inter group comparison, and SNK-q pairwise comparison method was used for intra group comparison.Results:The expressions of ANCR mRNA in high-grade glioma tissues, low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues were 0.710±0.125, 2.033±0.312 and 3.408±0.296. The expressions of eIF4B mRNA in high-grade glioma tissues, low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues were 0.176±0.019, 0.268±0.022 and 0.426±0.028. The expression of ANCR and eIF4B in high-grade glioma tissues was higher than that in low-grade gliomas and normal brain tissues ( P<0.001). The expression of ANCR in low-grade glioma tissues was higher than that in normal brain tissues ( P=0.013). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of ANCR and eIF4B in glioma tissues ( P<0.001) ; The expressions of ANCR mRNA in Control, test1 and test2 were 1.000±0.021, 0.202±0.057 and 0.300±0.016. The expressions of eIF4B mRNA were 1.000±0.078, 0.452±0.012 and 0.526±0.037, and the expressions of c-Myc mRNA were 1.000±0.053, 0.688±0.067 and 0.564±0.089. the expressions of ANCR, eIF4B and c-Myc mRNA and protein in test1 and test2 cells were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.01) ; the proliferation of test1 and test2 groups were significantly decreased at 72h and 96h, and the ability of colony formation was significantly decreased ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:The expression of ANCR was significantly up-regulated in high-grade glioma tissues and positively correlated with the expression of eIF4B. Interference with ANCR in vitro could mediate the decrease of the expression of eIF4B and c-Myc mRNA and protein molecules, thereby inhibiting the proliferation of glioma cells.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the distribution and characteristics of peripheral nerve abnormalities in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) using magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) and to examine the diagnostic efficiency.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-one CIDP patients and 21 controls underwent MR scans. Three-dimensional sampling perfections with application-optimized contrasts using different flip-angle evolutions and T1-/T2- weighted turbo spin-echo sequences were performed for neurography of the brachial and lumbosacral (LS) plexus and cauda equina, respectively. Clinical data and scores of the inflammatory Rasch-built overall disability scale (I-RODS) in CIDP were obtained.RESULTS: The bilateral extracranial vagus (n = 11), trigeminal (n = 12), and intercostal nerves (n = 10) were hypertrophic. Plexus hypertrophies were observed in the brachial plexus of 19 patients (61.3%) and in the LS plexus of 25 patients (80.6%). Patterns of hypertrophy included uniform hypertrophy (17 [54.8%] brachial plexuses and 21 [67.7%] LS plexuses), and multifocal fusiform hypertrophy (2 [6.5%] brachial plexuses and 4 [12.9%] LS plexuses) was present. Enlarged and/or contrast-enhanced cauda equina was found in 3 (9.7%) and 13 (41.9%) patients, respectively. Diameters of the brachial and LS nerve roots were significantly larger in CIDP than in controls (p < 0.001). The largest AUC was obtained for the L5 nerve. There were no significant differences in the course duration, I-RODS score, or diameter between patients with and without hypertrophy.CONCLUSION: MRN is useful for the assessment of distribution and characteristics of the peripheral nerves in CIDP. Compared to other regions, LS plexus neurography is more sensitive for CIDP.

Boron neutron capture therapy(BNCT)is an advanced radiotherapy combined with targeted therapy and heavy ion therapy. BNCT is based on the nuclear reaction 10B (n, α) 7Li that occurs when boron-10 isotopes is irradiated with neutrons of the appropriate energy to produce high-energy recoiling 7Li nuclei and α particles. The released high linear energy transfer (LET) particles have path lengths of approximately one cell diameter (5-9 μm) and deposit most of their energy within the boron-containing tumor cells. BNCT has the advantages of precise tumor targeting, less damage to normal tissue and fewer irradiation fractionations (1-3 fractionations) than conventional radiotherapy (30 fractionation). The neutrons used in BNCT are produced by reactors or accelerators. The boron drugs used in clinical trials include BPA and BSH. In this paper, we review the clinical trial status and the significant progress of BNCT for head and neck tumors. The clinical data have approved the effectiveness of BNCT in the treatment of head and neck cancer. With the technical improvement of accelerator neutron source and the development of new boron drugs, BNCT will play a more important role in the field of clinical radiotherapy in the future.