Objective:To investigate the application value of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 18F prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT combined with the minimum apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmin) of biparametric magnetic resonance imaging (bpMRI) in predicting pathological upgrading after radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer. Methods:The data of 89 patients with localized prostate cancer treated at Beijing Hospital from April 2019 to October 2023 were retrospectively analysed. The average age of patients was (68.4±7.0) years old, with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level of 7.7 (5.4, 12.9) ng/ml, prostate volume of 34.6 (26.9, 47.1) ml, tumor diameter of 1.3 (1.0, 1.8) cm, prostate imaging reporting and data system(PI-RADS) score of 5 in 29 cases (32.6%), clinical stage ≥T 3 in 13 cases (14.6%). There were 31 cases (34.8%) in group 1 of targeted biopsy International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP)grading groups, 36 cases (40.4%) in group 2, 11 cases (12.4%) in group 3, and 11 cases (12.4%) in group 4. All patients underwent 18F-PSMA PET/CT and bpMRI examinations before RP. The index lesion, identified as the highest Gleason score in pathological whole-mount sections, were outlined. SUVmax and ADCmin values were calculated from the images' region of interest. Pathological upgrading was defined as the post-RP grade group higher than the targeted-biopsy grade group. Clinical data of patients with and without pathological upgrading were compared. Spearman correlation coefficient analysis was used to assess the correlation between SUVmax and ADCmin. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the factors influencing pathological upgrading. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to assess the predictive value of each indicator for pathological upgrading. Results:Among the 89 cases, 31 cases (34.8%) experienced pathological upgrading. Compared with the patients without pathological upgrading, the SUVmax [11.3 (8.1, 16.4) vs. 6.7 (4.6, 9.2)], SUVmax/ADCmin ratio [3.1 (2.0, 4.6) vs. 1.4 (0.9, 2.1)], PSA [9.8 (6.3, 15.6) ng/ml vs. 7.1 (5.1, 10.5) ng/ml], PSA density [0.3 (0.2, 0.5) ng/ml 2 vs. 0.2 (0.1, 0.3) ng/ml 2], and post-RP ISUP grade group [≥3 group 17 cases (54.8%) vs. 13 cases(22.4%) ]were higher in patients with pathological upgrading, while ADCmin [3.8 (3.0, 5.3) ×10 -4 mm 2/s vs. 5.2 (3.6, 6.1)×10 -4 mm 2/s] and targeted biopsy ISUP grade group [≤2 group 27 cases(87.1%) vs. 40 cases(69.0%) ] were lower (all P<0.05). Spearman analysis showed a negative correlation between SUVmax and ADCmin ( R = -0.227, P = 0.032). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that SUVmax ( OR = 1.108, 95% CI 1.020-1.238), ADCmin ( OR=0.607, 95% CI 0.390-0.874), and SUVmax/ADCmin ratio ( OR = 1.815, 95% CI 1.282-2.949) independently predicted pathological upgrading. The AUC of the SUVmax/ADCmin ratio for predicting pathological upgrading (AUC = 0.817) was higher than that of SUVmax (AUC = 0.774) and ADCmin (AUC=0.686), indicating a higher predictive efficiency. Conclusions:SUVmax, ADCmin, and SUVmax/ADCmin ratio can independently predict pathological upgrading in targeted biopsy of prostate cancer. The SUVmax/ADCmin ratio has a stronger predictive value for pathological upgrading.

Stem/progenitor cells are important for salivary gland development, homeostasis maintenance, and regeneration following injury. Keratin-14⁺ (K14⁺) cells have been recognized as bona fide salivary gland stem/progenitor cells. However, K14 is also expressed in terminally differentiated myoepithelial cells; therefore, more accurate molecular markers for identifying salivary stem/progenitor cells are required. The intraflagellar transport (IFT) protein IFT140 is a core component of the IFT system that functions in signaling transduction through the primary cilia. It is reportedly expressed in mesenchymal stem cells and plays a role in bone formation. In this study, we demonstrated that IFT140 was intensively expressed in K14⁺ stem/progenitor cells during the developmental period and early regeneration stage following ligation-induced injuries in murine submandibular glands. In addition, we demonstrated that IFT140⁺/ K14⁺ could self-renew and differentiate into granular duct cells at the developmental stage in vivo. The conditional deletion of Ift140 from K14⁺ cells caused abnormal epithelial structure and function during salivary gland development and inhibited regeneration. IFT140 partly coordinated the function of K14⁺ stem/progenitor cells by modulating ciliary membrane trafficking. Our investigation identified a combined marker, IFT140⁺/K14⁺, for salivary gland stem/progenitor cells and elucidated the essential role of IFT140 and cilia in regulating salivary stem/progenitor cell differentiation and gland regeneration.
Animals ; Carrier Proteins/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Keratin-14/metabolism* ; Mice ; Osteogenesis ; Salivary Glands/metabolism* ; Stem Cells

Objective:To investigate the safety and effectiveness of Willis covered stent in patients having carotid artery rupture during transnasal endoscopic pituitary tumor resection.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed. Six patients having carotid artery rupture during transnasal endoscopic pituitary tumor resection admitted to the 3 hospitals from May 2016 to December 2019 were chosen; their clinical data were collected. The surgical processes and complications were concluded, and the prognoses were evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS).Results:One patient was treated with intraoperative simple tamponade compression for hemostasis, and died for massive intracranial hemorrhage 2 weeks after surgery. Five patients were occluded by Willis covered stents; the occluded success rate was 100% but ophthalmic arteries were blocked in all. During the perioperative period, diabetes insipidus occurred in one patient and incomplete oculomotor paralysis occurred in one patient; 5 patients were followed up for 3-12 months: MRI indicated subtotal resection of tumor in 4 patients and total resection in one patient, no new bleeding or ischemic stroke events occurred in these 5 patients, and the prognosis was good.Conclusion:Willis covered stent is safe and effective in patients having carotid artery rupture during transnasal endoscopic pituitary tumor resection.

Objective:To evaluate the value of endovascular recanalization and hybrid recanalization for chronic internal carotid artery occlusion(COICA), and to evaluate its feasibility, safety, success rate, and clinical outcomes.Methods:Totally 35 patients who received endovascular recanalization or hybrid recanalization with symptomatic COICA were enrolled from January 2019 to December 2019 in Department of Cerebrovascular Disease,Zhengzhou University People′s Hospital. The clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, success rate, and major events of the patients were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Thirty of 35 patients were successfully recanalized. Among them, hybrid recanalization was performed in 3 cases, carotid endarterectomy was performed in 1 case, and endovascular recanalization was performed in 26 cases, 5 patients failed because they could not reach the distal true cavity. Among the successful patients, 5 patients had operation-related complications, 3 patients had embolism cerebral infarction, 1 patient had hyperperfusion cerebral hemorrhage, 1 patient still had transient ischemic attack after operation. All patients were followed up clinically, 2 patients had reoccurrence of obstruction, 2 patient had restenosis, the remaining patients had no hemodynamic stenosis or reocclusion.Conclusion:In highly-selected cases, intracavitary recanalization for symptomatic COICA is feasible, relatively safe and effective.

Currently, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is the first-line treatment for patients with complicated Stanford type B aortic dissections. However, TEVAR does not occlude the distal entry tear of dissections, and blood flow persists in the false lumen. Dissections might progress in some patients. Studies showed that distal entry tear increased the possibility of late aortic events during follow-up. Thus, treatment of distal entry tear is necessary in some high-risk patients after TEVAR. In this article, the current treatment strategies of distal entry tear are summarized, which include PETTICOAT, STABILISE, covered stent, fenestrated and branched stent-grafts, false lumen embolization, vascular occluder, and Knickerbocker. However, the number of the cases of most approaches is so limited that the indications and effectiveness need to be further studied. Selecting the right treatment for the right patient is of great importance.

Currently, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is the first-line treatment for patients with complicated Stanford type B aortic dissections. However, TEVAR does not occlude the distal entry tear of dissections, and blood flow persists in the false lumen. Dissections might progress in some patients. Studies showed that distal entry tear increased the possibility of late aortic events during follow-up. Thus, treatment of distal entry tear is necessary in some high-risk patients after TEVAR. In this article, the current treatment strategies of distal entry tear are summarized, which include PETTICOAT, STABILISE, covered stent, fenestrated and branched stent-grafts, false lumen embolization, vascular occluder, and Knickerbocker. However, the number of the cases of most approaches is so limited that the indications and effectiveness need to be further studied. Selecting the right treatment for the right patient is of great importance.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the treatment of chronic symptomatic internal carotid artery long?segmental occlusion. Methods Fifty?one cases of chronic symptomatic internal carotid artery long?segmental occlusion (arterial occlusion more than 2 anatomical segments) who were treated with hybrid surgery (plaque located at the carotid sinus) or endovascular revascularization (plaque located at the distal end of the internal carotid artery occlusion) from May 2015 to May 2018 were reviewed. Recanalization, perioperative complications, stroke events, and reocclusion events during the follow?up period were recorded. Results The occlusion was recanalized successfully in 45 of 51 patients (88.2%, 45/51), 6 patients failed because the guidewire could not cross the distal arterial occlusion. And the technical success rate was 96.0% (24/25) in hybrid surgery and 80.8% (21/26) in endovascular revascularization. Perioperative complications occurred in 2 patients who underwent combined endovascular treatment. One patient had a small branch embolism due to intraoperative thrombus shift, and 1 patient had large area cerebral infarction. The complications occurred in 2 patients who underwent thybrid surgery, including 1 case of internal carotid cavernous fistula and 1 case of acute reocclusion of internal carotid artery. Forty?four patients with successful operation received clinical follow?up, with the median follow?up time of 24 months (7-43 months). No recurrent stroke and death occurred during the follow?up period. Clinical symptoms were improved in 34 cases. Totally 44 patients received imaging follow?up, and during the median imaging follow?up time of 8 month (4-28 months), 6 cases had reocclusion, and 2 cases had restenosis. Conclusion The treatment of chronic symptomatic internal carotid artery long?segmental occlusion is technically feasible and safety with good short?term efficacy. However, its exact efficacy remains to be confirmed by long?term follow?up studies with large samples.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of miRNA-340 for regulating the proliferation of gastric cancer (GC) cells and predict its interacting circular RNAs (circRNAs), its downstream target genes and the involved signaling pathways. METHODS: The differentially expressed miRNAs in GC cell lines were analyzed and screened using miRNA microarrays. The expression level of miRNA-340 in 21 pairs of GC tissues and adjacent normal tissues was detected using real-time PCR. MTT and EdU assays were performed to examine the effect of miRNA-340 on the proliferation ability of HFE145 and BGC-823 cells. We also tested the effect of miRNA-340 inhibition on subcutaneous tumorigenesis of GC cells in a nude mouse model. The downstream target genes of miRNA-340 and the probable signal pathways were predicted online using Targetscan and DAVID database, respectively. The interacting circRNAs of miRNA-340 were analyzed using starBase platform. RESULTS: Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, miRNA-340 was significantly down-regulated in GC cell lines. Real-time PCR results showed that the expression of miRNA-340 was significantly lower in GC tissues than in the adjacent tissues ( < 0.05). MTT and EdU cell proliferation assays showed that miRNA-340 overexpression inhibited the proliferation of GC cells in vitro. In the nude mouse models, the proliferation of GC cells transfected with miRNA-340 inhibitor was obviously enhanced. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that miRNA-340 had 21 target genes with 3 or more conserved sites, and these genes were involved in tumorigenesis and invasion. The top 10 circRNAs were selected as the most powerful sponge circRNAs interacting with miRNA-340. CONCLUSIONS miRNA-340 may play the role of a tumor suppressor in tumorigenesis and progression. Overexpression of miRNA-340 suppress the proliferation of GC cells, suggesting its involvement in the development of GC along with multiple circRNAs.
Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Computational Biology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Mice ; MicroRNAs ; Stomach Neoplasms

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the malignant tumors with the highest morbidity and mortality in the world. The morbidity and mortality of HCC are increasing every year. Liver cancer is a serious threat to public health in China and the death rate of patients with liver cancer in China is the highest in the world. Beyond surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, immunotherapy is an emerging treatment for cancer, which could control and kill tumor cells by relieving the inhibitory status of immune cells in the tumor microenvironment and activating the immune function of the body. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive immunotherapy and tumor vaccine are the major treatments of immunotherapy. Compared with traditional therapy methods, immunotherapy could enhance immune function, delay tumor progression, prolong the survival time of patients, and becomes a hotspot in the basic and clinical cancer research. This article reviews the research progress of immunotherapy for liver cancer.
Cancer Vaccines ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; therapy ; China ; Humans ; Immunotherapy ; Liver Neoplasms ; therapy ; Tumor Microenvironment

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of the treatment of chronic symptomatic internal carotid artery long-segmental occlusion. Methods: Fifty-one cases of chronic symptomatic internal carotid artery long-segmental occlusion (arterial occlusion more than 2 anatomical segments) who were treated with hybrid surgery (plaque located at the carotid sinus) or endovascular revascularization (plaque located at the distal end of the internal carotid artery occlusion) from May 2015 to May 2018 were reviewed. Recanalization, perioperative complications, stroke events, and reocclusion events during the follow-up period were recorded. Results: The occlusion was recanalized successfully in 45 of 51 patients (88.2%, 45/51), 6 patients failed because the guidewire could not cross the distal arterial occlusion. And the technical success rate was 96.0% (24/25) in hybrid surgery and 80.8% (21/26) in endovascular revascularization. Perioperative complications occurred in 2 patients who underwent combined endovascular treatment. One patient had a small branch embolism due to intraoperative thrombus shift, and 1 patient had large area cerebral infarction. The complications occurred in 2 patients who underwent thybrid surgery, including 1 case of internal carotid cavernous fistula and 1 case of acute reocclusion of internal carotid artery. Forty-four patients with successful operation received clinical follow-up, with the median follow-up time of 24 months (7-43 months). No recurrent stroke and death occurred during the follow-up period. Clinical symptoms were improved in 34 cases. Totally 44 patients received imaging follow-up, and during the median imaging follow-up time of 8 month (4-28 months), 6 cases had reocclusion, and 2 cases had restenosis. Conclusion The treatment of chronic symptomatic internal carotid artery long-segmental occlusion is technically feasible and safety with good short-term efficacy. However, its exact efficacy remains to be confirmed by long-term follow-up studies with large samples.