Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most threatening diseases of the central nervous system, and the prognosis has not improved despite the constant updating of therapeutic approaches. However, the introduction of tumor treating fields (TTFields) has changed the treatment of newly diagnosed and recurrent GBM. TTFields is a novel non-invasive therapy for the treatment of tumors using mid-frequency and low-intensity alternating electric fields, which is important for the treatment of central nervous system diseases such as GBM. TTFields has fewer side effects and greater local efficacy than traditional treatment modalities. In addition, the combination of chemotherapeutic drugs and radiotherapy with TTFields has shown significant advantages and may become one of the future clinical treatment strategies. Despite the potential of TTFields in the treatment of GBM, a number of limitations remain, including issues of device dependency, discomfort during use and tolerability in some patients. Therefore, the use of TTFields needs to be further optimized to maximize their therapeutic potential in patients with GBM and to provide more effective treatment options for patients.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is a genetically determined, active and orderly cell death in the organism, and it affects the evolution of the organism, maintenance of its homeostasis, and development of several tissues and organs. The abnormal regulation of this process is closely related to various human diseases, including cancer. The identified pathways of PCD include apoptosis, autophagy, necroptosis, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis, which can be activated when cells are stimulated by various internal and external environmental factors. These pathways can induce cell death or maintain cell survival in kidney cancer cells under the regulation of various signaling molecules, thus affecting tumor progression or therapeutic efficacy. In this paper, the role of these PCD pathways in the development of kidney cancer was reviewed in light of recent research advances to provide new directions for the in-depth study of the pathogenesis of kidney cancer and the development of targeted antitumor drugs.

An innovative,ternary nanocomposite composed of overoxidized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)(OPEDOT),gold nanoparticles (AuNPs),and electrochemically reduced graphene oxide (ERGO) was prepared on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) (OPEDOT-AuNPs-ERGO/GCE) through homogeneous chemical reactions and heterogeneous electrochemical methods.The morphology,composition,and structure of this nanocomposite were characterized by transmission electron microscopy,scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.The electrochemical properties of the OPEDOT-AuNPs-ERGO/GCE were investigated by cyclic voltammetry using potassium ferricyanide and hexaammineruthenium(Ⅲ) chloride redox probe systems.This modified electrode shows excellent electro-catalytic activity for dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) under physiological pH conditions,but inhibits the oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA).Linear voltammetric responses were obtained when DA concentrations of approximately 4.0-100 μM and UA concentrations of approximately 20-100 μM were used.The detection limits (S/N=3) for DA and UA were 1.0 and 5.0 μ.M,respectively,under physiological conditions and in the presence of 1.0 mM of AA.This developed method was applied to the simultaneous detection of DA and UA in human urine,where satisfactory recoveries from 96.7％ to 105.0％were observed.This work demonstrates that the developed OPEDOT-AuNPs-ERGO ternary nano-composite,with its excellent ion-selectivity and electro-catalytic activity,is a promising candidate for the simultaneous detection of DA and UA in the presence of AA in physiological and pathological studies.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of cases of novel coronavirus pneumonia and a preliminary study to explore the relationship between different clinical classification and liver damage. Methods: Consecutively confirmed novel coronavirus infection cases admitted to seven designated hospitals during January 23, 2020 to February 8, 2020 were included. Clinical classification (mild, moderate, severe, and critical) was carried out according to the diagnosis and treatment program of novel coronavirus pneumonia (Trial Fifth Edition) issued by the National Health Commission. The research data were analyzed using SPSS19.0 statistical software. Quantitative data were expressed as median (interquartile range), and qualitative data were expressed as frequency and rate. Results: 32 confirmed cases that met the inclusion criteria were included. 28 cases were of mild or moderate type (87.50%), and four cases (12.50%) of severe or critical type. Four cases (12.5%) were combined with one underlying disease (bronchial asthma, coronary heart disease, malignant tumor, chronic kidney disease), and one case (3.13%) was simultaneously combined with high blood pressure and malignant tumor. The results of laboratory examination showed that the alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), and total bilirubin (TBil) for entire cohort were 26.98 (16.88 ~ 46.09) U/L and 24.75 (18.71 ~ 31.79) U/L, 39.00 (36.20 ~ 44.20) g/L and 16.40 (11.34- ~ 21.15) mmol/L, respectively. ALT, AST, ALB and TBil of the mild or moderate subgroups were 22.75 (16.31- ~ 37.25) U/L, 23.63 (18.71 ~ 26.50) U/L, 39.70 (36.50 ~ 46.10) g/L, and 15.95 (11.34 ~ 20.83) mmol/L, respectively. ALT, AST, ALB and TBil of the severe or critical subgroups were 60.25 (40.88 ~ 68.90) U/L, 37.00 (20.88 ~ 64.45) U/L, 35.75 (28.68 ~ 42.00) g/L, and 20.50 (11.28 ~ 25.00) mmol/L, respectively. Conclusion The results of this multicenter retrospective study suggests that novel coronavirus pneumonia combined with liver damage is more likely to be caused by adverse drug reactions and systemic inflammation in severe patients receiving medical treatment. Therefore, liver function monitoring and evaluation should be strengthened during the treatment of such patients.

Objective:To investigate the expression of fibrillin-1 (FBN-1) in the atrium tissue of the patients with rheumatic heart valve disease complicated with atrial fibrillation(AF), and to explore its relationship with atrial fibrosis in the patients with valvular atrial fibrillation.Methods:Eighty-four consecutive patients with rheumatic heart valve disease underwent cardiac surgery were enrolled in this study.The patients were divided into AF group(n=39) and sinus rhythm group(SR group, n=45).The clinical data of patients were collected before operation.The right atrium tissue (0.3-0.5 mm3) was disserted during operation.The degrees of right atrial fibrosis of the patients in two groups were observed by Masson staining.Western blotting method was used to measure the protein expressions of FBN-1 in atrium tissue of the patients in two groups.Results:There were no significant differences in the gender ratio, age, blood pressure, blood biochemical indicators and other aspects of medical history between two groups(P>0.05);the diameters of left and right atrium of the patients in AF group were significantly larger than those in SR group(P<0.05).The Masson staining results showed that there was obvious fibrosis in AF group, and the collagen volume fraction and collagen level in AF group were significantly higher than those in SR group (P<0.05).The expression level of FBN-1 in right atrium tissue in AF group was obviously higher than that in SR group(P<0.05).The expression level of FBN-1 protein in right atrium tissue of the patients with valvular atrial fibrillation was positively correlated with the collagen level(r=0.544,P=0.021).Conclusion:There is obvious atrium fibrosis in the patients with valvular atrial fibrillation;it is closely related to the up-regulation of the expression of FBN-1 gene.

Objective To analyze the prognosis of advanced esophageal carcinoma treated with paclitaxel and different platinum?based chemotherapy regimens plus intensity?modulated radiotherapy ( IMRT) , and to explore an optimal chemotherapy regimen. Methods A total of 242 patients with advanced esophageal carcinoma who were admitted to our hospital and treated with paclitaxel and cisplatin ( 68 patients), nedaplatin (85 patients), lobaplatin (58 patients), or oxaliplatin (31 patients) plus IMRT from 2008 to 2014 were enrolled as subjects. The prognosis of the four groups was analyzed after 2, 3, and ≥4 cycles of chemotherapy. The survival rates were calculated by the Kaplan?Meier method and analyzed by the log?rank test. The Cox model was used for the multivariate prognostic analysis. Results The sample number of 3 years was 168 cases. In all the 242 patients, the medium survival time was 31. 1 months and the 3?year overall survival ( OS) rate was 47. 4%. There was no significant difference in the 3?year OS rate between the cispaltin, nedaplatin, lobaplatin, and oxaliplatin groups ( 46. 2% vs. 56. 4% vs. 45. 7% vs. 29. 0%, P=0. 090) . The stratified analysis showed that the cisplatin, nedaplatin, and lobaplatin groups had a significantly higher OS rate than the oxaliplatin group ( 50. 1% vs. 29. 0%, P=0. 021 ) . There was no significant difference in the 3?year OS rate between patients receiving 2, 3, and≥4 cycles of chemotherapy ( 40. 1% vs. 49. 5% vs. 50. 8%, P=0. 264) . The multivariate analysis showed that esophageal tumor volume and the maximal size of metastatic lymph node were independent prognostic factors. Conclusions Combined with IMRT, paclitaxel plus cisplatin, nedaplatin, or lobaplatin?based chemotherapy achieves improved survival rates than paclitaxel plus oxaliplatin?based chemotherapy. Esophageal tumor volume and the maximal size of metastatic lymph node are independent prognostic factors.

Objective To investigate the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)in patients with valvular atrial fibrillation and study the relationship betweenα-SMA and atrial fibrosis in patients with valvular atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods For this study we enrolled 84 consecutive patients with rheumatic heart disease who were to receive cardiac surgery.The patients were divided into AF group (AF,n=39)and sinus rhythm group (SR, n=45).Their clinical data including baseline demographics,routine laboratory test and echocardiographics were collected before surgery.The right atrial tissue (0 .3-0 .5 cm3 )was disserted during the surgery.Right atrial fibrosis was observed by Masson staining.The mRNA expression ofα-SMA in atrial tissue were determined by Real-time quantitative PCR.Western blot was used to measure the protein expression ofα-SMA in atrial tissue.Results The two groups did not significantly differ in sex ratio,age,blood pressure,blood biochemical indicators or other aspects of medical history (P>0.05).However,left and right atrium diameters in AF group were significantly larger than those in SR group (P<0 .05 ).Masson staining suggested that collagen volume fraction and collagen content were significantly higher in AF group than in SR group (P<0 .05 ).The mRNA and protein expressions ofα-SMA in right atrial tissue were obviously higher in AF group than in SR group (coefficients P<0 .05 ).The mRNA and protein expressions ofα-SMA from right atrial tissue in the 84 patients were positively correlated with collagen content (coefficients of 0.587 and 0.607;P=0.029,0.014,respectively).Conclusion There is significant atrial fibrosis in patients with valvular atrial fibrillation,which is closely related to up-regulated expression ofα-SMA gene.

Objective To reveal the role of serum ACE2/Ang (1-7)in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF)and find new targets for the prevention and treatment of AF by analyzing the correlation between the serum concentration of ACE2/Ang (1-7 )in patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease and the occurrence of AF. Methods We collected the basic clinical information and peripheral venous blood of patients with rheumatic heart valve disease (totally 46 patients,including 24 with AF and 22 with SR).ELISA method was used to detect the serum concentration of ACE2,Ang (1-7)and AngⅡ in the serum samples.Then the differences and correlation between the two groups were analyzed.Results In the AF group ① the diameter of the left atrium was significantly greater than that in the SR group [(60.70±3.08 vs.48.15±2.16)mm,P<0.05];② the serum concentration of AngⅡ was significantly higher than that in the SR group [(45.88±2.87 vs.35.78±1.08)pg/mL, P<0.05],AngⅡ and left atrium diameter were positively correlated (Pearson test,P<0.05);③ the serum concentrations of ACE2 [(7.87±0.74 vs.11.65±0.57)U/L,P<0.05]and Ang (1-7)[(146.05±17.61 vs. 321.71±36.50)pg/mL,P<0.05]were significantly lower than those in the SR group,and negatively correlated with left atrium diameter (Pearson test,P<0.05);④ the serum concentration of Ang (1-7)was negatively correlated with AngⅡ concentration (Pearson test,P<0.05).Conclusion For patients with rheumatic valvular heart disease,ACE2/Ang (1-7 )may play a protective role in the occurrence of AF via antagonizing AngⅡ and inhibiting atrial remodeling.

AIM:To study the effects of extracellular potassium on the protein expression of wild-type HERG and its mutant L539fs/47.METHODS:Wild-type HERG (WT) or its mutant HERG-L539fs/47 (MT) were transfected into HEK293 cells for 36 h.The cells were incubated in different media containing 0.8, 4.3 or 10 mmol/L potassium.Af-ter 6 h of incubation, the protein expression of HERG was detected by flow cytometry.After 12 h of incubation, the locali-zation and quantity of the proteins were detected by laser confocal imaging and Western blot.RESULTS: Different from the retention of mutant protein in cytoplasm, wild-type HERG protein was mainly distributed in the cell membrane.The 2 proteins both increased with the changes of extracellular potassium.Flow cytometry showed that the fluorescence in the 2 groups both increased with the changes of extracellular potassium ( P<0.01 ) .The fluorescence in WT group was signifi-cantly higher than that in MT group (P<0.01).Western blot showed that mutant HERG protein included only one 60 kD band, different from the 135 kD and 155 kD bands in wild-type HERG, which were affected by the changes of extracellular potassium (P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The retention of HERG mutant L539fs/47 protein in the cytoplasm is more than wild-type HERG.Chronic high extracellular potassium keeps the stability of wild-type and mutant HERG proteins on the cell membrane.Chronic low potassium reduces the expression of HERG channel proteins in a time-dependent manner.

Objective To analyze the regions of abdominal lymph node metastasis in recurrent thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma ( TE-SCC) after radical surgery, and to guide the design of target volume in postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. Methods Patients with TE-SCC who were admitted to our hospital from February 2005 to April 2013 were enrolled as subjects. All patients were diagnosed with abdominal lymph node metastasis by imaging after R0 radical surgery. The exact regions of abdominal lymph node metastasis were classified according to the 7th edition of American Joint Committee on Cancer ( AJCC) TNM staging system for gastric cancer, and then retrospectively analyzed. The difference of two group was analyzed by χ2 test. Results Among the 1593 eligible patients, 148( 9. 3%) were diagnosed with abdominal lymph node metastasis after surgery. In the 148 patients, the abdominal lymph node metastasis rates in the upper, middle, and lower thoracic esophagus were 2. 3%, 7. 8%, and 26. 6%, respectively ( P=0. 000);the incidence rates of pathological stages T1/2 and T3/4 were 8. 7% and 9. 5%, respectively ( P=0. 601);the incidence rates of 0-2 and ≥3 metastatic lymph nodes in postoperative pathological examination were 4. 8%and 20. 1%, respectively (P=0. 000). The abdominal lymph node metastasis rate was the highest in the para-aortic lymph node ( 16a2) , followed by para-aortic lymph node ( 16a1) and the lymph nodes around the celiac trunk, posterior area of the pancreatic head, and common hepatic artery ( 64. 9%, 41. 2%, 37. 8%, 32. 4%, and 20. 9%) , yielding an overall metastasis rate of 91. 9%. Conclusions The major regions of abdominal lymph node metastasis in esophageal carcinoma after radical surgery include para-aortic lymph nodes ( 16a2 and 16a1) and the lymph nodes around the celiac trunk, posterior area of the pancreatic head, and common hepatic artery. These regions are the abdominal target volumes of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy.