Lymphatic metastasis is the main metastatic route for colorectal cancer, which increases the risk of cancer recurrence and distant metastasis. The properties of the lymph node metastatic colorectal cancer (LNM-CRC) cells are poorly understood, and effective therapies are still lacking. Here, we found that hypoxia-induced fibroblast activation protein alpha (FAPα) expression in LNM-CRC cells. Gain- or loss-function experiments demonstrated that FAPα enhanced tumor cell migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, stemness, and lymphangiogenesis via activation of the STAT3 pathway. In addition, FAPα in tumor cells induced extracellular matrix remodeling and established an immunosuppressive environment via recruiting regulatory T cells, to promote colorectal cancer lymph node metastasis (CRCLNM). Z-GP-DAVLBH, a FAPα-activated prodrug, inhibited CRCLNM by targeting FAPα-positive LNM-CRC cells. Our study highlights the role of FAPα in tumor cells in CRCLNM and provides a potential therapeutic target and promising strategy for CRCLNM.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of testicular relapse in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Clinical data including the age, time from initial diagnosis to recurrence, relapse site, and therapeutic effect of 37 pediatric ALL with testicular relapse and treated in Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between November 2011 and December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were grouped according to different clinical data. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) rate and event free survival (EFS) rate for univariate analysis, and Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to evaluate the influencing factors of OS rate and EFS rate for multivariate analysis.Results:The age at initial diagnosis of 37 pediatric testicular relapse patients was (5±3) years and the time from initial diagnosis to testicular recurrence was (37±15) months. The follow-up time was 43 (22, 56) months. Twenty-three patients (62%) were isolated testis relapse. The 5-year OS rate and EFS rate of the 37 relapsed children were (60±9) % and (50±9) % respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the 2-year EFS rate in the group of patients with time from initial diagnosis to testicular recurrence >28 months was significantly higher than those ≤28 months ((69±10)% vs. (11±11)%, P<0.05), 2-year EFS rate of the isolated testicular relapse group was significantly higher than combined relapse group ((66±11)% vs. (20±13) %, P<0.05), 2-year EFS rate of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell treatment after relapse group was significantly higher than without CAR-T cell treatment after relapse group ((78±10)% vs. (15±10)%, P<0.05). ETV6-RUNX1 was the most common genetic aberration in testicular relapsed ALL (38%, 14/37). The 4-year OS and EFS rate of patients with ETV6-RUNX1 positive were (80±13) % and (64±15) %, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified relapse occurred≤28 months after first diagnosis ( HR=3.09, 95% CI 1.10-8.72), combined relapse ( HR=4.26, 95% CI 1.34-13.52) and CAR-T cell therapy after relapse ( HR=0.15,95% CI 0.05-0.51) were independent prognostic factors for 2-year EFS rate (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The outcome of testicular relapse in pediatric ALL was poor. They mainly occurred 3 years after initial diagnosis. ETV6-RUNX1 is the most common abnormal gene.Patients with ETV6-RUNX1 positive often have a favorable outcome. Early relapse and combined relapse indicate unfavorable prognosis, while CAR-T cell therapy could significantly improve the survival rate of children with testicular recurrence.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and long-term prognostic factors of relapsed pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).Methods:Clinical data including the age, time from initial diagnosis to relapse, relapse site, and molecular biological features of 217 relapsed ALL children primarily treated by the Chinese Children's Leukemia Group (CCLG)-ALL 2008 protocol in Institute of Hematology & Blood Diseases Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between April 2008 and April 2015 were collected and analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) rate and event free survival (EFS) rate for univariate analysis, and Cox proportional-hazards regression model was used to evaluate the influencing factors of OS rate and EFS rate for multivariate analysis.Results:The age at initial diagnosis of 217 relapsed patients was 5 (3, 7) years. There were 135 males and 82 females. The time from initial diagnosis to relapse of 217 children was 22 (10, 39) months. After relapse, 136 out of 217 children (62.7%) received treatment and the follow-up time was 65 (47, 90) months. The 5-year OS rate and EFS rate of the 136 relapsed children were (37±4) % and (26±4) %, respectively. The predicted 10-year OS rate and EFS rate were (35±5) % and (20±4) %, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that the 5-year OS rate in the group of patients with late relapse (43 cases) was significantly higher than those with very early (54 cases) and early relapse (39 cases) ((72±7)% vs. (16±5)%, (28±8)%, χ2=35.91, P<0.05), 5-year OS rate of the isolated extramedullary relapse group (20 cases) was significantly higher than isolated bone marrow relapse group (102 cases) and combined relapse group (14 cases) ((69±11)% vs. (31±5)%, (29±12)%, χ2=9.14, P<0.05), 5-year OS rate of high-risk group (80 cases) was significantly lower than standard-risk group (10 cases) and intermediate-risk group (46 cases) ((20±5)% vs. (90±10)%, (54±8)%, χ2=32.88, P<0.05). ETV6::RUNX1 was the most common fusion gene (13.2%, 18/136). The predicted 10-year OS rate of relapsed children with positive ETV6::RUNX1 was significantly higher than those without ETV6::RUNX1 (118 cases) ((83±9)% vs. (26±5)%, χ2=14.04, P<0.05). The 5-year OS for those accepted hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) after relapse (42 cases) was higher than those without HSCT (94 cases) ((56±8)% vs. (27±5)%, χ2=15.18, P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified very early/early relapse ( HR=3.91, 95% CI 1.96-7.79; HR=4.15, 95% CI 1.99-8.67), bone marrow relapse including isolated bone marrow relapse and combined relapse ( HR=6.50, 95% CI 2.58-16.34; HR=5.19, 95% CI 1.78-15.16), with ETV6::RUNX1 ( HR=0.23, 95% CI 0.07-0.74) and HSCT after relapse ( HR=0.24, 95% CI 0.14-0.43) as independent prognostic factors for OS (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Relapsed pediatric ALL mainly occurs very early and often affects bone marrow, which confer poor outcome. ETV6::RUNX1 is the most common genetic aberration with a favorable outcome. HSCT could rescue the outcome of relapsed children, though the survival rate is still poor.

Objective:To analyze the relationship between FAB morphological classification and World Health Organization (WHO) 2016 classification in children with acute erythroid leukemia(AEL), and to summarize the clinical features and prognosis.Methods:Clinical data of de nova childhood AEL patients from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2019, in Pediatric Blood Disease Center, Institute of Hematology & Blood Disease Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.All of them were re-evaluated according to the WHO 2016 classification.Results:(1) A total of 20 patients were diagnosed as AEL by FAB classification.According to the criteria of WHO 2016, they were re-diagnosed as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)- refractory anemia with excess of blasts (11 cases), acute myeloid leukemia with MDS-related changes (3 cases), acute monocytic leukemia (1 case), and pure red leukemia (PEL, 5 cases). (2) Pathological hematopoiesis was frequently detected in bone marrow smears.Auer bodies were seen occasionally in some blasts.The most common antigen expressing were CD 117, CD 13, CD 33, CD 34, CD7, and CD 38.Karyotype analysis was performed in 18 cases successfully, involving 6 cases with abnormal karyotypes, including + 8, -7, 22p+ , t (3; 5: ? ), + 3q-, 15q-, and del (9)(q13). (3) Thirteen cases were treated by chemotherapy, and the one-course complete remission rate was 38.5%.By July 1, 2020, only 2 cases were alive without disease.The overall survival was 49 months and 11 months, respectively. Conclusions:Childhood AEL is susceptible to pathological hematopoiesis, poor response to early chemotherapy and poor prognosis.After re-evaluation according to WHO 2016 classification, most of them were diagnosed as MDS-related.Therefore, adjusting the suitable induction regimen with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve the prognosis.

Objective: To understand the homology and resistance characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) in healthy preschool children, so as to provide basis for disease transmission prevention and rational use of antibiotics. Methods: Stratified cluster random sampling method was used to sample 1 829 healthy children from six kindergartens in Shunde District, Foshan City. Nasal swabs were taken and tested for S. pneumoniae. Multi locus sequence typing was used for homology analysis. The Chi squared test and random forest analysis were used to explore the resistance characteristics. Results: The nasal carriage rate of S. pneumoniae and multidrug resistant S. pneumoniae (MDRSP) in children were 22.5%(412/1 829) and 21.3%(390/1 829), respectively. Homology analysis in sequence types showed that the total homology rates of 6 kindergartens were 93.5%(87/93), 91.1% (72/79), 89.2%(58/65), 88.9%(64/72), 86.2%(50/58), 77.8%(35/45), respectively. It was found that the highest homology rate was 82.8% (48/58) within class and 93.1% (81/87) between classes. S. pneumoniae was mainly resistant to azithromycin (97.1%, 400/412), erythromycin (92.0%, 379/412) and tetracycline (91.5%, 377/412). The dominant multidrug resistance pattern of MDRSP isolates was not sensitive to azithromycin, erythromycin, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline and clindamycin. Random forest analysis indicated that the important phenotypic markers associated with MDRSP were resistance to azithromycin, cotrimoxazole, tetracycline, clindamycin and erythromycin(MDG=8.94, 6.92, 5.80, 4.84, 2.58). Conclusion The risk of cross transmission of S. pneumoniae among preschool children is high, and direct contact is the main way of transmission. Consequently, kindergartens and health departments should take effective measures to effectively prevent and block the spread of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Objective: To explore clustering and risk factors of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) carriage among kindergarten children in Liuzhou. Methods: Two sided nasal swabs were collected from 1 702 children in Liuzhou from April to June 2018. Parents of all the children were investigated by questionnaires. The random effect Logistic regression was used to analyze the clustering and risk factors of S. aureus carriage. Results: The carriage rate of S. aureus among kindergarten children was 16.3%. The randomeffect Logistic regression model indicated that the class-level random effect of S. aureus carriage among children was statistically significant(Z=2.12, P<0.01). Children aged 6 to 7 years (OR=2.18, 95%CI=1.45-3.27) and 5 years (OR=1.65, 95%CI=1.08-2.50) had higher carriage rates of S. aureus than those aged 3-4 years. The history of antibiotic using (OR=1.45, 95%CI=1.05-2.01) and skin and soft tissue infections (OR=1.36, 95%CI=1.04-1.79) in the previous year were risk factors of S. aureus carriage among children. Conclusion The class level clustering of S. aureus carriage is observed in healthy children. Age, history of antibiotic usage and history of skin and soft tissue infections are associated with risk of S. aureus carriage among preschool children.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is widely used to the treatment of cancer, however, it could cause damage to gastric mucosa. To investigate the protective effects and related mechanisms of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and vitamin C (VC) on Dox-induced gastric mucosal injury, we presented the survey of the 4 groups of the rats with different conditions. The results showed Dox treatment significantly induced GES-1 apoptosis, but preconditioning in GES-1 cells with VC or CoQ10 significantly inhibited the Dox-induced decrease and other harm effects, including the expression and of IκKβ, IκBα, NF-κB/p65 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in GES-1 cells. Moreover, high-throughput sequencing results showed Dox treatment increased the number of harmful gut microbes, and CoQ10 and VC treatment inhibited this effect. CoQ10 and VC treatment inhibits Dox-induced gastric mucosal injury by inhibiting the activation of the IkKB/IκBα/NF-κB/p65/TNF-α pathway, promoting anti-inflammatory effects of gastric tissue and regulating the composition of the intestinal flora.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is widely used to the treatment of cancer, however, it could cause damage to gastric mucosa. To investigate the protective effects and related mechanisms of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and vitamin C (VC) on Dox-induced gastric mucosal injury, we presented the survey of the 4 groups of the rats with different conditions. The results showed Dox treatment significantly induced GES-1 apoptosis, but preconditioning in GES-1 cells with VC or CoQ10 significantly inhibited the Dox-induced decrease and other harm effects, including the expression and of IκKβ, IκBα, NF-κB/p65 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) in GES-1 cells. Moreover, high-throughput sequencing results showed Dox treatment increased the number of harmful gut microbes, and CoQ10 and VC treatment inhibited this effect. CoQ10 and VC treatment inhibits Dox-induced gastric mucosal injury by inhibiting the activation of the IkKB/IκBα/NF-κB/p65/TNF-α pathway, promoting anti-inflammatory effects of gastric tissue and regulating the composition of the intestinal flora.

Objective:To summarize the experience of surgical treatment of primary liver cancer.Methods:The clinical data of 10 966 surgically managed cases with primary liver cancer, from January 1986 to December 2019 at Hepatobiliary Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, were retrospectively analyzed. The life table method was used to calculate the survival rate and postoperative recurrence rate. Log‐rank test was used to compare the survival process of different groups, and the Cox regression model was used for multivariate analysis. In addition, 2 884 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with more detailed follow‐up data from 2009 to 2019 were selected for survival analysis. Among 2 549 patients treated with hepatectomy, there were 2 107 males and 442 females, with an age of (56.6±11.1) years (range: 20 to 86 years). Among 335 patients treated with liver transplantation, there were 292 males and 43 females, with an age of (51.0±9.7) years (range: 21 to 73 years). The outcomes of hepatectomy versus liver transplantation, anatomic versus non-anatomic hepatectomy were compared, respectively.Results:Of the 10 966 patients with primary liver cancer, 10 331 patients underwent hepatectomy and 635 patients underwent liver transplantation. Patients with liver resection were categorized into three groups: 1986－1995(712 cases), 1996－2008(3 988 cases), 2009?2019(5 631 cases). The 5‐year overall survival rate was 32.9% in the first group(1986－1995). The 5‐year overall survival rate of resected primary liver cancer was 51.7% in the third group(2009‐2019), among which the 5‐year overal survival rates of hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and mixed liver cancer were 57.4%, 26.6% and 50.6%, respectively. Further analysis was performed on 2 549 HCC patients with primary hepatectomy. The 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year overall survival rates were 88.1%, 71.9%, 60.0%, and 41.0%, respectively, and the perioperative mortality rate was 1.0%. Two hundred and forty‐seven HCC patients underwent primary liver transplantation, with 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year overall survival rates of 84.0%, 64.8%, 61.9%, and 57.6%, respectively. Eighty‐eight HCC patients underwent salvage liver transplantation, with the 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year overall survival rates of 86.8%, 65.2%, 52.5%, and 52.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival rates between the two groups with liver transplantation ( P>0.05). Comparing the overall survival rates and recurrence rates of primary hepatectomy (2 549 cases) with primary liver transplantation (247 cases), the 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year overall survival rates in patients within Milan criteria treated with hepatectomy and transplantation were 96.3%, 87.1%, 76.9%, 54.7%, and 95.4%, 79.4%, 77.4%, 71.7%, respectively ( P=0.754). The 1‐, 3‐, 5‐year recurrence rates were 16.3%, 35.9%, 47.6% and 8.1%, 11.7%, 13.9%, respectively( P<0.01). The 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, 10‐year overall survival rates in patients with no large vessels invasion beyond the Milan criteria treated with liver resection and transplantation were 87.2%, 65.9%, 53.0%, 33.0% and 87.6%, 71.8%, 71.8%, 69.3%, respectively( P=0.003); the 1‐, 3‐, 5‐year recurrence rate were 39.2%, 57.8%, 69.7% and 29.7%, 36.7%, 36.7%, respectively ( P<0.01). The 1‐, 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year overall survival rates in patients with large vessels invasion treated with liver resection and transplantation were 62.1%, 36.1%, 22.2%, 15.0% and 62.9%, 31.8%,19.9%, 0, respectively ( P=0.387); the 1‐, 3‐, 5‐year recurrence rates were 61.5%, 74.7%, 80.8% and 59.7%, 82.9%, 87.2%, respectively( P=0.909). Independent prognostic factors for both overall survival and recurrence‐free survival rates of HCC patients treated with liver resection included gender, neoadjuvant therapy, symptoms, AST, intraoperative or postoperative blood transfusion, tumor number, tumor size, cirrhosis, macrovascular invasion, microvascular invasion, and pathological differentiation. Propensity score matching analysis of 443 pairs further showed that there was no significant difference in overall survival rate between anatomical liver resection and non‐anatomical liver resection( P=0.895), but the recurrence rate of non‐anatomical liver resection was higher than that of anatomical liver resection( P=0.035). Conclusions:In the past decade, the overall survival rate of HCC undergoing surgical treatment is significantly higher than before. For HCC patients with good liver function reservation, surgical resection can be performed first, and salvage liver transplantation can be performed after recurrence. The effect of salvage liver transplantation is comparable to that of primary liver transplantation. As for the choice of liver resection approaches, non‐anatomical resection can reserve more liver tissue and can be selected as long as the negative margin is guaranteed.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze hemogram and bone marrow characteristics of pediatric patients infected with parvovirus B19 (HPV-B19) after hematopoietic reconstitution following allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.Methods:The clinical course of nine patients with HPV-B19 infection, including hemogram and bone marrow smear analysis during infection, were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Despite the hematological heterogeneity, all patients exhibited reduced hemoglobin levels accompanied by reticulocytes. The proportion and absolute count of reticulocytes decreased by 90.4% (24.7% -98.7% ) and 90.7% (18.6% -99.0% ) , respectively, in one week. Additionally, five patients manifested a decline in neutrophil granulocyte count in peripheral blood whereas granulocytic hypoplasia was not observed in bone marrow. Furthermore, six patients exhibited megakaryocytic hypoplasia in bone marrow, including five patients with decreased platelet counts in peripheral blood. Importantly, only some patients exhibited erythroid hypoplasia although all patients exhibited a decline in hemoglobin in peripheral blood. Erythroid hypoplasia in bone marrow was present in five patients.Conclusion:There was heterogeneity in hemogram and bone marrow smear characteristics among pediatric patients infected with HPV-B19 following allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Anemia accompanied by decreased reticulocyte count should prompt screening for HPV-B19 in these patients