Objective: To investigate the prognostic utility of radiomics features extracted from 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT combined with clinical factors and metabolic parameters in predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in individuals diagnosed with extranodal nasal-type NK/T cell lymphoma (ENKTCL). Materials and Methods: A total of 126 adults with ENKTCL who underwent 18 F-FDG PET/CT examination before treatment were retrospectively included and randomly divided into training (n = 88) and validation cohorts (n = 38) at a ratio of 7:3.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operation Cox regression analysis was used to select the best radiomics features and calculate each patient’s radiomics scores (RadPFS and RadOS). Kaplan–Meier curve and Log-rank test were used to compare survival between patient groups risk-stratified by the radiomics scores. Various models to predict PFS and OS were constructed, including clinical, metabolic, clinical + metabolic, and clinical + metabolic + radiomics models. The discriminative ability of each model was evaluated using Harrell’s C index. The performance of each model in predicting PFS and OS for 1-, 3-, and 5-years was evaluated using the time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Kaplan–Meier curve analysis demonstrated that the radiomics scores effectively identified high- and low-risk patients (all P < 0.05). Multivariable Cox analysis showed that the Ann Arbor stage, maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), and RadPFS were independent risk factors associated with PFS. Further, β2-microglobulin, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score, SUVmax, and RadOS were independent risk factors for OS. The clinical + metabolic + radiomics model exhibited the greatest discriminative ability for both PFS (Harrell’s C-index: 0.805 in the validation cohort) and OS (Harrell’s C-index: 0.833 in the validation cohort). The time-dependent ROC analysis indicated that the clinical + metabolic + radiomics model had the best predictive performance. Conclusion The PET/CT-based clinical + metabolic + radiomics model can enhance prognostication among patients with ENKTCL and may be a non-invasive and efficient risk stratification tool for clinical practice.

Although widely applied in treating hematopoietic malignancies, transplantation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) is impeded by HSPC shortage. Whether circulating HSPCs (cHSPCs) in steady-state blood could be used as an alternative source remains largely elusive. Here we develop a three-dimensional culture system (3DCS) including arginine, glycine, aspartate, and a series of factors. Fourteen-day culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) in 3DCS led to 125- and 70-fold increase of the frequency and number of CD34⁺ cells. Further, 3DCS-expanded cHSPCs exhibited the similar reconstitution rate compared to CD34⁺ HSPCs in bone marrow. Mechanistically, 3DCS fabricated an immunomodulatory niche, secreting cytokines as TNF to support cHSPC survival and proliferation. Finally, 3DCS could also promote the expansion of cHSPCs in patients who failed in HSPC mobilization. Our 3DCS successfully expands rare cHSPCs, providing an alternative source for the HSPC therapy, particularly for the patients/donors who have failed in HSPC mobilization.
Antigens, CD34/metabolism* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism* ; Peptides/metabolism*

Objective: Early detection and treatment are particularly important to epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Studies have shown that circular RNA (circRNA) dysregulation is associated with the proliferation and metastasis of ovarian cancer cells. This study focused on the role of serum exosomal circular forkhead box protein P1 (circFoxp1) on survival outcome and cisplatin (DDP) resistance in patients with EOC. Methods: Quantitative polymerase chain reaction, 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, CCK-8, luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation, tumor xenograft in nude mice, and bioinformatic analysis were performed. Results: Circulating exosomal circFoxp1 was significantly increased in patients with EOC, especially in DDP-resistant EOC patients. circFoxp1 expression was positively associated with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage, primary tumor size, lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis, residual tumor diameter, and clinical response. Exosomal circFoxp1 also was an independent factor predicting survival and disease recurrence in patients with EOC. Overexpression of circFoxp1 could promote cell proliferation and confer DDP resistance, while knockdown of circFoxp1 could inhibit cell proliferation and enhance DDP sensitivity in vitro and in vivo. In addition, miR-22 and miR-150-3p mimic treatment attenuated circFoxp1-meadiated DDP resistance, while miR-22 and miR-150-3p inhibitor treatment enhanced DDP resistance that mitigated by circFoxp1 knockdown. Furthermore, circFoxp1 positively regulated the expression of CCAAT enhancer binding protein gamma (CEBPG) and formin like 3 (FMNL3) through miR-22 and miR-150-3p. Conclusions circFoxp1 is an oncogene in EOC cells and can confer DDP resistance to EOC cells. Circulating exosomal circFoxp1 can be used as a biomarker and potential therapeutic target for EOC.

Purpose: Whether craniospinal irradiation (CSI) could be replaced by limited-field radiation in non-metastatic bifocal germinoma remains controversial. We addressed the issue based on the data from our series and the literature. Methods: Data from 49 patients diagnosed with non-metastatic bifocal germinoma at our hospital during the last 10 years were collected. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 was used to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Additionally, 81 patients identified from the literature were also analyzed independently. Results: In our cohort, 34 patients had tumors in the sellar/suprasellar (S/SS) plus pineal gland (PG) regions and 15 in the S/SS plus basal ganglia/thalamus (BG/T) regions. The median follow-up period was 52 months (range, 10 to 134 months). Our survival analysis showed that patients treated with CSI (n=12) or whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT; n=34) had comparable disease-free survival (DFS; p=0.540), but better DFS than those treated with focal radiotherapy (FR; n=3, p=0.016). All 81 patients from the literature had tumors in the S/SS+PG regions. Relapses were documented in 4/45 patients treated with FR, 2/17 treated with whole-ventricle irradiation, 0/4 treated with WBRT, and 1/15 treated with CSI. Survival analysis did not reveal DFS differences between the types of radiation field (p=0.785). HRQOL analysis (n=44) in our cohort found that, compared with S/SS+PG germinoma, patients with BG/T involvement had significantly lower scores in social and school domains. However, HRQOL difference between patients treated with CSI and those not treated with CSI was not significant. Conclusion In patients with non-metastatic bifocal germinoma, it is rational that CSI could be replaced by limited-field radiation. HRQOL in patients with BG/T involvement was poorer.

Objective To evaluate the application of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGD) in the treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis in 3 kinds of special population including the elderly, cirrhosis or mid and late-stage pregnant women. Methods Clinical data of 292 patients with acute calculous cholecystitis among 3 kinds of special population who underwent PTGD in Baoji Central Hospital of Shaanxi between January 2009 and December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. There were 105 males and 187 females, aged from 22-91 and with a median age of 47 years old. 176 cases were elderly patients, 77 were with cirrhosis and 39 were mid and late-stage pregnant women. Ultrasound-guided PTGD was performed in the patients to relieve gallbladder tension rapidly, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was performed according to the patient's condition. Efficacy of cholecystitis control in elderly patients before and after PTGD as well as the efficacy of surgical treatment in patients with liver cirrhosis or mid and late-stage pregnant women were observed. Cholecystitis indexes before and after PTGD were compared using t test. Results Symptoms of elderly patients significantly improved 3 d after PTGD. The average WBC, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin were (9.8±0.5)×109/L, (22.0±1.3) μg/L and (0.15±0.02) μg/L, which were significantly lower than preoperative (12.5±0.4)×109/L, (35.0±2.8) μg/L and (0.25±0.03) μg/L, respectively (t=-18.725,-29.062, -21.287; P<0.05). Cholecystitis in 77 patients with liver cirrhosis were effectively controlled within 1 week after PTGD, including 66 received sequential LC and 1 converted to open cholecystectomy, with a length of operation (31±9) min, intraoperative blood loss (21±5) ml and postoperative length of hospital stay (4.3±0.6) d. Cholecystitis in 39 mid and late-stage pregnant women were effectively controlled 1 week after PTGD. These patients received elective LC during the period after PTGD to 1 month after delivery, including 1 converted to open cholecystectomy. Conclusions For patients with acute calculous cholecystitis in 3 kinds of special population including the elderly, those with cirrhosis or mid and late-stage pregnant women, PTGD can effectively control the cholecystitis with the advantages of simple operation, minimally invasive, safety and effectiveness, and sequential elective LC can reduce the risk of emergent surgery.

Objective To investigate the correlation of serum(SF)and hepcidin(Hepc)level with cardi-ac function and chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods A total of 80 elderly patients with CHF who had received treatment in our hospital from October 2015 to February 2017 were assigned to CHF group and 80 patients without heart failure were assigned to a control group. Serum SF and hepidin levels in both the groups were measured and compared.Results Serum hepidin and hs-C-reactive protein levels were all significantly higher in CHF group than in the control group[(69.58 ± 27.16)ng/ml vs.(128.46 ± 33.28)ng/mL;(97.16 ± 16.81)ng/mL vs.(54.12 ± 15.76)ng/mL;(3.3 ± 1.64)mg/L vs.(2.78 ± 1.36)mg/L].Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that SF was an independent protective factor for CHF(P < 0.05);Hepc and hs-CRP were independent risk factors for CHF (P<0.05).Conclusions Serum hepcidin and hs-C-reactive protein may be risk factors for chronic heart failure. Measurement of serum hepidin and hs-CRP levels is helpful for early prevention and treatment of heart failure.

Objective To evaluate the effect of Xingqi Tongfu Pad on the intestinal functions of children with acute abdomen after surgery. Methods The random digit table was used to randomize 146 patients with acute abdomen into treatment group (n=71) and control group (n=75) according to their registration number. In the control group, the patients only received normal treatment and nursing, while those in the treatment group received Xingqi Tongfu Pad for the acupoint application in addition to routine treatments. The two groups were compared in terms of the time of bowel sound recovery , the exhaust defecation time and gastrointestinal dysfunction score. Results The bowel sounds and the first exhaust and defecation in the treatment group appeared obviously earlier than those in the control group . The score on gastrointestinal dysfunction in the treated group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions Xingqi Tongfu Pad can promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function after abdominal operation. It deserves popularization for its positive effect, cheap price and easy operation.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanism of adult offspring rats'anxiety-like behavior induced by parents experienced morphine addiction and withdrawal.MethodsEstablishing the model of Sprague-Dawley rats morphine addiction,Male and female rats were mated after morphine withdrawal 21 days.Meaning-while,saline control group was established in the same method.5 female and 5 male offspring's brains were obtained to observe the neuronal morphology of hippocampal CA1 through Golgi staining when they were 8 weeks old,the same number of female and male's hippocampus were derived after deeply anesthetized to perform the whole genome expression profiles analysis.ResultsThe total length and the number of basal dendrites branches on hippocampal CA1 neurons in offspring of morphine groups were significantly decreased compared to the offspring of saline group.Comparison with the offspring of saline group,663 up-regulated genes (ratios ≥2.0) and 499 down-regulated genes ( ratios ≤0.5 ) were detected in the male offspring of morphine groups,and 350 up-regulated genes (ratios ≥2.0) and 188 down-regulated genes (ratios ≤0.5) were done in the female.Furthermore,they included many genes associated with regulation of emotional behavior,such as 5-HT2c receptor up-regulation 7-fold,Igf-2 up-regulation 7.1-fold and reelin down-regulation 3.3-fold were observed.ConclusionExperienced morphine addiction and withdrawal in parents prior to mating leads to dysplasia of dendritic morphology in hippocampal CA1 neurons of adult offspring rats,and 5-HT2c,Igf-2,reelin expressing abnormally,which may be the possible mechanism of anxiety-like behavior in adult offspring rats.