Radiomic signatures reveal multiscale intratumor heterogeneity associated with tissue tolerance and survival in re-irradiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a multicenter study.

Background: Post-radiation nasopharyngeal necrosis (PRNN) is a severe adverse event following re-radiotherapy for patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LRNPC) and associated with decreased survival. Biological heterogeneity in recurrent tumors contributes to the different risks of PRNN. Radiomics can be used to mine high-throughput non-invasive image features to predict clinical outcomes and capture underlying biological functions.

First-Line Immunochemotherapy Versus Palliative Chemotherapy Plus Definitive Radiation Therapy for Metastatic Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Matched Cohort Study.

Background: The combined use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with palliative chemotherapy (PCT) is a promising first-line treatment for de novo metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (mNPC). However, the efficacy of ICIs with PCT vs PCT with definitive radiation therapy (DRT) remain unclear.

Methods: Patients with mNPC who received first-line immunochemotherapy (ICI + PCT) or PCT + DRT were included.

Prognostic significance of AKR1C4 and the advantage of combining EBV DNA to stratify patients at high risk of locoregional recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Distinguishing patients at a greater risk of recurrence is essential for treating locoregional advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This study aimed to explore the potential of aldo-keto reductase 1C4 (AKR1C4) in stratifying patients at high risk of locoregional relapse.

Methods: A total of 179 patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were grouped by different strategies; they were: (a) divided into two groups according to AKR1C4 expression level, and (b) classified into three clusters by integrating AKR1C4 and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA.

Equivalent current dipole sources of neurofeedback training-induced alpha activity through temporal/spectral analytic techniques.

Much of the work in alpha NFT has focused on evaluating changes in alpha amplitude. However, the generation mechanism of training-induced alpha activity has not yet been clarified. The present study aimed to identify sources of training-induced alpha activity through four temporal/spectral analytic techniques, i.

[Effects of Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate on Stem Cell-like Characteristics, Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Function of Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia NB4 Cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of monoammonium glycyrrhizinate on the stem cell-like characteristics, oxidative stress and mitochondrial function of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells NB4.

Methods: CCK-8 method was used to detect the viability of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells NB4, and the appropriate dose was screened; Cloning method was used to detect the proliferation rate of NB4 cell; Western blot was used to detect the expression of cell cycle-related protein; flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and sort NB4 stem cells positive (CD133); Stem cell markers (Oct4, ABCG2, Dclk1) were detected by RT-PCR; ROS was detected by fluorescence; The kit was used to detect the level of oxidative stress markers (MDA); The flow cytometry was used to detect the change of mitochondrial membrane potential; Western blot was used to detect the expression of mitochondrial damage index-related proteins (Bax/BCL-2).

Results: Compared with the control group, if the concentration of MAG was less than 5 μmol/L, the cell NB4 viability showed no significant difference; if the concentration was higher than 5 μmol/L, the inhibitory effect on the growth of cell NB4 increased and showed significant difference (P<0.

Exploration of a N-terminal disulfide bridge to improve the thermostability of a GH11 xylanase from Aspergillus niger.

To improve the thermostability of xylanase XynZF-2 from Aspergillus niger XZ-3S, a disulfide bridge was introduced in the N-terminal domains by site-directed mutagenesis (V1C and E27C). Simultaneously, the active sites of XynZF-2 were predicted by bioinformatics software and verified by site-directed mutagenesis (E103D and E194D). The mutated active sites xynED- and the mutated disulfide bridge xynDC-encoding genes were constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3).

[Clinical and Prognostic analysis of 43 Children with Mature B-cell Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma/Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia].

Objective: To explore the clinical and prognostic features as well as treatment response of childhood B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma/acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-NHL/B-ALL), so as to better modify the treatment for further improving the prognosis.

Methods: The clinical data of 43 patients with newly-diagnosed childhood B-NHL/B-ALL from July 2005 to December 2013 in West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospectively analyzed with particular focus on clinical presentations, laboratory findings and histology. Among them 26 patients received B-NHL-2010 protocol and 17 patients received LMB-89 protocol treatment.

[Efficacy and safety of the WT-2009 chemotherapy protocol in treatment of Wilms' tumor in children].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the WT-2009 chemotherapy protocol for Wilms' tumor (WT) in children.

Methods: The clinical data of 34 children with newly-diagnosed WT between July 2009 and December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Among the 34 children, 2 died before treatment, 6 children did not accept therapy and 26 accepted the chemotherapy based on the WT-2009 chemotherapy protocol.

A novel mutation in the CD40 ligand gene in a Chinese boy with X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome.

X-linked hyper-IgM Syndrome (XHIGM) is caused by a mutation of CD40 ligand (CD40L), which is normally expressed on activated CD4+ T cells and is responsible for immunoglobulin class switching. A 7-year-old boy with recurrent sino-pulmonary infections since the age of 3 months had normal CD3+, CD4+, CD8+T lymphocytes, and CD19+B lymphocytes and NK cells, but significantly elevated IgM and extremely decreased IgG and IgA. Sequencing of genomic DNA revealed that the patient had a 34 base deletion in intron 3 and exon 4 of CD40L(g.

Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 in the medial prefrontal cortex contributes to stress-induced hyperalgesia.

Stressful stimuli can exacerbate persistent pain disorder. However, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Here, to reveal the underlying mechanism for stressful stimuli-induced hyperalgesia in chronic pain, we investigated the effect of extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) activation on pain hypersensitivity using single-prolonged stress (SPS) model, complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) model and SPS + CFA model.

Neurochemical properties of the synapses between the parabrachial nucleus-derived CGRP-positive axonal terminals and the GABAergic neurons in the lateral capsular division of central nucleus of amygdala.

The lateral capsular division of central nucleus of amygdala (CeC) contains neurons using γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) as the predominant neurotransmitter and expresses abundant calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-positive terminals. However, the relationship between them has not been revealed yet. Using GAD67-green fluorescent protein (GFP) knock-in mouse, we investigated the neurochemical features of synapses between CGRP-positive terminals and GABAergic neurons within CeC and the potential involvement of CGRP1 receptor by combining fluorescent in situ hybridization for CGRP1 receptor mRNA with immunofluorescent histochemistry for GFP and CGRP.

Analysis of kidney biopsy data from a single center in the midland rural area of china, 1996-2010.

Objective: To survey the clinical epidemiology and correlations between pathology and clinical features of major groups of kidney diseases in a rural area of China.

Methods: From January 1996 to December 2010, histologic diagnosis of renal disease was made on samples collected from 919 patients from a single center in the midland rural area of China. Demographic data were obtained from all patients, and clinical profiles were analyzed in 917 patients.

Molecular cloning, sequence analysis and expression of a GHF 43 xylanase from Aspergillus niger in Escherichia coli.

A new xylanase gene (xyn43A) from Aspergillus niger XZ-3S was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21-CodonPlus (DE3)-RIL. The coding region of the gene was separated by only one intron 86 bp in length. It encoded 318 amino acid residues of a protein with a calculated molecular weight (MW) of 33.

[Clinical analysis of Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in children].

The primary infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) may results in hemophagocytic syndrome, known as EBV-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (EBV-AHS), but the clinical risk factors complicating this fatal disease in children with infectious mononucleosis (IM) are unknown. The aim of this study was to identify clinical features of EBV-AHS and to evaluate the curative effect of HLH-2004 protocol. The clinical and laboratory data of 644 IM children including 27 children developed into EBV-AHS and 43 HPS children associated with other diseases were retrospectively analyzed and logistic regression was used to identify the clinical risk factors complicating EBV-AHS.

Rapamycin sensitizes glucocorticoid resistant acute lymphoblastic leukemia CEM-C1 cells to dexamethasone induced apoptosis through both mTOR suppression and up-regulation and activation of glucocorticoid receptor.

Objective: To explore the role of glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR) in rapamycin's reversion of GC resistance in human GC-resistant T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) CEM-C1 cells.

Methods: CEM-C1 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with rapamycin at different concentrations with or without 1 μmol/L dexamethasone (Dex). 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test was performed to assess cell proliferation.

[Visceral leishmaniasis associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: report of four childhood cases].

Objective: The clinical features of four cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL)-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (VL-HLH) were retrospectively analyzed for the purpose of helping the diagnosis of secondary HLH.

Method: Clinical data of three childhood cases of VL-HLH documented in our hospital and one case diagnosed in the Capital Institute of Pediatrics was reviewed retrospectively, with particular emphasis on peculiar clinical manifestations and on clues to the diagnosis of this relatively rare disease entity.

Result: Three children were from endemic areas of VL, and the other one had lived in endemic area for one year, which was revealed by detailed history-taking.

[Clinical risk factors for Epstein-Barr virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome in children with infectious mononucleosis].

Objective: To compare the clinical features of infectious mononucleosis (IM) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-AHS) and identify the clinical risk factors in IM patients complicated with EBV-AHS.

Method: A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the clinical and laboratory data of 414 IM and 16 EBV-AHS children from January, 2000 to April, 2006. Then Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for progression to EBV-ASH.

[Retrospective analysis of 41 childhood hemophagocytic syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) and to improve its recognition, early diagnosis and to reduce misdiagnosis.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out to analyze the underlying diseases, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings and outcomes in 41 patients with HPS.

Results: HPS was clinically characterized by prolonged fever (100%), hepatomegaly (97.

[Comparative study on clinical features between TEL-AML1 positive and negative childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

Objective: To determine the incidence of TEL-AML1 fusion gene in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to compare the clinical features between TEL-AML1 positive and negative patients.

Methods: Samples of bone marrow or peripheral blood were collected from 95 newly diagnosed ALL children and the TEL-AML1 fusion gene was detected using nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The ALL patients were stratified into TEL-AML1 positive and negative groups and the clinical features were compared.

[Expression of mitochondrial ferritin in K562 leukemic cell during TPA-induced cell differentiation].

Mitochondrial ferritin (MtF), a new player in iron metabolism, first identified in 2001, is highly homologous to ferritin both structurally and functionally. Preliminary studies have suggested that MtF might play very important roles in the regulation of mitochondrial iron homeostasis. Leukemic cells, just like other malignant cells, demand more iron for their greater proliferation potential.