Establishment and preliminary application of personalized three-dimensional reconstruction of thyroid gland with automatic detection of thyroid nodules based on ultrasound videos.

Purpose: A well display of the spatial location of thyroid nodules in the thyroid is important for surgical path planning and surgeon-patient communication. The aim of this study was to establish a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction method of the thyroid gland, thyroid nodule, and carotid artery with automatic detection based on two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound videos, and to evaluate its clinical value.

Methods: Ultrasound videos, including the thyroid gland with nodule, isthmus of thyroid gland, and ipsilateral carotid artery, were recorded.

Establishment of a nomogram for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with early gastric cancer after endoscopic submucosal dissection.

Background: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been accepted as the standard treatment for the appropriate indication of early gastric cancer (EGC). Determining the risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is critical for the following treatment selection after ESD. This study aimed to develop a predictive model to quantify the probability of LNM in EGC to help minimize the invasive procedures.

Independent prognostic value of left ventricular mass index in patients with light-chain amyloidosis.

Background: Echocardiographic-determined left ventricular mass index (LVMI) provides quantitative information on left-ventricular structure. However, its prognostic value on light-chain (AL) amyloidosis has not been clearly defined.

Methods: We included 99 patients with newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis between July 2013 and March 2022.

Quantitative assessment of changes in skeletal muscle injury by computer-aided analysis based on two-dimensional ultrasonography combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and estimated by a modified semi-quantitative scoring system: An experimental study in a contusion model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential application of computer-aided analysis in the quantitative assessment of changes in skeletal muscle injury in the rabbit contusion model. Forty healthy rabbits were randomly divided into control (n = 5) and contusion (n = 35) groups. Rabbits in the contusion group were used to construct a muscle contusion model induced by a hammer hitting the right gastrocnemius, while the muscles of rabbits in the control group were non-injured.

Folate Decorated Multifunctional Biodegradable Nanoparticles for Gastric Carcinoma Active Targeting Theranostics.

Introduction: Gastric cancer remains a major clinical issue and little progress has been made in the treatment of gastric cancer patients during recent decades. Nanoparticles provide a versatile platform for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer.

Methods: We prepared 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) I-radiolabelled biodegradable nanoparticles with folate surface modification (I-SN-38-FA-NPs) as a novel nanoplatform for targeted gastric carcinoma theranostics.

Updated Evaluation of the Diagnostic Performance of Double Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in the Preoperative T Staging of Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the diagnostic performance of double contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (DCEUS) in the preoperative T staging of gastric cancer (GC).

Methods: Literature searches for eligible studies were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve of DCEUS in the diagnosis of each T stage tumor were calculated.

Neoadjuvant Intraperitoneal and Systemic Chemotherapy Versus Neoadjuvant Systemic Chemotherapy With Docetaxel, Oxaliplatin, and S-1 for Gastric Cancer With Peritoneal Metastasis: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Background: The optimal treatment for gastric cancer with peritoneal metastasis (GCPM) remains debatable. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (NIPS) versus neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy (NSC) for GCPM.

Methods: Patients of GCPM received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel, oxaliplatin and S-1 between January 2011 and June 2019 were retrospectively evaluated.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy versus emergency cholecystectomy for the treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis in high-risk surgical patients: a meta-analysis and systematic review.

The present meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy and safety of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) versus emergency cholecystectomy (EC) for the treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) in high-risk surgical patients. Literature searches for eligible studies were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Quality assessment was conducted in each study.

Dynamic monitoring of cardiac foreign body by perioperative echocardiography: A case study.

Cardiac foreign bodies, especially those with sharp tips, may lead to unpredictable complications, such as penetrating cardiac injuries. Yet there have not been many reports of penetrating cardiac injuries caused by a needle that migrates from the neck to the heart. We herein present a review of such a case, focusing on the dynamic monitoring by perioperative echocardiography.

Comparison of Docetaxel + Oxaliplatin + S-1 vs Oxalipatin + S-1 as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Locally Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Background: What is the optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) regimen for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) remains debatable. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of docetaxel+oxaliplatin+S-1 (DOS) vs oxaliplatin+S-1 (SOX) as NAC for LAGC.

Methods: Data of 248 LAGC patients who received either DOS or SOX as NAC in our hospital between January 2010 and January 2018 were reviewed retrospectively.

Disruption of the unfolded protein response (UPR) by lead compound selectively suppresses cancer cell growth.

Identifying chemotherapy candidates with high selectivity against cancer cells is a major challenge in cancer treatment. Tumor microenvironments cause chronic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activate the unfolded protein response (UPR) as an adaptive response. Here, one novel small-molecule compound, 17#, was discovered as a potent pan-UPR inhibitor.

β-catenin SUMOylation is involved in the dysregulated proliferation of myeloma cells.

Over-activation of SUMOylation is correlated with poor prognosis in multiple myeloma (MM), with the mechanism unclear. Wnt signaling is one of the aberrantly regulated pathways related to cancer tumorigenesis and progression. Whether SUMOylation is involved in regulating the activity of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, however, has not been reported in MM.

Is concomitant radiotherapy necessary with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer?

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine (GEM) plus radiotherapy compared with GEM alone for pancreatic cancer (PC).

Methods: A systematic search for eligible studies comparing gemcitabine plus radiotherapy with gemcitabine alone for PC was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. A quality assessment was performed in each study.

Bortezomib-thalidomide-based regimens improved clinical outcomes without increasing toxicity as induction treatment for untreated multiple myeloma: a meta-analysis of phase III randomized controlled trials.

Novel agents thalidomide and bortezomib have significantly improved myeloma treatment. However, it remains unclear whether patients will benefit more from the combination therapy of these two agents. Our meta-analysis aims to compare the efficiency, and more importantly, the safety of bortezomib-thalidomide-based (VT-based) versus bortezomib-based or thalidomide-based (V-based/T-based) regimens as induction therapy in patients with previously untreated myeloma.

Transfection of chimeric anti-CD138 gene enhances natural killer cell activation and killing of multiple myeloma cells.

Reprogramming of NK cells with a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) proved an effective strategy to increase NK cell reactivity and recognition specificity toward tumor cells. To enhance the cytotoxicity of NK cells against CD138-positive multiple myeloma (MM) cells, we generated genetically modified NK-92MI cells carrying a CAR that consists of an anti-CD138 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) fused to the CD3ζ chain as a signaling moiety. The genetic modification through a lentiviral vector did not affect the intrinsic cytolytic activity of NK-92MI toward human erythroleukemic cell line K562 cells or CD138-negative targets.

Unfolded protein response inducers tunicamycin and dithiothreitol promote myeloma cell differentiation mediated by XBP-1.

The unfolded protein response (UPR) is an essential pathway for both normal and malignant plasma cells to maintain endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis in response to the large amount of immunoglobulin (Ig) output. The inositol-requiring enzyme 1-X-box binding protein-1 (IRE1-XBP-1) arm of the UPR pathway has been shown to play crucial roles not only in relieving the ER stress by up-regulating a series of genes favoring ER-associated protein degradation and protein folding, but in mediating terminal plasmacytic differentiation and maturation. Myeloma cells comprise various subsets arrested in diverse differentiated phases, and the immaturity of myeloma cells has been taken as a marker for poor prognosis, suggesting that differentiation induction would be a promising therapeutic strategy for myeloma.

[Sumoylation and its role in hematological disease].

Small ubiquitin-related modifier (SUMO) can be covalently attached to target proteins and thereby plays a crucial role in regulating the normal functions of cells, such as protein-protein interaction, subcellular localization, DNA repair, cell cycle and transcription factor regulation. Several lines have implicated that sumoylation is important in disease occurrence and development. This brief review will focus on some recent findings about the roles of sumoylation in the etiology and treatment of hematological malignancies.

Is it safe to withdraw steroids within seven days of renal transplantation?

Background: The safety of very early steroid withdrawal (VESW) in renal transplant recipients remains unclear.

Methods: Literature searches for all randomized controlled trials comparing VESW with steroid maintenance regimens were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Quality assessment was performed in each trial.

Alemtuzumab induction in renal transplantation: a meta-analysis and systemic review.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of alemtuzumab versus traditional antibodies for induction therapy in renal transplantation.

Methods: Literature searches for all randomized controlled trials comparing alemtuzumab with traditional antibodies for post renal transplant induction therapy were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Quality assessment was performed in each trial.