The efficacy and safety of adding PD-1 blockade to induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (IC-CCRT) for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: an observational, propensity score-matched analysis.

Background: Despite the success of PD-1 blockade in recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), its effect for locoregionally advanced NPC (LANPC) remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the benefit of adding PD-1 blockade to the current standard treatment (gemcitabine and cisplatin IC  plus cisplatin CCRT ) for LANPC patients.

Methods: From January 2020 to November 2022, 347 patients with non-metastatic high-risk LANPC (stage III-IVA, excluding T3-4N0) were included.

m6A Modification Promotes EMT and Metastasis of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer by Upregulating NFIB.

Unlabelled: The widespread use of androgen receptor (AR) signaling inhibitors has led to an increased incidence of AR-negative castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), limiting effective treatment and patient survival. A more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms supporting AR-negative CRPC could reveal therapeutic vulnerabilities to improve treatment. This study showed that the transcription factor nuclear factor I/B (NFIB) was upregulated in patient with AR-negative CRPC tumors and cell lines and was positively associated with an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy in pediatric patients with stage III-IVa nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a real-world propensity score-matched cohort study.

Objectives: To compare neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) to CCRT alone in children and adolescents (age ≤ 18 years) with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (CA-LANPC, stage III-IVA).

Materials And Methods: 195 CA-LANPC patients who were treated through CCRT with or without NAC between 2008 and 2018 were enrolled in this study. A matched cohort composed of CCRT patients and NAC-CCRT patients was generated by propensity score matching (PSM) at a 1:2 ratio.

Protection of Barrier Function in Cultured Human Corneal Epithelial Cells by Semaphorin 4D.

Purpose: Corneal epithelial barrier function is important to maintain corneal homeostasis and is impaired by inflammation. We aimed to investigate the localization of semaphorin 4D (Sema4D) in the cornea, and its effects on the barrier function of cultured corneal epithelial cells.

Methods: The expressions of semaphorin4 D and its receptor in the murine cornea were examined by immunoblot, immunofluorescent staining and confocal microscopy observations.

Quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of biomarker combinations for human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common cancers in developing countries. However, currently there are no specific biomarkers for ESCC. This study evaluated the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), tumor suppressor protein p53, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as biomarkers for ESCC.

Concomitant corticosteroid nasal spray plus antihistamine (oral or local spray) for the symptomatic management of allergic rhinitis.

The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare the symptomatic management of corticosteroid nasal spray plus antihistamine (oral or local spray) with that of either therapy given alone, or placebo in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). The PRISMA guidelines for meta-analysis reporting were followed. Total nasal symptom scores and individual nasal symptom scores were pooled after assessing heterogeneity among studies.

[Expression of focal adhesion kinase in cardiac myocytes of hypertrophic ventricle].

Objectives: To investigate the role of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in the pathogenesis of cardiac hypertrophy induced by hypertension.

Methods: Using immunofluorescent labeling, confocal microscopy and Western blotting, the expression and subcellular localization of FAK in the cardiac myocytes of left ventricle were determined in 2, 6, 12, and 18 month-old rats with spontaneously hypertensive heart failure (SHHF) along with age-matched control Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats.

Results: There was no significant difference of FAK expression between 2 month-old SHHF and WKY rats (50.