Induction chemotherapy plus chemoradiotherapy in esophageal cancer: long-term results and exploratory analyses of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Previous results of our trial demonstrated that the addition of induction chemotherapy (IC) prior to definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) failed to significantly improve the response rate or 3-year survival in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Here, we report long-term results and exploratory analyses to further evaluate the therapeutic value of IC.

Methods: Patients with previously untreated, unresectable, stage II-IVA ESCC were randomly assigned to receive IC followed by CRT or CRT alone.

Pharmacokinetics, Mass Balance, and Biotransformation of [C]tinengotinib, A Novel Multi-target Kinase Inhibitor, in Healthy Subjects.

Background And Objective: Tinengotinib, a novel multi-target small molecule kinase inhibitor, is currently undergoing phase II clinical trial in the USA and China. The purpose of this open-label study was to investigate the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of [C]tinengotinib following a single oral dose in healthy subjects.

Methods: Six healthy male subjects received a single oral dose of [C]tinengotinib capsules at 10 mg/100 µCi, and blood, urine, and feces samples were collected.

Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Combined Chemoimmunotherapy With or Without Radiation Therapy for Stage IVB Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of combining first-line chemoimmunotherapy with radiation therapy versus chemoimmunotherapy alone in patients with stage IVB esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods And Materials: We retrospectively examined 409 patients with stage IVB ESCC who received first-line chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 antibody, with or without radiation therapy of ≥40 Gy radiation dose to primary lesion, from 4 academic cancer centers between October 2018 and December 2022. Propensity score matching was conducted to minimize the potential confounding effects.

Effectiveness of post-abortion care services to protect women's fertility in China: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of post-abortion care services in Chinese women who have undergone induced abortion.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in five databases from January 2011 to June 2023 (PROSPERO registration CRD42023440458). Estimates of intervention effects were represented as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Automatic extraction of facial median sagittal plane for patients with asymmetry based on the EDMA alignment algorithm.

Background: We aimed to establish a novel method for automatically constructing three-dimensional (3D) median sagittal plane (MSP) for mandibular deviation patients, which can increase the efficiency of aesthetic evaluating treatment progress. We developed a Euclidean weighted Procrustes analysis (EWPA) algorithm for extracting 3D facial MSP based on the Euclidean distance matrix analysis, automatically assigning weight to facial anatomical landmarks.

Methods: Forty patients with mandibular deviation were recruited, and the Procrustes analysis (PA) algorithm based on the original mirror alignment and EWPA algorithm developed in this study were used to construct the MSP of each facial model of the patient as experimental groups 1 and 2, respectively.

Automatic three-dimensional facial symmetry reference plane construction based on facial planar reflective symmetry net.

Objectives: Three-dimensional (3D) facial symmetry analysis is based on the 3D symmetry reference plane (SRP). Artificial intelligence (AI) is widely used in the dental and oral sciences. This study developed a novel deep learning model called the facial planar reflective symmetry net (FPRS-Net) to automatically construct an SRP and established a method for defining a 3D point-cloud region of interest (ROI) and high-dimensional feature computations suitable for this network model.

Retinol-binding protein 4 as a promising serum biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is universally poor. Early diagnosis plays a pivotal role in determining the outcome of HCC.

Methods: We employed a comparative proteomics approach to identify potential biomarkers and validated the application of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) as a biomarker for HCC.

Chairside digital design and manufacturing method for children's band and loop space maintainers.

Objectives: This study proposes a chairside digital design and manufacturing method for band and loop space maintainers and preliminarily validates its clinical feasibility.

Methods: Clinical cases of 10 children requiring space maintenance caused by premature loss of primary teeth were collected. Intraoral scan data of the affected children were also collected to establish digital models of the missing teeth.

Three-Dimensional Virtual Reconstruction of External Nasal Defects Based on Facial Mesh Generation Network.

(1) Background: In digital-technology-assisted nasal defect reconstruction methods, a crucial step involves utilizing computer-aided design to virtually reconstruct the nasal defect's complete morphology. However, current digital methods for virtual nasal defect reconstruction have yet to achieve efficient, precise, and personalized outcomes. In this research paper, we propose a novel approach for reconstructing external nasal defects based on the Facial Mesh Generation Network (FMGen-Net), aiming to enhance the levels of automation and personalization in virtual reconstruction.

Corrigendum: Fungal community remediate quartz tailings soil under plant combined with urban sludge treatments.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.

Role of hepatitis B virus non-structural protein HBx on HBV replication, interferon signaling, and hepatocarcinogenesis.

Hepatitis B, a global health concern caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), infects nearly 2 billion individuals worldwide, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO). HBV, a hepatotropic DNA virus, predominantly targets and replicates within hepatocytes. Those carrying the virus are at increased risk of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, resulting in nearly 900,000 fatalities annually.

Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel plus cisplatin versus 5-fluorouracil plus cisplatin in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: long-term follow-up results of a phase II randomized controlled trial.

Background: Definitive radiotherapy plus concurrent chemotherapy has been a standard treatment for esophagus patients who are unfit to undergo surgery. However, there are a variety of concurrent chemotherapy regimens with varying efficacy. In this phase II prospective study, we compared the efficacy and toxicity of DP (docetaxel and cisplatin) and PF (cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil) regimens with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and analyzed the 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS).

Subjective evaluation of facial asymmetry with three-dimensional simulated images among the orthodontists and laypersons: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: We used three-dimensional (3D) virtual images to undertake a subjective evaluation of how different factors affect the perception of facial asymmetry among orthodontists and laypersons with the aim of providing a quantitative reference for clinics.

Materials And Methods: A 3D virtual symmetrical facial image was acquired using FaceGen Modeller software. The left chin, mandible, lip and cheek of the virtual face were simulated in the horizontal (interior/exterior), vertical (up/down), or sagittal (forward or backward) direction in 3, 5, and 7 mm respectively with Maya software to increase asymmetry for the further subjective evaluation.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of a series of new anthraquinone derivatives as anti-ZIKV agents.

The major severe complications linked to Zika virus (ZIKV) cause the global public health problems, including microcephaly and other congenital abnormalities in newborns, and Guillain-Barré syndrome, meningoencephalitis, multi-organ failure in adults. However, neither approved vaccines nor drugs are available for ZIKV. In this study, we describe the design, synthesis and the anti-ZIKV activities of a series of anthraquinone analogs.

Phase I study of cisplatin and nanoparticle albumin-bound-paclitaxel combined with concurrent radiotherapy in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: This phase I study aimed to assess the safety, dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and preliminary effect of nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel in combination with concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: Patients with locally advanced ESCC who were ineligible or refused surgery were enrolled. Nab-paclitaxel (60 mg/m , 75 mg/m , and 90 mg/m ) and cisplatin (25 mg/m ) were administered intravenously weekly on days 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29 on the basis of the 3 + 3 dose escalation method.

Efficacy and cost-effectiveness analysis of pretreatment percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in unresectable locally advanced esophageal cancer patients treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (GASTO 1059).

Background: We launched a single-arm phase II study to determine the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) before concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Methods: Eligible patients received pretreatment PEG and enteral nutrition during CCRT. The primary outcome was the change of weight during CCRT.

The pretherapeutic systemic inflammation score is a prognostic predictor for elderly patients with oesophageal cancer: a case control study.

Background: The systemic inflammation score (SIS), based on serum albumin (Alb) and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), is a novel prognostic tool for some tumours. Studies indicate that the SIS can be used as a postoperative prognostic marker. However, its predictive value in elderly oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients treated with radiotherapy is unclear.

Repurposing of Doramectin as a New Anti-Zika Virus Agent.

Zika virus (ZIKV), belonging to the family and mainly transmitted by mosquitoes, causes a variety of adverse outcomes, including Guillain-Barré syndrome, microcephaly, and meningoencephalitis. However, there are no approved vaccines or drugs available for ZIKV. The discovery and research on drugs for ZIKV are still essential.

A Surrogate Endpoint for Overall Survival in Locally Advanced and Resectable Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Reanalysis of Data From the NEOCRTEC5010 Trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate disease-free survival (DFS) as a surrogate endpoint for overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced and resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods And Materials: We re-analyzed patient data from the NEOCRTEC5010 randomized controlled trial (N = 451 patients) to compare their OS with that of an age- and sex-matched cohort from the general population of China. We used expected survival and the standardized mortality ratio, respectively, in our analysis of data collected from a neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NCRT) plus surgery group and a surgery-only group.

Fungal community remediate quartz tailings soil under plant combined with urban sludge treatments.

Introduction: Tailings can cause extensive damage to soil structure and microbial community. Phytoremediation is an effective strategy for remedied tailings soil due to its environmentally friendly and low-cost advantage. Fungi play a crucial role in nutrient cycling, stress resistance, stabilizing soil structure, and promoting plant growth.