Safety of Combined Yttrium-90 Radioembolization and Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Immunotherapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

PurposeTo investigate the safety of yttrium-90 radioembolization in combination with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Materials and MethodsThis single-center retrospective study included 26 consecutive patients with HCC who received checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy within 90 days of radioembolization from April 2015 to May 2018. Patients had preserved liver function (Child-Pugh scores A–B7) and either advanced HCC due to macrovascular invasion or limited extrahepatic disease (21 patients) or aggressive intermediate stage HCC that resulted in earlier incorporation of systemic immunotherapy (5 patients). Clinical documentation, laboratory results, and imaging results at 1- and 3-month follow-up intervals were reviewed to assess treatment-related adverse events and treatment responses.ResultsThe median follow-up period after radioembolization was 7.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6–11.8). There were no early (30-day) mortality or grades 3/4 hepatobiliary or immunotherapy-related toxicities. Delayed grades 3/4 hepatobiliary toxicities (1–3 months) occurred in 2 patients in the setting of HCC disease progression. One patient developed pneumonitis. The median overall survival from first immunotherapy was 17.2 months (95% CI, 10.9–23.4). The median overall survival from first radioembolization was 16.5 months (95% CI, 6.6–26.4). From first radioembolization, time to tumor progression was 5.7 months (95% CI, 4.2–7.2), and progression-free survival was 5.7 months (95% CI, 4.3–7.1).ConclusionsRadioembolization combined with checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapy in cases of HCC appears to be safe and causes limited treatment-related toxicity. Future prospective studies are needed to identify the optimal combination treatment protocols and evaluate the efficacy of combination therapy.     

微滴式数字PCR和实时荧光定量PCR对新型冠状病毒肺炎患者不同时间血便尿中核酸检测结果初步探讨

目的 分析微滴式数字PCR(droplet digital PCR, ddPCR)和实时荧光定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR,qPCR)的核酸检测结果,比较两种方法检测各类样本的差异性,为改进新型冠状病毒核酸检测方案提供数据支持。 方法 利用ddPCR和qPCR技术对已经确诊的3例新型冠状病毒肺炎患者发病不同时间的全血、尿液、粪便共22份标本进行新型冠状病毒核酸检测。 结果 两种方法对人保守区域基因扩增结果一致:全血标本信号最强,尿液次之,粪便最少;ddPCR在1份全血,1份尿液,5份粪便中检出ORF-1ab和N基因的阳性微滴,qPCR仅在3份粪便中检出上述基因,漏检的3个标本基因拷贝数平均浓度为128 copies/ml;ddPCR在发病<5、5~15、>15 d的各类标本中都有检出,qPCR检出以中晚期为主;重症病例用ddPCR均可测到阳性微滴,qPCR检测的各类标本均为阴性;轻症病例的各类标本中qPCR只有粪便核酸检测阳性,ddPCR检出率高于qPCR。 结论 ddPCR可以有效克服qPCR 灵敏度不足的难题,是对qPCR 的有益补充,尤其是针对病毒载量比较低的血液、尿液和可疑的粪便或肛拭子标本,适用于早期感染的判断及患者治愈后出院诊断。     

耳穴贴压联合俞募配穴针刺治疗中风后便秘疗效观察

目的观察耳穴贴压联合俞募配穴针刺治疗中风后便秘(虚秘)的临床疗效。方法将80例中风后便秘(虚秘)患者随机分为治疗组40例、对照组40例。在中风常规治疗、护理及康复训练下,治疗组采用耳穴贴压联合俞募配穴针刺,对照组采用普通针刺法。对两组患者临床疗效、便秘症状积分、胃肠激素水平及生存质量进行比较。结果两组治疗后胃肠激素P物质(SP)水平及便秘患者生存质量量表(PAC-QOL)评分均有显著提高(P<0.01),且治疗组治疗后明显高于对照组(P<0.01),两组治疗后便秘症状积分、胃肠激素血管活性肠肽(VIP)水平均显著降低(P<0.01),且治疗组治疗后低于对照组(P<0.01)。治疗组总有效率为87.5%,两组疗效比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论耳穴贴压联合俞募配穴针刺治疗中风后便秘(虚秘)具有良好疗效。     

A randomized study on the effect of modified behavioral activation treatment for depressive symptoms in rural left-behind elderly

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a modified behavioral activation treatment (MBAT) intervention on reducing depressive symptoms in rural left-behind elderly.

Method: This is a randomized study registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR-IOR-17011289). Eighty rural left-behind elderly people who had a Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score between 11 and 25 were randomly assigned to the intervention (n?=?40) and control group (n?=?40). The intervention group received both MBAT and regular treatment for 8 weeks while the control group received regular treatment. Both groups were assessed with the GDS, Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire (OHQ) at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 3 months post-intervention.

Results: There were a total of 73 participants that completed the intervention. The scores of GDS and BAI decreased significantly, but the scores of OHQ increased significantly in the intervention group after 8 sessions of MBAT (P?<?.01). The reduction in depression symptoms after the intervention was maintained at the 3-month follow-up. Significant differences in GDS, BAI, and OHQ scores were observed between the intervention group and the control group (P?<?.01).

Conclusion: MBAT produced a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms than regular care in rural left-behind elderly.

Clinical or methodological significance of this article: A modified behavioral activation (BA) psychotherapy can significantly reduce the recurrence and seriousness of depression symptoms in the left-behind elderly with mild to moderate depression. This study also suggests that further study of the MBAT as an intervention will provide a direction for the management of mental health in rural left-behind elders.     

Effects of synthetic and biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs on lipid and lipoprotein parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundDyslipidemia in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is frequently observed, and treatment with anti-rheumatic drugs has an impact on lipid profiles. Pathophysiologically, inflammation leads to decreased blood lipids and lipoproteins; RA treatment reduces inflammation and therefore may increase lipids and lipoproteins. Whether the lipid changes with RA treatment confer an increased risk of cardiovascular disease or just reflect their potentially atheroprotective anti-inflammatory effect is currently unclear due to limited and conflicting data.ObjectiveThe aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the effects of synthetic and biological disease modifying antirheumatic drugs for the treatment of RA on lipid and lipoprotein parameters.ResultsRecent studies on methotrexate emphasize its anti-atherogenic effect. Golimumab combined with methotrexate revealed a trend towards an anti-atherogenic potential. The known pro-atherogenic lipid-spectrum alterations caused by tofacitinib can be effectively treated with atorvastatin. Tocilizumab signals a favorable impact on the extent of lipid modifications when combined with methotrexate. Abatacept indicated a trend towards an anti-atherogenic lipid profile demonstrated by favorable effects on HDL-C and on the TC/HDL-C ratio. Rituximab has beneficial effects on HDL-C and ApoA1, as well as on the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio.Clinical implicationsAnti-rheumatic drugs have various effects on lipid parameters, which in part appear pro-atherogenic. However, because many of these lipid changes may well reflect their potentially atheroprotective anti-inflammatory action the cardiovascular impact of these changes remains unclear. Whatsoever, cardiovascular safety trials for antirheumatic drugs would be valuable.     

鼓膜穿刺加压灌注治疗分泌性中耳炎的临床疗效

目的探讨鼓膜穿刺加压灌注疗法治疗分泌性中耳炎的临床疗效。方法选择确诊为分泌性中耳炎患者88例为研究对象,所有患者采用中耳鼓膜穿刺鼓室灌注加压治疗。比较不同性质分泌物患者的临床疗效及治疗前后患者鼓室导抗图变化。结果胶冻状患者治疗时间最长,浆液性患者治疗时间最短,三组治疗时间比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。浆液性总有效率94.0%,黏液性总有效率86.8%,胶冻状总有效率75.0%,三组比较有显著差异(P<0.05)。治疗前鼓室导图主要是B型,治疗后主要是A型,治疗前后比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。结论鼓膜穿刺加压灌注治疗分泌性中耳炎具有较好的临床疗效。     

骨碎补化学成分和生物活性研究进展＊

骨碎补是历代临床常用中药，具有疗伤止痛、补肾强骨、消风祛斑等功效。其主要含黄酮、苯丙素、三萜、酚酸及其苷等类化学成分，现代研究表明骨碎补具有抗骨质疏松、促进骨折愈合、促软骨再生、护牙健齿、保护肾功能、抗炎、防治中毒性耳聋、降血脂等多种生物活性，开发前景广阔。本文对近年来骨碎补的化学成分、药理作用及临床应用研究进行综述，以期为骨碎补的进一步深入系统的研究和开发利用提供依据。     

中低度近视SMILE术后超早期视觉质量变化的研究

目的观察飞秒激光小切口角膜基质透镜取出术(SMILE)术后超早期患者视觉质量变化,探讨其变化发生的可能原因。方法选取中低度近视患者23例46眼行SMILE术,术前及术后24 h超早期行主观视觉质量问卷,测量最佳矫正视力的全程视力(远视力5 m,中视力60 cm,近视力33 cm)、对比敏感度(CS)、眩光敏感度(GS)及集合近点(NPC)和调节幅度(AA)。结果视觉质量主观问卷显示术后超早期主观视觉质量较术前下降(P=0.001)。术后裸眼视力(UCVA)明显提高(P=0.0001)。术前与术后最佳矫正视力(BCVA)中远视力没有变化(P=0.096),而中视力和近视力均较术前下降(P=0.039,0.003)。术后CS、GS降低(PCS=0.0001,PGS=0.04),NPC、AA较术前无明显变化(P=0.68,0.13)。结论SMILE术后超早期患者可获得预期理想远视力,但中、近视力尚未恢复。超早期中出现的异常视觉质量改变可能与对比敏感度和眩光敏感度的改变有关。