Curcumin enhances anti-tumor immune response in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

PurposeThis study evaluated the role of anti-tumor immune response of curcumin on tongue squamous cell carcinama (TSCC).Experimental designCell lines (Cal 27, FaDu) and animal model (4NQO mice model) were uesd in this study. The MTT assay was used to detecte cell proliferation. The Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to examine the protein expression. The flow cytometry was performed to determine the number of Treg and MDSC.ResultsThe expression of PD-L1 and p-STAT3^Y705 were does-dependently inhibited in Fadu and Cal 27 cell line. The results of in vivo demonstrated that curcumin significantly attenuated tumor growth in 4NQO mice model. The expression of PD-L1 and p-STAT3^Y705 were similarly decreased in vivo. Moreover, the anti-tumor immune response was remarkably improved after curcumin treatment through increasing CD8 positive T cells and decreasing Tregs and MDSCs.ConclusionsCurcumin treatment resulted in inhibition of PD-L1 and p-STAT3^Y705 expression both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment was changed after curcumin treatment. These data suggested that curcumin could effectively promote anti-tumor immune response in TSCC.     

2011年深圳市光明新区婴儿喂养方式现状调查

目的了解光明新区婴儿喂养方式现状,比较独生子女与非独生子女之间的差异,研究两个群体有效的营养行为干预模式。方法 2011年7月1～8日在深圳市光明新区社区儿童保健门诊,对330名0～3岁散居婴幼儿的主要照顾者进行回顾性调查,调查表由医务人员填写,主要内容包括婴幼儿基本情况、喂养现状及补充食品添加情况,以及家长关于婴儿期喂养、营养知识和行为等。结果独生子女家庭年均收入与非独生子女家庭年均收入差异均无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;独生子女母乳喂养率为35.13%,非独生子女为76.08%（P〈0.05）;断奶时间：独生子女为4.10月,非独生子女为8.08月（P〈0.05）;6个月龄时独生子女补充食品添加占29.87%,非独生子女占19.19%（P〈0.01）,两人群补充食品添加种类和频率差异均有统计学意义。结论科学合理的喂养方式取决于主要抚养人的喂养行为以及母亲的文化程度,家庭收入不是科学喂养的主要障碍,独生子女补充食物添加及喂养方式更为科学合理,分层次践行科学育儿中心-社区-家庭的干预模式。     

“一站式”预约系统的设计与研究

目前就诊排队是普遍的社会问题，为提高服务质量，减少候诊时间，设计完成“一站式”预约系统。结合不同检验检查的预约规则、预约模式，建立数学模型，对非抢占有限优先权的预约模式进行结合实际情况的比对分析。在模式设计中，利用简单工厂模式与策略模式相结合的方法，减少代码重用，使系统更加强壮。同时利用数学模型，通过系统给用户一系列的理论值，使用户感受更加直观。理论值与实际情况相比较，进行误差分析，结合门诊预约等多种模式，做到“一站式”预约，即有排队等待的地方就有预约。     

Adequate sample size for developing prediction models is not simply related to events per variable

ObjectivesThe choice of an adequate sample size for a Cox regression analysis is generally based on the rule of thumb derived from simulation studies of a minimum of 10 events per variable (EPV). One simulation study suggested scenarios in which the 10 EPV rule can be relaxed. The effect of a range of binary predictors with varying prevalence, reflecting clinical practice, has not yet been fully investigated.Study Design and SettingWe conducted an extended resampling study using a large general-practice data set, comprising over 2 million anonymized patient records, to examine the EPV requirements for prediction models with low-prevalence binary predictors developed using Cox regression. The performance of the models was then evaluated using an independent external validation data set. We investigated both fully specified models and models derived using variable selection.ResultsOur results indicated that an EPV rule of thumb should be data driven and that EPV ≥ 20 ​ generally eliminates bias in regression coefficients when many low-prevalence predictors are included in a Cox model.ConclusionHigher EPV is needed when low-prevalence predictors are present in a model to eliminate bias in regression coefficients and improve predictive accuracy.     

17‐year outcome of preterm infants with diverse neonatal morbidities: Part 1—Impact on physical,neurological, and psychological health status

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to comprehensively examine physical, neurological, and psychological health in a U.S. sample of 180 infants at age 17. Design and Methods. The World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model framed the health‐related domains and contextual factors. Assessments included growth, chronic conditions, neurological status, and psychological health. Results. Physical health, growth, and neurological outcomes were poorer in the preterm groups. Minor neurological impairment was related to integrative function. Preterm survivors reported higher rates of depression, anxiety, and inattention/hyperactivity. Practice Implications. Complex health challenges confront preterm survivors at late adolescence, suggesting the necessity of continued health surveillance.     

Metronomic treatment in immunocompetent preclinical GL261 glioblastoma: effects of cyclophosphamide and temozolomide

Glioblastoma (GBM) causes poor survival in patients even when applying aggressive treatment. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard chemotherapeutic choice for GBM treatment, but resistance always ensues. In previous years, efforts have focused on new therapeutic regimens with conventional drugs to activate immune responses that may enhance tumor regression and prevent regrowth, for example the “metronomic” approaches. In metronomic scheduling studies, cyclophosphamide (CPA) in GL261 GBM growing subcutaneously in C57BL/6 mice was shown not only to activate antitumor CD8⁺ T‐cell response, but also to induce long‐term specific T‐cell tumor memory. Accordingly, we have evaluated whether metronomic CPA or TMZ administration could increase survival in orthotopic GL261 in C57BL/6 mice, an immunocompetent model. Longitudinal in vivo studies with CPA (140 mg/kg) or TMZ (range 140–240 mg/kg) metronomic administration (every 6 days) were performed in tumor‐bearing mice. Tumor evolution was monitored at 7 T with MRI (T₂‐weighted, diffusion‐weighted imaging) and MRSI‐based nosological images of response to therapy. Obtained results demonstrated that both treatments resulted in increased survival (38.6 ± 21.0 days, n = 30) compared with control (19.4 ± 2.4 days, n = 18). Best results were obtained with 140 mg/kg TMZ (treated, 44.9 ± 29.0 days, n = 12, versus control, 19.3 ± 2.3 days, n = 12), achieving a longer survival rate than previous group work using three cycles of TMZ therapy at 60 mg/kg (33.9 ± 11.7 days, n = 38). Additional interesting findings were, first, clear edema appearance during chemotherapeutic treatment, second, the ability to apply the semi‐supervised source analysis previously developed in our group for non‐invasive TMZ therapy response monitoring to detect CPA‐induced response, and third, the necropsy findings in mice cured from GBM after high TMZ cumulative dosage (980–1400 mg/kg), which demonstrated lymphoma incidence. In summary, every 6 day administration schedule of TMZ or CPA improves survival in orthotopic GL261 GBM with respect to controls or non‐metronomic therapy, in partial agreement with previous work on subcutaneous GL261.     

Computer assisted detection of abnormal airway variation in CT scans related to paediatric tuberculosis

Airway deformation and stenosis can be key signs of pathology such as lymphadenopathy. This study presents a local airway point distribution model (LA-PDM) to automatically analyse regions of the airway tree in CT scans and identify abnormal airway deformation. In our method, the airway tree is segmented and the centreline identified from each chest CT scan. Thin-plate splines, along with a local mesh alignment method for tubular meshes, are used to register the airways and develop point distribution models (PDM). Each PDM is then used to analyse and classify local regions of the airway. This LA-PDM method was developed using 89 training cases and evaluated on a 90 CT test set, where each set includes paediatric tuberculosis (TB) cases (with airway involvement) and non-TB cases (without airway involvement). The LA-PDM was able to accurately distinguish cases with airway involvement with an AUC of the ROC classification (and 95% confidence interval) of 0.87 (0.77–0.94) for the Trachea–LMB–RMB region and 0.81 (0.68–0.90) for the RMB–RUL–BI region – outperforming a comparison method based on airway cross-sectional features. This has the potential to assist and improve airway analysis from CT scans by detecting involved airways and visualising affected airway regions.