维生素B12和叶酸干预对绝经后骨质疏松症妇女的骨代谢及同型半胱氨酸水平的影响

目的观察叶酸和维生素B12对绝经后骨质疏松症妇女的骨代谢及同型半胱氨酸水平的影响。方法 80例绝经后骨质疏松症妇女参加研究。所有参与者随机接受叶酸和维生素B12(n=40)或安慰剂(n=40)治疗。在干预前的基线及干预后3个月和6个月,测量两组患者血清同型半胱氨酸、维生素B12和骨代谢标志物的水平。结果治疗前,两组患者血清同型半胱氨酸、维生素B12和骨代谢标志物水平比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组患者同型半胱氨酸均下降,但比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。6个月后各组间血清维生素B12、骨钙素、CTX的变化均有显著改变且差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论绝经后骨质疏松症妇女补充叶酸和维生素B12可以一定程度改善同型半胱氨酸及骨代谢指标水平。     

孟鲁司特治疗呼吸道合胞病毒毛细支气管炎症状及反复喘息疗效研究

背景　呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）毛细支气管炎易出现反复喘息，且下呼吸道分泌物中半胱氨酸白三烯（CysLTs）水平升高。而孟鲁司特是一种白三烯受体拮抗剂，关于其治疗RSV毛细支气管炎症状的研究相对较少。目的　探讨孟鲁司特改善婴幼儿RSV毛细支气管炎后症状及减轻反复喘息发作的有效性和安全性。方法　2015年6月-2017年6月连续纳入在潍坊市妇幼保健院出院的RSV毛细支气管炎患儿，随机分为治疗组、对照组。Ⅰ期，治疗组：口服孟鲁司特颗粒（4 mg）12周，1次/d；对照组：口服安慰剂12周，1次/d。对两组无症状天数、个人日记评分进行评估。随访9个月（Ⅱ期），观察Ⅰ+Ⅱ期反复喘息人数和医疗资源应用情况等。依据意向性分析（ITT）原则，应用全分析集（FAS）分析数据。结果　共纳入研究对象186例，治疗组92例，对照组94例。治疗组完成Ⅰ期研究的患儿为89例，对照组为90例；治疗组完成Ⅰ+Ⅱ期的患儿为84例，对照组为86例。治疗组平均依从性为97.8%（7 560/7 728），对照组平均依从性为97.4%（7 690/7 896），两组患儿平均依从性比较，差异无统计学意义（χ2=3.16，P=0.07）。在Ⅰ期研究期间，两组无症状天数、日间无症状天数、夜间无症状天数、个人日记评分比较，差异均无统计学意义（P>0.05）。在整个研究过程中（Ⅰ+Ⅱ期），治疗组RSV毛细支气管炎喘息复发人数少于对照组（P<0.05），治疗组喘息患儿出现2次及以上喘息比例低于对照组（χ2=5.14，P=0.02）。Ⅰ+Ⅱ期研究期间治疗组医疗资源应用人数、β-受体激动剂应用人数、糖皮质激素应用人数、住院人数低于对照组（P<0.05）。在事后亚组分析中，治疗组有湿疹史与父母哮喘史的患儿中无症状天数〔（49.7±20.2）、（51.3±20.9）d〕多于对照组〔（36.3±20.4）、（37.8±19.3）d〕（t=2.19，P=0.03；t=2.24，P=0.03）。整个研究过程中没有患儿因不良反应退出研究，两组间胃肠道紊乱、皮疹、转氨酶升高发生率比较，差异均无统计学意义（χ2=0.23，P=0.63；χ2=0.03，P=0.86；χ2=0.15，P=0.69）。结论　口服孟鲁司特（4 mg）12周不能改善RSV毛细支气管炎患儿呼吸道症状，但能降低患儿反复喘息发作次数。口服孟鲁司特（4 mg）有一定效果且安全。     

Neuroendocrine,epigenetic, and intergenerational effects of general anesthetics

The progress of modern medicine would be impossible without the use of general anesthetics (GAs). Despite advancements in refining anesthesia approaches, the effects of GAs are not fully reversible upon GA withdrawal. Neurocognitive deficiencies attributed to GA exposure may persist in neonates or endure for weeks to years in the elderly. Human studies on the mechanisms of the long-term adverse effects of GAs are needed to improve the safety of general anesthesia but they are hampered not only by ethical limitations specific to human research, but also by a lack of specific biological markers that can be used in human studies to safely and objectively study such effects. The latter can primarily be attributed to an insufficient understanding of the full range of the biological effects induced by GAs and the molecular mechanisms mediating such effects even in rodents, which are far more extensively studied than any other species. Our most recent experimental findings in rodents suggest that GAs may adversely affect many more people than is currently anticipated. Specifically, we have shown that anesthesia with the commonly used GA sevoflurane induces in exposed animals not only neuroendocrine abnormalities (somatic effects), but also epigenetic reprogramming of germ cells (germ cell effects). The latter may pass the neurobehavioral effects of parental sevoflurane exposure to the offspring, who may be affected even at levels of anesthesia that are not harmful to the exposed parents. The large number of patients who require general anesthesia, the even larger number of their future unexposed offspring whose health may be affected, and a growing number of neurodevelopmental disorders of unknown etiology underscore the translational importance of investigating the intergenerational effects of GAs. In this mini review, we discuss emerging experimental findings on neuroendocrine, epigenetic, and intergenerational effects of GAs.     

A novel procedure combining transoral resection and set-back tongue flap for oropharyngeal cancer

Seven patients with advanced lateral oropharyngeal cancer (T3N2bM0, or T4N2bM0) underwent transoral lateral oropharyngectomy (TLO) with reconstruction performed through set-back tongue flap and polyglycolic acid (PGA) sheet. TLO was performed following en bloc resection of tumors using endoscopy. To cover the resulting defect in the lateral oropharyngeal wall, the set-back tongue flap was moved posteriorly and laterally to the area of the tongue base and lateral pharyngeal wall. The tip of the set-back tongue flap was sutured to the lateral pharynx to reconstruct the elevated tongue base and altered anterior pillar. The defect on the floor of the mouth was reconstructed using a PGA sheet. Following surgery, the mean observation period was 24 months. The mean operating time was 4 h and 2 min, with an average blood loss of 68.1 ml. All oral intake resumed on the first postoperative day via gastric tube. The mean gastric tube removal time was 1.6 postoperative days as a result of sufficient oral intake. None of the patients received postoperative radiotherapy or displayed evidence of tumor recurrence. We conclude that this novel procedure is highly effective for treating advanced oropharyngeal cancer as it demonstrates good prognostic and functional outcomes.     

Low-dose all-trans retinoic acid enhances cytotoxicity of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil on CD44+ cancer stem cells

Cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum(II)(CDDP)-based combination chemotherapy is frequently used in gastrointestinal cancer. The synergistic mechanism of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in combination remains unclear. Despite their potent antitumor properties, resistance to CDDP and 5-FU develops frequently in tumors. To clarify this mechanism, we determined the sensitivity to each drug and their combination in two gastrointestinal cancer stem cells (CSCs) subpopulation.Here, we report the identification and separation of CD44⁺ cells from human gastric carcinoma (AGS) and human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (KYSE-30) cancer cell lines by magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS). We allowed the CD44^± cells to grow 6 days at a subtoxic concentration of ATRA and then treated with different concentration of CDDP and 5-FU for 24 h. The cytotoxicity was examined by cell proliferation MTT assay. Additionally, AO/EB staining was used for detection of apoptotic cells. In order to determine whether the growth inhibition was also associated with changes in cell cycle distribution, cell cycle analysis was performed using flow cytometry.Low concentration of ATRA (1 μM, 6days) followed by 5-FU and CDDP was found to be more effective than either drugs alone, thus resulting in synergistic cytotoxicity in Kyse-30 and AGSCD44^± cells. Furthermore, there was an indication that the combination of ATRA with 5FU and CDDP caused an increase in cell cycle arrest in G2/M and G0/G1.We conclude that low concentration of ATRA enhances the cytotoxicity of CDDP and 5FU by facilitating apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in gastrointestinal CSCs and provide a rational basis for the design of novel, well-tolerated CDDP- and 5FU-based chemotherapy in human gastrointestinal carcinoma.     

Animal Models of Barrett's Esophagus and Esophageal Adenocarcinoma–Past,Present, and Future

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is the fastest rising cancer in the United States. It develops from long‐standing gastroesophageal reflux disease which affects >20% of the general population. It carries a very poor prognosis with 5‐year survival <20%. The disease is known to sequentially progress from reflux esophagitis to a metaplastic precursor, Barrett''s esophagus and then onto dysplasia and esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, only few patients with reflux develop Barrett''s esophagus and only a minority of these turn malignant. The reason for this heterogeneity in clinical progression is unknown. To improve patient management, molecular changes which facilitate disease progression must be identified. Animal models can provide a comprehensive functional and anatomic platform for such a study. Rats and mice have been the most widely studied but disease homology with humans has been questioned. No animal model naturally simulates the inflammation to adenocarcinoma progression as in humans, with all models requiring surgical bypass or destruction of existing antireflux mechanisms. Valuable properties of individual models could be utilized to holistically evaluate disease progression. In this review paper, we critically examined the current animal models of Barrett''s esophagus, their differences and homologies with human disease and how they have shaped our current understanding of Barrett''s carcinogenesis.     

PD-L1高表达晚期非小细胞肺癌患者单纯免疫治疗与免疫联合化疗疗效比较

背景与目的以免疫检查点抑制剂（immune checkpoint inhibitors, ICIs）为代表的免疫治疗越来越广泛地应用于肺癌治疗。然而，对于程序性死亡受体配体1（programmed cell death-ligand 1, PD-L1）高表达，即肿瘤比例评分（tumor proportion score, TPS）≥50%的晚期非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）患者，采用单纯免疫治疗还是免疫联合化疗在临床上仍存争议。本研究旨在评估PD-L1高表达的晚期NSCLC患者接受单纯免疫治疗与免疫联合化疗的疗效。方法本研究回顾性分析了49例PD-L1高表达晚期NSCLC患者的临床资料。PD-L1表达采用22C3抗体行免疫组化染色，按TPS判读PD-L1表达水平。比较不同临床特征分组患者的客观缓解率（objective response rate，ORR）和无进展生存时间（progression free survival, PFS）。结果免疫单药与免疫联合化疗组的ORR分别为47.1%（8/17）和43.8%（14/32），差异无统计学意义（P=0.825）。免疫单药与免疫联合化疗组的中位PFS分别为8.0个月和6.8个月，差异无统计学意义（P=0.502）。并对本组PD-L1高表达患者免疫治疗的预测因素进行了分析，结果显示，一线免疫治疗ORR（12/19, 63.2%）显著优于二线及以上免疫治疗（10/30, 33.3%），差异有统计学意义（P=0.041），二者间PFS无差异。年龄、性别、吸烟史、功能状态评分（performance status, PS）、病理类型、肿瘤大小、肿瘤淋巴结转移（tumor node metastasis, TNM）分期与ORR和PFS不相关。结论PD-L1高表达的晚期NSCLC患者接受免疫单药和免疫联合化疗的疗效相近。PD-L1高表达患者一线免疫治疗的ORR更佳。对此类人群的最佳治疗方案有待于前瞻性临床研究进一步探索。     

A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.     

Connectivity measures suggest a sub-cortical generator of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome

ObjectiveThe clinical and neurophysiological characteristics of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome (AS) have been evaluated in single case or small cohorts, with contrasting results. We evaluated the features of myoclonus in a wide cohort of AS patients.MethodsWe performed polygraphic EEG-EMG recording in 24 patients with genetically confirmed AS and myoclonus. Neurophysiological investigations included jerk-locked back-averaging (JLBA), cortico-muscular coherence (CMC) and generalised partial directed coherence (GPDC). CMC and GPDC analyses were compared to those obtained from 10 healthy controls (HC).ResultsTwenty-four patients (aged 3–35 years, median 20) were evaluated. Sequences of quasi-continuous rhythmic jerks mostly occurred at alpha frequency or just below (mean 8.4 ± 1.4 Hz), without EEG correlate. JLBA did not show any clear transient preceding the jerks. CMC showed bilateral over-threshold CMC in alpha band that was prominent on the contralateral hemisphere in the patient group as compared to HC group. GPDC showed a significantly higher alpha outflow from both hemispheres toward activated muscles in the patient group, and a significantly higher beta outflow from contralateral hemisphere in the HC group.ConclusionsThese neurophysiological findings suggest a subcortical generator of myoclonus in AS.SignificanceMyoclonus in AS has not a cortical origin as previously hypothesised.