Huayu Pill (化瘀丸) Promotes Fluorescent Doxorubicin Delivery to Tumors in Mouse Model of Lung Cancer

Objective: To study the effect and mechanism of Huayu Wan (化瘀丸, HYW) in combination of chemotherapy of tumor treatment. Methods: HYW serum was added in Lewis cells to assess its impact on fluorescent doxorubicin delivery in vitro. Then, Lewis tumor cells was implanted in C57BL/6 mice via xenograft transplantation. Tumor growth was measured and signal intensity corresponding to blood flow was assessed by laser doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI). Finally, the effect of HYW on the efficacy of doxorubicin was studied. Results: HYW can improve the transfer of fluorescent doxorubicin into cells. The blood flow signal in the tumor tissues of the HYW group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Furthermore, HYW improved drug delivery of doxorubicin to tumor tissues, and this activity was associated with HYW-induced microvascular proliferation (P<0.01). Conclusions: HYW can promote microangiogenesis and increase blood supply in tumor tissues, which in turn may increase the risk of metastasis. At the same time, HYW increases drug delivery and improves the efficacy of chemotherapy drugs through vascular proliferation. Therefore, rational judgment must be exercised when considering applying HYW to an antitumor regimen.     

An infant with localized vasoconstriction following topical propranolol exposure for infantile hemangioma

We describe a 3‐month‐old child with an infantile hemangioma on the forehead with a blanched macule provoked by topical treatment with propranolol. This observation demonstrates that topically applied (non‐selective) beta‐blockers may induce blanched macules at the site of application, a side effect due to peripheral vasoconstriction of blood vessels by non‐selective beta‐2 blockade. This side effect was linked due to overuse and was reversible. This case illustrates the importance of providing thorough instructions regarding topical propranolol application.     

Epilepsy and pregnancy: What should the neurologists do?

Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic disorders affecting women of childbearing age. Unfortunately, many women with epilepsy (WWE) still report not receiving key information about pregnancy. They obviously need information about epilepsy and pregnancy prior to conception with a particular emphasis on effective birth control (i.e. contraception), necessity to plan pregnancy, antiepileptic drugs optimization, and folate supplementation. The risks associated with use of antiepileptic drugs during pregnancy have to be balanced against fetal and maternal risks associated with uncontrolled seizures. This report reviews evidence-based counseling and management strategies concerning maternal and fetal risks associated with seizures, teratogenic risks associated with antiepileptic drug exposure with a special emphasis on developmental and behavioural outcomes of children exposed to intra utero antiepileptic drugs.     

Buried Bumper Syndrome: A common complication of levodopa intestinal infusion for Parkinson disease

BackgroundPercutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is required for Levodopa/Carbidopa Intestinal Gel (LCIG) delivery in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) as well as for enteral feeding in a variety of neurological disorders. Buried Bumper Syndrome (BBS) is a serious complication of PEG. The frequency of BBS in patients receiving LCIG treatment has never been reported.ObjectivesTo compare the frequency of BBS in patients on LCIG treatment or on enteral feeding over the past 12 years and identify possible risk factors.MethodsWe reviewed prospectively recorded data from 2009 to 2020 on two case-series: LCIG-treated PD patients and non-PD patients on enteral nutrition. We identified all BBS incidences. Patients’ characteristics, clinical manifestations, BBS management, possible risk factors and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsDuring the 12 years, 35 PD patients underwent PEG insertion for LCIG infusion, and 123 non-PD patients for nutritional support. There were eight cases of BBS in six PD patients (17.1%). Six of them were effectively managed without treatment discontinuation. Of the enteral feeding patients, only one developed BBS (0.8%) (p < 0.001). We identified inappropriate PEG site aftercare, weight gain, early onset PD, longer survival, treatment duration, dementia and PEG system design as potential risk factors for BBS development.ConclusionsBBS occurs more frequently in LCIG patients than in patients receiving enteral feeding. If detected early, it can be successfully managed, and serious sequalae or treatment discontinuation can be avoided. Regular endoscopic follow-up visits of LCIG-treated patients and increased awareness in patients and clinicians are recommended.     

Efficacy of recombinant Marek’s disease virus vectored vaccines with computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) hemagglutinin insert against genetically diverse H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses

The genetic and antigenic drift associated with the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of Goose/Guangdong (Gs/GD) lineage and the emergence of vaccine-resistant field viruses underscores the need for a broadly protective H5 influenza A vaccine. Here, we tested experimental vector herpesvirus of turkey (vHVT)-H5 vaccines containing either wild-type clade 2.3.4.4A-derived H5 inserts or computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) inserts with challenge by homologous and genetically divergent H5 HPAI Gs/GD lineage viruses in chickens. Direct assessment of protection was confirmed for all the tested constructs, which provided clinical protection against the homologous and heterologous H5 HPAI Gs/GD challenge viruses and significantly decreased oropharyngeal shedding titers compared to the sham vaccine. The cross reactivity was assessed by hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) and focus reduction assay against a panel of phylogenetically and antigenically diverse H5 strains. The COBRA-derived H5 inserts elicited antibody responses against antigenically diverse strains, while the wild-type-derived H5 vaccines elicited protection mostly against close antigenically related clades 2.3.4.4A and 2.3.4.4D viruses. In conclusion, the HVT vector, a widely used replicating vaccine platform in poultry, with H5 insert provides clinical protection and significant reduction of viral shedding against homologous and heterologous challenge. In addition, the COBRA-derived inserts have the potential to be used against antigenically distinct co-circulating viruses and future drift variants.     

CYP2C19*2、CYP2C19*3基因分型与急性缺血性脑卒中再发脑卒中的关系

目的探讨细胞色素P450药物代谢酶(CYP)2C19基因分型与氯吡格雷治疗的急性缺血性脑卒中患者再发脑卒中的关系。方法选取2018年5月—2018年12月常州市第一人民医院收治接受氯吡格雷治疗的159例急性缺血性脑卒中患者,检测患者入院后空腹外周血中CYP2C19*2,CYP2C19*3基因分型。对患者进行随访,随访截至2020年2月,观察再发脑卒中的情况,并分析CYP2C19*2,CYP2C19*3基因分型与再发脑卒中关系。结果随访时间14~22个月,平均随访时间为(18.2±1.5)个月,共7例患者失访,共20例(13.2%)患者复发缺血性脑卒中。再发脑卒中患者中CYP2C19*2 GG型及CYP2C19*3 GG型均低于无复发患者(P<0.05),CYP2C19*2 GA型,CYP2C19*2 AA型CYP2C19*3 GA型,CYP2C19*3AA型均高于无复发患者(P<0.05)。Kaplan-Meier法并Log-rank检验结果显示,CYP2C19*2 GG型无复发时间长于AA型,差异有统计学意义(Log-rank=6.759,P=0.034)。CYP2C19*3GG型无复发时间长于AA型,差异有统计学意义(Log-rank x2=8.660,P=0.013)。多因素Cox分析结果显示,糖尿病、氯吡格雷抵抗,CYP2C19*2及CYP2C19*3基因型是再发脑卒中影响因素(P<0.05)。结论在接受氯吡格雷治疗急性缺血性脑卒中患者中,CYP2C19*2及CYP2C19*3突变型再发脑卒中的风险明显增高。     

Vasovagal reactions after COVID-19 vaccination in Japan

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine administration started in February 2021 in Japan. As of December 2021, approximately 75% of the population aged ≥12 years had received two doses of vaccine. We conducted a study to investigate vasovagal reactions (VVR) after COVID-19 vaccination using data on adverse events following immunization. The crude reporting rate of VVR (cases/1,000,000 doses) after vaccination was 9.6 in all age groups combined, and was more frequent in the younger age groups: 28.6 and 37.2 in individuals aged 10–19 years and 20–29 years, respectively. In individuals aged 10–29 years, the rate was similar in males and females (33.0 and 34.2, respectively, p = 0.53); but was higher after dose 1 than after dose 2 (57.4 and 8.8, respectively, p < 0.001). Based on these results, caution needs to be exercised when vaccinating adolescents and young adults, especially with dose 1 of COVID-19 vaccines.