Trends in using mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) in treating corneal diseases

Since their inception in the 1960s–70s, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have gained interest because of their differentiation potential, anti-inflammatory effects, and immune-modulating properties. Both cell-based and cell-free MSC treatments show healing capacity in injured tissues. Cell-based treatment comprises MSCs and all secreted products, whereas cell-free treatments include only the secreted products. MSCs are therapeutically administered to many damaged organs owing to their efficacy. Specifically, the eye is a unique organ system to study the effects of MSCs, as treatment is easily applied and measured owing to its external location. The eye holds an immune-privileged status, wherein inflammation and immune responses are innately down-regulated. As excessive inflammation in the cornea often leads to fibrosis and irreversible corneal hazing, many studies have investigated the anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating capacities of MSCs. Decades of research suggest that MSCs modulate the immune response by secreting cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins that inhibit the infiltration of inflammatory cells following injury and promote a healing phenotype via M2 macrophage polarization. MSCs have also shown trans-differentiation potential into cornea-specific cell types during the wound healing process, such as corneal epithelial, stromal, or endothelial cells. This review discusses recent investigations of MSC treatment in the cornea, focusing on therapeutic efficacy, mechanisms, and future directions.     

多功能套针浮刺疗法治疗神经根型颈椎病——一项随机对照观察研究＊

目的 评价多功能套针浮刺疗法对神经根型颈椎病的临床疗效。方法 选取256例神经根型颈椎病患者，按随机数字表法分为观察组与对照组各128例。观察组应用多功能套针浮刺疗法进行干预，对照组为常规针刺治疗。两组患者均治疗7天。分别于治疗前后观察两组患者的简化McGill疼痛问卷（SF-MPQ）、国际标准颈椎功能障碍指数（NDI）和田中靖久颈椎病症状20分法量表评分，并于治疗结束后3个月观察复发率。结果 两组患者治疗后的SF-MPQ量表评分、NDI量表评分及田中靖久颈椎病症状20分法评分与治疗前相比均有改善（P<0.05），且观察组优于对照组（P<0.05）；两组患者于治疗后3个月随访，SF-MPQ量表评分与治疗后相比均有改善，且观察组优于对照组（P<0.05）；观察组临床疗效总有效率为96.88%，愈显率为81.25%；对照组总有效率为78.13%，愈显率为46.88%，观察组优于对照组（P<0.05）。结论 应用多功能套针浮刺疗法治疗神经根型颈椎病临床疗效显著，见效较快，可有效降低其复发率，且作用稳定，效果持久，值得临床推广应用。     

Barrett’s esophagus: Review of natural history and comparative efficacy of endoscopic and surgical therapies

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Progression to cancer typically occurs in a stepwise fashion through worsening dysplasia and ultimately, invasive neoplasia. Established EAC with deep involvement of the esophageal wall and/or metastatic disease is invariably associated with poor long-term survival rates. This guides the rationale of surveillance of Barrett’s in an attempt to treat lesions at an earlier, and potentially curative stage. The last two decades have seen a paradigm shift in management of Barrett’s with rapid expansion in the role of endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) for management of dysplastic and early neoplastic BE, and there have been substantial changes to international consensus guidelines for management of early BE based on evolving evidence. This review aims to assist the physician in the therapeutic decision-making process with patients by comprehensive review and summary of literature surrounding natural history of Barrett’s by histological stage, and the effectiveness of interventions in attenuating the risk posed by its natural history. Key findings were as follows. Non-dysplastic Barrett’s is associated with extremely low risk of progression, and interventions cannot be justified. The annual risk of cancer progression in low grade dysplasia is between 1%-3%; EET can be offered though evidence for its benefit remains confined to highly select settings. High-grade dysplasia progresses to cancer in 5%-10% per year; EET is similarly effective to and less morbid than surgery and should be routinely performed for this indication. Risk of nodal metastases in intramucosal cancer is 2%-4%, which is comparable to operative mortality rate, so EET is usually preferred. Submucosal cancer is associated with nodal metastases in 14%-41% hence surgery remains standard of care, except for select situations.     

外泌体在肿瘤细胞与TAMs之间相互作用中“桥梁”和调控作用的研究进展北大核心

外泌体是一类直径为30~100 nm的圆盘囊泡,其内包含许多组分,诸如复杂RNA和蛋白质等,主要参与细胞间的信号转导。肿瘤相关巨噬细胞(tumor-associated macrophages,TAMs)是肿瘤微环境中普遍存在的巨噬细胞,通过对肿瘤生长、免疫逃逸、侵袭和转移、耐药性等多方面的作用影响肿瘤进程。外泌体在肿瘤相关巨噬细胞的招募、极化及抗肿瘤免疫调控等方面发挥着重要的调节功能。同时,TAMs以外泌体为媒介作用于肿瘤细胞,从而构成了外泌体、TAMs与肿瘤细胞之间相互作用的调控通路。综上所述,本文旨在阐明肿瘤细胞与TAMs之间,以外泌体为“桥梁”相互影响的潜在机制,以及靶向肿瘤细胞和TAMs来源的外泌体在恶性肿瘤治疗中的展望。     

Future directions in managing aniridia-associated keratopathy

Congenital aniridia is a panocular disorder that is typically characterized by iris hypoplasia and aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK). AAK results in the progressive loss of corneal transparency and thereby loss of vision. Currently, there is no approved therapy to delay or prevent its progression, and clinical management is challenging because of phenotypic variability and high risk of complications after interventions; however, new insights into the molecular pathogenesis of AAK may help improve its management. Here, we review the current understanding about the pathogenesis and management of AAK. We highlight the biological mechanisms involved in AAK development with the aim to develop future treatment options, including surgical, pharmacological, cell therapies, and gene therapies.     

基于中国传统运动疗法的慢性筋骨病康复模式构建思路探析＊

中国传统运动疗法作为极具特色的康养健身运动疗法，在防病治病中的宝贵价值备受国际康复医学界关注。而慢性筋骨病是骨伤科临床中的常见病、多发病与疑难杂病，临床呈现出“一大五多五高”的特征，成为当前重大的健康问题与临床防治研究课题。本文通过深入探究中国传统运动疗法特点以及其在慢性筋骨病康复中的应用原理、原则及优势作用，提出以传统运动疗法为依托，构建慢性筋骨病防病治病应用方法模式；以三因制宜为指导，构建医院-社区-团体-患者为一体的康复管理模式；以“治未病”工程为支撑，构建慢性筋骨病管理信息资源共享平台模式；为切实提高防、控、治的能力与水平找准抓手与路径，为构建慢性筋骨病康复模式提供新的思路与方向。     

Care of Seniors with Breast Cancer – Treatment Received and Refining Decision Making

AimsTreatment decisions for older patients with breast cancer are complex and evidence is largely extrapolated from younger populations. Frailty and comorbidity need to be considered. We studied the baseline characteristics and treatment decisions in older patients in Christchurch with breast cancer and assessed survival outcomes and prognostic/discriminatory performance of several tools.Materials and methodsWe searched the Canterbury Breast Cancer Registry and identified patients aged 70 years or older at diagnosis with invasive, non-metastatic breast cancer between 1 June 2009 and 30 June 2015. We retrieved demographics, treatment and outcome information. Overall survival and breast cancer-specific survival were estimated. Tools analysing performance status and comorbidity were assessed for their prognostic and discriminatory power.ResultsIn total, 440 patients were identified. Primary surgery was carried out for 362 patients (82.3%): breast-conserving surgery in 114 (of whom 88.6% received radiation therapy); mastectomy in 248 (of whom 24.6% received radiation). Hormone therapy was given for 265 (71.1%) patients with oestrogen receptor-positive cancers. Two hundred and seventy-four (62.3%) patients received full standard treatment, which was associated with significantly improved 5-year survival and 5-year breast cancer-specific survival. The median estimated overall survival was 8.2 years (95% confidence interval 7.3–9.1 years). Of those who died, 71.3% of deaths were due to causes other than breast cancer or unknown causes. The comorbidity-adjusted life expectancy (CALE) showed partial prognostic accuracy. CALE, Charlson and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group tools all showed discriminatory value.ConclusionIn this population-based series of older patients with breast cancer, showing high levels of primary and adjuvant treatment, patients were more likely to die of causes other than breast cancer. Performance status and comorbidity tools showed prognostic and discriminatory potential in this population supporting their use in treatment decision making. CALE showed the most potential to improve treatment decisions but requires validation in this population to improve prognostic accuracy.     

Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in treatment of major depressive disorder

Major depressive disorder is a serious and common neuropsychiatric disorder that affects more than 350 million people worldwide. Electroconvulsive therapy is the oldest and most effective treatment available for the treatment of severe major depressive disorder. Electroconvulsive therapy modifies structural network changes in patients with major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. And it can also affect neuroinflammatory responses and may have neuroprotective effects. Electroconvulsive therapy plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of major depressive disorder.