Phase 0 Study of Vandetanib-Eluting Radiopaque Embolics as a Preoperative Embolization Treatment in Patients with Resectable Liver Malignancies

PurposeTo assess the safety and tolerability of a vandetanib-eluting radiopaque embolic (BTG-002814) for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with resectable liver malignancies.Materials and MethodsThe VEROnA clinical trial was a first-in-human, phase 0, single-arm, window-of-opportunity study. Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years and had resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (Child-Pugh A) or metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients received 1 mL of BTG-002814 transarterially (containing 100 mg of vandetanib) 7–21 days prior to surgery. The primary objectives were to establish the safety and tolerability of BTG-002814 and determine the concentrations of vandetanib and the N-desmethyl vandetanib metabolite in the plasma and resected liver after treatment. Biomarker studies included circulating proangiogenic factors, perfusion computed tomography, and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsEight patients were enrolled: 2 with HCC and 6 with mCRC. There was 1 grade 3 adverse event (AE) before surgery and 18 after surgery; 6 AEs were deemed to be related to BTG-002814. Surgical resection was not delayed. Vandetanib was present in the plasma of all patients 12 days after treatment, with a mean maximum concentration of 24.3 ng/mL (standard deviation ± 13.94 ng/mL), and in resected liver tissue up to 32 days after treatment (441–404,000 ng/g). The median percentage of tumor necrosis was 92.5% (range, 5%–100%). There were no significant changes in perfusion imaging parameters after TACE.ConclusionsBTG-002814 has an acceptable safety profile in patients before surgery. The presence of vandetanib in the tumor specimens up to 32 days after treatment suggests sustained anticancer activity, while the low vandetanib levels in the plasma suggest minimal release into the systemic circulation. Further evaluation of this TACE combination is warranted in dose-finding and efficacy studies.     

Role of site-directed mutagenesis and adjuvants in the stability and potency of anthrax protective antigen

Anthrax is a zoonotic infection caused by the gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Depending on the origin of the infection, serious health problems or mortality is possible. The virulence of B. anthracis is reliant on three pathogenic factors, which are secreted upon infection: protective antigen (PA), lethal factor (LF), and edema factor (EF). Systemic illness results from LF and EF entering cells through the formation of a complex with the heptameric form of PA, bound to the membrane of infected cells through its receptor. The currently available anthrax vaccines have multiple drawbacks, and recombinant PA is considered a promising second-generation vaccine candidate. However, the inherent chemical instability of PA through Asn deamidation at multiple sites prevents its use after long-term storage owing to loss of potency. Moreover, there is a distinct possibility of B. anthracis being used as a bioweapon; thus, the developed vaccine should remain efficacious and stable over the long-term. Second-generation anthrax vaccines with appropriate adjuvant formulations for enhanced immunogenicity and safety are desired. In this article, using protein engineering approaches, we have reviewed the stabilization of anthrax vaccine candidates that are currently licensed or under preclinical and clinical trials. We have also proposed a formulation to enhance recombinant PA vaccine potency via adjuvant formulation.     

The effect of trans arterial chemoembolization in the management of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundA comprehensive re-evaluation on the role of trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.MethodsA thorough database searching was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library. Eligible studies were restricted to comparative studies between TACE and non-TACE cohorts. RevMan5.3 software and Stata 13.0 software were used for statistical analyses. The primary endpoint of our study was long-term survival.ResultsA total of 11 studies with 2036 patients were finally identified. Pooled results revealed that patients receiving TACE had a significantly better overall survival (OS) versus those without TACE (P < 0.05). Subgroup analyses were performed according to different types of TACE. Prophylactic post-surgical TACE (PPTACE) was associated with a significantly better OS versus those without PPTACE (P < 0.05). Palliative TACE (PTACE) also achieved a significantly better OS compared with those with supportive treatment (ST) only (P < 0.00001). However, TACE had no impact on disease-free survival (P = 0.87) and was less effective than surgical resection (P = 0.003).ConclusionPPTACE has a remarkable impact on OS versus those with surgical resections only and should be regularly performed. Regarding patients with unresectable disease, apart from conventional ST, adjuvant PTACE is also recommended. Upcoming prospective randomized controlled trials are warranted for further validation.     

Efficacy and Safety of Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Creation for Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PurposeTo assess the critical role of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in the management of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), as the data with respect to the safety and outcome of TIPS in patients with BCS are scarce because of the rarity of the disease.Materials and MethodsA comprehensive search of literature of various databases from 2000 to October 2021 was conducted for studies evaluating the outcome of TIPS in patients with BCS. The primary outcomes of the analysis were technical and clinical success, adverse events and mortality associated with TIPS, dysfunction of TIPS, need for TIPS revision, need for liver transplantation (LT), and 1-year survival.ResultsA total of 33 studies (1,395 patients) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled rates and 95% confidence intervals of various outcomes were 98.6% (97.6–99.7) for technical success, 90.3% (86.0–94.6) for clinical success, 10.0% (6.5–13.6) for major adverse events, 0.5% (0.2–1.0) for TIPS-related mortality, 11.6% (7.8–15.4) for post-TIPS hepatic encephalopathy (HE), 40.1% (32.5–47.7) for TIPS dysfunction, 8.6% (4.9–12.4) for the need for TIPS revision, 4.5% (2.8–6.2) for the need for LT, and 94.6% (93.1–96.1) for 1-year survival. Publication bias was seen with all outcomes except for post-TIPS HE, TIPS dysfunction, and the need for LT.ConclusionsThe existing literature supports the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of TIPS in the treatment of BCS. Deciding the optimal timing of TIPS in BCS needs further studies.     

扶正化瘀方含药血清对肝星状细胞activinA/smad信号通路活化的影响

目的　探讨扶正化瘀方含药血清对肝星状细胞（HSC）激活素A（activinA）/smad信号通路活化的影响。方法　20只SD大鼠按照随机数字表法分为对照组及扶正化瘀（Fzhy）-低、中、高剂量含药血清组，每组5只，分别以蒸馏水，0.75、1.5、3.0 g/kg扶正化瘀溶液（扶正化瘀胶囊药物粉末与蒸馏水配制）灌胃1次/d，连续3 d，取血制备空白血清（对照组）和含药血清。以大鼠HSC-T6细胞为研究对象，分别用5%、10%、20%体积分数的各组含药血清培养细胞。CCK-8检测细胞存活率，选取细胞存活率在50%左右的体积分数重新分为对照组及Fzhy-低、中、高剂量组。流式细胞术检测细胞周期及凋亡率、线粒体膜电位变化和活性氧（ROS）水平；实时荧光定量聚合酶链反应检测细胞中activinA、smad3、samd7、核因子（NF）-κB的mRNA水平；蛋白质印迹法检测细胞中activinⅡA受体（ActRⅡA）、smad3、NF-κB p65、胱天蛋白酶（caspase）-3的蛋白水平。结果　各扶正化瘀含药血清组的细胞存活率均低于对照组（P＜0.05），选择体积分数为10%的含药血清进行后续实验。对照组和各扶正化瘀方含药血清组细胞周期和凋亡率差异均无统计学意义。对照组及Fzhy-低、中、高剂量组细胞内ROS水平及线粒体膜电位水平降低比例逐次升高（P＜0.05）。与对照组比较，Fzhy-中、高剂量组smad3 mRNA表达水平降低，smad7 mRNA升高，Fzhy-低、中、高剂量组NF-κB、activinA mRNA，smad3、NF-κB p65、ActRⅡA蛋白表达水平降低，Fzhy-低剂量组、中剂量组caspase-3蛋白表达水平升高（P＜0.05）；与Fzhy-低剂量组相比，Fzhy-中、高剂量组smad3 mRNA表达水平降低，Fzhy-中剂量组activinA及smad7 mRNA升高（P＜0.05）。结论　扶正化瘀方含药血清可通过影响HSC-T6细胞增殖、参与细胞的氧化应激以及调节细胞activinA/smad信号转导通路来实现抗纤维化作用。     

健脾益肝方对非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者脂肪分布及脂代谢的影响

目的:探讨健脾益肝方对非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)患者脂肪分布及脂代谢的影响。方法:将80例NAFLD患者随机分为对照组和治疗组各40例。两组患者均在多学科联合管理下给予个体化的饮食、运动等生活方式指导,治疗组患者在此基础上加用健脾益肝方,疗程均为3个月。通过生物电阻抗技术测量患者治疗前后脂肪质量及分布,定期监测肝肾功能、血脂指标。比较两组患者肥胖、脂肪分布、血脂指标变化。结果:治疗组患者有效率为97.5%,明显高于对照组的82.5%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);治疗组患者BMI、BFP、WHR、TC、TG及LDL-C水平明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05);治疗组患者躯干及内脏脂肪沉积改善明显优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论:生活方式干预联合健脾益肝方治疗NAFLD患者能显著改善患者的肥胖及脂代谢紊乱,并且与躯干和内脏脂肪质量的下降密切相关。     

Effects of Cassava Juice (Manihot esculenta Crantz) on Renal and Hepatic Function and Motor Impairments in Male Rats

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a plant that contains neurotoxins such as linamarin and lotaustraline. Its long-term consumption is associated with neuronal damage and contributes to the development of motor impairment in humans and rats. We investigated the effects of the consumption of cassava juice on renal and hepatic function and motor impairments in male rats. The rats received the vehicle, non-toxic and toxic doses of cassava juice, or linamarin as a pharmacological control, over 35 consecutive days. The effects were evaluated in an open field test, rotarod, and swim test. The toxic cassava dose and linamarin resulted in motor impairments in the rotarod and swim test from day 7 of treatment. The toxic cassava dose and linamarin increased the parameters that indicate renal and hepatic damage, with the exception of total protein and albumin levels. Behavioral variables that show motor incoordination (i.e., latency to fall in the rotarod) were negatively correlated with biochemical parameters of renal and kidney damage, whereas spin behavior was positively correlated. Our data indicate that chronic oral consumption of cassava juice caused renal and hepatic damage that was correlated with motor coordination impairment in rats, similarly to their principal neurotoxic compound, linamarin.     

舌三针联合康复训练对脑梗死后假性延髓麻痹所致构音障碍的疗效观察

目的:探讨舌三针联合康复训练对脑梗死后假性延髓麻痹所致构音障碍疗效,以期提高脑卒中后患者生命质量。方法:选取2016年12月至2019年1月海南省人民医院收治的脑梗死后假性延髓麻痹所致构音障碍患者78例进行回顾性分析,按照治疗方法不同分为对照组和观察组,每组39例。对照组常规西医+康复训练治疗,观察组在以上基础上加用舌三针治疗,均连续治疗6周。观察2组治疗前、完成治疗后血脂、Frenchay构音评分、血液流变学、言语空气动力学指标变化并比较。完成治疗后总结疗效情况。结果:1)2组治疗完成后反射、呼吸、唇、颌、软腭、喉、舌、言语评分和治疗前比较均显著上升(P<0.05),且观察组上升幅度显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。2)2组治疗完成后三酰甘油(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)较治疗前均显著下降,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)较治疗前比较均显著上升(P<0.05),且观察组上升幅度显著高于对照组(P<0.05)。3)2组治疗完成后全血高低切黏度、血浆黏度、红细胞压积较治疗前均显著下降(P<0.05),且观察组优于对照组(P<0.05)。4)对照组治疗前、完成治疗后各指标比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),观察组治疗完成后平均声压级(MSDV)、音调(P)、最长发声时间(MPT)、平均气流率(MFR)、声门下压(SGP)、声门阻力(GR)、发声效率(VE)较治疗前均显著升高(P<0.05),且观察组优于对照组(P<0.05)。5)观察组治愈率38.46%、总有效率89.74%,显著高于对照组治愈率23.08%、总有效率79.49%(P<0.05)。结论:舌三针联合康复训练能通过促进脑微循环,改善血脂,促进言语功能来改善脑梗死后假性延髓麻痹所致构音障碍症状,提高生命质量。