Intervention rates and outcomes in medically managed uncomplicated descending thoracic aortic dissections

ObjectiveTo evaluate the long-term incidence and outcome of aortic interventions for medically managed uncomplicated thoracic aortic dissections.MethodsBetween January 2012 and December 2018, 91 patients were discharged home with an uncomplicated, medically treated aortic dissection (involving the descending aorta with or without aortic arch involvement, no ascending involvement). After a median period of 4 (first quartile: 2, third quartile: 11) months, 30 patients (33%) required an aortic intervention. Patient characteristics, radiographic, treatment, and follow-up data were compared for patients with and without aortic interventions. A competing risk regression model was analyzed to identify independent predictors of aortic intervention and to predict the risk for intervention.ResultsPatients who underwent aortic interventions had significantly larger thoracic (P = .041) and abdominal (P = .015) aortic diameters, the dissection was significantly longer (P = .035), there were more communications between both lumina (P = .040), and the first communication was significantly closer to the left subclavian artery (P = .049). A descending thoracic aortic diameter exceeding 45 mm was predictive for an aortic intervention (P = .001; subdistribution hazard ratio: 3.51). The risk for aortic intervention was 27% ± 10% and 36% ± 11% after 1 and 3 years, respectively. Fourteen patients (47%) underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair, 11 patients (37%) thoracic endovascular aortic repair and left carotid to subclavian bypass, 3 patients (10%) total arch replacement with the frozen elephant trunk technique, and 2 patients (7%) thoracoabdominal aortic replacement. We observed no in-hospital mortality.ConclusionsThe need for secondary aortic interventions in patients with initially medically managed, uncomplicated descending aortic dissections is substantial. The full spectrum of aortic treatment options (endovascular, hybrid, conventional open surgical) is required in these patients.     

Ovine Iliac Vein Model for Endovascular Thrombectomy of Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis

An ovine iliac vein thrombosis model was devised to test a wall-contacting rotational thrombectomy device. Thrombosis was successfully induced in 9 sheep with an average clot length of 31 mm ± 12 and >60% vessel occlusion on angiography. The thrombus was subsequently removed, maintaining normal intraoperative pulmonary arterial pressure (5.9 mm Hg ± 3.6) and complete distal reperfusion after thrombectomy. Additionally, the sheep were without signs of vascular trauma or embolic complications on gross necropsy and histopathologic analysis. The findings from this study support the use of an ovine iliac deep vein thrombosis model for testing of a lower extremity thrombectomy device.     

What is the impact of zinc deficiency for pancreatectomies in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma?

Backgroundand purpose: Zinc is an essential element for human health and plays an important role in metabolic, immunological and other biological processes. The present study was conducted to investigate the association between zinc deficiency (ZD) and the perioperative clinical course in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).MethodsOf 216 patients with PDAC who underwent elective pancreatectomy between 2013 and 2017 at our institution, 206 patients with sufficient clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. The perioperative variables were compared and the risk factors associated with infectious complications were identified.ResultsZD was preoperatively present in 36 (17.5%) of 206 patients with PDAC. In the patients of the ZD group, a higher proportion of males, higher preoperative modified Glasgow prognostic scores, a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and a higher occurrence of postoperative infectious complications after pancreatectomy were observed, compared to the non-ZD group. By a univariate analysis, three risk factors were significantly associated with infectious complications after pancreatectomy: ZD (vs non-ZD: p = 0.002), serum albumin <3.5 g/dl (vs ≥ 3.5 g/dl: p = 0.005), and the procedure of pancreaticoduodenectomy (vs others: p = 0.013). By multivariate logistic regression analysis, the occurrence of infectious complications was significantly associated with ZD (OR 3.430, 95%CI 1.570 to 7.490, p = 0.002) and the procedure of pancreaticoduodenectomy (OR 2.030, 95%CI 1.090 to 3.770, p = 0.025).ConclusionsThe current study newly demonstrated that ZD could serve as a preoperative predictor of infectious complications after pancreatectomies in the patients with PDAC.     

Rociletinib (CO-1686) enhanced the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents in ABCG2-overexpressing cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Overexpression of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette subfamily G member 2 (ABCG2) in cancer cells is known to cause multidrug resistance (MDR), which severely limits the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy. Currently, there is no FDA-approved MDR modulator for clinical use. In this study, rociletinib (CO-1686), a mutant-selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), was found to significantly improve the efficacy of ABCG2 substrate chemotherapeutic agents in the transporter-overexpressing cancer cells in vitro and in MDR tumor xenografts in nude mice, without incurring additional toxicity. Mechanistic studies revealed that in ABCG2-overexpressing cancer cells, rociletinib inhibited ABCG2-mediated drug efflux and increased intracellular accumulation of ABCG2 probe substrates. Moreover, rociletinib, inhibited the ATPase activity, and competed with [¹²⁵I] iodoarylazidoprazosin (IAAP) photolabeling of ABCG2. However, ABCG2 expression at mRNA and protein levels was not altered in the ABCG2-overexpressing cells after treatment with rociletinib. In addition, rociletinib did not inhibit EGFR downstream signaling and phosphorylation of protein kinase B (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Our results collectively showed that rociletinib reversed ABCG2-mediated MDR by inhibiting ABCG2 efflux function, thus increasing the cellular accumulation of the transporter substrate anticancer drugs. The findings advocated the combination use of rociletinib and other chemotherapeutic drugs in cancer patients with ABCG2-overexpressing MDR tumors.     

Efficacy and Safety of the Modified EPOCH Regimen (Etoposide,Vincristine, Doxorubicin,Carboplatin, and Prednisolone) for Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

BackgroundWe retrospectively analyzed patients with untreated aggressive adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma who received the modified EPOCH (mEPOCH) regimen.Patients and MethodsPatients received up to 6 mEPOCH cycles. Etoposide (50 mg/m²/day), doxorubicin (10 mg/m²/day), and vincristine (0.4 mg/m²/day) were each given as a continuous 96-hour infusion on days 1 to 4. Prednisolone (40 mg/m²/day) was given intravenously or orally on days 1 to 4 and then tapered and stopped on day 7, and carboplatin (dose calculated for each patient individually using Calvert’s formula according to a target under the curve of 3 mg/mL/min) was given as a 2-hour intravenous infusion on day 6.ResultsIn 103 patients, overall response rate and complete response rate were 58% and 25%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 8.9 months, the median survival time was 9.8 months (95% confidence interval, 7.2-13.9 months). The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.2 months (95% confidence interval, 3.4-5.7 months). Patients who completed ≥ 4 cycles experienced significantly better overall survival and PFS compared with those who completed < 4 cycles. Twenty-eight patients underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation after mEPOCH and demonstrated significantly prolonged overall survival and PFS compared with those who did not undergo transplantation.ConclusionThe mEPOCH regimen is effective with tolerable adverse effects and may be an alternative treatment option for adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma.     

针刺结合香附汤加减治疗围绝经期失眠肝郁气滞证的临床研究

评价针刺联合香附汤加减治疗围绝经期失眠肝郁气滞证的疗效及安全性。将120例患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,各60例,分别给予艾司唑仑片、针刺结合香附汤加减,疗程均为16周。比较2组患者治疗前后爱泼沃斯嗜睡量表(ESS),匹兹堡睡眠质量指数(PSQI),汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)和中医症状评分;采用多导睡眠监测仪监测睡眠进程和睡眠结构;检测血清黄体生成素(LH)、卵泡激素(FSH)和雌二醇(E2)的含量;观察2组临床疗效和不良反应发生率。研究期间脱落4例。治疗组总有效率91.5%,高于对照组的75.4%(P<0.05)。治疗后,治疗组临床症状(ESS、PSQI、HAMA和中医症状)评分均明显降低(P<0.05),且较对照组降低更为明显(P<0.05);治疗组睡眠总时间(TST)和睡眠维持率(SE)升高(P<0.05);觉醒时间(AWT),睡眠潜伏期(SL),觉醒次数(AT)降低(P<0.05),且较对照组改善更为明显(P<0.05);治疗组S1降低(P<0.05),S2,S3+4和快速眼动睡眠期(REM)升高(P<0.05),且较对照组改善更为明显(P<0.05);治疗组LH和FSH含量明显降低(P<0.05),E2含量明显升高(P<0.05),且较对照组改变更为明显(P<0.05)。对照组总不良反应发生率8.8%,明显高于治疗组的1.7%(P<0.05)。结果表明针刺联合香附汤加减可明显改善围绝经期失眠肝郁气滞证患者的睡眠状况,不良反应发生率低。     

四君子汤合沙参麦冬汤加减联合IMRT放疗治疗局部复发食管鳞癌的疗效和安全性

目的:初步探讨四君子汤合沙参麦冬汤加减联合IMRT放疗治疗局部复发食管鳞癌的有效性和安全性。方法:43例食管癌患者随机分为2组，试验组22例，在IMRT放疗的基础上联用四君子汤合沙参麦冬汤加减，水煎服，每日一剂，早晚服用，于放疗第1天开始，放疗结束两周后停用；对照组21例只行IMRT放疗。结果:试验组与对照组的近期有效率（RR）和疾病控制率（DCR）分别为59.1%、86.4%和42.9%、61.9%，差异无统计学意义(P>0.05）；1、2、3年生存率虽然治疗组较对照组确有提高，但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05）；试验组白细胞减少、血小板减少、血红蛋白减少、放射性肺炎均较对照组发生率明显降低，差异有统计学意义（P<0.05)。结论:四君子汤合沙参麦冬汤加减联合IMRT放疗治疗局部复发食管鳞癌患者可以明显降低放疗所致不良反应，一定程度改善患者的治疗效果和1、2、3年生存率。     

加味桃核承气汤防治糖尿病胃轻瘫作用机制及网络药理学分析

目的:运用网络药理学技术分析加味桃核承气汤治疗糖尿病胃轻瘫的作用靶点和相关信号通路,进一步分析其防治糖尿病胃轻瘫的理论基础和作用机制。方法:运用中药系统药理学成分分析平台(bioinformatics analysis tool for molecular mechanism of TCM,BATMAN-TCM)数据库获取加味桃核承气汤的化学成分及作用靶标基因,从comparative toxicogenomics database(CTD)数据库收集糖尿病胃轻瘫的靶标基因,将两者取交集后得到加味桃核承气汤--糖尿病胃轻瘫靶基因交集,运用STRING构建蛋白质间相互作用网络,并将结果进行网络可视化展示,通过Cytospace软件Clue GO,Clue Pedia插件进行加味桃核承气汤--糖尿病胃轻瘫靶基因交集的基因本体论(gene ontology,GO)分析和京都基因与基因组百科全书(KEGG)通路富集分析,并将结果进行可视化展示。最后利用CTD数据库并结合文献学习,获取交集基因于糖尿病胃轻瘫的疾病治疗作用。结果:加味桃核承气汤的621个靶点基因中有25个靶点与糖尿病胃轻瘫相互关联,该方可能通过影响MLNR,SST,PTGS1,HRH2,HTR3A,HTR4,HTR7,NOS3基因表达,改善胃肠激素水平,影响血清素与其受体结合,活化腺苷酸环化酶(adenylate cyclase,AC),诱导环磷酸腺苷(cyclic adenosine monophosphate,c AMP),蛋白激酶A(protein kinase A,PKA)表达,从而激活AC/c AMP/PKA信号通路,并调节Ca2+/K+通道的开放,控制离子平衡,继而促进胃平滑肌适应,收缩胃平滑肌以调节胃容量,同时改善胃酸分泌,保护胃黏膜,不排除改善血管收缩功能、血流动力学的可能。结论:网络药理学方法科学分析加味桃核承气汤通过多方面防治糖尿病胃轻瘫的作用机制,阐释其中医药多靶点、多通路防治糖尿病胃轻瘫的治疗优势,为加味桃核承气汤后续的实验研究提供研究方向和理论参考。     

Low-dose l-isoproterenol versus salbutamol in hospitalized pediatric patients with severe acute exacerbation of asthma: A double-blind,randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAlthough the guidelines in most countries do not recommend continuous inhalation of l-isoproterenol to treat pediatric patients with acute severe exacerbation of asthma, lower dose of l-isoproterenol has been widely used in Japan. To determine whether the efficacy of low-dose l-isoproterenol was superior to that of salbutamol, we conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial.MethodsHospitalized patients aged 1–17 years were eligible if they had severe asthma exacerbation defined by the modified pulmonary index score (MPIS). Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive inhalation of l-isoproterenol (10 μg/kg/h) or salbutamol (500 μg/kg/h) for 12 hours via a large-volume nebulizer with oxygen. The primary outcome was the change in MPIS from baseline to 3 hours after starting inhalation. Trial registration number UMIN000001991.ResultsFrom December 2009 to October 2013, 83 patients (42 in the l-isoproterenol group and 41 in the salbutamol group) were enrolled into the study. Of these, one patient in the l-isoproterenol group did not receive the study drug and was excluded from the analysis. Compared with salbutamol, l-isoproterenol reduced MPIS more rapidly. Mean (SD) changes in MPIS at 3 hours were −2.9 (2.5) in the l-isoproterenol group and −0.9 (2.3) in the salbutamol group (difference −2.0, 95% confidence interval −3.1 to −0.9; P < 0.001). Adverse events occurred in 1 (2%) and 11 (27%) patients in the l-isoproterenol and salbutamol groups, respectively (P = 0.003). Hypokalemia and tachycardia occurred only in the salbutamol group.ConclusionsLow-dose l-isoproterenol has a more rapid effect with fewer adverse events than salbutamol.