Impact of Adjuvant Radiotherapy on Survival after Pancreatic Cancer Resection: An Appraisal of Data from the National Cancer Data Base

Purpose

The impact of adjuvant radiotherapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) remains controversial. We examined effects of adjuvant therapy on overall survival (OS) in PAC, using the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB).

Methods

Patients with resected PAC from 1998 to 2002 were queried from the NCDB. Factors associated with receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy (ChemoOnly) versus adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (ChemoRad) versus no adjuvant treatment (NoAdjuvant) were assessed. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to examine effect of adjuvant therapy type on OS. Propensity scores (PS) were developed for each treatment arm and used to produce matched samples for analysis to minimize selection bias.

Results

From 1998 to 2002, a total of 11,526 patients underwent resection of PAC. Of these, 1,029 (8.9 %) received ChemoOnly, 5,292 (45.9 %) received ChemoRad, and 5,205 (45.2 %) received NoAdjuvant. On univariate analysis, factors associated with improved OS included: younger age, higher income, higher facility volume, lower tumor stage and grade, negative margins and nodes, and absence of adjuvant therapy. On multivariate analysis with matched PS, factors independently associated with improved OS included: younger age, higher income, higher facility volume, later year of diagnosis, smaller tumor size, lower tumor stage, and negative tumor margins and nodes. ChemoRad had the best OS (hazard ratio 0.70, 95 % confidence interval 0.61–0.80) in a PS matched comparison with ChemoOnly (hazard ratio 1.04, 95 % confidence interval 0.93–1.18) and NoAdjuvant (index).

Conclusions

Adjuvant chemotherapy with radiotherapy is associated with improved OS after PAC resection in a large population from the NCDB. On the basis of these analyses, radiotherapy should be a part of adjuvant therapy for PAC.     

Indole/isatin-containing hybrids as potential antibacterial agents

The emergence and worldwide spread of drug-resistant bacteria have already posed a serious threat to human life, creating the urgent need to develop potent and novel antibacterial drug candidates with high efficacy. Indole and isatin (indole-2,3-dione) present a wide structural and mechanistic diversity, so their derivatives possess various pharmacological properties and occupy a salient place in the development of new drugs. Indole/isatin-containing hybrids, which demonstrate a promising activity against a panel of clinically important Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, are privileged scaffolds for the discovery of novel antibacterial candidates. This review, covering articles published between January 2015 and May 2020, focuses on the development and structure–activity relationship (SAR) of indole/isatin-containing hybrids with potential application for fighting bacterial infections, to facilitate further rational design of novel drug candidates.     

Digital Breast Tomosynthesis: A New Diagnostic Method for Mass‐Like Lesions in Dense Breasts

To compare the rates and accuracy of digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and 2D digital mammography (DM) for detecting and diagnosing mass‐like lesions in dense breasts. Mediolateral and craniocaudal images taken with DBT (affected breast) and DM (both breasts) of the dense breasts of 631 women were assessed independently using Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) scores. Images were compared for detection and diagnostic accuracy for masses; sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis; false‐negative and recall rates; and clarity of display, particularly of margins and spicules. Histopathology was conducted via surgical biopsies of all patients. The detection and diagnostic accuracy rates of DBT images (84.3% and 82.3%, respectively) were significantly higher than that of DM (77.3% and 73.4%; p < 0.01, both). The sensitivity and specificity of DBT (68.1% and 95.2%) were higher than that of DM (58.8% and 86.7%), whereas the recall rate of DBT was lower (3.6% cf. 9.8%). The number of cases of benign circumscribed masses and malignant spiculated masses detected by DBT (172 and 182) was significantly higher than the number detected through DM (75 and 115; p < 0.01, both). Radiologists assigned higher BI‐RADS scores for probability of malignancy to DBT images than DM, to lesions proved malignant (p = 0.025); for benign cases, the methods were comparable (p = 0.065). Compared with DM, DBT yielded significantly higher rates of detection and diagnostic accuracy for benign and malignant masses, with greater sensitivity and specificity and lower recall rates. In addition, DBT images facilitated analysis of margins, and the rate of accuracy for judgments of malignancy probability was higher, as proved on biopsy.     

Visceral hyperalgesia induced by neonatal maternal separation is associated with nerve growth factor-mediated central neuronal plasticity in rat spinal cord

Neonatal maternal separation (NMS) has been shown to trigger alterations in neuroendocrine, neurochemical and sensory response to nociceptive stimuli along the brain-gut axis. These alterations may be the result of a cascade of events that are regulated by neurotrophic factors. Nerve growth factor (NGF), a member of the neurotrophin family, is essential for the development and maintenance of sensory neurons and for the formation of central pain circuitry. The present study aimed to investigate whether NMS causes changes in neuronal plasticity and the relationship of these changes in plasticity with the expression of NGF and its high affinity tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA) in the lumbosacral spinal cord in adult rats. Male Wistar rat pups were either subjected to 180 min daily of NMS or not handled (NH) for 13 consecutive days. The expression of NGF and TrkA was examined in NH and NMS rats with or without colorectal distention (CRD) as determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. The present results of Western blot analysis indicated NMS and CRD have a significant effect on NGF protein level in the lumbosacral spinal cord of rats. Assessments of optical densities revealed that NMS enhanced TrkA-ir fiber densities in laminae I-III and laminae V-VI of rats in both conditions with or without CRD. Double immunofluorescence revealed that TrkA co-expressed with calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in afferent fibers, while no significant difference in terms of the intensity of TrkA-ir in these fibers was found among groups. Quantitative analysis of TrkA-ir neurons indicated a significant interactive effect of NMS and CRD on the mean number of TrkA-ir neurons in laminae V-VI of rats, in which significant difference was found between NMS+CRD and NH+CRD. Double immunofluorescence of TrkA and Fos showed that CRD has a significant effect on TrkA expression in Fos-positive neurons in laminae V-VI and lamina X of rats, while no significant difference was found between NMS+CRD and NH+CRD. These results demonstrate that NMS induced alterations in NGF protein level and TrkA expression in adult rat spinal cord and indicate that NGF is a crucial mediator for the changes in neuronal plasticity that occur in NMS-induced visceral hyperalgesia.     

胶质瘤干细胞研究进展

随着对肿瘤干细胞（tumor stem cells）理论的深入认识和分离、培养肿瘤干细胞实验技术的不断进步,胶质瘤内肿瘤干细胞的存在已经有较多的证据和研究。这方面的研究不仅有助于深化人们对胶质瘤发生、复发和侵袭机制的认识,更重要的是可能改变以往胶质瘤的治疗策略,影响十分深远。新近,有学者将来自胶质瘤的肿瘤干细胞或具有干细胞特性的胶质瘤细胞称为“胶质瘤干细胞（glioma stem cells,GSC）”,较好地反映了这类细胞的特性。     

Atractylodin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and TLR4 pathways

Acute lung injury (ALI) arises from uncontrolled pulmonary inflammation with high mortality rates. Atractylodin (Atr) is a polyethylene alkynes and has been reported to possess anti-inflammation effect. Thus, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of Atr on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses ALI. The results indicated that Atr treatment not only significantly attenuated LPS-stimulated histopathological changes but also lessened the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the wet-to-dry weight ratio of the lungs, protein leakage and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Moreover, Atr inhibited the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 secretion in BALF. Further study demonstrated that such inhibitory effects of Atr were due to suppression of nucleotide-binding domain-(NOD-) like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation, likely contributing to its anti-inflammatory effects. Collectively, these findings suggest that Atr may be an effective candidate for alleviating LPS-induced inflammatory responses.     

ESA的翻转课堂结合SPOC教学在康复医学科实习教学中的应用

目的　探讨ESA[engage（投入）-study（学习）-activate（活用）]的翻转课堂结合小规模限制性在线课程（small private online course,SPOC）教学在康复医学科实习教学中的应用。方法　将2018年1月至2020年10月在康复医学科实习的87例学生,分为对照组（n=43）和观察组（n=44）。对照组采用常规教学,观察组采用ESA的翻转课堂结合SPOC教学。比较两组实习生的个体考核成绩以及团队考核成绩,并评估分析实习生对教学效果的评价以及实习生认可度情况。采用SPSS 22.0进行卡方检验和t检验。结果　观察组的病史采集评分、专科查体评分、治疗方法评分、个体考核成绩总分、人文沟通评分、参与度评分、团队考核成绩总分均优于对照组（P<0.05）;两组的辅助检查评分、诊断评分、团队协作评分比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;观察组的学习效率、课堂互动能力、自主学习能力、理论与实际相结合能力、基础知识掌握、临床创新思维能力、团队协作能力7个维度评分均高于对照组（P<0.05）;观察组对教学的认可度为97.73%（43/44）,高于对照组的81.40%（35/43）。结论　ESA的翻转课堂结合SPOC教学可以提高实习生的个体考核成绩和团体考核成绩,改善教育环境,教学效果优于常规教学,可以提升实习生的认可度,从而在医学教学中具有重要的应用价值。     

脑卒中后抑郁病人的心理护理对照研究

[目的]探讨心理护理对脑卒中后抑郁病人的抑郁症状缓解和神经功能康复的影响。[方法]将114例脑卒中后抑郁病人随机分为治疗组58例和对照组56例,对照组只进行常规护理,治疗组在常规护理基础上加用心理护理。采用汉密顿抑郁量表（HAMD）、脑卒中神经功能缺损评分表（CNS）和护士用住院病人观察量表（NOSIE-30）分别于治疗前及治疗后6周进行疗效评定。[结果]两组HAMD评分、CNS评分治疗前差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）;治疗后6周治疗组均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。[结论]心理护理能显著改善病人的抑郁症状和改善神经功能,有助于脑卒中后抑郁病人的全面康复。     

三种不同肠内营养支持方案对胃癌胃切除病人预后影响的比较

目的比较三种不同肠内营养支持方案对胃癌胃切除病人临床结局的影响。方法纳入90例术前营养风险筛查无风险的胃癌胃切除病人,围术期分别接受三种不同肠内营养支持方案,回顾性分析三种方案的营养支持效果、不良反应,以及术后住院时长、术后并发症发生率等指标。将90例病人分为A、B、C三组,A组(肠道预适应组):术前常规进食+术前口服、术后管饲整肠内营养混悬液[整蛋白-中链三酰甘油(TP-MCT)];B组(整蛋白组):术前常规进食、术后管饲肠内营养混悬液(TP-MCT);C组(短肽组):术前常规进食、术后管饲肠内营养混悬液[短肽(SP)]。比较三组病人术前及术后第1、7天营养指标(白蛋白、总白蛋白、前白蛋白);术前及术后第7天人体测量指标:体重、体质量指数、上臂围、三头肌皮褶厚度、上臂肌围,人体成分指标以及术前及术后第1、3、7天胰岛素抵抗指标(血糖、血清胰岛素、胰岛素敏感指数)。同时观察比较三组并发症的发生情况、术后肠功能恢复时间、恢复流质饮食时间、耐受经口进食时间、术后住院时长。结果三组病人术后营养相关指标、胰岛素抵抗指标,以及术后住院时长差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。A组术后腹胀例数显著低于B组(P<0.05),与C组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),C组腹胀例数与B组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);A组术后感染例数显著低于B组(P<0.05),C组感染例数与B组间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);A组与C组术后胃瘫例数显著低于B组(P<0.05),A组与C组间差异无统计学意义;A组与C组术后恢复经口进食时间显著早于C组(P<0.05),A组与C组间差异无统计学意义。结论三种营养支持方案在改善术后营养状况以及住院时长方面差异无统计学意义。对于术前无营养风险的病人,术前3 d常规口服肠内营养混悬液(TP-MCT)行肠道预适应,能够减少术后腹胀等不良反应的发生,降低感染、胃瘫的发生率,尽早恢复病人经口进食,提高了病人术后使用肠内营养的依从性,有利于病人术后恢复。术前无肠道预适应病人,术后使用短肽型营养剂在不良反应、并发症的发生方面优于使用肠内营养混悬液(TP-MCT)。