Body mass index and body shape before treatment and nasopharyngeal carcinoma prognosis: A population-based patient cohort study in southern China

A concern of reverse causation exists about the association between nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) prognosis and body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis, while the prognostic impact of BMI measured years before diagnosis is unknown. Therefore, we investigated associations of prediagnosis and pretreatment BMI and body shape on NPC mortality. From a population-based patient cohort in southern China between 2010 and 2013, we included 2526 incident NPC cases with prospective follow-up through 2018. We assessed the associations of BMI and body shape at age 20 years, 10 years before diagnosis, and at diagnosis with NPC mortality, combining strategies of stratification and statistical adjustment to minimize reverse causation. We observed 25% lower all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64-0.89) and 25% lower NPC-specific mortality (HR 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61-0.91) among overweight vs normal-weight NPC cases at diagnosis. Lean body shapes 1 and 2 at diagnosis were associated with 68% and 23% higher all-cause mortality, respectively, compared to normal body shape 3. No effect modification by cancer stage was detected for associations with all-cause or NPC-specific mortality. Associations with BMI and body shape 10 years before diagnosis were similar but attenuated, while body size and shape at age 20 were not associated with mortality. Being overweight at diagnosis decreased mortality, and thinner body shape increased mortality, compared to normal weight/body shape. These associations may be due to poorer nutrition and treatment intolerance, resulting in treatment discontinuation and worse survival outcomes.     

Relation Between Early Disturbance of lymphatic transport Visualized With Lymphofluoroscopy and Other Clinical Assessment Methods in Patients With Breast Cancer

IntroductionLymphedema of the upper extremity is one of the most feared complications following breast cancer treatment. Lymphofluoroscopy is a sensitive instrument for detection of lymphedema and visualization of superficial lymphatic transport, thus suitable for early detection. Early detection of lymphedema is important as it can prevent lymphedema to progress into more severe stages and minimalize impact on quality of life and medical costs.ObjectiveTo determine agreement between the presence of early disturbance of the lymphatic transport and outcome of clinical measurement tools evaluating the development of lymphedema.MethodsA prospective study was conducted in 128 breast cancer patients scheduled for breast cancer surgery. Patients were evaluated before surgery and 1, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months’ post-surgery. Cohen's Kappa was used to determine agreement between presence of early disturbance in lymphatic transport and presence of pitting/increased skinfold thickness/increased Percentage Water Content ratio (PWC)/increased arm-hand volume (circumference measures and water displacement).ResultsFor pitting status (Kappa 0.23), for skinfold thickness (Kappa 0.29) and the PWC ratio (Kappa 0.21) a minimal agreement was found. The circumference measurement had a minimal agreement for 5% volume difference (Kappa 0.22) and no agreement for 3% volume difference (Kappa 0.19). Sensitivity was weak for all clinical assessments. The specificity was excellent for pitting status, skinfold thickness, PWC ratio, and for 5% volume difference. For 3% a high specificity was found.ConclusionThe clinical tools assessed in this study were not able to predict an early disturbance of the lymphatic transport seen on lymphofluoroscopy.     

Steroid Receptor Coactivator-3 Is Required for Inhibition of the Intestinal Muscularis Inflammatory Response of Postoperative Ileus in Mice

Inflammation - Inflammation theory has suggested that the pathogenesis of postoperative ileus (POI) involves the steroid receptor coactivator-3 (SRC-3). Therefore, we investigated the role of SRC-3...     

Phosphorylation of tyrosine 1248-ERBB2 measured by chemiluminescence-linked immunoassay is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in primary breast cancer patients

ERBB2 (HER2/Neu) gene amplification and overexpression is associated with increased risk of metastases and shorter survival in breast cancer. Tyrosine 1248 is a major phosphorylation site of ERBB2 and reflects the activation status of the receptor. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between quantitative levels of pY1248-ERBB2 (p-ERBB2) and the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-family members, and whether p-ERBB2 could provide additional prognostic value compared with established prognostic markers. For this purpose we developed a highly sensitive chemiluminescence-linked immunoassay (CLISA) and detected p-ERBB2 levels in 70 primary breast cancer biopsies. Phosphorylated ERBB2 correlated with EGFR and ERBB2, and inversely with oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and ERBB4 expression levels. Additionally, p-ERBB2 was associated with poor clinical outcome in univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Further studies are needed to evaluate the predictive value of p-ERBB2.     

妇科门诊女性人乳头瘤病毒感染型别分布特征及临床分析

目的 分析妇科门诊女性人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染率、HPV型别分布及不同人群、不同年龄组HPV感染特征,探讨其与宫颈病变的关系.方法 采用导流杂交基因芯片法对妇科门诊5 869名女性进行HPV分型检测.结果 5 869例样本中,HPV总感染率为23.6%,HPV高危型检出率占19.6%,低危型为6.7%,HPV感染率较高型别依次为HPV16、52、11、58、6、18、53、33;1385例HPV阳性中,存在HPV亚型单一感染(72.1%)、双重感染(21.3%)及三重以上感染(6.6%).宫颈癌患者HPV感染率(91.7%)明显高于宫颈炎患者(χ²=207.426, P<0.001)和健康体检者(χ²=252.211, P<0.001),宫颈癌患者HPV感染率较高亚型为HPV16、18、31、33、58、45.不同年龄女性HPV的感染率差异有统计学意义(χ²=36.486, P<0.01),≤25岁HPV感染率最高(32.5%),其次是>50岁(28.4%).结论 妇科门诊女性HPV感染以高危型为主,低危型为次,同时存在HPV高、低危亚型混合感染以及多重感染,HPV感染型别分布具有人群特点和地域差异;不同人群HPV感染率存在差异,宫颈癌患者HPV感染率最高,除HPV16、18外,其他HPV高危亚型也与宫颈病变及宫颈癌密切相关;≤25岁和>50岁是HPV感染高危人群.     

Modified-Nutrition Index is a Significant Prognostic Factor for the Overall Survival of the Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients who Undergo Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy

Purpose: To explore whether the modified-nutrition index (m-NI) is a prognostic factor for the overall survival (OS) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients who undergo intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods: Clinical data were prospectively collected from NPC patients who underwent IMRT at our hospital between October 2008 and December 2014. The patient nutritional status before radiotherapy was evaluated using the m-NI, based on eight nutrition indicators including body mass index, arm muscle circumference, albumin, total lymphocyte count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, serum pre-albumin, and transferrin. The independent prognostic value of m-NI for the OS was evaluated. Results: A total of 323 patients (229 males, 94 females) were included in this study, and the follow-up rate was 99.7% (322/323). The 1-, 3-, and 5-yr OS rates between malnutrition and normal nutrition groups by using the m-NI were 93.0% vs. 96.9%, 76.4% vs. 82.8%, and 61.8% vs. 77.1%, respectively. A regression analysis showed that the m-NI was the significant prognostic value for the OS in NPC. Conclusions: The m-NI before radiotherapy is a significant prognostic factor for the OS in NPC patients. Further validation of our instrument is needed in other NPC patients.     

Postoperative adjuvant transarterial chemoembolization improves outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma associated with bile duct tumor thrombus: a propensity score matching analysis

BackgroundSurgical resection is the primary treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT). This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of postoperative adjuvant TACE (PA-TACE) in patients with HCC and BDTT.MethodsData from patients who underwent surgery for HCC with BDTT at two medical centers were retrospectively analyzed. The survival outcomes of patients who were treated by hepatic resection followed by PA-TACE were compared with those of patients who underwent surgery alone. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed with a 1:1 ratio.ResultsOf the 308 consecutively enrolled HCC patients with BDTT who underwent surgical resection, 134 underwent PA-TACE whereas 174 underwent surgery alone. From the initial cohort, PSM matched 106 pairs of patients. The OS and DFS rates were significantly better for the PA-TACE group than the surgery alone group (for OS: before PSM, P = 0.026; after PSM, P = 0.039; for DFS: before PSM, P = 0.010; after PSM, P = 0.013).ConclusionPA-TACE was associated with better survival outcomes than surgery alone for patients with HCC and BDTT. Prospective clinical trials are warranted to validate the beneficial effect of PA-TACE on HCC patients associated with BDTT.