Pregnancy-associated cytotoxic lymphoma: a report of 4 cases

The clinicopathological and biological significance of Hodgkin's disease and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which are infrequently encountered in women of childbearing age, remains to be clarified. We recently reviewed 4 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the T/natural killer (T/NK)-cell phenotype, all of which were associated with pregnancy and characterized by the expression of the cytotoxic granule-associated proteins T-cell intracellular antigen-1 and/or granzyme B. The 4 cases selected had presented between November 1993 and May 1999. The criteria for selection were that the onset of clinical manifestations occurred during pregnancy or within 6 months after delivery. The patients comprised 1 patient with p80/anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), 1 with p80/ALK-negative ALCL, and 2 with peripheral T/NK-cell lymphomas of unspecified type. The diseases followed aggressive clinical courses: 3 patients died within 6.5 months after diagnosis, and only 1 was still alive with the disease 17 months after diagnosis. The diseases appeared to progress rapidly after delivery. Maternal immunity and hormonal changes during pregnancy may be closely related to the biological behavior of these unusual tumors.This study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to address pregnancy-associated cytotoxic lymphoma.     

Dobutamine stress echocardiography and cardiac troponin T for the detection of significant coronary artery disease and predicting outcome in renal transplant candidates.

AIMS: Ischaemic heart disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and after renal transplantation. However, the optimal non-invasive test for coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis in this population has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and baseline plasma cardiac troponin T (cTnT) for detecting significant CAD and predicting adverse cardiac events in patients referred for renal transplantation. METHODS: Coronary angiography, DSE, and baseline cTnT measurements were performed in 118 consecutive patients (mean age 52+/-12 years, 75 male) with ESRD (mean creatinine 608+/-272 micromol/L) referred for renal transplantation. The mean follow-up period was 1.32+/-0.48 years. Significant CAD was defined as a reduction in luminal diameter >70% by visual estimation in at least one major epicardial vessel. An abnormal DSE result defined as the development of a new regional wall motion abnormality in one or more normal resting segments or a deterioration of wall motion in one or more resting hypokinetic segments. A baseline cTnT>0.1 microg/L was taken as positive. RESULTS: Significant CAD in at least one vessel was present in 35 patients (30%). The number of patients with significant 3 vessel and 2 vessel disease was 6 and 7, respectively. An abnormal DSE result was present in 36 (31%) patients. Thirty-one (26%) had cTnT>0.1 microg/L. Sixty-four (54%) patients were on dialysis and 46 (39%) were diabetic. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for DSE in detecting significant coronary artery disease were 88%, 94%, 86% and 95%, respectively. The same values for a raised cTnT were 54%, 62%, 40% and 74%, respectively. The combination of an abnormal DSE result and raised cTnT gave values of 61%, 91%, 76%, and 80%, respectively. Over the follow-up period, mortality was significantly higher in those with a raised baseline cTnT but not those with an abnormal DSE result or significant CAD. CONCLUSION: DSE is an accurate technique for the detection of significant CAD in renal transplant candidates. An elevated cTnT does not predict significant CAD in this population and when used in conjunction with DSE, reduces the sensitivity of the combined tests. cTnT is an important marker of prognosis in renal transplant candidates.     

Maternal Physical Activity Is Associated With Improved Blood Pressure Regulation During Late Pregnancy

Background

Cardiovagal baroreflex gain (cBRG) reflects an individual's ability to buffer swings in blood pressure. It is not well understood how this mechanism is influenced by physical activity in pregnancy. Because pregnant women tend to engage in low levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and high levels of sedentary behaviour, we sought to determine the influence of MVPA and sedentary behaviour on cBRG and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in pregnancy.

电针对小鼠下肢肌萎缩干预效果的研究

目的:为了研究中频率电针刺激对小鼠比目鱼肌肌萎缩恢复的影响。方法:60只C57BL/6小鼠,其中30只随机分为空白对照组(Con)和萎缩造模组(Atro),1周后验证此模型,将另30只造模致其肌萎缩后随机分为自然恢复组(Rec)、运动干预组(Exer)、电针干预组(Elec)。Atro组对小鼠进行后肢石膏固定1周;Rec组在拆下石膏后自由饲养2周;Exer组采取跑台运动干预2周;Elec组对小鼠后肢进行电针刺激2周。冰冻切片免疫荧光检测肌纤维横截面积、ATPase染色检测肌纤维类型变化、Western Blot检测Troponin I-SS(TNNI1)、Troponin I-FS(TNNI2)蛋白表达。结果:Atro组肌湿重和肌纤维横截面积明显低于Con组(P0.01),TNNI1、TNNI2蛋白表达与Con组相比同样具有显著性差异(P0.05)。肌萎缩后Exer组、Elec组的慢肌、快肌的横截面积与Rec组相比均显著增加(P0.05)。TNNI1蛋白表达量都有非常显著性升高(P0.01),TNNI2蛋白无明显差异(P0.05)。结论:中频率电针干预可有效增加肌纤维横截面积,尤其增加慢肌纤维TNNI1和TNNI2蛋白的表达,与运动干预一样都是一种促使废用性肌萎缩康复的有效方法。     

LIF和RANTES在单病原菌性血流感染小鼠模型中的表达及意义

目的探讨4种血流感染常见病原菌分别致小鼠血流感染后白血病抑制因子(leukaemia inhibitory factor,LIF)和活化T细胞调节的、正常T细胞表达和分泌的细胞因子(regulated upon activation,normal T cell expressed and secreted factor,RANTES)的表达及变化规律,为细菌性血流感染的早期诊断提供研究基础。方法建立金黄色葡萄球菌、粪肠球菌、大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌标准菌株的CD-1(ICR)小鼠血流感染模型,用蛋白质液相芯片技术检测各实验组和PBS对照组感染后0.5 h、1 h、3 h、6 h、12 h、24 h和48 h时LIF和RANTES的浓度。结果金黄色葡萄球菌、粪肠球菌、大肠埃希菌和肺炎克雷伯菌的致小鼠死亡的半数致死量(LD50)分别约为8.1×108/m L、9.6×108/m L、8.1×108/m L和1.1×109/m L。细菌入血1 h时血清中LIF的浓度明显升高,大肠埃希菌组、肺炎克雷伯菌组、金黄色葡萄球菌组和粪肠球菌组LIF的峰浓度分别为(51.6±5.0)pg/m L、(73.2±20.8)pg/m L、(7.3±0.9)pg/m L和(6.1±1.2)pg/m L,与对照组相比,差异均有统计学意义(P均0.01)。粪肠球菌组、大肠埃希菌组和肺炎克雷伯菌组细菌入血1 h时RANTES浓度明显升高,3 h时升高更明显。且大肠埃希菌组和肺炎克雷伯菌组升高的幅度较金黄色葡萄球菌和粪肠球菌组更为明显。达峰值时浓度分别为(1 929.0±25.2)pg/m L、(1 218.1±227.4)pg/m L、(55.7±10.0)pg/m L和(179.2±9.2)pg/m L,与对照组相比,差异均有统计学意义(P均0.01)。结论 LIF和RANTES的浓度在细菌入血后1 h即明显升高。感染后的2 d内,大肠埃希菌组和肺炎克雷伯菌组LIF和RANTES浓度的升高幅度明显高于金黄色葡萄球菌组和粪肠球菌组。联合检测LIF和RANTES可能在细菌性血流感染早期诊断和区分革兰阴性/革兰阳性菌感染方面有一定作用。     

中国人群中类风湿性关节炎患者外周血T细胞亚群表达的Meta分析

目的：评价类风湿关节炎（RA ）患者外周血T细胞亚群的变化与RA发病机制及疾病发生、发展的关系。方法检索中国生物医学文献数据库、中国知网和万方数据库,收集和筛选符合条件的研究结果,用Meta分析方法进行相关数据统计。结果纳入12篇研究,Meta分析结果显示RA患者的外周血CD3＋、CD4＋、CD8＋T细胞含量所占的比重较对照组差异无显著性（WMD ＝－0．02,95％CI[－0．07,0．02],P＝0．27;WMD ＝0．02,95％CI [0．03,0．08],P＝0．41;WMD ＝－0．03,95％CI[－0．19,0．14],P＝0．74）,但CD4＋／CD8＋比值在类风湿关节炎外周血中较健康组有明显增高（WMD ＝0．81,95％CI[0．74,0．89],P＜0．001）。结论类风湿关节炎患者外周血中,CD4＋／CD8＋比值失衡可能是RA的发病和发展过程的重要机制。     

老年原发免疫性血小板减少症患者治疗前后T淋巴细胞亚群的临床研究

目的 检测老年原发免疫性血小板减少症(ITP)患者治疗前后T淋巴细胞亚群的动态变化, 探讨其在ITP发生发展中的作用。方法 采用流式细胞术测定ITP患者治疗前后及正常对照组外周血T淋巴细胞亚群的水平。结果 ITP患者治疗前后T淋巴细胞绝对值、CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺、CD4⁺CD25⁺T淋巴细胞比例及CD4⁺/CD8⁺比值分别为(0.83±0.16)vs(1.74±0.36)、(71.71±1.07)% vs(72.69±1.35)%、(41.78±0.71)% vs(42.46±1.20)%、(29.67±0.97)% vs(28.56±1.75)%、(8.76±0.56)% vs(9.39±1.26)%、(1.42±0.07)vs(1.49±0.13), CD8⁺T淋巴细胞比例治疗后显著降低, 其余均显著升高, 差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 T淋巴细胞亚群的异常改变, 破坏自身免疫, 与病情相关, 可指导临床治疗, 并作为评估预后的参考指标。     

Impact of regulatory T cells on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis

Background:This meta-analysis aimed to systematically review current available literature to assess the impact of regulatory T cells (Tregs) on the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:We will browse the online databases of PubMed and Cochrane Library. The summary hazard ratio (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be combined to present the value reported in the study.Conclusion:Our meta-analysis will provide useful guidance in treatment of HCC based on the reported evidences regarding the impact of Tregs on the prognosis of HCC.OSF registration number:10.17605/OSF.IO/3Q8PW     

Long event-free survival after anti-BCMA CAR-T cell treatment for relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma patients: Two case reports

Introduction:Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cells targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) have been used in the treatment of relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). The response rate and the depth of responses induced by anti-BCMA CAR-T cells are impressive. However, despite this, remissions are not sustained, and the majority of patients eventually relapse.Patient concerns:Two patients with multiple myeloma (MM) were selected to enroll in a phase I study involving anti-BCMA CAR-T cells (ChiCTR-OPC-16009113) because they did not have the good effect after traditional treatment. One is a 48-year-old male patient who received a diagnosis of IgG lambda MM in June 2015, he has received 4 cycles of cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) and obtained a complete response (CR). Approximately 11 months later, the disease progressed. Subsequent treatment included regimens incorporating liposomal doxorubicin, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (3 cycles); the response was poor, and the disease kept progressing. Another 65-year-old female patient received a diagnosis of IgG lambda MM in September 2016, she has received induction therapy with 1 cycle of bortezomib and dexamethasone (VD) and 4 cycles of lenalidomide and dexamethasone, the response was poor.Diagnosis:Both patients were diagnosed with RRMM according to the International Myeloma Working Group criteria.Interventions:Both patients received infusions of anti-BCMA CAR-T cells following an induction chemotherapy regimen of cyclophosphamide and fludarabine.Outcomes:Both of them achieved a stringent CR at the 30th day with minimal residual disease-negative bone marrow by flow cytometry and serum monoclonal protein was undetectable at 4 and 10 months after cell transfusion. The CR has persisted in the 2 patients for >36 months.Conclusions:Our findings demonstrate the anti-BCMA CAR-T cell treatment is a feasible therapeutic option for patients with RRMM. Fewer early lines of treatment may be beneficial to maintain the efficacy of CAR-T cells.Trial registration:ChiCTR-OPC-16009113.