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The present meta-analysis was updated with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to revaluate the efficacy and safety of cetuximab vs. cisplatin combined with radiotherapy in patients of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).A meta-analysis containing RCTs that compared the efficacy or toxicity of cetuximab and cisplatin in HNSCC patients was conducted.Seven RCTs were included in the final analysis. The patients treated by cetuximab plus radiotherapy showed an inferior overall survival (OS) and locoregional control (LRC) compared to cisplatin plus radiotherapy. The tendency of progression-free survival (PFS) was in agreement with OS and LRC. Subgroup analysis showed that cetuximab had poorer OS relative to cisplatin in the absence of induction chemotherapy. The profile of severe adverse events (SAEs) varied between the two groups, no significant difference in total SAEs was shown for the two arms.Cetuximab combined with radiotherapy shows significantly reduced therapeutic efficacy compared to cisplatin plus radiotherapy in HNSCC patients.

Recent years there have been witnessed considerable advances in endoscopic selective lateral neck dissection (LND). However, dissection of lymph nodes at level IV and level VI via the chest approach is inherently challenging. In this study, we used combined trans-oral and chest approach for endoscopic thyroidectomy in patients with cT1-2N1bM0 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of ten patients with cT1-2N1bM0 PTC who underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy via combination of trans-oral and chest approach between September 2020 and September 2021 were retrospectively reviewed.All 10 patients successfully underwent total thyroidectomy and selective LND via chest approach, while central neck dissection (CND) and supplementary dissection of lymph nodes at level IV were performed via the trans-oral approach. The mean number of positive/retrieved level II, III-IV, and VI lymph nodes were 0.6 ± 1.0/9.8 ± 5.0, 4.6 ± 2.8/23.1 ± 4.7, and 4.9 ± 3.4/10.3 ± 4.6, respectively. Four patients developed transient hypoparathyroidism which spontaneously resolved within 1 month. Five patients developed numbness of lateral neck and ear and one patient experienced limb lift restriction. No other complications or tumor recurrence occurred during follow-up.It is feasible to perform total thyroidectomy, CND, and selective LND via combined trans-oral and chest approach, and satisfactory short-term outcomes were observed in this cohort. This approach may offer one more option for cT1-2N1bM0 PTC patients, especially those in whom metastatic lymph nodes at level IV or level VI are detected by preoperative examination.

To evaluate the long-term outcome and prognostic factors of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from low-endemic regions of China who received definitive intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The clinical data from 608 patients with newly-diagnosed non-metastatic NPC who have received initial treatment at our cancer center from January, 2008 to December, 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients received definitive IMRT, and 87.7% received platinum-based chemotherapy. The median follow-up duration was 51 months (follow-up rate, 98.5%; range, 10–106 months) for the entire cohort. The 5-year overall survival rate was 79.7%. The 5-year local relapse-free survival rate, regional relapse-free survival rate, distant metastasis-free survival rate and progression-free survival rate were 92.4%, 93.3%, 79.2% and 74.3%, respectively. A total of 153 patients had experienced treatment failure, with distant metastasis as the primary cause in 77.1% (118/153). Patients with T4 or N3 diseases had a significantly poorer prognosis than other subcategories. Stage T4 and N3 were closely associated with distant metastasis, with the metastatic rate of 29.3% and 45.5%, respectively. IMRT provides patients with non-metastatic NPC with satisfactory long-term survival. Both T stage and N stage are important prognostic factors for NPC patients. Patients with T4 or N3 diseases have significantly increased distant metastatic rates and poor survival time.

Background Endoscopic thyroidectomy is widely performed as it does not result in neck scar. However, there is a paucity of reports pertaining to completely endoscopic lateral neck dissection (LND). In this study, we introduce our step-wise approach for performing endoscopic selective LND via the chest–breast approach. We refer to this approach as Qin’s seven steps. Methods The Qin’s seven steps are: (1) establishment of working space range; (2) dissection of lymph nodes between the SCM and the sternohyoid muscle (level IV) and exposure of omohyoid; (3) dissection of lymph nodes at level IV; (4) dissection of lymph nodes at level III; (5) dissection of lymph nodes at carotid triangle (level III); (6) exposure of accessory nerve and dissection of lymph nodes at level II a; (7) dissection of lymph nodes at level II b. We reviewed the clinical data of 35 patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) who were operated using the Qin’s seven steps. Results All 35 patients successfully underwent LND; bilateral LND was performed in 5 patients. The mean tumor size was 1.8 ± 1.0 cm; seven patients had multiple lesions. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes in level II, III and IV were 8.8 ± 5.6, 6.1 ± 4.0 and 9.3 ± 5.1, respectively. As for complications, there were 3 cases of accessory nerve injury and 1 case of hypoglossal nerve injury. Internal jugular vein injury, cervical plexus injury and lymphatic leakage occurred in 2, 7, and 1 patients, respectively. Conclusion The Qin’s seven steps for performing endoscopic selective LND could be safely used in PTC patients with lateral lymph node metastasis. Satisfactory results were achieved in the short-term follow-up period. We recommend the use of Qin’s seven steps for PTC patients who are not desirous of neck scar.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the trans-oral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) with neuroprotection techniques for the surgical management of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods Patients with PTC who underwent TOETVA between December 2016 and July 2020 were included in this study, and their relevant clinical characteristics, operational details, and surgical outcomes were reviewed and extracted from their medical records for further analysis. Results A total of 75 patients successfully underwent TOETVA with zero conversions. Unilateral lobectomy with isthmectomy and total thyroidectomy were completed for 58 and 17 patients, respectively, all using our unique neuroprotective procedure and ipsilateral central neck dissection (CND). The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes versus positive lymph nodes was 6.8 ± 3.7 vs. 1.5 ± 2.3. Postoperative complications included three cases of transient superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) palsy (4.0%), five cases of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy (6.7%), 14 cases of transient hypoparathyroidism (18.7%), two cases of numb chin (2.7%) and two cases of flap perforation (2.7%). The follow-up period for patients with PTC lasted for 15.6 ± 10.9 months, during which no other complications or tumor recurrence were observed. Conclusion TOETVA can be safely performed for patients with PTC with satisfactory results during the short-term follow-up period. Our neuroprotection techniques can be integrated into TOETVA, which is worth recommending for PTC patients who desire better cosmetic surgical outcomes.

The regulatory T cells (Tregs) are a subpopulation of lymphocytes that suppress the immune responses. The prognostic value of Tregs in lymphoma patients remains controversial. Thus, we conducted this meta-analysis to clarify the role of Tregs in the prognosis of lymphoma patients. We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science to obtain eligible studies that evaluated the prognostic factor of Tregs for lymphoma patients. Hazards ratios (HRs) with the matching 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were merged to estimate the prognostic value of Tregs. We finally retrieved 23 eligible studies, including a total of 2269 patients. The overall pooled analysis on all types of lymphomas showed that Tregs had a significantly positive association with prolonged overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.633, 95% CI 0.528–0.758) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.451, 95% CI 0.261–0.779). Subgroup analysis indicated that high Tregs were significantly correlated with longer OS in Hodgkin lymphoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and natural killer/T cell lymphoma. However, there was no significant association of Tregs with T cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. Increased Tregs indicates a better prognosis for patients with lymphoma. Tregs could be used as a valuable prognostic biomarker of lymphoma patients.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) has been widely accepted in the treatment of papillary thyroid cancer. However, TOETVA for the treatment of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) has not been reported. We successfully performed total thyroidectomy and central neck dissection by TOETVA for a MTC patient and have achieved satisfactory surgical outcomes in short-term follow-up. This is the first report on TOETVA for the treatment of MTC and it may provide an alternative for cT1N0M0 MTC patients who desire better cosmetic surgical outcomes.

The authors have retracted this article [1] because of numerous errors in the figures. Specifically

A polyaniline-coated copper hexacyanoferrate modified glassy carbon electrode (PANI/CuHCF/GC) was successfully prepared by cyclic voltammetry, which had higher electrocatalytic activity and good stability toward the oxidation of sulfite. The mechanism and main factors of influencing the electrocatalytic activity for the preparation of PANI/CuHCF/GC were investigated. The results indicated that the optimal concentration of K3Fe(CN)6–CuCl2 (molar ratio of 1:1) and aniline, scanning number of CuHCF particles deposition, and aniline polymerization were 0.6 μmol·L−1, 13, and 15, respectively. The PANI/CuHCF/GC surface properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and AC impedance spectra, whose results indicated that CuHCF particles evenly attached to GC surface and the electron transfer impedance was significantly reduced. Sulfite was detected by an amperometric-time (i–t) method, whose linear equation, linear range, and detection limit were Δi (μA) = 0.0624 + 46.42c mmol·L−1 (n = 15, R = 0.9978), 4.3 × 10−6 to 3.9 × 10−4 mol·L−1 and 0.6 μmol·L−1 (S/N = 3), respectively. The response time was less than 1 s. The interference of some common potential substances toward sulfite determination was studied, whose results indicated that PANI/CuHCF/GC electrode had strong anti-interference ability. The PANI/CuHCF/GC was successfully applied to the detection of sulfite in real samples with satisfactory results.

Aqueous dispersion and stability of Fe3O4 nanoparticles remain an issue unresolved since aggregation of naked iron nanoparticles in water. In this study, we successfully synthesized different Fe3O4 super-paramagnetic nanoparticles which were modified by three kinds of materials [DSPE-MPEG2000, TiO2 and poly acrylic acid (PAA)] and further detected their characteristics. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) clearly showed sizes and morphology of the four kinds of nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) proved successfully coating of the three kinds of nanoparticles and their structures were maintained. Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) verified that their magnetic properties fitted for the super-paramagnetic function. More importantly, the particle size analysis indicated that Fe3O4@PAA had a better size distribution, biocompatibility, stability and dispersion than the other two kinds of nanoparticles. In addition, using CNE2 cells as a model, we found that all nanoparticles were nontoxic. Taken together, our data suggest that Fe3O4@PAA nanoaparticles are superior in the application of biomedical field among the four kinds of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the future.

Heavy-ion collisions at very high colliding energies are expected to produce a quark-gluon plasma (QGP) at the highest temperature obtainable in a laboratory setting. Experimental studies of these reactions can provide an unprecedented range of information on properties of the QGP at high temperatures. We report theoretical investigations of the physics perspectives of heavy-ion collisions at a future high-energy collider. These include initial parton production, collective expansion of the dense medium, jet quenching, heavy-quark transport, dissociation and regeneration of quarkonia, photon and dilepton production. We illustrate the potential of future experimental studies of the initial particle production and formation of QGP at the highest temperature to provide constraints on properties of strongly interaction matter.

To investigate the cellular effects of Pien Tze Huang (片仔癀, PZH) in the HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell line. The viability of HT-29 cells was determined by MTT assay. A fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis with annexin-V/propidium iodide (PI) and JC-1 staining were performed to determine cell apoptosis and the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, respectively. Activation of caspase 3 was evaluated by a colorimetric assay. The mRNA expression levels of Bcl-2 and Bax were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). PZH, in a dose- and timedependent manner, reduced viability and induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells. Moreover, PZH treatment resulted in the collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase 3, and an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. PZH inhibits the growth of HT-29 cells by inducing cancer cell apoptosis via regulation of the Bcl-2 family and activation of caspase 3, which may, in part, explain its anticancer activity.

To investigate the effects of Salvia Miltiorrhiza Liguspyragine Hydrochloride and Glucose Injection (参芎葡萄糖注射液, SLGI) on the expression of platelet membrane receptors proteinase-activated receptor-1 (PAR1) and proteinase-activated receptor-4 (PAR4) in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on chronic haemodialysis (HD). Eighty-six ESRD patients on HD (treated group) were treated with SLGI, 7 days as one therapeutic course, for two successive courses. The previous therapies were unchanged. Flow cytometry was used to assess the expression of platelet PAR1 and PAR4 in the patients, and turbidity method was used to determine the platelet maximum aggregation rate (MAR). Meanwhile, renal function was measured. The final data were compared with those before treatment and with those in the normal control group (54 healthy subjects). Compared with the normal control group, the expressions of PAR1 and PAR4 and platelet MAR in ESRD patients on HD was significantly higher before treatment (P=0.001, P=0.006, and P=0.008); after treatment with SLGI, the above indices in patients were remarkably decreased (P=0.036 and P=0.046), except PAR4 (P=0.067), but still higher than those in the normal control group, however, it was not statistically significant. (1) The overexpression of PAR1 and PAR4 might lead to increased platelet aggregation and this could be one of the reasons for the thrombotic events in ESRD patients on HD. (2) SLGI was able to down-regulate the expression of PAR1 in ESRD patients on HD, improve platelet function, and regulate platelet activation.

Objective: To evaluate the visual field protective effect of Erigeron breviscapus (vant.) Hand. Mazz. (EBHM) extract on glaucoma with controlled intraocular pressure (IOP). Methods: Forty patients (40 eyes) with primary open-angle glaucoma, visual field defects and a postsurgical IOP of

To investigate the effect of Xiaoyu Zhixue Tablet (消瘀止血片, XYZXT) on the expression of platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX/V complex and GP I b α in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) in early metaphase. Fifty-one patients with CRF in early metaphase (treated group) were treated with XYZXT, 3 months as the course of treatment for 2 courses. The previous therapies remained unchanged. Flow cytometry was used to assess the expression of platelet GP Ib/IX/V complex and GP Ib α in patients with CRF, and turbidity method was used to determine the platelet maximum aggregation rate (MAR), meanwhile the renal function was measured. The final data were compared with those before the treatment, and with those in the normal control group (31 healthy subjects). Compared with the normal control group, expressions of GP I b/IX/V complex and GP I b α, and platelet MAR in CRF patients were significantly lower (P=0.007, P=0.001, P=0.009) before the treatment; after the treatment with XYZXT, the above indexes in CRF patients were remarkably increased (P=0.033, P=0.026, P=0.045), but still lower than those in the normal control group, however, it was not statistically significant. (1) The expression of GP I b/IX/V complex in CRF patients of early metaphase was decreased, which lead to platelet aggregation dysfunction. This might be one of the reasons for the hemorrhagic trend in CRF. (2) XYZXT was able to upgrade expressions of GP I b/IX/V complex and GP I b α in CRF patients, improve platelet function and down-regulate platelet activation in patients with CRF.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of trigonella foenum-graecum L. total saponins (TFGs) in combination with sulfonylureas (SU) in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) not well controlled by SU alone.Sixty-nine T2DM patients whose blood glucose levels were not well controlled by oral sulfonylureas hypoglycemic drug were randomly assigned to the treated group (46 cases) and the control group (23 cases), and were given TFGs or placebo three times per day, 6 pills each time for 12 weeks, respectively. Meanwhile, the patients continued taking their original hypoglycemic drugs. The following indexes, including effects on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms, fast blood glucose (FBG), 2-h post-prandial blood glucose (2h PBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), clinical symptomatic quantitative scores (CSQS), body mass index (BMI), as well as hepatic and renal functions, were observed and compared before and after treatment.The efficacy on TCM symptoms was obviously better in the treated group than that in the control group (P0.01), and there were statistically remarkable decreases in aspect of FBG, 2h PBG, HbA1c and CSQS in the treated group as compared to those in the control group (P0.05 or P0.01), while no significant difference was found in BMI, hepatic and renal functions between the two groups (P0.05).The combined therapy of TFGs with sulfonylureas hypoglycemic drug could lower the blood glucose level and ameliorate clinical symptoms in the treatment of T2DM, and the therapy was relatively safe.

In this paper, a simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate electroanalytical method of Acid Blue 120 (AB120) has been established by polarography. In a supporting electrolyte of 0.01 mol l−1 Na2HPO4–KH2PO4 (pH 7.04) solution, a sensitive first derivative reduction peak (ip′) of AB120 was found by Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV). The peak potential is −820 mV (versus SCE). The peak current (ip′) is proportional to the concentration over the range 2.0 × 10−7–5.0 × 10−5 mol l−1 (r=0.9961–0.9991) and the limit of detection (LOD) is 1.0 × 10−7 mol l−1. The recovery of AB120 varied from 95.3 to 103.0% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was 2.2% (n=8). The method has been expected to determination of wastewater in dye industry. In addition, the supramolecular system of AB120 with cyclodextrins has been studied. It can form 1:1 inclusion complex with six CDs. The inclusion constants were calculated and the inclusion ability of different kinds of CDs was compared. Furthermore, the inclusion mechanism was also preliminarily discussed, which provided some valuable information for further application of AB120 and CDs.

In this paper, the electrochemical behavior of the interaction of Reactive Brilliant Red K-2G (C.I. Reactive Red 15) with cyclodextrins in 0.1 mol · l−1 NaCl (pH 6.9) has been studied by polarography and voltammetry. In a supporting electrolyte of NaCl (pH 6.9), a sensitive second derivative reduction peak (ip″) of Reactive Red 15 was found by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). The peak potential is about −0.78 V (versus SCE). On the addition of CDs into the Reactive Red 15 solution, the reduction peak current (ip″) of Reactive Red 15 decreases and the peak potential (Ep) shifts to a more positive potential. The study shows that Reactive Red 15 can form 1:1 inclusion complexes with nine CDs. The inclusion constants were calculated by “electric current method”. Furthermore, the inclusion ability of different kinds of cyclodextrins was compared, which provided some elemental data for application of Reactive Red 15 and cyclodextrins.

Cardamonin has been demonstrated to have an inhibitory effect in many cancers, but its underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we studied, for the first time, the mechanism of cardamonin-induced nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell death both in vitro and in vivo. In our study, we showed that cardamonin inhibited cancer cell growth by inducing G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via accumulation of ROS. NF-κB activation was involved in breaking cellular redox homeostasis. Therefore, our results provided new insight into the mechanism of the antitumor effect of cardamonin, supporting cardamonin as a prospective therapeutic drug in nasopharyngeal carcinoma by modulating intracellular redox balance.