[Effects of cadmium chloride on testicular autophagy and blood-testis barrier integrity in prepubertal male rats]

Objective: To study the effects of cadmium chloride (CdCl(2)) exposure on testicular autophagy levels and blood-testis barrier integrity in prepubertal male SD rats and testicular sertoli (TM4) cells. Methods: In July 2021, 9 4-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (normal saline), low dose group (1 mg/kg·bw CdCl(2)) and high dose group (2 mg/kg·bw CdCl(2)), and were exposed with CdCl(2) by intrabitoneal injection. 24 h later, HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of testis of rats, biological tracer was used to observe the integrity of blood-testis barrier, and the expression levels of microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) -Ⅰ and LC3-Ⅱ in testicular tissue were detected. TM4 cells were treated with 0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 μmol/L CdCl(2) for 24 h to detect the toxic effect of cadmium. The cells were divided into blank group (no exposure), exposure group (10.0 μmol/L CdCl(2)), experimental group[10.0 μmol/L CdCl(2)+60.0 μmol/L 3-methyladenine (3-MA) ] and inhibitor group (60.0 μmol/L 3-MA). After 24 h of treatment, Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ, ubiquitin binding protein p62, tight junction protein ZO-1 and adhesion junction protein N-cadherin. Results: The morphology and structure of testicular tissue in the high dose group were obvious changed, including uneven distribution of seminiferous tubules, irregular shape, thinning of seminiferous epithelium, loose structure, disordered arrangement of cells, abnormal deep staining of nuclei and vacuoles of Sertoli cells. The results of biological tracer method showed that the integrity of blood-testis barrier was damaged in the low and high dose group. Western blot results showed that compared with control group, the expression levels of LC3-Ⅱ in testicular tissue of rats in low and high dose groups were increased, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the 0 μmol/L, after exposure to 5.0, 10.0 μmol/L CdCl(2), the expression levels of ZO-1 and N-cadherin in TM4 cells were significantly decreased, and the expression level of p62 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ were significantly increased, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Compared with the exposure group, the relative expression level of p62 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ in TM4 cells of the experimental group were significantly decreased, while the relative expression levels of ZO-1 and N-cadherin were significantly increased, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The mechanism of the toxic effect of cadmium on the reproductive system of male SD rats may be related to the effect of the autophagy level of testicular tissue and the destruction of the blood-testis barrier integrity.

Unintrusive multi-cancer detection by circulating cell-free DNA methylation sequencing (THUNDER): development and independent validation studies

BACKGROUND

Early detection of cancer offers the opportunity to identify candidates when curative treatments are achievable. The THUNDER study (THe UNintrusive Detection of EaRly-stage cancers, NCT04820868) aimed to evaluate the performance of ELSA-seq, a previously described cfDNA methylation-based technology, in the early detection and localization of six types of cancers in the colorectum, esophagus, liver, lung, ovary and pancreas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A customized panel of 161,984 CpG sites was constructed and validated by public and in-house (cancer: n=249; non-cancer: n=288) methylome data, respectively. The cfDNA samples from 1,693 participants (cancer: n=735; non-cancer: n=958) were retrospectively collected to train and validate two multi-cancer detection blood test models (MCDBT-1/2) for different clinical scenarios. The models were validated on a prospective and independent cohort of age-matched 1,010 participants (cancer: n=505; non-cancer: n=505). Simulation using the cancer incidence in China was applied to infer stage-shift and survival benefits to demonstrate the potential utility of the models in the real world.

RESULTS

MCDBT-1 yielded a sensitivity of 69.1% (64.8%‒73.3%), a specificity of 98.9% (97.6%‒99.7%) and tissue origin accuracy of 83.2% (78.7%‒87.1%) in the independent validation set. For early stage (I‒III) patients, the sensitivity of MCDBT-1 was 59.8% (54.4%‒65.0%). In the real-world simulation, MCDBT-1 achieved the sensitivity of 70.6% in detecting the six cancers, thus decreasing late-stage incidence by 38.7%‒46.4%, and increasing 5-year survival rate by 33.1%‒40.4%, respectively. In parallel, MCDBT-2 was generated at a slightly low specificity of 95.1% (92.8%-96.9%) but a higher sensitivity of 75.1% (71.9%-79.8%) than MCDBT-1 for populations at relatively high risk of cancers, and also had ideal performance.

CONCLUSION

In this large-scale clinical validation study, MCDBT-1/2 models showed a high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of predicted origin in detecting six types of cancers.

[Application of dental floss traction-assisted endoscopic submucosa dissection to rectal neuroendocrine neoplasm]

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of dental floss traction-assisted endoscopic submucosal dissection (DFS-ESD) for rectal neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Clinical data of rectal NEN patients undergoing ESD at Endoscopy Center of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: 1) age of 18 to 80 years old; 2) maximal diameter of lesions <1.5 cm; 3) tumor locating in the submucosa without invasion into the muscularis propria; 4) no enlarged lymph nodes around bowel and in abdominal cavity; 5) ESD requested actively by patients. A total of 37 patients were enrolled, including 23 male and 14 female cases with mean age of (56.0±11.3) years. All the lesions were single tumor of stage T1, and the mean size was 0.8±0.2(0.5-1.2) cm. Postoperative pathology revealed all samples as neuroendocrine tumors (NET). Seventeen patients received DFS-ESD treatment (DFS-ESD group) and 20 patient received conventional ESD treatment (conventional ESD group). In DFS-ESD group, after the mucosa was partly incised along the marker dots, the endoscopy was extracted, and the dental floss was tied to one arm of the metallic clip. When the endoscope was reinserted, the hemoclip was attached onto the incised mucosa; another hemoclip was attached onto normal mucosa opposite to the lesion in the same way. The submucosa was clearly exposed with the traction of dental floss and the resection could proceed. The conventional ESD group received the traditional ESD operation procedure. The operation time, modified operation time (remaining time after excluding the assembly time of dental floss traction in DFS-ESD group), en bloc resection rate, R0 resection rate, morbidity of operative complication, recurrence and metastasis were compared between two groups. Results: The average tumor size was (0.8±0.2) cm in DFS-ESD group and (0.7±0.2) cm in conventional ESD group (t=0.425, P=0.673). According to postoperative pathological grading of rectal neuroendocrine neoplasm, 13 were G1 and 4 were G2 in DFS-ESD group, while 17 cases were G1 and 3 cases were G2 in conventional ESD group without significant difference (P=0.680). There were no significant differences in baseline data between in the two groups (all P>0.05). All the basal resection margins were negative, the en bloc resection rate was 100% and the R0 resection rate was 100%. Pathological results showed tumor tissue close to the burning margin in 5 cases of conventional ESD group and in 2 cases of DFS-ESD group (P=0.416). The operation time was (17.9±6.6) minutes in conventional ESD group and (14.7±3.3) minutes in DFS-ESD group (t=1.776, P=0.084). The modified operation time of DFS-ESD group was (11.9±2.8) minutes, which was significantly shorter than (17.9±6.6) minutes in conventional ESD group (t=3.425, P=0.002). The hospital stay was (2.3±0.6) days and (2.0±0.5) days in conventional ESD group and DFS-ESD group, respectively, without significant difference (t=1.436, P=0.160). No patient was transferred to surgery, and no delayed bleeding or perforation occurred in either group. There was no recurrence or primary tumor-related death, and all the patients recovered well during a follow-up period of 14(1-24) months. Conclusion: Dental floss traction-assisted ESD for rectal neuroendocrine neoplasm can simplify operation and ensure negative basal margin.

Switching to paliperidone extended release in patients with schizophrenia dissatisfied with previous olanzapine treatment: Post hoc analysis of an open-label, prospective study

OBJECTIVE

This post hoc analysis of an open-label, single-arm, multicenter study was designed to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of paliperidone extended release (ER) in Chinese patients with non-acute schizophrenia, after switching from olanzapine.

METHODS

Patients with schizophrenia who were dissatisfied with prior olanzapine treatment switched to flexible paliperidone ER (3-12 mg/day) based on clinical judgment. Change from baseline to week 12 in Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total scores (primary endpoint), PANSS subscale scores, response rate, Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) score, personal and social performance (PSP) scores, patient satisfaction with treatment score, change in sleep quality, level of daytime sleepiness and safety were evaluated.

RESULTS

Out of 118 enrolled patients, 95 (81%) completed the study. Mean duration of study was 76.9 (23.85) days. The primary endpoint, mean (SD) PANSS total score changed significantly from baseline to endpoint (-19.6 [18.71], P <.0001). Secondary endpoints including PANSS subscale score, PSP, patient satisfaction and daytime drowsiness also significantly improved (P <.001). Most commonly reported (≥1%) treatment-emergent adverse events were akathisia (n = 14 [12%]) and insomnia (n = 9 [8%]).

CONCLUSIONS

Switching to flexible-dosed paliperidone ER in patients dissatisfied with prior olanzapine treatment achieved good efficacy and tolerability consistently over 12 weeks.

[A randomized controlled study of erlotinib versus pemetrexed combined with cisplatin in neoadjuvant therapy of stage ⅢA EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma]

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy and safety of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors(EGFR-TKIs) for neoadjuvant therapy. Methods: Eighty-six patients with stage ⅢA EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma were assigned to 2 groups (n=43 in each group) according to the random number table method: neoadjuvant targeted therapy group (single oral dose of erlotinib 150 mg per day, for 9 weeks) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (2 cycles of pemetrexed combined with cisplatin chemotherapy followed by 3- week discontinuation). Surgical treatment was underwent after imaging efficacy evaluation. Results: In neoadjuvant targeted therapy group, 4 achieved complete response (CR), 25 achieved partial response (PR), giving an objective response rate (ORR) of 67.4%. In pathological response, 8 patients had grade Ⅰ, 20 patients had grade Ⅱ, giving a pathological response rate of 65.1%. The most frequent adverse events (AEs) were rash and diarrhea. In neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, 2 had CR and 17 had PR, giving an ORR of 44.2%. In pathological response, 3 patients had grade Ⅰ, 15 patients had grade Ⅱ, giving a pathological response rate of 41.9%. The main AEs were hematologic toxic effects. The ORR, histological efficacy and hematologic toxicity showed statistical significance between the two groups (P<0.05). The neoadjuvant targeted therapy group had 90.7% resection rate, (299.8±23.4) ml of hemorrhage volume during operation, (5.2±0.4) days of extubation time and 9.3% postoperative complication rate. Corresponding results were 83.7%, (308.9±22.7) ml, (5.4±0.6) days and 11.6% in neoadjuvant chemotherapy group, which showed no statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant targeted treatment for stage ⅢA lung adenocarcinoma harboring EGFR mutations. The regimen could be considered as a choice of neoadjuvant treatment for patients with stage ⅢA EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma.

Factors related to improvement of symptoms, function, and caregiver burden in Chinese patients with schizophrenia after switching to paliperidone palmitate once-monthly from oral antipsychotics

BACKGROUND

Paliperidone palmitate once-monthly (PP1M) demonstrated symptomatic and functional remission in patients with schizophrenia. This post hoc analysis aimed to identify factors associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients switching to PP1M (75-150 mg eq.).

METHODS

The improved patient outcomes were observed as Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS, symptoms) score <70:66.7% (407/610), Personal and Social Performance (PSP, function) score >70:34.3% (199/581), and Involvement Evaluation Questionnaire (IEQ, caregiver burden) reduction ≥6:50.2% (270/538). Independent variables including demographics, disease duration, employment status, and clinical scores were screened individually using a univariate analysis and subsequently, variables (cutoff p<0.15) were analyzed using a multivariate regression analysis for association with better clinical outcomes at week 13.

RESULTS

The factors significantly associated with favorable clinical outcomes were reduction in PANSS at week 5 (odds ratio [OR]=1.14, 95% CI=1.11-1.17) with symptom reduction; baseline PSP total score (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.05-1.10), PSP change at week 5 (OR=1.07, 95% CI=1.05-1.10), PANSS reduction at week 5 (OR=1.06, 95% CI=1.03-1.08) with functional improvement, reduction in PANSS at week 5 (OR=1.02, 95% CI=1.01-1.03), and total IEQ score at baseline (OR=1.09, 95% CI=1.07-1.11) with caregiver burden reduction.

CONCLUSION

Thus, symptom and functional improvements with caregiver burden reduction were observed in patients, and PANSS reduction at week 5 was commonly associated with favorable outcomes.

Serum secretory phospholipase A2-IIa (sPLA2-IIA) levels in patients surviving acute myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND

The increase of secretory phospholipase A2-IIa (sPLA2-IIa) in culprit coronary lesions is associated with myocardial infarction, and the increase of sPLA2-IIa in peripheral plasma levels has a significant risk and prognostic value in patients with coronary artery disease. Little is known about the prognostic significance of elevated serum sPLA2-IIa in post-acute myocardial infarction (post-AMI) patients.

OBJECTIVES

The present study is designed to investigate the potential association between serum sPLA2-IIa and prognosis in post-acute myocardial infarction (post-AMI) patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From Oct 1998 to Sep 2008, a total of 964 post-AMI patients with serum samples collected in the convalescent stage were studied. Serum levels of sPLA2-IIa were measured by ELISA. According to the optimal cut-off value for sPLA2-IIa concentration, patients were then divided into 2 groups. Categorical variables were compared between the 2 groups using the χ2 test. All continuous variables are described as mean ± SD and were compared using Student's t-test. Statistical associations between clinicopathological observations and sPLA2-IIa levels were determined using the Mann-Whitney U test. The clinical value of sPLA2-IIa level as a prognostic parameter was evaluated using the Cox's proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up period of 1,462 days, 123 patients (12.7%) had adverse events (all-cause mortality, n=52; non-fatal MI, n=31; readmission for heart failure [HF], n=40). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to a serum sPLA2-IIa level of 360 ng/dl, which was determined to be the optimal cut-off for discriminating all-cause mortality based on the maximum value of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Patients with elevated sPLA2-IIa (> 360 ng/dl, n=164) had a significantly higher prevalence of death (18.3% [30/164] vs. 2.75% [22/800] p < 0.001) and readmission for HF (14% [23/164/ vs. 2.1% [17/800], p < 0.0001), but not of non-fatal MI (4.88% [8/164]vs. 2.87% [23/800], p = 0.096), compared to those with sPLA2-IIa < 360 ng/dl. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that elevated serum sPLA2-IIa was associated with an increased risk of mortality and readmission for HF.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated serum sPLA2-IIa during the convalescent stage of AMI predicted long-term mortality and readmission for HF after survival discharge in the post-AMI patients.

Multiple factor analysis of metachronous upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma after radical cystectomy

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urothelium is often multifocal and subsequent tumors may occur anywhere in the urinary tract after the treatment of a primary carcinoma. Patients initially presenting a bladder cancer are at significant risk of developing metachronous tumors in the upper urinary tract (UUT). We evaluated the prognostic factors of primary invasive bladder cancer that may predict a metachronous UUT TCC after radical cystectomy. The records of 476 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for primary invasive bladder TCC from 1989 to 2001 were reviewed retrospectively. The prognostic factors of UUT TCC were determined by multivariate analysis using the COX proportional hazards regression model. Kaplan-Meier analysis was also used to assess the variable incidence of UUT TCC according to different risk factors. Twenty-two patients (4.6%). developed metachronous UUT TCC. Multiplicity, prostatic urethral involvement by the bladder cancer and the associated carcinoma in situ (CIS) were significant and independent factors affecting the occurrence of metachronous UUT TCC (P = 0.0425, 0.0082, and 0.0006, respectively). These results were supported, to some extent, by analysis of the UUT TCC disease-free rate by the Kaplan-Meier method, whereby patients with prostatic urethral involvement or with associated CIS demonstrated a significantly lower metachronous UUT TCC disease-free rate than patients without prostatic urethral involvement or without associated CIS (log-rank test, P = 0.0116 and 0.0075, respectively). Multiple tumors, prostatic urethral involvement and associated CIS were risk factors for metachronous UUT TCC, a conclusion that may be useful for designing follow-up strategies for primary invasive bladder cancer after radical cystectomy.