Tau Aggregation-Dependent Lipid Peroxide Accumulation Driven by the hsa_circ_0001546/14-3-3/CAMK2D/Tau Complex Inhibits Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis

Intraperitoneal dissemination is the main method of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) metastasis, which is related to poor prognosis and a high recurrence rate. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of endogenous RNAs with covalently closed loop structures that are implicated in the regulation of tumor development. In this study, hsa_circ_0001546 is downregulated in EOC primary and metastatic tissues vs. control tissues and this phenotype has a favorable effect on EOC OS and DFS. hsa_circ_0001546 can directly bind with 14-3-3 proteins to act as a chaperone molecule and has a limited positive effect on 14-3-3 protein stability. This complex recruits CAMK2D to induce the Ser324 phosphorylation of Tau proteins, changing the phosphorylation status of Tau bound to 14-3-3 and ultimately forming the hsa_circ_0001546/14-3-3/CAMK2D/Tau complex. The existence of this complex stimulates the production of Tau aggregation, which then induces the accumulation of lipid peroxides (LPOs) and causes LPO-dependent ferroptosis. In vivo, treatment with ferrostatin-1 and TRx0237 rescued the inhibitory effect of hsa_circ_0001546 on EOC cell spreading. Therefore, based on this results, ferroptosis caused by Tau aggregation occurs in EOC cells, which is not only in Alzheimer's disease- or Parkinson's disease-related cells and this kind of ferroptosis driven by the hsa_circ_0001546/14-3-3/CAMK2D/Tau complex is LPO-dependent rather than GPX4-dependent is hypothesized.

An all-metal fullerene: [K@Au12Sb20]5

The C60 fullerene molecule has attracted tremendous interest for its distinctive nearly spherical structure. By contrast, all-metal counterparts have been elusive: Fullerene-like clusters composed of noncarbon elements typically suffer from instability, resulting in more compact geometries that require multiple embedded atoms or external ligands for stabilization. In this work, we present the synthesis of an all-metal fullerene cluster, [K@Au12Sb20]5-, using a wet-chemistry method. The cluster's structure was determined by single crystal x-ray diffraction, which revealed a fullerene framework consisting of 20 antimony atoms. Theoretical calculations further indicate that this distinct cluster exhibits aromatic behavior.

The feedback loop of AURKA/DDX5/TMEM147-AS1/let-7 drives lipophagy to induce cisplatin resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer

Platinum-taxane chemotherapy is the first-line standard-of-care treatment administered to patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and faces the major challenge of cisplatin resistance. Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) is a serine/threonine kinase, acting as an oncogene by participating in microtubule formation and stabilization. In this study, we demonstrate that AURKA binds with DDX5 directly to form a transcriptional coactivator complex to induce the transcription and upregulation of an oncogenic long non-coding RNA, TMEM147-AS1, which sponges hsa-let-7b/7c-5p leading to the increasing expression of AURKA as a feedback loop. The feedback loop maintains EOC cisplatin resistance via activation of lipophagy. These findings underscore the feedback loop of AURKA/DDX5/TMEM147-AS1/let-7 provides mechanistic insights into the combined use of TMEM147-AS1 siRNA and VX-680, which can help improve EOC cisplatin treatment. Our mathematical model shows that the feedback loop has the potential to act as a biological switch to maintain on- (activated) or off- (deactivated) status, implying the possible resistance of single use of VX-680 or TMEM147-AS1 siRNA. The combined use reduces both the protein level of AURKA using TMEM147-AS1 siRNA and its kinase activity using VX-680, showing more significant effect than the use of TMEM147-AS1 siRNA or VX-680 alone, which provides a potential strategy for EOC treatment.

[Analysis of the long-term outcomes of different secondary surgeries for recurrent stress urinary incontinence after Burch colposuspension]

Objective: To analyze the long-term outcomes of different secondary surgeries in women with recurrent stress urinary incontinence (SUI) after Burch colposuspension. Methods: Between February 2004 to February 2010, five women with recurrent SUI after Burch colposuspension in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively followed up, and the long-term outcomes of secondary surgeries were analyzed. Subjective cures of Burch colposuspension and secondary surgeries were assessed by patients' self-reported incontinence symptoms and patient global impression of improvement questionnaire; objective cure, improvement or failure were determined by 1-hour pad test. Results: Three women underwent tension-free vaginal tape-retropubic (TVT) as the secondary surgery, one underwent tension-free vaginal tape-obturator (TVT-O), and one underwent single-incision tension-free vaginal tape-Secur (TVT-Secur). The follow-up period of five women was (14.6±2.4) years (range: 10.8 to 16.9 years). Three women undergoing TVT secondary surgery were subjectively cured; while the other two women undergoing TVT-O or TVT-Secur were not subjectively cured, but the woman undergoing TVT-O was objectively improved. Conclusions: It is feasible for women with recurrent SUI after Burch colposuspension to receive the secondary surgery. Our limited data suggests that TVT could be considered.

[China guideline for the screening, early detection and early treatment of gastric cancer (2022, Beijing)]

Gastric cancer (GC) is a major digestive tract malignancy in China, which seriously threatens the health of Chinese population. A large number of researches have demons-trated that screening, early detection and early treatment are effective in reducing the incidence and mortality of GC. The development of the guideline for GC screening, early detection and early treatment in line with epidemic characteristics of GC in China will greatly promote the homogeneity and standardization, and improve the effect of GC screening. This guideline was commissioned by the Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention of the National Health Commission. The National Cancer Center of China initiated and convened a working group comprising multidisciplinary experts. Following the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development, this guideline combined the most up-to-date evidence of GC screening, China's national conditions, and practical experience in cancer screening. This guideline provided evidence-based recommendations with respect to the screening population, technology and procedure management, aiming to improve the effect of GC screening and provide scientific evidence for the GC prevention and control in China.

[China guideline for the screening, early detection and early treatment of esophageal cancer (2022, Beijing)]

Esophageal cancer (EC) is a major digestive tract malignancy in China, which seriously threatens the health of Chinese population. A large number of researches have demonstrated that screening and early detection are effective in reducing the incidence and mortality of EC. The development of the guideline for EC screening and early detection in line with epidemic characteristics of EC in China will greatly promote the homogeneity and standardization, and improve the effect of EC screening. This guideline was commissioned by the Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention of the National Health Commission. The National Cancer Center of China initiated and convened a working group comprising multidisciplinary experts. Following the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development, this guideline combined the most up-to-date evidence of EC screening, China's national conditions, and practical experience in cancer screening. This guideline provided evidence-based recommendations with respect to the screening population, technology and procedure management, aiming to improve the effect of EC screening and provide scientific evidence for the EC prevention and control in China.

Hysteroscopic Curettage Followed by Megestrol Acetate Plus Metformin as a Fertility-Sparing Treatment for Women with Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia or Well-Differentiated Endometrioid Endometrial Carcinoma

Background:

In reproductive-aged women, the incidence of atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) or endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC) is rising globally. The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of hysteroscopic curettage followed by megestrol acetate (MA) plus metformin as conservative treatment in AEH and early EEC.

Methods:

We retrospectively studied AEH and stage IA, grade 1 EEC patients treated with hysteroscopic curettage followed by MA (160 mg/d) plus metformin (1500 mg/d) from January 2010 to December 2020 at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Treatment outcomes were assessed by complete response (CR) rate, recurrence rate, and pregnancy outcomes. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed via the logistic regression model.

Results:

The study included 79 patients, 31 (39.2%) with AEH and 48 (60.8%) with EEC. The medians of age (years) and follow-up time (months) were 30 and 39.5, respectively. Seventy-six patients (96.2%) finally achieved CR. The median time to CR was 3.6 (3.0-20.6) months. The CR rate after 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year was 55 (69.6%), 67 (84.8%), and 72 (91.1%), respectively. Recurrence occurred in 26 (34.2%) patients. Treatment duration ⩾9 months was associated with a lower recurrence rate after CR (P = .012). Fourteen (93.3%) of the 15 recurrent patients who received progestin re-treatment achieved CR again. Finally, 29 patients delivered live births.

Conclusions:

Hysteroscopy followed by MA plus metformin can achieve CR in short time and is overall safe. Consolidation treatment should be prolonged to decrease the recurrence rate, despite a shorter time to CR.

Transition-metal-like bonding behaviors of a boron atom in a boron-cluster boronyl complex [(η7-B7)-B-BO]. Chem Sci 2021;12:8157-8164. [PMID: 34194706 PMCID: PMC8208299 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00534k]

Boron displays many unusual structural and bonding properties due to its electron deficiency. Here we show that a boron atom in a boron monoxide cluster (B₉O⁻) exhibits transition-metal-like properties. Temperature-dependent photoelectron spectroscopy provided evidence of the existence of two isomers for B₉O⁻: the main isomer has an adiabatic detachment energy (ADE) of 4.19 eV and a higher energy isomer with an ADE of 3.59 eV. The global minimum of B₉O⁻ is found surprisingly to be an umbrella-like structure (C_6v, ¹A₁) and its simulated spectrum agrees well with that of the main isomer observed. A low-lying isomer (C_s, ¹A′) consisting of a BO unit bonded to a disk-like B₈ cluster agrees well with the 3.59 eV ADE species. The unexpected umbrella-like global minimum of B₉O⁻ can be viewed as a central boron atom coordinated by a η⁷-B₇ ligand on one side and a BO ligand on the other side, [(η⁷-B₇)-B-BO]⁻. The central B atom is found to share its valence electrons with the B₇ unit to fulfill double aromaticity, similar to that in half-sandwich [(η⁷-B₇)-Zn-CO]⁻ or [(η⁷-B₇)-Fe(CO)₃]⁻ transition-metal complexes. The ability of boron to form a half-sandwich complex with an aromatic ligand, a prototypical property of transition metals, brings out new metallomimetic properties of boron.

The global minimum of the B₉O⁻ cluster is found to have an umbrella-like structure, where the central B atom exhibits transition-metal-like bonding properties, coordinated by a η⁷-B₇ ligand on one side and a BO ligand on the other.

[Effect of the pessary treatment on anxiety disorder in patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the pessary treatment on general anxiety disorder in patients with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: Between December 2018 and January 2020, 213 patients who received the pessary treatment for symptomatic POP in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) were enrolled in this prospective observational study. Accepting the pessary successfully means that the patient keeping the pessary for 2 weeks were satisfied with it and willing to use it afterwards, or means that the patient having changed a new pessary and keeping it for 2 weeks were satisfied with it and willing to use it afterwards. The questionnaire General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) was used to assess the anxiety state of POP patients, including 163 patients who accepted the pessary treatment successfully and 50 patients who failed, before and after the pessary treatment. A score of 10 or more was considered as the moderate or severe anxiety and defined as the anxiety disorder. Patients who accepted the pessary treatment successfully were followed up for 3 months. Results: Before the treatment, the prevalence of anxiety disorders was 20.9% (34 out of 163) for those patients accepting the pessary and that was 20.0% (10 out of 50) for those patients who failed in keeping the pessary, the difference of which were not statistically significant (P=0.896). The difference of demographic data and clinical characteristics between the anxiety disorder group and the non-anxiety disorder group were not statistically significant (P>0.05). After 3 months of the pessary treatment for those patients using the pessary treatment, the prevalence of anxiety disorders dropped to 3.7% (6/163) from 20.9% (P<0.001). The GAD-7 score of patients with anxiety disorders decreased from a median of 16.0 (12.5, 21.0) before the treatment to 1.0 (0, 4.0) after the treatment, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). Conclusion: Around 20% POP patients receiving pessary treatment had the moderate or severe general anxiety disorder. After 3 months of using the pessary treatment, the prevalence of anxiety disorders in POP patients had dropped significantly.

[COVID-19 epidemic and its characteristics in Heilongjiang province]

Objective: To describe the COVID-19 epidemic and its characteristics in Heilongjiang province, and provide evidence for the further prevention and control of COVID-19 in the province. Methods: The information of COVID-19 cases and clusters were collected from national notifiable disease report system and management information system for reporting public health emergencies of China CDC. The Software's of Excel 2010 and SPSS 23.0 were applied for data cleaning and statistical analysis on the population, time and area distributions of COVID-19 cases. Results: On January 22, 2020, the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported in Heilongjiang. By March 11, 2020, a total of 482 cases domestic case of COVID-19, The incidence rate was 1.28/100 000, the mortality rate was 2.70% (13/482) in 13 municipalities in Heilongjiang. There were 81 clusters of COVID-19, The number of confirmed cases accounted for 79.25% (382/482) of the total confirmed cases and 12 cases of deaths. The family clusters accounted for 86.42% (70/81). Compared with the sporadic cases, the mortality rate, proportion of elderly cases aged 60 or above and severe or critical cases of clinical classification were all higher in the clusters especially the family clusters, but the differences were not significant (P>0.05). There were 34 clusters involving more than 5 confirmed cases accounted for 41.98% (34/81) of the total clusters, the involved cases accounted for 68.31% (261/382) of the total cases of clusters. There were significant differences in age distribution of the cases among the case clusters with different case numbers. In the clusters involving 6-9 cases, the proportion of cases aged 65 years or above was more (26.53%, 39/147). Conclusions: The incidence rate of COVID-19 was relatively high and the early epidemic was serious in Heilongjiang, The number of cases was large in clusters especially family clusters.

The Combined Detection of Immune Genes for Predicting the Prognosis of Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the fields of tumor and immunity. This study focused on the possible prognostic value of immune genes in non-small cell lung cancer patients. We used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to download gene expression data and clinical information of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC). The immune gene list was downloaded from the Immport database. We then constructed immune gene prognostic models on the basis of Cox regression analysis. We further evaluated the clinical significance of the models via survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and independent prognostic factor analysis. Moreover, we analyzed the associations of prognostic models with both mutation burdens and neoantigens. Using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and Kaplan-Meier plotter databases, we evaluated the validity of the prognostic models. The prognostic model of LUAD included 13 immune genes, and the prognostic model of LUSC contained 10 immune genes. High-risk patients based on prognostic models had a lower 5-year survival rate than did low-risk patients. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated the prediction accuracy of the prognostic models, as the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.742, 0.707, and 0.711 for LUAD, and 0.668, 0.703, and 0.668 for LUSC, when the predicted survival times were 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. The mutation burden analysis showed that mutation level was associated with the risk score in patients with LUAD. The analysis based on GEO and Kaplan-Meier plotter demonstrated the prognostic validity of the models. Therefore, immune gene-related models of LUAD and LUSC can predict prognosis. Further study of these genes may enable us to better distinguish between LUAD and LUSC and lead to improvement in immunotherapy for lung cancer.

A photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical study on ternary Al–B–O clusters: AlnBO2− and AlnBO2 (n = 2, 3)

Dictated by sequential and competitive oxidation of B versus Al centers, ternary Al₂BO₂^−/0 and Al₃BO₂^−/0 clusters do not possess a BO₂ unit despite its structural robustness.

Double-ring tubular (B2O2)n clusters (n = 6-42) rolled up from the most stable BO double-chain ribbon in boron monoxides

Based on extensive global searches and first-principles theory calculations, we present herein the possibility of double-ring tubular (B₂O₂)_n clusters (n = 6-42) (2-10) rolled up from the most stable one-dimensional (1D) BO double-chain ribbon (1) in boron monoxides. Tubular (3D) (B₂O₂)_n clusters (n ≥ 6) are found to be systematically much more stable than their previously proposed planar (2D) counterparts, with a 2D-3D structural transition at B₁₂O₁₂ (2). Detailed bonding analyses on 3D (B₂O₂)_n clusters (2-10) and their precursor 1D BO double-chain ribbon (1) reveal two delocalized B-O-B 3c-2e π bonds over each edge-sharing B₄O₂ hexagonal unit which form a unique 6c-4e o-bond to help stabilize the systems. The IR, Raman, UV-vis, and photoelectron spectra of the concerned species are computationally simulated to facilitate their experimental characterization.

Planar B38- and B37- clusters with a double-hexagonal vacancy: molecular motifs for borophenes

Boron clusters have been found to exhibit a variety of interesting electronic, structural, and bonding properties. Of particular interest are the recent discoveries of the 2D hexagonal B₃₆^-/0 which led to the concept of borophenes and the 3D fullerene-like B₄₀^-/0 which marked the onset of borospherene chemistry. Here, we present a joint photoelectron spectroscopic and first-principles study of B₃₇^- and B₃₈^-, which are in the transition size range between the 2D borophene-type clusters and the 3D borospherenes. These two clusters are found to possess highly stable 2D global-minimum structures consisting of a double-hexagonal vacancy. Detailed bonding analyses reveal that both B₃₇^- and B₃₈^- are all-boron analogues of coronene (C₂₄H₁₂) with a unique delocalized π system, featuring dual π aromaticity. These clusters with double hexagonal vacancies can be viewed as molecular motifs for the χ3-borophene which is the most stable form of borophenes recently synthesized on an Ag(111) substrate.

From Quasi-Planar B56 to Penta-Ring Tubular Ca©B56: Prediction of Metal-Stabilized Ca©B56 as the Embryo of Metal-Doped Boron α-Nanotubes

Motifs of planar metalloborophenes, cage-like metalloborospherenes, and metal-centered double-ring tubular boron species have been reported. Based on extensive first-principles theory calculations, we present herein the possibility of doping the quasi-planar C_2v B₅₆ (A-1) with an alkaline-earth metal to produce the penta-ring tubular Ca©B₅₆ (B-1) which is the most stable isomer of the system obtained and can be viewed as the embryo of metal-doped (4,0) boron α-nanotube Ca©BNT_(4,0) (C-1). Ca©BNT_(4,0) (C-1) can be constructed by rolling up the most stable boron α-sheet and is predicted to be metallic in nature. Detailed bonding analyses show that the highly stable planar C_2v B₅₆ (A-1) is the boron analog of circumbiphenyl (C₃₈H₁₆) in π-bonding, while the 3D aromatic C_4v Ca©B₅₆ (B-1) possesses a perfect delocalized π system over the σ-skeleton on the tube surface. The IR and Raman spectra of C_4v Ca©B₅₆ (B-1) and photoelectron spectrum of its monoanion C_4v Ca©B₅₆⁻ are computationally simulated to facilitate their spectroscopic characterizations.

A novel Al matrix composite reinforced by nano-AlNp network

In pursuit of lightweighting of automobiles and low emission of transportation, the efforts to develop high-strength, heat-resistant and fatigue-resistant Al alloys and/or composites have been ongoing. Here we report a novel Al matrix composite with ultrahigh strength reinforced by a three dimensional network of nano-AlN particles for the first time. The in-situ synthesized AlN particles are connected by twinning bonding chains and built up a three dimensional network strengthening Al matrix enormously like the skeleton to human body. The composite containing 16.4wt.% AlN particles shows excellent properties: the ultimate tensile strengths can be up to 518MPa at room temperature and 190MPa at 350 °C. This peculiar performance results from the novel spatial distribution of nano-scale AlN particles. Our findings in this work would help to develop a potential candidate for high-performance heat resistance light-metal based materials.

Endohedral charge-transfer complex Ca@B37−: stabilization of a B373−borospherene trianion by metal-encapsulation

First-principles theory investigations present the possibility of an endohedralC_sCa@B₃₇⁻which contains a 3D aromatic fullerene-likeC_sB₃₇³⁻trianion composed of interwoven double chains.

Saturn-like charge-transfer complexes Li4&B36, Li5&B36+, and Li6&B362+: exohedral metalloborospherenes with a perfect cage-like B364−core

We present a first-principles theory prediction of the Saturn-like Li₄&B₃₆, Li₅&B₃₆⁺, and Li₆&B₃₆²⁺which extend the B_n^q(q=n− 40) borospherene family fromn= 38–42 ton= 36.

On the nature of chemical bonding in the all-metal aromatic [Sb3Au3Sb3]3− sandwich complex

All-metal aromatic sandwich [Sb₃Au₃Sb₃]³⁻ is held together via three 3c–2e Sb–Au–Sb σ bonds, due to the collective contributions from some 17 molecular orbitals.

Experimental and theoretical evidence of an axially chiral borospherene

Chirality plays an important role in chemistry, biology, and materials science. The recent discovery of the B40(-/0) borospherenes marks the onset of a class of boron-based nanostructures. Here we report the observation of axially chiral borospherene in the B(39)(-) nanocluster on the bases of photoelectron spectroscopy, global minimum searches, and electronic structure calculations. Extensive structural searches in combination with density functional and CCSD(T) calculations show that B(39)(-) has a C3 cage global minimum with a close-lying C2 cage isomer. Both the C3 and C2 B(39)(-) cages are chiral with degenerate enantiomers. The C3 global minimum consists of three hexagons and three heptagons around the vertical C3 axis. The C2 isomer is built on two hexagons on the top and at the bottom of the cage with four heptagons around the waist. Both the C3 and C2 axially chiral isomers of B(39)(-) are present in the experiment and contribute to the observed photoelectron spectrum. The chiral borospherenes also exhibit three-dimensional aromaticity, featuring σ and π double delocalization for all valence electrons. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal that these chiral B(39)(-) cages are structurally fluxional above room temperature, compared to the highly robust D(2d)B40 borospherene. The current findings add chiral members to the borospherene family and indicate the structural diversity of boron-based nanomaterials.

Endohedral C3Ca@B39+and C2Ca@B39+: axially chiral metalloborospherenes based on B39−

Axially chiral endohedral metalloborospherenesC₃/C₂Ca@B₃₉⁺predictedviafirst-principles calculations are charge-transfer complexes in nature with the universal bonding pattern of σ plus π double delocalization.

Quantum theory of concerted electronic and nuclear fluxes associated with adiabatic intramolecular processes

Example of concerted electronic (right) and nuclear (left) fluxes: isomerization of B₄.

On the structure and bonding in the B4O4+cluster: a boron oxide analogue of the 3,5-dehydrophenyl cation with p and s double aromaticity

The B₄O₄⁺cluster has a hexagonal structure with a boroxol ring. It features double (p and s) aromaticity, akin to the 3,5-dehydrophenyl cation.

The B35 cluster with a double-hexagonal vacancy: a new and more flexible structural motif for borophene

Elemental boron is electron-deficient and cannot form graphene-like structures. Instead, triangular boron lattices with hexagonal vacancies have been predicted to be stable. A recent experimental and computational study showed that the B36 cluster has a planar C6v structure with a central hexagonal hole, providing the first experimental evidence for the viability of atom-thin boron sheets with hexagonal vacancies, dubbed borophene. Here we report a boron cluster with a double-hexagonal vacancy as a new and more flexible structural motif for borophene. Photoelectron spectrum of B35(-) displays a simple pattern with certain similarity to that of B36(-). Global minimum searches find that both B35(-) and B35 possess planar hexagonal structures, similar to that of B36, except a missing interior B atom that creates a double-hexagonal vacancy. The closed-shell B35(-) is found to exhibit triple π aromaticity with 11 delocalized π bonds, analogous to benzo(g,h,i)perylene (C22H12). The B35 cluster can be used to build atom-thin boron sheets with various hexagonal hole densities, providing further experimental evidence for the viability of borophene.

Outcomes and patterns of secondary relapse in platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer: implications for tertiary cytoreductive surgery

AIM

To evaluate the outcomes and patterns of patients with secondary relapsed ovarian cancer.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted. The cases comprised 83 patients who underwent tertiary cytoreductive surgery (TCS) followed by chemotherapy, whereas the controls consisted of 76 patients who received chemotherapy alone.

RESULTS

The median survival was 20 months in 159 patients. Patients with microscopic residual disease after TCS had a median survival of 32.9 months compared with 14.6 months in those with macroscopic residual disease [hazard ratio (HR), 2.82; P = 0.001) and 15.0 months in patients with chemotherapy alone (HR, 2.23; P = 0.001). When stratified by a progression-free interval (PFI) after secondary cytoreduction (SCR), TCS showed no benefit in patients with a PFI ≤12 months or a PFI >12 months compared with those with chemotherapy alone. TCS improved survival in patients with recurrent disease in the pelvis compared with those with recurrent disease in the middle or upper abdomen, with a median survival of 34.9 months and 14.6 months, respectively (HR, 2.94; P = 0.010). However, TCS was not a survival determinant by multivariate analysis. A multivariate analysis identified a PFI after SCR (≤12 mos vs. >12 mos; HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.29-4.24; P = 0.005), mesenteric lymph node metastasis at SCR (yes vs. no; HR, 4.18; 95% CI, 1.93-9.03; P < 0.001) and treatment arms at secondary relapse (chemotherapy alone vs. TCS; HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03-2.38; P = 0.037) as independent predictors of survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited survival benefit from tertiary cytoreductive surgery was observed in patients with platinum-sensitive secondary relapsed ovarian cancer.

Prognostic factors and treatment comparison in early-stage small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix

Small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix (SCCUC) is rare and its biologic behavior is aggressive. To analyze prognostic factors and determine optimal therapy in patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB1-IIA SCCUC, we retrospectively reviewed 96 patients (14 patients treated in our center and 82 patients identified by a search on PubMed) treated with radical surgery (SU), surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy (SU+Chemo), or surgery plus adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy (SU+Chemo+RT) between 1990 and 2010. Of the 96 patients, 11 patients were treated with SU, 33 with SU+Chemo, and 52 with SU+Chemo+RT. The 5-year survival rate for the 96 patients was 45%. A total of 6% (2/32) of patients had local recurrence, 75% (24/32) had distant metastases, and 19% (6/32) had both. The 5-year survival rate in stage IB1 and IB2-IIA disease was 58 and 34%, respectively (P=0.049). For patients with and without lymph node metastases (LNM), survival was 33 and 60%, respectively (P=0.045). Patients with inner 1/3 stromal invasion had a better survival than those with deep stromal invasion (DSI) (100 vs. 34%, P=0.003). Survival was not significantly different in patients treated with the above three modalities, albeit treatment selection was related to LNM (P=0.000) and DSI (P=0.027). Thus, FIGO stage, LNM and DSI are significant predictors of survival. Adjuvant therapy after SU has not improved survival compared with surgery alone. Thus, newer multimodality therapy should be evaluated.

Predictors of survival in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery based on the pooled analysis of an international collaborative cohort

BACKGROUND

This study aims to identify prognostic factors and to develop a risk model predicting survival in patients undergoing secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCR) for recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Individual data of 1100 patients with recurrent ovarian cancer of a progression-free interval at least 6 months who underwent SCR were pooled analysed. A simplified scoring system for each independent prognostic factor was developed according to its coefficient. Internal validation was performed to assess the discrimination of the model.

RESULTS

Complete SCR was strongly associated with the improvement of survival, with a median survival of 57.7 months, when compared with 27.0 months in those with residual disease of 0.1-1 cm and 15.6 months in those with residual disease of >1 cm, respectively (P<0.0001). Progression-free interval (≤23.1 months vs >23.1 months, hazard ratio (HR): 1.72; score: 2), ascites at recurrence (present vs absent, HR: 1.27; score: 1), extent of recurrence (multiple vs localised disease, HR: 1.38; score: 1) as well as residual disease after SCR (R1 vs R0, HR: 1.90, score: 2; R2 vs R0, HR: 3.0, score: 4) entered into the risk model.

CONCLUSION

This prognostic model may provide evidence to predict survival benefit from secondary cytoreduction in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

A risk model for secondary cytoreductive surgery in recurrent ovarian cancer: an evidence-based proposal for patient selection

BACKGROUND

To develop a risk model for predicting complete secondary cytoreductive surgery (SCR) in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Individual data of 1075 patients with recurrent ovarian cancer undergoing SCR from 7 worldwide centers were pooled and analyzed. The risk model was developed based on the factors impacting on SCR surgical outcome. Additional data on 117 patients who were not included in the development of the model were used for external validation and to assess the discrimination of the model.

RESULTS

Of the 1075 patients, 434 (40.4%) underwent complete resection. Complete secondary cytoreduction was associated with six variables: FIGO stage (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.97-1.80), residual disease after primary cytoreduction (OR = 1.69, 95% CI: 1.26-2.27), progression-free interval (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.71-3.01), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.45-3.44), CA125 (OR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.41-2.44), and ascites at recurrence (OR = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.88-4.13). These variables were entered into the risk model and assigned scores ranging from 0 to 11.9. Patients with total scores of 0-4.7 were categorized as the low-risk group, in which the proportion of complete cytoreduction was 53.4% compared with 20.1% in the high-risk group (OR = 4.55, 95% CI: 3.43-6.04). In external validation, the sensitivity and specificity was 83.3% and 57.6%, respectively. Area under the curve of the receiver-operating characteristics for predicting complete SCR was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.60-0.79).

CONCLUSIONS

This model and scoring system may well predict the outcome of SCR and could potentially be useful in future clinical trials to determine which patients with recurrent ovarian cancer should have SCR as part of their management.

Surgery in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer: benefits on Survival for patients with residual disease of 0.1-1 cm after secondary cytoreduction

AIMS

Recent retrospective trials stated that a benefit of surgery for recurrent ovarian cancer may be limited to patients in whom a complete cytoreduction (R0) could be achieved. Most of them pointed out there was no difference in survival between residual disease of 0.1-1 cm (R1) and >1 cm (R2). The aim of this study was to evaluate survival benefits from cytoreduction to R1.

METHODS

Between 2002 and 2006, 123 patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer undergoing secondary cytoreduction were identified from tumor registry databases.

RESULTS

The median age at recurrence was 51 years (range: 28-84). Fifty-one (41.5%) patients had R0, 46 (37.4%) patients had R1, and 26 (21.1%) patients had R2 resection. The median survival of the entire cohort was 31.7 months, with an estimated 5-year survival of 31.1%. The median survival and estimated 5-year survival for patients with R1 were 31.1 months and 23.9%, and there were significant differences in survival when compared to 15.6 months and 6.4% in R2 (chi(2) = 7.45, P = 0.006), 63.2 months (mean survival) and 54.4% in complete cytoreduction (chi(2) = 8.93, P = 0.0028).

CONCLUSIONS

Complete secondary cytoreduction is the strongest survival determinant in recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer, whereas patients with residual disease of 0.1-1 cm may also benefit from secondary cytoreduction.

The role of secondary cytoreductive surgery for recurrent mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC)

BACKGROUND

Mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer (mEOC) may exhibit a distinct biological behavior in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The role of secondary cytoreductive surgery was evaluated in patients with recurrent mEOC, and the prognosis was assessed.

METHODS

Twenty-one patients with stages IIc to IV mEOC who experienced disease recurrence and received secondary cytoreductive surgery at Fudan University Cancer Hospital between Jan. 1997 and Dec. 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and the significant comparison of survival rate was estimated by the log-rank test.

RESULTS

The median progression-free interval (PFI) was 14 months (range, 5-46 months) after the first cytoreduction. Seven patients (33%) who received secondary cytoreductive surgery were optimally cytoreduced with residual disease less than or equal 1cm, and the other 14 patients (67%) underwent suboptimal surgical cytoreduction. The overall median survival time was 27 months (range, 8-64 months). The median survival time after recurrence was 10 months (range, 3-32 months). There was no significant statistical difference in median survival between patients with optimal and suboptimal secondary surgical cytoreduction, with an estimated survival of 10 months and 9.8 months, respectively (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Optimal primary cytoreductive surgery for advanced mEOC was very important. Once it recurs, the prognosis is very poor. Patients with recurrent mEOC should be carefully assessed before performing secondary cytoreductive surgery, as this may have limited impact on the overall survival rates.

On the Lorentz local electric field in soft-matter systems

In electric-field-responsive soft-matter systems, the suspended particles respond to the Lorentz local field (LLF), yielding abundant important phenomena. Even though the particles can easily rotate, the LLF was conventionally adopted as a quantity that is independent of rotations in the literature. In contrast, here we design an experiment to measure the LLF between two metallic spheres, one of which is rotating, and report a rotation-driven reduction. Excellent agreement between our experiment and theory reveals the role of the relaxation of dipole moments. Its relevance to biophysics, colloidal physics, and nonlinear physics is also discussed.

Origin of the reduced attracting force between a rotating dielectric particle and a stationary one

Recently Tao and Lan [Phys. Rev. E. 72, 041508 (2005)] experimentally reported that the rotation of a dielectric particle can reduce significantly the attracting interparticle force between the rotating dielectric particle and a stationary one in argon gas. We develop the Gu-Yu-Hui theory of relaxation [J. Chem. Phys. 116, 24 (2002)] to account for the Tao-Lan observations. Excellent agreement between the theoretical results and the Tao-Lan experimental data shows that the reduction in the attracting interparticle force is due to the effect of charge relaxation. We also show that the relaxation time of touching rotating particles can be accurately determined with the aid of the developed theory, for which, however, the well-known Maxwell-Wagner relaxation time is no longer valid.

Response of Ferrogels Subjected to an AC Magnetic Field

When a ferrogel, which is chemically cross-linked polymer networks swollen with a ferrofluid, consisting of magnetic particles having nonlinear characteristics is subjected to an alternating current (ac) magnetic field, the magnetic response will generally consist of ac fields at frequencies of the higher-order harmonics. By using a perturbation approach, we investigate nonlinear ac responses of ferrogels, under an ac magnetic field either coupled with a dc magnetic field or not. It is shown that it is possible to detect the volume fraction and shape of particles in ferrogels by measuring such ac responses. Our results are very well understood in spectral representation and are favorably compared with the experimental observations of suspensions being beyond ferrogels.

Dynamic effects on nonlinear alternating current responses in electrorheological fluids

By using a perturbation approach, we investigate dynamic effects on nonlinear alternating current (ac) responses in electrorheological (ER) fluids under an ac or direct current electric field. We show that the dynamic effect due to a shear flow, which exerts a torque on ER particles and thus leads to the rotation of the particles about their centers, plays a significant role in the responses. Our results can be well interpreted in the dielectric dispersion spectral representation, and they offer a convenient method to determine the relaxation time and rotation velocity of ER particles by measuring the nonlinear ac responses.

Biodegradation of an endocrine-disrupting chemical, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, by Bacillus subtilis No. 66

A bacterial strain capable of rapidly degrading di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was isolated from soil and identified as Bacillus subtilis. The organism also utilized di-butyl phthalate, di-ethyl phthalate, di-pentyl phthalate, di-propyl phthalate, and phthalic acid as sole carbon sources; and their biodegradation ratio was over 99%, when the incubation was performed for 5 days at 30 degrees C. The microorganism degraded di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate and di-butyl phthalate through the intermediate formation of mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate and mono-butyl phthalate, which were then metabolized to phthalic acid and further by a protocatechuate pathway, as evidenced by oxygen uptake studies and GC-MS analysis. The decontamination of soil polluted with di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate by B. subtilis was investigated. Experimental results showed that the strain could degrade about 80% of 5 mM DEHP simply by adding 8% culture medium to soil, indicating that the degradation can occur even when other organisms are present.