Efficacy and predictive factors of transarterial chemoembolization combined with lenvatinib plus programmed cell death protein-1 inhibition for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)combined with lenvatinib plus programmed cell death protein-1(PD-1)for unresectable hepato-cellular carcinoma(HCC)have rarely been evaluated and it is unknown which factors are related to efficacy.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and independent predictive factors of TACE combined with lenvatinib plus PD-1 inhibitors for unresectable HCC.METHODS This study retrospectively enrolled patients with unresectable HCC who received TACE/lenvatinib/PD-1 treatment between March 2019 and April 2022.Overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were determined.The objective response rate(ORR)and disease control rate(DCR)were evaluated in accordance with the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors.Additionally,the prognostic factors affecting the clinical outcome were assessed.RESULTS One hundred and two patients were enrolled with a median follow-up duration of 12.63 months.The median OS was 26.43 months(95%CI:17.00-35.87),and the median PFS was 10.07 months(95%CI:8.50-11.65).The ORR and DCR were 61.76%and 81.37%,respectively.The patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Classification(BCLC)B stage,early neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)response(decrease),or early alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)response(decrease>20%)had superior OS and PFS than their counterparts.CONCLUSION This study showed that TACE/lenvatinib/PD-1 treatment was well tolerated with encouraging efficacy in patients with unresectable HCC.The patients with BCLC B-stage disease with early NLR response(decrease)and early AFP response(decrease>20%)may achieve better clinical outcomes with this triple therapy.

Efficacy and safety of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia for ovarian cancer

BACKGROUND Ovarian cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in female reproductive system in the world,and the choice of its treatment is very important for the survival rate and prognosis of patients.Traditional open surgery is the main treatment for ovarian cancer,but it has the disadvantages of big trauma and slow recovery.With the continuous development of minimally invasive technology,minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia has been gradually applied to the treatment of ovarian cancer because of its advantages of less trauma and quick recovery.However,the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia in the treatment of ovarian cancer are still controversial.AIM To explore the efficacy and safety of general anesthesia minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of ovarian cancer.METHODS The clinical data of 90 patients with early ovarian cancer in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively.According to the different surgical treatment methods,patients were divided into study group and control group(45 cases in each group).The study group received minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia for ovarian cancer,while the control group received traditional open surgery for ovarian cancer.The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire(EORTC QLQ-C30),clinical efficacy and safety of the two groups were compared.RESULTS The intraoperative blood loss,length of hospital stay,postoperative gas evacuation time,and postoperative EORTC QLQ-C30 score of the study group were significantly better than those of the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of postoperative complications in the study group was significantly lower than in the control group(P<0.05).The two groups had no significant differences in the preoperative adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),androstenedione(AD),cortisol(Cor),cluster of differentiation 3 positive(CD3+),and cluster of differentiation 4 positive(CD4+)indexes(P>0.05).In contrast,postoperatively,the study group's ACTH,AD,and Cor indexes were lower,and the CD3+and CD4+indexes were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia in patients with early ovarian cancer can significantly improve the efficacy and safety,improve the short-term prognosis and quality of life of patients,and is worth popularizing.

Computerized tomography-guided therapeutic percutaneous puncture catheter drainage-combined with somatostatin for severe acute pancreatitis: An analysis of efficacy and safety

BACKGROUND Severe acute pancreatitis(SAP),a condition with rapid onset,critical condition and unsatisfactory prognosis,poses a certain threat to human health,warranting optimization of relevant treatment plans to improve treatment efficacy.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of computerized tomography-guided the-rapeutic percutaneous puncture catheter drainage(CT-TPPCD)combined with somatostatin(SS)in the treatment of SAP.METHODS Forty-two SAP patients admitted to The Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected.On the basis of routine treatment,20 patients received SS therapy(control group)and 22 patients were given CT-TPPCD plus SS intervention(research group).The efficacy,safety(pancreatic fistula,intra-abdominal hemorrhage,sepsis,and organ dysfunction syndrome),abdominal bloating and pain relief time,bowel recovery time,hospital stay,inflammatory indicators(C-reactive protein,interleukin-6,and pro-calcitonin),and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation(APACHE)II score of both groups were evaluated for comparison.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the research group had a markedly higher total effective rate,faster abdominal bloating and pain relief and bowel recovery,INTRODUCTION Pancreatitis,an inflammatory disease occurring in the pancreatic tissue,is classified as either acute or chronic and is associated with high morbidity and mortality,imposing a socioeconomic burden[1,2].The pathogenesis of this disease involves early protease activation,activation of nuclear factor kappa-B-related inflammatory reactions,and infiltration of immune cells[3].Severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)is a serious condition involving systemic injury and subsequent possible organ failure,accounting for 20%of all acute pancreatitis cases[4].SAP is also characterized by rapid onset,critical illness and unsatisfactory prognosis and is correlated with serious adverse events such as systemic inflammatory response syn-drome and acute lung injury,threatening the health of patients[5,6].Therefore,timely and effective therapeutic inter-ventions are of great significance for improving patient prognosis and ensuring therapeutic effects.Somatostatin(SS),a peptide hormone that can be secreted by endocrine cells and the central nervous system,is in-volved in the regulatory mechanism of glucagon and insulin synthesis in the pancreas[7].It has complex and pleiotropic effects on the gastrointestinal tract,which can inhibit the release of gastrointestinal hormones and negatively modulate the exocrine function of the stomach,pancreas and bile,while exerting a certain influence on the absorption of the di-gestive system[8,9].SS has shown certain clinical effectiveness when applied to SAP patients and can regulate the severity of SAP and immune inflammatory responses,and this regulation is related to its influence on leukocyte apoptosis and adhesion[10,11].Computerized tomography-guided therapeutic percutaneous puncture catheter drainage(CT-TPPCD)is a surgical procedure to collect lesion fluid and pus samples from necrotic lesions and perform puncture and drainage by means of CT image examination and precise positioning[12].In the research of Liu et al[13],CT-TPPCD applied to pa-tients undergoing pancreatic surgery contributes to not only good curative effects but also a low surgical risk.Baudin et al[14]also reported that CT-TPPCD has a clinical success rate of 64.6%in patients with acute infectious necrotizing pan-creatitis,with nonfatal surgery-related complications found in only two cases,suggesting that this procedure is clinically effective and safe in the treatment of the disease.In light of the limited studies on the efficacy and safety of SS plus CT-TPPCD in SAP treatment,this study performed a relevant analysis to improve clinical outcomes in SAP patients.

Evaluation of the Strategy and Efficacy of Treatment of Chronic Viral Hepatitis C with the Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir Combination in a Resource-Limited Country

Introduction: The treatment of viral hepatitis C (HCV), a major public health problem, has evolved considerably since the introduction of direct-acting anti-virals (DAAs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the strategy for initiating treatment with Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir, and also to assess its efficacy. Patients and Methods: Included were patients aged at least 15 years, with detectable hepatitis C viremia and treated with a pan-genotypic Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir regimen at the Centre “Hospitalier Universitaire la Référence Nationale de N’Djamena” between October 2019 and October 2023. The APRI score was used to assess fibrosis. Cure was defined by an undetectable viral load 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: A total of 835 patients were included (sex ratio 1.55, mean age 50.5 ± 13.73, extremes 20 and 84 years). The 60 - 69 age group was the most represented. The mean APRI score was 0.42 ± 0.29, with extremes of 0.019 and 1.84. The mean viral load was 2,316,193.086 IU/mL. All subjects had good renal function. Cytolysis was absent in 70% of cases. Without genotyping, a pan-genotypic regimen was used in all patients: Sofosbuvir (400 mg)/Daclatasvir (60 mg). The cure rate was 99.4%, with good tolerability. However, four cases of failure were recorded out of the 668 patients who underwent follow-up HCV-PCR testing after 12 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: The Sofosbuvir/Daclatasvir regimen is highly effective, with an excellent safety profile. However, the still high cost of these molecules limits their accessibility to a large proportion of patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Combined Bedaquiline and Delamanid Use among Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Beijing,China

Objectives The combined use of bedaquiline and delamanid(BDQ-DLM)is limited by an increased risk of prolonging the QTc interval.We retrospectively evaluated patients who received DLM/BDQcontaining regimens at a TB-specialized hospital.We aimed to present clinical efficacy and safety data for Chinese patients.Methods This case-control study included patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis(MDR-TB)treated with BDQ alone or BDQ plus DLM.Results A total of 96 patients were included in this analysis:64 in the BDQ group and 32 in the BDQ+DLM group.Among the 96 patients with positive sputum culture at the initiation of BDQ alone or BDQ combined with DLM,46 patients(71.9%)in the BDQ group and 29(90.6%)in the BDQ-DLM group achieved sputum culture conversion during treatment.The rate of sputum culture conversion did not differ between the two groups.The time to sputum culture conversion was significantly shorter in the BDQ-DLM group than in the BDQ group.The most frequent adverse event was QTc interval prolongation;however,the frequency of adverse events did not differ between the groups.Conclusion In conclusion,our results demonstrate that the combined use of BDQ and DLM is efficacious and tolerable in Chinese patients infected with MDR-TB.Patients in the BDQ-DLM group achieved sputum culture conversion sooner than those in the BDQ group.

Assessing the Spatial Equality of COVID Testing Sites Maintaining Zero COVID Policy

Rapid and timely testing is essential to minimize the COVID-19 spread. Decision makers and policy planners need to determine the equal distribution and accessibility of testing sites. This study mainly examines the spatial equality of COVID-19 testing sites that maintain a zero COVID policy in Guangzhou City. The study has identified the spatial disparities of COVID testing sites, characteristics of testing locations, and accessibility. The study has obtained information on COVID testing sites in Guangzhou City and population data. Point pattern analyses, Euclidian distance and allocation, and network analyses are the main methods used to achieve the research objectives, and 1183 total COVID testing sites can be recognized in Guangzhou City. Results revealed that spatial disparities could be noticed over the study area. Testing locations of Guangzhou City are highly clustered. The most significant testing sites are located in Haizhu District, which has the third largest population. The highest population density can be identified in Yuexiu District. However, only 94 testing sites are located there. According to all the results, higher disparities can be identified, and a lack of testing sites is located in the north part of the study area. Some people in the northern part have to travel more than 10 km to reach a testing site. Finally, this paper suggests increasing the number of testing sites in the north and south parts of the study area and keeping the same distribution, considering the area, total population, and population density. This kind of research will be helpful to decision-makers in making proper decisions to maintain a zero COVID policy.

Ganoderma lucidum:a comprehensive review of phytochemistry,efficacy,safety and clinical study

Ganoderma lucidum,one of the most well-known edible fungi,is believed to be very beneficial for longevity and vitality.A long usage history suggests that G.lucidum has various clinical therapeutic effects.And experimental studies have confirmed that G.lucidum has multiple pharmacological effects,including antitumor,anti-microbial,anti-HIV protease,and antidiabetic activity and so on.With the deepening of research,more than 300 compounds have been isolated from G.lucidum.There is an increasing population of G.lucidum-based products,and its international development is expanding.Currently,G.lucidum has drawn much attention to its chemical composition,therapeutic effect,clinical value,and safety.This paper provides a comprehensive review of these aspects to enhance the global promotion of G.lucidum.

Chronic social defeat stress‑induced depression reduces BCG efficacy by promoting regulatory T‑cell levels in mice

Despite the initial successes of the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG)vaccine in children,its efficacy against tuberculosis is highly variable.There is a lack of understanding about how mental conditions influence BCG vaccination.Here,we used the chronic social defeat stress(CSDS)model to explore the effects of depression on BCG vaccination efficacy.We observed higher lung and spleen bacterial loads and a lower organ index in depressed compared to BCG mice.Meanwhile,a relatively lower T cell protective efficacy was observed in both compared to control and BCG mice via a mycobacterium growth inhibition assay(MGIA).Cytokine expression of IL-12p40,IL-1β,IL-17,TNF-αand IFN-γwas reduced,whereas the expression of IL-10 and IL-5 was increased in the spleen of both compared to BCG mice.Moreover,the proportions of CD4^(+)IFN-γ^(+),CD8^(+)IFN-γ^(+)T lymphocytes and CD4^(+)effector/central memory T cells were reduced in the splenocytes of the depressed BCG mice.Depression promotes CD4^(+)regulatory T cells(Treg)and myeloid-derived suppressor cell(MDSC)generation in depressed mice,contributing to the reduced pro-inflammatory immune response upon BCG vaccination.This study provides insight into the decreased protective immunity by BCG vaccination attributable to depression in mice.

Assessment of albendazole efficacy against Ascaris lumbricoides at three sites of Andhra Pradesh,Odisha,and Kerala in India

Objective:To assess efficacy of albendazole against Ascaris(A.)lumbricoides among school-children at three sites of Rajahmundry,Sundergarh and Wayanad.Methods:Sites were selected based on soil-transmitted helminths prevalence,different sociocultural-geographical characteristics and operational feasibility.9-12 Years old children from 14 schools were included.The study was conducted in two rounds:baseline&follow up survey.All eligible children found positive for A.lumbricoides at baseline were administered supervised single tablet albendazole 400 mg under the National Deworming Day Initiative.During post-treatment follow-up survey,eligible children who provided second stool sample were included in the final analysis.Stool samples were examined using WHO recommended Kato-Katz technique.Efficacy was estimated based on cure rate(CR)and Fecal Egg Count Reduction Rate(FECRR)among children found positive in baseline and follow-up surveys.Results:328 Out of 625(52.5%)were found positive for A.lumbricoides in the baseline survey and 85 out of 178 samples(47.8%)during post-treatment follow-up survey.Overall,the estimated CR was 52.2%.FECRR(95%CI)for albendazole was 72.6%(79.2%-66.0%).The FECRR was highest in East Godaveri[89.7%(96.8%-82.6%)],followed by Sundergarh[86.4%(95.3%-77.5%)]and Wayanad[69%(81.7%-56.4%)].Conclusions:Our study confirmed overall reduction in FEC although with varying albendazole efficacy for A.lumbricoides infection at three different locations in India.However,these finding may be assessed in context of ongoing MDA under Filaria control program and further studies by in vivo as well as in vitro methods are required to reach to a conclusion on possible resistance if any.

Efficacy of ginseng-based Renshenguben oral solution for cancer-related fatigue among patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma:A prospective multicenter cohort study

Background:Cancer-related fatigue(CRF)is a common and debilitating symptom experienced by patients with advanced-stage cancer,especially those undergoing antitumor therapy.This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Renshenguben(RSGB)oral solution,a ginseng-based traditional Chinese medicine,in alleviating CRF in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)receiving antitumor treatment.Methods:In this prospective,open-label,controlled,multicenter study,patients with advanced HCC at BCLC stage C and a brief fatigue inventory(BFI)score of≥4 were enrolled.Participants were assigned to the RSGB group(RSGB,10 mL twice daily)or the control group(with supportive care).Primary and secondary endpoints were the change in multidimensional fatigue inventory(MFI)score,and BFI and functional assessment of cancer therapy-hepatobiliary(FACT-Hep)scores at weeks 4 and 8 after enrollment.Adverse events(AEs)and toxicities were assessed.Results:A total of 409 participants were enrolled,with 206 assigned to the RSGB group.At week 4,there was a trend towards improvement,but the differences were not statistically significant.At week 8,the RSGB group exhibited a significantly lower MFI score(P<0.05)compared to the control group,indicating improved fatigue levels.Additionally,the RSGB group showed significantly greater decrease in BFI and FACT-Hep scores at week 8(P<0.05).Subgroup analyses among patients receiving various antitumor treatments showed similar results.Multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that the RSGB group experienced a significantly substantial decrease in MFI,BFI,and FACT-Hep scores at week 8.No serious drug-related AEs or toxicities were observed.Conclusions:RSGB oral solution effectively reduced CRF in patients with advanced HCC undergoing antitumor therapy over an eight-week period,with no discernible toxicities.These findings support the potential of RSGB oral solution as an adjunctive treatment for managing CRF in this patient population.

Efficacy of radiofrequency ablation combined with sorafenib for treating liver cancer complicated with portal hypertension and prognostic factors

BACKGROUND Patients with liver cancer complicated by portal hypertension present complex challenges in treatment.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation in combination with sorafenib for improving liver function and its impact on the prognosis of patients with this condition.METHODS Data from 100 patients with liver cancer complicated with portal hypertension from May 2014 to March 2019 were analyzed and divided into a study group(n=50)and a control group(n=50)according to the treatment regimen.The research group received radiofrequency ablation(RFA)in combination with sorafenib,and the control group only received RFA.The short-term efficacy of both the research and control groups was observed.Liver function and portal hypertension were compared before and after treatment.Alpha-fetoprotein(AFP),glypican-3(GPC-3),and AFP-L3 levels were compared between the two groups prior to and after treatment.The occurrence of adverse reactions in both groups was observed.The 3-year survival rate was compared between the two groups.Basic data were compared between the survival and non-surviving groups.To identify the independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with liver cancer complicated by portal hypertension,multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed.RESULTS When comparing the two groups,the research group's total effective rate(82.00%)was significantly greater than that of the control group(56.00%;P<0.05).Following treatment,alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels increased,and portal vein pressure decreased in both groups.The degree of improvement for every index was substantially greater in the research group than in the control group(P<0.05).Following treatment,the AFP,GPC-3,and AFP-L3 levels in both groups decreased,with the research group having significantly lower levels than the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of diarrhea,rash,nausea and vomiting,and fatigue in the research group was significantly greater than that in the control group(P<0.05).The 1-,2-,and 3-year survival rates of the research group(94.00%,84.00%,and 72.00%,respectively)were significantly greater than those of the control group(80.00%,64.00%,and 40.00%,respectively;P<0.05).Significant differences were observed between the survival group and the non-surviving group in terms of Child-Pugh grade,history of hepatitis,number of tumors,tumor size,use of sorafenib,stage of liver cancer,histological differentiation,history of splenectomy and other basic data(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that high Child-Pugh grade,tumor size(6–10 cm),history of hepatitis,no use of sorafenib,liver cancer stage IIIC,and previous splenectomy were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with liver cancer complicated with portal hypertension(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Patients suffering from liver cancer complicated by portal hypertension benefit from the combination of RFA and sorafenib therapy because it effectively restores liver function and increases survival rates.The prognosis of patients suffering from liver cancer complicated by portal hypertension is strongly associated with factors such as high Child-Pugh grade,tumor size(6-10 cm),history of hepatitis,lack of sorafenib use,liver cancer at stage IIIC,and prior splenectomy.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel and oxaliplatin+S-1 and standard S-1 and oxaliplatin chemotherapy regimens for treatment of gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a relatively frequent clinical phenomenon,referring to ma-lignant tumors emerging in the gastric mucosal epithelial cells.It has a high mor-bidity and mortality rate,posing a significant threat to the health of patients.Hence,how to diagnose and treat GC has become a heated topic in this research field.AIM To discuss the effectiveness and safety of nab-paclitaxel in combination with oxaliplatin and S-1(P-SOX)for the treatment of GC,and to analyze the factors that may influence its outcomes.METHODS A total of 219 eligible patients with advanced GC,who were treated at Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital Gastrointestinal Oncology between January 2018 and March 2020,were included in the study.Among them,149 patients received SOX regimen and 70 patients received S-1 regimen.All patients underwent both preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy consisting of 2-4 cycles each,totaling 6-8 cycles,along with parallel D2 radical surgical treatment.The patients were followed up for a period of three years or until reaching the event endpoint.RESULTS The short-term and long-term efficacy of the P-SOX group was significantly higher than that of the SOX group,and the safety was manageable.Cox multivariate analysis revealed that progression-free survival was associated with perioperative chemotherapy efficacy,tumor diameter≤2cm,high differentiation,and early cTNM(T stands for invasion depth;N stands for node metastasis;M stands for distant invasion)stage.CONCLUSION In comparison to the SOX regimen,the P-SOX regimen demonstrates improved short-term and long-term efficacy with tolerable adverse reactions.It is anticipated that the P-SOX regimen will emerge as a first-line chemotherapy option for GC.Patients with GC who receive effective perioperative chemotherapy(Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1,Tumor Regression Grade),have a tumor diameter≤2cm,exhibit high degree of differentiation,and are at an early cTNM stage show better prognosis.

Efficacy and Safety of Micropulse Trans-Scleral Cyclophotocoagulation in Cambodian Patients with Glaucoma

Objective: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of micropulse cyclophotocoagulation in Cambodian glaucoma patients. Materials and Methods: 14 patients were enrolled in this retrospective study that was conducted with the consent over a 14-month period. The medical records were analyzed for variables such as intra-ocular pressure, the number of anti-glaucoma drugs used, visual acuity, pain level, and complications during and after treatment. The main outcome was whether or not there was success or failure, with success being defined as a pressure level between 6 and 21 mmHg and a 30% decrease in IOP by week 24 (with/without drugs). Results: In our study, the mean age of patients was 52.36 ± 9.98 years old (42 to 75 years old). The mean intra-ocular pressure before treatment was 41.00 ± 12.26 mmHg, which decreased to 21.60 ± 8.11 mmHg (41.56% reduction) and 16.94 ± 5.46 mmHg (56.04% reduction) in the 12th and 24th weeks (p p Conclusion: Micro-pulse trans-scleral cyclophotocoagulation is a safe and effective method for lowering pressure in any stage of disease without the use of invasive surgeries.

Impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease on the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma

Objective:To investigate the impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD)on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor(ICI)-based therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB)-related hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods:A total of 155 patients with CHB-related HCC who received ICI–based therapy(in the Department of Hepatology,Tianjin Second People’s Hospital and Department of Hepatobiliary Oncology,Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute&Hospital)between April 2021 and December 2023 were evaluated.Patients were divided into two groups:MASLD concurrent with CHB[MASLD-CHB](n=38),and CHB(n=117).Results:The median progression-free survival(PFS,6.9 months vs.9.3 months;P=0.001),progressive disease(57.89%vs.37.61%;P=0.028),and disease control rate(42.11%vs.62.39%;P=0.028)in the MASLD-CHB group were significantly worse than the CHB group.The median overall survival was not attained.The percentage of CD4+PD1+(17.56%vs.8.89%;P<0.001)and CD8+PD1+T cells(10.50%vs.7.42%;P=0.005)in patient samples from the MASLD-CHB group were significantly higher than the CHB group.Concurrent MASLD[hazard ratio(HR)=1.921;95%CI,1.138–3.245;P=0.015]and alpha-fetoprotein levels after 3 months of treatment(HR=2.412;95%CI,1.360–4.279;P=0.003)were independent risk factors for PFS in all patients.Conclusions:ICI-based therapy in patients with CHB-related HCC and concurrent MASLD resulted in poorer efficacy and shorter PFS compared to patients with CHB-related HCC alone.

Efficacy of 1% Permethrin and 2% Permethrin Combined with 1% Piperonyl Butoxide against Rhipicephalus sanguineus Ticks in Naturally Infested Dogs

The aim of the present study was to compare the ixodicide efficacy of 1% permethrin applied as a shampoo-bath in single treatment and a combined formulation of 2% permethrin + 1% piperonyl butoxide applied as powder in a single treatment against Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks, in naturally infested dogs. Eighteen adult cross-mixed dogs, harboring to at least 20 ticks/animal, were selected on pre-treatment live tick counts. On day 0, the dogs were then divided in 3 groups of 6 animals each, for treatment: Group 1 (G1) received 1% permethrin applied as shampoo-bath (approximately 10 ml/kg bw), according to label instructions. G2 was treated with 2% permethrin + 1% piperonyl butoxide applied as powder, and rubbed as massage on the body, as recommended by the producer. G3 served as a non-treated control. After the treatment, the dogs were checked out for live ticks counting on days 0, 1, 7, and 14. The ixodicide efficacy was assessed based on the percentage reductions of ticks on the days analyzed post-treatment, with respect to the untreated control. Results showed that permethrin alone removed ticks on 81%, 93.1% and 89.6% for days 1, 7 and 14, respectively. The combined formulation of 2% permethrin + 1% piperonyl butoxide exerted a better efficacy of 98.8, 97.7 and 97.0%, respectively. It is concluded that this combined formulation was highly effective at rapidly repelling and killing Riphicephalus sanguineus ticks on naturally infected dogs, showing a significant effect on days 1, 7 and 14 after tick exposure. The sustained high and quick level of efficacy of this combination may well interfere with the transmission of Riphicephalus sanguineus ticks. It is concluded that the sustained high level of efficacy of the permethrin + piperonyl butoxide combination may well exert an additive effect and could interfere with the transmission of Riphicephalus sanguineus ticks.

Clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer:A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Advanced pancreatic cancer is resistant to chemotherapeutic drugs,resulting in limited treatment efficacy and poor prognosis.Combined administration of the chemotherapeutic gemcitabine and erlotinib is considered a potential first-line treatment for advanced pancreatic cancer.However,their comparative benefits and potential risks remain unclear.AIM To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib combined with other chemotherapy regimens for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.METHODS Literature on the clinical efficacy and safety of erlotinib combined with chemotherapy for advanced pancreatic cancer was retrieved through an online search.The retrieved literature was subjected to a methodological qualitative assessment and was analyzed using the RevMan 5.3 software.Ten randomized controlled trials involving 2444 patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were included in the meta-analysis.RESULTS Compared with chemotherapeutic treatment,erlotinib combined with chemotherapy significantly prolonged the progression-free survival time of pancreatic cancer patients[hazard ratio(HR)=0.78,95%CI:0.66-0.92,P=0.003].Meanwhile,the overall survival(HR=0.99,95%CI:0.72-1.37,and P=0.95)and disease control rate(OR=0.93,95%CI:0.45-0.91,P=0.84)were not significantly favorable.In terms of safety,the erlotinib and chemotherapy combination was associated with a significantly higher risk of diarrhea(OR=3.59,95%CI:1.63-7.90,P<0.05)and rash(OR=3.63,95%CI:1.64-8.01,P<0.05)compared with single-agent chemotherapy.Moreover,the risk of vomiting(OR=1.27,95%CI:0.62-2.59,P=0.51),regurgitation/anorexia(OR=1.61,95%CI:0.25-10.31,P=0.62),and infection(OR=0.72,95%CI:0.28-1.87,P=0.50)were not significant in either group.CONCLUSION Compared with a single chemotherapeutic modality,erlotinib combined with gemcitabine can prolong progression-free survival in pancreatic cancer,but does not improve survival benefit or disease control rate,and can increase the risk of diarrhea and rash.

Efficacy and safety of perioperative therapy for locally resectable gastric cancer:A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is the fifth most commonly diagnosed malignancy worldwide,with over 1 million new cases per year,and the third leading cause of cancer-related death.AIM To determine the optimal perioperative treatment regimen for patients with locally resectable GC.METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted,focusing on phase II/III randomized controlled trials(RCTs)assessing perioperative chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in treating locally resectable GC.The R0 resection rate,overall survival(OS),disease-free survival(DFS),and incidence of grade 3 or higher nonsurgical severe adverse events(SAEs)associated with various perioperative regimens were analyzed.A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to compare treatment regimens and rank their efficacy.RESULTS Thirty RCTs involving 8346 patients were included in this study.Neoadjuvant XELOX plus neoadjuvant radiotherapy and neoadjuvant CF were found to significantly improve the R0 resection rate compared with surgery alone,and the former had the highest probability of being the most effective option in this context.Neoadjuvant plus adjuvant FLOT was associated with the highest probability of being the best regimen for improving OS.Owing to limited data,no definitive ranking could be determined for DFS.Considering nonsurgical SAEs,FLO has emerged as the safest treatment regimen.CONCLUSION This study provides valuable insights for clinicians when selecting perioperative treatment regimens for patients with locally resectable GC.Further studies are required to validate these findings.

Impact of baseline steroids on the efficacy of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND Immunochemotherapy involving the combination of programmed cell death 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 inhibitors with chemotherapy has advanced the treatment of locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).The use of corticosteroids as pretreatment might reduce immunotherapy efficacy.AIM To investigate the impact of baseline corticosteroid use on neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy(nIC)outcomes in locally advanced ESCC patients.METHODS Patients with locally advanced ESCC who received nIC at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were included.Patients were divided into dexamethasone and antihistamine groups on the basis of the administered pretreatment.Antiallergic efficacy and safety were evaluated,as well as its impact on short-term efficacy[complete pathological response(pCR),major pathological response(MPR)]and long-term efficacy[overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS)]of nIC.RESULTS From September 2019 to September 2023,142 patients were analyzed.No severe treatment-related adverse events or deaths were observed.Allergy occurrence was greater in the antihistamine group(P=0.014).Short-term efficacy was not significantly different:The pCR rates were 29.9%and 40.0%,and the MPR rates were 57.9%and 65.7%in the dexamethasone and antihistamine groups,respectively.The long-term efficacy was not significantly different:The 2 years OS rates were 95.2%and 93.5%,and the 2 years PFS rates were 90.3%and 87.8%.Subgroup analysis revealed no difference in OS between the 20 mg dexamethasone group and the<20 mg dexamethasone group,but PFS was significantly greater in the 20 mg dexamethasone group(93.9%vs 56.4%,P=0.001).CONCLUSION Dexamethasone or antihistamines can be used before nIC in locally advanced ESCC without affecting short-or long-term efficacy.Administering 20 mg dexamethasone before nIC may improve PFS in ESCC.

Short-term efficacy of microwave ablation in the treatment of liver cancer and its effect on immune function

BACKGROUND Hepatectomy is the first choice for treating liver cancer.However,inflammatory factors,released in response to pain stimulation,may suppress perioperative immune function and affect the prognosis of patients undergoing hepatectomies.AIM To determine the short-term efficacy of microwave ablation in the treatment of liver cancer and its effect on immune function.METHODS Clinical data from patients with liver cancer admitted to Suzhou Ninth People’s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Thirty-five patients underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy for liver cancer(liver cancer resection group)and 35 patients underwent medical image-guided microwave ablation(liver cancer ablation group).The short-term efficacy,complications,liver function,and immune function indices before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.RESULTS One month after treatment,19 patients experienced complete remission(CR),8 patients experienced partial remission(PR),6 patients experienced stable disease(SD),and 2 patients experienced disease progression(PD)in the liver cancer resection group.In the liver cancer ablation group,21 patients experienced CR,9 patients experienced PR,3 patients experienced SD,and 2 patients experienced PD.No significant differences in efficacy and complications were detected between the liver cancer ablation and liver cancer resection groups(P>0.05).After treatment,total bilirubin(41.24±7.35 vs 49.18±8.64μmol/L,P<0.001),alanine aminotransferase(30.85±6.23 vs 42.32±7.56 U/L,P<0.001),CD4+(43.95±5.72 vs 35.27±5.56,P<0.001),CD8+(20.38±3.91 vs 22.75±4.62,P<0.001),and CD4+/CD8+(2.16±0.39 vs 1.55±0.32,P<0.001)were significantly different between the liver cancer ablation and liver cancer resection groups.CONCLUSION The short-term efficacy and safety of microwave ablation and laparoscopic surgery for the treatment of liver cancer are similar,but liver function recovers quickly after microwave ablation,and microwave ablation may enhance immune function.

Skin care efficacy study of recombinant humanized collagen based on in vitro level

Studying the skin care efficacy of recombinant humanized collagen based on in vitro level.The stability of the recombinant humanized collagen was first analyzed by treating at different temperatures,then its skincare efficacy based on in vitro level was evaluated by detecting the inhibition rate of elastase,the inhibition rate of collagenase,the protein content of type I collagen in human fibroblasts,the inhibition of reactive oxygen species(ROS)with human keratinocytes,and the effects of the recombinant humanized collagen on the expression of hyaluronic acid(HA),filaggrin(FLG)and transglutaminase 1(TGM1)in keratinocytes.The results showed that recombinant humanized collagen was able to maintain stability at temperatures below 70℃.With regard to its skincare efficacy,recombinant humanized collagen could inhibit elastase and collagenase activities and promote the increase of type I collagen content in human fibroblasts.It also showed good inhibition of ROS in keratinocytes in vitro and could increase the expression of HA,FLG,and TGM1 in keratinocytes.In short,the recombinant humanized collagen exhibited a favourable skin care effect in vitro level.This study proved that it has potential firming,anti-wrinkle,moisturizing,and repairing efficacy,and is a valuable cosmetic raw material.