Rethinking Eucharistic Communion: A Theology of Harmony—A Study of the Lima Document

The mutual reception of the Eucharist is a key issue in contemporary Christian unity. As a landmark document in Christian unity, the Lima document provides a profound exposition of the Eucharist. According to this article, eucharistic communion in the Lima document is expressed in three themes: “Communion with Christ”, “Communion of the Faithful”, and “Meal of the Kingdom”. Within these three themes, there are three groups of relationships: the relationship of mutual participation between the faithful and Christ, and the relationship of “demonstrate” and “effect” between the Eucharist and the oneness of the Church. Moreover, in the connotation of the banquet, there is the relationship of “foretaste” between the Eucharist and the Kingdom of God. Further, in my opinion, the concept of “eucharistic communion” is developed into a “theology of harmony”, namely, “the harmony between heaven and humans”, “the harmony between people and people”, and “the harmony between heaven and earth” in the Lima document

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor occurs in the mediastinum

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare disease. We report a rare case of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor occurs in the mediastinum. Chest contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed a heterogeneously enhanced irregular mass in the anterior mediastinum; a small pericardial effusion was also noted. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathology and immunohistochemical study

Simultaneous occurrence of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma

Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. A 62-year-old man presented with 1-month history of middle-grade fever and fatigue in the background of loss of weight and a history of hepatitis B for 10 years. Dynamic contrast enhanced computed tomography showed two distinct irregular hypodense masses on precontrast scan located in hepatic segment VI and VII with size 6.7 × 4.7 × 4.5 cm and 1.9 × 1.3 × 1.6 cm. The patient underwent the right hepatectomy. Microscopic examination revealed that the large tumor was sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma and the small tumor was early hepatocellular carcinoma

Host STING-dependent MDSC mobilization drives extrinsic radiation resistance

Tumors often develop resistance to radiotherapy. Here the authors show that irradiation leads to a CCR2-dependent infiltration by myeloid derived suppressor cells that promote radio-resistance through inhibition of adaptive immune responses and that the use of CCR2 antibodies in mice reduces such resistance

Efficacy and safety of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in treatment acute severe dermatitis in patients with cancer receiving radiotherapy: a phase I clinical trial

Abstract To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) solution treating the acute severe dermatitis in patients receiving radiotherapy. This phase I research enrolled patients with thoracic cancer receiving radiotherapy at Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute in Shandong, China. EGCG solution was sprayed to the radiation field when grade III radiation-induced dermatitis (RID) first appearance. EGCG concentration escalated from 660 to 2574 μmol/L using modified-Fibonacci dose-escalation. RID and related symptoms were followed up every day. Between March 2021 and November 2021, 19 patients were enrolled in this phase I research. The median dose of grade III RID first observation was 44 Gy (30.6–52 Gy). As the EGCG treatment was performed continuously, all these grade III RID reactions were significantly decreased to grade I or grade II RID at three days after use of EGCG (p < 0.001). Significant relief can be observed in burning sensation (p < 0.001), tractive sensation (p < 0.001), tenderness (p < 0.001), erythema (p < 0.001), itching (p < 0.001) and pain (p < 0.001) after 15 days of EGCG treatment. No radiation therapy delay or interruption for all 19 patients. No adverse events were observed and reported associated with EGCG. The highest dose of this Phase I trial (2574 μmol/L) was recommended for continuous Phase II trial for further evaluation. In this phase I clinical research, use of EGCG solution is safe and can significantly relief grade III RID in patients receiving radiotherapy. Thus, EGCG might be a new choice for acute sever RID. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02580279 (Full date of first registration: 12/2014)

Preparation of CD3 Antibody-Conjugated, Graphene Oxide Coated Iron Nitride Magnetic Beads and Its Preliminary Application in T Cell Separation

Immunomagnetic beads (IMBs) for cell sorting are universally used in medical and biological fields. At present, the IMBs on the market are ferrite coated with a silicon shell. Based on a new type of magnetic material, the graphene coated iron nitride magnetic particle (G@FeN-MP), which we previously reported, we prepared a novel IMB, a graphene oxide coated iron nitride immune magnetic bead (GO@FeN-IMBs), and explored its feasibility for cell sorting. First, the surface of the G@FeN-MP was oxidized to produce oxygen-containing groups as carboxyl, etc. by the optimized Hummers’ method, followed by a homogenization procedure to make the particles uniform in size and dispersive. The carboxy groups generated were then condensed and coupled with anti-CD3 antibodies by the carbodiimide method to produce an anti-CD3-GO@FeN-IMB after the coupling efficacy was proved by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and labeled antibodies. Finally, the anti-CD3-GO@FeN-IMBs were incubated with a cell mixture containing human T cells. With the aid of a magnetic stand, the T cells were successfully isolated from the cell mixture. The isolated T cells turned out to be intact and could proliferate with the activation of the IMBs. The results show that the G@FeN-MP can be modified for IMB preparation, and the anti-CD3-GO@FeN-IMBs we prepared can potentially separate T cells

Short-term dynamics of circulating tumor DNA predicting efficacy of sintilimab plus docetaxel in second-line treatment of advanced NSCLC: biomarker analysis from a single-arm, phase 2 trial

Objective Robust biomarker predicting efficacy of immunotherapy is limited. Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) sought to effectively monitor therapeutic response as well as disease progression. This study aims to investigate predictive role of ctDNA short-term dynamic change (6 weeks postimmunotherapy) in a single-arm, phase 2 trial of sintilimab plus docetaxel for previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.Methods A total of 33 patients with advanced NSCLC with disease progression during or after any first-line treatment were prospectively enrolled between 2019 and 2020. Patients received sintilimab (200 mg, day 1, every 3 weeks) plus docetaxel (75 mg/m2, day 3, every 3 weeks) for 4–6 cycles, followed by maintenance therapy with sintilimab (200 mg, day 1, every 3 weeks) until disease progression or unacceptable toxic effects. Blood samples were prospectively collected at baseline, and after 2 cycles of treatment (6 weeks post-treatment). All samples were subjected to targeted next-generation sequencing with a panel of 448 cancer-related genes. The landscape of high-frequency genomic profile of baseline and 6th week was described. Major molecular characteristics in preselected genes of interest associated with response to second-line chemoimmunotherapy were analyzed. The curative effects and prognosis of patients were evaluated.Results Patients with ctDNA clearance at 6th week had decreased tumor volume, while most patients with positive ctDNA at 6th-week experienced an increase in tumor volume. Positive 6th-week ctDNA was associated with significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (91 vs NR days; p&lt;0.0001) and overall survival (47 vs 467 days; p =0.0039). Clearance of clonal mutations and none new clonal formation at 6th week were associated with longer PFS (mPFS 89 vs 266 days, p =0.003). ctDNA clearance at 6th week was an independent risk factor for progression or death (HR=100 (95% CI 4.10 to 2503.00), p=0.005).Conclusion ctDNA status and ctDNA mutation clearance putatively serve as predictive biomarkers for sintilimab combined with docetaxel chemotherapy in pretreated advanced NSCLC patients