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Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of the novel histone deacetylase inhibitor, chidamide, in combination with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide, and prednisone (Chi-CHOEP) for untreated peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL). Methods: A prospective, multicenter, single arm, phase 1b/2 study was conducted. A total of 128 patients with untreated PTCL (18–70 years of age) were enrolled between March 2016 and November 2019, and treated with up to 6 cycles with the Chi-CHOEP regimen. In the phase 1b study, 3 dose levels of chidamide were evaluated and the primary endpoint was determination of the maximum-tolerated dose and recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). The primary endpoint of the phase 2 study was 2-year progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled in the phase 1b study and the RP2D for chidamide was determined to be 20 mg, twice a week. A total of 113 patients were treated at the RP2D in the phase 2 study, and the overall response rate was 60.2%, with a complete response rate of 40.7%. At a median follow-up of 36 months, the median PFS was 10.7 months, with 1-, 2-, and 3-year PFS rates of 49.9%, 38.0%, and 32.8%, respectively. The Chi-CHOEP regimen was well-tolerated, with grade 3/4 neutropenia occurring in approximately two-thirds of the patients. No unexpected adverse events (AEs) were reported and the observed AEs were manageable. Conclusions: This large cohort phase 1b/2 study showed that Chi-CHOEP was well-tolerated with modest efficacy in previously untreated PTCL patients.

Introduction This meta-analysis was performed to confirm the relationship of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and vitamin D. Material and methods PubMed and CNKI databases were searched for relevant articles. Standard mean difference (SMD) along with 95% CI was used to compare vitamin D level between women with GDM and healthy subjects. The correlation coefficient between the vitamin D and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was analyzed. Results The vitamin D level of GDM subjects was much lower than healthy subjects (SMD = -0.71, 95% CI: -0.91, -0.50). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with high risk of GDM (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.07-1.23). Vitamin D was negatively correlated with HOMA-IR (r = -0.62, 95% CI: -0.85, -0.39). The analysis showed no publication bias (Egger's: p = 0.197; Begg's: p = 0.786). Conclusions Vitamin D is closely associated with the onset of GDM.

The Yunnan-Tibet Railway, currently under construction, crosses five altered rock zones in the Sanjiang orogenic belt, southwestern China. They are mainly montmorillonitized rock zones formed by hydrothermal alteration. Based on field investigation and laboratory tests, this paper presents the geological characteristics and engineering properties of the altered rocks encountered during the construction of the railway. Being characterized by a high montmorillonite content, high degree of alteration, high physico-chemical activity and high swelling potential, these rocks always lead to engineering geological problems. The concept of “alteration coefficient” is put forward; the greater the alteration coefficient, the higher the alteration degree and swelling potential. Countermeasures are proposed to tackle the engineering problems during tunnel construction caused by the altered rock.

This paper presents a case history detailing the development of cracks within a rock mass up to 350 m from the steeply incised valley slopes of the Yalong river in South West China, where the Jinping I dam is being constructed. The cracks have opened along previous tectonic structural features such that they penetrate further into the rock mass in the metasandstones and slates than in the marble. The presence of these cracks significantly reduces the stability of the near surface rock mass, requiring major excavation at the dam abutment. Analysis has indicated that the most appropriate way of stabilizing the slopes before the dam is constructed is by grout-infilled, specially constructed galleries which extend 60–80 m from the freshly excavated abutment.