Xianghua Huang

Contribution of m5C RNA Modification-Related Genes to Prognosis and Immunotherapy Prediction in Patients with Ovarian Cancer

Background. 5-Methylcytosine (m5C) RNA modification is closely implicated in the occurrence of a variety of cancers. Here, we established a novel prognostic signature for ovarian cancer (OC) patients based on m5C RNA modification-related genes and explored the correlation between these genes with the tumor immune microenvironment. Methods. Methylated-RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing helped us to identify candidate genes related to m5C RNA modification at first. Based on TCGA database, we screened the differentially expressed candidate genes related to the prognosis and constructed a prognostic model using LASSO Cox regression analyses. Notably, the accuracy of the model was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analysis and receiver operator characteristic curves. Independent prognostic risk factors were investigated by Cox proportional hazard model. Furthermore, we also analyzed the biological functions and pathways involved in the signature. Finally, the immune response of the model was visualized in great detail. Results. Totally, 2,493 candidate genes proved to be involved in m5C modification of RNA for OC. We developed a signature with prognostic value consisting of six m5C RNA modification-related genes. Specially, samples have been split into two cohorts with low- and high-risk scores according to the model, in which the low-risk OC patients exhibited dramatically better overall survival time than those with high-risk scores. Besides, not only was this model a prognostic factor independent of other clinical characteristics but it predicted the intensity of the immune response in OC. Significantly, the accuracy and availability of the signature were verified by ICGC database. Conclusions. Our study bridged the gap between m5C RNA modification and the prognosis of OC and was expected to provide an effective breakthrough for immunotherapy in OC patients.

Embryonic cervical rhabdomyosarcoma complicated with uterine inversion with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as the first symptom: a case report and literature review

The probability of rhabdomyosarcoma occurring in the cervix is less than 0.5% and may be associated with a pathogenic dicer 1, ribonuclease III ( DICER1) gene variation. Tumour-induced hypercoagulability and high levels of cancer antigen (CA) 125 are risk factors for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). In addition, although nonpuerperal uterine inversion is very rare and is usually caused by leiomyomas from the uterus, large cervical masses can also be the cause. This case report describes a 24-year-old woman with uterine inversion caused by an embryonic cervical rhabdomyosarcoma that presented with CVST as her first symptom. The patient underwent laparoscopic total uterus and bilateral salpingectomy, during which the uterus was found to be completely inverted. Postoperative pathology confirmed embryonic cervical rhabdomyosarcoma. The patient quickly developed lung and para-aortic lymph node metastases. Two months later, the patient died of complications. When coagulation indices in patients with tumours are abnormal, especially when the levels of D-dimer and CA125 increase, it is recommended that anticoagulant therapy is administered in a timely manner to prevent the occurrence of CVST. Furthermore, for large cervical tumours, physicians should also be alert to the occurrence of uterine inversion.

Anti-NMDA Receptor Encephalitis: Retrospective Analysis of 15 Cases, Literature Review, and Implications for Gynecologists

Background. Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor encephalitis is a rare form of autoimmune encephalitis caused by anti-NMDA receptor antibodies. This disease mainly affects women of childbearing age and is commonly associated with ovarian teratoma. However, the relationship between anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis and ovarian teratoma and the role of anti-NMDA receptor antibody in the relationship remain unclear. Objectives. This study aimed to describe 15 cases of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (5 with ovarian teratoma), review literature, and reinforce the gynecologist's knowledge of this disorder. Methods. Clinical data of 15 patients from January 2015 to December 2020 admitted to The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University were collected and analyzed. The diagnosis of anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis was based on the presence of anti-NMDA receptor antibodies in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or serum. Laparoscopic teratoma removal was performed in patients with ovarian teratoma. All patients had received immunotherapy. In addition, a review of the literature was performed to reinforce the gynecologist's knowledge of this disorder. Results. A total of 15 patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis were screened, of whom 5 patients were confirmed with ovarian teratoma by pathology. The most common symptoms of anti-NMDAR encephalitis with teratoma are fever (5/5, 100%), seizure (5/5, 100%), mental and behavioral disorders (4/5, 80%), and decreased consciousness (4/5, 80%). Conversely, the most common symptoms of patients without teratoma were neuropsychiatric symptoms, including headache (6/10, 60%) and mental and behavioral disorders (7/10, 70%). All patients underwent immunotherapy, including steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), plasma exchange, and cyclophosphamide, and 4 out of 5 patients with ovarian teratomas underwent surgical treatment. All patients had a good outcome after systemic, surgical, and immunotherapy treatment. No patient who underwent surgical treatment developed a recurrence. Conversely, 2 of 10 patients without teratoma developed an anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis recurrence. Conclusions. Patients with anti-NMDA encephalitis show severe mental and neurological symptoms. Resection of teratoma is beneficial to the relief or disappearance of symptoms and has a good prognosis. This disorder should be fully recognized by gynecologists, who play an important role in diagnosis and treatment.