Objective:To investigate the impact of the number of examined lymph nodes (ELN) on survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients with postoperative pathological stage pN3b.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 279 pN3b gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 gastrectomy at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University (September 2008 to April 2023), with 35 patients receiving combination chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 therapy (immunotherapy group) and 244 receiving adjuvant chemotherapy alone (nonimmunotherapy group). Additionally, 422 patients with pN3b from the SEER database (2005 to 2020) were collected as an external validation cohort to determine the optimal cutoff value for the number of lymph nodes examined in the nonimmunotherapy group. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the nonimmunotherapy group of the Nanfang Hospital cohort, stratified by whether the number of examined lymph nodes was above or below the ELN optimal cutoff value. These findings were subsequently validated in the SEER cohort.Results:The optimal ELN cutoff value (34 nodes) was determined using X-tile software and by constructing an ELN-HR fitting model with inflection point identification. In the nonimmunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 exhibited significantly prolonged survival compared to ELN ≤34 (median OS: 25.0 (95%CI:20.5-29.5) to 17.0 (95%CI:12.7-21.3) months, P=0.004; median RFS: 19.0 (95%CI:15.6-22.4) to 13.0 (95%CI:9.5-16.5) months, P=0.048). Multivariate Cox analysis also showed ELN >34 to be an independent protective factor for both OS (HR=0.576, 95%CI: 0.397-0.836) and RFS (HR=0.701, 95%CI: 0.492-0.998). In the SEER cohort, ELN >34 was associated with a 5-month OS extension (19 to 14 months, P=0.065), with multivariate analysis supporting its independent prognostic significance (HR=0.729, 95%CI: 0.580-0.915, P=0.006). Notably, in the immunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 ( n=30) achieved a median OS of 41 months, but the median OS had not been reached in the ELN ≤34 group ( n=5) (1 death at 48 months). Conclusion:Higher ELN (>34) correlates with improved survival in nonimmunotherapy-treated pN3b gastric cancer patients. However, in pN3b gastric cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, the optimal ELN threshold requires further exploration to determine.

Objective:To investigate the impact of the number of examined lymph nodes (ELN) on survival outcomes in gastric cancer patients with postoperative pathological stage pN3b.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 279 pN3b gastric cancer patients who underwent D2 gastrectomy at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University (September 2008 to April 2023), with 35 patients receiving combination chemotherapy and anti-PD-1 therapy (immunotherapy group) and 244 receiving adjuvant chemotherapy alone (nonimmunotherapy group). Additionally, 422 patients with pN3b from the SEER database (2005 to 2020) were collected as an external validation cohort to determine the optimal cutoff value for the number of lymph nodes examined in the nonimmunotherapy group. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the nonimmunotherapy group of the Nanfang Hospital cohort, stratified by whether the number of examined lymph nodes was above or below the ELN optimal cutoff value. These findings were subsequently validated in the SEER cohort.Results:The optimal ELN cutoff value (34 nodes) was determined using X-tile software and by constructing an ELN-HR fitting model with inflection point identification. In the nonimmunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 exhibited significantly prolonged survival compared to ELN ≤34 (median OS: 25.0 (95%CI:20.5-29.5) to 17.0 (95%CI:12.7-21.3) months, P=0.004; median RFS: 19.0 (95%CI:15.6-22.4) to 13.0 (95%CI:9.5-16.5) months, P=0.048). Multivariate Cox analysis also showed ELN >34 to be an independent protective factor for both OS (HR=0.576, 95%CI: 0.397-0.836) and RFS (HR=0.701, 95%CI: 0.492-0.998). In the SEER cohort, ELN >34 was associated with a 5-month OS extension (19 to 14 months, P=0.065), with multivariate analysis supporting its independent prognostic significance (HR=0.729, 95%CI: 0.580-0.915, P=0.006). Notably, in the immunotherapy group, patients with ELN >34 ( n=30) achieved a median OS of 41 months, but the median OS had not been reached in the ELN ≤34 group ( n=5) (1 death at 48 months). Conclusion:Higher ELN (>34) correlates with improved survival in nonimmunotherapy-treated pN3b gastric cancer patients. However, in pN3b gastric cancer patients treated with immunotherapy, the optimal ELN threshold requires further exploration to determine.

Objective:To investigate the morphological and biological characteristics of polyploid tumor giant cells (PGCC) produced by ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 induced by CoCl 2. Methods:Human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 was induced-cultured with 300 μmol/L CoCl 2 in the simulated hypoxic environment for 36 h, the live cells continued to be conventionally cultured and passaged, and the cells collected 20 days later were PGCC group; SKOV3 cell line cultured conventionally was the control group. The formation process and morphological characteristics of PGCC were observed by inverted microscope. The expression of tumor stem cell markers OCT4 and CD117 were detected by immunocytochemistry. The adipogenic differentiation and osteogenic differentiation potential of PGCC were detected by using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell adipogenic differentiation assay kit and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic differentiation assay kit.The cell migration ability of PGCC was detected by scratch assay. PGCC group and control group SKOV3 cells were treated with 1 μmol/L paclitaxel, and the cell morphology of the two groups was observed by microscope at 0, 24 and 48 h to detect the resistance of PGCC to chemotherapy drugs. Results:A small amount of PGCC was observed in SKOV3 cell line cultured in conventional medium under the microscope. CoCl 2 can induce SKOV3 cells to form PGCC, which was nearly round in shape and lacked branching. Its volume was 3 times or more than that of SKOV3 cells, and the nuclei were usually megakaryons or multinucleates, PGCC can produce daughter cells by budding. Immunocytochemical staining showed that OCT4 was positive in some PGCC, but no CD117 was positive. Neither OCT4 nor CD117 was expressed in SKOV3 cells. When cultured with lipid-induced differentiation medium of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, the formation of large vacuoles in the cytoplasm of PGCC was observed at the 3rd cycle, and orange-red, round-like lipid droplets were shown by oil red O staining. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in osteogenic induction culture medium for 20 days, and alizarin red staining showed that calcium nodules formed significantly in cells of PGCC group compared with the control group. The cell scratch assay results showed that the migration rates of PGCC cultured in serum-free medium [(59±1)%, (66±3)%] were higher than those of the control group [(11±3)%, (14±5)%] at 24 and 48 h after scratch ( t values were 32.20 and 19.55, both P < 0.001). The migration rates of PGCC cultured in 10% serum medium [(92±3)%, (100±0)%] were higher than those of the control group [(20±6)%, (59±9)%] ( t values were 16.19 and 8.00, both P < 0.001). After 1 μmol/L paclitaxel treatment for 48 h, most of the cells in the PGCC group still survived, while most of the SKOV3 cells in the control group died. Conclusions:PGCC produces daughter cells by budding. PGCC has the characteristics of tumor stem cells: it expresses tumor stem cell markers and has the potential for multidirectional differentiation and strong resistance to chemotherapy drugs.

The combination of sourness,bitterness,sweetness,pungency,and saltness results in different effects.Through the analysis of the theory of combining five flavours in Fu Qingzhu's Obstetrics and Gynecology,this article explores its application in formulation ideas and the characteristics of Chinese medication,summarized as"primarily sweet,with all four flavors harmonized".FU Qingzhu emphasizes the central role of sweet-flavour medicine in facilitating conception,while incorporating the other four flavours in synergy.For instance,sweet and pungent flavours can boost yang energy,eliminating chilliness and warming the uterus;sour and sweet flavours can nourish yin essence and protect the uterus;bitter and sweet flavours can tonify yin,supporting the kidneys and moistening the uterus;and pungent and salty flavours can eliminate stasis,regenerate blood,and enhance uterine functions.By flexibly utilizing the flavours and meridian affinity of traditional Chinese medicine,along with the theory of combining five flavours,it is possible to enhance drug compatibility,deepen the theoretical connotation of Chinese formulas,and regulate the uterus from both yin and yang aspects to facilitate conception.FU Qingzhu's integration of multiple Chinese formulas into a single formula allows for comprehensive treatment.Clear differentiation of dosages within the formula highlights the primary and secondary relationships of traditional Chinese medicines.Additionally,the utilization of pharmaceutical processing techniques optimizes efficacy and regulates meridians and collaterals.This article explores FU Qingzhu's application of the"pure and harmonious traditional Chinese medicines"theory.His prescription thinking enables the attainment of multi-level therapeutic effects,which greatly benefits the optimization of traditional Chinese medicine fertility assistance programs and increases pregnancy rates among infertility patients.

Objective:To investigate the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors on reducing residual lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.Methods:The cohort of this retrospective study comprised patients from Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University who had undergone systemic treatment prior to gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and had achieved Grade 1 primary tumor regression (TRG1) from January 2014 to December 2023. After exclusion of patients who had undergone preoperative radiotherapy, data of 58 patients (Nanfang Hospital: 46; First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University: 12) were analyzed. These patients were allocated to preoperative chemotherapy (Chemotherapy group, N=36 cases) and preoperative immunotherapy plus chemotherapy groups (Immunotherapy group, N=22 cases). There were no significant differences between these groups in sex, age, body mass index, diabetes, tumor location, pathological type, Lauren classification, tumor differentiation, pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, mismatch repair protein status, number of preoperative treatment cycles, or duration of preoperative treatment (all P>0.05). The primary outcome measure was postoperative lymph node downstaging. Secondary outcomes included postoperative depth of invasion by tumor, number of lymph nodes examined, and factors affecting residual lymph node metastasis status. Results:Lymph node downstaging was achieved significantly more often in the Immunotherapy group than the Chemotherapy group (pN0: 90.9% [20/22] vs. 61.1% [22/36]; pN1: 4.5% [1/22] vs. 36.1% [13/36]; pN2: 4.5% [1/22) vs. 0; pN3: 0 vs. 2.8% [1/36], Z=-2.315, P=0.021). There were no significant difference between the two groups in number of lymph nodes examined (40.5±16.3 vs. 40.8±17.5, t=0.076, P=0.940) or postoperative depth of invasion by primary tumor (pT1a: 50.0% [11/22] vs. 30.6% [11/36]; pT1b: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 19.4% [7/36]; pT2: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 13.9% [5/36]; pT3: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 25.0% [9/36]; pT4a: 9.1% [2/22] vs. 11.1% [4/36], Z=-1.331, P=0.183). Univariate analysis revealed that both preoperative treatment regimens were associated with residual lymph node metastasis status in patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (χ 2=6.070, P=0.014). Multivariate analysis incorporated the following factors: pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, number of preoperative treatment cycles, and preoperative treatment duration. We found that a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy administered preoperatively was an independent protective factor for reducing residual lymph node metastases in study patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (OR=0.147, 95%CI: 0.026–0.828, P=0.030). Conclusion:Compared with preoperative chemotherapy alone, a combination of preoperative immunotherapy and chemotherapy achieved greater reduction of residual lymph node metastases in the study patients who achieved TRG1 tumor regression in their primary lesions.

Objective:To investigate the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitors on reducing residual lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.Methods:The cohort of this retrospective study comprised patients from Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University who had undergone systemic treatment prior to gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and had achieved Grade 1 primary tumor regression (TRG1) from January 2014 to December 2023. After exclusion of patients who had undergone preoperative radiotherapy, data of 58 patients (Nanfang Hospital: 46; First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University: 12) were analyzed. These patients were allocated to preoperative chemotherapy (Chemotherapy group, N=36 cases) and preoperative immunotherapy plus chemotherapy groups (Immunotherapy group, N=22 cases). There were no significant differences between these groups in sex, age, body mass index, diabetes, tumor location, pathological type, Lauren classification, tumor differentiation, pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, mismatch repair protein status, number of preoperative treatment cycles, or duration of preoperative treatment (all P>0.05). The primary outcome measure was postoperative lymph node downstaging. Secondary outcomes included postoperative depth of invasion by tumor, number of lymph nodes examined, and factors affecting residual lymph node metastasis status. Results:Lymph node downstaging was achieved significantly more often in the Immunotherapy group than the Chemotherapy group (pN0: 90.9% [20/22] vs. 61.1% [22/36]; pN1: 4.5% [1/22] vs. 36.1% [13/36]; pN2: 4.5% [1/22) vs. 0; pN3: 0 vs. 2.8% [1/36], Z=-2.315, P=0.021). There were no significant difference between the two groups in number of lymph nodes examined (40.5±16.3 vs. 40.8±17.5, t=0.076, P=0.940) or postoperative depth of invasion by primary tumor (pT1a: 50.0% [11/22] vs. 30.6% [11/36]; pT1b: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 19.4% [7/36]; pT2: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 13.9% [5/36]; pT3: 13.6% [3/22] vs. 25.0% [9/36]; pT4a: 9.1% [2/22] vs. 11.1% [4/36], Z=-1.331, P=0.183). Univariate analysis revealed that both preoperative treatment regimens were associated with residual lymph node metastasis status in patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (χ 2=6.070, P=0.014). Multivariate analysis incorporated the following factors: pretreatment depth of invasion by primary tumor, pretreatment lymph node stage, pretreatment clinical stage, number of preoperative treatment cycles, and preoperative treatment duration. We found that a combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy administered preoperatively was an independent protective factor for reducing residual lymph node metastases in study patients whose primary tumor regression was TRG1 (OR=0.147, 95%CI: 0.026–0.828, P=0.030). Conclusion:Compared with preoperative chemotherapy alone, a combination of preoperative immunotherapy and chemotherapy achieved greater reduction of residual lymph node metastases in the study patients who achieved TRG1 tumor regression in their primary lesions.

The network of laughter/smile production and propagation in the brain is not yet fully understood.In this paper,we report two cases of medically refractory epilepsy patients with stereotactic EEG implantation,in which smiles(without pleasurable emotions and motor awareness)and laughter(with situationally incompatible pleasurable emotions)were repeatedly induced by electrical stimulation in the left precentral gyrus,and the right insular short gyrus,respectively.This phenomenon reflects the existence of distinct and linked emotional and behavioral networks for laughter.

Objective To investigate the application of artificial intelligence-based follow-up plan for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods The follow-up plan of artificial intelligence after PCI was constructed through literature review and expert correspondence consultation.A total of 82 patients with coronary heart disease who underwent PCI in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from October 2022 to November 2023 were selected and divided into intervention group and control group according to random number table method,with 41 cases in each group.The control group was given routine nursing program,and the intervention group was added artificial intelligence-based follow-up program on the basis of control group.The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular event(MACE)within 6 months,30 days readmission rate,medication compliance and satisfaction score were compared between two groups.Results The incidence of MACE within 6 months and 30 days readmission rate in intervention group were significantly lower than those in control group(P＜0.05).After 6 months of intervention,Morisky scale score and satisfaction score of patients in two groups were significantly higher than before intervention(P＜0.05),and Morisky scale score and satisfaction score of patients in intervention group were significantly higher than those in control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Follow-up program based on artificial intelligence technology can reduce the incidence of MACE and 30 days readmission rate of patients after PCI.

Objective:To investigate the current status of surgical intervention after conversion therapy for advanced gastric cancer.Methods:The retrospective cross-sectional investigation study was conducted. The investigation was conducted on clinicians who were qualified for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer in 161 hospitals nationwide from December 11 to 22,2023. The questionnaire of "Survey on the Current Status of Surgical Intervention after Conversion Therapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer" was designed and distributed through WeChat based on the software platform of Wenjuanxing. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers and percentages.Results:(1) Results of the questionnaire. Of the 233 clinicians, the percentage of completed questionnaires, recovered questionnaires, and valid questionnaires were all of 100.00%(233/233). (2) Basic information of clinicians. Of the 233 clinicians, there were 213 males and 20 females. The numbers of clinicians aged ≤30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, and >50 years were 1, 47, 109, and 76, respectively. The numbers of surgeons, internists, radiotherapists, and pathologists were 193, 36, 3, and 1, respectively. The numbers of chief physicians, deputy chief physicians, attending physicians, and resident physicians were 133, 75, 21, and 4, respectively. The numbers of clinicians with years of practice as >20 years, 11-20 years, 6-10 years, and ≤5 years were125, 88, 19, and 1, respectively. The numbers of clinicians from provincial-level tertiary general hospitals, provincial-level tertiary specialized oncology hospitals, municipal-level tertiary hospitals, and tertiary hospitals of B and below were 102, 58, 59, and 14, respectively. (3) Conversion therapy of advanced gastric cancer. Of the 233 clinicians, there were 54.94%(128/233) of clinicians whose units had admitted more than 100 gastric cases per year, 81.97%(191/233) of clinicians whose units had experience in surgical resection after conversion therapy of advanced gastric cancer, 66.52%(155/233) of clinicians whose units had proportion of successful surgical resection after conversion therapy of advanced gastric cancer exceeded 5%, and 51.50%(120/233) of clinicians whose units had the proportion of laparoscopic exploration+peritoneal lavage cytology to clarify the tumor stage at the initial diagnosis ≤10%. (4) Strategy selection after conversion therapy for advanced gastric cancer. Of the 233 clinicians, 63.52%(148/233) of them routinely mentioned to patients that they might be able to obtain chance of surgery after conversion therapy. There were 85.41%(199/233), 79.83%(186/233), and 68.67%(160/233) of clinicians considering possible risks as drug resistance, subsequent chemotherapy-immunotherapy or radiotherapy and other related adverse reactions and aggravation of distant toxicity, and distant organ metastasis for advanced gastric cancer patients to continue palliative care after conversion therapy. There were 85.41%(199/233), 50.21%(117/233), and 18.45%(43/233) of clinicians considering choices as multi-disciplinary treatment to evaluate the follow-up treatment strategy, laparoscopic exploration to clarify the possibility of surgery, and continuing the original program of palliative care for follow-up treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer after conversion therapy. There were 97.85%(228/233) of clinicians considering re-evaluating the possibility of surgical resection when the tumor volume was significantly reduced after conversion therapy. (5) Selection of beneficiary population, treatment modality, and time point of evaluation of benefit for patients undergoing conversion surgery for advanced gastric cancer. A further questionnaire survey was conducted on the 228 clinicians who chose "to consider re-evaluating surgical resection when the volume of tumor reducted significantly after conversion therapy for advanced gastric cancer". There were 94.74%(216/228) of clinicians considering advanced gastric cancer patients with high expression of programmed death receptor ligand 1 as beneficiary population of conversion therapy. There were 82.46%(188/228) of clinicians considering advanced gastric cancer patients with liver oligometastases as beneficiary population of conversion therapy. There were 53.07%(121/228) of clinicians considering two-drug chemotherapy+immunotherapy regimen as preferred for HER2-negative patients, there were 67.54%(154/228) of clinicians considering chemotherapy + trastuzumab + immunotherapy regimen as preferred for HER2-positive patients. There were 83.33%(190/228) of clinicians considering resection treatment after 3-6 cycles of conversion therapy. There were 94.74%(216/228) of clinicians choosing enhanced computed tomography scan to evaluate the efficacy. In terms of tumor sign for laparoscopic surgery after conversion therapy, there were 92.54%(211/228) of clinicians choosing significant shrinkage of the primary focus and its surrounding lymph nodes from baseline. There were 63.16%(144/228) of clinicians choosing surgery after 3-4 weeks of drug withdrawal, and 57.02%(130/228) of clinicians considering to achieve R 0 resection. In terms of patients achieving pathologic complete remission (pCR) after surgery, there were 64.04%(146/228) of clinicians believing that postoperative treatment should be continued for 6-8 cycles of therapy followed by maintenance therapy up to 1 year. For patients with non-pCR, there were 59.65%(136/228) of clinicians believing that 6-8 cycles of postoperative maintenance therapy should be continued until 1 year. Conclusion:Most clinicians in China consider R 0 resection after conversion therapy for patients with advanced gastric cancer, followed by 6-8 cycles of treatment and maintenance therapy for another year.