Objective: To verify the feasibility and accuracy of the transanal multipoint full-layer puncture biopsy (TMFP) technique in determining the residual status of cancer foci after neoadjuvant therapy (nCRT) in rectal cancer. Methods: Between April 2020 and November 2022, a total of 78 patients from the Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University, the Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University, the Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, the Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University with advanced rectal cancer received TMFP after nCRT participated in this prospective multicenter trial. There were 53 males and 25 females, aged (M(IQR)) 61 (13) years (range: 35 to 77 years). The tumor distance from the anal verge was 5 (3) cm (range: 2 to 10 cm). The waiting time between nCRT and TMFP was 73 (26) days (range: 33 to 330 days). 13-point transanal puncture was performed with a 16 G tissue biopsy needle with the residual lesion as the center. The specimens were submitted for independent examination and the complications of the puncture were recorded. The consistency of TMFP and radical operation specimen was compared. The consistency of TMPF with clinical remission rates for the diagnosis of complete pathological remission was compared by sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy. Statistical analysis between groups was performed using the χ² analysis, and a paired χ² test was used to compare diagnostic validity. Results: Before TMFP, clinical complete response (cCR) was evaluated in 27 cases. Thirty-six cases received in vivo puncture, the number of punctures in each patient was 13 (8) (range: 4 to 20), 24 cases of tumor residue were found in the puncture specimens. The sensitivity to judgment (100% vs. 60%, χ²=17.500, P<0.01) and accuracy (88.5% vs. 74.4%, χ²=5.125, P=0.024) of TMFP for the pathologic complete response (pCR) were significantly higher than those of cCR. Implement TMFP based on cCR judgment, the accuracy increased from 74.4% to 92.6% (χ²=4.026, P=0.045). The accuracy of the in vivo puncture was 94.4%, which was 83.3% of the in vitro puncture (χ²=1.382, P=0.240). Overall, the accuracy of TMFP improved gradually with an increasing number of cases (χ²=7.112, P=0.029). Conclusion: TMFP is safe and feasible, which improves the sensitivity and accuracy of rectal cancer pCR determination after nCRT, provides a pathological basis for cCR determination, and contributes to the safe development of the watch and wait policy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of NRD assisted Ilizarov technique in the treatment of infected bone and soft tissue defect of tibia. METHODS: All 48 patients with infected bone and soft tissue defect of tibia were randomly divided into study group and control group from March 2013 to December 2020. There were 34 males and 14 females, aged from 24 to 55 years old with an average of (40.54±11.64) years old. There were 25 patients in the study group, including 17 males and 8 females, aged from 31 to 55 years old with an average of (41.36±9.69) years old. The study group were treated with NRD assisted with Ilizarov bone transport technique. There were 23 patients in control group, including 17 males and 6 females, aged from 24 to 53 years old with an average of(38.61±8.76) years old. The control group were treated with traditional bone transport technique. The curative rate, recurrence rate, incidence rate of pin track infection, time of using antibiotics, time of wound healing, time of carrying external fixation, time of bone transport, time of bone healing and postoperative function were used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of the two groups. RESULTS: The follow-up period was from 12 to 62 months with an average of (33.0±7.2) months. At the final follow-up, there was no significant difference in the curative rate between the two groups (P>0.05). The recurrence rate in the study group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05). The incidence of pin track infection in the study group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). The time of using antibiotics and wound healing in the study group was shorter than that in the control group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the time of bone transport and carrying of external fixation between the two groups(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in bone healing and postoperative function between the two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION NRD assisted Ilizarov technique can achieve satisfactory results in the treatment of infected bone and soft tissue defect of tibia and shorten the treatment period and the time of using antibiotics. It is worthy of development in clinic.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Ilizarov Technique ; Tibia/surgery* ; Tibial Fractures/surgery* ; Wound Healing ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Treatment Outcome ; Retrospective Studies ; External Fixators

BACKGROUND: An artificial intelligence system of Faster Region-based Convolutional Neural Network (Faster R-CNN) is newly developed for the diagnosis of metastatic lymph node (LN) in rectal cancer patients. The primary objective of this study was to comprehensively verify its accuracy in clinical use. METHODS: Four hundred fourteen patients with rectal cancer discharged between January 2013 and March 2015 were collected from 6 clinical centers, and the magnetic resonance imaging data for pelvic metastatic LNs of each patient was identified by Faster R-CNN. Faster R-CNN based diagnoses were compared with radiologist based diagnoses and pathologist based diagnoses for methodological verification, using correlation analyses and consistency check. For clinical verification, the patients were retrospectively followed up by telephone for 36 months, with post-operative recurrence of rectal cancer as a clinical outcome; recurrence-free survivals of the patients were compared among different diagnostic groups, by methods of Kaplan-Meier and Cox hazards regression model. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between any 2 factors among the numbers of metastatic LNs separately diagnosed by radiologists, Faster R-CNN and pathologists, as evidenced by rradiologist-Faster R-CNN of 0.912, rPathologist-radiologist of 0.134, and rPathologist-Faster R-CNN of 0.448 respectively. The value of kappa coefficient in N staging between Faster R-CNN and pathologists was 0.573, and this value between radiologists and pathologists was 0.473. The 3 groups of Faster R-CNN, radiologists and pathologists showed no significant differences in the recurrence-free survival time for stage N0 and N1 patients, but significant differences were found for stage N2 patients. CONCLUSION: Faster R-CNN surpasses radiologists in the evaluation of pelvic metastatic LNs of rectal cancer, but is not on par with pathologists. TRIAL REGISTRATION www.chictr.org.cn (No. ChiCTR-DDD-17013842).
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Artificial Intelligence ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neural Networks (Computer) ; Pathologists ; Radiologists ; Rectal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; mortality ; pathology

Peach brown rot, caused by Monilinia fructicola, is one of the most serious peach diseases. A strain belonging to the Actinomycetales, named Streptomyces blastmyceticus JZB130180, was found to have a strong inhibitory effect on M. fructicola in confrontation culture. Following the inoculation of peaches in vitro, it was revealed that the fermentation broth of S. blastmyceticus JZB130180 had a significant inhibitory effect on disease development by M. fructicola. The fermentation broth of S. blastmyceticus JZB130180 had an EC₅₀ (concentration for 50% of maximal effect) of 38.3 µg/mL against M. fructicola, as determined in an indoor toxicity test. Analysis of the physicochemical properties of the fermentation broth revealed that it was tolerant of acid and alkaline conditions, temperature, and ultraviolet radiation. In addition, chitinase, cellulase, and protease were also found to be secreted by the strain. The results of this study suggest that S. blastmyceticus JZB130180 may be used for the biocontrol of peach brown rot.
Ascomycota/pathogenicity* ; Bacterial Proteins/metabolism* ; Cell Wall/metabolism* ; Cellulase/metabolism* ; Chitinases/metabolism* ; Fermentation ; Fruit/microbiology* ; Pest Control, Biological/methods* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Diseases/prevention & control* ; Prunus persica/microbiology* ; Siderophores/metabolism* ; Streptomyces/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the formulation of iodoform paste for root canal filling of deciduous teeth. METHODS: Using multi-indicators comprehensive scoring method, which takes the delicate degree, lubricity, difficulty of root canal filling, and difficulty of removal as performance indicators, the matrix type was screened, and the formulation of paste was optimized by orthogonal experimental design. The content of iodoform in the optimized paste was determined by UV spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Dimethicone was chosen as the paste matrix by comprehensive scoring of indicators. The results of orthogonal test showed that the ratio of iodoform and zinc oxide was the main factor affecting the performance of the paste, and the optimal formulation of paste was as follows: the ratio of iodoformto zinc oxide 3:7, clove oil 0.5%, and the ratio of powder to liquid 70:30.The linear range of the calibration curve for iodoform in the optimal paste was 48.75-146.22 μg·mL-1, A = 6.781 3C-0.051 6(r=0.999 6); and the average recovery rate was 99.83% (n=9). CONCLUSION: The optimal iodoform paste has a simple preparation, fine and smooth for root canal filling of deciduous teeth. The assay method is accurate and reliable for the quality control of iodoform paste.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To investigate the differential expression of RING finger (RNF) proteins in Barrett esophagus (BE) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). METHODS: The differential expression of RNFs in normal esophagus (NE), BE, and EAC was screened using microarray assay. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), tissue microarray assay, and Western blot analysis were independently performed to detect the mRNA and protein expression of screened RNFs. RESULTS: The expression of nine RNFs in the BE or EAC was 2-fold higher than those in NE. Among these proteins, the RNF32 and RNF121 expression in BE was 20.3-fold and 16.4-fold higher, respectively, than that in NE, and the expression of RNF24, RNF130, RNF141, RNF139, RNF11, RNF14, and RNF159 was upregulated more than 2-fold compared with NE. The expression of nine RNFs was not only upregulated in the EAC but was also positively related to the RNF expression in BE. The PCR results also indicated increased expression of these RNFs in BE and EAC compared to NE. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of all RNFs, except for RNF141 in EAC, was dramatically higher than those in the BE. Similar results were also obtained from the Western blot analysis. CONCLUSIONS: A total of nine RNFs play critical roles in the progression of BE to EAC.
Adenocarcinoma/*enzymology/genetics ; Adult ; Aged ; Barrett Esophagus/*enzymology/genetics ; Carrier Proteins/genetics ; Disease Progression ; Esophageal Neoplasms/*enzymology/genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proteins/genetics ; *RING Finger Domains ; Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics/*metabolism

To provide a better service for senior health care, we summarized screening studies of traditional Chinese anti-aging materia medica (TCAM). We collected and analyzed literature of TCAM screening studies using the lifespan test and animal models of aging from 1984 to 2012. We found 26 screening methods for TCAM, and 153 single herbs or active ingredients of TCAM that have been screened out during the past 28 years. The cell lifespan test, the fruit fly lifespan test, and D-galactose aging model were the most widely used and intensively studied screening methods. However, the method for establishing the D-galactose aging model needs to be standardized, and the D-galactose aging model cannot completely be a substitute for the normal aging mouse model. Great success has been achieved in screening studies in TCAM. To further improve screening studies in TCAM, we suggest that the D-galactose aging model be incorporated into the lifespan test in the New Drugs of Traditional Chinese Medicine Research Guide.
Aging ; drug effects ; Animals ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Models, Animal

OBJECTIVETo investigate the outcomes of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients treated with antiviral regimens of interferon (IFN) plus ribavirin (RBV) using individualized doses and durations.

METHODSThis study was designed as an open-label, prospective clinical trial to analyze the virological responses of 169 CHC patients who received individualized dosages of IFNa-2b or pegylated (Peg)IFNa-2a combined with RBV based on their weight ( less than 60 kg or more than or equal to 60 kg), age (less than 65 years or 65-75 years), morbid state (liver cirrhosis or not), and complications (such as heart disease, diabetes, thyroid disorder). Treatment duration was calculated using the time required to induce HCV RNA negativity. The rates of virological response and adverse effects among the different groups were compared.

RESULTSThe IFNa-2b treatment was given to 116 patients, and PegIFNa-2a was given to 53 patients. Compared to the IFNa-2b group, the PegIFNa-2a group showed significantly higher rates of complete early virological response (cEVR; 76.7% vs. 92.5%, P less than 0.05) and sustained virological response (SVR; 53.6% vs. 92.3%, P less than 0.05) among the patients who had completed their course of treatment; the rapid virological response (RVR) rate was also higher for the PegIFNa-2a group but the difference did not reach statistical significance (48.7% vs. 60.4%, P more than 0.05). Seventy-eight patients received the routine dose, and 91 patients received the low dose; there were no significant differences between these two groups for RVR (53.8% vs. 58.9%, P more than 0.05), cEVR (78.0% vs. 80.8%, P more than 0.05), or SVR (65.5% vs. 58.3%, P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUse of an individualized antiviral treatment strategy designed according to the patient's baseline condition, early viral kinetics, and tolerability to adverse reactions can achieve a high rate of SVR, as well as improve the safety, prognosis, and cost-effectiveness associated with treating CHC patients.

Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo compare the prognostic value of AJCC/UICC pN stage with metastatic lymph node ratio (MLR) and the prognostic difference between the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and tumor-ratio-metastasis (TRM) stage in patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction.

METHODSClinical data of 414 patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction undergoing curative resection at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2000 to June 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to examine the correlations between pN, MLR and retrieved nodes. Univariate Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazard model analysis were performed to analyze the effects of pN, MLR, TNM and TRM stage on the prognosis of these patients. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was plotted to compare the value of these stages and to predict the 5-year survival rate.

RESULTSThe median number of retrieved nodes was 17 (4-71) per patient, and the median number of positive nodes was 4 (0-67) per patient. The number of metastatic lymph node was positively correlated with that of retrieved nodes (P<0.01), but MLR was not correlated with the number of retrieved nodes (P>0.05). Univariate and multivariate survival analysis showed that either pN or MLR could be used as an independent risk factor for survival (P<0.01) and the hazard ratio of MLR stage was larger than that of pN stage (1.573 vs 1.382). While pN and MLR were entered into the Cox hazard ratio model as covariates at the same time, MLR remained as the independent prognostic factor (P<0.01), but pN lost significance (P>0.05). The AUC of MLR and pN staging was 0.726 and 0.714, and of TRM and TNM staging was 0.747 and 0.736, respectively, however the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMLR is an independent prognostic factor for patients with adenocarcinoma of the gastroesophageal junction. The value of MLR and TRM staging systems may be superior to pN and TNM staging systems in evaluating the prognosis of these patients.

Adenocarcinoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Esophagogastric Junction ; Female ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease,with the characters of degradation of articular cartilage, the formation of the joint marginal osteophyte and synovium lesions. Previous studies have focused on the treatment of articular cartilage lesions. In recent years, new research in shows synovial inflammation plays an important role in OA. Synovium lesions and synovial inflammation-related factors induced the degradation and destruction of articular cartilage, and promoted the development of osteoarthritis. The role of synovial lesions in osteoarthritis is increasingly prominent, and the treatment for synovial lesions will become a new target. So this paper reviews the various manifestations of synovial in osteoarthritis.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis ; pathology ; Synovial Membrane ; pathology