Objective To quantitatively analyze and testify the diagnostic value of combined MRS and DWI for prostate cancer based on sextant localization.Methods Patients who underwent prostate MR examinations in our hospital had MRS and DWI scanning in addition to conventional MRI.The(choline+creatine)/citrate(CC/C)value in each measurable voxel and the minimal ADC value(ADC_(mini))in each sextant were measured.Taking CC/C of no less than 0.911 as the cutoff value for prostate cancer,the ratios of positive voxel(PVR)in sextants were calculated.The selected patients were divided into 2 groups according to the date of examination,for the quantitative analysis and the verification respectively.Group 1 was from Feb,2006 to Dec,2006,and group 2 from Jan,2007 to Jul,2007.The diagnostic efficacy of PVR,ADC_(mini) and their combination was tested by ROC analysis.Results There were 40 patients in group 1 and group 2 respectively for the linear discrimination of the cluster analysis,including 20 patients with prostate cancer and 20 patients without prostate cancer.The linear discrimination equation calculated from group 1 was 'D=3.264×ADC_(mini)-0.205×PVR-4.407'.The areas under curve(Az)of ROC for PVR,ADC_(mini) and D were 0.769,0.910 and 0.909,respectively.In group 2,the Az of ROC for PVR,ADC_(mini) and D were 0.838,0.912 and 0.915,respectively.There were no statistical difference between ADC_(mini)-alone and D in both groups(X~2=0.32 and 1.50,P＞0.05).Conclusions Quantitative prostate DWI had higher diagnostic value than MRS.The combined use of MRS and DWI was not superior to the DWI-alone in the diagnostic efficacy of prostate cancer.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of endocrine for prostate cancer with bone metastases with MR diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Methods Forty patients with bone metastases from prostate cancer were examined with DWI. Seventeen patients underwent endocrine therapy were recruited as the test group, the other 23 were regarded as the control group. There was no relapse of the metastases according to clinical diagnosis in the test group. DWI sequences were based on steady-state free precession with b value (800 s/mm~2). After identifying the metastasis according to the T1WI and T2WI, ROIs were marked at the metastases, normal muscle, normal bone and bladder on DWI, and the ADC values of the ROIs were calculated respectively. Non-parameter two independent samples test was applicated to compare the ADC values of the metastases between the two groups.Results ADC values of the bone metastases were (1.10±0.50)×10~(-3)mm~2/s in the test group and (1.12±0.30) ×10~-3mm~2/s in the control group (P>0.05).Conclusion MR DWI shows no help in evaluating the therapeutic effect of endocrine for prostate cancer with bone metastases.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of MRS in prostate cancer based on sextant localization. Methods There were 110 patients, 54 patients with pathologically confirmed prostate cancer and 56 patients confirmed non-prostate cancer proved by ultrasound guided systemic biopsy. The (choline + creatine)/citrate (CC/C) value in each voxel and ratio of positive voxel (PVR) in sextant localization were measured. The ROC analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of CC/C in single voxel and PVR in sextant localization. Results There are 1673 and 2426 voxel in prostate cancer and non-prostate cancer respectively. The median of CC/C in cancer sextants was 2. 137; the median of CC/C in noncancer sextants was 0. 600. The difference of these two groups was statistically significant (Z = -41.7, P < 0. 01 ). The diagnostic sensitivity was 81.4% ( 1362/1673 ), the specificity was 83.1% (2018/2426), and the accuracy was 82.4% [ (1362+2018)/4099] for prostatic cancer with the cutoff point 0. 911 of the CC/C value. The median of PVR in cancer sextants and noncancer sextants were 1 and 0 respectively, the difference of PVR was statistically significant (Z = -11.7,P < 0.01 ). The diagnostic sensitivity was 77. 5% (148/191), the specificity was 76. 9% (247/321), and the accuracy was 77. 1% [ ( 148 + 247 )/ 512] for prostatic cancer with the cutoff point 0. 519 of the PVR. Conclusion Detecting the cutoff point of the CC/C value in single voxel and the PVR in sextant localization may be valuable in the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Objective To study the changes of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and the association with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) in prostate cancer patients. Methods Diffusion-weighted echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences were performed in 47 patients with biopsy proved locally confined prostate cancer,age ranged from 56 to 86 years.t-PSA range,f-PSA range and F/T range in serum of all patients were 1.41-603.16 ng/ml,0.10-12.29 ng/ml and 0.01-0.36,respectively.The patients'clinical staging were 2 cases of stage A,18 cases of stage B and 27 cases of stage C,among which 1 cases were well differentiated (Gleason 2-4), 23 were moderately differentiated (Gleason 5-7) and 23 were poorly differentiated(Gleason 8-10),respectively.Images were obtained with a diffusion factor of 800 s/mm2.According to the pathological results obtained by ultrasound guided systemic biopsy,the locations of the prostate cancerous region were marked as one or more of the sextants.The ADC values of every region and whole gland were measured and analyzed with ROC curve.Correlations between the ADC and t-PSA,f-PSA,F/T ratios were analyzed.Results Acceptable images for ADC measurement were obtained in all cases.The mean ADC values of cancerous and noncancerous regions in 47 prostate patients were(1.29±0.28)×10-3mm2/s and (1.78+0.32)×10-3mm2/s and significant difference was noted in ADC values between cancerous and noncancerous regions(t=13.58,P＜0.01).Negative correlation was found between the ADC values and t-PSA,f-PSA,(γ=-0.353,P＜0.01;γ=-O.401.P＜0.01).There were no significant associations between the ADC values and F/T(γ=-0.123,P＞0.05). Conclusions The ADC values in cancerous regions were negatively correlated with t-PSA,f-PSA. Measurement of ADCs,combined with serum PSA,might be useful to accurate location and preoperative assessment of tumor.

Objective: To investigate epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and thymidylate synthase (TS) expression in primary liver cancer, and analyze its clinicopathological features and prognostic significance. Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed using EnVision method to detect EGFR and TS expression in 41 cases of liver cancer. Correlation coefficient between EGFR and TS was calculated by Spearman method. Fisher's exact probability method or χ² test was used to analyze the clinicopathological features of EGFR and TS. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate of patients in conjunction with the log-rank test.COX proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients. ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive accuracy of EGFR and TS for prognosis. Results: The positive rates of EGFR and TS in liver cancer tissues were 34.15% and 39.02%, respectively. There was a positive correlation between EGFR and TS expressions, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). EGFR was associated with tumor size and tissue differentiation (P < 0.05) in HCC patients, whereas TS was associated with tissue differentiation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in prognostic effect of EGFR on survival rate (P > 0.05). TS prognostic effect on survival rate was statistically significant (P < 0.05). HR of EGFR was 0.210 with 95% CI, 0.052-0.852, P = 0.029; indicating that the risk of death in patients with negative EGFR was 0.210 times higher than that in patients with positive EGFR. HR of TS was 2.496, with 95% CI, 1.325-4.701, P = 0.005, indicating that the risk of death increased by 2.496 times with the same level of EGFR. The area under the EGFR curve was 0.553 and its approximate reference confidence interval was 95% (0.355, 0.751), indicating that EGFR was a risk factor for death and the area under the TS curve was 0.695, and its approximate reference confidence interval was 95% (0.513, 0.878), indicating that TS was a risk factor for death. Conclusion EGFR and TS were equally expressed in primary liver cancer, and EGFR and TS expressions were positively correlated. EGFR and TS had an effect on the degree of tissue differentiation in patients with liver cancer. EGFR and TS were risk factors for prognosis, and TS may assist EGFR.

Objective To investigate the expressions of 4 drug resistance gene proteins P-glycoprotein (Pgp), Glutathionine-S-Transferase π (GST-π), topoisomerase Ⅱ (TopoⅡ) and thymidylate synthase (TS) and Ki67 in primary liver cancer (PLC) and their value in the prognosis of patients. Methods Samples were collected from 41 patients with PLC in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between March 2008 and December 2016. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. There were 26 males and 15 females, with an average age of (56±10) years old. The expressions of Pgp, GST-π, Topo Ⅱ, TS and Ki67 in PLC tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Correlation analysis was conducted using Spearman correlation analysis. Survival rate was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. Prognostic factors of these patients were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results Positive expressions of Pgp, GST-π, Topo Ⅱ, TS and Ki67 were detected in PLC tissues, and the positive expression rate was 73% (30/41),7% (3/41), 61% (25/41), 39% (16/41) and 51% (21/41), respectively. The expression of TS was positively correlated with those of Pgp and Topo Ⅱ (rs=0.484, 0.333; P<0.05). Survival analysis showed that there were significant differences in the survival between TS, Ki67 positive and negative patients (χ2=4.695, 5.784;P<0.05).Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that TS and Ki67 were the independent risk factors for the overall prognosis(HR=3.007,17.108;P<0.05).Conclusions Expressions of Pgp,GST-π,TopoⅡand TS can be detected in PLC. The expression of TS is positively correlated with those of Pgp and Topo Ⅱ. TS and Ki67 are the independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients.

Objective:In this study, we aimed to compare the short-term safety of two digestive tract reconstruction techniques, laparoscopic total abdominal overlap anastomosis and laparoscopic-assisted end-to-side anastomosis, following radical resection of Siewert Type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed relevant clinical data of 139 patients who had undergone radical surgery for Siewert Type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma. These included 89 patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from November 2021 to July 2023, 36 patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from December 2020 to June 2021, and 14 patients treated at the Yuncheng Central Hospital in Shanxi Province from September 2021 to November 2022. The group consisted of 107 men (77.0%) and 32 women (23.0%) of mean age 62.5±9.3 years. Forty-eight patients underwent laparoscopic total abdominal overlap anastomosis (overlap group), and 91 laparoscopic-assisted end-to-side anastomosis (end-to-side group). Clinical data, surgical information, pathological findings, postoperative recovery, and related complications were compared between the two groups.Results:There were no significant differences in general clinical data between the overlap and end-to-side anastomosis groups (all P>0.05), indicating comparability. There was no significant difference in operation time (267.2±60.1 minutes vs. 262.8±70.6 minutes, t=0.370, P=0.712). However, the intraoperative blood loss in the overlap group (100 [50, 100] mL) was significantly lower compared to the end-to-side group (100[50, 175] mL, Z=2.776, P=0.005). Compared to the end-to-side group, longer distances between the tumor and distal resection margin proximal(1.7±1.0 cm vs. 1.3±0.9 cm, t=2.487, P=0.014) and the tumor and distal resection margin (9.5±2.9 cm vs. 7.9±3.5 cm, t=2.667, P=0.009) were achieved in the overlap group. Compared with the end-to-side group, the overlap group achieved significantly earlier postoperative ambulation (1.0 [1.0, 2.0] days vs. 2.0 [1.0, 3.0] days, Z=3.117, P=0.002), earlier time to first drink (4.7±2.6 days vs. 6.2±3.0 days, t=2.851, P=0.005), and earlier time to first meal (6.0±2.7 days vs. 7.1±3.0 days, t=2.170, P=0.032). However, the hospitalization costs were higher in the overlap group (113, 105.5±37, 766.3) yuan vs. (97, 250.2±27, 746.9) yuan; this difference is significant ( t=2.818, P=0.006). There were no significant differences between the two groups in postoperative hospital stay, total number of lymph nodes cleared, or time to first postoperative flatus (all P>0.05). The incidence of surgery-related complications was 22.9%(11/48) in the overlap group and 19.8% (18/91) in the end-to-side group; this difference is not significant (χ2=0.187, P=0.831). Further comparison of complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification also showed no significant differences ( Z=0.406, P=0.685). Conclusions:Both laparoscopic total abdominal overlap anastomosis and laparoscopic-assisted end-to-side anastomosis are feasible for radical surgery for Siewert Type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma. Laparoscopic total abdominal overlap anastomosis achieves longer proximal and distal resection margins and better postoperative recovery; however, end-to-side anastomosis is more cost-effective.

Objective:In this study, we aimed to compare the short-term safety of two digestive tract reconstruction techniques, laparoscopic total abdominal overlap anastomosis and laparoscopic-assisted end-to-side anastomosis, following radical resection of Siewert Type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction.Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed relevant clinical data of 139 patients who had undergone radical surgery for Siewert Type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma. These included 89 patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from November 2021 to July 2023, 36 patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from December 2020 to June 2021, and 14 patients treated at the Yuncheng Central Hospital in Shanxi Province from September 2021 to November 2022. The group consisted of 107 men (77.0%) and 32 women (23.0%) of mean age 62.5±9.3 years. Forty-eight patients underwent laparoscopic total abdominal overlap anastomosis (overlap group), and 91 laparoscopic-assisted end-to-side anastomosis (end-to-side group). Clinical data, surgical information, pathological findings, postoperative recovery, and related complications were compared between the two groups.Results:There were no significant differences in general clinical data between the overlap and end-to-side anastomosis groups (all P>0.05), indicating comparability. There was no significant difference in operation time (267.2±60.1 minutes vs. 262.8±70.6 minutes, t=0.370, P=0.712). However, the intraoperative blood loss in the overlap group (100 [50, 100] mL) was significantly lower compared to the end-to-side group (100[50, 175] mL, Z=2.776, P=0.005). Compared to the end-to-side group, longer distances between the tumor and distal resection margin proximal(1.7±1.0 cm vs. 1.3±0.9 cm, t=2.487, P=0.014) and the tumor and distal resection margin (9.5±2.9 cm vs. 7.9±3.5 cm, t=2.667, P=0.009) were achieved in the overlap group. Compared with the end-to-side group, the overlap group achieved significantly earlier postoperative ambulation (1.0 [1.0, 2.0] days vs. 2.0 [1.0, 3.0] days, Z=3.117, P=0.002), earlier time to first drink (4.7±2.6 days vs. 6.2±3.0 days, t=2.851, P=0.005), and earlier time to first meal (6.0±2.7 days vs. 7.1±3.0 days, t=2.170, P=0.032). However, the hospitalization costs were higher in the overlap group (113, 105.5±37, 766.3) yuan vs. (97, 250.2±27, 746.9) yuan; this difference is significant ( t=2.818, P=0.006). There were no significant differences between the two groups in postoperative hospital stay, total number of lymph nodes cleared, or time to first postoperative flatus (all P>0.05). The incidence of surgery-related complications was 22.9%(11/48) in the overlap group and 19.8% (18/91) in the end-to-side group; this difference is not significant (χ2=0.187, P=0.831). Further comparison of complications using the Clavien-Dindo classification also showed no significant differences ( Z=0.406, P=0.685). Conclusions:Both laparoscopic total abdominal overlap anastomosis and laparoscopic-assisted end-to-side anastomosis are feasible for radical surgery for Siewert Type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma. Laparoscopic total abdominal overlap anastomosis achieves longer proximal and distal resection margins and better postoperative recovery; however, end-to-side anastomosis is more cost-effective.

Objective:To investigate the effects of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules on joint function and gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease.Methods:A single group pre- and post-experimental design was conducted, the patients with Kashin-Beck disease were selected as the subjects in Xunyi County, Xianyang City, Shaanxi Province; and treated with oral administration of compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules (12 g/bag, 1 bag/time, 3 times/day) for a period of 1 month. The improvement of joint function was evaluated using the joint dysfunction index scoring method before and after treatment. Morning stool samples of patients were collected and the changes in gut microbiota were analyzed before and after treatment using 16S rDNA sequencing technology.Results:A total of 87 patients with Kashin-Beck disease were included, including 44 males and 43 females; the age was (60.38 ± 7.12) years old, and the body mass index was (23.67 ± 3.59) kg/m 2. The comprehensive scores of joint dysfunction index for patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment were (7.27 ± 2.05) and (5.86 ± 2.01) points, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 5.88, P < 0.001). The sequencing results of gut microbiota showed that there were statistically significant differences in the alpha diversity (chao1, observed species index) and beta diversity of gut microbiota in patients with Kashin-Beck disease before and after treatment ( Z = - 5.08, - 5.03, R = 0.09, P < 0.001). In the distribution of gut microbiota, Firmicutes was the dominant phylum, with relative abundances of 50.21% and 52.09% before and after treatment, respectively; the Bifidobacterium was the dominant bacterial genus, with relative abundances of 16.83% and 18.81% before and after treatment, respectively. At the genus level, a total of 17 gut microbiota genera were screened out, among which the relative abundances of Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, Gammaproteobacteria_unclassified, Acinetobacter, Pantoea, Leuconostoc, and Akkermanisia were significantly higher than before treatment ( Z = - 2.40, - 2.24, - 2.06, - 3.59, - 2.24, - 2.11, P < 0.05). The relative abundances of Dubosiella, Selenomonas, Anaeroplasma, Lachnospiraceae_ NK4A136_group, Rikenella, Prevotella, Megasphaera, Lactobacillus, Prevotella-9, Phascolarctobacterium, and Desulfovibrio were significantly lower than before treatment ( Z = - 9.38, - 2.61, - 2.18, - 8.43, - 2.45, - 2.46, - 2.49, - 7.29, - 2.29, - 2.55, - 2.08, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compound Duzhong Jiangu Granules can effectively improve the joint function of patients with Kashin-Beck disease, and alter the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota community. It may reduce clinical symptoms in patients by regulating the structure of gut microbiota.