Objective:To investigate the impact of sarcopenia on the short-term outcomes and long-term prognosis in cervical cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).Methods:A total of 410 cervical cancer patients who received CCRT in Henan Provincial People′s Hospital between January 2017 and December 2021 were prospectively enrolled in this study. They were divided into the sarcopenia and non-sarcopenia groups based on the body muscle content measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Short-term outcomes were assessed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST), and acute adverse reactions were assessed based on the toxicity criteria of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG). CCRT termination or prolonged treatment associated with various acute adverse reactions were recorded. All patients were followed up with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) as endpoints. Finally, the survival rate was estimated and the association between sarcopenia and PFS was analyzed.Results:Among the patients, 152 (37.1%) had sarcopenia. Compared to the non-sarcopenia group, the sarcopenia group exhibited higher incidences of grade 2 or above acute adverse reactions in the lower gastrointestinal and hematological systems, CCRT termination, or prolonged treatment. In the non-sarcopenia group, 27 deaths were recorded, with an OS of 30 (18-36) months, a 3-year OS rate of 88.7%, and a 5-year OS rate of 85.6%. In the sarcopenia group, 23 deaths were found, with an OS of 24 (15-33) months, a 3-year OS rate of 83.8%, and a 5-year OS rate of 77.7%. There was no significant difference in survival curves between both groups ( P > 0.05). In the non-sarcopenia group, 52 cases of recurrence were recorded, with a PFS of 21 (12-33) months, a 3-year PFS rate of 77.9%, and a 5-year PFS rate of 71.0%. In the sarcopenia group, 41 cases of recurrence were found, with a PFS of 15 (10.5-24) months, a 3-year PFS rate of 69.0%, and a 5-year PFS rate of 56.5%. There was a significant difference in the PFS curves between both groups ( χ2 = 5.89, P = 0.015). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified sarcopenia as an independent risk factor for PFS ( χ2 =4.33, P = 0.037). Conclusions:Sarcopenia increases the risks of acute adverse reactions and long-term recurrence in cervical cancer patients undergoing CCRT.

Objective To observe the impact factors of the diagnostic accuracy of fine needle aspiration biopsy(FNAB)for papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods Totally 468 patients with single PTC confirmed by postoperative pathology who underwent FNAB before surgery were enrolled.The impact of clinica,l ultrasonic and pathological features on the accuracy of FNAB diagnosis were analyzed.Results The accuracy of FNAB for diagnosing PTC was 71.37%(334/468).The maximum diameter and location of PTC were both impact factors of the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB.The maximum diameter of 0.7 cm was the optimal cutoff value of FNAB for diagnosing PTC,and the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB for PTC with the maximum diameter＜0.7 cm and those≥0.7 cm was 62.96%(119/189)and 77.06%(215/279),respectively.The diagnostic accuracy of FNAB for PTC located in the difficult and easy area of puncture was 52.53%(52/99)and 76.42%(282/369),respectively.The diagnostic accuracy of FNAB for PTC with the maximum diameter≥0.7 cm and located in the easy area,≥0.7 cm and located in the difficult area,＜0.7 cm and located in the easy area,＜0.7 cm and located in the difficult area was 80.43%(185/230),61.22%(30/49),69.78%(97/139)and 44.00%(22/50),respectively.Conclusion The maximum diameter and location of PTC were both impact factors of the diagnostic accuracy of FNAB.

Objective:To explore the role and molecular mechanism of trophoblastic cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) in the invasion and migration of ovarian cancer.Methods:Through the data mining of Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and TCGA database, the clinical significance of Trop2 expression was analyzed. Western blot was used to detect Trop2 protein expression in ovarian cancer cell lines including A3O, A1780 and SKOV3. SKOV3 cells were used to construct Trop2-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) cell model. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the SKOV3 mRNA expression in SKOV3-shRNA and SKOV3-NC cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to detect the proliferation of SKOV3-shRNA cells and SKOV3-NC cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis in two groups of cells. Transwell array was used to detecte the invasion and migration of SKOV3-shRNA cells and SKOV3-NC cells. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of AKT, p-AKT, β-catenin, caspase3, bcl-2, E-cadherin and vimentin.Results:Trop2 mRNA highly expressed in ovarian cancer, and was related to the tumor stage and patient survival. Compared with A3O cells, Trop2 overexpressed in A1780 and SKOV3 cells ( P<0.05). The relative expression levels of Trop2 mRNA in SKOV3-NC group and SKOV3-shRNA group were 1.18±0.24 and 0.42±0.08, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The results of CCK-8 array showed that the cell viability of SKOV3-NC group was significantly higher than that of SKOV3-shRNA group ( P<0.05). The proportion of G 0/G 1 cells in SKOV3-NC and SKOV3-shRNA groups were (38.67±4.22)% and (60.24±8.17)%, respectively. G 0/G 1 arrest was observed in SKOV3-shRNA cells ( P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of SKOV3-shRNA group was (26.32±1.81)%, significantly higher than (6.54±1.32)% of SKOV3-NC group ( P<0.05). The number of migrating SKOV3 cells in the SKOV3-shRNA and SkOV3-NC groups were 1 255.83±108.44 and 1 679.71±213.92, while the number of invading cells were 242.49±52.09 and 473.54±73.11, respectively. Compared with the SKOV3-NC group, the number of migrating and invading SKOV3-shRNA group was significantly reduced (all P<0.05). The expressions of p-AKT2, Bcl-2, vimentin and β-catenin were down-regulated, and the expressions of caspase 3 and E-cadherin were up-regulated in SKOV3-shRNA cells. There was no significant change in the total protein level of AKT. Conclusions:Trop2 expression is related to ovarian cancer stage and postoperative survival. Trop2 can promote ovarian cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by activating the AKT/β-catenin signaling pathway and knockdown of Trop2 inhibits the progression of ovarian cancer.

Objective:To explore the role and molecular mechanism of trophoblastic cell surface antigen 2 (Trop2) in the invasion and migration of ovarian cancer.Methods:Through the data mining of Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia and TCGA database, the clinical significance of Trop2 expression was analyzed. Western blot was used to detect Trop2 protein expression in ovarian cancer cell lines including A3O, A1780 and SKOV3. SKOV3 cells were used to construct Trop2-short hairpin RNA (shRNA) cell model. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the SKOV3 mRNA expression in SKOV3-shRNA and SKOV3-NC cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) was used to detect the proliferation of SKOV3-shRNA cells and SKOV3-NC cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis in two groups of cells. Transwell array was used to detecte the invasion and migration of SKOV3-shRNA cells and SKOV3-NC cells. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of AKT, p-AKT, β-catenin, caspase3, bcl-2, E-cadherin and vimentin.Results:Trop2 mRNA highly expressed in ovarian cancer, and was related to the tumor stage and patient survival. Compared with A3O cells, Trop2 overexpressed in A1780 and SKOV3 cells ( P<0.05). The relative expression levels of Trop2 mRNA in SKOV3-NC group and SKOV3-shRNA group were 1.18±0.24 and 0.42±0.08, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The results of CCK-8 array showed that the cell viability of SKOV3-NC group was significantly higher than that of SKOV3-shRNA group ( P<0.05). The proportion of G 0/G 1 cells in SKOV3-NC and SKOV3-shRNA groups were (38.67±4.22)% and (60.24±8.17)%, respectively. G 0/G 1 arrest was observed in SKOV3-shRNA cells ( P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of SKOV3-shRNA group was (26.32±1.81)%, significantly higher than (6.54±1.32)% of SKOV3-NC group ( P<0.05). The number of migrating SKOV3 cells in the SKOV3-shRNA and SkOV3-NC groups were 1 255.83±108.44 and 1 679.71±213.92, while the number of invading cells were 242.49±52.09 and 473.54±73.11, respectively. Compared with the SKOV3-NC group, the number of migrating and invading SKOV3-shRNA group was significantly reduced (all P<0.05). The expressions of p-AKT2, Bcl-2, vimentin and β-catenin were down-regulated, and the expressions of caspase 3 and E-cadherin were up-regulated in SKOV3-shRNA cells. There was no significant change in the total protein level of AKT. Conclusions:Trop2 expression is related to ovarian cancer stage and postoperative survival. Trop2 can promote ovarian cancer cell proliferation and metastasis by activating the AKT/β-catenin signaling pathway and knockdown of Trop2 inhibits the progression of ovarian cancer.

Objective:To explore the effect of metastatic lymph node ratio (MLR) on the prognosis of adjuvant radiotherapy for stage-Ⅲ gastric cancer patients with no more than 15 lymph nodes dissection.Methods:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 590 patients diagnosed with stage-Ⅲ gastric cancer (excluding adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction) were included in this study from the SEER database between 2010 and 2016. No more than 15 lymph nodes were examined in all patients. Among them, 291 patients received surgery combined with adjuvant chemotherapy (surgery + chemotherapy group), and 299 patients received surgery combined with adjuvant radiochemotherapy (surgery + radiochemotherapy group). These two groups were treated with 1∶1 propensity score matching (PSM). We retrospectively analyzed the effect of MLR on prognosis of stage-Ⅲ gastric cancer patients with no more than 15 lymph nodes dissection, and evaluated the significance of postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy among patients with different MLR.Results:According to the analysis result of area under curve (ROC), 0.5 was defined as the best cut-off point of MLR. In the two groups of patients with stage-Ⅲ gastric cancer included in the study, the median survival time was 23 months in the surgery + radiochemotherapy group, and the 1 -, 3 -, and 5-year overall survival (OS) ratio were 77.1%, 33.2% and 22.8%, respectively. The median survival time was 21 months in the surgery + chemotherapy group, and the 1 -, 3 -, and 5-year OS ratio were 72.2%, 33.6% and 23.1%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in OS. The result of subgroup analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in OS between the surgery + radiochemotherapy group and the surgery + chemotherapy group among patients with MLR≤0.5, while OS of the surgery + radiochemotherapy group was significantly better than the surgery + chemotherapy group among patients with MLR>0.5( χ2=8.542, P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that race, T stage, N stage, MLR and adjuvant radiotherapy were the important factors affecting OS of stage-Ⅲ gastric cancer patients with no more than 15 lymph nodes dissection( Wald=8.544, 7.547, 10.925, 18.047, 10.715, P < 0.05). After PSM, there was no statistically significant difference in OS between the two groups. The result of subgroup analysis showed that there was no statistically significant difference in OS between the surgery + radiochemotherapy group and the surgery + chemotherapy group among patients with MLR≤0.5, while OS of the surgery + radiochemotherapy group was significantly better than the surgery + chemotherapy group among patients with MLR>0.5( χ2=6.944, P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that race, T stage, N stage, MLR and adjuvant radiotherapy were the important factors affecting OS of stage-Ⅲ gastric cancer patients with no more than 15 lymph nodes dissection ( Wald=7.154, 8.023, 7.744, 17.016, 4.149, P < 0.05). The result of prognosis analysis of two groups before and after PSM were consistent. Conclusions:MLR is an important prognostic factor for stage-Ⅲ gastric cancer patients with no more than 15 lymph nodes dissection. The OS of patients with MLR ≤ 0.5 can′t benefit from postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy, while patients with MLR > 0.5 should be advised to receive postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy to improve the prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of chemotherapy combined with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy on the overall survival (OS) of early and advanced (Ⅰ-Ⅱ A and Ⅱ B-Ⅳ) small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the cervix (SCNEC)patients and analyze the prognostic factors. Methods:The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database was used to search and screen out 269 SCNEC patients who received chemotherapy from 2004 to 2016. These patients were divided into four groups according to different treatment regimens: chemotherapy + postoperative radiotherapy group, chemotherapy + surgery group, chemotherapy + radiotherapy group and chemotherapy-alone group. Kaplan-Meier curve was utilized to compare the OS of SCNEC patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ A and Ⅱ B-Ⅳ with different treatment regimens. Log-rank test and Cox regression analysis were used to evaluate significant clinicopathological factors on prognosis. Results:For patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ A, the 5-year OS rate of chemotherapy + postoperative radiotherapy group, chemotherapy + surgery group, chemotherapy + radiotherapy group and chemotherapy-alone group were 39.9%, 71.7%, 24.5% and 0, respectively. Among patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ A, chemotherapy + surgery group had a better prognosis ( HR 0.403, 95% CI: 0.112-1.112, P=0.047) than chemotherapy + postoperative radiotherapy group. For stage Ⅱ B-Ⅳ patients, the 5-year OS rate of the chemotherapy + postoperative radiotherapy group, chemotherapy + surgery group, chemotherapy + radiotherapy group and chemotherapy-alone group were 35.2%, 24.3%, 17.7% and 0, respectively. Among patients with stage Ⅱ B-Ⅳ, chemotherapy + surgery group, chemotherapy + radiotherapy group and chemotherapy-alone group all had worse prognosis ( HR 1.726, 95% CI: 0.944-3.157; HR 1.605, 95% CI: 0.968-2.661; HR 5.632, 95% CI: 3.143-10.093, P<0.05) than chemotherapy + postoperative radiotherapy group, respectively. In addition, the patients whose age ≤60 years old and tumor diameter<4 cm had a worse prognosis compared to those older than 60 years old ( HR 7.868, 95% CI: 3.032-20.415; HR 1.465, 95% CI: 1.006-2.435, P<0.05)and tumor diameter≥4 cm ( HR 2.576, 95% CI: 1.056-6.287; HR 1.965, 95% CI: 1.026-3.766, P<0.05). Conclusions:Chemotherapy combined with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy can′t improve the OS of patients with early (Ⅰ-Ⅱ A) SCNEC, but can significantly improve the OS of advanced (Ⅱ B-Ⅳ) patients. Age, tumor size and treatment regimens are independent risk factors.

Objective To establish a non-venous bypass orthotopic liver transplantation model in Bama miniature pigs with high repeatability and stability. Methods Twelve Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided into the donor group (n=6) and recipient group (n=6). Pigs underwent non-venous bypass orthotopic liver transplantation. The time of anhepatic phase during operation was shortened, blood pressure during anhepatic phase was stably maintained, and management of anesthesia and body fluid during operation were strengthened. The operation time, anhepatic phase and survival status of the recipients were observed and recorded. The intraoperative heart rate, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and changes in arterial blood gas analysis were monitored. The perioperative liver function was evaluated. Results Among 6 Bama miniature pigs, 1 died from transplantation failure intraoperatively. The operation time of the remaining 5 pigs was (247±27) min and the time of anhepatic phase was (46±4) min. Three animals survived for more than 2 weeks. Compared with the preanhepatic phase, the heart rate of the animals was significantly faster, MAP was considerably reduced to (46±6) mmHg, blood pH value, base excess (BE) and HCO₃^- level were all significantly decreased and serum level of K⁺ was significantly elevated during the anhepatic phase (all P < 0.05). In the neohepatic phase, MAP of Bama miniature pigs was significantly increased, heart rate was dramatically slower.Blood pH value, BE, HCO₃^- level were significantly increased and serum level of K⁺ was significantly declined (all P < 0.05). During abdominal closure, MAP, blood gas indexes and serum level of K⁺ were almost recovered to those in the preanhepatic phase. Compared with preoperative levels, the levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)were significantly increased after operation (all P < 0.05), the change in AST was the most obvious, and it gradually decreased at postoperative 2 d. The level of γ-gutamyl transferase(GGT) did not significantly elevated. The level of total bilirubin (TB) was evidently elevated at postoperative 5 d. Compared with the preoperative levels, the levels of total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) were significantly decreased after operation (both P < 0.05), and began to gradually increase at postoperative 1 d. Conclusions The non-venous bypass orthotopic liver transplantation model of Bama miniature pig is convenient, with highly reproducible and survival rate, which can be utilized as a standardized liver transplantation model.

Objective To investigate the effect of Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox protein 1 (ZEB1) on the radiosensitivity of gastric cancer cells AGS and its possible mechanism. Methods AGS cells were irradiated by X-rays at different doses (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 Gy). Western blot was used to observe the expression of ZEB1 in cells. AGS cells, in logarithmic growth phase, were transfected with of ZEB1 gene or its interference plasmids, the corresponding control plasmids ( pcDNA3. 1 ) and negative control interference plasmids. They were classified as overexpression ZEB1 group, silencing ZEB1 group, control group and negative control group, respectively. The effect of overexpression and silencing ZEB1 on the survival of AGS cells after irradiation were analyzed by colony formation assay. The cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expressions of histone H2A (H2AX), phosphorylated H2AX (γ-H2AX) and telangiectasia mutated gene (ATM) were detected by Western blot. Results The expression of ZEB1 in AGS cells was dependent on radiation dose (F=58. 57, P<0. 05). Overexpression of ZEB1 increased AGS cells viability, inhibitedγ-H2AX expression (t=12. 18, P<0. 05), blocked cell apoptosis (t=7. 27, P<0. 05) and up-regulated ATM expression in time-dependent manner after irradaition (F=165. 70, P <0. 05). Silencing ZEB1 reduced AGS cells viability, increased γ-H2AX expression ( t =12. 88, P<0. 05) and cell apoptosis (t =8. 36, P <0. 05), and down-regulated of ATM expression (F=44. 80, P<0. 05). Conclusions ZEB1 regulates the radiosensitivity of gastric cancer AGS cells by up-regulating ATM expression.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of compound matrine injection combined with fentanyl transdermal patch in the treatment of elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer.Methods A total of 100 elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer were enrolled in this study.All patients were randomly divided into the observation group (n =50) given compound matrine injection plus Fentanyl transdermal patch and the control group given fentanyl transdermal patch alone(n=50).The analgesic efficacy,quality of life and adverse reaction were evaluated and compared between the two groups.Results The analgesic efficacy was significantly higher in the observation group[76％(38/50)]than in the control group[(44％),(x2=4.46,P＜0.05)].Before treatment,the life quality scores were similar between two groups.After treatment,the life quality score of the two groups was significantly improved as compared with pre-treatment.In addition,life quality score was significantly higher in the observation group than in control group(t=8.61,P＜0.05).After treatment,only mild adverse events were observed in two groups,with no significant difference in adverse events between the two groups(x2 =0.00,P＞0.05).Conclusions Compound matrine injection plus Fentanyl transdermal patch are safe and effective in the treatment of carcinoma pain in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the efficacy and safety of Xiaojin pill combined with docetaxel,epirubicin and cyclo-phosphamide in the treatment of breast cancer in stage Ⅲ and its effect on immune functions. METHODS:102 patients with breast cancer in stage Ⅲ were randomly divided into control group (51 cases) and observation group(51 cases). All patients were given symptomatic treatments as hydration,alkalization and antiemetic treatments in the duration of chemotherapy,and were given conven-tional treatments as 0.75 mg Dexamethasome oral tablets in 12 and 6 hours before the chemotherapy lespectively. Control group was given 75 mg/m2 Docetaxel injection,d1,intravenous infusion+60 mg/m2 Epirubicin hyclrochloride for injection,d1,intravenous in-fusion+600 mg/m2 Cyclophosphamide for injection,d1,intravenous infusion;observation group was additionally given 6 g Xiaojin pill,orally,twice a day. 21 d was regarded as a treatment course. Short-term clinical efficacy,immunoglobulin,T lymphocyte sub-sets(CD4+/CD3+,CD8+/CD3+,CD4+/CD8+)and the incidence of adverse reactions before and after chemotherapy in 2 groups after 2 courses were observed. RESULTS:There were no significant differences in the short-term effective rate and incidence of adverse reactions between 2 groups (P>0.05). Before chemotherapy,there were no significant differences in the immunoglobulin and T lymphocyte subsets between 2 groups(P>0.05). After chemotherapy,immunoglobulin levels in 2 groups were significantly lower than before,the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05);but there were no significant differences between 2 groups (P>0.05);CD4+/CD3+,CD8+/CD3+,CD4+/CD8+ in control group and CD8+/CD3+ in observation group were significantly lower than before,and CD4+/CD3+ and CD4+/CD8+ in observation group were higher than control group,the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05),but there was no significant difference in the CD8+/CD3+ between 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Based on the conventional treatment,Xiaojin pill combined with docetaxel,epirubicin and cyclophosphamide shows significant effi-cacy in the treatment of breast cancer in stageⅢ,and can improve immune functions,with good safety.