ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Tianwang Buxindan （MTBD） on the skin of sleep-deprived （SD） mice and investigate its mechanism. MethodSixty 2-month-old female Kunming mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a vitamin C （VC， 0.08 g·kg^-1）， and MTBD low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （6.5， 12.5， 25 g·kg^-1）. Except for the blank group， the other groups were subjected to SD mouse model induction （using multiple platform water environment method for 18 hours of sleep deprivation daily from 15：00 to next day 9：00）， continuously for 14 days， and caffeine （CAF， 7.5 mg·kg^-1） was injected intraperitoneally from the 2nd week onwards， continuously for 7 days. While modeling， the blank group and the model group were administered with normal saline （0.01 mL·g^-1）， and the other groups received corresponding drugs for treatment. On the day of the experiment， general observations were recorded （such as body weight， spirit， fur， and skin）. After sampling， skin tissue pathological changes were observed under an optical microscope using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson staining methods. Skin thickness and skin moisture content were measured. Biochemical assay kits were used to detect skin hydroxyproline （HYP） content， skin and serum superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity， and malondialdehyde （MDA） content. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum interleukin （IL）-6， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and IL-1β levels in mice. Western blot was used to detect skin tissue type Ⅰ collagen （ColⅠ）， type Ⅲ collagen （ColⅢ）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， phosphorylated （p）-PI3K， protein kinase B （Akt）， p-Akt， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase （HO）-1， and nuclear factor （NF）-κB protein expression. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed varying degrees of changes. In general， signs of aging such as reduced body weight （P<0.01）， listlessness， dull fur color， and formation of wrinkles on the skin appeared. Tissue specimen testing revealed skin thinning， flattening of the dermoepidermal junction （DEJ）， and reduced collagen fibers under the optical microscope. Skin thickness and moisture content decreased， skin tissue HYP content significantly decreased （P<0.01）， skin and serum SOD activity significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and MDA content significantly increased （P<0.01）. Serum IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β levels significantly increased （P<0.01）. Skin ColⅠ， ColⅢ， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， Nrf2， and HO-1 protein expression significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and NF-κB expression increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the VC group and the MTBD low-dose group showed increased skin moisture content， HYP content， SOD activity， and ColⅠ， ColⅢ， p-PI3K/PI3K protein expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased serum MDA content （P<0.05）. In addition， a decrease in serum IL-6 and IL-1β levels was detected in the MTBD low-dose group （P<0.05）， while the above indicators in the MTBD medium- and high-dose groups improved （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSleep deprivation accelerates the aging process of the skin in SD model mice. MTBD can improve this phenomenon， exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects， and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the clinical features, treatment, and outcome characteristics of patients with Merkel cell carcinoma. Methods The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, diagnosis and treatment, and follow-up data of six patients with Merkel cell carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Results Among the six patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, four were males and two were females, with a median age of 66 years old (57-76 years old). All six patients presented with skin swelling, and the clinical stages were as follows: stageⅠ in three patients, stage Ⅲ in one patient, and stage IV in two patients. Two patients were treated with surgery alone, three patients with surgery combined with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, and one patient with immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy. Until the follow-up time, four patients had no disease progression, one patient died because of disease progression, and one patient remained under treatment. Conclusion Limited-stage Merkel cell carcinoma is primarily treated with surgery and radiotherapy, meanwhile, metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma needs systemic therapy, and first-line immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/ PD-L1 pathway can achieve better therapeutic results.

Objective:To identify whether splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism has any impact on development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) among patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis.Methods:Patients who underwent splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension between January 2008 and December 2012 were included from seven hospitals in China, whereas patients receiving medication treatments for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (non-splenectomy) at the same time period among the seven hospitals were included as control groups. In the splenectomy group, all the patients received open or laparoscopic splenectomy with or without pericardial devascularization. In contrast, patients in the control group were treated conservatively for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with medicines (non-splenectomy) with no invasive treatments, such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, splenectomy or liver transplantation before HCC development. All the patients were routinely screened for HCC development with abdominal ultrasound, liver function and alpha-fetoprotein every 3 to 6 months. To minimize the selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the baseline data of patients among splenectomy versus non-splenectomy groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival and cumulative incidence of HCC development, and the Log-rank test was used to compare the survival or disease rates between the two groups. Univariate and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the potential risk factors associated with development of HCC.Results:A total of 871 patients with liver cirrhosis and hypertension were included synchronously from 7 tertiary hospitals. Among them, 407 patients had a history of splenectomy for hypersplenism (splenectomy group), whereas 464 patients who received medical treatment but not splenectomy (non-splenectomy group). After PSM,233 pairs of patients were matched in adjusted cohorts. The cumulative incidence of HCC diagnosis at 1,3,5 and 7 years were 1%,6%,7% and 15% in the splenectomy group, which was significantly lower than 1%,6%,15% and 23% in the non-splenectomy group ( HR=0.53,95% CI:0.31 to 0.91, P=0.028). On multivariable analysis, splenectomy was independently associated with decreased risk of HCC development ( HR=0.55, 95%CI:0.32 to 0.95, P=0.031). The cumulative survival rates of all the patients at 1,3,5,and 7 years were 100%,97%,91%,86% in the splenectomy group,which was similar with that of 100%,97%,92%,84% in the non-splenectomy group ( P=0.899). In total,49 patients (12.0%) among splenectomy group and 75 patients (16.2%) in non-splenectomy group developed HCC during the study period, respectively. Compared to patients in non-splenectomy group, patients who developed HCC after splenectomy were unlikely to receive curative resection for HCC (12.2% vs. 33.3%,χ2=7.029, P=0.008). Conclusion:Splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism may decrease the risk of HCC development among patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Objective:To identify whether splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism has any impact on development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) among patients with liver cirrhosis and hepatitis.Methods:Patients who underwent splenectomy for hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension between January 2008 and December 2012 were included from seven hospitals in China, whereas patients receiving medication treatments for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension (non-splenectomy) at the same time period among the seven hospitals were included as control groups. In the splenectomy group, all the patients received open or laparoscopic splenectomy with or without pericardial devascularization. In contrast, patients in the control group were treated conservatively for liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with medicines (non-splenectomy) with no invasive treatments, such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, splenectomy or liver transplantation before HCC development. All the patients were routinely screened for HCC development with abdominal ultrasound, liver function and alpha-fetoprotein every 3 to 6 months. To minimize the selection bias, propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the baseline data of patients among splenectomy versus non-splenectomy groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the overall survival and cumulative incidence of HCC development, and the Log-rank test was used to compare the survival or disease rates between the two groups. Univariate and Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the potential risk factors associated with development of HCC.Results:A total of 871 patients with liver cirrhosis and hypertension were included synchronously from 7 tertiary hospitals. Among them, 407 patients had a history of splenectomy for hypersplenism (splenectomy group), whereas 464 patients who received medical treatment but not splenectomy (non-splenectomy group). After PSM,233 pairs of patients were matched in adjusted cohorts. The cumulative incidence of HCC diagnosis at 1,3,5 and 7 years were 1%,6%,7% and 15% in the splenectomy group, which was significantly lower than 1%,6%,15% and 23% in the non-splenectomy group ( HR=0.53,95% CI:0.31 to 0.91, P=0.028). On multivariable analysis, splenectomy was independently associated with decreased risk of HCC development ( HR=0.55, 95%CI:0.32 to 0.95, P=0.031). The cumulative survival rates of all the patients at 1,3,5,and 7 years were 100%,97%,91%,86% in the splenectomy group,which was similar with that of 100%,97%,92%,84% in the non-splenectomy group ( P=0.899). In total,49 patients (12.0%) among splenectomy group and 75 patients (16.2%) in non-splenectomy group developed HCC during the study period, respectively. Compared to patients in non-splenectomy group, patients who developed HCC after splenectomy were unlikely to receive curative resection for HCC (12.2% vs. 33.3%,χ2=7.029, P=0.008). Conclusion:Splenectomy for treatment of hypersplenism may decrease the risk of HCC development among patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.

Objective:To investigate the perioperative situation and recent effect of pelvic exenteration for patients with locally recurrent cervical cancer.Methods:A total of 17 patients with locally recurrent cervical cancer who underwent pelvic exenteration in Peking University People's Hospital from October 2015 to May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed for their clinical and pathological characteristics, surgical conditions, hospitalization costs, postoperative complications, and survival situation.Results:(1) The median age of 17 patients with locally recurrent cervical cancer was 51 years (range 27-64 years). Pathological type: 13 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 2 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 2 cases of adenosquamous carcinoma. Thirteen patients received radiotherapy during the initial treatment and 4 patients did not receive radiotherapy. (2) Pelvic exenteration was performed in 17 patients with locally recurrent cervical cancer, of which 9 cases were performed with total pelvic exenteration (operation range including radical cystectomy, partial urethrectomy rectectomy and partial vaginalectomy), and 8 cases with anterior pelvic exenteration operation (operation range including: radical cystectomy, part of urethrectomy and part of vaginalectomy). Of the 17 patients successfully completed the operation. The median operation time was 450 minutes (range 240-760 minutes), the median intraoperative blood loss was 2 200 ml (range 200- 8 400 ml), the median postoperative hospital stay was 17 days (range 9-55 days), the median hospital cost was 83 857 yuan (range 41 588-296 354 yuan). (3) Of the 17 patients underwent pelvic exenteration, 16 of them had early complications, the most common one was fever (14 cases). Fourteen of them had late complications, and the most common one was a urinary system infection (12 cases). (4) The median overall survival time was 26.0 months (range 3-44 months), the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 9.0 months (range 2-44 months). Among them, 13 patients received radiation therapy during the initial treatment, the median PFS time was 9.0 months (range 2-30 months); 4 patients did not receive radiation therapy in the initial treatment, the median PFS time was 10.5 months (range 2-44 months).Eleven patients received adjuvant therapy after pelvic exenteration, the median PFS time was 12.0 months (range 2-44 months); 6 patients did not receive adjuvant therapy, the median PFS time was 5.0 months (range 2-9 months).Conclusions:Pelvic exenteration has a wide range of operations, many postoperative complications, and high hospitalization costs. Adjuvant treatment after pelvic exenteration could improve the PFS time for some patients. Its clinical value and health economic value need to be further explored.

In recent years, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) keeps increasing. Siewert type II and type III AEG invades at 2-4 cm in the lower esophagus, and it has a higher rate of lower mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Lower mediastinal lymph node clearing through the abdomino-transhiatal (TH) approach is preferred, which can be accomplished by entering the lower mediastinum through the hiatus and mobilize the esophagus upward and the surrounding lymph and connective tissue for approximately 6.5 cm. Using the infracardiac bursa (IBC) as an anatomical landmark improves the safety and operability of the thorough dissection of the lower mediastinum. Total resection of the mesenterium at the esophagogastric junction can entirely dissect the lower mediastinal lymph nodes, which conforms to the safety principles in oncology.

In recent years, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) keeps increasing. Siewert type II and type III AEG invades at 2?4 cm in the lower esophagus, and it has a higher rate of lower mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Lower mediastinal lymph node clearing through the abdomino?transhiatal (TH) approach is preferred, which can be accomplished by entering the lower mediastinum through the hiatus and mobilize the esophagus upward and the surrounding lymph and connective tissue for approximately 6.5 cm. Using the infracardiac bursa (IBC) as an anatomical landmark improves the safety and operability of the thorough dissection of the lower mediastinum. Total resection of the mesenterium at the esophagogastric junction can entirely dissect the lower mediastinal lymph nodes, which conforms to the safety principles in oncology.

In recent years, the incidence of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) keeps increasing. Siewert type II and type III AEG invades at 2?4 cm in the lower esophagus, and it has a higher rate of lower mediastinal lymph node metastasis. Lower mediastinal lymph node clearing through the abdomino?transhiatal (TH) approach is preferred, which can be accomplished by entering the lower mediastinum through the hiatus and mobilize the esophagus upward and the surrounding lymph and connective tissue for approximately 6.5 cm. Using the infracardiac bursa (IBC) as an anatomical landmark improves the safety and operability of the thorough dissection of the lower mediastinum. Total resection of the mesenterium at the esophagogastric junction can entirely dissect the lower mediastinal lymph nodes, which conforms to the safety principles in oncology.

Objective To compare the dose distribution of postoperative plans with preoperative plans of 3D-printing template (coplanar and non-coplanar) assisted and CT-guided 125I seed implantation for the treatment of soft tissue sarcoma,and to explore the accuracy of treatment at dosimetry level.Methods From December 2015 to July 2017,19 patients with soft tissue sarcoma (a total of 25 lesions)were treated with 3D printing template assisted and CT-guided 125I seed implantation in Peking University Third Hospital.All patients underwent preoperative assessment,CT simulation orientation,preoperative planning,3D-template printing,3D-template reduction,needle and seed implantation,postoperative dosimetry assessment,postoperative care and follow-up.The preoperative and postoperative dosimetric parameters were conpared.Ten cases of soft tissue sarcoma in superficial trunk or limbs were screened.Preoperative planning of coplanar template and non-coplanar template were designed respectively.The dosimetric parameters of preoperative planning guided of two templates were compared.Results Twentyfive 3D-printing templates were designed and constructed,and 25 lesions were totalled.There was no statistical difference between preoperative and postoperative dosimetric parameters.There was no statistical difference of the preoperative plan's dosimetric parameters between coplanar and non-coplanar in soft tissue sarcoma of superficial trunk/limbs.Conclusions The validation of actual dose distribution in postoperative plans assisted by 3D-printing template in 125I seed implantation showed that most of parameters could meet the expectation of preoperative plans,which indicated the improvement in accuracy for this new modality.For soft tissue sarcoma located in the superficial trunk/limbs,it was recommended to select the 3D-printing coplanar template firstly.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of Catalyst system in patient positioning during breast cancer radiotherapy,and to analyze its correlation with age and body mass index (BMI).Methods Twenty-four patients with breast cancer who were admitted to our hospital from May to August,2016 were enrolled as subjects.For all patients,auxiliary positioning was made by the optical surface imaging system (CRad Catalyst) before each treatment.The kV-kV imaging was executed weekly to verify positioning.Age,BMI,and setup errors of the two systems in the anterior-posterior (AP),superior-inferior (SI),and left-fight (LR) directions were recorded and analyzed by independent samples t-test and Pearson correlation analysis.Results The C-Rad Catalyst system had a significantly larger setup error in the AP direction than the kV-kV imaging (0.22±0.17 vs.0.18±0.13 cm,P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in setup errors in the SI or LR direction between the two systems (0.23±0.18 vs.0.19±0.15 cm,P＞0.05;0.28±0.28 vs.0.20±0.15 cm,P＞ 0.05).Age and BMI of patients had significant impacts on the C-Rad Catalyst system but the kV-kV imaging (P＞0.05):there were significant differences in setup errors in the AP and SI directions between patients ≤44 years of age and those 45-59 years of age (all P＜0.05);there were significant differences in setup errors in the AP and LR directions between patients ≤44 years of age and those ≥60 years of age (all P＜0.05);there was a significant difference in setup error in the LR direction between patients 45-59 years of age and those ≥ 60 years of age (P＜0.05);there was a significant difference in setup error in the SI direction between patients with BMIs of＜ 25 and ≥ 25 kg/m2 (P＜ 0.05).For patients ≥ 60 years of age,setup error of the C-Rad Catalyst system in the SI direction was correlated with age (r=-0.496,P＜0.05).For patients with BMI of＜25 kg/m2,setup error of the C-Rad Catalyst system in the AP direction was correlated with BMI (r=-0.445,P＜ 0.05).For patients with a BMI of ≥ 25 kg/m2,setup error of the C-Rad Catalyst system in the SI direction was correlated with BMI (r=-0.252,P＜0.05).Conclusions There is significant difference in setup error in the AP direction between the C-Rad Catalyst system and the kV-kV imaging.Age and BMI have impacts on patient positioning by the C-Rad Catalyst system.