Objective To evaluate a new TNM staging system inclusive of intraperitoneal free cancer cells in terms of postoperative survival of patients with gastric cancer. Methods Free cancer cells (FCC) in the peritoneal washes of gastric cancer patients were estimated by measuring CEA mRNA levels using real-time RT-PCR. After 5-year follow-up, we get the cut-off value of CEA mRNA level by using MedCalc software to analyze the ROC curve. When CEA levels are more than the cut-off value, it may considered as FCC(+), and then using FCC(+) as distant metastasis (MI) to make a new TNM staging and analyze patients life-span. Results (1) Under the ROC curve analysis, when the cut-off value of CEA mHNA level was at 31.21 copies/ml, the Youden's index is the highest. (2) When FCC (+) considered as M1 to make a new TNM staging, the 5-year survival rate showed as below: Ⅰ-Ⅱ, P=0. 134; stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ P=0.004 and Ⅲ-Ⅳ P=0.022,repecetively. Conclusion (1) The best cut-off value of CEA mRNA levels for FCC in peritoneal washes is 31.2 copies/ml. (2) Our study demonstrated that application of FCC(+) in the TNM staging may have a better estimation of prognosis of patients suffering from advanced gastric cancer.

Objective To establish a more sensitive method to detect free cancer cells in peritoneal washings of gastric cancer cases during surgery. Methods The CEAmRNA levels in peritoneal washings in 65 cases of gastric cancer were detected by Real-time RT-PCR. PLC was applied simultaneously to detect free cancer cells. Negative controls included the peritoneal washings from 5 cases of benign gastric diseases and the blood samples from 5 cases of healthy adult volunteers. Results (1)CEAmRNA was not found in peritoneal washings in benign gastric diseases and in blood of healthy adult volunteers. (2)The positive percentage of free cancer cells detected by Real-time RT-PCR was 47.7%, while PLC′s was only 12.3%.(3)The positive rate of CEAmRNA showed a significant difference between gastric cancer with serosal invasion and without serosa invasion groups, between peritoneal metastasis group and no peritoneal metastasis groups, and also between stages I+II and III+IV diseases(all P

Objective To investigate bone mineral density-related factors to decrease the prevalence of osteoporosis. Methods This croas-sectional survey enrolled 46 219 adults less than 60 years old. Anthropometry, blood pressure, serum lipid, glucose, electrolytes, uric acid and homocysteine were detected. Bone mineral density (BMD) of distal forearm was measured by using peripheral dual energy-ray detector (MestriscanTM). Our data were analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results All BMD-related factors except age showed significant difference between male and female. BMD of female subjects was lower than that of male participants (0.50±0. 15 vs 0. 54 ±0. 15,t = 22. 38 ,P < 0. 05 ). The prevalence of osteoporosis in female was higher ( 29. 51% vs 26. 48%, χ2 =47.90,P <0. 05). BMD increased with age before 40-year old, and then decreased more rapidly in female after 50-year old. Conclusion BMD of male is higher. Cigarette smoking, waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, serum sodium, total cholesterol, and ALP were negatively correlated with BMD.

Objective To explore the belief about medicines in patients with treatment-resistant de-pression ( TRD) and its influencing factors. Methods 106 patients with TRD were recruited to complete the survey of demographic characteristics,Hamilton Depression Scale-17 ( HAMD-17) and belief about Med-icine Questionnaire-Specific ( BMQ-S) . Results ①The score of BMQ-s was higher in TRD patients with medical insurance than that of patients with self-funded(rural social insurance(1.11±0.96),medical insur-ance(0.84±1.33),self expense(0.13±1.72),F=2.81,P<0.01).The score of BMQ-s was higher in TRD pa-tients with serious depression than that of patients with mild to moderate depression((1.07±1.19),(0.34± 1.41),t=2.77,P<0.01).The score of BMQ-s was higher in TRD patients with fewer episodes of depression than that of patients with more episodes of depression (0 time(1.10±0.99),once and twice(0.95±1.31),3 times and above(0.31±1.56),F=3.42,P<0.05).The score of BMQ-s was higher in TRD patients without stigma than those with stigma((1.03±1.21),(0.34±1.43),t=2.58,P<0.01).The score of BMQ-s was high-er in TRD patients with more knowledge about the antidepressant than that of patients with less knowledge (most of understanding(1.21±1.09),part of understanding(0.54±1.32),hardly understanding(0.33± 1.63) ,F=3.69,P<0.01) . The score of BMQ-s was higher in TRD patients without side effects of antidepres-sant than those with side effects ((1.04±1.24),(0.19±1.35),t=2.96,P<0.01). ②Stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis showed that payment methods,knowledge about the antidepressant,stigma about the antidepressant and episodes of depression were the influencing factors of BMQ-S in patients with TRD( all P<0.01) . Conclusion Different demographic characteristics and clinical features have different beliefs about antidepressant medication in patients with TRD.The payment methods,knowledge about the antidepressant, stigma about the antidepressant and episodes of depression are the influencing factors of BMQ in patients with TRD.

Objective To describe the epidemiological characteristics of cervical spine fracture combined with trauma cervical spinal cord injury (TCSCI) in Guangxi province. Methods A total of 385 patients met the inclusion criteria were enrolled for retrospective investigation. Detailed information included age, sex, marital status, occupation, date of admission, mechanisms of trauma, level of injury, ASIA grade, concomitant injuries, length of hospital stay, complications, and mortality. Results The ratio of Male/Female was 4.4:1. The average age of the patients was 47.9 years, and 88.8％ of the patients were married. 72.9％ of TCSCI occurred between the age of 35-64 years. Farmers accounted for the largest number of patients with TCSCIs, and 63％ of patients with TCSCI were caused by falling. The damage was located at the C3-C5 level, accounting for 63.8％. More than half of the patients with CSCI had brain injury. The most common complication was respiratory infection (54.5％). Among the injury levels, the proportions of ASIA grade A, B, C, and D were 34.8％, 8.5％, 35.5％, and 21％, respectively. During the treatment, 58 patients required cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and 36 patients required mechanical ventilation. The average length of hospital stay was (26.5±21.6) d. Of the 375 patients discharged from the hospital, 51.2％ patients had no improvement in the muscle strength. Conclusions Falling is the main cause of CSCI and men are more likely to be exposed to the injury. Patients with TCSCI have long treatment time and poor treatment results. Additionally, complications during the treatment should not be ignored.

Objective To evaluate and compare the analytical performances and application values of three nucleic acid extraction methods for quantification of plasma Epstein-Barr Virus ( EBV ) DNA. Methods It used silica membrane spin column , boiling and automated magnetic bead method to extract viral nucleic acid in parallel , and combined real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assays for quantitative EBV-DNA quantification.The performances of three methods were determined and compared by using the third-party reference materials , and the clinical values were analyzed by pairing detecting 100 NPC patients and 100 healthy subjects in pair .Results The accuracy and imprecision of three methods were all in line with requirements , and the results of clinical samples were linearly correlated . But actually the reproducibility and intermediate imprecision of the magnetic bead method were smaller and stable than those of the spin column method and the boiling method ( all <3％);the limit of detection for the magnetic bead method was 3.334 ×101 IU/ml, better than that of spin column method (4.159 ×101 IU/ml) and boiling method (8.511 ×101 IU/ml);the linear range of the magnetic bead method was 5.4 ×101 -5.4 ×105 IU/ml, slightly wider than that of the boiling method (5.4 ×102 -5.4 ×105 IU/ml); the ability of anti -Hb interference ability of magnetic bead method is better than that of boiling method ;and the positive rate and the mean viral load of the NPC samples measured with the magnetic bead method were significantly higher (95％, 8.342 ×103 IU/ml) than those measured with the spin column method (84％, 4.707 ×103 IU/ml) and the boiling method (78％, 2.571 ×103 IU/ml) ( P all<0.05).Conclusion The automated magnetic bead nucleic acid extraction method offered better analytical performance and higher clinical value for EBV DNA quantification in plasma .

Objective:To investigate the early evaluation potential of serum levels of apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 (Apo B/A1), microtubule-associated protein 1-light chain 3 (MAP1-LC3) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in acute pancreatitis (AP) patients.Methods:A total of 413 AP patients who were treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University between January 2019 and August 2020 were enrolled. Serum samples were collected from AP patients within 24 h of admission. Patients were divided into the non-severe acute pancreatitis (Non-SAP, n=315) and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP, n=98) groups according to the severity of the disease. Sixty healthy controls were recruited. The differences of serum Apo B/A1, MAP1-LC3 and ICAM-1 among the three groups were compared by one-way analysis of variance, and the correlation between Apo B/A1, MAP1-LC3 and ICAM-1 and the severity of AP was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. Sensitivity and specificity in assessing AP severity were predicted by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results:The early levels of Apo B/A1, MAP1-LC3 and ICAM-1 were all significantly higher for AP patients than for healthy controls ( P<0.05), and the levels of Apo B/A1, MAP1-LC3 and ICAM-1 in SAP patients were significantly higher than those in non-SAP patients[Apo B/A1: 2.21±1.40 vs. (0.96±0.34); MAP1-LC3: 0.92±0.29 vs. (0.48±0.24) ng/mL and ICAM-1: (235.57±54.50 ) vs. (120.28±61.69)ng/mL; P<0.05]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that levels of Apo B/A1, MAP1-LC3 and ICAM-1 were positively correlated with the first Ranson score after admission ( P<0.05), and ICAM-1 showed the highest degree of correlation with AP severity ( r=0.519). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) were 0.769 for Apo B/A1, 0.811 for MAP1-LC3, 0.828 for ICAM-1, and 0.938 for combined detection. Conclusions:Serum levels of Apo B/A1, MAP1-LC3 and ICAM-1 within 24 h after admission are significantly correlated with the severity of AP, which has clinical significance for early prediction of the severity of AP.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the relationship between the pathological features and 64-multislice spiral computed tomography (64-MSCT) findings of pulmonary nodules in autopsies from patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), to investigate the optimal imaging method for the distribution of pulmonary nodules, and to provide data for the establishment of CT diagnostic criteria for CWP.

METHODSCadaveric lung specimens were collected from 7 CWP patients. All of them were men, aged 42∼77 years (mean, 60.00±13.00 years), and their dust exposure time was 5∼30 years (mean, 15.4±8.01 years). The cadaveric lung specimens were treated by aeration, sectioning, and immobilization and were then examined by coronary 64-MSCT. The primitive images were reconstructed into the maximumintensity projection (MIP) images (slice thickness: 3 mm, 5 mm, and 8 mm). The sensitivities of imaging methods with different slice thickness were evaluated based on the pathology and anatomy of local pulmonary nodules, and the correlation between pathological results and radiological findings was analyzed.

RESULTSThere were significant differences between the stages determined by pathological examination and high-kV chest radiography (before death) (χ(2) = 4.667, P < 0.05; kappa value = 0.167, P < 0.05). A total of 271 nodules were found in all pathological sections, including peribronchovascular nodules (27, 9.9%), centrilobular nodules (67, 24.6%), interlobular nodules (65, 24.3%), nodules within 5 mm from the pleura (45, 16.5%), pleural plaque-like nodules on the lateral chest wall (45, 16.5%), and nodules on the interlobar pleura (22, 8.1%). The likelihood ratio was the highest (0.981) between 5-mm MIP images and pathological results according to the chi-square test.

CONCLUSIONThe stage of pulmonary nodules determined by pathological examination is significantly different from that determined by high-kV chest radiography. The 5-mm MIP images of 64-MSCT provide a good reflection of the local pathology and anatomy of pulmonary nodules in CWP patients.

Aged ; Anthracosis ; pathology ; Coal ; Coal Mining ; Dust ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pleural Diseases ; pathology ; Tomography, Spiral Computed

Objective:To investigate the relationship between dosimetric parameters and tumor volume change after 125I implantation for thyroid cancer and obtain better dosimetric parameters that predict the curative effect more accurately. Methods:A total of 22 consecutive patients with thyroid cancer (23 targets) who received 125I interstitial brachytherapy in Department of Oncology, Hebei General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients received post-operative dose verification, and the D 90 (Minimum dose received by 90% target volume) was calculated. After a regular follow-up, the tumor volume reduction ratio after t months (R t) , actual absorbed dose (D 1m) , efficacy corrected absorbed dose (D 1e) , and sensitivity corrected absorbed dose (D 1s) of the first month were calculated according to the actual follow-up CT images. The statistical test was carried out by SPSS21.0. The Spearman linear analysis was applied to analyze the relationship between D 90, D 1m, D 1e, D 1s and R t, and the curve fitting was also completed. Results:The post-operative D 90, D 1m, D 1e, D 1s and R t were (129.73±14.22) Gy, (36.95±7.35) Gy, (43.45±11.32) Gy, (41.78±13.39) Gy, and (32.00±19.00) %, respectively. And the correlation coefficient were 0.692, 0.551, 0.728, and 0.858, respectively, which showed significant positive relevance between dosimetric parameters and tumor volume change ( P<0.01) , the curve fitting presented cubic function. Conclusion:The post-operative D 90, D 1m, D 1e, and D 1s can be predictors for curative effect, and D 1s is the best predictor.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of radiation pneumonitis (RP) induced by 125I seed implantation for the treatment of malignant lung tumors and analyze related dosimetric parameters. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 cases of malignant lung tumors treated with 125I seed implantation from January 2017 to December 2022 at Hebei Provincial Tumor Radioactive Seeds Implantation Diagnosis and Treatment Center. These cases consisted of eight patients with squamous cell carcinoma, 10 patients with adenocarcinoma, and 13 patients with metastatic cancer in other sites. At 1-6 months after treatment, these patients received postoperative chest CT scans, with the efficacy evaluated based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 (RECIST 1.1), including the objective response rate (ORR) and the disease control rate (DCR). The efficacy of RP was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) criteria. Postoperative dosimetric parameters, including D90 (minimum peripheral dose received by 90% of the target volume), V8 (percentage of lung volume receiving 8 Gy), V32 (percentage of lung volume receiving 32 Gy), and Dmean (mean radiation dose) of the affected lung, were statistically analyzed. The relationships of the RP occurrence with postoperative D90, V8, V32, and Dmean were analyzed by comparison with relevant external radiotherapy data, to identify the parameters that are correlated closely with RP occurrence. Results:All the patients underwent successful surgeries. The postoperative efficacy evaluation after six months showed complete response (CR) in 11 cases, partial response (PR) in 11 cases, stable disease (SD) in eight cases, and progressive disease (PD) in one case, with an overall response rate (ORR) of 71.0%, and a disease control rate (DCR) of 96.8%. Three patients suffered RP, with an incidence rate of 9.7%. Postoperative V8, V32, and Dmean could not serve as predictive indicators for RP. Follow-up observation revealed that three RP cases (3/5) exhibited postoperative D90 exceeding 170 Gy and no RP cases (0/26) showed postoperative D90 below 170 Gy. Conclusions:In the treatment of malignant lung tumors with 125I seed implantation, there is a certain correlation between RP and postoperative D90, while there is no correlation between it and V8, V32, and Dmean.