Objective:To investigate the effect of triglyceride-glucose(TyG) index and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) on brachial-ankle pulse wave conduction velocity(baPWV) in postmenopausal women.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 3 483 postmenopausal women who underwent health checkup at Taihu Sanatorium in Jiangsu Province from March 2020 to June 2021. The physical activity, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), ALP, and baPWV were collected.Results:Age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels were significantly lower in the normal baPWV group( n=1 971) than those in the elevated baPWV group( n=1 512; P<0.001). Logistic regression identified the TyG index( OR=1.75) and ALP level( OR=1.20) as independent risk factors for elevated baPWV( P<0.001), besides with age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and regular exercise. Individuals with both high TyG index and elevated ALP had a 2.51-fold higher risk of elevated baPWV(95% CI 2.01-3.14). Adjusted interaction measures(including age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and regular exercise) showed RERI=2.825(95% CI 1.255-3.905), AP=0.348(95% CI 0.180-0.875), and SI=1.657(95% CI 0.628-3.374). Conclusions:The TyG index and ALP levels are independent risk factors for elevated baPWV in postmenopausal women and exhibit an additive interaction effect on arterial stiffness in this population.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic impact of perineural invasion in patients with stageⅢ colon cancer and to clarify its guidance value for the duration of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:This study employed a retrospective cohort study method. It analyzed 426 patients with stageⅢ colon cancer who underwent radical surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, between April 2008 and June 2020. Inclusion criteria: patients received at least 3 months of adjuvant CapeOX therapy post-surgery, had complete pathological data, and were followed up for at least 12 months after the last chemotherapy. Among these patients, 231 were male, the median age was 59 (50~67) years, and 263 tumors were located in the right-sided colon. Postoperative pathology indicated that 107 cases (25.12%) had neural invasion, and 131 patients (30.75%) had vascular tumor thrombus. All patients received at least 4 cycles of postoperative CapeOX adjuvant chemotherapy, with 193 patients receiving 8 cycles and 233 patients receiving 4 to 7 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The study analyzed the impact of neural invasion status and the duration of adjuvant chemotherapy on disease-free survival (DFS). Furthermore, within subgroups stratified by different risk levels (referencing the criteria proposed by the IDEA study: high risk: T4, N2 or T4N2; low risk: T3N1) and different neural invasion statuses, the impact of the duration of adjuvant chemotherapy on prognosis was analyzed.Results:The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 94.00 months (55.27-128.80 months). Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that pathological T stage T4 (HR = 2.457, 95%CI: 1.499-4.029, P<0.001) and postoperative pathological confirmation of perineural invasion (HR = 2.465, 95% CI: 1.519-4.000, P<0.001) were independent adverse prognostic factors for 5-year DFS. In the perineural invasion-positive group, the 5-year DFS for patients who received 8 cycles of postoperative adjuvant CapeOX chemotherapy was 86.90%, compared to 58.22% for those who received 4-7 cycles, with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05). In the perineural invasion-negative group, the 5-year DFS for patients who received 8 cycles was 88.66%, compared to 90.99% for those who received 4-7 cycles, with no statistically significant differences ( P=0.929). Among IDEA high-risk patients with perineural invasion, the 5-year DFS was 91.81% for those who received 8 cycles versus 50.66% for those who received 4-7 cycles, showing a statistically significant difference ( P=0.003). In IDEA high-risk patients without perineural invasion, the 5-year DFS for those who received 8 cycles was 82.28% compared to 87.32% for those who received 4-7 cycles, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.806). In the IDEA low-risk patients, no differences were observed in the 5-year DFS between patients receiving 8 cycles and those receiving 4-7 cycles of adjuvant CapeOX chemotherapy in both perineural invasion-positive and negative subgroups (both P>0.05). Conclusion:Perineural invasion serves as a significant prognostic factor for 5-year DFS in stage Ⅲ colon cancer patients who have undergone radical surgery and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. It can also be considered an important reference factor in deciding the duration of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic impact of perineural invasion in patients with stageⅢ colon cancer and to clarify its guidance value for the duration of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:This study employed a retrospective cohort study method. It analyzed 426 patients with stageⅢ colon cancer who underwent radical surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center and Longyan First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, between April 2008 and June 2020. Inclusion criteria: patients received at least 3 months of adjuvant CapeOX therapy post-surgery, had complete pathological data, and were followed up for at least 12 months after the last chemotherapy. Among these patients, 231 were male, the median age was 59 (50~67) years, and 263 tumors were located in the right-sided colon. Postoperative pathology indicated that 107 cases (25.12%) had neural invasion, and 131 patients (30.75%) had vascular tumor thrombus. All patients received at least 4 cycles of postoperative CapeOX adjuvant chemotherapy, with 193 patients receiving 8 cycles and 233 patients receiving 4 to 7 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The study analyzed the impact of neural invasion status and the duration of adjuvant chemotherapy on disease-free survival (DFS). Furthermore, within subgroups stratified by different risk levels (referencing the criteria proposed by the IDEA study: high risk: T4, N2 or T4N2; low risk: T3N1) and different neural invasion statuses, the impact of the duration of adjuvant chemotherapy on prognosis was analyzed.Results:The median follow-up time for the entire cohort was 94.00 months (55.27-128.80 months). Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that pathological T stage T4 (HR = 2.457, 95%CI: 1.499-4.029, P<0.001) and postoperative pathological confirmation of perineural invasion (HR = 2.465, 95% CI: 1.519-4.000, P<0.001) were independent adverse prognostic factors for 5-year DFS. In the perineural invasion-positive group, the 5-year DFS for patients who received 8 cycles of postoperative adjuvant CapeOX chemotherapy was 86.90%, compared to 58.22% for those who received 4-7 cycles, with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05). In the perineural invasion-negative group, the 5-year DFS for patients who received 8 cycles was 88.66%, compared to 90.99% for those who received 4-7 cycles, with no statistically significant differences ( P=0.929). Among IDEA high-risk patients with perineural invasion, the 5-year DFS was 91.81% for those who received 8 cycles versus 50.66% for those who received 4-7 cycles, showing a statistically significant difference ( P=0.003). In IDEA high-risk patients without perineural invasion, the 5-year DFS for those who received 8 cycles was 82.28% compared to 87.32% for those who received 4-7 cycles, with no statistically significant difference ( P=0.806). In the IDEA low-risk patients, no differences were observed in the 5-year DFS between patients receiving 8 cycles and those receiving 4-7 cycles of adjuvant CapeOX chemotherapy in both perineural invasion-positive and negative subgroups (both P>0.05). Conclusion:Perineural invasion serves as a significant prognostic factor for 5-year DFS in stage Ⅲ colon cancer patients who have undergone radical surgery and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. It can also be considered an important reference factor in deciding the duration of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective:To investigate the effect of triglyceride-glucose(TyG) index and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) on brachial-ankle pulse wave conduction velocity(baPWV) in postmenopausal women.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 3 483 postmenopausal women who underwent health checkup at Taihu Sanatorium in Jiangsu Province from March 2020 to June 2021. The physical activity, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C), ALP, and baPWV were collected.Results:Age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and LDL-C levels were significantly lower in the normal baPWV group( n=1 971) than those in the elevated baPWV group( n=1 512; P<0.001). Logistic regression identified the TyG index( OR=1.75) and ALP level( OR=1.20) as independent risk factors for elevated baPWV( P<0.001), besides with age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and regular exercise. Individuals with both high TyG index and elevated ALP had a 2.51-fold higher risk of elevated baPWV(95% CI 2.01-3.14). Adjusted interaction measures(including age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and regular exercise) showed RERI=2.825(95% CI 1.255-3.905), AP=0.348(95% CI 0.180-0.875), and SI=1.657(95% CI 0.628-3.374). Conclusions:The TyG index and ALP levels are independent risk factors for elevated baPWV in postmenopausal women and exhibit an additive interaction effect on arterial stiffness in this population.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score and long-term survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.Methods:Clinical and pathological data of 487 patients diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma from October 2004 to April 2014 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center who had received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed and the impact of NAR score on prognosis studied. Disease-free-survival (DFS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and survivals compared using the log-rank test. Cox models were used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curves were utilized to evaluate the predictive capability of NAR and tumor regression grade scores for the risk of 10-year postoperative recurrence and metastasis. The Delong test was employed to compare the diagnostic performance of the two scores.Results:Of the 487 patients included in the study, 166 were men (34.1%). The median age was 56 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 46–63). All patients completed adequate preoperative chemoradiotherapy and underwent R0 resection.The median interval between the end of chemoradiotherapy and surgery was 51 days (IQR: 44–58). Post-chemoradiotherapy downstaging occurred in 329 patients (67.6%). Tumor regression grades (TRGs) were 1–2 in 246 patients (50.5%) and 3–4 in 241 patients (49.5%). A total of 394 patients (80.9%) received postoperative chemotherapy. NAR scores were <8 in 182 patients (37.4%), 8–16 in 180 (37.0%), and >16 in 125 (25.6%). The median follow-up time was 111.5 months (IQR: 70.7–133.7 months). One hundred and thirteen patients died of rectal cancer, among whom 13 patients developed local recurrence, 88 patients developed distant metastasis, and 12 patients had unknown recurrence patterns. The 10-year DFS and overall survival rate of f the whole group were 68.9% and 71.5% respectively. The 10-year DFS rates for patients with NAR scores <8, 8–16, and >16 were 85.1%, 80.5%, and 66.4%, respectively ( P<0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that the Dixon operation (HR=0.606, 95%CI: 0.408–0.902, P=0.014), and >16 (HR=2.569, 95%CI: 1.559–4.233, P<0.001) were independent predictors of the 10-year DFS of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer ( P<0.05 for all). In the entire patient cohort, the AUC of the receiver operating characteristic curve for NAR score predicting 10-year recurrence and metastasis was 0.67 (95%CI: 0.62–0.72), whereas the AUC for TRG score was 0.54 (95%CI: 0.49–0.60). The two scores differed significantly in accuracy ( Z=-4.06, P<0.001), the NAR score being a significantly better predictor of risk of 10-year recurrence and metastasis than the TRG score. Conclusion:The NAR score is a reliable predictor of 10-year DFS in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by curative surgery.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score and long-term survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.Methods:Clinical and pathological data of 487 patients diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma from October 2004 to April 2014 at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center who had received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed and the impact of NAR score on prognosis studied. Disease-free-survival (DFS) was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and survivals compared using the log-rank test. Cox models were used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Receiver operating characteristic curves were utilized to evaluate the predictive capability of NAR and tumor regression grade scores for the risk of 10-year postoperative recurrence and metastasis. The Delong test was employed to compare the diagnostic performance of the two scores.Results:Of the 487 patients included in the study, 166 were men (34.1%). The median age was 56 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 46–63). All patients completed adequate preoperative chemoradiotherapy and underwent R0 resection.The median interval between the end of chemoradiotherapy and surgery was 51 days (IQR: 44–58). Post-chemoradiotherapy downstaging occurred in 329 patients (67.6%). Tumor regression grades (TRGs) were 1–2 in 246 patients (50.5%) and 3–4 in 241 patients (49.5%). A total of 394 patients (80.9%) received postoperative chemotherapy. NAR scores were <8 in 182 patients (37.4%), 8–16 in 180 (37.0%), and >16 in 125 (25.6%). The median follow-up time was 111.5 months (IQR: 70.7–133.7 months). One hundred and thirteen patients died of rectal cancer, among whom 13 patients developed local recurrence, 88 patients developed distant metastasis, and 12 patients had unknown recurrence patterns. The 10-year DFS and overall survival rate of f the whole group were 68.9% and 71.5% respectively. The 10-year DFS rates for patients with NAR scores <8, 8–16, and >16 were 85.1%, 80.5%, and 66.4%, respectively ( P<0.001). Multivariate analyses revealed that the Dixon operation (HR=0.606, 95%CI: 0.408–0.902, P=0.014), and >16 (HR=2.569, 95%CI: 1.559–4.233, P<0.001) were independent predictors of the 10-year DFS of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer ( P<0.05 for all). In the entire patient cohort, the AUC of the receiver operating characteristic curve for NAR score predicting 10-year recurrence and metastasis was 0.67 (95%CI: 0.62–0.72), whereas the AUC for TRG score was 0.54 (95%CI: 0.49–0.60). The two scores differed significantly in accuracy ( Z=-4.06, P<0.001), the NAR score being a significantly better predictor of risk of 10-year recurrence and metastasis than the TRG score. Conclusion:The NAR score is a reliable predictor of 10-year DFS in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who have undergone neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by curative surgery.

P21-activated kinase 5 (PAK5) belongs to the PAK-II subfamily, which is an important regulator of cell survival, adhesion, and motility. However, the functions of PAK5 in endometriosis remain unclear. Here, PAK5 is strikingly upregulated in endometriosis. Furthermore, the knockdown of PAK5 or its inhibitor GNE 2861 blocks the development of endometriosis, which is equally demonstrated in PAK5-knockout mice. In addition, PAK5 promotes glycolysis by enhancing the protein stability of pyruvate kinase 2 (PKM2) in endometriotic cells, which is a key enzyme for glucose metabolism. Moreover, the phosphorylation of PKM2 at Ser519 by PAK5 mediates endometriosis cell proliferation and metastasis. Collectively, PAK5 plays an indispensable role in endometriosis. Our findings demonstrate that PAK5 is an important target for the treatment of endometriosis.
Endometriosis/genetics* ; Female ; Animals ; p21-Activated Kinases/genetics* ; Mice ; Phosphorylation ; Glycolysis ; Humans ; Thyroid Hormone-Binding Proteins ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Carrier Proteins/genetics* ; Cell Proliferation ; Mice, Knockout ; Thyroid Hormones/metabolism* ; Pyruvate Kinase/genetics*

Objective: To study the infection rate of secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients, and assess the infection risk in the contacts. Methods: COVID-19 patients' close contacts (with a clear exposure time to index case) with negative nucleic acid test results and secondary close contacts were surveyed in continuous isolation and medical observation in this prospective study. The dynamic nucleic acid test results of the close contacts and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients were collected to assess their risk of infection. Results: A total of 4 533 close contacts were surveyed, in whom 14 were confirmed as COVID-19 patients with overall secondary attack rate of 0.31%, and 4 201 secondary contacts were tracked, in whom no subsequent infections occurred. Conclusion: Close contacts of COVID-19 patients entered in centralized isolation for medical observation with negative nucleic acid tese results,the secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients have no risk of infection.
COVID-19/epidemiology* ; Contact Tracing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nucleic Acids ; Prospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2

Objective:To explore the relationship of cardiovascular health behavior and factors with development of bone mass loss and postmenopausal osteoporosis in Suxichang area of Jiangsu province.Methods:In the across sectional study, a total of 2 423 postmenopausal women receiving health check-up from March 2019 to June 2020 in our hospital were enrolled.The seven variable factors included cardiovascular health behavior(body mass index, exercise, healthy diet and smoking state)and cardiovascular health-influencing factors(blood pressure, fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol). The information of the seven factors and bone mineral density were recorded.The seven factors were classified as ideal, average and poor, according to the level of bone mineral density.All individuals were divided into three groups: normal bone mass(n=1 305), osteopenia(n=290)and osteoporosis(n=828).Results:There were statistically significant differences in age, fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and exercise between osteoporosis and normal bone mass group( P<0.05). As the number of ideal cardiovascular health behaviors and factors increased, the proportion of bone mass loss and osteoporosis gradually decreased( P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that ageing, increased total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose levels were the independent risk factors of osteoporosis.The exercise and normal body mass index were the protective factors for osteoporosis.For each 1 unit increment in age, total cholesterol, body mass index and fasting blood glucose, the OR values for bone mineral density decrement by 1 grade were 1.17, 1.25, 0.92 and 1.23, respectively(all P<0.05). The OR value for bone mineral density decrement by 1 grade was 0.58( P<0.05)when exercise decreased by 1 grade. Conclusions:Postmenopausal women should positively control the levels of total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose, maintain reasonable body weight and conduct regular exercise, which are conductive to the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.