1.The impact of short-course total neoadjuvant therapy, long-course chemoradiotherapy, and upfront surgery on the technical difficulty of total mesorectal excision: an observational study with an intraoperative perspective
Cheryl Xi-Zi CHONG ; Frederick H. KOH ; Hui-Lin TAN ; Sharmini Su SIVARAJAH ; Jia-Lin NG ; Leonard Ming-Li HO ; Darius Kang-Lie AW ; Wen-Hsin KOO ; Shuting HAN ; Si-Lin KOO ; Connie Siew-Poh YIP ; Fu-Qiang WANG ; Fung-Joon FOO ; Winson Jianhong TAN
Annals of Coloproctology 2024;40(5):451-458
Purpose:
Total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) is becoming the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, surgery is deferred for months after completion, which may lead to fibrosis and increased surgical difficulty. The aim of this study was to assess whether TNT (TNT-RAPIDO) is associated with increased difficulty of total mesorectal excision (TME) compared with long-course chemoradiotherapy (LCRT) and upfront surgery.
Methods:
Twelve laparoscopic videos of low anterior resection with TME for rectal cancer were prospectively collected from January 2020 to October 2021, with 4 videos in each arm. Seven colorectal surgeons assessed the videos independently, graded the difficulty of TME using a visual analog scale and attempted to identify which category the videos belonged to.
Results:
The median age was 67 years, and 10 patients were male. The median interval to surgery from radiotherapy was 13 weeks in the LCRT group and 24 weeks in the TNT-RAPIDO group. There was no significant difference in the visual analog scale for difficulty in TME between the 3 groups (LCRT, 3.2; TNT-RAPIDO, 4.6; upfront, 4.1; P=0.12). A subgroup analysis showed similar difficulty between groups (LCRT 3.2 vs. TNT-RAPIDO 4.6, P=0.05; TNT-RAPIDO 4.6 vs. upfront 4.1, P=0.54). During video assessments, surgeons correctly identified the prior treatment modality in 42% of the cases. TNT-RAPIDO videos had the highest recognition rate (71%), significantly outperforming both LCRT (29%) and upfront surgery (25%, P=0.01).
Conclusion
TNT does not appear to increase the surgical difficulty of TME.
3.Clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of ELOC mutated renal cell carcinoma.
Z WEN ; W H ZHANG ; J Y LIANG ; J CHAI ; Y M WANG ; W N XU ; Z WANG ; L N FAN
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2023;52(12):1204-1209
Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, molecular genetic features, differential diagnosis and prognosis of ELOC mutated renal cell carcinoma. Methods: From January 2015 to June 2022, 11 cases of renal cell carcinoma with clear-cell morphology, expression of CAⅨ and CK7 and no 3p deletion were collected. Two cases of ELOC mutant renal cell carcinoma were diagnosed using whole exome sequencing (WES). The clinical features, morphology, immunophenotype, FISH and WES results were analyzed. The relevant literature was reviewed. Results: The two patients were both male, aged 29 and 51 years, respectively. They were both found to have a renal mass by physical examination. The maximum diameters of the tumors were 3.5 cm and 2.0 cm, respectively. At the low magnification, the tumors were well-defined. The tumor cells showed a pushing border and were separated by thick fibrous bands, forming nodules. The tumor cells were arranged in a variety of patterns, including tubular, papillary, solid nest or alveolar. At high magnification, the tumor cells were large, with well-defined cell borders and clear cytoplasm or fine eosinophilic granules. CAⅨ was diffusely box-like positive in both cases. Case 1 was partially and moderately positive for CK7, strongly positive for CD10, diffusely and moderately positive for P504S, and weakly positive for 34βE12. In case 2, CK7 and CD10 were both partially, moderately positive and P504s were diffusely positive, but 34βE12 was negative. FISH results showed that both cases had no 3p deletion. ELOC c.235T>A (p.Y79N) mutation was identified using WES in case 1, while ELOC c.236_237inv (p.Y79C) mutation was identified in case 2. Conclusions: As a new clinical entity, ELOC mutated renal cell carcinoma may be underdiagnosed due to its overlap with clear cell renal cell carcinoma in morphology and immunophenotype. The diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma with ELOC mutation should be confirmed by morphology, immunohistochemistry, FISH and gene mutation detection. However, more additional cases are needed to explain its biological behavior and prognosis.
Humans
;
Male
;
Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics*
;
Carcinoma, Renal Cell/pathology*
;
Chromosome Aberrations
;
Kidney Neoplasms/pathology*
;
Molecular Biology
;
Mutation
;
Prognosis
4.Assessing the Practical Differences in LDL-C Estimates Calculated by Friedewald, Martin/Hopkins, or NIH Equation 2: An Observation CrossSectional Study
Inga WANG ; Mohammad H RAHMAN ; Stephen HOU ; Hui-Wen LIN
Journal of Lipid and Atherosclerosis 2023;12(3):252-266
Objective:
Low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) remains a clinically important cholesterol target in primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to assess the practical differences among three equations utilized for the estimation of LDL-C: the Friedewald, the Martin/Hopkins, and the NIH equation 2.
Methods:
Blood lipid measurements from 4,556 noninstitutionalized participants, aged 12 to 80, were obtained from the 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey study. We 1) assessed the differences between three calculated LDL-C estimates, 2) examined the correlations between LDL-C estimates using correlation coefficients and regression, and 3) investigated the degree of agreement in classifying individuals into the LDL-C category using weighted Kappa and percentage of agreement.
Results:
The differences in LDL-C estimates between equations varied by sex and triglyceride levels (p<0.001). Overall, the mean of absolute differences between Friedewald and Martin/ Hopkins was 3.17 mg/dL (median=2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] [3.07–3.27]). The mean of absolute differences between Friedewald and NIH Equation 2 was 2.08 mg/dL (median=2.0, 95% CI [2.03–2.14]). Friedewald correlated highly with Martin/Hopkins (r=0.991, rho=0.989) and NIH Equation 2 (r=0.998, rho=0.997). Cohen’s weighted Kappa=0.92 between Friedewald and Martin/Hopkins, and 0.95 between Friedewald and NIH equation 2. The percentage of agreement in classifying individuals into the same LDL-C category was 93.0% between Friedewald and Martin/Hopkins, and 95.4% between Friedewald and NIH equation 2.
Conclusion
Understanding the practical differences in LDL-C calculations can be helpful in facilitating decision-making during a paradigm shift.
5.Indigenous microbiota protects development of medication-related osteonecrosis induced by periapical disease in mice.
Wen DU ; Mengyu YANG ; Terresa KIM ; Sol KIM ; Drake W WILLIAMS ; Maryam ESMAEILI ; Christine HONG ; Ki-Hyuk SHIN ; Mo K KANG ; No-Hee PARK ; Reuben H KIM
International Journal of Oral Science 2022;14(1):16-16
Bacterial infection is a common finding in patients, who develop medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) by the long-term and/or high-dose use of anti-resorptive agents such as bisphosphonate (BPs). However, pathological role of bacteria in MRONJ development at the early stage remains controversial. Here, we demonstrated that commensal microbiota protects against MRONJ development in the pulp-exposed periapical periodontitis mouse model. C57/BL6 female mice were treated with intragastric broad-spectrum antibiotics for 1 week. Zoledronic acid (ZOL) through intravenous injection and antibiotics in drinking water were administered for throughout the experiment. Pulp was exposed on the left maxillary first molar, then the mice were left for 5 weeks after which bilateral maxillary first molar was extracted and mice were left for additional 3 weeks to heal. All mice were harvested, and cecum, maxilla, and femurs were collected. ONJ development was assessed using μCT and histologic analyses. When antibiotic was treated in mice, these mice had no weight changes, but developed significantly enlarged ceca compared to the control group (CTL mice). Periapical bone resorption prior to the tooth extraction was similarly prevented when treated with antibiotics, which was confirmed by decreased osteoclasts and inflammation. ZOL treatment with pulp exposure significantly increased bone necrosis as determined by empty lacunae and necrotic bone amount. Furthermore, antibiotics treatment could further exacerbate bone necrosis, with increased osteoclast number. Our findings suggest that the commensal microbiome may play protective role, rather than pathological role, in the early stages of MRONJ development.
Animals
;
Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw/prevention & control*
;
Bone Density Conservation Agents
;
Diphosphonates
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Mice
;
Microbiota
;
Periapical Diseases
;
Zoledronic Acid
6.Characteristics of immune function of full-term infants with different feeding patterns at the age of 3 months: a prospective cohort study.
Jing-Ran MA ; Zheng-Hong LI ; Wen-Juan ZHANG ; Chun-Li ZHANG ; Yu-Heng ZHANG ; Hua MEI ; Na ZHUO ; Hong-Yun WANG ; Dan WU
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2021;23(10):1002-1007
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the characteristics of immune function of healthy full-term infants at the age of 3 months, and to analyze the relationship of immune function with feeding pattern and sex.
METHODS:
A total of 84 healthy full-term infants born in four hospitals in Beijing and Hohhot, China were prospectively recruited. Their feeding patterns remained unchanged within 4 months after birth. They were divided into a breast-feeding group and a milk powder feeding group according to their feeding patterns. At the age of 3 months after birth, peripheral venous blood samples of the two groups were collected to evaluate cellular immunity and humoral immunity and perform routine blood test. The laboratory indices were compared between infants with different feeding patterns and sexes.
RESULTS:
Compared with the milk powder feeding group, the breast-feeding group had significantly lower proportion of T cell second signal receptor CD28, immunoglobulin M, and proportion and absolute count of neutrophils (
CONCLUSIONS
Sex has no significant effect on the proportion of lymphocyte subsets in 3-month-old full-term infants, but feeding patterns are associated with the proportion of CD28
Breast Feeding
;
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
;
Female
;
HLA-DR Antigens
;
Humans
;
Infant
;
Lymphocyte Activation
;
Male
;
Prospective Studies
7.Urodynamic assessment of bladder storage function after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer.
Ting-Ting CAO ; Hong-Wu WEN ; Yu-Nong GAO ; Qiu-Bo LYU ; Hui-Xin LIU ; Sha WANG ; Shi-Yan WANG ; Hua-Xin SUN ; Na YU ; Hai-Bo WANG ; Yi LI ; Zhi-Qi WANG ; Olivia H CHANG ; Xiu-Li SUN ; Jian-Liu WANG
Chinese Medical Journal 2020;133(19):2274-2280
BACKGROUND:
After radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer, the most common complication is lower urinary tract symptoms. Post-operatively, bladder capacity can alter bladder function for a prolonged period. This study aimed to identify factors affecting bladder storage function.
METHODS:
A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted. Information of patients with stages IA2 to IIB cervical cancer with urodynamic study results were retrospectively collected from nine hospitals between June 2013 and June 2018 according to the inclusion criteria. Demographic, surgical, and oncological data were collected. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify clinical factors associated with bladder storage function.
RESULTS:
Two hundred and three patients with cervical cancer had urodynamic testing post-operatively. Ninety-five (46.8%) patients were diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The incidence of low bladder compliance (LBC) was 23.2%. Twenty-seven (13.3%) patients showed detrusor overactivity (DO). Fifty-seven patients (28.1%) presented with a decreased maximum cystometric capacity (DMCC). The probability of composite bladder storage dysfunction was 68.0%. Multivariate analysis confirmed that laparoscopy represents a protective factor for SUI with an odds ratio of 0.498 (P = 0.034). Patients who underwent a nerve-sparing procedure were less odds to experience SUI (P = 0.014). A significant positive correlation between LBC and DO was observed (P < 0.001). A greater length of the resected vagina and chemoradiotherapy were common risk factors for LBC and DO, while radiotherapy exerted a stronger effect than chemotherapy. Additionally, patients who received chemoradiotherapy frequently developed a DMCC. The follow-up time was not correlated with bladder storage function.
CONCLUSION
A nerve-sparing procedure without longer resected vagina is recommended for protecting the bladder storage function.
8.Impact of a pharmacy-led smoking cessation clinic in a dermatology centre.
Hui Mei CHENG ; Wen Chun LIU ; Germaine CHUA ; Choon Fong LIEW ; Winnie LI ; Winnie CHOO ; Hazel H OON
Singapore medical journal 2019;60(1):31-33
INTRODUCTION:
Cigarette smoking is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and has a deleterious effect on dermatological conditions, such as skin cancers, hidradenitis suppurativa and psoriasis. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a pharmacist-led smoking cessation clinic in reducing cigarette smoking at a tertiary referral dermatology centre. We described the impact of this clinic to provide guidance on how such a model could be further improved and implemented more widely.
METHODS:
In this single-centre, retrospective study, 74 currently smoking patients who received counselling at a structured smoking cessation clinic between January 2010 and March 2013 were identified. Information on baseline demographic characteristics and detailed past medical history, including smoking history, was collected. Follow-up was conducted at two weeks and three months.
RESULTS:
At the first follow-up at two weeks, which was attended by 57 patients, 9 (15.8%) had stopped smoking and 26 (45.6%) showed reduction in the number of cigarette sticks smoked per day, with an average reduction of 4.1 cigarette sticks per day. However, a few patients also reported no change or increased number of cigarette sticks smoked per day following counselling.
CONCLUSION
A structured pharmacist-led smoking cessation clinic is effective and can be made a part of the holistic management of dermatological conditions.
Adolescent
;
Adult
;
Dermatology
;
organization & administration
;
Female
;
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
;
complications
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Middle Aged
;
Program Development
;
Psoriasis
;
complications
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Skin Neoplasms
;
complications
;
Smoking Cessation
;
methods
;
Tobacco Use Disorder
;
therapy
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Young Adult
9.Effect of influenza and 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccinations on elderly with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases: a community-based intervention study.
Y WEN ; L HE ; Y ZHAI ; J WU ; Y Y CHEN ; H WANG ; Q Q ZONG ; X F LIANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2018;39(6):792-798
Objective: To explore the effect of influenza and 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccinations on symptom-improvement among elderly with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Methods: Data was gathered from 4 communities in 3 National Demonstration Areas set for comprehensive prevention and control of chronic non- communicable diseases in Chongqing city and Ningbo city respectively, from November 2013 to October 2014. The communities were selected by cluster sampling and divided into 4 groups: (1) injected influenza vaccines; (2) injected with pneumococcal vaccines; (3) received both of the two vaccines; (4) the control group that without any intervention measures. All the subjects aged from 60 to 75 were selected to fill in demographic information questionnaire and receive (COPD assessment test, CAT) scores twice, before intervention and 1 year after the vaccination. SAS 9.4 software was used to analyze the change of symptoms and CAT scores before and after the intervention program and comparing the improvement on symptoms among the elderly people under study. Results: A total of 1 244 subjects with nearly same baseline conditions after the propensity score matching, were involved in this study. CAT scores appeared as Median=21 (IQR: 17-26) at baseline. The CAT scores appeared as Median=18 (IQR: 14-24), decreasing in all the 3 vaccinated groups, one year after the intervention program (influenza vaccines, matching t test, t=-6.531, P=0.403; pneumococcal vaccines, Wilcoxon test, H=-9 623, P<0.001; combined vaccine vaccines, matching t test, t=-10.803, P<0.001). However, in the control group, no obvious change was observed (Wilcoxon H=1 167, P=0.403). Proportions of impacts at high or very high levels all decreased in the 3 intervention groups, while little change was observed in the control group. Outcomes from the Factorial analysis suggested that influenza vaccination could improve the general conditions and symptoms including cough, chest tightness, dyspnea, physical activities, and stamina. Pneumococcal vaccination appeared more effective on all of symptoms and indicators. Conclusion: Pneumococcal and influenza vaccination seemed helpful for elderly people suffering COPD to improve the general health condition.
Aged
;
Humans
;
Influenza Vaccines/immunology*
;
Influenza, Human
;
Pneumococcal Vaccines/immunology*
;
Pneumonia, Pneumococcal/prevention & control*
;
Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/complications*
;
Streptococcus pneumoniae
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
;
Vaccination/statistics & numerical data*
;
Vaccine Potency
10.Relationship between the HBsAg-positive infection status of mothers and the non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine of their infants.
Z Q YANG ; H Y HAO ; X H SHI ; Z D FU ; F ZHANG ; X F WANG ; X X XU ; B WANG ; H X WEN ; S Y FENG ; B WANG ; S P WANG
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2018;39(6):805-809
Objective: To explore the relationship between the status of HBsAg-positive infection of mothers and the non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine of their infants. Methods: A total of 225 pairs of mothers and their infants were recruited in our cohort from June 2011 to July 2013. Infants were given three doses of hepatitis B vaccine at hour 24, first month and month 6(t)h respectively and were followed up for one year after birth. HBV serological markers and HBV DNA in the peripheral blood of both mothers and infants were detected by Electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay and fluorescence quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: Six HBV infection models were detected in HBsAg-positive mothers, and "HBsAg (+), HBeAg (+), anti-HBc (+)" (model one) and "HBsAg (+), anti-HBe (+), anti-HBc (+)" (model two) accounted for 92.5%(208/225) of all the models. Rate of non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants born to mothers in model one was lower than those in model two, the differences are statistically significant (χ(2)=4.80, P=0.029). The rate of non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants showed a downward trend with the rising of HBeAg level in their mothers (χ(2)=4.86, P=0.028). Results from the unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that the HBeAg of the HBsAg-positive mothers was significantly correlated with the low risk of non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants (OR=0.598, 95%CI: 0.378-0.947). The positive rate of serum HBV DNA in HBsAg-positive mothers was 54.2%, while the rate of non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants born to HBV DNA positive mothers was similar to those infants born to HBV DNA negative mothers (χ(2)=0.22, P=0.640). Conclusions: "HBsAg (+), HBeAg (+), anti-HBc (+)" and "HBsAg (+), anti-HBe(+), anti-HBc (+)" were the common models seen in HBsAg-positive mothers, and the rate of non/low-response to hepatitis B vaccine was different between the two models. HBeAg of HBsAg-positive mothers might have positive effects on the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants but the mechanisms remained not clear. HBV DNA of the HBsAg-positive mothers did not seem to be correlated with the immune response to hepatitis B vaccine in infants.
Adult
;
Biomarkers/blood*
;
DNA, Viral/blood*
;
Diagnostic Tests, Routine
;
Female
;
Hepatitis B/prevention & control*
;
Hepatitis B Antibodies/blood*
;
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens/blood*
;
Hepatitis B Vaccines/pharmacology*
;
Hepatitis B e Antigens/blood*
;
Hepatitis B virus/isolation & purification*
;
Humans
;
Infant
;
Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control*
;
Mothers
;
Pregnancy
;
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology*

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