Objectives:To explore whether short-course radiotherapy (SCRT)-based total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further promote tumor regression and improve the prognosis.Methods:This is a prospective, multicenter, two-arm randomized controlled, seamless phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial for proficient mismatch repair or microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the iTNT (TNT+PD-1) group or the TNT group. Patients in the TNT group received SCRT (5 Gy×5) followed by 4 cycles of CAPOX or 6 cycles of mFOLFOX chemotherapy, with the iTNT group receiving SCRT followed by the same regime in combination with 4 cycles of Sintilimab. Total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery or watch and wait (W&W) was performed after neoadjuvant therapy and then 2 cycles of same regimen as before were recommended. The primary endpoints are the complete response (CR) rate for phase Ⅱ trial and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) for phase Ⅲ trial. A total of 588 patients will be enrolled for the phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial. Short-term efficacy and safety data from the initial 100 treated patients were analyzed as planned.Results:From 2022-8-31 to 2023-5-24 the initial 100 patients were enrolled from 10 hospitals in China, 76.0%(76/100) patients were male, and the median age was 61 years (21-74 years). More patients had tumors located in the lower rectum (78.0%, 78/100), staged T3-4 (97.0%, 97/100) and N1-2 (93.0%, 93/100), and about half of the tumors invaded the mesorectal fascia (52.0%, 52/100) and with extramural vascular invasion (51.0%, 51/100). Analyses were performed according to the per-protocal (PP) set. All patients in the iTNT group ( n=52) and the TNT group ( n=48) completed SCRT; The 4-cycle chemotherapy±Sintilimab completion rates were 86.5% and 100.0% in the iTNT and TNT groups, respectively. In the iTNT group, 82.7% (43/52), 11.5% (6/52), and 5.8% (3/52) of the patients received 4, 3, and 2 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor. After TNT, 68 patients underwent radical surgery and 15 patients achieved cCR and adopted W&W. The pathological complete response (pCR) rates were 48.5% (16/33) and 17.1% (6/35) in the iTNT and TNT groups, with CR rates of 50.0% (25/50) and 26.1% (12/46), respectively. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events was 26.9% (14/52, iTNT group) and 18.8% (9/48, TNT group), with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia being the most common. Among patients receiving immunotherapy, grade 3 immunotherapy-related adverse events occurred in 2 (3.8%, 2/52) patients: one case was pancreatitis, another case was hepatitis combined with myositis and myocarditis. Conclusion:The preliminary results show that SCRT-based TNT combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further improve the CR rate for LARC without unexpected serious adverse events.

Objectives:To explore whether short-course radiotherapy (SCRT)-based total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further promote tumor regression and improve the prognosis.Methods:This is a prospective, multicenter, two-arm randomized controlled, seamless phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial for proficient mismatch repair or microsatellite stable (pMMR/MSS) locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the iTNT (TNT+PD-1) group or the TNT group. Patients in the TNT group received SCRT (5 Gy×5) followed by 4 cycles of CAPOX or 6 cycles of mFOLFOX chemotherapy, with the iTNT group receiving SCRT followed by the same regime in combination with 4 cycles of Sintilimab. Total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery or watch and wait (W&W) was performed after neoadjuvant therapy and then 2 cycles of same regimen as before were recommended. The primary endpoints are the complete response (CR) rate for phase Ⅱ trial and 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) for phase Ⅲ trial. A total of 588 patients will be enrolled for the phase Ⅱ/Ⅲ trial. Short-term efficacy and safety data from the initial 100 treated patients were analyzed as planned.Results:From 2022-8-31 to 2023-5-24 the initial 100 patients were enrolled from 10 hospitals in China, 76.0%(76/100) patients were male, and the median age was 61 years (21-74 years). More patients had tumors located in the lower rectum (78.0%, 78/100), staged T3-4 (97.0%, 97/100) and N1-2 (93.0%, 93/100), and about half of the tumors invaded the mesorectal fascia (52.0%, 52/100) and with extramural vascular invasion (51.0%, 51/100). Analyses were performed according to the per-protocal (PP) set. All patients in the iTNT group ( n=52) and the TNT group ( n=48) completed SCRT; The 4-cycle chemotherapy±Sintilimab completion rates were 86.5% and 100.0% in the iTNT and TNT groups, respectively. In the iTNT group, 82.7% (43/52), 11.5% (6/52), and 5.8% (3/52) of the patients received 4, 3, and 2 cycles of PD-1 inhibitor. After TNT, 68 patients underwent radical surgery and 15 patients achieved cCR and adopted W&W. The pathological complete response (pCR) rates were 48.5% (16/33) and 17.1% (6/35) in the iTNT and TNT groups, with CR rates of 50.0% (25/50) and 26.1% (12/46), respectively. The incidence of treatment-related grade 3-4 adverse events was 26.9% (14/52, iTNT group) and 18.8% (9/48, TNT group), with thrombocytopenia and leukopenia being the most common. Among patients receiving immunotherapy, grade 3 immunotherapy-related adverse events occurred in 2 (3.8%, 2/52) patients: one case was pancreatitis, another case was hepatitis combined with myositis and myocarditis. Conclusion:The preliminary results show that SCRT-based TNT combined with PD-1 inhibitors could further improve the CR rate for LARC without unexpected serious adverse events.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of oblique overlap anastomosis plus single flap valvuloplasty (OSF) for reconstruction after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy.Methods:The C-shaped seromuscular flap (2.5 × 3.5 cm), which was 2 cm from the top of the remnant stomach, was extracorporeally created on the anterior wall of the remnant stomach. The stomach was opened approximately 1.0 cm above the lower edge of the mucosal flap. Four supporting stitches were sutured around the hole and the right wall of the esophageal stump was incised with a support suture to prevent the linear stapler from entering the submucosa. Liner stapler was inclined to the left side of the esophagus at an angle of about 30 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the esophagus for oblique anastomosis between the dorsal side of the esophagus and the anterior stomach and then esophagogastrostomy was performed with the length of anastomosis was 4 cm. Entry hole was suture with 3 stitches and then the linear stapler was used for closing the entry hole. Finally, the seromuscular flap was closed using barbed sutures.Results:Clinical data of 11 patients with Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma who underwent radical gastrectomy and reconstruction by OSF between January 2022 and May 2023 were retrospectively collected. There were 7 males and 4 females. The average age was (69.9±7.8) years, the BMI was (21.7±7.2) kg/m 2 and the tumor size was (2.1±0.6) cm. OSF reconstruction was successfully completed in all 11 patients. The median operative time was 275 (270-428) minutes, the time for OSF reconstruction was 112 (80-140) minutes, and the blood loss was 50 (20-400) ml. The pathological stage was 0-I in 7 cases and II-III in 4 cases. The patients were fed on the 4th day (4-7 days) and discharged from hospital on the 7th day (6-9 days) after surgery. No patient had gastroesophageal reflux symptoms of grade B and above, and no patient took anti-reflux medicine. Conclusions:OSF is a safe and feasible treatment for Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of oblique overlap anastomosis plus single flap valvuloplasty (OSF) for reconstruction after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy.Methods:The C-shaped seromuscular flap (2.5 × 3.5 cm), which was 2 cm from the top of the remnant stomach, was extracorporeally created on the anterior wall of the remnant stomach. The stomach was opened approximately 1.0 cm above the lower edge of the mucosal flap. Four supporting stitches were sutured around the hole and the right wall of the esophageal stump was incised with a support suture to prevent the linear stapler from entering the submucosa. Liner stapler was inclined to the left side of the esophagus at an angle of about 30 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the esophagus for oblique anastomosis between the dorsal side of the esophagus and the anterior stomach and then esophagogastrostomy was performed with the length of anastomosis was 4 cm. Entry hole was suture with 3 stitches and then the linear stapler was used for closing the entry hole. Finally, the seromuscular flap was closed using barbed sutures.Results:Clinical data of 11 patients with Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma who underwent radical gastrectomy and reconstruction by OSF between January 2022 and May 2023 were retrospectively collected. There were 7 males and 4 females. The average age was (69.9±7.8) years, the BMI was (21.7±7.2) kg/m 2 and the tumor size was (2.1±0.6) cm. OSF reconstruction was successfully completed in all 11 patients. The median operative time was 275 (270-428) minutes, the time for OSF reconstruction was 112 (80-140) minutes, and the blood loss was 50 (20-400) ml. The pathological stage was 0-I in 7 cases and II-III in 4 cases. The patients were fed on the 4th day (4-7 days) and discharged from hospital on the 7th day (6-9 days) after surgery. No patient had gastroesophageal reflux symptoms of grade B and above, and no patient took anti-reflux medicine. Conclusions:OSF is a safe and feasible treatment for Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma.

Objective:There is no standard method for esophageal remnant gastric reconstruction for proximal gastrectomy. Reflux esophagitis caused by esophagogastrostomy remains a difficult surgical problem. To report the preliminary surgical results of novel esophagus-conical remnant gastric side overlap anastomosis (CGEO) , with particular emphasis on postoperative esophageal reflux.Methods:In June 2022, we developed a novel CGEO for laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy on two patients with Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma. Surgical procedures for CGEO: (1) Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and preparation of conically shaped gastric remnant; (2) Determining anastomotic site of residual stomach and esophagus; (3) Side-to-side anastomosis of right esophageal wall to anterior of conical gastric remnant; (4) Valvuloplasty of esophageal stump.Results:Case 1 was a 71-year-old man with an operation time of 305 minutes and was successfully discharged from the hospital on the 9th day after surgery, and the postoperative pathology was T3N0M0. Case 2 was an 82-year-old man with an operation time of 325 minutes. He was discharged on the 10th day after surgery. In both cases, only mild esophageal mucosal changes were seen in gastroscopy, there were no obvious symptoms of esophageal reflux. There was also no significant weight change at half a year after operation.Conclusion:CGEO is moderately safe in radical surgery for proximal gastric cancer, and may have a preventive effect on the occurrence of postoperative esophageal reflux, but long-term results need to be confirmed by further studies with follow-up.

Objective:There is no standard method for esophageal remnant gastric reconstruction for proximal gastrectomy. Reflux esophagitis caused by esophagogastrostomy remains a difficult surgical problem. To report the preliminary surgical results of novel esophagus-conical remnant gastric side overlap anastomosis (CGEO) , with particular emphasis on postoperative esophageal reflux.Methods:In June 2022, we developed a novel CGEO for laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy on two patients with Siewert type II esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma. Surgical procedures for CGEO: (1) Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and preparation of conically shaped gastric remnant; (2) Determining anastomotic site of residual stomach and esophagus; (3) Side-to-side anastomosis of right esophageal wall to anterior of conical gastric remnant; (4) Valvuloplasty of esophageal stump.Results:Case 1 was a 71-year-old man with an operation time of 305 minutes and was successfully discharged from the hospital on the 9th day after surgery, and the postoperative pathology was T3N0M0. Case 2 was an 82-year-old man with an operation time of 325 minutes. He was discharged on the 10th day after surgery. In both cases, only mild esophageal mucosal changes were seen in gastroscopy, there were no obvious symptoms of esophageal reflux. There was also no significant weight change at half a year after operation.Conclusion:CGEO is moderately safe in radical surgery for proximal gastric cancer, and may have a preventive effect on the occurrence of postoperative esophageal reflux, but long-term results need to be confirmed by further studies with follow-up.

The present study was designed to investigate the mechanisms by which P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) mediate the activation of vasopressinergic neurons thereby increasing sympathetic hyperactivity in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus of rats with acute myocardial ischemia (AMI). The left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery was ligated to induce AMI in rats. The rats were pretreated with BBG (brilliant blue G, a P2X7R antagonist), nelivaptan (a vasopressin V1b receptor antagonist), or diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) [an nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase inhibitor]. Hemodynamic parameters of the heart were monitored. Myocardial injury and cardiomyocyte apoptosis were assessed. In the PVN of AMI rats, P2X7R mediated microglial activation, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) were higher than in the sham group. Intraperitoneal injection of BBG effectively reduced ROS production and vasopressin expression in the PVN of AMI rats. Moreover, both BBG and DPI pretreatment effectively reduced sympathetic hyperactivity and ameliorated AMI injury, as represented by reduced inflammation and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, microinjection of nelivaptan into the PVN improved cardiac function and reduced the norepinephrine (AE) levels in AMI rats. Collectively, the results suggest that, within the PVN of AMI rats, P2X7R upregulation mediates microglial activation and the overproduction of ROS, which in turn activates vasopressinergic neuron-V1b receptors and sympathetic hyperactivity, hence aggravating myocardial injury in the AMI setting.

Increased microglial activation and neuroinflammation within autonomic brain regions such as the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) have been implicated in stress-induced hypertension (SIH). Prorenin, a member of the brain renin-angiotensin system (RAS), can directly activate microglia. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of prorenin on microglial activation in the RVLM of SIH rats. Rats were subjected to intermittent electric foot-shocks plus noise, this stress was administered for 2 h twice daily for 15 consecutive days, and mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) were monitored. The results showed that MAP and RSNA were augmented, and this paralleled increased pro-inflammatory phenotype (M1) switching. Prorenin and its receptor (PRR) expression and the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) activation were increased in RVLM of SIH rats. In addition, PLX5622 (a microglial depletion agent), MCC950 (a NLRP3 inhibitor), and/or PRO20 (a (Pro)renin receptor antagonist) had antihypertensive effects in the rats. The NLRP3 expression in the RVLM was decreased in SIH rats treated with PLX5622. Mito-tracker staining showed translocation of NLRP3 from mitochondria to the cytoplasm in prorenin-stimulated microglia. Prorenin increased the ROS-triggering M1 phenotype-switching and NLRP3 activation, while MCC950 decreased the M1 polarization. In conclusion, upregulated prorenin in the RVLM may be involved in the pathogenesis of SIH, mediated by activation of the microglia-derived NLRP3 inflammasome. The link between prorenin and NLRP3 in microglia provides insights for the treatment of stress-related hypertension.

Objective To explore the best operation method in the patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.Methods A total of 139 patients with papillary thjroid microcarcinoma were treated at our institute between Jan.2000 and Jan.2010.The data on the clinicopathological characteristics of patients and treatment were collected.Results The mean tumor size was (0.45 ± 0.24) cm.Of the 139 patients,30.2％ had multifocal tumors,19.4％ had bilateral tumors,42.4％ neck lymph node metastases.The number of eases of lymph node metastasis in level Ⅵ,Ⅱa,Ⅲ and Ⅳ was 58(41.7％),3(2.2％),10(7.9％),5(3.6％),respectively.Only one had lymph node metastasis in Level Ⅲ Microscopic extrathyroid extension was associated with neck lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid microcareinoma patients (x2 =38.39,P ＜0.001).No one developed permanent hypoparathyroidism.The median follow-up time was 103 (range,30-154) months,and local recurrence in the thyoid was diagnosed in 2 patients who underwent hemi-or subtotal thyroidectomy.Follow-up of 10 years was done in 16 cases,and the survival rate of 139 patients for 10-year was 100％.Conclusions It suggested that patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma has uniform clinicopathologic characteristics and the pattern of lymph node metastasis from those with papillary thyroid carcinoma.Total thyroidectomy plus level Ⅵ dissection is the optimal surgical treatment of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Objective To explore the pattern of cervical nodal metastasis and the clinical significance of total thyroidectomy plus functional neck lymphadenectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients. Methods Clinical and pathological data of 172 patients with papillary thyroid cancer who underwent total thyroidectomy plus functional neck lymph node dissection at Jinan Military General Hospital were retrospectively reviewed, including patient demographics, extent of surgery, parathyroid hormone level,recurrence, tumor pathology, such as tumor size, multifocality, capsular invasion, vascular invasion,extrathyroidal extension, and lymph node status. Results Of the 172 functional neck dissection patients (47 ambilateral), the incidence of lymphonodus metastasis in regions Ⅵ, Ⅳ and Ⅲ was 96. 3% ,78. 5%and 62.1% respectively. Rate of nodal metastasis was higher in patients with extracapsular invasion than in patients with no invasion ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). Serum parathyroid hormone levels significantly decreased immediately postoperatively in total thyroidectomy plus functional neck dissection and remained low for several weeks thereafter ( P ＜ 0. 01 ). The 5-, 10- and 15-year survival rate was ( 98. 83 ± 0. 82) %, (98. 23 ± 1.02 ) % and (96. 42 ± 1.43 )%, respectively. Conclusions Therapeutic neck lymph node dissection for papillary thyroid cancer is recommended for cervical nodal metastasis patients. Total thyroidectomy plus functional neck dissection is important in the treatment of papillary thyroid cancer.