1.Long-term outcome of patients with rectal cancer who achieve complete or near complete clinical responses after neoadjuvant therapy: a multicenter registry study of data from the Chinese Watch and Wait Database
Yiming ZHAO ; Weihu WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Lin WANG ; Shuai LI ; Jingwen WANG ; Leen LIAO ; Guanyu YU ; Zhen SUN ; Yanli QU ; Yang GONG ; Yun LU ; Tao WU ; Yunfeng LI ; Quan WANG ; Guohua ZHAO ; Yi XIAO ; Peirong DING ; Zhen ZHANG ; Aiwen WU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(4):372-382
Objective:To report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after adopting a Watch and Wait (W&W) strategy following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).Methods:This multicenter, cross-sectional study was based on real-world data. The study cohort comprised rectal cancer patients who had achieved complete or near complete clinical responses (cCRs, near-cCRs) after NAT and were thereafter managed by a W&W approach, as well as a few patients who had achieved good responses after NAT and had then undergone local excision for confirmation of pathological complete response. All participants had been followed up for ≥2 years. Patients with distant metastases at baseline or who opted for observation while living with the tumor were excluded. Data of eligible patients were retrospectively collected from the Chinese Wait-and-Watch Data Collaboration Group database. These included baseline characteristics, type of NAT, pre-treatment imaging results, evaluation of post-NAT efficacy, salvage measures, and treatment outcomes. We herein report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after NAT and W&W and the differences between the cCR and near-cCR groups.Results:Clinical data of 318 rectal cancer patients who had undergone W&W for over 2 years and been followed up were collected from eight medical centers (Peking University Cancer Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Yunnan Cancer Hospital.) The participants comprised 221 men (69.4%) and 107 women (30.6%) of median age 60 (26-86) years. The median distance between tumor and anal verge was 3.4 (0-10.4) cm. Of these patients, 291 and 27 had achieved cCR or near-cCR, respectively, after NAT. The median duration of follow-up was 48.4 (10.2-110.3) months. The 5-year cumulative overall survival rate was 92.4% (95%CI: 86.8%-95.7%), 5-year cumulative disease-specific survival (CSS) rate 96.6% (95%CI: 92.2%-98.5%), 5-year cumulative organ-preserving disease-free survival rate 86.6% (95%CI: 81.0%-90.7%), and 5-year organ preservation rate 85.3% (95%CI: 80.3%-89.1%). The overall 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 18.5% (95%CI: 14.9%-20.8%) and 8.2% (95%CI: 5.4%-12.5%), respectively. Most local recurrences (82.1%, 46/56) occurred within 2 years, and 91.0% (51/56) occurred within 3 years, the median time to recurrence being 11.7 (2.5-66.6) months. Most (91.1%, 51/56) local recurrences occurred within the intestinal lumen. Distant metastases developed in 23 patients; 60.9% (14/23) occurred within 2 years and 73.9% (17/23) within 3 years, the median time to distant metastasis being 21.9 (2.6-90.3) months. Common sites included lung (15/23, 65.2%), liver (6/23, 26.1%), and bone (7/23, 30.4%) The metastases involved single organs in 17 patients and multiple organs in six. There were no significant differences in overall, cumulative disease-specific, or organ-preserving disease-free survival or rate of metastases between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year local recurrence rate was higher in the near-cCR than in the cCR group (41.6% vs. 16.4%, P<0.01), with a lower organ preservation rate (69.2% vs. 88.0%, P<0.001). The success rates of salvage after local recurrence and distant metastasis were 82.1% (46/56) and 13.0% (3/23), respectively. Conclusion:Rectal cancer patients who achieve cCR or near-cCR after NAT and undergo W&W have favorable oncological outcomes and a high rate of organ preservation. Local recurrence and distant metastasis during W&W follow certain patterns, with a relatively high salvage rate for local recurrence. Our findings highlight the importance of close follow-up and timely intervention during the W&W process.
2.Reassessment of practice of Chinese surgeons since introduction of the watch and wait strategy after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer
Minghe ZHAO ; Tingting SUN ; Lin WANG ; Yonglin HUANG ; Xingyu XIE ; Yun LU ; Guohua ZHAO ; Aiwen WU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(4):383-394
Objective:To investigate perspectives and changes in treatment selection by Chinese surgeons since introduction of the watch-and-wait approach after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire distributed through the "Wenjuanxing" online survey platform. The survey focused on the recognition and practices of Chinese surgeons regarding the strategy of watch-and-wait after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer and was disseminated within the China Watch-and-Wait Database (CWWD) WeChat group. This group targets surgeons of deputy chief physician level and above in surgical, radiotherapy, or internal medicine departments of nationally accredited tumor-specialist or comprehensive hospitals (at provincial or municipal levels) who are involved in colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment. From 13 to 16 December 2023, 321 questionnaires were sent with questionnaire links in the CWWD WeChat group. The questionnaires comprised 32 questions encompassing: (1) basic physician characteristics (including surgical volume); (2) assessment methods and criteria for clinical complete response (cCR); (3) patients eligible for watch-and-wait; (4) neoadjuvant therapies and other measures for achieving cCR; (5) willingness to implement watch-and-wait and factors influencing that willingness; (6) risks and monitoring of watch-and-wait; (7) subsequent treatment and follow-up post watch-and-wait; (8) suggestions for development of the CWWD. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis, with intergroup comparisons conducted using the χ 2 or Fisher's exact probability tests. Results:The response rate was 31.5%, comprising 101 responses from the 321 individuals in the WeChat group. Respondents comprised 101 physicians from 70 centers across 23 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions nationwide, 85.1% (86/101) of whom represented provincial tertiary hospitals. Among the respondents, 87.1% (88/101) had implemented the watch-and-wait strategy. The approval rate (65.6%, 21/32) and proportion of patients often informed (68.8%, 22/32) were both significantly higher for doctors in oncology hospitals than for those in general hospitals (27.7%, 18/65; 32.4%, 22/68) (χ 2=12.83, P<0.001; χ 2=11.70, P=0.001, respectively). The most used methods for diagnosing cCR were digital rectal examination (90.1%, 91/101), colonoscopy (91.1%, 92/101), and rectal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (86.1%, 87/101). Criteria used to identify cCR comprised absence of a palpable mass on digital rectal examination (87.1%, 88/101), flat white scars or new capillaries on colonoscopy (77.2%, 78/101), absence of evident tumor signals on rectal T2-weighted sequences or T2WI low signals or signals equivalent to the intestinal wall (83.2%, 84/101), and absence of tumor hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted imaging with no corresponding hypointensity on apparent diffusion coefficient maps (66.3%, 67/101). As for selection of neoadjuvant regimen and assessment of cCR, 57.4% (58/101) of physicians preferred a long course of radiotherapy with or without induction and/or consolidation capecitabine + oxaliplatin, whereas 25.7% (26/101) preferred immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy and concurrent radiotherapy. Most (96.0%, 97/101) physicians believed that the primary lesion should be assessed ≤12 weeks after completion of radiotherapy. Patients were frequently informed about the possibility of achieving cCR after neoadjuvant therapy and the strategy of watch-and-wait by 43.6% (44/101) of the responding physicians and 38.6% (39/101) preferred watch-and-wait for patients who achieved cCR or near cCR after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. Capability for multiple follow-up evaluations (70.3%, 71/101) was a crucial factor influencing physicians' choice of watch-and-wait after cCR. The proportion who patients who did not achieve cCR and underwent surgical treatment was lower in provincial tertiary hospitals (74.2%, 23/31) than in provincial general hospitals (94.5%, 52/55) and municipal hospitals (12/15); these differences are statistically significant (χ 2=7.43, P=0.020). The difference between local recurrence and local regrowth was understood by 88.1% (89/101) of respondents and 87.2% (88/101) agreed with monitoring every 3 months for 5 years. An increase in local excision or puncture rates to reduce organ resections in patients with pCR was proposed by 64.4% (65/101) of respondents. Conclusion:Compared with the results of a previous survey, Chinese surgeons' awareness of the watch-and-wait concept has improved significantly. Oncologists in oncology hospitals are more aware of the concept of watch-and-wait.
3.Long-term outcome of patients with rectal cancer who achieve complete or near complete clinical responses after neoadjuvant therapy: a multicenter registry study of data from the Chinese Watch and Wait Database
Yiming ZHAO ; Weihu WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Lin WANG ; Shuai LI ; Jingwen WANG ; Leen LIAO ; Guanyu YU ; Zhen SUN ; Yanli QU ; Yang GONG ; Yun LU ; Tao WU ; Yunfeng LI ; Quan WANG ; Guohua ZHAO ; Yi XIAO ; Peirong DING ; Zhen ZHANG ; Aiwen WU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(4):372-382
Objective:To report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after adopting a Watch and Wait (W&W) strategy following neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).Methods:This multicenter, cross-sectional study was based on real-world data. The study cohort comprised rectal cancer patients who had achieved complete or near complete clinical responses (cCRs, near-cCRs) after NAT and were thereafter managed by a W&W approach, as well as a few patients who had achieved good responses after NAT and had then undergone local excision for confirmation of pathological complete response. All participants had been followed up for ≥2 years. Patients with distant metastases at baseline or who opted for observation while living with the tumor were excluded. Data of eligible patients were retrospectively collected from the Chinese Wait-and-Watch Data Collaboration Group database. These included baseline characteristics, type of NAT, pre-treatment imaging results, evaluation of post-NAT efficacy, salvage measures, and treatment outcomes. We herein report the long-term outcomes of Chinese rectal cancer patients after NAT and W&W and the differences between the cCR and near-cCR groups.Results:Clinical data of 318 rectal cancer patients who had undergone W&W for over 2 years and been followed up were collected from eight medical centers (Peking University Cancer Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Liaoning Cancer Hospital, the First Hospital of Jilin University, and Yunnan Cancer Hospital.) The participants comprised 221 men (69.4%) and 107 women (30.6%) of median age 60 (26-86) years. The median distance between tumor and anal verge was 3.4 (0-10.4) cm. Of these patients, 291 and 27 had achieved cCR or near-cCR, respectively, after NAT. The median duration of follow-up was 48.4 (10.2-110.3) months. The 5-year cumulative overall survival rate was 92.4% (95%CI: 86.8%-95.7%), 5-year cumulative disease-specific survival (CSS) rate 96.6% (95%CI: 92.2%-98.5%), 5-year cumulative organ-preserving disease-free survival rate 86.6% (95%CI: 81.0%-90.7%), and 5-year organ preservation rate 85.3% (95%CI: 80.3%-89.1%). The overall 5-year local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 18.5% (95%CI: 14.9%-20.8%) and 8.2% (95%CI: 5.4%-12.5%), respectively. Most local recurrences (82.1%, 46/56) occurred within 2 years, and 91.0% (51/56) occurred within 3 years, the median time to recurrence being 11.7 (2.5-66.6) months. Most (91.1%, 51/56) local recurrences occurred within the intestinal lumen. Distant metastases developed in 23 patients; 60.9% (14/23) occurred within 2 years and 73.9% (17/23) within 3 years, the median time to distant metastasis being 21.9 (2.6-90.3) months. Common sites included lung (15/23, 65.2%), liver (6/23, 26.1%), and bone (7/23, 30.4%) The metastases involved single organs in 17 patients and multiple organs in six. There were no significant differences in overall, cumulative disease-specific, or organ-preserving disease-free survival or rate of metastases between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 5-year local recurrence rate was higher in the near-cCR than in the cCR group (41.6% vs. 16.4%, P<0.01), with a lower organ preservation rate (69.2% vs. 88.0%, P<0.001). The success rates of salvage after local recurrence and distant metastasis were 82.1% (46/56) and 13.0% (3/23), respectively. Conclusion:Rectal cancer patients who achieve cCR or near-cCR after NAT and undergo W&W have favorable oncological outcomes and a high rate of organ preservation. Local recurrence and distant metastasis during W&W follow certain patterns, with a relatively high salvage rate for local recurrence. Our findings highlight the importance of close follow-up and timely intervention during the W&W process.
4.Reassessment of practice of Chinese surgeons since introduction of the watch and wait strategy after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer
Minghe ZHAO ; Tingting SUN ; Lin WANG ; Yonglin HUANG ; Xingyu XIE ; Yun LU ; Guohua ZHAO ; Aiwen WU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2024;27(4):383-394
Objective:To investigate perspectives and changes in treatment selection by Chinese surgeons since introduction of the watch-and-wait approach after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire distributed through the "Wenjuanxing" online survey platform. The survey focused on the recognition and practices of Chinese surgeons regarding the strategy of watch-and-wait after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer and was disseminated within the China Watch-and-Wait Database (CWWD) WeChat group. This group targets surgeons of deputy chief physician level and above in surgical, radiotherapy, or internal medicine departments of nationally accredited tumor-specialist or comprehensive hospitals (at provincial or municipal levels) who are involved in colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment. From 13 to 16 December 2023, 321 questionnaires were sent with questionnaire links in the CWWD WeChat group. The questionnaires comprised 32 questions encompassing: (1) basic physician characteristics (including surgical volume); (2) assessment methods and criteria for clinical complete response (cCR); (3) patients eligible for watch-and-wait; (4) neoadjuvant therapies and other measures for achieving cCR; (5) willingness to implement watch-and-wait and factors influencing that willingness; (6) risks and monitoring of watch-and-wait; (7) subsequent treatment and follow-up post watch-and-wait; (8) suggestions for development of the CWWD. Descriptive statistics were employed for data analysis, with intergroup comparisons conducted using the χ 2 or Fisher's exact probability tests. Results:The response rate was 31.5%, comprising 101 responses from the 321 individuals in the WeChat group. Respondents comprised 101 physicians from 70 centers across 23 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions nationwide, 85.1% (86/101) of whom represented provincial tertiary hospitals. Among the respondents, 87.1% (88/101) had implemented the watch-and-wait strategy. The approval rate (65.6%, 21/32) and proportion of patients often informed (68.8%, 22/32) were both significantly higher for doctors in oncology hospitals than for those in general hospitals (27.7%, 18/65; 32.4%, 22/68) (χ 2=12.83, P<0.001; χ 2=11.70, P=0.001, respectively). The most used methods for diagnosing cCR were digital rectal examination (90.1%, 91/101), colonoscopy (91.1%, 92/101), and rectal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (86.1%, 87/101). Criteria used to identify cCR comprised absence of a palpable mass on digital rectal examination (87.1%, 88/101), flat white scars or new capillaries on colonoscopy (77.2%, 78/101), absence of evident tumor signals on rectal T2-weighted sequences or T2WI low signals or signals equivalent to the intestinal wall (83.2%, 84/101), and absence of tumor hyperintensity on diffusion-weighted imaging with no corresponding hypointensity on apparent diffusion coefficient maps (66.3%, 67/101). As for selection of neoadjuvant regimen and assessment of cCR, 57.4% (58/101) of physicians preferred a long course of radiotherapy with or without induction and/or consolidation capecitabine + oxaliplatin, whereas 25.7% (26/101) preferred immunotherapy in combination with chemotherapy and concurrent radiotherapy. Most (96.0%, 97/101) physicians believed that the primary lesion should be assessed ≤12 weeks after completion of radiotherapy. Patients were frequently informed about the possibility of achieving cCR after neoadjuvant therapy and the strategy of watch-and-wait by 43.6% (44/101) of the responding physicians and 38.6% (39/101) preferred watch-and-wait for patients who achieved cCR or near cCR after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer. Capability for multiple follow-up evaluations (70.3%, 71/101) was a crucial factor influencing physicians' choice of watch-and-wait after cCR. The proportion who patients who did not achieve cCR and underwent surgical treatment was lower in provincial tertiary hospitals (74.2%, 23/31) than in provincial general hospitals (94.5%, 52/55) and municipal hospitals (12/15); these differences are statistically significant (χ 2=7.43, P=0.020). The difference between local recurrence and local regrowth was understood by 88.1% (89/101) of respondents and 87.2% (88/101) agreed with monitoring every 3 months for 5 years. An increase in local excision or puncture rates to reduce organ resections in patients with pCR was proposed by 64.4% (65/101) of respondents. Conclusion:Compared with the results of a previous survey, Chinese surgeons' awareness of the watch-and-wait concept has improved significantly. Oncologists in oncology hospitals are more aware of the concept of watch-and-wait.
5.Impacts of magnesium isoglycyrrhetinic acid combined with continuous blood purification on organ function and inflammatory mediator levels in patients with severe acute pancreatitis complicated with sepsis
Jun CHEN ; Aiwen MA ; Huihui WANG
Chinese Journal of Postgraduates of Medicine 2024;47(6):536-539
Objective:To investigate the impacts of magnesium isoglycyrrhetinic acid combined with continuous blood purification on organ function and inflammatory mediator levels in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) complicated with sepsis.Methods:A total of 124 patients with SAP complicated with sepsis who came to Subei People′s Hospital from March 2020 to February 2023 were grouped into an observation group (62 cases) and a control group (62 cases) according to the treatment method, the control group was treated with continuous blood purification, and the observation group was treated with magnesium isoglycyrrhetate on basis of the control group, the organ function, inflammatory mediator levels, clinical efficacy, and clinical medication safety of two groups were compared.Results:After treatment, the scores of acute physiology and chronic health status assessment (APACHE) Ⅱ and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) in both groups were decreased compared to before treatment, and the scores of APACHE Ⅱ and SOFA in the the observation group were lower than those in the control group: (26.43 ± 3.78) scores vs. (35.99 ± 3.87) scores, (9.18 ± 1.52) scores vs. (14.51 ± 1.88) scores, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of interleukin (IL)-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6 in both groups were decreased, and the levels of IL-8, TNF-α and IL-6 in the the observation group were lower than those in the control group: (114.81 ± 23.74) ng/L vs.(268.32 ± 29.14) ng/L, (214.41 ± 25.09) ng/L vs. (311.33 ± 28.11) ng/L, (32.58 ± 4.76) ng/L vs. (46.35 ± 5.76) ng/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The total clinical effective rate after treatment in the the observation group was higher than that in the control group: 96.77%(60/62) vs. 80.65%(50/62), there was statistical difference ( χ2 = 6.52, P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the two groups had no statistical difference ( χ2 = 0.08, P>0.05). Conclusions:Magnesium isoglycyrrhetinic acid combined with continuous blood purification can improve organ function and reduce inflammatory mediator levels in SAP patients with sepsis.
6.Permanence of prophylactic temporary stoma after anus-preserving rectal cancer surgery and its risk factors
Jie ZHANG ; Xiaokang LEI ; Xinjing WANG ; Qian YANG ; Xingxue CAO ; Meijia GU ; Aiwen WU ; Lin WANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2024;33(10):1613-1622
Background and Aims:Preventive temporary stoma has been widely used in surgeries for rectal cancer as a simple and effective method to reduce the severity of postoperative anastomotic leakage.However,some patients with preventive temporary stomas cannot undergo reversal due to various factors,resulting in a permanent stoma.Permanent stomas remain a common adverse outcome in clinical practice,and the reasons behind this are not entirely clear.This study analyzes a continuous surgical sample from a single center to explore the risk factors for forming permanent stoma. Methods:The clinical data of patients who underwent anal-preserving rectal cancer surgery with preventive temporary stoma in Gastrointestinal Cancer Center Ⅲ of Peking University Cancer Hospital from January 2020 to March 2023,with over 12 months of follow-up,were retrospectively collected.The occurrence of permanent stoma was analyzed,and the clinical variables of patients with permanent stoma were compared to those who underwent stoma reversal,along with an analysis of the risk factors for permanent stoma formation.Permanent stoma was defined as ostomy reversal failure for more than 12 months. Results:A total of 299 patients were included,among which 268(89.63%)underwent stoma reversal(stoma closure group),and 31(10.37%)did not(permanent stoma group).Compared to the stoma closure group,the permanent stoma group had a higher incidence of distant organ metastasis at diagnosis(7.5%vs.25.85%,P=0.003)and also had higher proportions of T3 and T4 stages,N2 stage,and clinical stage Ⅳ(all P<0.05)with an elevated overall postoperative complication rate(19.0%vs.41.9%,P=0.003)as well as a higher rate of severe complications(1.1%vs.9.7%,P=0.016)and an increased incidence of anastomotic leakage(4.9%vs.19.4%,P=0.006).Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of distant organ metastasis at diagnosis(OR=5.41,95%CI=1.80-16.27,P=0.003),and occurrence of anastomotic leakage(OR=4.44,95%CI=1.15-17.09,P=0.030)were independent risk factors for the formation of permanent stomas. Conclusion:At present,some patients still cannot undergo reversal of their preventive temporary stoma,resulting in permanent stoma.The formation of permanent stomas is closely related to a low tumor location,distant organ metastasis at diagnosis,and the occurrence of anastomotic leakage.
7.Serum Claudin-5 levels facilitate the early prediction of severe acute pancreatitis: a prospective observational study
Xinlei CHEN ; Huihui WANG ; Ping GENG ; Bingyu LING ; Aiwen MA ; Min XU ; Dingyu TAN
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2024;36(9):930-936
Objective:To investigate the value of early tight junction protein Claudin-5 levels in predicting the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods:A prospective observational study was conducted, including patients diagnosed with AP and admitted to the Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022. Eligible healthy volunteers were randomly selected to serve as healthy controls during the same period. Patients were classified into mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) group, moderate-severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP) group, and severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) group based on the 2012 Atlanta classification criteria. Patients with SAP were then divided into three subgroups of 1, 3, and 7 days based on the duration of hospitalization. Baseline data, such as gender, age, underlying disease, and probable etiology, was collected from all enrolled individuals. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to detect serum Claudin-5 levels in each cohort of enrollees. Data on additional serologic indicators, including hematocrit (HCT), albumin (Alb), serum Ca 2+, C-reactive protein (CRP), and procalcitonin (PCT) levels, were obtained via the in-hospital test query system in each group of patients with AP. The modified Marshall score (mMarshall), modified CT severity index (mCTSI) score, bedside severity index of severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ) were recorded for each group of patients with AP. Differences in the above indicators between groups were analyzed and compared. Spearman's correlation method was employed to examine the relationship between Claudin-5 levels and each influential factor. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted to analyze the predictive value of each influencing factor on SAP. Ridge regression was used to screen for independent risk factors for SAP. Results:A total of 109 patients with AP were enrolled, comprising 66 in the MAP group, 15 in the MSAP group, and 28 in the SAP group. Additionally, 27 healthy volunteers were enrolled as the healthy control group. No statistically significant differences were observed in gender and age among the enrolled groups, and no statistically significant differences were identified among the three groups of patients with AP in terms of underlying disease and etiologic composition. As the disease progressed, serum Claudin-5 levels exhibited a notable increase across all AP patient groups, and they were all significantly higher than those in the healthy control group [ng/L: 888.58 (574.52, 1 141.59), 3 749.02 (2 784.93, 5 789.92), 4 667.81 (3 935.21, 7 315.66) vs. 291.13 (250.19, 314.75), all P < 0.05]. Subgroup analyses showed that as the disease duration prolonged, patients in the SAP group exhibited a notable decline in Claudin-5 levels at 3 days post-admission, compared with those at 1 day post-admission [ng/L: 2 052.59 (1 089.43, 4 006.47) vs. 4 667.81 (3 935.21, 7 315.66), P < 0.05]. Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum Claudin-5 levels in patients with AP were significantly positively correlated with CRP, PCT, HCT, and mMarshall, mCTSI, and BISAP scores ( r values were 0.570, 0.525, 0.323, 0.774, 0.670, 0.652, all P < 0.001), and significantly negatively correlated with Alb ( r = -0.394, P < 0.001). A significant trend was observed in patients with AP, with an increase of HCT levels and a decrease of Alb levels as the disease progressed (both P < 0.05). An improvement of aforementioned phenomena was observed in patients with SAP following treatment, indirectly indicating that serum Claudin-5 level was a positive indicator of vascular leakage. ROC curve analysis showed that serum Claudin-5 levels in patients with AP exhibited the highest accuracy for early prediction of SAP, with the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.948. When serum Claudin-5 levels ≥2 997 ng/L, the sensitivity for early screening for SAP was 100% and the specificity was 88.89%. Multifactorial ridge regression analysis showed that serum Claudin-5 level, PCT and APACHEⅡscore could be used as independent risk factors for early prediction of SAP (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Serum Claudin-5 levels facilitate early prediction of SAP and are strongly associated with inflammatory response and vascular leakage.
8.Enterostomy based on abdominal wall tension and fascial locking: a theory of preventing stoma complications and parahernia.
Lin WANG ; Yu Zhou ZHAO ; Yong Bin DING ; Jia Gang HAN ; Jun Jun MA ; Yong You WU ; Xin WANG ; Teng Hui MA ; Jie ZHANG ; Zi Yu LI ; Zhao De BU ; Xiang Qian SU ; Aiwen WU
Chinese Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 2022;25(11):1025-1028
No consensus on standardized technique of enterostomy creation has been made meanwhile high heterogeneity of surgical procedure exists in 'stoma creation' chapters of textbooks or atlases of colorectal surgery. The present article reviews the anatomy of tendinous aponeurotic fibers which is crucial for abdominal wall tension and integrity. Through empirical practice we hypothesize a procedure of enterostomy creation basied on abdominal wall tension plus anchor suture for fascia fixation which could theoretically decrease short-term stoma complication rates and long-term parastomal hernia rates. Surgical techniques are as followed: (1) preoperative stoma site mark for de-functioning ileostomy should be positioned at the lateral border of rectus abdominis muscle (RAM) to decrease the difficulty of stoma reversal and for permanent colostomy should be placed overlying the RAM to promote adhesion; (2)Optimal circular removal or lineal opening of skin, and avoid dissection of subcutaneous tissue; (3) Lineal dissection of natural strong fascia (rectus sheath) at stoma site and blunt separation of muscular fibers. The tunnel of the fascia should be made with appropriate size without undue tension. To prevent the formation of dead space, additional suturing at fascia layer is unnecessary. (4) Anchor suture for fascia fixation at two ends of fascia opening could be considered to avoid delayed fascia disruption and parastomal hernia. (5) After pull-through of ileum or colon loop, 4-8 interrupted seromuscular sutures could be placed to attach loop to skin. For ileostomy, self-eversion of mucosa can be successful in vast majority of cases and a Brooke ileostomy is not necessary. The efficacy and safety of this procedure should be tested in future trials.
Humans
;
Abdominal Wall/surgery*
;
Surgical Stomas/adverse effects*
;
Enterostomy
;
Incisional Hernia
;
Fascia
9.Xuebijing injection improve pulmonary vascular barrier function in ARDS by up-regulating claudin-5 expression through PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 signaling pathway
Ping GENG ; Jiali XIONG ; Fen YU ; Huihui WANG ; Ying WANG ; Min XU ; Bingyu LING ; Aiwen MA ; Ruiqiang ZHENG
Chinese Critical Care Medicine 2022;34(2):145-150
Objective:To study the signaling pathway of the up-regulation of claudin-5 expression by Xuebijing injection.Methods:Animal and cell models of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). ① In vivo study, 20 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, LPS group (LPS injection 10 mg/kg for 12 hours), Xuebijing control group (Xuebijing injection 1 mg/kg, twice a day, for 3 days), and Xuebijing intervention group (LPS injection after pretreatment of Xuebijing injection), according to random number method with 5 rats in each group. The lung tissues were taken to detect lung dry/wet weight ratio (W/D) and the morphological changes in each group. Claudin-5, phosphorylated forkhead box transcription factor O1 (p-FOXO1), total FOXO1 (t-FOXO1), phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and total Akt (t-Akt) in lung tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and Western blotting. ② In vitro study, human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs) were divided into 6 groups (5 holes in each group): control group, Xubijing control group (incubated with 2 g/L Xubijing for 24 hours), phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) signaling pathway LY294002 control group (incubated with 10 μmol/L LY294002 for 1 hour), LPS group (incubated with 1 mg/L LPS for 12 hours), Xubijing intervention group (incubated with 2 g/L Xuebijing for 24 hours, then with 1 mg/L LPS for 12 hours) and LY294002 intervention group (incubated with 10 μmol/L LY294002 for 1 hour, then with 2 g/L and Xubijing for 24 hours, and then with 1 mg/L LPS for 12 hours). The expression levels of claudin-5, p-FOXO1, t-FOXO1, p-Akt and t-Akt of HPMECs in each group were assessed by Western blotting. Results:In vivo study: ① Compared with the control group, the lung W/D ratio increased significantly in LPS group (6.79±0.42 vs. 4.19±0.13), and decreased significantly after the intervention of Xuebijing (4.92±0.38 vs. 6.79±0.42, P < 0.01). ② Morphological changes of lung tissue: compared with the control group, the injury of lung tissue in LPS group was more serious, which was significantly improved after Xuebijing intervention. ③ Expression levels of claudin-5, p-Akt/t-Akt and p-FOXO1/t-FOXO1: the expression levels of claudin-5, p-Akt/t-Akt and p-FOXO1/t-FOXO1 in LPS group were significantly decreased as compared with the control group (claudin-5/GAPDH: 0.33±0.03 vs. 1.03±0.07, p-Akt/t-Akt: 0.18±0.02 vs. 1.01±0.13, p-FOXO1/t-FOXO1: 0.16±0.06 vs. 1.00±0.19, all P < 0.01). After the intervention of Xuebijing, the expression levels were significantly increased as compared with the LPS group (claudin-5/GAPDH: 0.53±0.05 vs. 0.33±0.03, p-Akt/t-Akt: 0.56±0.12 vs. 0.18±0.02, p-FOXO1/t-FOXO1: 0.68±0.10 vs. 0.16±0.06, all P < 0.01). In vitro study: compared with the control group, the expression level of claudin-5 in the LPS group was significantly decreased (claudin-5/β-actin: 0.45±0.03 vs. 1.01±0.15, P < 0.01), and the expression level of claudin-5 in Xuebijing intervention group was also significantly decreased (claudin-5/β-actin: 0.80±0.08 vs. 1.01±0.15, P < 0.01). After the intervention of LY294002, the expression of claudin-5 was significantly decreased as compared with the Xubijing intervention group (claudin-5/β-actin: 0.41±0.02 vs. 0.80±0.08, P < 0.01). Conclusion:Xuebijing injection improve pulmonary vascular barrier function in rats with ARDS by up-regulating claudin-5 expression through PI3K/Akt/FOXO1 signaling pathway.
10.Correlation between serum osteopontin and osteopontin and type 2 diabetes mellitus with coronary heart disease
Yazhu WANG ; Yunfei GUO ; Chao LIU ; Weichao SHAN ; Wenfeng WANG ; Aiwen ZHANG ; Wanglexian SUN ; Ying ZHANG
Clinical Medicine of China 2022;38(1):47-52
Objective:To study the relationship between serum osteopontin and osteopontin and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with coronary heart disease, and to evaluate the correlation between the levels of serum osteopontin and osteopontin with the severity of coronary artery lesions in T2DM patients.Methods:A total of 100 T2DM patients who were suspected to have stable coronary heart disease and underwent coronary angiography from November 2019 to December 2020 were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, according to coronary angiography results, 60 patients with confirmed coronary heart disease were classified as the case group and 40 patients with non-coronary heart disease were classified as the control group for retrospective analysis. The clinical data and biochemical indicators of all patients were recorded, and Gensini score was calculated. The concentration of osteopontin and osteopontin in serum was quantitatively determined by double-antibody enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Independent sample t-test was used to compare the mean of normal distribution measurement data between the two groups. The non normal distribution data are represented by M ( Q1, Q3), and Mann Whitney U test is used for comparison between groups. Composition comparison between count data groups χ 2 inspection. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum osteopontin and osteopontin and Gensini score in patients with T2DM. Results:Univariate analysis showed that serum osteopontin and osteopontin were (13.076(8.433, 23.552) μg/L) and (0.437(0.300, 0.630) μg/L) significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (6.367(4.605, 9.048) μg/L) and (0.299(0.196, 0.399) μg/L) respectively, with statistically significant differences ( Z=5.12, 3.28, all P<0.001). Multi-factor logistic regression analysis showed that osteoprotegerin ( OR=2.887, 95% CI:1.850-8.515, P=0.024) and osteopontin ( OR=13.109, 95%CI: 2.557-67.204, P=0.002) were associated with T2DM combined with coronary heart disease, and the risk of T2DM combined with coronary heart disease increased with higher levels of osteoprotegerin and osteopontin. Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum osteopontin and osteoprotegerin were positively correlated with Gensini score in T2DM patients ( r=0.591, 0.467; all P<0.05). Conclusion:Serum osteopontin and osteoprotegerin are associated with T2DM combined with coronary heart disease, and high serum osteopontin and osteoprotegerin are risk factors for T2DM combined with coronary heart disease; serum osteopontin and osteoprotegerin are positively correlated with the degree of coronary artery disease in T2DM patients.

Result Analysis
Print
Save
E-mail