Objective To investigate the predictive value of the combined tumor burden score (TBS) and platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) score model for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The general information of 158 recipients diagnosed with HCC and underwent liver transplantation at the 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from 2008 to 2021 was collected. Lasso regression analysis combined with multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to identify independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence after liver transplantation with HCC. A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on variables selected by Lasso regression analysis, and the predictive performance of the model was verified by calibration curve and clinical decision curve. The optimal cut-off values for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with HCC were determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare survival differences among different groups. Results Among the 158 liver transplant recipients with HCC, 82 experienced tumor recurrence, with a recurrence rate of 51.9% and a median tumor-free survival time of 10 (4, 25) months. Results of Lasso regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥400 ng/mL, TBS and PALBI score were all independent risk factors for postoperative tumor recurrence in liver transplant recipients with HCC (all P<0.05). The combined high TBS-high PALBI score showed the highest predictive value (hazard ratio 6.909, 95% confidence interval 3.067-15.563, P<0.001). A nomogram prediction model was constructed based on six variables selected by Lasso regression analysis. Calibration curve showed good consistency between the model's predicted results and the ideal curve. Decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram prediction model provided the highest clinical benefit for predicting 1-year tumor-free survival after liver transplantation with HCC. Time-dependent ROC curves at 1, 3 and 5 years after surgery showed that TBS-PALBI model had good predictive performance, with no significant difference in area under the curve (AUC) compared with TBS-PALBI-AFP model. The optimal cut-off values for predicting postoperative tumor recurrence were determined by ROC curve, with a PALBI score cut-off of −2.334 and a TBS cut-off of 5.305. Recipients were divided into a low TBS-low PALBI score group (n=47) and a low/high TBS-low/high PALBI score group (at least one score was high) (n=111). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the low TBS-low PALBI score group had a higher tumor-free survival rate than the low/high TBS-low/high PALBI score group, with a significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusions TBS-PALBI model provides a novel, simple and effective tool for assessing the prognosis of liver transplant recipients with HCC. The nomogram model constructed based on this has significant advantages in predictive performance and may serve as a reference for guiding individualized treatment plans and improving clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application. Methods and. RESULTS: Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion, and consensus was reached following expert consultation. The consensus recommendations are comprehensive, covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation, surgical operation process, postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning. The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain, reduced the use of opioid drugs, and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients. Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications. CONCLUSIONS The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy. The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Cancer Pain/therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Pain Management/methods* ; China

Objective To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application.Methods and Results Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion,and consensus was reached following expert consultation.The consensus recommendations are comprehensive,covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation,surgical operation process,postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning.The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain,reduced the use of opioid drugs,and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients.Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications.Conclusion The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy.The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical features and risk factors of anastomotic leakage (AL) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by laparoscopic radical resection and proctocol ostomy.Method:Clinicla data of LARC patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by laparoscopic radical resection and proctocol ostomy admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital between Jan 2019 and Oct 2023 was enrolled. According to the occurrence of AL, patients were divided into AL group and non-AL group.Results:After propersity matching score(PSM), there were 40 patients (33.4%) and 80 patients (66.6%) in the AL and non-AL group, respectively. The first-onset symptoms of AL were abnormal character and color of the drainage (23 cases, 57.5%) and fever (14 cases, 35.0%). About 82.5% of the AL were graded as B,and all 36 patients (90.0%) were managed consveratively by fully drainage anti-infection therapy. Logistic regression analysis indicated that tumor circumferential range more than 1/2 cycle ( OR=5.95, 95% CI:2.12-1.67, P=0.004), male ( OR=4.28, 95% CI:1.22-15.00, P=0.023) and high-ligation of Inferior mesenteric artery ( OR=8.08, 95% CI:1.86-37.78, P=0.006) were independent risk factors of AL. Conclusions:In this series, grade-B AL ranks the top of the incidence, and all were cured by conservative therapy. Special attention should be paid to those patients with the characteristics of male, tumor circumferential range more than 1/2 cycle, and high-ligation of inferior mesenteric artery.

Objective:To compare the impact of different treatment strategies on the survival outcomes in rectal cancer patients with poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, and to explore the survival-related influencing factors.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Between January 2018 and November 2022, the clinical, pathological, and follow-up data of 106 rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant therapy and were evaluated as grade 4 or 5 based on the Magnetic Resonance Tumor Regression Grade (mrTRG) from the rectal cancer database at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively collected. Based on the post-neoadjuvant therapy assessment, patients were classified into three groups: the chemotherapy-radiotherapy group (23 patients), the consolidation therapy group (18 patients), and the standard treatment group (65 patients). General condition, pathological findings, selection of neoadjuvant therapy, comorbidities, as well as 3-year expected DMFS and OS were observed in the three groups.Results:All 106 patients were followed up, with a median follow-up time of 28 (21, 38) months. The overall 3-year DMFS rate was 60%, and the 3-year OS rate was 74%. The 3-year DMFS in the standard treatment and consolidation therapy groups were 74% and 72%, respectively; the 3-year OS were 84%, 81%, respectively. The Log-rank test showed that there was no significant difference in the 3-year expected DMFS and OS between the standard treatment group and the consolidation therapy group (both P>0.05), but both groups had better survival outcomes than the chemotherapy-radiotherapy group (10% and 39%, respectively; all P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the chemotherapy-radiotherapy only regimen was an independent risk factor for DMFS (HR=12.425, 95% CI: 4.436–34.594, P<0.001), and the independent risk factors for OS were chemotherapy-radiotherapy only regimen (HR=8.991, 95%CI:2.220–36.403, P=0.002) and age≥65 years (HR=3.495, 95%CI: 1.017–12.009, P=0.047). Stratified analysis showed that chemotherapy-radiotherapy only regimen was the independent risk factors for DMFS and OS in patients with extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) positive ( n=66) and mesorectal fascial invasion (MRF) positive (n=56) (all P<0.05). Whether consolidation therapy was added to the standard neoadjuvant treatment regimen was not an independent factor affecting 3-year expected DMFS or OS in rectal cancer patients with poor response to neoadjuvant therapy. Further comparisons between the standard neoadjuvant treatment and consolidation therapy groups showed no statistically significant differences in spincter-preservation rate or postoperative complication rates (both P>0.05). However, the consolidation therapy group had a longer interval between the end of radiotherapy and surgery [80.1 (50.8, 109.4) days vs. 61.8 (48.8, 74.8) days, P<0.001], and a higher incidence of chemotherapy-related adverse effects ([10/18] vs. 26.2% [17/65], P=0.018). Conclusion:In rectal cancer patients with poor response to neoadjuvant therapy and clear adverse prognostic features before surgery (locally advanced stage, MRF positive or EMVI positive), the addition of short- or long-course chemotherapy-based systemic therapy does not provide short- or long-term survival benefits. Moreover, an extended chemotherapy duration increases the incidence of chemotherapy-related adverse effects.

Objective:To compare the impact of different treatment strategies on the survival outcomes in rectal cancer patients with poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, and to explore the survival-related influencing factors.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Between January 2018 and November 2022, the clinical, pathological, and follow-up data of 106 rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant therapy and were evaluated as grade 4 or 5 based on the Magnetic Resonance Tumor Regression Grade (mrTRG) from the rectal cancer database at Peking Union Medical College Hospital were retrospectively collected. Based on the post-neoadjuvant therapy assessment, patients were classified into three groups: the chemotherapy-radiotherapy group (23 patients), the consolidation therapy group (18 patients), and the standard treatment group (65 patients). General condition, pathological findings, selection of neoadjuvant therapy, comorbidities, as well as 3-year expected DMFS and OS were observed in the three groups.Results:All 106 patients were followed up, with a median follow-up time of 28 (21, 38) months. The overall 3-year DMFS rate was 60%, and the 3-year OS rate was 74%. The 3-year DMFS in the standard treatment and consolidation therapy groups were 74% and 72%, respectively; the 3-year OS were 84%, 81%, respectively. The Log-rank test showed that there was no significant difference in the 3-year expected DMFS and OS between the standard treatment group and the consolidation therapy group (both P>0.05), but both groups had better survival outcomes than the chemotherapy-radiotherapy group (10% and 39%, respectively; all P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the chemotherapy-radiotherapy only regimen was an independent risk factor for DMFS (HR=12.425, 95% CI: 4.436–34.594, P<0.001), and the independent risk factors for OS were chemotherapy-radiotherapy only regimen (HR=8.991, 95%CI:2.220–36.403, P=0.002) and age≥65 years (HR=3.495, 95%CI: 1.017–12.009, P=0.047). Stratified analysis showed that chemotherapy-radiotherapy only regimen was the independent risk factors for DMFS and OS in patients with extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) positive ( n=66) and mesorectal fascial invasion (MRF) positive (n=56) (all P<0.05). Whether consolidation therapy was added to the standard neoadjuvant treatment regimen was not an independent factor affecting 3-year expected DMFS or OS in rectal cancer patients with poor response to neoadjuvant therapy. Further comparisons between the standard neoadjuvant treatment and consolidation therapy groups showed no statistically significant differences in spincter-preservation rate or postoperative complication rates (both P>0.05). However, the consolidation therapy group had a longer interval between the end of radiotherapy and surgery [80.1 (50.8, 109.4) days vs. 61.8 (48.8, 74.8) days, P<0.001], and a higher incidence of chemotherapy-related adverse effects ([10/18] vs. 26.2% [17/65], P=0.018). Conclusion:In rectal cancer patients with poor response to neoadjuvant therapy and clear adverse prognostic features before surgery (locally advanced stage, MRF positive or EMVI positive), the addition of short- or long-course chemotherapy-based systemic therapy does not provide short- or long-term survival benefits. Moreover, an extended chemotherapy duration increases the incidence of chemotherapy-related adverse effects.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical features and risk factors of anastomotic leakage (AL) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by laparoscopic radical resection and proctocol ostomy.Method:Clinicla data of LARC patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by laparoscopic radical resection and proctocol ostomy admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital between Jan 2019 and Oct 2023 was enrolled. According to the occurrence of AL, patients were divided into AL group and non-AL group.Results:After propersity matching score(PSM), there were 40 patients (33.4%) and 80 patients (66.6%) in the AL and non-AL group, respectively. The first-onset symptoms of AL were abnormal character and color of the drainage (23 cases, 57.5%) and fever (14 cases, 35.0%). About 82.5% of the AL were graded as B,and all 36 patients (90.0%) were managed consveratively by fully drainage anti-infection therapy. Logistic regression analysis indicated that tumor circumferential range more than 1/2 cycle ( OR=5.95, 95% CI:2.12-1.67, P=0.004), male ( OR=4.28, 95% CI:1.22-15.00, P=0.023) and high-ligation of Inferior mesenteric artery ( OR=8.08, 95% CI:1.86-37.78, P=0.006) were independent risk factors of AL. Conclusions:In this series, grade-B AL ranks the top of the incidence, and all were cured by conservative therapy. Special attention should be paid to those patients with the characteristics of male, tumor circumferential range more than 1/2 cycle, and high-ligation of inferior mesenteric artery.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of integrase inhibitor-based single-tablet regimens bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) and lamivudine/dolutegravir (3TC/DTG) in the treatment-na?ve patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of treatment-na?ve AIDS patients initiating anti-retroviral therapy (ART) with B/F/TAF or 3TC/DTG and on ART for greater than or equal to 24 weeks from October 2020 to July 2023 in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University were collected. The baseline human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 RNA, CD4 + T lymphocyte counts at baseline and 12 weeks of treatment, and the rates of virological suppression and virological failure at 24 weeks of treatment, and levels of total cholesterol, serum creatinine, uric acid before and after treatment were compared between the B/F/TAF group and 3TC/DTG group. Independent sample t test, corrected t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among 189 treatment-na?ve AIDS patients, 141 cases were in B/F/TAF group and 48 cases in 3TC/DTG group. The HIV-1 RNA level at baseline was 1.77(0.78, 4.52)×10 5 copies/mL in the B/F/TAF group and 0.97(0.24, 2.20)×10 5 copies/mL in the 3TC/DTG group. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( U=2 221.00, P=0.006).There were 77.3%(109/141) patients on B/F/TAF achieved complete virological suppression with no virological failure at week 24, and 85.4%(41/48) on 3TC/DTG achieved complete virological suppression with one (2.1%) virological failure at week 24. At 12 weeks of treatment, 92.2%(130/141) of the patients in the B/F/TAF group and 85.4%(41/48) of the patients in the 3TC/DTG group had an increase in CD4 + T lymphocyte count by more than 30% compared with baseline. The proportion of CD4 + T lymphocyte count increased by more than 100/μL from baseline in the B/F/TAF group was 67.4%(95/141), and that in the 3TC/DTG group was 52.1%(25/48). There were no significant differences between the two groups ( χ2=1.91 and 3.61, respectively, P=0.167 and 0.733).The levels of total cholesterol ( W=2 036.00, t=-5.42, respectively), serum creatinine ( W=1 098.00, 234.00, respectively), uric acid ( W=2 188.00, 299.00, respectively) and the proportion of patients with mild to moderate renal insufficiency ( χ2=22.29, 8.22, respectively) in the B/F/TAF group and 3TC/DTG group after 24 weeks of treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment (all P<0.01). Conclusions:Both B/F/TAF and 3TC/DTG are effective in terms of virological suppression and immunological recovery and have good safety profiles in treatment-na?ve patients with AIDS.

Objective:To analyze the changes of pathogen spectrum of pulmonary infection in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients before and during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic.Methods:The clinical data of hospitalized HIV infection/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection confirmed by etiology and/or imaging examinations in the Department of Infection and Immunity, Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University from January 2017 to December 2022 were collected, including the types of pathogens, the peripheral blood CD4 + T lymphocyte counts at admission due to pulmonary infection, and the treatment outcome of the patients at discharge. The changes of pathogen spectrum of pulmonary infection before COVID-19 epidemic (2017 to 2019) and during the epidemic (2020 to 2022) were analyzed, and their effects on adverse treatment outcomes (death during hospitalization or automatic discharge) were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test, trend chi-square test or Kruskal-Wallis test. Results:The proportion of patients with pulmonary infection during the epidemic was lower than that before the epidemic, the difference was statistically significant (23.01%(1 061/4 612) vs 28.68%(1 463/5 102), χ2=40.76, P<0.001). From 2017 to 2022, the proportion of hospitalized HIV infection/AIDS patients with pulmonary infection showed a downward trend ( χ2trend=8.81, P<0.001). Among the pathogens causing pulmonary infection from 2017 to 2022, bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi were the three main pathogenic pathogens, accounting for 48.77%(1 231/2 524), 32.13%(811/2 524), and 14.34%(362/2 524), respectively. The proportion of bacterial infection decreased from 55.02%(805/1 463) before the epidemic to 40.15%(426/1 061) during the epidemic, and the proportion of fungal infection increased from 9.23%(135/1 463) to 21.39%(227/1 061), the differences were both statistically significant ( χ2=54.45 and 74.11, respectively, both P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of mycobacteria between before and during the epidemic ( P=0.169), but the proportion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection decreased from 22.01%(322/1 463) before the epidemic to 15.08%(160/1 061) during the epidemic, while the proportion of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection increased from 7.11%(104/463) to 11.78%(125/1 061), the differences were both statistically significant ( χ2=19.11 and 16.28, respectively, both P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the pathogen spectrum of pulmonary infection before and during the epidemic ( χ2=128.91, P<0.001). There was a significant difference in the peripheral blood CD4 + T lymphocyte counts of patients with MTB, NTM, Pnenmocystis, Talaromycosis marneffei and Cryptococcus infection ( H=71.92, P<0.001). There were 63.74%(109/171) of Pneumocystis infection and 67.65%(69/102) of Talaromycosis marneffei infection occurred in patients with CD4 + T lymphocyte count<50/μL. Among the patients with pulmonary infection, the proportion of patients with adverse treatment outcomes during the epidemic was higher than that before the epidemic, and the difference was statistically significant (13.29%(141/1 061) vs 10.39%(152/1 463), χ2=5.04, P=0.025). Among the patients with pulmonary infection who developed adverse treatment outcomes, the top three pathogens (from high to low) were bacteria (63.48%(186/293)), mycobacteria (27.65%(81/293)), and fungi (6.83%(20/293)). The proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by bacterial infection decreased during the epidemic compared with that of before the epidemic (71.71%(109/152) vs 54.61%(77/141), χ2=9.23, P=0.002), while the proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by fungal infection increased (2.63%(4/152) vs 11.35%(16/141), χ2=8.74, P=0.003), and the differences were both statistically significant. The proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by mycobacterial infection increased, but without statistically significant (23.03%(35/152) vs 32.62%(46/141), χ2=3.37, P=0.066), among which there was no difference in the proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by MTB infection (13.82%(21/152) vs 14.89%(21/141), χ2=0.07, P=0.793), while the proportion of adverse treatment outcomes caused by NTM infection increased (5.92%(9/152) vs 14.89%(21/141), χ2=6.41, P=0.011). There was a significant difference in the pathogen spectrum of pulmonary infection patients with adverse treatment outcomes before and during the epidemic ( χ2=12.22, P=0.007). Conclusions:Among the spectrum of pathogens causing pulmonary infection and adverse treatment outcomes of HIV infection/AIDS patients during the epidemic, compared with that before the epidemic, the proportion of bacterial decreases, while the proportion of fungi increases, and the proportion of mycobacteria remains stable with the proportion of NTM increasing. The proportion of MTB causing pulmonary infection decreases, while the proportion of MTB causing adverse treatment outcomes remains stable.

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic efficacy and underlying mechanisms of the traditional Chinese medicine formula "Hua Xian Fang" (HXF) in the treatment of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF).Methods:In vivo experiment, 36 male specific pathogen free (SPF)-grade C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into the control, irradiation (17 Gy thoracic irradiation), and irradiation+HXF groups (17 Gy thoracic irradiation+HXF). After 16 weeks, lung coefficient, HE staining and Masson staining were used to evaluate the degree of pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry was performed to measure the expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in lung tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to determine the levels of IFN-γ in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). During in vitro experiment, NIH/3T3 fibroblasts were stimulated with IFN-γ after 6 Gy irradiation, followed by 48 hours of culture. qPCR, immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot were used to assess the expression of α-SMA and collagen Ⅰ at the transcription and protein levels. One way ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons, and Tukey test was used for inter group multiple comparisons. Results:Compared to the control group, mice in the irradiation group showed significant increases in lung coefficient, Szapiel score, Ashcroft score, and α-SMA expression in lung tissues (all P<0.001). Compared to the irradiation group, the irradiation+HXF group exhibited significant decreases in the above indicators (all P<0.001). qPCR demonstrated that the mRNA expression levels of IFN-γ were significantly higher in the irradiation+HXF group than that in the irradiation group ( P=0.001). ELISA results showed that the levels of IFN-γ in serum and BALF were significantly elevated in the irradiation+HXF group compared to those in the irradiation group ( P=0.032, 0.037). In vitro experiment revealed that after irradiation, the expression levels of α-SMA and collagen Ⅰ mRNA and protein in NIH/3T3 cells were significantly increased, while decreased after IFN-γ stimulation. Conclusion:HXF effectively alleviates RIPF, probably by the upregulation of IFN-γ in blood and tissues and inhibition of fibroblast activation.