Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of early gastric cancer with mixed histological staging, and to analyze the prognostic effect of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer.Methods:Clinical data of early gastric cancer patients treated with ESD in Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital from January 2011 to March 2020 were collected, and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with mixed-type early gastric cancer were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods. The clinical effects and influencing factors of ESD on early gastric cancer were analyzed by logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate the survival rate, and log-rank test was used to compare the survival rate.Results:A total of 269 patients (280 lesions) were included in this study, including 216 males (80.30%) and 53 females (19.70%), with age of 60.43±8.01 years. There were 25 lesions (8.93%) of mixed early gastric cancer, 248 lesions (88.57%) of differentiated early gastric cancer, and 7 lesions (2.50%) of undifferentiated early gastric cancer. Compared with differentiated and undifferentiated early gastric cancer, the lesion site of mixed early gastric cancer was mainly located in the upper 1/3 of the stomach [64.00% (16/25), 40.73% (101/248) VS 0.00% (0/7), χ2=10.211, P=0.006], the proportion of the lesion size ≤2 cm was relatively small [52.00% (13/25), 80.65% (200/248) VS 85.71% (6/7), χ2=11.173, P=0.004], and the proportion of infiltration depth in the mucosa was lower [52.00% (13/25), 85.48% (212/248) VS 57.14% (4/7), χ2=20.019, P<0.001], the proportion of positive vertical resection margin was relatively high [20.00% (5/25), 2.82% (7/248) VS 0.00% (0/7), χ2=16.657, P<0.001], the proportion of vascular invasion was higher than that of differentiated carcinoma but lower than that of undifferentiated carcinoma [36.00% (9/25), 2.42% (6/248) VS 42.86% (3/7), χ2=58.413, P<0.001], the complete resection rate was lower [76.00% (19/25), 93.15% (231/248) VS 100.00% (7/7), χ2=9.497, P=0.009], the curative resection rate was lower than that of differentiated early gastric cancer, but higher than that of undifferentiated early gastric cancer [48.00% (12/25), 89.52% (222/248) VS 42.86% (3/7), χ2=39.757, P<0.001], and the proportion of eCura grade C2 was higher than that of differentiated cancer, but lower than that of undifferentiated cancer [48.00% (12/25), 5.65% (14/248) VS 57.14% (4/7), χ2=58.766, P<0.001]. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the larger lesions ( P=0.004, OR=0.539, 95% CI: 0.354-0.822) was the risk factor for curative resection. In terms of infiltration depth, mucosal ( P=0.001, OR=51.799, 95% CI: 5.535-84.768) and submucosal 1 ( P<0.001, OR=29.301, 95% CI: 24.694-73.972) were protective factors for curative resection compared with submucosal 2. In terms of differentiation degree, compared with mixed type, differentiated type ( P=0.024, OR=3.947, 95% CI: 1.195-13.032) was the protective factor for curative resection, while undifferentiated type ( P=0.443, OR=0.424, 95% CI: 0.048-3.788) showed no difference between curative resection and mixed type. During the follow-up, 7 patients died. The overall survival time was 114.42±0.97 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 97.10%. There was no significant difference in the survival rate of early gastric cancer patients with different degrees of differentiation ( χ2=0.434, P=0.805). The survival rate of early gastric cancer patients with or without curative resection was significantly different ( χ2=4.081, P=0.043). Conclusion:Mixed early gastric cancer patients show high margin positive rate, vascular infiltration, and less curative resection than differentiated early gastric cancer. Therefore, the process of treating mixed early gastric cancer should be more rigorous. The long-term survival prognosis of early gastric cancer after ESD treatment is promising.

Objective:The incidence of infections in patients with malignant hematologic diseases is extremely high and significantly affects their prognosis.Identifying early and precise biomarkers for infection is crucial for guiding the treatment of infections in these patients.Previous studies have shown that procalcitonin(PCT)can serve as an early diagnostic marker for bloodstream infections in patients with malignant hematologic diseases.This study aims to compare serum PCT levels in these patients with different pathogens,disease types,infection sites,and severity levels. Methods:Clinical data and laboratory results of infected patients with malignant hematologic diseases treated at the Department of Hematology,the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2018 to August 2023 were collected.General patient information was retrospectively analyzed.Serum PCT levels were compared among patients with different pathogens,types of malignant hematologic diseases,infection sites,and infection severity;Receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curves were used to determine the cut-off values and diagnostic value of serum PCT levels in diagnosing bloodstream infections versus local infections and severe infections versus non-severe infections.Mortality rates after 4-7 days of anti-infective treatment were compared among groups with rising,falling,and unchanged PCT levels. Results:A total of 526 patients with malignant hematologic diseases were included.The main pathogens were Gram-negative bacteria(272 cases,51.7%),followed by Gram-positive bacteria(120 cases,22.8%),fungi(65 cases,12.4%),viruses(23 cases,4.4%),and mixed pathogens(46 cases,8.7%).The main types of malignant hematologic diseases were acute myeloid leukemia(216 cases,41.1%),acute lymphoblastic leukemia(107 cases,20.3%),and lymphoma(93 cases,17.7%).Granulocyte deficiency was present in 68.3%(359 cases)of the patients during infection,with severe infection in 24.1%(127 cases).Significant differences in serum PCT levels were found among patients with different types of pathogens(P<0.001),with the highest levels in Gram-negative bacterial infections.Significant differences in serum PCT levels were also found among patients with different types of malignant hematologic diseases(P<0.05),with the highest levels in lymphoma patients.Serum PCT levels were significantly higher in systemic infections and severe infections compared to local infections and non-severe infections(both P<0.001).ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off values for diagnosing bloodstream infections and severe infections were 0.22 and 0.28 ng/mL,with areas under the curve of 0.670 and 0.673,respectively.After 4-7 days of anti-infective treatment,the mortality rates of the PCT declining,PCT unchanged,and PCT rising groups were 11.9%,21.2%,and 35.7%,respectively,and pairwise comparisons were statistically significant(all P<0.05). Conclusion:PCT can be used as an auxiliary indicator for early identification of different pathogens,infection sites,and severity levels in patients with malignant hematologic diseases combined with infections.Dynamic monitoring of PCT levels after empirical antibiotic treatment provides important guidance for assessing patient's prognosis.

Objective:To analyze the molecular characteristics of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori(HP)and provide a molecular bio-logical basis for clinical eradication of HP by means of rational antibiotic use.Methods:From February 2019 to November 2023,1,144 pa-tients at the Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital who tested positive for HP using the 14C-urea breath test were enrolled in the study.Antibiotic resistance and related molecular characteristics of HP,and CYP2C19 polymorphisms in the patients were detected by diffusion drug suscept-ibility testing,drug resistance gene testing,and next-generation sequencing,respectively.Results:Among the six antibiotics assessed,the resistance rate and the prevalence of resistance genes(rdxA)were highest for metronidazole(92.00%and 86.12%,respectively),and lowest for amoxicillin(Pbp1)(11.78%and 37.11%,respectively).The prevalence of CYP2C19 alleles showed that 46.77%,44.58%,and 8.65%of par-ticipants were fast,medium,and slow metabolizers,respectively.Of the participants,148(18.55%)had immunohistochemical sphericity.The eradication rate of HP lower using conventional treatment regimens than that using personalized treatment regimens(χ2=8.627,P=0.003).The HP eradication rate was higher among patients with a first diagnosis of drug resistancebased on molecular testing,than that in patients undergoing retreatment(χ2=6.242,P=0.012).Conclusions:The prevalence of amoxicillin-resistant HP is low in Wuwei City,which has a high incidence of gastric cancer.Molecular diagnosis of antimicrobial resistance could improve the HP eradication rate and provide a refer-ence for rational use of antibiotics in clinical practice.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of immunotherapy with or without radiotherapy in the treatment of recurrent or metastatic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (R/M ESCC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 75 patients with R/M ESCC treated with sintilimab at Anyang Tumor Hospital from January 2020 to October 2021. The patients were divided into the radiotherapy (RT) group ( n=37) and non-radiotherapy (NRT) group ( n=38) based on whether they received radiotherapy. The objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse effects were compared between two groups. Count data were expressed as composition ratios and analyzed using Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results:There was no statistically significant difference in ORR and DCR between the RT and NRT groups (70% vs. 61%, P=0.375; 95% vs. 89%, P=0.414). However, the complete response (CR) rate in the RT group was higher compared to that in the NRT group (19% vs. 3%, P=0.022). The median follow-up duration was 25.4 months. There was no statistically significant difference in the median PFS and OS between the RT and NRT groups (13.8 months vs. 9.9 months, P=0.221; 20.2 months vs. 18.9 months, P=0.214). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that among patients with recurrence or metastasis confined to local and / or ≤3 distant lymph nodes, there was no statistically significant difference in the median PFS between the RT and NRT groups (15.1 months vs. 8.4 months, P=0.115), but the median OS in the RT group was better than that in the NRT group (not reached vs. 12.3 months, P=0.036). Compared to the NRT group, besides an increase in grade 1-2 pneumonitis (41% vs. 18%, P=0.035), no significant increase in treatment-related toxicity was observed in the RT group. Conclusion:Immunotherapy combined with radiotherapy is safe in patients with R/M ESCC, and shows survival benefit in patients with recurrence or metastasis confined to local and / or ≤3 distant lymph nodes.

Objective:To explore the biomarkers of radiochemotherapy sensitivity and potential mechanisms in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and validate the screened biomarkers at human tissue, animal and cellular levels.Methods:Based on bioinformatics system, clinical and transcriptome data of ESCC were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and GEO databases. HUB genes related to chemoradiotherapy sensitivity were identified by weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and cytoscape software and survival differences were analyzed. CellMiner database was used to predict and screen drugs with strong correlation with HUB genes. The expression levels of HUB genes in clinical tissues was detected by real-time reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, oe-AKR1C1 mouse model, cisplatin-resistant cells and radiation-resistant cells were constructed, and the effects of HUB genes on tumor size and mass, and cell proliferation ability were analyzed.Results:A total of 5 HUB genes were identified, among which NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1), AKR1C1 and NADH: ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit S2 (NDUFS2) were significantly correlated with ESCC survival (all P<0.05). Dacarbazine, alectinib and obatoclax were the anti-tumor drugs predicted to have a strong correlation with HUB genes in this study. Human tissue test results showed that the expression levels of NQO1, AKR1C1 and NDUFS2 were up-regulated in patients with chemoradiotherapy resistance, and AKR1C1 and NDUFS2 had statistical significance (both P<0.05). The results of mouse tumor bearing experiment showed that the tumor volume and mass of oe-AKR1C1 mice after radiotherapy and chemotherapy were significantly higher than those in the control group (both P<0.05). The cell experiment results showed that the expression levels of AKR1C1 and NDUFS2 in radiation-resistant cells and cisplatin-resistant cells were significantly higher than those in control cells ( P<0.05), while there was no statistically significant difference in the relative expression level of NQO1. Conclusion:NQO1, AKR1C1 and NDUFS2 are HUB genes significantly related to the survival of ESCC, which can be used as important therapeutic tumor targets for ESCC.

Objective: To analyze the quadrivalent influenza vaccine intention of 718 health care workers (HCWs) in the Pearl River Delta region from 2015 to 2017. Method: In May 2018, 718 HCWs from the department related to the diagnosis and treatment of influenza in 17 hospitals (6 tertiary hospitals, 5 secondary hospitals and 6 primary hospitals) from Guangzhou, Jiangmen, Zhuhai and Dongguan were selected by using stratified sampling method. Questionnaire survey and face-to-face interview were used to collect the information of influenza vaccination, the intention of the quadrivalent influenza vaccine, the acceptance of free and required vaccination policies, and recommendations for increasing influenza vaccination intentions from 2015 to 2017. The multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze factors associated with the vaccination intention. Results: A total of 718 HCWs were surveyed and 147 of them were interviewed face to face. Among them, the vaccination rate of primary hospitals [17.39%(40/230)] was higher than that of other hospitals (χ²=15.80, P<0.05). If the vaccine could be free, 84.82% (609/718) of HCWs would like to be vaccinated. The multivariate logistic regression showed that the factors, HCWs who were aged ≥50 years (OR=3.44, 95%CI:1.43-8.28), worked in department of prevention and health care (OR=2.35, 95%CI:1.16-4.75), learned about the quadrivalent influenza vaccine (OR=2.94, 95%CI:2.08-4.18), knowed that HCWs are priority (OR=2.33, 95%CI:1.56-3.48), and had a history of trivalent influenza vaccination from 2015 to 2017 (OR=4.70, 95%CI:3.08-7.15), were associated with the vaccination intention. Conclusion HCWs in the Pearl River Delta region had weak inclination of getting quadrivalent influenza vaccine. HCWs who were age (≥50 years old), worked in department of prevention and health care, learned about the quadrivalent influenza vaccine, knowed that HCWs are priority, and had a history of trivalent influenza vaccination from 2015 to 2017 were factors positively associated with the vaccination intention.

Objective: To explore the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture on neuropathic pain and the role of PI3K/AKT pathway in microglial activation in spinal cord. Methods: Chronic constriction injury model was established using Sprague-Dawley rats to mimic neuropathic pain. The pain intensity was then detected by paw withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal latency. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot were used to evaluate the activation of PI3K/AKT pathway as well as microglia in L4-5 of all rats. Proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: It was demonstrated that chronic constriction injury-induced hyperalgesia was significantly improved by LY294002 intrathecal administration and electroacupuncture stimulation at “Zusanli” 足三里 (ST36) and “Yanglingquan” 阳陵泉 (GB34). Also, treatment with electroacupuncture significantly reduced the activation of microglia and downregulated the levels of TNF-α and IL-6, which was similar to the outcomes of LY294002 intrathecal administration. Furthermore, the expression and phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT signaling was markedly suppressed by electroacupuncture treatment. Conclusions: These findings indicated that electroacupuncture exhibited the analgesic effect on CCI rats by inhibiting the activation of microglia and production of proinflammatory cytokines in spinal cord through blocking the microglial PI3K/AKT signaling activation

【Objective】 To summarize the CT and MRI imaging features of gallbladder neuroendocrine tumor.【Methods】 CT and MRI data of 10 patients with gallbladder neuroendocrine tumors proven by surgical pathology between January 2010 and May 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them，6 patients underwent CT examination，3 underwent MRI examination，and 1 patient underwent both CT and MRI examinations. The size，morphologic features and contrast enhancement pattern of gallbladder tumors，and the presence of liver metastasis，bile duct and perihepatic metastasis，lymph node metastasis，and the presence of gallbladder stone were assessed.【Results】Among these 10 cases of gallbladder neuroendocrine tumor，the largest dimension of tumors ranged from 39 mm to 120 mm. The tumors manifest? ed as a mass protruding into the lumen with a broad base adhering to the wall of the gallbladder. In 7 patients who had undergone CT examination，the tumors manifested as an irregular mass with soft tissue density on CT. In 4 patients who had undergone MRI，the tumors showed homogeneous iso-intense signal on T1-weightedimaging，heterogenous hyper-intense signal on T2- weighted imaging，and limited diffusion on diffusion- weighted imaging. All tumors in 10 patients showed moderate，heterogeneous and persistent enhancement. Eight patients had liver metastasis，among whom 7 had metastases in liver segments 4 and 5，and 1 had multiple metastases in other liver segments. Six patients had bile duct invasion and 3 had hilar fat invasion. Seven patients had lymph node metastasis. One patient had gallstone.【Conclusion】Gallbladder neuroendocrine tumor has certain characteristic CT and MRI findings，such as a large mass in gallbladder，which tends to invade adjacent liver parenchyma，and extend along gallbladder neck and gallbladder ducts，accompanied with hepatic portal and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis，and hilar fat invasion.

OBJECTIVE To report on concurrent mutations of APC and MLH1 genes identified in a family affected with familial adenomatous polyposis(FAP). METHODS The proband was diagnosed with FAP based on her clinical manifestation, family history and histopathology examination. She developed endometrial epithelial neoplasia(EIN) two years later. With peripheral blood samples collected from her and members of her family, genomic DNA was extracted, and mutations of the APC and MLH1 genes were analyzed by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS Two novel heterozygous mutations were identified respectively in the APC gene(c.637C>T, p.R213X) and the MLH1 gene(c.1153C>T, p.R385C) in the proband. The former has resulted in a truncated protein, while the latter has led to substitution of Arginine by Cystine. CONCLUSION The concurrent mutations of the APC and MLH1 genes probably underline the FAP and Lynch syndrome(LS) in this pedigree. As the first female identified with such mutations, the proband manifested later onset of symptoms with certain degree of variation. For patient with FAP, a detailed family history should be taken.Potential mutation of the APC gene should be screened.Non-intestinal manifestations should be searched. For those who have developed endometrial lesion such as EIN, mutation of the MMR gene (associated with LS) should also be screened.