Objective:To investigate the relationship between thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. The CAPD patients with dialysis duration >6 months between January and December 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. The baseline clinical data, heart rate variability (HRV) data such as standard deviation of all normal to normal intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences between adjacent normal-to-normal intervals (RMSSD), high frequency (HF), very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), LF/HF, acceleration capacity (AC) and deceleration capacity (DC), and skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA) were collected. TAC was defined as TAC score (TACS) >100 AU. The patients were divided into TACS >100 AU group and TACS≤100 AU group based on whether the thoracic aorta was calcified. The differences of those data between the two groups were compared. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors of TAC. Spearman correlation analysis method was used to analyze the correlation between peripheral blood neuropeptide Y, ANS parameters, average amplitude SKNA (aSKNA) and TACS.　Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of all-cause mortality in patients with CAPD.Results:The study included 106 CAPD patients with 50 males (47.2%), age of (46.04±11.10) years and dialysis duration of (41.55±30.52) months. TACS>100 AU group exhibited significantly lower heart rate ( t=2.015, P=0.046), DC ( t=2.131, P=0.035), LF/HF ( Z=3.332, P<0.001) and ln(LF/HF) ( t=3.326, P=0.001), and higher AC ( t=-2.392, P=0.019) than TACS≤100 AU group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that after adjusting for age and eosinophil count, lnVLF ( OR=0.66, 95% CI 0.45-0.98, P=0.038), lnLF ( OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.97, P=0.032), DC ( OR=0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.99, P=0.039) and AC ( OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.68, P=0.021) were independently correlated with the risk of TAC. Spearman correlation analysis showed that neuropeptide Y level in peripheral blood was correlated with aSKNA ( r=0.23, P=0.017), lnSDNN ( r=-0.20, P=0.036) and TACS ( r=0.19, P=0.048). During the follow-up period of (25.8±4.2) months, 5 patients (4.72%) died, including 1 patient in the TACS≤100 AU group and 4 patients in the TACS>100 AU group. Compared with the survival group, the death group had higher TACS ( Z=-2.262, P=0.024) and lower LF/HF ( Z=-2.750, P=0.006). Cox regression analysis results showed that increased ln(LF/HF) was an independent influencing factor for all-cause mortality in CAPD patients ( HR=0.22, 95% CI 0.05-0.83, P=0.026). Conclusions:HRV parameters (lnVLF, lnLF, AC and DC) of CAPD patients are independently associated with TAC. The dysfunction of ANS in CAPD patients (especially the decreased vagus nerve activity) may promote TAC.

Objective:To summarize the clinical symptoms of cyclic vomiting syndrome（CVS）in children and investigate its association with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth（SIBO）.Methods:A total of 89 children who were diagnosed as CVS and improved lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT) in the Pediatric Department of Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected as CVS group.Simultaneously，50 healthy children with physical examination in our hospital were selected as the control group. According to the results of LHBT,the children with CVS were divided into SIBO group (LHBT positive) and non-SIBO group (LHBT negative). The clinical data of children in each group were compared.Results:Among the 89 CVS patients，there were 42 males and 47 females，with a mean age of（7.50±3.54）years.Common accompanying symptoms included excessive sleepiness（76 cases，85.39%），anorexia(62 cases，69.66%），constipation（55 cases，61.80%），abdominal pain（34 cases,38.20%）and so on. There were no significant differences in age and gender between children in CVS group and control group ( P>0.05). The body mass index of CVS group was lower than that of control group.The positive rate of LHBT was higher than that of the control group (56.18% vs. 8.00%),the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05),and the concentrations of hydrogen and methane in CVS group were higher than those of the control group at different time points( P<0.05).Among 89 children with CVS,there were 50 cases in SIBO group and 39 cases in non-SIBO group. There were no significant differences in gender,age and body mass index between the two groups ( P>0.05). The constipation rate and moderate/severe disease rate in SIBO group were higher than those in non-SIBO group (88.00% vs. 28.21%,94.00% vs. 43.59%),and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of SIBO in children with CVS is higher,and SIBO may play a key role in CVS. CVS children with SIBO have higher disease severity.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between thoracic aortic calcification (TAC) and autonomic nervous system (ANS) function in patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. The CAPD patients with dialysis duration >6 months between January and December 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. The baseline clinical data, heart rate variability (HRV) data such as standard deviation of all normal to normal intervals (SDNN), root mean square of successive differences between adjacent normal-to-normal intervals (RMSSD), high frequency (HF), very low frequency (VLF), low frequency (LF), LF/HF, acceleration capacity (AC) and deceleration capacity (DC), and skin sympathetic nerve activity (SKNA) were collected. TAC was defined as TAC score (TACS) >100 AU. The patients were divided into TACS >100 AU group and TACS≤100 AU group based on whether the thoracic aorta was calcified. The differences of those data between the two groups were compared. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors of TAC. Spearman correlation analysis method was used to analyze the correlation between peripheral blood neuropeptide Y, ANS parameters, average amplitude SKNA (aSKNA) and TACS.　Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of all-cause mortality in patients with CAPD.Results:The study included 106 CAPD patients with 50 males (47.2%), age of (46.04±11.10) years and dialysis duration of (41.55±30.52) months. TACS>100 AU group exhibited significantly lower heart rate ( t=2.015, P=0.046), DC ( t=2.131, P=0.035), LF/HF ( Z=3.332, P<0.001) and ln(LF/HF) ( t=3.326, P=0.001), and higher AC ( t=-2.392, P=0.019) than TACS≤100 AU group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that after adjusting for age and eosinophil count, lnVLF ( OR=0.66, 95% CI 0.45-0.98, P=0.038), lnLF ( OR=0.69, 95% CI 0.49-0.97, P=0.032), DC ( OR=0.79, 95% CI 0.64-0.99, P=0.039) and AC ( OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.04-1.68, P=0.021) were independently correlated with the risk of TAC. Spearman correlation analysis showed that neuropeptide Y level in peripheral blood was correlated with aSKNA ( r=0.23, P=0.017), lnSDNN ( r=-0.20, P=0.036) and TACS ( r=0.19, P=0.048). During the follow-up period of (25.8±4.2) months, 5 patients (4.72%) died, including 1 patient in the TACS≤100 AU group and 4 patients in the TACS>100 AU group. Compared with the survival group, the death group had higher TACS ( Z=-2.262, P=0.024) and lower LF/HF ( Z=-2.750, P=0.006). Cox regression analysis results showed that increased ln(LF/HF) was an independent influencing factor for all-cause mortality in CAPD patients ( HR=0.22, 95% CI 0.05-0.83, P=0.026). Conclusions:HRV parameters (lnVLF, lnLF, AC and DC) of CAPD patients are independently associated with TAC. The dysfunction of ANS in CAPD patients (especially the decreased vagus nerve activity) may promote TAC.

Objective:To summarize the clinical symptoms of cyclic vomiting syndrome（CVS）in children and investigate its association with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth（SIBO）.Methods:A total of 89 children who were diagnosed as CVS and improved lactulose hydrogen breath test (LHBT) in the Pediatric Department of Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from June 2020 to June 2023 were selected as CVS group.Simultaneously，50 healthy children with physical examination in our hospital were selected as the control group. According to the results of LHBT,the children with CVS were divided into SIBO group (LHBT positive) and non-SIBO group (LHBT negative). The clinical data of children in each group were compared.Results:Among the 89 CVS patients，there were 42 males and 47 females，with a mean age of（7.50±3.54）years.Common accompanying symptoms included excessive sleepiness（76 cases，85.39%），anorexia(62 cases，69.66%），constipation（55 cases，61.80%），abdominal pain（34 cases,38.20%）and so on. There were no significant differences in age and gender between children in CVS group and control group ( P>0.05). The body mass index of CVS group was lower than that of control group.The positive rate of LHBT was higher than that of the control group (56.18% vs. 8.00%),the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05),and the concentrations of hydrogen and methane in CVS group were higher than those of the control group at different time points( P<0.05).Among 89 children with CVS,there were 50 cases in SIBO group and 39 cases in non-SIBO group. There were no significant differences in gender,age and body mass index between the two groups ( P>0.05). The constipation rate and moderate/severe disease rate in SIBO group were higher than those in non-SIBO group (88.00% vs. 28.21%,94.00% vs. 43.59%),and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The incidence of SIBO in children with CVS is higher,and SIBO may play a key role in CVS. CVS children with SIBO have higher disease severity.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis in humans and animals. Mtb invades the host′s lungs via airborne transmission, infects macrophages and causes tuberculosis. In some cases, the infection can spread to other tissues and organs. Despite the availability of several drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis, the emergence of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis has led to high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for researchers to develop new anti-tuberculosis drugs that can treat tuberculosis more efficiently. Recent studies have shown that the virulence factors of Mtb play a crucial role in its pathogenicity. These factors primarily include secreted proteins, transcription factors, proteases, stress response proteins, metabolism-associated proteins, and cell-surface components. By evading the host′s immune surveillance through mechanisms such as anti-oxidative stress, regulating nutrient synthesis and metabolism, and modulating host cells apoptosis, Mtb is able to achieve long-term survival and spread with in the host. Understanding the mechanisms of Mtb virulence factors can provide new directions for targeted tuberculosis therapy. Therefore, knowledge of these virulence factors is essential for the development of new vaccines and anti-tuberculosis drugs. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress in the virulence factors of Mtb to provide a reference for targeted treatment of tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis ( Mtb) is the causative agent of tuberculosis in humans and animals. Mtb invades the host′s lungs via airborne transmission, infects macrophages and causes tuberculosis. In some cases, the infection can spread to other tissues and organs. Despite the availability of several drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis, the emergence of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis has led to high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Therefore, there is an urgent need for researchers to develop new anti-tuberculosis drugs that can treat tuberculosis more efficiently. Recent studies have shown that the virulence factors of Mtb play a crucial role in its pathogenicity. These factors primarily include secreted proteins, transcription factors, proteases, stress response proteins, metabolism-associated proteins, and cell-surface components. By evading the host′s immune surveillance through mechanisms such as anti-oxidative stress, regulating nutrient synthesis and metabolism, and modulating host cells apoptosis, Mtb is able to achieve long-term survival and spread with in the host. Understanding the mechanisms of Mtb virulence factors can provide new directions for targeted tuberculosis therapy. Therefore, knowledge of these virulence factors is essential for the development of new vaccines and anti-tuberculosis drugs. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress in the virulence factors of Mtb to provide a reference for targeted treatment of tuberculosis.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of radiotherapy in the treatment of extracranial metastatic breast cancer, and to investigate the significance and prognostic factors of whole-lesion radiotherapy (WLRT).Methods:Clinical data of 85 patients with extracranial metastatic breast cancer treated with radiotherapy between 2014 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Thirty-six patients were assigned into the WLRT group and 49 in the non-WLRT group. The local control (LC), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan- Meier method, log-rank test and univariate prognostic analysis. Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate prognostic analysis. Results:The median follow-up time was 26.7 months. The 2-year LC, PFS, OS rates were 77%, 26%, 77%, respectively. The 2-year LC (91% vs. 67%, P=0.001), PFS (47% vs. 8%, P<0.001), OS rates (84% vs. 71%, P=0.010) in the WLRT group were significantly higher than those in the non-WLRT group, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that WLRT was an independent favorable prognostic factor for the LC, PFS and OS. Furthermore, bone metastasis alone was associated with improved LC and positive hormone receptor status was correlated with improved OS. Conclusions:WLRT has the potential to prolong the survival of patients with extracranial metastatic breast cancer. The patients with bone metastases alone obtain better LC, whereas those with negative hormone receptor status has worse OS.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between gastric filling status and intra-or inter-fractional tumor displacement in patients with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG) undergoing preoperative radiotherapy.Methods:From October 2018 to June 2019, 10 patients with locally advanced AEG who received totally neoadjuvant therapy were enrolled in this prospective study. Patients received two markers implanted at the cranial and caudal borders of the tumors under gastroscope and a total of 20 fiducial markers were implanted finally. All patients underwent 4DCT scan under the gastric fasting and filling status. Ten images of 0% to 90% respiratory phase were automatically reconstructed by the system (Pinnacle 3, version 9.1, Philips Medical Systems, Eindhoven, The Netherland). Each patient obtained one hundred sets of images. Results:In the tumors proximal to the chest, gastric filling did not significantly affect intrafractional or interfractional tumor displacements. Nevertheless, in the tumors distal to the chest, the interfractional displacement in the cranio-caudal (CC) direction under the gastric fasting status was significantly larger compared with that under the gastric filling status (6.22±4.67 mm vs. 4.13±3.68 mm, P=0.013). To ensure 95% of the prescribed dose irradiated to at least 90% of the tumor volume during the radiotherapy, the margins of tumors proximal to the chest in the left-right (LR), antero-posterior (AP) and CC directions were 9 mm, 8.5 mm, 12.1 mm under gastric filling status with 300 ml semi-fluid. Six patients diagnosed with gastric cancer with proximal thoracic fiducial markers treated by preoperative radiotherapy were included in the validation group, revealing that the fiducial markers of 93% patients were covered in this margin. Conclusion:During the preoperative radiotherapy in AEG patient, the approach of quantitative gastric filling can be considered.

Objective:To investigate the radiation field and dose selection of patients with isolated chest wall recurrence (ICWR) after modified radical mastectomy, and analyze the prognostic factors related to subsequent chest wall recurrence.Methods:Clinical data of 201 patients with ICWR after mastectomy admitted to the Fifth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital from 1998 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. None of the patients received postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. After ICWR, 48 patients (73.6%) underwent surgery and 155 patients (77.1%) received radiotherapy. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the post-recurrence progression-free survival (PFS) rates and the difference was compared by log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed using Cox regression model. Competing risk model was adopted to estimate the subsequent local recurrence (sLR) rates after ICWR and the difference was compared with Gray test. Multivariate analysis was conducted using F&G analysis. Results:With a median follow up of 92.8 months after ICWR, the 5-year PFS rate was 23.2%, and the 5-year sLR rate was 35.7%. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with surgery plus radiotherapy and recurrence interval o F>12 months had a lower sLR rate. Patients with recurrence interval o F>48 months, local plus systemic treatment and surgery plus radiotherapy had a higher PFS rate. Among the 155 patients who received chest wall radiotherapy after ICWR, total chest wall irradiation plus local boost could improve the 5-year PFS rate compared with total chest wall irradiation alone (34.0% vs. 15.4%, P=0.004). Chest wall radiation dose (≤60 Gy vs.>60 Gy) exerted no significant effect upon the sLR and PFS rates (both P>0.05). In the 53 patients without surgery, the 5-year PFS rates were 9.1% and 20.5%( P=0.061) with tumor bed dose ≤60 Gy and>60 Gy, respectively. Conclusions:Local radiotherapy is recommended for patients with ICWR after modified radical mastectomy of breast cancer, including total chest wall radiation plus local boost. The radiation dose for recurrence should be increased to 60 Gy, and it should be above 60 Gy for those who have not undergone surgical resection. In addition, patients with ICWR still have a high risk of sLR, and more effective treatments need to be explored.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and preliminary efficacy of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) model of" neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy plus consolidation neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CNCT) followed by surgery" for locally advanced gastric cancer.Methods:From 2018 to 2020, 28 patients clinically diagnosed with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma or Siewert Ⅱ/Ⅲ adenocarcinoma gastroesophageal junction cancer were prospectively enrolled. The neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) was delivered with a total dose of 45 Gy, 1.8 Gy/f. Concurrent chemotherapy was S-1 at a dose of 40-60 mg twice daily. Then, patients received four to six cycles of CNCT of SOX regimen at three weeks after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. D 2 lymphadenectomy was performed at 4-6 weeks after CNCT. Results:A total of 28 patients completed the whole therapy. Grade 3 or above adverse events occurred in 3 cases (11%) during CCRT, including thrombocytopenia, leukopenia and anorexia; 2 cases (7%) developed leukopenia and 3 cases (11%) of thrombocytopenia during CNCT. Twenty patients (71%) completed the surgery. The proportion of patients with pathological complete remission (pCR) was 50%. Three patients experienced surgical complications including anastomotic leak, anastomotic stenosis and intra-abdominal sepsis. All were recovered after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion:Interim analysis results demonstrate that TNT can yield significant down-staging for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer, which causes tolerable adverse events and postoperative complications.