Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of radiomics model based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in predicting pathological complete response(pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC).Methods:One hundred and six patients with LARC who underwent total mesorectal excision after nCRT between April 2018 and April 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were retrospectively included, the patients were randomly divided into a training set of 63(14 pCR patients) and a validation set of 43(12 pCR patients) in a 6∶4 ratios. Radiomics features were extracted from the tumors′ region of interest of CEUS images based on PyRadiomics. Intra-class correlation coefficient(ICC), Mann-Whitney U test, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO) algorithms were used to reduce features dimension. Finally, 7 radiomics features relevanted to pCR were selected to construct an ultrasomics model using elastic network regression, based on the R language. A combined model was constructed by jointing clinical feature. The performance of the models was assessed with the area under the ROC curve(AUC). Results:The AUC of the ultrasomics model and the combined model was 0.695(95% CI=0.532-0.859) and 0.726(95% CI=0.584-0.868) respectively in the training set. The AUC of the ultrasomics model and the combined model was 0.763(95% CI=0.625-0.902) and 0.790(95% CI=0.653-0.928) respectively in the validation set. Both univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses showed that CA199( P<0.05) and ultrasomics score( P<0.001) could be an independent predictor of pCR after nCRT in patients with LARC. Conclusions:The CEUS-based radiomics scores has certain predictive value for whether LARC patients achieve pCR after nCRT, and may provide a non-invasive imaging biomarker for predicting LARC patients achieve pCR after nCRT.

BACKGROUND: Exploring the underlying mechanism of rituximab resistance is critical to improve the outcomes of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here, we tried to identify the effects of the axon guidance factor semaphorin-3F (SEMA3F) on rituximab resistance as well as its therapeutic value in DLBCL. METHODS: The effects of SEMA3F on the treatment response to rituximab were investigated by gain- or loss-of-function experiments. The role of the Hippo pathway in SEMA3F-mediated activity was explored. A xenograft mouse model generated by SEMA3F knockdown in cells was used to evaluate rituximab sensitivity and combined therapeutic effects. The prognostic value of SEMA3F and TAZ (WW domain-containing transcription regulator protein 1) was examined in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and human DLBCL specimens. RESULTS: We found that loss of SEMA3F was related to a poor prognosis in patients who received rituximab-based immunochemotherapy instead of chemotherapy regimen. Knockdown of SEMA3F significantly repressed the expression of CD20 and reduced the proapoptotic activity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) activity induced by rituximab. We further demonstrated that the Hippo pathway was involved in the SEMA3F-mediated regulation of CD20. Knockdown of SEMA3F expression induced the nuclear accumulation of TAZ and inhibited CD20 transcriptional levels via direct binding of the transcription factor TEAD2 and the CD20 promoter. Moreover, in patients with DLBCL, SEMA3F expression was negatively correlated with TAZ, and patients with SEMA3F low TAZ high had a limited benefit from a rituximab-based strategy. Specifically, treatment of DLBCL cells with rituximab and a YAP/TAZ inhibitor showed promising therapeutic effects in vitro and in vivo . CONCLUSION Our study thus defined a previously unknown mechanism of SEMA3F-mediated rituximab resistance through TAZ activation in DLBCL and identified potential therapeutic targets in patients.
Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Rituximab/therapeutic use* ; Hippo Signaling Pathway ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology* ; Prognosis ; Semaphorins/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*

AIM: To investigate the correlation between the ocular demodex infection and the composition of meibum lipid flora.METHODS: A non-interventional and observational study was performed on recruited 39 patients in our hospital between July 2020 and February 2021. They were divided into control group(n=14), meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)group(n=14), and demodex group(FM, n=11)according to the presence or absence of demodex infection or MGD. High-throughput sequencing of V3-V4 fragment of 16S rRNA gene was performed on the meibomian ester samples of the three groups of subjects, and bioinformatics analysis was performed on the sequencing data to study the composition and difference of meibum lipid flora in the subjects of ocular demodex.RESULTS: Pseudomonas and Comamonas in FM group were significantly higher than those in control group and MGD group(P<0.05), while Ralstonia in Demodex infection group was significantly lower than that in control group and MGD group(P<0.05). The microbial richness and community diversity of meibum lipid flora of the MGD group and the FM group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Ocular demodex infection changed the composition of meibum lipid flora and increased the microbial richness and community diversity of meibum lipid flora.

Objective:To explore the intervention effect of Shumu Peitu herb-partitioned moxibustion on clinical signs and symptoms and negative emotions of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) patients with liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency pattern.Methods:A total of 72 patients with IBS-D of liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency pattern treated in the Department of Gastroenterology of Nanjing Vniversity of Chinese Medicine from September 2021 to June 2022 were selected for randomized controlled trial. The patients were randomly divided into the observation group (2 cases dropped off, 34 cases in total) and control group (1 case dropped off, 35 cases in total) by random number table method. The patients in control group were treated with Tongxieyaofang (TXYF). The patients in observation group were treated with oral administration of TXYF and Shumu Peitu herb-partitioned moxibustion, and both groups were treated for 4 weeks. The clinical efficacy, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome integral, IBS Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBS-QOL), IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS), Bristol Stool Form Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were compared before and after treatment.Results:After treatment, the total effective rate of the observation group was 94.12%(32/34), which was higher than the 71.43%(25/35) in the control group, the difference was significant ( χ2 = 6.18, P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM syndrome integral in the observation group was (7.62 ± 4.08), which was lower than the (9.89 ± 4.71) in the control group, the difference was significant ( t = 2.14, P<0.05). After treatment of 3 days, the scores of quality of life in the five dimensions of dysthymia, behavior disorder, health worry, avoidance of eating and social function in the observation group were (82.44 ± 11.46), (80.25 ± 11.67), (76.23 ± 12.67), (59.80 ± 15.14) and (79.23 ± 11.59) points, which were different with the (73.57 ± 12.39), (72.35 ± 15.48), (69.76 ± 13.11), (50.00 ± 16.17) and (73.04 ± 13.11) points in the control group, the difference were significant ( t values were -3.09 - -2.08, all P<0.05). Three days after treatment, the score of IBS-SSS and Bristol fecal character in the observation group were (118.24 ± 40.64) and (5.09 ± 0.62) points, which were lower than the (146.86 ± 60.09) and (5.51 ± 0.66) points in the control group, the difference were significant ( t = 2.31 and 2.76, both P<0.05). After treatment, the score of HADS-A and HADS-D in the observation group were (6.26 ± 1.75) and (5.29 ± 1.47), which were different with the (7.26 ± 2.19) and (6.17 ± 2.11) in the control group, the difference were significant ( t = 2.08 and 2.00, both P<0.05). Conclusions:Shumu Peitu herb-partitioned moxibustion can effectively improve IBS-D patients with liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency pattern, relieve clinical symptoms, reduce negative emotions, and improve quality of life.

Objective:To study the feasibility of control charts in the quality management of hospital statistical data as a reference for improving such management.Methods:Main business indicators of the main campus and some business indicators of the affiliated campus of a tertiary general hospital from January to May 2022 were selected. K-S test and chi-square goodness of fit test were used to test data in its statistical daily report, analyzing whether the data conform to the specific distributions. Then appropriat control chart were used according to the data type and distribution type. Minitab 21.1 software was used to draw the hospital data quality control chart, and data quality was monitored by analyzing the distribution of data points in the control chart.Results:The test found that the number of admissions, ultrasound examinations and emergency department visits in the main campus, and CT examinations in the affiliated campus, conformed to normal distribution, and single value control charts were applied. The number of ambulance trips in the main campus and the affiliated campus conform to Poisson distribution, and the defect number control chart was applied. The number of inpatient deaths in the main campus conform to a geometric distribution, and a rare event control chart was applied. The volume of admissions and ultrasound examinations in the main campus were mostly influenced by other factors, and the single-value selective control chart was used to further determine the cause of abnormal data distribution. The results of the control chart analysis showed that, there were no abnormal points in the data distribution of admissions, color ultrasound volume and in-hospital deaths in the main campus, two abnormal points in the CT examination volume in the affiliated campus. The control charts for the number of emergency department visits in the main campus and the number of ambulance trips in the main and affiliated campuses each had one outlier. It was verified that one anomaly in the volume of CT examinations in the affiliated campus and one anomaly in the number of ambulance trips in the affiliated campus were caused by data errors, while the other data were correct.Conclusions:It is feasible to use control charts to monitor the quality of hospital data, which can be used as a quality management tool to assist the quality management of hospital data.

Objective: To estimate the incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer in 2016 and their changing trend during 2010-2016 according to the cancer registration data in Henan province. Methods: The data quality including completeness, validity, and reliability of local registries which submitted the cancer registration data of 2016 were assessed according to the criteria of Guideline on Cancer Registration in China and IARC/IACR. Esophageal cancer cases (ICD10: C15) were extracted from the database, and the incidence and mortality stratified by gender, age, and areas (urban/rural) were calculated, the incidence and mortality of provincial cancer were estimated combined with provincial population data. China's 2000 census population and Segi's population were used to calculate the age-standardized rate. Joinpoint model was used to estimate the changing trend of age standardized incidence and mortality along with the calendar year. Results: Approximately 40.10 thousand new esophageal cancer cases were diagnosed in Henan in 2016, accounting for 13.46% of all new cancer cases, and it ranked the third among cancer of all sites. The crude incidence of esophageal cancer was 37.21/100 000 with an age-standardized incidence rate by China standard population (ASIRC) of 26.74/100 000 and an age-standardized incidence rate by world standard population (ASIRW) of 27.12/100 000. The incidence of esophageal cancer in males was higher than that in females, with the ASIRC of 34.53/100 000 and 19.19/100 000, respectively. It was higher in rural areas than that in urban areas, with the ASIRC of 28.13/100 000 and 20.90/100 000, respectively. About 29.30 thousand deaths of esophageal cancer in Henan in 2016, accounting for 15.61% of all cancer deaths in Henan, which ranked the third among cancer of all sites. The crude mortality rate was 27.14/100 000 with an age-standardized mortality rate by China standard population (ASMRC) of 18.74/100 000 and an age-standardized mortality rate by world standard population (ASMRW) of 18.78/100 000. The mortality in males was higher than that in females, with the ASMRC of 24.78/100 000 and 13.12/100 000, respectively. It was also higher in rural areas than that in urban areas, with the ASMRC of 19.48/100 000 and 15.73/100 000, respectively. The ASIRC and ASMRC were declining with annual percent change (APC) of 3.12% (APC=-3.12%; 95%CI: -5.30%, -0.90%; P=0.015) and 2.47% (APC=-2.47%; 95%CI: -4.70%, -0.20%; P=0.039) during 2010-2016. However, the significant declining trend was only observed in rural areas in Henan, and the changing trend was same between males and females. Conclusions: The incidence and mortality of esophageal cancer are declining since 2010, however, the disease burden remains large in Henan. Therefore, comprehensive prevention and control efforts should be strengthened according to its epidemic characteristics and risk factors.
China/epidemiology* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Registries ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rural Population ; Urban Population

Objective: To estimate stomach cancer incidence and mortality in Henan, 2016 and analyze the trend of stomach cancer incidence and mortality from 2010 to 2016. Methods: Stomach cancer related data in 2016 was extracted from Henan cancer registration and follow-up system. All data were qualified in validity, reliability and completeness according to the Guideline on Cancer Registration in China and International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC/IACR). The incidence and mortality of stomach cancer were estimated by areas, gender and age based on the quality data and the registered population data of Henan province in 2016. The epidemic trend of stomach cancer was also been evaluated based on the age-standardized incidence and mortality by Chinese population (ASR China) from 2010 to 2016. Results: In 2016, the estimated incident cases of stomach cancer were 44 311. The incidence was 41.07/100 000, ASR China was 30.17/100 000, ASR by world population (ASR world) was 30.36/100 000, and the cumulative incidence rate was 3.84%. The incidences of male and female were 55.65/100 000 and 25.35/100 000, respectively. Meanwhile, 32 927 people died of stomach cancer in Henan. The mortality was 30.52/100 000, ASR China was 21.45/100 000, ASR world was 21.54/100 000, and the cumulative mortality was 2.53%. From 2010 to 2016, both the ASR China for incidence and mortality of stomach cancer in Henan showed a steady downward trend. In rural, the ASR China for incidence and mortality decreased rapidly, while the stable trend was observed in urban. Nevertheless, the incidence and mortality of stomach cancer in rural were still higher than those in urban. Conclusions: The incidence and mortality of stomach cancer in Henan province showed steadily declining trend from 2010 to 2016, and the geographical distribution difference between rural and urban areas was gradually narrowing. However, the disease burden was still high in 2016.
China/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Registries ; Reproducibility of Results ; Rural Population ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology* ; Urban Population

Objective: To investigate the relationship between nutritional risk status and clinical outcome in children with tuberculous meningitis (TBM). Methods: The clinical data (basic information, clinical symptoms and laboratory test results) of 112 patients with TBM, who were admitted to Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases of West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University,from January 2013 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the nutritional risk group and the non-nutritional risk group according to the assessment of the nutritional risk by the STRONGkids Scale. The variables of basic information, clinical symptoms and laboratory test measurements etc. were compared between the two groups by using Student t test, Rank sum test or Chi-square test. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze nutritional risk factors. Results: Among 112 patient with TBM, 55 were males and 57 females. There were 62 cases in the nutritional risk group and 50 cases in the non-nutritional risk group. The proportion of cases with nutritional risk was 55.4% (62/112). Patients in the nutritional risk who lived in rural areas, had symptoms of brain nerve damage, convulsions, emaciation and anorexia, with a diagnosis time of ≥21 days, and the level of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein were all higher than those in the non-nutritional risk group ((50 cases (80.6%) vs. 32 cases (64.0%), 20 cases (32.3%) vs.8 cases (16.0%), 33 cases (53.2%) vs. 15 cases (30.0%), 30 cases (48.4%) vs. 2 cases (4.0%), 59 cases (95.2%) vs. 1 case (2.0%),41 cases (66.1%) vs.18 cases (36.0%), 1 406 (1 079, 2 068) vs. 929 (683, 1 208) mg/L, χ²=3.91, 3.90, 6.10, 26.72, 98.58, 10.08, Z=4.35, all P<0.05). The levels of serum albumin,hemoglobin,lymphocyte count, white blood cell count, and CSF glucose were significantly lower in patients with nutritional risk ((36±5) vs. (41±4) g/L, (110±17) vs. (122±14) g/L, 1.4 (1.0, 2.0)vs. 2.3 (1.6, 3.8)×10⁹/L, 7.8 (6.3, 10.0)×10⁹ vs. 10.0 (8.3, 12.8)×10⁹/L, 1.0 (0.8, 1.6) vs. 2.1 (1.3, 2.5) mmol/L, t=-6.15, -4.22, Z=-4.86, -3.92, -4.16, all P<0.05).Increased levels of serum albumin (OR=0.812, 95%CI:0.705-0.935, P=0.004) and lymphocyte count (OR=0.609, 95%CI:0.383-0.970, P=0.037) may reduce the nutritional risk of children with TBM; while convulsions (OR=3.853, 95%CI:1.116-13.308, P=0.033) and increased level of CSF protein (OR=1.001,95%CI:1.000-1.002, P=0.015) may increase the nutritional risk of children with TBM. Similarly, the rate of complications and drug-induced liver injury was higher in the nutritional risk group (47 cases (75.8%) vs. 15 cases(30.0%), 31 cases (50.0%) vs.8 cases (16.0%), χ²=23.50, 14.10, all P<0.05). Moreover, the length of hospital stay was also longer in the nutritional risk group ((27±13) vs. (18±7) d, t=4.38, P<0.05). Conclusions: Children with TBM have a high incidence of nutritional risk. Convulsive, the level of serum albumin, the level of lymphocyte count and CSF protein may affect the nutritional risk of children with TBM. The nutritional risk group has a high incidence of complications and heavy economic burden.It is necessary to carry out nutritional screening and nutritional support for children with TBM as early as possible.
Female ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Meningeal/diagnosis*

Today, there is greater awareness on the association between oral diseases and respiration diseases after the outbreak of COVID-19. However, confusion regarding the oral health management and medical risk prevention for patients with chronic airway diseases has been remained among dental clinicians. Therefore, the dental experts of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association, combined with the experts of respiratory and critical care medicine, undertook the formation of consensus on the oral health management of patients with chronic airway diseases in order to help dental clinicians to evaluate medical risks and make better treatment decision in clinical practice. In the present consensus report, the relationship of oral diseases and chronic airway diseases, the oral health management and the treatment recommendations of patients with chronic airway diseases are provided.
COVID-19 ; Consensus ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Oral Medicine

Objective: To analyze the clinical epidemiological characteristics including composition of pathogens , clinical characteristics, and disease prognosis acute bacterial meningitis (ABM) in Chinese children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical and laboratory data of 1 610 children <15 years of age with ABM in 33 tertiary hospitals in China from January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into different groups according to age,<28 days group, 28 days to <3 months group, 3 months to <1 year group, 1-<5 years of age group, 5-<15 years of age group; etiology confirmed group and clinically diagnosed group according to etiology diagnosis. Non-numeric variables were analyzed with the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, while non-normal distrituction numeric variables were compared with nonparametric test. Results: Among 1 610 children with ABM, 955 were male and 650 were female (5 cases were not provided with gender information), and the age of onset was 1.5 (0.5, 5.5) months. There were 588 cases age from <28 days, 462 cases age from 28 days to <3 months, 302 cases age from 3 months to <1 year of age group, 156 cases in the 1-<5 years of age and 101 cases in the 5-<15 years of age. The detection rates were 38.8% (95/245) and 31.5% (70/222) of Escherichia coli and 27.8% (68/245) and 35.1% (78/222) of Streptococcus agalactiae in infants younger than 28 days of age and 28 days to 3 months of age; the detection rates of Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus agalactiae were 34.3% (61/178), 14.0% (25/178) and 13.5% (24/178) in the 3 months of age to <1 year of age group; the dominant pathogens were Streptococcus pneumoniae and the detection rate were 67.9% (74/109) and 44.4% (16/36) in the 1-<5 years of age and 5-<15 years of age . There were 9.7% (19/195) strains of Escherichia coli producing ultra-broad-spectrum β-lactamases. The positive rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture were 32.2% (515/1 598) and 25.0% (400/1 598), while 38.2% (126/330)and 25.3% (21/83) in CSF metagenomics next generation sequencing and Streptococcus pneumoniae antigen detection. There were 4.3% (32/790) cases of which CSF white blood cell counts were normal in etiology confirmed group. Among 1 610 children with ABM, main intracranial imaging complications were subdural effusion and (or) empyema in 349 cases (21.7%), hydrocephalus in 233 cases (14.5%), brain abscess in 178 cases (11.1%), and other cerebrovascular diseases, including encephalomalacia, cerebral infarction, and encephalatrophy, in 174 cases (10.8%). Among the 166 cases (10.3%) with unfavorable outcome, 32 cases (2.0%) died among whom 24 cases died before 1 year of age, and 37 cases (2.3%) had recurrence among whom 25 cases had recurrence within 3 weeks. The incidences of subdural effusion and (or) empyema, brain abscess and ependymitis in the etiology confirmed group were significantly higher than those in the clinically diagnosed group (26.2% (207/790) vs. 17.3% (142/820), 13.0% (103/790) vs. 9.1% (75/820), 4.6% (36/790) vs. 2.7% (22/820), χ²=18.71, 6.20, 4.07, all P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the unfavorable outcomes, mortility, and recurrence between these 2 groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The onset age of ABM in children is usually within 1 year of age, especially <3 months. The common pathogens in infants <3 months of age are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus agalactiae, and the dominant pathogen in infant ≥3 months is Streptococcus pneumoniae. Subdural effusion and (or) empyema and hydrocephalus are common complications. ABM should not be excluded even if CSF white blood cell counts is within normal range. Standardized bacteriological examination should be paid more attention to increase the pathogenic detection rate. Non-culture CSF detection methods may facilitate the pathogenic diagnosis.
Adolescent ; Brain Abscess ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Escherichia coli ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis, Bacterial/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Streptococcus agalactiae ; Streptococcus pneumoniae ; Subdural Effusion ; beta-Lactamases