1.Mechanism of Qingrun Prescription-containing Serum Improving Insulin Resistance in HepG2 Cells via Branched-chain α-keto Acid Dehydrogenase Regulation of Branched-chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)/mTOR Pathway
Xiangwei BU ; Xiaohui HAO ; Runyun ZHANG ; Meizhen ZHANG ; Ze WANG ; Haoshuo WANG ; Jie WANG ; Qing NI ; Lan LIN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):90-98
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Qingrun prescription(QRP)-containing serum on improving insulin resistance in HepG2 cells and its potential mechanisms. MethodsAn insulin resistance model was established in HepG2 cells with 1×10-6 mol·L-1 insulin. Branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) gene silencing was achieved using siRNA, and the cells were divided into 8 groups: normal group, model group (1×10-6 mol·L-1 insulin), metformin group (1 mmol·L-1 metformin), high-, medium-, and low-dose QRP groups (20%, 10%, and 5% QRP-containing serum, respectively), QRP + siRNA-silenced BCKDH (si-BCKDH) group (10% QRP-containing serum + si-BCKDH), and QRP + si-NC group (10% QRP-containing serum + si-NC). Glucose levels in the supernatant were measured with a glucose assay kit, while glycogen content was assessed using a glycogen assay kit. Levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and branched-chain keto acids (BCKAs) were determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). mRNA transcription and protein expression levels of BCKDH, dishevelled, Egl-10, and pleckstrin (DEP) domain-containing mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-interacting protein (DEPTOR), mTOR, and ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) were detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) and Western blot. ResultsCompared to the normal group, the model group exhibited significantly decreased glucose consumption and glycogen content, increased levels of BCAAs and BCKAs, downregulated expression of BCKDH and DEPTOR, and upregulated mTOR and S6K1 expression (P<0.01). In comparison to the model group, QRP treatment at all doses significantly enhanced glucose consumption and glycogen content while reducing BCAAs and BCKAs levels (P<0.01). The high- and medium-dose QRP groups demonstrated significant upregulation of BCKDH mRNA transcription and protein expression, as well as DEPTOR mRNA transcription. Moreover, the DEPTOR protein expression level was significantly increased in high-, medium-, and low-dose QRP groups, while mTOR and S6K1 mRNA and protein expression levels were markedly downregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared to the QRP + si-NC group, the QRP + si-BCKDH group exhibited increased BCAAs and BCKAs levels, significantly decreased BCKDH mRNA transcription and protein expression, downregulated DEPTOR mRNA and protein expression, and upregulated mTOR and S6K1 mRNA and protein expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionQRP may improve insulin resistance by reprogramming BCAAs metabolism. This effect involves upregulating BCKDH, reducing BCAAs and BCKAs levels, and suppressing the mTOR pathway activation.
3.Progress on Wastewater-based Epidemiology in China: Implementation Challenges and Opportunities in Public Health.
Qiu da ZHENG ; Xia Lu LIN ; Ying Sheng HE ; Zhe WANG ; Peng DU ; Xi Qing LI ; Yuan REN ; De Gao WANG ; Lu Hong WEN ; Ze Yang ZHAO ; Jianfa GAO ; Phong K THAI
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(11):1354-1358
Wastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a transformative surveillance tool for estimating substance consumption and monitoring disease prevalence, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It enables the population-level monitoring of illicit drug use, pathogen prevalence, and environmental pollutant exposure. In this perspective, we summarize the key challenges specific to the Chinese context: (1) Sampling inconsistencies, necessitating standardized 24-hour composite protocols with high-frequency autosamplers (≤ 15 min/event) to improve the representativeness of samples; (2) Biomarker validation, requiring rigorous assessment of excretion profiles and in-sewer stability; (3) Analytical method disparities, demanding inter-laboratory proficiency testing and the development of automated pretreatment instruments; (4) Catchment population dynamics, reducing estimation uncertainties through mobile phone data, flow-based models, or hydrochemical parameters; and (5) Ethical and data management concerns, including privacy risks for small communities, mitigated through data de-identification and tiered reporting platforms. To address these challenges, we propose an integrated framework that features adaptive sampling networks, multi-scale wastewater sample banks, biomarker databases with multidimensional metadata, and intelligent data dashboards. In summary, wastewater-based epidemiology offers unparalleled scalability for equitable health surveillance and can improve the health of the entire population by providing timely and objective information to guide the development of targeted policies.
China/epidemiology*
;
Humans
;
Wastewater/analysis*
;
COVID-19/epidemiology*
;
Public Health
;
Wastewater-Based Epidemiological Monitoring
;
SARS-CoV-2
4.Construction and validation of a risk prediction model for 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
Jiang-Ming ZHANG ; Ze-Qian WANG ; Cun-Lian XU ; Pai DENG ; Yang WU ; Min-Jun QI ; Lu-Mei MA ; Wei-Qing YAO ; Dong LIU ; Dong-Mei LIU
Medical Journal of Chinese People's Liberation Army 2025;50(8):935-942
Objective To explore the risk factors for 28-day mortality of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(SA-AKI)patients and to develop a nomogram risk prediction model.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted,involving 184 patients with SA-AKI admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of PLA between January 2017 and December 2022.Patients were categorized into survival(n=135)and non-survival(n=49)groups based on 28-day mortality.Clinical data were collected,and statistically significant risk factors were preliminarily screened.Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for 28-day mortality of SA-AKI patients.A nomogram predictive model was constructed using these factors,and internally validated with the Bootstrap method.The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was drawn,and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was calculated to verify the predictive value and accuracy of the model.Results The 28-day mortality rate among 184 SA-AKI patients was 26.6%(49/184).Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis identified multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS)(OR=16.393,95%CI 4.317-62.254,P<0.001),high acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ)score(OR=1.097,95%CI 1.036-1.161,P=0.002),low oxygenation index(OR=0.992,95%CI 0.986-0.998,P=0.015),low neutrophil count(OR=0.912,95%CI 0.860-0.968,P=0.002)and low fibrinogen concentration(OR=0.733,95%CI 0.549-0.978,P=0.034)as independent risk factors.The prediction model equation was P=1/1+e-logit(P),logit(P)=-1.626+2.797×MODS+0.092×AP ACHE Ⅱ+(-0.311)×fibrinogen+(-0.092)×neutrophil count+(-0.008)×oxygenation index.Internal validation with 1000 Bootstrap resamples showed high consistency between predicted and actual values.ROC analysis showed an AUC of 0.911(95%CI 0.868-0.955,P<0.05)for the model,with 93.9%sensitivity and 78.5%specificity at a cut-off of 0.194.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test confirmed good calibration(P=0.62),and decision-making curve analysis demonstrated clinical utility within the high-risk threshold range(0.1-0.9).Conclusions MODS,high APACHE Ⅱ score,low oxygenation index,low neutrophil count,and low fibrinogen concentration are independent risk factors for 28-day mortality in SA-AKI patients.The developed nomogram risk prediction model may provide important guidance for predicting 28-day mortality in SA-AKI patients.
5.Morphology of enteric nervous system in C57BL/6 mice based on fMOST high-resolution 3D reconstruction system
Li-Ge LENG ; Guan-Xiong YANG ; Ze-En WANG ; Yi CHEN ; Zhi-Liang QIAO ; Qing-Zhong HU ; Ming-Yan WANG ; Feng TIAN
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(1):114-119
Objective To initially explore the possibility of applying the fluorescence micro-optical sectioning tomography(fMOST)high-resolution 3D reconstruction system to the morphological study of the intestinal nervous system and to preliminarily establish a method for studying the morphology of the intestinal nervous system using this system.Methods fMOST high-resolution 3D reconstruction system was used to study the intestinal nervous system of C57BL/6 mice in detail.Based on this method,a new morphological method of the visceral nervous system of small animal models was explored at the single-cell level.Results Compared with the large intestine,the small intestine lacked the typical myenteric plexus(Auerbach),deep mucosal plexus(Henley),and submucosal superficial plexus(Meissner).Conclusion The result of this paper provide a clearer and systematic display of the anatomical structure of the enteric nervous system in C57BL/6 mice,and further clarify the similarities and differences between the enteric nervous system of mice and human,and provide a theoretical basis for its rational application in the study of digestive system diseases.The morphological study of fMOST high-resolution 3D reconstruction system is not limited to the central nervous system,but can be extended to the morphological study of multiple visceral nervous systems.
6.Mechanism of Qingrun Decoction in alleviating hepatic insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rats based on amino acid metabolism reprogramming pathways.
Xiang-Wei BU ; Xiao-Hui HAO ; Run-Yun ZHANG ; Mei-Zhen ZHANG ; Ze WANG ; Hao-Shuo WANG ; Jie WANG ; Qing NI ; Lan LIN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(12):3377-3388
This study aims to investigate the mechanism of Qingrun Decoction in alleviating hepatic insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) rats through the reprogramming of amino acid metabolism. A T2DM rat model was established by inducing insulin resistance through a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The model rats were randomly divided into five groups: model group, high-, medium-, and low-dose Qingrun Decoction groups, and metformin group. A normal control group was also established. The rats in the normal and model groups received 10 mL·kg~(-1) distilled water daily by gavage. The metformin group received 150 mg·kg~(-1) metformin suspension by gavage, and the Qingrun Decoction groups received 11.2, 5.6, and 2.8 g·kg~(-1) Qingrun Decoction by gavage for 8 weeks. Blood lipid levels were measured in different groups of rats. Pathological damage in rat liver tissue was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining. Transcriptome sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were performed on rat liver and serum samples, integrated with bioinformatics analyses. Key metabolites(branched-chain amino acids, BCAAs), amino acid transporters, amino acid metabolites, critical enzymes for amino acid metabolism, resistin, adiponectin(ADPN), and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR) pathway-related molecules were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR), Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The results showed that compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly increased serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), and resistin and significantly decreased ADPN levels. Hepatocytes in the model group exhibited loose arrangement, significant lipid accumulation, fatty degeneration, and pronounced inflammatory cell infiltration. In liver tissue, the mRNA transcriptional levels of solute carrier family 7 member 2(Slc7a2), solute carrier family 38 member 2(Slc38a2), solute carrier family 38 member 4(Slc38a4), and arginase(ARG) were significantly downregulated, while the mRNA transcriptional levels of solute carrier family 1 member 4(Slc1a4), solute carrier family 16 member 1(Slc16a1), and methionine adenosyltransferase(MAT) were upregulated. Furthermore, the mRNA transcription and protein expression levels of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase E1α(BCKDHA) and DEP domain-containing mTOR-interacting protein(DEPTOR) were downregulated, while mRNA transcription and protein expression levels of mTOR, as well as ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1(S6K1), were upregulated. The levels of BCAAs and S-adenosyl-L-methionine(SAM) were elevated. The serum level of 6-hydroxymelatonin was significantly reduced, while imidazole-4-one-5-propionic acid and N-(5-phospho-D-ribosyl)anthranilic acid levels were significantly increased. Compared with the model group, Qingrun Decoction significantly reduced blood lipid and resistin levels while increasing ADPN levels. Hepatocytes had improved morphology with reduced inflammatory cells, and fatty degeneration and lipid deposition were alleviated. Differentially expressed genes and differential metabolites were mainly enriched in amino acid metabolic pathways. The expression levels of Slc7a2, Slc38a2, Slc38a4, and ARG in the liver tissue were significantly upregulated, while Slc1a4, Slc16a1, and MAT expression levels were significantly downregulated. BCKDHA and DEPTOR expression levels were upregulated, while mTOR and S6K1 expression levels were downregulated. Additionally, the levels of BCAAs and SAM were significantly decreased. The serum level of 6-hydroxymelatonin was increased, while those of imidazole-4-one-5-propionic acid and N-(5-phospho-D-ribosyl)anthranilic acid were decreased. In summary, Qingrun Decoction may improve amino acid metabolism reprogramming, inhibit mTOR pathway activation, alleviate insulin resistance in the liver, and mitigate pathological damage of liver tissue in T2DM rats by downregulating hepatic BCAAs and SAM and regulating key enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism, such as BCKDHA, ARG, and MAT, as well as amino acid metabolites and transporters.
Animals
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
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Rats
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Insulin Resistance
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics*
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Male
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Liver/drug effects*
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Amino Acids/metabolism*
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Humans
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Metabolic Reprogramming
7.Comparison of efficacy of anterolateral tibial plateau fracture line and anterior tibial fenestration for the treatment of anterolateral tibial plateau column fracture combined with posterolateral column collapse.
Cheng-Fei MENG ; Guan-Qing WANG ; Cheng LUO ; Xiu-Hua LIU ; Ze-Xi LING
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(3):265-272
OBJECTIVE:
To compare clinical effect of anterior tibial plateau fracture line and anterior tibial fenestration reduction in treating anterolateral tibial plateau column fracture combined with posterior lateral column collapse.
METHODS:
Fifty-two patients with Schatzker typeⅡ tibial plateau anterolateral column fracture combined with posterolateral column collapse admitted from January 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups according to fracture reduction methods. There were 27 patients in fracture line group, including 19 males and 8 females, aged from 26 to 62 years old with an average of (43.2±11.4) years old;the time from injury to operation ranged from 4 to 8 days with an average of (5.8±1.5) days;treated with reduction and internal fixation via fracture line of lateral platform front. There were 25 patients in fenestrate group, including 13 males and 12 females, aged from 22 to 69 years old with an average of (40.8±11.1) years old;the time from injury to operation ranged from 4 to 8 days with an average of (6.0±1.4) days;treated with tibial fenestration reduction and internal fixation. The amount of bone graft, operation time, fracture healing time and complications were compared between two groups. Posterior slope angle (PSA) and posterior slope angle of the lateral tibial plateau was compared before surgery, 2 days and 6 months after surgery. The knee function was evaluated by Hospital for Speical Surgery (HSS) at 2 days and 6 months after surgery, respectively. Fracture reduction was evaluated by Rasmussen anatomic score of knee joint.
RESULTS:
Both of group were followed up from 12 to 24 months (16.0±3.4) months. No redisplacement of fracture, internal and external inversion deformity of knee joint, or instability of knee joint were found between two groups during follow-up. In fracture line group, 1 patient occurred wound fat liquefaction and 2 patients occurred lower limb intermuscular venous thrombosis occurred. In fenestration group, 1 patient occurred joint stiffness, 1 patient occurred lower limb intermuscular venous thrombosis, and 1 patient occurred superficial wound infection;there were no significant difference in complications between two groups (P>0.05). Bone graft volume, operative time and fracture healing time in fracture line group were (3.6±2.3) cm3, (123.4±18.2) min and (13.8±1.8) weeks, while in feneplast group were (4.8±1.8) cm3, (135.5±22.5) min and (15.2±2.0) weeks, respectively;the difference between two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The collapse depth of lateral platform articular surface at 2 days and 6 months after surgery were (0.8±0.1) and (0.9±0.1) mm in fracture line group, which were lower than those in fenestration group (0.9±0.1) and (1.1±0.1) mm, respectively (P<0.05). After 2 days and 6 months, , PSA in fracture line group were (9.4±1.5) ° and (10.1±1.9) °, respectively, which were lower than those in fenestration group (10.5±1.5) ° and (11.3±1.9) ° (P<0.05). Rasmussen anatomical scores in fracture line group at 2 days and 6 months were 16(16, 18) and 16(14, 16) points, respectively, which were better than those in fenestrated group (16, 16) and 14(14, 16) points (P< 0.05). The collapse depth, PSA and Rasmussen anatomical score between two groups were better than those before surgery (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in HSS score between two groups at 2 days after surgery (P>0.05). At six months after surgery, HSS score in fracture line group (86.7±3.6) was higher than that in fenestration group (84.1±3.91) (P<0.05). HSS score at 6 months after surgery was better than that at 2 days after surgery (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Both anterior tibial plateau fracture line and anterior tibial fenestration could be used to treat anterolateral tibial plateau column fracture with posterior lateral column collapse. Compared with fenestration group, transfracture line group had advantages of less intraoperative bone grafting, shorter operative time, shorter fracture healing time, better articular surface reduction effect and better knee functional recovery.
Humans
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Male
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Female
;
Middle Aged
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Tibial Fractures/physiopathology*
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Adult
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Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*
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Aged
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Retrospective Studies
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Tibia/injuries*
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Tibial Plateau Fractures
8.Synthesis and evaluation for anti-HCoV-OC43 activity of novel aloperine derivatives with different core structures
Run-ze MENG ; Yue GONG ; Yu-long SHI ; Kun WANG ; Zong-gen PENG ; Dan-qing SONG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica 2024;59(2):404-412
In this study, we designed and synthesized 12 novel aloperine derivatives with different core structures. Among them, compound
9.Effects of curcumol on iron death and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatic stellate cells
Lei WANG ; Jin-Biao HUANG ; Yan-Qing HUANG ; Ze-Yu WANG ; Jia-Hui WANG ; Yang ZHENG ; Wei-Sheng LUO ; Tie-Jian ZHAO
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(4):539-543
Objective To elucidate the effect of curcumol on hepatic stellate cell iron death and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),and to investigate the molecular mechanism of its anti-liver fibrosis effect.Methods A model of hepatic stellate cell activation was constructed using normal cultured hepatic stellate cells in vitro,and the cells were divided into blank group and experimental-L,-M,-H groups.The blank group was given DMEM complete culture solution for normal culture;the experimental-L,-M,-H groups were given DMEM complete culture solution containing 12.5,25.0 and 50.0 mg·L-1 curcumol for 48 h of intervention.The effects of curcumol on the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells was observed by CCK-8.The expression levels of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)and solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)were detected by Western blot.The expression levels of E-cadherin and N-cadherin were detected by immunofluorescence.Results The cell proliferation rates of the experimental-M,-H groups and blank group were(68.97±5.61)%,(61.91±4.40)%and(118.07±10.01)%;the relative expression levels of GPX4 were 0.37±0.04,0.28±0.03 and 0.58±0.05;the relative expression levels of SLC7A11 were 0.38±0.04,0.28±0.03 and 0.60±0.05;E-cadherin levels were 6.76±1.09,9.57±1.73 and 2.05±0.72;N-cadherin levels were 5.66±0.66,3.44±0.78 and 10.37±0.66.The differences of above indicators were statistically significant between the blank group and the experimental-M,-H groups(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Curcumol promotes iron death in hepatic stellate cells,thereby inhibiting hepatic stellate cell EMT,which may be its molecular mechanism to prevent and treat liver fibrosis.
10.Analysis of efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant therapy combined with bevacizumab for locally advanced rectal cancer
Xu ZHANG ; Qing ZHANG ; Shuai GUO ; Mu LI ; Yuanfa WANG ; Ze LI
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2024;33(10):1623-1632
Background and Aims:Currently,surgery remains the primary treatment for colorectal cancer,while neoadjuvant therapy can transform initially unresectable lesions into resectable ones,improving patient prognosis.Bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy has shown promising efficacy for advanced metastatic colorectal cancer;however,the routine use of bevacizumab in neoadjuvant therapy for potentially resectable metastatic colorectal cancer patients remains controversial.Therefore,this study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab combined neoadjuvant therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC). Methods:The clinical data of LARC patients who received bevacizumab-combined neoadjuvant therapy in the Department of Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Oncology,Jilin Cancer Hospital,from 2021 to 2022,were retrospectively analyzed. Results:A total of 45 patients were included,of whom 26 received the XELOX(oxaliplatin combined with capecitabine)+bevacizumab neoadjuvant regimen(chemotherapy plus bevacizumab group),and 19 received radiotherapy concurrent with XELOX and sequential bevacizumab neoadjuvant treatment(chemoradiotherapy plus bevacizumab group).Preoperative imaging evaluations showed tumor response rates of 84.61%and 94.74%,respectively,with a disease control rate of 100.0%in both groups.The CEA and CA19-9 levels significantly decreased compared to their pre-treatment levels in both groups(both P<0.05).In the chemotherapy plus bevacizumab group,all patients underwent Dixion resection with D2 lymphadenectomy,with 10 patients receiving preventive ileostomy.Postoperative pathology showed an average of 18.3 lymph nodes removed,with 2.1 metastatic nodes;tumor regression grade(TRG)was 0 in 2 cases(7.69%),1 in 8 cases(30.77%),2 in 10 cases(38.46%),and 3 in 6 cases(23.08%).In the chemoradiotherapy plus bevacizumab group,15 patients underwent Dixion resection with D2 lymphadenectomy,2 patients underwent Miles surgery,1 patient was unable to undergo surgery due to severe pelvic adhesions,and another was unable to have resection due to pelvic floor adhesions found during surgery.Preventive ileostomy was performed in all 15 patients who had Dixion surgery.Postoperative pathology showed an average of 18.5 lymph nodes removed,with 1.6 metastatic nodes;TRG was 0 in 2 cases(10.53%),1 in 7 cases(36.84%),2 in 6 cases(31.58%),and 3 in 2 cases(10.53%).Surgical specimens in both groups showed negative proximal and distal margins,with no tumor residuals.A total of 55 neoadjuvant therapy-related adverse events occurred,all graded 1-2,without affecting subsequent treatment. Conclusion:For LARC patients,bevacizumab-combined neoadjuvant therapy is safe and effective.Bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy can be selected,with radiotherapy as an option based on tumor location,to increase the probability of radical resection and sphincter-preserving opportunities.

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