Objective To investigate the risk factors associated with onset of vertebrobasilar doli-choectasia(VBD)symptoms in elderly patients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 206 elderly VBD patients admitted in Chinese PLA General Hospital between July 2014 and July 2024.Based on the presence of VBD-related symptoms or not,they were divided into a symptom-atic group(112 cases)and an asymptomatic group(94 cases).All patients underwent cranial mag-netic resonance angiography(MRA)and MRI.And routine blood tests were performed and related indicators were detected,including following parameters:neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),systemic immune-inflammation(SII)index,total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein choles-terol(LDL-C),and C-reactive protein(CRP).Multivariate logistic regression analysis was per-formed to identify risk factors associated with symptomatic progression in elderly VBD patients.Results The symptomatic group showed significantly higher SII index and NLR,longer bilateral vertebral artery length,and larger proportion of elevated vertebral artery confluence when compared with the asymptomatic group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Significant differences were also observed be-tween the two groups in basilar artery height grade and proportion of basilar artery hyperintensity of vessel wall signal(BA-HVS,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated vertebral artery confluence and high-grade basilar artery hyperintensity of vessel wall signal were risk factors for symptomatic onset in elderly VBD patients.The risk of symptomatic onset in elderly VBD patients with elevated confluence of the vertebral artery was 2.143 times higher than in those without elevation(95％CI:1.144-4.013,P=0.017).Similarly,the risk in elderly VBD patients with high-grade basilar artery hyperintensity of vessel wall signal was 4.113 times higher than in those without such signal(95％CI:2.213-7.646,P=0.000).Conclusion Elevated vertebral artery confluence and high-grade basilar artery hyperintensity of vessel wall signal may serve as clinical indicators for monitoring disease progression in elderly patients with VBD,thereby facilitating the optimization of clinical management strategies in the patients.

Objective To investigate the risk factors associated with onset of vertebrobasilar doli-choectasia(VBD)symptoms in elderly patients.Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 206 elderly VBD patients admitted in Chinese PLA General Hospital between July 2014 and July 2024.Based on the presence of VBD-related symptoms or not,they were divided into a symptom-atic group(112 cases)and an asymptomatic group(94 cases).All patients underwent cranial mag-netic resonance angiography(MRA)and MRI.And routine blood tests were performed and related indicators were detected,including following parameters:neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),systemic immune-inflammation(SII)index,total cholesterol(TC),low-density lipoprotein choles-terol(LDL-C),and C-reactive protein(CRP).Multivariate logistic regression analysis was per-formed to identify risk factors associated with symptomatic progression in elderly VBD patients.Results The symptomatic group showed significantly higher SII index and NLR,longer bilateral vertebral artery length,and larger proportion of elevated vertebral artery confluence when compared with the asymptomatic group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Significant differences were also observed be-tween the two groups in basilar artery height grade and proportion of basilar artery hyperintensity of vessel wall signal(BA-HVS,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that elevated vertebral artery confluence and high-grade basilar artery hyperintensity of vessel wall signal were risk factors for symptomatic onset in elderly VBD patients.The risk of symptomatic onset in elderly VBD patients with elevated confluence of the vertebral artery was 2.143 times higher than in those without elevation(95％CI:1.144-4.013,P=0.017).Similarly,the risk in elderly VBD patients with high-grade basilar artery hyperintensity of vessel wall signal was 4.113 times higher than in those without such signal(95％CI:2.213-7.646,P=0.000).Conclusion Elevated vertebral artery confluence and high-grade basilar artery hyperintensity of vessel wall signal may serve as clinical indicators for monitoring disease progression in elderly patients with VBD,thereby facilitating the optimization of clinical management strategies in the patients.

Objective The aims of this study were to identify tick species infesting police dogs and explore their phylogenetic relationships. Methods Ticks were collected from a police dog base in Hunan Province and their diagnostic morphological characteristics and phylogenetic relationships were investigated using PCR targeting the 16S rDNA, cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1(cox1), and NADH dehydrogenase subunit V(nad5)genes. Results Adult ticks were oval shaped with a broad and short hexagonal basis capitulum. The females had a scutum occupying the first 1/3 of the body, a U-shaped genital groove, and a comma-shaped stigmal plate, and their coxae II to IV each had short and coarse outer spurs that gradually decreased in size according to the segmental order. Males had an elongated scutum, a comma-shaped stigmal plate, and a subtriangular adanal plate. The product sizes of the amplified 16S rDNA, cox1, and nad5 gene sequences from the ticks in this study were approximately 405,772, and 262 bp, respectively. The phylogenetic tree based on these sequences showed that this tick species clustered with Rhipicephalus sanguineus of other tropical lineages. Conclusions The tick species collected from police dogs in China is Rh. sanguineus, which belongs to the tropical lineage.

Inflammation-to-tumor transition is one of the important mechanisms by which the cervical high-risk human papillomavirus(HR-HPV)infection develops into cervical cancer.Persistent cervical HR-HPV infection is an important cause of cervical cancer,and the focal uncontrolled inflammatory microenvironment caused by persistent cervical HR-HPV infection is the underlying mechanism of cervical cancer.The macroscopic and microscopic pathological process of inflammation-to-tumor transition is consistent with the pathogenesis evolution of damp-heat accumulation resulting into toxin in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM):the accumulation of damp-heat is the driving factor of inflammation-to-tumor transition,long-term retention of damp-heat leading to spleen deficiency and liver depression contributes to the characteristics of pathogenesis evolution,and long-term retention of damp-heat toxin causes the disorder of liver and spleen and then blood stasis accumulates in the cervical orifice,which eventually becomes cancer toxin.The process of inflammation-to-tumor transition caused by persistent cervical HR-HPV infection is due to the pathological factors of damp,heat,deficiency and toxin in TCM.Therefore,the regulation of inflammatory microenvironment caused by persistent cervical HR-HPV infection is the key approach to the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.For the treatment of cervical cancer,methods of clearing heat and drying dampness,strengthening the spleen and soothing the liver are the key therapies.By intervention with the proper pathogen-eliminating methods and with simultaneous regulation of the interior and exterior,the process of inflammation-to-tumor transition can be interrupted.The exploration of inflammation-to-tumor transition caused by persistent cervical HR-HPV infection from the perspective of damp-heat accumulation resulting into toxin will provide thoughts for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer with TCM and for Chinese medicine in intervening inflammation-to-tumor transition.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of the TRIANGLE operation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC).Methods:This study is a retrospective case series analysis. Between January 2020 and December 2022, a total of 103 patients were diagnosed as LAPC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Among them, 26 patients (25.2%) underwent the TRIANGLE operation. There were 15 males and 11 females,with a age of (59±7) years (range: 49 to 74 years). The pre-treatment serum CA19-9( M(IQR)) was 248.8(391.6)U/ml (range: 0 to 1 428 U/ml),and the serum carcinoembryonic antigen was 4.1(3.8)μg/L(range: 1.4 to 13.4 μg/L). The neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens included: mFOLFIRINOX regimen in 6 cases(23.1%), GnP regimen in 14 cases(53.8%), and mFOLFIRINOX+GnP regimen in 6 cases(23.1%). The follow-up duration extended until June 2023 or until the occurrence of the patient′s death or loss to follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to estimate the 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates. Results:After neoadjuvant chemotherapy,CA19-9 levels decreased by 92.3(40.1)%(range:2.1% to 97.7%). Evaluation of the response to treatment revealed 13 cases(50.0%) of stable disease,11 cases(42.3%) of partial response,and 2 cases(7.7%) of complete response. The surgical operation consisted of 12 cases(46.2%) of pancreaticoduodenectomy,12 cases(46.2%) of distal pancreatectomy,and 2 cases(7.7%) of total pancreatectomy. Margin determination was based on the “standardised pathology protocol” and the “1 mm” principle. No R2 and R1(direct) resections were observed,while the R0 resection rate was 61.5%(16/26), and the R1(1 mm) resection rate was 38.5%(10/26).The R1(1 mm) resection rates for the anterior margin,posterior margin,transected margin,portal vein groove margin,and uncinate margin were 23.1%(6/26),19.2%(5/26),12.5%(3/24),2/14, and 1/12, respectively. The overall postoperative complication rate was 57.8%(15/26),with major complications including grade B/C pancreatic fistula 25.0%(6/24,excluding 2 cases of total pancreatectomy),delayed gastric emptying in 23.1%(6/26),wound complications 11.5%(3/26),postoperative hemorrhage 7.7%(2/26), chylous fistula 7.7%(2/26) and bile fistula 3.8%(1/26). No reoperation was performed during the perioperative period(<90 days). One patient died on the 32 nd day postoperatively due to a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. A total of 25 patients were followed up,with a follow-up time of 21(24)months(range: 8 to 42 months). During the follow-up period,8 cases(32.0%) died due to tumor recurrence and metastasis,while 17 patients(68.0%) remained alive,including 11 cases of disease-free survival,5 cases of distant metastasis,and 1 case of local recurrence. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after the initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were 95.8% and 58.9%, respectively. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after surgery were 77.7% and 57.8%, respectively. Conclusion:Performing pancreatoduodenectomy according to the Heidelberg triangle protocol in LAPC patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy might increase the R0 resection rate without increasing perioperative mortality or the incidence of major postoperative complications.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of the TRIANGLE operation after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced pancreatic cancer(LAPC).Methods:This study is a retrospective case series analysis. Between January 2020 and December 2022, a total of 103 patients were diagnosed as LAPC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy at the Pancreas Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Among them, 26 patients (25.2%) underwent the TRIANGLE operation. There were 15 males and 11 females,with a age of (59±7) years (range: 49 to 74 years). The pre-treatment serum CA19-9( M(IQR)) was 248.8(391.6)U/ml (range: 0 to 1 428 U/ml),and the serum carcinoembryonic antigen was 4.1(3.8)μg/L(range: 1.4 to 13.4 μg/L). The neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens included: mFOLFIRINOX regimen in 6 cases(23.1%), GnP regimen in 14 cases(53.8%), and mFOLFIRINOX+GnP regimen in 6 cases(23.1%). The follow-up duration extended until June 2023 or until the occurrence of the patient′s death or loss to follow-up. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to estimate the 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates. Results:After neoadjuvant chemotherapy,CA19-9 levels decreased by 92.3(40.1)%(range:2.1% to 97.7%). Evaluation of the response to treatment revealed 13 cases(50.0%) of stable disease,11 cases(42.3%) of partial response,and 2 cases(7.7%) of complete response. The surgical operation consisted of 12 cases(46.2%) of pancreaticoduodenectomy,12 cases(46.2%) of distal pancreatectomy,and 2 cases(7.7%) of total pancreatectomy. Margin determination was based on the “standardised pathology protocol” and the “1 mm” principle. No R2 and R1(direct) resections were observed,while the R0 resection rate was 61.5%(16/26), and the R1(1 mm) resection rate was 38.5%(10/26).The R1(1 mm) resection rates for the anterior margin,posterior margin,transected margin,portal vein groove margin,and uncinate margin were 23.1%(6/26),19.2%(5/26),12.5%(3/24),2/14, and 1/12, respectively. The overall postoperative complication rate was 57.8%(15/26),with major complications including grade B/C pancreatic fistula 25.0%(6/24,excluding 2 cases of total pancreatectomy),delayed gastric emptying in 23.1%(6/26),wound complications 11.5%(3/26),postoperative hemorrhage 7.7%(2/26), chylous fistula 7.7%(2/26) and bile fistula 3.8%(1/26). No reoperation was performed during the perioperative period(<90 days). One patient died on the 32 nd day postoperatively due to a ruptured pseudoaneurysm. A total of 25 patients were followed up,with a follow-up time of 21(24)months(range: 8 to 42 months). During the follow-up period,8 cases(32.0%) died due to tumor recurrence and metastasis,while 17 patients(68.0%) remained alive,including 11 cases of disease-free survival,5 cases of distant metastasis,and 1 case of local recurrence. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after the initiation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy were 95.8% and 58.9%, respectively. The overall survival rates at 1- and 3-year after surgery were 77.7% and 57.8%, respectively. Conclusion:Performing pancreatoduodenectomy according to the Heidelberg triangle protocol in LAPC patients after neoadjuvant chemotherapy might increase the R0 resection rate without increasing perioperative mortality or the incidence of major postoperative complications.

Objectives: To evaluate the positive rate of left posterior lymph nodes of the superior mesenteric artery (14cd-LN) in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head carcinoma,to analyze the impact of 14cd-LN dissection on lymph node staging and tumor TNM staging. Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 103 consecutive patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at Pancreatic Center,the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January to December 2022 were analyzed,retrospectively. There were 69 males and 34 females,with an age(M (IQR))of 63.0 (14.0) years (range:48.0 to 86.0 years). The χ² test and Fisher's exact probability method was used for comparison of the count data between the groups,respectively. The rank sum test was used for comparison of the measurement data between groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyzes were used for the analysis of risk factors. Results: All 103 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy successfully using the left-sided uncinate process and the artery first approach. Pathological examination showed pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in all cases. The location of the tumors was the pancreatic head in 40 cases,pancreatic head-uncinate in 45 cases,and pancreatic head-neck in 18 cases. Of the 103 patients,38 cases had moderately differentiated tumor and 65 cases had poorly differentiated tumor. The diameter of the lesions was 3.2 (0.8) cm (range:1.7 to 6.5 cm),the number of lymph nodes harvested was 25 (10) (range:11 to 53),and the number of positive lymph nodes was 1 (3) (range:0 to 40). The lymph node stage was stage N0 in 35 cases (34.0%),stage N1 in 43 cases (41.7%),and stage N2 in 25 cases (24.3%). TNM staging was stage ⅠA in 5 cases (4.9%),stage ⅠB in 19 cases (18.4%),stage ⅡA in 2 cases (1.9%),stage ⅡB in 38 cases (36.9%),stage Ⅲ in 38 cases (36.9%),and stage Ⅳ in 1 case (1.0%). In 103 patients with pancreatic head cancer,the overall positivity rate for 14cd-LN was 31.1% (32/103),and the positive rates for 14c-LN and 14d-LN were 21.4% (22/103) and 18.4% (19/103),respectively. 14cd-LN dissection increased the number of lymph nodes (P<0.01) and positive lymph nodes (P<0.01). As a result of the 14cd-LN dissection,the lymph node stage was changed in 6 patients,including 5 patients changed from N0 to N1 and 1 patient changed from N1 to N2. Similarly,the TNM stage was changed in 5 patients,including 2 patients changed from stage ⅠB to ⅡB,2 patients changed from stage ⅡA to ⅡB,and 1 patient changed from stage ⅡB to Ⅲ. Tumors located in the pancreatic head-uncinate (OR=3.43,95%CI:1.08 to 10.93,P=0.037) and the positivity of 7,8,9,12 LN (OR=5.45,95%CI:1.45 to 20.44,P=0.012) were independent risk factors for 14c-LN metastasis; while tumors with diameter >3 cm (OR=3.93,95%CI:1.08 to 14.33,P=0.038) and the positivity of 7,8,9,12 LN (OR=11.09,95%CI:2.69 to 45.80,P=0.001) were independent risk factors for 14d-LN metastasis. Conclusion: Due to its high positive rate in pancreatic head cancer,dissection of 14cd-LN during pancreaticoduodenectomy should be recommended,which can increase the number of lymph nodes harvested,provide a more accurate lymph node staging and TNM staging.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Pancreaticoduodenectomy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; Lymph Node Excision/methods* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Neoplasm Staging

H 1-antihistamines are widely used in the treatment of various allergic diseases, but there are still many challenges in the safe and rational use of H 1-antihistamines in pediatrics, and there is a lack of guidance on the prescription review of H 1-antihistamines for children.In this paper, suggestions are put forward from the indications, dosage, route of administration, pathophysiological characteristics of children with individual difference and drug interactions, so as to provide reference for clinicians and pharmacists.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection(DP-CAR).Methods:A total of 89 consecutive patients (50 males and 39 females) who were diagnosed with pancreatic body cancer and underwent DP-CAR in Pancreas Center,First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between September 2013 and June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 50 males and 39 females,with age( M(IQR)) of 63(12) years(range:43 to 81 years). Perioperative parameters,pathology results and follow-up data of these patients were analyzed, χ2 or Fisher′s test for categorical data while the Wilcoxon test for quantitative data. Survival results were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Results:Among 89 cases,cases combined with portal vein-superior mesenteric vein or organ resection accounted for 22.5% (20/89) and 42.7% (38/89),respectively. The operative time,blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were 270 (110) minutes,300 (300) ml and 13 (10) days,respectively. The overall morbidity rate was 67.4% (60/89) while the major morbidity was 11.2% (10/89). The increase rate in transient liver enzymes was 42.7% (38/89),3.4% (3/89) for liver failure,53.9% (48/89) for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula,1.1% (1/89) for bile leak,3.4% (3/89) for chylous leak of grade B and C,11.2% (10/89) for abdominal infection,9.0% (8/89) for postoperative hemorrhage of grade B and C,4.5% (4/89) for delayed gastric emptying,6.7% (6/89) for deep vein thrombosis,3.4% (3/89) for reoperation,4.5% (4/89)for hospital mortality,7.9% (7/89) for 90-day mortality. The pathological type was pancreatic cancer for all 89 cases and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma made up 92.1% (82/89). The tumor size was 4.8(2.0) cm, ranging from 1.5 to 12.0 cm. The number of lymph nodes harvested was 14 (13)(range:2 to 33),with a positive lymph node rate of 13.0% (24.0%). The resection R0 rate was 30.0% (24/80) and the R1 (<1 mm) rate was 58.8% (47/80). The median overall survival time was 21.3 months (95% CI: 15.6 to 24.3) and the median disease-free survival time was 19.1 months (95% CI: 11.7 to 25.1). The overall survival at 1-year and 2-year were 69.60% and 39.52%. The median survival time of 58 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy was 24.3 months (95% CI: 17.8 to 32.3) while that of 13 patients without any kind of adjuvant therapy was 8.4 months (95% CI: 7.3 to 22.3). Seven patients accepted neoadjuvant chemotherapy and there was no significant morbidity among them,with a resection rate of R0 of 5/7. Conclusion:DP-CAR is safe and feasible for selective cases,which could be more valuable in improving long-term survival when combined with (neo) adjuvant therapy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection(DP-CAR).Methods:A total of 89 consecutive patients (50 males and 39 females) who were diagnosed with pancreatic body cancer and underwent DP-CAR in Pancreas Center,First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between September 2013 and June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 50 males and 39 females,with age( M(IQR)) of 63(12) years(range:43 to 81 years). Perioperative parameters,pathology results and follow-up data of these patients were analyzed, χ2 or Fisher′s test for categorical data while the Wilcoxon test for quantitative data. Survival results were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Results:Among 89 cases,cases combined with portal vein-superior mesenteric vein or organ resection accounted for 22.5% (20/89) and 42.7% (38/89),respectively. The operative time,blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were 270 (110) minutes,300 (300) ml and 13 (10) days,respectively. The overall morbidity rate was 67.4% (60/89) while the major morbidity was 11.2% (10/89). The increase rate in transient liver enzymes was 42.7% (38/89),3.4% (3/89) for liver failure,53.9% (48/89) for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula,1.1% (1/89) for bile leak,3.4% (3/89) for chylous leak of grade B and C,11.2% (10/89) for abdominal infection,9.0% (8/89) for postoperative hemorrhage of grade B and C,4.5% (4/89) for delayed gastric emptying,6.7% (6/89) for deep vein thrombosis,3.4% (3/89) for reoperation,4.5% (4/89)for hospital mortality,7.9% (7/89) for 90-day mortality. The pathological type was pancreatic cancer for all 89 cases and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma made up 92.1% (82/89). The tumor size was 4.8(2.0) cm, ranging from 1.5 to 12.0 cm. The number of lymph nodes harvested was 14 (13)(range:2 to 33),with a positive lymph node rate of 13.0% (24.0%). The resection R0 rate was 30.0% (24/80) and the R1 (<1 mm) rate was 58.8% (47/80). The median overall survival time was 21.3 months (95% CI: 15.6 to 24.3) and the median disease-free survival time was 19.1 months (95% CI: 11.7 to 25.1). The overall survival at 1-year and 2-year were 69.60% and 39.52%. The median survival time of 58 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy was 24.3 months (95% CI: 17.8 to 32.3) while that of 13 patients without any kind of adjuvant therapy was 8.4 months (95% CI: 7.3 to 22.3). Seven patients accepted neoadjuvant chemotherapy and there was no significant morbidity among them,with a resection rate of R0 of 5/7. Conclusion:DP-CAR is safe and feasible for selective cases,which could be more valuable in improving long-term survival when combined with (neo) adjuvant therapy.