Objective:To investigate whether neoadjuvant therapy can improve the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer.Methods:A retrospective case-control study analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database on 12, 103 patients who underwent surgical treatment between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2021. Patients were divided into the neoadjuvant therapy group ( n=3 276) and the upfront surgery group ( n=8 827) based on whether they received neoadjuvant treatment. The neoadjuvant therapy group included 2 342 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy and 934 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The upfront surgery group consisted of 4 335 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy, 1 987 patients receiving adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, 63 patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy, and 2 442 patients undergoing surgery alone. Propensity score matching was used to eliminate group differences and create a cohort with no statistical differences in other clinicopathological features except for the grouping variable. Variables such as age, gender, tumor location, race, population of residence, tumor diameter, household income, TNM stage, and information on radiotherapy and chemotherapy were used for 1∶1 case matching. T stage, N stage, and the use of radiotherapy or chemotherapy were matched exactly. After matching, 1 182 patients were included in each group: the neoadjuvant therapy group contained 1 155 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and 27 receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy, while the upfront surgery group comprised 848 patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and 334 receiving adjuvant chemoradiotherapy. TNM staging was reported according to the 7th edition of the AJCC guidelines. The primary outcome was overall survival. Measurement data with skewed distributions were expressed as M( Q1, Q3), and intergroup comparisons were conducted using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test or the Fisher′s exact test. The Log-rank test and subgroup analyses to assess interactions between neoadjuvant therapy and subgroup in COX regression models were used to compare survival benefits across variables. Landmark analysis was performed to create segmented survival curves, studying the impact of neoadjuvant therapy on prognosis during different follow-up periods. Results:The neoadjuvant therapy group had a higher proportion of T 4 tumor involving celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and/or common hepatic artery compared to the upfront surgery group (14.7% vs 2.8%, P<0.001). Additionally, significant differences were observed between groups in terms of race, location, population of residence, age, tumor diameter, tumor stage, and adjuvant therapy regimen ( P<0.05). The median overall survival time in the neoadjuvant therapy group was 30 months, compared to 22 months in the upfront surgery group ( P<0.001). In the neoadjuvant therapy group, the median survival was 30 months for both neoadjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy patients; in the upfront surgery group, it was 26 months for both adjuvant chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy patients, 17 months for adjuvant radiotherapy patients, and 12 months for surgery-only patients. After propensity score matching, there were no differences in the distribution of clinical characteristics between groups ( P>0.05), and all patients in the matched cohort had received chemotherapy. The matched neoadjuvant therapy group had a longer median overall survival compared to the upfront surgery group (30 months vs 27 months, P<0.001). Subgroup interaction analysis revealed that T stage had a significant interaction with neoadjuvant therapy, both before (T 4 stage: HR=0.382, 95% CI: 0.319-0.458; T 2-T 3 stages: HR=0.696, 95% CI: 0.656-0.738; T 1 stage: HR=1.199, 95% CI: 0.867-1.657; interaction P<0.001) and after matching (T 4 stage: HR=0.581, 95% CI: 0.414-0.814; T 2-T 3 stages: HR=0.827, 95% CI: 0.734-0.931; T 1 stage: HR=1.320, 95% CI: 0.716-2.433; interaction P=0.043). Subgroup interaction analysis indicated that T 1 patients did not benefit from neoadjuvant therapy; survival curves plotted for matched T 1 patients showed no difference in survival between the neoadjuvant therapy group and the upfront surgery group ( P=0.323). Conversely, non-T 1 (T 2-T 4) stage patients showed significant survival benefits in both unmatched and matched cohorts ( P<0.001). Landmark analysis showing that the survival benefits occurred mainly in the early postoperative period of up to 3 years ( P<0.001), but there was no difference in overall survival between the neoadjuvant therapy group and the upfront surgery group of >3 years ( P>0.05). Patients with Arterial invasion (T 4 stage compared to T 1-T 3 stages) showed a similarly significant interaction with the benefit of neoadjuvant therapy in both the pre-matching cohort (interaction P<0.001) and the post-matching cohort (interaction P=0.037). Patients with T 4 stage disease in the neoadjuvant therapy group had longer overall survival compared to the upfront surgery group (median overall survival in pre-matching cohort: 30 months vs 13 months, P<0.001; median overall survival in post-matching cohort: 28 months vs 18 months, P=0.001). Among T 4 stage patients in the post-matching cohort, neoadjuvant therapy provided significant survival benefits during the early postoperative period of up to 3 years ( P=0.001). However, there was no difference in overall survival between the neoadjuvant therapy group and the direct surgery group beyond 3 years( P=0.729). Conclusions:The prognosis in the neoadjuvant therapy group was better than in the upfront surgery group. Propensity score matching and subgroup interaction analysis showed that non-T 1 and T 4 stage patients benefited more from neoadjuvant therapy, with benefits mainly seen in the early postoperative period (≤3 years).

OBJECTIVE: To review the latest research advancements in surgical techniques for the treatment of limb lymphedema. METHODS: The relevant literature at home and abroad in recent years was extensively reviewed, and the research on the treatment of limb lymphedema by surgical techniques were summarized and analyzed. RESULTS: Lymphovenous anastomosis has demonstrated good effectiveness for early to mid-stage limb lymphedema, however its long-term effectiveness and applicability for late-stage limb lymphedema still require further validation. Autologous lymphatic/venous grafting has shown clinical feasibility in the treatment of secondary limb lymphedema. Research on tissue-engineered lymphatic scaffolds remains insufficient, primarily due to the complexity of lymphatic anatomical structures and the technical challenges involved. Nevertheless, its potential application is promising. Vascularized lymph node flap transplantation has shown significant effectiveness in treating limb lymphedema, particularly yielding good outcomes in upper limb cases. However, it can not guarantee a complete cure for the condition. Charles' operation is the most effective treatment option for patients with late-stage limb lymphedema, but its extensive incision and severe postoperative complications limit its application. Liposuction has the advantages such as minimal invasiveness, high safety, and repeatability. It is suitable for patients with late-stage limb lymphedema who have failed conservative treatment or developed adiposity. However, its effectiveness is limited in patients with significant limb fibrosis. CONCLUSION Current treatments for limb lymphedema require further improvement, and there is considerable debate regarding treatment strategies for different stages of the condition. Future high-quality, multi-system combined treatment approaches are anticipated to guide clinical practice.
Humans ; Lymphedema/surgery* ; Surgical Flaps/blood supply* ; Lymphatic Vessels/surgery* ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods* ; Lymph Nodes/transplantation* ; Lipectomy/methods* ; Extremities/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Tissue Engineering ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Veins/transplantation*

Lung cancer, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In recent years, metabolomics has emerged as a key systems biology approach for analyzing small-molecule metabolites in cells, tissues and organisms. It provides new strategies for early diagnosis and metabolic profiling. Additionally, metabolomics plays a crucial role in studying resistance mechanisms in lung cancer. Tumor cell metabolic reprogramming is a key driving factor in the initiation and progression of lung cancer. Metabolomics studies have revealed how lung cancer cells regulate critical pathways such as energy metabolism, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism to adapt to the demands of rapid proliferation and invasive metastasis. This review summarizes the latest advances in metabolomics research in lung cancer, focusing on the characteristics of metabolic reprogramming, the identification of potential metabolic biomarkers, and the prospects of metabolomics in early diagnosis and the elucidation of resistance mechanisms in lung cancer.
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Humans ; Metabolomics/methods* ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Animals ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is described as breast cancer diagnosed within pregnancy or within 1 year postpartum. PABC is becoming more common due to delayed childbearing, with older maternal age increasing the likelihood of tumorigenesis coinciding with pregnancy. Our review aims to outline the important principles of managing PABC, and discusses future fertility implications, genetic testing and postnatal considera-tions that are not often considered in other existing reviews. METHOD: A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS: A persistent breast mass in pregnant women should be evaluated with a breast ultrasound. Total mastectomy is the standard treatment in the first trimester. Chemotherapy is contraindicated in the first trimesters, but can be given in the second and third trimester, and stopped before 35 weeks. Radiotherapy should be delayed until delivery, and hormone receptor therapy is contraindicated in pregnancy. A multidisciplinary team involving an obstetrician, medical oncologist and other allied health professionals is crucial. Delivery should be planned as close to 37 weeks as possible, and at least 3 weeks after the last chemotherapy cycle. Vaginal delivery is preferred, and breastfeeding can resume 14 days after the last chemotherapy regime. CONCLUSION A breast mass in a pregnant woman should not be dismissed. PABC must be managed by multidisciplinary teams at tertiary medical centres with access to surgery and chemoradiation therapies. Management strategies must include safe manage-ment and delivery of the fetus, contraception and future fertility planning.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Pregnancy Complications, Neoplastic/diagnosis* ; Mastectomy ; Delivery, Obstetric

OBJECTIVE: To explore the protective effect of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) on vascular endothelium in patients with sepsis. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on adult patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Hangzhou Normal University Affiliated Hospital from December 2022 to December 2023. Patients were randomly divided into conventional treatment group and GAG intervention group. Both groups were treated according to the 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines. The GAG intervention group was additionally treated with GAG (2 mL of sulodexide intramuscular injection once daily for 7 days) on the basis of conventional treatment. Venous blood was collected from patients at 0, 6, 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days after enrollment to detect serum vascular endothelial glycocalyx [heparan sulfate (HS) and syndecan-1 (SDC-1)], inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6)], and coagulation markers [prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), antithrombin-III (AT-III), fibrinogen (Fib), D-Dimer], and to perform acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II), sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA), and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) scores. The prognosis of patients (length of hospital stay, ICU and 28-day mortality) was observed. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was drawn to evaluate the value of HS in predicting the prognosis of sepsis patients, and the correlation between endothelial glycocalyx degradation products and various clinical indicators was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 50 adult patients with sepsis meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled, with 25 in the conventional treatment group and 25 in the GAG intervention group. In terms of degradation products of endothelial glycocalyx, compared to baseline, both groups showed an increasing trend in HS and SDC-1 levels post-treatment. However, the GAG intervention group exhibited significantly lower HS levels at 72 hours and 7 days, as well as lower SDC-1 levels at 6, 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days compared to the conventional group. Among the surviving patients, the HS levels at 72 hours and SDC-1 levels at 6 hours of treatment in the GAG intervention group were significantly reduced compared to the conventional treatment group. In terms of severity score, compared with before treatment, the GAG intervention group showed a significant decrease in APACHE II, SOFA, and ISTH scores after 7 days of treatment. The SOFA scores of the GAG intervention group after 48 hours and 7 days of treatment were significantly lower than those of the conventional treatment group. In terms of inflammatory indicators, compared with before treatment, the GAG intervention group showed a significant decrease in IL-6 levels after 48 hours of treatment. With the prolongation of treatment time, the CRP levels of both groups of patients showed a significant downward trend, and at 7 days of treatment, the CRP level in the GAG intervention group was significantly lower than that in the conventional treatment group. In terms of coagulation function, with prolonged treatment time, PT and APTT of both groups of patients showed an increasing trend, while Fib showed a decreasing trend. The GAG intervention group showed a significant prolongation of PT after 72 hours of treatment compared to the conventional treatment group. In terms of prognosis, there were no statistically significant differences in ICU and 28-day mortality rates between the two groups. The GAG intervention group had significantly shorter hospital stays than the conventional treatment group. ROC curve analysis showed that HS, CRP, APTT, IL-6, APACHE II, SOFA, and ISTH scores were predictive factors for the prognosis of sepsis patients (all P < 0.05). Compared to a single indicator, the combined detection of multiple indicators has a higher value in predicting the prognosis of sepsis patients [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.911, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 0.817-1.000], with a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 91.9%. Correlation analysis showed that HS was significantly negatively correlated with Fib, PT, TNF-α, IL-6, and PCT (r values were -0.338, -0.396, -0.288, -0.319, and -0.340, all P < 0.05), while HS was significantly positively correlated with D-Dimer and CRP (r values were 0.347 and 0.354, both P < 0.05); SDC-1 was significantly negatively correlated with Fib, PT, APTT, TNF-α, IL-6, and ISTH scores (r values were -0.314, -0.294, -0.408, -0.353, -0.289, -0.287, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Early glycocalyx degradation can occur in sepsis patients. GAG have a protective effect on,the vascular endothelium, reducing the severity of sepsis and providing organ protection. HS, CRP, APTT, IL-6, APACHE II score, SOFA score, and ISTH score are independent predictive factors for the prognosis of sepsis patients. The combination of HS and the above indicators can significantly improve the accuracy of prediction.
Humans ; Sepsis/blood* ; Glycocalyx/drug effects* ; Glycosaminoglycans/pharmacology* ; Prospective Studies ; Endothelium, Vascular/metabolism* ; Syndecan-1/blood* ; Male ; Female ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/blood* ; Heparitin Sulfate/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/blood* ; Procalcitonin/blood*

Objective:To analyze hip joint movement during the swing phase of the strides of stroke survivors with hemiplegia and foot drop.Methods:Thirty stroke survivors with hemiplegia and foot drop formed the observation group, while thirty matched healthy counterparts were the control group. A three-dimensional gait analysis system was used to compare the hip and ankle joint kinematics on the hemiplegic side of the observation group members with those on the corresponding side of a matched control. Pearson correlation related the maximum plantar flexion angle of the ankle and hip joints in the observation group.Results:Compared with the control group, there was a significant increase in the maximum abduction and external rotation of the hip joint during the swing phase, but a significant decrease in the maximum extension, flexion, adduction, internal rotation. The range of motion of the hip joint in the sagittal, frontal and horizontal planes was significantly smaller, as was the maximum dorsiflexion and sagittal range of motion of the ankle joint. The maximum plantar flexion angle of the ankle was positively correlated with the hip joint′s maximum flexion, maximum external rotation and sagittal joint motion, but negatively correlated with the hip′s horizontal motion.Conclusion:In stroke survivors with hemiplegia and ptosis, significant changes are observed in the three-dimensional motion during the swing phase of a stride. The mode of hip joint compensation changes depending on the severity of the foot drop.

Objective:To analyze and evaluate the equity of children's health in countries along the"the Belt and Road",promote further attention to children's health in countries along the route,and promote cooperation and exchanges on children's health between China and countries along the"the Belt and Road".Methods:Using concentration index and concentration curve to measure overall equity,and using the Thiel index for intraregional and interregional euqity measurement.Results:The under-five mortality concentration index is 0.349 7,the concentration curve is below the absolute fair line.The Thiel index shows that inequality in low-income countries,lower-middle-income countries,upper-middle-income countries and high-income countries is the leading cause of child health inequities in the"the Belt and Road"countries.Conclusion:There is inequity in the health of children in countries along"the Belt and Road Initiative",countries along the"the Belt and Road"should take comprehensive measures to reduce the under-five mortality rate,at the same time strengthen international cooperation to further promote equity in children's health in"Belt and Road"countries.

Objective:To preliminarily investigate the risk factors for distant metastasis and prognosis, and construct a prognostic nomogram in T 4 stage pancreatic cancer. Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for pancreatic patients from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2021. Based on whether the tumor invaded the celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and/or common hepatic artery, 38 759 patients were divided into an arterial invasion group (T 4 stage, n=7 471) and a non-arterial invasion group (non-T 4 stage, n=31 288). Clinical and pathological data, including demographic characteristics, treatment information, and tumor data were collected. The primary outcome was overall survival. Categorical data were expressed as numbers (percentages), and intergroup comparisons were made using the chi-square test. Survival benefits were measured using the Log-Rank test. A multivariate logistic model was used to identify high-risk factors for metastasis in T 4 stage pancreatic cancer. Patients were randomly divided into training ( n=5 232) and validation ( n=2 239) sets at a 7∶3 ratio. A nomogram model was created based on independent prognostic factors from the multivariate Cox regression analysis, and the model′s predictive ability was evaluated using the C-index and calibration curves. Results:The overall metastasis rate in the arterial invasion group was higher than that in the non-arterial invasion group (32.8% vs 29.0%, P<0.001), with fewer patients showing no metastasis or single-organ metastasis (86.3% vs 89.7%, P<0.001) and higher rates of lung metastasis ( P<0.001), distant lymph node metastasis ( P<0.001), and other metastases excluding liver, lung, brain, bone, and distant lymph node metastases ( P<0.001). However, no significant difference was found between groups for liver, brain, or bone metastasis rates ( P>0.05). Surgical rates for T 4 stage patients were significantly lower than for non-T 4 stage patients (all patients: 10.7% vs 38.4%, P<0.001; M 0 stage patients: 15.0% vs 52.4%, P<0.001; M 1 stage patients: 2.1% vs 4.1%, P<0.001). Additionally, significant differences were observed in age, race, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, tumor location, tumor size, and tumor stage ( P<0.05). The median survival for patients with arterial invasion was 8 months, significantly lower than the 10-month median survival for non-arterial invasion patients ( P<0.001). The median survival for surgical patients with arterial invasion was 22 months, lower than the 24-month median for non-T 4 stage patients underwent surgery ( P<0.001) but significantly higher than for patients without surgery (T 4 stage patients without surgery: 8 months, P<0.001; non-T 4 stage patients without surgery: 6 months, P<0.001). For lymph node metastasis, patients with or without positive local lymph node metastasis had similar overall survival ( P>0.05). However, Patients with distant lymph node metastasis had significantly lower overall survival than that in patients without distant lymph node metastasis ( P<0.001). The multivariate logistic model indicated that tumor location in the body and tail ( OR=2.591, 95% CI: 2.343-2.867), positive regional lymph nodes ( OR=2.033, 95% CI: 1.836-2.252), and age <70 years old ( OR=1.183, 95% CI: 1.067-1.312) were risk factors for distant metastasis in arterial invasion patients. The multivariate Cox model showed that surgery ( HR=0.451, 95% CI: 0.405-0.503), radiotherapy ( HR=0.729, 95% CI: 0.677-0.784), chemotherapy ( HR=0.277, 95% CI: 0.258-0.297), tumor location in the body and tail ( HR=0.928, 95% CI: 0.874-0.985), and household income ≥$80, 000 ( HR=0.908, 95% CI: 0.853-0.968) were independent protective factors for prognosis in arterial invasion patients. Living in areas with a population ≤1 million ( HR=1.109, 95% CI: 1.044-1.178), age ≥70 years old ( HR=1.220, 95% CI: 1.150-1.296), larger tumor size (>2 cm but ≤4 cm: HR=1.124, 95% CI: 0.954-1.323; >4 cm: HR=1.310, 95% CI: 1.114-1.541), and having a metastatic burden (lung metastasis: HR=1.049, 95% CI: 0.869-1.267; distant lymph node metastasis: HR=1.179, 95% CI: 0.910-1.527; bone metastasis: HR=1.419, 95% CI: 0.854-2.359; brain or other metastasis: HR=1.519, 95% CI: 1.350-1.709; liver metastasis: HR=1.737, 95% CI: 1.600-1.886; two types of metastasis: HR=1.913, 95% CI: 1.689-2.168; three or more types: HR=2.436, 95% CI: 1.947-3.048) were independent risk factors for prognosis. The nomogram based on these prognostic factors had a C-index of 0.749 in the training set and 0.745 in the validation set; calibration curves in both sets were near the 45° line. Conclusions:High metastasis rates and low surgery rates are characteristic of pancreatic cancer with arterial invasion. Investigating the risk factors for distant metastasis and developing a prognostic nomogram incorporating metastatic burden hold significant clinical value for T 4 stage pancreatic cancer.

Cancer is a major threat to human health and causes death worldwide. Research on the role of radiotherapy (RT) in the treatment of cancer is progressing; however, RT not only causes fatal DNA damage to tumor cells, but also affects the interactions between tumor cells and different components of the tumor microenvironment (TME), including immune cells, fibroblasts, macrophages, extracellular matrix, and some soluble products. Some cancer cells can survive radiation and have shown strong resistance to radiation through interaction with the TME. Currently, the complex relationships between the tumor cells and cellular components that play major roles in various TMEs are poorly understood. This review explores the relationship between RT and cell-cell communication in the TME from the perspective of immunity and hypoxia and aims to identify new RT biomarkers and treatment methods in lung cancer to improve the current status of unstable RT effect and provide a theoretical basis for further lung cancer RT sensitization research in the future.
Humans ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; Lung Neoplasms/complications* ; Fibroblasts/pathology* ; Biomarkers ; Macrophages/pathology* ; Hypoxia ; Tumor Microenvironment

Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Follow-Up Studies ; Cohort Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Knee Prosthesis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery*