OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of anorectal mucosal melanoma (ARMM), and to evaluate the prognostic factors. METHODS: A total of 68 primary ARMM surgical specimens from 2010 to 2018 were retrospectively studied. Slides were reviewed to evaluate pathological features. Slingluff staging method was used for staging. RESULTS: (1) Clinical features: The median age at diagnosis in this group was 61.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio 1 ∶1.62. The most common complaint was blooding (49 cases). For anatomic site, anorectum was the prevalent (66.2%), followed by rectum (20.6%). At the time of diagnosis, 28 cases were stage Ⅰ (localized stage, 41.2%), 25 cases were stage Ⅱ (regional lymph node metastasis, 36.8%), and 15 cases were stage Ⅲ (distant metastasis, 22.1%). Five patients underwent wide local excision, the rest abdominoperineal resection, and 48 patients received adjuvant therapy after surgery. (2) Pathological features: Grossly 88.2% of the tumors were exophytic polypoid masses, with the median tumor size 3.5 cm and the median tumor thickness 1.25 cm. Depth of invasion below lamina muscularis mucosae ranged from 0-5.00 cm (median 1.00 cm). The deepest site of tumor invasion reached muscular layer in 27 cases, and perirectal tissue in 16 cases. Melanin pigmentation was absent or not obvious in 67.6% of the cases. The predominant cytology was epithelioid (45 cases, 66.2%). The rate for ulceration, necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion was 89.7%, 35.3%, 55.9%, and 30.9%, respectively. The median mitotic count was 18/mm². The positive rate of S100, HMB-45 and Melan-A were 92.0%, 92.6% and 98.0%, respectively. The median of Ki-67 was 50%. The incidences of mutations within CKIT, BRAF and NRAS genes were 17.0% (9 cases), 3.8% (2 cases) and 9.4% (5 cases), respectively. (3) Prognosis: Survival data were available in 66 patients, with a median follow-up of 17 months and a median survival time of 17.4 months. The 1-year, 2-year and 5-year overall survival rate was 76.8%, 36.8% and 17.2%, respectively. The rate of lymphatic metastasis at diagnosis was 56.3%. Forty-nine patients (84.5%) suffered from distant metastasis, and the most frequent metastatic site was liver. Univariate analysis revealed that tumor size (>3.5 cm), depth of invasion below lamina muscularis mucosae (>1.0 cm), necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, BRAF gene mutation, lack of adjuvant therapy after surgery, deep site of tumor invasion, and high stage at diagnosis were all poor prognostic factors for overall survival. Multivariate model showed that lymphovascular invasion and BRAF gene mutation were independent risk factors for lower overall survival, and high stage at diagnosis showed borderline negative correlation with overall survival. CONCLUSION The overall prognosis of ARMM is poor, and lymphovascular invasion and BRAF gene mutation are independent factors of poor prognosis. Slingluff staging suggests prognosis effectively, and detailed assessment of pathological features, clear staging and genetic testing should be carried out when possible. Depth of invasion below lamina muscularis mucosae of the tumor might be a better prognostic indicator than tumor thickness.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; Prognosis ; Melanoma/surgery*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical treatment outcomes and the changes of the outcomes over time in extremely preterm twins in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 269 pairs of extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks who were admitted to the department of neonatology in 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 2008 to December 2017. According to the admission time, they were divided into two groups: 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. Besides, each pair of twins was divided into the heavier infant and the lighter infant subgroups according to birth weight. The perinatal data of mothers and hospitalization data of neonates were collected. The survival rate of twins and the incidence rate of complications were compared between the 2008-2012 and 2013-2017 groups. RESULTS: Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of severe asphyxia and smaller head circumference at birth (P<0.05). The mortality rates of both of the twins, the heavier infant of the twins, and the lighter infant of the twins were lower in the 2013-2017 group compared with the 2008-2012 group (P<0.05). Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (P-IVH), and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and a higher incidence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a significant increase in the survival rate over time in extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks in the 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province. The incidences of severe asphyxia, pulmonary hemorrhage, PDA, P-IVH, and NRDS decrease in both the heavier and lighter infants of the twins, but the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia increases. With the improvement of diagnosis and treatment, the multidisciplinary collaboration between different fields of fetal medicine including prenatal diagnosis, obstetrics, and neonatology is needed in the future to jointly develop management strategies for twin pregnancy.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) from China and compare these features with patients from Europe/North America. Methods: We reviewed case reports published between 1990 and 2020 with the key words of "Takotsubo syndrome" "stress cardiomyopathy" "apical balloon syndrome" and "broken heart syndrome", in Wanfang, CNKI, Pubmed and Web of Science databases, and 1 294 articles were identified, including 128 articles reporting 163 cases in China and 1 166 articles reporting 1 256 cases in Europe/North America. The characteristics of demographics, triggers, symptoms, electrocardiogram, echocardiography, left ventriculogram,coronary angiography, treatment and prognosis were analyzed and compared between Chinese and European/North American cases. Results: A total of 1 294 articles (1 419 cases: 163 from China, 1 256 from Europe/North America) were included in the final analysis. The characteristics of Chinese cases included: (1) demographic:the age was (59.6±16.9) years, which was similar with that of European/North American ((59.7±17.4) years, P=0.90), and female accounting for 78.5% (128/163), which was lower than that of European/North American (85.4% (1 073/1 256), P=0.02). (2) Triggers:mental triggers accounted for 48.5% (79/163), physical triggers accounted for 43.6% (71/163), and no triggers accounted for 7.9% (13/163), respectively. Compared with Europe/North America, the ratio of patients with mental triggers was higher in China, while the ratio of patients with physical triggers and no triggers was lower (P<0.05). (3) Symptoms: chest pain (52.8% (86/163)), chest tightness (35.0% (57/163)), shortness of breath (33.1% (54/163)), dizziness (16.0% (26/163)), sweating (15.3% (25/163)), palpitations (12.3% (20/163)), syncope (9.2% (15/163)) abdominal pain/diarrhea (8.6% (14/163)), hypotension (7.4% (12/163)), and fatigue (1.2% (2/163)) were illustrated in sequence. Compared with patients in Europe/North America, the ratio of patients with chest tightness, dizziness, sweating, palpitations, abdominal pain/diarrhea was higher in Chinese patients, while the ratio of patients with hypotension was lower in Chinese patients (P<0.05). (4) Electrocardiogram: main manifestations were myocardial ischemia symptoms, such as ST-segment elevation (63.8% (104/163)), T wave inversion (46.0% (75/163)), ST-segment depression (8.6% (14/163)). Compared with European/North American, the ratio of patients with ST-segment elevation, T wave inversion, and atrioventricular block was higher in Chinese patients (P<0.05). (5) Echocardiography and imaging:apical dyskinesia (59.5% (97/163)) and apical/left ventricular bulbar dilation (36.2%(59/163)) dominated the echocardiography findings. Compared with European/North American, the ratio of patients with apical dyskinesia, apical/left ventricular bulbar dilation, and mitral regurgitation was higher in Chinese patients, while the ratio of patients with dyskinesia in other parts and left ventricular ejection fraction<50% was lower in Chinese patients (P<0.05). Left ventricular angiography showed 36.2% (59/163) of apical dyskinesia in Chinese patients, which was higher than that reported in European/North American patients, and 38.7% (63/163) of apical/left ventricular bulbar dilation was reported in Chinese patients, which was similar to that reported in European/North American patients. Coronary angiography showed percent of no stenosis or stenosis less than 50% was 87.1% (142/163), which was similar to that reported in European/North American patients (P>0.05). The typical type of TTS accounted for 96.3% (157/163), which was significantly higher than that reported in European/ American patients, while the ratio of basal type and midventricular type was lower (P<0.01). (6) Treatment and prognosis:the applied drugs in China were listed in order as following, β-blockers (41.1% (67/163)), antiplatelet agents (37.4%(61/163)), ACEI/ARB (36.2%(59/163)), anticoagulants (27.0%(44/163)), diuretics (19.6% (32/163)), etc. Compared with Europe/North America, the ratio of antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, statins, diuretics, and nitrates use was higher in China (P<0.05), while the use of oxygen therapy and IABP was similar (P>0.05). The hospital mortality in China was 5.5% (9/163), during 1-year follow-up the recurrence rate was 3.7% (6/163) and the mortality was 0. The prognosis was similar with that in Europe/North America. Conclusions: Compared with TTS cases in Europe/North America, TTS cases in China also occur usually in middle-aged and elderly women, most of whom have mental/physical triggers and typical imaging manifestations, followed by a low hospital mortality rate and recurrence rate.
Abdominal Pain/complications* ; Adult ; Aged ; Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; Anticoagulants ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/complications* ; China/epidemiology* ; Diuretics ; Dizziness/complications* ; Dyskinesias/complications* ; Electrocardiography ; Europe/epidemiology* ; Female ; Humans ; Hypotension/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; Stroke Volume ; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy/etiology* ; Ventricular Function, Left

: Objective: To explore the feasibility and preliminary technical experience of the double-tract reconstruction combined with π-shaped esophagojejunal anastomosis after total laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy (TLPG) in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG). Methods: A descriptive case series study method was used. Clinical data of 12 AEG patients who underwent the double-tract reconstruction combined with π-shaped esophagojejunal anastomosis after TLPG from January 2021 to June 2021 at the Department of General Surgery, First Medical Center, PLA General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Among the 12 patients, the median tumor diameter was 2.0 (1.5-2.9) cm, and the pathological stage was T1-3N0-3aM0. All the patients routinely underwent TLPG and D2 lymph node dissection with double-tract reconstruction combined with π-shaped esophagojejunal anastomosis: (1) Double-tract reconstruction combined with π-shaped esophagojejunal anastomosis: mesentery 25 cm away from the Trevor ligament was treated, and an incision of about 1 cm was made on the mesenteric border of the intestinal wall and the right wall of the esophagus, two arms of the linear cutting closure were inserted, and esophagojejunal side-to-side anastomosis was performed. A linear stapler was used to cut off the lower edge of the anastomosis and close the common opening to complete the esophagojejunal π-shaped anastomosis. (2) Side-to-side gastrojejunostomy anastomosis: an incision of about 1 cm was made at the jejunum to mesenteric border and at the greater curvature of the remnant stomach 15 cm from the esophagojejunostomy, and a linear stapler was inserted to complete the gastrojejunostomy side-to-side anastomosis. (3) Side-to-side jejunojejunal anastomosis: an incision of about 1 cm was made at the proximal and distal jejunum to the mesangial border 40 cm from the esophagojejunostomy, and two arms of the linear stapler were inserted respectively to complete the side-to-side jejunojejunal anastomosis. A midline incision about 4-6 cm in the upper abdomen was conducted to take out the specimen, and an abdominal drainage tube was placed, then layer-by-layer abdominal closure was performed. INDICATIONS: (1) adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (Seiwert type II-III) was diagnosed by endoscopy and pathological examination; (2) ability to preserve at least 1/2 of the distal stomach after R0 resection of proximal stomach was evaluated preoperatively. CONTRAINDICATIONS: (1) evaluation indicated distant metastasis of tumor or invasion of other organs; (2) short abdominal esophagus or existence of diaphragmatic hiatal hernia was assessed during the operation; (3) mesentery was too short or the tension was too high; (4) existence of severe comorbidities before surgery; (5) only palliative surgery was required in preoperative evaluation; (6) poor nutritional status. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, time to first flatus and time to start liquid diet, postoperative hospital stay, operation cost, etc. Continuous variables that conformed to normal distribution were presented as mean ± standard deviation, and those that did not conform to normal distribution were presented as median (Q1,Q3). Results: All the patients successfully completed TLPG with double-tract reconstruction combined with π-shaped esophagojejunal anastomosis, and postoperative pathology showed that no cancer cells were found on the upper incision margin. The operation time was (247.9±62.4) minutes, the median intraoperative blood loss was 100.0 (62.5, 100.0) ml, no intraoperative blood transfusion was required, the incision length was (4.9±1.0) cm, and the operation cost was (55.5±0.7) thousand yuan. The median time to start liquid diet was 1.0 (1.0, 2.0) days, and the mean time to flatus was (3.1±0.9) days. All the patients were discharged uneventfully. Only 1 patient developed postoperative paralytic ileus and infectious pneumonia with Clavien-Dindo classification of grade II. The patient recovered after conservative treatment. There was no surgery-related death. The postoperative hospital stay was (8.3±2.1) days. Conclusion: The double-tract reconstruction combined with π-shaped esophagojejunal anastomosis after TLPG is safe and feasible, which can minimize surgical trauma and accelerate postoperative recovery.
Adenocarcinoma/surgery* ; Anastomosis, Surgical/methods* ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Esophagogastric Junction/surgery* ; Flatulence ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/surgery*

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus（SARS-CoV-2）is highly infectious and people are generally susceptible to it. In this article,we reviewed current research into the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019（COVID-19）,introduced China's effective prevention and control experience,preliminarily summarized the phased Results of China's fight against the COVID-19,and reviewed the early measures taken by Singapore,Japan,Italy,Iran and South Korea. We recommended China’s prevention and control measures in response to COVID-19 to the world;appealed to pay attention to non-drug interventions,to strengthen the cooperation and sharing of COVID-19 epidemic data and research,to improve the global ability in respond to public health emergencies,and to reduce the impact of COVID-2019 on the sustainable development of economy and society.

Objective: To evaluate the changes of left ventricular function in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) before PCI and within 24 hours after PCI by layer-specific strain, and to explore the value of this new assessment method for quantitative monitoring on the myocardial function in STEMI patients. Methods: A total of 40 patients with acute anterior wall myocardial infarction, who underwent PCI in Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University during July 2017 to July 2018, were included in this prospective cohort study. According to the symptom to balloon time (STB), the patients were divided into STB ≤6 hours group (26 cases) and STB 6-12 hours group (14 cases). Echocardiography was performed before, immediately, 3 hours and 24 hours after PCI. Echocardiographic indexes including endocardial myocardial longitudinal strain (LS-endo), 18-segment full-thickness myocardial longitudinal strain (LS) of left ventricle and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured. The mean LS-endo and LS values of myocardial segments in infarcted area (IALS-endo, IALS) and the mean LS-endo and LS values of myocardial segments in non-infarcted area (NIALS-endo, NIALS) were calculated. Results: There were 34 males and 6 females in this cohort and age was (62±10) years. In STB≤6 hours group, the IALS-endo value ((13.7±4.9)% vs. (10.0±2.7)%, P<0.05) and NIALS-endo value ((17.0±2.9)% vs. (14.6±2.9)%, P<0.05) were significantly higher at 24 hours after PCI than those before PCI. In the group of STB 6-12 hours, IALS-endo decreased immediately after PCI ((6.7±3.3)% vs. (11.9±6.5)%, P<0.05), and there was a rising trend at 3 hours after PCI (P>0.05). At 24 hours after PCI, the index was higher than that immediately after PCI ((13.6±8.4)% vs. (6.7±3.3)%, P<0.05). The NIALS-endo value was significantly higher at 24 hours after PCI than that before PCI ((17.1±2.1)% vs. (14.5±3.2)%, P<0.05). In the STB 6-12 hours group, the decrease rate of IALS-endo immediately after PCI was higher than that in the STB ≤6 hours group (93% (13/14) vs. 35% (9/26), P<0.001). In STB ≤6 hours group, the NIALS value at 24 hours after PCI was higher than that before PCI (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in IALS, NIALS and GLS at other time points (P>0.05). Conclusions: Layered LS is superior to full-thickness LS and GLS in evaluating left ventricular function in STEMI patients. LS measured by echocardiography can continuously and quantitatively evaluate the changes of left ventricular myocardial function in STEMI patients before and after PCI.
Echocardiography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prospective Studies ; ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/surgery* ; Ventricular Function, Left

Atrial Fibrillation ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Pulmonary Veins ; Venous Thrombosis ; etiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tea polyphenols on the proliferation of human prostate cancer cells and its possible mechanism.

METHODSWe cultured androgen-independent prostate cancer DU145 cells in the medium with different concentrations (50, 100, 250 and 500 microg/ml) of tea polyphenols, and those in the normal medium as the control. After 48 hours of culture, we detected the survival rate of the cells by MTT assay and determined the expression of survivin by Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSAt 48 hours, the survival rates of the prostate cancer DU145 cells were 0.97 +/- 0.12, 0.71 +/- 0.07, 0.20 +/- 0.03 and 0.08 +/- 0.01 in the 50, 100, 250 and 500 microg/ml tea polyphenols treatment groups, all significantly reduced as compared with the control group (P < 0.01) except that of the 50 microg/ml group (P = 0.42). Furthermore, the survival rate continued to decrease with the prolonging of time, dropping below 5% at 96 hours except in the 50 microg/ml group. The grey values of the survivin expression in the 100, 250 and 500 microg/ml tea polyphenols groups were 13 425 +/- 34, 2 017 +/- 24 and 1 274 +/- 22, respectively, at 48 hours, significantly lower than 15 075 +/- 48 in the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the content of survivin mRNA at 48 hours was markedly lower in the 50, 100, 250 and 500 microg/ml treatment groups (0.74 +/- 0.03, 0.64 +/- 0.02, 0.52 +/- 0.01 and 0.21 +/- 0.02) than in the control (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTea polyphenols can inhibit the proliferation of human prostate cancer DU145 cells, which may be associated with the decreased expression of the survivin gene.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Polyphenols ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tea ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlations among Ki-67 expression, mitosis and other clinicopathological parameters of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma, and search for prognostic factors of malignant melanoma.

METHODSTotally 127 cases of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma were collected from Beijing Cancer Hospital. Immunohistochemical study for Ki-67 was performed, and the mitosis was calculated referring to "hot spot" method recommended by the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) melanoma staging system. The correlations of Ki-67 expression, mitosis and other clinicopathological parameters were analyzed, and the survival analysis of all these risk factors including TNM and Clark level was conducted based on follow up data.

RESULTSThe expression level of Ki-67 was associated with necrosis and Breslow thickness (P < 0.05). Mitosis was correlated with Clark level and Ki-67 expression (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis indicated Ki-67 expression level (P = 0.043), mitosis (P = 0.030) and TNM stage (P < 0.001) might influence the survival of patients. However, multivariate analysis showed that the TNM staging was the only independent prognostic factor affecting survival.

CONCLUSIONSThe prognosis of patients with primary cutaneous malignant melanoma was closely related to the TNM staging at the fist examination. Ki-67 expression and mitosis are two important clinicopathological parameters of primary cutaneous malignant melanoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cell Proliferation ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; Male ; Melanoma ; immunology ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Mitosis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Skin Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the expression and prognostic significance of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in different melanocytic lesions.

METHODSThe expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in 39 cases of benign nevus, 58 cases of primary cutaneous melanoma, 24 cases of primary mucosal melanoma, 69 cases of melanoma with lymph node metastasis and 8 cases of melanoma with distant metastasis were studied by immunohistochemistry and tissue microarray.

RESULTSThe expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 was higher in benign nevi than in melanomas (P < 0.01). The nuclear expression of galectin-3 was higher in primary cutaneous melanomas than in primary mucosal melanomas or melanomas with metastases (P < 0.01, respectively). The expression correlated with age of patients (P < 0.05), necrosis (P < 0.05) and survival time (P < 0.01). Clark's level also correlated with survival time in patients with cutaneous melanomas (P = 0.037). TNM staging was the only independent prognostic factor for melanomas (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 is decreased in melanomas. The decrease in nuclear expression of galectin-3 may represent a poor prognostic factor for melanomas. TNM staging is an independent prognostic factor which influences the survival time.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Female ; Galectin 1 ; metabolism ; Galectin 3 ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Liver Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lung Neoplasms ; secondary ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Melanoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; secondary ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Mucosa ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Staging ; Nevus ; metabolism ; pathology ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult