Objective:To investigate the impact of neuroendocrine function on postoperative complications and nutritional status in gastric cancer patients.Methods:Clinical data of 102 gastric cancer patients who underwent radical gastrectomy at the Department of General Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from Aug 2021 to Jun 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 102 gastric cancer patients, 18 (17.6%) suffered from postoperative complications. Univariate analysis indicated that age, BMI, preoperative plasma ghrelin concentration, and preoperative hemoglobin levels were associated with early postoperative complications following radical gastrectomy. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, BMI, and preoperative plasma ghrelin concentration ( P<0.05) were independent risk factors for postoperative complications in gastric cancer patients. Differential analysis of ghrelin concentration demonstrated correlations with hemoglobin levels, skeletal muscle index, albumin, and creatinine, and a positive correlation with the skeletal muscle index. Conclusions:Reduced preoperative neuroendocrine hormone ghrelin concentration is an independent risk factor for postoperative complications in gastric cancer patients. Ghrelin concentration is correlated with the skeletal muscle index in these patients.

Ghrelin is a newly discovered gastrointestinal peptide that is involved in regulating the body's growth,development and energy balance,and plays a key role in the occurrence and progression of malignant tumors,such as cell proliferation,migration,invasion,apoptosis,inflammatory response and vascular disease.Generate immune cell infiltration and so on.Ghrelin affects the progression of gastric cancer by activa-ting NF-κB/p65 and AMPK and other signaling pathways.Ghrelin not only assist in early screening of gastric cancer,but also function a new marker for predicting the prognosis and survival of gastric cancer patients.Ghrelin and its analogs have clinical application value in the treatment of gastric cancer-related syndromes such as cachexia or sarcopenia.

Objective To evaluate the long-term efficacy of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)inhibitor(TNFi)in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis(AS)complicated with osteoporosis(OP)and the impact on bone metabolism,bone density,and inflammatory factors.Methods The data of 158 patients with AS and OP,who were admitted to Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University(Second Military Medical University)from Jan.1,2010 to Dec.31,2017,were retrospectively collected.The patients were divided into bisphosphonate group(n=54),TNFi group(n=58),and TNFi+bisphosphonate group(n=46)according to the treatment methods.All patients were treated with calcium combined with calcitriol as the background treatment.After 5 years of treatment,Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index(BASDAI)and Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index(BASFI)scores were evaluated,and inflammatory indexes,bone metabolism markers,and bone mineral density were detected.Results After 5 years of treatment,the BASDAI and BASFI scores,erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C reactive protein(CRP),TNF-α,and interleukin-17A of the TNFi+bisphosphonate group and TNFi group were significantly lower than those before treatment(all P＜0.05);in the bisphosphonate group only ESR and CRP were significantly lower than those before treatment(both P＜0.05),and the other inflammatory indexes and BASDAI and BASFI scores showed no significant changes(all P＞0.05).The bone mineral density of the 3 groups after 5 years of treatment was significantly higher than that before treatment(all P＜0.05),and the bone mineral density of the TNFi+bisphosphonate group was significantly higher than that of the other 2 groups(both P＜0.05).After 5 years of treatment,the levels of parathyroid hormone(PTH),procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide(P1NP)and β-C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen(β-CTX)in the TNFi+bisphosphonate group and bisphosphonate group were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(all P＜0.05),while the levels of N-terminal midfragment of osteocalcin(N-MID)and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D(25VitD)were significantly increased(all P＜0.05);in the TNFi group only PTH and P1NP levels were significantly decreased(both P＜0.05),while β-CTX,N-MID and 25VitD levels showed no significant differences(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Long-term use of TNFi in patients with AS and OP can effectively reduce disease activity,improve physical function,decrease the level of inflammatory factors,alleviate abnormal bone metabolism,and increase bone mineral density;and the combined use of TNFi and bisphosphonates has better efficacy.

Background and Aims:In recent years,function-preserving proximal gastrectomy with reconstruction has become an important approach for the treatment of early gastric cancer.However,there is no standardized surgical technique,and the short-and long-term outcomes of various new procedures remain unclear.This study was performed to evaluate the safety and short-term efficacy of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy plus esophagogastrostomy with single-flap technique for early gastric cancer. Methods:The clinical data and follow-up records of 7 patients who underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with single-flap esophagogastrostomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between December 2021 and December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Perioperative safety,postoperative reflux,anastomotic stricture at 6 months,and related nutritional parameters were assessed.The nutrition-related indicators of this group of patients were compared with those of 11 patients who underwent total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis for early gastric cancer during the same period. Results:All 7 patients successfully underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with single-flap esophagogastrostomy.The average operative time was(212.9±20.6)min,with anastomosis taking(54.7±10.5)min;the mean intraoperative blood loss was(28.6±9.0)mL.No Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or higher complications were observed during hospitalization.None of the patients experienced significant reflux symptoms,although 1 patient developed anastomotic stricture 3 months after operation.There were no statistically significant differences in hemoglobin concentration,albumin level,prealbumin level,total protein concentration,and lymphocyte count between preoperative and 6-month postoperative measurements(all P＞0.05).Compared to patients who underwent total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis,those who had the proximal gastrectomy with single-flap esophagogastrostomy showed a lower percentage decrease in body weight,skeletal muscle area at the third lumbar vertebra(L3),visceral fat area at L3,and hemoglobin concentration at 1 year after operation(all P＜0.05). Conclusion:Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with single-flap esophagogastrostomy is a safe and feasible surgical option for early gastric cancer,offering effective anti-reflux outcomes while minimizing the risk of anastomotic stricture.This procedure has a lower impact on postoperative nutritional status compared to total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a chronic systemic autoimmune disease, is characterized by synovitis and progressive damage to the bone and cartilage of the joints, leading to disability and reduced quality of life. This study was a randomized clinical trial comparing the outcomes between withdrawal and dose reduction of tofacitinib in patients with RA who achieved sustained disease control. METHODS: The study was designed as a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial. Eligible patients who were taking tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily) and had achieved sustained RA remission or low disease activity (disease activity score in 28 joints [DAS28] ≤3.2) for at least 3 months were enrolled at six centers in Shanghai, China. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to one of three treatment groups: continuation of tofacitinib (5 mg twice daily); reduction in tofacitinib dose (5 mg daily); and withdrawal of tofacitinib. Efficacy and safety were assessed up to 6 months. RESULTS: Overall, 122 eligible patients were enrolled, with 41 in the continuation group, 42 in the dose-reduction group, and 39 in the withdrawal group. After 6 months, the percentage of patients with a DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of <3.2 was significantly lower in the withdrawal group than that in the reduction and continuation groups (20.5%, 64.3%, and 95.1%, respectively; P  < 0.0001 for both comparisons). The average flare-free time was 5.8 months for the continuation group, 4.7 months for the dose reduction group, and 2.4 months for the withdrawal group. CONCLUSION: Withdrawal of tofacitinib in patients with RA with stable disease control resulted in a rapid and significant loss of efficacy, while standard or reduced doses of tofacitinib maintained a favorable state. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chictr.org, ChiCTR2000039799.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; China ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Piperidines/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use* ; Pyrroles/therapeutic use*

Objective:The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of iguratimod (IGU) or leflnomide (LEF) in combination with methotrexate (MTX) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).Methods:This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded, double dummy and controlled clinical trial. Patients with moderate or high active RA were randomized in a 1∶1 ratio to receive IGU+MTX (Group A) or LEF+MTX (Group B) treatment. The efficacy and safety were assessed at week 12, 24 and 52, respectively. The primary endpoint was the American Colleague of Rheumatology 20 (ACR20) response rates at the 52th week. Pearson chi square test and two-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to compare the improve- ment of ACR20 and DAS28 at 52 weeks. Pearson chi square test or Fisher exact probability test were used to compare the ACR 20 and ACR70 rate between the two groups after treatment. The measurement data of the two groups were compared by independent sample t-test or nonparametric test. Results:A total of 240 RA patients were enrolled in the present study. As a result, 84.1% and 81.0% of patients achieved ACR20 criteria at the 52th week in Group A and Group B, respectively ( χ2=0.35, P=0.56). And the ACR50/70 response rates, disease activity score 28 (DAS28), simplified disease activity index (SDAI) and the absolute decrease of DAS28 from baseline were not statistically different between the two groups at week 12, 24 and 52. The rates of adverse events were lower in Group A than those in Group B (60.0% vs 79.0%, P<0.01). The elevations of glutamic pyruvic transaminase/glutamic oxalacetic transaminase levels, concomitant use of hepatinica and white blood cell decrease were more common in Group B ( P<0.05). Conclusion:IGU in combination with MTX is an efficacious and safe treatment regimen, which is comparable in efficacy in control active RA but superior in safety to LEF combined with MTX.

In recent years, osteoporosis (OP) has become one of the main diseases affecting the health of middle-aged and elderly people in China, and the prevalence of OP has increased significantly. The clinical diagnosis and treatment guidelines for this disease are also constantly updated. The overall principles speciallyemphasise that doctors and patients need to work together to negotiate the details of the diagnosis and treatment guidelines, in order to improve the OP clinical diagnosis and treatment rate. Therefore, patients′ knowledge of the disease, understanding of clinical guidelines, and cooperation with doctors to implement diagnosis and treatment plans are very important. In this study, from the most concerned issues of the patients, we established the OP patient practice guideline working group. 14 recommendations, as the OP patient practice guidelines, are proposed in accordance with the relevant principles of the "World Health Organization guidelines development manual" and the international normative process.

Purpose: Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) plays a critical role in cancer progression involving in tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. This study clarified the role of FGFR4-Arg388 variant in gastric cancer (GC), and more importantly highlighted the possibility of this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) as potential therapeutic targets. Materials and Methods: FGFR4 polymorphism was characterized in advanced GC patients to perform statistical analysis. FGFR4-dependent signal pathways involving cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and resistance to oxaliplatin (OXA) in accordance with the SNP were also assessed in transfected GC cell lines. Results: Among 102 GC patients, the FGFR4-Arg388 patients showed significantly higher tumor stage (p=0.047) and worse overall survival (p=0.033) than the Gly388 patients. Immunohistochemical results showed that FGFR4-Arg388 patients were more likely to have higher vimentin (p=0.025) and p-STAT3 (p=0.009) expression compared with FGFR4-Gly388 patients. In transfected GC cells, the overexpression of FGFR4-Arg388 variant increased proliferation and invasion of GC cells, increasing resistance of GC cells to OXA compared with cells overexpressing the Gly388 allele. Conclusion The exploration mechanism may be through FGFR4-Arg388/STAT3/epithelial to mesenchymal transition axis regulating pivotal oncogenic properties of GC cells. The FGFR4-Arg388 variant may be a biomarker and a candidate target for adjuvant treatment of GC.

Objective To explore the molecular pathological mechanism of gout, and to explore the mechanism of how interleukin (IL)-37 influencing PDZK1 protein in gout through nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway. Methods HK-2 cells were stimulated with inflammatory signal IL-37. The expression of PDZK1 and its subcellular localization were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) at different concentrations of IL-37 (defined as group A), PDTC+IL-37 (defined as group B), Wortmannin+IL-37 (defined as group C), respectively.The changes of PDZK1 protein expression in HK-2 cells were detected by adding inhibitor PDTC (NF-κB pathway inhibitor) or Wortmannin (PI3K pathway inhibitor) and inflammatory signal stimulating protein imprinting method. The comparative t test was used for statistical analysis between groups A, B and A and C. Results The average levels of PDZK1 mRNA were as follows:(group A: 28.71 ±0.35, 28.57 ±0.31, 28.78 ±0.28, 28.63 ±0.29, 28.62 ±0.19; group B: 28.71 ±0.31, 28.83 ±0.27, 28.58±0.26, 28.73±0.36, 28.68±0.35;group C:28.81±0.32, 28.91±0.29, 28.72±0.24, 28.59±0.18, 28.58±0.22). There was no significant change in PDZK1 mRNA level in group A and B. The same IL-37 was found in group A and B. The values of T were 5.73, 4.72, 4.69, 5.86 and 6.79, respectively. The P values were all greater than 0.05, and there was no significant difference between the two groups. The values of T were 6.78, 7.13, 7.47, 6.38 and 5.98 in the same IL-37 concentration groups of A and C, respectively, and the P values were all greater than 0.05, with no significant difference. The levels of PDZK1 protein in the three groups by Western blot analysis were as follows: (group A: 0.200±0.082, 0.412±0.032, 0.723±0.063, 1.202±0.021, 1.222±0.023;group B: 0.124±0.064, 0.303±0.081, 0.325±0.062, 0.223±0.071, 0.343±0.052; group C: 0.017±0.022, 0.204± 0.015, 0.187±0.053, 0.302±0.051, 0.404±0.051), The levels of PDZK1 protein in group A treated with different concentrations of IL-37 followed by the concentration of IL-37. The level of PDZK1 protein in group B increased with the increase of IL-37 concentration, but the level of PDZK1 protein in group B was lower than that in the group treated with IL-37 only, and decreased when the concentration of IL-37 was 40 ng/ml.The level of PDZK1 protein in group C increased with the increase of IL-37 concentration, but the level of PDZK1 protein in group C was lower than that in the group treated with IL-37 only, and the same concentration of IL-37 in group A and B. The values of T were 1.83, 1.37, 1.64, 1.57 ,1.49, with P values greater than 0.05. There was no significant difference between the two groups. The values of T were 1.28, 1.37, 1.26, 1.42, 1.39 in the same concentration of IL-37 in group A and C, with P values greater than 0.05, with no significant difference.The results of immunofluorescence analysis showed that the trend of the three groups was basically consistent with that of Western-Blot. Conclusion The pathogenesis of gout induced by IL-37 through PDZK1 protein may not occur at the transcriptional level, but may occur at the level of protein translation.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of high-throughput texture analysis in the distinction of single brain metastases (SBM) from high-grade gliomas (HGG) and validate the established model. Methods: A total of 86 patients who were histologically diagnosed with SBM or HGG were retrospectively collected, including 43 patients with SBM and 43 with HGG. All of patients were performed preoperative conventional head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. A total of 236 fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLALR) images containing the information of tumors were selected from the MRI images and each image was considered as an object. The training set had 200 images, including 106 from SBM group and 94 from HGG group, whereas the validation set had 36 images, including 19 from SBM group and 17 from HGG. After images preprocessing, images segmentation, features extraction, and features selection, a radiomic diagnostic model was finally established using the training set. The diagnostic performance of the diagnostic model was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Hierarchical clustering analysis was used to evaluate the quality of the extracted feature data and the classification effect of the model. The model was further validated using the independent validation set. Results: A total of 629 features were extracted and quantified from each sample, and 41 features were selected to establish feature subsets and the diagnostic model. The classification decision function of the model is f(x)=sign and the kernel function of the model is K(x, x_i)=exp. In the training set, the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.845, 0.849, 0.840, 0.857 and 0.832, respectively. The area under the ROC curve reached to 0.939. Similar results were obtained in the validation set. Conclusion The high-throughput texture analysis shows high accuracy in differentiating SBM from HGG.