Comparison of the cachexia index based on hand-grip strength (H-CXI) with the original CXI for the prediction of cancer cachexia and prognosis in patients who underwent radical colectomy for colorectal cancer.

Background and aims: The cachexia index (CXI) is a novel biomarker for estimating cancer cachexia. The cachexia index based on hand-grip strength (H-CXI) has been recently developed as a simple proxy for CXI. The present study aims to compare both the H-CXI and CXI for the prediction of cancer cachexia and postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent radical colectomy for colorectal cancer. Methods: Patients who underwent radical operations for colorectal cancer were included in this study. Cancer cachexia was diagnosed according to the international consensus outlined by Fearon et al. The cachexia index (CXI) was calculated as [skeletal muscle index (SMI) × serum albumin/neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR)]. The H-CXI was calculated as [hand-grip strength (HGS)/height2 × serum albumin/NLR]. The SMI was measured based on the preoperative CT images at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) level. HGS was measured before surgery. Results: From July 2014 to May 2021, a total of 1,411 patients were included in the present study, of whom 361 (25.6%) were identified as having cancer cachexia. Patients with cachexia had a lower CXI (p < 0.001) and lower H-CXI (p < 0.001) than those without cachexia. A low CXI but not low H-CXI independently predicted cancer cachexia in the multivariate analysis (OR 1.448, p = 0.024). Both a low CXI (HR 1.476, p < 0.001 for OS; HR 1.611, p < 0.001 for DFS) and low H-CXI (HR 1.369, p = 0.007 for OS; HR 1.642, p < 0.001 for DFS) were independent predictors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) after adjusting for the same covariates. A low H-CXI but not low CXI was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (OR 1.337, p = 0.044). No significant association was found between cancer cachexia and postoperative complications. Conclusion: The CXI and H-CXI exhibited better prognostic value than cancer cachexia for the prediction of postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent radical colectomy for colorectal cancer. The H-CXI was a superior index over the CXI in predicting short-term clinical outcomes, whereas the CXI demonstrated a closer correlation with Fearon's criteria for cancer cachexia. Ideal tools for the assessment of cancer cachexia should incorporate not only weight loss but also muscle mass, physical function, and inflammatory state.

Prognostic value of GLIM-defined malnutrition in combination with hand-grip strength or gait speed for the prediction of postoperative outcomes in gastric cancer patients with cachexia.

BACKGROUND: Cancer cachexia is associated with impaired functional and nutritional status and worse clinical outcomes. Global Leadership Initiative in Malnutrition (GLIM) consensus recommended the application of GLIM criteria to diagnose malnutrition in patients with cachexia. However, few previous study has applied the GLIM criteria in patients with cancer cachexia. METHODS: From July 2014 to May 2019, patients who were diagnosed with cancer cachexia and underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer were included in this study. Malnutrition was diagnosed using the GLIM criteria. Skeletal muscle index was measured using abdominal computed tomography (CT) images at the third lumbar vertebra (L3) level. Hand-grip strength and 6-meters gait speed were measured before surgery. RESULTS: A total of 356 patients with cancer cachexia were included in the present study, in which 269 (75.56%) were identified as having malnutrition based on the GLIM criteria. GLIM-defined malnutrition alone did not show significant association with short-term postoperative outcomes, including complications, costs or length of postoperative hospital stays. The combination of low hand-grip strength or low gait speed with GLIM-defined malnutrition led to a significant predictive value for these outcomes. Moreover, low hand-grip strength plus GLIM-defined malnutrition was independently associated with postoperative complications (OR 1.912, 95% CI 1.151-3.178, P = 0.012). GLIM-defined malnutrition was an independent predictive factor for worse OS (HR 2.310, 95% CI 1.421-3.754, P = 0.001) and DFS (HR 1.815, 95% CI 1.186-2.779, P = 0.006) after surgery. The addition of low hand-grip strength or low gait speed to GLIM-defined malnutrition did not increase its predictive value for survival. CONCLUSION: GLIM-defined malnutrition predicted worse long-term survival in gastric cancer patients with cachexia. Gait speed and hand-grip strength added prognostic value to GLIM-defined malnutrition for the prediction of short-term postoperative outcomes, which could be incorporated into preoperative assessment protocols in patients with cancer cachexia.

The comparison of corneal higher-order aberration and surgically induced astigmatism between the clear corneal incision and the limbus tunnel incision of posterior chamber implantable collamer lens implantation.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the corneal high-order aberrations and surgically induced astigmatism between the clear corneal incision and limbus tunnel incision for posterior chamber implantable collamer lens (ICL/TICL) implantation. METHODS: A total of 127 eyes from 73 myopic patients underwent ICL V4c implantation, with 70 eyes receiving clear corneal incisions and 57 eyes receiving limbus tunnel incisions. The anterior and back corneal surfaces were measured and the Root Mean Square of all activated aberrations (TRMS) was calculated, including higher-order aberration (HOA RMS), spherical aberration Z40, coma coefficients (Coma RMS) Z3-1 Z31, and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA). The measurements were taken preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 day, 1 week, and 1, 3, and 6 months. In this study, the corneal higher-order aberration was estimated as the Zernike coefficient calculated up to 5th order. The measurements were taken at a maximum diameter of 6.5 mm using Pentacam. RESULTS: One week after the operation, the corneal back Z31 of the clear corneal incision group was 0.06 ± 0.06, while the limbus tunnel incision group showed a measurement of 0.05 ± 0.06 (p = 0.031). The corneal back Z40 of the clear corneal incision group was -0.02 ± 0.25, compared to -0.04 ± 0.21 in the limbus tunnel incision group (p = 0.01). One month after the operation, the corneal back SIA of the clear corneal incision group was 0.11 ± 0.11, compared to 0.08 ± 0.11of the limbus tunnel incision group (p = 0.013), the corneal total SIA of the clear corneal incision group was 0.33 ± 0.30, compared to 0.15 ± 0.16 in the limbus tunnel incision group (p = 0.004); the clear corneal incision group exhibited higher levels of back astigmatism and total SIA than the limbus tunnel incision in the post-operation one month period. During the 6- month post-operative follow-up period, no significant difference in Z31, Z40, and other HOA RMS data was observed between the two groups. The total SIA of the corneal incision group and the limbus tunnel incision group were 0.24 ± 0.14 and 0.33 ± 0.32, respectively (p = 0.393), showing no significant difference between the two groups 6 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: Our data showed no significant difference in the high-order aberration and SIA between clear corneal incision and limbus tunnel incision up to 6 months after ICL-V4c implantation.

Sarcopenia predicts postoperative complications and survival in colorectal cancer patients with GLIM-defined malnutrition: Analysis from a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether sarcopenia could predict postoperative outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer with Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM)-defined malnutrition. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who underwent radical resection for colorectal cancer were prospectively collected. Sarcopenia was diagnosed by the combination of low handgrip strength and low muscle quantity or quality as measured by abdominal computed tomography (CT) images. Logistic regression analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were performed to identify independent predictors for postoperative complications and survival, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 310 patients with colorectal cancer with GLIM-defined malnutrition were included, of which 145 (46.77%) were identified with sarcopenia. Malnutritional patients with sarcopenia had significantly higher incidences of total complications (34.5% versus 15.8%), severe complications (9.7% versus 1.8%), longer lengths of postoperative hospital stay (median, 14 days versus 12 days), and more costs (median, 56,257 RMB versus 49,024 RMB) than those without sarcopenia. Sarcopenia was an independent predictive factor for postoperative complications (OR 2.531, 95% CI 1.451-4.415), overall survival (HR 1.519, 95% CI 1.026-2.248), and disease-free survival (HR 1.847, 95% CI 1.324-2.576). Patients with severe sarcopenia had a higher incidence of severe complications but not total complications or survival than those with not-severe sarcopenia. Moreover, the predictive value of sarcopenia for postoperative complications was attributed to muscle strength and quality but not muscle quantity. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia predicts postoperative complications and survival in patients with colorectal cancer with GLIM-defined malnutrition. Preoperative assessment of sarcopenia is still necessary when nutritional assessment has been well performed.

Delayed diffuse lamellar keratitis after small-incision lenticule extraction related to immunoglobulin A nephropathy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) is a complication of laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). This condition can also develop after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) with a distinctive appearance. We report the case involving a female patient with delayed onset DLK accompanied by immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy. CASE SUMMARY: A 22-year-old woman was referred to our department for DLK and a decline in vision 1 mo after undergoing SMILE. The initial examination showed grade 2 DLK in the flap involving the central visual axis of the right eye. She was immediately administered with a large dose of a topical steroid for 30 d. However, the treatment was ineffective. Her vision deteriorated from 10/20 to 6/20, and DLK gradually worsened from grade 2 to 4. Eventually, interface washout was performed, after which her vision improved. DLK completely disappeared 2 mo after washout. Six months after SMILE, the patient was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy due to a 4-year history of interstitial hematuria. CONCLUSION: DLK is a typical complication of LASIK but can also develop after SMILE. Topical steroid therapy was ineffective in our patient, and interface washout was required. IgA nephropathy could be one of the factors contributing to the development of delayed DLK after SMILE.

Intraoperative radiotherapy vs concurrent chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the multi-institutional retrospective study was to evaluate whether intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) has advantages in the treatment of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 103 patients with LAPC whom was treated with IORT (Arm A; n = 50) or CCRT (Arm B; n = 53) from 2015.6 to 2016.7 were retrospectively identified. Data on feasibility, toxicity, and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. RESULTS: Most factors of the two cohorts were similar. The severe adverse events (grade 3 and 4) patients in Arm B were higher than patients in Arm A (34% vs 0%). Disease progression was noted in 38 patients (76%) in Arm A and 37 patients (69.8%) in Arm B. The median survival of patients in Arm A and B were 15.3 months (95% CI, 13.0-17.6 months) and 13.8 months (95% CI, 11.0-16.6 months), respectively. The 1-year survival rate were 66.3% in Arm A (95% CI, 52.3%-80.2%) and 60.9% in Arm B (95% CI, 46.4%-75.4%). There was no significant difference in OS between patients treated with IORT and with CCRT (p = 0.458). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that patients with LAPC treated with IORT showed fewer adverse events, less treatment time, and high feasibility compared to CCRT. Although, IORT has no advantages in survival and tumor control compared with CCRT.

Advanced oxidation protein products increase TNF-α and IL-1ß expression in chondrocytes via NADPH oxidase 4 and accelerate cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis progression.

Interleukin (IL)-1ß and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, in particular, control the degeneration of articular cartilage, making them prime targets for osteoarthritis (OA) therapeutic strategies. Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are prevalent in numerous diseases. Our previous work demonstrates that intra-articular injections of AOPPs accelerate regression of cartilage in OA models. Whether AOPPs exist in the course of OA and their effects on TNF-α and IL-1ß expression in chondrocytes are still unclear. This study confirmed that AOPPs levels in human synovial fluid were positively associated with severity of OA. We also found AOPPs deposition in articular cartilage in anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) induced rodent OA models. AOPPs increased expression of TNF-α and IL-1ß in chondrocytes in vitro, which was inhibited by pre-treatment with SB202190 (p38-MAPK inhibitor) or apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor) or NOX4 knockdown by siRNAs. Subsequently, we further verified in vivo that exogenous injection of AOPPs in OA mice up-regulated expression of TNF-α and IL-1ß in cartilage, which was blocked by treatment with apocynin. In parallel, apocynin attenuated articular cartilage degeneration resulting in substantially lower OARSI scores. Specifically, apocynin reduced NOX4, p-P38, TNF-α and IL-1ß and increased collagen II and glycosaminoglycan (GAG). This study demonstrated that AOPPs increased expression of TNF-α and IL-1ß in chondrocytes via the NADPH oxidase4-dependent and p38-MAPK mediated pathway, and accelerated cartilage degeneration in OA progression. These findings suggest an endogenous pathogenic role of AOPPs in OA progression. Targeting AOPPs-triggered cellular mechanisms might be a promising therapeutic option for patients with OA.

Differentiation of CD45­/CD31+ lung side population cells into endothelial and smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Side population (SP) cells are a small subpopulation of cells found in many mammalian tissues and organs, identified by their capacity to efflux Hoechst 33342 dye. They are enriched for stem/progenitor cell activity. SP cells isolated from the adult mouse lung can be separated into a CD45+ subset (bone marrow­derived) and a CD45­ subset that can be subdivided into CD31­ and CD31+ subpopulations. CD45­/CD31­ lung SP (LSP) cells are known to be mesenchymal stem cells. However, CD45­/CD31+ LSP cells are not fully characterized. In the present study, it was found that CD45­/CD31+ LSP cells were able to form colonies. Based on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2), these cells were separated into VEGFR2­ and VEGFR2+ cells. The CD45­/CD31+/VEGFR2­ LSP cells expressed genes characteristic of smooth muscle and endothelial progenitors, and were able to differentiate into smooth muscle and endothelial cells in vitro. The CD45­/CD31+/VEGFR2+ LSP cells expressed genes characteristic of endothelial progenitors and gave rise to endothelial cells, although not smooth muscle, in vitro. The data demonstrate that CD45­/CD31+/VEGFR2­ LSP cells differentiated into CD45­/CD31+/VEGFR2+ LSP cells and then endothelial cells, indicating that CD45­/CD31+/VEGFR2+ LSP cells are likely to be derived from CD45­/CD31+/VEGFR2­ LSP cells. Taken together, the results suggest that CD45­/CD31+ LSP cells can be separated into CD45­/CD31+/VEGFR2­ LSP cells, which may be progenitors of endothelial and smooth muscle, whereas CD45­/CD31+/VEGFR2+ LSP cells may serve as late commitment endothelial progenitors in the adult mouse lung.

Relationship between surgeon volume and outcomes in spine surgery: a dose-response meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between surgeon volume and outcomes in spine surgery is unclear and published studies report inconsistent results. Therefore, a dose-response meta-analysis was conducted to clarify the influence of surgeon volume on outcomes in spine surgery. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and The Cochrane Library were systematically searched without language limitation for observational studies which investigated the relationship between surgeon volume and outcomes in spine surgery. The primary outcome was postoperative morbidity and the secondary outcomes consisted of mortality, length of hospital stay, readmission, and hospital costs. For binary variable and continuous variable, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% CIs and weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% CIs were pooled respectively. Additionally, a dose-response meta-analysis was performed for the primary outcome. RESULTS: Eleven studies with 1,986,545 patients were included in the current meta-analysis. Pooled estimate indicated that a higher surgeon volume was associated with lower postoperative morbidity (OR, 0.62; 95% CI: 0.52-0.75; I2=93.9%), lower mortality (OR, 0.76; 95% CI: 0.66-0.87; I2=0), shorter length of hospital stay (WMD, -7.07; 95% CI: -7.08 to -7.06; I2=100%), less readmission (OR, 0.78; 95% CI: 0.72-0.85; I2=93.1%), and lower hospital costs (WMD, -25,497.47; 95% CI: -25,528.43 to -25,466.51; I2=100%). Dose-response analysis suggested a nonlinear relationship between surgeon volume and postoperative morbidity (P for nonlinearity less than 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence indicate that higher surgeon volume is associated with lower morbidity and mortality, shorter length of hospital stay, less readmission, and lower hospital costs in spine surgery.

[Differentiation of Cultivated CD45-/CD31+ Mouse Lung Side Population Cells into Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics of differentiation of lung side population cells (LSP cells)in vitro. METHODS: CD45-/CD31+ LSP cells sorted by flow cytometry were taken from mouse lung tissues and cultured for 14 d. The cultured LSP cells were observed with colony formation assay and flow cytometryin vitro. The mRNA expressions of ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2), smooth muscle actin (SMA) and α-smooth muscle tropomyosin (α-SMT) in both freshly isolated LSP cells and cultured LSP cells were examined. The expressions of ABCG2 and stem cell antigen 1 (Sca1) in LSP cells were detected using immunofluorescence. RT-PCR tests were performed to detect the expressions of ABCG2, SMA and α-SMT in LSP cells. RESULTS: The isolated CD45-/CD31+ lung side population cells expressed ABCG2, SMA and Sca1, but not α-SMT. A large number of LSP in aggregated state were observed after 14 d of culture. Before induction of differentiation, the CD45-/CD31+ LSP cells expressed ABCG2 and SMA, but not α-SMT. After induction of differentiation, the CD45-/CD31+ lung side population cells expressed α-SMT and SMA, but not ABCG2. CONCLUSIONS: CD45-/CD31+ LSP cells might be progenitor cells of vascular smooth muscle cells, possessing the characteristics of stem cell differentiations.

Rational design of two bpy-bridged 3D and 2D Co(II) open frameworks with similar amino-acid-based Schiff bases.

Two novel bpy-bridged Co(II) Schiff base complexes have been synthesized by the hydro(solvo)thermal reactions of corresponding amino-acid-based Schiff bases, bpy and Co(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O. The following formulae identify the two complexes: {[Co(napala)(bpy)(0.5)]·H(2)O}(n) (1) and [Co(napgly)(bpy)(0.5)](n) (2) [H(2)napala = N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylmethylidene)-D/L-alanine, H(2)napgly = N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylmethylidene)-glycine and bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine]. These two compounds have been characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, optical spectra analysis, and magnetic measurement. Complex 1 features an unprecedented threefold interpenetrated diamond network based on the fan-shaped Co(II)(4)(µ(2)-napala)(4) molecular square node and bpy linker, which represents the first example of 3D framework among the amino-acid-based Schiff base complexes with salicylaldehyde or its derivatives. In 2, adjacent Co(II) ions are bridged by µ(2)-napgly(2-) to form left- and right-handed [Co(II)(µ(2)-napgly)](n) helical chains. These two types of helical chains are sustained alternately by a symmetrical bpy co-ligand into a 2D grid-based layer. The solid-state fluorescence of complexes 1 and 2 are quenched almost completely compared with free mixed-ligands at room temperature. Moreover, magnetic studies show the dominant antiferromagnetic coupling between the Co(II) centers mediated by the syn-anti-COO(-)-bridges in both complexes.

Poly[trans-diaquabis-[µ(2)-2-(pyridin-3-yl)acetato-κN:O]-zinc].

In the title coordination polymer, [Zn(C(7)H(6)NO(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](n), the Zn(II) cation is located on an inversion center and is coordinated by four pyridyl-acetate anions and two water mol-ecules in a distorted ZnN(2)O(4) octa-hedral geometry. The pyridine-N and carboxyl-ate-O atoms of the pyridyl-acetate anion connect to two Zn(II) cations, forming a two-dimensional polymeric complex extending parallel to (212). Inter-molecular O-H⋯O and weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present in the crystal structure.

Hexaaqua-cobalt(II) 3,3'-dicarb-oxy-biphenyl-4,4'-dicarboxyl-ate.

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [Co(H(2)O)(6)](C(16)H(8)O(8)), both the cation and anion are centrosymmetric. The Co cation displays a CoO(6) octa-hedral geometry formed by six water mol-ecules. In the anion, the two carboxyl groups are oriented at dihedral angles of 4.8 (5) and 10.4 (7)° with respect to the benzene ring. Very strong O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the protonated and deprotonated carboxylate groups occur. Neighbouring cations and anions are connected through O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure.