A deep-learning model for the assessment of coronary heart disease and related risk factors via the evaluation of retinal fundus photographs / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To develop and validate a deep learning model based on fundus photos for the identification of coronary heart disease (CHD) and associated risk factors. Methods: Subjects aged>18 years with complete clinical examination data from 149 hospitals and medical examination centers in China were included in this retrospective study. Two radiologists, who were not aware of the study design, independently evaluated the coronary angiography images of each subject to make CHD diagnosis. A deep learning model using convolutional neural networks (CNN) was used to label the fundus images according to the presence or absence of CHD, and the model was proportionally divided into training and test sets for model training. The prediction performance of the model was evaluated in the test set using monocular and binocular fundus images respectively. Prediction efficacy of the algorithm for cardiovascular risk factors (e.g., age, systolic blood pressure, gender) and coronary events were evaluated by regression analysis using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and R2 correlation coefficient. Results: The study retrospectively collected 51 765 fundus images from 25 222 subjects, including 10 255 patients with CHD, and there were 14 419 male subjects in this cohort. Of these, 46 603 fundus images from 22 701 subjects were included in the training set and 5 162 fundus images from 2 521 subjects were included in the test set. In the test set, the deep learning model could accurately predict patients' age with an R2 value of 0.931 (95%CI 0.929-0.933) for monocular photos and 0.938 (95%CI 0.936-0.940) for binocular photos. The AUC values for sex identification from single eye and binocular retinal fundus images were 0.983 (95%CI 0.982-0.984) and 0.988 (95%CI 0.987-0.989), respectively. The AUC value of the model was 0.876 (95%CI 0.874-0.877) with either monocular fundus photographs and AUC value was 0.885 (95%CI 0.884-0.888) with binocular fundus photographs to predict CHD, the sensitivity of the model was 0.894 and specificity was 0.755 with accuracy of 0.714 using binocular fundus photographs for the prediction of CHD. Conclusion: The deep learning model based on fundus photographs performs well in identifying coronary heart disease and assessing related risk factors such as age and sex.

Study on liver diseases with zebrafish as an important tool / 中国中药杂志

With the increasing incidence of hepatobiliary diseases, it is particularly important to understand the role of molecular, cellular and physiological factors in the clinical diagnosis and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the development of liver disease. Appropriate animal models can help us identify the possible mechanisms of relevant diseases. Danio rerio(zebrafish) model was traditionally used to study embryonic development, and has been gradually used in screening and evaluation of liver diseases and relevant drug in recent years. Zebrafish embryos develop rapidly and the digestive organs of 5-day-old juvenile fish are all mature. At this stage, they may develop hepatobiliary diseases induced by developmental defects or compounds. Zebrafish liver is similar to human liver in cell composition, function, signal transduction, response to injury and cell process mediating liver disease. Furthermore, due to the high conservation of genes and proteins between humans and zebrafish, zebrafish becomes an alternative system for studying basic mechanisms of liver disease. Therefore, genetic screening could be performed to identify new genes involving specific disease processes, and chemical screening could be made for drugs in specific processes. This paper briefly introduced the experimental properties of zebrafish as model system, emphasized the study progress of zebrafish models for pathological mechanism of liver diseases, especially fatty liver, and drug screening and evaluation, so as to provide ideas and techniques for the future liver toxicity assessment of TCM.

A multi-center retrospective study of perioperative chemotherapy for gastric cancer based on real-world data / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: To explore the effect of perioperative chemotherapy on the prognosis of gastric cancer patients under real-world condition. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Real world data of gastric cancer patients receiving perioperative chemotherapy and surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy in 33 domestic hospitals from January 1, 2014 to January 31, 2016 were collected. Inclusion criteria: (1) gastric adenocarcinoma was confirmed by histopathology, and clinical stage was cT2-4aN0-3M0 (AJCC 8th edition); (2) D2 radical gastric cancer surgery was performed; (3) at least one cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) was completed; (4) at least 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) [SOX (S-1+oxaliplatin) or CapeOX (capecitabine + oxaliplatin)] were completed. Exclusion criteria: (1) complicated with other malignant tumors; (2) radiotherapy received; (3) patients with incomplete data. The enrolled patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy were included in the perioperative chemotherapy group, and those who received only postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were included in the surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy group. Propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to control selection bias. The primary outcome were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) after PSM. OS was defined as the time from the first neoadjuvant chemotherapy (operation + adjuvant chemotherapy group: from the date of operation) to the last effective follow-up or death. PFS was defined as the time from the first neoadjuvant chemotherapy (operation + adjuvant chemotherapy group: from the date of operation) to the first imaging diagnosis of tumor progression or death. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the survival rate, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the independent effect of perioperative chemo therapy on OS and PFS. Results: 2 045 cases were included, including 1 293 cases in the surgery+adjuvant chemotherapy group and 752 cases in the perioperative chemotherapy group. After PSM, 492 pairs were included in the analysis. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, body mass index, tumor stage before treatment, and tumor location between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy group, patients in the perioperative chemotherapy group had higher proportion of total gastrectomy (χ(2)=40.526, P<0.001), smaller maximum tumor diameter (t=3.969, P<0.001), less number of metastatic lymph nodes (t=1.343, P<0.001), lower ratio of vessel invasion (χ(2)=11.897, P=0.001) and nerve invasion (χ(2)=12.338, P<0.001). In the perioperative chemotherapy group and surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy group, 24 cases (4.9%) and 17 cases (3.4%) developed postoperative complications, respectively, and no significant difference was found between two groups (χ(2)=0.815, P=0.367). The median OS of the perioperative chemotherapy group was longer than that of the surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy group (65 months vs. 45 months, HR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.62-0.89, P=0.001); the median PFS of the perioperative chemotherapy group was also longer than that of the surgery+adjuvant chemotherapy group (56 months vs. 36 months, HR=0.72, 95% CI:0.61-0.85, P<0.001). The forest plot results of subgroup analysis showed that both men and women could benefit from perioperative chemotherapy (all P<0.05); patients over 45 years of age (P<0.05) and with normal body mass (P<0.01) could benefit significantly; patients with cTNM stage II and III presented a trend of benefit or could benefit significantly (P<0.05); patients with signet ring cell carcinoma benefited little (P>0.05); tumors in the gastric body and gastric antrum benefited more significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion: Perioperative chemotherapy can improve the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

Predictive Factors of Early Weight Loss after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To explore the clinical factors that can be used to predict the early weight loss after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy(LSG).Methods The clinical data of 64 obese patients undergoing LSG in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2015 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.We analyzed the relationship between different clinical factors and early weight loss,determined the independent predictors based on models,and estimated their test power by using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results Correlation analysis indicated that preoperative body mass index(=0.000,=0.000,=0.000),waist circumference(WC)(=0.000,=0.000,=0.000),whole body fat volume(=0.000,=0.006,=0.003),homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)(=0.000,=0.000,=0.002),and hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hsCRP)(=0.004,=0.002,=0.025)were negatively correlated with excess weight loss percentage(EWL %) after 3,6 and 12 months.Also,hsCRP after 6 months showed negative correlation with EWL % after 1 year(=0.029).Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that WC was an independent predictor of early weight loss(=0.018).ROC analysis showed that when the optimal cutoff value is 142.5 cm for WC, index was highest,with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 87%.Patients were further divided into low WC group and high WC group based on this optimal cutoff value.The low WC group had significantly higher EWL% than the high WC group 3 months(=6.677,=0.000),6 months(=6.157,=0.000),and 1 year(=4.006,=0.000)after surgery.The low WC group also had significantly lower hsCRP than high WC group 6 months after surgery(=-3.510,=0.000).HOMA-IR showed no significant difference between these two groups(=-0.821,=0.412).Conclusions WC is an independent predictor of weight loss early after LSG.The patients with low WC have better weight loss effectiveness.

Evodiamine inhibits growth of Huh7 cells and enhances their sensitivity to TRAIL / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To investigate the effects of evodiamine on the growth and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells,and to illustrate the molecular mechanism that evodiamine enhances antitumor activity of tumors nec -rosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL)in Huh7 cells.METHODS: The cell viability was measured by MTT assay.The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry.The apoptosis rate was determined by TUNEL stai-ning.The protein levels of cell cycle-and apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot analysis.RESULTS:Treatment of Huh7 cells with evodiamine reduced the cell viability(P<0.05).Evodiamine induced cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase by upregulation of p27,cyclin B1, cell division cycle protein 2(Cdc2)and p-Cdc2.Evodiamine triggered apoptosis accompanied by cleavage of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase(PARP).Combination of evodiamine with TRAIL significantly reduced the cell viability and increased cleavage of caspase -3 and PARP as compared with the use of each agent alone.Moreover,evodiamine increased the expression of death receptor 5(DR5)in the Huh7 cells.CON-CLUSION:Evodiamine inhibits the cell growth by reducing the cell viability and inducing cell cycle arrest.Evodiamine also triggers cell apoptosis and enhances the sensitivity of Huh 7 cells to TRAIL by upregulating the expression of DR5.

Relationship between Depression and Quality of Life in Patients with Severe Obesity / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the depression status and quality of life (QoL) of patients with severe obesity who have undergone bariatric surgery and to evaluate their potential correlation.Methods A total of 50 patients with severe obesity who had undergone elective bariatric surgery in the general surgical ward of Peking Union Medical College from January 2013 to December 2017 were enrolled in this study. The general data were collected. The patient's depression status and QoL were assessed by the Zung's Depression Self-Assessment Scale and the SF-36 Quality of Life Scale,respectively.Results The depression score was (44.85±9.07) scores in these 50 patients,including 38 patients (76%) without depression and 12 (24%) with mild depression. The scores of the mental-emotional,physical,psychomotor,and psychological barrier dimensions of patients with severe obesity were (3.70±1.25),(18.65±4.10),(4.25±1.35),and (18.75±5.46)scores,respectively. The physiological function score of patients with mild depression was (95.83±10.21)scores,which was significantly higher than those without depression (68.42±38.95) scores(F=6.209,P=0.011). The vitality and mental health scores were (46.67±14.72) and (57.33±14.68) scores in patients with mild depression,which were significantly lower than those [(65.79±21.94) (F=4.867,P=0.030) and (75.16±17.21) scores (F=0.212,P=0.032)] in patients without depression. Correlation analysis showed that the mental-emotional score was positively correlated with physical score in patients with severe obesity (r=0.503,P=0.015),whereas the depression score was negatively correlated with the general health status (r=-0.430,P=0.032),vitality (r=-0.594,P=0.002),social functioning (r=-0.455,P=0.022),mental health (r=-0.562,P=0.003),and QoL score (r=-0.439,P=0.028).Conclusions The QoL is remarkably affected by depression in patients with severe obesity before surgery. Assessment of the mental status of patients with severe obesity may help to identify this problem and thus improve the QoL.

Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Treating Obesity and Its Co-morbidities / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To analyze the effectiveness and safety of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in treating obesity and its co-morbidities.Methods The clinical data of obese patients undergoing LSG in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2012 to August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Medium-term outcome measures included excess weight loss (%EWL),co-morbidity improvement,and complications.Results Seventy-five obese patients comprising 28 men[ body mass index(BMI):(47.3±7.5)kg/m ) ] and 47 women [BMI (41.1±7.0) kg/m ] were enrolled in this analysis. The common co-morbidities were liver dysfunction (53.3%),dyslipidemia (52.0%),obstructive sleep apnea (45.3%),type 2 diabetes mellitus (38.7%),and arterial hypertension (37.3%),which were improved by 75.0%,58.3%,83.3%,75.0% and 58.3% three years after surgery. The mean %EWL at 1,2,and 3 years after surgery was 81.6±34.7,80.9±30.2 and 79.7±30.8,respectively. The proportions of patients achieving successful weight loss were 81.7% (n=49),81.0% (n=34),and 79.3% (n=23) at 1,2,and 3 years (%EWL>50%). Early severe complications (Clavien-Dindo classification>2) occurred in 2.6% of patients,and the most common late complications was gastroesophageal reflux disease,which could be relieved by acid suppressants.Conclusion LSG is effective and safe in treating obesity and its co-morbidities.

Effect of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Treatment on Prognosis of Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer: a Retrospective Study / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the prognostic effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with local advanced gastric cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed prognosis in 191 patients with advanced gastric cancer, of whom 71 were treated with NAC and 120 received surgery only between February 2007 and July 2013. Postoperative complication rate was recorded. Survival by clinicopathological features, pathological T and N stages, and histopathological tumor regression was retrospectively compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, none of the 71 patients in the NAC followed by surgery group showed complete response, 36 showed partial response, 25 had stable disease, and 10 had progressive disease. The chemotherapy response rate was 50.7%; the disease control rate was 85.9%. Grade 3/4 adverse events were seen in less than 20% patients, with acceptable toxicities. No difference was found in the overall postoperative complication rates between the two groups (7 versus 22 cases, P=0.18). Median survival time was significantly different, at 54 months in the NAC combined with surgery group and 25 months in the surgery-only group (P=0.025).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In patients with operable gastric adenocarcinomas, NAC can significantly improve overall survival without increasing surgical complications.</p>

Surgical Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Hyperthyroidism Complicated with Occult Thyroid Carcinoma / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the surgical diagnosis and treatment of primary hyperthyroidism complicated with occult thyroid carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Data of 51 cases of primary hyperthyroidism complicated with occult thyroid carcinoma admitted during January 2004 to November 2014 were analyzed retrospectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of occult thyroid carcinoma was 5.03% in hyperthyroidism,and 47 cases (92.16%) were female. The preoperative diagnosis of all these 51 cases was primary hyperthyroidism and 11 cases were diagnosed thyroid carcinoma at the same time;25 cases were diagnosed thyroid carcinoma by frozen section and the remaining 26 cases were diagnosed by postoperative pathology. Finally,26 cases underwent subtotal thyroidectomy,4 cases underwent total thyroidectomy, and 21 cases underwent total thyroidectomy with lymphadenectomy. The tumor size ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 cm [mean:(0.63 ± 0.35) cm]. The lesions were less than or equal to 0.5 cm in 28 cases (54.9%). The follow-up lasted from 1 to 121 months [mean:(28.6 ± 22.7)months] in 43 patients,and all of them survived.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Primary hyperthyroidism complicated with occult thyroid carcinoma is commonly found in female patients. Preoperative diagnosis is difficult. Ultrasound is the major examining method. Frozen section can increase the detection rate. The postoperative prognosis of hyperthyroidism complicated with occult thyroid carcinoma is satisfactory.</p>

Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on gut microbiota and endotoxin levels in portal vein of rats fed with high-fat diet / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3PUFAs) on gut microbiota and endotoxin levels in portal vein of rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups and fed with normal control diet (CD), HFD, CD supplemented with n-3PUFAs, and HFD supplemented with n-3PUFAs, respectively. Fresh fecal samples were collected to analyze the gut microbiota 10 weeks after feeding. DNA was exacted from the fresh fecal samples. Quantitative PCR was used to detect the composition of the gut microbiota. The endotoxin levels were detected through modified azo chromogenic substrate limulus amebocyte lysate assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The differences in body weight before breeding in each group were not statistically significant among these four groups (P=0.613). The increase in the body weight was significantly larger in the HFD group than in the CD group (P=0.0002), CD+n-3PUFAs group (P=0.0001), and HFD+n-3PUFAs group (P=0.022). There were significantly more firmicutes (P=0.002) and enterobacteriales (P=0.022) and significantly less bacteroidetes (P=0.026) and bifidobactera (P=0.034) in the gut of rats from HFD group than those from the CD group. There were significantly more bacteroidetes in the fecal samples of the rats from the CD+n-3PUFAs group compared to those from the CD group (P=0.043). There were significantly more firmicutes (P=0.044)and enterobacteriales (P=0.012) and less bacteroidetes (P=0.042) in the fecal samples of the rats from HFD group compared to those from the HFD+n-3PUFAs group. The endotoxin in plasma form portal vein of rats in HFD group were significantly higher than in CD group (P=0.007) and HFD+n-3PUFAs group (P=0.042) but showed no significant difference between CD+n-3PUFAs and CD group (P=0.210).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>HFD can increase body weight and change gut microbiota. Supplementation of n-3PUFAs can partially counteract such gut dysbiosis, lower endotoxin level in portal vein blood, and improve the body weight.</p>

Effects of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A2 down-regulation by small interfering RNA on aggressiveness of MKN28 human / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A2 (EIF5A2) down-regulation by small interfering RNA (siRNA) on aggressiveness of human gastric cancer cell and its potential mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expressions of EIF5A2 in human gastric cancer cell lines (MKN28 and HGC27) and immortalized gastric mucosal epithelial cells (GES-1) were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. EIF5A2 gene in MKN28 cells was silenced by RNA interference and the inhibitory effect was evaluated by both qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Cell proliferation was assessed by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by Transwell assay. The possible downstream targets of EIF5A2, such as CyclinD1, CyclinD3, matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9), E-cadherin, vimintin, C-myc, and metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) expression levels, were examined by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>High expressions of EIF5A2 were found in MKN28 cells and human gastric adenocarcinoma tissues. Both EIF5A2 mRNA and protein expression in MKN28 cells were significantly down-regulated by siRNA#1 and siRNA#2, especially siRNA#1. Knockdown of EIF5A2 caused an apparent suppression of MKN28 cell proliferation (all P<0.01), migration (P<0.001), and invasion (P<0.001). After the knockdown of EIF5A2 in MKN28 cells, E-cadherin levels were upregulated, whereas vimentin, Cyclin D1, Cyclin D3, C-myc and MTA1 levels were downregulated.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Knockdown of EIF5A2 may inhibit MKN28 cell proliferation by downregulating the CyclinD1 and CyclinD3 and suppressing the cell migration and invasion by inhibiting MTA1, C-myc and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.</p>

MicroRNA and gastric cancer / 中国医学科学院学报

Gastric cancer is caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors. MicroRNA (miRNA) is involved in many cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis and plays an important role in pathogenesis of gastric cancer, as demonstrated in many recent studies from perspectives including miRNA profiling, reciprocal modulation between epigenetic and miRNA, and Helicobacter pylori infection. MiRNA is highly stabe in blood, and therefore non-invasive diagnosis of gastric cancer using circulating miRNA may be promising.

Cholesterol modified PEG-P Asp (DET)/miRNA complex: Preparation, physicochemical properties, and cellular uptake / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To synthesize PEG-P[Asp(DET)] with 10% cholesterol chloroformate modified on its side chain and to study the physicochemical properties and cellular uptake of polymer complex PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-chole/hsa-miR-15a. Methods PEG-P[Asp(DET)] was synthesized by ring opening polymerization and modification with cholesterol chloroformate to acquire hydrophobicity, and MRI was used to verify its structure. The particle size, Zeta potential, stability, encapsulation efficiency, and cytotoxicity of the polymer complex PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-10% chole/hsa-miR-15a were examined. Finally, in vitro cellular uptake experiment was carried out with the leukemia cell line K562. Results The synthesized polymer PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-10% chole had fine solubility and could form into stable polymer complex PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-chole/hsa-miR-15a. When nitrogen-phosphorus ratio (N/P) was at 20 and concentration of the miRNA was 5 μmol/mL, the particle size was (192. 4±10. 8) nm, Zeta potencial was (6. 9±0. 9) mV, andencapsulation efficiency was (90. 5±3. 2)%. The complex displayed good stability under experimental condition. In vitrr cellular uptake experimental indicated that the uptake capacity of PEG-P[Asp(DET)]-10%chole/hsa-miR-15a was higher than that of the commercial agent lipo2000. Conclusion PEG-P[Asp (DET)]-10%chole is a fine gene polymer carrier for miRNA and can achieve stable cellular uptake of miRNA.

Expression of doublecortin-like kinase 1 in human gastric cancer and its correlation with prognosis / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of doublecortin-like kinase 1(DCLK1)in gastric cancer and its prognostic significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of DCLK1 was examined by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin-embedded tumor specimens from 122 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between July 2002 and December 2006. Survival curves were described by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the Log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analysis was performed with the Cox proportional hazard model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of DCLK1 in tumor cells was significantly upregulated in 51 of 122 patients. High expression of DCLK1 in tumor cells was strongly correlated with pN stage(P=0.029)and lymphovascular invasion(P=0.029). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with DCLK1 high expression had a significantly lower 5-year overall survival(OS)rate than that of patients with DCLK1 low expression(39. 0% vs. 65. 8%, P=0.001), as well as a significantly lower 5-year disease-free survival(DFS)rate(37. 0% vs. 64. 5%, P=0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that DCLK1 expression(both P=0.036)was an independent factor for predicting OS and DFS rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>High expression of DCLK1 in gastric cancer cells is associated with pN stage and lymphovascular invasion. It may be a predictor for poor survival in patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer.</p>

Research advances in the gut microbiota and inflammation in obesity / 中国医学科学院学报

Human gut microbiota plays a key role in the development of obesity. Intestinal flora can regulate energy absorption and nutrition metabolism, increasing the energy harvesting from diet. Alteration of gut flora produces excessive lipopolysaccharide, which, when absorbed into the blood, can induce inflammatory reactions and promote the high-fat diet-associated obesity and metabolic syndrome. Intestinal flora increase visceral fat deposition by lowering the expression of Fiaf in intestinal mucosa. Different immune status also affects the intestinal flora.The gut microbiota is hypothesized to be an environmental factor that contributes to obesity; by interacting with factors such as host and diet, it adjusts the energy metabolism. Antibiotics or probiotics may alter the composition of intestinal microflora and improve the metabolic syndrome, and thus provides new treatment options.

Retrospective analysis of clinical data of patients received thyroid surgery in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1986 to 2012 / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in the constituent ratio of patients received surgical therapy for their thyroid diseases in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 1986 to 2012.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of patients received surgical therapy with pathologically confirmed findings from 1986 to 2012 were collected, and a corresponding database was established. The constituent ratios of thyroid diseases and thyroid malignant tumor among different population groups in different years were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The number of patients with thyroid diseases admitted to our hospital had significantly increased in the past 27 years, particularly those with nodular goiter or thyroid cancer. The composition ratios of thyroid cancer and nodular goiter increased significantly, and among malignancies the papillary thyroid carcinoma increased obviously. The detection rate of papillary thyroid micro-carcinoma had continuously increased since 2008.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Thyroid diseases and malignant tumor pathological types had dramatically changed in hospitalized patients in our hospital in the past 27 years.</p>

Iodine nutrition and thyroid diseases / 中国医学科学院学报

Iodine, an essential component of the hormones produced by the thyroid gland, is widely but unevenly distributed in the earth's environment. Great difference exists in the iodine nutritional status of populations residing in different region. Both iodine deficiency and iodine excess can injure the thyroid gland. Iodine deficiency tigers endemic goiter, cretinism, and hyperthyroidism, while iodine excess can result in high iodine goiter, chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis, iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, and hypothyroidism; also, iodine deficiency or excess may affect the histological type of thyroid cancer. In 1996, China began to implement the universal salt iodization policy, which has basically eliminated the iodine deficiency disorders nationwide; however, it also caused the changes in the spectra of other thyroid diseases including iodine-induced hyperthyroidism, autoimmune thyroid disease, and papillary thyroid carcinoma. Individualized iodine nutritional status assessment for the populations, particularly those with thyroid diseases, will be beneficial.

Effect of enteral nutrition via jejunostomy catheter on quality of life in gastric cancer patients who have undergone gastrectomy / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of enteral nutrition via jejunostomy catheter on the quality of life in gastric cancer patients who have undergone gastrectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 104 consecutive patients who had undergone curative resection for gastric cancer in Peking Union Medical College Hospital in 2011.All data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database of gastric cancer.The quality of life was compared between jejunostomy tube group(n=49)and tube-free group(n=55).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The two groups were matched in gender,age,tumor size,tumor location,histological type,pTNM stage,type of surgery,body mass index(BMI),quality of life scales,and cycles of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy(all P>0.05).Also,the global health status(P=0.154),physical function score(P=0.321),role function score(P=0.492),and fatigue symptom score(P=0.845)were not significantly different between these two groups one month after surgery.Three and 6 months after the surgery,patients in the jejunostomy tube group had significantly higher overall health status scores( P<0.001,P=0.038),physical function scores(P=0.004,P=0.005),and role function scores(P=0.002,P=0.038)and significantly lower fatigue symptom scores(P=0.020,P=0.043)when compared to patients from tube-free group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Enteral nutrition via jejunostomy catheter can improve the quality of life of gastric cancer patients who have undergone gastrectomy.</p>

Benefits of intra-operative systemic chemotherapy during curative surgery in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>There is little information on the impact of intra-operative systemic chemotherapy on gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer and undergoing curative resection, with a focus on evaluating survival benefits and tolerance of intra-operative systemic chemotherapy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological data for 264 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for gastric cancer at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2002 to January 2007. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with the Cox proportional hazard model.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Patients who received intra-operative systemic chemotherapy had higher 5-year overall survival and 5-year disease-free survival rates (P = 0.019 and 0.010, respectively) than patients who did not receive intra-operative systemic chemotherapy. In the subgroup analysis, systemic intra-operative chemotherapy benefited the 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates for patients with cancer of stage pTNM IB-IIIB, but not stage pTNM IIIC. Patients who received intra-operative systemic chemotherapy in combination with post-operative chemotherapy had higher 5-year overall survival and 5-year disease-free survival rates (P = 0.046 and 0.021, respectively) than patients who only received postoperative chemotherapy. However, the difference in these rates between patients who received only intra-operative systemic chemotherapy and patients who only received curative surgery was not statistically significant (P = 0.150 and 0.170, respectively). Multivariate analyses showed that intra-operative systemic chemotherapy was a favorable prognostic factor for the overall survival and disease-free survival rates (P = 0.048 and 0.023, respectively). No grade 4 toxicities related to intra-operative systemic chemotherapy were recorded within the 4 weeks after surgery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Intra-operative systemic chemotherapy during curative surgery may benefit patients with stage pTNM IBIIIB gastric cancer in terms of both overall survival and disease-free survival.</p>

Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy in the treatment of submucosal gastric neoplasms / 中国医学科学院学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility of laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy,a minimally invasive surgery, in treating gastric submucosa lesion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 63 patients [34 women and 29 men, aged (52.8±18.1) years (range:14 to 78 years)] who had undergone laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy with preserving cardia and pylorus for gastric submucosal tumor in the past 6 years. All of the patients were followed up for 2-69 months (average 35 months). The clinicopathological data, surgical approaches, and follow-up results were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The surgery was successfully performed in all these 63 patients, among whom 61 were assisted by endoscopy. The most common symptom was dyspepsia. The mean distance from the lesions locating at fundus or antrum to cardia or pylorus was(2.9±1.1)cm. The minimum distance from tumor edge to cardia was 1cm. The diseases included gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n=54), carcinoid tumors (n=3), ectopic pancreas (n=2), lipoma (n=2), and leiomyoma (n=2). The tumor size ranged from 0.8 to 8.2cm, with 44 lesions (69.8%) less than 2cm. Forty-five lesions(71.4%) were located at fundus, 12 (19.0%) at body, and 6 (9.6%) at antrum. No recurrence or death was noted during follow-up.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative partial gastrectomy is feasible for treating gastric submucosal tumor. Endoscopy is useful for intraoperative localization and supporting, and therefore is especially helpful for preserving cardia and pylorus.</p>