Background: Prognosis varies among stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC). Our study aimed to build a robust prognostic nomogram for predicting overall survival (OS) of patients with stage IV CRC in order to provide evidence for individualized treatment. Method: We collected the information of 16,283 patients with stage IV CRC in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and then randomized these patients in a ratio of 7:3 into a training cohort and an internal validation cohort. In addition, 501 patients in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) database were selected and used as an external validation cohort. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were used to screen out significant variables for nomogram establishment. The nomogram model was assessed using time-dependent receiver-operating characteristic curve (time-dependent ROC), concordance index (C-index), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. Survival curves were plotted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Result: The C-index of the nomogram for OS in the training, internal validation, and external validation cohorts were 0.737, 0.727, and 0.655, respectively. ROC analysis and calibration curves pronounced robust discriminative ability of the model. Further, we divided the patients into a high-risk group and a low-risk group according to the nomogram. Corresponding Kaplan-Meier curves showed that the prediction of the nomogram was consistent with the actual practice. Additionally, model comparisons and decision curve analysis proved that the nomogram for predicting prognosis was significantly superior to the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system. Conclusions: We constructed a nomogram to predict OS of the stage IV CRC and externally validate its generalization, which was superior to the TNM staging system.
BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients with post-inflammatory polyps (PIPs) may carry an increased risk of colorectal neoplasia (CRN) including dysplasia and cancer. Current guidelines recommend active colonoscopy follow-up for these patients. However, the evidence for guidelines is still poor. In addition, some recent high-quality reports present a different view, which challenges the current guidelines. We hypothesize that IBD patients with PIPs are at increased risk of CRN. AIM: To evaluate the risk of CRN in IBD patients with and without PIPs. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was performed to identify studies that compared the risk of CRN in IBD patients with and without PIPs. In addition, we screened the reference lists and citation indices of the included studies. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Pooled odds ratio (OR) was calculated using the random-effects model to explore the final pooled effect size of the included studies and determine whether PIPs increase the risk of CRN. Sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis, and assessment of publication bias were performed to examine the sources of heterogeneity. RESULTS: Twelve studies with 5819 IBD patients, including 1281 (22.01%) with PIPs, were considered eligible for this meta-analysis. We found that IBD patients with PIPs were at an increased risk of CRN as compared to those without PIPs [OR 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.43-2.83]. The results were similar when colorectal cancer was used as the study endpoint (OR 2.57; 95%CI: 1.69-3.91). Furthermore, the risk of CRN was still increased (OR 1.80; 95%CI: 1.12-2.91) when restricted to ulcerative colitis patients. Heterogeneity was high among the included studies (I² = 75%). Subgroup analysis revealed that the high heterogeneity was due to the study design. Sensitivity analysis showed that the main statistical outcomes did not essentially change after excluding any one of the included studies. No significant publication bias was found in the funnel plots. CONCLUSION: IBD patients with PIPs have an increased risk of CRN as compared with those without PIPs, which support the current guidelines. However, a high-quality randomized controlled trial is warranted.
AIM: To investigate the choice of surgical approach, therapeutic effect and complications of orbital cavernous hemangioma(OCH)in different positions of orbit.METHODS: The clinical data of 128 patients of 128 eyes with OCH whose were surgically removed and pathologically diagnosed in the department of ophthalmology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from January 2016 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The position of OCH in the orbit was determined by preoperative imaging examination(CT/MRI), so as to select different surgical approaches and analyze the postoperative curative effect and the incidence of complications.RESULTS: The location of OCH in the orbit: 82 eyes in the muscle cone and 46 eyes outside the muscle cone. According to the quadrant of the orbit where the tumor was located, there were 24 eyes in the upper-outer quadrant, 38 eyes in the lower-outer quadrant, 28 eyes in the upper-inner quadrant, 12 eyes in the lower-inner quadrant, and 26 eyes the intraconal central space. The selection of surgical approach: 1)OCH in the muscle cone: conjunctival approach surgery in 53 eyes, lateral orbital approach surgery in 22 eyes, lateral combined medial conjunctiva orbital approach surgery in 5 eyes, skin approach surgery in 1 eye, transnasal approach under nasal endoscope surgery in 1 eye; 2)OCH outside the muscle cone: skin approach in 29 eyes, conjunctival approach in 12 eyes and lateral orbital approach in 5 eyes. Postoperative efficacy: except for 1 eye of postoperative tumor residue, the other 127 eyes were completely removed. Postoperative complications: 1)Ocular motility disorder: 16 eyes, including conjunctival approach surgery in 11 eyes, lateral orbital approach surgery in 4 eyes, lateral combined medial conjunctiva orbital approach surgery in 1 eye; 2)Visual acuity decreased in 9 eyes: conjunctival approach surgery in 3 eyes, lateral orbital approach surgery in 6 eyes; 3)Mydriasis occurred in 9 eyes, including 4 eyes via conjunctival approach surgery and 5 eyes via lateral orbital approach surgery; 4)Intraorbital hemorrhage occurred in 3 eyes: all occurred through conjunctival approach surgery; 5)Visual acuity was lost in 2 eyes, including conjunctival approach surgery in 1 eye and lateral orbital opening approach surgery in 1 eye; 6)There were 2 eyes of ptosis, including conjunctival approach surgery in 1 case and skin approach surgery in 1 eye; 7)Tumor residue occurred in 1 eye: multiple intraorbital tumors were treated by lateral orbital approach surgery.CONCLUSION: The accurate location of OCH combined with imaging examination and the selection of appropriate surgical approaches according to different locations can successfully remove the tumor and reduce the incidence of complications.
Many studies have accessed the association between eNOS-4b/a polymorphism and the risk of diabetic nephropathy (DN) among type 2 diabetic subjects. However, the results are conflicting and inconclusive. The aim of current meta-analysis was to more precisely estimate the relationship. Pubmed, Embase, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and the Wanfang Database were searched for articles published up to May 26th, 2013 that addressed eNOS-4b/a polymorphism and the risk of DN among type 2 diabetic subjects. 18 studies were included in this meta-analysis. eNOS-4b/a polymorphisms were associated with an overall significantly increased risk of DN (allele model: OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.14-1.82; additive model: OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.14-3.62; dominant model: OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.07-1.68; recessive model: OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.12-3.61). Subgroup analysis revealed a significant association between the eNOS-4b/a polymorphism and DN in Asian population, especially in Chinese population, but not in non Asian populations. Our meta-analysis supported an association between the 4b/a polymorphism of eNOS gene and increased risk of DN in type 2 diabetes among Asians, especially in Chinese population.
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of comprehensive therapy on serum secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) levels in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients accompanied with osteoporosis (OP), and to explore the possible mechanisms for SPARC in AS patients accompanied with osteoporosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 48 AS patients accompanied with OP (Group A) were treated with massage, intravenous infusion of Cervus and Cucumis Polypeptide Injection, and Bushen Quhan Zhiwang Decoction (BQZD) for 3 months. At the same time, 45 normal healthy subjects were recruited as the normal control group (Group B). Serum SPARC levels were measured by ELISA in Group A before and after comprehensive therapy and in those of Group B. The levels of bone mineral density of femoral neck (FN BMD), bone mineral density of 2 -4 lumbar spine (L2-4 BMD), bone specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-beta1) were detected. Meanwhile, Bath AS disease activity index (BASDAI) and Bath AS functional index (BASFI) were detected in Group A before and after treatment. The correlations between the aforesaid indices and serum SPARC levels were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum SPARC levels were significantly lower in those of Group A than in those of Group B (175. 30 +/- 72.04 micro/L vs 190. 52 +/- 86. 13 microg/ L, P <0. 01). Serum SPARC levels in those of Group A were negatively correlated with TNF-alpha (r = -0.261, P <0.01), positively with L2-4 BMD, TGF-beta1, and BSAP (r =0.437,0.256, 0.385, P <0.05, P <0.01). L2-4BMD and BSAP were independently predictors of serum SPARC in patients of Group A. After comprehensive therapy, the levels of TNF-alpha, BASDAI, and BASFI obviously decreased, TGF-beta1, BSAP, L2-4 BMD, and FN BMD obviously increased (P <0. 05, P <0. 01). The serum SPARC levels also significantly increased (188.32 +/- 87.50 microg/L, P <0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Comprehensive therapy could effectively improve the bone metabolism, clinical symptoms and the activity function of joints, and elevate serum SPARC levels.</p>
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , Bone Density , Case-Control Studies , Combined Modality Therapy , Cysteine , Blood , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Therapeutic Uses , Osteonectin , Blood , Osteoporosis , Blood , Therapeutics , Spondylitis, Ankylosing , Blood , Therapeutics
