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Bioactive peptide therapeutics has been a long-standing research topic. Notably, the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been extensively studied for its therapeutic potential. Meanwhile, the demand for annotating other therapeutic peptides, such as antiviral peptides (AVPs) and anticancer peptides (ACPs), also witnessed an increase in recent years. However, we conceive that the structure of peptide chains and the intrinsic information between the amino acids is not fully investigated among the existing protocols. Therefore, we develop a new graph deep learning model, namely TP-LMMSG, which offers lightweight and easy-to-deploy advantages while improving the annotation performance in a generalizable manner. The results indicate that our model can accurately predict the properties of different peptides. The model surpasses the other state-of-the-art models on AMP, AVP and ACP prediction across multiple experimental validated datasets. Moreover, TP-LMMSG also addresses the challenges of time-consuming pre-processing in graph neural network frameworks. With its flexibility in integrating heterogeneous peptide features, our model can provide substantial impacts on the screening and discovery of therapeutic peptides. The source code is available at https://github.com/NanjunChen37/TP_LMMSG.
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Amino Acids , Neural Networks, Computer , Peptides , Amino Acids/chemistry , Peptides/chemistry , Computational Biology/methods , Deep Learning , Antimicrobial Peptides/chemistry , AlgorithmsABSTRACT
Objective To understand cognition level and treatment intention of patients with endometriosis(EMs);To evaluate the effects of TCM chronic disease management on EMs patients.Methods The disease cognition level and treatment intention of 1 895 EMs patients from October 2020 to December 2021 in 19 provinces,autonomous regions and municipalities were analyzed through cross-sectional investigation.The cognitive effect of chronic disease management of TCM on 801 patients with EMs from 6 Grade A hospitals in Beijing was evaluated by self-control study.Results The cognition level of EMs patients for the disease was improved with the increase of educational background.Patients generally believed that EMs was a chronic disease,requiring regular review and long-term management.The proportion of patients with high school education or below,junior college education,bachelor degree or above who knew the possibility of malignant changes in EMs was less,only 32.3%,41.6%and 47.7%,respectively.The awareness rate of patients with high school education or below for recurrence after EMs conservative surgery was 46.9%,lower than that of those with junior college education(66.8%)and bachelor degree or above(72.7%).Among the patients with dietary contraindications,the proportion of patients with high school education or below,junior college education,bachelor degree or above who knew the contraindication of the forest frog oil was less,only 20.7%,30.3%and 32.9%,respectively.In the aspect of life adjustment,the awareness of patients was generally high.EMs patients mainly recognized the disease through face-to-face communication with gynecologists.Only 34.4%of patients with high school education or below learned about EMs through WeChat public accounts,APPs and other new media,which was lower than those with junior college education(48.6%)and bachelor degree or above(55.4%).EMs patients generally tend to be treated in comprehensive hospitals,with high acceptance of TCM treatment,mainly TCM decoction,and low acceptance of TCM appropriate technology.After 1 year of TCM chronic disease management,the disease awareness of EMs patients was significantly improved compared with before management,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion EMs patients with different educational backgrounds have different cognition of the disease,and each has different emphasis.Education and popularization should be carried out according to their knowledge blind spots.Chronic disease management of TCM can improve the disease cognition level of EMs patients.
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Objective:To assess the long-term outcome of sequential radical surgery after immune combined with targeted therapy for patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 100 patients with initially unresectable HCC undergoing sequential radical surgery after immune combined with targeted therapy at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery of Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2018 to August 2023 were prospectively collected, including 87 males and 13 females, with a median age of 55 (24-73) years. The pre-treatment tumor staging was determined using the China liver cancer staging (CNLC). The efficacy of immune combined with targeted therapy was accessed using the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor (mRECIST). The cycles of immune combined with targeted therapy were analyzed. The tumor residual of resected tissue was analyzed through a standard pathological protocol. The prognosis was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method.Results:Upon initial diagnosis, there were 46 cases (46.0%) staged CNLC-Ⅲa and 40 (40.0%) staged CNLC-Ⅲb. There were also 14 cases (14.0%) staged CNLC-Ⅰb, Ⅱa, and Ⅱb who underwent immune combined with targeted therapy due to rupture of tumor or insufficient liver remnant. All patients received a median of 5 (3-28) cycles of immune combined with targeted therapy and underwent radical surgery after successful conversion. According to mRECIST, 14 (14.0%) were determined as complete remission, 63 (63.0%) as partial remission, 18 (18.0%) as stable disease, and 5 (5.0%) as disease progression. Of 24 (24.0%) were defined as pathologically complete remission by postoperative pathology. Furthermore, pathological tumor residue was less than 10% in 61 (61.0%) cases and less than 50% in 82 (82.0%) cases. The 1, 3, and 5 year-overall survival rates of patients were 98.0%, 83.1%, and 74.5%, respectively. The 1, 2 and 3 year-recurrence-free survival rates were 67.5%, 54.8%, and 49.6%, respectively.Conclusion:Sequential radical surgery after immune combined with targeted therapy benefits the long-term survival of patients with initially unresectable HCC.
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Objective:To assess the predictive value of aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine amino-transferase ratio (DRR) on overall survival of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) who underwent radical pancreaticoduodenectomy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 137 patients who underwent radical pancreaticoduodenectomy and were diagnosed with PDAC postoperatively at the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to December 2020. There were 97 male and 40 female patients, with an average age of (58±10) years old. The patients were grouped according to the optimal survival risk cutoff value of DRR, and the differences in key clinical and pathological indicators between the groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and log-rank test was used for comparison of survival rates. Multivariate Cox analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic factors affecting survival.Results:The 137 PDAC patients were divided into two groups based on the optimal cutoff value of DRR, namely 1.1: DRR≥1.1 was defined as the high-DRR group ( n=29), and DRR<1.1 was defined as the low-DRR group ( n=108). The cumulative survival rate of the low-DRR group was better than that of the high-DRR group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.003). The results of the multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that DRR≥1.1 ( HR=2.485, 95% CI: 1.449-4.261, P=0.001), preoperative biliary drainage ( HR=1.845, 95% CI: 1.030-3.306, P=0.039), lymph node metastasis N2 stage ( HR=2.240, 95% CI: 1.123-4.470, P=0.022), high tumor differentiation ( HR=2.001, 95% CI: 1.279-3.129, P=0.002), and intravascular cancer emboli ( HR=2.240, 95% CI: 1.123-4.470, P=0.022) were risk factors for poor overall survival in PDAC patients who underwent radical pancreaticoduodenectomy. Conclusion:DRR has predictive value for overall survival after surgery in PDAC patients undergoing radical pancreatoduodenectomy. A DRR of 1.1 or greater is a risk factor for poor overall survival after surgery in PDAC patients.
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Objective:To explore the safety key points of total pancreaticoduodenectomy in the era of vascular resection technology and the important factors affecting rapid postoperative recovery.Methods:The clinical data of 52 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent total pancreaticoduodenectomy in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from November 2014 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 34 males and 18 females, aged (62±9). The intraoperative situation, incidence of postoperative complication, postoperative blood glucose control and postoperative survival rate were analyzed.Results:All operations of the 52 patients were successfully completed, including 48 patients underwent total pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with portal vein resection and allograft vascular grafts via artery approach. The portal vein occlusion time was (20±5) min. The incidence of postoperative complications was 28.8% (15/52), including 2 cases of abnormal gastric empty, 2 cases of diarrhea, 2 cases of chylous fistula, 4 cases of abdominal infection, 1 case of gastrointestinal fistula, 3 cases of gastrointestinal bleeding, and 1 case of pulmonary infection. Subcutaneous short-acting insulin injection was used to control blood glucose in the early stage after surgery, short-acting insulin combined with long-acting insulin was used for subcutaneous injection before sleep for diet recovery. All patients did not experience uncontrolled hyperglycemia. The median survival time of 52 patients was 13 months, and the longest follow-up time was 38 months. There were 37 patients died of tumor recurrence, 4 patients died of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents, and 1 patient died of pulmonary infection in the 42 died patients.Conclusions:Total pancreaticoduodenectomy via artery approach can improve the R 0 resection rate in pancreatic cancer patients with vascular invasion, the rate of postoperative complication and mortality has no significant increase. The postoperative blood sugar control is satisfactory and the quality of life is guaranteed.
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Objective:To compare the clinical safety and the efficacy of the transurethral plasmakinetic bipolar enucleation of the prostate and diode laser enucleation of the prostate in day surgery patients.Methods:The clinical data of 99 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who underwent day surgery in Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from August 2019 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 47 cases underwent transurethral plasmakinetic bipolar enucleation of the prostate (bipolar group), and 52 cases were treated with diode laser enucleation of the prostate (diode laser group). There were no significant differences in age [57.0(56.0, 61.0)years old vs. 59.0(57.0, 62.0)years old], prostate volume[(60.0±8.2)ml vs. (57.4±9.4)ml], preoperative total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) [(1.8±0.9) ng/ml and (2.2±0.9) ng/ml], postvoid residual (PVR) [20.0(0, 40.0)ml vs. 20.0(1.3, 41.5)ml], maximum flow rate (Q max) [(9.4±2.6) ml/s vs. (9.6±1.9) ml/s], International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) [19.0(16.0, 21.0) vs. 19.0(18.0, 21.0)], quality of life (QOL) [5.0(4.0, 5.0)vs. 5.0(4.0, 5.0)] and International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) [(18.8±1.0) vs. (19.2±0.9)] score between the bipolar group and diode laser group (all P>0.05). The indexes of operation time, postoperative hemoglobin decline, blood sodium decline, bladder irrigation time, catheter indwelling time, Q max, IPSS, QOL, IIEF-5 score and so on were compared between the two groups. Results:All day surgeries were successfully completed without serious complications. The operation time of the bipolar group was less than that of the diode laser group [(57.3 ± 4.2) vs. (64.4 ± 6.3) min, P<0.001], and no statistically significant difference was found in the postoperative hemoglobin decline between the two groups [(9.8 ± 4.3) g/L vs. (8.5 ± 4.3) g/L, P=0.154]. None of the patients received transfusion treatment, and neither group of patients had severe hematuria or needed to be readmitted to hospital. There was no significant difference in the decrease of blood sodium [1.7 (1.3, 2.0) mmol/L vs. 1.7 (1.5, 1.9) mmol/L] and the postoperative bladder irrigation time [(7.7 ± 1.4)h vs. (8.0 ± 1.6)h] between the bipolar and diode laser groups ( P > 0.05). There were 8 patients in the bipolar group and 7 patients in the diode laser group who retained urinary catheter for 48-60 h due to intraoperative inflammatory changes in the prostate, and the remaining patients had their urinary catheter removed within 24 hours. The Q max of the bipolar group and the diode laser group one month after surgery were (20.4 ± 1.8) and (21.1 ± 1.7) ml/s, IPSS scores were 7.0 (7.0, 8.0) and 7.0 (7.0, 8.0), and QOL scores were 3.0 (3.0, 3.0) and 3.0 (2.0, 3.0), respectively. There were no significant differences in Q max, IPSS and QOL between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:Transurethral plasmakinetic bipolar enucleation of the prostate is also feasible for day surgery, and the short-term postoperative Q max, IPSS, hemoglobin reduction and other indicators have no significant difference compared with diode laser enucleation of the prostate, and can achieve the same efficacy and safety as diode laser enucleation of prostate.
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【Objective】 To construct the prediction model of perineural invasion (PNI) in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) based on preoperative enhanced CT image features and evaluate its prediction efficiency. 【Methods】 The clinical, imaging and pathological data of 180 GBC patients undergoing radical operation were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into positive and negative groups according to the presence or absence of PNI. Preoperative enhanced CT imaging features (including presence of gallstones, imaging hepatic invasion, vascular invasion, T-stage, and hilar or retroperitoneal lymph node metastases) were evaluated by two radiologists. Independent sample t-test, Mann Whitney U test, and χ2 test were used to compare the correlation between CT signs and PNI. Logistics regression analysis was used to screen independent risk factors and establish the prediction model formula. ROC curve was used to evaluate the prediction efficiency of the prediction model and the corresponding area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test was used to verify the prediction model. 【Results】 Unifactorial analysis showed that CA199, CA125, imaging hepatic invasion, vascular invasion (hepatic artery or portal vein), T-stage, and hilar or retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis were correlated with nerve invasion (P<0.05). Logistics multi-factor analysis results showed that CA199, imaging vascular invasion (hepatic artery or portal vein), and imaging T stage were independent risk factors for PNI. Based on the above independent risk factors, a prediction model formula was established and ROC curve was drawn, with an AUC of 0.807 (95% CI: 0.734~0.879), sensitivity of 0.792, specificity of 0.697, and the chi-square value of Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test of 0.594 (P=0.997), indicating that the predicted value of the model was close to the actual value. 【Conclusion】 Combining CA199, imaging vascular invasion, T-stage, and other preoperative clinically-enhanced CT features to establish a prediction model can effectively predict postoperative PNI of GBC.
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Objective To analyze the consistency between computer tomography angiography(CTA)and digital subtraction angiography(DSA)in evaluating the global limb anatomic staging system(GLASS)stage of patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia(CLTI).Methods The clinical data of patients with CLTI,who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University of China to receive treatment between January 2017 and December 2020,were retrospectively analyzed.Taking the DSA assessment as the gold standard,the consistency of CTA and DSA in evaluating the GLASS stage of patients with CLTI was analyzed.Results In the assessment of GLASS stage of CLTI,CTA showed strong agreement with DSA.The weighted Kappa coefficient of CTA and DSA for the staging of femoropopliteal segment was 0.798(95%CI=0.722-0.873,P<0.01),and the weighted Kappa coefficient of CTA and DSA for the staging of infrapopliteal artery segment was 0.785(95% CI=0.725-0.845,P<0.0l).For the overall staging of GLASS,the weighted Kappa coefficient of CTA and DSA was 0.832(95% CI=0.752-0.91 1,P<0.01).All the above results indicated that a very strong consistency existed between CTA and DSA in evaluating the GLASS stage of patients with CLTI.Conclusion CTA examination of lower limb can accurately evaluate GLASS score and stage of CLTI patient's target lesions,which is helpful in diagnosing lower extremity arteriosclerosis occlusion disease as well as in assessing the technical difficulty degree of its revascularization operation.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:300-303)
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In order to explore the medical and social problems related to postoperative lymphedema in breast cancer patients, improve the compliance of rehabilitation treatment and help patients return to society. The self-designed questionnaire was used to investigate 76 patients who met the criteria of lymphedema after breast cancer and refused or failed to adhere to rehabilitation threapy. According to the relevant measurement scale theory and method, the computer-aided software was used to analyze the data to find out the problem and analyze the cause. The prominent problems of poor compliance in patients with breast cancer after operation were successively: subjective factors, objective factors, family social and ethical factors, multidisciplinary factors, hospital management and policy issues. For the above ethical problems, we should adopt positive coping strategies to increase the compliance of patients and improve their quality of life.
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ObjectiveTo investigate the antiviral effect of Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids and its relationship with the type Ⅰ interferon (IFN-Ⅰ) signaling pathway. MethodThe effects of Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids on the intracellular replication of influenza A virus (H1N1), vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), and cerebral myocarditis virus (EMCV) were detected by fluorescent inverted microscope, flow cytometry, Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), and Western blot. A mouse model infected with H1N1 was constructed, and the mice were divided into a control group, H1N1 model group, Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids groups (10, 20, 30 mg·kg-1), and oseltamivir group (40 mg·kg-1), so as to study the effects on the weight and survival rate of infected mice. Real-time PCR was used to detect the activation effect of Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids on the IFN-Ⅰ pathway in cells, and the relationship between the antiviral effect of Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids in IFNAR1 knockout A549 cells (IFNAR1-/--A549) and IFN-Ⅰ pathway was detected. ResultCompared with the control group, the virus proliferated significantly in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids could significantly inhibit the replication of H1N1, VSV, and EMCV in vitro (P<0.01), inhibit the weight loss of the mice infected with the H1N1 in vivo, and improve the survival rate of mice (P<0.05). In addition, Menispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids activated the IFN-I pathway and relied on this pathway to exert the function of antiviral infection. ConclusionMenispermi Rhizoma total alkaloids exert antiviral effects in vivo and in vitro by activating the IFN-Ⅰ pathway.
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Zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitor is one of the most promising electrochemical energy storage devices for the applications needing both high energy densities and power densities. Nitrogen doping is an effective way to enhance the capacitive performance of porous carbon cathodes in zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitor. However, accurate evidence is yet needed to demonstrate how nitrogen dopants influence the charge storage of Zn2+ and H+ cations. Herein, we prepared 3D interconnected hierarchical porous carbon nanosheets by a one-step explosion method. The effect of nitrogen dopants on pseudocapacitance was analyzed by the electrochemical behaviors of as-prepared porous carbon samples with similar morphology and pore structure but different nitrogen and oxygen doping levels. Ex-situ XPS and DFT calculation demonstrate that nitrogen dopants promote the pseudocapacitive reactions by lowering the energy barrier for the change of oxidation states of carbonyl moieties. Owing to the improved pseudocapacitance by nitrogen/oxygen dopants and fast diffusion of Zn2+ ions in 3D interconnected hierarchical porous carbon matrix, the as-constructed ZIHCs show both high gravimetric capacitance (301 F g-1 at 0.1 A g-1) and excellent rate capability (a capacitance retention of 30% at 200 A g-1).
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In this study, a cholesteric chiral artificial receptor L5 was synthesized and a rapid method for the detection of iodide ions was established. The addition of L5 to Ethanol/Tris (V/V = 1/1, pH 7.0) solution changed the iodide ion solution from colorless to light yellow to achieve the naked-eye identification. The identification pattern was confirmed with the help of spectral titration, job test and anti-interference test, and it was found that L5 bound to iodide ion in a 1:1 coordination ratio. It was also confirmed that the hydrogen atoms of the amide group of MeO-PhCONH in L5 and the hydrogen atoms of -COOCH3 in L5 interacted with I- through hydrogen bonding force by 1H NMR titration, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and computer molecular simulation. The detection limit of L5 was 0.025 µmol/L, which could efficiently and conveniently detect iodide ions in food samples.
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Iodides , Receptors, Artificial , Spectrophotometry, Infrared , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , HydrogenABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Catheter-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is an effective and well-established intervention for symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Nevertheless, late recurrences of atrial fibrillation (LRAF) occurring during 3 to 12 months are common, and the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) in atrial tissue have been linked to the pathophysiological mechanisms and progression of PAF in a few studies. However, their expression patterns in peripheral blood and regulatory function in LRAF are not clear.@*METHODS@#In the present study, the expression profile of circulating circRNAs in three paired nonvalvular PAF patients with or without LRAF was investigated by high-throughput sequencing and validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatics analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, and circRNA/miRNA regulatory network, were performed to predict the functions and potential regulatory roles of differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs.@*RESULTS@#A total of 12,834 circRNAs, comprising 5,491 down-regulated and 7,343 up-regulated circRNAs, were found to be DE in blood smaples from the two groups in peripheral blood between LRAF and non-recurrence control individuals. The most enriched GO categories in terms of molecular function, biological process, and cellular component features were catalytic activity, cellular metabolic process, and intracellular part, respectively. The KEGG enrichment study revealed that the most important metabolic process controlled by DE circRNAs is endocytosis. In the circRNA/microRNAs interaction network, four up-regulated circRNAs (hsa_circ_0002665, hsa_circ_0001953, hsa_circ_0003831, and hsa_circ_0040533) and one down-regulated circRNA (hsa_circ_0041103) were predicted to play potential regulatory roles in the pathogenesis of LRAF.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This investigation discovered the expression pattern of circulating circRNAs that is indicative of PAF late recurrence, which may serve as risk markers or therapeutic targets for LRAF after PVI.
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Objective:To summarize literature of risk prediction models for catheter-related thrombosis in PICC at home and abroad, in order to provide reference for the development and improvement of risk prediction models for PICC catheter-related thrombosis (PICC-CRT) and the selection and use of medical staff.Methods:All studies on the risk prediction model of PICC-CRT were systematically searched in the Chinese and English literature database from June 2012 to June 2022. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted the data. The prediction model risk of bias assessment tool was used to evaluate the bias risk and applicability of the included literature.Results:A total of 13 articles were included, including 1 multicenter study and 12 single-center studies. Eight literatures were retrospective studies and five were prospective studies. Bias risk assessment showed that there was a bias risk in all the 6 studies. In terms of applicability evaluation, the 13 studies had good applicability in all fields and overall.Conclusions:There were various types of PICC catheter-related thrombosis risk assessment models, which had good predictive efficiency, but there was also a high risk of bias in these studies. The important contents of PICC catheter-related thrombosis risk prediction model are patient factors and treatment factors. In the future, the existing models need to be validated and improved, or a prediction model with low risk of bias should be constructed to effectively prevent PICC-CRT.
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Complex systems exist widely,including medicines from natural products,functional foods,and bio-logical samples.The biological activity of complex systems is often the result of the synergistic effect of multiple components.In the quality evaluation of complex samples,multicomponent quantitative analysis(MCQA)is usually needed.To overcome the difficulty in obtaining standard products,scholars have proposed achieving MCQA through the"single standard to determine multiple components(SSDMC)"approach.This method has been used in the determination of multicomponent content in natural source drugs and the analysis of impurities in chemical drugs and has been included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.Depending on a convenient(ultra)high-performance liquid chromatography method,how can the repeatability and robustness of the MCQA method be improved?How can the chromatography conditions be optimized to improve the number of quantitative components?How can computer software technology be introduced to improve the efficiency of multicomponent analysis(MCA)?These are the key problems that remain to be solved in practical MCQA.First,this review article summarizes the calculation methods of relative correction factors in the SSDMC approach in the past five years,as well as the method robustness and accuracy evaluation.Second,it also summarizes methods to improve peak capacity and quantitative accuracy in MCA,including column selection and two-dimensional chromatographic analysis technology.Finally,computer software technologies for predict-ing chromatographic conditions and analytical parameters are introduced,which provides an idea for intelligent method development in MCA.This paper aims to provide methodological ideas for the improvement of complex system analysis,especially MCQA.
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Objective:To assess the clinical efficacy of sequential radical surgery after immune and targeted therapy in downstaging patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:Data were prospectively collected from December 2018 to July 2022 on patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma which were downstaged to undergo sequential surgery after treatment with immune and targeted therapy at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital. There were 79 patients, with 69 men and 10 women, aged (53.0±10.9) years, being enrolled into this study. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rate, and the log-rank test was used for survival rate comparison. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression were used to analyze factors influencing patient prognosis.Results:There were 7 patients (8.9%) with China Liver Cancer Staging (CNLC) Ⅰb, Ⅱa, Ⅱb who had insufficient residual liver volume or tumor rupture before the downstaging therapy, and 38 patients (48.1%) with CNLC Ⅲa and 34 patients (43.0%) with CNLC Ⅲb. These 79 patients underwent R 0 resection after 3-20 cycles (median 5 cycles) of immune and targeted therapy. Based on the modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumor, the results of preoperative imaging assessment were: complete remission in 12 patients (15.2%), partial remission in 50 patients (63.3%), stable disease in 15 patients (19.0%), and disease progression in 2 patients (2.5%). The overall survival rates of patients at 1, 2, and 3 years after diagnosis were 96.1%, 83.5%, and 76.6%; and the recurrence-free survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery were 62.1%, 52.9%, and 34.7%, respectively. On multivariate Cox regression analysis, patients with a preoperative alpha-fetoprotein >20 μg/L ( HR=2.816, 95% CI: 1.232-6.432, P=0.014) and a high proportion of pathological residual tumors ( HR=1.015, 95% CI: 1.004-1.026, P=0.006) had a higher risk of postoperative recurrence; and patients with a high proportion of pathological residual tumors ( HR=1.028, 95% CI: 1.007-1.049, P=0.007) and preoperative alpha-fetoprotein >400 μg/L ( HR=4.099, 95% CI: 1.193-14.076, P=0.025) had a higher risk of death. Conclusion:Immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy and sequential surgery for patients with initially unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma provided long-term survival benefits. Elevated preoperative alpha-fetoprotein and a high proportion of pathological residual tumor were independent risk factors for recurrence-free survival and overall survival in this group of patients.
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Objective:To analyze the value of alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) in predicting survival of patients who underwent salvage surgery after tumor downstaging therapy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods:The data of 50 patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer Staging (BCLC) C hepatocellular carcinoma treated at the Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital from December 2018 to December 2021 were collected. There were 45 males and 5 females, with the age of (53.0±10.5) years. The patients were divided into two groups based on the serum AFP level after tumor downstaging therapy, AFP normal group ( n=27, AFP≤20 μg/L) and the control group ( n=23, AFP>20 μg/L). Patient survival and tumor recurrence were followed up by outpatient review or telephone follow-up. The survival rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. The efficacy of combined immunotargeted therapy were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were carried to analyse the factors influcing prognosis. Results:The median survival time was not reached in both groups. The 1-year and 2-year cumulative survival rates were 95.0% and 88.2% in the normal group and 73.4% and 54.1% in the control group, respectively. The median relapse-free survival time of the normal group was not reached, and the median relapse-free survival time of the control group was 11 months. The 1-year recurrence-free survival rate was 78.1% in the normal group and 39.5% in the control group. The cumulative survival rate and relapse-free survival rate in the normal group were significantly higher than those in the control group (χ 2=7.60, 8.83, P=0.006, 0.003). The complete response, partial response and pathological complete response of tumors in the normal group were significant better than those in the control group. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that patients with serum AFP >20 μg/L ( HR=2.952, 95% CI: 1.023-8.517, P=0.045) after immunotherapy combined with targeted therapy had an increased risk of postoperative recurrence. Conclusion:The reduction of serum AFP to normal after downstaging therapy could be used as a prognostic indicator of salvage surgical in patients with BCLC C hepatocellular carcinoma, and AFP was related to the efficacy of downstaging therapy in patients.
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Objective:To study the effectiveness and safety of intra-amniotic ethacridine injection in pregnancy induction at ≥28 gestational weeks due to fetal demise.Methods:This retrospective study recruited 77 singleton pregnant women who were admitted to Peking University First Hospital at ≥28 gestational weeks, from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2021, because of fetal demise diagnosed by ultrasound. Four groups were classified according to different methods of induction, including ethacridine success group ( n=63), ethacridine failure group ( n=4), mifepristone plus misoprostol group ( n=5), and spontaneous delivery group ( n=5). Those in the ethacridine success group were further divided into scarred and non-scarred uterus group. The differences in general conditions and delivery outcomes among these women were analyzed using t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results:(1) Among the 67 patients induced by ethacridine, the success rate was 94.0% (63/67). (2) Compared the ethacridine success group with the mifepristone plus misoprostol group or spontaneous delivery group, respectively, there was no significant difference in total labor duration, intrapartum hemorrhage volume, weight of the dead fetus, and the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage, perineal laceration, and intrauterine residue (all P>0.05). No serious complications such as placental abruption, disseminated intravascular coagulation, intrauterine infection, uterine rupture, conversion to cesarean section, or puerperal infection occurred in the three groups. (3) The duration between ethacridine injection and labor onset was shorter in the ethacridine success group than in the mifepristone plus misoprostol group [(28.5±12.0) h vs (54.2±17.6) h, t=-4.45, P<0.001]. (4) Among the 63 cases of ethacridine success group, the outcomes after induction were similar between scarred and non-scarred uterus group (all P>0.05). (5) The median duration between ethacridine injection and labor onset in the ethacridine success group was 26.8 h (2.3-66.0 h), which meant 95% of the patients went into labor within 51.7 h and 100% within 66 h after the injection. Conclusion:Intra-amniotic injection of ethacridine is safe and effective in termination for singleton pregnancy due to fetal demise at the third trimester and the duration from drug administration to labor onset was significantly shorter than that of mifepristone plus misoprostol, without increasing the risk of any complications.
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Premature rupture of membranes is a common complication in the third trimester and is often a clinical manifestation before the onset of labor. Clinical management strategy of term premature rupture of membranes is still controversial even after a hundred years of discussion. This article summarizes and discusses the occurrence, diagnosis, and clinical management strategy of term premature rupture of membranes.