The Role of Serine Protease 8 in Mediating Gefitinib Resistance in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation aims to explore the expression levels of serine protease 8 (PRSS8) in gefitinib-resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (PC9/GR) and elucidate its mechanism of action. METHODOLOGY: We measured PRSS8 expression in gefitinib-resistant (PC9/GR) and sensitive (PC9) NSCLC cell lines using Western blot analysis. PRSS8-specific small interfering RNA (PRSS8-siRNA), a recombinant plasmid, and a corresponding blank control were transfected into PC9/GR cells. Subsequently, Western blot analyses were conducted to assess the expression levels of PRSS8, phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT), AKT, phosphorylated mTOR (p-mTOR), mTOR, and various apoptosis-related proteins within each group. Additionally, a cell proliferation assay utilizing Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) was performed on each group treated with gefitinib. RESULT: PRSS8 expression was markedly higher in PC9/GR cells compared to PC9 cells (p < 0.05). The group treated with PRSS8-siRNA exhibited significantly reduced protein expression levels of PRSS8, p-AKT, p-mTOR, ß-catenin, and BCL-2 compared to the control siRNA (Con-siRNA) group, whereas expressions of Caspase9 and Bax were significantly increased. In the untransfected PC9/GR cells, protein expressions of PRSS8, p-AKT, pmTOR, and BCL-2 were significantly elevated when compared with the plasmid-transfected group, which also showed a significant reduction in Bax expression. The proliferative activity of the PRSS8-siRNA group postgefitinib treatment was significantly diminished at 24, 48, and 72 hours in comparison to the Con-siRNA group. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that PRSS8 contributes to the acquisition of resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC, potentially through regulation of the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Effect of obstructive sleep apnea on postoperative delirium: a system review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on postoperative delirium (PD), and evaluate the effectiveness of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy on PD among OSA patients. METHODS: We systematically searched Embase, Cochrane Library and PubMed databases from their establishment to November 27, 2022. A random-effects approach was employed to determine aggregated results. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were carried out to investigate heterogeneity. RESULTS: Sixteen eligible studies were included in the analysis. Thirteen studies revealed that OSA significantly elevated the likelihood of developing PD (OR = 1.71; 95%CI = 1.17 to 2.49; p = 0.005). Subgroup analysis according to delirium assessment scales showed that OSA did not exhibit an association with the incidence of PD assessed by the Confusion Assessment Method-Intensive Care Unit (OR = 1.14; 95%CI = 0.77 to 1.67; p = 0.51) but enhanced the likelihood of developing PD evaluated with other measurement scales (OR = 2.15; 95%CI = 1.44 to 3.19; p = 0.0002). Three additional studies explored the impact of PAP treatment on PD among OSA individuals, indicating no significant reduction in PD incidence with PAP use (OR = 0.58; 95%CI = 0.13 to 2.47; p = 0.46). CONCLUSIONS: OSA may not be a risk factor for PD in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit, but may increase the likelihood of developing PD among individuals receiving regular care in the ward postoperatively. The efficacy of PAP therapy in decreasing PD incidence among OSA patients remains debatable.

Acidithiobacillus acidisediminis sp. nov., an acidophilic sulphur-oxidizing chemolithotroph isolated from acid mine drainage sediment.

Strain S30A2T, isolated from the acid mine drainage sediment of Mengzi Copper Mine, Yunnan, is proposed to represent a novel species of the sulphur-oxidizing genus Acidithiobacillus. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, non-endospore forming, highly motile with one or two monopolar flagella and rod-shaped. The strain was mesophilic, growing at 30-50 °C (optimum, 38 °C), acidophilic, growing at pH 2.0-4.5 (optimum, pH 2.5), and tolerant of 0-4 % (w/v; 684 mol l-1) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene-based sequence analysis showed that strain S30A2T belongs to the genus Acidithiobacillus and shows the largest similarity of 96.6 % to the type strain Acidithiobacillus caldus KUT. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain S30A2T was 59.25 mol%. The average nucleotide identity ANIb and ANIm values between strain S30A2T and A. caldus KUT were 70.95 and 89.78 %, respectively and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization value was 24.9 %. Strain S30A2T was strictly aerobic and could utilize elementary sulphur and tetrathionate to support chemolithotrophic growth. The major cellular fatty acid of S30A2T was C19 : 1ω7c. The respiratory quinones were ubiquinone-8 and ubiquinone-7. Based upon its phylogenetic, genetic, phenotypic, physiologic and chemotaxonomic characteristics, strain S30A2T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Acidithiobacillus, for which the name Acidithiobacillus acidisediminis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S30A2T (=CGMCC 1.17059T=KCTC 72580T).

Clinical profile analysis and nomogram for predicting in-hospital mortality among elderly severe community-acquired pneumonia patients: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Severe community-acquired pneumonia is one of the most lethal forms of CAP with high mortality. For rapid and accurate decisions, we developed a mortality prediction model specifically tailored for elderly SCAP patients. METHODS: The retrospective study included 2365 elderly patients. To construct and validate the nomogram, we randomly divided the patients into training and testing cohorts in a 70% versus 30% ratio. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used in the training cohort to identify independent risk factors. The robustness of this model was assessed using the C index, ROC and AUC. DCA was employed to evaluate the predictive accuracy of the model. RESULTS: Six factors were used as independent risk factors for in-hospital mortality to construct the prediction model, including age, the use of vasopressor, chronic renal disease, neutrophil, platelet, and BUN. The C index was 0.743 (95% CI 0.719-0.768) in the training cohort and 0.731 (95% CI 0.694-0.768) in the testing cohort. The ROC curves and AUC for the training cohort and testing cohort (AUC = 0.742 vs. 0.728) indicated a robust discrimination. And the calibration plots showed a consistency between the prediction model probabilities and observed probabilities. Then, the DCA demonstrated great clinical practicality. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram incorporated six risk factors, including age, the use of vasopressor, chronic renal disease, neutrophil, platelet and BUN, which had great predictive accuracy and robustness, while also demonstrating clinical practicality at ICU admission.

Research progress in anti-reflux reconstructions and mechanism after proximal gastrectomy / 中华胃肠外科杂志

The electrophysiological activity of the gastrointestinal tract and the mechanical anti-reflux structure of the gastroesophageal junction are the basis of the anti-reflux function of the stomach. Proximal gastrectomy destroys the mechanical structure and normal electrophysiological channels of the anti-reflux. Therefore, the residual gastric function is disordered. Moreover, gastroesophageal reflux is one of the most serious complications. The emergence of various types of anti-reflux surgery through the mechanism of reconstructing mechanical anti-reflux barrier and establishing buffer zone, and the preservation of, the pacing area and vagus nerve of the stomach, the continuity of the jejunal bowel, the original gastroenteric electrophysiological activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and the physiological function of the pyloric sphincter, are all important measures for gastric conservative operations. There are many types of reconstructive approaches after proximal gastrectomy. The design based on the anti-reflux mechanism and the functional reconstruction of mechanical barrier, and the protection of gastrointestinal electrophysiological activities are important considerations for the selected of reconstructive approaches after proximal gastrectomy. In clinical practice, we should consider the principle of individualization and the safety of radical resection of tumor to select a rational reconstructive approaches after proximal gastrectomy.

Segmentectomy versus lobectomy for stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer ≤2 cm: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective:We conducted a meta-analysis of related studies to compare the prognostic effects of the Lobectomy and segmental resection procedures for stage ⅠA non-small cell lung cancer ≤2 cm.Methods:Relevant literatures were obtained from Pubmed, Web of Science, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CNKI, CBM, VIP and Wanfang databases. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were identified to screen articles for further systematic review and meta-analysis. Data related to segmentectomy group and lobectomy group were directly extracted or indirectly calculated from the included studies.Results:The current meta-analysis included 30 studies involving 12 227 patients published from the establishment of the database to 2022. Compared with lobectomy, segmentectomy had a significant benefit on 3-year OS in patients with NSCLC whose preoperative CT image was ≤2 cm ( OR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.75 - 1.00, P=0.05), there was no significant difference in 5-year OS ( OR=0.91, 95% CI: 0.76-1.09, P=0.30) 10-year OS ( OR=1.22, 95% CI: 0.67-2.21, P=0.51) among these patients. In the study of progression-free survival, patients had 3-year PFS ( OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.67-1.13, P=0.30), 5-year PFS ( OR=0.87, 95% CI: 0.69-1.10, P=0.26), had no significant difference in PFS. In the subgroup analysis, there was no significant difference between the 3-and 5-year LCSS. Conclusion:Our findings suggest that lobectomy is not superior to segmentectomy for stage ⅠA NSCLC ≤2cm in terms of both long-term survival and progression-free survival, and may be the recommended surgical option. However, further randomized controlled studies and longer period of retrospective analysis are still needed for 10-year long-term survival and solid component analysis.

Current status and progress in the standardized surgical management of specimens after radical gastric cancer surgery / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Standardized surgical management of postoperative specimens of gastric cancer is an important part of the standardized diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer. It can reflect the accurate number and detailed distribution of lymph nodes in the specimen and lay the foundation for accurate and standardized pathological reports after surgery. Meanwhile, it can evaluate the scope of intraoperative lymph node dissection, the safety of cutting edge, and the standardization of surgery (principle of en-bloc dissection), which is an important means of surgical quality control. It also provides accurate research samples for further research and is an important way for young surgeons to train their clinical skills. The surgical management of postoperative specimens for gastric cancer needs to be standardized, including specimen processing personnel, processing flow, resection margin examination, lymph node sorting, measurement after specimen dissection, storage of biological specimens, documentation of recorded data, etc. The promotion of standardized surgical management of specimens after radical gastrectomy can promote the homogenization of gastric cancer surgical diagnosis and treatment in medical institutions and further promote the high-quality development of gastric cancer surgery in China.

History and present situation of seromuscular flap anastomosis in proximal gastrectomy / 中华胃肠外科杂志

With the increasing detection rate of early upper gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction, the safety of proximal gastrectomy with clear indications has been verified, and function-preserving proximal gastrectomy has been widely used. However, proximal gastrectomy destructs the normal anatomical structure of esophagogastric junction, resulting in severe postoperative gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and seriously affecting the quality of life. Among various anti-reflux surgery methods, reconstruction of "cardiac valve" has always been the focus of relevant scholars because its similarity with the mechanism of normal anti-reflux. After years of development, evolution and optimization, the designed seromuscular flap anastomosis includes tunnel muscle flap anastomosis, Hatafuku valvuloplasty, single muscle flap anastomosis and double muscle flap anastomosis. The double muscle flap anastomosis has become a research hotspot because it shows good anti-reflux effect in clinical application. This paper reviews the history, research status and hot issues of seromuscular flap anastomosis of esophageal remnant stomach at home and abroad.

Short-term clinical efficacy of Kamikawa anastomosis and jejunal interposed double channel anastomosis in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the short-term clinical efficacy of Kamikawa anasto-mosis and jejunal interposed double channel anastomosis in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 68 patients with esophagogastric junctional tumors and upper gastric tumors who underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy in two medical centers, including 63 cases in the Changzhi People's Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College and 5 cases in the Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College, from March 2018 to December 2020 were collected. There were 57 males and 11 females, aged 62(range, 39?78)years. Of 68 patients, 35 patients undergoing Kamikawa anastomosis in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy were allocated into Kamikawa group, and 33 patients under-going jejunal interposed double channel anastomosis in laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy were allocated into double channel group. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative situations; (2) post-operative situations; (3) follow-up. The patients were followed up by outpatient examinations and telephone interview to detect the postoperative score of chew-wun wu special symptoms, post-operative reflux anastomotic esophagitis and anastomotic stenosis up to December 2021. Measure-ment data with normal distri-bution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was performed by the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted by Mann-Whitney U test. Comparison of ordinal data was performed by nonparametric rank sum test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability method. Results:(1) Intraoperative situations. All the 68 patients successfully under-went laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy combined with D 1+ lymph node dissection. The operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss of the Kamikawa group were (5.15±0.31)hours and (89±11)mL, versus (4.21±0.11)hours and (142±20)mL of the double channel group, respectively, showing significant differences between the two groups ( t=2.81, ?2.34, P<0.05). The digestive tract reconstruction time and the number of lymph node dissection were (1.95±0.13)hours and 30.4±2.4 of the Kamikawa group, versus (1.69±0.76)hours and 28.0±2.4 of the double channel group, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( t=1.79, 0.73, P>0.05). (2) Postoperative situations. The time to postoperative first flatus, duration of drainage tube placement, duration of postoperative hospital stay were (3.03±0.12)days, (5.46±0.22)days, (13.00±0.50)days of the Kamikawa group, versus (4.42±0.21)days, (9.97±0.76)days, (16.46±0.92)days of the double channel group, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=?5.80,?5.58, 3.40, P<0.05). Cases with or without drainage tube placement were 32 and 3 of the Kamikawa group, versus 33 and 0 of the double channel group, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). Cases with grade 1, grade 2, grade 3, grade 4 complica-tions of Clavien-Dindo classification were 31, 0, 4, 0 of the Kamikawa group, versus 27, 3, 1, 2 of the double channel group, respectively, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( Z=?6.28, P<0.05). Postoperative anastomotic stenous, reflux symptoms, anastomotic fistula, pancreatic fistula, pulmonary infection were found in 4, 2, 0, 0, 0 case of the Kamikawa group and 0, 1, 3, 1, 2 cases of the double channel group, respectively. There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no complication of incisional infection, abdominal hemorrhage, lymphatic fistula or gastroparesis in either group. Of the 4 patients with perioperative anastomotic stenosis in the Kamikawa group, 2 cases were improved after once gastroscopic balloon dilatation, 2 cases were improved after 4 times of gastro-scopic balloon dilatation. (3) Follow-up. All the 68 patients were followed up at postoperative 3, 6, 12 months. The scores of chew-wun wu special symptoms scale at postopertaive 12 months of the Kamikawa group and double channel group were 16.8±0.7 and 14.6±0.7, respectively, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( t=2.20, P<0.05). There were 2 cases of grade B reflux esophagitis and 1 case of grade B reflux esophagitis, respectively, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no anastomotic stenosis occurred in either group. Conclusions:Laparos-copic proximal gastrectomy with Kamikawa anastomosis or jejunal interposed double channel anastomosis is safe and feasible for esophagogastric junction tumors and upper gastric tumors. The Kamikawa anastomosis has less volume of intraoperative blood loss, shorter time to postoperative first flatus, duration of drainage tube placement and postoperative hospital stay, higher quality of postoperative lfe.

Analysis of influencing factors and regularity of inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors and regularity of inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopatho-logical data of 185 Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG patients in two medical centers (113 cases in Changzhi People's Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College and 72 cases in Heji Hospital Affiliated to Changzhi Medical College) from January 2017 to January 2022 were collected. There were 143 males and 42 females, aged (64±8)years. Patients underwent radical resection of AEG combined with inferior mediastinal lymph node dissection. Observation indicators: (1) clinicopathological charac-teristics of Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG patients; (2) analysis of influencing factors for inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG; (3) regularity of inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were represented as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparsion between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the rank sum test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted using the Logistic regression model. Results:(1) Clinicopathological characteristics of Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG patients. Pathologic staging as stage Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ, degree of tumor invasion as stage T1, T2, T3 and T4, length of esophageal invasion ≤1 cm, >1 cm and ≤2 cm, >2 cm and ≤3 cm, >3 cm and ≤4 cm were found in 30, 61, 75, 7, 3, 41, 79, 50, 101, 46, 18, 8 cases of the Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG patients without inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis, respectively, versus 0, 2, 10, 0, 0, 0, 5, 7, 4, 3, 2, 3 cases of the Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG patients with inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis, showing a significant differences between them ( Z=?2.21, ?2.49, ?2.22, P<0.05). (2) Analysis of influencing factors for inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG. Results of univariate analysis showed that pathological staging, depth of tumor invasion and length of esophageal invasion were related factors affecting inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG ( odds ratio=2.48, 3.26, 2.03, 95% confidence intervals as 1.02?6.01, 1.21?8.80, 1.18?3.51, P<0.05). Results of multivariate analysis showed that depth of tumor invasion and length of esophageal invasion were independent influening factors affecting inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG ( odds ratio=4.01, 2.26, 95% confidence interval as 1.35?11.96, 1.26?4.06, P<0.05). The inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis probability of AEG patients with the length of esophageal invasion >3 cm and ≤4 cm was 9.47 times that of AEG patients with the length of esophageal invasion ≤1 cm. (3) Regularity of inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG. The number of inferior mediastinal lymph nodes including No.110, No.111 and No.112 dissected in 185 patients of Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG were 127, 50 and 27. The number of lymph nodes dissected and the number of metastatic lymph nodes in No.110 and No.111 of patients with length of esophageal invasion ≤1 cm, >1 cm and ≤2 cm, >2 cm and ≤3 cm, >3 cm and ≤4 cm were 69, 4, 42, 4, 4, 1, 12, 4 and 23, 0, 17, 0, 7, 2, 3, 0, respectively. There were significant differences in metastatic lymph nodes in No.110 and No.111 of patients with length of esophageal invasion ≤1 cm, >1 cm and ≤2 cm, >2 cm and ≤3 cm, >3 cm and ≤4 cm ( χ2=8.45, 7.30, P<0.05). Of the 185 patients of Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG, the ratio of cases with inferior mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis was 6.49%(12/185). The ratio of inferior mediastinal lymph nodes metastasis in cases with length of esophageal invasion ≤1 cm, >1 cm and ≤2 cm, >2 cm and ≤3 cm, >3 cm and ≤4 cm were 3.81%(4/105), 6.12%(3/49), 10.00%(2/20), 27.27%(3/11), respectively. The ratio of No.110 lymph nodes metastasis in cases with length of esophageal invasion ≤1 cm, >1 cm and ≤2 cm, >2 cm and ≤3 cm, >3 cm and ≤4 cm were 2.86%(3/105), 6.12%(3/49), 5.00%(1/20), 27.27%(3/11), respectively, showing a significant difference among them ( χ2=8.26, P<0.05). Conclusions:Depth of tumor invasion and length of esophageal invasion are independent influening factors affecting inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis in Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG. The rate of inferior mediastinal lymph node metastasis increases with the increase of the length of esophageal invasion.

Teaching practice of professional master of clinical medicine in the rotation training of thoracic surgery / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To explore the value of competency-oriented training mode in the training of professional postgraduate students of thoracic surgery.Methods:A total of 71 professional postgraduate students, who entered thoracic surgery department for rotation training, were divided into experimental group and control group. Among them, 33 students in experimental group accepted competency-oriented training, including medical theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, clinical thinking, scientific information and interpersonal communication, while 38 students in control group received traditional training. Before leaving the department, the two groups of students had a unified assessment, and their results were compared and analyzed. SPSS 19.0 was used to make statistical analysis on the students' assessment results, and the comparison of the two groups of students' results was made by two independent samples t test. Results:The experimental group performed better in theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, clinical thinking and total scores than control group [(14.21±2.03) points vs. (12.97±2.06) points, (24.30±2.35) points vs. (22.37±3.10) points, (24.00±1.85) points vs. (22.71±3.17) points, (78.09±3.53) points vs. (73.34±5.25) points], with significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Competency-oriented training model can significantly enhance the training quality of professional postgraduates of thoracic surgery. We should make rational use of new media means and various teaching platforms, and give full play to the characteristics and advantages of the discipline, which facilitates to improving the clinical post competence of trainees.

Application of standard operation procedure of thoracentesis in clinical skills training for undergraduates / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Objective:To investigate the application value of standard operation procedure (SOP) of thoracentesis in clinical skills training for undergraduates.Methods:In this study, 63 undergraduates were randomized into two groups, with 29 students in experimental group receiving SOP training, and 34 students in control group trained by traditional teaching methods. The performance of the two groups at different stages of thoracentesis were compared after the training. SPSS 19.0 was used to analyze the assessment data.Results:The experimental group was significantly superior to the control group in the stages of "puncture operation" and "post-puncture operation" [(33.76±2.46) points vs. (31.91±3.60) points, P=0.02; (7.93±1.53) points vs. (6.79±1.84) points, P=0.01], as well as the total scores [(82.59±4.14) points vs. (79.26±4.94) points, P=0.01]. Conclusion:It's suggested that application of SOP may improve the effectiveness of thoracentesis training, and organized teaching methods are essential for clinical skills training.

Current status of research on standardized management of specimens after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

The quality control and standardization of procedures in radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, especially the standardized processing of specimens after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer, is very important. It is not only the basis of accurate pathological staging, but also the evidence of surgical quality and the original data of clinical research, which plays a pivotal role. The examination and classification of lymph nodes, specimens processing records, and data uploading and archiving after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer are indispensable. It is necessary for surgeons to participate in the processing of surgical specimens. This article will combine the current research status and progress at home and abroad to review the standardized processing of specimens after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Application of modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Objective: Traditional Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy can greatly decrease the anastomosis-related complications and reduce the incidence of reflux esophagitis, but its complexity limits the wide application. To decrease the complexity of Kamikawa anastomosis, the surgical team of Changzhi People's Hospital of Shanxi Changzhi Medical College improved this technique by using novel notion and reduced surgical procedures. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy. Methods: A descriptive cohort study was carried out. Case enrollment criteria: (1) upper gastric carcinoma or esophagogastric junction carcinoma without distant metastasis was confirmed by preoperative gastroscopic biopsy and imaging examination; (2) tumor diameter was less than 4 cm; (3) preoperative clinical staging was cT1-3N1M0. Exclusion criteria: (1) patients received preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy; (2) patients had severe heart or lung disease, or poor nutritional status so that they could not tolerate surgery. Clinical data of 25 patients with upper gastric carcinoma or esophagogastric junction carcinoma who underwent modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction in Heji Hospital (8 cases) and Changzhi People's Hospital (17 cases) from April 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively collected. Of 25 patients, 21 were male and 4 were female, with mean age of 63.0 (49 to 78) years; 3 underwent open surgery and 22 underwent laparoscopic surgery. The modified Kamikawa anastomosis was as follows: (1) the novel notion of total mesangial resection of the esophagogastric junction was applied to facilitate the thorough removal of lymph nodes and facilitate hand-sewn anastomosis and embedding; (2) the diameter of the anastomotic stoma was selected according to the diameter of the esophageal stump, between 2.5 and 3.5 cm, to reduce the occurrence of anastomotic stenosis; (3) an ultrasonic scalpel was used to incise the esophageal stump, which could not only prevent bleeding of the esophageal stump, but also closely seal the esophageal mucosa, muscle layer and serosa to prevent esophageal mucosa retraction; (4) barbed suture was used to suture the remnant stomach fundus and esophagus to fix the stomach fundus in order to reduce the cumbersome and difficult intermittent sutures in a small space; (5) two barbed sutures were used to continuously suture the front and back walls of the anastomosis and complete the suture and fixation of the muscle flap. Relevant indicators of surgical safety, postoperative complications (using the Clavien-Dindo classification), esophageal reflux symptoms and the occurrence of esophagitis (using Los Angeles classification) were analyzed. The gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) score, gastroscopy, multi-position digestive tract radiography during postoperative follow-up were used to evaluate the residual gastric motility and anti-reflux efficacy. Results: Modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy was successfully performed in 25 patients. The surgical time was (5.8±1.8) hours, the intraoperative blood loss was (89.2±11.8) ml, and the average hospital stay was (13.8±2.9) days. Three cases (12.0%) developed postoperative anastomotic stenosis as Clavien-Dindo grade III and were healed after endoscopic dilation treatment. Postoperative upper gastrointestinal radiography showed 1 case (4.0%) with reflux symptoms as Clavien-Dindo grade I. Gastroscopy showed no signs of reflux esophagitis, and its Los Angeles classification was A grade. No anastomotic bleeding, local infection and death were found in all the patients. At postoperative 6-month of follow-up, GERD score showed no significant difference compared to pre-operation (2.7±0.6 vs. 2.4±1.0, t=-1.495, P=0.148). Conclusion: Modified Kamikawa anastomosis in digestive tract reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy is safe and feasible with good anti-reflux efficacy.

Separate Fever Clinics Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 and Offload Emergency Resources: Analysis from a large tertiary hospital in China

ObjectivesCOVID-19 began spreading widely in China in January 2020. Outpatient "Fever Clinics" (FCs), instituted during the SARS epidemic in 2003 were upgraded to provide COVID-19 screening and prevention attached to large tertiary hospitals. We sought to analyze the effect of upgraded FCs to detecting COVID-19 at our institution. DesignA population-based cross-sectional study. ParticipantsA total of 6,365 patients were screened in the FC. MethodsThe FC of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) was upgraded on January 20, 2020. We performed a retrospective study of patients presenting to the FC between December 12, 2019 to February 29, 2020, covering a period of 40 days before and after upgrading the FC. All necessary data, including baseline patient information, diagnoses, follow-up conditions for critical patients, transfer information between the FC and emergency department (ED) were collected and analyzed. Results6,365 patients were screened in the FC, among whom 2,192 patients were screened before January 21, 2020, while 3,453 were screened afterwards. Screening results showed that upper respiratory infection was the major disease associated with fever. Compared to before the outbreak, patients transferred from the FC to ED decreased significantly [39.21% vs 15.75%, p<0.001] and tended to spend more time in the FC [55 vs 203mins, p<0.001]. For critically-ill patients waiting for a screening result, the total length of stay in the FC was 22mins before the outbreak, compared to 442mins after the outbreak (p< 0.001). The number of in-hospital deaths of critical-care patients seen first in the FC was 9 of 29 patients before the outbreak and 21 of 38 after (p<0.050). Nineteen COVID-19 cases were confirmed in the FC, but no other patients or medical care providers were cross-infected. ConclusionThe work-load of the FC increased after the COVID-19 outbreak and effectively prevented COVID-19 from spreading in the hospital,as well as offload ED resources.

Clinical study on two reconstruction methods of proximal gastrectomy and piggyback jejunal interposition for Siewert Ⅱ or Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction / 中华外科杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the clinical efficacy of two different digestive tract reconstruction methods in the Siewert Ⅱ or Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction underwent proximal gastrectomy and piggyback jejunal interposition.@*Methods@#A total of 84 patients with Siewert Ⅱ or Ⅲ AEG who underwent proximal gastrectomy and interposition jejunal anastomosis were enrolled prospectively according to the exclusion criteria, from October 2015 to August 2017 at Department of Digestive Minimally Invasive Surgery, Shanxi Cancer Hospital. There were 61 male and 23 female patients, aged 48-69 years with an average age of 59.7 years. They were divided into single-tract reconstruction group (n=41) and double-tract reconstruction group (n=43) according to random number table. Both groups underwent proximal gastrectomy and piggyback jejunal interposition. After side-to-side anastomosis of the remnant stomach and jejunum was performed in the single-tract group, jejunum 3 cm below the anastomosis was ligated or closed. The jejunum in the double-tract group was not treated during the operation. Relevant nutritional indicators were collected at 3 months and 6 months after operation. The data were analyzed by repeated measurement of variance analysis to determine the nutritional status.@*Results@#There was no significant difference in preoperative general condition between single-tract reconstruction group and double-tract reconstruction group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in perioperative related indicators (P>0.05). Nutritional indicators in single-channel reconstruction group were higher than those in double-channel reconstruction group (hemoglobin: F=23.374, P=0.000; albumin: F=6.149, P=0.003; total protein: F=18.362, P=0.000; weight: F=74.255, P=0.000). The quality of life was compared half year after operation, there was no significant difference in the incidence of subjective symptoms such as reflux, heart burning, nausea and vomiting, dysphagia and sternum discomfort in the two groups (P>0.05), as well as the results of QLQ-STO22 score (27.0±3.8 vs. 27.6±3.3, t=-0.688, P=0.494). The results of gastroscopy showed that the incidence and degree of the two groups were almost the same whether in the incidence of reflux esophagitis (2/41 vs. 2/43, P=1) or in the contrast of reflux degree (Z=-1.528, P=0.127).@*Conclusion@#For patients with type Siewert Ⅱ or Ⅲ esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma who underwent proximal gastrectomy and piggyback jejunal operation, single tract reconstruction is ideal.

Role of dendritic cells in lipopolysaccharide induced cardiac dysfunction in mice / 中华危重病急救医学

Objective To observe the role of dendritic cells (DC) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial dysfunction in mice. Methods Eighty wild type male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups, according to random number table method: sham group, DC inhibitors in control group (VAG539-sham group), LPS sepsis model group (LPS group) and DC inhibitors pretreatment group (VAG539-LPS group), 20 in each group. The cardiac dysfunction model of sepsis mice was established by LPS intraperitoneal injection; the sham group was injected with the same dose of normal saline. VAG539-sham group and VAG539-LPS group were injected with the DC inhibitor VAG539 (30 mg/kg, twice per day, for 2 days) before injection with normal saline or LPS, respectively. Ten mice in each group were used to observe the 14-day survival rate. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) of the remaining 10 mice was measured through the small animal tail artery cannula; the cardiac function [including the heart rate (HR), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and short axial shortening rate (FS)] were evaluated by small animal echocardiography; the aggregation and maturation of myocardial DC were detected by flow cytometry; and serum inflammatory factors [including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-12, IL-6)] were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Compared with sham group, the 14-day cumulative survival rate in LPS group was significantly reduced, while HR, MAP, LVEF and FS were significantly decreased, and the number of DC in myocardial tissues was significantly increased, and the levels of serum inflammatory factors were increased significantly. The 14-day cumulative survival rate in VAG539-LPS group was significantly higher than that in the LPS group (55% vs. 15%, P < 0.05). Compared with LPS group, after pretreatment by VAG539, the HR, MAP, LVEF and FS were significantly increased [HR (bpm): 610±25 vs. 556±28, MAP (mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 68±6 vs. 42±2, LVEF: 0.48±0.02 vs. 0.30±0.03, FS: (34±3)% vs. (14±2)%, P < 0.05]; the number of DC in myocardial tissue was significantly decreased from 6.5% to 3.7%; the level of serum inflammatory factors were significantly decreased [TNF-α(ng/L): 192.00±25.45 vs. 291.34±23.12, IL-12 (ng/L): 58.44±12.37 vs. 78.43±11.24, IL-6 (ng/L): 46.97±8.12 vs. 149.12±15.45, all P <0.05]. Conclusion Sepsis can cause cardiac dysfunction, and it can play an important role by inhibiting the DC cell function of myocardium and reducing the expression of inflammatory factors.

A retrospective study on combined modality therapy with or without surgery for advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: an analysis of 119 cases / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective@#To compare the treatment outcomes for locally advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma between surgery plus radio(chemo) therapy(SRT) and non-surgery chemoradiotherapy(CRT).@*Methods@#A total of 119 patients diagnosed with advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma without distant metastases between 2010 and 2014 were identified in the Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital, and they were divided into 2 groups: 42 cases in SRT group and 77 cases in CRT group. Patients′ clinical information was collected. Survival rates and prognostic factors were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method with SPSS 23.0 software. The survival rates, laryngeal preservation rates and complication rates were compared between the two groups using the chi-square test.Among the 119 patients, 112 were males and 7 were females. Age ranged from 27 to 78 years, with an average age of 57 years.@*Results@#There were no significant difference between the SRT and CRT group for five-year disease-free survival (DFS, 53.9% vs. 45.1%, χ2=1.251, P=0.263) and overall survival (OS, 54.9% vs. 45.6%, χ2=1.749, P=0.186). Compared to SRT group, CRT group did not showed the significant increase of treatment complications (χ2=0.858, P=0.354), with a higher laryngeal preservation rate (50.0% vs. 71.4%, χ2=6.493, P=0.011).@*Conclusions@#Advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma is of high malignancy and poor prognosis. Combined modality treatment is a main approach for advanced hypopharyngeal cancer. SRT offers disease-free survival and overall survival rates equivalent to CRT, but with a higher laryngeal preservation rate.

AMutation Causes Nonsyndromic Hearing Loss in a Chinese X-linked Recessive Family / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The molecular genetic research showed the association between X-linked hearing loss and mutations in POU3F4. This research aimed to identify a POU3F4 mutation in a nonsyndromic X-linked recessive hearing loss family.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A series of clinical evaluations including medical history, otologic examinations, family history, audiologic testing, and a high-resolution computed tomography scan were performed for each patient. Bidirectional sequencing was carried out for all polymerase chain reaction products of the samples. Moreover, 834 controls with normal hearing were also tested.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pedigree showed X-linkage recessive inheritance pattern, and pathogenic mutation (c.499C>T) was identified in the proband and his family member, which led to a premature termination prior to the entire POU domains. This mutation co-segregated with hearing loss in this family. No mutation of POU3F4 gene was found in 834 controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>A nonsense mutation is identified in a family displaying the pedigree consistent with X-linked recessive pattern in POU3F4 gene. In addition, we may provide molecular diagnosis and genetic counseling for this family.</p>

Hemin-air,an efficient catalytic-oxidation system for disulfide formation in linaclotide synthesis / 国际药学研究杂志

Objective To use hemin as a catalyst in the formation of disulfide bonds in the synthesis of linaclotide. Methods The linaclotide peptide was synthesized by the standard 9-fluorenylmethyl(Fmoc)solid-phase synthetic strategy. Wang resin and Trt-protected cysteine were used in the synthesis. Hemin was used in random oxidation of line linaclotide. The result was compared with those of air,dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO),and I2 oxidation systems. Results and Conclusion Hemin is a highly effective catalyst for disulfide bond formation in linaclotide synthesis. It overcomes some disadvantages in oxidation reactions with conventional oxidative re-agents,and supplies a convenient way for the synthesis of peptide with concentrated disulfide bonds.