Remarkable undercooling capability and metastable thermophysical properties of liquid Nb84.1Si15.9 alloy revealed by electrostatic levitation in outer space.

The stable manipulation, high undercooling, and thermophysical property measurement of the liquid Nb84.1Si15.9 refractory alloy were successfully achieved by the electrostatic levitation technique on board the China Space Station. By controlling the superheating temperature, a maximum liquid undercooling up to 421 K (0.18 TL) was obtained in the space environment, and two distinct solidification paths with different recalescence features were realized at metastable undercooled states. The liquid density and the ratio of specific heat to emissivity were measured in a wide temperature range from 1841 to 2346 K, which displayed linear and quadratic relations vs temperature, respectively. The liquid emissivity was further deduced from the specific heat of the liquid alloy calculated by molecular dynamics simulation. In addition, both the density and structural characteristics of the undercooled liquid alloy were also analyzed by MD calculations.

[Incidence of postoperative complications in Chinese patients with gastric or colorectal cancer based on a national, multicenter, prospective, cohort study].

Objective: To investigate the incidence of postoperative complications in Chinese patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, and to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative complications. Methods: This was a national, multicenter, prospective, registry-based, cohort study of data obtained from the database of the Prevalence of Abdominal Complications After Gastro- enterological Surgery (PACAGE) study sponsored by the China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Union. The PACAGE database prospectively collected general demographic characteristics, protocols for perioperative treatment, and variables associated with postoperative complications in patients treated for gastric or colorectal cancer in 20 medical centers from December 2018 to December 2020. The patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were categorized and graded in accordance with the expert consensus on postoperative complications in gastrointestinal oncology surgery and Clavien-Dindo grading criteria. The incidence of postoperative complications of different grades are presented as bar charts. Independent risk factors for occurrence of postoperative complications were identified by multifactorial unconditional logistic regression. Results: The study cohort comprised 3926 patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, 657 (16.7%) of whom had a total of 876 postoperative complications. Serious complications (Grade III and above) occurred in 4.0% of patients (156/3926). The rate of Grade V complications was 0.2% (7/3926). The cohort included 2271 patients with gastric cancer with a postoperative complication rate of 18.1% (412/2271) and serious complication rate of 4.7% (106/2271); and 1655 with colorectal cancer, with a postoperative complication rate of 14.8% (245/1655) and serious complication rate of 3.0% (50/1655). The incidences of anastomotic leakage in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer were 3.3% (74/2271) and 3.4% (56/1655), respectively. Abdominal infection was the most frequently occurring complication, accounting for 28.7% (164/572) and 39.5% (120/304) of postoperative complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer, respectively. The most frequently occurring grade of postoperative complication was Grade II, accounting for 65.4% (374/572) and 56.6% (172/304) of complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers, respectively. Multifactorial analysis identified (1) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the gastric cancer group: preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.54, 95%CI: 1.51-4.28, P<0.001), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.42, 95%CI:1.06-1.89, P=0.020), high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores (ASA score 2 points:OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.23-2.07, P<0.001, ASA score ≥3 points:OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.25-0.73, P=0.002), operative time >180 minutes (OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.42-2.31, P<0.001), intraoperative bleeding >50 mL (OR=1.29,95%CI: 1.01-1.63, P=0.038), and distal gastrectomy compared with total gastrectomy (OR=0.65,95%CI: 0.51-0.83, P<0.001); and (2) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the colorectal cancer group: female (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.44-0.80, P<0.001), preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.73, 95%CI: 1.25-5.99, P=0.030), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.23-2.72, P=0.008), laparoscopic surgery (OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.30-0.72, P=0.022), and abdominoperineal resection compared with low anterior resection (OR=2.74, 95%CI: 1.71-4.41, P<0.001). Conclusion: Postoperative complications associated with various types of infection were the most frequent complications in patients with gastric or colorectal cancer. Although the risk factors for postoperative complications differed between patients with gastric cancer and those with colorectal cancer, the presence of preoperative comorbidities, administration of neoadjuvant therapy, and extent of surgical resection, were the commonest factors associated with postoperative complications in patients of both categories.

[Prognostic significance of textbook outcome in advanced gastric patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection].

Objective: To investigate the risk factors and prognostic value of the textbook outcome (TO) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgical resection. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. A total of 253 patients with AGC who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy in the Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2010 to December 2019 were retrospectively included. There were 195 males and 58 females, aged (60.3±10.0) years (range: 27 to 75 years). The patients were then divided into the TO group (n=168) and the non-TO group (n=85). Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent predictors of TO. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were used to analyze independent prognosis factors for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Propensity score matching was performed to balance the TO and non-TO groups, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival rates and draw survival curves. Results: Among the 253 patients, 168 patients (66.4%) achieved TO. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score (OR=0.488, 95%CI: 0.278 to 0.856, P=0.012) and ypN stage (OR=0.626, 95%CI:0.488 to 0.805, P<0.01) were independently predictive of TO. Multivariate analysis revealed that TO was an independent risk factor for both OS (HR=0.662, 95%CI: 0.457 to 0.959,P=0.029) and DFS (HR=0.687, 95%CI: 0.483 to 0.976, P=0.036). After matching, the 5-year OS rate (42.2% vs. 27.8%) and the 5-year DFS rate (37.5% vs. 27.8%) were significantly higher in the TO group than in the non-TO group (both P<0.05). Furthermore, patients in the non-TO group benefited significantly from postoperative chemotherapy (both P<0.05), but those in the TO group did not (both P>0.05). Conclusion: TO is an independent prognosis factor in patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery for AGC and is associated with postoperative chemotherapy benefits.

[Coiled tube of femoral anterolateral flap for repair of circumferential defect after operation of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the clinical application value of coiled tube of femoral anterolateral flap in the repair of circumferential defect after resection of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Clinical data of 42 patients with advanced hypopharyngeal cancer admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2016 to April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 41 males and 1 female, aged from 33 to 82 years old. All patients received surgical treatment, including total laryngectomy plus total laryngopharyngectomy in 20 cases, total laryngectomy, total laryngopharyngectomy and resection of partial tongue base in 8 cases, total laryngectomy, total laryngopharyngectomy and resection of cervical esophagus in 9 cases, total laryngectomy, total laryngopharyngectomy, and resection of partial tongue base and cervical esophagus in 5 cases. The postoperative circumferential defects were repaired with the coil tube of anterolateral femoral skin flap in phase Ⅰ, and the healing status of the flap, wound healing and swallowing function were observed. All cases were followed up. Results: The lengths of the hypopharyngeal defects were 7-18 cm and the sizes of the harvested flaps were 6 cm×9.5 cm-10 cm×20 cm. Flaps survived in 41 cases, flap necrosis occurred in one case, and the survival rate of flaps was 97.6%. One artery and one vein were anastomosed in 40 cases, and one artery and two veins were anastomosed in 2 cases. Postoperative cervical wound infection occurred in 5 cases, and pharyngeal fistula occurred in 2 cases. Three months of follow-up after surgery, 31 cases had normal diet, 9 cases presented with semi-liquid diet and 2 cases with liquid diet. Following up for 6-65 months, recurrence and metastasis occurred in 14 patients (33.3%), including primary site recurrence in 4 cases (9.5%), cervical lymph node recurrence in 6 cases (14.3%), and distant metastasis in 4 cases (9.5%). The 1-year and 3-year overall survival rates were respectively 79.4% and 60.5%. Conclusion: Coiled tube of femoral anterolateral flap is an ideal skin flap for repair of circumferential defects after resection of advanced hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

[Optical quality with ocular aberrations in young myopic eyes with machine learning].

Objective: The objective of this retrospective study was to employ machine learning techniques to examine age-related traits of ocular aberrations in a substantial population with myopia and myopic astigmatism. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. Data from a population of myopic and myopic astigmatism patients who underwent wavefront aberration examinations at the Refractive Surgery Center of Tianjin Eye Hospital in Tianjin, China, were collected continuously from January 2013 to July 2017. The data from the right eye of each individual were collected for analysis. Each eye had 32 outcome data points, including age, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), lower-order aberrations (spherical diopter, cylindrical diopter, and astigmatic axis), and higher-order aberrations [Zernike coefficients and root mean square (RMS) of the third to sixth order aberrations] were analyzed. Higher-order aberrations were measured by Hartmann-Shack aberrometer. Results: The study included 1 507 subjects (1 507 eyes), comprising of 694 males and 813 females, with a mean age of (23.28±5.45) years. The findings demonstrated a decrease followed by an increase in most of the higher-order aberrations with age between 15-40 years. The minimum value points were observed in the age group of 25-30 years for RMS of total higher-order aberrations, 3rd RMS (with a confidence of 47.74% for range 1), 4th RMS (with a confidence of 86.01% for range 1), and trefoil aberrations (with a confidence of 56.38% for C33 and 73.25% for C3-3). The minimum value points were also observed in the age group of 30-35 years for primary spherical aberration (with a confidence of 56.10% for C40) and vertical coma-like aberration (with a confidence of 56.91% for C3-1). In contrast, astigmatism with the rule tended to decrease with age, while astigmatism against the rule and oblique astigmatism tended to increase (with a confidence of 88.66%, 84.71%, 81.07%, 79.67%, and 66.35% for astigmatism with the rule in different age groups). Conclusions: As age increases, the population with with-the-rule astigmatism decreases while the population with against-the-rule astigmatism increases. The high-order aberrations are the lowest in the 25-35 age group.

[Effect of splenic hilar lymphadenectomy on locally advanced Siewert type â ¡ and â ¢ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction with a tumor diameter ≥4 cm: a five-year survival analysis].

Objective: To examine the long term outcome of splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (SHL) for locally advanced Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction (AEG) with a tumor diameter ≥4 cm. Methods: A total of 489 locally advanced Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG patients with a tumor diameter ≥4 cm who underwent radical resection from January 2010 to April 2016 were included. There were 383 males and 106 females. There were 225 patients aged≥65 years and 264 patients aged <65 years. SHL was conducted in 270 patients(SHL group). Wilcoxon rank-sum test or χ2 test were conducted for inter-group comparison. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to analyze the long term outcome of SHL and the prognosis factors of overall survival. Kaplan-Meier curve was drawn finally. The results of survival analysis were verified by Log-rank test. Results: Followed-up to April 2021,the median follow-up time was 78.0 months (range: 74.0 to 85.0 months), the follow-up rate was 95.5%(467/489). The splenic hilar lymphnode metastasis rate of the SHL group was 12.6% (34/270). Younger patients (<65 years old), less complications, higher proportion of patients received adjuvant chemotherapy were demonstrated in the SHL group (χ2: 5.644 to 6.744, all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that SHL was the independent prognosis factor of overall survival for patients with Siewert type Ⅱ and Ⅲ AEG and a tumor diameter≥4 cm (HR=0.68, 95%CI: 0.52 to 0.88, P=0.004) along with preoperative CA19-9, pathological T stage, pathological N stage, adjuvant chemotherapy and postoperative complication. Further subgroup analysis demonstrated that the SHL group had better 5-year overall survival than non-SHL group (62.4% vs. 39.2%, χ2=17.983, P=0.006) in Siewert type Ⅲ AEG rather than in Siewert type Ⅱ AEG(57.3% vs. 53.7%, χ2=3.031, P=0.805). Conclusion: In experienced center, splenic hilar lymphadenectomy can improve the prognosis of Siewert type Ⅲ AEG with a tumor diameter ≥4 cm.

[Establishment of artificial neural network model for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with stage â ¡-â ¢ gastric cancer].

Objective: To establish a neural network model for predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with stage II-III gastric cancer. Methods: Case inclusion criteria: (1) gastric adenocarcinoma diagnosed by pathology as stage II-III (the 8th edition of AJCC staging); (2) no distant metastasis of liver, lung and abdominal cavity in preoperative chest film, abdominal ultrasound and upper abdominal CT; (3) undergoing R0 resection. Case exclusion criteria: (1) receiving preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy; (2) incomplete clinical data; (3) gastric stump cancer.Clinicopathological data of 1231 patients with stage II-III gastric cancer who underwent radical surgery at the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2010 to August 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 1035 patients with lymph node metastasis were confirmed after operation, and 196 patients had no lymph node metastasis. According to the postoperative pathologic staging. 416 patients (33.8%) were stage Ⅱ and 815 patients (66.2%) were stage III. Patients were randomly divided into training group (861/1231, 69.9%) and validation group (370/1231, 30.1%) to establish an artificial neural network model (N+-ANN) for the prediction of lymph node metastasis. Firstly, the Logistic univariate analysis method was used to retrospectively analyze the case samples of the training group, screen the variables affecting lymph node metastasis, determine the variable items of the input point of the artificial neural network, and then the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) to train N+-ANN. The input layer of N+-ANN was composed of the variables screened by Logistic univariate analysis. Artificial intelligence analyzed the status of lymph node metastasis according to the input data and compared it with the real value. The accuracy of the model was evaluated by drawing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and obtaining the area under the curve (AUC). The ability of N+-ANN was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, negative predictive values, and AUC values. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline data between the training group and validation group (all P>0.05). Univariate analysis of the training group showed that preoperative platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), preoperative systemic immune inflammation index (SII), tumor size, clinical N (cN) stage were closely related to postoperative lymph node metastasis. The N+-ANN was constructed based on the above variables as the input layer variables. In the training group, the accuracy of N+-ANN for predicting postoperative lymph node metastasis was 88.4% (761/861), the sensitivity was 98.9% (717/725), the specificity was 32.4% (44/136), the positive predictive value was 88.6% (717/809), the negative predictive value was 84.6% (44/52), and the AUC value was 0.748 (95%CI: 0.717-0.776). In the validation group, N+-ANN had a prediction accuracy of 88.4% (327/370) with a sensitivity of 99.7% (309/310), specificity of 30.0% (18/60), positive predictive value of 88.0% (309/351), negative predictive value of 94.7% (18/19), and an AUC of 0.717 (95%CI:0.668-0.763). According to the individualized lymph node metastasis probability output by N+-ANN, the cut-off values of 0-50%, >50%-75%, >75%-90% and >90%-100% were applied and patients were divided into N0 group, N1 group, N2 group and N3 group. The overall prediction accuracy of N+-ANN for pN staging in the training group and the validation group was 53.7% and 54.1% respectively, while the overall prediction accuracy of cN staging for pN staging in the training group and the validation group was 30.1% and 33.2% respectively, indicating that N+-ANN had a better prediction than cN stage. Conclusions: The N+-ANN constructed in this study can accurately predict postoperative lymph node metastasis in patients with stage Ⅱ-Ⅲ gastric cancer. The N+-ANN based on individualized lymph node metastasis probability has better accurate prediction for pN staging as compared to cN staging.

[Analysis of characteristics and trends of randomized controlled trials of gastric cancer between 2000 and 2019].

Objectives: To analyze the current development status of gastric cancer (GC) randomized controlled trials (RCT) between 2000 and 2019, and to review the basic characteristics of published RCT. Methods: ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for phase 3 or 4 RCT conducted between January 2000 and December 2019 with the keyword "gastric cancer", and the development trend of different types of RCT during different time periods was described. Basic features of registered RCT such as intervention, study area, single-center or multicenter, sample size, and funding were presented. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched to judge the publication status of studies completed until June 2016. The adequacy of the report was estimated by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist. Design flaws were evaluated by Cochrane tool and/or whether a systematic literature review was cited. The data was analyzed by χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Results: There were 262 RCT including in the present study. The number of GC-RCT registered on ClinicalTrials.gov had been on the rise from 1 case in 2000 to 30 cases in 2015. The proportion of RCT associated with targeted therapy or immunotherapy increased from 0 during 2000-2004 to 37.1% (36/97) during 2015-2019. The RCT registered in Asia was 191 cases, while that in non-Asia region was 71 cases. The proportion of multi-center RCT from non-Asia was higher than that from Asia (70.4% (50/71) vs. 50.3% (96/191), χ²=8.527, P=0.003). The proportion of RCT published was 59.1% (81/137). Among the published RCT, 65 (80.2%) studies were reported adequately, but 63 (77.8%) studies had avoidable design limitations. Conclusions: Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have become research hotspots in the treatment of GC. At present, there are inadequate multicenter RCT in Asia, and the publication rate of RCT is low. A considerable number of published RCT are reported inadequately and have avoidable design flaws.

[Analysis of characteristics and trends of randomized controlled trials of gastric cancer between 2000 and 2019].

Objectives: To analyze the current development status of gastric cancer (GC) randomized controlled trials (RCT) between 2000 and 2019, and to review the basic characteristics of published RCT. Methods: ClinicalTrials.gov was searched for phase 3 or 4 RCT conducted between January 2000 and December 2019 with the keyword "gastric cancer", and the development trend of different types of RCT during different time periods was described. Basic features of registered RCT such as intervention, study area, single-center or multicenter, sample size, and funding were presented. PubMed and Scopus databases were searched to judge the publication status of studies completed until June 2016. The adequacy of the report was estimated by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist. Design flaws were evaluated by Cochrane tool and/or whether a systematic literature review was cited. The data was analyzed by χ2 test or Fisher exact test. Results: There were 262 RCT including in the present study. The number of GC-RCT registered on ClinicalTrials.gov had been on the rise from 1 case in 2000 to 30 cases in 2015. The proportion of RCT associated with targeted therapy or immunotherapy increased from 0 during 2000-2004 to 37.1% (36/97) during2015-2019. The RCT registered in Asia was 191 cases, while that in non-Asia region was 71 cases. The proportion of multi-center RCT from non-Asia was higher than that from Asia (70.4% (50/71) vs. 50.3% (96/191), χ²=8.527, P=0.003). The proportion of RCT published was 59.1% (81/137). Among the published RCT, 65 (80.2%) studies were reported adequately, but 63 (77.8%) studies had avoidable design limitations. Conclusions: Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have become research hotspots in the treatment of GC. At present, there are inadequate multicenter RCT in Asia, and the publication rate of RCT is low. A considerable number of published RCT are reported inadequately and have avoidable design flaws.

[Analysis of long-term efficacy and influencing factors of subthalamic nuclear stimulation for isolated dystonia].

Objective: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) in the treatment of isolated dystonia, and explore the factors influencing the results. Methods: The clinical data of 23 consecutive patients with isolated dystonia treated with STN-DBS in the Department of Neurosurgery, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Military Medical University from December 2004 to December 2014,were retrospectively analyzed. Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS) was used to quantify the dystonia symptoms and signs. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of the results. Results: The age of the 23 patients including 8 females and 15 males was 19(10, 27) years old. The follow-up time was 5-12 years, with an average of (8.1±1.8) years.Compared with the preoperative period, the BFMDRS movement score decreased by 30.1 [95% confidence interval (CI): 12.3-47.8)] points, 34.7 (95%CI: 17.0-52.4) points, 34.1 (95%CI: 16.4-51.8) points and 34.0 (95%CI: 16.3-51.7) points (all P<0.001) respectively at 1 year, 3 years, 5 years after surgery and the last follow-up, the average improvement rates were (56.0±20.2)%, (65.3±24.0)%, (64.4±25.1)% and (64.3±25.1)%;the disability score decreased by 6.9 (95%CI: 1.4-12.3)points, 8.7 (95%CI: 3.3-14.2)points, 9.0 (95%CI: 3.6-14.5)points, and 9.2 (95%CI: 3.7-14.7) points (all P<0.001), the average improvement rates were (42.9±17.1)%, (55.5±23.2)%, (57.8±24.8)% and (58.7±24.8)%. Patients with DYT1-positive dystonia had higher rates of improvement in movement and disability scores than patients with DYT1-negative, but there was no statistically significant difference. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that gender, age at onset, course of disease, preoperative movement or disability score had no linear relationship with long-term results (improvement rate of movement or disability score) (both P>0.05). Conclusions: STN-DBS is effective and long-lasting in the treatment of isolated dystonia, but no reliable predictor has been found.

Adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas or mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether adjuvant chemotherapy is associated with improved survival in patients with resectable gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas (G-NECs) or mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas (G-MANECs). METHODS: The study included patients with G-NECs or G-MANECs who underwent surgery in one of 21 centres in China between 2004 and 2016. Propensity score matching analysis was used to reduce selection bias, and overall survival (OS) in different treatment groups was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: In total, 804 patients with resectable G-NECs or G-MANECs were included, of whom 490 (60·9 per cent) received adjuvant chemotherapy. After propensity score matching, OS in the chemotherapy group was similar to that in the no-chemotherapy group. Among patients with G-NECs, survival in the fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy group and the non-5-FU-based chemotherapy group was similar to that in the no-chemotherapy group. Similarly, etoposide plus cisplatin or irinotecan plus cisplatin was not associated with better OS in patients with G-NECs. Among patients with G-MANECs, OS in the non-5-FU-based chemotherapy group was worse than that in the no-chemotherapy group. Patients with G-MANECs did not have better OS when platinum-based chemotherapy was used. CONCLUSION: There was no survival benefit in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy for G-NECs or G-MANECs.

ANTECEDENTES: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar si la quimioterapia adyuvante mejoraba la supervivencia en pacientes con carcinomas gástricos resecables neuroendocrinos (gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas, G-NECs) y carcinomas adenoneuroendocrinos mixtos (mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas, G-MANECs). MÉTODOS: Se incluyeron pacientes con G-NECs y G-MANECs tratados quirúrgicamente en 21 centros en China entre 2004 y 2016. Se utilizó un análisis de emparejamiento por puntaje de propensión para reducir el sesgo de selección y el método de Kaplan-Meier para estimar la supervivencia global (overall survival, OS) de los pacientes en los diferentes grupos de tratamiento. RESULTADOS: En total, se incluyeron en el estudio 804 pacientes con G-NECs y G-MANECs resecables y 490 pacientes (60,9%) recibieron quimioterapia adyuvante. Después del emparejamiento por puntaje de propensión, la OS del grupo con quimioterapia fue similar a la del grupo sin quimioterapia. En los pacientes con G-NECs, la supervivencia en los grupos con quimioterapia basada en 5-FU (fluorouracilo) y de quimioterapia sin 5-FU fue similar a la del grupo sin quimioterapia. Asimismo, la combinación de etopósido y cisplatino o de irinotecán y cisplatino no se asoció con una mejor OS en pacientes con G-NECs. En pacientes con G-MANECs, la OS del grupo con quimioterapia sin 5-FU fue peor que la del grupo sin quimioterapia. Los pacientes con G-MANECs no presentaron una mejor OS cuando se administró quimioterapia basada en platinos. CONCLUSIÓN: La administración de quimioterapia adyuvante en pacientes con G-NECs y G-MANECs no mejoró la supervivencia.

Development and validation of a staging system for gastric adenocarcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy is commonly used for patients with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. The eighth AJCC ypTNM staging system was validated based on patients undergoing more limited lymphadenectomy (less than D2). The aim of this study was to develop a system for accurate staging of patients with locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. METHODS: A modified system of ypTNM was developed, based on overall survival (OS) of patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and validated using data from an international cohort of patients who had similar treatment. RESULTS: Of 325 patients in the derivation cohort, 33 (10·2 per cent) had ypT0 N0/+ tumours, which are not classifiable under the AJCC system. The 5-year OS rate for modified ypTNM stages I, II, IIIA and IIIB was 89, 71, 42·3 and 10 per cent respectively, compared with 82, 65·2 and 24·1 for AJCC stages I, II and III respectively. The concordance index (0·730 versus 0·709), estimated area under the curve (0·765 versus 0·740) and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve throughout the observation period were all superior for modified ypTNM staging. For the validation cohort of 186 patients, the modified system was again better at separating patients into prognostic groups for OS. CONCLUSION: The modified ypTNM staging system improves the accuracy of OS prediction for patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy.

[Effect of Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus on the functions of bone marrow-derived and circulating endothelial progenitor cells].

Objective: To explore whether diabetes mellitus (DM) impairs functions of bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPC) and circulating EPC. Methods: Diabetic model of rabbit was induced by Alloxan injection and the rabbits were then randomly divided into three groups: BM-EPC group, circulating EPC group, and DM group, with six rabbits in each group. Another 6 normal rabbits were enrolled as normal control group as well. 8 weeks later, BM-EPC and circulating EPC from diabetic and healthy rabbits were isolated and cultured. Colony number, proliferation, adhesion and tube formation function were detected. Exogenous diabetic BM-EPC and circulating EPC were analyzed for therapeutic efficacy in acute ischemia model of diabetic rabbits. Left ventricular (LV) function was assessed using Echocardiography. Capillary density and fibrosis area were evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and Masson-trichrome staining. The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was analyzed using real-time quantitive PCR. Results: Colony number, proliferation, adhesion and tube formation function of diabetic circulating EPC were significantly reduced compared with healthy rabbits. DM impaired tube-forming ability of BM-EPC, but did not influence colony number, proliferation and adhesion function. Compared with circulating EPC and control group, BM-EPC group had fewer fibrosis area (6.98%±0.94% vs 13.03%±2.97% and 15.84%±4.74%, both P=0.001), higher capillary density [(792±87) vs (528±71) and (372±77) vessels/mm(2,) both P<0.001], higher mRNA expression of VEGF (6.25±2.33 vs 2.19±1.01 and 1.55±0.52, both P<0.001) and bFGF (6.38±2.65 vs 1.24±0.76 and 1.18±0.82, both P<0.001), higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (61%±4% vs 47%±5% and 50%±10%, both P<0.05). Conclusions: DM not only impaired functions of circulating EPC, but also influenced tube formation function of BM-EPC. Auto transplantation of BM-EPC may rescue the ischemic myocardium by neovascularization and paracrine effect in diabetic rabbits.

Development of a nomogram for predicting the risk of anastomotic leakage after a gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

AIMS: To investigate the incidence of and factors associated with anastomotic leakage (AL) following gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 3632 patients who underwent a laparoscopic gastrectomy or open gastrectomy for gastric cancer. A logistic regression model was used to identify the determinant variables, and a nomogram for AL was developed. RESULTS: A total of 3632 patients were included in the study, 50 of whom (1.4%) developed AL. Postoperative deaths occurred in 6 (0.2%) patients with AL failure to rescue. Esophagojejunal AL (27/50) and Billroth I AL (20/50) were the most common types of AL. Gastrografin swallow was the main diagnostic method. The diagnosis was made a median of 9 days postoperatively. The median healing time for AL was 34.5 days. Of the 50 AL patients, 56% of patients could be managed nonsurgically, whereas 28% of patients required percutaneous radiologic drainage, 6% of patients were treated by endoscopy, and 10% of patients required a second surgery. A multivariate analysis showed the following adverse risk factors for AL: age ≥65 years, hemoglobin ≤8.0 g/dL and malnourishment. A multivariable model for AL showed a strong optimism-adjusted discrimination (concordance index, 0.675). The 5-year overall survival rates for patients without or with AL were 59.4% and 67.4%, respectively (p = 0.354). CONCLUSIONS: AL was infrequent but was more prevalent in patients with age ≥65 years, hemoglobin ≤8.0 g/dL and malnourishment. We created a novel nomogram that can provide individualized prediction of AL in patients after a gastrectomy for gastric cancer, which may help clinicians in making treatment decisions.

[Surgical outcomes after laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy and open distal gastrectomy for patients with advanced gastric cancer: a case-control study using a propensity score method].

Objective: To investigate the surgical outcomes after the laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for patients with advanced gastric cancer. Methods: The data of 213 patients who underwent LADG and 213 treated by open distal gastrectomy (ODG) were selected using the propensity score matching method from a prospectively constructed database of 641 patients who underwent radical distal gastrectomy between January 2005 and June 2012 in Department of Gastric Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital. The baseline characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared using a paired t-test or the Wilcoxon signed ranks test for continuous variables. The cumulative survival rates were compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Results: Among all patients, there were significant differences in tumor location, digestive tract reconstruction, histologic type, pT stage, and pTNM stage between LADG and ODG group (P<0.05). After propensity score matching, patient distributions were closely balanced. There was no significant difference in clinicopathologic characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05). Regarding perioperative characteristics, the time to first flatus, and time to resumption of diet, did not differ between the two groups (P>0.05), while there were significant differences in the operation time (t=-11.28, P=0.000), blood loss (t=-5.674, P=0.000), number of dissected lymph nodes (t=4.727, P=0.000), and post-operative hospital stay (t=-2.193, P=0.038). LADG group has less morbidity than ODG group (χ2=4.777, P=0.029). Multivariate analysis revealed that the laparoscopic surgery (RR=0.392, P=0.009) was the protected factor for determining postoperative complications. There was no significant difference in the cumulative survival rate at total and each UICC stage between the two groups, either (P>0.05). Conclusion: LADG is an oncological safe minimally invasive procedure for advanced gastric cancer yields comparable oncological outcomes with ODG.

Evaluation of clinicopathological factors related to the prognosis of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Research on the clinicopathology and prognosis of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma (GNEC) is rare, and a uniform standard for treatment has not been established. Therefore, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 132 cases of GNEC to investigate the factors influencing prognosis. METHODS: A total of 132 patients diagnosed with GNEC at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital from January 2006 to December 2013 were enrolled. This study was performed to analyze the factors related to patient prognosis. RESULTS: In total, 58 men and 74 women whose ages ranged from 38 to 83 years old (62 ± 10) were enrolled. The 1- and 3-year survival rates for these patients were 83.9% and 47.6%, respectively. Of these patients, 100 underwent radical resection, 22 underwent palliative resection, and 10 received chemotherapy alone. The median survival times following radical resection, palliative resection and chemotherapy alone were 48, 20 and 12 months, respectively (P < 0.01). Univariate and multivariate survival analyses of patients who underwent radical resection showed that tumor size, N stage, Ki-67 labeling index, mitotic index and the application of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were independent factors affecting patient prognosis. The correlation analysis of the Ki-67 labeling index and mitotic index with prognosis showed that patient survival decreased significantly when the Ki-67 labeling index increased (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent radical resection had the best prognosis among GNEC. For these patients, tumor size, N stage, Ki-67 labeling index, mitotic index and the application of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were the clinicopathological factors significantly associated with patient prognosis.

Identification of driver pathways in cancer based on combinatorial patterns of somatic gene mutations.

With the availability of high-throughput technologies, a huge number of biological data (e.g., somatic mutation, DNA methylation and gene expression) in multiple cancers have been generated. A major challenge is to identify functional and vital driver mutation import for the initiation and progression of cancer. In this paper, we introduce a novel method, named Co-occurring mutated metagene Genetic Algorithm (CoGA), to solve the maximum weight submatrix problem, with the aim of distinguishing mutated driver pathways in cancer. The algorithm relies on the combinatorial properties of mutations in the same pathways: high coverage and mutual exclusivity, and the possible properties of mutations in different pathways: co-occurring pattern. We carried out the experiment with glioblastoma multiform (GBM) data. The experimental results show that compared with the original model, our algorithm has more potential to identify driver pathways in cancer with biological significance.

Fact versus artifact: avoiding erroneous estimates of sulfated glycosaminoglycan content using the dimethylmethylene blue colorimetric assay for tissue-engineered constructs.

The 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay is widely used to quantify sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) contents of engineered tissues, culture media, tissue samples and bodily fluids, but the assay is subject to interference from polyanions such as hyaluronic acid (HA), DNA and RNA. We examined whether specific combinations of dye pH and absorbance wavelength could minimize non-sGAG artifacts without compromising DMMB assay sensitivity. HA and DNA solutions generated substantial signal at pH 3 but not at pH 1.5. Reducing dye pH did not significantly alter sGAG measurements for normal cartilage and meniscus tissues, but eliminated anomalously high apparent sGAG contents for enzymatically isolated chondrocytes, adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC)-agarose constructs and ADSC pellets. In a cartilage tissue-engineering case study, pH 3 dye indicated high apparent sGAG readings throughout culture in both basal and chondrogenic media, with a marked decline between day 14 and 21 for chondrogenic constructs. The pH 1.5 dye, however, indicated minimal sGAG accumulation in basal medium and stable sGAG content throughout culture in chondrogenic medium. As it is often difficult to know a priori whether all groups in a study will have sGAG contents high enough to overwhelm artifacts, we recommend modifying the standard DMMB assay to reduce the risk of spurious findings in tissue engineering and clinical research. Specifically, we recommend shifting to a pH 1.5 DMMB dye and basing quantification on the absorbance difference between 525 nm (µ peak) and 595 nm (ß peak) to compensate for the moderate loss of sensitivity associated with reducing the dye pH.