A nomogram prediction model for lymph node metastasis risk after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer patients based on SEER database.

Background: Rectal cancer patients who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) may have a lower cancer stage and a better prognosis. Some patients may be able to avoid invasive surgery. It is critical to accurately assess lymph node metastases (LNM) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The goal of this study is to identify clinical variables associated with LNM and to develop a nomogram for LNM prediction in rectal cancer patients following nCRT. Methods: From 2010 to 2015, patients were drawn from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. To identify clinical factors associated with LNM, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) aggression and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. To predict the likelihood of LNM, a nomogram based on multivariate logistic regression was created using decision curve analyses. Reslut: The total number of patients included in this study was 6,388. The proportion of patients with pCR was 17.50% (n=1118), and the proportion of patients with primary tumor pCR was 20.84% (n = 1,331). The primary tumor was pCR in 16.00% (n=213) of the patients. Age, clinical T stage, clinical N stage, and histology were found to be significant independent clinical predictors of LNM using LASSO and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The nomogram was developed based on four clinical factors. The 5-year overall survival rate was 78.9 percent for those with ypN- and 66.3 percent for those with ypN+, respectively (P<0.001). Conclusion: Patients over 60 years old, with clinical T1-2, clinical N0, and adenocarcinoma may be more likely to achieve ypN0. The watch-and-wait (WW) strategy may be considered. Patients who had ypN0 or pCR had a better prognosis.

T staging with functional and radiomics parameters of computed tomography in colorectal cancer patients.

ABSTRACT: Preoperative T staging is closely related to operation planning and prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to re-investigate the value of computed tomography (CT) in T stage evaluation of CRC patients with both functional and radiomics parameters.The functional and radiomics parameters of CT images and the clinical information were collected from 32 CRC patients. The radiomics parameters were measured based on manually labelled 5-mm circles using software Syngo. The radiomics parameters were computed based on labelled tumor regions using Python software package.A total of 125 parameters were collected and analyzed by using decision tree analysis. The decision tree analysis identified 6 rules. Based on the rules, the shape elongation, flow extraction of nodule and blood volume of tumor region were found to be of significance and could define a high-risk group and a low-risk group.This study shows the combination of functional parameters and radiomics parameters of CT is helpful for the diagnosis and T staging of CRC.

A practical self-made device in parathyroid autotransplantation for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) is one of the most serious complications in patients on long-term hemodialysis. These patients may suffer from metabolic bone diseases, severe atherosclerosis, and undesirable cardiovascular events. Endoscopic parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation is a treatment option for those who do not respond to clinical management. This study aimed to investigate practical use of a self-made device in parathyroid autotransplantation for patients with sHPT, and to compare this device with ordinary surgical scissors. METHODS: A total of 15 patients with sHPT were treated with endoscopic parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation. Pieces of parathyroid tissue were squeezed in our self-made device and injected into the brachioradialis muscle. Sixteen patients with sHPT who were treated with traditional parathyroid transplantation served as controls. Serum levels of parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, phosphorus and intact parathyroid hormone were measured before and after surgery. RESULTS: Preoperative symptoms were alleviated, and serum parathyroid hormone and alkaline phosphatase levels, hyperphosphatemia, and hypercalcemia were improved or normalized in all of the patients in both groups. Pathological examinations showed that parathyroid cells remained active. CONCLUSION: Application of our squeezing device is an economic, effective, and safe method in endoscopic parathyroidectomy and autotransplantation for patients with sHPT.

Matrine Inhibits Neuroblastoma Cell Proliferation and Migration by Enhancing Tribbles 3 Expression.

Neuroblastoma is a major contributor of cancer-specific mortality. Although remarkable enhancement has been achieved in the treatment of neuroblastoma in patients with early stage disease, limited progress has been made in the treatment of patients with high-risk neuroblastoma. Thus, innovative approaches are required to achieve further improvements in neuroblastoma patient survival outcomes. The major alkaloid obtained from Sophora flavescens Ait, matrine, has been shown to counteract malignancy in various kinds of cancers. In the current study, we evaluated the effects of matrine on the migration and proliferation of neuroblastoma cells. Cell cycle analysis coupled with Transwell and wound healing experiments showed that matrine triggers G2/M cell cycle arrest and suppresses neuroblastoma migration. This effect of matrine is due to upregulation of TRB3 expression followed by inhibition of the PI3K/AKT activation. Consistent with the in vitro data, growth of xenograft cancer was also suppressed by matrine. Our results indicate that matrine inhibits neuroblastoma cell proliferation and migration by enhancing TRB3 expression, suggesting that matrine may serve as a promising agent for the treatment of neuroblastoma.