Renji Hospital Research Articles

Long-term prognosis of surgical treatment for peri-gastric cardial gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Objective: To explore the long-term prognosis of surgical treatment for peri-gastric cardial gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed selected data of patients with peri-gastric cardial GISTs who had undergone radical surgery in Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, from May 1998 to December 2020. Inclusion criteria comprised radical surgery, pathologically confirmed primary gastric GIST; tumor involving the cardia or within 5 cm of the cardia dentate line; and relatively complete clinical data, including adjuvant therapy and follow-up information. Exclusion criteria comprised presence of multiple GISTs or a history of other malignancies and evidence of distant metastasis or local invasion either preoperatively or intraoperatively. The study cohort comprised 170 patients, including 98 men (57.6%), with a median age of 62 years (range: 30-85 years). Tumors were located less than 2 cm from the dentate line in 97 patients and 2 to 5 cm from it in 73. Tumor growth patterns were intraluminal in 85 patients, extraluminal in 61, and both intraluminal and extraluminal in 24. Tumor diameters were ≤2.0 cm in 11 patients, 2.1-5.0 cm in 90, 5.1-10.0 cm in 60, and >10.0 cm in nine. Mitosis counts (per 50 high-power fields) were ≤5 in 129 patients, 5-10 in 21, and >10 in 20. Risk stratification categorized patients as at extremely low risk in 10 patients, at low risk in 79, at intermediate risk in 43, and at high risk in 38. The guidelines for treatment were adhered to in 128 patients; 21 of 38 high-risk patients had received imatinib for ≥3 years. Primary outcomes included surgical procedure, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Data were analyzed using SPSS 28.0 and R studio. Results: Ninety of the patients had undergone open surgery, including five total gastrectomies, 49 proximal gastrectomies, and 36 local resections. In addition, 80 patients had undergone laparoscopic local resections. The median follow-up time was 82.5 months (range 13-278 months). The OS rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 100.0%, 98.2%, 96.9%, and 89.6%, respectively. The DFS rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 99.4%, 95.9%, 92.0%, and 88.0%, respectively. After adjusting for tumor diameter, mitotic count, adjuvant therapy, distance from the cardia, and growth pattern using propensity score matching, we found no statistically significant differences in DFS and OS between proximal gastrectomy and partial resection, or between open local resection and laparoscopic local resection (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Surgical treatment of peri-gastric cardial GISTs has a favorable long-term prognosis. The oncological efficacy of proximal gastrectomy and partial resection, whether performed via laparoscopic or open approaches, appears comparable for treatment of peri-gastric cardial GISTs.

Relationship between ripretinib concentration and the prognosis of advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors in China: a multicenter study

Objective: To investigate the prognosis and safety of ripretinib in the treatment of patients with advanced gastrointestinal mesenchymal stromal tumors (GISTs) and to analyze the relationship between blood concentrations of this drug and prognosis. Methods: In this retrospective study, we investigated the effects of ripretinib in patients with advanced GISTs. The inclusion criteria comprised: (1) daily oral administration of ripretinib scheduled; and (2) uninterrupted treatment for at least 1month, with a stable and relatively fixed daily dosage maintained for a minimum of 2 weeks. Exclusion criteria comprised concurrent use of other tyrosine kinase inhibitors and presence of significant organ dysfunction. We retrospectively identified 79 patients with advanced GISTs who had received ripretinib across seven medical centers, namely Jiangsu Provincial Hospital, Jiangsu Cancer Hospital, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital of Zhejiang University, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, and the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, from 1 June 2021 to 31 March 2024. The cohort included 48 men and 31 women, 19 of whom had received ripretinib as second-line, 13 as third-line, and 47 as fourth-line therapy. Two peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from each participant and high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry used to determine peak (Cmax) and trough (Cmin) concentrations of ripretinib. Machine learning methodologies, specifically the K-nearest neighbor algorithm combined with the Gridsearch CV strategy, were employed to establish the threshold for Cmin. We analyzed adverse reactions, treatment efficacy, median progression-free survival (mPFS), and the relationship between drug blood concentration and selected clinical parameters. Results: In the entire cohort, the Cmin and Cmax of ripretinib were 467 ± 360 μg/L and 986 ± 493 μg/L, respectively. Notably, female patients and individuals in the high-dose group exhibited significantly higher values for both Cmin and Cmax (both P<0.05). However, variations in drug concentrations associated with the line of ripretinib therapy, treatment efficacy, disease progression, and presence of selected specific genetic mutations were not significantly associated with values of Cmin and Cmax (P>0.05). Among the 79 patients with advanced GISTs receiving ripretinib, reported adverse reactions included alopecia (53, 67.09%), hand-foot syndrome (24, 30.38%), fatigue (22, 27.85%), and myalgia (21, 26.58%). Two patients (2.53%) had grade III complications, both classified as hand-foot syndrome. The correlation between Cmax and adverse reactions was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). By the time of the latest follow-up, five deaths (6.3%) had occurred within the cohort. The mPFS for the group was 16.3 months, with a mPFS of 14.4 months for those receiving standard dosage and 7.0 months for those receiving escalating dosage. Among the 65 patients treated with standard doses of ripretinib, those with Cmin exceeding a threshold of 450 μg/L exhibited a significantly longer mPFS (18.0 months vs.13.7 months; P < 0.05). Conclusion: In China, patients with advanced GISTs exhibit a notable tolerance to ripretinib, with no evidence for a correlation between adverse reactions and Cmax for the drug. Additionally, a Cmin exceeding 450 μg/L may be associated with an extended mPFS.

Comparison of clinical performance between late and standard total-body [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 in biochemical recurrent prostate cancer.

Enhanced lesion detection in prostate cancer is observed with late [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT imaging compared to standard [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT imaging (50-100min p.i.). However, the poor image quality of late imaging using short axial field of view (SAFOV) PET/CT has hindered its sole clinical adoption. Conversely, the image quality of late imaging with a long axial field of view (LAFOV) [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT fulfills clinical diagnostic requirements. Nonetheless, the diagnostic efficacy of late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with forced diuresis and its impact on treatment decisions, compared to standard LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT, remains unclear. This study aims to compare the rate of PET positivity between late and standard LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and to evaluate the influence of late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with forced diuresis on treatment decisions relative to standard scans. From January 2021 to April 2024, 127 patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer post-radical prostatectomy were enrolled to undergo both standard and late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT scans at Shanghai Renji Hospital. We compared the rate of PET positivity between the two modalities at the patient level and across different anatomical regions. We assessed the added diagnostic value of late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and its impact on modifying patient treatment plans. The image quality of late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with forced diuresis in all patients met clinical diagnostic requirements. The rate of PET positivity of late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with forced diuresis were significantly higher than those of standard LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT (80.31% [102/127] vs. 65.35% [83/127]; P < 0.001). Late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT demonstrated higher lesion SUVmax (16.69 ± 16.42 vs. 11.91 ± 10.72, P < 0.001) and TBR (6.26 ± 7.21 vs. 3.44 ± 3.57, P < 0.001) compared to standard LAFOV scans. Additionally, 14.17% (18/127) of patients experienced changes in their treatment regimen due to the superior detection capabilities of late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with forced diuresis compared to the standard scan. The rate of PET positivity of late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with forced diuresis compared to standard LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT highlight its potential as a valuable diagnostic tool for biochemically recurrent prostate cancer. This study paves the way for using late LAFOV [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with forced diuresis for prostate cancer imaging in daily clinical practice, facilitating more accurate and timely diagnoses.

Low-dose aspirin improves blood perfusion of obstetric anticardiolipin syndrome in China.

This study evaluates the endometrial receptivity of obstetric anticardiolipin syndrome (OAPS) patients using various ultrasound indicators and the efficacy of low-dose aspirin (LDA) treatment. This retrospective study recruited patients from Shanghai Ren Ji Hospital, China from January 2022 to December 2023. Doppler parameters of the endometrium and uterine artery blood flow were recorded to assess the endometrial receptivity of OAPS patients compared with normal pregnant women and an other immune diseases group. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to predict the risk of OAPS patients. Doppler parameters of OAPS patients were conducted repeatedly after a 2-month period of treatment with LDA. Compared with normal pregnant women, the OAPS group showed remarkably increased endometrial perfusion resistance (PI, RI, S/D) and uterine artery perfusion resistance (RI and S/D) (P < 0.001) and had good predictive values (area under the curve = 0.806, 0.976, 0.942, 0.902, and 0.901, respectively). The endometrial thickness of the OAPS group was much thinner than that of the normal group (P < 0.001). Uterine blood flow impedance PI showed no difference in both groups (P = 0.68). In comparison to other autoimmune diseases, the OAPS group also showed an increasing trend in the resistance of endometrium and uterine artery blood flow. After LDA treatment, there was an obvious improvement in the endometrial blood flow perfusion in the OAPS group (P < 0.01). Compared with the normal group and other autoimmune diseases, the resistance of endometrial and uterine artery blood flow in the OAPS group was increased significantly. The Doppler index showed the predictive value of OAPS, and it was confirmed that LDA could enhance blood perfusion among OAPS women.

Microbial and Transcriptomic Landscape Associated With Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in Perianal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease.

Perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (pfCD) poses significant healing challenges, closely associated with neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). This study aimed to investigate the microbe-host interactions influencing NETs in pfCD. From January 2019 to July 2022, patients with pfCD were screened at Ren Ji Hospital. Patients in remission following comprehensive treatment were recruited. We documented clinical characteristics, medication regimens, healing outcomes, and infliximab levels in fistula tissues. NET positivity was confirmed by positive results in citrullinated histone H3 (CitH3) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and dual immunofluorescence staining for myeloperoxidase and CitH3. Microbial and transcriptomic profiles from fistula tissues, obtained during surgery, were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and RNA sequencing. Differences in microbiome and transcriptomic profiles were evaluated, and their relationships were assessed using Mantel's and Spearman's coefficients. Significant differences in microbial communities were found between groups (P = .007). Representatively differential microbes such as Prevotella bivia, Streptococcus gordonii, and Bacteroides dorei were enriched in NETs-positive fistulas (P < .05). Functional analysis of microbes revealed reduced ubiquinol biosynthesis and butanoate production in NETs-negative fistulas (P < .05). Transcriptomic analysis indicated increased neutrophil and monocyte infiltration in NETs-positive fistulas, associated with pathways involving bacterial response, neutrophil chemotaxis, secretory processes, and peptidase activity (P < .05). Species prevalent in NETs-positive fistulas correlated positively with immune responses and wound healing pathways, whereas bacteria in NETs-negative fistulas correlated negatively. NETs were negatively associated with tissue infliximab levels (P = .001) and healing outcomes (P = .025). Our findings reveal unique microbial and transcriptomic signatures associated with NETs in pfCD, highlighting their profound influence on clinical outcomes.

Clinical characteristics and prognosis analysis of patients with IgG4-related hepatobiliary-pancreatic disease

Objective: To explore and analyze the clinical features of patients with immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related hepatobiliary-pancreatic disease and the independent factors affecting the prognosis of IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis (IgG4-SC). Methods: The clinical data of 179 adult cases diagnosed with IgG4-related hepato-pancreato-biliary disease in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2011 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into three groups: isolated IgG4-SC, IgG4-SC/type 1 autoimmune pancreatitis(type 1 AIP), and isolated AIP according to the clinical manifestations. Demographic characteristics, baseline biochemical immunological indexes, and imaging manifestations were analyzed. The treatment response rate and survival rate were compared. The COX proportional hazards model was used to analyze the independent factors related to prognosis. Results: The mean age of diagnosis of patients with IgG4-related hepatobiliary-pancreatic disease was 60.3±12.0 years. Males accounted for 74.9%, and the median follow-up time was 38 months. The 1-year clinical response rate of patients with isolated IgG4-SC was lower than that of IgG4-SC/AIP (67.9% vs. 91.7%, P=0.019), and the primary endpoint-free 5-year survival rate was significantly reduced (64.9% vs. 95.9%, P<0.001). COX regression analysis showed that having cirrhosis before treatment (HR=6.708, P=0.004) and poor response after half a year of treatment (HR=11.488, P=0.002) were independent risk factors associated with the occurrence of adverse events in hepatobiliary diseases among patients with IgG4-SC. Conclusions: The clinical response rate and survival rate of patients with isolated IgG4-SC are lower than those of patients with IgG4-SC/AIP. Patients with IgG4-SC who do not respond well at six months of treatment and who have progressed to cirrhosis before treatment are at significantly increased risk of adverse events.

Construction and validation of a nomogram model for lymph node metastasis of stage II-III gastric cancer based on machine learning algorithms.

Gastric cancer, a pervasive malignancy globally, often presents with regional lymph node metastasis (LNM), profoundly impacting prognosis and treatment options. Existing clinical methods for determining the presence of LNM are not precise enough, necessitating the development of an accurate risk prediction model. Our primary objective was to employ machine learning algorithms to identify risk factors for LNM and establish a precise prediction model for stage II-III gastric cancer. A study was conducted at Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between May 2010 and December 2022. This retrospective study analyzed 1147 surgeries for gastric cancer and explored the clinicopathological differences between LNM and non-LNM cohorts. Utilizing univariate logistic regression and two machine learning methodologies-Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and random forest (RF)-we identified vascular invasion, maximum tumor diameter, percentage of monocytes, hematocrit (HCT), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) as salient factors and consolidated them into a nomogram model. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), calibration curves, and decision curves were used to evaluate the test efficacy of the nomogram. Shapley Additive Explanation (SHAP) values were utilized to illustrate the predictive impact of each feature on the model's output. Significant differences in tumor characteristics were discerned between LNM and non-LNM cohorts through appropriate statistical methods. A nomogram, incorporating vascular invasion, maximum tumor diameter, percentage of monocytes, HCT, and LMR, was developed and exhibited satisfactory predictive capabilities with an AUC of 0.787 (95% CI: 0.749-0.824) in the training set and 0.753 (95% CI: 0.694-0.812) in the validation set. Calibration curves and decision curves affirmed the nomogram's predictive accuracy. In conclusion, leveraging machine learning algorithms, we devised a nomogram for precise LNM risk prognostication in stage II-III gastric cancer, offering a valuable tool for tailored risk assessment in clinical decision-making.

A Predictive Model for Treatment Effectiveness in Severe Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia during Pregnancy: A Retrospective Study in a Tertiary Critical Maternity Referral Center

Objectives: The study aimed to identify factors influencing the severity of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) during pregnancy, develop a predictive model for treatment response, and report maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with severe ITP. Design: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 155 pregnancies with severe ITP between January 2018 and April 2023 at a tertiary critical maternity referral center in Shanghai, China. Participants/Materials: The study included 155 pregnancies diagnosed with severe ITP, divided into groups based on the lowest platelet count (<30 × 109/L vs. 30–50 × 109/L) and first-line treatment response (non-response vs. response). Setting: The study was conducted at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, a tertiary critical maternity rescue referral center. Methods: Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between groups. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with the severity of ITP. A prediction model for treatment response was established using LASSO-logistic regression and internally validated. Results: ITP severity was found to be correlated with low maximum amplitude of thromboelastography (OR 5.43, 95% CI: 1.48–16.00, p = 0.002), bleeding events (OR 4.91, 95% CI: 1.62–14.86, p = 0.005), and low reticulocytes (OR 2.40 × 10−7, 95% CI: 1.06 × 10−13 to 0.55, p = 0.04). Of the 118 patients who received first-line therapy, 52 (44%) responded. The dataset was randomly split into a training (N = 99) and test (N = 23) set with a ratio of 8:2. A predictive nomogram was created and internally validated showing good discrimination. The model yielded an area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.78 (0.69–0.87) and 0.85 (0.67–1.00) in the training and validation cohort, respectively. Earlier delivery and high rate of neonatal intensive care unit admission occurred with severe ITP and treatment failure. Limitations: The study was limited by a relatively small sample size and the retrospective observational design, which imposed limitations on the assessment of treatment efficacy. Conclusions: We identified clinical predictors of ITP severity and treatment resistance during pregnancy. A nomogram predicting first-line response was validated. These findings can facilitate clinical decision-making and counseling regarding this challenging pregnancy complication.

Risk Factors for Returning of Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients to the Intensive Care Unit

Objective To explore the risk factors for the returning of pediatric liver transplant recipients to the intensive care unit (ICU) and provide reference for the clinical decision-making after surgery. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted with the information of all the pediatric patients who underwent liver transplantation in Ren Ji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and were returned to the ICU from 2019 to 2021.The patients returned to the ICU during hospitalization and the reasons for the return were recorded.Each patient of ICU return was matched with three pediatric patients who did not return to the ICU during hospitalization.The basic information,the vital signs and laboratory indicators on the day of transfer from ICU,immunosuppressants and drug concentrations were compared between the two groups.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for the returning of pediatric liver transplant recipients to the ICU. Results The returning rate of pediatric liver transplant recipients to the ICU was 4.36%,and it was 16.00% within 48 h.The main reasons for the return included respiratory complications,abdominal infections,and hepatic vascular occlusion.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that post-operative red blood cell transfusion (OR=4.554,95%CI=1.743-11.901,P=0.002) and high serum level of uric acid (OR=1.005,95%CI=1.001-1.009,P=0.014) were the risk factors for returning to the ICU.High diastolic blood pressure (OR=0.922,95%CI=0.885-0.960,P<0.001) and high total protein level (OR=0.937,95%CI=0.891-0.986,P=0.012) were the protective factors for returning to the ICU. Conclusion Post-operative red blood cell transfusion and high serum level of uric acid are independent risk factors for the returning of pediatric liver transplant recipients to the ICU.

Effectiveness of peritoneal lavage fluid circulating tumour cells and circulating tumour DNA in the prediction of metachronous peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer (pT4NxM0/pT1-3N+M0) after radical resection: protocol of a prospective single-centre clinical study

BackgroundGastric cancer (GC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Peritoneal metastasis (PM) is a significant cause of death in patients with GC, and presents a major challenge...

Methods and Strategies of Microsurgery Combined with Ilizarov Technique in the Treatment of Amputation of Limbs in Renji Hospital: A Report of 51 Cases.

Severe limb amputation trauma often results in bone and soft tissue defects after debridement. Traditional replantation aims to save the limb by shortening the ischemic period and using autologous transplantation for repair, but it can lead to surgical trauma, donor site damage, and prolonged operation time. Due to contusion, pollution, and complex injury, there is no unified standard for replantation and fixation. Improper operation can easily lead to complications such as bone infection, nonunion, bone defect, and joint stiffness. This study introduces the Ilizarov technique into microsurgery to improve limb lengthening after reconstruction and standardizes the steps of replantation fixation for complex limb avulsion injuries, with a focus on clinical efficacy. A retrospective analysis was performed on 51 patients with complex limb amputation who were treated in Zhengzhou Renji Hospital from June 2009 to March 2021. On the basis of microsurgical limb replantation, Ilizarov technology was introduced to innovate the internal and external combined stepwise fixation method for replantation. Patients' gender, age, height, weight, BMI, and other general information were collected. X-ray films were reviewed regularly to observe the surgical healing of fracture, that is, the degree of limb shortening. The lengthening time, carrying time after lengthening, follow-up time, Dahl classification, Paley fracture healing classification, and Chen Zhongwei's replantation function score were used to evaluate the recovery of the affected limb. A total of 51 patients were included in this group, including 36 male patients and 15 female patients. All the amputated wounds were single limb amputation. In this group of patients, the hind limbs were shortened by 2-12.5 cm (5.32 ± 2.24) after replantation. A total of 44 patients whose hind limbs were shortened by more than 2.5 cm were treated with two-stage Ilizarov lengthening for 1.5-5.5 months (3.19 ± 1.03). The carrying time was 3-7.5 months (4.25 ± 0.94), and the follow-up time was 1-7.8 years (3.76 ± 1.69). Among the 49 survived patients, the Dahl grade of external fixation was less than Grade 2 in 89.8%. The excellent and good rate of Paley fracture healing classification was 89.8%. The excellent and good rate of Chen Zhongwei's limb replantation function classification was 79.6%. Microsurgery combined with Ilizarov technique in the treatment of limb amputation injury, limb salvage reconstruction with internal and external combined step-by-step combined fixation, and one-stage shortening and two-stage limb lengthening can reduce the occurrence of osteomyelitis, bone defect and nonunion, expand the indications of limb replantation, improve the success rate of limb replantation, with satisfactory results, and facilitate the promotion of clinical techniques.

Risk factors of delayed upper gastrointestinal transit in capsule endoscopy

Objective The purpose was to investigate the risk factors for delayed upper gastrointestinal transit (DUGT) in small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE) and to improve the efficacy of SBCE. Methods The medical records of patients who underwent SBCE in Renji hospital between January 2015 and January 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collection included patient demographics and potential risk factors for DUGT such as indications for the examination, underlying diseases, hospitalization status, anemia, inflammation. Risk factors were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models. DUGT was defined as failure of a capsule to pass through the pylorus within 1 h. Results A total of 1459 patients who underwent SBCE were included in the study. 306 Cases (21%) experienced DUGT and all received conservative observation, medication treatment, endoscopic intervention, and other measures based on specific circumstances. The overall completion rate (CR) of the examination was 95.5% (1394/1459). Logistic regression analysis showed that hospitalization status (p = 0.030), diarrhea (p = 0.017), diabetes (p = 0.027) and cerebrovascular disease (p = 0.038) were significant risk factors for DUGT. Conclusions In our study, DUGT of SBCE was associated with hospitalization status, diarrhea, diabetes and cerebrovascular disease. Therefore, for the patients with the above risk factors, we should closely check the capsule status during the examination process, in order to take appropriate intervention measures as soon as possible.

Bi-phase CT radiomics nomogram for the preoperative prediction of pylorus lymph node metastasis in non-pyloric gastric cancer patients.

The expansion of function-preserving surgery became possible due to a more profound understanding of gastric cancer (GC), and T1N + or T2N + gastric cancer patients might be potential beneficiaries. However, ways to evaluate the possibility of function-preserving pylorus surgery are still unknown. A total of 288 patients at Renji Hospital and 58 patients at Huadong Hospital, pathologically diagnosed with gastric cancer staging at T1 and T2 with tumors located in the upper two-thirds of the stomach, were retrospectively enrolled from March 2015 to October 2022. Tumor regions of interest (ROIs) were manually delineated on bi-phase CT images, and a nomogram was built and evaluated. The radiomic features distributed differently between positive and negative pLNm groups. Two radiomic signatures (RS1 and RS2) and one clinical signature were constructed. The radiomic signatures exhibited good performance for discriminating pLNm status in the test set. The three signatures were then combined into an integrated nomogram (IN). The IN showed good discrimination of pLNm in the Renji cohort (AUC 0.918) and the Huadong cohort (AUC 0.649). The verification models showed high values. For GC patients with T1 and T2 tumors located in the upper two-thirds of the stomach, a nomogram was successfully built for predicting pylorus lymph node metastasis, which would guide the surgical indication extension of conservative gastrectomies.

Sex differences in the association between chest computed tomography-defined sarcopenia and cardiovascular risk factors among inpatients.

While sarcopenia has been found to be associated with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), evidence exploring sex-related differences remains insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the differences in how often sarcopenia occurs in each sex, as determined by skeletal muscle area (SMA) in chest CT images, and its association with CVD common risk factors. This cross-sectional study involved 1,340 inpatients from the Department of Geriatrics of Renji Hospital, affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. Data on age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, disease history, and clinical parameters were collected. Sarcopenia was defined using chest CT images with a cut-off value of T12-SMA/height2 <25.75 cm2/m2 in male patients and <20.16 cm2/m2 in female patients. Cardiovascular risk was assessed using the Framingham risk score (FRS). The association between T12-SMA/height2-defined sarcopenia and CVD risk factors by sex was evaluated using a multivariate logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of T12-SMA/height2-defined sarcopenia (<25.75 cm2/m2 for male patients, <20.16 cm2/m2 for female patients) was 54.03%, with 48.09% in male patients and 63.19% in female patients. The proportion of male patients with high CVD risk was greater than that of female patients. The multivariate analysis revealed that T12-SMA/height2-defined sarcopenia was independently associated with age (in male patients only), systolic blood pressure (SBP), cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) among the six FRS cardiovascular risk indices. Our results suggest that T12-SMA/height2-defined sarcopenia was more prevalent in male patients than in female patients. Sarcopenia was associated with higher levels of SBP and HDL-C and lower levels of cholesterol. Increasing age had a more significant effect on CVD risk in male patients.

The therapeutic effect of liver transplantation in 14 children with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia: a prospective cohort: Liver transplant for familial hypercholesterolemia

ObjectivesHomozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and early-onset cardiovascular disease. To assess the therapeutic effects of liver transplantation (LT) on HoFH patients, we observed and analyzed the outcomes of HoFH children after LT. Study designThis prospective cohort study included all LT candidates under 18 years old diagnosed with HoFH at Ren Ji Hospital between November 2017 and July 2021. The patients were followed until October 2023. They were treated according to the standard protocol at our center. We collected data on changes in lipid profiles, clinical manifestations, and cardiovascular complications at different time points, and recorded postoperative recipient and graft survival. ResultsFourteen HoFH patients with a median age of 7 (2-12) years were included. Preoperatively, xanthomas and arcus corneas occurred in 14 and 3 patients, respectively, with 10 patients showing mild cardiovascular disease. All patients underwent LT. Recipient and graft survival rates were 100 % over a median follow-up duration of 35 (27-71) months. Median LDL-C levels dropped from 11.83 (7.99-26.14) mmol/L preoperatively to 2.3 (1.49-3.39) mmol/L postoperative at the last measurement. Thirteen patients discontinued lipid-lowering treatment after LT, while only one patient resumed statins 6 months post-operation. Xanthomas and arcus corneas significantly improved. Cardiovascular complications regressed in five patients, with no progression observed in the others. ConclusionsLT is a safe and effective treatment for severe HoFH patients beyond lipid-lowering control. Early LT improves prognosis and quality of life while minimizing the risk of cardiovascular complications.

Trophectoderm grade is associated with the risk of placenta previa in frozen-thawed single-blastocyst transfer cycles.

Do obstetric and perinatal complications vary according to different blastocyst developmental parameters after frozen-thawed single-blastocyst transfer (SBT) cycles? Pregnancies following the transfer of a blastocyst with a grade C trophectoderm (TE) were associated with an increased risk of placenta previa compared to those with a blastocyst of grade A TE. Existing studies investigating the effect of blastocyst morphology grades on birth outcomes have mostly focused on fetal growth and have produced conflicting results, while the risk of obstetric complications has rarely been reported. Additionally, growing evidence has suggested that the appearance of TE cells could serve as the most important parameter for predicting implantation and live birth. Given that the TE ultimately develops into the placenta, it is plausible that this independent predictor may also impact placentation. This retrospective cohort study at a tertiary-care academic medical center included 6018 singleton deliveries after frozen-thawed SBT cycles between January 2017 and December 2021. Singleton pregnancies were grouped into two groups according to blastocyst developmental stage (Days 5 and 6), four groups according to embryo expansion (Stages 3, 4, 5, and 6), three groups according to inner cell mass (ICM) quality (A, B, and C), and three groups according to TE quality (A, B, and C). The main outcomes included pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, preterm premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa, placental abruption, placenta accreta, postpartum hemorrhage, preterm birth, low birth weight, small for gestational age, and birth defects. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the effect of blastocyst developmental stage, embryo expansion stage, ICM grade, and TE grade on measured outcomes adjusting for potential confounders. No association was found between blastocyst developmental stage and obstetric or perinatal outcomes both before and after adjusting for potential confounders, and similar results were found with regard to embryo expansion stage and ICM grade. Meanwhile, the incidence of placenta previa derived from a blastocyst with TE of grade C was higher compared with those derived from a blastocyst with TE of grade A (1.7%, 2.4%, and 4.0% for A, B, and C, respectively, P = 0.001 for all comparisons). After adjusting for potential covariates, TE grade C blastocysts had 2.81 times the likelihood of resulting in placenta previa compared to TE grade A blastocysts (adjusted odds ratio 2.81, 95% CI 1.11-7.09). No statistically significant differences were detected between any other measured outcomes and TE grades both before or after adjustment. The study is limited by its retrospective, single-center design. Additionally, although the sample size was relatively large for the study group, the sample size for certain subgroups was relatively small and lacked adequate power, particularly the ICM grade C group. Therefore, these results should be interpreted with caution. The study extends our knowledge of the potential downstream effect of TE grade on placental abnormalities. This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2023YFC2705500, 2023YFC2705501, 2023YFC2705505, 2019YFA0802604); National Natural Science Foundation of China (82130046, 82320108009, 82371660, 32300710); Shanghai leading talent program, Innovative research team of high-level local universities in Shanghai (SHSMU-ZLCX20210201, SHSMU-ZLCX20210200, SHSMU-ZLCX20180401), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital Clinical Research Innovation Cultivation Fund Program (RJPY-DZX-003), Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (23Y11901400), Shanghai's Top Priority Research Center Construction Project (2023ZZ02002), and Three-Year Action Plan for Strengthening the Construction of the Public Health System in Shanghai (GWVI-11.1-36). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. N/A.

A nomogram and risk stratification to predict subsequent pregnancy loss in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Could the risk of subsequent pregnancy loss be predicted based on the risk factors of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients? A nomogram, constructed from independent risk factors identified through multivariate logistic regression, serves as a reliable tool for predicting the likelihood of subsequent pregnancy loss in RPL patients. Approximately 1-3% of fertile couples experience RPL, with over half lacking a clear etiological factor. Assessing the subsequent pregnancy loss rate in RPL patients and identifying high-risk groups for early intervention is essential for pregnancy counseling. Previous prediction models have mainly focused on unexplained RPL, incorporating baseline characteristics such as age and the number of previous pregnancy losses, with limited inclusion of laboratory and ultrasound indicators. The retrospective study involved 3387 RPL patients who initially sought treatment at the Reproductive Immunology Clinic of Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2022. Of these, 1153 RPL patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. RPL was defined as two or more pregnancy losses (including biochemical pregnancy loss) with the same partner before 28 weeks of gestation. Data encompassing basic demographics, laboratory indicators (autoantibodies, peripheral immunity coagulation, and endocrine factors), uterine and endometrial ultrasound results, and subsequent pregnancy outcomes were collected from enrolled patients through initial questionnaires, post-pregnancy visits fortnightly, medical data retrieval, and telephone follow-up for lost patients. R software was utilized for data cleaning, dividing the data into a training cohort (n = 808) and a validation cohort (n = 345) in a 7:3 ratio according to pregnancy success and pregnancy loss. Independent predictors were identified through multivariate logistic regression. A nomogram was developed, evaluated by 10-fold cross-validation, and compared with the model incorporating solely age and the number of previous pregnancy losses. The constructed nomogram was evaluated using the AUC, calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve analysis (CICA). Patients were then categorized into low- and high-risk subgroups. We included age, number of previous pregnancy losses, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin IgM, anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin complex IgM, anti-double-stranded DNA antibody, arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation, thrombin time and the sum of bilateral uterine artery systolic/diastolic ratios in the nomogram. The AUCs of the nomogram were 0.808 (95% CI: 0.770-0.846) in the training cohort and 0.731 (95% CI: 0.660-0.802) in the validation cohort, respectively. The 10-fold cross-validated AUC ranged from 0.714 to 0.925, with a mean AUC of 0.795 (95% CI: 0.750-0.839). The AUC of the nomogram was superior compared to the model incorporating solely age and the number of previous pregnancy losses. Calibration curves, DCAs, and CICAs showed good concordance and clinical applicability. Significant differences in pregnancy loss rates were observed between the low- and high-risk groups (P < 0.001). This study was retrospective and focused on patients from a single reproductive immunology clinic, lacking external validation data. The potential impact of embryonic chromosomal abnormalities on pregnancy loss could not be excluded, and the administration of medication to all cases impacted the investigation of risk factors for pregnancy loss and the model's predictive efficacy. This study signifies a pioneering effort in developing and validating a risk prediction nomogram for subsequent pregnancy loss in RPL patients to effectively stratify their risk. We have integrated the nomogram into an online web tool for clinical applications. This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82071725). All authors have no competing interests to declare. N/A.

Comparison of percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and surgical thrombectomy in the treatment of acute arteriovenous graft thrombosis

Objective: To compare the efficacy between percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy and surgical thrombectomy in the treatment of acute arteriovenous graft thrombosis (AVG). Methods: The clinical data of acute thrombosis AVG patients treated in the Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University from January 2020 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy group and surgical thrombectomy group according to treatment methods. Baseline information, technical success rate, complication rate, and 24-month primary and secondary patency rates of the two groups were analyzed. Results: A total of 130 patients aged (54.1±14.2) years were enrolled in the study, including 66 males and 64 females. There were 78 patients in the percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy group and 52 patients in surgical thrombectomy group. No statistically significant differences in gender, age, comorbidities, and lesion characteristics between the two groups were detected (all P>0.05). The technical success rate in the mechanical thrombectomy group was 98.7% (77/78), and the complication rate was 5.1% (4/78), while the technical success rate in the surgical thrombectomy group was 94.2% (49/52), and the complication rate was 9.6% (5/52). There were no statistically significant differences in the technical success rate and complication rate between the two groups (all P>0.05). The average operation time of mechanical thrombectomy was significantly shorter than that of surgical thrombectomy [(62.8±13.9) min vs (77.0±17.6) min, P<0.001]. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated the primary patency rates of the mechanical thrombectomy group at 12 and 24 months after thrombectomy were 62.8% and 38.5%, respectively, while the primary patency rates of the surgical thrombectomy group at 12 and 24 months were 57.7% and 36.5%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the primary patency rate between the two groups (P=0.641). The secondary patency rates of the mechanical thrombectomy group at 12 and 24 months were 98.7% and 94.9%, respectively, while the secondary patency rates of the surgical thrombectomy group at 12 and 24 months were 92.3% and 82.7%, respectively. The secondary patency rates of the mechanical thrombectomy group were higher than those of the surgical thrombectomy group (P=0.020). Conclusion: Mechanical thrombectomy is a safe and effective treatment for acute AVG thrombosis, with the advantages of shorter operation time and higher secondary patency rate compared with surgical thrombectomy.

Colonoscopy Training on Virtual-Reality Simulators or Physical Model Simulators: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study employed a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of virtual-reality (VR) simulators and physical model simulators on colonoscopy training to explore the optimal and evidence-based simulation training. Forty participants were divided into 2 groups and randomized as dyads: the VR simulator group and the physical model simulator group. All the participants performed a baseline test through porcine colonoscopy. After a 6 h simulation training, each participant underwent a post-test on a pig after bowel preparation, and the procedures were video-recorded. Both the baseline test and the post-test were blindly assessed by 2 experienced assistant director physicians based on the GAGES-C scoring system. Simulation center, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai. Forty surgical residents without colonoscopy experience. Both the VR simulator group and the physical model simulator group improved significantly over the baseline test. The VR simulator group performed significantly better than the physical model simulator group, p=0.042. The participants in both groups expressed a high level of simulator satisfaction. Novice residents can benefit from both VR simulators and physical model simulators. The VR simulator was shown to be more effective for colonoscopy training. VR simulators were more recommended for novices conducting basic colonoscopy training.

Pembrolizumab plus cetuximab with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck cancer cells commonly express programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), both of which play pivotal roles in the antitumor cellular immune response. Pembrolizumab, a PD-1 inhibitor, and cetuximab, an EGFR inhibitor, are typically effective agents combined with neoadjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy in patients with HNSCC. Patients with HNSCC underwent radical surgery and complete cervical lymph node dissection following neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy at RenJi Hospital from January 2021 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary endpoint was major pathological response (MPR). We further explored the relationship between the efficacy and immune estimators. Twenty-one patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. The MPR was 66.7%, including 11 patients who achieved a pathological complete response (pCR). The overall response rate (ORR) was 90.5%, and the complete response (CR) rate was 28.6%. The oropharynx, as the primary site, was the sensitive tumor type to neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy. The most common adverse event (AEs) was anemia (61.9%). No grade 4 AE or delayed surgery was reported. Laryngeal preservation rates were 90.9% (10/11), and pathological findings confirmed negative surgical margins for all patients. Moreover, pre-treatment peripheral lymphocyte count, monocyte count, and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) displayed a significant correlation with the treatment response. Pembrolizumab plus cetuximab with chemotherapy for patients with HNSCC is a feasible and safe clinical protocol fulfilling organ preservation and life quality improvement. Pre-treatment peripheral immune estimators could help to screen patients who may respond to the neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy.