Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio predicts overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio(FAR)has been found to be of prognostic significance for several types of malignant tumors.However,less is known about the association between FAR and survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)patients.AIM To explore the association between FAR and prognosis and survival in patients with HCC.METHODS A total of 366 histologically confirmed HCC patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2018 in a provincial cancer hospital in southwestern China were retrospectively selected.Relevant data were extracted from the hospital information system.The optimal cutoff for baseline serum FAR measured upon disease diagnosis was established using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the crude and adjusted associations between FAR and the overall survival(OS)of the HCC patients while controlling for various covariates.The restricted cubic spline(RCS)was applied to estimate the dose-response trend in the FAR-OS association.RESULTS The optimal cutoff value for baseline FAR determined by the ROC was 0.081.Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model revealed that a lower baseline serum FAR level was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.43(95%confidence interval:1.87–3.15)in the OS of HCC patients,with identifiable dose-response trend in the RCS.Subgroup analysis showed that this FAR-OS association was more prominent in HCC patients with a lower baseline serum aspartate aminotransferase or carbohydrate antigen 125 level.CONCLUSION Serum FAR is a prominent prognostic indicator for HCC.Intervention measures aimed at reducing FAR might result in survival benefit for HCC patients.

Total femur replacement with 18 years of follow-up:A case report

BACKGROUND Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary malignant bone tumors and is more common in adolescents.The femur is the most common site of osteosarcoma,and many patients require total femur replacement.We reviewed the relevant literature and case findings,summarized and analyzed this case in combination with relevant literature,and in doing so improved the understanding of the technology.CASE SUMMARY The case we report was a 15-year-old patient who was admitted to the hospital 15 days after the discovery of a right thigh mass.The diagnosis was osteosarcoma of the right femoral shaft.After completion of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and preoperative preparation,total right femoral resection+artificial total femoral replacement was performed.Then,chemotherapy was continued after surgery.The patient recovered well after treatment,and the function of the affected limb was good.No recurrence,metastasis,prosthesis loosening,dislocation,fracture or other complications were found during 18 years of follow-up.At present,the patient can still work and lives normally.The results of the medium-and longterm follow-up were satisfactory.CONCLUSION Artificial total femur replacement is a feasible limb salvage operation for patients with femoral malignant tumors,and the results of medium-and long-term follow-up are satisfactory.

Factors associated with needle sharing among people who inject drugs in Yunnan, China: a combined network and regression analysis

Background:Network analyses have been widely utilized to evaluate large datasets,but have not yet been used to explore factors associated with risk behaviours.In combination with traditional regression analysis,network analyses may provide useful information and highlight key factors for reducing needle sharing behaviours among people who inject drugs(PWID).Methods:Sociodemographic data,and information on injection behaviour and sexual practices were collected from a cross-sectional survey that was conducted with PWID in five prefectures of Yunnan province,China.A combination of logistic regression and correlation network analyses were used to explore key factors for reducing needle-sharing behaviours among PWID.Results:In a total of 1049 PWID,37.5%had a history of needle or syringe sharing.The logistic analysis showed that Zhaotong,Qujing,Dehong,or Lincang residents,diazepam use,longer injection duration,needle reuse,and infection with HIV,viral hepatitis,tuberculosis and/or malaria were independently associated with needle sharing.The correlation network analyses showed that,compared to PWID who had never shared needles,PWID who did share needles would achieve harm reduction goals faster and more permanently.HIV serostatus and marital status were found to be closely associated with other risk factors.By combining regression analyses with network analyses,it was shown that PWID who are HIV seropositive will be an ideal target group for harm reduction programs.Conclusion:Needle-sharing behaviours are common among PWID in Yunnan,and harm reduction programs may help PWID who are HIV seropositive reduce risk behaviours and prevent blood borne diseases.

INNOVATIVE BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL STUDIES OF HERBAL MEDICINES APPLICATION OF MASSLYNX AND UNIFI PLATFORM SOLUTION TO ACCELERATE THE IDENTIFICATION OF INGREDIENTS AND THEIR METABOLITES OF TCM

Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM)has been used in prevention and treatment of disease in clinical practice for thousands of years,with an indispensable role of multiple ingredients.Thus,a rapid and effective chemical ingredients analysis was of necessary to be established for the evaluation of the holistic quality of TCM.As could afford the data with high resolution and high sensitivity,