Isletβ-cell function preservation by different anti-diabetic treatments in Chinese elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND The preservation of isletβ-cell function in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)is a top priority for diabetic control.AIM To assess the preservation of isletβ-cell function among elderly Chinese patients with T2DM after different anti-diabetic treatments.METHODS In this longitudinal observational study,elderly patients with T2DM treated with insulin,oral antidiabetic drugs or a combination of both were enrolled to disclose their isletβ-cell function between baseline and follow-up.Isletβ-cell function was determined by the plasma Homeostasis Model forβ-cell function(HOMA-β),Cpeptide and area under the curve(AUC)based on oral glucose tolerance test.Changes inβ-cell function(decrement or increment from baseline)between different therapy groups were the outcomes.RESULTS In total,745 elderly patients(≥60 years)with T2DM[insulin monotherapy,n=105;oral anti-diabetic drugs(OAD)monotherapy,n=321;insulin plus OAD,n=319]had their baseline and follow-upβ-cell function assessed during a median observation period of 4.5 years(range,3.0-7.2 years).Overall,isletβ-cell function(HOMA-β,fasting Cpeptide,fasting insulin,AUCc-pep,AUCins,AUCc-pep/AUCglu,AUCins/AUCglu)consistently deteriorated over time regardless of the three different antidiabetic treatments.No statistical differences in decrement were observed among the three groups regarding the isletβ-cell function indices.All three groups showed an increased ratio of delayed insulin secretion response after 4.5 years of observation.CONCLUSION In Chinese elderly patients with T2DM,isletβ-cell function progressively declines regardless of insulin supplement or insulin plus OAD treatments.

Working toward an integrated plasticity/network framework for repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation to inform tailored treatments

Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques(NIBS),including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation(rTMS) and transcranial electric stim ulation(tES),are increasingly being adopted clinically for treatment of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders,albeit with varying success.The rationale behind the use of NIBS has historically been that stim ulation techniques modulate neuronal activity in the targeted region and consequently induce plasticity which can lead to therapeutic outcomes.

Valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy in China:epidemiology and current treatments

The Annual Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China(2022)intricate landscape of cardiovascular health in China.In connection with the previous section,this ninth section of the report offers a comprehensive analysis of valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy.Although rheumatic valve disease is still the main cause of valvular heart disease in China,with the aging of the population and the improvement of living standards,the prevalence of degenerative valvular heart disease is on the rise.Because many patients with valvular heart disease have only mild to moderate valve stenosis or insufficiency,and no symptoms,the detection rate in the population is low and late,resulting in many patients been in the severe late stage of disease at visit,increasing the difficulty of treatment and affecting effectiveness and prognosis.Therefore,we should strengthen the examination and screening of valvular heart disease in order to find and prevent it as early as possible.In addition,compared with other diseases,the treatment of valvular heart disease needs more and higher technical support(surgery,intervention,etc).However,not all hospitals can provide relevant technologies.At present,the treatment of valvular heart disease is still mainly concentrated in the provincial hospitals.It is necessary to carry out more professional training so that more doctors and hospitals can participate in the treatment of valvular heart disease.Cardiomyopathy is a group of myocardial diseases with abnormal myocardial structure and/or function,but couldn't be explained by hypertension,coronary atherosclerosis,valvular heart disease and congenital heart disease.It includes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM),dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM),arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy(also known as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy),restrictive cardiomyopathy(RCM)and undifferentiated cardiomyopathy.

Model-based interpretation of bottomhole pressure records during matrix treatments in layered formations

During injection treatments, bottomhole pressure measurements may significantly mismatch modeling results. We devise a computationally effective technique for interpretation of fluid injection in a wellbore interval with multiple geological layers based on the bottomhole pressure measurements. The permeability, porosity and compressibility in each layer are initially setup, while the skin factor and partitioning of injected fluids among the zones during the injection are found as a solution of the problem. The problem takes into account Darcy flow and chemical interactions between the injected acids, diverter fluids and reservoir rock typical in modern matrix acidizing treatments. Using the synchronously recorded injection rate and bottomhole pressure, we evaluate skin factor changes in each layer and actual fluid placement into the reservoir during different pumping jobs: matrix acidizing, water control, sand control, scale squeezes and water flooding. The model is validated by comparison with a simulator used in industry. It gives opportunity to estimate efficiency of a matrix treatment job, role of every injection stage, and control fluid delivery to each layer in real time. The presented interpretation technique significantly improves accuracy of matrix treatments analysis by coupling the hydrodynamic model with records of pressure and injection rate during the treatment.

Exploring the Trait Plasticity of ipa1-2D and qPL6 under Different Nitrogen Treatments and Heading Periods

Panicle size is one of the important factors in shaping yield potential in rice,but it shows plasticity in different environments,which leads to yieldfluctuation.Variations in panicle size among varieties are largely determined by quantitative trait loci(QTLs).QTL analysis could elaborate on the environmental impact on trait plasticity using nearly isogenic lines(NILs)of different QTLs.Two QTLs,ipa1-2D and qPL6 are identified to have pleio-tropic contributions to panicle size and plant architecture,but their responses to different growth conditions are still unclear.In this study,we developed NILs harboring a single locus or both loci of ipa1-2D and qPL6 and sub-sequently evaluated these QTL effects under different nitrogen treatments or heading periods.Trait comparison showed that panicle length was highly responsive to the high nitrogen treatment independent of qPL6.At the same time,ipa1-2D reduced the response of plant height,panicle number,and grain yield to the treatment.The background of long heading periods decreased the stem diameter for any genotype combinations but enhanced the performance of ipa1-2D for the panicle primary branch number.Moreover,the middle heading background could better balance the pleiotropic effect of the two QTLs and showed the highest yield potential.In-parallel analysis of the QTL contributions under different nitrogen treatments or heading periods confirmed the significant effect of ipa1-2D in increasing stem diameter,panicle primary branch number,and spikelet number per panicle.We proved that the two individual QTLs had a stable effect in increasing the yield potential but com-peted to decrease the panicle secondary branch number,panicle number,and yield potential when they were pyr-amided.This work provides a full view of the plasticity of two QTLs in shaping yield-related traits and lays the foundation for the rational design of rice breeding in the future.

Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Following Cryotherapy, Thermal Ablation, and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure for Cervical Treatments among Reproductive Age Women in Zambia

Background: Cervical Intraepithelial neoplasia treatments have become essential interventions to manage cervical lesions. Most recipients are women of reproductive age who, as reported in the literature, may be at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study investigated the risk of abortions, prematurity, stillbirths, and prolonged labor among reproductive-age women following Cryotherapy, Thermal ablation, and Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure treatments in Zambia. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed records of 8000 women aged 15 - 49 years at the Adult Infectious Disease Control Centre using records between January 2010 and December 2020. Women constituting the treatment group were all respondents treated by cryotherapy, thermal ablation, and LEEP, while the control group were VIA negative women. Women from both groups were invited to answer a phone survey. Data were analyzed using Stata version 16;descriptive analysis estimated the prevalence and obtained the frequency distribution of abortion, prematurity, prolonged labor and fresh stillbiths. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test established the associations of CIN and APOs at 95% Confidence intervals. Univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression estimated the odds of adverse pregnancy outcomes across the three treatments. Results: Adverse pregnancy outcomes were more prevalent in the treatment group (39.2%) compared to the untreated group (16.9%). Across the two groups, normal outcomes were lower in the treated (42.3% vs 57.7%). The treated group accounted for the majority of abortions (74.5% vs 25.5%) and prolonged labor (72.5% vs 27.5%), while the untreated group accounted for higher proportions of stillbirths (66.7% vs 33.3%) and prematurity (53% vs 47%). Adverse pregnancy outcomes were five and two times more likely in women treated with thermal ablation (aOR = 5.05, 95% CI = 4.01 - 6.36, p Conclusion: Cervical treatment among Zambian women increases the risk of abortion and prolongs labor. Therefore, caution should be taken when administered to those of reproductive age. Vigilant monitoring should be maintained during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum to improve maternal and neonatal health.

Late effects of the treatment of childhood cancer

Excellent progress has been made in the last few decades in the cure rates of pediatric malignancies,with more than 80%of children with cancer who have access to contemporary treatment being cured.However,the therapies responsible for this survival can also produce adverse physical and psychological long-term outcomes,referred to as late effects,which appear months to years after the completion of cancer treatment.Research has shown that 60%to 90%of childhood cancer survivors(CCSs)develop one or more chronic health conditions,and 20%to 80%of survivors experience severe or life-threatening complications during adulthood.Therefore,understanding the late side effects of such treatments is important to improve the health and quality of life of the growing population of CCSs.

Effects of Different Treatments on Postharvest Storage of Hongxiangsu Pear

[Objectives]This study was conducted to effectively prolong the shelf life of Hongxiangsu pear and maintain its excellent quality.[Methods]The fruit of Hongxiangsu pear were treated with 1.5%sodium alginate,0.4 g/L natamycin and 2%chitosan for 3 min,respectively.Taking soaking treatment as control,the effects of different treatments on the weight loss rate,firmness,color difference,soluble solid content,titratable acid content,catalase activity and peroxidase activity of Hongxiangsu pear fruit during postharvest storage were studied at 25℃.[Results]The results showed that compared with the control group,single or compound treatments all delayed the decline of fruit firmness and color difference,better inhibited the increase of weight loss rate,and maintained higher soluble solids and total acid content.Physiologically,single and compound treatments all maintained the activities of peroxidase and catalase.Among them,the compound treatment of three reagents could improve the storage and fresh-keeping ability of Hongxiangsu pear.After 15 d of storage,the weight loss rate of the fruit treated with three reagents was lower than that of the blank group by 2.47%,and the color difference was lower than that of the blank group by 3.79.In terms of soluble solids,firmness,and other qualities,the fruit treated with the combination of the three reagents was superior to that treated with singe reagent or two reagents in pair.[Conclusions]Different compound coating treatments all showed positive effects on the preservation of Hongxiangsu pear,but before practical application and promotion,it is necessary to further explore the appropriate coating methods and proportions.

A novel solution treatment and aging for powder bed fusion-laser beam Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo alloy:Microstructural and mechanical characterization

Ti-6Al-4Zr-2Sn-6Mo alloy is one of the most recent titanium alloys processed using powder bed fusion-laser beam(PBF-LB)technology.This alloy has the potential to replace Ti-6Al-4V in automotive and aerospace applications,given its superior mechanical properties,which are approximately 10%higher in terms of ultimate tensile strength(UTS)and yield strength after appropriate heat treatment.In as-built conditions,the alloy is characterized by the presence of soft orthorhombicα″martensite,necessitating a postprocessing heat treatment to decompose this phase and enhance the mechanical properties of the alloy.Usually,PBFed Ti6246 components undergo an annealing process that transforms theα″martensite into anα-βlamellar microstructure.The primary objective of this research was to develop a solution treatment and aging(STA)heat treatment tailored to the unique microstructure produced by the additive manufacturing process to achieve an ultrafine bilamellar microstructure reinforced by precipitation hardening.This study investigated the effects of various solution temperatures in theα-βfield(ranging from 800 to 875℃),cooling media(air and water),and aging time to determine the optimal heat treatment parameters for achieving the desired bilamellar microstructure.For each heat treatment condition,differentα-βmicrostructures were found,varying in terms of theα/βratio and the size of the primaryα-phase lamellae.Particular attention was given to how these factors were influenced by increases in solution temperature and how microhardness correlated with the percentage of the metastableβphase present after quenching.Tensile tests were performed on samples subjected to the most promising heat treatment parameters.A comparison with literature data revealed that the optimized STA treatment enhanced hardness and UTS by13%and 23%,respectively,compared with those of the annealed alloy.Fracture surface analyses were conducted to investigate fracture mechanisms.

Pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy: electromagnetic stimulation-mediated neuromodulation therapy and new technologies

Epilepsy is a severe,relapsing,and multifactorial neurological disorder.Studies regarding the accurate diagnosis,prognosis,and in-depth pathogenesis are crucial for the precise and effective treatment of epilepsy.The pathogenesis of epilepsy is complex and involves alterations in variables such as gene expression,protein expression,ion channel activity,energy metabolites,and gut microbiota composition.Satisfactory results are lacking for conventional treatments for epilepsy.Surgical resection of lesions,drug therapy,and non-drug interventions are mainly used in clinical practice to treat pain associated with epilepsy.Non-pharmacological treatments,such as a ketogenic diet,gene therapy for nerve regeneration,and neural regulation,are currently areas of research focus.This review provides a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis,diagnostic methods,and treatments of epilepsy.It also elaborates on the theoretical basis,treatment modes,and effects of invasive nerve stimulation in neurotherapy,including percutaneous vagus nerve stimulation,deep brain electrical stimulation,repetitive nerve electrical stimulation,in addition to non-invasive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation.Numerous studies have shown that electromagnetic stimulation-mediated neuromodulation therapy can markedly improve neurological function and reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures.Additionally,many new technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy are being explored.However,current research is mainly focused on analyzing patients’clinical manifestations and exploring relevant diagnostic and treatment methods to study the pathogenesis at a molecular level,which has led to a lack of consensus regarding the mechanisms related to the disease.

Controversies around the treatment of peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer

In this editorial we examine the article by Wu et al published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology.Surgical resection for peritoneal metastases from colorectal cancer(CRC)has been gradually accepted in the medical oncology community.A randomized trial(PRODIGE 7)on cytoreductive surgery(CRS)with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy(HIPEC)failed to prove any benefit of oxaliplatin in the overall survival of patients with peritoneal metastases from colorectal origin.Nevertheless,isolated systemic chemotherapy for CRC stage IV has demonstrated a reduced response in peritoneal metastases than that obtained in other metastatic sites such as the liver.Another tool is required in those patients to achieve more local control of the disease.Surgical groups in peritoneal surgery continue to use HIPEC in their procedures,using other agents than oxaliplatin for peritoneal cavity infusion,such as mitomycin C.These patients present with complex surgical issues to manage,and consequently a large burden of complications has to be anticipated.Therefore,identifying patients who will benefit from CRS with or without HIPEC would be of great interest.

Advancing treatment strategies:Insights from network meta-analysis of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

This study examines the pivotal findings of the network meta-analysis of Zhou et al,which evaluated the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and combination therapies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).This meta-analysis suggests that therapeutic combinations have greater efficacy than do standard treatments.The article highlights the key insights that have the potential to shift current clinical practice and enhance outcomes for patients with advanced HCC.Additionally,this article discusses further research that can be conducted to optimize these treatments and achieve personalized care for patients with HCC.

Mechanism of cryorolling and aging treatment for enhancing corrosion properties of 2195 Al−Li alloy

The impact of cryorolling(CR)and room temperature rolling(RTR)followed by artificial aging on the corrosion characteristics of 2195 Al−Li alloy(AA2195)was studied.Transmission electron microscope,scanning electron microscope,optical microscope,intergranular corrosion experiment,and electrochemical experiment were used.Throughout different stages of aging treatment,the corrosion behavior of both CR and RTR samples exhibited a sequential progression of pitting corrosion,followed by intergranular corrosion,and then pitting corrosion again.The corrosion rates of both samples initially showed an increase,followed by a gradual stabilization over time.The size and density of T1 phase significantly influenced the corrosion performance of the alloy.During the peak aging and over-aging stages,the CR sample exhibited superior corrosion resistance to the RTR sample,attributed to its finer T1 phase.

Efficacy,safety and treatment satisfaction of transition to a regimen of insulin degludec/aspart:A pilot study

BACKGROUND There is a lack of clinical evidence on the efficacy and safety of transitioning from a thrice-daily pre-mixed insulin or basal-prandial regimen to insulin degludec/aspart(IDegAsp)therapy,with insufficient data from the Chinese population.AIM To demonstrate the efficacy,safety,and treatment satisfaction associated with the transition to IDegAsp in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).METHODS In this 12-week open-label,non-randomized,single-center,pilot study,patients with T2DM receiving thrice-daily insulin or intensive insulin treatment were transitioned to twice-daily injections of insulin IDegAsp.Insulin doses,hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c)levels,fasting blood glucose(FBG),hypoglycemic events,a Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire,and other parameters were assessed at baseline and 12-weeks.RESULTS This study included 21 participants.A marked enhancement was observed in the FBG level(P=0.02),daily total insulin dose(P=0.03),and overall diabetes treatment satisfaction(P<0.01)in the participants who switched to IDegAsp.There was a decrease in HbA1c levels(7.6±1.1 vs 7.4±0.9,P=0.31)and the frequency of hypoglycemic events of those who switched to IDegAsp decreased,however,there was no statistically significant difference.CONCLUSION The present findings suggest that treatment with IDegAsp enhances clinical outcomes,particularly FBG levels,daily cumulative insulin dose,and overall satisfaction with diabetes treatment.

The emerging role of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to ameliorate hippocampal NLRP3 inflammation induced by binge-like ethanol treatment in adolescence

Our previous studies have reported that activation of the NLRP3(NOD-,LRR-and pyrin domain-containing protein 3)-inflammasome complex in ethanol-treated astrocytes and chronic alcohol-fed mice could be associated with neuroinflammation and brain damage.Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles(MSC-EVs)have been shown to restore the neuroinflammatory response,along with myelin and synaptic structural alterations in the prefrontal cortex,and alleviate cognitive and memory dysfunctions induced by binge-like ethanol treatment in adolescent mice.Considering the therapeutic role of the molecules contained in mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles,the present study analyzed whether the administration of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles isolated from adipose tissue,which inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome,was capable of reducing hippocampal neuroinflammation in adolescent mice treated with binge drinking.We demonstrated that the administration of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles ameliorated the activation of the hippocampal NLRP3 inflammasome complex and other NLRs inflammasomes(e.g.,pyrin domain-containing 1,caspase recruitment domain-containing 4,and absent in melanoma 2,as well as the alterations in inflammatory genes(interleukin-1β,interleukin-18,inducible nitric oxide synthase,nuclear factor-kappa B,monocyte chemoattractant protein-1,and C–X3–C motif chemokine ligand 1)and miRNAs(miR-21a-5p,miR-146a-5p,and miR-141-5p)induced by binge-like ethanol treatment in adolescent mice.Bioinformatic analysis further revealed the involvement of miR-21a-5p and miR-146a-5p with inflammatory target genes and NOD-like receptor signaling pathways.Taken together,these findings provide novel evidence of the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived EVs to ameliorate the hippocampal neuroinflammatory response associated with NLRP3 inflammasome activation induced by binge drinking in adolescence.

Clinicopathological features and treatment of gastrointestinal schwannomas

BACKGROUND Gastrointestinal schwannomas(GIS)are rare neurogenic tumors arising from Schwann cells in the gastrointestinal tract.Studies on GIS are limited to small case reports or focus on specific tumor sites,underscoring the diagnostic and thera-peutic challenges they pose.AIM To comprehensively examine the clinical features,pathological characteristics,treatment outcomes,associated comorbidities,and prognosis of GIS.METHODS The study population included patients diagnosed with GIS at the First Affiliated Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine,between June 2007 and April 2024.Data were retrospectively collected and analyzed from medical records,including demographic characteristics,endoscopic and imaging findings,treatment modalities,pathological evaluations,and follow-up information.RESULTS In total,229 patients with GIS were included,with a mean age of 56.00 years and a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.83.The mean tumor size was 2.75 cm,and most(76.9%)were located in the stomach.Additionally,6.6%of the patients had other malig-nant tumors.Preoperative imaging and endoscopy frequently misdiagnosed GIS as gastrointestinal stromal tumors.However,accurate preoperative diagnosis was achieved using endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration combined with immunohistochemical analysis,in which S100 and SOX-10 markers were mostly positive.Smaller tumors were typically managed with endoscopic resection,while larger lesions were treated with surgical resection.Follow-up results showed that most patients experienced favorable outcomes.CONCLUSION Preoperative diagnosis of GIS via clinical characteristics,endoscopy,and imaging examinations remains challenging but crucial.Endoscopic therapy provides a minimally invasive and effective option for patients.

Scalable Ir‑Doped NiFe_(2)O_(4)/TiO_(2) Heterojunction Anode for Decentralized Saline Wastewater Treatment and H_(2) Production

Wastewater electrolysis cells(WECs)for decentralized wastewater treatment/reuse coupled with H_(2) production can reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation of water,waste,and energy carrier.This study reports Ir-doped NiFe_(2)O_(4)(NFI,~5 at%Ir)spinel layer with TiO_(2) overlayer(NFI/TiO_(2)),as a scalable heterojunction anode for direct electrolysis of wastewater with circumneutral pH in a single-compartment cell.In dilute(0.1 M)NaCl solutions,the NFI/TiO_(2) marks superior activity and selectivity for chlorine evolution reaction,outperforming the benchmark IrO_(2).Robust operation in near-neutral pH was confirmed.Electroanalyses including operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy unveiled crucial roles of TiO_(2) which serves both as the primary site for Cl−chemisorption and a protective layer for NFI as an ohmic contact.Galvanostatic electrolysis of NH4+-laden synthetic wastewater demonstrated that NFI/TiO_(2)not only achieves quasi-stoichiometric NH_(4)^(+)-to-N_(2)conversion,but also enhances H_(2)generation efficiency with minimal competing reactions such as reduction of dissolved oxygen and reactive chlorine.The scaled-up WEC with NFI/TiO_(2)was demonstrated for electrolysis of toilet wastewater.

Treatment of thymoma with low-dose glucocorticoids before surgery for significant tumor shrinkage: A case report

BACKGROUND Thymic epithelial neoplasms are rare malignant neoplasms originating in the thymus gland.There have been case reports of patients with advanced thymomas treated with a methylprednisolone pulse or with glucocorticoid(GCs)shock be-fore surgery,followed by surgical treatment,all of whom achieved good results.The effect of GCs on thymomas is related mainly to the action on GC receptors in thymic lymphocytes and epithelial cells.GC receptor expression has been asso-ciated with a better prognosis in patients with thymomas,including those with surgically removed thymomas.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a patient with thymoma who had a significant response to preoperative low-dose GC therapy.A mediastinal tumor was detected in the patient via computerized tomography upon admission.The tumor was initially suspected to be a thymic tumor,but lymphoma could not be ruled out.The tumor shrank significantly after low-dose(5 mg/day)GC therapy.Thoracoscopic thy-moma resection was performed after puncture pathology was confirmed.The patient recovered well after the operation and is currently performing well with no recurrence of the tumor.CONCLUSION This case highlights that low-dose GCs are effective in the treatment of thymomas,and we believe that GCs should be applied more frequently and studied more thoroughly in the treatment of thymomas.

Pancreatic primitive neuroectodermal tumors:Clinical features,treatment,and influencing factors

BACKGROUND Data on clinical characteristics,treatment outcomes,and prognosis of pancreatic primitive neuroectodermal tumors(PNETs)are limited.AIM To analyze the clinical data of 30 patients with pancreatic PNETs to identify their clinical characteristics and factors associated with prognosis.METHODS We used the keywords"primary neuroectodermal tumor,""digestive tract,""pancreas,""pancreatic,"and"gastrointestinal,"individually or in combination,to collect data from a global database for all patients with pancreatic PNET to date.Univariate and Cox regression analyses were performed to identify prognostic factors for patient survival.RESULTS A total of 30 cases of pancreatic PNET were included in this study:15 males and 15 females with a mean age of 24 years.The main symptom was abdominal pain(73.3%),and the median tumor size was 7.85 cm.Twenty-four patients(80.0%)underwent surgery and nineteen patients received adjuvant therapy.Local metastasis was observed in 13 patients(43.3%),lymph node metastasis in 10 patients(33.3%),and distant metastasis in 6 patients(20.0%).Local recurrence was observed in 13 patients(43.3%).The median survival time of all patients was 29.4 months,and the overall estimated 1-year and 3-year survival rates were approximately 66.0%and 36.4%,respectively.Univariate analysis showed that chemotherapy(P=0.036),local metastasis(P=0.041),lymph node metastasis(P=0.003),distant metastasis(P=0.049),and surgical margins(P=0.048)were the prognostic factors affecting survival.Multivariate analysis revealed only lymph node metastasis(P=0.012)as a prognostic factor.CONCLUSION Pancreatic PNET is extremely rare,occurs in young adults,has no apparent sex predisposition,has a high rate of metastasis and early recurrence,and has a very poor prognosis.The diagnosis of pancreatic PNET requires a combination of clinical symptoms,pathologic features,immunohistochemistry,and cytogenetic analysis.Univariate analysis suggested that chemotherapy,metastasis,and surgical margins were prognostic factors affecting survival,and multivariate analysis suggested that lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor.Therefore,early diagnosis,early and extensive resection,and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy may help improve prognosis.

Advances in radiotherapy in the treatment of esophageal cancer

Recent advancements in radiotherapy for esophageal cancer have significantly improved treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.Traditional radiotherapy techniques have been enhanced by the integration of advanced imaging and precision targeting technologies,such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy and proton therapy,which allow for more accurate tumor targeting while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.Additionally,combining radiotherapy with immunotherapy has shown promising results,leveraging the body’s im-mune response to enhance the effectiveness of cancer treatment.Studies have also highlighted the benefits of neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgical resection,which has been associated with improved overall survival rates com-pared to radiotherapy alone.These innovations are paving the way for more effe-ctive and personalized treatment strategies,offering new hope for patients with esophageal cancer.