Dong Hui

BACKGROUND: To develop a nomogram to predict cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with metastatic testicular germ cell tumors (mTGCTs). METHODS: Data were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to identify factors associated with CSS. Survival times between different groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. A nomogram visualization model was established using the R language to predict survival rates. Harrell's concordance index (C-index), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration plots were used to assess the performance of the model. RESULTS: We analyzed the data of 949 patients. The median follow-up time was 32 months (range 0 to 83 months), and 224 (23.60%) patients died before the last follow-up, of whom 193 (20.33%) died of mTGCTs. The site of distant metastases was an independent prognostic factor for CSS. Compared to patients without involvement of the corresponding organ, patients with bone, brain, liver, and lung involvement had worse CSS. We also found that age, histological type, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, metastatic site and insurance status affected the CSS of patients with mTGCTs. We used these prognostic factors to construct our nomogram. Harrell's C-index for CSS was 0.739. The AUC and calibration plots indicated good performance of the nomogram. CONCLUSIONS: A nomogram for predicting CSS in patients with mTGCTs has been developed, which can help patients and clinicians accurately predict mortality risk and recommend personalized treatment modalities.

Objective To explore the effect of berberine on the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related apoptosis in pancreatic β cells.Methods The endoplasmic reticulum stress in MIN6 cells was induced by Tunicamycin.The effect of berberine on cell proliferation and apoptosis,insulin secretion,expression of apoptosis-related proteins ASK1 and Caspase-12 were examined.Results Basal and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion were not affected while cell apoptosis was decreased by berberine(1,10 μmol/L),however,the expression of ASK1 and caspase-12 was inhibited significantly by berberine.Conclusion Berberine can reduce the endoplasmic reticulum stress-related apoptosis in pancreatic β cells.The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of ASK1 and caspase-12 expressions.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the predisposing factors,clinical characteristics and prevention and cure strategies of fungal infection in 60-year-old or above patients with malignant tumors.METHODS The clinical data of hospital fungal infection in 156 cases who were 60 years old or above were reviewed and analyzed.RESULTS The infection rate was 12.54%.The main site of infection was pharynx oralis(69.23%) and with the primary lungs(30.77%).The main types of fungi were Candida albicans,C.tropicalis and C.krusei.The main susceptible factors were the age,cancer stage,repeated radiotherapy or chemotherapy,physical evaluation score,unreasonable using antibiotics and glucocorticosteroid,unsuitable nursing and medical care of the long-term bed patients and so on.CONCLUSION The key to reductd the hospital fungal infection in elderly patients with malignant tumors is to reduce susceptible factors,promote immunity,timely examine and treat,and unreasonable using of antibiotics and glucocorticosteroid.