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Purpose Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is now widely used in gastric cancer patients. However, the current 8th ypTNM staging system is developed based on patients with less extensive lymph node dissection and the predictive value is relatively limited. In this study, we aim to develop and validate a nomogram that predicts overall survival in gastric cancer patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients and methods From January, 2007 to December, 2014, 471 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy at our center were enrolled in the study. Based on the Cox proportional hazard model, a nomogram was developed from them and then an external validation was conducted on a cohort of 239 patients from another cancer center. Results The overall survival (OS) rates of 1 year and 3 years were 90.0% and 64.1%, respectively. Body mass index category, tumor location, T stage and N stage were independent prognostic factors for the survival outcome. The C-index of the model was 0.74 in the development cohort and 0.69 in the validation cohort. Our nomogram also showed good calibration in both cohorts. Conclusion We developed and validated a nomogram to predict the 1- and 3-year OS of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. This nomogram predicts survival more accurately than the AJCC TNM staging system, which is the current golden standard.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is now widely used in gastric cancer patients, while tools available to predict the prognosis are limited. In this study, we aim to develop and validate a nomogram that predicts overall survival in gastric cancer patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: From 01, 2007 to 12, 2014, 471 patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy and received gastrectomy with D2 lymph nodes dissection at Peking University Cancer Hospital in Beijing, China. We developed a nomogram based on the Cox proportional hazard model and conducted external validation using a cohort of 239 patients at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Findings: The OS rate at 1 year and 3 years were 90.0% and 64.1%, respectively. Body Mass Index (BMI) category, tumor location, T stage and N stage were independent prognostic factors for the survival outcome. The C-index of the model was 0.74 in the development cohort and 0.69 in the validation cohort. Our nomogram also showed good calibration for both cohorts. Interpretation: We developed and validated a nomogram to predict the 1 and 3-year OS of patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. This nomogram uses readily available clinicopathologic factors and predicts survival more accurately than the AJCC TNM staging system, which is the current golden standard. Funding Statement: This study was supported by Beijing Municipal Hospital Authority nos. ZYLX201701. Declaration of Interests: The authors state: "None." Ethics Approval Statement: The Ethics Committee of Peking University Cancer Hospital approved this study. All procedures performed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 and later versions. Informed consent or an appropriate substitute was obtained from all patients prior to inclusion in the study.

To investigate the interval time to canceration, clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of carcinoma in remnant stomach (CRS) in patients with primary benign diseases or primary malignant tumors.Based on the criteria of the definition of CRS proposed by Japanese Gastric Cancer Association in 2017, a retrospective analysis was conducted on clinicopathological characteristics of patients diagnosed with CRS at Peking University Cancer Hospital from March 1992 to March 2017. Between patients with primary benign diseases (CBS-B group) and primary malignant tumors (CBS-M group), continuous variables were compared using the Student's t-test or the Mann-Whitney U test; categorical variables were compared using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Spearmen-Rho was used to examine correlation. Survival was estimated and compared using Kaplan-Meier methods. Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to identify independent prognostic factors. Area under ROC curve(AUC) was used to evaluate and compare prediction accuracy.A total of 89 patients were included in the study with a male: female ratio of 5.4 to 1.0. The male: female ratio in CRS-B (n=46) and CRS-M (n=43) group was 14.3 to 1.0 and 2.9 to 1.0 respectively with significant difference (χMen have more CRS than women. The interval time to canceration is correlated to the first operative procedure for CRS-B patients, while it is correlated to the age at the first operation for CRS-M patients. The major location of CRS is in the gastrointestinal anastomosis for CRS-B patients and in non-anastomosis area for CRS-M patients. Main postoperative complications include respiratory and infectious complications. Pathological T staging is an independent prognostic risk factor for CRS patients.

Anemia is an important public health problem among lactating mothers in the developing countries. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of anemia in lactating mothers in Kokang, Myanmar and its associated risk factors. We conducted a cross sectional study of 65 lactating mothers during June-October 2014. Each participant filled out a questionnaire asking about diet, source of drinking water, health status, socioeconomic and demographic factors. Each participant was also evaluated anthropometrically and had blood taken to determine their hemoglobin and their iron, copper, zinc, calcium, and magnesium levels. The prevalence rate of anemia (hemoglobin 81-120 g/l) in study subjects was 73.8%, and 10.8% had severe anemia (hemoglobin ≤ 80 g/l). Factors of malnutrition (mid-upper arm circumference23.5 cm, p = 0.013), iron deficiency (serum iron concentration6.6 mmol/l, p = 0.008), and source of drinking water (p = 0.031) were related to anemia. Fifty-six point three percent of women with anemia had a low serum iron level. Anemia was common among study subjects in Kokang. Since a large portion of women in our study with anemia had a low serum iron level, we conclude the major cause of anemia in our study was iron deficiency.

An Area at War: Alarming Malnutrition Status and its Predictors among Children Aged 6-60 Months Old in Kokang, Myanmar Aim: Myanmar is a populous and impoverished country with military conflicts for over 40 years and Kokang is one of the most turbulent regions. Malnutrition is a major health problem in this area, however researches are limited. This study aims to evaluate the malnutrition condition of children in Kokang, Myanmar and the factors associated with malnutrition. Methods: Data were obtained from 123 children aged from 6 to 60 months. Anthropometrical assessment was performed and validated questionnaires were used to collect socioeconomic and demographic data. Results: Among the children enrolled in this study, 42.5% were found to be stunting, 22.5% were underweight, 8.3% were wasting, 8.3% were thin, 5.9% had a small head circumference, and 3.3% were wasting with amid-upper arm circumference