Lymphovascular invasion as a poor prognostic indicator in thoracic esophageal carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The ability to further stratify patients with esophageal carcinoma (EC) in the same stage into high-risk patients by the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) may permit refinement of multi-modality therapy. However, the role of LVI in the prognosis of EC is not definite. A meta-analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between LVI and EC prognosis. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases for studies on the association between LVI and prognosis of EC. Only studies with patient survival data related to LVI were included. The effect size for this analysis was the hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Thirty-five studies with 9876 patients were included according to the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. LVI was a poor indicator for the OS (HR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.44-1.87, P < 0.001) and RFS (HR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.38-2.34, P < 0.001). However, the heterogeneity was medium in OS (I2 = 61.2%, P < 0.001) and extreme in RFS (I2 = 77.5%, P < 0.001). In subgroup analysis, heterogeneity was originated from the staining method and proportion of early disease (stage (I + II)). We concluded that LVI was a poor prognostic indicator in patients with EC, especially in those studies with the IHC staining method and a high proportion of early disease (stage (I + II)).

[Mid-term clinical outcome of total knee arthroplasty with domestic A3 posterior stabilized prosthesis]

Objective: To observe the mid-term clinical outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with domestic A3 posterior stabilized prosthesis. Methods: The clinical data of 342 patients (438 knees) who underwent primary TKA by the same surgeon from June 2012 to December 2013 in Peking University Third Hospital were retrospectively collected. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to the type of prosthesis: 107 patients (137 knees) with domestic A3 prosthesis, as domestic group; 235 patients (301 knees) with a kind of imported prosthesis, as the control group. In the end, 311 patients (390 knees) received complete follow-up.The postoperative knee maximum flexion angle, postoperative Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score (HSS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), postoperative coronal mechanical axis alignment and hospitalization costs were compared between the groups.Paired t-test was used to compare the preoperative and postoperative data in the same group, and independent sample t-test was used to compare the data between the two groups at the same time points. Results: The average follow-up time of all the patients was (5.6±1.1) years, and it was averaged for 64.8 months in the domestic group and 68.2 months in the control group.There was no significant difference in the HSS score and WOMAC score, the knee maximum flexion angle, and coronal mechanical axis alignment at the 3 months postoperatively and at the end of follow-up between the two groups (t=-0.890, -1.610, 1.740, 0.620, all P>0.05). In 2012, the average hospital cost was (24 879±1 627) yuan/knee in the domestic group and it was (49 611±1 589) yuan/knee in the control group (t=-48.902, P<0.01). In 2013, it was (38 393±2 773) yuan/knee in the domestic group, and was (55 931±3 533) yuan/knee in the control group (t=-14.795, P<0.01). Conclusion: It indicates that the domestic A3 posterior stabilized prosthesis brings comparable mid-term results with the imported prothesis and it reduces medical costs remarkably.

[Clinical observation of postprandial hypotension in patients with hypertensive and coronary heart disease]

Objective: To explore the prevalence and clinical characteristics of postprandial hypotension(PPH) in patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease. Methods: A total of 197 patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease, who had been treated in the First Department of Cardiology of the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December, 2013 to December, 2014 were included. The patients' blood pressure before breakfast, lunch and dinner and 30, 60, 90, 120 minutes after the meal were monitored. Subjects were classified into PPH group (n=37) and non-PPH group (NPPH, n=160) according to postprandial decrease in systolic blood pressure, to explore the clinical characteristics and related factors and the major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events of PPH. Results: Among 197 patients, 37 cases (18.8%) showed at least once postprandial decline in systolic blood pressure greater than and equal to 20 mmHg. The incidence of PPH after breakfast and dinner were higher than lunch (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of PPH among different age groups, among patients accompanied with different diseases, and among patients with different dining position (all P>0.05). According to the baseline systolic blood pressure, patients can be divided into 4 groups(<120 mmHg, 120-129 mmHg, 130-139 mmHg, >140 mmHg), the higher the level of the baseline systolic blood pressure was, the higher the incidence of PPH was. And the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events in patients during hospitalization were increased by PPH. Conclusions: The prevalence of PPH in the patients with essential hypertension and coronary heart disease is 18.8%. The incidence of PPH after breakfast and dinner is higher than lunch. The baseline systolic blood pressure is considered to be the risk factor of PPH. And PPH could lead to an increase of the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebral vascular events.

Utility of apparent diffusion coefficient as an imaging biomarker for assessing the proliferative potential of invasive ductal breast cancer

AIM

To determine the clinical utility of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) metrics for the non-invasive assessment of tumour proliferation indicated by Ki-67 labelling index (LI) in invasive ductal breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty patients with 80 histopathologically proven invasive ductal breast cancers underwent diffusion-weighted imaging with b-values of 0 and 800 s/mm² at a 3-T system. ADC metrics including ADC_mean, ADC_median, ADC_min, ADC_max, and ΔADC (ADC_max-ADC_min) were recorded from the entire tumour volume on ADC maps, and correlated with the Ki-67 LI. Ki-67 staining of ≥14% was considered to indicate high proliferation and <14% was considered to indicate low proliferation.

RESULTS

ADC_min, ADC_max, and ΔADC showed significant correlations with the Ki-67 LI (for all tumours, r=-0.311, 0.436, and 0.551, respectively; for luminal/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative group, r=-0.437, 0.512, and 0.639, respectively; all p<0.01), whereas ADC_mean and ADC_median showed no significant correlation (both p>0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for the differentiation of high- from low-proliferation groups showed that ΔADC yielded the highest area under the ROC curve for the whole tumour population (0.825; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.724, 0.901), as well as for the luminal/HER2-negative group (0.844; 95% CI: 0.692, 0.940).

CONCLUSION

ΔADC may serve as a promising imaging biomarker for the prediction of Ki-67 proliferation status in invasive ductal breast cancer.

Two novel Mg(II)-based and Zn(II)-based complexes: inhibiting growth of human liver cancer cells

Two new Mg(II)-based and Zn(II)-based coordination polymers, {[Mg3(BTB)(DMA)4](DMA)2}n (1, H3BTB=1,3,5-benzenetrisbenzoic acid, DMA=N,N-dimethylacetamide) and {(H2NMe2)2[Zn3(BTB)2(OH)(Im)](DMF)9(MeOH)7}n (2, Im=imidazole, DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide), have been successfully synthesized and structurally characterized under solvothermal conditions. 1 contains a linear [Mg3(COO)6] cluster that connected by the fully deprotonated BTB3- ligands to give a kgd-type 2D bilayer structure; 2 represents a microporous 3D pillar-layered system based on the binuclear Zn units and pillared Im ligands, which shows a (3,5)-connected hms topological net. In addition, in vitro anticancer activities of compounds 1 and 2 on 4 human liver cancer cells (HB611, HHCC, BEL-7405 and SMMC-7721) were determined.

Procainamide-induced autoimmunity: Relationship to T-helper 2-type T-cell activation

Drug-induced autoimmunity (DIA) refers to a group of adverse drug reactions, and they remain unpredictable largely due to the limited understanding of the mechanisms involved. There is evidence that procainamide can cause autoimmune reactions in humans but the mechanisms involved remain unclear. To examine the cellular and genetic factors involved in the procainamide-induced autoimmune response, we compared rats that are genetically T-helper (Th)2-predisposed (Brown Norway (BN)), Th1-predisposed (Lewis (LEW)) or not genetically predisposed (Sprague Dawley (SD)). We revealed significant differences in response to autoimmunity induced by procainamide among three strains rats, BN was the most sensitive one, SD exhibited less sensitive, while LEW resistance to procainamide. Much more pronounced of Th2-type responses and more complex differentially expressed genes involved in immune regulation and response in BN might contribute to its susceptibleness to DIA. Moreover, similar immune mechanisms were found between BN and SD, which suggesting that these changes would serve as the potential bridge biomarkers to predict DIA among species. This study may also benefit to further understand the toxicological mechanism of drug-induced autoimmune reactions.

[Assessment for pain control efficiency of ultrasound guided adductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty: a report of 28 continuous cases]

Objective: To assess the pain control efficiency of continuous adductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty. Methods: From October to December 2015, patients with severe knee osteoarthritis undergoing primary unilateral TKA were observed clinically.All of the patients received ultrasound-guided continuous adductor canal block after surgery.NPRS Pain score in rest and activity at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after surgery were collected, preoperative and postoperative quadriceps strength at 24, 48 h were analyzed. Opioids consumption and anesthesia related adverse effects were also recorded. Results: All of the patients were enrolled. Rest pain control was fairly good(1.8±1.5), (2.4±1.5), (2.7±1.3), (2.7±1.7), (2.3±1.4) score, but the patients were not satisfied with activity pain control(3.1±2.1), (3.1±2.1), (4.2±2.2), (4.7±2.5), (6.2±2.4) score. There were statistically differences comparing the NPRS in rest pain with the score in activity, except for the results between each other at 6 hours (P=0.252>0.05)after surgery.The results showed no significant differences comparing quadriceps strengthpreoperatively with 24, 48 h postoperatively by repeated measurements variance analysis.Eight patients acquired additional use of dolantin once (100 mg/per time) within 24 h and among them three patients acquired once dolantin during 24 to 48 h. Eleven patients complained nausea postoperatively, one reported vomiting and one experienced xerostomia. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided continuous adductor canal block can reduce resting pain after TKA, but has a limited effect in activity pain control.Quadriceps strength had been spared after ACB, which might performearly benefits in rehabilitation. ACB-related complications need further observation to be defined.

A genome-wide association study of heat stress-associated SNPs in catfish

Heat tolerance is a complex and economically important trait for catfish genetic breeding programs. With global climate change, it is becoming an increasingly important trait. To better understand the molecular basis of heat stress, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was carried out using the 250 K catfish SNP array with interspecific backcross progenies, which derived from crossing female channel catfish with male F1 hybrid catfish (female channel catfish × male blue catfish). Three significant associated SNPs were detected by performing an EMMAX approach for GWAS. The SNP located on linkage group 14 explained 12.1% of phenotypical variation. The other two SNPs, located on linkage group 16, explained 11.3 and 11.5% of phenotypical variation respectively. A total of 14 genes with heat stress related functions were detected within the significant associated regions. Among them, five genes-TRAF2, FBXW5, ANAPC2, UBR1 and KLHL29- have known functions in the protein degradation process through the ubiquitination pathway. Other genes related to heat stress include genes involved in protein biosynthesis (PRPF4 and SYNCRIP), protein folding (DNAJC25), molecule and iron transport (SLC25A46 and CLIC5), cytoskeletal reorganization (COL12A1) and energy metabolism (COX7A2, PLCB1 and PLCB4) processes. The results provide fundamental information about genes and pathways that is useful for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms of heat stress. The associated SNPs could be promising candidates for selecting heat-tolerant catfish lines after validating their effects on larger and various catfish populations.

[Effects of malathion on testicular enzyme activities and sperm quality of male rats]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of sub chronic exposure to malathion on testicular enzyme activities and sperm quality of male rats.

METHODS

Forty male rats were divided into four groups: three exposure groups and a control group. Malathion was administered orally to male rats at 0, 33.75, 54.00, and 108.00 mg/kg for 60 days to evaluate the toxic alterations in sperm dynamics and testicular enzyme activities including ACP,LDH,SDH and γ-GT. The control rats were administered with an equivalent volume of distilled water in the same manner.After sacrificed, the testes were collected and weighed.

RESULTS

The body weight and the testis weight of animals showed a decreasing tendency, and there was a statistical difference between the 54.00, 108.00 mg/kg groups, and the control group (P<0.05). Malathion brought about marked reduction in testicular sperm counts, sperm motility, and significant growth of sperm malformation rate in 108.00 mg/kg group. A significant decrease in the activities of testicular enzyme ACP and γ-GT was observed in malathion exposed rats, while the activities of LDH was significant increased and there were no obvious effects on the activities of SDH. The activities of ACP, γ-GT and LDH showed a statistical difference between the 108.00 mg/kg groups, and the control group.

CONCLUSION

Malathion reduced the sperm counts and sperm motility, increased the malformation rate and reduced the activities of testicular enzymies of male rats.

Adjuvant therapies using normobaric oxygen with hypothermia or ethanol for reducing hyperglycolysis in thromboembolic cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Normobaric oxygen (NBO), ethanol (EtOH), and therapeutic hypothermia (TH) delivered alone or in combination have neuroprotective properties after acute stroke. We used an autologous thromboembolic rat stroke model to assess the additive effects of these treatments for reducing the deleterious effects of hyperglycolysis post-stroke in which reperfusion is induced with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion with an autologous embolus. One hour after occlusion, rt-PA was administered alone or with NBO (60%), EtOH (1.0 g/kg), TH (33 °C), either singly or in combination. Infarct volume and neurological deficit were assessed at 24h after rt-PA-induced reperfusion with or without other treatments. The extent of hyperglycolysis, as determined by cerebral glucose and lactate levels was evaluated at 3 and 24h after rt-PA administration. At the same time points, expressions of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), glucose transporter 3 (Glut3), phosphofructokinase1 (PFK-1), and lactate dehydrogenase were (LDH) measured by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Following rt-PA in rats with thromboembolic stroke, NBO combined with TH or EtOH most effectively decreased infarct volume and neurological deficit. As compared to rt-PA alone, EtOH or TH but not NBO monotherapies significantly reduced post-stroke hyperglycolysis. The increased utilization of glucose and production of lactate post-stroke was prevented most effectively when NBO was combined with either EtOH or TH after reperfusion with rt-PA, as shown by the significantly decreased Glut1, Glut3, PFK-1, and LDH levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In a rat thromboembolic stroke model, both EtOH and TH used individually offer neuroprotection after the administration of rt-PA. While NBO monotherapy does not appear to be effective, it significantly potentiates the efficacy of EtOH and TH. The similar neuroprotection and underlying mechanisms pertaining to the attenuation of hyperglycolysis provided by EtOH or TH in combination with NBO suggest a possibility of substituting EtOH for TH. Thus a combination of NBO and EtOH, which are widely available and easily used, could become a novel and effective neuroprotective strategy in the clinical setting.

Facile, tunable, and SERS-enhanced HEPES gold nanostars

The facile, green synthesis of gold nanostars (AuNSs) with tunable branch lengths for SERS applications.

Enterococcus faecalis attenuates osteogenesis through activation of p38 and ERK1/2 pathways in MC3T3-E1 cells

AIM

To explore the role of Enterococcus faecalis in the proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of osteoblasts.

METHODOLOGY

Pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with heat-killed E. faecalis ATCC 29212 and clinical E. faecalis P25RC strains, respectively. Cell proliferation, mineralized calcium deposition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and apoptosis were assessed at various time-points. The expression levels of osteogenic-related genes including ALP, osteocalcin (OC), runt-related protein 2 (Runx2) and collagen type 1 (COL1) were also analysed throughout the duration of the experiment. Additionally, the involvement of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signalling pathways was analysed by Western blotting. In the presence of culture supernatant from E. faecalis-treated murine macrophages, apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells was detected with flow cytometry. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (anova), and P < 0.05 was considered significantly different.

RESULTS

E. faecalis significantly inhibited proliferation (P < 0.05) and also significantly induced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells (P < 0.05), whilst differentiation seemed to be unaffected after 7 days of E. faecalis treatment. However, osteogenic differentiation was significantly inhibited with 21-day E. faecalis treatment (P < 0.05). The p38 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation pathways associated with mineral deposition and apoptosis were significantly activated in MC3T3-E1 cells. The culture supernatants from E. faecalis-treated macrophages induced osteoblast apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

E. faecalis exerted an inhibitory effect on osteogenesis in pre-osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells via phosphorylation of p38 and ERK1/2.

Current advances in the novel functions of hypoxia-inducible factor and prolyl hydroxylase in invertebrates

Oxygen is essential for aerobic life, and hypoxia has very severe consequences. Organisms need to overcome low oxygen levels to maintain biological functions during normal development and in disease states. The mechanism underlying the hypoxic response has been widely investigated in model animals such as Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a key gene product in the response to oxygen deprivation, is primarily regulated by prolyl hydroxylase domain enzymes (PHDs). However, recent findings have uncovered novel HIF-independent functions of PHDs. This review provides an overview of how invertebrates are able to sustain hypoxic damages, and highlights some recent discoveries in the regulation of cellular signalling by PHDs. Given that some core genes and major pathways are evolutionarily conserved, these research findings could provide insight into oxygen-sensitive signalling in mammals, and have biomedical implications for human diseases.

High-density interspecific genetic linkage mapping provides insights into genomic incompatibility between channel catfish and blue catfish

Catfish is the leading aquaculture species in the United States. The interspecific hybrid catfish produced by mating female channel catfish with male blue catfish outperform both of their parent species in a number of traits. However, mass production of the hybrids has been difficult because of reproductive isolation. Investigations of genome structure and organization of the hybrids provide insights into the genetic basis for maintenance of species divergence in the face of gene flow, thereby helping develop strategies for introgression and efficient production of the hybrids for aquaculture. In this study, we constructed a high-density genetic linkage map using the hybrid catfish system with the catfish 250K SNP array. A total of 26,238 SNPs were mapped to 29 linkage groups, with 12,776 unique marker positions. The linkage map spans approximately 3240 cM with an average intermarker distance of 0.25 cM. A fraction of markers (986 of 12,776) exhibited significant deviation from the expected Mendelian ratio of segregation, and they were clustered in major genomic blocks across 15 LGs, most notably LG9 and LG15. The distorted markers exhibited significant bias for maternal alleles among the backcross progenies, suggesting strong selection against the blue catfish alleles. The clustering of distorted markers within genomic blocks should lend insights into speciation as marked by incompatibilities between the two species. Such findings should also have profound implications for understanding the genomic evolution of closely related species as well as the introgression of hybrid production programs in aquaculture.