[Clinical characteristics of connective tissue disease associated interstitial lung disease in children]

Objective: To elucidate the clinical features of connective tissue disease associated interstitial lung disease (CTD-ILD) in children. Methods: A total of 24 children diagnosed with CTD-ILD and treated in Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center from January 2010 to December 2019 were included in the study. Their medical data including clinical features, lab test, imaging, pulmonary function test, treatment and outcome were analyzed statistically. Results: In these 24 patients, 4 were males and 20 females. Their main clinical presentations were cough (10/24, 42%), shortness of breath (10/24, 42%), tachycardia in quiet state (8/24, 33%), fatigue with activity (7/24, 29%), and fever (6/24, 25%). The main abnormal physical examination findings were moist rales (4/24, 17%) and acropachy (2/24, 8%). There were various abnormal findings in the patients' lab test. All the patients (100%) had pulmonary interstitial changes on chest CT. Eight patients had spirometry test, and all (100%) showed decreased diffusion capacity. After immunosuppressive treatment, 15 cases (63%) improved, 4 cases (17%) gave up or died, while 5 cases (21%) had no significant improvement on the imaging examination. Conclusions: The onset of pediatric CTD-ILD could be insidious. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment may change the prognosis, but are both difficult and need further studies.

RASA1 inhibits the progression of renal cell carcinoma by decreasing the expression of miR-223-3p and promoting the expression of FBXW7

RAS p21 protein activator 1 (RASA1), also known as p120-RasGAP, is a RasGAP protein that functions as a signaling scaffold protein, regulating pivotal signal cascades. However, its biological mechanism in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains unknown. In the present study, RASA1, F-box/WD repeat-containing protein 7 (FBXW7), and miR-223-3p expression were assessed via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Then, the targeted correlations of miR-223-3p with FBXW7 and RASA1 were verified via a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. CCK-8, flow cytometry, and Transwell assays were implemented independently to explore the impact of RASA1 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle progression. Finally, the influence of RASA1 on tumor formation in RCC was assessed in vivo through the analysis of tumor growth in nude mice. Results showed that FBXW7 and RASA1 expression were decreased in RCC tissues and cell lines, while miR-223-3p was expressed at a higher level. Additionally, FBXW7 and RASA1 inhibited cell proliferation but facilitated the population of RCC cells in the G0/G1 phase. Altogether, RASA1 may play a key role in the progression of RCC by decreasing miR-223-3p and subsequently increasing FBXW7 expression.

Role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway in radiation-induced liver injury

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is one of critical cytokines in radiation-induced liver injury. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) are activated in the early stage of radiation-induced liver injury. However, it is currently unclear whether phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K/Akt) signal pathway is activated in radiation-induced liver injury. Herein, male Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated with 6 MV X-rays (30 Gy) on the right liver. Next, Hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, and electron microscopy were performed to examine pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and p-Akt (S473) in liver tissues. In vitro, rat HSC cell line HSC-T6 cells were given different doses of 6 MV X-ray irradiation (10 and 20 Gy) and treated with LY294002. The expression of α-SMA and p-Akt in mRNA and protein levels were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactioin (RT-PCR) and Western blot. TGF-β1 expression was detected by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA). After irradiation, the liver tissues showed obvious pathological changes, indicating the establishment of the radiation-induced liver injury. Expression levels of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and p-Akt (S473) protein in liver tissues were significantly increased after irradiation, and this increase was in a time-dependent manner, suggesting the activation of HSC and PI3K/Akt signal pathway. in vitro experiments showed that the TGF-β1 secreted by HSCs, and the expression of Akt and α-SMA at mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in irradiation groups. However, the expression of TGF-β1, Akt, and α-SMA were significantly decreased in PI3K/Akt signal pathway inhibitor LY294002-treated group. Our results suggest that during radiation-induced liver injury, HSCs are activated by TGF-β1-mediated PI3K/Akt signal pathway.

[Effect of microRNA-27a-3p on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of hepatoma cells]

Objective: To investigate the effect of miR-27a-3p on proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of hepatoma cells. Methods: A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect differential expression of miR-27a-3p in normal hepatic epithelial cells (L02) and hepatoma cells (HepG2 and PLC). Cell experiment was divided into four groups: HepG2 overexpression cells, Mi-27a-3p overexpression group (Mi-27a) and negative control group (Mi-Con); PLC knockdown cells, Mi-27a-3p knockdown group (Mi-inhibitor-27a) and negative control group (Mi-inhibitor-Con). The expression of microRNA-27a-3p in each group after transfection was detected by qPCR analysis. MTT assay was used to detect the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis and cell cycle. One-way ANOVA was used for multiple comparisons, and t-test was used to compare two groups. Results: qPCR results showed that the expression levels of miR-27a-3p in L02, HepG2 and PLC increased sequentially, and the relative expression levels were 1.07 ± 0.04, 4.81 ± 0.64 and 11.31 ± 0.92, respectively (P < 0.05). MTT assay showed that the cell viability of HepG2 cells transfected with miR-27a-3p overexpression plasmid was significantly decreased compared with the negative control group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis assay showed that the apoptosis rate of miR-27a-3p overexpression group was higher than the negative control group (P < 0.05). The cell cycle results showed that the proportion of S phase cells in the miR-27a-3p overexpression cell group was significantly lower than the negative control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, microRNA-27a-3p knockdown validation in PLC cells showed that MTT, apoptosis and cell cycle tests results were opposite to the results of HepG2 overexpression cells, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: miR-27a-3p can significantly inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma cells, promote cell apoptosis, alter the cell cycle distribution, and may become a potential target in hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.

[Multicenter study of human adenovirus infection in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia in China]

Objective: To investigate the predominant genotypes and epidemiological characteristics of human adenovirus (HAdV) in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in China. Methods: This was a repeated cross sectional study. Between November 2014 and November 2016, nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPAs) or throat swabs from each hospitalized pediatric patients diagnosed as CAP in 12 hospitals in Northern and Southern China were collected. Respiratory specimens were screened for 18 respiratory viruses including HAdV by using Luminex xTAG RVP Fast V2 multiplex Assay. Typing of HAdV and analysis for the epidemiological characteristic of HAdV were performed. Results: (1) A total of 2 723 hospitalized pediatric patients with CAP were enrolled in this study and 156 (5.7%, 156/2 723) respiratory specimens were positive for HAdV, and 74 (6.6%, 74/1 128) and 82 (5.1%, 82/1 595) were in Northern and Southern China, respectively. There was no significant difference in the positive detection rate between the Northern and Southern China. (2) In Northern China, the HAdV positive rate of children at the age of <6 months, 6 months-<1 years, 1-<3 years, 3-<5 years and ≥5 years was 5.9%(6/101), 6.7%(7/104), 10.3%(34/331), 4.1%(11/266) and 4.9%(16/326), respectively, and the incidence of HAdV infection peaked in children aged 1-3 years (χ(2)=11.511, P=0.021). While in Southern China the HAdV positive rate of children at the age of <6 months, 6 months-<1 years, 1-<3 years, 3-<5 years and ≥5 years was 2.2% (7/312), 4.6% (12/259), 6.3% (31/494), 7.3% (18/245) and 4.9%(14/285), respectively. There was no significant difference in the positive detection rate among age groups. (3) In 2015, the highest detection rate of HAdV in northern China was 12.5% (25/200) in winter, and in Southern China was 6.7% (35/525) in spring and 5.3% (19/357) in summer. (4) In 108 cases of HAdV positive specimens typing was done and 80 in cases classification was successfully performed.Totally 7 genotypes of HAdV, including HAdV-3 (n=32), HAdV-7 (n=9), HAdV-1 (n=12), HAdV-2 (n=15), HAdV-5 (n=10), HAdV-6 (n=1) and HAdV-4 (n=1), were detected. The predominant HAdV genotypes were HAdV-3 (30.8%, 8/26) and HAdV-7 (26.9%, 7/26) in Northern China, while HAdV-3 (44.4%, 24/54) and HAdV-2 (22.2%, 12/54) were the most prevalent genotypes in Southern China. Conclusions: HAdV is an important viral pathogen in pediatric CAP. The predominant HAdV genotypes and peak seasons of HAdV infections were different between Northern and Southern China. The predominant HAdV genotypes were HAdV-3 and HAdV-7 in Northern China, while HAdV-3 and HAdV-2 in Southern China. The peak season of HAdV infections was winter in Northern China. However, HAdV infections are more common in spring and summer in Southern China.

Correlations of ALDH2 rs671 and C12orf30 rs4767364 polymorphisms with increased risk and prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the Kazak and Han populations in Xinjiang province

OBJECTIVE

Genetic polymorphisms in ALDH2 and C12orf30 genes have been reported to increase the risk of developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). This study aims to investigate the relationship between ALDH2 rs671 and c12orf30 rs4767364 polymorphisms in the chromosome 12q24 gene, and risk and prognosis of individuals developing esophageal cancer (ESCC) in Xinjiang Kazak and Han populations.

METHODS

The case group consisted of 127 ESCC patients. The control group comprised of 125 healthy individuals. Subjects that were recruited all come from Xinjiang province. TaqMan and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium were the main methods employed to detect and examine the distribution of genotypes of rs671 and rs4767364.

RESULTS

The genotype frequencies of ALDH2 rs671 between the Kazak case and control groups were statistically significant, while no significant difference was observed between the Han case and control groups (P>.05). Moreover, ALDH2 rs671 (G>A) was associated with poor prognosis of ESCC in both Kazak and Han populations, and c12orf30 rs4767364 (A>G) was also connected with poor prognosis of ESCC in Kazak but not in Han population.

CONCLUSION

In the chromosome 12q24 locus, ALDH2 rs671 (G>A) is related to the susceptibility to ESCC in Kazak populations, and it is also associated with poor prognosis of EC in Kazak and Han populations. Furthermore, c12orf30 rs4767364 (A>G) may be correlated with poor ESCC prognosis in Kazak population.

Efficacy of radiotherapy for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis in naturally infected sheep

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat cancers. To date, there has been no study focusing on the effects of radiotherapy on hydatid disease in large animals. In this study, we aim to investigate the efficiency and safety of radiotherapy for treating hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus in naturally infected sheep.

METHODS

Ultrasound was used to screen naturally infected sheep in an echinococcosis endemic area in Xinjiang, China. A computer tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of hydatid cysts. Twenty sheep naturally infected with E. granulosus in the liver and/or lungs were randomly assigned into four groups receiving no irradiation, or X-ray irradiation of low (30 Gy), medium (45 Gy), and high dose (60 Gy), respectively. After three months of radiotherapy, a CT scan was performed to measure the changes in the cysts. The hepatic parasite cysts and host tissues were collected for histology and gene expression analysis.

RESULTS

In the animals subject to irradiation, no significant differences were observed in their appetite, daily activities, and weight before and after radiotherapy. Severe calcification was noticed in the cysts subject to a high dose of radiation compared with the groups subject to low and medium doses. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that irradiation contributed to the damage of the cyst structure and nucleus in the germinal layers. Quantitative PCR demonstrated that expression of TPX and HSP70 significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The expression of the EPC1 decreased in the medium- and high-dose groups compared with the low-dose group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of radiation-related apoptosis genes caspase-3 and Gadd45 decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy is an option with satisfactory efficiency and safety for treating cystic echinococcosis in sheep with partial response or stable disease at month 3. In future, inhibition of cystic activity using radiotherapy may serve as a new regimen for treating hydatid disease.

Effect of EBI3 on radiation-induced immunosuppression of cervical cancer HeLa cells by regulating Treg cells through PD-1/PD-L1 pathway

This study aimed to investigate the effect of EBI3 on radiation-induced immunosuppression of cervical cancer HeLa cells by regulating Treg cells through PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway. A total of 43 adult female Wistar rats were selected and injected with HeLa cells in the caudal vein to construct a rat model of cervical cancer. All model rats were randomly divided into the radiotherapy group ( n = 31) and the control group ( n = 12). The immunophenotype of Treg cells was detected by the flow cytometry. The protein expressions of EBI3, PD-1, and PD-L1 in cervical cancer tissues were tested by the streptavidin-peroxidase method. HeLa cells in the logarithmic growth phase were divided into four groups: the blank, the negative control group, the EBI3 mimics group, and the EBI3 inhibitors group. Western blotting was used to detect PD-1 and PD-L1 protein expressions. MTT assay was performed to measure the proliferation of Treg cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis, and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cell ratio in each group. Compared with before and 1 week after radiotherapy, the percentages of CD4⁺T cells and CD8⁺T cells were significantly decreased in the radiotherapy group at 1 month after radiotherapy. Furthermore, down-regulation of EBI3 and up-regulation of PD-1 and PD-L1 were observed in cervical cancer tissues at 1 month after radiotherapy. In comparison to the blank and negative control groups, increased expression of EBI3 and decreased expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 were found in the EBI3 mimics group. However, the EBI3 inhibitors group had a lower expression of EBI3 and higher expressions of PD-1 and PD-L1 than those in the blank and negative control groups. The EBI3 mimics group showed an increase in the optical density value (0.43 ± 0.05), while a decrease in the optical density value (0.31 ± 0.02) was found in the EBI3 inhibitors group. Moreover, compared with the blank and negative control groups, the apoptosis rates of Treg/CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T cells were decreased in the EBI3 mimics group, but the EBI3 inhibitors group exhibited an increase in apoptosis rate. In conclusion, over-expression of EBI3 could reduce the apoptosis of Treg/CD4⁺T/CD8⁺T cells and prevent radiation-induced immunosuppression of cervical cancer HeLa cells by inhibiting the activation of PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway.

RNA-binding protein QKI-5 inhibits the proliferation of clear cell renal cell carcinoma via post-transcriptional stabilization of RASA1 mRNA

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common pathological subtype of renal cancer. Although the recent application of molecular-targeted agents has modestly improved the prognosis of ccRCC patients, their outcome is still poor. It is therefore important to characterize the molecular and biological mechanisms responsible for the development of ccRCC. Approximately 25% ccRCC patients involves the loss of RNA-binding protein QKI at 6q26, but the role of QKI in ccRCC is unknown. Here, we found that QKI-5 was frequently downregulated in ccRCC patients and its down-regulation was significantly associated with clinical features including T status, M status, and differentiation grade, and poorer patient prognosis. Moreover, QKI-5 inhibited the proliferation of kidney cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. The subsequent functional studies showed that QKI-5 stabilized RASA1 mRNA via directly binding to the QKI response element region of RASA1, which in turn prevented the activation of the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway, suppressed cellular proliferation and induced cell cycle arrest. Overall, our data demonstrate a suppressive role of QKI in ccRCC tumourigenesis that involves the QKI-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of the Ras-MAPK signaling pathway.

[Brain metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma: clinical features and prognostic factors in 31 cases]

OBJECTIVE

Brain metastases (BM) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare and are associated with a poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical features and evaluate the prognostic factors of brain metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHODS

The clinical data of thirty-one patients with HCC and BM treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between January 1998 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed to identify possible prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Thrity-one patients were diagnosed with BM from HCC, an incidence rate of 0.61%. The median age at diagnosis of brain metastases was 48.5 years. Twenty-six patients were male. The median interval from diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma to brain metastases was 14 months. The median survival after the diagnosis of BM was 10 weeks. Univariate analysis showed that treatment modality, number of brain lesions, Karnofsky performance score, recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class, and Child-Pugh classification had a statistically significant impact on the survival. The multivariate analysis showed that the low RPA class and aggressive brain radiotherapy were positively associated with improved survival.

CONCLUSION

BM from HCC is rare and associated with an extremely poor prognosis. However, patients with a low RPA class may benefit from aggressive brain radiotherapy.

Diagnostic performance of microRNA-29a for colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

Previous studies have revealed that the expression level of microRNA-29a (miR-29a) was remarkably different in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and healthy controls, indicating that miR-29a can be used as a diagnostic marker of CRC, but the results have been inconsistent. We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic performance of blood-based miR-29a for CRC. We performed a systematic review of studies published over the past two decades to investigate the diagnostic performance of serum miR-29a for the diagnosis of CRC. QUADAS-2 was used to evaluate the quality of the studies. Performance characteristics (diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and other measures of accuracy) were pooled and examined using random-effect models. Five studies, which included 281 CRC patients and 299 healthy controls, met the inclusion criteria. The summary estimates for miR-29a in CRC diagnoses showed a diagnostic sensitivity of 0.59 (95%CI = 0.53-0.65), a specificity of 0.89 (95%CI = 0.85-0.93), and a diagnostic odds ratio of 12.22 (95%CI = 5.07-29.44). The area under curve and Q value for the summary receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.9128 and 0.8453, respectively. In conclusion, miR-29a may be a novel potential biomarker for CRC diagnosis.

IL-8 suppresses E-cadherin expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells by enhancing E-cadherin promoter DNA methylation

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has the highest metastasis potential among head and neck cancers. Distant metastasis is the major cause of treatment failure. Recent studies from our laboratory have revealed that IL-8 promotes NPC metastasis via activation of AKT signaling and induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in the cells. In the present study, we found that IL-8 treatment for NPC cells resulted in an accumulation of DNMT1 protein through activating AKT1 pathway and consequent DNMT1 protein stabilization. Then DNMT1 suppressed E-cadherin expression by increasing the methylation of its promoter region. LY-294002 blocked IL-8-induced p-AKT1 activation resulting in reduction of DNMT1 and increase of E-cadherin expression, whereas forced demethylation using 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored E-cadherin expression. In conclusion, our study, for the first time, shows that the IL-8/AKT1 signaling pathway stabilizes DNMT1 protein, consequently enhancing hypermethylation of E-cadherin promoter regions and downregulating E-cadherin protein level in NPC cells. Upon blockage of the IL-8/AKT pathway and inhibition of DNMT1, E-cadherin expression can be reversed. These data suggest that targeting the IL-8/AKT1 signaling pathway and DNMT1 may provide a potential therapeutic approach for blocking NPC metastasis.

Comparison of the clinical characteristics and survival between Uyghur patients with hepatitis virus-related and non-B, non-C hepatocellular carcinoma in Xinjiang, China

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical characteristics and prognosis between hepatitis virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (viral HCC) and non-B, non-C HCC (NBC-HCC) among Uyghur patients in Xinjiang province, China.

METHODS

Between 01/01/2000 and 31/12/2012, 319 Uyghur HCC patients were treated at the Cancer Centre of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. The data for the patients were obtained from a retrospective review of the patients' medical records. A total of 18 patients were excluded from the study because of incomplete information. The patients were classified into two groups: viral HCC and NBC-HCC. The clinical characteristics and prognostic factors were statistically analysed.

RESULTS

For all 301 patients, gender (P=0.000), area of residence (P=0.002), diabetes mellitus (P=0.009), BMI (P=0.000), cirrhosis (P=0.000), tumour stage (P=0.004), Child-Pugh class (P=0.000), the TBIL level (P=0.000), and the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level (P=0.000) were significantly different between the NBC-HCC and viral HCC groups. The NBC-HCC patients tended to be diagnosed at advanced stages; however, the NBC-HCC patients exhibited lower Child-Pugh scores than the viral HCC patients. In all patients examined, the 0.5-, 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 35.6%, 20.3%, 12.6% and 4.5%, respectively. No significant difference in OS was observed between the two groups (P=0.124). Cox multivariate analysis revealed that age (RR =1.539, P=0.001), TNM stage (RR =12.708, P=0.000), portal vein tumour thrombus (PVTT) (RR =2.003, P=0.000), Child-Pugh class (RR =1.715, P=0.000), and TACE + radiotherapy/RFA (RR =0.567, P=0.000) were significant independent prognostic factors for HCC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical characteristics differ between Uyghur patients with NBC-HCC and viral HCC. HCC in the Xinjiang region displays specific regional characteristics. Age, TNM stage, PVTT, Child-Pugh class and TACE + radiotherapy/RFA are significant risk factors that influence patient survival.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms predisposing to asthma in children of Mauritian Indian and Chinese Han ethnicity

Our objective was to investigate the distributions of six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) MS4A2 E237G, MS4A2 C-109T, ADRB2 R16G, IL4RA I75V, IL4 C-590T, and IL13 C1923T in Mauritian Indian and Chinese Han children with asthma. This case-control association study enrolled 382 unrelated Mauritian Indian children, 193 with asthma and 189 healthy controls, and 384 unrelated Chinese Han children, 192 with asthma and 192 healthy controls. The SNP loci were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism for the Chinese Han samples and TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR for the Mauritian Indian samples. In the Mauritian Indian children, there was a significant difference in the distribution of IL13 C1923T between the asthma and control groups (P=0.033). The frequency of IL13 C1923T T/T in the Mauritian Indian asthma group was significantly higher than in the control group [odds ratio (OR)=2.119, 95% confidence interval=1.048-4.285]. The Chinese Han children with asthma had significantly higher frequencies of MS4A2 C-109T T/T (OR=1.961, P=0.001) and ADRB2 R16G A/A (OR=2.575, P=0.000) than the control group. The IL13 C1923T locus predisposed to asthma in Mauritian Indian children, which represents an ethnic difference from the Chinese Han population. The MS4A2 C-109T T/T and ADRB2 R16G A/A genotypes were associated with asthma in the Chinese Han children.

Significance of expression of Golgi glycoprotein 73 in hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To investigate the expression of Golgi glycoprotein 73 (GP73) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and to analyze its relationship with the clinicopathological features of HCC.

METHODS: Seventy-five hepatocellular carcinoma specimens and matched tumor-adjacent specimens were collected. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of GP73 in the above specimens. The correlation of GP73 expression with the clinicopathological features and prognosis was analyzed.

RESULTS: The positive rate of GP73 expression in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues (χ² = 73.60, P < 0.001). The expression of GP73 was associated with Edmondson pathological grade, TNM stage and vascular invasion (P < 0.001), but not with the patient's gender, age, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), cirrhosis, α-fetoprotein (AFP), portal vein thrombosis or tumor number (P > 0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that HCC patients with high GP73 expression had lower median survival time than those with low GP73 expression (χ² = 28.72, P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that AFP level > 20 ng/mL, TNM stage, and GP73 expression were poor prognostic factors for patients with HCC (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis found that GP73 expression was an independent prognostic factor for HCC (P = 0.07).

CONCLUSION: The expressions of GP73 is high in HCC tissues, which might be associated with tumor malignant behavior and prognosis of HCC patients.

Inhibitory effect of dexamethasone on Lewis mice lung cancer cells

Recent studies have found that glucocorticoids are closely associated with oncogenesis and the development of many types of tumors. The aim of this study was to observe the effect of dexamethasone on the growth and angiogenesis of transplanted Lewis lung carcinoma in mice. Lewis lung carcinoma cells were inoculated subcutaneously into the right axilla of C57BL/6 mice, and the mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group, cisplatin group, and dexamethasone group. From day 7 after inoculation, all the mice were given different treatments for 10 days, and changes in xenograft tumor volumes were monitored. All mice were sacrificed on day 17, and the tumors were obtained and weighed and the tumor inhibitory rate was calculated. The expression levels of hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as the microvessel density (MVD) in the tumor mass, were measured by immunohistochemistry. Tumor growth was suppressed in the cisplatin group and dexamethasone group. The weights of tumors were markedly decreased in the cisplatin group and dexamethasone group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF and the MVD were significantly lower in the cisplatin group and dexamethasone group than in the control group (P < 0.05). However, these levels were not significantly different between the cisplatin group and dexamethasone group (P > 0.05). Dexamethasone can effectively inhibit the growth and angiogenesis of Lewis lung carcinoma by inhibiting the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF.

Predictive impact of common variations in DNA repair genes on clinical outcome of osteosarcoma

We aimed to assess the role of XPG, XPC and MMS19L polymorphisms on response to chemotherapy in osteosarcomas, and the clinical outcomes. One hundred and eighty five osteosarcoma patients who were histologically confirmed were enrolled in our study between January 2007 and December 2009. Genotyping of XPG, XPC and MMS19L was performed in a 384-well plate format on the MassARRAY® platform. Individuals with XPG TT genotype and T allele were more likely to be better response to chemotherapy than CC genotype, with the OR (95% CI) of 4.17 (1.64-11.54) and 2.66 (1.39-5.11), respectively. Those carrying MMS19L TT genotype and T allele showed better response to chemotherapy, with ORs (95% CI) of 4.8 (1.56-17.7) and 2.3 (1.22-4.36), respectively. Patients carrying TT genotype of XPG and MMS19L showed a significantly longer overall survival than CC genotype, with a 0.47 and 0.30-fold risk of death when compared with the wild-type of the gene. XPG and MMS19L are correlated with response to chemotherapy and prognosis of osteosarcoma, so that they could be used as predictive markers for prognosis.

Curative effect of radiotherapy at various doses on subcutaneous alveolar echinococcosis in rats

BACKGROUND

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a disease in human and animals, and the cure rate is unsatisfactory. This study aimed to investigate the curative efficacy of different doses of locally applied radiotherapy on alveolar echinococcosis in rats.

METHODS

Rats infected with Echinococcus multilocularis were randomly divided into 4 groups of 15 rats each: low-, middle-, and high-irradiation groups and a control group. Rats in the control group underwent no treatment, while rats in the irradiation groups received 6-MeV radiotherapy at 20 Gy/8 f, 40 Gy/8 f, and 60 Gy/8 f respectively, once every 3 days for a total of 8 times. One month after radiotherapy, wet weight and AE vesicle inhibitory rate were detected in rats of each group. Histopathologic and ultrastructural observations of tissues with AE lesions were performed.

RESULTS

In the treatment groups, an obvious inhibitory effect was found in AE rats; the inhibitory rates were 50%, 72%, and 82%, respectively. There were also statistical differences in pathological changes and average wet weight of the lesions compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the treatment groups, injuries of various degrees were found in the ultrastructure of the laminated and germinal layers in the capsular wall of AE, and injury was most severe in the high-dose group.

CONCLUSION

Radiotherapy has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the growth of AE.

[X-ray irradiation against Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of X-ray irradiation on Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces in vitro.

METHODS

Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces were collected from cysts of infected Meriones meridianus and then cultured in RPMI 1640 medium. Protoscoleces were subpackaged into culture flasks at a density of about 10(4) per flask after culture for 3 days. Each group has 10 culture flasks. There were seven groups named as blank control group, low dose group (15 Gy and 30 Gy), medium dose group (45 Gy and 60 Gy), high dose group (75 Gy and 90 Gy), albendazole group (2 500 ng/ml), 45 Gy X-ray + 2 500 ng/ml albendazole group, and 75 Gy X-ray + 2 500 ng/ml albendazole group. Protoscoleces received three radiations on every other day with a source-skin distance of 100 cm and at a dose rate of 200 cGy/min after 3 days in culture. At each day after irradiation, protoscoleces were counted by light microscope with 0.1% eosin staining, and calculated mortality rate (per 100 protoscoleces) until all the parasites in experimental groups died. At the same time, the morphological changes of protoscoleces were observed.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in protoscolex mortality between X-ray groups and blank control group (P < 0.05), between X-ray + albendazole groups and albendazole group (P < 0.05). Protoscolex mortality in albendazole group were higher than that of blank control group (P < 0.05). Significant difference were also found in protoscolex mortality between albendazole combined with radiation and radiation only (P < 0.05). Before radiation, protoscoleces was normal with complete structure. After radiation, the parasites were mostly valgus type protoscoleces with disordered rostellar hooks and deformed acetabulum, and finally died.

CONCLUSION

X-ray can kill Echinococcus multilocularis protoscoleces in vitro.

[Relation of the patterns of syndrome differentiation and features of coronary and left ventricular angiocardiography in coronary heart disease]

From 1986-1988, 43 CHD patients were analyzed on the relationship between the patterns of syndrome differentiation and the features of coronary and left ventricular angiocardiography. There were 17/18 cases (94.41%) with fixed stenotic lesions of coronary arteries in the pattern of blood stasis; 1/18 cases (5.5%) had coronary spasm; none was normal. The cases with blood stasis pattern were mostly of old myocardial infarction, effort angina and effort coexisting with spontaneous angina. They complained a fixed squeezing substernal pain provoked by physical exertion. In 14/25 cases (56%) of syndrome differentiation with Qi deficiency and Qi stagnation, the coronary arteries were normal. 3/25 cases (12%) had coronary arterial spasm and 8/25 cases (32%) had stenotic lesions in coronary artery. The cases of Qi deficiency and Qi stagnation were mostly of spontaneous and atypical angina. They complained precordial distress or pain with undefinite location associated with shortness of breath and fatigue. The distress was relieved by a deep breath. Abnormal ejection fraction was seen mostly in the pattern of Qi symptoms and signs but less in the pattern of blood stasis (P less than 0.002). There was no significant difference in platelet aggregation test and echocardiogram between the two patterns.