[Thinking and strategy selection on the quality control of early gastric cancer]

With the developing technique of the diagnosis and treatment of early gastric cancer, the quality of early gastric cancer diagnosis and treatment is coming into focus, and is crucial to improve the overall management of gastric cancer. It is necessary to establish a quality control system to ensure the quality of diagnosis and treatment for EGC. Based on the summary of the diagnosis and treatment status and technological progress of early gastric cancer, this paper proposes the quality control strategy, content and plan for the diagnosis and treatment process of EGC from the aspects of multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment, clinical diagnosis technology, endoscopic and surgical treatment, pathological diagnosis and follow-up, with a view to expound the rationality, standardization and quality guarantee of the diagnosis and treatment process for early gastric cancer.

Long-term prognostic benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach after radical resection: A national multicenter study

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus on whether adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is effective for hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between AC and the long-term prognosis of patients with HAS.

METHODS

The clinicopathological data of 239 patients with primary HAS who underwent radical surgery from April 1, 2004 to December 31, 2019 in 14 centers in China were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into the AC group (127 patients) and the nonadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) group (112 patients).

RESULTS

Kaplan‒Meier (KM) analysis showed that there were no significant differences in the 1-year3-year overall survival rate (OS) and 1-year, 3-year recurrence-free survival rate (RFS) between the AC group and the NAC group (1-year OS: 85.6% vs. 79.8%, 3-year OS: 59.8% vs. 62.4%, 1-year RFS: 69.8% vs. 74.4%, 3-year RFS: 57.2% vs. 55.9%, all P > 0.05). The subpopulation treatment effect pattern plots (STEPP) did not show treatment heterogeneity of AC in patients with HAS. The proportions of local recurrence and metastasis sites in the two groups were similar. Although the smoothed hazard curves of the NAC and AC groups crossed, the peak hazard time was later in the AC group (5.9 and 4.7 months), and the peak hazard rate was lower (0.032 and 0.038, P = 0.987).

CONCLUSION

The current AC regimen may not significantly improve the survival of patients with HAS after radical surgery.

[Analysis of the 1-year curative efficacy of sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch in patients with super obesity]

Objective: To evaluate the 1-year postoperative efficacy of four bariatric procedures, namely sleeve gastrectomy (SG), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S), and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS) for treating super obesity. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the clinical data of 40 patients with super obesity (body mass index [BMI]≥50 kg/m2) who had undergone bariatric surgery in the China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University from November 2015 to December 2020. The study cohort consisted of 21 men and 19 women of average age 31.7±9.0 years. The preoperative weight and BMI were (159.2±16.9) kg and (53.4±3.0) kg/m2, respectively. Prior to the surgery, 30 individuals had hypertension, 27 hyperuricemia, 15 type 2 diabetes, 10 abnormally high total cholesterol, 20 abnormally high triglycerides, and 24 abnormally high low-density lipoprotein. We divided the participants into four groups according to the type of operation: SG group (n=16), RYGB group (n=9), SADI-S group (n=9) and BPD/DS group (n=6). We examined the following factors: weight, BMI, excess weight loss (%), total weight loss (%), and remission of preoperative metabolic diseases (including hypertension, hyperuricemia, type 2 diabetes, and hyperlipidemia) 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The variables assessed for hypertension were systolic and diastolic blood pressure; for type 2 diabetes, glycated hemoglobin; and for hyperlipidemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein 1-year after the surgery. The safety of surgery was also assessed. Results: All patients successfully completed laparoscopic procedures, none of them requiring conversion to laparotomy. The amount of blood loss during surgery was less than 50 mL. Postoperative hospital stay was 6-16 days. There were no deaths during the perioperative period. However, two postoperative complications occurred in the RYGB group, namely bleeding and anastomotic leakage. No complications were detected in the other groups. At 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery, percentage of excess weight loss was 36.6±11.0, 62.4±15.7, and 68.2±16.0 (F=21.830, P<0.001) in the SG group; 30.6±6.9, 42.5±5.8, and 50.6±11.1 (F=13.222, P<0.001) in the RYGB group; 39.7±7.8, 54.6±12.7, and 81.9±12.0 (F=33.821, P<0.001) in the SADI-S group; and 40.2±4.8, 57.7±11.8, and 82.8±14.9 (F=21.552, P<0.001), respectively, in the BPD/DS group. The percentage of excess weight loss increased significantly over the 12-month observation period in all groups . Compared with before surgery, hypertension and hyperuricemia in the SG, SADI-S, and BPD-DS groups showed significant improvement after one year (all P<0.05). However, only the SADI-S group exhibited a significant decrease in glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations (P=0.038). Only the BPD-DS group showed significant decreases in various indicators of hyperlipidemia (all P<0.05). The improvements in obesity-related complication indexes did not reach statistical significance in the RYGB group (all P>0.05). Conclusion: SG, RYGB, SADI-S and BPD/DS are all safe and effective treatments for super obesity. All of these procedures can improve the associated metabolic diseases to a certain extent.

[Progress in the treatment of early gastric cancer with Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery]

With the introduction of minimally invasive methods into the field of surgery, the concept of early gastric cancer (EGC) treating has gradually changed from the pursuit of standardized traditional surgical methods to precise, individualized, interdisciplinary collaborative management. Both endoscopic therapy and laparoscopic surgery have their limitations for early gastric cancer treatment. Meanwhile, Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) combines the advantages of endoscopy and laparoscopy to perform local gastric resection and regional lymph node dissection, providing a more effective surgical approach for radical resection of early gastric cancer. The application of LECS in the treatment of early gastric cancer has been increasing, from the initial laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection to the evolvement of a variety of improved procedures such as combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach for neoplasia with a non-exposure technique, non-exposed endoscopic wall-inversion surgery, and the possibility of combined (sentinel lymph node drainage area) regional lymph node dissection or sentinel lymph node navigation surgery, which expands the indications for endoscopic surgery and maximizes the preservation of normal gastric tissue structure and function while ensuring radical treatment, and will certainly become an important development direction in the treatment of early gastric cancer in the future.

[Exploration of the clinical application of combined endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery in early gastric cancer: 15 cases]

Objective: To investigate the application of combined gastroscopy and laparoscopy (dual scope) in the treatment of early gastric cancer. Methods: In this descriptive case series study, we retrospectively collected data on 15 patients with cT1b stage gastric cancer who had undergone combined laparoscopic and endoscopic surgery in the 900th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army of China from May 2020 to October 2022. The study cohort comprised nine men and six women of median age 59 (range: 47-76) years and median body mass index 20.9 (range: 18.3-26.2) kg/m2. Seven of the lesions were located on the lesser curvature of the gastric antrum and eight in the gastric angle. All lesions were biopsied for pathological examination and evaluated by endoscopic ultrasonography, followed by endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and laparoscopic regional lymph node dissection. Studied variables included surgical and pathological features, postoperative factors, and outcomes. Results: In this group of patients, the median (range) operative time for ESD was 45 (30-82) minutes, the duration of laparoscopic lymph node dissection (45.1±8.6) minutes, and the median (range) intraoperative blood loss during lymph node dissection 30 (10-80) mL. Of the 13 patients with negative postoperative horizontal margins, four were stage SM1 and had no lymph node metastases (Stage SM1) and nine were Stage SM2, of which had one positive regional lymph node and two received additional standard distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy concurrently because of positive ESD specimens (lymph node negative). No lymph node metastases were found in the surgical specimens of these patients. The remaining two patients had positive vertical margins; both had undergone concurrent standard distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. One of them was found to be lymph node positive (No. 3, one node). Four patients had impaired gastric emptying after dual-scope treatment, all of whom recovered well with symptomatic management; one patient with a suspected lymphatic leak was also managed conservatively. There were no cases of postoperative bleeding, abdominal infection, or incisional infection. At a median follow-up of 14 (6-26) months, no tumor recurrence or metastasis had been identified in any of the patients. Three patients had a grade B nutrition score 3 to 6 months after surgery, all of whom had undergone major gastrectomy, and two patients who had undergone dual-scope surgery reported an increase in acid reflux and belching after surgery compared with the preoperative period. Conclusion: A combined technique is safe and feasible for the treatment of early gastric cancer and is worthy of further exploration.

Nomogram to Predict Recurrence and Guide a Pragmatic Surveillance Strategy After Resection of Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach: A Retrospective Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND

An accurate recurrence risk assessment system and surveillance strategy for hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS) remain poorly defined. This study aimed to develop a nomogram to predict postoperative recurrence of HAS and guide individually tailored surveillance strategies.

METHODS

The study enrolled all patients with primary HAS who had undergone curative-intent resection at 14 institutions from 2004 to 2019. Clinicopathologic variables with statistical significance in the multivariate Cox regression were incorporated into a nomogram to build a recurrence predictive model.

RESULTS

The nomogram of recurrence-free survival (RFS) based on independent prognostic factors, including age, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen, number of examined lymph nodes, perineural invasion, and lymph node ratio, achieved a C-index of 0.723 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.674-0.772) in the whole cohort, which was significantly higher than those of the eighth American Joint Committed on Cancer (AJCC) staging system (C-index, 0.629; 95% CI, 0.573-0.685; P < 0.001). The nomogram accurately stratified patients into low-, middle-, and high-risk groups of postoperative recurrence. The postoperative recurrence risk rates for patients in the middle- and high-risk groups were respectively 3 and 10 times higher than for the low-risk group. The patients in the middle- and high-risk groups showed more recurrence and metastasis, particularly multiple site metastasis, within 36 months after the operation than those in the low-risk group (low, 2.2%; middle, 8.6%; high, 24.0%; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The nomogram achieved good prediction of postoperative recurrence for the patients with HAS after radical resection. For the middle- and high-risk patients, more active surveillance and targeted examination methods should be adopted within 36 months after the operation, particularly for liver and multiple metastases.

[Interpretation for indications of metabolic and bariatric surgery released by ASMBS and IFSO in 2022]

With the increasing number of obese patients worldwide, metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) has quickly become an effective way to treat obesity and related metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, lipid abnormalities, etc. Although MBS has become an important part of general surgery, there is still controversy regarding the indications for MBS. In 1991, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a statement on the surgical treatment of severe obesity and other related issues, which continues to be the standard for insurance companies, health care systems, and hospital selection of patients. The standard no longer reflects the best practice data and lacks relevance to today's modern surgeries and patient populations. After 31 years, in October 2022, the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) and the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO), the world's leading authorities on weight loss and metabolic surgery, jointly released new guidelines for MBS indications, based on increasing awareness of obesity and its comorbidities and the accumulation of evidence of obesity metabolic diseases. In a series of recommendations, the eligibility of patients for bariatric surgery has been expanded. Specific key updates include the following: (1) MBS is recommended for individuals with BMI≥35 kg/m², regardless of the presence, absence, or severity of co-morbidities; (2) MBS should be considered for individuals with metabolic diseases and BMI 30.0-34.9 kg/m²; (3) the BMI threshold should be adjusted for the Asian population:: BMI≥25 kg/m² suggest clinical obesity, and BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/m² population should consider MBS; (4) Appropriately selected children and adolescents should be considered for MBS.

[Influence of postoperative complications on prognosis of gastric cancer-The manifestation of gastric surgeon's skill, responsibility and empathy]

Radical gastrectomy combined with perioperative comprehensive treatment is the main curable strategy for gastric cancer patients, and postoperative complications are the issue that gastric surgeons have to face. Complications not only affect the short-term postoperative recovery, but also facilitate tumor recurrence or metastasis, thus resulting in poor prognosis. Therefore, unifying the diagnostic criteria for postoperative complications, bringing the surgeons' attention to complications, and understanding the potential mechanism of complications undermining long-term survival, will be helpful to the future improvement of the clinical diagnosis and treatment as well as prognosis for gastric cancer patients in China. Meanwhile, surgeons should constantly hone their operative skills, improve their sense of responsibility and empathy, and administer individualized perioperative management based on patients' general conditions, so as to minimize the occurrence of postoperative complications and their influence on prognosis.

[Effects of three-dimensional bioprinting antibacterial hydrogel on full-thickness skin defect wounds in rats]

Objective: To explore the effects of three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting gelatin methacrylamide (GelMA) hydrogel loaded with nano silver on full-thickness skin defect wounds in rats. Methods: The experimental research method was adopted. The morphology, particle diameter, and distribution of silver nanoparticles in nano silver solution with different mass concentrations and the pore structure of silver-containing GelMA hydrogel with different final mass fractions of GelMA were observed by scanning electron microscope and the pore size was calculated. On treatment day 1, 3, 7, and 14, the concentration of nano silver released from the hydrogel containing GelMA with final mass fraction of 15% and nano silver with final mass concentration of 10 mg/L was detected by mass spectrometer. At 24 h of culture, the diameters of inhibition zone of GelMA hydrogel containing final mass concentration of 0 (no nano silver), 25, 50, and 100 mg/L nano silver against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were detected. Fibroblasts (Fbs) and adipose stem cells (ASCs) were isolated respectively by enzymatic digestion using the discarded prepuce after circumcision from a 5-year-old healthy boy who was treated in the Department of Urology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine in July 2020, and the discarded fat tissue after liposuction from a 23-year-old healthy woman who was treated in the Department of Plastic Surgery of the Hospital in July 2020. The Fbs were divided into blank control group (culture medium only), 2 mg/L nano sliver group, 5 mg/L nano sliver group, 10 mg/L nano sliver group, 25 mg/L nano sliver group, and 50 mg/L nano sliver group, which were added with the corresponding final mass concentrations of nano sliver solution, respectively. At 48 h of culture, the Fb proliferation viability was detected by cell counting kit 8 method. The Fbs were divided into 0 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, 10 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, 50 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, and 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group and then were correspondingly treated. On culture day 1, 3, and 7, the Fb proliferation viability was detected as before. The ASCs were mixed into GelMA hydrogel and divided into 3D bioprinting group and non-printing group. On culture day 1, 3, and 7, the ASC proliferation viability was detected as before and cell growth was observed by live/dead cell fluorescence staining. The sample numbers in the above experiments were all 3. Four full-thickness skin defect wounds were produced on the back of 18 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 4 to 6 weeks. The wounds were divided into hydrogel alone group, hydrogel/nano sliver group, hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver group, and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group, and transplanted with the corresponding scaffolds, respectively. On post injury day (PID) 4, 7, 14, and 21, the wound healing was observed and the wound healing rate was calculated (n=6). On PID 7 and 14, histopathological changes of wounds were observed by hematoxylin eosin staining (n=6). On PID 21, collagen deposition of wounds was observed by Masson staining (n=3). Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, Bonferroni correction, and independent sample t test. Results: The sliver nano particles in nano silver solution with different mass concentrations were all round, in scattered distribution and uniform in size. The silver-containing GelMA hydrogels with different final mass fractions of GelMA all showed pore structures of different sizes and interconnections. The pore size of silver-containing GelMA hydrogel with 10% final mass fraction was significantly larger than that of silver-containing GelMA hydrogels with 15% and 20% final mass fractions (with P values both below 0.05). On treatment day 1, 3, and 7, the concentration of nano silver released from silver-containing GelMA hydrogel in vitro showed a relatively flat trend. On treatment day 14, the concentration of released nano silver in vitro increased rapidly. At 24 h of culture, the diameters of inhibition zone of GelMA hydrogel containing 0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L nano silver against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were 0, 0, 0.7, and 2.1 mm and 0, 1.4, 3.2, and 3.3 mm, respectively. At 48 h of culture, the proliferation activity of Fbs in 2 mg/L nano silver group and 5 mg/L nano silver group was both significantly higher than that in blank control group (P<0.05), and the proliferation activity of Fbs in 10 mg/L nano silver group, 25 mg/L nano silver group, and 50 mg/L nano silver group was all significantly lower than that in blank control group (P<0.05). Compared with the that of Fbs in 0 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group, the proliferation activity of Fbs in 50 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group and 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was all significantly decreased on culture day 1 (P<0.05); the proliferation activity of Fbs in 50 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was significantly increased (P<0.05), while the proliferation activity of Fbs in 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was significantly decreased on culture day 3 (P<0.05); the proliferation activity of Fbs in 100 mg/L silver-containing GelMA hydrogel group was significantly decreased on culture day 7 (P<0.05). The proliferation activity of ASCs in 3D bioprinting group show no statistically significant differences to that in non-printing group on culture day 1 (P>0.05). The proliferation activity of ASCs in 3D bioprinting group was significantly higher than that in non-printing group on culture day 3 and 7 (with t values of 21.50 and 12.95, respectively, P<0.05). On culture day 1, the number of dead ASCs in 3D bioprinting group was slightly more than that in non-printing group. On culture day 3 and 5, the majority of ASCs in 3D bioprinting group and non-printing group were living cells. On PID 4, the wounds of rats in hydrogel alone group and hydrogel/nano sliver group had more exudation, and the wounds of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver group and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group were dry without obvious signs of infection. On PID 7, there was still a small amount of exudation on the wounds of rats in hydrogel alone group and hydrogel/nano sliver group, while the wounds of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver group and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group were dry and scabbed. On PID 14, the hydrogels on the wound surface of rats in the four groups all fell off. On PID 21, a small area of wounds remained unhealed in hydrogel alone group. On PID 4 and 7, the wound healing rates of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group were significantly higher than those of the other three groups (P<0.05). On PID 14, the wound healing rate of rats in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group was significantly higher than the wound healing rates in hydrogel alone group and hydrogel/nano sliver group (all P<0.05). On PID 21, the wound healing rate of rats in hydrogel alone group was significantly lower than that in hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group (P<0.05). On PID 7, the hydrogels on the wound surface of rats in the four groups remained in place; on PID 14, the hydrogel in hydrogel alone group was separated from the wounds of rats, while some hydrogels still existed in the new tissue of the wounds of rats in the other three groups. On PID 21, the collagen arrangement in the wounds of rats in hydrogel alone group was out of order, while the collagen arrangement in the wounds of rats in hydrogel/nano sliver group, and hydrogel scaffold/nano sliver/ASC group was relatively orderly. Conclusions: Silver-containing GelMA hydrogel has good biocompatibility and antibacterial properties. Its three-dimensional bioprinted double-layer structure can better integrate with new formed tissue in the full-thickness skin defect wounds in rats and promote wound healing.

Immune-based combination therapy to convert immunologically cold tumors into hot tumors: an update and new insights

As a breakthrough strategy for cancer treatment, immunotherapy mainly consists of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and other immunomodulatory drugs that provide a durable protective antitumor response by stimulating the immune system to fight cancer. However, due to the low response rate and unique toxicity profiles of immunotherapy, the strategies of combining immunotherapy with other therapies have attracted enormous attention. These combinations are designed to exert potent antitumor effects by regulating different processes in the cancer-immunity cycle. To date, immune-based combination therapy has achieved encouraging results in numerous clinical trials and has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for certain cancers with more studies underway. This review summarizes the emerging strategies of immune-based combination therapy, including combinations with another immunotherapeutic strategy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, anti-angiogenic therapy, targeted therapy, bacterial therapy, and stroma-targeted therapy. Here, we highlight the rationale of immune-based combination therapy, the biomarkers and the clinical progress for these immune-based combination therapies.

Observation of a Strongly Isospin-Mixed Doublet in ^{26}Si via β-Delayed Two-Proton Decay of ^{26}P

β decay of proton-rich nuclei plays an important role in exploring isospin mixing. The β decay of ^{26}P at the proton drip line is studied using double-sided silicon strip detectors operating in conjunction with high-purity germanium detectors. The T=2 isobaric analog state (IAS) at 13 055 keV and two new high-lying states at 13 380 and 11 912 keV in ^{26}Si are unambiguously identified through β-delayed two-proton emission (β2p). Angular correlations of two protons emitted from ^{26}Si excited states populated by ^{26}P β decay are measured, which suggests that the two protons are emitted mainly sequentially. We report the first observation of a strongly isospin-mixed doublet that deexcites mainly via two-proton decay. The isospin mixing matrix element between the ^{26}Si IAS and the nearby 13 380-keV state is determined to be 130(21) keV, and this result represents the strongest mixing, highest excitation energy, and largest level spacing of a doublet ever observed in β-decay experiments.

[A case report of congenital osteogenesis imperfacta with corneal ectasia]

An 8-year-old male patient was admitted to ophthalmology for bilateral progressive blurred vision for 5 years. He had a history of multiple spontaneous fractures. Ocular examination revealed best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 0.5 in the right eye and 0.6 in the left eye. Slitlamp examination showed bilateral blue sclerae, thining of the entire cornea and corneal ectasia. General physical examination demonstrated multi-site ligamentous laxity. The diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfacta was made. The patient was advised to wear rigid gas permeable contact lens with large diameter and stabilized peripheral curve, and the BCVA achieved 0.8 for both eyes.

[A case of bacterial keratitis after lamellar keratoplasty for pterygium]

A 48-year-old man presented to Beijing Tongren Hospital Ophthalmology Department with redness, increased secretions and vision loss in his right eye. He had been treated with pterygium excision and lamellar keratoplasty due to recurrent pterygium in the right eye. After corneal scraping and microbial culture, he was diagnosed as bacterial keratitis after pterygium lamellar keratoplasty in the right eye. After applying topical antibiotic eye drops, removing corneal graft and conducting amniotic membrane transplantation, corneal infection was controlled and his vision was recovered.

Hypersampones A-C, Three Nor-Polycyclic Polyprenylated Acylphloroglucinols with Lipid-Lowering Activity from Hypericum sampsonii

Hypersampones A-C (1-3), three unprecedented nor-polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs), were isolated from Hypericum sampsonii. These compounds represent the first nor-PPAPs with an unexpected tetracyclic 6/5/5/6 ring system. Their structures were assigned through the analysis of detailed spectroscopic data, X-ray crystallography, and electronic circular dichroism calculations. Compound 1 significantly inhibited the accumulation of lipid in an oleic acid-treated HepG2 cell model by suppressing the protein expression of FAS and ACACA at 5 μM.

Baicalein inhibits macrophage lipid accumulation and inflammatory response by activating the PPARγ/LXRα pathway

Lipid accumulation and inflammatory response are two major risk factors for atherosclerosis. Baicalein, a phenolic flavonoid widely used in East Asian countries, possesses a potential atheroprotective activity. However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study was performed to explore the impact of baicalein on lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells. Our results showed that baicalein up-regulated the expression of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), ABCG1, liver X receptor α (LXRα), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), promoted cholesterol efflux, and inhibited lipid accumulation. Administration of baicalein also reduced the expression and secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Knockdown of LXRα or PPARγ with siRNAs abrogated the effects of baicalein on ABCA1 and ABCG1 expression, cholesterol efflux, lipid accumulation as well as pro-inflammatory cytokine release. In summary, these findings suggest that baicalein exerts a beneficial effect on macrophage lipid accumulation and inflammatory response by activating the PPARγ/LXRα signaling pathway.

Prognostic role of myeloid-derived tumor-associated macrophages at the tumor invasive margin in gastric cancer with liver metastasis (GCLM): a single-center retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Liver metastasis is one of the important factors leading to poor prognosis of gastric cancer. According to the classic "seed soil theory", it is speculated that the liver microenvironment at the invasion margin of gastric cancer liver metastases (GCLM) may have a crucial impact on tumor progression. However, few studies had stated the correlation between the patients' prognosis and the densities of stromal cells infiltrating into the invasive margin, where our retrospective study designed to identify the role of infiltrating macrophages on the prognosis of GCLM as a reliable supplement of predictive tumor markers.

METHODS

The material consisted of a group of 72 gastric cancer (GC) patients with liver metastasis diagnosed from February 2015 and December 2020. The CD68+, CD206+, and Clec4f+ macrophages in their specimens were counted by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and the analysis area was the invasive margin of metastatic lesions. Clinical data were collected retrospectively. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the date of initial diagnosis to the date of last follow-up or death. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Multivariate Cox regression was performed to asses impact of macrophages on OS.

RESULTS

The expression of CD206 could indicate the prognosis of patients with GCLM, and patients with high expression of CD206 had worse prognoses (P=0.0002). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that CD206 was an independent risk factor for prognosis (HR 5.276, 95% CI: 1.730-16.089, P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The CD206+ myeloid-derived tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) may predict whether patients could benefit from R1 resection of liver-metastatic lesions, which has important theoretical significance and practical value for accurately evaluating the clinical prognosis of patients with GCLM and guiding clinical treatment.

[Detection of the spontaneous blinking pattern of dry eye patients using the machine learning method]

Objective: To establish a method to record the spontaneous blink pattern with a machine learning model, and to clarify the spontaneous blink pattern in patients with dry eye. Methods: It was a cross-setional study.We selected 357 dry eye patients (102 males and 255 females), aged (46.2±13.3) years, who visited corneal specialist clinics of Beijing Tongren Eye Center in 2019, as the dry eye group. The control group enrolled 152 normal controls, including 32 males and 120 females, aged (48.1±13.9) years. All participants completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, blink video capture, lipid layer thickness measurement, tear break-up time measurement, corneal fluorescein staining, and Schirmer Ⅱ test. Based on the assembled model built using UNet image segmentation algorithm and ResNet image classification algorithm, single frames of the blink video were analyzed, and then the palpebral opening height of each frame was obtained in order to establish a spontaneous blink wave. Finally, the characteristics of spontaneous blinks in dry eye patients were analyzed based on different types of complete blinks (types A, B and C) and partial blinks (types Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ). Independent sample t test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to judge if there was significant difference between the dry eye group and the normal group. Results: The accuracy of the segmentation model and the classification model was 96.3% and 96.0%, respectively, and the consistency with the manual analysis was 97.9%. In dry eye patients, the number of blinks was 30 (18, 42)/min, which was higher than that in normal controls [20 (9, 46)/min] (U=18 132.50, P=0.002). The number of complete blinks in dry eye cases was significantly lower than that in normal controls [6 (3, 24)/min vs. 12 (3,33)/min; U=12 361.00, P=0.016], and the number of partial blinks was significantly higher than that in normal controls [15 (6, 27)/min vs. 3 (0, 10)/min; U=22 839.00, P<0.001]. In complete blinks, the proportion of type A blinks in dry eye patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls [53.7% (2 796/5 177) vs. 39.3% (633/1 698); χ²=101.83, P<0.001]; in partial blinks, the proportion of type Ⅱ blinks in dry eye patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls [36.0%(2 334/6 477) vs. 29.6%(126/426); χ²=6.99, P=0.007]. The average interblink interval of dry eye patients was 1.2 s, which was not significantly different from that of normal controls (1.1 s; U=15 230.00, P=0.093). The eyelid closed phase of dry eye patients was 0.8 s, which was significantly shorter than that of normal controls (1.3 s; U=16 291.50, P=0.006). There were no significant differences in eyelid closing phase, early opening phase and late opening phase between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: In dry eye patients, the number of partial blinks increased, the number of complete blinks decreased, and the duration of eyelid closed phase shortened significantly. The main blink patterns of dry eye patients included type Ⅱ partial blinks with a reduced closure amplitude and type A complete blinks with a shortened closure time.

Emerging roles of growth differentiation factor-15 in brain disorders (Review)

Brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and cerebral stroke, are an important contributor to mortality and disability worldwide, where their pathogenesis is currently a topic of intense research. The mechanisms underlying the development of brain disorders are complex and vary widely, including aberrant protein aggregation, ischemic cell necrosis and neuronal dysfunction. Previous studies have found that the expression and function of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) is closely associated with the incidence of brain disorders. GDF15 is a member of the TGFβ superfamily, which is a dimer-structured stress-response protein. The expression of GDF15 is regulated by a number of proteins upstream, including p53, early growth response-1, non-coding RNAs and hormones. In particular, GDF15 has been reported to serve an important role in regulating angiogenesis, apoptosis, lipid metabolism and inflammation. For example, GDF15 can promote angiogenesis by promoting the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, apoptosis of prostate cancer cells and fat metabolism in fasted mice, and GDF15 can decrease the inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharide-treated mice. The present article reviews the structure and biosynthesis of GDF15, in addition to the possible roles of GDF15 in Alzheimer's disease, cerebral stroke and Parkinson's disease. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the mechanism underlying the role of GDF15 in various brain disorders, which hopes to provide evidence and guide the prevention and treatment of these debilitating conditions.

Assessment of Clinicopathological Characteristics and Development of an Individualized Prognostic Model for Patients With Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach

IMPORTANCE

Few studies have examined the clinicopathological characteristics and prognoses of patients with hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS).

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinicopathological characteristics and prognoses of patients with HAS and develop a nomogram to predict overall survival (OS).

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prognostic study involved a retrospective analysis of data from 315 patients who received a diagnosis of primary HAS between April 1, 2004, and December 31, 2019, at 14 centers in China.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

OS and prognostic factors. Patients were randomly assigned to a derivation cohort (n = 220) and a validation cohort (n = 95). A nomogram was developed based on independent prognostic factors identified through a multivariable Cox mixed-effects model.

RESULTS

Among 315 patients with HAS (mean [SD] age, 61.9 [10.2] years; 240 men [76.2%]), 137 patients had simple HAS (defined as the presence of histologically contained hepatoid differentiation areas only), and 178 patients had mixed HAS (defined as the presence of hepatoid differentiation areas plus common adenocarcinoma areas). Patients with simple HAS had a higher median preoperative α-fetoprotein level than those with mixed HAS (195.9 ng/mL vs 48.9 ng/mL, respectively; P < .001) and a higher rate of preoperative liver metastasis (23 of 137 patients [16.8%] vs 11 of 178 patients [6.2%]; P = .003). The 3-year OS rates of patients with simple vs mixed HAS were comparable (56.0% vs 60.0%; log-rank P = .98). A multivariable Cox analysis of the derivation cohort found that the presence of perineural invasion (hazard ratio [HR], 2.13; 95% CI, 1.27-3.55; P = .009), preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels of 5 ng/mL or greater (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.08-2.74; P = .03), and pathological node category 3b (HR, 3.72; 95% CI, 1.34-10.32; P = .01) were independent risk factors for worse OS. Based on these factors, a nomogram to predict postoperative OS was developed. The concordance indices of the nomogram (derivation cohort: 0.72 [95% CI, 0.66-0.78]; validation cohort: 0.72 [95% CI, 0.63-0.81]; whole cohort: 0.71 [95% CI, 0.66-0.76]) were higher than those derived using the American Joint Committee on Cancer's AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (8th edition) pathological tumor-node-metastasis (pTNM) staging system (derivation cohort: 0.63 [95% CI, 0.57-0.69]; validation cohort: 0.65 [95% CI, 0.56-0.75]; whole cohort: 0.64 [95% CI, 0.59-0.69]) and those derived using a clinical model that included pTNM stage and receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy (derivation cohort: 0.64 [95% CI, 0.58-0.69]; validation cohort: 0.65 [95% CI, 0.56-0.75]; whole cohort: 0.64 [95% CI, 0.59-0.69]). Based on the nomogram cutoff of 10 points, the whole cohort was divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. The 3-year OS rate of patients in the high-risk group was significantly lower than that of patients in the low-risk group (29.7% vs 75.9%, respectively; log-rank P < .001), and the 3-year prognosis of high-risk and low-risk groups could be further distinguished into pTNM stage I to II (33.3% vs 80.2%; exact log-rank P = .15), stage III (34.3% vs 71.3%; log-rank P < .001), and stage IV (15.5% vs 70.3%; log-rank P = .009).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This study found that perineural invasion, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels of 5 ng/mL or greater, and pathological node category 3b were independent risk factors associated with worse OS. An individualized nomogram was developed to predict OS among patients with HAS. This nomogram had good prognostic value and may be useful as a supplement to the current American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging system.

Long Non-Coding RNA LINC01569 Promotes Proliferation and Metastasis in Colorectal Cancer by miR-381-3p/RAP2A Axis

Background

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) display regulatory function flexibly in tumor onset and developments. Our study aimed to delve into the roles of lncRNA LINC01569 (LINC01569) in colorectal cancer (CRC) progression to study the potential mechanisms.

Methods

The genetic expression profiles of miR-381-3p and LINC01569 were measured by RT-PCR. The subcellular localization of LINC01569 in CRC cells was identified using subcellular fractionation location. Loss-of-function assays were performed to explore the potential effects of LINC01569 on CRC progression. Dual-luciferase reporter analysis was employed to verify the binding connections among LINC01569, miR-381-3p, and RAP2A.

Results

LINC01569 expression was distinctly increased in CRC. Curiously, if LINC01569 is removed, CRC cells will not migrate, proliferate, and invade remarkably. Molecular mechanism exploration uncovered that LINC01569 acted as a ceRNA competing with RAP2A to bind with miR-381-3p. Furthermore, rescue experiments corroborated the fact that miR-381-3p suppression reversed the inhibitory actions of LINC01569 knockdown on the expression of RAP2A and CRC progression.

Conclusion

Overall, our findings indicate that LINC01569 plays a key role in CRC development by means of aiming at the miR-381-3p/RAP2A axis and can be equivalent to an underlying medicinal target to save CRC patients.

[Real world research on the growth pattern of preterm children with different birth weight]

Objective: To investigate the physical indices and growth status of preterm children aged 0 to 4 years with different birth weight. Methods: Following the real world research approach, the current study retrospectively collected e-chart information of 8 496 preterm children from the child health care system of the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from December 2010 to December 2017, with 203 123 full-term children followed up during the same period as controls. Premature children were divided into normal birth weight (NBW) group, low birth weight (LBW) group, and very low birth weight (VLBW) group based on their birth weights. The weight and length development within 48 months of age of preterm boys and girls in each group were measured and recorded to establish a numerical table and analyze the growth levels, growth rate, and proportionality. The t-test or chi-square test was used for between-group comparison. Results: Of the 8 496 preterm children, 4 839 were girls and 3 657 boys, including 525 in the VLBW group, with an average birth weight of (1.28±0.14) kg, 3 862 in the LBW group, with an average birth weight of (2.07±0.28) kg, and 4 109 in the NBW group, with an average birth weight of (2.86±0.35) kg. The weight at the actual age of 2-<3 months ((5.61±0.96) vs. (5.64±0.78) kg in boys, (5.11±0.67) vs. (5.18±0.71) kg in girls) and the length at the actual age of 8-<10 months ((70.3±2.4) vs. (70.6±2.4) cm in boys, (68.9±2.2) vs. (68.9±2.4) cm in girls) in the NBW group reached the average weight and length of full-term children. The difference of physical growth before 24 months of age between LBW and control group decreased as children age, with that of LBW group approaches the average of full-term children after 24 months of age, with a weight difference of 0.64-0.95 kg and height difference of 1.3-1.7 cm. The weight and height of the VLBW group were lower than those of full-term infants (2.80-2.86 kg and 3.3-4.3 cm, respectively) at 48 months of age. During 2-12 months of age, the corresponding values of the VLBW group were higher than that of the LBW and NBW groups by 0.35 kg and 0.71 kg, respectively. However, the corresponding values of the VLBW group were lower than that of the LBW and NBW groups(0.64 kg and 0.76 kg at 0-2 months of age, 1.04 kg and 1.49 kg at 12-48 months of age, respectively). The rates of delayed development, underweight, and emaciation were the highest in the VLBW group (all P<0.01), while the rates of overweight and obesity were the highest in the NBW group, with that of the VLBW group being lower than LBW group (P<0.01) at the age of 24-<36 months. Conclusions: Prior to 4 years of age, the time for preterm children to reach the average physical indices of full-term children differ by birth weights, hence warranting further examination of the corrected gestational age for preterm children. Normal birth weight preterm children present with the highest incidence of overweight and obesity and very low birth weight preterm children present with the highest incidence of growth disorders, marking both groups at high risks of malnutrition.

Midkine: A multifaceted driver of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis constitutes the pathological basis of life-threatening events, including heart attack and stroke. Midkine is a heparin-binding growth factor and forms a small protein family with pleiotrophin. Under inflammatory or hypoxic conditions, midkine expression is up-regulated. Upon binding to its receptors, midkine can activate multiple signal pathways to regulate cell survival and migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and oncogenesis. Circulating midkine levels are significantly increased in patients with essential hypertension, obesity or severe peripheral artery disease. Importantly, midkine exerts a proatherogenic effect by altering multiple pathophysiological processes involving atherogenesis, including macrophage lipid accumulation, vascular inflammation, neointima formation, insulin resistance and macrophage apoptosis. Midkine represents a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis-associated diseases. This review described the structure characteristics, expression patterns and signal transduction pathways of midkine with an emphasis on its role in atherosclerosis.

CTRP1 decreases ABCA1 expression and promotes lipid accumulation through the miR-424-5p/FoxO1 pathway in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells

Prevention of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1)-dependent cholesterol efflux leads to lipid accumulation in macrophages and atherosclerosis development. C1q tumor necrosis factor-related protein 1 (CTRP1), a conserved paralog of adiponectin, has been shown to aggravate atherosclerosis via its proinflammatory property. However, very little is known about its effects on ABCA1 expression and macrophage lipid accumulation. In the current studies, we found that CTRP1 downregulated ABCA1 expression, inhibited cholesterol efflux to apoA-I and promoted lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophage-derived foam cells. Forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), a transcriptional repressor of ABCA1, was identified as a direct target of miR-424-5p. Mechanistically, CTRP1 attenuated miR-424-5p levels and then augmented FoxO1 expression in the nucleus, which led to downregulation of ABCA1 expression and inhibition of cholesterol efflux. In conclusion, these findings suggest that CTRP1 restrains cholesterol efflux and facilitates macrophage lipid accumulation through the miR-424-5p/FoxO1/ABCA1 signaling pathway, thereby providing a novel mechanistical insight into its proatherosclerotic action.

Hypermoins A-D: Rearranged Nor-Polyprenylated Acylphloroglucinols from the Flowers of Hypericum monogynum

Hypermonins A-D (1-4), four rearranged nor-polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) with unprecedented skeletons, together with two new biosynthesis related PPAPs (5 and 6) were isolated and identified from the flowers of Hypericum monogynum. Hypermoins A-D represented the first examples of highly modified norPPAPs characterized by a rare 7/6/6/5-tetracyclic system. From the biogenic synthesis pathway analysis, all isolates shared the same biosynthetic intermediate, and the addition of two methyls or one methyl to this intermediate through methyltranferase could generate different types of PPAPs (1-7). Their planner structures as well as absolute configuration were confirmed via spectroscopic analysis, ECD calculation, and X-ray crystallography. All isolates potentially reversed multidrug resistance (MDR) activity in both two cancer cells, HepG2/ADR and MCF-7/ADR. Specifically, hypermoin E (5) and hyperielliptone HA (7) were found to be the best MDR modulators with the reversal fold ranging from 41 to 236, which is higher than the positive control verapamil.

Two new seco-polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol from Hypericum sampsonii

Two rare seco-polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (1 and 2) were isolated from Hypericum sampsonii. Compounds 1 and 2 showed moderate multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal activity to resistant cancer cells, HepG2/ADR and MCF-7/ADR.

Improved reliability of mechanical behavior for a thermal tempered lithium disilicate glass-ceramic by regulating the cooling rate

Traditional thermal tempering was applied to lithium disilicate (LD) glass-ceramic specimens with bar-like and disc-like shapes. The tempering process was conducted by heating the specimens to a temperature below the dynamic softening point, and then rapid cooling in silicone oil with different temperatures ranging from room-temperature to 300 °C to regulate the cooling rate. Effect of the oil-temperature on mechanical behavior of the tempered glass-ceramic was investigated. For the tempering at the lower oil-temperature (e.g., at room-temperature), it was found that the LD glass-ceramic specimens with both the bar-like and disc-like shapes could be remarkably strengthen and toughen, however, obvious anisotropy in fracture toughness was displayed by the specimens with the bar-like shape. With increasing the oil-temperature up to 250 °C, the mechanical anisotropy of the bar-like specimens could be significantly alleviated without much loss of the strengthening effect. The results can provide references for improving reliability of mechanical behavior for the tempered LD glass-ceramic by regulating the cooling condition according to specimen geometry.

[Advances in research of microRNA in the growth and development of mandibular condyle cartilage]

MicroRNA (miRNA) are a class of small non-coding single-stranded RNA that exert their biological effects by binding to target messenger RNA (mRNA). There is new evidence that miRNA may play an important role in regulating the growth and development of mandibular condylar cartilage. In this paper, the production and mechanism of miRNA are reviewed, and the progress of studies on the growth and development of mandibular condylar cartilage, which is helpful to further study the growth and development of mandibular condylar cartilage.

[Nutritional support therapy during treatment of chronic critical illness]

Chronic critical illness (CCI) refers to a group of critically ill patients who survive the acute phase of intensive care, but with persistent organ dysfunction, thus entering a chronic period of continuous dependence on life support system, and still need to stay in intensive care unit (ICU) for a long time. Persistent inflammatory response-immunosuppression-catabolic syndrome (PICS) is the main pathophysiological feature of CCI. Three factors interact to form a vicious circle, leading to poor prognosis. Nutritional support therapy is a key link in the comprehensive treatment of CCI. Enteral nutrition (EN) should be started as soon as possible if conditions permit. If EN can not be implemented, temporary or transitional parenteral nutrition (PN) should be used, and EN should be added gradually in time. At the same time, the amount of PN should be gradually reduced. When EN meets more than 60% of patients' energy and protein requirements, PN can be considered to be discontinued. The main strategies and functions of CCI nutritional support therapy are as follows: strengthening high protein supply to correct negative nitrogen balance and inhibit catabolism, selecting branched chain amino acids (BCAA) to promote anabolism, using immunomodulators (arginine, ω3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) to improve immune suppression and inflammatory response, supplementing micronutrients (vitamins and trace elements) to counteract the decrease in intake and the increase in consumption, and adding probiotics to maintain the intestinal microecological balance, and so on. Reasonable nutritional support therapy not only improve malnutrition of CCI patients, but also help to reduce complications, thus speeding up rehabilitation, improving prognosis, shortening ICU hospitalization time, and even reducing mortality.

Prognostic and pathological impact of tumor budding in gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Tumor budding, is a promising prognostic hallmark in many cancers, and can help us better assess the degree of malignancy in gastric cancer (GC) and in colorectal cancer. In the past few years, several articles on the relationship between tumor budding and GC have been published, but different results have been observed. As the relationship between tumor budding and GC remains controversial, we integrated the data from 7 eligible studies to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM

To systematically evaluate the prognostic and pathological impact of tumor budding in GC.

METHODS

Literature searches were conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE and Web of Science databases, and 7 cohort studies involving 2178 patients met our criteria and included in the analysis. The patients were divided into those with high-grade tumor budding and those with low-grade tumor budding, and the cut-off values for tumor budding varied across the included studies. The hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the impact of tumor budding on overall survival (OS) in GC patients. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95%CIs were used to determine the correlation between tumor budding and pathological parameters (tumor stage, tumor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, lymph node metastasis) of GC.

RESULTS

Seven studies involving 2178 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The combined ORs suggested that high-grade tumor budding was significantly associated with tumor stage (OR = 6.63, 95%CI: 4.01-10.98, P < 0.01), tumor differentiation (OR = 3.74, 95%CI: 2.68-5.22, P < 0.01), lymphovascular invasion (OR = 7.85, 95%CI: 5.04-12.21, P < 0.01), and lymph node metastasis (OR = 5.75, 95%CI: 3.20-10.32, P < 0.01). Moreover, high-grade tumor budding predicted a poor 5-year OS (HR = 1.79, 95%CI: 1.53-2.05, P < 0.01) in patients with GC and an adverse 5-year OS (HR = 1.93, 95%CI: 1.45-2.42, P < 0.01) in patients with intestinal-type GC.

CONCLUSION

High-grade tumor budding suggested a poor prognosis in patients with GC or intestinal-type GC.

[Role of lncRNA Fez family zinc finger protein 1 antisense RNA1 in hepatocellular carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the effect of long-chain non-coding RNA Fez family zinc finger protein 1 antisense RNA1 (lncRNA FEZF1-AS1) on the biological function of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: SMMC771 and BEL-7402 cells were transfected with sh-FEZF1-AS1 and OE-FEZF1-AS1, respectively. The expression of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 was detected by real-time quantitative PCR. Cell proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The effects of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 on invasion and migration were detected by Transwell and wound healing assays. The expression levels of adhesion molecules were detected by Western blot. The effect of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 on the in vivo growth was verified by nude mice xenograft experiments. Results: The silencing or ectopic expression of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 inhibited or promoted the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. CCK-8 assay showed that the proliferation abilities of SMMC7721 and BEL-7402 cells in sh-FEZF1-AS1 transfection group significantly decreased, achieving (35.43±4.06)% and (34.68±3.97)%, respectively, on the fifth day. There were significant differences between sh-FEZF1-AS1 group and sh-NC group [52.21±8.46)% and (53.76±7.64)%] (all P<0.05). In contrast, the proliferation ability of SMMC7721 and BEL-7402 cells transfected with OE-FEZF1-AS1 was significantly increased, achieving (83.49±6.92)% and (80.31±3.13)%, respectively, on the fifth day. There were significant differences between OE-FEZF1-AS1 and OE-NC group [53.03±8.84)% and (55.11±7.09)%] (all P<0.05). The subsequent flow cytometry results showed that cell apoptotic rates of SMMC7721 and BEL-7402 cells transfected with sh-FEZF1-AS1 were (13.02±1.38)% and (11.88±1.29)%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in sh-NC groups [(5.57±1.46)% and (8.06±1.42)%, respectively, all P<0.05]. In contrast, the apoptotic rates of SMMC7721 and BEL-7402 cells transfected with OE-FEZF1-AS1 were (3.01±0.39)% and (3.22±0.43)%, which were significantly lower than those in OE-NC groups [(6.68±0.96)% and (6.63±0.45)%, all P<0.05]. In addition, knockdown or overexpression of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 expression inhibited or enhanced the migration and invasion abilities as well as the levels of adhesion molecules in hepatocellular carcinoma cells. After 30 days of feeding under the same conditions, the tumor volumes of sh-FEZF1-AS1 and sh-NC SMMC7721 cells xenograft mice models were (0.26±0.03) cm(3) and (0.63±0.06) cm(3), respectively, showing significant difference (P<0.05). The tumor volumes of sh-FEZF1-AS1 and sh-NC BEL-7402 cells were (0.31±0.02) cm(3) and (0.72±0.08) cm(3), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 may strengthen the growth, migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

[One case of severe subcutaneous soft tissue infection caused by nonstandard insulin injection]

On January 1st 2018, a male 44 years old diabetic patient with subcutaneous soft tissue infection in right thigh was admitted to our hospital. The patient repeatedly used the same needle to inject insulin subcutaneously in the unsterilized right thigh, and his blood glucose was badly controlled in the long term. Severe subcutaneous soft tissue infection of the right thigh occurred after his fatigue, accompanied with ketoacidosis. Then he received conservative treatment in the local hospital for one month, but the infection persisted. After being transferred to our hospital, we highly suspected the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis according to previous test indicators and local B-ultrasound results, but suggestion of aggressive surgery was refused. So we treated him with conservative therapies using sensitive antibiotics and supportive remedies. The patient was basically healed after treatment of 1 month and he was recovered well during the follow-up 2 months after discharged from our hospital. This case emphasizes the importance of standard injection of insulin and early diagnosis of severe subcutaneous soft tissue infection.

The lncRNA UCA1 promotes proliferation, migration, immune escape and inhibits apoptosis in gastric cancer by sponging anti-tumor miRNAs

Background

UCA1 is a long non-coding RNA which was found overexpressed in various human cancers including gastric cancer (GC). It is identified that UCA1 promotes GC cells proliferation, migration and invasion, however, the role of UCA1 during the processes of immune escape is still not unclear.

Methods

We collected 40 paired GC and non-tumor tissue samples. The level of UCA1 in GC and control tissue samples were determined by in situ hybridization and qRT-PCR. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. GC cells’ migration capacities were examined by transwell assay. To understand the roles of UCA1 during immune escape, wildtype or UCA1 KO GC cells co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells or cytokine-induced killer cells in vitro. Mouse model was used to examine the function of UCA1 in vivo.

Results

UCA1 promoted GC cells proliferation and migration, and inhibit apoptosis. UCA1 repressed miR-26a/b, miR-193a and miR-214 expression through direct interaction and then up-regulated the expression of PDL1. UCA1-KO GC cells could induce a higher IFNγ expression when co-cultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and have a lower survival rate when co-cultured with cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells in vitro. UCA1-KO GC cells formed smaller tumors, had higher miR-26a, −26b, −193a and − 214 level, reduced cell proliferation and increased apoptosis in xenograft mouse model.

Conclusions

UCA1 overexpression protected PDL1 expression from the repression of miRNAs and contributed to the GC cells immune escape. UCA1 could serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for GC treatment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12943-019-1032-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

[Application of closed negative pressure irrigation and suction device in the treatment of high perianal abscess]

Objective: To explore the efficacy of closed negative pressure irrigation and suction device (Patent number: Z200780013509.8) in the treatment of high perianal abscess. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2016, ≥18-year-old patients with primary high perianal abscess who were treated at our department were prospectively enrolled. Exclusion criteria: (1) recurrent perianal abscess; (2) complicated with anal fistula formation; (3) preoperative, intraoperative or postoperative physical therapy, and curettage treatment, negative pressure irrigation; (4) Crohn's disease-related perianal abscess; (5) with immunosuppressive status, such as transplant recipients; (6) co-existence of malignant tumors, such as leukemia; (7) with diabetes; (8) those who could not receive long-term follow-up and were not suitable to participate in this study. According to the random number table method, the patients were randomly divided into negative pressure irrigation and suction group and routine drainage group. All patients were clearly diagnosed and the location and size of the perianal abscess were marked before surgery. These two groups were treated as follows: (1) Negative pressure irrigation and suction group: the skin was incised at a diameter of 1-2 cm at the site where the abscess fluctuated most obviously. After the abscess was removed, a closed negative pressure irrigation and suction device was installed and the pressure of -200 to -100 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) was maintained to keep the abscess cavity collapsed. Generally, the irrigation was stopped 5 days later or when the drainage was clear. The closed vacuum suction was maintained for 2 additional days, before the wound was sutured. (2) Conventional drainage group: conventional incision and drainage was carried out. The skin was cut at a diameter of 8 to 10 cm at the site of abscess with most obvious fluctuation. After the abscess was removed, normal saline gauze was used for dressing. Dressing was changed regularly until the wound healed. The efficacy, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, incision length, frequency of dressing change, pain index (visual analogue score, VAS score), postoperative healing time, complications, recurrence rate of perianal abscess, anal fistula formation rate were observed. The t test and χ² test were used for comparison between the 2 groups. Results: There were both 40 patients in the negative pressure irrigation and suction group and the conventional drainage group. There were 28 males and 12 females in negative pressure irrigation and suction group with a mean age of (38.3±12.0) years and mean disease course of (6.6±2.1) days. The abscess in pelvic-rectal space accounted for 50.0% (20/40) and the mean diameter of abscess was (8.0±3.7) cm. There were 26 males and 14 females in the conventional drainage group with a mean age of (37.1±11.8) years and mean disease course of (6.4±2.5) days. The abscess in pelvic-rectal space accounted for 55.0% (22/40) and the diameter of abscess was (8.2±3.5) cm. The differences in baseline data between two groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Both groups successfully completed the operation. There was no significant difference in operative time between two groups (P>0.05). As compared to conventional drainage group, intraoperative blood loss in negative pressure irrigation and suction group was less [(12.1±5.5) ml vs. (18.3±4.4) ml, t=5.606, P<0.001], incision length was shorter [(2.3±0.8) cm vs. (7.6±1.7) cm, t=17.741, P<0.001], postoperative VAS pain scores at 1-, 3-, 7-, and 14-day after operation were lower [3.7±1.4 vs. 7.6±1.8, t=10.816, P<0.001; 3.0±1.3 vs. 6.8±1.6, t=11.657, P<0.001; 2.7±0.9 vs. 5.1±1.1, t=10.679, P<0.001; 1.2±0.3 vs. 1.6±0.4, t=5.060, P=0.019], the dressing change within 7 days after operation was less (3.5±1.2 vs. 12.6±2.7, t=19.478, P<0.001), postoperative healing time was shorter [(10.4±3.0) d vs. (13.5±3.8) d, t=4.049, P<0.001] and postoperative complication rate was lower [17.5% (7/40) vs. 2.5% (1/40), χ²=5.000, P=0.025]. During follow-up of 12 to 36 (24±5) months, the recurrence rate of perianal abscess within 1 year after operation and anal fistula formation rate in negative pressure irrigation and suction group were lower than those in conventional drainage group [5.0% (2/40) vs. 20.0% (8/40), χ²=4.114, P=0.042 and 2.5% (1/40) vs. 17.5% (7/40), χ²=5.000, P=0.025, respectirely]. The one-time cure rate of negative pressure irrigation and suction group and conventional drainage group was 92.5% (37/40) and 62.5%(25/40), respectirely (χ²=10.323, P=0.001). Conclusions: The application of the negative pressure irrigation and suction device in the treatment of high perianal abscess can improve the efficiency of one-time cure, reduce postoperative pain, accelerate healing time, decrease the morbidity of postoperative complication and the rates of abscess recurrence and anal fistula formation, indicating an improvement of the treatment.

Discrete Superconducting Phases in FeSe-Derived Superconductors

A general feature of unconventional superconductors is the existence of a superconducting dome in the phase diagram. Here we report a series of discrete superconducting phases in the simplest iron-based superconductor, FeSe thin flakes, by continuously tuning the carrier concentration through the intercalation of Li and Na ions with a solid ionic gating technique. Such discrete superconducting phases are robust against the substitution of 20% S for Se, but they are vulnerable to the substitution of 2% Cu for Fe, highlighting the importance of the iron site being intact. The superconducting phase diagram for FeSe derivatives is given, which is distinct from that of other unconventional superconductors.

[Physiological characteristics of Echinococcus and their association with interventions against echinococcosis]

Alveolar and cystic echinococcosis are important zoonotic diseases caused by the dog/fox tapeworms of Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis, which are distributed in almost whole the world. The diseases remarkably impact on the people's health and economic development of communities. Echinococcus tapeworms need two mammalian animals to complete their lifecycle. The worms undergo different developmental stages (adult, egg/oncosphere, cyst, and protoscolex). Each stage has its own distinct physiological characteristics. We summarize the characteristics and emphasize that some features that strongly impact on design of control program. Based on the lifecycle of these worms, two stages are infectious, one is egg the only stage for primarily infecting humans and intermediate host, and another stage is protoscolex, the only stage for infecting the definite hosts of the worms. Eggs are produced by the adult worms parasitized in the intestine of definite hosts. It takes 45 days for eggs becoming mature in dogs. With this feature of the tapeworm, New Zealand and Tasmania in Australia designed control program for deworming 8 times annually with an interval between deworms at 45 days. E. multilocularis takes 28-30 days in dog/fox producing mature eggs. Given that co-existence of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis in western China, a control measure so called "prepatent deworming control measure" has been used in these endemic areas with dosing worms in dogs every month. It normally takes 12-15 months for producing protosocleces in E. granulosus cysts in sheep. If meat markets attract most lambs, that is an effective measure for controlling cystic echinococcosis given that there are no protoscoleces produced from those lambs. In addition, Echinococcus has its own unique biological characteristics, such as sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction, single-cell layer structure of cyst, bidirectional development of protoscoleces induced by bile salts, and long term of infection causing host asymptomatic reaction make the parasites a models for addressing some biological and biomedical issues. And more, hydatid cyst fluid is the antigen resource for identifying diagnostic reagents; the specific gene expressed in oncospheres has been developed as an effective vaccine used for control program. With the development and application of high-throughput omics, including genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics, we can use the physiological characteristics of Echinococcus for searching diagnostic reagents, developing preventive vaccines and identify new drug targets.

Measurement of Ti-6Al-4V alloy ignition temperature by reflectivity detection

Fires resulting from titanium combustion are complex and violent processes which can instantly burn a titanium alloy once ignited. The occurrence of titanium combustion is a disaster for aircraft. Accurate measurement of the ignition temperature of titanium alloys is of significance in preventing such fires and in investigating combustion-resistance properties. In this study, monochromatic temperature and emissivity measurement methods based on reflectivity detection were used to determine the ignition temperature of a titanium alloy. Experiments were carried out using a titanium burning apparatus. The temperatures of titanium in the oxidation stage before ignition and in the combustion stage during the ignition process were measured using wavelengths of 1050 nm and 940 nm, respectively. Experimental results showed that the ignition temperature of the titanium alloy could be measured by reflectivity detection and that measurement precision during thermal oxidation (500-900 °C) was ±1 °C. The temperature of the ignition process ranged between 1653 and 1857 °C, and the ignition temperature was around 1680 °C.

[Implement of multimodal navigation-based virtual reality in the needle biopsy of intracranial eloquent lesions]

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of multimodal navigation-based virtual reality (MNVR) in the needle biopsy of intracranial eloquent lesions. Methods: From January 2016 to January 2017, 20 patients with intracranial deep-seated lesions involving eloquent brain areas underwent MNVR-aided needle biopsy at Department of Neurosurgery, People's Liberation Army General Hospital. Preoperatively, MNVR was used to propose and revise the biopsy planning. Intraoperatively, navigation helped trajectory avoid the eloquent structures. Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) was performed to prove the biopsy accuracy and detect the intraoperative complications. Perioperative neurological status, iMRI findings, intraoprative complications, surgical outcome and pathological diagnosis were recorded. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was conducted to compare the preoperative and postoperative neurological scores. Results: MNVR helped revised 45%(9/20) initial biopsy trajectories, which would probably injury the nearby eloquent structures. Navigation helped biopsy trajectories spare the eloquent structures during the operation. No statistical difference was found between postoperative and preoperative neurological status, despite all the lesions were adjacent to eloquent areas. Additionally, 20 patients totally received 21 iMRI scanning. iMRI helped revise incorrect biopsy site in one case and detected intraoperative hemorrhage in another case, both of cases were treated immediately and effectively. No MNVR related adverse events and complications occurred. Conclusions: MNVR-aided needle biopsy of intracranial eloquent lesions is a safe, novel and efficient biopsy modality. This technique is helpful to reduce the incidence of surgery related neurological deficits.

[Effect of hyperandrogenism on obstetric complications of singleton pregnancy from in vitro fertilization in women with polycystic ovary syndrome]

Objective: To compare the difference in risks of obstetric complications of singleton pregnancy between women with hyperandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and women with normoandrogenic PCOS. Methods: Prospective cohort study. This study was a secondary analysis of data collected during a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial. Women who got clinical singleton pregnancy were grouped according to whether they were diagnosed with hyperandrogenism at baseline. There were 118 women with hyperandrogenism and 366 women without hyperandrogenism. The incidences of obstetric complications and birth weight were compared between the two groups. Results: Women with hyperandrogenic PCOS had a significantly higher risk of preterm delivery than women with normoandrogenic PCOS [12.7% (15/118) versus 3.6% (13/366); OR=3.94, 95%CI: 1.82-8.56]. After adjustment of age, duration of infertility, body mass index, and fresh or frozen embryo transfer group, hyperandrogenism was still associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (OR=3.67, 95%CI: 1.67-8.07). Compared with women with normoandrogenic PCOS, women with hyperandrogenic PCOS had similar risks of pregnancy loss, gestational diabetes mellitus, pre-eclampsia, placenta previa, and postpartum hemorrhage (all P>0.05). Birth weight as well as the risks of being small for gestational age and large for gestational age were also comparable between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: In women with PCOS and singleton pregnancy, those with preconceptional hyperandrogenism have a higher risk of preterm delivery than those without hyperandrogenism.

Keratin17 Promotes Tumor Growth and is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Gastric Cancer

Krt17 is a 48kDa protein member of keratin family. Previous literatures have demonstrated Krt17 may play a promotive role in the progression of various malignancies. However, the exact function of Krt17 in the carcinogenesis and the progression of gastric cancer (GC) remains unknown. In the present study, the expression of Krt17 in 20 fresh GC and matched normal tissues were detected and Krt17 was found to be significantly increased in GC tissues compared to normal tissues. And then the immunochemistry was performed to investigate the Krt17 expression in 569 GC tissue specimens, we found that the expression of Krt17 was remarkably positively correlated with the tumor size (P < 0.01), depth of invasion (T) (P < 0.001), lymph node metastasis (N) (P < 0.001), tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage (P < 0.001) and vascular invasion (P < 0.05). High expression of Krt17 predicted a poor prognosis of GC patients. In addition, we showed silencing of Krt17 inhibited GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis by altering Bcl2 family protein expression and cleaved caspase3 upregulation. Moreover, silencing of Krt17 led to cell cycle arrest at G1/S stage by decreasing cyclin E1 and cyclin D expression. In conclusion, our findings revealed Krt17 can be used as a novel predictive biomarker, thus providing a novel therapeutic target for GC patients.

Targeting mTORC2 component rictor inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in gastric cancer

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase acts downstream of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and plays an important role in tumor growth and progression of gastric cancer. It is well characterized that mTOR complex1 (mTORC1) controls cell metabolism and proliferation, whereas the contribution of mTOR complex2 (mTORC2) and its key component, Rictor, remains poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated clinical significance of Rictor expression by immunohistochemical analysis of 391 tissue samples from gastric cancer patients. In addition, the roles of Rictor in cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in vitro were evaluated by RNA interference. The results showed that over expression of Rictor was associated with increased tumor size, depth of tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis and advanced TNM stage, together with poorer overall and relapse-free survival. Stable sh-RNA mediated down-regulation of Rictor significantly inhibited SGC7901 and MGC803 gastric cancer cells proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, Rictor knockdown attenuated cell cycle progression and enhanced apoptosis, synergistic with treatment of mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin owing to abrogating the feedback activation of Akt. Our findings identify Rictor as an important mediator of tumor progression and metastasis, providing the rationale for targeting both mTORC1 and mTORC2 as part of therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer.

THY-1 (CD90) expression promotes the growth of gastric cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

To observe the expression of THY-1 (CD90) in gastric tumour cells and its effect on the growth of gastric cancer and to provide new evidence for the development of possible targets for the treatment of gastric cancer.

METHODS

The effect of THY-1 on the proliferative ability of HGC-27, MGC-803 and AGS gastric cancer cells was examined by CCK-8 and cell cycle assays. The effect of THY-1 on the ability of gastric cancer cells to avoid apoptosis was analysed by Annexin V/PI double staining. The effect of THY-1 on the tumourigenic ability of gastric cancer cells in vivo was explored by subcutaneous tumour formation assay in nude mice.

RESULTS

The CCK-8 assay showed that the proliferative activity of HGC-27 and MGC-803 gastric cancer cells was significantly limited after THY-1 interference in vitro (P < 0.01); however, exogenous THY-1 significantly promoted the growth of AGS gastric cancer cells (P = 0.003). The cell cycle assay showed that exogenous THY-1 reduced the G0/G1 phase arrest of AGS cells and facilitated cell entry into S phase, which accelerated cell division and proliferation (P = 0.008). After interference in the expression of the THY-1 gene, HGC-27 cells showed significant G0/G1 arrest, while the percentage of S phase cells decreased, and cell proliferation was inhibited (P < 0.001). The apoptosis assay showed that the average apoptosis rate of AGS cells was significantly lower in the overexpression group versus the control group (7.89 ± 1.08% vs. 11.90 ± 0.45%, P = 0.004). In contrast, the average apoptosis rate of HGC-27 cells was significantly increased in the interference group versus the control group (37.88 ± 5.47% vs. 22.84 ± 1.50%, P = 0.01). The subcutaneous tumour formation assay in nude mice revealed that at week 3, tumour volume and weight reached 1018.33 ± 521.48 mm³ and 81.47 ± 41.72 mg, respectively, in the control group, while tumour volume and weight were only 213.72 ± 111.94 mm³ and 17.10 ± 9.00 mg, respectively, in the interference group; the differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

THY-1 promoted the proliferation of gastric cancer cells and reduced the apoptosis rate of gastric cancer cells with a lack of nutrient supply. Moreover, THY-1 promoted subcutaneous tumour formation and growth in nude mice, as indicated by the results of the subcutaneous tumour formation assay.

MiR-210 facilitates ECM degradation by suppressing autophagy via silencing of ATG7 in human degenerated NP cells

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is thought to be the most common cause of low back pain. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is involved in the development of IDD. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of miR-210 on type II collagen (Col II) and aggrecan expression and possible mechanisms in human degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Our results showed that miR-210 levels were significantly increased in degenerated NP tissues compared with healthy controls, and positively correlated with disc degeneration grade. By gain-of-function and loss-of-function studies in human degenerated NP cells, miR-210 was shown to inhibit autophagy and then upregulate MMP-3 and MMP-13 expression, leading to increased degradation of Col II and aggrecan. Autophagy-related gene 7 (ATG7) was identified as a direct target of miR-210. Knockdown of ATG7 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated the effects of miR-210 inhibitor on MMP-3, MMP-13, Col II and aggrecan expression. Taken together, these results suggest that miR-210 inhibits autophagy via silencing of ATG7, leading to increased Col II and aggrecan degradation in human degenerated NP cells.

Development and Evaluation of a Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (Lamp) Assay for the Detection of Haemonchus contortus in Goat Fecal Samples

Haemonchus contortus is one of the most significant strongylid nematodes infecting small ruminants, and it causes great economic losses to the livestock industry worldwide. Accurate diagnosis of H. contortus is crucial to control strategies. Traditional microscopic examinations are the most common methods for the diagnosis of H. contortus , but they are time-consuming and inaccurate. Molecular methods based on PCR are more accurate, but need expensive machines usually only used in the laboratory. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a rapid, simple, specific, and sensitive method that has been widely used to detect viruses, bacteria, and parasites. In the present study, a LAMP method targeting ribosomal ITS-2 gene for detection of the H. contortus in goat fecal samples has been established. The established LAMP method was H. contortus specific, and the sensitivity of LAMP was the same as that of the H. contortus species-specific PCR, with the lowest DNA level detected as being 1 pg. Examination of the clinical samples indicated that the positive rate of LAMP was higher than that of PCR, but no statistical difference was observed between LAMP and PCR (χ² = 17.991, P = 0.053). In conclusion, a LAMP assay with a high specificity and a good sensitivity has been developed to detect H. contortus infection in goats. The established LAMP assay is useful for clinical diagnosis of H. contortus .

miRNA-218-loaded carboxymethyl chitosan - Tocopherol nanoparticle to suppress the proliferation of gastrointestinal stromal tumor growth

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are one of the most common forms of mesenchymal cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. Although chemotherapeutic drugs inhibited the proliferation of GIST, however, sizable proportion of people developed resistance and therefore difficult to treat. In the present study, O-carboxymethyl chitosan (OCMC)-tocopherol polymer conjugate was synthesized and formulated into stable polymeric nanoparticles. The main aim of present study was to increase the therapeutic efficacy of miR-218 in GIST. The mean size of nanoparticles was ~110nm with a spherical shape. The miR-218 NP has been shown inhibit the cell proliferation and exhibited a superior cell apoptosis. The miR-218 NP inhibited the cell invasion and promoted the apoptosis of GIST cancer cells. In the present study, we have successfully showed that KIT1 is the target gene of miR-218 as shown by the luciferase reporter assay. These findings collectively suggest the miR-218 loaded nanoparticle by virtue of effective transfection could act as a tumor suppressor miRNA in the treatment of GIST.

Remission effect of vitamin C on isoflurane-induced apoptosis and its mechanism

This study aims to discuss the remission effect of vitamin C on isoflurane-induced apoptosis of rats and its possible mechanism of action, to provide a theoretical basis for postoperative cognitive impairment. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) detection, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) test, MTT method and Morris water maze were applied for detection tests. For data statistics, double factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Bonferroni test were adopted. It was found that vitamin C could slow down the isoflurane-induced accumulation of ROS in H4-APP cells; moreover, it could relieve the activation of caspase-3 and increase cell survival rate to inhibit the occurrence of apoptosis, indicating that ROS was the source of cell toxicity. On the other hand, vitamin C could protect the cells with its antioxidant effect. It was proved that vitamin C could remit isoflurane-induced apoptosis and relieve the decline in learning and memory ability of rats.

Long non-coding RNA LINC00628 functions as a gastric cancer suppressor via long-range modulating the expression of cell cycle related genes

To discover new biomarkers for gastric cancer (GC) diagnose and treatment, we screened the lncRNAs in GC tissues from 5 patients. We found 6 lncRNAs had altered expression, and in the same time, the levels of their neighboring genes (located near 300 kb upstream or downstream of lncRNA locus) were significantly changed. After confirming the results of microarray by qRT-PCR in 82 GC patients, the biological function of LINC00628 was examined through cell proliferation and apoptosis, cell migration and invasion, colony formation assay and cell cycle detection. We confirmed that LINC00628 functions as a GC suppressor through suppressing proliferation, migration and colony formation of cancer cells. Furthermore, LINC00628 can also suppress the tumor size in mouse xenograft models. Although LINC00628 can modulate LRRN2 expression, the GC suppressor function of LINC00628 is not LRRN2 dependent. The result of mRNA microarray indicated that LINC00628 perform GC inhibitor function through long-range modulating cell cycle related genes. Importantly, we confirmed that LINC00628 mainly located in the nucleus and interacted with EZH2, and modulated genes expression by regulating H3K27me3 level. This research shed light on the role of dysregulated LINC00628 during GC process and may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

Correlations of fascin-1 and cadherin-17 protein expression with clinicopathologic features and prognosis of patients with gastric cancer

We aim to explore the associations of fascin-1 and cadherin-17 in gastric cancer (GC) to the clinicopathologic features and prognosis of GC. Case group included 204 GC tissues while control group comprised 204 paired adjacent cancer tissues. Expressions of fascin-1 and cadherin-17 were measured with immunohistochemistry and western blot and then analyzed statistically in relation to clinicopathologic features and survival time. Survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method, and independent prognostic factors were identified with Cox proportional hazards regression model. Fascin-1 was positively expressed in 45.1 % of GC tissues and in 27.5 % of adjacent cancer tissues, respectively (P < 0.05); cadherin-17 was positively expressed in 51.5 % of GC tissues and in 33.8 % of adjacent cancer tissues (P < 0.05). Fascin-1 expression in GC tissues was related to tumor size (P = 0.001) and Lauren classification (P = 0.001). Cadherin-17 expression in GC tissues was related to tumor size (P < 0.001), Lauren classification (P = 0.009), clinical staging (P = 0.001), and distant metastasis (P = 0.002). Fascin-1 expression was positively correlated with cadherin-17 expression in GC tissues (r = 0.828, P < 0.01). Patients with positive expression of both fascin-1 and cadherin-17 had lower survival rates than those with negative expression (all P < 0.01). Cox regression analysis showed that fascin-1 expression, cadherin-17 expression, tumor size, and differentiation were independent risk factors for GC (all P < 0.05). Fascin-1 and cadherin-17 are related to clinicopathologic features of GC and are independent adverse prognostic factors for GC.