[Overview of design and construction of hypertensive disorders of a pregnancy-cohort in Shenzhen]

Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) involves two major public health issues: mother-infant safety and prevention and controlling major chronic disease. HDP poses a serious threat to maternal and neonatal safety, and it is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, as well as an important risk factor for long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD). In order to explore effective strategies to prevent and control the source of CVD and reduce its risk, we have established a cohort of HDPs in Shenzhen for the primordial prevention of CVD. The construction of the HDP cohort has already achieved preliminary progress till now. A total of 2 239 HDP women have been recruited in the HDP cohort. We have established a cohort data management platform and Biobank. The follow-up and assessment of postpartum cardiovascular metabolic risk in this cohort has also been launched. Our efforts will help explore the pathophysiological mechanism of HDP, especially the pathogenesis and precision phenotyping, prediction, and prevention of pre-eclampsia, which, therefore, may reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, and provide a bridge to linking HDP and maternal-neonatal cardiovascular, metabolic risk to promote the cardiovascular health of mothers and their infants.

[Treatment strategy of lateral canals during root canal therapy]

Lateral canals are small branches from the main root canal, usually extending from the dentin and cementum into the periodontal ligament, mostly located at the lower 1/3 of the apical portion. Due to the complex and varied anatomical morphology as well as the high incidence, it becomes an important factor affecting the effect of root canal therapy and a difficult point in this process. It is of great clinical significance to master the treatment strategy of lateral canals during root canal therapy. This article reviews the anatomical characteristics of lateral canals, as well as the clinical identification, treatment strategy and the laboratory detection methods of lateral canals in the process of root canal preparation, disinfection, and obturation.

[miR-148b inhibits M2 polarization of LPS-stimulated macrophages by targeting DcR3]

Objective: To investigate the effect of microRNA (miR-148b) targeting decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) on macrophage polarization in sepsis. Methods: Experimental study. From December 2019 to December 2022, serum microRNA expression was detected in 3 patients with sepsis and 3 healthy controls in the clinical laboratory of Songjiang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) was used to induce the differentiation of human acute monocytic leukemia cells THP-1 into macrophages, and then lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was added to stimulate the establishment of a sepsis cell model, and the expression changes of miR-148b and DcR3 were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Overexpression of DcR3 was used to detect the expression levels of TNF-α, CD163 and IL-10 in macrophages stimulated by LPS (100 ng/ml). Overexpression of miR-148b was used to observe the changes of molecular markers of macrophage polarization. The targeting regulation effect of miR-148b on DcR3 was determined by dual-luciferase reporter assay. t test was used to analyze whether there were statistical differences among the groups. Results: The expression of miR-148b was down-regulated (P<0.05) and the expression of DcR3 was up-regulated (P<0.01) in THP-1 macrophages stimulated by LPS. Overexpression of DcR3 inhibited the expression of TNF-α (P<0.05) and promoted the expression of CD163 (P<0.01) and IL-10 (P<0.01). When miR-148b mimics was added, the opposite effect was observed. The dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-148b targets and binds to DcR3, inhibiting its transcription and expression. The results of flow cytometry showed that DcR3 could reverse the promoting effect of miR-148b on the CD86/CD163 ratio of macrophages (P<0.05). Conclusion: miR-148b inhibits the expression of DcR3, thereby inhibiting M2 polarization in LPS-stimulated macrophage cells.

[Research progress on the relationship between COVID-19 and autoimmune diseases]

Different autoantibodies can be detected in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is reported that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection could induce autoimmune diseases (AID), including children's multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS), Autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and thyroid autoimmune diseases. This article mainly reviews the similarities between COVID-19 and AID, the possibility of COVID-19 inducing AID, the risk of AID patients infected or vaccinated against COVID-19. The purpose is to provide strategies for the prevention, management and treatment of AID during the epidemic.

[PAHs exposure and its association with oxidative stress and neurotransmitter levels in coal miners]

Objective: To learn the investigate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and to explore the association between PAHs exposure and oxidative stress' neurotransmitter levels in coal miners. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 652 coal miners (239 in the underground first line group, 280 in the underground auxiliary group and 133 in the surface group) from April to June 2017. The levels of urinary monohydroxy PAHs metabolites (OH-PAHs) , oxidative stress and neurotransmitters in blood were determined. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the correlation between OH-PAHs and oxidative stress' neurotransmitter levels. The mediating role of oxidative stress between urinary OH-PAHs and neurotransmitters change was assessed by mediation analysis. Results: The levels of 2-hydroxynaphthalene (2-NAP) 、2-hydroxy uorene (2-FLU) 、1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in urine OH-PAHs of coal miners in different workplaces were significantly different (H=33.64, 9.63, 26.82, P<0.01, =0.008, <0.01) . The levels of neurotransmitters [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) , norepinephrine (NE) , epinephrine (E) , dopamine (DA) , acetylcholine (Ach) , acetylcholinesterase (AChE) ] and oxidative stress [malondialdehyde (MDA) (F=36.81, 15.58, 79.16, 179.58, 33.48, 67.63, 4.96, P<0.01) ] in the blood of three groups of coal miners were significantly different. After controlling the potential confounding factors, NE content was negatively correlated with 2-FLU level, and AChE activity was also negatively correlated with 1-OHP level (β=-134.99, 95% CI: -250.74~-19.23, P=0.02; β=-0.80, 95%CI: -1.54~-0.05, P=0.036) . Positive correlation was found between Ach content and 9-hydroxyphenanthrene (9-PHE) level, AChE activity was also positively correlated with 2-NAP level and 9-PHE level (β=0.96, 95%CI: 0.26~1.64, P=0.007; β=1.78, 95%CI: 0.75~2.82, P=0.001; β=0.77, 95%CI: 0.07~1.47, P=0.031) . In addition, superoxide dismutase activity was correlated with 1-OHP level and AChE activity (β=0.32, 95%CI: 0.02~0.62, P=0.034; β=-0.23, 95%CI: -0.43~-0.02, P=0.032) . Mediation analysis indicated that 1-OHP level may directly affect AChE activity (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The level of PAHs in underground coal miners is relatively higher, and may lead to changes of neurotransmitter levels. The mediating effect of oxidative stress has not been observed.

Sema3d Restrained Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression Through Inactivating Pi3k/Akt Signaling via Interaction With FLNA

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignant tumors worldwide due to the high incidence rate of metastasis and recurrence. Semaphorin 3d (Sema3d) has been shown to play a critical role in vascular development during early embryogenesis and several forms of cancer progression via regulating cell migration. However, the function of Sema3d in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains elusive. This study aimed to explore the function and mechanisms of Sema3d in HCC. In our study, Sema3d expression was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Downregulated Sema3d was closely correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor clinical outcomes in HCC patients. Moreover, overexpression of Sema3d in HCCLM3 cells was significantly inhibited and knockdown of Sema3d in PLC/PRF/5 cells promoted proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC cells in vitro and tumor growth, EMT, and metastasis in vivo. Furthermore, the RNA sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated that these phenotypic and functional changes in Sema3d-interfered HCC cells were mediated by the Pi3k/Akt signaling pathway, and co-IP–combined mass spectrometry indicated Sema3d might interact with FLNA. Finally, we proved that Sema3d exerted its tumor-restraining effect by interacting with FLNA to inactivate the Pi3k/Akt signaling pathway and remodel the cytoskeleton. Our data showed that Sema3d restrained hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation, invasion, and metastasis through inactivating Pi3k/Akt via interaction with FLNA, which may serve as a novel prognostic predictor and a potential therapeutic target for HCC patients.

[Correlation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease at different ages of onset with new-onset diabetes mellitus]

Objective: To investigate the effect of nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) at different ages of onset with new-onset diabetes mellitus. Methods: The cohort study was conducted in Kailuan Group Company. Active and retired employees were used as study subjects. After excluding NAFLD diagnosed at baseline, previous history of diabetes mellitus, and long-term history of heavy drinking, 43 317 cases were finally included in the cohort. The study subjects were divided into five groups according to age (<30 years old as group 1, 30-39 years old as group 2, 40-49 years as group 3, 50-59 years as group 4, and ≥60 years as group 5). The prevalence and incidence density of new-onset diabetes mellitus were compared between each NAFLD and non-fatty liver population group. The effect of NAFLD at different ages of onset with new-onset diabetes mellitus was analyzed by multivariate Cox's regression model. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, χ² test or multivariate Cox's regression model. Results: The prevalence and incidence density of diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in NAFLD than non-fatty liver population. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in different age groups were 6.45%, 6.88%, 9.94%, 10.83%, and 11.43%, respectively. The incidence density of each age group was 9.21/1 000 person-years, 11.10/1 000 person-years, 16.17/1 000 person-years, 18.72/1 000 person-years, and 22.13/1 000 person-years, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.001). Multivariate Cox's regression model result showed that after adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, systolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose, the HRs (95%CI) for diabetes mellitus in each age group were 3.992 (1.897, 8.400), 2.321 (1.589, 3.392), 2.041 (1.667, 2.500), 2.007 (1.708, 2.360), and 1.908 (1.570, 2.319), and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.001). Conclusion: Newly developed NAFLD is an independent risk factor for new-onset diabetes mellitus. Early exposure to NAFLD increases the risk of developing diabetes mellitus compared with the same age group. Younger age of onset of NAFLD should be given attention and active treatment.

Piezo1 promoted hepatocellular carcinoma progression and EMT through activating TGF-β signaling by recruiting Rab5c

BACKGROUND

Piezo1 has been revealed to play a regulatory role in vascular development and progression of variety tumors. However, whether and how the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) regulated by Piezo1 remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the effect and mechanisms of Piezo1 in HCC.

METHODS

The mRNA and protein expression level of Piezo1 in HCC samples and cell lines was determined by qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses. Two independent study cohorts containing 280 patients were analyzed to reveal the association between Piezo1 expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Series of in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to validate the function of Piezo1 in HCC. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to explore the signaling pathway of Piezo1. Immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence and in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to explore the molecular mechanism of Piezo1 in HCC progression.

RESULTS

Our results demonstrated the Piezo1 expression was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines, and upregulation of Piezo1 closely correlated with aggressive clinicopathological features and poor prognosis. Knockdown of Piezo1 in HCCLM3 and Hep3B cells significantly restrained proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HCC cells in vitro, and tumor growth, metastasis, EMT in vivo. TGF-β signaling pathway was most significant enriched pathway in GSEA. Finally, tumor promotion effect of Piezo1 was found to exerted through recruiting and combining Rab5c to activating TGF-β signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Piezo1 significantly related to poor prognosis and promotes progression of hepatocellular carcinoma via activating TGF-β signaling, which suggesting that Piezo1 may serve as a novel prognostic predictor and the potential therapeutic target for HCC patients.

[Establishment of a risk prediction model for bloodstream infection and analysis of its predictive value in patients with extremely severe burns]

Objective: To establish a prediction model for bloodstream infection in patients with extremely severe burns based on the screened independent risk factors, and to analyze its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. From January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019, 307 patients with extremely severe burns were admitted to the Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medcine, including 251 males and 56 females, aged from 33 to 55 years. According to the occurrence of bloodstream infection, the patients were divided into non-bloodstream infection group (221 cases) and bloodstream infection group (86 cases). The gender, age, body mass index, outcome, length of hospital stay of patients were compared between the two groups, and the detection of bacteria in blood microbial culture of patients was analyzed in bloodstream infection group. The included 307 patients were divided into modeling group (219 cases) and validation group (88 cases) according to the random number table with the ratio of about 7∶3. The gender, age, body mass index, total burn area, full-thickness burn area, combination of inhalation injury, implementation of mechanical ventilation, days of mechanical ventilation, days of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, outcome, length of hospital stay, complication of bloodstream infection of patients were compared between the two groups. The patients in modeling group were divided into bloodstream infection subgroup and non-bloodstream infection subgroup. The total burn area, full-thickness burn area, combination of inhalation injury, implementation of mechanical ventilation, days of mechanical ventilation, and days of ICU stay of patients were compared between the two subgroups. The above-mentioned data between two groups were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, chi-square test, and Mann-Whitney U test to screen out the factors with statistical significant differences in the subgroup univariate analysis of modeling group. The factors were used as variables, and binary multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen out the risk factors of bloodstream infection in patients with extremely severe burns, based on which the prediction model for bloodstream infection in patients with extremely severe burns of modeling group was established. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the prediction model predicting the risk of bloodstream infection of patients in modeling group was drawn, and the area under the ROC curve was calculated. The sensitivity, specificity, and the best prediction probability were calculated according to the Youden index. The patients in validation group were divided into bloodstream infection subgroup (21 cases) and non-bloodstream infection subgroup (67 cases). The prediction probability>the best prediction probability of model was used as the judgment standard of bloodstream infection. The prediction model was used to predict the occurrence of bloodstream infection of patients in the two subgroups of validation group, and the incidence, specificity, and sensitivity of bloodstream infection were calculated, In addition, the ROC curve of the prediction model predicting the risk of bloodstream infection of patients in validation group was drawn, and the area under the ROC curve was calculated. Results: Compared with those of non-bloodstream infection group, the mortality of patients in bloodstream infection group was significantly higher (χ²=8.485, P<0.01), the length of hospital stay was significantly increased (Z=-3.003, P<0.01), but there was no significant change in gender, age, or body mass index (P>0.05). In bloodstream infection group, 110 strains of bacteria were detected in blood microbial culture, among which Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii were the top three bacteria, accounting for 35.45% (39/110), 26.36% (29/110), and 13.64% (15/110) respectively. Gender, age, body mass index, total burn area, full-thickness burn area, proportion of combination of inhalation injury, proportion of implementation of mechanical ventilation, days of mechanical ventilation, days of ICU stay, outcome, length of hospital stay, and proportion of complication of bloodstream infection of patients were similar between modeling group and validation group (P>0.05). Compared with those of non-bloodstream infection subgroup in modeling group, the total burn area, full-thickness burn area, proportion of combination of inhalation injury, proportion of implementation of mechanical ventilation, days of mechanical ventilation, and days of ICU stay of patients in bloodstream infection subgroup were significantly increased (Z=-4.429, t=-4.045, χ²=7.845, 8.845, Z=-3.904, -4.134, P<0.01). Binary multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that total burn area, days of ICU stay, and combination of inhalation injury were the independent risk factors for bloodstream infection of patients in modeling group (odds ratio=1.031, 1.018, 2.871, 95% confidence interval=1.004-1.059, 1.006-1.030, 1.345-6.128, P<0.05 or P<0.01). In modeling group, the area under the ROC curve was 0.773 (95% confidence interval=0.708-0.838); the sensitivity was 64.6%, the specificity was 77.9%, and the best prediction probability was 0.335 when the Youden index was 0.425. The bloodstream infection incidence of patients predicted by the prediction model in validation group was 27.27% (24/88), with specificity of 82.09% (55/67) and sensitivity of 57.14% (12/21). The area under the ROC curve in validation group was 0.759 (95% confidence interval=0.637-0.882). Conclusions: The total burn area, days of ICU stay, and combination of inhalation injury are the risk factors of bloodstream infection in patients with extremely severe burns. The prediction model for bloodstream infection risk in patients with extremely severe burns based on these factors has certain predictive value for burn centers with relatively stable treatment methods and bacterial epidemiology.

[The expression of Notch pathway in nasal polyps and its correlation with the decreased Treg percentage and eosinophil infiltration]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between Notch pathway expression in nasal polyps and Treg percentage and Eos infiltration. Methods: Patients with chronic sinusitis and simple nasal septum deviation who received nasal endoscopic surgery in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University between November 2012 and August 2018 were selected and enrolled in CRS group and control group respectively. Nasal mucosa tissues were collected from 30 CRSsNP patients (14 males and 16 females aged from 18 to 63), 58 CRSwNP patients (38 males and 20 females aged from 18 to 65) and 29 patients (19 males and 10 females aged from 20 to 57), who underwent nasal endoscopic surgery for correction of simple nasal septum deviation. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe the infiltration of eosinophilic granulocytes in the tissues and to classify chronic sinusitis with polyps (CRSwNP) into eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (Eos-CRSwNP)and non-eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (Eos-CRSwNP). Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of Notch pathway receptors (Notch-l, 2, 3, 4) and their ligands (Jagded-l, Jagded-2, Delta-l, Delta-3and Delta-4) in the nasal mucosa of each group, as well as the expression of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP)and the key transcription factor Foxp3 in Treg cells. Finally, flow cytometry was used to detect CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Treg cells in nasal mucosa of each group. Results: Compared with controls, the expression of Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) in CRSsNP and non-Eos-CRSwNP patients was the highest in Eos-CRSwNP (F=16.930,9.197,9.116, all P<0.05). Foxp3 had the lowest expression in Eos-CRSwNP patients and was lower than non-Eos-CRSwNP patients (F=2.780,P<0.05), and was negatively correlated with ECP (r=-0.326,P<0.05). Compared with controls, Eos-CRSwNP patients in CRSsNP patients and non-Eos-CRSwNP patients exhibited a significantly lower frequency of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells (F=13.140, all P<0.01). The expression of Notch-l and Jagged-l in Eos-CRSwNP was significantly higher than that of the controls, CRSsNP patients and non-Eos-CRSwNP patients (F=5.953/F=6.380, P<0.05). In the nasal polyp group, the expression of Notch-l and Jagged-l showed significantly negative correlation with Foxp3 (r=-0.611/-0.346, all P<0.05), and positive correlation with Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) and ECP, respectively (r=0.781/0.459,0.621/0.601,0.605/0.490,0.464/0.668, all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression of receptor and ligand of the other Notch pathway among the groups. Conclusion: Abnormal activation of Notch-l/Jagged-l pathway may be involved in decreasing Treg ratio in Eos-CRSwNP, thereby promoting Th2 inflammatory response and Eosinophil infiltration.

Research Note: Effects of polysaccharide-enriched Acanthopanax senticosus extract on growth performance, immune function, antioxidation, and ileal microbial populations in broiler chickens

Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) is a well-known, highly effective traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Polysaccharides extracted from AS (ASPS) have multiple pharmacologic and biological activities with potential use as additives in broiler chicken feed. This trial evaluated the effects of dietary ASPS on growth performance, immune function, antioxidation, and ileal microbial populations in broiler chickens. A total of 240 1-day-old Arbor Acres male broiler chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 10 replicates of 6 chicks and fed a corn- and soybean-based diet supplemented with 0, 1, 2, or 4 g/kg ASPS. Compared with the control group, supplementation with 1 g/kg ASPS increased ADG and ADFI in the finisher and overall periods and decreased the feed conversion ratio in the finisher period (both P < 0.05). Serum IgA and IgM were significantly increased by supplementation with 1 and 2 g/kg of ASPS (P < 0.05). Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities were increased and malondialdehyde concentration was decreased in birds fed ASPS-supplemented diets compared with those in the control group (P < 0.05). Polysaccharides extracted from AS supplementation increased Lactobacillus and decreased Escherichia coli and Salmonella counts in the ileal contents compared with the control diet (both P < 0.05). The results show that dietary ASPS improved growth performance, immune status, and antioxidant capacity and stimulated the growth of beneficial gut bacteria in broiler chickens. In conclusion, ASPS was effective as a natural additive in broiler chicken feed; 1 g/kg can be considered as the optimum dosage.

Correction: Largely enhanced thermoelectric effect and pure spin current in silicene-based devices under hydrogen modification

Correction for 'Largely enhanced thermoelectric effect and pure spin current in silicene-based devices under hydrogen modification' by G. Qiao et al., Nanoscale, 2020, 12, 277-288, DOI: 10.1039/C9NR07541K.

[The progresses of liver resection for solitary large hepatocellular carcinoma]

Large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies and was mistaked as "advanced and unresectable" . Liver resection is still the best curable treatment for HCC.The resection of large HCC is very difficult, which seriously restrict the progress of liver surgery.Our study proved that solitary large HCC (SLHCC) has unique clinicopathological and molecular biological characteristics.No matter how big the tumor size is, it belongs to early stage if there is no vascular invasion.Liver resection should be aggressively recommended for the patients with SLHCC, in which they can obtain good outcome, with 40% 5-year survival rate.We has also defined the borderline resectable hepatocellular carcinoma, and suggested that strictly master and correctly judge the surgical indications, syntheticly evaluate the surgical safety and patient's tolerability for liver resection.After that, with hands of experienced surgeons, liver resection for SLHCC can be safely and reliablely performed.

Largely enhanced thermoelectric effect and pure spin current in silicene-based devices under hydrogen modification

Based on the density functional theory and nonequilibrium Green's function methods, we launch a systematic study of the magnetic properties and thermoelectric effects in silicene-based devices constructed by using zigzag silicene nanoribbons (ZSiNRs). By modulating the adsorption site, it is found that the ground state of ZSiNRs varies from an antiferromagnetic state to a ferromagnetic state. Meanwhile, a spin-degenerate semiconductor evolves into a spin semiconductor. The spin and charge thermoelectric figure of merits have an almost equal value of about 60 in the narrow device, which originates from the spin-dependent conductance dips and high spin-filtering effects. Moreover, a thermally-driven pure spin current in the silicene-based devices is obtained in the absence of the gate voltage, and its magnitude is effectively enhanced as the device width increases. Our results suggest that the silicene-based devices have very good prospects for spin caloritronics.

[Research on the reliability and validity of postural workload assessment method and the relation to work-related musculoskeletal disorders of workers]

OBJECTIVE

To form a new assessment method to evaluate postural workload comprehensively analyzing the dynamic and static postural workload for workers during their work process to analyze the reliability and validity, and to study the relation between workers' postural workload and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs).

METHODS

In the study, 844 workers from electronic and railway vehicle manufacturing factories were selected as subjects investigated by using the China Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (CMQ) to form the postural workload comprehensive assessment method. The Cronbach's α, cluster analysis and factor analysis were used to assess the reliability and validity of the new assessment method. Non-conditional Logistic regression was used to analyze the relation between workers' postural workload and WMSDs.

RESULTS

Reliability of the assessment method for postural workload: internal consistency analysis results showed that Cronbach's α was 0.934 and the results of split-half reliability indicated that Spearman-Brown coefficient was 0.881 and the correlation coefficient between the first part and the second was 0.787. Validity of the assessment method for postural workload: the results of cluster analysis indicated that square Euclidean distance between dynamic and static postural workload assessment in the same part or work posture was the shortest. The results of factor analysis showed that 2 components were extracted and the cumulative percentage of variance achieved 65.604%. The postural workload score of the different occupational workers showed significant difference (P<0.05) by covariance analysis. The results of nonconditional Logistic regression indicated that alcohol intake (OR=2.141, 95%CI 1.337-3.428) and obesity (OR=3.408, 95%CI 1.629-7.130) were risk factors for WMSDs. The risk for WMSDs would rise as workers' postural workload rose (OR=1.035, 95%CI 1.022-1.048). There was significant different risk for WMSDs in the different groups of workers distinguished by work type, gender and age. Female workers exhibited a higher prevalence for WMSDs (OR=2.626, 95%CI 1.414-4.879) and workers between 30-40 years of age (OR=1.909, 95%CI 1.237-2.946) as compared with those under 30.

CONCLUSION

This method for comprehensively assessing postural workload is reliable and effective when used in assembling workers, and there is certain relation between the postural workload and WMSDs.

[Pulmonary surfactant protein adenosine triphosphate-binding-cassette-A3 gene composite mutations in infant congenital interstitial lung disease: report of a case and review of literature]

Objective: To report a case of the pulmonary surfactant protein(SP) adenosine triphosphate-binding-cassette-A3 (ABCA3) gene mutations in infant congenital interstitial lung disease(ILD), and review the related literature, to investigate the relationships of ABCA3 gene mutation associated with ILD in infants. Method: A 6-months-old boy was hospitalized in the department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. The clinical, radiological, histological information from transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and genetic testing in this case was analyzed; 12 reports retrieved on literature search at Pubmed, OVID databases from 2004 to 2015 by using the ABCA3 as keyword were reviewed and analyzed. Result: (1)The patient, a 6-months-old boy, had progressive tachypnea and dyspnea since 4 months old. Physical examination on admission revealed respiratory rate of 78 times/min , heart rate of 187 times/min, SpO₂ 0.93(mask oxygen-inspiration with 6 L/min), scattered fine moist crackles could be heard over the both lungs, clubbing fingers were found. High-resolution computed tomography(HRCT) revealed diffuse ground-glass opacity, interlobular and intralobular septal thickening. Lung biopsies showed evidences of the alveolar cavity atelectatic changes and interstitial fibrosis. SP-A and SP-B were negative in immunohistochemical stainting. SP-related gene sequence analysis found that there was compound heterozygous missense mutation of ABCA3 gene in c. 1942A>G, c.2701-33G>C and c. 991-105C>A. (2)The review of related literature found that totally 12 cases were reported. The main manifestations were progressive tachypnea and dyspnea, age of onset was between birth and 4 years of age. The imaging characteristics of chest HRCT revealed diffuse infiltration or diffuse ground-glass pattern in the lung.

PROGNOSIS

6 cases died, and 6 cases survived, including 4 cases with pulmonary function disturbance to different degrees; 12 cases had ABCA3 gene mutations, 9 cases had composite ABCA3 gene mutations, in 11 cases the mutation occured in the exon of coding region, in 1 case in the intron, 9 cases had heterozygous mutations, 3 cases had homozygous mutations. Conclusion: The main phenotypes of ABCA3 mutation associated with ILD were full term neonatal respiratory distress syndrome or progressive tachypnea or dyspnea unexplained in infants. The chest HRCT showed two diffuse pulmonary interstitial changes. ABCA3 mutation mainly was multi-site composite mutations and heterozygous mutations in the exon of coding region.

Intensified nitrate and phosphorus removal in an electrolysis -integrated horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland

A novel electrolysis-integrated horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland system (E-HFCWs) was developed for intensified removal of nitrogen and phosphorus contaminated water. The dynamics of nitrogen and phosphorus removal and that of main water qualities of inflow and outflow were also evaluated. The hydraulic retention time (HRT) greatly enhanced nitrate removal when the electrolysis current intensity was stabilized at 0.07 mA/cm². When the HRT ranged from 2 h to 12 h, the removal rate of nitrate increased from 20% to 84%. Phosphorus (P) removal was also greatly enhanced-exceeding 90% when the HRT was longer than 4 h in the electrolysis-integrated HFCWs. This improved P removal is due to the in-situ formation of ferric ions by anodizing of sacrificial iron anodes, causing chemical precipitation, physical adsorption and flocculation of phosphorus. Thus, electrolysis plays an important role in nitrate and phosphorus removal. The diversity and communities of bacteria in the biofilm of substrate was established by the analysis of 16S rDNA gene sequences, and the biofilm was abundant with Comamonadaceae and Xanthomonadaceae bacteria in E-HFCWs. Test results illustrated that the electrolysis integrated with horizontal subsurface-flow constructed wetland is a feasible and effective technology for intensified nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

[Abnormality of TOP2A expression and its gene copy number variations in neuroblastic tumors]

Objective: To detect TOP2A protein expression and gene copy number alterations, and to analyze related clinical and pathological implications in pediatric neuroblastic tumors (NT). Methods: Immunohistochemistry was used to detect TOP2A protein expression. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to detect numerical aberrations of TOP2A. Results: TOP2A protein was expressed in 59.1%(52/88) of cases, which was associated with differentiation (P=0.006), Ki-67 index (P<0.01) and MKI (P=0.001). Twenty-eight cases (35.0%, 28/88) showed TOP2A gene amplification, which was correlated with the age (P<0.01), clinical stage (P=0.028), high risk group (P=0.001), Ki-67 index (P=0.040) and differentiation (P=0.014). Survival analysis showed that TOP2A expression was related to survival rate. Multivariate analyses showed that TOP2A expression was an independent predictor for poor prognosis (P=0.010). Conclusions: More than half of the cases show TOP2A expression, which is more likely associated with NB, high Ki-67 index and high MKI. Cases with TOP2A expression have shorter survivals and poorer prognosis. TOP2A amplification is seen in 35% and likely occurs in patients older than 18 months and at advanced INSS stages (Ⅲ and Ⅳ). As a target of the anthracycline-based adjuvant drugs, TOP2A test can be used to select patient with NT for the therapy.

Comparison of the prognostic influence of emergency hepatectomy and staged hepatectomy in patients with ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) rupture is a fatal complication of primary liver cancer and is associated with poor surgical outcomes. Whether emergency hepatectomy or staged hepatectomy should be performed in the situations of a spontaneous rupture for resectable HCC need to be investigated.

METHODS

Between January 2005 and December 2014, 131 patients with HCC ruptures received emergency or staged hepatectomy in our hospital and were included in this study. We retrospectively compared the postoperative morbidity and mortality, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) of patients who received emergency or staged hepatectomies. Independent prognostic predictors were identified using the Cox multivariate regression analysis.

RESULTS

Emergency hepatectomy could be performed for successful surgical hemostasis and radical tumor resection. However, the in-hospital mortality rate was 11.0%, which correlated with INR, liver function, shock, blood transfusion, and aggressive treatment by emergency hepatectomy (P<0.05). Conversely, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of ruptured HCC patients with staged hepatectomy were 82.8%, 55.2%, and 41.4%; and the disease-free survival rates were 70.7%, 44.8%, and 27.6%, respectively. The overall survival and disease-free survival of staged hepatectomy group were longer than that of emergency hepatectomy group (P=0.034, P=0.019). Multivariable analyses of HCC ruptures patients indicated that tumor sizes more than 10cm and multiple-nodule tumors were independent predictors of poor long-term survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Though they carry some risk, emergency hepatectomy is still an important means of treatment for spontaneous HCC ruptures. For resectable HCC ruptures, emergency hepatectomy or staged hepatectomy are life-saving procedures, and efficient therapeutic methods. After the initial hemostasis, staged liver resection can often help patients achieve better long-term survival than emergency hepatectomy.

[Prognostic factors analysis for the long-term survival in solitary large hepatocellular carcinoma patients after hepatectomy]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the prognostic factors that have affected the long-term survival of solitary large hepatocellular carcinoma (SLHCC) patients after hepatectomy.

METHODS

The clinical data of 215 SLHCC patients accepted hepatectomy in the Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2004 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 182 males and 33 females aged from 24 to 69 years(median age was 46 years). Using a variety of statistical methods, including the Kaplan-Meier estimator and the Log-rank test, the impacts of an array of clinicopathologic factors, such as age, gender, liver cirrhosis, chronic viral hepatitis, the Child-Pugh grading, microvascular invasion, macrovascular invasion and TNM staging, on the overall survival and the disease-free survival of SLHCC patients after hepatectomy were analyzed.The prognostic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses for the long-term survival of SLHCC patients after hepatectomy.

RESULTS

The whole group of patients with SLHCC showed 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of 88.1%, 60.2%, and 41.7%, respectively, and exhibited 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates of 80.1%, 49.4%, and 33.6%, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates of SLHCC patients with microvascular invasion were 82.0%, 45.1%, 29.0% and 69.6%, 36.1%, 23.5%, respectively. In addition, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates of SLHCC patients with macrovascular invasion were 64.7%, 34.3%, 18.3% and 54.2%, 24.1%, 0, respectively. In contrast, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates and disease-free survival rates of SLHCC patients without vascular invasion were 95.0%, 72.3%, 51.8% and 90.1%, 60.9%, 42.9%, respectively. The results of univariate analysis indicated that liver cirrhosis, microvascular invasion, macrovascular invasion, TNM staging were hazardous factors for the overall survival of SLHCC patients(χ(2)=4.953, 8.835, 15.237, 19.789 respectively, all P<0.05); while microvascular invasion, macrovascular invasion, TNM staging were risk factors for the disease-free survival of SLHCC patients(χ(2)=12.974, 13.247, 24.516 respectively, all P<0.05). Furthermore, the multivariate analysis suggested that microvascular invasion, macrovascular invasion, TNM staging were the independent prognostic factors that have affected the overall survival and disease-free survival of SLHCC patients(all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Microvascular invasion, macrovascular invasion and TNM staging were the independent prognostic factors for the long-term survival of patients with SLHCC after hepatectomy.

Novel roles of TMEM100: inhibition metastasis and proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Transmembrane protein 100 (TMEM100) was activated by ALK1/TGF-β signaling. We found that TMEM100 was decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues and in highly metastatic cell lines. Overexpressed of TMEM100 inhibited invasion, migration and proliferation. Low levels of TMEM100 were associated with cirrhosis, tumor size, Tumor nodule number, TNM stage, BCLC stage, Edmondson-Steiner Stage and vein invasion. Furthermore, TMEM100 was an independent risk factor for overall survival (P = 0.03) and disease-free survival (P = 0.019). The current findings suggest that TMEM100 functions as a tumor suppressor in HCC metastasis and proliferation.

High performance of nitrogen and phosphorus removal in an electrolysis-integrated biofilter

A novel electrolysis-integrated biofilter system was developed in this study to evaluate the intensified removal of nitrogen and phosphorus from contaminated water. Two laboratory-scale biofilter systems were established, one with electrolysis (E-BF) and one without electrolysis (BF) as control. The dynamics of intensified nitrogen and phosphorus removal and the changes of inflow and outflow water qualities were also evaluated. The total nitrogen (TN) removal rate was 94.4% in our newly developed E-BF, but only 74.7% in the control BF. Ammonium removal rate was up to 95% in biofilters with or without electrolysis integration with an influent ammonium concentration of 40 mg/L, and the accumulation of nitrate and nitrite was much lower in the effluent of E-BF than that of BF. Thus electrolysis plays an important role in TN removal especially the nitrate and nitrite removal. Phosphorus removal was significantly enhanced, exceeding 90% in E-BF by chemical precipitation, physical adsorption, and flocculation of phosphorus because of the in situ formation of ferric ions by the anodizing of sacrificial iron anodes. Results from this study indicate that the electrolysis integrated biofilter is a promising solution for intensified nitrogen and phosphorus removal.

793 nm pump induced photo-bleaching of photo-darkened Yb(3+)-doped fibers

We report on the strong photo-bleaching of the photo-darkening (PD) induced loss under the cladding pump of a 793 nm laser diode (LD) in double clad Yb-doped fibers. Up to 68% PD loss at 810 nm was bleached. The bleaching rates under different powers show that the higher pump power corresponds to the more bleached loss within the same time. Moreover, repeatable processes of PD and photo-bleaching were observed when alternately pumped with 915 and 793 nm LDs. Furthermore, it was found that simultaneously pumping the fiber with 915 and 793 nm LDs can suppress about 80% PD loss, compared with pumping the fiber only with 915 nm LD. The mechanism of photo-bleaching under 793 nm pump was also discussed.

Changes of masseter muscle activity following injection of botulinum toxin type A in adult rats

OBJECTIVES

To investigate changes in masseter muscle function following intramuscular injection of different dose-dependent botulinum toxin type A (BTXA).

SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION

Department of Orthodontics at Taipei Medical University. Fifty-two, 70-day-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I received 7.5 U of BTXA (0.3 ml), Group II received 5.0 U, and Group III received 2.5 U in the right masseter muscle, respectively. Group IV is the control and received no BTXA injection.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A wire electrode device was implanted to record muscle activity. One week after implantation, the rats were fed every 2 h and EMG signals were recorded during the first hour. All signals were recorded for 12 weeks. Thereafter, EMG data were analyzed for statistical calculation and weights of masseter muscles were measured.

RESULTS

Masseter muscle activity decreased 99% during the first week after BTXA injection and gradually recovered from the 3rd week on in Groups I-III. By the 12th week, muscle activity recovered to 41% in Groups I and II and 56.26% in Group III. No significant changes of muscle activity were observed in Group IV.

CONCLUSION

BTXA induced a reduction in masseter muscle activity and an increased toxin dose resulted in greater depression of muscle activity.

[Diagnosis and surgical treatment for pancreatic vasoactive intestine polypeptide tumor]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the diagnosis and surgical treatment for pancreatic vasoactive intestine polypeptide tumor (VIPoma).

METHODS

Clinical data of 7 patients with VIPoma from Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between January 1990 and July 2011 were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The different operation modes were selected according to the location of VIPomas, and the postoperative symptoms of all 7 patients were gradually relieved and cured. The follow up showed that life spans of the above-mentioned patients were 3-6 years.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of pancreatic VIPoma is low but it is easy to misdiagnose. The excision for the tumor is the most effective therapy. Combining with somatostatin, intervention and other effective strategies, the life quality of patients can be improved and long-term survival may be achieved.

MicroRNA-140-5p suppresses tumor growth and metastasis by targeting transforming growth factor β receptor 1 and fibroblast growth factor 9 in hepatocellular carcinoma

By comparing the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in different hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) subtypes, we identified miR-140-5p as an HCC-related miRNA. We found that miR-140-5p was significantly decreased in HCC tissues and all of six liver cancer cell lines examined and its expression levels were correlated with multiple nodules, vein invasion, capsular formation, and differentiation, as well as overall and disease-free survival of HCC. We also found that miR-140-5p suppressed HCC cell proliferation and HCC metastasis. Multipathway reporter arrays suggested that miR-140-5p inhibited transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and mitogen-activated protein kinase / extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling. TGFB receptor 1 (TGFBR1) and fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) were then characterized as the direct targets for miR-140-5p after it was found that ectopic miR-140-5p expression suppressed TGFBR1 and FGF9 expression. Silencing TGFBR1 and FGF9 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) resembled the phenotype resulting from ectopic miR-140-5p expression, while overexpression of TGFBR1 and FGF9 attenuated the effect of miR-140-5p on HCC growth and metastasis.

CONCLUSION

These data elucidated a tumor suppressor role for miR-140-5p in HCC development and progression with therapeutic potential. Our correlation studies in clinical HCC samples further suggest that miR-140-5p could be a valuable biomarker for HCC prognosis.

Heat shock factor 1 promotes invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is a powerful, multifaceted modifier of carcinogenesis. However, the clinical significance and biologic function of HSF1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain unknown.

METHODS

Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect expression levels of HSF1, and its correlation with clinicopathologic parameters and the prognosis for patients with HCC were analyzed. In addition, the biologic function and molecular mechanisms of HSF1 in HCC were investigated in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

HSF1 levels were elevated predominantly in HCC, especially in venous emboli from HCC (P < .05), and high expression levels of HSF1 were correlated significantly with multiple nodules, venous invasion, absence of capsular formation, and high Edmondson-Steiner grade as well as poor overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with HCC (P < .05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that high HSF1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in patients with HCC (relative risk, 4.874; P < .001). Finally, HSF1 was capable of promoting HCC cell migration and invasion in vitro and in vivo by facilitating the expression and phosphorylation of heat shock protein 27.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, the current findings suggested that HSF1 may serve as a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.

FBI-1 promotes cell proliferation and enhances resistance to chemotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo

BACKGROUND

The so-called factor that binds to inducer of short transcripts-1 (FBI-1) purportedly plays an important role in tumorigenesis; however, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression level, clinical relevance, and biologic function of FBI-1 in HCC.

METHODS

Real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemical staining were used to detect expression levels of FBI-1 and to analyze its relation to clinicopathologic parameters and to the prognosis of patients with HCC. In addition, the biologic functions of FBI-1 in regulating cell proliferation, migration, and reaction to chemotherapy were detected by using HepG2 cells and SMMC-7721 cells; subsequently, the molecular mechanism of FBI-1 also was investigated. Finally, a xenograft mouse model was used to validate the observations obtained from in vitro studies.

RESULTS

Expression levels of FBI-1 messenger RNA and protein were elevated significantly in HCC tissues compared with adjacent nontumorous liver tissues (ANLTs). Increased FBI-1 expression was correlated with multiple tumor nodes, Edmondson-Steiner grade, and a poor prognosis in patients with HCC (P < .05). In vitro studies revealed that FBI-1 was capable of promoting cell proliferation (but not cell migration) by regulating the cell cycle regulation proteins p53, p21, and p27. In addition, FBI-1 could inhibit cell death induced by 5-fluorouracil or doxorubicin through suppressing the activation of p53. Consistent with the in vitro data, FBI-1 was capable of promoting cell proliferation and enhancing chemotherapy resistance of HCC in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings indicated that FBI-1 plays an important role in HCC carcinogenesis and chemotherapy tolerance, and FBI-1 may served as a novel prognostic marker and therapeutic target for HCC.

Obstetric outcomes in women with end-stage renal disease on chronic dialysis: a review

Pregnancies in women on chronic dialysis for end-stage renal disease are high risk, but outcomes appear to have improved with increasing experience and advances in dialysis care. This paper reviews the existing data on outcomes in such pregnancies to enable evidence-based preconception counselling and anticipation of antenatal complications.

Inhibition of the replication of hepatitis B virus in vitro by oxymatrine

This study investigated the inhibitory capacity of oxymatrine on in vitro hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. HepG2.2.15 cells were treated with oxymatrine 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 or 1000 mg/l, or with human interferon-alpha2b (IFN-alpha2b 1000 U/l) as a positive control. Levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) and HBV-DNA in cell supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and fluorescent quantitative-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometric analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labelling were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of oxymatrine. The inhibitory effects of oxymatrine gradually increased as the concentration increased from 200 to 1000 mg/l for HBsAg and HBeAg, and from 200 to 400 mg/l for HBV-DNA. There was no inhibitory effect of oxymatrine at concentrations < 200 mg/l. No significant difference was seen between human IFN-alpha2b (positive control) and oxymatrine >or= 200 mg/l. It is concluded that oxymatrine can inhibit in vitro HBV replication and antigen expression at concentrations >or= 200 mg/l.

Isolation, sequence identification and expression profile of three novel genes Rab2A, Rab3A and Rab7A from Black-boned sheep (Ovis aries)

Complete coding sequences of three Black-boned sheep (Ovis aries) genes Rab2A, Rab3A and Rab7A were amplified using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based on the conserved sequence information of cattle or other mammals known to be highly homologous to sheep ESTs. The Black-boned sheep Rab2A gene encodes a protein of 226 amino acids which contains the conserved putative RabL2 domain and is highly homologous to the Rab2A proteins of seven other species--cattle (96%), human (83%), Sumatran orangutan (82%), rat (81%), mouse (80%), African clawed frog (72%) and zebrafish (71%). The Black-boned sheep Rab3A gene encodes a protein of 220 amino acids that contains the conserved putative Rab3 domain and is very similar to the Rab3A proteins of four species--cattle (99%), African clawed frog (99%), Western clawed frog (98%) and zebrafish (95%). And the Black-boned sheep Rab7A gene encodes a protein of 207 amino acids that contains the conserved putative Rab7 domain and has high homology with the Rab7A proteins of six other species--human (99%), dog (99%), Sumatran orangutan (99%), zebrafish (97%), rabbit (97%) and African clawed frog (96%). Analysis of the phylogenetic tree has demonstrated that the Black-boned sheep Rab2A, Rab3A and Rab7A proteins share a common ancestor and the tissue expression analysis has shown that the corresponding genes are expressed in a range of tissues including leg muscle, kidney, skin, longissimus dorsi muscle, spleen, heart and liver. Our experiment is the first to provide the primary foundation for a further insight into these three sheep genes.

[Increased expression of Abi1 in hepatocellular carcinoma and its correlation with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of Abi1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the correlation between its expression level and clinical pathological characteristics as well as prognosis of HCC.

METHODS

Abi1 expression was determined at both mRNA and protein levels in 40 HCC tissues and their corresponding para carcinomatous liver tissues by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The correlations between Abi1 expression levels and pathological characteristics as well as prognosis were also analyzed.

RESULTS

The expression level of Abi1 mRNA in HCC tissues were significantly higher than those in corresponding para carcinomatous liver tissue (P < 0.05), and the expression level of Abi1 mRNA in nodular HCC tissues were also significantly higher than those in solitary large HCC tissues. Immunohistochemistry results showed that Abi1 protein located in cytoplasm of HCC cells and the expression level of Abi1 protein were significant positive correlated with the number of HCC, capsular formation, venous invasion and Edmondson-Steiner grade (P < 0.05). Combined with follow-up data, the results also showed that HCC patients with high Abi1 protein expression had a higher risk of invasion/metastasis and a shorter survival than those with low Abi1 protein expression (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Expression level of Abi1 is up-regulated in HCC tissues compared with corresponding para carcinomatous liver tissue and the expression level of Abi1 is significantly correlated with the number of tumor, capsular formation, venous invasion, Edmondson-Steiner grade and prognosis of HCC.

[Down-regulated expression of UNC5b related to hepatocellular carcinoma angiogenesis]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between UNC5b gene expression and angiogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

In situ hybridization was performed to detect the expression of UNC5b mRNA in HCC samples, paracarcinomatous liver tissues samples and normal liver samples. The relationship between UNC5b mRNA expression and the HCC clinicopathological features were also analyzed. Human umbilical artery endothelial cells were isolated and stimulated with HCC tissues homogenate, vascular endothelial growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor. Then RT-PCR was employed to detect the expression of UNC5b mRNA in normal HUAEC as well as activated HUAEC.

RESULTS

In situ hybridization results showed that UNC5b mRNA expression was detected majorly in endothelial cells of all normal liver tissues, and partial PCLTs but was weak or even undetectable in endothelial cells of the corresponding HCC tissues. The expression levels of UNC5b gene in PCLTs were significantly correlated with capsular formation of HCC. Furthermore, RT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of UNC5b mRNA in activated HUAEC were significantly higher than those in normal HUAEC.

CONCLUSIONS

Down-regulation of UNC5b gene expression is related to angiogenesis of HCC, which may be associated with the progression of HCC.

Inhibition of invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via targeting RhoC in vitro and in vivo

PURPOSE

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most deadly human cancers because of its high incidence of metastasis. Our previous work identified a strong correlation between increased expression of RhoC and HCC metastasis. Here, we investigate to define the role of RhoC in HCC metastasis. Furthermore, we sought to determine whether inhibition of the expression of RhoC might block the metastasis of HCC in vivo.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

A stable retroviral small interfering RNA approach was employed to selectively knockdown the expression of RhoC in vitro and in vivo. Invasion and migration assay, MTT and fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis, Rho activity assay, and immunofluorescence staining were carried out to characterize RhoC in vitro. An anti-RhoC retroviral gene delivery BALB/c nude mice model was established to investigate whether knockdown of the expression of RhoC might inhibit the metastasis of HCC in vivo.

RESULTS

We confirmed the correlation of RhoC expression and metastatic potentials of HCC cell lines. We also showed that suppression of RhoC expression resulted in inhibition of invasion and migration without an apparent effect on cell survival and proliferation in HCCLM3 cells. Furthermore, a similar effect of RhoC on autotaxin-induced invasion of HCCLM3 cells was also observed. Significantly, we successfully adopted an HCC metastatic mouse model that allowed us to show that knockdown of the RhoC expression resulted in inhibition of metastasis of HCC in vivo for the first time.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show a critical role of RhoC in metastasis of HCC, implicating RhoC as a potential therapeutic target to block HCC metastasis.

RhoC is essential for angiogenesis induced by hepatocellular carcinoma cells via regulation of endothelial cell organization

The angiogenesis induced by tumor cells is essential for metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma. Available information suggests that RhoC participates in angiogenesis through regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in tumor cells. For its broad functions in cell migration and cytoskeletal organization, we hypothesized that RhoC regulating angiogenesis does not exclusively depend on regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor expression. To address this question, in the present study, we used a retroviral small interfering RNA approach to selectively knockdown the expression of RhoC in a neovascularization model in vivo and in vitro. Our present results indicate that RhoC is the downstream regulator of vascular endothelial growth factor in endothelial cells and is essential for angiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor, notwithstanding that RhoC regulates the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in tumor cells. Furthermore, we show that knockdown of RhoC is associated with the inhibition of invasion and migration but not apoptosis of endothelial cells. Knockdown of RhoC results in inhibition of endothelial cell organization through restraining the reorganization of F-actin filaments, which represses endothelial cell network and sprout formation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that knockdown of RhoC inhibits angiogenesis induced by tumor cells not only through effecting the release of vascular endothelial growth factor, but also through inhibiting endothelial cell migration and organization, which implies that it blocks tumor metastasis by specifically inhibiting RhoC in endothelial cells.

Characteristics and photocatalytic activity of TiO2 thin film sensitized with a porphyrin dye

In this study, a novel porphyrin dye, 5, 10, 15, 20-tetraphenyl-21H, 23H-porphine nickel (TPPN) doped TiO2 (TiO2/TPPN) thin film with visible light respondency was prepared using a sol-gel method and characterized with XRD, SEM, UV-Vis instruments. The observation showed that the absorption edge of TPPN dye-doped thin film shifted into the visible light region. The photocatalytic indigo carmine degradation results showed that under visible light irradiation (lambda > 400 nm) for 6 hrs, the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 thin film sensitized with 200 microM of TPPN dye showed the best performance, with an indigo degradation ratio up to 96%. Moreover, the TiO2/TPPN thin film showed a relevant photocatalytic bactericidal effect on Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora 7 induced vegetable soft rot disease in the visible spectral region. Evidence for the photocatalytic disinfection technique against a plant pathogen under visible light irradiation will have potential for direct application in future control of plant diseases in irrigation water systems.

Correlation between CD105 expression and postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Angiogenesis is one of the mechanisms most critical to the postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Thus, finding the molecular markers associated with angiogenesis may help identify patients at increased risk for recurrence and metastasis of HCC. This study was designed to investigate whether CD105 or CD34 could serve as a valid prognostic marker in patients with HCC by determining if there is a correlation between CD105 or CD34 expression and postoperative recurrence or metastasis.

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining for the CD105, CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antibodies was performed in 113 HCC tissue specimens containing paracarcinomatous tissue and in 14 normal liver tissue specimens. The quantitation of microvessels identified by anti-CD105 and anti-CD34 monoclonal antibodies and the semiquantitation of VEGF expression identified by anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody were analyzed in conjunction with the clinicopathological characteristics of the HCC and any available follow-up information about the patients from whom the specimens were obtained.

Results

CD105 was not expressed in the vascular endothelial cells of any normal liver tissue or paracarcinomatous liver tissue but was expressed in the vascular endothelial cells of all HCC tissue. In contrast, CD34 was expressed in the vascular endothelial cells of normal liver tissue, paracarcinomatous tissue, and HCC tissue in the following proportions of specimens: 86.7%, 93.8%, and 100%, respectively. The microvascular densities (MVDs) of HCC determined by using an anti-CD105 mAb (CD105-MVD) and an anti-CD34 mAb (CD34-MVD), were 71.7 ± 8.3 (SD) and 106.3 ± 10.4 (SD), respectively. There was a significant correlation between CD105-MVD and CD34-MVD (r = 0.248, P = 0.021). Although CD34-MVD was significantly correlated with VEGF expression (r = 0.243, P = 0.024), CD105-MVD was more closely correlated (r = 0.300, P= 0.005). The correlation between microscopic venous invasion and CD105-MVD, but not CD34-MVD, was also statistically significant (r = 0.254, P = 0.018). Univariate analysis showed that CD105-MVD was significantly correlated with the 2-year overall survival rate (P = 0.014); CD34-MVD was not (P = 0.601). Multivariate analysis confirmed that CD105-MVD was an independent prognostic factor and that CD34-MVD was not.

Conclusion

The anti-CD105 mAb is an ideal instrument to quantify new microvessels in HCC as compared with anti-CD34 mAb. CD105-MVD as compared with CD34-MVD is relevant a significant and independent prognostic indicator for recurrence and metastasis in HCC patients.

[Overexpression of the RhoC gene correlates with invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

Rho, a ras homologous gene, encodes a group of GTP-binding proteins. Our previous study suggested that one member of the Rho gene family, RhoC, was related to the progression of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study is to elucidate correlation of Rho overexpression with invasion and metastasis of HCC.

METHODS

The expression level of RhoC mRNA and protein in 25 cases of HCC and adjacent non-cancerous liver tissue was examined by RT-PCR and Western blot. Mutation of RhoC gene was examined by PCR-SSCP.

RESULTS

The expression of RhoC mRNA and protein was found in all HCC and adjacent non-cancerous liver tissue. The expression level of RhoC mRNA and protein was significantly higher in tumor tissue than in adjacent non-cancerous liver tissue (1.8 +/- 1.1 vs 1.0 +/- 0.7; 33 992 +/- 10 384 vs 17 342 +/- 9998, P < 0.01). The degree of RhoC overexpression was even more marked in metastatic lesions than in primary tumors (P < 0.01). Overexpression of the rhoC gene was significantly correlated with such clinic-pathological findings as cell differentiation, portal vein invasion, number of primary tumor nodules and metastatic lesions (P < 0.05). Mutation of RhoC gene was found in none of the HCC specimens examined.

CONCLUSION

Overexpression of RhoC gene may play an important role in carcinogenesis and progression of HCC.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor and androgen interact in the maintenance of dendritic morphology in a sexually dimorphic rat spinal nucleus

Testosterone regulates androgen receptor expression, soma size, and dendritic length in motoneurons of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB) in adult male rats. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is also expressed in SNB motoneurons; BDNF maintains SNB soma size in castrates, and interacts with testosterone to regulate androgen receptor expression in SNB motoneurons. This study tested the hypotheses that BDNF promotes SNB dendritic lengths and that BDNF and testosterone interact to maintain dendritic morphology in SNB motoneurons. Adult male rats were castrated; and, 5 wk later, SNB motoneurons were axotomized bilaterally, and BDNF or PBS was applied via cups sutured to the cut axons. After axotomy plus BDNF or PBS application, castrates received implants of testosterone or blank capsules and were killed 24 d later. Additional males of similar age that received sham castration, sham axotomy, and a blank implant served as sham controls. Two days before death, SNB motoneurons were retrogradely labeled with cholera toxin-horseradish peroxidase, and SNB dendritic morphology was reconstructed in three dimensions. Dendritic lengths in blank-implanted castrates treated with PBS were significantly shorter than those of sham controls; treatment with either testosterone or BDNF alone failed to support dendritic length or distribution. However, treatment with both testosterone and BDNF restored dendritic morphology to the level of sham controls. Our findings demonstrate that BDNF interacts with testosterone in the maintenance of SNB dendritic arbors and support the hypothesis that dendritic morphology is regulated by trophic substances that originate in the neuromuscular periphery.

Prolonged procoagulant activity on overstretch-injured coronary arteries in pigs

This study was designed to assess the time course and nature of the vascular procoagulant response after 1.5-fold balloon overstretch injury of the coronary arteries in pigs. Arteries were excised for chromogenic assay of bound factor (F)Xa and thrombin at 24 h, 3 days, 1 week, or 2 weeks after injury. FXa at the site of injury remained elevated for 1 week (4.9 +/- 5.9 microg cm(-2), n = 10), compared with non-injured control arteries (0.4 +/- 0.2 microg cm(-2), n = 18, P = 0.00025), while thrombin was increased only at 24 h. Tissue factor protein was abundant in non-injured coronaries (10 +/- 6 ng microg(-1) total protein, n = 9) and levels were unchanged by injury (13 +/- 11 ng microg(-1), n = 6) or 24-h administration of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (16 +/- 6 ng microg(-1), n = 6). Persistent tissue factor-mediated procoagulant activity may explain the need for prolonged anticoagulation to attenuate neointimal formation after balloon-induced coronary injury.

[Correlation between epidermal growth factor and overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor in hepatocellular carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the correlation between epidermal growth factor (EGF) and overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Expressions of EGF, VEGF and microvessel density were studied through immunohistochemical SABC method in 36 HCC specimens, their paraneoplastic liver tissues and 6 normal liver tissues with the correlation between these parameters analyzed. Recombinant human EGF was used to stimulate HepG(2) cells and semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR was adopted to detect the expression of VEGF in HepG(2) cells.

RESULTS

The positive rates of EGF and VEGF expression in HCC tissue were 75.0% and 88.9%. There was positive correlation between EGF and VEGF expression (P < 0.01, r = 0.462). Recombinant human EGF could induce the expression of VEGF in HepG(2) cells in a dose and time dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

The expression of EGF in HCC underlies the overexpression of VEGF in HCC.

Correlation between anti-Ro/La titers and clinical findings of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease with various clinical and serological manifestations. Previous studies have shown the association of SLE and anti-Ro, anti-La and anti-dsDNA autoantibodies with various clinical manifestations. We investigated the relationship between these autoantibodies and clinical findings of our patients with SLE.

METHODS

Eighty patients with SLE at Department of Pediatrics, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan from October 1999 to March 2000 were enrolled in the study. Frequencies of various clinical manifestations were calculated. Autoantibodies to Ro, La and dsDNA were measured using ELISA method.

RESULTS

The most frequent clinical findings were arthritis (92.3%), photosensitivity (90.9%) and malar rash (86.1%). The most frequent laboratory findings were positive anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) (94.9%), low serum CH50 hemolytic titer (88.6%) and positive anti-dsDNA level (72.5%). Patients with anemia or photosensitivity had higher titers of anti-Ro antibody (Ab) than those without the respective clinical findings (p = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). However, patients with proteinuria had lower anti-Ro Ab titers (p < 0.05). There was no correlation between clinical findings and anti-La Ab titers. Patients have higher titers of anti-dsDNA Ab if they had clinical findings of Raynauld's phenomenon, photosensitivity, arthritis, hypocomplementemia (p < 0.001), thrombocytopenia, proteinuria, or serositis (p < 0.05). No correlation was found between renal involvement and titers of various autoantibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither anti-Ro, anti-La nor anti-dsDNA antibodies was correlated with renal involvement in patients with SLE. However, patients with proteinuria had significantly lower titers of anti-Ro Ab than those without proteinuria.

The underlying diseases and follow-up in Taiwanese children screened by urinalysis

To date, the underlying diseases and follow-up of Taiwanese children screened by urinalysis have not been reported. The grading of urine abnormalities varied from grade A (microscopic hematuria only), grade B (light proteinuria only), grade C (light proteinuria and microscopic hematuria) to grade D (heavy proteinuria). From January 1991 to August 1998, 630 students, aged 6-15 years and with positive urinary screening, were admitted to our hospital for further evaluation. Of these, 573 students had confirmed abnormal findings, 298 were boys, 275 were girls, and 294 students received a renal biopsy and have had regular follow-up visits. This study was designed to retrospectively elucidate: (1) the relationship between grading of urine abnormality and underlying disease; (2) the relationships among hypertension, grading of urine abnormality, and underlying disease; (3) the underlying disease of low serum C3 level; and (4) to determine whether urinary screening progressively decreased the number of students with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) annually. The results show that glomerular nephritis (GN) is still one of the major causes of urinary abnormalities. The most-important secondary GN was systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with lupus nephritis. One-quarter of the patients fulfilled at least four of the revised American Rheumatology Association (ARA) criteria for SLE at first administration, while the others who fulfilled only two to three of the revised ARA criteria had gradually developing signs and symptoms of SLE at follow-up. The percentage of SLE patients amongst anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) positive children was 72%. Membranoproliferative GN is very rare. The distribution of hypertension was 8.2% in grade A, 10.7% in grade B, 9.7% in grade C, and 28.9% in grade D urinary abnormality. There were statistical differences between grade D and either grade A or B or C (P<0.05). Lower serum C3 levels were found only in a minority of patients, including those with SLE. In this series, focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (FSGS) and active class IV lupus nephritis patients were found early enough to receive methylprednisolone pulse plus cyclosporine A therapy. To date there have been only 2 cases (5%) of FSGS with impaired renal function, and none of the lupus nephritis patients are in the predialysis stage. In conclusion, GN is still the major cause of urinary screening abnormality. ANA study is indicated in all Chinese students with abnormal urinary screening. The correlations between the severity of proteinuria and hypertension showed more-severe proteinuria in patients with nephritis as well as in those with hypertension.

Immune reponses in human mesangial cells regulated by emodin from Polygonum hypoleucum Ohwi

In the hope of identifying agents of therapeutic value in glomerulonephritis from Chinese herbs, we found that methanolic extracts of Polygonum hypoleucum Ohwi (P. hypoleucum Ohwi) inhibit human mesangial cells proliferation activated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) previously. This study was designed to identify bioactive components from P. hypoleucum Ohwi and elucidate their action mechanisms. We tested four anthraquinones emodin, emodin 1-O-beta-D-glucoside (49A), physcion (62A), and physcion 1-O-beta-D-glucoside (50A) purified from P. hypoleucum Ohwi for their effects on human mesangial cell proliferation and cytokines production in vitro. On a percentage basis, emodin had the highest suppressing activity on the human mesangial cells proliferation activated by IL-1beta and IL-6. The IC50 of emodin on human mesangial cells proliferation were 17.9+/-1.2 microM. In contrast to 49A, 50A, and 62A, emodin also decreased IL-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production in human mesangial cells activated with IL-1beta and IL-6. The IC50 of emodin on IL-1beta, IL-6 and TNF-alpha production in activated human mesangial cells were 16.6+/-1.8 microM, 8.2+/-1.3 microM, and 9.5+/-1.6 microM, respectively. Moreover, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in activated human mesangial cells was impaired by emodin. The intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in IL-1beta and IL-6 activated human mesangial cells was decreased by emodin. It is unlikely that cytotoxicity was involved because no cell deaths were observable. We hypothesize that the inhibitory mechanisms of emodin on activated human mesangial cells proliferation may be related to the impairments of gene expression and production of cytokines and [Ca2+]i in the cells.