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Objective@#To investigate the relationship between the mutations in precore/core (preC/C) region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) gene and the postoperative survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.@*Methods@#A total of 81 cases in HBV associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) patients with cancer tissue genomic DNA were extracted. The preC/C region of HBV was amplified and sequenced, and survival-associated HBV mutations were identified according to the NCBI database. The relationships between the mutations in the preC/C region and HCC survival was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazards model. Eleven mutational sites were identified as statistically significant independent predictors of HBV-HCC postoperative survival.@*Results@#The portal vein thrombosis, tumor TNM classification and size were identified as statistically significant independent predictors of survival in HBV-HCC patients. In the research, we found that seven mutational sites in preC/C region of HBV were associated with independent risk factors for postoperative survival in patients of HBV-HCC. The following five mutational sites were identified as statistically significant independent predictors of HBV-HCC survival: 1915, 2134, 2176, 2221, 2260. The mutational site of 1979 and 2245 were identified for the association with survival at a borderline significance level.@*Conclusions@#The portal vein thrombosis, tumor TNM classification, size and seven mutational sites in the PreC/C region were identified as independent predictors of postoperative survival in HCC patients.
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Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of L-carnitine combined with erythropoietin (EPO) and iron on renal anemia in rats. Methods The renal anemia rat model was established using adenine. All rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (group A), EPO combined with iron group (group B), and L-carnitine combined with EPO and iron treatment group (group C). The levels of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (Hgb), hematocrit (Hct), C-reactive protein (CRP), Fe in peripheral blood (Fe), serum ferritin (SF) and transferrin saturation (TS) were measured. Pathological changes in the kidney, liver and small intestine tissues were examined using HE staining. Results Compared with the group A, the levels of RBC, Hgb, Hct, Fe, SF, and TS were significantly increased, however, the level of CRP significantly decreased in the groups B and C (P＜ 0. 05). In the group C, the levels of RBC, Hgb, and CRP was higher than the group B (P＜ 0. 05). Furthermore, the pathological changes in the kidney, liver and small intestine tissues were improved in the groups B and C. Conclusions L-carnitine combined with EPO and iron has a therapeutic effect on renal anemia in rats, thus, it deserves further studies and application.
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Objective To investigate the accumulation of mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNPs) in the displacement loop ( D-loop ) of mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA ) might be associated with cancer risk and disease outcome.Methods We obtained cancerous and noncancerous liver tissues from 49 HBV-related HCC patients at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University.mtDNA of the liver tissues was extracted with Mitochondrial DNA Extraction Kit.Mutation and polymorphism were confirmed by repeated analysis.We assessed the prediction power of D-loop SNPs in hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) patients.Results No mutation in these HCC patients had prediction power for post-operational survival, whereas one SNP site ( nucleotide 150 C/T ) was identified by the log-rank test for statistically significant prediction of HCC survival.In an overall multivariate analysis, allele 150 was identified as an independent predictor of HCC outcome.The length of survival of patients with allele 150C was significantly shorter than that of patients with allele 150T (relative risk, 0.246;95% CI, 0.070–0.861; P=0.028).Conclusions The analysis of genetic polymorphisms in the mitochondrial D-loop helps to identify patient subgroups at high risk of a poor disease outcome.
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Objective To explore a new surgical procedure for phallic reconstruction. Methods Since Dec 2003 to Nov 2006,4 patients with penile loss were reconstructed by transferring a deep in-ferior epigastric perforator(DIEP)flap with implanting the 12th costal cartilage. Results All of the flaDs survived successfully.With the follow-up from 5 months to 3 years,the appearance oi the neope-nis and donor-site scar was satisfactory. No one developed fistula or urethral stenosls, All patients were reported the return of erogenous sensibility of the neopenis leading to orgasm and achmving Pene-tration during sexual intercourse. Conclusions This new procedure may provide an esthetlcaIlY ac-ceDtable and functional neophallus.It might be a new alternative in penile reconstruction.
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Objective To report the effect of hormone replacement plus orthopedic surgery for 4 patients with female pseudohermaphroditism caused by congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Methods Four patients with female pseudohermaphroditism caused by congenital adrenal hyperplasia were included.On admission their ages were 11,15,14 and 20 years,respectively.The diagnoses were confirmed by medical histories,ultrasonography,serum levels of hormones and chromosome analysis.They all underwent clitoroplasty and vaginoplasty with perineal skin flap. Results After operation the patients received estrogen and progestogen for a short time to adjust the menstrual cycle and hydrocortisone replacement(10 to 20 mg,twice a day) for their lifetime.Normal menstruation and well-developed breasts were observed in all the patients.No constriction occurred in the reconstructed vaginas. Conclusions This disease can be easily misdiagnosed as hypospadias with bilateral cryptorchidism.Therefore,in addition to careful physical examination,the measurement of serum hormones,ultrasonography of the abdomen,and chromosome analysis are necessary.Proper utilization of the perineal skin flap for reconstruction of the clitoris and vagina as well as careful perioperative managements in combination with hormone replacement therapy can greatly contribute to satisfactory results.