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Objective:To investigate the correlation between preoperative serum γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) level and the postoperative survival of patients with renal cell carcinoma.Methods:The clinical data of 235 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent nephrectomy from December 2005 to December 2011 in the Affiliated Hospital of China University of Mining and Technology were retrospectively analyzed. According to the preoperative serum GGT level at 1.5 times the upper limit of normal value 90 U/L (the upper limit of normal value of samples in this study was 60 U/L), patients were divided into 2 groups: GGT ≤ 90 U/L group (218 cases) and GGT>90 U/L group (17 cases). The correlation between GGT and clinicopathological characteristics as well as postoperative survival of patient with renal cell carcinoma was also analyzed.Results:There were statistically significant differences in gender, age, the level of the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), the neutrpphil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, neoplasm staging between GGT ≤ 90 U/L group and >90 U/L group (all P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the median overall survival time was 84 months and 54 months, respectively in GGT ≤ 90 U/L group and GGT > 90 U/L group, and the difference was statistically significant of both groups ( χ2 = 4.334, P = 0.037). Univariate Cox proportional risk regression model showed that pathologic type, pathology T staging, preoperative GGT level, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level, ALT level were influencing factors of postoperative overall survival in patient with renal cell carcinoma (all P < 0.05). The multivariate Cox regression model analysis showed that the pathological type ( HR = 2.323, 95% CI 1.228-4.396, P = 0.010), GGT level ( HR = 2.406, 95% CI 1.077-5.376, P = 0.032), LDH level ( HR = 2.320, 95% CI 1.080-4.981, P = 0.031) were independent influencing factors of postoperative overall survival in patient with renal cell carcinoma. Conclusions:Preoperative elevated serum GGT level is associated with poor prognosis of patients with renal cell carcinoma, and the monitoring of it may help to evaluate the prognosis of patients and provide guidelines for individual treatment method.
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OBJECTIVE：To study the improvement effects of Weijing deco ction on AECOPD model rats and its possibile mechanism. METHODS ：Totally 55 male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group ，model group ，Weijing decoction low-dose and high-dose groups （8.37，16.74 g/kg，by crude drug ），dexamethasone group （positive control group ，0.09 mg/kg），with 11 rats in each group. Except for normal group ，AECOPD model was induced by cigarettes combined with lipopolysaccharide in other groups. After modeling ，normal group and model group were given constant volume of water intragastrically ，and other groups were given relevant medicine intragastrocally ，twice a day ，for 14 days. After last intragastric administration ，the serum level of IL- 1 β was determined，and pathological changes of lung tissue and bronchus were observed in each group ；mRNA expression of MMP-9 and TIMP- 1 genes in lung tissue were detected ；protein expression of Ras homologous gene family member （RhoA）， dishevelled associated activator of morphogenesis- 1（DAAM1）and hyperplasic suppress gene （HSG）in lung tissue were also determined. RESULTS ：Compared with normal group ，the levels of IL- 1β in serum，mRNA expression of MMP- 9 and TIMP-1 as well as protein expression of RhoA and DAAM 1 in lung tissue were increased significantly in the model group（P＜0.05），while protein expression of HSG in lung tissue was decreased significantly （P＜0.05）；there were many chronic inflammatory cells infiltrating around the bronchus ，some airway mucosa epithelium exfoliating ，alveolar compensatory dilation，pulmonary septal capillary dilation and hyperemia. Compared with model group ，the levels of IL- 1β in serum，mRNA expression of MMP- 9 and TIMP- 1 in lung tissue were decreased significantly in Weijing decoction high-dose group （P＜0.05）；the protein expression of RhoA and DAAM 1 in lung tissue were decreased significantly in Weijing decoction low-dose and high-dose groups（P＜0.05），while the protein expression of HSG in lung tissue was increased （P＜0.05）；the pathological changes of Weijing decoction high-dose group ，such as inflammatory cells infiltrating around the bronchus and shedding of airway mucosa ， were improved significantly ， and there was complete alveolar epithelium structure but no obvious pulmonary dilation. CONCLUSIONS：Weijing decoction can improve AECOPD model rats to certain extent ；its mechanism may be associated with down-regulating mRNA expression of MMP- 9 and TIMP -1 as well as protein expression of RhoA and DAAM 1 in lung tissue ， up-regulating protein expression of HSG in lung tissue so as to inhibit the airway remodeling.
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Hypoxia inducible factor 1-α(HIF-1α) is a transcription factor induced by hypoxia, and it regulates the transcription of hypoxia-related genes for cells, especially for tumor cells to adapt to the hypoxic environment. HIF-1 α has been widely studied concerning breast cancer, liver cancer and other solid tumors. High expression level of HIF-1 α was related to tumor angiogenesis, metastasis, and chemotherapy-drug resistance. Recent studies showed that HIF-1α was closely related to the pathogenesis and the progress of hematological malignancies such as leukemias, and the expression of HIF-1 α was related to the prognosis of these patients. This paper reviews the research progress of HIF-1α in hematologic malignancies.
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Background Lead (Pb) exposure impairs cognitive functions of children. Whether Pb exposure in different developmental stages induces long-term cognitive impairment, and whether chelation therapy could mitigate the cognitive impairment is rarely reported. Objective This experiment is designed to investigate effects of Pb exposure and chelation therapy during different developmental stages (breastfeeding, weaning, and early puberty periods) on mouse short-term and long-term cognitive functions. Methods C57BL/6 male mice in breastfeeding period, weaning period, and early puberty period (postnatal day 2, 21, and 41; PND 2, PND 21, and PND 41, n=30, respectively) were randomly divided into control, Pb exposure, and Pb+dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) treatment groups (n=10 in each group). The control groups received standard food and deionized water. The Pb exposure mice received standard food and free drinking water containing Pb acetate (0.1% for dams, and 0.05% for pups). After receiving Pb acetate for 19 d, the Pb+DMSA treatment groups were given 1 mmol·kg−1·d−1 DMSA for 6 d with gastric infusion. Whole blood Pb levels were measured after DMSA treatment on experimental day 25. The effects on short-term cognitive function were tested in the Morris Water Maze task by the analyses of escape latency on PND 75−79, as well as target quadrant time and times of platform-crossing on PND 80. Hippocampal long-term potentiation of field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) of mice on PND 365 was induced to demonstrate the effects on long-term cognitive function. Results The blood Pb levels among the Pb, Pb+DMSA, and control groups were statistically different for each developmental stage (Fbreastfeeding period=43.47, Fweaning period=228.6, Fearly period of puberty=274.2, all P<0.001). Compared to the counterpart control groups, blood Pb levels of the pb exposure groups (386.4, 265.0, and 178.1 μg·L−1 in breastfeeding period, weaning period, and early puberty period, respectively) were significantly higher for all stages. After the chelation therapy, the blood Pb significantly decreased for all stages (28.68, 47.29, and 20.93 μg·L−1 in the three periods, respectively, all P<0.001) and the Pb levels of the mice exposed in the breastfeeding period decreased most (by 92.58%, 82.15%, and 88.25% in the three periods, respectively, P<0.01). In the water maze task, the mice exposed to Pb in the breastfeeding period had a gentler decrease in escape latency (from 54.20 s on day 1 to 30.54 s on day 5, by 43.65 % decrease) than the control group (from 32.44 s on day 1 to 15.20 s on day 5, by 53.14 % decrease) (P<0.01) and a significant decrease in target quadrant time (P<0.05). After the chelation therapy, the escape latency of the DMSA-treated mice in the breastfeeding period (from 40.94 s on day 1 to 20.87 s on day 5, by 48.99 % decrease) was steeper than that of the Pb-exposed mice (P<0.05). The differences in the escape latency, target quadrant time, and times of platform-crossing were not significant between the Pb-exposed mice and the control mice in the weaning period and early period of puberty (all P>0.05). After the chelation therapy, such differences were also not significant compared with before therapy. Due to the small sample size, data were merged for different developmental stages in the long-term potentiation test. The amplitudes of fEPSP induced in the control, Pb-exposed, and DMSA treatment groups were significantly different (Fgroups=212.2, Ftime=11.36. P<0.001). The average fEPSP amplitude induced in the last 10 min recorded in the hippocampal slices in the Pb exposure group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After the DMSA treatment, no significant differences were observed in the fEPSP amplitudes between the Pb exposure group and the DMSA treatment group (P>0.05). When observing the fEPSP data by developmental stages, the fEPSP amplitude in the breastfeeding Pb-exposure group was 27.2% lower than that of the breastfeeding control group, while such changes were not obvious in the weaning period or in the early period of puberty. The fEPSP amplitude in breastfeeding DMSA treatment group was 44.3% higher than that of the breastfeeding Pb exposure group, while such changes were not observed in the weaning period or in early period of puberty. Conclusion Pb exposure during different developmental stages, especially in breastfeeding period, could affect short-term and long-term cognitive functions of mice. The harmful effects may be partially reversed by DMSA chelation therapy, especially being treated in breastfeeding period.
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This study aimed at exploring the effects of Guttiferone K (GUTK),a compound isolated from G.yunnanensis,on inhibiting the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo.MTT assay was used to detect the inhibitory effects of GUTK on the proliferation of five human pancreatic cancer cell lines.Western blot was adopted to detect the apoptosis-related protein expressions of Caspase-3,poly adenosinediphosphate-ribose polymerase (PARP) and Bcl-xL.For in vivo study,the human pancreatic cancer cell MIA PaCa-2 was orthotopically injected into the pancreatic tail of the orthotopic mice.One week later,GUTK was administered by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection every other day for 4 weeks.The volume and weight of the tumor tissue were measured.The protein expression level of cleaved caspase-3 in tumor tissue of all the groups was quantified by immunohistochemistry.As a result,it was found that GUTK effectively inhibited the proliferation of the five human pancreatic cancer cell lines at a low concentration.GUTK induced caspase-related apoptosis by triggering a series of events in MIA PaCa-2 cells including cleaved Caspase-3 and PARP activation,Bcl-xL down-regulation,and eventually cell death in a time and dose dependent manner.Furthermore,in vivo study revealed that intraperitoneal injection of GUTK significantly suppressed the growth of pancreatic cancer cells in the orthotopic mouse models,and the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was increased in the GUTK and gemcitabine treated groups.It was concluded that GUTK induced apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer both in vitro and in vivo,and was potential to develop into a clinical anticancer agent.
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Objective To establish a novel convenient loop?mediated isothermal amplification(LAMP)method with the unique genes coding Plasmodium helical interspersed sub?telomeric superfamily(PHIST)for the rapid molecular diagnosis of P. falciparum. Methods The unique genes coding PHIST with high expression mRNA profile during the ring form or schizont period of P. falciparum were screened and selected from the PlasmoDB database. The LAMP primers of targeted genes were de?signed by the online software(PrimerExplorer V4). The LAMP assay was executed by the color?displaying method with SYBR Green. The dried blood spots of P. falciparum from clinical isolates were collected and the genomic DNA(gDNA)was extracted. For evaluation of sensitivity,the gDNA was diluted to four gradients(10?1,10?2,10?3,and 10?4). For assessment of specificity, the gDNA(s)of P. vivax,P. yoelii,Taenia saginata,and Schistosoma japonicum were also extracted. Results Totally,61 P. falciparum unique genes coding PHIST were found. The PF3D7_1372300 with high expression value during the ring form and PF3D7_1401600 with high expression value during the schizont period were selected for LAMP assay. The lowest detectable lim?its of PF3D7_1372300 and PF3D7_1401600 were 130.5 parasite/μl and 1 305.3 parasite/μl,respectively. Specific tests showed the amplified products of P. falciparum was positive and all the others including P. vivax,P. yoelii,T. saginata,and S. japoni?cum were negative. Conclusions The established LAMP method with PF3D7_1372300 gene is sensitive,specific,simple and useful. It can be applied to the field investigation and clinical diagnosis for falciparum malaria.
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Objective:To study the relationship between neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L) and traditional cardio‐vascular risk factors among community 35~64‐year‐old residents .Methods :A total of 1884 residents (548 males and 1336 females) from urban Shenyang city received baseline condition questionnaire on cardiovascular diseases and re‐lated diseases from Apr 2011 to Feb 2012. According to presence of cardiovascular risk factors or not ,subjects were divided into healthy control group (n=675) and risk factor group (n=1209);according to number of risk factors , risk factor group was further divided into one risk factor group (n=491) ,two risk factors group (n=263) and ≥3 risk factors group (n=455) .Morning blood sample and urine sample were retained to measure blood and urine rou‐tine ,blood glucose and blood lipid profile etc in all subjects .N/L was compared and analyzed among all groups .Re‐sults:Among patients with only one of following risk factors [hypertension ,diabetes mellitus (DM) ,dyslipidemia and obesity] ,N/L levels of patients with hypertension or DM were significantly higher than that of healthy control group [1.55(1.15 ,1.95) ,1.60(1.21 ,2.07) vs .1.45(1.09 ,1.91)] , P0.05 all .Among risk factor sub‐groups ,N/L level of ≥3 risk factors group was significantly higher than that of two risk factors group [1.57(1.16 , 2.04) vs .1.41(1.07 ,1.89) ,P0.05) .Conclusion:N/L significantly related to hypertension or DM ,and N/L level of ≥3 risk factors group was sig‐nificantly higher than that of two risk factors group ,N/L is helpful to assess risk of cardiovascular diseases .
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Objective To study the independent risk factors of relapse of smoking among current smokers of different ages who underwent percuta?neous coronary intervention(PCI). Methods Totally 197 current smokers who received PCI from January 2007 to December 2009 in the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University were enrolled. Information about relapse of smoking was collected through the medical records and the telephone follow?up. Discrepancy of risk factors of smoking resumption was compared in different age groups. Results Totally 112 patients re?sumed smoking after PCI. There were 87 patients in the non?elderly group and 25 in the elderly group. According to the correlation analysis,more than one stents(P=0.025),severe nicotine dependence(P=0.001)and long time for daily passive smoking(P=0.000)were related with relapse in the non?elderly group,and there was a negative correlation between more than one stents and relapse. But in the elderly group,relapse was associ?ated with history of hypertension(P=0.034). According to the logistic regression analysis in different age groups,independent predictors of smoking relapse in the non?elderly group were severe nicotine dependence(OR:3.914,P=0.003)and long time for daily passive smoking(OR:1.352,P=0.000). And in the elderly group,independent risk factors of smoking relapse were male(OR:17.325,P=0.027),history of hypertension(OR:13.185,P=0.005),long time for daily passive smoking(OR:1.273,P=0.045)Conclusion Independent risk factors of smoking relapse were different in the elderly group and the non?elderly group. In the non?elderly group,these factors were severe nicotine dependence and long time for dai?ly passive smoking. And in elderly group,these factors were male,history of hypertension,long time for daily passive smoking.
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Objective To get the weights of 4 evaluating indices in the operation complexity(OC)model of spaceflight.Methods Two weight assignment methods,subjective and objective methods,were adopted.The subjective method was combined with Delphi method,fuzzy analytic hierarchy process(FAHP),and multi-expert set-valued statistics.To get the subjective weights,two trials of survey were carried out among 10 candidate astronauts.The objective method was nonlinear analysis method in SPSS15.The data of the validation experiment for the OC model was analyzed and the objective weights were obtained.Results Two sets of weights were gained.Conclusion The subjective weights are based on the views of multi-experts and can be applied to different operation situations.The objective weights are suitable to be applied in the same operation situation.