Silencing of augmenter of liver regeneration inhibited cell proliferation and triggered apoptosis in U266 human multiple myeloma cells

Augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) is a thermostable cytokine that was originally identified to promote the growth of hepatocytes. This study was conducted to explore the expression and function of ALR in multiple myeloma (MM), a common hematologic malignancy. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis were performed to detect the expression of ALR in U266 human MM cells and healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). U266 MM cells were exposed to 20 or 40 μg/mL of recombinant ALR and tested for cell proliferation. Small interfering RNA-mediated silencing of ALR was done to investigate the role of ALR in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and cytokine production. Compared to PBMCs, U266 MM cells exhibited significantly higher levels of ALR at both the mRNA and protein levels. The addition of recombinant ALR protein significantly promoted the proliferation of U266 cells. In contrast, knockdown of ALR led to a significant decline in the viability and proliferation of U266 cells. Annexin-V/PI staining analysis demonstrated that ALR downregulation increased apoptosis in U266 MM cells, compared to control cells (20.1±1.1 vs 9.1±0.3%, P<0.05). Moreover, ALR depletion reduced the Bcl-2 mRNA level by 40% and raised the Bax mRNA level by 2-fold. Additionally, conditioned medium from ALR-depleted U266 cells had significantly lower concentrations of interleukin-6 than control cells (P<0.05). Taken together, ALR contributed to the proliferation and survival of U266 MM cells, and targeting ALR may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of MM.

Effects of perinatal exposure to nonylphenol on delivery outcomes of pregnant rats and inflammatory hepatic injury in newborn rats

The current study aimed to investigate the effects of perinatal exposure to nonylphenol (NP) on delivery outcome of pregnant rats and subsequent inflammatory hepatic injury in newborn rats. The pregnant rats were divided into 2 groups: control group (corn oil) and NP exposure group. Thirty-four pregnant rats were administered NP or corn oil by gavage from the sixth day of pregnancy to 21 days postpartum, with blood samples collected at 12 and 21 days of pregnancy and 60 days after delivery. The NP concentration was measured by HPLC, with chemiluminescence used for detection of estrogen and progesterone levels. Maternal delivery parameters were also observed. Liver and blood of the newborn rats were collected and subjected to automatic biochemical detection of liver function and blood lipid analyzer (immunoturbidimetry), and ultrastructural observation of the hepatic microstructure, with the TNF-α and IL-1β hepatic tissue levels evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Compared with the control group, the pregnant and postpartum serum NP and estradiol levels of the mother rats in the NP group were significantly increased, together with lowered progesterone level, increased number of threatened abortion and dystocia, and fewer newborn rats and lower litter weight. Serum and hepatic NP levels of the newborn rats measured 60 days after birth were significantly higher than those of the control group, as well as lower testosterone levels and increased estradiol levels. When observed under electron microscope, the hepatocyte nuclei of the control group were large and round, with evenly distributed chromatin. The chromatin of hepatocytes in the NP group presented deep staining of the nuclei, significant lipid decrease in the cytoplasm, and the majority of cells bonded with lysate. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that there was almost no TNF-α or IL-1β expression in the hepatocytes of the control group, while the number of TNF-α-, PCNA-, and IL-1β-positive cells in the NP group was increased, with higher integral optical density than the control group. Compared to the control group, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein in the newborn rats of the NP group were significantly increased. There was no significant difference in the serum level of high-density lipoprotein or cholesterol between the groups. Perinatal exposure to NP can interfere with the in vivo estrogen and progesterone levels of pregnant rats, resulting in threatened abortion, dystocia and other adverse delivery outcomes. High liver and serum NP levels of the newborn rats led to alteration of liver tissue structure and function. The NP-induced hepatotoxicity is probably mediated by inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1α.

Lymph node evaluation in totally thoracoscopic lobectomy with two‑port for clinical early‑stage nonsmall‑cell lung cancer: Single‑center experience of 1086 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Although more and more video‑assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) lobectomies via two‑port have been performed to treat early‑stage nonsmall‑cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in recent years, concern remains whether it can achieve satisfactory adequacy of lymphadenectomy. This retrospective study was aimed to evaluate the adequacy of lymphadenectomy by VATS via two‑port, compared with three‑port. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical and pathological data of patients who underwent VATS lobectomy via two‑port or three‑port with systematic lymphadenectomy for clinical early‑stage NSCLC were reviewed. As the main evaluation criterion, the number of mediastinal nodes and node stations, and the total number of nodes and node stations was compared by approach. RESULTS: 1872 patients with NSCLC underwent VATS lobectomy, 1086 via a two‑port approach and 786 through a three‑port approach. In the two‑port and three‑port groups, the baseline patient characteristics were similar, and there was no significant difference in the mean number of dissected mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) (12.3 ± 2.2 and 13.1 ± 1.7, P > 0.05) and the mean number of dissected MLN stations (3.5 ± 0.7 and 3.4 ± 0.8, P > 0.05). Meanwhile, the mean total number of dissected lymph nodes (24.1 ± 4.2 and 25.7 ± 4.3, P > 0.05) and the mean total number of dissected lymph node stations (6.8 ± 1.3 and 6.9 ± 1.1, P > 0.05) were also similar. Otherwise, in terms of postoperative complications, there was no obvious difference in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The adequacy of lymphadenectomy including MLN dissection by VATS via two‑port is similar to that via three‑port for patients undergoing lobectomy for clinical early‑stage NSCLC.

Quality of life and survival after II stage nonsmall cell carcinoma surgery: Video‑assisted thoracic surgery versus thoracotomy lobectomy.

PURPOSE: Due to the improvement of thoracoscopic thchnology and surgeon’s ability, plenty of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was treated by video‑assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). This study was designed to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and survival in II stage NSCLC patients following lobectomy, comparing VATS with thoracotomy. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2012, 217 II stage NSCLC patients (VATS: 114 patients, OPEN: 103 patients) were enrolled in a long‑standing, prospective observational lung cancer surgery outcomes study. Short‑form 36 health survey (SF‑36) and time to progression (TTP) were measured to evaluate the QOL and postoperative survival. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in the preoperative radiation therapy and differentiation, and the VATS group had less postoperative complication, blood loss, intraoperative fluid administration, and shorter length of stay. Statistical analysis of SF‑36 questionnaire revealed that VATS group score was higher on seven health dimensions: Bodily pain (BP), energy (EG), general health, physical functioning, mental health, SF, and role‑physical (RP), but only BP, EG, and RP have statistical significance. Using survival analysis, there was no significant difference between VATS and OPEN group, in which the mean TTP of VATS group is 18.5 months, while OPEN group is 20 months. CONCLUSIONS: VATS lobectomy tends to score higher on the QOL and functioning scales and has equivalent postsurgical survival compared with OPEN lobectomy for II stage nonsmall cell carcinoma patients.

Prognostic impact of CUG‑binding protein 1 expression and vascular invasion after radical surgery for stage IB nonsmall cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Nonsmall cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide because of distant metastasis and frequent recurrence. Only few reliable and easily accessible tumor markers have been clinically implemented to the early nonsmall cell cancer prognosis. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to detect the expression of CUG‑binding protein (CUGBP1) and assess the prognostic significance of CUGBP1 in early stage (IB) lung adenocarcinoma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using quantitative reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, we detect the expression of CUGBP1 and assess their correlation with clinicopathological parameters by Chi‑square test. Time to progression (TTP) was used as a recurrent index and was evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis in the Cox hazard model. RESULTS: Using PCR and IHC analyses, the expression of CUGBP1 and CUGBP1 messenger RNA (mRNA) had a close relationship with differentiation and vascular–invasion (VI). However, there were no significant differences between the CUGBP1 mRNA expression and CUGBP1 protein expression in IB lung adenocarcinoma. Using univariate and multivariate survival analyses, we found that CUGBP1 and VI were independent prognostic factors for IB stage adenocarcinoma individuals postsurgically. CONCLUSIONS: High expression of CUGBP1 could enhance the recurrence rate of adenocarcinoma and predicts an adverse postsurgical survival of TTP. Combination of CUGBP1 and VI detecting could be considered as indication to predict prognosis of IB stage adenocarcinoma in the clinical trial.

A retrospective study of diaphragmatic motion, pulmonary function, and quality-of-life following video-assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Diaphragmatic dysfunction and its negative physiologic disadvantages are less commonly reported in patients with lung cancer video‑assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes of this complication on pulmonary function and quality‑of‑life in patients following video‑assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate potential benefits on pulmonary function and quality‑of‑life with normal diaphragmatic motion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted in 64 patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer after video‑assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy. The population were divided into groups 1 (with diaphragmatic paralysis, n = 32) and group 2 (without diaphragmatic paralysis, n = 32) according diaphragmatic motion after postoperatively 6 months. And then, we investigated the difference between the two groups on pulmonary function and quality‑of‑life. RESULTS: (1) At 6 months after resection, the patients in group 1 had lost 25% of their preoperative forced expiratory volume in the 1 s (FEV1) (P < 0.001), and the patients in group 2 had lost 15% of their preoperative FEV1 (P < 0.001). And the other spirometric variables in group 1 were significantly worse than that of group 2 (P < 0.001). (2) The most frequently reported postoperative symptoms were fatigue, coughing, dyspnea, and thoracotomy pain in two groups. Of all the symptom scales, only the dyspnea scale showed a significant difference which subject has a higher proportion and scale compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis following video‑assisted thoracoscopic lobectomy caused adverse effects on postoperative pulmonary function and quality‑of‑life.

Anastomosis in minimally invasive Ivor lewis esophagectomy via two ports provides equivalent perioperative outcomes to open.

OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is becoming a selective treatment of esophageal cancer; however, it’s a complex and technically demanding surgical operation. MIE can be performed in high volume centers in a variety of ways using different techniques. Transthoracic staplers have traditionally been used in open transthoracic Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy (ILE) with good success. An investigation of the safety and utility of transthoracic stapler via two ports on thorax for esophageal anastomosis in minimally invasive ILE is reviewed. METHODS: Patients of esophageal cancer were selected between November 2012 and July 2014. All the patients received minimally invasive (MIE) or open transthoracic ILE. Transthoracic stapler for MIE anastomosis was performed through the major port located at subaxillary region. Patients’ demographics, indications for esophagectomy, perioperative treatments, intraoperative data, postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, 7 and in-hospital mortality were evaluated. RESULTS: Totally, 63 consecutive patients underwent MIE or ILE. All the patients were Han with a mean age of 60 years (52–74). The indication of surgery is esophageal cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma was defined by pathologist before operation. None of the patients had neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation. All the MIE patients were no conversions to open thoracotomy or laparotomy. Mean operative time was 4.5 h. One patient (3.03%) suffered postoperative pneumonia, no leak from the gastric conduit staple line or esophageal anastomoses, no postoperative complication required surgical intervention was observed. The median hospital length of stay was 13 days (range 7–18). There were no in-hospital mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, transthoracic stapler through the major port at subaxillary seems technically feasible and safe for minimally invasive ILE with comparable morbidity and oncologic data to open.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to HIV/AIDS among female migrant workers in the restaurant industry in Guangzhou, China / Conocimientos, actitudes y comportamientos relacionados con el VIH/SIDA entre las trabajadoras emigrantes en la industria de restaurantes en Guangzhou, China

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to assess knowledge and attitudes related to HIV/AIDS among the migrant female workers in the restaurant industry in Guangzhou City, China. METHODS: We performed a questionnaire survey using a judgmental sampling method in the health examination clinic of Yuexiu District of Guangzhou during March 2011. A total of 428 participants completed and returned the questionnaires and data were analysed by descriptive statistics, t-test, one way ANOVA, and Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: Of 428 respondents, the average score of HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was 19.6 (full marks, 26). Knowledge on HIV/AIDS among respondents was classified as poor for 8.2%, fair for 42.5%, and good for 49.3%. The average score of AIDS-related attitudes of respondents was 7.2 (full marks, 10). Most of the respondents (88.8%) had relatively positive attitudes toward AIDS. Unmarried status, ages less than 30 years old and higher levels of education had higher scores of knowledge. Among the respondents who had sex experiences, 57.7% (130/225) reported that they never or only some of the time used condom. The young, unmarried women had significantly higher proportion of condom use than those above 30 years old, and/or married ones. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, a half of respondents had only moderate and low levels of awareness about HIV/AIDS knowledge, although most of them had tolerant and positive attitudes toward HIV/AIDS. In addition, a relatively lower rate of condom use was reported. The findings indicate that there exists broad space for improvement of knowledge and behaviours toward HIV/AIDS for migrant women in China.

OBJETIVO: El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los conocimientos y actitudes relacionadas con el VIH/SIDA entre las trabajadoras emigrantes en la industria de restaurantes en la ciudad de Guangzhou, China. MÉTODOS: Realizamos una encuesta en forma de cuestionario utilizando un método de muestreo a juicio en la clínica de examen de salud del distrito de Yuexiu de Guangzhou en marzo de 2011. Un total de 428 participantes llenaron y entregaron los cuestionarios, y los datos fueron analizados mediante estadísticas descriptivas, prueba t, ANOVA unidireccional, y prueba de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: De las 428 encuestadas, la puntuación media de los conocimientos relacionados con el VIH/SIDA fue 19.6 (puntuación máxima, 26). El conocimientos sobre el VIH/SIDA entre las encuestadas fue clasificado de pobre por el 8.2 por ciento, aceptable por el 42.5%, y bueno por el 49.3%. La puntuación promedio de las actitudes relacionadas con el SIDA entre las encuestadas fue 7.2 (puntuación máxima, 10). La mayoría de las encuestadas (88.8%) tenían actitudes relativamente positivas hacia el SIDA. El estado civil de soltero, las edades menores de 30 años, y los niveles de educación más altos, estuvieron asociados con puntuaciones más altas de conocimiento. Entre las encuestadas que tenían experiencias sexuales, el 57.7% (130/225) reportó no haber usado condones nunca, o sólo algunas veces. Las mujeres jóvenes solteras hicieron un uso del condón en proporción significativamente mayor que las mujeres mayores de 30 años, y/o las casadas. CONCLUSIONES: En general, la mitad de las encuestadas tenía sólo niveles de conciencia moderados y bajos en cuanto a conocimientos de VIH/SIDA, aunque la mayoría de ellas tenía actitudes tolerantes y positivas hacia el VIH/SIDA. Además, se reportó una tasa relativamente baja de uso del condón. Los hallazgos indican que existe un amplio espacio para mejorar tanto los conocimientos como las conductas hacia el VIH/SIDA para las mujeres emigrantes en China.

A multiplex touchdown PCR for detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type b and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in sputum samples

Rapid and accurate detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae (Sp), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in sputum by conventional methods remains problematic. Primers based on capsular polysaccharide biosynthesis gene (cpsA), the region II of the capsulation locus (cap), the insertion sequence IS6110 were designed for Sp, Hib, MTBC respectively. These primers were incorporated in a multiplex touchdown PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Sp, Hib and MTBC. The multiplex touchdown PCR assay was evaluated using standard strains and clinical sputum samples. The multiplex touchdown PCR assay showed 100% specificity in identifying Sp, Hib, MTBC from pure culture of standard strains. The sensitivities of the multiplex touchdown PCR assay were 94%, 98%, 98% for detection of Sp, Hib and MTBC respectively based on culture results while evaluated using 492 consecutive qualified clinical sputum samples; the specificities were all 100%. This highly sensitive and specific multiplex touchdown PCR assay offers a rapid and simple method for detection of Sp, Hib and MTBC in clinical sputum samples.

The advantages of mosquito biocontrol by stocking edible fish in rice paddies.

Edible fish stocked in rice fields at a density of 600-800 fry per mu (1 mu = 1/15 hectare) for 150-170 days may act as an effective mosquito biocontrol agent. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio), grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella) and Tilopia spp. killed late stage larvae and pupae of Anopheles sinensis and Culex tritaeniorrhyncus in laboratory and field trials. Stocking of fish in experimental rice fields decreased larval numbers significantly in comparison with control areas. Expansion of fish stocking in rice fields on a large scale over several years correlated with a marked decrease in malaria transmission. The addition of fish to the rice fields also resulted in increased yields. A ditch-ridge system of field arrangements is described for optimization of fish handling. Preliminary cost-benefit analysis indicates that this approach to mosquito control conveys considerable economic advantage and thus provides incentive to the community to participate in vector control programs. Farmers' experience in Guangxi over a number of years indicates that the use of edible fish for this purpose can be carried on a large, commercially viable scale.