Analysis of differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways in colorectal cancer with liver metastasis / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective: To explore the key genes and molecular mechanisms of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC), and to provide potential targets and biomarkers for the treatment of CRC with liver metastasis. Methods: Based on the bioinformatics method, the gene data sets of CRC liver metastasis were downloaded from the GEO database to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs); the GO and KEGG enrichment analyses of DEGs were performed by using DAVID online tool, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to screen out the key genes, and subsequently the prognosis was analyzed. Results: A total of 321 DEGs were selected from 183 CRC specimens and 39 liver metastasis specimens, including 153 up-regulated genes and 168 downregulated genes. The results of enrichment analysis of GO and KEGG showed that the functions of DEGs were mainly related to protein activation cascade, inflammatory response, extracellular matrix, platelet degranulation, complement and coagulation cascade reaction etc. 8 key CRC genes (ALB, APOB, FGA, F2, APOA1, SERPINC1, FGG and AHSG) were screened by PPI network. Survival analysis showed that patients with high expressions of SERPINC1 and FGG had poor prognosis(all P<0.05). Conclusion: The biological functions and signaling pathways of DEGs are related to the occurrence and development of liver metastasis. The 8 key genes may be the potential therapeutic targets of CRC liver metastasis, and SERPINC1 and FGG may be new prognostic markers.

Dual regulation effect of somatostatin on immunity in patients with severe sepsis caused by abdominal diseases / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>to investigate the effect of somatostatin on inflammatory immune disorders and prognosis in patients with severe sepsis caused by abdominal diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>fifty-three patients with severe abdominal sepsis (age > 18 years, APACHE-II score > 15) from June 2005 to June 2009 were randomly divided into Somatostatin group (n = 23) and SSC Group (n = 30). Fifteen healthy volunteers of the same age range were chosen as Control group. The SSC group was treated with classical SSC therapy, and the Somatostatin Group was treated with the same regime plus 14-peptide somatostatin continuous infusion at the dose of 6 mg/24 h for 7 days. The serum levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by using ELISA. CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+) T cell subsets were determined by fluorescence activated cell sorter(FACS) and CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) was calculated. APACHE-II score was observed on admission (d1) and day 3, 7 and 14 after treatment. Morality rates in 28 days in two groups were recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>compared with Control group, IL-10 and TNF-α levels were significantly elevated in patients with severe abdominal sepsis (P < 0.05), while CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+) T cell and CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) decreased significantly (P < 0.05). Compared with the Somatostatin group CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+) T cell and CD(4)(+)/CD(8)(+) on d7 and d14 in SSC Group were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while IL-10 and TNF-α decreased significantly(P < 0.05). APACHE-II scores on d3, d7, d14 of Somatostatin group were significantly lower than those of SSC group, and 28 d mortality rate also declined.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>in patients with severe abdominal sepsis, systemic inflammatory response and immune suppression exist simultaneously. Somatostatin has a dual immunomodulatory activity in these patients.</p>

Psychological anxiety evaluation and analysis of graduates at a medical university under employment pressure / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the psychological anxiety of graduates at a medical university under the ever-increasing employment pressure, so as to provide ground work for psychological intervention on college students.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Subjects were randomly drawn from the students who majored in clinical medicine, biomedical engineering, nursing and integrated Chinese and western medicine and graduated in the year of 2008 and 2009, with 25 subjects from each major each year, totaling up to 200. In March of their graduation year, they were evaluated by Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA). A general analysis into their anxiety was first made and then the comparative analysis of anxiety on the basis of gender, year group and major of the subjects.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Female students showed a significantly higher anxiety than male students. Graduates in 2009 showed a significantly higher anxiety than those in 2008. In terms of the major difference, the anxiety was in a falling curve from integrated Chinese and western medicine, clinical medicine, biomedical engineering and nursing. There was no major difference in the students majoring integrated Chinese and western medicine, clinical medicine and biomedical engineering, but nursing students showed significantly low anxiety.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The increasing employment pressure has caused the significant increase in the anxiety of college students. The employment rate in different majors may play a positive role in anxiety. Generally, female students showed a higher degree of anxiety than male students.</p>