Two new species of Perenniporia sensu lato (Polyporales, Basidiomycota) from China and two new combinations in Crassisporus.

Phylogenetic and morphological analyses on Perenniporia s.l. were carried out. Phylogenies on Perenniporia s.l. are reconstructed with two loci DNA sequences including the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions and the large subunit (nLSU). Two new species from Yunnan Province, southwest China, Perenniporiaprunicola and P.rosicola in Perenniporia s.l., are illustrated and described. Perenniporiaprunicola is characterised by the perennial and resupinate basidiomata with a clay pink pore surface when fresh, a trimitic hyphal system, the presence of clavate to fusiform hymenial cystidia, ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.8-6.2 × 3.6-4.5 µm. Perenniporiarosicola is characterised by annual and resupinate basidiomata with a white pore surface when fresh, a dimitic hyphal system, the presence of dendrohyphidia, broadly ellipsoid to subglobose basidiospores measuring 5-5.8 × 4-5.2 µm. In addition, Crassisporus is a genus in Perenniporia s.l., in which two new combinations Crassisporusminutus and C.mollissimus are proposed. Main morphological characteristics of species related to new taxa are also provided.

Phylogeny and diversity of Rigidoporus (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota), including three new species from Asia.

Phylogenetic and morphological analyses on Rigidoporus were carried out. The genus Rigidoporus (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota), typified by R. microporus (Fr.) Overeem. (synonym Polyporus micromegas Mont.), was established by Murrill in 1905. The genus is mainly characterized by annual to perennial, resupinate, effused-reflexed to pileate or stipitate basidiomata with azonate or concentrically zonate and sulcate upper surface, a monomitic to pseudo-dimitic hyphal structure, simple-septate generative hyphae, and ellipsoid to globose basidiospores. Phylogeny on species of the genus is reconstructed with two loci DNA sequences including the internal transcribed spacer regions and the large subunit. Three new species in Rigidoporus are described and illustrated from Asia, and one new combination in the genus is proposed. The main morphological characteristics of the currently accepted species of Rigidoporus are provided.

Ultrasound-guided continuous fascia iliaca compartment block for perioperative pain management in elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To study the effect of ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block on perioperative analgesia and postoperative complications in geriatric patients with hip fractures.@*METHODS@#A total of 127 elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery from January 2021 to September 2021 were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided continuous fascia iliaca compartment block(group F) either intravenous analgesia control group(group C). There were 62 cases in group F, including 19 males and 43 females with an average age of (82.4±7.2) years old ranging from 66 to 95 years old, involving 25 femoral neck fractures and 37 femoral intertrochanteric fractures. There were 65 cases in control group, including 18 males and 47 females, with an average age of (81.4±8.7) years old ranging from 65 to 94 years old, involving 29 femoral neck fractures and 36 femoral intertrochanteric fractures. The visual analogue scale(VAS), minimental state examination (MMSE), observer's assessment of alertness/sedation(OAA/S) scale, modified Bromage score, postoperative complications and general conditions during hospitalization in two groups were observed.@*RESULTS@#The resting and exercise VAS at 30 min after block, anesthesia placement and 6, 24 and 48 h after surgery were lower than those in group C(P<0.05). In group F, MMSE scores at 12 h before surgery, and 1, 3 d after surgery and OAA/S scores at 3 d after surgery were higher than those in group C(P<0.05). The incidence of adverse effects and the number requiring additional analgesia were lower than those in group C(P<0.05). Group F had better perioperative analgesia satisfaction and hospital stay than group C(P<0.05). But there was no significant difference regarding Bromage score and 30-day mortality between two group(P>0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Ultrasound-guided continuous fascia iliacus space block was safe and effective for elderly patients with hip fracture, and could significantly reduce perioperative pain, improve postoperative cognitive function, and reduce postoperative complications, thereby shortening hospital stay and improving the quality of life during hospitalization.

Pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tissue distribution of oral co-loaded puerarin/daidzein mixed micelles in rats / 中国中药杂志

This study investigated the drug delivery performance of oral co-loaded puerarin(PUE) and daidzein(DAZ) mixed micelles(PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs) from the perspectives of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and tissue distribution. The changes in PUE plasma concentration in rats were evaluated based on PUE suspension, single drug-loaded micelles(PUE-FS/PMMs), and co-loaded micelles(PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs). Spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) were used to monitor systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure for 10 weeks after administration by tail volume manometry. The content of PUE in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, brain, and testes was determined using LC-MS/MS. The results showed that compared with PUE suspension and PUE-FS/PMMs, PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs significantly increased C_(max) in rats(P<0.01) and had a relative bioavailability of 122%. The C_(max), AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-∞), t_(1/2), and MRT of PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs were 1.77, 1.22, 1.22, 1.17, and 1.13 times higher than those of PUE suspension, and 1.76, 1.16, 1.08, 0.84, and 0.78 times higher than those of PUE-FS/PMMs, respectively. Compared with the model control group, PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs significantly reduced systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure in SHR rats(P<0.05). The antihypertensive effect of PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs was greater than that of PUE suspension, and even greater than that of PUE-FS/PMMs at high doses. Additionally, the distribution of PMMs in various tissues showed dose dependency. The distribution of PMMs in the kidney and liver, which are metabolically related tissues, was lower than that in the suspension group, while the distribution in the brain was higher than that in the conventional dose group. In conclusion, PUE/DAZ-FS/PMMs not only improved the bioavailability of PUE and synergistically enhanced its therapeutic effect but also prolonged the elimination of the drug to some extent. Furthermore, the micelles facilitated drug penetration through the blood-brain barrier. This study provides a foundation for the development of co-loaded mixed micelles containing homologous components.

Age-related changes for the predictors of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Chinese men aged 40 years or older / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

A cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate the age-stratified normal levels and age-related changes in the risk predictors of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) progression. A total of 4706 male participants aged 40 years or older in Zhengzhou (China) were enrolled. The values of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume (PV), and postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) significantly increased with age. Nonlinear relationships between age and IPSS scores ≥8 (P for nonlinearity = 0.046), PSA level ≥1.6 ng ml-1, PV ≥31 ml, or PVR ≥39 ml (all P for nonlinearity <0.001) were observed. After the age of 61 years, the risk indicators related to BPH progression were positively correlated with age (odds ratio [OR] >1), regardless of the predictors of the IPSS score, PSA level, PV, or PVR; and the OR values increased gradually. Therefore, after the age of 61 years, the risk predictors related to BPH progression were positively correlated with age.

Low Pt loading for high-performance fuel cell electrodes enabled by hydrogen-bonding microporous polymer binders.

A key challenge for fuel cells based on phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole membranes is the high Pt loading, which is required due to the low electrode performance owing to the poor mass transport and severe Pt poisoning via acid absorption on the Pt surface. Herein, these issues are well addressed by design and synthesis of effective catalyst binders based on polymers of intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) with strong hydrogen-bonding functionalities which improve phosphoric acid binding energy, and thus preferably uphold phosphoric acid in the vicinity of Pt catalyst particles to mitigate the adsorption of phosphoric acid on the Pt surface. With combination of the highly mass transport microporosity, strong hydrogen-bonds and high phosphoric acid binding energy, the tetrazole functionalized PIM binder enables an H2-O2 cell to reach a high Pt-mass specific peak power density of 3.8 W mgPt-1 at 160 °C with a low Pt loading of only 0.15 mgPt cm-2.

Outline, Divergence Times, and Phylogenetic Analyses of Trechisporales (Agaricomycetes, Basidiomycota).

Phylogenetic analyses inferred from the nuc rDNA ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 (ITS) data set and the combined 2-locus data set [5.8S + nuc 28S rDNA (nLSU)] of taxa of Trechisporales around the world show that Sistotremastrum family forms a monophyletic lineage within Trechisporales. Bayesian evolutionary and divergence time analyses on two data sets of 5.8S and nLSU sequences indicate an ancient divergence of Sistotremastrum family from Hydnodontaceae during the Triassic period (224.25 Mya). Sistotremastrum family is characterized by resupinate and thin basidiomata, smooth, verruculose, or odontoid-semiporoid hymenophore, a monomitic hyphal structure, and generative hyphae bearing clamp connections, the presence of cystidia and hyphidia in some species, thin-walled, smooth, inamyloid, and acyanophilous basidiospores. In addition, four new species, namely, Trechispora dentata, Trechispora dimitiella, Trechispora fragilis, and Trechispora laevispora, are described and illustrated. In addition, three new combinations, namely, Brevicellicium daweishanense, Brevicellicium xanthum, and Sertulicium limonadense, are also proposed.

Two new brown rot polypores from tropical China.

Brown-rot fungi are types of fungi that selectively degrade cellulose and hemicellulose from wood and are perhaps the most important agents involved in the degradation of wood products and dead wood in forest ecosystem. Two new brown-rot species, collected from southern China, are nested within the clades of Fomitopsis sensu stricto and Oligoporus sensu stricto, respectively. Their positions are strongly supported in the Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic tree of the concatenated the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, the large subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nLSU), the small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nuSSU), the small subunit of mitochondrial rRNA gene (mtSSU), the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB1), the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and the translation elongation factor 1-α gene (TEF1) sequences. Fomitopsisbambusae, only found on bamboo, is characterised by its resupinate to effused-reflexed or pileate basidiocarps, small pores (6-9 per mm), the absence of cystidia, short cylindrical to oblong-ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.2-6.1 × 2-2.3 µm. Oligoporuspodocarpi is characterised by white to pale cream pore surface, round or sometimes angular pores (5-6 per mm), broadly ellipsoid to reniform basidiospores measuring 3.8-4.2 × 2-2.3 µm and growing on Podocarpus. Illustrated descriptions of these two novel species, Fomitopsisbambusae and Oligoporuspodocarpi, are provided.

Phylogeny and diversity of Bjerkandera (Polyporales, Basidiomycota), including four new species from South America and Asia.

Four new species of Bjerkandera, viz. B. ecuadorensis, B. fulgida, B. minispora, and B. resupinata spp. nov., are described from tropical America and Asia. B. ecuadorensis is characterised by dark grey to black pore surface, a monomitic hyphal system, hyaline to yellowish-brown generative hyphae, and ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 3.9-4.5 × 2.7-3 µm. B. fulgida is distinguished from the other species in the genus by clay buff to pale brown and shiny pore surface. B. minispora is characterised by white tomentose pore mouth and small basidiospores measuring 3.1-4.2 × 2-2.8 µm. B. resupinata is characterised by resupinate basidiomata, pinkish buff to pale brownish pore surface, and ellipsoid to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores measuring 4.5-6 × 3.2-4.1 µm. All these new species grow on angiosperm trunks or rotten wood, and cause a white rot. The closely related taxa to four new species are discussed. An identification key to the ten accepted species of Bjerkandera is provided, and a phylogeny comprising all known Bjerkandera species is provided.

Two new species of Perenniporia (Polyporales, Basidiomycota).

Two new species of Perenniporia, P. pseudotephropora sp. nov. and P. subcorticola sp. nov., are introduced respectively from Brazil and China based on morphological characteristics and molecular data. Perenniporia pseudotephropora is characterised by perennial, pileate basidiocarps with distinctly stratified tubes, grey pores, tissues becoming dark in KOH, a dimitic hyphal system with slightly dextrinoid arboriform skeletal hyphae and broadly ellipsoid to subglobose, truncate, weakly dextrinoid, cyanophilous basidiospores, measuring 4.9-5.2 × 4-4.8 µm. Perenniporia subcorticola is characterised by resupinate basidiocarps, yellow pores with thick dissepiments, tissues becoming dark in KOH, flexuous skeletal hyphae, ellipsoid, truncate and slightly dextrinoid basidiospores, measuring 4.2-5 × 3.5-4.2 µm. The morphologically-similar species and phylogenetically closely-related species to the two new species are discussed.

Adjacent-level biomechanics after single-level anterior cervical interbody fusion with anchored zero-profile spacer versus cage-plate construct: a finite element study.

BACKGROUND: The development of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) following ACDF is well established. There is no analytical study related to effects of plate profile on the biomechanics of the adjacent-level after ACDF. This study aimed to test the effects of plate profile on the adjacent-level biomechanics after single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS: A three-dimensional finite element model (FEM) of an intact C2-T1 segment was built and validated. From this intact model, two instrumentation models were constructed with the anchored zero-profile spacer or the standard plate-interbody spacer after a C5-C6 corpectomy and fusion. Motion patterns, the stresses in the disc, the endplate, and the facet joint at the levels cephalad and caudal to the fusion were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with the normal condition, the biomechanical responses in the adjacent levels were increased after fusion. Relative to the intact model, the average increase of range of motion (ROM) and stresses in the endplate, the disc, and the facet of the zero-profile spacer fusion model were slightly lower than that of the standard plate-interbody spacer fusion model. The kinematics ROM and stress variations above fusion segment were larger than that below. The biomechanical features of the adjacent segment after fusion were most affected during extension. CONCLUSIONS: The FE analysis indicated that plate profile may have an impact on the biomechanics of the adjacent-level after a single-level ACDF. The impact may be long-term and cumulative. The current findings may help explain the decreasing incidence of ASD complications in the patients using zero-profile spacer compared with the patients using cage and plate construct.

Gut bacteria affect the tumoral immune milieu: distorting the efficacy of immunotherapy or not？.

Immunotherapy using immune-checkpoint inhibitors is revolutionizing oncotherapy. However, the application of immunotherapy may be restricted because of the lack of proper biomarkers in a portion of cancer patients. Recently, emerging evidence has revealed that gut commensal bacteria can impact the therapeutic efficacy of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in several cancer models. In addition, testing the composition of gut bacteria provides context for prediction of the efficacy and toxicity of immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the impacts of gut commensal bacteria on the tumoral immune milieu, highlighting some typical bacteria and their associations with immunotherapy.

Effect of dietary pattern on the brachial ankle pulse wave velocity in the northern industrial urban population / 中国综合临床

Objective To investigate the effects of different dietary patterns on brachial ankle pulse wave velocity in northern industrial cities. Methods According to the selection criteria,from 2014 to 2015, 22436 health checkup persons were selected as the subjects of Kailuan Group,they were followed up with health examination and questionnaire investigation, at the same time, the brachial ankle pulse wave velocity was detected. According to the dietary advice given by the Chinese dietary guidelines,the proportion of animal and plant food in the food frequency questionnaire and the supply of nutrients are divided into 4 groups,which are the traditional Chinese diet group (3 585 cases),the Western diet group (13 639 cases),the balanced diet group (1 309 cases),the Mediterranean diet group (3 903 cases). Logistic multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze he risk factors of atherosclerosis. Results The mean value of brachial ankle pulse wave velocity in 22 436 cases was ( 1 462. 46 ± 320. 69) cm/s, and the incidence of peripheral arteriosclerosis was 50. 78%(11 392/22 436). The incidence of arteriosclerosis around the balanced diet group, the Mediterranean diet group,the traditional Chinese diet group and the Western diet group were 48. 82%( 639/1 309), 49. 12%(1 917/3 903),50. 49%(1 810/3 585),51. 51%(7 026/13 639),and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P＝0. 024); after adjusting other related risk factors,compared with the balanced diet group,the risk of peripheral arteriosclerosis in the Mediterranean diet group,the traditional diet group and the Western diet group was 121(95%CI:0. 557～2. 258),1. 015(95%CI:0. 663～1. 554),1. 033(95%CI:0. 677～1. 575), respectively. Conclusion The incidence of peripheral arteriosclerosis increased gradually in the balanced diet group,the Mediterranean diet group,the Chinese traditional diet group and the Western diet group, but there was no statistical significance in the risk of peripheral arteriosclerosis after adjusting other related risk factors. This Conclusion requires more large samples,long-term follow-up study to further confirm.

Analysis on microstructure and biomechanical properties in different regions of osteoporotic femoral head / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the structure and biomechanical property differences in different regions of the femoral head for elderly patients with femoral neck fractures,and to study its influence on internal fixation for fracture.Methods Twenty femoral head specimens were collected from elderly patients with femoral neck fracture after joint replacement.The femoral head was divided into 3 parts (lateral,inferior and medial region) with reference to anatomical markers on surface of the femoral head.After the position and drilling direction of the ring drill were determined,a circular drill was used to obtain the cylindrical cancellous bone columns with 10 mm in diameter and 10 mm in height.The data of cancellous bone columns in different regions were analyzed by Micro-CT scanning system,including bone volume fraction (BVF),trabecular space (Tb.Sp),trabecular thickness (Tb.Th),the number of trabecular number (Tb.N),the bone surface volume ratio (bone surface/bone volume,BS/BV),structural model index (SMI).Mechanical property differences of bone tissues in different regions were calculated by micro-finite element analysis.Results Bone mass in the elderly osteoporotic femoral head decreased,and there were significant differences in bone microstructure and mechanical properties in different regions of the femoral head.Bone microstructure and mechanical properties in medial region were obviously superior to those in lateral and interior region.Conclusions The bone structure and mechanical strength in medial region of the femoral head are obvious superior to those in lateral and inferior regions.The position for internal fixation should be fully considered during treatment of osteoporotic femoral neck fracture in clinic.

Analysis on microstructure and biomechanical properties in different regions of osteoporotic femoral head / 医用生物力学

Objective To investigate the structure and biomechanical property differences in different regions of the femoral head for elderly patients with femoral neck fractures,and to study its influence on internal fixation for fracture.Methods Twenty femoral head specimens were collected from elderly patients with femoral neck fracture after joint replacement.The femoral head was divided into 3 parts (lateral,inferior and medial region) with reference to anatomical markers on surface of the femoral head.After the position and drilling direction of the ring drill were determined,a circular drill was used to obtain the cylindrical cancellous bone columns with 10 mm in diameter and 10 mm in height.The data of cancellous bone columns in different regions were analyzed by Micro-CT scanning system,including bone volume fraction (BVF),trabecular space (Tb.Sp),trabecular thickness (Tb.Th),the number of trabecular number (Tb.N),the bone surface volume ratio (bone surface/bone volume,BS/BV),structural model index (SMI).Mechanical property differences of bone tissues in different regions were calculated by micro-finite element analysis.Results Bone mass in the elderly osteoporotic femoral head decreased,and there were significant differences in bone microstructure and mechanical properties in different regions of the femoral head.Bone microstructure and mechanical properties in medial region were obviously superior to those in lateral and interior region.Conclusions The bone structure and mechanical strength in medial region of the femoral head are obvious superior to those in lateral and inferior regions.The position for internal fixation should be fully considered during treatment of osteoporotic femoral neck fracture in clinic.

[Curative Effect of Jiedu Shengji Recipe in Preventing and Treating Acute Radiation Esophagitis in Radiotherapy Induced Esophageal Carcinoma Patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the curative effect of Jiedu Shengji Recipe (JSR) in preventing and treating acute radiation esophagitis in radiotherapy induced esophageal carcinoma patients. METHODS: Totally 86 mid-late stage esophageal carcinoma patients were assigned to the treatment group and the control group according to random digit table, 43 in each group. All patients received concurrent radiochemotherapy. Patients in the treatment group took JSR from starting the radiotherapy, one dose per day for 8 successive weeks, while those in the control group took mixture of dexamethasone, lido- caine, and gentamicin, 10 mL each time, taken before radiation and within 30 min after radiation, discontinued till the end of radiation. The occurrence time of acute radiation esophagitis and, duration of symptoms, esophageal radioactive damage degree, curative effect, improvement rate of Karnofsky performance scale (KPS) , and the incidence of adverse reactions were observed in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the occurrence time of acute radiation esophagitis was prolonged (15. 46±3. 37 days vs 10.23±2.46 days) , and duration of symptoms was shortened (20.18±4.56 days vs 26. 17±3. 26 days) in the treatment group, with statistical difference (P <0. 01). In the treatment group the occurrence rate of mid and high level (degree II to degree IV) acute radiation esophagitis was lower than that of the control group (Z =3. 34, P <0. 01). The total effective rate was 95. 35% (41/43) in the treatment group and 67. 44% (29/43) in the control group, with statistical difference between the two groups (X² =11.06, P<0.01 ). The improvement rate of KPS were higher in the treatment group than in the control group [65. 12% (28/43) vs 27.91% (12/43) ; X² =11.97, P <0. 01]. The incidence of adverse reactions were lower in the treatment group than in the control group with statistical difference [9.30% (4/43) vs 34. 88% (15/43) ; X²=8.17, P <0. 01]. CONCLUSION: JSR had better effect for preventing and treating moderate and severe acute radiation esophagitis in concurrent chemoradiotherapy induced esophageal carcinoma patients.

Involvement of Notch1/Hes signaling pathway in ankylosing spondylitis.

We aimed to investigate the role of Notch1/Hes signaling pathway in the pathogenesis of abnormal ossification of hip ligament in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). 22 AS patients scheduled for artificial hip arthroplasty were randomly chosen as AS group. As controls, we used 4 patients diagnosed with transcervical fracture who underwent hip replacement surgery. Notch1 and Hes mRNA expressions were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RFQ-PCR). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect Notch1 and Hes protein expression. Correlation analyses of Notch-l and Hes with AS-related clinical factors were conducted with spearman's correlation analysis and partial correlation analysis. RFQ-PCR results showed significant differences in Notch1 and Hes mRNA expressions between AS group and the control group (all P<0.05). IHC analysis further indicated positive nuclear signals of Notch1 and Hes protein, indicating functional activation of the Notch1 and Hes pathways. Semi-quantitative IHC showed a higher Notch1 and Hes expression levels in AS group compared to the control group (all P<0.05). Correlation analysis suggested that Hes protein expression was positively associated with the clinical course of the disease in AS patients. In conclusion, Notch1 and Hes overexpression was clearly detected in hip joint ligaments of AS patients, Hes protein expression was associated with the clinical course of AS. Taken together, we suggest that signaling pathways mediated by Notch1-Hes may contribute to ligament ossification of hip joints in AS patients.

Role of growth differentiation factor-5 and bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor in the development of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.

The present study was designed to evaluate the role of growth differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) and bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor (BMPR-II) in the development of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). A total of 24 patients with lumbar IDD (experiment group) and 6 patients with lumbar vertebral fracture (control group) were enrolled in the study. Tissue samples of IVD from the experiment group and control group were obtained during lumbar fusion operation, respectively. Fixation and decalcification of IVD tissue were performed, and then HE staining was carried out to observe the morphological changes of the lumbar IVD tissues. The expression of GDF-5 and BMPRII in human lumbar IVD was detected by immunohistochemical staining. HE staining results showed that non- and minimal degeneration was found in 11 cases (score range, 0-3), moderate degeneration in 12 cases (score range, 4-8), and severe degeneration in 7 cases (score range, 9-12). According to the immunohistochemical results, the positive expression rates of GDF-5 and BMPRII in NP were higher than those in AF of the non- and minimal degeneration group, moderate degeneration group and severe degeneration group (all P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in GDF-5 or BMPRII positive expression was observed among the normal, non- and minimal, moderate and severe degeneration groups in neither NP area nor AF area (all P > 0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that GDF-5 and BMPRII expressed both in normal and degenerated IVD tissues, and GDF-5 might have an inhibition effect on degenerated lumbar IVD, suggesting that gene therapy may be a useful approach in producing physiological effects during early- and late-phase of lumbar IDD.

The level of serum VCAM-1 in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma and its clinical significance / 肿瘤

Objective: To examine the level of serum vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to explore its clinical significance. Methods: Serum specimens from 414 HCC patients were included in this study, in addition to samples from 92 healthy individuals and 120 patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Serum VCAM-1 levels were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the correlation between VCAM-1 levels and clinical features was evaluated. Results: The serum VCAM-1 level was significantly higher in HCC patients than in healthy individuals or patients with chronic HBV infection (HBV carriers) (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the serum VCAM-1 level was correlated with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels (P = 0.021) but not with gender, age, tumor size, histological grade, HBV infection, intrahepatic metastasis or cirrhosis in HCC patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that higher VCAM-1 level was associated with shorter survival in HCC patients (P = 0.023). Conclusion: These results suggest that the serum level of VCAM-1 may serve as a potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for primary HCC patients.