[Effects of Different Microbial Fertilizers on Soil Quality and Maize Yield in Coastal Saline Soil].

Microbial fertilizers have the characteristics of high efficiency and environmental protection in improving saline soils, and the application of functional microbial fertilizers is of great significance for the green abatement of saline barriers and the improvement of soil quality in coastal areas. The experiment was based on moderately saline soil in the coastal area of Hebei Province, with corn as the indicator crop, on the basis of conventional chemical fertilizer application. Different microbial fertilizer treatments, namely, T1 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + compound microbial agent 75 kg·hm-2）, T2 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + Bacillus megaterium 300 kg·hm-2）, T3 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + B. mucilaginosus 300 kg·hm-2）, T4 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + organic silicon fertilizer 600 kg·hm-2）, T5 （conventional chemical fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + bio-organic fertilizer 600 kg·hm-2）, T6 （conventional fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2 + active microalgae 15 kg·hm-2）, and CK （only fertilizer 750 kg·hm-2）, were used for these seven treatments, to study the effects of different microbial fertilizers on soil nutrients, salinity, bacterial community, and corn yield and economic efficiency during two critical periods （V12 stage and maturity stage） of corn. The results showed that compared with that in CK, T1 significantly increased soil total nitrogen （TN） and available phosphorus （AP） contents during the whole growth period. Over the whole reproductive period, soil organic matter （OM） at maturity increased by 10.35% over the V12 stage compared to that in CK, but there was no significant difference between treatments. Compared with that in CK, T5 and T6 significantly reduced soil total salinity and Ca2+ content during the whole growth period by an average of 14.51%-18.48% and 24.25%-25.51%. T1 significantly increased the bacterial diversity index over the whole growth period by 45.16% compared to that in CK. The dominant soil phyla were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi, and the dominant genera were Bacillus and Geminicoccaceae. The most abundant functions of the bacterial community in the study area were chemoheterotrophy and aerobic chemoheterotrophy, with average relative abundances of 28.89% and 27.11%, and T3 and T6 significantly improved soil N cycling function. The results of redundancy analysis （RDA） indicated that Na+, SO42-, pH, and EC were important factors driving the structure of the bacterial community, and correlation heatmaps showed that Na+, SO42-, pH, and EC were significantly and positively correlated mainly with the phylum Planctomycetota, whereas soil OM and TN were significantly and positively correlated with Cyanobacteria. Compared with that in CK, T6 increased the relative abundance of Cyanobacteria and optimized the bacterial community structure during the whole growth period. Using recommended dosages of bacterial fertilizers T1 and T6 increased maize yield by 7.31%-24.83% and economic efficiency by 9.05%-23.23%, respectively. The preliminary results of soil chemical properties and yield correlation analysis revealed that EC, AP, HCO3-, and Mg2+ were the obstacle factors limiting soil productivity in coastal areas. In conclusion, the use of the compound bacterial agent （T1） and active microalgae （T6） at the recommended dosage can significantly enhance soil nutrients, reduce salinity, and improve the structural diversity of soil bacterial communities, which not only ensures the increase in maize yield and efficiency but also realizes the efficient use of microbial fertilizers and the improvement of soil quality.

Density and row spacing of short-season cotton suitable for machine picking in the cotton region of Yellow River Basin.

To determine the suitable planting density and row spacing of short-season cotton suitable for machine picking in the Yellow River Basin of China, we conducted a two-year field experiment in Dezhou during 2018-2019. The experiment followed a split-plot design, with planting density (82500 plants·hm-2 and 112500 plants·hm-2) as the main plots and row spacing (equal row spacing of 76 cm, wide-narrow row spacing of 66 cm+10 cm, equal row spacing of 60 cm) as the subplots. We examined the effects of planting density and row spacing on growth and development, canopy structure, seed cotton yield and fiber quality of short-season cotton. The results showed that plant height and LAI under high density treatment were significantly greater than those under low density treatment. The transmittance of the bottom layer was significantly lower than under low density treatment. Plant height under 76 cm equal row spacing was significantly higher than that under 60 cm equal row spacing, while that under wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm +10 cm) was significantly smaller than that under 60 cm equal row spacing in peak bolling stage. The effects of row spacing on LAI varied between the two years, densities, and growth stages. On the whole, the LAI under the wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm+10 cm) was higher, with the curve declining gently after the peak, and it was higher than that in the two cases of equal row spacing in the harvest time. The change in transmittance of the bottom layer presented the opposite trend. Density, row spacing, and their interaction had significant effects on seed cotton yield and its components. In both years, seed cotton yield was the highest (3832 kg·hm-2 in 2018, 3235 kg·hm-2 in 2019) under wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm+10 cm), and it was more stable at high densities. Fiber quality was less affected by density and row spacing. To sum up, the optimal density and row spacing of short-season cotton were as follows: density with 112500 plants·hm-2 and wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm+10 cm).

Development and validation of a nomogram model for predicting the risk of gallstone recurrence after gallbladder-preserving surgery.

BACKGROUND: The high incidence of gallstone recurrence was a major concern for laparoscopic gallbladder-preserving surgery. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for gallstone recurrence after gallbladder-preserving surgery and to establish an individualized nomogram model to predict the risk of gallstone recurrence. METHODS: The clinicopathological and follow-up data of 183 patients who were initially diagnosed with gallstones and treated with gallbladder-preserving surgery at our hospital from January 2012 to January 2019 were retrospectively collected. The independent predictive factors for gallstone recurrence following gallbladder-preserving surgery were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. A nomogram model for the prediction of gallstone recurrence was constructed based on the selected variables. The C-index, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve were used to evaluate the predictive power of the nomogram model for gallstone recurrence. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, a total of 65 patients experienced gallstone recurrence, and the recurrence rate was 35.5%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the course of gallstones > 2 years [odds ratio (OR) = 2.567, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.270-5.187, P = 0.009], symptomatic gallstones (OR = 2.589, 95% CI: 1.059-6.329, P = 0.037), multiple gallstones (OR = 2.436, 95% CI: 1.133-5.237, P = 0.023), history of acute cholecystitis (OR = 2.778, 95% CI: 1.178-6.549, P = 0.020) and a greasy diet (OR = 2.319, 95% CI: 1.186-4.535, P = 0.014) were independent risk factors for gallstone recurrence after gallbladder-preserving surgery. A nomogram model for predicting the recurrence of gallstones was established based on the above five variables. The results showed that the C-index of the nomogram model was 0.692, suggesting it was valuable to predict gallstone recurrence. Moreover, the calibration curve showed good consistency between the predicted probability and actual probability. CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram model for the prediction of gallstone recurrence might help clinicians develop a proper treatment strategy for patients with gallstones. Gallbladder-preserving surgery should be cautiously considered for patients with high recurrence risks.

SlMYC2 mediates stomatal movement in response to drought stress by repressing SlCHS1 expression.

Drought stress limits plant development and reproduction. Multiple mechanisms in plants are activated to respond to stress. The MYC2 transcription factor is a core regulator of the jasmonate (JA) pathway and plays a vital role in the crosstalk between abscisic acid (ABA) and JA. In this study, we found that SlMYC2 responded to drought stress and regulated stomatal aperture in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Overexpression of SlMYC2 repressed SlCHS1 expression and decreased the flavonol content, increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in guard cells and promoted the accumulation of JA and ABA in leaves. Additionally, silencing the SlCHS1 gene produced a phenotype that was similar to that of the MYC2-overexpressing (MYC2-OE) strain, especially in terms of stomatal dynamics and ROS levels. Finally, we confirmed that SlMYC2 directly repressed the expression of SlCHS1. Our study revealed that SlMYC2 drove stomatal closure by modulating the accumulation of flavonol and the JA and ABA contents, helping us decipher the mechanism of stomatal movement under drought stress.

High expression of PDGFA predicts poor prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

ABSTRACT: Platelet-derived growth factor A (PDGFA), the most known member of PDGF family, plays a crucial role in occurrence and progression of different tumors. However, PDGFA expression and its clinical significance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) are not clear. The present study aimed to assess the expression and prognostic value of PDGFA in ESCC.The Gene Expression Omnibus databases (GSE53625, GSE23400, and GSE67269) and fresh clinical samples were employed for detecting PDGFA messenger RNA expression in ESCC. The associations of PDGFA expression with clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated by chi-square test. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard regression model were performed to determine the prognostic value of PDGFA in ESCC patients. PDGFA-related signaling pathways were defined by gene set enrichment analysis based on Gene Expression Omnibus databases.The PDGFA messenger RNA expression was upregulated in ESCC tissues compared with paired adjacent noncancerous tissues (P < .05) and was positively correlated with T stage (P < .05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis suggested that ESCC patients with high PDGFA expression were associated with poorer overall survival compared to those with low PDGFA expression (P < .05), especially in advanced T stage (P < .05). Cox analyses showed that high expression of PDGFA was an independent predictor for poor prognosis in ESCC patients. Gene set enrichment analysis identified 3 signaling pathways (extracellular matrix receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis chondroitin sulfate) that were enriched in PDGFA high expression phenotype (all P < .01).PDGFA may serve as an oncogene in ESCC and represent an independent molecular biomarker for prognosis of ESCC patients.

Impact of B-mode-ultrasound-guided transhepatic and transperitoneal cholecystostomy tube placement on laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: B-mode-ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) may be performed by a transhepatic or transperitoneal approach, called percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PHGD) and percutaneous transperitoneal gallbladder drainage (PPGD), respectively. We compared the impact of PC related to the route of catheter placement on subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). AIM: To compare the impact of PC related to the route of catheter placement on subsequent LC. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 103 patients with acute calculous cholecystitis who underwent scheduled LC after PC between January 2010 and January 2019. Group I included 58 patients who underwent scheduled LC after PHGD. Group II included 45 patients who underwent scheduled LC after PPGD. Clinical outcomes were analyzed according to each group. RESULTS: Baseline demographic characteristics did not differ significantly between both groups (P > 0.05). Both PHGD and PPGD were able to quickly resolve cholecystitis sepsis. Group I showed significantly higher efficacy than group II in terms of lower pain score during puncture (3.1 vs 4.5; P = 0.001) and at 12 h follow-up (1.5 vs 2.2; P = 0.001), lower rate of fever within 24 h after PC (13.8% vs 42.2%; P = 0.001), shorted operation duration (118.3 vs 139.6 min; P = 0.001), lower amount of intraoperative bleeding (72.1 vs 109.4 mL; P = 0.001) and shorter length of hospital stay (14.3 d vs 18.0 d; P = 0.001). However, group II had significantly lower rate of local bleeding at the PC site (2.2% vs 20.7%; P = 0.005) and lower rate of severe adhesion (33.5% vs 55.2%; P = 0.048). No significant differences were noted between both groups regarding the conversion rate to laparotomy, rate of subtotal cholecystectomy, complications and pathology. CONCLUSION: B-mode-ultrasound-guided PHGD is superior to PPGD followed by LC for treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis, with shorter operating time, minimal amount of intraoperative bleeding and short length of hospital stay.

Novel serum microRNAs panel on the diagnostic and prognostic implications of hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To determine a panel of serum microRNAs (miRNAs) that could be used as novel biomarkers for diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We initially screened 9 out of 754 serum miRNAs by TaqMan Low Density Array in two pooled samples respectively from 35 HCC and 35 normal controls, and then validated individually by RT-qPCR in another 114 patients and 114 controls arranged in two phases. The changes of the selected miRNAs after operation and their prognostic value were examined. RESULTS: miR-375, miR-10a, miR-122 and miR-423 were found to be significantly higher in HCC than in controls (P < 0.0001), and the area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve for the 4-miRNA panel was 0.995 (95%CI: 0.985-1). All the four miRNAs were significantly reduced after surgical removal of the tumors (P < 0.0001), while still higher than normal controls (at least P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The four serum miRNAs (miR-375, miR-10a, miR-122 and miR-423) could potentially serve as novel biomarkers for the diagnostic and prognostic of HCC.

Transforming growth factor-ß and peripheral regulatory cells are negatively correlated with the overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To understand the cellular and molecular changes in peripheral blood that can lead to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and provide new methods for its diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from the peripheral blood of HCC patients and normal controls and then analyzed by flow cytometry. The percentage of transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß)+ regulatory cells (Tregs) in the peripheral blood was measured, and the expression of TGF-ß was also determined. Then, the relationship between the changes and the 5-year survival of patients was analyzed. In addition, recombinant human TGF-ß (rhTGF-ß) and recombinant human interleukin-6 were added to stimulate the cultured cells, and their effects on HCC were evaluated. RESULTS: The expression of TGF-ß and the percentage of TGF-ß+ Tregs in the peripheral blood of HCC patients increased significantly compared with normal controls. Compared with the low TGF-ß expression group, the high TGF-ß expression group had a significantly lower 5-year survival rate, and the same result was found in the two TGF-ß+ Treg groups, suggesting that TGF-ß and TGF-ß+ Tregs were negatively correlated with the overall survival of the patients. In addition, rhTGF-ß promoted the growth of tumor cells and induced high expression levels of IL-6, which further promoted tumor proliferation. CONCLUSION: The results showed that TGF-ß may promote tumor growth and proliferation by inducing the production of IL-6, and TGF-ß and TGF-ß+ Tregs may serve as new markers for predicting a poor prognosis in HCC.

Methylation-Mediated Silencing of GATA5 Gene Suppresses Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Proliferation and Metastasis.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the most common hepatic and biliary malignancies, accounting for about 3% of all gastrointestinal tumors. GATA5 is a transcription factor capable of suppressing the development of various human cancer types. Transcriptional inactivation and CpG island (CGI) methylation of GATA3 and GATA5, two members of the GATA family of transcription factors, have been observed in some human cancers. But whether high-density CGI methylation of GATA5 is associated with the clinical course of CCA patients has not been clarified. Herein, we observed reduced expression of GATA5 in CCA tissues compared with noncancerous tissues. Treatment with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine restored GATA5 expression in CCA cell lines. Furthermore, GATA5 expression was downregulated after treatment with IL-6 in human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells. Upregulated GATA5 inhibited CCA cell growth and metastasis. Mechanistically, GATA5 suppressed CCA cell growth and metastasis via Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Specific ß-catenin inhibitor or siRNA abolished the discrepancy of the proliferation and metastasis capacity between GATA5-overexpression CCA cells and their control cells, which further confirmed that Wnt/ß-catenin was required in GATA5-inhibited CCA cell growth and metastasis.

Effect of nitrogen deficiency on ascorbic acid biosynthesis and recycling pathway in cucumber seedlings.

L-Ascorbic acid (AsA, ascorbate) is one of the most abundant natural antioxidants, and it is an important factor in the nutritional quality of cucumber. In this work, key enzymes involved in the ascorbic acid biosynthesis and recycling pathway in cucumber seedlings under nitrogen deficiency were investigated at the levels of transcription and enzyme activity. The activities of myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) and transcript levels of MIOXs increased dramatically, while the activities of ascorbate oxidase (AO) and glutathione reductase (GR) and transcript levels of AOs and GR2 decreased significantly in N-limited leaves, as did the ascorbate concentration, in nitrogen-deficient cucumber seedlings. The activities of other enzymes and transcript levels of other genes involved in the ascorbate recycling pathway and ascorbate synthesis pathways decreased or remained unchanged under nitrogen deficiency. These results indicate that nitrogen deficiency induced genes involved in the ascorbate-glutathione recycling and myo-inositol pathway in cucumber leaves. Thus, the AO, GR and MIOX involved in the pathways might play roles in AsA accumulation.

RyR2 modulates a Ca2+-activated K+ current in mouse cardiac myocytes.

In cardiomyocytes, Ca2+ entry through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs) binds to and activates RyR2 channels, resulting in subsequent Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and cardiac contraction. Previous research has documented the molecular coupling of small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (SK channels) to VDCCs in mouse cardiac muscle. Little is known regarding the role of RyRs-sensitive Ca2+ release in the SK channels in cardiac muscle. In this study, using whole-cell patch clamp techniques, we observed that a Ca2+-activated K+ current (IK,Ca) recorded from isolated adult C57B/L mouse atrial myocytes was significantly decreased by ryanodine, an inhibitor of ryanodine receptor type 2 (RyR2), or by the co-application of ryanodine and thapsigargin, an inhibitor of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The activation of RyR2 by caffeine increased the IK,Ca in the cardiac cells (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). We further analyzed the effect of RyR2 knockdown on IK,Ca and Ca2+ in isolated adult mouse cardiomyocytes using a whole-cell patch clamp technique and confocal imaging. RyR2 knockdown in mouse atrial cells transduced with lentivirus-mediated small hairpin interference RNA (shRNA) exhibited a significant decrease in IK,Ca (p<0.05) and [Ca2+]i fluorescence intensity (p<0.01). An immunoprecipitated complex of SK2 and RyR2 was identified in native cardiac tissue by co-immunoprecipitation assays. Our findings indicate that RyR2-mediated Ca2+ release is responsible for the activation and modulation of SK channels in cardiac myocytes.

Expression of GLP-1R protein and its clinical role in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma tissues.

The study investigates the expression and clinical role of GLP-1R in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) tissues. ICC tissue, tissue around tumour and normal liver tissue samples from 176 ICC patients were investigated for GLP-1R expression by immunohistochemistry and western blots. Expression levels were correlated to clinical variables and to the postoperative outcome. High GLP-1R expression levels were detected in tumor tissue samples. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis of patients follow-up data. Results showed that median survival time of patients with high GLP-1R positive expression in ICC tissue were 22 months. Median survival time of patients with low GLP-1R positive expression in ICC tissue were 19.8 months. There wasn't statistical difference (p = 0.332) between two groups. Immunohistochemistry semi-quantitative analysis showed that tissue differentiation is not prognostic risk factors. In patients with GLP-1R positive expression in ICC tissue, lymph node metastasis was important prognostic factors (p = 0.001). Although statistical analysis showed that GLP-1R can not be judged as a risk prognostic factors, GLP-1 might become a new target for therapy of ICC.

Effect of the GLP-1 analog exendin-4 and oxaliplatin on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line and mouse model.

The influence of Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and Exendin-4 on development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is evaluated in the study. In vitro tests, including acute toxicity test, cell colony formation assays, cells proliferation and apoptosis, transwell assay, were performed. An ICC in situ tumor animal model was established. Then, animals were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): control, Exendin-4 treatment, oxaliplatin treatment and Exendin-4-oxaliplatin treatment. Animals in the Exendin-4 treatment and Exendin-4-oxaliplatin treatment groups received a subcutaneous injection of Exendin-4 (100 µg/kg/day) for 1 week, and then received oxaliplatin (10 mg/kg/week) by tail vein injection. Animals in the control group received PBS. Immunohistochemistry tests were used for PCNA, Ki67, Caspase 3 expression in tumor tissue. Results show that that, after incubation of human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, HuCCTI and GLP-1, or HuCCTI and Exendin-4, colony formation number was sharply decreased. However, GLP-1, HuCCTI or Exendin-4 did not affect the colony of normal cells. Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin-4 can significantly inhibit tumor cells' proliferation and promote apoptosis. The combined effect is stronger than that of oxaliplatin or Exendin-4. Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 can significantly decrease Ki67 and PCNA proteins' expression in subcutaneous tumors of nude mice. The inhibitory effect of Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 is clearly stronger than that of oxaliplatin. In addition, Combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 can significantly increase Caspase3 protein positive expression. In short, these results show that combination treatment with oxaliplatin and Exendin4 can inhibit tumor cells' proliferation, and promote apoptosis.

Alpha-fetoprotein: the predictor of microvascular invasion in solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma and criterion for anatomic or non-anatomic hepatic resection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to identify the preoperative predictors of microvascular invasion (MVI) in solitary small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and evaluate their application in surgical treatment. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively analyzed 161 patients with solitary small HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection. Overall and disease-free survival rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. The independent predictors were identified by Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: MVI was an independent predictor of both overall and disease-free survival. In 51 patients with MVI, anatomic resection achieved better survival than non-anatomic resection. However, anatomic resection and non-anatomic resection brought similar survival in patients without MVI. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was identified as the unique predictor of MVI (HR=2.773, p=0.004). Anatomic resection achieved better survival outcome than non-anatomic resection when AFP >100µg/L (5-year overall survival rate: 85% vs. 55%, p=0.024; 5-year disease-free survival rate: 37% vs. 21%, p=0.025), while there was no statistical survival difference between anatomic and non-anatomic resection when AFP <=100µg/L (5-year overall survival rate: 85% vs. 76%, p=0.838; 5-year disease-free survival rate: 48% vs. 49%, p=0.921). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with non-anatomic resection, anatomic hepatic resection improves overall and disease-free survival of solitary small HCC patients with AFP >100µg/L.

Preoperative predictors of short-term survival after hepatectomy for multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma.

AIM: To investigate preoperative factors associated with poor short-term outcome after resection for multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to assess the contraindication of patients for surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 162 multinodular HCC patients with Child-Pugh A liver function who underwent surgical resection. The prognostic significance of preoperative factors was investigated by univariate analysis using the log-rank test and by multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model. Each independent risk factor was then assigned points to construct a scoring model to evaluate the indication for surgical intervention. A receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was constructed to assess the predictive ability of this system. RESULTS: The median overall survival was 38.3 mo (range: 3-80 mo), while the median disease-free survival was 18.6 mo (range: 1-79 mo). The 1-year mortality was 14%. Independent prognostic risk factors of 1-year death included prealbumin < 170 mg/L [hazard ratio (HR): 5.531, P < 0.001], alkaline phosphatase > 129 U/L (HR: 3.252, P = 0.005), α fetoprotein > 20 µg/L (HR: 7.477, P = 0.011), total tumor size > 8 cm (HR: 10.543; P < 0.001), platelet count < 100 × 109/L (HR: 9.937, P < 0.001), and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase > 64 U/L (HR: 3.791, P < 0.001). The scoring model had a strong ability to predict 1-year survival (area under ROC: 0.925, P < 0.001). Patients with a score ≥ 5 had significantly poorer short-term outcome than those with a score < 5 (1-year mortality: 62% vs 5%, P < 0.001; 1-year recurrence rate: 86% vs 33%, P < 0.001). Patients with score ≥ 5 had greater possibility of microvascular invasion (P < 0.001), poor tumor differentiation (P = 0.003), liver cirrhosis with small nodules (P < 0.001), and intraoperative blood transfusion (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: A composite preoperative scoring model can be used as an indication of prognosis of HCC patients after surgical resection. Resection should be considered with caution in patients with a score ≥ 5, which indicates a contraindication for surgery.

Patients with multiple hepatocellular carcinomas within the UCSF criteria have outcomes after curative resection similar to patients within the BCLC early-stage criteria.

BACKGROUND: Surgical strategies for the treatment of multiple hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) remain controversial. This study compared the prognostic power of the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) criteria with the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) early-stage criteria. METHODS: Clinical and survival data of 162 multiple-HCC patients in Child-Pugh class A who underwent curative resection were retrospectively reviewed. Prognostic risk factors were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: UCSF criteria were shown to independently predict overall and disease-free survival. In patients within the UCSF criteria, 3-year overall and disease-free survivals were significantly better than in those exceeding the UCSF criteria (68 vs. 34 % and 54 vs. 26 %, respectively; both p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in 3-year overall and disease-free survival between patients within the UCSF criteria but exceeding the BCLC early stage and patients with BCLC early-stage disease (71 vs. 66 %, p = 0.506 and 57 vs. 50 %, p = 0.666, respectively). Tumors within the UCSF criteria were associated with a lower incidence of high-grade tumor (p = 0.009), microvascular invasion (p = 0.005), 3-month death (p = 0.046), prolonged Pringle's maneuver (p = 0.005), and surgical margin <0.5 cm (p < 0.001) than those exceeding the UCSF criteria. Tumors within the UCSF criteria but exceeding the BCLC early stage had invasiveness and surgical difficulty similar to those within the BCLC early-stage criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple HCC patients within the UCSF criteria benefit from curative resection. Expansion of curative treatment is justified.

The underlying cellular mechanism in the effect of tetramethylpyrazine on the anion secretion of colonic mucosa.

The present study investigated the underlying cellular mechanism in the effect of ligustrazine (tetramethylpyrazine, TMP) on the anion secretion of colonic mucosa in rats using a short-circuit current (I(sc)) technique in conjunction with "tool drugs." (i) After a pretreatment of the tissues by bathing the bilateral surface with Cl(-)-free Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution for over an hour, a basolateral application of 1 mmol/l TMP produced an increase in I(sc), and the total charges transported for 30 min were about 8.7 +/- 1.4 mC/cm(2); an apical pretreatment of DPC and a basolateral addition of acetazolamide decreased the TMP-induced I(sc) by about 60% (P < 0.01) and 45% (P < 0.05), respectively; a basolateral application of 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), the inhibitor of Na(+)-HCO(3)(-) cotransporter (NBC), did not alter the TMP-induced I(sc). (ii) After the bilateral surface of mucosa was bathed with HCO(3)(-)-free K-H solution for over an hour, a basolateral application of 1 mmol/l TMP produced an increase in I(sc), and the total charges transported in 30 min were about 8.3 +/- 1.9 mC/cm(2); an apical pretreatment of DPC (1 mmol/l), the inhibitor of Cl(-) channels, decreased the TMP-induced Isc by about 84% (P < 0.01). The basolateral presence of bumetanide (0.1 mmol/l), the inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC), significantly reduced the TMP-evoked I(sc) by about 86% (P < 0.01). In conclusion, (i) ligustrazine could promote colonic mucosa secretion Cl(-) via apical Cl(-) channels and basolateral NKCC; (ii) ligustrazine could promote colonic mucosa secretion HCO(3)(-) via apical Cl(-) channels and the basolateral diffusion of CO(2).

Effect of sodium ferulate on human colonic anion secretion and the underlying signaling mechanism.

The present study investigated the effect of ferulic acid, a compound purified from traditional Chinese herbal medicine Chuanxiong and Awei, on anion secretion by human colonic cells (T84) using the short circuit current (I(SC)) and microspectrofluorimetric technique. Basolateral administration of sodium ferulate (SF) produced a concentration-dependent increase of I(SC) in T84 cells with an EC50 of 1.2 mM. The SF-induced increase in I(SC) contained a transient peak followed by a sustained plateau. Removal of extracellular Cl-, basolateral addition of bumetanide, an inhibitor of the Na+ - K+ - Cl- cotransporter (NKCC) and apical pretreatment with DPC, a Cl- channels blocker, decreased the SF-induced increase in I(SC) by 94% (p < 0.001), 84% (p < 0.001) and 85% (p < 0.001) respectively. Pretreatment with thapsigargin, a specific microsomal Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor, in combination with EGTA, a Ca2+ chelator, decreased the SF-induced peak by 52% (p < 0.01) and inhibited the SF-induced plateau by 60% (p < 0.05). Pretreatment with MDL12330A, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, blocked the SF-induced I(SC) plateau by 87% (p < 0.01) but did not affect the SF-induced I(SC) peak. Microspectrofluorimetric measurements show that SF induced a sustained increase in [Ca2+]i. The results suggested that SF could induce Cl- secretion in T84 cells via Ca2+ and cAMP-dependent pathways.

Differential Cl- and HCO3- mediated anion secretion by different colonic cell types in response to tetromethylpyrazine.

AIM: Colonic epithelium is known to secrete both Cl(-) and HCO(3)(-), but the secretory mechanisms of different colonic cell types are not fully understood. The present study aimed to investigate the differential activation of Cl(-) and HCO(3)(-) secretion by tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) in human crypt-like cell line, T84, and villus-like cell line, Caco-2, in comparison to the TMP-induced secretory response in freshly isolated rat colonic mucosa. METHODS: Colonic epithelial anion secretion was studied by using the short circuit current (I(SC)) technique. RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of Na(+)-HCO(3)(-)-cotranspoter in different epithelial cell types. RESULTS: TMP produced a concentration-dependent I(SC) which was increase in both T84 and Caco-2 cells. When extracellular Cl(-) was removed, TMP-induced I(SC) was abolished by 76.6% in T84 cells, but not in Caco-2 cells. However, after both Cl(-) and HCO(3)(-) were removed, TMP-induced I(SC) in Caco-2 cells was reduced to 10%. Bumetanide, an inhibitor of Na(+)-K(+)-Cl(-)-cotranspoter, inhibited the TMP-induced I(SC) by 96.7% in T84 cells, but only 47.9% in Caco-2 cells. In the presence of bumetanide and 4, 4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2, 2'-disulfonic acid, an inhibitor of Na(+)-HCO(3)(-) cotransporter, inhibited the TMP-induced current in Caco-2 cells by 93.3%. In freshly isolated rat colonic mucosa, TMP stimulated distinct I(SC) responses similar to that observed in T84 and Caco-2 cells depending on the concentration used. RT-PCR revealed that the expression of Na(+)-HCO(3)(-) cotransporter in Caco-2 cells was 4-fold more greater than that in T84 cells. CONCLUSION: TMP exerts concentration-dependent differential effects on different colonic cell types with stimulation of predominant Cl(-) secretion by crypt cells at a lower concentration, but predominant HCO(3)(-) secretion by villus cells at a higher concentration, suggesting different roles of these cells in colonic Cl(-) and HCO(3)(-) secretion.

Effect of tetramethylpyrazine on exocrine pancreatic and bile secretion.

AIM: To investigate the effect of tetramethylpyrazine (ligustrazine, TMP) on the secretion of exocrine pancreas (and biliary). METHODS: In in vivo study, we investigated the effect of TMP on the secretion of pancreatic-bile juice (PBJ) in rats. Using human pancreatic duct cell line, CAPAN-1, combined with the short-circuit current (ISC) technique we further studied the effect of TMP on the pancreatic anion secretion. RESULTS: Administration of TMP (80 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly increased the secretion of PBJ (P<0.05), but the pH of PBJ and the secretion of pancreatic protein were not significantly affected. Basolateral addition of TMP produced a dose-dependent increase in ISC (EC50=1.56 mmol/L), which contained a fast transient ISC response followed by a slow decay. Apical application of Cl- channel blockers, DPC (1 mmol/L), decreased the response by about 67.1% (P<0.001), whereas amiloride (100 micromol/L), a epithelial sodium channel blockers, had no effect. Removal of extracellular HCO3- abolished TMP-induced increase in ISC by about 74.4% (P<0.001), but the removal of external Cl- did not. Pretreatment with phosphodiesterase inhibitor, IBMX(0.5 mmol/L), decreased the TMP-induced ISC by 91% (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: TMP could stimulate the secretion of PBJ, especially pancreatic ductal HCO3- secretion via cAMP or cGMP-dependent pathway. It need further study to investigate the roles of cAMP or cGMP in the effect of TMP on the secretion of exocrine pancreas.