ABSTRACT
Background: Elevated preoperative γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels or reduced serum albumin levels have been established as negative prognostic factors for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and various other tumors. Nonetheless, the prognostic significance of the GGT to serum albumin ratio (GAR) in liver transplantation (LT) therapy for HCC is still not well-defined. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 141 HCC patients who underwent LT at Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital from June 2017 to November 2020. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal GAR cutoff value to predict outcomes following LT was assessed. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to identify independent risk factors associated with both overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: A GAR value of 2.04 was identified as the optimal cutoff for predicting both OS and RFS, with a sensitivity of 63.2% and a specificity of 74.8%. Among these patients, 80 (56.7%) and 90 (63.8%) met the Milan and the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that microvascular invasion (MVI), maximum tumor size (>5 cm), total tumor size (>8 cm), liver cirrhosis, TNM stage (III), and GAR (≥2.04) were significantly associated with both postoperative OS and RFS in patients with HCC (all p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that GAR (≥2.04) was independently linked with RFS and OS. Conclusion: Pre-transplant GAR ≥2.04 is an independent correlate of prognosis and survival outcomes after LT for HCC and can be used as a prognostic indicator for both mortality and tumor recurrence following LT.
ABSTRACT
Background: Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) released by neutrophils are crucial for cancer development, metastasis, and can indicate gastric cancer (GC) patients' prognosis. This study reveals the relevance of NETs-related genes to GC through transcriptome analysis. Methods: We obtained transcriptome sequencing data of GC from UCSC Xena and screened prognostic NETs-related genes by GEPIA2 database. The signature for NETs was subsequently created using the LASSO-Cox regression. The clinical value of model was further explored using the nomogram and was externally validated by the GEO database. After that, we employed GO, KEGG, and GSEA enrichment analyses to evaluate the bio-functional enrichment and related pathways. Additionally, ESTIMATE, MCP counter, and ssGSEA scores were used to investigate the immunological microenvironment of GC patients. Finally, in the external cohort, neutrophil elastase (NE)-DNA complexes were measured by ELISA, and the prognostic value of NE-DNA in GC was investigated using Cox analysis. Results: Seven NETs-associated genes (PDE4B, CD93, CTSG, IL6, ELANE, KCNJ15, and CRISPLD2) were filtered to establish the signature and participated in building the nomogram. In comparison to the high-risk group, the overall survival (OS) was much longer in the low-risk group (P=0.005). The validation cohort demonstrated the acceptable predictive ability of the nomogram. The signature was enriched in biological features such as extracellular matrix organization, epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inflammatory response. Moreover, there were substantial differences in immune cell infiltration across the different risk groups (p<0.001), especially the high-risk group having more immune cells that are engaged in the antigen presentation process and associated functions. Finally, in the external cohort, NE-DNA levels were shown to be an independent factor affecting OS prognosis (p=0.006). Conclusion: Overall, this research identified a novel signature based on seven NETs-associated genes to predict prognosis and identify tumor microenvironment of GC. And high NE-DNA level may be a critical factor in the poor OS associated with NETs.
ABSTRACT
Hydroperoxides are formed in the atmospheric oxidation of volatile organic compounds, in the combustion autoxidation of fuel, in the cold environment of the interstellar medium, and also in some catalytic reactions. They play crucial roles in the formation and aging of secondary organic aerosols and in fuel autoignition. However, the concentration of organic hydroperoxides is seldom measured, and typical estimates have large uncertainties. In this work, we developed a mild and environmental-friendly method for the synthesis of alkyl hydroperoxides (ROOH) with various structures, and we systematically measured the absolute photoionization cross-sections (PICSs) of the ROOHs using synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet-photoionization mass spectrometry (SVUV-PIMS). A chemical titration method was combined with an SVUV-PIMS measurement to obtain the PICS of 4-hydroperoxy-2-pentanone, a typical molecule for combustion and atmospheric autoxidation ketohydroperoxides (KHPs). We found that organic hydroperoxide cations are largely dissociated by loss of OOH. This fingerprint was used for the identification and accurate quantification of the organic peroxides, and it can therefore be used to improve models for autoxidation chemistry. The synthesis method and photoionization dataset for organic hydroperoxides are useful for studying the chemistry of hydroperoxides and the reaction kinetics of the hydroperoxy radicals and for developing and evaluating kinetic models for the atmospheric autoxidation and combustion autoxidation of the organic compounds.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate and summarize the best evidence for nonpharmacological management of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). This article aims at serving as a reference for nursing staff to prevent and manage CINV. Methods: We systematically searched for evidence on CINV in databases such as Cnki and Wanfang, guide websites such as GIN and NZGG, and professional websites such as UICC and ACS. Only articles published between November 2012 and November 2021 were considered for inclusion in the summary. Two researchers evaluated the quality of the literature and extracted the data. Results: A total of 22 articles were included in this study, including 3 clinical decisions, 2 guidelines, 1 evidence summary, 2 recommended practices, 13 systematic reviews, and 1 expert consensus. Finally, 15 pieces of evidence were summarized from 3 perspectives: risk factor assessment, nursing process specification, and nonpharmacological interventions. Conclusion: Our research summarizes the best evidence on nonpharmacological management of CINV. During actual clinical application, it is necessary to fully consider the clinical situation, combine professional judgment with patients' wishes, follow the principle of individualization, analyze the obstacles and facilitating factors of the application of evidence, and prudently apply the evidence to the clinical practice.
