[Association between HULC gene locus rs7763881 polymorphism and recurrence and metastasis after radical resection in hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the association between the expression of long non-coding RNA genes and the HULC rs7763881 polymorphism, recurrence, and metastasis after radical resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: Paraffin tissue samples were selected from 426 cases diagnosed with HCC between January 2004 to January 2012. The expression of different genotypes of HULC gene locus rs7763881 in paraffin tissues was detected by PCR, and the association between different genotype expressions and clinical case characteristics of HCC [gender, age, TNM stage, alpha-fetoprotein, tumor maximum diameter (cm), vascular invasion, tumor capsule, tumor grade] was analyzed. Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the correlation between different genotypes and clinicopathological features, prognosis, and recurrence. Survival analysis between different genotypes was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method for a parallel log-rank test. Results: There were 27 (6.3%) cases in the whole group who lost to follow-up. A total of 399 (93.7%) specimens were included in the study, and 105 (26.3%), 211 (52.9%) and 83 (20.8%) were included in the rs77638881 AA, AC, and CC genotypes, respectively. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that the postoperative overall survival and recurrence-free survival rate were significantly higher in patients with the AA than AC/CC genotype (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the AC/CC genotype was closely related to tumor vascular invasion and recurrence or metastasis of HCC (P < 0.05). Cox multivariate analysis results showed that patients with the AA genotype were taken as references, and the results showed that the risk of recurrence and metastasis in patients with the CA/CC genotype increased to varying degrees, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The rs7763881 polymorphic loci located on the HULC gene are closely related to HCC recurrence and metastasis after radical resection. Thus, it may be an indicator for evaluating HCC recurrence and metastasis.

[High serum cholesterol: a novel risk factor for thyroid associated ophthalmopathy?]

This study was aimed to investigate the association between dyslipidemia and thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). We evaluated the relationship between dyslipidemia and TAO in 218 patients with Graves' disease (GD) and found that the serum total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the GD subjects with TAO (n=110) were significantly increased [(5.32±1.39) mmol/L vs. (3.18±2.12) mmol/L, (2.98±0.75) mmol/L vs. (1.25±0.98) mmol/L] than those in the GD subjects without TAO (n=108). TC and LDL-C were positively correlated with the Clinical disease activity score (CAS) [TC (r=0.7, P=0.03),LDL-C (r=0.82, P=0.03)], and the levels of TC (OR=2.56, P=0.02) and LDL-C(OR=2.01, P=0.015) were positively associated with TAO. These suggested that high serum cholesterol level is a novel risk factor for TAO, and management of blood lipids should be included in the treatment of TAO.

Effects of euphorbia kansui on the serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB, sTNFR and IL-8 in patients with severe acute pancreatitis.

In this study, effects of euphorbia kansui on serum levels of inflammatory factors in patients with severe acute pancreatitis were investigated, and the mechanisms underlying the role of Euphorbia kansui in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis were discussed. 36 patients hospitalized in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from March 2017 to May 2018 due to severe acute pancreatitis were selected and divided into two groups using a randomized grouping method. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) was used to detect expressions of various inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), soluble TNF receptors (sTNFR), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8), in the serum of patients at different time points. The results showed no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, predisposing factors, Balthaza CT scores, and APACHEII (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation) scores. According to the experimental results, euphorbia kansui effectively reduced the expression of inflammation related cytokines, such as NF-κB, TNF-α, sTNFR, IL-6, and IL-8, in the serum of patients with severe acute pancreatitis. It was also proposed that euphorbia kansui hindered the release of inflammatory factors and treated SAP by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Bioinformatic analysis of RNA-seq data unveiled critical genes in rectal adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: RNA-seq data of rectal adenocarcinoma (READ) were analyzed with bioinformatics tools to unveil potential biomarkers in the disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: RNA-seq data of READ were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differential analysis was performed with package edgeR. False discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05 and |log2 (fold change)|>1 were set as cut-off values to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Gene coexpression network was constructed with package Ebcoexpress. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis was performed for the DEGs in the gene coexpression network with DAVID online tool. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis was also performed for the genes with KOBASS 2.0. RESULTS: A total of 620 DEGs, 389 up-regulated genes, and 231 down-regulated genes, were identified from 163 READ samples and 9 normal controls. A gene coexpression network consisting of 71 DEGs and 253 edges were constructed. Genes were associated with ribosome and focal adhesion functions. Three modules were identified, in which genes were involved in muscle contraction, negative regulation of glial cell proliferation and extracellular matrix organization functions, respectively. Several critical hub genes were disclosed, such as RPS2, MMP1, MMP11 and FAM83H. Thirteen relevant small molecule drugs were identified, such as scriptaid and spaglumic acid. A total of 8 TFs and 5 miRNAs were acquired, such as MYC, NFY, STAT5A, miR-29, miR-200 and miR-19. CONCLUSIONS: Several critical genes and relevant drugs, TFs and miRNAs were revealed in READ. These findings could advance the understanding about the disease and benefit therapy development.

[Incidence and risk factors of delirium in patients post permanent pacemaker implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of postoperative delirium in patients post permanent pacemaker implantation. METHODS: Patients underwent permanent pacemaker implantation in our department from September 2013 to February 2015 were included in this study. Delirium was measured by the confusion assessment method on the first three postoperative days. All the patients were divided into the postoperative delirium group and the non-delirium control group according to whether new onset delirium was diagnosed. Risk factors significantly associated with postoperative delirium detected by univariate analysis were entered into multivariable analysis to define the independent predictors of postoperative delirium. RESULTS: A total of 225 patients were enrolled in this study. The incidence of postoperative delirium was 5.3%. Patients developing postoperative delirium were older ((83±5) years vs. (74±11) years, P=0.002), had a significantly higher incidence of blood pressure fluctuations (58.3% (7/12) vs. 4.7% (10/213), P<0.001), hyponatremia (25.0% (3/12) vs. 5.2% (11/213), P=0.030) and had higher systolic blood pressure ((157±35) mmHg vs. (136±22)mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa, P=0.007). However, patients developing postoperative delirium had lower preoperative average heart rate ( (47±18)bpm vs. (58±15)bpm, P=0.007). Multiple regression analysis showed that advanced age (OR= 2.984, 95% CI: 1.226-7.624, P=0.016) and blood pressure fluctuations (OR=27.393, 95% CI: 6.735-111.417, P<0.001) are the independent risk factors for pacemaker patients with postoperative delirium. CONCLUSION: Advanced age and blood pressure fluctuations are independent risk factors of postoperative delirium in patients post permanent pacemaker implantation.

Tactile VR for hand-eye coordination in simulated PTCA.

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a minimally invasive image-guided technique for treatment of coronary diseases. PTCA procedure requires physicians to have good skills of hand-eye coordination in performing the operation. Training of PTCA thus very much emphasizes skill building for hand-eye coordination. We have been developing virtual reality (VR) technology for medical simulation. In this paper, we will address the issue of VR-based simulation for the enhancement of hand-eye coordination for PTCA operation. Starting from the characterization of PTCA procedure, we examine what roles VR can play in training of PTCA physicians. We then describe a computerized PTCA training system we have developed which is composed of a tactile interface and a visual interface. The system is designed in such a way that real PTCA devices (including catheters and guide-wires) can be used to mimic the requirements of the CathLab. The backend computational engine supporting the real-time and realistic PTCA simulation is also presented.

Transfusion of plasma from a blood donor induced hepatitis E in Rhesus monkey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is normally transmitted via the faeco-oral route. The possibility that the infection might be transmissible by blood has been suggested. Direct evidence of blood-borne transmission of hepatitis E infection is, however, absent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this report, 10 ml of plasma obtained from a healthy, but hepatitis E viraemic, blood donor was transfused to a Rhesus monkey. RESULTS: Acute hepatitis E developed following transfusion of blood from the hepatitis E viraemic donor. This was confirmed by virological, immunological, biochemical and histopathological data. CONCLUSIONS: These results, combined with other epidemiological findings previously reported, indicate that transfusion-associated hepatitis E can occur. The risk of transfusion-associated HEV infection in endemic areas should be assessed and strategies developed to reduce it.

[Immunohistochemical and histochemical study on colorectal adenomas and polyps].

Immunohistochemical staining and histochemical approach for mucin were applied in studying 58 cases of colorectal adenomas. Among them, there were 13 cases of multiple adenomas (polyps), 5 cases of inflammatory polyps and 5 cases of juvenile polyps. The results indicated that positive expression of both McAb MC5 and Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1(UEA-1) were correlating with the degree of dysplasia, the histological type and the size of adenomas. The positive expression of peanut agglutinin (PNA) was correlating with the degree of dysplasia. Moderate and heavy stainings were mainly seen in adenomas accompanying with moderate and severe dysplasia, as well as adenomas with early carcinomatous changes. PAT-KOH-PAS method could sensitively reflect the occurrence of dysplasia and malignancy of the adenomas. These findings support the concept of an adenoma(dysplasia)-carcinoma sequence. In comparing multiple adenomas (number of adenomas > 100) with the solitary ones, a notable difference was obtained in the expression of McAb MC5. It's concluded that combined use of certain immunohistochemical and histochemical stainings is well be useful in detecting the malignant potentiality of adenoma.

[Histopathological study of human vas deferens sterilized by intraluminal adhesive agent injection].

PIP: There are more than 300,000 cases of contraception by injection of intraluminal adhesive agent into the vas deferens, and the results have been positive. Many animal experiments have been conducted on the tissue changes in the vas deferens after intraluminal adhesive agent application. This study investigated the morphological change in local tissues of the human vas deferens long after injection of an intraluminal adhesive agent. 11 years after the injection, the adhesive agent still remained in the vas deferens cavity, and was wrapped tightly in febrecyte. It pressed the epithelial tissue of the mucus membrane, which may have caused shedding of the epithelial tissue and the growth of a large quantity of febrecyte in the cavity. Follow-up sections indicated that this epithelial shedding and febrecyte growth may induce tissue stuffing in the vas deferens. Observations showed shortening or disappearance of main cell capillary in the mucus membrane of the vas deferens; it exhibited no distinctive change in cell structure, but did show necrosis of local epithelial cells and colloid tissue insertion. No pathological change in smooth muscle cells was noted, and the vas deferens wall showed no distinctive infiltration of vasitis cells. The study data demonstrate that the remains of the adhesive have no adverse effect upon the vas deferens. The key to success of this method of contraception lies in securing injection of the adhesive into the vas deferens cavity. This is also a major factor in reducing the incidence of vasitis nodes.^ieng

Establishment and characterization of human malignant pleural mesothelioma cell line SMC-1.

A cell line (SMC-1) has been established from the resected tissue of a patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma which has been pathologically confirmed to be the mixed type. The cell line is characterized by the pleomorphy and multilayered growth of the cells with the population-doubling time of approximately 32 h, the highest mitotic index of 46--50% and the modal chromosome number of 69-70. Transplantation of the cells into the animals can produce tumors bearing histological resemblance to the original material. The cultured cells, xenografted tumor cells and the cells from the host specimen show similar histochemical expressions. These data meet the requirements of a human malignant pleural mesothelioma cell line. The establishment of this cell line will serve as a useful tool in clinical research of diagnosis and treatment of this devastating disease.