Nomogram based on clinical characteristics for predicting overall survival in gastric cancer patients with preoperative anemia.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anemia is associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality and increased perioperative transfusion risk. For surgical patients, this affects physical and cognitive ability and quality of life, but it is an important and modifiable risk factor. AIM: To determine the effect of preoperative anemia on the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) patients and generate a prognostic nomogram to predict the postoperative overall survival (OS) of GC patients with preoperative anemia. METHODS: Clinicopathological and follow-up data of GC patients treated at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (China) from 2010 to 2015 were collected. Independent prognostic factors were screened by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Then, these factors were used to construct a nomogram to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year postoperative OS in preoperative anemic GC patients. The nomogram was assessed by calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). RESULTS: Nine hundred and sixty GC patients were divided into two groups (preoperatively anemic and nonanemic), and postoperative survival analysis was performed on both groups, yielding a shorter postoperative survival for preoperatively anemic patients than for nonanemic patients. A total of 347 GC patients with preoperative anemia were included. Age, preoperative alpha-fetoprotein level, monocyte count, lymphocyte count, clinicopathological stage, liver metastasis, and GC type were identified as independent prognostic factors for OS. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the nomogram for predicting 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS was 0.831, 0.845, and 0.840, respectively, for the training cohort, and the corresponding AUC values in the validation cohort were 0.827, 0.829, and 0.812, respectively. Calibration curves and DCA indicated good performance of the nomogram. CONCLUSION: In all, we have successfully produced and verified a useful nomogram for predicting OS in GC patients with preoperative anemia. This nomogram based on a variety of clinicopathological indices can provide an effective prognostic assessment and help clinicians choose an appropriate treatment strategy for GC patients with preoperative anemia.

Comprehensive analysis of circular RNA-associated competing endogenous RNA networks and immune infiltration in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been proved to be an important regulator of gastric cancer (GC). However, the role and regulatory mechanism of circrna related competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) in GC have not been established. METHODS: CircRNA data and clinical data were obtained from the GEO and TCGA databases. The ceRNA networks were constructed and a function enrichment analysis was completed. Additionally, correlations between hub genes expression, immune cell infiltration, and clinical phenotypes were determined. The differentially expressed circRNAs and their downstream microRNAs (miRNAs) were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and the hub genes were validated by western blot analysis. The migration and invasion ability of overexpressed hsa_circ_0002504 was determined by a transwell assay. RESULTS: The ceRNA network contained 2 circRNAs, 3 miRNAs, and 55 messenger RNAs (mRNAs). 323 biological processes terms, 53 cellular components terms, 51 molecular functions terms, and 4 signaling pathways were revealed by the function enrichment analysis. The GSEA analysis revealed that the hub genes were positively correlated with the axon guidance and adhesion molecules pathways. The correlation analysis revealed that overexpressed EPHA4 and KCNA1 indicated poor tissue differentiation and were associated with clinically advanced stages of GC. The in vitro experiments showed that hsa_circ_0002504 was significantly down-regulated in GC cell lines. In addition, the overexpression of hsa_circ_0002504 led to a significant downregulation of hsa-miR-615-5p and hsa-miR-767-5p, as well as an upregulation of EPHA4, KCNA1, and NCAM1. Furthermore, it suppressed the migration and invasion ability of GC cells. CONCLUSIONS: Hsa_circ_0002504 is a potential diagnostic biomarker for GC. High expression of EPHA4 and KCNA1 may indicate poor prognosis.

A tunable full-color lanthanide noncovalent polymer based on cucurbituril-mediated supramolecular dimerization.

The construction of lanthanide multicolor luminescent materials with tunable photoluminescence properties has been developed as one of the increasingly significant topics and shown inventive applications in miscellaneous fields. However, fabricating such materials based on synergistically assembly-induced emission rather than simple blending of different fluorescent dyes together still remains a challenge. Herein, we report a europium-based noncovalent polymer with tunable full-color emission, which is constructed from the 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid-bearing bromophenylpyridinium salt. This rationally designed bifunctional component can concurrently serve as a guest molecule and a chelating ligand to associate with cucurbit[8]uril and europium ions, thus leading to the formation of a trichromatic (red-green-blue, RGB) photoluminescent polypseudorotaxane-type noncovalent polymer in aqueous solution. Meanwhile, the full-color emission enclosed within the RGB color triangle could be readily produced by simply tuning the molar ratio of cucurbit[8]uril and europium ions. The lanthanide supramolecular polymer featuring tricolor emission, long lifetime, high photoluminescence efficiency and low cytotoxicity could be further applied in multicolor imaging in a cellular environment. These results provide a new and feasible strategy for the construction of full-color single lanthanide self-assembled nanoconstructs.

Diagnostic efficacy of the Japan Narrow-band-imaging Expert Team and Pit pattern classifications for colorectal lesions: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Pit pattern classification using magnifying chromoendoscopy is the established method for diagnosing colorectal lesions. The Japan Narrow-band-imaging (NBI) Expert Team (JNET) classification is a novel NBI magnifying endoscopic classification that focuses on the vessel, and surface patterns. AIM: To determine the diagnostic efficacy of each category of the JNET and Pit pattern classifications for colorectal lesions. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve of each category of the JNET and Pit pattern classifications were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 19227 colorectal lesions in 31 studies were included. The diagnostic performance of the JNET classification was equivalent to the Pit pattern classification in each corresponding category. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for each category of the JNET classification were as follows: 0.73 (95%CI: 0.55-0.85), 0.99 (95%CI: 0.97-1.00), and 0.97 (95%CI: 0.95-0.98), respectively, for Type 1; 0.88 (95%CI: 0.78-0.94), 0.72 (95%CI: 0.64-0.79), and 0.84 (95%CI: 0.81-0.87), respectively, for Type 2A; 0.56 (95%CI: 0.47-0.64), 0.91 (95%CI: 0.79-0.96), and 0.72 (95%CI: 0.68-0.76), respectively, for Type 2B; 0.51 (95%CI: 0.42-0.61), 1.00 (95%CI: 1.00-1.00), and 0.90 (95%CI: 0.87-0.93), respectively, for Type 3. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that the diagnostic efficacy of the JNET classification may be equivalent to that of the Pit pattern classification. However, due to its simpler and clearer clinical application, the JNET classification should be promoted for the classification of colorectal lesions, and to guide the treatment strategy.

Reactions of the Lipid Hydroperoxides With Aminic Antioxidants: The Influence of Stereoelectronic and Resonance Effects on Hydrogen Atom Transfer.

Aminic radical-trapping antioxidants (RTAs), as one of the most important antioxidants, have not received sufficient attention yet. But, an increasing number of aminic RTAs have been identified as ferroptosis inhibitors in recent years, which can potentially mediate many pathological states including inflammation, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, as well as ocular and kidney degeneration. This highlights the importance of aminic RTAs in the field of medicine. Herein, we systematically explored the radical scavenging mechanism of aminic RTAs with a quantum chemical method, particularly emphasizing the role of stereoelectronic factors and resonance factors on the transfer of H-atom and the stability to one-electron oxidation. These theoretical results elucidate the diversity of free radical scavenging mechanisms for aminic RTAs, and has significant implications for the rational design of new aminic RTAs.

Development and Evaluation of Models for the Relationship between Tree Height and Diameter at Breast Height for Chinese-Fir Plantations in Subtropical China.

Tree diameter at breast height (dbh) and height are the most important variables used in forest inventory and management as well as forest carbon-stock estimation. In order to identify the key stand variables that influence the tree height-dbh relationship and to develop and validate a suit of models for predicting tree height, data from 5961 tree samples aged from 6 years to 53 years and collected from 80 Chinese-fir plantation plots were used to fit 39 models, including 33 nonlinear models and 6 linear models, were developed and evaluated into two groups. The results showed that composite models performed better in height estimate than one-independent-variable models. Nonlinear composite Model 34 and linear composite Model 6 were recommended for predicting tree height in Chinese fir plantations with a dbh range between 4 cm and 40 cm when the dbh data for each tree and the quadratic mean dbh of the stand (Dq) and mean height of the stand (Hm) were available. Moreover, Hm could be estimated by using the formula Hm = 11.707 × l n(Dq)-18.032. Clearly, Dq was the primary stand variable that influenced the height-dbh relationship. The parameters of the models varied according to stand age and site. The inappropriate application of provincial or regional height-dbh models for predicting small tree height at local scale may result in larger uncertainties. The method and the recommended models developed in this study were statistically reliable for applications in growth and yield estimation for even-aged Chinese-fir plantation in Huitong and Changsha. The models could be extended to other regions and to other tree species only after verification in subtropical China.

[Effect of hydrofluoric acid etching time on the resin bond durability of glass ceramic].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of hydrofluoric acid (HFA) etching time on the resin bond durability of glass ceramic. METHODS: Three groups of samples of machinable glass ceramic (ProCAD) were etched by 4.8% HFA for 0, 30 and 60 s respectively. The roughness parameters (Ra, Sm, S) and surface area of the samples, were measured with a 3D-laser scanning microscope. Then the ceramic surfaces were bonded with four resin cements (silane coupler/resin cement), which were Monobond S/Variolink II, Clearfil Ceramic Primer/Clearfil Esthetic Cement, GC Ceramic Primer/Linkmax HV, and Porcelain Liner M/SuperBond. The micro-bond strengths between the ceramic and the resin were tested at baseline and after the samples had been treated in 30000 thermal cycles. RESULTS: The Ra [(3.89+/-1.94), (12.53+/-0.80), (13.58+/-1.10) microm] and surface area [(7.81+/-2.96), (30.18+/-2.05), (34.16+/-1.97) mm2] of ceramic increased with the increase of HFA etching time. The thermal cycling test reduced the bond strength of all test groups. The bond strength of Monobond S/Variolink II group [(3.59+/-3.51), (16.18+/-2.62), (20.33+/-2.45) MPa] and Clearfil Ceramic Primer/Clearfil Esthetic Cement group [(4.74+/-2.08), (7.77+/-1.55), (13.45+/-3.75) MPa] increased with the increase of HFA etching time; 30 s HFA etching group of Porcelain Liner M/SuperBond had higher bond strength [(22.00+/-1.64) MPa] than its 0 s HFA etching group [(12.96+/-4.17) MPa], and no significant difference was found between the 30 s and 60 s HFA etching groups of Porcelain Liner M/SuperBond [(20.42+/-3.01) MPa]. HFA etching time had no effect on the bond strength of GC Ceramic Primer/Linkmax HV. CONCLUSIONS: HFA etching can improve the resin bond durability of glass ceramic, and the etching time is not only related to the change of ceramic surface roughness and area, but also to the characteristics of resins.

[A comparison of color space of Vitapan 3D-Master shade guides to nature teeth from Nanjing population].

OBJECTIVE: To study the fitness of color dimension between Vitapan 3D-Master shade guides and nature teeth. METHODS: 2,159 nature teeth from Nanjing population and Vitapan 3D-Master shade guides were analyzed by dental chromameter ShadeEye NCC on CIE L*a*b* color system. RESULTS: 1) The color dimension of natural teeth displayed a broader range than those from Vitapan 3D-Master shade guides. Comparing with incisor group, canine-premolar group had better fitness with Vitapan 3D-Master shade guides. 2) In color space, incisor values a* shifted toward green (-a*), while the shade guide values a* located toward red (+a*). The shade guide lacked tabs of values L* 71-78 and a* -1.5-(-)0.2 for natural incisor. 3) According to the perceptibility threshold AE*ab<1.4, the match rates with Vitapan 3D-Master shade guides was 33% in incisor group and 50% in canine-premolar group. CONCLUSION: Vitapan 3D-Master shade guides had inferior match with nature teeth from Nanjing population, especially in incisor.