Multivariate prognostic study on node-positive gastric cancer: is tumor size a prognostic indicator?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We analyzed the clinicopathological factors of patients with node-positive gastric cancer, evaluated the prognostic factors associated with long-term survival and clarified the effect of tumor size on long-term survival. METHODOLOGY: The study included 591 patients who underwent curative resection for node-positive gastric cancer. Clinicopathological prognostic variables were evaluated as predictors of long-term survival by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate was influenced by tumor size, tumor location, depth on invasion, level of lymph node metastasis, Borrmann classification, histological type, liver metastasis, peritoneal dissemination and disease stage. Of these, independent prognostic factors were depth on invasion and lymph node metastasis. Tumor size is an influence but not independent factor for the prediction of long-term survival in patients with node-positive gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with node-positive gastric cancer, two independent prognostic factors were depth on invasion and the status of lymph node metastasis.

Identification of candidate biomarkers associated with gastric cancer prognosis based on an integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Background: This study sought to identify candidate biomarkers associated with gastric cancer (GC) prognosis based on an integrated bioinformatics analysis. Methods: First, the GSE54129 and GSE79973 data sets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified between the 2 data sets were screened using the limma software package in R, and the intersection DEGs were obtained by a Venn analysis. Subsequently, gene clustering and a functional analysis were performed to explore the roles of the DEGs. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the genes in clusters was constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins. A survival analysis evaluated the associations between the candidate genes and the overall survival of GC patients. A drug-gene interaction analysis and an external data set analysis were conducted using The Cancer Genome Atlas-Stomach Adenocarcinoma (TCGA-STAD) data set to validate the prognostic genes. Results: We extracted 421 intersection DEGs from the 2 GEO data sets. There were 5 gene clusters, and the functional analysis revealed that they were mainly associated with the extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathway. The PPI interaction analysis identified the top 36 hub genes. The survival analysis revealed that 7 upregulated genes [i.e., platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFRB), angiopoietin 2 (ANGPT2), vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC), collagen type IV alpha 2 chain (COL4A2), collagen type IV alpha 1 chain (COL4A1), thrombospondin 1 (THBS1), and fibronectin 1 (FN1)] were associated with the survival prognosis of GC patients. The 20 drug-gene interaction pairs among the 4 genes and 18 drugs were obtained. Finally, TCGA-STAD data set was used to validate the expression levels of COL4A1, PDGFRB, and FN1. Conclusions: We found that 7 upregulated genes (i.e., PDGFRB, ANGPT2, VEGFC, COL4A2, COL4A1, THBS1, and FN1) were promising markers of prognosis in GC patients.

[Modeling transmission dynamics and control of schistosomiasis in the mountainous region, Sichuan].

OBJECTIVE: To use a mathematical model and computer simulation to study transmission dynamics and control of schistosomiasis in mountainous regions of Sichuan. METHODS: Based on studies of schistosomiasis japonica transmission in 20 villages in mountainous regions of Sichuan, a mathematical model was developed to characterize the impact of local environmental factors on transmission intensity. The model integrated site-specific factors and was calibrated to field epidemiological data from 3 subset villages. The dichotomic method was then used to predict different control measures. RESULTS: The study showed high variations in prevalence of infection and infection intensity across villages, ranging between 3%-73%, 0.1-100 epg (eggs per gram stool), respectively. Important factors including occupation of local residents, exposure to contaminated water, microclimatic characteristics were integrated in the model. The predictions of dichotomic models showed that continuing chemotherapy (coverage between 50%-60%) could reduce infection intensities to 30%-80%, but could not change local transmission potential; therefore, the termination of chemotherapy would be followed by bouncing back of transmission. Sustaining targeted environmental interventions through snail and parasite oval control at certain coverage (30%-50%, respectively) could reduce the transmission to relatively stable levels. The model predictions showed that an integrated control (e.g., including both chemotherapy and environmental interventions) could suppress the transmission to an undetectable level even interruption of transmission between 5-10 years. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated the feasibility of using a dynamic model, calibrated to local data, to gain insights into complicated processes underlying the transmission and informing site-specific control strategies.

[Strategy and effect of schistosomiasis emergency control after earthquake in Lushan County].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of measures on the schistosomiasis control after the earth quake in Lushan County, so as to provide the experiences for post-disaster schistosomiasis control. METHODS: The measures taken in schistosomiasis control after the earth quake were reviewed in Lushan County in 2013, and the epidemic situation of schistosomiasis was investigated and the results were analyzed. RESULTS: The schistosomiasis control in floating population and the control of Oncomelania hupensis snails were enhanced, and no schistosome infections were found in both human and livestock. No infected snails and infested water were found. CONCLUSION: The measures of schistosomiasis control after the disaster are effective in Lushan County, and the goal to prevent major plague after the earth quake is achieved.

[Assessment of schistosomiasis transmission interruption in Beichuan County, Sichuan Province].

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether Beichuan County reaches the national standard of schistosomiasis transmission interruption. METHODS: Three villages in Beichuan County were sampled as assessment spots, and the schistosomiasis infections of residents and domestic animals, the status of Oncomelania snails and the past records were assessed according to the Criteria for Control and Elimination of Schistosomiasis in China. RESULTS: No local schistosome infections were found in residents and cattle for successive 5 years and no snails were found for 2 successive years in the 3 villages. The files were documented completely. All the indices reached the national standard of schistosomiasis transmission being interrupted. CONCLUSION: Beichuan County has reached the national standard of schistosomiasis transmission interruption. However, the endemic surveillance of schistosomiasis still needs to continue.

[Toxicity of 50% ethanol salt powder of niclosamide on growth of silkworms].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the toxity of niclosamide on the growth of silkworms. METHODS: Mulberry leaves were soaked in the different concentrations of solution of 50% ethanol salt powder of niclosamide for 10 s or 3 min, and then the leaves were fed to silkworms. The death rates of silkworms and the weight of cocoons were observed. Normal feeding control groups were established. RESULTS: The death rates were 22.5%-85.0% and 56.0%-100% in the 10-s-soaked groups and 3-min groups, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control groups. CONCLUSION: The 50% ethanol salt powder of niclosamide has a toxity for silkworm. Therefore, we should properly handle the relationship between the Oncomelania snail control and silkworm breeding.

[Surveillance of schistosomiasis in Sichuan Province, 2005-2010].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the epidemic trend of schistosomiasis in Sichuan Province so as to provide the evidence for formulating schistosomiasis control strategy. METHODS: According to the National Schistosomiasis Surveillance Protocol, the national surveillance sites in Sichuan Province were selected. The schistosomiasis surveillance was carried out continuously from 2005 to 2010. RESULTS: Nine national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were established in Pujiang, Guanghan, Zhongjiang, Fucheng, Dongpo, Danling, Renshou, Xichang and Dechang counties. The Oncomelania hupensis snail area decreased from 351 853 m2 in 2005 to 128 285 m2 in 2010, the snail density from 0.70 to 0.21 per 0.1 m2, the snail infection rate from 0.06% to 0, the positive rate of human serum schistosome antibody from 19.41% to 7.62%, the schistosome infection rate of human population from 1.93% to 0.10%, and the infection rate of livestock from 4.50% to 1.02%. The snails were found mainly in ditch, rice field and other moist field. CONCLUSIONS: Though the endemic of schistosomiasis has reached a low level in Sichuan Province, the endemic situation fluctuates at a narrow range in some surveillance sites. Therefore, the surveillance work should be carried out continuously.

A TaqMan real-time PCR assay for quantifying type III hepatopancreatic parvovirus infections in wild broodstocks and hatchery-reared postlarvae of Fenneropenaeus chinensis in Korea.

A highly sensitive and specific TaqMan real-time PCR was used to quantify hepatopancreatic parvovirus (HPV) type III infections in wild broodstocks and hatchery-reared postlarvae (PL) of Fenneropenaeus chinensis. Totals of 159 and 162 wild brooders from three locations were captured, and 140 and 180 PL were obtained from seven and six commercial hatcheries in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Among the three wild broodstock groups from 2007, only 1 group showed HPV infection and 3.2% of 159 brooders were positive for HPV infection. In 2008, HPV infections were observed from all three wild broodstock groups with 1.93×10(4) copies/mg tissue of pleopods. Of 162 brooders, 26.6% were positive for HPV infection. No PL from the two hatcheries collected in 2007 showed HPV infection, and PL from the rest of the five hatcheries had up to 1.74×10(6) copies/ng of DNA, and PL from three hatcheries showed HPV infections with over 1,000 copies/ng of DNA. The PL from all seven hatcheries collected in 2008 showed up to 2.10×10(5) HPV copies/ng of DNA. PL from two hatcheries showed less than 100 copies/ng of DNA, but PL from the rest of the hatcheries showed HPV infections with over 1,000 copies/ng of DNA. These results show that HPV type III is widely distributed in Korea in addition to previously reported HPV type I, and they can be effectively detected by type-specific realtime PCR.

[Compliance of film-coated praziquantel tablets in schistosomiasis transmission-controlled areas].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the compliance of film-coated praziquantel tablets in the schistosomiasis transmission controlled areas, so as to provide the evidence for the establishment of chemotherapy intervention measures in these areas. METHODS: In the areas of schistosomiasis transmission controlled in Sichuan Province, 234 people were selected as film-coated praziquantel group (FCPG), and 203 people were selected as praziquantel group (PG). A questionnaire survey was implemented and the compliance of chemotherapy of the 2 groups was compared. RESULTS: In PG, all the people indicated that the praziquantel tablets has bad smell, 98.0% of the people had side-effects, such as nausea, headache, 69.5% thought the medicine was harmful to health subjectively, and 99.5% thought that it was too much dose of tablets for taking one time. In FCPG, all the people indicated that the film-coated praziquantel tablets had no bad smell, 18.8% of the people had side-effects, and 74.4% would like to choose film-coated praziquantel tablets. The rates of knowledge of praziquantel of PG and FCPG were 50.7% and 29.1%, respectively ( chi2 = 21.449, P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The film-coated praziquantel tablets have no bad smell and lighter side-effects. The compliance of the film-coated praziquantel tablets is high in the areas of schistosomiasis transmission controlled, so the film-coated praziquantel tablets are worth to popularize and apply.