Reversible Thermally Driven Phase Change of Layered In2Se3 for Integrated Photonics.

Two-dimensional In2Se3, an unconventional phase-change material, has drawn considerable attention for polymorphic phase transitions and electronic device applications. However, its reversible thermally driven phase transitions and potential use in photonic devices have yet to be explored. In this study, we observe the thermally driven reversible phase transitions between α and ß' phases with the assistance of local strain from surface wrinkles and ripples, as well as reversible phase changes within the ß phase family. These transitions lead to changes in the refractive index and other optoelectronic properties with minimal optical loss at telecommunication bands, which are crucial in integrated photonic applications such as postfabrication phase trimming. Additionally, multilayer ß'-In2Se3 working as a transparent microheater proves to be a viable option for efficient thermo-optic modulation. This prototype design for layered In2Se3 offers immense potential for integrated photonics and paves the way for multilevel, nonvolatile optical memory applications.

Lone-pair-induced formation of intrinsic one-dimensional SbSX (X = Cl, Br, I) helix chain materials.

Intrinsic one-dimensional (1D) helix chain materials are extremely rare in inorganic chemistry due to their novel structural features and complex syntheses. Herein, we report a class of inborn 1D helix chains, namely 1D SbSX (X = Cl, Br, I), that can exist stably. Through ab initio calculations, we demonstrate that the formation of this helical feature is facilitated by the lone pairs in antimony atoms. Owing to the different chemical bonds induced by the lone pairs, a phase transition between different helix chain phases can occur by applying extra elongation strain. More importantly, 1D SbSX helix chains possess superior flexibility. Under large elongation strains, the elastic energy is stored via bond angle redistributions, while the average bond lengths can remain invariant. Our work not only enriches the family of intrinsic 1D helical materials, but also provides a novel avenue for the diversification of low-dimensional phase change and flexible materials.

Giant Modulation of the Electron Mobility in Semiconductor Bi2O2Se via Incipient Ferroelectric Phase Transition.

High-mobility layered semiconductors have the potential to enable the next-generation electronics and computing. This paper demonstrates that the ultrahigh electron mobility observed in the layered semiconductor Bi2O2Se originates from an incipient ferroelectric transition that endows the material with a robust protection against mobility degradation by Coulomb scattering. Based on first-principles calculations of electron-phonon interaction and ionized impurity scattering, it is shown that the electron mobility of Bi2O2Se can reach 104 to 106 cm2 V-1 s-1 over a wide range of realistic doping concentrations. Furthermore, a small elastic strain of 1.7% can drive the material toward a unique interlayer ferroelectric transition, resulting in a large increase in the dielectric permittivity and a giant enhancement of the low-temperature electron mobility by more than an order of magnitude. These results establish a new route to realize high-mobility layered semiconductors via phase and dielectric engineering.

MicroRNAs Correlate with Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder in a Chinese Population.

BACKGROUND Recent studies identified a set of differentially expressed miRNAs in whole blood that may discriminate neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). This study invalidated 9 known miRNAs in Chinese patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS The levels of miRNAs in whole blood were assayed in healthy controls (n=20) and patients with NMOSD (n=45), RRMS (n=17) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and pairwise-compared between groups. They were further analyzed for association with clinical features and MRI findings of the diseases. RESULTS Compared with healthy controls, miR-22b-5p, miR-30b-5p and miR-126-5p were down-regulated in NMOSD, in contrast, both miR-101-5p and miR-126-5p were up-regulated in RRMS. Moreover, the levels of miR-101-5p, miR-126-5p and miR-660-5p, were significantly higher in RRMS than in NMOSD (P=0.04, 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). The level of miR-576-5p was significantly higher in patients underwent relapse for ≤3 times than those for ≥4 times. In addition, its level was significantly higher in patients suffered from a severe visual impairment (visual sight ≤0.1). Moreover, the levels of each of the 9 miRNAs were lower in NMOSD patients with intracranial lesions (NMOSD-IC) than those without (NMOSD-non-IC). Despite correlations of miRNAs with these disease subtypes, all AUCs of ROC generated to discriminate patients and controls, as well as intracranial lesions, were <0.8. CONCLUSIONS Certain miRNAs are associated with RRMS and NMOSD. They are also related to the clinical features, especially intracranial lesions of NMOSD. However, none of the miRNAs alone or in combination was powerful to ensure the diagnosis and differentiation of the 2 disease subtypes.

Clinical manifestations and spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging findings in Chinese neuromyelitis optica patients.

Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is a disease distinct from multiple sclerosis in terms of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) manifestations. Antibody to aquaporin-4 (AQP4) has been identified as a specific biomarker and part of the diagnostic criteria for NMO. Although it is relatively common in Asia, a comprehensive clinical and imaging evaluation of NMO has not been reported in Chinese patients. Here, we reviewed data from 57 Chinese cases. The patients had an obvious female preponderance (female/male = 8.5:1), and transverse myelitis (82.5%) and optic neuritis (56.1%) were the most common manifestations. In MRI, longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (6.9 ± 2.3 segments) dominated the spinal cord lesions, which were mainly (69.7%) distributed in cervical and thoracic cord. However, the length of the lesions was not correlated with onset age, paralysis severity, relapse rate, or duration. Among 29 patients who underwent AQP4 antibody assay, 17 (58.6%) were positive. There was no difference between seropositive and seronegative patients in terms of female preponderance, onset age, relapse rate, and Expanded Disability Status Scale score. However, seropositive patients had significantly more damaged segments (8.3 ± 3.5) than did seronegative patients (4.5 ± 1.6) (p < 0.001). The data revealed the clinical and MRI characteristics and AQP4 antibody status of NMO in Chinese patients and the correlations between them, which may have important implications for the diagnosis of the disease.

Can vascular endothelial growth factor and microvessel density be used as prognostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) are associated with greater incidence of metastases and decreased survival. Whether they can be used as prognostic indicators of colorectal cancer (CRC) is still controversial. METHODS: The authors performed a meta-analysis using the results of a literature search of databases of PubMed and EMBASE, and the references of articles included in the analysis. Meta-analysis was performed using random effects model and hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as effect measures. RESULTS: Twenty studies contributed to the analysis of VEGF, of which 16 were used for overall survival (OS) and 9 for disease-free survival (DFS). High VEGF levels has a relationship with unfavorable survival (OS: HR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.30-3.02; DFS: HR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.26-3.49) and a 4.22-fold increase in the rate of distant metastases. Analysis was performed on 18 studies for MVD; the results showed that patients with high MVD expression in tumors appeared to have poorer overall survival (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.22-1.58) and were at a greater risk of having unfavorable clinical characteristics related to prognosis. Corresponding results were obtained from quantitative and/or qualitative analysis of clinicopathological. CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis demonstrates that VEGF and MVD can be used as prognostic biomarkers for CRC patients.

Pseudomyopia treated with auricular point sticking combined with periocular needle-embedding therapy and prevention of true myopia: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. / è€³ç©´è´´åŽ‹è”åˆçœ¼å‘¨æ¿é’ˆæŠ€æœ¯é¢„é˜²å‡æ€§è¿‘è§†å‘çœŸæ€§è¿‘è§†è¿›å±•ï¼šå¤šä¸­å¿ƒéšæœºå¯¹ç §è¯•éªŒ.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the clinical effect and safety of auricular point sticking combined with periocular needle-embedding therapy for pseudomyopia and prevention of true myopia. METHODS: A total of 269 children with pseudomyopia were randomized into an observation group (134 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (135 cases, 5 cases dropped out). In the control group, the healthy education was provided. In the observation group, besides the intervention as the control group, the auricular point sticking was delivered at gan (CO12), pi (CO13), xin (CO15) and yan (LO5) on one ear in each treatment, combined with periocular needle-embedding technique at bilateral Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yuyao (EX-HN 4) and Sibai (ST 2). There were 2 weeks of interval after 4 weeks of treatment. One course of treatment was composed of 6 weeks and 2 courses were required. Separately, before treatment, after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, and after 12 weeks (the 1st follow-up visit) and 24 weeks (the 2nd follow-up visit) of treatment completion, the spherical equivalent (SE), SE progression, axial length (AL) progression, accommodative amplitude (AMP), the score of the TCM symptom and the general symptom were observed in the two groups. The safety and compliance were evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, and in the 1st and 2nd follow-up visits, SE increased when compared with that before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and AMP was larger than that before treatment in the observation group (P<0.05). After 12 weeks of treatment, and in the 1st and 2nd follow-up visits, the progression of SE was slower in the observation group compared with that in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.001). After 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, and in the 1st and 2nd follow-up visits, the progression of AL in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001); and in the 1st and 2nd follow-up visits, AMP of the observation group was larger when compared with that in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.001). After 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, and in the 1st and 2nd follow-up visits, the total scores of TCM symptom and general symptom were reduced in comparison with those before treatment in the observation group (P<0.05); after 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, the total scores of TCM symptom and general symptom were lower than those before treatment in the control group (P<0.05). In the 1st and 2nd follow-up visits, the difference of the total score of TCM symptom and general symptom in the observation group was larger than that of the control group (P<0.05). In the observation group, compared with the control group, the scores for pale/dark complexion in the 1st and 2nd follow-up visits and that for lassitude in the 2nd follow-up visit were lower (P<0.05), the score for poor concentration after 12 weeks of treatment and that for poor sleep and memory in the 2nd follow-up visit were lower (P<0.05). There were no adverse reactions in the two groups. The compliance was 98.5% in the observation group and was 96.3% in the control group, without statistical difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of health education, auricular point sticking combined with periocular needle-embedding therapy can effectively prevent from true myopia, control the increase of SE, delay the growth of AL and improve AMP in children with pseudomyopia. This compound therapeutic regimen can relieve the general symptom and comprehensively prevent from myopia through multiple approaches, with high safety and satisfactory compliance.

Multimodal Eye Imaging, Retina Characteristics, and Psychological Assessment Dataset.

The eyes provide insights into psychology, potentially offering a distinctive perspective for psychological health profiles. However, there exist a notable deficiency in datasets that simultaneously encompass eye features and psychological assessments. To address this gap, our study presents a dataset that included Fundus Photography, Psychological Assessment, Retina Characteristics, and Multimodal Imaging (FPRM). FPRM dataset comprise fundus images at different wavelengths (548 nm and 605 nm), image of oxygen saturation for the retina and 8 specific retinal vessels, videos of retinal blood flow and pupillary light reflex, along with 61 items of multimodal quantitative measurement from 384 participants. Additionally, it features psychological assessments across five dimensions (geriatric depression, generalized anxiety disorder, insomnia, activities of daily living, and deterioration), accompanied by fundus photographs and 6 items of retina characteristics from 1683 participants. FPRM dataset is the first to integrate multimodal ophthalmic data and psychological assessments, not only advancing the development of machine learning applications but also facilitating in-depth research into the relationship between eye health and psychological health profiles.

APC polymorphisms and the risk of colorectal neoplasia: a HuGE review and meta-analysis.

Adenomatous polyposis coli gene (APC) polymorphisms may influence the risk for colorectal neoplasia. However, results thus far have been inconclusive. We performed a systematic literature search of the Medline, Embase, Cochrane Collaboration, and HuGE databases and reviewed the references of pertinent articles through May 2012. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to estimate the association between 3 APC polymorphisms (D1822V, E1317Q, and I1307K) and colorectal neoplasia. In total, 40 studies from 1997 to 2010 were included in this meta-analysis, and individuals with the D1822V variant homozygote VV genotype had a slight decrease in the risk for colorectal neoplasia compared with the wild-type homozygote DD genotype (pooled odds ratio = 0.87, 95% confidence interval: 0.77, 0.99). There was a small association between the APC E1317Q polymorphism and a risk for colorectal neoplasia (variant vs. wild-type: pooled odds ratio = 1.41, 95% confidence interval: 1.14, 1.76), particularly for colorectal adenomas (variant vs. wild-type: odds ratio = 2.89, 95% confidence interval: 1.83, 4.56). Compared with those who carried the wild-type I1307K, Ashkenazi Jews who carried the I1307K variant were at a significantly increased risk for colorectal neoplasia, with a pooled odds ratio of 2.17 (95% confidence interval: 1.64, 2.86). Our study suggests that APC is a candidate gene for colorectal neoplasia susceptibility.

Non-destructive monitoring of amylose content in rice by UAV-based hyperspectral images.

Amylose content (AC) is an important indicator for rice quality grading. The rapid development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology provides rich spectral and spatial information on observed objects, making non-destructive monitoring of crop quality possible. To test the potential of UAV-based hyperspectral images in AC estimation, in this study, observations on five rice cultivars were carried out in eastern China (Zhejiang province) for four consecutive years (from 2017 to 2020). The correlations between spectral and textural variables of UAV-based hyperspectral images at different growth stages (booting, heading, filling, and ripening) and AC (%) were analyzed, and the linear regression models based on spectral variables alone, textural variables alone, and combined spectral and textural variables were established. The results showed that the sensitive bands (P< 0.001) to AC were mainly centered in the green (536∽568 nm) and red regions (630∽660nm), with spectral and textural variables at the ripening stage giving the highest negative correlation coefficient of -0.868 and -0.824, respectively. Models based on combined spectral and textural variables give better estimation than those based on spectral or textural variables alone, characterized by less variables and higher accuracy. The best models using spectral or textural variables alone both involved three growth stages (heading, filling, and ripening), with root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.01% and 1.04%, respectively, while the models based on combined spectral and textural variables have RMSE of 1.04% 0.844% with only one (ripening stage) or two (ripening and filling stages) growth stages involved. The combination of spectral and textural variables of UAV-based hyperspectral images is expected to simplify data acquisition and enhance estimation accuracy in remote sensing of rice AC.

The hepatoprotective effect of hypothermic perfusion of normal saline in period of inflow occlusion of liver in rats.

BACKGROUND: Liver damage in hepatic surgery from warm ischemia and reperfusion (I/R), especially in patients with underlying chronic liver disease, is still challenging. We propose a new method of perfusion of the liver by catheterizing the umbilical vein in the period of hepatic inflow occlusion, and evaluate the influence of transfusion of normal saline (NS) on liver injury in a modified I/R rat model. METHODS: Twenty-eight rats were randomized into four groups (n=7): group I (sham-operated group): no I/R or transfusion; group II (I/R group): I/R + no transfusion; group III (37°C NS group): I/R + transfusion of 37°C NS ; group IV(24°C NS group): I/R + transfusion of 24°C NS. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in rat serum. Light and electron microscopic examinations were performed on the liver tissues. RESULTS: Perfusion of 24°C NS in the period of inflow occlusion resulted in significant reductions of liver enzymes levels compared to the I/R alone group and 37°C NS group (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). Histologic evaluation revealed the injury grade to be relatively lower in group IV compared to group II and III (P<0.001 and P<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: This new hypothermic perfusion technique may be very useful in preserving the hepatocytes in hepatic surgery; it is an inexpensive and easy method, which makes it possible to increase its application.

Mingjing granule, a traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss and blindness among the older people aged 50 and over. Although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies have resulted in improving patient outcomes, there are limitations associated with these treatments. In China, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat eye diseases for more than 2000 years. Previous studies have shown that TCM may be beneficial for nAMD patients. However, explicit evidence has not been obtained. The purpose of the present trial is to examine the efficacy and safety of the Mingjing granule, a compound Chinese herbal medicine, for nAMD patients. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of Mingjing granule as an add-on to intravitreous ranibizumab for nAMD. One hundred eighty nAMD patients from six hospitals in China will be enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and randomly allocated into two groups, 90 in each. All participants will receive a 24-week treatment and then be followed up for another 24 weeks. The primary outcome is the mean change of best-corrected visual acuity at week 24 and 48 as compared to the baseline. The secondary outcomes include mean change in central retinal thickness, area of retinal hemorrhage and exudation, and TCM syndrome score, mean number of intravitreal ranibizumab injection, and total cost of the treatment. Indexes of safety include blood regular test, urine regular test, liver function test, renal function test, and electrocardiogram from baseline to weeks 24 and 48. Qualitative control and some standard operating processes will be formed throughout the trial. Any ocular or systemic adverse events will be treated suitably, and related data will be recorded accurately and completely in the case report form. DISCUSSION: Based on previous empirical and animal laboratory studies, this study will address the question of whether Mingjing granule could contribute to improving efficacy, safety, and efficiency with need for fewer intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF, improving compliance and visual outcomes in the management of persons with nAMD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn ), ChiCTR2000035990 . Registered on 21 August 2020.

Factors related to pleural effusion following hepatectomy for primary liver cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pleural effusion frequently complicates hepatectomy and multiple factors contribute to its development following hepatectomy for primary liver cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate these factors. METHODS: From March 2003 to May 2005, 228 consecutive patients with primary liver cancer underwent hepatectomy in our department were evaluated retrospectively to identify factors related to postoperative pleural effusion. RESULTS: Among the 228 patients, postoperative pleural effusions arose in 58 (25.4%). Univariate analysis showed significant differences in postoperative ascites, subphrenic collection, Pringle manoeuvre length, drainage amount on postoperative day 1, albumin level on postoperative day 7, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level on postoperative days 1 and 3, prealbumin level on postoperative days 3 and 7, and tumor size (P<0.05). Ordinal regression analysis revealed that subphrenic collection, drainage on postoperative day 1 and ALT plus prealbumin on postoperative days 1 and 3 were statistically significantly related to postoperative pleural effusion (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Subphrenic collection and operative injury to the liver appeared to be significantly related to pleural effusion after hepatectomy for primary liver cancer.

E-selectin and its ligand-sLeX in the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To study the significance of E-selectin and its ligand-sLeX in the metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of E-selectin and its ligand-sLeX in both HCC cell lines and human HCC tissues. RESULTS: The positive rate of E-selectin in vascular endothelial cells adjacent to cancer was 67.9% (19/28). The expression of E-selectin in tumors accompanied with emboli or satellite foci was significantly higher than that in tumors without emboli or satellite foci (P<0.05), and it was not related to tumor size, tumor capsule, AFP content, and the degree of differentiation. The positive expression of sLeX in SMMU-7721, PLF/PRF/5 and HepGII cell lines was 7.03%, 63.35% and 97.29% respectively. The positive cells of sLeX mainly distributed in the margin of tumor tissues. The positive expression of sLeX in HCC cells in emboli or invasive tumor tissues was much higher than in Primary foci. CONCLUSION: E-selectin and its ligand-sLeX are closely correlated with the metastasis of HCC.

Clinicopathologic features, diagnosis and surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in 104 patients.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of surgical treatment of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is poor. This study was designed to analyze the relationship between clinicopathologic features and the survival time after operation. METHODS: The operation was performed in 104 patients with mass-forming type ICC at our hospital between November 1996 and May 2000. Seventy-nine patients (76.0%) were followed up successfully. Sixteen clinicopathological variables including age, sex, history of chronic liver disease, HBsAg, operation, adjuvant therapy, ascites, lymph node metastasis, invasion of adjacent organs, tumor size, necrosis of tumor, envelope, intrahepatic metastasis, International Union Against Cancer (UICC) TNM staging, histology, and cirrhosis were selected for univariate and multivariate analyses to evaluate their influence on the prognosis. RESULTS: The accumulative 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rates of the 79 patients were 49.4%, 17.3%, 9.6% respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that sex (P=0.0221), HBsAg (P=0.0115), operation (P=0.0042), adjuvant therapy (P=0.0389), ascites (P=0.0001), invasion (P=0.0220), intrahepatic metastasis (P=0.0000) and TNM stage (P=0.0001) were related to survival time. Multivariate analysis revealed that HBsAg, ascites and TNM stage were significantly related to prognosis. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment and major hepatectomy are essential to improving the results of surgical treatment of ICC patients.

Surgical excision of giant primary carcinoma in the medial liver lobe.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the techniques for surgical excision of giant primary carcinoma in the medial liver lobe. METHODS: Operative managements, complications and their causes during and after resection of giant carcinoma in the medial liver lobe were analyzed retrospectively in 166 cases treated from October 1996 through December 2001. RESULTS: Of the 166 patients, 123 (74.1 %) underwent tumor resection and 43 (25.9 %) regular lobectomy, including left trilobectomy (8, 4.8 %), medial lobectomy (21, 12.7 %), right anterior lobectomy (11, 6.6 %), and hemihepatectomy (3, 1.8 %). All patients were subjected to surgery with intermittent interruption of the first porta hepatis under normothermia. The total interruption time was 7-68 minutes and average time was 24.5 minutes. The maximum single interruption time was 41 minutes. Intraoperative blood loss was 50-4000 ml, averaging 726 ml. The maximum blood transfusion was 5200 ml, averaging was 811 ml, and transfusion was not needed in 54 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 9 patients (5.4%), of whom, 2 (1.2%) died of liver failure and acute respiratory distress syndrome respectively. CONCLUSIONS: An adequate reserve of liver function is a prerequisite for a smooth recovery after operation. Careful intraoperative management is crucial to decrease postoperative complications.

[Transarterial embolization for hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture in hepatocellular carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of transarterial embolization (TAE) for intraperitoneal hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: Fourty-two patients with ruptured HCC were divided into 4 groups according to the type of their previous treatment: Group A-TAE followed by elective hepatectomy 15, Group B- TAE alone 11, Group C-emergency operation 6 and group D-medical conservative management 10. RESULTS: Celiac arteriography done before the present treatment showed extravasation of contrast material in 7 (26.9%) of the 26 patients in group A and B, and hypervascular tumor was observed in the rest. The hemostasis success rate of group A, B and C were 100%, which were much higher than that of group D (40%) (P < 0.05). The in-hospital mortality rates of group A, B and C were 0, 3.8% and 16.7% (P > 0.05), which were much lower than that of group D (80%) (P < 0.01). The 1-year survival rate of group A (76.3%) was higher than those in groups B (47.5%) and C (43.7%) (P < 0.05). There was no 1-year survivor in group D. CONCLUSION: Transarterial embolization is safe and effective for hemorrhage due to spontaneous rupture in hepatocellular carcinoma. For resectable lesions, TAE is a preferential treatment to be given first, then followed by elective hepatectomy.

Hepatitis B virus-related combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma: clinicopathological and prognostic analysis of 390 cases.

BACKGROUND: The reported treatment outcomes of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (HCC-CC) are inconsistent and the clinicopathological factors influencing treatment outcome remain to be defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC-CC undergoing surgical treatment at our institution between January 1997 and September 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were carried out to identify independent clinicopathological factors affecting surgical outcome. RESULTS: A total of 390 patients with HBV-related HCC-CC were included in this study; there were 328 men and 62 women, with a median age of 49 years (range 21-77 years). Among these patients, 74.4% had underlying liver cirrhosis. The median tumor size was 6.5 cm (range 1.3-33 cm) with 68.7% microvascular invasion and 12.3% lymphatic metastasis. The median survival after surgical resection was 1.68 years and the cumulative survival at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years was 62.1, 46.4, 32, and 25.5%, respectively. The disease-free survival at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years was 36.1, 22.3, 15, and 11.3%, respectively. Independent predictors for decreased survival were male sex, tumor number (≥2), major thrombus, microvascular thrombus, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) over 60 U/l, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level. Independent negative factors affecting disease-free survival included tumor size (>5 cm), major thrombus, and GGT over 60 U/l. CONCLUSION: Long-term surgical survival of HBV-related HCC-CC seemed to be influenced by sex, tumor-related factors (tumor number, major thrombus, and microvascular thrombus), serum GGT, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level. Tumor size, major thrombus, and serum GGT level tended to be associated with disease-free survival.

CpG island methylator phenotype and prognosis of colorectal cancer in Northeast China.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP) and the overall survival of sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) in Northeast China. METHODS: 282 sporadic CRC patients were recruited in this study. We selected MLH1, MGMT, p16, APC, MINT1, MINT31, and RUNX3 as the CIMP panel markers. The promoter methylation was assessed by methylation sensitive high resolution melting (MS-HRM). Proportional hazards-regression models were fitted with computing hazard ratios (HR) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). RESULTS: 12.77% (36/282) of patients were CIMP-0, 74.1% (209/282) of patients were CIMP-L, and 13.12% (37/282) of patients were CIMP-H. The five-year survival of the 282 CRC patients was 58%. There was significant association between APC gene promoter methylation and CRC overall survival (HR = 1.61; 95% CI: 1.05-2.46; P = 0.03). CIMP-H was significantly associated with worse prognosis compared to CIMP-0 (HR = 3.06; 95% CI: 1.19-7.89; P = 0.02) and CIMP-L (HR = 1.97; 95% CI: 1.11-3.48; P = 0.02), respectively. While comparing with the combine of CIMP-L and CIMP-0 (CIMP-L/0), CIMP-H also presented a worse prognosis (HR = 2.31; 95% CI: 1.02-5.24; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: CIMP-H may be a predictor of a poor prognosis of CRC in Northeast China patients.

Correlation of MLH1 and MGMT methylation levels between peripheral blood leukocytes and colorectal tissue DNA samples in colorectal cancer patients.

CpG island methylation in the promoter regions of the DNA mismatch repair gene mutator L homologue 1 (MLH1) and DNA repair gene O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) genes has been shown to occur in the leukocytes of peripheral blood and colorectal tissue. However, it is unclear whether the methylation levels in the blood leukocytes and colorectal tissue are correlated. The present study analyzed and compared the levels of MGMT and MLH1 gene methylation in the leukocytes of peripheral blood and colorectal tissues obtained from patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The methylation levels of MGMT and MLH1 were examined using methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting (MS-HRM) analysis. A total of 44 patients with CRC were selected based on the MLH1 and MGMT gene methylation levels in the leukocytes of the peripheral blood. Corresponding colorectal tumor and normal tissues were obtained from each patient and the DNA methylation levels were determined. The correlation coefficients were evaluated using Spearman's rank test. Agreement was determined by generalized κ-statistics. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (r) for the methylation levels of the MGMT and MLH1 genes in the leukocytes of the peripheral blood and normal colorectal tissue were 0.475 and 0.362, respectively (P=0.001 and 0.016, respectively). The agreement of the MGMT and MLH1 gene methylation levels in the leukocytes of the peripheral blood and normal colorectal tissue were graded as fair and poor (κ=0.299 and 0.126, respectively). The methylation levels of MGMT and MLH1 were moderately and weakly correlated between the patient-matched leukocytes and the normal colorectal tissue, respectively. Blood-derived DNA methylation measurements may not always represent the levels of normal colorectal tissue methylation.