[The consistency of skeletal muscle mass measured by CT at L1 and L3 levels and the correlation of skeletal muscle density at L1 level with prognosis in dialysis patients].

Objective: To investigate the consistency of skeletal muscle mass by CT at 1st lumbar vertebrae (L1) and 3rd lumbar vertebrae (L3) levels and the correlation of skeletal muscle density (SMD) at L1 level with prognosis in dialysis patients. Methods: A total of 1 020 patients who underwent initial dialysis and had CT examination data in four centers (Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University) from January 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively collected. The skeletal muscle index (SMI) and SMD at L1 and L3 CT images were measured and calculated in patients with both L1 and L3 level CT images. The consistency of SMI and SMD at L1 and L3 levels was analyzed, and the cut-off value of SMI and SMD at L1 level for predicting all-cause mortality and their correlation with the prognosis of dialysis patients were studied. Cox regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for all-cause death and cardiac death. Results: A total of 383 patients had both L1 and L3 level images, including 233 males and 150 females. The average SMD value of 16 samples (4.2%) exceeded the 95% consistency limit range (-8.71 to 7.75 HU), and the average SMI value of 15 samples (3.9%) exceeded the 95% consistency limit range (-20.45 to 9.53 HU). The optimal cut-off value of SMD at L1 level for predicting all-cause mortality was 36.46 HU and the area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was 0.658 (95%CI: 0.596-0.721, P<0.001), with the sensitivity and specificity of 83.8% and 57.5%, respectively. SMI at L1 level was not significantly associated with all-cause mortality (P=0.299). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that low SMD at L1 level was associated with all-cause mortality (HR=2.861, 95%CI: 1.576-5.193, P=0.001) and cardiac death (HR=3.771, 95%CI:1.462-9.724, P=0.006). Conclusions: SMD at L1 levelis consistent with SMD at L3 level and can be used to evaluate muscle mass. Low SMD is a risk factor for mortality in dialysis patients.

[Establishment and validation of a preoperative nomogram model for predicting the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma with microvascular invasion].

Objective: To establish and validate a nomogram model for predicting the risk of microvascular invasion(MVI) in hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods: The clinical data of 210 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy at Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery,the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2013 to October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 169 males and 41 females, aged(M(IQR)) 57(12)years(range:30 to 80 years). The patients were divided into model group(the first 170 cases) and validation group(the last 40 cases) according to visit time. Based on the clinical data of the model group,rank-sum test and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to screen out the independent related factors of MVI. R software was used to establish a nomogram model to predict the preoperative MVI risk of hepatocellular carcinoma,and the validation group data were used for external validation. Results: Based on the modeling group data,the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine that cut-off value of DeRitis ratio,γ-glutamyltransferase(GGT) concentration,the inverse number of activated peripheral blood T cell ratio (-aPBTLR) and the maximum tumor diameter for predicting MVI, which was 0.95((area under curve, AUC)=0.634, 95%CI: 0.549 to 0.719), 38.2 U/L(AUC=0.604, 95%CI: 0.518 to 0.689),-6.05%(AUC=0.660, 95%CI: 0.578 to 0.742),4 cm(AUC=0.618, 95%CI: 0.533 to 0.703), respectively. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that DeRitis≥0.95,GGT concentration ≥38.2 U/L,-aPBTLR>-6.05% and the maximum tumor diameter ≥4 cm were independent related factors for MVI in hepatocellular carcinoma patients(all P<0.05). The nomogram prediction model based on the above four factors established by R software has good prediction efficiency. The C-index was 0.758 and 0.751 in the model group and the validation group,respectively. Decision curve analysis and clinical impact curve showed that the nomogram model had good clinical benefits. Conclusions: DeRitis ratio,serum GGT concentration,-aPBTLR and the maximum tumor diameter are valuable factors for preoperative prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma with MVI. A relatively reliable nomogram prediction model could be established on them.

[Effect of knockdown of O-Glcnac transferase on hepatocyte fat synthesis].

Objective: To investigate the effect of knockdown of O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) on hepatocyte fat synthesis. Methods: Liver cell line L02 were used to established the model of hepatic steatosis. The levels of OGT and O-GlcNAc protein were detected by Western blot. The OGT knockdown cell line of L02 cells was established, and its lipid formation ability was detected after induction of oleic acid (OA). Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of enzymes related to fat synthesis. An independent sample t test was used. Results: Western blot showed that the expression of OGT and O-GlcNAc was increased in L02 cells after adipogenesis (P < 0.05). After shOGT lentivirus infects L02 cells, OGT mRNA levels were down-regulated (P < 0.01). Oil red O staining showed that the lipid in L02 shOGT cells decreased, qRT-PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of fat synthase (ACC1), (FASN) and (SCD1) were decreased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), protein Expression is consistent with mRNA expression. Conclusion: Knockdown of OGT can inhibit hepatocyte fat synthesis by reducing O-GlcNAc levels.

Initial beam emission spectroscopy diagnostic system on HL-2A tokamak.

A beam emission spectroscopy system is being developed and deployed on the HL-2A tokamak to measure local low wavenumber (k ⊥ ρ i < 1) density fluctuations by measuring the Doppler-shifted emission from a 50 kV deuterium heating neutral beam. High spatial resolution (Δr ≤ 1 cm, Δz ≤ 1.5 cm) measurements are achieved with customized in-vacuum optics. High frequency, high-gain preamplifiers sample the light intensity at a Nyquist frequency of 1 MHz and achieve a high S/N ratio via high optical throughput, low-noise preamplifiers, and high quantum efficiency photodiodes. A first set of 16 detector channels [configured in an 8 (radial) × 2 (poloidal) array] has been installed and tested at HL-2A, covering the radial range r/a = 0.8-1.1. The frequency and wavenumber spectra have been measured under different plasma conditions. Initial measurements have demonstrated the capability of measuring edge plasma density fluctuation spectra and the poloidal flow velocity fields with a high S/N ratio.

[Mode of median nerve irritation under different wrist forcing postures observed by ultrasonography and foot pressure measurement system].

Objective: To analyze the influence of simulation mouse use motion under different wrist forcing postures on median nerve, tendons and ligaments in the carpal tunnel. Methods: From June to November in 2017, a total of 49 healthy volunteers [aged from 18 to 27 years, 24 males (48 cases of hands) and 25 females (50 cases of hands)] were selected in the Institute of Digitized Medicine and First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University.Three hand postures of the volunteers were simultaneously and continuously measured by using LOGIQ E9 ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and Zebris foot pressure distribution measurement system.Seventeen parameters of nerves, tendons and ligaments in carpal tunnel were observed under natural (0 N), and two forced (25 and 50 N) states.Double factor variance analysis was performed with generalized estimating equation (GEE). Results: With increasing pressure (0, 25 and 50 N) of hand postures, the distance between median nerve and transverse carpal ligament were all less than 0.2 cm.The differences in both the distance between median nerve and flexor pollicis longus under the hand pressure changes or under the hand posture changes and the top angle of a triangle composed of median nerve, flexor pollicis longus and flexor digitorum superficialis group under the hand pressure changes or under the hand posture changes were all significant under the GEE analysis (all P<0.01). There were no significant changes in all other structural parameters in the carpal tunnel with the increasing of hand pressure (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The influence of the transverse carpal ligament to the median nerve belongs to the mechanism of pressure-induced irritation damage.The influence of flexor pollicis longus to median nerve belongs to the mechanism of tension-induced irritation damage.The influence of flexor digitorum superficialis to median nerve belongs to the mechanism of mixed shear irritation damage.

Ethnicity influences cardiovascular outcomes and complications in patients with type 2 diabetes.

AIM: To determine whether cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes (T2D) differ according to ethnicity, and whether ethnicity influences the effect of gender on these outcomes in Caucasians, East-Southeast-Asians, Middle-Easterners, South-Asians and Pacific-Islanders. METHODS: We compared demographics, HbA1c, lipid profile, renal function markers, and prevalence of macrovascular and microvascular complications between ethnic groups. Cross-sectional data was prospectively collected from 204 consecutive patients at Westmead Hospital's T2D clinic from April-October 2015. Univariate analysis was performed using chi-squared test for categorical data, and Mann-Whitney-U or Kruskal-Wallis test for continuous data. RESULTS: Compared to Caucasians, South-Asians were diagnosed younger, were currently younger, had lower body-mass-index (BMI) and better renal function but higher rates of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI, 21.7% versus 3.5%, p<0.05). East-Southeast-Asians had lower BMI but more nephropathy than Caucasians (59% versus 39%, p<0.05). East-Southeast-Asian males had fewer CVD than Caucasians, but this protection was absent in East-Southeast-Asian females. Middle-Easterners had more non-STEMI than Caucasians (5.3% vs 3.5%, p<0.05). Middle-Eastern females were not at lower CVD risk than males. Caucasians had most PVD (20% versus 6%, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ethnicity influences rates of diabetes-related complications. Female CVD protection is altered in some groups. Ethnicity should be considered in assessing CVD and complications risk.

Interleukin-27 augments the inhibitory effects of sorafenib on bladder cancer cells.

Both sorafenib and interleukin-27 (IL-27) are antineoplastic drugs. This study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of these two drugs on bladder cancer cells. HTB-9 and T24 cells were stimulated with IL-27 (50 ng/mL), sorafenib (2 µM) or the synergistic action of these two drugs. The cells without treatment acted as control. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasion were measured by bromodeoxyuridine assay, flow cytometry and modified Boyden chamber, respectively. Simultaneously, both modified Boyden chamber and scratch assay were used to assess cell migration. Finally, the phosphorylation levels of key kinases in the Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, and expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were detected by western blot analysis. Stimulation with IL-27 or sorafenib repressed proliferation, migration and invasion but promoted apoptosis, and the effects were all enhanced by the combination of these two drugs in HTB-9 cells. The effect of the combined treatment on bladder cancer cells was verified in T24 cells. Additionally, the phosphorylation levels of AKT, mTOR and MAPK as well as the expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were all decreased by a single treatment of IL-27 or sorafenib, and further decreased by the combined treatment of these two drugs. The combination of IL-27 and sorafenib inhibited proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis of bladder cancer cells compared with mono-drug treatment. Additionally, the AKT/mTOR/MAPK pathway might be implicated in the functional effects by down-regulations of MMP-2 and MMP-9.

[Clinicopathologic features of hepatocellular carcinoma patients surviving more than 10 years after radical hepatectomy].

Objective: To clarify the clinicopathologic features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients survived more than 10 years after radical hepatectomy. Methods: Two hundreds and fifty-two patients who underwent curative resection for HCC between January 1999 and March 2006 at Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were included.There were 217 male cases and 35 female cases aging from 17 to 82 years with median age of (53.8±10.5)years. Followed by March 31 2016, clinicopathologic factors in 10-year survivors and patients who died within 10 years were compared by χ(2) test, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model and the prognostic factors affecting survival were identified. Results: All patients were followed-up for 4.0 to 205.7 months with median time of 53.4 months. The 10-year overall survival rate was 26%, there were 62 cases(26.2%) who survived for more than 10 years after initial hepatectomy. In survival >10-year group, the paitents with ALT<40 U/L, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase<64 U/L, albumin≥35 g/L, without liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension, Child-Pugh grade A, no blood transfusion, AFP≤20 µg/L, tumor size ≤5.0 cm, single tumor, high differentiation, TNM stage Ⅰ and TACE negative after resection were more than the patients in survival <10-year group (P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, Child-Pugh grade A, the tumor size ≤5.0 cm and TACE negative after resection were favorable independent factors associated with 10-year survival (P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, Child-Pugh grade A, tumor size ≤5.0 cm and TACE negative after resection at initial hepatectomy might be biologically favorable conditions for patients surviving more than 10 years.

Meta-analysis of the association between the HNF1B rs4430796 (A>G) polymorphism and risk of prostate cancer based on case-control studies.

Genome-wide studies have reported an association between the HNF1B rs4430796 (A>G) polymorphism and prostate cancer risk, but results have been inconsistent and recent meta-analyses have been inadequate. This study aimed to integrate previous results and explore the validity of this association. Electronic searches for all relevant publications through May 18, 2014, were conducted across several databases. Additional studies were identified manually, and only the most recent or complete were used in this meta-analysis. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the association. Seven eligible case-control studies were identified, incorporating a total of 14,049 patients and 12,674 controls. Overall, we found that the rs4430796 (A>G) polymorphism had a decreased risk of prostate cancer (GG vs AA: OR = 0.661, 95%CI = 0.615-0.710, P = 0.304; AG vs AA: OR = 0.782, 95%CI = 0.739-0.828, P = 0.435; dominant model: OR = 0.743, 95%CI = 0.704-0.784, P = 0.912; recessive model: OR = 0.764, 95%CI = 0.718-0.813, P = 0.01). Furthermore, in the stratified analysis, there were significantly decreased risks among studies with population- and hospital-based controls. In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significantly decreased risks were also found among Caucasians, Americans, and Asians. Our results suggested that the HNF1B rs4430796 (A>G) polymorphism decreased the risk of prostate cancer. In the future, additional and larger studies on patients from across of the world might be required to validate our findings.

Comparative studies on growth and physiological responses of unicellular and colonial Microcystis aeruginosa to Acorus calamus.

In order to explore the growth inhibition and physiological responses of unicellular and colonial Microcystis aeruginosa during coexistence with Acorus calamus, algal densities, chlorophyll a contents, exopolysaccharide (EPS) concentrations, malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, catalase (CAT) activities, and peroxidase (POD) activities of the two algae strains were analyzed. Although the unicellular and colonial strains of M. aeruginosa were both inhibited by A. calamus, unicellular algae were more sensitive than the colonial algae. The measurement results for EPS, MDA, CAT, and POD showed that unicellular M. aeruginosa had higher levels of stress related damage than colonial strains when they were exposed to the same density of A. calamus, and the cellular defense system of colonial M. aeruginosa was stronger than that of unicellular M. aeruginosa. Natural blooms of Microcystis are typically composed of colonial forms of M. aeruginosa, therefore future efforts to control such blooms, possibly through the development of new algicides, should focus on the unique characteristics of colonial M. aeruginosa strains.

Progress of neutral-beam-aided diagnostics on the HL-2A tokamak.

A 32/64-channel Charge eXchange Recombination Spectroscopy (CXRS) and a 7-channel motional Stark effect (MSE) polarimeter have been developed on the HL-2A tokamak. To extract the maximum time resolution of the system, the incidence fibers of the spectrometer are pitch-controlled; and the double-slit fiber bundle can increase the spatial channels with one charge-coupled device detector. The ion temperature and plasma rotation with time and spatial resolutions up to 5 ms and 1 cm are obtained. Sawtooth oscillation, transition from intermediate phase (I phase) to high confinement mode (H mode) can be clearly observed by the CXRS. The spectrometer can be utilized as the main component of the MSE polarimeter, which can effectively overcome the weak Stark effect. The pitch angles of magnetic field are obtained for 7 spatial points covering 24 cm along major radius with time resolution of 40 ms.

High spatial and temporal resolution charge exchange recombination spectroscopy on the HL-2A tokamak.

A 32/64-channel charge exchange recombination spectroscopy (CXRS) diagnostic system is developed on the HL-2A tokamak (R = 1.65 m, a = 0.4 m), monitoring plasma ion temperature and toroidal rotation velocity simultaneously. A high throughput spectrometer (F/2.8) and a pitch-controlled fiber bundle enable the temporal resolution of the system up to 400 Hz. The observation geometry and an optimized optic system enable the highest radial resolution up to ∼1 cm at the plasma edge. The CXRS system monitors the carbon line emission (C VI, n = 8-7, 529.06 nm) whose Doppler broadening and Doppler shift provide ion temperature and plasma rotation velocity during the neutral beam injection. The composite CX spectral data are analyzed by the atomic data and analysis structure charge exchange spectroscopy fitting (ADAS CXSFIT) code. First experimental results are shown for the case of HL-2A plasmas with sawtooth oscillations, electron cyclotron resonance heating, and edge transport barrier during the high-confinement mode (H-mode).

The motional Stark effect polarimeter in the HL-2A tokamak.

A 7-channel motional Stark effect polarimeter based on four polarizers and a spectrometer has been developed in the HL-2A tokamak, which is the first time successful utilizing this kind of polarimeter on a tokamak. The accuracy of the angle can reach ±0.25° in the calibration experiments. Pilot experiments of measuring the magnetic pitch angle have been successfully carried out in the weak motional Stark effect plasma discharge with toroidal magnetic field of ~1.3 T and beam energy of ~25 keV/amu. The pitch angles of magnetic field are obtained for 7 spatial points covering 24 cm along major radius with time resolution of 40 ms; the profiles of safety factor are obtained by combining with the Equilibrium and Reconstruction Fitting Code. The core value of safety factor (q) is less than 1 during the sawtooth oscillation and the position of q = 1 surface is well consistent with the results measured by soft X-ray array.

The efficacy and safety of low-molecular-weight heparin use for cancer treatment: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has an anti-tumour effect in-vitro and in animal models of malignancy; however, the evidence from clinical trials is controversial. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis from the results of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to assess LMWH efficacy and safety in cancer patients who had no venous thromboembolism (VTE). METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL (The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trails) databases covering all papers published up until April 2012. Two reviewers (D. H. Che and J. Y. Cao) extracted the data independently. The inclusion criteria used were patients with cancer who had no VTE and were treated with LMWH. The outcomes of interest included the 1-year mortality rate, VTE, bleeding and major bleeding complications. The results were presented as a relative risk (RR), and the STATA 11.0 package was used for comprehensive quantitative analysis. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies with 3835 cases and 3449 controls were included. The meta-analysis showed significant differences in the rates of bleeding with an RR: 1.32 [95% confidence interval (95% CI, 1.08-1.62)] and VTE with an RR: 0.53 (95% CI, 0.42-0.67) in cancer patients when LMWH was compared with placebo or no anticoagulant. There were no significant differences in the 1-year mortality rate with an RR: 0.97 (95% CI, 0.92-1.02) and major bleeding with an RR: 1.22 (95% CI, 0.87-1.71). CONCLUSION: LMWH does not significantly reduce the 1-year mortality rate for cancer patients. Although LMWH can prevent VTE, we should consider the risk-effect ratio (in case of an increased bleeding event) when we use LMWH in the patients with cancer. Thus, further research is still needed to confirm these results.

Prognostic relevance and therapeutic implications of centromere protein F expression in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Centromere protein F (CENP-F), a cell cycle-regulated centromere protein, has been shown to affect numerous tumorigenic processes. This study aimed to clarify the prognostic significance of CENP-F expression in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). The levels of CENP-F messenger RNA and protein were higher in ESCC cell lines than in the normal tissues. An immunohistochemical analysis of paired tissue specimens showed that the CENP-F expression was higher in tumorous tissues than in the adjacent non-tumorous tissues (P < 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between CENP-F expression and gender (P = 0.012), clinical stage (P = 0.039), and T classification (P = 0.026). Patients with higher CENP-F expression had shorter overall survival than those with lower CENP-F expression (P = 0.009). Multivariate Cox analysis indicated that CENP-F expression is an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (hazard ratio = 0.582, 95% confidence interval = 0.397-0.804, P = 0.041). Importantly, it was found that zoledronic acid (ZOL) could significantly enhance the chemotherapeutic sensitivity of ESCC cell lines with high CENP-F expression to cisplatin, although ZOL alone only exhibited a minor inhibitory effect to ESCC cells. In summary, these findings demonstrate that CENP-F may serve as a valuable molecular marker for predicting the prognosis of ESCC patients. In addition, the data indicate a potential benefit of combining ZOL with cisplatin in ESCC, suggesting that CENP-F expression may have therapeutic implications.