Dexmedetomidine inhibits cerebral nerve cell apoptosis after cerebral hemorrhage in rats via the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the apoptosis of cerebral nerve cells after cerebral hemorrhage (CH) in rats and its molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rat model of CH was established by autologous blood injection. A total of 60 specific pathogen-free (SPF)-grade rats were randomly divided into sham-operation group, model group and dexmedetomidine group, and each group involved 20 rats. Rat brain water content was compared among the three groups. Besides, rat neurological function of the three groups was evaluated at 3, 5 and 7 d after operation by neurological function scoring. Western blotting assay was adopted to detect protein levels of apoptosis-related genes [B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)] in rat brain tissues in the three groups. Moreover, the apoptosis level in the brain tissues in the groups was measured through terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Biochemical tests were conducted to determine activities of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain tissues among the three groups. Furthermore, the activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) signaling pathway in the brain tissues of the three groups of rats was examined via Western blotting assay. An in vitro oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model was prepared using SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, Nrf2 was intervened in SH-SY5Y cells by small hairpin ribonucleic acid (shRNA) transfection. Finally, flow cytometry and Annexin V/PI assay were performed to detect the response of cells to dexmedetomidine in OGD + dexmedetomidine + sh-Nrf2 group. RESULTS: The brain water content and the neurological function score at 3, 5 and 7 d after operation were remarkably reduced in dexmedetomidine group compared with those in model group. The results of Western blotting and TUNEL assays indicated that dexmedetomidine group had a notably lowered apoptosis level in the brain tissues. Additionally, the biochemical test results manifested that activities of GSH and SOD were enhanced and that of MDA decreased in the brain tissues of dexmedetomidine group. Protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 in the brain tissues were distinctly higher in dexmedetomidine group than those in model group. According to the results of flow cytometry, the apoptosis rate in OGD + dexmedetomidine + sh-Nrf2 group rose prominently compared with that in OGD + dexmedetomidine group. CONCLUSIONS: Dexmedetomidine inhibits the nerve cell apoptosis in rat brain tissues by activating the Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1 signaling pathway in rat CH models.

Genome-wide identification studies - A primer to explore new genes in plant species.

Genome data have accumulated rapidly in recent years, doubling roughly after every 6 months due to the influx of next-generation sequencing technologies. A plethora of plant genomes are available in comprehensive public databases. This easy access to data provides an opportunity to explore genome datasets and recruit new genes in various plant species not possible a decade ago. In the past few years, many gene families have been published using these public datasets. These genome-wide studies identify and characterize gene members, gene structures, evolutionary relationships, expression patterns, protein interactions and gene ontologies, and predict putative gene functions using various computational tools. Such studies provide meaningful information and an initial framework for further functional elucidation. This review provides a concise layout of approaches used in these gene family studies and demonstrates an outline for employing various plant genome datasets in future studies.

[Epidemiological characteristics of pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2018].

Objective: The epidemiological characteristics of occupational pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province from 2010 to 2018 were analyzed to provide a theoretical basis for the development of prevention and control strategies for pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province. Methods: In March 2019, the data of newly diagnosed occupational pneumoconiosis in 2010-2018 and the data of occupational pneumoconiosis as of December 31, 2018 in Gansu Province were collected by the Occupational Disease and Occupational Health Information Monitoring System. The stage, type of disease, time, enterprise information of newly diagnosed pneumoconiosis and the region, type of disease, enterprise information of existed pneumoconiosis were analyzed. Results: From 2010 to 2018, a total of 1269 new cases of occupational pneumoconiosis were reported in Gansu Province, including 818 cases (64.46%) of stage I pneumoconiosis, 284 cases (22.38%) of stage II pneumoconiosis, 167 cases (13.16%) of stage III pneumoconiosis. Silicosis, coal worker's pneumoconiosis and cement pneumoconiosis ranks the top 3, accounting for 55.71% (707/1269) , 37.67% (478/1269) and 3.78% (48/1269) of the total number, respectively. The new cases of stage III pneumoconiosis were mainly distributed in private economy (58.09%, 79/136) and small-sized (59.88%, 97/162) enterprises. As of December 31, 2018, Gansu Province had reported a total of 12211 cases of occupational pneumoconiosis, of which 58.16% (7102/12211) were coal worker's pneumoconiosis and 28.15% (3438/12211) were silicosis. Mainly distributed in Baiyin city (21.63%, 2641/12211) , Lanzhou city (17.79%, 2172/12211) and Wuwei city (13.73%, 1676/12211) . The existed cases of pneumoconiosis are mainly distributed in state-owned economy (76.95%, 9396/12211) and large-sized (54.23%, 6622/12211) enterprises. Conclusion: Silicosis and coal worker's pneumoconiosis are the main type of pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province. And the number of silicosis reported is on the rise, which should be taken seriously. Pneumoconiosis in Gansu Province is mainly distributed in state-owned economy and large-sized enterprises. However, pneumoconiosis patients in private economy and small-sized enterprise is generally serious, so it should be the focus of supervision.

[Clinical application of self-made drainage tubes in different layers of soft tissue for negative-pressure wound therapy in 33 patients].

From January 2014 to June 2018, 28 patients with different types of deep soft tissue injury or infection were admitted to the Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital of Medical College of Southeast University; 5 patients were admitted to the Zhengzhou First People's Hospital. There were 24 males and 9 females, aged 18-89 (40±20) years. Disposable suction tubes with holes cut on side walls were used as self-made drainage tubes. The authors placed the self-made drainage tubes on different deep soft tissue layers and wound surfaces after debridement. The effective drainage sections of the wound surface drainage tubes were wrapped with silver ion antimicrobial functional active dressings. Bio-permeable membrane was used to close the operative area. The drainage tubes in the deep layer of wound and wound surface were connected in parallel by a tee and connected to wall-hanging medical negative-pressure suction device to conduct negative-pressure wound treatment at -20.0 to -10.6 kPa. The deep drainage tubes were usually removed or changed 4 or 5 days after surgery.The drainage tubes in the wound surface were synchronously replaced when removing or replacing he drainage tubes in the deep layer of wound. On 4 to 15 days after surgery, the deep drainage tubes were removed. On 8 to 25 days after surgery, the wound surface drainage tubes were removed. Then the treatment was changed to a conventional dressing change until the wounds were completely healed or the wound bed was ready for skin grafts or tissue flaps. The indwelling time of deep drainage tubes in this group of patients was (6.2±2.8) days, and the indwelling time of wound surface drainage tubes was (12.0±3.0) days. The wound healing time was (22±5) days, the hospital stay time was (29±7) days, and wound bacteria were reduced from 6 species and 11 strains before treatment to 3 species and 4 strains after treatment. No adverse events such as wound bleeding, irritative pain, and chronic sinus occurred during treatment. Twenty-three patients were followed up for 13 to 28 months, no treatment-related complications were observed.

Survey of infection and determination of the transmission vector of Onchocerca fasciata in camels (Camelus bactrianus) in Inner Mongolia, China.

Onchocerciasis in camels is caused by adult Onchocerca spp. and results in great economic losses to the camel industry. However, only a few studies on Onchocerca have been conducted, especially regarding the intermediate host and vector(s). In the present study, 192 camels were examined from December and January during 2013 and 2016, and the filarial larvae suspected to be Onchocerca spp. were further identified. Furthermore, aquatic dipteran insects in the living environment of camels were collected from May to September between 2013 and 2017 and dissected. Eventually, onchocercal lesions were observed in 95 of 192 (49%) camels and the captured insects were classified into 49 species from 42 genera in 21 families, among which 18 species were newly recorded in Inner Mongolia and 14 were haematophagous species. The filarial larvae were found in Culicoides puncticollis and identified as Onchocerca fasciata, indicating that C. puncticollis is the vector of O. fasciata in Inner Mongolia. These findings provide an estimate of onchocerciasis infection in camels and an alternative method of identifying insects and screening vectors using molecular methods. Important data are also provided for the diagnosis and control of onchocerciasis, thereby further filling the gap in knowledge regarding transmission vectors in China.

LncRNA GIHCG regulates microRNA-1281 and promotes malignant progression of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the expression characteristics of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) GIHCG in breast cancer (BCa), and further investigate its role in BCa and its relationship with clinical characteristics and prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine GIHCG expression in 53 pairs of BCa tumor tissues and adjacent tissues. The interaction between the level of GIHCG and the clinical indicators of BCa and the prognosis of patients was then analyzed. Lentivirus was transfected into BCa cell lines to construct the GIHCG knockdown model. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), cell cloning, and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were performed to analyze the influence of GIHCG on the biological function of BCa cells, as well as to explore whether it could play a role via modulating microRNA-1281. RESULTS: QRT-PCR results showed that the GIHCG level was remarkably higher in the BCa tumor tissue than in adjacent ones. Compared with patients with low expression of GIHCG, patients with high expression of GIHCG had higher pathological grades and a lower overall survival. Besides, the proliferation ability of BCa cells in GIHCG knockdown group was significantly decreased compared with NC group. QRT-PCR results indicated that silencing GIHCG increased the expression of miR-1281, thereby promoting the malignant progression of BCa. Also, the silence of miR-1281 reversed the effect of GIHCG on the proliferative capacity of BCa, thus increasing the cell anti-apoptotic ability. CONCLUSIONS: GIHCG levels were remarkably increased in both BCa tissues and cells, which was related to the pathological stage and poor prognosis of BCa patients. Besides, GIHCG might promote the malignant progression of BCa by inhibiting microRNA-1281.

Circular RNA TTBK2 promotes the development of human glioma cells via miR-520b/EZH2 axis.

OBJECTIVE: Glioma is a highly malignant human disease characterized by limited response to clinical therapy. Evidence indicated that circular RNA Tau tubulin kinase 2 circular RNAs (circ-TTBK2) participated in glioma pathogenesis. However, the precise effect of circ-TTBK2 on glioma progression is needed to be highlighted. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The levels of circ-TTBK2, microRNA-520b (miR-520b), and enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) were detected via quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) or Western blot. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to determine cell proliferation in vitro. Besides, a flow cytometry assay was conducted to examine apoptosis of A172 and U251 cells. Cell invasion was identified using the transwell assay. Moreover, Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the interaction between miR-520b and circ-TTBK2 or EZH2. The role of circ-TTBK2 in glioma progression was exposed using xenograft tumor experiments. RESULTS: The levels of circ-TTBK2 and EZH2 were markedly augmented, whereas miR-520b expression level was notably reduced in glioma tissues and cell lines. Either circ-TTBK2 or EZH2 detection could clearly facilitate cell apoptosis and block proliferation and invasion in A172 and U251 cells, while the effect of circ-TTBK2 or EZH2 deficiency was reverted by co-transfecting with miR-520 inhibitor. Moreover, circ-TTBK2 exerted its roles via miR-520b/EZH2 axis in glioma cells, and the knockdown of circ-TTBK2 could hinder the progression of glioma. CONCLUSIONS: Circ-TTBK2/miR-520b/EZH2 axis modulated cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion in glioma cell lines, and might serve as potential targets for glioma diagnosis and therapy.

MicroRNA-15a inhibits inflammatory response and apoptosis after spinal cord injury via targeting STAT3.

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the function of microRNA-15a in the spinal cord injury (SCI) and its potential mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The plasma levels of microRNA-15a and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in SCI patients were determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The correlation between the expressions of microRNA-15a and STAT3 was analyzed. The in vitro SCI model was established in H2O2-induced C8-D1A and C8B4 cells, and in vivo SCI model was established in mice by hitting T10. The mRNA and protein expressions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were detected in the SCI model. The apoptosis was examined by flow cytometry or TUNEL staining, respectively. The motor function of mouse hindlimb was evaluated using the Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) standard scale. The target gene of microRNA-15a was predicted by bioinformatics and further verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The expression changes of target genes in C8-D1A and C8B4 cells with microRNA-15a overexpression or knockdown were examined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Finally, rescue experiments were performed to evaluate the regulatory effects of microRNA-15a and STAT3 on cell apoptosis. RESULTS: MicroRNA-15a was lowly expressed in plasma of SCI patients, while STAT3 was highly expressed with a negative correlation to microRNA-15a. Identically, microRNA-15a was lowly expressed in H2O2-induced C8-D1A and C8B4 cells, and STAT3 was highly expressed. MicroRNA-15a overexpression downregulated mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in C8-D1A and C8B4 cells. BBB score was markedly low in SCI mice relative to controls. SCI mice injected with microRNA-15a mimics had higher BBB score than those injected with negative control. Besides, SCI mice with microRNA-15a overexpression had downregulated expressions of STAT3, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the impaired spinal cord tissues, as well as lower apoptotic rate. Through bioinformatics, we found binding sites between STAT3 and microRNA-15a. Their binding conditions were further verified by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Moreover, STAT3 expression was negatively regulated by microRNA-15a. Finally, rescue experiments showed that STAT3 overexpression could reverse the regulatory effects of microRNA-15a on expressions of TNF-α and IL-6, as well as apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: MicroRNA-15a expression decreases in the SCI model, which participates in the process of SCI by regulating inflammatory response and cell apoptosis via targeting STAT3.

MiR-15 suppressed the progression of bladder cancer by targeting BMI1 oncogene via PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of microRNA-15 (miR-15) in the progression of bladder cancer (BC) cell and its underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Human BC specimens were collected from BC patients during operations. BC cell lines (T24, BIU87, and HT1376) and normal uroepithelial cell lines SV-HUV-1 were cultured. The abilities of cell proliferation and invasion were detected by Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and transwell assay, respectively. Additionally, the relevant mRNA and protein expressions were measured by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Furthermore, the luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the target gene of miR-15. Besides, Xenograft tumor formation assay was performed to confirm the effect of miR-15 on tumor growth. RESULTS: A low expression of miR-15 was detected by qRT-PCR, whereas the high expression of B cell-specific Moloney murine leukemia virus integration site 1 (BMI1) was detected by immunocytochemical assay in BC tissues. Moreover, miR-15 expression and BMI1 expression were significantly associated with the overall survival of BC patients. MTT and transwell assay results stated that the up-regulation of miR-15 inhibited BC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. BMI-1 was verified as a direct target of miR-15 in BC using Luciferase reporter assay. Besides, miR-15 regulated epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related makers, protein kinase B (AKT), and the phosphorylation of AKT protein levels in BC using the Western blot assay. Xenograft tumor formation assay indicated that the over-expression of miR-15 inhibited the tumor growth. CONCLUSIONS: We stated that miR-15 suppressed BC cell progression by targeting BMI1 through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway, which provided a potential target for BC treatment.

[Epidemiological study of occupational diseases in Gansu province, China in 2010-2017].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of occupational diseases in Gansu Province, China in 2010-2017, and to provide a scientific basis for the prevention and control of occupational diseases. Methods: The cluster sampling method was adopted to make statistical analysis of 1339 cases of occupational disease reported by "occupational disease and occupational health information monitoring system" in Gansu province from 2010 to 2017, to investigate the diseases, regions and industries of occupational diseases in June 2018. Results: A total of 1339 cases of occupational diseases (39 types, 8 classes) were diagnosed and reposed in 2010-2017. The three most frequent diseases were pneumoconiosis (87.53%, 1172/1339), occupational poisonings (5.83%, 78/1339), and occupational ear, nose, and throat (ENT) diseases (3.14%, 42/1339). The cases of silicosis accounted for 54.61% (640/1172) of all cases of pneumoconiosis, the second was coalworker pneumoconiosis, which accounted for 38.57% (452/1172). In the cases of occupational poisonings, 32.05% (25/78) suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning. Patients with occupational diseases were reported in 14 districts of Gansu, mostly in Lanzhou (27.52%, 347/1261), Jinchang (16.57%, 209/1261), and Baiyin (14.20%, 179/1261). The reported cases are mainly concentrated in mining (71.56%, 468/654) and manufacturing (21.87%, 143/654), the types of state-owned economy (55.63%, 692/1244) and private economy (33.68%, 419/1244), large (43.41%, 540/1244) and small enterprises (35.21%, 438/1244) in 2010-2017 in Gansu. Conclusion: The pneumoconiosis caused by silicious and coal dust and the occupational poisonings caused by carbon monoxide seem to be the main occupational hazards in Gansu province. Occupational diseases occur in all districts of Guangzhou and in various industries. The state-owned economy and private sector, large and small enterprises should be the focuses of occupational health supervision.

Observation of incoherently coupled dark-bright vector solitons in single-mode fibers.

We report experimental observation of incoherently coupled dark-bright vector solitons in single-mode fibers. Properties of the vector solitons accord well with those predicted by the respective systems of incoherently coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental observation of temporal incoherently coupled dark-bright solitons in single-mode fibers.

Observation of dark-bright vector solitons in fiber lasers.

We report the experimental observation of coherently coupled dark-bright vector solitons in single mode fiber lasers with either normal or anomalous cavity dispersion. The properties of these vector solitons were found to agree well with theoretical predictions based on the coherently coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations. The experimental results clearly confirmed the existence of a fundamentally new form of optical solitons in coupled nonlinear systems.

CalliSpheres® drug-eluting beads (DEB) transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is equally efficient and safe in liver cancer patients with different times of previous conventional TACE treatments: a result from CTILC study.

PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB-TACE) in liver cancer patients with different times of previous conventional transarterial chemoembolization (cTACE) treatments. METHODS: 367 liver cancer patients about to receive DEB-TACE treatment were enrolled in this prospective cohort study. All patients were divided into no previous cTACE group (NPC group), 1-2 times previous cTACE group (PC group) and triple or above previous cTACE group (TPC group) according to the times of previous cTACE treatments. RESULTS: There was no difference in complete response (CR) (P = 0.671) and objective response rate (ORR) (P = 0.062) among three groups. Additionally, no difference in overall survival (OS) among groups (P = 0.899) was found. As to liver function, most liver function indexes were deteriorative at 1 week after DEB-TACE operation, but returned to baseline at 1-3 months after DEB-TACE operation in all three groups, while percentage of abnormal total bile acid (TBA) patients was higher in TPC group than NPC and PC groups at 1-3 month post-DEB-TACE (P = 0.018). As for safety profiles, the incidence of pain during DEB-TACE operation was lower in TPC group compared to NPC and PC groups (P = 0.005), while no difference of other adverse events was found during and 1 month post-DEB-TACE treatment among three groups. CONCLUSION: DEB-TACE treatment was equally efficient and tolerated in liver cancer patients with different times of previous cTACE treatments.

[YAP regulates the proliferation and modifies the sensitivity to sorafenib in hepatocellular carcinoma cells].

Objective: To detect the expression level of YES-associated protein 1 (YAP) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines and investigate its effects on the proliferation activity and the sensitivity to sorafenib in HCC cells. Methods: Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of YAP in SMMC-7721, SK-Hep-1, HepG-2, Huh7 and the normal liver cell line L-O2. YAP specific small interfering RNA (si-YAP) or YAP expression plasmid were transfected in SK-Hep-1 or Huh7 cells, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) test was used to detect the cell proliferation activity and the cell cycle test was conducted by flow cytometry. SK-Hep-1 and SK-Hep-1 si-YAP cells were subcutaneously injected into the nude mice which were sequentially treated by intragastric administration of sorafenib, and the tumor growth in vivo were observed and compared. Results: The expression of YAP was upregulated in HCC cell lines. Deletion of YAP expression significantly decreased the survival rate of SK-Hep-1 cells [(78.5±0.3)% vs (92.3±0.2)%, P=0.025]. Knockdown of YAP significantly increased the percentage of G(0)/G(1)-phase cells [ (65.4±3.3) % vs (55.7±3.4) %, P=0.039]. On the contrary, upregulation of the YAP expression in Huh7 cells significantly increased the cell survival rate [(81.2±1.3)% vs (62.5±1.1)%, P=0.013] and reduced the percentage of G(0)/G(1)-phase cells [(38.2±3.8)% vs (48.8±2.9)%, P=0.019]. The survival rate of SK-Hep-1 cells treated by si-YAP combined with sorafenib was (31.13±1.79)%, significantly lower than (48.87±0.58) % of SK-Hep-1 cells treated by sorafenib alone (P=0.001), while overexpression of YAP attenuated the inhibitory effect of sorafenib on the survival of Huh7 cells [(69.98±2.94) % vs (53.53±1.93)%, P=0.001]. The tumor weights of SK-Hep-1 group, sorafenib alone group, SK-Hep-1 si-YAP group and SK-Hep-1 si-YAP combined with sorafenib group were (0.96±0.08) g, (0.62±0.08) g, (0.70±0.06) g and (0.27±0.02) g, respectively. The tumor weights of sorafenib alone group and SK-Hep-1 si-YAP group were significantly lower than that of SK-Hep-1 group (P=0.012 and P=0.031, respectively). The tumor weight of SK-Hep-1 si-YAP combined with sorafenib group was significantly lower than that of SK-Hep-1 si-YAP group (P=0.001). Conclusions: The expression of YAP is upregulated in HCC cell lines, which regulates the proliferation, cell cycle, and sensitivity to sorafenib of HCC cells. YAP is a potential molecular target for HCC treatment.

[Comparison of therapeutics effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with iodine-125 seed implantation and sorafenib for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis].

Objective: To explore the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) combined with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), and to analyze the clinical value of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with iodine-125 seed implantation in such patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 53 patients with HCC combined with PVTT was performed. In the study group, 32 cases were treated with TACE combined with iodine-125 seed implantation, and 21 cases in the control group were treated with TACE combined with sorafenib. Survival analysis was carried out on eight factors such as gender, age, Child-Pugh classification, alpha fetoprotein level, portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) type, forms of liver tumor, extra-hepatic metastasis and treatment modalities. The efficacy of TACE combined with iodine-125 seed implantation and TACE combined with sorafenib was further compared. The χ (2) test was used to evaluate the efficacy of the two groups. A single factor survival analysis was calculated by Kaplan-Meier estimator and multifactor survival analysis by Cox proportional hazards model. Results: All 53 patients were successfully treated. The median tumor progression time (mTTP) and median overall survival (mOS) were 8 months and 11 months, respectively. The disease control rate (DCR) of the study group for PVTT was 93.8%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (61.9%, χ (2) = 6.448, P = 0.011). The difference was statistically significant; the objective remission rate of the study group for PVTT was 75.0%. Significantly higher than 9.5% in the control group, P < 0.05, the difference was statistically significant; the DCR of the primary tumor in the study group was 50.0%, which was lower than the 70.0% of the PVTT in the control group, P = 0.231, the difference was not statistically significant. The progression of primary HCC lesions in patients with multivariate survival analysis: Child-Pugh grade A patients were compared to grade B [Hazard ratio (HR) = 0.236, P = 0.003]; no extra-hepatic metastasis (HR = 0.258, P = 0.002); and TACE combined with iodine-125 seed implantation group compared with TACE combined sorafenib group (HR = 0.372, P = 0.002), the differences were statistically significant. Multivariate survival analysis of patients with overall survival: AFP < 400 ng/mL vs. AFP≥400 ng/mL (HR = 0.389, P = 0.030); Child-Pugh grade A vs. B (HR = 0.263, P = 0.006); and no extra-hepatic metastasis (HR = 0.306, P = 0.006), the differences were statistically significant. Conclusion: TACE combined with iodine-125 seed implantation for the treatment of HCC with PVTT can effectively control the progression of PVTT and intrahepatic lesions and improve the prognosis of patients.

Molecular characteristic and pathogenicity analysis of a virulent recombinant avain infectious bronchitis virus isolated in China.

A virulent infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), designated as CK/CH/GD/QY16 (referred as QY16), was isolated from a diseased chicken farm in Guangdong province, China, in 2016. The complete genome of the strain was sequenced and analyzed. The results show that the genome of QY16 consists of 27,670 nucleotides, excluding poly (A) tail, and that its genome organization is 5' UTR-1a-1b-S-3a-3b-E-M-4b-4c-5a-5b-N-6b-3' UTR-poly (A) tail. Sequence comparison among QY16 and other IBV strains was conducted and its results demonstrate that the S1 gene of QY16 has the highest nucleotide sequence identity with that of 4/91, and the other part of its genome is highly similar to that of YX10. The results of the phylogenic analysis show that the entire genome of QY16 and most of the QY16 genes are located in the same cluster as those of YX10, except for the S1 gene which is located in the same cluster with that of 4/91. It has been further confirmed by the RDP and SimPlot analysis that QY16 is a recombinant strain deriving from YX10 (as the major parental sequence) and 4/91 (as the minor parental sequence), and that the recombination occurs in a region which includes the 3'-terminal 1b sequence (85 nt) and the 5'-terminal S1 protein gene sequence (1,466 nt). The results of the vaccination-challenge test suggest that QY16 is a nephropathogenic strain of IBV and that the vaccine strains-H120 and 4/91-cannot provide effective protection against it. These results indicate that the continuing evolution of IBV strains by genetic drift and genetic recombination may lead to IBV outbreaks even among the vaccinated chickens in China.

Effect of exosome biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Exosomes are gradually detected as an indicator for diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer in clinic and a systematic review was conducted. METHODS: A search for clinical studies published before July 1, 2017 was performed. Methods of exosome purification and identification from all studies were extracted. For diagnosis evaluation, the comparison of exosome biomarkers expression between breast cancer patients and healthy women was obtained; for prognosis prediction, the correlation between exosome biomarkers expression and chemotherapy resistance, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence and metastasis of breast cancer was also extracted. RESULTS: A total of 11 studies with 921 breast cancer patients were included. Ultracentrifugation is the most frequent method to purify exosomes and transmission electron microscopy is commonly used to identify exosomes. Exosome biomarkers (such as HER2, CD47, Del-1, miR-1246 and miR-21) in breast cancer patients are significantly higher than those in healthy controls, exosomal GSTP1 and TRPC5 are related to chemotherapy resistance, exosome-carrying TRPC5, NANOG, NEUROD1, HTR7, KISS1R and HOXC are correlated to PFS, DFS or OS, and some exosomal proteins (HER2, KDR, CD49d, CXCR4 and CD44) as well as miRNAs (miR-340-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-93-5p) are associated with tumor recurrence or distant organ metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Exosome biomarkers can be used for early diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer patients in clinic.

Physiochemical properties of rice starch for production of vermicelli with premium quality.

Rice vermicelli is a main food consumed in China and Southeast Asia. Quality of rice vermicelli varies with rice cultivars. Parameters including amylose content, amylopectin distribution, thermal and pasting characteristics, gel texture and starch granules of three rice cultivars "Zhongjiazao 17", "Xiangzaoxian 24" and "Thai Jasmine Rice", were studied for their impacts on vermicelli quality. Results showed significant differences for the measurements of the quality traits and indicated that a favorable quality of vermicelli was not determined by any single factor instead of a combination of multi-parameters. A vermicelli with a favorable quality could be produced from a rice variety with a high apparent amylose content (>25%), a protein content of 11%, an intermediate gelatinization temperature and gel consistency, and a gel hardness (~3 N for a Rapid Viscosity Analyzer pasting) and moderate retrogradation capacity (a setback viscosity of 30-100 RVU).