Air-ventilated normothermic mechanical perfusion improves susceptibility to donation after circulatory death and cold preservation-induced cholestatic liver injury through PPAR-γ/UGT1A1 axis.

End-ischemic normothermic mechanical perfusion (NMP) could provide a curative treatment to reduce cholestatic liver injury from donation after circulatory death (DCD) in donors. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Our previous study demonstrated that air-ventilated NMP could improve functional recovery of DCD in a preclinical NMP rat model. Here, metabolomics analysis revealed that air-ventilated NMP alleviated DCD- and cold preservation-induced cholestatic liver injury, as shown by the elevated release of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin, and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the perfusate (p < .05) and the reduction in the levels of bile acid metabolites, including ω-muricholic acid, glycohyodeoxycholic acid, glycocholic acid, and glycochenodeoxycholate (GCDC) in the perfused livers (p < .05). In addition, the expression of the key bile acid metabolism enzyme UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1), which is predominantly expressed in hepatocytes, was substantially elevated in the DCD rat liver, followed by air-ventilated NMP (p < .05), and in vitro, this increase was induced by decreased GCDC and hypoxia-reoxygenation in the hepatic cells HepG2 and L02 (p < .05). Knockdown of UGT1A1 in hepatic cells by siRNA aggravated hepatic injury caused by GCDC and hypoxia-reoxygenation, as indicated by the ALT and AST levels in the supernatant. Mechanistically, UGT1A1 is transcriptionally regulated by peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) under hypoxia-physoxia. Taken together, our data revealed that air-ventilated NMP could alleviate DCD- and cold preservation-induced cholestatic liver injury through PPAR-γ/UGT1A1 axis. Based on the results from this study, air-ventilated NMP confers a promising approach for predicting and alleviating cholestatic liver injury through PPAR-γ/UGT1A1 axis.

Bioinformatic analysis and verification of a lipid metabolism-related long noncoding RNA prognostic signature for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Both lipid metabolism reprogramming and lncRNAs exert effects on tumor development. We aimed to predict the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) based on lipid metabolism-related (LR)-lncRNAs. METHODS: LR-lncRNAs were determined from the RNA-ref profiles of HNSCC samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The prognostic model was established by univariate Cox and Lasso regression analysis. Clinical relevance and predictive accuracy were investigated, and external validation was also performed in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohort. Tumor immune infiltration and relevant functional analysis, including the association of autophagy with prognostic signatures, were conducted through single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). The regulatory network of candidate LR-lncRNAs was investigated via coexpression, ceRNA and cis/trans acting interactions. Potential genes were selected through qRT-PCR analysis, and their effects on tumor biological activities and autophagic activity were explored after gene knockdown. RESULTS: A total of 222 LR-lncRNAs were identified. Among the 41 genes with prognostic significance, 17 lncRNAs were eligible for the risk model. Patients in the high-risk group had a poorer prognosis than those in the low-risk group, and the risk score was found to be positively associated with tumor microenvironment infiltration via multiple algorithms. Furthermore, improved prognosis was found in patients with high autophagic scores and low risk scores, and autophagy-related genes such as PINK1 and CCL2 showed significantly lower expression in the low-risk group. The expression of immune checkpoint genes such as CD28, CTLA4 and PDCD1 decreased dramatically in the high-risk group. The target genes of candidate lncRNAs were confirmed, such as ENO2 and PPAR-gamma. Furthermore, MIR4435-2HG was the most significantly overexpressed lncRNA in HNSCC cell lines and tumor samples, which could promote proliferation and migration and inhibit apoptosis. Additionally, MIR4435-2HG silencing activated autophagy by increasing LC3B expression. CONCLUSION: This study constructed an LR-lncRNA prognostic signature for HNSCC and indicated its relationships with tumor immunity and autophagy, which provides a promising future for LR-lncRNA-oriented prognostic tools and therapeutic targets.

Influence of preoperative simulation on the reduction quality and clinical outcomes of open reduction and internal fixation for complex proximal humerus fractures.

PURPOSE: Proximal humerus fractures (PHFs) are common. With the development of locking plates, open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of the proximal humerus can provide excellent clinical outcomes. The quality of fracture reduction is crucial in the locking plate fixation of proximal humeral fractures. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology and computer virtual technology assisted preoperative simulation on the reduction quality and clinical outcomes of 3-part and 4-part proximal humeral fractures. METHOD: A retrospective comparative analysis of 3-part and 4-part PHFs undergoing open reduction internal fixation was performed. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to whether computer virtual technology and 3D printed technology were used for preoperative simulation: the simulation group and the conventional group. Operative time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay, quality of fracture reduction, Constant scores, American Society for Shoulder and Elbow Surgery (ASES) scores, shoulder range of motion, complications, and revision surgeries were assessed. RESULTS: This study included 67 patients (58.3%) in the conventional group and 48 patients (41.7%) in the simulation group. The patient demographics and fracture characteristics were comparable in these groups. Compared with the conventional group, the simulation group had shorter operation time and less intraoperative bleeding (P < 0.001, both). Immediate postoperative assessment of fracture reduction showed a higher incidence of greater tuberosity cranialization of < 5 mm, neck-shaft angle of 120° to 150°, and head shaft displacement of < 5 mm in the simulation group. The incidence of good reduction was 2.6 times higher in the simulation group than in the conventional group (95% CI, 1.2-5.8). At the final follow-up, the chance of forward flexion > 120° (OR 5.8, 95% CI 1.8-18.0) and mean constant score of > 65 (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.5-7.4) was higher in the simulation group than the conventional group, as well as a lower incidence of complications in the simulation group was obtained (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.6). CONCLUSIONS: This study identified that preoperative simulation assisted by computer virtual technology and 3D printed technology can improve reduction quality and clinical outcomes in treatment of 3-part and 4-part PHFs.

Cytochrome P450 2E1 predicts liver functional recovery from donation after circulatory death using air-ventilated normothermic machine perfusion.

The optimal oxygen concentration is unclear for normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) of livers from donation after circulatory death (DCD). Our purposes were to investigate the effect of air-ventilated NMP on the DCD liver, analyze the underlying mechanism and select the targets to predict liver functional recovery with NMP. NMP was performed using the NMP system with either air ventilation or oxygen ventilation for 2 h in the rat liver following warm ischemia and cold-storage preservation. Proteomics and metabolomics were used to reveal the significant molecular networks. The bioinformation analysis was validated by administering peroxisome proliferator activator receptor-γ (PPARγ) antagonist and agonist via perfusion circuit in the air-ventilated NMP. Results showed that air-ventilated NMP conferred a better functional recovery and a less inflammatory response in the rat DCD liver; integrated proteomics and metabolomics analysis indicated that intrahepatic docosapentaenoic acid downregulation and upregulation of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) expression and activity were associated with DCD liver functional recovery with air-ventilated NMP; PPARγ antagonist worsened liver function under air-oxygenated NMP whereas PPARγ agonist played the opposite role. In conclusion, air-ventilated NMP confers a better liver function from DCD rats through the DAP-PPARγ-CYP2E1 axis; CYP2E1 activity provides a biomarker of liver functional recovery from DCD.

Oncogenic miRNA-1908 targets HDAC10 and promotes the aggressive phenotype of cervical cancer cell.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have vital functions in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. The significance of miR-1908 in cervical cancer has not been determined. We revealed that miR-1908 was notably upregulated in cervical cancer. Upregulation of miR-1908 increased cervical carcinoma cell growth and invasion. Downregulation of miR-1908 caused the opposite effects. We confirmed that histone deacetylase 10 (HDAC10) was a potential target of miR-1908 using bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays. Western blot analysis showed that miR-1908 regulated the expression of HDAC10 by binding its 3'-UTR. In addition, ectopic expression of HDAC10 partially reversed the promoting effects of miR-1908. In conclusion, our findings indicated that miR-1908 targets HDAC10 in cervical cancer and regulates aggressive cervical cancer cell phenotypes.

Synaptopodin-2 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis via calcineurin-induced nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of malignant liver tumor, has a grim prognosis. As a functional protein, synaptopodin-2 (SYNPO2) has been associated with malignancy; however, the expression profile and function of SYNPO2 in HCC remains unknown. Herein, we revealed that SYNPO2 was transcriptionally downregulated in HCC tissues from both The Cancer Genome Atlas cohort and our cohort, and was also decreased at the translational level as determined by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. Furthermore, reduced SYNPO2 expression correlated significantly with short overall survival and recurrence free survival of HCC patients. Restoring SYNPO2 expression inhibited the proliferation and aggressiveness of hepatocarcinoma cells. Mechanistically, increasing the ratio of cytoplasmic SYNPO2 to nuclear SYNPO2 was positively associated with recurrence rate in HCC patients; calcineurin (CaN) activity positively correlated with cytoplasmic SYNPO2 levels in HCC tissues; and nuclear-cytoplasmic translocation of SYNPO2 was induced by CaN to facilitate metastasis of HCC through assembly of peripheral actin bundles. In short, our findings uncover a novel role of SYNPO2 in HCC metastasis via the CaN/SYNPO2/F-actin axis, and indicate that SYNPO2 may serve as a possible prognostic marker and novel therapeutic target.

TIMP1 mRNA in tumor-educated platelets is diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer.

Platelets have been shown to promote the growth of tumors, including colorectal cancer. The RNA profile of tumor-educated platelets has the possibility for cancer diagnosis. We used RNA sequencing to identified the gene expression signature in platelets from colorectal cancer patients and healthy volunteers. We then verified the selected biomarkers from the RNA sequencing in a two-step case-control study using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. We found that TIMP1 mRNA levels are higher in platelets from colorectal cancer patients than in platelets from healthy volunteers and patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Additionally, TIMP1 mRNA expressed in platelets from colorectal cancer patients can be carried into colorectal cancer cells, where it promotes tumor growth in vivo and in vitro. These findings show that the TIMP1 mRNA in platelets is a potential independent diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer, and that platelets can carry RNAs into colorectal cancer cells to promote colorectal cancer development.

Lower fecal pH may be a novel indicator of pouchitis after IPAA in patients with FAP or metachronous Lynch syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To assess whether fecal pH might be an indicator of pouchitis during the postoperative period in hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who have undergone ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). METHODS: Five consecutive daily pH values of stool samples from 31 familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients and 32 metachronous Lynch syndrome patients who underwent IPAA procedures were reviewed. Patients with pouchitis (pouchitis group, n = 22) were compared with patients without pouchitis (nonpouchitis group, n = 41). A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to determine the indicative potential of fecal pH for pouchitis. A Mantel-Cox test was also performed to evaluate the survival status of patients with or without pouchitis. RESULTS: Pouchitis was noted in 22 (34.9%) of 63 patients after IPAA. The significance of each daily average fecal pH value and the 5-day overall average fecal pH value was compared between the two groups (P < .01). A cutoff fecal pH value of 7.46 was determined by the ROC analysis for assessing the risk of pouchitis. No significant difference in 5-year overall survival was observed between the two groups. CONCLUSION: A lower fecal pH value in patients with hereditary CRC after IPAA might be a new indicator of pouchitis.

[Temporal characteristics of soil fertility of cropland requisition-compensation in the typical region of Yangtze River Delta, China.] / é•¿ä¸‰è§’å ¸åž‹åŒºå è¡¥è€•åœ°åœŸå£¤è‚¥åŠ›çš„æ—¶æ®µç‰¹å¾.

Based on the satellite image in 1984, 2000 and 2016, we analyzed the temporal and spatial variation of cropland requisition-compensation in Changshu City, Jiangsu Province. Based on ArcGIS and the data of soil samples, membership function with integrated fertility index were used to evaluate the soil fertility in 1984 and 2000, respectively. The overlay analysis had been used to reveal the characteristics of soil fertility of cropland requisition-compensation between the period of 1984 to 2000 and 2000 to 2016. Results showed that the cropland reduced by 1/3 from 1984 to 2016, which was occupied by water area (51.7%) and residential, industrial and mining land (41.4%) between 1984 to 2000, while between 2000 to 2016 cropland was occupied dominantly by residential, industrial and mining land (80.8%). The soil fertility of in 65.5% of the total area of Changshu increased while the decreasing part just accounted for 3.9% from 1984 to 2000. At the same time, soil fertility was higher in the south area of Changshu City than other area. The quantity and quality of cropland requisition-compensation were not balanced, with the serious status of occupying more cropland but replenishing less, occupying fertile cropland and replenishing poor one in former period, and occupying more cropland and replenishing less, occupying poor cropland and replenishing poor one in the later period. The trend of cropland shrinking had not been altered, and the cropland compensation in different places was epidemic. The quality of cropland compensation in different places and the temporal characteristic of soil fertility should be highlighted for the balance of cropland requisition-compensation.

Enhanced antimicrobial activities of silver-nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene nanocomposites against oral pathogens.

As a means of capitalizing on the synergistic properties between reduced graphene nanosheets (R-GNs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), an efficient and convenient chemical reduction method was used to prepare silver-nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene nanocomposites (R-GNs/Ag). The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy, which confirmed the loading of well-dispersed silver nanoparticles on reduced graphene sheets. Their antimicrobial activities against oral pathogens such as Candida albicans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus mutans, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were investigated by MIC determination, the counting of colony-forming units (CFU), agar diffusion tests, and growth curve observation. Compared with pure R-GNs and AgNPs, R-GNs/Ag composites exhibited enhanced antimicrobial properties owing to highly dispersed AgNPs on R-GNs.

[Effects of soil data and map scale on assessment of total phosphorus storage in upland soils.] / ä¸åŒåˆ¶å›¾å°ºåº¦åŠåœŸå£¤æ•°æ®å¯¹åœŸå£¤å ¨ç£·å‚¨é‡ä¼°ç®—çš„å½±å“.

Accurate assessment of total phosphorus storage in farmland soils is of great significance to sustainable agricultural and non-point source pollution control. However, previous studies haven't considered the estimation errors from mapping scales and various databases with different sources of soil profile data. In this study, a total of 393×104 hm2 of upland in the 29 counties (or cities) of North Jiangsu was cited as a case for study. Analysis was performed of how the four sources of soil profile data, namely, "Soils of County", "Soils of Prefecture", "Soils of Province" and "Soils of China", and the six scales, i.e. 1:50000, 1:250000, 1:500000, 1:1000000, 1:4000000 and1:10000000, used in the 24 soil databases established for the four soil journals, affected assessment of soil total phosphorus. Compared with the most detailed 1:50000 soil database established with 983 upland soil profiles, relative deviation of the estimates of soil total phosphorus density (STPD) and soil total phosphorus storage (STPS) from the other soil databases varied from 4.8% to 48.9% and from 1.6% to 48.4%, respectively. The estimated STPD and STPS based on the 1:50000 database of "Soils of County" and most of the estimates based on the databases of each scale in "Soils of County" and "Soils of Prefecture" were different, with the significance levels of P＜0.001 or P＜0.05. Extremely significant differences (P＜0.001) existed between the estimates based on the 1:50000 database of "Soils of County" and the estimates based on the databases of each scale in "Soils of Province" and "Soils of China". This study demonstrated the significance of appropriate soil data sources and appropriate mapping scales in estimating STPS.

Asiatic acid mitigates hyperglycemia and reduces islet fibrosis in Goto-Kakizaki rat, a spontaneous type 2 diabetic animal model.

The Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat is a spontaneous type 2 diabetic animal model, which is characterized by a progressive loss of beta islet cells with fibrosis. In the present study, the hypoglycemic effect of asiatic acid (AA) in GK rats was examined. GK rats receiving AA at a daily dose of 25 mg·kg(-1) for four weeks showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels. Age-matched normal Wistar rats were given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC-Na) solution for the same periods and used as control. Compared to the normal Wistar rats, GK rats treated with AA showed improvement in insulin resistance partially through decreasing glucose level (P < 0.01) and insulin level (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the results of immunohistochemistry indicate that AA treatment reduced islet fibrosis in GK rats. Fibronectin, a key protein related to islet fibrosis, was over-expressed in GK rats, which was reversed significantly by AA treatment (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that AA has a beneficial effect on lowering blood glucose levels in GK rats and improves fibrosis of islets in diabetes, which may play a role in the prevention of islets dysfunction.

Carcinoma microsatellite instability status as a predictor of benefit from fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Rectal cancers with high microsatellite-instable have clinical and pathological features that differentiate them from microsatellite-stable or low- frequency carcinomas, which was studied rarely in stage II rectal cancer, promoting the present investigation of the usefulness of microsatellite-instability status as a predictor of the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy with fluorouracil in stage II rectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 460 patients who underwent primary anterior resection with a double stapling technique for rectal carcinoma at a single institution from 2008 to 2012 were retrospectively collected. All patients experienced a total mesorectal excision (TME) operation. Survival analysis were analyzed using the Cox regression method. RESULTS: Five-year rate of disease-free survival (DFS) was noted in 390 (84.8%) of 460 patients with stage II rectal cancer. Of 460 tissue specimens, 97 (21.1%) exhibited high-frequency microsatellite instability. Median age of the patients was 65 (50-71) and 185 (40.2%) were male. After univariate and multivariate analysis, microsatellite instability (p= 0.001), female sex (p< 0.05) and fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy (p< 0.001), the 3 factors were attributed to a favorable survival status independently. Among 201 patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy, those cancers displaying high-frequency microsatellite instability had a better 5-year rate of DFS than tumors exhibiting microsatellite stability or low-frequency instability (HR, 13.61 [95% CI, 1.88 to 99.28]; p= 0.010), while in 259 patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy, there was no DFS difference between the two groups (p= 0.145). Furthermore, patients exhibiting microsatellite stability or low-frequency instability who received adjuvant chemotherapy had a better 5-year rate of DFS than patients did not (HR, 5.16 [95% CI, 2.90 to 9.18]; p< 0.001), while patients exhibiting high-frequency microsatellite instability were not connected with increased DFS (p= 0.696). It was implied that female patients had better survival than male. CONCLUSION: Survival status after anterior resection of rectal carcinoma is related to the microsatellite instability status, adjuvant chemotherapy and gender. Fluorouracil-based adjuvant chemotherapy benefits patients of stage II rectal cancer with microsatellite-stable or low microsatellite-instable, but not those with high microsatellite- instable. Additionally, free of adjuvant chemotherapy, carcinomas with high microsatellite-instable have a better 5-year rate of DFS than those with microsatellite-stable or low microsatellite-instable, and female patients have a better survival as well.

Clinical significance of TLR3 and TLR4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura nephritis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression levels and clinical significance of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3 and 4 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) collected from children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) nephritis. The randomized controlled trial was conducted between August 2011 and March 2013, and 105 children with a clinical diagnosis of HSP were enrolled in the study. According to the 24-h urinary protein measurements and the presence of renal damage, the 105 cases were divided into groups A, B and C as follows: Group A, children with HSP but without renal damage; group B, children with HSP nephritis but without proteinuria; group C, children with HSP nephritis and proteinuria. A total of 30 healthy children were enrolled in the normal control group (group N). The primary endpoints were the detection of TLR3 and 4 mRNA and protein expression levels in PBMCs by flow cytometry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4 in the PBMCs were significantly higher in groups A, B and C when compared with group N. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4 in group C were much higher when compared with groups A and B. A positive correlation was identified between TLR4 protein expression and 24-h urinary protein levels in group C. The expression levels of TLR3 did not significantly differ among the groups. Protein and mRNA expression levels of TLR4 in PBMCs significantly increased and exhibited a positive correlation with urinary protein excretion. These results indicate that aberrant activation of TLR4 may be relevant to the development of HSP nephritis.

Outcomes based on risk assessment of anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, high reoperation rates, and increased hospital length of stay. Here we investigated the risk factors for AL after anterior resection for rectal cancer with a double stapling technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data for 460 patients who underwent primary anterior resection with a double stapling technique for rectal carcinoma at a single institution from 2003 to 2007 were prospectively collected. All patients experienced a total mesorectal excision (TME) operation. Clinical AL was defined as the presence of leakage signs and confirmed by diagnostic work-up according to ICD-9 codes 997.4, 567.22 (abdominopelvic abscess), and 569.81 (fistula of the intestine). Univariate and logistic regression analyses of 20 variables were undertaken to determine risk factors for AL. Survival was analysed using the Cox regression method. RESULTS: AL was noted in 35 (7.6%) of 460 patients with rectal cancer. Median age of the patients was 65 (50-74) and 161 (35%) were male. The diagnosis of AL was made between the 6th and 12th postoperative day (POD; mean 8th POD). After univariate and multivariate analysis, age (p=0.004), gender (p=0.007), tumor site (p<0.001), preoperative body mass index (BMI) (p<0.001), the reduction of TSGF on 5th POD less than 10U/ml (p=0.044) and the pH value of pelvic dranage less than or equal to 6.978 on 3rd POD (p<0.001) were selected as 6 independent risk factors for AL. It was shown that significant differences in survival of the patients were AL-related (p<0.001), high ASA score related (p=0.036), high-level BMI related (p=0.007) and advanced TNM stage related (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: AL after anterior resection for rectal carcinoma is related to advanced age, low tumor site, male sex, high preoperative BMI, low pH value of pelvic drainage on POD 3 and a significant reduction of TSGF on POD 5. In addition to their high risk of immediate postoperative morbidity and mortality, AL, worse physical status, severe obesity and advanced TNM stage have similarly negative impact on survival.

Acidic pelvic drainage as a predictive factor for anastomotic leakage after surgery for patients with rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the value of sequential determinations of pelvic drainage in the identification of increased risk of anastomotic leakage (AL) after anterior resection for rectal cancer with a double stapling technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2004 and December 2011, data for the daily postoperative pH of pelvic drainage fluid in 753 consecutive patients with rectal cancer who initially underwent anterior resection with a double stapling technique were reviewed. All patients experienced a total mesorectal excision. Patients with anastomotic leakage (Group AL, n=57) were compared to patients without leakage (Group nAL, n=696). Patients with perioperatively abdominopelvic implants that were likely to affect pH value (determined at 25 °) other than leakage were excluded. Mean postoperative values were compared. RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage was noted in 57 (7.6%) of 753 patients with rectal cancer. The diagnosis of anastomotic leakage was made between the 6th and 12th postoperative day (POD; mean 8th POD). There was no significance of the daily average values of pH on POD1 and 2 in group AL while a significantly sharp declining mean pH value reached its diagnostic point of AL (p<0.001) on POD3. A cut-off value of 6.978 on the 3rd POD maximized the sensitivity (98.7.0%) and specificity (94.7%) in assessing the risk of leakage. CONCLUSION: According to these results, an early and persistent declining of pH value of pelvic drainage fluid after rectal surgery with anastomosis, is a marker of AL. A cut-off value of 6.798 on POD3 maximizes sensitivity and specificity.

[Isolation, culture and identification of human odontoclasts].

OBJECTIVE: To isolate, culture and identify odontoclasts in vitro and to establish a method of culturing human odontoclasts. METHODS: Healthy and retentive deciduous teeth were extracted, and then placed in α-minimum essential medium containing 0.1% collagenase and 0.2% dispase for 1 h.Odontoclasts were obtained and incubated from the absorbing root surfaces of deciduous teeth.Isolated cells were viewed by inverted phase contrast microscope firstly. Then, the isolated odontoclasts were morphologically observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. The prepared teeth slices were cocultured with the isolated odontoclasts and scanning electronic microscope(SEM) was used to demonstrate the presence of resorption lacunae. RESULTS: The isolated odontoclasts appeared as multinucleated giant cell with many vacuolus in cytoplasm. TRAP staining demonstrated that the cytoplasm of the odontoclasts was full of claret-red positive particles.Resorption lacunae on teeth slices which cocultured with odontoclasts were seen under SEM. CONCLUSIONS: Enzyme digestion is an effective method to isolate odontoclasts from absorbing root surface of deciduous teeth.

Efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy followed by 125I seed brachytherapy for VX2 hepatic tumors in a rabbit model.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) followed by 125I seed brachytherapy for VX2 liver cancer in rabbits. Eighty New Zealand rabbits were injected with suspensions of VX2 tumor cells to create an animal model. The rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=20); the control, PMCT, 125I seed brachytherapy and combination groups. Group A was treated with PMCT at 40 W for 120 sec, group B was treated with 125I seed brachytherapy and group C was treated with PMCT followed by 125I seed brachytherapy. Group D were not treated and served as the control group. At 21 days after treatment, the rabbits were sacrificed for pathological assessment. The complete tumor necrosis rate was 19 out of 20 tumors (95%) in group C, 6 (30%) in group A, 0 (0%) in group B and 0 (0%) in the control group. The complete tumor necrosis rate was observed to be significantly different between groups C and A, and between groups C and B (P<0.01). No intraheptic metastasis occurred in group C, compared with an incidence of 7 (35%) in group A, 2 (10%) in group B and 20 (100%) in the control group. Between groups C and A, and between groups C and D, the intraheptic metastasis rate was statistically significant (P<0.01). PMCT followed by 125I seed brachytherapy increased the rate of carcinoma necrosis and decreased carcinoma metastasis in the VX2 rabbit model. This combined treatment is a safe, effective and minimally invasive therapeutic option for liver cancer.

Role of MYH polymorphisms in sporadic colorectal cancer in China: a case-control, population-based study.

PURPOSE: Biallelic germline variants of the 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OG) repair gene MYH have been associated with colorectal neoplasms that display somatic G:C?T:A transversions. However, the effect of single germline variants has not been widely studied, prompting the present investigation of monoallelic MYH variants and susceptibility to sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Chinese population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and December 2012, 400 cases of sporadic CRC and 600 age- and sex-matched normal blood donors were screened randomly for 7 potentially pathogenic germline MYH exons using genetic testing technology. Variants of heterozygosity at the MYH locus were assessed in both sporadic cancer patients and healthy controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine risk factors for cancer onset. RESULTS: Five monoallelic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the 7 exon regions of MYH, which were detected in 75 (18.75%) of 400 CRC patients as well as 42 (7%) of 600 normal controls. The region of exon 1 proved to be a linked polymorphic region for the first time, a triple linked variant including exon 1-316 G?A, exon 1-292 G?A and intron 1+11 C?T, being identified in 13 CRC patients and 2 normal blood donors. A variant of base replacement, intron 10-2 A?G, was identified in the exon 10 region in 21 cases and 7 controls, while a similar type of variant in the exon 13 region, intron 13+12 C?T, was identified in 8 cases and 6 controls. Not the only but a newly missense variant in the present study, p. V463E (Exon 14+74 T?A), was identified in exon 14 in 6 patients and 1 normal control. In exon 16, nt. 1678-80 del GTT with loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was identified in 27 CRC cases and 26 controls. There was no Y165C in exon 7 or G382D in exon 14, the hot- spot variants which have been reported most frequently in Caucasian studies. After univariate analysis and multivariate analysis, the linked variant in exon 1 region (p=0.002), intron 10-2 A?G (p=0.004) and p. V463E (p=0.036) in the MYH gene were selected as 3 independent risk factors for CRC. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, the linked variant in Exon 1 region, Intron 10-2 A?G of base replacement and p. V463E of missense variant, the 3 heterozygosity variants of MYH gene in a Chinese population, may relate to the susceptibility to sporadic CRC. Lack of the hot-spot variants of Caucasians in the present study may due to the ethnic difference in MYH gene.

Effect of portal vein chemotherapy on liver metastasis after surgical resection of colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of portal vein chemotherapy on liver metastasis after surgical resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Patients fulfilling the eligibility criteria were assigned to receive either surgery plus 1-week continuous infusion of 5-FU (study group) or surgery alone (observational group). Patients in the study group received portal vein chemotherapy, whereby 5-FU (1000 mg/d) and heparin (5000 IU/d) infusion was initiated from the day of surgery and lasted for 7 consecutive days. Liver metastasis was monitored during five years follow-up postoperatively. RESULTS: Sixty four patients were recruited and assigned to the study group (12 with colon and 20 with rectal cancer) or the control group (10 with colon and 22 with rectal cancer). Liver metastasis rate was 12.5% in study and 25.0% in observational group, the difference being significant (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Portal vein chemotherapy could be an effective treatment in preventing liver metastasis after surgical resection of colorectal cancer.