High long non-coding LIFR-AS1 expression correlates with poor survival in gastric carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Abundant evidence has demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play key roles in the development of human neoplasms. A novel cancer-related lncRNA, leukemia inhibitory factor receptor antisense RNA 1 (LIFR-AS1), has been reported to be under-expressed in breast cancer and associated with poor prognosis, but its significance in gastric cancer (GC) remains to be determined. Therefore, we assessed the prognostic and diagnostic value of LIFR-AS1 in GC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative RT-PCR assay was used to detect the expression levels of LIFR-AS1 in GC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. The correlation between LIFR-AS1 expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed by Pearson's χ2-test. The disease-free survival and overall survival rates of GC patients were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to assess factors related to survival. RESULTS: In this study, levels of LIFR-AS1 were significantly higher in GC tumor samples relative to adjacent normal tissue samples. A ROC analysis suggested LIFR-AS1 expression could be reliably used to differentiate between normal and GC tumor tissue. In addition, elevated LIFR-AS1 expression was positively correlated with more advanced and aggressive GC features, such as larger tumor size, lymphatic metastasis, and more advanced TNM stage. Survival analyses revealed that elevated LIFR-AS1 expression was correlated with worse overall survival and disease-free survival. Multivariate analysis further confirmed the relevance of LIFR-AS1 as an independent predictor of GC patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, these results indicate that the lncRNA LIFR-AS1 is a promising prognostic indicator in GC patients.

Sequencing of the novel HLA-A*02:01:72 allele in a Chinese hematopoietic stem cell donor.

HLA-A*02:01:72 has 1 synonymous nucleotide change from HLA-A*02:01:01:01 where 591 G is changed to A.

A novel HLA-DRB1 allele, HLA-DRB1*14:127:02, detected in a Chinese hematopoietic stem cell donor.

HLA-DRB1*14:127:02 has one nucleotide change from HLA-DRB1*14:05:01 where Threonine (77) is changed to Asparagine.

Identification of a novel HLA-A allele, HLA-A*02:315.

HLA-A*02:315 differs from A*02:03:01 by one nucleotide change at position 241 from C to T.

A new HLA-A allele, HLA-A*30:62, sequenced in a Chinese individual.

HLA-A*30:62 has one nucleotide change from HLA-A*30:01:01 where 311 Threonine (ACC) is changed to Asparagine (AAC).

Safety and efficacy evaluation of laparoscopy in colorectal cancer with liver metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the safety and efficacy of simultaneous completion of colorectal cancer resection and liver metastasis resection by total laparoscopy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the observation group, 40 patients with colorectal cancer combined with liver metastasis (CRCLM) were selected to receive total laparoscopic surgery. At the same time, 40 cases were selected for laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer and hepatic resection as control group. RESULTS: The outcomes of the two methods in the treatment of CRCLM were compared. The results showed that the difference in surgery time between the two groups was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The blood loss, drainage tube retention time and anal exhaust recovery time in the observation group were significantly less than those in control group (p<0.05). No significant difference in completion rate was found between the two groups (p>0.05); the prevalence rate of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that in control group (p<0.05). No significant differences in the median survival period and the survival rate at 1 year, 2 years and 3 years after surgery were found between the two groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of total laparoscopy in the treatment of CRCLM are not inferior to open surgery.

A new human leukocyte antigen class II allele, DRB1*09:12.

HLA-DRB1*09:12 allele differs from HLA-DRB1*09:01:02 by a single nucleotide substitution at codon 41 (AAG → AAC).

HLA-DRB1*11:106, a variant of HLA-DRB1*11, discovered in a Chinese bone marrow donor.

HLA-DRB1*11:106 has 1 nucleotide change from HLA-DRB1*11:01:01 at nucleotide 155 (G → A).

[Studies on protective monoclonal antibodies to Leishmania donovani].

Kala-azar is increasing in incidence in some endemic areas of China, such as provinces of Sichuan and Gansu. Monoclonal antibodies have been shown to interfere with the cutaneous leishmaniasis infection in the experimental animals. We have now raised McAb against membrane antigen of promastigotes of L. donovani canine isolate (the pathogen of visceral leishmaniasis). In this paper we report 3 McAb which inhibit the growth of promastigotes in vitro culture by incorporation of 3H-thymine deoxyriboside, such as McAb 2B12-A8, 2H6-E3, in the presence of complement, showing strong inhibiting effects with a decrease in incorporation of 3H-TdR, 94-99.3% rate of inhibition, whereas the inhibition rate induced by McAb 1B1-C2 fluctuated in a range of 68-95%, which is identical with the results of macrophage infection inhibition test by the same McAb, 61-87%. The results of ultrastructural localization of L. donovani antigen by protective McAb 2H6-E3 with immunogold technique showed the gold particles, in clumps, widely distributed on the outer side of promastigotes membrane. According to the high density of localized gold particles, it is suggested that this antigen is abundant on the plasma membrane.