Surgical treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer - a consensus recommendation from two Chinese associations.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment is playing an increasingly important role in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). This consensus focuses on the indications for optimal surgery, and surgical methods in the whole process of treatment for NPC to provide a useful reference to assist these difficult clinical decisions. METHODOLOGY: A thorough review of available literature on NPC and surgery was conducted by the Association for the prevention and treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China, international exchange and promotion Association for medicine and healthcare, and the Committee on nasopharyngeal cancer of Guangdong provincial anticancer association. A set of questions and a preliminary draft guideline was circulated to a panel of 1096 experienced specialists on this disease for voting on controversial areas and comments. A refined second proposal, based on a summary of the initial voting and different opinions expressed, was recirculated to the experts in two authoritative medical science and technology academic groups in the prevention and treatment of NPC in China for review and reconsideration. RESULTS: The initial round of questions showed variations in clinical practice even among similar specialists, reflecting the lack of high-quality supporting data and resulting difficulties in formulating clinical decisions. Through exchange of comments and iterative revisions, recommendations with high-to-moderate agreement were formulated on general treatment strategies and details of surgery, including indications and surgical approaches. CONCLUSION: By standardizing the surgical indications and practice, we hope not only to improve the surgical outcomes, but also to highlight the key directions of future clinical research in the surgical management of NPC.

[Chinese expert guidance on overall application of lenvatinib in hepatocellular carcinoma].

Lenvatinib mesylate is an oral receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor against targets of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1-3, fibroblast growth factor receptors 1-4, platelet-derived growth factor receptor α, stem cell growth factor receptor, and rearranged during transfection, et al. Lenvatinib has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China on September 4, 2018, for the first-line treatment of patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma who have not received systematic treatment before. Up to February 2023, Lenvatinib has been listed in China for more than 4 years, accumulating a series of post-marketing clinical research evidences. Based on the clinical practice before and after the launch of lenvatinib and referring to the clinical experience of other anti-angiogenesis inhibitors, domestic multidisciplinary experts and scholars adopt the Delphi method to formulate the Chinese Expert Guidance on Overall Application of Lenvatinib in Hepatocellular Carcinoma after repeated discussions and revisions, in order to provide reference for reasonable and effective clinical application of lenvatinib for clinicians.

The combined impact of xylo-oligosaccharides and gamma-irradiated astragalus polysaccharides on the immune response, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal microbiota composition of broilers.

The present study investigated the individual and combined effects of xylo-oligosaccharides (XOS) and gamma-irradiated astragalus polysaccharides (IAPS) on the immune response, antioxidant capacity and intestinal microbiota composition of broiler chickens. A total of 240 newly hatched Ross 308 chicks were randomly allocated into 5 dietary treatments including the basal diet (control), or the basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg chlortetracycline (CTC), 100 mg/kg XOS (XOS), 600 mg/kg IAPS (IAPS), and 100 mg/kg XOS + 600 mg/kg IAPS (XOS + IAPS) respectively. The results showed that birds in the control group had lower the thymus index and serum lysozyme activity than those in the other 4 groups (P < 0.05). Moreover, there was an interaction between XOS and IAPS treatments on increasing the serum lysozyme activity (P < 0.05). Birds in the CTC and XOS + IAPS groups had lower serum malondialdehyde concentration and higher serum total antioxidant capacity activity and mucosal interleukin 2 mRNA expression of jejunum than those in the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, birds in the control groups had lower duodenal and jejunal IgA-producing cells number than these in other 4 groups (P < 0.05). As compared with the CTC group, dietary individual XOS or IAPS administration increased duodenal IgA-producing cells number (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, there was an interaction between XOS and IAPS treatments on increasing duodenal and jejunal IgA-Producing cells numbers (P < 0.05). Dietary CTC administration increased the proportion of Bacteroides, and decreased the proportion of Negativibacillus (P < 0.05). However, dietary XOS + IAPS administration increased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio, the proportion of Ruminococcaceae, as well as decreased the proportion of Barnesiella and Negativibacillus (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the XOS and IAPS combination could improve intestinal mucosal immunity and barrier function of broilers by enhancing cytokine gene expression, IgA-producing cell production and modulates cecal microbiota, and the combination effect of XOS and IAPS is better than that of individual effect of CTC, XOS, or IAPS in the current study.

Microbiota populations and short-chain fatty acids production in cecum of immunosuppressed broilers consuming diets containing γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides (IAPS) on growth performance, cecal microbiota populations, and concentrations of cecal short-chain fatty acids of immunosuppressed broilers. A total of 144 one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly assigned into 3 groups: nontreated group (control), cyclophosphamide (CPM)-treated groups fed either a basal diet or the diets containing 900 mg/kg IAPS, respectively. On day 16, 18, and 20, broilers in the control group were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL sterilized saline (0.75%, wt/vol), and those in the CPM and IAPS groups were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL CPM (40 mg/kg of BW). The trial lasted 21 d. Compared with the control group, CPM treatment decreased the broiler average daily gain (ADG) and feed intake (P < 0.05) but did not affect the overall microbial diversity and compositions, as well as the concentrations of cecal acetate, propionate, and butyrate in cecum of broilers (P > 0.05). Dietary IAPS supplementation increased broiler ADG, Shannon index, and decreased Simpson index (P < 0.05). Specifically, broilers fed diets containing IAPS showed lower abundances of Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, and Butyricicoccus and higher proportions of Ruminococcaceae UCG-014, Negativibacillus, Shuttleworthia, Sellimonas, and Mollicutes RF39_norank, respectively (P < 0.05). The IAPS treatment also increased butyrate concentration (P < 0.05) and tended to elevate acetate concentration (P = 0.052) in cecal digesta. The results indicated that IAPS are effective in increasing the cecal beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acids production, contributing to improvement in the growth performance of immunosuppressive broilers. These findings may expand our knowledge about the function of modified Astragalus polysaccharides in broiler chickens.

Protective effects of γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides on intestinal development and mucosal immune function of immunosuppressed broilers.

This study was aimed to assess the protective effects of γ-irradiated Astragalus polysaccharides (IAPS) on the development of small intestine and intestinal mucosal immunity of immunosuppressed broilers induced by cyclophosphamide (CPM). A total of 384 one-day-old broiler chicks with similar initial weight were randomly assigned into 6 groups: non-treated group (control), and CPM-treated groups fed either a basal diet or the diets containing 900 mg/kg APS, or 900, 600, 300 mg/kg IAPS, respectively. On days 16, 18, and 20, all broilers except for control group were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL CPM (40 mg/kg of BW). Broilers in the control group were intramuscularly injected with 0.5 mL sterilized saline (0.75%, wt/vol). This trial was lasted for 21 d. The results revealed that both APS and IAPS treatment elevated the duodenal IgA-producing cells number and the jejunal mRNA expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon γ of CPM-injected broilers (P < 0.05). The decreased jejunal villus height (VH), the ratio of VH to crypt depth (V/C), as well as the intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) and goblet cells number in CPM-injected broilers were elevated by dietary supplementation with 900 mg/kg APS or 900, 600 mg/kg IAPS (P < 0.05). The CPM-induced decrease in jejunum index, the duodenal VH and the jejunal IgA-producing cells number were only improved in the 900 mg/kg IAPS group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the number of IELs and IgA-producing cells in duodenum, VH, V/C, the number of goblet cells, and mRNA expression of IL-2 and IL-10 in jejunum were higher in the 900 mg/kg IAPS group than those in the 900 mg/kg APS group (P < 0.05). In summary, IAPS possessed stronger immunomodulatory effect than APS at the same supplementation level. Therefore, gamma irradiation can be used as an alternative treatment to enhance the immunomodulatory activity of APS.

Attenuating effects of guanidinoacetic acid on preslaughter transport-induced muscle energy expenditure and rapid glycolysis of broilers.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) supplementation on growth performance, plasma variables, muscle energy status, glycolytic potential, and meat quality of broilers experiencing transport stress during the summer. A total of 320 28-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments, including a GAA-free basal control diet (160 birds) and basal diet supplementation with 600 (80 birds) or 1,200 mg/kg (80 birds) GAA for 14 D. On the morning of day 42, after an 8-h fast, the birds fed basal diets were divided into 2 equal groups, and all birds in the 4 groups of 80 birds were transported according to the following protocols: 1) a 0.5-h transport of birds on basal diets (as a lower-stress control group), 2) a 3-h transport of birds on basal diets, and a 3-h transport of birds on basal diets supplemented with either 3) 600 or 4) 1,200 mg/kg GAA. The results revealed that dietary supplementation with GAA at 600 and 1,200 mg/kg for 14 D prior to slaughter did not affect growth performance, carcass traits, and most textural characteristics and chemical composition of the pectoralis major (PM) muscle (P > 0.05). In the GAA-free group, a 3-h transport increased the broiler live weight loss, elevated the plasma corticosterone concentration, decreased the plasma glucose concentration, muscle concentrations of ATP, creatine and energy charge value, increased the muscle AMP concentration and AMP/ATP ratio, and accelerated glycolysis metabolism, which resulted in inferior meat quality (lower pH and higher drip loss, P < 0.05). However, dietary addition of GAA at 1,200 mg/kg increased the mRNA expression of S-adenosyl-l-methionine: N-guanidino-acetate methyltransferase in the liver and creatine transporter in both the liver and PM muscle. It also elevated muscle concentrations of creatine and phosphocreatine (P < 0.05), which helps improve meat quality by ameliorating the 3-h transport-induced muscle energy expenditure and delaying anaerobic glycolysis of broilers.

[Multicenter investigation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation application in pediatric intensive care unit in China].

Objective: To survey the conduction and evaluate the effectiveness of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) in China mainland. Methods: In a questionnaire-based survey, we retrospectively reviewed the application of ECMO in children's hospital and general hospital in China mainland to summarize and analyze the categories of diseases and prognosis of children treated with ECMO therapy. Results: By December 31, 2017, a total of 23 hospitals using ECMO, including 22 tertiary referral hospitals and 1 secondary hospital, among which 16 were children's hospitals and 7 were general hospitals. Thirty-seven ECMO equipment was available. A total of 518 patients treated with ECMO, within whom 323 (62.4%) successfully weaned from ECMO and 262 (50.6%) survived to discharge. Among 375 pediatric patients, 233 (62.1%) were successfully weaned from ECMO and 186 (49.6%) survived to discharge. Among 143 newborn patients, 90 (62.9%) successfully weaned from ECMO, 76 (53.1%) survived to discharge. ECMO was applied in veno-arterial (VA) mode to 501 (96.7%) patients, veno-venous (VV) mode to 14 (2.7%) patients, and VV-VA conversion mode to 3 (0.6%) patients. Sixty-nine patients required extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), including 20 newborn patients (29.0%) and 38 pediatric patients (71.0%), who were all with cardiovascular disease. Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (26/61), persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) (12/61), and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) (11/61) are the most common pulmonary diseases in newborn patients; among whom, infants with PPHN had highest survival rate (10/12), followed by MAS (9/11). Among newborn patients with cardiovascular diseases, those who admitted were after surgery for congenital cardiac disease were the most common (54/82), while those with septic shock had the highest survival rate (2/3). In pediatric pulmonary diseases, acute respiratory distress syndrome was the most common (42/93), while plastic bronchitis was with the highest survival rate (4/4), followed by viral pneumonia (13/16). Among pediatric cardiovascular diseases, congenital cardiac defect was the most common (124/282), while fulminant myocarditis had the highest survival rate (54/77). Conclusion: The application of ECMO as a rescue therapy for children with severe cardiopulmonary failure has dramatically developed in China mainland.

[Association of fimA genotype to kgp genotype in Porphyromonas gingivalis from infected root canals of primary apical periodontitis].

Objective: To investigate the distribution of fimA and kgp genotypes as well as the common genotype combination of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) in infected root canals of primary apical periodontitis for virulent isolates screening in future. Methods: Thirty-four samples harboring Pg were selected from infected root canals of primary apical periodontitis from patients of the Department of Endodontics, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2013 to September 2015. FimA type-specific primers were used to amplify the samples, revealing the distribution of various fimA genotypes. The genotypes of kgp were obtained by using Mse Ⅰ restriction endonuclease. The prevalence of each genotype and common genotype combinations were then calculated. Pearson's chi-squared test was performed to analyze the correlation between genotype combinations and clinical symptoms and major signs of apical periodontitis. In addition, the bioflim architectures between Pg isolates with different fimA and kgp genotype combinations were observed compared using confocal laser scanning microscope. Results: Among the 34 Pg-positive samples, fimA Ⅱ was the most prevalent genotype [47% (16/34)] followed by fimA Ⅰ [26% (9/34)], while fimA Ⅴ was detected in only one sample. The prevalence of kgp Ⅰ [56% (19/34)] was slightly higher than that of kgp Ⅱ [44% (15/34)]. Both fimA Ⅱ+kgp Ⅰ and fimAⅡ+kgp Ⅱ were the most prevalent genotype combinations [24% (8/34) each]. No significant correlation was found between specific genotype combination and such major clinical manifestations as gingival swelling and sinus tract of dental origin (P>0.05). Three Pg isolates with different genotype combinations were acquired. Isolate A (fimAⅠ+kgpⅠ) formed densest biofilm, while the biofilm of isolate C (fimAⅤ+kgp Ⅰ) was much looser. The biofilm feature of isolate B (fimAⅢ+kgp Ⅱ) fell in between A and C. Conclusions: Pg with fimA Ⅱ was most frequently detected in infected root canals of primary apical periodontitis. The prevalence of Pg with kgp Ⅰ was slightly higher than that with kgp Ⅱ, and fimAⅡ+kgp Ⅰ as well as fimA Ⅱ+kgp Ⅱ were the commonest genotype combinations. According to the comparison of Pg biofilms formed by clinical isolates, it might be possible that different genotype combinations may lead to distinct biofilm architectures.

[The treatment of early-stage liver cancer].

Although the diagnostic rate of early-stage liver cancer is low, only these patients have a chance of radical treatment, and thus related treatment modalities deserve attention. Surgical resection is the preferred choice for the treatment of early-stage liver cancer. For patients with high selectivity, local treatment including radiofrequency ablation can achieve satisfactory outcomes. Liver transplantation is the preferred choice for patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis. Early-stage liver cancer has a high postoperative recurrence rate, and the research and development of postoperative adjuvant therapy should be taken seriously.

[Evaluation of CT-guided iodine-125 seeds brachytherapy for intracranial malignant tumors under control of target and dose].

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of CT-guided iodine-125 seeds in the treatment of intracranial malignancies under control of target and dose. Methods: From November 2003 to May 2016, with the clinical data of 412 operations on 310 patients in 12 hospitals in the past 14 years, this study analyzed the method of CT guided iodine-125 particles brachytherapy in the treatment of intracranial malignant tumors and evaluated the efficacy and complications. Stratification analysis of intracranial malignant tumors was performed. Results: Overall survival (OS) of patients with single brain metastases, low-grade glioma, high-grade gliomas, recurrence after surgery, recurrence after radiotherapy and others were 19, 67, 41, 26, 23, 46 months respectively.And the progression free time (PFS) of patients with single brain metastases, low-grade glioma, high-grade gliomas, recurrence after surgery, recurrence after radiotherapy and others were 19, 42, 6, 9, 11, 12 months respectively.Various complications were observed with a relatively low incidence of 10.4%.Three cases deceased at an interval of 7-45 days after treatment. Conclusions: For patients with intracranial malignancies, iodine-125 seeds brachytherapy could achieve a satisfactory treatment efficacy with tolerated complications.Iodine-125 seeds brachytherapy may act as a first-line regimen.

[Advances in basic and clinical research on hepatocellular carcinoma in 2016].

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still one of common malignant cancers worldwide, with increasing incidence and mortality rates. Early diagnosis and effective treatment for HCC remain to be explored. This article introduces the research advances in the early specific diagnosis and effective therapies for HCC in 2016, such as molecular markers in the specific diagnosis and targeted therapy for HCC, main therapeutic regimens, robot-assisted liver resection, and no-touch radiofrequency ablation.

Evaluation of miR-302c-3p as prognostic biomarkers in glioma patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of miR-302c-3p in glioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of miR-302c-3p in glioma tissues and normal brain tissues was measured using real-time PCR. Clinicopathological associations of miR-302c-3p expression in glioma were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine the survival curves. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using the Cox proportional hazard analysis. RESULTS: The relative expression of miR-302c-3p in glioma tissues was significantly lower than that in non-neoplastic brain tissues (p < 0.001). The decreased expression of miR-302c-3p in glioma was positively associated with WHO grade (p < 0.001) and Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score (p = 0.016). We found patients with low miR-302c-3p expression had significantly poorer OS (p = 0.0057) and PFS (p = 0.0092) by Kaplan-Meier method. Furthermore, multivariate regression analysis identified low miR-302c-3p expression as an independent predictor of poor survival. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that miR-302c-3p may serve as a tumor suppressor of malignant glioma and be used as a novel biomarker to predict the clinical prognostic of patients with gliomas.

Moderate swimming suppressed the growth and metastasis of the transplanted liver cancer in mice model: with reference to nervous system.

Physical activity has been shown to suppress tumor initiation and progression. The neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is closely related to movement and exhibits antitumor properties. However, whether the suppressive effects of physical activity on tumors was mediated by the nervous system via increased DA level remains unknowns. Here we show that regular moderate swimming (8 min/day, 9 weeks) raised DA levels in the prefrontal cortex, serum and tumor tissue, suppressed growth, reduced lung metastasis of transplanted liver cancer, and prolonged survival in a C57BL/6 mouse model, while overload swimming (16 and 32 min/day, 9 weeks) had the opposite effect. In nude mice that were orthotopically implanted with human liver cancer cell lines, DA treatment significantly suppressed growth and lung metastasis by acting on the D2 receptor (DR2). Furthermore, DR2 blockade attenuated the suppressive effect of moderate swimming on liver cancer. Both moderate swimming and DA treatment suppressed the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß1)-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of transplanted liver cancer cells. At the molecular level, DR2 signaling inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and expression of TGF-ß1 in vitro. Together, these findings demonstrated a novel mechanism by which the moderate exercise suppressed liver cancer through boosting DR2 activity, while overload exercise had the opposite effect, highlighting the possible importance of the dopaminergic system in tumor growth and metastasis of liver cancer.

Effect of dietary creatine monohydrate supplementation on muscle lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity of transported broilers in summer.

This experiment was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with creatine monohydrate (CMH) during the finishing period on the muscle lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity of broilers that experienced transport stress in summer. A total of 320 male Arbor Acres broilers (28 d in age) were randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments including a basal control diet without additional CMH (160 birds), or with 600 (80 birds) or 1,200 mg/kg (80 birds) CMH for 14 d. On the morning of d 42, after an 8-h fast, the birds fed the basal diets were divided into 2 equal groups, and all birds in the 4 groups of 80 birds were transported according to the following protocols: 1) a 0.75-h transport of birds on basal diets (as a lower-stress control group), 2) a 3-h transport of birds on basal diets, 3) a 3-h transport of birds on 600 or 4) 1,200 mg/kg CMH supplementation diets. The results showed that the 3-h transport decreased the concentration of creatine (Cr) in both the pectoralis major (PM) and the tibialis anterior (TA) muscles, increased the concentration of phosphocreatine (PCr) and PCr/Cr ratio in PM muscle, and elevated the concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and the activities of total superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in both the PM and TA muscles of birds (P < 0.05). In addition, transport also upregulated mRNA expression of avian uncoupling protein and heat shock protein 70 in both the PM and TA muscles, as well as avian peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α in the TA muscle (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 1,200 mg/kg CMH increased the concentrations of Cr and PCr in PM muscle, and Cr in TA muscle than those in the 3-h transport group (P < 0.05). However, contrary to our hypothesis, dietary CMH did not alter the measured parameters in relation to muscle lipid peroxidation and antioxidant capacity affected by 3-h transport (P > 0.05). These results indicate that dietary CMH supplementation does not provide any significant protection via directly scavenging free radicals or increased antioxidant capacity of transported broilers.

Measuring affinity constants of 1450 monoclonal antibodies to peptide targets with a microarray-based label-free assay platform.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are major reagents for research and clinical diagnosis. For their inherently high specificities to intended antigen targets and thus low toxicity in general, they are pursued as one of the major classes of new drugs. Yet binding properties of most monoclonal antibodies are not well characterized in terms of affinity constants and how they vary with presentations and/or conformational isomers of antigens, buffer compositions, and temperature. We here report a microarray-based label-free assay platform for high-throughput measurements of monoclonal antibody affinity constants to antigens immobilized on solid surfaces. Using this platform we measured affinity constants of over 1410 rabbit monoclonal antibodies and 46 mouse monoclonal antibodies to peptide targets that are immobilized through a terminal cysteine residue to a glass surface. The experimentally measured affinity constants vary from 10 pM to 200 pM with the median value at 66 pM. We compare the results obtained from the microarray-based platform with those from a benchmarking surface-plasmon-resonance-based (SPR) sensor (Biacore 3000).

Enhanced repair of a critical-sized segmental bone defect in rabbit femur by surface microstructured porous titanium.

Repair of load-bearing bone defects remains a challenge in the field of orthopaedic surgery. In the current study, a surface microstructured porous titanium (STPT) successively treated with H2O2/TaCl5 solution and simulated body fluid was used to repair the critical-sized segmental bone defects in rabbit femur, and non-treated porous titanium (NTPT) and porous biphasic calcium phosphate ceramics (PBCP) were used as control, respectively. A 15 mm long implant was positioned in the femoral defect and stabilized by a plate and screws fixation. After implantation into the body for 1, 3 and 6 months, X-ray observation confirmed that porous titanium groups (NTPT and STPT) provided better mechanical support than PBCP group at the early stage. However, there was no obvious difference in the formed bony callus between PBCP and STPT groups in the later stage, and they both showed better shape of bony callus than NTPT group. Micro-CT and histomorphometric analysis for the samples of 6-month implantation demonstrated that more new bone formed in the inner pores of PBCP and STPT groups than that in NTPT group. Moreover, the biomechanical tests revealed that STPT group could bear larger compressive load than NTPT and PBCP groups, almost reaching the level of the normal rabbit femur. STPT exhibited the enhanced repairing effect on the critical-sized segmental bone defect in rabbit femur, meaning that it could be an ideal material for the repair of large bone defect in load-bearing site.

Genome wide gene expression analysis of macrophages from ankylosing spondylitis patients under interferon-gamma treatment.

BACKGROUND: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a common and highly heritable arthropathy, but the pathogenesis of which is poorly understood, especially the mechanisms in genomics. AIM: Our work is aim to study the mechanisms of AS in genomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: we used microarray dataset GSE11886 from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). According to our GSEA approach on the microarray datasets related to AS, we have identified the significantly associated pathways with this disease respectively dependent and independent to the factor of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). RESULTS: As a result, we have identified 9 most significant pathways in the comparison of AS patients to control under none treatment, including 5 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated pathways in IFN-gamma-independent study. On the contrary, 11 most significantly up-regulated pathways such as renin-angiotensin system, O-Glycan biosynthesis and gap junction in the comparison of AS patients to control under the treatment of IFN in IFN-gamma-dependent study. CONCLUSIONS: These may be helpful for understanding the mechanisms of AS regulation under interferon-gamma treatment in genome wide.

Analysis report for osteosarcoma expression profile.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is a kind of highly malignant primary bone tumor which most common in the teenage, and holds strong aggressive, earlier organs metastases mainly to lung, prone to postoperative recur. Therefore for osteosarcoma, invasion and transfer mechanism and related factors' interaction remains to be a key research subject. AIM: We aim to find biological molecules marker can be used for osteosarcoma diagnosis through contrast of osteosarcoma sample and normal tissue samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analysis using human osteosarcoma expression profile data and three lesions normal tissue samples (liver, kidneys, lymph) expression data and compare them, and find significant specifically expressed genes, according to their function. RESULTS: Research shows that the cancer cell proliferation, invasion, transfer and recurrent process involve many factors interaction, of which angiogenesis is the necessary condition of tumor growth, transfer and the recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Now the most important positive regulatory factor of angiogenesis is VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) and bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor). Both of them are with a wide variety and close relationship of tumor angiogenesis and progress.

Prognostic value of peritumoral heat-shock factor-1 in patients receiving resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The cross-talk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and abnormal metabolic signals in peritumoral microenvironment modifies our knowledge of hepatocarcinogenesis. As an indispensable modulator of various stresses, the clinical significance of heat-shock transcription factor-1 (HSF1) in HCC microenvironment has never been defined. METHODS: Hepatocellular carcinoma and matched peritumoral liver tissues (n=332) were semiquantitatively analysed for HSF1 expression, followed by correlation with clinicopathological parameters (patient outcomes). Moreover, the effects of HSF1 deficiency in L02 on monocarboxylate transporter-4 (MCT4) and HCC cells' colonisation and proliferation were investigated. RESULTS: High expression of HSF1 in peritumoral tissue but not in HCC tissue was associated with poorer overall survival (OS) and time to recurrence (TTR), especially early recurrence (ER), which was further reconfirmed in validation cohort. Multivariate analysis showed that prognostic performance of peritumoral HSF1 was independent of other clinicopathological factors (hazard ratio for OS=2.60, P=0.002, for TTR=2.52, P<0.001). Notably, downregulation of HSF1 in L02 decreased MCT4 expression significantly. The supernatant from L02-shRNA-HSF1 in hypoxia, NOT normoxia condition, inhibited HCC cell colonisation and proliferation. Moreover, the combination of peritumoral HSF1 and MCT4 was the best predictor for ER and OS. CONCLUSION: High peritumoral HSF1 expression can serve as a sensitive 'readout' for high-risk HCC ER, and could be a potential metabolic intervention target following curative resection.

The enhanced effect of surface microstructured porous titanium on adhesion and osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Porous titanium with appropriate surface treatments can be osteoinductive. To investigate the effect of surface treatments of porous titanium on the attachment and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), two kinds of surface microstructured porous titaniums, H2O2/TaCl5 treated one (HTPT), and H2O2/TaCl5 and subsequent simulated body fluid (SBF) treated one (STPT) were fabricated, and non-treated one (NTPT) was used as control. The morphology, specific surface area (SSA), pore distribution and mechanical strength of these materials were characterized respectively, and the results showed that H2O2/TaCl5 treatment led to a significant increase in both SSA and micropores of HTPT, and the further SBF immersion resulted in the formation of a layer of bone-like apatite on the surface of STPT. Although the surface treatments had a little negative impact on the compressive strength and elasticity modulus of porous titanium, the mechanical strength of HTPT or STPT was enough for the bone defect repair of the load-bearing sites. The protein adsorption and cell adhesion experiments confirmed that the microstructured surface notably enhanced porous titanium's protein binding capacity and promoted MSCs adhesion on the surface. More importantly, cell differentiation experiments proved that the microstructured surface evidently elevated the osteoblastic gene expressions of MSCs compared to NTPT. The enhanced biological effect by the surface treatments was more robust on STPT. Therefore, our results suggest that the microstructured surface has great potential for promoting MSCs differentiation towards osteoblasts, giving excellent support for the osteoinduction of porous titanium with appropriate surface treatments.