A systematic study on 33 gallbladder stones resembling adult Clonorchis sinensis worms.

Limited studies provide direct evidence of Clonorchis sinensis adults in the early stage of gallbladder stone formation. Our current research systematically studied 33 gallbladder stones resembling adult worms and shed light on the definite connection of C. sinensis infection with concomitant cholelithiasis. A total of 33 gallbladder stones resembling adult C. sinensis worms were systematically analysed. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray energy spectrometry were used to analyse the composition and microstructure. Meanwhile, a histopathological examination of the stone was carried out. The 33 gallbladder stones resembling adult C. sinensis worms included nine calcium carbonate (CaCO3) stones, 12 bilirubinate stones and 12 mixed stones. Clonorchis sinensis eggs were found in 30 cases, including all CaCO3 and mixed stones. Parasite tissues were detected in 12 cases, which were mainly CaCO3 stones or bilirubinate-CaCO3 mixed stones. The outer layer of stones was wrapped with 12.88% calcium salt, as revealed by X-ray energy spectrometry, while surprisingly, many C. sinensis eggs were found in the inner part of these stones. Based on our current findings, we concluded that calcification and packaging occurred after C. sinensis adult entrance into the gallbladder, subsequently leading to the early formation of CaCO3 or bilirubinate-CaCO3 mixed gallbladder stones. This discovery highlights definite evidence for C. sinensis infection causing gallbladder stones.

Study of pharyngeal airway morphology with CBCT: Benefits of four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments.

Background and Aim: Four premolars extractions are routine procedures for correction of malocclusion, but will inevitably lead to a reduction of tongue space, whether this will weaken the pharyngeal airway remains a controversy. Patients and Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographs of 80 patients who completed four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments were collected and divided into three anteroposterior skeletal groups according to the ANB (angle subspinale to nasion to supramentale) value. Linear, angular, cross-sectional area, and volumetric dimensions of the pharyngeal airway were measured using Dolphin Imaging 11.9 software. One-way analysis of variance and Pearson's correlation coefficient test were performed to assess the intergroup comparisons. Treatment changes were evaluated with two-sample t-tests. Results: In intergroup comparisons, vertical linear and cross-sectional area differences were identified in S-Go/N-Me, VD1, VD1/N-Me, VD2/N-Me, AA, OAA and OMINI (p<0.05), while other measurements showed no significant differences. Angle2, the tilting degree of the pharyngeal airway, showed a positive correlation with ANB (p<0.05). As for the treatment changes, a significant increase was found in the pharyngeal airway in the Class I group (OUA p<0.05, VD1 p<0.001, VD2 p<0.05) and Class II group (VD1 p<0.001. VD2, p<0.05), and inversely, a significant decrease was found in the pharyngeal airway in the Class III group (OAA p<0.05, OMINI p<0.05, OUA p<0.05). No volumetric difference was identified. Interestingly, regarding the preoperative pharyngeal airway size, values trended to the mean value significantly. Conclusion: Four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments did not affect the pharyngeal airway volume except for the vertical liner and cross-sectional area dimensions. The trend of the gold standard suggested a positive influence of four premolar extraction orthodontic treatments.

Effect of gut stress induced by oxidized wheat gluten on the growth performance, gut morphology and oxidative states of broilers.

This study was to investigate the effect of oxidized wheat gluten (OG) on growth performance, gut morphology and its oxidative states of broilers. One hundred and eighty-day-old male broilers (10 chicks/pen) were randomly allocated into three dietary treatments: control diet (CON), diet with 8% wheat gluten (WG) and diet with 8% OG with six pens/treatment. Body weight (BW) (21 and 35 days) and average daily gain (ADG) (1-21 days and 22-35 days) decreased (p < .05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1-21 days and 22-35 days) increased (p < .05) in OG treatment. Feed intake (FI) decreased (p < .05) in WG and OG treatments during 22-35 days. However, FI was not influenced by dietary treatments during 1-21 days (p > .05). The OG-fed broilers had a lower faecal pH value (p < .05) and higher faecal moisture content (p < 05) at 14, 21, 28 and 35 days. Villus height, crypt depth and V/C value were not different (p > .05) among treatments at 21 and 35 days. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) (21 and 35 days) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (35 days) content in crop of OG treatment increased (p < .05). Oxidized glutathione (GSSG) (21 days), LPO (21 and 35 days) and MDA (21 and 35 days) content in ileum of OG treatment increased (p < .05). The reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) (21 days) and (GSH) (35 days) in ileum of OG treatment decreased (p < .05). The present findings indicate that OG might be a stressor for broiler gut, which could induce oxidative stress both in crop and in ileum, and the diarrhoea as well. The growth performance of broiler was consequently depressed.

[Clinical study on the reduction of ocular surface bacteria in pre-operative cataract surgery patients by cleansing the eyelid margins].

Objective: To explore the clinical significance of ocular surface bacteria inhibition by cleaning eyelid margins before surgery in cataract patients. Methods: Case-control study. Thirty-five patients (45 eyes) with age-related cataracts who were proposed to receive treatment of Phacoemulsification combined with cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation at Peking University 3(rd) hospital were included. The experimental group consisted of 9 males and 15 females with the average age of (69.8±11.5). The control group consisted of 6 males and 15 females with the average age of (61.8±16.2). In the experimental group, bacteria samples from the conjunctival sac and eyelid margins were collected at three times separately and were cultured for identification: first sampling was taken prior to application of any type of antimicrobial measures; second sampling was taken after application of lid scrub twice daily for 7 days to cleanse their eyelid margins by the patients;the last sampling was taken after patients' application of Levofloxacin antibiotic eye drops 3 times per day continuously for 3 days prior to surgery. In the control group, bacteria samples from the conjunctival sac and eyelid margins were collected at two times separately and were cultured for identification: first sampling was taken before application of any antimicrobial measures;second sampling was taken after patients' application of only Levofloxacin antibiotic eye drops successively for 3 days before surgery. Then the results of bacteria culture of the two groups above were compared. Results: In the experimental group, according to the eyelid margins bacteria cultures results of the first sampling (taken before application of any antibacterial measures), the total positive rate, positive rate of common bacteria and positive rate of rare bacteria found in the cultures were 83.3% (20/24), 70.8% (17/24), 45.8% (11/24), respectively; according to the bacteria cultures results of the second sampling (tanken after application of lid scrub for cleaning the eyelid margins for 7 days), the total positive rate, positive rate of common bacteria and positive rate of rare bacteria found in the cultures were 58.3% (14/24), 45.8% (11/24), 25% (6/24), respectively;According to the bacteria cultures results of the third sampling (taken after application of antibiotic eye drops for three days), the total positive rate, positive rate of common bacteria and positive rate of rare bacteria found in the cultures were 20.8% (5/24), 20.8% (5/24), 4.2% (1/24), respectively. In the experimental group, we compared the bacterial positive rate of the samples taken after patients' application of antibiotics for 3 days to the bacterial positive rate of the samples taken prior to application of any antibacterial measures to have found that the total positive rate, the positive rates of common bacteria and rare bacteria decreased significantly (P<0.05) and the difference in between are of statistical significance. In the control group, according to the eyelid margins bacteria cultures results of the first sampling (taken before application of any antibacterial measures, the total positive rate, positive rate of common bacteria and positive rate of rare bacteria found in the cultures were 81% (17/21), 66.7% (14/21), 19% (4/21), respectively;According to the bacteria cultures results of the second sampling (taken after the application of antibiotic eye drops for three days), the total positive rate, positive rate of common bacteria and positive rate of rare bacteria found in the cultures were 38.1% (8/21), 14.3% (3/21), 33.3% (7/21) respectively. When comparing the experimental group to the control group, the experimental group yielded significantly better results than the control group for the rate of reduction of rare bacteria in the eyelid margin after using antibiotics for 3 days. This is due to the lid scrub being used with the antibiotics. The difference are of statistical significance (χ(2)=6.518, P=0.017). There was no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control group in terms of the total positive rate as well as the positive rate of common bacteria and rare bacteria in the conjunctival sac. Conclusions: The cleaning of the eyelid and eyelid margin with lid scrub prior to cataract surgery combined with antibiotics eye drops will achieve excellent antibacterial effects for common and rare bacteria in the eyelid and conjunctival sac. The antibacterial effect of using lid scrub with antibiotic eye drops is more favorable than that of using antibiotic eye drops only. However, the lid scrub eyelid hygiene products cannot replace preoperative antibiotics independently. (Chin J Ophthalmology, 2018, 54: 445-451).

[Relationships among illness perceptions, medication beliefs and medication adherence in primary angle closure glaucoma patients].

Objective: To investigate the relationships among illness perception, medication beliefs and medication adherence in primary angle closure glaucoma patients. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Morisky 8-item Medication Adherence Questionnaire Chinese Revised, the Brief Illness Perceptions Questionnaire, the Specific Section of the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire Chinese Revised were administered to 156 primary angle closure glaucoma patients from Tianjin Eye Hospital. Chi-square test was used to analyze the types of glaucoma, gender, prescription complexity, medicine schedule, other disease and course of disease between the group of adherence and non-adherence. Pearson correlation method was used to analyze the correlations among the illness perception, necessity belief, concerns belief and medication adherence. Structural equation model was used to analyze the mediational role of medication belief between illness perception and medication adherence. Results: In the 156 primary angle closure glaucoma patients being investigated, 37 male and 119 female, the average age was (61.3±8.3) years old. The medication adherence of patients was 83 (53.2%) , the medication non-adherence of patients was 73 (46.8%) . It was showed that prescription complexity and medicine schedule were significantly correlated with medicine adherence (χ(2)=13.64, 11.31; P<0.05); gender, other disease and course of disease were not correlated with medication adherence (χ(2)=1.02, 1.73, 6.08; P>0.05). The scores of illness perception were positively correlated with the necessity belief of medication scores, the scores of concerns belief (r=0.18、0.45, P<0.05), and were negatively associated with medication adherence (r=-0.22, P<0.01). The concerns belief of medication scores were negatively correlated with the medication adherence (r=-0.47, P<0.01). Concerns belief mediates the relationship between illness perception and medication adherence wholly (χ(2)/df=1.73, RMSEA=0.069, NNFI=0.98, CFI=0.98, IFI=0.98) . Conclusions: The types of medicines and the number of glaucoma medication used have a significant influence to the medication adherence in the patients with primary angle closure glaucoma. The patients with greater illness perception performed greater non-adherence can be explained by their higher concerns blief. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2017, 53: 109-114).

Clinical significance of CD44 expression in children with hepatoblastoma.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CD44 and its clinical significance in children suffering from hepatoblastoma (HB). CD44 expression was detected with immunohistochemistry staining in 30 samples from hepatoblastoma children and 10 normal liver tissue samples from normal children. The data obtained was statistically analyzed using the chi-square test, using the SPSS (v.11.0) software. The rate of CD44 expression was significantly higher (66.7%) in hepatoblastoma tissues than in normal liver tissues (χ(2) = 4.848, P < 0.05). The rate of CD44 expression was significantly higher in children with stage III or IV hepatoblastoma (83.3%) than that in children with stage I and II hepatoblastoma (χ(2) ＝ 5.625, P < 0.05) (41.7%). Therefore, CD44 expression might play an important role in the pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis of HB in children.

Effects of flavones of sea buckthorn fruits on growth performance, carcass quality, fat deposition and lipometabolism for broilers.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of flavones of sea buckthorn fruits (FSBF) on growth performance, carcass quality, fat deposition, and lipometabolism for broilers. 240 one-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers were randomly allotted to 4 dietary treatments (0, 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% FSBF) with 6 replicates of 10 birds. Broilers were reared for 42 d. Results showed FSBF quadratically improved average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and final body weight (BW) (P = 0.002, P = 0.019 and P = 0.018, respectively). The abdominal fat percentage in 0.05%, 0.10%, and 0.15% FSBF supplementation groups was decreased by 21.08%, 19.12%, and 19.61% with respect to the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The intramuscular fat (IMF) content in the breast muscle of the broilers was increased by 7.21%, 23.42% and 6.30% in 0.05%, 0.10% and 0.15% FSBF groups, and that in the thigh meat was raised by 4.43%, 24.63% and 12.32%, compared with the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). FSBF had a quadratic effect on the abdominal fat percentage and IMF in the breast muscle (P < 0.05). Dietary FSBF also modified fatty acids of muscular tissues, resulting in a higher ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids (P < 0.05). Supplementing FSBF in the diet greatly decreased the levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05). Moreover, the quadratic responses were also observed in the levels of insulin and adiponectin in serum (P = 0.020 and P = 0.037, respectively). Abdominal fat percentage was correlated negatively with insulin and positively with adiponectin (P < 0.05). IMF content in the breast and thigh muscles were correlated positively with insulin, and negatively with adiponectin (P < 0.05). A positive correlation existed between breast muscle, IMF, and leptin (P < 0.05). In conclusion, adding FSBF into the diets affected growth performance and fat deposition of broilers by regulating lipometabolism. Fat deposition and distribution of broilers were closely associated with concentrations of insulin and adiponectin. The optimal level of FSBF supplemented in diet was 0.05 to 0.10% in this study.

Effects of glucocorticoid-induced stress on absorption of glycylsarcosine in jejunum of broilers.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of stress on the absorption of glycylsarcosine in the jejunum of broilers, as well as the underlying mechanisms. A glucocorticoid analogue, dexamethasone (DEX), was chosen to simulate the effects of endogenous glucocorticoids. Two hundred 21-day-old male Arbor Acre broilers were randomly allotted to 4 groups with 5 replicates in each group and 10 birds per replicate by a completely randomized assignment involving a single factorial arrangement of injection dose DEX. The broilers were injected with 1-mL DEX (0.1-, 0.5-, and 2.5-mg/kg BW) or saline subcutaneously in the abdomen 1×/d for 7 d. The broilers were weighed, killed, and sampled at 28 days old. The results showed that DEX dose-dependently reduced growth and endogenous corticosterone content in the plasma of the broilers (P<0.05). DEX decreased absorption of glycylsarcosine by jejunum brush border membrane vesicles and gut sacs (P<0.05). DEX treatment increased the crypt depth of the jejunum, decreased the villus height, absorption area, and ratio of villus height to crypt depth (P<0.05). Effect of dexamethasone on villus width was not obvious (P>0.05). It was concluded that DEX reduced the absorption of glycylsarcosine in the jejunum of broilers.

Nonculture molecular techniques for diagnosis of bacterial disease in animals: a diagnostic laboratory perspective.

The past decade has seen remarkable technical advances in infectious disease diagnosis, and the pace of innovation is likely to continue. Many of these techniques are well suited to pathogen identification directly from pathologic or clinical samples, which is the focus of this review. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing are now routinely performed on frozen or fixed tissues for diagnosis of bacterial infections of animals. These assays are most useful for pathogens that are difficult to culture or identify phenotypically, when propagation poses a biosafety hazard, or when suitable fresh tissue is not available. Multiplex PCR assays, DNA microarrays, in situ hybridization, massive parallel DNA sequencing, microbiome profiling, molecular typing of pathogens, identification of antimicrobial resistance genes, and mass spectrometry are additional emerging technologies for the diagnosis of bacterial infections from pathologic and clinical samples in animals. These technical advances come, however, with 2 caveats. First, in the age of molecular diagnosis, quality control has become more important than ever to identify and control for the presence of inhibitors, cross-contamination, inadequate templates from diagnostic specimens, and other causes of erroneous microbial identifications. Second, the attraction of these technologic advances can obscure the reality that medical diagnoses cannot be made on the basis of molecular testing alone but instead through integrated consideration of clinical, pathologic, and laboratory findings. Proper validation of the method is required. It is critical that veterinary diagnosticians understand not only the value but also the limitations of these technical advances for routine diagnosis of infectious disease.

Enhanced expression and significance of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor attachment protein 1 in colorectal cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor attachment protein 1 (GPAA1) and its significance in patients with colorectal cancer. Fifty-two patients with primary colorectal cancer were included in this study. GPAA1 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. A cell invasion assay was performed by the transwell method. The interacting proteins of GPAA1 were detected by co-immunoprecipitation and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS). The expression of GPAA1 mRNA and protein in primary colorectal tumor tissues and liver metastasis tissues was significantly higher than that in normal mucosa tissues (P < 0.01). The number of highly expressing GPAA1 cells penetrating the Matrigel membrane was significantly higher than that of mildly expressing GPAA1 cells (P < 0.05). The results of co-immunoprecipitation and MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS confirmed the identity of the protein. GPAA1 is highly expressed in patients with colorectal cancer, which indicates that it might play an important role in the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of colorectal cancer.

Attempts to increase inosinic acid in broiler meat by using feed additives.

To explore regulation of inosinic acid content in chicken meat as a result of feed additives, 576 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allotted into 8 dietary treatments including control, purine nucleotide (P), betaine (B), soybean isoflavone (S), purine nucleotide + betaine (PB), purine nucleotide + soybean isoflavone (PS), betaine +soybean isoflavone (BS), and purine nucleotide + betaine + soybean isoflavone (PBS) by a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement. At d 42 of age, broilers were slaughtered, and growth performance, carcass characteristics, inosinic acid content, and activities of enzyme closely related to inosinic acid metabolism of broilers were measured. The results revealed that these feed additives did not affect ADG and ADFI of the broilers (P > 0.05). However, supplementing purine nucleotides lowered feed/gain of broilers in PS and PBS groups (P < 0.05). There was a significant interaction on feed/gain of broilers between purine nucleotides and soybean isoflavone (P < 0.05). The abdominal fat percentages in groups B, S, BS, and PBS were lower than the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The thigh muscle percentages of groups P and B were higher than that of group PB (P < 0.05). There were certain interactions on the percentage of thigh muscle (P = 0.05) and abdominal fat (P < 0.05) between P, B, and S groups. Compared with the control group, inosinic acid content in broiler breast meat was improved by using feed additives (P < 0.05). Supplementing purine nucleotides, betaine, soybean isoflavone, and their combinations increased alkaline phosphatase activity in breast meat of broilers (P < 0.05). Purine nucleotides improved the activity of adenosine deaminase, but decreased the activity of 5'-nucleotidase. Soybean isoflavone lowered the activity of alkaline phosphatase. There were no significant interactions on activities of creatine kinase, adenosine deaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and 5'-nucleotidase between these additives (P > 0.05). The umami rating of broiler breast meat increased in conjunction with supplementing these additives. In conclusion, supplementing standard feed with the additives investigated in this study could improve inosinic acid content in chicken meat by increasing synthase activity or inhibiting degradation enzyme activity without inferior growth performance and carcass quality.

Effects of stress simulated by dexamethasone on jejunal glucose transport in broilers.

Twenty-four 21-d-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers with similar BW were randomly assigned into 4 groups to investigate the effects of stress on the absorption of glucose in the intestine of broilers and its mechanisms. In this study, dexamethasone (DEX), an analog to glucocorticoid secreted when animals suffer from stress, was chosen to simulate the effects of glucocorticoid. Broilers were injected subcutaneously with 0, 0.1, 1, or 5 mg of DEX/kg of BW into the abdomen for 7 d. To explain the nonspecific regulation of glucocorticoid on glucose transport of the jejunum in broilers, the effects of DEX on the jejunum mucosa morphology and disaccharidase activities in broilers were investigated. The results showed that DEX restrained the growth of broilers, and the extent of restraint increased with the increase of the dose of DEX (P<0.05). However, the activities of sucrase and maltase in the jejunum of the broilers injected with DEX were not different from those of the control broilers (P>0.05). In addition, DEX increased the crypt depth of jejunum in broilers, and decreased the villus height, absorption area, and villus height/crypt depth ratio significantly (P<0.05), whereas DEX had no significant effect on villus width and the thickness of mucosa lamina propria (P>0.05). To clarify the specific regulation of glucocorticoid on the glucose transport of jejunum in broilers, the absorption of glucose by jejunum brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) was investigated, and the expression of Na+-dependent glucose transporter (SGLT1) mRNA was detected by real-time PCR. The results showed that DEX significantly inhibited the glucose absorption of jejunum BBMV (P<0.05), and the extent of inhibition depended on the dose of DEX. In addition, DEX decreased the expression of SGLT1 mRNA significantly (P<0.05). According to these data, we concluded that DEX restrains the glucose transport of jejunum in broilers through nonspecific and specific regulations.

ß-Casomorphin increases fat deposition in broiler chickens by modulating expression of lipid metabolism genes.

ß-Casomorphin is an opioid-like bioactive peptide derived from ß-casein of milk that plays a crucial role in modulating animal's feed intake, growth, nutrient utilization and immunity. However, the effect of ß-casomorphin on lipid metabolism in chickens and its mechanism remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ß-casomorphin on fat deposition in broiler chickens and explore its mechanism of action. A total of 120 21-day-old Arbor Acres male broilers (747.94±8.85 g) was chosen and randomly divided into four groups with six replicates of five birds per replicate. Three groups of broilers were injected with 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg BW of ß-casomorphin in 1 ml saline for 7 days, whereas the control group received 1 ml saline only. The results showed that subcutaneous administration of ß-casomorphin to broiler chickens increased average daily gain, average daily feed intake and fat deposition, and decreased feed : gain ratio (P<0.05). The activity of malate dehydrogenase in the pectoral muscle, liver and abdominal adipose tissue was also increased along with the concentrations of insulin, very-low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride in the plasma (P<0.05). The activity of hormone-sensitive lipase in the liver and abdominal adipose tissue and the concentration of glucagon in the plasma were decreased by injection with ß-casomorphin (P<0.05). Affymetrix gene chip analysis revealed that administering 1.0 mg/kg BW ß-casomorphin caused differential expression of 168 genes in the liver with a minimum of fourfold difference. Of those, 37 genes are directly involved in lipid metabolism with 18 up-regulated genes such as very low density lipoprotein receptor gene and fatty acid synthase gene, and 19 down-regulated genes such as lipoprotein lipase gene and low density lipoprotein receptor gene. In conclusion, ß-casomorphin increased growth performance and fat deposition of broilers. Regulation of fat deposition by ß-casomorphin appears to take place through changes in hormone secretion and enzyme activities by controlling the gene expression of lipid metabolism and feed intake, increasing fat synthesis and deposition.

Assessment of the effect of the Aquamantys® system on local recurrence after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma through propensity score matching.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the intraoperative application of the Aquamantys® system to treat the hepatic resection margin on local and overall recurrence of HCC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 101 patients admitted from November 2016 to June 2018 who underwent hepatectomy using the Aquamantys® as hemostatic device, who were matched with 101 patients (control group) using conventional hemostatic devices through PSM. Univariate and multivariate analyses of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline data and surgical procedures between the two groups. The Aquamantys® group showed less blood loss (P = 0.005) and a lower blood transfusion rate (P = 0.036), while the incidences of postoperative complications of the two groups showed no difference (P = 0.266). OS rates of the Aquamantys® group and the control group were 82.6% and 84.2%, respectively (P = 0. 446), and RFS rates were 65.5% and 58.2%, respectively (P = 0.153), with no significant differences. The Aquamantys® group and the control group had two cases and 11 cases of local recurrence, respectively, with LRFS rates of 98% and 87.9%, respectively, in the follow-up period, corresponding to a significant difference (P = 0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that microvascular invasion (MVI), tumor diameter > 5 cm, and the control group were independent risk factors for LRFS. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that application of the Aquamantys® system in hepatectomy can reduce local recurrence, but it can neither reduce overall recurrence nor improve OS.

LncRNA FER1L4 suppressed cancer cell growth and invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the regulatory effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) FER1L4 on biological behaviors of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) cells, such as proliferation and invasion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expressions of FER1L4 were detected in 42 pairs of ESCC tissues and corresponding para-carcinoma tissues and 5 kinds of ESCC cell lines via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Polyethyleneimine (PEI) and liposomes were used for FER1L4 expression or interference elimination assays, respectively. The proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells were detected via MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), apoptosis assay, cell cycle assay, and transwell chamber. RESULTS: Results of qRT-PCR showed that, compared with that in normal tissues, FER1L4 was lowly expressed in ESCC tissues. Overexpression of FER1L4 could inhibit cell proliferation and invasion, promote apoptosis and increase the cell cycle distribution in G0/G1 phase. Knockout of FER1L4 could promote the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells, inhibit apoptosis and decrease the cell cycle distribution in G0/G1 phase. CONCLUSIONS: FER1L4 is involved in the occurrence and development of ESCC and plays a key role as a tumor suppressor gene in ESCC.

Apparent metabolizable and net energy values of corn and soybean meal for broiler breeding cocks.

The AME and net energy (NE) values of 4 corn varieties, including 2 normal corn varieties (Zheng Dan 958 and Xian Yu 335), and one each of waxy corn and sweet corn, and 2 soybean meal samples including regular (RSBM) and dehulled soybean meal (DSBM), were determined in 2 experiments for broiler breeding cocks using the indirect calorimetry method. The 4 test diets in Experiment 1 consisted of each test corn, which replaced 40% of the corn-soybean meal basal diet, and the test diets in Experiment 2 contained 25% RSBM or DSBM, which was used to replace the corn basal diet. Thirty (Experiment 1) or 18 (Experiment 2) 50-week-old Arbor Acre (AA) broiler breeding cocks were used in a completely randomized design. After a 7 d dietary adaptation period, 6 birds as replicates from each treatment were assigned to individual respiration chambers for energy measurement via gaseous exchange and total excreta collection for 10 d. In Experiment 1, the AME, ME intake (MEI), retained energy (RE), NE, and NE:AME ratio values were higher (P < 0.001) in the test diets as compared with the corn-soybean meal basal diet. The AME and NE values in the sweet corn diet were higher (P < 0.05) than those values in the other 3 test diets. The heat production (HP), fasting heat production (FHP), and respiration quotient (RQ) were not influenced by the various experimental diets. The respective AME and NE values were 3,785, 3,775, 3,738, and 3,997 kcal/kg (DM basis), and 2,982, 3,006, 2,959, and 3,146 kcal/kg (DM basis) for Zheng Dan 958, Xian Yu 335, waxy corn, and sweet corn. Birds fed a corn basal diet in Experiment 2 had higher AME, MEI, RE, NE, and NE:AME ratio values (P < 0.001). Soybean meal substitution had no effect on HP, FHP, or RQ. The average AME and NE content was 2,492 and 1,581 kcal/kg (DM basis) for RSBM, and 2,580 and 1,654 kcal/kg (DM basis) for DSBM, respectively.

Luteal phase salivary progesterone concentrations in ovulation-induced cycles.

Serial paired plasma and salivary progesterone (P) levels were determined in 21 ovulation-induced cycles of 13 women and in 162 luteal saliva samples of 21 normal cycling women. Mean +/- standard error of the mean (SEM) salivary P levels in all ovulation-induced cycles were similar to normal cycles and were 294 +/- 31.5 to 499 +/- 75 pg/ml, whereas the corresponding plasma P levels were 24.9 +/- 5.0 to 51.4 +/- 16.6 ng/ml. Paired plasma and salivary P levels correlated significantly in women induced with clomiphene citrate (r = 0.82), follicle-stimulating hormone (r = 0.80), human menopausal gonadotropins (r = 0.78), and in those who became pregnant (r = 0.95). Luteal phase salivary P levels were 1.0% to 1.3% of the corresponding plasma levels in ovulation-induced cycles. These findings indicate that salivary P may be a useful and convenient alternative to plasma P for assessing ovulation.

[Transformation of rat esophageal precancerous epithelial cells and its biologic characteristics--establishment of RE25-3 esophageal carcinoma cell line].

A neoplastic transformation cell line (RE25-3) of the rat esophageal precancerous epithelium has been established by in vivo-in vitro method in our laboratory. Ten criteria were used to study the biological characteristics of the neoplastic transformation during various stages: 1. Dysplastic lesion of the esophageal epithelium was induced in wistar rat by oral administration of NSEE. The dysplastic epithelium was then removed and cultured. After several generations of subculture without carcinogen, the dysplastic epithelium showed neoplastic transformation in vitro. 2. The maximum mitotic index of the transformed cell reached 2.0% and two peaks were observed at hour 41 and 96, respectively, while the mitotic index of the normal esophageal cell was 0.6%. 3. DNA measurement was performed by MSP. The results showed disappearance of the diploid cell from the fifth subculture. Tetraploid, heteroploid and aneuploid cells were observed from the third subculture. The aneuploid cells amounted to 86.24%. 4. The number of chromosome increased as the time of culture as well as the number of subculture generation increased. Chromosome aberration was observed. 5. As the number of subculture generation increased, the damage and break of the chromosome increased. Micronuclei rate increased. 6. By incorporation of H3-TdR, DNA synthesis rate increased as the malignancy increased. 7. Growth of the RE25-3 cell was dependent on EGF in the early stage. But after 15 subculture, as neoplastic transformation developed, this dependency disappeared. 8. After 14 generations of subculture, the cell can be cultured in soft ager. 9. Keratin was proved positive within the cell by ABC immuno-histochemistry assay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Establishment and application of transplantable models of human esophageal carcinoma in nude mice].

We have successfully established two human esophageal carcinoma models in nude mice by transplantation of surgical specimen from patients with esophageal cancer. Histopathological study revealed that one was squamous cell carcinoma (HEC2) and the other adeno-squamous cell carcinoma (HEC6). Light and electron microscopy showed that their morphology was similar to that of the original tumors. The transplanted tumors have been maintained for more than four years through more than 50 passages. The tumors grew steadily and fast. The rate of successful inoculation was 100%. Bleomycin A5 and 5-Fluorouracil (5-Fu) were used for treatment of HEC6. Results showed that Bleomycin A5 exhibited a remarkable growth inhibition on the HEC6. The inhibition rates of two separate experiments were 56.5% and 87.8% respectively (compared with the control group, P < 0.01). The inhibition rates of 5-Fu were 6.5% and 36.6% respectively. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference statistically HEC2 was treated by X-ray or X-ray combined with hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD), the tumor growth inhibition was 57.7% and 85.4% respectively.

[Carcinogenic and promoting effects of fish juice, preserved rice and salted dry fish on the forestomach epithelium of mice and esophageal epithelium of rats].

The carcinogenic and promoting effects of fish juice, preserved rice and salted dry fish from Nanau county, Guangdong province, a high incidence area of esophageal cancer, were studied in mice and rats. The homemade fish juice as well as fish juice in market, whether or not added with NaNO2, did not cause tumor in the forestomach of mice and the esophagus of rats. When the mice were intubated with an initiator, nitrososarcosinethylester (NSEE) twice, no carcinoma was found at the end of the experiment (D 120). Only papilloma appeared in the forestomach epithelium. The incidence was only 37.5%. However, when the mice were intubated with NSEE for 2 times followed by gastric doses of homemade fish juice, the tumor incidence in the forestomach was increased to 89.7%, in which 20.5% was carcinoma. The tumor and carcinoma incidences of initiator (NSEE and NMBzA) group and initiator + market fish juice group in mice and rats were without significant difference. The experimental results show that the homemade fish juice proved distinct promoting effect on the process of cocarcinogenesis initiated by NSEE in the forestomach of mice, while the market fish juice has no significant promoting effect on the forestomach epithelium of mice and the esophageal epithelium of rats. NSEE induced 31.6% carcinoma in the forestomach epithelium of mice on standard diet. While in mice fed with preserved rice and salted dry fish, the carcinoma incidence was increased to 63.6%. It appears that preserved rice and salted dry fish have promoting effect on the process of cocarcinogenesis initiated by NSEE in the forestomach of mice.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)