An increase in SNHG5 expression is associated with poor cancer prognosis, according to a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: He long noncoding RNA small nucleolar host RNA 5 (SNHG5) is highly expressed in many cancers, and there is a notable correlation between the elevated expression of SNHG5 and survival outcome in cancer patients. The objective of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the correlation between SNHG5 expression and the clinical outcome of cancer patients. METHODS: Six relevant electronic databases were exhaustively searched, and, depending on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, appropriate literature was obtained. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) score was utilized to evaluate the quality of the research for every article included, and pertinent data from each study were carefully extracted. Hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to explore the association of SNHG5 expression levels with cancer prognosis, and sensitivity analyses and assessments of publication bias were also conducted to investigate any possibility in the publication of the studies. RESULTS: Eleven studies encompassing 721 patients were ultimately collected. When combined, the hazard ratios (HRs) revealed a substantial direct correlation between elevated SNHG5 expression and an unfavourable prognosis for cancer patients (HR = 1.90, 95% CI 0.87-4.15); however, the correlation did not reach statistical significance. Furthermore, high SNHG5 expression was predictive of advanced TNM stage (OR: 1.988, 95% CI 1.205-3.278) and larger tumour size (OR: 1.571, 95% CI 1.090-2.264); moreover, there were nonsignificant relationships between SNHG5 expression and DM (OR: 0.449, 95% CI 0.077-2.630), lymph node metastasis (OR: 1.443, 95% CI 0.709-2.939), histological grade (OR: 2.098, 95% CI 0.910-4.838), depth of invasion (OR: 1.106, 95% CI 0.376-3.248), age (OR: 0.946, 95% CI 0.718-1.247) and sex (OR: 0.762, 95% CI 0.521-1.115). CONCLUSION: SNHG5 expression is typically increased in the majority of tumour tissues. Elevated SNHG5 expression may indicate poor prognosis in cancer patients. Therefore, SNHG5 is a promising potential therapeutic target for tumours and a reliable prognostic biomarker.

Allium sativum-derived allitridin inhibits Treg amplification in cytomegalovirus infection.

This study investigated the effects of allitridin compound on murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV)-induced regulatory T cell (Treg; CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) ) amplification in vivo and in vitro. One hundred twenty MCMV-infected mice were allocated at random into two groups for treatment with allitridin or placebo. Another 120 mock-infected mice were randomly allocated as controls for the allitridin treatment and placebo treatment groups. The mice were euthanized at various time points after infection (out to 120 days) to evaluate the effects of treatment on Treg presence and function, as well as MCMV infective load. Co-culture with mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF) and MCMV was performed to evaluate allitridin-mediated Treg and anti-CMV effects. The maximum tolerance concentration (MTC) of allitridin was used to treat cells for 3 days. Changes in Foxp3 mRNA and protein levels, percentages of T cell subsets, and Treg-related cytokines (IL-10 and TGF-ß) were measured. Allitridin treatment did not influence Foxp3 expression and Treg proportion in uninfected mice, but did down-regulate each in infected mice during the chronic infection period. Additionally, allitridin treatment reduced the MCMV load in salivary glands. MTC allitridin treatment of co-cultures partially blocked MCMV induction of Foxp3 mRNA and protein expression. In vitro treatment with allitridin also increased significantly the percentages of Tc1, Tc2, and Th1, reduced the secreted levels of IL-10 and TGF-ß1, and significantly suppressed viral loads. In conclusion, allitridin can promote MCMV-induced Treg expansion and Treg-mediated anti-MCMV immunosuppression. Therefore, allitridin may be useful as a therapeutic agent to enhance the specific cellular immune responses against CMV.

Operable gastric adenocarcinoma with different histological subtypes: Cancer-specific survival in the United States.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (GSRC), a subtype of adenocarcinoma, has been considered a histological type with poor survival. We aimed to compare the survival outcomes between patients with GSRC and patients with gastric non-signet ring cell adenocarcinoma (NGSRC) and constructed a nomogram to predict gastric adenocarcinoma-specific survival (GCSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We identified 10,031 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database and stratified them into two histological type groups: GSRC and NGSRC. We used propensity score matching and identified 4304 patients (training cohort) to assess the effect of the histological type on GCSS with Kaplan-Meier curves, and constructed a predictive nomogram. The accuracy of the nomogram was tested on the remaining 5727 patients (validation cohort) with concordance index (C-index) values, calibration curves, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: We found that the histological type SRC was not associated with significantly poor survival (5-year survival rate: 46.1% vs 46.7%, P = 0.822). GSRC patients had similar GCSS rates compared to those with NGSRC in each tumor, node, and metastasis (TNM) stage (allP > 0.05). The nomogram showed that histological type was a relatively weak predictor of survival. The C-index value of the nomogram for predicting survival was 0.720, similar to that in the validation cohort (0.724). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GSRC had a similar prognosis to those with NGSRC. The proposed nomogram allowed a relatively accurate survival prediction for operable GA patients after gastrectomy.

Impact of body mass index on short-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy in Asian patients: A meta-analysis.

AIM: To perform a meta-analysis to investigate the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer (GC) in Asian patients. METHODS: The PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were searched for studies that focused on the impact of obesity on the short-term outcomes of LG for GC in Asian patients who were classified into a high BMI (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) or low BMI group (BMI < 25 kg/m2). The results are expressed using the pooled odds ratio (OR) for binary variables and standard mean difference (SMD) for continuous variables with 95% confidence interval (CI), and were calculated according to the fixed-effects model while heterogeneity was not apparent or a random-effects model while heterogeneity was apparent. RESULTS: Nine studies, with a total sample size of 6077, were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the low BMI group, the high BMI group had longer operative time (SMD = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.21 to 0.32, P < 0.001), greater blood loss (SMD = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.12 to 0.25, P < 0.001), and fewer retrieved lymph nodes (SMD = -0.13, 95%CI: 0.18 to 0.07, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the high and low BMI groups in postoperative complications (OR = 1.12, 95%CI: 0.95 to 1.33, P = 0.169), the duration of postoperative hospital stay (SMD = 0.681, 95%CI: -0.05 to 0.07, P = 0.681), postoperative mortality (OR = 1.95, 95%CI: 0.78 to 4.89, P = 0.153), or time to resuming food intake (SMD = 0.00, 95%CI: -0.06 to 0.06, P = 0.973). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis provides strong evidence that despite being associated with longer operative time, greater blood loss, and fewer retrieved lymph nodes, BMI has no significant impact on the short-term outcomes of LG for GC in Asian patients, including postoperative complications, the duration of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative mortality, and time to resuming food intake. BMI may be a poor risk factor for short-term outcomes of LG. Other indices should be taken into account.

[Prevalence of respiratory and atopic disorders in Chinese school children].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of respiratory and atopic disorders, and to assess the role of atopy in the development of asthma in Chinese school children from Beijing, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong. METHODS: Community-based random samples of school children aged 9 approximately 11 years from three Chinese cities (Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong) were recruited for study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Phase II protocol. Subjects were studied by parental questionnaires (n = 10 902), skin-prick tests and skin examination (n = 3 479). RESULTS: The prevalence rates of current wheeze, speech limiting wheeze, rhinoconjunctivitis and flexural dermatitis were significantly higher in Hong Kong than in Beijing and Guangzhou. The atopy rate was also higher in Hong Kong (41.2%) than in Beijing (23.9%) and Guangzhou (30.8%). Atopy was strongly correlated with current wheeze (OR = 7.74; 95% CI = 5.70 approximately 10.51). Subgroup analyses of children from Hong Kong revealed that children born in mainland China who had subsequently migrated to Hong Kong had a significantly lower rate of allergic symptoms and atopy than those born in Hong Kong. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of asthma, allergic diseases and atopy was highest in school children from Hong Kong. Atopic sensitizations is an important factor associated with asthma in Chinese children.

Oxymatrine improves intestinal epithelial barrier function involving NF-κB-mediated signaling pathway in CCl4-induced cirrhotic rats.

Accumulating evidence suggests that intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction plays an important role in the pathogenesis of hepatic cirrhosis and its complications such as gastrointestinal injury and hepatic encephalopathy. To date, there is no cure for cirrhosis-associated intestinal mucosal lesion and ulcer. This study aimed to investigate the effect of oxymatrine on intestinal epithelial barrier function and the underlying mechanism in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhotic rats. Thirty CCl4-induced cirrhotic rats were randomly divided into treatment group, which received oxymatrine treatment (63 mg/kg), and non-treatment group, which received the same dose of 5% glucose solution (vehicle). The blank group (n = 10 healthy rats) received no treatment. Terminal ileal samples were collected for histopathological examination. The expression level of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) p65 in ileal tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The gene and protein expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) in ileal tissues were analyzed by reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Additionally, plasma endotoxin level was determined. In comparison to the blank group, a significant alteration in the morphology of intestinal mucosal villi in the non-treatment group was observed. The intestinal mucosal villi were atrophic, shorter, and fractured, and inflammatory cells were infiltrated into the lamina propria and muscular layer. Besides, serious swell of villi and loose structure of mucous membrane were observed. Oxymatrine reversed the CCl4-induced histological changes and restored intestinal barrier integrity. Moreover, oxymatrine reduced the protein expression level of NF-κB p65, TNF-α, and IL-6, which were elevated in the vehicle-treated group. In addition, the serum endotoxin level was significantly decreased after oxymatrine treatment in CCl4-induced cirrhotic rats. The results indicate that oxymatrine improves intestinal barrier function via NF-κB-mediated signaling pathway and may be used as a new protecting agent for cirrhosis-associated intestinal mucosal damage.

[Influencing factors related to lymphatic metastasis of T2 rectal carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the risk factors associated with lymphatic metastasis of T2 rectal carcinoma. METHODS: A consecutive series of 122 patients with T2 rectal cancer who underwent radical surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from 2006 to 2011 were included for retrospective analysis. Risk factors associated with lymphatic metastasis were investigated. RESULTS: The rate of lymph node metastasis was 21.3% (26/122). Distance to anal verge(P<0.05), morphological type(P<0.05), histological type(P<0.05), tumor differentiation(P<0.05), and depth of invasion(P<0.05) were risk factors for lymph node metastasis in T2 rectal cancer by univariate analysis. The depth of invasion remained statistically significant by multivariate analysis. The rate of lymph node metastasis was 13%(7/54) in patients with shallow muscularis propria involvement, and 28%(19/68) in those with deep muscularis involvement. CONCLUSION: For T2 rectal cancer with shallow muscularis involvement, the risk of lymph node metastasis is low and transanal excision should be considered.

Identification of proteins that interact with murine cytomegalovirus early protein M112-113 in brain.

BACKGROUND: Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) early protein M112-113 is involved in viral DNA replication and believed to play a crucial role in the viral pathogenesis. To investigate the biological function of M112-113 protein in the pathogenesis of the brain disorders caused by cytomegalovirus (CMV), a screening for proteins interacting with M112-113 was performed by a yeast two-hybrid system. METHODS: Bait plasmid pGBKT7-M112-113 was constructed and transformed into AH109 yeast. After confirmation of the expression of MCMV M112-113 in yeast, the bait yeast was mated with a prey yeast containing mouse brain cDNA library plasmid to screen the proteins interacting with M112-113. Interactions between M112-113 and the obtained proteins were verified by yeast two-hybrid assay and chemiluminescent co-immunoprecipitaion. RESULTS: Two proteins interacting with M112-113 were identified, including metastasis-associated 1 (MTA1) and zinc finger, CCHC domain containing 18 (ZCCHC18). M112-113 protein could interact with MTA1 or ZCCHC18 in yeast and mammalian cells. CONCLUSION: The interactions of M112-113 with MTA1 or ZCCHC18 may be related to the pathogenesis of MCMV-associated disease in central nervous system.

[Clinical analysis of 8 cases with acute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in younger children].

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical features of acute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in younger children, in order to improve the levels of early recognition, diagnosis and management of this disease. METHOD: Clinical data of 8 patients aged below 15 months who were diagnosed as acute invasive pulmonary aspergillosis from August 2010 to February 2011 in general pediatric wards in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed for the high-risk factors of the hosts, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and lung CT imaging, the processes of diagnosis and treatment, and the outcomes. RESULT: Five cases were tested for serum GM test absorbent index (GMI) ranged from 1.92 to 3.27; in 2 cases sputum culture was positive for Aspergillus fumigatus for twice, and 1 infant was serum GMI 2.85 and a sputum culture was positive for Aspergillus fumigatus positive, all these findings were accordant with the clinical diagnosis. Seven cases had a history of receiving intravenously broad-spectrum antibiotics or plus corticosteroids (6 hospitalized, 1 out-patient), and one was only 1 month old, whose parents had severe tinea pedis. 4 patients of high-fever type had sustained high temperature, severe changes of lungs without obvious respiratory symptoms and signs in early phase, and significant increase of the rod granulocyte rate (0.25 - 0.68), which was apparently discordant with the normal WBC count and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) value. Another 4 cases of non-high-fever type were present with normal WBC count, hs-CRP value and the percentage of rod granulocyte. Among them, 3 infants had low-grade fever, with serious respiratory symptoms and signs and changes of lungs CT. Another 1-month-old case only showed lower vigor and response. Lung CT imaging often showed multiple irregular large nodules, patches and streaks of density (6 cases) and unilateral lobar consolidation (1 case), with some involving the pleura; one appeared severe peri-main bronchus lesions with stenoses of bilateral main bronchi. The first case died of multiple organ failure because of severe sepsis complication. Another 7 cases were treated with voriconazole promptly after clinical or suspected diagnosis, and the state of patients relieved rapidly within 1 - 3 d. CONCLUSION: The abuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids may increase the risk of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in younger children. There may be the risk of nosocomial infection and spread of aspergillus in general pediatric wards. Cases of high-fever type in early period of disease had two inconsistency: few symptoms and signs, while severe changes of lungs CT; apparent increase of peripheral rod granulocyte, while normal WBC count and hs-CRP value. Preemptive voriconazole therapy could obtain significant effect and reduce the mortality rate.

CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells suppress the immune responses of mouse embryo fibroblasts to murine cytomegalovirus infection.

Cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) cause common viral infectious diseases and are difficult for the host immune system to eliminate, which leads to persistent or chronic infection. To investigate the T cell immune response stimulated by murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection and the role of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T regulatory cells (Tregs) in this process, T cells containing various proportions of Tregs were co-cultured with MCMV-infected mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs). MCMV infection stimulated proliferation of effector T cells as well as differentiation to Tregs, which consequently increased the expression of TGF-beta and IL-10. The proliferation of Tc1 (CD3(+)CD8(+)IFN-gamma(+)), Th1 (CD3(+)CD4(+)IFN-gamma(+)), and Tc2 (CD3(+)CD8(+)IL-4(+)) subsets was significantly suppressed with an increased proportion of Tregs in the co-culture system. Treg-depleted T cells inhibited viral load when co-cultured with MCMV-infected MEFs, however, this inhibitory effect was diminished when an increased proportion of Tregs was introduced. The suppressing effects of Tregs on effector T cells were attenuated by the addition of monoclonal antibody to TGF-beta, but not the one to IL-10, suggesting that TGF-beta is a major messenger involved in the immune suppressing effect of Tregs.

[Effects of allergen and intranasal glucocorticoid on Th17 and RORgamma t in peripheral blood in patients with allergic rhinitis.].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of specific immunotherapy and intranasal glucocorticoid on T help 17 (Th17) cells and RORgammat in peripheral blood in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: Forty patients with allergic rhinitis (group A) were divided randomly into two subgroups (group A1 and A2), and each subgroup had 20 patients. The patients in group A1 were treated with intranasal glucocorticoid (INGS) for one-year. The patients in group A2 were treated with special immunotherapy (SIT) for 4 weeks. Blood samples were respectively taken from 10 healthy individuals (group B), 20 AR patients (group A1) before and after SIT with specific standardized allergen and 20 AR patients (group A2) before and after INGS. The ratio of Th17 cells in peripheral blood monouclear cells (PBMC) were analysed by flow cytometry. The expression of RORgammat mRNA were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and the interleukin-23(IL-23), IL-17, IL-6 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The ratio of Th17 cells in PBMC and the expression of RORgammat mRNA in group A [(18.97 +/- 1.05)% and (0.604 +/- 0.027)] were respectively higher than those in group B [(15.12 +/- 1.09)% and (0.447 +/- 0.024)] and the difference reached statistical significance (t were respectively -10.056 and -17.986, each P < 0.01). The level of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 in group A were respectively higher than those in group B and the difference reached statistical significance (t were respectively -41.149, -17.618 and -26.824, all P < 0.01). The ratio of Th17 cells in PBMC, the expression of RORgammat mRNA, the level of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 before INGS did not show significant difference from those of after INGS in group A1 (t were respectively 0.298, 0.240, -1.136, 0.283 and -1.670, all P > 0.05). The ratio of Th17 cells in PBMC and the expression of RORgammat mRNA were respectively (18.99 +/- 1.14)% and (0.603 +/- 0.027) before SIT and were respectively (16.30 +/- 1.63)% and (0.429 +/- 0.023) after SIT in group A2, and the difference reached statistical significance (t were respectively 6.035 and 22.015, all P < 0.01). The level of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 before SIT were lower respectively than those of after SIT in group A2 and the difference reached statistical significance (t were respectively 9.235, 11.289, 7.267, all P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The ratio of Th17 cells in PBMC, the expression of RORgammat mRNA, the level of IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 were up-regulated in patients with AR. The treatment of SIT could get the 5 items down and the treatment of INGS couldn't.