RUNX1-BMP2 promotes vasculogenic mimicry in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma via activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the head and neck. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis and refers to the formation of fluid channels by invasive tumor cells rather than endothelial cells. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying VM during the malignant progression of LSCC remain largely unknown. METHODS: Gene expression and clinical data for LSCC were obtained from the TCGA and Gene GEO (GSE27020) databases. A risk prediction model associated with VM was established using LASSO and Cox regression analyses. Based on their risk scores, patients with LSCC were categorized into high- and low-risk groups. The disparities in immune infiltration, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and functional enrichment between these two groups were examined. The core genes in LSCC were identified using the machine learning (SVM-RFE) and WGCNA algorithms. Subsequently, the involvement of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) in VM and metastasis was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. To elucidate the downstream signaling pathways regulated by BMP2, western blotting was performed. Additionally, ChIP experiments were employed to identify the key transcription factors responsible for modulating the expression of BMP2. RESULTS: We established a new precise prognostic model for LSCC related to VM based on three genes: BMP2, EPO, and AGPS. The ROC curves from both TCGA and GSE27020 validation cohorts demonstrated precision survival prediction capabilities, with the nomogram showing some net clinical benefit. Multiple algorithm analyses indicated BMP2 as a potential core gene. Further experiments suggested that BMP2 promotes VM and metastasis in LSCC. The malignant progression of LSCC is promoted by BMP2 via the activation of the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, with the high expression of BMP2 in LSCC resulting from its transcriptional activation by runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1). CONCLUSION: BMP2 predicts poor prognosis in LSCC, promotes LSCC VM and metastasis through the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, and is transcriptionally regulated by RUNX1. BMP2 may be a novel, precise, diagnostic, and therapeutic biomarker of LSCC.

Reflections on appropriately liberalizing ART for groups requiring special attention in China.

PURPOSE: The continuous advancement of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and the evolving attitudes towards marriage and fertility among the general public have led to an increasing number of groups requiring special attention (GRSA) desiring to fulfill their reproductive needs through these technologies. These groups include single women (including single mothers without children), same-sex couples, and women in high-risk occupations, among others. The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility of appropriately liberalizing ART for GRSA. METHODS: This paper discusses the advantages of a moderate liberalization of ART for GRSA from two perspectives: a theoretical basis and a practical significance level. It also analyzes the current constraints on liberalizing ART and presents suggestions for moderate liberalization. RESULTS: The moderate liberalization of ART can provide technical support for respecting and realizing the reproductive freedom of GRSA, which has certain theoretical and practical significance. However, it is also subject to constraints. CONCLUSION: We call for government to keep pace with the times, based on the current stage of political, economic, and social development, to further recognize and protect citizens' reproductive rights, prioritize the practical needs of the public, and explore policies and regulations for gradually loosening the restrictions on ART for GRSA.

Analysis of Related Factors for the Retention Time of Tracheobronchial Foreign Bodies in Pediatrics.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the related factors for the retention time of tracheobronchial foreign bodies in infants and children, to provide help for the assessment of the disease, surgical risk, and prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 1060 patients with tracheobronchial foreign bodies from January 2015 to December 2015 were retrospectively studied, and the correlation of the retention time of foreign bodies with age, gender, preoperative complications, granulation formation, operation time, and hospital stay was analyzed. RESULTS: The retention time of foreign bodies was not correlated with age (r = 0.041, P = 0.194) and gender (r = 0.039, P = 0.214) but was correlated with preoperative complications (r = 0.072, P = 0.023), granulation formation (r = 0.134, P < 0.001), operation time (r = 0.112, P < 0.001), and hospital stay (r = 0.189, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The retention time of foreign bodies was closely correlated with granulation formation, preoperative complications, operation time, and hospital stay.

Effects of Tec Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition on the Inflammatory Response of Severe Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Acute Lung Injury in Mice.

BACKGROUND: The Tec kinase family is involved in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, but its relationship with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) remains unclear. AIMS: To investigate whether Tec tyrosine kinase can be used as a target for severe acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury (PALI). METHODS: A total of 90 mice were randomly assigned into four groups: SAP (n = 15), control (n = 15), SAP + α-cyano-ß-hydroxy-ß-methyl-N-(2,5-dibromophenyl)propenamide (LFM-A13) (pretreated with Tec kinase inhibitor LFM-A13, n = 15), and SAP + Tec siRNA (pretreated with PBS/negative control siRNA/Tec siRNA, n = 45). SAP was induced by caerulein and lipopolysaccharide. Animals were sacrificed at 0, 3, 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. Pathological changes and scores of the lung and pancreas were determined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Expression of Tec and phosphorylated Tec (p-Tec) were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunoprecipitation. Serum levels of amylase, myeloperoxidase, and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The expression of Tec in lung tissue was significantly higher in the SAP group than in the control group (p < 0.05), and p-Tec expression gradually increased with time. Furthermore, p-Tec expression was significantly lower in the SAP + LFM-A13 group than in the SAP group (p < 0.05); however, Tec expression did not vary. Tec inhibitors, LFM-A13 and Tec siRNA, alleviated pathological damage and release of inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tec tyrosine kinase plays a key role in PALI, and is therefore a potential target for clinical treatment.

Incidence and risk factors for post-ERCP pancreatitis in chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Almost all studies on post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) have mainly involved patients with biliary diseases rather than chronic pancreatitis (CP), and the concept that CP seems to be a protective factor associated with PEP has not been studied in detail. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of PEP in patients with CP at different clinical stages and to identify the predictive and protective factors of PEP in a large cohort. METHODS: In this observational cohort study, medical records of patients with CP (CP group) and biliary diseases (BD group) in a tertiary hospital from January 2011 to May 2015 were examined. The difference in the incidence of PEP between CP group and BD group and the risk of PEP at different clinical stages of CP were calculated by the χ2 test or the Fisher exact test. The predictive and protective factors for PEP were investigated by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: In total, 2028 ERCP procedures were performed in 1301 patients with CP and 2000 procedures in 1655 patients with BD. The overall incidence of PEP in CP group (4.5%) was similar to that in the BD group (4.8%; P = .747). However, CP patients had significantly lower rates of moderate and severe attacks (0% vs 1.3%, P < .01). According to the M-ANNHEIM classification, the PEP incidences of CP at stages 0, I, II, III, and IV were 4.4%, 5.1%, 3.8%, 2.0%, and 2.0%, respectively. CP patients at stage Ia had the highest PEP incidence (8.0%) among all CP patients, significantly higher than that at stages Ib + Ic (3.9%) and II (3.8%). Female gender, history of acute pancreatitis, and prior PEP were independent risk factors of PEP, whereas extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was a protective factor. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with BD patients, CP patients had similar incidence of PEP overall but lower grades of severity. The incidence of PEP in CP patients decreased significantly with disease progression. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT02781987.).

TERT promoter mutations and TERT mRNA but not FGFR3 mutations are urinary biomarkers in Han Chinese patients with urothelial bladder cancer.

The TERT promoter and FGFR3 gene mutations are two of the most common genetic events in urothelial bladder cancer (UBC), and these mutation assays in patient urine have been shown to be promising biomarkers for UBC diagnosis and surveillance. These results were obtained mainly from studies of patients with UBC in Western countries, and little is known about such information in Han Chinese patients with UBC. In the present study, we addressed this issue by analyzing tumors from 182 Han Chinese patients with UBC and urine samples from 102 patients for mutations in the TERT promoter and FGFR3 and TERT mRNA expression in tumors and/or urine. TERT promoter and FGFR3 mutations were identified in 87 of 182 (47.8%) and 7 of 102 (6.7%) UBC cases, respectively. In 46 urine samples from patients with TERT promoter mutation-carrying tumors, the mutant promoter was detected in 24 (52%) prior to operation and disappeared in most examined urine samples (80%) taken 1 week after operation. TERT mRNA was detected in urine derived from 46 of 49 patients (94%) that was analyzed before operation independently of the presence of TERT promoter mutations. Collectively, FGFR3 mutations occur at a very low rate in Han Chinese UBC and cannot serve as diagnostic markers for Chinese patients. Han Chinese patients with UBC have relatively low TERT promoter mutation frequency compared with patients in Western countries, and simultaneous detection of both mutant TERT promoter and TERT mRNA improves sensitivity and specificity of urine-based diagnosis.

Research progress on the mechanism of acute hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis.

ABSTRACT: The incidence rate of hypertriglyceridemia pancreatitis (HTGP) has experienced a notable increase in recent years, with eclipsing alcohol as the second leading cause of acute pancreatitis (AP). HTGP is often associated with more severe local and systemic complications. Recognized as a metabolic disorder hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), holds significant relevance in the pathogenesis of HTGP, yet its mechanisms are not fully understood. Both primary (genetic) and secondary (acquired) factors contribute to elevated triglyceride (TG) levels, which concurrently influence the progression of HTGP. This article presents a comprehensive review of the evolving research on HTGP pathogenesis, encompassing lipid synthesis and metabolism, calcium signal transduction, inflammatory mediators, endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy, mitochondrial injury by fatty acids, oxidative stress response, genetic factors, and gene mutations. By unraveling the intricate mechanisms underlying HTGP, this article aims to enhance physicians' understanding of the disease and facilitate the development of potential targeted pharmacological interventions for patients.

[Medium and Long-term Carbon Emission Projections and Emission Reduction Potential Analysis of the Lingang Special Area Based on the LEAP Model].

Based on the existing statistical data of the Lingang Special Area in Shanghai and considering its future socio-economic development， industrial structure， and technological development， a LEAP-Lingang model was developed to analyze the evolution trends of energy demand and carbon emissions under the baseline scenario， low-carbon scenario， and enhanced low-carbon scenario. To enhance the prediction accuracy of the model， the Logistic population growth model was used to predict future population data， and the learning curve model was used to simulate the cost evolution trend of related carbon reduction technologies. In addition， an economic evaluation model for carbon reduction technologies was developed， and the economic costs and emission reduction potential of typical carbon reduction technologies were evaluated by drawing a marginal emission reduction cost curve. The results showed that under the enhanced low-carbon scenario， the renewable energy accounted for 69% of the primary energy consumption， and the electric energy accounted for 91% of the terminal energy demand in 2060. The Lingang Special Area could achieve carbon peak by 2030， and the carbon emissions in 2060 were predicted to decrease by 94% compared to that in the baseline scenario. In terms of contribution to emission reduction， clean energy substitution， industrial structure optimization， and terminal energy efficiency improvement played a key role in reducing carbon emissions near the port. In the medium term （until 2035）， they were predicted to contribute 35.1%， 27.3%， and 16.2% of carbon emissions， respectively， and in the long term （until 2060）， they should contribute 50.6%， 8.75%， and 7.7% of carbon emissions， respectively. Regarding specific carbon reduction technologies， hydrogen power generation； water electrolysis for hydrogen； and carbon capture， utilization， and storage （CCUS） technology were of great significance for achieving net-zero emissions， but the costs of emission reduction were relatively high. The research results can provide ideas and references for the low-carbon and green development of the Lingang Special Area and related areas.

[Study on the preparation and properties of novel silica microporous antireflective coating by sol-gel process].

Silica sol was prepared by acid catalyzed sol-gel process using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as precursor and dimethyldietoxysilane (DDS) as pore-forming agent. A novel kind of monolayer microporous silica anti-reflective (AR) coating was obtained on K9 glass substrate by dip-coating technique and then heat treated at 500 degrees C. The effects of different DDS/TEOS molar ratios on refractive index, transmittance and hardness were investigated. A positive correlation was found between the transmittance and the DDS/TEOS molar ratio due to the increasing porosity. The maximum transmittance can reach 99.7% with the molar ratio of DDS/TEOS rising to 1 : 1. Meanwhile, the refractive index was found quite close to the ideal value 1.22. Nevertheless, higher molar ratio will lead to a bad film-forming property. On the other hand, the hardness of the coatings decreased with the DDS increasing but still remained more than 2 h when the transmittance reached highest. Besides, these coatings exhibit a well abrasion-resistance and excellent adhesivity. The maximum transmittance was only dropped by 0.071% and 0.112% after abrasion for 500 and 1 000 times respectively. Accelerated corrosion tests indicated that the transmittance of traditional coatings rapidly fell down to the substrate level (-92%) after immersion for 5 min, while the transmittance of our novel coating almost linearly decreased and was kept 93.2% after 56 min. In other words, the environment-resistance of our novel silica AR coating is ten times higher than that of traditional ones. The promotions of the coating performances benefit from its micropore structure (-0. 4 nm) with which water molecule can be effectively prevented. With its high transmittance, good mechanical properties and high environment-resistance, this kind of novel coating has a potential application in the field of solar glass modification to improve its anti-reflective properties.

Systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) on the 3rd postoperative day are associated with severe pneumonia in cerebral hemorrhage patients: A single-center retrospective study.

Inflammatory response was involved in the progression of cerebral hemorrhage. We sought to explore the associations of easily obtained inflammatory indicators including blood cell counts and the ratios of different blood cells counts with pneumonia and severe pneumonia in cerebral hemorrhage patients. We carried 1 retrospective study including 200 patients with cerebral hemorrhage and surgeries. The associations of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets, systemic immune inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with pneumonia and severe pneumonia in cerebral hemorrhage patients were estimated by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression model. Among the 200 patients included, there were a total of 163 (81.5%) had pneumonia after surgeries. Among 163 cerebral hemorrhage patients with pneumonia, 60 (36.8%) cases were evaluated as severe pneumonia. The level of SIRI on the 1st postoperative day in patients with severe pneumonia was higher than non-severe pneumonia (10.89 ± 12.10 × 109/L vs 7.14 ± 9.76 × 109/L, P = .003). The level of SIRI on the 3rd postoperative day in patients with severe pneumonia was more significantly higher (7.98 ± 7.46 × 109/L vs 4.10 ± 3.74 × 109/L, P < .001). The results of multivariate analysis showed that SIRI level on the 3rd postoperative day (>6.5 × 109/L) was associated with severe pneumonia in cerebral hemorrhage patients (OR: 4.409, 95% CI: 1.799-10.806, P = .001). SIRI was possibly a superior predictor for severe pneumonia in cerebral hemorrhage patients compared with other inflammatory indicators. On the one hand, we intend to validate the cutoff value of SIRI for predicting severe pneumonia in larger samples and multicenter studies. On the other hand, we also intend to use this index to guide the choice of antibacterial drugs in order to better benefit patients.

Ferroptosis inhibition attenuates inflammatory response in mice with acute hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Ferroptosis is involved in developing inflammatory diseases; yet, its role in acute hypertriglyceridemic pancreatitis (HTGP) remains unclear. AIM: To explore whether ferroptosis is involved in the process of HTGP and elucidate its potential mechanisms. METHODS: An HTGP mouse model was induced using intraperitoneal injection of P-407 and caerulein (CAE). Then, pancreatic tissues from the model animals were subjected to proteome sequencing analysis. The pathological changes and scores of the pancreas, lung, and kidney were determined using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The levels of serum amylase (AMY), triglyceride, and total cholesterol were measured with an automatic blood cell analyzer. Additionally, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), and Fe2+ were detected in the pancreas. Finally, immunohistochemistry was performed to assess the expression of ferroptosis-related proteins. RESULTS: Proteome sequencing revealed that ferroptosis was involved in the process of HTGP and that NADPH oxidase (NOX) 2 may participate in ferroptosis regulation. Moreover, the levels of serum AMY, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß were significantly increased, MDA and Fe2+ were upregulated, GSH and ferroptosis-related proteins were reduced, and the injury of the pancreas, lung, and kidney were aggravated in the P407 + CAE group compared to CAE and wild type groups (all P < 0.05). Notably, the inhibition of ferroptosis and NOX2 attenuated the pathological damage and the release of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß in the serum of the mice. CONCLUSION: Ferroptosis was found to have an important role in HTGP and may be considered a potential target for clinical treatment.

Computer Tomography (CT)-based Screening of Hospitalized Patients with Moderate to Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Complicated by Bronchiectasis Phenotype During Acute Exacerbation: A Clinical Analysis.

BACKGROUND: In the past, many experts considered chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and bronchiectasis to be separate, chronic respiratory diseases. Nonetheless, the widespread use of high-resolution lung computed tomography (CT) has led to the discovery that these diseases can occur alone or together. AIM: The current study aimed to compare the effects of nutritional status on the clinical outcomes in moderate to severe COPD patients with bronchiectasis. OBJECTIVE: This study identifies the nutritional risk in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COPD complicated by bronchiectasis phenotype during acute exacerbation screened using computer tomography (CT). Also, determines its correlation with disease progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NRS 2002 (Nutrition Risk Screening Evaluation Tool) was used to determine and evaluate the nutritional risk status in 182 hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COPD complicated by bronchiectasis phenotype during an acute exacerbation. Selected patients were divided into the nutritional risk (NR) group and the non-nutritional risk (NNR) group according to their nutritional status determined by NRS 2002. The body mass index (BMI), serum albumin (ALB), pre albumin (PAB), lymphocyte count (TLC), FEV1/FVC, FEV1% predicted, PEF% predicted, blood gas analysis, number of acute exacerbations in the past year, number of respiratory failure cases, number of anti-infection days, and length of hospitalization of the two groups were observed. RESULTS: The hospitalized patients in acute exacerbation of moderate to severe COPD complicated by bronchiectasis phenotype had a nutritional risk of 62.64%. BMI, ALB, PAB, TLC, FEV1% predicted, FEV1/FVC, PEF% predicted, blood gas analysis, number of acute exacerbations in the past year, number of respiratory failure cases, number of anti-infection days, and length of hospitalization were statistically significantly different between the NR group and NNR group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COPD complicated by bronchiectasis phenotype during acute exacerbation are often associated with nutritional risk. An increase in nutritional risk reduces the level of pulmonary function of the patient and elevates the risk for repeated acute exacerbations, which predispose the patient to respiratory failure, thereby increasing the length of hospitalization. Therefore, the nutritional risk status of COPD patients with bronchiectasis was closely related to the occurrence, development, and prognosis of the disease.

Analysis of volatile compounds by GCMS reveals their rice cultivars.

Due to the similarity in the grain and difference in the market value among many rice varieties, deliberate mislabeling and adulteration has become a serious problem. To check the authenticity, we aimed to discriminate rice varieties based on their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) composition by headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The VOC profiles of Wuyoudao 4 from nine sites in Wuchang were compared to 11 rice cultivar from other regions. Multivariate analysis and unsupervised clustering showed an unambiguous distinction between Wuchang rice and non-Wuchang rice. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) demonstrated a goodness of fit of 0.90 and a goodness of prediction of 0.85. The discriminating ability of volatile compounds is also supported by Random forest analysis. Our data revealed eight biomarkers including 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) that can be used for variation identification. Taken together, the current method can readily distinguish Wuchang rice from other varieties which it holds great potential in checking the authenticity of rice.

Risk of esophageal cancer in diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

OBJECTIVE: Inconsistent findings from observational studies have prolonged the controversy over the effects of history of diabetes mellitus (DM) on the risk of esophageal cancer (EC). We conducted a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies to evaluate the association of a history of DM with the risk of EC. METHODS: We identified studies by a literature search of MEDLINE (from 1 January 1966) and EMBASE (from 1 January 1974), through 28 Feburary 2011, and by searching the reference lists of pertinent articles. Summary relative risks (SRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a random-effects model. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies (6 case-control studies and 11 cohort studies) fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Compared with non-diabetic individuals, diabetic individuals had a modestly increased risk of EC (SRRs 1.30, 95% CI: 1.12-1.50), with significant heterogeneity among studies (p = 0.042). In stratified analysis, the SRRs of EC were 1.28 (1.10-1.49) for diabetic men and 1.07 (95% CI, 0.71-1.62) for diabetic women, respectively. In addition, DM was associated with an increased risk of esophageal adenocarcinoma (SRR 2.12, 95% CI 1.01-4.46). There was no significant publication bias (p = 0.127 for Begg's adjusted rank correlation test and p = 0.629 for Egger's regression test). CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis that men with diabetes may have a modestly increased risk of EC, while diabetic women were not the case.

[Study on the method of nanometer-size zirconium dioxide enrichment separation and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry determination of trace barium(II) in water].

Monoclinic fusiform zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal method, a method was established based on monoclinic fusiform nanometer-sized ZrO2 enrichment separation, and trace barium in water was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The detection limit for Ba(II) was 0.007 ng x mL(-1), and the relative standard deviation was 0.13% (n = 11). The optimal enrichment separation conditions of nanometer-sized ZrO2 for Ba(II) were studied in detail, it was found that the percentage of adsorbed Ba(II) was more than 99% under pH 10.0 and 2 mL 0.5 mol x L(-1) HCl was sufficient for elution of Ba(II) by more than 98%. The static adsorption capacity of ZrO2 to Ba(II) was 196.6 microg x g(-1) and enrichment factor was 250. Properties of nanometer-sized ZrO2 were discussed through regeneration experiment and effects of co-existing ions and contrast experiment to ordinary ZrO2, adsorption properties of nanometer-sized ZrO2 were applied to real samples in the analysis of Ba(II) and the determination was carried out by ICP-MS with satisfactory results.

Diabetes mellitus and increased risk of biliary tract cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological evidences indicate that diabetic individuals may have an increased risk of several cancers; however, the relationships between diabetes and risk of cancers of biliary tract or its subsites remain unclear. METHODS: To provide a quantitative assessment of this relationship, we identified studies by a literature search of Medline (from 1 January 1966) and EMBASE (from 1 January 1974), through 31 July 2010, and by searching the reference lists of pertinent articles. Summary relative risks with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were calculated with a random-effect model. RESULTS: Analysis of 21 studies (8 case-control and 13 cohort studies) found that diabetes was associated with an increased risk of biliary tract cancer, compared with no diabetes (summary RRs = 1.43, 95% CI = 1.18-1.72), with significant heterogeneity among studies (p = 0.001). The positive association was also found between diabetes and risk of gallbladder cancer or extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, but not cancer of ampulla of Vater. No significant publication bias was found. CONCLUSION: These findings strongly support the link between diabetes and increased risk of cancer of biliary tract and its subsites: gallbladder cancer or extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, but not cancer of ampulla of Vater.

Predicting factors of tumor progression in adult patients with low-grade glioma within five years after surgery.

BACKGROUND: Glioma is the most common primary intracranial tumor with the worst prognosis whose 5-year mortality rate is second only to pancreatic cancer and lung cancer among systemic tumors. WHO divides gliomas into grades I to IV, with grades I and II as low grades. Low-grade gliomas tend to occur in people between the ages of 30 and 40, who usually have the characteristics of well-differentiated, slow growth, and low invasiveness. Timely diagnosis and surgery are the main treatment strategies for low-grade gliomas. The current ideal treatment represents the MST reaching average seven years. However, many patients relapse with adverse outcomes. It's important to identify high-risk patients by predicting factors in adult patients with low-grade glioma. METHODS: A total of 287 patients who were treated in our hospital from February 2011 to May 2015 were included in the final analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The patients were divided into progression-free groups and progression groups according to the results of 5-year follow-up after surgery by information like patients' baseline data, surgical data, postoperative follow-up data. The ROC was used to analyze the greatest quantitative treatment boundary value and distinguish high and low risk. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze risk factors' predictive value for patients' postoperative results. RESULTS: The results of 5-year follow-up showed 122 cases (42.5%) had no progression (progression-free group), 165 cases (57.5%) had progression (progression group). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that age older than 50 (OR =1.42, P=0.013), partial resection of tumor (OR =1.86, P=0.027), tumor diameter larger than 5 cm (OR =1.85, P=0.022) and long-term statins treatment before surgery (OR =0.36, P=0.036) were closely associated with tumor progression. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed patients aged older than 50, partial resection of the tumor, a tumor diameter larger than 5 cm whose results were poor, while long-term statins treatment before surgery had a better prognosis within the 5-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients aged older than 50, partial resection of the tumor, tumor diameter larger than 5 cm and long-term statins treatment before surgery were closely related to the prognosis after surgery.

Cochlear implantation in children with white matter lesions: Prediction of hearing outcomes by multiple regression analysis.

ABSTRACT: Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) white matter lesions have been reported in some preoperative cochlear implant children. However, the role of white matter lesions in predicting the hearing outcome is yet unclear. The present study investigated the outcomes of cochlear implantation (CI) in 40 children with white matter lesions.The data from children with white matter lesions were reviewed in this retrospective study. Based on brain MRI, the patients were divided into 3 groups: mild, moderate, and severe. The children were treated with unilateral CI and monitored for a follow-up period of at least 3 years. The main outcome measures were category of auditory performance (CAP) and speech intelligibility rating (SIR). MRI white matter lesions, age at implant, gender, physical impairment, and cognitive impairment were obtained from a research database to assess the correlation with long-term CAP and SIR outcome by multiple regression analysis.The data of children with white matter lesions were reviewed (18 females and 23 males). The mean age at implantation was 31.6 months. Strikingly, all children obtained better CAP and SIR scores. The age at implantation, brain white matters lesions on MRI, and cognitive and physical disabilities were associated with CAP and SIR scores. Multiple regression established a weak correlation between the degree of white matter lesions on brain MRI and long-term CAP and SIR, while cognitive impairment strongly accounted for long-term CAP and SIR outcome.The majority of the children with brain white matter lesions obtained a satisfactory postoperative effect. The cognitive impairment before CI is a major factor, and such factor should be considered.

Association of circulating long non-coding RNA MALAT1 in diagnosis, disease surveillance, and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke.

We aimed to investigate the association of long non-coding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (lnc-MALAT1) with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and its association with disease severity, inflammation, and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in AIS patients. One hundred and twenty AIS patients and 120 controls were recruited. Venous blood samples from AIS patients (within 24 h after symptoms onset) and controls (at entry to study) were collected to detect plasma lnc-MALAT1 expression by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. AIS severity was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score. Plasma concentrations of inflammation factors (including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, and IL-22) were measured and RFS was calculated. lnc-MALAT1 expression was decreased in AIS patients compared to controls, and it had a close correlation with AIS (AUC=0.791, 95% CI: 0.735-0.846). For disease condition, lnc-MALAT1 expression negatively correlated with NIHSS score and pro-inflammatory factor expression (including CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-22), while it positively correlated with anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 expression. Furthermore, lnc-MALAT1 expression was elevated in AIS patients with diabetes. For prognosis, no statistical correlation of lnc-MALAT1 expression with RFS was found, while a trend for longer RFS was observed in patients with lnc-MALAT1 high expression compared to those with lnc-MALAT1 low expression.