[Clinical characteristics and surgical management outcomes of glaucoma secondary to congenital ectropion uveae: a preliminary analysis of penetrating Schlemm's canaloplasty].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of glaucoma secondary to congenital ectropion uveae (CEU) using penetrating Schlemm's canaloplasty. Methods: This was a retrospective case series study. Medical records of patients diagnosed with glaucoma secondary to CEU and undergoing penetrating Schlemm's canaloplasty at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between August 2020 and December 2021 were collected. Clinical characteristics including the extent and location of iris ectropion, type of glaucoma, were analyzed. Follow-up visits were conducted at 1, 3, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), anterior segment and fundus condition, filtering bleb morphology, use of IOP-lowering medications, ultrasound biomicroscopy results, and other indicators were analyzed to summarize surgical outcomes. Results: Six cases (6 eyes) of glaucoma secondary to CEU were included, all unilateral, with 3 left eyes and 3 right eyes; median age was 10.0 (5.3, 28.8) years; including 3 males and 3 females. Preoperative IOP was (31.7±10.0) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and the preoperative number of IOP-lowering medications used was 2.0 (2.0, 3.2). The extent of iris ectropion in the 6 cases ranged from 270 ° to 360 °, with peripheral anterior synechiae corresponding to the location of iris ectropion, and angle closure with the degree of synechiae extending beyond Schwalbe's line. No surgical complications occurred in any of the 6 cases postoperatively. At 1 month postoperatively, the IOP was (16.4±3.2) mmHg, with a median of 0.0 (0.0, 1.5) medications used. At 3 months postoperatively, the IOP was (14.8±6.0) mmHg, with a median of 0.0 (0.0, 2.2) medications used. At 6 months postoperatively, the IOP was (18.1±6.1) mmHg, with a median of 0.0 (0.0, 0.5) medications used. Among them, 5 patients had a follow-up period of 1 year postoperatively, all achieving controlled IOP without the use of IOP-lowering medications, with an average IOP of (15.5±3.1) mmHg. No obvious filtering bleb formation was observed at the surgical site in all patients. Conclusions: Glaucoma secondary to CEU manifests primarily as closed-angle glaucoma, with a correspondence between the closure range of anterior iris adhesions in the angle and the extent of iris ectropion. Penetrating Schlemm's canaloplasty demonstrates favorable and stable efficacy for its treatment.

[Epidemiological characteristics of human adenovirus 2, 3 and 7 genetypes in hospitalized children with respiratory infection in a hospital of pediatric in Hebei Province from 2018 to 2020].

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of human adenovirus (HADV) 2, 3 and 7 in hospitalized children with respiratory infection. Methods: A total of 25 686 children with respiratory infection hospitalized at Children's Hospital of Hebei Province from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively included.Deep sputum or nasopharyngeal aspirates of those children were collected. Then thirteen common respiratory pathogens were detected by multiplex PCR. 510 HADV positive specimens were randomly selected via random number and classified for type 2, 3 and 7 using a multiplex real-time quantitative PCR. SPSS 21.0 software was used to perform all of the statistical analyses. Enumeration data were expressed by frequency and percentage. χ2 test was used for comparison between groups. Results: The HADV-positive rate was 7.99% (2 052/25 686). Children at age 3-<6 years had the highest HADV-positive rate (11.44%). The HADV-positive rate in 2019 was highest (10.64%). Among the 510 HADV-positive specimens, the proportion of type 3 was the highest (31.16%), followed by type 7 (21.37%) and type 2 (11.18%). The rate of type 2 in 2019 was significantly lower than that in 2018 and 2020 (χ2=8.954 and 16.354; P=0.003 and <0.01), while the rate of type 3 was significantly higher than that in 2018 and 2020 (χ2=5.248 and 4.811; P=0.022 and 0.028). The rate of type 2, type 3 and type 7 were lowest in winter, spring and autumn, respectively. The rate of type 2 increased significantly in autumn and the rate of type 3 and type 7 increased significantly in winter.The co-detection rate of HADV with other respiratory pathogens was 43.33%(221/510). Among, the co-detection rate of type 3 was highest (47.32%), and the co-detection rate of type 2, 3 and 7 was significantly higher than the alone detection rate (χ2=20.438, P<0.01; χ2=42.105, P<0.01; χ2=27.573, P<0.01).The proportion of severe pneumonia in children with type 7 positive (15.89%) was higher than that in children with non-type 7 positive (8.23%) (χ2=5.260, P=0.022). Conclusion: HADV is one of the important pathogens of children with respiratory infection in Children's Hospital of Hebei Province. The susceptible population of HADV is preschool children aged 3 to 6 years. HADV often co-detects with other respiratory pathogens. Type 3 and 7 is likely to be the dominant genotypes in this region, and type 7 may be one of the risk factors of severe pneumonia in children.

Deep Underground Laboratory Measurement of

The ^{13}C(α,n)^{16}O reaction is the main neutron source for the slow-neutron-capture process in asymptotic giant branch stars and for the intermediate process. Direct measurements at astrophysical energies in above-ground laboratories are hindered by the extremely small cross sections and vast cosmic-ray-induced background. We performed the first consistent direct measurement in the range of E_{c.m.}=0.24 to 1.9 MeV using the accelerators at the China Jinping Underground Laboratory and Sichuan University. Our measurement covers almost the entire intermediate process Gamow window in which the large uncertainty of the previous experiments has been reduced from 60% down to 15%, eliminates the large systematic uncertainty in the extrapolation arising from the inconsistency of existing datasets, and provides a more reliable reaction rate for the studies of the slow-neutron-capture and intermediate processes along with the first direct determination of the alpha strength for the near-threshold state.

[The association between single nucleotide polymorphism of interleukin-1ß gene rs1143627 site and susceptibility to active tuberculosis].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL-1ß gene and susceptibility to tuberculosis. Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Shenzhen Third People's Hospital from January 2012 to December 2014. A total of 1 533 patients with active tuberculosis were enrolled, including 1 432 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis[920 males and 512 females, mean age (37±14) years] and 101 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis [60 males and 41 females, mean age (35±13) years]. At the same time, 1 445 healthy controls (882 males and 563 females, mean age (37±20) years) were selected. The genotypes of rs1143627, rs1143623, rs16944 and rs2853550 of IL-1ß gene were detected by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The allele frequencies of rs1143627 T>C (-31) were compared between patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and those with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Fifty-three patients with active tuberculosis [male 32, female 21, mean age (37±15) years] were randomly selected, and the correlation between SNP alleles and tuberculosis severity was analyzed before and after treatment. Results: Time-of-flight mass spectrometry effectively detected the genotypes of 4 SNP loci. Among the 4 SNP loci, only the allele frequency of -31 locus was significantly different between the active tuberculosis group and the control group. The allele frequency of rs1143627 T locus in active tuberculosis group was 53.3%(1 634/3 066), which was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group 48.7%(1 407/2 890; OR=1.20, 95%CI=1.09-1.33, P=0.001 6) .The frequencies of the other 3 SNP alleles were not significantly different between the active tuberculosis group and the control group. The frequencies of the other 3 SNP alleles were 59% (1 821/3 066) and 60% (1 732/2 890) for rs1143623 G allele, 51% (1 574/3 066) and 52% (1 499/2 890) for rs16944 G allele, and 64% (1 964/3 066) and 65% (1 875/2 890) for rs2853550 T allele respectively. Stratified analysis showed that the frequency of the -31 T allele in patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis (62.9%, 127/202) was significantly higher than that in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (52.6%,1 507/2 864) (OR=1.53; 95% CI=1.13-2.05; P=0.005).The HRCT scores of patients with rs1143627 TT, TC and CC genotypes were 26.6, 13.9 and 13.3 respectively before anti-tuberculosis treatment, and after 2 years of anti-tuberculosis treatment, the HRCT scores of patients with rs1143627 TT, TC and CC genotypes were 14.7, 6.6 and 5.4 respectively, which indicated that TB patients with rs1143627T allele were associated with more severe pulmonary disease. Conclusion: The SNP of IL-1ß-31T>C was associated with susceptibility to active tuberculosis, and T allele was the susceptible gene and individuals carrying T allele were more likely to develop extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Krüppel-like factor KLF9 inhibits chicken intramuscular preadipocyte differentiation.

1. Poultry meat quality is affected by many factors, among which intramuscular fat (IMF) is predominant. IMF content affects tenderness, juiciness and flavour of meat. Krüppel-like transcriptional factors (KLFs) are important regulators of adipocyte differentiation. However, little is known about the KLF9 gene associated with poultry IMF deposition, especially intramuscular adipocyte differentiation.2. Previous work has shown that chicken KLF9 was differentially expressed during adipogenesis of intramuscular preadipocytes differentiation. In this study, the function of KLF9 in chicken intramuscular preadipocytes differentiation was investigated.3. In the chicken preadipocyte differentiation model, KLF9 expression showed a major increase with adipogenic induction. Overexpression of KLF9 down-regulated the expression of the adipogenic marker gene AP2, and impaired triglyceride accumulation. Knockdown of KLF9 in chicken intramuscular preadipocytes increased the expression of PPARG, CEBPA and AP2. In addition, it was proposed that KLF9 may regulate adipogenesis via lncRNAs NONGGAT002209.2, NONGGAT003346.2, NONGGAT000436.2 and NONGGAT006302.2 in chicken.4. The data supported a novel role of KLF9 in regulating chicken intramuscular preadipocyte differentiation. Such findings may contribute to a more thorough understanding of chicken IMF deposition and the improvement of poultry meat quality.

[A preliminary study of resting-state fMRI in patients with diarrhea-type irritable bowel syndrome after pinaverium bromide combined treatment with flupentixol-melitracen].

Objective: To observe the difference of brain activity in patients with diarrhea-type irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) treated with pinaverium bromide (PB) combined with flupentixol-melitracen (FM), and to explore the mechanism of efficacy of combined with anxiolytic/antidepressant drugs in IBS-D patients at the central level, using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods: Forty-eight patients with IBS-D, including 28 males, 20 females, mean age 22-48 (33±7) years, were selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University from October 2015 to October 2018.All patients with IBS-D underwent rs-fMRI scans before and after receiving either PB (basic treatment group, n=16), PB combined with FM (combination therapy group, n=16), or no medication (no treatment group, n=16). Rs-fMRI regional homogeneity (ReHo) parameter among the three groups of patients were compared using One-way ANOVA analysis and post analysis.Partial correlation and mediation analyses were performed on ReHo values and the improvement of symptoms scores (gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS) and hospital anxiety/depression scale (HAD)) in the two medicated groups. Results: No significant differences in ReHo values were observed among the three groups before treatment. Compared with patients on no-medication, patients receiving either PB or PB-FM showed decreased ReHo in the striatum, insular lobe, medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC) and subcallosal gyrus, and increased ReHo in the occipital cortex. In particular, the combined treatment group showed more extensive decreased ReHo in the left thalamus and left temporal pole, and increased in the left precuneus. Compared with the basic treatment group, the combined treatment group showed decreased ReHo in the right putamen, right insula, right MPFC and subcallosal gyrus, and increased ReHo in the left precuneus. In addition, the combined treatment group demonstrated a positive correlation between ReHo values in the left thalamus and the improvement of HAD score (r=0.653, P=0.011) , and a negative correlation between ReHo values in left precuneus and the improvement of GSRS and HAD score (r=-0.771, P=0.001; r=-0.716, P=0.004). ReHo values in the left precuneus were observed to mediate between gastrointestinal symptoms and anxiety-depressive symptoms in the combined treatment group. Conclusions: The efficacy of PB combined with FM is superior to PB alone in the treatment of IBS. In addition to more extensive changes in pain-related brain areas, IBS-D patients treated with anxiolytic/antidepressant also show changes in default network and brain areas related to emotional regulation, and are associated with improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms, anxiety and depression.

[Application of mixed reality real-time navigation combined with 3D visualization in complicated hepatectomy].

Objective: To explore the application value of mixed-reality (MR) navigation combined with three-dimensional visualization technique in complicated hepatectomy. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of fifty patients with complex liver cancer who underwent liver resection in the Department of hepatobiliary surgery of Nantong Tumor Hospital during September 2015 to October 2017 was conducted. These patients were randomly divided into control group and experimental group, including 22 cases in the experimental group, using three-dimensional visualization technique for preoperative assessment, and MR surgery intraoperative navigation technology, and 28 cases in the control group, in which the three-dimensional visualization technique and the MR navigation were not performed. The surgeons of the two groups were the same. The preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative indexes of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results: There was no significant difference in preoperative indexes. But in the intraoperative indexes, the operation time [(82.3±10.4) min vs (96.6±22.7) min] and hepatic portal blocking time [(12.2±3.8) min VS (15.8±4.2) min] of the experimental group were significantly shorter than those of the control group, meanwhile, the amount of intraoperative bleeding [(486.4±118.5) ml vs (567.2±142.8) ml] and the volume of intraoperative blood transfusion of [(1.8±0.2) U vs (2.5±0.6) U] were significantly decreased. These differences were statistically significant. In the postoperatively, the total incidence of postoperative complications (4/22 vs 13/28) of the experimental group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: In complicated hepatectomy, MR intraoperative navigation combined with three-dimensional visualization technique which used for preoperative assessment can significantly shorten operation time, hepatic portal blocking time, significantly reduce intraoperative blood loss and transfusion volume, and significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative total complications, which is of clinical value.

[Study on the correlation between small intestinal dendritic cells and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice].

Objective: To preliminary, explore the effect of small intestinal epithelial dendritic cells on the occurrence and development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. Methods: Thirty-two (half male and half female) 4-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups. The mice were fed with normal diet (SD group) and high-fat diet (HFD group). Eight mice (half male and half female) were randomly killed from each group over the 14 and 20-weeks feeding period to observe their body weight, liver and small-intestine wet weight. Alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood glucose, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total cholesterol and triglyceride were determined by eyeball blood samples. Pathological diagnosis and alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score were collected. The number of mice small intestinal dendritic cells was observed under a microscope. Statistical analysis was performed to compare two groups of independent samples with homogeneity test of variance, t test, and covariance analysis. Results: The body weight, liver wet weight, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase of mice in HFD group were significantly higher than those of control group at 20 weeks (P < 0.05), and the serum high density lipoprotein of mice in HFD group was significantly higher than that of SD group at 14 weeks (P < 0.05). At 14th weeks, the liver tissue of mice in HFD group had early pathological manifestations of hepatitis (fatty degeneration, punctate necrosis and balloon-like degeneration). Of which 87.5% (7/8) of them were diagnosed as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, while only a few mice in SD group had early pathological manifestations of hepatitis. At 20th weeks, all mice in HFD group were diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, while none of the mice in SD group was diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. At both time points, the percentage of small intestinal dendritic cells in HFD group was significantly higher than that in SD group (14 weeks: 4.181 ± 4.314 vs. 15.099 ± 10.349; 20 weeks: 9.615 ± 8.267 vs. 32.839 ± 24.475, both P < 0.05). Statistical analysis combined with the alcoholic fatty liver disease activity score showed that there was no linear correlation between the two groups (regression coefficient was 20.196%). Conclusion: The number and different staging of small intestinal dendritic cells in mice is associated with the occurrence and development of NAFLD.

[Regional homogeneity in the patients of irritable bowel syndrome complicated with depression: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study].

Objective: To explore the changes of the brain regional homogeneity (ReHo) in the patients of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) complicated with depression by using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) and to investigate the relation between abnormal brain function and depression in those patients. Methods: A total of 35 patients with IBS were included in this study, collected in Gastroenterology Department of Affiliated Hospital of Hangzhou Normal University from June 2015 to June 2017.According to Hamilton's Depression Scale (HAMD)-17 score, the IBS patients was divided into two groups: IBS with depression group, 21 cases and non-depression group, 14 cases.Thirty-six healthy controls were recruited at the mean time (gender, age and years of education were matched with the patients). Rs-fMRI and 3D T1 data were acquired with 3.0 T scanners.For all subjects, ReHo, a method measuring the synchronism of regional spontaneous activities, was calculated and one-way ANOVA was performed to assess the group effects.For those regions with significant group effects, correlation between ReHo values and GSRS and HAMD scores was analyzed too. Results: Significant group effects were found in multiple regions: the right pons, the left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG)/fusiform, the left superior temporal gyrus (STG)/temporal pole, the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), the right middle occipital gyrus (MOG), the right caudate nucleus, the left posterior cingulate cortex/precuneus (pCC/pC), the left postcentral gyrus, the right inferior parietal lobule (IPF). Compared with control group, all the two patient groups had increased ReHo values in the left pCC/pC, the right IPF, the left postcentral gyrus and the left STG/temporal pole; all the two patient groups had decreased ReHo values in the right MOG and the right IFG.Compared with non-depression group, depression group had increased ReHo values in the right caudate nucleus, and decreased ReHo values in the right pons, the left pCC/pC, the right IPF, the left postcentral gyrus.Particularly, there was no significant difference in the ReHo value in the right caudate nucleus between the control group and the non-depressed IBS group.In the depression group, significantly positive correlations were observed between ReHo values and HAMD scores in the left pCC/pC (r=0.599, P=0.011), and significantly positive correlations were observed between ReHo values and GSRS in the left postcentral gyrus (r=0.547, P=0.023). Conclusions: IBS patients have abnormal ReHo regions in default network and pain regulation-associated brain area.IBS with depressed patients has its own characteristics in the brain regions which related with pain perception and self-regulation.IBS could has an abnormal self-regulation of visceral pain, which is associated with the occurrence of depression.Depression can aggravate the disorders of pain perception and other functions of IBS patients.

[Research on the relationship between atmospheric inhalable particulate matter and cardiovascular diseases burden in Tianjin].

Objective: To evaluate the association between atmospheric inhalable particulate matter (PM(10)) concentration and cardiovascular diseases burden in Tianjin. Methods: The data on daily mean concentrations of main pollutants (PM(10), nitrogen dioxide(NO(2)) and sulfur dioxide(SO(2))), meteorological factors (temperature and relative humidity) and population death monitoring data in Tianjin, from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2010, were collected and analyzed in this study. The death counts and years of life lost were simultaneously used as the indicators of disease burden. The generalized additive model was used to assess the associations between PM(10) and daily death counts and years of life lost due to cardiovascular system diseases in Tianjin by adjusting the confounding factors such as long-term trend, seasons, meteorological factors and other factors related to the long-term variability. Results: The daily average concentration of PM(10) was 117.6 µg/m³ in Tianjin during 2001 to 2011. The daily average number of deaths of cardiovascular system diseases, cerebrovascular diseases and ischemic heart diseases in Tianjin were 38.4, 14.8 and 17.2 people respectively, and the daily average years of life lost were 776.8, 306.5 and 326.1 person years respectively. The effects of PM(10) on the daily death counts of the three diseases categories were statistically significant (all P<0.01) in Tianjin and the maximum effect occurs at the moment when PM(1)0 was at moving average concentration of today and lagged 1-day (Lag01). The effects of decreasing order were ischemic heart diseases, cardiovascular system diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, excess risks were 0.53% (95% CI 0.35%-0.71%), 0.40% (95%CI 0.28%-0.53%) and 0.38% (95%CI 0.19%-0.56%). The effects of atmospheric PM(10) on the years of life lost of the three diseases were also statistically significant on the different lag days (all P<0.01) in Tianjin and the maximum effect of PM(10) appeared in Lag01. The effects from the largest to the lowest were 2.86 (95%CI 1.79-3.93) person years for cardiovascular system diseases, 1.59 (95%CI 0.95-2.23) person years for ischemic heart diseases and 1.07 (95%CI 0.43-1.71) person years for cerebrovascular diseases, respectively. In multi-pollutant models, after controlling SO(2), the effect of PM(10) on the daily life loss of above 3 kinds of diseases was higher than that of single pollutant model. In contrast, after controlling SO(2) or SO(2) with NO(2), the effect was lower. After controlling NO(2), the effect of PM(10) on the daily life loss of cerebrovascular disease was no longer statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: Exposure to atmospheric PM(10) can significantly increase the cardiovascular diseases burden in Tianjin, especially for ischemic heart diseases. These results suggested that particular attention should be paid to reduce the exposure to atmospheric inhalable particulate matter for patients with ischemic heart diseases.

[Study on the Specific Complexation of GMDTC and Metal Ion].

Objective: Study the response of GMDTC to cadmium ions and metal ions in vivo to determine whether GMDTC are specifically complexed with cadmium ions to provide a reference for the safety and dfficacy of GMDTC. Methods: Complexometric titration, HPLC and HPLC-MS were applied to research the complexation reaction of GMDTC and various metal ions. The molecular ion peak of GMDTC, GMDTC-Cd complex and GMDTC-Pb complex also detected by LC-MS. Additionally, the initial structure was determined by DFT simulation method. Results: Results of complexometric titration and HPLC detection showed that GMDTC characteristic absorption peak area was proportional to the concentration of itself and there was no color change and peak time change when the GMDTC mixed with Ca(2+), Fe(2+), Mg(2+), Zn(2+). However, the color changed to black transition when the GMDTC mixed with Cu(2+) and the color changed from yellow precipitate to light yellow transparent transition when GMDTC mix with Hg(2+). Moreover, the peak area as well as the retention time has changed a lot which indicated that a chemical reaction has already happened. When the GMDTC mixed with Cd(2+) and Pb(2+), the color has changed from pale yellow to colorless transparent and the peak area of GMDTC has increased a lot. Finally, the GMDTC-Cd complex ratio both of which are 2:1 were calculated based on the results of LC-MS instrument and atomic calculations. Conclusion: The specific cadmium chelating agent GMDTC can not react with the Ca(2+), Fe(2+), Mg(2+), Zn(2+), but it can react chemically with Cu(2+) and Hg(2+), even specific complex with Pb(2+) and Cd(2+).

MiR-646 inhibited cell proliferation and EMT-induced metastasis by targeting FOXK1 in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: MiR-646 has been reported to be aberrantly expressed in human cancers. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of action of miR-646 in gastric cancer (GC) have not yet been investigated. METHODS: In vitro function of miR-646 in GC was evaluated using EdU assay, plate colony formation assay, and matrigel invasion assay. Real-time PCR or western blotting was performed to detect miR-646 and FOXK1 expressions. In vivo tumour growth and metastasis were conducted in nude mice. RESULTS: MiR-646 expression was downregulated in GC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Low miR-646 expression is associated with malignant progression. Transient transfection of GC cells with miR-646 inhibited their growth and migration. Moreover, miR-646 influenced the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-associated proteins. TGF-ß1 treatment significantly suppressed the expression of miR-646 and overexpression of this microRNA counteracted the influence of the TGF-ß1-induced EMT phenotype. In terms of the underlying mechanism, miR-646 directly targeted FOXK1. In vivo, it inhibited the FOXK1-mediated proliferation and EMT-induced metastasis. Consistently, inverse correlations were also observed between the expression of miR-646 and FOXK1 in human GC tissue samples. Furthermore, miR-646 regulated Akt/mTOR signalling after FOXK1. CONCLUSIONS: miR-646 inhibited GC cell proliferation and the EMT progression in GC cells by targeting FOXK1.

Validation of a nomogram for selecting patients for chemotherapy after D2 gastrectomy for cancer.

BACKGROUND: According to some guidelines for the management of gastric cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for patients with pT3-4 or node-positive disease. The aim of this study was to define low- and high-risk groups in terms of survival, and to predict the benefit of adjuvant fluoropyrimidine plus oxaliplatin (F-OX) chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients with pT3-4 or node-positive gastric cancer after gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy between 2000 and 2013 were included. The performance of a previously published nomogram was assessed by discrimination and calibration. Patients were stratified into risk groups on the basis of the nomogram-predicted overall survival probability. The efficacy of F-OX within each risk subgroup was assessed using the log rank test and Cox regression analysis weighted by inverse propensity score. RESULTS: Some 1464 patients were included. The nomogram showed better discrimination than the seventh AJCC staging classification (concordance index 0·72 versus 0·68 respectively; P = 0·008) and accurate calibration. F-OX was not associated with improved survival in patients in the low-risk group, whereas it reduced the risk of death by over 20 per cent in the intermediate- and high-risk groups (P = 0·036 and P < 0·001 respectively) (P for interaction = 0·014). CONCLUSION: A nomogram can aid in individualized decision-making regarding the administration of F-OX after gastrectomy for cancer.

Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in patients with liver disease in eastern China.

The role of the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii in the pathogenesis of liver disease has recently gained much interest. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in patients with liver disease from three cities in Shandong and Henan provinces, China. A case-control study was conducted from December 2014 to November 2015 and included 1142 patients with liver disease and 1142 healthy controls. Serum samples were collected from all individuals and were examined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG and IgM antibodies. Information on the demographics, clinical, and lifestyle characteristics of the participants was collected from the medical records and by the use of a questionnaire. The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG was 19·7% in patients with liver disease compared with 12·17% in the controls. Only 13 patients had anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies compared with 12 control individuals (1·14% vs. 1·05%, respectively). The highest seroprevalence was detected in patients with liver cancer (22·13%), followed by hepatitis patients (20·86%), liver cirrhosis patients (20·42%), and steatosis patients (20%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that consumption of raw meat (odds ratio (OR) = 1·32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1·01-1·71; P = 0·03) and source of drinking water from wells (OR = 1·56; 95% CI 1·08-2·27; P = 0·01) were independent risk factors for T. gondii infection in liver disease patients. These findings indicate that T. gondii infection is more likely to be present in patients with liver disease. Therefore, efforts should be directed toward health education of populations at high risk of T. gondii infection and measures should be taken to protect vulnerable patients with liver disease.

Genetic diversity of mtDNA D-loop sequences in four native Chinese chicken breeds.

1. To explore the genetic diversity of Chinese indigenous chicken breeds, a 585 bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) region was sequenced in 102 birds from the Xichuan black-bone chicken, Yunyang black-bone chicken and Lushi chicken. In addition, 30 mtDNA D-loop sequences of Silkie fowls were downloaded from NCBI. The mtDNA D-loop sequence polymorphism and maternal origin of 4 chicken breeds were analysed in this study. 2. The results showed that a total of 33 mutation sites and 28 haplotypes were detected in the 4 chicken breeds. The haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity of these 4 native breeds were 0.916 ± 0.014 and 0.012 ± 0.002, respectively. Three clusters were formed in 4 Chinese native chickens and 12 reference breeds. Both the Xichuan black-bone chicken and Yunyang black-bone chicken were grouped into one cluster. Four haplogroups (A, B, C and E) emerged in the median-joining network in these breeds. 3. It was concluded that these 4 Chinese chicken breeds had high genetic diversity. The phylogenetic tree and median network profiles showed that Chinese native chickens and its neighbouring countries had at least two maternal origins, one from Yunnan, China and another from Southeast Asia or its surrounding area.

[Correlation study between respiratory death and airborne particles in Beijing: Spatiotemporal analysis based on satellite remote sensing data].

OBJECTIVE: To use vertical and humidity correcting method to calibrate aerosol optical depth (AOD), and to explore the feasibility of calibrated-AOD as exposure index to measure the level of air pollutants from the ground and to establish the exposure-response relationship between calibrated-AOD and people's health outcomes. METHODS: First of all, we interpolated AOD, PM2.5, relative humidity and planetary boundary layer height using Kriging method to obtain data at different locations and matched different data with respiratory death in Beijing by geographical coordinates. Then, the planetary boundary layer height and aerosol hygroscopic growth factor calculated based on relative humidity was used to calbrate the AOD. To compare the effects of calibrated-AOD and PM2.5, we used standardization method to get non dimensionless calibrated-AOD and PM2.5. At last, we used the generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) to estimate the acute effects of calibrated-AOD and PM2.5 on respiratory death and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) death, after controlling the time trend, temperature and humidity effects, days of the week effect and holiday effects. RESULTS: The correlation coefficient between calibrated-AOD and PM2.5 was 0.72. The effects of calibrated-AOD on respiratory death and COPD death was the strongest at lag 0-3, one unit of calibrated-AOD increases was associated with 3.64% (95%CI: 0.58%-6.78%) increase of respiratory death and 4.92% (95%CI: 1.81%-8.14%) increase of COPD death. As for PM2.5, the strongest effects appeared at lag 0-1, one unit of PM2.5 (about 155 µg/m3) increases was associated with excess risks of 3.96% (95%CI: 0.82%-7.19%) and 6.12% (95%CI: 1.44%-11.02%) for respiratory death and COPD death respectively. Compared with PM2.5, the effects of calibrated-AOD on respiratory death and COPD death had narrower confidence intervals. The calibrated-AOD was sensitive to capture the lag effects, and the cumulative lag effects of calibrated-AOD were all significant on multiple lag days which indicated that the calibrated-AOD was sensitive to capture cumulative lag effects of air pollutants on respiratory death and COPD death as well. CONCLUSION: We believe that calibrated-AOD can be used as an index to reflect the effects of air pollutants on respiratory death in Beijing. In the absence of ground monitoring, calibrated-AOD can be used to mea-sure the relationship between air pollutants and some health outcomes.

[Single and reduced port laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer: current status and future perspectives].

For further maximizing the minimally invasive benefits for colorectal cancer patients, laparoscopic surgeons have been dedicating to improve the surgery through single-port (SILES) or natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), which is supported by amount of single-port devices and flexible laparoscopic instruments.Many small sample studies of single institution have suggested that SILES for colorectal cancer has similar oncological outcomes with conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS), could improve the cosmetic results, and is more minimally invasive than CLS. However, evidences of advantages for SILES are limited, because of there has been only 4 published studies of prospective randomized clinical trial so far. Due to the technical difficulties and long learning curves, SILES and NOTES are relatively hard to be widely promoted. Thus, a balance between minimally invasive pursuit and laparoscopic technical challenge should be sought. In this way, modified SILES and reduced-port laparoscopic surgery have emerged in recent years, which might be minimally invasive solutions with lower technical demanding for laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgeries. Adding a port as the surgeon's dominant operation channel improved the collisions or overlapping of instruments with movement to reduce the technical difficulties. SILS+ 1 is safe and feasible, would be supported by more and more evidences.

[A retrospective controlled clinical study of single-incision plus one port laparoscopic surgery for sigmoid colon and upper rectal cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the short-term and oncologic outcomes of single-incision plus one port laparoscopic surgery (SILS+ 1) for sigmoid colon and upper rectal cancer. Methods: The clinic data of 46 patients with sigmoid colon and upper rectal cancer underwent SILS+ 1 at Department of General Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from September 2013 to September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed (SILS+ 1 group). After generating 1∶1 ration propensity scores given the covariates of age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, surgeons, tumor location, the distance of tumor from anal, tumor diameter, and pathologic TNM stage, 46 patients with sigmoid colon and upper rectal cancer underwent conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) in the same time were matched as CLS group. The baseline characteristics and short-term outcomes were compared using t test, χ(2) test or Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Log-rank tests demonstrated the distribution of disease free survival. Results: The two study groups were well balanced with respect to the baseline characteristics of the propensity score derivation model. As compared to the CLS group, patients in SILS+ 1 group had a smaller incision ((6.9±1.1) cm vs. (8.4±1.2) cm, t=6.502, P=0.000), less estimated blood loss (20(11) ml vs. 50(30) ml, Z=2.414, P=0.016), shorter intracorporeal operating time ((67.0±25.8) minutes vs. (75.5±27.7) minutes, t=2.062, P=0.042) and significantly faster recovery course including shorter time to first ambulation ((46.7±20.3) hours vs. (78.6±28.0) hours, t=6.255, P=0.000), shorter time to first oral diet ((64.7±28.8) hours vs. (77.1±30.0) hours, t=2.026, P=0.047), shorter time of postoperative hospital stay ((7.8±2.2) days vs. (6.5±2.2) days, t=2.680, P=0.009), and lower postoperative visual analogue scale scores (F=4.721, P=0.032). No significant difference was observed in total operating time, postoperative morbidity, first time to flatus and defecation, analgesic use, number of retrieved lymph nodes and resection margin. During the median follow-up period of 33 months (ranging from 7 to 39 months) , there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of 3-year disease-free survival (SILS+ 1: 91.3%, CLS: 93.4%, P=1.000). The recurrence rates of SILS+ 1 group and CLS groups were 8.7% (4/46) and 6.5% (3/46), respectively. Conclusion: For experienced CLS surgeons, the SILS+ 1 for sigmoid colon and upper rectal cancer would be easiness, safe and efficient alternative.

CTLA-4 polymorphisms and haplotype correlate with survival in ALL after allogeneic stem cell transplantation from related HLA-haplotype-mismatched donor.

BACKGROUND: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) has been established as an effective treatment for patients with hematological malignancies. Disease relapse remains a major cause of transplant failure. T cell homeostasis is critical to determine the potency of the GVT effect. Recent studies have shown the association of the CTLA-4 polymorphisms with the outcome after HLA-identical sibling allogeneic HSCT. METHODS: In this study, we focused on four CTLA-4 polymorphisms, and analyzed the impact of donor genotypes and haplotypes on the conditions of 152 acute leukemia patients (ALL 83) after related HLA-haplotype- mismatched transplantation. The four SNP genotypes (-1661, -318, CT60 and +49) were determined by TaqMan SNP genotyping assays. RESULTS: ALL recipients of donors with +49 GG showed significantly lower OS (67.7 vs. 90.3 %, P = 0.015) than those with GA+AA. Multivariate analyses showed that +49 GG was an independent risk factor for OS (HR: 0.306, 95 % CI 0.111-0.842, P = 0.022) .23 ALL patients receiving mDLI showed significantly lower OS with +49 GG donor than those with GA+AA (30.0 vs. 83.1 %, P = 0.003). The haplotype analysis revealed only three haplotypes in the donor population -1661/-318/CT60/+49 i.e., ACGG, ACAA and GTGA, the frequencies were 64.1, 19.4 and 16.5 %, respectively. Donors with and without the ACGG/ACGG haplotype had the same effect on transplant outcomes as those with +49 GG and +49 GA+AA. CONCLUSION: In summary, the CTLA-4 +49 GG and the haplotype ACGG/ACGG reduced the overall survival in ALL after allo-HSCT from the related HLA-haplotype-mismatched donor, knowledge of the CTLA-4 polymorphism and haplotype may provide useful information for donor selection and individual application of immunosuppressive agents and immunotherapy.

Prognostic impact of lymph node skip metastasis in Stage III colorectal cancer.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of lymph node skip metastasis (LNSM) in patients with Stage III colorectal cancer. METHOD: Between April 2003 and December 2014, a total of 41 patients with lymph node skip metastasis (skip+) were compared with 86 patients with pericolic lymph node metastases [lymph node distribution (LND)1] and 57 patients with intermediate and/or main lymph node metastasis (LND2+3). All patients had radical D3 lymphadenectomy, performed either laparoscopically or as open surgery. RESULTS: The frequency of pT1-2 stage cancer was significantly higher in the skip+ group than in the LND1 group (26.8% vs 5.8%, P = 0.001). The number of metastatic lymph nodes in the skip+ group was lower than in the LND2+3 group (1.9 ± 1.5 vs 6.5 ± 6.0, P < 0.001). The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) of the skip+, LND1 and LND2+3 groups was 64.8%, 69.7% and 40.1%, respectively (P = 0.008). The 3-year systemic recurrence rates of the skip+, LND1 and LND2+3 groups were 30.2%, 20.3% and 48.1%, respectively; (P = 0.002). Cox regression analysis revealed that preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) of ≥ 5 ng/ml [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.2, P = 0.029], poor differentiation (HR = 3.8, P = 0.001) and skip+ (HR = 0.2, P = 0.021) were independently prognostic factors for DFS. CONCLUSION: The prognosis for the LND1-negative lymph node skip metastasis group was better than for the LND2+3 group and was comparable with that of the LND1 group after radical D3 lymphadenectomy.