Tumor microenvironment characteristics association with clinical outcome in patients with resected intestinal-type gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Tumor microenvironment (TME) characteristics including tumor stroma ratio (TSR), tumor budding (TB), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were examined in resected gastric cancer. These TME features have been shown to indicate metastatic potential in colon cancer, and intestinal-type gastric cancer (IGC) has pathological similarities with that malignancy. METHODS: TSR, TB, and TILs were quantified in routine histological sections from 493 patients with IGC who underwent radical resection at 2 university hospitals in China from 2010 to 2016. TME variables were dichotomized as follows: TSR (50%), TILs (median), TB per international guidelines (4 buds/0.785mm2), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) per survival ROC. Association of TME features with patient clinicopathological characteristics, time-to-recurrence (TTR), and cancer-specific-survival (CSS) were examined using univariate and multivariate analysis, including a relative contribution analysis by Cox regression. RESULTS: Patients whose tumors showed high TSR or high TB or low TILs were each significantly associated with increased T and N stage, higher histological grade, and poorer TTR and CSS at 5 years. Only TSR and N stage were independently associated with TTR and CSS after adjustment for covariates. PLR was only independently associated with TTR after adjustment for covariates. Among the variables examined, only TSR was significantly associated with both TTR (HR 1.72, 95% CI, 1.14-2.60, P = .01) and CSS (HR 1.62, 95% CI, 1.05-2.51, P = .03) multivariately. Relative contribution to TTR revealed that the top 3 contributors were N stage (45.1%), TSR (22.5%), and PLR (12.9%), while the top 3 contributors to CSS were N stage (59.9%), TSR (14.7%), and PLR (10.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Among the examined TME features, TSR was the most robust for prognostication and was significantly associated with both TTR and CSS. Furthermore, the relative contribution of TSR to patient TTR and CSS was second only to nodal status.

[Analysis of chemical compositions in different parts of Isodon japonicus using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique combined with chemometrics].

In order to analyze the similarities and differences of chemical compositions between the roots and stems and leaves of Isodon japonicus(IJ), this study utilized UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology to systematically characterize its chemical compositions, analyzed and identified the structure of its main compounds, and established a method for simultaneous determination of its content by refe-rence substance. A total of 34 major compounds in IJ, including 14 reference compounds, were identified or predicted online. Moreover, an UPLC-UV content determination method was developed for 11 compounds [danshensu, caffeic acid, vicenin-2,(1S,2S)-globoidnan B, rutin,(+)-rabdosiin,(-)-rabdosiin,(1S,2S)-rabdosiin, shimobashiric acid C, rosmarinic acid, and pedalitin]. The method exhibited excellent separation, stability, and repeatability, with a wide linear range(0.10-520.00 µg·mL~(-1)) and high linearity(R~2>0.999). The average recovery rates ranged from 94.72% to 104.2%. The principal component analysis(PCA) demonstrated a clear difference between the roots and stems and leaves of IJ, indicating good separation by cluster. Furthermore, the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) model was employed, and six main differentially identified compounds were identified: rosmarinic acid, shimobashiric acid C, epinodosin, pedalitin, rutin, and(1S,2S)-rabdosiin. In summary, this study established a strategy and method for distinguishing different parts of IJ, providing a valuable tool for quality control of IJ and a basis for the ratio-nal utilization and sustainable development of IJ.

[Chemical and nutrient differences between medicinal material, residues, and residue compost of Moutan Cortex].

Moutan Cortex(MC) residues produced after the extraction of MC can be re-extracted for active components and used to produce organic fertilizer and animal feed. However, they are currently disposed as domestic waste, which pollutes the environment. This study analyzed the chemical composition of the medicinal material, residues, and residue compost of MC by UPLC-UV-Q-TOF-MS. Furthermore, the nutrient composition of MC residues and the residue compost was analyzed. The results showed that:(1)MC residues had lower content of chemicals than the medicinal material, and content of paeonol, gallic acid, and galloylglucose in MC residues were about 1/3 of that in the medicinal material. The content of chemicals were further reduced after residue composting, and the quantitative compounds were all below the limits of detection.(2)Compared with MC residues, the residue compost showed the total nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, and organic matter content increasing by 122.67%, 31.32%, 120.39%, and 32.06%, respectively. Therefore, we concluded that the MC residues can be used to re-extract active compounds such as paeonol, gallic acid, and galloylglucose. The MC residue compost is a high-quality organic fertilizer containing minimal content of chemicals and can be widely used in the cultivation of Chinese medicinal herbs.

Relationship between pitch value or S/D ratio of torsion of cord and fetal outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether applying pitch values at different positions of the umbilical cord or the umbilical artery blood flow systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio measured by color ultrasound could forecast excessive torsion of cord and help in selection of the appropriate mode of delivery. METHODS: This study included 184 pregnant women between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation and their neonates. We analyzed the umbilical cord's spiral distance, and the umbilical artery blood flow parameters at the cord's initial section, middle section and the section into the placenta. We also examined the fetal umbilical cord after birth, performed blood gas analysis of umbilical cord blood and recorded the neonatal Apgar score. RESULTS: Excessive torsion of cord diagnosed by ultrasound and in postnatal anatomy had the same rate of 91%. With lower pitch values (<2.0) and higher S/D ratios (>3.0), the possibility of fetal distress was increased, the neonatal Apgar score was decreased and umbilical blood pH values < 7.2 were more common. CONCLUSION: Pitch values and blood flow S/D ratios in different sections of the umbilical cord measured by color ultrasound could forecast excessive torsion of cord and have great significance in reducing the perinatal death rate caused by umbilical cord factors.

Serum ß-human chorionic gonadotropin and interleukin-1 as diagnostic biomarkers for the premature rupture of membranes and chorioamnionitis.

Chorioamnionitis is common in females with prematurely ruptured fetal membranes (PROM). The current diagnosis of PROM and preterm PROM (PPROM) is based on vaginal fluid analysis. The present study investigated the value of serum ß-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels in diagnosing chorioamnionitis. In total, 150 term-pregnancy patients were included in the prospective study. A total of 50 females had normal pregnancies (control group) and 100 had PROM. One hour before delivery, 3 ml venous blood was collected and analyzed. Fetal membrane and placental tissue underwent histopathological analyses. Of the 100 term-pregnancy females, 56 had PROM and 44 had PROM combined with chorioamnionitis (PROM + C). The serum ß-hCG levels for the control, PROM and PROM + C groups were 7,557.86±2,922.06, 636.96±14,379.10 and 50,310.34±22,874.82 IU/l, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) for PROM and PROM + C groups (ß-hCG ≥23,900.50 IU/l) had a sensitivity of 77.5% and a specificity of 78.6%. The level of IL-1 in the PROM + C group was higher compared to the control and PROM groups (0.58±0.05, 0.12±0.04 and 0.13±0.03 ng/ml, respectively). In conclusion, ROC for the PROM and PROM + C groups (IL-1 ≥0.38 ng/ml) had a sensitivity of 76.5% and a specificity of 72.6%. Therefore, serum ß-hCG and IL-1 are potential biomarkers for diagnosing PROM and PROM + C, respectively.