Involvement of P38 and ERK1/2 in mitochondrial pathways independent cell apoptosis in oviduct magnum epithelial cells of layers challenged with vanadium.

Vanadium (V) can induce cell apoptosis in layers' oviduct resulting in egg quality reduction. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-signaling pathway and V-induced apoptosis in poultry oviduct magnum epithelial cells (OMECs). Cultured OMECs were divided into 8 treatment groups: 0 µmol/L V (control), 100 µmol/L V (V100), V100 + P38MAPK inhibitor (SB203580), SB203580, V100 + extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) inhibitor (U0126), U0126, V100 + c-JUN NH2 -terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (SP600125), and SP600125. The OMECs were pretreated with the MAPK inhibitors before their treatment with V100 for 12 h. V100 increased the apoptosis of OMECs (P < .05), while 3 MAPK inhibitors suppressed V100-induced apoptosis P < .05); V100 enhanced the depolarization of △ψm (P < .05), and SB203580 and U0126 alleviated the V100-induced △ψm decrease (P < .05); V100 downregulated B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and poly [Adenosine diphosphate ribose] polymerase 1 (PARP1) mRNA expression (P < .05), meanwhile it upregulated Bcl-2 associated x (Bax), Apaf1, cytochrome C (CytC) and cysteine aspartase (caspase) 3, 8, 9 mRNA expression (P < .05). All MAPKs inhibitors alleviated the up-regulation of V100 for Bax and caspase 3 mRNA expression and down-regulation of V100 for Bcl-2 expression (P < .05). SB203580 and U0126 upregulated CytC expression treated by V100 (P < .05), except SP600125, while SB203580 administration resulted in a similar upregulation of PARP1 expression (P < .05). SP600125 can alleviated V triggered p-P38MAPK (phosphor-P38), p-ERK1/2 (phosphor-ERK1/2), p-JNK (phosphor-JNK) increase on OME cells, and SB203580 and U0126 had a similar response to phosphor-P38 and p-JNK (P < .05). It concluded that V-induced apoptosis in OMECs through the activation of P38 and ERK1/2, and by increasing the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, which resulted in △ψm decrease, CytC release into the cytosol; consequently caspase 3 is recruited and activated, PARP1 is cleaved, eventually leading to apoptosis.

Protective immunity conferred by porcine circovirus 2 ORF2-based DNA vaccine in mice.

Post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) associated with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) has caused the swine industry significant health challenges and economic damage. Although inactivated and subunit vaccines against PMWS have been used widely, so far no DNA vaccine is available. In this study, with the aim of exploring a new route for developing a vaccine against PCV2, the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine was evaluated in mice. The pEGFP-N1 vector was used to construct a PCV2 Cap gene recombinant vaccine. To assess the immunogenicity of pEGFP-Cap, 80 BALB/c mice were immunized three times at 2 weekly intervals with pEGFP-Cap, LG-strain vaccine, pEGFP-N1 vector or PBS and then challenged with PCV2. IgG and cytokines were assessed by indirect ELISA and ELISA, respectively. Specimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques were examined histopathologically. It was found that vaccination of the mice with the pEGFP-Cap induced solid protection against PCV2 infection through induction of highly specific serum IgG antibodies and cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-10), and a small PCV2 viral load. The mice treated with the pEGFP-Cap and LG-strain developed no histopathologically detectable lesions (HE stain) and IHC techniques revealed only a few positive cells. Thus, this study demonstrated that recombinant pEGFP-Cap substantially alleviates PCV2 infection in mice and provides evidence that a DNA vaccine could be an alternative to PCV2 vaccines against PMWS.

Balanced plane-mirror heterodyne interferometer with subnanometer periodic nonlinearity.

A balanced plane-mirror heterodyne interferometer with a polarizing beam splitter used to recombine the reference and measurement beams is proposed to reduce periodic nonlinearity and to eliminate thermal error. Experimental results indicated that the periodic error due to ghost reflection was kept within ±36 pm, and the interferometer proposed was immune from thermal error.

The industrial water footprint of zippers.

Industrial production of apparel consumes large quantity of freshwater and discharges effluents that intensify the problem of freshwater shortage and water pollution. The industrial water footprint (IWF) of a piece of apparel includes the water footprint (WF) of the fabric, apparel accessories (e.g. zipper, fastener, sewing thread) and industrial production processes. The objective of this paper is to carry out a pilot study on IWF accounting for three kinds of typical zipper (i.e. metal zipper, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) zipper and polyoxymethylene copolymer (Co-POM) zipper) that are commonly used for apparel production. The results reveal that product output exerts a remarkable influence on zipper's average IWF. Metal zipper has the largest IWF and followed by Co-POM zipper and PET zipper. Painting, dyeing and primary processing are the top three water-consuming processes and contribute about 90% of the zipper's IWF. Painting consumes the largest amount of freshwater among all processes and occupies more than 50% of the zipper's IWF. In addition, the grey water footprint (WFgrey) provides the greatest contribution, more than 80%, to the zipper's IWF. Based on these results, this paper also provides several strategies aimed at water economization and pollution reduction during industrial production of zipper.

CT radiomics based on the peritumoral adipose region of gastric adenocarcinoma for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis.

PURPOSE: To construct and validate CT radiomics model based on the peritumoral adipose region of gastric adenocarcinoma to preoperatively predict lymph node metastasis (LNM). METHODS AND METHODS: 293 consecutive gastric adenocarcinoma patients receiving radical gastrectomy with lymph node dissection in two medical institutions were stratified into a development set (from Institution A, n = 237), and an external validation set (from Institution B, n = 56). Volume of interest of peritumoral adipose region was segmented on preoperative portal-phase CT images. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method and stepwise logistic regression were used to select features and build radiomics models. Manual classification was performed according to routine CT characteristics. A classifier incorporating the radiomics score and CT characteristics was developed for predicting LNM. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to show discrimination between tumors with and without LNM, and the calibration curves and Brier score were used to evaluate the predictive accuracy. Violin plots were used to show the distribution of radiomics score. RESULTS: AUC values of radiomics model to predict LNM were 0.938, 0.905, and 0.872 in the training, internal test, and external validation sets, respectively, higher than that of manual classification (0.674, all P values < 0.01). The radiomics score of the positive LNM group were higher than that of the negative group in all sets (both P-values < 0.001). The classifier showed no improved predictive power compared with the radiomics signature alone with AUC values of 0.916 and 0.872 in the development and external validation sets, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that radiomics score was an independent predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Radiomics model based on peritumoral adipose region could be a useful approach for preoperative LNM prediction in gastric adenocarcinoma.

Metabolomics analysis to interpret changes in physiological and metabolic responses to chronic heat stress in Pekin ducks.

Heat stress (HS) is a major environmental threat that affects duck production in subtropical and tropical regions, especially in summer. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological and metabolic responses of Pekin ducks to chronic HS conditions via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) using a paired-fed (PF) experimental design. On the basis of equivalent feed intake (HS vs. PF), HS significantly reduced growth performance and the percentage of leg and breast muscles, however, markedly increased the percentage of abdominal fat and breast skin fat. Serum metabolomics results revealed that heat-stressed ducks showed enhanced glycolysis and pentose phosphate pathways, as demonstrated by higher glucose 6-phosphate and 6-phogluconic acid levels in the PF vs. HS comparison. HS decreased hepatic mRNA levels of mitochondrial fatty acid ß-oxidation-related genes (MCAD and SCAD) compared to the PF group, resulting in acetylcarnitine accumulation in serum. Moreover, HS elevated the concentrations of serum amino acids and mRNA levels of ubiquitination-related genes (MuRF1 and MAFbx) in the skeletal muscle and amino acid transporter-related genes (SLC1A1 and SLC7A1) and gluconeogenesis-related genes (PCK1 and PCase) in the liver compared to the PF group. When compared to the normal control group (NC), HS further decreased growth performance, but it elevated the abdominal fat rate. However, increased mRNA levels of ubiquitination-related genes and serum amino acid accumulation were not observed in the HS group compared to the NC group, implying that reduced feed intake masked the effect of HS on skeletal muscle breakdown and is a form of protection for the organism. These results suggest that chronic HS induces protein degradation in the skeletal muscle to provide amino acids for hepatic gluconeogenesis to provide sufficient energy, as Pekin ducks under HS conditions failed to efficiently oxidise fatty acids and ketones in the mitochondria, leading to poor growth performance and slaughter characteristics.

Broilers fed dietary vitamins harbor higher diversity of cecal bacteria and higher ratio of Clostridium, Faecalibacterium, and Lactobacillus than broilers with no dietary vitamins revealed by 16S rRNA gene clone libraries.

Research on the interaction between dietary vitamins and intestinal bacteria is poorly understood. To investigate the effect of dietary vitamins on the cecal bacterial communities, 2 bacterial 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were constructed from pooled PCR products obtained from the cecal digesta of 28-d broilers fed diets with vitamins (V) at the NRC level or with no vitamins (NV). The results showed that BW gain and average feed intake of V broilers was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than NV broilers, whereas the feed/gain ratio was significantly lower (P < 0.01) in V broilers. A total of 188 and 185 clones were sequenced for the NV and V broilers, respectively. Sequence identity criterion of 98% was used to assign sequences to operational taxonomic units (OTU). Clones from the NV group broilers were assigned to 14 OTU, with 33% clones affiliated with the genus Clostridium, 19% affiliated with the genera Escherichia/Shigella, 14% affiliated with the genus Bacteroides, and the remaining clones (34%) affiliated with 5 other bacterial genera (Faecalibacterium, Parasporobacterium, Ruminococcus, Streptococcus, and Subdoligranulum). Clones from the V group broilers were assigned to 23 OTU, with 46% of the clones affiliated with the genus Clostridium, 11% affiliated with the genus Fecalibacterium, and the remaining clones (43%) affiliated with 8 other genera (Anaerofilum, Lactobacillus, Anaerotruncus, Oscillibacter, Alistipes, Gracilibacter, Acetivibrio, and Haloplasma). Three OTU assigned to Clostridium, Faecalibacterium, and Ruminoccus were shared between the 2 libraries. Shannon diversity index showed the V broilers exhibited significantly higher bacterial diversity (P = 0.05), and Libshuff analysis indicated that the community structure between the 2 groups was significantly different (P < 0.0001). These results suggest that lack of dietary vitamins can increase the ratio of facultative pathogenic bacteria and decrease the diversity of bacteria in the cecum of broilers. Our results provide new leads for further investigations on the interaction between dietary vitamin additives and the gut health of broilers.

Low temperature of radiofrequency ablation at the target sites can facilitate rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Rapid progression of residual tumor after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of hepatocellular carcinoma has been observed increasingly. However, its underlying mechanisms remain to be clarified. The present study was designed to determine whether low temperature of RFA at the target sites facilitates rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma and to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The residual VX2 hepatoma model in rabbits was established by using RFA at 55, 70 and 85 degrees C. Rabbits that were implanted with VX2 hepatoma but did not receive RFA acted as a control group. The relationship between rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma and low temperature of RFA at the target sites was carefully evaluated. A number of potential contributing molecular factors, such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured. RESULTS: The focal tumor volume and lung metastases of RFA-treated rabbits increased significantly compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and the greatest changes were seen in the 55 degrees C group (P < 0.05). Expression of PCNA, MMP-9, VEGF, HGF and IL-6 in tumor tissues increased significantly in the RFA-treated groups compared with the control group, and of the increases were greatest in the 55 degrees C group (P < 0.05). These results were consistent with gross pathological observation. Tumor re-inoculation experiments confirmed that low temperature of RFA at the target sites facilitated rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient RFA that is caused by low temperature at the target sites could be an important cause of rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma. Residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma could facilitate its rapid progression through inducing overexpression of several molecular factors, such as PCNA, MMP-9, VEGF, HGF and IL-6.

Heme is involved in the systemic inflammatory response following radiofrequency ablation of hepatic hemangiomas.

OBJECTIVE: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for managing hepatic hemangiomas. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) often occurs with hemoglobinuria, and its underlying pathophysiological mechanism is unknown. Heme can trigger inflammation by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the production of inflammatory mediators. We therefore investigated whether circulating heme is involved in SIRS following RFA of hepatic hemangiomas. METHODS: We enrolled 65 patients with hepatic hemangioma who underwent RFA. Serum concentrations of free heme, ROS, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were measured after RFA. Univariate analysis and a multivariate binary logistic regression model were used to evaluate the contribution of 17 risk factors for SIRS after RFA. RESULTS: Fifty-nine (59/65, 90.8%) patients developed hemoglobinuria, among which 25 (25/59, 42.4%) experienced SIRS shortly after RFA. In the SIRS group, the serum concentrations of heme, ROS, and TNF-α were immediately elevated after RFA compared with baseline and slowly regained their normal levels 3 days after RFA. Moreover, the concentrations of circulating heme significantly correlated with those of ROS (r = 0.805, P < 0.001) and TNF-α (r = 0.797, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the volume of hemangioma [odds ratio (OR) = 1.293, P = 0.031], time of ablation (OR = 1.194, P = 0.029) as well as the concentrations of heme (OR = 1.430, P = 0.017), ROS (OR = 1.251, P = 0.031), and TNF-α (OR = 1.309, P = 0.032) were significantly associated with SIRS. CONCLUSION: Circulating heme was associated with the induction of ROS and the production of TNF-α, which may contribute to the induction of SIRS following RFA of hepatic hemangiomas.

[The effects of amylin on the islet beta-cells voltage-gated L-calcium channels in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of amylin on the islet beta-cells voltage-gated L-calcium channels in rats. METHOD: Patch clamp technique was employed in the observation of the features and changes of electric current of islet beta-cells voltage-gated L-calcium channels before and after using amylin. RESULTS: In the glucose environment of 5.5 mmol/L, the electric current of rat islet beta-cells voltage-gated L-calcium channels was activated at -40 mV and reached the peak at about +20 mV, with a peak value of about -120 pA and the insulin secretion level was (0.76 +/- 0.12) microg/L. Under the stimulation of glucose of 16.7 mmol/L, the peak current voltage moved to the left and increased up to - 140 pA and the level of insulin secretion measured (1.78 +/- 0.13) microg/L. Hatch islet beta-cells in amylin at the concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, 5.0 and 10.0 micromol/L, respectively. It was observed that in the 0.5 micromol/L and 1.0 micromol/L groups, there was no remarkable change in the peak potential activation voltage, current, and insulin secretion volume in comparison with the control group. However, in the environment of 5.5 mmol/L glucose, the increase of activation voltage of the 5.0 and 10.0 micromol/L groups was - 30 mV, with the peak current reduced to approximately -80 pA and -60 pA and the insulin secretion decreased to (0.49 +/- 0.11) microg/L and (0.36 +/- 0.12) microg/L respectively. Under the concentration of 16.7 mmol/L glucose, the activation voltage increased from -40 mV up to -30 mV and the peak current reduced to -80 pA and -40 pA. In the meantime, the insulin secretion decreased respectively to (1.20 +/- 0.13) microg/L and (0.89 +/- 0.14) microg/L, which is of significance. CONCLUSION: The secretion of insulin is synchronized with the opening of the islet beta-cells voltage-gated L-calcium channels at the stimulation of glucose. The amylin inhibition of the insulin secretion is also synchronized with the opening of islet beta-cells voltage-gated L-calcium channels and it's in a positive concentration-dependent manner.

Insufficient radiofrequency ablation-induced autophagy contributes to the rapid progression of residual hepatocellular carcinoma through the HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling pathway.

Currently speaking, it is noted that radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been the most widely used treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring in patients. However, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that the incidence of insufficient RFA (IRFA) may result in the identified rapid progression of residual HCC in the patient, which can greatly hinder the effectiveness and patient reported benefits of utilizing this technique. Although many efforts have been proposed, the underlying mechanisms triggering the rapid progression of residual HCC after IRFA have not yet been fully clarified through current research literature reviews. It was shown in this study that cell proliferation, migration and invasion of residual HepG2 and SMMC7721 cells were significantly increased after the IRFA was simulated in vitro. In other words, it is noted that IRFA could do this by enhancing the image of autophagy of the residual HCC cell via the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway. Consequently, the down-regulation of BNIP3 may result in the inhibition of the residual HCC cell progression and autophagy after IRFA. Our present study results suggest that IRFA could promote residual HCC cell progression in vitro by enhancing autophagy via the HIF-1α/BNIP3 pathway. For this reason, it is noted that the targeting of the BNIP3 may be useful in preventing the rapid growth and metastasis of residual HCC after IRFA. [BMB Reports 2019; 52(4): 277-282].

A Severe Complication of Myocardial Dysfunction Post Radiofrequency Ablation Treatment of Huge Hepatic Hemangioma: A Case Report and Literature Review.

In recent years, radiofrequency (RF) ablation has been increasingly used for treating hepatic hemangiomas attributing to its unique advantages, such as minimal invasiveness, definite efficacy, high safety, fast recovery, and wide applicability. However, complications related to RF ablation had been frequently reported, especially while being used for treating huge hemangioma (≥10 cm). Cautious measures had been taken to prevent the incidence of ablation-induced complications, but still unexpected complications occurred. Herein we reported a case of severe myocardial dysfunction along with systemic inflammatory response syndrome occurring immediately post RF ablation of a 10.7 cm hemangioma. This serious complication was effectively managed by supportive care with the full recovery in a short period of time.

Resection as first-line therapy for large hepatic sclerosing hemangioma: a case report.

Hepatic sclerosing hemangioma is a rare benign disease that occurs in association with hepatic cavernous hemangioma degeneration and sclerosis. Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency (RF) ablation is an alternative treatment for hepatic cavernous hemangiomas, even for large hemangiomas (≥10 cm). However, RF ablation might not be suitable to treat large sclerosing hemangiomas. We herein report the successful surgical removal of a large hepatic sclerosing hemangioma after RF ablation treatment failure in a 65-year-old man. In conclusion, we suggest that resection should be chosen as a first-line therapy for the disease.

Vanadium in high-fat diets sourced from egg yolk decreases growth and antioxidative status of Wistar rats.

The objective of this paper was to evaluate the effect of vanadium (V) in high-fat diets sourced from egg yolk on body weight gain, feed intake, blood characteristics and antioxidative status of Wistar rats. A total of 72 female Wistar rats were allocated according to a 2 × 4 factorial design throughout a 5-wk trial, including 2 levels of dietary fat (normal and high; ether extract 40.3 and 301.2 g/kg; fat sourced from egg yolk) and 4 levels of dietary V (0, 3, 15 and 30 mg/kg). Vanadium decreased (P ≤ 0.05) body weight gain (V at 30mg/kg during wk 1 and 2; V at 15 and 30 mg/kg during the overall phase), feed intake (V at 30 mg/kg during wk 3 and the overall phase; V at 15 and 30 mg/kg during wk 4), but increased the relative weight of liver (V at 30 mg/kg, P ≤ 0.05). Moreover, increasing dietary V significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and malondialdehyde levels and decreased triglyceride level, and V at 30 mg/kg in high-fat treatment had the highest or lowest values (interaction, P ≤ 0.05). Under the same dietary V dose, V residual content in liver (dietary V at 15 and 30 mg/kg) and kidney (dietary V at 15 mg/kg) was higher in high-fat diet treatment compared with normal-fat diet treatment (P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, it is suggested that V could decrease the body weight together with the feed intake, and the high fat could enhance oxidative stress induced by V of Wistar rats.

Percutaneous extrapulmonary radiofrequency ablation for tumors in the hepatic dome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aims to assess the feasibility of one lung ventilation and computed tomography-guided extrapulmonary percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for tumors in the hepatic dome. METHODOLOGY: Eleven patients (10 men, 1 women; age range, 34-84 years) with 12 tumors in the hepatic dome were enrolled in the study after institutional review board approval and informed consent had been obtained. A 35F or 37F left-sided double-lumen endotracheal tube was intubated after general anesthesia was induced. The right lung is permitted to collapse, with selective left lungs ventilation. With CT monitoring, the RF electrode was inserted through the empty pleural space to the targeted tumor and radiofrequency ablation procedures were performed. RESULTS: The median operative time was 122 minutes. The median one lung ventilation time was 134 minutes. The procedures of one lung ventilation and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation were successfully performed. There was no bronchial intubation, one lung ventilation and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation related complications, excluding minor pleural effusions recovering without thoracentesis in 2 patients. Complete tumor necrosis was achieved in 10 patients (90.9%). CONCLUSIONS: One lung ventilation and computed tomography guided percutaneous extrapulmonary radiofrequency ablation for tumors in the hepatic dome appears to be useful and safe.

[Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation therapy with left single lung ventilation for liver carcinoma in the hepatic dome].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the advantages of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) therapy with contralateral single lung ventilation (SLV) for liver carcinoma in the hepatic dome (LCHD). METHODS: The clinical data of 10 patients (the SLV group) with LCHD consecutively treated from January to December 2006 were retrospectively analyzed. And another 10 cases (the control group) with LCHD treated from January 2004 to December 2005 were selected with a strict inclusion criterion for compared test according to rules of same diagnosis, similar tumor bulk and site, same sex, similar age and liver function. The patients' ages and tumor diameters of the 2 groups were compared with t-test and the rates of complications and incomplete tumor ablation were compared with chi2-test. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference in ages and tumor diameters between the 2 groups (P > 0.05). The average number of radiofrequency ablation needle punctures in the SLV group was significantly less than the control group (3.4 +/- 0.4 vs. 6.1 +/- 0.8, P < 0.01). There was no bronchial intubation related complications like hypoxemia, atelectasis, lung infection and no puncture related complications like pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemoperitoneum and bile leakage in the SLV group. Two cases in the control group had complications including pneumothorax (n = 1) and pleural effusion (n = 1). There was no mortality in the 2 groups. Though the rate of incomplete tumor necrosis in the SLV group was not statistically lower than that in the control group (10% vs. 40%), the occurrence rate of the undesirable event (complication and incomplete tumor necrosis) of the SLV group was significantly lower than that of the control group (10% vs. 60%, P < 0.05). The durations and costs of operating procedure were not significantly different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Left SLV makes PRFA for LCHD more efficient, effective and safe.

Radiofrequency ablation for hepatic hemangiomas: A consensus from a Chinese panel of experts.

Recent studies have shown that radiofrequency (RF) ablation therapy is a safe, feasible, and effective procedure for hepatic hemangiomas, even huge hepatic hemangiomas. RF ablation has the following advantages in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas: minimal invasiveness, definite efficacy, high safety, fast recovery, relatively simple operation, and wide applicability. It is necessary to formulate a widely accepted consensus among the experts in China who have extensive expertise and experience in the treatment of hepatic hemangiomas using RF ablation, which is important to standardize the application of RF ablation for the management of hepatic hemangiomas, regarding the selection of patients with suitable indications to receive RF ablation treatment, the technical details of the techniques, therapeutic effect evaluations, management of complications, etc. A final consensus by a Chinese panel of experts who have the expertise of using RF ablation to treat hepatic hemangiomas was reached by means of literature review, comprehensive discussion, and draft approval.

A fiber-coupled displacement measuring interferometer for determination of the posture of a reflective surface.

A fiber-coupled displacement measuring interferometer capable of determining of the posture of a reflective surface of a measuring mirror is proposed. The newly constructed instrument combines fiber-coupled displacement and angular measurement technologies. The proposed interferometer has advantages of both the fiber-coupled and the spatially beam-separated interferometer. A portable dual-position sensitive detector (PSD)-based unit within this proposed interferometer measures the parallelism of the two source beams to guide the fiber-coupling adjustment. The portable dual PSD-based unit measures not only the pitch and yaw of the retro-reflector but also measures the posture of the reflective surface. The experimental results of displacement calibration show that the deviations between the proposed interferometer and a reference one, Agilent 5530, at two different common beam directions are both less than ±35 nm, thus verifying the effectiveness of the beam parallelism measurement. The experimental results of angular calibration show that deviations of pitch and yaw with the auto-collimator (as a reference) are less than ±2 arc sec, thus proving the proposed interferometer's effectiveness for determination of the posture of a reflective surface.

Feasibility of radiofrequency ablation as an alternative to surgical intervention in patients with huge multiloculated pyogenic liver abscesses: A retrospective cohort study.

This retrospective cohort study investigated the feasibility of radiofrequency (RF) ablation as an alternative to surgical intervention in patients with huge multiloculated pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs).From August 2010 to April 2016, 83 patients with PLA were admitted to Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, China. Four of these patients had huge multiloculated PLAs and underwent RF ablation plus antibiotics. The inclusion criteria for RF ablation were as follows: multiloculated PLA confirmed by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), widest diameter of the PLA ≥5 cm, failure to respond to or not suitable to treatment with percutaneous drainage (PD), and patient refusal of surgery. The safety and effectiveness of RF ablation were initially assessed. All patients were commenced on antibiotics on admission to our hospital. CT-guided percutaneous catheter drainage was attempted in one patient but was unsuccessful. The main organism isolated from cultures of these patients' blood or abscess samples was Klebsiella pneumoniae (3/4). RF ablation was performed as soon as eligibility according to the above criteria was established.RF ablation was technically successful in all 4 study patients, all PLAs being completely eradicated. The median duration of fever after RF ablation was 4.5 days. No abscesses recurred; thus, this strategy for managing PLA was 100% successful (4/4). No procedure-related deaths or major complications occurred. One patient had an asymptomatic right pleural effusion that resolved with conservative treatment including albumin infusion and diuretics.Our preliminary data indicate that RF ablation is a safe, feasible, and effective treatment for huge multiloculated PLAs. It should be considered as an alternative treatment for patients who fail to respond to or not suitable for PD plus antibiotics and refuse surgical intervention.

MicroRNA-126 inhibits tumor cell invasion and metastasis by downregulating ROCK1 in renal cell carcinoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in cancer development and progression. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) frequently undergoes metastasis and has a high mortality rate. The current study measured miRNA­126 (miR­126) expression levels in 128 pairs of clear cell RCC and adjacent normal kidney tissue samples by reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and analyzed the association between miR­126 and various clinicopathological parameters. In addition, cell proliferation, wound healing and cell invasion assays were conducted using RCC cells overexpressing miR­126. Potential miR­126 target genes and the signaling pathways that may be regulated by miR­126 were then examined. miR­126 expression was significantly reduced in patients with metastatic RCC compared with patients without metastasis. Consistently, overexpression of miR­126 in RCC cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro compared with negative control miRNA. A luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR­126 targets Rho associated coiled­coil containing protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) by directly binding the 3'­untranslated region. Furthermore, western blotting identified miR­126 as an important regulator of the AKT and extracellular signal­regulated 1/2 signaling pathways. The results of the present study indicate that miR­126 inhibits RCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by downregulating ROCK1. These findings suggest that miR­126 may be valuable as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in RCC.