Association of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 +49A/G gene polymorphism with acute rejection risk in renal transplantation.

The conclusions on the association between cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) +49A/G gene polymorphism and acute rejection risk in renal transplantation are still debated. This meta-analysis was performed to update the association between CTLA4 +49A/G and acute rejection risk in renal transplantation. The association investigations were identified from PubMed and Cochrane Library, and eligible studies were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. Fourteen reports were included into this meta-analysis for the association of CTLA4 A/G gene polymorphism and acute rejection risk in renal transplantation, consisting of 962 acute rejection patients and 2084 non-acute rejection controls. The association between CTLA4 G allele/GG genotype and acute rejection risk in renal transplantation was found in this meta-analysis (G allele: OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.03-1.44, P=.02; GG genotype: OR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.10-1.69, P=.004). However, the AA genotype was not associated with acute rejection risk in renal transplantation. In conclusion, CTLA4 G allele/GG genotype is associated with the acute rejection risk in renal transplantation.

Relationship between cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 -318C/T (rs5742909) gene polymorphism and the risk of acute rejection in renal transplantation.

Results on the relationship between CTLA4 -318C/T (rs5742909) gene polymorphism and risk of acute rejection in renal transplantation are still conflicting. This meta-analysis was performed to update the association between CTLA4 -318C/T and risk of acute rejection in renal transplantation. The association investigations were identified from PubMed and Cochrane Library, and eligible studies were included and synthesized using meta-analysis method. Twelve reports were included in this meta-analysis for the association of CTLA4 -318C/T gene polymorphism with acute rejection risk in renal transplantation, consisting of 728 acute rejection patients and 1628 non-acute rejection controls. The association between CTLA4 -318C/T gene polymorphism and acute rejection risk in renal transplantation for overall populations was not found in this meta-analysis (T allele: OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.60-1.54, P=.88; TT genotype: OR=0.90, 95% CI: 0.47-1.71, P=.74; CC genotype: OR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.62-1.59, P=.98). Interestingly, T allele was associated with the risk of acute rejection in renal transplantation in African population. In conclusion, CTLA4 -318C/T gene polymorphism is not associated with the risk of acute rejection in renal transplantation in overall populations.

[The study of the risk factors of fungal infection after liver transplantation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of fungal infection so as to provide rationales for the prevention of fungal infection after liver transplantation. METHODS: The clinical data of 94 cases of fungal infections after liver transplantation from January 1, 2003 to November 30, 2010 at our hospital were collected as the infective group. A total of 603 liver transplant patients without fungal infections during the same period were selected as the control group. χ(2) test and t test were utilized for the analysis of possible risk factors for fungal infection. RESULTS: Fungal infection rate was 13.5% (94/697) after liver transplantation and mortality rate of fungal infection 86.2% (81/94). Candida albicans was the majority infective fungi. And the main site of infection was the lungs. The postoperative acute physiology and chronic health evaluation III (APACHE III) score of the infective group was significantly higher than that of the control group (26.0 ± 5.4 vs 21.5 ± 4.7, P < 0.01). The number of patients with primary liver cancer was lower than that of the control group (26.6% vs 45.8%, P < 0.01). The number of decompensated HBV cirrhosis and diabetics in the infective group was higher than that of the control group at pre-operation (23.4% vs 11.6%, 9.6% vs 2.8%, both P < 0.01). The number of patients with postoperative mechanical ventilation over 10 days, postoperative antibiotics over 14 days, postoperative cardiopulmonary dysfunction and liver function recovery time over 7 days, parenteral nutrition over 12 days and hyperglycemia over 7 days in the infective group were significantly higher than that in the control group (all P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Preoperative primary disease, postoperative disease severity, postoperative organ dysfunction, long-term mechanical ventilation, antibiotics and hyperglycemia, etc. may be the important risk factors of fungal infection after liver transplantation.

[Characteristics of soil animal community with different garden plants and various planting periods in Wenjiang District, Chengdu, China]. / æˆéƒ½å¸‚æ¸©æ±ŸåŒºä¸åŒæ ½æ¤å¹´é™å›­æž—æ¤ç‰©åœŸå£¤åŠ¨ç‰©ç¾¤è½ç‰¹å¾.

In order to provide scientific guidance for soil quality evaluation and optimum management of flower and seedling industry, we investigated the characteristics of soil animal community with different garden plants and various planting periods in Wenjiang District, Chengdu. A total of 10258 soil animals belonging to 26 orders and 78 families were captured in four sampling times. There were significant differences in the taxonomic richness in the plots with different garden plants, generally highest in plots with Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum or Ginkgo biloba and lowest in plot with Zoysia japonica. The taxonomic richness was lower in the plots with different garden plants than the control. Taxonomic richness and abundance of soil fauna in Osmanthus fragrans plot did not change across sampling seasons. The abundance but not taxonomic richness of soil fauna in other plots had obvious seasonal variations. Different garden plants and various planting periods significantly influenced soil faunal diversity indices. Density-group index (DG) and Margalef richness index (D) in G. biloba plot, as well as Shannon diversity index (H) and D index in Z. japonica plot decreased significantly with the increases of planting period. The DG and D indices of soil animals in O. fragrans plot increased significantly with increasing planting period. The indices of soil animal diversity in L. chinense var. rubrum plot did not change regularly with planting period. The DG, D, and H indices were lowest in O. fragrans plot with different planting periods. Results of hierarchical clustering and canonical correlation analyse (CCA) indicated that garden plant species had stronger effects on the habitat than planting period. Responses of soil fauna to various habitats were different, with available P and soil pH having stronger effects on soil fauna. Our results indicated that soil animal community shifted with the changes of garden plant and planting period as well as management and cultivation methods. Excessive human interference and monoculture had negative effects on soil animal community and caused soil degradation.

MiR-520f promotes cell aggressiveness by regulating fibroblast growth factor 16 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Cancer metastasis is a multistep cellular process, which has be confirmed one of mainly causes of cancer associated-death in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) participate in tumorigenesis function as either tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes. In order to elaborate the critical miRNAs and their targets in HCC, we compared the differential expression of miRNA between HCC tissues and normal tissues. Microarray analysis revealed there were several significantly up-expression miRNAs in HCC, compared to normal solid tissue. Among them, the expression of miR-520f was the most over-expression in HCC cell lines than that in human normal liver cells LO2, as well as up-regulated in HCC than that in the corresponding normal tissues. Moreover, Kaplan Meier-plotter analyses revealed that higher miR-520f levels were negatively correlated with poor overall survival. By applying bioinformatics methods to identify the targeting genes of miRNA, we demonstrated that fibroblast growth factor 16 (FGF16) was the miR-520f-targeted gene. Meanwhile, FGF16 exhibited similar expression patterns to miR-520f in HCC. Forced miR-520f expression accelerated HCC cells proliferation and aggressiveness in vitro and in vivo, whereas down-regulation of miR-520f caused an opposite outcome. Moreover, over-expression of FGF16 was closely related to the metastatic potential of HCC cells. Herein, we also confirmed that ectopic expression of FGF16 in HCC cells promoted proliferation, colony formation, and increased migration, invasion of HCC cells in vitro. Collectively, our results indicated that over-expression of miR-520f and FGF16 was positively associated with aggressive phenotypes and poor survival of patients with HCC, and miR-520f promoted HCC aggressive phenotypes by regulating the expression of FGF16. MiR-520f may be employed as a prognostic factor and therapeutic target for HCC.

Fungal infection in patients after liver transplantation in years 2003 to 2012.

BACKGROUND: Fungal infections after liver transplantation have received considerable interests because of their association with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study investigated risk factors of fungal infection after liver transplantation. MATERIAL/METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed based on clinical data from 120 patients with fungal infection after liver transplantation from January 1, 2003 to May 30, 2012. χ2 test was used to analyze risk factors for fungal infections. RESULTS: The fungal infection rate after liver transplantation is 13.5% (120/886) and the case fatality rate reaches 70.8%; most are infected by Candida albicans (67.5%), with infection located in the lung (73.3%). Acute physiology and chronic health evaluation scores of the infected group are higher than those of the control group 24 hours after the surgery (27.1±5.2 vs. 21.9±5.0). The percentage of primary liver cancer patients in the infected group was lower than in the control group (26.7% vs. 45.8%). Compared to the control group, the infected group had a higher percentage of patients with HBV, gestational diabetes mellitus, and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Percentages of patients with long continuous parenteral nutrition time, poorly controlled high blood sugar, long-term mechanical ventilation, and antibiotics use were higher in the infected group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative original attack, postoperative critical condition, chronically high blood sugar, long-term use of antibiotics, and mechanical ventilation are probably vital risk factors for fungal infection after liver transplantation.