Survival assessment of nephron-sparing surgery or radical nephrectomy in children with unilateral Wilms tumor receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical treatment of unilateral Wilms tumor (WT) in children is controversial. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the survival and prognosis of radical nephrectomy (RN) and nephron-sparing surgery (NSS) in children with unilateral WT receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data on pediatric patients with WT were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 2000 to 2019. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing the choice of surgical strategy. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess factors associated with overall survival. RESULTS: We included 1,825 patients with unilateral WT (<14 years) who received adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. Between 2000 and 2019, the percentage of patients treated with NSS increased from 4% in 2000 to 8% in 2019. There was no significant difference in 10-year overall survival between the two surgical strategies [NSS vs. RN, 93.26% (95% CI, 86.88%-100%) vs. 92.17% (95% CI, 90.75%-93.61%), p=0.98]. Patients with unilateral WTs ≤4 cm were more likely to be treated with NSS. There was no survival benefit for patients treated with RN compared with that for those treated with NSS (HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.29-1.86; p=0.5). CONCLUSIONS: The use of NSS in children with unilateral WT has increased over the last two decades. Tumor size is an important influencing factor for the surgical application of NSS. Patients who underwent NSS had an equivalent OS compared with the overall group of patients with unilateral tumors who received RN.

[Comparative study of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation and surgical resection for colorectal cancer with liver metastasis].

Objective: To study the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation and surgical resection for liver metastases from colorectal cancer. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 184 patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer in Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2012 to June 2017.Percutaneous microwave ablation or surgical resection for liver metastases were selected under ultrasound guidance. Subgroup analysis was performed according to the treatment of liver metastases. There were 98 patients in the microwave-only group (56 males and 42 females, aged (59±11) years) and 86 cases in the surgery-only group (56 males and 30 females, aged (56±11) years). The baseline data of the two groups were compared, and the results showed that the size of the metastatic lesions in the microwave-only group was smaller than that in the surgery-only group, and the remaining data didn't had statistical differences.The survival time of the two groups of patients was analyzed separately.According to the size of the metastases, the metastases were divided into groups with a diameter of<3 cm and a group of ≥3 cm. The survival time of patients in the microwave-only group and the surgery-only group were analyzed respectively.According to the different primary tumor grades of colorectal cancer, the survival time of patients in the simple microwave-only group and the surgery-only group in the primary tumors Duck A, Duck B, and Duck C were analyzed. Results: In the microwave-only group, the overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 50.9%, and 20.9%; in the surgery-only group, the overall survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 42.8%, and 20.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the groups (P=0.972).Metastatic focus diameter ≥3 cm: the overall survival rates of 1, 3, and 5 years with microwave-only were 100%, 65.4%, and 12.1%; the overall survival rates of 1, 3, and 5 years with surgery-only were 100%, 59.5%, and 30.9%. There was no significant difference in overall survival between the groups (P=0.067). The long-term survival rate of the surgery-only group was greater than that of the microwave-only group (P=0.018).Metastasis diameter<3 cm: there was no significant difference in overall survival between the surgery-only group and the microwave-only group (P=0.103).In the treatment of Duck B and C liver metastases of primary colorectal cancer, there was no significant difference in overall survival between microwave alone and surgery alone (P=0.376, P=0.385).Multivariate analysis showed that the size of colorectal cancer metastases was an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases. Conclusions: Percutaneous microwave ablation has a good effect on colorectal cancer liver metastases and has a similar survival prognosis as surgery.For livers with color ≥ 3 cm in colorectal cancer, the long-term survival rate of the surgery-only group is greater than that of the microwave-only group.

[Influence of different timing of Saccharomyces boulardii combined with bismuth quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori eradication].

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of different opportunity of Saccharomyces boulardii (S. Boulardii) Sachets combined with bismuth quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori)eradication. Methods: This experiment was a prospective study. A total of 300 H. pylori-infected patients were enrolled and randomized assigned into three groups. Quadruple therapy group received pantoprazole 40 mg+bismuth potassium citrate capsule 220 mg+amoxicillin 1 000 mg+furazolidone 100 mg, bid, oral for 14 days. The simultaneous probiotic group received pantoprazole 40 mg+bismuth potassium citrate capsule 220 mg+amoxicillin 1 000 mg+furazolidone 100 mg+S. Boulardii Sachets 500 mg,bid,oral for 14 days.There after probiotic group:S.Boulardii Sachets was added on the first day after the end of 14 days in the quadruple group, for 500 mg, bid 14 days. The eradication rates and adverse reactions of the three groups were compared. Results: The eradication rates of H.pylori were 89.0%,90.4% and 91.3% in the quadruple therapy group, the simultaneous probiotic group and the there after probiotic group according to Per-protocol(PP) analysis,respectively,with no statistical difference (P=0.870). According to intention-to-treat(ITT)analysis, 81.0%, 85.0% and 84.0%, respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.732).The overall incidence of adverse reactions and the incidence of diarrhea and nausea in the simultaneous probiotic group, and the there after probiotic group were lower than those in the quadruple group(P<0.05),and the difference was statistically significant.The overall incidence of adverse reactions and diarrhea in the simultaneous probiotic were lower than those in the there after probiotic group (P=0.021, P=0.007), and the difference was statistically significant. Conclusions: S. Boulardii Sachets combined with quadruple therapy at the same time or after eradication treatment can not improve the H.pylori eradication rate,but can reduce the overall incidence of adverse reactions and the incidence of diarrhea and nausea. It is safer to add S. Boulardii Sachets at the same time than after eradication therapy.

RETRACTED: miR-1290 promotes proliferation and suppresses apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia by targeting FOXG1/SOCS3.

Retraction statement. We, the Editors and Publisher of Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents, have retracted the following article: "miR-1290 promotes proliferation and suppresses apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia by targeting FOXG1/SOCS3". Published in our Vol. 33 n. 6, 2019 issue, DOI: 10.23812/19-189-A. The article has been retracted following receipt of information from the corresponding author X.L. Ju, informing us that "they found that the cell lines they had been experimenting with were contaminated, and some of the results could not be repeated. In order not to mislead readers, they have withdrawn this manuscript with apologies". The article is withdrawn from all print and electronic editions.We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions.The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as "Retracted."

RETRACTED: miR-1290 promotes proliferation and suppresses apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia by targeting FOXG1/SOCS3.

Retraction statement. We, the Editors and Publisher of Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents, have retracted the following article: "miR-1290 promotes proliferation and suppresses apoptosis in acute myeloid leukemia by targeting FOXG1/SOCS3". Published in our Vol. 33 n. 6, 2019 issue, DOI: 10.23812/19-189-A. The article has been retracted following receipt of information from the corresponding author X.L. Ju, informing us that "they found that the cell lines they had been experimenting with were contaminated, and some of the results could not be repeated. In order not to mislead readers, they have withdrawn this manuscript with apologies". The article is withdrawn from all print and electronic editions.We have been informed in our decision-making by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retractions.The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as "Retracted."

[Components of human placental extract and its protective effect to rat from D-GalN induced acute liver injury].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of human placental extracts (HPE) on the protection from acute liver injury (ALI) induced by D-GalN and analyze the components of HPE. Methods: (1)Fourty male mice were randomly divided into five groups (Blank, Model, MgIG, HPE and HPE+ MgIG) for the ALI model and treatments.The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) were determined by biochemical assays.Nitric monoxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in serum and hepatic tissue were detected by assay kits.The extent of liver damage was evaluated by histological examination.(2)Relative molecular mass of HPE was determined by SDS-PAGE.(3) Component identification was performed by using LCMS-TOF.(4)Selected functional molecules in HPE were detected by protein array. Results: (1) A lower level of NO and MDA and a higher SOD and T-AOC were observed in rats treated with HPE compared to the non-treated rats in an acute liver failure disease model.(2) The size of HPE was about 1 200-4 600 by electrophores.(3) 7 peaks of HPE were identified, including uracil, hypoxanthine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, xanthine and thymine.(4) Comparable high concentrations of TGF-ß, IGF-1, IL-9, IL-29 and TNF-α of HPE were revealed by protein array. Conclusions: (1) HPE protects rat from liver damage induced by D-GalN. (2) HPE contains Uracil, hypoxanthine, xanthine, thymine, and functional proteins as TGF-ß, IGF-1, IL-9, IL-29 and TNF-α.

[Liquid milk exposure and risk assessment of thiocyanate in Chinese populations].

Objective: To analyze liquid milk exposure of thiocyanate among Chinese population and preliminarily assess its health risk. Methods: A total of 2 059 raw milk samples were collected during 2013 and 2014 from 12 Chinese provinces, New Zealand and Netherlands. Farms were chosed according to the main sources of dairy companies, the distribution of farms and the yield of milk. Content of thiocyanate were detected by ion chromatography. Liquid milk consumption data were taken from Chinese beverage and alcoholic beverage consumption survey in 18 cities or counties in 9 provinces, including 16 775 subjects older than 3. A simple distribution model was used to estimate the exposure of thiocyanate from liquid milk. The tolerable daily intake (TDI) of thiocyanate was made 0.08 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1). Then the exposures of different age groups were compared with TDI. Results: Finally, 1 331 samples out of 2 059 were detected to contain thiocyanate. The detection rate was 65%. The average concentration of thiocyanate was 2.11 mg/kg, with a range of 0.10-16.20 mg/kg. The general population's consumption of thiocyanate by drinking liquid milk was 0.001 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1), which was lower than TDI. The P(95) of general population and consumers were 0.009 mg · kg(-1) · d(-1) and 0.020 mg·kg( -1)·d(-1) respectively, which were also lower than TDI. Mean exposures of population aged 3-6, 7-12, 13-17, 18-59 as well as elderly aged 60 and above were 0.007, 0.003, 0.002, 0.001 and 0.001 mg · kg(-1)·d(-1) respectively, which were all lower than TDI. Conclusion: The results suggested that the health risk of thiocyanate exposure by drinking liquid milk among Chinese population was at a low level. However, milk products for children deserve more concern.

Tetramethylpyrazine-2'-O-sodium ferulate attenuates blood-brain barrier disruption and brain oedema after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion.

Disruption of blood-brain barrier (BBB) and subsequent oedema are major causes of the pathogenesis in ischaemic stroke with which the current clinical therapy remains unsatisfied. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effect of tetramethylpyrazine-2'-O-sodium ferulate (TSF)-a novel analogue of tetramethylpyrazine in alleviating BBB breakdown and brain oedema after cerebral ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R). Then, we explored the potential mechanism of the protection on BBB disruption in cerebral I/R rat models. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were subjected to 120 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), followed by 48 h reperfusion. TSF (10.8, 18 and 30 mg kg-1) and ozagrel (18 mg kg-1) were administrated by intravenous injection immediately for the first time and then received the same dose every 24 h for 2 days. We found that TSF treatment significantly attenuated the cerebral water content, infarction volume and improved neurological outcomes in MCAO rats compared to I/R models. Moreover, we investigated the effect of TSF on the BBB for that cerebral oedema is closely related to the permeability of the BBB. We found that the permeability of BBB was improved significantly in TSF groups compared to I/R model group by Evans blue leakage testing. Furthermore, the expressions of tight junction (TJ) proteins junction adhesion molecule-1 and occludin significantly decreased, but the protein expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) increased after cerebral I/R, all of which were alleviated by TSF treatment. In conclusion, TSF significantly reduced BBB permeability and brain oedema, which were correlated with regulating the expression of TJ proteins, MMP-9 and AQP4. These findings provide a novel approach to the treatment of ischaemic stroke.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of mir-133a-1 and in pre-mir-152 rs1707 may contribute to the risk of asthma in a Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: microRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of asthma. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promotor regions of miRNAs or pre-miRNAs are involved in the alteration of miRNA expression levels or their maturation process and can contribute to asthma pathogenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 591 asthma cases and 621 controls were recruited for this study to evaluate the genetic effects of the following five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the development of asthma: rs8089787 and rs9948906 in the promoter region of mir-133a-1, pre-mir-499 rs37464444, pre-mir-152 rs1707, pre-mir-155 rs5186. The genotypes were determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis revealed that the CT and CT+TT genotypes in the mir-133a-1 rs8089787 (CT vs. CC, OR = 0.413, 95% CI: 0.315-0.541; CT+TT vs. CC, OR = 0.443, 95% CI: 0.342-0.574, respectively) were significantly associated with a decreased risk for asthma in sample of the Chinese Han population, compared with CC genotype. Similarly, the CT and CT+TT genotypes in the mir-133a-1 rs9948906 (CT vs. CC, OR = 0.398, 95% CI: 0.300-0.528; CT+TT vs. CC, OR = 0.403, 95% CI: 0.306-0.532, respectively) were associated with a decreased risk of asthma. However, the C alleles of both mir-133a-1 rs8089787 (C vs. T, OR = 1.867, 95% CI: 1.486-2.345) and rs9948906 (C vs. T, OR = 2.177, 95% CI: 1.690-2.804) were significantly associated with an increased risk for asthma. The CT genotype frequencies of pre-mir-152 rs1707 (CT vs. TT, OR = 4.730, 95% CI: 2.425-9.223) were significantly associated with an increased risk for asthma in a Chinese Han population (p < 0.001). The C allele frequencies of pre-mir-152 rs1707 (C vs. T, OR = 6.671, 95% CI: 3.146-14.147) was also significantly associated with an increased risk of asthma in a Chinese Han population (p < 0.001). However, the genotype and allele frequencies of rs5186, located in pre-miR-155, did not significantly differ between the cases and the controls; as well as those of rs3746444 in pre-miR-499. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided evidence that polymorphisms of rs8089787 and rs9948906 in the promotor region of mir-133a-1 and pre-mir-152 rs1707 may contribute to the risk of asthma in a Chinese Han population.

Association between SNPs in the promoter region in cathepsin S and risk of asthma in Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: Cathepsin S (CTSS) is a lysosomal cysteine protease and is predominantly expressed in antigen-presenting cells, which plays an important role in the allergic response. In this study, we explored the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promotor regions in CTSS and risk of asthma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 591 cases and 621 controls were recruited for this study. Five SNPs in the CTSS were selected including rs7534124, rs16827671, rs34495036, rs3754212, and rs1136774. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was employed for genotyping. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that rs7534124 CT and CT + CC genotypes had significantly decreased risk of asthma (CT vs. TT, OR: 0.576, 95% CI: 0.425-0.780, p < 0.001; CT + CC vs. TT, OR: 0.638, 95% CI: 0.479-0.849, p < 0.001; respectively) compared to TT genotype. Similarly, the rs1136774 AG and AG + GG genotypes (AG vs. AA, OR: 0.581, 95% CI: 0.426-0.793, p = 0.001; AG + GG vs. AA, OR: 0.647, 95% CI: 0.483-0.867, p = 0.004, respectively) were also associated with a decreased risk of asthma. However, there was no significant association between genotypes of the remaining SNPs and the risk of asthma (p > 0.006). Moreover, the alleles in all SNPs are also not associated with the risk of asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provided strong evidence that polymorphism of rs7534124 and rs1136774 in CTSS promoter may decrease the susceptibility of asthma in a Chinese Han population.

A systematic review of presacral extramedullary haematopoiesis: a diagnosis to be considered for presacral masses.

AIM: Presacral masses are uncommon and have malignant potential; treatment typically includes surgical excision. However, there are conditions such as extramedullary haematopoiesis (EMH) which are benign. The present study aimed to summarize the presentation of presacral EMH in our institution, to review the literature and to offer management strategies for this rare condition. METHOD: The literature was searched for articles related to presacral EMH, and case reports were collected from articles meeting the inclusion criteria. We collected data on patient demographics, diagnostic investigation, management and the results of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-nine patients were included in the systematic review. Initial imaging included computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound (US) suggestive of EMH. Some patients then underwent a technetium scan (n = 7, 18%), biopsy of the presacral lesion (n = 27, 69%) or excision of the entire mass (n = 3, 8%). All patients who underwent technetium scan were confirmed to have EMH, demonstrating enhancement similar to bone marrow. Patients who underwent technetium scan and presacral mass biopsy had concordant results confirming presacral EMH (n = 5, 13%). Data on management were available for 35/39 (90%) with most patients followed by clinical observation (n = 20, 51%). Symptomatic patients were treated with radiotherapy (15%), surgical excision (15%) or hydroxyurea (5%) and blood transfusions (10%). Most (81%, n = 17/21) patients whose outcome was reported remained asymptomatic or experienced pain relief. CONCLUSION: Although uncommon, EMH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a presacral mass. Presacral EMH is a benign condition that can be suspected on CT or MRI and confirmed with technetium scan. Patients may not necessarily need to undergo biopsy to confirm haematopoietic elements. Unlike other presacral masses, patients diagnosed with presacral EMH can be managed by observation. If symptomatic, radiotherapy or surgical excision may be offered.

Determination of melamine and its analogues in egg by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry using an isotope dilution technique.

A method was developed for the simultaneous determination of melamine, ammeline, ammelide, and cyanuric acid in egg using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The samples were first extracted by the solution of diethylamine-water-acetonitrile (10:40:50, v/v/v). Clean-up employed an 'On Guard II' RP cartridge, and the dried elute was derivatised using bis-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) with 1% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS). Derivatised samples were analysed by GC-MS/MS using multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) with (13)C(3)-(15)N(3)-labelled melamine and cyanuric acid as internal standards. Blank samples of egg were spiked with the four analytes at concentration level of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 mg kg(-1), and the intra-day and inter-day recoveries were in the range 75.7-122.5% with the relative standard deviation (RSD) from 2.6% to 22.8%. Decision limits (CCα, α = 0.01) for melamine, ammeline, ammelide, and cyanuric acid in egg samples and milk powder were 3.5-5.9 and 2.5 to 3.8 µg kg(-1), and the detection capabilities (CCß, ß = 0.05) were 4.9-8.4 and 3.6-9.5 µg kg(-1), respectively. The method was successfully applied to egg samples and milk products as well. Satisfactory results were obtained as part of the 2009 European Union melamine proficiency test.

Improved arachidonic acids production from the fungus Mortierella alpina by glutamate supplementation.

The effect of various concentrations of glutamate on arachidonic acid (AA) production from Mortierella alpina in shaker flask culture was studied. Glutamate supplementation promoted Mortierella growth, accelerated substrate metabolism, and increased AA production, and a concentration of 0.8 g/l glutamate resulted in the greatest AA yield (1.41 g/l). In 10 l airlift stirred fermenter culture, AA yield in the cultures exposed to 0.8 g/l glutamate was also greater than that in the control (0.56 g/l).

Extraction of lipids from Mortierella alpina and enrichment of arachidonic acid from the fungal lipids.

Mortierella alpina is known as an arachidonic acid (AA) producing oleaginous fungus. Extraction of lipids from wet and dry M. alpina biomass was compared. Lipids yield of extraction from dry cells was higher than that of extraction from wet. Wet extraction mainly extracted lipid bodies and lipids in membranes did not extract effectively. Enrichment of AA from the fungal lipids by a urea inclusion method was studied. Most of the saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, 93.0% and 84.6%, respectively, were removed by forming urea inclusion compounds. AA was concentrated after urea inclusion. Its content in total fatty acids increased 6.2-folds and reached 57.1% with a recovery of 81.9%.