Assessment of the effect of the Aquamantys® system on local recurrence after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma through propensity score matching.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of the intraoperative application of the Aquamantys® system to treat the hepatic resection margin on local and overall recurrence of HCC. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 101 patients admitted from November 2016 to June 2018 who underwent hepatectomy using the Aquamantys® as hemostatic device, who were matched with 101 patients (control group) using conventional hemostatic devices through PSM. Univariate and multivariate analyses of recurrence-free survival (RFS) and local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) were performed using the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline data and surgical procedures between the two groups. The Aquamantys® group showed less blood loss (P = 0.005) and a lower blood transfusion rate (P = 0.036), while the incidences of postoperative complications of the two groups showed no difference (P = 0.266). OS rates of the Aquamantys® group and the control group were 82.6% and 84.2%, respectively (P = 0. 446), and RFS rates were 65.5% and 58.2%, respectively (P = 0.153), with no significant differences. The Aquamantys® group and the control group had two cases and 11 cases of local recurrence, respectively, with LRFS rates of 98% and 87.9%, respectively, in the follow-up period, corresponding to a significant difference (P = 0.011). Multivariate analysis showed that microvascular invasion (MVI), tumor diameter > 5 cm, and the control group were independent risk factors for LRFS. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that application of the Aquamantys® system in hepatectomy can reduce local recurrence, but it can neither reduce overall recurrence nor improve OS.

Effect of broccoli residues fermented with probiotics on the growth performance and health status of broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens

This study aimed at investigating the effects of broccoli residues fermented with probiotics (BF) on the growth performance, immunity, and gut health in broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). A total of 600 broilers (one day old) were randomly allotted into five treatments with six replicates of 20 birds each and were reared until 42 days of age. The treatments included a positive control (PC, fed a basal diet and reared on uncontaminated litter), a negative control (NC, birds reared on litter contaminated with C. perfringens and fed a basal diet), and NC plus BF at 25, 50 or 75 g/kg of diet. The BF contained yeast 3.1 × 10 (7) cfu/g, lactic acid bacteria 9.5 × 10 (6) cfu/g and Bacillus subtilis 3.5 × 10 (6) cfu/g. Birds in the NC group showed lower (p<0.05) feed intake and body weight gain, whereas BF supplementation recovered (p<0.05) the growth performance to the levels of PC group. Dietary BF at 50and 75 g/kg reduced (p<0.05) broiler mortality. Similarly, compared to the NC group, BF increased (p<0.05) immune organ weights and serum immunoglobulins A, G, and M to the levels of PC group. The ileal populations of Escherichia coli and Gram-negative bacteria were decreased (p<0.05) by BF to the levels of PC, and C. perfringens was also decreased (p<0.05) by BF. The serum profiles of mono- and di-amine oxidase were decreased (p<0.05) by BF. BF at 75 g/kg reduced (p<0.05) monoamine oxidase compared with the other BF doses. The results suggest that broccoli residues fermented with probiotics can be a novel biological feed additive to protect the performance and health of broilers against C. perfringens infection.

Effect of broccoli residues fermented with probiotics on the growth performance and health status of broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens

This study aimed at investigating the effects of broccoli residues fermented with probiotics (BF) on the growth performance, immunity, and gut health in broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). A total of 600 broilers (one day old) were randomly allotted into five treatments with six replicates of 20 birds each and were reared until 42 days of age. The treatments included a positive control (PC, fed a basal diet and reared on uncontaminated litter), a negative control (NC, birds reared on litter contaminated with C. perfringens and fed a basal diet), and NC plus BF at 25, 50 or 75 g/kg of diet. The BF contained yeast 3.1 × 10 (7) cfu/g, lactic acid bacteria 9.5 × 10 (6) cfu/g and Bacillus subtilis 3.5 × 10 (6) cfu/g. Birds in the NC group showed lower (p<0.05) feed intake and body weight gain, whereas BF supplementation recovered (p<0.05) the growth performance to the levels of PC group. Dietary BF at 50and 75 g/kg reduced (p<0.05) broiler mortality. Similarly, compared to the NC group, BF increased (p<0.05) immune organ weights and serum immunoglobulins A, G, and M to the levels of PC group. The ileal populations of Escherichia coli and Gram-negative bacteria were decreased (p<0.05) by BF to the levels of PC, and C. perfringens was also decreased (p<0.05) by BF. The serum profiles of mono- and di-amine oxidase were decreased (p<0.05) by BF. BF at 75 g/kg reduced (p<0.05) monoamine oxidase compared with the other BF doses. The results suggest that broccoli residues fermented with probiotics can be a novel biological feed additive to protect the performance and health of broilers against C. perfringens infection.(AU)

The Application Methods of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signal Pathway Inhibitors SP600125 and SB203580 in Long-term in Vivo Experiments / Métodos de aplicación de los inhibidores SP600125 y SB203580 de la vía de señalización de la proteína quinasa activada por mitógeno en experimentos in vivo a largo plazo

ABSTRACT Objective: To explore the application methods of mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway inhibitors SP600125 and SB203580 in long-term in vivo experiments. Methods: A total of 55 healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank control group, model control group, SP low dose group, SP high dose group, SP blank group, SB low dose group, SB high dose group, SB blank group, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control group, DMSO blank group, and positive control group. Since the first day of the experiment, each group was administered the corresponding treatment for four weeks continuously. Then, the myocardial c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the total protein of p38, protein phosphorylation and its gene expression levels were detected. Results: After intravenous treatment with adriamycin, the myocardial phosphorylate-JNK (p-JNK) and phosphorylate-p38 (p-p38) levels in all groups were increased to varying degrees, of which the model control group increased the most significantly (p < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, the myocardial p-JNK and p-p38 increased more slowly in the SP low dose group, SP high dose group, SB low dose group, SB high dose group and positive control group (p < 0.05), of which the increase in the SP high dose group and the SB high dose group was the slowest (p < 0.05). After four weeks, the total protein and messenger ribonucleic acid of the myocardial JNK and p38 in all groups had no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The continuous intravenous injection of SP600125 and SB203580 for four weeks significantly reduced the protein phosphorylation levels of JNK and p38, which provides a practical avenue for the long-term study in vivo.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Explorar los métodos de aplicación de los inhibidores SP600125 y SB203580 de la vía de señalización de la proteína quinasa activada por mitógeno en experimentos in vivo a largo plazo. Métodos: Un total de 55 conejos sanos de Nueva Zelandia fueron divididos aleatoriamente en los grupos siguientes: grupo de control en blanco, grupo de control modelo, grupo de dosis baja SP, grupo de dosis alta SP, grupo en blanco SP, grupo de dosis baja SB, grupo de dosis alta SB, grupo en blanco SB, grupo de control dimetilsulfóxido (DMSO), grupo en blanco DMSO, y grupo de control positivo. Desde el primer día del experimento, a cada grupo se le administró el tratamiento correspondiente por cuatro semanas continuas. Entonces, se detectaron la quinasa c-Jun N-terminal (JNK) miocárdica y la proteína p38 total, así como la fosforilación proteica y sus niveles de expresión génica. Resultados: Después del tratamiento intravenoso con adriamicina, los niveles de fosfo-JNK (p-JNK) y fosfo-p38 (p-p38) del miocardio aumentaron en todos los grupos en diversos grados, siendo el aumento del grupo de control modelo el más significativo (p < 0.05). En comparación con el grupo de control modelo, p-JNK y p-p38 miocárdicos aumentaron más lentamente en el grupo de dosis baja SP, el grupo de dosis alta SP, el grupo de dosis baja SB, el grupo de dosis alta SB, y el grupo de control positivo (p < 0.05). De estos, el aumento en el grupo de dosis alta SP y el grupo de dosis alta SB fue el más lento (p < 0.05). Después de cuatro semanas, la proteína total y el ácido ribonucleico mensajero de JNK y p38 miocárdicos en todos los grupos, no tuvieron diferencias significativas (p > 0.05). Conclusión: La inyección intravenosa continua de SP600125 y SB203580 durante cuatro semanas redujo significativamente los niveles de fosforilación proteica de JNK y p38, lo que proporciona una vía práctica para el estudio a largo plazo in vivo.

Role of ADH2 and ALDH2 gene polymorphisms in the development of Parkinson's disease in a Chinese population.

In this study, we investigated the role of ADH2 Arg47His and ALDH2 Glu487Lys genetic polymorphisms in the development of Parkinson's disease in a Chinese population. Between January 2013 and May 2014, 115 patients with Parkinson's disease and 214 healthy controls were recruited in our study. Genotyping of ADH2 Arg47His and ALDH2 Glu487Lys polymorphisms was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. In the dominant model, the GA + AA genotype of ALDH2 Glu487Lys was found to be significantly associated with elevated risk of Parkinson's disease when compared with the GG genotype [odds ratio = 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-2.84]. In the recessive model, the AA genotype of ALDH2 Glu487Lys showed a 4.87-fold increase (95%CI = 1.54-18.03) in the risk of Parkinson's disease when compared to the GG and GA genotypes. However, no significant association was found between the ADH2 Arg47His polymorphism and risk of Parkinson's disease in the co-dominant, dominant, or recessive models. In conclusion, our study suggests that the ALDH2 polymorphism could influence the development of Parkinson's disease in the Chinese population studied here.

ERCC1 C118T polymorphism has predictive value for platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with late-stage bladder cancer.

This study aims to investigate the association between ERCC1 codon C118T polymorphism and the response rate of platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with late-stage bladder cancer. A total of 41 eligible patients histologically confirmed as having stage IV muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy for 2-6 cycles. The genotypes of patients were determined by PCR amplification of genomic DNA followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Positive responses were categorized as complete and partial responses. In addition, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were also determined as indicators of long-term outcomes. The genotype frequencies of C/C, C/T and T/T genotypes were 56.1, 34.1, and 9.8%, respectively. Positive response was observed in 14 patients (34.1%), while 27 patients (65.9%) were negative responders. As compared with individuals carrying the C/T and T/T genotypes, those with the C/C genotype had significantly improved short-term treatment responses (P = 0.018). The median PFS of patients carrying the C/C genotype was 6.3 months, while that of patients with C/T and T/T genotypes was 4.2 months (P = 0.023). Moreover, the median OS for patients carrying the C/C genotype was also longer as compared with that of patients carrying C/T and T/T (11.7 months vs 8.5 months, P = 0.040). Our results indicated that the ERCC1 codon 118 polymorphism may have predictive potential for chemotherapy treatment responses in late-stage bladder cancer patients.

Random-start controlled ovarian stimulation for emergency fertility preservation in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report.

This study reports a case of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist trigger in a young female with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who underwent fertility preservation using random-start controlled ovarian stimulation. This method involves the stimulation of the ovary regardless of a patient's menstrual-cycle phase. A review of the related literature is also provided. A 17-year-old patient was diagnosed with MDS and required initiation of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation within a maximum of 3 weeks and was in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when the possibility of attempting preservation of fertility was presented to her. She opted for a random-start controlled ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins. With successful hemorrhagic prophylaxis, 17 oocytes were retrieved including 10 mature and 7 immature oocytes. Of the immature oocytes, 3 were successfully matured in vitro and a vitrification protocol was used to freeze the 13 mature oocytes.

Random-start controlled ovarian stimulation for emergency fertility preservation in a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report

This study reports a case of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist trigger in a young female with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who underwent fertility preservation using random-start controlled ovarian stimulation. This method involves the stimulation of the ovary regardless of a patient's menstrual-cycle phase. A review of the related literature is also provided. A 17-year-old patient was diagnosed with MDS and required initiation of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation within a maximum of 3 weeks and was in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle when the possibility of attempting preservation of fertility was presented to her. She opted for a random-start controlled ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins. With successful hemorrhagic prophylaxis, 17 oocytes were retrieved including 10 mature and 7 immature oocytes. Of the immature oocytes, 3 were successfully matured in vitro and a vitrification protocol was used to freeze the 13 mature oocytes.

Clinical significance of CD44 expression in children with hepatoblastoma.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of CD44 and its clinical significance in children suffering from hepatoblastoma (HB). CD44 expression was detected with immunohistochemistry staining in 30 samples from hepatoblastoma children and 10 normal liver tissue samples from normal children. The data obtained was statistically analyzed using the chi-square test, using the SPSS (v.11.0) software. The rate of CD44 expression was significantly higher (66.7%) in hepatoblastoma tissues than in normal liver tissues (χ(2) = 4.848, P < 0.05). The rate of CD44 expression was significantly higher in children with stage III or IV hepatoblastoma (83.3%) than that in children with stage I and II hepatoblastoma (χ(2) ＝ 5.625, P < 0.05) (41.7%). Therefore, CD44 expression might play an important role in the pathogenesis, progression, and prognosis of HB in children.

Resveratrol could reverse the expression of SIRT1 and MMP-1 in vitro.

Intervertebral disc degeneration is the main cause of lumbago disease, in which the extracellular matrix structure and moisture in the nucleus pulposus is lost continuously. In this study, we aimed to detect differential expression of silence mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in human intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells and to explore the effects of SIRT1 and MMP-1 on the development of the intervertebral disc degeneration. Intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus specimens from 41 patients who underwent lumbar protrusion resection at HuiZhou Municipal Central Hospital, during the period from October 2011 to December 2013, were studied in comparison with 23 control cases from patients who underwent fractured lumbar resection. In degenerated human intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells, the expression of SIRT1 is decreased and MMP-1 is increased compared with that of the control cells. Resveratrol could reverse these effects, thereby increasing the expression of SIRT1 (0.87 ± 0.07 vs 0.54 ± 0.04), Coll2α1 (0.90 ± 0.08 vs 0.38 ± 0.01), and aggrecan (0.69 ± 0.07 vs 0.42 ± 0.05) and decreasing the expression of MMP-1 (0.61 ± 0.03 vs 0.93 ± 0.08). These results suggest that resveratrol could possibly reverse the process of intervertebral disc degeneration and thus could be applied as a potential drug for the disease.

Application of the ERK signaling pathway inhibitor PD98059 in long-term in vivo experiments.

The aim of this study was to explore methods by which the ERK signaling pathway inhibitor PD98059 (PD) could be used in long-term in vivo experiments. Forty healthy New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into blank control, model control, PD low-dose, PD high-dose, PD blank, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) control, DMSO blank, and positive control groups. The corresponding treatments were administered to each experimental group over the course of four weeks, after which, total ERK1/2 and ERK5 protein levels, protein phosphorylation, and gene expression were measured in myocardial tissues. Treatment of rabbits with Adriamycin (doxorubicin) resulted in the significant overall differences in ERK1/2 and ERK5 phosphorylation (P < 0.05). Compared with the model control group, changes in phosphorylated ERK1/2 and phosphorylated ERK5 were lowest in the PD high-dose group (P < 0.05). No significant differences in total protein and mRNA levels of myocardial ERK1/2 and ERK5 were detected between the groups after four weeks (P > 0.05). Continuous intravenous injection of PD98059 significantly reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and that of ERK5. In conclusion, Adriamycin-induced myocardiopathy and abnormal ERK signaling might constitute a valuable model foruse in long-term experiments. These methods may provide a theoretical basis for related in vivo studies of long duration.

Correlation between the NPPB gene promoter c.-1298 G/T polymorphism site and pulse pressure in the Chinese Han population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the natriuretic peptide precursor B (NPPB) gene single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) c.-1298 G/T and pulse pressure (PP) of the Chinese Han population and the association between genotype and clinical indicators of hypertension. Peripheral blood was collected from 180 unrelated patients with hypertension and 540 healthy volunteers (control group), and DNA was extracted to amplify the 5'-flanking region and 2 exons of the NPPB gene by polymerase chain reaction; the fragment was sequenced after purification. The clinical data of all subjects were recorded, the distribution of the NPPB gene c.-1298 G/T polymorphism was determined, and differences in clinical indicators between the two groups were evaluated. The mean arterial pressure PP, and creatinine levels were significantly higher in the hypertension group than in the control group (P<0.05), but no other clinical indicators differed between the groups. There were no significant differences in genotype frequency and distribution of the NPPB gene c.-1298 G/T polymorphism between the hypertension group and the control group (P>0.05); in the control group, the mean PP of individuals with the SNP c.-1298 GG genotype was greater than that of individuals with the GT+TT genotype (P<0.05). In conclusion, there was no significant correlation between the NPPB gene c.-1298 G/T polymorphism and the incidence of essential hypertension in the Han population; however, the PP of the SNP c.-1298 GG genotype was greater than that of the GT+TT genotype in the control group.

Associations between polymorphisms of the GFI1B gene and growth traits of indigenous Chinese goats.

This study aimed to investigate polymorphisms of the eighth exon in the GFI1B gene among three indigenous Chinese goat breeds (QianBei Ma goats, GuiZhou white goats, and GuiZhou black goats). Furthermore, association analysis was conducted between these polymorphisms and growth traits. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP), direct DNA sequencing, and PCR-restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were applied to detect polymorphism sites, and a general linear model was used to analyze their association with growth traits. We found two consistent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in the eighth exon of the GFI1B gene among the three breeds: 263 bp G→T and 340 bp G→A. The fixed effects model used to analyze growth traits revealed significant differences in body weight, body length, chest depth, and chest breadth between genotypes CD, CC, and DD (P < 0.01). The 340(G/C) polymorphic sites identified here will provide a basis to further study associations between the GFI1B gene and growth traits, as well as establish a theoretical foundation to develop better feeding and genetic resources of indigenous goats.

Enhanced expression and significance of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor attachment protein 1 in colorectal cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor attachment protein 1 (GPAA1) and its significance in patients with colorectal cancer. Fifty-two patients with primary colorectal cancer were included in this study. GPAA1 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis. A cell invasion assay was performed by the transwell method. The interacting proteins of GPAA1 were detected by co-immunoprecipitation and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS). The expression of GPAA1 mRNA and protein in primary colorectal tumor tissues and liver metastasis tissues was significantly higher than that in normal mucosa tissues (P < 0.01). The number of highly expressing GPAA1 cells penetrating the Matrigel membrane was significantly higher than that of mildly expressing GPAA1 cells (P < 0.05). The results of co-immunoprecipitation and MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS confirmed the identity of the protein. GPAA1 is highly expressed in patients with colorectal cancer, which indicates that it might play an important role in the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of colorectal cancer.

Neuropilin-1 is overexpressed in osteosarcoma and contributes to tumor progression and poor prognosis.

AIM: Neuropilin (NRP)-1, a co-receptor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), plays an important role in angiogenesis and malignant progression of many cancers. However, the involvement of NRP-1 in osteosarcoma is not completely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and clinical significance of NRP-1 in human osteosarcoma. METHODS: NRP-1 mRNA and protein expression levels were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot assays, respectively, using 166 pairs of osteosarcoma and noncancerous bone tissues. Then, the association of NRP-1 expression with clinicopathological factors or survival of osteosarcoma patients was further evaluated. RESULTS: RT-PCR and Western blot assays revealed that NRP-1 expression in osteosarcoma tissues was significantly higher than that in corresponding noncancerous bone tissues at both mRNA and protein levels (both P < 0.001). In addition, high NRP-1 expression more frequently occurred in osteosarcoma tissues with advanced clinical stage (P = 0.006), positive distant metastasis (P = 0.01) and poor response to chemotherapy (P = 0.006). Moreover, osteosarcoma patients with high NRP-1 expression had significantly shorter overall survival and disease-free survival (both P < 0.001) when compared with patients with the low expression of NRP-1. On Cox multivariate analysis, NRP-1 overexpression was an independent and significant prognostic factor to predict poor overall survival and disease-free survival (both P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to reveal that NRP-1 overexpression may be related to the prediction of metastasis potency, response to chemotherapy and poor prognosis for osteosarcoma patients, suggesting that NRP-1 may serve as a prognostic marker for the optimization of clinical treatments.

Increased expression of CD24 is associated with tumor progression and prognosis in patients suffering osteosarcoma.

OBJECTIVE: As a small heavily glycosylated mucin-like glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored cell surface protein, CD24 plays an important role in carcinogenesis of various human malignancies. However, its involvement in osteosarcoma is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and the clinical significance of CD24 in human osteosarcoma. METHODS: CD24 mRNA and protein expression levels were, respectively, detected by RT-PCR and Western blot assays using 30 pairs of osteosarcoma and noncancerous bone tissues. Then, immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the association of CD24 expression in 166 osteosarcoma tissues with clinicopathological factors or survival of patients. RESULTS: CD24 expression at mRNA and protein levels were both significantly higher in osteosarcoma tissues than those in corresponding noncancerous bone tissues (both P < 0.001). In addition, CD24 protein was positively expressed in 129 of 166 (77.7 %) osteosarcoma specimens with a cytoplasmic and membraneous staining, and also increased in the osteosarcoma specimens with advanced clinical stage (P = 0.01) and positive distant metastasis (P = 0.005). The univariate and multivariate analyses showed that osteosarcoma patients with high CD24 expression had poorer overall and disease-free survival, and high CD24 expression was an independent prognostic factor for both overall and disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: The aforementioned findings offer convincing evidence for the first time that the increased expression of CD24 is correlated with tumor aggressiveness and tumor metastasis of osteosarcoma, and this molecule is an independent prognostic marker for osteosarcoma patients.