Development of prognostic signature based on RNA binding proteins related genes analysis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play significant roles in the development of tumors. However, a comprehensive analysis of the biological functions of RBPs in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) has not been performed. Our study aimed to construct an RBP-related risk model for prognosis prediction in ccRCC patients. First, RNA sequencing data of ccRCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Three RBP genes (EIF4A1, CARS, and RPL22L1) were validated as prognosis-related hub genes by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and were integrated into a prognostic model by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression analysis. According to this model, patients with high risk scores displayed significantly worse overall survival (OS) than those with low risk scores. Moreover, the multivariate Cox analysis results indicated that risk score, tumor grade, and tumor stage were significantly correlated with patient OS. A nomogram was constructed based on the three RBP genes and showed a good ability to predict outcomes in ccRCC patients. In conclusion, this study identified a three-RBP gene risk model for predicting the prognosis of patients, which is conducive to the identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic molecular markers.

Laparoscopic versus open surgery for pheochromocytoma: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the main treatment for pheochromocytoma (PHEO). Although open surgery (OS) has been shown to be safe and feasible, the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery (LS) for PHEO remain controversial due to the uncertain effects of pneumoperitoneum on haemodynamics and the complexity of the tumour itself. This study was performed to compare the treatment outcomes of OS with those of LS for patients with PHEO. METHODS: A systematic search through November 11, 2019, was conducted. All studies comparing outcomes of LS and OS for PHEO were included according to eligibility criteria. This meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager Software, version 5.3, and STATA software, version 12.0. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. RESULTS: Fourteen studies involving 626 patients were included in this meta-analysis. LS was associated with lower rates of intraoperative haemodynamic instability (IHD) [odds ratio (OR) = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.00, P = 0.05], less intraoperative blood loss [weighted mean difference (WMD) = - 115.27 ml, 95% confidence interval (CI): - 128.54 to - 101.99, P < 0.00001], lower blood transfusion rates [OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.21 to 0.52, P < 0.00001], earlier ambulation (WMD = - 1.57 d, 95% CI: - 1.97 to - 1.16, P < 0.00001) and food intake (WMD = - 0.98 d, 95% CI: - 1.36 to - 0.59, P < 0.00001), shorter drainage tube indwelling time (WMD = - 0.51 d, 95% CI: - 0.96 to - 0.07, P = 0.02) and postoperative stay (WMD = - 3.17 d, 95% CI: - 4.76 to - 1.58, P < 0.0001), and lower overall complication rates (OR = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.88, P = 0.01). However, no significant differences in operative time, postoperative blood pressure control, rates of severe complications, postoperative hypotension or cardiovascular disease (CVD) were found between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: LS is safe and effective for PHEO resection. Compared with OS, LS caused less IHD, providing an equal chance to cure hypertension while also yielding a faster and better postoperative recovery.

[Pollution characteristics of VOCs in ambient air of Ji'nan City in summer].

Totally 56 kinds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air of Ji'nan City in summer 2010 were monitored by online GC to analyze their pollution characteristics and their relationship with weather conditions. The results showed that the majority of VOCs in ambient air in Ji'nan were alkanes, aromatics and olefins, accounting for 98.2% of the 56 kinds of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) detected. The concentrations of VOCs remained stable in June and July, and were significantly higher in mid and late August, and the quality percentages of the VOCs components showed some variations with changes in temperature. In sunny days, the diurnal variation curve of VOCs concentration had a bimodal characteristic, with the two peaks appearing in the rush hours with heavy traffic. There were no obvious bimodal distribution in rainy days and the concentrations were higher. The concentration of VOCs in ambient air in summer showed negative correlation with the wind speed and hours of sunshine, when the atmospheric stability was high, the pollutants were difficult to diffuse, which lead to increasing concentration of VOCs. The main sources of VOCs in Ji'nan are industrial emissions, motor vehicle emissions, the evaporation and leakage of gasoline, etc.

Analysis and characterization of cultivable heavy metal-resistant bacterial endophytes isolated from Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. and their potential use for phytoremediation.

This study investigates the heavy metal-resistant bacterial endophytes of Cd-hyperaccumulator Solanum nigrum L. grown on a mine tailing by using cultivation-dependent technique. Thirty Cd-tolerant bacterial endophytes were isolated from roots, stems, and leaves of S. nigrum L. and classified by amplified ribosomal DNA-restriction analysis into 18 different types. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA sequences showed that these isolates belonged to four groups: Actinobacteria (43%), Proteobacteria (23%), Bacteroidetes (27%) and Firmicutes (7%). All the isolates were then characterized for their plant growth promoting traits as well as their resistances to different heavy metals; and the actual plant growth promotion and colonization ability were also assessed. Four isolates were re-introduced into S. nigrum L. under Cd stress and resulted in Cd phytotoxicity decrease, as dry weights of roots increased from 55% to 143% and dry weights of above-ground from 64% to 100% compared to the uninoculated ones. The total Cd accumulation of inoculated plants increased from 66% to 135% (roots) and from 22% to 64% (above-ground) compared to the uninoculated ones. Our research suggests that bacterial endophytes are a most promising resource and may be the excellent candidates of bio-inoculants for enhancing the phytoremediation efficiency.