[Network meta-analysis comparing the clinical outcomes and safety of robotic, laparoscopic, and transanal total rectal mesenteric resection for rectal cancer].

Objective: To methodically assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted total rectal mesenteric resection (RTME), laparoscopic-assisted total rectal mesenteric resection (laTME), and transanal total rectal mesenteric resection (taTME). Methods: A computer search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Ovid databases to identify English-language reports published between January 2017 and January 2022 that compared the clinical efficacy of the three surgical procedures of RTME, laTME, and taTME. The quality of the studies was evaluated using the NOS and JADAD scales for retrospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials, respectively. Direct meta-analysis and reticulated meta-analysis were performed using Review Manager software and R software, respectively. Results: Twenty-nine publications comprising 8,339 patients with rectal cancer were ultimately included. The direct meta-analysis indicated that the length of hospital stay was longer after RTME than after taTME, whereas according to the reticulated meta-analysis the length of hospital stay was shorter after taTME than after laTME (MD=-0.86, 95%CI: -1.70 to -0.096, P=0.036). Moreover, the incidence of anastomotic leak was lower after taTME than after RTME (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.39 to 0.91, P=0.018). The incidence of intestinal obstruction was also lower after taTME than after RTME (OR=0.55, 95%CI: 0.31 to 0.94, P=0.037). All of these differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the three surgical procedures regarding the number of lymph nodes cleared, length of the inferior rectal margin, or rate of positive circumferential margins (all P>0.05). An inconsistency test using nodal analysis revealed no statistically significant differences between the results of direct and indirect comparisons of the six outcome indicators (all P>0.05). Furthermore, we detected no significant overall inconsistency between direct and indirect evidence. Conclusion: taTME has advantages over RTME and laTME, in terms of radical and surgical short-term outcomes in patients with rectal cancer.

[The value of Alcian blue periodic acid Schiff staining and Ki-67 expression in diagnosing gastric reactive epithelial hyperplasia and dysplasia].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of reactive epithelial hyperplasia and dysplasia in the stomach, as well as the clinical value of mucin special staining and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki-67) in distinguishing the two gastric lesions. Methods: The clinical pathological data of 63 patients with gastric reactive epithelial hyperplasia, 54 patients with low-grade dysplasia, and 63 patients with high-grade dysplasia diagnosed from May 2018 to May 2021 in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China were analyzed. Alcian blue periodic acid Schiff (AB-PAS) and Ki-67 staining were performed to examine the mucin staining pattern, number of Ki-67 positive cells, Ki-67 staining patterns in the three groups of lesions, and histopathologic characteristics. Results: The positive rates of AB-PAS in the reactive epithelial hyperplasia and gastric dysplasia groups were 87.3%(55/63) and 10.3%(12/117), respectively. The expression of AB-PAS in the reactive epithelial hyperplasia was gradually increased from the base to the surface of the epithelium. In low-grade dysplasia and high-grade dysplasia, there was no mucin present in the dysplasia epithelium. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.01). The positive rate of Ki-67 in the epithelial reactive hyperplasia (>10%) was 81.0% (51/63), and the positive cells were mainly located in the neck and middle parts of the mucosal glands (58/63, 92.1%). In the low-grade dysplasia group, the positive rate of Ki-67 (>10%) was 90.7%(49/54); the positive cells were mainly located in the upper mucosa (33/54, 61.1%), showing a banded distribution pattern; in the high-grade dysplasia group, the positive rate (>10%) was 95.2%(60/63), and the positive cells were mainly located in the whole mucosa (49/63, 77.8%), showing a diffuse/diffuse scattered distribution pattern. The three groups had statistically different rates and distribution patterns of Ki-67 expression (P<0.01). Conclusion: The gastric epithelial reactive hyperplasia and dysplasia can be differentiated using clinicopathological features, AB-PAS staining and Ki-67 expression pattern.

[Effect of dietary water-soluble vitamins on the poor prognosis of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia-a prospective cohort study].

Objective: To explore the effect of dietary water-soluble vitamins on the poor prognosis of low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CINⅠ). Methods: A total of 564 participants with CINⅠ were selected from a community-based married women cohort established in 2014. The general baseline information was collected, and HPV genotyping was detected. A food frequency questionnaire was used to investigate dietary water-soluble vitamins' consumption and determine their exposure levels. The follow-up program was carried out for 12 months, and the regression, persistence, and progression of CINⅠ was determined according to histopathological results at 12-month. Results: The low-levels of dietary water-soluble vitamins could promote CINⅠ's persistence and progression, showing the increasing tendency of CINⅠ poor prognosis with the decrease of water-soluble vitamin levels. Especially folate, VB1, VB2, VB6, niacin, biotin, and VC (RR values were 15.22, 1.86, 1.92, 2.11, 2.98, 2.14, 2.19, respectively) played an important role. Considering the status of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection, our results showed that the low levels of folate, niacin, biotin could promote the poor prognosis of CINⅠ. Conclusions: The low-level of dietary water-soluble vitamins could facilitate the poor prognosis of CINⅠ. In addition, folate, niacin, biotin were more effective on HR-HPV positive women.

[Prognosis of high-risk HPV infection and its influences by vaginal micro-environmental factors].

Objective: To describe the characteristics of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection and its influences by vaginal micro-environmental factors. Methods: A total of 421 women with HR-HPV infection and normal cervix diagnosed by pathology were selected from a community cohort established earlier by our research group for a 24-month follow-up. The baseline data were collected at enrollment. The vaginal micro-environmental factors were detected by using the combined detection kit of aerobic vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis. And the HPV was detected by using the flow-through hybridization technology. According to the HR-HPV infection status in baseline and 24 months of follow-up, with the prognosis characteristics of HR-HPV infection described, the impact of vaginal micro-environmental factors on the prognosis of HR-HPV infection was explored as well. Results: Among 390 HR-HPV infected women who completed 24 months of follow-up, the top five types of persistent HR-HPV infection rate appeared as HPV16 (24.1%), HPV58 (22.2%), HPV53 (21.7%), HPV52 (20.0%), and HPV39 (11.8%), respectively. The results showed that women with abnormal vaginal pH (aOR=1.74, 95%CI: 1.08-2.80), abnormal neuraminidase (aOR=2.70, 95%CI: 1.52-4.83), or abnormal leucocyte esterase (aOR=3.41, 95%CI: 2.13-5.44), the risk of HR-HPV persistent infection increased. The abnormalities of neuraminidase and leukocyte esterase could increase the risk of persistent infection of homotype and heterotypic HR-HPV. Conclusions: HPV16 was prone to persistent infection. Abnormalities of vaginal pH, neuraminidase, and leukocyte esterase might increase the risk of HR-HPV persistent infection. Both the abnormalities of neuraminidase and leukocyte esterase play an essential role in the HR-HPV persistent infection.

[The optimal model of diagnosis to low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by combined detecting vaginal micro-environmental factors, based on the high-risk HPV infection].

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of different vaginal micro-environmental factors in low-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN Ⅰ) and determine the optimal model in high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Methods: A total of 926 women, including 623 with normal cervical (NC) condition and 303 CINⅠ patients, had undergone pathological examinations, and were enrolled in the study. All the women were from a community previously established cohort. Vaginal cleanliness, pH, H2O2, ß-glucuronidase, coagulase, sialidase, and leukocyte esterase (LE) were detected by the combined detection method aerobic vaginitis/bacterial vaginosis in vaginal secretions. HPV genotyping was performed by using the flow-through hybridization technology. The data were analyzed by SAS 9.2 and SPSS 23.0. Results: The vaginal cleanliness, pH, sialidase, and LE were determined as the representative vaginal micro-environment factors by principal component analysis. Based on logistic regression theory to analyze the ROC curve, the results showed that the highest sensitivity was with pH value (76.2%), and the highest specificity was with sialidase (90.9%). The area under ROC curve were higher in combination detection modes of sialidase+LE (0.714), pH+sialidase+LE (0.719), vaginal cleanness+sialidase+LE (0.713) and pH+vaginal cleanness+sialidase+LE (0.709). According to HR-HPV infection status, the TOPSIS method was used to analyze the combined detection optimal model. Specifically, we found that the best diagnostic model was pH+sialidase +LE (Ci=0.585) in the HR-HPV positive group and vaginal cleanness+sialidase+LE (Ci=0.641) in the negative group. Conclusions: The combined detection of vaginal microenvironment factors could be used for auxiliary diagnosis for CINⅠ. It would be more effective when detecting pH, sialidase, and LE in HR-HPV positive women while vaginal cleanness, sialidase, and LE in HR-HPV negative women at the same time.

[Relationship between serum folate and CIN1 prognosis and its interaction with HR-HPV infection].

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between serum folate and the prognosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade I (CIN1) and the interaction between folate and high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Methods: From a community-based married women cohort established in Jiexiu and Yangqu County of Shanxi Province from June to December 2014, a total of 564 eligible women with CIN1 by pathologically diagnosed were recruited. The pathological examination was performed again 12 months later. According to the prognosis of CIN1, participants were divided into CIN1 regression group, persistence and progression group, respectively. Nested case-control study was used to explore the relationship between serum folate and CIN1 prognosis, and additive model was used to analyze the interaction between serum folate and HR-HPV infection. Results: Among 564 CIN1 patients, 479 cases underwent pathological examination again, 331 were divided in CIN1 regression group and other 148 in persistence and progression group. The levels of serum folate in CIN1 regression group and persistence and progression group were (18.890±8.360) and (15.640±5.550) nmol/L, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-6.937, P<0.001). HPV infection was detected in 154 patients, including 148 cases of HR-HPV infection and 6 cases of low risk human papillomavirus (LR-HPV) infection. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in the age, passive smoking, frequency of pudendal cleaning, frequency of cleaning after sex, frequency of changing underwear, serum folate and HR-HPV infection between regression group and persistence and progression group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the frequency of pudendal cleaning (OR=0.422, 95%CI: 0.238-0.750), frequency of changing underwear (OR=0.574, 95%CI: 0.355-0.928), serum folate (13.06-16.78nmol/L: OR=4.806, 95%CI: 2.355-9.810; ≤13.05nmol/L: OR=8.378, 95%CI: 4.024-17.445), HR-HPV infection (OR=1.852, 95%CI: 1.170-2.933) were the independent influencing factors of CIN1 prognosis. Interaction analysis showed that the relative excess risk of low serum folate level and HR-HPV infection for the CIN1 persistence and progression was 4.992 (95%CI: 0.189-9.796), attributable proportion due to interaction was 0.552 (95%CI: 0.279-0.824), synergy index was 2.632 (95%CI: 1.239-5.588), aOR of serum folate≤16.78 nmol/L and HR-HPV infection positive was 9.055 (95%CI: 4.878-16.807). Conclusion: Low serum folate level could increase the risk of CIN1 persistence and progression, and might enhance the risk when combined with HR-HPV infection.

Characterization and effects of miR-21 expression in esophageal cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of miR-21 in esophageal cancer and the impact of miR-21 on apoptosis, invasion, and the expression of target genes in esophageal cancer cells. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to detect the expression of miR-21 in human esophageal tissues, adjacent tissues, and an esophageal cancer cell line (TE-13). The antisense miR-21 oligonucleotide was generated commercially using the solid-phase chemical synthesis method. Transient transfection was used to transfect esophageal cancer cells (TE-13 antisense and TE-13 control cells). Flow cytometry and Transwell cell assays were used to detect the apoptosis and invasion of esophageal cancer cells, respectively. The western blot method was used to detect the expression of PTEN, PDCD4, and K-ras proteins. These analyses determined that mir-21 expression significantly increased in esophageal cancer tissues and in TE-13 cells, and that this phenomenon was not associated with staging or lymph node metastasis. The apoptosis rate of TE-13 control cells was lower than that of antisense TE-13 cells indicating an enhanced invasive ability. In tissues adjacent to esophageal cancer and in TE-13 antisense cells, the expression of PTEN and PDCD4 was found to be higher than that in the control group, whereas the expression of K-ras showed the opposite pattern. Together, these results suggest that miR- 21 might be involved in the development and metastasis of esophageal cancer, through interaction with its PDCD4 and K-ras target genes.

Association of miR-21 with esophageal cancer prognosis: a meta-analysis.

The present study aimed to explore the relationship between miRNA expression and survival in patients with esophageal cancer (EC) using meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI, Wanfang, and ISI Web of Science databases without time restrictions, and extracted relevant data, such as the name of first author, publication year, age, gender, number of case, etc. from the studies included. We calculated the pooled hazard ratios (HRs) using the RevMan 5.2 software. A total of five studies involving 504 subjects were included in the meta-analysis, with the purpose of analyzing the association of miRNA-21 expression with EC prognosis. The pooled HR of elevated versus decreased miR-21 expression in EC was 1.87 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37-2.55, P < 0.001], with elevated miR-21 expression being associated with poorer prognosis for patients with EC. Our results support a prognostic role for miR-21 in EC.

Effect of variation of ABCB1 and GSTP1 on osteosarcoma survival after chemotherapy.

We conducted a comprehensive study to investigate the role of genes involved in metabolic and transport pathways in response to chemotherapy and clinical outcome of osteosarcoma patients. Genotyping of seven gene polymorphisms was performed on a 384-well plate format on the Sequenom MassARRAY platform in 162 patients with osteosarcoma. We studied the correlation of the seven gene polymorphisms with response to chemotherapy and clinical outcome of patients. Individuals with the ABCB1 TT genotype had a higher probability of responding poorly to chemotherapy, indicated by an odds ratio (OR) of 2.64 (95%CI=1.04-6.83). Similarly, the genotype of GSTP1 GG was significantly associated with improved responses to chemotherapy, indicated by an OR of 3.33 (95%CI=1.26-8.99). The ABCB1 TT and GSTP1 GG genotypes were significantly associated with a shorter overall survival (OS). Our study found that two gene polymorphisms in two transporter genes and one Phase II metabolism enzymes are associated with response to chemotherapy and OS in osteosarcoma patients, suggesting the potential of the two gene polymorphisms as prognostic biomarkers for osteosarcoma.

Effects of metallothionein-3 and metallothionein-1E gene transfection on proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells.

Metallothionein (MT)-3 has cell growth inhibitory activity, and is the only currently known MT subtype with unique physiological functions. The expression levels of MT-1E, a subtype of MT-1, were positively correlated with the degree of esophageal cancer malignancy. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of MT-3 and MT-1E gene transfection on the proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. The cationic liposome method was used to transfect the esophageal cancer strains Eca-109 and TE13. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect target gene expression, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide reduction was applied to detect cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was used for cell cycle and apoptosis detection. Esophageal cancer cells with MT-3 and MT-1E gene transfection showed high expression of the foreign target gene and mRNA. Cells with MT-3 gene transfection showed markedly inhibited proliferation (P < 0.05), a significantly higher proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase (P < 0.05), a significantly lower proportion of cells in the S phase (P < 0.05), and a significantly increased apoptosis rate (P < 0.05). Cells with MT-1E gene transfection did not show significant changes in proliferation, cell cycle, or apoptosis rate (P > 0.05). Therefore, the upregulation of MT-3 gene expression can inhibit esophageal cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis, which may be achieved by blocking the tumor cell growth cycle, whereas effects of the MT-1E gene on the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells were not evident.

An A/G polymorphism rs3746444 in miR-499 is associated with increased cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

An A/G polymorphism (rs3746444) has been identified in the miR-499 gene that can change the conformation of the secondary gene structure and thereby directly affect binding to target mRNAs and the microRNA (miRNA) maturation process, thus altering protein expression and potentially contributing to cancer susceptibility. Numerous studies investigating the association between the rs3746444 polymorphism and cancers have been published; however, results are inconsistent and inconclusive. To clarify the relationship between the miR-499 rs3746444 polymorphism and cancer, we conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis on 14 case-control studies comprising 7189 cases and 8577 controls. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by using dominant, recessive, and co-dominant genetic models. A publication bias test and subgroup analysis were also performed. Results showed that the G allele was associated with a significantly increased cancer risk compared to the A allele (OR = 1.09; 95%CI = 1.00-1.18). Similarly, moderately elevated risks were also observed in overall analyses in the dominant model (OR = 1.13; 95%CI = 1.01-1.26). Moreover, significantly increased risks were observed in Asian populations (G allele vs A allele: OR = 1.18; 95%CI = 1.01-1.37; GG vs AA: OR = 1.36; 95%CI = 1.07-1.73; dominant model: OR = 1.19; 95%CI = 1.00-1.41; recessive model: OR = 1.31; 95%CI = 1.03-1.66), but not in European populations. These findings indicate that the miR-499 rs3746444 polymorphism is associated with an increased cancer risk.

Flight of the Chinese white pine beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) in relation to sex, body weight and energy reserve.

The flight distance, flight time and individual flight activities of males and females of Dendroctonus armandi were recorded during 96-h flight trials using a flight mill system. The body weight, glucose, glycogen and lipid content of four treatments (naturally emerged, starved, phloem-fed and water-fed) were compared among pre-flight, post-flight and unflown controls. There was no significant difference between males and females in total flight distance and flight time in a given 24-h period. The flight distance and flight time of females showed a significant linear decline as the tethered flying continued, but the sustained flight ability of females was better than that of males. The females had higher glycogen and lipid content than the males; however, there was no significant difference between both sexes in glucose content. Water-feeding and phloem-feeding had significant effects on longevity, survival days and flight potential of D. armandi, which resulted in longer feeding days, poorer flight potential and lower energy substrate content. Our results demonstrate that flight distances in general do not differ between water-fed and starved individuals, whereas phloem-fed females and males fly better than water-fed and starved individuals.

Directional differentiation of chicken primordial germ cells into adipocytes, neuron-like cells, and osteoblasts.

Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are useful for producing transgenic chickens and preserving genetic material in avian species. In this study, we investigated the in vitro differentiation potential of chicken PGCs into different cell types. For differentiation into adipocytes, chicken PGCs were cultured for 21 days in induction media containing dexamethasone, insulin and/or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), and differentiation rates ranging from 74% to 91% were identified by oil red-O and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining. For differentiation into neuron-like cells, chicken PGCs were cultured for 3 or 7 days in the induction media containing retinoic acid (RA) and IBMX, and differentiation rates ranging from 71% to 87% were identified by toluidine blue staining and immunohistochemical staining. For differentiation into osteoblasts, chicken PGCs were cultured for 15 or 21 days in the induction media containing desamethasone, beta-glycerol phosphate and/or vitamin C, and differentiation rates ranging from 47% to 79% were confirmed by Von Kossa, cytochemical and immunohistochemical staining. These data suggest that, like mammalian PGCs, chicken PGCs can differentiate into different cell types in vitro.

UV SERS at well ordered Pd sphere segment void (SSV) nanostructures.

Ultraviolet laser excited surface-enhanced Raman scattering was obtained for the first time at the well ordered palladium sphere segment void (SSV) nanostructures, using adenine as the probe molecule, and the UV-SERS enhancement is found to be correlated well with the plasmon absorption of Pd SSVs in the UV region.

Effect of displacement and distortion of potential energy surfaces and overlapping resonances of electronic transitions on surface-enhanced Raman scattering: models and ab initio theoretical calculation.

A previously developed theory for the temperature-dependent resonance Raman scattering is used to study the surface-enhanced Raman scattering. Two models, the displaced oscillator model and the displaced-distorted oscillator model, based on the harmonic potential energy surfaces are carried out to calculate the surface-enhanced Raman scattering excitation profiles of the pyridine molecule adsorbed on a silver electrode, for which the density functional theory method is applied to evaluate the potential energy surfaces of the adsorption structure. In this framework, the distortion effect on the surface-enhanced Raman scattering will be discussed by comparing both models. The overlapping resonance of multiexcited electronic transitions is also studied, in which the interference between electronic transitions has been taken into account. It will be used to study the abnormal band at 1005.6 cm(-1) with the exciting radiation 457.9 nm.

Theoretical differential Raman scattering cross-sections of totally-symmetric vibrational modes of free pyridine and pyridine-metal cluster complexes.

The differential Raman scattering cross-sections of totally-symmetric vibrational modes for pyridine and pyridine-metal clusters have been calculated by using ab initio and density functional methods. The results are compared with experimental data and a good agreement is obtained. In particular, we can theoretically reproduce the significant changes in the relative Raman intensities of the nu(12) mode in pyridine-metal cluster complexes. We focus on two mechanisms for these Raman intensities changes: (1) the chemical interaction between the pyridine and the metal clusters; and (2) the charge transfer mechanism. For the pyridine-silver cluster complexes, we find that due to the weak bonding, the chemical interaction does not influence the relative intensities of the Raman peaks of the nu(1) and nu(12) modes. However, in the case where the copper or the gold clusters are attached to pyridine, the intensity of the band of the nu(12) mode is weakened significantly. We also find that the charge transfer mechanism increases the asymmetry of the bands of the nu(1) and nu(12) modes on all three metals.

[Diagnosis and management of pericardial cysts and diverticulum].

Eleven cases of pericardial cysts and 3 cases of pericardial diverticulum were reported. The prominent X-ray manifestations were a round or oval shape shadow with homogeneous density and smooth border in the mediastinum. In this series, the sizes of the lesions were 5-22 cm in diameter with averaged 9.9 cm. In the cases of pericardial diverticulum with a large base, fluoroscopic examination usually revealed that variation in contour of diventiculums during respiration and changing in position of the patients. Some aspects on the operation for pericardial cysts with secondary infection or adhering to the cardiac muscles were suggested in this paper.

Centrifugal counter-current partition chromatography with helical coil rotor. Simplified counter-current chromatography with a rotating face-seal.

A centrifugal counter-current partition chromatograph has been developed and tested in order to simplify earlier counter-current chromatographic (CCC) procedures. It includes a helical coil rotor and a rotating face-seal. The rotor is designed to be adapted in an ordinary laboratory centrifuge for toroidal coil CCC. Twisting between the inlet and outlet tubing is avoided by using the rotating seal in the rotor. The seal is placed between the rotor, on which helical coils are mounted, and a newly designed centrifuge lid. This chromatographic rotor, rotating simply around its own axis, has simplified a previous CCC device in which a coil planet mechanism is used to avoid tube twisting whilst retaining the capability for chromatographic separations. Results for separations of nystatin, dinitrophenylamino acids and Poly I:C were comparable to those obtained by liquid chromatography and the previous CCC procedure.