[Analysis of clinical characteristics of persistent HBeAg positivity in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of persistent HBeAg positivity in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with nucleos(t)ide analogues. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed according to different data types. An independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, or Fisher's exact probability method were used. Chronic hepatitis B patients followed up for four years were collected from the follow-up case database of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Zhongshan Third Hospital from January 2009 to December 2018 and were divided into two groups, A and B, with 87 and 145 cases respectively, according to the duration of HBeAg-negativity≤ 3 and persistent positivity >3 years. Statistical analysis was conducted on the age, gender, family history, baseline, follow-up visit duration, liver function, and other data among the two patient groups. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, family history of liver cirrhosis, family history of liver cancer, liver cirrhosis condition before treatment, fatty liver disease combined condition before treatment, baseline HBsAg, anti-HBc, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, or total bilirubin between the two groups of patients (P > 0.05). HBV DNA and HBeAg were significantly higher in group B than those in group A at baseline, with P≤0.001. Aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transferase were significantly higher in group A than those in group B at baseline. The proportion of family history of hepatitis B was significantly higher in group B (69.0%) than that in group A (50.6%) among the two groups of patients, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.005). The proportion of mothers with hepatitis B was significantly higher in group B (25.5%) than in group A (11.5%), P = 0.010. During the treatment process, the HBV DNA quantification was significantly higher in group B than that in group A at 0.5 and 1 years (P≤0.002). The proportion of HBV DNA <100IU/ml was also significantly different at six months and one year (χ(2)=30.327, P < 0.001 and χ(2)=11.779, P = 0.001). The HBsAg level was higher in group B than that of group A in the second and fourth years, P < 0.05. During the entire treatment process, the HBeAg level was significantly higher in group B than that in group A (P < 0.001). A total of seven cases developed liver cirrhosis or cancer during follow-up, including three cases in group A and four cases in group B (P > 0.05). Conclusion: HBeAg-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B have persistent HBeAg positivity when treated with long-term nucleos(t)ide analogues. Accordingly, a greater proportion of this kind of patient family and mothers have a remarkable history of hepatitis B and a reduced HBV DNA relapse rate in the early stages (within a year or less).

A 2-bp deletion in intron 1 of TMEM182 is associated with TMEM182 mRNA expression and chicken body weight.

1. Searching for molecular markers related to growth and carcase traits plays a critical role in improvement of the production performance of broilers. Previous studies found that transmembrane protein 182 (TMEM182) inhibits skeletal muscle development, growth, and regeneration, implying that the TMEM182 gene plays an important role during the development process of skeletal muscle.2. A novel 2-bp indel in intron 1 of TMEM182 was detected in a yellow chicken population derived from the cross of White Recessive Rock chickens with Xinghua chickens, and three genotypes II (inserted homozygote), ID (inserted and deleted heterozygote) and DD (deleted homozygote) were observed. Association analyses indicated that the indel was significantly associated with the body weight, muscle fibre area, breast muscle weight and wing weight in the F2 population.3. The expression of TMEM182 in leg muscle of chickens with II genotype was higher than that with DD genotype, with the 2-bp indel located in one of the putative PAX4 binding sites. Further research through luciferase assays revealed that the PAX4 could bind to the putative binding site and increase the TMEM182 transcription, with the 2-bp deletion disrupting the binding of PAX4.4. The present study provides evidence for the association of the novel 2-bp indel in intron 1 of TMEM182 with the growth and carcase traits of chickens. This 2-bp indel could be used as a genetic marker in broiler breeding.

[Diagnosis and treatment status of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms: a multi-center study in Hubei Province].

Objective: To investigate the incidence and treatment of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in Hubei Province. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 7 474 patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in 62 hospitals in 15 cities (state) of Hubei Province in 2019 were collected in the form of network database. There were 4 749 males and 2 725 females. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range: 17 to 96 years). The hemoglobin value of the first time in hospital and the first day after operation was used as the criterion of preoperative anemia and postoperative anemia. Anemia was defined as male hemoglobin <120 g/L and female hemoglobin <110.0 g/L, mild anemia as 90 to normal, moderate anemia as 60 to <90 g/L, severe anemia as <60 g/L. The t test and χ2 test were used for inter-group comparison. Results: The overall incidence of preoperative anemia was 38.60%(2 885/7 474), and the incidences of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 25.09%(1 875/7 474), 11.37%(850/7 474) and 2.14%(160/7 474), respectively. The overall incidence of postoperative anemia was 61.40%(4 589/7 474). The incidence of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 48.73%(3 642/7 474), 12.20%(912/7 474) and 0.47%(35/7 474), respectively. The proportion of preoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 26.86% (775/2 885), and the proportion of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 14.93% (685/4 589). The proportions of preoperative anemia patients in grade ⅢA, grade ⅢB, and grade ⅡA hospitals receiving treatment were 26.12% (649/2 485), 32.32% (85/263), and 29.93% (41/137), and the proportions of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment were 14.61% (592/4 052), 22.05% (73/331), and 9.71% (20/206). The proportion of intraoperative blood transfusion (16.74% (483/2 885) vs. 3.05% (140/4 589), χ²=434.555, P<0.01) and the incidence of postoperative complications (17.78% (513/2 885) vs. 14.08% (646/4 589), χ²=18.553, P<0.01) in the preoperative anemia group were higher than those in the non-anemia group, and the postoperative hospital stay in the preoperative anemia group was longer than that in the non-anemia group ((14.1±7.3) days vs. (13.3±6.2) days, t=5.202, P<0.01). Conclusions: The incidence of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms is high. Preoperative anemia can increase the demand for intraoperative blood transfusion and affect the short-term prognosis of patients. At present, the concept of standardized treatment of perioperative anemia among gastrointestinal surgeons in Hubei Province needs to be improved.

[Efficiency analysis on functional protection of nerve plane-oriented laparoscopic total mesorectal excision].

Objective: Using previous total mesorectal excision with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation (PANP+TME) and simple total mesorectal excision (TME) without emphasis on retained nerves as control, we explore the advantages of nerve plane-oriented laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (NPO+LTME) on urinary and sexual function. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out. Case inclusion criteria: (1) male patients with pathologically confirmed middle and low rectal adenocarcinoma (4 to 11 cm from the anus); (2) stage T1-2tumor; (3) normal sexual life before operation. Exclusion criteria: (1) no pathological diagnosis before surgery; (2) local recurrence or distant metastasis; (3) preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy; (4) opensurgery and laparoscopic surgery conversionto open; (5) no follow-up data. According to the above criteria, clinical data of 173 male patients with low and middle rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent radical operation for laparoscopic rectal cancer from July 2003 to July 2018 at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Wuhan University People's Hospital were collected. According to different surgical methods, patients were divided into TME group (58 cases), PANP+TME group (63 cases) and NPO+LTME group (52 cases). There were no significant differences in the baseline data including age, body mass index and pathological examination between the 3 groups (all P>0.05). The nerve plane referred to the nerve, the adipose tissue, the extremely finecapillaries around the nerve with overlying fine membranous tissue. NPO+LTME referred to the process of laparoscopic TME guided by the nerve plane, performing in the loose connective tissue between the nerve plane and the rectal properfascia, in order to ensure the integrity of the nerve plane, and maximally protect the patient's urinary and reproductive functions. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, urinary catheter removal time, urinary function grading, postoperative first erection time, and erectile function and ejaculation function were observed and compared among the 3 groups at 3- and 6-month after operation. Results: In the NPO+LTME group, the PANP+TME group and the TME group, the operation time was (181.9±24.5) minutes, (176.7±29.2) minutes and (137.7±16.2) minutes, respectively (F=54.868, P<0.001); the intraoperative blood lost was (6.0±1.4) ml, (6.5±1.8) ml and (12.8±4.6) ml, respectively (F=95.016, P<0.001); the time to postoperative removal of the catheter was (2.4±1.1) days, (3.7 ±1.7) days and (6.5±2.4) days, respectively (F=79.409, P<0.001); the first postoperative erection time was (1.6±0.6) days, (8.9±2.7) days and (15.9±6.8) days (F=177.677, P<0.001), respectively, whose differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.01). In comparison of urinary function grading, the proportion of grade I (normal function, no urinary dysfunction) in the NPO+LTME, the ANP+TME group and the TME group was 84.1% (53/63), 39.7% (23/58) and 19.2% (10/52), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (H=52.915, P<0.001). At postoperative 3- and 6-month, proportion of patients with grade I erectile function (normal erectile function) was 77.8% (49/63) and 85.7% (54/63), 44.8% (26/58) and 53.4% (31/58), 28.8% (15/52) and 48.1% (25/52) in the NPO+LTME group, the PANP+TME group, and the TME group, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (H=91.709, P<0.001; H=79.692, P<0.001). The proportion of patients with grade I ejaculation function (with ejaculation, no abnormalities in routine semen examination before and after surgery) at 3- and 6-month after surgery in the NPO+LTME group, the PANP+TME group and the TME group was 82.5% (52/63) and 87.3% (55/63), 53.4% (31/58) and 60.3% (35/58), 28.8% (15/52) and 46.1% (24/52), respectively. The differences were statistically significant as well (H=86.543, P<0.001; H=78.667, P<0.001). Patients in the NPO+LTME group had no grade III erections and ejaculation disorders. Conclusion: The surgical procedure of NPO+LTME can promote the recovery of postoperative neurological function and preserve urination and sexual function better.

[Mouse models for human colorectal cancer with liver metastasis].

Objective: To established Apc(loxp/loxp)+Kras(LSL-G12D/-)+Smad4(loxp/loxp) transgenic mouse model that mimick the occurrence and development of human sporadic colorectal cancer(CRC) and its liver metastasis. Methods: C57BL/6-Apc(tm1Tyj)/J(Apc(loxP)), B6.129S4-Kras(tm4Tyj)/J(Kras(LSL-G12D)), 129S6-Smad4(tm2.1Cxd)/J(Smad4(loxP)) and C57BL/6J mice were crossed, and genotype with Apc(loxP/loxP)+Kras(LSL-G12D/-)and Apc(loxP/loxP)+Kras(LSL-G12D/-)+Smad4(loxP/loxP)were generated. Genotypes of the mice were identified by PCR and real-time quantitative PCR. The mice were divided into Apc(loxP/loxP)+Kras(LSL-G12D/-)+Smad4(loxP/loxP) group (n=20) and Apc(loxP/loxP)+Kras(LSL-G12D/-)group(n=24). Lentivirus expressing Cre enzyme and IRES-luciferase were injected into the submucosa of colon or rectum of the transgenic mice under colonoscopy. Intraabdominal injection of D-luciferase into mice every 4 weeks, imaging with small animal in vivo imaging system(IVIS). The tumor size, tumorigenesis rate and metastasis ratio were analyzed. At the end of the 20th week, the colorectal lesions and metastatic tissues of mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and the pathological changes were observed under microscope. Results: Apc(loxp/loxp)+Kras(LSL-G12D/-)+Smad4(loxp/loxp) and Apc(loxp/loxp)+Kras(LSL-G12D/-)transgenic mice were successfully bred. The colorectal stem cells of the transgenic mouse mutated leading tumor lesion and liver metastatic under the induction of Lentivirus(Cre-IRES-luciferase). The primary and metastatic foci of colorectal carcinoma and liver metastasis in mice were proved to be adenocarcinoma and liver metastatic carcinoma by histopathological examination. The primary tumor size inApc(loxP/loxP)+Kras(LSL-G12D/-)+Smad4(loxP/loxP) group and Apc(loxP/loxP)+Kras(LSL-G12D/-)group was(3.52±0.26) and(3.45±0.20)mm, respectively,without significant difference(t=0.872, P=0.388).The tumorigenesis rate was 70.0% and 50.0% respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups(χ(2)=0.440, P=0.507). The metastasis rate of two groups were 58.3% and 8.3%respectively(Fisher's exact test, P=0.027). Conclusions: In this study, the colorectal carcinogenesis and its spontaneously metastasis to the liver of CRC were induced by Lentivirus(Cre-IRES-luciferase) in our established transgenic mice,which successfully simulated the occurrence and development of human sporadic CRC and its liver metastasis.

[A multi-center retrospective study of ossiculoplasty surgery under oto-endoscope in 45 cases of conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane].

Objective: To explore the efficacy of ossiculoplasty surgery under oto-endoscope in patients of conductive hearing loss with intact tympanic membrane. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. The clinical data of 45 patients with conductive hearing loss who had undergone simple ossiculoplasty surgery between October 2015 and December 2017 from five hospitals in China (West China Hospital of Sichuan University, General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University and Shenzhen Sixth People's Hospital) were collected. There were 28 males and 17 females, with the age ranging from 12 to 69 years old. The tympanic membranes of those patients were intact before surgery. The lesion only occurred in the ossicular chain from CT and intraoperative exploration. The cases of otosclerosis, tympanosclerosis, cholesteatoma of middle ear, chronic suppurative otitis media, and tumor of middle ear were excluded. The postoperative complications, hearing improvements and operation time were observed. SPSS 23.0 software was used for statistic analysis. Results: There was neither sensorineural hearing loss nor facial paralysis after surgery in this group. Seven patients had transient mild tinnitus after surgery and gradually relieved during the follow-up period. Nine patients developed dysgeusia after surgery. Two patients developed dizziness after surgery, and the symptoms were mild and relieved during 1 week without special intervention. The air-bone gap (ABG) range of pre-operation was 22.5-45.7 dB, and the average ABG was (25.3±8.6) dB. The ABG range in the third month after surgery was 5.7-26.8 dB, and the average ABG was (9.3±8.6) dB. The mean value of ABG was significantly lower in the third month after surgery compared with that of pre-operation (t=2.31, P<0.05). The operation time of the surgeons in each research center was similar. The overall average of operation time was (43.56±18.25) min. There was no significant difference in the duration of operation between the centers (F=3.26, P>0.05). Conclusion: The ossiculoplasty surgery under oto-endoscope has good efficacy.

Serum miR-199a as a potential diagnostic biomarker for detection of colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an essential role in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Aberrant expression of miR-199a was associated with cancer development in many cancers. However, little was known about the clinical value of miR-199a in CRC. This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between miR-199a expression and CRC prognosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was carried out to detect miR-199a expression level in serum from 107 CRC patients and 60 healthy controls. RESULTS: Serum miR-199a levels were significantly lower in CRC patients, particularly in advanced stage CRC subjects. MiR-199a expression in patients with distant metastasis and lymph node metastasis was markedly reduced compared to those without. Moreover, low serum miR-199a expression was associated with various CRC clinicopathological parameters. The serum miR-199a levels in CRC patients were increased significantly after their treatment. Furthermore, the patients in low serum miR-199a expression group had both worse overall survival and disease-free survival. In the multivariate analysis, serum miR-199a was identified as an independent prognostic marker. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced serum miR-199a was associated with poor prognosis in CRC and it might be useful as a marker for diagnosis and prognosis in CRC.

[Clinical features and risk factors for recurrence in mucinous breast cancer].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristic and risk factors for recurrence in different subtypes of mucinous breast cancer(MBC). Methods: Clinical data of 97 MBC patients at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital from August 2005 to November 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. All of patients were divided into 3 subtypes according to the mucinous components in the tumors, named as partial mixed MBC with less than 50% of mucinous components, main mixed MBC where the mucinous component accounted for 50% to 90%, and pure MBC with more than 90% of mucinous components. In this study, 43, 16 and 38 patients were included in partial mixed MBC, main mixed MBC, and pure MBC, respectively. Follow-up was collected by out-patient, in-patient system and phone call. The relationship between different subtypes and clinicopathological significance were analyzed by χ(2) test. Kaplan-Meier curve combined with Log-rank test was used to evaluate the risk factors of relapse free survival(RFS) at 3- and 5-year. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: The median follow-up time was 65 months (range 24-125). Of the 97 patients, 14 patients were relapse or metastasis at the end point. The 3- and 5-year RFS were 90.7% and 85.7%, respectively. Tumor size, number of involved lymph nodes (LN), axillary LN metastasis, TNM stages and p53 mutant status were all related with subtypes of MBC(all of P<0.05). There was no correlation between subtypes of MBC and the other parameters, including age at surgery, estrogen receptor (ER) status, progesterone receptor (PR) status, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) overexpression, menstruation status, and the relapse of disease(all of P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed menstruation status and TNM stages were associated with the relapse of breast cancer(P<0.05). The patients with menopause and stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ showed significantly shorter RFS time(both of P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that tumor size, PR status and postoperative radiotherapy were the independent prognostic factors for the relapse of MBC. Conclusions: Tumor size, status of axillary LN metastasis, TNM stages, and p53 mutation status are differ among different subtypes of MBC. The tumor size (>30 mm), PR status and postoperative radiotherapy are the independent risk factors for recurrence, whereas the proportion of the mucinous component is not associated with relapse in MBC patients.

[The advances of probiotics treatment of allergic rhinitis].

In recent years, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis faces an explosion. People's understanding about the pathogenesis of this disease goes profound. Probiotics is competent to regulate the balance of immune system, and also can reduce susceptibility towards allergens. Now it is right a hot topic that applying probiotics to remedy allergic rhinitis. Since the data of many researches in this field is at hand, further discuss is needed from experimental methods to molecular mechanisms.

[Effect of intratympanic injection of budesonide for otitis media with effusion in adolescents and adults].

Objective:To assess the longitudinal curative effect and improvement of subjective symptoms by using intratympanic injection of budesonide (BUD) for OME patients over 12 years old and adults.Method:One hundred and eighty patients who were diagnosed as OME were recruited. A single-blind, randomized, parallel-control prospective study was performed. Dexamethasone (DEX) and sodium chloride (NS) were served as controls. The patients were randomly assigned into three groups, which respectively received intratympanic injection of BUD (0.5 mg/ml), DEX (5 mg/ml) or 0.9% NS solution (1 ml) once a week. Survival analysis was applied to compare the longitudinal curative effect among the three groups. Meanwhile, seven main subjective symptoms were scored by 10-point visual scale (VAS) and physician's evaluations were preformed during treatment and follow-up.Result:After adjustement for course of disease, volume and characters of effusion, the relative risk (RR) of BUD was 0.131 (95%CI: 0.053-0.354) when compared with NS. Survival curve showed, in BUD group, about 96.6%(57/59) of patients maintained effectiveness more than 3 months, 83.1%(49/59) were more than 1 year, and 81.4%(48/59) of the patients could sustain longer than 3 years. In DEX group, 73.2%(41/56) of patients showed effectiveness more than 3 months, 46.4%(26/56) were more than 1 year, and 42.9%(24/56) of the patients could sustain longer than 3 years. While in NS group, 50.8%(33/65) of the patients showed effectiveness more than 3 months, 26.2% (17/65) were more than 1 year, and 20.0%(13/65) of the patients could sustain longer than 3 years. Survival curve demonstrated that the rank of longitudinal therapeutic efficacy was BUD, DEX and NS (P< 0.05). Both BUD and DEX showed improvements in subjective symptoms and quality of life (except for mental stress) compared with NS (P< 0.05). In the aspect of improving the symptom of stuffy ear, BUD showed advantage over both DEX and NS. During and after treatment, no serious complications or sequelae were observed.Conclusion:Intratympanic injection with BUD for OME patients showed advantages in improving long-term therapeutic efficacy, it was a safe as well as effective intervention for children over age of 12 and adults suffering from OME.

[Application of (125)I seeds combined with biliary stent implantation in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility and therapeutic effect of the application of (125)I seeds combined with biliary stent implantation on the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice. METHODS: Fifty patients with malignant obstructive jaundice treated from September 2010 to February 2013 in Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital were included in this study. Among them, 24 patients received biliary stent implantation combined with (125)I seeds intraluminal brachytherapy as experimental group, and 26 were treated by biliary stent implantation as control group.The total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and tumor markers (CA-199, CA-242, CEA) before and after surgery, the biliary stent patency status was assessed, and the survival time was evaluated. RESULTS: The 24 patients in experimental group were implanted with 30 (125)I seeds successfully in a total of 450 seeds. Jaundice was improved greatly in both groups. The CA-199 and CA-242 after treatment in the experimental group were significantly decreased than that before treatment (P=0.003 and P=0.004). CEA was also decreased, but showed no statistical significance (P>0.05). There were no significant improvement comparing the CA-199, CA-242 and CEA before and 2 months after surgery in the control group (P>0.05). The rate of biliary stent patency was 83.3% (20/24) in the experimental group and 57.7% (15/26) in the control group (P=0.048). The mean biliary stent patency time in the experimental group was 9.84 months (range 1-15.5 months). The mean biliary stent patency time in the control group was 5.57 months (range 0.8-9 months). There was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.018). The median survival time was 10.2 months in the experimental group and 5.4 months in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: (125)I seeds combined with biliary stent implantation can inhibit the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and the growth of tumor effectively, and can prolong the biliary stent patency time and the survival time obviously for patients with malignant obstructive jaundice, therefore, is a safe and effective treatment in this malignancy.

Pilot study of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: DNA methylation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergy and atopy. This study aimed to identify whether DNA methylation also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps (NP). METHODOLOGY: NP tissues were obtained from 32 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with bilateral NP. Biopsies of inferior turbinate mucosa (ITM) were taken from 18 patients who underwent rhinoseptoplasty (control group). The methylated genes, which were detected by DNA methylation microarray, were validated by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction, bisulphite sequencing, real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DNA methylation microarray identified 8,008 CpG islands in 2,848 genes. One hundred and ninety-eight genes were found to have a methylated signal in the promoter region in NP samples compared with ITM samples. The four top genes that changed, COL18A1, EP300, GNAS and SMURF1, were selected for further study. The methylation frequency of COL18A1 was significantly higher in NP samples than in ITM samples. CONCLUSIONS: DNA methylation might play an important role in the pathogenesis of NP. Promoter methylation of COL18A1 was found to be significantly increased in NP tissues, further studies are necessary to confirm the significance of these epigenetic factors in the mechanisms underlying the development or persistence of NP.

Prognostic and predictive significance of plasma hepatocyte growth factor and carcinoembryonic antigen in non-small lung cancer after surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Scatter factor, also known as hepatocyte growth factor (SF/HGF), is a polypeptide growth factor with a number of biologic activities, including cell scattering, stimulation of cell motility, mitogenesis, morphogenesis, angiogenesis, and cellular invasiveness, it is thought to be important in the growth and spread of several carcinomas. We assessed whether preoperative plasma levels of HGF and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) can enhance the accuracy of standard models for predicting pathologic features and clinical outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study comprised 45 consecutive patients treated with surgery for clinically localized non-small-cell lung cancer. HGF and CEA were measured using the commercially available immunoassay. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between plasma HGF/CEA and pathologic features. Multivariate Cox regression was used to predict disease recurrence. RESULTS: Patients with lung squamous cell cancer (SCC) more frequently had higher plasma HGF, whereas CEA levels were significantly elevated in patients with non-SCC histology. Preoperative plasma HGF and CEA levels were not the independent predictors of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative plasma levels of HGF and CEA are not the independent predictors of non-small lung cancer disease recurrence and metastasis after surgery; HGF is a predictor of lung squamous cell cancer. Use of HGF may help in therapeutic decision-making and estimate the histological type of NSCLC.

Changes to daily feed intake during the laying period alters embryonic MSTN and MYOG gene expression in genetically fat and lean lines of chickens.

1. Broiler breeders are unable to self-regulate feed intake to a level that permits reproductive function and restricted feeding is normal for broiler parent stock. The aim of this study was to determine whether myostatin (MSTN) and myogenin (MYOG) mRNA expression could be altered in relation to differences in body composition of the embryos and the hen's diet. 2. A 2 × 2 factorial experiment was conducted with two dietary intake levels (100% and 75% of nutrition recommendation) and two broiler genotypes (Fat line and Lean line). Hens (384 of each line) were randomly divided at 23 weeks of age into 4 treatments, with each treatment represented by 12 replicates of 16 birds each. The experiment started when the rate of lay reached 5% and continued until 54 weeks of age. 3. There were significant effects of line and dietary intake, and interactions between them on MSTN and MYOG mRNA expression levels in embryonic tissues. The trend in MSTN mRNA expression level over the embryonic period was similar between lines. Low daily feed intake did not alter the trend in MSTN mRNA expression levels in either line, but significantly changed the peak values. MYOG mRNA expression varied by line and over time, with a delay in the Lean line. Low daily feed intake influenced the trend in MYOG mRNA expression levels in both lines and delayed its onset.

Predictive value of serum-soluble CD154 in fulminant hepatic failure.

The interaction of CD40 with CD154 is a pivotal trigger of immune cascade-inducing acute liver failure, however its clinical significance has not been well studied. The present study aimed to investigate the clinical implications of serum-soluble CD154 (sCD154) levels and the expression of CD40 on monocytes in patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). The results showed that serum sCD154 levels and CD40 expression on monocytes were significantly higher in FHF patients than in acute hepatitis (AH) patients and healthy controls, and were also significantly higher in FHF patients who died, compared with those who survived. We conclude that high serum levels of sCD154 may be linked to fatal outcome in patients with severe liver injury and may be a valuable prognostic marker for survival in patients with FHF.

p-Chloromercuribenzoate-induced inactivation and partial unfolding of porcine heart lactate dehydrogenase.

Purified porcine heart lactate dehydrogenase was inactivated and partially unfolded with p-chloromercuribenzoate (pCMB). With the increase of pCMB/enzyme ratio the enzyme was gradually inhibited till almost completely inactivated at the pCMB/enzyme ratio of 20 : 1. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed that with the increase of pCMB/enzyme ratio the bands of native enzyme decreased till completely vanished. Meanwhile inactive multiple bands emerged and became thicker, which implied that lactate dehydrogenase became loose. The conformational changes of the enzyme molecule modified with pCMB were followed using fluorescence emission, ultraviolet difference, and circular dichroism (CD) spectra. Increasing pCMB concentration resulted in the decrease of fluorescence emission intensity. The ultraviolet difference spectra of the enzyme modified with pCMB exhibited an increasing absorbance in the vicinity of 240 nm with the increasing concentration of the inhibitor. The changes of the fluorescence and ultraviolet difference spectra reflected the conformational changes of the enzyme. The CD spectrum changes of the enzyme showed that its secondary structure changed as well. These results suggest that pCMB not only inhibits this enzyme but also influences its conformation (partial unfolding).