Prognostic and immunological significance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in hepatocellular carcinoma based on multiple databases.

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) plays some roles in preventing liver disease progression to hepatocellular carcinoma. However, there is limited information about the function of PPARG of in hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aimed to determine the significance of PPARG in immunological response and as a biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma survival. Methods: We investigated the expression, prognosis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes/Gene Ontology biological process enrichment, and immune significance of PPARG using data from three databases-The Cancer Genome Atlas, International Cancer Genome Consortium, and Gene Expression Omnibus-through bioinformatics analysis as well as experimental verification in proliferation function of PPARG in HepG2 cell. Results: High PPARG expression in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues positively correlated with TP53 mutation, and predicted poor prognosis. The results of enrichment and immune infiltration showed that PPARG negatively correlated with the complement system and macrophage infiltration, and laboratory results support that PPARG regulate proliferation of HepG2 cell. Conclusions: PPARG is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and it correlates with a worse prognosis. Moreover, PPARG may play an important role in the cell proliferation, complement system and immune cell infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Age and Gender-Specific Reference Intervals for Uric Acid Level in Children Aged 5-14 Years in Southeast Zhejiang Province of China: Hyperuricemia in Children May Need Redefinition.

Context: Hyperuricemia is defined when the plasma uric acid concentration is above 416 µmol/L (7 mg/dl) in male adults, or 357 µmol/L (6 mg/dl) in female adults. However, there are no explicit criteria yet for children. Objective: It is necessary to set up reference intervals for the uric acid level in different age groups among children. Materials and Methods: A total of 5,439 individuals (3,258 males, 2,181 females) were included in the final statistical analysis. Reference values of all age groups were determined by statistical descriptions. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to determine the relationship between uric acid level, BMI, and age. Results: The level of uric acid increased with age. Gender differences in uric acid level occurred after the onset of puberty. Additionally, linear regression revealed a positive correlation between the uric acid level and BMI. Discussion and Conclusion: The reference range of the uric acid level in children is inconsistent with the previous viewpoint. Body mass index plays an important role in uric acid metabolism.

Cardiac dysfunction associated with consumptive hypothyroidism in a case of hepatic haemangioma.

Not required for Clinical Vignette.

Lowe syndrome with extremely short stature: growth hormone deficiency may be the pathogeny.

Lowe syndrome is an x-linked disorder characterized by congenital cataracts, nervous system abnormalities and renal tubular dysfunction. With the rising number of reported cases, more patients are found to suffer from endocrine abnormalities. Hereby, three Chinese patients with typical symptoms and extremely short stature were described. The OCRL gene was analyzed. A combination of blood biochemistry and radiological examinations were performed. Growth hormone provocation test was taken in one patient. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed a de novo novel hemizygous mutation (c.2290_2291delinsCT) in exon 21 in an adolescent boy. As indicated by the growth hormone provocation test, the boy had growth hormone deficiency. The other two patients were brothers with extremely short stature, and manifested the same hemizygous mutation (c.2581G > A) in exon 23. It was speculated that the mutation of OCRL gene could lead to deficiency of growth hormone, for which an early growth hormone intervention may be beneficial.