Analysis of gastrointestinal function and prognostic value of tumor markers in patients with laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the gastrointestinal function and prognostic value of tumor markers (TMs) in patients with laparoscopic radical resection of colorectal cancer (LRRCC). METHODS: The research population of this retrospective study comprised 141 patients with CC who received treatment in the Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University between July 2017 and August 2018, including 74 cases (observation group, OG) treated with LRRCC and 67 cases (control group, CG) undergoing open surgery (OS). Postoperative gastrointestinal function and complications were recorded. Besides, alterations in serum TMs carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and the 3-years survival of patients were observed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine the prognostic value of TMs. Risk factors affecting the prognosis of LRRCC patients were analyzed by the Cox regression model. RESULTS: Significantly higher levels of motilin (MOT) and gastrin (GT) were determined in OG compared with CG. The two groups showed no notable difference in the postoperative complication rate. Postoperative serum CEA and CA199 levels were obviously lower in OG as compared with CG. A higher 3-year survival rate was determined in OG. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUCs) of CEA and CA19-9 levels in predicting patients' 3-year survival were 0.826 and 0.867, respectively. According to the Cox regression analysis, tumor diameter, lymph node involvement, TNM staging, vascular invasion, CEA, and CA19-9 were independent risk factors for poor prognosis of LRRCC patients. CONCLUSIONS: LRRCC is well-tolerated by patients with CC and contributes to favorable outcomes. Besides, CEA and CA19-9, the two TMs, may be candidate prognostic markers for patients undergoing LRRCC.

Correlation of small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 with acute respiratory distress syndrome occurrence and prognosis in sepsis patients.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (lnc-SNHG16) regulates sepsis-induced acute lung injury and inflammation, which is involved in the pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The present study intended to explore the role of lnc-SNHG16 as a potential biomarker indicating ARDS risk, disease severity, inflammation, and mortality in sepsis. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples were collected from 160 sepsis patients within 24 hours after admission and 30 healthy controls (HCs). Then, lnc-SNHG16 in PBMCs was detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Sepsis patients were followed up until death or up to 28 days. RESULTS: lnc-SNHG16 was declined in sepsis patients compared with HCs (p < 0.001). The incidence of ARDS was 27.5% among sepsis patients; meanwhile, sepsis patients with ARDS had higher mortality than those without ARDS (p < 0.001). Furthermore, lnc-SNHG16 was declined in sepsis patients with ARDS compared to those without ARDS (p < 0.001); besides, higher lnc-SNHG16 was independently correlated with declined ARDS occurrence in sepsis patients (p = 0.001), while primary respiratory infection and higher CRP were independently correlated with elevated ARDS occurrence in sepsis patients (both p < 0.05). Moreover, a negative correlation was found in lnc-SNHG16 with history of diabetes, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and APACHE II and SOFA scores (all p < 0.05). Additionally, lnc-SNHG16 was declined in sepsis deaths compared with survivors (p = 0.002), while it was not independently linked with sepsis mortality. CONCLUSION: lnc-SNHG16 correlates with lower ARDS occurrence and better prognosis in sepsis patients.

Aberrant blood MALT1 and its relevance with multiple organic dysfunctions, T helper cells, inflammation, and mortality risk of sepsis patients.

BACKGROUND: MALT1 is linked with multiple organic dysfunctions, inflammatory storm, and T helper (Th) cell differentiation. Herein, the current study aimed to investigate the correlation of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) MALT1 with Th1 cells, Th17 cells, and prognosis of sepsis patients. METHODS: In general, 78 sepsis patients and 40 health controls (HCs) were enrolled. MALT1 expression was detected in PBMCs from all subjects by RT-qPCR. Besides, Th1 and Th17 cells were measured in PBMCs from sepsis patients by flow cytometry; interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interferon gamma (IFN-γ) were determined in serum from sepsis patients by ELISA. RESULTS: MALT1 expression was higher in sepsis patients than HCs (p < 0.001). MALT1 expression was positively correlated with Th17 cells (rs  = 0.291, p = 0.038) and IL-17A (rs  = 0.383, p = 0.001), but not with Th1 cells (rs  = 0.204, p = 0.151) or IFN-γ (rs  = 0.175, p = 0.125) in sepsis patients. MALT1 expression was positively correlated with APACHE II score (rs  = 0.275, p = 0.015), C-reactive protein (CRP) (rs  = 0.257, p = 0.023), and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score (rs  = 0.306, p = 0.006) (MALT1 expression was positively correlated with SOFA respiratory system score (rs  = 0.348, p = 0.002), and SOFA liver score (rs  = 0.260, p = 0.021), but not with SOFA scores in nervous system, cardio vascular system, coagulation, and renal system (all p > 0.05)). MALT1 expression (p = 0.010), Th1 cells (p = 0.010), Th17 cells (p = 0.038), and IL-17A (p = 0.012), except for IFN-γ (p = 0.102), elevated in sepsis deaths compared with sepsis survivors. CONCLUSION: PBMC MALT1 is highly expressed in sepsis patients with its overexpression associated with multiple organic dysfunctions, elevated Th17 cells, and increased mortality risk.

Blood long non-coding RNA intersectin 1-2 is highly expressed and links with increased Th17 cells, inflammation, multiple organ dysfunction, and mortality risk in sepsis patients.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA intersectin 1-2 (lnc-ITSN1-2) exacerbates inflammation and promotes T-helper (Th) cell differentiation, also serves as a biomarker in critical illness diseases. However, its clinical role in sepsis remains obscure. Hence, the study aimed to explore the relationship of lnc-ITSN1-2 with Th cells, inflammation, disease severity, multiple organ dysfunction, and mortality risk in sepsis. METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from 95 sepsis patients and 50 health controls, followed by lnc-ITSN1-2 evaluation using RT-qPCR. PBMC Th1, Th17 cells and their secreted cytokines in serum were detected by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: Lnc-ITSN1-2 in sepsis patients was higher than it in health controls (Z = -7.328, p < 0.001). Lnc-ITSN1-2 correlated with increased interferon-gamma (p = 0.009), Th17 cells (p = 0.022), and interleukin-17A (p = 0.006), but not Th1 cells (p = 0.169) in sepsis patients. Moreover, lnc-ITSN1-2 had a positive connection with C-reactive protein (p = 0.001), acute pathologic and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II (p = 0.024), and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) scores (p = 0.022). Regarding SOFA subscales, lnc-ITSN1-2 linked with elevated respiratory system score (p = 0.005), cardiovascular system score (p = 0.007), and renal system score (p = 0.004) but no other subscales. Besides, lnc-ITSN1-2 had an increasing trend, but no statistical difference, in septic deaths compared to survivors (Z = -1.852, p = 0.064). CONCLUSION: Lnc-ITSN1-2 reflects sepsis progression and unfavorable prognosis to some extent, which may serve as a potential biomarker to improve the management of sepsis patients.

The CXCL13 chemokine serves as a potential biomarker to diagnose systemic lupus erythematosus with disease activity.

The aim of our study was to assess the regulatory response of the chemokine CXCL13 in the serum of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with disease activity and to evaluate its influence on the inflammatory process in SLE. Serum samples from 97 SLE patients, 49 non-SLE patients (23 patients with other autoimmune diseases and 26 patients with rheumatoid arthritis) and 50 healthy controls were analyzed for the concentration of CXCL13 using ELISA. The results indicated that the serum levels of CXCL13 were significantly higher in SLE patients than in non-SLE patients and healthy controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, the level of CXCL13 decreased as the level of anti-dsDNA IgG decreased after treatment between the anti-dsDNA-positive SLE patients and the anti-dsDNA-negative SLE patients. In addition, serum CXCL13 levels were correlated with SLEDAI in different activities of SLE, renal involvement and active LN. Furthermore, the level of CXCL13 was positively related to the SLEDAI, level of anti-dsDNA IgG, level of ESR and RAI of high-avidity IgG ANAs (HA IgG ANAs). Additionally, statically analysis revealed that CXCL13 would be a best diagnostic value for determining the disease activity of SLE due to its moderate sensitivity (93.5%), specificity (95%), PPV (98.6%), NPV (79.2%) and OR(95%CI,250(30.303-1000)), at a cut-off level of 15.27 pg/mL. First, we indicated that CXCL13 was elevated in SLE patients regardless of the presence or absence of anti-dsDNA IgG ANAs. Furthermore, HA IgG ANAs might affect the circulation of CXCL13. Therefore, the chemokine CXCL13 might be a risk factor influencing the inflammatory process in SLE.

The occurrence and potential predictive factors of major adverse cardiac and cerebral events in end-stage renal disease patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: A prospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT: Major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE) are common complications, which prolong hospitalization and increase mortality rate in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients who underwent continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate MACCE occurrence and its potential predictive factors in those patients.In this prospective cohort study, 196 diagnosis of ESRD patients who underwent CAPD treatment in our hospital were eligible, and their clinical data (including demographic data and biochemical indexes) were documented. Besides, their MACCE occurrence was assessed within 3-year follow-up period.In patients, 1-, 2-, and 3-year MACCE occurrence rates were 5.1%, 11.7%, and 14.8%, respectively. Meanwhile, the mean duration of accumulating MACCE occurrence was 33.1 (95% confidence interval: 32.0-34.2) months. Furthermore, age, peritoneal dialysis duration (PDD), C-reactive protein (CRP), fasting blood glucose (FBG) and total cholesterol high correlated with increased accumulating MACCE occurrence, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) high correlated with decreased accumulating MACCE occurrence. Notably, by further multivariate Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis, age, PDD, CRP, serum uric acid, and FBG high were independent predictive factors for raised accumulating MACCE occurrence, while HDL-C high was an independent predictive factor for attenuated accumulating MACCE occurrence.MACCE are common; besides, age, peritoneal dialysis duration, C-reactive protein, serum uric acid, fasting blood glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol serve as potential markers for indicating MACCE in ESRD patients who underwent CAPD.

Distribution of IgG subclass anti-nuclear antibodies (ANAs) in systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVES: Our study purpose was to detect the distribution of anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) IgG subclasses in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to evaluate their influence on the inflammatory process in SLE. METHODS: We determined the serum levels of ANA IgG subclasses from 70 SLE patients, 25 patients with other autoimmune diseases (OAD), and 25 healthy controls using ELISA. The serum level of total ANA IgG and the avidity of ANA IgG, dsDNA IgG, and dsDNA IgG subclasses were analysed by ELISA. RESULTS: The results indicated that levels of four ANA IgG subclasses (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4) and total IgG were significantly higher in SLE patients than in OAD patients and healthy controls (p < 0.001). Moreover, the level of each ANA IgG subclass and the prevalence of high-avidity IgG ANAs (HA IgG ANAs) were significantly higher in the active cases than in the inactive cases of SLE and LN. Furthermore, level of ANA IgG subclasses decreased as level of dsDNA IgG subclasses decreased in 30 patients with SLE. In comparison, ANA IgG3 was significantly effective in high-dose prednisone combined with hydroxychloroquine (p = 0.025). Additionally, it revealed that level of dsDNA IgG had a significant influence on four ANA IgG subclasses, especially on ANA IgG3 (ß coefficient = 0.649, p < 0.001). Level of ANA IgG3 was also positively related to the serum level of dsDNA IgG (r = 0.729, p < 0.001) and RAI of HA IgG ANAs (r = 0.504, p < 0.001). However, the level of ANA IgG4 was positively related to the serum level of albumin (r = 0.572, p < 0.001) and RAI of HA IgG ANAs (r = 0.549, p < 0.001). Moreover, the results revealed that cutaneous and renal involvement were mainly associated with the ANA IgG1 and IgG4 subclasses. Although, arthritic involvement was mainly associated with ANA IgG3. CONCLUSIONS: First, we demonstrated that the ANA IgG subclasses were diagnostic tools in SLE patients. Furthermore, HA IgG ANAs might affect the distribution of ANA IgG3 and IgG4. Moreover, ANA IgG3 might play a particular role in the activity of SLE disease and therapy. Therefore, an altered ANA IgG subclass distribution might be a risk factor influencing the inflammatory process in SLE.

Katanin P60 and P80 in papillary thyroid carcinoma patients: Indicators for exacerbated tumor features and worse disease-free survival.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the clinical implications of katanin P60 and P80 (katanin P60/P80) regarding their correlations with clinicopathological features and survival profiles in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients. METHODS: Tumor tissue and paired adjacent tissue specimens were obtained from 172 PTC patients who underwent lobectomy or thyroidectomy. Besides, immunohistochemistry assay and immunoreactive (IR) score (multiplying staining intensity score by density score) were used to determine katanin P60/P80 expressions. According to IR score (from 0 ~ 12), katanin P60/P80 expressions were classified as low (IR score 0 ~ 3) and high (IR score 4 ~ 12) expressions. RESULTS: Both katanin P60/P80 expressions were highly expressed in tumor tissue compared with adjacent tissue. Besides, tumor katanin P60 expression positively correlated with tumor katanin P80 expression. Tumor katanin P60 high expression correlated with larger tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, advanced pT stage, pN stage, and pTNM stage, while no correlation of tumor katanin P60 expression with age or gender was observed; tumor katanin P80 high expression correlated with advanced pN stage and pTNM stage, whereas there was no correlation of tumor katanin P80 expression with age, gender, tumor size, extrathyroidal invasion, or pT stage. Furthermore, both tumor katanin P60/P80 high expressions correlated with shorter accumulating disease-free survival. As for overall survival (OS), neither tumor katanin P60 nor P80 expression correlated with OS. CONCLUSION: Katanin P60/P80 measurement might assist with tumor management and prognosis surveillance in PTC patients.

Long noncoding RNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1/miRNA-124 axis correlates with increased disease risk, elevated inflammation, deteriorative disease condition, and predicts decreased survival of sepsis.

We aimed to investigate the correlation of long noncoding RNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (lnc-NEAT1), microRNA-124 (miR-124) and lnc-NEAT1/miR-124 axis with disease risk, severity, inflammatory cytokines, and survival of sepsis.Eighty-two patients with sepsis and 82 healthy controls (HCs) were consecutively enrolled. Blood samples were collected for detection of lnc-NEAT1 and miR-124 expressions (using RT-qPCR) and measurement of inflammatory cytokines expressions (by ELISA). Severity and organ failure were assessed by acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, and survival was assessed.Lnc-NEAT1 expression was increased while miR-124 expression was decreased in patients with sepsis compared to HCs, and both of them were able to distinguish patients with sepsis from HCs. For disease condition, lnc-NEAT1 positively associated with APACHE II score, SOFA score, and expressions of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), whereas miR-124 negatively correlated with APACHE II score, SOFA score and levels of serum creatinine (Scr), CRP, TNF-α, IL-1ß, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-17 (IL-17). Regarding prognosis, lnc-NEAT1 was upregulated but miR-124 was downregulated in nonsurvivors compared to survivors. Additionally, lnc-NEAT1 negatively correlated with miR-124. Besides, lnc-NEAT1/miR-124 axis was increased in patients with sepsis compared to HCs, and positively associated with APACHE II score, SOFA score, and levels of Scr, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-17, while negatively correlated with survival. Most importantly, lnc-NEAT1/miR-124 axis presented numerically increased predictive value for sepsis risk and survival compared to each index alone.Lnc-NEAT1/miR-124 axis correlates with increased sepsis risk, and associates with higher inflammation, deteriorative disease condition, and decreased survival in patients with sepsis.

Circulating lncRNA NEAT1 correlates with increased risk, elevated severity and unfavorable prognosis in sepsis patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of circulating long non-coding RNA nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (lncRNA NEAT1) expression with disease risk, severity, prognosis and inflammatory cytokine levels in sepsis patients. METHODS: 152 sepsis patients and 150 health controls (HCs) were enrolled in this study. Plasma and serum samples were obtained from sepsis patients and HCs, and lncRNA NEAT1 expression in plasma was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, while levels of inflammatory cytokines in serum were detected by enzyme linked immune sorbent assay. RESULTS: LncRNA NEAT1 expression was remarkably higher in sepsis patients than in HCs (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve disclosed a good predictive value of lncRNA NEAT1 expression for sepsis risk with area under curve (AUC) of 0.730 (95% CI: 0.740-0.861). Subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that lncRNA NEAT1 expression was independently associated with higher sepsis risk (P < 0.001). In sepsis patients, lncRNA NEAT1 expression was also observed to be positively correlated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (P < 0.001), serum tumor necrosis factor-α (P < 0.001), interleukin (IL)-1ß (P = 0.043), IL-6 (P = 0.001) and IL-8 (P = 0.038), while negatively correlated with IL-10 (P < 0.001). In addition, lncRNA NEAT1 expression was increased in non-survivors compared to survivors (P = 0.006), and ROC curve revealed a good prognostic value of lncRNA NEAT1 for non-survivor risk with AUC 0.641 (95% CI: 0.536-0.746). CONCLUSION: Circulating lncRNA NEAT1 correlates with increased disease risk, elevated severity and unfavorable prognosis as well as higher expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in sepsis patients.