Influence of plasma exchange on transplantation related immune function in patients with liver failure.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of plasma exchange (PE) treatment of patients with liver failure on the patient's immune function, including peripheral blood T lymphocytes and cytokines. Patients accepting PE for liver failure from October 2011 to February 2012 were included prospectively in the research group. Peripheral blood samples were collected at set time points. The percentages of T lymphocyte subtypes were detected by flow cytometry using different fluorescence labels including CD3-FITC, CD4-PerCP, CD8-PE, CD25-FITC, and Foxp3-PE. Changes in serum IL-17 concentration were followed by ELISA. In all fifteen patients who accepted PE, the percentages of CD3(+) and CD8(+) T cells increased immediately after the procedure and then reduced gradually. These significant changes were confirmed by statistical analysis (P < 0.05). The percentage of CD4(+) T cells also increased after PE to a certain extent, but failed to show statistical significance. The positive ratio of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) T cells (Treg) increased after the treatment with statistical difference (P < 0.05). The concentration of IL-17 in patient serum increased significantly following PE treatment (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that T lymphocyte subgroups of patients with liver failure could be influenced after PE treatment, and that cellular immunity could be recovered. PE treatment, therefore, can be viewed as providing reliable protection for the reconstruction of the patient immune system.

A novel long non-coding RNA ENST00000480739 suppresses tumour cell invasion by regulating OS-9 and HIF-1α in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Invasion and metastasis are the distinct biologic characteristics of cancer, resulting in an exceptionally low 5-year survival rate in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Understanding in detail the mechanisms underlying PDAC metastasis is critical for prevention and effective interventions. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been documented as having a critical role in cancer development and progression. METHODS: We examined the expression levels of lncRNA ENST00000480739 and osteosarcoma amplified-9 (OS-9) mRNA in a cohort of 35 PDAC patients. Cell proliferation, invasion and migration were examined with and without ENST00000480739 overexpression in PDAC cells. RESULTS: We determined that the ENST00000480739 expression level was remarkably decreased in tumorous tissues compared with their corresponding non-tumorous tissues. The expression of ENST00000480739 was negatively associated with tumour node metastasis stage and lymph node metastasis. In addition, ENST0000048073 was an independent prognostic factor of survival time in PDAC patients following surgery. Besides, enforced expression of ENST00000480739 suppressed PDAC cells' invasion in vitro. Overexpression of ENST00000480739 significantly increased both mRNA and protein levels of OS-9, and the luciferase assays confirmed that ENST00000480739 positively regulates OS-9 by activating the transcription level of the OS-9 promoter. We further found that ENST00000480739 may target hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression by upregulating OS-9. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the frequently downregulated ENST00000480739 in PDAC contributes to tumour metastasis and progression by regulating HIF-1α. Long non-coding RNA ENST00000480739 may provide not only a therapeutic potential to suppress metastasis but it may also be a novel biomarker for risk prognostication and personal therapy screening of PDAC patients.

First report of primary pancreatic natural killer/T-cell nasal type lymphoma.

BACKGROUND: Primary pancreatic lymphoma (PPL) is an extremely rare form of extranodal malignant lymphoma and pancreatic tumour. Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma is an aggressive rare form extranodal lymphoma with a predilection for the nasal cavity/nasopharynx, it can arise in other organs such as skin, testicles, spleen, adrenal, or GI tract, but the initial presentation of our patient in the pancreas is unreported. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of primary pancreatic natural killer/T-cell nasal type lymphoma in a 62-year-old man. The presenting symptoms were non-specific only for upper abdominal pain and weight loss. Imaging techniques showed the lesion was located in the head of pancreas. Computed tomography (CT) scanning and otorhinolaryngology examination were negative for nasopharyngeal lymphoma. The initial concern was for pancreatic tumor and the patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. The diagnosis of primary pancreatic natural killer/T-cell nasal type lymphoma was established as the combination of NK-lineage antigens (TIA-1, granzyme B, CD56) with EBV-expression. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first case of primary pancreatic natural killer (NK)/T-cell nasal type lymphoma. PPL, although a rare pathologic entity, should be considered in the differential diagnosis for a large homogeneous mass with extrapancreatic extension in the head especially in those of normal serum CA 19-9 level.

[Comparative study of ultrasound transducers in HIFU].

The high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) surgery technique is an important application of medical ultrasound. As the ultrasound transducer is placed out of the body, HIFU technique belongs to non-invasive extracorporeal therapeutic technology. It is able to focus ultrasound energy deep into the body, forming destruction in pathologic change tissues and coagulating them without any damages to tissues out of the focus. The development of ultrasound transducer is the key technology of HIFU.