Hypomethylation of CTCFL promoters as a noninvasive biomarker in plasma from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third deadliest cancer in the world with high morbidity and poor prognosis. CTCFL (CCCTC-binding factor like) is a member of the cancer testis antigen (CTA) family with oncogenic properties. To demonstrate whether the hypomethylation of CTCFL promoters in plasma could be used as a noninvasive biomarker to predict poor prognosis of HCC, we extracted cell-free DNA from the plasma and detected the methylation status of CTCFL in 43 HCC, 5 liver cirrhosis and 6 benign lesion samples using methylation specific PCR (MSP). Our study indicated that the hypomethylation of CTCFL promoters in HCC plasma samples (60.4%) was significantly different from that in benign lesion plasma samples (16.7%) with a p-value of 0.043. Analysis of clinicopathological data showed that the methylation status of CTCFL promoters was significantly correlated with microvascular involvement (MVI) (p=0.001) and postoperative recurrence (p=0.031). Furthermore, clinical prognosis data of 347 HCC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database displayed that the hypomethylated group had worse overall survival than the hypermethylated group (p=0.0056). In conclusion, we provide evidence that the hypomethylation of CTCFL promoters in cell-free DNA is a biomarker for monitoring HCC patients, which can be used as a noninvasive prediction index for tumor recurrence and provide the individualized decision-making for clinicians.

[Gastroesophageal reflux disease is associated with high risk of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS). Methods: Patients diagnosed as GERD and healthy controls without GERD related symptoms or endoscopic esophagitis were enrolled from October 2017 and December 2017. All subjects completed Berlin Questionaire to assess the risk of OSAS. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to identify risk factors of OSAS. Results: A total of 177 subjects (97 GERD, 80 controls) were finally selected. Significantly more patients in GERD group had high risk OSAS than those in controls [36.1%(35/97) vs. 17.5%(14/80), P=0.005]. In GERD group, patients with erosive reflux diseases (ERD) had especially higher proportion of high risk OSAS compared with the non-ERD group and the healthy controls [53.3% (24/45) vs. 20.8% (10/48) and 17.5% (14/80), P=0.001]. On univariate analysis, male, aging and reflux esophagitis were identified as risk factors of OSAS (all P<0.01). On multivariate analysis, male (OR=12.156, 95%CI 1.382-106.905, P=0.024), aging (OR=1.132, 95%CI 1.051-1.220, P=0.001), acid regurgitation with reflux esophagitis (OR=5.157, 95%CI 1.327-20.034, P=0.018) were significant risk factors. Conclusions: More GERD patients are combined with high risk OSAS than controls, especially subjects with reflux esophagitis. Male and aging GERD patients with acid regurgitation and reflux esophagitis need further evaluation on OSAS screening.

Immediate radical therapy or conservative treatments when meeting the Milan criteria for advanced HCC patients after successful TACE.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases can be successfully downstaged into the Milan criteria; however, immediate radical therapy cannot be applied to all such patients for various reasons. Of the patients who are not eligible for immediate radical therapy, some accept repeated downstaging therapies and some undergo persistent observation. The aim of the present study was to compare long-term survival between these two groups of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between August 2003 and October 2008, 156 HCC patients successfully received downstaging therapy resulting in compliance with the Milan criteria. Of those, 98 cases accepted radical therapies, including liver transplantation (LT), resection, or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (group 1), and 58 cases underwent repeated transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) or persistent observation (group 2). The baseline characteristics, demographic data, downstaging protocol, and information on long-term outcomes were collected and compared. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the patient demographic data, downstaging protocols, or tumor characteristics between the two groups. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 92.9, 82.7, and 78.6 %, respectively, in group 1, whereas these rates were 82.8, 65.5, and 48.3 %, respectively, in group 2 (P = 0.046). Among the 58 patients in group 2, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 92.3, 65.4, and 46.2 %, respectively, in the repeated TACE group, and 81.3, 65.6, and 50 %, respectively, in the persistent observation group (P = 0.783). CONCLUSION: Immediate radical therapy should be the first choice for advanced HCC patients who undergo successful TACE, and repeated TACE is unnecessary.

Three new species of Pilea (Urticaceae) from limestone karst in China.

Three hitherto undescribed species of Pilea (Urticaceae) from limestone karst in China are described and illustrated. Affinities of the species are discussed and Global Species Conservation Assessments presented. The new species are Pilea cavernicola A.K. Monro, C.J. Chen & Y.G. Wei, sp. nov. (Vulnerable) which most closely resembles Pilea scripta (Buch.-Ham. ex D.Don) Wedd. and Pilea gracilis Handel-Mazzetti, Pilea shizongensis A.K. Monro, C.J. Chen & Y.G. Wei, sp. nov. (Endangered) which is most similar to Pilea aquarum Dunn and Pilea guizhouensis A.K. Monro, C.J. Chen & Y.G. Wei, sp. nov. (Vulnerable) which resembles Pilea boniana Gagnep. and Pilea rubriflora C. Wright mostclosely.

Hepatectomy-related hypophosphatemia may predict donor liver dysfunction in live-donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hypophosphatemia after living-donor liver donation was recently reported to not be linked to donor morbidity. However, few studies have examined the relationship between hypophosphatemia and hepatic function after hepatectomy in live liver donors. In this study, we investigated the relationship between postoperative hypophosphatemia and hepatic function in living donors after hepatectomy. METHODS: We collected data from 102 live-donor hemihepatectomy cases. The severity of hypophosphatemia was categorized as mild (1.5-2.5 mg/dL), moderate (1.1-1.5 mg/dL), or severe (<1.0 mg/dL). We compared complications among the groups and factors possibly related to the postoperative nadir phosphorus levels. RESULTS: One hundred cases (98%) developed mild (n = 56), moderate (n = 25), or severe (n = 19), hypophosphatemia. Serum phosphate levels began to fall on postoperative day (POD) 2, reaching a nadir (1.89 ± 0.72 mg/dL) on POD 3. There was a significant difference in the incidence of postoperative liver dysfunction among the 3 groups (P = .027). Moreover, a correlation was identified between the incidence and the hypophosphatemia severity (r = 0.549; P = .023). The nadir phosphorous level significantly and negatively correlated with the peak of total bilirubin (P = .001) and international normalized ratio (P = .004). Patients with intravenous phosphorus replacement showed better hepatic function and a lower incidence of hepatic dysfunction among the severely hypophosphatemic group. CONCLUSION: Hypophosphatemia was predictive of hepatic dysfunction after hepatectomy in living donors. Phosphorus replacement may improve recovery of hepatic function among living liver donors.

Interleukin-10 -819 promoter polymorphism associated with gastric cancer among Asians.

Studies investigating the association between interleukin-10 -819 promoter polymorphism and gastric cancer risk report conflicting results. This study aimed to summarize quantitatively the evidence for such a relationship. Two investigators independently searched the Medline (January 1966-January 2009) and Embase (January 1980-January 2009) databases for eligible studies to be included in a meta-analysis. Six case-control studies, which included 681 gastric cancer cases and 1621 control subjects were selected. Combined results for all studies showed that there was no significant difference in genotype distribution (TT, TC or CC) between gastric cancer patients and control subjects. When stratifying for race, results were similar except that Asian patients with gastric cancer had a significantly lower frequency of TT and a higher frequency of TC than Asian control subjects. When stratifying by location and Lauren's classification of gastric cancer, there was no significant difference in genotype distribution between patients with gastric cancer and control subjects. This meta-analysis suggests that the interleukin-10 -819 promoter polymorphism may be associated with gastric cancer in Asians.

Body mass index evaluating donor hepatic steatosis in living donor liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Evaluation of graft hepatic steatosis is important for the safety of the donor and the recipient in living donor liver transplantation. It is necessary to establish a noninvasive evaluation method to avoid performing a liver biopsy for donor safety. The aim of this study was to identify independent factors that correlated with hepatic steatosis to create a noninvasive method to evaluate hepatic steatosis. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from 105 living donors. No prisoners were used to obtain the grafts, all of which underwent postoperative histological evaluation for hepatic steatosis. Preoperative clinical and biochemical variables were examined with univariate analyses, and filtered variables further examined with ordinal regression analysis. RESULTS: Eighty (76.2%) donors showed no hepatic steatosis, 15 (14.3%), mild steatosis, and 10 (9.5%), moderate steatosis. In ordinal stepwise regression analysis, body mass index (BMI; P = .000) was the only independent factor that correlated with the grade of hepatic steatosis. Preoperative biochemical parameters were not significantly correlated with hepatic steatosis. A regression model based on BMI was created to evaluate hepatic steatosis grade. Furthermore, individuals with a BMI > 27.5 were most likely to show moderate steatosis, and those with BMI < 23 likely to display no or mild steatosis. CONCLUSION: BMI can help to identify the grade of hepatic steatosis among living donors. BMI is also useful to select living donors for a preoperative liver biopsy before liver transplantation.

Phosphorus doped Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O nanowire arrays.

We demonstrate the growth of phosphorus doped Zn(1-x)Mg(x)O nanowire (NW) using pulsed laser deposition. For the first time, p-type Zn(0.92)Mg(0.08)O:P NWs are likely obtained in reference to atomic force microscopy based piezoelectric output measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the transport property between the NWs and a n-type ZnO film. A shallow acceptor level of approximately 140 meV is identified by temperature-dependent photoluminescence. A piezoelectric output of 60 mV on average has been received using the doped NWs. Besides a control on NW aspect ratio and density, band gap engineering has also been achieved by alloying with Mg to a content of x = 0.23. The alloyed NWs with controllable conductivity type have potential application in high-efficiency all-ZnO NWs based LED, high-output ZnO nanogenerator, and other optical or electrical devices.

Risk factors of biliary complications following liver transplantation: retrospective analysis of a single centre.

BACKGROUND: Despite improvements that have been achieved in surgical techniques and organ preservation, biliary complications remain one of the most serious morbidities following liver transplantation. However, factors related to biliary complications after liver transplantation are not completely understood. The objective of this study was to identify retrospectively possible risk factors of biliary complications following liver transplantation. METHODS: Data on 279 patients who underwent liver transplantation between January 1999 and November 2005 were collected retrospectively. Selected variables from preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were first analysed using univariate logistic regression. Filtered factors with p<0.1 in the first step were further investigated to identify factors independently associated with biliary complications following liver transplantation. RESULTS: The overall incidence of biliary complications was 22.6%. Multivariate regression revealed that biliary cirrhosis (p = 0.038), anhepatic phase time (p = 0.04), and incidence of hepatic artery abnormality (p = 0.001) after transplantation were factors that were significantly related to biliary complications. Use of a T tube for biliary reconstruction and living grafts were not associated with biliary complications following liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that further technical refinement-namely, shortening the anhepatic phase duration, shielding the hepatic artery, and refining biliary duct reconstruction-can reduce the incidence of biliary complications following liver transplantation.

Strong strain hardening in nanocrystalline nickel.

Low strain hardening has hitherto been considered an intrinsic behavior for most nanocrystalline (NC) metals, due to their perceived inability to accumulate dislocations. In this Letter, we show strong strain hardening in NC nickel with a grain size of approximately 20 nm under large plastic strains. Contrary to common belief, we have observed significant dislocation accumulation in the grain interior. This is enabled primarily by Lomer-Cottrell locks, which pin the lock-forming dislocations and obstruct dislocation motion. These observations may help with developing strong and ductile NC metals and alloys.

Estimation of standard liver volume for liver transplantation in the Chinese population.

INTRODUCTION: The accurate assessment of standard liver volume (SLV) is necessary for the safety of both the donor and the recipient in living donor liver transplantation. However, the accuracy of SLV formulas relates to cohorts or races. This study examined the accuracy of a simple linear formula versus previous formulas of SLV for Chinese adults. METHODS: Among 112 patients with normal liver, we created a new formula for SLV with stepwise regression analysis using the following variables: age, gender, body weight, body height, body mass index, and body surface area. The agreement between the actual liver volume (LV) and calculated LV using various formulas was prospectively evaluated among 63 living donors by paired-sample student's t-test and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient. RESULTS: A new formula was developed SLV (mL) = 949.7 x BSA (m(2)) - 48.3 x age - 247.4 where age was counted as 1 for those <40, 2 if 41-60, and 3 if >60 years old. The calculated LV using our formula showed no significant difference from the actual LV using the paired-samples student's t-test (P = .653). Lin's concordance correlation coefficient showed substantial agreement between estimated LV using our formula and actual LV. Furthermore, this study also observed an almost perfect agreement between our formula and the Yoshizumi et al formula. CONCLUSION: Our formula, which accurately estimated LV among Chinese adults, may be applicable to adults of other ethnicitis.

Mesoscopic resistance fluctuations in cobalt nanoparticles.

We present measurements of mesoscopic resistance fluctuations in cobalt nanoparticles and study how the fluctuations with bias voltage, bias fingerprints, respond to magnetization-reversal processes. Bias fingerprints rearrange when domains are nucleated or annihilated. The domain wall causes an electron wave function-phase shift of approximately equal to 5pi. The phase shift is not caused by the Aharonov-Bohm effect; we explain how it arises from the mistracking effect, where electron spins lag in orientation with respect to the moments inside the domain wall. Dephasing time in Co at 0.03 K is short, tau phi approximately 1 ps, which we attribute to the strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy.

[Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 5-amino-6, 8-difluoro-1-(5-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-7-(3-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-1, 4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid and its analogues].

AIM: To design and synthesize 1-(5-fluoro-2-pyridyl) quinolone derivatives, and to study their in vitro antibacterial activities. METHODS: Eight new compounds of 5-amino-6,8-difluoro-1-(5-fluoro-2-pyridyl)-7-(3-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-1, 4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylic acid and its analogues were synthesized from ethyl 6-nitro-2, 3, 4, 5-terafluorobenzoylacetate and ethyl 3-methoxy-2, 4, 5-trifluorobenzoylacetate through 5 or 6 steps. RESULTS: Fifteen new compounds (1-15) were obtained including 8 desired compounds (8-15). The structures of the compounds were determined by 1HNMR, MS. CONCLUSION: In vitro antibacterial activities of the compounds (8-15) against Staphylococcus aureus-16, Escherichia coli-26 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa-17 were lower than control of ciprofloxacin.

Anticancer and antifertility agents. II. N,N'-hexamethylenebis(3-pyridinecarboxamide).

The centrosymmetric molecule N,N'-hexamethylenebis-(3-pyridinecarboxamide), C18H22N4O2, contains a crystallographic centre of inversion, with only half of the molecule constituting the asymmetric unit. There are intermolecular N-H...O = C hydrogen bonds [N...O 2.996(2) A] present in the structure.

Screening recombinant clones containing sequences homologous to Escherichia coli genes using single-stranded bacteriophage vector.

Detection and isolation of Escherichia coli clones carrying vectors with foreign DNA sequences partially homologous to specific E. coli genes is difficult because denatured DNA in the host genome can hybridize with the probe. In this paper we present a procedure which simplifies this task by using bacteriophage M13 as the cloning vector. The procedure takes advantage of the secretory properties of the phage, as well as the property of nitrocellulose membrane to bind protein and single-stranded DNA but not double-stranded DNA. This procedure is shown to be effective in identifying E. coli clones containing sequences of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii chloroplast DNA that are homologous to the rpoC gene of E. coli. We suggest that this procedure can be used generally for rapid isolation of DNA sequences that are homologous to E. coli genes.