Adrenomedullin/FOXO3 enhances sunitinib resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma by inhibiting FDX1 expression and cuproptosis.

Cuproptosis, a new type of copper-induced cell death, is involved in the antitumor activity and resistance of multiple chemotherapeutic drugs. Our previous study revealed that adrenomedullin (ADM) was engaged in sunitinib resistance in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, it has yet to be investigated whether and how ADM regulates sunitinib resistance by cuproptosis. This study found that the ADM expression was elevated in sunitinib-resistant ccRCC tissues and cells. Furthermore, the upregulation of ADM significantly enhanced the chemoresistance of sunitinib compared with their respective control. Moreover, cuproptosis was involved in ADM-regulated sunitinib resistance by inhibiting mammalian ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) expression. Mechanically, the upregulated ADM activates the p38/MAPK signaling pathway to promote Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) phosphorylation and its entry into the nucleus. Consequently, the increased FOXO3 in the nucleus inhibited FDX1 transcription and cell cuproptosis, promoting chemoresistance. Collectively, cuproptosis has a critical effector role in ccRCC progress and chemoresistance and thus is a relevant target to eradicate the cell population of sunitinib resistance.

[Correlation of environment temperature with the incidence of testicular torsion].

Objective： To explore the influence of environment temperature on the incidence of testicular torsion. METHODS: We collected the clinical data on 172 cases of testicular torsion diagnosed in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from December 2013 to December 2020. According to the local environment temperature on the day of onset, we divided the patients into groups A (below 0℃), B (0－10℃), C (10－20℃) and D (above 20℃), and compared the incidence rates of testicular torsion among the four groups, followed by correlation analysis. RESULTS: The incidence rate of testicular torsion was 12.8% (n = 22) in group A, 35.5% (n = 61) in B, 34.9% (n = 60) in C and 16.9% (n = 29) in D, the highest at 0－10℃ in group B, with statistically significant difference among the four groups (χ2 = 29.07, P <0.001). Spearman correlation analysis indicated that the incidence of testicular torsion was negatively correlated with the environment temperature (r = －0.261, P <0.01), with no statistically significant difference among different seasons (χ2 = 5.349, P >0.05), but higher in autumn and winter than in the other two seasons. CONCLUSION: The incidence of testicular torsion is negatively correlated with the environment temperature, elevated when the temperature decreases, but has no statistically significant difference among different seasons, though relatively higher in autumn and winter.

[Application of Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography in the Treatment of Renal Cell Carcinoma with Inferior Vena Cava Tumor Thrombus].

Objective To investigate the value of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in the diagnosis and treatment of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus. Methods Ten patients of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus treated in the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2017 to January 2021 were selected.TEE was employed to locate the position of the tumor thrombus,determine the occlusion point of the inferior vena cava,count the intraoperative tumor thrombus shedding rate,examine the tumor thrombus resection integrity,and measure blood loss and other indicators,on the basis of which the application value of TEE in the operation of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus was evaluated. Results All the 10 patients had completed the operations successfully,including 8 patients of open operation and 2 patients of laparoscopic operation.TEE showed tumor thrombi clearly,and all the tumor thrombi were completely removed.There was no tumor thrombus shedding during the operation.The blood loss varied within the range of 300-800 ml,with the mean of (520.0±193.2) ml.The grade III tumor thrombi in 2 patients and the grade I tumor thrombus in 1 patient diagnosed before operation were reduced to grade Ⅱ and upgraded to grade Ⅱ,respectively,by TEE.One patient had no floating tumor thrombus at the end of tumor thrombus before operation,and the blocking position was adjusted in time with the assistance of TEE to avoid the shedding of the floating tumor thrombus. Conclusion TEE can accurately determine and dynamically monitor the location and shape of inferior vena cava tumor thrombus,which provides an important reference and has a significant clinical value in the operation of renal cell carcinoma with inferior vena cava tumor thrombus.

Effect of tadalafil combined with atorvastatin on hemodynamics and sexual function in middle-aged and elderly patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with erectile dysfunction.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and clinical significance of tadalafil combined with atorvastatin on hemodynamics and sexual function in middle-aged and elderly patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with Erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: Eighty patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with ED who were treated at The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2019 to June 2020 were selected. Using a completely randomized design experimental method, these 80 patients were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group was treated with a single drug, atorvastatin calcium, while the experimental group was given tadalafil orally on the basis of the control group for 3 months. Changes in the levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-6, TNF and CRP, adverse drug reactions, changes in hemodynamic indicators such as HSV, LSV, PSV, HCT and ESR before and after treatment, as well as changes in sexual function after treatment were compared and analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: TNF-a, CRP and IL-6 in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the control group after treatment, with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse drug reactions between the two groups (p=0.18). After treatment, hemodynamic indexes and sexual function indexes of the experimental group were significantly improved compared with those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: A significant improvement effect can be achieved by tadalafil combined with atorvastatin on hemodynamics and sexual function in middle-aged and elderly patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with ED. At the same time, the combination of the two has synergism on inflammatory factors and blood rheology, and the incidence of adverse reactions is not significantly increased.

A novel strategy of identifying circRNA biomarkers in cardiovascular disease by meta-analysis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable and abundantly expressed in vivo but are abnormally expressed in several diseases. This study aimed to identify circRNAs acting as potential biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Research were retrieved from the articles published by September 2018 in eight databases to compare circRNA expression profiles between CVD and non-CVD in human and animal models. Meta-analysis under a random effects model was conducted. Subgroup analysis of tissue, species, and disease-specific circRNAs was examined. Sensitivity analysis was performed to explain the uncertainty among all studies. Diagnostic accuracy of circRNAs in CVD was analyzed to testify the discriminative ability. Bioinformatics analysis including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis was conducted. Among 6,284 differentially expressed circRNAs from 32 original studies, only 322 circRNAs were reported in three or more studies. The meta-analysis identified 63 significantly dysregulated circRNAs, 44 upregulated and 19 downregulated. Among the tissue-specific or disease-specific circRNAs identified in the subgroup analysis, two circRNAs (circCDKN2BAS and circMACF1) showed the potential to be circulating biomarkers for CVD. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated 69% of circRNAs were in conformity with the overall analysis. The pooled diagnostic odds ratio was 2.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.35-3.58), and the overall area under the curve value was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.83-0.89). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses indicated that the target genes of circRNAs participate in cardiogenesis-related processes and pathways. This study demonstrates circRNAs have a high diagnostic value as potential biomarkers for CVD, and two candidate circRNAs, circCDKN2BAS and circMACF1, are potential circulating biomarkers for CVD diagnosis and treatment.

Association between schizophrenia and syphilis: a retrospective study in Xiamen, China.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that patients with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia have a higher risk for syphilis infection. However, the clinical characteristics of psychotic patients who are infected with syphilis remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of syphilis in psychotic patients in Xiamen and to compare the social function and serum biochemical markers between schizophrenia patients with and without syphilis. METHODS: There were a total of 1586 psychotic patients screened for syphilis from May 2016 to August 2017 in Xiamen Mental Health Center. We retrospectively studied 87 schizophrenia patients in this study. The NOSIE-30 score and serum biochemical markers were analyzed for all schizophrenia patients. RESULTS: The seroprevalence of syphilis was 3.3% (52/1586) in our study. Schizophrenia patients infected with syphilis (SCZ-S) showed a higher irritability score compared with patients without syphilis (SCZ-C) (p < 0.05). Similarly, the serum CK, CK-MB, K and Cl values were significantly higher in the SCZ-S group than in the SCZ-C group (P < 0.05). In addition, the CK levels in SCZ-S drug-free patients were significantly higher than in drug-free patients in the SCZ-C group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The seroprevalence of syphilis was 3.3% (52/1586) in our study, which revealed that psychotic patients were at high risk of being infected with Treponema pallidum. In addition, schizophrenia patients infected with syphilis can be more irritable and could have disrupted electrolyte and CK and CK-MB levels.

Possible Molecular Markers for the Diagnosis of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND We aimed to identify pivotal genes and pathways involved in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), and explore possible molecular markers for the early diagnosis of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS The array data of GSE74629, including 34 PDAC samples and 16 healthy samples, was downloaded from GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. Then, the DEGs (differentially expressed genes) in PDAC samples were compared with healthy samples using limma (linear models for microarray). Gene functional interaction networks were analyzed with Cytoscape and ReactomeFIViz. PPI networks were constructed with Cytoscape software. In addition, PPI (protein-protein interaction) network clustering modules were analyzed with ClusterONE, and the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway enrichment analyses for modules were performed. RESULTS A total of 630 upregulated and 1,002 downregulated DEGs were identified in PDAC samples compared with healthy samples. Some ribosomal protein genes with higher average correlation in module 0 were enriched in the ribosome pathway. NUP107 (nucleoporin 107 kDa) and NUP160 (nucleoporin 160 kDa) were enriched in module 3. HNRNPU (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein U) with higher average correlation in module 8 was enriched in the spliceosome pathway. The ribosome pathway and the spliceosome pathway were significantly enriched in cluster 1 and cluster 2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Ribosomal protein genes Nup170, Nup160, and HNRNPU, and the ribosome pathway as well as the spliceosome pathway may play important roles in PDAC progression. In addition, ribosomal protein genes Nup170, Nup160, and HNRNPU may be used as possible molecular markers for the early diagnosis of the disease.

[Transumbilical single-port laparoscopy combined with improved double hernia needles for pediatric hydrocele].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect of transumbilical single-port laparoscopy combined with improved double hernia needles with that of traditional open surgery in the treatment of hydrocele in children. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 35 cases (54 sides) of pediatric hydrocele treated by transumbilical single-port laparoscopy combined with improved double hernia needles (laparoscopy group). We recorded the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, scrotal edema, and postoperative complications and compared them with those of another 46 cases (58 sides) treated by traditional open surgery (open surgery group) during the same period. RESULTS: The laparoscopy group showed a significantly shorter operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, milder scrotal edema, and fewer hospital days than the open surgery group (all P<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups (P>0.05). Subcutaneous emphysema developed in 2 patients in the laparoscopy group, which disappeared after 1－3 days of oxygen inhalation and other symptomatic treatment, while scrotal hematoma occurred in 1 and incision fat liquefaction in 2 patients in the open surgery group 3 days postoperatively, which healed after debridement suture and daily dressing, respectively. The patients were followed up for 3－6 months, which revealed no late complications in the laparoscopy group but 1 case of unilateral recurrence and 2 cases of offside recurrence in the open surgery group, all cured by laparoscopic internal ring ligation. CONCLUSIONS: Transumbilical single-port laparoscopy combined with improved double hernia needles is superior to traditional open surgery for the treatment of pediatric hydrocele and therefore deserves clinical generalization.

The association of regional block with intraoperative opioid consumption in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: a single-center, retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Regional block, such as thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA), thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB), or serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) has been recommended to reduce postoperative opioid use in recent guidelines, but the optimal options for intraoperative opioid minimization remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intraoperative opioids-sparing effects of three regional blocks (TEA, TPVB, and SAPB) in patients undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATs). METHODS: This was a retrospective study of the adults undergoing VATs at a tertiary medical center between January 2020 and February 2022. According to the type of regional block used, patients were classified into 4 groups: GA group (general anesthesia without any regional block), TEA group (general anesthesia combined with TEA), TPVB group (general anesthesia combined with TPVB), and SAPB group (general anesthesia combined with SAPB). Cases were matched with a 1:1:1:1 ratio for analysis by age, sex, ASA physical status, and operation duration. The primary outcome was the total intraoperative opioid consumption standardized to Oral Morphine Equivalents (OME). Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate the association of the three regional blocks with the OME. RESULTS: A total of 2159 cases met the eligibility criteria. After matching, 168 cases (42 in each group) were included in analysis. Compared with GA without any reginal block, the use of TEA, TPVB, and SAPB reduced the median of intraoperative OME by 78.45 mg (95% confidence interval [CI], -141.34 to -15.56; P = 0.014), 94.92 mg (95% CI, -154.48 to -35.36; P = 0.020), and 11.47 mg (95% CI, -72.07 to 49.14; P = 0.711), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TEA or TPVB was associated with an intraoperative opioid-sparing effect in adults undergoing VATs, whereas the intraoperative opioid-sparing effect of SAPB was not yet clear.

The food security risks in the Yangtze River Delta of China associated with water scarcity, grain production, and grain trade.

Grain production consumes a large amount of water and is affected by the degree of water scarcity and participation in the grain trade in various regions. The grain trade has changed the food security risks in regions where grain exports and imports. Therefore, it is crucial to consider regional water scarcity to understand food security risks from the grain trade network. Here, we construct a new framework for measuring regional food security risks associated with water scarcity, grain production, and grain trade based on a cross-city grain trade network combined with virtual water flows to evaluate the regional food security risks in the Yangtze River Delta region (YRD) of China in 2017. The results show that under the current domestic grain trade pattern in China, the YRD and its four provincial-level administrative regions are in a net grain import state. The grain trade within the YRD is concentrated in exports from the two major grain-producing areas of Anhui and Jiangsu to Zhejiang and Shanghai, especially from northern Jiangsu to southeastern Zhejiang. The net import results of virtual blue water in most cities indicate that the YRD has shifted its water resource pressure to other grain exporting regions in China, with Shanghai and Zhejiang being the greatest beneficiaries. Extreme risk only exists in Shanghai, and severe and moderate risks are concentrated in Jiangsu. The current grain trade has reduced the overall food security risk in the YRD by 1.3 % but increased the risks in Shanghai and Zhejiang by 2.1 % and 0.8 % respectively. This study highlights the potential risks that excessive production of food in water-scarce areas in the grain trade system may bring to a stable food supply, providing useful information for a comprehensive understanding of the food and water security situation and for future trade-offs.

Multi-point resistivity measurement system for full-diameter long cores during fluid displacement.

Water injection is often used to improve oil and gas recovery in the late stage of oil and gas reservoir development. Studies show that this process leads to complex changes in reservoir resistivity and affects the evaluation of remaining oil and gas saturation in the reservoir. In this study, a multi-point resistivity measurement experimental system suitable for full-diameter rock samples during fluid displacement was designed to simulate and explore the distribution and variation of resistivity in the reservoir flooding process. In this regard, two columnar electrodes were installed on the end face of the core sample to serve as fluid injection and outflow channels. Moreover, five groups of nail-shaped electrodes arranged at equal intervals were embedded on the rubber sleeve of the core holder. The electrical bridge metering combined with seven electrodes was used to measure the resistivity and variation of six parts of the core sample during fluid displacement. A confining pressure was applied to the core sample to simulate the underground high-pressure environment and force the nail-shaped electrodes to cling to the sample to improve the accuracy of resistivity measurement. The simulated water flooding experiment was carried out with a sandstone sample from Tarim Oilfield in western China, and the distribution and variation of the sample's resistivity were recorded. The experimental results conform to the laws of rock physics and confirm the reliability of the experimental system. The experimental system provides a guideline for determining the resistivity variation and evaluating the remaining oil and gas saturation of water-flooded reservoirs.

Feasibility and Tolerability of Lenvatinib, Plus PD-1 Blockades for Patients with Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Exploratory Study.

Objective: Lenvatinib was the standard first-line therapy for patients with unresectable HCC. PD-1 blockades demonstrated promising efficacy for patients with previously-treated HCC. Therefore, this study was to investigate the feasibility and tolerability of lenvatinib plus PD-1 blockades for patients with unresectable HCC retrospectively. Methods: A total of 37 patients with unresectable HCC who received lenvatinib plus PD-1 blockades in first-line setting were included in this study retrospectively. Efficacy of the patients was evaluated with the change of target lesion using mRECIST criteria per investigator and all the subjects were followed up regularly. Adverse reactions were collected and documented. Exploratory analysis between prognosis and baseline characteristics was performed using log rank test and multivariate analysis were performed using Cox regression analysis. Results: The best overall response of the 37 patients suggested that complete response was observed in one patient, partial response was noted in 11 patients, stable disease was noted in 16 patients and 9 patients had progressive disease, which yielded an objective response rate (ORR) of 32.4% (95%CI: 18.0-49.8) and a disease control rate (DCR) of 75.7% (95%CI: 58.8-88.2). Furthermore, the median progression-free survival (PFS) of the 37 patients with advanced HCC was 8.3 months (95%CI: 3.34-13.26). And the median overall survival (OS) was 17.8 months (95%CI: 7.19-28.41). In addition, the median duration of response (DoR) in 12 patients with response was 9.6 months (95%CI: 3.03-16.17). Furthermore, adverse reactions that were attributed to the combination administration were detected in 36 patients (97.3%), among whom a total of 22 patients (59.5%) were observed of the grade ≥3 adverse reactions. And the most common adverse reactions were hypertension, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, and hepatotoxicity. Conclusion: Lenvatinib plus PD-1 blockades demonstrated promising anticancer activity and acceptable toxicity for patients with unresectable HCC. And the conclusion should be validated in prospective clinical trials subsequently.

Fabrication of polydimethylsiloxane/graphene flexible strain sensors by using the scraping and coating method.

Production of flexible strain sensors is complex, time-consuming, and expensive. In this study, a novel fabrication method of polydimethylsiloxane/graphene nanocomposite conductive materials was proposed by using the scraping and coating method for manufacturing sandwich-shape flexible strain sensors. A ZQ-60B tensile testing machine was employed to test the mechanical properties of flexible sensors with 1%, 3%, and 5% graphene content. The results revealed that the stress and strain of the flexible strain sensor exhibited a linear relationship, and the linear correlation coefficients were 0.99706, 0.99819, and 0.99826, respectively. The concentration of graphene was 1%, 3%, and 5%, and the gauge factors (GFs) of the sensor were 24, 6, and 3, respectively. With the increase in the graphene content, the GF decreased gradually. This phenomenon could be attributed to tunneling, which increased the number of conductive pathways with an increase in the graphene content. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited excellent stability after 100 cycles of stretching/scaling. The finger joint bending test revealed that the flexible strain sensor is reproducible and exhibits excellent application prospects in monitoring human movement and health.

Identification of stress-related microRNA biomarkers in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated microRNAs (miRNAs) in the detection of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Herein, the dysregulated direction of stress-related miRNAs used as biomarkers of T2DM are summarized and analyzed. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and three Chinese databases were searched for case-control miRNA profiling studies about T2DM. A meta-analysis under a random effect was performed. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on different tissues and species. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to confirm the robustness among studies. The effect size was pooled using ln odds ratios (ORs), 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and P-values. RESULTS: The present meta-analysis included 39 case-control studies with a total of 494 miRNAs. Only 33 miRNAs were reported in three or more studies and, of these, 18 were inconsistent in their direction of dysregulation. Two significantly dysregulated miRNAs (let-7 g and miR-155) were identified in the meta-analysis. Four miRNAs (miR-142-3p, miR-155, miR-21, and miR-34c-5p) were dysregulated in patients with T2DM, whereas five miRNAs (miR-146a, miR-199a-3p, miR-200b, miR-29b and miR-30e) were dysregulated in animal models of diabetes. In addition, two dysregulated miRNAs (miR-146a and miR-21) were highly cornea specific and heart specific. In sensitivity analysis, only miR-155 was still significantly dysregulated after removing studies with small sample sizes. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis revealed that 16 stress-related miRNAs were significantly dysregulated in T2DM. MiR-148b, miR-223, miR-130a, miR-19a, miR-26b and miR-27b were selected as potential circulating biomarkers of T2DM. In addition, miR-146a and miR-21 were identified as potential tissue biomarkers of T2DM.

Correlation between severity of nausea and vomiting after thoracoscopic pulmonary surgery and quality of postoperative recovery and capacity of mobility / 临床麻醉学杂志

Objective To assess the correlation between the severity of postoperative nausea and vomiting(PONV)with the quality of postoperative recovery and capacity of mobility in patients after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.Methods A total of 125 patients,80 males and 45 females,aged 18-64 years,BMI 18-35 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ,undergoing video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery were observed.The severity of PONV was assessed using the simplified PONV impact scale day 1 after sur-gery.The patients were divided into three groups according to the severity of PONV:non-PONV group(n = 87),mild PONV group(n = 31),and moderate to severe PONV group(n = 7).The quality of recovery was assessed using the quality of recovery-15(QoR-15)on the first day after surgery,and the capacity of mobility was assessed using the 6-minute walk test(6-MWT)on the second day after surgery.The multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the correlation between the severity of PONV and quality of post-operative recovery and capacity of mobility.Results The results of the corrected multiple linear regression model showed that,compared with the patients without PONV,the QoR-15 scores of the patients with mild and moderate-severe PONV on the first day after surgery were reduced by 4.5 scores(95%CI-8.9 to-0.04 scores,P = 0.048)and 15.8 scores(95%CI-24.8 to-6.8 scores,P = 0.001),respectively.Mild(MD =-27.4 m,95%CI-70.1 to 15.4 m,P = 0.207)and moderate-severe PONV(MD =-57.0 m,95%CI-145.7 to 31.6 m,P = 0.204)were not significantly associated with 6-MWT distance shortening on the second day after surgery.Conclusion Increased PONV severity is associated with poorer recovery quality in patients undergoing pulmonary surgery.Active prevention and treatment of PONV may contribute to early recovery of patients.

Preparation, characterization and anti-diabetic activity of polysaccharides from adlay seed.

Coix (Coix lachryma-jobi L.), commonly known as adlay, is a traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. A new water-soluble polysaccharide with anti-diabetic activity was extracted and purified from the adlay seed (PAS). The structure and physicochemical properties of PAS were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Structural analysis indicated that PAS had a porous surface and relatively loose distribution. After intragastric administered PAS for 4 weeks, biochemical analysis demonstrated dose dependent anti-diabetic activity. These results showed that PAS decreased blood glucose and insulin levels. In addition, mice fed the PAS showed significantly reduced the plasma levels of amyloid ß42 and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), while the expression of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) was markedly increased. Our study introduced a new polysaccharide PAS with unique anti-diabetic activity, which can be used as a potential dietary supplement or functional food.

Appleby operation for carcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas.

AIMS: The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Appleby operation for carcinoma of the body and tail of pancreas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2010 to February 2015, Appleby operation was performed in 17 patients with carcinoma of the body and tail of pancreas. The values of fasting plasma blood, body weight (BW), visual analog pain intensity scale (VAS score), and the quality of life indices were evaluated before and 1 day, 1, 2, 6 weeks after surgery. Survival time, tumor recurrence time, hospitalization time, and treatment-related complications were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no hospital mortality. Pancreatic fistula and diarrhea were major and most frequent. The rate of morbidity in general was 47.1%. After operation, all of the patients were completely pain-free. The VAS score decreased more after surgery comparing with before (83.2 ± 8.5 vs. 1.9 ± 3.6, P < 0.05). After operation, patients gained more than their preoperative BW with a mean increment of (4.1 ± 1.3 kg) (68.1 ± 4.3 vs. 64.0 ± 6.7, P < 0.05). A significant rise of the overall quality of life index was observed after surgery (93.8 ± 9.7 vs. 68.6 ± 6.7, P < 0.05). The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year recurrence rates were 22.9%, 58.9%, 72.6%, and 72.6%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after operation were 80.4%, 54.2%, 32.5%, and 16.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Appleby operation is both safe and effective with regard to pain relief and improvement of overall quality of life. Appleby operation can also achieve a high survival rate and a long overall survival time.

Association analysis of copy number variations in type 2 diabetes-related susceptible genes in a Chinese population.

AIMS: Copy number variations (CNVs) have been implicated as an important genetic marker of common disease. In this study, we explored genetic effects of common CNVs in Type 2 diabetes (T2D) related susceptible genes in Chinese population. METHODS: Seven common CNV loci were selected from genes enclosing the susceptible single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of T2D confirmed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and replication studies conducted in east Asia population. The CNVs and SNPs were genotyped in 504 T2D patients and 494 non-T2D controls. Cumulative effect of the positive CNV loci was measured using genetic risk score (GRS). Multiplicative and additive interaction between candidate CNV loci and SNPs were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with the common two copies, the deletion of nsv6360 (adjusted OR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.37-3.78, P = 0.001), nsv8414 (adjusted OR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.16-3.08, P = 0.006) and nsv1898 (adjusted OR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.19-2.84, P = 0.005) were significantly associated with increased risk of T2D (P < 0.007). Significant dose-response relationship was observed between GRS and the risk of T2D (χ2 for trend = 19.51, P < 0.001). In addition, significant additive interactions between nsv8414 and rs17584499 in PTPRD (AP = 0.60, 95% CI 0.12-1.07) and nsv1898 and rs16955379 in CMIP (AP = 0.46, 95% CI 0.01-0.91) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: There were three CNV loci (nsv6360, nsv8414 and nsv1898) associated with T2D, and a significant cumulative effect of these loci on the risk of T2D. The comprehensive effects of both CNVs and SNPs may provide a more useful tool for the identification of genetic susceptibility for T2D.

A meta-analysis of dysregulated miRNAs in coronary heart disease.

AIMS: To combine the results of dysregulated miRNAs in individual coronary heart disease (CHD) studies and to identify potential miRNA biomarkers. MAIN METHODS: MiRNA profiling studies of CHD were extracted from Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) databases if they met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was conducted using a random effects model to identify the effect of each multiple-reported miRNA. We also performed subgroup analysis according to miRNA detecting methods, tissues and subtypes of CHD. Sensitivity analysis was performed on the sample size. Bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the potential biomatic functions. All results were represented as log10 odds ratios (logORs). KEY FINDINGS: A total of 239 miRNAs were reported to be dysregulated in all 25 studies analyzed herein, and meta-analysis identified 48 statistically significant miRNAs. Bioinformatic analysis showed they were closely related with CHD. The most reported up-regulated miRNA was miR-122-5p (logOR: 2.7924, P < 0.001). A total of 7, 6, 4 and 9 miRNAs were detected to be differentially expressed in myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angia (UA), stable angina (SA) and pre-CHD subjects, respectively. 32 miRNAs were dysregulated in blood sample. The dysregulation of miR-133a-3p in whole blood and plasma/serum was contrary. In sensitivity analysis, 37 out of 48 (77.08%) miRNAs were consistently dysregulated. SIGNIFICANCE: A total of 48 dysregulated miRNAs were confirmed in this meta-analysis. MiR-122-5p and miR-133a-3p may be valuable biomarkers for CHD.

Procyanidin B2 protects H / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the protective effect of proanthocyanidin B2 (PC-B2) on oxidative damage of PC 12 cells induced by hydrogen peroxide (H