Comparison of NK cell subsets, receptors and functions induced by radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation in HBV-associated primary hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Topical therapy has been shown to induce an immune response in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, a prospective parallel group control experiment was conducted to compare the differences between radiofrequency ablation and microwave ablation in inducing the immune regulation of NK cells. Methods: Sixty patients with clinically and pathologically confirmed hepatitis B-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were selected for thermal ablation. Patients were randomly assigned into the MWA group (n = 30) and the RFA group (n = 30). Patient's peripheral blood was isolated on days D0, D7, and month M1. NK cell subsets, receptors, and killing function were detected by flow cytometry and LDH. Student t test and rank sum test were used to compare the statistical differences between the RFA (radio frequency) and MWA (microwave) groups. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank test were used to calculate the difference between the two survival curves. Results: Comparison of the frequency of CD3-CD56+ and CD3-CD56+CD16+ in NK cells between the RFA and WMA groups showed that there was no difference in the D0, D7, M1, D7-D0, M1-D0, and M1-D7 groups. The changes of the inhibitory NK cell receptor CD159A were significantly different at D7 (P<0.05). CD107a were compared between the RFA and WMA groups, indicating that CD107a changes induced by NK cells were significantly different at D7-D0 (P<0.05). Comparison of NK cell lysis activity of target K562 cells between the RFA and WMA groups showed that there was no difference at D0, D7, D7-D0. There was no difference in recurrence-free survival (RFS) between the RFA and WMA groups (P=0.11). Conclusions: The difference between MWA and RFA-induced NK cell changes was mainly manifested in the inhibitory receptors CD159a and CD107a 1 week after surgery, with microwave-induced changes being more severe. Comparison of the NK cell lysis activity of the target K562 cells between the RFA and WMA groups showed that there was no difference in D0, D7, D7- D0. Survival analysis showed that these differences did not affect the recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the two groups.

[Comparison of transurethral detaching resection and plasmakinetic transurethral resection of the prostate for benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of transurethral detaching resection (TUDRP) and plasmakinetic transurethral resection of the prostate (PKRP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: We collected by the single blind method the clinical data of 81 cases of BPH treated by PKRP (n=41) and TUDRP (n=40), and compared the two groups of patients in their age, preoperative prostate volume, weight of the resected gland, operation time, intraoperative bleeding, time of postoperative Foley's catheter retention, and pre- and post-operative IPSS. RESULTS: The post-operative IPSS was significantly higher in the PKRP than in the TUDRP group (9.95 +/- 1.54 vs. 8.70 +/- 1.13, t = 0.0029, P = 0.0059). CONCLUSION: TUDPR has a better clinical effect than PKRP in the treatment of BPH.

Association between PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy: a meta-analysis in the Chinese population.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Although a number of studies have been conducted on the association between plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) 4G/5G polymorphism and diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Chinese population, this association remains elusive and controversial. To further assess the effects of PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism on the risk of DN, a meta-analysis was performed in the Chinese population. METHODS: Relevant studies were identified using PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biology Medicine through November, 2015. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the strength of the associations. RESULTS: This meta-analysis identified nine studies, including 777 DN cases, 413 healthy controls, and 523 DM controls. In the total analyses, a significantly elevated risk of DN was associated with variants of PAI-1 4G/5G when compared with the healthy group (4G vs. 5G, OR 2.46, 95 % CI 1.45-4.16; 4G/4G vs. 5G/5G, OR 4.32, 95 % CI 1.79-10.39; 4G/4G vs. 4G/5G +5G/5G, OR 2.96, 95 % CI 1.59-5.53; 4G/4G +4G/5G vs. 5G/5G, OR 2.78, 95 % CI 1.34-5.75) and DM group (4G vs. 5G, OR 1.93, 95 % CI 1.28-2.92; 4G/4G vs. 5G/5G, OR 2.99, 95 % CI 1.44-6.21; 4G/4G vs. 4G/5G +5G/5G, OR 2.84, 95 % CI 1.77-4.54). In the subgroup analyses stratified by ethnicity and geographic areas, it revealed the significant results in Chinese Han, in North and South China. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed that the PAI-1 4G/4G variant, 4G allele might be risk alleles for DN susceptibility in the Chinese population, and further studies in other ethic groups are required for definite conclusions.

[Biocompatibility of poly-L-lactic acid/Bioglass-guided bone regeneration membranes processed with oxygen plasma].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and characterize a nano-scale fibrous hydrophilic poly-L-lactic acid/ Bioglass (PLLA/BG) composite membrane and evaluate its biocompatibility as a composite membrane for guiding bone regeneration (GBR). METHODS: PLLA/BG-guided bone regeneration membrane was treated by oxygen plasma to improved its hydrophilicity. The growth of MG-63 osteoblasts on the membrane was observed using Hoechst fluorescence staining, and the biocompatibility of the membrane was evaluated by calculating the cells adhesion rate and proliferation rate. Osteogenesis of MG-63 cells was assessed by detecting alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and the formation of calcified nodules and cell morphology changes were observed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: The cell adhesion rates of PLLA/BG-guided bone regeneration membrane treated with oxygen plasma were (30.570±0.96)%, (47.27±0.78)%, and (66.78±0.69)% at 1, 3, and 6 h, respectively, significantly higher than those on PLLA membrane and untreated PLLA/BG membrane (P<0.01). The cell proliferation rates on the 3 membranes increased with time, but highest on oxygen plasma-treated PLLA/BG membrane (P<0.01). Hoechst fluorescence staining revealed that oxygen plasma treatment of the PLLA/BG membrane promoted cell adhesion. The membranes with Bioglass promoted the matrix secretion of the osteoblasts. Under SEM, the formation of calcified nodules and spindle-shaped cell morphology were observed on oxygen plasma-treated PLLA/BG membrane. CONCLUSION: Oxygen plasma-treated PLLA/BG composite membrane has good biocompatibility and can promote adhesion, proliferation and osteogenesis of the osteoblasts.

Honokiol possesses potential anti-inflammatory effects on rheumatoid arthritis and GM-CSF can be a target for its treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the anti-inflammatory effects of honokiol in primary cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells of rheumatoid arthritis patients, the pro-inflammatory cytokines and potential targets were investigated. METHODS: The levels of GM-CSF, IL-1ß, TNF-α and IL-8 were determined by ELISA assay. The genes and proteins expression were analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blotting respectively. RESULTS: The serum IL-1ß, TNF-α and GM-CSF levels were 1.76-, 2.16- and 3.57-fold increased in patients with RA as compared to those of control group. Honokiol inhibited the expression levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α, GM-CSF and IL-8 in PBMCs with a dose-dependent manner. Measurements obtained from supernatants were positively correlated between TNF-α and IL-1ß, moreover, similar results found TNF-α levels positively correlated with GM-CSF and IL-8 activity in the supernatants of PBMCs isolated from RA patients. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression of IL-1ß, GM-CSF and IL-8 were up-regulated when the PBMCs exposure to TNF-α, however, honokiol treatment significantly reversed the expression of IL-1ß, TNF-α and GM-CSF in response to TNF-α with a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that honokiol could possess potential anti-inflammatory effects and inhibits TNF-α-induced IL-1ß, GM-CSF and IL-8 production in PBMCs from rheumatoid arthritis patients.

[Investigation of the function of the glass colorant on the machinable infiltrated ceramics color].

OBJECTIVE: To investigae the function of the glass colorant on the color of the machinable infiltrated ceramics(MIC). METHODS: Five kinds of glass with different colorant were infiltrated through the aluminous matrix by heating the components to 1 100 degrees C for 2 hours. The specimens surface was polished, and their thickness was 0.5 mm. RESULTS: The refractive index of the MIC infiltration glass was 1.59691 (587.6 nm, nd) . The most different parameter of the MIC color were L*, then a*, and b* had little difference . The parameters of the color space of MIC were: L*(64.55-71.46), a*(3.35-7.38), b*(10.00-12.41), Ca*b*(11.38-13.95), ha*b*(54.07-73.00). These were almost close to the color parameters of Vita In-ceram. CONCLUSION: This experiment proved that the glass colorant was changed the MIC color parameters, and the main function was on L*, then a*. The ceramic color was up to the requirement of clinic.