[Clinicopathological features and prognosis of anorectal melanoma: A report of 68 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of anorectal mucosal melanoma (ARMM), and to evaluate the prognostic factors.

METHODS

A total of 68 primary ARMM surgical specimens from 2010 to 2018 were retrospectively studied. Slides were reviewed to evaluate pathological features. Slingluff staging method was used for staging.

RESULTS

(1) Clinical features: The median age at diagnosis in this group was 61.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio 1 ∶1.62. The most common complaint was blooding (49 cases). For anatomic site, anorectum was the prevalent (66.2%), followed by rectum (20.6%). At the time of diagnosis, 28 cases were stage Ⅰ (localized stage, 41.2%), 25 cases were stage Ⅱ (regional lymph node metastasis, 36.8%), and 15 cases were stage Ⅲ (distant metastasis, 22.1%). Five patients underwent wide local excision, the rest abdominoperineal resection, and 48 patients received adjuvant therapy after surgery. (2) Pathological features: Grossly 88.2% of the tumors were exophytic polypoid masses, with the median tumor size 3.5 cm and the median tumor thickness 1.25 cm. Depth of invasion below lamina muscularis mucosae ranged from 0-5.00 cm (median 1.00 cm). The deepest site of tumor invasion reached muscular layer in 27 cases, and perirectal tissue in 16 cases. Melanin pigmentation was absent or not obvious in 67.6% of the cases. The predominant cytology was epithelioid (45 cases, 66.2%). The rate for ulceration, necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion was 89.7%, 35.3%, 55.9%, and 30.9%, respectively. The median mitotic count was 18/mm². The positive rate of S100, HMB-45 and Melan-A were 92.0%, 92.6% and 98.0%, respectively. The median of Ki-67 was 50%. The incidences of mutations within CKIT, BRAF and NRAS genes were 17.0% (9 cases), 3.8% (2 cases) and 9.4% (5 cases), respectively. (3) Prognosis: Survival data were available in 66 patients, with a median follow-up of 17 months and a median survival time of 17.4 months. The 1-year, 2-year and 5-year overall survival rate was 76.8%, 36.8% and 17.2%, respectively. The rate of lymphatic metastasis at diagnosis was 56.3%. Forty-nine patients (84.5%) suffered from distant metastasis, and the most frequent metastatic site was liver. Univariate analysis revealed that tumor size (>3.5 cm), depth of invasion below lamina muscularis mucosae (>1.0 cm), necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, BRAF gene mutation, lack of adjuvant therapy after surgery, deep site of tumor invasion, and high stage at diagnosis were all poor prognostic factors for overall survival. Multivariate model showed that lymphovascular invasion and BRAF gene mutation were independent risk factors for lower overall survival, and high stage at diagnosis showed borderline negative correlation with overall survival.

CONCLUSION

The overall prognosis of ARMM is poor, and lymphovascular invasion and BRAF gene mutation are independent factors of poor prognosis. Slingluff staging suggests prognosis effectively, and detailed assessment of pathological features, clear staging and genetic testing should be carried out when possible. Depth of invasion below lamina muscularis mucosae of the tumor might be a better prognostic indicator than tumor thickness.

[Meta-analysis of the interventional effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety of burn patients in wound dressing change]

Objective: To evaluate the interventional effects of music therapy on pain and anxiety of burn patients in wound dressing change. Methods: The meta-analysis method was adopted. Databases including China National Knowledge Internet, Wanfang Database, and VIP database were retrieved with the search terms in Chinese version of ", , /, /", and PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were retrieved with the search terms in English version of "music, burn, dressing change/wound dressing, pain/ache/sore" to obtain the publicly published randomized controlled trials on the application of music therapy for wound dressing change in burn patients from the establishment of each database to May 2021. The outcome indexes included pain score/percentage and anxiety score after dressing change. Rev Man 5.4 and Stata 14.0 statistical software were used to conduct a meta-analysis of eligible studies. Results: A total of 520 burn patients from 7 studies were included, including 260 patients in music therapy group who received music therapy and 260 patients in routine dressing change group who received routine dressing change. The bias risk of all the 7 included studies was uncertain. Compared with those in routine dressing change group, the pain percentages (relative risk=0.06, 95% confidence interval=0.01-0.41, P<0.01) and pain scores after dressing change (standardized mean difference (SMD)=-0.91, 95% confidence interval=-1.61--0.22, P<0.05) of patients in music therapy group were significantly lower. Subgroup analysis showed that music type and timing of intervention might be the source of heterogeneity in pain scores after dressing change. The anxiety scores of patients in music therapy group were significantly lower than those in routine dressing change group (SMD=-0.64, 95% confidence interval=-1.09--0.19, P<0.01). There was no publication bias in pain or anxiety scores after dressing change. Conclusions: Music therapy can relieve the pain and anxiety of burn patients during dressing change.

[Outcome of pediatric-to-adult liver transplantation:a single-center study in China]

Objective: To explore the outcome of the pediatric-to-adult liver transplantation, including postoperative complications and relevant factors which affecting graft survival. Methods: Data of 55 patients undergoing pediatric-to-adult liver transplantation at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University between January 2015 and August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The donors consisted of 34 males and 21 females, and the age was (11.8±4.7) years (range: 1 to 17 years). Among the cases,17 cases (30.9%) were donation of brain death,32 cases (58.2%) were donation of cardiac death, and 6 cases (10.9%) were donation after brain death plus cardiac death. The recipients consisted of 32 males and 23 females, and the age was (51.6±10.1) years (range: 27 to 70 years). Among the recipients,10 cases (18.2%) were ABO-incompatible liver transplantation.The influencing factors of early graft survival were analyzed by Student t test,Mann-Whitney U test or χ² test,respectively.Survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method.Logistic multivariate analysis was used to analyze the independent relevant factors of early postoperative graft loss. Results: Up to October 31,2021,the follow-up time (M(IQR)) was 36.0(43.1)months(range:5.9 to 81.7 months).There were 13 cases with graft loss (two of them underwent re-transplantation due to acute liver failure).The monofactor analysis indicated that cold ischemia time and donor-recipient blood group matching were the relevant factors affecting the early graft survival rate(both P<0.05).Logistic multivariate analysis showed that cold ischemia time and history of recipient gastrointestinal bleeding were independent relevant factors(both P<0.05).Postoperative hepatic artery thrombosis occurred in 3 cases(5.5%), portal vein thrombosis diagnosed in 4 cases(7.3%), portal vein stenosis occurred in 2 cases(3.6%),biliary complications diagnosed in 7 cases(12.7%), and small liver syndrome was found in 8 cases(14.5%). Conclusions: Adult liver transplantation with pediatric donor liver is an effective method to treat end-stage liver disease.Cold ischemia time and history of recipient gastrointestinal bleeding were independent relevant factors for the early graft survival.

[Clinicopathological features of colorectal amphicrine carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological, immunophenotypic and molecular features of colorectal amphicrine carcinoma (AC). Methods: Eight cases of colorectal AC were collected at the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital and Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing, China from 2013 to 2020. The histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular features were analyzed. The relevant literature was reviewed. Results: There were 6 males and 2 females, with an average age of 56 years (range 28-80 years). The tumor sites were as follows: 4 cases in sigmoid colon, 3 cases in rectum, and 1 case in transverse colon. Microscopically, there were three different patterns in the tumors, including nests with collagen hyperplasia, sheets of cells with scant stroma, and glandular or cribriform growth of goblet- or signet ring-like cells. The tumor cells generally had abundant cytoplasm with abundant mucin or eosinophilic granules. The nuclei were oval or irregular with fine chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. Mitotic figures were common. Neuroendocrine granules and mucin granules could be identified clearly under electron microscope. All cases showed frequent perineural and lymphovascular invasions, lymphatic metastasis, and advanced stage. Regarding immunohistochemical and specific stains, the tumor cells expressed more than two neuroendocrine markers, particularly CD56 and synaptophysin which were diffusely positive in 7 of the 8 cases. They also showed intracellular mucin in the amphicrine components which was positive for D-PAS. KRAS G12C or NRAS Q61 gene mutations were found in 2 patients. Among the six cases with complete follow-up, four of them died of the disease within three years of the diagnoses, while two were alive without known disease progression. Conclusions: Colorectal AC is a rare, distinct entity with both epithelial and neuroendocrine differentiation. It mainly occurs in the sigmoid colon and rectum. It typically has aggressive clinical courses, dismal prognosis and characteristic histological features and immunophenotype, which highlight the importance of recognizing this entity for clinicians and pathologists.

[Status of HVPG clinical application in China in 2021]

Objective: The investigation and research on the application status of Hepatic Venous Pressure Gradient (HVPG) is very important to understand the real situation and future development of this technology in China. Methods: This study comprehensively investigated the basic situation of HVPG technology in China, including hospital distribution, hospital level, annual number of cases, catheters used, average cost, indications and existing problems. Results: According to the survey, there were 70 hospitals in China carrying out HVPG technology in 2021, distributed in 28 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central Government). A total of 4 398 cases of HVPG were performed in all the surveyed hospitals in 2021, of which 2 291 cases (52.1%) were tested by HVPG alone. The average cost of HVPG detection was (5 617.2±2 079.4) yuan. 96.3% of the teams completed HVPG detection with balloon method, and most of the teams used thrombectomy balloon catheter (80.3%). Conclusion: Through this investigation, the status of domestic clinical application of HVPG has been clarified, and it has been confirmed that many domestic medical institutions have mastered this technology, but it still needs to continue to promote and popularize HVPG technology in the future.

[A prediction model of pathological complete response in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer after PD-1 antibody combined with total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy based on MRI radiomics]

Objective: To construct a prediction model of pathologic complete response (pCR) in locally advanced rectal cancer patients who received programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) antibody and total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy by using radiomics based on MR imaging data and to investigate its predictive value. Methods: A clinical diagnostic test study was carried out. Clinicopathalogical and radiological data of 38 patients with middle-low rectal cancer who received PD-1 antibody combined with total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and underwent TME surgery from January 2019 to September 2021 in our hospital were retrospectively collected. Among 38 patients, 23 were males and 15 were females with a median age of 68 (47-79) years and 13 (34.2%) a chieved pCR. These 38 patients were stratified and randomly divided into the training group (n=26) and test group (n=12) for modeling. All the patients underwent rectal MRI before treatment. The clinical, imaging and radiomics features of all the patients were collected, and the clinical feature model and radiomics model were constructed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of each model were drawn, and the constructed model was evaluated through the area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. Results: There were no significant differences in age, gender, primary location of tumor and postoperative pathology between the two groups (all P>0.05). Forty-one features were extracted from region of interest in each modality, including 9 first-order features, 24 gray level co-occurrence matrix features and 8 shape features. From 38 patients, 41 features were extracted from each imaging modality of baseline and preoperative DWI and T2WI images, totally 164 features. Only 4 features were preserved after correlation analysis between each pair of features and t-test between pCR and non-pCR subjects. After LASSO cross validation, only the first-order skewness of the baseline DWI image before treatment and the volume in the baseline T2WI image before treatment were retained. The area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the prediction model established by applying these two features in the training group and the test group were 0.856 and 0.844, 77.8% and 100.0%, 88.2% and 75.0%, 77.8% and 66.7%, 88.2% and 100.0%, respectively. The decision curve analysis of the radiomics model showed that the strategy of this model in predicting pCR was better than that in treating all the patients as pCR and that in treating all the patients as non-pCR. Conclusion: The pCR prediction model for rectal cancer patients receiving PD-1 antibody combined with total neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy based on MRI radiomics has the potential to be used in clinical screening or rectal cancer patients who can be spared from radical surgery.

[Short-term outcome of programmed cell death protein1 (PD-1) antibody combined with total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced middle-low rectal cancer with high risk factors]

Objective: Total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy is one of the standard treatments for locally advanced rectal cancer. This study aims to investigate the safety and feasibility of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody combined with total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced middle-low rectal cancer with high-risk factors. Methods: A descriptive cohort study was conducted. Clinicopathological data of 24 patients with locally advanced middle-low rectal cancer with high-risk factors receiving PD-1 antibody combined with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in Gastrointestinal Cancer Center, Unit III, Peking University Cancer Hospital between January 2019 and April 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: (1) rectal adenocarcinoma confirmed by pathology; patient age of ≥ 18 years and ≤ 80 years; (2) the distance from low margin of tumor to anal verge ≤ 10 cm under sigmoidoscopy; (3) ECOG performance status score 0-1; (4) clinical stage T3c, T3d, T4a or T4b, or extramural venous invasion (EMVI) (+) or mrN2 (+) or mesorectal fasciae (MRF) (+) based on MRI; (5) no evidence of distant metastases; (6) no prior pelvic radiation therapy, no prior chemotherapy or surgery for rectal cancer; (7) no systemic infection requiring antibiotic treatment and no immune system disease. Exclusion criteria: (1) anticipated unresectable tumor after neoadjuvant treatment; (2) patients with a history of a prior malignancy within the past 5 years, or with a history of any arterial thrombotic event within the past 6 months; (3) patients received other types of antitumor or experimental therapy; (4) women who were pregnant or breast-feeding; (5) patients with any other concurrent medical or psychiatric condition or disease; (6) patients received immunotherapy (PD-1 antibody). The neoadjuvant therapy consisted of three stages: PD-1 antibody (sintilimab 200 mg, IV, Q3W) combined with CapeOx regimen for three cycles; long-course intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with gross tumor volume (GTV) 50.6 Gy/CTV 41.8 Gy/22f; CapeOx regimen for two cycles after radiotherapy. After oncological evaluation following the end of the third stage of treatment, surgery or watch and wait would be carried out. Surgical safety, histopathological changes and short-term oncological outcome were analyzed. Results: There were 15 males and 9 females with a median age of 65 (47-78) years. Median distance from the lower margin of the tumor to the anal verge was 4 (3-7) cm. The median maximal diameter of the tumor was 5.1 (2.1-7.5) cm. Twenty patients were cT3, 4 were cT4, 8 were cN1, 5 were cN2a, 11 were cN2b. Ten cases were MRF (+) and 10 were EMVI (+). All the patients were mismatch repair proficient (pMMR). During the neoadjuvant treatment period, 6 patients (25.0%) developed grade 1-2 treatment-related adverse events, including 3 immune-related adverse events. As of April 30, 2021, 20 patients (83.3%, 20/24) had received surgical resection, including 19 R0 resections and 16 sphincter-preservation operations. Morbidity of postoperative complication was 25.0% (5/20), including 2 cases of Clavien-Dindo grade II (1 of anastomotic bleeding and 1 of pseudomembranous enteritis), 3 cases of grade I anastomotic stenosis. Pathological complete response (pCR) rate was 30.0% (6/20) and major pathological response rate was 20.0% (4/20). None of Ras/Raf mutants had pCR or cCR (0/5), while 6 of 17 Ras/Raf wild-type patients had pCR and 3 had cCR, which was significantly higher than that of Ras/Raf mutants (P<0.01). Nine of 16 patients with Ras/Raf wild-type and differentiated adenocarcinoma had pCR or cCR. Among other 4 patients without surgery, 3 patients preferred watch and wait strategy because their tumors were assessed as clinical complete response (cCR), while another one patient refused surgery as the tumor remained stable. After a median follow-up of 11 (6-24) months, only 1 patient with signet ring cell carcinoma had recurrence. Conclusions: PD-1 antibody combined with total neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer has quite good safety and histopathological regression results. Combination of histology and genetic testing is helpful to screen potential beneficiaries.

A combination of genome-wide association study and selection signature analysis dissects the genetic architecture underlying bone traits in chickens

The bones of chicken play an important role in supporting and protecting the body. The growth and development of bones have a substantial influence on the health and production performance in chickens. However, genetic architecture underlying chicken bone traits is not well understood. The objectives of this study are to dissect the genetic basis of bone traits in chickens and to identify valuable genes and genetic markers for chicken breeding. We performed a combination of genome-wide association study (GWAS) and selection signature analysis (fixation index values and nucleotide diversity ratios) in an F₂ crossbred experimental population with different genetic backgrounds (broiler × layer) to identify candidate genes and significant variants related to femur, shank, keel length, chest width, metatarsal claw weight, metatarsal length, and metatarsal circumference. A total of 545 individuals were genotyped based on the whole genome re-sequencing method (26 F₀ individuals were re-sequenced at 10 × coverage; 519 F₂ individuals were re-sequenced at 3 × coverage). A total of 2 028 112 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) remained to carry out analysis after quality control and imputation. The integration of GWAS and selection signature analysis indicated that all significant SNPs responsible for bone traits were mainly localized on chicken chromosomes 1, 4, and 27. Finally, we identified 21 positional candidate genes that might regulate chicken bone growth and development, including LRCH1, RB1, FNDC3A, MLNR, CAB39L, FOXO1, LHFP, TRPC4, POSTN, SMAD9, RBPJ, PPARGC1A, SLIT2, NCAPG, NKX3-2, CPZ, SPOP, NGFR, SOST, ZNF652, and HOXB3. Additionally, an array of uncharacterized genes was identified. The findings provide an in-depth understanding of the genetic architecture of chicken bone traits and offer a molecular basis for applying genomics in practical chicken breeding.

A functional variant in the promoter region of IGF1 gene is associated with chicken abdominal fat deposition

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Previously several studies revealed that genotypes of chicken IGF1 c.-366A > C were significantly associated with abdominal fat weight and body weight in chickens. But the underlying mechanism is still unknown. To investigate the mechanism underlying the association, herein, we performed IGF1 gene mRNA expression profiling, a dual-luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that IGF1 gene was widely expressed in 14 tissues. The mRNA expression levels of IGF1 gene in both abdominal fat and jejunum were significantly higher in fat broilers than in lean broilers. However, the opposite results were observed in the pancreas. The reporter gene assay showed that the promoter luciferase activity of allele A was significantly higher than that of allele C (P < 0.05). In addition, the luciferase activity of allele A promoted by the transcription factor AP1 and OCT1 was higher than that of allele C (P < 0.05). Electrophoretic mobility shift assay result showed that allele A binding to the transcription factor AP1 and OCT1 was stronger than that of allele C. All in all, our data indicated that the IGF1 gene c.-366A > C is a functional SNP responsible for chicken adipose deposition.

[Clinical aspects of pregnancy-related lymphocytic hypophysitis]

Objective: To analyze clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of pregnancy-related lymphocytic hypophysitis (LyH). Methods: The clinical data of 16 cases diagnosed as pregnancy-related LyH at Chinese PLA General Hospital between October 2010 and November 2019 were reviewed. Results: Sixteen patients were included (aged 20-40 years). All patients' symptoms occurred from the last 2 months of pregnancy to 12 months postpartum, with 6 cases in the third trimester and 10 cases during postpartum, and all the patients were diagnosed after delivery. Six patients had lymphocytic adenohypophysitis (LAH), 4 patients had lymphocytic infundibuloneurohypophysitis (LINH), 4 patients had lymphocytic panhypophysitis (LPH), and 2 had lymphocytic hypothalamitis. Eight patients presented with symptoms of intracranial space-occupying lesions, 14 patients had symptoms of anteriorpituitary hormone deficiencies, 9 patients had central diabetes insipidus (CDI), and 2 had hyperprolactinemia. Pituitary MRI showed that the pituitary presented with diffuse enlargement, pituitary stalk thickening, disappearing of high-intensity signals in posterior pituitary and space-occupying lesions in the infundibulum of hypothalamus. Nine patients were treated with immunosuppressive agent, 3 patients alleviated the space-occupying effects after surgery, and 4 patients recovered spontaneously. Fourteen patients were followed up with a period of 3-98 months. Four patients had a relapse, 2 patients had a complete remission, and 12 patients needed long-term hormone replacement therapy. Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of pregnancy-related LyH are diverse. LyH should be suspected in pregnant or postpartum women with a sellar mass to avoid missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. Immunosuppressant therapy is effective. Overall, LyH patients have a favorable prognosis.

Measurement of Scars Using Structured-Light 3D Scanning in Forensic Practice

Abstract

Objective To validate the accuracy and reliability of structured-light three-dimensional （SL-3D） scanning in measuring the length and area of the regular and irregular scars on body surface and discuss its value in forensic practice. Methods The lengths of 30 cases of simulated linear scars and 50 cases of linear scars after injury were measured using soft ruler, vernier caliper + thin line method, and SL-3D scanning. The areas of 35 cases of simulated patchy scars and 15 cases of patchy scars after injury were measured using length × width, film tracing with coordinate paper method, pixel method, and SL-3D scanning, and then statistically analyzed. Results The differences between the length of the simulated linear scars measured by SL-3D scanning and standard length had no statistical significance. When simulated patchy scars and patchy scars after injury were measured with high surface curvature and large irregular areas, the differences between the results of SL-3D scanning measurement and the standard area had no statistical significance. When the length of 50 cases of linear scars after injury were measured using SL-3D scanning, the correlation coefficient between the measurement results of two different investigators was 0.998, and the correlation coefficient between the two measurement results by the same investigator was 1.000. The correlation coefficient between the results of SL-3D scanning and that of vernier caliper + thin line method was 0.996. Conclusion The three-dimensional information of the scars on the body surface can be acquired using SL-3D scanning. The measurement of the length and area of the scars is not influenced by the location of scars, curvature of surface, and human factors. The measurement results are accurate, reliable and has unique advantages.

[Genetic changes and biological potential of proliferative nodule in congenital pigmented nevus]

Objective: To study the genetic changes and biological potential of proliferative nodule in congenital melanocytic nevus. Methods: Whole-exome sequencing was carried out using the technique of next-generation sequencing (NGS) in order to detect the genomic alterations of two cases of proliferative nodules (PN) in congenital melanocytic nevi (CMN). Twelve cases of CMN and ten cases of malignant melanoma were used as benign and malignant controls, respectively. Mutated genes that possessed statistically significant difference between benign and malignant controls were listed, according to what benign and malignant statuses were classified and clustered. The heatmaps of clustering analyses were depicted using heatmap package. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was also used to validate the above results. Results: Eighty-six common somatic gene mutations were detected in two samples of PN. Compared with CMN, PN had 52 more mutated genes. Furthermore, 22 of these 52 mutated genes were also detected in malignant melanoma samples. Two cases of PN fell between benign CMN and malignant melanoma in germline mutation clustering. Both cases of PN were positive in the FISH tests. Conclusions: The genetic changes of PN partially overlap with those of CMN and malignant melanoma. Therefore, although most of the PN manifest as a benign lesion clinically, it may have certain malignant potential at the genetic level, and warrant long-term monitoring and follow-up.

[Total neoadjuvant therapy followed by watch and wait approach or organ preservation for MRI stratified low-risk rectal cancer: early result from a prospective, single arm trial]

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of watch and wait strategy and organ preservation surgery after total neoadjuvant treatment for MRI stratified low-risk rectal cancer. Methods: A prospective single arm phase Ⅱ trial developed at Department of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute was preliminarily analyzed. Subjects were enrolled from August 2016 to January 2019. Low-risk rectal cancer with following MRI features were recruited: mid-low tumor, mrT2-3b, MRF (-), EMVI (-), CRM (-), differentiation grade 1-3. Patients received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) 50.6 Gy/22f with concurrent capecitabine and 4 cycles of consolidation CAPEOX. Patients with cCR/near-cCR confirmed by physical examination, rectal MRI, endoscopy, and serum CEA were recommended for watch & wait approach or local excision (LE). The main study outcomes were 2-year organ preservation rate (OPR) and sphincter preservation rate (SPR). Results: Thirty-eight patients were eligible for analysis, including 24 males and 14 females with median age of 56 years; 9 cases of mrT2 (23.7%), 14 cases of mrT3a (36.8%) and 15 cases of mrT3b (39.5%); 5 cases of well differentiated adenocarcinoma (13.2%), 32 cases of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma (84.2%) and 1 case of mucinous adenocarcinoma (2.6%). Carcinoemobryonic antigen (CEA) was elevated before treatment in 1 case. One case (2.6%) of grade 3 radiation dermatitis occurred during IMRT; 18 cases (47.4%) occurred grade 3 to 4 adverse events during consolidation chemotherapy. After total neoadjuvant treatment, the cCR and near-cCR rates were 42.1% (16/38) and 23.7% (9/38), respectively, while non-cCR rate was 34.2% (13/38). Twenty patients (20/38, 52.6%) of cCR or near-cCR underwent watch & wait approach, with a local regrowth rate of 20% (4/20). Four patients received LE, including one salvage LE. Thirteen patients (4 were ypCR) received radical resection, including 10 cases of initial low anterior resections (LAR), 1 cases of initial abdominal perineal resection (APR) and 2 cases of salvage LAR, four patients refused operation. The median follow-up time was 23.5 (8.5-38.3) months. At the last interview of follow-up, the OPR and SPR were 52.6% (20/38) and 84.2% (32/38), respectively. Only one patient developed lung metastasis and no local recurrence occurred after radical resection or LE. Conclusion: Total neoadjuvant treatment for low-risk rectal cancer achieves high cCR/near-cCR rate, with increased probability of receiving watch and wait approach and organ preservation in this subgroup.

[Guiding significance of pathological diagnosis in watch and wait strategy for locally advanced rectal cancer patients after neoadjuvant therapy]

Some studies have demonstrated promising results of watch and wait (W&W) approaches in carefully selected patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who get a clinical complete response (cCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). This approach of organ- preservation helps patients avoid surgery and its related morbidity and mortality. nCRT will lead to the regression of the tumor cells and the uneven distribution of the residual tumor cells. The reliability of biopsy is still unsatisfactory in W&W strategy due to the high ratio of false negative cases. Therefore, the patients with negative histopathological assessment should also receive a strict follow-up. In the future, immune microenvironment and molecular markers, patient derived organoid, circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating cell-free nucleic acids (cfDNA) may be helpful for screening and monitoring patients undergoing W&W.

[Exploring of a prognostic long non-coding RNA signature of hepatocellular carcinoma by using public database]

Objective: To explore an effective long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) signature in predicting the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma through the analysis on RNA sequencing data of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and peritumoral tissues in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Methods: The clinical characteristics and RNA sequencing data of 377 hepatocellular carcinoma patients were obtained from TCGA database by the end of February 2018. Then, differentially expressed lncRNAs between 50 pairs of tumor and peritumoral tissues were explored using student's t-test. Next, a lncRNA signature was established through LASSO Cox regression analysis. All the patients were divided into four groups (<P(25), P(25)-, P(50)-, ≥P(75)) based on the cut-off quartiles signature. Finally, compared with the control group (<P(25)), the hazard ratios (HRs) of three groups (P(25)-, P(50)-, ≥P(75)) were calculated by using Cox regression. The survival outcomes of patients in the four groups were compared to evaluate the capacity of the lncRNA signature model. Results: A total of 951 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified between tumor and peritumoral tissues. A three-lncRNA signature, including LNCSRLR, MKLN1-AS and ZFPM2-AS1, was established to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. The outcome suggested that the death risk of the ≥P(75) group was 1.57 times larger than that of the <P(25) group (95%CI: 1.06-2.31, P<0.05). Conclusion: The three-lncRNA signature, which established by LNCSRLR, MKLN1-AS and ZFPM2-AS1, was significantly associated with the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients based on TCGA database data.

[Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer: a single center large sample case investigation]

OBJECTIVE

Epstein-Barr virus associated gastric cancer (EBVaGC) is different from the traditional gastric cancer (Epstein-Barr virus non-associated gastric cancer, EBVnGC), and has unique clinicopathological features. This study investigated the largest single center cancer series so as to establish the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of EBVaGC in China.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted on EBVaGC and EBVnGC patients diagnosed at Peking University Cancer Hospital from 2003 to 2018 by comparing their clinicopathological features and prognosis. The gastric cancer (GC) dataset of public database was analyzed to obtain differentially expressed genes. The expression of important genes and their association with prognosis of GC were verified in GC tissues from our hospital.

RESULTS

In this study, 3 241 GC patients were included, and a total of 163 EBVaGC (5.0%) patients were identified. Compared with EBVnGC, EBVaGC was higher in male and younger patients, and positively associated with remnant GC, poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and mixed type GC. EBVaGC was inversely related to lymph node metastasis. The 5-year survival rate of EBVnGC and EBVaGC was 59.6% and 63.2% respectively (P<0.05). In order to explore molecular features of EBVaGC, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was analyzed (n=240), and 7 404 significant differentially expressed genes were obtained, involving cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. The down-regulated invasion/metastasis gene SALL4 and the up-regulated immune checkpoint gene PD-L1 were important molecular features of EBVaGC. Validation of these two genes in large GC series showed that the majority of the EBVaGC was SALL4 negative (1/92, 1.1%, lower than EBVnGC, 303/1 727, 17.5%), and that PD-L1 was mostly positive in EBVaGC (81/110, 73.6%, higher than EBVnGC, 649/2 350, 27.6%). GC patients with SALL4 negative and PD-L1 positive were often associated with better prognosis.

CONCLUSION

EBVaGC is a unique subtype of GC with less metastasis and a good prognosis. It also has a distinct molecular background. The down-regulation of invasion/metastasis gene SALL4 and up-regulation of immune checkpoint gene PD-L1 are important molecular features.

[Application value of colonoscopic assessment in "watch and wait" strategy for mid-lower rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy]

Objective: To investigate the value of colonoscopic assessment in "watch and wait" strategy for mid-lower rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Methods: A single-center retrospective case series study was performed. Database of mid-lower rectal cancer patients at Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute from March 2011 to June 2017 was retrieved. Inclusion criteria: (1) nCRT was completed (50.6 Gy/22 f, plus oral capecitabine); (2) radical surgery was performed within 12 weeks after nCRT treatment; (3) clinical response to nCRT was determined as clinical complete response (cCR) or near-cCR. Patients who did not undergo colonoscopy and MRI in our center during initial assessment and follow-up, or whose colonoscopy data were unable to re-evaluated, were excluded. Initial evaluation of nCRT response was carried out between 6 and 16 weeks after nCRT. The results of endoscopy (eCR, near-eCR and non-eCR) and MRI (mCR, near-mCR and non-mCR) were compared to local lesion relapse during follow-up. The consistency of the results of colonoscopy and MRI was evaluated by Kappa test (Kappa value of 0.21 to 0.40 indicates general consistency, 0.41 to 0.60 moderate consistency, and 0.61 to 0.80 high consistency). The non-regrowth disease-free survival (NR-DFS) curves of the eCR group and the near-eCR group were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by log-rank test. Clinical significance of colonoscopy examination in the following "watch and wait" strategy during follow-up period was analyzed. Results: A total of 32 patients were enrolled in the study, including 21 (65.6%) males and 11 (34.4%) females with a median age of 57 years old. The differentiated type of rectal cancer included 1 (3.1%) case of well-differentiated, 26 (81.2%) of moderately differentiated and 5 (15.6%) of poorly differentiated. Clinical stage of the patients included 9 (28.1%) cases of T2-3N0 and 23 (71.9%) of T2-3N+. Median follow-up period was 48 (18 to 80) months. The local regrowth rate was 34.4% (11/32) and median interval of local regrowth was 10.0 (4 to 37) months. Initial colonoscopy evaluation was carried out at a median time of 9 (5 to 19) weeks after nCRT was completed. According to endoscopic findings, patients were divided into 3 groups, including 15 cases in eCR group, 15 cases in near-eCR group and 2 cases in non-eCR group. According to the appearance of MRI, patients were divided into 3 groups, including 8 cases in mCR group, 21 cases in near-mCR group and 3 cases in non-mCR group. The regrowth rate of eCR group was lower than that of mCR group (1/15 vs. 1/8) without significant difference (P=1.000). The regrowth rate of near-eCR group was higher than that of near-mCR group [9/15 vs. 42.9% (9/21)] without significant difference as well (P=0.500). The consistency between colonoscopy and MRI in response evaluation of cCR or near-cCR after nCRT was unsatisfactory (Kappa=0.341, P=0.011). After initial evaluation, 31 patients underwent watch and wait strategy, and 1 underwent local resection. The 1- and 3-year NR-DFS in the eCR group was both 100%, which was higher than that in the near-eCR group (53.3% and 38.9%, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). During watch and wait period, 11 cases developed local regrowth by colonoscopy examination and the biopsy result included 4 case of high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HIN), 6 cases of adenocarcinoma and 1 case of chronic mucosal inflammation. Meanwhile lateral developmental tumor of ascending colon in 1 case and of sigmoid in a case was found by colonoscopy and confirmed as HIN by postoperative pathology. Besides, 4 cases developed colonic multiple adenoma and all underwent endoscopic resection. Conclusion: Colonoscopy examination plays an important role in both initial assessment and regrowth monitoring during watch and wait strategy after nCRT treatment.

[Feasibility and safety of MRgFUS ablation for uterine fibroids and adenomyosis: a preliminary study]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of magnetic resonance guided focused ultrasound surgery (MRgFUS) ablation treatment for uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. Methods: From February 2017 to July 2018, a total of 61 women in Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine with uterine fibroids or adenomyosis (36 cases of fibroids and 25 cases of adenomyosis) were included for treatment of MRgFUS, mean age was 27-48 (39±5) years. The treatment status, treatment effect and complications were recorded, and the differences between myoma and adenomyosis were compared. Results: Thirty-two (88.9%) patients of fibroid group and twenty-one (84.0%) patients of adenomyosis group were completed MRgFUS treatment respectively (P>0.05). The spot energy of adenomyosis group was 1 039-5 698(2 852±991) J, which was higher than 600-6 466(2 485±1 137) J of fibroid group (P<0.01). There was no significant statistical difference in mean temperature of spot and ablation time between the two groups (P>0.05).The non-perfusion volume ratio (NPVR) of the fibroid and adenomyosis group was 54%-99%(84%±15%) and 60%-98%(82%±12%) and there was no significant statistical difference (P>0.05), but the ablation efficiencies of adenomyosis group was less than fibroid group (0.8-4.3(2.1±0.9) cm(3)/min vs 1.3-7.8(3.6±1.5)cm(3)/min, P<0.01).The incidence of complications of adenomyosis group was 47.6%(10/21), it was higher than fibroid group 18.8%(6/32) (P<0.05). Conclusions: MRgFUS is a non-invasive, safe and effective treatment for both uterine fibroids and adenomyosis. Compared with uterine fibroids, MRgFUS treatment of adenomyosis has some disadvantages such as higher energy, lower ablation efficiency and more adverse reactions, and further optimization is needed.

[Clinical effect and safety of pegylated interferon-α-2b injection (Y shape, 40 kD) in treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect and safety of long-acting pegylated interferon-α-2b (Peg-IFN-α-2b) (Y shape, 40 kD) injection (180 μg/week) in the treatment of HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, with standard-dose Peg-IFN-α-2a as positive control. Methods: This study was a multicenter, randomized, open-label, and positive-controlled phase III clinical trial. Eligible HBeAg-positive CHB patients were screened out and randomized to Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) trial group and Peg-IFN-α-2a control group at a ratio of 2:1. The course of treatment was 48 weeks and the patients were followed up for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Plasma samples were collected at screening, baseline, and 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 weeks for centralized detection. COBAS® Ampliprep/COBAS® TaqMan® HBV Test was used to measure HBV DNA level by quantitative real-time PCR. Electrochemiluminescence immunoassay with Elecsys kit was used to measure HBV markers (HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe). Adverse events were recorded in detail. The primary outcome measure was HBeAg seroconversion rate after the 24-week follow-up, and non-inferiority was also tested. The difference in HBeAg seroconversion rate after treatment between the trial group and the control group and two-sided confidence interval (CI) were calculated, and non-inferiority was demonstrated if the lower limit of 95% CI was > -10%. The t-test, chi-square test, or rank sum test was used according to the types and features of data. Results: A total of 855 HBeAg-positive CHB patients were enrolled and 820 of them received treatment (538 in the trial group and 282 in the control group). The data of the full analysis set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 27.32% in the trial group and 22.70% in the control group with a rate difference of 4.63% (95% CI -1.54% to 10.80%, P = 0.1493). The data of the per-protocol set showed that HBeAg seroconversion rate at week 72 was 30.75% in the trial group and 27.14% in the control group with a rate difference of 3.61% (95% CI -3.87% to 11.09%, P = 0.3436). 95% CI met the non-inferiority criteria, and the trial group was non-inferior to the control group. The two groups had similar incidence rates of adverse events, serious adverse events, and common adverse events. Conclusion: In Peg-IFN-α regimen for HBeAg-positive CHB patients, the new drug Peg-IFN-α-2b (Y shape, 40 kD) has comparable effect and safety to the control drug Peg-IFN-α-2a.

[Postoperative complications and survival analysis of 1 118 cases of open splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection in the treatment of portal hypertension]

Objective: To analyze the recent postoperative and long-term postoperative complications of open-splenectomy and disconnection in patients with portal hypertension. Methods: There were 1 118 cases with portal hypertension who underwent open splenectomy and azygoportal disconnection from April 2010 to September 2015 at Department of Surgery, People's Liberation Army 302 Hospital. Retrospective case investigation and telephone follow-up were conducted in October 2016. All patients had history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding before operation. Short-term complications after surgery were recorded including secondary laparotomy of postoperative abdominal hemostasis, severe infection, intake disorders, liver insufficiency, postoperative portal vein thrombosis and perioperative mortality. Long-term data including postoperative upper gastrointestinal rebleeding, postoperative survival rate and incidence of postoperative malignancy were recorded, too. GraphPad Prism 5 software for data survival analysis and charting. Results: Postoperative short-term complications in 1 118 patients included secondary laparotomy of postoperative abdominal hemostasis(1.8%, 21/1 118), severe infection(2.9%, 32/1 118), intake disorders(1.0%, 11/1 118), liver dysfunction (1.6%, 18/1 118), postoperative portal vein thrombosis(47.1%, 526/1 118)and perioperative mortality(0.5%, 5/1 118). After phone call following-up, 942 patients' long-term data were completed including 1, 3, 5 years postoperative upper gastrointestinal rebleeding rate(4.4%, 12.1%, 17.2%), 1, 3, 5-year postoperative survival rate(97.0%, 93.5%, 90.3%); the incidence of postoperative malignant tumors in 1, 3 and 5 years were 1.7%, 4.4% and 6.2%. Conclusions: Reasonable choosing of surgical indications and timing, proper performing the surgery process, effective conducting perioperative management of portal hypertension are directly related to the patient's short-term prognosis after portal hypertension. Surgical intervention can reduce the rates of patients with upper gastrointestinal rebleeding, improve survival, and do not increase the incidence of malignant tumors.

[Research advances in the role of the Hippo signaling pathway in pathogenesis of liver cancer]

The Hippo signaling pathway consists of four core components in mammals, i.e., Mst1/2, WW45, Mob1, and LATS1/2, which can inhibit the transcriptional coactivator YAP from entering the nucleus, maintain the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, control organ size, and maintain homeostasis. If the core components of the Hippo signaling pathway are inactivated due to gene mutation or epigenetic alterations, YAP is overexpressed and activated in the nucleus, which then induces excessive cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis. It has been confirmed that this process is closely associated with the formation of various tumors including liver cancer. Research on the Hippo signaling pathway may provide new directions for exploring the pathogenesis of liver tumor and developing effective therapies.

[Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease and laryngeal precancerous lesions]

The laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is a general term for a series of symptoms and signs caused by reflux of the stomach contents to the upper part of the esophageal sphincter. In recent years, the laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is getting more and more attention as laryngeal precancerous lesions and risk factors of laryngeal cancer. Laryngeal precancerous lesions plays a important role in the development of laryngeal cancer process. This article will review the role and mechanisms of LPR in the laryngeal precancerous lesions, and the status of anti-reflux in the treatment of laryngeal precancerous lesions.

[Efficacy for artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate efficacy and safety of artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

METHODS

A total of 138 cases of Sichuan Cancer Hospital of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were retrospectively analyzed from January 2011 to November 2014.All cases were divided into three groups, 61 cases were treated by artery chemoembolization (ACB group), 43 cases were treated by artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation (Joint group), 34 cases were treated by radiofrequency ablation (RFA group). Recent efficiency, overall survival time, adverse reactions and complications of three groups were analyzed. The risk factors related to survival time of 138 patients were analyzed.

RESULTS

The recent efficiency of ACB group, Joint group and RFA group were 73.8%(45/61), 93.0%(40/43), 85.3%(29/34), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ(2)=18.499, P=0.005). 1, 2, 3-year survival rates of Joint group were 90.7%(39/43), 58.1%(25/43), 20.9%(9/43), respectively that were better than ACB group(57.4%(35/61), 24.6%(15/61), 11.5%(7/61)) and RFA group(58.8%(20/34), 32.4%(11/34), 11.8%(4/34)), (χ(2) value were respectively 8.242 and 4.934, P values were 0.004 and 0.026). Chemotherapy side effects and complications of ablation were of no significant difference (P>0.05). Chemotherapy side effects and complications of ablation were of no significant difference (P>0.05). The number of tumors, tumor size, TNM staging, eastern cooperative oncology group (ECOG) score were independent risk factors which impact on survival time for non-small cell lung cancer. The artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation treatment can improve survival time of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

CONCLUSION

Artery chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation is a safe, effective, minimally-invasive treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

[Risk factors of lung cancer complicated with symptomatic venous thromboembolism]

OBJECTIVE

To seek risk factors of VTE in patients with lung cancer through analysis of clinical features of patients with lung cancer complicated with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

METHODS

Retrospective investigation was performed on patients diagnosed with lung cancer and with complete clinical data who were hospitalized in Peking University People's Hospital from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014. According to the presence of symptomatic VTE, patients were distributed into two groups, VTE group and control group. Patients' clinical data and laboratory parameters were collected. Single factor analysis was applied to compare the differences between the two groups. t test or nonparametric test was applied for intragroup comparison of measurement data, and chi-square test was applied for the comparison of counting information. Logistic regression analysis was applied to explore risk factors of venous thromboembolism. For VTE patients with this diagnosis when they were hospitalized, D-dimer and PT were obtained after the occurrence of VTE, so D-dimer and PT were eliminated in the multiple factors analysis. SPSS 13.0 statistical software was applied for statistical management and analysis.

RESULTS

548 patients with lung cancer were include in the investigation, with male 357, female 191, average age of (63.8±10.9) years old, 46 patients in VTE group and 502 patinets in control group. According to the results of single factor analysis in gender, age, tumor pathologic type, tumor stage, WBC, Hb, PLT, CEA, ALT, FIB, D-dimer, PT, APTT, PT-INR, the tumor stage (χ(2)=14.177), CEA (t=2.129) and Hb (t=-2.424) were risk factors for lung cancer patients complicated with venous thromboembolism. Logistic regression analysis showed that tumor stage was the independent risk factor of lung cancer complicated with venous thromboembolism (OR 2.058, 95%CI 1.307-3.238, P=0.002) , and CEA (r=0.395, P<0.001) and Hb (r=-0.144, P=0.001) were associated with lung cancer stage. The area under the curve formed by D-dimer predicting VTE was 0.825 (95%CI 0.751-0.900, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Tumor stage is the only risk factor for lung cancer patients complicated with venous thromboembolism in the study. However, because this study is a retrospective study, other potential high risk factors causing VTE cannot be excluded.

[The effect of topiramate or carbamazepine treatment on the quality of life in patients with vestibular paroxysmia]

Objective:To study the effect of topiramate or carbamazepine treatment on the quality of life (QOL) in patients with vestibular paroxysmia(VP).Method:Thirty-five cases diagnosed as VP from September 2012 to September 2015 were retrospectively studied. Medical outcomes study short form(SF-36)and the dizziness handicap inventory(DHI) were used to analyze the QOL.Result:After topiramate or carbamazepine treatment for one month, the scores of physical function, role physical, general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional in SF-36 were significantly increased than pre-treatment(P< 0.01); and the scores of emotion, function and physiology in DHI were significantly decreased than pre-treatment(P< 0.01).Conclusion:Topiramate and carbamazepine may obviously improve the QOL of VP patients.The SF-36 and DHI scales could reflect the change of QOL in VP patients.

Variations of rhizosphere bacterial communities in tea (Camellia sinensis L.) continuous cropping soil by high-throughput pyrosequencing approach

AIMS

The goal was to investigate the dynamics of soil bacterial community in the chronosequence tea orchards.

METHOD AND RESULTS

In this study, soils from tea orchards with continuously cropping histories for 1, 10 and 20 years were collected for investigating rhizosphere bacterial communities using 454 pyrosequencing. The results indicated that Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria were the main phyla in the tea orchard soils and accounted for more than 60% of the bacterial sequences. At the genus level, the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Pseudomonas, Rhodanobacter, Bradyrhizobium, Mycobacterium and Sphingomonas, significantly decreased in the 20-year tea orchard soils. Similar patterns of bacterial community structure were observed between 1-year and 10-year tea orchards, which significantly differed from those of 20-year tea orchards. Redundancy analysis indicated that soil organic carbon and pH showed high correlations (positive or negative) with the majority of the taxa.

CONCLUSION

Long-term tea cultivation altered the composition and structure of soil bacterial community, which led to the reduction in the beneficial bacteria.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The results can provide clues on how to regulate the soil microbial community and maintain the health of soils in tea orchard systems.

[Research progress of the gene polymorphisms of metabolic enzyme related to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons risk of preterm birth]

The etiology and underlying biological mechanisms for preterm birth are relatively intricate, involving both genetic and environmental factors. Therefore, in the process of research on environmental factors of preterm birth, individual genetic susceptibility is an important aspect which cannot be ignored. Detoxification and metabolism abilities of enzymes to the environmental toxins is determined by their genetic polymorphism, which directly affect the toxic effects of poison. The measurement of gene polymorphisms related to metabolic enzymes may have important significance in the research of biological mechanisms, the risk prediction for preterm birth and the development of the preventive measures. In the recent studies, exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) seems to be an important risk factor for preterm birth. Cytochrome P450 (CYP450s) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are the main metabolic enzymes of PAH and many other xenobiotics, and the polymorphisms of CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTT2 may be associated with the risk of preterm birth. In this paper, we summarized that the research progress on the relationship between the gene polymorphisms of metabolic enzyme related to PAH and the risk of preterm birth.

Phase transformation of Cu-rich precipitates from 9R to 3R variant via ledges mechanism in ferritic steel containing copper

Precipitates and solute enrich in aged ferritic steel containing copper were examined using high-resolution electron microscopy, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Two ledges with one-atom and two-atom layers height in the 9R/3R interface were observed. The enrichment of copper into two successive closed-packed planes with an interval of Fe-rich close-packed plane was detected. The passage of the Shockley partial, or the shearing, changes the stacking sequence of closed-packed planes. Finally, 9R Cu variant transformed into 3R Cu variant.

Hour-glass magnetic excitations induced by nanoscopic phase separation in cobalt oxides

The magnetic excitations in the cuprate superconductors might be essential for an understanding of high-temperature superconductivity. In these cuprate superconductors the magnetic excitation spectrum resembles an hour-glass and certain resonant magnetic excitations within are believed to be connected to the pairing mechanism, which is corroborated by the observation of a universal linear scaling of superconducting gap and magnetic resonance energy. So far, charge stripes are widely believed to be involved in the physics of hour-glass spectra. Here we study an isostructural cobaltate that also exhibits an hour-glass magnetic spectrum. Instead of the expected charge stripe order we observe nano phase separation and unravel a microscopically split origin of hour-glass spectra on the nano scale pointing to a connection between the magnetic resonance peak and the spin gap originating in islands of the antiferromagnetic parent insulator. Our findings open new ways to theories of magnetic excitations and superconductivity in cuprate superconductors.

k=0 magnetic structure and absence of ferroelectricity in SmFeO3

SmFeO3 has attracted considerable attention very recently due to its reported multiferroic properties above room temperature. We have performed powder and single crystal neutron diffraction as well as complementary polarization dependent soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements on floating-zone grown SmFeO3 single crystals in order to determine its magnetic structure. We found a k=0 G-type collinear antiferromagnetic structure that is not compatible with inverse Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction driven ferroelectricity. While the structural data reveal a clear sign for magneto-elastic coupling at the Néel-temperature of ∼675  K, the dielectric measurements remain silent as far as ferroelectricity is concerned.

Enhancement of phase separation and superconductivity in Mn-doped K0.8Fe2-yMnySe2 crystals

Single crystals of K0.8Fe2-yMnySe2 with slight Mn doping have been grown by a self-flux method. X-ray diffraction measurements show enhanced phase separation with increasing Mn doping in the compounds. The superconducting transition temperature increases to Tc,onset ∼ 46.1 K for the sample with y ∼ 0.03, as observed by electrical transport measurements. Our results demonstrate that the doping of Mn does not suppress the superconductivity, and on the contrary increases the superconducting shield fraction and transition temperature, an effect which may originate from the Mn dopant's high preference to fill into iron vacancies in the Mn-doped samples. It suggests that the Mn dopant can induce a local lattice strain or distortion that profitably modifies the microstructure of the superconducting/metallic phase, leading to superconductivity of the compound.

Mechanism of the transforming growth factor-beta induction of fibronectin expression in hepatic stem-like cells

Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) plays an important role in the fibrogenic process in the liver. The aim of the present study was to explore the action of TGF-beta1 on fibronectin expression in rat hepatic stem-like cells and the underlying mechanisms. The level of fibronectin expression was determined in hepatic stem-like cells (WB cells) before and after TGF-beta1 stimulation by RT-PCR and Western blot methods. Using immunogold transmission electron microscopy and the Western blot method, we observed the result of the expression and the distribution of cAMP, phosphorylated Smad3 and Smad7 before and after TGF-beta1 treatment. The levels of fibronectin expression in both mRNA and protein increased 4- to 5-fold after TGF-beta1 stimulation, reaching an optimum level after 8 h and then gradually falling back. Similarly, TGF-beta1 stimulation resulted in an increase of cAMP in WB cells, peaking at 8 h. After treatment with TGF-beta1 for 24 h, the expression of cAMP gradually decreased. In addition, we found that TGF-beta1 treatment also contributed to the increased expression and to changes in cellular distribution of phosphorylated Smad3 (translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus) and Smad7 (translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm) in WB cells. The present study demonstrates that TGF-beta is involved in the fibrogenic process in hepatic stem cells through up-regulation of fibronectin expression, and the mechanisms underlying this process may be associated with the activation of cAMP and Smad pathways.

Influence of strain on the conduction band structure of strained silicon nanomembranes

The influence of in-plane biaxial strain on the conduction bands of Si is explored using elastically strained Si(001) nanomembranes and high-resolution x-ray absorption measurements with electron yield detection. The strain-induced splitting of the conduction band minimum and the energy shifts of two higher conduction bands near L1 and L3 are clearly resolved. The linear increase of the splitting of the conduction band minimum with increasing strain and the nonlinear shift of the L1 point toward the conduction band minimum agree quantitatively with current theories.

A novel method for analysis of single ion channel signal based on wavelet transform

A single ion channel signal was analysed by the power distribution fraction constructed by a discrete wavelet transform. Average opening time and energy distribution of the signal can be obtained directly by this method. The method can also be used when the signal is corrupted by noise. By contrast, the conventional frequency domain analysis method--power spectral density--is less effective. Power distribution fraction will therefore give more useful information in analysis of experimental ion channel signals, principally by giving values of the mean channel opening time. The method may be applied to distinguish different ion channels more efficiently and to find their reactions to drugs.

[Study on schistosomiasis control strategy in Ertan reservoir]

OBJECTIVE

To explore means and strategies of preventing the spread of schistosomasis transmission due to the building of Ertan Dam.

METHODS

To eliminate the infection sources and Oncomelania snails. To install concrete irrigation and piping system of water supply. To encourage the immigrants to build methane-generating tanks and improve sanitary facilities and conditions for families who live near the water-retaining line.

RESULTS

2,360 people and 152 cattle were treated for schistosome infection. Mollusciciding and environmental modification were made for eliminating snails at an area of 3,634,580 m2 and 67,105.5 m2 respectively. The length of concrete irrigation and piping system installed was 51.13 and 104.895 km respectively. Methane-generating tanks, water-heating instruments using solar energy and other sanitary facilities were established in 1,781 households. After three-year intervention, no infected snails were found and no infected human being, cattle and wild rats were detected.

CONCLUSION

Schistosomiasis control was financially supported since the very beginning of the Ertan Dam project, which provided a condition for sustainable development. Continued surveillance of snails and infection sources should be carried out, which will provide scientific basis for schistosomiasis control in the Three Gorges region as well as other new projects of hydropower and water conservancy in endemic area.

Synthesis and characterization of trans-[Os(en)2py(H)]2+ and related studies

trans-[Os(en)(2)pyH](Otf)(2), 2, is recovered from an acidic solution of trans-[Os(en)(2)py(H(2))](OTf)(2), 1, which has been subjected to one electron oxidation. The structures of both 1 and 2 have been determined by single crystal X-ray analysis. In cyclic voltammetry, 2 shows a one electron oxidation wave at 0.95 V and a one electron reduction wave at -1.2 V, neither accompanied by a signal for the reverse process. Reduction of 2 by Zn/Hg in methanol solution leads to quantitative formation of [Os(en)(2)(py)H(2))](2+), predominantly in the trans-form. In aqueous solution, species 2 reacts rapidly with N-methylacridium ion, [MAH](+), by hydride transfer. One electron chemical oxidation of 2 to the corresponding Os(IV) is slower than that of 1 to 2 owing to the increase in coordination number when Os(IV) is produced. Treatment of 1, or the cis-form, 1', in DMSO by sodium t-butoxide produces mainly the corresponding isomers of the monohydrides of Os(II), that derived from 1' is deep red in color while the trans-monohydride is colorless. Both react with [MAH](+) to form [MAH](2), and both disappear rapidly in acetone or acetonitrile, presumably by reducing the solvents. Reaction of trans-[Os(NH(3))(4)(H(2))H(2)O](BPh(4))(2), 4, in acetone-d(6) as solvent with either CH(3)CHO or styrene leads to hydrogenation of the substrate. Reactions which compete with trans-[Os(en)(2)(eta(2)-H(2))(CF(3)SO)(3)]CF(3)SO(3) release of substrate from the trans-complex before isomerization to the cis-form, required for hydrogenation to occur, result in the trans-derivative of the added solute. When H(2)C=CH-CH(2)-SCH(3) is the substrate, binding takes place at sulfur. Complete conversion to the cis-substrate isomer is observed, without hydrogenation occurring even though contact between dihydrogen and the double bond is possible.

Neurokinin B potentiates ATP-activated currents in rat DRG neurons

This study aimed to explore whether NKB could modulate the responses mediated by ATP receptor (P2X purinoceptor). Whole-cell patch clamp and repatch experiments were performed on cultured rat DRG neurons. The majority of neurons examined were sensitive both to ATP and to NKB (77.1%, 54/70). NKB preapplied could potentiate ATP-activated currents (I(ATP)) markedly; this effect was concentration-dependent and could be blocked by SR 142801, an NK3 receptor antagonist. Preapplication of 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 microM NKB increased ATP-activated currents by 55.1+/-18.8, 75.2+/-17.4, 84.1+/-18.8 and 81.0+/-21.7%, respectively. The concentration-response curves for ATP with and without preapplication of NKB show that: (1) preapplication of NKB shifted the curve upwards; (2) the maximal amplitude of I(ATP) with NKB preapplication increased by 78.5%, while the threshold value remained unchanged; (3) the EC(50) values of the two curves were very close (44 vs. 42 microM). Intracellular dialysis of H-7 by using repatch clamp technique could block the potentiation of I(ATP) by NKB. It suggests that this potentiating effect was caused by phosphorylation of ATP receptor, which resulted from the activation of G protein coupled NK3 receptor and consequential intracellular signal transduction cascade.

Modulation by divalent cations of GABA rho 1 receptor from human retina expressed in Xenopus oocytes

OBJECTIVE

To investigate functional homooligomeric GABA rho 1 receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes and the modulation of divalent cations.

METHODS

GABA rho 1 cDNA from human retina was transcribed in vitro to obtain sense rho 1 mRNA, which was microinjected into Xenopus oocytes. Two-electrodes voltage clamp technique was performed to record GABA-induced currents.

RESULTS

Expressed receptors were found to have similar properties to GABAc receptors characterized in the retina. Cl-currents induced by GABA were blocked by picrotoxin instead of bicuculline. GABA-induced currents reversed at -19 +/- 2.5 mV, and EC50 was 3.3 mumol/L. Zn++ modulated GABA-induced currents with an IC50 = 9.6 mumol/L. Ni++, Cu++ and Cd++ inhibited GABA rho 1 obviously, too. Their rank order of potency was Zn++ > Ni++ > Cu++ > Cd++.

CONCLUSION

Zinc (10 mumol/L) inhibited GABA-induced currents in a competitive manner, and its action was sensitive to extracellular pH. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that substitution of a single histidine residue (H44 and H48) failed to affect zinc sensitivity.

[Modulation of SKF38393 and clonidine on expressed GABA(A) receptors in Xenopus oocytes]

AIM AND METHODS

The present research is performed on Xenopus oocytes injected with rat DRG mRNA. Modulatory effects of SKF38393 and Clonidine on GABAS(A) receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes was investigated by two-electrodes voltage-clamp technique, and it is compared with the neurons fresh isolated.

RESULTS

It is found that SKF38393 and Clonidine inhibitable GABA(A) receptor function obviously by a concentration-dependent manner. There is an interaction between SKF38393- and Clonidine-induced currents. The inhibition of SKF38393 and Clonidine on GABA(A) receptors is noncompetitive and voltage-independent.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the inhibition by SKF38393 and clonidine of GABA-activated current might be a result of phosphorylation of GABA(A) receptor following action of second messenger and the thereby mediated intracellular transduction.

Reversal of obesity- and diet-induced insulin resistance with salicylates or targeted disruption of Ikkbeta

We show that high doses of salicylates reverse hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia in obese rodents by sensitizing insulin signaling. Activation or overexpression of the IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta) attenuated insulin signaling in cultured cells, whereas IKKbeta inhibition reversed insulin resistance. Thus, IKKbeta, rather than the cyclooxygenases, appears to be the relevant molecular target. Heterozygous deletion (Ikkbeta+/-) protected against the development of insulin resistance during high-fat feeding and in obese Lep(ob/ob) mice. These findings implicate an inflammatory process in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and identify the IKKbeta pathway as a target for insulin sensitization.

Prevention of fat-induced insulin resistance by salicylate

Insulin resistance is a major factor in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and may involve fat-induced activation of a serine kinase cascade involving IKK-beta. To test this hypothesis, we first examined insulin action and signaling in awake rats during hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps after a lipid infusion with or without pretreatment with salicylate, a known inhibitor of IKK-beta. Whole-body glucose uptake and metabolism were estimated using [3-(3)H]glucose infusion, and glucose uptake in individual tissues was estimated using [1-(14)C]2-deoxyglucose injection during the clamp. Here we show that lipid infusion decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and activation of IRS-1-associated PI 3-kinase in skeletal muscle but that salicylate pretreatment prevented these lipid-induced effects. To examine the mechanism of salicylate action, we studied the effects of lipid infusion on insulin action and signaling during the clamp in awake mice lacking IKK-beta. Unlike the response in wild-type mice, IKK-beta knockout mice did not exhibit altered skeletal muscle insulin signaling and action following lipid infusion. In summary, high-dose salicylate and inactivation of IKK-beta prevent fat-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle by blocking fat-induced defects in insulin signaling and action and represent a potentially novel class of therapeutic agents for type 2 diabetes.

[Current responses mediated by endogenous GABA(B) and GABA(C) receptors in Xenopus oocytes]

The properties of GABA-activated current in Xenopus oocytes and its underlying mechanism were studied using the two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. External application of GABA (10(-10) - 10(-3)mol/L) induced a concentration-dependent outward current in a proportion of oocytes (35.5%, 55/155). Selective GABA(A) receptor antagonist bicuculline (10(-5) mol/L) did not block the GABA-activated current (n=6). However, 2-hydroxysaclofen (10(-4) mol/L), a GABA(B) receptor antagonist, reversed the GABA-activated outward current to an inward current (n=9), which was abolished completely by application of I4AA (10(-5) mol/L), a GABA(C) receptor selective antagonist (n=6). In 20% (12/60) of oocytes, application of baclofen (10(-10) - 10(-4) mol/L), a GABA(B) receptor agonist, also induced a concentration-dependent outward current 2-Hydroxysaclofen at the concentrations of 3 x 10(-6), 3 x 10(-5) and 3 x 10(-4) mol/L blocked the baclofen(10(-5) mol/L)-activated outward current by (6.3+/-3.2) %, (44.1+/-2.2) %, and (86.0+/-1.6) %, respectively (n=6). The reversal potential for baclofen-activated current was around 96.8+/-7.2 mV (n=6), and the baclofen-activated current could be blocked by TEA (n=5) and Ba(2+) (n=5). These results suggest that there exist endogenous GABA receptors, GABA(B) receptors mediating a slow and sustained outward current and GABA(C) receptors mediating an inward current in follicular Xenopus oocytes.

Distribution of trace elements in normal and tumor-bearing mice using the multitracer technique

A multitracer solution obtained from the nuclear reaction of selenium with 25-MeV/nucleon 40Ar ions was orally administered to normal and tumor-bearing Balb/c male mice. After 96 h, the mice were sacrificed and the elemental distribution was determined in various tissues, organs, and blood. The uptake of Na, Rb, Ga, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Fe, Zn, Y, Zr, Tc, Ru, Ag, and In in normal and, except for zinc, in tumor-bearing mice was simultaneously detected. Most elements were distributed in about the same manner in the skin and liver of animals in both groups. The distribution of Rb, Ga, V, Cr, Tc, and In showed little or no significant differences between the two study groups. The distribution of Na, Mn, Fe, Ag, Sc, and Co showed significant differences between normal and tumor-bearing mice. In the blood, spleen, and kidney of the normal mice, there was good absorption of Na, Mn, Fe, Ag, Co, and Zn. In the heart, these elements were well absorbed, except for Na and Mn.