The Prognostic Significance of Apoptosis-Related Biological Markers in Chinese Gastric Cancer Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prognosis varied among the patients with the same stage, therefore there was a need for new prognostic and predictive factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of apoptosis-related biological markers such as p53, bcl-2, bax, and c-myc, and clinicopathological features and their prognostic value. METHODS: From 1996 to 2007, 4426 patients had undergone curative D2 gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Among 501 patients, the expression levels of p53, bcl-2, bax, and c-myc were examined by immunohistochemistry. The prognostic value of biological markers and the correlation between biological markers and other clinicopathological factors were investigated. RESULTS: There were 339 males and 162 females with a mean age of 57. The percentages of positive expression of p53, bcl-2, bax, and c-myc were 65%, 22%, 43%, and 58%, respectively. There was a strong correlation between p53, bax, and c-myc expression (P=0.00). There was significant association between bcl-2, and bax expression (P<0.05). p53 expression correlated with histological grade (P=0.01); bcl-2 expression with pathological stage (P=0.00); bax expression with male (P=0.02), histological grade (P=0.01), Borrmann type (P=0.01), tumor location (P=0.00), lymph node metastasis (P=0.03), and pathological stage (P=0.03); c-myc expression with Borrmann type (P=0.00). bcl-2 expression was related with good survival in univariate analysis (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis showed that bcl-2 expression and pathological stage were defined as independent prognostic factors. There were significant differences of overall 5-year survival rates according to bcl-2 expression or not in stage IIB (P=0.03). CONCLUSION: The expression of bcl-2 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with gastric cancer; it might be a candidate for the gastric cancer staging system

Relationship between Concentration Difference of Different Density Lipoproteins and Shear Stress in Atherosclerosis

Previous research has observed concentration polarization in LDL and HDL in the arterial system. However, there is no report that links this concentration polarization to the development of vascular atherosclerosis (AS). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to establish the relationship between concentration difference of LDL and HDL and shear stress using a carotid bifurcation vascular model. PTFE was employed to create the carotid bifurcation model. Endothelial cells were coated on the inner wall of the graft. In a recirculation system, HDL and LDL concentration were measured under two different ICA flow velocities at 5 different locations within our model. We report the following: (1) LDL and HDL concentration difference was observed in both high flow and low flow environments; (2) the degree of LDL and HDL concentration polarization varied depending of high flow and low flow environment; (3) absolute values of concentration difference between LDL and HDL at the inner wall surface decreased with the increase in shear stress when shear stress was more than 1.5 Pa. This variation trend would be more pronounced if shear stress were less than 0.5 Pa. Our study suggests that under the action of shear stress, concentration differences of LDL or HDL create a disturbance in the balance of atherogenic factors and anti-As factors, resulting in the occurrence of AS

MoS2 Nanosheets Assembled on Three-Way Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Tubes for Photocatalytic Water Splitting

In this work, a micron-sized three-way nitrogen-doped carbon tube covered with MoS2 nanosheets (TNCT@MoS2) was synthesized and applied in photocatalytic water splitting without any sacrificial agents for the first time. The micron-sized three-way nitrogen-doped carbon tube (TNCT) was facilely synthesized by the calcination of commercial sponge. The MoS2 nanosheets were assembled on the carbon tubes by a hydrothermal method. Compared with MoS2, the TNCT@MoS2 heterostructures showed higher H2 evolution rate, which was ascribed to the improved charge separation efficiency and the increased active sites afforded by the TNCT

Study on the evaluation of the clinical effects of traditional chinese medicine in heart failure by complex intervention: protocol of SECETCM-HF

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Experts in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have studied the TCM subject of the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF) for several decades. As a result, the general idea is <it>ben </it>deficiency and <it>biao </it>excess. However, the clinical evaluation system which combined the TCM and western medicine in HF has not been developed yet. The objective is to establish the evaluation index system for the integration of TCM and western medicine. The evaluation indexes which include TCM items will specify the research design and methods.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Nine medical centers in different cities in China will participate in the trial. A population of 340 patients with HF will be enrolled through a central randomized system for different test groups. Group A will be treated with only western medicine, while group B with western and Chinese medicine together. The study will last for 12 months from the date of enrollment. The cardiovascular death will be the primary outcome.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>By putting the protocol into practice, the clinical effects of TCM for HF will be identified scientifically, objectively as well as rationally. The proper index system which built in the study will be helpful for the clinical effect expression of HF by integrated medicine in future.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ChiCTR-TRC-00000059</p

Male vigilance and presence are important for foraging by female Chinese grouse in the pre-incubation period

publishedVersio

Two cases of small bowel necrosis due to intussusception secondary to abnormal proliferation of intestinal Peyer’s patches in infants after MMR vaccination

Abstract Background Intussusception is one of the most common acute abdominal conditions in pediatric patients, and if left untreated, it may result in intestinal necrosis and even death. The etiology of the disease is unknown and may be related to a variety of factors, and there are only limited reports of small bowel necrosis secondary to abnormal Peyer’s node hyperplasia after MMR vaccination. Case presentation In this report, we present two infants who had an abnormal proliferation of Peyer’s nodes secondary to intussusception eventually leading to small bowel necrosis after MMR vaccination. Conclusions Intestinal necrosis and infectious shock are the most common causes of infant mortality, and early detection and management are critical

Antagonistic Peptides That Specifically Bind to the First and Second Extracellular Loops of CCR5 and Anti-IL-23p19 Antibody Reduce Airway Inflammation by Suppressing the IL-23/Th17 Signaling Pathway

Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways with a complex etiology, which involves a variety of cells and cellular components. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of antagonistic peptides that specifically bind to the first and second extracellular loops of CCR5 (GH and HY peptides, respectively) and anti-interleukin-23 subunit p19 (anti-IL-23p19) in the airway and thereby mediate inflammation and the IL-23/T helper 17 (Th17) cell pathway in asthmatic mice. An experimental asthma model using BALB/c mice was induced by ovalbumin (OVA) and treated with peptides that are antagonistic to CCR5 or with anti-IL-23p19. The extents of the asthmatic inflammation and mucus production were assessed. In addition, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, the cells were counted, and the IL-4 level was detected by ELISA. The IL-23/Th17 pathway-related protein and mRNA levels in the lung tissues were measured, and the positive production rates of Th17 cells in the thymus, spleen, and peripheral blood were detected. The groups treated with one of the two peptides and/or anti-IL-23p19 showed significant reductions in allergic inflammation and mucus secretion; decreased expression levels of IL-23p19, IL-23R, IL-17A and lactoferrin (LTF); and reduced proportions of Th17 cells in the thymus, spleen, and peripheral blood. Specifically, among the four treatment groups, the anti-IL-23p19 with HY peptide group exhibited the lowest positive production rate of Th17 cells. Our data also showed a significant and positive correlation between CCR5 and IL-23p19 protein expression. These findings suggest that the administration of peptides antagonistic to CCR5 and/or anti-IL-23p19 can reduce airway inflammation in asthmatic mice, most likely through inhibition of the IL-23/Th17 signaling pathway, and the HY peptide can alleviate inflammation not only through the IL-23/Th17 pathway but also through other mechanisms that result in the regulation of inflammation

Aortic arch cannulation with the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography for Stanford type A aortic dissection

Abstract Background Aortic arch cannulation for an antegrade central perfusion during the surgery for Stanford type A aortic dissection can be performed within median sternotomy. We summarize the safety and convenient profile of the central cannulation strategy using the guidance of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in comparison to traditional femoral cannulation strategy. Methods Sixty-two patients with acute Stanford type A aortic dissection underwent aortic arch surgery in our hospital. All the patients were operated by the same surgeon. Cannulation was performed in 33 patients through the aortic arch under the guidance of TEE (Group A) and in 29 patients through the femoral artery (Group F). Under moderate hypothermic circulatory arrest, the brain is continuously perfused in an anterograde manner through the brachiocephalic and left common carotid arteries. Preoperative characeristics and surgical information were collected for each patient. Additionally, 30-day mortality rate and the incidence of the temporary neurological dysfunction were recorded as the outcomes. To compare the categorical variables, we used the chi-squared test. Continuous variables were compared using the t-test. Results Preoperative characteristics were almost similar between the two groups. The mean operation time (7.33 ± 1.14 h vs. 8.93 ± 2.59 h, P = 0.002) and the mean cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time (260.97 ± 45.14 min vs. 298.28 ± 95.89 min, P = 0.024) were significantly shorter in Group A than those in Group F. The 30-day mortality rates were 9.09 and 27.59% in Groups A and F, respectively (P = 0.057). And the incidences of temporary neurological dysfunction were 39.39 and 65.52% in Group A and F, respectively (P = 0.040). Conclusions Aortic arch cannulation with the guidance of TEE during the aortic arch surgery is a simple, fast, safe, and less invasive technique for establishing cardiopulmonary bypass for Stanford type A aortic dissection

Analysis of lymph node metastasis correlation with prognosis in patients with T2 gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the correlated factors for lymph node metastasis and prognosis for patients with T2 gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 442 patients with T2 gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy from January 1996 to December 2009 were evaluated. The clinicopathological parameters were analyzed for lymph node metastasis and prognosis, including gender, age, tumor size, tumor location, histological type, depth of invasion, vascular tumor emboli, nervous invasion, resection type, and pathological stage. RESULTS: The rate of lymph node metastasis was 45.9%. Univariate analysis showed that depth of invasion, tumor size, and vascular tumor emboli were associated with lymph node metastasis. Logistic regression demonstrated that depth of invasion, tumor size, and vascular tumor emboli were independently predictive factors for lymph node metastasis. The 5-year survival rate was 64.0%. Multivariate analysis showed that tumor size, tumor location, resection type, and pathological stage were independent prognostic factors. Based on tumor size, there were significant differences of 5-year survival between small size tumor (<6 cm) and large size tumor (≥ 6 cm) according to stage IIA (P = 0.006). Based on tumor location, there were significant differences of 5-year survival among different tumor location according to stage IB. Based on resection type, there were significant differences of overall 5-year survival between curative surgery and palliative surgery according to stage IIB (P = 0.015) and IIIA (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Depth of invasion, tumor size, and vascular tumor emboli were independently predictive factors for lymph node metastasis. Tumor size, tumor location, resection type, and pathological stage were independent prognostic factors