Prognosticators and Risk Grouping in Patients with Lung Metastasis from Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A more accurate and appropriate assessment of prognosis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lung metastases arising from nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) have a relatively favourable prognosis. The purpose of this study was to identify the prognostic factors and to establish a risk grouping in patients with lung metastases from NPC.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 198 patients who developed lung metastases from NPC after primary therapy were retrospectively recruited from January 1982 to December 2000. Univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical variables were performed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. Actuarial survival rates were plotted against time using the Kaplan-Meier method, and log-rank testing was used to compare the differences between the curves.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median overall survival (OS) period and the lung metastasis survival (LMS) period were 51.5 and 20.9 months, respectively. After univariate and multivariate analyses of the clinical variables, age, T classification, N classification, site of metastases, secondary metastases and disease-free interval (DFI) correlated with OS, whereas age, VCA-IgA titre, number of metastases and secondary metastases were related to LMS. The prognoses of the low- (score 0-1), intermediate- (score 2-3) and high-risk (score 4-8) subsets based on these factors were significantly different. The 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rates of the low-, intermediate- and high-risk subsets, respectively (P < 0.001) were as follows: 77.3%, 60% and 59%; 52.3%, 30% and 27.8%; and 20.5%, 7% and 0%.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In this study, clinical variables provided prognostic indicators of survival in NPC patients with lung metastases. Risk subsets would help in a more accurate assessment of a patient's prognosis in the clinical setting and could facilitate the establishment of patient-tailored medical strategies and supports.</p

The Effects of Modified Simiao Decoction in the Treatment of Gouty Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The modified Simiao decoctions (MSD) have been wildly applied in the treatment of gouty arthritis in China. However, the evidence needs to be evaluated by a systematic review and meta-analysis. After filtering, twenty-four randomised, controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the effects of MSD and anti-inflammation medications and/or urate-lowering therapies in patients with gouty arthritis were included. In comparison with anti-inflammation medications, urate-lowering therapies, or coadministration of anti-inflammation medications and urate-lowering therapies, MSD monotherapy significantly lowered serum uric acid (p<0.00001, mean difference = −90.62, and 95% CI [−128.38, −52.86]; p<0.00001, mean difference = −91.43, and 95% CI [−122.38, −60.49]; p=0.02, mean difference = −40.30, and 95% CI [−74.24, −6.36], resp.). Compared with anti-inflammation medications and/or urate-lowering therapies, MSD monotherapy significantly decreased ESR (p<0.00001; mean difference = −8.11; 95% CI [−12.53, −3.69]) and CRP (p=0.03; mean difference = −3.21; 95% CI [−6.07, −0.36]). Additionally, the adverse effects (AEs) of MSD were fewer (p<0.00001; OR = 0.08; 95% CI [0.05, 0.16]). MSD are effective in the treatment of gouty arthritis through anti-inflammation and lowering urate. However, the efficacy of MSD should be estimated with more RCTs

Hydrogen isotope separation using graphene-based membranes in liquid water

Hydrogen isotope separation has been effectively achieved using gaseous H2/D2 filtered through graphene/Nafion composite membranes. Nevertheless, deuteron nearly does not exist in the form of gaseous D2 in nature but in liquid water. Thus, it is a more feasible way to separate and enrich deuterium from water. Herein we have successfully transferred monolayer graphene to a rigid and porous polymer substrate PITEM (polyimide tracked film), which could avoid the swelling problem of the Nafion substrate, as well as keep the integrity of graphene. Meanwhile, defects in large area of CVD graphene could be successfully repaired by interfacial polymerization resulting in high separation factor. Moreover, a new model was proposed for the proton transport mechanism through monolayer graphene based on the kinetic isotope effect (KIE). In this model, graphene plays the significant role in the H/D separation process by completely breaking the O-H/O-D bond, which can maximize the KIE leading to prompted H/D separation performance. This work suggests a promising application of using monolayer graphene in industry and proposes a pronounced understanding of proton transport in grapheneComment: 10 pages, 4 figures (6pages, 6figures for SI

Postoperative Recovery Outcomes for Obese Patients Undergoing General Anesthesia: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

PurposeThis study was performed to assess the postoperative recovery outcomes in obese patients undergoing general anesthesia.MethodsThe eligible studies were identified from PubMed, EmBase, and the Cochrane library until December 2020. The standard mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the role of desflurane, sevoflurane, and propofol on recovery outcomes, and the analyses using the random-effects model.ResultsEleven randomized controlled trials involving 713 obese patients undergoing general anesthesia were selected for final meta-analysis. We noted desflurane was associated with a shorter time to eye-opening than sevoflurane (SMD: −0.86; 95% CI, −1.43 to −0.28; P = 0.003). The use of desflurane with shorter time to extubation as compared with propofol (SMD: −1.13; 95% CI, −1.52 to −0.73; P &lt; 0.001) or sevoflurane (SMD: −1.19; 95% CI, −2.15 to −0.22; P = 0.016), while sevoflurane was associated with longer time to extubation as compared with propofol (SMD: 1.47; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.91; P &lt; 0.001). Desflurane were associated with shorter time to stating name as compared with propofol (SMD: −1.40; 95% CI, −2.32 to −0.48; P = 0.003) or sevoflurane (SMD: −2.09; 95% CI, −3.33 to −0.85; P = 0.001). In addition, desflurane was associated with a longer time for orientation to place as compared with propofol (SMD: 0.65; 95% CI, 0.22 to 1.07; P = 0.003), while desflurane with shorter time for orientation to place as compared with sevoflurane (SMD: −0.88; 95% CI, −1.46 to −0.30; P = 0.003).ConclusionsThe use of desflurane could provide better recovery outcomes in obese patients undergoing general anesthesia. Further large-scale trials should be comparison the long-term effectiveness of various anesthetics

Propofol Inhibits Proliferation, Migration, Invasion and Promotes Apoptosis Through Down-Regulating miR-374a in Hepatocarcinoma Cell Lines

Background: Propofol is a commonly used anaesthetic with controversial effects on cancer cells. We aimed to explore the functional roles of propofol in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells as well as the underlying mechanisms. Methods: HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells were used in this study. Firstly, the effects of propofol on cell viability, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and involved proteins were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, Transwell assay, flow cytometry assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Subsequently, alteration of miR-374a after stimulation of propofol was analyzed by qRT-PCR. miR-374a was overexpressed and the alteration of proteins in the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/AKT pathways was detected by Western blot analysis. The downstream factor of miR-374a was finally studied. Results: Propofol inhibited cell viability, migration and invasion but promoted apoptosis of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells. Meanwhile, cyclinD1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 were down-regulated while Bax/Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 were up-regulated by propofol. Then, miR-374a level was reduced by propofol. Expression of Wnt3a, β-catenin, p-PI3K and p-AKT was decreased by propofol, whereas these decreases were reversed by miR-374a overexpression. Finally, TP53 was proven to be target of miR-374a in HepG2 cells. Conclusion: Propofol inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion while promoted cell apoptosis of HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells through inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin and PI3K/ AKT pathways via down-regulation of miR-374a. Besides, miR-374a affected propofol-treated HepG2 cells by targeting TP53

Proteomic identification of OsCYP2, a rice cyclophilin that confers salt tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings when overexpressed

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>High Salinity is a major environmental stress influencing growth and development of rice. Comparative proteomic analysis of hybrid rice shoot proteins from Shanyou 10 seedlings, a salt-tolerant hybrid variety, and Liangyoupeijiu seedlings, a salt-sensitive hybrid variety, was performed to identify new components involved in salt-stress signaling.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phenotypic analysis of one protein that was upregulated during salt-induced stress, cyclophilin 2 (OsCYP2), indicated that <it>OsCYP2 </it>transgenic rice seedlings had better tolerance to salt stress than did wild-type seedlings. Interestingly, wild-type seedlings exhibited a marked reduction in maximal photochemical efficiency under salt stress, whereas no such change was observed for <it>OsCYP2</it>-transgenic seedlings. <it>OsCYP2</it>-transgenic seedlings had lower levels of lipid peroxidation products and higher activities of antioxidant enzymes than wild-type seedlings. Spatiotemporal expression analysis of <it>OsCYP2 </it>showed that it could be induced by salt stress in both Shanyou 10 and Liangyoupeijiu seedlings, but Shanyou 10 seedlings showed higher <it>OsCYP2 </it>expression levels. Moreover, circadian rhythm expression of <it>OsCYP2 </it>in Shanyou 10 seedlings occurred earlier than in Liangyoupeijiu seedlings. Treatment with PEG, heat, or ABA induced <it>OsCYP2 </it>expression in Shanyou 10 seedlings but inhibited its expression in Liangyoupeijiu seedlings. Cold stress inhibited <it>OsCYP2 </it>expression in Shanyou 10 and Liangyoupeijiu seedlings. In addition, OsCYP2 was strongly expressed in shoots but rarely in roots in two rice hybrid varieties.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Together, these data suggest that OsCYP2 may act as a key regulator that controls ROS level by modulating activities of antioxidant enzymes at translation level. OsCYP2 expression is not only induced by salt stress, but also regulated by circadian rhythm. Moreover, OsCYP2 is also likely to act as a key component that is involved in signal pathways of other types of stresses-PEG, heat, cold, or ABA.</p