Novel parameter based on lipid indicators ratio improves prognostic value of plasma lipid levels in resectable colorectal cancer patients

BACKGROUND At present,the value of lipid indicators in evaluating the prognosis of colorectal cancer is still relatively limited.AIM To evaluate the value of a novel parameter for colorectal cancer(CRC)prognosis scoring based on preoperative serum lipid levels.METHODS Four key serum lipid factors,namely,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDLC),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),apolipoprotein A1(Apo A1),and apolipoprotein B(Apo B),were detected.Two representative ratios,HDL-C-LDLC ratio(HLR)and Apo A1-Apo B ratio(ABR)were calculated.The relationship of these parameters with the prognosis of CRC patients including progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier plot and Cox proportional hazards regression.A novel lipoprotein cholesterol-apolipoprotein(LA)score based on HLR and ABR was established and its value in prognosis evaluation for CRC patients was explored.RESULTS Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis of PFS and OS showed that HDL-C,Apo A1,HLR,and ABR were positively associated with the prognosis of CRC patients.LA score was independently associated with a good prognosis in resectable CRC patients.Data processing of a dummy variable showed that the prognosis of patients with higher LA scores is better than that with lower LA scores.CONCLUSION The newly established LA score might serve as a better predictor of the prognosis of resectable CRC patients.

Catheter-related infections caused by Mycobacterium abscessus in a patient with motor neurone disease:A case report

BACKGROUND Mycobacterium abscessus(M.abscessus)is a rapidly growing mycobacterium and ubiquitous in the environment,which infrequently causes disease in humans.However,it can cause cutaneous or respiratory infections among immunocompromised hosts.Due to the resistance to most antibiotics,the pathogen is formidable and difficult-to-treat.CASE SUMMARY Here,we present a case of catheter-related M.abscessus infections in a patient with motor neurone disease.Catheter and peripheral blood cultures of the patient showed positive results during Gram staining and acid-fast staining.The alarm time of catheter blood culture was 10.6 h earlier than that of peripheral blood.After removal of the peripherally inserted central catheter,secretion and catheter blood culture were positive.M.abscessus was identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and 16S rDNA sequencing.CONCLUSION For catheter-related M.abscessus infection,rapid diagnosis and timely and adequate antimicrobial therapy are crucial.

Development of a magnetite-gene complex for gene transfection

The key to successful gene therapy is tofind a suitable method and carrier for transfection to allow a gene to be transferred into a cell and integrated into the target gene.The aim of this study was to determine whether biomagnetic material could be combined with the nucleic acid for gene transfection.Dextran-coated iron oxide nanoparticles(DCIONPs)were prepared and mixed with the plasmid pGenesil-1 containing the test gene,which expresses enhanced greenfluorescent protein(eGFP).PGenesil-1 empty vector was used as a control.The binding ability was assessed by electrophoresis of the DNA on agarose gels and quantification using BANDS-CAN software.Using different gene carriers,Lipofecta-mine 2000,Sofast,and DCIONPs,the large intestine cancer(Lovo)cell line was transfected in vitro with or without a magneticfield.The expression of eGFP was observed byfluorescence microscopy,and the transfection efficiency was compared.The results showed there was a rapid increase in combining rate when the quality ratio of DCIONPs and pGenesil-1 ascended from 1∶1 to 5∶1.However,the combining rate increased less rapidly as the quality ratio continued ascending.The expression of eGFP showed that the early transfection rate could be improved by applying a magneticfield.In conclusion,the DCIONPs we synthesized are able to carry plasmid DNA and enhance the early transfection efficiency when using a magneticfield.