BACKGROUND Angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)level is related to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)pro-gression.However,the dynamic expression and regulatory mechanism of Ang-2 remain unclear.AIM To investigate Ang-2 levels in chronic ...BACKGROUND Angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)level is related to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)pro-gression.However,the dynamic expression and regulatory mechanism of Ang-2 remain unclear.AIM To investigate Ang-2 levels in chronic liver diseases and validate early monitoring value with a dynamic model in hepatocarcinogenesis.METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats in hepatocarcinogenesis were induced with diet 2-fluo-renylacet-amide,and grouped based on liver histopathology by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Differently expressed genes or Ang-2 mRNA in livers were ana-lyzed by whole-genome microarray.Ang-2 levels in chronic liver diseases were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS Clinical observation reveled that the circulating levels of Ang-2 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)in patients with chronic liver diseases were progressively increased from benign to HCC(P<0.001).Dynamic model va-lidated that the up-regulated Ang-2 in liver and blood was positively correlated with HIF-1αin hepatocarcino-genesis(P<0.001).Mechanistically,Ang-2 was regulated by HIF-1α.When specific HIF-1α-microRNAs transfected into HCC cells,the cell proliferation significantly inhibited,HIF-1αand Ang-2 down-regulated,and also affected epithelial-mesenchymal transition via increasing E-cadherin to block cell invasion or migration with reducing of snail,twist and vimentin.CONCLUSION Hypoxia-induced Ang-2 up-regulating expression might serve as a sensitive early monitoring biomarker for hepatocarcinogenesis or HCC metastasis.展开更多
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has been shown to increase the risk of stroke.However,the prevalence and risk of recurrent stroke in COVID-19 patients with prior stroke/transient ischemic attack(TIA),as w...BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has been shown to increase the risk of stroke.However,the prevalence and risk of recurrent stroke in COVID-19 patients with prior stroke/transient ischemic attack(TIA),as well as its impact on mor-tality,are not established.AIM To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on in-hospital mortality,length of stay,and healthcare costs in patients with recurrent strokes.METHODS We identified admissions of recurrent stroke(current acute ischemic stroke admissions with at least one prior TIA or stroke)in patients with and without COVID-19 using ICD-10-CM codes using the National Inpatient Sample(2020).We analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on mortality following recurrent stroke admissions by subgroups.RESULTS Of 97455 admissions with recurrent stroke,2140(2.2%)belonged to the COVID-19-positive group.The COVID-19-positive group had a higher prevalence of diabetes and chronic kidney disease vs the COVID-19 negative group(P<0.001).Among the subgroups,patients aged>65 years,patients aged 45–64 years,Asians,Hispanics,whites,and blacks in the COVID-19 positive group had higher rates of all-cause mortality than the COVID-19 negative group(P<0.01).Higher odds of in-hospital mortality were seen in the group aged 45-64(OR:8.40,95%CI:4.18-16.91)vs the group aged>65(OR:7.04,95%CI:5.24-9.44),males(OR:7.82,95%CI:5.38-11.35)compared to females(OR:6.15,95%CI:4.12-9.18),and in Hispanics(OR:15.47,95%CI:7.61-31.44)and Asians/Pacific Islanders(OR:14.93,95%CI:7.22-30.87)compared to blacks(OR:5.73,95%CI:3.08-10.68),and whites(OR:5.54,95%CI:3.79-8.09).CONCLUSION The study highlights the increased risk of all-cause in-hospital mortality in recurrent stroke patients with COVID-19,with a more pronounced increase in middle-aged patients,males,Hispanics,or Asians.展开更多
Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (also referred to as transient apical ballooning syndrome, broken heart syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy) is an increasingly recognized entity in the western world typically characterized by ...Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (also referred to as transient apical ballooning syndrome, broken heart syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy) is an increasingly recognized entity in the western world typically characterized by reversible left ventricular dysfunction that develops in the setting of acute severe emotional or physical stress. Increased catecholamine levels have been proposed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease, although the specific pathophysiology of this condition remains elusive at the present moment. In recent times, there have been reports of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) following medical interventions such as invasive or surgical procedures or specific medical regimens. In the current report, we present a patient with multiple recurrences of TC triggered by the same medical therapeutic intervention; in our particular case, repetitive exposure to inhaled beta-2-adrenoceptor agonist.展开更多
Background: The absence of a safe and effective therapy for recurrent spontaneous abortion due to a maternofetal failure in immunological tolerance remains an intractable clinical obstacle for surgeons. Recently, trad...Background: The absence of a safe and effective therapy for recurrent spontaneous abortion due to a maternofetal failure in immunological tolerance remains an intractable clinical obstacle for surgeons. Recently, traditional Chinese medicine has become a feasible alternative for certain diseases, including recurrent spontaneous abortion. However, because of the complex composition of the traditional Chinese medicine formula, its action mechanism remains unclear. Methods: We selected two isolated active ingredients (RAMP and baicalin) from the traditional Chinese medicine formula and used an abortion-prone CBA/J × DBA/2 model to simulate human RSA and compared the changes in fetal resorption rate, Treg cell percentage, and relevant cytokines before and after combination therapy. In addition, The mechanisms were preliminarily discussed using in vitro differentiation models. Results: In CBA/J × DBA/2 abortion-prone mice, the combination therapy resulted in a lower embryo resorption rate compared to that obtained with individual delivery of either RAMP or baicalin, thereby playing an embryo-protective role through the increase in Treg cells for the maintenance of maternal-fetal immune tolerance. In in vitro primary cell differentiation experiments, the concentration of Treg cells significantly increased from 11% to 17.9% after the combination therapy compared to that of the single administration group. Conclusion: the synergistic effects of RAMP and baicalin were responsible for Treg differentiation. The present study provides a solid basis for improving the applicability of traditional Chinese herbs in the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion.展开更多
Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) are modulated in variety cancers including Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is a paucity of data concerning their role ...Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) are modulated in variety cancers including Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is a paucity of data concerning their role in the pathologic process of recurrence of HCC following hepatectomy. We herein assessed the role of the hepatic expression of COX-2 and TGF-β as predictors for patients with early recurrence within 2 years of HCC diagnosis. Methods: Sixty patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatectomy between 2000 and 2003 were entered in the present study. The immunoreactivity and distribution patterns of COX-2 and TGF-β1 were examined in both the HCC and the adjacent nonHCC tissues of the liver. Risk factors of tumor recurrence within 2 years, including COX-2 and TGF-β1 expression, were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Among 60 patients, 31 patients had early recurrences within 2 years and 14 patients recurred after 2 years following surgery. Patients with low COX-2 expression in the HCC tissues and adjacent nonHCC tissues had favorable disease-free survival (p = 0.002 and p β1 expression in the nonHCC tissues had also longer disease-free survival (p = 0.045). Based on the expression patterns of COX-2 and TGF-β1, patients with low COX-2 and positive TGF-β1 expression in the nonHCC tissues had favorable overall and disease-free survival (p β1 signaling in nontumor tissues suggested high risk of recurrence and poor survival to the HCC patients following hepatectomy.展开更多
Objective: To investigate the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelialcell growth factor (VEGF) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their correlations with clinicopathologic paramete...Objective: To investigate the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelialcell growth factor (VEGF) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their correlations with clinicopathologic parameters, angiogenesis and vessel maturation of OSCC. Methods: The expression of Ang-2 and VEGF was detected in 41 speciments of human OSCC, 30 adjacent noncancerous oral tissues and 10 specimens of normal oral mucosa by conventional immumohistochemistry. Microvessel density (MVD) and vessel maturation index (VMI) were also assessed by double-labelling immumohistochemistry staining against CD34, a marker of pan-endothelial cells, and that against alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of mural cells (pericytes/smooth muscle cells). Results: The positive expression rate of Ang-2 and VEGF in 41 OSCC tissues was 51.22% and 63.42%, respectively. The expression of Ang-2 and VEGF was significantly higher in OSCC than in adjacent noncancerous oral tissues (all P〈0.05) and normal oral mucosa (all P〈0.05). In the clinicopathologic parameters, the Ang-2 expression was closely correlated with tumor lymph node metastasis (P〈0.01) and the VEGF expression was correlated with tumor differentiated degree (P〈0.05), but there was no significant correlation among the Ang-2 and VEGF expression and patients' sex, age and TNM stages (all P〉0.05). The MVD of OSCC positive for both Ang-2 and VEGF was significantly higher than that of OSCC negative for both Ang-2 and VEGF (P〈0.05). The VMI of OSCC positive for Ang-2 was significantly lower than that of OSCC negative for Ang-2 (P〈0.05). When Ang-2 expression was combined with the staus of VEGF expression, MVD of OSCC positive for both Ang-2 and VEGF was the highest (51.08±2.99) as compared with that of other status in patient with OSCC (all P〈0.05). Conclusion: The overexpression of Ang-2 and VEGF may play a crucial role in the development of OSCC. They are closely associated with angiogenesis and vessel maturation of tumor.展开更多
AIM: To characterize patterns of gastric cancer recurrence and patient survival and to identify predictors of early recurrence after surgery.METHODS: Clinicopathological data for 417 consecutive patients who underwent...AIM: To characterize patterns of gastric cancer recurrence and patient survival and to identify predictors of early recurrence after surgery.METHODS: Clinicopathological data for 417 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor and node status was reclassified according to the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor-node-metastasis classification for carcinoma of the stomach. Survival data came from both the patients' follow-up records and telephone followups.Recurrent gastric cancer was diagnosed based on clinical imaging, gastroscopy with biopsy, and/or cytological examination of ascites, or intraoperative findings in patients who underwent reoperation.Predictors of early recurrence were compared in patients with pT1 and pT2-4a stage tumors. Pearson's χ 2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare differences between categorical variables. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared via the log-rank test. Variables identified as potentially important for early recurrence using univariate analysis were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: Of 417 gastric cancer patients, 80(19.2%)were diagnosed with early gastric cancer and the remaining 337(80.8%) were diagnosed with locally advanced gastric cancer. After a median follow-up period of 56 mo, 194 patients(46.5%) experiencedrecurrence. The mean time from curative surgery to recurrence in these 194 patients was 24 ± 18 mo(range, 1-84 mo). Additionally, of these 194 patients,129(66.5%) experienced recurrence within 2 years after surgery. There was no significant difference in recurrence patterns between early and late recurrence(P < 0.05 each). For pT1 stage gastric cancer, tumor size(P = 0.011) and pN stage(P = 0.048) were associated with early recurrence of gastric tumors.Patient age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype,lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy,and postoperative chemotherapy were independent predictors of early recurrence in patients with pT2-4a stage gastric cancer(P < 0.05 each).CONCLUSION: Age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype, lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy are independent factors influencing early recurrence of pT2-4a stage gastric cancer.展开更多
Ephrin-B2 has been shown to participate in angiogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study, a rat model of local cerebral ischemia was prepared by focal middle cerebral artery occlus...Ephrin-B2 has been shown to participate in angiogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study, a rat model of local cerebral ischemia was prepared by focal middle cerebral artery occlusion, followed by 24-hour reperfusion. Then, ephrin-B2 protein was administered intracerebroventricularly for 3 consecutive days via a micro-osmotic pump. Western blot assay and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR demonstrated the expression levels of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) mRNA and protein in the penumbra cortex of the ephrin-B2 treated group were decreased at day 4 after reperfusion, and increased at day 28, while the expression levels of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) were highly up-regulated at all time points tested. Double immunofluorescent staining indicated that Ang-1 and Ang-2 were both expressed in vascular endothelial cells positive for CD31. These findings indicate that ephrin-B2 influences the expressions of Ang-1 and Ang-2 during angiogenesis following transient focal cerebral ischemia.展开更多
AIM To assess the performance of BALAD, BALAD-2 and their component biomarkers in predicting outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients after liver transplant.METHODS BALAD score and BALAD-2 class are derived f...AIM To assess the performance of BALAD, BALAD-2 and their component biomarkers in predicting outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients after liver transplant.METHODS BALAD score and BALAD-2 class are derived from bilirubin, albumin, alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP(AFP-L3), and des-gammacarboxyprothrombin(DCP). Pre-transplant AFP, AFP-L3 and DCP were measured in 113 patients transplanted for HCC from 2000 to 2008. Hazard ratios(HR) for recurrence and death were calculated. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. C-statistics were used to compare biomarker-based to predictive models. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 12.2 years, 38 patients recurred and 87 died. The HRs for recurrence in patients with elevated AFP, AFP-L3, and DCP defined by BALAD cut-off values were 2.42(1.18-5.00), 1.86(0.98-3.52), and 2.83(1.42-5.61), respectively. For BALAD, the HRs for recurrence and death per unit increased score were 1.48(1.15-1.91) and 1.59(1.28-1.97). For BALAD-2, the HRs for recurrence and death per unit increased class were 1.45(1.06-1.98) and 1.38(1.09-1.76). For recurrence prediction, the combination of three biomarkers had the highest c-statistic of 0.66 vs. 0.64, 0.61, 0.53, and 0.53 for BALAD, BALAD-2, Milan, and UCSF, respectively. Similarly, for death prediction, the combination of three biomarkers had the highest c-statistic of 0.66 vs 0.65,0.61, 0.52, and 0.50 for BALAD, BALAD-2, Milan, and UCSF. A new model combining biomarkers with tumor size at the time of transplant(S-LAD) demonstrated the highest predictive capability with c-statistics of 0.71 and 0.69 for recurrence and death. CONCLUSION BALAD and BALAD-2 are valid in transplant HCC patients, but less predictive than the three biomarkers in combination or the three biomarkers in combination with maximal tumor diameter(S-LAD).展开更多
AIM To evaluate the efficacy of peripheral blood concentrations of angiopoietins(Ang) as cirrhosis biomarkers of chronic hepatitis C(CHC).METHODS Ang1 and Ang2 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent...AIM To evaluate the efficacy of peripheral blood concentrations of angiopoietins(Ang) as cirrhosis biomarkers of chronic hepatitis C(CHC).METHODS Ang1 and Ang2 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA) in samples from 179 cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic CHC patients, classified according to the METAVIR system.Groups were compared by non-parametric MannWhitney U test. Subsequently, the association of peripheral concentrations of angiopoietins with the stage of fibrosis was analyzed using Spearman correlation test. Finally, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of circulating angiopoietins for cirrhosis diagnosis were determined by the study of the respective area under the curve of receiver operator characteristics(AUC-ROC).RESULTS Peripheral blood concentrations of Ang1 and Ang2 in CHC patients were significantly related to fibrosis. While Ang1 was decreased in cirrhotic subjects compared to non-cirrhotic(P < 0.0001), Ang2 was significantly increased as CHC progressed to the end stage of liver disease(P < 0.0001). Consequently, Ang2/Ang1 ratio was notably amplified and significantly correlated with fibrosis(P < 0.0001). Interestingly, the individual performance of each angiopoietin for the diagnosis of cirrhosis reached notable AUC-ROC values(above 0.7, both), but the Ang2/Ang1 ratio was much better(AUC-ROC = 0.810) and displayed outstanding values of sensitivity(71%), specificity(84%) and accuracy(82.1%) at the optimal cut-off(10.33). Furthermore, Ang2/Ang1 ratio improved the performance of many other previously described biomarkers or scores of liver cirrhosis in CHC.CONCLUSION Ang2/Ang1 ratio might constitute a useful tool for monitoring the progression of chronic liver disease towards cirrhosis and play an important role as therapeutic target.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.32470985 and No.81673241.
文摘BACKGROUND Angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)level is related to hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)pro-gression.However,the dynamic expression and regulatory mechanism of Ang-2 remain unclear.AIM To investigate Ang-2 levels in chronic liver diseases and validate early monitoring value with a dynamic model in hepatocarcinogenesis.METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats in hepatocarcinogenesis were induced with diet 2-fluo-renylacet-amide,and grouped based on liver histopathology by hematoxylin and eosin staining.Differently expressed genes or Ang-2 mRNA in livers were ana-lyzed by whole-genome microarray.Ang-2 levels in chronic liver diseases were detected by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS Clinical observation reveled that the circulating levels of Ang-2 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)in patients with chronic liver diseases were progressively increased from benign to HCC(P<0.001).Dynamic model va-lidated that the up-regulated Ang-2 in liver and blood was positively correlated with HIF-1αin hepatocarcino-genesis(P<0.001).Mechanistically,Ang-2 was regulated by HIF-1α.When specific HIF-1α-microRNAs transfected into HCC cells,the cell proliferation significantly inhibited,HIF-1αand Ang-2 down-regulated,and also affected epithelial-mesenchymal transition via increasing E-cadherin to block cell invasion or migration with reducing of snail,twist and vimentin.CONCLUSION Hypoxia-induced Ang-2 up-regulating expression might serve as a sensitive early monitoring biomarker for hepatocarcinogenesis or HCC metastasis.
文摘BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)has been shown to increase the risk of stroke.However,the prevalence and risk of recurrent stroke in COVID-19 patients with prior stroke/transient ischemic attack(TIA),as well as its impact on mor-tality,are not established.AIM To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on in-hospital mortality,length of stay,and healthcare costs in patients with recurrent strokes.METHODS We identified admissions of recurrent stroke(current acute ischemic stroke admissions with at least one prior TIA or stroke)in patients with and without COVID-19 using ICD-10-CM codes using the National Inpatient Sample(2020).We analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on mortality following recurrent stroke admissions by subgroups.RESULTS Of 97455 admissions with recurrent stroke,2140(2.2%)belonged to the COVID-19-positive group.The COVID-19-positive group had a higher prevalence of diabetes and chronic kidney disease vs the COVID-19 negative group(P<0.001).Among the subgroups,patients aged>65 years,patients aged 45–64 years,Asians,Hispanics,whites,and blacks in the COVID-19 positive group had higher rates of all-cause mortality than the COVID-19 negative group(P<0.01).Higher odds of in-hospital mortality were seen in the group aged 45-64(OR:8.40,95%CI:4.18-16.91)vs the group aged>65(OR:7.04,95%CI:5.24-9.44),males(OR:7.82,95%CI:5.38-11.35)compared to females(OR:6.15,95%CI:4.12-9.18),and in Hispanics(OR:15.47,95%CI:7.61-31.44)and Asians/Pacific Islanders(OR:14.93,95%CI:7.22-30.87)compared to blacks(OR:5.73,95%CI:3.08-10.68),and whites(OR:5.54,95%CI:3.79-8.09).CONCLUSION The study highlights the increased risk of all-cause in-hospital mortality in recurrent stroke patients with COVID-19,with a more pronounced increase in middle-aged patients,males,Hispanics,or Asians.
文摘Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (also referred to as transient apical ballooning syndrome, broken heart syndrome or stress cardiomyopathy) is an increasingly recognized entity in the western world typically characterized by reversible left ventricular dysfunction that develops in the setting of acute severe emotional or physical stress. Increased catecholamine levels have been proposed to play a central role in the pathogenesis of the disease, although the specific pathophysiology of this condition remains elusive at the present moment. In recent times, there have been reports of takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) following medical interventions such as invasive or surgical procedures or specific medical regimens. In the current report, we present a patient with multiple recurrences of TC triggered by the same medical therapeutic intervention; in our particular case, repetitive exposure to inhaled beta-2-adrenoceptor agonist.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(81973221)National Natural Science Foundation for Young Scientists of China(81603647)+2 种基金the Women and Children Health Talent Project of Jiangsu Province(FRC201785)the Chinese Clinical Medicine Innovation Center of Obstetrics,Gynecology,and Reproduction in Jiangsu Province(ZX202102)the Women and Children Health Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(F202206).
文摘Background: The absence of a safe and effective therapy for recurrent spontaneous abortion due to a maternofetal failure in immunological tolerance remains an intractable clinical obstacle for surgeons. Recently, traditional Chinese medicine has become a feasible alternative for certain diseases, including recurrent spontaneous abortion. However, because of the complex composition of the traditional Chinese medicine formula, its action mechanism remains unclear. Methods: We selected two isolated active ingredients (RAMP and baicalin) from the traditional Chinese medicine formula and used an abortion-prone CBA/J × DBA/2 model to simulate human RSA and compared the changes in fetal resorption rate, Treg cell percentage, and relevant cytokines before and after combination therapy. In addition, The mechanisms were preliminarily discussed using in vitro differentiation models. Results: In CBA/J × DBA/2 abortion-prone mice, the combination therapy resulted in a lower embryo resorption rate compared to that obtained with individual delivery of either RAMP or baicalin, thereby playing an embryo-protective role through the increase in Treg cells for the maintenance of maternal-fetal immune tolerance. In in vitro primary cell differentiation experiments, the concentration of Treg cells significantly increased from 11% to 17.9% after the combination therapy compared to that of the single administration group. Conclusion: the synergistic effects of RAMP and baicalin were responsible for Treg differentiation. The present study provides a solid basis for improving the applicability of traditional Chinese herbs in the treatment of recurrent spontaneous abortion.
文摘Background: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) are modulated in variety cancers including Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is a paucity of data concerning their role in the pathologic process of recurrence of HCC following hepatectomy. We herein assessed the role of the hepatic expression of COX-2 and TGF-β as predictors for patients with early recurrence within 2 years of HCC diagnosis. Methods: Sixty patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatectomy between 2000 and 2003 were entered in the present study. The immunoreactivity and distribution patterns of COX-2 and TGF-β1 were examined in both the HCC and the adjacent nonHCC tissues of the liver. Risk factors of tumor recurrence within 2 years, including COX-2 and TGF-β1 expression, were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Among 60 patients, 31 patients had early recurrences within 2 years and 14 patients recurred after 2 years following surgery. Patients with low COX-2 expression in the HCC tissues and adjacent nonHCC tissues had favorable disease-free survival (p = 0.002 and p β1 expression in the nonHCC tissues had also longer disease-free survival (p = 0.045). Based on the expression patterns of COX-2 and TGF-β1, patients with low COX-2 and positive TGF-β1 expression in the nonHCC tissues had favorable overall and disease-free survival (p β1 signaling in nontumor tissues suggested high risk of recurrence and poor survival to the HCC patients following hepatectomy.
文摘Objective: To investigate the expression of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and vascular endothelialcell growth factor (VEGF) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their correlations with clinicopathologic parameters, angiogenesis and vessel maturation of OSCC. Methods: The expression of Ang-2 and VEGF was detected in 41 speciments of human OSCC, 30 adjacent noncancerous oral tissues and 10 specimens of normal oral mucosa by conventional immumohistochemistry. Microvessel density (MVD) and vessel maturation index (VMI) were also assessed by double-labelling immumohistochemistry staining against CD34, a marker of pan-endothelial cells, and that against alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), a marker of mural cells (pericytes/smooth muscle cells). Results: The positive expression rate of Ang-2 and VEGF in 41 OSCC tissues was 51.22% and 63.42%, respectively. The expression of Ang-2 and VEGF was significantly higher in OSCC than in adjacent noncancerous oral tissues (all P〈0.05) and normal oral mucosa (all P〈0.05). In the clinicopathologic parameters, the Ang-2 expression was closely correlated with tumor lymph node metastasis (P〈0.01) and the VEGF expression was correlated with tumor differentiated degree (P〈0.05), but there was no significant correlation among the Ang-2 and VEGF expression and patients' sex, age and TNM stages (all P〉0.05). The MVD of OSCC positive for both Ang-2 and VEGF was significantly higher than that of OSCC negative for both Ang-2 and VEGF (P〈0.05). The VMI of OSCC positive for Ang-2 was significantly lower than that of OSCC negative for Ang-2 (P〈0.05). When Ang-2 expression was combined with the staus of VEGF expression, MVD of OSCC positive for both Ang-2 and VEGF was the highest (51.08±2.99) as compared with that of other status in patient with OSCC (all P〈0.05). Conclusion: The overexpression of Ang-2 and VEGF may play a crucial role in the development of OSCC. They are closely associated with angiogenesis and vessel maturation of tumor.
基金Supported by the Beijing Municipal Natural Science Foundation,No.7132209Capital Health Research and Development Special Fund,No.2014-3-4014+1 种基金Hubei Province Health and Family Planning Scientific Research Project,No.WJ2015MB137Wuhan City Medical Research Project,No.WX15B14
文摘AIM: To characterize patterns of gastric cancer recurrence and patient survival and to identify predictors of early recurrence after surgery.METHODS: Clinicopathological data for 417 consecutive patients who underwent curative resection for gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor and node status was reclassified according to the 7th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer tumor-node-metastasis classification for carcinoma of the stomach. Survival data came from both the patients' follow-up records and telephone followups.Recurrent gastric cancer was diagnosed based on clinical imaging, gastroscopy with biopsy, and/or cytological examination of ascites, or intraoperative findings in patients who underwent reoperation.Predictors of early recurrence were compared in patients with pT1 and pT2-4a stage tumors. Pearson's χ 2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare differences between categorical variables. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared via the log-rank test. Variables identified as potentially important for early recurrence using univariate analysis were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: Of 417 gastric cancer patients, 80(19.2%)were diagnosed with early gastric cancer and the remaining 337(80.8%) were diagnosed with locally advanced gastric cancer. After a median follow-up period of 56 mo, 194 patients(46.5%) experiencedrecurrence. The mean time from curative surgery to recurrence in these 194 patients was 24 ± 18 mo(range, 1-84 mo). Additionally, of these 194 patients,129(66.5%) experienced recurrence within 2 years after surgery. There was no significant difference in recurrence patterns between early and late recurrence(P < 0.05 each). For pT1 stage gastric cancer, tumor size(P = 0.011) and pN stage(P = 0.048) were associated with early recurrence of gastric tumors.Patient age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype,lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy,and postoperative chemotherapy were independent predictors of early recurrence in patients with pT2-4a stage gastric cancer(P < 0.05 each).CONCLUSION: Age, pT stage, pN stage, Lauren histotype, lymphovascular invasion, intraoperative chemotherapy, and postoperative chemotherapy are independent factors influencing early recurrence of pT2-4a stage gastric cancer.
文摘Ephrin-B2 has been shown to participate in angiogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms involved remain unclear. In this study, a rat model of local cerebral ischemia was prepared by focal middle cerebral artery occlusion, followed by 24-hour reperfusion. Then, ephrin-B2 protein was administered intracerebroventricularly for 3 consecutive days via a micro-osmotic pump. Western blot assay and quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR demonstrated the expression levels of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) mRNA and protein in the penumbra cortex of the ephrin-B2 treated group were decreased at day 4 after reperfusion, and increased at day 28, while the expression levels of angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) were highly up-regulated at all time points tested. Double immunofluorescent staining indicated that Ang-1 and Ang-2 were both expressed in vascular endothelial cells positive for CD31. These findings indicate that ephrin-B2 influences the expressions of Ang-1 and Ang-2 during angiogenesis following transient focal cerebral ischemia.
基金Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science(CCATS)No.NCATS 1UL1TR002377-01+1 种基金Mayo Clinic Center for Cell Signaling in Gastroenterology,No.NIDDK P30DK084567-09Wako Life Sciences,Inc
文摘AIM To assess the performance of BALAD, BALAD-2 and their component biomarkers in predicting outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) patients after liver transplant.METHODS BALAD score and BALAD-2 class are derived from bilirubin, albumin, alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), Lens culinaris agglutinin-reactive AFP(AFP-L3), and des-gammacarboxyprothrombin(DCP). Pre-transplant AFP, AFP-L3 and DCP were measured in 113 patients transplanted for HCC from 2000 to 2008. Hazard ratios(HR) for recurrence and death were calculated. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were conducted. C-statistics were used to compare biomarker-based to predictive models. RESULTS During a median follow-up of 12.2 years, 38 patients recurred and 87 died. The HRs for recurrence in patients with elevated AFP, AFP-L3, and DCP defined by BALAD cut-off values were 2.42(1.18-5.00), 1.86(0.98-3.52), and 2.83(1.42-5.61), respectively. For BALAD, the HRs for recurrence and death per unit increased score were 1.48(1.15-1.91) and 1.59(1.28-1.97). For BALAD-2, the HRs for recurrence and death per unit increased class were 1.45(1.06-1.98) and 1.38(1.09-1.76). For recurrence prediction, the combination of three biomarkers had the highest c-statistic of 0.66 vs. 0.64, 0.61, 0.53, and 0.53 for BALAD, BALAD-2, Milan, and UCSF, respectively. Similarly, for death prediction, the combination of three biomarkers had the highest c-statistic of 0.66 vs 0.65,0.61, 0.52, and 0.50 for BALAD, BALAD-2, Milan, and UCSF. A new model combining biomarkers with tumor size at the time of transplant(S-LAD) demonstrated the highest predictive capability with c-statistics of 0.71 and 0.69 for recurrence and death. CONCLUSION BALAD and BALAD-2 are valid in transplant HCC patients, but less predictive than the three biomarkers in combination or the three biomarkers in combination with maximal tumor diameter(S-LAD).
基金Supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación(SAF:2010/21805,partially)CIBERehd(Instituto de Salud CarlosⅢ,Madrid)+1 种基金Fundación Mutua Madrile■a(to Moreno-Otero R)a grant from Asociación Espa■ola Contra el Cáncer(AIO 2010,AECC,to Sanz-Cameno P)
文摘AIM To evaluate the efficacy of peripheral blood concentrations of angiopoietins(Ang) as cirrhosis biomarkers of chronic hepatitis C(CHC).METHODS Ang1 and Ang2 serum levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays(ELISA) in samples from 179 cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic CHC patients, classified according to the METAVIR system.Groups were compared by non-parametric MannWhitney U test. Subsequently, the association of peripheral concentrations of angiopoietins with the stage of fibrosis was analyzed using Spearman correlation test. Finally, the accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of circulating angiopoietins for cirrhosis diagnosis were determined by the study of the respective area under the curve of receiver operator characteristics(AUC-ROC).RESULTS Peripheral blood concentrations of Ang1 and Ang2 in CHC patients were significantly related to fibrosis. While Ang1 was decreased in cirrhotic subjects compared to non-cirrhotic(P < 0.0001), Ang2 was significantly increased as CHC progressed to the end stage of liver disease(P < 0.0001). Consequently, Ang2/Ang1 ratio was notably amplified and significantly correlated with fibrosis(P < 0.0001). Interestingly, the individual performance of each angiopoietin for the diagnosis of cirrhosis reached notable AUC-ROC values(above 0.7, both), but the Ang2/Ang1 ratio was much better(AUC-ROC = 0.810) and displayed outstanding values of sensitivity(71%), specificity(84%) and accuracy(82.1%) at the optimal cut-off(10.33). Furthermore, Ang2/Ang1 ratio improved the performance of many other previously described biomarkers or scores of liver cirrhosis in CHC.CONCLUSION Ang2/Ang1 ratio might constitute a useful tool for monitoring the progression of chronic liver disease towards cirrhosis and play an important role as therapeutic target.