C-reactive protein to albumin ratio predict responses to programmed cell death-1 inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND Over the years,programmed cell death-1(PD-1)inhibitors have been routinely used for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)treatment and yielded improved survival outcomes.Nonetheless,significant heterogeneity surrounds the outcomes of most studies.Therefore,it is critical to search for biomarkers that predict the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors in patients with HCC.AIM To investigate the role of the C-reactive protein to albumin ratio(CAR)in evaluating the efficacy of PD-1 inhibitors for HCC.METHODS The clinical data of 160 patients with HCC treated with PD-1 inhibitors from January 2018 to November 2022 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS The optimal cut-off value for CAR based on progression-free survival(PFS)was determined to be 1.20 using x-tile software.Cox proportional risk model was used to determine the factors affecting prognosis.Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status[hazard ratio(HR)=1.754,95%confidence interval(95%CI)=1.045-2.944,P=0.033],CAR(HR=2.118,95%CI=1.057-4.243,P=0.034)and tumor number(HR=2.932,95%CI=1.246-6.897,P=0.014)were independent prognostic factors for overall survival.CAR(HR=2.730,95%CI=1.502-4.961,P=0.001),tumor number(HR=1.584,95%CI=1.003-2.500,P=0.048)and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio(HR=1.120,95%CI=1.022-1.228,P=0.015)were independent prognostic factors for PFS.Two nomograms were constructed based on independent prognostic factors.The C-index index and calibration plots confirmed that the nomogram is a reliable risk prediction tool.The ROC curve and decision curve analysis confirmed that the nomogram has a good predictive effect as well as a net clinical benefit.CONCLUSION Overall,we reveal that the CAR is a potential predictor of short-and long-term prognosis in patients with HCC treated with PD-1 inhibitors.If further verified,CAR-based nomogram may increase the number of markers that predict individualized prognosis.

Effects of salinity fluctuation and dietary protein/ carbohydrate ratio on the survival and growth of Juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei

A factorial study was conducted to determine the effects of salinity （constant （SO） and fluctuating （S10）） and isoenergetic diet of different protein/carbohydrate ratios （P/C： 4.1, 1.9, 1.0 and 0.6） on the survival and growth of juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. The experiment lasted for 35 days. The results showed that I） At S0 and S10, specific growth rate and apparent digestibility coefficient exhibited decreasing trend, while food conversion ratio exhibited increasing trend, with decreasing P/C ratio. At SO, food consumption and specific growth rate of the shrimp fed 4.1 P/C were significantly higher than those fed 1.0 and 0.6 P/C, whereas at S10, no significant differences were detected among different treatments; II） At 4.1 and 1.9 P/C, food consumption and specific growth rate were higher in the shrimp maintained at SO as compared with those at S10, while at 1.0 and 0.6 P/C, an inverse trend was observed. Among four P/C ratios, food conversion ratio of the shrimp at SO was the lowest.

C-reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio as a Prognostic Indicator in Posttraumatic Shock and Outcome of Multiple Trauma Patients

Objective C-reactive protein(CRP)/albumin ratio(CAR)is a new inflammation-based index for predicting the prognosis of various diseases.The CAR determined on admission may help to predict the prognostic value of multiple trauma patients.Methods A total of 264 adult patients with severe multiple trauma were included for the present retrospective study,together with the collection of relevant clinical and laboratory data.CAR,CRP,albumin,shock index and ISS were incorporated into the prognostic model,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn.Then,the shock index for patients with different levels of CAR was analyzed.Finally,univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent risk factors for the 28-day mortality of multiple trauma patients.Results A total of 36 patients had poor survival outcomes,and the mortality rate reached 13.6%.Furthermore,after analyzing the shock index for patients with different levels of CAR,it was revealed that the shock index was significantly higher when CAR was≥4,when compared to CAR<2 and 2≤CAR<4,in multiple trauma patients.The multivariate logistic analysis helped to identify the independent association between the variables CAR(P=0.029)and shock index(P=0.019),and the 28-day mortality of multiple trauma patients.Conclusion CAR is higher in patients with severe multiple trauma.Furthermore,CAR serves as a risk factor for independently predicting the 28-day mortality of multiple trauma patients.The shock index was significantly higher when CAR was≥4 in multiple trauma patients.

Changes of Tumor Necrosis Factor, Surfactant Protein A, and Phospholipids in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in the Development and Progression of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis

Objective To evaluate the alterations of biomarkers in the development and progression of coal workers＇ pneumoconiosis （CWP）. Methods The type and number of cells, and the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）, pulmonary surfactant protein, phospholipids and fibronectin in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were assayed in 14 health active coal miners, 21 coal miners without CWP and 13 miners with CWP of 0/1 to 1/1. Results Compared to active coal miners without CWP （8,23μg/mL）, TNF-α concentration was gradually decreased when dust exposure was stopped （5.90 μg/mL）. Elevated surfactant protein A （SP-A） level and phosphatidylglycerol （PG） to phosphatidylinositol （PI） ratio were found in miners actively exposed to coal dust （6528 μg/mL for SP-A and 10. for PG/P1）, and both parameters decreased when CWP progressed from CWP （0/1） （3419μg/mL for SP-A and 5.9 for PG/PI） to CWP （1/1） （1654 μg/mL for SP-A and 5.5 for PG/PI）. Conclusion Biomarkers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid can be used to screen coal miners at high risk of developing coal workers＇ pneumoconiosis.

The prognostic potential of pretreatment C-reactive protein to albumin ratio in stage IE/IIE extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma

Objective The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of the C-reactive protein-toalbumin ratio (CRP/Alb) for stage IE/IIE upper aerodigestive tract extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma patients. Methods One hundred and fourteen patients diagnosed with extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma at Sichuan Cancer Hospital from September 2011 to November 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. An optimal cutoff value of CRP/Alb for overall survival rate as an endpoint was obtained using the receiver operating curve (ROC). Results The optimal cutoff value of CRP/Alb was 0.15. For the low CRP/Alb group, the 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 78.6% and the 3-year overall survival (OS) was 80.7%. The 3-year PFS and OS values for the high CRP/Alb group were 41.6% and 45.2%, respectively. Differences for PFS (P < 0.001) and OS (P < 0.001) between the two groups were statistically significant. Univariate analysis showed that ECOG, IPI, CRP, GPS, and CRP/Alb were significantly associated with PFS. Similarly, all five were also significantly associated with OS. Multivariate analysis further confirmed that ECOG and CRP/ Alb were independent prognostic factors for both PFS and OS. Moreover, the cutoff value of CRP/Alb showed superior prognostic ability in discriminating between patients with different outcomes in low-risk group based on GPS, IPI, and KPI scores. Conclusion CRP/Alb is a promising prognostic marker for early-stage extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma.

Prognostic value of a nomogram model for postoperative liver metastasis of colon cancer

BACKGROUND Colon cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive system.Liver metastasis after colon cancer surgery is the primary cause of death in patients with colon cancer.AIM To construct a novel nomogram model including various factors to predict liver metastasis after colon cancer surgery.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 242 patients with colon cancer who were admitted and underwent radical resection for colon cancer in Zhejiang Provincial People’s Hospital from December 2019 to December 2022.Patients were divided into liver metastasis and non-liver metastasis groups.Sex,age,and other general and clinicopathological data(preoperative blood routine and biochemical test indexes)were compared.The risk factors for liver metastasis were analyzed using singlefactor and multifactorial logistic regression.A predictive model was then constructed and evaluated for efficacy.RESULTS Systemic inflammatory index(SII),C-reactive protein/albumin ratio(CAR),red blood cell distribution width(RDW),alanine aminotransferase,preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level,and lymphatic metastasis were different between groups(P<0.05).SII,CAR,and RDW were risk factors for liver metastasis after colon cancer surgery(P<0.05).The area under the curve was 0.93 for the column-line diagram prediction model constructed based on these risk factors to distinguish whether liver metastasis occurred postoperatively.The actual curve of the column-line diagram predicting the risk of postoperative liver metastasis was close to the ideal curve,with good agreement.The prediction model curves in the decision curve analysis showed higher net benefits for a larger threshold range than those in extreme cases,indicating that the model is safer.CONCLUSION Liver metastases after colorectal cancer surgery could be well predicted by a nomogram based on the SII,CAR,and RDW.

Effects of Different Protein Energy Ratios on Fattening Performance,Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality of Pigs

[Objectives]Protein energy ratio refers to the proportional relationship between protein and energy levels in animal diets,i.e.,the grams of crude protein corresponding to every megacalorie of energy,which is generally expressed as CP:ME or CP:DE.This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different diets on fattening and slaughter performance and meat quality traits for"L(Large Yorkshire)×L(Landrace)"crossbred pigs.[Methods]Eighteen piglets of L×L crossbred with similar body weights about 51 kg were selected.The piglets were divided into 3 groups randomly and each group was assigned to 3 replicates with 2 piglets in a replicate.Group A was fed diet Ⅰ (control diet),group B was fed the same diet of group A in the first month of the trial but fed diet Ⅱ in second month,and group C consumed diet Ⅲ.All the pigs were fed in the same feeding condition for two months except the different diets during the trial.One pig in similar body weight from each replicate was slaughtered for the determination of slaughter performance and meat quality traits in the end of the trial.[Results]The average daily feed intake(ADFI)of pigs from group B was only(2.32±0.52)kg and significantly lower than those from group A and group C(P<0.05),but no difference was found in average daily gain(ADG) and feed/gain(P>0.05).Also,no differences occurred in the carcass length,back fat thickness,longissimus muscle (LM) area and dressing percentage(P>0.05).In addition,no differences were found in the meat quality traits of shear force,meat color,pH_(45 min),pH_(24 h) and cooking loss(P>0.05).However,the water-holding capacity of meat from group C was(2.58±0.02)ms and significantly lower than that of(2.80±0.20)ms from group A(P<0.05).Although the contents of glutamic acid and cystine in LM from group B was significantly lower than those from group A and group C(P<0.05),no differences occurred in the contents of other amino acids,the total amino acid and total flavor amino acid among the three groups(P>0.05).However,the inosine monophosphate content of LM from group C was only(331.80±11.53)mg/100 g and significantly lower than those of(361.00±6.36)and(366.37±4.80)mg/100 g from group A and B(P<0.05).Even though no differences were found in the contents of DM and CP in LM among the three groups of pigs,the content of intramuscular fat(IMF)in LM from group B and group C was increased by 45.6%and 46.58%respectively from that of group A(P<0.05),but no difference occurred between group B and C(P>0.05).[Conclusions]DietsⅡ and Ⅲ in this study caused no differences in fattening and slaughter performance of L×L crossbred pigs,but the effects on some meat traits were still significant,especially on the improvement of intramuscular fat in experimental pigs.Therefore,they could improve the meat quality of crossbred pigs to a certain extent.

C-reactive Protein Level,Apolipoprotein B-to-apolipoprotein A-1 Ratio,and Risks of Ischemic Stroke and Coronary Heart Disease among Inner Mongolians in China

Objective We aimed to investigate the cumulative effect of high CRP level and apolipoprotein B-to-apolipoprotein A-1（ApoB/ApoA-1） ratio on the incidence of ischemic stroke（IS） or coronary heart disease（CHD） in a Mongolian population in China.Methods From June 2003 to July 2012,2589 Mongolian participants were followed up for IS and CHD events based on baseline investigation.All the participants were divided into four subgroups according to C-reactive protein（CRP） level and ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio.Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the hazard ratios（HRs） and 95% confidence intervals（CIs） for the IS and CHD events in all the subgroups.Results The HRs（95% CI） for IS and CHD were 1.33（0.84-2.12）,1.14（0.69-1.88）,and 1.91（1.17-3.11） in the ‘low CRP level with high ApoB/ApoA-1＇,‘high CRP level with low ApoB/ApoA-1＇,and ‘high CRP level with high ApoB/ApoA-1＇ subgroups,respectively,in comparison with the ‘low CRP level with low ApoB/ApoA-1＇ subgroup.The risks of IS and CHD events was highest in the ‘high CRP level with high ApoB/ApoA-1＇ subgroup,with statistical significance.Conclusion High CRP level with high ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio was associated with the highest risks of IS and CHD in the Mongolian population.This study suggests that the combination of high CRP and ApoB/ApoA-1 ratio may improve the assessment of future risk of developing IS and CHD in the general population.

Insulin-like growth factor-1, IGF binding protein-3, and the risk of esophageal cancer in a nested case-control study

To assess the relationship between serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1)/IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) and the risk of esophageal carcinoma.METHODSWe assessed the relationship between the serum levels of these molecules and the risk of esophageal cancer in a prospective, nested case-control study of participants from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. A baseline survey was conducted from 1988 to 1990. Of the 110585 enrolled participants, 35% donated blood samples. Those who had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer were considered cases for nested case-control studies. A conditional logistic model was used to estimate odds ratios for the incidence of esophageal cancer associated with serum IGF1 and IGFBP3 levels.RESULTSThirty-one cases and 86 controls were eligible for the present assessment. The molar ratio of IGF1/IGFBP3, which represents the free and active form of IGF1, was not correlated with the risk of esophageal carcinoma. A higher molar difference between IGFBP3 and IGF1, which estimates the free form of IGFBP3, was associated with a decreased risk of esophageal carcinoma (P = 0.0146), and people in the highest tertile had the lowest risk (OR = 0.107, 95%CI: 0.017-0.669). After adjustment for body mass index, tobacco use, and alcohol intake, the molar difference of IGFBP3-IGF1 was inversely correlated with the risk of esophageal carcinoma (P = 0.0150).CONCLUSIONThe free form of IGFBP3, which is estimated by this molar difference, may be inversely associated with esophageal cancer incidence.

Diagnostic and prognostic significance of the lymphocyte/C-reactive protein ratio,neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio,and D-dimer values in patients with COVID-19

In this study,our aim was to examine the diagnostic and prognostic significance of lymphocyte/C-reactiveprotein ratio(LCR),neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and D-dimer parameters in COVID-19 infection.The LCR,NLR,neutrophil count,mean platelet volume(MPV),C-reactive protein(CRP),and D-dimer parameters wereevaluated retrospectively.This was a retrospective cohort study with 1000 COVID-19 positive and 1000 healthycontrol groups,all over the age of 18 years.Odds ratio(OR)and 95%confidence interval(CI)values were calculatedfor each parameter found to be statistically significant in the univariate and multivariate logistic regression models.Herein,127(12.7%)of the COVID-19^(+)patients,whose data was included in this study,died.The neutrophil,MPV,CRP,D-dimer,and NLR values were higher in the COVID-19^(+)/deceased group than in the COVID-19^(+)/alive andcontrol groups(p<0.001,p<0.001,p<0.001,p<0.001,p<0.001).The lymphocyte and LCR values were lower inthe COVID-19^(+)/deceased group than in the COVID-19^(+)/alive and control groups(p<0.001,p<0.001).Variableswith statistically significance in predicting COVID-19 infection were lymphocyte,LCR,D-dimer,NLR,CRP,MPV,PLT,and neutrophil values.Statistically significant variables in predicting mortality due to COVID-19 were LCR,CRP,NLR,lymphocyte,D-dimer,neutrophil,and MPV values.A low LCR and high NLR are associated with thepresence,prognosis,and mortality due to COVID-19.LCR and NLR parameters can thus be used in clinicalmonitoring to reduce morbidity and mortality rates.

Synthesis of Photoactivatable Phospholipidic Probes

We synthesized and characterized photoactivatable phospholipidic probes 1-3. These probes have the perfluorinated aryl azide function at the polar head of phospholipid. They are stable in dark and become highly reactive upon photoirradiation. The preliminary results suggest that they are promising tools to study the topology of membrane proteins and protein-lipid interactions using photolabeling approach.

A study on liver mitochondria respiration and protein synthesis in cold adapted rats

Mitochondria were isolated from normal and cold adapted rat livers.The respiratory func-tion of mitochondria in rat livers,including ADP:O ratio(P/O)and the respiratory control ratio(RCR),was determined by oxygen electrode method,The protein synthesis in mitochondria wasstudied by observing the incorporation of[~3H]-Leucine into mitochondria.Polyacrylamide gelelectrophoresis was carried out to detect the changes of the inner membrane proteins.It was shownthat the P/O and RCR decreased in cold adapted rats in the 2nd and 4th weeks and returned tothe control level in the 6th week,the protein synthesis of mitochondria decreased significantly incold adapted rats in 1,2 and 4 weeks;the electrophoretic pattern of the inner membrane proteinsin mitochondria from cold adapted rat livers revealed some new bands.

Increased Spot Urinary Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio Can Be a Useful Predictor of Preeclampsia

Objectives: Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis of preeclampsia is important to help patients with preeclampsia. However, 24-hour urine collection is the gold standard diagnostic method at present. Recently, the spot urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (P/C ratio) has been used to detect suspected preeclampsia, because it can be used to estimate the amount of 24-hour urinary protein. The aim of this study is to investigate whether an increase in P/C ratio precedes emergence of hypertension among inpatients with preeclampsia. Method: The P/C ratio in normotensive (systolic blood pressure < 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg) pregnant women was measured during regular prenatal checkups and in inpatients with preeclampsia between April 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014. Results: We included in this study 4074 normotensive pregnant women. The 95th percentile values for the trimester of pregnancy were 0.100, 0.157, and 0.195, respectively. The 95th percentile value for each trimester of pregnancy and gestational age were determined as criterion (Y) and predictive variables (X), respectively. In a simple regression analysis, the regression line was calculated as Y = 0.0035X + 0.0849 (R2 = 0.9913). Twenty-one women were diagnosed with preeclampsia. In 14 patients with preeclampsia, the timing of the increase in P/C ratio to higher than the regression line preceded the emergence of hypertension. Six patients had no data on P/C ratio, and 1 patient had hypertension before the increase in P/C ratio. Conclusions: An increase in P/C ratio to higher than the 95th percentile value can be a useful predictor of preeclampsia.

In situ Detection of Amide A Bands of Proteins in Water by Raman Ratio Spectrum

The amide A band of protein is sensitive to the hydrogen bands of amide groups of proteins. However, it is hard to distinguish the amide A band of aqueous protein in situ directly, since it overlaps with O-H stretching vibration of water. In this work, we presented a new analytical method of Raman ratio spectrum, which can extract the amide A band of proteins in water. To obtain the Raman ratio spectrum, the Raman spectrum of aqueous protein was divided by that of pure water. A mathematical simulation was employed to examine whether Raman ratio spectrum is effective. Two kinds of protein, lysozyme and （^-chymotrypsin were employed. The amide A bands of them in water were extracted from Raman ratio spectra. Additionally, the process of thermal denaturation of lysozyme was detected from Raman ratio spectrum. These results demonstrated the Raman ratio spectra could be employed to study the amide A modes of proteins in water.

Effects of dietary protein/energy ratio on growth performance,carcass trait,meat quality,and plasma metabolites in pigs of different genotypes

Background： The protein/energy ratio is important for the production performance and utilization of available feed resources by animals. Increased protein consumption by mammals leads to elevated feed costs and increased nitrogen release into the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary protein/energy ratio on the growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and plasma metabolites of pigs of different genotypes. Methods： Bama mini-pigs and Landrace pigs were randomly assigned to two dietary treatment groups （Chinese conventional diet with low protein/energy ratio or National Research Council diet with high protein/energy ratio; n = 24 per treatment） in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement. Blood and muscle samples were collected at the end of the nursery, growing, and finishing phases. Results： We observed significant interactions （P 〈 0.05） between breed and diet for total fat percentage, intramuscular fat （IMF） content, protein content in biceps femoris （BF） muscle, and plasma urea nitrogen （UN） concentration in the nursery phase; for average daily gain （ADG）, average daily feed intake （ADFI）, dry matter, IMF content in psoas major （PM） muscle, and plasma total protein and albumin concentrations in the growing phase; and for drip loss and plasma UN concentration in the finishing phase. Breed influenced （P 〈 0.05） growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality, but not plasma metabolites. Throughout the trial, Landrace pigs showed significantly higher （P 〈 0.0_5） ADG, ADFI, dressing percentage, lean mass rate, and loin-eye area than did Bama mini-pigs, but significantly lower （P 〈 0.0.5） feed/gain ratio, fat percentage, backfat thickness, and IMF content. Dietary protein/energy ratio influenced the pH value, chemical composition of BF and PM muscles, and plasma activities of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, and plasma concentration of UN. Conclusions： Compared with Landrace pigs, Bama mini-pigs showed slower growth and lower carcass performance, but had better meat quality. Moreover, unlike Landrace pigs, the dietary protein/energy ratio did not affect the growth performance of Bama mini-pigs. These results suggest that, in swine production, low dietary protein/energy ratio may be useful for reducing feed costs and minimizing the adverse effects of ammonia release into the environment.

Relationship Between Leaf C/N Ratio and Insecticidal Protein Expression in Bt Cotton as Affected by High Temperature and N Rate

Expression of insecticidal protein for transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis （Bt） cotton is unstable and related to nitrogen metabolism. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between leaf carbon nitrogen ratio （C/N） and insecticidal efficacy of two Bt cotton cultivars. C/N ratio and Bt protein content were both measured at peak square period and peak boll period respectively under 5-7 d high temperature and different nitrogen fertilizer rates on the Yangzhou University Farm and the Ludong Cotton Farm, China. All plants were grown in field. The results showed that the C/N ratio enhanced slightly and the Bt protein content remained stable at peak square period, but significant increases for the C/N ratio and decreases markedly for the leaf Bt protein concentration were detected at the peak boll period. The similar patterns at the two growth periods were found for the leaf C/N ratio and Bt protein content by different N fertilizer treatments. When nitrogen rate was from 0 to 600 kg ha-l, the C/N ratio was reduced by 0.017 and 0.006 for Sikang 1 and Sikang 3 at peak square period, compared to the 1.350 to 1.143 reduction for Sikang 1 and Sikang 3 at peak boll period, respectively. Correspondingly, the leaf Bt protein contents were bolstered by 2.6-11.8 and 26.9-36.9% at the two different growth periods, respectively. The results suggested that enhanced C/N ratio by high temperature and nitrogen application may result in the reduction of inseetiocidal efficacy in Bt cotton, especially in peak boll period.

Effects of cell membrane phospholipid level and protein kinase C isoenzyme expression on hepatic metastasis of colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The molecular mechanism of hepaticmetastasis of colorectal cancer is not well understood. Theaim of this study was to assess the relations between phos-pholipid contents of cellular membrane and isoenzyme ex-pression of protein kinase C (PKC) and their effects on he-patic metastasis of colorectal cancer.METHODS: High performance liquid chromatography wasused to detect contents of cell membrane phospholipids:phosphatidylinosital (PI), phosphatidylserine (PS), phos-phatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC)in primary foci, paratumor mucosa and hepatic metastaticfoci in patients with colorectal carcinoma. The mRNA ex-pression levels of PKC-α, -δ, -ε, -λ, -ξ isoenzymeswere detected with the QRT-PCR technique.RESULTS: The levels of PI, PC and PE in primary foci andhepatic metastatic foci were higher than those in paratumormucosa. The level of PE in hepatic metastatic foci wasmuch higher than that in primary foci (t =98.88, P <0.01);but the levels of PI and PC were not significantly differentbetween primary foci and hepatic metastatic foci (t =1.73 ,1.36, P>0.05). The expression levels of -δ, -ε,-λ, -ξ were enhanced in primary foci and hepatic metasta-tic foci, but the level of PKC-α in primary foci was de-creased as compared with that in paratumor mucosa. Thelevels of PKC-δ, -ε, -λ, -ξ in hepatic metastatic foci werehigher than those in primary foci. A positive correlationwas observed between the expression levels of PI, PC andand also between those of PE and PKC-δ, -ε, -λ,-ξ. However, there was a close negative correlation be-tween PE and PKC-α.CONCLUSION: Increased levels of PI and PC and de-creased ratio of PKC-α to are related to colorectalcancer genesis. Increased levels of PE, increased expressionof PKC-δ, -ε, -λ, -ξ isoenzymes and decreased level ofPKC-α are related to hepatic metastasis in colorectal carci-noma.

Interleukin-6 and ratio of plasma interleukin-6/interleukin-10 as risk factors of symptomatic lumbar osteoarthritis

AIM To determine the role of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP), interleukin(IL)-6, IL-10 and ratio of IL-6/IL-10 as risk factors of symptomatic lumbar osteoarthritis(OA) in postmenopausal women with estrogen deficiency.METHODS Case-control study had been conducted in Sanglah General Hospital from October 2015 until March 2016. The blood samples were obtained and analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).RESULTS From 44 pairs of samples which divided into 44 samples as case group and 44 samples as control group showed that high level of COMP in estrogen deficiency postmenopausal women were not at risk(OR = 0.7; 95%CI: 0.261-1.751; P = 0.393) for symptomatic lumbar OA(cut-off point 0.946). Estrogen deficiency in postmenopausal women with the high level of IL-6 had 2.7 times risk(OR = 2.7; 95%CI: 0.991-8.320; P = 0.033) for symptomatic lumbar OA from the low level of IL-6(cut-off point 2.264). At lower level of IL-10, there was no risk for symptomatic lumbar OA(OR = 0.6; 95%CI: 0.209-1.798; P = 0.345) than with the higher level of IL-10(cut-off point 6.049). While the high ratio of IL-6/IL-10 level in estrogen deficiency postmenopausal women gave 3.4 times risk(OR = 3.4; 95%CI: 1.204-11.787; P = 0.011)for symptomatic lumbar OA than the low ratio of IL-6/IL-10 level(cut-off point 0.364).CONCLUSION High ratio of IL-6/IL-10 plasma level was the highest risk factor for causing symptomatic lumbar OA in postmenopausal women with estrogen deficiency.

Cell multiplication, apoptosis and p-Akt protein expression of bone mesenchymal stem cells of rat under hypoxia environment

Objective ：To elucidate whether cell multiplication, apoptosis, glucose intake and p-Akt protein expression of bone Mesenchyreal Stem Cells（MSCs） of rats is influenced by a hypoxic environment ex vivo. Methods ：Passage 3 of bone marrow MSCs taken from Wistar rats,were cultured in a culturing chamber with 94%N2,1%O2,5%CO2 at 37℃. At different hypoxia time points ,0,0.5, 1,4 and 8 h, glucose uptake was assayed by using radiation isotope ^3H-G, Apoptotic Rate（AR） and dead rate（DR） were analyzed by flow cytometry（FCM） after Annexin V/PI staining, cell multiplication（by MTr methods） and p-Akt protein by immunocytochemistry and western blot. Results ：Assay for CD29^± ,CD44^± ,CD71^± ,CD34^-, Tn T^±（after 5-azacytidine agent inducing） and ALP^±（after bone differentiation agent inducing） suggested these bone-derived cells were MSCs. The ^3H-G intaking ratio （CPM/ flask value：157 ± 11,110 ± 11,107 ± 13,103 ± 10,100 ± 9 and 98 ± 10） of MSCs at different hypoxia time points, significantly decreased compared to that of normoxia（P 〈 0.01） and tended to descend slowly with hypoxia time duration, for which there was no statistical significance（P 〉 0.05）. The AR（0.09 ± 2.03%,12.9 ± 1.72%,13.7 ± 2.26%,13.8 ± 3.01%,14.1 ± 2.78% and 14.7 ± 4.01% at 0,0.5,1,4 and 8 h,respectively,P 〈 0.01） and DR （0.04, ± 1.79% ,0.93 ± 1.85% ,3.11 ± 2.14% ,4.09 ± 2.36% ,4.72 ± 2.05% and 4.91 ± 3.72% at 0,0.5,1,4 and 8 h, respectively, P 〈 0.05） at different hypoxia time points significantly increased compared to those time in normoxia; The AR further went up with time （P 〈 0.05）, however there was no statistical significance （P 〉 0.05） for the DR. Optical absorption value of MTr methods at different hypoxia time points significantly decreased compared to those with a corresponding normoxia time （P 〈 0.01） and degraded with time （in an hypoxic environment -P 〈 0.01）. IOD of p-Akt protein of MSCs at different hypoxia time points significantly increased （0.367 ± 0.031,0.556 ± 0.023,0.579 ± 0.013, 0.660 ± 0.024, 0.685 ± 0.039 and 0.685 ± 0.011, respectively） compared to their equivalents in normoxia （P〈0.05）, however, there was no statistical significance （P 〉 0.05） for different hypoxia time points. Hypoxia may result in ultramicrostructure changes, such as defluvium of Microvilli, apoptotic body, ＂margination＂ and so on and are further aggravated with hypoxia time stretching. Conclusion： Hypoxia may lead to a depression of MSCs intaldng glucose, creep of cell multiplication, upregulation of p-Akt protein and apoptosis of MSCs ex vivo.

Effect of Different Dietary Protein and Lipid Levels on the Growth,Body Composition,and Intestinal Digestive Enzyme Activities of Juvenile Yellow Drum Nibea albiflora(Richardson)

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimal dietary protein-to-lipid ratio for juvenile Nibea albiflora with an initial weight of(11.76 ± 0.20) g.Nine experimental diets containing different concentrations of protein(40%,47%,or 54%) and lipids(5%,9%,or 13%) in a 3 × 3 factorial experimental design were tested in triplicate groups of fish,while the protein-to-energy(P/E) ratios of the diets varied in the range of 19.74–28.32 mg k J^(-1).Results showed that fish fed diets containing 9% or 13% lipids with 54% protein exhibited significantly higher weight gains and specific growth rates than those fed other diets.The feed conversion rate of fish fed the diet with 40% protein and 5% lipids was significantly poorer than that of fish fed other diets.The protein efficiency rate of fish fed diets with 5% lipids was significantly lower than that of fish fed 9% or 13% lipid diets.Carcass lipid and energy contents were positively correlated with dietary lipid level regardless of protein level.Fish fed a 54% protein diet showed the highest trypsin activity.The intestinal lipase activity of fish fed the diet containing 13% lipids was significantly higher than that of fish fed 5% or 9% lipid diets.These results demonstrate the high protein dietary requirements of N.albiflora.A diet containing 54% protein and 9%–13% lipids with a P/E ratio of 26.2–27.81 mg protein k J^(-1) can be considered optimal for juvenile N.albiflora.