Overexpression pattern,function,and clinical value of proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 6 in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND In recent years,many studies have shown that proteasome 26S subunit non-ATPase 6(PSMD6)plays an important role in the occurrence and development of malignant tumours.Unfortunately,there are no reports on the evaluation of the potential role of PSMD6 in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).AIM To comprehensively evaluate the overexpression pattern and clinical significance of PSMD6 in HCC tissues.METHODS This study integrated PSMD6 mRNA expression profiles from 4672 HCC and 3667 non-HCC tissues,along with immunohistochemical scores from 383 HCC and adjacent tissues,to assess PSMD6 overexpression in HCC.Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats knockout technology evaluated PSMD6’s essential role in HCC cell growth.Functional enrichment analysis explored the molecular mechanism of PSMD6 abnormalities in HCC.Drug sensitivity analysis and molecular docking analysed the effect of abnormal expression of PSMD6 on the drug sensitivity of HCC cells.RESULTS The results of 41 external and two internal datasets showed that PSMD6 mRNA(SMD=0.26,95%CI:0.09-0.42,P<0.05)and protein(SMD=2.85,95%CI:1.19-4.50,P<0.05)were significantly overexpressed in HCC tissues.The integrated analysis results showed that PSMD6 had a significant overexpression pattern in HCC tissues(SMD=0.40,95%CI:0.15-0.66,P<0.05).PSMD6 knockout inhibited HCC cell growth(chronos scores<-1).Functional enrichment implicated ribosome biogenesis and RNA splicing.Significant enrichment of signalling pathways such as RNA degradation,ribosomes,and chemical carcinogenesis—reactive oxygen species.Drug sensitivity analysis and a molecular docking model showed that high expression of PSMD6 was associated with the tolerance of HCC cells to drugs such as ML323,sepantronium bromide,and GDC0810.Overexpressed PSMD6 effectively distinguished HCC tissues(AUC=0.75,95%CI:0.71-0.79).CONCLUSION This study was the first to discover that PSMD6 was overexpressed in HCC tissues.PSMD6 is essential for the growth of HCC cells and may be involved in ribosome biogenesis and RNA splicing.

Integrating Electronic Systems for Requesting Clinical Laboratory Test into Digital Clinical Records: Design and Implementation

Clinical laboratory tests are basic elements that support healthcare tasks such as disease detection, diagnosis and monitoring of response to treatments. Current laboratory information systems focus on the patient database, tests and results, with multiple modules available, connecting with the various analytical systems or work areas. However laboratory information systems functioned as “islands of information”, because their design was fundamentally inward-looking and disconnected from other healthcare computer applications. Actually, the Electronic Health Register (EHR) is considered by clinicians as a tool with great potential healthcare benefits. The EHR, in the sense of a unique and complete record of a patient’s healthcare and state of health, regardless of the healthcare level used, is a real attempt to eliminate these “islands of information” and need modules to act as “bridges” with the laboratory information systems. This type of module, which in generic terms may be referred to as a laboratory test request module, has become an essential feature of the EHR. These modules need to use a laboratory coding system as a common language for exchanging information, ensuring that tests and results are unequivocally identified. The development of the laboratory test request module requires the commitment of professionals and political authorities, being necessary time for their design and an adequate pilot phase. The laboratory professionals have to assume a leadership role in the whole process of design, development and implementation of these modules, integrating in the equipment of information technologies of healthcare providers. In our manuscript we review the elements that may prove electronic systems for requesting clinical laboratory test into digital clinical records and the key elements to move from theory to practice.

Clinical significance of peripheral blood immune cells in patients with gastric cancer after surgery

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide,and surgical resection is one of the main ways to treat gastric cancer.However,the immune status of postoperative patients is crucial for prognosis and survival,and immune cells play an important role in this process.Therefore,it is helpful to understand the immune status of postoperative patients by evaluating the levels of peripheral blood immune cells,especially total T cells(CD3+),helper T cells(CD3+CD4+),and suppressor T cells(CD3+CD8+),and its relationship to sur-vival.AIM To analyzed the immune cells in peripheral blood of patients with gastric cancer after surgery,detect the levels of total T cells,helper T cells and suppressor T cells.METHODS A total of 58 patients with gastric cancer who received surgical treatment were included in the retrospective study.Flow cytometry was used to detect the level of peripheral blood immune cells and analyze the correlation between total T cells,helper T cells and inhibitory T cells.To explore the relationship between these immune markers and patient survival.RESULTS The results showed that the levels of total T cells,helper T cells,and suppressor T cells changed in patients after gastric cancer surgery.There was a significant positive correlation between total T cells,helper T cells and suppressor T cells(r=0.35,P<0.01;r=0.56,P<0.01).However,there was a negative correlation between helper T cells and suppressor T cells(r=-0.63,P<0.01).Follow-up showed that the survival rate of patients in the high-level total T cell group was significantly higher than that in the low-level group(28.87±24.98 months vs 18.42±16.21 months).The survival curve shows that the curve of patients in the high-level group is shifted to the upper right,and that of the low-level group is shifted downward.There was no significant difference between the levels of helper T cells and suppressor T cells and patient survival time.CONCLUSION By detecting peripheral blood immune cells with flow cytometry,we can initially evaluate the immune status of patients after gastric cancer surgery and initially explore its relationship with patient survival.

Clinical risk factors for preterm birth and evaluating maternal psychology in the postpartum period

BACKGROUND Although the specific pathogenesis of preterm birth(PTB)has not been thoroughly clarified,it is known to be related to various factors,such as pregnancy complications,maternal socioeconomic factors,lifestyle habits,reproductive history,environmental and psychological factors,prenatal care,and nutritional status.PTB has serious implications for newborns and families and is associated with high mortality and complications.Therefore,the prediction of PTB risk can facilitate early intervention and reduce its resultant adverse consequences.AIM To analyze the risk factors for PTB to establish a PTB risk prediction model and to assess postpartum anxiety and depression in mothers.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 648 consecutive parturients who delivered at Shenzhen Bao’an District Songgang People’s Hospital between January 2019 and January 2022 was performed.According to the diagnostic criteria for premature infants,the parturients were divided into a PTB group(n=60)and a full-term(FT)group(n=588).Puerperae were assessed by the Self-rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and Self rating Depression Scale(SDS),based on which the mothers with anxiety and depression symptoms were screened for further analysis.The factors affecting PTB were analyzed by univariate analysis,and the related risk factors were identified by logistic regression.RESULTS According to univariate analysis,the PTB group was older than the FT group,with a smaller weight change and greater proportions of women who underwent artificial insemination and had gestational diabetes mellitus(P<0.05).In addition,greater proportions of women with reproductive tract infections and greater white blood cell(WBC)counts(P<0.05),shorter cervical lengths in the second trimester and lower neutrophil percentages(P<0.001)were detected in the PTB group than in the FT group.The PTB group exhibited higher postpartum SAS and SDS scores than did the FT group(P<0.0001),with a higher number of mothers experiencing anxiety and depression(P<0.001).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a greater maternal weight change,the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus,a shorter cervical length in the second trimester,a greater WBC count,and the presence of maternal anxiety and depression were risk factors for PTB(P<0.01).Moreover,the risk score of the FT group was lower than that of the PTB group,and the area under the curve of the risk score for predicting PTB was greater than 0.9.CONCLUSION This study highlights the complex interplay between postpartum anxiety and PTB,where maternal anxiety may be a potential risk factor for PTB,with PTB potentially increasing the incidence of postpartum anxiety in mothers.In addition,a greater maternal weight change,the presence of gestational diabetes mellitus,a shorter cervical length,a greater WBC count,and postpartum anxiety and depression were identified as risk factors for PTB.

Molecular Epidemiology and Clinical Characteristics of Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in North Sichuan Region, China, 2018-2023: A Descriptive Study

Background: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) remains an important public health problem in China. Many studies on the epidemiological characteristics of HFMD have been reported, but studies in North Sichuan region have been neglected. Methods: HFMD-related enterovirus infected cases were clinically confirmed and underwent real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCR) from May 2018 to October 2023 in Guangyuan Central Hospital. Results: During 2018-2023, other EV (437 cases, 81.08%) was the most predominant serotype followed by CV-A16 (94 cases, 17.44%), EV-A71 (8 cases, 1.48%) was the least predominant serotype. Peak infections occurred in July and October. There were no significant differences in gender, age and serotypes. HFMD was concentrated in children under 47 months of age, with the highest incidence in children aged 12 - 23 months and the highest proportion of other EV infections in the whole age group. COVID-19 did not cause significant changes in gender, age and serotype. Overall, there was a significant increase in the proportion of children aged 12 - 23 months infected with CV-A16, and an increase in the proportion of children aged over 36 months infected with other EVs. Conclusions: The incidence of HFMD caused by EV-A71 has decreased significantly, and other EVs have become the main pathogens of HFMD in North Sichuan region in recent years. In the prevention and control of CV-A16, more attention should be paid to children aged 12 - 23 months and the dominant serotype should be closely monitored. Our study highlights the importance of developing of new diagnostic reagents and vaccines for the prevention and control of enterovirus infection. This study for the first time provides insights into district interventions to local conditions.

Clinical Application of Sex Hormone in Different Physiological Periods in the Diagnosis of Infertility Patients

Background: Infertility is characterized by the inability to conceive after a year of regular unprotected intercourse. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of sex hormone levels during different physiological periods in the diagnosis of infertility patients. Methods: From December 2019 to May 2021, a total of 93 infertility patients were admitted and selected as the observation group. Among them, 31 cases were in the follicular stage, 31 cases in the ovulation stage, and 31 cases in the luteal stage. Ninety-three healthy women for fertility evaluation due to male infertility were selected as the control group. The control group included 31 women in the follicular phase, 31 women in the ovulatory phase, and 31 women in the luteal phase. The levels of sex hormones (prolactin (PRL), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), and progesterone (P)) during different physiological phases were compared between the observation and control groups. Results: The follicular phase showed no significant difference in LH levels between the observation group and the control group. The observation group showed higher levels of PRL and P compared to the control group, while the levels of FSH, E2, and T were lower in the observation group compared to the control group. The ovulation phase showed no significant difference in PRL levels between the two groups. The observation group showed lower levels of LH, FSH, E2, T, and P compared to the control group. The luteal phase showed no statistical difference in E2 levels between the two groups. The observation group showed higher levels of PRL, LH, and FSH compared to the control group, while the levels of T and P were lower in the observation group compared to the control group. Conclusion: Infertile women show variations in hormone levels compared to the normal levels during the follicular phase, ovulatory phase, and luteal phase.

BIBR1532 inhibits proliferation and metastasis of esophageal squamous cancer cells by inducing telomere dysregulation

BACKGROUND Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)is a malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality,and easy to develop resistance to chemotherapeutic agents.Telomeres are DNA-protein complexes located at the termini of chro-mosomes in eukaryotic cells,which are unreplaceable in maintaining the stability and integrity of genome.Telomerase,an RNA-dependent DNA polymerase,play vital role in telomere length maintain,targeting telomerase is a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer.KYSE150 and KYSE410 cells were cultured and exposed to various concentrations of BIBR1532.Cell viability was assessed at 48 hours and 72 hours to determine the IC50 values.The effects of BIBR1532 on ESCC cell proliferation,migration,and cellular senescence were evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 assay,plate colony formation assay,scratch assay,transwell assay,andβ-galactosidase staining,respectively.Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of RESULTS The IC50 values for KYSE150 and KYSE410 cells after 48 hours of BIBR1532 exposure were 48.53μM and 39.59μM,respectively.These values decreased to 37.22μM and 22.71μM,respectively,following a longer exposure of 72 hours.BIBR1532 exhibited dose-dependent effects on KYSE150 and KYSE410 cells,including decreased hTERT expression,inhibition of proliferation and metastasis,and induction of cellular senescence.Mechanistically,BIBR1532 upregulated the expression of the DDR protein,γ-H2AX,and activated the ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein(ATR)/check point kinase 1(CHK-1)and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated gene(ATM)/CHK2 pathways.BIBR1532 downregulated the expression of telomere-binding proteins,including telomeric-repeat binding factor 1(TRF1),TRF2,protection of telomeres 1,and TIN2-interacting protein 1.In a nude mouse xenograft model,BIBR1532 significantly suppressed tumor growth,reduced hTERT expression,and increasedγ-H2AX protein levels.Hematoxylin and eosin staining of various organs,including the heart,liver,spleen,lungs,and kidneys,revealed no apparent adverse effects.CONCLUSION BIBR1532 exerts anti-cancer effects on ESCC by inducing DDR through the ATR/CHK1 and ATM/CHK2 pathways and downregulating the expression of telomere-binding proteins.

Decreased levels of phosphorylated synuclein in plasma are correlated with poststroke cognitive impairment

Poststro ke cognitive impairment is a major secondary effect of ischemic stroke in many patients;however,few options are available for the early diagnosis and treatment of this condition.The aims of this study were to(1)determine the specific relationship between hypoxic andα-synuclein during the occur of poststroke cognitive impairment and(2)assess whether the serum phosphorylatedα-synuclein level can be used as a biomarker for poststro ke cognitive impairment.We found that the phosphorylatedα-synuclein level was significantly increased and showed pathological aggregation around the cerebral infa rct area in a mouse model of ischemic stroke.In addition,neuronalα-synuclein phosphorylation and aggregation were observed in the brain tissue of mice subjected to chronic hypoxia,suggesting that hypoxia is the underlying cause ofα-synuclein-mediated pathology in the brains of mice with ischemic stroke.Serum phosphorylatedα-synuclein levels in patients with ischemic stroke were significantly lower than those in healt hy subjects,and were positively correlated with cognition levels in patients with ischemic stroke.Furthermore,a decrease in serum high-density lipoprotein levels in stroke patie nts was significantly correlated with a decrease in phosphorylatedα-synuclein levels.Although ischemic stroke mice did not show significant cognitive impairment or disrupted lipid metabolism 14 days after injury,some of them exhibited decreased cognitive function and reduced phosphorylatedα-synuclein levels.Taken together,our results suggest that serum phosphorylatedα-synuclein is a potential biomarker for poststroke cognitive impairment.

Microglia lactylation in relation to central nervous system diseases

The development of neurodegenerative diseases is closely related to the disruption of central nervous system homeostasis.Microglia,as innate immune cells,play important roles in the maintenance of central nervous system homeostasis,injury response,and neurodegenerative diseases.Lactate has been considered a metabolic waste product,but recent studies are revealing ever more of the physiological functions of lactate.Lactylation is an important pathway in lactate function and is involved in glycolysis-related functions,macrophage polarization,neuromodulation,and angiogenesis and has also been implicated in the development of various diseases.This review provides an overview of the lactate metabolic and homeostatic regulatory processes involved in microglia lactylation,histone versus non-histone lactylation,and therapeutic approaches targeting lactate.Finally,we summarize the current research on microglia lactylation in central nervous system diseases.A deeper understanding of the metabolic regulatory mechanisms of microglia lactylation will provide more options for the treatment of central nervous system diseases.

Clinical significance of serum miR-21 in breast cancer compared with CA153 and CEA

Objective： MicroRNA-21 （miR-21） has been shown to be a key regulator of carcinogenesis. There were few reports about the comparison of serum miR-21 with conventional tumor markers. This study aimed to explore the diagnostic value of circulating miR-21 as a tumor marker in breast cancer （BC） and compare it with CA15 3 and carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA）. Methods： Circulating miR-16 and miR-21 were amplified and quantitatively detected by real-time PCR in 89 BC patients and 55 healthy controls. The levels of CA153 and CEA were measured through assays. Then the sensitivity in diagnosis of BC was compared among miR-21, CA153 and CEA. Results： The level of serum miR-21 was significantly higher in BC patients than controls （P〈0.001）. The sensitivity and specificity of miR-21 were 87.6% and 87.3%, respectively, whereas the sensitivities of CEA and CA153 were only 22.47% and 15.73%. Con^lusions： Compared with CEA and CA153, serum miR-21 has a higher sensitivity in diagnosis of BC. Although not correlated with the status of ER, PR and clinical stages, serum miR-21 may be a potential diagnostic indicator for BC, especially for the early stage.

Changes of serum p53 antibodies and clinical signifi cance of radiotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

AIM： To explore the relationship between serum p53 antibodies （p53-Abs） and clinicopathological characteristics and therapeutic effect in patients with esophageal carcinoma （EC）, and to investigate sequential changing regularity of serum pS3-Abs after radiotherapy. METHODS： The serum pS3-Ab levels were detected in 46 EC patients and 30 healthy adults by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The blood samples were collected on the day before radiotherapy and on the administration of an irradiation dose of 20 Gy/10 f/12 d, 40 Gy/20 f/24 d and 60 Gy/30 f/36 d after radiotherapy. RESULTS： The level and positive rate of serum pS3-Abs in EC patients were significantly higher than those in normal individuals （P 〈 0.05）. Serum anti-p53 antibodies were positive in 18 of 46 EC patients （39.1%）. The positive rate of pS3-Abs in EC was related to histological grade, disease stage and lymph node metastasis （P 〈 0.05）, but it was not significantly related to sex, age and to the size and site of tumor. The level and positive rate of p53-Abs had significant differences between before radiotherapy and after administration of an irradiation dose of 40 Gy/20 f/24 d and 60 Gy/30 f/36 d （P 〈 0.05 orP 〈 0.01）. The positive rate of p53-Abs in EC patients with effect was significantly lower than that in those without effect after radiotherapy （P 〈 0.0001）.CONCLUSION： Detection of serum p53-Abs is helpful to the diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma. Monitoring for sequential change of serum p53-Abs before and after radiotherapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma is also useful to evaluate the response to the treatment and prognosis of the patients.

Clinical and Sonographic Assessment of Cervical Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to assess the differences in clinical and sonographic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma（PTC） between cervical lymph node metastatic（CLNM） and nonmetastatic groups.Clinical data of PTC patients（414 patients with 624 malignant nodules） who underwent a preoperative ultrasonography and surgery between June 2010 and March 2015 at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University were retrospectively analyzed.Clinical factors,preoperative ultrasound features and the final pathological findings were obtained.The differences in the sonographic features of PTC between the CLNM group and the non-CLNM group were analyzed.There were 187 CLNM and 227 non-CLNM patients.The median age at the diagnosis of this cohort was 45.4 years old（ranging from 18 to 77 years）.Ultrasonographic parameters that were significantly associated with CLNM [OR=2.569（1.502,4.393）,P〈0.001）] were as follows：the mulifocality of the nodules,size over 2 cm,the presence of microcalcifications,the distance ratio（DR） pattern showing the contact of the nodules with the thyroid capsule,and the extracapsular spread of the nodules.No significant differences in age,gender,thyroid stimulating hormone（TSH） levels and other ultrasonography parameters were found between the CLNM and the non-CLNM groups.Therefore,our results suggest that a larger size,microcalcifications,mulifocality,and the DR pattern showing the contact of the nodules with the thyroid capsule and extracapsular spread are significantly more indicative of CLNM in PTC.

Increased frequency and clinical significance of myeloidderived suppressor cells in human colorectal carcinoma

AIM： To investigate the frequency and clinical signifi- cance of the myeloid-derived suppressor cells （MDSC） in human colorectal carcinoma （CRC）. METHODS： Samples of peripheral blood and tumor tis- sue from 49 CRC patients were analyzed. Mononuclear cells were isolated by FicolI-Hypaque density gradient centrifugation and were subjected to a flow cytometry- based immunophenotypic analysis. RESULTS： A considerable increase in the percentage of CD33＋HLA-DR MDSCs was observed in the periph- eral blood （1.89% ：1= 0.75%） and tumor tissues （2.99%±1.29%） of CRC patients as compared with that in theperipheral blood of healthy controls （0.54%±0.35%）. This expanded CD33＋HLA-DR subset exhibited imma- ture myeloid cell markers, but not lineage markers, and showed up-regulation of CD18/CD11b expression as compared with the MDSCs from healthy donors. Fur- ther studies showed that the MDSC proportion in CRC peripheral blood was correlated with nodal metastasis （P = 0.023）, whereas that in tumor tissues was cor- related with nodal/distant metastasis （P = 0.016/P = 0.047） and tumor stage （P = 0.028）, suggesting the involvement of MDSCs in CRC tumor development. CONCLUSION： Characterization of MDSCs in CRC sug- gests the clinical significance of circulating and tumor- infiltrating MDSCs and may provide new insights into the CRC immunotherapy targeting MDSCs.

Pre-clinical study of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for the treatment of traumatic brain injury: safety evaluation from immunogenic and oncogenic perspectives

Stem cell therapy is a promising strategy for the treatment of traumatic brain injury(TBI). However, animal experiments are needed to evaluate safety;in particular, to examine the immunogenicity and tumorigenicity of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hu MSCs) before clinical application. In this study, hu MSCs were harvested from human amniotic membrane and umbilical cord vascular tissue. A rat model of TBI was established using the controlled cortical impact method. Starting from the third day after injury, the rats were injected with 10 μL of 5 × 10^(6)/m L hu MSCs by cerebral stereotaxis or with 500 μL of 1 × 10^(6)/m L hu MSCs via the tail vein for 3 successive days. hu MSC transplantation decreased the serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines in rats with TBI and increased the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby exhibiting good immunoregulatory function. The transplanted hu MSCs were distributed in the liver, lung and brain injury sites. No abnormal proliferation or tumorigenesis was found in these organs up to 12 months after transplantation. The transplanted hu MSCs negligibly proliferated in vivo, and apoptosis was gradually observed at later stages. These findings suggest that hu MSC transplantation for the treatment of traumatic brain injury displays good safety. In addition, hu MSCs exhibit good immunoregulatory function, which can help prevent and reduce secondary brain injury caused by the rapid release of inflammatory factors after TBI. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Wuhan General Hospital of PLA(approval No. 20160054) on November 1, 2016.

Autoantibodies: Potential clinical applications in early detection of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma(EGJA)are the two main types of gastrointestinal cancers that pose a huge threat to human health.ESCC remains one of the most common malignant diseases around the world.In contrast to the decreasing prevalence of ESCC,the incidence of EGJA is rising rapidly.Early detection represents one of the most promising ways to improve the prognosis and reduce the mortality of these cancers.Current approaches for early diagnosis mainly depend on invasive and costly endoscopy.Non-invasive biomarkers are in great need to facilitate earlier detection for better clinical management of patients.Tumor-associated autoantibodies can be detected at an early stage before manifestations of clinical signs of tumorigenesis,making them promising biomarkers for early detection and monitoring of ESCC and EGJA.In this review,we summarize recent insights into the iden-tification and validation of tumor-associated autoantibodies for the early detection of ESCC and EGJA and discuss the challenges remaining for clinical validation.

Micro RNA-378a-3p Downregulation as a Novel Biomarker with Poor Clinical Outcomes in Cervical Cancer

Objective Cervical cancer(CC)is one of the most common malignant tumors in gynecology.This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of serum micro RNA(mi R)-378 a-3 p in CC and the effect of mi R-378 a-3 p on tumor growth.Methods Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was used to measure the expression of mi R-378 a-3 p in serum from patients with CC and healthy control subjects as well as from CC tissues and adjacent normal tissues.The association between serum mi R-378 a-3 p levels and clinicopathological factors was analyzed.The correlation between mi R-378 a-3 p levels and overall survival(OS)of CC patients was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis.The CC cell proliferation and migration abilities after transfection of mi R-378 a-3 p mimics were detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 and scratch wound healing assays,respectively.Tumor volume and weight in mice treated with mi R-378 a-3 p were measured using a caliper and an electronic balance.Results Mi R-378 a-3 p expression was downregulated in the serum and tissues of CC patients compared to that in healthy control subjects and normal tissues,respectively.Low expression of mi R-378 a-3 p was positively correlated with large tumor size,advanced tumor stage,and lymph node metastasis.The OS of patients with low expression of mi R-378 a-3 p was significantly lower than that of patients with high expression.Overexpression of mi R-378 a-3 p suppressed the proliferation and migration of CC cells.In vivo studies indicated that overexpression of mi R-378 a-3 p was associated with decreased tumor volume and weight in mice.Conclusion Mi R-378 a-3 p downregulation is associated with the development and prognosis of CC,suggesting that it may be a potential biomarker for CC.

Clinical application of subjective global assessment in Chinese patients with gastrointestinal cancer

AIM： To investigate the role of subjective global assessment （SGA） in nutritional assessment and outcome prediction of Chinese patients with gastrointestinal cancer. METHODS： A total of 751 patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer between August 2004 and August 2006 were enrolled in this study. Within 72 h after admission, SGA, anthropometric parameters, and laboratory tests were used to assess the nutritional status of each patient. The outcome variables including hospital stay, complications, and in-hospital medical expenditure were also obtained.RESULTS： Based on the results of SGA, 389 （51.8%）, 332 （44.2%）, and 30 （4.0%） patients were classified into well nourished group （SGA-A）, mildly to moderately malnourished group （SGA-B）, and severely malnourished group （SGA-C）, respectively. The prevalence of malnutrition classified by SGA, triceps skinfold thickness （TSF）, mid-upper arm muscle circumference （MAMC）, albumin （ALB）, prealbumin （PA）, and body mass index （BMI） was 48.2%, 39.4%, 37.7%, 31.3%, 21.7%, and 9.6%, respectively. In addition, ANOVA tests revealed significant differences in body mass index （BMI）, TSF, PA, and ALB of patients in different SGA groups. The more severely malnourished the patient was, the lower the levels of BMI, TSF, PA, and ALB were （P 〈 0.05）. x^2 tests showed a significant difference in SGA classification between patients receiving different types of treatment （surgery vs chemotherapy/radiotherapy）. As the nutritional status classified by SGA deteriorated, the patients stayed longer in hospital and their medical expenditures increased significantly. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis showed that SGA and serum ALB could help predict the medical expenditures and hospital stay of patients undergoing surgery. The occurrence of complications increased in parallel with the increasing grade of SGA, and was the highest in the SGA-C group （23.3%） and the lowest in the SGA-A group （16.8%）. CONCLUSION： SGA is a reliable assessment too and helps to predict the hospital stay and medica expenditures of Chinese surgical gastrointestina cancer patients.

Epidemiological and Clinical Features of Rotavirus and Adenovirus Related Gastroenteritis in Beijing:A Retrospective Case-control Study in Pediatric Patients

Rotavirus(RV)is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis among children younger than 5-yearold worldwide.RV has nine groups(Group A to I)and Group A(RVA)is the main cause of severe gastroenteritis disease in children.Human adenovirus(HAdV)consists of 7 species(HAdV-A through HAdV-G)including over 70 serotypes,and group F serotypes 40 and 41 are related to gastroenteritis[1].There were reports that revealed co-infection of AdV with RVA and Norovirus[2].Here we report an epidemiological and clinical analysis of RVA and AdV infection through a single-centered retrospective case-control study.

DETECTION OF PLATELET-DERIVED MICROPARTICLES USING FLOW CYTOMETRY AND ITS CLINICAL APPLICATION

Objective.To establish a flow cytometric internal standard method for counting platelet-derived microparti-cles(PMPs)and to study its clinical significance. Methods. PMPs suspension(platelet poor plasma,PPP) was extracted by gradual centrifugation. According to the size of PMPs,3 μm and 0.8μm latex beads were used as internal standards for the quantitation. PMPs were counted by adjusting flow cytometric discrimination and voltage of forward scatter and side scatter. Results. In 30 healthy donors,the average concentration of resting PMPs was(1.2×105±5.7×104 )/ml and that of activated PMPs was(1.6×106±9.1×105)/ml. Compared with healthy donors,PMPs mean value was significantly higher(P< 0.001)in 18 patients with coronary artery disease,12 with acute cerebral infraction and 23 with chronic renal failure[the average PMPs concentration,( 6.1×105±2.5×105 )/ml, ( 6.8×105±3.4×105)/ml and(5.9×105±3.1×105)/ml respectively]. However,no significant difference in PMPs concentration was observed in 25 patients with acute leukemia and severe thrombocytopenia during the aplastic phase after chemotherapy [1.3×105±6.1×104)/ml,(P >0.05)] .Conclusions. PMPs is a useful indicator in monitoring platelet activation,and plays an important role in thrombotic disease. By flow cytometric internal standard method,PMPs can be counted rapidly and accurately,which may be very helpful in interlaboratory comparative studies.

Characterization of Class 1 Integron Gene Cassettes among Clinical Bacteria Isolated from One Large Hospital in Northern China

The class 1 integron and complex gene cassettes among different species of clinical isolates in northern China were characterized in this study. 383 clinical isolates were obtained from northern China, and class 1 integrons containing gene cassettes widely distributed among gram negative clinical isolates was observed. We find that the class 1 integron showed positive correlation with multidrug resistance phenotype of gram negative bacteria. In addition, we find that isolates belonged to one species harbored different types of gene cassette arrays, while same types of gene cassette arrays were observed in different species of isolates. The diversity of gene cassette arrays among the isolates indicated the complexity of multidrug resistance in clinical isolates in northern China.