Objective:To analyse the differences of related genes between serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) positive gastric cancer and AFP negative gastric cancer, and the relationship between related genes and prognosis of serum AFP positive gastric cancer.Methods:A total of 1 144 gastric cancer patients undergoing surgery at the 940th Hospital , Joint Logistic Support Force, People's Liberation Army from Jan 2013 to Dec 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Of them, 47 cases were of AFP positive gastric cancer, and 47 serum AFP negative case were obtained by proper matching method.Results:Forty-seven patients with serum AFP positive gastric cancer, accounting for 4.1% of all gastric cancer patients during the same period. The prognosis of serum AFP negative gastric cancer is better than that of serum AFP positive gastric cancer. The 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative survival rates were 95.6% vs. 63.8%, 48.9% vs. 23.4% and 26.7% vs. 14.9%, respectively. There were statistical differences in the immunohistochemistry of AFP, HER2, VEGF, GPC3, SALL4, P53 and Ki67 between the two groups ( χ2=67.758, P<0.001; χ2=4.004, P=0.044; χ2=19.299, P<0.001; χ2=5.232, P=0.022; χ2=6.359, P=0.012; χ2=6.224, P=0.013; χ2=5.232, P=0.022). The more co-positive expressions of AFP, GPC3, VEGF and SALL4, the more likely they were to affect pTNM stage, vascular invasion and liver metastasis ( χ2=5.328, P=0.021; P=0.013; χ2=5.887, P=0.015; χ2=3.923, P=0.048). Univariate and multivariate survival analysis of serum AFP positive gastric cancer showed:AFP, GPC3, VEGF and SALL4 were risk factors for AFP positive gastric cancer ( HR=3.700, P=0.036; HR=4.237, P=0.003; HR=3.916, P=0.004; HR=3.412, P=0.001). Conclusions:Serum AFP positive gastric cancer is a rare and highly invasive special type of gastric cancer. AFP, GPC3, VEGF and SALL4 are overexpressed in serum AFP positive gastric cancer, which is correlated with tumor stage, vascular invasion and liver metastasis. The final diagnosis of serum AFP positive gastric cancer still needs immunohistochemical examination. Preoperative serum AFP level is an important basis for AFP positive gastric cancer screening and AFP immunohistochemical examination.

Objective:To explore the clinical features and prognosis of simultaneous double primary and single primary colorectal cancer patients.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 45 patients with simultaneous double primary colorectal cancer, 53 patients with single primary colon cancer and 59 patients with single primary rectal cancer in Shanxi Province Cancer Hospital from January 2015 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including gender, age, drinking history, smoking history, body mass index (BMI), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), hemoglobin, albumin, TNM stage. The clinicopathological characteristics of the three groups were compared. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method to compare the overall survival of the three groups.Results:The age of simultaneous double primary colorectal cancer patients was (63±11) years old, including 28 males and 17 females; the age of single primary colon cancer patients was (61±12) years old, including 30 males and 23 females; the age of single primary rectal cancer patients was (60±11) years old, including 30 males and 29 females. There was a significant difference in BMI between patients with double primary cancer and single primary colon cancer ( P = 0.041), but there were no significant differences in gender, age, drinking history, smoking history, CEA, CA199, hemoglobin, albumin and TNM stage (all P > 0.05). There were significant differences in BMI, CEA and CA199 between patients with double primary cancer and single primary rectal cancer (all P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in gender, age, drinking history, smoking history, hemoglobin, albumin and TNM stage (all P > 0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates of the double primary cancer patients were 95.56%, 77.78% and 62.22%, the single primary colon cancer patients were 94.34%, 81.13% and 69.81%, and the single primary rectal cancer patients were 100.00%, 88.14% and 72.88%, respectively. There was no significant difference in OS among patients with double primary cancer, single primary rectal cancer and single primary rectal cancer (both P > 0.05). Conclusions:Abnormally elevated BMI may be associated with the risk of developing simultaneous double primary colorectal cancer. Detection of CEA and CA199 is helpful in monitoring rectal cancer patients for the combination of other primary tumors. The prognosis of patients with single primary colon or rectal cancer is comparable to that of patients with simultaneous double primary colorectal cancer.

Liver fibrosis is a dynamic wound-healing response characterized by the agglutination of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is known for treating gynecological diseases and liver fibrosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) was markedly upregulated in fibrotic livers while its deficiency markedly reversed fibrogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which SWT influences H19 remain unclear. Thus, we established a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis model to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of SWT on various cells in the liver. Our results showed that SWT markedly improved ECM deposition and bile duct reactions in the liver. Notably, SWT relieved liver fibrosis by regulating the transcription of genes involved in the cytoskeleton remodeling, primarily in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and influencing cytoskeleton-related angiogenesis and hepatocellular injury. This modulation collectively led to reduced ECM deposition. Through extensive bioinformatics analyses, we determined that H19 acted as a miRNA sponge and mainly inhibited miR-200, miR-211, and let7b, thereby regulating the above cellular regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, SWT reversed H19-related miRNAs and signaling pathways, diminishing ECM deposition and liver fibrosis. However, these protective effects of SWT were diminished with the overexpression of H19 in vivo. In conclusion, our study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of SWT from the perspective of H19-related signal networks and proposes a potential SWT-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Objective:To observe any effect of virtual reality (VR) training on the cognitive functioning and functional fitness of nursing home residents with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).Methods:Fifty-six of such residents were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, each of 28. Both groups received health education and routine care, but the observation group was additionally provided with 45 minutes of VR training three times a week for 6 months. The training included Baduanjin, magic, flying bird, supermarket shopping, gravity ball and gym episodes. Both groups′ cognition was evaluated using the subjective cognitive decline questionnaire (SCD-Q), the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA), the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test (second edition) (RBMT-Ⅱ), a digit symbol substitution test (DSST), an animal fluency test (AFT) and trail-making test A-B (TMT A-B). Functional fitness was quantified using the 8-foot up-and-go test (8UGT), a 30-second arm curl test (30sACT), a 30-second chair stand test (30sCST), a back scratching test (BST), the sit-and-reach test (CSRT) and a 2-minute step test (2MST) before and after the 6-month intervention.Results:After the intervention, the average SCD-Q, MoCA, RBMT-Ⅱ, DSST, TMT-A, and TMT-B scores of the observation group were significantly better than before the intervention, and significantly better than the control group′s averages. And except for the back scratching their functional results were also significantly better, on average, than those of the control group.Conclusions:VR training can effectively improve the cognition and functional fitness of nur-sing home residents with SCD. Such training is worthy of promotion and wider application in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the clinical efficacy and health economic value of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for the prenatal screening of common fetal chromosomal aneuploidies. METHODS: 10 612 pregnant women from October 2017 to December 2019 presented at the antenatal screening clinic of the General Hospital of Tianjin Medical University were selected as the study subjects. Results of NIPT and invasive prenatal diagnosis and follow-up outcome for the 10 612 pregnant women were retrospectively analyzed and compared. Meanwhile, NIPT data for two periods were analyzed for assessing the health economic value of NIPT as the second- or first-tier screening strategy for the prenatal diagnosis of fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13. RESULTS: The NIPT was successful in 10 528 (99.72%) subjects, with the sensitivity for fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 being 100%, 92.86% and 100%, and the positive predictive value (PPV) being 89.74%, 61.90% and 44.44%, respectively. The PPV of NIPT for sex chromosome aneuploidies was 34.21%. Except for one false negative case of trisomy 18, the negative predictive value for trisomy 21, trisomy 13 and other chromosomal abnormalities were 100%. For pregnant women with high risk by serological screening, advanced maternal age or abnormal ultrasound soft markers, NIPT has yielded a significantly increased high risk ratio. There was no statistical difference in the PPV of NIPT among pregnant women from each subgroup. NIPT would have higher health economic value as a second-tier screening until 2019, while compared to 2015 ~ 2017, its incremental cost-effectiveness ratio as a first-tier screening had declined clearly. CONCLUSION The screening efficacy of NIPT for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 for a mixed population is significantly better than conventional serological screening, but it is relatively low for sex chromosomal abnormalities. NIPT can also be recommended for populations with relatively high risks along with detailed pre- and post-test genetic counselling. From the perspective of health economics, except for open neural tube defects, it is possible for NIPT to replace the conventional serological screening in the future as its cost continues to decrease.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Trisomy/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods* ; Down Syndrome/genetics* ; Aneuploidy ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Trisomy 18 Syndrome/genetics* ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Fetus

Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CX, the dried rhizome of Ligusticum wallichii Franch.), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is clinically used for treating cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and hepatobiliary diseases. Cholestatic liver damage is one of the chronic liver diseases with limited effective therapeutic strategies. Currently, little is known about the mechanism links between CX-induced anti-cholestatic action and intercellular communication between cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of different CX extracts including the aqueous, alkaloid, phenolic acid and phthalide extracts of CX (CX_AE, CX_AL, CX_PA and CX_PHL) and investigate the intercellular communication-related mechanisms by which the most effective extracts work on cholestatic liver injury. The active compounds of different CX extracts were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. A cholestatic liver injury mouse model induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-treated human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cholangiocytes (HIBECs) and HSC cell line (LX-2 cells) were used for in vivo and in vitro studies. Histological and other biological techniques were also applied. The results indicated that CX_AE, CX_AL and CX_PHL significantly reduced ductular reaction (DR) and improved liver fibrosis in the BDL mice. Meanwhile, both CX_AE and CX_PHL suppressed DR in injured HIBECs and reduced collagen contraction force and the expression of fibrosis biomarkers in LX-2 cells treated with TGF-β. CX_PHL suppressed the transcription and transfer of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibronectin (FN) from the 'DR-like' cholangiocytes to activated HSCs. Mechanistically, the inhibition of PAI-1 and FN by CX_PHL was attributed to the untight combination of the acetyltransferase KAT2A and SMAD3, followdd by the suppression of histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac)-mediated transcription in cholangiocytes. In conclusion, CX_PHL exerts stronger anti-cholestatic activity in vivo and in vitro than other CX extracts, and its protective effect on the intracellular communication between cholangiocytes and HSCs is achieved by reducing KAT2A/H3K9ac-mediated transcription and release of PAI-1 and FN.

OBJECTIVETo explore genetic mutation and clinical treatment for a patient with globozoospermia.

METHODSHistomorphology of the sperms was studied by Wright-Giemsa staining and transmission electron microscopy. Potential mutation of the DPY19L2 gene was detected by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSWright-Giemsa staining showed that all spermatozoa from the patient were round-headed and lacked the acrosome, with the nuclei of sperm head stained in dark and full. Transmission electron microscopy revealed large round sperm heads, with an even layer of unit membrane surrounding the nuclei and dispersed cytoplasmic vacuoles but no acrosomal structure. The patient has harbored a homozygous deletion of the DPY19L2 gene. With intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, fertilization rate of the oocytes has reached 28.6%, which resulted in a successful pregnancy. A healthy male was born.

CONCLUSIONThe homozygous deletion of DPY19L2 probably underlies the globozoospermia in this case, for which ICSI has provided an effective treatment. However, there is still a risk of low oocyte fertilization rate or fertilization failure. Further studies are required.

Adult ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Teratozoospermia ; genetics

Objective To analyze the clinical value of 1.5T MRI DWI and SWI sequence in the diagnosis of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 28 patients with cerebral infarction were selected as control group,and 28 patients with cerebral hemorrhage were selected as observation group.The PHILPS 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging system was applied.The patients were examined by T1WI and T2WI sequence scanning,and DWI and SWI sequence images were obtained.In the two groups,lesions around the center and different characteristics of SWI and DWI were observed and compared,and the measurement of peripheral lesions were measured for calculating the central area of the PV and ADC.Results There was no significant difference between T1WI and T2WI in patients with cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction,but there was significant difference between DWI sequence and DWI sequence.MRI routine examination showed that there were no significant differences in detection rates of T1WI sequence and T2WI sequence between two groups,but the detection rate of DWI sequence in the observation group was significantly lower than the control group,while detection rate of DWI sequence was significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05).The central area of ADC in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group,and the PV value of the hematoma area was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Collections of DWI and SWI images of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage by magnetic resonance prove that there are significant differences between characteristics of two images.

Objective To analyze the clinical value of 1.5T MRI DWI and SWI sequence in the diagnosis of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 28 patients with cerebral infarction were selected as control group,and 28 patients with cerebral hemorrhage were selected as observation group.The PHILPS 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging system was applied.The patients were examined by T1WI and T2WI sequence scanning,and DWI and SWI sequence images were obtained.In the two groups,lesions around the center and different characteristics of SWI and DWI were observed and compared,and the measurement of peripheral lesions were measured for calculating the central area of the PV and ADC.Results There was no significant difference between T1WI and T2WI in patients with cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction,but there was significant difference between DWI sequence and DWI sequence.MRI routine examination showed that there were no significant differences in detection rates of T1WI sequence and T2WI sequence between two groups,but the detection rate of DWI sequence in the observation group was significantly lower than the control group,while detection rate of DWI sequence was significantly higher than the control group(P<0.05).The central area of ADC in the observation group was significantly better than that in the control group,and the PV value of the hematoma area was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Collections of DWI and SWI images of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage by magnetic resonance prove that there are significant differences between characteristics of two images.