Objective To evaluate the effects of interferon therapy after curative surgical intervention on improving prognosis of patients with hepatitis C-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods We searched randomized clinical trials from 1990 to 2015 on interferon therapy after curative surgical intervention in patients with hepatitis C-related HCC from the Cochrane Library,the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews,MEDLINE and Embase.A Meta-analysis was carried out using Revman 5.Results There were 7 studies included in this research.The results showed that interferon therapy after curative surgical intervention in patients with hepatitis C-related HCC reduced the recurrence rate of HCC at 3 years (RR =0.84,95％ CI 0.73 ～0.97,P ＜0.05).The therapy could not improve the 3-year survival rate in these patients (RR =1.04,95％ CI 0.90 ～ 1.21,P ＞ 0.05).Stratified subgroup analyses showed interferon therapy after liver resection reduced the recurrence rate (RR =0.62,95 ％ CI 0.39 ～ 1.00,P =0.05).For patients with tumors less than 3 cm,interferon therapy reduced the recurrence rate (RR =0.82,95％ CI 0.69 ～ 0.98,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Interferon therapy after curative surgical intervention improved prognosis in patients with hepatitis C-related HCC.

Objective:To investigate the expression of serum matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP-3) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and analyze its correlation with bone erosion and disease activity.Methods:100 RA patients diagnosed in the First People's Hospital of Changde from July 2018 to December 2019 were selected as the RA group, and 35 healthy volunteers who came to the hospital for physical examination at the same time were selected as the control group. The clinical data of the patients were collected, and the serum MMP-3 levels of the patients and healthy volunteers were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum MMP3 levels of RA patients with different disease activity, different imaging stages and different bone mineral density were compared, and the correlation with clinical indicators were analyzed.Results:⑴ RA patients were grouped according to the Disease Activity Score (DAS) 28. Serum MMP-3 levels in the highly active group (300.87±15.93)ng/ml and in the moderately active group (213.78±12.79)ng/ml were higher than those in the clinical remission group (82.87±8.19)ng/ml increased significantly. ⑵ The serum MMP3 level in the RA group (190.98±13.43)ng/ml was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group (69.97±10.63)ng/ml. ⑶ There were significant differences in serum MMP-3 levels among RA patients with different imaging stages ( P<0.05). The level of MMP-3 in stage Ⅲ (206.18±13.58)ng/ml and stage Ⅳ (301.72±13.43)ng/ml were significantly higher than those in stage Ⅰ (89.16±10.13)ng/ml. ⑷ RA patients were divided into normal group, osteopenia group, and osteoporosis group according to bone mineral density. The serum MMP-3 level in the osteopenia group (180.87±12.69)ng/ml and osteoporosis group (289.54±13.28)ng/ml were significantly higher than that in the normal group (121.05±8.45)ng/ml. ⑸ Serum MMP-3 levels were positively correlated with C-reaction (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), DSA 28, rheumatoid factor (RF), joint swelling index, joint tenderness index, and platelet count in the RA group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The serum MMP-3 plays an important role in the progression of RA, and is closely related to RA disease activity and bone erosion. It is expected to become a serological indicator for predicting RA bone erosion and radiological progress.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes and significance of Toll-like receptor-2 (TLR2) and Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) on platelets, CD86 on lymphocytes and concentrations of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 in serum in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP).

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from 24 children with acute idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (AITP), 21 children with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (CITP) and 20 normal children (control group). Expression of TLR2 and TLR4 on platelets and CD86 on lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma were measured using ABC-ELISA.

RESULTSThe expression of CD41+TLR2+ and CD61+TLR4+ in the AITP and the CITP groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (p<0.01). The AITP group had lower expression of CD41+TLR2+ and CD61+TLR4+ than the CITP group (p<0.01). The expression of CD86+ in the AITP and the CITP groups was significantly higher than that in the control group (p<0.01). The serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-gamma in the AITP and the CITP groups were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between CD41+TLR2+ and CD61+TLR4+ expression. CD41+TLR2+ and CD61+TLR4+ expression were negatively correlated with CD86+ expression and serum concentrations of IL-2, IL-4 and IL-10.

CONCLUSIONSThe detections of TLR2 and TLR4 on platelets, CD86 on lymphocytes and serum concentrations of IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 are of great value in understanding the pathogenesis and predicting types of ITP in children.

Adolescent ; B7-2 Antigen ; blood ; Blood Platelets ; chemistry ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cytokines ; blood ; Humans ; Infant ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; immunology ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; blood ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; blood

The possible association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and chronic idiopathic neutropenia (CIN) was investigated. A total of 78 subjects with CIN were recruited in this case-control study. As a control group, 40 subjects without CIN were selected for comparison with the case group. All participants were evaluated for the prevalence of H. pylori infection by 14C-urea breath test. The corrected splenic index (CSI) was calculated, and serum IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and HsCRP levels were measured. The differences in CSI, serum IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and HsCRP levels were compared between CIN patients and controls, as well as between subjects with and without H. pylori infection. The positive rate of H. pylori was 87.18% in CIN group and 52.50% in control group, showing a significant difference (Fisher's exact, P=0.000). CSI values, and serum IL-6 and HsCRP levels in H. pylori positive-CIN patients were significantly higher than those in negative subjects (Mann-whitney U-test, P=0.016, P=0.001 and P=0.000 respectively), while IL-10 level declined significantly in H. pylori negative-CIN patients (Mann-whitney U-test, P=0.000). In control group, serum IL-6 and HsCRP levels in H. pylori positive individuals were also increased significantly (Mann-whitney U-test, P=0.000), while IL-10 level declined (Mann-whitney U-test, P=0.018). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that H. pylori infection and IL-10 were significant risk factors for CIN with odds ratio (OR): 3.09, 95.0% CI: 1.22-6.93; P=0.019, and OR: 0.17, 95.0% CI: 0.05-0.94; P=0.021, respectively. This prospective study confirmed the existence of an association between H. pylori infection and CIN, suggesting the screening for H. pylori infection and eradicating bacterium in positive cases seem appropriate and beneficial for those patients with CIN diagnosis.
Adult ; China ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Helicobacter Infections ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Male ; Neutropenia ; diagnosis ; immunology ; Prevalence ; Risk Assessment

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the cranial and circumaxillary sutures react differently to maxillary expansion (ME) and alternate maxillary expansions and constrictions (Alt-MEC) in a rat model. Twenty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks old) were used and divided into three groups. In ME group (n=9), an expander was activated for 5 days. In Alt-MEC group (9 animals), an alternate expansion and constriction protocol (5-day expansion and 5-day constriction for one cycle) was conducted for 2.5 cycles (25 days total). The control group comprised 4 animals with no appliances used, each of two sacrificed on day 5 and day 25 respectively. Midpalatal suture expansion or constriction levels were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively by bite-wing X-rays and cast models. Distances between two central incisors and two maxillary first molars were measured on cast models after each activation. Circumaxillary sutures (midpalatal, maxillopalatine, premaxillary, zygomaticotemporal and frontonasal suture) in each group were characterized histologically. Results showed that midpalatal suture was widened and restored after each expansion and constriction. At the end of activation, the widths between both central incisors and first molars in Alt-MEC group were significantly larger than those in ME group (P<0.05). Histologically, all five circumaxillary sutures studied were widened in multiple zones in Alt-MEC group. However, only midpalatal suture was expanded with cellular fibrous tissue filling in ME group. Significant osteoclast hyperplasia was observed in all circumaxillary sutures after alternate expansions and constrictions, but osteoclast count increase was only observed in midpalatal suture in ME group. These results suggested that cranial and circumaxillary sutures were actively reconstructed after Alt-MEC, while only midpalatal suture had active reaction after ME.
Animals ; Male ; Mandible ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Masticatory Muscles ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Maxilla ; anatomy & histology ; physiology ; Range of Motion, Articular ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a receptor of tyrosine kinase that is constitutively activated in most of acute myeloid leukemia patients and seems to give an adverse prognosis. In order to explore the silencing effect of FLT3 targeted short hairpin RNA (FLT3-shRNA) on acute leukaemia cell line THP-1, three FLT3-shRNAs (shRNA1, shRNA2, shRNA3) were designed and synthesized by transcription system in vitro and then transfected into THP-1 cells. FLT3 mRNA was analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, FLT3 protein was detected by Flow cytometry and immunofluorescence. The results indicated that FLT3 expression was downregulated by shRNA1 and shRNA3, and shRNA1 showed stronger inhibitory effect. At 48 hours following transfection, the inhibitory rate of 25 nmol/L shRNA1 was 72.95 +/- 2.07%, lasting 72 hours. The 5 nmol/L and more concentration of FLT3 shRNA1 could downregulate FLT3 mRNA level, which displayed a quantity-effect relation; the inhibitory rate of 15 nmol/L shRNA1 was 67.53 +/- 0.66%. FLT3 protein was located on THP-1 cell membrance, its expression was downregulated obviously by shRNA1, at 72 hours following transfection the inhibitory rate of shRNA1 was 79.67 +/- 0.66%. shRNA1 showed the best inhibitory effect on FLT3 protein, the optimal time of which was 72 hours with an inhibitory rate of 79.67%. It is concluded that FLT3-shRNA1 shows a desireable FLT3-targeted inhibitory effect, which can be used for further investigation of FLT3 mechanism or FLT3 targeting treatment.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transcription, Genetic ; Tumor Cells, Cultured ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate foot biomechanics characteristic of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

METHODSThis study was conducted among 303 patients with type 2 diabetes. The whole foot was divided into 10 regions, namely the first toe (T1); the second to fifth toes (T2-5); the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth metatarsals (M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5, respectively); midfoot (MF), and the heel medial (HM). Foot arch index, foot angle and maximum peak pressure (MPP) of the 10 regions were measured using a Footscan gait system.

RESULTSThe maximum peak pressure of 10 regions decreased in the order of M3>M2>HM>M4>HL>M1>M5>T1>ML>T2-5 for the left foot, and in the order of M3>M2>HM>M4>HL>M1>M5>T1>ML>T2-5 for the right foot. The MPP in M1 region was higher in the right than in the left foot (P<0.05). The MPP in M3, M4, M5, and MF was higher in the left than in the right foot (P<0.05). The percentage of high-risk foot (defined by a total plantar pressure ≥70 N/cm) was 34% on the left and 17.7% on the right. An increased BMI was associated with a significant increase in high-risk foot, but not for the right foot in underweight patients. Foot flat phase was extended and forefoot push-off phase shortened in stance phase in the patients. Compared with the right foot, the left foot showed a significantly increased foot arch index and increased low and high arch rates with a decreased normal arch rate. Total plantar pressure was higher in of the left high arch foot than in normal arch foot. The foot angle was significantly larger on the right than on the left. The bilateral total plantar pressures were significantly greater in male patients (P<0.05) and increased with age but were not associated with the duration of DM, foot angle, or glycosylated hemoglobin level.

CONCLUSIONDiabetic patients have obvious alterations in foot biomechanics with abnormalities of the plantar pressure, and the percentage of high-risk foot increases in overweight and obese patients, suggesting the need of body weight control in these patients when administering offloading treatment for prevention of diabetic foot ulcer.

Biomechanical Phenomena ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; physiopathology ; Diabetic Foot ; prevention & control ; Female ; Foot ; physiopathology ; Gait ; Heel ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; physiopathology ; Overweight ; physiopathology ; Pressure

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of imatinib in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and analyse the treatment outcome and related factors.

METHODSNinety five CML patients were treated with imatinib in our hospital from May 2002 to May 2006. The outcomes and related factors were analysed.

RESULTS(1) One year after therapy, there were 95.5% of chronic phase (CP) patients achieved complete hematologic response (CHR). Fifty-two patients with complete cytogenetic dates were divided into primary-therapy group (n = 19) and secondary-therapy group (n = 33). The major cytogenetic responses (MCyR) at 6-, 12-, 18-, 24- and 30-months after therapy for the former group were 84.2%, 84.2%, 89.5%, 89.5% and 94.7%, and for the latter group were 36.4%, 39.4%, 39.4%, 39.4% and 39.4%, respectively (P < 0.01). The expected survival at 12-, 24-, 36- and 50-month after imatinib treatment for CP group was (98.1 +/-1.9)%, (87.8 +/- 7.1)%, (81.9 +/- 8.7)% and (81.9 +/- 8.7)%, respectively. (2) Twelve month after therapy, there are 70% of accelerated phase (AP) patients achieve CHR and 10% get MCyR. The expected survival at 12-, 24- and 36-month after imatinib treatment for AP group was (63.0 +/- 17.7)%, (15.8 +/- 14.3)% and (15.8 +/- 14.3)%, respectively. (3) Six month after therapy, 57.9% of blast crisis (BC) patients achieve CHR, with the expected survival at 12- and 24-month of (40.6 +/- 12.3)% and 0, respectively. (4) COX analysis CP group indicated that imatinib therapy administered for previously untreated was an independent favorable prognostic factor. Conclusion (1) Imatinib as a primary treatment for CP CML can significantly improve the survival time as compared with that AP or BC patients or with that used in previously treated patients. (2) Imatinib could induce hematologic, even cytogenetic response to a certain extent, in CP or BC patients and prolong the survival time.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Benzamides ; Female ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Piperazines ; therapeutic use ; Pyrimidines ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze the characteristics of cytogenetic aberration of adults with Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) and/or bcr-abl positive (bcr-abl+) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), and investigate its influence on patients' outcomes.

METHODRetrospective analysis of 100 adult Ph+ ALL patients from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2007 was carried out. The type, distribution and frequency of chromosome aberration were summarized, and compared among different subgroups.

RESULTS1) In all cases, 72 had chromosome aberrations, including 22 with sole Ph chromosome, 44 Ph+ with additional abnormalities, which included double Ph, monosomy 7, monosomy 20, trisomy 8 trisomy 21, 9p deletion and 22 deletion. 2) Patients with pseudodiploid and hyperdiploid had higher WBC count, and inferior outcome with lower rates of overall survival (OS) and relapse free survival (RFS). 3) Ph+ group also had higher WBC counts and inferior outcome with low OS and RFS rates. There was no statistic significance between sole Ph+ group and Ph plus additional aberrations group. 4) Patients with both abnormal and normal metaphase (AN) and with solely abnormal metaphase (AA) had higher WBC count, less frequent P190 occurrence and inferior outcome than those only normal metaphase (NN) group, whereas, there was no difference between AA and AN groups. 5) Double Ph chromosome had a lower frequency of P190 and inferior OS than non-double Ph group.

CONCLUSIONAdults with Ph+ ALL have complicated cytogenetic abnormalities, pseudodiploid and hyperdiploid indicate inferior outcome, and double Ph chromosome may be a unfavorable prognostic factor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Philadelphia Chromosome ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) bearing 19p13 abnormalities.

METHODSThe morphologic, immunophenotypic, cytogenetic, and clinal features as well as prognosis of 16 ALL patients with 19p13 abnormalities were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical features and laboratory findings between t(1;19) and der(19) groups were compared.

RESULTSSixteen (4.02%) out of 398 ALL patients had 19p13 abnormalities, among them 15 cases were t( 1;19) (q23;p13) [balanced t(1;19) (q23; p13) in 8 and unbalanced der(19) t(1;19) (q23;p13) in 7] and 1 case t(17;19) (q22;p13). The WBC count and blast cell number were higher in the t(1;19) group. The prognosis was better in der(19) t(1;19) group than in balanced translocation t(1;19) group.

CONCLUSIONThe 19p13 abnormality is one of the non-random chromosomal aberration in patients with ALL. ALL patients with 19p13 abnormalities have unique clinical features and poor prognosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 19 ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Immunophenotyping ; Male ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Translocation, Genetic ; Young Adult