Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of radiation-induced lymphocytopenia in the survival of patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma receiving radiation therapy. Methods The clinical data of 98 patients with unresectable primary hepatocellular carcinoma who received radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. The minimum absolute lymphocyte count (min ALC) was graded in accordance with CTCAE V4.0. The optimal threshold of min ALC for prognosis was calculated by using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the correlation of min ALC with clinical characteristics and dosimetry parameters was analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was employed to analyze the survival of patients with different levels of min ALC. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional regression models were applied to analyze prognostic factors. Results The baseline and min ALC of 98 patients during radiotherapy were 1.52×10⁹/L and 0.45×10⁹/L, respectively(P<0.001). The optimal cut-off value of min ALC for the prediction of the one-year survival rate was 0.38×10⁹/L. GTV, the mean dose of the liver and spleen, the V5 and V10 of the liver and spleen, and the V15 of the spleen were correlated with min ALC, and the V5 of the liver was an independent predictor of min ALC. The overall survival of patients with high min ALC was higher than that of patients with low min ALC. Independent prognostic factors were min ALC≤0.38×10⁹/L (HR=0.515, P=0.024), min ALC≥grade 3 (HR=0.576, P=0.032), tumor thrombus in the portal/vena cava, Child-Pugh grade A, increase of ≥2 points in the Child-Pugh score after radiotherapy, and received more than two other therapies. Conclusion Min ALC≤0.38×10⁹/L and min ALC≥grade 3 have independent prognostic value in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma receiving radiotherapy.

Objective To evaluate the short-term efficacy and quality of life of primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients after radiotherapy and pregabalin treatment for neuropathic pain with bone metastasis. Methods 32 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma bone metastases were treated with radiotherapy combined with pregabalin treatment.Then, we prospectively studied the analgesic efficacy for neuropathic pain and quality of life, used the brief pain inventory and douleur neuropathique 4 questionnaire (DN4) to evaluate pain at baseline, one and two months after radiotherapy, assessed pain response using the international consensus endpoint definition of bone metastasis, and used European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Research and Treatment Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and bone metastasis module (QLQ-BM22) for quality of life assessment. Results One and two months after radiotherapy, the average DN4 score of neuropathic pain decreased, and the objective pain relief rates were 62.8% and 68.6%, respectively.The physical, emotional, social, and role functional scores of EORTC QLQ-C30 functional scale significantly increased in the first month after radiotherapy.Symptom scale of pain (P=0.015), insomnia (P=0.035), and loss of appetite (P=0.022) improved, and fatigue was aggravated (P < 0.05).Two months after radiotherapy, the mean overall health score and all functional scale scores significantly increased than those at baseline.The scores of all symptom scales decreased, except fatigue, constipation, and financial difficulties (P < 0.05).In addition, pain responders showed significant improvement in emotional function (P=0.025) and physical function (P=0.029) in the functional scale and in pain (P=0.014) and fatigue (P=0.035) in the symptom scale.The QLQ-BM22 score showed that the painful sites (P=0.021) and pain characteristics (P=0.04) of the responders significantly improved compared with those of nonresponders two months after radiotherapy. Conclusion Radiotherapy combined with pregabalin can relieve neuropathic pain caused by bone metastasis from primary hepatocellular carcinoma and greatly improve the quality of life, particularly in pain responders.

A mangiferin aglycon derivative J99745 has been identified as a potent xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitor by previous study. This study aimed to evaluate the hypouricemic effects of J99745 in experimental hyperuricemia mice, and explore the underlying mechanisms. Mice were orally administered 600 mg/kg xanthine once daily for 7 days and intraperitoneally injected 250 mg/kg oxonic acid on the 7th day to induce hyperuricemia. Meanwhile, J99745 (3, 10, and 30 mg/kg), allopurinol (20 mg/kg) or benzbromarone (20 mg/kg) were orally administered to mice for 7 days. On the 7th day, uric acid and creatinine in serum and urine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), malondialdehyde (MDA) content and XOD activities in serum and liver were determined. Morphological changes in kidney were observed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Hepatic XOD, renal urate transporter 1 (URAT1), glucose transporter type 9 (GLUT9), organic anion transporter 1 (OAT1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter G2 (ABCG2) were detected by Western blot and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that J99745 at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg significantly reduced serum urate, and enhanced fractional excretion of uric acid (FEUA). H&E staining confirmed that J99745 provided greater nephroprotective effects than allopurinol and benzbromarone. Moreover, serum and hepatic XOD activities and renal URAT1 expression declined in J99745-treated hyperuricemia mice. In consistence with the ability to inhibit XOD, J99745 lowered serum MDA content in hyperuricemia mice. Our results suggest that J99745 exerts urate-lowering effect by inhibiting XOD activity and URAT1 expression, thus representing a promising candidate as an anti-hyperuricemia agent.

Objective To explore the effect and mechanism of Kruppel-associated box(KRAB) type zinc-finger protein Apak on the transcription of ribosomal RNA(rRNA) under hypoxic conditions.Methods Real-time quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR) was used to detect the level of rRNA and the effect of Apak on the transcription of rRNA.The expression and phosphorylation level of proteins were examined by Western blotting.Immunofluorescence assay was used to observe the location of Apak.Results Under hypoxia (0.3%O2),the transcription level of rRNA increased first and then decreased in Apak wild type cells.In Apak knock-out cells,the transcription level of rRNA kept decreasing under hypoxic conditions.The repression of Apak on rRNA synthesis and the nucleolus location of Apak disappeared,and the expression and phosphorylation level of Apak were down-regulated under hypoxic conditions for 3 h.Conclusion Under hypoxic conditions,the disapperance of Apak repression on rRNA transcription could lead to a temporary increase in rRNA.

Objective To investigate the impact of motilin(MTL), neurotensin(NT)and nitric oxide synthase(NOS)on Oddi sphincter(SO)motion after cholecystectomy. Methods Oddi sphincter manometry(SOM)was performed on both Guinea pig model group(cholecystectomy)and control group (laparotomy)12 weeks after operation. Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction(SOD)group was determined by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis and area under curve(AUC). Protein expression of MTL, NT and NOS in SO was also detected through integral optical density method. Meanwhile,the contents of MTL and NT in patients′ plasma of both SOD group(SO pressure> 40 mmHg)and control group were compared. Results AUC of 0.75 and SO pressure of more than 29.8 mmHg was determined as the standard of SOD group.MTL and NT contents(193.16±29.2 pg/mL and 104.57±19.52 pg/mL,respectively)of the model group(n=10)in plasma were significant higher than those of control group(n=11)(154.24 ± 27.69 pg/mL and 79.65±11.24 pg/mL,respectively),and same trend of MTL and NT protein expression in SO was detected(3 556.71±455.80 and 6 321.74±203.54 of the model group;3 075.92±350.06 and 5 843.57±344.00 of the control group).While NOS protein expression in model group was lower than that of the control group(2 954.21± 173.54 VS 3 314.91± 246.67, P<0.05). In clinical research, the plasma contents of MTL(350.98 ± 24.31 pg/mL VS 319.56 ± 23.54 pg/mL)and NT(102.39 ± 19.56 pg/mL VS 80.45±12.35 pg/mL)in SOD group(n=15)were higher than those of the control group(n=15)(P<0.05). Conclusion MTL and NT contents in plasma and protein expression of MTL, NT and NOS in SO may be related to SOD. MTL and NT examinations may assist diagnosing SOD after cholecystectomy.

Using of high throughput sequencing technology to study the microbial diversity in complex samples has become one of the hottest issues in the field of microbial diversity research. In this study, the soil and sheep rumen chyme samples were used to extract DNA, respectively. Then the 25 ng total DNA was used to amplify the 16S rRNA V3 region with 20, 25, 30 PCR cycles, and the final sequencing library was constructed by mixing equal amounts of purified PCR products. Finally, the operational taxonomic unit (OUT) amount, rarefaction curve, microbial number and species were compared through data analysis. It was found that at the same amount of DNA template, the proportion of the community composition was not the best with more numbers of PCR cycle, although the species number was much more. In all, when the PCR cycle number is 25, the number of species and proportion of the community composition were the most optimal both in soil or chyme samples.
Animals ; Bacteria ; classification ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Gene Library ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; genetics ; Rumen ; microbiology ; Sheep ; Soil Microbiology

Objective To explore the association between PI3K polymorphisms in insulin signal transduction pathway and Alzheimer's disease (AD)risk.Methods There were three groups,including 112 cases for AD +T2D group,231 cases for only AD group,and 231 cases for healthy controls group.The polymorphisms in PI3K gene was sequenced by PCR and the concentration of PI3K in serum was tested by enzyme -linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results Overall,there was significantly statistical difference in PI3K rs3730087 polymorphism among three groups (χ2 =20.99,P =0.000 3).The CC frequency of PI3K rs3730087 polymorphism in AD with T2D group and AD control group was significantly higher than that in the healthy control group.The PI3K protein level of differ-ent genotype was statistically significant (F =27.450,P <0.000 1).As for CC genotypes of PI3K rs3730087 poly-morphism,the PI3K protein level was statistically different among these three groups (F =8.096,P =0.000 6).Moreover,the PI3K protein level of the three groups was different (F =9.034,P =0.000 1),which in both AD group was lower as compared with healthy control group.Conclusion The study suggested that CC genotype of PI3K rs3730087 polymorphism in insulin signaling transduction pathway might be a risk factor for AD with T2D and it also affects the expression level of PI3K protein.However,the polymorphism is not shown to be exclusive in AD patients with T2D.

Objective To explore the characteristics and clinical significance of lung function in children with mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia. Methods The pulmonary ventilation function of 60 cases of mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia was tested in the acute stage and 2 weeks after treatment by the pneumatometer made by JAEGER company in Germany. FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25,FEF50、FEF75 and MMEF75/25 was detected. Results In acute phase, lung function indexs (FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25, FEF50, FEF75, MMEF75/25) of 60 children with MPP were less than expected:(1.56 ± 0.53) L vs.(1.99 ± 0.69) L, (1.37 ± 0.47) L vs. (1.68 ± 0.57) L, (2.90 ± 0.86) L/s vs. (3.95 ± 1.08) L/s, (2.48 ± 0.67) L/s vs. (3.56 ± 0.89) L/s, (1.42 ± 0.41) L/s vs. (2.51 ± 0.64) L/s, (0.65 ± 0.20) L/s vs. (1.28 ± 0.33) L/s, (1.22 ± 0.77) L/s vs.(2.18 ± 0.61) L/s], and there were significant difference (P<0.01). In recovery period, the level of FVC, FEV1, PEF, FEF25, FEF50, FEF75, MMEF75/25 was significantly better than that in acute phase: (98.80 ± 9.34)% vs.(79.14 ± 6.28)%, (98.67 ± 8.28)% vs. (81.63 ± 6.56)%, (86.23 ± 6.86)% vs.(73.17 ± 6.21)%, (85.17 ± 7.86)% vs. (69.79 ± 8.16)%, (79.08 ± 7.99)% vs. (56.57 ± 8.77)%, (70.85 ± 7.48)% vs. (50.66 ± 9.86)%, (77.35 ± 6.81)% vs. (56.19 ± 9.61)%, P<0.01. Conclusions In the acute stage, the pulmonary function of children with MPP shows hybrid ventilation dysfunction. In the recovery period, pulmonary function index improves significantly, but there are still abnormal small airway indicators.

Purpose To investigate the expression of Beclin1, LC3 and mTOR in colorectal cancer ( CRC) and their significance. Methods Immunohistochemistry, Western blot and real-time PCR were employed to detect the expression of Beclin1, LC3 and mTOR in CRC. Results The positive expression rate of Beclin1, LC3 and mTOR in 242 cases of CRC was 90. 50%, 87. 19% and 46. 28%, respectively, which were higher than that in adjacent tissues ( P<0. 05 ) . Moreover, the expression of LC3 in moderately and poorly differentiated CRC was higher than that in well differentiated CRC, and the positive rate of LC3 in CRC with lymph node metastasis was higher than that in CRC without lymph node metastasis. The overexpression of mTOR was related to lymph node metasta-sis (P<0. 05), but both differentiation degree and lymph node metastasis were not associated with Beclin1 (P>0. 05). The expres-sion of LC3 was positively correlated with Beclin1 and negatively correlated with mTOR in colorectal cancer (rs =0. 593, P<0. 01, rs= -0. 165, P<0. 01), and the expression of Beclin1 was not associated with mTOR (P>0. 05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis re-vealed that the five-year survival rate of patients without nodal metastasis, positive expression of Beclin1, LC3 and negative expression of mTOR was higher than those with nodal metastasis, negative expression of Beclin1 and LC3, and positive expression of mTOR. Cox survival analysis results revealed that LC3, mTOR and lymphnode metastasis were independent prognostic factors. The results of IHC, real-time PCR and Western blot in fresh CRC tissues indicated that the expression of Beclin1, LC3 and mTOR in colorectal cancer was significantly higher than that in adjacent tissues (P<0. 05). Conclusions The aberrant expression of Beclin1, LC3 and mTOR may be associated with the development and progression of colorectal cancer. The simultaneous detection of Beclin1, LC3 and mTOR genes in colorectal cancer may be helpful for the evaluation of the progressive degree and the judgment of prognosis.