Transarterial Chemoembolization Combined with Apatinib for Treatment of Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Analysis of Survival and Prognostic Factors.

Objective: Apatinib is a novel inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2. The goal of this study was to evaluate overall survival (OS) after a combination of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and apatinib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to identify the factors affecting patient survival.

Methods: Fifty-one patients with advanced HCC who received TACE in combination with apatinib in our hospital from June 2015 to May 2017 were enrolled.

Sublethal hyperthermia enhances anticancer activity of doxorubicin in chronically hypoxic HepG2 cells through ROS-dependent mechanism.

Thermal ablation in combination with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been reported to exert a more powerful antitumor effect than thermal ablation alone in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate whether sublethal hyperthermia encountered in the periablation zone during thermal ablation enhances the anticancer activity of doxorubicin in chronically hypoxic (encountered in the tumor area after TACE) liver cancer cells and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Surfactin isoforms isolated from a mushroom derived DMG-7-2.

A new iso-C [Val, Val] surfactin isoform () together with eight known ones (-), was isolated from the culture of a mushroom derived bacterium, DMG-7-2. The structures of them were mainly elucidated by NMR and MS data, and the NMR data of also was reported for the first time. The absolute configuration of was determined by Marfey's analysis (for amino acid residues) and the C NMR calculation of the two plausible epimers of (for fatty acid).

Longibramides A-E, Peptaibols Isolated from a Mushroom Derived Fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum Rifai DMG-3-1-1.

Five new peptaibols, longibramides A-E (1-5) with 11 amino acid residues, were isolated from a fungus Trichoderma longibrachiatum Rifai DMG-3-1-1, which was isolated from a mushroom Clitocybe nebularis (Batsch) P. Kumm collected from coniferous forest in the subboreal area of northeast China. The structures of longibramides A-E were determined by their spectroscopic data (NMR and MS-MS spectra), their absolute configurations were determined by X-ray diffractions and Marfey's analyses.

Identifying response in colorectal liver metastases treated with bevacizumab: development of RECIST by combining contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted MRI.

Objectives: Response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) often fail to identify clinically meaningful response to bevacizumab-containing therapy in colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). This study aimed to develop RECIST by combining contrast-enhanced and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 126 patients with CRLM who underwent hepatic resection after bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy were split into initial analyses cohort (N = 42, with 76 indexed liver metastases) and validation cohort (N = 84).

Impact of visceral adipose tissue on the accuracy of T-staging by CT in colon cancer.

Objective: Accuracy of preoperative T-staging for colon cancer remains disappointing and may potentially influenced by patients' individual characteristics including visceral adipose tissue (VAT). We sought to clarify the impact of VAT on the accuracy of T-staging by CT.

Methods: This study of 216 consecutive patients who underwent elective surgery was conducted in a single cancer center, to control other potentially confounding factors.

Xiao-Qing-Long Tang Prevents Cardiomyocyte Hypertrophy, Fibrosis, and the Development of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Faction in Rats by Modulating the Composition of the Gut Microbiota.

Background: Changes in the gut microbiota are associated with cardiovascular disease progression. Xiao-Qing-Long Tang (XQLT), a traditional herbal formula, has an anti-inflammatory effect and regulates the steady state of the immune system, which is also associated with the progression of heart failure with preserved ejection faction (HFpEF). In this study, we investigated whether XQLT could contribute to prevent the development of HFpEF and whether the modulation of the gut microbiota by this herbal formula could be involved in such effect.

Guizhi Decoction () Inhibits Cholinergic Transdifferentiation by Regulating Imbalance of NGF and LIF in Salt-Sensitive Hypertensive Heart Failure Rats.

Objective: To observe the imbalance of anatomical and functional innervation factors of sympathetic nerves, nerve growth factor (NGF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), in salt-sensitive hypertensive heart failure rats and to explore the effects of treatment with Guizhi Decoction () on sympathetic remodeling by inhibiting cholinergic transdifferentiation.

Methods: SS-13 and Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats were divided into 3 groups: SS-13 group (control group, n=9), DS group (model group, n=9) and GS group (Guizhi Decoction, n=9). After 10 weeks of a high-salt diet, the GS group rats were given Guizhi Decoction and other two groups were given saline at an equal volume as a vehicle.

Hepatic pseudolymphoma: imaging features on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and diffusion-weighted imaging.

Purpose: To investigate dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MR findings and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) characteristics of hepatic pseudolymphoma.

Materials And Methods: The MR data of 20 lesions in 14 patients with histopathologically proven hepatic pseudolymphoma were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent dynamic gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging and DWI.

Transcatheter arterial embolization combined with radiofrequency ablation activates CD8(+) T-cell infiltration surrounding residual tumors in the rabbit VX2 liver tumors.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment (TAE + RFA) on the expression of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in residual tumors and explore the relationship between the HSP70 and CD8(+) T-cell infiltrate surrounding residual tumors in the rabbit VX2 liver tumor model.

Materials And Methods: Animals with VX2 liver tumors were randomized into four groups (control, TAE, RFA, and TAE + RFA) with 15 rabbits in each group. Five rabbits in each group were sacrificed on days 1, 3, and 7 after treatment.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with transarterial chemoembolization for liver metastases from gastrointestinal cancers.

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been reported to be effective for local control of different-sized hepatocellular carcinomas. However, it is unclear if these benefits could also be applicable to different-sized liver metastases from gastrointestinal cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of TACE combined with RFA for liver metastases from gastrointestinal cancers.

Clinical features and endovascular treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms.

Background: To analyze our experience with clinical features and endovascular treatment of visceral artery pseudoaneurysms (VAPAs).

Methods: We performed endovascular treatments on 52 patients (34 men and 18 women) affected by VAPA. These cases were pseudoaneurysms of the celiac axis, superior mesenteric artery, and their branches.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter therapy in rabbit VX2 liver tumors: effects and histopathological characteristics.

Background: Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment (TACE-RFA) has been confirmed superior to TACE or RFA alone in animal liver tumors. TACE before RFA was shown to increase hepatocellular damage. Further optimization of the combination strategy for transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) or TACE combined with RFA is warranted.

[Effect of experimental occlusal hypofunction on the three-dimensional microarchitecture of mandibular bone in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effects of experimental occlusal hypofunction on the architecture of rat's mandibular bone.

Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly divided into experimental occlusal hypofunction group and control group, with 20 rats in each group. Experimental occlusal hypofunction group rats were fitted with a metal cap to the maxillary and mandibular incisor, to eliminate the occlusal forces on rat molars.

[Association between delayed enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and arrhythmia in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy].

Objective: to observe the association between myocardial fibrosis, detected by delayed-enhancement (DE) cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arrhythmia in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Methods: forty-eight untreated HCM patients who underwent Cine MR, DE-MRI, 24 h ambulatory Holter electrocardiogram and ECG examinations were recruited. Extent of myocardial fibrosis (fibrosis mass/total LV mass) was assessed using DE imaging.

[Measurement and comparison of the spectral transmittance of cerinate porcelain and human enamel].

Objective: To measure the spectral transmittance of Cerinate porcelain veneer and enamel in different color and different thickness.

Methods: Samples of Cerinate porcelain veneers were prepared in different thickness (0.50 mm, 0.