Subtotal gastrectomy pancreaticoduodenectomy versus conventional pancreaticoduodenectomy in the incidence of delayed gastric emptying: single-center retrospective cohort study.

Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is one of the most common complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). There is currently no widely accepted procedure for PD to reduce the incidence of DGE. Our institution attempts to perform subtotal gastrectomy in patients undergoing PD to reduce DGE.

Effect of overtime pancreaticoduodenectomy on the short-term prognosis of patients.

Background: Due to the large number of operations, surgeons sometimes need to work overtime or even stay up late to perform pancreaticoduodenectomy. Fatigue and sleep deprivation can result in an increased error rate at work. There have been numerous studies about the effect of overtime surgery on the prognosis of patients.

Noncoding RNAs Act as Tumor-Derived Molecular Components in Inducing Premetastatic Niche Formation.

Cancer metastasis has been demonstrated as it is the culmination of a cascade of priming steps. Increasing evidence has shown that tumor-derived molecular components (TDMCs) are known as extra cellular vesicle and nonvesicle factors and serve as versatile intercellular communication vehicles which can mediate signaling in the tumor microenvironment while creating the premetastatic niche. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) as one of the TDMCs have been proved in participating in the formation of the premetastatic niche.

Effects of retrograde reperfusion on the intraoperative internal environment and hemodynamics in classic orthotopic liver transplantation.

Background: To investigate the effects of retrograde reperfusion on the intraoperative internal environment and hemodynamics in classic orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).

Methods: Thirty patients were undergone classic OLT using retrograde reperfusion in our center. Blood sampling was done at different time points including: Before blood venting via the portal vein (PV), 10 mL of blood was collected from the inferior vena cava (T); During retrograde reperfusion through the inferior vena cava (IVC), 10 mL of blood was collected when the volume of blood venting reached 10 mL (T), 100 mL (T), and 200 mL (T), respectively.

Analysis of prognostic factors of more/equal to10 years of survival for liver cancer patients after liver transplantation.

Objective: To investigate prognostic factors of  more than 10 years of survival for liver cancer patients after liver transplantation.

Methods: From May 2000 to May 2007, a total of 134 liver cancer patients who underwent liver transplantation in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, were continuously and retrospectively enrolled. The patients included 120 males and 14 females.

MiR-7-5p functions as a tumor suppressor by targeting SOX18 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal malignancies. Recently, many kinds of microRNAs (miRNAs) have been found to play a significant role in development of PDAC. However, there is no investigation about expression and function of miR-7-5p in PDAC.

Overexpression of SOX18 correlates with accelerated cell growth and poor prognosis in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Transcription factor SOX18 has been proved to play a significant role in carcinogenesis. However, no investigation was performed about the expression of SOX18 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In our work, we found that the PDAC tissues had higher level of SOX18 mRNA and protein expression than matched non-tumor pancreatic tissues and high level of SOX18 protein indicated poor prognosis for PDAC patients.

Suppression of hedgehog signaling regulates hepatic stellate cell activation and collagen secretion.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play an important role in liver fibrosis. This study investigates the expression of hedgehog in HSC and the role of hedgehog signaling on activation and collagen secretion of HSC. Liver ex vivo perfusion with collagenase IV and density gradient centrifugation were used to isolate HSC.

Establishment and characterization of an immortalized rat hepatic stellate cell line.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play an important role in liver fibrosis and portal hypertension. This study established a new rat HSC cell line LSC-1. Liver ex vivo perfusion with collagenase IV and density gradient centrifugation were used to isolate rat HSC.

Interventions for treating gas gangrene.

Background: Gas gangrene is a rapidly progressive and severe disease that results from bacterial infection, usually as the result of an injury; it has a high incidence of amputation and a poor prognosis. It requires early diagnosis and comprehensive treatments, which may involve immediate wound debridement, antibiotic treatment, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Chinese herbal medicine, systemic support, and other interventions. The efficacy and safety of many of the available therapies have not been confirmed.

Outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignancy in elderly patients.

Background/aims: To evaluate short-term outcomes and long-term survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy for malignancy in elderly Chinese patients (aged 70 years or older) compared with younger patients.

Methodology: Between January 2005 and December 2013, 216 consecutive patients who underwent a PD with pancreatic cancer or periampullary cancers in our institution were recruited in this study. Sixty-eight patients aged 70 years or older when they underwent PD, while 148 patients younger than 70.

G-protein coupled receptor 34 knockdown impairs the proliferation and migration of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells in vitro.

Background: Overexpression of G-protein coupled receptor 34 (GPR34) affects the progression and prognosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma, however, the role of GPR34 in gastric cancer development and progression has not been well-determined. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of GPR34 knockdown on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: The expression of GPR34 in gastric cancer cell line HGC-27 was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.

Ertapenem prophylaxis of surgical site infections in elective colorectal surgery in China: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study.

Objectives: Our purpose was to evaluate ertapenem versus ceftriaxone/metronidazole for prophylaxis of surgical site infections (SSIs) following elective colorectal surgery in Chinese adult patients.

Methods: Eligible Chinese adults aged 18-80 years scheduled to undergo elective colorectal surgery by laparotomy were randomized to receive a 30 min infusion of 1 g of ertapenem/metronidazole placebo or 2 g of ceftriaxone/500 mg of metronidazole within 2 h before initial incision. The study endpoint was the proportion of patients with successful prophylaxis at 4 weeks after treatment.

Blockade of the OX40/OX40L pathway and induction of PD-L1 synergistically protects mouse islet allografts from rejection.

Background: OX40/OX40 ligand (OX40/OX40L) and programmed death-1/programmed death ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) costimulatory signals play important roles in T cell-induced immune responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of OX40/OX40L and PD-1/PD-L1 costimulatory pathways in mouse islet allograft rejection.

Methods: Lentiviral vectors containing OX40L siRNA sequences and an adenovirus vector containing the PD-L1 gene were constructed.

3-Bromopyruvic acid, a hexokinase II inhibitor, is an effective antitumor agent on the hepatoma cells : in vitro and in vivo findings.

Over-expressed in cancer cells, hexokinase II (HK II) forms a mitochondrial complex, which promotes cancer survival. 3- Bromopyruvic acid (3-BrPA) dissociates HK II from this complex, causing cell death, and thus, having an anti-tumor effect. The design of this study was to first analyze the expression of HK II in the hepatoma cell line, BEL-7402, then investigate the effects of 3-Br-PA on these cells, and finally, discuss its potential for clinical usage.

Overexpression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase promotes the motility and invasiveness of HepG2 cells in vitro.

Recent studies have indicated that telomerase activity promotes cancer invasion and metastasis, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Several studies have shown that expression of exogenous human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) can promote motility and invasiveness among telomerase-negative tumor cells, and inhibition of endogenous telomerase activity can reduce invasiveness in tumor cells. However, whether overexpression of hTERT can further enhance the motility and invasiveness of telomerase‑positive tumor cells has yet to be determined.

Efficacy of sorafenib after liver transplantation in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma exceeding the Milan criteria: a preliminary study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of sorafenib in preventing and treating tumor recurrence after liver transplantation in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma exceeding the Milan criteria.

Methods: Thirty patients with primary hepatic carcinoma exceeding the Milan criteria underwent liver transplantation at our hospital between March 2008 and June 2010. Matched for age and gender, the patients were randomized to treatment with sorafenib 400 mg bid or capecitabine (control group, 1500 mg bid, administered for 2 weeks followed by a 2-week rest interval in each cycle).

Prognostic factors after pancreatoduodenectomy for distal bile duct cancer.

Prognostic factors influencing long-term survival after radical resection for distal bile duct cancer have not been well established because of the rarity of this malignancy. The goal of this study was to identify main prognostic factors in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for distal bile duct carcinoma. A retrospective study consisting of 122 patients with distal bile duct cancer who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy in three major university hospitals was performed to identify the main prognostic factors.

Pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus converted from twice-daily formulation to once-daily formulation in Chinese stable liver transplant recipients.

Aim: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in Chinese stable liver transplant recipients converted from immediate release (IR) tacrolimus-based immunosuppression to modified release (MR) tacrolimus-based immunosuppression.

Methods: Open-label, multi-center study with a one-way conversion design was conducted. Eighty-three stable liver recipients (6-24 months post-transplant) with normal renal and stable hepatic function were converted from IR tacrolimus twice-daily treatment to MR tacrolimus once-daily treatment on a 1:1 (mg: mg) total daily dose basis.

Simultaneous measurements of serum AFP, GPC-3 and HCCR for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background/aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor. Tumor markers are very useful in early diagnosis; however a single marker is rather limited. We launched a test to increase the diagnostic sensitivity through the combined detection.

Hexokinase II in CD133+ and CD133- hepatoma BEL-7402 Cells.

Hexokinase II is a key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway and CD133+ human hepatoma cells possess cancer stem cell-like properties. The expression and enzyme activity of hexokinase II in CD133+ and CD133- hepatoma cells were examined. CD133 on the surface of the hepatoma BEL-7402 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry and the cells were magnetically sorted into CD133+ and CD133- groups.

[Results of long-time follow up of patients who survived more than 5 years after liver transplantation: a single center experience].

Objective: To investigate liver transplantation patients who survived for more than 5 years for the occurrences of their various long-term complications, prevention and treatment.

Methods: By May 31, 2010, totally 69 patients who had received liver transplantation from July 2000 to May 2005 in Peking University People's Hospital were still alive. We reviewed the clinical data of these patients and the recent records of their liver and kidney functions, blood pressure, blood sugar and blood fat, etc.

A novel system of artificial antigen-presenting cells efficiently stimulates Flu peptide-specific cytotoxic T cells in vitro.

Therapeutic numbers of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are key effectors in successful adoptive immunotherapy. However, efficient and reproducible methods to meet the qualification remain poor. To address this issue, we designed the artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) system based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA).

Reduced survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma expressing hexokinase II.

Hexokinase II is a key enzyme in the glycolytic pathway and possesses anti-apoptotic properties in tumor cells. The present study aimed to analyze the expression of hexokinase II and its clinical correlation with clinical factors in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who treated surgically in China. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to determine hexokinase II mRNA expression in cancer tissues.

[Management of hepatic artery related complications and its outcome during liver transplantation].

Objective: To explore the experience of hepatic arterial reconstruction and management of its complications.

Methods: The clinical data of 570 consecutive orthotopic liver transplantation patients performed from May 2001 to May 2009 in Peking University People's Hospital were analyzed retrospectively in order to summarize the key factors of hepatic arterial reconstruction and the experience of management of its complications.

Results: Arterial complications developed in 18 (3.