Causal relationship between systemic circulatory inflammatory regulators and intervertebral disc degeneration: A bidirectional 2-sample Mendelian randomization study.

In the context of the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), inflammatory mediators play a pivotal role. Nevertheless, due to the influence of the inflammatory microenvironment, the causal relationship between specific inflammatory mediators and the development of IDD remains uncertain. The understanding of the causal relationship between inflammatory mediators and IDD is of great importance in preventing and delaying disc degeneration in the future.

[Retracted] MicroRNA‑505 is downregulated in human osteosarcoma and regulates cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the control GAPDH western blotting bands shown in Fig. 4H on p. 496 were strikingly similar to data that were submitted for publication in advance of this article in different form by different authors at different research institutes [Liu F, Bai C and Guo Z: The prognostic value of osteopontin in limited‑stage small cell lung cancer patients and its mechanism.

Effectiveness of lenvatinib plus immune checkpoint inhibitors in primary advanced hepatocellular carcinoma beyond oligometastasis.

Background: Targeted therapy combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors is considered a promising treatment for primary advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Nevertheless, the difference between synchronous and asynchronous treatment of lenvatinib with programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitor in advanced HCC is still unclear. The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the effectiveness of synchronous and asynchronous of lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitor on the advanced HCC beyond oligometastasis.

Modified percutaneous ethanol injection method combined with microwave ablation for the treatment of symptomatic, predominantly cystic, benign thyroid nodules: a retrospective study of 201 cases.

Objective: Percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) and microwave ablation (MWA) are both important methods used in treating benign thyroid nodules. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a modified PEI method combined with MWA for the treatment of symptomatic, predominantly cystic and benign thyroid nodules.

Materials And Methods: This study included 201 patients who underwent treatment in our department between April 2015 and August 2018.

Transmission dynamics and optimal control of stage-structured HLB model.

Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) is one of severe quarantine diseases affecting citrus pro-duction both in abroad and domestic. Based on the mechanism and characteristics of citrus HLB transmission, we establish a vector-borne model with stage structure and integrated strategy and inves-tigate the effect of the strategy in controlling the spread of HLB. By calculating, we obtain the basic reproductive number R, and prove that the disease can be eradicated if R < 1, whereas the disease will persist if R > 1.

Diagnostic value of two dimensional shear wave elastography combined with texture analysis in early liver fibrosis.

Background: Staging diagnosis of liver fibrosis is a prerequisite for timely diagnosis and therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B. In recent years, ultrasound elastography has become an important method for clinical noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis stage, but its diagnostic value for early liver fibrosis still needs to be further improved. In this study, the texture analysis was carried out on the basis of two dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), and the feasibility of 2D-SWE plus texture analysis in the diagnosis of early liver fibrosis was discussed.

MicroRNA-505 is downregulated in human osteosarcoma and regulates cell proliferation, migration and invasion.

Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are involved in osteosarcoma tumorigenesis, progression, invasion and metastasis. For example, miR-505 plays important roles in human carcinogenesis; however, its exact function in osteosarcoma remains unclear. MicroRNA profiles of osteosarcoma and normal tissues were obtained by miRNA microarray assays, which were validated by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Ultrasound-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules in 435 patients.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave ablation in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules. A total of 474 benign thyroid nodules in 435 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided microwave ablation from September 2012 to August 2015 were included. Nodule volume and thyroid function were measured before treatment and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and subsequently after every 6 months.

Effect of a poloxamer 407-based thermosensitive gel on minimization of thermal injury to diaphragm during microwave ablation of the liver.

Aim: To assess the insulating effect of a poloxamer 407 (P407)-based gel during microwave ablation of liver adjacent to the diaphragm.

Methods: We prepared serial dilutions of P407, and 22.5% (w/w) concentration was identified as suitable for ablation procedures.

The basic reproductive ratio of Barbour's two-host schistosomiasis model with seasonal fluctuations.

Background: Motivated by the first mathematical model for schistosomiasis proposed by Macdonald and Barbour's classical schistosomiasis model tracking the dynamics of infected human population and infected snail hosts in a community, in our previous study, we incorporated seasonal fluctuations into Barbour's model, but ignored the effect of bovine reservoir host in the transmission of schistosomiasis. Inspired by the findings from our previous work, the model was further improved by integrating two definitive hosts (human and bovine) and seasonal fluctuations, so as to understand the transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis japonica and evaluate the ongoing control measures in Liaonan village, Xingzi County, Jiangxi Province.

Methods: The basic reproductive ratio R and its computation formulae were derived by using the operator theory in functional analysis and the monodromy matrix theory.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound for quantitative assessment of portal pressure in canine liver fibrosis.

Aim: To explore the feasibility of non-invasive quantitative estimation of portal venous pressure by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a canine model.

Methods: Liver fibrosis was established in adult canines (Beagles; n = 14) by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). CEUS parameters, including the area under the time-intensity curve and intensity at portal/arterial phases (Qp/Qa and Ip/Ia, respectively), were used to quantitatively assess the blood flow ratio of the portal vein/hepatic artery at multiple time points.

Methylated TIMP-3 DNA in body fluids is an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer.

Context: Fluid methylated DNA may be a suitable biomarker for cancer patients.

Objective: To investigate whether circulating methylated tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP-3) DNA in body fluids is a useful prognostic biomarker in gastric cancer (GC).

Design: TIMP-3 methylation was detected by real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction in tumor tissues, paired preoperative peritoneal washes (PPWs), and paired serum samples from 92 GC patients.

Enhanced serum methylated p16 DNAs is associated with the progression of gastric cancer.

Objective: The present study is to evaluate the effect of methylated p16 on the progression in patients with gastric cancer (GC), and develop a useful biomarker for predicting patient's prognosis.

Design And Methods: Methylation status of p16 in GC, their corresponding para-cancerous histological normal tissues (PCHNTs), preoperative peritoneal washes (PPWs) and serum were assessed using real-time methylation specific-PCR (MSP).

Results: The frequency of p16 methylation was significantly higher in GC tissues (85.

Circulating methylated MINT2 promoter DNA is a potential poor prognostic factor in gastric cancer.

Background And Aim: Aberrant DNA methylation has been shown to be associated with the growth, development, metastasis, and prognosis of tumors. Methylated DNAs may be suitable biomarkers for cancer patients. Here, we investigated whether circulating methylated MINT2 DNAs represent a potential poor prognostic factor in gastric cancer (GC).

Circulating Methylated XAF1 DNA Indicates Poor Prognosis for Gastric Cancer.

Background: Methylated DNA in fluids may be a suitable biomarker for cancer patients. XAF1 has been shown to be frequently down-regulated in human gastric cancer (GC). Here, we investigated if XAF1 methylation in GC could be a useful biomarker.

Field transmission intensity of Schistosoma japonicum measured by basic reproduction ratio from modified Barbour's model.

Background: Schistosomiasis japonica, caused by infection with Schistosoma japonicum, is still recognized as a major public health problem in the Peoples' Republic of China. Mathematical modelling of schistosomiasis transmission has been undertaken in order to assess and project the effects of various control strategies for elimination of the disease. Seasonal fluctuations in transmission may have the potential to impact on the population dynamics of schistosomiasis, yet no model of S.

Enhanced RegIV expression predicts the intrinsic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistance in advanced gastric cancer.

Aim: RegIV, a member of the Regenerating (REG) gene family, may be a marker for the prediction of resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based chemotherapy. However, the relationship between the intrinsic drug resistance of gastric cancer (GC) cells to 5-FU used alone (single FU) or in multidrug therapeutic regimens (5-FU combinations) and RegIV expression has not been investigated.

Methods: The patient cohort comprised 45 patients with primary GC.

[Methylation status of CDH1 gene in preoperative abdominal lavage of patients with gastric cancer and its clinical significance].

Objective: To explore the association between the progression of gastric cancer and the aberrant methylation of CDH1 gene in preoperative abdominal lavage fluid.

Methods: Real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction(qMSP) was used to investigate the methylation status of the CDH1 gene promoter 5'-CpG islands from preoperative abdominal lavage fluid in 92 patients with gastric cancer. The associations between methylation of CDH1 genes and clinicopathologic features and prognosis were investigated.

[Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma and its role in cancer invasion].

Objective: To assess the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma and explore its role in cancer invasion.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with pathologically confirmed salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC) were divided into invasion group and non-invasion group. The EGFR expression was determined by immunohistochemstry (SP staining).

Stepwise cumulation of RUNX3 methylation mediated by Helicobacter pylori infection contributes to gastric carcinoma progression.

Background: Helicobacter pylori has been recognized as a definite carcinogen for gastric cancer (GC); however, the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection remains unclear. Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) is a candidate tumor suppressor gene whose deficiency is causally related to GC.

CDH1 methylation in preoperative peritoneal washes is an independent prognostic factor for gastric cancer.

Background And Objectives: To investigate the clinical value of CDH1 methylation in preoperative peritoneal washes (PPW) from gastric cancer patients.

Methods: CDH1 methylation was detected by real-time methylation specific-PCR in tumor tissues and corresponding PPW from 92 gastric cancer patients, gastric mucosa from 40 chronic gastritis patients and 48 normal persons.

Results: CDH1 methylation was found in 75 of 92 (81.

[Expression and significance of E-cadherin in adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands].

Objective: To examine the expression of E-cadherin and the methylation status of CDH1 and explore their clinical significance in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC).

Methods: The expression of E-cadherin was detected by the immunohistochemical method. And the methylation of CDH1 gene promoter 5'-CpG island was analyzed by real-time methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (real-time MSP) in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma and normal salivary gland tissue respectively.