Effect of MTHFR A1298C and MTRR A66G Genetic Mutations on Homocysteine Levels in the Chinese Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: The Chinese population typically has inadequate folate intake and no mandatory folic acid fortification. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) are the two key regulatory enzymes in the folate/homocysteine (Hcy) metabolism. Hcy has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.

Prognostic role of the pre-treatment platelet-lymphocyte ratio in pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Recently, the pre-treatment platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), which is based on blood parameters, was accepted as a prognostic factor for patients with various cancers. Numerous studies have investigated the prognostic role of the PLR in pancreatic cancer; however, it remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between the pre-treatment PLR and overall survival (OS) in pancreatic cancer.

ITD mutation in FLT3 tyrosine kinase promotes Warburg effect and renders therapeutic sensitivity to glycolytic inhibition.

Internal tandem duplication (ITD) mutation in Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 gene (FLT3/ITD) represents an unfavorable genetic change in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and is associated with poor prognosis. Metabolic alterations have been involved in tumor progression and attracted interest as a target for therapeutic intervention. However, few studies analyzed the adaptations of cellular metabolism in the context of FLT3/ITD mutation.

Mitophagy is increased during erythroid differentiation in β-thalassemia.

Mitophagy is a selective degradation of mitochondria, which also plays a critical role in hematopoiesis. However, it is unclear what role, if any, this process plays in the pathogenesis of β-thalassemia. To determine the role of mitophagy in β-thalassemia, CD34 hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) were isolated from peripheral blood of β-thalassemia patients and healthy controls and differentiated into erythrocytes.

Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Thirty-Four Pediatric Cases of Mucopolysaccharidosis-A Ten-Year Report from the China Children Transplant Group.

We investigated the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (alloHSCT) in pediatric patients with mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS). A retrospective analysis of transplantation data from 34 cases of MPS from the China Children Transplant Group, treated between December 2004 and September 2015, was conducted. Among the 34 cases, 12 cases were type I, 12 were type II, 4 were type IV, 4 were type VI, and 2 were of an unknown type.

The application of the fibroblast activation protein α-targeted immunotherapy strategy.

Cancer immunotherapy has primarily been focused on attacking tumor cells. However, given the close interaction between tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME), CAF-targeted strategies could also contribute to an integrated cancer immunotherapy. Fibroblast activation protein α (FAP α) is not detectible in normal tissues, but is overexpressed by CAFs and is the predominant component of the stroma in most types of cancer.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase protein expression predicts micrometastases and prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

The present study aimed to investigate anaplastic lymphoma kinase () status in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to evaluate whether abnormalities in expression were associated with patient prognosis. status was investigated using immunohistochemistry (IHC), reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and fluorescence hybridization (FISH) assays in 342 HCC patients. In addition, rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends-coupled PCR sequencing was performed, in order to confirm the presence of abnormalities in patients exhibiting messenger RNA (mRNA) overexpression.

Pathological Assessment of the AJCC Tumor Regression Grading System After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy for Chinese Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

We used American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Staging Manual system to assess the prognostic significance of tumor regression grading (TRG) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) (T3/4 or N+) patients who were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT).The 4 AJCC-TRG classifications were evaluated on surgical specimens from 295 LARC patients receiving CRT. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model.

Tumor deposits: markers of poor prognosis in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Background: Tumor deposits (TDs) were reported to be poor prognoses in colorectal carcinoma, but the significance in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) (T3-4/N+) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neo-CRT) and surgery is unclear. Since adjuvant chemotherapy showed no benefit for LARC following neo-CRT, it is of great value to investigate whether TDs can identify the subgroup of patients who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: Between 2004 and 2012, 310 LARC patients following neo-CRT and surgery were retrospectively reviewed.

, the extracts of -inoculated rabbit skin, effectively alleviates the chronic low back pain with little side effect - A randomized multi-center double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 clinical trial.

Background: Chronic low back pain affects daily activities at home and workplaces and causes a huge economic burden. Current therapeutic options are very limited and the effects of available pharmacological agents are less than satisfactory. While NSAIDs might be effective for the short term and opioids might help with urgent pain relief and improving the life quality, their long-term use is associated with significant side effects and drug misuse or abuse.

Clinical characteristics and therapeutic analysis of 51 patients with Marjolin's ulcers.

Marjolin's ulcers, which are epidermoid carcinomas arising on non-healing scar tissue, may be of various pathological types, including squamous cell carcinoma. The pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma arising in an ulcer differs from that of the primary cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. This squamous cell carcinoma is aggressive in nature, and has a high rate of metastasis.

Elevated CA19-9 as the Most Significant Prognostic Factor in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy.

It remains controversial regarding the prognostic significance of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) (T3-4/N+) patients with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neo-CRT). And it is unknown whether CA19-9 can identify patients who may benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.Overall, 303 LARC patients with neo-CRT between 2004 and 2010 were recruited.

The prognostic impact of preoperative blood monocyte count in pathological T3N0M0 rectal cancer without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

It remains controversial whether adjuvant therapy should be delivered to pathological T3N0M0 rectal cancer without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Thus identification of patients at high risk is of particular importance. Herein, we aimed to evaluate whether the absolute peripheral blood monocyte count can stratify the pathological T3N0M0M0 rectal cancer patients in survival.

Influence of cyclophilin D protein expression level on endothelial cell oxidative damage resistance.

We examined the influence of cyclophilin-D (CypD) protein expression level on endothelial cell oxidative damage resistance. A model of CypD protein expression or high expression in endothelial cells was established through gene silencing or cloning. The comparable groups were normal endothelial cells cultured in phosphate-buffered solution in liquid handling cells containing 500 mM H2O2 for 90 or 120 min, and then the medium was replaced with common nutrient solution and cultured again for 24 h.

Association between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocytes and metabolic syndrome in Chinese men and women.

Purpose: Evidence of an association between n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and metabolic syndrome (MS) is limited and inconsistent. We investigated the association between n-3 PUFAs in erythrocytes and the presence of MS in Chinese adults.

Methods: The levels of α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in erythrocytes were measured using gas chromatography in 3072 participants (900 men and 2172 women) aged 30-75 years from Guangzhou, China.

High expression of AFAP1-AS1 is associated with poor survival and short-term recurrence in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still a lethal malignancy. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play a critical role in cancer development and progression. Here we identified overexpression of the lncRNA AFAP1-AS1 in PDAC patients and evaluated its prognostic and functional relevance.

The long non-coding RNA HOTTIP promotes progression and gemcitabine resistance by regulating HOXA13 in pancreatic cancer.

Background: The human genome encodes many long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, their biological functions, molecular mechanisms, and the prognostic value associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain to be elucidated. Here, we identify a fundamental role for the lncRNA HOXA transcript at the distal tip (HOTTIP) in the progression and chemoresistance of PDAC.

Advanced glycation end products induce glomerular endothelial cell hyperpermeability by upregulating matrix metalloproteinase activity.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of advanced glycation end‑products (AGEs) on the permeability of glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) and determine whether enhanced permeability was due to degradation of tight junction (TJ) complexes by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Cultured monolayers of GEnCs were exposed to AGEs at different doses and treatment durations in the presence or absence of the organic MMP‑2/9 inhibitor (2R)‑2‑((4‑biphenyl sulfony‑l)amino)‑3‑phenylproprionic acid) (BiPs). Expression of the TJ proteins occludin and claudin‑5 was determined by western blot analysis and immunofluorescence, while the permeability of the GEnCs was measured using transendothelial electrical resistance and by diffusion of 4 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‑dextran.

Effective suppression of the Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene in pancreatic tumor cells via targeted small interfering RNA delivery using nanoparticles.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to establish an efficient carrier for small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery targeting pancreatic tumor cells.

Methods: A copolymer consisting of a single-chain variable fragment targeted to human CD44 variant 6 (scFv(CD44v6)) functional group conjugated to polyethylene glycol-poly-L-lysine was synthesized and assembled into micelles encapsulating the siRNAs. Flow cytometry and Western blot assays were performed to evaluate the transfection efficiency and gene-silencing effect of the siRNAs.

Perineural Invasion and TAMs in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinomas: Review of the Original Pathology Reports Using Immunohistochemical Enhancement and Relationships with Clinicopathological Features.

Objectives: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are thought to be involved in the perineural invasion (PNI) process and to be associated with poor prognoses. The associations between TAMs, PNI, and clinicopathological features in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAs) remain to be elucidated.

Methods: Fifty-nine PDA patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy were retrospectively examined.

Tailored selection of the interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery for locally advanced rectal cancer: analysis based on the pathologic stage or chemoradiation response.

Background: The optimal interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery has yet to be established. Additionally, it is unknown whether patients with different pathologic stages or chemoradiation responses should undergo different intervals between CRT and surgery. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether this interval has a differential effect on the oncologic outcome of patients with different chemoradiation responses or pathologic stages.

Factors influencing adjustment to a colostomy in Chinese patients: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: We evaluated persons living with a colostomy in order to characterize and describe relationships among adjustment, self-care ability, and social support.

Subjects And Setting: One hundred twenty-nine colostomy patients from 5 hospitals in Guangzhou, capital city of the Guangdong province, were recruited by convenience sampling.

Instruments: Cross-sectional data were collected from a survey that included demographic and pertinent clinical data related to their ostomy.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer tissues and impairs insulin secretion function of β-cell.

Background: Understanding the pathogenic mechanism of pancreatic cancer associated diabetes (PCDM) might help yield biomarkers for the early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer (PC) from population with new-onset diabetes. In the current study, we sought to determine the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in PCDM pathogenesis.

Methods: The protein and mRNA levels of MIF in paraffin-embedded human PC samples, chronic pancreatitis specimens, and normal pancreas were measured by immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.

Erythrocyte membrane n-3 fatty acid levels and carotid atherosclerosis in Chinese men and women.

Objective: Prospective studies have supported the beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acid consumption on cardiac deaths, but limited data focused on atherosclerosis. We investigated the associations between n-3 fatty acids in erythrocytes and atherosclerosis in middle-aged and older Chinese.

Methods: 847 subjects (285 men and 562 women), aged 40-65 years, from Guangzhou, China were included in this community-based cross-sectional study between December 2005 and January 2008.