Distribution pattern of tumor associated macrophages predicts the prognosis of gastric cancer.

Purpose: As mayor biomarkers in tumor microenvironment (TME), tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) of gastric cancer (GC) still needs further studies in terms of the number and distribution pattern.

Methods: Herein, tissue microarrays (TMA) incorporating 494 GC surgical samples in duplicate were stained for TAMs infiltration analysis. TAMs number was counted according to the locations, including infiltrating macrophages in cancer nest (MC), in invasive front (MF) and in stroma (MS).

Identification of mutations in the prostaglandin transporter gene SLCO2A1 and phenotypic comparison between two subtypes of primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO): A single-center study.

Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is an inherited disease characterized by digital clubbing, periostosis, and pachydermia. Based on two causative genes, hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (HPGD) and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 2A1 (SLCO2A1), PHO is categorized into two subtypes: hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, primary, autosomal recessive 1 (PHOAR1) and hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, primary, autosomal recessive 2 (PHOAR2). In this study, we summarized the clinical manifestations and analyzed SLCO2A1 gene in 23 PHOAR2 patients in our center.

Upregulation of long noncoding RNA AP003419.16 predicts high risk of aging‑associated idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are able to regulate adjacent genes and thus participate in the incidence in the present study has identified lncRNA AP003419.16, adjacent to the protein‑coding gene ribosomal protein S6 kinase B‑2 (RPS6KB2). RPS6KB2 is believed to be involved in the process of aging and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), due to its activation by growth factors and regulation by the protein kinase mTOR signaling pathway.

Stability assessment of a new antithrombotic small peptide, Arg-Gly-Asp-Trp-Arg (RGDWR), and its derivative.

Objective: To assess the stabilities of Arg-Gly-Asp-Trp-Arg (RGDWR, designated as RWR), a new patented antithrombotic small peptide, and its derivative with ω-aminocaprylic acid on its N-terminus (ωRWR).

Results: RWR in rat plasma was decreased by between 32 and 48% after 4 h incubation on ice, indicating its instability in plasma. In contrast, ωRWR in plasma remained at 96-107%.

Upregulation of SOX4 antagonizes cellular senescence in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Senescence, a terminal cell proliferation arrest that is caused by a variety of cellular stresses such as telomere erosion, DNA damage and oncogenic signaling, is classically considered a tumor defense barrier. However, the mechanism by which cancer cells overcome senescence is undetermined. In this study, the gene expression array data of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) was compared with paired normal tissues and showed that a cohort of genes, including proteinases, chemokines and inflammation factors, are upregulated in ESCC, which exhibits the senescence-associated secretory phenotype.

Clinical and genetic findings in a Chinese family with VDR-associated hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets.

Hereditary vitamin D-resistant rickets (HVDRR) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe rickets, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and elevated alkaline phosphatase. This disorder is caused by homogeneous or heterogeneous mutations affecting the function of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), which lead to complete or partial target organ resistance to the action of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D. A non-consanguineous family of Chinese Han origin with one affected individual demonstrating HVDRR was recruited, with the proband evaluated clinically, biochemically and radiographically.

Real-world treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of HCV treatment-naive patients in China: an interim analysis from the CCgenos study.

Background And Aim: In China, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection represents a considerable healthcare burden. Although interferon-based therapy has been the standard-of-care for many years, few long-term, real-life studies have assessed interferon-based treatment in China. The objective of CCgenos follow-up study was to analyze long-term treatment patterns and outcomes in a cohort of treatment-naïve, Han ethnic, patients with chronic HCV infection.

Novel COL2A1 mutations causing spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita in three unrelated Chinese families.

Purpose: To present three identified novel COL2A1 mutations causing spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita (SEDC) in three unrelated Chinese families, and perform analysis regarding the clinical and genetic features of SEDC in the Chinese population through assessment of the literature.

Methods: Medical history, physical examination, radiographic and laboratory tests were obtained from three Chinese clinically diagnosed SEDC patients. PCR technique and direct nucleotide sequencing were conducted to identify mutations in the COL2A1 gene.

Influence of Weight-Age Normalization on Glomerular Filtration Rate Values of Renal Patients: A STROBE-Compliant Article.

To explore whether weight-age (W-A) could be applied in clinical practice, this study was designed to verify the normalization ability of W-A by the data from another medical center, and to access the influence of the normalization on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) values in renal patients.Both plasma clearance (pGFR) and camera-based (gGFR), which were separately scaled to W-A and body surface area (BSA), were measured for patients with diffuse renal diseases. The patients (n = 298) were stratified according to the Chinese body mass index (BMI) criteria and were staged according to the Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiatives guideline based on gGFR and pGFR separately.

High glucose/High Lipids impair vascular adiponectin function via inhibition of caveolin-1/AdipoR1 signalsome formation.

Reduced levels of adiponectin (APN) contribute to cardiovascular injury in the diabetic population. Recent studies demonstrate elevated circulating APN levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction during pre-diabetes, suggesting the development of APN resistance. However, mechanisms leading to, and the role of, vascular APN resistance in endothelial dysfunction remain unidentified.

Novel mutations of CLCN7 cause autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADO-II) and intermediate autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (IARO) in Chinese patients.

Summary: Osteopetrosis is a group of genetic bone disorders. Mutations in the chloride channel 7 gene (CLCN7) lead to chloride channel defect, which results in autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II (ADO-II), autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (ARO), and intermediate autosomal recessive osteopetrosis (IARO). In the present study, we identified seven novel mutations of the CLCN7 gene and reported the first case of IARO with compound heterozygous mutation in Chinese population.

A Common Mutation and a Novel Mutation in the HPGD Gene in Nine Patients with Primary Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy.

Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy (PHO) is a hereditary bone disease characterized by digital clubbing, periostosis, and pachydermia. The HPGD gene encoding 15-prostaglandin dehydrogenase and SLCO2A1 encoding one type of prostaglandin transporter were found to be responsible for PHO. Mutations of either gene would lead to increased level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), which might contribute to the constellation of the symptoms.

Technetium-99m-labeled annexin V imaging for detecting prosthetic joint infection in a rabbit model.

Accurate and timely diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection is essential to initiate early treatment and achieve a favorable outcome. In this study, we used a rabbit model to assess the feasibility of technetium-99m-labeled annexin V for detecting prosthetic joint infection. Right knee arthroplasty was performed on 24 New Zealand rabbits.

Evaluation of the estimated variables for scaling glomerular filtration rate of renal patients: a repeated measures-based method.

Objective: Using a best variable to scale glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is important for clinical practice. The variables, estimated by equations regressed from a healthy population, are usually used in scaling GFR of renal patients. However, because the predicted variables may deviate in renal patients, it is necessary to verify whether these variables can be used to reduce the variability of GFR of renal patients.

Fixed-dose combination treatment after stroke for secondary prevention in China: a national community-based study.

Background And Purpose: There is evidence and international consensus on the advantages and potential of a polypill for established cardiovascular disease patients to improve adherence in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to estimate the numbers of stroke patients who would be eligible for the polypill strategy in China, and the suitable composition of a polypill, based on data of the China National Stroke Prevention Project.

Methods: A total of 717 620 residents aged ≥40 years from 6 Chinese representative provinces were screened for prevalent stroke from 2011 to 2012 with an 84.

Tumor invasion unit in gastric cancer revealed by QDs-based in situ molecular imaging and multispectral analysis.

In tumor tissues, cancer cells, tumor infiltrating macrophages and tumor neo-vessels in close spatial vicinity with one another form tumor invasion unit, which is a biologically important tumor microenvironment of metastasis to facilitate cancer invasion and metastasis. Establishing an in situ molecular imaging technology to simultaneously reveal these three components is essential for the in-depth investigation of tumor invasion unit. In this report, we have developed a computer-aided algorithm by quantum dots (QDs)-based multiplexed molecular imaging technique for such purpose.

[Effects of serum anti-sperm antibodies positive on the Fas/Fas-L apoptosis pathway in the testis tissue and testicular germ cells of pubertal male rats].

Objective: To establish a rat model of anti-sperm antibody (AsAb)-mediated immune infertility, and investigate the effects of serum AsAb positive on the Fas/Fas-L apoptosis pathway in testis tissue and testicular germ cells of pubertal male rats.

Methods: Thirty 5-week-old Wistar male rats were included in this study, 10 killed for preparation of sperm suspension, 10 as normal controls, and the other 10 made models of AsAb-positive immune infertility (experimental group). Four weeks after modeling, the testes of the rats were harvested for observation of the changes in the testis tissue under the light microscope and detection of the expressions of Fas, Fas-L and Caspase-3 proteins by immunohistochemistry.

Heme oxygenase-1 prevents liver fibrosis in rats by regulating the expression of PPARγ and NF-κB.

Aim: To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 on liver fibrosis and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in rats.

Methods: Sixty Wistar rats were used to construct liver fibrosis models and were randomly divided into 5 groups: group A (normal, untreated), group B (model for 4 wk, untreated), group C (model for 6 wk, untreated), group D [model for 6 wk, treated with zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP-IX) from week 4 to week 6], group E (model for 6 wk, treated with hemin from week 4 to week 6). Next, liver injury was assessed by measuring serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and albumin levels.

Laser surgery versus radiotherapy for T1-T2N0 glottic cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: Laser surgery and radiotherapy are commonly used to treat glottic cancer.

Objective Of Review: To compare outcomes and cost of laser surgery versus radiotherapy for T1-T2N0 glottic cancer.

Type Of Review: Meta-analysis.

[The changes of palate cleft gap of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate infants before and after presurgical orthodontic and cheiloplasty].

Objective: To study the changes of palate cleft gap of complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) infants before and after presurgical orthodontic and cheiloplasty.

Methods: The sample consisted of 18 complete UCLP infants who were treated using presurgical nasoalveolar molding (PNAM) appliance and cheiloplasty. The maxillary models were obtained at the initial visit, after PNAM treatment 1 month before cheiloplasty, and 2 months after cheiloplasty.

[Assessment of upper jaw extraction versus upper and lower jaw extraction treatment for class II division 1 malocclusion using peer assessment rating index].

Objective: To assess the outcome of orthodontic treatment with upper jaw or upper and lower jaw extraction for Class II division 1 malocclusion using the peer assessment rating (PAR) index.

Methods: 28 patients with Class II division 1 were extracted two first premolars or second premolars of upper jaw, and 24 patients were extracted four premolars of upper and lower jaw N. The PAR was applied on pre-and post-orthodontic treatment dental casts for the fifty-two cases.

[The latest development of MRI equipment].

This paper describes briefly the latest development of MRI equipment and its masket.

[The clinical significance of true insulin and proinsulin levels in subjects with different glucose tolerance].

Objective: To examine the levels of serum true insulin (TI) and proinsulin (PI) in individuals with different glucose tolerance and to assess its clinical significance.

Methods: The levels of true insulin and proinsulin during oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were determined with specific BA-ELISA in 135 normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 86 impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) subjects as well as 101 type II diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.

Results: The fasting TI levels showed no significant difference (P > 0.