Zhang Lh

Prognostic value of metastatic lymph node ratio as an additional tool to the TNM stage system in gastric cancer

BACKGROUNDnGastric cancer is one of most common malignancies in the world. Currently the prognostic prediction is entirely based on the TNM staging system. In this study, we evaluated whether metastatic lymph node ratio (rN) at the time of surgery would improve the prognostic prediction in conjunction with the TNM staging system.nnnMETHODSnThis retrospective study includes 745 patients, who had been referred for surgery due to gastric cancer between 1995 and 2007 and had at least 15 lymph nodes examined at the time of surgery without preoperative treatment. Clinicopathologic features and overall survival were analyzed using univariate and multivariate modes to identify the risk factors for overall survival.nnnRESULTSnMedian overall survival of all patients analyzed is 57.8 months and 5-year overall survival is 49.5%. Tumor site, macroscopic type, pTNM stage, and rN stage are identified as independent prognostic factors. Increased positive lymph node ratio correlates with shorter survival in all patients and in each T and N stage. In stage III gastric cancer patients, rN stage shows additional prognostic value on overall survival (p < 0.001).nnnCONCLUSIONSnrN stage is a simple and promising prognostic factor of gastric cancer after surgery in addition to the TNM stage system especially in stage III patients. But the independent prognostic value of rN stage in stage I, II and IV gastric cancer is yet to be determined.

Association between Ser311Cys polymorphism in the dopamine D2 receptor gene and schizophrenia risk: a meta-analysis in Asian populations.

Numerous studies have evaluated the association between Ser311Cys (rs1801028, C>G) polymorphism of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene and schizophrenia risk. However, the specific association is still controversial. We examined whether DRD2 Ser311Cys polymorphism confers schizophrenia risk in Asian populations. Sixteen studies were retrieved reporting on a total of 2268 schizophrenia patients and 2423 healthy controls. Meta-analysis of the results showed significant associations between Ser311Cys polymorphism and schizophrenia risk in the comparisons of G versus C (odds ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.18-1.83, P = 0.0006) and CG+GG versus CC (OR = 1.45, 95%CI = 1.16- 1.82, P = 0.001). In a subgroup analysis by nationality, we found a significant association between Ser311Cys polymorphism and schizophrenia risk in the comparisons of G versus C and CG+GG versus CC genotype in the Japanese population (OR = 1.75, 95%CI = 1.30-2.35, P = 0.0002; OR = 1.72, 95%CI = 1.27-2.33, P = 0.0004; respectively) but not in Chinese and Indian populations. In conclusion, the G allele of DRD2 Ser311Cys polymorphism involves a potential risk factor for schizophrenia in Asian populations, especially in the Japanese population.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of oncological and renal function outcomes obtained after segmental ureterectomy versus radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma

OBJECTIVEnTo perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the comparative studies reporting oncological and renal function outcomes of segmental ureterectomy (SU) versus radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for upper tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC).nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnA literature search on Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane library was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines, and a meta-analysis was performed to assess cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), intravesical recurrence free survival (IVRFS) and surgery-related variations in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).nnnRESULTSnA total of 11 retrospective studies with 3963 patients who underwent either SU (nxa0=xa0983; 24.8%) or RNU (nxa0=xa02980; 75.2%) were included. Although patients treated with SU were more likely to be diagnosed with favorable pathological features, the meta-analysis of unadjusted data revealed no significant difference between both groups in terms of CSS (HR 0.90, pxa0=xa00.33) and OS (HR 0.98, pxa0=xa00.93). Accordingly, the meta-analysis of adjusted data confirmed equivalent CSS (HRxa0=xa00.90, pxa0=xa00.47) between SU and RNU. Similarly, no significant difference was found in terms of RFS (HR 1.06, pxa0=xa00.72) and IVRFS (HR 1.35, pxa0=xa00.39). However, a significant decreased risk of impaired renal function was observed after SU when compared to RNU (mean eGFR differencexa0=xa09.32xa0ml/1.73xa0m2, pxa0=xa00.007).nnnCONCLUSIONnAlthough adverse patient and tumor characteristics were not equally balanced between treatment arms, our systematic review and meta-analysis supports similar oncological outcomes between SU and RNU, with better preservation of renal function after SU. As such, SU should be preferably used as the first-line treatment for low-risk ureter tumors, while considered for selected cases of high-risk disease.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci for the bolting trait in Brassica rapa under vernalizing conditions.

Premature bolting can occur occasionally during spring cultivation of heading Chinese cabbage in East Asia when the plants encounter low temperatures (vernalization), leading to economic loss. Breeding bolting-resistant cultivars is the best choice for solving this problem. We looked for QTLs responsible for varietal differences in the bolting trait in Brassica rapa under environmental conditions that promote vernalization. To achieve this goal, we constructed a linkage map with 107 simple sequence repeats and 54 insertion/deletion markers based on a segregating population of 186 F2 individuals. The resulting map consisted of 10 linkage groups and covered a total length of 947.1 cM, with an average genetic distance of 5.84 cM between adjacent markers. QTL analysis of the bolting trait was performed by two phenotypic evaluations (bolting index and flowering time) based on the scores in an F2 population in the spring of 2010, and scores in F2:3 families in autumn 2010 and spring 2011, respectively. Twenty-six QTLs that controlled bolting were detected, accounting for 2.6 to 31.2% of the phenotypic variance. The detected QTLs with large effects co-localized mainly on linkage groups A02, A06, and A07. These QTLs may provide useful information for marker-assisted selection in a breeding program for late bolting or bolting-resistant cultivars in B. rapa crops.

Acute spinal cord injury in rats induces autophagy activation.

AIMnAutophagy is an important process that balances cellular protein synthesis and degradation and is involved in many physiological and pathological conditions. However, the precise role of autophagy has not yet been defined in the model of spinal cord injury (SCI).nnnMATERIAL AND METHODSnHere, we utilized a hemisection model of acute SCI to elucidate the role of autophagy in the pathological processes underlying SCI.nnnRESULTSnLC3B-II, a well-known marker of autophagy, was immunohistochemically detected 4H after SCI, peaked at 3D, and decreased at 21D. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining confirmed accurate spinal cord hemisection, which was accompanied by both neuronal swelling and shrunken neurons with darkly stained, condensed nuclei. These findings suggest that the process of autophagy is related with pathological changes following SCI.nnnCONCLUSIONnOur results indicate autophagy is involved in the pathological changes after SCI, and potential therapies to promote neuronal regeneration following SCI should target the mechanism of autophagy.

Preoperative chemotherapy with a trastuzumab-containing regimen for a patient with gastric cancer and hepatic metastases.

Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of tumor-related death in China. Gastric cancer is a heterogeneous disease and therefore requires different treatments based on the subtype. We describe a patient who had gastric cancer with liver metastases. Biopsy and tumor analysis using the HercepTest revealed a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive adenocarcinoma as confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The patient was treated with a regimen of trastuzumab, oxaliplatin, and S-1 (six cycles). When positron emission tomography findings suggested that the metastases had resolved, the patient underwent surgery. Histopathologically, no cancer cells were observed in the resected hepatic tissue. The patient underwent tumor resection surgery, during which the tumor and gastric lymph nodes with lesions were removed. The patient has remained disease-free for 3 months. Therefore, trastuzumab may be an effective agent in the chemotherapeutic treatment of liver metastases in patients with HER2-positive gastric adenocarcinoma.

Increased expression of S100A6 promotes cell proliferation in gastric cancer cells.

S100A6 is involved in regulating the progression of cancer. S100A6 can regulate the dynamics of cytoskeletal constituents, cell growth and differentiation by interacting with binding or target proteins. The present study investigated whether S100A6 affects cell proliferation in gastric cancer cells by stimulating several downstream factors. Firstly, the expression and localization of S100A6 were investigated using immunohistochemical staining, an immunoelectron microscopy and laser confocal scanning. A ChIP-Chip assay was performed to determine the downstream factors of S100A6 using promoter Chip analysis, including approximately the −800 to +200 regions around the transcription starting point. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to confirm this. It was found that the intensity of S100A6 staining was markedly higher in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and its expression level correlated with that of the Ki67 protein. The overexpression of S100A6 also promoted cell proliferation in AGS and BGC823 cell lines, detected using a Cell Counting-Kit 8 assay. In cells overexpressing S100A6, the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-8, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)5, CDK4, minichromosome maintenance complex component 7 (MCM7) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) were noticeably increased. In conclusion, the increased expression of S100A6 promoted cell proliferation by regulating the expression levels of IL-8, CDK5, CDK4, MCM7 and Bcl2 in gastric cancer cells.