Relationship between plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and prognosis of TACE for primary hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundOur study aims to investigate changes in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) concentration and integrity in primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) patients before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment and their influence on the evaluation of prognosis of the disease.MethodsA total of 84 PHC patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from December 2016 to December 2017 were included as the study group, while 55 healthy people served as the control group. Plasma cfDNA concentration and integrity were determined using qRT-PCR. The correlation between cfDNA concentration/integrity and clinical characteristics of PHC patients were analyzed. A ROC curve was used to investigate the sensitivity and specificity of cfDNA as detection indices. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze factors affecting recurrence in PHC patients and compare recurrence-free survival (RFS) of PHC patients with high cfDNA expression and low cfDNA expression.ResultsPlasma cfDNA concentration and integrity were significantly higher in PHC patients before TACE treatment than in healthy people and significantly lower after treatment than before (P<0.05). The cfDNA concentration was significantly correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and BCLC stage, while cfDNA integrity was significantly correlated with tumor size, TNM stage, and BCLC stage (P<0.05). ROC results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) value of cfDNA concentration was the largest, with an optimal cut-off of 10.51 ng/mL. Multivariate regression analysis for COX showed that the TNM stage, cfDNA concentration, and AFP were independent risk factors that affected PHC patients’ survival.ConclusionsPlasma cfDNA concentration in PHC patients is more sensitive and specific than any other tumor marker. It is an independent risk factor for PHC patients treated with TACE. Therefore, it is hypothesized cfDNA is a potential biomarker for prognostic evaluation of PHC patients treated with TACE.     

Clinical Spectrum of Capillary Malformation–Arteriovenous Malformation Syndrome Presenting to a Pediatric Dermatology Practice: A Retrospective Study

Capillary malformation–arteriovenous malformation syndrome (CM‐AVM) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by RASA1 mutations. The prevalence and phenotypic spectrum are unknown. Evaluation of patients with multiple CMs is challenging because associated AVMs can be life threatening. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of children presenting with features of CM‐AVM to an academic pediatric dermatology practice. After institutional review board approval was received, a retrospective chart review was performed of patients presenting between 2009 and 2012 with features of CM‐AVM. We report nine cases. Presenting symptoms ranged from extensive vascular stains and cardiac failure to CMs noted incidentally during routine skin examination. All demonstrated multiple CMs, two had Parkes Weber syndrome, and two had multiple infantile hemangiomas. Seven patients had family histories of multiple CMs; three had family histories of large, atypical CMs. Six had personal or family histories of AVMs. Genetic evaluation was recommended for all and was pursued by six families; four RASA1 mutations were identified, including one de novo. Consultations with neurology, cardiology, and orthopedics were recommended. Most patients (89%) have not required treatment to date. CM‐AVM is an underrecognized condition with a wide clinical spectrum that often presents in childhood. Further evaluation may be indicated in patients with multiple CMs. This study is limited by its small and retrospective nature.     

Comparison of auditory steady-state response and click-evoked auditory brain response in infants with different types and degrees of hearing loss

Abstract

Background: Auditory steady-state response (ASSR) and click-evoked auditory brain response (c-ABR) have been used for hearing assessment for decades years, the correlation of the two methods and the effects of type and degree of hearing loss (HL) to the correlation in infants younger than 6?months of age are unclear.

Objectives: To compare the correlation of ASSR and c-ABR and then to analyse the effects of type and degree of HL on the correlation in infants younger than 6?months of age.

Material and methods: Retrospective study comparing ASSR thresholds at various frequencies with c-ABR thresholds. 182 ears from 96 infants were assessed and classified according to types and degrees of HL.

Results: The correlation coefficients were: 0.823, 0.864, 0.891, 0.871, 0.908, 0.915 and 0.913 between ASSR thresholds at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 2–4, 1–2–4, 0.5–1–2–4?kHz and c-ABR thresholds respectively. The correlation coefficients in the group of sensorineural HL (SHL) (r?=?0.763–0.900) were higher than conductive HL (r?=?0.309–0.619) across all frequencies. The coefficients of severe-profound SHL (r?=?0.595–0.790) were higher than mild-moderate SHL (r?=?0.434–0.687) across all frequencies.

Conclusions and significance: ASSR was one valuable cross-check measure by providing frequency specific information in auditory assessment.     

“调任通督”法针刺治疗围绝经期潮热的随机对照研究＊

目的 观察“调任通督法”针刺治疗围绝经期潮热的临床疗效和安全性。方法 将符合纳入标准的72例围绝经期潮热患者，按照1∶1的比例随机分为治疗组（针刺组）和对照组（等待组）。治疗组取穴百会、印堂、神庭、关元、气海、中脘、阴郄、太溪、复溜、三阴交。针刺治疗每次持续30 min，每周2次，连续治疗6周。对照组为等待组，试验期间仅给予同针刺组相同的健康宣教，两组分别于治疗前、治疗第3周、治疗第6周以及第10周随访评估其潮热频率和程度，以及更年期生活质量量表（Menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire，Men-QoL）的变化情况，同时记录针刺不良事件的发生。结果 ①潮热频率及潮热程度：在治疗后及随访时，针刺组较等待组有明显改善，差异具有统计学意义（P < 0.01）。与治疗前相比，针刺组第3周即出现了潮热频率明显下降的趋势（P < 0.01），治疗后以及随访期针刺组潮热频率及潮热程度均较治疗前有明显统计学差异（P < 0.01）。而等待组在各时间点潮热频率及潮热程度均无统计学差异（均P > 0.05）。②围绝经期生活质量量表：治疗后针刺组在Men-QoL总分、血管舒缩功能评分、社会心理、体能状况较等待组比较均有统计学差异（均P < 0.01）。在随访期，针刺组在Men-QoL社会心理以及体能方面明显改善，差异均具有统计学意义（P < 0.01，P < 0.05）。两组Men-QoL性功能在治疗后及随访期均无统计学差异（P > 0.05）。与治疗前相比，在治疗后及随访期，针刺组Men-QoL总分、血管舒缩功能、社会心理、体能状况均有统计学差异（均P < 0.05），在Men-QoL性功能方面无统计学差异（P > 0.05）。等待组在Men-QoL总分及四个域方面均无明显改善，无统计学意义（均P > 0.05）。结论 调任通督法针刺治疗围绝经期潮热安全有效，且对围绝经期生活质量有所改善。     

多媒体触控一体机在人体解剖学实验教学中的应用

<正>随着多媒体应用的普及,解剖学实验教学中也已把多媒体教学作为重要的教学手段。然而,以电脑加投影仪为代表的传统多媒体设备,由于其自身的缺陷,难以完全取代黑板教学,所以多媒体和黑板在教学中最好结合使用以取长补短~([1])。尽管如此,在两者的结合教学中还是存在一些问题。比如,要使投影仪显示效果清晰,需要教室光线黑暗一些,而黑板教学又要求教室光线比较明亮;电子教鞭一晃而过的指示方法让学生感觉不够     

miR-147对胶质瘤U87细胞增殖、凋亡和侵袭的影响

目的:比较胶质瘤患者胶质瘤组织和瘤旁组织中miR-147表达水平的差异性，进一步分析miR-147与胶质瘤细胞生物学活性的相关性。方法:通过实时荧光定量PCR检测65例胶质瘤患者瘤组织和瘤旁组织中miR-147的表达水平；采用Lipofectamine 2000转染法转染胶质瘤细胞，分为miR-147 mimics组和NC组，检测两组转染效率；进一步通过CCK-8实验、流式细胞实验和Transwell实验比较两组细胞生物活性。结果:胶质瘤组织中miR-147表达水平显著低于瘤旁组织；与NC组比较，miR-147 mimics组细胞不论是增殖能力还是侵袭能力都明显降低，但是，miR-147 mimics组的细胞凋亡率升高。结论:胶质瘤组织中存在miR-147低表达的现象。miR-147在胶质瘤细胞中表达升高能够抑制细胞的增殖能力、降低其侵袭能力，并促使更多的细胞发生晚期凋亡。miR-147可能在胶质瘤中扮演着抑癌基因的重要角色。     

经典名方中木通与通草的本草考证

通过查阅历代本草、医籍、方书等古代资料,结合近现代文献,对经典名方中所用木通及通草药材的名称、基原、产地、品质、采收加工及炮制等不同方面进行了本草考证,厘清古今关系,为涉及该类药材的经典名方开发与利用提供参考与依据。唐代之前历代本草中仅有"通草"之名,唐代出现"木通"别名,其药材基原均为木通科木通Akebia quinata(Thunb.)Decne.。宋代木通、通草名实发生混淆,民间多以五加科通脱木Tetrapanax papyrifer(Hook.)K. Koch.作通草用,而将前代本草中的通草唤作"木通",来源为木通科、毛茛科等植物。元代正式将木通与通草分称。明代木通药材主流来源为木通科植物,通草来源则为五加科通脱木,陈嘉谟、李时珍等曾试图对两者名实进行纠正。清代本草中木通、通草分类逐渐清晰,木通基原多为毛茛科植物,木通科木通的使用逐渐减少。近代出现关木通、川木通、小通草等药材,而关木通自马兜铃事件后被禁用。自2005年版《中华人民共和国药典》起收载木通、川木通2类,而通草亦分成通草与小通草2类。据记载,木通药材古代以江淮为道地产区,现代以江西、湖北资丘产者为最,农历正月、二月采枝、阴干,切粗片或剉细用,品质以色黄白而细者为佳。通草产地记载多为江南地区,秋季采茎,取出髓部,切片。