Hepatitis B virus X protein boosts hepatocellular carcinoma progression by downregulating microRNA-137

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequent diagnosed malignancy. microRNAs (miRs) are involved in various cellular processes during cancer development. This study attempted to probe the miR-based mechanism in hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx) small interfering RNA (siRNA)-treated HCC cells.MethodsHBx expression in hepatocyte and HCC cells was detected, and cells with highest HBx expression were screened out and transfected with HBx-siRNAs. Then the effect of HBx on HCC cell proliferation was detected. miRs differentially expressed in HBx-siRNA-transfected MHCC97H cells were analyzed and verified. miR-137 methylation was analyzed by bioinformatics, and miR-137 restoration was detected after Aza treatment. Furthermore, miR-137 methylation in MHCC97H cells with HBx knockdown or HBx overexpression was detected by methylation specific PCR. The targeting relationship between miR-137 and Notch1 was verified. Then the gain-and-loss functions of miR-137 or/and Notch1 were performed to estimate their roles in HCC cell proliferation. The effects of HBx-siRNA and overexpressed miR-137 in vivo were observed by tumor xenograft in nude mice and immunohistochemistry.ResultsHBx-siRNA weakened MHCC97H cell proliferation and tumor growth. miR-137 was highly expressed in HBx-siRNA-treated HCC cells and targeted Notch1. HBx knockdown decreased miR-137 methylation and restored miR-137 expression. miR-137 overexpression prevented HCC cell proliferation and tumor growth, while miR-137 downregulation reversed the repressing effects of HBx-siRNA on HCC cell proliferation. Inhibition of Notch1 reversed HCC cell proliferation induced by miR-137 downregulation.ConclusionOverexpression of miR-137 blocks HCC cell proliferation in HBx-siRNA-treated MHCC97H cells by targeting Notch1. This study may offer novel target for HCC treatment.     

Health Care Providers' Advice on Lifestyle Modification for Older Adults

ObjectivesTo describe the pattern of health care providers' advice on lifestyle modification to older adults, and identify correlates of receiving such advice.DesignCross-sectional survey.Setting and participantsData from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey study from 2007-2016 on adults ≥65 years (n = 3758) were analyzed.MethodsWe estimated the weighted prevalence and correlates of receiving advice on the following lifestyle modifications: (1) increase physical activity, (2) reduce fat/calories, (3) control/lose weight, and (4) a combination of control/lose weight and physical activity. Data were analyzed according to level of comorbidity (number of chronic conditions including high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and arthritis) and body mass index (BMI).ResultsPhysical activity was the most widely prescribed lifestyle modification, reported by 15.7% of older adults free of chronic conditions and 28.9%, 35.4%, and 52.6% of older adults with 1, 2, and ≥3 comorbidities. Advice on reducing fat/calories was reported by 9.2%, 18.5%, 26.3%, and 40.9% of older adults with 0, 1, 2, and ≥3 comorbidities, respectively, and advice on weight loss/control was reported by 6.5%, 19.1%, 20.8%, and 37.5%, respectively. The combination of advice on weight loss/control and physical activity was least commonly reported: 5.1%, 13.5%, 16.6%, and 32.0%, respectively. Overall, lifestyle modifications were more frequently advised to older adults who were overweight, obese, or Hispanic.Conclusions and implicationsIn the United States, lifestyle modifications are not routinely recommended to older adults, particularly those free of chronic conditions, presenting a missed opportunity for chronic disease prevention and management. Among those advised to lose or manage weight, concurrent advice to increase physical activity is not consistently provided.     

Effects of a novel isoflavonoid from the stem bark of Alstonia scholaris against fructose-induced experimental cataract

ObjectiveThe present study investigated the anticataract activity of a novel isoflavonoid, isolated from stem bark of Alstonia scholaris, against fructose-induced experimental cataract.MethodsThe bioactivity of fractions extracted from A. scholaris, an isolated isoflavonoid (ASII) was screened using in vitro (goat lens) and in vivo (albino rats) experimental cataract models. For the in vivo evaluation, albino rats (12–15 weeks old) were divided into five groups (n = 6). Group I (normal) received 0.3% carboxymethyl cellulose solution (10 mL/[kg·d], p.o.). Group II (control) received 10% (w/v) fructose solution in their drinking water. Groups III–V received ASII at three different doses, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/(kg·d), concurrently with 10% (w/v) fructose solution. Treatment was given daily for 8 consecutive weeks. During the protocol, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, blood glucose level and lenticular opacity were monitored at 2-week intervals. Pathophysiological markers (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione and malondialdehyde) in eye lenses were examined at the end of the 8-week treatment period.ResultsThe results of in vitro study showed that A. scholaris extract and the active fraction (A₃) reduced the lenticular opacity as compared to toxic control group. The in vivo study showed that 8-week administration of ASII (0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/[kg·d], p.o.) led to significant reduction in blood pressure and blood glucose level and retarded the initiation and evolution of cataractogenesis, compared to the fructose-induced cataract model control. Additionally, ASII treatment led to significant improvement in lens antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione) and decreased lens malondialdehyde, compared to the control group (group II).ConclusionResults revealed that administration of ASII played a crucial role in the reduction of cataract formation in diabetic and hypertensive models.     

Effect of Trastuzumab on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients With HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: Data From Three Clinical Trials

BackgroundTrastuzumab (Herceptin®; Genentech, Inc.; South San Francisco, CA) provides clinical benefit when combined with chemotherapy or as monotherapy in patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Given the demonstrated improvement in standard outcomes, it is important to assess this therapy—s effect on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQOL).Patients and MethodsThe QLQ-C30 and BR-23 questionnaires were used to assess global HRQOL; physical, social, and role functioning; and fatigue as secondary endpoints in trials of trastuzumab monotherapy (H0649g and H0650g) or in combination with chemotherapy (H0648g). Patients completed assessments at baseline, week 8 (H0648g only), and at 12-week intervals until disease progression.ResultsIn H0648g (n = 400), more patients exhibited improved global QOL in the chemotherapy-plus-trastuzumab versus chemotherapy arms (51% vs. 36%; P < .05). In the chemotherapy-plus-trastuzumab arm, fatigue was significantly improved at week 32 (chemotherapy completed at week 20) compared with baseline in both study arms (P < .05); more patients in the chemotherapy-plus-trastuzumab arm also showed improved physical and role functioning. Subscale scores in H0649g (n = 154) and H0650g (n = 74) were similar at all time points. In H0649g, clinical responders showed meaningful improvements (≥ 10 points) in all 5 subscales by week 12 through week 36. Nonresponders had meaningful decreases in all subscale scores. In H0650g, clinical responders exhibited meaningful increases in social and role functioning and global QOL by week 12; nonresponder scores worsened for all subscales.ConclusionTrastuzumab has a beneficial effect on HRQOL in patients with HER2-positive MBC, particularly those with responsive disease.     

疼痛综合护理管理在胃癌手术后的应用分析

目的分析疼痛综合护理管理应用于胃癌手术后的效果。方法该次研究于该院在职护理人员当中抽选40名作为观察对象,研究时间为2018年3-8月期间。所有护理人员均接受疼痛综合护理管理,比较管理前后护理人员的疼痛管理质量、护理工作质量以及护理操作水平。结果管理后护理人员的疼痛管理质量评分、护理工作质量评分以及护理操作水平评分均明显高于管理前(P<0.05)。结论在胃癌手术后护理管理工作中应用疼痛综合护理管理,可以促进护理人员工作质量与综合素养的提升,值得进一步推广于今后临床中。     

中医辨证分型与乳腺癌预后的相关性研究

目的:探讨乳腺癌患者术后复发转移与中医辨证分型之间的关系。方法:采用回顾性分析的方法,共采集符合病例纳入标准的乳腺癌女性患者120例,分为气阴两虚、水湿内停、气滞血瘀及冲任失调4型,进行归纳统计分析。结果:120例女性患者中,气滞血瘀型的患者复发转移率最高,1年复发转移率为34.4%,3年复发率为84.4%;与其他3型相比,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。肿瘤大小、不同的病理类型与中医辨证分型均无显著相关性(P0.05)。Her-2受体状态与中医辨证分型有一定的相关性,4种分型之间相比,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);其中冲任失调型与其他3型相比,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),而其余证型之间两两比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:乳腺癌患者术后无病生存时间以及Her-2受体状态可能与中医辨证分型具有相关性,肿瘤大小、病理类型与辨证分型无明显相关性。其中气滞血瘀型的2患者发生复发的可能性较大。