Monitoring Hepatocyte Dysfunction and Biliary Complication After Liver Transplantation Using Quantitative Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy

The significance of hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) for hepatic graft function assessment was established mostly on retrospective studies and was not widely recognized due to the lack of quantitative data and variation in accuracy. This prospective study was performed to investigate the effectiveness of quantitative HBS for assessing hepatocyte dysfunction and biliary complication in liver transplant recipients.In 57 recipients who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation, a total of 67 dynamic ^99mTc-EHIDA scans were performed and quantitative parameters including the hepatocyte extraction fraction (HEF), time to maximum hepatic radioactivity (T_max), and time for peak activity to decrease by 50% (T_1/2) were calculated. The scintigraphic results based on the 3 parameters were compared against the final diagnosis. A ROC curve analysis was carried out to identify the cutoff value of T_max for diagnosis of biliary stricture. Correlation between the parameters of postoperative HBS and conventional biochemical liver function indices were also analyzed.Quantitative ^99mTc-EHIDA HBS had an overall sensitivity of 94.12% (16/17), specificity of 93.33% (42/45), and diagnostic accuracy of 93.55% (58/62) for detecting hepatocyte dysfunction and biliary complication in liver transplant recipients. The recommended cutoff value of T_max for diagnosis of post-transplant biliary stricture was set at 15.75 min with a sensitivity of 100.0% and a specificity of 94.0%. The scintigraphic parameters (HEF, T_max) were statistically significantly associated with the conventional liver function parameters.Quantitative ^99mTc-EHIDA HBS offers a noninvasive imaging modality with high sensitivity and specificity to diagnose hepatocyte dysfunction as well as distinguish between patients with or without biliary stricture following liver transplantation. Furthermore, HEF and T_max values obtained from dynamic HBS show good correlation with conventional liver function parameters.     

Sirt5 is dispensable for BrafV600E‐mediated cutaneous melanoma development and growth in vivo

Sirt5 is known to functionally regulate mitochondrial proteins by altering posttranslational modifications, including lysine desuccinylation. While roles for Sirt5 as either a tumor promoter or suppressor, or in chemoresistance, have been implicated in other cancers, the function of Sirt5 in cutaneous melanoma has not been well examined. Therefore, to determine whether Sirt5 is necessary for Braf^V600E‐mediated melanoma formation and/or disease progression, we crossed a genetically engineered murine melanoma model (Tyr^CreERT2/+; Braf^{LSL‐V600E/+}; Pten^flox/flox) to Sirt5^?/? knockout animals. In addition, we tested for synergism with a selective BRAF (V600E) inhibitor in Sirt5^?/? mouse melanoma cells. Taken together, this report demonstrates that, in these models, Sirt5 is dispensable for Braf^V600E‐mediated cutaneous melanoma formation and growth in vivo, and does not improve sensitivity to a selective BRAF inhibitor.     

Psychosocial mechanisms of a behavioral treatment for urinary incontinence of prostate cancer survivors

Abstract

Purpose: We examined underlying psychosocial processes of a behavioral treatment for urinary incontinence (UI) of prostate cancer survivors.

Design: Secondary analysis of data collected from a clinical trial.

Sample: Two hundred forty-four prostate cancer survivors who participated in a clinical trial of behavioral intervention to UI as intervention or control subjects.

Methods: The participants had a 3-month behavioral intervention or usual care and were followed up for an additional 3?months. They were assessed at baseline, 3, and 6?months. Latent growth curve models were performed to examine trajectories of each study variable and relationships among the variables.

Findings: Increasing self-efficacy and social support were significantly and independently associated with more reduction of urinary leakage frequency over time.

Implications for psychosocial oncology: Providing problem-solving skills and social support, including peer support, are essential for empowering patients to reduce UI.     

microRNA-613调控CDK14来抑制老年胶质瘤患者瘤细胞的增殖和侵袭作用

目的 探讨microRNA-613调控细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶14(CDK14)通路来抑制老年胶质瘤患者瘤细胞增殖和侵袭的机制。方法 购自上海北诺生物科技有限公司的人脑胶质瘤细胞株U251共24株,分为shNC组、shmicroRNA-613组、Vector组、microRNA-613组,每组各6株; Western Blotting法和qRT-PCR法检测敲减microRNA-613和过表达microRNA-613后的人脑胶质瘤细胞株U251中CDK14蛋白表达水平,CCK-8细胞增殖实验、Transwell小室实验验证敲除microRNA-613和过表达microRNA-613后U251细胞的增殖、侵袭能力。结果 人胶质瘤细胞株U251敲减microRNA-613后CDK14蛋白表达增加(P<0.05); 人胶质瘤细胞株U251过表达microRNA-613后CDK14蛋白表达减少(P<0.05); 转染第24、36、48 h microRNA-613组U251细胞增殖率P<0.05); microRNA-613组U251细胞侵袭能力>Vector组,shNC组>shmicroRNA-613组(P<0.05)。结论 microRNA-613可通过调控CDK14信号转导通路来抑制人脑胶质瘤细胞U251增殖、转移。     

The prognostic role of tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes in oral squamous cell carcinoma: A meta‐analysis

It has been suggested that tumour‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are associated with the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the prognostic value of TILs is inconclusive due to the heterogeneity of immune cells within the tumour microenvironment. In this meta‐analysis, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of TILs in OSCC. The PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus and Web of Science databases were searched up to April 20, 2019, and 33 studies were ultimately included in this meta‐analysis. Our pooled meta‐analysis showed that high infiltration of CD8⁺ TILs, CD45RO⁺ TILs and CD57⁺ TILs favoured better overall survival (OS). However, high infiltration of CD68⁺ macrophages and CD163⁺ macrophages was associated with poor prognosis in OSCC. These findings suggest that CD8⁺ TILs, CD45RO⁺ TILs, CD57⁺ TILs, CD68⁺ macrophages and CD163⁺ macrophages might serve as novel prognostic factors and therapeutic targets in OSCC.     

Multi-day radon signals with a radioactive decay limb -- occurrence and geophysical significance.

Multi-day signals, generally with duration of 2-10 days, are a prominent temporal variation type of radon (Rn) in geogas in the unsaturated zone. Rare multi-day Rn signals have been found which are characterized by: (a) a declining limb lasting up to 10 days which conforms to the radioactive decay of Rn, (b) recurs at the same location and (c) is recorded in diverse situations-volcanic and seismogenic. It suggested that a Rn blob is injected at a lower level on a steady upward flow of geogas whereby the rise and final fall of the signal are attributed to the edges of the blob while the central Rn-decay segment records the passing of the decaying blob itself. Rn-decay signals are a small subset of multi-day Rn signals which are considered as highly irregular and unusable for the understanding of geophysical processes. In difference, it is concluded that multi-day Rn signals are probably proxies of subtle geodynamic processes at upper crustal levels and are therefore significant for studying such processes.     

皮肤再生医疗技术治疗糖尿病足溃疡疗效分析

目的:分析、总结、探讨皮肤再生医疗技术在临床上治疗糖尿病足溃疡的可行性与有效性。方法:对32例糖尿病足溃疡住院病人采用皮肤再生医疗技术为主、必要时配合植皮的治疗方法进行局部创面修复。结果:32例糖尿病足溃疡应用皮肤再生医疗技术获得修复9例(占28.1％),皮肤再生医疗技术 皮片移植12例(占37．5％),皮肤再生医疗技术 皮瓣修复5例(占15．6％),进行截肢6例(占18．8％)。结论:及时就诊、及时采用皮肤再生医疗技术为主的治疗方法能有效修复溃疡创面、降低糖尿病足截肢率。