Minimal-invasive versus open hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparison of postoperative outcomes and long-term survivals using propensity score matching analysis

Background

Minimal-invasive hepatectomy (MIH) has been increasingly performed for benign and malignant liver lesions with most promising results. However, the role of MIH for the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) needs further investigation.

Genetic Influences on CHD-Death and the Impact of Known Risk Factors: Comparison of Two Frailty Models

The importance of some recognized risk factors on genetic influences for coronary heart disease (CHD) needs further clarification. The aim of the present study was therefore to study the impact of known risk factors on genetic influences for CHD-death. Both twin (correlated gamma-frailty) and non-twin models (univariate gamma-frailty) were utilized and compared regarding their suitability for genetic analyses. The study population consisted of twins born in Sweden between 1886 and 1925. As expected, our findings indicate that genetic influences are important for CHD-death. Inclusion of risk factors in the twin-model increased heritability estimates, primarily due to a substantial reduction in non-shared environmental variances. The genetic influences for CHD-death are only marginally mediated through the risk factors among males, but more so among females. Although the outcome phenotype used in the present study is not behavioral, the analyses demonstrate the potential of frailty models for quantitative genetic analyses of categorical phenotypes.     

A universal cell-free DNA approach for response prediction to preoperative chemoradiation in rectal cancer

The standard treatment approach for stage II/III rectal cancer is neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (nCRT) followed by surgery. In recent years, new treatment approaches have led to higher rates of complete tumor eradication combined with organ-preservation strategies. However, better tools are still needed to personalize therapy for the individual patient. In this prospective observational study, we analyzed colon-derived cell-free (cf)DNA (c-cfDNA) using a tissue-specific DNA methylation signature, and its association with therapy outcomes. Analyzing plasma samples (n = 303) collected during nCRT from 37 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), we identified colon-specific methylation markers that discriminated healthy individuals from patients with untreated LARC (area under the curve, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.92; P < .0001). Baseline c-cfDNA predicted tumor response, with increased levels linked to larger residual cancer. c-cfDNA measured after the first week of therapy identified patients with maximal response and complete cancer eradication, who had significantly lower c-cfDNA compared with those who had residual disease (8.6 vs 57.7 average copies/ml, respectively; P = .013). Increased c-cfDNA after 1 week of therapy was also associated with disease recurrence. Methylation-based liquid biopsy can predict nCRT outcomes and facilitate patient selection for escalation and de-escalation strategies.     

Effects of Periodic Religious Fasting for Decades on Nutrient Intakes and the Blood Biochemical Profile

The aim of the present study was to examine differences and correlations in nutrient intakes and serum parameters related to nutrient intake (lipid profile, vitamins, and trace elements) in 200 lifelong Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasters with periodic abstinence from certain foods (predominantly of animal origin) for approximately half of the year and 200 non-fasting controls, all of whom did not take dietary supplements. Nutrient intakes were assessed through three-day dietary recalls. Blood samples were drawn for the analysis of potential biomarkers of nutrient intake. Fasters had lower energy intake, due to lower fat and protein intake, compared to non-fasters (p < 0.05). Fasters also had lower intakes of vitamins A, B₁, B₂, B₆, B₁₂, D, folate, pantothenate, sodium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. Most participants (in both groups) did not meet the recommended dietary allowances of most vitamins and elements. Most serum biochemical parameters did not reflect the differences in nutrient intakes between groups, and none exhibited a correlation coefficient above 0.5 with nutrient intakes. Our findings suggest that COC fasting is associated with reduced intake of many nutrients, although this does not seem to have an impact on the blood biochemical profile.     

Vacancy Defects in Ga2O3: First-Principles Calculations of Electronic Structure

First-principles density functional theory (DFT) is employed to study the electronic structure of oxygen and gallium vacancies in monoclinic bulk β-Ga₂O₃ crystals. Hybrid exchange–correlation functional B3LYP within the density functional theory and supercell approach were successfully used to simulate isolated point defects in β-Ga₂O₃. Based on the results of our calculations, we predict that an oxygen vacancy in β-Ga₂O₃ is a deep donor defect which cannot be an effective source of electrons and, thus, is not responsible for n-type conductivity in β-Ga₂O₃. On the other hand, all types of charge states of gallium vacancies are sufficiently deep acceptors with transition levels more than 1.5 eV above the valence band of the crystal. Due to high formation energy of above 10 eV, they cannot be considered as a source of p-type conductivity in β-Ga₂O₃.     

Identification of ostruthin from Peucedanum ostruthium rhizomes as an inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation

Inhibition of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is of substantial interest in combating cardiovascular disease. A dichloromethane extract from the rhizomes of Peucedanum ostruthium, a traditionally used Austrian medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory properties, was examined for a putative antiproliferative activity in rat aortic VSMC. This extract inhibited serum (10%)-induced VSMC proliferation concentration dependently. Further identification and biological testing of its major constituents revealed that the coumarin ostruthin (7) is the major antiproliferative substance. In summary, a new bioactivity of P. ostruthium rhizomes is described, and 7 has been identified as the responsible compound.     

Hematological changes in case of chronic cadmium intoxication and monensin detoxication. Relationship with rheological variables

The study evaluated the affect of chronic cadmium (Cd) and monensin treatment on some hematological parameters and its relationship with the rheological variables. Adult male mice were subjected to chronic treatment with cadmium acetate [Cd(CH3COO)2 × 2H2O] (group 1), Cd(CH3COO)2 × 2H2O followed by treatment with low dose monensin (group 2) and Cd(CH3COO)2 × 2H2O followed by high dose monensin treatment (group 3). Cd(CH3COO)2 × 2H2O and deprotonated monensin were dissolved in distilled water and given daily to the experimental animals. Mice drinking distilled water served as a control group (group 4). Hematological parameters and erythrocyte morphology were evaluated in parallel with whole blood viscosity (WBV). Cd treatment reduced Hb and increased RDW. The addition of high dose monensin significantly improved erythrocytic indices compared to the control. Erythrocyte anisocytosis was observed in blood smears of Cd-treated mice corresponding to the increased RDW. WBV was significantly elevated in the experimental groups in the whole range of shear rates compared to the control group and in groups 2 and 3 was lower than in group 1 but remained higher compared to group 4. Correlations were found between WBV and RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV and RDW. The results suggest that hemorheological parameters such as WBV should be monitored in parallel with the hematological parameters when monensin is applied and heavy metal intoxication is suspected.