A meta-analysis of second cancers after a diagnosis of nonmelanoma skin cancer: additional evidence that solar ultraviolet-B irradiance reduces the risk of internal cancers

BACKGROUND: Nearly 20 types of cancer have been found to be inversely correlated with solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) levels determined geographically in ecologic studies, assuming that personal solar UVB irradiances were directly related to July solar UVB doses. This assumption has been questioned. METHODS: Rates of second cancer after diagnosis of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) from the literature were used in linear regression analyses. The risk modification of NMSC due to smoking was accounted for by comparing second cancer risk ratios (RRs) with lung cancer RRs in regression analysis for each cancer. RESULTS: For a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma, RRs for subsequent colon, gastric, and rectal cancers were significantly reduced, with that for renal cancer being marginally insignificant. For NMSC, RRs for cervical, esophageal, gastric, and rectal cancer were significantly reduced; those for colon and gallbladder cancer were marginally insignificant, while those for female breast, laryngeal, ovarian, renal, and uterine corpus cancers were insignificantly reduced; RRs for lip and salivary gland cancers and melanoma were significantly increased. Melanoma was inversely correlated with lung cancer. CONCLUSION: These results provide nearly direct evidence that solar UVB irradiance reduces the risk of many internal cancers. The likely mechanism is production of Vitamin D.     

Direct measurement of single-stranded DNA intermediates in mammalian cells by quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) intermediates are formed in multiple cellular processes, including DNA replication and recombination. Here, we describe a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)-based assay to quantitate ssDNA intermediates, specifically the 3′ ssDNA product of resection at specific DNA double-strand breaks induced by the AsiSI restriction enzyme in human cells. We protect the large mammalian genome from shearing by embedding the cells in low-gelling-point agar during genomic DNA extraction and measure the levels of ssDNA intermediates by qPCR following restriction enzyme digestion. This assay is more quantitative and precise compared with existing immunofluorescence-based methods.     

腹腔镜肝癌切除术与开放式肝癌切除术的疗效比较研究

目的：探讨腹腔镜肝癌切除手术治疗原发性肝癌的可行性及安全性。方法：选取2008年6月至2011年1月在我院行腹腔镜肝癌切除术的30例患者作为研究对象,另外选择同期在我院行开放式肝癌切除术的30例患者作为对照。结果：30例均在腹腔镜下成功地完成手术,其中22例行腹腔镜局部切除术,8例行肝左外叶切除术。手术时间103—142min,出血量60-480mL,术后均未发生严重并发症,术后平均住院8．6d。术后随访18～36个月,局部复发或种植性转移率与对照组无显著差异。结论：腹腔镜肝癌切除术是安全可行治疗原发性肝癌的手术方式.     

Methylation-based molecular margin analysis in hepatocellular carcinoma

The positive surgical margins are associated with postsurgical recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and molecular margin analysis is considered more sensitive in detecting preneoplastic lesions than conventional histological margin examination. To evaluate the feasibility of methylation-based molecular margin analysis in HCC and explore its clinical application, we investigated CDKN2A methylation status in the surgical margins of 20 HCC patients using a nested BS-MSP protocol and compared the methylation patterns in resection margins with those in the corresponding tumor and adjacent nonmalignant tissues. The results showed that a considerable frequency (35%, 7 of 20) of CDKN2A methylation was present in histologically negative margins, and methylation pattern analysis might be valuable for studying the cellular origin of recurrent carcinoma. Therefore, methylation-based molecular surgical margin analysis offers a promising tool in prognosis for HCC patients who underwent hepatectomy.     

Physiological requirements for 20-hydroxyecdysone-induced rectal sac distention in the pupa of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Successful insect development is achieved via appropriate fluctuation of ecdysteroid levels. When an insect's ecdysteroid level is disrupted, physiological and developmental defects occur. In the pupa of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, the rectal sac is an essential organ that operates as a repository for degraded ecdysteroids, and it can be distended by administration of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Our previous study showed that rectal sac distention appears 4 days after 20E administration. Hemolymph ecdysteroid levels, however, decrease to lower level during this period. Thus, the timing of the rectal sac distention does not match with that of ecdysteroid elevation. Here, we examine how 20E induces rectal sac distention. A ligature experiment and ecdysteroid quantification showed that continuous 20E stimulation induces rectal sac distention. Thorax tissue contributed to the continuous 20E stimulation needed to induce distention. Ecdysteroid released from the thorax tissue may be converted to 20E by ecdysone 20-hydroxylase to produce continuous 20E stimulation. Thus, the ecdysone metabolic pathway plays a critical role in rectal sac distention.     

Naked gene therapy of hepatocyte growth factor for dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is progressive and relapsing disease. To explore the therapeutic effects of naked gene therapy of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on UC, the SRalpha promoter driving HGF gene was intrarectally administered to the mice in which colitis was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Expression of the transgene was seen in surface epithelium, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosae. The HGF-treated mice showed reduced colonic mucosal damage and increased body weights, compared with control mice (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The HGF-treated mice displayed increased number of PCNA-positive cells and decreased number of apoptotic cells than in control mice (P < 0.01, each). Phosphorylated AKT was dramatically increased after HGF gene administration, however, phosphorylated ERK1/2 was not altered. Microarray analysis revealed that HGF induced expression of proliferation- and apoptosis-associated genes. These data suggest that naked HGF gene delivery causes therapeutic effects through regulation of many downstream genes.     

腹腔镜与传统开腹TME 在治疗中低位直肠癌的META 分析

目的:探讨腹腔镜行TME手术治疗中低位直肠癌的可行性。方法:检索2001年1月～2012年2月间发表的比较腹腔镜与经腹TME手术治疗中低位直肠癌的随机对照试验(RCT)及临床对照试验(CCT)论文,根据纳入排除标准纳入文献,提取临床指标,进行META分析。结果:最终有22项临床试验被纳入,两组患者的性别、年龄等基本特征均衡。两组腹腔出血(P=0.36)、吻合口漏(P=0.06)及肠梗阻(P=0.16)之间差异无统计学意义,腹腔镜组较传统开腹组总的并发症(P<0.0001)及切口感染发生率低(P=0.0006),手术时间长(P=0.001),术中出血量少(P<0.00001),术后肠道功能恢复时间早(P=0.0002),住院时间短(P<0.00001)。结论:LTME较OTME在中低位直肠癌手术中能够更安全的达到根治性切除的效果,而且在减少手术对患者的创伤方面具有优势。     

过表达CDX1蛋白对直肠癌细胞增殖及能量代谢的影响及机制研究

目的:探讨过表达尾侧同源盒转录因子1(CDX1)蛋白对直肠癌细胞增殖及能量代谢的影响。方法:以直肠癌细胞SW117为研究对象,细胞转染pIRES(空载体组)、pIRES-CDX1(过表达组),同时设置对照组(只加入转染试剂)。培养48 h后,Western blot检测细胞中CDX1、活化的含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶3(Cleaved Caspase-3)、蛋白激酶B(Akt)、磷酸化蛋白激酶B(p-Akt)表达水平,噻唑蓝(MTT)检测细胞增殖,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,试剂盒检测细胞中三磷酸腺苷(ATP)含量、丙酮酸激酶活性、己糖激酶活性及培养液上清中乳酸含量。结果:空载体组细胞中CDX1、Cleaved Caspase-3、Akt、p-Akt表达水平及细胞存活率、凋亡率、ATP含量、丙酮酸激酶活性、己糖激酶活性及培养液上清中乳酸含量与对照组相比均没有明显差异。过表达组细胞存活率、p-Akt水平、ATP含量、丙酮酸激酶活性、己糖激酶活性及培养液上清中乳酸含量与对组相比均明显下降,凋亡率及细胞中Cleaved Caspase-3表达水平均明显高于对照组。结论:过表达CDX1蛋白能够促进直肠癌细胞凋亡,抑制直肠癌细胞增殖,影响直肠癌细胞能量代谢,作用机制可能与p-Akt水平有关。     

Physiological significance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic textile materials during intermittent exercise in humans under the influence of warm ambient temperature with and without wind

The purpose of this present study was to compare the physiological effects of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties of the fabrics investigated in exercising and resting subjects at an ambient temperature of 30°C and a relative humidity of 50% with and without wind. Three kinds of clothing ensemble were tested: wool and cotton blend with high moisture regain (A), 100% cotton with intermediate moisture regain (B), 100% polyester clothing with low moisture regain (C). The experiments were performed using seven young adult women as subjects. They comprised six repeated periods of 10-min exercise on a cycle ergometer at an intensity of 40% maximal oxygen uptake followed by 5 min of rest (20 min for the last rest). The experiments comprised two sessions. During session I (first three repetitions of exercise and rest) the subjects were exposed to an indifferent wind velocity and during session II (last three repetitions of exercise and rest) they were exposed to a wind velocity of 1.5 m · s⁻¹. Rectal temperature and skin temperatures at eight sites, pulse rate and clothing microclimate were recorded throughout the whole period. The main findings can be summarized as follows: rectal temperature during session II was kept at a significantly lower level in A than in B and C. Clothing microclimate humidity at the chest was significantly lower in A than in B and C during session II. Skin and clothing microclimate temperatures at the chest were significantly lower in A than in B and C during session II. Pulse rate was significantly higher in C than in A and B during sessions I and II. It was concluded that the hydrophilic properties of the fabrics studied were of physiological significance for reducing heat strain during exercise and rest especially when influenced by wind. Accepted: 3 June 1998     

Sex-related differences in thermoregulatory responses while wearing protective clothing

This study examined the thermoregulatory responses of men (group M) and women (group F) to uncompensable heat stress. In total, 13 M [mean (SD) age 31.8 (4.7) years, mass 82.7 (12.5) kg, height␣1.79␣(0.06) m, surface area to mass ratio 2.46␣(0.18) m² · kg⁻¹ · 10⁻², Dubois surface area 2.01 (0.16) m², %body fatness 14.6 (3.9)%, V˙O_2peak 49.0 (4.8) ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹] and 17 F [23.2 (4.2) years, 62.4 (7.7) kg, 1.65 (0.07) m, 2.71 (0.14) m² · kg⁻¹ · 10⁻², 1.68 (0.13) m², 20.2 (4.8)%, 43.2 (6.6) ml · kg⁻¹ · min⁻¹, respectively] performed light intermittent exercise (repeated intervals of 15 min of walking at 4.0 km · h⁻¹ followed by 15 min of seated rest) in the heat (40°C, 30% relative humidity) while wearing nuclear, biological, and chemical protective clothing (0.29 m² ·°C · W⁻¹ or 1.88 clo, Woodcock vapour permeability coefficient 0.33 i _m). Group F consisted of eight non-users and nine users of oral contraceptives tested during the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Heart rates were higher for F throughout the session reaching 166.7 (15.9) beats · min⁻¹ at 105 min (n = 13) compared with 145.1 (14.4) beats · min⁻¹ for M. Sweat rates and evaporation rates from the clothing were lower and average skin temperature () was higher for F. The increase in rectal temperature (T _re) was significantly faster for the F, increasing 1.52 (0.29)°C after 105 min compared with an increase of 1.37 (0.29)°C for M. Tolerance times were significantly longer for M [142.9 (24.5) min] than for F [119.3 (17.3) min]. Partitional calorimetric estimates of heat storage (S) revealed that although the rate of S was similar between genders [42.1 (6.6) and 46.1 (9.7) W · m⁻² for F and M, respectively], S expressed per unit of total mass was significantly lower for F [7.76 (1.44) kJ · kg⁻¹] compared with M [9.45 (1.26) kJ · kg⁻¹]. When subjects were matched for body fatness (n = 8 F and 8 M), tolerance times [124.5 (14.7) and 140.3 (27.4) min for F and M, respectively] and S [8.67 (1.44) and 9.39 (1.05) kJ · kg⁻¹ for F and M, respectively] were not different between the genders. It was concluded that females are at a thermoregulatory disadvantage compared with males when wearing protective clothing and exercising in a hot environment. This disadvantage can be attributed to the lower specific heat of adipose versus non-adipose tissue and a higher percentage body fatness. Accepted: 31 October 1997