Search

Abstract Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a frequent cancer worldwide with varied survival outcomes. Objective We aimed to develop a nomogram model to predict the overall survival (OS) of CRC patients after surgery. Design This is a retrospective study. Setting This study was conducted from 2015 to 2016 in a single tertiary center for CRC. Patients CRC patients who underwent surgery between 2015 and 2016 were enrolled and randomly assigned into the training (n = 480) and validation (n = 206) groups. The risk score of each subject was calculated based on the nomogram. All participants were categorized into two subgroups according to the median value of the score. Main outcome measures The clinical characteristics of all patients were collected, significant prognostic variables were determined by univariate analysis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was applied for variable selection. The tuning parameter (λ) for LASSO regression was determined by cross-validation. Independent prognostic variables determined by multivariable analysis were used to establish the nomogram. The predictive capacity of the model was assessed by risk group stratification. Results Infiltration depth, macroscopic classification, BRAF, carbohydrate antigen 19 − 9 (CA-199) levels, N stage, M stage, TNM stage, carcinoembryonic antigen levels, number of positive lymph nodes, vascular tumor thrombus, and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors. The nomogram established based on these factors exhibited good discriminatory capacity. The concordance indices for the training and validation groups were 0.796 and 0.786, respectively. The calibration curve suggested favorable agreement between predictions and observations. Moreover, the OS of different risk subgroups was significantly different. Limitations The limitations of this work included small sample size and single-center design. Also, some prognostic factors could not be included due to the retrospective design. Conclusions A prognostic nomogram for predicting the OS of CRC patients after surgery was developed, which might be helpful for evaluating the prognosis of CRC patients.

In order to explore the chemical nature of red pigment in Nuodeng ham, the red pigment was extracted with 75% acetone aqueous solution and purified using a C18 solid phase extraction column, and its chemical structure was characterized by using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The UV-Vis spectrum showed a strong absorption peak at 416 nm and two weakly symmetrical absorption peaks at 546 and 584 nm, which are characteristic of metalloporphyrins. When it was excited at 420 nm, the red pigment exhibited a strong fluorescence emission peak at 590 nm and a weak fluorescence emission peak at 644 nm, which highly coincided with those of Zn protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) standard, indicating that the metal ions in the porphyrin ring were zinc ions. ZnPP was detected by UPLC-MS/MS in both positive (m/z 625.177 9 [M + H]+) and negative ion (m/z 623.161 4 [M-H]–) modes, and the stretching vibrations of characteristic functional groups on the porphyrin ring such as –CH3, –CH2–, C=O, –C–OH in carboxyl groups, C–H on olefin and porphyrin ring C=N were observed in the FTIR spectrum. In addition, the 1H-NMR results of the red pigment were consistent with the structure of the target compound ZnPP. Therefore, the red pigment in Nuodeng ham was identified as ZnPP. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for the color regulation of Nuodeng ham.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an angiogenesis-dependent tumor, and angiogenesis plays pivotal roles in progression and hematogenous metastasis. Upregulating NDRG2 expression could inhibit endothelial cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. However, the development of angiogenesis is a complicated and dynamic process, and the specific mechanisms that NDRG2 influences its progression are largely unknown. Conditioned media (CM) was collected from HCC cells. Cell viability, migration assay, tube formation, and western blot were used to evaluate the effect of NDRG2 on angiogenesis in HCC cells. ELISA assay was used to measure the level of VEGFA in CM. CM from NDRG2 knockdown cells significantly promoted HUVECs proliferation, migration, and tube formation compared with control cells. The level of VEGFA in CM was increased by NDRG2 knockdown relative to the control group. The expression of VEGFA, HIF-1α, and p-Akt was significantly increased in NDRG2 knockdown cells. CM from NDRG2 knockdown cells with VEGFA antibody failed to induce HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation. YC-1 significantly inhibited the level of VEGFA in CM from NDRG2 knockdown cells. YC-1 also inhibited the expression of VEGFA and HIF-1α. Therefore, NDRG2 inhibition promoted the angiogenesis of HCC via VEGFA and may be used to be an anti-angiogenesis target.

Beijing Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine had set up “Special Funding Program Supporting the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Improving the quality and efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine”, and two trainer studios for the training of Traditional Chinese Medicine nursing techniques were established: The Trainer Studio for Traditional Chinese Medicine Five-element Music therapy located in Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, and Yanjing Trainer Studio for Traditional Chinese Medicine External Application located in Beijing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Capital Medical University. The establishment of two trainer studios has achieved outstanding results in the following aspects: innovation on training model of Traditional Chinese Medicine nursing techniques, enriched cultivating mode for Traditional Chinese Medicine nursing staff, standardization and promotion of Traditional Chinese Medicine, establishment of academic platform for Traditional Chinese Medicine. (北京市中医管理局设立“支持中医药事业发展专项经费—中医药提质增效项目”, 在中国中医科学院西苑医院和首都医科大学附属北京中医医院分别成立“中医五行音乐疗法护理培训师工作室”和“燕京中医外治法护理培训师工作室”。在创新中医护理技术的培训模式、丰富中医护理师资的培养模式、促进中医护理技术的规范及推广、搭建中医护理学术科研平台等方面均取得成效, 为其他省市开展中医护理特色技术师资培训提供借鉴思路。)