Objective: To investigate the expression and correlation of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the relationship with clinicopathological features and prognosis.Materials and methods: The expression of TGF-β1 and FGFR4 in 126 HCC samples was detected immunohistochemically. Combined with clinical postoperative follow-up data, the expression of TGF-β1 and FGFR4 in HCC and the relationship with the prognosis of patients were analyzed by statistically.Results: The positive expression rate of TGF-β1 was 84.1% (106/126) in tumors, and that in peritumoral liver tissues was 64.3% (81/126); the positive expression rate of FGFR4 in tumors was 74.6% (94/126) and that in peritumoral liver tissues was 57.1% (72/126). The expression of TGF-β1 and FGFR4 in the carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than that in peritumoral liver tissues (p < 0.05). Intratumoral TGF-β1 and FGFR4 expression was associated with TNM stage (p < 0.05). TGF-β1 and FGFR4 expression levels didn't significantly correlate with other clinicopathological parameters, including age, sex, tumor size, serum AFP level, tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, etc. (p > 0.05). TGF-β1 expression was positively correlated with FGFR4 expression (r = 0.595, p < 0.05). Patients with positive FGFR4 or TGF-β1 expression had shorter overall survival compared with negative expression (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The expression of TGF-β1 and FGFR4 could make synergy on the occurrence and progression of HCC, and may be used as prognosis indicators for HCC patients.

BackgroundIt has been known that Dexmedetomidine pre-medication enhances the effects of volatile anesthetics, reduces the need of sevoflurane, and facilitates smooth extubation in anesthetized children. This present study was designed to determine the effects of different doses of intravenous dexmedetomidine pre-medication on minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane for smooth tracheal extubation (MACEX) in anesthetized children.MethodsA total of seventy-five pediatric patients, aged 3–7 years, ASA physical status I and II, and undergoing tonsillectomy were randomized to receive intravenous saline (Group D0), dexmedetomidine 1 μg∙kg−1 (Group D1), or dexmedetomidine 2 μg∙kg−1 (Group D2) approximately 10 min before anesthesia start. Sevoflurane was used for anesthesia induction and anesthesia maintenance. At the end of surgery, the initial concentration of sevoflurane for smooth tracheal extubation was determined according to the modified Dixon’s “up-and-down” method. The starting sevoflurane for the first patient was 1.5% in Group D0, 1.0% in Group D1, and 0.8% in Group D2, with subsequent 0.1% up or down in next patient based on whether smooth extubation had been achieved or not in current patient. The endotreacheal tube was removed after the predetermined concentration had been maintained constant for ten minutes. All responses (“smooth” or “not smooth”) to tracheal extubation and respiratory complications were assessed.ResultsMACEX values of sevoflurane in Group D2 (0.51 ± 0.13%) was significantly lower than in Group D1 (0.83 ± 0.10%; P < 0.001), the latter being significantly lower than in Group D0 (1.40 ± 0.12%; P < 0.001). EC95 values of sevoflurane were 0.83%, 1.07%, and 1.73% in Group D2, Group D1, and Group D0, respectively. No patient in the current study had laryngospasm.ConclusionDexmedetomidine decreased the required MACEX values of sevoflurane to achieve smooth extubation in a dose-dependent manner. Intravenous dexmedetomidine 1 μg∙kg−1 and 2 μg∙kg−1 pre-medication decreased MACEX by 41% and 64%, respectively.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR): ChiCTR-IOD-17011601, date of registration: 09 Jun 2017, retrospectively registered.

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel combined with oxaliplatin and fluorouracil is effective for stage III/IV gastric cancer. However, the treatment is associated with a high incidence of bone marrow suppression, which should be managed clinically.

The expressions of GAS and SS are increased in children with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer.

AIM:To study the expressions of gastrin (GAS) and somatostatin (SS) in gastric antrum tissues of children with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer and their role in pathogenic mechanism. METHODS:Specimens of gastric antrum mucosa from 83 children were retrospectively analyzed. Expressions of GAS and SS in gastric antrum tissues were assayed by the immunohistochemical En Vision method. RESULTS:The expressions of GAS in chronic gastritis Hp+ group (group A), chronic gastritis Hp-group (group B), the duodenal ulcer Hp + group (group C), duodenal ulcer Hp-group (group D), and normal control group (group E) were 28. 50 + 4.55, 19.60 + 2.49, 22.69 + 2.71, 25.33 + 4.76, and 18.80 + 2.36, respectively. The value in groups A-D was higher than that in group E. The difference was not statistically significant. The expressions of SS in groups A-E were 15.47 + 1.44, 17.29 + 2.04, 15.30 + 1.38, 13.11 + 0.93 and 12.14 + 1.68, respectively. The value in groups A-D was higher than that in group E. The difference was also not statistically significant. CONCLUSION:The expressions of GAS and SS are increased in children with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer.