The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of combination of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with that of RFA alone in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All possible trials comparing RFA plus TACE with RFA alone for HCC were included into this meta-analysis. We estimated the summary odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) to assess the effects. Nineteen eligible studies matched the selection criteria, including 1,728 patients. Meta-analysis showed that the combination of TACE and RFA (OR(1 year) = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.57-2.91, P < 0.001; OR(3 years) = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.28-3.07, P = 0.001; OR(5 years) = 2.70, 95% CI = 1.42-5.14, P = 0.003) were associated with higher survival rates. No evidence of publication bias was observed. High-quality evidence suggests that TACE plus RFA improve the survival rates compared with RFA alone for patients with HCC.

This study provided novel information on generating reducing equivalent for the PDO biosynthesis by strengthening the TCA cycle and weakening the glucose effect in K. pneumoniae.

Receptor for hyaluronic acid (HA)-mediated motility (RHAMM) expression is upregulated in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In the present study, small interfering RNA knockdown was used to investigate the regulatory mechanism and function of RHAMM in PDAC cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression levels of RHAMM, hyaluronan synthases (HAS1, HAS2 and HAS3) and hyaluronidases (HYAL1, HYAL2 and HYAL3) in eight PDAC cell lines. Cell migration was assessed using a Transwell assay, while HA concentration was measured using an ELISA. The results revealed that RHAMM-knockdown significantly increased migration in two PDAC cell lines, significantly decreased migration in one cell line and did not affect migration in the other cell lines, and was positively associated with changes in HA production. There was a linear negative correlation between RHAMM mRNA expression and HA concentration in PDAC cells and tissues. The negative correlation between RHAMM mRNA expression and HA concentration was demonstrated in other models, including SUIT2 cells treated with an HA inhibitor or stimulator and a system involving co-culture of SUIT2 cells and stromal fibroblasts. The present findings demonstrated a negative correlation between RHAMM mRNA expression and HA production in a subset of PDAC cell lines. The efficacy of a therapeutic strategy targeting RHAMM should be carefully evaluated in future studies.

In order to make a comprehensive assessment of the potential association between interleukin-4 (IL-4) -589C>T and colorectal cancer (CRC) susceptibility, we conducted a meta-analysis of six epidemiological studies, which included 1,317 CRC patients and 1,659 controls. The data showed that IL-4 -589C>T was not associated with increased CRC risk in the overall population. In the subgroup analysis of IL-4 -589C>T, the results did not change when the analyses were restricted to race. Based on this meta-analysis, we conclude that IL-4 -589C>T may be not a risk factor for CRC development. Further research is needed to assess possible gene-gene or gene-environment-lifestyle interactions on CRC.

INTRODUCTION Tobacco use poses a threat to the health of pregnant women and their children. Our study assessed the association between maternal exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) during pregnancy and children’s cerebral palsy (CP) in Shandong, China. METHODS In our observational study, 5067 mother–child pairs were included from Shandong Province, China. Mothers filled in questionnaires about exposure to SHS during pregnancy. Statistical analysis and logistic regression models were built in R program to estimate the association in adjusted odds ratio (AOR) between SHS exposure during pregnancy and risk of children’s CP, after adjustment for potential confounders including delivery mode and baby’s birthweight. RESULTS Exposure to SHS was noted among 3663 (72.3%) of the 5067 non-smoking mothers during their pregnancy. Of the 239 CP children within the study, 192 (80.3%) were exposed to SHS during pregnancy. Children born to mothers exposed to SHS during pregnancy had a higher risk of CP (AOR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.02–2.04) than those born to non-exposed mothers, the risk increased by exposure time in the logistic regression model. The association between SHS exposure during pregnancy and CP children remained significant when adjusting for delivery mode and infant’s birthweight due to their significant association with CP, with an AOR of 1.46 (95% CI: 1.13–1.91) for 1–4 days/week and 1.63 (95% CI: 1.22–2.01) for 5–7 days/week exposure to SHS. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that maternal exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy is associated with children’s CP. Future preventive interventions of CP should include strategies that target the antenatal women who are exposed to SHS.