A nomogram for prediction of stage III/IV gastric cancer outcome after surgery: A multicenter population-based study

Most patients with gastric cancer (GC) are first diagnosed at stage III‐IV and surgery resection remains the primary therapeutic modality for these patients. However, clinical staging used for prediction of those patients provides limited information. We collected clinicopathological data and disease‐progression information from 508 patients with stage III‐IV GC at three Chinese hospitals and 1298 patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Based on the stepwise multivariate regression model, we constructed a novel nomogram to predict overall survival (OS). The performance of discrimination for this model was measured using Harrell's concordance index (C‐index) and receiver‐operating characteristic curve (ROC), and was validated using calibration plots. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that tumor size, age at diagnosis, N stage, tumor grade, and distant metastases were outstanding independent prognostic factors of stage III‐IV GC. We developed a nomogram based on these five prognostic predictors. In the training set, the C‐index of the nomogram was 0.645 (95% CI: 0.611‐0.679), which was higher than that of the American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM system alone (sixth TNM: 0.544; seventh TNM: 0.575; eighth TNM: 0.568). Similar results were observed in validation cohort. Moreover, calibration blots demonstrated good consistency between the actual and predicted OS probabilities. According to the nomogram, GC individuals could be classified into three groups (low‐, middle‐, and high‐risk) (P < .001). Our nomogram complements the current staging system for prediction of individual prognosis with stage III‐IV GC, and may be helpful for making individualized treatment decisions.

Identification of nine key genes by bioinformatics analysis for predicting poor prognosis in smoking-induced lung adenocarcinoma

Aim:

To screen and identify key genes related to the development of smoking-induced lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD).

Materials & methods:

We obtained data from the GEO chip dataset GSE31210. The differentially expressed genes were screened by GEO2R. The protein interaction network of differentially expressed genes was constructed by STRING and Cytoscape. Finally, core genes were screened. The overall survival time of patients with the core genes was analyzed by Kaplan–Meier method. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes bioaccumulation was calculated by DAVID.

Results:

Functional enrichment analysis indicated that nine key genes were actively involved in the biological process of smoking-related LUAD.

Conclusion:

23 core genes and nine key genes among them were correlated with adverse prognosis of LUAD induced by smoking.

Risk factors and prognosis of bone metastases in newly diagnosed gastric cancer

Aim: To predict the occurrence of bone metastases and prognosis among patients with gastric cancer on a population level. Materials & methods: Data were obtained from the SEER database (2010-2016). Multivariable logistic regression and multivariable Cox regression were used to determine factors that predict the occurrence of bone metastasis and prognosis. Results: Cardia cancer, younger age, white race, poor differentiation grade, higher N stage, diffuse-type were positively associated with the presence of bone metastasis. For gastric cancer patients with bone metastasis, the median survival time was longer (9.0 months) among patients with surgery of primary site compared with those without surgery (3.0 months). Conclusion: According to the results of risk assessment, clinical efforts should be targeted to focus on screening high-risk patients.

Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies and functional assays decipher susceptibility genes for gastric cancer in Chinese populations

OBJECTIVE

Although a subset of genetic loci have been associated with gastric cancer (GC) risk, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We aimed to identify new susceptibility genes and elucidate their mechanisms in GC development.

DESIGN

We conducted a meta-analysis of four genome-wide association studies (GWASs) encompassing 3771 cases and 5426 controls. After targeted sequencing and functional annotation, we performed in vitro and in vivo experiments to confirm the functions of genetic variants and candidate genes. Moreover, we selected 33 promising variants for two-stage replication in 7035 cases and 8323 controls from other five studies.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis of GWASs identified three loci at 1q22, 5p13.1 and 10q23.33 associated with GC risk at p<5×10^-8 and replicated seven known loci at p<0.05. At 5p13.1, the risk rs59133000[C] allele enhanced the binding affinity of NF-κB1 (nuclear factor kappa B subunit 1) to the promoter of PRKAA1, resulting in a reduced promoter activity and lower expression. The knockout of PRKAA1 promoted both GC cell proliferation and xenograft tumour growth in nude mice. At 10q23.33, the rs3781266[C] and rs3740365[T] risk alleles in complete linkage disequilibrium disrupted and created, respectively, the binding motifs of POU2F1 and PAX3, resulting in an increased enhancer activity and expression of NOC3L, while the NOC3L knockdown suppressed GC cell growth. Moreover, two new loci at 3q11.2 (OR=1.21, p=4.56×10^-9) and 4q28.1 (OR=1.14, p=3.33×10^-11) were associated with GC risk.

CONCLUSION

We identified 12 loci to be associated with GC risk in Chinese populations and deciphered the mechanisms of PRKAA1 at 5p13.1 and NOC3L at 10q23.33 in gastric tumourigenesis.

miR-27a is an important adipogenesis regulator associated with differential lipid accumulation between intramuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues of sheep

Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are crucial regulators for various biological processes. Despite important function in the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes, miRNA studies are limited in regional differences in adipogenesis. Here, we show that miR-27a plays an important role in regulating differential lipid accumulation between intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissues in sheep. Invivo, we observed that miR-27a expression in IM adipose tissue is more abundant than in SC adipose tissue. However, the expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG) and retinoid X receptor alpha (RXR alpha) in IM adipose tissue was significantly lower than that in SC adipose tissue. In the ovine preadipocyte differentiation model, we found that the expression of miR-27a was significantly decreased in differentiated ovine adipocytes. Overexpression of miR-27a significantly downregulated the expression of PPARG and RXR alpha and suppressed the accumulation of triglyceride but promoted the proliferation of ovine preadipocytes. Whereas, inhibition of miR-27a suppressed preadipocyte proliferation but enhanced PPARG and RXR alpha expression and lipid droplet formation. In addition, dual-luciferase activity assays showed that RXR alpha was a direct target of miR-27a. Thus, miR-27a enhances ovine preadipocytes proliferation and inhibits ovine preadipocytes differentiation through regulating the expression of target RXR alpha. Collectively, our study demonstrates the functional importance of miR-27a in ovine adipogenesis and provides novel insights into exploring regional differences in adipogenesis.

Pump depletion and hot-electron generation in long-density-scale-length plasma with shock-ignition high-intensity laser

Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations for laser plasma interaction with laser intensity of 10^{16}W/cm^{2}, plasma density range of 0.01-0.28n_{c}, and scale length of 230-330μm showed significant pump depletion of the laser energy due to stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in the low-density region (n_{e}=0.01-0.2n_{c}). The simulations identified hot electrons generated by SRS in the low-density region with moderate energy and by two-plasmon-decay near n_{e}=0.25n_{c} with higher energy. The overall hot electron temperature (46 keV) and conversion efficiency (3%) were consistent with the experiment's measurements. The simulations also showed artificially reducing SBS would lead to stronger SRS and a softer hot-electron spectrum.

[Effects of ticagrelor on cardiorespiratory fitness in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To investigate the effects of ticagrelor on cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 1 073 patients, who were diagnosed as coronary heart disease and underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) within 1 year after PCI, were enrolled from September 2017 to September 2019 in Peking University Third Hospital, including 309 patients in ticagrelor group and 764 patients in clopidogrel group. Clinical information, blood test results, echocardiographic parameters, cardiorespiratory fitness related parameters (including peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)), anaerobic threshold VO(2), peak oxygen pulse (VO(2)/HR) and carbon dioxide ventilation equivalent (VE/VCO(2)) slope), coronary lesions and intervention information were obtained. Cardiopulmonary fitness related indexes were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between ticagrelor use and cardiopulmonary fitness related indexes was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Patients who underwent CPET within 1 month after PCI were included in the subgroup analysis. Results: In ticagrelor group, the age was (60.3±10.3) years, and 253(81.9%) cases were male. The age of clopidogrel group was (60.6±10.0) years, and there were 608(79.6%) males. No significant differences were observed in peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2), and peak VO(2)/HR between the two groups (all P>0.05), but the VE/VCO(2) slope was significantly higher in the ticagrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (30.075 (27.207, 33.603) vs. 28.853 (25.970, 32.336), P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis suggested that the peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2) and peak VO(2)/HR were not significantly correlated with the ticagrelor use (all P>0.05), while the VE/VCO(2) slope was independently correlated with ticagrelor use (OR=1.098, 95%CI 1.032-1.168, P=0.003). Subgroup analysis of patients who underwent CPET within 1 month after PCI also indicated that no significant difference were observed in peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2), peak VO(2)/HR and VE/VCO(2) slope between the two groups (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis suggested that the peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2) and peak VO(2)/HR were not significantly correlated with ticagrelor use (all P>0.05), while the VE/VCO(2) slope was significantly correlated with ticagrelor use (OR=1.132, 95%CI 1.030-1.244, P=0.010). Conclusion: Among coronary heart disease patients after PCI, treatment with clopidogrel does not result in significant decrease in exercise endurance as compared with patients treated with ticagrelor.

Synthesis of a manganese dioxide nanorod-anchored graphene oxide composite for highly sensitive electrochemical sensing of dopamine

A novel manganese dioxide nanorod-anchored graphene oxide (MnO₂ NRs/GO) composite was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method for the development of a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for dopamine.

Facile synthesis of novel reduced graphene oxide@polystyrene nanospheres for sensitive label-free electrochemical immunoassay

Nanosized reduced graphene oxide@polystyrene nanospheres were first synthesized and further exploited for highly sensitive label-free electrochemical immunoassay applications.

A streptavidin-functionalized tin disulfide nanoflake-based ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of tumor markers

Universal and novel streptavidin-functionalized tin disulfide nanoflakes (SnS₂ NFs) have been explored for the first time to develop an ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of tumor markers.

Serum sclerostin as a potential novel biomarker for heart valve calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlation between change in sclerostin level and heart valve calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in stages 3-5, as well as the possible underlying mechanism, which could provide a clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

110 patients were divided into a healthy control group and three groups of patients with CKD stages 3, 4, and 5 according to CKD staging guidelines. Scr, BUN, AKP, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, Ca, Pi, and CRP were measured, and calcium-phosphate product (Ca×Pi) calculated. ELISA was used to measure the sclerostin level, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by MDRD. Heart valve calcification was measured by a physician in the Cardiac Department of our hospital. The correlations between sclerostin-level change and heart valve calcification, as well as each index in CKD patients in stages 3-5, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with the healthy control group, the serum Ca in CKD stage-3, stage-4, and stage-5 groups (p < 0.05) was reduced, and PTH was increased (p < 0.05). Blood Pi and Ca×Pi in the stage-4 and stage-5 groups were increased (p < 0.05). The serum sclerostin level increased with renal hypofunction in stage-3 CKD patients, and was significantly increased compared with that of the control group, reaching the highest level in the terminal stage (p < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis indicated that serum sclerostin was negatively correlated with eGFR (r = -0.91, p < 0.001) and blood Ca (r= -0.271, p < 0.001), and positively correlated with SCr (r = 0.608, p < 0.001), blood Pi level (r = 0.295, p < 0.001), PTH (r = 0.334, p < 0.001), and Ca×Pi (r = 0.275, p < 0.001). The rate of heart valve calcification in the CKD patients in stage 5 was relatively high (11/30, 36.67%), and significantly higher than that in healthy controls (1/20, 5%; p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis of heart valve calcification indicated that sclerostin was a risk factor for heart valve calcification in CKD patients in stages 3-5.

CONCLUSIONS

The sclerostin level gradually increased with renal hypofunction in CKD patients in stages 3-5, and the increase in serum sclerostin level in the CKD patients occurred earlier than the change in Pi and Ca×Pi. The risk of heart valve calcification in stage-5 CKD patients was significantly increased. Sclerostin is an independent risk factor for heart valve calcification in CKD patients.

Three-dimensional particle-in-cell modeling of parametric instabilities near the quarter-critical density in plasmas

The nonlinear regime of laser-plasma interactions including both two-plasmon decay (TPD) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) instabilities has been studied in three-dimensional (3D) particle-in-cell simulations with parameters relevant to the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. SRS and TPD develop in the same region in plasmas, and the generation of fast electrons can be described accurately with only the full model including both SRS and TPD. The growth of instabilities in the linear stage is found to be in good agreement with analytical theories. In the saturation stage the low-frequency density perturbations driven by the daughter waves of the SRS side scattering can saturate the TPD and consequently inhibit the fast-electron generation. The fast-electron flux in 3D modeling is up to an order of magnitude smaller than previously reported in 2D TPD simulations, bringing it close to the results of ICF experiments.

Genetic Association of Plasma Homocysteine Levels with Gastric Cancer Risk: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study

BACKGROUND

The association of plasma homocysteine level (PHL) with gastric cancer risk was reported in observational studies. However, the causality is challenging due to confounding factors and the lack of evidence from well-designed cohort studies. Herein, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate whether PHL is causally related to gastric cancer risk.

METHODS

We performed the MR analysis based on the results from genome-wide association studies consisting of 2,631 patients with gastric cancer and 4,373 controls. An externally weighted genetic risk score (wGRS) was constructed with 15 SNPs with well-established associations with PHL. We utilized logistic regression model to estimate associations of PHL-related SNPs and wGRS with gastric cancer risk in total population and in strata by sex, age, and study site, in addition to a series of sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS

High genetically predicted PHL was associated with an increased gastric cancer risk (per SD increase in the wGRS: OR = 1.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-1.12; P = 0.011), which was consistent in sensitivity analyses. Subgroup analyses provided evidence of a stronger association with gastric cancer risk in women than in men. MR-Egger and weighted median regression suggested that potentially unknown pleiotropic effects were not biasing the association between PHL and gastric cancer risk.

CONCLUSIONS

These results revealed that genetically predicted high PHL was associated with an increased gastric cancer risk, suggesting that high PHL may have a causal role in the etiology of gastric cancer.

IMPACT

These findings provide causal inference for PHL on gastric cancer risk, suggesting a causal role of high PHL in the etiology of gastric cancer.

Diazoxide induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-related neuroprotection mediated by p38 MAPK against Aβ25-35 insults

OBJECTIVE

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) -resident caspase-12 was identified as a mediator of Aβ neurotoxicity. Recent evidence indicates that mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel openers mediate their neuroprotective role by adjusting ER stress pathways, but the molecular details remain largely unknown and have been investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the protein expression levels of calreticulin (CRT) and caspase-12 activation and phosphorylated p38 MAPK were observed by immunoblotting in cultured PC12 cells from different groups: treatment with Aβ25-35 (group Aβ25-35), treatment with diazoxide (group diazoxide), pretreatment with diazoxide and then exposure to Aβ25-35 (group diazoxide + Aβ25-35), pretreatment with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580 and then exposure to diazoxide and Aβ25-35 (group SB 203580 + diazoxide + Aβ25-35), and the control (group control).

RESULTS

In response to the treatment with Aβ25-35 (10 µM) for 24 h, the protein expression levels of CRT and caspase-12 activation were increased and phosphorylated p38 MAPK was decreased significantly. Diazoxide reduced CRT overexpression and caspase-12 activation and increased the up-regulation of phosphorylated p38 MAPK. When SB 203580 was presented before exposure to diazoxide and Aβ25-35, CRT expression was markedly suppressed, and the inhibition effect of diazoxide on caspase-12 activation was almost eliminated.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that diazoxide induced ERS-related neuroprotection mediated by p38 MAPK against Aβ25-35 insults. From the clinical point of view, these results are of considerable importance for the understanding of AD pathogenesis. However, further studies are required to explore more detailed mechanisms of the observed effects.

[Influence of vagus nerve on multiple organ function and immune reaction of T lymphocytes in septic rats]

Objective: To explore influence of vagus nerve on multiple organ function and immune reaction of T lymphocytes in septic rats. Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham injury group, sepsis group, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) group, and vagotomy (VGX) group, according to the random number table, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in sepsis group, VNS group, and VGX group were inflicted with sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats in VNS group were given electrical stimulation on left cervical vagus nerve for 15 min right after CLP. Rats in VGX group underwent vagotomy of left cervical vagus nerve at 30 min before CLP. At 24 h after CLP, serum of rats was collected to detect levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glycocholic acid (CG), creatine kinase (CK), myocardial creatine kinase (CK-MB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine by fully automatic biochemistry analyzer. The left lung of rats was collected to determine wet or dry mass, and wet to dry (W/D) ratio was calculated. The right lung of rats was collected to measure the activity of pulmonary myeloperoxidase (MPO) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Spleen of rats was collected to determine the proliferative activity of CD4(+) T lymphocytes by cell counting kit 8, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA were used to quantify mRNA expressions and levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-γ, and IL-4, respectively. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honest significant difference test. Results: (1) The levels of serum ALT, AST, CG, CK, CK-MB, BUN, and creatinine, pulmonary W/D ratio, as well as MPO activity of rats in sepsis group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group and VNS group (P<0.01) and were significantly lower than those in VGX group (P<0.01). (2) The proliferative activity of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in sepsis group was 0.93±0.03, which was significantly lower than 1.54±0.07 of rats in sham injury group (P<0.01). The proliferative activity of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VNS group was 1.15±0.15, which was significantly higher than that of rats in sepsis group (P<0.01). The proliferative activity of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VGX group was 0.75±0.06, which was obviously lower than that of rats in sepsis group (P<0.01). (3) In comparison with those of rats in sham injury group, the levels of IL-2 and interferon-γ in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in sepsis group were markedly decreased (P<0.01), while the level of IL-4 was significantly increased (P<0.01). In comparison with those of rats in sepsis group, the levels of IL-2 and interferon-γ in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VNS group were obviously increased (P<0.01), while the level of IL-4 was markedly decreased (P<0.01). As compared with those of rats in sepsis group, the levels of IL-2 and interferon-γ in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VGX group were markedly decreased (P<0.01), while the level of IL-4 was significantly increased (P<0.01). (4) As compared with those of rats in sham injury group, expressions of IL-2 and interferon-γ mRNA in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in sepsis group were markedly decreased (P<0.01), while expression of IL-4 mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.01). Expressions of IL-2 and interferon-γ mRNA in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VNS group were obviously increased when compared with those of rats in sepsis group (P<0.01), while expression of IL-4 mRNA was markedly decreased (P<0.01). In comparison with those of rats in sepsis group, expressions of IL-2 and interferon-γ mRNA in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VGX group were markedly decreased (P<0.01), while expression of IL-4 mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.01). Conclusions: Electrical stimulation of vagus nerve can significantly improve multiple organ dysfunction and reverse immunosuppression of T lymphocytes in septic rats, while vagotomy of vagus nerve may enhance the susceptibility of rats to sepsis.

[Relationship between angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial factor and vasodilation function in hypertensive patients]

Objective: To analyze the relationship between angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) and vascular endothelial factor and vasodilation function in hypertensive patients. Methods: Patients with new onset grade 1~2 hypertension (n=40) and healthy control group (n=25) wereenrolledprospectively. Serum Ang2 and nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured in both groups. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) were measured in hypertensive patients. The above indicators were reviewed in hypertensive patients after antihypertensive treatment until blood pressure<140/90 mmHg. Results: Compared with the control group, serum Ang2 (P=0.049) and ET-1 (P<0.001) were significantly higher. Serum NO (P<0.001) and eNOS (P<0.001) was significantly lower in the hypertensive group. Compared with baseline, serum Ang2 (P=0.049) and ET-1 (P<0.001) were decreased significantly, meanwhile serum NO (P<0.001) and eNOS (P<0.001) were significantly increased. Serum Ang2 after antihypertensive treatment was not significantly different from that of the control group, but no statistical difference was observed in FMD after antihypertensive therapy. Correlation analysis found that serum Ang2 was positively correlated with mean arterial pressure (R=0.432, P<0.001), and negative correlated with serum NO(R=-0.374, P=0.001) and FMD (R=-0.368 0, P=0.002). Multiple linear regression found that serum Ang2 was independently associated with body mass index, mean arterial pressure, and serum NO. Conclusion: Serum Ang 2 can reflect the degree of endothelial and vasodilation impairment in hypertensive patients. Antihypertensive therapy can improve endothelial function, but whether it can restore damaged vasodilation function needs further verification.

Abstract P5-04-25: Characterization of FGFR1/2 genetic alterations reveals novel fusions of FGFR1 in Chinese breast cancer

Background: Deregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) signalling has been extensively studied in various tumor types, and has been implicated in driving endocrine resistance in breast cancer. Genetic alterations of FGFR1, especially FGFR1 amplification, is one of particularly important mechanisms leading to enhanced FGFR signaling in breast cancer. However, the prevalence of FGFR1/2 genetic variations in Chinese breast cancer patients has not been well explored.

Methods: To investigate the characteristics of FGFR1 and FGFR2 genetic variations in Chinese breast cancer, we employed customized next-generation sequencing panel to screen the somatic mutation or copy number variations of FGFR1/2 in primary breast cancer tissues by using two ongoing breast cancer Cohorts, in which we have recruited 289 of early breast cancer patients (EBC Cohort) and 74 of advanced breast cancer patients (ABC Cohort).

Results: In EBC Cohort, we found FGFR1 amplification in 9.0% (26/289) patients and FGFR2 amplification in 2.1% (6/289) patients, and also found 3 of somatic FGFR1 mutations (FGFR1 p.W4C; p.E334K; p.V396I ) and 2 of FGFR2 mutations (FGFR2 p.S702L; p.Y779*). Unlike the comparable prevalence of FGFR2 genetic variations in 2.8% (8/289) of EBC Cohort and 2.7% (2/74; one amplification event and one FGFR2 p.E499D mutation) of ABC Cohort, there were more FGFR1 genetic alterations in ABC Cohort (27%; 20/74 patients; p&lt;0.001), including 19 events of FGFR1 amplification and 1 of FGFR1 c.2186+20G&gt;A intron mutation. More importantly, we identified 5 novel FGFR1 fusion genes in our cohorts, including TACC1-FGFR1, FGFR1-KCNU1, FGFR1-MIR1268A, FGFR1-LZTS1-AS1 and FGFR1-RNF5P1. Although FGFR1-TACC1 fusion gene has been previously reported in breast cancer and TACC1 is fused to the C-terminal of FGFR1 protein leading to aberrant activation of FGFR1, we found TACC1 was fused to the N-terminal of FGFR1 at exon 6 of FGFR1 in our study. In addition, we identified and verified FGFR1-MIR1268A fusion gene at mRNA level using RNA-seq analysis, and further found this fusion gene might result in the truncation of FGFR1.

Conclusions: Collectively, we characterized the prevalence of FGFR1/2 genetic alterations in Chinese breast cancer, and identified 5 of novel FGFR1 fusion genes. The potential roles for novel FGFR1 fusion genes in regulating breast cancer cellular biology and in affecting the efficacy of endocrine therapy have been under the investigation in our laboratory, and the result from which will help us better elucidate the molecular mechanism of FGFR1 in driving the resistance of endocrine therapy.

This study was supported by funding from National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81602645), Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 2016A030313768) and Research Funds from Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau (Grant No. 201707010418 and 201804010430).

Citation Format: Wang Y, Guo L, Cao L, Jia M, Wen L, Ren C, Zhang G, Liao N. Characterization of FGFR1/2 genetic alterations reveals novel fusions of FGFR1 in Chinese breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-04-25.

MicroRNA-433 inhibits migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells via targeting Notch1

We aimed to determine the effects of miR-433 on the malignant behaviors of ovarian cancer cells, as well as to elucidate the possible mechanisms of ovarian cancer development. A total of 9 ovarian cancer tissues and 9 matched normal ovary tissues were obtained, and the expression levels of miR-433 and Notch1 were then determined by real-time PCR. Human ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and OVCAR3 were transfected with miR-433 mimics, negative miR-control and Notch1 siRNA. The expression of Notch1 protein in transfected cells was determined by western blot. In addition, the proliferation, migration and invasion of SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells in vitro were then evaluated using Cell Counting Kit 8, wound healing assay and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. Besides, bioinformatics methods and luciferace reporter assay were performed to confirm whether Notch1 was a direct target of miR-433. The expression of miR-433 was markedly down-regulated while Notch1 expression was significantly up-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues compared with matched normal ovary tissues. Overexpression of miR-433 significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, but had not significant effects on cell proliferation. In addition, Notch1 was a direct target of miR-433. Besides, down-regulation of Notch1 inhibited the invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Our findings indicate that miR-433 may inhibit cell migration and invasion in the development of ovarian cancer via down-regulation of Notch1. Notch1 may serve as a potential target in cancer therapy.

A nanozyme tag enabled chemiluminescence imaging immunoassay for multiplexed cytokine monitoring

We report a new concept of a chemiluminescence imaging nanozyme immunoassay (CINIA), in which nanozymes are exploited as catalytic tags for simultaneous multiplex detection of cytokines. The CINIA provides a novel and universal nanozyme-labeled multiplex immunoassay strategy for high-throughput detection of relevant biomarkers and further disease diagnosis.

PGK1 is a Potential Survival Biomarker and Invasion Promoter by Regulating the HIF-1α-Mediated Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Process in Breast Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Glycolysis, a multi-step enzymatic reaction, is considered to be the root of cancer development and progression. The aim of this study is to figure out which glycolysis enzyme participates in the progression of breast cancer and its possible mechanisms.

MATERIALS

We firstly screened out PGK1 by performing an RT-PCR array of glycolysis-related genes in three paired breast cancer samples, and further investigated PGK1 using TCGA and our own database. The effect and mechanism of PGK1 on cell invasion was further explored both in vitro and using patient samples.

RESULTS

PGK1 was most upregulated in T3N0 with distant metastases compared to those with no metastases. In the TCGA database, high PGK1 expression predicted poor overall survival (OS) in breast cancer and some other cancers (P< 0.001). In the validation cohort, high PGK1 expression was significantly correlated with larger tumor size (P=0.011) and advanced TNM stage (P=0.033), and PGK1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for OS and disease free survival (DFS) in both univariate and multivariate regression analyses (P< 0.05). Functional studies indicated that knockdown of PGK1 expression significantly inhibited invasion and reversed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition process in breast cancer cells (P< 0.05). Mechanistically, PGK1 increased HRE luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner, while silencing PGK1 expression decreased HRE activity.

CONCLUSION

High PGK1 expression was associated with poor prognosis in breast cancer, because PGK1 and HIF-1α formed a positive feed-forward loop and thus stimulated breast cancer progression and metastases. Based on these results, PGK1 may serve as a promising biomarker and target therapy for breast cancer.

Hepatic angiomyolipoma: mutation analysis and immunohistochemical pitfalls in diagnosis

AIMS

Hepatic angiomyolipoma (AML) often shows epithelioid morphology with inconspicuous fat. Epithelioid component can mimic hepatocellular adenoma (HCA) or carcinoma (HCC). The aims of this study were to examine the expression of commonly used markers for HCA or HCC in hepatic AML and highlight pitfalls in diagnosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Resected hepatic AMLs (n = 16) were reviewed; reticulin stain, immunohistochemistry for glutamine synthetase (GS), β-catenin and liver fatty acid binding protein (LFABP) were performed along with Sanger sequencing of exon 3 of CTNNB1 and next-generation sequencing (NGS). Predominant epithelioid component (≥50%) was seen in 80% of cases. Foamy macrophage was present in 33% of cases. High-risk histological features were often present in tumours with benign outcome: marked atypia (19%), mitoses (20%) and necrosis (33%). GS staining (≥10% of tumour) was seen in epithelioid components in 13 (87%) cases, and was diffuse (>50% of tumour) in six (40%) cases. LFABP staining or nuclear β-catenin staining was not seen in any case. Sanger sequencing and NGS did not reveal CTNNB1 mutation in any tested case. NGS demonstrated TSC2 mutations in all five cases tested.

CONCLUSIONS

The predominance of epithelioid component resembling HCA or HCC is common in hepatic AML. Absence of LFABP and presence of fat can be mistaken for HNF1α-inactivated HCA. Diffuse GS staining can be mistaken for β-catenin-activated HCA or HCC. Diffuse GS expression is not related to CTNNB1 mutation. All tested cases showed TSC2 mutation, supporting this as the driving genetic event for hepatic AML.

HMGB2 is associated with malignancy and regulates Warburg effect by targeting LDHB and FBP1 in breast cancer

Background

High-mobility group box 2 (HMGB2) is implicated in tumorigenesis in various cancers. However, the clinical significance of HMGB2 signaling in human breast cancer progression remains unknown.

Methods

We investigated HMGB2 expression in 185 cases of primary breast cancer and matched normal breast tissue specimens, and explored the underlying mechanisms of altered HMGB2 expression as well as the impact of this altered expression on breast cancer growth and on aerobic glycolysis using in vitro and animal models of breast cancer.

Results

HMGB2 was more highly expressed in tumor-cell nuclei of breast cancer cells than in the adjacent normal breast tissues (P < 0.05). Higher HMGB2 expression correlated with larger tumor size (P = 0.003) and advanced tumor stage (P = 0.033). A Cox proportional hazards model revealed that HMGB2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for breast cancer after radical resection (P < 0.05). Experimentally, knockdown of HMGB2 expression by stable transfected shRNA significantly decreased the growth and glycolysis of breast cancer cells both in vitro and in mouse models. Mechanically, promotion of breast cancer progression by HMGB2 directly and significantly correlated with activation of LDHB expression and inactivation of FBP1 expression.

Conclusions

These results disclose a novel role for HMGB2 in reprogramming the metabolic process in breast cancer cells by targeting LDHB and FBP1 and provide potential prognostic predictors for breast cancer patients.

The anti-apoptotic and prognostic value of fibroblast growth factor 9 in gastric cancer

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 9 is a member of the FGF family, which promotes carcinogenesis in some solid tumours. However, its biological and prognostic significance in gastric cancer (GC) is unclear. We examined FGF9 expression in 180 GC and corresponding non-tumorous gastric tissue samples by immunohistochemistry and evaluated its role in predicting tumour prognosis. Knockdown of FGF9 by siRNA inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in GC cell lines. Fifty of the 180 GC specimens (27.8%) had high FGF9 protein expression, whereas decreased or unchanged expression was observed in 130 cases (72.2%). High FGF9 expression was a significant predictor of poor survival (28.1 vs. 55.8 months, P < 0.001). After stratification according to AJCC stage, FGF9 remained a significant predictor of shorter survival in stage II (30.6 vs. 64.9 months, P < 0.001) and stage III GC (29.7 vs. 58.9 months, P < 0.001). Multivariate and univariate analysis showed that higher expression of FGF9 can be used as a predictor for poor prognosis (HR, 2.95; 95% CI, 1.97–4.41; P < 0.001; and HR, 2.94; 95% CI, 2.01–4.31; P < 0.001, respectively). FGF9 may provide the anti-apoptotic function and be useful as a novel independent marker for evaluating GC prognosis

miR-486-5p expression pattern in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, gastric cancer and its prognostic value

Micro RNA (miR)-486-5p is often aberrantly expressed in human cancers. The aim of this study was to identify the prognostic value of miR-486-5p expression in digestive system cancers. Tissue microarrays were constructed with 680 samples including 185 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCCs), 90 gastric adenocarcinomas (GCs), and 60 digestive system cancer tissues from 10 ESCC, 10 GC, 10 colon, 10 rectum, 10 liver, 10 pancreatic cancer, and corresponding normal tissues. Twenty normal digestive system mucosa tissues from healthy volunteers were included as normal controls. In GC, miR-486-5p expression was decreased in 62.8% of cases (59/94), increased in 33.0% (31/94), and unchanged in 4.2% (4/94); in ESCC its expression was decreased in 66.2% (129/195), increased in 32.3% (63/195), and unchanged in 1.5% (3/195). Expression of miR-486-5p was decreased in 12, and increased in 8, of 20 cases of colon or rectum cancer; decreased in 6, and increased in 4, of 10 cases of liver cancer; and decreased in 8, and increased in 2, of 10 cases of pancreatic cancer. Multivariate and univariate regression analysis demonstrated that low/unchanged miR-486-5p predicted poor prognosis in ESCC (hazard ratio [HR], 4.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.62–7.14; P < 0.001; HR, 3.88; 95% CI, 2.43–6.22; P < 0.001, respectively) and GC (HR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.35–4.50; P = 0.003; HR, 2.55; 95% CI, 1.39–4.69; P = 0.002, respectively). MiR-486-5p might therefore be an independent tumor marker for evaluating prognosis in patients with ESCC or GC.

Electron Shock Ignition of Inertial Fusion Targets

It is shown that inertial confinement fusion targets designed with low implosion velocities can be shock-ignited using laser-plasma interaction generated hot electrons (hot-e's) to obtain high energy gains. These designs are robust to multimode asymmetries and are predicted to ignite even for significantly distorted implosions. Electron shock ignition requires tens of kilojoules of hot-e's which can be produced only at a large laser facility like the National Ignition Facility, with the laser-to-hot-e conversion efficiency greater than 10% at laser intensities ∼10^{16}  W/cm^{2}.

[Prospective cohort study on the outcomes of sacrospinous ligament fixation using conventional instruments in treating stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ pelvic organ prolapse]

Objective: To evaluate the medium and long term safety and efficacy of sacrospinous ligament fixation (SSLF) performed with conventional instruments in treating stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Methods: A prospective cohort analysis was conducted in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, between May 2007 and June 2015, enrolling 55 women with stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ POP who intended to receive SSLF. Primary end points were objective success rates using pelvic organ prolapse quantitation system (POP-Q) and subjective satisfaction rates with questionnaires after surgery according to vaginal examination and related questionnaires for all patients who received SSLF eventually. Exploratory outcomes included perioperative parameters and complications. Results: Of these 55 POP patients enrolled, 52 (95%, 52/55) received SSLF using conventional surgical instruments, the other 3 cases converted to ischial spinous fascia fixation due to difficulty exposing. Medium blood loss during operation was 100 ml (20-300 ml) and operative time 60 minutes (20-165 minutes). Pelvic hematoma with diameters of 5 cm and 7 cm were observed in two patients, both recovered fully with conservative methods. All patients were able to micturate spontaneously after catheter withdrawal. One patient reported right thigh pain after operation which remained till 3-month follow-up and relieved after physiotherapy. The objective success rate was 100% (52/52) at 3 months. With a medium follow-up time of 23.7 months, the objective success rate was 98% (51/52), the recurrence rate was 2% (1/52) and the satisfactory rate was 94% (49/52). De novo urinary incontinence occurred in 6% (3/52) of patients. Conclusion: Most POP could be corrected with SSLF using conventional instruments which is a feasible, economic and effective procedure for Asian patients with medium compartment prolapse.

Exome Array Analysis Identifies Variants in SPOCD1 and BTN3A2 That Affect Risk for Gastric Cancer

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Several genetic variants have been associated with gastric cancer risk, although these account for only a fraction of cases of gastric cancer. We aimed to identify low-frequency and other genetic variants that determine gastric cancer susceptibility.

METHODS

We performed exome array analysis of DNA in blood samples from 1113 patients with gastric cancer, collected at hospitals from 2006 to 2010 in China, and 1848 individuals without cancer (controls) undergoing physical examinations. Among 71,290 variants analyzed (including 25,784 common variants), 24 variants were selected and replicated in an analysis of DNA in blood samples from 4687 additional cases of gastric cancer and 5780 controls. We compared expression of candidate genes in tumor vs normal gastric tissues using data from TCGA and performed functional annotation analyses. An immortalized human gastric epithelial cell line (GES1) and 7 human gastric cancer lines were used to express transgenes, knock down gene expression (with small interfering RNAs), disrupt genes (using the CRISPR/Cas9 system), or assess expression of reporter constructs. We measured cell proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration, and assessed growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice.

RESULTS

A low-frequency missense variant rs112754928 in the SPOC domain containing 1 gene (SPOCD1; encoding p.Arg71Trp), at 1p35.2, was reproducibly associated with reduced risk of gastric cancer (odds ratio, 0.56; P = 3.48 × 10^-8). SPOCD1 was overexpressed in gastric tumors, and knockout of SPOCD1 reduced gastric cancer cell proliferation, invasive activity, and migration, as well as growth of xenograft tumors in nude mice. We also associated the variant rs1679709 at 6p22.1 with reduced risk for gastric cancer (odds ratio, 0.80; P = 1.17 × 10^-13). The protective allele rs1679709-A correlated with the surrounding haplotype rs2799077-T-rs2799079-C, which reduced the enhancer activity of this site to decrease expression of the butyrophilin subfamily 3 member A2 gene (BTN3A2). BTN3A2 is overexpressed in gastric tumors, and deletion of BTN3A2 inhibited proliferation, migration, and invasion of gastric cancer cells.

CONCLUSIONS

We have associated variants at 1p35.2 and 6p22.1 with gastric cancer risk, indicating a role for SPOCD1 and BTN3A2 in gastric carcinogenesis.

Spreading of Pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus O3:K6 and Its Serovariants: A Re-analysis of Strains Isolated from Multiple Studies

In China, V. parahaemolyticus has been a leading cause of foodborne outbreaks and bacterial infectious diarrhea since the 1990s, and most infections have been associated with the pandemic V. parahaemolyticus O3:K6 and its serovariants. However, a comprehensive overview of the sero-prevalence and genetic diversity of the pandemic V. parahaemolyticus clone in China is lacking. To compensate for this deficiency, pandemic isolates in both clinical and environmental Chinese samples collected from multiple studies were analyzed in this study. Surprisingly, as many as 27 clinical pandemic serovariants were identified and were widely distributed across nine coastal provinces and two inland provinces (Beijing and Sichuan). O3:K6, O4:K68, and O1:KUT represented the predominant clinical serovars. Only four environmental pandemic serovariants had previously been reported, and they were spread throughout Shanghai (O1:KUT, O3:K6), Jiangsu (O3:K6, O4:K48), Zhejiang (O3:K6), and Guangdong (O4:K9). Notably, 24 pandemic serovariants were detected within a short time frame (from 2006 to 2012). The pandemic isolates were divided into 15 sequence types (STs), 10 of which fell within clonal complex (CC) 3. Only three STs (ST3, ST192, and ST305) were identified in environmental isolates. Substantial serotypic diversity was mainly observed among isolates within pandemic ST3, which comprised 21 combinations of O/K antigens. The pandemic O3:K6 serotype showed a high level of sequence diversity, which was shared by eight different STs (ST3, ST227, ST431, ST435, ST487, ST489, ST526, and ST672). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that most isolates shared similar antibiotic susceptibility profiles. They were resistant to ampicillin but sensitive to most other drugs that were tested. In conclusion, the high levels of serotypic and genetic diversity of the pandemic clone suggest that the involved regions are becoming important reservoirs for the emergence of novel pandemic strains. We underscore the need for routine monitoring to prevent pandemic V. parahaemolyticus infection, which includes monitoring antimicrobial responses to avoid excessive misuse of antibiotics. Further investigations are also needed to delineate the specific mechanisms underlying the possible seroconversion of pandemic isolates.

Aggravated nausea and vomiting induced by fat emulsion for hyperemesis gravidarum: A case report

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE

Total parental nutrition (TPN) for hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is generally effective and well-tolerated. We report a case of aggravated nausea and vomiting caused by fat emulsion.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 40-year-old pregnant woman through IVF was admitted to the hospital at 11-week gestation and diagnosed with HG. During TPN treatment, the patient suffered from aggravated nausea and vomiting. We identified fat emulsion as the most likely culprit using challenge, dechallenge and rechallenge.

WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION

This is the first report of fat emulsion aggravating nausea and vomiting in such situation.

Identification of new susceptibility loci for gastric non-cardia adenocarcinoma: pooled results from two Chinese genome-wide association studies

OBJECTIVE

Although several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of non-cardia gastric cancer have been published, more novel association signals could be exploited by combining individual studies together, which will further elucidate the genetic susceptibility of non-cardia gastric cancer.

DESIGN

We conducted a meta-analysis of two published Chinese GWAS studies (2031 non-cardia gastric cancer cases and 4970 cancer-free controls) and followed by genotyping of additional 3564 cases and 4637 controls in two stages.

RESULTS

The overall meta-analysis revealed two new association signals. The first was a novel locus at 5q14.3 and marked by rs7712641 (per-allele OR=0.84, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.88; p=1.21×10^-11). This single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) marker maps to the intron of the long non-coding RNA, lnc-POLR3G-4 (XLOC_004464), which we observed has lower expression in non-cardia gastric tumour compared with matched normal tissue (P_{wilcoxon signed-rank}=7.20×10^-4). We also identified a new signal at the 1q22 locus, rs80142782 (per-allele OR=0.62; 95% CI 0.56 to 0.69; p=1.71×10^-19), which was independent of the previously reported SNP at the same locus, rs4072037 (per-allele OR=0.74; 95% CI 0.69 to 0.79; p=6.28×10^-17). Analysis of the new SNP conditioned on the known SNP showed that the new SNP remained genome-wide significant (P_conditional=3.47×10^-8). Interestingly, rs80142782 has a minor allele frequency of 0.05 in East Asians but is monomorphic in both European and African populations.

CONCLUSION

These findings add new evidence for inherited genetic susceptibility to non-cardia gastric cancer and provide further clues to its aetiology in the Han Chinese population.

[Impact of blood pressure control on coronary flow reserve in hypertensive patients]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impacts of blood pressure control on coronary flow reserve (CFR) in hypertensive patients.

METHODS

A total of 236 patients without significant coronary stenosis (defined as <50% luminal narrowing which was confirmed by coronary angiography or coronary artery CT scan) between January 2011 to July 2015 were retrospectively enrolled in this study. CFR was measured in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) during adenosine triphosphate-induced hyperemia by transthoracic Doppler echocardiography. Patients were divided into hypertension group (n=173) and non-hypertension group (n=63). The hypertension patients were further divided into ideally controlled (n=31, defined as SBP <120 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and DBP <80 mmHg), controlled (n=82, defined as SBP 120 to 139 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg) and uncontrolled groups (n=60, defined as SBP≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic DBP≥90 mmHg) based on their blood pressure after systematic antihypertensive therapy and CFR values were compared among the 4 groups. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify the independent determinants of CFR in patients with hypertension.

RESULTS

Compared with non-hypertension group, the CFR was significantly lower in controlled (3.27±0.71 vs. 2.87±0.56, P<0.001) and uncontrolled groups (3.27±0.71 vs. 2.61±0.71, P<0.001), but was similar in ideally controlled group (3.27±0.71 vs. 3.21±0.85, P=0.68). Furthermore, the CFR was significantly lower in uncontrolled group than that of the other two hypertension groups and was significantly lower in controlled group than that of ideally controlled group. Higher blood pressure (β=-0.17, P=0.03) and age(β=-0.02, P=0.03) were independent predictors of lower CFR in patients with hypertension.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher blood pressure is an independent predictor of decreased CFR in patients with hypertension. Hypertensive patients with ideally controlled blood pressure have similar CFR level as patients without hypertension.

RNAi of Grp78 may disturb the fusion of ICR mouse palate cultured in vitro

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool to silence or minimize gene expression, and palate culture in vitro is an important technique for study of the palate development. Our previous study demonstrated that the gene expression of glucose-regulated protein-78 (Grp78) was downregulation in the all-trans retinoic acid-induced mouse models of cleft palate (CP) during embryogenesis. To find the role of Grp78, the small interfering RNA (siRNA) of this gene carried by fluorescent vector was injected with a microinjector, through which about 30 pmol siRNA was injected into the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mouse palate explants. After 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, these palate explants were removed from culture to observe their fluorescent and Alcian blue-staining phenotypes, and the expression of the unfolded protein response (UPR) key members (Grp78, Inositol-responsive enzyme 1, protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, activating transcription factor-6 and X-box binding protein-1) was measured. After cultured for 72 h, the partially or completely fused bilateral palates were observed in the control siRNA group, while CPs were found in the Grp78 siRNA group. In the Grp78 siRNA group, the relatively mRNA abundance of the key genes belonged to UPR at each time point was lower than that of the control siRNA group, and their protein expression also displayed the same change. By the system of RNAi strategies with mouse palate culture, we found the siRNA of Grp78 disturbed the fusion of mouse palate cultured in vitro.

miRNA-148a serves as a prognostic factor and suppresses migration and invasion through Wnt1 in non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world, and aberrant expression of miRNA is a common feature during the cancer initiation and development. Our previous study showed that levels of miRNA-148a assessed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were a good prognosis factor for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. In this study, we used high-throughput formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) lung cancer tissue arrays and in situ hybridization (ISH) to determine the clinical significances of miRNA-148a and aimed to find novel target of miRNA-148a in lung cancer. Our results showed that there were 86 of 159 patients with low miRNA-148a expression and miRNA-148a was significantly down-regulated in primary cancer tissues when compared with their adjacent normal lung tissues. Low expression of miRNA-148a was strongly associated with high tumor grade, lymph node (LN) metastasis and a higher risk of tumor-related death in NSCLC. Lentivirus mediated overexpression of miRNA-148a inhibited migration and invasion of A549 and H1299 lung cancer cells. Furthermore, we validated Wnt1 as a direct target of miRNA-148a. Our data showed that the Wnt1 expression was negatively correlated with the expression of miRNA-148a in both primary cancer tissues and their corresponding adjacent normal lung tissues. In addition, overexpression of miRNA-148a inhibited Wnt1 protein expression in cancer cells. And knocking down of Wnt-1 by siRNA had the similar effect of miRNA-148a overexpression on cell migration and invasion in lung cancer cells. In conclusion, our results suggest that miRNA-148a inhibited cell migration and invasion through targeting Wnt1 and this might provide a new insight into the molecular mechanisms of lung cancer metastasis.

Synthesis of linear and star poly(ε-caprolactone) with controlled and high molecular weights via cyclic trimeric phosphazene base catalyzed ring-opening polymerization

Linear and star PCLs with controlled and high molecular weights are efficiently prepared by a catalytic system of CTPB/alcohol.