Effects of cisatracurium on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most aggressive types of cancer worldwide, with a poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cisatracurium (Cis) on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ESCC and its potential mechanism of action. In the present study, Cis was used to treat ECA-109 cells, with cell proliferation measured by a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the expression of TGF-β and phospho-Smad2/3 detected by western blotting. TGF-β was then applied to induce EMT. Flow cytometry, wound healing and Transwell assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration. In addition, cell cycle-related proteins, including cyclin D1, p53 and p21, and EMT-associated proteins, including E-cadherin (E-cad), N-cadherin (N-cad), Vimentin and Slug, were examined by western blot analysis. The results revealed that Cis inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of ESCC cells. Following treatment with Cis, the expression of TGF-β and phosphorylation of Smad2/3 were downregulated. Cis also suppressed cancer cell invasion and migration induced by TGF-β. In addition, the expression levels of cyclin D1 were decreased, accompanied by increased p53 and p21 expression. In addition, the expression level of E-cad was increased, whereas N-cad, Vimentin and Slug were significantly reduced. Taken together, the results of the present study revealed that exposure of ESCC cells to Cis inhibited EMT and reduced cell invasion and metastasis through the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

Circular circ_0000885 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma proliferation by epigenetically upregulating Caprin1

OBJECTIVE

Recently, the vital role of circular RNAs is discovered in many diseases, including tumor progression. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most ordinary malignant tumors. The purpose of our study is to detect the potential function of circ_0000885 in HCC to offer new biomarkers and targets.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression level of circ_0000885 in HCC tissues and cell lines was monitored by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Pearson's Chi-square test was used to determine the association of circ_0000885 expression with several clinicopathological factors. Then knockdown of circ_0000885 was constructed to uncover its function in HCC. The cell growth ability was measured through the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and cell cycle assay. The Western blot assay was performed to analyze the protein level of Caprin1.

RESULTS

Circ_0000885 was highly expressed in HCC tissues than that in adjacent samples. The miR-532-5p expression was associated with lymphatic metastasis and TNM stage. The expression of circ_0000885 was also higher in HCC cell lines. The cell growth ability of HCC cells was inhibited after circ_0000885 was silenced. Furthermore, Caprin1 was inhibited via knockdown of circ_0000885.

CONCLUSIONS

Circ_0000885 could enhance cell proliferation and regulate cell cycle of HCC by promoting Caprin1.

Noninvasive fetal genotyping in pregnancies at risk for PKU using a comprehensive quantitative cSMART assay for PAH gene mutations: a clinical feasibility study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the diagnostic performance of a novel circulating single molecule amplification and re-sequencing technology (cSMART) method for noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) of Phenylketonuria (PKU).

DESIGN

Blinded NIPT analysis of pregnancies at high risk for PKU.

SETTING

Shanghai Xinhua Hospital and Hunan Jiahui Genetics Hospital, China.

POPULATION

Couples (n = 33) with a child diagnosed with PKU.

METHODS

Trio testing for pathogenic PAH mutations was performed by Sanger sequencing. In second pregnancies, invasive prenatal diagnosis (IPD) was used to determine fetal genotypes. NIPT was performed using a PAH gene-specific cSMART assay. Based on the plasma DNA mutation ratio relative to the fetal DNA fraction, fetal genotypes were assigned using a maximum-likelihood algorithm.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Concordance of fetal genotyping results between IPD and NIPT, and the sensitivity and specificity of the NIPT assay.

RESULTS

Compared with gold standard IPD results, 32 of 33 fetuses (96.97%) were accurately genotyped by NIPT. The sensitivity and specificity of the NIPT assay was 100.00% (95% CI 59.04-100.00%) and 96.15% (95% CI 80.36-99.90%), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel cSMART assay demonstrated high accuracy for correctly calling fetal genotypes. We propose that this test has useful clinical utility for the rapid screening of high-risk and low-risk pregnancies with a known history of PKU on one or both sides of the family.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

NIPT of couples at high risk for PKU using a full-coverage cSMART PAH gene test.

Observation of efficacy of TACE combined with HIFU on patients with middle-advanced liver cancer

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in patients with middle-advanced liver cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 100 patients with middle-advanced liver cancer treated in our hospital from January 2015 to January 2018 were selected and randomly divided into TACE group (control group, n=50) and TACE combined with HIFU group (experimental group, n=50) according to different therapeutic regimens. The efficacy was observed after the operation, the blood was collected to detect the postoperative liver function indexes aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), the postoperative complications were observed. Also, the immune indexes cluster of differentiation 3+ (CD3+), CD4+, and CD8+ were determined. Moreover, the quality of life (QOL) score was compared between the two groups, the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were observed after the operation. Also, the changes in the levels of tumor markers α-L-fucosidase (AFU), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were observed.

RESULTS

In experimental group, the levels of AST, ALT, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) after the operation were significantly decreased (p<0.05), while the postoperative efficacy was significantly superior to that in control group (p<0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly reduced (p<0.05), the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and natural killer (NK) cells were markedly increased (p<0.05). Also, the QOL score was evidently better than that in control group (p<0.05) and the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5- year survival rates after the operation were evidently higher than those in control group (p<0.05). After treatment, the levels of AFU, AFP, CA19-9, and CEA were remarkably lower than those before treatment in both groups, while they were remarkably lower in experimental group than those in control group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TACE combined with HIFU in the treatment of patients with middle-advanced liver cancer can restore the hepatic metabolism, enhance the immunity, improve the QOL, prolong the survival time of patients, and significantly reduce the tumor markers. Also, it has fewer adverse reactions and definite overall efficacy, which is worthy of popularization and application.

[Design of cross-sectional anatomical model focused on drainage pathways of paranasal sinuses]

Objective:To design and produce cross-sectional anatomical models of paranasal sinuses for the purpose of demonstrating drainage pathways of each nasal sinus for the young doctors. Method:We reconstructed the three-dimensional model of sinuses area based on CT scan data, and divided it into 5 thick cross-sectional anatomy models by 4 coronal plane，which cross middle points of agger nasi cell, ethmoid bulla, posterior ethmoid sinuses and sphenoid sinus respectively. Then a 3D printerwas used to make anatomical cross-sectional anatomical models.Result:Successfully produced a digital 3D printing cross-sectional models of paranasal sinuses. Sinus drainage pathways were observed on the models. Conclusion:The cross-sectional anatomical models made by us can exactly and intuitively demonstrate the ostia of each sinus cell and they can help the young doctors to understand and master the key anatomies and relationships which are important to the endoscopic sinus surgery.

MiR-147b influences vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration via targeting YY1 and modulating Wnt/β-catenin activities

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been found to be associated with cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. In the present study, we examined the role of miR-147b in the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of miR-147b and Yin Yang 1 (YY1) mRNA. CCK-8, transwell migration and wound healing assays were used to determine cell proliferation and migration of VSMCs, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed the downstream target of miR-147b. The protein level of YY1 was measured by western blot analysis. Platelet-derived growth factor-bb (PDGF-bb) treatment promoted cell proliferation and increased miR-147b expression in VSMCs. Overexpression of miR-147b enhanced cell proliferation and migration of VSMCs, while knock-down of miR-147b suppressed cell proliferation and migration of VSMCs or PDGF-bb-treated VSMCs. Further, bioinformatics prediction and luciferase reporter assay showed that YY1 was a downstream target of miR-147b, and miR-147b negatively regulated the mRNA and protein expression of YY1 in VSMCs. Overexpression of YY1 inhibited cell proliferation and migration of VSMCs and attenuated the effects of miR-147b overexpression on cell proliferation and migration. In addition, overexpression of miR-147b increased the Wnt/β-catenin signaling activities in VSMCs. In conclusion, our results suggest that miR-147b plays important roles in the control of cell proliferation and migration of VSMCs possibly via targeting YY1.

Comparative efficacy and safety of contact force-sensing catheter and second-generation cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of the contact force (CF)-sensing catheter and second-generation cryoballoon (CB) ablation for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). Six controlled clinical trials comparing ablation for AF using a CF-sensing catheter or second-generation CB were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Data, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. The procedure duration was significantly lower in the CB group compared with that in the CF group [mean difference (MD)=29.4; 95%CI=17.84–40.96; P=0.01], whereas there was no difference between the groups for fluoroscopy duration (MD=0.59; 95%CI=–4.48–5.66; P=0.82). Moreover, there was no difference in the incidence of non-lethal complications (embolic event, tamponade, femoral/subclavian hematoma, arteriovenous fistula, pulmonary vein stenosis, phrenic nerve palsy, and esophageal injury) between the CB and the CF groups (8.38 vs 5.35%; RR=0.66; 95%CI=0.37–1.17; P=0.15). Transient phrenic nerve palsy occurred in 17 of 326 patients (5.2%) of the CB group vs none in the CF group (RR=0.12; 95%CI=0.03–0.43; P=0.001). A comparable proportion of patients in CF and CB groups suffered from AF recurrence during the 12-month follow-up after a single ablation procedure [risk ratio (RR)=1.03; 95%CI=0.78–1.35; P=0.84]. AF ablation using CF-sensing catheters and second-generation CB showed comparable fluoroscopy duration and efficacy (during a 12-month follow-up), with shorter procedure duration and different complications in the CB group.

Sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary in a perimenopausal woman: a case report

Sclerosing stromal tumor (SST) is a rare ovarian neoplasia deriving from the sex cord stromal tumor, which occurs usually in the sec- ond and third decades of life. However, the authors report a 46-year old multiparous woman who presented with a cystic-solid left pelvic mass, a large amount of ascites, and elevated serum CA-125, all suggesting a malignant tumor. Surgery was performed and final histopathological diagnosis of the specimen was diagnosed with SST. The authors herein report an extremely rare case of SST with a cystic-solid pelvic mass and a large amount of ascites, which is useful to demonstrate the possibility of SST in multiparous woman.

Microarray expression profiling of dysregulated long non-coding RNAs in Hirschsprung's disease reveals their potential role in molecular diagnosis

BACKGROUND

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is one of the common digestive disorders in the new born. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in various biological processes. However, knowledge on lncRNAs in HSCR is limited.

METHODS

The expression profile of lncRNAs in HSCR was obtained using microarray. A total of 2078 differentially expressed lncRNAs were detected by microarray in HSCR tissues compared with matched normal colon tissues (fold change ≥2, p < 0.05). Candidate biomarkers were selected from these differentially expressed lncRNAs based on artificial criterion (raw signal intensity ≥50; fold change ≥8) and then validated in 80 pairs of HSCR and normal tissues using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, the computational analysis was used to evaluate the lncRNA-microRNA and lncRNA-protein relationships.

KEY RESULTS

A panel of 5-lncRNAs was identified to distinguish HSCR from normal tissues with remarkable sensitivity and specificity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for HSCR identification in the validation set was 0.875. The bioinformatics analysis reveals that these dysregulated lncRNAs are mainly involved in RNA-protein relationships, including RNA splicing, binding, transport, processing, and localization.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Our results are the first to report the expression profile of dysregulated lncRNAs in HSCR and infer that lncRNAs may serve as novel diagnostic biomarkers for HSCR.

A laparoscopic surgery for deep infiltrating endometriosis and the review of literature

Deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is a complex disorder that affects 6% to 12% of all women in the reproductive age. In these cases, treatment is more difficult with possible incomplete pain relief and a considerable possibility of recurrence. Here, the authors report a case of a 41-year-old woman with a history of severe dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and chronic pelvic pain because of deep infiltrating pelvic and peritoneal endometriosis, who underwent segmental colorectal resection three years ago for large bowel obstruction due to colonic endometriosis. To ensure complete removal of the disease, the authors injected gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) in three periodic cycles before laparoscopic surgery. We performed laparoscopic hysterectomy and deep pelvic nodule resection and pelvic adhesion releasing. After five days of hospitalization, the patient recovered totally and was not experiencing any pain at three months' follow-up. Laparoscopic treatment has more become the standard of treatment for DIE. A review of the literature regarding pathology and physiology of DIE and surgical aspects of its management is undertaken. The authors would like to renew the current laparoscopic surgery in curing the DIE, as they believe that this is also a useful addition to the literature.

Epidemiology of chronic rhinosinusitis: results from a cross-sectional survey in seven Chinese cities

BACKGROUND

Chronic sinusitis (CRS) is a common otorhinolaryngologic disease that is frequently encountered in everyday practice, but there is a lack of precise data regarding the prevalence of CRS in developing countries. We performed a national investigation in China to determine the prevalence and associated factors of CRS.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional investigation in 2012. A stratified four-stage sampling method was used to select participants randomly from seven cities in mainland China. All participants were interviewed face-to-face via a standardized questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the association between smoking and sinusitis after adjusting for socio-demographic factors.

RESULTS

This study included a total of 10 636 respondents from seven cities. The overall prevalence of CRS was 8.0% and ranged from 4.8% to 9.7% in seven centres. Chronic sinusitis affected approximately 107 million people in mainland China. Chronic sinusitis was particularly prevalent among people with specific medical conditions, including allergic rhinitis, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gout. The prevalence was slightly higher among males (8.79%) than females (7.28%) (P = 0.004), and the prevalence varied by age group, ethnicity and marital status and education (P < 0.05), but not by household per capita income or living space (P > 0.05). Both second-hand tobacco smoke and active smoking were independent risk factors for CRS (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic sinusitis is an important public health problem in China. Our study provides important information for the assessment of the economic burden of CRS and the development and promotion of public health policies associated with CRS particularly in developing countries.

Multimodal retinal imaging in a Chinese kindred with familial amyloid polyneuropathy secondary to transthyretin Ile107Met mutation

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the ocular phenotype and gene mutation of a Chinese pedigree with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) and vitreous amyloidosis.

METHODS

A Chinese pedigree with familial amyloid polyneuropathy and vitreous amyloidosis was recruited. Combined phacoemulsification, vitrectomy and intraocular lens implantation were performed on the right eye of the index patient. Ophthalmic investigations were performed before and after surgery. The DNA from the pedigree was sequenced for the transthyretin (TTR) gene.

RESULTS

After vitrectomy, the best-corrected visual acuity of the patient improved from counting finger to 20/20. Red-free confocal ophthalmoscopy demonstrated perifoveal ring and several perivessel white sheaths. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed cotton wool like reflections on the vitreoretinal interface. Electroretinogram and autofluorescence was normal. Amyloid was present in the vitreous specimen. A substitution of T to G at nucleotide 381 in exon 4 of TTR DNA (Ile107Met) was found. This mutation co-segregated with phenotype in the pedigree and was not detected in 200 controls.

CONCLUSIONS

TTR Ile107Met mutation is associated with vitreous amyloidosis and FAP. OCT and red-free imaging are helpful in identifying amyloid deposits in the retina.

Value of abdominal susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for quantitative assessment of hepatic iron deposition in patients with chronic hepatitis B: comparison with serum iron markers

OBJECTIVE

To assess hepatic iron deposition quantitatively in patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection, using abdominal susceptibility-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (SWI).

METHODS

Patients with HBV infection and healthy controls underwent abdominal SWI and were assessed for serum iron markers. Phase values were measured and five grades of hepatic iron deposition were described by SWI.

RESULTS

Patients with HBV infection (n = 327) and healthy controls (n = 50) were prospectively enrolled. In total, 77 (25.4%) patients with HBV infection had hepatic iron deposition as determined by SWI. Phase values were significantly different between patients with hepatic iron deposition compared with patients without hepatic iron deposition or controls, and were significantly different across different grades of hepatic iron deposition. Serum iron, ferritin, transferrin and transferrin saturation were significantly higher in patients with, versus those without, hepatic iron deposition. Only serum ferritin was significantly different across different grades of hepatic iron deposition, and there was a low inverse correlation between serum ferritin and phase values.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with serum iron markers, abdominal SWI may represent a powerful tool to assess hepatic iron deposition quantitatively in patients with chronic HBV infection.