[Clinicopathological analysis of cervical basaloid squamous cell carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the clinical and histopathological features of cervical basal squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 10 cases of cervical BSCC was carried out. The clinical data and all the pathological sections were reviewed, the related immunohistochemical results were statistically analyzed, the clinicopathological features were analyzed, and then followed the prognosis. Results: (1) Clinical features: the median onset age of BSCC in cervix was 51 years old (ranged 35-69 years old), 5 of them were postmenopausal women. Vaginal bleeding was often seen in clinic (7 cases). Of the 10 cervical BSCC patients, 5 tested HPV types. All of them were HPV positive, including 2 cases of HPV 16 positive and 1 case of high-risk HPV positive. At the time of colposcopy, 3 cases showed exogenous nodular mass, 3 cases showed endogenous infiltrating mass, and 4 cases had unclear type of mass.(2)Treatment: of the 10 patients, 8 underwent hysterectomy+bilateral adnexal excision+pelvic lymphadenectomy, of which 6 underwent radiotherapy or chemotherapy after operation.Radiotherapy and chemotherapy were performed only in 2 cases. (3) Pathological features: histologically, the tumor cells were nests and stripe like growth, which were composed of basal like tumor cells. The cells had obvious heteromorphosis, less cytoplasm, deep dyed nuclei and common nuclear mitosis, and there were often palisade like structures around the cell nests, and some cells in the center of the cell nests were found to have acne like necrosis. It could be mixed with normal squamous cell carcinoma and squamous epithelial lesion. Among the 10 patients, 6 had immunohistochemical results. BSCC mainly expressed p16 and squamous cell markers such as p63, cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 and p40 protein, the positive expression rates were 3/3, 3/3, 2/2 and 3/3, respectively. A few expressed CK7 protein, and the positive expression rate was 1/3. (4) Prognosis: follow-up time ranged from 1 week to 64 months, and 2 cases were lost to follow-up. Among the 8 follow-up patients, 3 had iliac bone, lung or skin metastasis, and 5 had no recurrence or metastasis during the follow-up period. Conclusions: BSCC of cervix is a rare malignant tumor of cervix associated with high-risk HPV infection, p16 is more positive. The treatment is similar to that of normal cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Surgical resection and radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the most effective methods according to the clinical stage. At present, the disease is considered to be highly aggressive and the poor prognosis.

MiR-488 promotes fracture healing by targeting DKK1

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of miR-488 on fracture healing and to investigate the possible underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression level of miR-488 in clinical cases was detected by quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). After prediction of the potential target of miR-488 in websites, three groups were established to elucidate the effects of miR-488 and Dickkopf1 (DKK1) on osteoblasts function: the miR-NC group (negative control), the miR-488 mimics group (MC3T3-E1 cells transfected with miR-488 mimics) and the mimics + si-DKK1 group (MC3T3-E1 cells transfected with miR-488 mimics and si-DKK1). Subsequently, cell viability, apoptosis rate of osteoblasts and osteogenesis-associated markers were determined respectively.

RESULTS

In the present study, we found that the expression of miR-488 in patients with osteoporosis was significantly lower than that of healthy controls. The potential target of miR-488 was predicted by three public databases. Luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that DKK1 was a direct target of miR-488. Besides, the overexpression of miR-488 could significantly reduce the transcription and translation levels of DKK1. These results suggested that miR-488 had a negative regulatory effect on DKK1. Subsequent experiments demonstrated that decreased expression of DKK1 induced by miR-488 up-regulation could significantly improve cell viability and suppress cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, the expression levels of osteogenesis-associated markers were remarkably elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research revealed the role of miR-488 in promoting osteoblast function. This indicated that miR-488 could be a potential therapeutic target for fracture healing.

Evidence for Weyl fermions in a canonical heavy-fermion semimetal YbPtBi

The manifestation of Weyl fermions in strongly correlated electron systems is of particular interest. We report evidence for Weyl fermions in the heavy fermion semimetal YbPtBi from electronic structure calculations, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, magnetotransport and calorimetric measurements. At elevated temperatures where 4f-electrons are localized, there are triply degenerate points, yielding Weyl nodes in applied magnetic fields. These are revealed by a contribution from the chiral anomaly in the magnetotransport, which at low temperatures becomes negligible due to the influence of electronic correlations. Instead, Weyl fermions are inferred from the topological Hall effect, which provides evidence for a Berry curvature, and a cubic temperature dependence of the specific heat, as expected from the linear dispersion near the Weyl nodes. The results suggest that YbPtBi is a Weyl heavy fermion semimetal, where the Kondo interaction renormalizes the bands hosting Weyl points. These findings open up an opportunity to explore the interplay between topology and strong electronic correlations.

Role of APC-mediated MDR-1/CLCX-1 signaling pathway in ovarian tumors

We explored the role of APC-mediated MDR-1/CLCX-1 signaling pathway in ovarian tumors. In this study, ovarian tumor cell lines SKOV-3, ES-2 and MCV-152 were used to conduct the research. Fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western-blotting were used to investigate the effects of MDR-1/CLCX-1 signaling pathway in ovarian tumors. The effects of the APC gene silencing and overexpression on proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian tumor cells were detected by flow cytometry. Compared to normal cells, the expression of APC gene mRNA in ovarian tumor cells was significantly decreased (p less than 0.05). Western-blotting results showed that the level of APC protein in ovarian tumor cells was significantly lower than that in normal tissue, while MDR-1/CLCX-1 related proteins levels were significantly increased (p less than 0.05). In the APC gene silenced ovarian tumor cell lines, the expression of MDR-1/CLCX-1 was significantly higher than that of the untreated group (p less than 0.05), and apoptosis of ovarian tumor cells decreased. However, in ovarian tumor cell lines that over-expressed APC gene, the expression of MDR-1/CLCX-1 was significantly lower than that of the untreated group (p less than 0.05), and apoptosis of ovarian tumor cells was increased. There is a certain correlation between the APC gene and ovarian tumors, and the APC gene mediates the apoptosis of tumor cells through the MDR-1/CLCX-1 signaling pathway.

Metabonomic analysis of toxic action of long-term low-level exposure to acrylamide in rat serum

This study assessed the effects of long-term, low-dose acrylamide (AA) administration in rats using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: control, low-dose AA (0.2 mg/kg BW), middle-dose AA (1 mg/kg BW), and high-dose AA (5 mg/kg BW). AA was administered to rats via drinking water ad libitum. After 16-week treatment, rat serum was collected for metabonomic analysis. Biochemical tests were further conducted to verify metabolic alterations. Eleven metabolites were identified with significant changes in intensities (increased or reduced) as a result of treatment. These metabolites included citric acid, pantothenic acid, isobutyryl-l-carnitine, eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, sphingosine 1-phosphate, LysoPC(20:4), LysoPC(22:6), LysoPE(20:3), undecanedioic acid, and dodecanedioic acid. Results indicate that chronic exposure to AA at no observed adverse effect level does not exert a toxic effect on rats at the body metabolism level. AA disturbed the metabolism of lipids and energy, affected the nervous system of rats, and induced oxidative stress and liver dysfunction.

Diagnostic value of epidermal growth factor, cancer antigen 125, and cancer antigen 15-3 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of lung cancer

AIM

In the present study, we assessed the diagnostic value of epidermal growth factor (egf) and cancer antigens 125 (ca125) and 15-3 (ca15-3) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (balf) of lung cancer from 79 enrolled patients with suspected lung cancer.

METHODS

All patients underwent fibrescopic examination, during which balf samples were collected. Levels of egf, ca125, and ca15-3 were determined in balf using commercially available test kits.

RESULTS

The results showed that levels of egf in balf were significantly higher in patients with lung cancer than in patients with benign diseases (p < 0.01); no significant differences for ca125 (p = 0.67) or ca15-3 (p = 0.43) in balf were observed between the lung cancer patients and the non-cancer control subjects. With a cut-off value of 27.22 pg/mL, egf showed a sensitivity of 63.6% and a specificity of 65.7% in predicting the malignant nature of pulmonary disease.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings suggest that levels of egf are significantly increased in balf from patients with lung cancer than in balf from patients with benign disease. Detection of the level of egf in balf is proposed as a noninvasive test to identify patients at high risk for lung cancer.

Clinical and prognostic significance of serum transforming growth factor-beta1 levels in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor 5-year survival rate of 5%. Biomarkers for the early detection of pancreatic cancer are urgently needed. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) is elevated in the tissues and plasma of patients with PDAC. However, no studies systemically report prognostic significance of plasma TGF-β1 levels in PDAC. In the present study, we assessed the prognostic significance of serum TGF-β levels in patients with PDAC. TGF-β levels were determined in serum from 146 PDAC patients, and 58 patients with benign pancreatic conditions. Regression models were used to correlate TGF-β levels to gender, age, stage, class, and metastasis. Survival analyses were performed using multivariate Cox models. Serum levels of TGF-β1 distinguished PDAC from benign pancreatic conditions (P<0.001) and healthy control subjects (P<0.001). Serum levels of TGF-β also distinguished tumor stage (P=0.002) and lymph node metastasis (P=0.001). High serum levels of TGF-β1 were significantly correlated with reduced patient survival. Multivariate analysis revealed that TGF-β1, lymph node metastasis and tumor stage were independent factors for PDAC survival. Our results indicate that serum TGF-β1 may be used as a potential prognostic marker for PDAC.

Regulatory mechanism of miR-29 over TGF-β1 and COL1 in scar cells

OBJECTIVE

To study the regulatory mechanism of miR-29 over TGF-β1 and COL1 in scar cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

5 clinical cases of hypertrophic scar (HS) skin and adjacent normal skin tissues were separated into fibroblast for primary culture and subculture before being observed morphologically and standard HE staining under an ordinary optical microscope. RT-PCR method was applied to test the expression level of miR-29, TGF-β1, and COL1 mRNA. ELISA method was applied to test the expression level of extracellular matrix COL1, fibronectin (FN) and α-SMA. The miR-29 overexpression vector was built and transfected in vitro. RT-PCR method was applied to test related genes and ELISA method was applied to test the expression level of the extracellular matrix.

RESULTS

The color of karyon and cytoplasm of normal fibroblast were both light red, with little ECM. The color of karyon of scar fibroblast was blue. The cytoplasm was red of different degrees, with relatively much ECM, in deep blue color. Compared with that in the normal fibroblast group, the miR-29 mRNA in fibroblast in the scar group significantly decreased (p<0.05). The TGF-β1 and COL1 mRNA significantly increased (p<0.05). The COL1, FN and α-SMA level were significantly higher (p<0.05) than that in the normal group. These mRNAs levels in miR-29 overexpression group were lower than scar group but higher than the normal group.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of miR-29 which regulates the expression of TGF-β1 and COL1 and increases the level of ECM significantly decreases in scar cells. This one suggests a mechanism of the formation of the scars through TGF-β1 and COL1.

TBX2 over-expression promotes nasopharyngeal cancer cell proliferation and invasion

TBX2 is a member of the T box transcription factor family. Its expression and potential biological functions in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) cells are studied here. We showed that TBX2 mRNA and protein expression was significantly elevated in multiple human NPC tissues, as compared with that in adjacent normal tissues. Knockdown of TBX2 by targeted-siRNA significantly inhibited proliferation and invasion of NPC cells (CNE-1 and HONE-1 lines). Meanwhile, TBX2 knockdown also induced G1-phase cell cycle arrest. At the molecular level, we discovered that expressions of several tumor suppressor genes, including p21, p27, phosphatase with tensin homology (PTEN) and E-Cadherin, were increased dramatically after TBX2 knockdown in above NPC cells. Collectively, our results imply that TBX2 over-expression promotes NPC cell proliferation and invasion, possibly via silencing several key tumor suppressor genes.

Decreased peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis study (N=7277)

Studies suggest that dysfunction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a possible contributor to the pathology and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies report reduced peripheral blood levels of BDNF in AD, but findings are inconsistent. This study sought to quantitatively summarize the clinical BDNF data in patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI, a prodromal stage of AD) with a meta-analytical technique. A systematic search of Pubmed, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library identified 29 articles for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Random-effects meta-analysis showed that patients with AD had significantly decreased baseline peripheral blood levels of BDNF compared with healthy control (HC) subjects (24 studies, Hedges' g=-0.339, 95% confidence interval (CI)=-0.572 to -0.106, P=0.004). MCI subjects showed a trend for decreased BDNF levels compared with HC subjects (14 studies, Hedges' g=-0.201, 95% CI=-0.413 to 0.010, P=0.062). No differences were found between AD and MCI subjects in BDNF levels (11 studies, Hedges' g=0.058, 95% CI=-0.120 to 0.236, P=0.522). Interestingly, the effective sizes and statistical significance improved after excluding studies with reported medication in patients (between AD and HC: 18 studies, Hedges' g=-0.492, P<0.001; between MCI and HC: 11 studies, Hedges' g=-0.339, P=0.003). These results strengthen the clinical evidence that AD or MCI is accompanied by reduced peripheral blood BDNF levels, supporting an association between the decreasing levels of BDNF and the progression of AD.

Assessment of the link between Vitamin D receptor TaqI gene polymorphism and periodontitis: a meta-analysis in a Chinese population

Although a number of studies have been conducted to determine the association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) TaqI polymorphism and periodontitis in the Chinese population, this association remains elusive. To assess the influence of VDR TaqI polymorphism on the risk of periodontitis, a meta-analysis was performed in a Chinese population. Relevant studies were identified using the databases PubMed, Springer Link, Ovid, Chinese Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biology Medicine, through January 2016. Pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the strength of the associations. This meta-analysis identified 9 studies, which included 1014 periodontitis cases and 907 controls. In both overall and subgroup analyses, VDR TaqI polymorphism was not associated with the risk of periodontitis. Cumulative analysis also suggested a lack of association between VDR TaqI polymorphism and the risk of periodontitis in the Chinese population. In conclusion, our meta-analysis showed that VDR TaqI polymorphism is not associated with the risk of periodontitis in the Chinese population. Further studies in other ethnic groups are required for definite conclusions.

Mps1 kinase regulates tumor cell viability via its novel role in mitochondria

Targeting mitotic kinase monopolar spindle 1 (Mps1) for tumor therapy has been investigated for many years. Although it was suggested that Mps1 regulates cell viability through its role in spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), the underlying mechanism remains less defined. In an endeavor to reveal the role of high levels of mitotic kinase Mps1 in the development of colon cancer, we unexpectedly found the amount of Mps1 required for cell survival far exceeds that of maintaining SAC in aneuploid cell lines. This suggests that other functions of Mps1 besides SAC are also employed to maintain cell viability. Mps1 regulates cell viability independent of its role in cytokinesis as the genetic depletion of Mps1 spanning from metaphase to cytokinesis affects neither cytokinesis nor cell viability. Furthermore, we developed a single-cycle inhibition strategy that allows disruption of Mps1 function only in mitosis. Using this strategy, we found the functions of Mps1 in mitosis are vital for cell viability as short-term treatment of mitotic colon cancer cell lines with Mps1 inhibitors is sufficient to cause cell death. Interestingly, Mps1 inhibitors synergize with microtubule depolymerizing drug in promoting polyploidization but not in tumor cell growth inhibition. Finally, we found that Mps1 can be recruited to mitochondria by binding to voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) via its C-terminal fragment. This interaction is essential for cell viability as Mps1 mutant defective for interaction fails to main cell viability, causing the release of cytochrome c. Meanwhile, deprivation of VDAC1 can make tumor cells refractory to loss of Mps1-induced cell death. Collectively, we conclude that inhibition of the novel mitochondrial function Mps1 is sufficient to kill tumor cells.

Metabonomic analysis of the protective effect of quercetin on the toxicity induced by mixture of organophosphate pesticides in rat urine

The present study aims to investigate the protective effect of quercetin against the joint toxic action induced by the mixture of four organophosphate pesticides (mixture-OPs) (dimethoate, acephate, dichlorvos, and phorate) at their corresponding no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) using metabonomics. Rats were randomly divided into control, quercetin-treated, mixture-OPs-treated, and quercetin plus mixture-OPs-treated groups. Mixture-OPs and quercetin were given to the rats daily through drinking water and intragastric administration, respectively, for 90 days. The metabonomic profiles of rat urine were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS). The 14 metabolites significantly changed in the treatment groups compared with the control group, including the biomarkers of OPs exposure (dimethylphosphate, dimethyldithiophosphate, diethylphosphate) and the metabolites of quercetin (quercetin and isorhamnetina). The intensities of gentisic acid, creatinine, suberic acid, hippuric acid, uric acid, and citric acid significantly decreased, whereas the intensities of 7-methylguanine, estrone sulfate, and cholic acid significantly increased, in the mixture-OPs-treated group compared with the control group ( p < 0.01). The variation tendency of the aforementioned metabolites was significantly ameliorated in the high-dose quercetin (50 mg/(kg bw day)) plus mixture-OPs-treated group compared with the mixture-OPs-treated group ( p < 0.05). However, the intensities of these metabolites in the high-dose quercetin plus mixture-OPs-treated group were still significantly different from those of the control group ( p < 0.05). Results indicated that high dose of quercetin elicits a partial protective effect on the toxicity induced by mixture-OPs, including fatty acid and energy metabolism, antioxidant defense system, DNA damage, and liver and kidney function.

MIM regulates the trafficking of bone marrow cells via modulating surface expression of CXCR4

Missing in metastasis (MIM) is abundantly expressed in hematopoietic cells. Here we characterized the impact of MIM deficiency on murine bone marrow (BM) cells. Although MIM^-/- cells proliferated similarly to wild type (WT), they exhibited stronger response to chemokine SDF-1, increase in surface expression of CXCR4, impaired CXCR4 internalization and constitutive activation of Rac, Cdc42 and p38. Transplantation of MIM^-/- BM cells into lethally irradiated mice showed enhanced homing to BM, which was abolished when mice were pretreated with a p38 antagonist. Interestingly, MIM^-/- BM cells, including hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs), showed 2 to 5-fold increase in mobilization into the peripheral blood upon treatment with AMD3100. In vitro, MIM^-/- leukocytes were susceptible to AMD3100 and maintained increased response to AMD3100 for mobilization even after transfer into wild type mice. MIM^-/- mice had also a higher level of SDF-1 in the circulation. Our data highlighted an unprecedented role of MIM in the homoeostasis of BM cells, including HSPCs, through modulation of the CXCR4/SDF-1 axis and interactions of BM leukocytes with their microenvironments.

Adolescent exposure to cocaine increases anxiety-like behavior and induces morphologic and neurochemical changes in the hippocampus of adult rats

Repeated exposure to cocaine during adolescence may affect both physical and psychological conditions in the brain, and increase the risk of psychiatric disorders and addiction behaviors in adulthood. Adolescence represents a critical development period for the hippocampus. Moreover, different regions of the hippocampus are involved in different functions. Dorsal hippocampus (dHP) has been implicated in learning and memory, whereas ventral hippocampus (vHP) plays an important role in emotional processing. In this study, the rats that were exposed to cocaine during adolescence (postnatal days, P28-P42) showed higher anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze test in adulthood (P80), but displayed normal spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze test. Furthermore, repeated exposure to cocaine during adolescence lead to alterations in morphology of pyramidal neurons, activities of astrocytes, and levels of proteins that involved in synaptic transmission, apoptosis, inflammation and addiction in both dHP and vHP of adult rats. These findings suggest that repeated exposure to cocaine during adolescence in rats may elicit morphologic and neurochemical changes in the hippocampus when the animals reach adulthood. These changes may contribute to the increased susceptibility for psychiatric disorders and addiction seen in adults.