Bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor overexpression inhibits gastric tumor cell invasion via the transforming growth factor-β/epithelial-mesenchymal transition signaling pathway

Gastric carcinoma is one of the most common human malignancies and remains the second leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Gastric carcinoma is characterized by early-stage metastasis and is typically diagnosed in the advanced stage. Previous results have indicated that bone morphogenetic protein and activin membrane-bound inhibitor (BAMBI) overexpression has been demonstrated to inhibit growth and metastasis of gastric cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanisms of the BAMBI-mediated signaling pathway in the progression of gastric cancer are poorly understood. In the present study, to assess whether BAMBI overexpression inhibited the growth and aggressiveness of gastric carcinoma cells through regulation of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathway, the growth and metastasis of gastric carcinoma cells were analyzed following BAMBI overexpression and knockdown in vitro and in vivo. Molecular changes in the TGF-β/EMT signaling pathway were studied in gastric carcinoma cells following BAMBI overexpression and knockdown. DNA methylation of the gene regions encoding the TGF-β/EMT signaling pathway was investigated in gastric carcinoma cells. Tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice was analyzed after mice were subjected to endogenous overexpression of BAMBI. Results indicated that BAMBI overexpression significantly inhibited gastric carcinoma cell growth and aggressiveness, whereas knockdown of BAMBI significantly promoted its growth and metastasis compared with the control (P<0.01). The TGF-β/EMT signaling pathway was downregulated in BAMBI-overexpressed gastric carcinoma cells; however, signaling was promoted following BAMBI knockdown. In addition, it was observed that BAMBI overexpression significantly downregulated the DNA methylation of the gene regions encoding the TGF-β/EMT signaling pathway (P<0.01). Furthermore, RNA interference-mediated BAMBI overexpression also promoted apoptosis in gastric cancer cells and significantly inhibited growth of gastric tumors in murine xenografts (P<0.01). In conclusion, the present findings suggest that BAMBI overexpression inhibited the TGF-β/EMT signaling pathway and suppressed the invasiveness of gastric tumors, suggesting BAMBI may be a potential target for the treatment of gastric carcinoma via regulation of the TGF-β/EMT signaling pathway.

[A clinical analysis of 10 cases with cardiac lymphoma]

目的

分析心脏淋巴瘤的发病情况、临床特征、治疗效果及预后。

方法

收集2000年1月至2016年6月期间确诊并有心脏累及的10例淋巴瘤患者的资料，对患者的一般资料、临床表现、病理诊断、实验室检查、心脏累及方式、心脏并发症、治疗方式、疗效及预后进行分析。

结果

3 918例淋巴瘤患者中，心脏累及者10例，其中原发性心脏淋巴瘤（PCL）1例（主要累及左右心房，以心肌内多发结节包块为主），继发性心脏淋巴瘤（SCL）9例（主要为心包包块，其中出现心包积液5例，心肌肿块2例）。男性6例，女性4例，中位年龄55（19~88）岁，主要临床表现为呼吸困难7例，胸痛5例，乏力、水肿各2例。病理类型包括弥漫大B细胞淋巴瘤（DLBCL）7例，T淋巴母细胞淋巴瘤、霍奇金淋巴瘤、Burkitt淋巴瘤各1例。心脏并发症包括充血性心力衰竭7例，心律失常4例（主要为窦性心动过速、心房颤动和房室传导阻滞）。除1例高龄、一般状况差未接受治疗外，其余9例患者均接受治疗（单纯化疗4例，化疗联合放疗5例）。中位随访时间为9（1~28）个月。1例PCL患者化疗后获部分缓解（PR），无进展生存（PFS）期为6个月，总生存（OS）期为21个月。SCL患者中6例起病累及心脏者，治疗后1例获完全缓解，5例获PR，中位PFS期为5个月，中位OS期为19个月；3例病情进展累及心脏者，2例治疗后获PR，1例未治疗者死亡，中位PFS期为4个月，OS因数据截尾，未能获得。

结论

心脏淋巴瘤为少见类型，DLBCL为最常见类型，呼吸困难、胸痛为最常见临床表现，并易出现充血性心力衰竭和心律失常，治疗以系统化疗为主，总体预后差。

[Distribution and associated factors of high-risk HPV genotypes infection among HPV-positive women who participated cervical screening test in Shenzhen, 2014-2016, China]

Objective: To analyze the distribution and associated factors of high-risk genotypes of HPV in cervical infection among women in Shenzhen. Methods: The information on sociodemographic characteristics and HPV genotypes of HPV-positive women who participated cervical screening test from January 2014 to December 2016 was downloaded from Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Management Information System. According to the pathogenicity, the high-risk HPV genotypes were divided into 15 types including HPV 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 53, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68; and there were 6 low-risk genotypes including HPV 6, 11, 42, 43, 44, and 81. Chi-square tests were applied to compare the proportions of high-risk HPV infection among women who had different sociodemographic characteristics. A non-conditional logistic regression model was used to analyze the associated factors for high-risk HPV infection. Results: In total, all HIV positives received HPV genotyping, with an average age of (38.08±9.38) years old. There were 9 979 (93.9%) high-risk and 645 (6.1%) low-risk HPV infections. The proportions of HPV infections for high-risk type in each year were 91.5%, 93.8%, and 95.6%, increasing with the screening years (χ(2)=54.79, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with women younger than 25 years old, women in other age groups (at age 26 to 30 years, 31 to 35 years, 36 to 40 years, 41 to 45 years, and 50 years or older) had increased risks of high-risk HPV infection, with OR (95%CI) of 1.67 (1.20-2.31), 1.49 (1.09-2.03), 1.71 (1.23-2.37), 1.65 (1.19-2.31), and 1.84 (1.26-2.67), respectively; compared with the married, single women had a decreased risk of high-risk HPV infection (OR (95%CI): 0.71 (0.50-1.00)); women received HPV testing in 2015 and 2016 showed higher risk of high-risk HPV infection than those in 2014 (OR (95%CI): 1.43 (1.17-1.74) and 2.03 (1.68-2.46)). The 5 most common HPV genotypes were HPV52 (25.1%, 2 670 cases), followed by HPV16 (19.2%, 2 041 cases), HPV58 (13.3%, 1 413 cases), HPV18 (9.9%, 1 048 cases), and HPV51 (9.3%, 993 cases). Conclusion: Age, marital status, and screening year were associated with high-risk HPV infections. Besides HPV16 and HPV18, the prevention and control on HPV infections for HPV52, HPV58, and HPV51 should be prioritized in Shenzhen area.

[S100A7 promotes the metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition on HeLa and CaSki cells]

Objective: To elucidate the impact of over-expression of S100A7 on migration, invasion, proliferation, cell cycle, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human cervical cancer HeLa and CaSki cells. Methods: (1) Immunohistochemistry of SP was used to examine the expression of S100A7 in 40 cases of squamous cervical cancer tissues and 20 cases of normal cervical tissues. (2) The vectors of pLVX-IRES-Neo-S100A7 and pLVX-IRES-Neo were used to transfect human cervical cancer HeLa and CaSki cells, and the positive clones were screened and identified. Next, transwell migration assay, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and fluorescence activating cell sorter (FACS) were used to detect the effect of S100A7-overexpression on the migration, invasion, proliferation and cell cycle of cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, western blot was performed to observe the expression of epithelial marker (E-cadherin) and mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin, vimentin, and fibronectin) of EMT. Results: (1) S100A7 expression was significantly higher in cervical squamous cancer tissues (median 91.6) than that in normal cervical tissues (median 52.1; Z=-2.948, P=0.003) . (2) Stable S100A7-overexpressed cells were established using lentiviral-mediated gene delivery in HeLa and CaSki cells. S100A7 was detected by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR, S100A7 mRNA of S100A7-overexpressed cells were 119±3 and 177±16, increased significantly compared with control groups of median (P<0.01) . Compared with the control cells, the number of S100A7-overexpressed HeLa and CaSki cells that passed the transwell membrane assay were increased significanatly (572±51 vs 337±25, P<0.01; 100±8 vs 41±4, P<0.01) .Matrigel invasion assay showed that the number of S100A7-overexpressed HeLa and CaSki cells that passed the transwell membrane were respectively 441±15 and 110±14, elevated significantly compared with control cells (156±21 and 59±7; P<0.05) . However, S100A7 overexpression didn't influence the proliferation and cell cycle progression of HeLa and CaSki cells (P>0.05) . Expression of E-cadherin was dramatically decreased, while N-cadherin, vimentin, and fibronectin increased in S100A7-overexpressed cells. Conclusion: S100A7 enhances the migration, invasion and EMT of HeLa cells and CaSki cells, and may be plays an important role in the development of cervical cancer.

High expression of estrogen-related receptor α is significantly associated with poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common types of malignancy with high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. This biologically heterogeneous disease results in diverse therapeutic responses, thus, novel prognostic biomarkers are required to improve CRC treatment. Estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα) is a nuclear orphan receptor, which is associated with estrogen receptor α. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of ERRα in patients with CRC, and explore the association between ERRα expression and clinicopathological factors, local recurrence and prognosis. In the present study, ERRα expression was detected in 15 fresh CRC tissues using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and in 128 paraffin-embedded CRC tissues using immunohistochemistry. The associations between ERRα expression and prognosis of CRC patients were evaluated by univariate, and multivariate (Cox proportional hazards model) analysis. RT-qPCR demonstrated that the mRNA expression of ERRα in CRC tissues was significantly higher compared with that in matched normal tissues. Immunohistochemistry revealed that ERRα high expression was detected in the nuclei of cancer cells from 39.1% (50/128) of CRC tissues. ERRα expression based on immunohistochemical staining was significantly associated with tumor differentiation, tumor invasion, lymph node status and Dukes stage (all P<0.05). Furthermore, patients with high ERRα expression were significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence and poor prognosis, compared with patients with low ERRα expression. ERRα expression was identified as an independent prognostic factor for patients with CRC. In conclusion, ERRα serves important roles in the progression of CRC and is a potential prognostic factor for patients with CRC.

GP73 level determines chemotherapeutic resistance in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Objective GP73 is a new hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) marker, which is highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and closely relates to prognosis. This study was to investigate the effects of GP73 on cellular proliferation, apoptosis, oxaliplatin (OXA) resistance and secretory clusterin (sCLU) of HCC cells. Materials and Methods Western blot and immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of GP73 in 8 types of commonly used HCC cell lines. Drug resistance was induced by increasing concentration gradient method. The drug-resistant human HCC cell lines underwent GP73 overexpression or inhibition. Flow cytometry were used to detect the proliferation and apoptosis of HCC cell lines. The changes of sCLU were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The expression of GP73 in MHC-97H cells was the highest and in Hep3B cells the lowest. The expression of GP73 was found further elevated in OXA-resistant MHC-97H cells. After the knockdown of GP73 in OXA-resistant 97H cells, the IC₅₀ of OXA decreased and the ability of cell proliferation decreased significantly. After over-expression of GP73 in OXA-resistant Hep3B cells, the IC₅₀ of OXA increased and the cell proliferation ability increased, showing that GP73 is critical for OXA resistant in HCC cell lines; No significant change of sCLU level in GP73 overexpressed Hep3B and GP73 blocked MHCC-97H were identified. Conclusion The expression level of GP73 is critical for the resistance of OXA in HCC cell lines.

Eyes in pituitary disorders

The eye is a vital sense organ related to vision, conveying the underlying physical and mental state of well-being of an individual. Eye signs are often associated with endocrinal disorders such as exophthalmos in thyro-toxicosis. However, a thorough eye evaluation may lead to the identification of the early features that help in the diagnosis of various endocrine disorders. This is of vital importance especially in the central nervous system lesions. This is observed more in cases of pituitary mass lesions, which often present with functional hormonal alterations rather than visual symptoms. The definitive therapy has to be provided before it reaches the late stage of the disease which might lead to permanent visual disabilities. Hence, ophthalmologists, endocrinologists, neuro-radiologists and neurosurgeons need to intervene with combined efforts. In this review, we highlight the eye signs in pituitary disorders, along with a brief description of uncommon ocular-pituitary syndromes.

Sanggenon C induces apoptosis of colon cancer cells via inhibition of NO production, iNOS expression and ROS activation of the mitochondrial pathway

Sanggenon C is a well-known, major active agent of the flavonoid derivative of benzopyrone with valuable biological properties, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antithrombotic, and immune-modulatory activities. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms by which sanggenon C mediated the induction of cell death in colorectal cancer cells (CRC). Treatment of colorectal cancer cells (LoVo, HT-29 and SW480) with sanggenon C (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 µM) resulted in inhibited proliferation of colon cancer cells. In addition, Sanggenon C (10, 20, 40 µM) induces apoptosis of HT-29 colon cancer cells as well as the increased ROS generation. Furthermore, treatment with sanggenon C increased the level of intracellular Ca²⁺ and ATP, while inhibited the nitric oxide production via inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. This resulted in the activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway as evidenced by the decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression. Consistently, the anti-growth and pro-apoptosis effects of sanggenon C on xenograft colon tumor were further confirmed in vivo. Collectively, our results demonstrated sanggenon C induced apoptosis of colon cancer cells by increased reactive oxygen species generation and decreased nitric oxide production, which is associated with inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase expression and activation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway.

APE1 overexpression is associated with poor survival in patients with solid tumors: a meta-analysis

APE1 is known as a key mediator of DNA damage repair pathways, and its clinical significance in different types of cancer is well studied. Herein, we performed a meta-analysis to determine the association of APE1 expression and survival in different types of solid cancer. We searched all eligible publications in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase platforms from inception to January 2017 and found 15 relevant manuscripts. Overall survival (OS), 12- and 36-month survival rates, and hazard ratios (HRs) were extracted and analyzed. Heterogeneity and publication bias were also assessed. A subgroup analysis of the different subcellular locations of APE1 was also conducted. Patients with higher APE1 levels demonstrated lower 12- and 36-month survival rates than those with low APE1 levels (HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.33–3.00, P = 0.0009; HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.19–2.84, P = 0.006). Importantly, the pooled analysis showed that high levels of APE1 predict shorter OS (HR 1.44, 95% CI 1.13–1.83, P = 0.003). Subgroup analysis revealed that both nuclear and cytoplasmic expression levels of APE1 are important indicators of poor prognosis in solid tumors.

Is the Dispersion Relation Applicable for Exotic Nuclear Systems? The Abnormal Threshold Anomaly in the ^{6}He+^{209}Bi System

The threshold anomaly of the phenomenological potential has been known for a long time in nuclear reactions at energies around the Coulomb barrier, where the connection between the real and imaginary potentials is well described by the dispersion relation. However, this connection is not clear yet for some weakly bound nuclear systems, especially for reactions induced by exotic radioactive nuclei. In this study, precise optical potentials of the halo nuclear system ^{6}He+^{209}Bi were extracted via ^{208}Pb(^{7}Li,^{6}He) transfer reactions with energies measured downward to the extremely sub-barrier region. The real potential presents a bell-like shape around the barrier as a normal threshold anomaly in tightly bound nuclear systems. However, the imaginary potential shows an abnormal behavior: it increases first with energy decreasing below the barrier and then falls quickly down to 0. It is the first time the threshold of the imaginary potential has been determined in an exotic nuclear system. Moreover, experimental results show the dispersion relation is not applicable for this system, which may be a common phenomenon for exotic nuclear systems. We discuss possible explanations for such a peculiar behavior, but further study is still desired for the underlying physics.

[A retrospective analysis of clinical characteristics and outcomes of heart failure patients with different left ventricular ejection fractions]

Objective: To compare the clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients with heart failure with different left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF). Methods: A total of 1 182 hospitalized patients with heart failure (HF) were enrolled and retrospectively studied in the present study. The patients were stratified by LVEF as reduced (HFrEF, LVEF<40%, n=313), mid-range (HFmrEF, 40% ≤LVEF <50%, n=287) and preserved (HFpEF, LVEF≥50%, n=582) ejection fraction groups. Among the 1 182 cases, 941 of them (81.3%, 84.9%, and 84.0% inHFrEF, HFmrEF and HFpEF groups, respectively) were followed up for an median duration of 27.3 months. Results: (1) Among the study patients, 26.5% were in HFrEF, 24.3% in HFmrEF, and 49.2% in HFpEF groups. (2) Ischemic heart disease with HFmrEF was more frequent than that in patients with HFrEF. The average age, percentage of female subjects, systolic blood pressure, uric acid, N terminal B-type natriuretic peptide precursor (NT-proBNP), hemoglobin, and the incidence of hypertensive heart disease, anemia, atrial fibrillation in patients with HFmrEF were higher than those in patients with HFrEF, but lower than those in patients with HFpEF (all P<0.01). (3) The all-cause cumulative mortality was 10.8% at 1 year, 20.6% at 2 years and 35.9% at 5 years. No difference was observed in the all-cause cumulative mortality at 1 year, 2 years, 5 years among the three groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The HFmrEF patients, as a new and distinct group, were with many intermediate characteristics compared with HFrEF and HFpEF subjects. However, the all-cause mortality was not significantly different among HF patients with different LVEF.

Transition from Anomalous Hall Effect to Topological Hall Effect in Hexagonal Non-Collinear Magnet Mn3Ga

We report experimental observation of large anomalous Hall effect exhibited in non-collinear triangular antiferromagnet D0₁₉-type Mn₃Ga with coplanar spin structure at temperatures higher than 100 K. The value of anomalous Hall resistivity increases with increasing temperature, which reaches 1.25 μΩ · cm at a low field of ~300 Oe at room temperature. The corresponding room-temperature anomalous Hall conductivity is about 17 (Ω · cm)⁻¹. Most interestingly, as temperature falls below 100 K, a temperature-independent topological-like Hall effect was observed. The maximum peak value of topological Hall resistivity is about 0.255 μΩ · cm. The appearance of the topological Hall effect is attributed to the change of spin texture as a result of weak structural distortion from hexagonal to orthorhombic symmetry in Mn₃Ga. Present study suggests that Mn₃Ga shows promising possibility to be antiferromagnetic spintronics or topological Hall effect-based data storage devices.

[Detection the mutated protein aggregation and mitochondrial function in fibroblasts from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with SOD1 gene mutations]

OBJECTIVES

To explore mutant superoxide dismutase (SOD)1 protein expression and mitochondrial function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients' fibroblasts carrying different SOD1 mutations.

METHODS

SOD1 gene mutation was detected using PCR and direct sequencing. Skin fibroblasts of three familial ALS patients with mutations and age/gender matched controls obtained by a punch skin biopsy were cultured. We performed immunofluorescence staining and quantitative detection of SOD1 proteins and mitochondrial membrane potential. Also, we detected the intracellular ROS by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We found that fibroblasts from familial ALS patients carried SOD1-V14M, SOD1-G16A, SOD1-C111Y mutation, respectively. The cytoplasm abnormal SOD1 protein aggregates appeared in ALS patients carrying SOD1 mutations. And the cytoplasmic/nuclear ratio of SOD1 aggregates increased 2.54, 2.80, 3.25-fold for each mutations, respectively, compared to the control group. Three SOD1 mutant groups showed loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and the ratio of red / green fluorescence intensity decreased by 36%, 124%, 142%, respectively, compared to the control group. The intracellular ROS levels also increased 3.33, 3.65, and 6.87-fold respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This work highlights that ALS alters SOD1 protein expression, mitochondrial function, and increases the ROS level even in peripheral tissues outside the central nervous system. Fibroblasts might therefore represent a powerful and minimally invasive tool to investigate ALS pathogenic mechanisms, which might translate into considerable advances in clinical management of the disease.

Exploring the mechanism of WWOX growth inhibitory effects on oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common types of head and neck neoplasms in the world. Patients diagnosed with OSCC exhibit a poor prognosis. WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX), as a candidate tumor-suppressor gene, is involved in the genesis and progression of tumors. The deletion of the WWOX gene has been identified in OSCC and oral leukoplakia, but the function and mechanism of WWOX in OSCC remain unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated the role of WWOX in oral squamous carcinoma cells. The results revealed that an elevation of WWOX expression had an inhibitory effect on the growth of three types of oral squamous carcinoma cells, with the most evident effect occurring in Tca8113 cells. Also, in the Tca8113 cells, WWOX overexpression significantly inhibited colony formation, and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Microarray analysis, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting methods detected that WWOX overexpression contributed to the differential expression of the genes involved in mediating the extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK/MAPK) signaling pathway. These results suggest that the tumor-suppressor function of the WWOX gene may be associated with the modulation of the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway, thus providing a novel target for OSCC therapy.

The clinical significance and biological function of large tumour suppressor 2 in hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Present evidence has suggested that large tumour suppressor 2 (LATS2) is abnormally expressed in most human cancer. However, the clinical and prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still unknown.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Large tumour suppressor 2 mRNA and protein expression levels in HCC tissues and cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry or Western blot. The correlation between LATS2 expression and clinicopathological factors was analysed through immunohistochemistry. The function of LATS2 on HCC cell growth and mobility was explored through MTT, colony formation, Transwell migration and invasion assays. The molecular mechanism of LATS2 was screened and confirmed by qRT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

In this study, LATS2 mRNA and protein expressions were decreased in HCC tissues and cell lines compared with normal hepatic tissues and hepatic cell line. Low LATS2 expression was oppositely corrected with tumour stage, vascular invasion and metastasis. The univariate and multivariate analyses suggested that low LATS2 expression was an independent poor prognostic factor for HCC patients. The in vitro experiments showed that LATS2 regulated HCC cells migration and invasion, but had no effect on HCC cells proliferation. Meanwhile, LATS2 modulated metastasis-associated genes expression including E-cadherin, vimentin, snail, slug, MMP2 and MMP9. In conclusion, LATS2 is a prognostic biomarker and a tumour metastasis suppressor in HCC.

Observation of the weak electronic correlations in KFeCoAs2 (3d 6): an isoelectronic to the parent compounds of 122 series of iron pnictides BaFe2As2

Using the angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and band structure calculations we study the electronic structure of KFeCoAs₂, which is isoelectronic to the parent material of 122 series of iron-based superconductors BaFe₂As₂. Although band structure calculations predict nearly identical dispersions of the electronic states in both compounds, experiment reveals drastic differences in both the global renormalization and Fermi surfaces. On the basis of the comparison of electronic structures of these two isoelectronic compounds, we demonstrate local magnetic correlations as a vital role for the peculiar low-energy electron dynamics of iron-based superconductors.

High expression of RBM8A predicts poor patient prognosis and promotes tumor progression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a huge threat for human health worldwide. As a complicated tumor, the molecular basis for HCC development especially metastasis requires exploration. Although RNA binding motif (RBM) proteins are closely related to various cancers, the clinical importance and underlying mechanisms of RBM8A in HCC remain elusive. In this study, we found that RBM8A was highly expressed in HCC tumor tissues compared to normal liver tissues. Overexpression of RBM8A was associated with HbsAg and Edmondson pathological grading. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that high expression of RBM8A was related to the poor overall survival and progression-free survival of patients with HCC. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments further demonstrated that RBM8A promoted tumor cell migration and invasion in HCC via activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition signaling pathway. It is also noteworthy that RBM8A is required for tumor cell proliferation and anti-apoptosis in HCC. Altogether, our results revealed a close relationship between RBM8A and HCC prognosis as well as a critical tumor-promoting function of RBM8A in HCC progression, suggesting that RBM8A might be a potential bio-marker and drug target in HCC therapy.

[Diagnosis and treatment of T1a-T1b prostate cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical pathological characteristics and improve the recognition in the diagnosis and treatment of incidental (stage T1a-T1b) prostate cancer.

METHODS

Seven hundred and seventy-one patients who underwent TURP from May 2004 to September 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. In our institution, TURP specimens should be totally submitted in an extensive sampling method. The tumor area was outlined by estimation of an experienced genitourinary pathologist and calculated by the image analysis system software (Image J 1.47 h). The tumor area was then multiplied by the thickness of tissue. The total sum of all tumor volume was the estimated tumor volume. The clinical and pathological factors, follow-up results were obtained and we aimed to collect information about the period of watchful waiting (WW), PSA progression status, intervention status during the follow-up, the reason for intervention on WW and the type of intervention.

RESULTS

The average age of 771 patients was (71.3±5.9) years old, and the average BMI was (23.9±3.1) kg/m², preoperative average tPSA was (4.4±2.8) μg/L. Eighty-six (11.2%) cases of incidental prostate cancer were detected. The patients in T1a group (77 cases, 89.5%) had tumor volumes of (12.3±12.6) mm³, and the patients in T1b group had tumor volumes of (105.1±41.8) mm³.The range of tumor volume was 0.4-180.2 mm³. The volume of all the 86 cases was less than 500 mm³ as the threshold of insignificant cancer. All the patients were managed by WW. The mean follow-up time was 88.9 (27.9-150.1) months.The Gleason score was <7 in 79 patients, and ≥7 in 7 patients. There was no significant difference in age, preoperative tPSA, preoperative PSAD, postoperative tPSA, prostate volume and TURP resection between T1a group and T1b group (P>0.05). Among 84 patients without follow-up losts, PSA progression occurred in 5 patients. One T1a patient underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) as an intervention, and 3 patients underwent hormone therapy. One patient in T1b group underwent radiotherapy for PSA progression and one was treated because of patient preference without evidence of disease progression. There were no patients who died due to prostate cancer.

CONCLUSION

Eighty-six (11.2%) cases of incidental prostate cancer were detected. The tumor volume of all the cases was insignificant cancer.The clinical outcomes of IPCa were satisfactory with the initial treatment of WW in the Chinese population.

Intraperitoneal Perfusion Therapy of Endostar Combined with Platinum Chemotherapy for Malignant Serous Effusions: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Malignant serous effusions (MSE) are one complication in patients with advanced cancer. Endostar is a new anti-tumor drug targeting vessels which exerts potent inhibition of neovascularization. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraperitoneal perfusion therapy of Endostar combined with platinum chemotherapy for malignant serous effusions (MSE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on intraperitoneal perfusion therapy of Endostar combined with platinum chemotherapy for malignant serous effusions were searched in the electronic data of PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CNKI, VIP, CBM and WanFang. The quality of RCTs was evaluated by two independent researchers and a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

The total of 25 RCTs included in the meta-analysis covered 1,253 patients, and all literature quality was evaluated as "B" grade. The meta-analysis showed that Endostar combined with platinum had an advantage over platinum alone in terms of response rate of effusions (76% vs 48%, RR=1.63, 95%CI: 1.50-1.78, P<0.00001) and improvement rate in quality of life (69% vs 44%, RR=1.57, 95%CI: 1.42-1.74, P<0.00001). As for safety, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidences of nausea and vomiting (35% vs 34%, RR=1.01, 95%CI: 0.87-1.18, P=0.88), leucopenia (38% vs 38%, RR=1, 95%CI: 0.87-1.15, P=0.99), and renal impairment (18% vs 20%, RR=0.86, 95%CI: 0.43-1.74, P=0.68).

CONCLUSIONS

Endostar combined with platinum by intraperitoneal perfusion is effective for malignant serous effusions, and patient quality of life is significantly improved without the incidence of adverse reactions being obviously increased.

Heterologous expression of the Hsp24 from Trichoderma asperellum improves antifungal ability of Populus transformant Pdpap-Hsp24 s to Cytospora chrysosperma and Alternaria alternate

The tolerance of plants to biotic and abiotic stresses could be improved by transforming with fungal resistance-related genes. In this study, the cDNA sequence (GenBank Acc. No. KP337939) of the resistance-related gene Hsp24 encoding the 24 kD heat shock protein was obtained from the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma asperellum ACCC30536. The promoter region of Hsp24 contained many cis-regulators related to stresses response, such as "GCN4" and "GCR1" etc. Hsp24 transcription in T. asperellum was up-regulated under six different environmental stresses, compared with the control. Furthermore, following heterologous transformation into Populus davidiana × P. alba var. Pyramidalis (Pdpap), Hsp24 was successfully transcribed in transformant Pdpap-Hsp24s. Pathogen-related genes (PRs) in four Pdpap-Hsp24s were up-regulated compared with those in the control Pdpap (Pdpap-Con). After co-culture of Pdpap-Hsp24s with the weak parasite Cytospora chrysosperma, the transcription of genes related to hormone signal pathway (JA and SA) were up-regulated in Pdpap-Hsp24s, and ethidium bromide (EtBr) and Nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) staining assays indicated that the cell membrane permeability and the active oxygen content of Pdpap-Hsp24s leaves were lower than that of the control Pdpap-Con. And when the Pdpap-Hsp24s were under the Alternaria alternate stress, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) got higher in Pdpap-Hsp24s than that in Pdpap-Con, and the disease spots in Pdpap-Con leaves were obviously larger than those in Pdpap-Hsp24s leaves. In summary, Hsp24 of T. asperellum ACCC30536 is an important defense response gene, and its heterologous expression improved the resistance of transformant Pdpap-Hsp24s to C. chrysosperma and A. alternate.

[Impact of different surgical methods of radical cystectomy on the perioperative complications in patients over 75 years]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the impact of different surgical methods on perioperative complication rate after radical cystectomy in patients over 75 years of age.

METHODS

A retrospective study reviewed 1 432 patients who received radical cystectomy from January 2003 to January 2015. A total of 239 patients were ≥75 years (median age: 78 years), of whom, 74 patients (31.0%) suffered one or more perioperative complications. According to the different operation methods, patients could be divided into ileal conduit group and cutaneous ureterostomy group. The ileal conduit group included laparoscopic and open radical cystectomy with ileal conduit. The cutaneous ureterostomy group included transperitoneal laparoscopic, transperitoneal and extraperitoneal open radical cystectomy with cutaneous ureterostomy.

RESULTS

Perioperative complications were significantly associated with the patient's age (P=0.012), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (P=0.001), node staging (P=0.043), and different surgical methods. Perioperative complications caused a prolonged hospital stay and delayed recovery (34 d vs. 21 d, P=0.002). For different surgical methods, the perioperative complication rate of ileal conduit was higher than cutaneous ureterostomy (P=0.013). However, there were no significant differences between transperitoneal laparoscopic and open radical cystectomy with ileal conduit in perioperative complication rate (P=0.836). The perioperative complication rate was statistically significant among transperitoneal laparoscopic, transperitoneal and extraperitoneal open radical cystectomy with cutaneous ureterostomy (P=0.022). On multivariate analysis, age (hazard ratio=4.856, 95% CI: 1.465-16.103, P=0.010), ASA score (P=0.008), and different surgical methods (P=0.016) were significantly associated with the perioperative complication rate.

CONCLUSION

The perioperative complication rate after radical cystectomy in elderly patients was associated with the patients' age, ASA score, and different surgical methods. Patients who received extraperitoneal open radical cystectomy with cutaneous ureterostomy suffered fewer perioperative complications, which was an appropriate choice for elderly patients.

Functional polymorphisms of the cyclooxygenase-2 gene and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma - a cohort study in Chinese people

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) influences carcinogenesis through regulation of angiogenesis, apoptosis, cytokine expression, and immune response suppression. It has been well established that COX-2 is overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between COX-2 polymorphisms and prognosis of HCC. We genotyped 200 HCC patients of Chinese Han descent for COX-2 gene polymorphisms (-765G>C and -1195G>A) using PCR-RFLP. Data were statistically analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox's proportional hazard regression model. We found that patients with the COX-2 -1195AG and -1195AG + AA genotypes demonstrated significantly decreased disease-free survival (DFS) as compared with those carrying the -1195GG genotype (P < 0.05). However, the COX-2 -765G>C polymorphism was not associated with DFS (P > 0.05). Moreover, by Cox regression analysis, blood alpha fetoprotein ≤400 ng/mL before the operation and the -1195G>A polymorphism were found to be of prognostic significance (P < 0.05), while the -765G>C polymorphism was not (P > 0.05). In summary, post-operation progression of HCC is more likely to occur in patients with the -1195AG genotype and the A allele. On the other hand, the -765G>C polymorphism is not an independent influence factor of HCC prognosis.