Nephroblastoma overexpressed protein (NOV) enhances 5-Fu-mediated inhibitory effect of colorectal cancer cell proliferation via JNK/AP-1/caspase-8/caspase-3 pathway

CCN proteins: opportunities for clinical studies-a personal perspective

The diverse members of the CCN family now designated as CCN1(CYR61), CCN2 (CTGF), CCN3(NOV), CCN4(WISP1), CCN5(WISP2), CCN6(WISP3) are a conserved matricellular family of proteins exhibiting a spectrum of functional properties throughout all organs in the body. Interaction with cell membrane receptors such as integrins trigger intracellular signaling pathways. Proteolytically cleaved fragments (constituting the active domains) can be transported to the nucleus and perform transcriptional relevant functional activities. Notably, as also found in other protein families some members act opposite to others creating a system of functionally relevant checks and balances. It has become apparent that these proteins are secreted into the circulation, are quantifiable, and can serve as disease biomarkers. How they might also serve as homeostatic regulators is just becoming appreciated. In this review I have attempted to highlight the most recent evidence under the subcategories of cancer and non-cancer relevant that could lead to potential therapeutic approaches or ideas that can be factored into clinical advances. I have added my own personal perspective on feasibility.

Effect of Orem’s Self-Care Theory Combined with Active Pain Assessment on Pain, Stress and Psychological State of Children with Nephroblastoma Surgery

Background

With the development of medical technology and the innovation of various surgical options, the survival time of children with nephroblastoma is significantly prolonged. However, postoperative pain and stress response have been plagued by children with nephroblastoma during the postoperative treatment. At present, there is still a lack of effective care programs.

Methods

We accessed our institutional database to retrospectively screen clinical data from all children with nephroblastoma who were surgically treated in our hospital between July 2020 and July 2021. Some children received routine care, while others received Orem-based self-care theory and active pain assessment.

Results

According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 150 children with nephroblastoma who underwent surgical treatment were included in this study. On the third day after surgery, the scores of pain control effect and satisfaction degree of pain education in the study group were higher than those in the control group, and the physical and daily life influence, emotion influence, and pain experienced in the study group were lower than those in the control group. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in C-SUPPH and ESCA scores between the two groups before nursing (p > 0.05). After nursing, the C-SUPPH and ESCA scores of the two groups were higher than those before nursing, and the C-SUPPH and ESCA scores of the study group were higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Before nursing, the levels of ACTH, Cor, and ANP between the two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The levels of ACTH, Cor, and ANP in the two groups were lower than those before nursing and 3 d and 7 d after nursing, and the index levels after 7 d of nursing were lower than those after 3 d of nursing. After nursing, the levels of ACTH, Cor, and ANP in the study group at each time point were lower than those in the control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in SAS and SDS scores between the two groups before nursing (p > 0.05). After nursing, the SAS and SDS scores of both groups were lower than those before nursing, and the SAS and SDS scores of the study group were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in PSQI scores between the two groups before nursing (p > 0.05). After nursing, the PSQI scores of the two groups were lower than those before nursing, and the PSQI scores of the study were lower than those of the control group (p < 0.05). The average daily crying time, the average hospitalization time, and postoperative off-bed time in the study group were shorter than those in the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Orem’s self-care theory combined with active pain assessment can reduce pain in children undergoing nephroblastoma surgery, improve their stress response and psychological state, and improve their sleep quality, which is conducive to postoperative recovery and worthy of promotion.

Untargeted GC-MS-Based Metabolomics for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignant gastrointestinal cancers in the world with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 68%. Although researchers accumulated many scientific studies, its pathogenesis remains unclear yet. Detecting and removing these malignant polyps promptly is the most effective method in CRC prevention. Therefore, the analysis and disposal of malignant polyps is conducive to preventing CRC.

METHODS

In the study, metabolic profiling as well as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC was investigated using untargeted GC-MS-based metabolomics methods to explore the intervention approaches. In order to better characterize the variations of tissue and serum metabolic profiles, orthogonal partial least-square discriminant analysis was carried out to further identify significant features. The key differences in tR-m/z pairs were screened by the S-plot and VIP value from OPLS-DA. Identified potential biomarkers were leading in the KEGG in finding interactions, which show the relationships among these signal pathways.

RESULTS

Finally, 17 tissue and 13 serum candidate ions were selected based on their corresponding retention time, p-value, m/z, and VIP value. Simultaneously, the most influential pathways contributing to CRC were inositol phosphate metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, and linoleic acid metabolism.

CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary results suggest that the GC-MS-based method coupled with the pattern recognition method and understanding these cancer-specific alterations could make it possible to detect CRC early and aid in the development of additional treatments for the disease, leading to improvements in CRC patients' quality of life.