Pan-cancer analyses reveal genomics and clinical outcome association of the fatty acid oxidation regulators in cancer.

Background: Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) is considered to play a vital part in tumor metabolic reprogramming. But the comprehensive description of FAO dysregulation in tumors has not been unknown. Methods: We obtained FAO genes, RNA-seq data and clinical information from the Msigdb, TCGA and GTEx databases. We assessed their prognosis value using univariate cox analysis, survival analysis and Kaplan-Meier curve. We determined the function of FAO genes using gene set variation analysis. The correlation analysis was calculated by corrplot R package. Immunotherapy response was assessed through TIDE scores. The protein expression levels of FAO genes were validated using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results: The FAO scores were highest in COAD but lowest in PCPG. FAO scores were significantly associated with the prognosis of some cancers in OS, DSS, DFI and PFI. Besides, gene set variation analysis identified that FAO scores were related to immune-related pathways, and immune infiltration analysis showed FAO scores were positively related to cancer-associated fibroblasts and various immune-related genes. TIDE scores were significantly decreased in ACC, CHOL, ESCA, GBM, LAML, SARC, SKCM and THCA compared with normal samples, while it was significantly increased in BLCA, LUAD, LUSC, PCPG, PRAD and STAD. Besides, most FAO genes were downregulated in pan-cancer compared with normal samples. Moreover, we found copy number variation (CNV) of FAO genes played a positive role in their mRNA expression, while methylation was negative. We determined FAO genes were closely related to some drugs in pan-cancer. Conclusions: FAO score is a novel and promising factor for predicting outcomes.

A novel CDKN1A-JAZF1 gene fusion in low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma arising from endometriosis in abdominal wall cesarean section scar: A case report and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: We report a low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (ESS) with a novel CDKN1A-JAZF1 fusion gene arising from abdominal wall endometrioma. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old woman presented with a 5.5-cm abdominal wall mass juxtaposed to the postoperative scar of two cesarean sections. Histologically, the tumor exhibited obvious tongue-like protrusions into the surrounding tissue, showed spindle cells with multinodular growth pattern that occasionally rotate around small arteries. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CD10, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), negatively stained for smooth muscle actin (SMA), CD117, CyclinD1. In addition, a previously undescribed gene fusion between CDNK1A 5' end of exon 1(NM_000389.5) and JAZF1 3' end of exon 5 (NM_175,061,3) was reported in this case. CONCLUSION: This report of ESS suggesting that rapidly growing abdominal wall masses without menstruation-related should be promptly evaluated and treated aggressively. In addition, we have expanded the molecular landscape of low-grade ESS.

The polychloromethylation/acyloxylation of 1,6-enynes with chloroalkanes and diacyl peroxides through dual-role designs.

The novel polychloromethylation/acyloxylation of 1,6-enynes with chloroalkanes and diacyl peroxides through dual-role designs has been developed to prepare 2-pyrrolidinone derivatives with polychloromethyl units with the use of an inexpensive copper salt under mild conditions. This strategy includes two dual-role designs, not only improving atomic utilization but also allowing a cleaner process. The wide substrate scope and simple reaction conditions demonstrate the practicability of this protocol.

Cyclization/hydrolysis of 1,5-enenitriles initiated by sulfonyl radicals in the aqueous phase in the presence of the I2/TBHP system.

A novel cyclization/hydrolysis of 1,5-enenitriles for the synthesis of valuable pyrrolidine-2,4-diones in the aqueous phase using I2 as the catalyst and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant is reported. In the presence of the I2/TBHP system, sulfonyl hydrazides produce sulfonyl radicals, which undergo radical addition, intramolecular cyclization, hydrogen abstraction, and hydrolysis to give the final products. The use of the inexpensive and environmentally friendly I2/TBHP catalytic oxidation system in the aqueous phase makes it a benign and sustainable strategy.

Radical cyclizations of enynes/dienes with alcohols in water using a green oxidant.

A simple, eco-friendly, and efficient methodology for performing radical cyclizations of enynes/dienes with alcohols in water has been established. This methodology showed ease of scale up, and it was designed to use mild reaction conditions and no catalyst. It was also designed to employ K2S2O8 as a green oxidant and water as the solvent, conditions making this process clean and easy to operate, hence achieving the criteria of green chemistry.

Comparison of biological characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells derived from the human umbilical cord and decidua parietalis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are derived from the mesoderm and have the self­renewal capacity and multi­directional differentiation potential of adult stem cells. Stem cells from different sources have different molecular and growth characteristics; therefore, the mechanisms and effects of stem cell­mediated repair and tissue regeneration may be different. The aim of the present study was to compare the biological characteristics of MSCs derived from the umbilical cord (UC­MSCs) and MSCs derived from the decidua parietalis (DP­MSCs), and to provide new evidence for the selection of seed cells in regenerative medicine. Growth curves, cell doubling times, colony formation rates, immunophenotypes, differentiation capacities and secretion­factor levels of MSCs derived from the two sources were analysed. UC­MSCs and DP­MSCs exhibited similar properties with regards to morphology, spiral growth, immunophenotype, and potential to differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes. For each cell type, the positive rates of the cell surface markers CD73, CD90 and CD105 were >95%, whereas CD34 and CD45 positive rates were <1%. Analyses of in vitro growth kinetics revealed shorter cell­doubling times, and higher proliferative rates and colony formation rates of UC­MSCs compared with DP­MSCs (P<0.05). The concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor in the supernatant from UC­MSCs was higher compared with that from DP­MSCs (P<0.05). However, UC­MSC supernatants exhibited lower levels of of keratinocyte growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor and stem cell factor compared with DP­MSCs (P<0.05). In conclusion, in vitro characterization of MSCs from these tissue sources revealed a number of common biological properties. However, the results also demonstrated clear biological distinctions and suggested that UC­MSCs may have more effective application prospects.

Overexpression of chloride channel-3 (ClC-3) is associated with human cervical carcinoma development and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Cervical carcinoma is a major gynecological cancer and causes cancer-related deaths in worldwide, the latent pathogenesis and progress of cervical cancer is still under research. ClC-3 may be an important promoter for aggressive metastasis of malignant tumors. In this research, we explore the ClC-3 expression in cervical carcinoma and its underlying clinical significance, trying to illuminate ClC-3 probable function in the neoplasm malignant behavior, development and prognosis. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded cervical (n = 168) and lymph node (n = 100) tissue specimens were analysed by immunohistochemistry. Fresh human cervical tissue specimens (n = 165) and four human cervical cell lines were tested for ClC-3 mRNA and protein expression levels by quantitative real-time PCR and western blotting. The relationship between the expression levels of ClC-3, the pathological characteristics of the carcinoma, and the clinical prognosis were statistically analysed. RESULTS: In normal and precancerous (LSIL, HSIL) cervical tissues as well as cervical carcinoma tissues, both ClC-3 mRNA and protein expression levels increased significantly (p < 0.05). The expression level of ClC-3 was closely-related to the histological differentiation (p = 0.029), tumour staging (p = 0.016), tumour size (p = 0.039), vascular invasion (p = 0.045), interstitial infiltration depth (p = 0.012), lymphatic metastasis (p = 0.036), and HPV infection (p = 0.022). In an in vitro experiment, ClC-3 mRNA and protein were found to be overexpressed both in the HeLa and SiHa cell lines, but low expression levels were detected in the C-33A and H8 cell lines (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the high expression levels of ClC-3 was significantly correlated to poor survival in cervical carcinoma patients (Log-rank test, p = 0.046). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that overexpression of ClC-3 is closely associated with human cervical carcinoma progression and poor prognosis; this suggests that ClC-3 may function as a patent tumour biomarker and a latent therapeutic target for cervical carcinoma patients.

Chloride channels are involved in sperm motility and are downregulated in spermatozoa from patients with asthenozoospermia.

Human spermatozoa encounter an osmotic decrease from 330 to 290 mOsm l-1 when passing through the female reproductive tract. We aimed to evaluate the role of chloride channels in volume regulation and sperm motility from patients with asthenozoospermia. Spermatozoa were purified using Percoll density gradients. Sperm volume was measured as the forward scatter signal using flow cytometry. Sperm motility was analyzed using computer-aided sperm analysis (CASA). When transferred from an isotonic solution (330 mOsm l-1 ) to a hypotonic solution (290 mOsm l-1 ), cell volume was not changed in spermatozoa from normozoospermic men; but increased in those from asthenozoospermic samples. The addition of the chloride channel blockers, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'- isulfonic acid (DIDS) or 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino) benzoic acid (NPPB) to the hypotonic solution caused the normal spermatozoa to swell but did not increase the volume of those from the asthenozoospermic semen. DIDS and NPPB decreased sperm motility in both sets of semen samples. The inhibitory effect of NPPB on normal sperm motility was much stronger than on spermatozoa from the asthenozoospermic samples. Both sperm types expressed ClC-3 chloride channels, but the expression levels in the asthenozoospermic samples were much lower, especially in the neck and mid-piece areas. Spermatozoa from men with asthenozoospermia demonstrated lower volume regulating capacity, mobility, and ClC-3 expression levels (especially in the neck) than did normal spermatozoa. Thus, chloride channels play important roles in the regulation of sperm volume and motility and are downregulated in cases of asthenozoospermia.

Overexpression of chloride channel-3 is associated with the increased migration and invasion ability of ectopic endometrial cells from patients with endometriosis.

STUDY QUESTION: Is chloride channel-3 (ClC-3) involved in regulating the biological behavior of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs)? SUMMARY ANSWER: ClC-3 promotes endometriotic cell migration and invasion. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: ClC-3 plays a significant role in the migration and invasion of various kinds of cells. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: An ITALIC! in vitro investigation of the effect of ClC-3 on the migration and invasion of ectopic ESCs from patients with endometriosis. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: The ectopic and eutopic endometrial samples from 43 female patients with endometriosis and the endometrial samples from 39 non-endometriotic female patients were collected. Primary cells from these samples were isolated and cultured. Real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression of ClC-3 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). Small interfering RNA (siRNA) technology was employed to knock down ClC-3 expression. The migration and invasion ability of ESCs was measured by the transwell assay with uncoated or Matrigel-coated membranes. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The expression of ClC-3 mRNA and proteins was significantly up-regulated in the ectopic tissues from endometriotic patients, while that in the eutopic endometrial tissues of the same patients did not significantly differ from that in non-endometriotic patients. The migration and invasion ability and MMP-9 expression was increased in the ESCs from ectopic endometrial tissues. The knockdown of ClC-3 expression by ClC-3 siRNA inhibited ESC migration and invasion and attenuated the expression of MMP-9. ClC-3 expression level was well-correlated to the clinical characteristics and symptoms of endometriosis patients, including infertility, dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia and diameter of endometriosis lesion. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Further studies are needed to examine the regulatory mechanism of estrogen on ClC-3 expression of ESCs. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: ClC-3 is involved in the migration and invasion processes of ESCs and can regulate MMP-9 expression. Up-regulation of ClC-3 expression may contribute to endometriosis development by regulating MMP-9 expression. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81173064, 81272223, 81273539), the Ministry of Education of China (20124401110009), the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (S2011010001589) and the Science and Technology Programs of Guangdong (2013B051000059), Guangzhou (2013J500015) and Dongguan (2011108102006). The authors have no conflict of interest.

[Evaluation of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system in treatment of recurrent endometriosis after conservative surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficiency of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) in the treatment of recurrent endometriosis after conservative surgery or conservative surgery combined with medical treatment. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with recurrent endometriosis after conservative surgery or conservative surgery combined with medical treatment were treated by LNG-IUS. All patients rejected further operation and had no desire of fertility. The visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of pain, menstrual model, weight and serum CA125 level and the volume of ovarian endometriotic cysts before and after 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of treatment were recorded and compared. RESULTS: (1) VAS score:after 12 months of using LNG-IUS, dysmenorrheal, chronic pelvic pain or dyspareunia were relieved significantly. VAS score were dropped from 5.9±2.3, 4.3±2.0 to 1.0±0.7, 1.4±1.1 (P<0.01). (2) Volum of cysts:after 6 months of using LNG-IUS, the volume of recurrent ovarian endometriotic cysts in 11 patients were reduced from (11.4±6.1) cm3 to (5.5±3.4) cm3 significantly (P<0.01). At 12 months of follow-up, it suggested that 2 patients' ovarian endometriotic cysts disappeared. At 24 months follow-up, 9 patients ovarian endometriotic cysts disappeared (3) CA125: serum CA125 decreased from (65.5±19.6) kU/L to (42.1±13.6) kU/L at 6 months after treatment remarkably (P<0.01). Continued to decrease after 12 months and then become steady. Irregular bleeding and spotting was the main side effects, weight gain was also observed in few patients. CONCLUSIONS: LNG-IUS could be used in treatment of recurrent endometriosis after conservative surgery or conservative surgery combined with medical treatment effectively. It could relieve pain, reduce the level of CA125 and decrease the size of ovarian endometriotic cysts. LNG-IUS seems to be an effective, safe, and long term treatment for endometriosis with fewer side effects and better compliance.

[Levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and combined oral contraceptives as conservative treatments for recurrent ovarian endometriosis: a comparative clinical study].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the efficiency and safety of levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and combined oral contraceptives (COC) in the treatment of recurrent ovarian endometriosis after conservative surgery or conservative surgery plus medical therapy. METHODS: A total of 48 patients with recurrent ovarian endometriosis underwent randomization. The regimens of LNG-IUS (n = 24) and COC (n = 24) were offered. The volume of ovarian endometriotic cysts was recorded before treatment and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months. The volume of ovarian endometriotic cysts, pain score of visual analogue scale (VAS), menstrual pattern, body weight, serum CA125 and serum lipids were compared to the pretreatment level within each treatment group, as well as between two treatment groups during the same period. RESULTS: (1) At 18 months after LNG-IUS, the cysts in 2 subjects entirely disappeared. At 24 months, 18 patients had a disappearance of cysts. The overall size reduction was statistically significant (9.2 ± 3.0) vs (0.9 ± 1.5) cm(3) (P < 0.01). In the COC group, 12 subjects had a complete resolution of cysts at 24 months. The overall size reduction was statistically significant (9.4 ± 2.2) vs (2.9 ± 3.1) cm(3) (P < 0.01). At 18 & 24 months, the cyst size reduction was significantly larger in the LNG-INS group than the COC group (2.4 ± 1.5) vs (4.7 ± 2.6) cm(3) (P < 0.01) and (0.9 ± 1.5) vs (2.9 ± 3.1) cm(3) (P < 0.05); (2) There was a significant improvement of dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain and dyspareunia at 6- & 12-month follow-up in both groups; (3) serum CA125 decreased at 6 & 12 months in both groups with statistical significance. It decreased more sharply in the LNG-IUS group and remained at low levels beyond 12 months; (4) within 6 months of LNS-IUS, irregular bleeding and spotting were the major side effects. Beyond that period the symptoms were significantly relieved. Weight gain and dyslipidemia were the major side effects of COC. CONCLUSION: For patients with recurrent ovarian endometriosis after conservative surgery or conservative surgery plus medical therapy, LNG-IUS and COC may be used to control and reduce endometriotic cysts, relieve pain and reduce the level of CA125. LNG-IUS has the advantages of a greater convenience and minor systemic side effects.

[Clinical study on combination of multiple regimens in treatment of osteoporosis in perimenopause and postmenopausal women].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate clinical efficacy of multiple regimen combination in treatment of osteoporosis of perimenopausal or postmenopausal women. METHODS: From Jul. 2008 to Dec. 2009, 109 women with low bone mineral density (BMD) or osteoporosis treated in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Second Hospital, Wenzhou Medical College were enrolled randomly into 3 group, including 36 women in Group A managed by osteoform 1000 mg/d + alfacalcidol 0.25 µg/bid orally, 40 women in group B managed by osteoform 1000 mg/d + alfacalcidol 0.25 µg/bid + tibolone 1.25 mg/d orally and 33 women in group C managed by osteoform 1000 mg/d + alfacalcidol 0.25 µg/bid + bisphosphonates 70 mg/w orally. After 48 weeks BMD on lumbar 1-4 (L1₋4) and left femur were detected by X-ray. Bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP), cross linked clelopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and 25-hydroxychole calciferol [25(OH)D3] was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULT: Seven women (6.4%, 7/109) were withdrawed form this study, including 2 cases losing follow up in group A, 3 cases stopping treatment in group B, 2 cases giving up treatment due to severe adverse effect (burning in upper abdomen) in group C. (1) Pain relieve: after 48 weeks treatment, women in 3 groups improved symptom of pain significantly, the rates of pain relieve were 85% (29/34) in group A, 92% (34/37) in group B and 94% (29/31) in group C. (2) BMD: BMD was improved significantly in women in 3 groups after treatment. BMD of L1₋4 were (0.88 ± 0.15) g/cm² in group A, (0.89 ± 0.18) g/cm² in group B and (0.87 ± 0.10) g/cm² in group C before treatment, and converted to (0.90 ± 0.01) g/cm² in group A, (0.93 ± 0.09) g/cm² in group B and (0.91 ± 0.11) g/cm² in group C after treatment. BMD of left femur were (0.87 ± 0.07) g/cm² in group A, (0.87 ± 0.07) g/cm² in group B and (0.85 ± 0.12) g/cm² in group C before treatment and converted to (0.90 ± 0.03) g/cm² in group A, (0.91 ± 0.08) g/cm² in group B and (0.89 ± 0.12) g/cm² in group C after treatment. It was shown significantly different BMD between group B or C and group A (P < 0.01), however, there was no significant different BMD between group B and C (P > 0.05). (3) Index of bone metabolism: BALP were (26 ± 6) µg/L in group A, (26 ± 9) µg/L in group B and (28 ± 7) µg/L in group C before treatment and converted to (22 ± 5) µg/L in group A, (20 ± 9) µg/L in group B and (22 ± 8) µg/L in group C after treatment, which showed statistical difference (P < 0.05). CTX were (0.85 ± 0.20) ng/L in group A, (0.84 ± 0.47) ng/L in group B, and (0.88 ± 0.11) ng/L in group C before treatment and converted to (0.81 ± 0.19) ng/L in group A, (0.77 ± 0.33) ng/L in group B, and (0.82 ± 0.14) ng/L in group C after treatment, which showed statistical difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Those 3 regimens combination could be used in treatment of osteoporosis by decreasing bone conversion, increasing bone density, decreasing bone absorption. Regimen A was only suitable for basic therapy, the other two regimens could provide better treatment.