KISS-1 knockdown inhibits cell growth, migration, and invasion in HTR-8/SVneo cells by regulating the GRP54-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSA) affect reproductive health and increase the risk of subsequent abortions. To investigate the role of KISS-1/GPR-54 signaling in RSA progression. Villus tissue was collected from RSA patients, and human trophoblastic HTR-8/SVneo cells were used. KISS-1 and GRP54 levels were detected using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry. Western blotting was performed to analyze ZO-1 and ZEB1 levels. Cell proliferation was determined via CCK-8 and cell clone formation assays. Transwell assays were performed to assess cell migration and invasion abilities. KISS-1 was down-regulated in the villus tissues of RSA patients. KISS-1 overexpression dramatically inhibited trophoblast proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, ZEB1 expression was down-regulated, whereas ZO-1 expression was up-regulated, after KISS-1 overexpression. GPR54 silencing neutralized the effect of KISS-1 in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Additionally, KISS-1 overexpression inactivated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway through GRP54. The KISS-1/GPR-54 signaling axis regulates RSA progression by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Clinical predictors of residual disease in hysterectomy following a loop electrosurgical excision procedure for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictors of residual disease in a hysterectomy following a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 3. METHODS: This retrospective study identified 421 patients with histologically confirmed CIN 3 who underwent LEEP and subsequently had a hysterectomy within 6 months. The clinical data included age, parity, type of transformation zone, cytology results, human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype test, endocervical curettage (ECC), and pathological data of LEEP and hysterectomy were obtained from the medical records. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the variables and the risk of residual disease in the hysterectomy samples. RESULTS: 186 (44.18%) patients had residual disease in the hysterectomy specimens. The predictive markers of residual disease following LEEP included positive ECC, positive margin of the samples from LEEP, type II or III transformation zone, HPV16 and HPV18 infection, and other high-risk HPV. HPV-18 positivity (OR, 7.13; 95% CI, 3.49 to 14.56; p < 0.001) and type III transformation zone (OR, 6.37; 95% CI, 2.91 to 13.94; p < 0.001) were the most indicative of residual disease following LEEP. CONCLUSION: Positive high-risk HPV, particularly HPV18, positive ECC, the positive margin of specimens from LEEP, and type II or III transformation zone were reliable prognostic markers of residual disease following a LEEP for CIN 3.

Comparison of Monopolar Electrosurgical Conization and the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure in the Management of High-Grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesion.

Objectives: To compare the performance and outcomes of monopolar electrosurgical conization (MESC) or the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) in the treatment of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). Methods: This retrospective study included 554 patients diagnosed with HSIL through biopsy. The study used either LEEP or MESC for cervical conization. Additionally, the medical records of these patients, including the basic information, status of the excision margin, cone depth, cone width, fragmentation, complication, and the results of a 6-month follow-up after conization, were reviewed. Results: Compared to MESC, LEEP had a significantly higher rate of positive endocervical margin (3.77 vs. 8.65%; p = 0.018), burn injury of the margin (4.90 vs. 10.38%; p = 0.016) and a lower rate of adequate cone depth (83.40 vs. 89.62%; p = 0.034). In addition, LEEP was significantly more likely to cause fragmentation (p = 0.000). There was, however, no significant difference in the rate of abnormal cervical cytology and positive high-risk HPV (hrHPV) between these two groups, 6 months after cervical conization. Conclusion: Both LEEP and MESC appeared to be equally effective in the clinical treatment of HSIL. Nonetheless, MESC resulted in a better pathological outcome with regard to the status of the margin, tissue fragmentation, and cone depth.

Baicalin Inhibits Human Cervical Cancer Cells by Suppressing Protein Kinase C/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (PKC/STAT3) Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND Like other human cancers, the malignancy of cervical cancer is also characterized by abilities of proliferation, migration, and invasion. Protein kinase C-zeta (PKCζ) has been highly correlated with several human cancers. Baicalin was proven to regulate PKC. This study aimed to investigate the anti-cancer effect and involved molecular mechanisms of baicalin on human cervical cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS Baicalin at various concentrations was used to treat 2 human cervical cancer cell lines HeLa and SiHa. The proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenylterazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The apoptosis was detected by terminal transferase UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Wound healing assay and Transwell assay were used to evaluate the migration and invasion respectively. Western blotting was performed to assess the protein expression levels. RESULTS Baicalin administration significantly reduced the viability by facilitating the apoptosis in HeLa and SiHa cells. Baicalin treatment also significantly reduced the wound closure and cell amount invaded as measured by Transwell assay. The expression levels of PKCζ, survivin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2, MMP9 as well as the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 were reduced in baicalin administrated cervical cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Baicalin exerted anti-cancer effects on human cervical cancer cells by targeting STAT3 regulated signaling pathways.

Prevalence and genotype distribution of human papillomavirus in 961,029 screening tests in southeastern China (Zhejiang Province) between 2011 and 2015.

Human papillomavirus infection plays a key role in the development of cervical cancer. To establish a foundation for HPV-based screening and vaccination programs, we investigated the HPV prevalence and genotypic distributions in Chinese women from Zhejiang Province. Between 2011 and 2015, a total of 961,029 samples from 2021 clinical hospitals were tested HPV genotype by a PCR-based hybridization gene chip assay, and 443,890 samples were evaluated cervical cytology by liquid-based cytology analysis. Our results showed that the positive rate for HPV was 20.54%, which ranged from 28.72% to 17.81% and varied by year of recruitment. Age-specific prevalence showed a "two-peak" pattern, with the ≤20-year-old group presenting the highest HPV infection rate, followed by 61-70-year-old group. Overall, the most prevalent genotypes were HPV16, 52 and 58. Additionally, the odds ratios for the prevalence of the HR-HPV, LR-HPV and HPV-negative groups with abnormal cytology were 12.56, 3.21 and 0.06, respectively. Among genotypes, HPV 16 has been found to have the highest OR, followed by HPV58, 18, 52. Here, we present data regarding the prevalence and type distribution of HPV infection, which can serve as valuable reference to guide nationwide cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination programs.

Vaginitis Caused by Corynebacterium amycolatum in a Prepubescent Girl.

BACKGROUND: Vaginal discharge is the most common gynecological symptom in prepubescent girls. CASE: We report a case of vaginitis caused by Corynebacterium amycolatum in a prepubescent girl and successful treatment with targeted antibiotics. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION: Vaginal discharge is most commonly attributed to poor hygiene or nonspecific irritants; however, some patients have recurrent vulvovaginitis that is primarily caused by a variety of bacteria. For these patients, identifying the associated pathogens is critical for treatment.