Gut Microbiome Composition in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Adult Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder that is frequently linked to anovulation in women who are experiencing infertility. Intestinal flora, also known as the "second genome" of the host, is closely associated with chronic metabolic diseases. Recently, there has been increasing attention on the connection between PCOS and the gut microbiome, and experiments have been conducted. However, the results were unsatisfactory and inconsistent. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature investigating the associations between the gut microbiome and PCOS in adults. The goal is to identify whether there are changes in the composition of the gut microbiome in individuals with PCOS. This is the first systematic review to focus on functional alterations in the gut microbiome, which could provide insights into potential mechanisms of microbial involvement in the development of PCOS. We found that there was no significant change in gut microbiome biodiversity in PCOS. Meta-analyses of three studies revealed a significantly higher abundance of Proteobacteria (1.12, 95% CI, 0.21, 2.02, I2 = 0%) in adults with PCOS. At the genus level, Bacteroides, Enterococcus, and Escherichia-Shigella were found to be enriched in patients with PCOS. Species such as Ruminococcus gnavus group, Parabacteroides distasonis, and Bacteroides fragilis showed an increase in PCOS. Metabolic pathways associated with glucose, lipid metabolism, bile acid metabolism, and protein absorption were found to be enriched in individuals with PCOS. The gut microbiome in PCOS is not characterized by lower diversity, but the composition is altered at the phylum, family, genus, or species level. Consequently, the metabolic pathway differs according to the phenotype of PCOS.

Tumor-infiltrating immune cell score as an independent prognostic predictor for endometrial carcinoma: Insights from a comprehensive analysis of the immune landscape.

BACKGROUND: Immune cells are crucial components in the tumor microenvironment and have a significant impact on the outcomes of patients. AIMS: Here, we aimed to establish a prognostic score based on different types of tumor-infiltrating immune cells for Endometrial Carcinoma (EC). METHODS AND RESULTS: We enrolled and analyzed 516 EC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The relative abundance of 22 immune cells were estimated by using the CIBERSORTx algorithm. Cox regression was performed to identify potential prognostic immune cells, which were used to develop a Tumor-infiltrating Immune Cell Score (TICS). The prognostic and incremental value of TICS for overall survival were compared with traditional prognostic factors using the C-index and decision curves. Clustering analysis using all immune cells identified three immune landscape subtypes, which had weak correlation with survival. A TICS was constructed using CD8T cells, resting memory CD4 T cells, activated NK and activated DCs, and classified patients as low-, moderate- and high-risk subgroups. The low-risk subgroup had higher tumor mutation burden and activation of IL2/STAT5, IL2/STAT3 and IFN-gamma response pathways. Conversely, the high-risk subgroup was associated with DNA copy number variation, hypoxia and EMT process. The TICS subgroups significantly predicted overall survival, which was independent of patient age, tumor stage, grade and molecular classification. Moreover, we developed a nomogram incorporating TICS and clinicopathologic factors, which significantly improved the predictive accuracy compared to the clinicopathologic model alone. CONCLUSION: The TICS is an effective and independent prognostic predictor for EC patients and may serve as a useful supplement to clinicopathological factors and molecular subtyping.

Epidemiological analysis of HPV in Sichuan during 2014-2021.

INTRODUCTION: Cervical cancer is a common malignancy among woman, strong molecular epidemiological data show that high risk HPV infection is the main cause of cervical cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Samples were collected from Sichuan women's and children's hospital based on the relevant guidelines and regulations, HPV DNA was extracted and evaluated by Human Papillomavirus Genotyping Kit for 21 types, according to the manufacturer's guidelines to analyze the epidemic age, mixed infection types, variation trend of HPV types in Sichuan from 2014 to 2021; Results: Out of 51174 samples11165 (21.82 %) HPV positive samples were detected, all belonging to alpha family, 53.32 % HPV positive samples and 61.51 % high-risk (HR) HPV positive samples are alpha-9 genus; The three commonest HR were HPV-52, HPV-16, HPV-58, and the low-risk (LR) HPV were HPV-81, HPV-6, HPV-11; Single infection was absolutely predominant and the age group with the highest HPV detection rate was 26-30 years old. During 2014-2021, HPV-16, HPV-6 and HPV-11 decline, while HPV-58 and HPV-52 increased; Conclusions: The most prevalent age group of HPV in this region was 26-30 years old. The detection rate of HPV-52 increased in the region, overtaking HPV-16 as the commonest type of HPV. α-9 genus HPV with strong pathogenicity is the commonest HR HPV. HPV prevalence systematic comparison in certain areas and continuous time can accurately and intuitively understand its distribution changes, achieve analysis of the epidemic trend, and provide guidance for the prevention, treatment and scientific research of HPV in Sichuan.

Reproductive outcomes in couples with sporadic miscarriage after embryonic chromosomal microarray analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) has been widely applied to genetic diagnosis in miscarriages in clinical practice. However, the prognostic value of CMA testing of products of conception (POCs) after the first clinical miscarriage remains unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive outcomes after embryonic genetic testing by CMA in SM couples. METHODS: In this retrospective study, a total of 1142 SM couples referred for embryonic genetic testing by CMA, and 1022 couples were successfully followed up after CMA. RESULTS: Among 1130 cases without significant maternal cell contamination, pathogenic chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 680 cases (60.2%). The subsequent live birth rate did not differ significantly between couples with chromosomally abnormal and normal miscarriage (88.6% vs. 91.1%, p = .240), as well as the cumulative live birth rate (94.5% vs. 96.7%, p = .131). Couples with partial aneuploid miscarriage had a higher likelihood of spontaneous abortion both in the subsequent pregnancy (19.0% vs. 6.5%, p = .037) and cumulative pregnancies (19.0% vs. 6.8%, p = .044) when compared with couples with chromosomally normal miscarriage. CONCLUSIONS: SM couples with chromosomally abnormal miscarriage manifested with a similar reproductive prognosis to couples with chromosomally normal miscarriage. Key messagesCMA testing of POCs could provide an accurate genetic diagnosis for couples with SM.The live birth rate of couples with partial aneuploid miscarriage was as high as couples with chromosomally normal miscarriage, despite a higher risk of adverse pregnancy event.Among couples with the most common single aneuploid miscarriage, the cumulative live birth rates of couples with trisomy 16, sex chromosomal abnormalities and trisomy 22 were 94.1%, 95.8% and 84.0%, respectively.

Decreased GDF9 and BMP15 in follicle fluid and granulosa cells and outcomes of IVF-ET among young patients with low prognosis.

PURPOSE: To analyze the level of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) in follicle fluid (FF) and granulosa cells (GCs) derived from young patients with low prognosis for in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was carried out by enrolling 52 young patients with low prognosis according to the POSEIDON classification group 3 (low prognosis group) and 51 young patients with normal ovarian reserve (control group). The concentration of the GDF9 and BMP15 proteins in FF was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The mRNA level of the GDF9 and BMP15 in the GCs was measured by quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: The concentration of GDF9 (1026.72 ± 159.12 pg/mL vs. 1298.06 ± 185.41 pg/mL) and BMP15 (685.23 ± 143.91 pg/mL vs. 794.37 ± 81.79 pg/mL) in FF and the mRNA level of GDF9 and BMP15 in the GCs and the live birth rate per treatment cycle started (30.77% vs. 50.98%) and oocytes retrieved (4.25 ± 1.91 vs.12.04 ± 4.24) were significantly lower, whereas the canceled cycle rate was significantly higher (9.62% vs. 0) in the low prognosis group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of GDF9 and BMP15 in the ovary was positively correlated with live birth (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of GDF9 and BMP15 in the ovary was decreased in young patients with low prognosis accompanied by a poorer outcome of IVF-ET treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1800016107 (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry), May 11, 2018. ( http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=27216&htm=4 ).

A signature based on glycosyltransferase genes provides a promising tool for the prediction of prognosis and immunotherapy responsiveness in ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most fatal gynaecological malignancy and has a poor prognosis. Glycosylation, the biosynthetic process that depends on specific glycosyltransferases (GTs), has recently attracted increasing importance due to the vital role it plays in cancer. In this study, we aimed to determine whether OC patients could be stratified by glycosyltransferase gene profiles to better predict the prognosis and efficiency of immune checkpoint blockade therapies (ICBs). METHODS: We retrieved transcriptome data across 420 OC and 88 normal tissue samples using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases, respectively. An external validation dataset containing 185 OC samples was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Knockdown and pathway prediction of B4GALT5 were conducted to investigate the function and mechanism of B4GALT5 in OC proliferation, migration and invasion. RESULTS: A total of 50 differentially expressed GT genes were identified between OC and normal ovarian tissues. Two clusters were stratified by operating consensus clustering, but no significant prognostic value was observed. By applying the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression method, a 6-gene signature was built that classified OC patients in the TCGA cohort into a low- or high-risk group. Patients with high scores had a worse prognosis than those with low scores. This risk signature was further validated in an external GEO dataset. Furthermore, the risk score was an independent risk predictor, and a nomogram was created to improve the accuracy of prognostic classification. Notably, the low-risk OC patients exhibited a higher degree of antitumor immune cell infiltration and a superior response to ICBs. B4GALT5, one of six hub genes, was identified as a regulator of proliferation, migration and invasion in OC. CONCLUSION: Taken together, we established a reliable GT-gene-based signature to predict prognosis, immune status and identify OC patients who would benefit from ICBs. GT genes might be a promising biomarker for OC progression and a potential therapeutic target for OC.

High-temperature exposure and risk of spontaneous abortion during early pregnancy: a case-control study in Nanjing, China.

As one of the most common complications of early pregnancy, spontaneous abortion is associated with environmental factors, but reports estimating the effect of ambient temperature on spontaneous abortion are still inconclusive. Herein, a case-control study (1002 cases and 2004 controls) in Nanjing, China, from 2017 to 2021 was conducted to evaluate the association between temperature exposure and the risk of spontaneous abortion by using distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM). As a result, daily mean temperature exposure and early spontaneous abortion showed a nonlinear relationship in 14-day lag periods. Moreover, taking the median temperature (17 °C) as a reference, gradually increased positive effects of high temperature on spontaneous abortion could be found during the 4 days prior to hospitalization, and the highest odds ratio (OR) of 2.07 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.36, 3.16) at extremely hot temperature (33 °C) was observed at 1 lag day. The results suggested that high-temperature exposure in short times during early pregnancy might increase the risk of SAB. Thus, our findings highlight the potential risk of short-term high-temperature exposure during early pregnancy, and more evidence was given for the effects of climate change on maternal health.

Inhibition of M/Kv7 Currents Contributes to Chloroquine-Induced Itch in Mice.

M/Kv7 potassium channels play a key role in regulation of neuronal excitability. Modulation of neuronal excitability of primary sensory neurons determines the itch sensation induced by a variety of itch-causing substances including chloroquine (CQ). In the present study, we demonstrate that suppression of M/Kv7 channel activity contributes to generation of itch in mice. CQ enhances excitability of the primary sensory neurons through inhibiting M/Kv7 potassium currents in a Ca2+ influx-dependent manner. Specific M/Kv7 channel opener retigabine (RTG) or tannic acid (TA) not only reverses the CQ-induced enhancement of neuronal excitability but also suppresses the CQ-induced itch behavior. Systemic application of RTG or TA also significantly inhibits the itch behavior induced by a variety of pruritogens. Taken together, our findings provide novel insight into the molecular basis of CQ-induced itch sensation in mammals that can be applied to the development of strategies to mitigate itch behavior.

Upregulated Long Noncoding RNA LINC01234 Predicts Unfavorable Prognosis for Colorectal Cancer and Negatively Correlates With KLF6 Expression.

BACKGROUND: LINC01234, a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), is overexpressed in several cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated the role of LINC01234 in CRC development and confirmed its correlation with Krüppel-like factor 6 (KLF6), a tumor suppressor gene that is dysregulated in CRC. METHODS: We tested mRNA levels using quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Tissue samples from patients with CRC, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), hyperplastic polyp, and adenoma were included. Correlations between clinicopathological parameters, overall survival (OS) rate, and LINC01234 were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis H test. Additionally, cell proliferation, apoptosis, and tumor formation in nude mice were tested to investigate the mechanism of LINC01234. Western blotting was used to determine protein levels. RESULTS: LINC01234 expression was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and CRC cell lines than in non-tumor tissues and normal epithelial cells, respectively. LINC01234 was associated with high tumor stage, larger tumor size, and metastasis. Patients with higher LINC01234 expression showed reduced OS. Cell proliferation was inhibited by LINC01234 knockdown, whereas apoptosis was enhanced. Mice injected with SW480 cells with LINC01234 knockdown displayed decreased tumor volume, weight, and Ki-67 levels compared with those injected with control cells. KLF6 was negatively regulated by LINC01234. Overexpression of KLF6 showed effects similar to those observed following LINC01234 knockdown on cell proliferation and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: LINC01234 could be a prognostic biomarker in CRC patients. Upregulation of LINC01234 in CRC promotes tumor development through negative regulation of KLF6.

Correlations between quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound and vasculogenic mimicry in murine tumor model: a novel noninvasive technique for assessment?

OBJECTIVE: Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a novel mechanism of tumor blood supply distinct from endothelial vessel (EV). VM is associated with malignancy, invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis. Hitherto a noninvasive method for the assessment of VM in vivo has been lacking. METHODS: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed to evaluate the quantitative parameters of tumors in mice. CD31 immunohistochemistry-Periodic Acid-Schiff double staining was conducted to identify the VM or EV in tumor tissues. Correlations between perfusion parameters and VM density was analyzed by Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: By the 15th day after tumor inoculation, the EV and VM density was 31.15 ± 7.14 and 14.11 ± 2.99 per 200× field. The maximal intensity (IMAX) was 301.19 ± 191.56%, and the rise time (RT), time to peak (TTP) and mean transit time (mTT) were 17.38 ± 7.82 s, 20.27 ± 9.61 s and 58.09 ± 26.44 s, respectively. VM density positively correlated to RT (r = 0.3598, P = 0.0226), TTP (r = 0.3733, P = 0.0177) and mTT(r = 0.6483, P <  0.0001), whereas EV density positively correlated to IMAX (r = 0.4519, P = 0.0034). The vascular diameter of VM was substantially larger than that of EV (43.81 ± 5.88 µm vs 11.21 ± 4.13 µm). CONCLUSION: Three quantitative parameters related to VM were obtained and the relationships between CEUS and VM were established. CEUS might thus provide a novel noninvasive method to assess VM in vivo.

Mass spectrometry-based peptidome profiling of human serous ovarian cancer tissues.

BACKGROUND: Bioactive peptides existing in vivo have been considered as an important class of natural medicines for the treatment of diseases. Peptidome analysis of tissues and biofluids had provided important information about the differentially expressed bioactive peptides in vivo. METHODS: Here, we analyzed the peptidome of serous ovarian cancer tissue samples and normal ovarian epithelial tissue samples by mass spectrometry and further investigated the possible bioactive peptides that were differentially expressed. RESULTS: We identified 634 differentially expressed peptides, 508 of these peptides were highly abundant in serous ovarian cancer tissues, a result consistent with higher protease activity in ovarian cancer patients. The difference in preferred cleavage sites between the serous ovarian cancer tissues and normal ovarian epithelium indicated the characteristic peptidome of ovarian cancer and the nature of cancer-associated protease activity. Interestingly, KEGG pathway analysis of the peptide precursors indicated that the differentially regulated pathways in ovarian cancer are highly consistent with the pathways discovered in other cancers. Besides, we found that a proportion of the differentially expressed peptides are similar to the known immune-regulatory peptides and anti-bacterial peptides. Then we further investigated the function of the two down-regulated peptides in ovarian cancer cells and found that peptide P1DS significantly inhibited the invasion and migration of OVCAR3 and SKOV3 ovarian cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results are the first to identify the differentially expressed peptides between the serous ovarian cancer tissue and the normal ovarian epithelium. Our results indicate that bioactive peptides involved in tumorigenesis are existed in vivo.

Diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in assessing the therapeutic response to radio frequency ablation for liver tumors: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To review the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) used to detect residual or recurrent liver tumors after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). This technique uses contrast-enhanced computer tomography or/and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as the gold standard of investigation. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and COCHRANE were systematically searched for all potentially eligible studies comparing CEUS with the reference standard that follows RFA. Risk of bias and applicability concerns were addressed by adopting the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. Pooled point estimates for sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) with 95% CI were computed before plotting the sROC (summary receiver operating characteristic) curve. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were used to identify the source of the heterogeneity that was detected. Publication bias was evaluated using Deeks' funnel plot asymmetry test. RESULTS: Ten eligible studies on 1162 lesions that occurred between 2001 and 2016 were included in the final analysis. The quality of the included studies assessed by the QUADAS-2 tool was considered reasonable. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CEUS in detecting residual or recurrent liver tumors had the following values: 0.90 (95% CI 0.85-0.94) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.99-1.00), respectively. Overall DOR was 420.10 (95% CI 142.30-1240.20). The sources of heterogeneity could not be precisely identified by meta-regression or subgroup analysis. No evidence of publication bias was found. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that CEUS exhibits high sensitivity and specificity in assessing therapeutic responses to RFA for liver tumors.

Analysis of secreted peptidome from omental adipose tissue in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrinopathy associated with increased risk of metabolic disorders. Prevalence of adiposity and obesity is greater in women suffering from PCOS. Moreover, adipose tissue dysfunction has been demonstrated in PCOS patients, particularly in abdominal adipose tissue. This dysfunction likely aggravates the metabolic and reproductive abnormalities. We used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to compare the peptides secreted from PCOS and non-PCOS abdominal adipose tissue. We detected 298 upregulated peptides and 31 downregulated peptides (absolute fold change ≥ 2 and p < 0.05). Twenty-nine peptides were only detected in the PCOS group, while 18 were only detected in the control group. In addition, we demonstrate that these cleavage products are not degradation products of the proteasome based on previous studies reported. Gene Ontology enrichment and pathway analysis were performed to study differentially secreted peptides through their precursor proteins. We identified 12 peptides from 10 precursor proteins associated with PCOS, and 6 peptide sequences were located in the functional domains of their corresponding precursor proteins. These results provide a deeper understanding of adipose tissue-derived peptides in PCOS for future functional studies.

In Vitro and In Vivo Effects of Tumor Suppressor Gene PTEN on Endometriosis: An Experimental Study.

BACKGROUND Endometriosis can cause dysmenorrhea and infertility. Its pathogenesis has not yet been clarified and its treatment continues to pose enormous challenges. The protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTEN) gene is a tumor suppressor gene. The aim of this study was to investigate the role and significance of PTEN protein in the occurrence, development, and treatment of endometriosis through changes in apoptosis rate, cell cycle, and angiogenesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS PTEN was overexpressed and silenced in lentiviral vectors and inserted into primary endometrial cells. The changes in cell cycle and apoptosis in the different PTEN expression groups were evaluated using flow cytometry. Vessel growth mimicry was observed using 3-dimensional culture. A human-mouse chimeric endometriosis model was constructed using SCID mice. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were used to detect pathological changes in ectopic endometrial tissues and the expression of VEGF protein in a human-mouse chimeric endometriosis mouse model. RESULTS PTEN overexpression significantly increased apoptosis and inhibited the cell cycle compared with the silenced and control groups. Furthermore, cells expressing low PTEN levels were better able to undergo vasculogenic mimicry, and exhibited significantly increased angiogenesis compared to cells overexpressing PTEN. We found that ectopic foci were more easily formed in the endometrial tissue of SCID mice with low PTEN expression, and the VEGF expression in this group was relatively high. CONCLUSIONS PTEN inhibits the occurrence and development of endometriosis by regulating angiogenesis and the apoptosis and cell cycle of endometrial cells; therefore, we propose that the PTEN gene can be used to treat endometriosis.

Histone deacetylase 4 increases progressive epithelial ovarian cancer cells via repression of p21 on fibrillar collagen matrices.

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) 4 is an emerging target in cancer therapeutics, but little is known about the function of HDAC4 in gynecologic malignancies. Therefore we investigated the mechanism of HDAC4 promoting the proliferation of epithelial ovarian cancer cells (OV). In this study, we observed that the proliferation of cells with HDAC4 inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) treatment was markedly decreased, Further, we showed that epithelial ovarian cancer tissues with stage III/IV had higher HDAC4 expression, compared to that with stage I/II. We examined first that the HDAC4 expression was increased in response to fibrillar collagen matrices. In addition, we found that HDAC4 was retained in the nucleus by regulation of PP1α, which regulated HDAC4 cellular fraction via phosphorylation of HDAC4. In addition, we found that HDAC4 bound to Sp1 in epithelial ovarian cancer cells. Finally, ovarian cancer cell line OVCAR3 was evaluated via gain/loss-of-function of HDAC4 by either overexpression of HDCA4 or knock-down of HDAC4 with shRNA. We examined both protein and mRNA of p21 by western blotting and qPCR. We performed analysis of colony formation in matrigel and migration by ECIS. Our results suggest that the accumulation of HDAC4 induced by fibrillar collagen matrices in the nucleus via co-localization of PP1α, leads to repression of the mRNA/protein of p21 and in turn promotes the proliferation and migration of epithelial ovarian cancer cells.

S-phase cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and molecular mechanisms of aplasia ras homolog member I-induced human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cell lines.

OBJECTIVE: Aplasia Ras homolog member I (ARHI) is associated with human ovarian cancer (HOC) growth and proliferation; however, the mechanisms are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate ARHI effects in HOC SKOV3 cells. METHODS: We transfected SKOV3 cells with PIRES2-EGFP-ARHI and measured growth inhibition rates, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis rates, and expression of P-STAT3 (phosphorylated signal transduction and activators of transcription 3) and P-ERK (phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated protein kinase). RESULTS: Our data showed significant inhibition of growth, significantly increased S-phase arrest and apoptosis rates, and reduction of P-STAT3 and P-ERK1/2 expression levels. CONCLUSIONS: We propose the mechanism may involve ARHI-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and STAT3 protein kinases, thereby blocking proliferation signaling pathways, to induce HOC SKOV3 apoptosis.

Fibrillar type I collagen matrices enhance metastasis/invasion of ovarian epithelial cancer via ß1 integrin and PTEN signals.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the involvement of fibrillar collagen in remodeling extracellular matrices (ECM) and its significant impact on the metastasis/invasion of epithelial ovarian cancer cells via ß1 integrin/phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) signaling. MATERIALS/METHODS: Normal ovarian surface epithelium tissues (n = 13), ovarian cancer tissues (n = 28), ovarian cancer cell lines, and a 3-dimensional model of fibrillar type I collagen that mimicked pathological ECM in vivo were used in the study. We explored the specific mechanisms behind ECM remodeling and the cellular signals that affected the invasion of ovarian cancer cells. RESULTS: The data showed that increased ß1 integrin expression in ovarian cancer cells led to enhance migration/invasion of ovarian cancer cells via regulation of PTEN/protein kinase B (Akt) signal in response to fibrillar type I collagen matrices. Low PTEN activity corresponded to the following: (1) increased PTEN degradation and (2) phosphorylation of PTEN. Decreased protein phosphatase 2A activity was detected in ovarian cancer. Protein phosphatase 2A might play a role in enhancing the progression of ovarian cancer through regulating PTEN/Akt signal. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that fibrillar type I collagen, by modulating integrin-PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in remodeling ECM, is very important in affecting the invasion of aggressive ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, these data provide direct evidence for pathological ECM remodeling and cell signaling networks involved in the invasion of ovarian cancer cells.

[Etiological analysis and individualized treatment of pharyngeal paraesthesia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the nosazontology of pharyngeal paraesthesia and investigate the treatment. METHOD: Two hundred and twelve misdiagnosed pharyngeal paraesthesia patients were investigated by history inquiry, routine examination, 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring, barium X-ray of the oesophagus, anxieties-athymic private measuring scale, coefficient of variation of the R-R (CVR-R), bioavailable testosterone detection (Bio-T), erection experiment and questionnaire about man climacteric syndrome. The concomitant symptoms and positions of pharyngeal paresthesia were also studied. We adopted individuallized sequential multi-therapy for every patient according to the cause of disease. RESULT: The cause of disease within 212 cases of pharyngeal paraesthesia included 62 psychic trauma, 32 endocrine system disease, 106 upper gastrointestinal disease, circulatory disease, 9 circulatory disease, 3 idiopathic. With individualized treatment, 110 cases had fully recovered, 63 cases excellence and 31 cases utility, and the efficiency rate was 96.23%. CONCLUSION: Pharyngeal paraesthesia can be caused by several factors. Thorough examination and comprehensive analysis should be applied to those incurable patient who has been treated for a long time. Short course of treatment and irrational drug use are the main causes of short-term recurrence and unsatisfactory curative effect.

[Epidemiological investigation and correlation factors analysis of voice diseases of 5758 business dealers].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemic features and risk factors of voice diseases of 5758 business dealers. METHOD: Questionnaire survey was conducted among 5785 business dealers of four markets in Yiwu city by random cluster sampling from March to July, 2006. They were also examined by indirect laryngoscopy. The incidence of voice disease was calculated and the risk factors were evaluated in four markets. RESULT: The incidence of voice disease was 39.3%, 18.8%, 28.4% and 58.1% in garment market, crafts market, stock market, and vegetable market, respectively. The average incidence was 30.4% in four markets. The difference of incidence among four markets was statistically significant (P < 0.01). The difference of incidence between female and male was statistically significant in any market. Chronic laryngitis and polyp of vocal cord were found to be the major pathological manifestations in men, while Chronic laryngitis and vocal nodules were found to be the major pathological manifestations in women. In addition, laryngeal carcinoma was confirmed in 8 cases. Market noise, pollution, unhealthy habits of business trade and excessive voice were the high risk factors. The female and the business dealers aged from 30 to 50 were the high risk people. CONCLUSION: Varied relevant measures should be taken to prevent and control voice disease in different subgroups of population. People should be examined thoroughly as soon as they got voice problem. Improvement of market environment and timely intervention may reduce the prevalence rate of voice disease.