Key mRNAs and lncRNAs of pituitary that affect the reproduction of FecB + + small tail han sheep.

BACKGROUND: The pituitary directly regulates the reproductive process through follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Transcriptomic research on the pituitaries of ewes with different FecB (fecundity Booroola) genotypes has shown that some key genes and lncRNAs play an important role in pituitary function and sheep fecundity. Our previous study found that ewes with FecB + + genotypes (without FecB mutation) still had individuals with more than one offspring per birth. It is hoped to analyze this phenomenon from the perspective of the pituitary transcriptome. RESULTS: The 12 Small Tail Han Sheep were equally divided into polytocous sheep in the follicular phase (PF), polytocous sheep in the luteal phase (PL), monotocous sheep in the follicular phase (MF), and monotocous sheep in the luteal phase (ML). Pituitary tissues were collected after estrus synchronous treatment for transcriptomic analysis. A total of 384 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (182 in PF vs. MF and 202 in PL vs. ML) and 844 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) (427 in PF vs. MF and 417 in PL vs. ML) were obtained from the polytocous-monotocous comparison groups in the two phases. Functional enrichment analysis showed that the DEGs in the two phases were enriched in signaling pathways known to play an important role in sheep fecundity, such as calcium ion binding and cAMP signaling pathways. A total of 1322 target relationship pairs (551 pairs in PF vs. MF and 771 pairs in PL vs. ML) were obtained for the target genes prediction of DELs, of which 29 DEL-DEG target relationship pairs (nine pairs in PF vs. MF and twenty pairs in PL vs. ML). In addition, the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks were constructed to explore the regulatory relationships of DEGs, and some important regulatory relationship pairs were obtained. CONCLUSION: According to the analysis results, we hypothesized that the pituitary first receives steroid hormone signals from the ovary and uterus and that VAV3 (Vav Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor 3), GABRG1 (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid A Receptor, Gamma 1), and FNDC1 (Fibronectin Type III Domain Containing 1) played an important role in this process. Subsequently, the reproductive process was regulated by gonadotropins, and IGFBP1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 1) was directly involved in this process, ultimately affecting litter size. In addition, TGIF1 (Transforming Growth Factor-Beta-Induced Factor 1) and TMEFF2 (Transmembrane Protein With EGF Like And Two Follistatin Like Domains 2) compensated for the effect of the FecB mutation and function by acting on TGF-ß/SMAD signaling pathway, an important pathway for sheep reproduction. These results provided a reference for understanding the mechanism of multiple births in Small Tail Han Sheep without FecB mutation.

Regulator of G protein signaling 6 (RGS6) in ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopamine neurons promotes EtOH seeking, behavioral reward and susceptibility to relapse.

Mesolimbic dopamine (DA) transmission is believed to play a critical role in mediating reward responses to drugs of abuse, including alcohol (EtOH). EtOH is the most abused substance worldwide with chronic consumption often leading to the development of dependence and abuse. Unfortunately, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying EtOH-seeking behavior and dependence are not fully understood, and abstinence remains the only effective way to prevent alcohol use disorders (AUDs). Here, we developed novel RGS6 fl/fl ; DAT-iCreER mice to determine the role of RGS6 in VTA DA neurons on EtOH consumption and reward behaviors. We found that RGS6 is expressed in DA neurons in both human and mouse VTA, and that RGS6 loss in mice upregulates DA transporter (DAT) expression in VTA DA neuron synaptic terminals. Remarkably, loss of RGS6 in VTA DA neurons significantly reduced EtOH consumption, preference, and reward in a manner indistinguishable from that seen in RGS6 -/- mice. Strikingly, RGS6 loss from VTA DA neurons before or after EtOH behavioral reward is established significantly reduced (∼50%) re-instatement of reward following extinguishment, demonstrating distinct roles of RGS6 in promoting reward and relapse susceptibility to EtOH. These studies illuminate a critical role of RGS6 in the mesolimbic circuit in promoting EtOH seeking, reward, and reinstatement. We propose that RGS6 functions to promote DA transmission through its function as a negative modulator of GPCR-Gα i/o -DAT signaling in VTA DA neurons. These studies identify RGS6 as a potential therapeutic target for behavioral reward and relapse to EtOH.

Comparative Transcriptomics Identify Key Pituitary Circular RNAs That Participate in Sheep (Ovis aries) Reproduction.

CircRNAs have been found to play key roles in many biological processes and have diverse biological functions. There have been studies on circRNAs in sheep pituitary, and some important circRNAs have been found. But there are still few studies on circRNAs in sheep pituitary with different fecundity. In this study, we obtained the circRNAs expression profiles in the pituitary of FecB ++ genotype Small Tail Han sheep with different fecundity and estrous phases. A total of 34,878 circRNAs were identified in 12 pituitary samples, 300 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE circRNAs) (down: 104; up: 196) were identified in polytocous sheep in the follicular phase (PF) and monotocous sheep in the follicular phase (MF) (PF vs. MF), and 347 DE circRNAs (down: 162; up: 185) were identified in polytocous sheep in the luteal phase (PL) and monotocous sheep in the luteal phase (ML) (PL vs. ML). Cortisol synthesis and secretion pathway (follicular phase) and estrogen signaling pathway (luteal phase) were obtained by functional enrichment analysis of circRNAs source genes. Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis of key DE circRNAs revealed that oar-circ-0022776 (source gene ITPR2, follicular phase) targeted oar-miR-432, oar-circ-0009003 (source gene ITPR1, luteal phase) and oar-circ-0003113 (source gene PLCB1, luteal phase) targeted oar-miR-370-3p. We also explored the coding ability of DE circRNAs. In conclusion, our study shows that changes in the pituitary circRNAs may be related to the response of the pituitary to steroid hormones and regulate the reproductive process of sheep by affecting the pituitary function. Results of this study provide some new information for understanding the functions of circRNAs and the fecundity of FecB ++ genotype sheep.

Construction of Prognostic Nomogram in Patients with N3-Stage Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to retrospectively identify the metastatic influence factors and predict the prognosis and develop an individualized prognostic prediction model for patients with N3-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: The study collected 446 NPC patients with N3 stage from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database between 2010 and 2015. The patients were classified into subgroups based on the histological types and metastatic status. Multivariable logistic, Cox regression, and Kaplan-Meier method with the log-rank test were performed. The nomogram model was created using the prognostic factors identified from Cox regression analysis. The predictive accuracy was determined based on the concordance index (c-index) and calibration curves. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival (OS) of the NPC patients with N3 stage was 43.9%, and the prognosis of patients without any distant metastases was largely longer than that with metastases. No difference was observed between different pathological types in the entire cohort. However, patients with non-keratinized squamous cell carcinoma had a better OS than that of the patients with keratinized squamous cell carcinoma in a nonmetastatic subgroup. Using the Cox regression analysis results, the nomogram successfully classified these patients into low- and high-risk subgroups and presented the survival difference. The c-index of the nomogram for predicting the prognosis was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: This study identified metastatic risk factors and developed a convenient clinical tool for the prognosis of NPC patients. This tool can be used for individualized risk classification and decision-making regarding treatment of NPC patients with N3 stage.

Rapid and precise genotyping of transgene zygosity in mice using an allele-specific method.

Precise determination of transgene zygosity is essential for use of transgenic mice in research. Because integration loci of transgenes are usually unknown due to their random insertion, assessment of transgene zygosity remains a challenge. Current zygosity genotyping methods (progeny testing, qPCR, and NGS-computational biology analysis) are time consuming, prone to error or technically challenging. Here, we developed a novel method to determine transgene zygosity requiring no knowledge of transgene insertion loci. This method applies allele-specific restriction enzyme digestion of PCR products (RE/PCR) to rapidly and reliably quantify transgene zygosity. We demonstrate the applicability of this method to three transgenic strains of mice (Atm TgC3001L, Nes-Cre, and Syn1-Cre) harboring a unique restriction enzyme site on either the transgene or its homologous sequence in the mouse genome. This method is as accurate as the gold standard of progeny testing but requires 2 d instead of a month or more. It is also exceedingly more accurate than the most commonly used approach of qPCR quantification. Our novel method represents a significant technical advance in determining transgene zygosities in mice.

A Retrospective Clinical Study on Cardiovascular Complications from Colorectal Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of cardiovascular complications amongst patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 2085 patients diagnosed with CRC in two tertiary hospitals in China between 2015 and 2020. The patients' medical records were reviewed to identify cardiovascular complications, including myocardial infarction, heart failure, stroke, hypertension, coronary heart disease, heart failure, and arrhythmia. The incidence rate of cardiovascular complications was calculated, and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to identify risk factors. RESULTS: Of the 2085 CRC patients, 329 (15.8%) experienced cardiovascular complications during the follow-up period, with an incidence rate of 17.4 cases per 1000 person-years. The risk was significantly higher in patients who were older than 60 years (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-3.41), had a higher level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (adjusted HR 2.32, 95% CI 1.31-4.10), had higher levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (adjusted HR 1.57, 95% CI 1.21-2.04), or who underwent chemotherapy or radiotherapy. CRC patients with cardiovascular complications had significantly higher levels of oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA) (5.8 ± 1.2 µmol/L vs. 3.4 ± 0.9 µmol/L, p < 0.001), lower levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) (85.2 ± 15.6 U/mg protein vs. 112.5 ± 21.3 U/mg protein, p < 0.001), and lower levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (15.6 ± 3.2 U/mg protein vs. 20.4 ± 4.1 U/mg protein, p < 0.001) compared to those without complications. A progressive increase was observed in the proportion of CRC patients with cardiovascular complications over time, rising from 10% in the first year to 38% by the tenth year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular complications pose a high risk in CRC patients, particularly amongst older patients and those with higher levels of LDL-C or CRP. Regular monitoring of cardiovascular function should be considered in the management of patients with CRC.

Lnc-SELPLG-2:1 enhanced osteosarcoma oncogenesis via hsa-miR-10a-5p and the BTRC cascade.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the potential role of Long Non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the progression of osteosarcoma. METHODS: The candidate lncRNAs were screened with RNA-seq and confirmed with quantitative real-time PCR. Using MTS, transwell assay, and flow cytometric analysis, the effects of overexpressed lnc-SELPLG-2:1 on cell functions were determined. Immunohistochemical staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and luciferase reporter assay were used to evaluate the potential mechanism of lnc-SELPLG-2:1 in vivo and in vitro using a tumor model. Moreover, the effects of overexpression of hsa-miR-10a-5p on the functions of SaOS2 cells were determined using functional cell analysis. A response test was used to confirm the mechanism by which lnc-SELPLG-2:1 sponge hsa-miR-10a-5p promotes the expression of BTRC to regulate osteosarcoma. RESULTS: Lnc-SELPLG-2:1 was highly expressed in osteosarcoma compared to normal cells and bone and marrow samples. Inhibition of lnc-SELPLG-2:1 accelerated cell apoptosis and suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas lnc-SELPLG-2:1 overexpression had the opposite effect. Moreover, inhibiting lnc-SELPLG-2:1 in an in vivo model decreased tumor size and suppressed the expression of cell migration-related proteins. The prediction, dual luciferase assay, and response test results indicated that hsa-miR-10-5p and BTRC were involved in the lnc-SELPLG-2:1 cascade. Unlike lnc-SELPLG-2:1, hsa-hsa-miR-10a-5p had opposite expression and function. Competitive binding of lnc-SELPLG-2:1 to hsa-hsa-miR-10a-5p prevented BTRC from miRNA-mediated degradation, thereby activating the expression of VIM, MMP9, and MMP2, promoting osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and inhibiting apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Lnc-SELPLG-2:1 is an oncogenesis activator in osteosarcoma, and its functions are performed via hsa-miR-10a-5p /BTRC cascade.

Associations of CD34, Ki67, layer of invasion and clinical pathological characteristics, prognosis outcomes in gastrointestinal stromal tumors-a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is the most common interstitial tumor of the digestive tract. GIST, like other malignancies, can recur, metastasize, and even metastasize to the brain, leading to death. Therefore, the prevention and treatment of GIST is very important. The clinical features of GIST are uniquely different to those of other common malignancies. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the relationship between the pathological features and prognosis of GIST to strengthen the prevention and treatment of GIST. The objectives of this study were to study the clinical features of Ki67, Cluster Differentiation 34 (CD34), and their correlations in the Jianghuai region of China in recent years, and to analyze their relationship with prognosis. Methods: A total of 423 cases of GIST in Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital in Yangzhou from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The data of CD34, Ki67 and layer of invasion was collected, and their associations with the clinical pathological characteristics, prognosis outcomes of GIST were studied. CD34 and Ki67 were tested by immunohistochemistry (IHC) And data was analyzed by chi-square test, t-test, Kaplan-Meier (KM) method survival curve, Log-rank test, and Cox regression. Results: The results showed that CD34 was associated with the clinical features of primary site, tumor size, risk, recurrence, and progression-free survival (PFS) (P<0.001, =0.01, <0.001, =0.039 and =0.018), but not with nuclear division or overall survival (OS) (P>0.05). Further, Ki67 was associated with nuclear division, tumor size, risk, recurrence, and PFS (P<0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001 and <0.001), but there was no significant correlation with the primary site and CD34 (P>0.05), and Ki67 was associated with OS, but there was no statistical significance (P=0.0507). The layer of invasion was associated with the primary site, nuclear division, tumor size, risk, CD34, smooth muscle actin (SMA), recurrence, Ki67, and PFS (P<0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001, <0.001 and =0.0025), but not with OS (P=0.6680). Conclusions: CD34, Ki67, and layer of invasion may play important roles in the occurrence and development of GIST, affecting the prognosis of GIST.

Levels and Significance of Tumor Markers and Cytokines in Serum and Peritoneal Lavage Fluid of Patients with Peritoneal Metastasis of Gastric Cancer.

The paper is written to investigate the levels and significance of tumor markers [carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9)] and cytokines [interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-4, and IL-2] in serum and peritoneal lavage fluid of patients with peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. For this research, 145 patients with gastric cancer treated in our hospital were divided into peritoneal metastasis group (n = 25), other metastasis group (n = 32), and nonmetastasis group (n = 88) according to the occurrence of metastasis. At the same time, the levels of serum tumor markers and cytokines and tumor markers and cytokines in intraoperative peritoneal lavage fluid were compared among the three groups. The results showed that the proportion of TNM stage III in peritoneal metastasis group and other metastasis group was 68.00% and 62.50%, respectively, and the proportion of tumor >5 cm was 64.00% and 59.38%, respectively, which was significantly higher than that in the control group. The 1-year survival rate of peritoneal metastasis group and other metastasis group was 44.00% and 40.63%, respectively, which was significantly lower than that of nonmetastasis group (P < 0.05).The serum levels of CEA, CA125, CA19-9, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-2 in peritoneal metastasis group and other metastasis group were higher than those in nonmetastasis group. The intraoperative peritoneal lavage fluid CEA, CA125, and IL-6 were 13.41 ± 3.72 ng/ml, 8.97 ± 1.33 U/ml, and 1.85 ± 0.44 pg/ml, respectively, which were higher than those in other metastasis groups and nonmetastasis groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the levels of CA19-9, IL-4, and IL-2 in peritoneal lavage fluid among peritoneal metastasis group, other metastasis groups, and nonmetastasis groups (P > 0.05); the areas under the ROC curve of intraoperative peritoneal lavage fluid CEA, CA125, and IL-6 in predicting peritoneal metastasis were 0.850, 0.902, and 0.806, respectively, P < 0.05. Thus, the conclusion is that peritoneal lavage fluid CEA, CA125, and IL-6 have certain application value in predicting and diagnosing peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer, while the other indexes have no application value.

Reduction of Blood Loss by Intra-articular Injection of Tranexamic Acid Combined with Knee and Hip Flexion at 45° During Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the hemostatic effect of intra-articular administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) combined with knee flexion in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Guangzhou, China) from January 2017 to February 2018. The patients were randomized 1:1 to the TXA group (TXA 500 mg into the joint after closure, knee, and hip flexed at 45° for 4 h) or the control group (physiological saline, with limb fully extended). The primary endpoint was postoperative hemoglobin reduction. The postoperative levels of hemoglobin were measured at four time points: 6 h after operation, and on the first, second, and third postoperative days. Calculated blood loss (CBL) at 3 days, transfusion rate, range of motion (ROM), VAS pain score, and knee circumference increment were the secondary endpoints. Ninety-four (47/group) patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Postoperatively, there were statistically significant differences between the TXA and control groups in CBL (791 ± 212 mL vs 1175 ± 273 mL, P < 0.05). Hemoglobin reduction was significantly lower in the TXA group (2.0 ± 0.9 g/dL vs 4.5 ± 0.7 g/dL, P < 0.05). Based on the transfusion criteria, 3 out of 47 (6.4%) patients in the TXA group and 13 out of 47 (27.6%) patients in the control group received blood transfusions (P = 0.006). ROM (90.8° ± 6.2° vs 87.6° ± 6.4°, P = 0.004), VAS pain score (4.1 ± 1.1 vs 4.8 ± 1.3, P = 0.004), and KCI (2.4 ± 0.9 cm vs 3.2 ± 1.0 cm, P = 0.01) were better in the TXA group compared with thecontrols. There was no deep venous thrombosis (DVT), wound infection or other adverse events in either group. In the control group, 2 patients had a fever after blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: Intra-articular injection of TXA combined with knee and hip flexion at 45° can effectively attenuate CBL and hemoglobin reduction during primary TKA, without an additional adverse event.

Hsa_circ_0008934 promotes the proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma cells by targeting miR-145-5p to enhance E2F3 expression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of hsa_circ_0008934 in osteosarcoma and the molecular mechanism involved in the regulation of the occurrence and development of osteosarcoma METHODS: Differentially expressed circRNAs in the osteosarcoma cell lines SaOS2 and MG63 and in the normal human osteoblast cell line hFOB1.19 were identified via next-generation RNA sequencing. The expression and circular morphology of hsa_circ_0008934 were analyzed via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. Proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle progression, migration, and invasion of SaOS2 and MG63 cells with hsa_circ_0008934 silencing or overexpression were assessed using the MTS method, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and the transwell system, respectively. The subcellular distribution of hsa_circ_0008934 was revealed via fluorescence in situ hybridization. The binding of hsa_circ_0008934 with microRNAs was confirmed using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. The oncogenic roles of hsa_circ_0008934 in osteosarcoma were determined using an in vivo tumorigenesis assay with nude mice. qRT-PCR, western blotting, TUNEL assay, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to detect the tumorigenicity of hsa_circ_0008934 in osteosarcoma cells. RESULTS: Many circRNAs were differentially expressed in SaOS2 and MG63 cells than in hFOB1.19 cells. Hsa_circ_0008934 expression was significantly elevated in SaOS2 and MG63 cells. Hsa_circ_0008934 silencing significantly reduced proliferation, enhanced apoptosis, blocked cell cycle progression, and impaired migration and invasion capacities of SaOS2 cells. Opposite cellular alterations were achieved by overexpressing hsa_circ_0008934 in MG63 cells. Hsa_circ_0008934 was mainly distributed in the cytosol and positively regulated E2F3 expression in osteosarcoma cells. In addition, it directly bound with miR-145-5p to repress E2F3 expression and enhanced the tumorigenesis of MG63 cells in nude mice. qRT-PCR revealed that the intracellular injection of hsa_circ_0008934 lentivirus resulted in hsa_circ_0008934 overexpression and miR-145-5p downregulation. Western blotting confirmed that E2F3 was upregulated. Moreover, the TUNEL assay showed that hsa_circ_0008934 overexpression inhibited the apoptosis of tumor cells. IHC detection revealed that the hsa_circ_0008934 overexpression could promote the expression of Ki67 and PCNA. CONCLUSION: Elevated hsa_circ_0008934 expression promotes the proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma cells by sponging miR-145-5p to enhance E2F3 expression.

Patterns and risk factors of peripherally inserted central venous catheter-related symptomatic thrombosis events in patients with malignant tumors receiving chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC)-related thrombosis (PRT) is a serious complication that can lead to interruptions in chemotherapy and other supportive care, as well as increased hospital stay and costs. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the patterns of symptomatic PRT in patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy and their risk factors. METHODS: A retrospective study of 938 PICC patients from our institution between November 2014 and July 2017 was performed. Symptomatic PRT events were confirmed by color Doppler ultrasonography or computed tomography pulmonary angiography in the presence of clinical symptoms. The variables of interest were extracted from the electronic medical record system. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the risk factors for PRT. RESULTS: Of the 938 patients who were followed up for more than 120,000 patient-days, 63 patients (6.7%; 0.51 per 1000 catheter-days) had symptomatic PRT. Sixty-one patients were diagnosed with upper extremity venous thrombosis (UEVT), of which 18 were isolated superficial vein thrombosis (SVT), 19 were isolated deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and 24 were extensive venous thrombosis (EVT). Two patients were diagnosed with pulmonary embolism, and two patients were diagnosed with UEVT with pulmonary embolism. The symptomatic SVT occurred in 42 of 938 patients with cancer (4.5%), which accounted for 68.9% of all UEVT events. The median time to PRT was 21 days, and the median time to catheter removal in the PRT group was 66 days as compared with 117 days in the no PRT group. Predictors associated with increased risk of PRT were age >60 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.142; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.118-4.103) and a chemotherapy regimen containing fluorouracil (OR, 2.429; 95% CI, 1.013-5.825). Hypertension with medication was a protective factor for PRT (OR, 0.306; 95% CI, 0.113-0.828). Among the 28 patients who did not remove their PICCs immediately after PRT was diagnosed, patients with SVT, DVT, and EVT had similar success rates of retaining catheters in situ after anticoagulant therapy (SVT, 83.3%; DVT, 62.5%; EVT, 75.0%; P = .667). CONCLUSIONS: Age >60 years and chemotherapy regimens containing fluorouracil were independent risk factors for PRT and hypertension with medication was associated with a lower risk of PRT in patients with cancer with PICCs receiving chemotherapy. PICCs-related SVT was a frequent type of PRT, which might need a better understanding and anticoagulant therapy in patients with cancer with PICCs.

Clinical efficacy of irinotecan plus raltitrexed chemotherapy in refractory esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Our retrospective study assessed the efficacy and safety of irinotecan plus raltitrexed in esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) patients who were previously treated with multiple systemic therapies. Between January 2016 and December 2018, records of 38 ESCC patients who underwent irinotecan plus raltitrexed chemotherapy after at least one line of chemotherapy were reviewed. Efficacy assessment was performed every two cycles according to the RECIST version 1.1. A total of 95 cycles of chemotherapy were administered, and the median course was 3 (range 2-6). There was no treatment-related death. Nine patients had partial response, 21 had stable disease and eight had progressive disease. The overall objective response rate was 23.68% (9/38) and the disease control rate was78.94% (30/38). After a median follow-up of 18.5 months, the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 105 and 221 days, respectively. There were five patients (13.15%) with grade 3/4 leukopenia, three patients (7.89%) with grade 3/4 neutropenia and one patient (2.63%) with grade 3/4 diarrhea. The combination of irinotecan plus raltitrexed was effective for pretreated ESCC patients. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal dose of the two drugs.

EDNRB Reverses Methylprednisolone-Mediated Decrease in Neural Progenitor Cell Viability via Regulating PI3K/Akt Pathway and lncRNA Expression.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the functions and mechanisms of methylprednisolone (MP) through endothelin receptor B (EDNRB) on the cell proliferation of neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to regulate spinal cord injury. METHODS: Primary NPCs were isolated from fetal mice and subjected to treatments with MP and IRL-1620 (EDNRB agonist). The cell viability was determined using the MTS assay. Total RNA was extracted from the cells, and RNA-seq was performed to screen for lncRNAs. The targets of the candidate lncRNAs were predicted by GO and KEGG analyses, and the expressions of lncRNAs were validated via qPCR. Furthermore, protein levels of the PI3K-AKT pathway were determined via Western blotting, and the expression of lncRNAs was detected after inhibiting the pathway with AKT inhibitor. RESULTS: MTS assays revealed that MP decreased the cell viability of NPCs, whereas the EDNRB agonist reversed this effect of MP. NPCs were used for RNA-seq in the following three groups: normal control (NC), MP, and MP combined with EDNRB agonist (MP + EDNRB). Our results suggested that the NONRATT030699.2, NONRATT004088.2, and NONRATT005601.2 lncRNAs might be involved in the signaling pathway that is correlated to MP and the EDNRB agonist. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed that this was the PI3K/AKT pathway. The relevant genes involved in the pathway were validated by Western blotting. The EDNRB agonist promoted cell proliferation mainly via the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway; however, it suppressed the expression of p-ERK, thereby increasing the expression of cyclin D1 and attenuating the effect of MP in suppressing cell proliferation. Meanwhile, after the AKT signal pathway was inhibited, these lncRNA expressions were consistent with those in the MP + EDNRB group. CONCLUSION: MP inhibits NPC proliferation, whereas EDNRB activation reverses the effect of MP via lncRNA.

Extramedullary leukemia behaving as solid cancer: clinical, histologic, and genetic clues to chemoresistance in organ sites.

Recent studies of leukemic tumors in individual extramedullary sites showed they adopt the clinical and metastatic behavior of solid cancers originating in those sites. To elucidate features of leukemic tumors that render them resistant to agents effective against marrow leukemia, we analyzed a series of AML breast tumors by histology, immunohistochemistry, and RNA sequencing. Striking histologic similarities to solid cancers were found: a single-filing architectural pattern virtually identical to that of invasive lobular breast carcinoma and dense desmoplastic keloid-like fibrosis similar to colon, gallbladder, and pancreas carcinomas. Sequencing found 2157 genes significantly downregulated in AML breast tumors compared to normal breast. Comparison to triple-negative breast cancer found 859 genes similarly downregulated. At least 30 of these genes have been associated with poor prognosis in breast cancers. Five were reported in AML marrow studies to correlate with poor prognosis. The findings of this pilot study suggest the seed-and-soil interaction recognized in solid cancer growth may help explain how leukemic cells, in some patients, adopt solid tumor behavior in non-marrow sites. Transformed cells that metastasize from tumor to marrow can impart chemoresistance and be an unrecognized cause of treatment failure and death. Further studies comparing leukemic tumor to simultaneous marrow could potentially identify biomarkers that predict extramedullary resistance and lead to new therapeutic targets. Recognizing the potential for leukemia to adopt solid tumor phenotype, and implementation of body scanning and ablative tumor treatment, could decrease the persistently high rates of marrow resistance and treatment failure.

Age-dependent nigral dopaminergic neurodegeneration and α-synuclein accumulation in RGS6-deficient mice.

Parkinson's is primarily a non-familial, age-related disorder caused by α-synuclein accumulation and the progressive loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR)-cAMP signaling has been linked to a reduction in human Parkinson's incidence and α-synuclein expression. Neuronal cAMP levels are controlled by GPCRs coupled to Gs or Gi/o, which increase or decrease cAMP, respectively. Regulator of G protein signaling 6 (RGS6) powerfully inhibits Gi/o signaling. Therefore, we hypothesized that RGS6 suppresses D2 autoreceptor- Gi/o signaling in SNc dopamine neurons promoting neuronal survival and reducing α-synuclein expression. Here we provide novel evidence that RGS6 critically suppresses late-age-onset SNc dopamine neuron loss and α-synuclein accumulation. RGS6 is restrictively expressed in human SNc dopamine neurons and, despite their loss in Parkinson's, all surviving neurons express RGS6. RGS6-/- mice exhibit hyperactive D2 autoreceptors with reduced cAMP signaling in SNc dopamine neurons. Importantly, RGS6-/- mice recapitulate key sporadic Parkinson's hallmarks, including: SNc dopamine neuron loss, reduced nigrostriatal dopamine, motor deficits, and α-synuclein accumulation. To our knowledge, Rgs6 is the only gene whose loss phenocopies these features of human Parkinson's. Therefore, RGS6 is a key regulator of D2R-Gi/o signaling in SNc dopamine neurons, protecting against Parkinson's neurodegeneration and α-synuclein accumulation.

MicroRNA-365 suppresses cell growth and invasion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by modulating phosphoserine aminotransferase 1.

BACKGROUND: A number of studies have indicated that expression of miRNA-365 (miR-365) is suppressed in various cancers, suggesting its cancer-suppressive role. In the present investigation, we evaluated the regulation and character of miR-365 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The tumor tissues and adjacent nontumor tissue samples were collected from 30 patients having ESCC, and the expression levels of miR-365 were studied by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MTT and cell invasion by Matrigel assay were done to study the effect of miR-365 on proliferation and metastasis of ESCC cells. An in vivo tumor model was generated by inoculating ESCC cells subcutaneously into BALB nude mice. A study of various biomarkers such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), luciferase activity assay, and Western blot was done to confirm the targets of miR-365. RESULTS: In tumor tissues, a significant downregulation of miR-365 was observed versus the nontumor adjacent tissues and ESCC cells versus the selected esophageal endothelial cells. It was observed that higher expression levels of miR-365 inhibited the cell invasion, colony formation, growth in esophageal cancer cell lines in vitro, and tumor development in vivo. The study of biomarkers suggests involvement of phosphoserine aminotransferase 1 (PSAT1) as a favorable target for miR-365, and its abnormal expression inverted the miR-365-arbitrated suppression of invasion, viability, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in esophageal cancer cells. A negative correlation existed with expression of miR-365 and PSAT1 in human esophageal cancer tissue samples. CONCLUSION: The study established that miR-365 exhibits tumor-suppressive action via regulating the levels of PSAT1 and leads to invasion and progressiveness of esophageal cancer.

What is the optimal radiation dose for non-operable esophageal cancer? Dissecting the evidence in a meta-analysis.

The standard radiation dose 50.4 Gy with concurrent chemotherapy for localized inoperable esophageal cancer as supported by INT-0123 trail is now being challenged since a radiation dose above 50 Gy has been successfully administered with an observable dose-response relationship and insignificant untoward effects. Therefore, to ascertain the treatment benefits of different radiation doses, we performed a meta-analysis with 18 relative publications. According to our findings, a dose between 50 and 70 Gy appears optimal and patients who received ≥ 60 Gy radiation had a significantly better prognosis (pooled HR = 0.78, P = 0.004) as compared with < 60 Gy, especially in Asian countries (pooled HR = 0.75, P = 0.003). However, contradictory results of treatment benefit for ≥ 60 Gy were observed in two studies from Western countries, and the pooled treatment benefit of ≥ 60 Gy radiation was inconclusive (pooled HR = 0.86, P = 0.64). There was a marginal benefit in locoregional control in those treated with high dose (> 50.4/51 Gy) radiation when compared with those treated with low dose (≤ 50.4/51 Gy) radiation (pooled OR = 0.71, P = 0.06). Patients that received ≥ 60 Gy radiation had better locoregional control (OR = 0.29, P = 0.001), and for distant metastasis control, neither the > 50.4 Gy nor the ≥ 60 Gy treated group had any treatment benefit as compared to the groups that received ≤ 50.4 Gy and < 60 Gy group respectively. Taken together, a dose range of 50 to 70 Gy radiation with CCRT is recommended for non-operable EC patients. A dose of ≥ 60 Gy appears to be better in improving overall survival and locoregional control, especially in Asian countries, while the benefit of ≥ 60 Gy radiation in Western countries still remains controversial.

Essentiality of Regulator of G Protein Signaling 6 and Oxidized Ca2+/Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase II in Notch Signaling and Cardiovascular Development.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart defects are the most common birth defects worldwide. Although defective Notch signaling is the major cause of mouse embryonic death from cardiovascular defects, how Notch signaling is regulated during embryonic vasculogenesis and heart development is poorly understood. METHODS AND RESULTS: Regulator of G protein signaling 6 (RGS6)-/-/Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)VV double mutant mice were developed by crossing RGS6-/- mice with mice expressing an oxidation-resistant CaMKIIδ (CaMKIIVV), and the resulting embryonic defects/lethality were investigated using E7.5 to E15.5 embryos. While loss of either RGS6 or oxidized CaMKIIδ does not alter embryogenesis, their combined loss causes defective Notch signaling, severe cardiovascular defects, and embryonic lethality (≈E10.5-11.5). Embryos lacking RGS6 and expressing oxidation-resistant CaMKIIδ exhibit reduced myocardial wall thickness, abnormal trabeculation, and arterial specification defects. Double mutants show vascular remodeling defects, including reduced neurovascularization, delayed neural tube maturation, and small dorsal aortae. These striking cardiovascular defects were accompanied by placental and yolk sac defects in angiogenesis, hematopoiesis, and vascular remodeling similar to what is seen with defective Notch1 signaling. Double mutant hearts, embryos, and yolk sacs exhibit profound downregulation of Notch1, Jagged 1, and Notch downstream target genes Hey1, Hey2, and Hey1L as well as impaired Notch1 signaling in embryos/hearts. CONCLUSIONS: RGS6 and oxidized CaMKIIδ together function as novel critical upstream modulators of Notch signaling required for normal cardiovascular development and embryo survival. Their combined need indicates that they function in parallel pathways needed for Notch1 signaling in yolk sac, placenta and embryos. Thus, dysregulated embryonic RGS6 expression and oxidative activation of CaMKII may potentially contribute to congenital heart defects.

Snail Enhances Glycolysis in the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Process by Targeting FBP1 in Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Snail is a key regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer. However, the regulatory role and underlying mechanisms of Snail in gastric cancer metabolism are unknown. In this study, we characterized the regulation of aerobic glycolysis by Snail in gastric cancer. METHODS: The impact of Snail on glucose metabolism was studied in vitro. Combining maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), which was obtained preoperatively via a PET/CT scan, with immunohistochemistry staining, we further analyzed the correlation between SUVmax and Snail expression in gastric cancer tissues. RESULTS: Increased expression of Snail promoted lactate production, glucose utilization, and decreased FBP1 expression at both mRNA and protein level. The expression level of Snail was positively associated with SUVmax in gastric cancer patients (P=0.022). Snail and FBP1 expression were inversely correlated at both mRNA and protein level (P=0.002 and P=0.015 respectively) in gastric cancer tissues. Further studies demonstrated that Snail inhibited the FBP1 gene expression at the transcriptional level. Restoring FBP1 expression reversed the effects of glycolysis and EMT induced by Snail in gastric cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results thus reveal that Snail serves as a positive regulator of glucose metabolism through regulation of the FBP1 in gastric cancer. Disrupting the Snail-FBP1 signaling axis may be effective to prevent primary tumor EMT and glycolysis process.