[Analysis on the ultrasonic characteristics of tonsillar lymphoma].

Objective: To analyze the ultrasonic features of tonsillar lymphoma to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Methods: The clinical, pathological and ultrasonic data of nine patients with tonsillar lymphoma confirmed by pathology at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital during June 2015 and June 2022 were analyzed retrospectively, and the characteristics of their ultrasonic images were summarized. Results: All 9 cases of tonsil lymphoma were unilateral tonsil disease, including 4 cases on the left side and 5 cases on the right side. The average maximum diameter of tonsil lymphoma in 9 cases was 4.32 cm. There were 3 cases with simultaneous involvement of tonsil and cervical lymph nodes, all of which were ipsilateral lymph nodes. Gray scale ultrasound showed that the lesions were hypoechoic, with clear boundaries in 7 cases and unclear boundaries in 2 cases. The shape was full and irregular in 5 cases and oval in 4 cases. The echo was uniform in 7 cases and uneven in 2 cases. Color Doppler ultrasonography showed abundant internal blood flow signal in 1 case, a little dotted linear internal blood flow signal in 5 cases, and no obvious internal blood flow signal in 3 cases. Conclusions: The ultrasonic features of tonsillar lymphoma include hypoechoic area, clear boundary, full shape, irregular and uniform internal echo, no or low linear signal of internal blood flow. Ultrasonography is of great value in the diagnosis of this disease and can help clinical decision-making.

[Pathological features of early gastric cancer and its background mucosa after eradication of Helicobacter pylori and their implications for biopsy diagnosis].

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological changes of early gastric cancer, especially its background mucosa, after the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and to investigate the causes of underdiagnosis in preoperative biopsy pathology. Methods: Ninety cases of early gastric cancer after H. pylori eradication and 120 cases of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) specimens without H. pylori eradication and their corresponding biopsy specimens were collected from Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University during 2016-2021. The clinicopathological data of the patients were analyzed, and the histopathological characteristics and immunophenotypic results compared. Results: Compared with the early gastric cancer without H. pylori eradication history, the histopathological type of early gastric cancer after H. pylori eradication was differentiated adenocarcinoma, with staggered distribution of cancerous and non-cancerous epithelium in the tumor area. The morphologic characteristics of gastric mucosa in the background of early gastric cancer after H. pylori eradication, were distinctive, including widening of the opening of enterosylated glandular ducts, serrated change of luminal margin, eosinophilic and microvesicular cytoplasm of enterosylated epithelium. Low-grade atypia existed in gastric cancer epithelial cells after sterilization, which might lead to underdiagnosis or missed diagnosis in biopsy pathology. Conclusions: Early gastric cancer and its background mucosa after H. pylori eradication have unique morphological characteristics, which can be used as a clue for pathological diagnosis, improve the accuracy of biopsy pathology and reduce the underdiagnosis.

Standard diffusion-weighted, intravoxel incoherent motion, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of musculoskeletal tumours: correlations with Ki67 proliferation status.

AIM: To determine whether quantitative parameters derived from conventional diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) correlate with the Ki67 proliferation status in musculoskeletal tumours. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with musculoskeletal tumours diagnosed via surgical specimen histological analysis who underwent standard DWI, IVIM, and DCE were reviewed retrospectively. The mean standard DWI (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), IVIM (pure diffusion coefficient [D], pseudo-diffusion coefficient [D∗] and perfusion fraction [ƒ]), and DCE (volume transfer constant [Ktrans], rate constant [Kep], and extravascular extracellular volume fraction [Ve]) parameters were measured and correlated with the Ki67 index. The Ki67 value was categorised as high (>20%) or low (≤20%). RESULTS: The ADC and D values correlated negatively with the Ki67 index (r=-0.711∼-0.699, p<0.001), whereas the Ktrans and Kep values correlated positively with the Ki67 index (r=0.389-0.434, p=0.021, 0.041). The ADC and D values were lower (p<0.001), whereas the Ktrans and Kep values were higher (p=0.011, 0.005) in musculoskeletal tumours with a high Ki67 status than in those in a low status. The ADC and D demonstrated the largest area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC = 0.953), which is statistically bigger than the AUC of Ktrans and Kep (0.784 and 0.802, respectively). CONCLUSION: ADC, D, Ktrans, and Kep correlate with the Ki67 index. ADC and D are the strongest quantitative parameters for predicting Ki67 status.

The olfactory subgenome and specific odor recognition in forest musk deer.

Olfactory receptors (ORs) are encoded by OR genes. The OR genes in forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii), which rely on olfaction for reproductive and social communication, are poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed the genome sequence of the forest musk deer to obtain its olfactory subgenome and compared it to other species. A total of 1378 OR-related sequences were detected in the forest musk deer genome including 864 functional genes, 366 pseudogenes and 148 partial genes. These OR genes were classified into Class I and Class II and were further classified into 18 families and 244 subfamilies through sequence identity. Comparative analyses of the OR genes' protein sequences in species from different orders (forest musk deer, human, mouse and dog) showed that 12 clusters were specific to forest musk deer. However, when compared to other Artiodactyl species (i.e. cattle, yak and pig) only two clusters were specific to forest musk deer. The odor identification potential of the OR genes in the forest musk deer was focused mainly on floral, woody, lemon, sweet and fatty odors. We also found that OR genes specific to forest musk deer were involved in the identification of spearmint and caraway. Our work is the first genome-wide analysis of OR genes in forest musk deer. These findings will assist with better understanding the relationship between behavior and olfaction in the forest musk deer and the characteristics of the olfactory subgenome in Artiodactyl mammals.

Biological effects and clinical application of negative pressure wound therapy: a review.

Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) has shown great advantages in the management of a wide range of clinical problems such as wound or chronic wound healing; open wounds with exposed bone, nerve, or tendon; and orthopaedic implants and related infection in the orthopaedics field. Even though it has shown positive efficacy in treating infection (wound infection or orthopaedic implant infection), its molecular mechanisms of action remain unclear and require further exploration. Since NPWT is widely used in the clinical setting, a comprehensive understanding of its biological effect will assist in appropriate clinical application. This review summarises the biological effect of NPWT on bacteria and cell growth as well as the possible mechanisms associated with NPWT applied in wound healing. We also highlight novel antibacterial dressings for NPWT. PubMed, and Web of Science database searches were conducted. Several search terms were used including negative pressure wound therapy, bacterial growth, growth factor, wound healing, dressing. All databases were searched from inception to 2015, references that lacked original resarch were eliminated.

Comparative outcomes for three-dimensional conformal versus intensity-modulated radiation therapy for esophageal cancer.

Emerging data suggests a benefit for using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for the management of esophageal cancer. We retrospectively reviewed patients treated at our institution who received definitive or preoperative chemoradiation with either IMRT or 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) between October 2000 and January 2012. Kaplan Meier analysis and the Cox proportional hazard model were used to evaluate survival outcomes. We evaluated a total of 232 patients (138 IMRT, 94 3DCRT) who received a median dose of 50.4 Gy (range, 44-64.8) to gross disease. Median follow up for all patients, IMRT patients alone, and 3DCRT patients alone was 18.5 (range, 2.5-124.2), 16.5 (range, 3-59), and 25.9 months (range, 2.5-124.2), respectively. We observed no significant difference based on radiation technique (3DCRT vs. IMRT) with respect to median overall survival (OS) (median 29 vs. 32 months; P = 0.74) or median relapse free survival (median 20 vs. 25 months; P = 0.66). On multivariable analysis (MVA), surgical resection resulted in improved OS (HR 0.444; P < 0.0001). Superior OS was also associated on MVA with stage I/II disease (HR 0.523; P = 0.010) and tumor length ≤5 cm (HR 0.567; P = 0.006). IMRT was also associated on univariate analysis with a significant decrease in acute weight loss (mean 6% + 4.3% vs 9% + 7.4%, P = 0.012) and on MVA with a decrease in objective grade ≥3 toxicity, defined as any hospitalization, feeding tube, or >20% weight loss (OR 0.51; P = 0.050). Our data suggest that while IMRT-based chemoradiation for esophageal cancer does not impact survival there was significantly less toxicity. In the IMRT group there was significant decrease in weight loss and grade ≥3 toxicity compared to 3DCRT.

Saikosaponin A mitigates the progression of Parkinson's disease via attenuating microglial neuroinflammation through TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Neuroinflammation caused by excessive microglial cell activation and the subsequent death of dopaminergic neurons plays a role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Saikosaponin A (Ssa), a triterpene saponin derived from Radix Bupleuri, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. This research aimed to investigate whether Ssa has a therapeutic effect on PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BV2 microglia- and SH-SY5Y cells were treated with a neurotoxin N-methyl-4- phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and Ssa. Cell viability, apoptosis, inflammatory reactions, and expression levels of oxidative stress mediators were assessed. A PD rat model was created by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), followed by the Ssa treatment. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, Nissl staining, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect neuronal apoptosis and microglial activation. Open-field test (OFT) was performed to evaluate the locomotion of the rats. The underlying mechanism of Ssa effect in PD was explored using network pharmacology analysis and verified experimentally. RESULTS: Ssa dampened neuronal apoptosis and had anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress proprieties in MPP+-treated SH-SY5Y cells and BV2 microglia. As shown in in-vivo experiments, Ssa reduced MPTP-mediated neuronal apoptosis and motor dysfunction and lowered the expression of inflammatory factors and oxidative stressors in the substantia nigra (SN) of the PD rat. Additionally, Ssa inactivated the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the first evidence that Ssa prevents dopaminergic neurodegeneration caused by microglia activation by modulating the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB axis.

Limbal fibroblast conditioned media: a non-invasive treatment for limbal stem cell deficiency.

PURPOSE: Limbal fibroblasts are known to regulate the maintenance and differentiation of the corneal epithelium including the limbal epithelial stem cells. This study examined the effect of limbal fibroblast conditioned media in a mouse model of limbal stem cell deficiency. METHODS: Limbal stem cell deficiency was created in C57/Bl6 mice by performing a limbus to limbus epithelial debridement. The mice were treated topically for 3 weeks with conditioned media derived from human limbal fibroblasts. The control mice were treated with skin fibroblast conditioned media or Dulbecco's serum-free medium. RESULTS: The mice treated with limbal fibroblast conditioned media demonstrated substantial growth of corneal type epithelial cells on the corneal surface with less conjunctival goblet cells. By contrast, the control treated corneas were found to be covered primarily by conjunctival type epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Cell culture media conditioned by limbal fibroblasts appear to contain factor(s) that are therapeutically beneficial in a model of limbal stem cell deficiency. The current results further support the notion that the essential limbal stem cell niche is provided by limbal fibroblasts and suggest a new, non-invasive option in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency.

Anatomic localization of motor entry points and accurate regions for botulinum toxin injection in the flexor digitorum superficialis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the motor entry points (MEPs) and the precise intramuscular nerve distribution of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) and to provide accurate injection regions for botulinum toxin. METHODS: This study was performed on 46 fresh cadaveric arms with exposed intramuscular innervation of the FDS. For each main motor branch of the FDS, MEPs, where the nerve branch first pierced the muscle belly, and the proximal and distal limit points (PLPs and DLPs, respectively) of the terminal intramuscular nerve endings were located. These data were expressed as relative percentages and absolute distances in relation to the coordinate system, which defined the line between medial and lateral epicondyle of the humerus (ME and LE, respectively) as y-axis and the midpoint of ME and LE as origin. MEP distributions were analyzed using distances measured in tenths of the x and y axes. RESULTS: Two main branches innervated the FDS in 27 cases, the distal main branches of the FDS were classified into three types by origin. For proximal main branches, MEPs were located at x = 19.7% and y = 18.5%, whereas PLPs were located at x = 16.4%, and DLPs were located at x = 37.7%. For distal main branches, corresponding values were 31.6, 5.5, 50.9, and 73.1%. CONCLUSIONS: The parameters provided by this study should increase the efficacy and precision of neuromuscular botulinum toxin blockades administered to treat finger spasticity.

Isolation and characterization of twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci in the buff-throated partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii).

Twelve polymorphic microsatellite markers were isolated from an AC-enriched genomic library of Buff-throated partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii). The allele number of these loci ranged from three to 13 (average 7.75 per locus) in tested individuals. Polymorphism information content ranged from 0.532 to 0.882 with an average of 0.721. Average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.559 (range from 0.240 to 0.792) and 0.772 (range from 0.621 to 0.910), respectively. These microsatellite markers will be useful for the assessment of genetic diversity, relatedness identification of family and analysis of population structure in wild buff-throated partridge.

[Isolation and characterization of twenty-one polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana)].

Twenty-one microsatellite loci were isolated from AC-enriched library of Tibetan macaque (Macaca thibetana). The number of alleles at the 21 microsatellite loci ranged from 8 to 15, with an average of 12.2 per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.805 to 0.910 with an average of 0.873. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.208 to 0.792 and from 0.843 to 0.938, respectively. These microsatellite loci will be useful for future studies that relate to the genetic diversity and population structure of Tibetan macaque.

Genetic diversity of captive forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) inferred from the mitochondrial DNA control region.

Forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) were once distributed widely in China. However, wild populations have declined dramatically because of poaching and habitat loss. Captive breeding populations have been established for several decades, but the genetic backgrounds of most captive populations were unclear and the population sizes increased very slowly. To provide useful information for conservation and management of this species, we investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of forest musk deer by analysing a 582-bp fragment of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CR) in three captive breeding populations in Sichuan Province, China. Ninety-four variable sites and 27 haplotypes were observed in 109 individuals, and the nucleotide and haplotype diversities were relatively high compared with those of other endangered mammals. Of the three investigated populations, the Maerkang population had the highest nucleotide diversity (pi=0.0568), haplotype diversity (h=0.836) and average intra-population genetic distance (0.062). The analysis of molecular variance demonstrated that most variation occurred within samples and that there was significant differentiation of the three populations. Estimates of gene flow indicated that there were few genetic exchanges among the three populations. Building pedigree records and increasing gene flow between populations will be helpful for conserving these populations and this species.

Correlation of serum vitamin A, D, and E with recurrent respiratory infection in children.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation of serum vitamin A, D, and E levels with a recurrent respiratory infection (RRI) in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 422 children with RRI (a study group) in Cangzhou Central Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed (the study group was divided into an active group and a stable group). Further 100 healthy children who underwent physical examination at the same time were enrolled as a control group. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to determine vitamin A, D, and E levels, so as to analyze their differences between the groups. RESULTS: Vitamin A, D, and E in the active and stable groups were significantly lower than those in the control group (p < 0.001); in the active group they were significantly lower than those in the stable group (p < 0.001). According to partial correlation analysis, in children with active RRI, vitamin A was respectively positively correlated with vitamin D (r=0.945, p < 0.001), and vitamin E (r=0.988, p < 0.001). Moreover, vitamin E was positively correlated with vitamin D (r=0.959, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The deficiency of vitamin A, D, and E is positively correlated with the disease activity of children with RRI. Therefore, the supplement of vitamin A, D, and E through dietary adjustment is beneficial to the rehabilitation of the children.

Down-regulation of Notch signaling during corneal epithelial proliferation.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the expression and activation of Notch pathway genes in the adult human and murine corneal epithelium during proliferation. METHODS: The expression of Notch pathway genes in the limbal and central human corneal epithelium was compared by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Their expression pattern was examined by immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization. The temporal expression of Notch1 during murine wound healing was assessed by RT-PCR. Notch activity was determined using western blot for the Notch intracellular domain (NotchIC). The expression of Hes1 was evaluated in cell culture. RESULTS: The expression of Notch1 and Jagged1 was higher in the human limbal epithelium while the expression of Hes1 and Hes5 was higher in the central cornea. Expression of Notch1, Jagged1, and Hes1 was found predominantly in the basal and immediate suprabasal cells. During neonatal corneal development, NotchIC was detected in occasional cells at P10 while at P15 and P90, it was found in the basal and early suprabasal layers. NotchIC was found to be lower in the limbal compared to central corneal epithelium. The expression of Notch1 was lower at 24 h post-wounding but was completely restored in six days. The levels of NotchIC were decreased at 24 h post-wounding and after application of topical phorbol myristate. In vitro, the expression of Hes1 was higher in confluent cells maintained under high calcium conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The inverse correlation between Notch signaling and the proliferative status of the corneal epithelium is consistent with the idea that Notch plays a role in corneal epithelial differentiation.

Identifying quantitative trait loci for resistance to Sclerotinia head rot in two USDA sunflower germplasms.

Sclerotinia head rot is a major disease of sunflower in the world, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping could facilitate understanding of the genetic basis of head rot resistance and breeding in sunflower. One hundred twenty-three F2:3 and F2:4 families from a cross between HA 441 and RHA 439 were studied. The mapping population was evaluated for disease resistance in three field experiments in a randomized complete block design with two replicates. Disease incidence (DI) and disease severity (DS) were assessed. A genetic map with 180 target region amplification polymorphism, 32 simple sequence repeats, 11 insertion-deletion, and 2 morphological markers was constructed. Nine DI and seven DS QTL were identified with each QTL explaining 8.4 to 34.5% of phenotypic variance, suggesting the polygenic basis of the resistance to head rot. Five of these QTL were identified in more than one experiment, and each QTL explained more than 12.9% of phenotypic variance. These QTL could be useful in sunflower breeding. Although a positive correlation existed between the two disease indices, most of the respective QTL were located in different chromosomal regions, suggesting a different genetic basis for the two indices.

The synthesis of glycosaminoglycans by cultures of corneal stromal cells from patients with keratoconus.

Keratoconus is a disease that results in thinning and ectasia of the central cornea. Cultures of corneal stromal cells from patients with keratoconus were established and the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans compared with the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans by normal human corneal stromal cells in culture. Keratoconus and normal control cell cultures were incubated with sodium [(35)S]sulfate and [(3)H]glucosamine for 4 h. After incubation, the labeled glycosaminoglycans were isolated from the medium fractions and cells. Keratoconus and normal control cultures synthesized similar amounts of sulfated glycosaminoglycans independent of the age of donors and(or) the number of subcultures. In contrast to normal control cultures, most of the newly synthesized glycosaminoglycans produced by keratoconus cells were found in the growth medium and much less were in the cell layer. Treatment with glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes followed by paper chromatography showed that keratoconus cells, as normal control cells, produced hyaluronic acid and various sulfated glycosaminoglycans. The production of cell layer-related heparan sulfate was markedly reduced in keratoconus cultures. Because heparan sulfate has been shown to be associated with cell surfaces, the decreased heparan sulfate content could reflect changes at this location.

A novel type of splicing enhancer regulating adenovirus pre-mRNA splicing.

Splicing of the adenovirus IIIa pre-mRNA is subjected to a temporal regulation, such that efficient IIIa 3' splice site usage is confined to the late phase of the infectious cycle. Here we show that IIIa pre-mRNA splicing is activated more than 200-fold in nuclear extracts prepared from late adenovirus-infected cells (Ad-NE) compared to uninfected HeLa cell nuclear extracts (HeLa-NE). In contrast, splicing of the beta-globin pre-mRNA is repressed in Ad-NE. We constructed hybrid pre-mRNAs between IIIa and beta-globin in order to identify the minimal IIIa sequence element conferring enhanced splicing in Ad-NE. Using this approach, we show that the IIIa branch site/pyrimidine tract functions as a Janus element: it blocks splicing in HeLa-NE and functions as a splicing enhancer in Ad-NE. Therefore, we named this sequence the IIIa virus infection-dependent splicing enhancer (3VDE). This element is essential for regulated IIIa pre-mRNA splicing in Ad-NE and sufficient to confer an enhanced splicing phenotype to the beta-globin pre-mRNA in Ad-NE. We further show that the increase in IIIa splicing observed in Ad-NE is not accompanied by a similar increase in U2AF binding to the IIIa pyrimidine tract. This finding suggests that splicing activation by the 3VDE may operate without efficient U2AF interaction with the pre-mRNA. Importantly, this report represents the first description of a splicing enhancer that has evolved to function selectively in the context of a virus infection, a finding that adds a new level at which viruses may subvert the host cell RNA biosynthetic machinery to facilitate their own replication.

[A retrospective study of 54 cases with chronic otitis media prepared for staging tympanoplasty].

Objective:To analyze the clinical effect of 54 cases with chronic otitis media prepared for staging tympanoplasty and 19 cases finished staging ossicular reconstruction surgery, evaluate the advantages of different surgery technique.Method:Fifty-four cases with chronic otitis media were planned for staging tympanoplasty surgery and had been received the first stage surgery. Silicagel plates were placed in the tympanic cavity in order to prevent adhesions. Among them, 19 cases had received the second stage ossicular reconstruction, including 10 cases with TORPs and 9 cases with PORPs. The average air bone gaps (ABG) were measured at four frequencies: 500, 1 000, 2 000 and 4 000 Hz.Result:Among the 54 cases, 45 cases had swollen mucosa in the tympanic cavity and eustachian tube, 18 cases had tympanic fibrous adhesions, and 12 cases had fixed or sclerotic stapes. The preoperative ABG of the 54 cases were (38.26±7.88)dB. As for the 19 cases finished the second stage surgery, their preoperative ABG in the first stage were (39.21±7.05)dB, the preoperative ABG in the second stage were (38.82±11.43)dB, and the postoperative ABG after the second stage were (21.77±11.92)dB. The hearing function after staging tympanoplasty was significantly improved compared with the preoperative hearing in the first and the second stage operation (P< 0.01). In addition, the second stage surgery of three cases was postponed because of a good postoperative hearing with (10.42±10.63)dB ABG after the first stage surgery. Up to now, none of the 54 cases suffered from facial palsy, infection and other complications after surgery.Conclusion:Staging tympanoplasty is an important technique to improving hearing and reducing the complications, especially for the cases with chronic otitis media unsuitable for one stage reconstruction of ossicular chain.

FERMT1 mediates epithelial-mesenchymal transition to promote colon cancer metastasis via modulation of ß-catenin transcriptional activity.

We previously demonstrated that fermitin family member 1 (FERMT1) was significantly overexpressed in colon cancer (CC) and associated with poor metastasis-free survival. This study aimed to investigate the precise role of FERMT1 in CC metastasis and the mechanism by which FERMT1 is involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Correlations between FERMT1 and EMT markers (E-cadherin, Slug, N-cadherin and ß-catenin) were examined via immunohistochemistry in a cohort of CC tissues and adjacent normal colon mucosae. A series of in vitro and in vivo assays were performed to elucidate the function of FERMT1 in CC metastasis and underlying mechanisms. The upregulated expression of FERMT1 in CC tissues correlated positively with that of Slug, N-cadherin and ß-catenin, but correlated inversely with E-cadherin expression. Altered FERMT1 expression led to marked changes in the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT markers of CC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Investigations of underlying mechanisms found that FERMT1 interacted directly with ß-catenin and activated the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway by decreasing the phosphorylation level of ß-catenin, enhancing ß-catenin nuclear translocation and increasing the transcriptional activity of ß-catenin/TCF/LEF. Activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway by CHIR99021 reversed the effect of FERMT1 knockdown, whereas inhibition of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway by XAV939 impaired the effect of FERMT1 overexpression on EMT and cell motility. In conclusion, findings of this study suggest that FERMT1 activates the ß-catenin transcriptional activity to promote EMT in CC metastasis.