[Analysis of the incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in Shandong Province from 2012 to 2022 based on the age-period-cohort model].

Objective: To analyze the trend of incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer and estimate its age-period-cohort effect in Shandong Province from 2012 to 2022. Methods: The Joinpoint regression was used to analyze the trend of incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer and calculate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) based on the data on thyroid cancer from 2012 to 2022. The age-period-cohort model was used to analyze the age-effect, time-effect and cohort-effect of thyroid cancer risk in the population aged over 20 years. Results: From 2012 to 2022, the incidence of thyroid cancer in Shandong province showed a significant upward trend, with an AAPC of 21.68% (95%CI: 19.14%-24.27%, P<0.001). The incidence of females was higher than that of males, and the incidence of urban areas was higher than that of rural areas. The trend of thyroid cancer mortality was relatively stable with an AAPC of -3.04% (95%CI:-8.81%-3.09%, P=0.323). The age effect of incidence increased with age before 60 years old and decreased with age after 60 years old. The incidence peaked in the age group of 55-59. The period effect increased with time. The cohort effect showed that the cohort born before 1957 had a downward trend over time, while the cohort born after 1957 had an upward trend. Conclusion: The incidence of thyroid cancer in Shandong shows a rising trend from 2012 to 2022. Age is an important factor affecting the risk of thyroid cancer. The mortality of thyroid cancer remains stable.

[Summary and analysis of total auricle reconstruction in adult microtia patients].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of auricle reconstruction in adult patients with microtia and summarize the experience. Methods: Clinical data of adult patients with microtia who underwent total auricle reconstruction using the modified Nagata's two stage for microtia reconstruction from June 2016 to June 2021 were analyzed. A total of 41 adult patients (42 ears) with microtia were enrolled, including 30 males and 11 females, with the median age at the time of surgery of 37 years. Autogenous costal cartilage was used as the auricular framework for all patients in this group. The first stage surgery was performed according to the modified Nagata's two stage for microtia reconstruction procedure,cartilage auricular framework carving was performed by different methods according to the ossification state of adult costal cartilage. Six months following the primary operation, ear elevation and cranioauricular angle formation, retroauricular facial flap transfer and medium-thick skin grafting were performed in the second stage. Results: All patients successfully completed two stage operation. During the follow-up of 3 months and 24 months, all the 41 patients were satisfied with the morphology of reconstructed auricle. Conclusion: According to the costal cartilage status of adult patients, different costal cartilage carving techniques can be used for total auricle reconstruction to obtain ideal surgical results.

[Cancer survival during 2012-2018 in cancer registries of Shandong Province].

Objective: To analyze the 5-year cancer relative survival rate in cancer registries of Shandong Province during 2012-2018. Methods: 399 072 new cancer cases were collected in 23 cancer registries in Shandong Province during 2012-2018. All malignant tumors (C00-C97, D45-D47), benign central nervous system tumors (D32-D33), and central nervous system tumors (D42-D43) were registered according to the 10th revision of international classification of diseases (ICD). The survival of cancer patients was obtained by passive and active follow-up. The follow-up date was December 31, 2020. The diagnostic years were divided into three periods: 2012-2014, 2015-2017 and 2018-2020. The 5-year cancer survival rates were calculated by cohort approach, period analysis and hybrid approach, and the survival status of different sex, urban and rural areas, cancer species and age groups were analyzed. Results: The age of 399 072 new cancer cases was (63.5±13.7) years old, with 57.77% (230 538 cases) about male and 32.89% (131 247 cases) from urban. During 2012-2014, 2015-2017 and 2018-2020, the 5-year cancer survival rates in Shandong Province were 32.3%, 34.7% and 40.2%, respectively. In 2018-2020, the first five cancers with survival rates were thyroid cancer (86.0%), breast cancer (78.2%), testicular cancer (75.7%), bladder cancer (70.3%) and uterine cancer (69.2%), and the last five cancers with survival rates were pancreatic cancer (15.5%), liver cancer (16.8%), gallbladder cancer (19.6%), bone cancer (22.7%) and lung cancer (24.4%). The 5-year survival rate for cancer of women (47.8%) was higher than that of men (33.8%), and the rate of urban areas (45.7%) was higher than that of rural areas (37.3%) during 2018-2020. The first five cancers in men were thyroid (87.1%), testicular (75.7%), bladder (70.9%), kidney (65.6%) and prostate (62.8%) cancers, and the last five cancers were pancreatic (14.3%), liver (16.8%), gallbladder (18.2%), bone (19.9%) and lung (21.7%) cancers. The first five cancers in women were thyroid (85.5%), breast (78.0%), uterine (69.2%), bladder (68.8%) and kidney (66.8%) cancers, and the last five cancers were liver (17.2%), pancreatic (17.2%), gallbladder (22.0%), bone (27.2%) and lung (29.1%) cancers. Conclusion: The 5-year cancer survival rate in Shandong Province was on the rise from 2012 to 2018, and the survival rates of different cancers were different.

[Spatio-temporal trend of female breast cancer mortality in Shandong Province from 1970 to 2013].

The mortality of female breast cancer in Shandong Province has increased since the 1970. The differential decomposition analysis found that the slight decline in the crude mortality of breast cancer among women was entirely due to non-demographic factors during the 1970-1990, and the significant increase in the crude mortality was due to a combination of demographic and non-demographic factors since the 1990. The contribution rate of demographic factor has gradually increased from 53.5% in 2004-2005 to 59.5% in 2011-2013, while that of non-demographic factor has decreased from 46.5% to 40.5%. The women aged 45-64 years old were the major population of female breast cancer deaths, accounting for 40%-60% of total breast cancer deaths in different times, and then the mortality in female aged 55-64 years old increased rapidly, with increases of 52.12%, 115.19% and 29.01% in 2011-2013 over the 1970-1974, 1990-1992 and 2004-2005, respectively (Z=-7.342,P<0.001). Compared with 1970-1974, the age-standardized mortality rate of rural women increased by 41.86% in 2011-2013 (Z=-17.933, P<0.001), and that of urban women increased by 18.62% in 2011-2013 (Z=-25.642, P<0.001). The age-standardized mortality rate of breast cancer in urban women was higher than that in rural women in different times (all P<0.05). The spatial scan analysis found that eastern Shandong Province was found to be a sustained high-risk area for death, and other high-risk areas were transferred from north to southwest of Shandong between 1970 and 2013.

[Analysis of the trend and spatial clustering of gastric cancer deaths in Shandong Province from 1970 to 2013].

Objective: To investigate the distribution characteristics and trends of mortality and spatial aggregation of gastric cancer in Shandong Province from 1970 to 2013. Methods: The mortality data of gastric cancer from 1970 to 1974, 1990 to 1992 and 2004 to 2005 were collected from the first, second and third retrospective sampling survey of causes of death in Shandong Province, respectively. The mortality data of gastric cancer from 2011 to 2013 were collected from the all-cause surveillance data of Shandong Province. The crude mortality rate and age-standardized mortality rate were used to describe the death level of gastric cancer. The age-standardized mortality rate of Shandong Province was calculated based on Segi's world standard population, and the age-standardized mortality rate of counties (cities and districts) was calculated based on the Chinese population in 1964.The factors influencing the difference of gastric cancer mortality in different periods were decomposed by using the method of differential decomposition of mortality, and the contributions of population and non-population factors in different periods were estimated.Using ArcGIS 10.2 software, the death level of gastric cancer in different counties (cities and districts) in Shandong province from 1970 to 1974 and 2011 to 2013 were visualized. DeoDa 1.12 software was used for global and local spatial autocorrelation analysis. Results: The crude death rate and age-standardized death rate of gastric cancer in Shandong province increased firstly and then decreased during 1970-2013, and the crude death rate of gastric cancer increased from 18.33/100 000 in 1970-1974 to 28.51/100 000 in 2011-2013. Segi's age-standardized mortality rate for gastric cancer decreased from 20.94 per 100 000 in 1970-1974 to 18.17 per 100 000 in 2011-2013.From 1990 to 1992, from 2004 to 2005 and from 2011 to 2013, the contribution value of non-population factors to the increase of crude gc mortality was 95.59%, 48.45% and -20.57%, respectively, showing a continuous downward trend. The Moran's I index of crude mortality of gastric cancer in Shandong province from 1970 to 1974 and from 2011 to 2013 were 0.77 and 0.57, respectively, and the Moran's I index of age-normalized mortality was 0.75 and 0.44, respectively. Local autocorrelation analysis showed that there were 31 and 19 high aged-mortality areas of gastric cancer in 1970-1974 and 2011-2013 respectively, and 7 overlapping counties (cities and districts), 6 of which were located in Jiaodong area. Conclusion: The crude mortality and age-standardized mortality of gastric cancer in Shandong province increased first and then decreased from 1970 to 2013, and the distribution of gastric cancer mortality had obvious spatial aggregation and changed with time.

[The Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women: the methodology of population-based cohort and baseline characteristics].

Objective: Breast cancer has been the first cancer among women with the incidence increasing gradually. In September 2016, the Breast Cancer Cohort Study in Chinese Women (BCCS-CW) was initiated, aiming to establish a standardized and sharable breast cancer-specific cohort by integrating the existing cohort resource and improving the quality of follow-up. The BCCS-CW may provide a research basis and platform for the precision prevention and treatment of breast cancer in etiology identification, prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis prediction. Methods: We conducted a population-based perspective cohort by questionnaire interview, anthropometry, biological specimens, breast ultrasound and mammography. The cohort was followed by using regional health surveillance and ad hoc survey. Results: Finally, BCCS-CW included 112 118 women, in which 55 419 women completed the standardized investigation and blood specimens were collected from 54 304 women. The mean age of participants was 51.7 years old, 62.7% were overweight or obese, and 48.9% were menopausal. Conclusion: The BCCS-CW will provide population-based cohort resource and research platform for the precise prevention and treatment of breast cancer in Chinese women.

[Spatial clustering analysis and trend of liver cancer death rate in Shandong province, 1970-2013].

Objective: To explore the spatial clustering and trend of liver cancer mortality in different counties of Shandong province from 1970 to 2013, and provide scientific basis for the development of liver cancer prevention and control plan. Methods: Cancer mortality data were obtained from Shandong Death Registration System and three national death cause surveys in China. Mortality rate and age adjusted mortality rate were used to describe the trend of liver cancer in different years. Difference decomposing method was applied to estimate the contribution of demographic and non-demographic factors to the change of mortality. Software ArcGIS 10.2 was used for spatial analysis, and software SaTScan 9.4 was used for spatial clustering analysis on liver cancer mortality. Results: From 2011 to 2013, the crude mortality rate of liver cancer (29.89/100 000) in Shandong increased by 208.00% and 35.37% respectively compared with that during 1970-1974 (9.72/100 000) and 1990-1992 (22.08/100 000) and was similar to that during 2004-2005 (30.44/100 000). While age standardized mortality rate (ASMR) increased first and then decreased. The ASMR during 2011-2013 (12.62/100 000) increased by 60.97% compared with that during 1970-1974 and decreased by 22.38% and 21.81% compared with that during 1990-1992 and 2004-2005, respectively. According to the difference decomposition analysis on liver cancer mortality in different years, the contribution of population factors to the liver cancer mortality rate increased from 3.38% during 1990-1992 to 29.36% during 2004-2005 and 46.16% during 2011-2013. However, the contribution of non-population factors to the increase of liver cancer mortality decreased. According to the spatial distribution of liver cancer mortality, the crude mortality rate of liver cancer in different counties were quite different, ranging from 9.33/100 000 to 65.33/100 000. Using the spatial scanning statistical software to analyze the spatial clustering of liver cancer mortality, multi areas with high mortality rate of liver cancer were found, and they were mainly distributed in Jiaodong peninsula from 2011 to 2013, covering 20 counties (cities, districts) in Qingdao, Yantai and Weihai. The risk of liver cancer mortality in this area was 1.54 times higher than that in other areas. The spatial clustering distribution of liver cancer mortality during 1970-1974 was significantly different from that during 2011-2013, the areas with high mortality rate during 1970-1974 were mainly distributed in central and western Shandong. Conclusions: There were significant temporal and spatial distribution changes in the mortality rate of liver cancer in Shandong from 1970 to 2013. According to these trends and their geographical and spatial distribution, we should further explore the risk factors of liver cancer, and formulate feasible and area specific prevention and control measures for liver cancer.

[Statistical analysis of incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China, 2015].

Objective: To estimate the incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in China in 2015. Methods: The data from 501 cancer registries in China collected by the National Cancer Center were reviewed and evaluated, and the qualified data were included in the final analysis. According to the national population data in 2015, the nationwide incidence and mortality of the prostate cancer were estimated. Chinese standard population in 2000 and world Segi's population were used to calculate the age-standardized (ASR) incidence and mortality rates (ASR China and world, respectively). Results: After data review, the data reported by 368 registries were included in the final analysis, covering a total population of 309 553 499, accounting for 22.52% of the national population at the end of 2015. There were 72 thousand new prostate cancer cases estimated in China in 2015, with a crude incidence rate of 10.23/100 000. The ASR China and ASR world are 6.59/100 000 and 6.47/100 000, respectively, which is the sixth incidence of male malignant tumor.The estimated number of prostate cancer death was 3.07 thousand in China in 2015, with a crude mortality rate of 4.36/100 000; The ASR China and ASR world mortality rates were 2.61/100 000 and 2.65/100 000, respectively, which is the tenth leading cause of death in male malignant tumor.The ASR China incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in males were higher in urban areas (8.40/100 000 and 3.11/100 000) than those in rural areas (4.16/100 000 and 1.90/100 000). The incidence and mortality rates in the eastern areas (8.54/100 000 and 2.99/100 000) were higher than those in the central (5.28/100 000 and 2.34/100 000) and western areas (5.32/100 000 and 2.37/100 000) of China. Conclusions: The incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in China are lower than the global average, but there is an increasing trend. The incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in China have obvious regional differences.

Long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 functions as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-577 to promote malignant development of colorectal cancer.

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "Long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 functions as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-577 to promote malignant development of colorectal cancer, by F.-R. Zhou, Z.-P. Pan, F. Shen, L.-Q. Huang, J.-H. Cui, K. Cai, X.-L. Guo, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (9): 3742-3748-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201905_17800-PMID: 31115000" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/17800.

LINC00662 triggers malignant progression of chordoma by the activation of RNF144B via targeting miR-16-5p.

OBJECTIVE: Chordoma is a rare malignant tumor difficult to diagnose and treat. Long non-coding RNAs acting as novel biomarkers are frequently reported in numerous cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of long intergenic non-coding RNA 00662 (LINC00662) and its associated action mechanisms in chordoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of LINC00662, Ring finger protein 144B (RNF144B), and microRNA-16-5p (miR-16-5p) was detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The protein levels of RNF144B, cell proliferation markers (Cyclin D1 and Ki67), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers (E-cadherin, Vimentin and N-cadherin), and glycolysis markers [glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), hexokinase II (HK2), and lactic dehydrogenase A (LDHA)] were determined by Western blot. Cell proliferation, the number of colonies, migration, and invasion were investigated by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT), colony formation, and transwell assays, respectively. Glycolysis progress was evaluated by the glycolysis stress test, glucose consumption, lactate production, and ATP production. The relationship between miR-16-5p and LINC00662 or RNF144B was predicted by the online bioinformatics tool starBase and verified by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. Xenograft tumor model was established to monitor the role of LINC00662 in vivo. RESULTS: LINC00662 and RNF144B were aberrantly upregulated in chordoma tissues. Knockdown of LINC00662 or RNF144B impeded proliferation, colony formation, invasion, migration, EMT, and glycolysis in chordoma cells. Besides, RNF144B overexpression reversed the role of LINC00662 knockdown. It was confirmed that miR-16-5p was a target of LINC00662, and miR-16-5p could target RNF144B. The relationship between LINC00662 and RNF144B was established by miR-16-5p. In addition, LINC00662 stable knockdown inhibited tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: LINC00662 participated in the malignant progression of chordoma by the promotion of RNF144B by acting as a sponge of miR-16-5p, suggesting that LINC00662 was a promising therapeutic target for chordoma.

[Association between frailty and sleep duration among people aged 50 years and over].

Objective: To investigate the association between sleep duration and frailty among people aged 50 years and over. Methods: Cross-sectional data was collected from the first wave of World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health in China. Frailty index was constructed on the proportion of deficits, out of the 40 variables. A two-level (individual level and community level) linear model was performed to identify the related factors on frailty. All the models were stratified by age, gender, residence (urban/rural). Restricted cubic spline was performed to graphically evaluate the dose-response association between self-reported sleep duration and frailty. Results: A total of 13 175 individuals aged 50 years and over participated in this study. Without adjusting on any confounding factors, shorter or longer sleep duration significantly increased the risk of weakness compared with normal sleep time (OR=2.05, 95%CI: 1.71-2.44; OR=1.35, 95%CI: 1.12-1.63). After adjusting for confounding factors such as gender, age, residence, education, family assets, vegetable, smoking, drinking and physical activity, a positive association between short sleep duration and frailty was noticed compared with normal sleep time (aOR=1.60, 95%CI: 1.27-2.01). The results of stratified analysis on sex, age and urban and rural areas showed that, after adjusting for gender, age, residence, education level, family assets, intake of vegetables and fruits, smoking, drinking and physical activity, only shorter sleep duration was positively correlated with the risk of weakness. In addition, among people aged 65 years and over, adjusted for confounding factors, the risk of weakness increased by 91%, compared with normal sleep time (aOR=1.91, 95%CI: 1.46-2.49). The dose-response curve also showed that the sleep duration and frailty present an approximate "U" shaped relationship. Conclusion: Short sleep duration might be associated with frailty.

MicroRNA-26a regulates cerebral ischemia injury through targeting PTEN.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNA-26a (miR-26a) exhibits diverse functions in different human disease. However, further research is needed to investigate the potential role of miR-26a in cerebral ischemia injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expressions of miR-26a and PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog) were detected via Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) assay. The protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by Western blot assay. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to observe the cell viability of SH-SY5Y cells. The relationship between miR-26a and PTEN was confirmed by Dual-Luciferase assay and human SH-SY5Y cells were treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD)/reperfusion to mimic I/R injury. RESULTS: The expression of miR-26a was increased in the OGDR model. Moreover, upregulation of miR-26a promoted cell viability and inhibited OGDR-induced apoptosis. PTEN was confirmed as a direct target gene for miR-26a. Under OGDR conditions, the expression of PTEN was significantly decreased. Moreover, overexpression of PTEN inhibited cell viability, promoted cell apoptosis and deepened the effect of the OGDR model. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-26a promoted the viability of SH-SY5Y cells and suppressed apoptosis under OGDR conditions by targeting PTEN.

[Trend of mortality and decomposition on malignant tumors in Shandong province, 1970-2013].

Objective: To describe the mortality trend of major malignant tumors in Shandong province, from 1970 to 2013. Methods: Data related to cancer mortality were obtained from the Shandong Death Registration System and three nationwide retrospective cause-of-death surveys. Trends of overall mortality and major causes of death were described using the indicators as: mortality rates and age-standardized mortality rates, through comparing the three large-scale mortality surveys in Shandong province. Difference decomposing method was applied to estimate the contribution of demographic and non-demographic factors for the change of mortality. Results: From 1970 to 2013, the crude mortality rate of malignant tumors in Shandong was increasing. The age standard mortality rate was increasing and then decreasing. The composition of cancer deaths in the all-cause-deaths was seen increasing and then decreasing as well. Both demographic and non-demographic factors contributed to the increase of crude cancer mortality rate. With the gradual increase of the proportion of population, its role exceeded the non-demographic factors. The age-standardized mortality rate of malignant tumors in 2011-2013 was lower than that in 2004-2005. Lung cancer mortality rose from the fifth to the first place, with an increase of 6.81 times from 1970-1974 to 2011-2013. Ranking of gastric cancer mortality dropped from first to the third place, with esophageal cancer dropped from second to the fourth. After adjusted by China's standard population in 1964, the mortality rate of lung cancer was still rapidly increasing, but the age-standardized mortality rates of esophageal cancer was gradually decreasing. The crude and age-standardized mortality rates of cervical cancer showed a rapid downward trend, reduced 87.00% and 93.00% respectively from 1970-1974 to 2011-2013. Conclusions: Malignant tumors were still major threats to the residents of Shandong province. The changing trend of different malignant tumors presented an inconsistent nature which called for different intervention strategies be carried out, accordingly.

Long noncoding RNA DLX6-AS1 functions as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-577 to promote malignant development of colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Recent researches have proved that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the exact role of lncRNA DLX6-AS1 in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC), and to explore the possible mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: DLX6-AS1 expression in CRC tissues was detected by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Function assays were conducted to detect the effect of DLX6-AS1 on the proliferation and metastasis of CRC in vitro. Furthermore, luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay (RIP) were used to explore the underlying mechanism of DLX6-AS1. RESULTS: DLX6-AS1 expression in CRC samples was significantly higher than that of adjacent tissues. Loss of DLX6-AS1 markedly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. Furthermore, luciferase reporter gene assay and RIP assay showed that DLX6-AS1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA via sponging miR-577 in CRC. CONCLUSIONS: DLX6-AS1 could promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC by sponging miR-577, which might offer a potential therapeutic target for CRC.

[The expressions and diagnostic values of miR-18a and miR-21 in esophageal cancer].

Objective: To investigate the expressional levels and diagnostic values of miR-18a and miR-21 in esophageal carcinoma. Methods: The expressions of miR-18a and miR-21 in esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent tissues from 45 esophageal cancer patients, peripheral blood from 45 esophageal cancer patients and 50 healthy donors respectively were detected by RT-PCR. The expressions of miR-18a and miR-21 in normal esophageal epithelial cell HET-1A, esophageal cancer cell lines including ECA109, KYSE150 and TE1 were also detected. Chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to quantitatively detect the concentrations of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC), CYRFA21-1 and TPA (tissue polypeptide antigen) in peripheral blood serum from esophageal cancer patients and healthy controls. Meanwhile, the diagnostic effects of miR-18a and miR-21 on esophageal cancer were compared with those of tumor markers in serum. Results: The expression levels of miR-18a and miR-21 in esophageal cancer cells ECA109, KYSE150 and TE1 were 1.64±0.17, 1.62±0.19, 1.46±0.12 and 20.52±1.48, 6.73±0.73, 1.43±0.19, respectively, higher than those in normal esophageal epithelial cells (both P<0.01). The expressions of miR-18a and miR-21 in esophageal cancer tissues were 32.48±28.62 and 8.67±11.98, respectively, significantly higher than those in adjacent tissues (all P<0.001). The expression levels of miR-18a and miR-21 in peripheral blood of patients with esophageal cancer were 12.66±11.92 and 9.15±8.14, respectively, significantly higher than those in the normal control group (both P<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of miR-18a and miR-21 for diagnosis of esophageal cancer were 0.948 and 0.913 5, respectively. Compared with traditional esophageal tumor markers, the expressions of miR-18a and miR-21 were more sensitive in the diagnosis of esophageal cancer. The sensitivity and accuracy of the expressions of miR-18a and miR-21 combined with traditional esophageal tumor markers in diagnosis of esophageal cancer can be further improved to 97.8% and 68.4%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study reveals that the expressions of miR-18a and miR-21 play important roles in the diagnosis of esophageal cancer and may be potentially novel biomarkers.

[Analysis of mortality and probability of premature death caused by four main non-communicable diseases in Shandong Province, 2015].

Based on the data from Shandong Province death registration system in 2015, the mortality rate was adjusted by the results of underreporting rate investigation, and the probability of premature death of non-communicable diseases was calculated by life table method. A total of 728 287 deaths caused by four main non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, malignant tumor, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease, accounting for 85.83% of the total death in 2015. The death of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and malignant tumor accounted for 50.90% and 25.69% respectively. The probability of premature death was 17.84%. The probability in males was higher than that in females (23.12% vs 12.25%). The highest probability of premature death in urban was cancer, but in rural was cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The probability increased from the East areas to the West. The highest probability reached at 21.50% in the Western underdeveloped areas, and the lowest probability was in Dongying City (14.84%) and Weihai City (14.94%) in the coastal areas.

MiR-128-3p overexpression sensitizes hepatocellular carcinoma cells to sorafenib induced apoptosis through regulating DJ-1.

OBJECTIVE: DJ-1 expression is elevated in a variety of tumors and is related to the survival of tumor cells under adverse stimuli. DJ-1 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) contains the target of miR-128-3p, and the expression of miR-128-3p is decreased in hepatoma cells. Therefore, we speculate and address in this study, that miR-128-3p can regulate DJ-1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and play an important role in HCC cells survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MiR-128-3p and DJ-1 expression in HCC cell lines were measured using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Dual luciferase reporter assay was adopted to confirm the miR-128-3p binding sequences in the 3'-UTR of DJ-1. Sorafenib-induced apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry, and the apoptosis-associated proteins were detected by Western blot analysis. Overexpression of miR-128-3p and DJ-1 were achieved via transfection with miR-128-3p mimic and DJ-1 plasmid, respectively. RESULTS: We revealed that miR-128-3p expression was downregulated, while DJ-1 expression was upregulated in HCC cell lines, and DJ-1 expression can be regulated by miR-128-3p via directly binding to it. Moreover, functional assays showed that overexpression of miR-128-3p sensitized HCC cells to sorafenib-induced apoptosis, and this phenomenon was partly abolished by DJ-1. Mechanistically, PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was found to participate in the miR-128-3p induced sensitivity to sorafenib via DJ-1. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that miR-128-3p overexpression sensitized HCC to sorafenib-induced apoptosis via PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway by regulating DJ-1 expression.

[Incidence and mortality of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China, 2014].

Objective: To estimate the incidence and mortality of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China based on cancer registration data in 2014, collected by the National Central Cancer Registry (NCCR). Methods: 449 cancer registries submitted nasopharyngeal carcinoma incidence and deaths occurred in 2014 to NCCR. After evaluating the data quality, 339 registries' data were accepted for analysis and stratified by area (urban/rural) and age group. Combined with data on national population in 2014, the nationwide incidence and mortality of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were estimated. Chinese population census in 2000 and Segi's population were used for age-standardized incidence and mortality rates. Results: The estimates of new nasopharyngeal carcinoma incident cases and deaths were 44.6 thousands and 24.2 thousands, respectively. The crude incidence rate was 3.26/100 000 (Male 4.51/100 000, Female 1.94/100 000). Age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC, 2000) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were 2.48/100 000 and 2.33/100 000, respectively. Male to female ratio was 2.32∶1. The ASIRC in urban and rural areas were all 2.48/100 000. The crude mortality rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma was 1.77/100 000 (Male 2.55/100 000, Female 0.95/100 000). Age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC, 2000) and by world standard population(ASMRW) were 1.23/100 000 and 1.20/100 000, respectively. The ASMRC in urban and rural areas were all 1.23/100 000. The cumulative incidence and mortality rates(0-74 years old)were 0.25% and 0.14%, respectively. Conclusions: Incidence and mortality of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China in 2014 were at high levels in the world. Corresponding prevention and control measures should be established according to the epidemic characteristics and risk factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.