Three microporous metal-organic frameworks assembled from dodecanuclear {NiLn} subunits: synthesis, structure, gas adsorption and magnetism.

Three isostructural heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) {[Ln2Ni(OAc)5(HL)(L)]·solvent molecules}n (H2L = 2-hydroxyimino-N-[1-(2-pyrazinyl)ethylidene]-propanohydrazone, Ln = Dy for 1, Tb for 2 and Gd for 3) were solvothermally synthesized by varying rare-earth metal ions with different electron configurations. Their crystal structures, gas adsorption and magnetic behaviors were fully investigated. The three isomorphous MOFs exhibit three-dimensional microporous frameworks with two different orientated dodecane metallic {NiIILnIII(HL)}6 metallomacrocycles alternately connected by {LnIII(L)} connectors, in which an empty one-dimensional channel decorated by the basic hydrazone interior is generated. Due to their LnIII-independent microporous nature, the activated sample of 1 as a representative example has a significant CO2 uptake up to 42.2 cm3 g-1 and an unusually high CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 adsorption selectivity of up to 98.8 and 16.8 at 298 K and 100 kPa. Magnetically, apparent antiferromagnetic interactions for both 1 and 2 as well as ferromagnetic coupling for 3 are respectively observed at low temperature resulting from the competition of magnetic anisotropy and intermetallic ferromagnetic superexchange. Additionally, 1 with highly anisotropic DyIII spin shows slow magnetization relaxation under zero dc field, whereas 3 possessing isotropic GdIII ions displays a significant cryogenic magnetocaloric effect with a maximum entropy change of 26.6 J kg-1 K-1 at 3.0 K and 70 kOe. These interesting results can provide valuable information on gas separation-based multifunctional 3d-4f MOF materials.

LncRNA-MALAT1 Promotes Angiogenesis of Thyroid Cancer by Modulating Tumor-Associated Macrophage FGF2 Protein Secretion.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the tumor microenvironment have been associated with enhanced tumor progression. In this study, we investigated the role and molecular mechanisms of MALAT1 in TAMs derived from thyroid cancer. The expression of MALAT1 and FGF2 in thyroid cancer tissues and cells were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. TAMs were transfected with indicated constructs. Then the culture medium (CM) from TAMs was harvested for assay. Secreted FGF2 protein levels and TNF-α, IL-12, and IL-10 levels were detected by ELISA. The cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of FTC133 cells were determined with a CCK-8 assay and a Transwell assay, respectively. In addition, HUVEC vasculature formation was measured by matrigel angiogenesis assay. The higher levels of MALAT-1 and FGF2 were observed in thyroid cancer tissues and in thyroid cancer cells compared to that in the control. Besides, in the presence of si-MALAT1, the levels of TNF-α and IL-12 were significantly up-regulated whereas IL-10 was down-regulated in the CM from TAMs. Moreover, down-regulation of MALAT1 in TAMs reduced proliferation, migration, and invasion of FTC133 cells and inhibited angiogenesis. However, overexpression of FGF2 blocked the effects of MALAT1 siRNAs on cell migration, invasion, and angiogenesis. Our results suggest that MALAT1-mediated FGF2 protein secretion from TAMs inhibits inflammatory cytokines release, promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of FTC133 cells and induces vasculature formation. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4821-4830, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Quality of life and cosmetic result of single-port access endoscopic thyroidectomy via axillary approach in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thyroidectomy for minimally invasive thyroid surgery has been widely applied in the past decade. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of single-port access transaxillary totally endoscopic thyroidectomy on the postoperative outcomes and functional parameters, including quality of life and cosmetic result in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-five patients with PTC who underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy via a single-port access transaxillary approach were included (experimental group). A total of 123 patients with PTC who were subjected to conventional open total thyroidectomy served as the control group. The health-related quality of life and cosmetic and satisfaction outcomes were assessed postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean operation time was significantly increased in the experimental group. The physiological functions and social functions in the two groups were remarkably augmented after 6 months of surgery. However, there was no significant difference in the scores of speech and taste between the two groups at the indicated time of 1 month and 6 months. In addition, the scores for appearance, satisfaction with appearance, role-physical, bodily pain, and general health in the experimental group were better than those in the control group at 1 month and 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: The single-port access transaxillary totally endoscopic thyroidectomy is safe and feasible for the treatment of patients with PTC. The subjects who underwent this technique have a good perception of their general state of health and are likely to participate in social activities. It is worthy of being clinically used for patients with PTC.

MALAT1 promotes the proliferation and invasion of thyroid cancer cells via regulating the expression of IQGAP1.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence indicated that metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) acted as a key regulator in the proliferation and invasion of several cancers. However, the function of MALAT1 in the development of thyroid cancer has not been experimentally established. METHODS: The expression of MALAT1 and IQGAP1 in thyroid cancer tissues and cells were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. The effects of MALAT1 and IQGAP1 on the cell proliferation and invasion of thyroid cancer cells were detected with a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium 4 (MTT) assay and a Transwell assay, respectively. FTC-133 or SW1736 transfected with si-MALAT1 or pcDNA-MALAT1 were injected subcutaneously into 4-week-olds BALB/c mice to examine the impact of MALAT1 on the tumor development of thyroid cancer in vivo. RESULTS: In this study, we discovered the higher level of MALAT-1 and expression of IQGAP1 in thyroid cancer tissues and in thyroid cancer cells compared to that in the control. MTT and Transwell assay showed that the proliferation and invasion of FTC-133 cells with MALAT-1 knockdown were inhibited. Moreover, MALAT-1 could upregulate the expression of IQGAP1 in thyroid cancer cells. In addition, IQGAP1 knockdown reversed the decreasing cell proliferation and invasion of thyroid cancer induced by MALAT-1 overexpression. Finally, the study in vivo verified that MALAT-1 promoted the tumor growth of thyroid cancer. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that MALAT1 promoted the proliferation and invasion of thyroid cancer cells via regulating the expression of IQGAP1.

[Expressions of MACC1, Snail, and KISS-1 Proteins in Infiltrating Breast Carcinoma and Its Clinicopathological Features].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the protein expressions of metastasis-associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1), KISS-1 (a cancer ruppressor gene) and Snail (the marker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition) in infiltrating breast carcinoma (IBC) and explore the role of them in invasion, metastasis and prognosis in IBC. METHODS: Expressions of MACC1, Snail and KISS-1 were examined by immunohistochemistry in 250 specimens of IBC and 80 specimens of normal breast tissues. Their clinicopathological features were analyzed, and their influence on patients' survival was identified. RESULTS: The positive rate of MACC1, Snail and KISS-1 in normal breast tissues and IBC tissues was 7.5%, 5.0%, 87.5% and 63.6%, 58.8%, 38.0%, respectively. And there was a significant difference between the IBC group and control group ( P<0.05). The positive expressions of MACC1, Snail and KISS-1 were significantly different in different TNM stages, lymph node metastasis, types and grades of tumor ( P<0.05). The survival time of positive KISS-1 group was significantly longer than that of negative group ( P<0.001); the survival time was significantly shorter in positive MACC1 group or Snail group than that of negative groups (both P<0.001). Cox regression analysis indicated that the positive expressions of MACC1, Snail and negative expression of KISS-1 were independent risk factors of IBC (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal expression of MACC1, Snail and KISS-1 should be involved in the invasion and metastasis of IBC. The combined detection in the expressions of MACC1, Snail and KISS-1 at the early stage may play an important role in predicting the progression and prognosis of IBC.

[Efficacy of modified radical operation of preserving nipple-areolar complex on early stage breast cancer].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Modified radical mastectomy of preserving nipple-areolar complex (NAC) is an important surgical therapy for stage I-IIa breast cancer, but the oncological risk is controversial. This study was to compare the efficacy of NAC-preserving modified radical operation and conventional modified radical operation on early stage breast cancer. METHODS: The patients who received NAC-preserving modified radical operation (42 patients) or conventional modified radical operation (84 patients) from January 1998 to December 2003 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College were matched with a ratio of 1:2 by age at diagnosis, axillary lymph node status, sexual hormone receptor status, tumor size and Her-2/neu expression for retrospective analysis. The loco-regional recurrence, distant metastasis, 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 5-year overall survival (OS) between the two groups were compared. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 48 months in NAC-preserving operation group and 44 months in conventional operation group. The 5-year occurrence rate of loco-regional recurrence was 2.44% in NAC-preserving operation group and 3.21% in conventional operation group (P=0.771). The 5-year occurrence rate of distant metastasis was 5.64% in NAC-preserving operation group and 4.30% in conventional operation group (P=0.654). The 5-year OS rates were 96.00% in NAC-preserving operation group and 98.18% in conventional operation group (P=0.694). The 5-year DFS rates were 91.67% in NAC-preserving operation group and 92.26% in conventional operation group (P=0.597). CONCLUSION: Modified NAC-preserving radical operation results in the same effect on early stage breast cancer as conventional modified radical operation based on careful consideration of the indications, and results in better cosmetic appearance after restitution and better quality of life.

[Clinicopathologic analysis of the nipple-areolar complex occult involvement in early stage breast carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of nipple-areola complex (NAG) involvement in stage I - II a breast cancer patients who underwent skin-sparing mastectomy and to determine the associated risk factors, to provide a theoretical basis for modified radical mastectomy preserving NAC and breast reconstruction in early stage breast cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 68 women with primary breast cancer were included in this study. The following associated risk factors of NAC involvement were assessed and compared with those of non-involvement: the distance from the tumor site to the edge of areola (D), axillary lymph node status, over-expression of HER-2/neu, location of tumor, TNM stage, abnormal nipple (nipple indentation, erosion, discharge), tumor size, age, histological type, as well as status of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR), by Chi-square test. RESULTS: The positive rate of NAG involvement was 13.2%. It decreased with an increase in the distance from the tumor site to the edge of the areola (D) (chi2 = 10.68, P <0.01)), and higher incidence of NAG involvement was found in patients with axillary lymph node metastasis (chi2 = 14. 61, P < 0.01) and over-expression of HER-2/neu (chi2 =6.83, P <0.01). Location of tumor (P <0.01), TNM stage (chi2 =3.85, P <0.05), abnormal nipple (chi2 = 11.65, P<0.01), and tumor size (chi2 =4.13, P <0.05) also had influence on the NAG involvement. No significant correlation between NAC involvement and age (P > 0.05)), histological type (chi2 = 0.07, P > 0.05)), as well as status of estrogen receptor (ER) (chi2 = 0.06, P > 0.05) and progesterone receptor (PR) (chi2 = 0.04, P > 0.05) was found. Most of the NAG involvement was caused by ductal infiltration. CONCLUSION: In the stage I - II a breast cancer patients, location of tumor, TNM stage, the distance from the tumor site to the edge of areola (D), abnormal nipple, over-expression of HER-2 and metastases in axillary lymph nodes are the primary influential factors of NAG involvement.

Dominant-negative E-cadherin inhibits the invasiveness of inflammatory breast cancer cells in vitro.

E-cadherin is a transmembrane glycoprotein which mediates epithelial cell-to-cell adhesion function as a tumor suppressor and frequently loss of expression in a wide spectrum of human cancer. However, recent studies demonstrated that E-cadherin was always over-expressed in inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) specimen and cell lines, which is a clinical extreme malignancy of breast cancer. It is hypothesized that the gain and not the loss of the E-cadherin axis contributes to the IBC unique phenotype. To test this assumption, we generated dominant negative mutant E-cadherin high-expression inflammatory breast cancer cells by introduced dominant negative mutant E-cadherin (H-2kd-E-cad) cDNA into human IBC SUM149 cells. Our studies demonstrated that the ability of invasion of SUM149 cells was significantly inhibited by H-2kd-E-cad via down-regulation of MMP-1 and MMP-9 expression. The underlying signal pathway of MAPK phosphorylated Erk 1/2(P44/42) in H-2kd-E-cad-transfected SUM149 cells was significantly down-regulated compared to parental and mock contrast. Our studies provided further functional evidence as the gain of E-cadherin expression dedicated to the IBC malignant phenotype and the blockage of MAPK/Erk activation maybe a promising therapeutic target.

[Biological significance of E-cadherin in an inflammatory breast carcinoma cell line].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of E-cadherin on the biologic behavior of SUM149, an inflammatory breast cancer cell line. METHODS: SUM149 cells were transfected with dominant-negative mutant E-cadherin expressing plasmid. The positive clones with higher expression of dominant-negative E-cadherin mutant were identified by RT-PCR and fluorescent flow cytometry method. The differences in cell growth, proliferation and invasion between positive clones and controls were compared. RESULTS: Whereas the proliferation of positive clones was of no change, compared with controls, the ability of invasion was decreased and the mRNA levels of MMP-1 and MMP-9 were downregulated. Gelatin zymography analysis also confirmed the decreasing expression of MMP-9 in the positive clones. CONCLUSION: In this cell line model, down-regulation of E-cadherin can inhibit the ability of invasion of this inflammatory breast cancer cell line.