Molecular targets and mechanisms of different aberrant alternative splicing in metastatic liver cancer.

Metastasis remains a major challenge in the successful management of malignant diseases. The liver is a major site of metastatic disease and a leading cause of death from gastrointestinal malignancies such as colon, stomach, and pancreatic cancers, as well as melanoma, breast cancer, and sarcoma. As an important factor that influences the development of metastatic liver cancer, alternative splicing drives the diversity of RNA transcripts and protein subtypes, which may provide potential to broaden the target space. In particular, the dysfunction of splicing factors and abnormal expression of splicing variants are associated with the occurrence, progression, aggressiveness, and drug resistance of cancers caused by the selective splicing of specific genes. This review is the first to provide a detailed summary of the normal splicing process and alterations that occur during metastatic liver cancer. It will cover the role of alternative splicing in the mechanisms of metastatic liver cancer by examining splicing factor changes, abnormal splicing, and the contribution of hypoxia to these changes during metastasis.

[Effects and mechanisms of negative air ions on blood pressure, oxidative stress and inflammation levels in SHR rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and possible mechanisms of negative air ions(NAIs) on blood pressure, oxidative stress, and inflammatory status in spontaneous hypertension rats(SHR). METHODS: A total of 60 SHR(half male and half female) were randomly divided into one-month and three-month groups, 30 rats per groups, based on the duration of the intervention. Each group was further randomized into three groups based on the daily intervention time: SHR control group, 2 h NAIs-SHR group, and 6 h NAIs-SHR group, 10 rats per groups. In addition, 20 Wistar Kyoto(WKY)(half male and half female), were randomized into one-month WKY group and three-month WKY group, 10 rats per groups, based on the intervention time. The 2 h NAIs-SHR group and 6 h NAIs-SHR group were exposed to an environment with NAIs concentrations of 4.5×10~4-5×10~4 cm~3 per day for 2 h and 6 h. The WKY group and SHR group were exposed to normal air on a daily basis. Blood pressure of rats in each group was measured every three days, while weight was measured once a week. After sacrificing the rats in the first month and the third month of rearing, wet weight of the organs was weighed. The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect 8-hydroxylated deoxyguanosine(8-OHdG), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), nitric oxide(NO) and endothelin-1(ET-1) levels. Reactive oxygen species(ROS) detection kit was used to detect ROS level. Malondialdehyde(MDA) and superoxide dismutase(SOD), glutathione(GSH) and glutathione disulfide(GSSG) were measured by colorimetric analysis. HE staining was conducted to observe the histopathological morphological changes of the thoracic aorta in each group, and Western blot was conducted to detect the thoracic aortap38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases(ERK), c-Jun n-terminal kinase(JNK), c-fos proteins, c-jun proteins and their phosphorylated proteins level. RESULTS: The weight of WKY male mice in the same week age group was higher than that of SHR control group, and there was no significant difference in the weight between the other groups. The coefficient of heart in SHR control group(4.66±0.48) was higher than that in WKY group(3.73±0.15)(P<0.05), while there were no significant differences in the coefficients of brain, kidney, liver and spleen among the groups. Blood pressure in WKY group at the same age was lower than that in SHR group, and blood pressure in SHR control group at 2-5 and 8-11 weeks was higher than that in 2 h NAIs-SHR and 6 h NAIs-SHR groups(P<0.05). HE staining showed that the internal, middle and external membranes of thoracic aorta in 2 h NAIs-SHR group and 6 h NAIs-SHR group were improved to varying degrees compared with those in SHR control group, including disordered internal membrane structure, thickened middle membrane and broken external membrane. In terms of oxidative stress levels, compared with the SHR control group, the ROS(0.66%±0.17%, 0.49%±0.32%) and 8-OHdG((48.29±8.00) ng/mL, (33.13±14.67)ng/mL) levels were lower in the 6 h NAIs-SHR group(P<0.05), while the GSH/GSSG ratio was higher in the one-month 6 h NAIs-SHR group(10.08±4.93). Compared with the 2 h NAIs-SHR group, the ROS level(0.99%±0.19%) was lower in the 6 h NAIs-SHR group(P<0.05). In terms of inflammatory factor levels, compared with the SHR control group, the IL-8 levels((160.44±56.54) ng/L, (145.77±38.39) ng/L) were lower in the 6 h NAIs-SHR group(P<0.05), while the ET-1 level((249.55±16.98) ng/L) was higher in the one-month WKY group. There was no significant difference in NO levels among the groups. The relative expression of p-p38 protein in the thoracic aorta of rats in the one-month SHR control group was lower than that in the WKY group(P<0.05). The relative expression of p-p38 and p-c-fos proteins in the thoracic aorta of rats at three-months was higher in the SHR control group than in the 2 h NAIs-SHR and 6 h NAIs-SHR groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The intervention of NAIs at a concentration of 4.5×10~4-5×10~4/cm~3 may regulate the partial oxidation and inflammatory state of SHR rats through the ROS/MAPK/AP1 signaling pathway, thereby reducing their blood pressure level.

MiRNA-423 rs6505162 and miRNA-6811 rs2292879 SNP associated with lung cancer in Hainan, China.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to exert significant influence on various physiological processes and diseases, including cancers. The primary objective of this present study was to examine the impact of eight single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA on the susceptibility to lung cancer (LC) within the Chinese Southern population. METHODS: The genotypes of these eight polymorphisms were determined in 132 LC patients and 214 cancer-free controls. RESULTS: In overall analyses, GG genotype of miRNA-6811 rs2292879 polymorphism was significantly correlated with increased risk of LC (GG vs. AA, adjusted OR = 5.10, 95% CI = 1.02-25.43, P=0.047), yet the genotype frequencies of rs2292879 SNP in controls did not met the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) (P=0.001) in present study. Stratified analyses by smoking revealed that miRNA-423 rs6505162 variants significantly decreased the LC risk in heterozygous (CA vs. CC, adjusted OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.03-0.81, P=0.028) and recessive (AA vs. CA + CC, adjusted OR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.03-0.90, P=0.038) genetic models in smoking population. However, miRNA-196A2 rs11614913, miRNA-196A2 rs12304647, miRNA-146A rs2910164, miRNA-16-1 rs1022960, miRNA-608 rs4919510, and miRNA-27a rs895819 polymorphisms were not significantly associated with LC. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study indicate a potential decrease in LC risk among smokers with the miRNA-423 rs6505162 variants, while an increase in risk is associated with miRNA-6811 rs2292879 polymorphisms in the population of Southern Chinese. However, further well-designed research is necessary to fully understand the precise impact of these two SNPs on the development of LC.

Low-dose Aspirin may Prevent Preeclampsia by Inhibiting the Expression of ATF2.

AIMS: To explore the ATF2 expression of preeclampsia patients and investigate whether the level of ATF2 expression impacted the low-dose aspirin treatment of preeclampsia patients. BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy-related hypertension disorder and refers to hypertension. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to explore the activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) expression of preeclampsia patients and investigate whether the level of ATF2 expression impacted the low-dose aspirin treatment of preeclampsia patients. METHODS: Firstly, we collected the plasma of normal and preeclampsia pregnancies and quantified the expressions of ATF2 by ELISA. Then we quantified the expression of the three downstream target genes of ATF2 (IL-8, IL-6 and MMP-2). Finally, we collected and quantified the interventional and observational group plasma. All data were compared by t-test (p<0.05). RESULTS: ATF2 and its target genes (IL-6, IL-8 and MMP-2) were upregulated in preeclampsia patients. In addition, ATF2 and its target genes were downregulated in the interventional group (LDA-treated group). CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that LDA could inhibit ATF2 expression in preeclampsia. It suggests that ATF2 may be a potential target of LDA in the prevention of preeclampsia.

Mapping intellectual structures and research hotspots in the application of artificial intelligence in cancer: A bibliometric analysis.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is more and more widely used in cancer, which is of great help to doctors in diagnosis and treatment. This study aims to summarize the current research hotspots in the Application of Artificial Intelligence in Cancer (AAIC) and to assess the research trends in AAIC. Methods: Scientific publications for AAIC-related research from 1 January 1998 to 1 July 2022 were obtained from the Web of Science database. The metrics analyses using bibliometrics software included publication, keyword, author, journal, institution, and country. In addition, the blustering analysis on the binary matrix was performed on hot keywords. Results: The total number of papers in this study is 1592. The last decade of AAIC research has been divided into a slow development phase (2013-2018) and a rapid development phase (2019-2022). An international collaboration centered in the USA is dedicated to the development and application of AAIC. Li J is the most prolific writer in AAIC. Through clustering analysis and high-frequency keyword research, it has been shown that AI plays a significantly important role in the prediction, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of cancer. Classification, diagnosis, carcinogenesis, risk, and validation are developing topics. Eight hotspot fields of AAIC were also identified. Conclusion: AAIC can benefit cancer patients in diagnosing cancer, assessing the effectiveness of treatment, making a decision, predicting prognosis and saving costs. Future AAIC research may be dedicated to optimizing AI calculation tools, improving accuracy, and promoting AI.

Chemoprotective Effect of Boeravinone B against DMBA/Croton Oil Induced Skin Cancer via Reduction of Inflammation.

Inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress play a major role in cancer expansion. Boeravinone B (BB) had already proofed their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects against various animal models of disease. In this experimental research, the chemoprotective effect of BB against skin cancer caused by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)/croton oil was investigated and the possible mechanism was explored. Swiss albino mice were used in the current protocol. 100 µg/100 mL acetone, DMBA was used for induction the skin cancer and, after the 2-week repeated dose of croton oil (1% in acetone) give to the mice till end of the protocol. The mice were received the oral dose of BB (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg/kg, body weight). The body weight and tumor incidence were estimated at regular time interval. At the end of the protocol, the antioxidant, phase I, phase II, pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators were scrutinized. The mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators were estimated. BB treatment significantly (p < 0.001) reduced tumor incidence, tumor yield, average latency period and tumor burden in a dose-dependent manner. BB treatment considerably (p < 0.001) reduced the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and increased the level of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) in DMBA/croton-induced skin cancer. BB treatment significantly (p < 0.001) reduced the level of phase I and phase II enzymes. BB treatment considerably reduced the cytokines include tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and inflammatory parameters such as transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-ß1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), nuclear kappa B factor (NF-κB) and cycloxgenase-2 (COX-2) in DMBA/croton-induced skin cancer mice. BB considerably (p < 0.001) reduced the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators. The results of the current investigation suggest that oral administration of boeravinone B significantly reduced skin cancer in mice via reduction of inflammatory reaction.

XPG is Modulated by miR-4715-3p and rs873601 Genotypes in Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: XPG (Xeroderma pigmentosum group G, XPG), a single strand-specific DNA endonuclease in the nucleotide excision repair pathway, has been implicated in lung cancer. Potentially functional rs873601 in XPG is consistently associated with gastrointestinal cancer, and miR-4715-3p, targeting 3UTR of XPG, also influences the process of gastrointestinal carcinogenesis, however, the relationships between XPG and miR-4715-3p and rs873601 in lung cancer have not been elucidated. METHODS: A case-control study included 264 lung cancer patients and 264 cancer-free healthy controls and was designed to determine the relationships between rs873601 and lung cancer and the effect of miR-4715-3p on XPG expression in lung cancer. Fifty matched cases and controls were randomly selected from the lung cancer and control groups to assess the relationships between the expression levels of miR-4715-3p and XPG determined by using qRT-PCR. The association of rs873601 with lung cancer was analyzed by mass spectrometry, and function prediciton of rs873601 genotypes explored by web-based bioinformatics. RESULTS: miR-4715-3p in the lung cancer group was significantly increased compared with that in the control group (P = 0.011), upregulation of miR-4715-3p correlated with an increase in XPG mRNA (r = 0.399, P <0.05) in the lung cancer group. The AA genotype was associated with increased risk of lung cancer compared with the AG and GG genotypes of rs873601 (AG vs AA: OR = 0.231, 95% CI: 0.155-0.345, P <0.001 GG vs AA: OR = 0.300, 95% CI: 0.131-0.719, P = 0.003). The genetic association remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, and drinking, and rs873601-AA was associated with an increase in XPG mRNA in the lung cancer group. The results of web-based bioinformatics analysis indicated rs873601 genotypes might change XPG-RNA stability and bindability between XPG and miR-4715-3p. CONCLUSION: Our data characterized that miR-4715-3p and rs873601 genotypes modified XPG expression in lung cancer. These findings may help to elucidate the mechanisms governing lung cancer.

LncRNA PRNCR1 rs1456315 and CCAT2 rs6983267 Polymorphisms on 8q24 Associated with Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Long noncoding RNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (lncRNA-SNPs) PCAT1 rs710886, PRNCR1 rs1456315 and CCAT2 rs6983267 on 8q24 region present generalizability in the susceptibility to multiple cancers, however, the influence of rs710886, rs1456315 and rs6983267 on lung cancer has not been assessed. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between three lncRNA-SNPs and lung cancer. METHODS: A case-control study was performed on 438 patients with lung cancer and 456 healthy controls in the Han population from southern China. The collected samples were genotyped by the TaqMan genotyping, and the association with clinical characteristics, including age, gender, drinking status, smoking status, pathological types and clinical stages were analyzed. And the SNP function prediction was based on lncRNASNP2, RNAfold and GTEx. RESULTS: The rs1456315 T allele increased the risk of lung cancer [OR=1.95, 95% CI (1.58-2.43), P=0.003] compared to the rs1456315 C allele, and rs1456315 significantly increased the risk of lung cancer in the dominant model [OR=1.86, 95% CI (1.16-3.00), P=0.002]. The rs6983267 G allele, compared with the T allele, increased the risk of lung cancer [OR=1.29, 95% CI (1.07-1.57), P=0.007], and rs6983267 was identified as a risk factor for lung cancer [OR=1.28, 95% CI (1.06-1.55), P=0.003] in the additive model. Both rs1456315 and rs6983267 demonstrated significance after adjusting for the smoking status, drinking status and age. The structure prediction found rs6983267 and rs1456315 influence the secondary structure of its lncRNA. The results from lncRNASNP2 indicated that rs6983267 and rs1456315 change gain/loss target of miRNAs. CONCLUSION: PRNCR1 rs1456315 and CCAT2 rs6983267 on 8q24 region are significantly associated with lung cancer in the Han population of southern China and alter the potential biological function in bioinformatic analysis, and the results further extended generalism of the susceptibility of cancer-associated lncRNA-SNPs to lung cancer and underlying mechanism involved in lung cancer.

A Thermostable Aluminum-Tolerant Protease Produced by Feather-Degrading Bacillus thuringiensis Isolated from Tea Plantation.

BACKGROUND: Proteases with keratinolytic activity are widely used in biotechnologies. The feather-degrading Bacillus thuringensis isolated from soil sample of a tea plantation produced high level of extracellular keratinase. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the properties by biochemical and enzymological methods to gain information for better utilization of the enzyme. METHODS: The enzyme was purified with ion exchange and size exclusion chromatography. The substrate preference, optimal pH and temperature, and the effects of organic solvents and ions were checked. Circular dichroism was performed to compare the secondary structures of the native and apo-enzyme. RESULTS: The enzyme worked best at 50°C, and it was an acidic serine protease with an optimal pH of 6.2. Ions Ca2+ and Mg2+ were essential for its activity. Organic solvents and other metal ions generally deactivated the enzyme in a concentration-dependent manner. However, Mn2+ and DMSO, which were frequently reported as inhibitors of protease, could activate the enzyme at low concentration (0.01 to 2 mmol/L of Mn2+; DMSO <2%, v/v). The enzyme exhibited high resistance to Al3+, which might be explained by the soil properties of its host's residence. Circular dichroism confirmed the contribution of ions to the structure and activity. CONCLUSION: The enzyme was a thermostable aluminum-tolerant serine protease with unique biochemical properties.

ARNTL2 knockdown suppressed the invasion and migration of colon carcinoma: decreased SMOC2-EMT expression through inactivation of PI3K/AKT pathway.

ARNTL2 is a transcriptional activator implicated in the molecular clock feedback system and is overexpressed in some malignant tumors. This study aimed to detect the effects of ARNTL2 knockdown by siRNA on the proliferation and invasion of colon carcinoma and clarify the molecular mechanisms of ARNTL2 in the development of colon carcinoma (CC). The CC microarray dataset GSE50760 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The expression levels of ARNTL2 in CC tissues and cancer cells were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blot, respectively. The knockdown of ARNTL2 expression was induced by RNA interference in colon cancer cells. The proliferation was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 and clonal formation assays. The invasion and migration in vitro were detected by wound healing and transwell assays. Besides, a tumorigenicity test in the nude mice was performed to confirm whether ARNTL2 expression promoted the proliferation and invasion of CC cells. Furthermore, the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related factors were analyzed by western blot. Results showed that bioinformatics analysis found that ARNTL2 was upregulated in CC tissues. ARNTL2 was highly expressed in tissues and CC cells. Knockdown of ARNTL2 inhibited CC cells viability, colony formation, migration activity and reduced the size of tumors in the nude mice. Moreover, knockdown of ARNTL2 suppressed the expression of SMOC2, which may be the target gene of ARNTL2, and simultaneously inhibited the expression of EMT and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway-related factors. Taken together, downregulation of ARNTL2 could suppress CC cell proliferation and migration via SMOC2-EMT through inactivation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Detecting Protein-Protein Interaction Based on Protein Fragment Complementation Assay.

Proteins are the most critical executive molecules by responding to the instructions stored in the genetic materials in any form of life. More frequently, proteins do their jobs by acting as a roleplayer that interacts with other protein(s), which is more evident when the function of a protein is examined in the real context of a cell. Identifying the interactions between (or amongst) proteins is very crucial for the biochemistry investigation of an individual protein and for the attempts aiming to draw a holo-picture for the interacting members at the scale of proteomics (or protein-protein interactions mapping). Here, we introduced the currently available reporting systems that can be used to probe the interaction between candidate protein pairs based on the fragment complementation of some particular proteins. Emphasis was put on the principles and details of experimental design. These systems are dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), ß-lactamase, tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease, luciferase, ß- galactosidase, GAL4, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), focal adhesion kinase (FAK), green fluorescent protein (GFP), and ubiquitin.

[XP gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with genetic susceptibility to lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of DNA repair gene XPB, XPD and XPG gene polymorphisms and haplotypes with genetic susceptibility to lung cancer. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted, the case group was 100 lung cancer patients in Hainan Province, while the control group was 100 cases of respiratory diseases in Hainan Province. The polymorphism of XPB gene rs4150441 and rs4150434 loci, the polymorphism of the rs171140 and rs11878544 loci of the XPD gene, the XPG gene rs4771436, and the polymorphism of the rs2094258 and rs17655 loci were detected by mass spectrometry. Halopview software was used to investigate the association between XP gene polymorphism and haplotype and genetic susceptibility to lung cancer. RESULTS: The experimental result showed that the rs4150434 locus of XPB gene, the rs4771436 locus of XPG gene and the rs2094258 locus of XPG gene were associated with the genetic susceptibility of lung cancer(P < 0. 05). Among the rs4150434 loci of XPB gene, the susceptibility of individuals carrying heterozygous GA to lung cancer was 2. 071 times than wild type GG(OR = 2. 071, 95% CI = 1. 055-4. 067). The susceptibility of individuals with mutant AA to lung cancer was 2. 535 times than wild type GG(OR =2. 535, 95%CI = 1. 063-6. 044). In the rs4771436 locus of XPG gene, the susceptibility of individuals carrying mutant GG to lung cancer was 2. 494 times than wild type TT(OR = 2. 494, 95% CI = 1. 038-5. 992). In the rs2094258 locus of XPG gene, the susceptibility of individuals carrying mutant AA to lung cancer was 3. 020 times than wild type GG(OR = 3. 020, 95%CI = 1. 015-8. 980). As haplotype result show, compared with GG haplotypes of rs4150441-rs4150434 loci in XPB gene, the risk of lung cancer in GA haplotype was 3. 643 times than GG haplotype(OR = 3. 643, 95% CI = 1. 113-11. 921). Compared with GTC haplotypes of rs2094258-rs4771436-rs17655 loci in XPG gene, the risk of lung cancer in ATC haplotype was 3. 800 times than GTC haplotype(OR = 3. 800, 95%CI = 1. 073-13. 459). CONCLUSION: XPB rs4150434, XPG rs4771436, XPG rs2094258 locus polymorphism and haplotype are associated with the genetic susceptibility to lung cancer.

Morphological alterations of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells after ablation of mouse photoreceptors with selective photocoagulation.

In this work, we investigated changes in the morphology of intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), M1 subtype, and pupillary light reflex following local and selective ablation of photoreceptors in mice. Laser photocoagulation was used to selectively destroy four patches of photoreceptors per eye at around 4 papillary diameters from the optic disc and at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions between the retinal vessels in the adult mouse retina, leaving cells in the inner retina intact. Morphological parameters of individual M1 cells specifically labeled by the antibody against melanopsin (PA1-780), including dendritic field size, total dendritic length, and dendritic branch number, were examined 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after photocoagulation with Neurolucida software. A considerable reduction in these parameters in M1 cells in the "lesioned areas" was found at all the four time points after photocoagulation, as compared with those in the "unlesioned areas". Although M1 cells in the lesioned areas showed significant changes as early as 1 week after laser treatment and the changes gradually increased, reaching a peak value at 2 weeks, morphological restoration was clearly seen in these cells over time. However, no difference in the morphological parameters of M1 cells was observed between the unlesioned areas of laser-treated mice and the corresponding areas of age-matched normal mice without laser lesions. Fluorescence intensity of the somata of melanopsin-positive M1 cells located inside the lesioned areas was significantly decreased at all the four time points after photocoagulation, whereas no changes in pupillary light reflex were detected at different light irradiations, indicating that photocoagulation-induced local photoreceptor loss and alterations of ipRGCs may be insufficient to cause abnormalities in non-image-forming (NIF) visual functions. The results suggest that intact photoreceptors could be crucial for maintaining the expression levels of melanopsin and normal morphology of M1 cells.

Multicenter surveillance study of surgical site infection and its risk factors in radical resection of colon or rectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal surgery is associated with high rates of surgical site infection (SSI). We investigated SSI in radical resection of colon or rectal carcinoma and its epidemiological distribution in 26 hospitals in China. METHODS: We conducted prospective surveillance of patients who underwent radical resection of colon or rectal carcinoma in 26 selected hospitals from January 2015 to June 2016.An information system monitored all of the surgical inpatients. Infection control professionals observed the inpatients with suspected SSI who had been screened by the system at the bedside. The infection status of the incisions was followed up by telephone 1 month after the operation. RESULTS: In total, 5729 patients were enrolled for the two operations; SSIs occurred in 206 patients, and the infection rate was 3.60%. The incidence of SSI after radical resection of rectal carcinoma (5.12%; 119/2323) was 2.1 times higher than that after radical resection of colon carcinoma (2.55%; 87/3406) (P < 0.0001). Additionally, in the colon versus rectal groups, the rate of superficial incisional SSI was 0.94% versus 2.28% (P < 0.0001), the rate of deep incisional SSI was 0.56% versus 1.11% (P = 0.018), and the rate of organ space SSI was 1.06% versus 1.72% (P = 0.031), respectively. The most common pathogens causing SSIs after radical resection of colon carcinoma were Escherichia coli (21/38) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5/38). Escherichia coli (24/65) and Enterococcus spp. (14/65) were the two most common pathogens in the rectal group. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only the operating time and number of hospital beds were common independent risk factors for SSIs after the two types of surgery. CONCLUSION: This multicenter study showed that there were significant differences in the incidence of SSIs, three types of SSIs, and some risk factors between radical resection of colon carcinoma and rectal carcinoma.

Difference analysis in prevalence of incidental pancreatic cystic lesions between computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: The purpose was to investigate the difference of detection rate of incidental pancreatic cystic lesions (PCLs) with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to compare the difference between CT and MRI and to explore the effect of this difference on surgical resection. METHODS: We reviewed the diagnostic reports for incidental PCLs between 2013 and 2016. Images of PCLs would be re-evaluated. Clinical and imaging data were recorded. The chi-square and independent t-test were conducted for categorical and continuous variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of PCLs was 1.91% (1038/54210) and 3.36% (1282/38099) on CT and MRI respectively, and increased with increasing age (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found in the annual prevalence of PCLs on CT (P = 0.796) and MRI (P = 0.213) from 2013 to 2016 while the number of examinations was increasing every year. The annual detection rate of MRI for small PCLs (< 20 mm) was significantly higher than CT (P < 0.001), but was not significantly different for large PCLs (≥20 mm). The rate of surgical resection of PCLs (≥20 mm) in MRI group was higher than CT (55.2% vs. 37.0%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The detection rate of PCLs on CT and MRI tended to be stable despite increasing scan volumes. Female had a slightly more frequency of PCLs than male. MRI detected more small PCLs(< 20 mm) and had higher impact on surgical resection of large PCL(≥20 mm) compared with CT.

MiR-514 attenuates proliferation and increases chemoresistance by targeting ATP binding cassette subfamily in ovarian cancer.

Cisplatin is one of the most popular chemotherapeutic drugs in treating ovarian cancer. Resistance to cisplatin is a common clinical challenge that needs to be solved to increase its anti-tumor effects. The relation of miR-514 expression with prognosis in ovarian cancer patients was analyzed based on GSE73584 datasets. The regulation of miR-514 on proliferation and cisplatin chemosensitivity of ovarian cells was examined by MTT assay, colony-formation assay and soft-agar colony-formation assay. Dual luciferase assay was performed to detect the direct interaction of miR-514 with its downstream targets. Immunobloting and qRT-PCR were performed for target gene expression analysis. Low expression of miR-514 was related to poor prognosis in ovarian cancer patients. MiR-514 repressed proliferation and decreased cisplatin chemosensitivity in ovarian cancer cells by targeting ATP binding cassette subfamily. MiR-514 is of clinically significance in ovarian cancer by attenuating proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and decreasing chemoresistance of cisplatin by targeting ATP binding cassette subfamily.

Different MR features for differentiation of intrahepatic mass-forming cholangiocarcinoma from hepatocellular carcinoma according to tumor size.

OBJECTIVE: To identify reliable magnetic resonance (MR) features for distinguishing mass-forming type of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IMCC) from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on tumor size. METHODS: This retrospective study included 395 patients with pathologically confirmed IMCCs (n = 180) and HCCs (n = 215) who underwent pre-operative contrast-enhanced MRI including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). MR features were evaluated and clinical data were also recorded. All the characteristics were compared in small (≤3 cm) and large tumor (>3 cm) groups by univariate analysis and subsequently calculated by multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Multivariable analysis revealed that rim arterial phase hyperenhancement [odds ratios (ORs) = 13.16], biliary dilation (OR = 23.42) and CA19-9 (OR = 21.45) were significant predictors of large IMCCs (n = 138), and washout appearance (OR = 0.036), enhancing capsule appearance (OR = 0.039), fat in mass (OR = 0.057), chronic liver disease (OR = 0.088) and alpha fetoprotein (OR = 0.019) were more frequently found in large HCCs (n = 143). For small IMCCs (n = 42) and HCCs (n = 72), rim arterial phase hyperenhancement (OR = 9.68), target appearance at DWI (OR = 12.51), alpha fetoprotein (OR = 0.12) and sex (OR = 0.20) were independent predictors in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Valuable MR features and clinical factors varied for differential diagnosis of IMCCs and HCCs according to tumor size. Advances in knowledge: MR features for differential diagnosis of large IMCC and HCC (>3 cm) are in keeping with that recommended by LI-RADS. However, for small IMCCs and HCCs (≤3 cm), only rim enhancement on arterial phase and target appearance at DWI are reliable predictors.

A meta-analytic review of the association between two common SNPs in miRNAs and lung cancer susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in many biological processes, including tumor suppression. Multiple studies have shown an association between the miRNA-196a2 rs11614913 and miRNA-146a rs2910164 polymorphisms and cancer risk. However, the implications of the reported data are debatable and inconclusive. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant articles were retrieved from the PubMed, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases from January 1, 2007, to April 30, 2017. Studies were assessed based on designated inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were manually extracted from relevant studies by two investigators. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to explore the association between two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs and lung cancer susceptibility. RESULTS: Nine eligible articles were included, consisting of 3,101 cancer cases and 3,234 controls for miRNA-196a2 rs11614913, and 3,483 cases and 3,578 controls for miRNA-146a rs2910164. For studies evaluating miRNA-196a2 rs11614913, significant associations with lung cancer risk were discovered. Overall, the pooled analysis showed that miRNA-196a2 rs11614913 was associated with a decreased cancer risk (CC vs TT: OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.09-1.44; CT vs TT: OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03-1.53). For miRNA-146a rs2910164, only the CC genotype was found to be associated with high lung cancer risk (OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.13-1.49). Subgroup analyses based on ethnicity, source of control group, and country indicated that there were strong associations between miRNA-146a rs2910164 and cancer risk. CONCLUSION: The results indicated that lung cancer risk was significantly associated with miRNA-196a2 rs11614913 and miRNA-146a rs2910164. These two common SNPs in miRNAs may be potential biomarkers of lung cancer.

Exposure to beta-cypermethrin impairs the reproductive function of female mice.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of beta-cypermethrin (ß-CYP) on female reproductive function and examine the morphology of the uterine endometrium and follicular development. The results found that the rate of successful pregnancy in the ß-CYP-treated groups significantly decreased. The levels of serum E2 and FSH were significantly increased in the ß-CYP-treated groups. The concentrations of serum P and LH were significantly decreased in the ß-CYP-treated groups. The uterine endometrium was damaged and the endometrial pinopode was markedly inhibited. In addition, the total number of follicles of all types was significantly lower in the medium- and high-dose ß-CYP-treated groups. These results suggest that ß-CYP significantly affected the reproductive function of female mice. ß-CYP may have significantly decreased the fertility of female mice by disturbing the reproductive hormone concentrations and inhibiting the development of the endometrium and the endometrial pinopode.

Celastrol attenuates symptoms of preeclampsia in rats by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase-9.

Preeclampsia is reported in pregnant women around the world and often causes maternal/fetal mortality and morbidity. In the current study, we assessed the efficacy of celastrol on a rat preeclampsia model induced by Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME). Pregnant rats were administered L-NAME to establish preeclampsia. A total of 48 animals were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n = 12 each): control, control plus celastrol treatment (control+celastrol), preeclampsia, and preeclampsia plus celastrol. Physiological parameters including total urine protein, urine volume and blood pressure were evaluated. Urinary messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of podocin and nephrin were determined using RT-PCR. Further, levels of serum placenta growth factor (PlGF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and renal renal soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) were also measured. In rats with preeclampsia, there were robust increases in total urine protein, urine volume and blood pressure, which were significantly attenuated in rats treated with celastrol. Urinary mRNA levels of podocin and nephrin, as well as PlGF, MMP-9 and sFlt-1, were all reversed in preeclampsia plus celastrol group compared to rats in the preeclampsia group without celastrol treatments. MMP-9 overexpression in rats completely abolished the alleviating effect of celastrol. We hereby presented the first evidence that celastrol attenuated preeclampsia symptoms in an L-NAME-induced rat model of preeclampsia through inhibition of MMP-9 expression, supporting the potential therapeutic value of celastrol in the treatment of preeclampsia.