CircRNA_100395 protects breast carcinoma deterioration by targeting MAPK6.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to uncover the differential expression of circRNA_100395 in breast carcinoma specimens, and its regulatory effect on cancer cell phenotypes. The role of circRNA_100395 in affecting breast carcinoma progression and the molecular mechanism are explored as well. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CircRNA_100395 expressions in breast carcinoma and paracancerous tissues were detected. The influence of circRNA_100395 level on clinical indicators of breast carcinoma patients was analyzed. In vitro regulations of circRNA_100395 on phenotypes of breast carcinoma cells were examined by CCK-8, colony formation, and transwell assay. The interaction between circRNA_100395 and MAPK6 was confirmed by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay and rescue assays. RESULTS: CircRNA_100395 was downregulated in breast carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Its level was negatively correlated to tumor staging and tumor size of breast carcinoma. Overexpression of circRNA_100395 in SKBR3 and MDA-MB-231 cells weakened proliferative and migratory abilities. MAPK6 was the target gene of circRNA_100395. Overexpression of MAPK6 reversed the anti-cancer effect of circRNA_100395 on breast carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: CircRNA_100395 serves as an anti-cancer gene in breast carcinoma progression by targeting MAPK6, and its level is negatively correlated to tumor staging and tumor size of breast carcinoma. CircRNA_100395 can be utilized as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target of breast carcinoma.

Analysis of the efficacy and prognosis of limb-salvage surgery for osteosarcoma around the knee.

AIM: Limb-salvage surgery has become the standard of care for extremity osteosarcoma. In this study, we investigated the survival and functional outcomes of patients with osteosarcoma around the knee who were treated with limb-salvage surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data for 120 patients with osteosarcoma around the knee who were treated with limb-salvage surgery between 1998 and 2008. The sample included 75 males and 45 females. The mean age of the patients was 18.9 years. Osteosarcoma was diagnosed in the distal femur in 78 patients and in the proximal tibia in 42 patients. Statistical analyses were conducted to process and record the patient data and analyse the surgery's efficacy, prognosis and survival rates. RESULTS: All patients were followed for 6-144 months (mean of 56.8 months). The overall 5-year survival rate was 61.8%. Lung metastasis developed in 31 patients. Local recurrence developed in 9 patients. The average Musculoskeletal Tumor Society Score (MSTS) was 25.5 points on a 30-point scale. Sixteen patients underwent prosthesis revision and twelve patients underwent amputation. The overall survivorship of the prosthesis based on Kaplan-Meier estimates was 77% at five years and 71% at ten years. There was a higher incidence of extensor lag for the patients with osteosarcoma in the proximal tibia than for those with osteosarcoma in the distal femur (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Treating osteosarcoma around the knee with limb-salvage surgery can preserve most of the knee's functionality. Attention must be paid to prevent the relatively high incidence of postoperative complications.

Effect of different bile duct flush solutions on biliary tract preservation injury of donated livers for transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore the effect of various bile duct flush (BDF) solutions on biliary tract preservation of donated livers in rats. METHODS: We studied the effects of BDF solutions and cold ischemic times on biliary tract preservation, using 2 kinds of solutions: (1) BDFa with normal saline (NS), or hypertonic citrate-adenine kidney preservation in vivo (HCA), and (2) BDFb with University of Wisconsin solution (UW), or histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution (HTK). The cold ischemic times (CIT) were 4, 8, or 12 hours. Forty-five healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 9 groups of 5 rats each using a [L(9)(3(4))] orthogonal table. Biliary tract tissues were examined at the corresponding cold preservation times for the following: microscopic changes in bile duct cells; TUNEL (Transferase-mediated, dUTP-bitin nick end labeling) procedure assays apoptotic indices (AI) of endothelial cells in the biliary tract; ultrastructural changes; and average volumes (V) and density (Nd) of mitochondria in endothelial cells calculated using an image analysis system. The results were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and direct analysis by an orthogonal design. RESULTS: AI of biliary tract endothelial cells showed significance (P < .01) of cold preservation of the biliary tract of donor liver with BDFa or BDFb and CIT; furthermore, HCA, HTK, and 4-hour CIT were all ideal. V and Nd of mitochondrial endothelial cells were significantly increased (P < .01) with BDFa, BDFb, and CIT; furthermore, factors HCA, HTK, and 4-hour CIT were all ideal. CONCLUSIONS: Cold preservation injuries to the biliary tract of a donor liver may be greatly decreased by efficient and sufficient flushing of the bile tract. A suitable bile duct solution greatly decreases cold preservation injuries and protects endothelial cells.

Plasma ammonia in patients with acute leukemia.

Plasma ammonia level (PAL) was studied in 43 cases of acute leukemia (AL). PAL was 39.21 +/- 26.2 mumol/L in normal controls and 38.8 +/- 16.6 mumol/L in leukemic patients before chemotherapy. High PAL was found in 40 cases after chemotherapy. Six cases showed clinical manifestations due to severe hyperammonemia, including dizziness, lethargy, confusion, coma and mental changes of various degree, and there was also respiratory alkalosis. After ammonia-trapping therapy, 4 of the 5 patients recovered. The authors believe that high PAL is not uncommon after chemotherapy in leukemic patients. Respiratory alkalosis and unexplained mental and neurologic changes following intensive chemotherapy are useful clues for the diagnosis of hyperammonemia syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment with ammonia-trapping may improve the rates of remission and survival.