[Retracted] In vitro antitumor activity of the ethyl acetate extract Potentilla chinensis in osteosarcoma cancer cells.

Following the publication of the above paper, a concerned reader drew to the Editor's attention that several figures bore striking similarities to other papers that were published at around the same time written by different authors based in different research institutions. Fig. 3 (in colour) was essentially the same as a greyscale figure (Fig. 4) in a paper published in Oncology Reports, which has now been retracted [Wan G, Tao J­G, Wang G­D, Liu S­P, Zhao H­X and Liang Q­D: 3­ß­Εrythrodiol isolated from Conyza canadensis inhibits MKN­45 human gastric cancer cell proliferation by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, DNA fragmentation, ROS generation and reduces tumor weight and volume in mouse xenograft mode. Oncol Rep 35: 2328­2338, 2016]. Furthermore, Figs. 5 and 6 in the above paper appeared to share data with Figs. 7 and 11, respectively, in a paper published in Phytomedicine [Sui C­G, Meng F­D and Jiang Y­h: Antiproliferative activity of rosamultic acid is associated with induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, inhibition of cell migration and caspase activation in human gastric cancer (SGC­7901) cells. Phyomedicine 22: 796­806, 2015]. After having conducted an independent investigation in the Editorial Office, the Editor of Molecular Medicine Reports has determined that the above paper should be retracted from the Journal on account of a lack of confidence concerning the originality and the authenticity of the data. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office never received any reply. The Editor regrets any inconvenience that has been caused to the readership of the Journal. [the original article was published in Molecular Medicine Reports 14: 3634­3640, 2016; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5679].

ST1926 Attenuates Steroid-Induced Osteoporosis in Rats by Inhibiting Inflammation Response.

Steroid, also known as glucocorticoid, induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in young adults, which has been a challenging disorder for the frequent incidence of collapse of femoral head, leading to dysfunction of hip joint and impairing life quality of human. Bioavailable and less toxic synthetic retinoids, such as the atypical adamantyl retinoid ST1926, have been developed and investigated in clinical trials for many diseases. Serum lipid-related indicators were assessed to elucidate the role of ST1926 in regulating lipid metabolism. Microfocal computed tomography (Micro-CT) was included to explore the effects of ST1926 treatment on microstructure and bone mass. Then, the role of ST1926 treatment in regulating osteoclast differentiation was also evaluated in vivo and in vitro. In addition, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteoprotegerin (OPG), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and bone morphogenic protein (BMP) expression in serum and cells were detected at protein or mRNA levels. The ratio of empty lacuna in the bone tissue samples was significantly low in ST1926-treated groups than in the control group. Micro-CT evaluation suggested that ST1926 treatment could ameliorate the microstructure of the bone and up-regulate bone mineral density in steroid-induced rats. Moreover, ST1926 treatment suppressed osteoclast differentiation and promoted bone formation markers. Also, OPG, ALP, and Wnt3a/ß-catenin down-regulation as well as inflammation up-regulation could be reversed by ST1926 administration through NFκB inhibition. Hence, ST1926 may inhibit steroid-induced osteoporosis and promote steroid-induced bone remodeling by regulating the Wnt3a/ß-catenin/NFκB signaling pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2072-2086, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

In vitro antitumor activity of the ethyl acetate extract of Potentilla chinensis in osteosarcoma cancer cells.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the anticancer effect of the ethanol extract of Potentilla chinensis, a Chinese medicinal plant. An MTT assay was used to evaluate the cell viability of MG­63 human osteosarcoma cancer cells and fR­2 cells. Furthermore, the effect of the extract on apoptosis induction, cell cycle phase distribution and inhibition of cell migration in the MG63 human osteosarcoma cancer cell line was evaluated. The effect of the extract on cell cycle phase distribution was assessed by flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI). Phase contrast microscopy detected the morphological changes in MG63 cancer cells following extract treatment. The results of the study demonstrated that the extract was cytotoxic to MG63 cancer cells, while the normal cell line (epithelial cell line) showed lower susceptibility. Phase contrast microscopy showed distinguishing morphological features, such as cell shrinkage and blebbing induced by the extract treatment in osteosarcoma cancer cells. The average proportion of Annexin V­positive cells (total apoptotic cells) significantly increased from 5.6% in the control to 24.2, 38.8 and 55.7% in the 40, 80 and 150 µg/ml groups, respectively. The extract induced early and late apoptosis in the cancer cells. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the extract induced G0/G1­cell cycle arrest, which also showed significant dose­dependence. The extract induced a significant and concentration­dependent reduction in cell migration. Moreover, DNA fragmentation was also examined by observation of the formation of DNA ladders. It was demonstrated that DNA fragmentation was increased with extract concentration compared with that in the control. Taken together, EEPC may serve as potential therapeutic agent against osteosarcoma, provided that the toxicity profile and in vivo investigations demonstrate that it is safe.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the NER pathway and clinical outcome of patients with bone malignant tumors.

The effects of polymorphisms in ERCC5, ERCC6, XPC, CCNH and MMS19L on osteosarcoma response to chemotherapy and the survival of the affected patients were assessed. Genotyping of ERCC5, ERCC6, XPC, CCNH and MMS19L was performed by PCR-RFLP assay. The median PFS was 12.8 months, and the median OS was 18.6 months. Individuals carrying homozygous genotypes of ERCC5 rs17655 and ERCC5 rs1047768 were more like to have good response to treatment, while those carrying homozygous genotypes of MMS19L rs29001322 showed poor response. Osteosarcoma patients carrying TT genotype of ERCC5 rs1047768 showed a significantly longer PFS (16.8 months) and OS (21.4 months) than CC genotype, with HRs(95% CI) of 0.31 (0.10-0.93) and 0.32 (0.06-0.97), respectively. Conversely, those with the TT genotype of MMS19L rs29001322 demonstrated shorter PFS and OS, the HRs (95% CI) being 2.23 (1.08-4.15) and 4.62 (1.45-16.08), respectively. Our findings showed polymorphisms in ERCC5 rs1047768 and MMS19L rs29001322 to be associated with clinical outcome of osteosarcoma patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Diabetes mellitus and increased risk of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been considered to be relevant to an increased risk of several different types of cancers. However, its relationship with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) remains unclear. METHODOLOGY: To investigate a quantitative assessment of this relationship, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the association between diabetes and the risk of ECC. We identified studies by searching Embase (from 1 January 1974 to 30 June 2012), Medline (from 1 January 1966 to 30 June 2012), and the reference lists of related articles. Summary relative risks (RRs) with corresponding 95% CIs were calculated with a random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 9 articles (4 case-control and 5 cohort studies) were included in this study. Compared with those without DM, individuals with DM had an increased risk of ECC (for case-control studies: summary OR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.05-2.49, p=0.063 for heterogeneity; for cohort studies: summary RR=1.61, 95% CI: 1.14-2.29, p=0.005 for heterogeneity). The funnel plot showed no evidence for publication bias concerning DM and the risk of ECC (Egger's test, p=0.699; Begg's test, p=0.175). CONCLUSIONS: These findings strongly reveal the positive link between DM and the increased risk of ECC.