STAT3 inhibitor stattic enhances radiosensitivity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

The radioresistance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains an obstacle for the effective radiotherapy of ESCC. This study aimed to investigate the radiosensitization of ESCC by signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor stattic. ECA109, TE13, and KYSE150 cell lines were exposed to hypoxia and treated with stattic or radiation, alone or in combination. Cell proliferation, colony formation, apoptosis, and double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) were examined. In addition, ECA109 cells were xenografted into nude mice and treated with radiation and/or stattic. The levels of STAT3, p-STAT3, hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ESCC cells and xenografts were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Our results showed that stattic efficiently radiosensitized ESCC cells and xenografts, especially under hypoxia. Moreover, stattic inhibited STAT3 activation and downregulated HIF-1α and VEGF expression. In conclusion, stattic confers radiosensitivity in ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo and is a potential adjuvant for the radiotherapy of ESCC in the clinical setting.

Spontaneous complete uterine rupture with protrusion of foetal limbs at the third trimester following laparoscopic cornuostomy: A case report.

RATIONALE: Spontaneous complete uterine rupture during gestation is rare and has no specific symptoms; however, it is a life-threatening event for both the fetus and mother. The rupture typically happens in labor and is uncommon before labor. Herein, we present the case of a woman, encountering complete rupture at third trimester followed by laparoscopic cornuostomy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 26-year-old woman presented with acute right lower abdominal pain at 33 weeks and 5 days of gestation. DIAGNOSES: We made a diagnosis of threatened uterine rupture. INTERVENTION: Urgent cesarean section performed. Exploration of the uterine dehiscence wound demonstrated that the myometrium was completely ruptured at the primary laparoscopic surgical scar with a defect of 40 mm, and live birth and preservation of the uterus was achieved. OUTCOME: On the third day of operation, she had a good recovery and was discharged. After a 6-week postpartum follow-up, she displayed a good level of rehabilitation. LESSONS: Pregnancy after laparoscopic cornuostomy should be treated as high-risk gestation and the rupture during gestation of the uterine scar should be suspected once lower abdominal pain occurred. Swift diagnosis and prompt intervention play a crucial role in saving the lives of the fetus and the mother.

The effect of smoking cues in antismoking advertisements on smoking urge and psychophysiological reactions.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have found that smoking-related cues elicit smoking urges in addicted smokers. This work presents the first cue-reactivity study in the context of antismoking advertisements. METHODS: Using a two (no cue vs. smoking cue) by two (high vs. low argument strength) mixed design, we tested the hypothesis that smoking cues presented in antismoking advertisements elicit smoking urges. The study tested 96 adult smokers using both self-reported and psychophysiological measures of smoking urge. It also explored gender differences during the urge elicitation. RESULTS: Smoking cues in antismoking advertisements elicited smoking urges in the weak argument condition. DISCUSSION: Antismoking advertisements with smoking cues and weak antismoking arguments could produce boomerang effects on smokers through urge elicitation.

The effect of marijuana scenes in anti-marijuana public service announcements on adolescents' evaluation of ad effectiveness.

This study explored the possible negative impact of a specific ad feature-marijuana scenes-on adolescents' perceptions of ad effectiveness. A secondary data analysis was conducted on adolescents' evaluations of 60 anti-marijuana public service announcements that were a part of national and state anti-drug campaigns directed at adolescents. The major finding of the study was that marijuana scenes in anti-marijuana public service announcements negatively affected ad liking and thought valence toward the ads among adolescents who were at higher levels of risk for marijuana use. This negative impact was not reversed in the presence of strong anti-marijuana arguments. The results may be used to partially explain the lack of effectiveness of the anti-drug media campaign. It may also help researchers design more effective anti-marijuana ads by isolating adverse elements in the ads that may elicit boomerang effects in the target population.

Berberine inhibits the expression of hypoxia induction factor-1alpha and increases the radiosensitivity of prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The radiation resistance of prostate cancer remains the primary obstacle to improve patient survival. This study aimed to investigate the effects of berberine, a commonly used natural product, on the radiosensitivity of prostate cancer. METHODS: Prostate cancer cell line LNCaP and DU-145 were subjected to hypoxia and/or ionizing radiation (IR), in the presence or absence of berberine treatment. Cell growth and colony formation, and apoptosis were evaluated. Moreover, LNCaP cells were xenografted into nude mice and subjected to IR and/or berberine treatment. The expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in prostate cancer cells and xenografts was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Berberine increased radiosensitivity of prostate cancer cells and xenografts in a dose dependent manner, and this was correlated with the inhibition of HIF-1α and VEGF expression. CONCLUSIONS: Berberine may inhibit the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF and thus confer radiosensitivity on prostatic cancer cells. Berberine has potential application as an adjuvant in radiotherapy of prostatic cancer. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1519827543125021.