A meta-analysis of survival after minimally invasive radical hysterectomy versus abdominal radical hysterectomy in cervical cancer: center-associated factors matter.

PURPOSE: To explore the possible factors that contributed to the poor performance of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus abdominal surgery regarding progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in cervical cancer. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched (January 2000 to April 2021). Study selection was performed by two researchers to include studies reported oncological safety. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined using random-effect model. Subgroup analyses were stratified by characteristics of disease, publication, study design and treatment center. RESULTS: Sixty-one studies with 63,369 patients (MIS 26956 and ARH 36,049) were included. The overall-analysis revealed a higher risk of recurrence (HR 1.209; 95% CI 1.102-1.327) and death (HR 1.124; 95% CI 1.013-1.248) after MIS versus ARH expect in FIGO IB1 (FIGO 2009 staging) patients with tumor size less than 2 cm. However, subgroup analyses showed comparable PFS/DFS and OS in studies published before the Laparoscopic Approach to Cervical Cancer (LACC) trial, published in European journals, conducted in a single center, performed in centers in Europe and in centers with high sample volume or high MIS sample volume. CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight possible factors that associated with inferior survival after MIS in cervical cancer including publication characteristics, center-geography and sample volume. Center associated factors were needed to be taken into consideration when evaluating complex surgical procedures like radical hysterectomy.

FABP4 is an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with cervical cancer.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a crucial independent prognostic factor in cervical cancer (CCa) and serves as an indicator for radiation therapy as the primary or an adjuvant treatment option. However, preoperative diagnosis of LNM remains challenging. Thus, we aimed to identify biomarkers of LNM in patients with presumed early-stage CCa. METHODS: The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between tumours with different lymph node statuses were identified by using The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Then, univariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier analyses were utilized to screen overall survival (OS)-associated genes. Multivariate Cox analysis and logistical analysis were utilized to evaluate independent risk factors for OS and LNM, respectively. Subsequently, the protein level of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) was detected in normal cervical and CCa tissues by immunohistochemistry assays. EdU assays were performed to determine whether FABP4 altered the proliferation of cervical cancer cells. Wound healing and Transwell assays were conducted to explore the effects of FABP4 depletion on migratory and invasive abilities of cervical cancer cells. F-actin fluorescence staining were performed to investigate morphological change and Western blotting analyses were performed to determine epithelial mesenchymal transition-related marker expression and downstream signalling pathways. RESULTS: A total of 243 DEGs, including 55 upregulated and 188 downregulated DEGs, were found in CCa patients with LNM versus those without LNM. Among these, FABP4 was found to be closely associated with poor OS. Multivariate analysis uncovered that FABP4 was an independent risk factor for OS and LNM in patients with CCa. The immunohistochemical results verified dramatically increased FABP4 expression in CCa tissues compared to normal cervical epithelia and its association with poor OS and LNM. In vitro, The proliferation, migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells were significantly inhibited after knocking down of FABP4, which was accompanied by elevated expression of E-cadherin and downregulated expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin and p-AKT. CONCLUSIONS: FABP4 might be a promising biomarker of LNM and survival in patients with early-stage CCa and therefore could significantly contribute to the development of personalized prognosis prediction and therapy optimization.

The role of the PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway on prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis.

The PTEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, a key player in mediating apoptosis, metabolism, cell proliferation, and cell growth, is frequently dysregulated in many cancers. However, the pathway's prognostic impact in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is still inconsistent. We performed a meta-analysis based on individual study outcomes to more precisely evaluate its clinical significance in EOC patients. Methods. We searched all potentially relevant studies published between January 1, 1990, and March 1, 2013, that assessed the association between PTEN, PI3K, and Akt status and survival in EOC. Meta-analysis was performed using a fixed-effect or random-effects model as appropriate. We investigated the possibility of publication bias through a funnel plot and identified the heterogeneity by I(2) statistics. Results. Eleven eligible studies were analyzed for PTEN, 5 for PI3K, and 11 for pAkt. High PI3K and pAkt expression was associated with poor overall survival (OS; pooled adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 1.44, 95% CI, 1.08-1.91 for PI3K; HR = 1.60, 95% CI, 1.26-2.04 for pAkt). In addition, both the meta-analyses of univariate and multivariate estimates showed that only high pAkt expression was significantly associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS; pooled unadjusted HR = 1.24, 95% CI, 1.10-1.39; pooled adjusted HR = 1.65, 95% CI, 1.07-2.55). Conclusion. Published studies suggest that high pAkt expression is significantly associated with poor OS and PFS in EOC patients, but currently available evidence is insufficient to recommend that PTEN, PI3K, or Akt be used as prognostic predictors in EOC in clinical practice.

Characteristics of debris flow development in Daxilada watershed and its hazard analysis on Lexi Expressway.

The occurrence of frequent debris flow catastrophes in the mountainous regions of southwest China has necessitated the inclusion of debris flow disaster analysis and prevention as an essential component in the planning and construction of mountainous roadways. Daxilada watershed is located in the south of Mabian Yi Zuzizhixian, Leshan City, Sichuan Province, and the proposed Leshan-Xichang Expressway (Lexi Expressway) will pass through the upper reaches of Daxilada watershed. It is essential to consider that the presence of debris flows within the Daxilada watershed could have detrimental effects on the construction and functionality of the proposed Luoshanxi Bridge. This study examined the Daxilada watershed as a case study and analyzed the factors contributing to debris flow formation in the area. This analysis was based on field investigations, remote sensing interpretation, and experimental analysis. Additionally, the study utilized the Massflow software to simulate debris flow movement. It integrated the simulation results to determine the potential hazards the Daxilada Gully debris flow posed to the line project. This study found that Daxilada Gully meets debris flow formation conditions. The simulation results demonstrated that during the debris flow activity, there would be a maximum deposition depth of 2.1 m in the proposed Engineering Agency, which may lead to siltation and blocking disaster of the line project. Concerning the parameters related to the debris flow with a frequency of one in a hundred years, in conjunction with the outcomes obtained from numerical simulation, it would provide the design basis of the cross-flow cross-section of the proposed bridge. In a quantitative analysis of the blockage situation in the gully, debris flow deposits have the potential to cause damage to the line project. Debris flow deposits block the gully, but the risk of blockage is small. The study results have specific reference values for the debris flow prevention and control project of Lexi Expressway and offer valuable insights for the prevention and mitigation of similar disasters in relative projects.

Evaluation of highway debris flow hazard based on geomorphic evolution theory coupled with material response rate.

Assessments of highway feasibility frequently lack the detailed data and geological information necessary to conduct hazard evaluations of debris flows. This study discusses the processes of debris flow development when regional rainfall meets the critical level required for debris flow initiation. It utilizes geomorphic evolution theory and establishes a regional risk assessment matrix for debris flow by combining information about gullies and source sensitivity. Considering the location relationship between the highway and debris flow gullies, a rapid evaluation method for debris flow risk assessment along the G318 highway in Sichuan Province is proposed by modifying the judgment matrix. The four debris flow gullies constructed during the upgrading project in Yajiang County, stretching from the west of the city to the Shearer Bay section, were analyzed via examples. The results show that, among the four selected debris flow gullies, two had medium hazard levels, and two had high hazard levels. The validation results are consistent with the actual results, implying that the evaluation method used in this study is accurate and feasible. This method is suitable for the rapid evaluation of debris flow disaster hazards in the feasibility assessment stage of a highway because it relies on readily available data sources, and the evaluation results are fast and convenient. The highway passes through four debris flow gullies, which directly impact the alignment of this particular section of the geological route and the engineering layout. Based on current specifications, the maximum impact range of a one-time debris flow under the given frequency conditions was calculated using the "rainfall method." The results showed that the maximum impact ranges of a debris flow, occurring once in 100 years, for four gullies would be 9.08 m, 9.09 m, 10.86 m, and 10.08 m. The safe clearance heights of bridges over the four gullies should be 14.58 m, 14.59 m, 16.36 m, and 16.3 m. Additionally, the safety clearance width for all gullies should be 5.0 m.

Distinct fibroblast subpopulations associated with bone, brain or intrapulmonary metastasis in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Bone or brain metastases may develop in 20-40% of individuals with late-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), resulting in a median overall survival of only 4-6 months. However, the primary lung cancer tissue's distinctions between bone, brain and intrapulmonary metastases of NSCLC at the single-cell level have not been underexplored. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of 14 tissue biopsy samples obtained from treatment-naïve advanced NSCLC patients with bone (n = 4), brain (n = 6) or intrapulmonary (n = 4) metastasis using single-cell sequencing originating from the lungs. Following quality control and the removal of doublets, a total of 80 084 cells were successfully captured. RESULTS: The most significant inter-group differences were observed in the fraction and function of fibroblasts. We identified three distinct cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) subpopulations: myofibroblastic CAF (myCAF), inflammatory CAF (iCAF) and antigen-presenting CAF (apCAF). Notably, apCAF was prevalent in NSCLC with bone metastasis, while iCAF dominated in NSCLC with brain metastasis. Intercellular signalling network analysis revealed that apCAF may play a role in bone metastasis by activating signalling pathways associated with cancer stemness, such as SPP1-CD44 and SPP1-PTGER4. Conversely, iCAF was found to promote brain metastasis by activating invasion and metastasis-related molecules, such as MET hepatocyte growth factor. Furthermore, the interaction between CAFs and tumour cells influenced T-cell exhaustion and signalling pathways within the tumour microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS: This study unveils the direct interplay between tumour cells and CAFs in NSCLC with bone or brain metastasis and identifies potential therapeutic targets for inhibiting metastasis by disrupting these critical cell-cell interactions.

Parent Artery Chronical Occlusion after Endovascular Treatment of a Unruptured "True" Posterior Communicating Artery Aneurysm.

A case of a patient with a true large unruptured posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysm in a distal segment of PCoA, who was treated by interventional therapy via an ipsilateral occlusion of the internal carotid artery (ICA), is reported. Although the treatment went very well and the patient recovered very well, angiography 6 months after the operation showed that left PCoA had occluded and the aneurysm disappeared. The temporary recanalization of occluded ophthalmic segment of ICA can be a pathway for interventional therapy. Mechanism and preventive measures for spontaneous occlusion of the PCoA harboring an aneurysm still needs further study.

Tumour-derived exosomal piR-25783 promotes omental metastasis of ovarian carcinoma by inducing the fibroblast to myofibroblast transition.

Ovarian carcinoma inherently possesses a distinct metastatic organotropism for the adipose-rich omentum, contributing to disease progression. Although the premetastatic microenvironment (PMM) has been known to often play a prometastatic role during the process, incomplete mechanistic insight into PMM formation has prevented its therapeutic targeting. Omental fibroblasts can be activated by tumour cells to differentiate into myofibroblasts, termed the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition (FMT), which, in turn, enhances cancer aggressiveness. Here, we report crosstalk between cancer cells and omental fibroblasts through exosomal piR-25783, which fuels tumour metastasis. Tumour cell-secreted exosomal piR-25783 activates the TGF-ß/SMAD2/SMAD3 pathway in fibroblasts and promotes the FMT in the omentum along with the secretion of various cytokines and elevation of proliferative, migratory, and invasive properties, contributing to the formation of PMMs. Furthermore, piR-25783-induced myofibroblasts promote tumour implantation and growth in the omentum. In addition, the overexpression of piR-25783 in ovarian carcinoma is associated with unfavourable clinicopathological characteristics and shorter survival. In this study, we provide molecular, functional, and translational evidence suggesting that exosomal piR-25783 plays an important role in the formation of PMMs and the development of metastatic diseases in vitro and in vivo and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for ovarian carcinoma with metastasis.

Fibroblasts in omentum activated by tumor cells promote ovarian cancer growth, adhesion and invasiveness.

Omentum metastasis is a common occurrence in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), which is often accompanied by ascites that facilitates the spread of EOC cells. A subpopulation of fibroblasts-the cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are important promoters of tumor progression. We have shown previously that CAFs exist not only in omentum with EOC metastasis but also in omentum without metastasis. In the present study, using primary human fibroblasts isolated from normal omentum (NFs) and omentum with ovarian cancer metastasis (CAFs), we established in vitro coculture models and a 3D culture model mimicking human omentum structure for investigation of interactions between fibroblasts and cancer cells. We demonstrate that EOC cells activate NFs and promote their proliferation via transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) signaling, and the activated fibroblasts contribute to the invasion and adhesion of EOC cells. Moreover, EOC cells and NFs coculture led to overexpression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and adhesion and invasion of EOC cells could be partially suppressed by blocking the function of HGF or MMP-2. Additionally, mouse peritoneal dissemination models of EOC confirmed the activation of fibroblasts by cancer cells and the tumor growth- and metastasis-promoting effects of activated fibroblasts in vivo. Our findings indicate that activated fibroblasts in omentum form a congenial environment to promote EOC cells implantation. It is an intriguing concept that targeting the activation of omentum fibroblast through the inhibition of TGF-ß1 signaling can be used as a new therapeutic strategy against ovarian cancer omentum metastases, which needs further study.

Case report: Conservative treatment for fertility preservation in a woman with hemoperitoneum due to an invasive mole.

Background: Invasive moles are a subtype of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) that usually develops after hydatidiform molar pregnancies. Uterine rupture in high-risk GTN is a rare and potentially catastrophic event. The treatment of invasive mole perforation with uterine rupture is particularly challenging in young women who desire fertility preservation. Case presentation: We present the case of a 22-year-old woman with a rapidly transformed invasive mole after two evacuations for a complete molar pregnancy. Within 21 days of the second molar evacuation, the serum ß-hCG level surged from 5,718 mIU/ml to 444,617 mIU/ml. An ultrasonography examination showed the uterus was 9.2×8.9×7.8 cm in size with an uneven echo area of 6.9×5.2 cm near the fundus of the uterine cavity; the convex anterior wall had no normal muscle layer, and the outer margin was about 0.24 cm from the serosal layer. The patient was diagnosed with an invasive mole. Since she desired fertility preservation, we proposed a methotrexate (MTX) chemotherapy regimen. Before the planned chemotherapy, she experienced sudden abdominal pain accompanied by a blood pressure of 76/48 mmHg and a pulse rate of 116 bpm. An emergency abdominal ultrasound scan showed acute intra-abdominal bleeding (approximately 2,000 ml), and blood tests showed a hemoglobin concentration of 7.9 g/dL. Immediate uterine artery embolization was performed, and 35 mg MTX was administered bilaterally through the uterine arteries. The next day, the serum ß-hCG decreased to 83,530 mIU/ml, and the vital signs remained stable. Seven days later, the patient received a combination of etoposide, methotrexate, dactinomycin, cyclophosphamide, and vincristine (EMACO), and the serum ß-hCG level normalized after cycle five. At the 13-month follow-up after therapy completion, the woman was disease-free with a normal ß-hCG level. Conclusion: Our experience highlights the potential feasibility and efficacy of conservative treatment for fertility preservation in such scenarios.

Analysis of the evolution trends and influential factors of bankfull discharge in the Lower Yellow River.

After the Xiaolangdi Reservoir (XLDR) was put into operation, new water and sediment conditions have improved the silting condition of the Lower Yellow River (LYR), but against this background, the flow capacity of the LYR has become more complex. In this research, the measured water and sediment data of seven hydrological stations in the LYR from 1950 to 2020 were systematically collated. The evolution trend and development period of the bankfull discharge in this area were studied based on the wavelet analysis method, and the main factors influencing the evolution of the bankfull discharge were explored. The results indicate that the evolution process of bankfull discharge in the LYR has experienced two phases in the last 70 years. XLDR has been impounded since October 1999. Before XLDR operation, the bankfull discharge of the LYR has a main time scale of about 26 years. After XLDR operation began, it has a time scale of about 10 years. The bankfull discharge of the LYR shows two phases of evolution, and these phases are mainly influenced by the factors of water and sediment conditions. This research is needed for a deeper understanding of flow-bed and river discharge and sediment transport capacity under the water and sediment conditions in the LYR.

Locally advanced cervical rhabdomyosarcoma in adults: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyosarcoma is a soft tissue tumor of primitive mesenchymal cells origin, occurring predominantly in children and adolescents, but extremely rare in adults and the data regarding its treatment are sparse. Here, we would like to share our experience in the treatment of a locally advanced primary embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of cervix in a 39-year-old female. CASE SUMMARY: The patient was admitted with symptoms of intermenstrual bleeding and postcoital bleeding for six months. Physical examination revealed a friable, polyp-like mass (5 cm × 5 cm) in her cervix protruding into the vagina, while the uterus was mobile and normal-sized. Colposcopy-directed biopsy was performed, and a pathological diagnosis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma was made. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis showed that the cervical volume was significantly increased, with a hypointense and hyperintense soft tissue mass on the right side, invading the cervical stroma; the mass was 5 cm × 5 cm with a clear boundary and confined to the cervix; there were no obvious findings indicating tumor invasion in the vaginal wall, parametrium, or pelvic wall; no enlarged lymph nodes were observed in the pelvic cavity. Based on our findings, the tumor was classified as stage IA according to the intergroup rhabdomyosarcoma studies criteria and IB3 stage according to The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018. The patient underwent two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and a partial remission was achieved. Subsequently, she underwent laparoscopic radical hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophrectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection and there were no risk factors revealed by postoperative pathological examination. Adjuvant chemotherapy was performed after surgery. The patient was disease-free until the last follow-up, 49 mo after completing the entire treatment. CONCLUSION: Our experience suggests that neoadjuvant vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide chemotherapy followed by radical surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy might be reasonable therapeutic option for bulky cervical rhabdomyosarcoma in adults without fertility desire. Since large-scale studies on such rare conditions are rather impossible, further case reports and systematic reviews could help optimize the treatment of primary, bulky cervical rhabdomyosarcoma in adults.

Tumor cell-derived exosomes deliver TIE2 protein to macrophages to promote angiogenesis in cervical cancer.

Tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin and epidermal growth factor homology domains 2 (TIE2)-expressing macrophages (TEMs) are an angiogenesis-promoting subset of tumor-associated macrophages that have been demonstrated to be increased in solid tumors and associated with the progression of cervical cancer. However, the induction mechanism of TEMs remains unclear. Here, based on multicolor immunofluorescence of 58 cervical cancer tissues and the GEPIA database, we found that TEMs were increased in TIE2-high cervical cancer and related to shorter survival. In vitro and in vivo experiments verified that exosomes derived from TIE2-high cervical cancer cells transferred TIE2 protein directly to macrophages, thereby inducing TEMs. Similar to primary TEMs, TEMs induced by tumor-derived exosomes promoted angiogenesis, could be induced by angiopoietin-2, and possessed an M2-like phenotype. In conclusion, exosomes derived from TIE2-high cervical cancer cells induce TEMs by directly transporting TIE2 to promote tumor angiogenesis.

Monitoring the Spatiotemporal Difference in Glacier Elevation on Bogda Mountain from 2000 to 2017.

The difference in glacier surface elevation is a sensitive indicator of climate change and is also important for disaster warning and water supply. In this paper, 25 glaciers on Bogda Mountain, in the eastern Tianshan Mountains, are selected as the study object as they are typical of glaciers in arid or semi-arid areas with importance for water supply. The Repeat Orbit Interferometry (ROI) method is used to survey the surface elevation of these glaciers using Sentinel-1A Radar data from 2017. Using data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) and a Digital Elevation Model (DEM), the difference in the glacier surface elevation between 2000 and 2017 is obtained. A scheme to evaluate the accuracy of estimated variations in glacier surface elevation is proposed in this article. By considering the surfaces of lakes in the study region as ideal horizontal planes, the average standard deviation (SD) value of the lake elevation is taken as the error caused by the radar sensor and observing conditions. The SD of the lake elevation is used as an index to evaluate the error in the estimated variation of the glacier surface elevation, and the obtained SD values indicate that the result obtained using the ROI method is reliable. Additionally, the glacier surface elevation variation pattern and a Logarithmic Fitting Model (LFM) are used to reduce the error in high-altitude glacial accumulation areas to improve the estimation of the difference in the glacier surface elevation obtained using ROI. The average SD of the elevation of the 12 lakes is ±2.87 m, which shows that the obtained glacier surface elevations are reliable. This article concludes that, between 2000 and 2017, the surface elevation of glaciers on Bogda Mountain decreased by an average of 11.6 ± 1.3 m, corresponding to an average decrease rate of 0.68 m/a, and glaciers volume decreased by an average of 0.504 km3. Meanwhile, the surface elevations of the lakes increased by an average of 8.16 m. The decrease of glacier surface elevation leads to the expansion of glacial lakes. From the north slope clockwise to the south slope, the glacier elevation variation showed a decreasing trend, and the elevation variation gradually increased from the south slope to the north slope. With the increase of glacier altitude, the variation of glacier surface elevation gradually changed from negative to positive. The findings of this article suggest that the rate of glacier retreat on Bogda Mountain increased from 2000 to 2017.

Deformation Time Series and Driving-Force Analysis of Glaciers in the Eastern Tienshan Mountains Using the SBAS InSAR Method.

Glacier melting is one of the important causes of glacier morphology change and can provide basic parameters for calculating glacier volume change and glacier mass balance, which, in turn, is important for evaluating water resources. However, it is difficult to obtain large-scale time series of glacier changes due to the cloudy and foggy conditions which are typical of mountain areas. Gravity-measuring satellites and laser altimetry satellites can monitor changes in glacier volume over a wide area, while synthetic-aperture radar satellites can monitoring glacier morphology with a high spatial and temporal resolution. In this article, an interferometric method using a short temporal baseline and a short spatial baseline, called the Small Baseline Subsets (SBAS) Interferometric Synthetic-Aperture Radar (InSAR) method, was used to study the average rate of glacier deformation on Karlik Mountain, in the Eastern Tienshan Mountains, China, by using 19 Sentinel-1A images from November 2017 to December 2018. Thus, a time series analysis of glacier deformation was conducted. It was found that the average glacier deformation in the study region was -11.77 ± 9.73 mm/year, with the observation sites generally moving away from the satellite along the Line of Sight (LOS). Taking the ridge line as the dividing line, it was found that the melting rate of southern slopes was higher than that of northern slopes. According to the perpendicular of the mountain direction, the mountain was divided into an area in the northwest with large glaciers (Area I) and an area in the southeast with small glaciers (Area II). It was found that the melting rate in the southeast area was larger than that in the northwest area. Additionally, through the analysis of temperature and precipitation data, it was found that precipitation played a leading role in glacier deformation in the study region. Through the statistical analysis of the deformation, it was concluded that the absolute value of deformation is large at elevations below 4200 m while the absolute value of the deformation is very small at elevations above 4500 m; the direction of deformation is always away from the satellite along the LOS and the absolute value of glacier deformation decreases with increasing elevation.

CXCR3 is a prognostic marker and a potential target for patients with solid tumors: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To deeply verify the clinical significance of CXCR3 in prediction of cancer patients' prognosis. DATA SOURCES: We performed a meta-analysis including 12 studies searched from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases. A total of 1,751 patients were used to analyze the association between CXCR3 and patients' prognosis, based on either overall survival or time to tumor progression. STUDY SELECTION: Studies evaluating CXCR3 expression for predicting prognosis in human solid tumors were included. RESULTS: It showed that patients with higher expression of CXCR3 had significantly shorter OS (pooled hazard ratio =2.315, 95% CI: 1.162-4.611, P=0.017). In addition, higher CXCR3 expression was associated with distant metastasis (yes vs no: pooled relative ratio [RR] =1.828, 95% CI: 1.140-2.931, P=0.012) in solid tumors and indicated advanced tumor stage (III/IV vs I/II, RR =2.656, 95% CI: 1.809-3.900, P<0.001) and lymph node metastasis (yes vs no: RR =2.28, 95% CI: 1.61-3.25, P<0.001) in colorectal cancer. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the role of CXCR3 as a potential prognostic marker and a promising therapeutic target in solid tumors.

Laparoscopic procedure compared with open radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy in early cervical cancer: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical outcomes in laparoscopic and open radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy (LRH) in early cervical cancer without the selection bias. METHODS: One special retrospective study was conducted with more than 400 patients involved in laparoscopic procedure. RESULTS: Our results suggest that estimated blood loss and transfusion requirements were significantly lower in the LRH group. Postoperative hospital stay was also significantly shorter in the LRH group. Significant difference was found in the number of pelvic lymph nodes retrieved between the LRH and open radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy (ORH) groups. There were no differences in operating time, perioperative complications, progression-free survival, and overall survival between the LRH and ORH groups. CONCLUSION: LRH can be considered a safe and effective alternative to conventional open surgery (ORH) for early-stage cervical cancer.

Role of HER family members in predicting prognoses in epithelial ovarian cancer: a meta-analysis.

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Human epidermal receptor (HER) family receptors are commonly overexpressed in various human tumors, and their overexpression is thought to play a critical role in tumor progression. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the prognostic significance of HER family members in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: Relevant studies published between January 1, 1980, and April 24, 2013, that evaluated the associations of HER family members with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), response to platinum-based chemotherapy, lymph node metastasis, or ascites in EOC were identified via searches of PubMed and EMBASE. RESULTS: We identified 37 eligible articles that met the inclusion criteria. The results of the meta-analysis revealed that significantly poorer OS of patients with EOC was predicted by high Her-2 expression levels (hazard ratio [HR] 1.69, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31-2.19). Furthermore, high Her-2 expression was significantly associated with poor PFS (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.46-2.41) and an increased risk of ascites (risk ratio 1.21, 95% CI 1.02-1.42). CONCLUSIONS: High levels of expression of Her-2 are significantly related to poor survival and an increased risk of ascites in patients with EOC. Future prospective cohorts with larger samples are needed to verify the prognostic value of Her-2 expression in EOC.

Analysis of genotypic and environmental effects on rice starch. 1. Apparent amylose content, pasting viscosity, and gel texture.

Eight rice varieties with wide diversity in apparent amylose content (AC) were selected and planted in the early season and late season of Hangzhou and in the winter season of Hainan for two consecutive years to study the genotype x environment effects on the starch properties of the grain. Analyses of variance showed that AC, cool paste viscosity, breakdown viscosity, setback viscosity, peak time, gel hardness, adhesiveness, and cohesiveness were mainly affected by genotypic variation, whereas peak viscosity and hot paste viscosity were mainly affected by environmental variation. The year x season, year x variety, seasonx variety, and year x season x variety effects were significant for most traits, indicating significant genotype x environment interactions. AC was significantly correlated with all other parameters except PV. Because the Wx gene controls the synthesis of amylose in rice, the mechanism of how the environment affects starch properties is discussed in relation to Wx expression and regulation. The implications of the results for rice breeders and starch-based food manufacturers are discussed.

Analysis of genotypic and environmental effects on rice starch. 2. Thermal and retrogradation properties.

Eight rice varieties with wide diversity in apparent amylose content (AC) were selected and planted in the early (HZE) and late season (HZL) in Hangzhou and in the winter season in Hainan (HN) for two consecutive years to study the genotypic and environmental effects on starch thermal and retrogradation properties of grain. Genotypic variation (all at P < 0.01) accounted for >56% of the total variation for onset (T(o)), peak (T(p)), and completion (T(c)) temperature, width at half-peak height (DeltaT(1/2)) of gelatinization, enthalpy (DeltaH(r)) of retrograded starch, percentage of retrogradation (R%), and 45.8% for enthalpy (DeltaH(g)) of gelatinization. Seasonal variation accounted for about one-fifth for T(o), T(p), and T(c) and one-third for DeltaH(g), but less for T(1/)(2), DeltaH(r), and R% of the total variation, indicating that T(o), T(p), T(c), and DeltaH(g) were highly affected by seasonal environment in addition to the genotypic variation. The T(o), T(p), T(c), and DeltaH(g) in HZL were much smaller than those in HZE and HN. Correlation analysis for the eight genotypes showed that AC was significantly correlated with DeltaH(g) (r = -0.83, P < 0.01) and R% (r = 0.734, P < 0.05). DeltaH(g) was also positively correlated with T(c) (r = 0.878, P < 0.05), but it did not have any correlation with DeltaH(r), whereas the latter was positively correlated with R% (r = 0.994, P < 0.001). The intercorrelation of T(o), T(p), T(c), and DeltaT(1/)(2) themselves was significant at P < 0.001. The correlation analysis results suggest that there are different molecular mechanisms to regulate thermal properties (T(o), T(p), T(c), and DeltaH(g)) and retrogradation properties (DeltaH(r) and R%) as affected by environmental conditions. The implications of the results for rice breeders and starch-based food processors are discussed.