Upregulation of Wnt2b exerts neuroprotective effect by alleviating mitochondrial dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease.

AIMS: This study investigated the relationship between plasma Wnt2b levels and Alzheimer's disease (AD), and explored the effect of Wnt2b on mitochondrial dysfunction in AD. METHODS: Healthy and AD subjects, AD transgenic mice, and in vitro models were used to investigate the roles of Wnt2b in abnormalities in canonical Wnt signaling and mitochondria in AD. RT-qPCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence analysis were performed to assay canonical Wnt signaling. Mitochondrial structure was analyzed by electron microscopy. Flow cytometry was used to examine the intracellular calcium and neuronal apoptosis. RESULTS: Plasma Wnt2b levels were lower in AD patients and positively correlated with cognitive performance. Similarly, Wnt2b was reduced in the hippocampus of AD mice and in vitro models. Next, Wnt2b overexpression and recombinant Wnt2b were used to endogenously and exogenously upregulate Wnt2b levels. Upregulation of Wnt2b could effectively prevent downregulation of canonical Wnt signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction in in vitro AD models. Subsequently, intracellular calcium overload and neuronal damage were ameliorated. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights that Wnt2b decline is associated with cognitive impairment in AD, and upregulation of Wnt2b can exert neuroprotective effects in AD, particularly in ameliorating mitochondrial dysfunction.

One-stage resection of four genotypes of bilateral multiple primary lung adenocarcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) in China is 0.52%-2.45%. Most primary lung cancer cases have reported two lesions or three in rare cases. We report a rare case of bilateral simultaneous multiple primary lung adenocarcinoma of four different genotypes. CASE SUMMARY: A 58-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital on June 29, 2021, and upon physical examination, four multiple pulmonary nodules were identified in both lungs. Further computed tomography (CT) images revealed the presence of ground glass nodules, predicted to be high-risk cancer lesions by artificial intelligence. With the guidance of three-dimensional reconstruction of preoperative CT images, the nodules were resected under thoracoscopy. Postoperative pathological investigation revealed that the nodule types were adenocarcinoma in situ, invasive alveolar adenocarcinoma, and microinvasive adenocarcinoma. The excised nodules were further sequenced using high-throughput sequencing (semiconductor sequencing method) of 26 lung cancer genes to confirm that the four lesions were not homologous. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 8, that is, on July 15, 2021. One month later, she returned to the hospital for follow-up and reexamination. Chest CT examination showed that she had recovered well, and no obvious exudation and effusion were found in both pleural cavities. Evaluation of postoperative pulmonary function showed that her forced vital capacity was 1.40 L (preoperative value, 2.27 L) and forced expiratory volume was 1.24 L (preoperative value, 2.23 L). CONCLUSION: The surgical plan for multiple pulmonary nodules should be carefully considered. For carefully selected patients with concurrently occurring multiple lung nodules in both lungs, sublobectomy is a safe and feasible plan for concurrent bilateral resection of the lesions. Genetic sequencing is necessary for MPLC diagnosis and treatment.

Modified posterior approach of the knee in patients with diffuse pigmented Villonodular synovitis: case series of a single Institution's experience.

BACKGROUND: Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (DPVNS) is a challenging tumor-like disorder that mainly occurs in the anterior aspect of the knee joint. The growth may sometimes extend to the posterior knee joint. Surgical excision is the mainstream treatment for DPVNS, and the posterior approach of tumor excision is adopted when the dominant tumor shows posterior extension. However, the optimal surgical approach over the posterior knee remains unknown. METHODS: Patients with DPVNS of the knee joint who received the posterior approach of synovectomy from 1995 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed to describe the modified separate posterior (SP) approaches, and evaluate the treatment outcomes in a case series of DPVNS knees. The results of the SP approach was also compared with those of traditional direct posterior (DP) approach. Postoperative functional outcomes were evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) standardized questionnaire and clinician-completed Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional rating system at outpatient department. RESULTS: A total of 20 DPVNS knees were included. Thirteen patients who received SP approaches were included in the SP group, while seven patients who received the DP approach were included in the DP group. The median follow-up times were 5.7 years (IQR, 2-8.8) in the SP group and 3 years (IQR, 2-5.3) in the DP group. Both groups showed satisfactory safety. The SP group presented higher postoperative mean WOMAC (91.23 ± 7.20) and mean MSTS (24.23 ± 2.68) than the DP group (mean WOMAC: 76.00 ± 16.57; mean MSTS: 22.43 ± 4.69). The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was use to compare preoperative and postoperative range of motion (ROM) for each group. The significant difference in SP group (p = 0.004) was found while p = 0.131 in DP group. CONCLUSIONS: The SP approach provides an effective approach with satisfactory outcomes for the surgical treatment of DPVNS knees.

Dual-construct fixation is recommended in ipsilateral femoral neck fractures with infra-isthmus shaft fracture: A STROBE compliant study.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors related to osteosynthesis failure in patients with concomitant ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures, including old age; smoking habit; comminuted fragments; infra-isthmus fracture; angular malreduction; unsatisfactory reduction (fracture gap >5 mm); and treatment with single construct.Patients over the age of 20 with concomitant ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures diagnosed at a level one medical center between 2003 and 2019 were included. Treatment modalities included single construct with/without an antirotational screw for the neck and dual constructs. Radiographic outcomes were assessed from anteroposterior and lateral hip radiographs at follow-up. Fisher exact test was used to analyze categorical variables. The presence of avascular necrosis of the femoral head, delayed union, atrophic or hypertrophic nonunion of the femoral shaft fracture, and loss of reduction were identified as factors related to treatment failure.A total of 22 patients were included in this study. The average age was 58.5 years, and the majority was male (68.2%). The minimum radiographic follow-up duration was 12 months, and the median follow-up time was 12 (interquartile range 12-24) months.Femoral neck osteosynthesis failed in 3 patients, whereas femoral shaft osteosynthesis failed in 12 patients. Fisher exact test demonstrated the failure of femoral shaft osteosynthesis was significantly more frequent in the single-construct cohort in 16 infra-isthmus femoral fracture cases (P = .034).In ipsilateral femoral neck and infra-isthmus shaft fractures, it is better to treat the neck and shaft fractures with separate implants (dual constructs).In a dual-construct cohort, separate plate fixation of the femoral shaft achieved a better result in terms of bone union than retrograde nailing of the shaft (bone union rate: 4/8 vs 0/2).

Long-term functional outcomes of diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis of knee: The role of adjuvant radiotherapy.

ABSTRACT: Diffuse pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of knee is a rare benign disease that has a destructive clinical course. Synovectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) have been reported as treatment options but literatures reporting functional outcomes were sparse. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term functional outcomes and disease control among treatment modalities through the 22 years of experience.A single-center database was searched for patients who received synovectomy of knee with the pathologic diagnosis of PVNS. General data, treatment modalities, and recurrent status were retrospectively collected from medical records. Functional outcomes were evaluated by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index through phone interviews by an independent orthopedist.From January 1995 to December 2017, 24 patients with diffuse PVNS of knee were identified, including 19 receiving open synovectomy (OP) and 5 undergoing arthroscopic surgery. Adjuvant RT was performed on 14 patients with a median dose of 35 Gy (range 20-40 Gy). After median follow up of 6 years, recurrences were recorded in 10 cases. The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the OP + RT group than the OP group (8.3% vs 57.1%, P = .038). Among those with preserved knee joints, there was no significant difference in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score and stiffness score between patients in the OP + RT and OP groups.For patients with diffuse PVNS of knee, the addition of moderate-dose adjuvant RT following OP provided excellent local control while maintaining good joint function with limited treatment-related morbidity. Our study emphasized the importance of moderate dose RT in diffuse PVNS of knee joint.

Aspirin administration might accelerate the subsidence of periprosthetic joint infection.

Since the past decade, aspirin, a popular anti-inflammatory drug, has been increasingly studied for its potential antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity with promising results, but studies were limited to in vitro and in vivo investigations. Moreover, evidence concerning the beneficial effects of aspirin on the treatment of biofilm-related infections in real-world population is limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether aspirin could promote infection control for patients with periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). A single-center database was searched. Regular aspirin exposure was defined as a prescription of aspirin for > 6 months before diagnosis of PJIs and consecutive use during the PJI treatment course at a dose ≧ 100 mg/day. General data, treatment modalities, and recurrence status were collected from medical records by an independent orthopedic surgeon. From January 01, 2010, to February 17, 2019, 88 patients who met the PJI criteria were identified and included in this study. Of these patients, 12 were taking aspirin regularly during the infectious events. In the Cox proportional hazards model, multivariate analysis revealed that the aspirin group demonstrated significant benefit via superior resolution of PJIs (HR 2.200; 95% CI 1.018-4.757; p = 0.045). In this study, aspirin is beneficial for infection resolution when combined with the current standard of PJI treatment and conventional antibiotics in the management of PJIs.

Anatomic three-dimensional model-assisted surgical planning for treatment of pediatric hip dislocation due to osteomyelitis.

Management of pediatric septic coxarthritis and osteomyelitis of the femur is challenging, and the sequelae of multiplanar hip joint deformity with instability are difficult to reconstruct. The inadequacy of a suitable device for fixing small bones during pediatric osteotomy is a hindrance to the correction of subluxated hip joints and deformed femurs in children. Two-dimensional axial images and three-dimensional (3D) virtual models representing the patient's individual anatomy are usually reserved for more complex cases of limb deformity. 3D printing technology can be used for preoperative planning of complex pediatric orthopedic surgery. However, there is a paucity of literature reports regarding the application of 3D-printed bone models for pediatric post-osteomyelitis deformity. We herein present a case of a 4-year-old boy who underwent treatment for post-osteomyelitis deformity. We performed corrective surgery with Pemberton osteotomy of the right hip, multilevel varus derotation osteotomy of the right femur, and immobilization with a hip spica cast. A 3D-printed bone model of this patient was used to simulate the surgery, determine the proper osteotomy sites, and choose the appropriate implant for the osteotomized bone. A satisfactory clinical outcome was achieved.

Simultaneous bilateral ulnar neuropathy: an unusual complication caused by neuroleptic treatment-induced tardive dyskinesia: A Case Report.

RATIONALE: In the past decade, only a few studies have focused on simultaneous bilateral ulnar neuropathy. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 54-year-old Asian male who has suffered from paranoid schizophrenia for 2 years. He reported that flexion contracture occurring over his fourth and fifth fingers on both hands appeared since six months after he started taking the antipsychotic drug. The electromyogram revealed bilateral ulnar neuropathy with chronic axonal degeneration at the elbow level. McGowan classification was performed to evaluate the severity of the ulnar nerve injury, and the patient was diagnosed with a grade 3 injury on his left hand and a grade 2 injury on his right hand. DIAGNOSIS: Simultaneous bilateral ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, a complication caused by tardive dyskinesia in a patient under the high-dose, first-generation, antipsychotic drug. INTERVENTIONS: We consulted a psychiatrist to assist in adjusting the patient's kind of the antipsychotic drug and performed the anterior transposition of ulnar nerve to avoid nerve entrapment caused by tardive dyskinesia. OUTCOMES: Numbness of the palms continued to regress over the following 6 months after the anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve. Regression of the involuntary movements, including repeated bending of the elbows, and shaking of both feet, was noted from the patient but was incomplete. LESSONS: Two literatures concluded that parkinsonian rigidity is the main cause of simultaneous bilateral ulnar neuropathy by Sampath et al and Kurlan et al. Unlike the cases of stereotyped posture-caused neural compression reported previously, we inferred that repeated involuntary motion caused by first-generation antipsychotic drug might have been one of the causes of the patient's nerve compression.

Docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil compared with epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil regimen for advanced gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: As the first-line regimens for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer, both docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (DCF) and epirubicin, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil (ECF) regimens are commonly used in clinical practice, but there is still controversy about which is better. AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of DCF and ECF regimens by conducting this meta-analysis. METHODS: Computer searches in PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, Science Direct, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and Scopus were performed to find the clinical studies of all comparisons between DCF and ECF regimens. We used progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and adverse effects (AEs) as endpoints for analysis. RESULTS: Our meta-analysis included seven qualified studies involving a total of 598 patients. The pooled hazard ratios between the DCF and ECF groups were comparable in PFS (95%CI: 0.58-1.46, P = 0.73), OS (95%CI: 0.65-1.10, P = 0.21), and total AEs (95%CI: 0.93-1.29, P = 0.30). The DCF group was significantly better than the ECF group in terms of ORR (95%CI: 1.13-1.75, P = 0.002) and DCR (95%CI: 1.03-1.41, P = 0.02). However, the incidence rate of grade 3-4 AEs was also greater in the DCF group than in the ECF group (95%CI: 1.16-1.88, P = 0.002), especially for neutropenia and febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSION: With better ORR and DCR values, the DCF regimen seems to be more suitable for advanced gastric cancer than the ECF regimen. However, the higher rate of AEs in the DCF group still needs to be noticed.

[Evaluation with different measuring methods for the alveolar bone change of ridge preservation in molar sites].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of the vertical height and width of the alveolar bone six months after the alveolar ridge preservation in periodontal compromised molar sites of severe alveolar bone defects with clinical direct measurement, parallel periapical radiographs, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to analyze the effect of the three different methods of measurement. METHODS: In this study, 20 subjects requiring tooth extraction on account of periodontal disease with a total of 23 extracted molars were enrolled. Extractions were performed atraumatically and patients were received alveolar ridge preservation procedure with Bio-Oss and Bio-Gide. Clinical direct measurements were taken after tooth extraction and during the implant surgery 6 months later, CBCT scans and parallel periapical radiographs were taken immediately after ridge preservation and 6 months later. The changes of alveolar ridge width and vertical height after six months were measured and analyzed through the above-mentioned three methods and the similarities and differences of the measured effect were compared. RESULTS: There were no significant difference of alveolar vertical height in the center of the extraction sites, the center of distal aspect, and distobuccal aspect between the clinical direct measurements and the CBCT measurements (P>0.05), alveolar vertical height in other points and alveolar width measurements were statically significant (P<0.05). After 6 months, 10 sites of 10 subjects were received a flap and re-entered to perform dental implants surgery. The vertical height in the center of alveolar increased significantly and the changes of alveolar vertical height of clinical direct and CBCT measurement were (6.15 ± 1.73) mm and (6.59 ± 2.53) mm, respectively. The measurements of the width of the alveolar bone were (8.45 ± 1.18) mm and (8.52 ± 1.27) mm, respectively. The measurements of the two methods were not statistically significant (P>0.05). The change of the alveolar height in the center of the extraction socket after six months measured by parallel periapical was (5.84 ± 4.28) mm, which was closed to the clinical direct measurement and the CBCT measurement. CONCLUSION: Clinical direct measurement and CBCT measurement were largely consistent in the evaluation of the alveolar bone height and width after the alveolar ridge preservation using deproteinized boving bone mineral (DBBM, Bio-Oss) and bioabsorbable collagen membrane (Bio-Gide) in periodontal compromised molar sites of severe bone defects.

Correlation of angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism with perioperative myocardial protection under extracorporeal circulation.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin II (Ang II), cardiac troponin (cTn I), creatine kinase isozymes (CK-MB) and muscle red protein(Myo) after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), and to investigate the association of polymorphisms in angiotensin converting enzyme genes and myocardial injury. METHODS: Sixty-three patients suffered from rheumatic mitral stenosis and scheduled for mitral valve replacement with CPB, were randomly divided into three groups according polymorphisms in angiotensin converting enzyme genes: type II, type ID, type DD (each=21). Blood samples were withdrawn from artery before operation (T1), at the beginning of CPB (T2), 30 min after CPB (T3), (T4) at the end of CPB (T5), 2 h after CPB (T6), 6 h after CPB (T7) to measure the expression of ACE, Ang II, cTn I, CK-MB, Myo. RESULTS: The level of ACE during and after CPB were significantly higher than those before CPB (P<0.05). As extension of CPB time, the expression of ACE was increased. The level of cTn I, CK-MB, Myo after CPB were significantly higher than those before CPB(P<0.05). The level of cTn I, CK-MB and Myo were highest at T7, T6 and T5 and T7, respectively. The level of ACE, Ang II cTn I in patients with DD genotype was significantly higher than the ID and II genotype (P< 0.05). Besides, the level of ACE, Ang II in patients with ID genotype was significantly higher than the II (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: There is certain correlation between CPB perioperative midterm ACE and cTn I, Myo, CK-MB. ACE DD genotype is a susceptibility gene of the CPB perioperative myocardial injury.

[Video-assisted thoracoscopic radical resection of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To study the reliability and feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for radical resection of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS: Fifty-four patients with NSCLC treated between Jan. 2007 and Jun. 2010 at our institution were divided into VATS group (n=23) and video-assisted mini thoracotomy (VAMT) group (n=31). The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of dissected nodes, pleural effusion drainage, postoperative hospital stay, and visual analogue scales (VAS) were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No deaths or serious complications occurred perioperatively in the two groups. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of dissected lymph nodes or pleural effusion drainage were all comparable between the two groups, but compared with VAMT, VATS was associated with significantly shortened postoperative hospital stay (10.54±1.21 days vs 7.92±0.86 days, P<0.05) and lowered VAS scores (4.26±1.28 vs 2.37±0.25, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: VATS for pulmonary lobe resection with systematic node dissection is a feasible approach to the management of early-stage NSCLC.

[Primary cultured neonate rat sinus node cells: morphology and expression of kir2.1 protein].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of kir2.1 protein in primary cultured sinus node cells and establish a reliable technique to locate, culture and characterize neonatal rat sinus node cells. METHODS: In paraffin sections, the location and morphology of the neonatal rat sinus node cells were observed by HE staining, silver nitrate staining, myelin staining and phosphotungstic acid-hematoxylin (PTAH) staining. Primary cell culture from the neonatal rat sinus node was conducted to observe the spontaneous contraction frequency, cell morphology and kir2.1 protein expression. RESULTS: Combination of the 3 staining methods allowed accurate localization of the sino-atrial nodal (SAN) tissue, and among the cultured cells in the SAN, at least 3 distinct types of cells with spontaneous contraction were observed. The majority of the contracting cells were spindle cells and their construction and impulse frequency indicated their identity as pacemaker cells, while the triangular and irregular cells resembled the atrial muscle cells. A lower expression level of kir2.1 protein was detected in SAN cells than in the atrial and ventricular myocytes of the neonatal rats. CONCLUSION: Combination of silver nitrate staining, myelin staining and PTAH staining identifies the exact location of the sinus node tissue, and cultured sinus node cells have lower expression of kir2.1 protein than the atrial and ventricular myocytes of neonatal rats.

Expression of G3BP and RhoC in esophageal squamous carcinoma and their effect on prognosis.

AIM: To investigate the expression and significance of G3BP and RhoC proteins in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESC). METHODS: The expression of G3BP and Rhoc proteins in 80 cases of ESC was detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship was studied between the expression of the two proteins and tumor size, differentiation degree, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and prognosis of ESC. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of G3BP in ESC was 71.25%; and the rate in the lymph node metastasis group was significantly higher than that in the non-lymph node metastasis group (Z = -2.283, P = 0.022), but no relations were found between G3BP expression and tumor size, differentiation degree and TNM stage (P > 0.05). The group with G3BP positive expression had shorter survival time than the group with G3BP negative expression (P = 0.000). The positive expression rate of RhoC in ESC was 66.25%; and the rate in the lymph node metastasis group was significantly higher than that in the non-lymph node metastasis group (Z = -2.115, P < 0.05), but no relations were found between RhoC expression and tumor size, differentiation degree and TNM stage (P > 0.05). The RhoC positive expression group had a shorter survival time than the RhoC negative expression group (P < 0.001. The expression of G3BP protein correlated positively with the expression of RhoC in ESC tissues (rs = 0.656, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The expression of G3BP and RhoC protein is closely related to the lymph node metastasis and survival in ESC patients. G3BP and RhoC proteins can be considered as predictors of prognosis in ESC patients.

[Association of CD133 and endothelin-converting enzyme expressions with prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of tumor stem cell marker CD133 and endothelin-converting enzymes (ECE) in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and their association with NSCLC lymphoid metastasis. METHODS: CD133 and ECE expressions was detected immunohistochemically in the specimens from 77 patients with NSCLC, and the association of CD133 and ECE expressions with the tumor size, histological type, differentiation, lymphoid metastasis, and prognosis of NSCLC was analyzed. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of CD133 and ECE was 51.9% (40/77) and 45.5% (35/77) in these specimens, respectively. Both CD133 and ECE expressions were associated positively with lymphoid metastasis (r=0.246 and 0.339, P<0.05), and inversely with the survival time of the patients (P<0.05). CD133 and ECE expressions were not related to tumor size, histological type, and differentiation of the tumor (P>0.05). CD133 expression was associated positively with ECE expression in NSCLC (r=0.249, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CD133 and ECE expressions are associated with lymphoid metastasis and prognosis of NSCLC, and their overexpression often suggests unfavorable prognosis of NSCLC.

[Expression of Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH 3 domain binding protein and osteopontin in esophageal squamous carcinoma and their effects on prognosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions and significances of Ras-GTPase-activating protein SH 3 domain binding protein(G3BP) and osteopontin (OPN) proteins in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESC). METHODS: The expressions of G3BP and OPN proteins in 80 cases of ESC were detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationships between the 2 protein expression and tumor size, differentiation degree, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and prognosis of ESC were also explored. RESULTS: (1) The positive expression rate of G3BP in ESC was 71.3%, and the rate in lymphoid metastatic group was significantly higher than that in non lymphoid metastatic group (Z=-2.283, P=0.022), but no relations were found between G3BP expression and diameter of tumor, differentiation and TNM grade (P>0.05). The G3BP positive expression group had shorter survival time than G3BP negative expression group (P=0.000). (2) The positive expression rate of OPN in ESC was 100%, and the degree of OPN expression was correlated with the differentiation (chi(2)=10.766, P=0.005) and lymphoid metastasis (Z=-2.289, P=0.022), but no relationship was found between the diameter of tumor and TNM grade (P>0.05). The expression of OPN were significantly related to survivals in a negative time-dependent manner in ESC patients (P=0.000). (3) The expression of G3BP protein correlated positively with the degree of OPN expression in ESC tissue (r(s)=0.376, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of G3BP and OPN proteins have a close relationship with lymphoid metastasis and survival in ESC patients. G3BP and OPN proteins can be considered as predictors of prognosis in ESC patients.

[Expressions of RhoC and osteopontin in esophageal squamous carcinoma and association with the patients' prognosis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of RhoC and osteopontin (OPN) protein in esophageal squamous carcinoma (ESC) and their association with the biological behavior of ESC. METHODS: The expressions of RhoC and OPN protein were detected in 80 ESC cases by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The positive expression rate of RhoC was 66.25% in these ESC cases. The rate was significantly higher in cases with lymph node metastasis than in those without (r(s)=-2.115, P<0.05), but RhoC expression was not associated with the tumor diameter, differentiation or TNM grade (P>0.05). The RhoC-positive patients had significantly shorter survival time than the negative patients (P<0.001). All the 80 ESC patients were positive for OPN expression, and OPN expression levels were correlated with the differentiation (chi(2)=10.766, P<0.05) and lymph node metastasis of the tumor (r(s)=-2.289, P<0.05), but not with the tumor diameter or TNM grade (P>0.05). Higher expression level of OPN was closely related to shorter survival time of the patients (P<0.05). A positive correlation was found between RhoC protein and OPN expressions (r(s)= 0.408, P<0.001) in these cases. CONCLUSION: The expressions of RhoC and OPN protein are closely related to lymph node metastasis of ESC and the patients survival time, and therefore may serve the purpose of prognostic evaluation of ESC.

[Expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor C and matrix metalloproteinases-2 and prognosis of non-small cell lung carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) proteins and its relationship with the biological behaviors of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins in 42 cases of NSCLC tissues. The relationship of VEGF-C and MMP-2 expressions was analyzed with the tumor size, lymphatic vessel density (LVD), histological type, differentiation, clinical recurrence, lymph node metastasis and patients' survival time. RESULTS: Out of the 42 cases of NSCLC, 23 and 26 cases showed positive expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins, respectively, with the expression rates of VEGF-C and MMP-2 protein of 54.8% and 61.9%, respectively. VEGF-C expression was positively associated with LVD and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05), and inversely with the differentiation of NSCLC and the patients' survival time (P<0.05). MMP-2 expression was positively associated with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) and inversely with the patients' survival (P<0.05). VEGF-C and MMP-2 expressions was positively associated (r=0.469, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The expressions of VEGF-C and MMP-2 proteins are closely associated with the biological behaviors of NSCLC, and their high expression suggests probable lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis.

The polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1, HYL1*2, and XRCC1, and aflatoxin B1-related hepatocellular carcinoma in Guangxi population, China.

AIM: High incidence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Guangxi, China, are primarily due to heavy aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) exposure via corn and groundnut consumption. This study was designed to examine the polymorphisms associated of three carcinogen-metabolizing genes (namely: GSTM1, GSTT1, and HYL1*2) and one DNA-repair gene (namely: XRCC1), and investigate their role as susceptibility markers for HCC. METHODS: We conducted a case-control study including 257 cases of cancer and 649 hospital-based age, sex, ethnicity, and hepatitis B virus infection-matched controls to examine the role of genetic polymorphisms of four genes (GSTM1, GSTT1, HYL1*2, and XRCC1) in the context of HCC risk for the Guangxi population. Genomic DNA isolated from 2ml whole blood was used to genotype GSTM1, GSTT1, HYL1*2, and XRCC1 by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. RESULTS: GSTT1-null genotype was not significantly associated with the risk of HCC, but GSTM1-null genotype [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.59-3.31], HYL1*2 genotypes with 113 His allele (namely: YH/HH, adjusted OR=2.55, CI=1.78-3.65), and XRCC1 genotypes with 399 Gln allele (namely: AG/GG, adjusted OR=2.47, CI=1.72-3.54) increased the HCC risk. Compared with those individuals who did not express any putative risk genotypes as reference (OR=1), individuals featuring all of the putative risk genotypes [GSTM1-null, HYL1*2-YH/HH, and XRCC1-AG/GG] did experience a significantly greater cancer risk (adjusted OR=10.83, CI=5.44-21.59, P(interaction)<0.01). Additionally, the risk of HCC did appear to differ more significantly among individuals featuring risk genotypes and high-level or long-term AFB1 exposure, whose adjusted ORs (CIs) were 52.44 (17.51-157.08) and 326.93 (38.58-2770.52), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that carcinogen metabolism and DNA-repair pathways may simultaneously modulate the risk of HCC for Guangxi population, and, particularly for these having high-level or long-term AFB1 exposure.