Efficiency and ecological safety of herbicide haloxyfop-R-methyl on removal of coastal invasive plant Spartina alterniflora.

Spartina alterniflora is a global invasive plant and has caused considerable damage to coastal wetland ecosystem. This study evaluated the efficiency and ecological safety of herbicide haloxyfop-R-methyl (HPME) in removing S alterniflora in Laizhou Bay. The results showed that the density of regenerated S. alterniflora after 10 months of application of 0.01, 0.02 and 0.03 g/m2 HPME decreased by 86.67 %, 99.16 % and 99.31 %, respectively. Moreover, seed abortion rates were 62.25 %, 92.24 % and 94.82 %, and weight of roots in HPME groups were 56.63 %, 59.99 %, and 40.10 % of those in the control group. After 4 days of application, HPME could not be detected in S. alterniflora and sediments. In addition, HPME did not change sediment physicochemical properties, macrozoobenthos community and microbial community structure during 16 days, but increased the density of native macrozoobenthos after 1 year. Therefore, HPME might be an effective and ecologically safe chemical for the eradication of S. alterniflora.

Electrochemiluminescent CdS Quantum Dots Biosensor for Cancer Mutation Detection at Different Positions on Linear DNA Analytes.

PCR-based techniques routinely employed for the detection of mutated linear DNA molecules, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), require large nucleotide sections on both sides of the mutation for primer annealing. This means that DNA fragments with a mutation positioned closer to the extremities are unlikely to be detected. Thus, sensors capable of recognizing linear DNA with characteristic mutations closer to the ends would be advantageous over the state-of-the-art approaches. Here, an electrochemiluminescence-resonance energy transfer (ECL-RET) biosensor comprising capped CdS quantum dots and hairpin DNA probes labeled with Au nanoparticles was developed for the detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ctDNA carrying the critical T790M lung cancer mutation. The ECL-RET system detected different DNA molecules including single-stranded 18-nucleotides (nt) and 40-nt as well as double-stranded 100-nt with the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) coding for T790M located either in the middle or only 7 nt from one end. For all target DNA, the sensor's limits of detection (LODs) were in the aM range, with excellent selectivity. It was the case of 100-nt target linear ctDNA fragments with LODs of 8.1 and 3.4 aM when the EGFR T790M SNP was either in the middle or at the end, respectively. These results show that ECL-RET systems can sense mutations in DNA fragments that would remain undetected by standard techniques.

Versatile iodine-doped BiOCl with abundant oxygen vacancies and (110) crystal planes for enhanced pollutant photodegradation.

Crystal plane regulation, defect engineering, and element doping can effectively solve the problems of large band gaps, poor light absorption, and fast recombination of BiOCl. In this work, iodine-doped BiOCl (I/BiOCl) nanowafers with abundant (110) crystal planes and oxygen vacancies (OV) were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method and assessed for pollutant photodegradation. I/BiOCl with a molar ratio of I to Cl of 0.6 (I0.6/BiOCl) degraded under visible light 95.8% of the toxic dye rhodamine B and 85.1% of the persistent antibiotic tetracycline in 5 and 10 min, respectively. In comparison, unmodified BiOCl photodegraded only between 42.0% and 48.2% of these critical water pollutants. Furthermore, I0.6/BiOCl was highly stable with most of its photocatalytic activity remaining after 4 cycles. Three reasons explain the excellent photodegradation properties of I0.6/BiOCl. First, the doped photocatalyst grew abundant (110) crystal planes, which inhibits the recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. Second, the large quantity of OV present in I0.6/BiOCl increased active sites for reactive oxygen species generation, improved photogenerated charge separation, and pollutants adsorption. Lastly, I0.6/BiOCl had a modified electronic band structure enhancing light absorption. Overall, these results describe a promising photocatalyst capable of degrading efficiently major pollutants with different structures.

Efficacy and Safety of Glucocorticoid in the Treatment of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome caused by Covid-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Glucocorticoids are often used to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, the efficacy and safety of glucocorticoids in the treatment of ARDS caused by COVID-19 are still controversial; therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis of the literature on this topic. METHODS: Four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) were searched from the establishment of the databases to August 16, 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that compared glucocorticoid versus standard treatment for ARDS caused by COVID-19 were included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) checklist and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions were used to evaluate the risk of bias. Review Manager 5.4 software and STATA 17.0 were used for meta-analy-sis, and the relative risk (RR), mean difference, and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were then determined. Results: A total of 17 studies involving 8592 patients were evaluated, including 14 retrospective studies and 3 RCTs. Sixteen studies reported data on all-cause mortality. The results of the meta-analysis showed that glucocorticoids did not reduce all-cause (RR, 0.96; 95% CI 0.82-1.13, P = .62) or 28-day (RR, 1.01; 95% CI 0.78-1.32, P = .93) mortality. Subgroup analysis showed that only methylprednisolone reduced all-cause mortality. No matter whether glucocorticoid use was early or delayed, high-dose or low-dose, long-term or short-term, no regimen reduced all-cause mortality. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of hospital stay, hyperglycemia, and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP); how-ever, glucocorticoids increased the number of ventilator-free days. CONCLUSIONS: Although methylprednisolone may reduce all-cause mortality from ARDS caused by COVID-19, this effect was not found with other types of glucocorticoids. At the same time, glucocorticoid use was associ-ated with more ventilator-free days, without increasing the incidence of hyperglycemic events or VAP. Con-sidering that almost all of the included studies were retrospective cohort studies, more RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.

Combining serum peptide signatures with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) risk score to predict the outcomes of patients with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) after first-line chemotherapy.

Background: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a group of clinically rare tumors that develop in the uterus from placental tissue. Currently, its satisfactory curability derives from the timely and accurately classification and refined management for patients. This study aimed to discover biomarkers that could predict the outcomes of GTN patients after first-line chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 65 GTN patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into the good or poor outcome group and the clinical characteristics of the patients in the two groups were compared. Furthermore, the serum peptide profiles of all patients were uncovered by using weak cation exchange magnetic beads and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Feature peaks were identified by three machine learning algorithms and then models were constructed and compared using five machine learning methods. Additionally, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to identify the feature peptides. Results: Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) risk score was associated with poor outcomes. Eight feature peaks (m/z =1287, 2042, 2862, 2932, 2950, 3240, 3277 and 6626) were selected for model construction and validation by the three algorithms. Based on the panel combining FIGO risk score and peptide serum signatures, the neural network (nnet) model showed promising performance in both the training (AUC=0.9635) and validation (AUC=0.8788) cohorts. Peaks at m/z 2042, 2862, 2932, 3240 were identified as the partial sequences of transthyretin, fibrinogen alpha chain (FGA), beta-globin and FGA, respectively. Conclusion: We combined FIGO risk score and serum peptide signatures using the nnet method to construct the model which can accurately predict outcome of GTN patients after first-line chemotherapy. With this model, patients can be further classified and managed, and those with poor predicted outcomes can be given more attention for developing treatment failure.

Effectiveness of Self-cut vs Mesh-Kit Titanium-Coated Polypropylene Mesh for Transvaginal Treatment of Severe Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Multicenter Randomized Noninferiority Clinical Trial.

Importance: Transvaginal mesh (TVM) can increase the durability of vaginal surgical procedures for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and may be indicated in certain situations despite concerns about mesh-related complications. In addition, the expense of commercial mesh kits has limited their use. The effectiveness, safety, and cost of a self-cut mesh procedure compared with a commercial mesh-kit procedure for the surgical treatment of women with POP is unclear. Objective: To assess the 1-year effectiveness and safety of self-cut titanium-coated polypropylene mesh compared with a precut commercial mesh kit for the transvaginal surgical treatment of women with severe symptomatic POP. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter randomized noninferiority clinical trial was conducted at 11 hospitals in 8 provinces of China. A total of 336 women with symptomatic stage 3 to 4 POP were enrolled between January 22, 2018, and November 11, 2019, with follow-up through December 11, 2020. Interventions: Participants were randomized to receive a TVM procedure using either self-cut mesh (self-cut mesh group) or a precut commercial mesh kit (mesh-kit group), both of which used the same titanium-coated polypropylene mesh. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome measure was composite surgical success at 1 year, which was defined as the absence of vaginal bulge symptoms, no additional retreatment for POP, and no vaginal prolapse at or beyond the hymen. Secondary outcomes included symptom-specific pelvic floor function and quality-of-life measures as well as perioperative complications, including mesh-related complications and hospitalization costs. Complications were categorized using the Clavien-Dindo system (with grade 1 indicating any deviation from the normal postoperative course but not requiring grade 2-4 interventions; grade 2, need for pharmacological treatment, blood transfusion, and/or total parenteral nutrition; grade 3, the need for surgical, endoscopic, and/or interventional radiological procedures; and grade 4, life threatening). Results: Among 336 female participants (mean [SD] age, 63.3 [5.9] years; all of Chinese ethnicity), 169 patients were randomized to the self-cut mesh group, and 167 were randomized to the mesh-kit group. Three patients were unavailable for follow-up after 1 year. In the intention-to-treat analysis, 162 women (95.9%) in the self-cut mesh group had outcomes that met the definition of surgical success; this result was noninferior to the surgical success rate observed in the mesh-kit group (146 women [87.4%]; risk difference, 8.5%; 95% CI, 2.2%-14.3%; P = .006). The frequency of Clavien-Dindo grade 1 to 3 perioperative complications was not significant between groups (12 of 166 women [7.2%] in the self-cut mesh group vs 20 of 161 women [12.4%] in the mesh-kit group; P = .14). Vaginal mesh exposure rates in women examined at 1 year were similar (4 women [2.4%] in the self-cut mesh group vs 8 women [4.8%] in the mesh-kit group; P = .23). Median (IQR) total hospitalization costs were $3663.00 ($3258.90-$4495.10) in the self-cut mesh group vs $6144.00 ($5434.90-$7160.20) in the mesh-kit group (P < .01), representing savings of $2481.00 (40.4%) with the use of self-cut mesh. Conclusions and Relevance: In this clinical trial, the composite surgical success rate of a self-cut mesh procedure was noninferior to that of a commercial mesh-kit procedure using the same titanium-coated polypropylene mesh and reduced hospitalization expenses by 40.4%. These findings suggest that the use of self-cut mesh procedures may be advantageous for the surgical treatment of some women with severe POP, particularly those in countries with low and middle income. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03283124.

Responses of Soil Microbiota to Different Control Methods of the Spartina alterniflora in the Yellow River Delta.

Spartina alterniflora invasion has negative effects on the structure and functioning of coastal wetland ecosystems. Therefore, many methods for controlling S. alterniflora invasion have been developed. S. alterniflora control methods can affect plant community, which results in changes in microbial communities and subsequent changes in soil ecological processes. However, the effects of controlling S. alterniflora on soil microbial communities remain poorly understood. We aimed to examine the responses of bacterial and fungal communities to invasion control methods (cutting plus tilling treatment: CT; mechanical rolling treatment: MR). Soil bacterial and fungal community diversity and composition structure were assessed using high-throughput sequencing technology. The findings of the study showed that bacterial diversity and richness in the CT treatment reduced substantially, but fungal diversity and richness did not show any remarkable change. Bacterial and fungal diversity and richness in the MR treatment were not affected considerably. In addition, the two control methods significantly changed the soil microbial community structure. The relative abundance of bacteria negatively associated with nutrient cycling increased considerably in the CT treatment. The considerable increases in the relative abundance of certain bacterial taxa in the MR treatment may promote soil nutrient cycling. Compared with mechanical rolling, soil bacterial community diversity and structure were more sensitive to cutting plus tilling.

Self-cut titanium-coated polypropylene mesh versus pre-cut mesh-kit for transvaginal treatment of severe pelvic organ prolapse: study protocol for a multicenter non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common health problem and has significant negative effects on a woman's quality of life. The transvaginal mesh procedure is a durable reconstructive surgery, but the mesh kits are expensive for underdeveloped countries. Our previous case-series study showed that the use of self-cut mesh had a good success rate (91.8% at 1-year follow-up) and low complication rate. This trial is designed to compare a self-cut titanium-coated polypropylene mesh procedure with a mesh kit for the treatment of symptomatic stage III-IV anterior or apical prolapse in terms of efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness. METHODS: The trial is a randomized controlled multicenter non-inferiority trial. The primary outcome measure is the composite success rate at 1-year follow-up. The secondary outcomes are anatomic outcomes of each vaginal segment (anterior, posterior and apical) using the POP-Q score, subjective improvement of quality of life according to questionnaires, intraoperative parameters, complications and costs. Analysis will be performed according to the intention-to-treat principle. Based on a comparable success rate of 90% and 10% as the margin (ß = 0.2 and one-sided α = 0.025), about 312 patients in total from 11 centers will be recruited including 10% dropout. The aims of the research are to demonstrate whether the self-cut mesh procedure is non-inferior to the mesh-kit procedure and to investigate the performance of titanium-coated mesh for vaginal prolapse repair. DISCUSSION: This multicenter non-inferiority trial will evaluate whether the efficacy and safety of self-cut mesh is non-inferior to mesh kits in women with severe symptomatic stage III-IV anterior or apical prolapse. If we are able to show that the self-cut mesh procedure is non-inferior to the mesh-kit procedure in success rates, then the self-cut mesh procedure may be more cost-effective. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03283124. Registered on 17 January 2018.

Cellulose-Based Strips Designed Based on a Sensitive Enzyme Colorimetric Assay for the Low Concentration of Glucose Detection.

High-purity cellulose membranes prepared via a green pathway were used to attempt to enhance their performance of glucose detection compared with that of traditional filter paper. In this work, cellulose-based strips (CBS) for the low concentration of glucose detection have been designed based on a fast, sensitive, and easy enzyme colorimetric assay from porous and high-purity cellulose membranes (CM). Different from the traditional paper-based sensors that were made of commercially available filter paper, the cellulose-based membranes matrix was fabricated by a "green" route in that cellulose was dissolved in an aqueous NaOH/urea solution, and then modified by the sodium periodate oxidation method to immobilize the glucose oxidase (GOX) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with Schiff-base reaction. The structure and properties of CM and CBS were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray mapping (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), etc. SEM images showed a porous, interpenetrating structure of CM, which benefited the enzyme immobilization and enzymatic reaction. When glucose solution was dropped onto the CBS, the color change from colorless to blue was only 5 min. The limit of detection (LOD) is 0.45 mM in the linear range of glucose from 1 to 11 mM. Moreover, the CBS had also been successfully used for glucose determination in real urine samples, and the color changes can be easily recorded by a simple camera to achieve the semiquantitative detection of glucose. This work provided a new design strategy for the cellulose-based functional materials which could be applied in biosensors, drug carriers, and biomedicine.

X-ray shielding structural and properties design for the porous transparent BaSO4/cellulose nanocomposite membranes.

Since effective shielding of X-rays was required in medical, aviation and nuclear fields, a novel X-ray shielding BaSO4/cellulose nanocomposite membrane (BSCM) material with porous transparent structure has been designed. The effects of carboxylated nano-BaSO4 (BS) addition on the physical and morphological properties of the cellulose membrane (CM) were investigated. Meanwhile, the influence of X-ray shielding capacity was studied by different layers of composite membranes and the shielding mechanism of the X-ray was also discussed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images displayed the aggregations of BS in the cellulose surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed that the incorporation of BS into CM caused molecular interactions between CM and BS. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) indicated that the load of BS contributed little to the specific surface area and pore size. Meanwhile, the water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) also stayed at the same level before and after the binding of BS. The swelling ratios, weight loss ratios and mechanical property were decreased along with the addition of BS. The radiation shielding ability was enhanced. Therefore, this work was regarded as a possible example that the BSCM was designed as X-ray radiation shielding material or sandwich filler material in the implication of radiation shielding glass.

Antibiotics-mediated intestinal microbiome perturbation aggravates tacrolimus-induced glucose disorders in mice.

Both immunosuppressants and antibiotics (ABX) are indispensable for transplant patients. However, the former increases the risk of new-onset diabetes, whereas the latter impacts intestinal microbiota (IM). It is still unclear whether and how the interaction between immunosuppressants and ABX alters the IM and thus leads to glucose metabolism disorders. This study examined the alterations of glucose and lipid metabolism and IM in mice exposed to tacrolimus (TAC) with or without ABX. We found that ABX further aggravated TAC-induced glucose tolerance and increased insulin secretion. Combined treatment resulted in exacerbated lipid accumulation in the liver. TAC-altered microbial community was further amplified by ABX administration, as characterized by reductions in phylum Firmicutes, family Lachnospiraceae, and genus Coprococcus. Analyses based on the metagenomic profiles revealed that ABX augmented the effect of TAC on microbial metabolic function mostly related to lipid metabolism. The altered components of gut microbiome and predicted microbial functional profiles showed significant correlation with hepatic lipid accumulation and glucose disorders. In conclusion, ABX aggravated the effect of TAC on the microbiome and its metabolic capacities, which might contribute to hepatic lipid accumulation and glucose disorders. These findings suggest that the ABX-altered microbiome can amplify the diabetogenic effect of TAC and could be a novel therapeutic target for patients.

Altered Fecal Microbiota Correlates with Liver Biochemistry in Nonobese Patients with Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Increasing evidence suggests a role of intestinal dysbiosis in obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). But it remains unknown in nonobese NAFLD. This prospective, cross-sectional study sought to characterize differences in fecal microbiota between nonobese adult individuals with and without NAFLD and their potential association with metabolic markers of disease progression. A total of 126 nonobese subjects were enrolled: 43 NAFLD and 83 healthy controls (HC). The microbial community was profiled by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and examined by 454 pyrosequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA V3 region. Lower diversity and a phylum-level change in the fecal microbiome were found in NAFLD. Compared with HC, patients had 20% more phylum Bacteroidetes (p = 0.005) and 24% less Firmicutes (p = 0.002). Within Firmicutes, four families and their 8 genera, which were short-chain fatty acids-producing and 7α-dehydroxylating bacteria, were significantly decreased. Moreover, Gram-negative (G-) bacteria were prevalent in NAFLD (p = 0.008). Furthermore, a significant correlation with metabolic markers was revealed for disturbed microbiota in NAFLD. This novel study indicated that intestinal dysbiosis was associated with nonobese NAFLD and might increase the risk of NAFLD progression.

[The down-regulation of miR-125b-5p and up-regulation of Smad4 expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells treated with hydrogen peroxide].

Objective To explore the expressions and functions of miR-155, miR-125b-5p, miR-210, and their target proteins, in vascular endothelial cells in oxidative stress. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were isolated and cultured; the expression of endothelial cell factor VIII related antigen was detected by immunofluorescence staining; and the expression of CD31 was detected and identified by flow cytometry. The oxidative stress model of vascular endothelial cells was established by preeclampsia serum and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment. The treated HUVECs were divided into 4 groups: normal pregnancy serum group, preeclampsia serum group, 0 µmol/L H2O2 group and 100 µmol/L H2O2 group. The levels of miR-155, miR-125b-5p, and miR-210 were tested by real-time quantitative PCR within 24 hours after modeling. The expression of Smad4 protein was detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry combined with annexin V-FITC/PI staining. Results Compared with 0 µmol/L H2O2 group, miR-125b-5p significantly decreased in 100 µmol/L H2O2 group, while Smad4 protein significantly increased. In addition, 100 µmol/L H2O2 treatment promoted cell apoptosis and necrosis. Compared with normal pregnancy serum group, the apoptosis and necrosis were significantly enhanced in preeclampsia serum group, but there were no significant differences in miR-125b-5p and Smad4 between the groups. Conclusion High level of H2O2 up-regulates Smad4 protein expression and inhibits miR-125b-5p expression.

Expression of ER, PR, C-erbB-2 and Ki-67 in Endometrial Carcinoma and their Relationships with the Clinicopathological Features.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the expression of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), C-erbB-2 and Ki-67 in endometrial carcinoma (EC) and their relationships with the clinicopathological features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven EC samples, 53 normal endometrial samples and 53 atypical hyperplasia endometrial samples were all selected in Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from Jun., 2012 to Jun., 2014. The expression of ER, PR, C-erbB-2 and Ki-67 in EC tissue, normal endometrial tissue and atypical hyperplasia endometrial tissue was respectively detected using immunohistochemical SP method. The relationships between the expression of ER, PR, C-erbB-2 and Ki-67 and the patients' clinicopathological features as well as their correlations in EC tissue were also analyzed. RESULTS: The positive expression rates of ER and PR in EC tissue were 44.8% and 41.8%, respectively, dramatically lower than in atypical hyperplasia endometrial tissue and normal endometrial tissue (P<0.01). The positive expression rates of C-erbB-2 and Ki-67 in EC tissue were 80.6% and 64.2%, respectively, significantly higher than in atypical hyperplasia endometrial tissue and normal endometrial tissue (P<0.01). In EC tissue, the expression of ER and PR was closely associated with the differentiated degrees and depth of myometrial invasion (P<0.05), while that of C-erbB-2 and Ki-67 with the clinical staging, differentiated degrees, depth of myometrial invasion and presence or absence of lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis further displayed that the expression of ER was positively correlated with PR (r=0.393, P=0.001), but negatively with C-erbB-2 and Ki-67 (r=-0.469, P=0.000; r=-0.329, P=0.007); The expression of PR was negatively correlated with C-erbB-2 and Ki-67 (r=-0.273, P=0.025; r=-0.251, P=0.041), but that of C-erbB-2 positively with Ki-67 (r=0.342, P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal expression of ER, PR, C-erbB2 and Ki-67 might play an important role in endometrial malignant transformation and cell differentiation, so their joint detection is likely to be a comprehensive combination of immune factors, which is of great importance for EC prognosis.

Expression pattern of the ASPP family members in endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis-stimulating protein of p53 (ASPP) family members can stimulate the apoptotic function of p53 but have no impact on its cell cycle arrest function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression pattern of the ASPP family consisting of ASPP1, ASPP2, and iASPP was examined by immunohistochemistry in 45 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EEA) specimens and 26 normal endometrial tissue (NET) samples. RESULTS: The expression rates of ASPP1 and ASPP2 in EEA were significantly lower than those in NET (p < 0.05). However, the iASPP expression rate in EEA was statistically higher in contrast to NET (p < 0.05). Expression of ASPP1 and iASPP in EEA had no correlation with any clinicopathological features (p > 0.05). iASPP was associated with grade, invasion, and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is a novel finding that the expression pattern of the ASPP family members has respective pathological and clinical implications in EEA, and iASPP might be a candidate target for EEA therapy.

Expression of PSCA, PIWIL1, and TBX2 in endometrial adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial cancer is the 4th most common gynecological cancer. The expression of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), piwi-like 1 (PIWIL1), and T-box 2 (TBX2) in endometrial cancer remains to be elucidated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The expression of PSCA, PIWIL1, and TBX2 was examined using the streptavidin-peroxidase method in 64 endometrial endometrioid adenocarcinoma (EAC) and paired normal endometrium (NE) samples from the Shaanxi Province in China. RESULTS: Positive expression rates of PSCA, PIWIL1, and TBX2 were 75% (48/64), 25% (16/64), and 56% (36/64), respectively in EACs, but 5% (3/64), 6% (4/64), and 2% (1/64), respectively in NEs. The difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). PSCA was positively correlated with TBX2 (p = 0.003) but not PIWIL1 (p = 0.188). PIWIL1 was positively correlated with TBX2 (p = 0.003). PSCA was positively correlated with age, tumor grade, and lymph node metastasis (p < 0.05). TBX2 had an association with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.014). PIWIL1 was not associated with clinicopathological features (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We report the first analysis of PSCA, PIWIL1, and TBX2 expression in EAC. Our findings suggest that PSCA and TBX2 might be candidate targets for cancer therapy, and have helped us further understand the carcinogenesis of endometrial cancer.

Expression of PSCA, PIWIL1 and TBX2 and its correlation with HPV16 infection in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded cervical squamous cell carcinoma specimens.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the expression of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), piwi-like 1 (PIWIL1) and T-box 2 (TBX2) and its correlation with HPV16 infection in cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). HPV16 was detected by amplifying the HPV16 E7 gene by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, and the expression of PSCA, PIWIL1, TBX2 and HPV16 E7 in 59 CSCCs and matched adjacent normal cervix (MANC) was examined by the streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) method. Fifty-two CSCCs and MANC specimens that were positive for the E7 gene and the E7 protein were identified as infected with HPV16 and included in present study. The rate of infection with HPV16 in CSCC was 52% (27/52), but that in matched adjacent normal cervix (MANC) samples was 4% (2/52). Infection with HPV16 was found to be statistically more frequent in CSCC (P = 0.000). The expression rates of PSCA, PIWIL1 and TBX2 in MANC were 6% (3/52), 8% (4/52) and 2% (1/52), respectively, but those in CSCC were 62% (32/52), 75% (39/52) and 52% (27/52), respectively. Higher expression rates of PSCA, PIWIL1 and TBX2 were observed in CSCC than in MANC (P = 0.000). HPV16 had a statistical positive correlation with PSCA, PIWIL1 and TBX2 in CSCC (P < 0.05). The increased expression of PSCA, PIWIL1 and TBX2 had no correlation with the patient's age or histological grade P > 0.05). The elevated expression of PSCA and PIWIL1 was associated with invasion of CSCC (P < 0.05). Up-regulated expression of TBX2 had a positive association with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.014). These findings demonstrate for the first time the expression of PSCA, PIWIL1 and TBX2 in CSCC. Their correlation with HPV16 might provide new basic information for investigating the molecular mechanism of HPV and help us to deepen our understanding of the interaction between HPV16 and host cells the carcinogenesis of CSCC.

The relationship between HPV16 and expression of cyclooxygenase-2, P53 and their prognostic roles in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), P53 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which has not yet been elucidated. METHODS: HPV16 was detected by amplifying the HPV16 E6 gene by the PCR method, and the expression of COX-2, P53 protein in 69 ESCCs and 32 normal esophageal mucosa (NEM) from Shaanxi Province was examined by the streptavidin-peroxidase method. Estimation of overall survival by HPV16, COX-2, and P53 was calculated with the Kaplan-Meier method and analyzed with the log-rank test. RESULTS: The infection rate of HPV16 in ESCCs (35 of 69, 50.7%) was significantly higher than that in NEMs (two of 32, 6.25%) (P<0.01). The expression rate of COX-2 in ESCCs (44 of 69, 63.8%) was higher than that in NEMs (two of 32, 6.25%) (P<0.01). The expression intensity of COX-2 expression had statistical difference in histological grade (R = 0.4453, P = 0.0019), tumor stage (R = 0.438, P = 0.000), and metastasis (R = 0.417, P = 0.002). P53 expression rate was 49.3% (34 of 69) in ESCC and 18.8% (six of 32) in NEMs. The expression rate of P53 proteins in ESCC was statistically higher than that in N67EMs (P = 0.0037). The infection of HPV16 had inverse correlation with the overexpression of COX-2 in ESCCs (R = -0.321, P = 0.008). The HPV16 DNA in ESCC had no statistical correlation with P53 protein (R = -0.014, P = 0.9055) and the elevated expression of COX-2 had positive correlation with P53 protein in ESCC (R = 0.441, P = 0.000). No statistical correlation was observed between the infection of HPV16 and clinicopathological features in ESCCs including sex, age, tumor stage, and lymph node metastasis, respectively (P>0.05). The COX-2 had no statistical correlation with sex and age (P>0.05), but had association with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis, respectively (P<0.05). The expression of P53 protein had significant association with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0005), but not with sex, age, and tumor stage, respectively (P>0.05). The overexpression of COX-2, infection of HPV16, and P53 protein in ESCC were not correlated with survival during the 5-year follow-up period (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: We first concluded that the increased expression of COX-2 had inverse correlation with HPV16 in ESCC. COX-2, HPV16, and P53 had no significant effect on the survival of patients with ESCC. These observations might help us to further understand the significant association between HPV16 and other molecules involved in the carcinogenesis and progression of ESCC.

The relationship between cyclooxygenase-2, CD44v6, and nm23H1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer is the fourth most prevalent malignancy in China. The relationship between COX-2, CD44v6, and nm23H1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Expression of COX-2, CD44v6, and nm23H1 was examined, using the streptavidin-peroxidase method, in 82 ESCC and 30 normal esophageal mucosa (NEM) samples from the Shaanxi Province in China. RESULTS: The positive rates of COX-2, CD44v6, and nm23H1 were 73.2% (60/82), 64.6% (53/82), and 24.4% (31/82), respectively in ESCC, but 6.7% (2/30), 3.3% (1/30), and 90% (27/30), respectively in NEMs. There was a statistically significant difference between NEMs and ESCCs (p < 0.05). Expression of COX-2 showed a positive statistical correlation with expression of CD44v6 (r = 0.4732, p < 0.0001), and an inverse correlation with nm23H1 (r = -0.3226, p = 0.0035). Expression of COX-2, CD44v6, and nm23H1 had no significant correlation with gender or age (p > 0.05), but increased expression of COX-2 and CD44v6 showed statistical correlation with invasion and lymph node metastasis, respectively (p < 0.05). Decreased expression of nm23H1 was statistically correlated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0007) but had no correlation with invasion (p = 0.8221). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of a significant correlation between COX-2, CD44v6, and nm23H1 in ESCC. This knowledge might help us to further understand the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis and progression of ESCC.

Detection of human papillomavirus type 16 DNA in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue specimens of gastric carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) is regarded as one of the important tumor-related viruses, which are known to have a role in cervical carcinoma; however, there are few reports on HPV16 in gastric carcinoma (GC). Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between HPV16 and the occurrence of GC. METHODS: Liquid PCR (LPCR) and in-situ PCR (ISPCR) methods were carried out to detect the HPV16 oncogene E6 cell-type-specific enhancer in the long control region of HPV16 in 40 GCs and corresponding gastric adjacent normal mucosa (GANM). The patients were from Shaanxi Province in China; Helicobacter pylori (Hp) was detected by immunohistochemistry and by hematoxylin and eosin staining in their gastric tissues. RESULTS: The HPV16 E6 gene was detected in 37.5% (15/40) of the GCs and 5% (2/40) of the GANMs with LPCR, as was the cell-type-specific enhancer; however, the positive rate of E6 was 27.5% (11/40) in GCs and 0% (0/40) in GANMs, respectively, with ISPCR. HPV16 DNA was mainly located in the nucleus of gastric glandular epithelium cells. The infection rate of HPV16 DNA in GCs was higher than that in GANMs (P=0.0004), and the HPV16 had no statistical correlations with sex, age, invasion, grading or lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). The infection rate of HPV16 in cardiac GCs was significantly higher than that in noncardiac ones (P=0.0136), and HPV16 had no correlation with Hp in GCs (P=0.0829). Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis indicated that there was no statistical difference between the LPCR and ISPCR methods in our study through optimizing parameters in ISPCR procedures (P=0.768). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that HPV16 can infect gastric glandular epithelium cells and that viral infection might play a role in the occurrence of GCs independent of or without the cooperation of an Hp infection.