Expression of MIF and c-erbB-2 in endometrial cancer.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of c-erbB-2 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in endometrial cancer and to elucidate the significance of the early diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial cancer. The gene copy number of c­erbB­2 and MIF was characterized by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and the reactivity was assessed by immunohistochemistry in 70 patients using a polyclonal antibody, and evaluated semiquantitatively according to the percentage of cells demonstrating membranous or diffuse cytoplasmic staining. A correlation between age, tumor stage, grade, myometrial invasion and lymph node metastasis was observed. The mRNA expression of c­erbB­2 and MIF was high in endometrial carcinoma. The positive expression rate of MIF protein in normal endometrium, atypical hyperplasia and endometrial carcinoma significantly increased along with the degree of aggravation of the disease by 20 (3/15), 45 (9/20) and 70% (35/50), respectively. The positive expression of MIF and c­erbB­2 was highest in endometrial cancer and a significantly higher level of protein was observed in tumors at stage I, stage G1, with a depth of myometrial invasion <0.4 cm and no lymph node metastasis. The protein expression of c­erbB­2 in endometrial cancer was higher in tumors at the G2­3 phase, clinical stage III­IV, lymph node metastasis, and had no association with the depth of myometrial invasion and age. MIF and c­erbB­2 were correlated with the occurrence and the development of endometrial cancer, and thus can be used for the early diagnosis and prognosis of endometrial cancer. The present study laid the foundation for identifying new treatments for endometrial cancer.

Comparative Evaluation of Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses and Autologous Serum for Management of Sjögren Syndrome-Associated Dry Eye.

PURPOSE: To comparatively evaluate the efficacy of a bandage contact lens (BCL) and autologous serum (AS) eye drops in the management of severe dry eye caused by Sjögren syndrome (SS). METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, 40 patients with SS were enrolled. Patients were divided into 2 treatment groups: BCL and AS. RESULTS: A total of 37 patients were included, 18 patients (35 eyes) in the AS group and 19 patients (36 eyes) in the BCL group. At the end of 6 weeks, the best-corrected visual acuity improved significantly in the BCL group (0.5 ± 0.3 vs. 0.3 ± 0.2, P = 0.003) but not in the AS group (0.4 ± 0.3 vs. 0.3 ± 0.3, P = 0.11). The best-corrected visual acuity remained stable up to 6 weeks after discontinuation of the BCL (0.5 ± 0.3 vs. 0.4 ± 0.2, P = 0.03). Although the Ocular Surface Disease Index scores decreased significantly after treatment in both groups, patients in the BCL group had lower Ocular Surface Disease Index scores than those in the AS group (53.4 vs. 41.8 at week 3, 47.1 vs. 31.0 at week 6, 52.7 vs. 32.0 at week 12; P = 0.014, <0.001, <0.004, respectively). The "faces" scores showed improved quality of life in both groups. Tear break-up time improved significantly in both groups except at 6 weeks after discontinuation of the AS. Patients in the BCL group had lower corneal staining scores than those of the AS group after 6 weeks of treatment and 6 weeks after discontinuation of treatment (P < 0.01). There was no significant change in Schirmer I test scores between or within groups. CONCLUSIONS: Balafilcon A silicone hydrogel contact lenses as a BCL were effective in the management of SS-associated dry eye. Clinical Trial Registration­URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02147509.