The prevalence, diagnostic accuracy and genotype-phenotype correlation of GNAS mutations in fibrous dysplasia: a meta-analysis.

Background: There is inconsistent evidence regarding the accuracy of GNAS mutations identification for the diagnosis of FD/MAS. This study was performed to estimate the prevalence and diagnostic accuracy of GNAS mutations detection and to preliminarily investigate the genotype-phenotype correlation in FD patients. Methods: Five electronic databases were searched from 1995 to 2024 using search terms related to GNAS and fibrous dysplasia. Observational studies of FD patients undergoing GNAS mutation detection in FD were included. Results: A total of 878 FD patients were included. The pooled prevalence of GNAS mutations in FD based on the random effects model was 74% (95% CI = 64%-83%). Regarding diagnostic accuracy, a sensitivity of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.65-0.96), specificity of 0.99 (95% CI, 0.98-1.00) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 98.38% were found. Additionally, meta-analysis and Fisher's test showed the GNAS mutation types were significantly associated with FD types (OR = 3.51, 95% CI = 1.05 to 11.72; p < 0.05). Conclusion: A high detection rate of GNAS mutations occurred in FD, and its detection is reliable for diagnosing FD. Additionally, GNAS mutation type was types were significantly associated with FD type. Systematic Review Registration: Identifier CRD42024553469.

Clinicopathological characteristics and diagnostic accuracy of BRAF mutations in ameloblastoma: A Bayesian network analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to analyze the associations between clinicopathological characteristics and BRAF mutations in ameloblastoma (AM) patients and to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four electronic databases were searched from 2010 to 2024. The search terms used were specific to BRAF and AM. Observational studies or randomized controlled trials were considered eligible. The incidence of BRAF mutation and corresponding clinicopathological features in AM patients were subjected to Bayesian network analyses and diagnostic accuracy evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 937 AM patients from 20 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of BRAF mutations in AM patients was 72%. According to the Bayesian network analysis, BRAF mutations are more likely to occur in younger (odds ratio [OR], 2.3; credible interval [CrI]: 1.2-4.5), mandible site (OR, 3.6; 95% CrI: 2.7-5.2), and unicystic (OR, 1.6; 95% CrI: 1.1-2.4) AM patients. Similarly, higher diagnostic accuracy was found in the younger, mandible, and unicystic AM groups. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence, risk, and diagnostic accuracy of BRAF mutation in AM were greater in younger patients, those with mandible involvement, and those with unicystic AM than in patients with other clinicopathological features. In addition, there was a strong concordance in the diagnostic accuracy between molecular tests and immunohistochemical analysis.

CT-based radiomics analysis of different machine learning models for differentiating gnathic fibrous dysplasia and ossifying fibroma.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, our aim was to develop and validate the effectiveness of diverse radiomic models for distinguishing between gnathic fibrous dysplasia (FD) and ossifying fibroma (OF) before surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 220 patients with confirmed FD or OF. We extracted radiomic features from nonenhanced CT images. Following dimensionality reduction and feature selection, we constructed radiomic models using logistic regression, support vector machine, random forest, light gradient boosting machine, and eXtreme gradient boosting. We then identified the best radiomic model using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. After combining radiomics features with clinical features, we developed a comprehensive model. ROC curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated the models' robustness and clinical value. RESULTS: We extracted 1834 radiomic features from CT images, reduced them to eight valuable features, and achieved high predictive efficiency, with area under curves (AUC) exceeding 0.95 for all the models. Ultimately, our combined model, which integrates radiomic and clinical data, displayed superior discriminatory ability (AUC: training cohort 0.970; test cohort 0.967). DCA highlighted its optimal clinical efficacy. CONCLUSION: Our combined model effectively differentiates between FD and OF, offering a noninvasive and efficient approach to clinical decision-making.

Can botulinum toxin injection alleviate the pain of bruxism? A Bayesian network analysis and a single-arm analysis.

Background/purpose: There is inconsistent evidence regarding whether the botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection can relieve pain caused by bruxism. This study aimed to estimate the efficiency of BTA injection in relieving pain caused by bruxism at different follow-up periods. Materials and methods: Five electronic databases were searched from 2005 to 2022 using search terms related to botulinum toxin and bruxism. Only controlled clinical trials were included. Two investigators reviewed each article and discussed any disagreements until a consensus was reached. Pain outcomes as evaluated by the visual analogue scale (VAS) were subjected to single-arm and Bayesian network meta-analyses. Pooling data were measured by a random-effects model. Results: Eleven studies with a total of 365 bruxism patients were included. According to the single-arm analyses of the pooled data, the reduction in bruxism-related pain after BTA injection measured 4.06 points (95% CI = 3.37 to 4.75) on the VAS, and the pain relief was significant in the first 6 months after treatment (P < 0.01). According to the Bayesian analysis, BTA also resulted in significantly greater pain relief than oral splinting (mean difference (MD), -1.5; 95% credible interval (CrI) = -2.7 to -0.19) or saline injection (MD, -3.3; 95% CrI = -6.2 to -0.32). Conclusion: BTA significantly relieves the pain of bruxism for 6 months after injection, and its therapeutic efficacy was higher than that of oral splinting. Nevertheless, further long-term follow-up randomized controlled trials comparing BTA with other management or drugs are warranted.

Elevated levels of ß2-microglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid in adult patients with viral encephalitis/meningitis.

BACKGROUND: Increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ß2-microglobulin (ß2-MG) values are attributed to immune activation, lymphoid cell turnover and release of tissue destruction in the central nervous system (CNS). We investigated plasma and CSF ß2-MG levels in adult patients with viral encephalitis/meningitis and their correlations with clinical parameters. METHOD: CSF samples from 26 patients with viral encephalitis/meningitis were collected. Moreover, 24 CSF samples from patients with non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND) as controls were collected. Plasma samples from 22 enrolled patients and 20 healthy individuals were collected. The ß2-MG levels were measured by immunoturbidimetry on an automatic biochemical analyzer. Clinical data were extracted from an electronic patient documentation system. RESULT: CSF levels of ß2-MG, adenosine deaminase (ADA), white blood cell (WBC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), protein and lactate were significantly increased in patients with viral encephalitis/meningitis respectively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.013). In contrast, no statistically significant difference was found in plasma levels of ß2-MG. Furthermore, CSF levels of ß2-MG were weakly correlated with WBC (r = 0.426, p = 0.030), lymphocyte percentage (r = 0.599, p = 0.018), ADA (r = 0.545, p = 0.004) and LDH (r = 0.414, p = 0.036), but not with lactate (r = 0.381, p = 0.055), protein (r = 0.179, p = 0.381) and plasma levels of ß2-MG (r = -0.156, p = 0.537) in viral encephalitis/meningitis patients. CONCLUSION: CSF ß2-MG may be a potential inflammatory marker for viral encephalitis/meningitis in adult patients diagnosed with viral encephalitis/meningitis.

Circ_0068087 knockdown attenuates high-glucose-induced human tubular epithelial cell injury in a microribonucleic acid/progestin and adipoQ receptor 3-dependent manner in diabetic nephropathy.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have shown that circular ribonucleic acid mediates the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy. This study aimed to analyze the effects of circ_0068087 on high-glucose (HG)-induced human kidney 2 (HK2) cell dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Circ_0068087, miR-580-3p, and progestin and adipoQ receptor 3 (PAQR3) expression were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability and proliferation were investigated by Cell Counting Kit-8 and EdU assays, respectively. The cell apoptotic rate was assessed by flow cytometry. Inflammatory response was assessed by enzyme-linked immunoassays. Oxidative stress was evaluated by a superoxide dismutase activity assay kit and lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde assay kit. Molecular interaction was identified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: Circ_0068087 and PAQR3 expression were significantly upregulated in diabetic nephropathy patients. HG treatment inhibited HK2 cell proliferation, but induced cell apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by regulating circ_0068087. Circ_0068087 acted as a microribonucleic acid-580-3p (miR-580-3p) sponge, and miR-580-3p targeted PAQR3. Furthermore, circ_0068087 depletion repressed PAQR3 expression through miR-580-3p. MiR-580-3p inhibitors or PAQR3 introduction attenuated circ_0068087 silencing mediated-effects in HG-treated HK2 cells. CONCLUSION: Circ_0068087 promoted HG-induced HK2 cell injuries by the regulation of the miR-580-3p/PAQR3 pathway.

CircTAOK1 regulates high glucose induced inflammation, oxidative stress, ECM accumulation, and apoptosis in diabetic nephropathy via targeting miR-142-3p/SOX6 axis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a complication caused by diabetes. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a kind of RNA with a closed circular structure, which has high stability and is involved in many disease-related processes. The mechanism of circRNA TAO kinase 1 (circTAOK1) in the pathogenesis and development of DN is unclear. METHODS: CircTAOK1, microRNA (miR)-142-3p, and sex-determining region Y-box transcription factor 6 (SOX6) mRNA levels were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assays were used to analyze cell proliferation. Cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot assay was performed to test B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X (Bax), cleaved-caspase 3, and fibronectin (FN), collagen I (Col I), and collagen IV (Col IV) protein levels. ELISA assay was used to measure interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) levels. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were assessed by the corresponding kits. And the correlation between miR-142-3p and circTAOK1 or SOX6 was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay and RNA pull down assay. RESULTS: CircTAOK1 and SOX6 expression levels were up-regulated, while miR-142-3p expression was down-regulated in DN serum and HG-treated HK-2 cells. Knockdown of circTAOK1 could inhibit cell injury of HG-induced HK-2 cells. The inhibitory effect of circTAOK1 knockdown on HG-induced HK-2 cell injury was restored by miR-142-3p downregulation. CircTAOK1 acted as a sponge for miR-142-3p, and SOX6 was targeted by miR-142-3p. The overexpression of SOX6 could recover the effect of miR-142-3p overexpression on HG-induced HK-2 cell injury. CircTAOK1 regulated the expression of SOX6 by targeting miR-142-3p. CONCLUSION: CircTAOK1 knockdown inhibited HG-induced HK-2 cell damage in DN by the miR-142-3p/SOX6 axis.

Expressions of GLUT-1, PK-M2 and HIF-1α and Mutation Status of BRAF in Odontogenic Keratocysts.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions and clinicopathological features of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1), pyruvate kinase M2 (PK-M2) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) in odontogenic keratocysts (OKCs), and to investigate the mutation status of v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF). METHODS: Following a retrospective review of the clinicopathological data of 28 OKC cases, the expressions of GLUT-1, PK-M2 and HIF-1α in these tissue samples were detected through immunohistochemistry. The BRAF mutation statuses of all cases were examined using polymerase chain reaction amplification and direct sequencing. RESULTS: The expression levels of HIF-1α varied in 96.4% of OKC tissues, and there were higher positive rates of PKM2 (100%) and GLUT-1 (100%) in these tissues. None of the 28 OKC samples carried the BRAF mutation. CONCLUSION: The positive expressions of GLUT-1, PK-M2 and HIF-1α indicate that patients with OKCs undergo anaerobic glycolysis to a certain extent, but these processes appear to be irrelevant to clinicopathological features and to the BRAF mutation.

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 accelerates ovarian cancer progression via miR-125b-5p/CD147 axis.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the most common gynecological malignancies with a high incidence. Researches showed that lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 (KCNQ1OT1) was involved various tumors progression, including OC. However, the precise mechanism of KCNQ1OT1 in OC needs to be further clarified. OBJECTIVE: For investigate the underlying mechanism of KCNQ1OT1 regulating OC progression. METHODS: CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, Transwell assay, Western blot and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) were performed to examine viability, proliferation, migration and invasion, genes and proteins' level. To identify KCNQ1OT1 as a regulator of miR-125b-5p and miR-125b-5p as a regulator of CD147, we used miRNA target prediction algorithms, Pearson's correlation analysis and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. RESULTS: KCNQ1OT1 was high expression and miR-125b-5p was low expression in OC, and KCNQ1OT1 was negatively correlated with that of miR-125b-5p in OC specimens. KCNQ1OT1 promoted OC cell proliferation and metastasis by binding to miR-125b-5p. miR-125b-5p targeted CD147, and which was negatively correlated with that of miR-125b-5p in OC specimens. KCNQ1OT1 was positively correlated with that of CD147 in OC specimens, and KCNQ1OT1 accelerated OC progression via miR-125b-5p/CD147 axis. CONCLUSION: KCNQ1OT1 accelerated OC progression via miR-125b-5p/CD147 axis indicating KCNQ1OT1 serve as a novel biomarker for OC treatment. Our research provides a new direction for OC treatment.

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid ß2-microglobulin levels in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ß2-microglobulin (ß2-MG) levels elevated in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We examined the levels of ß2-MG in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 46 patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD), in serum from 21 healthy controls (HC), in CSF from 25 disease controls with non-inflammatory neurological diseases (NIND) with normal CSF results. CSF ß2-MG levels were significantly higher in patients with NMOSD than controls and with weak association with the number of white blood cells, protein and lactate levels in CSF. CSF ß2-MG is thus one more, non-specific indicator of inflammation in NMOSD.

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of beta-2-microglobulin in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and their correlations with clinical features.

BACKGROUNDS: Beta-2-microglobulin (ß2-MG) levels vary in many infectious and autoimmune diseases. We investigated plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ß2-MG levels in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and their correlations with clinical parameters. METHODS: CSF samples from 50 patients with GBS including 19 acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), 6 acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), 10 acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), 7 Miller-Fisher syndrome (MFS), and 8 unclassified patients were collected. Moreover, 23 CSF samples from patients with non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND) as controls were collected. Plasma samples from 42 enrolled patients and 29 healthy individuals were also collected. The ß2-MG levels were measured by immunoturbidimetry on automatic biochemical analyser. Besides, clinical data were extracted from electronic patient documentation system. RESULTS: CSF levels of ß2-MG, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lactate were significantly increased in patients with GBS (p = 0.004, p = 0.041, p = 0.040, respectively), particularly in patients with AIDP (p < 0.001, p = 0.001, p = 0.015, respectively), whereas no statistically significant difference was found in plasma levels of ß2-MG. Furthermore, CSF levels of ß2-MG were positively correlated with Hughes functional score (r = 0.493, p = 0.032), LDH (r = 0.796, p < 0.001), and lactate (r = 0.481, p = 0.037) but not with protein (r = - 0.090, p = 0.713) in AIDP patients. CONCLUSIONS: CSF ß2-MG levels may help identify AIDP and indicate clinical severity. CSF LDH and lactate levels correlate with CSF ß2-MG levels; interaction among these biomarkers would need further investigation.

Increased Cerebrospinal Fluid Uric Acid Levels in Guillain-Barré Syndrome.

Uric acid (UA) is a natural scavenger for peroxynitrite and can reflect antioxidant activity and oxidative stress in several neurological disorders. Changes in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of UA have been reported in patients with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders. The levels of UA in CSF are relatively poorly understood in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). It remains unclear whether UA can play an antioxidant role and reflect oxidative stress in GBS. The purpose of this study is to investigate CSF and serum UA levels in patients with GBS and their relationship with clinical characteristics. The CSF and serum UA levels were detected in 43 patients with GBS, including 14 acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), 6 acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN), 13 with acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN), 7 Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS), and 3 unclassified, and 25 patients with non-inflammatory neurological disorders (NIND) as controls. Moreover, serum UA levels were also detected in 30 healthy controls. The levels of UA were measured using uricase-based methods with an automatic biochemical analyzer. CSF UA levels were significantly increased in patients with GBS (p = 0.011), particularly in patients with AIDP (p = 0.004) when compared with NIND. Among patients with GBS, CSF UA levels were higher in those with demyelination (p = 0.022), although the difference was not significant after multiple testing correction. CSF UA levels in GBS were positively correlated with serum UA levels (r = 0.455, p = 0.022) and CSF lactate (r = 0.499, p = 0.011). However, no significant correlations were found between CSF UA levels and GBS disability scores. There were no significant differences in serum UA levels among GBS, NIND, and healthy controls. These results suggest that CSF UA may be related to the pathogenesis of demyelination in patients with GBS and may be partially determined by serum UA and the impaired blood-nerve barrier.

HTRA3 Is a Prognostic Biomarker and Associated With Immune Infiltrates in Gastric Cancer.

HtrA serine peptidase 3 (HTRA3) participates in multiple signal pathways and plays an important regulatory role in various malignancies; however, its role on prognosis and immune infiltrates in gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. The study investigated HTRA3 expression in tumor tissues and its association with immune infiltrates, and determined its prognostic roles in GC patients. Patients with GC were collected from the cancer genome atlas (TCGA). We compared the expression of HTRA3 in GC and normal gastric mucosa tissues with Wilcoxon rank sum test. And logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between HTRA3 and clinicopathological characters. Gene ontology (GO) term analysis, Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and single-sample Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (ssGSEA) was conducted to explain the enrichmental pathways and functions and quantify the extent of immune cells infiltration for HTRA3. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression were performed to evaluate the correlation between HTRA3 and survival rates. A nomogram, based on Cox multivariate analysis, was used to predict the impact of HTRA3 on prognosis. High HTRA3 expression was significantly correlated with tumor histological type, histological grade, clinical stage, T stage, and TP53 status (P < 0.05). HTRA3-high GC patients had a lower 10-year progression-free interval [PFI; hazard ratio (HR): 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-2.08; P = 0.038], disease-specific survival (DSS; HR: 1.65; CI: 1.08-2.52; P = 0.021) and overall survival (OS; HR: 1.59; CI: 1.14-2.22; P = 0.006). Multivariate survival analysis showed that HTRA3 was an independent prognostic marker for PFI (HR: 1.456; CI: 1.021-2.078; P = 0.038), DSS (HR: 1.650; CI: 1.079-2.522; P = 0.021) and OS [hazard ratio (HR): 1.590; 95% confidence interval (CI):1.140-2.219; P = 0.006]. The C-indexes and calibration plots of the nomogram based on multivariate analysis indicated an effective predictive performance for GC patients. GSEA showed that High HTRA3 expression may activate NF-κB pathway, YAP1/WWTR1/TAZ pathway, and TGFß pathway. There was a negative correlation between the HTRA3 expression and the abundances of adaptive immunocytes (T helper cell 17 cells) and a positive correlation with abundances of innate immunocytes (natural killer cells, macrophages etc.). HTRA3 plays a vital role in GC progression and prognosis and could be a moderate biomarker for prediction for survival after gastrectomy.

miR-762 Promotes Malignant Development of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Targeting PHLPP2 and FOXO4.

BACKGROUND: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is among the most common malignant tumors worldwide. This study, investigated the role of microRNA (miR)-762 in regulating HNSCC progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression levels of miR-762 in HNSCC tissues were measured by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Statistical analyses were performed to investigate the association of miR-762 with clinicopathological features in patients with HNSCC. Cell proliferation and migration were examined by cell counting (CCK-8) and IncuCyte assays. Target genes of miR-762 were screened using bioinformatics tools and microarrays, and confirmed using a luciferase activity reporter assay, qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Recuse experiments were performed to detect whether target genes mediated the effects of miR-762 on HNSCC cells. The in vivo effects of miR-762 were verified using tumor xenografts. RESULTS: HNSCC clinical specimens showed high expression levels of miR-762, which positively correlated with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage and poor prognosis of HNSCC. miR-762 overexpression promoted the proliferation and migration of HNSCC cells in vitro. In addition, overexpression of miR-762 upregulated the expression of phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) and mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin and vimentin), but suppressed epithelial marker (E-cadherin) expression. miR-762 also promoted HNSCC tumor growth in vivo. PH domain and leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 2 (PHLPP2) and Forkhead box O4 (FOXO4) were direct target genes of miR-762. HNSCC tissues had low expression levels of PHLPP2 and FOXO4, showing a negative correlation with miR-762 expression. Moreover, silencing of PHLPP2 and FOXO4 mimicked the tumor-promotive effects of miR-762 on HNSCC cells. Notably, overexpression of PHLPP2 and FOXO4 abolished the pro-tumoral function of miR-762 on cell proliferation and migration. CONCLUSION: miR-762 promotes HNSCC progression by targeting PHLPP2 and FOXO4. Therefore, miR-762 might be a potential diagnostic or therapeutic target for HNSCC.

Association of IL-8 gene promoter -251 A/T and IL-18 gene promoter -137 G/C polymorphisms with head and neck cancer risk: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: No consensus exists on the impact of polymorphisms in cytokines (such as interleukin IL-8 and IL-18) on cancer risk; moreover, there is very little evidence regarding head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: Thus, a meta-analysis including 22 studies with 4731 cases and 8736 controls was conducted to evaluate this association. The summary odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8, which encodes IL-8) and IL-18 polymorphisms and HNC risk were estimated. RESULTS: The results showed a significantly increased risk of HNC susceptibility for IL18 -137 G/C in five genetic models, but, interestingly, no significant association was found for the CXCL8 -251 A/T polymorphism. When stratified by cancer type, an increased risk of nasopharyngeal cancer was found for both -137 G/C and -251A/T. When the studies were stratified by ethnicity and genotyping method, there were significant associations between Asian populations and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) studies for -137 G/C, and African populations for -251 A/T in some genetic models. A positive association was also found between the population-based groups in some models for -137 G/C; conversely, significantly decreased risk was found among the -251 A/T hospital-based group. Meta-regression was also conducted. The publication year, control source, and cancer type contributed to CXCL8 -251 A/T heterogeneity; however, no factors were found that contributed to IL-18 -137 G/C heterogeneity. Marginal significance was found in the recessive model for IL-18 -137 G/C by Egger's test, whereas no publication bias was detected for CXCL8 -251 A/T. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the IL-18 -137 G/C polymorphism is associated with HNC risk, especially nasopharyngeal cancer, in Asian populations and, when using PCR-RFLP, CXCL8 -251 A/T polymorphisms play a complex role in HNC development.

Novel peptide MT23 for potent penetrating and selective targeting in mouse melanoma cancer cells.

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) have a great potential for intracellular delivery of cell-impermeable biological macromolecules in clinical therapy. However, their lack of cell and tissue specificity remains the primary limitation for their clinical development as drug delivery vehicles. In this study, based on phage display and an in silico approach, we found a novel CPP-MT23 with mouse melanoma cell specificity, it can only enter B16 melanoma cancer cells and without any cytotoxicity, Moreover, MT23 showed higher penetration efficiency based on fluorescence microcopy and quantitative assay, and it has capability for mediating functional Apoptin into cells in vitro or in vivo. Moreover, MT23-Apoptin can significantly inhibit tumor growth and induce the cell apoptosis in B16 tumor bearing mice. To sum up, all the results implicated that MT23 has the potential to deliver exogenous therapeutic proteins for further use and it also expected to lay the foundation for developing human melanoma cancer cell specific CPP.

Oncogenic EGFR Represses the TET1 DNA Demethylase to Induce Silencing of Tumor Suppressors in Cancer Cells.

Oncogene-induced DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressors frequently occurs in cancer, but the mechanism and functional role of this silencing in oncogenesis are not fully understood. Here, we show that oncogenic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) induces silencing of multiple unrelated tumor suppressors in lung adenocarcinomas and glioblastomas by inhibiting the DNA demethylase TET oncogene family member 1 (TET1) via the C/EBPα transcription factor. After oncogenic EGFR inhibition, TET1 binds to tumor suppressor promoters and induces their re-expression through active DNA demethylation. Ectopic expression of TET1 potently inhibits lung and glioblastoma tumor growth, and TET1 knockdown confers resistance to EGFR inhibitors in lung cancer cells. Lung cancer samples exhibited reduced TET1 expression or TET1 cytoplasmic localization in the majority of cases. Collectively, these results identify a conserved pathway of oncogenic EGFR-induced DNA methylation-mediated transcriptional silencing of tumor suppressors that may have therapeutic benefits for oncogenic EGFR-mediated lung cancers and glioblastomas.

Increased resistin levels in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neuromyelitis optica.

INTRODUCTION: Resistin, which acts as a pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases. However, the involvement of resistin in neuromyelitis optica (NMO), a severe inflammatory central nervous system disorder that targets the optic nerve and spinal cord, remains unclear. METHODS: We measured serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) resistin levels in patients with NMO and controls matched by age and sex. The link between resistin levels and clinical variables in NMO was subsequently assessed. RESULTS: The concentrations of serum and CSF resistin were significantly higher in patients with NMO than in controls, and decreased following treatment with methylprednisolone. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and annualized relapse rate positively correlated with resistin levels in patients with NMO. CONCLUSION: Resistin might be a useful biomarker of inflammation in NMO, and a potential target for the treatment of NMO.

Identification of the involvement of LOXL4 in generation of keratocystic odontogenic tumors by RNA-Seq analysis.

Keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOT) are benign, locally aggressive intraosseous tumors of odontogenic origin. KCOT have a higher stromal microvessel density (MVD) than dentigerous cysts (DC) and normal oral mucosa. To identify genes in the stroma of KCOT involved in tumor development and progression, RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) was performed using samples from KCOT and primary stromal fibroblasts isolated from gingival tissues. Seven candidate genes that possess a function potentially related to KCOT progression were selected and their expression levels were confirmed by quantitative PCR, immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of lysyl oxidase-like 4 (LOXL4), the only candidate gene that encodes a secreted protein, was enhanced at both the mRNA and protein levels in KCOT stromal tissues and primary KCOT stromal fibroblasts compared to control tissues and primary fibroblasts (P<0.05). In vitro, high expression of LOXL4 could enhance proliferation and migration of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). There was a significant, positive correlation between LOXL4 protein expression and MVD in stroma of KCOT and control tissues (r=0.882). These data suggest that abnormal expression of LOXL4 of KCOT may enhance angiogenesis in KCOT, which may help to promote the locally aggressive biological behavior of KCOT.

[Identification of a mutation in exon 4 of apolipoprotein E gene in a family affected with lipoprotein glomerulopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential mutation of apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene in a male patient affected with lipoprotein glomerulopathy (LPG), his mother and his sister. METHODS: The patient and his mother both had histologically confirmed LPG. His sister and his father were asymptomatic. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. PCR products of the coding region of exons 3 and 4 of the apoE gene were cloned into a pTA2 vector and sequenced. Genetic variations of the apoE gene were detected using PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). RESULTS: An apoE gene mutation was identified in the patient's family. Sequence analysis confirmed a 9-bp deletion in the exon 4 of apoE gene from nt 484 to 492. The 9-bp deletion resulted in loss of 3 amino acids at positions 143-145. The sister of the propositus carried the same mutation, though she had neither proteinuria nor elevated plasma apoE. Sequence analysis of exon 3 showed no abnormality. No abnormalities were found in the father's apoE gene sequence. Analysis of genetic variations of the apoE gene by PCR and RFLP confirmed a 57 bp fragment consistent with the 9-bp deletion in exon 4. The father had a normal ε 3 ε 3 genotype. CONCLUSION: The 9 bp deletion of apoE may be associated with the pathogenesis of LPG.