Gm6377 suppressed SP 2/0 xenograft tumor by down-regulating Myc transcription.

PURPOSE: Disturbed process of B-cell differentiation into plasmablasts (PBs)/plasma cells (PCs) is involved in multiple myeloma (MM). New strategies will be required to eliminate the MM cell clone for a long-term disease control. Because of its PB-like characteristics, the mus musculus myeloma SP 2/0 cell line was used in this study to search novel targets for PBs/PCs. METHODS/PATIENTS: Affymetrix microarrays and RNA-sequencing assays were used to search a novel different molecule (Gm6377) between PBs/PCs and mature B cells. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), flow cytometry (FACS), xenograft mouse model, and the luciferase reporter system were used to assess the effect of Gm6377 on SP 2/0 cell proliferation, cell cycle, tumor growth, and Myc promoter activation, respectively. RESULTS: We found that B cells expressed a high level of Gm6377 mRNA, whereas Gm6377 mRNA was decreased in PCs. In addition, SP 2/0 cells also expressed low levels of Gm6377 mRNA. Critically, Gm6377 overexpression suppressed SP 2/0 cell proliferation but not cell cycle. Furthermore, Gm6377 overexpression suppressed tumor progression in the SP 2/0 xenograft mouse model. Finally, we found that Gm6377 suppressed SP 2/0 cell proliferation by reducing the activation of the Myc promoter. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Gm6377 suppresses myeloma SP 2/0 cell growth by suppressing Myc. Thus, modulation of Gm6377 may be a potential therapeutic way to treat MM.

Use of Percutaneous Sonographically Guided Microwave Ablation Therapy to Treat Inoperable Malignant Liver Tumours.

AIMS: Microwave ablation (MWA) is a technique which is used to destroy tumours and soft tissues by using microwave energy to create coagulation and localized tissue necrosis. It is used to treat the tumours which are considered to be inoperable and used to treat those patients who are ineligible for surgery due to some factors. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the use of MWA in the treatment of liver cancer. METHODS: The data were collected from Department of Ultrasound, Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital. From July 2010 to August 2011, a total of 123 patients with liver tumours was referred to Harbin Medical University Cancer Hospital. One hundred patients were selected for this study and treated with MWA. The study group contained 64 (64%) males and 36 (36%) females with an average age (± SD) of 52 (± 5.1) years. RESULTS: One month after therapy, complete ablation was obtained in nodules. The complete ablation rate in tumors ≤ 3 cm and those > 3 cm was 98% and 94%, respectively. Microwave ablation success was higher with nodules ≤ 3 cm (57/58; 98.3%) in comparison to nodules > 3 cm. CONCLUSION: Sonographically guided percutaneous microwave ablation proved to be safe, fast and effective for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Value of diffusion weighted imaging in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions at 3.0T MRI.

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs), the relative apparent diffusion coefficient (rADC), and the pathological prognostic factor human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) in patients with breast cancer. A total of 64 women with breast cancer underwent breast diffusion-weighted imaging. HER-2 expression was detected in histological specimens. The ADC value, rADC value, and HER-2 level were determined. The ADC and rADC values of the breast cancer group were 1.1495 ± 0.1499 x 10(-3) and 0.6602 ± 0.0853, respectively. The differences in the ADC and rADC values between the two groups were statistically significant. There was no correlation between the ADC value and HER-2 expression in patients with breast cancer (r = -0.508, P = 0.043). However, the rADC value eliminated the individual differences to some extent. Therefore, compared to the ADC value, the rADC value had a better correlation with HER-2 expression.

Development of an improved rat model of dual graft liver transplantation with long-term survival.

Dual graft liver transplantation has been demonstrated to be feasible as well as effective in increasing the donor pool and in preventing the potential for small-for-size syndrome. However, little is known about the pathophysiological and immune processes following dual graft liver transplantation due to the lack of appropriate animal models. The aim of this study, therefore, was to establish an improved rat model of dual graft liver transplantation, with long-term survival. Male inbred rats were used as both donors and recipients. One middle lobe together with another right middle lobe from the livers of two different donors were used as the dual grafts. The "basin-shaped anastomosis" technique was used to connect the suprahepatic inferior vena cava; "Y-shaped bridge" and "three-cuff" techniques were adopted for the anastomosis of the portal veins; and the "two-stent" technique was used for the anastomosis of the bile ducts. Six of the ten recipients survived for more than 100 days after dual graft liver transplantation. There was no difference in graft survival between dual and whole liver transplantation. The long-term survivors with dual grafts from two different donors had unobstructed portal vein flow, unobstructed biliary tract dilatation, normal graft function, and well-preserved hepatic structure. Therefore, this improved model will be potentially useful for evaluating the pathophysiological processes, immune responses between dual grafts and recipient, and mechanisms underlying the liver regeneration in dual grafts after dual graft liver transplantation.

Visualization and body distribution of [¹³¹I]-herceptin in nude mice with BT-474 breast carcinoma.

The study aimed to investigate the bio-distribution and radio-immuno-imaging features of [(131)I]-herceptin in nude mice with BT-474 breast carcinoma. [(131)I]-Herceptin was administrated by tail intravenous injection to the nude mice with BT-474 breast carcinoma. Radiocounting was performed at 4, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h after administration. The activity ratio in the tumor tissue and non-tumor tissue (T/NT) and the radiocounting percentage per gram tissue to the injected dose (%ID/g) were calculated. The nude mice with BT-474 breast carcinoma were also visualized continuously by single photon emission computed tomography at 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h after the injection of [(131)I]-herceptin. Nude mice with MDA-MB-231 used as the control group were subjected to the same analyses. Clear tumor images were obtained after the injection of [(131)I]-herceptin in nude mice with BT-474 breast carcinoma. The images were the clearest at 24 h after the injection and remained clear even at 96 h. The T/NT ratio and %ID/g in the tumor tissues of nude mice with BT-474 were both significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01). [(131)I]-Herceptin displays tumors clearly in the nude mice with BT-474 and accumulates well in the tumor tissues.

Late onset systemic lupus erythematosus with severe hypercalcaemia.

We report a case of a 76-year old female presenting with symptomatic severe hypercalcaemia, and subsequently diagnosed with late onset SLE due to the presence of anaemia, leucopenia, antibodies of antinuclear (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and also kidney impairment. Serum levels of FGF23 and intact-parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were low in this patient. Serum calcium, FGF23 and iPTH levels responded to steroids, which occurred simultaneously with disease activity. On follow-up, the faster increase in FGF23 than in parathyroid hormone suggested that FGF23 might be involved in the pathogenesis of hypercalcaemia in SLE.

Late onset systemic lupus erythematosus with severe hypercalcaemia / Lupus eritematoso sistémico de inicio tardío con hipercalcemia severa

We report a case of a 76-year old female presenting with symptomatic severe hypercalcaemia, and subsequently diagnosed with late onset SLE due to the presence of anaemia, leucopenia, antibodies of antinuclear (ANA), anti-dsDNA, and also kidney impairment. Serum levels of FGF23 and intact-parathyroid hormone (iPTH) were low in this patient. Serum calcium, FGF23 and iPTH levels responded to steroids, which occurred simultaneously with disease activity. On follow-up, the faster increase in FGF23 than in parathyroid hormone suggested that FGF23 might be involved in the pathogenesis of hypercalcaemia in SLE.

Se reporta el caso de una mujer de 76 años de edad que se presentó con hipercalcemia sintomática severa, y a la que posteriormente le fuera diagnosticada LES de inicio tardío con presencia de anemia, leucopenia, anticuerpos antinucleares (ANA), anti-dsDNA, e insuficiencia del riñón. Los niveles séricos del factor de crecimiento fibroblástico 23 (FGF23) y la hormona paratiroidea intacta (iPTH) fueron bajos en este paciente. Los niveles de calcio séricos, FGF23 e iPTH respondieron a los esteroides, que ocurrieron simultáneamente con la actividad de la enfermedad. En el seguimiento, el hecho de que el factor FGF23 aumentara más rápidamente que la hormona paratiroidea, sugiere que el FGF23 podría estar involucrado en la patogénesis de la hipercalcemia en LES.