Combination of serum ACSL4 levels and low-dose 256-slice spiral CT exhibits the potential in the early screening of lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of lung cancer is related to the stage of the disease at the time of detection, and early diagnosis can prolong survival time. In this prospective observational cohort research, we aimed to analyze the diagnostic performance of the combined application of ACSL4 and low-dose 256-slice spiral computed tomography (CT) to lung cancer. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort research enrolled a total of 512 patients with pulmonary nodules (PN) who were found with PN by CT. All patients were divided into 2 groups through biopsy operation, including 449 patients with benign PN and 63 patients with malignant PN. Both groups were scanned with a Philips Brilliance 256iCT machine. Imaging features of PN were recorded. All images of the nodules were used for data measurement and image analysis by the Lung Nodule Assessment analysis software. The serum ACSL4, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cytokeratin 19 fragment 21-1 (CYFRA21-1), neuron-specific enolase, carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) and carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The demographic data and clinical data, including age, sex, body mass index, smoke condition, TNM stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis were collected. All the patients were followed for 5 years. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software with P  < .05 as statistically different. RESULTS: The diameter of nodules, the proportion of burr signs and smoking status, and the serum levels of CEA, CYFRA21-1, CA199, CA125 were significantly higher in malignant nodules group compared with the benign nodules group. Serum ACSL4 levels of malignant nodules group (19.33 ±â€…6.92 ng/mL) were remarkably lower than the benign nodules group (25.34 ±â€…3.78 ng/mL). ACSL4 was negatively correlated with CEA, CYFRA21-1, CA199, and CA125. ACSL4 was associated with the clinical outcomes in malignant PN patients and lower ACSL4 predicted poor clinic outcomes and prognosis. In addition, ACSL4 combined with low-dose 256-slice spiral CT had satisfactory diagnostic value for lung cancer. CONCLUSION: In summary, our results showed that combination application of ACSL4 and low-dose 256-slice spiral CT might be a potential method for the early screening of lung cancer.

A rare rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor with indolent biological behavior: A case study.

The overall incidence of rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (RGIST) has risen, but it remains a rare disease. Furthermore, tumor rupture is associated with poor prognosis. The present study reported a rare case of RGIST with indolent biological behavior. The biological behavior of this RGIST was analyzed and its malignant potential was evaluated using a guideline-based risk stratification assessment. The patient was diagnosed with a rectal tumor at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Qiqihar Medical University (Qiqihar, China) in April 2020 and a partial resection biopsy was then performed. This resection counts as a rupture. The biopsy confirmed RGIST and the patient refused further examination and treatment due to economic concerns. However, the patient survives with no tumor progression and metastasis until now, May 2022. In conclusion, based on the present case, tumor rupture in indolent RGIST is not necessarily associated with poor outcome.

Quantitative Evaluation of Small Intestinal Hemorrhage Using Energy Spectrum CT Iodine-Water Map.

The objective of this research is to analyze the quantitative evaluation of human small intestinal bleeding by observing and analyzing animal experiments of small intestinal hemorrhage in rabbit models for the convenience of understanding the role of energy spectrum CT iodine-water diagram in animal experimental research of quantitative evaluation of small intestinal bleeding in rabbit models. Compared with the energy spectrum of iodine-water graph of a rabbit CT model, the present study studied the quantitative evaluation of small intestinal bleeding by using a rabbit model instead of human. According to the method mentioned above and the analysis of experimental data, the role of energy spectrum CT iodine-water map and the quantitative evaluation of human small intestinal bleeding have been understood. It was found that the energy spectrum CT iodine-water map replaces humans in the rabbit model for quantitative evaluation of small intestinal bleeding in animal experiments, which is important in the present study. Besides, based upon the combination of theoretical and experimental data, the ten flow rates set on the base material iodine (water) maps of the arterial phase and the portal phase can be analyzed to detect the leakage of contrast agent. The yield was 100%. The research results showed that the animal experiment of quantitative assessment of small intestinal bleeding by replacing the human body with the rabbit model in the energy spectrum CT iodine-water diagram is critical to humans in the study of small intestinal hemorrhagic diseases. In addition, it can be used to adjust the treatment plan timely according to the amount of bleeding to prevent shock or heavy bleeding that threatens patients' lives.

Coix seed oil regulates mitochondrial functional damage to induce apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cells via the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Coix seed oil (CSO) has a wide range of anticancer effects. However, the mechanism of action against pancreatic cancer (PC) and regulation of mitochondria in vitro is still unclear. MATERIALS AND RESULTS: This research investigated the possible mechanism of CSO induction of PC cell apoptosis and regulating mitochondrial functional damage. Proliferation of PC cells, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), qualitative and quantitative analysis of PC cell apoptosis, openness of mitochondrial permeability transition pore, related protein expression, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and gene expression were determined by cell counting kit-8, JC-1 staining, acridine orange and ethidium bromide staining, flow cytometry, calcein-AM/cobalt staining, western blotting, dichlorofluorescein diacetate probe, and quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. We confirmed that PTEN protein was involved in CSO-induced PANC-1 cell apoptosis and mitochondrial functional damage. CSO induced depolarization of MMP, increased opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, increased ROS production, and further increased mitochondrial damage. Additionally, CSO downregulated expression of p-AKT and p-PI3K proteins; upregulated protein expression of cleaved caspase-9, Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome c; and downregulated expression of Bcl-2 by upregulating the PTEN gene. The corresponding protein expression was consistent with the gene expression level. Furthermore, the loss of function of PTEN protein reduces the ability of CSO to induce apoptosis of PANC-1 cells and damage to mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS: CSO induces apoptosis of PANC-1 PC cells by modulating mitochondrial functional impairment and related apoptotic molecules via PTEN, which may be closely related to the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Positive therapy outcome of lung squamous cell cancer: A case report.

Lung cancer is a rapidly progressing disease with a poor prognosis. Lung squamous cell cancer (LSCC) accounts for 20-30% of lung cancer cases. Conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the common options for LSCC. Nevertheless, the outcomes of these treatments are still unsatisfactory. The present report describes a rare case of LSCC with pericardial, cervical lymph node and extensive mediastinal lymph node metastases, who still survives today, in March 2022, more than 10 years after therapy and, therefore, this case study indicates a possible treatment regimen for patients with a similar condition. In conclusion, gemcitabine and cisplatin followed by radiotherapy were an effective treatment against pericardial and lymph node metastases from LSCC.

Loss of Happiness for Land-Expropriated, Urbanised Residents: A Comparison Based on Multiple Groups.

Are land-expropriated, urbanised residents living happily? This question is not only related to the quality of urbanisation but also has important reference for evaluating the reform of the land acquisition system. On the basis of the Chinese General Social Survey data in 2017 and 2018, the HeckProbit model, the ordered probit model and the mediating effect model were used to study the happiness and underlying mechanism of land-expropriated, urbanised residents. The results showed that the older the farmers are, the lower the probability of obtaining urban hukou through land acquisition, and women will be more likely to achieve household registration through land requisition. Education and party status have significant inhibitory effects on hukou conversion through land acquisition. A comparison among multiple groups indicated that the happiness level of each group is ranked as follows: residents who attained urban hukou through education and job recruitment > urban native residents > land-expropriated, urbanised residents > farmers; however, the happiness level of the latter two groups has no significant difference. The propensity score matching method was further used to reduce the endogeneity due to selection bias, and the results were still robust. The lower self-assessment of socioeconomic status indirectly caused the loss of happiness of land-expropriated, urbanised residents. However, the high living expectation 'suppressed' the negative effect of land acquisition on happiness to some extent.

Vitamin intake and pancreatic cancer risk reduction: A meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between vitamin intake and pancreatic cancer (PC) risk is disputed. We aimed to investigate the association between vitamin intake and the risk of PC via meta-analysis. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis of studies concerning vitamin intake and the risk of PC from EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library. The search yielded 25 correlative studies including 1,214,995 individuals. The relative risks (RR) were examined by a random-effect model or fixed-effect model. Subgroup analysis, dose-response analysis, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression, and publication bias analysis were used to analyze studies. RESULTS: The RR of PC in the highest vitamin intake group was 0.90 (95% confidence interval, 0.83-0.98) compared with that in the lowest vitamin intake in the prospective studies. Different increments of vitamin intake and the risk of PC were examined with dose-response analysis, and a decrease in the risk of PC was observed with vitamin D (25%) and vitamin B12 (27%). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis found that vitamin intake can decrease the risk of PC, particularly vitamin D and vitamin B12.