Validation of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer cervical cancer module for Chinese patients with cervical cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to assess, for the first time, the validity, reliability, and acceptability of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life questionnaire (QLQ) cervical cancer module (CX24) in Chinese cervical cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred fifteen outpatients with cervical cancer in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from May 2013 to July 2013 were included in this study. All participants self-administered the EORTC QLQ-CX24 and the core questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30), and the Karnofsky Performance Scale was performed to evaluate scores. Data were analyzed with Cronbach's α coefficient, Pearson correlation test, multitrait scaling analysis, and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Scale reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's α coefficients for internal consistency, which ranged from 0.71 to 0.82. Convergent and discriminant validity were confirmed by multitrait scaling analysis, which revealed three (3.4%) scaling errors for symptom experience scales and zero (0%) for body image as well as sexual/vaginal functioning scales. Higher missing value rate occurred in sexuality-related items. The clinical validity of the Chinese version of the EORTC QLQ-CX24 was demonstrated by the ability to discriminate among patients in different International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages. CONCLUSION: The EORTC QLQ-CX24 was proved to be a reliable and valid instrument with which to measure the quality of life in cervical cancer patients in the People's Republic of China.

HDAC6 siRNA inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of HeLa cells and its related molecular mechanism.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) siRNA on cell proliferation and cell apoptosis of the HeLa cervical carcinoma cell line and the molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS: Division was into three groups: A, the untreated group; B, the control siRNA group; and C, the HDAC6 siRNA group. Lipofectamine 2000 was used for siRNA transfection, and Western blot analysis was used to determine the protein levels. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were characterized using a CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: HDAC6 protein expression in the HDAC6 siRNA-transfection group was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in the untreated and control siRNA groups. The CCK-8 kit results demonstrated that the proliferation of HeLa cells was clearly inhibited in the HDAC6 siRNA transfection group (P < 0.05). In addition, flow cytometry revealed that the early apoptotic rate (26.0% ± 0.87%) was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) as compared with the untreated group (10.6% ± 1.19%) and control siRNA group (8.61% ± 0.98%). Furthermore, Western blot analysis indicated that bcl-2 protein expression in the HDAC6 siRNA-transfection group was down-regulated, whereas the expression of p21 and bax was up-regulated. CONCLUSION: HDAC6 plays an essential role in the occurrence and development of cervical carcinoma, and the down-regulation of HDAC6 expression may be useful molecular therapeutic method.

Effect of L-arginine on the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the placenta of fetal growth restriction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of l-arginine on fetal growth restriction (FGR) in terms of the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in placenta. METHODS: Sixty pregnant women with FGR were randomized to receive conventional treatment alone (control group, n = 30) or in combination with L-arginine (L-arginine group, n = 30). The parameters of fetal growth and development were monitored by B-ultrasound at regular intervals. The newborn birth weight and perinatal outcomes were also documented. Placental tissue was sampled within 10 min after delivery for analysis. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in placental tissue was determined by immunohistochemical technique. RESULTS: The fetal growth parameters of biparietal diameter, femur length, and abdominal circumference increased more significantly in L-arginine group than those in control group (p < 0.01). The cure rate and birth weight in L-arginine group were higher than those in control group (73.3% vs. 43.3%, 2455.20 g vs. 2402.63 g, respectively). The incidence of small for gestational age newborns in l-arginine group was significantly lower than that in control group. Compared with L-arginine group, the Bax expression increased, but bcl-2 expression decreased in control group. CONCLUSIONS: L-arginine could reduce the expression of Bax, and enhance the expression of bcl-2, which may be associated with reduced placental apoptosis and improved placental function and fetal development.