Comparison of the predictive capability of antral follicle count vs. the anti-Müllerian hormone for ovarian response in infertile women.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the predictive capability of antral follicle count (AFC) and the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) on ovarian response in infertile women and to identify potential factors influencing retrieved oocytes. Methods: A total of 2585 infertile women who underwent in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles had been enrolled in this study. Spearman correlation was used to investigate the correlation between retrieved oocytes and AFC. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to study the parameters affecting the number of retrieved oocytes. Results: Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the oocyte retrieval number was positively correlated with AFC (r = 0.651, p < 0.001) and AMH (r = 0.566, p < 0.001) and negatively correlated with age (r = -0.425, p < 0.001) and regimen selection (r = -0.233 p < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between retrieved oocytes and BMI (p = 0.913). ROC analysis revealed that AFC was a better predictor of adverse effects than AMH, BMI, and age (AUC: 0.916 VS 0.791, 0.575, 0.752). Meanwhile, AFC and AMH were comparable in predicting high response (AUC = 0.731 and AUC = 0.733, respectively). Conclusions: This study showed that retrieved oocytes were positively correlated with serum AMH and AFC and negatively correlated with age and BMI. AFC had an ideal predictive performance in ovarian response prediction. The mechanism of the effect of AFC on ovarian response during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) needs to be further investigated.

Oncological Safety of Diagnostic Hysteroscopy for Apparent Early-Stage Type II Endometrial Cancer: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To study the oncological safety of diagnostic hysteroscopy for women with apparent early-stage type II endometrial cancer. Patients and Methods: A total of 429 women with presumed early-stage type II endometrial cancer were included. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated and compared using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log-rank test among patients diagnosed by Dilation & Curettage (D&C) or diagnostic hysteroscopy. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was employed to adjust for potential confounding factors. Results: 160 cases underwent D&C and 269 cases were diagnosed by diagnostic hysteroscopy. The 5-year DFS rate was 72.17% in the diagnostic hysteroscopy group and 76.16% in the D&C group, diagnostic hysteroscopy was not associated with deteriorated 5-year DFS rate (HR 1.25, 95% CI 0.84-1.86, P=0.281). The 5-year OS rate was 67.23% in the diagnostic hysteroscopy group and 70.71% in the D&C group, diagnostic hysteroscopy did not increase the risk of all-cause death (HR 1.11, 95% CI 0.78-1.57, P=0.573). Multivariable analysis showed that the method of endometrial sampling was not independently associated with DFS (aHR 1.38, 95% CI 0.92-2.07, P=0.122) and OS (aHR 1.23, 95% CI 0.85-1.77, P=0.272). Conclusion: For apparent early-stage type II endometrial cancer, endometrial sampling by diagnostic hysteroscopy was as safe as D&C.

A Clinical Diagnostic Value Analysis of Serum CA125, CA199, and HE4 in Women with Early Ovarian Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the value of combined detection of serum CA125, CA199, and HE4 in the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Methods: Relevant articles retrieved from PubMed, Elsevier Science, Springer, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and VIP databases were screened strictly according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included literature published from January 2005 to December 2021. (2) Serum HE4, CA125, CA199, and their combination for ovarian cancer diagnostic tests were studied, and healthy subjects or patients with the benign disease were taken as a control group. (3) Pathological tissue diagnosis as the gold standard. (4) Complete original data can be obtained. (5) The sample size was ≥20. (6) Language is limited to Chinese and English. Data features and QUADAS table were extracted from the included literature, and QUADAS evaluation tool detail table was used for the included study. Conduct quality evaluation. Statistical analysis was carried out using meta-disc software version 1.4. Appropriate effect model was selected to merge the effect size, and the forest maps of merge sensitivity, merge specificity, and merge likelihood ratio were obtained. Results: The results of meta-analysis showed that there was a statistical difference in diagnostic specificity analysis of CA125 (OR = 1.91, 95% CI (1.58, 2.32), P < 0.00001, I 2 = 67%, Z = 6.58); diagnostic sensitivity analysis of CA125 (OR = 2.50, 95% CI (1.73, 3.62), P < 0.00001, I 2 = 0%, Z = 4.90); diagnostic specificity analysis of CA199 (OR = 1.98, 95% CI (1.60, 2.44), P < 0.00001, I 2 = 89%, Z = 6.35); diagnostic sensitivity analysis of CA199 (OR = 1.92, 95% CI (1.46, 2.52), P < 0.00001, I 2 = 73%, Z = 4.70); diagnostic specificity analysis of HE4 (OR = 2.08, 95% CI (1.65, 2.63), P < 0.00001, I 2 = 73%, Z = 6.19); diagnostic sensitivity analysis of HE4 (OR = 2.37, 95% CI (1.87, 3.00), P < 0.00001, I 2 = 83%, Z = 7.19). Conclusion: In the clinical assisted diagnosis of ovarian cancer, combined detection of CA125, CA199, and HE4 has the stronger discriminant ability and higher accuracy than single detection of CA125, which can improve the diagnostic efficiency.

Oncological Safety of Laparoscopic Surgery for Women with Apparent Early-stage Uterine Clear Cell Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different surgical approaches (laparoscopy and laparotomy) on the oncological outcomes of patients with apparent early-stage uterine clear cell carcinoma (UCCC). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Four Chinese teaching hospitals. PATIENTS: A total of 273 women with apparent early-stage UCCC. INTERVENTIONS: All included patients were surgically staged by laparoscopy or laparotomy. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The eligible patients were divided into the laparotomy group and the laparoscopy group. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared by the log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the effect of surgical approach on DFS and OS. With a median follow-up of 31.0 months, the 3-year DFS rates were 68.82% and 64.27% in the laparotomy group and the laparoscopy group, respectively. The difference in DFS between the 2 groups was not statistically significant (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.72-1.58; p = .758). In addition, the 3-year OS rate (72.76% vs 73.46%; HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.65-1.72; p = .823) was not different between the 2 groups. Furthermore, multivariable analysis showed that for patients with apparent early-stage UCCC, the approach of surgical staging was not an independent prognostic factor for OS (adjusted HR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.78-2.12; p = .321) and DFS (adjusted HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 0.73-1.68; p = .621). CONCLUSION: For clinical early-stage clear cell carcinoma of the uterus, staging by laparoscopy is oncologically safe. This needs to be justified by further prospective studies.

A high Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) or modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) predicts poor prognosis in gynecologic cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: The Glasgow Prognostic Score or modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS/mGPS), a novel inflammatory indicator, which acts as a prognostic predictor in various cancers. However, these results are still controversial. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to investigate the prognostic role of GPS/mGPS in patients with gynecologic cancers. METHODS: We explored eligible studies by searching the databases PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science. The hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted to investigate the correlation between GPS/mGPS and overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Additionally, we performed subgroup analyses to detect the potential heterogeneity in our study. RESULTS: 11 studies involving 2830 patients were enrolled in this meta-analysis. The results revealed that a high GPS was significantly related to a shorter OS (pooled HR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.54-2.43; P < 0.001) and PFS (pooled HR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.56-2.35; P < 0.001) in patients with gynecologic cancers. Moreover, mGPS also predicted poor OS (pooled HR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.41-1.96; P < 0.001) and PFS (pooled HR = 1.73; 95% CI = 1.47-2.04; P < 0.001) in gynecologic cancers patients. CONCLUSION: A higher GPS/mGPS is correlated with poor survival outcomes in patients with gynecologic cancers. Pretreatment GPS/mGPS is a valid prognostic predictor in gynecologic cancers.

Prognostic value of lymph nodes ratio in patients with stage III ovarian clear cell carcinoma: A retrospective study of patients in Southwest China.

Background: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) has a worse prognosis compared to other histological subtypes. Although the survival effect of lymph nodes ratio (LNR) on ovarian carcinoma have been elucidated in several studies, the prognostic effect of LNR in OCCC has not been separately studied. This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of LNR in FIGO stage III OCCC. Methods: Patients with FIGO stage III OCCC who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery and systematic lymphadenectomy from January 2008 to June 2014 in two independent hospitals were retrospectively reviewed. Two independent patients cohorts were used to investigate the survival impact of LNR by using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression proportional hazard method. Results: In training cohort, the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates was 32.4% for patients with LNR ≤ 25%, and 19.8% for patients with LNR > 25%, respectively (p = 0.017). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates was 41.3% for patients with LNR ≤ 25%, and 25.8% for patients with LNR > 25%, respectively (p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, increased LNR was correlated with a poorer DFS (HR = 2.12 ,95% CI 1.32-3.41, p = 0.002) and OS (HR = 2.29, 95% CI 1.37-5.12, p = 0.001). These results were verified in a validation cohort. Conclusions: LNR is an independent survival predictor in patients with FIGO stage III OCCC.

Up-regulated of Angiopoietin-Like Protein 4 Predicts Poor Prognosis in Cervical Cancer.

Background: Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) has been demonstrated highly expressed in some cancers, but it also was downregulated in others through DNA methylation. However, the expression status of ANGPTL4 in cancer of cervix remains unclear. Thus, our present study attempts to investigate the role of ANGPTL4 in the prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, western blotting and qRT-PCR were performed to investigate the expressive level of ANPGTL4 in cervical cancer tissues and paired noncancer tissues. The relationship of ANGPTL4 expression and clinicopathological factors was measured by Chi-square test. Overall and disease-free survival (OS and DFS) rates were estimated and compared by using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, respectively. To assess the prognostic significance of ANGPTL4 in cervical cancer patients, the Cox regression model was utilized to process univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: ANGPTL4 was upregulated in cervical cancer samples and advanced tumor stage, deep stromal invasion, lymph node metastasis, lymphovascular space invasion, as well as poor OS and DFS were shown to be tightly correlated with it. Results of Cox multivariate analysis demonstrated that ANGPTL4 expression was an independent prognostic factor for OS and DFS in cervical cancer. Conclusion: Upregulated ANGPTL4 seems to be a useful marker for poor prognosis in cervical cancer.

Systemic immune-inflammation index predicts prognosis in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: A total of 553 EOC patients were retrospectively analyzed. 250 patients from West China Second University Hospital were assigned into the discovery cohort and 283 patients from The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University were assigned into the validation cohort. The correlation between SII and survival were analyzed using Cox regression analyses and Kaplan-Meier method. Prediction accuracy was evaluated with the receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve. RESULTS: The high SII (≥612) was correlated with advanced FIGO stage, lymph node metastasis, and tumor recurrence. In univariate Cox regression, patients with high SII (≥612) had a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to low SII patients (<612) in both cohorts. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, SII was an independent prognostic indicator for PFS (HR = 7.61, 95% CI 3.34-17.35, P < 0.001) and OS (HR = 6.36, 95% CI 2.64-15.33, P < 0.001) in the discovery cohort. These results were verified in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: High SII was correlated with poor survival in patients with EOC. The SII was an independent prognostic factor for patients with EOC.

Effect of inhibition of intermediate-conductance-Ca2+-activated K+ channels on HeLa cell proliferation.

PURPOSE: To explore the influence of intermediate-conductance-Ca2+-activated K+ channels. (IKCal) on HeLa cell proliferation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An IKCal blocking agent (clotrimazole (CLT)) and small hairpin ribonucleic acid interference (RNAi) was used to block IKCal in HeLa cells; subsequently, cell growth was observed. Furthermore, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of IKCal was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after IKCal-blocking. RESULTS: The obvious morphological changes in HeLa cells were observed 48 h after CLT-blocking. The PCR results indicated that CLT reduced the mRNA expression of IKCal in HeLa cells. HeLa cells were transfected with pGenesil via RNAi; the HeLa cells transfected with pGenesil-IK displayed obvious morphological changes 48 h after transfection. In addition, RT-PCR further demonstrated the reduced mRNA expression of IKCal in the pGenesil group. CONCLUSION: CLT and blocking of IKCal gene expression effectively inhibits HeLa cell proliferation; therefore, the use of a blocking agent and RNAi both effectively downregulated the mRNA expression of IKCal, which in turn mediated the proliferation of HeLa cells, producing an antitumor effect.

High mobility group protein A2 overexpression indicates poor prognosis for cancer patients: a meta-analysis.

Overexpression of the high mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2), an architectural transcription factor, has been linked to poor prognosis in many malignancies, although this remains controversial. Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate whether HMGA2 has prognostic value, and evaluated the association between HMGA2 and clinicopathologic factors in malignancies. A total of 29 studies involving 4114 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results demonstrated that elevated HMGA2 predicted a poor overall survival (OS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.82; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.62-2.05; P < 0.001) and disease-free survival/progression-free survival/recurrence-free survival (HR = 1.94; 95% CI = 1.27-2.98; P = 0.002). Subgroup analysis conducted by study region, sample size, detection method, and analysis method indicated that HMGA2 overexpression correlated with poor OS. Furthermore, HMGA2 overexpression was found to be linked to poor OS in various cancers except ovarian cancer (pooled HR = 1.14; 95% CI = 0.62-2.09; P = 0.673). High HMGA2 expression level also correlated with advanced TNM stage (OR = 2.44; 95% CI =1.87-3.2; P < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (OR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.67-3.64; P < 0.001), distant metastasis (OR = 2.66; 95% CI =1.51-4.69; P < 0.001), and lymph node metastasis (OR = 1.83; 95% CI =1.27-2.64; P = 0.001). In conclusion, HMGA2 overexpression indicates a worse prognosis and may serve as a prognostic predictor in cancer patients.

The relationship between the hormone levels before transplantation and the outcomes of hormone replacement therapy frozen embryo transfer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between the outcomes of hormone replacement therapy frozen embryo transfer (HRT-FET) and serum estradiol and progesterone levels on the day of endometrial transformation and before transplantation. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who underwent 426 cycles of HRT-FET were retrospectively analyzed and were divided into group according to estradiol and progesterone levels. Differences in embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were compared, and relationship between estradiol levels and outcome of transplantation was analyzed. RESULTS: During the 426 cycles, clinical pregnancy rate was 49.77% and embryo implantation rate was 27.20%. Differences in estradiol and progesterone levels on the day of endometrial transformation and before transplantation between pregnant and non-pregnant groups were not statistically significant. Furthermore, embryo implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate among different levels of estradiol patients was not statistical different. On the day before transplantation, serum estradiol level decreased in 98.36% of patients. Differences in implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate among patients with different extents of decrease in estradiol and different progesterone levels the day before transplantation were statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The extent of decrease in serum estradiol and progesterone levels on the day before transplantation may be associated with outcome of HRT-FET.

The restraining effect of baicalein and U0126 on human cervical cancer cell line HeLa.

To explore the restraining effect of baicalein and the mitogen-activation protein kinase kinase inhibitor, U0126, on human cervical cell line HeLa proliferation, apoptosis and migration. HeLa cells were treated by different concentrations of baicalein or U0126. A Cell Counting Kit (CCK)­8 assay was applied to examine cell viability. Flow cytometry was used to determine cell cycle and apoptosis. A wound healing assay was performed to detect cell migration. A terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay was adopted to test cell apoptosis. Reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis was used to detect apoptosis gene and protein expression. CCK­8 assay demonstrated that baicalein and U0126 suppressed HeLa cell viability by dose dependence. TUNEL, Annexin V­fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide, and ratio of Bcl­2­associated X protein and B cell lymphoma 2 indicated that baicalein and U0126 induced HeLa cell apoptosis. Flow cytometry revealed that baicalein blocked the cell cycle of HeLa in G0/G1 phase. A wound healing assay demonstrated that baicalein significantly inhibited HeLa cell migration compared with control. Baicalein and U0126 markedly downregulated extracellular signal­regulated kinase 1/2, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP9 levels both in mRNA and protein. In the present study, the authors demonstrated that baicalein and U0126 may be used in cervical cancer treatment by inhibiting cell migration and inducing cell apoptosis.

Intermediate-Conductance-Ca2-Activated K Channel IKCa1 Is Upregulated and Promotes Cell Proliferation in Cervical Cancer

BACKGROUND Accumulating data point to intermediate-conductance calcium-activated potassium channel (IKCa1) as a key player in controlling cell cycle progression and proliferation of human cancer cells. However, the role that IKCa1 plays in the growth of human cervical cancer cells is largely unexplored. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, Western blot analysis, immunohistochemical staining, and RT-PCR were first used for IKCa1protein and gene expression assays in cervical cancer tissues and HeLa cells. Then, IKCa1 channel blocker and siRNA were employed to inhibit the functionality of IKCa1 and downregulate gene expression in HeLa cells, respectively. After these treatments, we examined the level of cell proliferation by MTT method and measured IKCa1 currents by conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique. Cell apoptosis was assessed using the Annexin V-FITC/Propidium Iodide (PI) double-staining apoptosis detection kit. RESULTS We demonstrated that IKCa1 mRNA and protein are preferentially expressed in cervical cancer tissues and HeLa cells. We also showed that the IKCa1 channel blocker, clotrimazole, and IKCa1 channel siRNA can be used to suppress cervical cancer cell proliferation and decrease IKCa1 channel current. IKCa1 downregulation by specific siRNAs induced a significant increase in the proportion of apoptotic cells in HeLa cells. CONCLUSIONS IKCa1 is overexpressed in cervical cancer tissues, and IKCa1 upregulation in cervical cancer cell linea enhances cell proliferation, partly by reducing the proportion of apoptotic cells.

Inhibiting the cytoplasmic location of HMGB1 reverses cisplatin resistance in human cervical cancer cells.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in women worldwide, and resistance to chemotherapy drugs is the biggest obstacle in the treatment of cervical cancers. In the present study, the molecular mechanisms underlying cisplatin resistance in human cervical cancer cells were investigated. When human cervical cancer cells were treated with 10 µg/ml of cisplatin for 24 and 48 h, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) protein expression levels significantly increased in a time­dependent manner. Comparisons between cisplatin­sensitive HeLa cells and cisplatin­resistant HeLa/DDP cells revealed higher levels of HMGB1 in HeLa/DDP cells than in HeLa cells. Additionally, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for cisplatin in HeLa/DDP cells was 5.3­fold that in HeLa cells. Analysis of the distribution of cellular components revealed that HMGB1 translocation from the nucleus to cytoplasm contributed to cisplatin resistance. This was further confirmed by demonstration that ethyl pyruvate treatment suppressed the cytoplasmic translocation of HMGB1, resulting in inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation. Furthermore, endogenous HMGB1 was inhibited with HMGB1­specific short hairpin (sh)RNA, and MTT assay results showed that interference with HMGB1 expression reduced cell viability and potentially reversed cisplatin resistance in HeLa cells. Transfection with HMGB1 shRNA was demonstrated to induce cell apoptosis in HeLa cells, as detected by FACS analysis. In addition, administration of recombinant HMGB1 protein in HeLa cells promoted cell autophagy, mediated by the phosphorylation of extracellular signal­regulated kinase 1/2. Thus, cytoplasmic HMGB1 translocation and HMGB1­induced cell autophagy are proposed to contribute to cisplatin resistance by inhibiting apoptosis of cervical cancer cells. HMGB1 could, therefore, represent a novel therapeutic target for, and a diagnostic marker of, chemotherapy resistant cervical cancers.

[Baicalein promotes the apoptosis of HeLa cells by inhibiting ERK1/2 expression].

Objective To investigate the effects of baicalein and U0126 treatment on the apoptosis of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells and the potential mechanism. Methods HeLa cells were subjected to (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 300) µmol/L baicalein or (1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30) µmol/L U0126 treatment for 24 hours. The optimal concentrations of baicalein and U0126 for HeLa inhibition was determined by a cell counting Kit-8 assay. HeLa cells were then treated with these inhibitory concentrations for 24 hours separately or in combination. The cell cycle and the degree of apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The cell apoptosis index was evaluated by the TUNEL assay. The expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), Bax, and Bcl-2 at the mRNA and protein levels were examined by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Results Optimal inhibitory concentrations of baicalein and U0126 for HeLa cells were 200 µmol/L and 10 µmol/L, respectively. Compared with the control group, baicalein treatment increased the growth rate of cells in the G0/G1 phase but decreased the S phase. Combination treatment of 200 µmol/L baicalein and 10 µmol/L U0126 for 24 hours further reduced the S phase growth rate. Treatment with 10 µmol/L U0126 or 200 µmol/L baicalein for 24 hours induced cell apoptosis, and the combination treatment induced more apoptosis. Treatment by baicalein alone or in combination with U0126 for 24 hours significantly decreased ERK1/2 and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions, and upregulated Bax mRNA expression. It also downregulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation and Bcl-2 protein expression, while increasing Bax protein expression. Conclusion Both baicalein and U012 appear to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis, and increase the growth rate in the G0/G1 phase but reduce the S phase of HeLa cells. This effect is enhanced when they are used synergistically.

[Knockdown of angiopoietin-like protein 4 inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis in cervical cancer SiHa cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of lentivirus-mediated shRNA silencing of angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) on the proliferation and apoptosis of cervical cancer SiHa cells. METHODS: The ANGPTL4 lentiviral vectors were used to transfect SiHa cells. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were respectively used to detect ANGPTL4 expression at mRNA and protein levels. The proliferation ability of SiHa cells after transfection was assessed by MTT assay and colony formation assay. The cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry. The annexin V-phycoerythrin/7-aminoactinomycin D (annexin V-PE/7-AAD) staining combined with flow cytometry was used to examine the effect of ANGPTL4 silence on the apoptosis of SiHa cells. RESULTS: After the ANGPTL4 lentiviral vectors were transfected into SiHa cells, qRT-PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression of ANGPTL4 mRNA and protein were significantly inhibited in LV3-ANGPTL4 group. The MTT assay showed that the proliferation ability of SiHa cells in LV3-ANGPTL4 group was also inhibited. Colony formation assay revealed that the colony number in LV3-ANGPTL4 group was reduced. The cells in G0/G1 phase and the apoptosis rate increased in LV3-ANGPTL4 group. CONCLUSION: The lentivirus-mediated ANGPTL4 shRNA can inhibit the proliferation, induce the cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase, and promote the apoptosis in SiHa cells.

[Changes of serum TOS and TAS levels and their association with apolipoprotein(a) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and infertility].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate changes of serum total oxidation status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) and their association with apolipoprotein (a) [Apo(a)] in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) combined with infertility. MWTHODS: Ninety patients with PCOS and infertility were selected as the study group, including 45 patients treated with antioxidants combined with Diane-35(group A) and 45 with Diane-35 therapy only (group B), with 45 healthy volunteers with normal menstruation and normal dual phase basic body temperatures as the control group. Serum TOS of the participants was determined by dual xylenol orange method, and serum TAS was determined with ABTS method; plasma Apo(a) level was determined by dual wavelength immune transmission turbidity method. RESULTS: Before treatment, serum TOS, OSI, and Apo(a) levels were significantly higher and TAS level was significantly lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). Serum TOS, OSI, and Apo (a) were significantly lowered and TAS was significantly increased in group A after the therapy as compared with the levels before therapy and the levels in group B. The rate of natural recovery of menstruation was significantly higher and the incidence of cardiovascular disease was significantly lower in group A than in group B (P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum TOS and OSI were positively correlated with plasma Apo(a) (r=0.524 and 0.531, P<0.05), and serum TAS was negatively correlated with plasma Apo(a) (r=-0.519, P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Antioxidant therapy can lower TOS, OSI and Apo(a) levels and increase TAS level to lessen oxidative stress, improve the prognosis, and reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease in patients with PCOS and infertility.

Retinoic acid aliphatic amide inhibits the AMPK-HIF-1α pathway in human ovarian cancer.

Ovarian carcinoma the commonly observed gynecological cancers has a high mortality rate. In the present study effect of retinoic acid aliphatic amide (RACA) in ovarian cancer cells was investigated using proliferation, migration and invasion assays. Western blot was used to examine the Bcl-2, cleaved caspase 3, p-ERK, MMP-2, p-FAK, P-P38, p-AMPKα and HIF-1α protein expression. CoCl2 was used to induce HIF-1α expression in SKOV3ip. 1 and HEY-A8 cells. The results revealed that RACA treatment prompted cell proliferation, invasion and migration but inhibited apoptosis of SKOV3ip. 1 and HEY-A8 cells. RACA treatment also induced upregulation of Bcl-2 and MMP-2, activation of p-P38, p-ERK and p-FAK, inhibition of cleaved caspase 3. RACA treatment also caused upregulatation of HIF-1α in ovarian cells with the activation of p-AMPKα. Upregulation of HIF-1α expression in CoCl2-treated cancer cells resulted in decrease in SDHB. Thus RACA plays a key role in cell proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis of human ovarian carcinoma through AMPK-HIF-1α pathway.

[Analysis of microdeletions of azoospermia factor genes on Y chromosome in infertile males].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the location and characteristics of microdeletions of Y chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) genes in infertile males with azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia in southern Sichuan. METHODS: Multiplex PCR was used to detect 18 sequence tagged sites (STS) involved in Y chromosome AZF microdeletions among 224 infertile males (including 134 azoospermia cases and 90 severe oligozoospermia cases) and 70 healthy males. RESULTS: Among the 224 infertile males, the overall frequency of microdeletions was 12.1% (27/224), and were 13.4% (18/134) in those with azoospermia and 10.0% (9/90) in those with severe oligozoospermia. The most frequent microdeletions have occurred in the AZFc region (51.9%). Compared with the 6 STS loci recommended by European Academy of Andrology and European Molecular Genetics Quality Network, 22.7% more deletions were detected based on the 18 STS loci selected from the AZF region. CONCLUSION: Identification of Y chromosome microdeletions has a significant implication on the diagnosis of male infertility. The most frequent microdeletions have occurred in the AZFc region in southern Sichuan. To use more sequence tagged sites for the screening can improve the reliability and detection rate of Y chromosome microdeletions.

[Baicalein induces HeLa cell growth inhibition by down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinases and activating extracellular signal-regulated kinase].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of mRNA and protein expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 in cervical cancer cells after stimulated by baicalein at different concentrations. METHODS: HeLa cells cultured in vitro were exposed to baicalein (0, 100 and 200 µmol/L) for 24 hours. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was measured by gelatin zymography, mRNA expressions of ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-9 were determined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and protein expressions of ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-9 were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, baicalein significantly decreased the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of ERK1/2, p-ERK1/2, MMP-2, MMP-9 also significantly decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Baicalein can activate ERK1/2 signaling pathway and decreasing the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9.