The silencing of FNDC1 inhibits the tumorigenesis of breast cancer cells via modulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Fibronectin type III domain­containing protein 1 (FNDC1) is a protein that contains a major component of the structural domain of fibronectin. Although many studies have indicated that FNDC1 serves vital roles in the development of various diseases, the role of FNDC1 in the progression of breast cancer (BC) remains elusive. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biological functions of FNDC1 in BC cells and the associated mechanisms. The expression levels of FNDC1 in BC tissues and normal breast tissues were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas database (TCGA). Kaplan­Meier curves were mined from TCGA to examine the clinical prognostic significance of FNDC1 mRNA in patients with BC. The expression of FNDC1 was knocked down by transfection with shRNA in BC cells. Cell viability, colony formation ability, migration and invasion were assayed following the silencing of FNDC1 in BC cells. The expression of proteins was measured using a western blotting assay. The bioinformatic data indicated that the FNDC1 mRNA expression levels were significantly upregulated in BC tissues compared with normal breast tissues, and the high mRNA expression levels of FNDC1 were associated with a lower overall survival in patients with BC. The downregulation of FNDC1 inhibited the proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of BC cells. Investigation of the mechanisms revealed that the silencing of FNDC1 decreased the protein expression levels of MMPs and epithelial­to­mesenchymal markers. Furthermore, the silencing of FNDC1 led to the inactivation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. FNDC1 was highly upregulated and acted as an oncogene in BC. Therefore, targeting FNDC1 may be a potential strategy for the treatment of BC.

Application of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography in the evaluation of the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque / 中国基层医药

Objective To study the application of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in the evaluation of the stability of carotid atherosclerotic plaque (CAP).Methods 162 patients with CAP were selected as study group.Meanwhile,34 patients with carotid artery strong echo plaques were selected as control group.The color doppler ultrasound was used to observe the CAP.Results The proportions of lipid type,fiber type,calcification and ulcer plaque in the study group were 21.60%,33.33%,34.57% and 10.37%,which were higher than those of the control group (5.88%,2.94%,2.94% and 2.94%),the differences were statistically significant (χ2=4.537,12.859,13.629 and 3.855,all P0.05).The plaque diameter (4.13±0.75)mm diagnosed by CEUS was significantly larger than that of conventional ultrasound [(3.62±1.14)mm],the difference was statistically significant (t=4.757,P=0.000).Conclusion The CEUS can qualitatively detect the atherosclerotic plaque angiogenesis,can quantitatively assess plaque,evaluate the stability of the plaques,and the sensitivity is high.

Application of contrast enhanced ultrasound in the diagnosis of carotid plaque characteristics：comparison with magnetic resonance angiography / 中华超声影像学杂志

Objective To compare the application value of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography ( CEMRA ) in the diagnosis of carotid plaque characteristics . Methods Fourty-six patients ( 48 carotid plaques) were performed with carotid CEUS and CEMRA examination prior to carotid endarterectomy . The following characteristics of plaque including the surface of the plaque ,the presence of calcification ,the internal composition and the diameter stenosis were observed and measured ,which were compared with pathologic and digital subtraction angiography ( DSA ) results . Results There were 42 vulnerable plaques and 6 stable plaques in the 48 plaques . Fourty-seven carotid plaques had been correctly diagnosed by CEUS and CEMRA ,and one plaque had been misdiagnosed . The sensitivity ,specificity and accuracy between CEUS and CEMRA had no obvious differences in terms of the overall evaluation of plaque vulnerability ( P > 0 .05) ;CEUS and CEMRA in the diagnosion of the plaque surface situation had no statistical difference in terms of sensitivity ,specificity and accuracy compared with pathological results( P > 0 .05) ;There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy rate between two modalities ( P 0 .05) . With DSA examination results as the gold standard ,the accuracy of CEUS in the diagnosis of the diameter stenosis was 97 .92% (47/48) ,CEMRA was 100% (48/48) ,they had no significant difference between two groups ( P > 0 .05 ) . Conclusions CEUS and CEMRA in carotid plaques characteristic evaluation have respective advantages ,are highly complementary ,and combining two methods can systematically evaluate for plaque characteristics .