Potential Exploration of Biocompatible Carbon-Coated MoSe2 Nanoparticles for Exploration of the Photothermal Potential in the Treatment of Human Choriocarcinoma.

Background: Molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2), as a nano near-infrared absorber, has been widely studied in the field of photothermal therapy of cancer. However, there is little research on its application in the treatment of human choriocarcinoma. Methods and Results: In this paper, a new type of carbon-coated MoSe2 (MEC) nanoparticles was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. The chemical characterization including SEM, TEM, EDS, XRD, FT-IR, TGA, Roman, and XPS showed that MEC was successfully synthesized. MEC exhibited a high photothermal conversion efficiency (50.97%) and extraordinary photothermal stability under laser irradiation. The cell experiment results showed that MEC had good biocompatibility on normal cells while significant photothermal effect on human choriocarcinoma (JEG-3) cells, achieving a good anticancer effect. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in JEG-3 cells was significantly increased under the combination of MEC nanoparticles and near-infrared radiation. MEC nanoparticles could induce apoptosis of JEG-3 cells in combination with near-infrared radiation. Finally, transcriptomic analysis verified that MEC combined with laser radiation could inhibit DNA replication and induce apoptosis, thus improving its therapeutic effect on human choriocarcinoma. Conclusion: MEC nanoparticles exert an excellent photothermal effect and may become an important candidate drug for the treatment of human choriocarcinoma.

Transient and Prolonged Activation of Wnt Signaling Contribute Oppositely to the Pathogenesis of Asherman's Syndrome.

Asherman's Syndrome (AS) is caused by dysfunction of endometrial regenerative ability, which is controlled by adult stem cells and their niche. The Wnt signaling pathway has been demonstrated to be implicated in this process. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between the Wnt signaling pathway and the progression of AS after initial endometrial damage. Endometria with and without adhesion as well as from the intrauterine devices three months after the surgery were collected to compare the area of fibrosis. The area% of fibrosis did not vary significantly. Significantly higher expression of non-phosphorylated ß-catenin, Wnt5a and Wnt7a was identified in the endometria with adhesion. The CD140b+CD146+ endometrial stem-like cells were present in the endometria with adhesion. Both Wnt5a and Wnt7a promoted stem cell proliferation. However, only Wnt7a preserved stem cell population by stimulating self-renewal. A rat endometrial injury model was established to investigate the effect of the activated Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway on endometrial healing. We found that a transient activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway promoted angiogenesis and increased the number of glands. In conclusion, transient activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway during the acute endometrial damage may help the tissue regeneration, while prolonged activation may correlate to fibrosis formation.

Relationship Between Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Log Odds of Positive Lymph Nodes and Their Prognostic Role in Advanced Ovarian Cancer Patients With Optimal Cytoreductive Surgery.

Purpose: To analyze the relationship between neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS), as well as their prognostic role in advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) patients with optimal cytoreductive surgery. Patients and Methods: From the SEER database during 2010-2016, we identified 1,012 AOC patients with optimal cytoreductive surgery. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the relationship between NACT and LODDS. Overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression was conducted to determine the independent prognostic factors for OS and CSS. Results: Factors associated with significantly higher NACT odds included older (≥60 years old), married, tumor size ≥ 15 cm, FIGO IV, and LODDS ≤ 0.1. Multivariable Cox regression model confirmed older (≥60 years old), unmarried, separated, divorced, widowed, mucinous histology type, tumor size ≥ 15 cm, and LODDS > 0.1 were correlated with increased risks of OS and CSS. NACT was not an independent prognostic factor for OS and CSS. In the subgroup analyses, LODDS was an independent prognostic factor for OS and CSS in patients with < 75 years old, married, unmarried, FIGO III, and tumor size < 15 cm. Conclusion: NACT did not show any survival benefit in AOC patients with optimal cytoreductive surgery, but it may be beneficial in reducing LODDS. Meanwhile, clinicians can use grade of LODDS to predict the prognosis of AOC patients with optimal cytoreductive surgery.