Comparison analysis in synchronous and metachronous metastatic colorectal cancer based on microarray expression profile.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies, and liver metastasis is one of the major causes of death of CRC. This study aimed to compare the genetic difference between metachronous lesions (MC) and synchronous lesions (SC) and explore the molecular pathology of CRC metastasis. METHODOLOGY: Microarray expression profile data (GSE10961) including 8 MC and 10 SC was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups were identified based on T test. Furthermore, GO enrichment analysis was performed for the down-regulated DEGs using DAVID. Finally, Classify validation of known CRC genes based on previous studies between MC and SC samples was conducted. RESULTS: Total of 36 DEGs including 35 down-regulated DEGs and 1 up-regulated DEGs were identified. The expressional differences of the 5 informative oncogenes: EGFr, PIK3R1, PTGS2 (COX-2), PTGS1 (COX1), and ALOX5AP between SC and MC were really tiny. CONCLUSIONS: Some DEGs, such as NFAT5, OLR1, ERAP2, HOXC6 and TWIST1 might play crucial roles in the regulation of CRC metastasis (both SC and MC) and by disrupting some pathways. However, our results indeed demand further research and experiment.

CCND1 rs9344 polymorphism is associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in Caucasian population.

AIMS: Some studies investigated the association between CCND1 rs9344 polymorphism and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) risk. However, the results were inconclusive. Thus, we did a meta-analysis to determine this relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Relevant studies were systematically searched using the PubMed, CNKI, and EMBASE databases. The strength of the association was calculated with the odds ratio (OR) and respective 95% confidence intervals (Cis). RESULTS: We investigated the association between CCND1 rs9344 polymorphism and HCC risk in the dominant models. The result of this meta-analysis showed that CCND1 rs9344 polymorphism did not significantly associated with HCC risk (OR = 1.09; 95% CI 0.88-1.34). In the stratified analysis by ethnicity, we found that this polymorphism was significantly associated with HCC risk in Caucasians (OR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.05-2.29). However, we did not find any significant association between this polymorphism and HCC risk in Asians (OR = 0.91; 95% CI, 0.71-1.18). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggested that CCND1 rs9344 polymorphism might be associated with the risk of HCC among Caucasians.

Identfication of key miRNAs in pancreatitis using bioinformatics analysis of microarray data.

Pancreatitis is a type of inflammation in the pancreas, which frequently occurs due to alcohol and gallstones. The present study aimed to identify pancreatitis­associated microRNAs (miRNAs) by analyzing the microarray of GSE24279. GSE24279 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus, composed of a collective of 27 pancreatitis and 22 normal control samples. The differentially expressed miRNAs (DE­miRNAs) in pancreatitis samples were screened using the Limma package in Bioconductor. Subsequently, target genes of the DE­miRNAs were predicted using the miRecords and miRWalk databases. Their potential functions were analyzed by functional and pathway enrichment analysis using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery online tool. Finally, pancreatitis­associated genes among the target genes identified were searched using the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, and a regulatory network of pancreatitis­associated genes and their target miRNAs were constructed using Cytoscape software. A total 14 upregulated and 39 downregulated miRNAs were identified in pancreatitis samples compared with control samples and 290 target genes of DE­miRNAs were determined. Cyclin D1 (CCND1), v­akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 2 (AKT2), cyclin­dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) and SMAD family member 2 (SMAD2) were involved in the pathway of pancreatic cancer. Among the target genes, 279 genes were pancreatitis­associated genes, which in turn were targeted by 37 miRNAs in the regulatory network. Hsa­miR­15a, hsa­miR­16, hsa­miR­155, hsa­miR­375 and hsa­miR­429 in particular may be involved in pancreatitis by targeting genes in the regulatory network, including hsa­miR­15a→CCND1, hsa­miR­16→CCND1, hsa­miR­155→CCND1/SMAD2, hsa­miR­375→AKT2/CDK6 and hsa­miR­429→CCND1. The above miRNAs and their targets may contribute to the pathogenesis of pancreatitis; therefore, they may be potential therapeutic targets.

[Arresten expressed in vivo suppresses the growth of SGC-7901 tumor xenografts in nude mice].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effect of arresten on the growth of SGC-7901 tumor xenograft nude mice model with the localized expression of arresten. METHODS: The secretable eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1 (+)-ss-arresten was constructed by molecular clone strategy, and then was transfected into human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901 using liposome. The Western blot method was used to examine whether the protein was secreted into cell medium, and the biological behaviors of genetically modified SGC-7901 cell clone was further investigated with MTT and flow cytometry analysis system (FCAS). At last, the SGC-7901 cells expressing arresten were implanted subcutaneously into nude mice, and the weights of tumor xenografts were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: The eukaryotic expression vector containing secretable arresten cDNA was constructed successfully. The SGC-7901 cell line with the character of expression of arresten was obtained. The growth of arresten cDNA genetic-modified SGC-7901 tumor xenograft was suppressed. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-tumor effect of arresten in the SGC-7901 xenograft is by inhibition of the proliferation of vascular endothelial cell of the tumor.

Absorbable bandage wrapping in treatment of severe blast liver injury: a miniature swine model.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of absorbable bandage wrapping in the treatment of cases of severe liver trauma. METHODS: Electric firecrackers were detonated in 16 miniature swine to produce a severe blast liver injury. After fluid resuscitation, the animals were randomly divided into two groups (n = 8 each) and were either treated with absorbable bandage wrapping of the injured lobe of liver (Group B) or hepatic lobectomy (Group H). Time to hemostasis, blood loss during the treatment period, and other parameters were compared, including postoperative serum total bilirubin (TB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). RESULTS: Blood loss during the treatment period was significantly lower in Group B than that in Group H ((81.3 ± 26.0) ml vs. (130.8 ± 29.5) ml, P = 0.0031). Serum AST and ALT were transiently increased post-surgically. These transient increases were significantly higher in Group B. No difference in time to hemostasis was noted ((8.70 ± 2.27) minutes vs. (10.28 ± 1.93) minutes, P = 0.1559) in Groups B and H, respectively. Two pigs were humanely euthanized 28 days post-surgically and the wrapped liver lobes appeared atrophies. Microscopically, there was evidence of emerging and mature fibrous tissue. CONCLUSION: Absorbable bandage wrapping is both feasible and effective in the treatment of severe blast liver injury.