Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms and risk of head and neck cancer: a meta-analysis involving 2,444 individuals.

The association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms and risk of head and neck cancer (HNC) were investigated in many published studies; however, the currently available results are inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis for deriving a more precise estimation of association between VEGF polymorphisms and the risk of HNC. Finally, we yield eight case-control studies involving six polymorphisms contain 2,444 individuals from PubMed, Embase, and CNKI up to January 30, 2013 (last updated on May 4, 2013). The results of meta-analysis showed that all the six polymorphisms of VEGF were not associated with risk of HNC [OR 1.25, 95 % CI (0.60-1.58) for TT vs. CC for 936 C/T; OR 1.41, 95 % CI (0.79-2.52) for GG vs. AA for -1,154 A/G; OR 0.97, 95 % CI (0.38-2.50) for CC vs. GG for 405 G/C; OR 1.44, 95 % CI (0.80-2.61) for AA vs. CC for 2,578 C/A; OR 1.27, 95 % CI (0.77-3.72) for TT vs. CC for -460 C/T; and OR 0.87, 95 % CI (0.37-2.06) for GG vs. CC for -634 G/C]. When performed subgroup analysis according to ethnicity for VEGF 936 C/T, the results suggested that it was not associated with the risk of HNC for either Asians [OR 0.84, 95 % CI (0.27-2.56) for TT vs. CC] or Caucasians [OR 2.10, 95 % CI (0.82-5.37) for TT vs. CC]. However, due to the limitations of this meta-analysis, more well designed, larger sample size, and adjusted risk factors studies are suggested to further assess the findings.

Role and molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in preventing cardiotoxicity associated with chemoradiotherapy.

Cardiotoxicity is a serious complication of cancer therapy. It is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors and is associated with a variety of factors, including oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, autophagy, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and abnormal myocardial energy metabolism. A number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can mitigate chemoradiotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity via these pathways. Therefore, this study reviews the effects and molecular mechanisms of TCM on chemoradiotherapy-related cardiotoxicity. In this study, we searched PubMed for basic studies on the anti-cardiotoxicity of TCM in the past 5 years and summarized their results. Angelica Sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus Bunge, Danshinone IIA sulfonate sodium (STS), Astragaloside (AS), Resveratrol, Ginsenoside, Quercetin, Danggui Buxue Decoction (DBD), Shengxian decoction (SXT), Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP), Qishen Huanwu Capsule (QSHWC), Angelica Sinensis and Astragalus membranaceus Bunge Ultrafiltration Extract (AS-AM),Shenmai injection (SMI), Xinmailong (XML), and nearly 60 other herbs, herbal monomers, herbal soups and herbal compound preparations were found to be effective as complementary or alternative treatments. These preparations reduced chemoradiotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity through various pathways such as anti-oxidative stress, anti-inflammation, alleviating endoplasmic reticulum stress, regulation of apoptosis and autophagy, and improvement of myocardial energy metabolism. However, few clinical trials have been conducted on these therapies, and these trials can provide stronger evidence-based support for TCM.

Localization of Cell Receptor-Related Genes of SARS-CoV-2 in the Kidney through Single-Cell Transcriptome Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which has been responsible for the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, uses the cell receptor angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) for entry and the serine protease TMPRSS2 for spike (S) protein priming. Meanwhile, the presence of B0AT1 (SLC6A19) may prevent TMPRSS2 from accessing the cutting position on ACE2. Identifying the expression of these cell receptor-related genes of SARS-CoV-2 is critical for understanding the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 in various tissues, especially in the kidney. METHODS: The single-cell transcription datasets of the human cell landscape (HCL) and other relevant single-cell transcription databases were used to analyze the expression of ACE2, TMPRSS2, and SLC6A19 in various organs and tissues, but mainly in the kidney. RESULTS: ACE2 was significantly expressed in the S1, S2, and S3 segments of proximal tubule (PT) cells. TMPRSS2 was widely expressed in several renal tubule populations extending from the PT cells to the collection system cell type, of which intercalated cells and the distal convoluted tubule cells showed more significant expression than PT cells. Unexpectedly, although expressed on various renal tubule populations, SLC6A19 was mainly enriched in PT cells, in line with ACE2 expression. Although alveolar-type (AT) 2 cells of the lung and intestinal epithelial cells expressed ACE2 as well as PT cells, AT 2 cells significantly expressed TMPRSS2 but not SLC6A19, while all 3 genes were significantly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: ACE2 was widely expressed in specific cell subgroups of various human tissues, especially in intestinal epithelial cells, kidney PT cells, and also AT 2 cells of the lung. These 3 types of cells demonstrated significant differences in the distribution of the cell receptor-related genes of SARS-CoV-2, which may indicate the diversity of cell surface structures and differences in the affinity between SARS-CoV-2 and cells.

Tooth loss is associated with increased risk of esophageal cancer: evidence from a meta-analysis with dose-response analysis.

Epidemiological studies have revealed the association between tooth loss and the risk of esophageal cancer (EC); however, consistent results were not obtained from different single studies. Therefore, we conducted the present meta-analysis to evaluate the association between tooth loss and EC. We conducted electronic searches of PubMed until to February 10, 2015 to identify relevant observational studies that examined the association between tooth loss and the risk of EC. Study selection and data extraction from eligible studies were independently performed by two authors. The meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 12.0 software. Finally eight eligible publications with ten studies involving 3 cohort studies, 5 case-control studies, and 1 cross-sectional study were yielded. Meta-analysis identified tooth loss increased risk of EC 1.30 times (Relative risk = 1.30, 95% confidence interval = 1.06-1.60, I(2) = 13.5%). Dose-response analysis showed linear relationship between tooth loss and risk of EC (RR = 1.01, 95%CI = 1.00-1.03; P for non-linearity test was 0.45). Subgroup analysis proved similar results and publication bias was not detected. In conclusion, tooth loss could be considered to be a significant and dependent risk factor for EC based on the current evidence.

[Different effects of illumination with xenon and sulfur lamp on growth and development of cotton plants].

Experiments were carried out with cotton (Gossgpium hirsutum cv. Xuzhou 142) plants to study the effects of illumination with xenon and sulfur lamp on development of cotton plants. The results showed that, compared with xenon lamp, illumination with sulfur lamp inhibited excessive elongation of hypocotyl via promotion of longitudinal elongation of epidermis and cortex cells, increased the numbers of branches, buds and bolls significantly. It suggested that illumination with sulfur lamp rendered cotton photomorphogenesis more favorable to yield formation.

MiR-25-3p attenuates the proliferation of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line Tca8113.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of miR-25-3p on the occurrence, development and proliferation of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells. METHODS: To establish tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line Tca8113 that stably and highly express miR-25-3p using recombinant retroviral vector-mediated gene transfer method. The proliferation of transfected Tca8113 was detected by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and cell colony formation assays. cyclinD1, p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) mRNA expressions in the transfected Tca-8113 were detected by quantitative PCR. cyclinD1, p21, p27(kip1), AKT, p-AKT, FOXO1 and p-FOXO1 expressions in the transfected Tca8113 were detected by western blot analysis. In addition, miR-25-3p expression in the tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell line and tissue specimen was also detected by quantitative PCR. RESULTS: Quantitative PCR showed that miR-25-3p expression in the tongue squamous cell carcinoma cell lines and tissue specimen was significantly lower than that in the adjacent tissue. MTT and cell colony formation assays showed that after miR-25-3p overexpression, the proliferation of transfected Tca8113 was obviously attenuated. Western blot analysis and quantitative PCR showed that after miR-25-3p overexpression, p21(cip1) and p27(kip1) expressions were upregulated, while cyclinD1, AKT, FOXO1 expressions were downregulated, and AKT and FOXO1 phosphorylation was inactivated in the transfected Tca8113 cells. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-25-3p inhibited the proliferation of tongue squamous cell carcinoma cells and regulated cell cycle-related protein expression, playing an important role in the occurrence and development of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

The positive correlations of apolipoprotein E with disease activity and related cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to investigate the expression of apolipoprotein E (apoE) and the relationship between apoE and disease activity of SLE, and the possible effects of glucocorticoid on apoE and other cytokines activities in SLE patients. METHODS: Forty treatment-naïve SLE patients and forty matched healthy controls were studied. All the SLE patients received prednisone 1 mg/kg/day for 28 consecutive days. The sera levels of apoE and related cytokines were evaluated by ELISA. The expression of apoE mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was determined by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, the relative expression levels of ApoE proteins and sera levels were significantly up-regulated in active SLE patients. ApoE sera concentrations positively correlated with SLEDAI, anti-dsDNA antibody and the related cytokines including IL-6, IFN-γ and IL-10, and uncorrelated with the concentration of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in SLE patients. After 4 weeks prednisone treatment, the relative mRNA expression of apoE and the serum levels of apoE and related cytokines decreased. CONCLUSIONS: ApoE correlated with disease activity and related cytokines in SLE patients. Glucocorticoid can down-regulate the expressions of apoE and related cytokines. VIRTUAL SLIDE: The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here:http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/1646714011077325.