NSUN6 Regulates NM23-H1 Expression in an m5C Manner to Affect Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE: The expression and regulatory mechanism of NSUN6 in lung cancer are still unclear. Our study explored whether NSUN6 mediates progression of lung cancer by affecting NM23-H1 expression in an m5C-dependent manner. METHODS: qRT-PCR, CCK-8, colony formation, transwell, and Western blot analysis were employed to probe the impact of NSUN6 on lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). RMVar database was utilized to forecast the downstream genes of NSUN6. The mode of interaction between NSUN6 and NM23-H1 was determined by dot blot, luciferase assay, m5C RIP, and cell function assays. The effect of NSUN6 expression on tumor growth was verified in vivo. RESULTS: Expression of NSUN6 was reduced in lung cancer cells, and over-expression of NSUN6 restricted the proliferation of lung cancer cells, migration, and EMT. NSUN6 regulated NM23-H1 expression by modifying the 3'-UTR of NM23-H1 mRNA through m5C and inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and EMT. In vivo experiments also showed that over-expression of NSUN6 inhibited the occurrence of lung cancer. CONCLUSION: NSUN6 regulates NM23-H1 expression in an m5C-dependent manner to affect EMT in lung cancer. Thus, NSUN6 may be considered as a potential therapeutic target for lung cancer.

Subtotal Resection for the Symptom Relief of a Fatal and Aggressive Primary Cardiac Liposarcoma: A Case Report.

Primary cardiac liposarcoma is a rare malignant soft tissue lesion, but there are still no diagnosis and treatment guidelines for this disease. This is the case report of a 59-year-old male with cardiac liposarcoma infiltrating the mitral valve and the left atrium. He achieved satisfactory symptom relief with subtotal resection.

LncRNA CASC2 inhibits proliferation and migration of adenocarcinoma cells via miR-4735-3p and mTOR.

Lung adenocarcinoma is a major form of non-small-cell lung cancer that frequently strikes nonsmokers. The disease is often diagnosed at a late stage and the 5-year survival rate is very low. Although previous studies found many somatic alterations associated with lung adenocarcinoma, the molecular basis of the development and progression of the disease is not well understood. We found that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) cancer susceptibility candidate 2 (CASC2), a putative tumor suppressor, was downregulated in both patient adenocarcinoma tissues and cultured lung cancer cells. Its tumor suppression function seemed to be dependent on its binding to miR-4735-5p. Changing the levels of CASC2 and miR-4735-3p in the cultured adenocarcinoma cells could affect the malignant phenotypes as well as growth of tumors derived from the cells injected into nude mice. Furthermore, the lncRNA and miR-4735-3p interplay likely the suppressed tumor growth through the downstream mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. The results have revealed molecular details that may be critical for the development of lung adenocarcinoma, opening opportunities for the development of novel, and therapeutic tools.

[Properties of decellularized rabbit carotid artery with two different cross-linked technologies: A comparative study].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the properties between decellularized rabbit carotid artery with different cross-linked technologies.
 Methods: The decellularized rabbit carotid arteries were randomly divided into a photo-oxidation group and a procyanidins group. One group was cross-linked with photo-oxidation and the other group was cross-linked with procyanidins. The in vitro or in vivo properties of the two groups were evaluated by testing heat-shrinking temperature, max tensile strength and the max elongation or by testing tissue structure, inflammatory reaction and calcification degree.
 Results: The heat-shrinking temperature, max tensile strength and the max elongation were similar in the two groups (P>0.05). The tissue structure and inflammatory reaction were also similar in the two groups. Although the result of Von-Kossa calcium salt stain was slightly different, the calcium content was lower in the procyanidins group than that in the photo-oxidation group (P<0.05).
 Conclusion: The grafts by two cross-linked technologies show excellent mechanical capability, lower immunogenicity, good biological stability and anti-calcification ability. The procyanidins group shows a better anti-calcification property than the photo-oxidation group.

Association Between the Left Atrial and Left Atrial Appendages Systole Strain Rate in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND The aim of this research was to explore the association between the left atrial (LA) and left atrial appendages (LAA) systole strain rate (SSR) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and to provide evidence to aid in the assessment of disease progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 180 patients with AF were selected for the study (130 patients with paroxysmal AF (Par AF) and 50 patients with persistence AF (PerAF).In addition, 60 healthy individuals were selected as a control group. The total and side wall SSRs were calculated. RESULTS The total SSR in the control group was higher than in the ParAF and PerAF groups (2.87±0.45 vs. 2.15±0.56 vs. 1.92±0.62 and 6.24±1.61 vs. 4.45±1.42 vs. 3.66±1.55). The total SSR of LAA was correlated with that of LA in the AF patient groups and the control group; the correlation coefficients were 0.720, 0.563, and 0.421. However, the ratio of total SSR of LAA to that of LA was not significant statistically different among the three groups (2.24±0.41 vs. 2.35±0.58 vs. 2.03±0.56). The posterior wall had the lowest SSRs in the control group and ParAF group. CONCLUSIONS The SSRs of AF patients were lower than that of healthy individuals, and the degree was associated with disease progression. The SSR was different in different side walls, and gradually shorten with disease progression.

[Non-thoracoscopic and thoracoscopic modified Nuss procedure for correction of pectus excavatum].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the curative effect, safety and experience of non-thoracoscopic modified Nuss procedure for correction of pectus excavatum (PE). METHODS: From January 2007 to December 2011, 267 cases of PE patients were selected in our hospital. Among them 85 were treated by thoracoscopic minimally invasive modified Nuss Procedure and 182 by non-thoracoscopic procedure. The operation time, blood loss during operation, length of postoperative hospital stay and effect of treatment were compared retrospectively. RESULTS: All the 267 patients finished the repair procedure smoothly. The non-thoracoscopic group had advantage in terms of operative time (22.5 min vs 35.1 min, P<0.05). As for the blood loss during operation, length of postoperative hospital stay and effect of treatment, there was no significant difference among the 2 groups (P>0.05). There were no deaths. CONCLUSION: Non-thoracoscopic minimally invasive modified Nuss procedure is as safe and effective as thoracoscopic Nuss procedure. With advantages of simplified operation procedure and shorter operation time, it is easier in practice.

[Clinical analysis of modified technique for pectus bar removal after Nuss procedure].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of modified technique for removing Nuss bar after Nuss procedure. METHODS: We reviewed 186 patients undergoing bar removal after repair of pectus excavatum with Nuss procedure at our institution from December 2008 to February 2012. All patients had unilateral incision (metallic stabilizers have been used on one side in all patients). Under general anesthesia with single lumen tracheal tube or laryngeal mask, with the patient lying down in supine position, the bar was pulled out along the thoracic wall without overturning or straightening. RESULTS: Totally 132 patients (71.0%) had the bar removed 2 years after the Nuss procedure, 1 (0.5%) removed within 1 year and 53 (28.5%) removed over 2 and half years. The operation time for bar removal was 9-20 (13.1 ± 3.4) min, and the operative blood loss was 3-20 (5.2 ± 2.7) mL. There was no hemorrhage. Three patients (1.6%) developed mild pneumothorax and none showed infection of incision after the operation. All patients were discharged 1 day after the surgery and followed up for 4-48 (21.4 ± 6.8) months. Recurrence was found in the one who which had the bar removed within 1 year (0.5%). CONCLUSION: With modified procedures, Nuss bar can be easily and safely removed 2 years or longer after the Nuss operation. After removing the metallic stabilizer, the bar should be turned and then pulled out along the original surgical incision without bending or turning.

Dissecting the alternation landscape of mitochondrial metabolism-related genes in lung adenocarcinoma and their latent mechanisms.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common histological subtype of lung cancer with high incidence and unsatisfactory prognosis. The majority of LUAD patients eventually succumb to local and/or distinct metastatic recurrence. Genomic research of LUAD has broadened our understanding of this disease's biology and improved target therapies. However, the alternation landscape and characteristics of mitochondrial metabolism-related genes (MMRGs) in LUAD progression remain poorly understood. We performed a comprehensive analysis to identify the function and mechanism of MMRGs in LUAD based on the TCGA and GEO databases, which might offer therapeutic values for clinical researchers. Then, we figured out three hub prognosis-associated MMRGs (also termed as PMMRGs: ACOT11, ALDH2, and TXNRD1) that were engaged in the evolution of LUAD. To investigate the correlation between clinicopathological characteristics and MMRGs, we divided LUAD samples into two clusters (C1 and C2) based on key MMRGs. In addition, important pathways and the immune infiltration landscape affected by LUAD clusters were also delineated. Further, we nominated potential regulatory mechanisms underlying the MMRGs in LUAD development and progression. In conclusion, our integrative analysis enables a more comprehensive understanding of the mutation landscape of MMRGs in LUAD and provides an opportunity for more precise treatment.

CircZFR promotes pancreatic cancer progression through a novel circRNA-miRNA-mRNA pathway and stabilizing epithelial-mesenchymal transition protein.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) ranks third in incidence and seventh in mortality among cancers worldwide. CircZFR has been implicated in various human cancers. Yet, how they affect PC progression is understudied. Herein, we demonstrated that circZFR was upregulated in PC tissues and cells, a feature that was correlated with the poor performance of patients with PC. Functional analyses elucidated that circZFR facilitated cell proliferation and enhanced tumorigenicity of PC. Moreover, we found that circZFR facilitated cell metastasis by differentially regulating the levels of proteins related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistic investigations revealed that circZFR sponged miR-375, thereby upregulating the downstream target gene, GREMLIN2 (GREM2). Additionally, circZFR knockdown resulted in attenuation of the JNK pathway, an effect that was reversed by GREM2 overexpression. Collectively, our findings implicate circZFR as a positive regulator of PC progression through the miR-375/GREM2/JNK axis.

Rehabilitation effect of intelligent rehabilitation training system on hemiplegic limb spasms after stroke.

This article aimed to explore the rehabilitation efficacy of intelligent rehabilitation training systems in hemiplegic limb spasms after stroke and provided more theoretical basis for the application of intelligent rehabilitation systems in the rehabilitation of hemiplegic limb spasms after stroke. To explore the rehabilitation efficacy of intelligent rehabilitation training system (RTS for short here) in post-stroke hemiplegic limb spasms, this study selected 99 patients with post-stroke hemiplegic limb spasms admitted to a local tertiary hospital from March 2021 to March 2023 as the research subjects. This article used blind selection to randomly divide them into three groups: control group 1, control group 2, and study group, with 33 patients in each group. Control group 1 used a conventional RTS, group 2 used the brain-computer interface RTS from reference 9, and research group used the intelligent RTS from this article. This article compared the degree of spasticity, balance ability score, motor function score, and daily living activity score of three groups of patients after 10 weeks of treatment. After 10 weeks of treatment, the number of patients in the study group with no spasms at level 0 (24) was significantly higher than the number of patients in group 1 (7) and group 2 (10), with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05); In the comparison of Barthel index scores, after ten weeks of treatment, the total number of people in the study group with scores starting at 71-80 and 81-100 was 23. The total number of people in the score range of 71-80 and 81-100 in group 1 was 5, while in group 2, the total number of people in this score range was 8. The study group scored considerably higher than the control group and the difference was found to be statistically relevant (P < 0.05). In the Berg balance assessment scale and motor function assessment scale, after 10 weeks of treatment, the scores of the study group patients on both scales were significantly higher than those of group 1 and group 2 (P < 0.05). The intelligent RTS is beneficial for promoting the improvement of spasticity in stroke patients with hemiplegic limb spasms, as well as improving their balance ability, motor ability, and daily life activities. Its rehabilitation effect is good.

The Effect of GLUT1 on the Survival Rate and Immune Cell Infiltration of Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta and Bioinformatics Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) are two major subtypes of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Studies have shown that abnormal expression of glucose transport type 1 (GLUT1) in NSCLC patients has been associated with cancer progression, aggressiveness, and poor clinical outcome. However, the clinical effect of GLUT1 expression on LUAD and LUSC is unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to learn more about the character of GLUT1 in LUAD and LUSC. METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the GLUT1 protein level, and the bioinformatics analysis was used to detect the GLUT1 mRNA expression level, survival differences, and the infiltration abundance of immune cells in samples from TCGA. Meanwhile, functional and network analysis was conducted to detect important signaling pathways and key genes with the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset. RESULTS: Our results showed that GLUT1 was over-expressed both in LUAD and LUSC. LUAD patients with high GLUT1 expression had a poor prognosis. Additionally, GLUT1 was related to B cell and neutrophil infiltration of LUAD. In LUSC, GLUT1 was correlated with tumor purity, B cell, CD8+ T cell, CD4+ T cell, macrophage, neutrophil, and dendritic cell infiltration. The GEO dataset analysis results suggested GLUT1 potentially participated in the p53 signaling pathway and metabolism of xenobiotics through cytochrome P450 and was associated with KDR, TOX3, AGR2, FOXA1, ERBB3, ANGPT1, and COL4A3 gene in LUAD and LUSC. CONCLUSION: GLUT1 might be a potential biomarker for aggressive progression and poor prognosis in LUAD, and a therapeutic biomarker in LUSC.

Downregulation of long non-coding RNA LOC101928477 correlates with tumor progression by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the deadliest malignancies. There is a growing body of evidence showing that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in ESCC oncogenesis. The present study aimed to explore the role of LOC101928477, a newly discovered lncRNA, in the development and metastasis of ESCC. METHODS: In this study, real-time PCR, western blotting, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, colony formation, wound healing, transwell migration/invasion assay, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used. We also applied an in situ xenograft mouse model and a lung metastasis mouse model to verify our findings. RESULTS: We determined that LOC101928477 expression was inhibited in ESCC tissue and ESCC cell lines when compared with controls. Moreover, forced expression of LOC101928477 effectively inhibited ESCC cell proliferation, colony formation, migration, and invasion via suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Furthermore, LOC101928477 overexpression inhibited in situ tumor growth and lung metastasis in a mouse model. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our results suggested that LOC101928477 could be a novel suppressor gene involved in ESCC progression.

Identification of prognostic genes and tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (EC) is a highly aggressive malignancy that is classified as esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). Infiltrating stromal/immune cells, a major component of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME), have prognostic significance in various cancers. METHODS: In this study we investigated genes and immune factors in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of ESCC and EAC that can serve as prognostic biomarkers. Stromal and immune scores were calculated using the Estimation of Stromal and Immune Cells in Malignant Tumor Tissues Using Expression Data (ESTIMATE) algorithm based on gene expression profiles of patient-derived tumor tissues in The Cancer Genome Atlas database. The correlation between ESTIMATE scores and survival rates in EC were analyzed. A comparison of high and low stromal/immune score groups revealed multiple differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as candidate prognostic genes; their role in immune-related biological processes was evaluated by functional and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analyses, and the genes were validated using Gene Expression Omnibus datasets. Additionally, 22 tumor-infiltrating immune cell (TIIC) subsets were analyzed using the CIBERSORT algorithm. RESULTS: Median stromal score was higher whereas immune score was lower in ESCC than in EAC (both P<0.01). Stromal score was lower in female as compared to male ESCC patients (P<0.05), and was significantly correlated with T stage (P<0.05). In EAC, median immune score was higher in female as compared to male patients (P<0.05) and was correlated with tumor-node-metastasis stage (P<0.05). The identified DEGs were mainly involved in lymphocyte (especially T-lymphocyte) activation and carbohydrate binding. Moreover, the levels of infiltrating resting-stage dendritic cells, CD8+ T cells, naïve B cells, activated mast cells, and resting memory CD4+ T cells were significantly correlated with EC prognosis (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The immune microenvironment of ESCC and EAC are quite different. We have found genes with prognostic value in multiple tumor databases.

Subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery: A cosmetically superior approach to submammary rib tumor resection.

This report describes a cosmetically superior approach to submammary rib tumor resection. Surgical resection is the most effective method for the treatment of rib tumors. Common surgical methods include thoracotomy and thoracoscopic surgery. Subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has recently been described and is being increasingly used in a variety of thoracic procedures, including thymectomy, lobectomy, and resection of giant pleural fibroids. However, there has been no report in the literature which has described the use of uniportal subxiphoid VATS for rib tumor resection. We herein report the successful removal of fibrous dysplasia of the anterolateral segment of the sixth rib by subxiphoid uniportal VATS.

A Novel Mutation Of The EMD Gene In A Family With Cardiac Conduction Abnormalities And A High Incidence Of Sudden Cardiac Death.

BACKGROUND: Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy, caused by mutations in genes such as emerin (EMD) or lamin A/C (LMNA), is a disorder affecting the joints, muscles, and heart, with a wide spectrum of patient phenotypes including muscle wasting and cardiac conduction defects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Here we report a multi-generation family from the Hunan Province of China. Affected family members displayed an uncommon clinical presentation of serious cardiac conduction abnormalities at an early age and a high incidence of sudden cardiac death along with mild skeletal muscular atrophy and joint contracture. Clinical analysis of affected members provided evidence of X-linked recessive inheritance. Consequently, using Sanger sequencing of X chromosome exomes, we identified a novel duplication mutation (c.405dup/p.Asp136X) in the EMD gene as the cause for the disease in this family. This variant is a novel mutation that has not been previously reported in Pubmed, Clinvar or other cases reported in the Human Gene Mutation Database. CONCLUSION: Our finding expands the mutation spectrum of Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy and provides a rationale for EMD mutation testing in cases of X-linked inherited cardiac conduction disease and sudden cardiac death, even in those lacking pathognomonic neuromuscular features.

Isolated cardiac peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor isolated in the heart, presenting as a primary cardiac tumor is considered as extremely rare. METHODS: We present a 53-year-old Chinese female with a cardiac tumor which was discovered by CT. RESULTS: A hypo-intense tumorous mass was shown extending from the left ventricle by Cardiac CT, and fused FDG positron emission tomography demonstrated no other abnormal FDG active lesions in the body. We performed a total resection surgery of the tumor subsequently and the patient recovered well and discharged from hospital 6 d after surgery. CONCLUSION: The pathological diagnosis was primary cardiac peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor. No tumor recurrence was shown by echocardiography during the 24 months follow-up visits.

MicroRNA-98 Plays a Suppressive Role in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Through Inhibition of SALL4 Protein Expression.

MicroRNAs (miRs) have been demonstrated to be significantly associated with the development and progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the underlying mechanism of miR-98 in mediating the malignant phenotypes of NSCLC cells remains obscure. In this study, we found that miR-98 was significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissues compared to nontumor lung tissues. Downregulation of miR-98 was significantly associated with poor differentiation and advanced clinical stage. Restoration of miR-98 expression significantly decreased the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC A549 and H1229 cells. SALL4 was identified as a target gene of miR-98, and the protein expression of SALL4 was negatively regulated by miR-98 in NSCLC A549 and H1229 cells. Overexpression of SALL4 promoted A549 and H1229 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and reversed the suppressive effects of miR-98 on the malignant phenotypes of A549 and H1229 cells. Moreover, SALL4 was found to be significantly upregulated in NSCLC tissues compared to the nontumor lung tissues. We then observed an inverse correlation between the miR-98 and SALL4 levels in NSCLC tissues. In vivo study revealed that miR-98 overexpression suppressed NSCLC growth. In summary, we demonstrate that miR-98 acts as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC cells by inhibiting the protein expression of its target gene SALL4. Therefore, our study highlights the importance of the miR-98/SALL4 axis in NSCLC.

A Giant Cavernous Hemangioma of the Left Atrioventricular Groove.

A 10-year-old Chinese female diagnosed with an asymptomatic giant cardiac cavernous hemangioma was reported. The patient originally tended to observation because this unusual cardiac tumoral mass was discovered incidentally during routine health examination of transthoracic echocardiography. Over 5 years of follow-up, the mass had enlarged obviously, and the patient visited our outpatient clinic and was prone to excision. Subsequently, a total resection surgery of the tumor was performed, and the tumor was found to be located on the left atrioventricular groove with complete packing membrane. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4 and remains asymptomatic on last follow-up.