NRP1 knockdown inhibits the invasion and migration of rhabdoid tumor of the kidney cells.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to detect candidate oncogenes of rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (RTK) and evaluate their roles in RTK in vitro. METHODS: An integrated analysis of messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) sequencing was performed to determine the expression profile of exosome-derived miRNAs and mRNAs in human RTK-derived cell lines and a human embryonic renal cell line. A Gene Ontology enrichment analysis was performed to analyze the functional characteristics of differentially expressed mRNAs in RTK cells. Matrigel invasion and wound-healing assays were performed to evaluate the cell invasion and migration abilities. RESULTS: Forty mRNAs were highly expressed in RTK cells targeted by exosomal miRNAs, the expression of which was lower in RTK cells than in the controls. These mRNAs were primarily related to cell adhesion. Of these mRNAs, we selected neuropilin 1 (NRP1) as a candidate oncogene because its upregulated expression is associated with a poor prognosis of several types of tumors. RTK cells in which NRP1 had been knocked down exhibited decreased invasive and migratory abilities. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that NRP1 acts as an oncogene by promoting the invasion and migration of RTK cells and that it could serve as a therapeutic target.

Malignant melanoma in a 12-year-old boy 17 months after completing hepatoblastoma treatment.

BACKGROUND: Melanoma is rare as a secondary malignant neoplasm among childhood cancer survivors. CASE: We report a case of a 12-year-old boy who developed malignant melanoma with systemic metastases 17 months after completing treatment for hepatoblastoma. The diagnosis was made unexpectedly based on a bone marrow examination. The patient did not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and died 6 weeks after being diagnosed with melanoma. Whole-exome sequencing to examine 103 genes associated with cancer predisposition did not identify any germ-line variants. CONCLUSION: This case study provides a unique example of melanoma in a childhood cancer survivor following hepatoblastoma treatment but does not identify any candidate variant to link hepatoblastoma and melanoma.

Knockdown of TFAP2E results in rapid G2/M transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

TFAP2E is a member of the activator protein-2 transcription factor family and acts as a tumor suppressor in several types of cancer. Downregulation of TFAP2E expression is significantly associated with a shorter overall survival period in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). To evaluate the molecular mechanisms by which TFAP2E suppresses the development or progression of OSCC, the present study investigated the effects of TFAP2E downregulation on OSCC-derived Ca9-22 and HSC-4 cells. The present study demonstrated that small interfering RNA mediated-knockdown of TFAP2E accelerated the proliferation of these OSCC cell lines compared with that in the control group, as determined by the standard water-soluble tetrazolium salt-8 assay. To analyze the cell cycle progression rate, the cell cycle distribution patterns of TFAP2E-knockdown and control cells cultured in the presence of nocodazole, which prevents the completion of mitosis, were analyzed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting at different time points. When analyzing cellular DNA contents, no major differences in cell cycle profiles were observed; however, the rate of increase in cells positive for histone H3 Serine 28 phosphorylation, a standard molecular marker of early M phase, was significantly higher in TFAP2E-knockdown cells than in the control cells. Collectively, these results suggested that TFAP2E may attenuate the proliferation of OSCC cells by regulating G2/M transition.

Survival and unique clinical practices of extremely preterm infants born at 22-23 weeks' gestation in Japan: a national survey.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate prognosis and clinical practices of infants born at 22-23 weeks' gestational age (wkGA) in Japan. DESIGN: A national institutional-level electronic questionnaire surveys performed in September 2021. SETTING: All perinatal centres across Japan. PATIENTS: Infants born at 22-23 wkGA in 2018-2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of active resuscitation and survival at neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) discharge, and various clinical practices. RESULTS: In total, 255 of 295 NICUs (86%) responded. Among them, 145 took care of infants born at 22-23 wkGA and answered the questions regarding their outcomes and care. In most NICUs (129 of 145 (89%)), infants born at 22+0 wkGA can be actively resuscitated. In almost half of the NICUs (79 of 145 (54%)), infants born at ≥22+0 wkGA were always actively resuscitated. Among 341 and 757 infants born alive at 22 and 23 wkGA, respectively, 85% (291 of 341) and 98% (745 of 757) received active resuscitation after birth. Among infants actively resuscitated at birth, 63% (183 of 291) and 80% (594 of 745) of infants born at 22 and 23 wkGA survived, respectively. The survey revealed unique clinical management for these infants in Japan, including delivery with caul in caesarean section, cut-cord milking after clamping cord, immediate intubation at birth, hydrocortisone use for chronic lung disease, analgesia/sedation use for infants on mechanical ventilation, routine echocardiography and brain ultrasound, probiotics administration, routine glycerin enema and skin dressing to prevent pressure ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Many 22-23 wkGA infants were actively resuscitated in Japan and had a high survival rate. Various unique clinical practices were highlighted.