Correlations Between Hector Battifora Mesothelial-1 (HBME-1) Expression and Clinical Pathological Characteristics and Prognosis of Osteosarcoma Patients.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between Hector Battifora mesothelial-1 (HBME-1) expression and the clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis of osteosarcoma (OS). MATERIAL AND METHODS HBME-1 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry in OS tissues (n=152), osteochondroma tissues (n=91), and normal bone tissues (n=74). We carried out a follow-up lasting 8-60 months to investigate HBME-1 expression and its correlations with the clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis of OS. RESULTS HBME-1 was highly expressed in OS tissues compared with osteochondroma tissues and normal bone tissues, and was highly expressed in osteochondroma tissues compared with normal bone tissues (all P<0.05). HBME-1 expression was correlated with clinical stages, postoperative recurrence, metastasis, and 5-year survival (all P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of HBME-1 expression was 0.864, with sensitivity of 80.92%, specificity of 91.89%, and accuracy of 84.51%. The survival rate was lower in the HBME-1 positive expression group than the HBME-1 negative expression group (P<0.05). Clinical stages, metastasis, and HBME-1 expression were independent risk factors for the survival of patients with OS (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS HBME-1 expression was correlated with the occurrence and development of OS. HBME-1 positive expression was a risk factor for the prognosis of OS.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Assisted CT/MRI Image Fusion Technique in Preoperative Evaluation of a Pelvic Bone Osteosarcoma.

Surgeries of pelvic bone tumors are very challenging due to the complexity of anatomical structures and the irregular bone shape. CT and MRI are used in clinic for tumor evaluation, each with its own advantages and shortcomings. Combining the data of both CT and MRI images would take advantage of the merits of both images and provide better model for preoperative evaluation. We utilized an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted CT/MRI image fusion technique and built a personalized 3-D model for preoperative tumor margin assessment. A young female patient with pelvic osteosarcoma was evaluated with our novel image fusion 3-D model in comparison with the 3-D model based solely on CT images. The fusion image model showed more detailed anatomical information and discovered multiple emboli within veins which were previously neglected. The discovery of emboli implied abysmal prognosis and discouraged any attempts for complex reconstruction after tumor resection. Based on the experience with this pelvic osteosarcoma, we believe that our image fusion model can be very informative with bone tumors. Though further validation with a large number of clinical cases is required, we propose that our model has the potential to benefit the clinic in the preoperative evaluation of bone tumors.

Heterogeneity of Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Its Implications in Targeted Therapy.

Soft tissue sarcomas are a set of malignancies of mesenchymal origin. Due to the rarity and similarity in clinical presentation, they are grouped together and treated similarly in clinic. The response rates for current chemotherapy are around 20% and the median overall survival for advanced soft tissue sarcoma are less than 2 years. Thus, the current strategy with identical treatment for all soft tissue sarcomas is far from satisfactory. In this study, we first reviewed the current clinical and genomic findings of soft tissue sarcoma, paying special attention to the heterogeneities among different tumors. Then we reviewed the state-of-art understanding of targeted therapy in soft tissue sarcoma. We observed tremendous heterogeneity both in clinical and genomic settings between different tumors. Individualized treatment plans demonstrated better response and disease control and should be advocated. In summary, heterogeneity of soft tissue sarcomas requires the development of individualized treatment plans such as targeted therapy.

Gene expression regulations by long noncoding RNAs and their roles in cancer.

Cancers are deadly diseases. The general mystery of carcinogenesis, primary and acquired drug resistance and distant organ metastasis are still puzzles to be solved. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are receiving more and more attention in recent years since their roles in transcriptional regulation have been unveiled. Detailed functional annotations of lncRNAs have showed that their regulatory roles are largely determined by their binding partners. LncRNAs directly bind to DNA, RNA and proteins and regulate gene expression at transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational levels. Here we review the current understanding of molecular functions of lncRNAs, will emphasize on their binding partners and summarize their biological roles in cancer.

Up-regulation of HDAC9 promotes cell proliferation through suppressing p53 transcription in osteosarcoma.

Increasing studies have demonstrated that altered expression of histone deacetylases (HDACs) plays a critical role in the tumorigenesis through up-regulation or down-regulation of key genes involved in cell proliferation, cell-cycle regulation and apoptosis. In the present study, the expression and function of HDAC9 were investigated in osteosarcoma. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analysis found that HDAC9 was up-regulated in osteosarcoma tissues, when compared with that in adjacent normal tissues. In vitro studies further demonstrated that overexpression of HDAC9 in U2OS and MG63 cells promoted cell proliferation and invasion. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, we found that HDAC9 epigenetically repressed p53 transcription through binding to its proximal promoter region. Therefore, our data suggest an important role for HDAC9/p53 regulatory pathway in the osteosarcoma progression.

[Treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis by Socon internal fixator: report of 18 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Socon transpedicle internal fixators in the treatment of spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine. METHODS: Fixation with Socon internal fixators along with posterior decompression and fusion was performed in 18 patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis in the lumbar spine. The symptoms, signs and X-ray manifestations observed preoperatively and postoperatively were compared, and a follow-up study of all cases lasting for 6 to 18 month was conducted. RESULTS: Anatomical restoration of the involved vertebrae was achieved in all the cases, of them 15 had out-standing and 2 had fairly good clinical results without incidences of any complications during or after the operation. CONCLUSION: Socon internal fixator is an excellent modality for treatment of lumbar spondylolithesis.

Effect of aminoguanidine on the recovery of rat hindlimb motor function after spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of aminoguanidine (AG), the inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS), on the recovery of rat hindlimb motor function after spinal cord injury and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Thirty rat models of spinal cord compression injury were established according to Nystrom's method. AG therapy was administered for 4 times at 1 h before and 8, 24, 36 h after the injury, and 24 h after the completion of the therapy, spectrophotography was performed to measure the content of NO and activity of NOS in the injured spinal cord, followed by flow cytometry for determining the apoptotic rate 48 h later. The evaluation of the hindlimb motor function recovery was conducted by electrophysiological method and by measuring the behavior scores. RESULTS: AG significantly decreased the NO content (from 2.2714+/-0.4239 micromol/g.pro to 0.8466+/-0.0477 micromol/g.pro, P <0.05) and NOS activity (from 0.3408+/-0.0228 U/mg pro to 0.2702+/-0.0148 U/mg pro, P <0.05) in the injured spinal cord. The apoptotic rats were also reduced (from 7.88% +/-0.79% to 3.10% +/-0.66%, P <0.05). Four weeks after the therapy, the behavior score of the rats improved from 7.1+/-4.5 to 17.3+/-4.7 (P <0.01), and the latency and amplitude of the motor evoked potentials improved from 0 ms to 8.89+/-0.91 ms and from 0 mv to 1.99+/-0.48 mv respectively, showing significant therapeutic effect of AG (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: AG can improve motor functions of injured spinal cord in rats, possibly resulting from decreased apoptotic cells of the neurons in the spinal cord in the early stages of the injury.

Reverse posterior interosseous artery flap for reconstruction of the wrist and hand after sarcoma resection.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience of posterior interosseous artery flap reconstruction of the wrist and hand after soft tissue sarcoma resection. METHODS: Thirteen patients who presented to our institution for treatment of soft tissue sarcomas of the wrist and hand from February 2007 to January 2009 were prospectively enrolled. After tumor resection, the soft tissue defects were covered with posterior interosseous artery flaps. Relevant patient characteristics, results of creation of flap and functional outcomes were reviewed. Relevant clinical characteristics were recorded prior to surgery. The size, pedicle length and thickness of flaps were measured intraoperatively and complications evaluated two weeks after surgery. Functional outcomes and aesthetic results were evaluated 6 to 24 months after surgery, using Enneking's Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) 93 functional scoring system. RESULTS: The patients' ages ranged from 14 to 82 years (54.92 ± 19.09 years), including six aged >65 years. Flap sizes varied from 5 cm × 3 cm to 8 cm × 5 cm. Flap survival rate was 100%. One patient had partial necrosis of the Z-shaped incision, which healed with routine wound care. Mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society functional score was 27.31 ± 3.68. Eleven patients were alive and disease-free at a mean follow-up of 36 months. One patient died of pulmonary metastases 18 months after surgery. One patient developed recurrence and underwent amputation 12 months after surgery. DISCUSSION: Reverse posterior interosseous flaps are reliable flaps for reconstruction of the wrist and hand after soft tissue sarcoma resection. They are suitable for elderly patients. The one-stage surgery and primary healing allow for timely postoperative adjuvant therapy following this type of reconstruction.