Purpose To investigate the prognostic significance of NQO1 protein expression in colorectal carcinoma ( CRC) patients. Methods 192 cases of primary CRC, 28 of colonic dysplasia, and 44 of adjacent non-tumor tissues were selected for immunohisto-chemical staining of NQO1 protein. Correlation between NQO1 overexpression and clinicopathologic characteristics, and the survival rates were calculated by the statistical methods. Results The strongly positive rate of NQO1 protein in CRC was significantly higher than that in gastric dysplasia and adjacent non-tumor tissues (P<0. 01, respectively). NQO1 high-expression rate was positively cor-related with differentiation, serosal invasion, lymph node metastasis, and clinical stage (P <0. 05, respectively). Survival curve showed that the disease-free survival and 5-year survival rates of the patients with high NQO1 expression were obviously shorter than those of patients with low NQO1 expression (P<0. 001, respectively). Further analysis showed that, high expression of NQO1 predic-ted the lower disease-free survival and 5-year survival rates in late-stage patients (P<0. 01, respectively). Importantly, NQO1 was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of CRC using Cox proportional hazards regression model ( HR: 1. 398,95%CI: 1. 011 ~1. 934, P=0. 043). Conclusions Detection of NQO1 protein expression in CRC has an important clinical significance, and it is ex-pected to become a new biomarker for CRC.

Purpose To investigate the effects ofβ-1apachone on inhibition of pro1iferation and migration and induction of apoptosis in gastric cancer ce11s in vitro. Methods The ce11 viabi1ity was detected using MTT and co1ony formation assay,the migration abi1ity was determined using scratch assay method,and the apoptosis was examined using f1ow cytometry. Meanwhi1e,the expression of biomarkers of pro1iferation,EMT markers andapoptosiswere detected using Western b1ot ana1ysis. Results β-1apachone cou1d significant1y inhibit the pro1iferation of SGC-7901 and AGS gastric cancer ce11s( P<0. 05),and down-regu1ate the expression 1eve1s of Skp2 and DEK pro-teins. β-1apachonecou1d a1so inhibited the invasion and moti1ity of gastric cancer ce11s via down-regu1ating the expression 1eve1s of MMP-2/9 and Ezrin proteins and up-regu1ating the epithe1ia1 markers. In addition,β-1apachone enhanced the apoptosis of gastric canc-er ce11s,down-regu1ation of BCL-2/Bax ratio and up-regu1ation of activated Caspase-3/8/9. Conclusions β-1apachone can effective1y inhibit the pro1iferation and induce the apoptosis of gastric cancer ce11s,and inhibit the migration of gastric cancer ce11s via MMPs and EMT pathways.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in primary liver cancer (PLC) patients with secondary malignant tumor of vertebra. MethodsA total of 49 PLC patients with secondary metastatic tumor of vertebra, who were treated in our hospital from December 2011 to January 2014, were enrolled and divided into group A (20 patients treated with SBRT) and group B (29 patients treated with IMRT). The prescribed dose was 35 Gy in 5 fractions in group A and 35 Gy in 10 fractions in group B. The time to pain relief, imaging findings, and survival analysis were used to evaluate pain-relieving effect, the condition of lesions, and survival time. The t-test was used to compare continuous data between groups, and the chi-square test was used to compare categorical data between groups. The K-M method was used to plot survival curves for both groups, and the log-rank test was used for survival difference analysis. ResultsThe proportion of patients who achieved complete or partial remission and stable disease shown by radiological examination after radiotherapy showed no significant difference between group A and group B (P=0.873). The pain relief rate also showed no significant difference between group A and group B (P=0.908). The time of pain relief showed a significant difference between group A and group B (t=-3.353, P＜0.01). The overall survival showed no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.346). ConclusionRadiotherapy has a definite therapeutic effect in PLC patients with secondary malignant tumor of vertebra. SBRT and IMRT have similar pain-relieving effects. However, with the same prescribed dose, SBRT has a short time to pain relief and does not lead to serious intolerable acute or late toxic and side effects in surrounding fast-response tissues.

The incurable chronic infection caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the major health burden worldwide. Covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) exists in the nucleus of infected cells as a stable minichromosome, and when a new therapy realizes inactivation or eliminates persistent cccDNA in infected hepatocytes, the natural process of chronic infection and long-term antiviral therapy will no longer exist. This article introduces the methods targeting cccDNA, such as gene editing and epigenetic modification, so as to achieve the complete cure of HBV infection.

Objective: To investigate the localization of HBXIP protein over-expression in gastric adenocarcinoma, and its prognostic significance. Methods: HBXIP localization was detected by immunofluorescence in AGS gastric cancer cell line, and by immunohistochemical staining in 97 gastric adenocarcinomas, 41 adjacent non-tumor tissues and 13 gastric adenoma tissues. Correlation between HBXIP expression and clinicopathological features of gastric cancer patients was evaluated by Chi-square and Fisher′s exact tests. Overall survival rates were calculated using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: HBXIP was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm of gastric cancer. The positive and strongly positive expression rates of HBXIP protein in gastric cancers were 68.0% (66/97) and 49.5% (48/97) respectively, and were significantly higher than those in adjacent non-tumor tissues(48.8%, 20/41; 36.6%, 15/41) or gastric adenomas(2/13, 1/13; all P<0.05). HBXIP expression correlated significantly with tumor differentiation and lymph node status (P=0.007; 0.041). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the overall survival rate was significantly lower in gastric cancer patients with high HBXIP expression (P=0.015). Conclusions HBXIP expression in gastric cancer is mainly expressed in cytoplasmic, and the expression level is closely related to the prognosis. HBXIP expression status may potentially be used as an important prognostic indicator for gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the role of poly(A)-binding protein-interacting protein 1 (Paip1) in cervical carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The expression of Paip1 in normal cervical epithelial tissues and cervical cancer (CC) tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. In vivo and in vitro assays were performed to validate effect of Paip1 on CC progression. RESULTS: Paip1 was found to be up-regulated in CC, which was linked with shorter survival. Knockdown of Paip1 inhibited cell growth, induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in CC cells, whereas its overexpression reversed these effects. The in vivo tumor model confirmed the pro-tumor role of Paip1 in CC growth. CONCLUSION: Altogether, the investigation demonstrated the clinical significance of Paip1 expression, which prompted that the up-regulated of Paip1 can presumably be a potential prognostic and progression marker for CC.
Apoptosis ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Vitro Techniques ; Prognosis ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

Purpose: To evaluated the efficacy and safety of gelatinized Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for eugonadal patients with late onset hypogonadism symptoms (LOH). Materials and Methods: Participants were instructed to receive 1,000 mg of Maca or placebo, two pills at a time, three times per day for 12 weeks before food intake. To evaluate the efficacy of the drug, Aging Males’ Symptoms scale (AMS), Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Males (ADAM), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires, serologic tests (total testosterone and free testosterone, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride), body weight, and waist circumference were assessed at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment. Results: A total of 80 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to Maca treated group (n=41) or the placebo group (n=39). AMS, IIEF, and IPSS were significantly (p<0.05) improved in Maca treated group than in the placebo group. ADAM positive rate was also significantly (p<0.0001) decreased in Maca treated group. Conclusions Maca may be considered an effective and safe treatment for eugonadal patients with late onset hypogonadism symptoms.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of red ginseng oil (RXGIN) in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Materials and Methods: Men aged between 40 and 75 years with a total International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of 8 to 19 points were recruited from April 2020 to December 2020. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the RXGIN group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio and received either RXGIN or placebo daily for 12 weeks. For the primary outcome, changes in IPSS scores at 6 and 12 weeks from baseline were analyzed. The secondary outcomes were changes in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), maximum urinary flow rate, and post-void residual volume at weeks 6 and 12 compared to baseline. Urine analysis and blood tests were additionally performed for safety assessment. Results: A total of 88 subjects (RXGIN group, 46; control group, 42) completed the study. The total IPSS and IPSS subscores (residual urine sensation, frequency, intermittency, urgency, weak stream, straining, nocturia, and quality of life) were significantly improved in the RXGIN group compared to the control group at weeks 6 and 12. Total IIEF and sexual desire were significantly improved in the RXGIN group at week 6 and week 12, respectively, but there were no significant changes in the level of serum testosterone or dihydrotestosterone. The serum prostate-specific antigen showed significant decrease at weeks 12. No serious adverse events leading to discontinuation of the study drug were observed in the RXGIN group. Conclusions Red ginseng oil (RXGIN) appears to be safe and effective in improving lower urinary tract symptoms in men and may also improve some aspects of sexual function.