Abnormal activation of Wnt signaling pathway is closely related to the occurrence of tumor, and T cell factor 4 (Tcf4 ) and beta-catenin are important signal transmission factors of this pathway. The aim of the present study is to explore the significance and correlation between expression of Tcf4, beta-catenin and secreted frizzled related protein 1(SFRP1), suppressor gene of Wnt signaling pathway, in colorectal carcinoma and their correlations to the clinicopathological factors. The expressions of Tcf4, beta-catenin and SFRP1 were performed with immunohistochemistry staining in 97 cases of primary colorectal carcinoma and 40 cases of normal colorectal mucosa tissues. The results showed that the abnormal expression rates of Tcf4 and beta-catenin in colorectal carcinoma were significantly higher than those in the control groups (P<0.01). The positive rate of SFRP1 was significantly lower than those in the control groups (P<0.01). The abnormal expression rates of Tcf4 and beta-catenin were also related to the lymph node metastasis and Dukes stage (P<0.05). A significant correlation was found between the expressions of SFRP1 and Tcf4, beta-catenin (P<0.05). Overexpression of Tcf4 and beta-catenin was related to poor prognosis (P<0.05). But the survival rates of the group with SFRP1 expressions were higher than those in group without SFRP1 expressions (P<0.05). Cox multifactor regression analysis indicated that Dukes stage, expression of beta-catenin and SFRP1 were independent risk factors of colorectal carcinoma (P<0.05). The results suggested that the abnormal expression of Tcf4 and beta-catenin in colorectal cancer may be related to the reduced or absent expression of SFRP1. beta-catenin accumulation in the nuclei formed complexes with Tcf4 is one of the important molecular switch maintaining colorectal malignant phenotype. The combined detection of these indexes may perform an important role in predicting the progression and prognosis of colorectal cancer, and could provide new molecular targets for gene treatment of colorectal cancer.
Carcinoma ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Phenotype ; Prognosis ; Risk Factors ; Transcription Factor 7-Like 2 Protein ; metabolism ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the functional changes of dendritic cells (DCs) after infection by recombinant retrovirus carrying human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene fragment.

METHODSInterleukin-12 (IL-12) levels in DC culture supernatant was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The abilities of DCs infected with recombinant retrovirus carrying hTERT gene (hTERT-DCs) and non-infected DCs (N-DCs) to stimulate allogeneic lymphocyte proliferation were evaluated with mixed leukocytes reaction (MLR), and the surface markers of DCs including CD80, CD83, CD86 and HLA-DR were detected by flow cytometry. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assay was performed with CytoTox 96 non-radioactive cytoxicity assay.

RESULTSCompared with N-DCs, hTERT-DCs showed no significant changes in IL-12 secretion and capacity to stimulate allogeneic lymphocytes reaction, but had significantly lower CD83 expression. Specific CTLs induced by hTERT-DCs resulted in higher cytotoxicity against telomerase-positive target cells than that against the negative target cells.

CONCLUSIONInfection with the recombinant retrovirus carrying hTERT fragment may jeopardize the maturation of DCs, which, however, still retain their capacity to activate and stimulate lymphocyte proliferation and to prime autologous T lymphocytes to generate specific CTL against hTERT.

Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; virology ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukin-12 ; biosynthesis ; Recombination, Genetic ; Retroviridae ; genetics ; metabolism ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; immunology ; Telomerase ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo examine UVB-induced responses in normal human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and epidermoid carcinoma cells (A431) at the cellular and molecular level, and investigated the protective effect of salidroside.

METHODSCells irradiated by UVB at various dosage and their viability was assessed by MTT assays, cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. The expression of NF-κB, BCL-2, and CDK6 after 50 J/m(2) UVB irradiation were detected by RT-PCR and western blotting.

RESULTSOur results confirmed greater tolerance of A341 cells to UVB-induced damage such as cell viability and cell cycle arrest, which was accompanied by differential expression changes in NF-κB, BCL-2, and CDK6. UVB exposure resulted in HaCaT cells undergoing G(1)-S phase arrest. When treated with salidroside, HaCaT survival was significantly enhanced following exposure to UVB, suggesting great therapeutic potential for this compound.

CONCLUSIONTaken together, our study suggests that A431 respond differently to UVB than normal HaCaT cells, and supports a role for NF-κB, CDK6, and BCL-2 in UVB-induced cell G(1)-S phase arrest. Furthermore, salidroside can effectively protect HaCaT from UVB irradiation.

Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; radiation effects ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Keratinocytes ; radiation effects ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Ultraviolet Rays

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of radiation injury on nitric oxide (NO) concentration in mouse peripheral blood and liver.

METHODSNIH mice were subjected to gamma-ray exposure at 9.0 Gy and transferred immediately in room temperature condition. NO concentrations in the liver and peripheral blood were examined before and at different time points after the exposure.

RESULTSCompared to that before exposure, NO concentration in the peripheral blood and liver significantly increased after gamma-ray exposure. NO concentration in the peripheral blood began to increase 3 h after the exposure, but that in the liver increased till 6 h after the exposure.

CONCLUSIONRadiation can cause the increase of NO concentration in the peripheral blood and liver, but different tissues may exhibit different response intensities to radiation.

Animals ; Gamma Rays ; Liver ; metabolism ; radiation effects ; Male ; Mice ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; metabolism ; Radiation Injuries, Experimental ; blood ; metabolism ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using gelatin sponges or microspheres plus lipiodol-doxorubicin vs. doxorubicin-loaded drug-eluting beads (DEB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 158 patients with HCC received TACE from November 2010 to November 2011 were enrolled in this study, including 64 (40.5%) received TACE with lipiodol-doxorubicin and gelatin sponges (group A), 41 (25.9%) received TACE with lipiodol-doxorubicin and microspheres (group B), and 53 (33.5%) received TACE with doxorubicin-loaded DEB (group C). Tumor response and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant difference was found at baseline among the three groups. The doxorubicin dosage in group C was significantly (p < 0.001) higher compared to the dose used in groups A or B (median, 50 mg vs. 31 mg or 25 mg). Significantly (p < 0.001) more patients in group C achieved complete response compared to those in groups A or B (32.1% vs. 6.3% or 2.4%). Significantly (p < 0.001) less patients in group C had progressive disease compared to those in groups A or B (34.0% vs. 57.8% or 68.3%). Minor AEs were more common in groups A and B compared to group C, with rates of 54.7%, 34.1%, and 5.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with HCC, TACE with DEB offers better safety and efficacy profiles compared to either TACE with gelatin sponges or TACE with microspheres.
Abdominal Pain/etiology ; Adult ; Aged ; Antibiotics, Antineoplastic/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/*drug therapy/mortality ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; Disease-Free Survival ; Doxorubicin/*administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Drug Carriers/*chemistry ; Ethiodized Oil/chemistry ; Female ; Fever/etiology ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gelatin/chemistry ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Liver Neoplasms/*drug therapy/mortality ; Male ; Microspheres ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

Squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 (SCCA1), a member of the ovalbumin family of serine protease inhibitors, includes several variants. It was reported that expression of two SCCA1 (BP and AJ515706) in cells results in increased binding of HBV to these cells by the interaction of the expressed BP and AJ515706 with HBV pre-S1 domain. In this study, a SCCA1 (A1) was isolated from HepG2, but it appears to lack this ability. A possible role of two mutants, A1-BP and BP-A1, constructed by interchanging the carboxyl terminal of A1 and BP, was investigated. Cells expressing A1-BP rather than BP-A1 showed an increased virus binding capacity. Comparison of A1 sequence with the sequence of BP indicated the presence of only three amino acid changes in the carboxyl terminal, two of them in the reactive site loop (RSL) of SCCA1. Primary structure analysis revealed that the hydrophobicity of BP and AJ515706 in this domain is higher than that of A1. Changing the aa349 of A1 from low hydrophobic glutamic acid to high hydrophobic valine enhanced HBV binding. In contrast, changing the aa349 of BP from valine to glutamic acid reduced HBV binding. Our finding suggests that the hydrophobicity of RSL of SCCA1 may play an important role in HBV binding to cells.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Binding Sites ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; immunology ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Glutamic Acid ; chemistry ; Hepatitis B virus ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions ; Liver Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; Protein Binding ; Receptors, Virus ; metabolism ; Serpins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism ; Valine ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the risk of H5Nl subtype avian influenza virus (AIV)transmission in the poultry market environment in Changsha city.H5N1 antibody levels among the groups related occupational exposure and AIV nucleic acid in the environment of poultry markets were detected.The characteristics of hamagglutinin (HA) genes of H5N1 AIV in the environment were analyzed.Methods One district and one county from Changsha city were selected randomly and two poultry markets at inner city or township levels were selected in the same district or county respectively.H5N1 antibody of the occupational exposure groups in the poultry market was tested and AIV nucleic acid in the poultry market environnent monitored.One hundred and two blood samples of the occupational exposure groups were tested for H5N1 antibody with single radioimmunoassay diffusion hemolysis (SRH) while 160 environment samples(from sewage,birds stools,feathers and smearing samples of poultry cages) in the poultry market were also detected for AIV nucleic acid with real-time PCR method.Four sewage samples of H5N1 subtype AIV were collected from poultry markets in Changsha,and the HA genes of H5N1 subtype AIV amplified by RT-PCR and then sequenced with TA cloning.Amino acid sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis were conducted by Lasergene and Mega 5.0 software.Results The results through H5N1 antibody monitoring program showed that H5N1 antibody positive rates from workers were 25.5％ (26/102),50.0％ (9/18) and 25.4％ (17/67) respectively in the poultry markets of township and inner cities.H5N1 antibody positive rate in the township poultry markets was higher than in the inner cities poultry markets.Results from the surveillance on AIV nucleic acid showed that the overall H5 subtype positive rate in Changsha poultry markets was 31.3％ (50/160),and the positive rate of townships poultry markets was 37.3％ (31/83 ),which were both higher than those from the inner cities poultry markets (24.7％,19/77).H5 subtype AIV positive rate was different in the tested specimens,with ranking of positive rates were sewage (50.0％,24/48),feathers (44.5％,4/9 ),birds stools ( 29.8％,14/47) and smearing samples of poultry cages (14.3％,8/56),with statistically significant differences (P＜0.01).Four H5N1 HA genes TA cloning were successfully constructed and identified as Eurasian branch,similar to viruses isolated in mainland China and Hong Kong in the same group,according to genetic analysis.Sequence data of the four HA genes showed the same feature of high pathogenicity,compared to the H5N 1 AIV from mainland China of human origin.The receptor specificities were still with avian influenza origin (QSG)and the connecting peptide between HA1 and HA2 possessing the polybasic motif (RERRRKK or RERRGKK).Conclusion One of the reasons for H5N1 antibody positive rate of 25.5％ among poultry markets workers was that there were large numbers of H5N 1 subtype AIV detected in the environment of poultry markets and HA genes of H5N 1 subtype AIV in the poultry markets environment carried molecular characteristics of highly pathogenic which could increase the risk for H5N1 subtype AIV transmission in the environment of poultry markets.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of transperitoneal robot assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RARP) versus extraperitoneal single port RARP.Methods:A retrospective analysis was perfoumed on 142 cases of RARP from July 2019 to June 2020 in Robotic Minimally Invasive Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, including 82 cases(Group A) , aged 70.0(65.6-78.0), undergoing transperitoneal RARP and 60 cases(Group B), aged 68.2 years old(60.1-79.2), undergoing extraperitoneal single port RARP. For group A, PSA was 12.9(5.6-64.0) ng/ml, with 26 cases of less than 10 ng/ml(31.7%), 40 cases of 10-20 ng/ml(48.8%), and 16 cases of more than 20 ng/ml(19.5%), the Gleason score was 7.2(6.0-10.0), with 14 cases(17.1%) of ≤6, 56 cases(68.3%) of 7, and 12 cases(14.6%) of ≥8, and the prostate volume was 61.3(29.0-112.0) ml. There were 49 cases with BMI≤25 kg/m 2, accounting for 59.8%, and 33 cases with BMI>25 kg/m 2, accounting for 40.2%. There were 17 cases(20.7%) of T 1, 44 cases(53.7%) of T 2 and 21 cases(25.6%) of T 3. The proportion of lymph node dissection was 17.1%, and 4 cases(4.9%)had a history of operation. For group B, the PSA was 12.2(1.0-42.6)ng/ml, with 20 cases (33.3%) of <10 ng/ml, 31 cases(51.7%)of 10-20 ng/ml, and 9 cases (15%) of >20 ng/ml. Gleason score was 7.1(6.0-9.0), with 12 cases (20.0%) of ≤6, 42 cases (70.0%) of 7, and 6 cases (10.0%)of ≥8. Prostate volume was 42.4(31.2-72.8)ml on average. There were 37 cases (61.7%) with BMI≤25 kg/m 2, and 23 cases (38.3%)with BMI >25 kg/m 2 . There were 17 cases(28.3%)of T 1, 32 cases(53.3%)of T 2 and 11 cases(18.3%)of T 3.The proportion of lymph node dissection was 11.7% and 4 cases (6.7%) had a history of operation.There was no statistically significant difference in term of age, PSA level, Gleason score, BMI, clinical stage, proportion of lymph node dissection or history of operation between the two groups( P>0.05), but there was statistically significant difference for prostate volume( P<0.05). All operations were performed by the same operator. Four different ways of bladder neck and urethral dissociation was selected according to the intraoperative conditions in Group A, include VIP style, T-shape incision style, VIP plus T-shape incision style or the style along the lateral side of the bladder neck. Small and single anterograde incision stripping of bladder neck was routinely performed in the Group B. Postoperative follow-up was performed to compare the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, bladder neck and urethral anastomosis time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative exhaust time, postoperative complications, positive rate of surgical margin, indwelling time of urinary catheter, urinary continence satisfaction rate of immediately after operation, 3 months and 6 months after operation, wound healing and aesthetics. Results:All of the operations were successfully completed under robot-assisted laparoscopy, and there was no conversion to open surgery. The operation time was 56.0(45.0-112.0) min in the Group A and 65.4(55.5-96.8) min in the Group B, and there was no statistically significant difference( P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss was 76.2(30.0-120.5) ml and 55.6(45.5-114.6) ml, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The time of bladder neck urethral anastomosis was 18.9(12.6-25.6) min and 16.2(10.7-19.3) min, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The postoperative hospital stay days were 9.3(8.0-16.0) d and 8.4(7.0-13.0) d, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The postoperative exhaust time was 1.3(0.7-3.0) d and 3.4(2.0-7.0) d, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). There was 1 case of anastomotic fistula with ureteral injury in Group A, and no serious complication in Group B, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The number of positive surgical margin in the two groups was 13(15.9%)and 9(15.0%)respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant( P>0.05). The indwelling time of urinary catheter after operation was 9(7-21) d and 6(4-8) d, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). The number of patients with satisfactory urinary continence immediately after surgery, 3 months and 6 months after surgery in the two groups were 8(9.8%), 51(62.2%), 62(75.6%) and 17(28.3%), 43(71.7%) and 54(90.0%), respectively. The differences were statistically significant( P<0.05). The total incision lengths in the two groups were 12.1(10.4-13.4) cm and 5.6(5.0-6.0) cm, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). Conclusions:The extraperitoneal single port RARP is safe and feasible, and the postoperative effect is similar to that of transperitoneal RARP. It has the advantages of shorter recovery time, higher urinary continence satisfaction rate, neater and more beautiful incision. The long-term therapeutic effect needs further confirming by prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of diaphgram fatigue in the death from hanging with bound upper limbs of rabbits. METHODS: Rabbits were hanged with upper limbs bound, then the data of EMGdi were gathered RESULTS: By analyzing power spectral of EMGdi in experiment, we compare the ratio change of H/L between pre-experiment and post-experiment. There is a significance decrease of the ratio of H/L, so it indicates that diaphgram fatigue does exist. CONCLUSION Diaphgram fatigue plays an important role in the death from hanging with limbs of rabbits bound.
Animals ; Asphyxia/physiopathology* ; Cause of Death ; Diaphragm/physiopathology* ; Electromyography ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Male ; Muscle Fatigue ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1), β-catenin and E-cadherin in colorectal carcinoma and its clinicopathological significance.

METHODSThe expression of SFRP1, β-catenin and E-cadherin mRNA and protein in tumor and pericancerous tissue samples from 60 cases of colorectal cancer was assayed by reverse-transcription PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The correlation of their expression with clinicopathological factors of colorectal cancer was analyzed.

RESULTSIn 52/60 cases the relative mRNA expression of SFRP1 in cancer tissue and pericancerous tissue was 0.4837±0.1532 and 0.7170 ±0.1830; for β-catenin was 0.9293± 0.3705 and 0.6469±0.3166; and for E-cadherin was 0.5556±0.2535 and 0.9422±0.2372 (P<0.01), respectively. SFRP1 mRNA expression was associated with lymphatic metastasis (P<0.05). The positive rate of SFRP1 in colorectal cancer was 31.67% (19/60), and was significantly lower than that in pericancerous colorectal mucosa (75.00%, 45/60). No relationship between SFRP1 protein expression and clinical pathology was found. Abnormal expression rates of β-catenin and E-cadherin in colorectal cancer were 75.00% (45/60) and 58.33% (35/60), respectively, which were significantly higher than that in pericancerous colorectal mucosa (1.67% and 6.67%), respectively. Abnormal β-catenin and E-cadherin expression was associated with tumor differentiation, lymphatic metastasis and Duke's staging. SFRP1 protein expression was negatively correlated with β-catenin and E-cadherin expression (r=-0.517, -0.442, Ps<0.01).

CONCLUSIONDown-regulation of SFRP1 in colorectal cancer may cause abnormal Wnt signaling and induce abnormal β-catenin and E-cadherin expression, indicating that SFRP1 might be involved in the development and progression of colorectal cancer, and could be a novel therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; beta Catenin ; metabolism