OBJECTIVETo examine the genetic polymorphisms in the promoter region of cyclooxygenase-2 ( COX-2) and evaluate their association with the risk of gastric cancer.

METHODSSingle-strand conformational polymorphism and DNA sequencing were used to screen the genetic variants of the COX-2 promoter region. Total 323 patients with gastric cancer and 646 frequency-matched controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated by logistic regression. Haplotype frequency was estimated using Haplo. stat software.

RESULTSThree single nucleotide polymorphisms, including - 1290A > G, -1195G > A, and -765G > C were identified in the promoter of COX- 2. Case-control analysis showed an increased risk of developing gastric cancer for the -1290AG (OR 1.64; 95% CI 1.03-2.61), -1195AA (OR 2.68; 95% CI 1.65-4.33), and -765CG (OR 2.66; 95% CI 1.53-4.64) genotype carriers, respectively, compared with noncarriers. A greater risk of developing gastric cancer was observed for the A(-1290) -A(-1195) -C(-765) haplotype compared with the A(-1290) -G(-1195) -G(-765) haplotypes (OR 11.80; 95% CI 2.43-57.25).

CONCLUSIONGenetic polymorphisms in COX-2 promoter region may play a role in gastric carcinogenesis.

Adult ; Aged ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Risk ; Stomach Neoplasms ; enzymology ; genetics

Objective We aimed to assess the association between urinary bisphenol A(BPA)concentrations and gestational age in pregnant women. Methods A total of 248 pregnant women were recruited from a maternal and child care hospital in Shanghai. A questionnaire survey was completed to collect socio-demographic information and spot urine samples were collected during pregnancy. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS)was used to measure BPA concentrations in urine samples. Linear relationship between urinary BPA level and gestational age was assessed by using generalized additive models. Multivariate regression model was used to evaluate associations of prenatal BPA exposure with gestational age. Results BPA was detected in all the urine samples. Median value and geometric mean of urinary BPA levels were 0.85 μg/L and 1.21 μg/L, respectively. Linear relationship between urinary BPA concentration and gestational weeks was confirmed(non-linear P > 0.05). Positive association between urinary BPA level and gestational age was indicated(regression coefficient, β = 0.19;95%CI:0.04-0.35;P = 0.016). However, it was only observed in girls, stratified by sex of newborns(β = 0.18;95%CI:0.03-0.34;P = 0.020). After stratification by trimester, no significant association was found in the second or the third trimesters. Conclusion Pregnant women are extensively exposed to BPA. Urinary BPA exposure during pregnancy may extend gestational age, especially in girls.

Targeted and immunotherapy drugs for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been rapidly developed. Atezolizumab in combination with bevacizumab has been recommended as the first-line standard of care for unresectable or advanced HCC in several national and international guidelines. The combination therapies with sindilizumab and bevacizumab biosimilar, apatinib and carrilizumab, dulvalizumab and tremelimumab are also recommended as first-line standard regimens for advanced HCC in the guideline of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology. Local therapy combined with targeted drugs (such as sorafenib and lenvatinib) or immune checkpoint inhibitors can significantly improve outcomes. Therefore, some progress has also been made in the study of single-agent or combination regimens as perioperative neoadjuvant therapy.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology* ; Sorafenib/therapeutic use* ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Bevacizumab/therapeutic use* ; Biosimilar Pharmaceuticals/therapeutic use*

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) plays crucial roles in the growth, progression, and therapeutic response of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) which is a prototypical inflammation-associated cancer. The efficacy of immunotherapy largely depends on the TIME. Targeting the immune microenvironment is an attractive strategy for the treatment of HCC. This review provides the characteristics of immune microenvironment of HCC,therapeutic approaches based on immune microenvironment,and information on the immune microenvironment underlying the response or resistance of HCC to immunotherapies.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology* ; Liver Neoplasms/pathology* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Immunotherapy

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy and safety between recombinant human parathyroid hormone ( rhPTH) ( 1 -34) and elcatonin in the treatment of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in China.Methods This 6 month, multicenter, randomized and controlled study enrolled 205 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.They were randomized to receive either rhPTH (1 -34) 20 μg (200 U) daily or elcatonin 20 U weekly.Lumbar spine (L1-4 ) and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers of bone turnover were measured. In the meantime adverse events were recorded. Results The results showed that both rhPTH ( 1 -34) and elcatonin increased L1-4 BMD significantly at the endpoint of the study, but femoral neck BMD did not change significantly.From baseline to endpoint, BMD of L1-4 and femoral neck in the rhPTH( 1-34) group increased by 5.51% (P <0.01) and 0.65% (P >0.05), but BMD of L1-4 and femoral neck in elcatonin group increased by 1.55% (P <0.05) and 0.11% (P>0.05).Moreover, the rhPTH(1-34) group had better improvement in L1-4 BMD than the elcatonin group at 3, 6 months, but there was no difference of BMD in these two groups with regard to femoral neck.There were greater mean increases of the bone markers in the rhPTH( 1-34) group than those in the elcatonin group at 3, 6 months [serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase ( BSAP) 36.79% vs 0.31% ; 92.42% vs -0.17% ; the ratio of urine N-telopeptide of type I collagen and creatinine (NTX/Cr) 48.91% vs -5.32% ; 68.82% vs - 10.86%].Both kinds of treatment were well tolerated and there were no differences between the two groups in the rates of adverse events and serious adverse events.Conclusion It is concluded that rhPTH (1 -34) has more positive effects on bone formation than elcatonin as shown by the greater increments of L1-4 BMD and bone formation markers and the less occurrence of adverse events as well as no significant change in hepatic, renal or hemopoietic function.

Objective Recombinant human parathyroid hormone(1-34) [ rhPTH(1-34)] is the unique anabolic substance acting on the skeleton. The efficacy and safety of long-term administration of rhPTH(1-34) in Chinese postmenopausal women have not been evaluated. This study compared the clinical efficacy and safety of rhPTH(1-34) with elcatonin for treating postmenopausal women with osteoporosis in 11 urban areas of China. Methods A total of453 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis were enrolled in an 18-month, multi-center, randomized, controlled study. They were randomized to receive either rhPTH(1-34) 20 μg(200 U) daily for 18 months, or elcatonin 20 U weekly for 12 months. Lumbar spine ( L1-4) and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), fracture rate, back pain as well as biochemical markers of bone turnover ( serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase was measured by radioimmunoassay; C-telopeptide/ creatinine ( CTX/ Cr) measured by quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) at 6, 12, and 18 months. Adverse events were recorded. Results rhPTH(1-34) increased lumbar BMD more significantly than that did by elcatonin at 6 months( M6), 12 months (M12), and 18 months(M18; 4. 3% vs 1. 94% , 6. 8% vs 2. 72% , 9. 51% vs 2. 86% , P<0. 01). There was only a small but significant increase of femoral neck BMD at M18(2. 64% , P<0. 01) in rhPTH(1-34) groups. There were greater increases in bone turnover markers in the rhPTH(1-34) group than in the elcatonin group at M6, M12, and M18[serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase(BSAP) 93. 67% vs -3. 56% , 117. 78% vs -4. 12% , 49. 24% vs-5. 81% , P<0. 01; urinary CTX/ Cr 250% vs -29. 5% , 330% vs -41. 4% , 273 % vs -10. 6% , P<0. 01]. rhPTH (1-34) showed similar effect of pain relief as elcatonin. The incidence of clinical fractures was 5. 36% (6 / 112) in elcatonin group and 3. 23% ( 11 / 341 ) in rhPTH ( 1-34 ) group ( P = 0. 303 ). Both treatments were well tolerated. Hypercaluria(9. 38% ) and hypercalcemia(7. 04% ) in rhPTH(1-34) group was transient and caused no clinical symptoms. Pruritus(8. 21% vs 2. 68, P=0. 044) and redness of injection site(4. 40% vs 0, P=0. 024) were more frequent in rhPTH(1-34). Nausea / vomiting(16. 07% vs 6. 16% , P = 0. 001) and hot flushes(7. 14% vs 0. 59% , P<0. 001) were more common in elcatonin group. Conclusion rhPTH(1-34) treatment was associated with greater increases in lumbar spine BMD and bone formation markers. It could increase femoral BMD after 18 months treatment. rhPTH(1-34) could ameliorate back pain effectively. The results of the present study indicate that rhPTH(1-34) is an effective, and safe agent in treating postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression status of CXCR7 in gastric cancer tissues and cell lines.

METHODSThe expression status of CXCR7 was detected in 35 primary gastric cancer tissues and matched adjacent tissues by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. The correlation of CXCR7 expression with the clinicopathological parameters and risk factors of gastric cancer was analyzed. The expression of CXCR7 in gastric cell lines (HGC-27, MGC-803, BGC-823, SGC-7901 and MKN-28) was also detected by immunofluorescence assay.

RESULTSThe expression of CXCR7 was significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than in adjacent tissues (P<0.01). CXCR7 expression was not correlated with age, gender, smoking history, Helicobacter pylori infection, tumor location or the pathological type, but showed a higher expression level in patients with a alcohol-drinking history than in those without (P<0.05). CXCR7 was expressed with variable intensities in the 5 gastric cancer cell lines without correlation with the degrees of cell differentiation; its expression was the highest in SGC-7901 cells, a moderately differentiated human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line.

CONCLUSIONSCXCR7 is highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues with variable intensities in 5 gastric cancer cell lines, suggesting its important role in gastric cancer progression.

Cell Differentiation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Disease Progression ; Helicobacter Infections ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Receptors, CXCR ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Stomach Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism

Objective To analyze the effects of S100A6 on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its molecular mechanism. Methods The expression of GST-hS10OA6 was induced with IPTG in Escherichia coli BL21, and the fusion protein was purified with glutathione-sepharose 4B beads. β-catenin level of human colon cancer cell line MG63 and human osteosarcoma cell line HCTl16 cells infected with AdS10OA6 was measured by Western blot. Luciferase activity assay was applied to analyze the effect of S100A6 on the β-catenin/TCF4 activity. The interactions between S100A6 and β-catenin/GSK-3β/Dvl/Axin were detected by GST-pulldown/Western blot. Results The β-catenin level in AdS100A6-infected MG63 and HCT116 cells was significantly increased in comparison with that in the AdGFP control group (P<0.01). The luciferase activity in human embryonic renal cell line 293 cells transfected with pTOP-Luc and followed by GST-hS100A6 treatment was increased by 20. 2-fold in comparison with that in the GST control group (P<0.01). The interaction between GST-hS100A6 and Axin was not found. Conclusion S100A6 up- regulates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and this may be attributed to the interaction between S100A6 and β-catenin/GSK-3β/Dvl.

Objective To analyze the effects of S100A6 on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and its molecular mechanism. Methods The expression of GST-hS10OA6 was induced with IPTG in Escherichia coli BL21, and the fusion protein was purified with glutathione-sepharose 4B beads. β-catenin level of human colon cancer cell line MG63 and human osteosarcoma cell line HCTl16 cells infected with AdS10OA6 was measured by Western blot. Luciferase activity assay was applied to analyze the effect of S100A6 on the β-catenin/TCF4 activity. The interactions between S100A6 and β-catenin/GSK-3β/Dvl/Axin were detected by GST-pulldown/Western blot. Results The β-catenin level in AdS100A6-infected MG63 and HCT116 cells was significantly increased in comparison with that in the AdGFP control group (P<0.01). The luciferase activity in human embryonic renal cell line 293 cells transfected with pTOP-Luc and followed by GST-hS100A6 treatment was increased by 20. 2-fold in comparison with that in the GST control group (P<0.01). The interaction between GST-hS100A6 and Axin was not found. Conclusion S100A6 up- regulates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and this may be attributed to the interaction between S100A6 and β-catenin/GSK-3β/Dvl.

Objective:To investigate the effects of high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on learning memory and neuroelectric activity in rats. Methods:Eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group (n = 4) and rTMS group (n = 4). rTMS group was stimulated 14 days by rTMS with the frequency of 5 Hz, and the stimulation intensity was 100% motor threshold. The control group did not accepted rTMS. Then, the 16 channel local field potentials (LFPs) and spikes were recorded from their prefrontal cortex (PFC) in each group during the working memory tasks. The time-frequency analysis based on the short-time Fourier transform was performed on the LFPs, and the spike was analyzed by the release rate method. Multitaper Spectral Coherence was used to analyze the Synchronization Degree of LFPs-spike. Results:In the working memory experiment, rTMS group needed less days than the control group to reach the task correction criterion (t = 2.51, P = 0.046). The energy intensity of the θ-band and γ-band of the LFPs was significantly higher in rTMS group than in the control group (t > 12.49, P < 0.001), θ-band and γ-band LFPs-spike were more synchronized (t > 8.82, P < 0.001), but there was no significant difference in the average rate of spike between groups (t = 1.73, P = 0.067). Conclusion:High frequency rTMS could increase the LFPs energy in working memory experiment, enhance cooperative coding process for LFPs and spike, and improve the working memory ability of the rats.