Objective To investigate the expression of topoisomeraseⅡα (TOP2α) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its role in predicting prognosis of HCC patients. Methods We used HCC-related datasets in UALCAN, HCCDB, and cBioPortal databases to analyze the expression and mutation of TOP2α and its co-expressed genes in HCC tissues. GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment of TOP2α and its co-expressed genes were identified. The TIMER database was used to analyze infiltration levels of immune cells in HCC. The impacts of TOP2α and its co-expression genes and the infiltrated immune cells on the survival of HCC patients were assayed by Kaplan-Meier plotter analysis. Results TOP2α and its co-expression genes were highly expressed in HCC (P< 0.001) and detrimental to overall survival of HCC patients (P< 0.001). TOP2α and its co-expression genes were mainly involved in cell mitosis and proliferation, and cell cycle pathway (ID: hsa04110, P = 0.001945). TOP2α and its co-expression genes were mutated in HCC and the mutations were significantly detrimental to overall survival (P = 0.0247) and disease-free survival (P = 0.0265) of HCC patients. High TOP2α expression was positively correlated with the infiltration of B cell (r = 0.459, P< 0.01), CD8⁺ T cell (r = 0.312, P< 0.01), CD4⁺ T cell (r = 0.370, P< 0.01), macrophage (r = 0.459, P< 0.01), neutrophil (r = 0.405, P< 0.01), and dendritic cell (r = 0.473, P< 0.01) in HCC. The CD8⁺ T cell infiltration significantly prolonged the 3- and 5-year survival of HCC patients (all P< 0.05), and CD4⁺ T cell infiltration significantly shortened the 3-, 5-, and 10-year survival of HCC patients (all P< 0.05). ConclusionTOP2α may be an oncogene, which was associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients and could be used as a biomarker for the prognostic prediction of HCC.
Humans ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; Computational Biology ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Prognosis ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II/genetics*

Objective: miR-663a has been reported to be downregulated by X-ray irradiation and participates in radiation-induced bystander effect via TGF-β1. The goal of this study was to explore the role of miR-663a during radiation-induced Epithelium-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods: TGF-β1 or IR was used to induce EMT. After miR-663a transfection, cell migration and cell morphological changes were detected and the expression levels of miR-663a, TGF-β1, and EMT-related factors were quantified. Results: Enhancement of cell migration and promotion of mesenchymal changes induced by either TGF-β1 or radiation were suppressed by miR-663a. Furthermore, both X-ray and carbon ion irradiation resulted in the upregulation of TGF-β1 and downregulation of miR-663a, while the silencing of TGF-β1 by miR-663a reversed the EMT process after radiation. Conclusion Our findings demonstrate an EMT-suppressing effect by miR-663a via TGF-β1 in radiation-induced EMT.
Down-Regulation ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Epithelium/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology*

As known,simultaneous determination of various chemical indicators is one of the future trends in quality control of traditional Chinese medicines because of the extremely complex chemical compositions. This project is to screen the quality markers that can accurately control the quality of the Bufonis Venenum by exploring the intrinsic correlation of components. In this study,venom of Bufo bufo gargarizans from 17 different sources were used as research samples,and the contents of 7 bufogenin were determined by HPLC-DAD. Then,the data obtained were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis and principal component analysis( PCA). In addition,a stepwise regression analysis was used to establish a predictive model for the contents of the seven bufogenin components( independent variable) and the total contents of the bufogenin( dependent variable). The results indicated that there is a significant positive correlation between the contents of telocinobufagin and cinobufotalin,and there is a significant positive correlation between the contents of bufalin,cinobufagin and resibufogenin. In contrast,the contents of telocinobufagin and cinobufotalin are negatively correlated with the contents of bufalin,cinobufagin and resibufogenin. However,the correlation between gamabufotalin and bufotalin and other components are not obvious. Furthermore,further study found that there is a correlation between the sum of the contents of bufalin,cinobufagin and telocinobufagin and the total contents of the bufogenin. In fact,the application of bufalin,cinobufagin and telocinobufagin as the quality control indicators of the Bufonis Venenum can better reflect the quality characteristics of the Bufonis Venenum compared with the previous quality control indicators. The conclusions will provide a reference for the revision of the quality standards of the Bufonis Venenum.
Amphibian Venoms ; chemistry ; Animals ; Bufanolides ; analysis ; Bufo bufo ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quality Control

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between enhanced computed tomography (CT) findings and pathological results of rare parotid gland tumors, and improve diagnosis accuracy.

METHODSThe enhanced CT manifestations of 22 cases with pathologically documented rare parotid gland tumors, which included 6 cases of basal cell tumor, 5 cases of myoepithelioma, 4 cases of vascular invasion, 3 cases of lymphatic cyst, 3 cases of lipoma, and 1 case of chondrosarcoma, were retrospectively analyzed. The location, size, shape, density, and relationship with surrounding structure were evaluated on CT images.

RESULTSThe enhanced CT showed that basal cell tumors occurred in the superficial lobe of the parotid gland, with clear boundary, within the cystic lesion. The lesions were moderate to obviously enhanced, which may be accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes. Myoepithelial tumors were located in the superficial lobe of the parotid gland, with a small cystic prone and microcalcification within a few cases. The lesions were moderate to obviously enhanced. Hemangiomas of soft tissue mass prominent in the parotid gland surface were mild to significantly enhanced. Larger lesions may occupy the entire parotid gland, with uneven density and visible vein stone. The CT density values of the lymphatic cyst were usually higher. Chondrosarcoma mainly manifested cystic mass at the calcification edge. Lipoma with fat density mass exhibited clear boundary without enhancement. Fiber separation could be observed in the lesion.

CONCLUSIONCT can reflect the pathological features of rare parotid gland tumors by demonstrating their corresponding imaging features. Enhanced CT is the most effective means of imaging to identify the nature of rare tumor of the parotid gland lesions.

Chondrosarcoma ; Hemangioma ; Humans ; Lipoma ; Parotid Gland ; Parotid Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective??To?investigate?the?correlation?between?enhanced?computed?tomography?(CT)?findings?and?patholo-gical?results?of?rare?parotid?gland?tumors,?and?improve?diagnosis?accuracy. Methods??The?enhanced?CT?manifestations?of?22?cases?with?pathologically?documented?rare?parotid?gland?tumors,?which?included?6?cases?of?basal?cell?tumor,?5?cases?of?myoepithelioma,?4?cases?of?vascular?invasion,?3?cases?of?lymphatic?cyst,?3?cases?of?lipoma,?and?1?case?of?chondrosarcoma,?were?retrospectively?analyzed.?The?location,?size,?shape,?density,?and?relationship?with?surrounding?structure?were?evaluated?on?CT?images.?Results??The?enhanced?CT?showed?that?basal?cell?tumors?occurred?in?the?superficial?lobe?of?the?parotid?gland,?with?clear?boundary,?within?the?cystic?lesion.?The?lesions?were?moderate?to?obviously?enhanced,?which?may?be?accompanied?by?enlarged?lymph?nodes.?Myoepithelial?tumors?were?located?in?the?superficial?lobe?of?the?parotid?gland,?with?a?small?cystic?prone?and?microcalcification?within?a?few?cases.?The?lesions?were?moderate?to?obviously?enhanced.?Hemangiomas?of?soft?tissue?mass?prominent?in?the?parotid?gland?surface?were?mild?to?significantly?enhanced.?Larger?lesions?may?occupy?the?entire?parotid?gland,?with?uneven?density?and?visible?vein?stone.?The?CT?density?values?of??the??lymphatic?cyst?were?usually?higher.?Chondrosarcoma?mainly?manifested?cystic?mass?at?the?calcification?edge.?Lipoma?with?fat?density?mass?exhibited?clear?boun-dary?without?enhancement.?Fiber?separation?could?be?observed?in?the?lesion.?Conclusion??CT?can?reflect?the?pathological?features?of?rare?parotid?gland?tumors?by?demonstrating?their?corresponding?imaging?features.?Enhanced?CT?is?the?most?effec-tive?means?of?imaging?to?identify?the?nature?of?rare?tumor?of?the?parotid?gland?lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the imaging manifestations of 16-slice enhanced CT of parotid adenolymphoma in the parotid gland and the corresponding pathology,in order to improve the understanding of the CT imaging manifestations of parotid adenolymphoma in the parotid gland. METHOD: The enhanced CT characteristics of 34 cases of parotid adenolymphoma in the parotid gland confirmed by histological pathology were retrospectively analyzed. RESULT: There were totally 86 lesions in 34 cases, of which 12 cases with lesions in bilateral sides and 22 cases with lesions in unilateral side. Sixty-six lesions located behind and below the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. The lesions showed moderate to obvious enhancement at arterial phase, and the cystic region within the lesions showed no enhancement. CONCLUSION The relatively specific enhanced MSCT manifestations of parotid adenolymphoma in parotid gland include lesions located behind and below the superficial lobe of parotid gland unilaterally or bilaterally, sometimes exhibited as multiple masses, with clear edge, obvious enhancement and cystic degeneration inside.
Adenolymphoma ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Humans ; Parotid Gland ; pathology ; Parotid Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Animals ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; pathology ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; pathology

BACKGROUNDThe prognosis of unresectable large hepatocellular carcinomas is poor. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of sorafenib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinomas larger than 5 cm.

METHODSThe treatment of 22 patients with large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas (5.0-16.5 cm) treated with sorafenib after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with radiofrequency ablation between 2007 and 2011 was reviewed. The local effects, survival rates, toxicity, and prognostic factors were analyzed.

RESULTSDuring a follow-up of 9-49 months, 19 patients died and three survived. The median overall survival was 32 months. The overall cumulative 12, 24, and 36-month survival rates were 85.9%, 66.8%, and 23.5% respectively. Technical effectiveness was achieved in 12 out of 28 lesions (42.85%) at the first CT check. The median time to tumor progression was 21 months. The progression-free survival rates at 6, 12, and 24 months were 90.9%, 72.0%, and 38.4%, respectively. Combined therapy was generally well tolerated. There was only one major procedure-related complication, biloma (4.5%). Sorafenib-related adverse events exceeding grade 3 were hand-foot skin reaction (2/22, 9.1%), gastrointestinal hemorrhage (1/22, 4.5%), and diarrhea (2/22, 9.1%). The absence of vascular invasion before treatment was found to be the best prognostic factor in the univariate analysis.

CONCLUSIONSSorafenib combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation is a promising approach to the treatment of large, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas. However, large-scale randomized clinical trials are needed to determine the future role of this treatment.

Adult ; Antineoplastic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; Chemoembolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Niacinamide ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Phenylurea Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEThis study was undertaken to observe the change in the local level of angiotensin II (Ang II) and the expression of its corresponding receptors AT1 and AT2 during wound healing, and explore the possible role of Ang II in wound healing .

METHODSA model of full-thickness cutaneous wound was developed on the back of C57/BL6 mice. Specimens were taken from the wound of each mouse on the day 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 after wounding. The change in the generation of Ang II in wounded tissue during the healing process was detected with ELISA. The proliferation and the apoptosis of cells were detected by bromodeoxyuridine (Brdu) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) method in wounded skin during the healing process, respectively. The cellular localization and the mRNA level change of Ang II receptors in wounded tissue during healing were detected with immunostaining and RT-PCR.

RESULTSAng II produced in wounded skin was increased in the first 7 days to reach the peak, and then gradually decreased during wound healing. BrdU labeling index was increased gradually in the first 7 days to reach the peak, and then gradually decreased during wound healing. The number of TUNEL-positive cells was increased slowly in the first 7 days after wounding. The increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells was more markedly after epithelization of the wound. In normal mice, AT1 and AT2 receptor were found positively expressed in the whole epidermal layer, while positive expression was only found in the endothelial cells of the capillary vessels within the dermal layer, and positive expression was also found in appendages of the skin, i. e. hair follicle, sweat gland and sebaceous gland respectively. Positive staining signal of both AT1 and AT2 receptors were increased in the first 7 days to reach the peak, then gradually decreased. Expression of AT2R was increased again following the epithelization of wound. The result of RT-PCR showed that the expression of both AT1 and AT2 receptors was detectable, and AT1 receptor was increased in the first 7 days to the peak, and then gradually decreased during wound healing, while AT2 receptor expression reached its peak value on day 7, then gradually decreased, and increased again following the epithelization of wound.

CONCLUSIONSThese results indicate that Ang II participate in wound repair and related to remolding in the late stage of wound healing through the change in production of angiotensin II and expression of AT1 and AT2 receptors. AT1 receptor might be closely associated with cell proliferation, while AT2 receptor might play a role in cell apoptosis and remolding during wound healing.

Angiotensin II ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Angiotensin ; genetics ; metabolism ; Skin ; injuries ; metabolism ; pathology ; Wound Healing ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate magnetic resonance venography (MRV) in diagnosing obstructive interface morphology of Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS).

METHODSMRV examination was performed on 44 cases of BCS, and the images of obstructive interface morphology of the inferior vena cava were reviewed by two radiologists.

RESULTSIn all 44 cases, there were 37 cases with complete obstruction and 7 with incomplete obstruction. MRV showed 4 cases with membrane with hole of incomplete obstruction. The morphologies MRV demonstrated that the proximal part of the 37 cases with complete obstruction were mainly divided into the cone type (36 cases) and the planum type (1 case). Besides, the type of distal end of obstruction were the cone type (30 cases), the planum type (4 cases) and the irregular type (3 cases). The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of MRV were respectively 100%%, 57.1%, 92.5% and 100% as compared to the DSA.

CONCLUSIONThe examination of MRV is capable of revealing the obstructive interface morphology of the inferior vena cava, especially for the distal end of obstruction. MRV can provide guidelines in interventional treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Adult ; Aged ; Angiography, Digital Subtraction ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult