A novel histological typing and grading-scale system of colorectal cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To formulate a novel histological typing and grading-rated system for colorectal cancer (CRC) for evaluating the biological behavior of CRC and prognosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>According to the highly heterogeneous histological features, WHO classification and histological differentiation criteria, and other biological behavior parameters of CRC, a novel histological typing and grading-scale system for CRC was designed. The histological typing and corresponding grading-scale of CRC was defined as the following: (1) No mucin-producing adenocarcinoma, including tubular adenocarcinoma, sieve-like acne adenocarcinoma, medullary carcinoma, serrated adenocarcinoma and micropapillary carcinoma, etc. (1-3 points); (2) Mucin-producing adenocarcinoma, including mucinous adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell carcinoma (3-4 points); (3) Squamous cell carcinoma (1-3 points); (4) Neuroendocrine tumors, including neuroendocrine tumors, neuroendocrine carcinoma (1-4 points); (5) The special type of CRC, including clear cell carcinoma, spindle cell carcinoma, etc. (4-points); (6) Undifferentiated carcinoma (5 points). The pathology report form was formatted based on the major histological type with the secondary histological type. The final total score of CRC was defined as the sum of the corresponding grading scores for different histological types. The total score of a single-structure CRC was defined as the corresponding grading score multiplied by 2. A total of 666 patients with advanced CRC were pathologically reviewed and analyzed to assess the correlation of the histological typing and grading scores with TNM staging and lymph node metastasis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The results showed a significant correlation of the histological grading-scale and TNM staging and lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The scores of CRC histological grading-scale increased synchronously with the TNM staging and lymph node metastasis rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The novel histological grading system allows objective evaluation of the biological behaviors and prognosis of CRC for determining individualized postoperative treatment. This system still needs further revision and updates based on evidence from prospective, multi-centered, large-scale trials.</p>

Prediction and identification of B-cell linear epitopes of hepatitis B e antigen / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To predict and identify B-cell linear epitopes of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The B-cell linear epitopes of HBeAg were predicted using the software provided by NCBI Database and Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) and synthesized by a solid-phase method followed by conjugation with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). The KLH conjugates were used for immunization of New Zealand white rabbits, and the immune response of the rabbits was monitored by direct ELISA using a bovine serum albumin conjugate of the predicted epitopes. RESULTS Four new B-cell linear epitopes of HBeAg were identified, namely (1)MDIDPYKEFG(10), (37)LYREALESPEHCSP(50), (74)SNLEDPAS(81) and (127)RTPPAYRPPNAPIL(140). The rabbits immunized with the KLH conjugate showed an antibody titer over 1:512 000. The antisera of B-cell linear epitopes collected could specifically react with HBeAg as shown by ELISA.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Four B-cell linear epitopes of HBeAg have been confirmed using bioinformatics methods, which provides new evidence for further functional studies of HBeAg in hepatitis B.</p>

Expression of TMEM16A in gastric carcinoma and its clinical implications / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of TMEM16A in gastric carcinoma and its clinical implications.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 72 surgical specimens of gastric carcinoma were collected for examination of TMEM16A expression with immunohistochemical staining.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TMEM16A expression was detected in the cytoplasm and cell membrane of the tumor cells. Of the 72 specimens of the tumor tissues, the total positivity rate of TMEM16A expression was 80.56% (58/72), significantly higher than the rate in the adjacent tissues (4.17%, 3/72, P<0.005).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aberrant expression of TMEM16A occurs in the majority of gastric carcinoma cases. TMEM16A can be used as a new candidate target for diagnosis and treatment of gastric carcinoma.</p>

The clinical and pathologic characteristics of gastrointestinal stromal tumor / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To explore the clinical, pathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and stromal tumor beyond the gastrointestinal tract. Methods Expression of CD117, CD34, SMA, Desmin and S-100 protein in 53GIST were detected using immunohistochemical S-P method, and then analyzed. Results Of 53 cases, 38 cases were detected as spindle type, 6 as epithelioid type and 9 as mixture type; 9 cases were benign,20 were borderline and 24 were malignant. Of the 9 benign cases, 8 originated in stomach, while only one originated in intestine and beyond the gastrointestinal tract. The rate of immunohistochemical expression was showed as follows: CD117 92.45% and CD34 77.36%. Conclusion GIST has its unique morphological characteristics. To detect CD117 and CD34 simultaneously may be helpful to the diagnosis. The malignant potential of stromal tumor in intestine and beyond the gastrointestinal tract is higher than that in stomach. The estimation of benignancy and malignancy depends on the site, the size and nuclei mitoses of the tumor.