ALDH3B1 expression is correlated with histopathology and long-term prognosis of gastric cancer / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the expression of aldehyde dehydrogenase 3B1 (ALDH3B1) in gastric cancer and explore its correlation with the pathological parameters and long-term prognosis of the patients.@*METHODS@#We analyzed the clinical data of 101 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer in our hospital between January, 2013 and November, 2016, and examined the expression of ALDH3B1 in paraffin-embedded samples of gastric cancer tissues and adjacent tissues from these cases by immunohistochemical staining. We evaluated the correlation between ALDH3B1 expressions and histopathological parameters and assessed the predictive value of ALDH3B1 expression for long-term survival of the patients. We also examined the effect of lentivirus-mediated interference and overexpression of ALDH3B1 on the malignant behaviors of MGC-803 gastric cancer cells.@*RESULTS@#The expressions of ALDH3B1 and Ki67 were significantly higher in gastric cancer tissues than in adjacent tissues (P < 0.05). In gastric cancer patients, ALDH3B1 expression was positively correlated with peripheral blood CEA and CA19-9 levels (P < 0.01). The proportion of patients with CEA ≥5 μg/L, CA19-9 ≥37 kU/L, T stage of 3- 4, and N stage of 2-3 was significantly greater in high ALDH3B1 expression group than in low expression group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 5-year survival rate was significantly lower in gastric cancer patients with high ALDH3B1 expressions (P < 0.01). Univariate and Cox multiple regression analyses identified a high expression of ALDH3B1 (P < 0.05, HR= 0.231, 95% CI: 0.064-0.826), CEA≥5 μg/L (P < 0.01, HR=4.478, 95% CI: 1.530-13.110), CA19-9≥37 kU/L (P < 0.01, HR=3.877, 95% CI: 1.625-9.247), T stage of 3-4 (P < 0.01, HR=4.953, 95% CI: 1.768-13.880), and N stage of 2-3 (P < 0.05, HR=2.152, 95% CI: 1.152-4.022) as independent risk factors affecting 5-year survival after radical gastrectomy. The relative ALDH3B1 expression level, at the cut-off point of 4.66, showed a sensitivity of 76.47% and a specificity of 76% for predicting 5-year postoperative death (P < 0.01). In the cell experiment, overexpression of ALDH3B1 obviously promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of MGC-803 cells.@*CONCLUSION@#As an independent risk factor affecting 5-year survival after radical gastrectomy, ALDH3B1 is highly expressed in gastric cancer and correlated with pathological parameters of the tumor, and a high ALDH3B1 expression may promote proliferation, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells.

Comparison of the histological morphology between normal skin and scar tissue / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Skin wound healing is a complex event, and interrupted wound healing process could lead to scar formation. The aim of this study was to examine the morphological changes of scar tissue. Pathological staining (HE staining, Masson's trichrome staining, methenamine silver staining) was used to evaluate the morphological changes of regenerating epidermis in normal skin and scar tissue, and immunofluorescence staining to detect the expression of collagen IV, a component of basement membrane (BM), and the expression of integrinβ4, a receptor for BM laminins. Additionally, the expression of CK14, CK5, and CK10 was measured to evaluate the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes in normal skin and scar tissue. The results showed that the structure of the skin was histologically changed in scar tissue. Collagen IV, expressed under the epidermis of normal skin, was reduced distinctly in scar tissue. Integrinβ4, expressed in the basal layer of normal skin, was found absent in the basal layer of scar tissue. Additionally, it was found that keratinocytes in scarring epidermis were more proliferative than in normal skin. These results indicate that during the skin wound healing, altered formation of BM may affect the proliferation of keratinocytes, reepithelial and tissue remodeling, and then result in scar formation. Thus, remodeling BM structure during wound repair may be beneficial for improving healing in cutaneous wounds during clinical practice.

Comparison of the histological morphology between normal skin and scar tissue / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Skin wound healing is a complex event, and interrupted wound healing process could lead to scar formation. The aim of this study was to examine the morphological changes of scar tissue. Pathological staining (HE staining, Masson's trichrome staining, methenamine silver staining) was used to evaluate the morphological changes of regenerating epidermis in normal skin and scar tissue, and immunofluorescence staining to detect the expression of collagen IV, a component of basement membrane (BM), and the expression of integrinβ4, a receptor for BM laminins. Additionally, the expression of CK14, CK5, and CK10 was measured to evaluate the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes in normal skin and scar tissue. The results showed that the structure of the skin was histologically changed in scar tissue. Collagen IV, expressed under the epidermis of normal skin, was reduced distinctly in scar tissue. Integrinβ4, expressed in the basal layer of normal skin, was found absent in the basal layer of scar tissue. Additionally, it was found that keratinocytes in scarring epidermis were more proliferative than in normal skin. These results indicate that during the skin wound healing, altered formation of BM may affect the proliferation of keratinocytes, reepithelial and tissue remodeling, and then result in scar formation. Thus, remodeling BM structure during wound repair may be beneficial for improving healing in cutaneous wounds during clinical practice.

Isoprenaline Induces Periostin Expression in Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: Periostin mediates critical steps in gastric cancer and is involved in various signaling pathways. However, the roles of periostin in promoting gastric cancer metastasis are not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the relevance between periostin expression and gastric cancer progression and the role of stress-related hormones in the regulation of cancer development and progression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normal, cancerous and metastatic gastric tissues were collected from patients diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer. The in vivo expression of periostin was evaluated by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescent staining. Meanwhile, human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines MKN-45 and BGC-803 were used to detect the in vitro expression of periostin by using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. RESULTS: Periostin is expressed in the stroma of the primary gastric tumors and metastases, but not in normal gastric tissue. In addition, we observed that periostin is located mainly in pericryptal fibroblasts, but not in the tumor cells, and strongly correlated to the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA). Furthermore, the distribution patterns of periostin were broader as the clinical staging of tumors progressed. We also identified a role of stress-related signaling in promoting cancer development and progression, and found that isoprenaline upregulated expression levels of periostin in gastric cancer cells. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the distribution pattern of periostin was broader as the clinical staging of the tumor progressed and found that isoprenaline upregulated expression levels of periostin in gastric cancer cells.

A modified method for locating parapharyngeal space neoplasms on magnetic resonance images: implications for differential diagnosis / 癌症

The parapharyngeal space (PPS) is an inverted pyramid-shaped deep space in the head and neck region, and a variety of tumors, such as salivary gland tumors, neurogenic tumors, nasopharyngeal carcinomas with parapharyngeal invasion, and lymphomas, can be found in this space. The differential diagnosis of PPS tumors remains challenging for radiologists. This study aimed to develop and test a modified method for locating PPS tumors on magnetic resonance (MR) images to improve preoperative differential diagnosis. The new protocol divided the PPS into three compartments: a prestyloid compartment, the carotid sheath, and the areas outside the carotid sheath. PPS tumors were located in these compartments according to the displacements of the tensor veli palatini muscle and the styloid process, with or without blood vessel separations and medial pterygoid invasion. This protocol, as well as a more conventional protocol that is based on displacements of the internal carotid artery (ICA), was used to assess MR images captured from a series of 58 PPS tumors. The consequent distributions of PPS tumor locations determined by both methods were compared. Of all 58 tumors, our new method determined that 57 could be assigned to precise PPS compartments. Nearly all (13/14; 93%) tumors that were located in the pre-styloid compartment were salivary gland tumors. All 15 tumors within the carotid sheath were neurogenic tumors. The vast majority (18/20; 90%) of trans-spatial lesions were malignancies. However, according to the ICA-based method, 28 tumors were located in the pre-styloid compartment, and 24 were located in the post-styloid compartment, leaving 6 tumors that were difficult to locate. Lesions located in both the pre-styloid and the post-styloid compartments comprised various types of tumors. Compared with the conventional ICA-based method, our new method can help radiologists to narrow the differential diagnosis of PPS tumors to specific compartments.

Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma: magnetic resonance imaging features in ten cases / 癌症

Nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (NACC) is a rare malignancy with high local invasiveness. To date, there is no consensus on the imaging characteristics of NACC. To address this, we retrospectively reviewed 10 cases of NACC and summarized the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features. MR images of 10 patients with histologically validated NACC were reviewed by two experienced radiologists. The location, shape, margin, signal intensity, lesion texture, contrast enhancement patterns, local invasion, and cervical lymphadenopathy of all tumors were evaluated. Clinical and pathologic records were also reviewed. No patients were positive for antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The imaging patterns of primary tumors were classified into two types as determined by location, shape, and margin. Of all patients, 7 had tumors with a type 1 imaging pattern and 3 had tumors with a type 2 imaging pattern. The 4 tubular NACCs were all homogeneous tumors, whereas 3 (60%) of 5 cribriform NACCs and the sole solid NACC were heterogeneous tumors with separations or central necrosis on MR images. Five patients had perineural infiltration and intracranial involvement, and only 2 had cervical lymphadenopathy. Based on these results, we conclude that NACC is a local, aggressive neoplasm that is often negative for EBV infection and associated with a low incidence of cervical lymphadenopathy. Furthermore, MRI features of NACC vary in locations and histological subtypes.

Diagnostic value of ADC and rADC of diffusion weighted imaging in malignant breast lesions / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) in the diagnosis of patients with breast diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-three consecutive patients were scanned with GE signa HDx 1.5 T magnetic resonance system equipped with 8-channel breast coil. DWI was scanned by SE-EPI sequence in b values of 500 s/mm(2) and 800 s/mm(2), respectively. The apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) of these lesions were measured. The mean apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) of these lesions were calculated in b values of 500 s/mm(2) and 800 s/mm(2), respectively. These lesions' ADC value (rADC) was counted respectively and the result of the rADC was equal to the lesion's ADC divided by the ADC of the ipsilateral normal breast tissue. Threshold of ADC and rADC for differential diagnosis was acquired by ROC (receiver operating characteristic curve) analysis. Different imaging technologies were evaluated emphasizing their sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty-six lesions of 53 cases were confirmed by pathology, including 39 malignant lesions and 27 benign lesions. (1) b = 500 s/mm(2), the threshold of ADC value was 1.435 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, with a sensitivity of 82.1% and a specificity of 81.5%. The threshold of rADC value was 0.62, with a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 100%. (2) b = 800 s/mm(2), the threshold of ADC value was 1.295 x 10(-3) mm(2)/s, with a sensitivity of 79.5% and a specificity of 81.5%. The threshold of rADC value was 0.71, with a sensitivity of 89.7% and specificity of 88.9%. (3) The area under the ROC curve was increased for the four diagnostic indicators (ADC(500), ADC(800), rADC(500), rADC(800)).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>DWI spends short time, and it doesn't need contrast material. ADC value and rADC value have a high sensitivity and specificity as a diagnostic indicator. DWI is helpful in improving the specificity of MR and may become one of valuable conventional procedures for breast tumor diagnosis.</p>

Imaging features and clinicopathological manifestations of solitary fibrous tumors / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the imaging features, clinical manifestations and pathological characteristics of solitary fibrous tumors (SFT).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinicopathological manifestations and medical imaging findings were analyzed retrospectively in 27 patients with surgically confirmed SFT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The SFTs originated from different parts of the body, including 18 in the chest, 4 in the abdomen, 1 in the lumboscral area, 3 in the pelvis, and 1 in the left shoulder. Twenty-three cases were found by CT scan, among which there were 16 benign diseases, presented with well-defined round or elliptic margins, with homogeneous attenuation and clearly surrounding; 6 malignant cases with unclear demarcations, invasive surrounding, heterogeneous attenuation due to calcification and/or irregular necrosis, and 1 junctional case with well-defined margins, which was enlarged during follow-up. There were 4 SFTs scanned by MRI with clear margin and homogeneous or heterogeneous signal intensity. All of the 4 cases were isointense or hyperintense to muscle on T1-weighted images, and were hyperintense on the T2-weighted images. All tumors showed heterogeneously intense enhancement with geographic pattern. Immunohistochemical staining showed that CD34-positive was 81.5%, vimentin (100.0%), CD99 (100.0%) and bcl-2 (96.3%), as well as negative CK (100.0%) and S-100 (96.3%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The location of SFT is varying. Though its clinical manifestations vary, the diagnosis is depended on pathology and immunohistochemistry. There are certain specific features related to SFTs on CT or MRI. These imaging techniques may serve to provide helpful information as to the location and vicinal anatomic structure of the tumor, which is of substantial importance for planning surgery.</p>