Progress in evaluating the risk of lymph node metastasis in early colorectal cancer / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Early colorectal cancers refer to invasive cancers that have infiltrated into the submucosa without invading muscularis propria, and approximately 10% of these patients have lymph node metastases that cannot be detected by conventional imaging. According to the guidelines of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) Colorectal Cancer, early colorectal cancer cases with risk factors for lymph node metastasis (poor tumor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, deep submucosal invasion and high-grade tumor budding) should receive salvage radical surgical resection; however, the specificity of this risk-stratification is inadequate, making most patients undergo unnecessary surgery. Firstly, this review focuses on the definition, oncological impact importance and controversy of the above "risk factors". Then, we introduce the progress of the risk stratification system for lymph node metastasis in early colorectal cancer, including the identification of new pathological risk factors, the construction of new risk quantitative models based on pathological risk factors, artificial intelligence and machine learning technology and the discovery of novel molecular markers associated with lymph node metastasis based on gene test or liquid biopsy. Aim to enhance clinicians' understanding of the risk assessment of lymph node metastasis in early colorectal cancer; we suggest to take the patient's personal situation, tumor location, anti-cancer intention and other factors into account to make individualized treatment strategies.

The efficacy and side effects of rigosertib combined with chemotherapy in KRAS mutant colorectal cancer mice / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect of rigosertib (RGS) combined with classic chemotherapy drugs including 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan in colorectal cancer. Methods: Explore the synergy effects of RGS and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin (OXA), and irinotecan (IRI) on colorectal cancer by subcutaneously transplanted tumor models of mice. The mice were randomly divided into control group, RGS group, 5-FU group, OXA group, IRI group, 5-FU+ RGS group, OXA+ RGS group and IRI+ RGS group. The synergy effects of RGS and OXA on KRAS mutant colorectal cancer cell lines in vitro was detected by CCK-8. Ki-67 immunohistochemistry and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining were performed on the mouse tumor tissue sections, and the extracted tumor tissue was analyzed by western blot. The blood samples of mice after chemotherapy and RGS treatment were collected, blood routine and liver and kidney function analysis were conducted, and H&E staining on liver sections was performed to observe the side effects of chemotherapy and RGS. Results: The subcutaneously transplanted tumor models were established successfully in all groups. 55 days after administration, the fold change of tumor size of OXA+ RGS group was 37.019±8.634, which is significantly smaller than 77.571±15.387 of RGS group (P=0.029) and 92.500±13.279 of OXA group (P=0.008). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the Ki-67 index of tumor tissue in control group, OXA group, RGS group and OXA+ RGS group were (100.0±16.8)%, (35.6±11.3)%, (54.5±18.1)% and (15.4±3.9)%, respectively. The Ki-67 index of OXA+ RGS group was significantly lower than that in control group (P=0.014), but there was no significant difference compared to OXA group and RGS group (OXA: P=0.549; RGS: P=0.218). TUNEL fluorescence staining showed that the apoptotic level of OXA+ RGS group was 3.878±0.547, which was significantly higher than 1.515±0.442 of OXA group (P=0.005) and 1.966±0.261 of RGS group (P=0.008). Western blot showed that the expressions of apoptosis related proteins such as cleaved-PARP, cleaved-caspase 3 and cleaved-caspase 8 in the tumor tissues of mice in the OXA+ RGS group were higher than those in control group, OXA group and RGS group. After the mice received RGS combined with chemotherapy drugs, there was no significant effect on liver and kidney function indexes, but the combined use of oxaliplatin and RGS significantly reduced the white blood cells [(0.385±0.215)×10(9)/L vs (5.598±0.605)×10(9)/L, P<0.001] and hemoglobin[(56.000±24.000)g/L vs (153.333±2.231)g/L, P=0.001] of the mice. RGS, chemotherapy combined with RGS and chemotherapy alone did not significantly increase the damage to liver cells. Conclusions: The combination of RGS and oxaliplatin has a stronger anti-tumor effect on KRAS mutant colorectal cancer. RGS single agent will not cause significant bone marrow suppression and hepatorenal injury in mice, but its side effects may increase correspondingly after combined with chemotherapy.

Bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed circRNAs and microRNA-1 in HepG2 cells / 医学研究生学报

ObjectivecircRNAs play an important role in tumor development, but the relationship between circRNAs and hepatocellular carcinoma remains to be further explored. The present study aimed to bioinformatically analyze the target gene of microRNA-1. Another aim was to screen circRNAs that are associated with target genes and differentially expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, as well as provide theoretical basis for clinical screening of molecular markers and targeted therapies related to hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsThe miRNA related database used for the prediction of microRNA-1 target genes, and the bioinformatic analysis of the target genes of microRNA-1 involved functional enrichment analysis and signal transduction pathway enrichment. Then, the circRNAs, which are related to the downstream target genes of microRNA-1, are screened through the circRNA database.ResultsThe number of microRNA-1 target genes was 230 in miRNA related database. Through GO analysis, it was found that the target genes of microRNA-1 had a strong tendency in regulation, and were mainly enriched in three aspects: biological function, biological process and cell localization.The target genes of microRNA-1 are involved in the function of proteins, regulation of biosynthesis, cofactor binding, enzyme regulation and other biological processes. Predicted target genes of miRNA-1 were significantly enriched in cancer signaling pathways, hepatitis B occurrence, endocytosis and splicing pathways. Further, 21 circRNAs related to the target gene of microRNA-1 were found in three circRNA databases, wherein hsa_circ_0004651 was highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 and its pavent gene was hnRNPD.ConclusionMicroRNA-1 influence the occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma development through the regulation of protein and enzyme. Hsa_circ_0004651 may affect the development of hepatocellular carcinoma with microRNA-1 and its parental gene hnRNPD.

Influence of Chemerin on proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells / 医学研究生学报

Objective At present, there are few reports about the relationship between Chemerin and the occurrence and development of breast cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate Chemerin expression in breast cancer mice and its effect on proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells. Methods 30 Balb/c mice were randomly divided into two groups (Normal mice 15, Tumor-bearing mice 15). The 4T1 breast cancer cells were inoculated to construct breast cancer mice model. The expressions of Chemerin in peripheral blood and breast cancer tissue were detected by ELISA and Western blot, respectively. The relationship between Chemerin expression and breast cancer was analyzed. Breast cancer cells MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 were treated with different concentrations of recombinant Chemerin protein and Chemerin neutralizing antibody. Three groups were set up in the experiment, including control group (1640 or DMEM culture medium, no cells), recombinant Chemerin protein group (100 μg/L, no dilution by serum-free medium) and Chemerin neutralizing antibody group (100 μg/L, no dilution by serum-free medium). The effects of Chemerin on cell proliferation and migration were detected by MTT assay and wound healing assay respectively. Results The expressions of Chemerin in peripheral blood and mammary gland of tumor bearing mice were significantly higher than that in normal mice (both P<0.05). The scratch mobility and MTT absorbance (OD) values of breast cancer cells treated with recombinant chemerin protein increased significantly with the increase of protein concentration (P<0.05).However, they significantly decreased after cells treated with chemerin neutralizing antibody (P<0.05). Conclusion Chemerin could promote the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner, thereby promotinge the occurrence and development of breast cancer.

Clinical Observation of Relaxing Needling at Meridian-muscle Nodes plus PNF Method in Improving Upper-limb Motor Function and Quality of Life in Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the effect of relaxing needling at meridian-muscle nodes plus rehabilitation techniques on upper-limb motor function and quality of life (QOL) in hemiplegic shoulder pain after cerebral stroke. Method Ninety patients with hemiplegic shoulder pain after cerebral stroke were randomized into a rehabilitation group of 30 cases [intervened by proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) method], a relaxing needling group of 30 cases (intervened by relaxing needling at meridian-muscle nodes), and a comprehensive group of 30 cases (intervened by relaxing needling at meridian-muscle nodes plus PNF method), to receive 6-week treatment in total. Before and after the intervention, Assessment Face Scale (AFS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment Scale (FMA) and Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) were evaluated, and the occurrence rate of shoulder-hand syndrome was assessed. Result After 1-week treatment, the AFS score of the comprehensive group was significantly different fromthat in the rehabilitation group and relaxing needling group (P<0.05). After 6-week treatment, the FMA and SS-QOL scores in the comprehensive group were significantly different from those in both rehabilitation group and relaxing needling group (P<0.05). Twelve weeks later, the occurrence rate of shoulder-hand syndrome in the comprehensive group was significantly different from that in the other two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Relaxing needling at meridian-muscle nodes plus PNF method can effectively improve the efficacy in the treatment of hemiplegic shoulder pain, reduce the occurrence of shoulder-hand syndrome, and enhance the QOL, thus is an effective approach.

Effects of moxibustion on concentration of extracellular potassium ion in acupoint under different status / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe different effects of moxibustion on extracellular potassium ion in acupoint under physiological and pathological status and provide experimental evidence for exploring action mechanism of moxibustion on acupoint local.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a blank-moxibustion group, a model group and a model-moxibustion group, 10 cases in each one. The complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA) was adopted to establish model of adjuvant arthritis (AA) in the model group and model-moxibustion group. No treatment was given in the blank group and model group while moxibustion was applied at "Zusan-li" (ST 36) for 30 min in the blank-moxibustion group and model-moxibustion group. The tissue fluid in "Zusanli" (ST 36) was collected with microdialysis and real-time analyzed by electrolytic analyzer. The change of concentration of potassium ion in "Zusanli" (ST 36) was observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Under physiological status, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the blank group was not changed within 150 min (P > 0.05); before the moxibustion, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the blank-moxibustion group was (1.21 +/- 0.31) mmol/L, and after treatment it was gradually increased and reached its peak at (2.38 +/- 0.42) mmol/L after 60 min (P < 0.05), then it was reduced. 150 min after the treatment, concentration of potassium ion was slightly higher than that before moxibustion as well as that in the blank group. The concentration in the blank-moxibustion group at 60 min was statistically significant compared with that in the blank group (P < 0.05). (2) Under pathological status, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion in the model group was not changed within 150 min, differences of which at each time point was not statistically significant (all P > 0.05). Before the moxibustion, the concentration of extracellular potassium ion was (1.09 +/- 0.12) mmol/L in the model-moxibustion group, and it was immediately increased to (1.96 +/- 0.18) mmol/L after moxibustion. 60 min and 90 min after the moxibustion, it still maintained a higher level, which was (1.87 +/- 0.29) mmol/L and (1.59 +/- 0.16) mmol/L respectively (both P < 0.05). The differences of each time point after moxibustion in the model-moxibustion group were statistically significant compared with those in the model group (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The moxibustion could increase the concentration of potassium ion in rat's acupoint local under physiological status but time of effect is short; with moxibustion at "Zusanli" (ST 36) under pathological status, the concentration of local potassium ion is obviously increased and maintains for a long time.</p>