MiR-4319 targets tuftelin 1 to reduce malignancy of cervical cancer cells.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common malignant tumor of female reproductive system. MiR-4319 has been identified as an anti-oncogene in various cancers. In the present study, role of miR-4319 in CC was identified. Colony formation, flow cytometer, wound healing, and transwell assays were used to detect CC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The expression of miR-4319 was decreased in clinical CC tissues and CC cell lines. Upregulation of miR-4319 suppressed cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis in CC cells. Moreover, tuftelin 1 (TUFT1) was verified as a direct target of miR-4319, as confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Additionally, TUFT1 expression was remarkably increased in clinical CC tissues and CC cell lines and was negatively associated with miR-4319 expression. Furthermore, overexpression of TUFT1 partially restored the effects of miR-4319 mimic on cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell apoptosis in CC cells. To conclude, miR-4319 played an anti-cancer role in the occurrence and development of CC, which might be achieved by targeting TUFT1.

Application of transabdominal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for treating uterine fibroids: 24-month follow-up outcomes.

PURPOSE: To determine the ablation efficacy of transabdominal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA), to investigate whether the risk of damage to adjacent organs and endometrium due to this technique can be reduced or even avoided. We also evaluated the clinical efficacy of this technique in the treatment of uterine fibroids of different sizes and at different locations over a 24-month follow-up period. METHODS: This study included 50 patients with uterine fibroids who underwent transabdominal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided PMWA from August 2018 to July 2020. Lesions were confirmed by pathology. The technical efficacy and complications of PMWA were assessed. The lesion diameter, lesion volume, lesion location, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) features before PMWA and within 24 h after PMWA were recorded. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for follow-up at 3 and 6 months after PMWA. Transvaginal ultrasound was used for follow-up at 24 months after PMWA. RESULTS: A total of 50 patients with uterine fibroids received treatment. The median ablation rate of uterine fibroids was 97.21%. The mean lesion volume reduction rates were 32.63%, 57.26%, and 92.64% at 3, 6, and 24 months after treatment, respectively. The size and location of uterine fibroids did not significantly affect the ablation rate and the rate of lesion volume reduction. No major complication was found during and after the procedure. CONCLUSION: Transabdominal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided PMWA can be utilized to safely enhance the ablation rate while minimizing ablation time and avoiding harm to adjacent organs and the endometrium. This technique is applicable for treating uterine fibroids of different sizes and at varying locations. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-IPR-17011910, and date of trial registration: 08/07/2017.

A self-developed contained bag for laparoscopic myomectomy morcellation.

OBJECTIVES: Open power morcellation during a laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) can result in the dissemination of benign or occult malignant tumor cells in the abdominopelvic cavity. The development of a new contained collection bag for power morcellation is now favored by gynecologic surgeons worldwide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was a single-arm trial comprising 20 women who consecutively underwent an LM involving the use of a newly designed contained collection bag for power morcellation between November 3rd 2017 and April 31st 2018. There was also a historical control group consisting of 30 women who underwent open power morcellation during an LM between May 1st 2017 and October 31st 2017. All the essential information concerning the patients and surgically related data, including the myoma size, the operation duration, and the cell count of the intraperitoneal irrigating fluid, were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The uterus size and the maximum diameters of the uterus and the myoma of the two groups were not significantly different (p = 0.65, p = 0.71, and p = 0.31, respectively). Pseudopneumoperitoneum was established and clear visualization was guaranteed in all 20 cases in the experimental group. The remaining fragment tissue amount (mean ± SD) and weight (mean ± SD) in the collection bag after morcellation in the experimental group were 5.00 ± 1.48 and 3.87 ± 1.31 (g). All the collection bags were routinely examined after the LM using normal saline, and no leaks or lesions were found. The cell counts of the intraperitoneal irrigating fluid both before and after morcellation were less than 105-106/L. The pathology of all the tissues confirmed that there were no malignant tumors. The operation of the experimental group was 18 mins longer than that of the historical control group (p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: This newly designed collection bag system for LM morcellation is effective, feasible, and safe.

MicroRNA-196a promotes cell proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in human ovarian cancer by directly targeting DDX3 and regulating the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are small noncoding RNAs 19­24 nucleotides in length, which can play an important role in tumor development. However, the influence of miRNAs on the tumorigenicity of ovarian cancer cells has not been fully elucidated. Previously, DEAD box protein (DDX) 1 has been shown to play a role in tumor suppression of ovarian cancer progression. However, the functions of other DDX members in ovarian cancer development remain largely unknown. In the present study, it was demonstrated that overexpression of miR­196a promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation. In addition, DDX3 was significantly downregulated in ovarian cancer cell lines relative to the normal ovarian cell line. Moreover, DDX3 was identified as a direct target of miR­196a in ovarian cancer cells. In addition, a preliminary mechanistic investigation indicated that downregulation of DDX3 promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. Taken together, this confirmed an association between DDX3 and miR­196a in ovarian cancer, and showed that miR­196a promoted the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and attenuated apoptosis by downregulating the expression of DDX3 through the PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway. Overall, the results of the present study suggested that DDX3 could be a novel target for ovarian cancer treatment.

Vascular endothelial growth factor expression up-regulated by endometrial ischemia in secretory phase plays an important role in endometriosis.

Primary human endometrial cells were exposed to hypoxia preconditioning (HPC), HPC-hypoxia, and hypoxia conditions, and then endometrial tissue treated with ischemia preconditioning (IPC) was transplanted onto the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane to investigate the role of slight ischemia of endometrium in the pathologic process of endometriosis. IPC up-regulated vascular endothelial growth factor expression and decreased apoptosis of endometrial cells, thus facilitating the endometrial fragments' ectopic implantation.