Metabolism-related lncRNAs signature to predict the prognosis of colon adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cell metabolism and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) played crucial roles in cancer development. However, their association in colon adenocarcinoma (COAD) remains unclear. METHODS: The COAD gene expression data and corresponding clinical data were retrieved from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differential expression of metabolic genes and lncRNA were identified by comparing tumor and normal colon tissues. Pearson correlation analysis was performed to identify metabolism-associated lncRNA. COAD patients were divided into training cohort and validation cohort by randomization. Then, a univariate Cox regression analysis was introduced to evaluate the correlations between metabolism-related lncRNAs and overall survival (OS) of the patients in the training cohort. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) method was introduced to determine and establish a prognostic prediction model. Subsequently, survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and Cox regression analysis were generated to estimate the prognostic role of the LncRNA risk score in training, validation, and entire cohorts. RESULTS: We identified 152 differentially expressed metabolism-associated lncRNAs (MRLncRNAs). A prognostic prediction model involving four metabolism-related lncRNAs were established using LASSO. In each cohort, COAD patients in the high-risk group had worse OS compared to those in the low-risk group. The ROC analyses demonstrated that the lncRNA signature performed well in predicting OS. Uni- and multivariate analysis indicated that the lncRNA signature as an independent prognostic factor. Furthermore, a correlation analysis demonstrated that LINC01138 was the most closely lncRNA related to metabolic genes. In vitro assays demonstrated that LINC01138 affects tumor progression in COAD. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, we established a metabolism-associated lncRNAs model to predict the prognosis in COAD patients.

Wogonoside promotes apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS and SGC-7901 cells through induction of mitochondrial dysfunction and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Wogonoside (Wg), a natural flavonoid, has anticancer effects against several human cancers. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antitumor effects and underlying mechanisms of Wg on gastric cancer (GC) cell lines. We report that Wg treatment inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in human GC cell lines AGS and SGC-7901, and also retarded GC tumor growth in xenograft mice in vivo. We also found that the Wg exerted its antitumor effects against GC cells via induction of reaction oxygen species accumulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Furthermore, C/EBP homologous protein knockdown inhibited apoptosis and increased the viability of Wg-treated GC cells. Our findings may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic agents for the treatment of GC.

Perforation of small bowel caused by Schistosoma japonicum: a case report.

A 67-year-old man from Jingzhou was admitted to the First Hospital Affiliated to Yangtze University in July 2013 with sudden onset of abdominal pain with dizziness for 12 h. The patient had sign of peritoneal irritation. Ultrasonography of the abdomen and pelvis showed hepatic fibrosis due to schistosomiasis. Computed tomography showed free gas in the peritoneal cavity. Plain abdominal radiography showed bilateral subdiaphragmatic accumulation of gas, perforation of the viscus, and radio-opacity in the left renal area. The patient underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy. At laparotomy, a moderate amount of muddy yellow pus was found in the intra-abdominal cavity. At the junction of the jejunum and ileum, about 250 cm from Treitz's ligament, there was an about 10-cm length of inflamed small bowel with perforation (3 mm in diameter) along the mesenteric border at the middle of the lesion. The patient underwent resection of the affected intestinal segment, along with end-to-end intestinal anastomosis. Histopathological examination revealed mucosal necrosis and hemorrhage with a large number of infiltrating eosinophils and neutrophils, and acute submucosal inflammation with a large number of infiltrating eosinophils and neutrophils associated with Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) eggs. No intravascular adult parasite was found. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with praziquantel (30 mg/kg daily) for 4 d. The patient progressed well. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of small bowel perforation associated with eggs of S. japonicum.

Protective effect of curcumin against liver warm ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat model is associated with regulation of heat shock protein and antioxidant enzymes.

AIM: To investigate the hypothesis that the protective effects of curcumin in hepatic warm ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury are associated with increasing heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression and antioxidant enzyme activity. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into sham, I/R, C + I/R groups. The model of reduced-size liver warm ischemia and reperfusion was used. Curcumin (50 mg/kg) was administered by injection through a branch of superior mesenteric vein at 30 min before ischemia in C + I/R group. Five rats were used to investigate the survival during 1 wk after operation in each group. Blood samples and liver tissues were obtained in the remaining animals after 3, 12, and 24 h of reperfusion to assess serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), liver tissue NO(2)(-) + NO(3)(-), malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), nitricoxide synthase (NOS) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, Hsp70 expression and apoptosis ratio. RESULTS: Compared with I/R group, curcumin pretreatment group showed less ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury. CAT and SOD activity and Hsp70 expression increased significantly. A higher rate of apoptosis was observed in I/R group than in C + I/R group, and a significant increase of MDA, NO(2)(-) + NO(3)(-) and MPO level in liver tissues and serum transaminase concentration was also observed in I/R group compared to C + I/R group. Curcumin also decreased the activity of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in liver after reperfusion, but had no effect on the level of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) after reperfusion in liver. The 7 d survival rate was significantly higher in C + I/R group than in I/R group. CONCLUSION: Curcumin has protective effects against hepatic I/R injury. Its mechanism might be related to the overexpression of Hsp70 and antioxidant enzymes.

Pre- and post-operative plasma big endothelin-1 levels in patients with gastric carcinoma undergoing radical gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Big Endothelin-1 levels increase significantly in patients with various tumors, and raised plasma concentrations are associated with worse outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate plasma Big Endothelin-1 levels in patients with gastric carcinoma before and after radical gastrectomy and to explore its clinical significance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and six patients with gastric carcinoma and 20 controls were studied. Big Endothelin-1 plasma levels in patients with advanced gastric cancer were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and on days 1, 3 and 10 after curative surgery and were then tested every 3 months. RESULTS: All patients, except those with stage I gastric cancer, had significantly higher mean plasma Big Endothelin-1 levels compared with the normal controls (p = 0.000). The plasma Big Endothelin-1 levels were markedly increased on the first post-operative day (1st POD) in all patients but decreased on the 3rd POD with no significant difference compared to the pre-operative levels. On the 10th POD, patients with stages I and II gastric cancer showed a marked reduction in the plasma Big Endothelin-1 levels (p=0.010 and p=0.000, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed in stage III and IVpatients. During the follow-up, plasma Big Endothelin-1 levels immediately before recurrences occurred in stage II patients were significantly higher compared with the levels on the 10th POD (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Plasma Big Endothelin-1 levels might be a reliable marker to determine the severity of gastric carcinoma. Monitoring plasma Big Endothelin-I levels after curative resection in stage II gastric cancer patients was valuable in predicting recurrences.

[Peripheral plasma Big endothelin 1 levels in patients with gastric carcinoma undergoing radical gastrectomy and its relationship with tumor recurrence].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the plasma Big endothelin-1 levels in patients with gastric carcinoma before and after radical gastrectomy, and explore its clinical significance. METHODS: One hundred and six patients with gastric carcinoma and 20 controls were enrolled. The Big ET-1 plasma levels were examined by enzyme-linked immuno absorbent assay before and on the 1st, 3rd, and 10th day after curative surgery, and then were tested every 3 months in the patients with advanced gastric cancer. RESULTS: All patients, except those with stage I gastric cancer, had significantly higher mean plasma Big ET-1 levels compared with normal controls (P=0.000). Higher plasma Big ET-1 levels were associated with lymph node metastasis (P=0.020) and serosal infiltration (P=0.035). The plasma Big Endothelin-1 levels were markedly increased on the first post-operative day (1st POD) in all patients,but decreased on the 3rd POD with no significant difference compared to the preoperative levels. On the 10th POD, the patients with stage I and II gastric cancer showed marked reduction in plasma Big ET-1 levels (P=0.010 and P=0.000, respectively), whereas no significant difference was observed in stage III and IV patients. During the follow-up, the plasma Big ET-1 levels just before recurrence in stage II patients were significantly higher compared with the levels on the 10th POD (P=0.011). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma Big ET-1 might be a reliable marker to determine the severity of gastric carcinoma. Monitoring plasma Big ET-1 levels after curative resection in stage II gastric cancer patients is valuable to predict recurrence.

Intraoperative radiofrequency thermal ablation combined with portal vein infusion chemotherapy and transarterial chemoembolization for unresectable HCC.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We conducted a preliminary study to determine the feasibility of therapy consisting of intraoperative radiofrequency thermal ablation combined with portal vein infusion chemotherapy and transarterial chemoembolization (IRFAPA) for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODOLOGY: Between September 2001 and June 2004, 34 patients with unresectable HCC were enrolled into a prospective study. 18 cases underwent IRFAPA (group I and 16 cases underwent percutaneous RF ablation (PRFA, group II). Patients' outcomes for IRFAPA and PRFA were recorded and compared. RESULTS: Patients undergoing IRFAPA or PRFA were similar in age, liver function, tumor size, serum AFP, distribution of tumor, mortality, complication and complete ablation rates. In five patients in group II seven new lesions were found during operation. The rate of distant intrahepatic recurrence between the two groups had differences (11.1% vs. 50.0%, P=0.023) although the cumulative recurrence-free survival between the two groups had no differences (P=0.7808). There was a significant difference in the overall survival (P=0.0407). The 1-year and 3-year cumulative overall survival rate was 87.5% and 73.3%, 52.2% and 20.4% in group I and group II, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IRFAPA is an effective and safe procedure for unresectable HCC. IRFAPA is preferred to PRFA therapy if the patients' conditions can tolerate laparotomy.