Potential prognostic biomarkers related to immunity in clear cell renal cell carcinoma using bioinformatic strategy.

The clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the main pathological subtype of renal cell carcinoma. Immune system evasion, one hallmark of cancer, contributes to cancer cells in escaping from the attack of immune cells. In order to identify potential prognostic biomarkers in ccRCC patients and immune cells fraction, we collected and downloaded profiles from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. We obtained 2 modules significantly associated with tumor stage and immune cells; functional enrichment analysis showed that genes in the module 'yellow' were significantly enriched in proteins targeting to membrane and ribosome, as well as the oxidative phosphorylation pathway, while genes in the module 'green' mainly participate in molecular functions associated with immunity like activation of T cells. Four LncRNAs (LINC00472, AL590094.1, AL365203.3, and AC147651.3) and RPL27A and RPL22L1 in the module 'yellow' and two lncRNAs (LINC00426 and AC129507.2) and five protein-coding genes (CSF1, NOD2, ITGAE, CD7, and PDCD1) in the module 'green' represented independent prognostic values in patients with ccRCC. Expression of LINC0042, NOD2, CD7, and PDCD1 were significantly correlated with ratio of immune cells (like T cells CD8 and resting mast cells). LINC00426, with significant correlation with immune cell fraction, shows potential prognostic value in ccRCC patients. Our findings provide a strategy in exploring biomarkers with prognostic significance and significant association with the fraction of immune cells.

Serum level of miR-142-3p predicts prognostic outcome for colorectal cancer following curative resection.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNA (miR)-142-3p may function as a tumor suppressor in the development of various cancers. In this study, we measured serum levels of miR-142-3p in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of miR-142-3p. METHODS: Serum samples from 363 consecutive CRC patients and 156 healthy controls were retrospectively collected. Serum miR-142-3p levels were measured using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. All patients were followed up regularly after tumor resection. The correlation between serum miR-142-3p level and survival outcomes was analyzed. RESULTS: Serum levels of miR-142-3p were significantly lower in CRC patients than in healthy volunteers. A low serum miR-142-3p level was significantly associated with advanced cancer. Survival analysis demonstrated that patients with a low serum miR-142-3p had a lower 5-year overall survival rate than patients with a high serum miR-142-3p level (67.4% vs. 76.9%). Serum miR-142-3p level was also shown to be an independent risk factor for CRC in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 2.68; 95% confidence interval: 1.21-7.95). CONCLUSIONS: Serum miR-142-3p might serve as a useful diagnostic and prognostic marker for CRC.

[Chemical constituents from fruits of Aristolochia mollissima and their nematicidal activity against root-knot nematode].

In the present study, in vitro nematicidal activity of chemical compositions from the methanol extract of Aristolochia mollissima fruits against the second stage juvenile (J2) of Meloidogyne javanica have been investigated. By using silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 gel column chromatography methods, fourteen compounds were isolated from methanol extract of A. mollissima fruits. On the basis of spectral data, their structures were identified as aristolochic acid I (1), aristololactam I (2), aristololactam W (3), manshurolide (4), aristolactone (5), saropeptate (6), 2-(1-oxononadecyl)aminobenzoic acid (7), ß-sitosterol (8), sitostanetriol (9), daucosterol (10), formosolic acid (11), 5-ethyl-8,8-dimethyl nonanal (12), tetracosanoic acid,2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (13) and tetracosanoic acid (14), respectively. It is the first time that compounds 2-4, 6-7, 9-14 are separated from A. mollissima. Furthermore, nematicidal activity of fourteen monomer compounds against J2 Meloidogyne javanica in vitro were analyzed. The compounds 1-3, 6-7 exhibited different degrees toxic effects on J2 M. javanica in vitro, especially for aristolochic acid I (1), aristololactam I (2), aristololactam W (3) with the LC50 values of 45.25, 36.56, 119.46 mg·L⁻¹ after 96 h. So, A. mollissima have the potential value of developing new plant source to control root nematodes.

Aristololactam derivatives from the fruits of Aristolochia contorta Bunge.

Three new aristololactam derivatives, aristololactam W-Y (1-3), and three known compounds (4-6) were isolated from the fruits of Aristolochia contorta Bunge. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first example of an N-CH2OCH3 aristololactam derivative from natural products. Their structures were elucidated by 1D/2D NMR and HRESIMS spectra. All of the isolated compounds were evaluated for their insecticidal activity against 4th instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. Compound 4 displayed insecticidal activity with LC50 value of 3.54 µg/mL.

[A multi-center randomized controlled trial of intrauterine device use in Chinese women].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of intrauterine device in Chinese women. METHODS: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, a total of 24 000 women were randomly (1:1:1) into 3 groups of Yuangong Cu 365 (YCu365), Copper T 380A (TCu380A) and Multiload Cu 375 (MLCu375). Clinical outcomes were assessed at 12 months post-insertion, including discontinuation due to pregnancy, expulsion, hemorrhage and downward displacement, etc. The overall and causal-specific discontinuation rates for adverse events were calculated. RESULTS: At the end of the first year, the discontinuation rate of YCu365 (4.21%) was the lowest, followed by TCu380A (8.42%) and MLCu375 (13.91%) (P < 0.01). The differences of discontinuation rates for pregnancy, expulsion, hemorrhage and downward displacement between these IUDs were also significant. MLCu375, side effect without medical treatment, fewer follow-ups, deeper uterine cavity and previous IUD failure were significantly associated with an increased risk of IUD discontinuation. CONCLUSION: The newly developed indomethacin-releasing YCu365 IUD appears to perform the best. However, its long-term safety and cost-effectiveness should be further evaluated.