[Retracted] Downregulation of CKS1B restrains the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of retinoblastoma cells through the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Following the publication of the above paper, it has been drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that certain of the lumen formation assay data shown in Fig. 5A on p. 112 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in another article written by different authors at different research institute, which had already been published in the journal Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy prior to the submission of this paper to International Journal of Molecular Medicine, and which has also subsequently been retracted. In view of the fact that the contentious data had already apparently been published previously, the Editor of International Journal of Molecular Medicine has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. After having been in contact with the authors, they agreed with the decision to retract the paper. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 44: 103­114, 2019; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2019.4183].

Aberrantly High Expression Of NOK/STYK1 Is Tightly Associated With The Activation Of The AKT/GSK3ß/N-Cadherin Pathway In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

PURPOSE: High metastasis is a leading risk factor for the survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a vital step of metastasis. The expression of novel oncogene with kinase domain (NOK) has been observed in some human malignancies, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the biological function of NOK in NSCLC remains unclear. In the study, we explored the function of NOK in NSCLC, with an aim to elucidate the relevant underlying mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We investigate the expression of NOK, p-Akt, p-GSK-3ß, E-cadherin and N-cadherin expression by immunohistochemical analysis using tissue microarrays of 72 paired NSCLC samples of cancerous and adjacent normal tissues. The associations between NOK expression and clinicopathological factors, overall survival, other proteins were assessed. Immunofluorescence analysis of NSCLC tissues was performed to study the location of NOK, Akt and GSK-3ß. Up or down-regulated of NOK were conducted in two NSCLC cell lines to analyze its impact on AKT/GSK3ß pathway. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed NOK expression increased in NSCLC tissues compared with normal tissues (P<0.05). It also showed that low NOK expression were associated with a higher possibility of non-lymphatic metastasis, an early pN stage and clinical stage (P<0.05). Moreover, NOK expression was positively correlated with the expression of oncogene p-Akt (Thr308), p-GSK-3ß (Ser9) and N-cadherin (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence analysis of NSCLC tissues revealed that NOK is co-located with Akt and GSK-3ß. Further study in NSCLC cell lines revealed that NOK overexpression can activate the AKT/GSK3ß pathway. Conversely, knockdown of NOK can suppress the AKT/GSK3ß pathway. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that NOK overexpression correlated significantly with lymphatic metastasis, advanced pN and clinical stage in NSCLC. And NOK may promote EMT by activating the AKT/GSK3ß/N-cadherin pathway in NSCLC.

Visible-Light-Triggered Cyanoalkylation of para-Quinone Methides and Its Application to the Synthesis of GPR40 Agonists.

Cyanoalkylated diarylmethanes with biological and pharmacological potentials were synthesized from para-quinone methides and cyanoalkylating reagents through a photocatalytic process. This protocol is operationally simple and mild and has high efficiency, which gave the corresponding products in moderate to good yields. The synthetic utility of this work has been illustrated in the efficient synthesis of GPR40 agonists, which play an important role in FA-induced glucose-sensitive insulin secretion.

Downregulation of CKS1B restrains the proliferation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis of retinoblastoma cells through the MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is a common neoplasm that is exhibited in individuals globally. Increasing evidence demonstrated that cyclin­dependent kinase regulatory subunit 1B (CKS1B) may be involved in the pathogenesis of various tumor types, including multiple myeloma and breast cancer. In the present study, the hypothesis that CKS1B downregulation would effectively inhibit the proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis of RB cells through the mitogen­activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway was examined. Initial investigation of the expression profile of CKS1B in RB and adjacent retina tissues was performed using reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. A total of three RB cell lines, SO­RB50, Y79 and HXO­RB44, were examined for selection of the cell line with the highest expression of CKS1B, and human normal retinal vascular endothelial cells (ACBRI­181) were also evaluated. CKS1B short hairpin RNA (shRNA) sequences (shRNA CKS1B­1, shRNA CKS1B­2 and shRNA CKS1B­3) and negative control shRNA sequences were constructed and transfected into cells at the third generation to evaluate the role of shCKS1B and the MEK/ERK signaling pathway in RB. Furthermore, the effect of shCKS1B on cell proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis and angiogenesis was investigated. CKS1B was determined to be highly expressed in RB tissue, compared with adjacent retina tissue. SO­RB50 and HXO­RB44 cells treated with shRNA CKS1B­1 and shRNA CKS1B­2 were selected for the present experiments. Activation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway increases the expression of MEK, ERK, B­cell lymphoma 2, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclin D1, vascular endothelia growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor, enhances cell proliferation, migration, invasion and lumen formation, and decreases apoptosis. Following silencing CKS1B, the aforementioned conditions were reversed. The key observations of the present study demonstrated that shCKS1B can inhibit the proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis of RB cells by suppressing the MEK/ERK signaling pathway. Thus, CKS1B represents a potential research target in the development of therapeutics for RB.

Asymmetric Cycloaddition of ortho-Hydroxyphenyl-Substituted para-Quinone Methides and Enamides Catalyzed by Chiral Phosphoric Acid.

A BINOL-based chiral phosphoric acid was employed as an efficient catalyst in enantioselective cycloaddition of ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted para-quinone methides and enamides, which gave rise to acetamido-substituted tetrahydroxanthenes with three adjacent stereogenic centers in high yields (up to 99%) and excellent stereoselectivities (up to >99:1 diastereomeric ratio and up to 98% ee).

EGFR mutations subset in Chinese lung squamous cell carcinoma patients.

Research has identified that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) possess large benefits for adenocarcinoma (ADC), although little benefit for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of the present study was to investigate the percentage of patients with SCC with the EGFR mutations subset and the benefits of EGFR TKIs in SCC. In the present study, the EGFR mutations subset was detected with an amplification refractory mutation system in 1,359 clinical SCC tissues. The association of the EGFR mutations subset with clinicopathological parameters was evaluated using the Mann­Whitney U test, and Kruskal­Wallis H. Kaplan­Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the effect of the EGFR mutations subset on SCC patient survival rates. A total of 94 out of 1,359 SCC patients were identified as having EGFR mutations, an EGFR mutation rate of 6.92%. The EGFR mutations subset in the 94 cases was identified as follows: 37.2% (35/94) in exon 19; 39.4% (37/94) in L858R; 5.3% (5/94) in T790M; 4.3% (4/94) in G719X; 2.1% (2/94) in L861Q; and 11.7% (11/94) in other mutations. Kaplan­Meier survival analysis identified that the differentiation, pathological tumor, node, metastasis stage, lymph node metastasis and distant metastases were significantly associated with patients' survival (P>0.05; log­rank test), and no significant difference was observed between TKI therapy and chemotherapy in terms of patient survival rates (P>0.05). In addition, the overall discordant rate of the EGFR mutations subset in SCC patients was relatively low. Due to the non­significant difference between TKI therapy and chemotherapy in terms of patient survival and the lower discordance rate of the EGFR mutations subset in SCC patients, EGFR TKIs could be a recommended treatment for SCC.

Organocatalytic Asymmetric Sequential 1,6-Addition/Acetalization of 1-Oxotetralin-2-carbaldehyde to ortho-Hydroxyphenyl-Substituted para-Quinone Methides for Synthesis of Spiro-3,4-dihydrocoumarins.

A chiral squaramide catalyzed approach constructing spiro-3,4-dihydrocoumarin motif by the enantioselective 1,6-addition/acetalization reactions of 1-oxotetralin-2-carbaldehydes and ortho-hydroxyphenyl-substituted para-quinone methides followed by an oxidation was developed. The reactions proceeded smoothly with a wide range of p-QMs and 1-oxotetralin-2-carbaldehydes to generate corresponding products in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities (>19:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydrocoumarins through Chiral Phosphoric Acid-Catalyzed Cycloannulation of para-Quinone Methides and Azlactones.

A chiral phosphoric acid-catalyzed approach constructing dihydrocoumarin motifs by the addition of azlactones to para-quinone methides (p-QMs) was developed. The reaction proceeded smoothly with a wide range of p-QMs and azlactones to generate corresponding products in high yields with excellent diastereoselectivities (>19:1 dr) and enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee). Two possible pathways were proposed to explain the stereoselectivity.

Bismuth Triflate-Catalyzed Vinylogous Nucleophilic 1,6-Conjugate Addition of para-Quinone Methides with 3-Propenyl-2-silyloxyindoles.

A highly diastereoselective vinylogous nucleophilic 1,6-conjugate addition reaction of para-quinone methides with 3-propenyl-2-silyloxyindoles by a bismuth triflate catalyst has been developed. A number of diphenylmethane type compounds functionalized with oxindole motifs was obtained with excellent yields (up to 99%) and very good diastereoselectivities (up to Z/E > 99:1).

Bismuth-catalyzed allylation of para-quinone methides.

An efficient 1,6-allylation addition of para-quinone methides to allylboronic acid pinacol ester catalyzed by bismuth(iii) triflate was developed. The reaction proceeded smoothly in high yields under mild conditions with only 0.5-5 mol% catalyst.

Gankyrin promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition and metastasis in NSCLC through forming a closed circle with IL-6/ STAT3 and TGF-ß/SMAD3 signaling pathway.

Our previous research showed that Gankyrin was overexpressed in NSCLC and significantly associated with clinicopathologic features and poor prognosis. In this study, we will explore potential effect of Gankyrin on EMT and metastasis in NSCLC. The ectopic higher expression of Gankyrin markedly increased the migration and invasion in NSCLC cells. In contrast, silencing Gankyrin inhibit this aggressive behavior in NSCLC cells. Further study demonstrated that overexpression of Gankyrin could decrease E-cadherin expression and increase expression of Vimentin and Twist1 at mRNA and protein levels. These data indicated that Gankyrin could facilitate occurrence and development of EMT. Also IHC analysis showed that Gankyrin expression was negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression, while positively correlated with Vimentin and Twist1 expression in NSCLC tissues. The mechanism study finally suggested that the Gankyrin-driven EMT was partially due to IL-6/p-STAT3 and TGF-ß/p-SMAD3 pathways activation. Taken together, our data provided a novel mechanism of Gankyrin promoting EMT and metastasis in NSCLC through forming a closed circle with IL-6/p-STAT3 and TGF-ß/p-SMAD3 signaling pathway.

Inhibiting CREPT reduces the proliferation and migration of non-small cell lung cancer cells by down-regulating cell cycle related protein.

It has been reported that CREPT acts as a highly expressed oncogene in a variety of tumors, affecting cyclin D1 signal pathways. However, the distribution and clinical significance of CREPT in NSCLC remains poorly understood. Our study focused on the role of CREPT on the regulation ofnon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We found that CREPT mRNA and protein expression was significantly increased in NSCLC compared with adjacent lung tissues and was increased in various NSCLC cell lines compared with the normal human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cell line. siRNA-induced knockingdown of CREPT significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cell lines by arresting cell cycle in S phase. Moreover, CREPT knocking down affected the expression of cell cycle proteins including c-mycand CDC25A. Finally, we found there were obvious correlations between CREPT with c-myc expression in histological type, differentiation, and pTNM stages of NSCLC (P<0.05, rs>0.3). Immunohistofluorescence studies demonstrated a co-localization phenomenon when CREPT and c-myc were expressed. Thus, we propose that CREPT may promote NSCLC cell growth and migration through the c-myc and CDC25A signaling molecules.

Phosphoric Acid Catalyzed Asymmetric 1,6-Conjugate Addition of Thioacetic Acid to para-Quinone Methides.

An asymmetric 1,6-conjugate addition of thioacetic acid with para-quinone methides has been developed by using chiral phosphoric acid catalysis in the presence of water. A series of sulfur-containing compounds were thus obtained in high yields with good to excellent enantioselectivities. Theoretical studies indicated that the water-bridged proton transfer is a potentially favorable reaction pathway. An unprecedented O-H⋅⋅⋅π interaction between water and the aromatic nucleus of chiral phosphoric acid was discovered to contribute significantly to the stereocontrol in the catalysis.

Clinicopathologic features and prognostic implications of Gankyrin protein expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: The expression of Gankyrin, a liver cancer-related oncoprotein, has been observed in several human malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the clinic relevance of Gankyrin expression in NSCLC remains unclear. METHODS: Gankyrin expression was assessed using immunohistochemical (IHC) methods in 166 paired paraffin-embedded NSCLC specimens and adjacent normal tissues. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were employed to measure the expression of Gankyrin in 24 paired fresh NSCLC specimens and the corresponding normal tissues. The association of Gankyrin expression with clinicopathological parameters was also evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the effect of Gankyrin expression on survival. RESULTS: Data showed that Gankyrin was expressed in 78.3% (130/166) and 28.9% (48/166) of cancer lesions and corresponding adjacent normal tissue, respectively. And the Gankyrin overexpression in tumor tissue occurred in 53.6% (89/166) of patients, while overexpression of Gankyrin in normal tissue occurred only in 4.8% (8/166) of patients (P<0.001). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that NSCLC specimens had increased Gankyrin mRNA and protein expression compared to the corresponding normal tissues. Out of all the clinicopathological factors analyzed, Gankyrin overexpression was significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis (P<0.001) and p-TNM stage (P<0.001). Gankyrin-overexpressed NSCLC patients had a significantly shorter survival time (P<0.001, Log-rank test), and the prognostic significance of Gankyrin overexpression was apparent in both squamous cell carcinoma patients (P=0.028) and adenocarcinoma patients (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that Gankyrin overexpression may be an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC (hazard ratio [HR], 1.51; P=0.041). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that Gankyrin overexpression is of clinical significance and can serve as a prognostic biomarker in NSCLC.

Protective Role of Rheum Tanguticum Polysaccharide 1 in Radiation- induced Intestinal Mucosal Injury.

The protective effects of Rheum tanguticum polysaccharide 1 (RTP1), which is extracted from the Chinese traditional medicine Rheum tanguticum, on radiation-induced intestinal mucosal injury was investigated. Rat intestinal crypt epithelial cells (IEC-6 cells) and Sprague-Dawley rats were each divided into control, irradiated and RTP1-pretreated irradiated groups. After irradiation, cell survival was determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide). assay, and the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by fluorescent probe method. Apoptosis was observed by acridine orange staining, and cell cycle was analysed by flow cytometry. Histological analysis of the rat intestinal mucosa was conducted by haematoxylin and eosin staining. Irradiation at 8 Gy(Gray) decreased cell survival rate to only 54%, significantly increased intracellular ROS levels and induced apoptosis. RTP1 pretreatment significantly inhibited cell death, reduced the formation of intracellular ROS and partially inhibited apoptosis. Irradiation markedly reduced the height and quantity of rat intestinal villi, but it could be antagonised by RTP1 pretreatment. RTP1 can promote the recovery of intestinal mucosa damage, possibly by inhibiting radiation-induced intestinal epithelial apoptosis and intracellular ROS production.

Highly enantioselective Michael addition reactions of 2-substituted benzofuran-3(2H)-ones to nitroolefins.

A highly enantioselective Michael addition reaction of 2-substituted benzofuran-3(2H)-ones to nitroolefins was promoted by a bifunctional squaramide catalyst. As a result, a number of chiral 2,2'-substituted benzofuran-3-one derivatives, bearing adjacent quaternary-tertiary stereocenters, were efficiently synthesized with excellent enantioselectivities.

High ABCG4 Expression Is Associated with Poor Prognosis in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Treated with Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy.

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are associated with poor response to chemotherapy, and confer a poor prognosis in various malignancies. However, the association between the expression of the ABC sub-family G member 4 (ABCG4) and prognosis in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. NSCLC tissue samples (n = 140) and normal lung tissue samples (n = 90) were resected from patients with stage II to IV NSCLC between May 2004 and May 2009. ABCG4 mRNA and protein expressions were detected by RT-PCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Patients received four cycles of cisplatin-based post-surgery chemotherapy and were followed up until May 31st, 2014. ABCG4 positivity rate was higher in NSCLC than in normal lung tissues (48.6% vs. 0%, P<0.001) and ABCG4 expression was significantly associated with poor differentiation, higher tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, and adenocarcinoma histological type (all P<0.001). Univariate (HR = 2.284, 95%CI: 1.570-3.324, P<0.001) and multivariate (HR = 2.236, 95%CI: 1.505-3.321, P<0.001) analyses showed that ABCG4 expression was an independent factor associated with a poor prognosis in NSCLC. Patients with ABCG4-positive NSCLC had shorter median survival than ABCG4-negative NSCLC (20.1 vs. 43.2 months, P<0.001). The prognostic significance of ABCG4 expression was apparent in stages III and IV NSCLC. In conclusion, high ABCG4 expression was associated with a poor prognosis in patients with NSCLC treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Fatty acid synthesis pathway genetic variants and clinical outcome of non-small cell lung cancer patients after surgery.

Over-expression of de novo lipogenesis (DNL) genes is associated with the prognosis of various types of cancers. However, the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in these genes on recurrence and survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after surgery are still unknown. In this study, a total of 500 NSCLC patients who underwent surgery treatment were included. Eight SNPs in 3 genes (ACACA, FASN and ACLY) of the DNL pathway were examined using the Sequenom iPLEX genotyping system. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to analyze the association of SNPs with patient survival and tumour recurrence. We found that two SNPs in the FASN gene were significantly associated with the recurrence of NSCLC. SNP rs4246444 had a significant association with lung cancer recurrence under additive model (hazard ratio [HR], 0.82; 95% confidence interval [95%CI], 0.67-1.00; p=0.05). Under the dominant model, rs4485435 exhibited a significant association with recurrence (HR, 0.75; 95%CI, 0.56-1.01; p=0.05). Additionally, SNP rs9912300 in ACLY gene was significantly associated with overall survival in lung cancer patients (HR, 1.41; 95%CI, 1.02-1.94, p=0.04) under the dominant model. Further cumulative effect analysis showed moderate dose-dependent effects of unfavorable SNPs on both survival and recurrence. Our data suggest that the SNPs in DNL genes may serve as independent prognostic markers for NSCLC patients after surgery.

Clinicopathologic features and prognostic implications of NOK/STYK1 protein expression in non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The expression of novel oncogenic kinase (NOK), a member of the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) family, has been observed in several human malignancies including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the clinic relevance of NOK expression in NSCLC remains unclear. METHODS: In this study, NOK expression in tumor cells was assessed using immunohistochemical methods in 191 patients with resected NSCLC. The association of NOK expression with clinicopathological parameters, including the Ki-67 labeling index (LI), was also evaluated. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the effect of NOK expression on survival. RESULTS: Data showed that NOK was expressed in 75.4% and 14.1% of cancer lesions and corresponding adjacent non-cancerous tissue, respectively. Out of all the clinicopathological factors analyzed, NOK expression was significantly correlated with the grade of tumor differentiation (P=0.035), pTNM stage (P=0.020), lymphatic metastasis (P=0.005) and high Ki-67 LI (P<0.001). NOK positive NSCLC patients had a significantly shorter survival time (P=0.004, Log-rank test) and the prognostic significance of NOK expression was apparent in squamous cell carcinoma patients (P=0.022). Multivariate analysis indicated that NOK expression may be an independent prognostic factor in NSCLC (hazard ratio [HR], 1.731; P=0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that NOK expression is of clinical significance and can serve as a prognostic biomarker in NSCLC.

Shikonin attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury in mice.

BACKGROUND: Shikonin, a natural naphthoquinone pigment extracted from the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has shown a variety of pharmacologic properties including anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, we analyzed the role of shikonin in acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male BALB/C mice were randomly allocated into six groups (n = 10, each): control group, shikonin group (50 mg/kg), LPS group, and three different doses (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) for shikonin-treated groups. Shikonin or vehicle was given with an intragastric administration 1 h before an intratracheal instillation of LPS (5 mg/kg). The severity of pulmonary injury was evaluated 6 h after LPS challenge. RESULTS: Shikonin pretreatment significantly attenuated LPS-induced pulmonary histopathologic changes, alveolar hemorrhage, and neutrophil infiltration. The lung wet-to-dry weight ratios, as the index of pulmonary edema, were markedly decreased by shikonin pretreatment. Moreover, shikonin decreased the productions of the proinflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1ß and the concentration of total proteins in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Shikonin pretreatment also reduced the concentrations of myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide in lung tissues. In addition, shikonin pretreatment significantly suppressed LPS-induced activation of cyclooxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase and the nuclear factor κB DNA-binding activity in lung tissues. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that shikonin may have a protective effect against LPS-induced acute lung injury, and the potential mechanism of this action may attribute partly to the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 expression by downregulating nuclear factor κB activation.