A hybrid generative adversarial network for weakly-supervised cloud detection in multispectral images.

Cloud detection is a crucial step in the optical satellite image processing pipeline for Earth observation. Clouds in optical remote sensing images seriously affect the visibility of the background and greatly reduce the usability of images for land applications. Traditional methods based on thresholding, multi-temporal or multi-spectral information are often specific to a particular satellite sensor. Convolutional Neural Networks for cloud detection often require labeled cloud masks for training that are very time-consuming and expensive to obtain. To overcome these challenges, this paper presents a hybrid cloud detection method based on the synergistic combination of generative adversarial networks (GAN) and a physics-based cloud distortion model (CDM). The proposed weakly-supervised GAN-CDM method (available online https://github.com/Neooolee/GANCDM) only requires patch-level labels for training, and can produce cloud masks at pixel-level in both training and testing stages. GAN-CDM is trained on a new globally distributed Landsat 8 dataset (WHUL8-CDb, available online doi:https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6420027) including image blocks and corresponding block-level labels. Experimental results show that the proposed GAN-CDM method trained on Landsat 8 image blocks achieves much higher cloud detection accuracy than baseline deep learning-based methods, not only in Landsat 8 images (L8 Biome dataset, 90.20% versus 72.09%) but also in Sentinel-2 images ("S2 Cloud Mask Catalogue" dataset, 92.54% versus 77.00%). This suggests that the proposed method provides accurate cloud detection in Landsat images, has good transferability to Sentinel-2 images, and can quickly be adapted for different optical satellite sensors.

Secondary Exfoliation of Electrolytic Graphene Oxide by Ultrasound Assisted Microwave Technique.

Scalable production of large size and high quality graphene is an important prerequisite to fully realize its commercial applications. Herein, we propose a high-efficient route for preparing few-layer graphene. The secondary exfoliation of unexfoliated graphite flakes from electrochemical exfoliation was achieved by using ultrasonication assisted microwave exfoliation technique. The results show that the as-prepared sample has a C/O of 15.2, a thickness of about 1 nm and a transverse dimension of over 100 nm, and the Raman spectrogram shows low defects upon reduction of the sample. These results suggest that electrolytic graphene can be exfoliated to form graphene nanosheets under ultrasonic-assisted microwave technology, thus indicating that the current method has great potential for synthesizing high-quality graphene at an industrial-scale.

The Three-Dimensional Morphology and Distribution of CaS Inclusions in Continuous Casting Slab of Ni20Mn6 Steel.

Calcium sulfide (CaS) inclusion with large and irregular shape is detrimental to the properties of steel. Understanding the shape and distribution of CaS inclusions in a continuous casting (CC) slab is of significance for improving the rolling properties. In this study, CaS inclusions were extracted from CC slab of Ni20Mn6 steel using the electrolytic extraction and investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The CaS inclusions morphologies vary with their locations in the CC slab and, thus, are classified into five categories. The thermodynamics calculated results showed that CaS inclusions precipitated at the end of solidification due to the microsegregation of sulfur and calcium in the interdendrite liquid and finally precipitated along the austenite grain boundary. The macrosegregation degree of solutes in different regions is one of the reasons that affect the size of CaS inclusion. The morphologies of CaS inclusion are affected by the solidification structure of slab and austenite grain boundary.

Study on the growth and morphology evolution of titanium oxide clusters in molten iron with molecular dynamics simulation.

Formation of nano-scale titanium oxides is a desirable result in the deoxidation process of steelmaking. However, the nucleation of nano-scale titanium oxide inclusions remains unknown up to now because of the difficulty in observing and detecting inclusions in steel melt. In this work, we studied the formation and evolution of titanium oxygen clusters in molten iron by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation using empirical atomic interaction potentials. The structures of small titanium oxygen clusters in iron are reasonable compared to the first-principles simulation results. The growth process of small clusters into larger clusters was simulated and it is found the clusters grow through the collision mechanism, with the intermediate products exhibiting chain structures. The iron environment was found to play an important role in the structural form of the titanium oxygen clusters. This study is useful to provide the details of formation and the growth mechanism of titanium oxygen clusters and to provide a valuable picture for the nucleation mechanism of titanium oxide in molten steel.

Dual-centre randomized-controlled trial comparing transurethral endoscopic enucleation of the prostate using diode laser vs. bipolar plasmakinetic for the treatment of LUTS secondary of benign prostate obstruction: 1-year follow-up results.

PURPOSE: Bipolar endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (BEEP) was recommended by the 2016 EAU guidelines as the first choice of surgical treatment in men with a substantially enlarged prostate and moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms. The main aim of this study was to compare a modified diode laser enucleation of the prostate (DiLEP) to BEEP. METHODS: A total of 114 patients with prostate (20-160 mL) were randomized 1:1 into either DiLEP or BEEP in a dual-centre, non-inferiority-design randomized-controlled trial. The primary outcomes included Qmax and IPSS at 12 months. Non-inferiority was evaluated by comparing the two-sided 95% CI for the mean differences of Qmax and IPSS. Secondary endpoints included other perioperative parameters, postoperative micturition variables, and complication rate. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients (97%) had completed the intent-to-treat analysis, The results showed that DiLEP was comparable to BEEP regarding Qmax (28.0 ± 7.0 vs. 28.1 ± 7.2 mL/s) and IPSS (3.0 ± 2.2 vs. 2.9 ± 2.6) at 12 months, the non-inferiority was met for both Qmax and IPSS. There were also no significant difference between two groups regarding tissue removal rate (71.8 vs. 73.8%), hemoglobin decrease (0.33 ± 0.66 vs. 0.36 ± 0.75 g/dL), sodium decrease (1.0 ± 2.7 vs. 0.3 ± 2.9 mmol/L), and Clavien III complications (5.3 vs. 1.8%) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: This DiLEP is an anatomical endoscopic enucleation technique for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, it is non-inferior to BEEP regarding Qmax and IPSS at 12 months postoperatively.

Bipolar transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate: Whether it is ready to supersede TURP?

OBJECTIVE: According to the EAU Guidelines, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has so far still been considered as the gold standard for surgical treatment for patients with obstructing clinical benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). However, its relatively high rate of complications and postoperative recurrence necessitates further modification and innovation on the surgery technique. We reported the patient outcomes with our technique. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 52 patients with obstructing clinical BPH who underwent bipolar transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate (B-TUERP) between March 2015 and September 2015. Pre- and perioperative parameters were obtained from medical charts. Postoperative follow-ups were administrated at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 month(s) after surgery, respectively. RESULTS: All the operations were performed successfully with a mean operative time of 43.1 min and an average tissue removal rate of 74.7%. Qmax was significantly improved immediately after surgery, followed by a continuous improvement throughout the follow-ups. Following a steep decrease in mean prostate specific antigen (PSA) and post void residual (PVR) observed within the first half year after surgery, the serum PSA was then maintained at a constant level of 0.61 ng/mL. Temporary urinary retention was found in four cases (7.7%). Stress urinary incontinence occurred in five patients (9.6%), with the condition resolved in 1-2 weeks without extra treatment. Urethral strictures and bladder neck contractures, as the most commonly observed long-term complications, developed in four patients (7.7%). No recurrence was found during 2 years of follow-ups. An improvement in International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) scores was witnessed in 17 patients preoperatively with normal sexual function during the first 6 months after surgery, and sustained throughout the 24-month period. CONCLUSIONS: Enucleation reflects an improvement on surgical technique in many ways with a need for surgical equipment that can be broadly accessible in clinical practice. Currently, bipolar resection is a commonly employed procedure in clinical settings, and its similarity shared with bipolar enucleation technique warrants a quick learning of B-TUERP by urologists. Based on these findings, we believe that the substitution of TURP by TUERP as the gold standard for prostate endoscopic procedure can be expected in the future.

Impacts of Modification of Alloying Method on Inclusion Evolution in RH Refining of Silicon Steel.

This study explores the effect of introducing additional alloy elements not only in a different order but also at different stages of the Ruhrstahl-Heraeus (RH) process of low-carbon silicon steel production. A more economical method, described as "pre-alloying", has been introduced. The evolution of MnO-FeO inclusions produced by pre-alloying was investigated. Results show that spherical 3FeO·MnO inclusions form first, then shelled FeO·zMnO (z = 0.7-4) inclusions nucleate on the surface of pre-existing 3FeO·MnO. Spherical FeO·zMnO (z = 3-5) is further evolved from shelled 3FeO·MnO by diffusion. Because these MnO-FeO inclusions float up into the slag before degassing, the pre-alloying process does not affect the quality of the melt in the end. Both carbon content and inclusion size conform to industry standards.

Conflict between conservation and development: cash forest encroachment in Asian elephant distributions.

Over the last 4 decades, China has undergone major economic development, resulting in considerable impacts on its wildlife populations and habitats. It is essential to quantify the conflict between development and conservation to assist with policy-making because forestry policies and market trends affected indirectly the distribution of Asian elephants. Here, we mapped the historical distribution of elephants versus human land use. Elephant distributions appear to occur in unbroken natural forests only. However, over the 40-year period, the distribution ranges have become smaller and fragmented, with natural forest area also declining by 16%. The monoculture of cash trees is encroaching on natural forests. Over the past 10 years, rubber plantations have become concentrated in the south, with extensive natural forests and scattered rubber farms being converted to tea plantations, due to changes in governmental policies and product prices. Through mapping the spatial changes in the distribution of rubber and tea plantations, our study is expected to help local managers to incorporate the needs of endangered elephants through creating space when planning plantations, especially in Xishuangbanna and the south part of Pu'er. In conclusion, restoring elephant habitat and establishing ecological corridors are critical for the survival of elephants in this region.

[Effect of androgen receptor on IgG expression, proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of androgen receptor (AR) on IgG protein expression and the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells. METHODS: Western blotting was used to detect the expression of AR protein and IgG in androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCap cells and castration-resistant prostate cancer PC-3 cells. In AR-overexpressing cells (PC-3-AR cells) established by transfecting PC-3 with AR gene (pCDNA3.1) and LNCap cells with small interfering RNA-mediated AR silencing (LNCap-siAR cells) were analyzed for expressions of AR protein and IgG with Western blotting; the expression of IgG mRNA was detected by Q-PCR, and the cell proliferation and migration were assessed with MTT assay and wound healing assay, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with PC-3 cells, LNCap cells expressed a higher level of AR protein and a lower level of IgG (P<0.05). PC-3-AR cells showed attenuated proliferation and migration with a lowered expression of IgG (P<0.01), while LNCap-siAR cells showed enhanced proliferation and migration with increased expression of IgG (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The expression of AR is inversely correlated with IgG and is associated with the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells in vitro.

Lycorine induces apoptosis of bladder cancer T24 cells by inhibiting phospho-Akt and activating the intrinsic apoptotic cascade.

Lycorine, an alkaloid extracted from Amaryllidaceae genera, exhibits antitumor activities against several human solid-tumor and leukemia cells with extensive influence on various cell signaling molecules. However, the effect of lycorine on bladder cancer has not yet been investigated. In this study, we demonstrated that lycorine induced apoptosis in human bladder cancer T24 cells, an effect that is mediated via inhibition of phospho-Akt expression and the consequent activation of caspase-3 and Bax in vitro. In an in vivo experiment, T24 cells were subcutaneously implanted in the right rear flank of nu/nu mice. Lycorine treatment for 14 days significantly inhibited tumor growth compared with that in controls. Collectively, our findings suggest that lycorine suppressed the Akt pathway and activated the intrinsic apoptotic cascade, leading to the apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. We suggest that lycorine can be a viable therapeutic option for bladder cancer patients.

[Effect of sodium phenylbutyrate on the sensitivity of PC3/DTX-resistant prostate cancer cells to docetaxel].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of sodium phenylbutyrate (SPB) in modulating docetaxel resistance in human prostate cancer cells in vitro. METHODS: A PC3/docetaxel-resistant human prostate cancer cell line PC3/DTX was induced and examined for proliferation, viability, and cell inhibition rate in the presence of SPB. The concentration of concentration of docetaxel required to kill 50% of PC3/DTX cells incubated with 0, 1, 2, and 4 mmol/L SPB was determined using MTT assay. Cell apoptosis rate was analyzed with flow cytometry and the cellular expressions of p21, cyclin D1 and survivin proteins were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: Treatment of PC3/DTX cells with 0, 1, 2, and 4 mmol/L of SPB for 48 h resulted in cell viabilities of (99.85∓2.69)%, (84.68∓3.87)%, (68.65∓4.54)% and (43.54∓5.69)%, and cell inhibition rates of (10.69∓3.65)%, (25.78∓4.58)%, (54.68∓3.98)% and (69.84∓6.54)%, respectively (P<0.05). The concentration of docetaxel required to kill 50% of PC3/DTX cells cultured in the presence of with 0, 1, 2, and 4 mmol/L SPB was 135.98∓2.69, 109.65∓3.87, 87.65∓3.84 and 64.62∓2.98 nmol/L, respectively (P<0.05), and the cell apoptosis rates were (7.2∓0.8)%, (10.2∓0.9)%, (19.8∓2.1)% and (27.4∓2.5)%, respectively. SPB treatment promoted the protein expression of p21 and suppressed the expressions of cyclin D1 and survivin in PC3/DTX cells. CONCLUSION: SPB can affect the expressions of p21, cyclin D1, and survivin in PC3/DTX cells and increase the sensitivity to the drug-resistant cells to docetaxel.

Ligation-free technique for dorsal vascular complex control during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a single-center experience from China.

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate a ligation-free technique and compare perioperative and postoperative outcomes of this technique versus the standard suture method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study is a retrospective review of 233 consecutive patients with localized prostate cancer who underwent ligation-free technique (n = 180, Group 1) or standard ligation (n = 53, Group 2) at an academic institution from February 2010 to January 2014. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Operative time was significantly shorter in Group 1 than in Group 2 (148.47 vs. 164.25 min, p = 0.000). No difference in EBL was noted between the groups (191.11 vs. 185.06 mL, p = 0.055). Postoperative continence rates at 3, 6, and 12 months in Groups 1 and 2 were 40.0 versus 24.5, 54.4 versus 37.7, and 73.9 versus 71.7 %, respectively. These differences were statistically significant. No patient in either group had a positive apical surgical margin. During follow-up, tumor recurrence or metastasis was not observed in any patient. Limitations of the study include this retrospective study of a single-center experience and lack of potency appraisal. CONCLUSIONS: This present ligation-free technique showed a statistically significant shorter interval to recovery of continence and higher continence rates in short-term postoperative results by contrast to conventional suture ligation, but no significant difference was revealed in long-term urinary control. We offer this technique and the correlative data to provide more information for deeply understanding the precise construction of the dorsal vascular complex and the mechanism of urinary control.

Can the lower urinary tract storage symptoms be completely resolved after plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate?

The aim of this study was to determine whether the lower urinary tract storage symptoms of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) could be completely resolved after plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate (PKEP) and the possible predictors of persistent symptoms. Two hundred and sixty-seven cases of BPO performed PKEP from July 2008 to June 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Five-year postoperative data were collected and compared with the preoperative data. According to the urodynamic results, the patients were divided into involuntary detrusor contraction (IDC) group (n = 95) and no IDC group (n = 172) preoperatively; the patients with IDC were divided into IDC-persistent group (n = 33) and IDC-resolved group (n = 62) after PKEP. The predictors of persistent IDC were analyzed. Compared with the preoperative data, the 5-year postoperative data showed that the IDC rate was lower (P = 0.000), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) was lower (P = 0.000), maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) was larger (P = 0.000), Prostate volume (PV) was smaller (P = 0.000), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was lower (P = 0.000). Compared with the no IDC group, the IDC group showed that the age was older (P = 0.016), MCC was smaller (P = 0.004), PSA was higher (P = 0.016), and Chronic Inflammation rate was higher (P = 0.004). Compared with IDC-resolved group after PKEP, IDC-persistent group showed that the age was older (P = 0.019), MCC was smaller (P = 0.000), PSA was higher (P = 0.013), and Chronic Inflammation rate was higher (P = 0.032). The present study shows that the storage symptoms are still needed to be focused on after PKEP. The advanced patient age, MCC, PSA, and chronic inflammation may be the important clinical predictors of persistent IDC.

Loss of miR-26a-5p promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion in prostate cancer through negatively regulating SERBP1.

The biological role of miR-26a involved in the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer (PC) has been controversial. Besides, the underlying mechanism by which miR-26a plays a role in PC has been unclear. To investigate the role of miR-26a-5p in the PC, miR-26a-5p was detected and statistically analyzed in clinical PC tissues and a panel of PC cell lines. Using bioinformatics analysis, we found that serpine1 messenger RNA (mRNA) binding protein 1 (SERBP1) was a potential downstream target of miR-26a-5p. Using luciferase reporter and western blot, we identified that miR-26a-5p negatively regulated SERBP1 on the PC cell line level. It was confirmed that miR-26a-5p was markedly downregulated in PC tissues compared with normal controls whose reduced expression was significantly associated with metastasis and poor overall prognosis and found that miR-26a-5p was able to prevent proliferation and motility of PC cells in vitro. Additionally, SERBP1 was identified as a downstream target of miR-26a-5p. Moreover, it was observed that SERBP1 was markedly upregulated in prostate cancer tissues and was significantly associated with tissue metastasis and Gleason score. Taken together, our results for the first time demonstrate that the loss of miR-26a-5p promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion through targeting SERBP1 in PC, supporting the tumor-suppressing role of miR-26a-5p in PC.

Sodium phenylbutyrate antagonizes prostate cancer through the induction of apoptosis and attenuation of cell viability and migration.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in men. Sodium phenylbutyrate (SPB) has shown its potential as an anticancer therapy in numerous cancer types. In the present study, we attempted to assess the effect of SPB against PCa and whether this treatment was associated with the regulation of survivin. METHODS: Two human PCa cancer cell lines, DU145 and PC3, were used in the present study. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was conducted to measure the proliferation of PCa cells incubated with SPB. The effect of SPB on the cell apoptosis, cell colony formation ability, and cell morphological change was also assessed. Transwell experiment and Western blotting assay were performed to determine the effect of SPB on the migration and invasion ability of both cell types. Moreover, the expression pattern of survivin and MAPK members in both cell types after the treatment of SPB was also detected. Additionally, an in vivo tumor formation assay was performed to evaluate the treatment potential of SPB against PCa. RESULTS: We found that the viability of PCa cells was significantly inhibited by SPB treatment. As illustrated by flow cytometry, for DU145 cell line the average apoptotic rate of SPB-treated cells was significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05); similar results were also seen for PC3 (P<0.05). SPB administration also attenuated the colony formation and migration abilities in both cell lines. The expression level of survivin in SPB-treated cells was significantly downregulated, while the phosphorylation of p-38 and ERK was enhanced. Furthermore, in vivo tumor formation of both cell lines was suppressed by SPB as well. CONCLUSION: The above results confirmed the potential of SPB as an effective therapeutic agent for the prevention or treatment of PCa. This amelioration might be due to the blockade of the survivin pathway.

Influence of a single-nucleotide polymorphism of the DNA mismatch repair-related gene exonuclease-1 (rs9350) with prostate cancer risk among Chinese people.

In this study, we aimed to identify the influence of exonuclease 1 (EXO1) single-nucleotide polymorphism rs9350, which is involved in DNA mismatch repair, on prostate cancer risk in Chinese people. In our hospital-based case-control study, 214 prostate cancer patients and 253 cancer-free control subjects were enrolled from three hospitals in China. Genotyping for rs9350 was performed by the SNaPshot(®) method using peripheral blood samples. Consequently, a significantly higher prostate cancer risk was observed in patients with the CC genotype [odds ratio (OR) = 1.678, 95 % confidence interval (CI) = 1.130-2.494, P = 0.010] than in those with the CT genotype. Further, the CT/TT genotypes were significantly associated with increased prostate cancer risk (adjusted OR = 1.714, 95 % CI = 1.176-2.500, P = 0.005), and the C allele had a statistically significant compared with T allele (P = 0.009) of EXO1 (rs9350). Through stratified analysis, significant associations were revealed for the CT/TT genotype in the subgroup with diagnosis age >72 (adjusted OR = 1.776, 95 % CI = 1.051-3.002, P = 0.032) and in patients with localized disease subgroup (adjusted OR = 1.798, 95 % CI = 1.070-3.022, P = 0.027). In addition, we observed that patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels of ≤10 ng/mL were more likely to have the CT/TT genotypes than those with PSA levels of >10 ng/mL (P = 0.006). For the first time, we present evidence that the inherited EXO1 polymorphism rs9350 may have a substantial influence on prostate cancer risk in Chinese people. We believe that the rs9350 could be a useful biomarker for assessing predisposition for and early diagnosis of prostate cancer.

IgG silencing induces apoptosis and suppresses proliferation, migration and invasion in LNCaP prostate cancer cells.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been implicated in the progression of various cancers. This study explored the role of IgG in the proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and in vitro invasive properties of LNCaP prostate cancer cells. We used IGHG1 small interfering RNA to silence IgG1 expression in LNCaP cells. The efficacy of IgG1 gene knockdown was confirmed using qPCR and western blotting. The colony formation, proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of LNCaP cells after transfection were assessed using colony-forming, flow cytometry and transwell assays. The expressions of PCNA and caspase-3 proteins in LNCaP cells after transfection were detected with immunofluorescence staining and western blotting. IgG1 silencing significantly decreased the colony formation, survival, cell cycle progression, migration and invasion of LNCaP cells (p < 0.05). IgG1 silencing also reduced the amount of the proliferation marker PCNA and induced formation of the apoptotic marker caspase-3 (p < 0.05). Our results show that IgG1 produced by LNCaP cells confers advantages for tumor cell survival, proliferation, migration and invasion, suggesting that IgG1 is a potential target for prostate cancer treatment.

[Effect of stable DNA methyltransferase 3bknockdown on proliferation and apoptosis in bladder cancer cells in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of stable knockdown of DNA methyltransferase 3b (DNMT3b) on the proliferation and apoptosis of bladder cancer cells. METHODS: Lentivirus expressing DNMT3b siRNA or the negative control siRNA was infected in human bladder cancer BIU-87 cells. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis, respectively. The inhibitory effect of DNMT3b knockdown on xenograft tumors in nude mice was observed. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were carried out to investigate the expression level of cell apoptosis related genes. Methylation specific PCR was used to examine the methylation in the promoter region of the cell apoptosis related genes. RESULTS: The results of real-time PCR and Western blotting showed that DNMT3b mRNA and protein level were stably knocked down in BIU-87 cells. Stable DNMT3b knockdown suppressed BIU-87 cell growth and the tumor formation ability of the cells in nude mice. DNMT3b knockdown promoted the apoptosis of BIU-87 cells, increased the mRNA and protein expression of the cell growth and apoptosis related genes including DAPK, Bax and RASSF1A, and significantly decreased the methylation of these genes. CONCLUSION: Stable DNMT3b knockdown can affect the methylation of the cell growth and apoptosis related genes to regulate their expression, which might be a possible mechanism for suppressed cell growth and enhanced apoptosis of BIU-87 cells.

Increased expression of metastasis-associated in colon cancer-1 in renal cell carcinoma is associated with poor prognosis.

Metastasis-associated in colon cancer-1 (MACC1) expression in tumor specimens is an independent prognostic indicator of metastasis, which has recently gained considerable attention in cancer research, due to its overexpression in several types of carcinoma. However, MACC1 expression patterns and its possible role in renal cell carcinoma remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate MACC1 expression in renal cell carcinoma via immunohistochemical analysis and determine the relationship between MACC1 expression and cancer prognosis. Positive MACC1 expression was found to significantly correlate with distant metastasis and TNM stage (P < 0.05). A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that patients with higher MACC1 expression had a significantly lower disease-free rate (P < 0.05). These results indicate that MACC1 expression is significantly associated with prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the significance of MACC1 as a prognostic marker in renal cell carcinoma. MACC1 expression may be a useful target for the development of new therapeutic approaches, including molecular targeted therapeutic agents, for renal cell carcinoma.

A combination of YM-155, a small molecule survivin inhibitor, and IL-2 potently suppresses renal cell carcinoma in murine model.

YM155, a small molecule inhibitor of the antiapoptotic protein survivin, has been developed as a potential anti-cancer drug. We investigated a combination therapy of YM155 and interleukin-2 (IL-2) in a mouse model of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). YM155 caused cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in renal cancer (RENCA) cells. Next, luciferase-expressing RENCA cells were implanted in the left kidney and the lung of BALB/c mice to develop RCC metastatic model. In this orthotopic renal and metastatic lung tumors models, YM155 and IL-2 additively decreased tumor weight, lung metastasis, and luciferin-stained tumor images. Also, the combination significantly suppressed regulatory T cells and myeloid-derived suppressor cells compared with single agent treatment. We suggest that a combination of YM155 and IL-2 can be tested as a potential therapeutic modality in patients with RCC.