Mutational and transcriptomic landscapes of a rare human prostate basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: As a rare subtype of prostate carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) has not been studied extensively and thus lacks systematic molecular characterization. METHODS: Here, we applied single-cell genomic amplification and RNA-Seq to a specimen of human prostate BCC (CK34ßE12+ /P63+ /PAP- /PSA- ). The mutational landscape was obtained via whole exome sequencing of the amplification mixture of 49 single cells, and the transcriptomes of 69 single cells were also obtained. RESULTS: The five putative driver genes mutated in BCC are CASC5, NUTM1, PTPRC, KMT2C, and TBX3, and the top three nucleotide substitutions are C>T, T>C, and C>A, similar to common prostate cancer. The distribution of the variant allele frequency values indicated that these single cells are from the same tumor clone. The 69 single cells were clustered into tumor, stromal, and immune cells based on their global transcriptomic profiles. The tumor cells specifically express basal cell markers like KRT5, KRT14, and KRT23 and epithelial markers EPCAM, CDH1, and CD24. The transcription factor covariance network analysis showed that the BCC tumor cells have distinct regulatory networks. By comparison with current prostate cancer datasets, we found that some of the bulk samples exhibit basal cell signatures. Interestingly, at single-cell resolution the gene expression patterns of prostate BCC tumor cells show uniqueness compared with that of common prostate cancer-derived circulating tumor cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study, for the first time, discloses the comprehensive mutational and transcriptomic landscapes of prostate BCC, which lays a foundation for the understanding of its tumorigenesis mechanism and provides new insights into prostate cancers in general.

Peripheral monocyte count: an independent diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for prostate cancer - a large Chinese cohort study.

Increasing evidence indicates that inflammation may play important roles in tumorigenesis and progression, and an elevated peripheral monocyte count predicts a poor prognosis in various types of malignancies. Here, we evaluate the roles of peripheral monocyte count in the diagnosis and prognosis for prostate cancer in Chinese patients. A total of 1107 consecutive patients who had undergone prostate biopsy and 290 prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy as first-line therapy were retrospectively analyzed. The parameters were measured at the time of diagnosis. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the independent predictors of a positive biopsy. Patients were categorized in two groups using a cutoff point of 0.425 × 109 l-1 as calculated by the receiver-operating curve analysis for prognosis. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the associations of monocyte count with progression-free survival, cancer-specific survival, and overall survival. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that monocyte count, age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), free/total PSA, and prostate volume were independent predictors for prostate cancer. Multivariate Cox regression analyses identified an elevated monocyte count as an independent prognostic factor for worse cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio = 2.244, P < 0.05) and overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.995, P < 0.05), but not progression-free survival (P = 0.117). Our results indicated that an elevated monocyte count was an independent diagnostic biomarker for prostate cancer, and pretreatment peripheral monocyte count might play a significant role in the prognosis of prostate cancer patients treated with androgen deprivation therapy.

[Investigation on schistosomiasis cognitive levels of people from Chaohu area].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cognitive levels of people from Chaohu area, Anhui Province about the prevention and control knowledge of schistosomiasis before the water transfer project operation, so as to provide the reference for formulating the health education intervention. METHODS: A schistosomiasis questionnaire survey was conducted among the students, fishermen, boat people and villagers from Chaohu selected by the random cluster sampling from May to October, 2014. RESULTS: A total of 1 140 questionnaires were issued with the actual recovery of 1 096 copies and 1 032 valid questionnaires. The awareness rate of prevention and control knowledge of schistosomiasis was from 11.72% to 71.71%. The highest awareness rate was in the "know schistosomiasis", however the lowest awareness rate was in the "know the intermediate host of schistosomiasis". Catching fish or shrimp in river or lake was the main way of contacting water in production activities (39.05%), and swimming or playing in river or lake was the main way of contacting water in life activities (63.18%). The prevention and control knowledge of schistosomiasis by teaching was at a rate of 41.47% on average, and the main way was anti-schistosomiasis professionals going to countryside to do health education (49.53%). That the feces directly discharged into water accounted for 91.14% in fishman and boatman. CONCLUSION: It is necessary for people from Chaohu to carry out various forms of health education of schistosomiasis prevention and control before the water transfer project operation.

Renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma: a report of 8 cases and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma of kidney (MTSCC-K) is a rare variant of renal tumor. The current data show most of MTSCCs are of low malignant potential and rare cases metastatic to lymph nodes have been reported; however, the recorded computed tomography (CT) and follow up data are limited. MATERIAL AND METHOD: In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed CT and clinicopathological data of eight patients with renal MTSCC-K. RESULTS: A total of eight cases, including six females and two males, were included in this analysis with a mean age of 48.4 (range 25 to 81) years. Mean tumor size was 4.2 (range 2.5 to 10.0) cm. Preoperative CT demonstrated that all tumors were slightly enhanced on both corticomedullary and nephrographic phase, which was different from many other renal cell carcinomas. Three of them were treated with open radical nephrectomy, three with laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and the other two with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy. No postoperative therapy was applied. Patients were followed up for 15 to 64 months and there was no evidence of recurrence and metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: The MTSCC-K has special clinicopathological characteristics, low degree of malignancy and relative good prognosis. The diagnosis mainly depends on the histopathological examination and CT may help to differentiate with papillary renal cell carcinoma. Surgical treatment is recommended and additional therapies are not necessary. VIRTUAL SLIDES: The virtual slides for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/8435581771088249.

Increased expression of forkhead box M1 protein is associated with poor prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Forkhead box protein M1 (FoxM1) is crucial in the regulation of various biological processes, including cell proliferation, organogenesis, and angiogenesis. Overexpression of FoxM1 is associated with carcinogenesis. In this study, immunohistochemistry was carried out to examine FoxM1 expression in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and these data were examined for correlation with clinicopathological parameters and prognosis. FoxM1 protein had high expression in 37 of 87 cases of ccRCC (42.5 %), which was significantly higher than in normal tissues, and FoxM1 overexpression was significantly associated with tumor stage (P = 0.005) and recurrence (P = 0.027). The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that FoxM1 expression was significantly associated with shorter recurrence-free survival and overall survival (P = 0.007 and P = 0.008, respectively). Multivariate analysis further demonstrated that FoxM1 was an independent prognostic factor for patients with ccRCC. So FoxM1 might be a potential molecular marker to predict the prognosis of patients with ccRCC.

[Impact analysis of atmospheric state for target detection in hyperspectral radiance image].

Target detection based on hyperspectral radiance images can improve data processing efficiency to meet the requirements of real-time processing. However, the spectral radiance acquired by the remote sensor will be affected by the atmosphere. In the present paper, hyperspectral imaging process is simulated to analyze the effects of the changes in atmospheric state on target detection in hyperspectral radiance image. The results show that hyperspectral radiance image can be directly used for target detection, different atmospheric states have little impacts on the RXD detection, whereas the MF detection is dependent on the accuracy of the input spectrum, and good results can only be obtained by the MF detector when the atmospheric states are similar between the radiance spectrum of the target to be detected and the simulated hyperspectral image.

Androgen deprivation therapy through bilateral orchiectomy: increased metabolic risks.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies in men. Previous research has determined that androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) may be accompanied by an unfavourable metabolic profile. In this prospective study, 133 men were recruited, including 46 prostate cancer patients who had undergone bilateral orchiectomy and been on flutamide (the ADT group), 37 men with prostate cancer who had undergone radical prostatectomy (the non-ADT group) and 50 normal control subjects (the control group). All subjects were followed for at least 12 months. From baseline to 3 months, men in the ADT group had increased levels of fasting serum insulin and low-density lipoprotein compared to the other two groups (P<0.05). No obvious changes were found in the other parameters (P>0.05). After 12 months, men in the ADT group had increased levels of waist circumference, fasting serum insulin and glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein compared to the other two groups (P<0.05). Additionally, the morbidity rate of metabolic syndrome in the ADT group was higher (P<0.05) compared to the other two groups. ADT through surgical castration for men with prostate cancer may be associated with unfavourable metabolic changes. The benefits of the therapy should be balanced prudently against these risks.

[Surveillance and forecast of schistosomiasis transmission in Chaohu Lake area in Anhui Province, 2008-2010].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the dynamic changes of the potential prevalent factors of schistosomiasis in Chaohu Lake area so as to provide forecast information on the outbreak of schistosomiasis in the area. METHODS: From 2008 to 2010, fixed and mobile surveillance sites in potential endemic areas of Juchao District in Chaohu City, which was located in the southeast side of Chaohu Lake, were selected, and the schistosomiasis infection situation of local people, mobile population and livestock were investigated by immunological assays and/or stool examinations. The distribution of Oncomelania snails was surveyed in risk areas and suspicious areas, the spreading patterns of Oncomelania snails were observed in rivers that directly connected with the Yangtze River, and the Oncomelania snails were raised in the cages on the beaches of Chaohu Lake and a control area, and their survival and reproduction capacity was observed. RESULTS: In 2008, a total of 301 local people were screened by IHA, and there were no positives. From 2008 to 2010, a total of 321, 362 and 306 mobile population were examined by IHA, respectively, and the positive rate of antibody were 3.74%, 4.97% and 2.94%, respectively. The antibody positives were tested by stool examinations, and the positive rates were 66.67%, 50% and 55.56%, respectively. A total of 91 local livestock and 92 livestock from endemic areas were examined respectively by the miracidium hatching method, and there were no positives. A total of 97.8 hm2 risk areas and 193.62 hm2 suspicious areas in the potential endemic area were surveyed respectively, but no Oncomelania snails were found. The investigation results on snail spreading patterns indicated that snails could spread into Chaohu Lake by adsorbing on floating debris. The field study revealed that Oncomelania snails could survive and reproduce in the Lake. CONCLUSIONS: The imported infectious sources of schistosomiasis have been found in Chaohu Lake area, and the higher possibility of imported Oncomelania snails spreading into the Lake and surviving and reproducing in the lake is predicted. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to decrease the risks of schistosomiasis transmission in the potential endemic area.

Application of histone modification in the risk prediction of the biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy.

The role of histone modifications in the development and progression of cancer remains unclear. Here, we gave an investigation of the relationship between the various histone modifications and the risk prediction of the biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (RP). Histone 3 lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4diMe), trimethylation (H3K4triMe), lysine 36 trimethylation (H3K36triMe), histone 4 lysine 20 trimethylation (H4K20triMe) and acetylation of histome 3 lysine 9 (H3K9Ac) were evaluated using immnuohistochemistry coupled with the tissue microarray technique in 169 primary prostatectomy tissue samples. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was used to analyze the data. Through global histone modification analysis in patients who underwent radical prostatectomy, we found that H3K4triMe can predict the risk of the biochemical recurrence for the low grade prostate cancer (Gleason score < or = 6) after RP. In the case of high grade prostate cancer (Gleason score > or = 7), H4K20triMe and H3K9Ac accompanying with the pre-operation prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level could also predict the risk of the biochemical recurrence after RP. In combination with the Gleason score and pre-operation PSA level, the acetylation and methylation of histones H3 and H4 can predict the biochemical recurrence of the prostate cancer following RP.

[Desmoplastic small round-cell tumor of the paratesticular region: a case report and review of the literature].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical and pathological features of paratesticular desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. METHODS: One case of paratesticular DSRCT was studied retrospectively and a considerable amount of related literature from Medline and Chinese journals reviewed. The patient was a 27-year-old man presenting with a painless testicular mass in the left hemiscrotum. On physical examination, a cystic mass was palpable while the testis was not in the left hemiscrotum. RESULTS: During the operation the paratesticular area was found full of multiple nodular tumor masses of various sizes ranging from 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm in diameter. Pathological examination showed the characteristic histological pattern of nests of small undifferentiated cells embedded in a dense fibrous stroma. The tumor presented an immunohistochemical feature of epithelial, mesenchymal as well as neural multidirectional differentiation. Following testicular tumor orchiectomy, chemotherapy was performed with DDP, VP16, ifosfamide and EPI. Three years follow-up found no tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: Desmoplastic small round cell tumor has a specific clinicopathologic stigmata, usually occurring in young males, for which surgical resection with chemotherapy is the treatment of choice. DSRCT located in the paratesticular region may have a better prognosis than its more frequently abdominal counterpart.

[Expression of ARA55 mRNA in prostate carcinoma tissues and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of ARA55 mRNA in the prostate carcinoma tissues and its clinical significance. METHODS: Real-time RT-PCR was used to examine the expression of ARA55 mRNA in the samples of the prostate carcinoma tissues from 32 patients. RESULTS: ARA55 mRNA expressed in different degrees in all the samples. The Ct values were 20.57 +/- 0.20 and 16.33 +/- 0.31 at T1-T2 and T3-T4 stages, 23.13 +/- 0.13 and 17.3 +/- 0.19 for those with Gleason score < or =7 and >7, 24.70 +/- 0.27 and 17.21 +/- 0.34 for those with PSA < or =10 microg/L and >10 microg/L, and 23.82 +/- 0.21 and 16.71 +/- 0.32 for those that responded to endocrinological therapy and those that failed to, respectively. There was a significant difference between the former and the latter. CONCLUSION: ARA55 mRNA expression is significantly correlated with the clinical characteristics of the patient. And ARA55 can be regarded as a prognostic molecular marker for prostate carcinoma as well as a predictor of endocrinological therapeutic effect on the disease.

[Potential impact of water transfer project from Yangtze River to Huaihe River on snail spread and schistosomiasis transmission].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of spread of snails and transmission of schistosomiasis japonica due to the construction of water transfer project from Yangtze River to Huaihe River. METHODS: In order to understand the current endemic situation of schistosomiasis in the project area, the distribution of snails was surveyed by routine methods, level of anti-schistosome antibody in human sera was detected by indirect haemagglutination test (IHA), and the prevalence of schistosomiasis in cattle was detected by egg hatching method. The snail survival and reproduction were observed in Chaohu Lake area(experimental area) and a control area for one year. RESULTS: Snail density was high in two starting points, from where the water in Yangtze River will be directed to Huaihe River. In counties of Wuwei and Hexian, through which the project will be built, the positive rate of anti-schistosome antibody in residents was 22.11% (168/760) and 18.59% (37/199), schistosomiasis prevalence in cattle was 2.42% (9/371) and 0.2% (2/997), respectively. Schistosomiasis was also endemic in Juchao District of Chaohu City. Snails respectively from grassland and hilly area were collected and put in Chaohu Lake for breed and newborn snails were found one year later. During the egg-laying season, the survival rate of snails from grassland in 2 experiment areas and a control area was 11.3%-16.7%, 3.0%-20.8% and 4.7%-14.7% respectively (chi2 = 0.093, 0.760, P > 0.05; chi2 = 0.647, 0, P > 0.05), and that of snails from hilly area was 24.1%-44.4%, 37.8%-67.3% and 86.3%-93.1% respectively (chi2 = 9.575, 5.302, P < 0.05; chi2 = 56.863, 36.218, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the experimental area and the control area on the number of eggs in the ovaries of the same type female snails. CONCLUSION: The one-year observation reveals that the construction of the project might result in spread of snails and transmission of schistosomiasis japonica in the relevant areas.