SERPINB7 as a prognostic biomarker in cervical cancer: Association with immune infiltration and facilitation of the malignant phenotype.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression patterns, predictive significance, and roles in the immune microenvironment of Serpin Family-B Member 7 (SERPINB7) in cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC). Methods: The expression of SERPINB7 and its prognostic relevance were evaluated using RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. SERPINB7 regulation of CESC cell growth and metastasis was investigated using MTT, scratch, and Transwell assays. In vivo effects of SERPINB7 were examined in xenograft model mice and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with SERPINB7 were identified to explore its functional role in oncogenesis. Associations between SERPINB7 levels, chemosensitivity, and immune infiltration were assessed, and mutations and methylation of SERPINB7 were evaluated using the cBioPortal and MethSurv databases, respectively. Results: SERPINB7 was up-regulated in CESC samples as well as in other tumors, and patients with higher SERPINB7A mRNA levels exhibited shorter overall survival. The area under the curve for the use of SERPINB7 in CESC diagnosis was above 0.9, and the gene was shown to regulate tumor cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Overall, 398 DEGs enriched in key CESC progression-related signaling pathways were identified. SERPINB7 expression was additionally correlated with intratumoral immune infiltration and immune checkpoint activity. Patients expressing higher SERPINB7 levels exhibited distinct chemosensitivity profiles, and methylation of the SERPINB7 gene was linked to CESC patient prognostic outcomes. Conclusion: SERPINB7 was found to be a crucial regulator of CESC progression, prognosis, and the tumor immune microenvironment, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker and target for CESC immunotherapy.

Discoidin domain receptor 2 expression increases phagocytotic capacity in sertoli cells of sertoli cell-only syndrome testes.

Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) belongs to the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family, other RTKs have been reported to regulate phagocytic function of Sertoli cells (SCs), yet little is known about the function of DDR2 in Sertoli cells. In the present study, we aim to explore the function and mechanism of ectopic discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) expression in Sertoli cells of Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) testes. We found that discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) was absent in Sertoli cells of normal testis but was expressed in Sertoli cells of SCOS testes. This Sertoli cell DDR2 expression was induced by impaired androgen receptor (AR) signaling, but was inhibited by increased AR signaling from testosterone administration. The Sertoli cell DDR2 expression led to an increase in phagocytosis through up-regulation of Scavenger receptor class B member 1 (SR-BI) levels. However, loss of DDR2 by knock-out or knock-down weakened the phagocytotic capacity of Sertoli cells. Furthermore, the expression of DDR2 in Sertoli cells activated matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9) to consume abnormal collagen increase in seminiferous tubules which was responsible for the block of testosterone transportation and AR loss and to compensate for the impaired blood-testis-barrier (BTB). Our data suggest that the AR/DDR2 cascade may serve as a negative feedback mechanism to help compensate for the homeostasis of seminiferous epithelium in SCOS testis.

A retrospective analysis of prognostic factors for 160 patients with stage III small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: In some patients with stage III small cell lung cancer (SCLC), it is found that the treatment mode of systemic chemotherapy followed by auxiliary radiotherapy is better than early radiotherapy, but there is no clear evidence-based medical explanation for this. This study was designed to retrospectively evaluate prognostic factors for patients with stage III SCLC and explore the best treatment mode for locally advanced SCLC. METHODS: A total of 160 patients with stage III SCLC who underwent chemotherapy or chest radiotherapy were enrolled in this study, including 103 patients at stage IIIA and 57 patients at stage IIIB. The short-term and long-term outcomes following chemotherapy and chest radiotherapy were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in progression-free survival (PFS) (9.5 vs. 10.0 months, P=0.065) or overall survival (OS) (14.0 vs. 14.0 months, P=0.231) between early radiotherapy and late radiotherapy in stage IIIA SCLC. PFS in stage IIIB patients was longer in the late radiotherapy group than in early radiotherapy (11.0 vs. 9.0 months, P=0.041), but the difference in OS was not statistically significant between the two groups (14.0 vs. 17.0 months, P=0.110). There was no significant difference in short-term and long-term therapeutic effects between stages IIIA and IIIB. Patients with stage IIIB who received late radiotherapy seemed to have a survival advantage, but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.549). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment mode had no impact on patients at stage IIIA. Late radiotherapy showed more effectiveness for patients at stage IIIB.

Bcl-2 expression following the brain concussion in rats / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the expression of Bcl-2 protein after brain concussion.@*METHODS@#Expression levels of Bel-2 protein in cortex, pontine and cerebellum of rats were investigated using immunohistochemistry.@*RESULTS@#There was no expression of Bcl-2 protein in control group seen. The expression of Bcl-2 protein in brain concussion groups was detected at l hour, and the expression level reached its peak 4 days after the concussion and then declined gradually.@*CONCLUSION@#Our findings suggest that the detection of Bel-2 protein could be an indicator for diagnosis of brain concussion and for estimation of the post injury time interval.

Expression of c-myc protein on rats' brains after brain concussion / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the changes of expression of c-myc protein on rats' brains after brain concussion.@*METHODS@#sixty rats were randomly divided into brain concussion groups and control group. The expression of c-myc protein was microscopically observed by immunohistochemical method.@*RESULTS@#No expression of c-myc protein in control group were observed. However, positive expression of c-myc protein in some neurons was seen at 20 min after brain concussion, and reach to the peak at 8h after brain concussion and then decreased gradually.@*CONCLUSION@#These findings suggest that the detection of c-myc protein could be an index of diagnosis of brain concussion.

The evaluation of 12 STR loci genetic polymorphism in Han population / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the genetic polymorphism of 12 STR loci in 240 Han population and evaluate application of the 12 STR loci systems in forensic cases.@*METHODS@#12 STR loci were amplified with Muti-loci STR PCR system, which were genotyped with electrophoresis separation on dPAGE.@*RESULTS@#12 STR loci system had high power of discrimination (DP) and it was suited for analysis of dated bloodstain especially.@*CONCLUSION@#The 12 STR loci systems is simple economy and practicality, which is useful in forensic identification and disputed paternity.

In vivo distribution of c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotides local delivered by gelatin-coated platinum-iridium stents in rabbits and its effect on apoptosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Post-stenting restenosis is a significant clinical problem, involving vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation and apoptosis. It is reported that c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ASODNs) local delivered by catheter can inhibit VSMCs proliferation. This study was designed to assess tissue distribution of c-myc ASODN local delivered using gelatin-coated platinum-iridium (Pt-Ir) stents, and its effect on apoptosis of VSMCs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Gelatin-coated Pt-Ir stents that had absorbed caroboxyfluorescein-5-succimidyl ester (FAM) labeled c-myc ASODNs (550 microg per stent) were implanted into the right carotid arteries of 6 rabbits. Tissue samples were obtained at 45 minutes, 2 hours, and 6 hours. Tissue distribution of c-myc ASODNs was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, 32 rabbits were randomly divided into two groups. Rabbits in the control group (n = 16) were implanted with gelatin-coated Pt-Ir stents, and those in the treatment group (n = 16) were implanted with gelatin-coated stents that had absorbed c-myc ASODNs. 7, 14, 30, or 90 days (n = 4, respectively, for each group) after the stenting procedure, the stented segments were harvested, and histopathological examinations were performed to calculate neointimal area and mean neointimal thickness. The expression of c-myc was assessed using in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemical methods. Apoptotic VSMCs were detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and transmission electron microscope (TEM).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to fluorescence microscopic results, FAM-labeled c-myc ASODNs were concentrated in the target vessel media at the 45 minutes time point, and then dispersed to the adventitia. Morphometric analysis showed that neointimal area and mean neointimal thickness increased continuously up to 90 days after stent implantation, but that total neointimal area and mean neointimal thickness were less in the treatment group than in the control group at all time points (P < 0.0001). At day 7 and day 14 after stenting, there were no detectable apoptotic cells in either group. However, apoptotic cells were present in the neointima 30 and 90 days after stenting, and the number of apoptotic cells was less at 30 days than at 90 days. Meanwhile, c-myc ASODNs appeared to induce apoptosis in more cells in the treatment group than that in the control group. Typical apoptotic VSMCs were observable under TEM. The expression of c-myc was positive in the control group and negative or weakly positive in the c-myc ASODN treatment group, according to both ISH and immunohistochemical examination.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gelatin-coated Pt-Ir stent mediated local delivery of c-myc ASODNs is feasible. The localization of c-myc ASODN is primarily in the target vessel walls. c-myc ASODNs can inhibit VSMCs proliferation and induce its apoptosis after local delivery in vivo.</p>