Cell-derived microvesicles mediate the delivery of miR-29a/c to suppress angiogenesis in gastric carcinoma.

Microvesicles (MVs) secreted from cells have been found to mediate signal transduction between cells. In the tumor microenvironment, VEGF released from cancer cells plays a key role in promoting tumor angiogenesis. In this study, we characterized the inhibitory effect of MV-delivered miR-29a/c on angiogenesis and tumor growth in gastric cancer (GC).

Gemcitabine plus S-1 versus cetuximab as a third-line therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer: an observational trial.

Background And Aim: After failure of oxaliplatin, irinotecan, and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), there is no effective and low-cost therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine plus S-1 (GS) versus cetuximab as a third-line chemotherapy for mCRC patients.

Methods: Patients with previous failure of oxaliplatin, 5-FU, and irinotecan chemotherapy were included.

Prognostic nomogram for previously untreated patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after esophagectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy.

Objective: The aim of the study was to establish an effective prognostic nomogram for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after radical esophagectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in those previously untreated patients.

Methods: The clinicopathological data from 328 patients who underwent radical esophagectomy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy or not at the Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between 2006 and 2010 were retrospectively studied. Nomograms which predicted survival of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were established based on the Cox proportional hazards regression model.

Onco-miR-24 regulates cell growth and apoptosis by targeting BCL2L11 in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide; however, the molecular mechanism in tumorigenesis still needs exploration. BCL2L11 belongs to the BCL-2 family, and acts as a central regulator of the intrinsic apoptotic cascade and mediates cell apoptosis. Although miRNAs have been reported to be involved in each stage of cancer development, the role of miR-24 in GC has not been reported yet.

Integrated analysis of the miRNA, gene and pathway regulatory network in gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide; however, the efficacy of clinical treatment is limited. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that have been reported to play a key role in the development of cancer. They also provide novel candidates for targeted therapy.

Synthesis and in vitro antitumor evaluation of dihydroartemisinin-cinnamic acid ester derivatives.

To explore novel high efficiency and low toxicity antitumor agents, a series of dihydroartemisinin-cinnamic acid ester derivatives modified on C-12 and/or C-9 position (s) were synthesized and the in vitro antitumor activities against PC-3, SGC-7901, A549 and MDA-MB-435s cancer cell lines were assessed. The hybrids (3-36) were prepared by esterification of 9α-hydroxyl-dihydroartemisinin (9α-OH DHA), the biotransformation product of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), and cinnamic acid derivatives. Compound 17 (IC50 = 0.

Individualized Treatment of Patients With Early-Stage Epithelial Ovarian Cancer After Incomplete Initial Surgery.

Objectives: Incomplete initial surgery complicates subsequent management of early-stage epithelial ovarian carcinoma (ESEOC). This study aimed to determine the most appropriate strategies for individualized treatment of these patients.

Methods: Medical records of ESEOC patients treated at our hospital between 2000 and 2011 were reviewed, and 246 patients initially treated by incomplete surgery were included.

The miR-24-Bim pathway promotes tumor growth and angiogenesis in pancreatic carcinoma.

miRNAs are a group of small RNAs that have been reported to play a key role at each stage of tumorigenesis and are believed to have future practical value. We now demonstrate that Bim, which stimulates cell apoptosis, is obviously down-regulated in pancreatic cancer (PaC) tissues and cell lines. And Bim-related miR-24 is significantly up-regulated in PaC.

A novel AgNP/DNA/TPdye conjugate-based two-photon nanoprobe for GSH imaging in cell apoptosis of cancer tissue.

In the present study, a novel two-photon nanoprobe has been developed and successfully applied in glutathione (GSH) imaging in cell apoptosis of cancer tissue.

Serum miRNA expression profile as a prognostic biomarker of stage II/III colorectal adenocarcinoma.

We sought to identify a serum miRNA expression profile to improve disease surveillance and to predict post-operative disease recurrence for stage II/III colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Using the TaqMan Low-Density Array (TLDA), we performed an initial survey to analyze 749 miRNAs in the pooled serum of 20 paired pre- and post-operative CRC patients and 20 matched normal subjects. Using individual RT-qPCR verification in 175 stage II/III CRC patients, we identified that miR-145, miR-106a and miR-17-3p were significantly differentially expressed between pre- and post-operative CRC patients and between pre-operative CRC patients and normal controls (P < 0.

Computer-Based Cognitive Programs for Improvement of Memory, Processing Speed and Executive Function during Age-Related Cognitive Decline: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: Several studies have assessed the effects of computer-based cognitive programs (CCP) in the management of age-related cognitive decline, but the role of CCP remains controversial. Therefore, this systematic review evaluated the evidence on the efficacy of CCP for age-related cognitive decline in healthy older adults.

Methods: Six electronic databases (through October 2014) were searched.

Low initial human papillomavirus viral load may indicate worse prognosis in patients with cervical carcinoma treated with surgery.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic implication of human papillomavirus (HPV) viral load in cervical cancer patients who underwent radical hysterectomy.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with stage IA2 through stage IIIA cervical carcinoma who underwent radical hysterectomy at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2005 and December 2009. Patients who had undergone preoperative hybrid capture 2 testing to detect HPV DNA were included.

Gemcitabine sensitivity factors, hENT1 and RRM1 as potential prognostic biomarker for advanced biliary tract cancer.

Background And Aims: Biliary tract caner (BTC) is one of rare malignant disease with poor prognosis. Gemcitabine has been widely used as chemotherapeutic agent for advanced BTC treatment. Several molecules involved in gemcitabine metabolism, including human equilibrative nucleoside transporter (hENT1) and ribonucleotide reductase subunit M1 (RRM1), have been investigated as predictive biomarkers of chemotherapy efficacy.

FAM19A3, a novel secreted protein, modulates the microglia/macrophage polarization dynamics and ameliorates cerebral ischemia.

In this study, we have identified FAM19A3 as a gene that is significantly upregulated in the microglia in the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) mouse model. FAM19A3 expression and secretion were promoted by M2 stimuli, and this indicated that FAM19A3 might be an M2-type gene. Indeed, recombinant FAM19A3 promoted M2 polarization and inhibited M1 polarization of microglia in vitro.

Cyclodextrin supramolecular inclusion-enhanced pyrene excimer switching for time-resolved fluorescence detection of biothiols in serum.

We report here an efficient pyrene excimer signaling-based time-resolved fluorescent sensor for the measurement of biothiols (cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), glutathione (GSH)) in human serum based on thymine-Hg(2+)-thymine (T-Hg(2+)-T) coordination chemistry and the inclusion interaction of cyclodextrin. The sensing mechanism of the approach is based on the competitive ligation of Hg(2+) ions by Hcy/Cys/GSH and T-T mismatches in a bis-pyrene-labeled DNA strand with the self-complementary 5' and 3' ends. The introduction of γ-cyclodextrin can provide cooperation for the molecular level space proximity of the two labeled pyrene molecules, moreover the hydrophobic cavity of γ-cyclodextrin can also offer protection for the pyrene dimer's emission from the quenching effect of environmental conditions and enhance the fluorescence intensity of the pyrene excimer.

Decelerated genome evolution in modern vertebrates revealed by analysis of multiple lancelet genomes.

Vertebrates diverged from other chordates ~500 Myr ago and experienced successful innovations and adaptations, but the genomic basis underlying vertebrate origins are not fully understood. Here we suggest, through comparison with multiple lancelet (amphioxus) genomes, that ancient vertebrates experienced high rates of protein evolution, genome rearrangement and domain shuffling and that these rates greatly slowed down after the divergence of jawed and jawless vertebrates. Compared with lancelets, modern vertebrates retain, at least relatively, less protein diversity, fewer nucleotide polymorphisms, domain combinations and conserved non-coding elements (CNE).

Genome-wide cloning, identification, classification and functional analysis of cotton heat shock transcription factors in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum).

Background: Heat shock transcriptional factors (Hsfs) play important roles in the processes of biotic and abiotic stresses as well as in plant development. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, 2n=4x=(AD)2=52) is an important crop for natural fiber production. Due to continuous high temperature and intermittent drought, heat stress is becoming a handicap to improve cotton yield and lint quality.

Two-photon AgNP/DNA-TP dye nanosensing conjugate for biothiol probing in live cells.

A novel silver nanoparticle (AgNP)/DNA-two-photon dye (TP dye) conjugate was fabricated as a two-photon nanoprobe for biothiol imaging in live cells. DNA-templated silver nanoparticles are efficient quenchers and also provide a biocompatible nanoplatform for facile delivery of DNA into living cells. In the presence of biothiols (Cys, Hcy, or GSH), the strong interaction between the thiol group and silver results in the release of TP dye-labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) from the AgNP surface and the subsequent fluorescence emission of the TP dye, thus enabling biothiols to be assayed.

miR-143 and miR-145 synergistically regulate ERBB3 to suppress cell proliferation and invasion in breast cancer.

Introduction: ERBB3, one of the four members of the ErbB family of receptor tyrosine kinases, plays an important role in breast cancer etiology and progression. In the present study, we aimed to identify novel miRNAs that can potentially target ERBB3 and their biological functions.

Method: The expression levels of miR-143/145 and target mRNA were examined by relative quantification RT-PCR, and the expression levels of target protein were detected by Western blot.

Bevacizumab plus irinotecan, 5-fluorouracil, and leucovorin (FOLFIRI) as the second-line therapy for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, a multicenter study.

Poor prognosis is associated with patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. To seek effective methods, we examine the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab plus FOLFIRI as a second-line chemotherapy in Chinese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). A total of 55 patients with previous failure of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy were included in this study, from October 2010 to February 2012.

Clinical outcome of 31 patients with primary malignant melanoma of the vagina.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of and prognostic factors for primary malignant melanoma of the vagina.

Methods: Clinical data from 31 patients treated for primary malignant melanoma of the vagina at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between March 1970 and June 2005 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The median age was 58 years (range, 18 to 73 years), and the main symptoms reported were vaginal bleeding and vaginal discharge.

miRNA27a is a biomarker for predicting chemosensitivity and prognosis in metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer.

We previously identified five miRNAs (miR-1, miR-20a, miR-27a, miR-34a, and miR-423-5p) that are up-regulated in gastric cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate the value of these miRNAs as potential biomarkers for predicting chemosensitivity and prognosis in metastatic or recurrent gastric cancer patients who received first-line chemotherapy. A total of 82 patients with metastatic or recurrent GC receiving first-line chemotherapy were included in our study.

The pretreatment platelet and plasma fibrinogen level correlate with tumor progression and metastasis in patients with pancreatic cancer.

Cancer patients frequently present with activated coagulation pathways and thrombocytosis, which are potentially associated with tumor progression and prognosis. However, the prognostic value of abnormal plasma fibrinogen and platelet levels for the treatment of pancreatic cancer is unclear. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of plasma fibrinogen and platelet levels in pancreatic cancer, and to devise a prognostic model to identify the patients with greatest risk for a poor overall survival.