Decreased total MKP-1 protein levels predict poor prognosis in breast cancer.

Background: MKP-1 dephosphorylates and inactivates MAPKs, whose constitutive activations have been associated with human cancers.

Results: We found that total MKP-1 protein levels were decreased in 63.7 % of breast cancer tissues compared with the paired noncancerous breast tissues.

High visfatin expression in breast cancer tissue is associated with poor survival.

Background: Adipocytokines, adipocyte-secreted hormones, play a critical role in breast cancer development. The expression of visfatin, a newly discovered adipocytokine, in breast cancer tissues was determined and correlated with patient clinicopathologic variables.

Methods: Visfatin expression in breast cancer tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.

A novel alkaloid, aristopyridinone A and anti-inflammatory phenanthrenes isolated from Aristolochia manshuriensis.

A novel alkaloid, aristopyridinone A (1) and a new phenanthrene, aristolamide II (2), were isolated from Aristolochia manshuriensis (Guanmutong) together with eight known phenanthrenes (3-10). All structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Compound 2 showed a selective inhibitory effect on elastase release by human neutrophils in response to fMLP with an IC(50) value of 4.

Protoapigenone, a novel flavonoid, inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds and capable of inhibiting the growth of human cancer cells. Protoapigenone, a novel flavonoid, was isolated from the whole plant Thelypteris torresiana (Gaud), a native fern in Taiwan. In the present study, we explored the cytotoxic effects of protoapigenone on ovarian cancer cells and the immortalized ovarian epithelial cells by XTT assay.

Protoapigenone, a novel flavonoid, induces apoptosis in human prostate cancer cells through activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2.

In this study, we investigated the anticancer effect of protoapigenone on human prostate cancer cells. Protoapigenone inhibited cell growth through arresting cancer cells at S and G(2)/M phases as well as inducing apoptosis. Blockade of cell cycle by protoapigenone was associated with an increase in the levels of inactivated phospho (p)-Cdc25C (Ser216) and a decrease in the levels of activated p-cyclin B1 (Ser147), cyclin B1, and cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk) 2.

Positive association between STAT3 and Ki-67 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been regarded as an oncogene in many types of cancers. However, its role in cervical carcinogenesis is not well determined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression patterns of STAT3 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), normal cervix (NC), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to explore its possible role in cervical carcinogenesis.

Elevated amniotic fluid leptin levels in pregnant women who are destined to develop preeclampsia.

Objective: To analyze whether leptin levels of the amniotic fluid elevate during early pregnancy in women destined to develop preeclampsia and to evaluate the relationship between amniotic fluid leptin levels and gestational age, maternal body mass index, and fetal sex.

Study Design: Leptin levels of the amniotic fluid were compared in two groups of women, preeclamptic (n = 20) and normotensive pregnant (n = 40), matched for fetal sex, maternal body mass index at sampling, gravidity and fetal gestational age at sampling. Furthermore, amniotic leptin levels in 400 normotensive pregnant women were analyzed for their correlation with gestational age, maternal body mass index, and fetal sex.

The fractionated Toona sinensis leaf extract induces apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells and inhibits tumor growth in a murine xenograft model.

Objective: Aqueous extract from the leaves of Toona sinensis Roem. has been shown to have an anti-proliferative effect on human lung cancer cells. In this study, we analyzed the anti-cancer activity/effect of different extraction fractions of the extract from T.

STAT3 ser727 phosphorylation and its association with negative estrogen receptor status in breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma.

Although it is known that STAT3 transcriptional activity is modulated by phosphorylation at serine residue 727, the role of STAT3 serine phosphorylation in breast cancer remains mostly unexplored. In this study, we examined the expression patterns of serine residue 727-phosphorylated STAT3 (p-ser727-STAT3) in breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma tissues and nearby noncancer tissues by using immunoblotting techniques, and correlated the expression profiles with clinicopathological characteristics. A significantly elevated p-ser727-STAT3 expression was observed in 61.

Decreased expression of phosphorylated JNK in breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma is associated with a better overall survival.

Phosphorylation/activation of c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) has an ambivalent role, pro-proliferation or antiproliferation, in human cancers, which is determined by different cell types and by its crosstalk with other kinases. So far, the role of phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) in breast cancer is mostly undefined. In this study, we analyzed the expression of p-JNK, as well as p-ERK1/2 and p-38, in the pair of cancer and noncancer breast tissues, by using immunoblotting techniques.

Selective cytotoxicity of squamocin on T24 bladder cancer cells at the S-phase via a Bax-, Bad-, and caspase-3-related pathways.

Annonaceous acetogenins are a group of potential anti-neoplastic agents isolated from Annonaceae plants. We purified squamocin, a cytotoxic bis-tetrahydrofuran acetogenin, from the seeds of Annona reticulata and analyzed its biologic effects on cancer cells. We showed that squamocin was cytotoxic to all the cancer lines tested.

The role of p-STAT3 (ser727) revealed by its association with Ki-67 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Objectives: Constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been described in many types of cancers. However, the role of phospho-STAT3 (p-STAT3) at serine residue 727 is in large part undetermined. Our purposes of this study were to evaluate the expression patterns of p-STAT3 (ser727) in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and to explore its possible role in the progression of cervical cancer.

Elevated amniotic fluid leptin levels in early second trimester are associated with earlier delivery and lower birthweight in twin pregnancy.

Objective: To explore the possibility of using early second trimester amniotic fluid leptin levels as a predictor of pregnancy outcome in twin pregnancy.

Study Design: Amniotic fluid leptin levels from 18 twin-pregnant women in early second trimester were analyzed for their correlation with gestational age at delivery and fetal birthweight. Leptin levels in 16 amniotic fluid samples collected from small for gestational age (SGA) twin pregnancies were compared with those in 20 amniotic fluid samples collected from non-SGA twin pregnancies.

Aberrant serum adiponectin levels in women with uterine leiomyomas.

Background: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-secreted hormone. Serum adiponectin levels are inversely correlated with insulin resistance, and low plasma adiponectin levels have been demonstrated in type 2 diabetic patients. However, information on serum adiponectin levels in gynecological disorders is mostly lacking.

Aberrant expression and possible involvement of the leptin receptor in endometrial cancer.

Objective: Leptin and its receptor are the key players in the regulation of energy balance and body weight control. However, their roles in gynecological malignancies are mostly unclear. In this study, we analyzed the expression and possible involvement of leptin and the leptin receptor in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer.

Aberrant expression and possible involvement of the leptin receptor in bladder cancer.

Objectives: To explore the expression patterns and possible involvement of leptin and its receptor in the pathogenesis of urinary bladder cancer, with a focus on transitional cell carcinoma.

Methods: Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry techniques, we correlated the expression patterns of leptin and its receptor with the occurrence of transitional cell carcinoma. We also applied transient transfection followed by BrdU labeling and immunofluorescent staining to address the effect of the leptin receptor on bladder cancer cell growth.

Correlations between umbilical and maternal serum adiponectin levels and neonatal birthweights.

Objective: To measure adiponectin levels in maternal serum and umbilical cord serum at delivery, and examine whether or not there are correlations between adiponectin levels and neonatal birthweights, maternal body weights and body mass indexes.

Study Design: The study included 84 healthy mothers who had given birth to healthy neonates. Adiponectin levels in maternal serum and umbilical cord serum were determined by radioimmunoassay and compared.

Poor long-term outcome in a survivor presenting with the twin reversed arterial perfusion sequence in utero: a case report.

The twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence is a very rare complication of multiple gestations and is associated with a high mortality rate, reaching more than 50% in pump twins. The four common complications are preterm labor, polyhydramnios, fetal congestive heart failure, and fetal death of the pump twin in utero. Prenatal diagnosis during early pregnancy is possible using detailed ultrasonographic examination.

Hemorrhagic corpus luteum cyst torsion in term pregnancy: a case report.

Hemoperitoneum during pregnancy resulting from spontaneous rupture of adnexal torsion is a rare cause of fetal and maternal death. Presenting symptoms include severe abdominal pain, followed rapidly by maternal shock and fetal distress. It is hard to localize the adnexae in advanced pregnancy.

Annonacin, a mono-tetrahydrofuran acetogenin, arrests cancer cells at the G1 phase and causes cytotoxicity in a Bax- and caspase-3-related pathway.

Annonaceous acetogenins are a group of potential anti-neoplastic agents isolated from Annonaceae plants. In this study, we purified annonacin, a cytotoxic mono-tetrahydrofuran acetogenin, from the seeds of Annona reticulata and analyzed its biological effects. Herein, we have shown that annonacin caused significant cell death in various cancer cell lines.

Amniotic fluid and maternal serum leptin levels in pregnant women who subsequently develop preeclampsia.

Objectives: To study the correlation between amniotic fluid leptin levels and maternal serum leptin levels during the early second trimester, and to determine whether the ratios of amniotic fluid leptin levels to maternal serum leptin levels are elevated in pregnant women who subsequently develop preeclampsia.

Study Design: Samples from 120 pregnant women were included in this prospective study, of which 20 were from pregnant women who subsequently developed preeclampsia and 100 were from normal pregnant women. Both the amniotic fluid and the maternal serum leptin levels were ascertained by radioimmunoassay (RIA).

Retroperitoneal leiomyomas: a rare tumor of the pelvis.

Retroperitoneal leiomyomas are extremely rare and have a good prognosis. Long-term follow-up reveals no metastasis but local recurrences do occur. These tumors, like uterine leiomyomas, are frequently accompanied by hyaline or myxoid changes as well as a trabecular pattern.

Decreased serum leptin levels in women with uterine leiomyomas.

Objective: To analyze the possible involvement of leptin in uterine leiomyomas.

Study Design: Serum leptin levels, determined by radioimmunoassay, were compared in myomatic (n = 50) and the normal (n = 50) women.

Results: A significant correlation was found between serum leptin levels and body mass index in both the myomatic women (r = 0.

Primary jejunal leiomyosarcoma mimicking a gynecologic tumor.

Alimentary leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is not uncommon; however, LMS which metastasizes to the ovary and uterine serosa is extremely rare. We present a case diagnosed as LMS due to the negative finding on the CD117 stain, which is the most specific criterion for the differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor and LMS. Despite the daunting reoperation which was performed within a short interval in this case, the patient made a rapid recovery from both procedures.

Arsenic-induced Mre11 phosphorylation is cell cycle-dependent and defective in NBS cells.

Cancer-prone diseases ataxia-telangiectasia (AT), Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) and ataxia-telangiectasia-like disorder (ATLD) are defective in the repair of DNA double-stranded break (DSB). On the other hand, arsenic (As) has been reported to cause DSB and to be involved in the occurrence of skin, lung and bladder cancers. To dissect the repair mechanism of As-induced DSB, wild type, AT and NBS cells were treated with sodium arsenite to study the complex formation and post-translational modification of Rad50/NBS1/Mre11 repair proteins.