DKK3/CKAP4 axis is associated with advanced stage and poorer prognosis in oral cancer.

Objective: We previously reported that dickkopf WNT signaling inhibitor 3 (DKK3) would modulate malignant potential of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) via activating Akt. Recently, cytoskeleton associated protein 4 (CKAP4) functions as receptor of DKK3, which activates Akt in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but its expression and function in OSCC were unclear.

Methods: We studied DKK3 and CKAP4 protein expression in OSCC tissue and investigated the correlation between protein expression and clinical data.

Clinical implications of antegrade diastolic pulmonary artery flow in adults.

Background: End-diastolic opening of the pulmonary valve and subsequent antegrade diastolic pulmonary artery flow (ADPAF) reflect restrictive right ventricular (RV) physiology in children. However, this has attracted little attention in adults.

Purpose: To clarify the clinical implications of ADPAF in adults.