Mechanism and bioinformatics analysis of the effect of berberine-enhanced fluconazole against drug-resistant Candida albicans.

Biofilms produced by Candida albicans present a challenge in treatment with antifungal drug. Enhancing the sensitivity to fluconazole (FLC) is a reasonable method for treating FLC-resistant species. Moreover, several lines of evidence have demonstrated that berberine (BBR) can have antimicrobial effects.

Tumor-derived miRNAs as tumor microenvironment regulators for synergistic therapeutic options.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNAs that perform post-transcriptional gene regulation. This review focuses on the role of tumor cell-derived miRNAs in the regulation of the tumor microenvironment (TME) via receptor cell recoding, including angiogenesis, expression of immunosuppressive molecules, formation of radiation resistance, and chemoresistance. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of these molecules as adjuvant therapies in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or immunotherapy, as well as their advantages as efficacy predictors for personalized therapy.

The Drosha-Independent MicroRNA6778-5p/GSK3 Axis Mediates the Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cells.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a primary cause of cancer death around the world. Previous studies have found that Drosha plays a significant role in the development of tumor cells. Soon after, we unexpectedly found that the expression of microRNA6778-5p (miR6778-5p) is unconventionally high in the gastric cancer cells low-expressing Drosha.

Diagnostic Value of Serum DNASE1L3 in Hepatitis B Virus-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Deoxyribonuclease 1-like 3 (DNASE1L3) is an endonuclease associated with many autoimmune diseases and tumors. However, the serum DNASE1L3 level in hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unreported. Thus, this study compared the diagnostic value of DNASE1L3 and alpha-feto-protein (AFP) individually and in combination in HBV-related HCC.

Clinical application of red cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, and cancer antigen 125 detection in endometrial cancer.

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) are considered to be associated with tumors. We investigated the diagnostic value of RDW, MPV, and cancer antigen 125 (CA125), alone or in combination, in the diagnosis of endometrial cancer and endometrial hyperplasia.

Methods: This study included 144 patients with endometrial cancer (stage I: 32; II: 42; III: 48; and IV: 22), 104 patients with endometrial hyperplasia, and 80 healthy control subjects.

Oxidized ATM-mediated glycolysis enhancement in breast cancer-associated fibroblasts contributes to tumor invasion through lactate as metabolic coupling.

Background: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the predominant residents in the breast tumor microenvironment. In our work, we found activation of DNA damage-independent ATM (oxidized ATM), enhanced glycolysis and aberrant metabolism-associated gene expressions in breast CAFs. Nevertheless, whether and how oxidized ATM regulates the glycolytic activity of CAFs keep in unveil.

Application of molecular, microbiological, and immunological tests for the diagnosis of bone and joint tuberculosis.

Background: To evaluate the application of interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), rifampicin resistant real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technique Xpert Mycobacterium tuberculosis/rifampicin (Xpert MTB/RIF), and the levels of TNF-α and TGF-β in the diagnosis of bone and joint tuberculosis.

Methods: Eighty-six patients with bone and joint tuberculosis, diagnosed by pathology or microbiology, were examined by Xpert MTB/RIF and IGRA (T-SPOT. TB) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and the TNF-α and TGF-β levels of the patients were measured.

Elevated serum visfatin levels are associated with poor prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Visfatin is considered a pro-inflammatory adipocytokine, and it is commonly increased in obesity-related diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of serum visfatin in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its diagnostic and predictive value in detecting HCC. Fasting serum levels of visfatin of 135 HCC patients, 115 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, 129 liver cirrhosis (LC) patients, and 149 healthy controls were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Comparison of Architect i2000sr and Cobas e601 Systems for Determining Serum Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Beta.

Background: Human chorionic gonadotropin-beta (β-hCG) is an important index used to monitor embryonic development following embryo transfer. Architect i2000sr and Cobas e601 are widely used automated immunoassay systems used to measure serum β-hCG concentrations; however, the correlations between serum β-hCG levels measured with these two immunoassays and the accuracy of the immunoassays have not been fully evaluated.

Methods: Serum β-hCG levels were measured in 133 serum samples using the Architect i2000sr and Cobas e601 automated immunoassay systems.

Genetic variant in visfatin gene promoter contributes to reduced risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in a Chinese population.

Knowledge on the role of gene variants in the visfatin promoter region in the hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related liver diseases is limited. In this study, we genotyped two potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the visfatin promoter region, -1535C>T (rs61330082) and -3187G>A (rs11977021), in 120 HBV-related chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, 140 HBV-related liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC) patients, 243 HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) patients, and 224 asymptomatic HBV carriers. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by logistic regression.

CEA in breast ductal secretions as a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Other studies have shown that levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in breast ductal secretions (BDS) differ significantly between breast cancer (BC) patients and healthy individuals, providing direct evidence for CEA in BDS as a promising biomarker for BC. This meta-analysis was designed to assess the potential diagnostic value of CEA in BDS.

Methods: Relevant articles were retrieved from Embase, Pubmed, and the Cochrane Library.

CA153 in Breast Secretions as a Potential Molecular Marker for Diagnosing Breast Cancer: A Meta Analysis.

Purpose: Many studies have reported that carbohydrate antigen 153 (CA153) in breast secretions (BS) can discriminate breast cancer (BC) patients from healthy individuals, indicating CA153 in BS as a potential index for BC. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the actual diagnostic value of CA153 in BS.

Methods: Related papers were obtained from Pubmed, Embase, Scopus, Ovid, Sciverse, the Cochrane library, Chinese Biomedical literature Database (CBM), Technology of Chongqing (VIP), Wan Fang Data, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI).

Association of Interferon Gamma +874T/A Polymorphism and Leukemia Risk: A Meta-Analysis.

Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) has antitumor and antiproliferative effects, and previous studies indicated IFN-γ +874T/A (rs2430561) polymorphism were related to the risk of many types of cancer. However, the association between IFN-γ +874T/A polymorphism and leukemia risk remained controversial.We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses statement (PRISMA).

High-visfatin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: evidence from a meta-analysis.

Objective: Previous studies regarding visfatin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) showed conflicting results. To evaluate the visfatin levels in PCOS, a meta-analysis was performed.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search of eligible studies in Embase, Pubmed and the Cochrane Library was undertaken through November 2014.

LncRNA-Hh Strengthen Cancer Stem Cells Generation in Twist-Positive Breast Cancer via Activation of Hedgehog Signaling Pathway.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of neoplastic cells with self-renewal capacity and limitless proliferative potential as well as high invasion and migration capacity. These cells are commonly associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is also critical for tumor metastasis. Recent studies illustrate a direct link between EMT and stemness of cancer cells.

Twist promotes reprogramming of glucose metabolism in breast cancer cells through PI3K/AKT and p53 signaling pathways.

Twist, a key regulator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), plays an important role in the development of a tumorigenic phenotype. Energy metabolism reprogramming (EMR), a newly discovered hallmark of cancer cells, potentiates cancer cell proliferation, survival, and invasion. Currently little is known about the effects of Twist on tumor EMR.

AXIN2 rs2240308 polymorphism contributes to increased cancer risk: evidence based on a meta-analysis.

Background: Variants in the axis inhibition 2 (AXIN2) gene might alter the protein's structure or function or create a multiprotein destruction complex in the Wnt signaling pathway and thus affect an individual's susceptibility to cancer. The objective of this study is to evaluate broadly the evidence available for the AXIN2 rs2240308 polymorphism and risk of cancer.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was undertaken for eligible studies in Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library up to Nov 30, 2014.

Oxidized ATM promotes abnormal proliferation of breast CAFs through maintaining intracellular redox homeostasis and activating the PI3K-AKT, MEK-ERK, and Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathways.

Abnormal proliferation is one characteristic of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which play a key role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Oxidative stress (OS) is the root cause of CAFs abnormal proliferation. ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein kinase), an important redox sensor, is involved in DNA damage response and cellular homeostasis.

[Twist gene promotes the formation and migration of mammospheres of BT-549 breast cancer cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of Twist gene deficiency on the enrichment and migration of breast cancer stem-like cells (CSCs).

Methods: Twist gene in the BT-549 cell line was knocked down by shRNA interference technology, and the cell line BT-549-shVec was used as the negative control group. Interference efficiency was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting.

The role of oxidized ATM in the regulation of oxidative stress-induced energy metabolism reprogramming of CAFs.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are the predominant cell type in tumor microenvironment (TM) and featured with the distinct energy metabolism reprogramming (EMR) phenotype caused by many factors such as hypoxia and growth factors. The EMR of CAFs plays a key role in biological behaviors of cancer cells including proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Recently, accumulative evidence indicates that oxidative stress (OS) mediates the EMR of CAFs under conditions of various stimuli.

GPER mediates enhanced cell viability and motility via non-genomic signaling induced by 17β-estradiol in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive breast cancer with a generally poor prognosis. Due to lack of specific targets for its treatment, an efficient therapy is needed. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a novel estrogen receptor, has been reported to be expressed in TNBC tissues.

Potential role of microRNA-21 in the diagnosis of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

Introduction: Accumulating evidences indicate that microRNA-21(miR-21) show significant high concentration in plasma of gastric cancer (GC) patients compared to normal individuals, suggesting that it may be a useful novel diagnostic biomarker for gastric cancer. Therefore, we aimed to assess the potential diagnostic value of miR-21 for gastric cancer in this study.

Methods: Literature database including PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Ovid, SciVerse, Science Direct, Scopus, BioMed Central, Biosis previews,Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Technology of Chongqing (VIP), and Wan Fang DATA were searched for publications concerning the diagnostic value of miR-21 for GC without language restriction.

DNA repair gene deficiency does not predispose human bronchial epithelial cells to benzo(a)pyrene-induced cell transformation.

The development of cost and time-efficient in vitro assays to predict carcinogenicity of chemicals has become a very important direction for toxicological research. In this study, we generated a series of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells defect in DNA repair gene excision repair cross-completion 1 (ERCC1), excision repair cross-completion 2 (ERCC2), ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and mutS homolog 2 (MSH2), respectively. The inhibition of gene expression was verified by detection of mRNA and protein levels of respective genes.