NTRK3 exhibits a pro-oncogenic function in upper tract urothelial carcinomas.

Neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (NTRK3) has pleiotropic functions: it acts not only as an oncogene in breast and gastric cancers but also as a dependence receptor in tumor suppressor genes in colon cancer and neuroblastomas. However, the role of NTRK3 in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is not well documented. This study investigated the association between NTRK3 expression and outcomes in UTUC patients and validated the results in tests on UTUC cell lines.

MicroRNA-299-3p inhibits cell proliferation, motility, invasion and angiogenesis via VEGFA in upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Background: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare tumor with extraordinarily different features between Eastern and Western countries. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) was originally identified as a secreted signaling protein and regulator of vascular development and cancer progression. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of VEGFA by microRNA in UTUC.

MicroRNA-145-5p suppresses cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in upper tract urothelial carcinoma by targeting 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase/IMP cyclohydrolase.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), including renal, pelvic, and ureteral carcinoma, has a high incidence rate in Taiwan, which is different from that in Western countries. Therefore, it is imperative to elucidate the mechanisms underlying UTUC growth and metastasis. To explore the function of miR-145-5p in UTUC, we transfected the BFTC909 cell line with miR-145-5p mimics and analyzed the differences in protein levels by performing two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

MicroRNA-145-5p modulates Krüppel-like factor 5 and inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: In several human cancers, Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5), a zinc finger transcription factor, can contribute to both tumor progression or suppression; however, the precise role of KLF5 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains poorly understood. In this study, the association between KLF5 and microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) in NPC cells was elucidated.

Results: Our results showed that KLF5 expression was up-regulated in NPC group compared to normal group.

High Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 2a Expression Level Predicts Poor Prognosis in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background: Ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation has been reported to be involved in regulating the activity of oncoproteins and tumor suppressors. Dysfunction or dysregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system may induce tumorigenesis. Deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific protease 2a (USP2a) has been reported to regulate cell growth or death and is involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including cancers.

MicroRNA-375-3p Suppresses Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Cell Migration and Invasion via Targeting Derlin-1.

Little is known regarding the molecular characterization of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Novel therapeutic targets and prognostic predictors are imminent. In the present study, we aim to examine the oncogenic function and molecular mechanism of Derlin-1 in UTUC.

High Transaldolase 1 expression predicts poor survival of patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare tumor with an incidence that varies greatly between Eastern and Western countries. Transaldolase 1 (TALDO1) is a rate-limiting enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway. In humans, aberrant TALDO1 activity has been implicated in various autoimmune diseases and malignancies; however, the function of TALDO1 in UTUC has not been previously investigated.

MicroRNA-145 suppresses cell migration and invasion in upper tract urothelial carcinoma by targeting ARF6.

ADP-ribosylation factor 6 (ARF6) is a well-studied protein that is involved in multiple biological functions including cell migration and invasion. The mechanism by which ARF6 regulates the migration and invasion of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is still unknown. MiR-145-5p is a tumor suppressor microRNA, which is downregulated in several cancer types.

CSF-1 Overexpression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinomas.

Background: Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is a homodimeric glycoprotein. The main role of CSF-1 is as a hematopoietic growth factor that modulates proliferation, differentiation, and survival of macrophages. Moreover, CSF-1 has also been reported to be aberrantly expressed in several human cancers.

The prognostic value of CSN6 expression in upper tract urothelial carcinomas.

CSN6 is a subunit of the constitutive photomorphogenesis 9 (COP9) signalosome (CSN). CSN is involved in cellular and developmental processes such as signal transduction, transcriptional activation, cell cycle control, and tumorigenesis. CSN6 is highly expressed in several human cancers, including colorectal cancer, and breast cancer.

Over-expression of Activated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Predicts Poor Prognosis in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription proteins (STATs) play important roles in gene regulation, cell proliferation, and cell differentiation. We aimed to establish the relationship between phosphorylated STAT3 (p-Ser-STAT3) expression and the prognosis of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). This study retrospectively reviewed 100 patients with pathologically confirmed UTUC at Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital.

Hypoxia-regulated MicroRNA-210 Overexpression is Associated with Tumor Development and Progression in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma.

Background: Hypoxia has been shown to facilitate tumor progression. Hypoxia-regulated microRNA-210 (miR-210) may play an important role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. In this study, we evaluated the clinical significance of miR-210 expression in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Prognostic Value of Leptin Receptor Overexpression in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinomas in Taiwan.

Objectives: Leptin and its receptor (LEPR) are key players in the regulation of energy balance and body weight control and act as a growth factor for specific organs in both normal and disease states. However, LEPR accumulation may be involved in carcinogenesis, progression, and metastasis in many cancers. This study evaluated the clinical significance of LEPR expression in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

MiR-193b Mediates CEBPD-Induced Cisplatin Sensitization Through Targeting ETS1 and Cyclin D1 in Human Urothelial Carcinoma Cells.

Transcription factor CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (CEBPD) plays multiple roles in tumor progression. Studies have demonstrated that cisplatin (CDDP) induced CEBPD expression and had led to chemotherapeutic drug resistance. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of CDDP-regulated CEBPD expression and its relevant roles in CDDP responses remain elusive.

Anti-cancer effects of ursane triterpenoid as a single agent and in combination with cisplatin in bladder cancer.

Ursolic acid and most of its derivatives are cytotoxic to bladder cancer cells. An ursolic acid derivative, isopropyl 3β-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oat (UA17), previously reported that it exhibited potent cytotoxicity against bladder cancer cells, NTUB1 cells. In this study, we further investigated the underlying mechanism of UA17 and evaluated its potential clinical use.

Involvement of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in acquired gemcitabine-resistant human urothelial carcinoma sublines.

Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is one of the major challenges in the treatment of cancer. A better understanding of how resistance arises and what molecular alterations correlate with resistance is the key to developing novel effective therapeutic strategies. To investigate the underlying mechanisms of gemcitabine (Gem) resistance and provide possible therapeutic options, three Gem-resistant urothelial carcinoma sublines were established (NG0.

Solar concentrator constructed with a circular prism array.

We present a novel idea to construct a solar concentrator with a circular prism array. FRED ray tracing software is used to evaluate our proposed structure in which the incident light rays are deflected by total internal reflection and the optical energy is concentrated and collected at the center. The light rays to be collected travel within the disk once they enter the module, saving the space that is reserved for ray propagation in other concentrators.

Effects of music on major depression in psychiatric inpatients.

The study was to assess the effectiveness of soft music for treatment of major depressive disorder inpatients in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. A pretest-posttest with a two-group repeated measures design was used. Patients with major depressive disorder were recruited through referred by the psychiatric physicians.