Targeting hyperactive mitochondria in activated HSCs and inhibition of liver fibrogenesis in mice using sorafenib complex micelles.

Liver fibrosis is a pathological condition marked by the excessive buildup of extracellular matrix primarily resulting from the transformation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) to myofibroblastic (MF) phenotype and their resultant over-expansion. Activated HSCs completely rely on their hyperactive mitochondria to supply the energy and biomass for their rapid proliferation and collagen secretion, so an intervention targeting their mitochondria can effectively restrict their pathological amplification and contribution to liver fibrosis. Here we tried sorafenib, a drug that plays anticancer roles by inducing the disruption and loss of mitochondrial functions, to reach an antifibrotic goal.

Serine metabolism in macrophage polarization.

Objective: Emerging studies have revealed that macrophages possess different dependences on the uptake, synthesis, and metabolism of serine for their activation and functionalization, necessitating our insight into how serine availability and utilization impact macrophage activation and inflammatory responses.

Methods: This article summarizes the reports published domestically and internationally about the serine uptake, synthesis, and metabolic flux by the macrophages polarizing with distinct stimuli and under different pathologic conditions, and particularly analyzes how altered serine metabolism rewires the metabolic behaviors of polarizing macrophages and their genetic and epigenetic reprogramming.

Results: Macrophages dynamically change serine metabolism to orchestrate their anabolism, redox balance, mitochondrial function, epigenetics, and post-translation modification, and thus match the distinct needs for both classical and alternative activation.

LncRNA-H19 gene plays a significant role in regulating glioma cell function.

Background: Glioma is an aggressive adult primary cancer, and is characterized by low cure rate, poor prognosis, and high recurrence. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of lncRNA-H19 gene silencing on glioma cell function.

Methods: lncRNA-H19 interference vector (LV3-si-H19) and negative control vector (LV3-NC) were stably transfected into U251 and U87-MG cells, respectively.

Maximal tumor diameter in the preoperative tumor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 image is associated with prognosis of Grade II Glioma.

Factors associated with the prognosis of low-grade glioma remain undefined. In this study, we examined whether the maximal tumor diameter in the preoperative tumor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 image is associated with the prognosis of grade II gliomas patients, aiming to provide insights into the clinical prediction of patient outcome.We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with Grade II glioma, who were hospitalized in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from 2011 to 2016.

Preoperative Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio Is an Independent Prognostic Biomarker in Patients with Low-Grade Gliomas.

Background: There are no standardized criteria to predict the prognosis of patients with low-grade gliomas. Therefore, novel prognostic biomarkers that can guide follow-up schedules and therapeutic approaches urgently are required in patients with low-grade gliomas.

Methods: One hundred nineteen patients with World Health Organization (WHO) II gliomas were recruited between January 2010 and December 2016 from Xiangya Hospital for this study.

Prognostic value of magnetic resonance imaging features in low-grade gliomas.

The treatment strategy for low-grade gliomas (LGGs) is still controversial, and there are no standardized criteria to predict the prognosis of patients with LGGs. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a routine test for preoperative diagnosis for LGG and can reflect the destructive features for the tumor. In the present study, we aimed to explore the relationship between the MRI features and prognosis in patients with LGG.

Dosimetric Comparisons of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Tomotherapy for Early T-Stage Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Purpose: To compare the dosimetric differences between volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and helical tomotherapy (HT) in treating early T-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Method: Ten patients with early T-stage NPC who received tomotherapy using simultaneously integrated boost (SIB) strategies were replanned with VMAT (RapidArc of Varian, dual-arc). Dosimetric comparisons between the RapidArc plan and the HT plan included the following: (1) D98, homogeneity, and conformity of PTVs; (2) sparing of organs at risk (OARs); (3) delivery time and monitor units (MUs).

Prognostic analysis of patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma following intensity modulated radiation therapy.

The present study retrospectively analyzed the prognostic factors of 135 patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) who received intensity modulated radiation therapy between August 2008 and January 2012 at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Patients were staged from III-IVA according to the 7th American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system. Using Statistical Analysis System 9.

Nimotuzumab combined with concurrent chemoradiotherapy benefits patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The potential benefits and possible risks associated with combined nimotuzumab and concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have yet to be determined.

Methods: The databases PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang were systematically searched through February 2017 for studies comparing combined nimotuzumab and chemoradiotherapy versus chemoradiotherapy alone in the treatment of NPC. Primary outcomes were complete and partial responses, and the secondary outcome was adverse reactions.

High expression of Ki-67 acts a poor prognosis indicator in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common head and neck malignancy in Southern China and Southeast Asia compared with Western countries. The standard treatment for NPC is radiotherapy. However, radioresistance remains a serious obstacle to satisfactory treatment, it can cause local recurrence and distant metastases in some patients after treatment by radiation.

Mean cerebral blood volume is an effective diagnostic index of recurrent and radiation injury in glioma patients: A meta-analysis of diagnostic test.

We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic values of mean cerebral blood volume for recurrent and radiation injury in glioma patients. We performed systematic electronic searches for eligible study up to August 8, 2016. Bivariate mixed effects models were used to estimate the combined sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, negative likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Prognostic value and predictive threshold of tumor volume for patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Background: Gross target volume of primary tumor (GTV-P) is very important for the prognosis prediction of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but it is unknown whether the same is true for locally advanced NPC patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). This study aimed to clarify the prognostic value of tumor volume for patient with locally advanced NPC receiving IMRT and to find a suitable cut-off value of GTV-P for prognosis prediction.

Methods: Clinical data of 358 patients with locally advanced NPC who received IMRT were reviewed.

Growth hormone replacement therapy reduces risk of cancer in adult with growth hormone deficiency: A meta-analysis.

The risk of growth hormone on cancer in adult with growth hormone deficiency remains unclear. We carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of cancer in adult with and without growth hormone replacement therapy. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases up to 31 July 2016 for eligible studies.

HK2 is a radiation resistant and independent negative prognostic factor for patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

The mechanism by which overexpression of hexokinase 2 (HK2) indicates locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LACSCC) with radio-resistance is still unknown despite being an independent biomarker of poor prognosis. Here, we retrospectively analyzed 132 female patients receiving radiotherapy for cervical squamous cell carcinoma including 85 radiation-sensitive cases and 47 radiation-resistant cases. The expression of HK2 was examined by immunohistochemistry.

High expression of PKM2 as a poor prognosis indicator is associated with radiation resistance in cervical cancer.

Our study aimed to investigate the association of Pyruvate Kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) with radiation resistance in locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LACSCC). We retrospectively reviewed 132 female patients who received primary radiation therapy to treat LACSCC at Federation Internationale of Gynecologie and Obstetrigue (FIGO) stages IB-IVA. Forty-seven patients with progression free survival (PFS) of less than 36 months were regarded to have radiation resistance.

Aberrant expression of osteopontin and E-cadherin indicates radiation resistance and poor prognosis for patients with cervical carcinoma.

Radiotherapy is the first-line treatment for all stages of cervical cancer, whether it is used for radical or palliative therapy. However, radioresistance of cervical cancer remains a major therapeutic problem. Consequently, we explored if E-cadherin (a marker of epithelial-mesenchymal transition) and osteopontin could predict radioresistance in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LACSCC).

Co-expression of CD147 and GLUT-1 indicates radiation resistance and poor prognosis in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of CD147 and GLUT-1, which play important roles in glycolysis in response to radiotherapy and clinical outcomes in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LACSCC). The records of 132 female patients who received primary radiation therapy to treat LACSCC at FIGO stages IB-IVA were retrospectively reviewed. Forty-seven patients with PFS (progression-free survival) of less than 36 months were regarded as radiation-resistant.

High Expression of SOX2 and OCT4 Indicates Radiation Resistance and an Independent Negative Prognosis in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Radiotherapy (RT) as a preoperative or postoperative adjuvant or primary treatment is the most common management modality for locally advanced cervical cancer. Radioresistance of tumor cells remains a major therapeutic problem. Consequently, we aimed to explore if the stem cell biomarkers SOX2 and OCT4 protein could be used to predict radioresistance in patients with locally advanced cervical squamous cell carcinoma (LACSCC).

ZNF569, a novel KRAB-containing zinc finger protein, suppresses MAPK signaling pathway.

Transcription factors play an essential role in altering gene expression. A great progress about transcription factors has been made towards the understanding of normal physiological processes, embryonic development, and human diseases. Here we report the identification and characterization of a novel KRAB-containing zinc-finger protein, ZNF569, which is isolated from a human embryonic heart cDNA library.

A novel KRAB zinc-finger protein, ZNF480, expresses in human heart and activates transcriptional activities of AP-1 and SRE.

The zinc-finger motif found in many transcription factors is thought to be important for human heart development and diseases. In this study, we have identified and characterized a novel zinc-finger gene named ZNF480 using degenerate primers from an early human embryo heart cDNA library. ZNF480 contains a KRAB-A box and 12 C2H2 zinc fingers.