Mutational landscape of DNA damage response deficiency-related genes and its association with immune biomarkers in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has limited effective treatment strategies. DNA damage response (DDR) genes are of therapeutic interest in multiple cancer types. This study aimed to depict the landscape of DDR mutations in ESCC and evaluate the association between DDR mutations and known immunotherapy biomarkers.

Ghrelin Affects Gastric Cancer Progression by Activating AMPK Signaling Pathway.

As the endogenous ligand for the GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR), Ghrelin is aberrant expressed in multiple malignant carcinoma, and involved in regulating a number of progression of cancer, especially in metastasis and proliferation. However, the precise role of Ghrelin in tumorigenesis of gastric cancer (GC) is still poorly understood. In this study, we extensively investigated the roles and mechanisms of Ghrelin in human gastric cancer.

Homozygous mutations in induce multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella and male infertility.

Background: Male infertility due to multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella (MMAF) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder. Previous studies revealed several MMAF-associated genes, which account for approximately 60% of human MMAF cases. The pathogenic mechanisms of MMAF remain to be illuminated.

Hotair mediates tumorigenesis through recruiting EZH2 in colorectal cancer.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA)  have been demonstrated to extensively participate in a wide spectrum of biological activities ranging from embryogenesis and cancer progression. HOX transcript antisense RNA (Hotair), an lncRNA located in the HOXC locus, has been reported to play an important role in carcinogenesis. As a well-known oncogene, it potentiates cancer metastasis and tumor progression.

Sequential Therapy or Standard Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori Infection: An Updated Systematic Review.

The effectiveness of standard triple therapy (STT) for the eradication of Helicobacter pylori has decreased recently. Sequential therapy (SQT) is a new regimen proposed to address this problem. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of SQT versus STT for H.

[Effect of hypoxia on the activation and visfatin expression in rat hepatic stellate cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the visfatin and the expression of smooth muscle-actin (alpha-SMA) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: Rat primary HSCs were isolated from SD rats by in situ perfusion of collagenase and pronase and single-step Nycodenz density gradient centrifugation, and then cultured and activated. Completely activated primary HSCs were exposed to hypoxic conditions (37 degrees C, 5% CO2, 1% O2, 94% N2), or normoxic conditions (37 degrees C, 5% CO2, 21% O2, 74% N2), for 3, 6, 12 or 24 h respectively.

[Role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in hepatic stellate cells activation].

Objective: To investigate the role of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in activation of primary hepatic stellate cells (HSC), and to explore the blocking effect of specific antisense oligonucleotides (ASONs) targeting MIF on the activation of primary HSCs.

Methods: Rat primary HSC were isolated from SD rats by in situ perfusion of collagenase and pronase and single-step Nycodenz density gradient centrifugation, and then cultured and activated. The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), the marker of HSC activation, was assessed by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry (ICC).

The significance of MAGED4 expression in non-small cell lung cancer as analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.

The aim of this study was to detect differences in the expression levels of melanoma-associated antigen D4 (MAGED4) mRNA between non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues and normal tissues, and to compare differences in the expression levels of MAGED4 in tumor patients. Patients were grouped according to age, gender, smoking history, tumor size, pathological classification, degree of lung cancer cell differentiation and presence of lymph node metastasis. The expression levels of MAGED4 were detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR.

[Effects of omeprazole on the proliferation and apoptosis of hepatoma cell line HepG2].

Objective: To investigate the effects of omeprazole (OME), a proton pump inhibitor, on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line HepG2.

Methods: HepG2 cells were cultured to the logarithmic phase, and then treated with OME of different concentrations (10, 20, 40, 80, 160 mg/L) for 24 h or 48 h. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay, DNA synthesis was measured with 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (Edu) fluorescent assay and the apoptosis of cells was measured by the Hoechst33342 assay.

Application of the titanium plate fixation system in sternum transverse incisions.

The purpose of this study was to review the application of the titanium plate fixation system in sternum transverse incisions and assess its advantages over the conventional methods of steel wire fixation. Sternal healing of 249 patients who underwent a thymectomy and/or excision of the thymoma with a transverse sternal incision was compared between patients who underwent titanium plate fixation or steel wire fixation. Short-term results: The stability of the sternum was significantly superior in the titanium plate group compared with the steel wire group (P < 0.

[Application of MR arthrography for diagnosis of femoral acetabular impingement syndrome].

Femora acetabular impingement (FAI) is thought as the major reason leds to hip osteoarthritis. FAI results to destruction of the arthrodial cartilage. Prognoses of hip osteoarthritis is affected by the degree of arthrodial cartilage destruction.

Deployment of self-expanding metallic stents under fluoroscopic guidance in patients with malignant esophagorespiratory fistula.

Background/aims: Stent deployment for the treatment of ERFs is typically performed under endoscopic guidance. Our aim was to evaluate self-expanding metallic stent placement under fluoroscopic guidance.

Methodology: The records of six patients who underwent self-expanding metallic stent placement under fluoroscopic guidance for the treatment of ERFs were reviewed.