Identification of DNA variants at ultra-low variant allele frequencies via Taq polymerase cleavage of wild-specific blockers.

Detecting mutations related to tumors holds immense clinical significance for cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, the presence of highly redundant wild DNA poses a challenge for the advancement of low-copy mutant ctDNA genotyping in cancer cases. To address this, a Taqman qPCR strategy to identify rare mutations at low variant allele fractions (VAFs) has been developed.

Characterization of EGFR-reprogrammable temozolomide-resistant cells in a model of glioblastoma.

Temozolomide (TMZ) resistance is a major clinical challenge for glioblastoma (GBM). O-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) mediated DNA damage repair is a key mechanism for TMZ resistance. However, MGMT-null GBM patients remain resistant to TMZ, and the process for resistance evolution is largely unknown.

Salivary microbiome in chronic kidney disease: what is its connection to diabetes, hypertension, and immunity?

Background: The association between oral dysbiosis and chronic kidney disease (CKD) has gained increasing attention in recent years. Diabetes and hypertension are the most common conditions in CKD. However, a case-control study with matched confounding variables on the salivary microbiome in CKD and the influence of diabetes and hypertension on the microbiome has never been reported.

SHF Acts as a Novel Tumor Suppressor in Glioblastoma Multiforme by Disrupting STAT3 Dimerization.

Sustained activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a critical contributor in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance, thus making it an attractive cancer therapeutic target. Here, SH2 domain-containing adapter protein F (SHF) is identified as a tumor suppressor in glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) and its negative regulation of STAT3 activity is characterized. Mechanically, SHF selectively binds and inhibits acetylated STAT3 dimerization without affecting STAT3 phosphorylation or acetylation.

Effects of proton pump inhibitors on reversing multidrug resistance via downregulating V-ATPases/PI3K/Akt/mTOR/HIF-1α signaling pathway through TSC1/2 complex and Rheb in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo.

Background: Our study aimed to explore the effects of PPIs on reversing multidrug resistance (MDR) to chemotherapy in gastric cancer by inhibiting the expression of V-ATPases and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR/HIF-1α signal pathway.

Methods: The gastric cancer cell lines SGC7901 and the multidrug resistance cell lines SGC7901/MDR were pretreated by the pantoprazole or the esomeprazole, respectively. Real-time PCR was used to determine mRNA levels, and western blotting and immunofluorescent staining analyses were employed to determine the protein expressions and intracellular distributions of the V-ATPases, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, HIF-1α, P-gp and MRP1 before and after PPIs pretreatment.

Moesin Up-regulation Is Associated with Enhanced Tumor Progression Imaged Non-invasively in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Human Glioblastoma.

Background/aim: Glioblastoma is a recalcitrant and poorly understood disease. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of moesin up-regulation on tumor progression in an orthotopic nude-mouse model of human glioblastoma.

Materials And Methods: U87-GFP glioblastoma cells, transfected with either U87-H4645 (moesin up-regulated) or U87-H149 (vector control) were orthotopically implanted into the brains of nude mice.

LY294002 inhibits the Warburg effect in gastric cancer cells by downregulating pyruvate kinase M2.

The 'Warburg effect' is considered a vital hallmark of cancer cells, characterized by an altered metabolism, in which cells rely on aerobic glycolysis. As a key enzyme of aerobic glycolysis, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) serves a crucial role in tumorigenesis. Accumulating studies have indicated that PKM2 is a potential target for cancer therapy.

High expression of PIWIL2 promotes tumor cell proliferation, migration and predicts a poor prognosis in glioma.

Piwi-like RNA-mediated gene silencing 2 (PIWIL2), has been reported as an oncogene tightly associated with the genesis and progression of various malignancies. Nevertheless, the function of the PIWIL2 protein in human gliomas has not yet been clarified. In this study, we sought to investigate the clinical significance of PIWIL2 expression and reveal its function in the pathological process of gliomas.

Moesin Expression Is Associated with Glioblastoma Cell Proliferation and Invasion.

Aim: To investigate the effect of moesin expression on cell proliferaton and invasion of human glioblastoma cell lines in vitro.

Materials And Methods: Glioblastoma LN229 and U87 cells were transfected with the H4645-plenti-EGFP-moesin expression vector for moesin up-regulation. Moesin and β-catenin expression levels in the transfected cells were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting.

Silencing of OTUB1 inhibits migration of human glioma cells in vitro.

OTU domain-containing ubiquitin aldehyde-binding protein 1 (OTUB1) protein, a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) which belongs to the ovarian tumor (OTU) family, was reported to be associated with the development of various malignancies. However, the potential function of OTUB1 in human gliomas was still unclear. In this study, we sought to investigate the function of OTUB1 in the pathological process of gliomas and analyze its related clinical significance.

IGFBP6 Regulates Cell Apoptosis and Migration in Glioma.

The insulin-like growth factor binding protein 6 (IGFBP6), as an inhibitor of IGF-II actions, plays an important role in inhibiting survival and migration of tumor cells. In our study, we intended to demonstrate the biological function of IGFBP6 in the development of glioma and its clinical significance. Firstly, Western blot and immunohistochemistry revealed that the expression of IGFBP6 inversely correlated with glioma grade.

Focus on China: should clinicians engage in research? and lessons from other countries.

Following tremendous economic progress, society in China is also undergoing fundamental changes, as is the healthcare system. Currently the training of Chinese young doctors and their future work placement are all undergoing re-structuring. We compiled some thoughts and opinions on the topic of 'should clinicians in China engage in research?', and publish them as a special report in this issue of Quantitative Imaging in Medicine and Surgery (QIMS).

[Preliminary study of chromosome aberrations in pituitary adenoma].

Background & Objective: Pituitary adenoma is one of the most common intracranial benign tumor. This study was designed to seek the most suitable method for cytogenetic study of pituitary adenoma(PA), and then to analyze the genetic change of PA cell.

Methods: Twenty-five samples of primary PA were examined by R-banding through direct preparation(DP) and short-term culture(STC) to analyze genomic alterations.