Synthesis of a celastrol derivative as a cancer stem cell inhibitor through regulation of the STAT3 pathway for treatment of ovarian cancer.

Accumulating evidence suggests that the root of drug chemoresistance in ovarian cancer is tightly associated with subpopulations of cancer stem cells (CSCs), whose activation is largely associated with signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. Recently, celastrol has shown a significant anti-cancer effect on ovarian cancer, but its clinical translation is very challenging due to its oral bioavailability and high organ toxicity. In this study, a celastrol derivative () was synthesized to augment the overall efficacy, and its underlying mechanisms were also explored.

LncRNAPVT1 is Associated with Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Proliferation Through Regulating TGF-βin Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Introduction: Human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common type of oral cancer and has a poor survival rate. Cell-cell communication between OSCC cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) plays important roles in OSCC progression. We previously demonstrated that CAFs promote OSCC cell migration and invasion.

Efficacy and safety of pyrotinib combined with albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer in patients previously treated with adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant trastuzumab therapy: The stage 1 results of a single-arm, phase 2 prospective clinical trial.

Objective: It has been observed that the prognosis of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer has improved significantly with HER2-targeted agents. However, there is still a lack of evidence regarding first-line anti-HER2 treatment options for patients who have received adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant trastuzumab for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer. Besides, there are no reliable markers that can predict the efficacy of anti-HER2 treatment in these patients.

CXCL16 exacerbates Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis by promoting neutrophil activation.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) keratitis is a major cause of blindness characterized by corneal inflammation. In a murine model of PA keratitis, we assessed the detrimental effects of CXC chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16). Quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blotting (WB) and immunofluorescence were used to measure the expression and localization of CXCL16 and its receptor, CXC chemokine receptor 6 (CXCR6).

Analysis of preoperative computed tomography radiomics and clinical factors for predicting postsurgical recurrence of papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Postsurgical recurrence is of great concern for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). We aim to investigate the value of computed tomography (CT)-based radiomics features and conventional clinical factors in predicting the recurrence of PTC.

Methods: Two-hundred and eighty patients with PTC were retrospectively enrolled and divided into training and validation cohorts at a 6:4 ratio.

Frailty and long-term survival of patients with gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background: The relationship between frailty and the long-term clinical outcome of gastric cancer (GC) patients has not yet been established, although frailty is associated with a poor short-term outcome. The impact of frailty on long-term survival of GC patients was investigated through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: Observational studies with longitudinal follow-ups for a minimum of one year were identified through a search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases, in accordance with the objective of the meta-analysis.

Clinical study of interstitial brachytherapy for 72 cases of recurrent cervical cancer.

Objective: To determine the application value of interstitial brachytherapy in the treatment of recurrent cervical cancer.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 72 patients with recurrent cervical cancer admitted to The Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from September 2017 to April 2022. They were divided into two groups according to different brachytherapy methods: conventional after-load radiotherapy group and interstitial brachytherapy group.

Added value of histogram analysis of ADC in predicting radiation-induced temporal lobe injury of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Background: This study evaluated the predictive potential of histogram analysis derived from apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps in radiation-induced temporal lobe injury (RTLI) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Results: Pretreatment diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) of the temporal lobes of 214 patients with NPC was retrospectively analyzed to obtain ADC histogram parameters. Of the 18 histogram parameters derived from ADC maps, 7 statistically significant variables in the univariate analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Development and validation of a prediction model of pneumothorax after CT-guided coaxial core needle lung biopsy.

Background: Pneumothorax is the most common complication of computed tomography-guided coaxial core needle biopsy (CCNB) and may be life-threatening. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors and develop a model for predicting pneumothorax in patients undergoing computed tomography-guided CCNB, and to further determine its clinical utility.

Methods: Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify independent risk factors for pneumothorax from 18 variables.

Microwave ablation treatment for medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancers: long-term results.

Objectives: In the present study, we aim to show the results of microwave ablation (MWA) for medically inoperable stage I non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) with long-term follow-up.

Methods: From Feb 2011 to Mar 2016, patients with histologically proven clinical stage I NSCLC were treated with CT-guided MWA and retrospectively analyzed. The primary end point was overall survival (OS).

Risk of pneumothorax caused by computerized tomography-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy of the lung in elderly and young patients.

Context: The incidences and risk factors caused by computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous computed tomography-guided needle biopsies (PCNBs) in elderly and young patients were not very clear.

Aims: This study explored the different incidences of pneumothorax caused by PCNBs and related risk factors in elderly and young patients.

Settings And Design: The medical records of 1100 patients who underwent CT-guided PCNBs in a hospital from January 2018 to December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed.

Pure large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma originating from the endometrium: A case report.

Background: Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the endometrium is an uncommon and highly aggressive tumor that has not been comprehensively characterized. We report a case of pure endometrial LCNEC and review the current literature of similar cases to raise awareness of the histological features, treatment, and prognosis of this tumor.

Case Summary: We report the case of a 73-year-old woman who presented with irregular postmenopausal vaginal bleeding.

Knockdown of lncRNA X inactive specific transcript (XIST) radiosensitizes non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells through regulation of miR-16-5p/WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase (WEE1) axis.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) X inactive specific transcript (XIST) is reported to play an oncogenic role in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the role of XIST in regulating the radiosensitivity of NSCLC cells remains unclear. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expressions of XIST and miR-16-5p in NSCLC in tissues and cells, and Western blot was used to assess the expression of WEE1 G2 checkpoint kinase (WEE1).

Safety and clinical outcomes of computed tomography-guided percutaneous microwave ablation in patients aged 80 years and older with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer: A multicenter retrospective study.

Background: Previous studies have documented the therapeutic value of computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, few studies have focused on patients aged 80 years and older. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of CT-guided percutaneous MWA in patients aged 80 years and older with early-stage peripheral NSCLC.

Application of oxytocin in ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for treatment of hypervascular uterine fibroids: a preliminary report.

This study evaluated the effect of oxytocin administration prior to microwave ablation (MWA) of hypervascular uterine fibroids. Thirty-two patients with 38 hypervascular uterine fibroids (Adler blood flow grade 3) were equally apportioned to receive intravenous oxytocin infusion (0.32 U/min) 20 min before ultrasound-guided percutaneous MWA, or no oxytocin (control).

MRI-Guided Cryoablation of Hepatic Dome Hepatocellular Carcinomas Using 1-T Open High-Field-Strength Scanner.

The objective of our study was to prospectively evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of 1-T open MRI-guided percutaneous cryoablation of hepatic dome hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Thirty-seven patients with 37 hepatic dome HCCs underwent MRI-guided percutaneous cryoablations. MR fluoroscopy with a freehand technique was applied in the procedure.

Association of BRAF gene and TSHR with cervical lymph node metastasis of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

Differences in BRAF gene mutation frequency and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) protein expression in thyroid tissues were detected to investigate their association with local tissue invasion and cervical lymph node metastasis potential of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). The BRAF gene mutation frequency and TSHR expression in PTMC patients were detected via qPCR and immunohistochemical method, and the association between them was discussed combined with the clinical and pathological parameters. Kruskal-Wallis test was used for the univariate correlation analyses and comparison of mutation rate and expression rate, and Chi-square test was used for the association of central lymph node metastasis with BRAF gene and TSHR.

1.0T MR-guided percutaneous coaxial cutting needle biopsy in pancreatic lesion diagnosis.

Background: Pancreatic carcinoma is a common cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Biopsy is often required for the initial diagnosis of pancreatic masses. Biopsy can be performed endoscopically or percutaneously with computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US) guidance.

A correlation analysis between tumor imaging changes and p-AKT and HSP70 expression in tumor cells after osteosarcoma chemotherapy.

This study sought to investigate osteosarcoma property changes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and to analyze any correlation between changes with phospho-AKT (p-AKT) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in osteosarcoma cells. Thirty patients with osteosarcoma treated at Liaocheng People's Hospital between January and October, 2016 were given an imaging examination before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy to examine osteosarcoma tumor properties, with images scored. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine p-AKT and HSP70 expression levels, as well as tumor cell necrosis rate (TCNR), in specimens obtained before and after chemotherapy.

MR-guided Percutaneous Biopsy of Focal Hepatic Dome Lesions with Free-hand Combined with MR Fluoroscopy Using 1.0-T Open High-field Scanner.

Aim: To prospectively estimate the safety, feasibility and accuracy of 1.0T open-magnetic resonance (MR)-guided percutaneous biopsy in free-hand of focal lesions located in the hepatic dome.

Materials And Methods: All percutaneous MR-guided biopsies of the lesions were performed at the Shandong Medical Imaging Research Institute.

Low expression of miR-1469 predicts disease progression and unfavorable post-surgical clinical outcomes in patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer.

Recent studies have demonstrated that deregulated microRNA (miRNA/miR) expression has a profound impact on biological and pathological processes; abnormal miR-1469 expression was detected in several human malignancies. In the present study, the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of miR-1469 was assessed in 129 patients with esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) who successfully underwent esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy. Low miR-1469 expression was identified to be significantly associated with tumor invasion depth (P=0.