Colitis and colorectal tumors should be further explored and differentiated

The original article by Yuichi et al explored whether the Japan Narrow-Band Imaging Expert Team classification and the pit pattern classification are suitable for diagnosing neoplastic lesions in patients with ulcerative colitis. In this letter, we offer some other perspectives. Risk factors for colorectal tumors include type 2 diabetes. Among genetic factors, the deletion or mutation of some genes, such as the p53 gene, can lead to colorectal tumors. There are significant gender differences in the occurrence and development of colorectal tumors. Some non-genetic factors, such as smoking, are also associated with the development of colorectal tumors. These all suggest that colorectal tumors are not only caused by ulcerative colitis, and we suggest further exploration and differentiation between colitis and colorectal tumors.     

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of lycopene against 5-fluorouracil-induced cytotoxicity in Caco2 cells

5-fluorouracil (5FU) is widely used to treat colorectal cancer (CC) and its main mechanisms of anticancer action are through generation of ROS which often result in inflammation. Here, we test the effect of Lycopene against 5FU in Caco2 cell line. Caco2 cells were exposed to 3 µg/ml of 5FU alone or with 60, 90, 120 µg/ml of lycopene. This was followed by assessment of cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and gene expression of inflammatory genes. Our findings showed that Lycopene and 5FU co-exposure induced dose-dependent cytotoxic effect without compromising the membrane integrity based on the LDH assay. Lycopene also significantly enhanced 5FU-induced SOD activity and GSH level compared to control for all mixture concentrations (p < 0.01). Lycopene alone and combination with 5FU-induced expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. Furthermore, IFN-γ expression was significantly enhanced by only mixture of lycopene (90 µg/ml) and 5FU (p < 0.05). In conclusion, Lycopene supplementation with 5FU therapy resulted in improvement in antioxidant parameters such as catalase and GSH levels giving the cell capacity to cope with 5FU-mediated oxidative stress. Lycopene also enhanced IFN-γ expression in the presence of 5FU, which may activate antitumor effects further enhancing the cancer killing effect of 5FU.     

Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide protects against cadmium-induced neurotoxicity

Cadmium is a toxic metal that can damage the brain and other organs. This study aimed to explore the protective effects of Potentilla anserine L. polysaccharide (PAP) against CdCl₂-induced neurotoxicity in N2a and SH-SY5Y cells and in the cerebral cortex of BALB/c mice. In addition, we aimed to identify the potential mechanisms underlying these protective effects. Relative to CdCl₂ treatment alone, pretreatment with PAP prevented the reduction in cell viability evoked by CdCl₂, decreased rates of apoptosis, promoted calcium homeostasis, decreased ROS accumulation, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, inhibited cytochrome C and AIF release, and prevented the cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP. In addition, PAP significantly decreased the CdCl₂-induced phosphorylation of CaMKII, Akt, and mTOR. In conclusion, PAP represents a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of Cd-induced neurotoxicity, functioning in part via attenuating the activation of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and the Ca²⁺-CaMKII-dependent Akt/mTOR pathway.     

Impact of age within younger populations on outcomes following cervical surgery in the ambulatory setting

ObjectiveTo determine the effect of age within the younger population seen at ambulatory surgical centers on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after cervical spine surgery.MethodsPatients of age <65 years undergoing single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disc replacement (CDR) were included. Patients were divided by mean age of initial population (46 years). PROMs included Patient-reported Outcome Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF), 12-Item Short-Form Physical Component Survey (SF-12 PCS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) neck, VAS arm, Neck Disability Index (NDI) collected preoperatively and at postoperative time points up to 2 years.Results138 patients were included, with 66 patients <46 years. Both cohorts demonstrated improvement from preoperative baseline with regard to all studied PROMs at multiple time points postoperatively (p ≤ 0.042, all). Between groups, the older cohort demonstrated greater mean PROMIS-PF scores preoperatively and at 6 weeks (p ≤ 0.011, both), while VAS arm scores were lower in the older group at 1 year (p = 0.002), and NDI scores were lower in the older group at 6 weeks and 1 year (p < 0.027, both). Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) achievement rates were greater in the younger group in PROMIS PF at 2 years (p = 0.002), and in the older group in VAS arm score at 1 year (p = 0.007).ConclusionBoth cohorts showed significant improvement at multiple postoperative time points for all PROMs. Between groups, the older group reported more favorable physical function, VAS arm, and NDI scores at several time points. However, MCID achievement rates only significantly differed in two PROMs at singular time points. Difference in age in patients <65 years likely does not significantly affect long-term outcomes after cervical spine surgery.     

LINC00649通过miR-424-5p/IGF1R轴调控内质网应激介导的宫颈癌细胞凋亡

目的探讨LINC00649/miR-424-5p/IGF1R对内质网应激(ERs)介导的宫颈癌(CC)细胞凋亡的影响。方法从GEO数据库中获取CC相关的数据,并分析差异表达的miRNAs。利用生物信息学数据库预测miR-424-5p的上、下游靶点,将LINC00649和IGF1R纳入研究,随后双荧光素酶实验进一步验证靶向关系。qRT-PCR检测LINC00649、miR-424-5p和IGF1R在CC组织和细胞中的表达水平。CCK-8和流式细胞术分别评估CC细胞增殖和凋亡变化。Western blot检测ERs相关蛋白GRP78、CHOP和Caspase-12的表达。结果与癌旁组织和H8细胞相比,LINC00649和IGF1R在CC组织和细胞中表达上调,而miR-424-5p下调(均P<0.05)。LINC00649的异常高表达与CC患者的预后不良有关,敲减LINC00649可通过促进ERs来抑制CC细胞活力,诱导细胞凋亡(均P<0.05)。LINC00649吸附miR-424-5p上调IGF1R的表达。miR-424-5p抑制剂或过表达IGF1R均可部分逆转敲减LINC00649对CC细胞的影响(均P<0.05)。结论 LINC00649能够通过miR-424-5p/IGF1R抑制CC细胞的ERs过程进而减少细胞凋亡,提高细胞活力。     

p53基因突变与骨髓增殖性肿瘤临床特征及预后关系

探究p53 基因突变与骨髓增殖性肿瘤（MPN）临床特征及预后的关系。方法 选取2017年1月～2020年1月本院收治的MPN患者126例，二代测序法检测患者p53 基因突变情况。对患者进行随访，统计患者总生存（OS）时间和累计生存率；分析p53 基因突变对患者临床特征、预后的影响。结果 126例MPN患者中12例（9.52%）检出p53基因突变，突变主要位于4~8号外显子上，不同类型患者的p53 基因突变检出率比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。p53突变组患者年龄大于p53 非突变组，WBC水平低于p53 非突变组（P＜0.05），两组患者的染色体核型、IPSS预后分层比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）；p53 非突变组患者的OS时间、累计生存率均明显高于p53突变组患者（P＜0.05）。结论 MPN患者p53 基因突变发生率较高，与患者年龄、WBC水平、异常核型及IPSS预后分层相关，p53 基因突变会影响患者的预后，可作为临床筛查预后不良高风险人群的客观指标。