Functional estrogen receptor signal transduction pathway activity and antihormonal therapy response in low-grade ovarian carcinoma

Background

Advanced low-grade ovarian carcinoma (LGOC) is difficult to treat. In several studies, high estrogen receptor (ER) protein expression was observed in patients with LGOC, which suggests that antihormonal therapy (AHT) is a treatment option. However, only a subgroup of patients respond to AHT, and this response cannot be adequately predicted by currently used immunohistochemistry (IHC). A possible explanation is that IHC only takes the ligand, but not the activity, of the whole signal transduction pathway (STP) into account. Therefore, in this study, the authors assessed whether functional STP activity can be an alternative tool to predict response to AHT in LGOC.

Methods

Tumor tissue samples were obtained from patients with primary or recurrent LGOC who subsequently received AHT. Histoscores of ER and progesterone receptor (PR) were determined. In addition, STP activity of the ER STP and of six other STPs known to play a role in ovarian cancer was assessed and compared with the STP activity of healthy postmenopausal fallopian tube epithelium.

Results

Patients who had normal ER STP activity had a progression-free survival (PFS) of 16.1 months. This was significantly shorter in patients who had low and very high ER STP activity, with a median PFS of 6.0 and 2.1 months, respectively (p < .001). Unlike ER histoscores, PR histoscores were strongly correlated to the ER STP activity and thus to PFS.

Conclusions

Aberrant low and very high functional ER STP activity and low PR histoscores in patients with LGOC indicate decreased response to AHT. ER IHC is not representative of functional ER STP activity and is not related to PFS.     

Functional outcomes and complications after treatment of distal radius fracture in patients sixty years and over: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

AimThis network meta-analysis aims to compare functional outcomes and complications between conservative treatment and surgery for distal radius fractures in patients aged 60 years and over.MethodsWe searched the PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of conservative treatment and surgery for distal radius fractures in patients aged 60 years and over. Primary outcomes included grip strength and overall complications. Secondary outcomes included Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores, Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE) scores, wrist range of motion and forearm rotation, and radiographic assessment. All continuous outcomes were assessed using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and binary outcomes were assessed using odds ratio (OR) with 95% CIs. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to determine a hierarchy of treatments. Cluster analysis was performed for grouping treatments based on the SUCRA values of primary outcomes.ResultsFourteen RCTs were included to compare conservative treatment, volar lockedplate (VLP), K-wires fixation, and external-fixation. VLP outperformed conservative treatment for 1-year and minimum 2-year grip strength (SMD; 0.28 [0.07 to 0.48] and 0.27 [0.02 to 0.53], respectively). VLP yielded the optimal grip strength at 1-year and minimum 2-year follow-up (SUCRA; 89.8% and 86.7%, respectively). In a subgroup analysis of patients aged 60 to 80 years old, VLP outperformed conservative treatment in DASH and PRWE scores (SMD, 0.33 [0.10, 0.56] and 0.23 [0.01, 0.45], respectively). In addition, VLP had the fewest complications (SUCRA = 84.3%). Cluster analysis suggested that VLP and K-wire fixation were more effective treatment groups.ConclusionEvidence to date demonstrates that VLP provides measurable benefits in grip strength and fewer complications to those 60 years of age and over, and that benefit is not reflected in current practice guidelines. There is a subgroup of patients where K-wire fixation outcomes are similar to those of VLP; defining this subgroup may yield substantial societal benefits.     

The effect of motor imagery on quality of movement when performing reaching tasks in healthy subjects: A proof of concept

IntroductionThe use of motor imagery (MI) has been shown to offer significant improvements in movement performance in sports, and is now receiving a lot of attention as a relatively new therapeutic approach which can be applied in rehabilitation. However, the effects of MI on the quality of movement is still unclear. This study explored the immediate effect of MI on reaching tasks in healthy subjects.Methods17 healthy individuals (33 ± 8.2 years) participated in the study. Surface electromyography (sEMG) and inertial measurement units (IMU) were used to identify muscle activity and angular velocity in both upper limbs. Participants performed a reach task using their dominant and non-dominant arms at their most comfortable speed, they were then asked to imagine themselves performing the same reaching task, and finally they were asked to repeat the reaching task.ResultsSignificant decreases were seen in the muscle activity between pre and post MI for Biceps Brachii, Anterior Deltoid and Triceps Brachii. In addition, a significant increase was seen in extension angular velocity post MI.DiscussionThe results indicate that the use of MI just after physical practice appears to have an immediate effect on the muscle activity and kinematics during a reaching task, which may suggest an improved quality of movement.ConclusionThis proof of concept study shows the potential for MI to improve the quality of performing reaching task and offers a possible therapeutic option for Stroke survivors and other neuromuscular disorders.     

基于网络药理学和实验验证探讨香菇多糖抑制三阴乳腺癌的作用机制

目的 基于网络药理学研究香菇多糖抑制三阴乳腺癌（TNBC）的作用机制并采用细胞和动物实验进行验证。方法 通过GeneCards数据库和DisGeNET数据库筛选与TNBC相关基因靶点，利用TCMID、PubChem、SwissTargetPrediction和GeneCards数据库查询香菇多糖相关基因靶点。使用Sangerbox软件进行基因本体论（GO）富集和京都基因与基因组百科全书（KEGG）通路富集分析。结合STRING数据库与Cytoscape 3.7.0软件将共同靶点进行可视化处理，筛选核心靶点，构建"化合物-靶点-通路"网络。利用Metascape软件进行转录因子及相关调控基因特异富集。体外培养小鼠TNBC细胞4T1和人TNBC细胞MDA-MB-231，磺酰罗丹明B染色法观察香菇多糖（31.25、62.5、125、250、500、1 000μg·mL^-1）对细胞存活率的影响；健康雌性BABLC小鼠sc接种1×10⁶个4T1-Luc细胞构建TNBC模型，通过小动物活体成像系统观察香菇多糖（100、200 mg·kg^-1）对肿瘤生长的影响，实时荧光定量PCR （qRT-PCR）技术检测肿瘤组织信号转导和转录活化因子3（STAT3）和血管内皮生长因子A （VEGFA） mRNA表达。结果 数据库及软件分析得到香菇多糖治疗TNBC关键靶点52个，靶点主要涉及PI3K-Akt、AGE-RAGE、HIF-1、MAPK信号通路和肿瘤蛋白多糖相关通路，PPI分析得到VEGFA、STAT3、MAPK1、IL2、TNF、RELA、AKT1、MAPK3、BCL2L1和HSP90AA1 10个hub基因。与对照组比较，香菇多糖对4T1和MDA-MB-231细胞存活率均有显著抑制作用（P<0.05、0.01），且作用呈浓度相关性；在给药14、21d后，与模型组比较，香菇多糖能够剂量相关性地抑制小鼠TNBC肿瘤的生长，高剂量组差异显著（P<0.05、0.01），21 d抑制率达到（91.9±4.7）%；与对照组比较，香菇多糖给药后能够剂量相关性抑制STAT3和VEGFA的mRNA表达，高剂量组差异显著（P<0.05、0.01）。结论 香菇多糖可通过多靶点、多途径协同作用抑制TNBC的生长。     

表面等离子共振技术在中医药研究中应用进展

利用表面等离子共振现象制备的生物传感技术具有无标记、灵敏度高、通量大、特异性强，样品耗损少等优点，在生命科学等众多学科中得到了广泛的关注和应用。近年来该技术也被运用在不少中医药研究的重要领域。本文简要介绍了表面等离子共振原理，总结并评述了在中医药新靶标发现、优效小分子寻找等方向的研究进展和前景。     

The prognostic relevance of histologic subtype in appendiceal adenocarcinoma

BackgroundThe aim of this population-based study was to determine the prognostic value of the histologic subtypes mucinous (MAC), non-mucinous (AC) and signet ring cell (SRCC) adenocarcinoma among patients with appendiceal cancer.Methods and materialsData from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) of patients with primary appendiceal adenocarcinomas with MAC, AC and SRCC histologic subtype, diagnosed between 2001 and 2015 were used (n = 675). To categorize patients according to the recent histopathological classification, the NCR was linked with the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA). Log-rank tests and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to estimate overall survival (OS), and the cox proportional hazards model was run to identify prognostic factors.ResultsAC was the most frequently encountered histologic subtype (50.9%), followed by MAC (35.8%) and SRCC (13.3%). In locoregional disease, histologic subtype was not a prognostic factor for OS with 5-year survival rates for patients with AC, MAC and SRCC of 60.0%, 60.5% and 69.6% respectively (p = 0.68). Metastatic disease was more common in SRCC (53.8%) than in MAC (38.8%) and AC (23.4%) (p < 0.0001). Median OS for patients with metastatic disease was 12.6, 27.7 and 18.2 months in AC, MAC and SRCC respectively (p < 0.005). MAC was associated with higher survival compared to AC (HR 0.48, 95%CI 0.34–0.69). In subanalyses, MAC was only a positive prognostic factor compared to AC in patients with peritoneal metastases (HR 0.42, 95%CI 0.28–0.62).ConclusionHistologic subtype had no prognostic relevance in locoregional or systemic metastatic disease in appendiceal adenocarcinoma. In peritoneal metastases, mucinous histologic subtype was a favorable prognostic factor, compared to non-mucinous and signet ring cell subtype.     

银杏内酯B对肌萎缩侧索硬化细胞模型的保护作用及其机制

目的:探讨银杏内酯B(ginkgolide B,GB)对肌萎缩侧索硬化细胞模型c-Jun氨基末端激酶(JNK)信号通路及细胞凋亡的影响。方法:通过含过表达人突变超氧化物歧化酶1(SOD1)~(G93A)基因(hSOD1~(G93A))和过表达人野生SODWT基因(hSOD1WT)与空质粒的慢病毒感染NSC34细胞,经一定浓度的嘌呤霉素筛选,倒置荧光显微镜下观察慢病毒的转染效率和细胞形态的变化,蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检验感染细胞是否过表达SOD1蛋白,建立hSOD1~(G93A)-NSC34细胞系后给予GB,细胞培养分组为正常组、模型组、不同浓度GB组(25,50,75,100 mg·L-1)组,48 h后噻唑蓝(MTT)比色法检测细胞存活率,筛选出最佳药物浓度,后续实验分组为以正常组,模型组,75 mg?L~(-1) GB组,SP600125组,75 mg?L-1GB+SP600125组,流式细胞术检测各组细胞的凋亡率,蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测磷酸化(p-)JNK,c-Jun,p-c-Jun,半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)蛋白的表达。结果:与正常的NSC34细胞比较,hSOD1~(G93A)NSC34组细胞胞体变圆,突触减少、变短,而hSOD1WT NSC34组细胞和空质粒组细胞形态学未发生明显变化,与正常组比较,hSOD1~(G93A)NSC34组,hSOD1WTNSC3组细胞内SOD1蛋白水平显著升高(P0. 01),肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)细胞模型成功建立。与正常组比较,模型组细胞存活率显著降低(P0. 01);与模型组比较,给予不同浓度GB后,细胞存活率均显著升高(P0. 01),药物质量浓度为75 mg?L-1时细胞存活率显著升高(P0. 01)。后续实验,与正常组比较,模型组凋亡率,p-JNK,p-c-Jun,cleaved Caspase-3蛋白表达量显著升高(P0. 01);与模型组比较,75 mg?L-1GB组,SP600125组,75 mg?L-1GB+SP600125组凋亡率,p-JNK,p-c-Jun,cleaved Caspase-3蛋白表达明显降低(P0. 05,P0. 01)。结论:GB对肌萎缩侧索硬化细胞模型具有抑制细胞凋亡的保护作用,这种保护作用可能是通过JNK信号通路实现的。     

穴位埋线对肾虚血瘀型子宫内膜异位症患者IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF和MMP-2水平的影响

目的:基于PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路,探讨穴位埋线疗法治疗肾虚血瘀型子宫内膜异位症的临床疗效及对IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF和MMP-2等相关信号通路下游细胞因子的水平的影响。方法:选取肾虚血瘀型子宫内膜异位症的门诊和住院患者86例,按照随机数字表法随机分为穴位埋线组和西药组,西药组口服孕三烯酮胶囊(内美通),穴位埋线组在西药组的基础上采用穴位埋线进行治疗,治疗3个月后观察两组患者的临床疗效和IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF、MMP-2等相关信号通路下游细胞因子的水平。结果:治疗后穴位埋线组总有效率93.02%(40/43),西药组总有效率83.72%(36/43),两组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗3个月后,穴位埋线组和西药组的VAS评分、血清IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF和MMP-2水平均较治疗前改善(P<0.01),但穴位埋线组较西药组改善更为明显(P<0.05或P<0.01)。治疗过程中,西药组不良反应发生率为18.60%(8/43),穴位埋线组不良反应发生率为4.65%(2/43),两组不良反应发生率比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:穴位埋线可以显著改善子宫内膜异位症患者的临床症状和体征,并能显著降低孕三烯引起的不良反应,可见穴位埋线疗法可以作用PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路,通过改善通路下游的IL-1β、TNF-α、VEGF和MMP-2水平,发挥治疗子宫内膜异位症的作用。