UBE2C promotes the progression of pancreatic cancer and glycolytic activity via EGFR stabilization-mediated PI3K-Akt pathway activation

BackgroundPancreatic cancer (PC) is among the most prevalent and deadliest endocrine tumors, yet the mechanisms governing its pathogenesis remain to be fully clarified. While ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2C (UBE2C) has been identified as an important oncogene in several cancers, its importance in PC has yet to be established.MethodsUBE2C expression in PC tumor samples and cell lines was examined via quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), while appropriate commercial kits were used to assess lactate production, ATP generation, and the uptake of glucose.ResultsUBE2C was found to be upregulated in PC patient tumors and correlated with poorer survival outcomes. In PC cell lines, the silencing of this gene suppressed the malignant activity of cells, thus supporting its identification as an oncogene in this cancer type. Mechanistically, UBE2C was found to promote enhanced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) protein expression via activating the PI3K-Akt pathway. Moreover, it was found to bind to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), stabilizing it and driving additional PI3K-Akt pathway activation. UBE2C knockdown in PC cells impaired their uptake of glucose and their ability to produce lactate and ATP.ConclusionsIn conclusion, the results of this study support a role for UBE2C as a driver of metastatic PC progression owing to its ability to bind to EGFR and to induce signaling via the PI3K-Akt pathway.     

关节镜辅助复位内固定与切开复位内固定治疗胫骨平台骨折的疗效比较

目的:比较关节镜辅助复位内固定（ARIF）和切开复位内固定（ORIF）治疗胫骨平台骨折的疗效。方法:回顾性分析2016年1月至2018年8月华中科技大学附属协和医院骨科收治的75例胫骨平台骨折患者的资料。男58例,女17例;年龄20~54岁,平均47岁。左侧42例,右侧33例。骨折根据Schatzker分型：Ⅰ型23例...     

超声心动图评价卡维地洛和依那普利对慢性心力衰竭大鼠心功能的影响

目的 本研究主要应用高频超声评价卡维地洛和依那普利对阿霉素诱导的慢性心力衰竭大鼠心脏结构和功能的影响.方法 大鼠分为4组(阿霉素组12只、阿霉素 卡维地洛组12只、阿霉素 依那普利组12只和对照组8只),腹腔注射及药物灌胃建立动物模型.超声心动图检测心功能,光镜观察心肌病理变化.结果 阿霉素组与对照组相比,左室舒张期末、收缩期末内径显著扩大(P＜0.01),射血分数及短轴缩短率显著降低(P＜0.01).卡维地洛和依那普利能明显改善这些异常.阿霉素组病理结果显示心肌细胞空泡变性、局部心肌细胞溶解、心肌纤维断裂以及间质水肿;卡维地洛组和依那普利组病变较轻,病理积分显著小于阿霉素组.结论 多普勒超声结果表明卡维地洛和依那普利能有效改善阿霉素心肌病大鼠心功能,与病理结果相一致.     

Up-regulation of Akt and eNOS induces vascular smooth muscle cell differentiation in hypertension in vivo

Recent studies have shown that angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor-mediated Akt activation induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) dedifferentiation in vitro. However, the critical signal transductions affecting the VSMC phenotype remain unclear in vivo. We examined whether signal transduction through AT1 receptor-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) could regulate the VSMC phenotype in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSPs). Male SHRSPs were randomized and treated for 6 weeks with a vehicle, an ACE inhibitor cilazapril, or an AT1 receptor antagonist E4177. The 2 drugs showed equipotent effects on the blood pressure, aortic morphology, and collagen deposition. Both drugs also significantly reduced aortic NAD(P)H oxidase activity and p38MAPK and ERK expression, whereas p-Akt, eNOS, and SM2 were significantly increased in SHRSP aortas. Furthermore, E4177 was more effective than cilazapril at inducing VSMC differentiation by reducing NAD(P)H oxidase activity, and up-regulating p-Akt, eNOS, and SM2. Thus, an ACE inhibitor and an AT1 receptor antagonist inhibited VSMC dedifferentiation through inhibition of NAD(P)H oxidase activity and up-regulation of eNOS and Akt in SHRSP aortas, suggesting that in contrast to the in vitro experiments, AT1 receptor-mediated NAD(P)H oxidase-generated ROS, eNOS, and Akt might be crucial determinants for the VSMC phenotype in hypertension in vivo.     

高效液相色谱-电喷雾电离-质谱分析银杏叶中银杏内酯和白果内酯

银杏萜内酯包括银杏内酯和白果内酯是银杏提取物或银杏叶中主要的药效成分。本文用高效液相色谱 -电喷雾电离 -质谱 (HPLC ESI MS)法对银杏叶中银杏内酯和白果内酯进行分析。液相色谱条件为色谱柱为InertsilODS3,流动相为甲醇 -水 (36 :6 4) ,流速 1mL·min- 1 ;质谱为ZMDMicromass电喷雾质谱仪。得到了样品HPLC总离子流和选择离子 (m z 32 5 ,40 7,42 3,439)流图 ,及相应色谱峰的ESI MS质谱图 ,鉴别出银杏叶中白果内酯及银杏内酯A、B、C、J。本方法快捷 ,简便     

Postprocedural Outcomes of Rural Children Undergoing Correction of Congenital Heart Lesions in Yunnan Province, China

The management of congenital heart disease (CHD) remains a significant challenge in developing regions. Since 2006, China California Heart Watch has provided cardiac services in China’s Yunnan province. Our Grants for Kids program aims to diagnose and fund surgical and nonsurgical treatments for underprivileged children with congenitally malformed hearts. This report analyzes our patient outcomes. From 2007 to 2010, 36 children with CHD underwent either surgical or percutaneous procedures at local Chinese medical centers, and 94% of our patients could be contacted for follow-up assessment. The mortality and complication rates of our patient population compare favorably with international data. Our study provides a model through which networking with local hospitals and regional cardiac centers can be an effective way to assist developing areas in providing cardiac care to rural underserved populations.     

Comparison of biochemical markers and cervical length for predicting preterm delivery

AIM: To examine the clinical utility of several prognostic factors for predicting preterm delivery. METHODS: One hundred and nineteen patients with a singleton pregnancy admitted to our hospital because of symptoms of preterm labor were included in this study. Maternal serum C-reactive protein (CRP), transvaginal sonographic measurement of cervical length (CL), granulocyte elastase (EL) in cervical secretions, fetal fibronectin (fFN), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) in vaginal secretions were examined on admission. EL, fFN, AFP, and IGFBP-1 were measured by bed-side test kits. Correlation between each factor and the duration of pregnancy (from admission to delivery) was investigated. RESULTS: A significant correlation was found between the duration of pregnancy and CRP (r= -0.37, P<0.001), but not CL. The duration was significantly shorter in the fFN-positive group than in the negative group (P=0.0015). However, no significant difference was observed between the positive group and the negative group for each of CL, EL, AFP and IGFBP-1. CONCLUSION: Association between the duration of the pregnancy and two biochemical markers (CRP and fFN) was confirmed. As they can be examined quickly and easily, they are quite useful for estimating prognosis of preterm labor.     

No child should suffer from vitamin K deficiency‐induced bleeding disorders

We encountered an 11‐day‐old male neonate with vitamin K deficiency‐induced intracranial hemorrhage, despite receiving oral vitamin K₂ (menaquinone‐4) prophylaxis according to Japanese guidelines. This case suggests that the current vitamin K deficiency‐bleeding prophylaxis programs cannot prevent bleeding completely. Better prophylaxis programs using both intramuscular and oral administration should be considered.     

Spinal cord stimulation for the treatment of pain and toe ulceration associated with systemic sclerosis: a case report

Systemic sclerosis is a complex disease characterized by extensive fibrosis, microvascular alterations, and additional sequelae. Microvascular alterations can cause painful ulcers and necrosis; however, conservative or surgical treatment is often challenging in terms of healing. The study aimed to describe a toe ulcer with systemic sclerosis and its’ successful treatment with spinal cord stimulation. An 83-year-old woman, who was diagnosed with systemic sclerosis over the past decade, was distressed by a non-healing toe ulcer for an extended period of time. The patient underwent spinal cord stimulation treatment with the expectation of pain relief and an improvement in microcirculatory insufficiency. Her pain scales and microcirculation improved, and the toe ulcer healed. Furthermore, the frequency of Raynaud’s symptoms was reduced, and the patient’s pain decreased. There was no recurrence of the ulcer and she no longer needed a cane for walking.