S100P as a marker for poor survival and advanced stage in gallbladder carcinoma

AimsGallbladder carcinomas usually present in advanced stages and has a dismal prognosis despite modern imaging techniques and aggressive surgical intervention. Identification of biologic markers for early diagnosis and improved therapeutic strategies is thus of paramount importance. S100P has been identified in a variety of malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal and pancreaticobiliary systems, but it is not yet known if S100P expression is associated with clinically-relevant characteristics of gall bladder carcinoma. The aims of the present study were: 1) to investigate the relationship between S100P expression and histological type, grade, tumor-node-metastasis stage, presence of vascular invasion, perineural invasion and necrosis; and 2) to evaluate for any S100P-defined difference in the risk for tumor recurrence or death.MethodImmunostains for S100P were performed on 4 tissue microarray blocks containing 91 cases of gall bladder carcinoma.ResultThe intensity of S100P staining was significantly associated with pathological T stage 4 (p = 0. 0238). Staining intensity ≥3 in ≥25% tumor cells was associated with pathological T stage 4 (p = 0.0005). A higher S100P immunoreactivity score (IRS) was significantly associated with higher TNM stage (p = 0.0341). Age (p = 0.0485), presence of vascular invasion (p = 0.0359), pathological T stage (p = 0.0291) and TNM stage (p = 0.0153) were significantly associated with tumor recurrence. Intense S100P reactivity was associated with decreased overall survival [hazard ratio = 9.614; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.873–49.338; p = 0.0067].ConclusionOur findings indicate that S100P over-expression is a potential prognostic marker for gall bladder carcinoma and is significantly associated with advanced tumor stage and poorer survival.     

Growth hormone treatment and risk of recurrence or development of secondary neoplasms in survivors of pediatric brain tumors

Growth hormone (GH) is increasingly used for treatment of pediatric brain tumors. However, controversy remains over its safety. This meta-analysis assessed whether GH treatment was associated with risk of recurrence or development of secondary neoplasm for brain tumors in children. Systematic computerized searches of PubMed and Web of Knowledge were performed. Pooled relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) for recurrence and/or secondary neoplasm in children who were treated with GH versus those who did not receive GH were calculated. Ten studies were included. The pooled recurrence rates were 21.0% and 44.3% in the GH-treated group and non-GH-treated group, respectively. The pooled RR for recurrence was 0.470 (95% CI 0.372–0.593; z = 6.33, p = 0.000). Begg’s test (p = 0.060) and Egger’s test (p = 0.089) suggested there was no significant publication bias. The pooled RR in sensitivity analysis was 0.54 (95% CI 0.37–0.77; z = 3.32, p = 0.001), which showed the result was robust. The pooled RR for secondary neoplasm was 1.838 (95% CI 1.053–3.209; z = 2.14, p = 0.032). Begg’s test (p = 1.000) and Egger’s test (p = 0.553) suggested there was no significant publication bias. We found no evidence that GH therapy is associated with an increased risk of recurrence for pediatric brain tumors. However, because of our small sample size, the association of GH therapy with an increased risk of secondary neoplasm is uncertain. Further prospective cohorts are needed.     

Stachydrine ameliorates isoproterenol-induced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis by suppressing inflammation and oxidative stress through inhibiting NF-κB and JAK/STAT signaling pathways in rats

Cardiac hypertrophy (CH), as one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in the world, has become an independent and predictive risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events. However, progress in treatment remains sluggish in recent years. Therefore, compounds derived from non-toxic nature plants are urgently needed. Stachydrine (STA), which is isolated from Leonurus, has various activities, including resistance to cardiovascular disease, but little is known about its effect on CH or the mechanisms. We herein investigated the effect of STA on isoproterenol-induced CH and the underlying mechanisms. Treatment with STA significantly increased the ratios of heart weight/body weight, left ventricle weight/body weight and the cross-sectional areas of cardiomyocytes. In addition, STA significantly decreased the mRNA levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, B-type natriuretic peptide and β-myosin heavy chain. Furthermore, isoproterenol-induced fibrosis in rats receiving STA was significant attenuated, as evidenced by decreased ratio of fibrotic area/total area and decreased mRNA levels of collagens I and III. Given down-regulation of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IFN-1β, treatment with STA significantly reversed the expressions of pro-inflammatory induced by isoproterenol. Moreover, STA attenuated the oxidative stress level in serum of isoproterenol-induced CH rats, as shown by increased activity of superoxide dismutase and decreased malondialdehyde level. STA inhibited the expressions of phosphorylated IκBα, NF-κB p65, JAK2 and STAT3 in vivo. Thus, both NF-κB and JAK/STAT signalings played essential roles in mediating the anti-CH effect of STA. Collectively, STA has a potent protective effect on isoproterenol-induced CH, with therapeutic implication for CH.     

宫腔造影在子宫腺肌病中的临床应用

目的:探讨宫腔声学造影检测子宫腺肌病病变范围及与在位内膜间的关系。方法:对45例子宫腺肌病患者常规超声检查后行双氧水宫腔造影,结合手术中探查及病理检查,比较宫腔造影病变性质与手术中子宫腺肌病病灶范围。结果:①子宫腺肌病弥漫型造影阳性率较局限型高(P<0.01);②在位内膜与异位组织相连者造影阳性率较不连者高(P<0.01);③痛经腺肌病患者造影阳性率较无痛经患者高(P<0.01)。结论:可以用宫腔造影的方法了解子宫腺肌病病变范围及与子宫在位内膜的关系,为研究子宫腺肌病的发病机制及制定手术方案提供理论依据。