Ski: Double roles in cancers

The Ski (Sloan-Kettering Institute) is an evolutionarily conserved protein that plays a dual role as an oncoprotein and tumor suppressor gene in the development of human cancer. The Ski oncogene was first identified as a transforming protein of the avian Sloan-Kettering retrovirus in 1986. Since its discovery, Ski has been identified as a carcinogenic regulator in a variety of malignant tumors. Later, it was reported that Ski regulates the occurrence and development of some cancers by acting as an oncogene. Ski mediates the proliferation, differentiation, metastasis, and invasion of numerous cancer cells through various mechanisms. Several studies have shown that Ski expression is correlated with the clinical characteristics of cancer patients and is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for cancer. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms and potential clinical implications of Ski in dimorphism, cancer occurrence, and progression in various types of cancer.     

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.     

先秦弓箭制作技艺考

射箭是我国最早的体育活动之一,是我国民族传统体育的典型代表,在中国古代历史发展过程中占有重要的地位,中国人也是世界上最早掌握射箭技术的人类群体之一。先秦时期,从王公贵族到普通百姓都喜好这项运动,这使得先秦时期的弓箭制作工艺非常高超。但由于种种原因,传统弓箭的制作工艺也逐渐走向了衰败,甚至濒临失传。因此,重新翻开历史长卷,整理和研究先秦时期弓箭制作技艺无疑是一件具有深远意义的工作。     

Microelectronic neural bridging of toad nerves to restore leg function

The present study used a microelectronic neural bridge comprised of electrode arrays for neural signal detection, functional electrical stimulation, and a microelectronic circuit including signal amplifying, processing, and functional electrical stimulation to bridge two separate nerves, and to restore the lost function of one nerve. The left leg of one spinal toad was subjected to external mechanical stimulation and functional electrical stimulation driving. The function of the left leg of one spinal toad was regenerated to the corresponding leg of another spinal toad using a microelectronic neural bridge. Oscilloscope tracings showed that the electromyographic signals from controlled spinal toads were generated by neural signals that controlled the spinal toad, and there was a delay between signals. This study demonstrates that microelectronic neural bridging can be used to restore neural function between different injured nerves.     

高校体育的情绪策略应用

情绪因素在高校体育教学的实施中具有重要作用。利用心理学关于情绪情感规律的研究成果，从建立和谐友好的教学氛围、提高体育教学中学生的参与程度、确立教师引导建议型“顾问式”积极角色等多个角度，实现提高体育教学质量、完善学生人格的目的。     

Pulmonary metastasectomy for soft tissue sarcoma – Report from a dual institution experience at the Medical University of Vienna

BackgroundPulmonary metastasectomy when possible has become therapeutic standard in soft tissue sarcoma patients. However, published reports frequently describe mixed series of patients with bone or soft tissue sarcoma. We report the outcome of 46 soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients who underwent pulmonary metastasectomy (PM).MethodsThis current analysis includes retrospective survival data from 46 consecutive STS patients with pulmonary metastases who underwent PM at the Medical University of Vienna between January 2003 and December 2013.ResultsIn total 72 pulmonary metastasectomies were performed. 322 metastatic nodules were resected with a median number of four nodules per intervention and the R0 resection rate was 97.2%. The postoperative complication rate as documented was low. Median follow-up (mFU) was 31.8 months (range 3.7–127.4). Median overall survival as calculated from first detection of metastatic disease was 47.1 months (95% confidence interval (CI) = 36.2–58.1 months) and 45.3 months (95% CI = 33.3–57.4 months) when calculated from first PM until death or last follow-up (n = 46). Five-year overall survival calculated from primary diagnosis was 62% and 32% when estimated from first PM. Previous disease free interval (DFI) as calculated from date of surgery of the primary tumour until the date of diagnosis of lung metastasis was 12.2 months (range 0–140.1 months). Median relapse-free survival (mRFS) after first PM to the date of recurrence of lung metastasis, death or last follow-up was 13.4 months (95% CI = 3–23.8 months).ConclusionMedian overall survival in this selected patient cohort is 45.3 months. Despite the lack of prospective randomised controlled trials, PM is a reasonable treatment strategy in selected patients.     

Thirty autosomal insertion-deletion polymorphisms analyzed using the Investigator® DIPplex Kit in populations from Iraq,Lithuania, Slovenia,and Turkey

Thirty autosomal insertion-deletion (InDel) polymorphisms were analyzed in four populations from Iraq, Lithuania, Slovenia, and Turkey using the commercial kit Investigator® DIPplex. Genotyping issues were encountered for five of the 30 InDels. They were most probably caused by polymorphisms located in the primer binding sites. Population and forensic parameters were calculated. No significant deviations from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium or significant linkage disequilibrium were detected. The observed heterozygosities ranged from 33% to 61% depending on the marker and the population. The combined probability of exclusion for the 30 markers was 99.7% in all four populations and the matching probabilities were 1 in 3–4 × 10¹² individuals. The multidimensional scaling plot drawn from F_ST distances showed a good concordance between the relative position of the 15 populations included in the plot and their geographic locations.     

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。