The clinical implication of SS18-SSX fusion gene in synovial sarcoma

Background:

The aim of this study is to evaluate distribution and clinical impact of the SS18-SSX fusion gene in patients with synovial sarcoma in China.

Methods:

We collected and analysed the clinical data of 88 patients using univariate and multivariate survival analysis. HEK 293T and NIH 3T3 cell lines were transfected with the SS18-SSX1 or SS18-SSX2 gene to determine the respective involvement of these fusion genes in cell proliferation and invasion.

Results:

Overall survival was significantly better among SS18-SSX2 cases (P=0.001), FNCLCC grade 2 cases (P<0.001), and UICC stage 1 or 2 (P<0.001) by univariate and multivariate survival analysis. SS18-SSX1-positive cells were more proliferative and invasive than SS18-SSX2-positive cells.

Conclusion:

SS18-SSX fusion type is a significant prognostic factor for patients with synovial sarcoma.     

Experimental and spectroscopic studies of charge transfer reaction between sulfasalazine antibiotic drug with different types of acceptors

The charge-transfer (CT) interactions between the electron donor sulfasalazine (SS) and the acceptors 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ), p-chloranil (CHL), picric acid (PA) and iodine have been studied spectrophotometrically in CHCl(3) or CH(3) OH solutions. The formed solid CT complexes were also isolated and characterized through infrared, (1) H-NMR, mass spectra as well as elemental and thermal analysis. The CT complexes were discussed in terms of formation constant (K(CT) ), molar extinction coefficient (ε(CT) ), standard free energy (ΔG°), oscillator strength (f), transition dipole moment (μ), resonance energy (R(N) ) and ionization potential (I(D) ). The stoichiometry of these complexes was found to be 1:1 molar ratio and having the formulae [(SS)(DDQ)], [(SS)(CHL)], [(SS)(PA)] and [(SS)(2) I](+) · I(3) (-) , respectively. The charge transfer interaction was successfully applied to the determination of SS drug using mentioned σ and π-acceptors also, the results obtained herein are satisfactory for estimation of SS compound in the pharmaceutical form.     

Chemotherapy and targeted therapies for unresectable malignant mesothelioma

The global burden of mesothelioma is expected to increase in the coming decades. As a result the development of more effective therapies with an emphasis on personalized treatments based on validated prognostic and predictive biomarkers is an essential requirement. Progress has been made in the last decade with the development of newer generation anti-folates leading to the current standard of care of pemetrexed and cisplatin in patients with unresectable disease. However, the median overall survival of patients with this combination treatment is only 12 months. There is no consensus regarding second line therapy for patients who have progressed or not responded to pemetrexed based therapies although gemcitabine in combination with a platinum compound or single agent vinorelbine is a reasonable option. The development of effective targeted agents that are active in mesothelioma has to date been disappointing. Strategies involving the addition of bevacizumab to pemetrexed and cisplatin in the frontline setting, the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat as second line therapy and studies evaluating the utility of maintenance therapy in mesothelioma are all ongoing and appear promising. In addition clinical trials investigating immunotherapy and gene therapy in combination with chemotherapy could potentially improve the prognosis of patients with mesothelioma.     

Safety and healing efficacy of Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) seed oil on burn wounds in rats

The present investigation was undertaken to determine the safety and efficacy of supercritical CO₂-extracted Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Sea buckthorn) (SBT) seed oil on burn wound model. SBT seed oil was co-administered by two routes at a dose of 2.5 ml/kg body weight (p.o.) and 200 μl (topical) for 7 days on experimental burn wounds in rats. The SBT seed oil augmented the wound healing process as indicated by significant increase in wound contraction, hydroxyproline, hexosamine, DNA and total protein contents in comparison to control and reference control treated with silver sulfadiazine (SS) ointment. Histopathological findings further confirmed the healing potential of SBT seed oil. SBT seed oil treatment up-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and 9), collagen type-III and VEGF in granulation tissue. It was observed that SBT seed oil also possesses antioxidant properties as evidenced by significant increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) level and reduced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in wound granulation tissue. In acute and sub-acute oral toxicity studies, no adverse effects were observed in any of the groups administered with SBT seed oil. These results suggest that the supercritical CO₂-extracted Sea buckthorn seed oil possesses significant wound healing activity and have no associated toxicity or side effects.     

Predictive and prognostic value of antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor in primary Sjogren’s syndrome

Aims: To assess the predictive and prognostic value of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Methods: This retrospective study includes 201 patients that fulfilled the 1993 European preliminary classification criteria for pSS. The patients were further categorized by the 2002 revised criteria, with or without the inclusion of ANA and RF as classification criteria, and were further subgrouped by the presence of ANA, RF, anti‐SS‐A, and anti‐SS‐B, and different ANA titers. The clinical manifestations, serological markers, and results of lip biopsies among these subgroups were compared. Results: Our results showed pSS patients who are seropositive for one of the following markers: ANA, RF, anti‐SS‐A, or anti‐SS‐B are younger, predominantly female, and had more serological abnormalities than those with seronegativity of ANA, RF, anti‐SS‐A, or anti‐SS‐B. Higher ANA titers (≥ 1 : 640) correlated with higher frequency of serum anti‐SS‐A+ and anti‐SS‐B+, and elevations of serum immunoglobulin G and A in all three different classification criteria groups. The clinical manifestations and laboratory results in the 2002 revised criteria groups with or without the inclusion of ANA and RF as classification criteria items were highly concordant. Conclusion: Regardless of the classification criteria for pSS, patients who are seropositive for one of the ANA, RF, anti‐SS‐A and anti‐SS‐B biomarkers are more likely to have autoimmune‐related Sjögren’s syndrome. ANA and RF have shown to possess the predictive and prognostic values for those who do not fulfill the higher stringent 2002 revised criteria but are indicated for immunomodulatory therapy. Thus we suggest that ANA and RF should be reconsidered as items of classification criteria for pSS.     

MicroRNAs in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma: The Future of Therapy

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The role of ultrasound elastographic techniques in chronic liver disease: Current status and future perspectives

This review illustrates the state of the art clinical applications and the future perspectives of ultrasound elastographic methods for the evaluation of chronic liver diseases, including the most widely used and validated technique, transient elastography, followed by shear wave elastography and strain imaging elastography. Liver ultrasound elastography allows the non-invasive evaluation of liver stiffness, providing information regarding the stage of fibrosis, comparable to liver biopsy which is still considered the gold standard; in this way, it can help physicians in managing patients, including the decision as to when to start antiviral treatment.