Stress Management and Spirituality During Recovery: A Transpersonal Approach

No abstract available for this article.     

S100A14, a mediator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition,regulates proliferation,migration and invasion of human cervical cancer cells

S100A14 is an EF-hand calcium-binding protein that has been reported to exert its biological effects on different types of cells. However, the potential clinical significance and biological functions of S100A14 in cervical cancer has not yet been clarified. In this study, we firstly examined the correlation between S100A14 expression and clinical-pathological parameters in cervical cancers. Next, we observed the effect of S100A14 on cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, migration and invasion by employing lentiviral-mediated overexpression and knockdown of S100A14 in cervical cancer cells. Furthermore, we investigated the underlying mechanism of S100A14 affecting cell migration and invasion. Immunohistochemistry analysis demonstrated that S100A14 expression was associated with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (P = 0.025) and lymph node (LN) metastasis (P = 0.001). Functional assays showed that S100A14 overexpression increased the proportion of G2/M phase, promoted cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas S100A14 knockdown exhibited adverse effect on above properties. Mechanistic investigation demonstrated that S100A14 can act as a mediator of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). And overexpression of S100A14 increased expression of N-cadherin and Vimentin while decreased expression of E-cadherin. The opposite results were observed in S100A14-silenced cells. Taken together, our data indicate that S100A14 has a crucial role in cervical cancer progression. This study significantly increases our understanding of S100A14 functional roles in cervical cancer, which may lead to the development of a novel therapeutic target for cervical cancer.     

丹红注射液联合西药及早期心理干预与康复训练治疗脑卒中后抑郁随机平行对照研究

[目的]观察丹红注射液联合西药及早期心理干预与康复训练治疗脑卒中后抑郁疗效。[方法]使用随机平行对照方法,将80例门诊及住院患者按随机数字表法分为两组。对照组40例脱水、脑保护及对症治疗,生命体征稳定48h后,心理干预,康复训练(运动治疗及作业治疗)。治疗组40例丹红注射液30mL+5%葡萄糖250mL,1次/d,静滴;糖尿病:生理盐水250mL。西医治疗同对照组。连续治疗14d为1疗程。观测HAMD评分、ADL评分、不良反应。连续治疗2疗程,判定疗效。[结果]HAMD及ADL评分两组均有改善(P0.05),治疗组改善优于对照组(P0.05)。[结论]丹红注射液联合西药及早期心理干预与康复训练治疗脑卒中后抑郁效果显著,值得推广。     

Xenoestrogens challenge 17β-estradiolprotectiveeffects in colon cancer Marino M简

Several epidemiological, cellular, and molecular studies demonstrate the role of environmental chemicals with endocrine disrupting activities, typical of Westernized societies, in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases including cancer. Nonetheless this information, the design and execution of studies on endocrine disruptors are not yet cognizant that the specific actions of individual hormones often change with development and ageing, they may be different in males and females and may be mediated by different receptors isoforms expressed in different tissues or at different life stages. These statements are particularly true when assessing the hazard of endocrine disruptors against 17β-estradiol (E2) actions in that this hormone is crucial determinant of sex-related differences in anatomical, physiological, and behavioral traits which characterize male and female physiology. Moreover, E2 is also involved in carcinogenesis. The oncogenic effects of E2 have been investigated extensively in breast and ovarian cancers where hormone-receptor modulators are now an integral part of targeted treatment. Little is known about the E2 preventive signalling in colorectal cancer, although this disease is more common in men than women, the difference being more striking amongst pre-menopausal women and age-matched men. This review aims to dissect the role and action mechanisms of E2 in colorectal cancer evaluating the ability of estrogen disruptors (i.e., xenoestrogens) in impair these E2 actions. Data discussed here lead to define the possible role of xenoestrogens in the impairment and/or activation of E2 signals important for colorectal cancer prevention.     

First Japanese case of atypical progeroid syndrome/atypical Werner syndrome with heterozygous LMNA mutation

Atypical progeroid syndrome (APS), including atypical Werner syndrome (AWS), is a progeroid syndrome involving heterozygous mutations in the LMNA gene encoding the nuclear protein lamin A/C. We report the first Japanese case of APS/AWS with a LMNA mutation (p.D300N). A 53‐year‐old Japanese man had a history of recurrent severe cardiovascular diseases as well as brain infarction and hemorrhages. Although our APS/AWS patient had overlapping features with Werner syndrome (WS), such as high‐pitched voice, scleroderma, lipoatrophy and atherosclerosis, several cardinal features of WS, including short stature, premature graying/alopecia, cataract, bird‐like face, flat feet, hyperkeratosis on the soles and diabetes mellitus, were absent. In immunofluorescence staining and electron microscopic analyses of the patient's cultured fibroblasts, abnormal nuclear morphology, an increase in small aggregation of heterochromatin and a decrease in interchromatin granules in nuclei of fibroblasts were observed, suggesting that abnormal nuclear morphology and chromatin disorganization may be associated with the pathogenesis of APS/AWS.     

Metastasis-associated protein S100A4 induces a network of inflammatory cytokines that activate stromal cells to acquire pro-tumorigenic properties

Tumor cells have the ability to exploit stromal cells to facilitate metastasis. By using malignant melanoma as a model, we show that the stroma adjacent to metastatic lesions is enriched in the known metastasis-promoting protein S100A4. S100A4 stimulates cancer cells to secrete paracrine factors, such as inflammatory cytokines IL8, CCL2 and SAA, which activate stromal cells (endothelial cells and monocytes) so that they acquire tumor-supportive properties. Our data establishes S100A4 as an inducer of a cytokine network enabling tumor cells to engage angiogenic and inflammatory stromal cells, which might contribute to pro-metastatic activity of S100A4.     

A study of the SCN5A gene in a cohort of 76 patients with Brugada syndrome

We aim to study the SCN5A gene in a cohort of Brugada syndrome (BS) patients and evaluate the genotype–phenotype correlation. BS is caused by mutations in up to 10 different genes, SCN5A being the most frequently involved. Large genomic rearrangements in SCN5A have been associated with conduction disease, but its prevalence in BS is unknown. Seventy‐six non‐related patients with BS were studied. Clinical characteristics and family risk profile were recorded. Direct sequencing and multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) of the SCN5A gene for identification of mutations and larger rearrangements were performed, respectively. Eight patients (10.5%) had point mutations (R27H, E901K, G1743R (detected in three families), V728I, N1443S and E1152X). Patients with mutations had a trend toward a higher proportion of spontaneous type I Brugada electrocardiogram (ECG) (87.5% vs 52.9%, p = 0.06) and had evidence of familial disease (62.5%, vs 23.5%, p = 0.03). The symptoms and risk profile of the carriers were not different from wild‐type probands. There were non‐significant differences in the prevalence of type I ECG, syncope and history of arrhythmia in carriers of selected polymorphisms. None of the patients had any deletion/duplication in the SCN5A gene. In conclusion, 10.5% of our patients had mutations in the SCN5A gene. Patients with mutations seemed to have more spontaneous type I ECG, but no differences in syncope or arrhythmic events compared with patients without mutations. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the role of polymorphisms in the SCN5A in the expression of the phenotype and prognosis. Large rearrangements were not identified in the SCN5A gene using the MLPA technique.     

Trigger Finger Release With Stepwise Preservation of the A1 Pulley: A Functional Pulley-Preserving Technique

The first annular (A1) pulley is an important structure of the hand, providing a biomechanical support to the metacarpophalangeal joint and maintaining joint stability and flexor tendon alignment. Albeit uncommon, disruption of this pulley can result in dislocation or ulnar drift of the digit, particularly pronounced in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Despite this, the A1 pulley is commonly divided without reconstruction in trigger finger. Several annular pulley reconstructive techniques have been developed to preserve its function. However, development of recurrent triggering has been observed due to fibrosis, largely due to inadequate release of the pulley. We have developed a technique to increase the volume within the flexor sheath while preserving the A1 pulley by way of stepwise lengthening. This has enabled an increase in the diameter of the pulley to 4 times its original size. A prospective study was performed comprising 10 trigger finger releases with stepwise lengthening of the A1 pulley. In all patients, there were no complications, and good hand function was achieved with no recurrence of triggering at 6 weeks of follow-up. This technique can thus safely achieve trigger release without sacrifice of the function of the A1 pulley.