Apoptosis in breast cancer: Nigerian vs. Finnish material

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate apoptotic activity in breast cancer from Nigerian (n = 300) and Finnish (n=285) women. STUDY DESIGN: Apoptotic bodies were expressed as square millimeters of neoplastic tissue (apoptotic index [AI]). The standardized mitotic index (SMI) and mitotic activity index (MAI) estimated proliferation. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) AI was higher in Nigeria (9.6+/-14.8/mm2) than in Finland (5.2+/-6.1/ mm2). In both populations, AI values were higher in premenopausal than postmenopausal women, in lymph node positive than lymph node negative tumors and in larger than smaller tumors. However, the differences were not statistically significant. Increasing histologic grade was associated with increasing AI values (Nigeria, P =.012; Finland, P= .0001). AI in infiltrating ductal carcinomas were higher than in special types of breast cancer (Nigeria, P = .0700; Finland, P = .0168). As a continuous variable, AI was a significant prognosticator (Nigeria, P = .0125, Finland, P = .0466). Increasing AI appeared to be associated with tumor progression and dedifferentiation. The higher SMI/AI in Nigeria (9.2) than in Finland (4.5) reflects higher proliferative activity in the Nigerian material. In multivariate analysis of AI, SMI, MAI and tumor size, the proliferative indices (SMI and MAI) and tumor size only were significant independent prognosticators. CONCLUSION: In Nigerian and Finnish material, AI has limited prognostic value as a tool in grading breast cancer. The higher mean SMI/AI in Nigerian cancer suggests a shift in the proliferation/cell death balance, which may be associated with a later phase of the cancer progression cascade.     

Correlation between angiogenesis, apoptosis and cell proliferation in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and their relation to tumor behavior

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between angiogenesis, apoptosis and cell proliferation in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast and their relation to tumor behavior. STUDY DESIGN: Microvessels were immunohistochemically labeled with antibody to CD34 in sections from 82 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma. Computerized image analysis was used to evaluate microvessel density (MVD). The authors measured the apoptotic index (AI) using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling technique and proliferating cell nuclear antigen labeling index (PCNA LI) by PCNA immunohistochemistry on serial sections. RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a significant inverse correlation between MVD and AI (r = -.313, P = .004) and failed to find a significant correlation between MVD and PCNA LI. There was a significant positive correlation between AI and PCNA LI (r = .393, P = .000). Significant differences in AI between high MVD (> or = 59.9%) and low MVD (< 59.9%) were seen (P < .001), with no appreciable differences in PCNA LI between the two groups. Histologic grade and stage were the only independent prognostic factors in both disease-free and overall survival. CONCLUSION: Angiogenesis in breast cancer may be related to the ability of tumor cells to survive rather than to their proliferative activity. Apoptosis is related to cell proliferation in breast cancer.     

Correlation Between PARP-1 Immunoreactivity and Cytomorphological Features of Parthanatos,a Specific Cellular Death in Breast Cancer Cells

In parthanatos, a PARP-1 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1)-mediated cell death, dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, large-scale DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation were observed. In contrast to apoptosis, it does not cause apoptotic bodies formation. Although PARP-1-mediated cell death presents loss of membrane integrity similar to necrosis, it does not induce cell swelling. The purpose of the study was to correlate the immunohistochemical parameters of PARP-1 reactivity and the selected cytomorphological features of parthanatos: the lack of apoptotic bodies and the absence of necrosis in breast cancer (BC) specimens. Immunohistochemistry for PARP-1 was performed on 83 BC specimens. Correlations between parameters of PARP-1 expression and sub-cellular localisation and the presence of apoptotic bodies and necrosis were evaluated. High expression of PARP-1 (immunoreactive score ≥6) was associated with the lack of apoptotic bodies (P=0.013) and with the absence of necrosis (P=0.002). The presence of apoptotic bodies was correlated with re-distribution of PARP-1 from the nucleus to cytoplasm in BC cells (P=0.029). Additionally, a tendency was observed between necrosis and loss of nuclear PARP-1 expression (P=0.049). Our study suggests that PARP-1 may play a crucial role in induction and regulation of specific type of cellular death called parthanatos.Key words: parthanatos, cell death, PARP-1, immunohistochemistry, breast cancer     

2001-2010 年我院采用内分泌疗法治疗老年乳腺癌的临床效果分析

目的：分析内分泌治疗在老年患者乳腺癌中的疗效。方法：回顾性分析2001 年1 月至2010 年12 月我院外科手术切除的≥ 60 岁的116 例乳腺癌患者的临床资料,按照内分泌治疗分成三组,不进行内分泌治疗的对照组、三苯氧胺（TAM）组和芳香化酶抑 制剂（AI）组,比较不良反应、存活时间及存活率。结果：对照组的副作用发生率为75.86%,副作用主要为关节痛、其他关节症状和 子宫内膜增厚;TAM 组的副作用发生率为63.33%,副作用主要为其他关节症状和子宫内膜增厚;AI 组的副作用发生率为 55.56%,副作用主要为其他关节症状和子宫内膜增厚。三组患者的不良反应如潮红、妇科症状、子宫切除和静脉栓塞等发生率低, 总不良反应发生率无显著性差异（P=0.802）。对照组的中位生存时间为7.35 年,TAM组的中位生存时间为10.46 年,AI组的中位 生存时间为9.94 年,三组患者的生存时间具有显著性差异（P=0.001）,TAM组和AI组的生存时间显著高于对照组。对照组、ATM 组、AI 组的5 年生存率为74%、90%、71%,10 年生存率为24%、71%、68%,三组患者的生存率具有显著性差异（P=0.007）,TAM组 和AI组的生存率均显著高于对照组。结论：性激素受体阳性老年乳腺癌患者总体预后较好。TAM、AI用于性激素受体阳性的老 年乳腺癌患者的治疗,具有较好的疗效与安全性。     

The Impact of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 on Prognosis and Clinicopathology of Breast Cancer Patients: A Systematic Meta-Analysis

Backgrounds

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) plays a crucial role in the progression of breast cancer (BC). The prognostic role of MMP-2 expression in BC patients has been widely reported, but the results were inconsistent. Thus, a meta-analysis was conducted to gain a better insight into the impact of MMP-2 expression on survival and clinicopathological features of BC patients.

Methods

Identical search strategies were used to search relevant literatures in electronic databases update to August 1, 2014. Individual hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and pooled to evaluate the strength of the association between positive MMP-2 expression and survival results and clinicopathological features of BC patients. Begg’s tests, Egger’s tests and funnel plots were used to evaluate publication bias. Heterogeneity and sensitivity analysis were also assessed. All the work was completed using STATA.

Results

Pooled HRs and 95% CIs suggested that MMP-2 expression had an unfavorable impact on both OS (HR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.29–1.82) and DFS/RFS/DDFS (HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.07–1.86) in BC patients. Furthermore, MMP-2 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (positive vs negative: OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.17–3.12).

Conclusion

In conclusion, positive MMP-2 expression might be a significant predictive factor for poor prognosis in patients with BC.     

RAD50/MRE11/NBS1 proteins in relation to tumour development and prognosis in patients with microsatellite stable colorectal cancer

RAD50/MRE11/NBS1 complex is essential for DNA double-strand break repair and for maintaining genomic integrity. In this study, we immunohistochemically examined MRE11, NBS1 and RAD50 expression in primary CRCs (n=208), the corresponding distant (n=41) and adjacent normal mucosa (n=130), and lymph node metastases (n=26), and investigated their clinicopathological significance in colorectal cancers (CRCs). We found that the intensity and percentage of MRE11 and NBS1 in primary CRCs were positively correlated with each other and with RAD50 (P<0.0001). Strong expression of MRE11, NBS1 or combined RAD50/MRE11/NBS1 was related to MSS, positive hMLH1 expression, earlier tumour stage (TNM stage I and II) and favourable survival (P<0.05). A high percentage of MRE11 expression was associated with less local recurrence and high apoptotic activity (P<0.05). In MSS CRCs, the expression of MRE11 and NBS1 was stronger than that in normal mucosa (P<0.05), and strong expression of NBS1 in primary tumour was related to favourable survival of patients in TNM stage I and II (univariate analysis: P=0.03; multivariate analysis: P=0.07). In MSI CRCs, neither MRE11 nor NBS1 expression showed differences among normal mucosa, primary tumour and metastasis, or among clinicopathological variables. In conclusion, RAD50/MRE11/NBS1 proteins interacted with each other, which had different clinicopathological significance in MSS and MSI CRCs, and further, each component of the complex might have additional roles. NBS1 might be a prognostic factor for patients with MSS tumour in TNM stage I and II.     

Apoptotic index, Fas and bcl-2 in initial and relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Seventy-two samples with initial and 23 samples with relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) were investigated for apoptotic index (AI) and for Fas expression. AI was determined by DNA-fragmentation using deoxynucleotidyl terminal transferase and Fas expression by immunocytochemistry. bcl-2 mRNA expression was measured in 50 initial and 20 relapsed ALL. The patients were discriminated in groups with low and high AI, Fas-protein expression and bcl-2mRNA expression by the mean value. AI was higher in relapsed than in initial ALL. The mean survival was significantly higher in patients with low AI ( p= 0.034). This was also true for the relapse-free interval, however, this result was borderline significant ( p= 0.064). AI was directly correlated with expression of Fas and inversely correlated with bcl-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that Fas and - with limitations - bcl-2 may influence the apoptotic process in childhood ALL and that enhanced apoptotic activity predicts poor prognosis.     

MicroRNA miR-21 overexpression in human breast cancer is associated with advanced clinical stage, lymph node metastasis and patient poor prognosis

To investigate the global expression profile of miRNAs in primary breast cancer (BC) and normal adjacent tumor tissues (NATs) and its potential relevance to clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival, the genome-wide expression profiling of miRNAs in BC was investigated using a microarray containing 435 mature human miRNA oligonucleotide probes. Nine miRNAs of hsa-miR-21, hsa-miR-365, hsa-miR-181b, hsa-let-7f, hsa-miR-155, hsa-miR-29b, hsa-miR-181d, hsa-miR-98, and hsa-miR-29c were observed to be up-regulated greater than twofold in BC compared with NAT, whereas seven miRNAs of hsa-miR-497, hsa-miR-31, hsa-miR-355, hsa-miR-320, rno-mir-140, hsa-miR-127 and hsa-miR-30a-3p were observed to be down-regulated greater than twofold. The most significantly up-regulated miRNAs, hsa-mir-21 (miR-21), was quantitatively analyzed by TaqMan real-time PCR in 113 BC tumors. Interestingly, among the 113 BC cases, high level expression of miR-21 was significantly correlated with advanced clinical stage (P = 0.006, Fisher's exact text), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.007, Fisher's exact text), and shortened survival of the patients (hazard ratio [HR]=5.476, P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed this prognostic impact (HR=4.133, P = 0.001) to be independent of disease stage (HR=2.226, P = 0.013) and histological grade (HR=3.681, P = 0.033). This study could identify the differentiated miRNAs expression profile in BC and reveal that miR-21 overexpression was correlated with specific breast cancer biopathologic features, such as advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor survival of the patients, indicating that miR-21 may serve as a molecular prognostic marker for BC and disease progression.     

Clinical relevance of cyclooxygenase-2 and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MT1-MMP) in human breast cancer tissue

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common neoplasm among women in most developed countries, including Egypt. Elevated levels of certain proteins in human BC are associated with unfavorable prognosis and progressive stages of the disease. The aim of our study was to evaluate the protein expression profile and prognostic significance of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9 and membrane type 1-MMP (MT1-MMP) and their interaction in operable BC patients. The protein expression of COX-2, MMP-2 and MT1-MMP were evaluated by western blot technique, whereas enzymatic activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was determined by zymography in 47 breast cancer patients as well as normal adjacent tissues. Also, the correlation between these proteins and age, tumor size, LN stage, TNM stage, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, disease-free survival, and overall survival (OS) has been investigated. As compared to adjacent normal tissues, COX-2, MMP-2 and MT1-MMP were over-expressed in 43, 64, and 60 % of tumor tissues, respectively. In the same pattern, the activity of MMP-2 (62 %) and MMP-9 (45 %) was elevated in BC tissues. Multivariate analysis showed a positive correlation between the protein expression of COX-2, MMP-2, and MT1-MMP and the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in BC patients. However, the enzymatic activity showed no correlation with clinicopathological features. This study confirms the preclinical evidence that COX-2 increased the expression of MT1-MMP, which in turn activates MMP-2. The lack of correlation with clinicopathological features, OS or disease-free survival ascertains the complexity of tumor progression and metastasis with many pro- and counter regulatory factors.     

Prognostic Value of Cancer Stem Cell Marker ALDH1 Expression in Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

Many studies have indicated the prognostic and clinicopathological value of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients still remains controversial. Thus we performed this study to clarify the relationship between high ALDH1 expression in CRC and its impact on survival and clinicopathological features.

Methods

Publications for relevant studies in Pubmed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) through April 2015 were identified. Only articles describing ALDH1 antigen with immunohistochemistry in CRC were included. The software RevMan 5.1 was used to analyze the outcomes, including 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and clinicopathological features.

Results

9 studies with 1203 patients satisfying the criteria were included. The overall rate of high ALDH1 expression was 46.5% by immunohistochemical staining. High ALDH1 expression as an independent prognostic factor was significantly associated with the 5-year OS and DFS (OR = 0.42, 95%CI: 0.26–0.68, P = 0.0004; OR = 0.38, 95%CI: 0.24–0.59, P < 0.0001, respectively). High ALDH1 expression was highly correlated with the tumor (T) stage (T3 + T4 vs. T1 + T2; OR = 2.16, 95%CI: 1.09–4.28, P = 0.03), lymph node (N) stage (N1 + N2 vs. N0; OR = 1.8; 95%CI: 1.17–2.79, P = 0.008), and tumor differentiation (G3 vs. G1 + G2; OR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.07–3.30, P = 0.03). However, high ALDH1 expression was not significantly correlated with the patient age (>60 years old vs. <60 years old; OR = 1.11, 95%CI: 0.63–1.94, P = 0.72).

Conclusions

High ALDH1 expression indicates a poor prognosis in CRC patients. Moreover, high ALDH1 expression correlates with the T stage, N stage, and tumor differentiation, but not with age.     

2001-2010年我院采用内分泌疗法治疗老年乳腺癌的临床效果分析

目的：分析内分泌治疗在老年患者乳腺癌中的疗效。方法：回顾性分析2001 年1 月至2010 年12 月我院外科手术切除的≥60 岁的116 例乳腺癌患者的临床资料,按照内分泌治疗分成三组,不进行内分泌治疗的对照组、三苯氧胺（TAM）组和芳香化酶抑制剂（AI）组,比较不良反应、存活时间及存活率。结果：对照组的副作用发生率为75.86%,副作用主要为关节痛、其他关节症状和子宫内膜增厚;TAM 组的副作用发生率为63.33%,副作用主要为其他关节症状和子宫内膜增厚;AI 组的副作用发生率为55.56%,副作用主要为其他关节症状和子宫内膜增厚。三组患者的不良反应如潮红、妇科症状、子宫切除和静脉栓塞等发生率低,总不良反应发生率无显著性差异（P=0.802）。对照组的中位生存时间为7.35 年,TAM组的中位生存时间为10.46 年,AI组的中位生存时间为9.94 年,三组患者的生存时间具有显著性差异（P=0.001）,TAM组和AI组的生存时间显著高于对照组。对照组、ATM组、AI 组的5 年生存率为74%、90%、71%,10 年生存率为24%、71%、68%,三组患者的生存率具有显著性差异（P=0.007）,TAM组和AI组的生存率均显著高于对照组。结论：性激素受体阳性老年乳腺癌患者总体预后较好。TAM、AI用于性激素受体阳性的老年乳腺癌患者的治疗,具有较好的疗效与安全性。     

miRNA-192 在骨肉瘤临床样本中的表达及与各临床要素之间关系的相关研究

目的:观察miRNA-192在骨肉瘤中与各临床要素之间的关联,分析其与骨肉瘤患者生存情况之间的关系,为研究miRNA-192在骨肉瘤中的作用及可能的临床应用提供理论依据。方法:选取50例骨肉瘤新鲜样本组织及瘤旁组织,使用荧光RT-PCR的方法对样本中的miRNA-192的含量进行检测,结合详实的随访资料,分析miRNA-192与性别、年龄等临床要素之间的关系。通过生存分析的方法,分析miRNA-192与患者生存情况之间的关系。结果:miRNA-192与患者的年龄,肿瘤大小,分期,生存时间等有明显的统计学关联(P0.05),包括年龄(P=0.028),临床分期(P=0.007),远端转移(P=0.013)和生存率(P=0.001)。结论:在临床样本中,miRNA-192与患者的多项临床要素有显著性关联,包括年龄,临床分期,远端转移和生存率,为接下来关于miRNA-192在骨肉瘤中的各项研究,特别是作为生物标记信号的临床应用奠定了良好的实验基础。     

氨基酸转运载体SLC1A5在胃癌组织中的表达及其临床病理学意义

目的:研究氨基酸转运载体溶质载体家族1成员5(Solute Carrier Family 1 Member 5, SLC1A5)蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达情况,并探讨其与胃癌临床病理特征及预后的相关性。方法:收集进展期胃癌组织及对应癌旁组织90例,应用免疫组化技术检测SLC1A5在上述组织中的表达情况,并统计分析其表达与胃癌临床病理特征及预后的关系。同时通过基因数据库分析SLC1A5在胃癌组织和癌旁组织中表达情况及其对胃癌患者预后的影响。结果:与癌旁组织相比,胃癌组织中SLC1A5表达明显上调(P0.0001)。数据库研究也显示SLC1A5在胃癌组织中表达明显上调(GSE 65801,P=0.0046;GSE 63809,P0.0001;GSE 27342,P=0.0147)。胃癌组织中SLC1A5高表达与肿瘤大小(P0.05)、肿瘤浸润深度(P0.01)、淋巴结转移(P0.05)、TNM分期(P0.05)和Ki-67(P0.01)相关,而与年龄、性别、肿瘤位置及分化程度均无显著相关性(P0.05)。胃癌组织中SLC1A5表达强度与患者预后相关,表达越高,患者预后越差(总体生存率,P=0.0131;无复发生存率,P=0.0293)。数据库分析也显示SLC1A5高表达可明显缩短患者的总体生存期(GSE 14210,P=0.011;GSE 22377,P=0.0015)和无进展生存期(GSE 14210,P=0.0095;GSE 22377,P=0.0012)。结论:SLC1A5蛋白表达在胃癌组织中明显上调,且与肿瘤大小、肿瘤浸润深度、淋巴结转移及TNM分期有关。SLC1A5高表达与胃癌患者预后不良密切相关。     

Tumor necrosis factor gene polymorphisms in breast cancer patients

Analysis of microsatellite TNFalpha marker and (-308(G/A) polymorphisms in promoter of TNFalpha gene was conducted in 167 patients with various types of sporadic breast cancer (BC) as well as in 139 healthy Russian donors. It was shown that frequency of allele 7 in TNFalpha microsatellite marker was significantly higher in BC patients than in healthy donors (17.9% versus 10.4%; P = 0.02) mainly due to the patients with invasive ductal BC (19.2% versus 10.4%; P = 0.008). The TNFalpha allele 9 was observed significantly more frequently in patients with invasive-ductal cancer (6.4% versus 1%; P= 0.01). The studies of-308(G/A)TNFalpha polymorphism in BC patients and healthy donors have shown no differences in the distribution frequency of highly secreted allele (-308A)TNFalpha. However, invasive lobular BC patients carrying (-308AG)TNFalpha genotype were observed significantly more frequently than invasive-ductal BC patients carrying the same allele (34.0 versus 17.3%; P = 0.034). Thus it has been shown for the first time that invasive-ductal and invasive-lobular BC patients differ in distribution of TNFalpha and -308(G/A)TNFalpha alleles.     

Kallistatin在乳腺癌中表达的临床病理意义

目的:探讨Kallistatin在乳腺癌中表达的临床病理意义及预后价值。方法:收集乳腺癌档案蜡块及临床资料,分为无淋巴结转移的原发灶(NMBT),有淋巴结转移的原发灶(PBT)及配对的淋巴结转移灶(PMLN),应用免疫组化技术检测Kallistatin表达,统计学分析。结果:结果显示kallistatin在PBT组的表达高于NMBT组合和PMLN组。kallistatin的表达与组织学类型(P=0.003)、淋巴结状态(P0.001)、临床分期(P=0.002)、雌激素受体(ER)表达(P=0.046)有显著相关性。kallistatin在浸润性小叶癌中的阳性表达率高于浸润性导管癌,在PBT组的阳性表达率显著高于NMBT,临床分期越晚期阳性表达率越高,在ER阳性的病历中表达更高。Kaplan-Meier分析显示,kallistatin的阳性表达是乳腺癌患者无病生存时间短(P=0.008)和总生存时间短(P=0.006)的危险因素。在浸润性乳腺导管癌患者中,kallistatin的阳性表达与生存时间短有关(P=0.026)。还与ER阳性表达患者生存时间较短有关(P=0.010)。结论:Kallistatin在乳腺癌中的表达有较为复杂的临床病理意义,其表达提示预后不良。     

性激素受体在膀胱肿瘤生存预后中的临床价值

目的:观察性激素受体(雄激素受体和雌激素β受体,AR和ERβ)在膀胱癌中的表达,通过它们与临床病理特征和术后复发预后的相关分析来探讨性激素受体的临床意义与价值。方法:采用免疫组织化学SP法检测AR和ERβ蛋白在64例膀胱尿路上皮癌的表达。显微镜下随机选取5个400×高倍视野,每个视野计数100个癌细胞中的阳性细胞数,通过计算染色阳性的细胞率来评估受体蛋白的表达情况。结果:两种性激素受体蛋白均阳性定位于细胞核中。AR阳性表达率为26.6%,ERβ阳性率为81.2%。AR和ERβ的阳性表达率在男女性别方面均无统计学差别(P=0.1982,0.0669)。随着膀胱癌病理分级升高,AR和ERβ的阳性表达率均增高(P=0.0182,0.0360)。同时,AR和ERβ的表达与患病年龄,膀胱内肿瘤数目,肿瘤大小,肿瘤的临床分期均无统计学相关性(P均>0.05)。术后随访患者时间为2-81月,生存分析显示:AR与肿瘤的复发间隔期和5年复发率相关(P=0.0442)。ERβ则与肿瘤患者的总生存期相关(P=0.0001)。阳性表达AR的患者,复发间隔时间增长,5年复发率较低;ERβ阳性患者总生存期较长。结论:性激素受体AR和ERβ阳性表达于临床膀胱癌组织中,并且均与膀胱癌的分化密切相关。这提示AR和ERβ可能在膀胱癌的发生发展中起一定作用。同时,两种蛋白还能作为评估膀胱癌复发预后的预测指标。     

食管癌组织人端粒酶反转录酶、肿瘤转移相关蛋白1的表达与临床病理特征及预后的关系研究

摘要 目的： 探讨食管癌组织中人端粒酶反转录酶（hTERT）、肿瘤转移相关蛋白1（MTA1）的表达与临床病理特征及预后的关系。方法：选择2015年1月至2016年10月我院收治的食管癌患者80例,应用免疫组织化学染色法检测其癌组织和癌旁组织中hTERT、MTA1表达,分析食管癌组织中hTERT、MTA1表达与临床病理特征的关系及其表达的相关性。所有患者均随访36个月,观察不同hTERT、MTA1表达情况患者的生存情况并分析hTERT、MTA1的表达与患者预后的关系。结果：食管癌组织中hTERT、MTA1阳性率显著高于癌旁组织（P<0.05）。中低分化、TNM分期为III+IV期、有淋巴结转移者食管癌组织hTERT、MTA1阳性率分别高于高分化、TNM分期为I+II期、无淋巴结转移者（P<0.05）,不同性别、年龄、病灶最大直径者、肿瘤部位、病理类型食管癌组织hTERT、MTA1阳性率比较均无统计学差异（P>0.05）。Spearman相关分析显示,食管癌组织中hTERT表达与MTA1表达呈正相关（r=0.645,P=0.000）。随访36个月后,患者存活33例,存活率41.25%（33/80）,食管癌组织hTERT阴性、MTA1阴性患者生存率、中位生存期分别为64.29%（9/14）、23.6个月,60.87%（14/23）、24.9个月均显著优于hTERT阳性、MTA1阳性患者的36.36%（24/66）、19.2个月,33.33%（19/57）、18.5个月（P<0.05）。结论：食管癌组织中存在hTERT、MTA1异常高表达,其水平与食管癌的组织分化程度、TNM分期、淋巴结转移相关,且其表达情况与食管癌患者预后有密切关系。     

Hormonal relationships during the periovulatory period among ewe breeds known to differ in fertility after cervical artificial insemination with frozen thawed semen

Our previous work indicates that ewe breed differences in fertility following cervical AI with frozen-thawed semen are due to failure of normal sperm transport and/or early embryo development. Here we examined differences in hormone concentrations about the time of ovulation among more (Finnish Landrace and Belclare) and less (Suffolk and Texel) fertile ewes after AI with frozen thawed semen. In Experiment 1, oestradiol concentrations were measured in samples collected frequently from 12h before to 18h after the LH surge and progesterone was measured in samples collected from 9 to 27h after the LH surge in Suffolk (n=24), Texel (n=20) and Finnish Landrace (n=27) ewes. In Experiment 2, oestradiol concentrations were measured in samples collected frequently from 24h before to 6h after the LH surge and progesterone was measured in samples collected from 6h to 6 days after the LH surge in Suffolk (n=35) and Belclare (n=30) ewes. In Experiment 1, there was an effect of breed, time and their interaction (P<0.001) on oestradiol concentrations between -12 and +6h but only breed differences at +12 and +18h (P<0.01). Progesterone concentrations increased over time (P<0.001) and the rate of increase was significantly greater in Finnish Landrace than in the other two breeds. In Experiment 2, oestradiol concentrations were unaffected by breed. There was an interaction between breed and time with the rate of increase of progesterone being greater in Belclare than Suffolk ewes (P<0.001). In conclusion, differences in hormone concentrations in the periovulatory period are not consistent with ewe breed differences in fertility; however, we have showed that progesterone concentrations rise earlier in the more prolific breeds and suggest that this may explain reported ewe breed differences in embryo development.     

A novel automated fluorometric assay to evaluate sperm viability and fertility in dairy bulls

The artificial insemination (AI) industry is in need of an objective and rapid, but inexpensive method to evaluate frozen thawed bull semen ejaculates. This study presents a new fluorescence method that uses an automatized fluorometer and fluorophore stain propidium iodide that stains only those cells with damaged membranes. The fluorescence of the semen sample and the totally killed subsample were measured simultaneously, and viability was calculated. Every semen batch was analyzed before use in AI. For fertility evaluation, the nonreturn rates (NR%) obtained from 92,120 inseminations with the analyzed batches were recorded from 166 bulls (436 batches). This study confirms a 3.9% better NR% for the Finnish Holstein-Friesian breed than for Finnish Ayrshire. There was a clear seasonality in NR%: it differed (5.3%) significantly, being best in summer to autumn (June to October) and lowest in winter (January to March). The fluorometer method was fast and easy. The correlation between the total number of viable spermatozoa in an insemination dose and field fertility was low but significant (r = 0.051, P = 0.016), suggesting that the plasma membrane integrity evaluation can serve as a cost-beneficial quality control method of frozen-thawed semen at bull stations.     

Peritumoral lymphangiogenesis induced by vascular endothelial growth factor C and D promotes lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Mounting clinical and experimental data suggest that the migration of tumor cells into lymph nodes is greatly facilitated by lymphangiogenesis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and D have been identified as lymphangiogenic growth factors and play an important role in tumor lymphangiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the location of lymphangiogenesis driven by tumor-derived VEGF-C/D in breast cancer, and to determine the role of intratumoral and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (LVD) in lymphangiogenesis in breast cancer. METHODS: The expression levels of VEGF-C/D were determined by immunohistochemistry, and intratumoral LVD and peritumoral LVD were assessed using immunohistochemistry and the D2-40 antibody in 73 patients with primary breast cancer. The associations of intratumoral LVD and peritumoral LVD with VEGF-C/D expression, clinicopathological features and prognosis were assessed. RESULTS: VEGF-C and D expression were significantly higher in breast cancer than benign disease (P < 0.01). VEGF-C (P < 0.001) and VEGF-D (P = 0.005) expression were significantly associated with peritumoral LVD, but not intratumoral LVD. Intratumoral LVD was associated with tumor size (P = 0.01). Peritumoral LVD was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (LNM; P = 0.005), lymphatic vessel invasion (LVI; P = 0.017) and late tumor,node,metastasis(TNM) stage (P = 0.011). Moreover, peritumoral LVD was an independent risk factor for axillary lymph node metastasis, overall survival and disease-free survival in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that tumor-derived VEGF-C/D induce peritumoral lymphangiogenesis, which may be one mechanism that leads to lymphatic invasion and metastatic spread. Peritumoral LVD has potential as an independent prognostic factor in breast cancer patients.