Int J Med Sci
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Background: ISGylation is the conjugation of ISG15 with target proteins. ISGylation occurs through an enzymatic cascade, which is similar to that of ubiquitination. Through ISGylation, ISG15 can bind to proteins involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, thus promoting genesis and progression of malignancies. ⋯ The correlation pattern of mRNA expression between genes in the tumours differed from the pattern in adjacent non-tumour tissues. Relative expression of EFP, HERC5 and UBA1 in adjacent non-tumour tissues was positively associated with direct bilirubin levels (Spearman's rho=0.31, 0.33 and 0.45; P=0.06, 0.05 and 0.01, respectively) and relative expression of USP18 in adjacent non-tumour tissues correlated negatively with ALT levels (Spearman's rho= -0.33, P=0.03). Conclusions: EFP, HERC5, UBA1, and USP18 genes are upregulated in tumour tissues of patients with HCC and, thus, may be associated with the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma.
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Background: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of topical 1% atropine for retarding moderate myopia. Methods: A randomized, controlled study evaluating atropine and placebo in 660 Chinese children. Patients received drops q1month for 24 months, then q2month for 12 months, followed by no drops for 12 months. ⋯ Moreover, myopic rebound and adverse effects of 1% atropine were eliminated by gradual withdrawal and elimination of 1% atropine. Furthermore, pupil size, near visual acuity, and amplitude of accommodation returned to pretreatment levels after withdrawal of atropine. Conclusion: Topical 1% atropine periodically and alternatively in phase I with gradual reduction in phase II and final withdrawal in phase III may effectively improve atropine efficacy, retard moderate myopia, reduce atropine side effects, minimize myopic rebound, and increase compliance of children simultaneously.
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Background: Cancer cells survive and develop under nutrient deficient microenvironment caused by low blood supply. Although anaerobic metabolism could function through the enhanced uptake of glucose, other mechanisms of tolerance to glucose deficient conditions might be required. Materials and Methods: Expression of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) under normal glucose and glucose-deprived conditions was examined. ⋯ In vivo, ASNS could promote tumor growth and metastasis in mouse xenograft models. Conclusion: This study uncovered that glucose deprivation induces the overexpression of ASNS in ESCC cells, which in turn causes cancer cell tolerance to nutrient stress and promotes cancer development. The illustration of the mechanism sheds deep insight on how cell biology was regulated in response to the conditions of limited nutrient availability.
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Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common type of malignant bone tumor that affects children and adolescents. Still, the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving the development of this disease remain poorly understood. In this study, numerous dysregulated lncRNAs were identified by RNA-seq. ⋯ Using a set of approaches including gene knockdown, RT-PCR, oncogenic function assay and western blotting, we observed that knockdown of Lnc-MAP6-1:3 expression suppressed cell proliferation and colony formation, and promoted apoptosis in vitro. For the first time, we have identified that Lnc-MAP6-1:3 potentially influence the malignant behavior of osteosarcoma via Bax/Bcl-2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. Henceforth, Lnc-MAP6-1:3 may provide a new molecular route of research and therapeutic applications for the diagnosis and treatment of osteosarcoma.
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The role of HCK expression in the prognosis of breast cancer patients is unclear. Thus, this study aimed to explore the clinical implications of HCK expression in breast cancer. We assessed HCK expression and genetic variations in breast cancer using Oncomine, GEPIA, UALCAN, and cBioPortal databases. ⋯ The ratio of HCK expression was higher in cancer tissues than in non-cancer tissues. These results from STRING database, FunRich software, and TISIDB database showed that HCK was involved in mediating multiple biological processes including immune response-regulating signaling pathway, cell growth and maintenance through multiple signaling pathways including epithelial to mesenchymal transition, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and focal adhesion. Overall, HCK may be an oncogene in the development of breast cancer and thus may as a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for breast cancer.