The Tohoku journal of experimental medicine
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Feb 2024
Identification and Analysis of Subtypes of Liver Cancer Based on Genes Related to E3 Ubiquitin Ligases and Deubiquitinating Enzymes.
Recent studies have reported a correlation between ubiquitination or deubiquitination and cancer development. But mechanisms underlying the roles of genes associated with E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinating enzymes (DUB) in liver cancer remain to be explored. We analyzed and screened differentially expressed genes related to E3 ubiquitin ligases and DUB in liver cancer on the basis of public databases. ⋯ Four hub genes (RPSA, RPS5, RPL30, and RPL8) significantly affecting the survival of the two subtypes of liver cancer patients were identified based on cluster 1 and cluster 2. Finally, the CMap database predicted that small-molecule drugs including probenecid, dexamethasone, and etomidate may improve the prognosis of liver cancer patients. These findings may offer a reference for risk stratification studies and drug development in liver cancer.
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Parotid tumors present a wide range of histological features, from benign to malignant. Periostin, an extracellular matrix protein specifically expressed in the periosteum and periodontal ligament, is isolated from osteoblast cell lines. It regulates fibrosis and collagen deposition and plays an important role in myocardial repair after myocardial infarction. ⋯ Four distinct patterns of periostin expression were observed in benign parotid gland tumors: negative, superficial, infiltrative, and diffuse. Statistically significant differences were found between periostin expression patterns and histological classification of the tumors. Our results suggest that periostin may be involved in the pathogenesis of benign parotid tumors and could serve as a new biomarker for these tumors.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Feb 2024
Lenvatinib plus Pembrolizumab Combination Therapy for Advanced or Recurrent Endometrial Cancer: A Single-Center, Retrospective Analysis.
A multi-kinase inhibitor, lenvatinib, plus an immune checkpoint inhibitor, pembrolizumab, became a viable therapeutic option for advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer in Japan by the end of 2021. The Japanese population has a relatively unique genetic background. Hence, the safety profile and effectiveness of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab may differ between the Japanese and other populations. ⋯ Among the 15 patients, 13 required lenvatinib dose reduction owing to adverse events. One patient developed grade 4 interstitial pneumonia requiring intensive care. Our results validate the short-term efficacy of lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab, and indicate that dose optimization of lenvatinib could be individualized without impairing efficacy.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Feb 2024
Serum Exosomal MicroRNA-186-5p Positively Correlates with Lipid Indexes, Coronary Stenosis Degree, and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Coronary Heart Disease.
Our previous study finds that exosomal microRNA (miR)-186-5p promotes viability and invasion of vascular smooth muscle cells to accelerate atherosclerosis via inactivating phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Subsequently, this study aimed to identify the linkage of serum exosomal miR-186-5p with clinical features and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Serum exosomal miR-186-5p was quantified in 175 CHD patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs) via reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. ⋯ While serum exosomal miR-186-5p > 3.390 exhibited a correlative trend with increased accumulating MACE, but not achieving statistical significance (P = 0.071). The 1-year and 2-year accumulating MACE rate of patients with serum exosomal miR-186-5p > 3.390 was 11.5% and 21.5%, respectively; while the rate was 3.3% and 11.5% in patients with serum exosomal miR-186-5p ≤ 3.390, accordingly. Conclusively, serum exosomal miR-186-5p positively associates with lipid level, coronary stenosis degree, and the risk of MACE in CHD patients.
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Tohoku J. Exp. Med. · Feb 2024
Scale Development for "Great Research Mentors" and Its Relationship to Mentees' Psychological Burnout in Young Physician Researchers.
Fostering the research skills of young physician scientists is essential to increase the level of medical research in Japan. We aimed to clarify the mentor characteristics associated with a decreased risk of mentees' psychological burnout. A task team comprising medical doctors, researchers, nurses, and other healthcare professionals developed 35 items related to the characteristics of research mentors. ⋯ The three domains were labeled "Building a good trust relationship" (6 items, Cronbach's alpha = 0.889), "Mentorship in research" (6 items, alpha = 0.853), and "Established and authorized mentor" (3 items, alpha = 0.882). Multivariate linear regression models demonstrated that "Mentorship in research" was inversely associated with personal burnout (PBO) (beta = -6.25, p = 0.014) and work-related burnout (WBO) (beta = -4.76, p = 0.029); and "Building a good trust relationship" was inversely associated with client-related burnout (CBO) (beta = -4.91, p = 0.014). A great research mentor may be encouraged to have mentorship in research and a trusting relationship with mentees for mental health support.