The use of Raman spectroscopy to analyze the biochemical composition of serum samples and hence distinguish between normal and cervical cancer serum samples was investigated. The serum samples were ...obtained from 19 patients who were clinically diagnosed with cervical cancer, 3 precancer, and 20 healthy volunteer controls. The imprint was put under an Olympus microscope, and around points were chosen for Raman measurement.All spectra were collected at a Horiba Jobin-Yvon LabRAM HR800 Raman Spectrometer with a laser of 830-nm wavelength and 17-mW power irradiation. Raw spectra were processed by carrying out baseline correction, smoothing, andnormalization to remove noise, florescence, and shot noise and then analyzed using principal component analysis (PCA). The control serum spectrum showed the presence of higher amounts of carotenoids indicated by peaks at 1,002, 1,160, and 1,523 cm
−1
and intense peaks associated with protein components at 754, 853, 938, 1,002, 1,300–1,345, 1,447, 1,523, 1,550, 1,620, and 1,654 cm
−1
. The Raman bands assigned to glutathione (446, 828, and 1,404 cm
−1
) and tryptophan (509, 1,208, 1,556, 1,603, and 1,620 cm
−1
) in cervical cancer were higher than those of control samples, suggesting that their presence may also play a role in cervical cancer. Furthermore, weak bands in the control samples attributed to tryptophan (545, 760, and 1,174 cm
−1
) and amide III (1,234–1,290 cm
−1
) seem to disappear and decrease in the cervical cancer samples, respectively. It is shown that the serum samples from patients with cervical cancer and from the control group can be discriminated with high sensitivity and specificity when the multivariate statistical methods of PCA is applied to Raman spectra. PCA allowed us to define the wavelength differences between the spectral bands of the control and cervical cancer groups by confirming that the main molecular differences among the control and cervical cancer samples were glutathione, tryptophan,
β
carotene, and amide III. The preliminary results suggest that Raman spectroscopy could be a highly effective technique with a strong potential of support for current techniques as Papanicolaou smear by reducing the number of these tests; nevertheless, with the construction of a data library integrated with a large number of cervical cancer and control Raman spectra obtained from a wide range of healthy and cervical cancer population, Raman–PCA technique could be converted into a new technique for noninvasive real-time diagnosis of cervical cancer from serum samples.
Bronchiectasis is a heterogeneous disease depending on etiology. It represents the most frequent non-infectious pulmonary complication of primary immunodeficiencies (PID). We investigated whether ...bronchiectasis associated with PID had a distinct course in comparison to bronchiectasis of other causes.
Retrospective single-center study of adult patients diagnosed with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis with more than 5 years of follow-up and at least 4 pulmonary functional tests available at one year apart. They were divided into three groups: PID- related bronchiectasis, idiopathic/post infectious-related bronchiectasis and other causes of bronchiectasis. Respiratory functional data and clinical outcomes were compared.
Of 329 patients with bronchiectasis diagnosed in Foch Hospital (Suresnes, France), 98 patients fulfilled the selected criteria (20 PID-related cases, 39 idiopathic or post-infectious cases, and 39 cases with other causes). Median time of follow-up was 9.5 years. Groups were similar concerning initial characteristics (female 70.4%, never smokers 59.2%, mild severity bronchiectasis according to the FACED score and median FEV1 at diagnosis 73.5% predicted values Q1-Q3: 53.75-90.5), except PID patients who were younger (median age of 51.5 vs 62 years, p = 0.02). Eighty-five percent of PID patients received immunoglobulin substitution (median trough level was measured at 10.5 g/dl 10;10.92). Global median FEV1 annual decline was 25.03 ml/year 8.16;43.9 and 19.82 ml/year 16.08;48.02 in the PID patients group. Forty-five percent of patients had bacterial colonization, pneumoniae occurred in 56% of patients and median exacerbation annual rate was 0.8 0.3-1.4. Hemoptysis occurred in 31.6% of patients. Global mortality rate was 11.2%. We did not record any significant difference for all clinical and functional outcomes between patients with PID and other etiologies. The median decline in FEV1 was similar in the three groups.
The course of PID-related bronchiectasis was similar to bronchiectasis of other causes. Provided that patients receive immunoglobulin replacement, the course of PID-related bronchiectasis seems to be independent of the underlying immune disorder.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Gallbladder cancer is an aggressive disease with late diagnosis and no efficacious treatment. The Hippo-Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) signaling pathway has emerged as a target for the development ...of new therapeutic interventions in cancers. However, the role of the Hippo-targeted therapy has not been addressed in advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC). This study aimed to evaluate the expression of the major Hippo pathway components mammalian Ste20-like protein kinase 1 (MST1), YAP1 and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) and examined the effects of Verteporfin (VP), a small molecular inhibitor of YAP1-TEA domain transcription factor (TEAD) protein interaction, in metastatic GBC cell lines and patient-derived organoids (PDOs). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that advanced GBC patients had high nuclear expression of YAP1. High nuclear expression of YAP1 was associated with poor survival in GBC patients with subserosal invasion (pT2). Additionally, advanced GBC cases showed reduced expression of MST1 compared to chronic cholecystitis. Both VP treatment and YAP1 siRNA inhibited the migration ability in GBC cell lines. Interestingly, gemcitabine resistant PDOs with high nuclear expression of YAP1 were sensitive to VP treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that key components of the Hippo-YAP1 signaling pathway are dysregulated in advanced gallbladder cancer and reveal that the inhibition YAP1 may be a candidate for targeted therapy.
•A simple process to coat the capillaries of PCFs with graphene oxide presented.•Tens of centimeters of microcapillaries are continuously coated.•For the 1st time, specific PCF microcapillaries were ...selectively coated.•The coated fiber produced pulses as short as 356 fs in a fiber laser via mode locking.•These are the shortest pulses reported so far with a PCF coated with a 2D material.
Films of graphene oxide (GO) were produced on the inner walls of the glass microcapillaries of photonic crystal fibers via insertion of a GO water suspension followed by quick drying with a hot finger (no previous surface functionalization required). Individual capillaries from an array could also be selectively GO coated. Raman hyperspectral images revealed the films to be continuous along tens of centimeters. Furthermore, the films were thermally reduced and, through an annealing process, the concentration of defects in the resulting reduced graphene oxide (rGO) could be decreased. In particular, the two larger microcapillaries of a polarization maintaining photonic crystal fibers were covered with an rGO film, leading to the demonstration of fibers with polarization dependent loss, which were used as mode lockers for pulsed fiber lasers. Pulses as short as 350 fs, with a spectral bandwidth of 8.1 nm, were generated, being shorter than those previously obtained with GO- or rGO-coated non-polarization maintaining photonic crystal fibers.
Diffuse gastric cancer (DGC) is associated with the reduction or absence of the expression of the cell adhesion protein E-cadherin (encoded by the CDH1 gene). Molecular characteristics are less well ...described for mixed gastric cancer (MGC). The main somatic alterations that have been described in the CDH1 gene are mutations, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and promoter methylation. The aim was to analyze CDH1 somatic alterations in Mexican patients with diffuse and mixed gastric cancer.
We searched for mutations in the CDH1 gene in tumor DNA from DGC (n = 13) and MGC (n = 7) patients by next generation sequencing (NGS). Validation of findings was performed using Sanger sequencing. LOH was analyzed using dinucleotide repeat markers surrounding the CDH1 gene, and methylation was investigated by DNA bisulfite conversion and sequencing. E-cadherin protein deficiency was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
Seventeen point variants were identified by NGS, 13 of them were validated by Sanger sequencing. Only 1/13 had not been previously reported (c.-137C > A), and 12/13 were already reported as polymorphisms. Two DGC cases presented LOH at the locus 16q22.1 (13.3%). CDH1 promoter methylation was positive in (7/11) 63.6% and (4/6) 66.6% of the cases with DGC and MGC, respectively. E-cadherin protein deficiency was observed in 58.3% of DGC cases while 100% in MGC cases.
While no pathogenic somatic mutations were found that could explain the diffuse histology of gastric cancer in DGC and MGC, methylation was the most common somatic inactivation event of the CDH1 gene, and LOH was rare. The previously unreported c.-137C > A variant modify the CDH1 gene expression since it alters the binding sites for transcription factors.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) is an aggressive mature lymphoid proliferation associated with poor prognosis. Standard of care includes chemotherapy and/or the combination of zidovudine and ...interferon-alpha. However, most patients experience relapse less than 6 months after diagnosis. Allogeneic stem cell transplantation is the only curative treatment, but is only feasible in a minority of cases. We previously showed in a mouse model that Arsenic trioxide (As
O
) targets ATL leukemia initiating cells.
As
O
consolidation was given in 9 patients with ATL (lymphoma n = 4; acute n = 2; and indolent n = 3), who were in complete (n = 4) and partial (n = 3) remission, in stable (n = 1) and in progressive (n = 1) disease. Patients received up to 8 weeks of As
O
at the dose of 0.15 mg/kg/day intravenously in combination with zidovudine and interferon-alpha. One patient in progression died rapidly. Of the remaining eight patients, three with indolent ATL subtype showed overall survivals of 48, 53 and 97 months, and duration of response to As
O
of 22, 25 and 73 months. The other 5 patients with aggressive ATL subtype had median OS of 36 months and a median duration of response of 10 months. Side effects were mostly hematological and cutaneous (one grade 3) and reversible with dose reduction of AZT/IFN and/or As
O
discontinuation. The virus integration analysis revealed the regression of the predominant malignant clone in one patient with a chronic subtype.
These results suggest that consolidation with As
O
could be an option for patients with ATL in response after induction therapy and who are not eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common and deadly types of female cancer worldwide. Late diagnosis in CC increases the risk of tumor cells spreading to distant organs (metastasis). The ...epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process of cancer metastasis. Inflammation can lead to tumor progression, EMT induction, and metastasis. The inflammatory microenvironment is a potent inducer of EMT; inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1) activate transcriptional factors such as STAT3, Snail, Smad, and the Nuclear Factor kappa light-chain-enhancer of activated beta cells (NF-κΒ), which drive EMT. Anti-inflammatory compounds may be an option in the disruption of EMT. PenToXifylline (PTX) possesses potent anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NF-κB activity. In addition, PTX exerts an anti-fibrotic effect by decreasing Smad2/3/4. We hypothesize that PTX could exert anti-EMT effects. CaSki human cervical tumor cells were exposed to TNF-α 10 ng/mL and TGF-β1 alone or in combination for 5 days. Our results revealed that TNF-α and TGF-β1 induced N-cadherin and Vimentin, confirming the induction of EMT. Furthermore, the combination of cytokines synergized the expression of mesenchymal proteins, enhanced IκBα and p65 phosphorylation, and upregulated Serpin family E member 1 (
) mRNA. PTX pretreatment prior to the addition of TNF-α and TGF-β1 significantly reduced N-cadherin and Vimentin levels. To our knowledge, this is the first time that this effect of PTX has been reported. Additionally, PTX reduced the phosphorylation of IκB-α and p65 and significantly decreased
expression, cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, PTX may counteract EMT in cervical cancer cells by decreasing the NF-κB and
.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) targets B-cells where it establishes a latent infection. EBV can transform B-cells in vitro and is recognized as an oncogenic virus, especially in the setting of immune ...compromise. Indeed, immunodeficient patients may fail to control chronic EBV infection, leading to the development EBV-driven lymphoid malignancies. Ataxia telangiectasia (AT) is a primary immune deficiency caused by mutations in the ATM gene, involved in the repair of double-strand breaks. Patients with AT are at high risk of developing cancers, mostly B-cell lymphoid malignancies, most of which being EBV-related. Aside from immune deficiency secondary to AT, loss of ATM function could also hinder the control of the virus within B-cells, favoring lymphomagenesis in AT patients. We used RNA sequencing on lymphoblastoid cell lines derived from patients with AT and healthy donors to analyze and compare both cellular and viral gene expression. We found numerous deregulated signaling pathways involving transcription, translation, oncogenesis and immune regulation. Specifically, the translational defect was confirmed in vitro, suggesting that the pathogenesis of AT may also involve a ribosomal defect. Concomitant analysis of viral gene expression did not reveal significant differential gene expression, however, analysis of EBV interactome suggests that the viral latency genes EBNA-3A, EBNA-3C and LMP1 may be disrupted in LCL from AT patients. Our data support the notion that ATM deficiency deregulates cellular gene expression possibly disrupting interactions with EBV latent genes, promoting the oncogenic potential of the virus. These preliminary findings provide a new step towards the understanding of EBV regulation and of AT pathogenesis.
High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is one of the leading causes of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), while the correlation between HPV and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) ...remains controversial. The inflammatory infiltrate involved in these epithelial neoplasms differs based on their association with HPV. HPV- tumors show higher tumor-associated neutrophil (TAN) infiltration. It is believed that TANs can play a dual role in cancer by exerting either anti-tumorigenic or pro-tumorigenic effects. However, the impact of HPV status on neutrophil polarization remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of OSCC cells, both HPV- and HPV16+, on the functional phenotype of neutrophils. Peripheral blood neutrophils were stimulated with supernatants from OSCC cell lines and non-tumorigenic HaCaT keratinocytes transduced with HPV16 E6/E7 oncogenes. Subsequently, cytokine production, cell viability, metabolism, expression of degranulation markers, and PD-L1 expression were evaluated. Our findings demonstrate that in contrast to UPCI:SCC154 (HPV+ OSCC) cells, the SCC-9 (HPV- OSCC) cell line induced a highly activated functional state in neutrophils, which is potentially associated with a pro-tumorigenic effect. The HaCaT 16-E7 supernatant only stimulated the activation of some neutrophil functions. Understanding the complex interplay between neutrophils and their microenvironment has the potential to identify TANs as viable therapeutic targets.
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