Our previous study reported that Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)-encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) could induce development of CD44(+/High) stem-like cells in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, ...the molecular mechanisms that underlie modulation of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in NPC remain unclear. Here, we show that LMP1 induced CSC-like properties through promotion of the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like cellular markers and through alterations in differentiation markers. Furthermore, LMP1 activated and triggered phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) pathway, which subsequently stimulated expression of CSC markers, development of side population and tumor sphere formation. This suggests that PI3K/AKT pathway has an important role in the induction and maintenance of CSC properties in NPC. Similarly, PI3K/AKT pathway was also activated by phosphorylase in LMP1-induced CD44(+/High) cells. In addition, LMP1 greatly increased expression of miR-21 and downregulated expression of the miR-21 target, PTEN. Overexpression of miR-21 by transfection of miR-21 mimics into LMP1-transformed cells led to phosphorylase-mediated activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and induction of CSCs. On the contrary, phosphorylation of the PI3K/AKT pathway and the expression of CSC were reversed by an miR-21 inhibitor. The specific inhibitor (Ly294002) of PI3K/AKT pathway significantly decreased expression of miR-21 and CSC markers and upregulated the expression of PTEN, which indicates that miR-21 and PTEN are the downstream effectors of PI3K/AKT and that expression of these two effectors are related to the development of NPC CSCs. Taken together, our novel findings indicate that LMP1, PI3K/AKT, miR-21 and PTEN constitute a positive feedback loop and have a key role in LMP1-induced CSCs in NPC.
We describe the differential points in the diagnosis of the combination of renal dysgenesis, Gartner's duct cyst and ipsilateral mullerian duct obstruction. Various imaging studies and urological ...procedures were performed. We report our experience in detecting these anomalies in 10 girls and review the literature.
Ten girls, 7 to 13 years old, with this combination of anomalies were identified in the last 10 years. Imaging studies as well as urological procedures were selectively performed, especially at puberty following menarche. Patients received long-term followup with ultrasound.
Cystic dilatation of Gartner's duct protruded into the bladder and presented as a ureterocele in 5 patients and posterior to the bladder in 5. Surgical removal of a partial portion of a Gartner's duct cyst was performed in 5 patients for alleviation of urinary symptoms. Unilateral mullerian duct obstruction was demonstrated in all 10 patients. Excision of the vaginal septum was performed in 6 patients for relief of genital obstruction.
When cystic dilatation of the pelvis, especially a ureterocele-like cyst without ureteral dilatation, is found in girls with ipsilateral renal dysgenesis, the possibility of a Gartner's duct cyst should be considered. For early detection and treatment of unilateral obstruction of duplicated mullerian ducts pelvic sonography should be performed at puberty, especially just after menarche, in girls with renal dysgenesis and ipsilateral Gartner's duct cyst.
A 36‐year‐old woman who presented with upper limb distal weakness since the age of 15 years, with gradual progression to the lower limbs, is reported. Hereditary motor neuropathy was initially ...suspected based on distal weakness and hyporeflexia; however, whole exome sequencing accidentally revealed a compound heterozygous variant in the GNE gene, and ultrasound revealed increased homogeneous echogenicity in the involved muscles, which is characteristic of myopathic changes. Muscle magnetic resonance imaging revealed fatty infiltration in all limb muscles, sparing the triceps brachii, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis. Muscle biopsy revealed intracytoplasmic rimmed vacuole, supporting the diagnosis of GNE myopathy.
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a noninvasive method of 3D imaging of the retinal and choroidal circulations. However, vascular depth discrimination is limited by superficial ...vessels projecting flow signal artifact onto deeper layers. The projection-resolved (PR) OCTA algorithm improves depth resolution by removing projection artifact while retaining in-situ flow signal from real blood vessels in deeper layers. This novel technology allowed us to study the normal retinal vasculature in vivo with better depth resolution than previously possible. Our investigation in normal human volunteers revealed the presence of 2 to 4 distinct vascular plexuses in the retina, depending on location relative to the optic disc and fovea. The vascular pattern in these retinal plexuses and interconnecting layers are consistent with previous histologic studies. Based on these data, we propose an improved system of nomenclature and segmentation boundaries for detailed 3-dimensional retinal vascular anatomy by OCTA. This could serve as a basis for future investigation of both normal retinal anatomy, as well as vascular malformations, nonperfusion, and neovascularization.
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