bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen combined with nutritional status control score in patients with colorectal cancer*
Authors: Zhang Yichao , Wang Biao , Zhang Yongchuan , Xiong Gang , Pang Xiao 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the prognostic value of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods
We retrospectively studied 261 patients with colorectal cancer in our hospital. The patients were divided into two groups by CONUT = 3 and CEA = 5 ng/mL, and the effects of CONUT score and CEA level on the prognosis and clinicopathological parameters were statistically analyzed.

Results
(1) Different CONUT scores were significantly correlated with age, tumor diameter, differentiation type, and T stage (P < 0.05). The older the patient was, the larger the tumor diameter, undifferentiated tumor, and T stage were, the higher the CONUT score was. (2) Seventy-five patients died during the follow-up period, and 45 patients died of progression or recurrence of colorectal cancer. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate of the low CONUT score group was significantly higher than that of the high CONUT score group, and the 5-year OS rate of the low CEA group was significantly higher than that of the high CEA group; the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01). (3) According to the serum CEA level and CONUT score, the 5-year survival rates of CEAlow/CONUTlow, CEAlow/CONUThigh, CEAhigh/CONUTlow, and CEAhigh/CONUThigh were 84.7%, 69%, 55.3%, and 36.1% respectively, with statistical significance (P <0.01). (4) The Cox multivariate analysis showed that age, CONUT score, CEA combined with CONUT score, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were independent risk factors for the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.

Conclusion:
The combination of CEA detection and CONUT score can more accurately judge the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients.
Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation: A case report and literature review*
Authors: Zheng Li , Wang Jin , Ang Lin , Huang Jin , Zhao Min 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Spindle epithelial tumor with thymus-like differentiation (SETTLE) is a rare, low-grade malignant neoplasm that mainly occurs in the thyroid gland or its perimeter. Fewer than 10 cases of SETTLE have been reported in the Chinese literature, whereas approximately 50 cases have been reported in the international literature. We report a rare case of SETTLE that occurred in the soft tissues of the neck around the thyroid gland in a 41-year-old man. The neoplastic tissue, which mainly consisted of spindle epithelial components, included sporadically visible thymus-like structures. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated CK and CK19 positivity in the thymic epithelial components and CK, vimentin, and Bcl-2 positivity in the spindle cells. Surgical resection is the main treatment option for SETTLE. This patient underwent mass resection of the neck, and no recurrence or metastasis was observed even at 8 months postoperatively.
A metabolism-associated gene signature with prognostic value in colorectal cancer*
Authors: Xiao Lingyan , Huang Yongbiao , Qin Wan , Liu Chaofan , Qiu Hong , Liu Bo , Yuan Xianglin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
In this study, our goal was to explore the role of metabolism-associated genes in colorectal cancer (CRC) and construct a prognostic model for patients with CRC.

Methods
Differential expression analysis was conducted using RNA-sequencing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Enrichment analyses were performed to determine the function of dysregulated metabolism-associated genes. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, Kaplan-Meier curves, and stepwise Cox regression analyses identified key metabolism-associated genes. A prognostic model was constructed using LASSO Cox regression analysis and visualized as a nomogram. Survival analyses were conducted in the TCGA and Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohorts to demonstrate the predictive ability of the model.

Results
A total of 332 differentially expressed metabolism-associated genes in CRC were screened from the TCGA cohort. Differentially expressed metabolism-associated genes mainly participate in the metabolism of nucleoside phosphate, ribose phosphate, lipids, and fatty acids. A PPI network was constructed out of 328 key genes. A prognostic model was established based on five prognostic genes (ALAD, CHDH, ISYNA1, NAT1, and P4HA1) and was demonstrated to predict survival in the TCGA and GEO cohorts accurately.

Conclusion
The metabolism-associated prognostic model can predict the survival of patients with CRC. Our work supplements previous work focusing on determining prognostic factors of CRC and lays a foundation for further mechanistic exploration.
Relationship between IKZF1 polymorphisms and the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a meta-analysis*
Authors: Wang Sisi , Lin Chuyang , Xi Tingting , Tong Yu , Wu Jinlin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
The aim of the study was to systematically evaluate the correlation between IKZF1 polymorphisms and the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Methods
Computer databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for case-control studies on the association between IKZF1 polymorphisms and the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The retrieval period was from the establishment of the database to November 2020. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted the data, evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies, and used Stata 14.0 software for meta-analysis.

Results
A total of 48 case-control studies were included, with 10 520 and 44 049 cases in the case and control groups, respectively. The meta-analysis results showed that rs4132061 and rs11978267 of IKZF1 were significantly correlated with the risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Conclusion
Current evidence indicates that rs4132061 and rs11978267 of IKZF1 are significantly associated with the risk of B-cell ALL.
CD14 macrophage and IL-10 levels in the peripheral blood of breast cancer patients and their diagnostic value*
Authors: Dong Mengting , Sheng Jiayu , Li Chunyang , JIAPAER Patiguli , Li Xiaofei , Yuan Minjia , Xue Xiaohong , Jiang Ke 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
To explore the correlation between macrophages and interleukin-10 (IL-10 in the peripheral blood of breast cancer (BC) patients and the diagnostic value of joint detection.

Methods
BC patients (n = 50) and healthy controls (n = 40) were prospectively recruited. The percentage of circulating cluster of differentiation 14 (CD 14) macrophage cells was analyzed by flow cytometry, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect IL-10 expression levels. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to verify the diagnostic value of the models based on the expression of CD14 macrophage cell populations and IL-10. In addition, the association between model expression and clinicopathological characteristics was investigated. Another 30 patients with BC and 30 with benign breast disease were selected to validate the IL-10 and CD14 macrophage joint detection model using the same method.

Results
CD14 macrophage and IL-10 expression levels in BC patients were higher than those in healthy controls (P < 0.05). The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of CD14+ macrophages combined with IL-10 was 0.830, the sensitivity was 72.0%, and the specificity was 87.5%. Its diagnostic efficiency was better than all other single and joint detections. Correlation analysis of clinicopathological features showed that IL-10 and CD14+ macrophage joint detection was significantly correlated with tumor size, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and lymph node, estrogen receptor (ER), and Ki-67 expression (P < 0.05). The validation analysis results were consistent with the test results.

Conclusion
Peripheral blood macrophages can be an independent diagnostic marker for BC. Joint detection of CD14- macrophages and IL-10 suggests poor prognosis, which has unlimited potential to guide BC development and provides a new theory for studying tumor-associated macrophages in BC.
The application study of dual-energy CT nonlinear blending technique in pulmonary angiography*
Authors: Yi Siqi , Zhou Peng , He Yakun , He Changjiu , Hu Shibei 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
This study aimed to explore the feasibility of enhancing image quality in computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and reducing radiation dose using the nonlinear blending (NLB) technique of dual-energy CT.

Methods
A total of 61 patients scheduled for CTPA were enrolled, and 30 patients underwent dual-energy scanning. Nonlinear blending images (NLB group) and three groups of linear blending images (LB group, 80 kV group, and 140 kV group) were reconstructed after scanning; 31 patients underwent single-energy scanning (120 kV group). The CT values and standard deviations of the pulmonary trunk, left and right pulmonary arteries, and ipsilateral back muscle at the bifurcation level of the left and right pulmonary arteries were measured. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the five groups were calculated. The subjective image quality of the five groups was assessed. The radiation doses of the dual- and single-energy groups were recorded and calculated.

Results
The CNR and SNR values of blood vessels in the NLB group were significantly higher than those in the LB, 140 kV, and 80 kV groups (CNR of pulmonary artery trunk: t = 3.50, 4.06, 7.17, all P < 0.05; SNR of pulmonary trunk: t = 3.76, 4.71, 6.92, all P < 0.05). There were no statistical differences in the CNR and SNR values between the NLB group and 120 kV group (P > 0.05). The effective radiation dose of the dualenergy group was lower than that of the single-energy group (t = -4.52, P < 0.05). The subjective scores of images in the NLB group were the highest (4.28 ± 0.74).

Conclusion
The NLB technique of dual-energy CT can improve the image quality of CTPA and reduce the radiation dose, providing more reliable imaging data for the clinical diagnosis of pulmonary embolism.
Development and validation of a tumor microenvironment-related prognostic signature in lung adenocarcinoma and immune infiltration analysis*
Authors: Li Zhou , Feng Yanqi , Li Piao , Wang Shennan , Li Ruichao , Xia Shu 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
Tumor-infiltrating immune cells and stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly affect the prognosis of and immune response to lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In this study, we aimed to develop a novel TME-related prognostic model based on immune and stromal genes in LUAD.

Methods
LUAD data from the TCGA database were used as the training cohort, and three Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets were used as the testing cohort. The Estimation of STromal and Immune cells in MAlignant Tumor tissues using Expression data algorithm was used to analyze the immune and stromal genes involved in the TME. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to identify prognostic genes and construct a TME-related prognostic model. Gene set enrichment analysis and TIMER were used to analyze the immune features and signaling pathways of the model.

Results
A TME-related prognostic model based on six hub genes was generated that significantly stratified patients into the high- and low-risk groups in terms of overall survival. The model had strong predictive ability in both the training (TCGA) and testing (GEO) datasets and could serve as an independent prognostic factor for LUAD. Moreover, the low-risk group was characterized by greater immune cell infiltration and antitumor immune activity than the high-risk group. Importantly, the signature was closely associated with immune checkpoint molecules, which may serve as a predictor of patient response to immunotherapy. Finally, the hub genes BTK, CD28, INHA, PIK3CG, TLR4, and VEGFD were considered novel prognostic biomarkers for LUAD and were significantly correlated with immune cells.

Conclusion
The TME-related prognostic model could effectively predict the prognosis and reflect the TME status of LUAD. These six hub genes provided novel insights into the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Expression and prediction of genes related to IGF2BP3 in gastric cancer*
Authors: Li Yulong , Yang Yang , Sun Ruifang 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The IGF2 mRNA-binding protein (IGF2BP) participates in a variety of cancers. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of IGF2BP3 and explore the genes related to IGF2BP3 in GC.

Methods
Bioinformatics software was used to analyze the expression of IGF2BP1, IGF2BP2, and IGF2BP3 in tumors, and the expression of IGF2BPs in the GSE118897 dataset. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the protein level of IGF2BP3 in GC samples. cBioPortal was used to query gene alteration of IGF2BP3. LinkedOmics was used to identify genes related to IGF2BP3.

Results
Sangerbox analysis showed that the expression of all IGF2BP family members was higher in GC. cBioporta analysis showed that gene alteration of IGF2BP3 in stomach adenocarcinoma included mutation and amplificatio. LinkedOmics analysis showed that many genes were correlated with IGF2BP3, such as PLAGL2, GET4, IGF2BP1, HMGA2, CLDN6, HOXC13, SMARCA2, TMEM66, CIRBP, NFIX, SLC25A12, and CYB5D2.

Conclusion
In this study, we founded that IGF2BP3 was overexpressed in GC. Furthermore, this study identified potential genes related to IGF2BP3 in GC, which should be studied further.
Role of chemokines in the hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment and their translational value in immunotherapy*
Authors: Wang Yijun , Sun Mengyu , Zhang Tongyue , Feng Yangyang , Luo Xiangyuan , Xie Meng , Ji Xiaoyu , Liu Danfei , Huang Wenjie , Xia Limin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The difficulty of early diagnosis, high tumor heterogeneity, and high recurrence and metastasis rates lead to an unsatisfactory treatment status for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is a typical inflammation-driven tumor. Chronic inflammation allows nascent tumors to escape immunosurveillance. Chemokines are small, soluble, secreted proteins that can regulate the activation and trafficking of immune cells during inflammation. Several studies have shown that various chemokines with overarching functions disrupt the immune microenvironment during the initiation and progression of HCC. The dysregulated chemokine network in HCC contributes to multiple malignant processes, including angiogenesis, tumor proliferation, migration, invasion, tumor low response, and resistance to immune therapy. Here, we summarize the current studies focusing on the role of chemokines and their receptors in the HCC immune microenvironment, highlighting potential translational therapeutic uses for modulating the chemokine system in HCC.
Recent advances in targeted therapy for ovarian cancer
Authors: Qin Tianyu , Chen Gang 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The global burden of ovarian cancer is gradually increasing while patients still suffer from relatively limited treatment options. With recent advances in the decoding of the molecular landscape of ovarian cancer, more options in targeted strategy were offered and can therefore be tailored in different clinical settings for individual patient. Targeting of the abnormal angiogenesis process is the first significant clinical breakthrough which revolutionized the treatment of advanced ovarian cancer, followed by the advent of poly-(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors. These two strategies represented by bevacizumab and olaparib respectively underwent tests of numerous clinical trials. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been incorporated into the blueprint of ovarian cancer treatment though the effectiveness still left much to be desired. Herein, we systematically outlined recent advances in targeted therapy for ovarian cancer and summarized the landmark clinical trials for each targeted therapy including angiogenesis inhibitors, PARP inhibitors and ICIs.
Metabolic reprogramming drives homeostasis and specialization of regulatory T cells in cancer
Authors: Li Le , Xiong Zezhong , Hu Zhiquan , Zeng Xing , Wang Zhihua 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Transcription factor forkhead box P3 (Foxp3)+ regulatory T (Treg) cells are receiving increasing attention because this unique subset of T cells is characterized by exerting negative regulatory function of cellular immune responses. The resultant suppression of anti-tumor immunity in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is regarded as a major obstacle to immunotherapies in a plethora of cancers. Thus, an integrated understanding of the intrinsic correlation between tumors and Treg cell biology is urgently required. This review focuses on the peculiar biochemical effects of tumor metabolic environments on Tregs and how Tregs orchestrate internal metabolic switches and altered metabolic pathways and molecules to survive and function after the remodeling of homeostasis and specialization, providing new directions for immunotherapies.
Mechanism of lncRNA SNHG19 miR-299-5p MAPK6 signaling axis promoting metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Zhong Qian , Qiu Rong 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism behind lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 19 (lncRNA SNHG19)/microrNA-299-5P (miR-299-5p)/mitogen-activated protein kinase 6 (MAPK6) signaling axis promoting metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods
To analyze the abnormal expression of lncRNAs in NSCLC, 50 surgically resected NSCLC and adjacent tissue samples were collected from August 2021 to August 2022. The mRNA expression levels of lncRNA SNHG19, Mir-299-5p, and MAPK6 were detected by qRT-PCR. The functions of lncRNA SNHG19, Mir-299-5p and MAPK6 were investigated by CCK-8, clone formation, EdU, scratch, Transwell western blotting (WB)and in vivo xenograft assay. RNA fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH), RNA pull-down, dual luciferase reporter, and RNA co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to explore the mechanism of action between lncRNA SNHG19, miR-299-5p, and MAPK6.

Results
High expression of lncRNA SNHG19 was correlated with poor prognosis, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage in NSCLC patients (P < 0.05). Cell function experiments showed that lncRNA SNHG19 could improve the proliferation, clone formation, migration, and invasion ability of A549 cells both in vitro and in vivo (all P < 0.05) and increased the relative expression levels of vimentin and MAPK6 (P < 0.05). The relative expression level of E-cadherin was decreased (P < 0.05). lncRNA SNHG19 can interact with Mir-299-5p and regulate the expression level of MAPK6.

Conclusion
lncRNA SNHG19 is upregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells, and its high expression is associated with tumor progression and poor survival. Moreover, it can act as a molecular sponge for Mir-299-5p to regulate MAPK6 expression and promote the proliferation and metastasis of A549 cells.
A novel derivative of Genistein inhibits proliferation of ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells by regulating reactive oxygen species*
Authors: Gao Yanping , Dong Zhiyong , Bai Jun 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
To investigate the anticancer effect of a novel derivative of genistein (5-hydroxy-4′-nitro-7-propionyloxy-genistein, HNPG) on human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells and its possible molecular mechanism.

Methods
HO-8910 cells were cultured in vitro, and the inhibitory effect of HNPG on proliferation was determined using MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay. The effect of HNPG on inducing apoptosis was examined using FCM with Annexin V-FITC and propidium iodide staining. The effect of HNPG on regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using FCM with 2′,7′-di chlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate staining. The effect of HNPG on modulating mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was determined using FCM with lipophilic cationic dye 2 (6 Amino 3 imino 3H xanthen 9 yl) benzoic acid methyl ester (Rh123) staining. The bioactivity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and the content of glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The related apoptotic proteins, including bcl-2, bax, cyt-c, and cleaved-caspase-3, were assessed using western blotting.

Results
HNPG exhibited dramatic antitumor activity against HO-8910 cells in vitro, inhibited proliferation, and induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These effects were accompanied by reduced bioactivity of SOD and CAT, reduced GSH content, and enhanced MDA content. Simultaneously, the amount of ROS was increased and the level of MMP was reduced, along with upregulation of mitochondrial apoptosis pathway-related proteins, bax, cyt-c, and cleaved-caspase-3; bcl-2 protein was downregulated.

Conclusion
HNPG inhibited proliferation of human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells in vitro, which might be related to decreased bioactivity of SOD and CAT. HNPG also reduced GSH content, which resulted in ROS accumulation in cells, damaged the integrity of mitochondrial membrane, and induced cell apoptosis.
Hypoxia-inducible factor-2α and its missense mutations: potential role in HCC diagnosis, progression, and prognosis and underlying mechanism
Authors: Li Jun , Yan Yibo , Wang Ganxin , Huang Zaozao 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Objective
This study aims to gain further the potential mechanisms of HIF-2α in tumor progression and tumorigenesis.

Methods
Mined The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. In total, 421 participants were enrolled in the TCGAHepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) study, comprising 371 patients with cancer and 50 healthy controls. From the 371 tumor samples, three samples containing the missense mutation of the HIF-2α gene were compared with 368 wild-type samples to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs).

Results
After filtering, univariate Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) progestagen-associated endometrial protein (PAEP) PNLIPRP2, MIR147B, and pregnancy zone protein (PZP) were significantly correlated with the survival times of patients with HCC. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) v6.8 database to detect the functional annotation of these four DEGs as well as hub genes obtained from protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis using the STRING v10 database. Our analysis focused on the PAEP and PZP genes, whose protein expressions were downregulated in samples with HIF-2α missense mutation. The hub genes of PAEP and PZP were identified using PPI network analysis. Subsequent Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that PAEP and its hub genes were highly enriched in the TGF-β pathway, which is consistent with the analysis of PZP.

Conclusion
Our study proved that the missense mutation of HIF-2α induces the upregulation of PAEP, which is positively related to the poor prognosis of patients with HCC, as it may upregulate the TGF-β pathway. In contrast, PZP downregulation showed the opposite phenomenon, as it may downregulate the TGF-β pathway.