Raman spectroscopy is a vibrational spectroscopic technique that can be used to optically detect the molecular changes associated with various body liquids. The objective of our study is to explore Surface-Enhanced (SERS) Raman spectroscopy for distinguishing the saliva sample of lung cancer patients from those of the normal candidates. Saliva specimens(18 normal, 7 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and 14 adenocarcinoma)were obtained from 39 patients with known or suspected malignancies of the lung. A rapid acquisition dispersive type Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy system was used for studies on saliva sample at 785 nm excitation. Raman spectra of saliva differed significantly between normal and malignant tumor. The spectroscopy of lung cancer patients show higher percentage signals for nucleic acid, tryptophan and phenylalanine and lower percentage signals for phospholipids, proline and valine, compared to normal candidates. Two algorithms were used to classify the samples respectively, including the Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest algorithm. R software (a language and software platform for statistical computing and graphics) was used to implement these two algorithms. Both algorithms have high sensitivities and specificities. The results of this exploratory study indicate that Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy has significant potential for the noninvasive diagnosis of lung cancers in vivo based on the optic evaluation of biomolecules.
Progestin is commonly used for young patients suffering from endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. However, there is approximately 30% failure rate with unclear mechanism. We investigated if Nrf2-survivin pathway contributes the progestin resistance (PR) in this setting. Current study detected Nrf2 and survivin protein expression in post progestin treated endometrial tissue samples by using immunohistochemistry. Transfection of Nrf2 and survivin into endometrial cancer cells in vitro was done to determine the roles of Nrf2 and survivin in progestin resistance. Silence of survivin was then performed to explore if Nrf2-driven progestin resistance is mediated by survivin. Medorxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and metformin were applied to examine the cellular proliferations under the controlled conditions. Overexpression of survivin and Nrf2 were found in progestin-resistant endometrial samples as well as in those areas with only partial responses after MPA treatment. In contrast, all responded endometrial tissue with complete decidualization showed negative expression of these two biomarkers. Exogenous overexpression of Nrf2 and survivin resulted in progestin resistance. In addition, reduction of survivin in endometrial cancer cells overcame the Nrf2 overexpression induced progestin resistance. Furthermore, Nrf2 and survivin expressions were effectively suppressed after withdrawal of MPA. Interestingly, metformin increased the progestin sensitivity by down regulation of Nrf2 and survivin. The findings suggest that dysregulation of Nrf2-survivin may represent part of the molecular mechanisms of progestin resistance in endometrial cancer. Detecting survivin and Nrf2 may predict progestin resistance, while targeting Nrf2 and survivin may represent a promising prevention and treatment strategy for endometrial cancer.
Currently, it is widely accepted that the vast majority of ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) originate from the fallopian tube. However, due to the lack of markers or tools for the ovarian cancer identification, the early detection of HGSC remains challenging. Direct sampling of the fallopian tube can enhance sensitivity for detection of neoplastic cells when the tumor is not grossly visible. We developed a procedure to collect fallopian tube cells directly from freshly received surgical specimens, which has shown excellent correlation with histological findings. This approach lays a foundation for the future utility of minimally invasive laparoscopic screening in high-risk patient populations.
There is evidence that progesterone plays a role in the aetiology of invasive epithelial ovarian cancer. Therefore, genes involved in pathways that regulate progesterone may be candidates for susceptibility to this disease. Previous studies have suggested that genetic variants in the progesterone receptor gene (PGR) may be associated with ovarian cancer risk, although results have been inconsistent. We have established an international consortium to pool resources and data from many ovarian cancer case–control studies in an effort to identify variants that influence risk. In this study, three PGR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), for which previous data have suggested they affect ovarian cancer risk, were examined. These were +331 C/T (rs10895068), PROGINS (rs1042838), and a 3′ variant (rs608995). A total of 4788 ovarian cancer cases and 7614 controls from 12 case–control studies were included in this analysis. Unconditional logistic regression was used to model the association between each SNP and ovarian cancer risk and two-sided P-values are reported. Overall, risk of ovarian cancer was not associated with any of the three variants studied. However, in histopathological subtype analyses, we found a statistically significant association between risk of endometrioid ovarian cancer and the PROGINS allele (n=651, OR=1.17, 95% CI=1.01–1.36, P=0.036). We also observed borderline evidence of an association between risk of endometrioid ovarian cancer and the +331C/T variant (n=725 cases; OR=0.80, 95% CI 0.62–1.04, P=0.100). These data suggest that while these three variants in the PGR are not associated with ovarian cancer overall, the PROGINS variant may play a modest role in risk of endometrioid ovarian cancer.
Ecological and environmental degradation are among the major challenges facing humanity today. The analysis of ecosystem service value assessments can therefore serve as a means to guide ecosystem restoration, as well as provide indications for sustainable land use and land management decisions. The present study examines changes in land use and the associated ecosystem service values in the Yan River Basin in China for the period of 1990–2020. Based on high-resolution Landsat satellite data, we obtained detailed land type distribution data for the basin, allowing the analysis of the internal structure and the degree of influence of the land use by using information entropy and elasticity coefficient. We also explored the spatiotemporal differentiation of ESVs by applying the method of equivalent factors and hotspot analysis. Finally, we identified possible drivers for development patterns observed in the watershed using geodetector models. During the study period, the area of arable land dropped continuously, while the scope of forest land, grassland, and construction land increased. The land type layout developed in the direction of reduced uniformity. ESVs measured in monetary terms first rose and later fell, but nevertheless increased by 1.152 billion yuan overall. The decrease was mainly due to the accelerated urbanization construction in the later stage. Spatially, ESV distribution coincided with the land-use pattern, showing a growing pattern from north to south. The changes were due not to the role of a single factor but the joint interactions between multiple factors such as human activities, natural factors, and landscape patterns. The results can provide a basis for constructive suggestions to connect and promote the basin’s natural and socio-economic surroundings, and also reflect the effectiveness of the policy of systematically stopping cultivation and planting trees and grass on stunted cultivated land.
Mounting evidence suggests the fallopian tube as the origin for ovarian high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). We attempted to identify the tubal cytological features that allow us to distinguish malignant from benign conditions.Tubal specimens (n = 56) were collected from patients who underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) due to various clinical indications. A standard procedure to collect fallopian tube brushings from freshly received surgical specimens was developed. Cytological diagnoses were classified into three categories: benign, atypical, and suspicious for malignancy/malignant. Cytological variables of individual cells and epithelia were subjected to statistical analysis. The fallopian tube histology was used as diagnostic reference for confirmation of cytology diagnosis.Among the 56 fallopian tube specimens, 2 (3.7 %) showed inadequate cellularity preventing further evaluation, 11 (20.4 %) were diagnosed as malignant or suspicious of malignancy, 7 were atypical, and 36 were benign. The presence of three dimensional clusters (p < 0.0001, Fisher's Exact Test), or prominent nucleoli (p = 0.0252, Fisher Exact test) was highly correlated with the diagnosis of malignancy. The suspicious malignant/malignant cytological diagnosis was also highly correlated with presence of HGSC with or without serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC).Tubal cytology may be useful for ovarian cancer screening and early detection.
Mucinous differentiation of endocervical type has been well documented in endometrial carcinoma. However, we describe an unusual case of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium showing diffuse histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural evidence of intestinal differentiation. Although intestinal differentiation has been described in mesodermally derived tissues including endocervix, ovary, and urinary tract, it has not been reported in normal endometrium. One previous case has been reported showing this pattern in endometrial carcinoma. Possible histogenetic mechanisms of this pattern are discussed.
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