Hong Zhang

Effect of ultrasound-guided transverse abdominal plane block on neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and systemic immune inflammation index in patients undergoing radical resection of endometrial carcinoma

Objective The purpose of this trial was to explore the effects of the ultrasound-guided transverse abdominal plane block (TAPB) on the systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), peripheral blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in patients undergoing radical resection of endometrial carcinoma. Methods This trail was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300072186, www.chictr.org/; approval date: 2023-06-06). In the study, a total of 90 patients who were scheduled for radical resection of endometrial carcinoma were selected, and they were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided TAPB combined with general anesthesia (GA) or either GA. The primary outcomes were the values of NLR、PLR and SII which were obtained at postoperative 24 hours and 72 hours. Other observational indicators included: the counts of neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet; the numbers of effective press of the analgesic pump; postoperative pain intensity; remifentanil consumption; and adverse reactions. Results The values of preoperative peripheral blood neutrophil, platelet, lymphocyte, NLR, PLR, and SII did not differ between the two groups (P>0.05). The TAP+GA group exhibited significantly reduced levels of neutrophil, NLR, and SII at 24 and 72 hours post-surgery than the GA group (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the values of PLR between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the GA group, the VAS scores at 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours after surgery in the TAP+GA group were significantly decreased, and the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil and the numbers of postoperative analgesic pump presses were significantly reduced (P<0.05). Moreover, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was reduced considerably in the TAP+GA group (P<0.05). Conclusions Ultrasound-guided TAPB can effectively lower the values of postoperative neutrophil, NLR, and SII, improve postoperative pain intensity, decrease opioid consumption, and reduce the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomal microRNA-503-3p inhibits progression of human endometrial cancer cells through downregulating MEST

Endometrial cancer (EC) is a group of epithelial malignant tumors that occur in the endometrium. The specific pathogenesis is not revealed, hence, the goal of this study was to investigate the influence of human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs)-derived exosomal microRNA-503-3p (miR-503-3p) on human EC cells by mediating mesoderm-specific transcript (MEST). The binding relationship between MiR-503-3p and MEST was searched. HUMSCs were collected and exosomes (Exos) were isolated and identified. Human EC cell lines HEC-1B and RL95-2 were transfected with elevated miR-503-3p or silenced MEST vector or co-cultured with Exos to figure their roles in biological functions of EC cells. The in vitro effect of miR-503-3p, MEST, and Exos on EC cells was further verified in vivo. MEST was a target of miR-503-3p. Overexpression of miR-503-3p or reduction of MEST suppressed the biological functions of EC cells. Enhanced MEST expression mitigated the role of upregulated miR-503-3p on the growth of EC cells. HUMSCs-derived Exos suppressed EC cell growth, upregulated miR-503-3p-modified HUMSCs-derived Exos had a more obvious inhibitory effect on EC cell growth. The anti-tumor effect of elevated miR-503-3p, silenced MEST, and HUMSCs-derived Exos were verified in nude mice. This study highlights that hUMSCs-derived exosomal miR-503-3p inhibits EC development by suppressing MEST, which is of great benefit to EC therapy.

SOX9/NFIA promotes human ovarian cancer metastasis through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

To our knowledge, Sex-determining Region Y box 9 (SOX9) has been in connection with a wide range of human cancers. Nevertheless, there remains uncertainty regarding SOX9's role in metastasizing ovarian cancer. In our study, SOX9 was investigated in relation to tumor metastasis in ovarian cancer as well as its potential molecular mechanisms. First, we exhibited an apparent higher expression of SOX9 in ovarian cancer tissues and cells than in normative ones, and the prognosis of patients whose SOX9 levels were high was markedly lower than that of patients whose SOX9 levels were low. Besides, highly expressed SOX9 was correlated with high grade serous carcinoma, poor tumor differentiation, high serum CA125 and lymph node metastasis. Second, SOX9 knockdown exhibited striking inhibition of the migration and invasive ability of ovarian cancer cells, whereas SOX9 overexpression had an inverse role. At the same time, SOX9 could promote ovarian cancer intraperitoneal metastasis in a nude mice in the vivo. In a similar way, SOX9 knockdown dramatically decreased the expression of nuclear factor I-A (NFIA), β-catenin as well as N-cadherin but had an increased in E-cadherin expression, as opposed to the results when SOX9 was overexpressed. Furthermore, NFIA silencing inhibited the expression of NFIA, β-catenin and N-cadherin, in the same way that E-cadherin expression was promoted. In conclusion, this study shows that SOX9 has a promotional effect on human ovarian cancer and that SOX9 promotes the metastasis of tumors by upregulating NFIA and activating on a Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. SOX9 could be a novel focus for earlier diagnosis, therapy and prospective evaluation in ovarian cancer.

The Cyr61 Is a Potential Target for Rotundifuran, a Natural Labdane‐Type Diterpene from Vitex trifolia L., to Trigger Apoptosis of Cervical Cancer Cells

Cervical cancer is a common female malignant tumor that seriously threatens human health. This study explored the anticervical cancer effects and potential mechanisms of Rotundifuran (RTF), a natural product isolated from Vitex trifolia L. In this study, we found that RTF can suppress the proliferation of cervical cancer cell lines, including HeLa and SiHa cells (with the IC50 less than 10 μM), via induction of apoptosis in vitro, and the antitumor effect of RTF is further confirmed on the HeLa cell‐inoculated xenograft model. In addition, our results proved that the antitumor effects of RTF might be related with the reactive oxygen species‐ (ROS‐) induced mitochondrial‐dependent apoptosis through MAPK and PI3K/Akt signal pathways. Using proteomics analysis and the drug affinity responsive target stability‐ (DARTS‐) combined mass spectrometry (DARTS‐MS), Cyr61 was indicated as a potential target for RTF in cervical cancer cells. Our present study would be beneficial for the development of RTF as a candidate for treatment of cervical cancer in the future.