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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancers with high prevalence and mortality, and it has brought huge economic and health burden for the world. It is urgent to found novel targets for HCC diagnosis and clinical intervention. Circular RNA (circRNA) has been reported to participate in many cancer progressions including HCC, suggesting that circRNA might paly essential role in HCC initiation and progression. Our study aims to found that potential circRNA participates in HCC development and its underlying molecular mechanisms. We obtained three pairs of HCC tissues and its adjacent normal tissues data from GEO DataSets. MTT, cell colony, EdU, wound‐healing, transwell invasion and mouse xenograft model assays were used to demonstrate the biological functions of circCAMSAP1 in HCC progression. Furthermore, we conducted bioinformatics analysis, AGO2‐RIP, RNA pull‐down and luciferase reporter assays to assess the association of circCAMSAP1‐miR‐1294‐GRAMD1A axis in HCC cells. The expression of circCAMSAP1 was up‐regulated in HCC tissues compared with its adjacent normal tissues. Up‐regulation of circCAMSAP1 promoted HCC biological functions both in vitro and in vivo. The promotive effects of circCAMSAP1 on HCC progression function through miR‐1294/GRAMD1A pathway. CircCAMSAP1 was up‐regulated in HCC tissues, and circCAMSAP1 up‐regulated GRAMD1A expression to promote HCC proliferation, migration and invasion through miR‐1294. CircCAMSAP1 might be a potential prognosis and therapeutic target for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To present a comprehensive analysis of cytomorphological features, including clinical scenarios, for 8 cases (4 males, 4 females, aged 17‐39 years, average = 28.5) of, retrospectively diagnosed alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), with TFE3 immunostaining in 7 cases. Methods: Conventional Papanicolaou and May Grunwald‐Giemsa (MGG) stained smears and corresponding tissue sections were critically reviewed. Fine needle aspiration cytology was performed for primary diagnosis in 6 cases and for metastatic lesions in 2 cases. TFE3 and other immunohistochemical stains were tested using polymer detection technique. Results: Tumour sites were thigh (n = 6), shoulder (1) and neck (1). Tumour size (n = 6) varied from 5 to 14.5 cm (average = 7.2). Seven out of 8 cases were correctly diagnosed on cytosmears. The smears were mostly hypercellular (5), composed of cohesive clusters (8), including cell balls and pseudopapillae (3) and singly scattered cells (8). Tumour cells were round to oval, containing central to eccentric nuclei (8), abundant granular (8) to finely vacuolated (7) cytoplasm that was ill‐ to well‐defined, intracytoplasmic rod‐like or needle‐shaped crystals (3) and prominent nucleoli (8), Additionally, there were binucleated cells (7), multinucleation (2), intracytoplasmic inclusions (3), intranuclear inclusions (2), intercellular stroma (5) and bare nuclei (8). Immunohistochemically, 7/8 tumours were positive for TFE3. Conclusions: This constitutes the largest series describing cytomorphological spectrum of ASPS with TFE3 immunostaining results. Frequently observed features and rod‐like/needle‐shaped crystals on MGG smears, can help to differentiate ASPS from its mimics. TFE3 immunostaining aids in substantiating diagnoses, in an appropriate clinicoradiological context. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the cytomorphological spectrum of alveolar soft part sarcomas. TFE3 immunostaining is useful in substantiating a diagnosis in an appropriate clinicoradiological context, which has significant implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV)—encoded latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) is a principal oncogene that plays a pivotal role in EBV‐associated malignant tumors including nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC). Recent genomic landscape studies revealed that NPC also contained many genomic mutations, suggesting the role of LMP1 as a driver gene for the induction of these genomic mutations. Nonetheless, its exact mechanism has not been investigated. In this study, we report that LMP1 alters the expression profile of APOBEC3s(A3s), host deaminases that introduce consecutive C‐to‐U mutations (hypermutation). In vitro, LMP1 induces APOBEC3B (A3B) and 3F(A3F), in a nasopharyngeal cell line, AdAH. Overexpression of LMP1, A3B, or A3F induces mtDNA hypermutation, which is also detectable from NPC specimens. Expression of LMP1 and A3B in NPC was correlated with neck metastasis. These results provide evidence as to which LMP1 induces A3s and mtDNA hypermutation, and how LMP1 facilitates metastasis is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The classification of the distinct group of mesenchymal neoplasms, first described as 'Xp11 translocation perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa)' and for which the term 'melanotic Xp11 neoplasm' or 'Xp11 neoplasm with melanocytic differentiation' has recently been proposed, remains challenging and controversial. We collected 27 melanotic Xp11 neoplasms, the largest series to date, for a comprehensive evaluation. Fourteen of the cases, together with eight alveolar soft part sarcomas (ASPS), nine conventional PEComas and a control group of seven normal tissues were submitted to RNA sequencing. Follow‐up available in 22 patients showed 5‐year overall survival and 5‐year disease‐free survival of 47.6 and 35.7%, respectively, which were similar to ASPS and significantly worse than conventional PEComa. Univariate analysis of location (occurring in the kidney versus not kidney), infiltrative growth pattern, nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic activity ≥2/50 high‐power fields (HPF), necrosis and lymphovascular invasion were found to be associated with overall survival and/or disease‐free survival. Multivariate analysis identified that location was the only factor found to independently correlate with disease‐free survival. More importantly, RNA sequencing‐based clustering analysis segregated melanotic Xp11 neoplasm and ASPS from other tumors, including conventional PEComa and Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma, and formed a compact cluster representative of the largely similar expression signature. Here we clearly define the true biologic nature of melanotic Xp11 neoplasms which are distinctive malignant mesenchymal tumors, rather than simply PEComa variants with occasionally unpredictable behavior. Meanwhile, melanotic Xp11 neoplasm and ASPS more likely represent phenotypic variants of the same entity, which is distinct from conventional PEComa and Xp11 translocation renal cell carcinoma. Based on these important findings, melanotic Xp11 neoplasm might be reclassified into a distinctive entity together with ASPS, independent from PEComa, in future revisions of the current WHO categories of tumors of soft tissue and bone for the improved reclassification. © 2020 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Detection and visualization of fingermarks on rough and diffuse surfaces is a relatively challenging task. We succeeded in developing latent fingermarks on scratched and rough aluminum surfaces by sequential deposition of a thin layer of gold followed by one of zinc or zinc‐based compounds on the fingermarks. The best image enhancement was achieved with sequential Au and ZnS depositions. Using this combination, we could enhance the visualization of latent fingermarks aged over 65 days in normal conditions. The optical reflectance from the fingermarks with the deposited layers of metal/dielectric is analyzed as a stratified medium. Significant contrast in the reflectance from the regions of the ridges and the valleys of the fingermark would enhance the visualization. Our results show that the Au and ZnS bi‐layer combination can have a large reflection contrast and improved fingermark visualization at wavelengths corresponding to the green light for specific thickness of ZnS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a mesenchymal malignant neoplasm showing characteristics of epithelial–mesenchymal biphasic differentiation. SS is of uncertain cellular origin; however, studies have suggested that SS originates from a somatic stem cell population. In this study, we aim to determine whether differential morphological features of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributed to the tumourigenesis of SS invasion and metastasis. Twelve paraffin‐embedded formalin‐fixed tissue (FFPE) SS tissue specimens were obtained, and laser capture microdissection (LCM) with the ArcturusXT system and small chip method (SCM) were used to isolate and purify spindle and epithelial cells from SS specimens. The TRIzol method was used to extract RNA, and the mRNA levels of EMT‐related genes in epithelial and spindle cells of SS specimens were measured using real‐time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The results show that collection of about 2 × 104 cells from FFPE samples using LCM was sufficient for qRT‐PCR, with an efficiency of 75%. Compared with LCM, 72.2% (13 of 18) RNA samples were successfully extracted using SCM to isolate cells from FFPE SS tissues. In the 16 samples (11 spindle cell samples and 5 epithelial cell samples), Snail mRNA was significantly upregulated in spindle cell areas compared with that in epithelial cell areas (P = .001). Expression levels of the epithelial marker E‐cadherin and the mesenchymal marker N‐cadherin were not significantly different between epithelial and spindle cell areas. In spindle cells of recurrent SS samples, the mRNA levels of E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, Snail, and Slug were higher in primary SS samples than in recurrent samples. Taken together, our results indicated that in SS samples, Snail mRNA was upregulated in spindle cell areas compared with that in epithelial cell areas and that the expression of EMT‐related genes was increased in primary SS. LCM could be used to isolate and purify RNA from FFPE samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic inflammation impairs skeletal muscle regeneration. Although many cells are involved in chronic inflammation, macrophages seem to play an important role in impaired muscle regeneration since these cells are associated with skeletal muscle stem cell (namely, satellite cells) activation and fibro–adipogenic progenitor cell (FAP) survival. Specifically, an imbalance of M1 and M2 macrophages seems to lead to impaired satellite cell activation, and these are the main cells that function during skeletal muscle regeneration, after muscle damage. Additionally, this imbalance leads to the accumulation of FAPs in skeletal muscle, with aberrant production of pro‐fibrotic factors (e.g., extracellular matrix components), impairing the niche for proper satellite cell activation and differentiation. Treatments aiming to block the inflammatory pro‐fibrotic response are partially effective due to their side effects. Therefore, strategies reverting chronic inflammation into a pro‐regenerative pattern are required. In this review, we first describe skeletal muscle resident macrophage ontogeny and homeostasis, and explain how macrophages are replenished after muscle injury. We next discuss the potential role of chronic physical activity and exercise in restoring the M1 and M2 macrophage balance and consequently, the satellite cell niche to improve skeletal muscle regeneration after injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: N‐cadherin is an important molecular in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and has been reported to be associated with aggressive behaviours of tumours. However, prognostic value of N‐cadherin in solid malignancies remains controversially. Materials and Methods: The Pubmed/MELINE and EMBASE databases were used for a comprehensive literature searching. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and hazard ratio (HR) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were employed to quantify the prognostic role. Results: Involving 36 studies with 5705 patients were performed to investigate relationships between N‐cadherin upregulation and clinicopathological features, survival. Results suggested upregulated N‐cadherin was associated with lymph node metastasis (RR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.00, 1.35]), higher histological grade (RR = 1.36, 95%CI [1.14, 1.62]), angiolymphatic invasion (RR = 1.19, 95% CI [1.06, 1.34]) and advanced clinical stage (RR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.06, 1.64]), while upregulated N‐cadherin was apt to be associated with distant metastasis (RR = 1.43, 95% CI [0.99, 2.05]). Moreover, N‐cadherin was correlated with poor prognosis of 3‐year survival (HR = 1.78, 95% CI [1.51, 2.10]), 5‐year survival (HR = 1.57, 95% CI [1.17, 2.10]) and overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.32, 95% CI [1.20, 1.44]). Subgroup analyses according to cancer types were also conducted for applying these conclusions to some tumours more properly. No publication bias was found except subgroup analysis of distant metastasis (P = .652 for Begg's test and 0.023 for Egger's test). Conclusions: Taken together, upregulation of N‐cadherin is associated with more aggressive behaviours of epithelial‐derived solid malignancies and can be regarded as a predictor of poor survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: MCP2, aliased CCL8, has been suggested to be implicated in the metastasis of cancer cells; however, no direct evidence has been established in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In our present study, to investigate the role MCP2 played in the metastasis of ESCC cells; in vitro cell co‐culture system was established. Wound‐healing and Transwell assays were used to evaluate the migratory and invasive variation of ESCC cells before and after treatment with recombinant human MCP2. It was shown that MCP2 was able to activate the NF‐κB signaling pathway inducing the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and promoting the migration and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro. Our study provides an alternative working mechanism for M2 macrophage mediated the metastasis in tumor microenvironment in ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juxtaglomerular cell tumor (JGCT) is a rare tumor, with approximately 100 cases reported in the literature. The authors respectively studied the clinical data of 11 patients diagnosed with JGCT in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2004 to 2014, and investigated the immunohistochemical profiles in 10 tumors. Nine of the 11 patients were diagnosed before the age of 40 years. Hypertension was present in all patients, while hypokalemia occurred in seven of 11 patients. Computed tomography detected JGCTs with a sensitivity of 100%. Immunoreactivities for CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor were observed in most tumor specimens, suggesting that JGCTs express a variety of vessel-related immunohistochemical markers, although JGCTs are considered a tumor without abundant blood supply. Nuclear accumulation of cyclin D1 was common in JGCTs. Results from immunohistochemistry were negative for BRAF, HER2, and TFE3, suggesting that BRAF, HER2, and TFE3 genes might not play a part in tumorigenesis in JGCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Soybeans have been widely used to alleviate climacteric symptoms. In this study, we investigated the oestrogenic activities of isoflavones extracted from Aspergillus oryzae-challenged germinated soybeans ( AO-GS). Eight-week-old virgin Sprague-Dawley female rats were ovariectomised ( OVX). The rats were orally administered 0.1 mg kg−1 17 α-ethinyl oestradiol or three different doses of AO-GS (0.5, 1.0 2.0 g kg−1 day−1) in distilled water for 6 weeks, while control rats were administered vehicle alone. Uterine weights and levels of oestradiol and testosterone in serum were measured. In addition to serum parameters, bone parameters were also acquired by using micro-computed tomography scanning. RESULTS Treatments of OVX rats with AO-GS changed the secretory profile of serum oestradiol and testosterone. Serum oestradiol levels were significantly increased in OVX rats treated with and AO-GS (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 g kg−1 day−1), while serum testosterone levels were not significantly increased in OVX rats treated with 1.0 g kg−1 day−1 of AO-GS. Furthermore, AO-GS (2.0 g kg−1 day−1) significantly attenuated bone loss, increased trabecular bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness, and significantly decreased trabecular pattern factor. CONCLUSION AO-GS treatments caused moderate oestrogenic activity in OVX rats compared to those treated with oestradiol, suggesting the potential for the use of AO-GS in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and in osteoporosis caused by oestrogen deficiency. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: A novel soy protein aggregate enriched with isoflavones (SPA-IS), a mixture of soy protein and isoflavones (Mix), isoflavones (IS), and the soy protein were obtained to investigate the preventive effects on osteoporosis induced by retinoic acid in Kunming mice. RESULTS: The serum osteocalcin levels in the Mix and SPA-IS groups decreased compared with the model group (mice showing retinoic acid-induced osteoporosis) (P < 0.05). The trabecular analysis results showed an increased preventive effect of the SPA-IS group over the Mix group, the IS group, and the soy protein group. The results of both left tibial maximum load and the 4th lumbar structural strength differ between the IS and the SPA-IS groups. CONCLUSION: The SPA-IS exhibited obvious oestrogenic activities on retinoic acid-induced osteoporosis in Kunming mice compared toMix, IS, and soy protein. The results suggest that there is a potential use for SPA-IS in the treatment of osteoporosis induced by intake of retinoic acid. The improvement of bone indicators might be attributed to the formation of aggregate particles and the improvement of IS solubility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient secret sharing schemes play important roles in many areas such as key management, trust management, and secure multi-party protocols. In order to reduce the communication costs of threshold changeable secret sharing scheme, a dynamic threshold changeable secret sharing scheme is proposed based on RSA cryptography system and discrete logarithm problem. The threshold value of the scheme can be decided according to the secure demand, and each participant's secret shadow is selected by the participant himself; therefore, secure channel is avoided, and communication costs are reduced. The shadows do not need to be changed when renewing the sharing secret, deleting old participants, or adding new participants, so the secret shadows are reusable. Moreover, the efficient solutions against multiform cheating are proposed; therefore, the scheme is highly secure and practical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Detection of chromosomal translocations in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded ( FFPE) leukemic samples is important for confirmation of histopathological findings, classification, prognostication, and therapeutic decisions. Herein, we aim to determine whether digital expression profiling could detect chromosomal translocations in FFPE leukemic samples identified by RT- PCR, FISH, and/or karyotyping. Methods RNA was extracted from 28 FFPE bone marrow specimens from 19 patients diagnosed with leukemia. Eight patients were translocation t(9;22) positive, three inv(16)/t(16/16) positive, five translocation t(15;17) positive, and one translocation t(8;21) positive. Two patients (four specimens) were normal. The extracted RNA was hybridized to DNA reporter probes overnight at 65 °C, followed by purification of the labeled translocations. Six hundred fields of view were counted to enumerate the number of translocations. Results Digital expression profiling had 100% concordance with RT- PCR, FISH, or karyotyping analysis in the two normal individuals, eight translocation t(9;22) samples, five translocation t(15;17) samples, and one translocation t(8;21) sample. None of the inv(16) positive samples were detected. Digital expression profiling detected translocations with 0.014 p190 allelic burden. Conclusion Digital expression profiling can be used to measure translocation t(9;22), t(15;17), and t(8;21) in FFPE samples and is useful when a confirmatory test from a FFPE sample is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT There are several methods to construct multi-secret sharing schemes, one of which is based on coding theory. Generally, however, it is very hard to determine the minimal access structures of the schemes based on linear codes. In this paper, we first propose the concept of minimal linear codes so as to make it easier to determine the access structures of the schemes based on the duals of minimal linear codes. It is proved that the shortening codes of minimal linear codes are also minimal ones. Then we present the algorithm to determine whether a class of linear codes are minimal. On the basis of our aforementioned studies, we further devise a new multi-use multi-secret sharing scheme based on the dual code of a minimal linear code, where each participant has to carry only one share. Furthermore, we study the minimal access structures of the multi-secret sharing scheme and present specific examples through programming. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Biometric template security and privacy issues are critical in biometric authentication systems and require special attention. However, remote biometric authentication systems demand wider array of measures for maximum protection. This paper proposes a remote cancelable palmprint authentication protocol based on multi-directional two-dimensional PalmPhasor-fusion. The main contribution is three-fold. First, with a transposition direction selection mechanism, multi-directional two-dimensional PalmPhasor (MTDPP) improves the accuracy performance of two-dimensional PalmPhasor. Second, we provide the theoretical analysis of the effect of transposition on the accuracy performance of two-dimensional PalmPhasor, and hence establish an effective transposition direction range for the proposed MTDPP. Third, according to our analysis, the existing remote palmprint authentication system does not satisfy non-invertibility criterion of secure template protection and is vulnerable to interception. Besides, secret message embedding as a countermeasure for database attacks deteriorates accuracy performance and causes inconvenience in updating authenticator. The proposed protocol uses multi-directional two-dimensional PalmPhasor-fusion, one-time random number encrypted with asymmetric cryptography and encrypted hash codes of MTDPP to address the problems. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this paper, we show statistical analyses of several types of traffic sources in a 3G network, namely voice, video and data sources. For each traffic source type, measurements were collected in order to, on the one hand, gain better understanding of the statistical characteristics of the sources and, on the other hand, enable forecasting traffic behaviour in the network. The latter can be used to estimate service times and quality of service parameters. The probability density function, mean, variance, mean square deviation, skewness and kurtosis of the interarrival times are estimated by Wolfram Mathematica and Crystal Ball statistical tools. Based on evaluation of packet interarrival times, we show how the gamma distribution can be used in network simulations and in evaluation of available capacity in opportunistic systems. As a result, from our analyses, shape and scale parameters of gamma distribution are generated. Data can be applied also in dynamic network configuration in order to avoid potential network congestions or overflows. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Secret sharing schemes are widely applied in various areas, and there are series of achievements, among which the verifiable multi-secret schemes are the most representative ones. A few verifiable multi-secret schemes own the following drawbacks: insensitive to the differences of security levels, lack of expandability, high computation complexity of verification process, and low efficiency of execution. Addressing the issues, an extensible cheat-proofing multi-secret sharing scheme with low computation complexity is proposed. With the security of RSA public key system and discrete logarithm puzzle, the proposed scheme can realize the following functions: first, the secret dealer can set relatively threshold values according to different security levels; second, the participants and secret combiner can verify the secret shares, which can guard against cheating problem, resist various kinds of attacks and improve the success rate of secret reconstruction; in addition, the secret shares are reusable in the situations of new group secret and new participant joining the group, which brings about good expandability. Moreover, compared with the previous schemes, the proposed scheme reduces the information content published by secret dealer and brings down the computation complexity of verification, which makes the efficiency of the scheme greatly improved. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of vacuum metal deposition before scanning Kelvin probe visualization of fingerprints is investigated. The potential contrast between fingerprint ridges and furrows is maximized by the use of silver deposition for non-noble metals and gold-zinc deposition for noble metals. The higher susceptibility of eccrine fingerprints to vacuum metal overdeposition is confirmed. Additionally, fingerprints are best developed individually and by building the metal deposition slowly to protect against overdevelopment and variation in the rate of metal condensation. The progress of the metal deposition can be monitored using the scanning Kelvin probe by reference to the change in potential and continuity of the new potential on the surface. The use of acetic acid solution for the recovery of over VMD-developed samples is shown not to be useful. Applying the metal deposition has the additional prospect of increasing surface conductivity and homogeneity and both can aid fingerprint visualization using the scanning Kelvin probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Foliar sprays of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) fertilisers are known to be an effective way to improve Fe and Zn concentrations in rice grain. However, results can differ significantly among different rice cultivars and/or types of foliar fertiliser. In this study, several Fe-rich rice cultivars were used to identify an effective foliar fertiliser for optimal Fe and Zn enrichment of rice grain. RESULTS: Foliar Fe amino acid (Fe-AA) fertiliser significantly improved the Fe concentration in brown rice of most cultivars. Compared with the control, the average Fe concentration in all tested cultivars was increased by 14.5%. The average Fe concentration was increased by 32.5% when 1% (w/v) nicotianamine (NA) was added to Fe-AA, while the average Zn concentration was increased by 42.4% when 0.5% (w/v) ZnSO4 · 7H2O was added to Fe-AA. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that NA at a suitable concentration added to Fe-AA fertiliser could accelerate Fe accumulation in rice grain. A relatively low concentration of ZnSO4 · 7H2O added to Fe-AA significantly increased Fe and Zn accumulation in rice grain. The study identified some useful foliar fertilisers for enhancing the levels of Fe and Zn in selected Fe-rich rice cultivars. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the author index of the October 2004 issue of "Pathology International."