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Background Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma is the most common primary peritoneal neoplasm. The only universally recognised pathological prognostic factor is histopathological subtype. Prognostic markers based on patient features and clinical stages have been disappointing. Aims To assess the prognostic role of several clinicopathological features in a retrospective cohort of 60 patients diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Methods Sixty patients were centrally collected and were immunohistochemically analysed for the expression of osteopontin (OPN), GLUT1 and Ki‐67. Labelling was assessed by two pathologists. Complete clinical information and follow‐up were obtained from patients' records. Results OPN expression was identified in 52 (86.6%) of 60 specimens, and GLUT1 in 39 (65%) of 60 specimens. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that a lower peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI), tumour‐directed treatment (chemotherapy or surgery alone or in any combination), lower Ki‐67, GLUT1 and lower OPN expression had a statistically significant positive effect on overall survival (OS). PCI (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.032 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.000–1.067); P = 0.054) and tumour‐directed treatment (HR = 0.211 (95% CI: 0.104–0.430); P

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) is an incurable cancer strongly associated with asbestos exposure and characterised by poor prognosis. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the prognostic and predictive value of CD146 and survivin expression in MPeM. Diagnostic biopsies from 60 patients with MPeM were collected and analysed for CD146, survivin and Ki-67 expression using immunohistochemistry. Complete clinical and follow-up information was obtained from patients' records. CD146 was expressed in 31/60 MPeM specimens and survivin in 34/60 specimens, with both expression levels being significantly associated with the Ki-67 labelling index (Ki-67LI). Kaplan-Meier and univariate Cox regression analyses revealed that a lower peritoneal cancer index (PCI), tumour-directed treatment, stage I, lower Ki-67LI and lower CD146 and survivin expression had a statistically positive effect on overall survival (OS). Cox regression analysis revealed that PCI [hazard ratio (HR)=1.99; 95% CI, 1.04–3.83; P=0.038], survivin (HR=1.47; 95% CI, 1.03–2.10; P=0.034) and treatment protocol including intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HR=0.28; 95% CI, 0.14–0.57; P=0.013) and systemic chemotherapy (HR=0.13; 95% CI, 0.04–0.42; P=0.013) retained independent prognostic significance for OS. All of these were included in the nomogram. Calibration curves showed good agreement between nomogram-predicted and observed survival. The C-index of the nomogram for predicting OS was 0.77. A lower PCI, intraperitoneal chemotherapy, systemic chemotherapy and a lower level of survivin were powerful prognostic markers in patients with MPeM. The proposed nomogram provides individual survival prediction for patients with MPeM.

Background Esophageal cancer is a digestive tract malignancy, ranking sixth among the world's deadliest tumor incidence. However, the pathogenesis of esophageal cancer is complex and the prognosis remains poor. Therefore, in-depth study of the pathogenesis and developing effective treatments are of great value for esophageal cancer. β-elemene is a natural monomeric compound derived from the Chinese herbal Curcuma wenyujin. β-elemene has been reported to have anti-tumor effects and used as an adjunct to clinical therapy for multiple cancers. This study aims to explore the effects of β-elemene on esophageal cancer and its related molecular mechanisms. Methods TE-1 and KYSE-150 cells were used to evaluate the activity of β-elemene on esophageal cancerin vitro and in vivo. Western blot was performed for protein expression assessment. CCK8 assay and cell cycle analysis were used for proliferation testing. Flow cytometry was performed for apoptosis detection. Wound healing assay was subjected to assess the migration ability. Transwell chamber assay was applied to assess the invasion ability. HE staining, TUNEL staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to evaluate the changes in tumor tissues. Results We found that β-elemene treatment suppressed proliferation, as well as induced apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. In addition, β-elemene inhibited the migration and invasion ability of esophageal cancer cells. Furthermore, β-elemene exerted its effects against esophageal cancer by specifically regulating AKT signaling, thereby controlling the expression of PD-L1. Conclusion β-elemene inhibits proliferation and metastasis of esophageal cancer cells by regulating the phosphorylation of AKT.

Aquaporin isoforms have distinct functions, and show differential responses to stress conditions among different plant species. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), the functions of individual aquaporin isoforms under environmental stresses remain largely unknown. As a step toward understanding their functions under stress conditions, the expression response of plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs) to salt stress was investigated. Tomato seedlings were subjected to 150 mM NaCl for 1 h and 24 h, and water uptake and SlPIP expressions were investigated. The results showed that the root hydraulic conductivity (Lpr) was decreased under salt stress. Salt stress for 1 h had no effect or increased the expressions of most of the highly expressed SlPIPs in roots and leaves. Salt stress inhibited cell-to-cell water transport. Protein phosphatase and endocytosis inhibitors partially inhibited the Lpr decrease under salt stress. After a 24-h salt stress, the expressions of most SlPIPs were decreased in both roots and leaves, and a recovery treatment in control nutrient solution demonstrated a partial or full expression restoration of most previously downregulated SlPIPs. The expressions of SlPIP isoforms highly varied in both roots and leaves, and across different stress durations. SlPIP1;1, SlPIP1;3, SlPIP1;7, SlPIP2;10 and SlPIP2;12 demonstrated consistent expression responses to salt stress and recovery treatment in both roots and leaves, implying their important roles in regulating water transport. Our results suggest that SlPIPs are involved in mediating water transport in tomato, and their regulations are associated with stress duration and tissue type. At early stage of salt stress, the inhibition of Lpr in tomato might be due to the decrease of SlPIP activity; while at later stress period, the Lpr reduction might be mainly attributed to the decrease of SlPIP expression.