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Objective To detect the expression and the function of microRNA-155(miR-155) in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) tissuse, and to elucidate related mechanism. Methods miR-155 expression was examined in 30 pairs of HCC and adjacent normal tissues by quantitative reverse transcription PCR(qRT-PCR). HCC cells were treated with miR-155 mimic to upregulate miR-155 expression in vitro. CCK-8 and Transwell assays were used to analyze the changes in cell proliferation and migration. PTEN was predicted to be the direct target of miR-155 by bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay. The prognostic value of miR-155 and PTEN in patients with HCC were assessed through cBioPortal database. Results miR-155 was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared with that in adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.0001). Overexpression of miR-155 was associated with worse disease free survival (P=0.021). Elevated expression of miR-155 promoted the proliferation and migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Furthermore, miR-155 directly repressed PTEN expression, which enhanced PI3K signaling pathway. Deletion of PTEN depicted worse disease free survival in patients with HCC (P=0.0133). Conclusion The axis of miR-155/PTEN accelerates HCC progression.

Introduction. Research on the prevalence of and potential risk factors associated with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among sonographers in China is scarce. More evidence is required to mitigate WMSDs among sonographers in Guangdong province, China. Objective. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of and potential associated factors for WMSDs among sonographers in general hospitals in Guangdong province, China. Methods. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed to sonographers from 14 general hospitals selected by convenience sampling in Guangdong province. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze associations between potential factors and WMSDs in the most affected body areas. Results. In this study, 249 sonographers completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 75.5%. The 12-month period prevalence of WMSDs was 95.2%, and the four most affected regions were the right shoulder (81.1%) followed by the neck (74.7%), right wrist/hand (59.4%) and lower back (57.0%). Among symptomatic sonographers, 31.2% were absent from work. Gender, years of experience, number of patients per day, shift type and lumbar support were associated with WMSDs in the most affected regions. Conclusion. Lower workload, more regular rest breaks and good ergonomics of working conditions are encouraged to alleviate WMSDs among sonographers in Guangdong province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bisphenol-A (BPA), one of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, is a male reproductive toxicant. Previous studies have revealed the direct cytotoxicity of BPA in many cultured cells, such as mitotic aneuploidy in embryonic cells and somatic cells, and apoptosis in neurons and testicular Sertoli cells. To understand the action of BPA and assess its risk, the Pten/Akt pathway was investigated in cultured Sertoli cells to elucidate the mechanism of the reproductive effects of BPA. The results showed that over 50 μM BPA treatment could decrease the viability of Sertoli cells and cause more apoptosis. In addition, BPA could induce the increase in mRNA levels of Pten and Akt. The protein level of Pten was increased; however, the protein levels of phospho-Akt and procaspase-3 were decreased after BPA exposure. Taken together, observed results suggested that the Pten/Akt pathway might be involved in the apoptotic effects of BPA on Sertoli cells. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 793-802, 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the assessed value of 64 slice spiral CT perfusion imaging (CTPI) in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after chemotherapy and radiotherapy., Method: Forty five patients diagnosed with local advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were selected. Conventional CT and CTPI were performed before treatment and at the time of radiation dose up to 40 Gy. Blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time and surface permeability were measured at the same time. According to the decrease of tumor volume in final examination, patients were divided into sensitive group and insensitive group. The tumor perfusion indexes were compared between groups., Result: Blood flow, blood volume, surface permeability after 40Gy treatment were lower than before treatment in both sensitive group and the insensitive group ascended(P<0. 05). The AUC of ROC of blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time and surface permeability were 0. 804, 0. 843, 0. 852 and 0. 826. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of blood flow was 89. 7%, 86.8% and 90. 9%. There were 100. 0%, 91. 4% and 93. 7% in blood volume; 100. 0%, 67. 7% and 88. 3% in mean transit time; 91. 2%, 69. 4% and 90. 6% in surface permeability(P<0. 01)., Conclusion: Sixty-four slice spiral CT perfusion imaging is able to assess tumor status of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma after chemotherapy and radiotherapy effectively.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a crucial transcription factor that plays an important role in the carcinogenesis and development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In this research, a novel biodegradable D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate-b-poly(ε-caprolactone-ran-glycolide) (TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA)) nanoparticle (NP) was prepared as a delivery system for small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) molecules targeting HIF-1α in nasopharyngeal carcinoma gene therapy. The results showed that the NPs could efficiently deliver siRNA into CNE-2 cells. CNE-2 cells treated with the HIF-1α siRNA-loaded TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) NPs showed reduction of HIF-1α expression after 48 hours of incubation via real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. The cytotoxic effect on CNE-2 cells was significantly increased by HIF-1α siRNA-loaded NPs when compared with control groups. In a mouse tumor xenograft model, the HIF-1α siRNA-loaded NPs efficiently suppressed tumor growth, and the levels of HIF-1α mRNA and protein were significantly decreased. These results suggest that TPGS-b-(PCL-ran-PGA) NPs could function as a promising genetic material carrier in antitumor therapy, including therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.