Cancer Cell Research (Online ISSN: 2161-2609)

by  Bing Jiang, Lisheng Ren, Shaoyan Zhang, Pan Wang, Kaiqiu Chu

Cancer Cell Research 2015 2(7) 152-155; published online 9 March 2015

Abstract: To investigate the clinical value of combined detection of plasma homocysteine (Hcy), cystatin C (CysC) and free fatty acid (FFA) in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Hcy, CysC and FFA in 42 patients with transient cerebral ischemic attacks(TIA), in 57 patients with ischemic stroke and 51 normal persons(controls) were detected respectively by circulating enzymatic, immune transmission turbidimetric and enzymatic. In TIA patients, the levels of Hcy 9.29+3.80 umol/L, CysC 0.83+0.16 mg/L, FFA(0.40+0.17) mmol/L were significantly higher than those in controls, which were 7.78+1.79 umol/L, 0.68+0.082 mg/L, 0.35+0.30 mmol/L P<0.05; In ischemic stroke patients, the levels of Hcy 11.52+6.56 umol/L, CysC 0.97+0.27 mg/L, FFA 0.50+0.30 mmol/L were significantly higher than those in controls, respectively(P<0.01). The levels of CysC and FFA in ischemic stroke patients were significantly higher than those in TIA patients (P<0.05), but Hcy levels between the two groups had no significant difference (P<0.05). In TIA patients, there were positive correlation between Hcy and CysC (r=0.607, P<0.01), CysC and FFA(r=0.469, P<0.01); In ischemic stroke patients, Hcy levels correlated positively with CysC levels. Hcy, CysC and FFA may play an important role in the occurrence of ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and the detection of combining Hcy, CysC and FFA may help the diagnosis, the prognosis and monitoring in ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

by  Long Qin, Bo Tian 

Cancer Cell Research 2015 2(7) 156-159; published online 9 March 2015

Abstract: To study the cognitive functions of schizophrenia patients in high-risk groups (psychosis risk syndrome), and to discuss related risk factors. We did a single-blind randomised controlled trial at Qingdao Mental Health Center between 15 Feb, 2013, and 30 May, 2014. Participants aged 14-30 years. Cognitive functions were assessed by conducting schizophrenic cognitive test battery-consensus version (MCCB) and Stroop Color Word test in 30 subjects with ultra-high risk schizophrenia (ultra risk group) and 30 normal controls ( normal group). The scores of connection test and Hopkins verbal learning test were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The scores of symbol coding, simple visual memory test-revised edition (BVMT-Ｒ)，continuous performance test (CPT) were all significantly different between the 2 groups (all P<0.05). However, the scores of Stroop Color Word test were not significantly different between the 2 groups. Widespread cognitive impairments exist among patients in the high risk schizophrenia group. Cognitive impairments may appear before onset of schizophrenia, suggesting that they may also be used as quality indicators of schizophrenia.

by  Wenzhi Liu, Tiantian Bian, Feng Li, Junyan Li

Cancer Cell Research 2015 2(7) 160-164; published online 9 March 2015

Abstract:  To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Tiaoshen Jianwei Decoction to functional dyspepsia (FD). Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups (control group, model group, Mosapride group, Tiaoshen Jianwei Decoction group). All of the rats expect for in control group were induced the FD rat models by clasping their tails. The rats were given relevant medicine therapy and deal with them in 14 days. Then observed their pathological sections by HE staining method, measured and calculated the gastric emptying rate and promoting ratio of small intestine of rats, detected SP level in gastrointestinal by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. As a result, compared with the control group, the rate of gastric emptying and promoting ratio of small intestine of rats were decreased (P＜0.05) and the SP content in gastrointestinal was decreased obviously (P＜0.01) in model group. After treatment with Tiaoshen Jianwei Decoction, the rate of gastric emptying and promoting ratio of small intestine of rats were increased (P＜0.05) and the SP content was increased obviously (P＜0.01). Tiaoshen Jianwei Decoction group compared with the control group and Mosapride group was not significant difference (P＞0.05). According to the results of this study we can conclude that Tiaoshen Jianwei Decoction can regulate the levels of SP in gastrointestinal and recover the function of gastrointestinal motility so as to treat FD.

by  Jinlong Li, Chunlin Ou, Zhenqiang Sun, Caiping Ren

Cancer Cell Research 2015 2(7) 165-171; published online 6 May 2015

Abstract:  Lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer as well as the leading cause of cancer death in males globally. Even in the females, it is the second leading cause of cancer death. The discovery of somatic mutation in the LKB1 gene in certain type of cancers, especially in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a critical emerging point was that the LKB1/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway remains generally functional and could be stimulated by pharmacological molecules such as pemetrexed and metformin in cancer cells. Besides, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a critical role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation and autophagy by the control of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) activity, which is consistently deregulated in cancer cells. Currently, chemotherapy and radiotherapy have been widely used in clinical, but the treatment efficiency is poorly because drug resistance and adverse reactions, while targeted at AMPK/mTOR can avoid these defects, so it is an attractive strategy for the development of the rapeutic agents against NSCLC. Therefore, this article reviewed the composition of LKB1/AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, highlighting its protective role, and opportunities for therapeutic intervention, and clinical trials in NSCLC.

by  Yan Zhang, Shuxin Xiao, Yan Gao, Fanjun Meng

Cancer Cell Research 2015 2(7) 172-178; published online 6 May 2015

Abstract:  Multiple studies have shown that neovascularization is closely associated with hematological malignancies. As a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, Placental Growth Factor (PLGF) play an important role in angiogenesis, progression, and prognosis of a variety of cancers. We determined the bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) levels of PLGF in 37 multiple myeloma (MM) patients (18 were newly diagnosed and 19 were relapsed for further treatment) and 30 controls matched for age, sex, and chronic disease (such as cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). Differential expression among different groups and associations with clinical and laboratory variables were conducted. We found the PLGF expression in the treatment naïve group was significantly higher than in the control group both in BM and PB (p < 0. 05). Compared with the treatment naïve group, PLGF was significantly lower in the retreatment group (p < 0. 05). PLGF was significantly higher in stage III compared to stages I and II (P <0.05). PB-PLGF was significantly correlated with serum β2-microglobulin and albumin levels and PLGF between BM and PB was significantly correlated. We conclude that elevated PLGF play an important role in the growth, and progression of MM and associated with prognosis.