Effects of XPD on expression of Rb and MAD2 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells

AIM：To investigate the effects of xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) protein on the growth of human hepatoma HepG2 cells and the expression of retinoblastoma (Rb) and mitotic arrest deficient 2 (MAD2) proteins. METHODS：The recombinant plasmid pEGFP-N2-XPD and empty plasmid pEGFP-N2 were transfected into HepG2 cells by LipofectamineTM 2000. The cells were divided into 4 groups including blank control group, liposome group, pEGFP-N2 group (N2 group) and pEGFP-N2-XPD group (XPD group). The expression of XPD, Rb and MAD2 at mRNA and protein levels was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. The cell growth was measured by MTT assay. The cell apoptosis and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS：Overexpression of XPD up-regulated the expression of Rb, and down-regulated the expression of MAD2 at mRNA and protein levels. XPD inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells and exacerbated the apoptosis. XPD prevented the hepatoma cells from G1 stage to S stage. CONCLUSION：XPD suppresses the growth of hepatoma cells, up-regulates the expression of Rb, and down-regulates the expression of MAD2.     

A meta-analysis of 5-aminosalicylic acid preventing the development of intestinal neoplasia in inflammatory bowel disease

AIM:We conducted an evaluation of clinical data with meta analysis to investigate the preventive effect of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-associated colorectal cancer (CRC) or dysplasia (Dys) (IBD-CRC/Dys). METHODS:The information was retrieved from the main databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, etc. All full-text articles about the prevention of IBD-CRC/Dys by 5-ASA were included if they conformed to the standards. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. According to the types of IBD and the treatment course, the subgroup analysis was conducted, respectively. RESULTS:Fifteen articles were selected, including 5 038 IBD patients. Pooled analysis showed a protective association between 5-ASA and IBD-CRC/Dys (OR=0.53, 95% CI: 0.37～0.76). Among them, both ulcerative colitis patients (OR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.27～0.77) and Crohn disease patients (OR=0.39, 95% CI: 0.16～0.97) with 5-ASA therapy were less likely to develop CRC/Dys compared with those without 5-ASA treatment. 5-ASA treatment for 1～20 years shows a preventive benefit (OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.25～0.74). However, a minimum 5-ASA exposure of 2～6 months did not show a preventive benefit (OR=0.59, 95% CI: 0.26～1.34). CONCLUSION: 5-ASA protects against CRC/Dys in IBD patients. Additionally, the protective effect is treatment time dependent. Treatment course for 1～20 years shows an evident preventive benefit.     

Tumours in white suckers from Lake Michigan tributaries: pathology and prevalence

The prevalence and histopathology of neoplastic lesions were assessed in white sucker Catostomus commersonii captured at two Lake Michigan Areas of Concern (AOCs), the Sheboygan River and Milwaukee Estuary. Findings were compared to those observed at two non‐AOC sites, the Root and Kewaunee rivers. At each site, approximately 200 adult suckers were collected during their spawning migration. Raised skin lesions were observed at all sites and included discrete white spots, mucoid plaques on the body surface and fins and large papillomatous lesions on lips and body. Microscopically, hyperplasia, papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma were documented. Liver neoplasms were also observed at all sites and included both hepatocellular and biliary tumours. Based on land use, the Kewaunee River was the site least impacted by human activities previously associated with fish tumours and had significantly fewer liver neoplasms when compared to the other sites. The proportion of white suckers with liver tumours followed the same patterns as the proportion of urban land use in the watershed: the Milwaukee Estuary had the highest prevalence, followed by the Root, Sheboygan and Kewaunee rivers. The overall skin neoplasm (papilloma and carcinoma) prevalence did not follow the same pattern, although the percentage of white suckers with squamous cell carcinoma exhibited a similar relationship to land use. Testicular tumours (seminoma) were observed at both AOC sites but not at the non‐AOC sites. Both skin and liver tumours were significantly and positively associated with age but not sex.     

Three neoplasms in a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra): malignant melanoma,trichoblastoma and mammary gland adenoma

An eighteen-year-old female Eurasian otter became emaciated and died. Necropsy examination revealed nose and thoracic cutaneous masses, abdominal subcutaneous mass, and multiple nodules in the liver and lungs. Malignant melanoma was found in the nose cutaneous mass and to have metastasized to the liver, lungs, kidneys, adrenal glands, mammary glands and left mandibular lymph node. The neoplastic cells were labeled for vimentin, melanoma, and S100. The cutaneous mass in the thoracic area consisted of spindle shaped neoplastic epithelial cells and was diagnosed as trichoblastoma. Mammary gland adenoma was observed in the abdominal subcutaneous mass. This is the first report of primary three neoplasms of malignant melanoma, trichoblastoma and mammary gland adenoma in a Eurasian otter.