Background: The homeobox gene 5 (HOXB5) encodes a transcription factor that regulates the embryonic development of the central nervous system. Notably, its expression pattern and prognostic role in glioma remain unelucidated. Methods: This study identified the relationship between HOXB5 and glioma by investigating HOXB5 expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas and the Genotype Tissue Expression databases and validating the obtained data using the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas database. Western blots were used to identify HOXB5 expression levels in glioma cells and clinical samples. Kaplan-Meier and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the prognostic value of HOXB5. The key functions and signaling pathways related to HOXB5 were analyzed using GO, KEGG, and GSEA. Immune infiltration was calculated using the microenvironment cell populations-counter, estimate the proportion of immune and cancer, and ESTIMATE algorithms. Results: The expression of HOXB5 was upregulated in glioma and generally increased with malignancy. HOXB5 was an independent prognostic factor for glioma patients. A nomogram was further built that integrated HOXB5, and it showed stratifying prediction accuracy and efficiency. HOXB5 was associated with the regulation of cell growth, endothelial cell growth, and the IL-6/JAK-STAT3 pathway, and was determined to possibly promote stomatal specimen enrichment and angiogenesis. Conclusion: HOXB5 protein is overexpressed in glioma and might serve as a good predictive factor of this disease.

Background Hypospadias is a common congenital malformation in pediatric urology with surgery being the only curative treatment. Although there are hundreds of surgical methods for hypospadias, no single method can treat all types, and there are still high rates of postoperative complications. We performed this study to investigate surgical procedure selection and perform risk factor analysis of postoperative complications in hypospadias repair. Methods Retrospective analysis was performed of complete clinical and follow-up data of children with hypospadias who were treated and followed up at 15 children’s clinical centers in Mainland China from December 2018 to December 2019. Children were divided into groups according to Barcat classification and surgical methods in order to analyze the surgical choice for different types of hypospadias and the influencing factors of different surgical methods for complications. Results In total, 1011 patients were followed up for 26 months. According to Barcat classification, there were 248 cases of distal type hypospadias, 214 of intermediate, and 549 of proximal type. Transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty (Duckett) and tubularized incised plate urethroplasty (TIP) were performed in 375 (37.1%) and 336 cases (33.2%), respectively. The postoperative complication rate of distal hypospadias was 23.4% (15.8–57.1%), mid shaft 29.0% (22.7–40.0%), and proximal 43.7% (30.2–52.9%). Among the 375 patients in Duckett group, 192 had complications. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the length of prepuce island flap ( OR = 3.506, 95% CI : 2.258 – 5.442) was an independent risk factor for complications after Duckett operation ( P < 0.001). In TIP group, there were 336 cases with 84 complications. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the width of urethral plate after longitudinal resection ( OR = 0.836, 95% CI : 0.742 – 0.942) and glans width ( OR = 0.851, 95% CI : 0.749 – 0.965) were independent risk factors for postoperative complications after TIP ( P = 0.003, P = 0.012). Conclusion Several anatomical features play a role during the selection process among the different surgical approaches, including glans size, urethral plate width, and the meatal position. The width of the urethral plate and glans width were risk factors for postoperative complications after TIP. The length of prepuce island flap was a risk factor for complications after Duckett operation.

Background: Urethral plate transection (UPT) is crucial in hypospadias surgery. This study aims to develop a nomogram to predict UPT and assess the severity of hypospadias, to assist in choosing surgical techniques and improving preoperative parental counseling.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of hypospadias patients who underwent urethroplasty from 2018 to 2020 at the National Center for Children's Health (NCCH) and sixteen tertiary institutions in China. Data from NCCH were used to develop the prediction nomogram. The nomogram was internally validated by 10-fold cross-validation and externally validated by the multicenter cohort.Findings: A total of 584 patients in the NCCH cohort and 511 patients in the multicenter cohort were included. The UP width (odds ratio [OR]: 0·49; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0·42–0·57), preoperative meatus position (OR: 2·65; 95% CI: 2·25–3·13), and preoperative curvature (OR: 1·08; 95% CI: 1·07–1·10) were selected to fit the nomogram (Plate-Meatus-Curvature, PMC model). The nomogram was well-calibrated. The receiver operating characteristic analysis illustrated that the area under the curve was 0·924 (95% CI: 0·845–0·998) in the NCCH cohort and 0·879 (95% CI: 0·845–0·998) in the multicenter cohort. Decision curve analyses revealed great clinical utility. Furthermore, we identified 120·0 as a cut-off value of nomogram points to discriminate patients between severe and non-severe groups. The UPT and postoperative complication rates in the severe group were significantly higher than those in the non-severe group (P < 0·001).Interpretation: The PMC model showed good performance for predicting UPT in hypospadias surgery. Furthermore, we identified a cut-off point for describing the severity of hypospadias, which correlate with postoperative outcomes.Funding: This work was supported by grants from the National Key R&D Program of China (2016YFC 1000807).Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: The study was approved by the ethics committee of Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (IEC-C-006-A04-V.06, [2022]-E-030-R).

Abstract Purpose To find the cut-off value of urethral defect length (UDL) to guide the choice of single‑stage or two‑stage transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty (TPIFU). Methods We prospectively collected the data of patients with severe hypospadias underwent single-stage and two-stage TPIFU at fifteen tertiary referral institutions from 2019 to 2020. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyzed the cut-off value of UDL to predict postoperative complications with single-stage TPIFU. We extracted patients with long UDL (longer than the cut-off value) in the single-stage and two-stage TPIFU, comparing the postoperative complications. Results A total of 536 patients included 483 underwent single-stage TPIFU and 53 underwent two-stage TPIFU were collected. The ROC analyzed the cut-off value of UDL was 3.5 cm. 169 patients with long UDL (longer than 3.5 cm) were extracted from all 536 patients, with 126 underwent single-stage TPIFU (single-stage group) and 43 underwent two-stage TPIFU (two-stage group). In the single-stage group, complications occurred in 62 (49.2%) patients, including 34 (27.0%) with urethrocutaneous fistula, 21 (16.7%) with urethral stricture, and 25 (19.8%) with diverticulum. In the two-stage group, total complications occurred in four (9.3%), there were both two (4.7%) with urethral stricture and diverticulum, and no urethrocutaneous fistula was recorded. Conclusion Our results show that two-stage TPIFU can significantly reduce the incidence of postoperative complications for hypospadias with UDL longer than 3.5 cm, especially urethrocutaneous fistula and diverticulum.

PurposeWe explored the predictive effect of intratumor metabolic heterogeneity indices extracted from 18F-FDG PET/CT on recurrence in stage II/III colorectal cancer after radical surgery.MethodsA total of 140 stage II/III colorectal cancer patients who received preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT and radical resection were enrolled. 18F-FDG traditional parameters including the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) under different thresholds; heterogeneity indices including the coefficient of variation with SUV 2.5 as a threshold (CV2.5), CV40%, heterogeneity index-1 (HI-1) calculated by the fixed-threshold method, and HI-2 calculated by the percentage threshold method; and clinicopathological information were collected. We concluded that relationships exist between these data and patients’ disease-free survival (DFS).ResultsRegional lymph node status (P < 0.001), nerve invasion (P = 0.036), tumor thrombus (P = 0.005), and HI-1 (P = 0.010) exhibited significant differences between the relapse and non-relapse groups, while SUVmax, MTV2.5, MTV40%, TLG2.5, TLG40%, CV2.5, CV40%, HI-2, and other clinicopathological factors had no differences between the relapse and non-relapse groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that HI-1 (HR = 1.02, 1.00–1.04, P = 0.038), regional lymph node metastasis (HR = 2.95, 1.37–6.38, P = 0.006), and tumor thrombus status (HR = 2.37, 1.13–4.99, P = 0.022) were independent factors significantly related to DFS.ConclusionHI-1, tumor thrombus status, and regional lymph node status could predict the recurrence of stage II/III colorectal cancer after radical resection and had an advantage over other 18F-FDG PET/CT conventional parameters and heterogeneity indices.

Background : Traditionally, it is believed that large tumor suppressor 1 (LATS1) is a negative regulator of oncogene. But the latest research showed that LATS1 has an opposite effect in some tumors. We found that LATS1 has a cancer-promoting effect in BLCA, but the specific mechanism is unknown. Methods : RNAi method was used for the related genetic functional analysis. CCK-8 method and colony formation assay were used to explore the cellular viabilities and proliferation of BLCA cells transfected with LATS1 siRNAs (si-LATS1), in vitro. Flow Cytometry (FCM) was used to analyze the cell cycle and cellular apoptosis of the BLCA cells or the expression of CD68, CD86, CD11b, and CD163 in PMA-treated THP-1 macrophages incubated with conditioned medium (CM) from the si-LATS1 cells or in the THP-1 macrophages cultured directly with BLCA cells. RT-qPCR method was used to detect the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-2/4/6/10/18, TNF-α, and IFN-γ in the BLCA cells. Western Blot was performed to detect the expressions of LATS1, Yap1, Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-1/3, GSDMD, TNF-α IL-1β, IL-18, NF-κB, AIM2, NLRC4 and NLRP3 in the BLCA cell lines. For in vivo experiments, a xenograft model was used to investigate the inhibitory effects of LATS1 knockdown on BLCA cells in nude mice. Results : LATS1 knockdown via siRNA inhibited the proliferation of the BLCA cells, neither changing cell cycle distribution nor inducing apoptosis. Via further analysis, we found that the expressions of TNF-α, p-NF-κB/RelA, NLRP3, NLRC4, and AIM2 in si-LATS1 BLCA cells were significantly increased. The activity of caspase-1 and the expressions of IL-1β, IL-18 and GSDMD were obviously increased in the si-LATS1 BLCA cells, which was restored by the addition of NF-κB inhibitor PS341. In the LATS1 over-expression cells (OE-LATS1), the expressions of TNF-α, p-NF-κB/p65, NLRP3, NLRC4 and AIM2 were notably inhibited, and the expressions of IL-1β, IL-18 and GSDMD were significantly decreased. THP-1 macrophages exhibited an M1 phenotype polarization in the presence of si-LATS1 BUC-87 cell supernatant or when cocultured with the BLCA cells transfected with LATS1 siRNA, represented by an increase in the surface expression of CD86. Furthermore, we observed that LATS1 knockdown inhibited the cell proliferation in xenograft model. Conclusion: Our findings showed that LATS1 knockdown via siRNA induces BLCA cell pyrolysis due to the enhanced formation of inflammasomes by activation of TNF-α/NF-κB pathway; and inflammatory factors released by the pyrolytic cells promote M1 polarization of THP-1-derived macrophages in vitro, providing a therapeutic target for BLCA and a brand-new idea for the development of BLCA immunotherapy drugs.

Background: Gliomas are characterised by easy invasion of surrounding tissues, high mortality and poor prognosis. Moreover, with the increase of grade, the prognosis of glioma is increasingly poor and not optimistic. Therefore, biological markers for glioma are needed in clinical work, which can be utilized to detect and evaluate the situation and prognosis of glioma patients. Many studies have found that the protein arginine methyltransferase 6 (PRMT6) expression is elevated in various tumors and is associated with patient prognosis. However, the role of PRMT6 in glioma has not been reported or analyzed. Methods: In this study, we used a variety of tumor related databases to analyze the mechanism of PRMT6 in tumors, especially gliomas, from the perspective of bioinformatics, and carried out relevant experimental verification with tumor tissues extracted from patients during surgery. In addition, we analyzed the relationship between PRMT6 expression and immune infiltration and immune-related cells, and discussed the possible mechanisms. We also discussed the role of PRMT6 expression in glioma from the perspectives of mutation, clinical indicators, enrichment analysis, and immunohistochemical results. Results: PRMT6 is significantly differentially expressed in a variety of tumors and is associated with survival and prognosis. Especially in gliomas, the expression of PRMT6 gradually increased with the increase of grade. In addition, PRMT6 can be used as an independent prognostic risk factor in the nomogram and has been verified in a variety of databases. Conclusions: Our results indicate that high expression of PRMT6 is a potential biomarker for predicting glioma prognosis and progression.

Background Current treatment options for glioma are limited, and the prognosis of patients with glioma is poor as the available drugs show low therapeutic efficacy. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms associated with glioma remain poorly understood. METTL1 mainly catalyzes the formation of N(7)-methylguanine at position 46 of the transfer RNA sequence, thereby regulating the translation process. However, the role of METTL1 in glioma has not been studied to date. The purpose of this study was to analyze the expression and prognosis of METTL1 in glioma, and to explore the potential analysis mechanism. Methods Data from five publicly available databases were used to analyze METTL1 expression across different tumor types and its differential expression between carcinoma and adjacent normal tissues. The expression of METTL1 in glioma was further validated using real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Meanwhile, siRNA was used to knockdown METTL1 in U87 glioma cells, and the resultant effect on glioma proliferation was verified using the Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8) assay. Furthermore, a nomogram was constructed to predict the association between METTL1 expression and the survival rate of patients with glioma. Results METTL1 expression increased with increasing glioma grades and was significantly higher in glioma than in adjacent noncancerous tissues. In addition, high expression of METTL1 promoted cell proliferation. Moreover, METTL1 expression was associated with common clinical risk factors and was significantly associated with the prognosis and survival of patients with glioma. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that METTL1 expression may be used as an independent prognostic risk factor for glioma. Furthermore, results of functional enrichment and pathway analyses indicate that the mechanism of METTL1 in glioma is potentially related to the MAPK signaling pathway. Conclusions High METTL1 expression is significantly associated with poor prognosis of patients with glioma and may represent a valuable independent risk factor. In addition, high expression of METTL1 promotes glioma proliferation and may regulate mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Thus, METTL1 may be a potential biomarker for glioma. Further investigations are warranted to explore its clinical use.

Background: There are about 2.4 hundred thousand new cases and 1.5 hundred thousand deaths of ovarian cancer (OC) annually in the world. Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for OC. C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1) defects may facilitate inflammation and transactivate EGFR in ovarian cancer, but the precise haplotypes associated with the potential diseases remained largely unknown. In this work, we characterized CXCL1 gene variations to elucidate their possible associations with OC.Methods: We analyzed the CXCL1 gene for 300 OC patients with 400 healthy participants as controls. The statistical analyses and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium tests of the patients and control populations were conducted using the SPSS software (version 19.0) and Plink (version 1.9).Results: The variants rs11547681, rs201090116, rs199791199, rs181868085, rs4074 and rs1814092 within or near the CXCL1 gene were characterized. The genetic heterozygosity of rs11547681 and rs4074 was very high. Statistical analysis showed that the variant rs11547681 in the gene was closely associated with the risk of OC in the Chinese Han population, although this variant was not associated with FIGO stages or pathological grades of the patients.Conclusions: Rs11547681 in CXCL1 gene was associated with the risk of OC in the Chinese Han population.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to construct a clinical prognostic model of primary rectal adenocarcinoma (RAC) to assist in clinical diagnosis and treatment. MethodsPrimary RAC patients from 2010 to 2015 were selected from the surveillance, epidemiology and end results (SEER). The relevant significant variables were used to develop the prognosis model. A score was determined for each prognostic factor in the model. The Kaplan–Meier method and the log-rank test were used to establish and distinguish the survival curves. The accuracy of predictive model was assessed by receiver operating characteristics (ROCs) curve, concordance index (C-index), and decision curve analysis (DCA). ResultsA total of 8069 primary RAC were retrieved in this study. The overall survival（OS）model was established based on 14 variables. The CSS nomogram were constructed using 12 variables. The C-indexes for the training set of OS and CSS were 0.769 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.761–0.777) and 0.793 (95% CI 0.784–0.802) respectively. The C-indexes for the validation set of OS and CSS were 0.776 (95% CI 0.768–0.784) and 0.794 (95% CI 0.785–0.803) respectively. High-quality calibration plots were observed and the model displayed a favorable outcome compared with (TNM) stage and SEER stage of primary RAC based on DCA curve. We then divided the patients into low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk groups, showing that patients with primary RAC in the high-risk group had a poor prognosis. A primary RAC prognosis prediction model has been shown by a predicted nomogram for 3 or 5 years and a real-time web-based calculator. ConclusionsIn conclusion, we established a clinical prognosis model for primary RAC for the first time based on a variety of risk factors including individual differences, tumor-related factors, and diagnostic and therapeutic factors, which is more effective than TNM stage in predicting the prognosis of patients. The clinical prediction model visualized by the nomogram for 3 and 5 years and the web-based real-time calculator are helpful to optimize clinical work, facilitate patient consultation and clinical individualized treatment.

Hypospadias (HS) is a common congenital malformation of the genitourinary tract in males and its etiology is viewed as multifactorial, and studies about gene-environment interaction in the etiology of HS are rare. A total of 152 cases and 151 controls were selected in the present study. Information before and during pregnancy from questionnaires finished by mothers of subjects were extracted, and the relating data were analyzed to determine the risk factors of HS. Meanwhile, maternal genomic DNA was genotyped for the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CYP1A1 rs1048943 and CYP17A1 rs4919686. Results of multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that several factors were associated with hypospadias risk. Analysis of the distributions of SNPs in CYP1A1 and CYP17A1 genes showed that the mutant genotype CC (OR = 4.87) of CYP1A1 rs1048943, and mutant genotype CC (OR = 5.82), recessive genotype AC + CC (OR = 2.17) and allele C (OR = 1.77) of CYP17A1 rs4919686 significantly increased the risk of HS. In addition, the additive gene-environment interactions were also found in several models. Several maternal risk factors that are associated with HS risk can interact with CYP1A1/CYP17A1 polymorphisms, which lead to infants vulnerable to occurrence of HS in Chinese populations.

Pseudolaric acid B (PAB) is the major bioactive constituent in the root bark of Pseudolarix kaempferi and has been reported to have cytotoxicity against tumor cells. Our in vivo experiments showed that PAB could inhibit gastric cancer cell lung metastasis in a nude mouse haematogenous dissemination model. To evaluate the anti-metastasis mechanism of PAB in gastric cancer cells, cytological experiments were performed. The results showed that PAB could inhibit the adhesion ability to matrigel, migration, invasion and colony formation ability of BGC-823 and MKN-45 cells. Western blot further confirmed that the inhibitory effects of PAB on anti-metastasis may involve regulating the expression of the metastasis-related proteins MMP-9, HIF-1α, VEGF, VEGFR2, E-Cadherin and Ezrin. We obtained further proof that PAB which could be used as a multi-targeted agent to inhibit the PI3K/AKT, ERK1/2 and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathways and consequently suppress tumor growth and metastasis. Our experiments suggest that PAB-induced effects may have novel therapeutic applications for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Background: At present, little information has been made available in the evaluation of renal volume in pediatric groups of different ages. Purpose: The purposes of the study are to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric measurements and renal volume measured with three-dimensional ultrasonography in Chinese children who have normal kidneys, and to attempt to develop reliable reference values of renal volume to estimate the renal sizes. Methods: A total of 1572 Chinese Han children suffering from stomachache, cryptorchidism and neurogenic enuresis with no history of renal disease or pathological abnormalities that might affect measurements, aged 1 month to 12 years (mean, 5.64 years) were examined bilateral kidneys by ultrasonography. The measurements of renal volume were determined using QLAB software in IU22 units (Philips Medical Systems, Holland). Anthropometric indices including sex, age, height and weight were collected for reviewed analysis. Results: A total of 1683 children were included, and renal volume of 1572 cases (93.4%) was accepted. There was no significant difference between renal volumes of male and female separately in left and right kidneys (P = 0.844 and P = 0.621, respectively), whereas there was a significant difference between mean left and right renal volumes (P = 0.000). Age, height and weight were all significant correlations with renal volume (R-2, 0.885 and 0.913 for the left and right kidneys, respectively, both P = 0.000), and age was the strongest correlation with renal volume (r, 0.472 and 0.399 for the left and right kidneys, respectively) among the anthropometric indices. We drew regression equations to estimate renal volume as follows: left renal volume (cm(3)) = 0.441 x age + 0.156 x height + 0.398 x weight + 6.677 and right renal volume (cm(3)) = 0.256 x age + 0.195 x height + 0.632 x weight + 1.788, and developed reference values of renal volume separately for the left and right kidneys in different age groups. Conclusions: Regression equations have been developed, which define the renal volume from three-dimensional ultrasonography and may assist pediatricians in monitoring renal growth and detecting of unsuspected bilateral increases or decreases in renal size. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Objective To screen the differential proteins in early period with complete unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO).Methods 2 month old SD rats were divided into UUO-12h group and the control group.The total proteins of two groups were divided and analyzed using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis.Spots that were differentially expressed were picked and digested with trypsin and subjected to MALDI-TOF MS for protein identification.RT-PCR was conducted to verify the identified ATP5h,PEBP1 mRNA.Results 6 protein spots whose expression levels were significantly increased or decreased more than 1-fold in UUO-12h group were identified.2 up-regulated expressions of proteins identified by peptide mass fingerprinting were PEBP1 and ATP5h.They were also up-regulated expression compared with the control in term of RT-PCR.Conclusions 2 protein expressions of kidney tissue with UUO were confirmed.PEBP1 and ATP5h probably participate in early phase of kidney injury due to their involvement of apoptosis processes.

Objective To investigate the association between FGFR2 gene rs2981582 single nucleotide polymorphism and hypospadias in Chinese patients. Methods We collected 188 patients with isolated hypopadias and 118 healthy individuals' DNA and designed the PCR primers. Genotyping of FGFR2 gene rs2515733 was carried in 188 patients and 118 healthy individuals by PCR-RFLP assay respectively. Results The genotypes in this series consisted of C/C (78. 81%) and C/T (21.19%).T/T genotype was not detected in both groups. The rs2981582 genotypes in the hypospadias patients consisted of homozygote 150 (87. 77%) C/C and 23(12. 23%) C/T, while the genotypes in the controls were composed of 93(78. 81%)C/C and 25(21.19%)C/T. Significant difference was found in the distribution of rs2981582 genotypes between the two groups (χ2 = 4. 396, P = 0. 028). Conclusions There may be association between the FGFR2 gene rs2981582 SNP and hypospadias in northern Chinese population.

Objective To assess the migration of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) transfected bone marrow mesenchyrnal stem cells (MSCS) in murine kidney with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).Methods Bone marrow derived.MSCS from male rats were transfected in vitro with AdHGF.The expression of HGF was measured with ELlSA assay.Sixteen female rats with UUO were randomly divided into two groups:HGF transfected MSCs tansplantation group and control group (saline injection).Kidney tissue of the rats were collected at the end of the 7th day and 14th day postoperatively.The distribution of Y chromosome in the kidney was determined by in situ hybridization.Results Y chromosome positive cells were found only in the obstructed kidneys in the transplantation group.The Y-chromosome positive cells were mainly distributed in the tubular cells.Conclusions MSCs transfected with HGF can immigrate to the rat's kidney with UUO, and are mainly distributed in the region of renal tubular epithelial cells.

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor Flk-1 in nephroblastoma. To assess whether tumor microvessel density (MVD) immunoreactivity, determined by the CD34 antigen, is related to the expression of VEGF and Flt-1. Methods Immunohistochemical staining (SABC) was used to examine MVD and the expression of VEGF, Flk-1 in 33 nephroblastoma tissues, 33 paracancer renal tissues and 6 normal kidney tissues. The relation between the expressions of VEGF, Flk-1 and MVD was analyzed in different clinical stage and pathology type, Patients were treated preoperatively with chemotherapy and mean follow up was 34 months. Results The positive rates of VEGF and Flk-1 in nephroblastoma tissues were 81.8% and 69.7%, the positive rates of VEGF and Flk-1 in paracancer renal tissues were 9.1% and 6.1%, the expressions of VEGF and Flk-1 were negative in all normal kidney. The differences between the three groups were statistically significant (P＜0.05). In nephroblastoma tissues,the expression of VEGF correlated to both Flt-1 and MVD (P＜0.05), and the expression of Flt-1 correlated to MVD (P＜0.05). In addition, the expressions of VEGF and Flk-1 were increased in clinical stage Ⅲ and poor prognosis. Conclusions These results indicate that VEGF and Flk-1 may play an important role in nephroblastoma angiogenesis. Increased expression of VEGF and Flk-1 in nephroblastoma correlated with tumor stage, clinical progression and tumor related death. VEGF and Flk-1 protein expression are closely related to MVD and seem to be a important predictor for poor prognosis in treated patients with nephroblastoma.

Nasopharynx epithelial cells are constantly exposed to both commensal and pathogenic micro-organisms. After being stimulated by some microbial, the nasopharynx epithelial cells secrete a lot of inflammatory factors that lead to the inflammation of nasopharynx and further result in the nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other disorders. LPS is the most important commensal or pathogenic bacteria constituents. It is related to the pathogenesis of a variety of disease. It has been shown that the 5-8F cells could bind with the FITC-labeling LPS for its expression of CD14, TLR4 and MD2 with flow cytometry and RT-PCR assay. With immunofluoresense, Western-blot and luciferase reporter system assay, it is indicated that LPS activated the TLR4 signaling pathway in 5-8F cells. Phospho-NFκB p65 expression was increased and entered into the nuclear in 5-8F cells with LPS inducement. Furthermore, after LPS stimulation, TNF-α promoter activity and the relevant amount of TNF-α being produced were increased in 5-8F cells. In conclusion, 5-8F cells expressed CD14, TLR4 and MD2 that are crucial for LPS binding. When nasopharnyx epithelial cells were induced by LPS, they did respond to LPS via TLR4 signaling pathways and activated NFκB signaling pathway, which can further lead to nasopharnyx inflammation and other nasopharnyx disorders.