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Ni Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Ni Chen.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Survivin nuclear labeling index: a superior biomarker in superficial urothelial carcinoma of human urinary bladder.

The caspase family proteases are key proapoptotic proteins while the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) prevent apoptosis by antagonizing the caspases or other key proapoptotic proteins. Limited studies of IAPs suggested their deregulation contributed to urothelial neoplasia. However, the expression status and biologic or prognostic significance of the caspase and IAP family proteins in urothelial neoplasms is not clear. In the present study, we first systematically evaluated the expression profile of the major apoptosis regulators, including caspases (CASP3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 14), IAPs (survivin/BIRC5, CIAP1, CIAP2, XIAP, and LIVIN), APAF1, SMAC, and BCL2, as well as proliferation markers Ki67 and PHH3, in Ta/T1 human urinary bladder urothelial carcinomas and normal urothelium samples by immunohistochemistry. The analysis showed that survivin/BIRC5 nuclear labeling index (BIRC5-N), but not cytoplasmic staining, was the only apoptotic marker which correlated significantly with tumor grade, stage, and patient outcome. We further analyzed the prognostic value of BIRC5-N in 101 Ta/T1 urinary bladder urothelial carcinomas by univariate analysis, which showed that BIRC5-N as well as the more classical prognosticators (stage, grade, and Ki67 index) were of prognostic significance. However, multivariate analysis by Cox proportional hazard regression demonstrated BIRC5-N was a stronger prognosticator than tumor grade, stage, and Ki67 labeling index. BIRC5-N index of 8% or more predicted unfavorable disease-specific survival (relative risk (RR)=6.6, 95% confidence interval=1.6-26.7, P=0.0080) as well as progression-free survival (RR=4.4, 95% confidence interval=1.3-14.6, P=0.0151). We conclude that BIRC5-N is a superior biologic and prognostic marker for Ta/T1 urothelial carcinomas of urinary bladder.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Apoptosis and proliferation markers in diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas: profiling of 17 molecules.

Caspases and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are antagonizing key apoptosis regulators. Limited studies of a few IAPs indicated their roles in astrocytomas. However, the overall expression status and significance of apoptosis regulators in astrocytomas is not clear. We examined the expression profile of the caspases (CASP3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 14), APAF1, SMAC, BCL2, the IAPs (BIRC5/survivin, CIAP1, CIAP2, XIAP, and LIVIN), and the proliferation markers Ki67 and PHH3 in 78 diffusely infiltrating astrocytomas and 24 normal brain samples by immunohistochemistry. Western blotting for major caspases and IAPs and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analyses for IAPs were performed on a subset of 27 fresh samples. Our data showed BIRC5 nuclear labeling index (BIRC5-N) was the apoptosis marker most significantly different in World Health Organization grade II to IV astrocytomas and most strongly associated with proliferative activity. Expression level of other apoptosis-related proteins was modest or low in astrocytomas and did not correlate significantly with tumor grade or proliferation. Apoptosis regulators and proliferation markers were not detected in astrocytes of normal brain by immunostaining. This expression profile suggested involvement of apoptosis regulators in astrocytoma tumorigenesis, but tumor progression was more closely associated with proliferative advantages of which BIRC5 nuclear expression appeared to be a manifestation.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Detection of API2-MALT1 fusion gene in extranodal B-cell lymphoma and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of API2-MALT1 mRNA in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, extranodal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, to investigate the expression pattern of API2-MALT1 variants, and to correlate the findings with the clinicopathologic features and prognosis. METHODS: Sixty-two cases of MALT lymphoma (10 from lung, 31 from stomach, 9 from intestine and 12 from thyroid), 32 cases of extranodal DLBCL (16 from stomach, 13 from intestine and 3 from thyroid), 8 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 5 cases of reactive lymph nodes hyperplasia as negative controls were collected. The expression of API2-MALT1 mRNA was studied in all cases by reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested PCR. The 94 cases of lymphoma were subdivided into API2-MALT1-positive and API2-MALT1-negative groups. Among the patients, 78 were followed up for 6 to 120 months. The differences in clinicopathologic features and prognosis between the two groups were analyzed. RESULTS: API2-MALT1 transcripts were detected in 39 of the 94 lymphoma cases (with 28 cases being MALT lymphoma and 11 cases being extranodal DLBCL). mRNA expression was not detected in all cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and the negative controls. Two fusion gene variants, A1446-M1123 and A1446-M814 were found, and A1446-M1123 expression was more common. As for MALT lymphoma cases, the frequency of the fusion gene expression was lower in thyroid, when compared with that in lung, stomach and intestine. API2-MALT1-positive cases had tumors in an earlier stage with milder infiltration of cancer cells, lower relapse rate, and higher five-year survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of API2-MALT1 mRNA can be detected in both MALT lymphoma and extranodal DLBCL, but not in Hashimoto's thyroiditis. These cases tend to show a more indolent clinical course and better survival. The frequency of t (11; 18) (q21; q21) correlates with the primary sites of MALT lymphoma. The higher incidence of breakpoint at 1123 bp of MALT1 gene in Chinese people may be due to geographical variation.

Caspases↗
PubMed2005

Primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the jejunum.

Adenosquamous carcinomas of the small intestine are extremely rare, with only three documented jejunal and three ileal cases being reported in the English-language medical literature. Presented herein is a case of primary jejunal adenosquamous carcinoma in an 80-year-old woman. The jejunal carcinoma consisted predominantly of a squamous component throughout the tumor but peritoneal nodules carrying metastases from the adenocarcinoma element were noted, making it the first case of jejunal adenosquamous carcinoma with metastases from the adenocarcinoma component. The finding that metastases could arise from the minor component of a jejunal adenosquamous carcinoma indicates that an accurate diagnosis must be based upon thorough examination of both the primary and the metastases, not just mesenteric nodule biopsy alone. Histological foci of closely intermingled squamous and glandular components with apparent morphological transition were noted, indicating the pathogenetic possibility that the squamous component might arise by transformation from the glandular element. The squamous component was strongly positive with immunostaining for p63 (nuclear staining) and for cytokeratin 10/13 (cytoplasmic staining), while the adenocarcinoma element was negative. The immunohistochemical results suggest that p63 and cytokeratin 10/13 might be useful in identifying squamous differentiation in jejunal carcinoma.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Constructing tissue microarrays without prefabricating recipient blocks: a novel approach.

Tissue microarray (TMA) is a powerful research tool and is applied in such diverse areas as tumor marker validation and laboratory quality control. Existing TMA construction techniques require an essential step of prefabricating recipient paraffin blocks on which holes are punched so that tissue cores can be inserted. This procedure has several disadvantages, such as accidental block breakage during hole punching and difficulty ensuring that the cores are flush with the block surface. We developed a novel TMA construction technique without prefabricating recipient blocks. We used double-sided adhesive tape attached to x-ray film as an adhesive platform on which the tissue cores were placed securely. The array of tissue cores then was embedded in an embedding mold. We have been making high-quality TMAs with up to 220 cores within 2 to 3 hours using this highly dependable, efficient, versatile, and cost-effective technique, which can be adopted by pathology laboratories and researchers with minimal investment.

Histological Techniques↗
PubMed2005

[The frequency of API2-MALT1 fusion gene variants in MALT lymphoma and its correlation with apoptosis of MALT lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequency of different variant of API2-MALT1 fusion gene in extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated tissue(MALT1) lymphoma and the correlation between API2-MALT1 transcript and apoptosis of MALT lymphoma. METHODS: The API2-MALT1 fusion transcripts were detected in 62 cases of MALT lymphoma by reverse transcription-polymeras chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Nested PCR. Five cases with reactive proliferation of lymph node were in use for negative control, and beta-actin was regarded as internal control; the apoptosis index, mRNA and protein of API2 were assayed in all samples by means of TUNEL, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry respectively. RESULTS: API2-MALT1 transcript was detected in 28 of 62 cases with MALT lymphoma (45.16%). Two kinds of API2-MALT1 variants (A1446-M1123 and A1446-M814) were detected. Variant A1446-M1123 was detected more frequently as compared with A1446-M814. The frequency of API2-MALT1 transcript was lower in thyroid MALT lymphoma(1/12) but similar in pulmonary and gastrointestinal MALT lymphoma. In the group of API2-MALT1(+), the apoptosis index was higher and the API2 mRNA and protein were lower when compared against those in the group of API2MALT1(-). But no significant differences in the levels of apoptosis and API2 were observed between the group of A1446-M1123(+) and A1446-M814(+). CONCLUSION: API2-MALT1 transcript displayed variable frequency in MALT lymphomas of different sites. A1446-M1123 was noted to be probably the main type of API2-MALT1 variant in MALT lymphoma of Chinese. API2-MALT1 transcript was confirmed to be associated with the levels of apoptosis and API2 of MALT lymphoma.

Apoptosis↗
PubMed2005

[Detecting the API2-MALT1 fusion gene and its significance in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and thyroid lymphomas].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of API2-MALT1 fusion gene mRNA in Hashimoto's thyroiditis, thyroid MALT lymphoma and DLBCL, as well as the correlation between the expression and the pathogenesis and prognosis of two types of thyroid lymphoma. METHODS: Eight cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, 12 cases of MALT lymphoma and 3 cases of DLBCL in thyroid were selected and retrieved. API2-MALT1 transcripts were investigated in all cases by reverse transcript touchdown-PCR and nested PCR. The effect of API2-MALT1 fusion gene on the prognosis of thyroid lymphomas was assessed by analyzing the clinicopathological features and the follow-up findings. RESULTS: The variant 1446/1123 transcript was detected in 2 of thyroid lymphomas (1 MALT lymphoma, 1 DLBCL) but not in 8 cases of Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 5 cases of chronic lymphadenitis. Both of API2-MALT1-positive cases were accompanied with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, showing stage I E and no involvement of lymph node. CONCLUSION: The incidence of API2-MALT1 transcript in thyroid lymphomas was low; however, the correlation between API2-MALT1 fusion gene and the progression from Hashimoto's thyroiditis to lymphoma could not be excluded; the thyroid lymphoma with API2-MALT1 transcript seemed to develop on a more indolent clinical course.

Adult↗