Background: Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection has been postulated to play a role in the development of several types of cancer, but the direct evidence and mechanism remained to be determined. Methods: Immunohistochemistry assay and nested polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) were performed to examine the mycoplasma hyorhinis infection in gastric cancer tissues. Statistical analysis was used to check the association between mycoplasma infection and clinicopathologic parameters. Transwell chamber assay and metastasis assay were used to evaluate mycoplasma hyorhinis' effects on metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Mycoplasma hyorhinis-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation were investigated by Western blot. Results: Mycoplasma hyorhinis infection in gastric cancer tissues was revealed and statistical analysis indicated a significant association between mycoplasma infections and lymph node metastasis, Lauren's Classification, TNM stage, and age of the patients. Mycoplasma hyorhinis promoted tumor cell migration, invasion and metastasis in vitro and in vivo, which was possibly associated with the enhanced phosphorylation of EGFR and ERK1/2. The antibody against p37 protein of Mycoplasma hyorhinis could inhibit the migration of the infected cells. Conclusions: The infection of mycoplasma hyorhinis may contribute to the development of gastric cancer and Mycoplasma hyorhinis-induced malignant phenotypes were possibly mediated by p37.

Deubiquitination is a posttranslational protein modification prevalent in mammalian cells. Deubiquitinases regulate the functions of the target protein by removing its ubiquitin chain. In this study, the effects of the deubiquitinase USP38’s functions on the LSD1 protein and on cell physiology were investigated. Western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR, immunoprecipitation, denaturing immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays were used to analyze the protein stability, protein interactions and changes in the ubiquitin chain. Cell proliferation assays, colony formation assays, drug treatments and western blotting were used to explore the functions of USP38 in cells. The deubiquitinase USP38 stabilizes protein LSD1 in cells by binding LSD1 and cleaving its ubiquitin chain to prevent the degradation of LSD1 by the intracellular proteasome. USP38 enhances the ability of LSD1 to activate signaling pathways and hence promotes cellular abilities of proliferation and colony formation through interacting with LSD1. Furthermore, USP38 enhances the drug tolerance of human colon cancer cells. USP38 is an LSD1-specific deubiquitinase that affects cellular physiology through interacting with LSD1.

Infection of mycoplasmas has been linked to various human diseases including arthritis, pneumonia, infertility and cancer. While Mycoplasma hyorhinis and Mycoplasma fermentans have been detected in gastric adenocarcinomas, the mechanisms underlyine the pathogenesis are unknown. In this study, cell growth kinetics, Hoechst 33258 staining, DNA ladder assays, Western blotting analysis and cDNA microarray assays were performed to investigate the roles of M. hyorhinis and M. fermentans during infection of mammalian cells. Our data demonstrated that these mycoplasmas inhibid the growth of immortalised cell lines (32D and COS-7) ane tumor cell lines (HeLa and AGS). In addition, the infection of the 32D cell line with M. hyorhinis and M. fermentans induced compression of the nucleus, degradation of the cell genome and dysregulation of the expression of genes related to proliferation, apoptosis, tumorigenesis, signaling pathway and metabolism. Apoptosis related proteins Bcl-2, Bid and p53 were down-regulated, Fas was up-regulated and Bax was dysregulated in mycoplasma-infected 32D cells. Together, our data demonstrated that infection of mycoplasmas inhibitd cele growts through modification of gene expression profiles and post-translation modification of proliferation and apoptosis related proteins.

Evidence has suggested that sensation and socio-psychological factors may be associated with cognitive impairment separately in older adults. However, the association between those risk factors and cognitive impairment is still unknown. To investigate the association between sensation, perception, negative socio-psychological factors, and cognitive impairment in institutionalized older adults. From two public aged care facilities, 215 participants were investigated. The Mini-mental State Examination was applied to assess cognitive function. The sensory function was bifurcated into auditory and somatosensory realms which were evaluated using pure tone audiometry and Nottingham Sensory Assessment, respectively. Albert's test, left and right resolution, and visuospatial distribution were used to evaluate perception. Depression and social isolation were selected as negative socio-psychological factors and were evaluated by the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Lubben Social Network Scale. The multivariate analysis was performed utilizing binary logistic regression. Participants with moderately severe or severe hearing loss exhibited significant cognitive impairment compared to those with mild hearing loss. It was observed that perceptual dysfunction and depression were independently related to cognitive impairment. However, there was no significant association between somatosensory function, social isolation, and cognitive impairment in the institutionalized older adults. More profound hearing loss, abnormal perception, and depression are associated with cognitive impairment in older adults. Subsequent research endeavors should delve into the causal mechanisms underpinning these associations and explore whether combined interventions have the potential to postpone the onset of cognitive impairment.

Background: Given the suboptimal quality of end‐of‐life care among patients with cancer in China, promoting living wills is critical in this population. Living wills ensure that individuals can receive the medical care they desire during the terminal phase of an illness, maintain their dignity, and ultimately achieve a good death. However, current awareness and attitudes about living wills among Chinese patients with cancer remain unclear. We administered a questionnaire survey on living wills to patients with malignant tumors to assess their most important needs and increase understanding about living wills. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study using convenience sampling, inpatients with malignant tumors in Wuhan completed our questionnaire between July 2020 and June 2021. We collected patients' sociodemographic characteristics and details regarding their knowledge and attitudes about living wills. Results: Among 213 patients with malignant tumors, 114 (53.52%) had heard of living wills; 125 (58.69%) expressed their willingness to sign the “Five Wishes” living will document after learning about it through the questionnaire. Patients with malignant tumors had a high level of desire for the following living will items: the lives of family and friends return to normal as soon as possible after their death, maintaining personal hygiene and dignity, and remaining pain‐free. The knowledge level of patients with malignant tumors was related to their educational level ( p < 0.05) and self‐care ability ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: Patients with malignant tumors have a high need for comfort, cleanliness, and pain relief in the terminal stages. Patients with a higher level of education and those with poorer self‐care ability had greater knowledge and acceptance of living wills. Promotion can first be targeted toward more highly educated patients and can then be gradually expanded to other groups.