Prognostic value of programmed death-ligand 1 in sarcoma: a meta-analysis Prognostic value of programmed death-ligand 1 in sarcoma: a meta-analysis

Background: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are heterogeneous tumors derived from mesenchymal cells that differentiate into soft tissues. The prognosis of patients who present with an STS is influenced by the regulation of a complex gene network. Methods: Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed to identify gene modules associated with STS (Samples = 156). Results: Among the 11 modules identified, the black and blue modules were highly correlated with STS. However, using preservation analysis, the black module demonstrated low preservation, therefore the blue module was chosen as the module of interest. Furthermore, a total of 20 network hub genes were identified in the blue module, 12 of which were also hub nodes in the protein-protein interaction network of the module genes. Following additional verification, 4 of 12 genes (RRM2, BUB1B, CENPF, and KIF20A) demonstrated poorer overall survival and disease-free survival rate in the test datasets. In addition, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) demonstrated that samples with a high level of blue module eigengene (ME) were enriched in cell cycle and metabolism associated signaling pathways. Conclusion: In summary, co-expression network analysis identified four hub genes associated with prognosis for STS, which may diminish the prognosis by influencing cell cycle and metabolism associated signaling pathways.

Collagen was extracted from abandonedRana chensinensisskin in northeastern China via an acid enzymatic extraction method for the use of drug carriers. In this paper we demonstrated two different nanofiber-vancomycin (VCM) systems, that is, VCM blended nanofibers and core-shell nanofibers with VCM in the core.Rana chensinensisskin collagen (RCSC) and poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) (3 : 7) were blended in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) at a concentration of 10% (g/mL) to fabricate coaxial and blend nanofibers, respectively. Coaxial and blend electrospun RCSC/PLLA nanofibers containing VCM (5 wt%) were evaluated for the local and temporal delivery of VCM. The nanofiber scaffolds were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), water contact angle (WCA), and mechanical tests. The drug release of VCM in these two systems was compared by using UV spectrophotometer. The empirical result indicated that both the blend and coaxial RCSC/PLLA scaffolds followed sustained control release for a period of 80 hours, but the coaxial nanofiber might be a potential drug delivery material for its better mechanical properties and sustained release effect.

In this study, we fabricated paclitaxel (PTX) and etoposide (ETP) loaded Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres with core–shell structures and particle sizes ranging from 1 to 4 µm by coaxial electrospraying. The microspheres were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The drug loading rate and entrapment efficiency of the microspheres were detected by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). Moreover, the drug release profiles and degradation of drug-loaded PLGA microspheres in vitro were investigated, respectively. The distinct layered structure that existed in the manufactured core–shell microspheres can be observed by TEM. The in vitro release profiles indicated that the PLGA/PTX + ETP (PLGA/PE) microspheres exhibited the controlled release of two drugs in a sequential manner. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to detect the toxic and side effects of the microspheres on bone tumor cells. PTX and ETP for combination drug therapy loaded microspheres had more cytotoxic effect on saos-2 osteosarcoma cells than the individual drugs. In conclusion, core–shell PLGA microspheres by electrospraying for combination drug therapy is promising for medicine applications, the PLGA/PE microspheres have some potential for osteosarcoma treatment.

Developing scaffold materials with excellent biocompatibility, mechanical properties, and controlled drug release properties is vital to tissue engineering. In this study, we fabricated silk fibroin (SF)/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanofiber scaffolds containing recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP2) and dexamethasone (DXM) via coaxial electrospinning, which were used in in vitro bone formation with rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs). An in vitro drug release study was adopted to evaluate the sustained release potential of the core-shell structured nanofibers. Furthermore, we detected the potential of the SF/PLGA nanofiber membrane in vitro. In vitro studies showed that rhBMP2 still remained active on the nanofiber membrane. In addition, the dual-drug-loaded nanofiber membrane showed an early burst release of DXM and late sustained release of rhBMP2. rhBMP2 and DXM exhibited strong osteogenic differentiation potential when they acted on rBMSCs. Therefore, the SF/PLGA nanofiber membrane loaded with rhBMP2 and DXM has great potential for the enhancement of bone regeneration.