This study examined the effects of fucoidan on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell line in a hypoxic microenvironment. Transwell and wound-healing assays were performed to analyze the invasion and migration of MDA-MB-231 human mammary cancer cells, respectively. The expression levels of EMT markers and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) were detected through western blotting. Under hypoxia, fucoidan treatment inhibited proliferation of breast cancer cells. Fucoidan also suppressed the invasion and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. Western blotting revealed that fucoidan treatment significantly reduced the protein expression levels of HIF-1α and HIF-1 target genes. Furthermore, the nuclear translocation and activity of HIF-1α were reduced. Fucoidan treatment significantly downregulated the expression levels of mesenchymal markers (N-cadherin and vimentin), but upregulated the expression levels of the epithelial markers zonula occludens-1 and E-cadherin. In addition, overexpression of HIF1-α protected cells from fucoidan-mediated suppression of migration and invasion. These data suggested that fucoidan may inhibit EMT in human TNBC cells via downregulation of the HIF1-α signaling pathway.

Background: Meniscus tear is one of the most familiar orthopedic injury, and it is also the leading cause of the dysfunction of knee joint. Recent efforts to improve the success rate of the meniscus repair surgery involve the addition of platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The aim of our experiment is to assess the clinical effects of arthroscopic repair of meniscal tears without or with PRP. Methods: This is a randomized and parallel-group superiority study. The study protocol is approved through the review committee of the corresponding institutions in PLA Army 80th Group Military Hospital. All patients will provide written informed consent to participate in the study. We implement our investigation on the basis of the ethical standards outlined in the Helsinki Declaration of 1964 and then report our outcomes according to the CONSORT statement of 2010. All the patients follow a same rehabilitation program. Patients are assessed at baseline (day before operation), 12 months and 24 months after the last time of injection; outcome assessments involve Ikeuchi score, Lysholm score, and the visual analogue scales for failure and pain rate. P value less than .05 indicates that there is statistical significance. Results: We suppose that arthroscopic PRP repair of meniscus tears results in improved pain and functional results owing to the release of bioactive molecules that may affect the healing of meniscus. Trial registration: This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry6175).

Background: The minimally invasive surgery possesses an essential and growing function in treating the calcaneal fractures, but the related literature on this topic is limited. For our study, the main purpose was to compare the early prognosis of a group of the patients with Sanders type II fracture of calcaneus treated via minimally invasive surgery and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Methods: This is a prospective randomized controlled trial in the patients who suffer from displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. This current study was carried out in accordance with the guidelines of “CONSORT statement” for the randomized controlled studies. All patients were randomly assigned into 2 groups on the basis of a random number table, namely the minimally invasive treatment group and the ORIF group using conventional methods. Inclusion criteria included the followings: aged between 18 to 59 years old; closed and unilateral fracture; patients with displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture (>2 mm) involving Sanders Type IIC and Type IIB; and patients have enough mental capacity to understand and answer questions in the evaluation scale. In the process of outpatient follow-up, the radiographs were taken at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The functional results involved the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score, Foot Function Index, and the pain score. Conclusions: This protocol will give us research directions in future work. Trial registration: This study protocol was registered in Research Registry (researchregistry6261).