AimRecent studies have reported that double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) can activate gene expression by targeting promoter sequence in a process termed RNA activation. The present study was conducted to evaluate the potential of WT1 induction by small activating RNA targeting the WT1 promoter (dsWT1) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.MethodsThe human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was transfected with dsRNA by liposomes. The expression of mRNA and protein in cells were investigated using real-time reverse real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell viability and clonogenicity were determined by MTT assay and clonogenicity assay, respectively. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow-cytometric analysis.ResultsExpressions of WT1 mRNA and protein in dsWT1 treated HepG2 cells were significantly elevated. Inhibition of cell viability by dsWT1 was dose-dependent and time-dependent. Reduction of the number and size of colonies formed were found in dsWT1 treated cells. dsWT1 induced significant apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The decreased anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and elevated pro-apoptotic protein Bak expression were detected in dsWT1 treated cells. The level of pro-caspase-3 remarkably decreased and cleaved caspase-3 and PARP fragment were also detected in dsWT1 treated cells.ConclusionThese data show that RNAa-mediated overexpression of WT1 may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

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Background Undifferentiated embryonal liver sarcoma (UELS) accounts for only 9 to 15% of all malignant liver tumors in children. Typically, UELS occurs in older children and presents as an abdominal mass. Most UELS are unresectable because of the later diagnosis. The outcome of UELS is very poor, with a 5-year overall survival of < 37.5%. Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been reported to be an effective modality for unresectable liver tumors. To investigate the effects of TACE on UELS in children, we present two cases of children with UELS who underwent TACE and surgical resection in our center within the past 10 years. Methods In this study, two children with UELS were treated using TACE with cisplatin, doxorubicin, and iodized oil. The size of the tumors was measured before and after TACE using ultrasonography. Routine was also given before and after surgical resection. Side effects were recorded. Both patients had follow-up. Results After interventional therapy, both patients presented with vomiting, fever, and transient liver dysfunction without cardiac or renal dysfunction. One patient had bone marrow depression. The size of the tumors was reduced by 23% to 31% after TACE. The tumors were completely removed by surgical procedures after 4 weeks of TACE in both patients. One patient survived free of disease for 1 year, and the other survived free of disease for 9 years. Conclusion TACE yielded satisfactory results for unresectable UELS in children, with lower dosage of chemotherapy and fewer side effects. It may be applied as a preoperative therapy for children with unresectable UELS.

The number of elective day-case surgeries has considerably increased in recent years, especially in China. Few studies have investigated the ability of mobile applications to assist recovery for patients having undergone day-surgery; however, these studies have indicated that the use of mobile applications is cost-efficient and has a positive effect on recovery after surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the utility and efficacy of using the 317-nursing mobile application program (317NAPP) for monitoring home recovery following day-surgery involving high ligation of the hernial sac in pediatric patients. Prospective clinical study involving 2 parallel groups. Patients were randomly divided into the “intervention 317NAPP group” (n = 64) and the control group (n = 63). Patients were followed-up using the 317NAPP in the intervention group and via telephonic consultations in the control group. All patients were enrolled after being provided sufficient guidance with respect to discharge and health education. The health index, including the physiological function, ability to perform daily activities, and the injury response, was evaluated before and 24 hours after surgery. The time duration of each follow-up session was also evaluated in both groups. The preoperative (T1) health index scores were significantly higher than the postoperative (T0) ones in both groups ( P = .00). The quality of recovery (T1–T0) of the intervention group (10.75 ± 5.28) was better than that of the control group (11.78 ± 5.16), but the differences were not significant ( P = .27). In the intervention group, the follow-up time duration was significantly lower in comparison to that in the control group ( P = .00). This study demonstrated that 317NAPP had a positive effect on recovery following day-surgery, and the time-duration for follow-up was shorter than that performed using telephonic consultation. Monitoring recovery using 317NAPP was safe, efficient, inexpensive, and relatively easy; therefore, it may help improve the recovery of patients having undergone day-surgery.

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