Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the leading cause of cancer death, and its 5‐year survival rate remains unsatisfactory. Recent studies have revealed that ubiquitin‐specific protease 44 (USP44) is a cancer suppressor or oncogene depending on the type of neoplasm. However, its role in CRC remains unclear. Here, we found that the USP44 expression level was markedly decreased in CRC, and USP44 overexpression inhibited proliferation while enhancing apoptosis in CRC cells, suggesting that USP44 is a cancer suppressor in CRC. We then investigated if USP44 functioned through regulating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. We found that USP44 overexpression increased the Axin1 protein while decreasing β‐catenin, c‐myc, and cyclin D1 proteins, suggesting that USP44 inhibited the activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Moreover, we found that two Wnt/β‐catenin activators, LiCl and SKL2001, both attenuated oeUSP44‐mediated proliferation and apoptosis in CRC cells. Collectively, these data points indicated that USP44 inhibited proliferation while promoting apoptosis in CRC cells by inhibiting the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Interestingly, we observed that USP44 overexpression did not affect the Axin1 mRNA level. Further study uncovered that USP44 interacted with Axin1 and reduced the ubiquitination of Axin1. Furthermore, Axin1 knock‐down abolished the effects of oeUSP44 on proliferation, apoptosis, and Wnt/β‐catenin activity in CRC cells. Taken together, this study demonstrates that USP44 inhibits proliferation while enhancing apoptosis in CRC cells by inactivating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway via Axin1 deubiquitination. USP44 is a cancer suppressor in CRC and a potential target for CRC therapy.

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Using seismic data recorded by the Chengdu Digital Seismic Network from May 1, 2000 to December 31, 2006, we obtain the dominant polarization directions of fast shear-waves at eight digital seismic stations adopting the SAM technique. The results show that the dominant directions of polarizations of fast shear-waves at most of stations are mainly in nearly NE-SW or NW-SE direction in Sichuan. The dominant polarization directions of the fast shear-waves at stations located at the active faults or intersection of several active faults are consistent with the strikes of active faults which control the earthquakes used in the analysis, and are basically consistent with the directions of regional compression axis. However, several stations show that the fast shear-waves are not consistent with the strikes of active faults and the directions of regional compression axis, due to the influence of local complicated crustal structure.

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Aim: The aim of this paper is to summarize the experience and results of deep vein thrombosis prevention after standardized abdominal tumor resection and lymph node dissection, and to investigate standardized treatment methods for postoperative thrombosis prevention. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the clinical data for 548 patients who were given low molecular weight heparin, low molecular weight dextran, or IV salvia to prevent thrombosis development between January 2007 and April 2010 after standardized abdominal tumor resection and lymph node dissection. Patients were divided into the following three groups based on the treatment period and treatment schedule: group 1 included 163 patients who had been treated between January 2007 and March 2008 and received a 7-day course of daily low molecular weight dextran (500 mL) and salvia injection (0.2 g) postoperatively; group 2 included 149 patients who had been treated between April 2008 and March 2009 and received a 7-day course of daily low molecular weight dextran (500 mL), salvia injection (0.2 g), and low molecular weight heparin (40 mg) postoperatively; group 3 included 236 patients who had been treated between April 2009 and April 2010 and postoperatively received a 7-day course of daily low molecular weight dextran (500 mL) and salvia injection (0.2 g), and on postoperative day 3 were started on an additional 7-day course of daily low molecular weight heparin (40 mg). Then, we performed comparative analysis of the treatment efficacy and concomitant symptoms. Results: In group 1, 64 of the 163 cases (39.3%) were positive for D-dimer, and 15 (9.2%) cases were positive for DVT based on Doppler imaging of the lower extremities. In group 2, 38 cases (25.5%) were positive for D-dimer and 3 cases (2.0%) for DVT. In group 3, 62 cases (26.3%) were positive for D-dimer and 6 cases (2.5%) for DVT. In general, the administration of low molecular weight heparin for anticoagulation in groups 2 and 3 led to significant reduction of thromboses when compared to group 1. However, altering the initiation day of low molecular weight heparin administration between groups 2 and 3 did not result in significant differences in the rate of thrombosis formation. Through clinical observation, early administration of low molecular weight heparin may increase adverse effects. Conclusion: We have demonstrated the superior efficacy of postoperative administration of low molecular weight dextran and IV salvia with additional subcutaneous injection of low molecular weight heparin on postoperative day 3 to prevent DVT development after radical resection of abdominal tumors.