Ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate and is the most common of all gynecologic malignancies. Novel treatments for ovarian cancer are urgently required to improve outcomes and the overall survival of patients. The present study investigated whether immunotherapy with natural killer (NK) cells affected the survival of mice with ovarian cancer. Results analysis identified adjunctive NK cells as a potential therapeutic method in ovarian cancer. Patient-derived ovarian cells were isolated, cultured and subsequently injected subcutaneously into immune deficient BALB/c-nude mice. Human NK cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and cultured for expansion in vitro. The present results demonstrated that ovarian cells in BALB/c-nude mice did not induce spontaneous ovarian cancer cell metastasis in the NK-treated group. In addition, NK cells activated immune cells in the immune system, which resulted in inhibition of ovarian tumor growth in vitro and in a murine xenograft model of ovarian cancer. The data also indicated that cytotoxic activity of NK cells prevented migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, which contributed to prevention of systemic metastasis and suggested that NK cells could be effective cells for therapy against ovarian cancer. Furthermore, NK cells induced apoptosis and increased the number of cluster of differentiation (CD)4+, CD8+ as well as cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses by intravenous injection in a murine xenograft model of ovarian cancer. These results suggested that NK cells inhibited the systemic metastasis for ovarian cancer cells. In conclusion, the present study suggested that NK cell immunotherapy inhibited systemic metastasis of ovarian cancer cells and improved the survival rate of mice. Sufficient supplementation of NK cells may serve as a promising immunotherapeutic strategy for ovarian cancer.

The maxillofacial region in the human body is susceptible to fracture and corresponding soft tissue injury. In the current study, the effect of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) on maxillofacial fracture development was investigated. In total, 50 patients diagnosed with maxillary fracture and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. Participants' TUG1 expression level in serum was measured using reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q)PCR. After transfection with small interfering (si)-TUG1, microRNA (miR)-214 mimic, miR-214 inhibitor, bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) mimic or a combination, the biological behavior of osteoblasts was evaluated using MTT, Transwell assays, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry and western blot analysis. Recovery experiments were used to explore the potential mechanism. Results demonstrated that TUG1 expression was decreased in the serum of patients with maxillary fractures. Knockdown of TUG1 repressed viability, migration and differentiation and induced apoptosis of osteoblasts. StarBase v2.0 revealed that TUG1 served as a sponge for miR-214 and BMP2 is a direct target of miR-214. Altogether, it was revealed that TUG1 expression was decreased in patients with maxillary fractures and TUG1 knockdown repressed the biological process of osteoblasts by sponging miR-214.

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RationaleIn women, menorrhagia associated with aplastic anemia (AA) is secondary to thrombocytopenia and can be acute and severe. Endometrial ablation or hysterectomy has been reported to achieve beneficial results. However, serious limitations and long-term complications exist. We report this clinical case series with the aim of sharing our experiences and exploring a safe and effective way to treat abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) AA women with future fertility desire.Patient concernsThe 3 young patients aged 25 to 29 years old suffered from AUB secondary to AA.DiagnosisThey were diagnosed with AA by bone marrow biopsy and presented with symptoms and signs of AUB without other identified causations.InterventionsWhen the platelet count was between 30∗109 /L∼50∗109 /L after a blood transfusion, each patient received a hysteroscopic resection of endometrial functional layer and was fitted a levonorgestrel-releasing intra-uterine system (LNG-IUS) in uterine cavity following the surgery.OutcomesAll the patients recovered without incident and were discharged in clinically stable conditions.LessonsIn conclusion, AUB secondary to AA can be acute and severe. Hemostasis is more difficult due to progressive pancytopenia. For young women with future fertility desire, LNG-IUS following hysteroscopic resection of endometrial functional layer is a safe and effective way against endometrial ablation or hysterectomy.