It is generally accepted that PIWI proteins are predominately expressed in the germline but absent in somatic tissues. Their best-characterized role is to suppress transposon expression, which ensures genomic stability in the germline. However, increasing evidence has suggested that PIWI proteins are linked to the hallmarks of cancer defined by Weinberg and Hanahan, such as cell proliferation, anti-apoptosis, genomic instability, invasion and metastasis. This provides new possibilities for anticancer therapies through the targeting of PIWI proteins, which may have fewer side effects due to their potential classification as a CTA (cancer/testis antigen). Furthermore, PIWI has been proposed to act as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for many types of cancer, and even to differentiate early-and late-stage cancers. We herein summarize the latest progress in this exciting field, hoping to encourage new investigations of PIWIs in cancer biology that will help to develop new therapeutics for clinical application.
Aims/IntroductionThe aim of the present study was to use the sudomotor function test, Sudoscan, as a screening method for the evaluation of asymptomatic diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy in Chinese type 2 diabetes patients. As a result, more attention could be paid to those asymptomatic patients who could be easily neglected and underdiagnosed in everyday clinic.Materials and MethodsA total of 394 Chinese type 2 diabetes patients were enrolled and tested for symptoms and clinical signs of neuropathy using the Neurological Symptom Score, Neuropathy Disability Score, and vibration perception threshold. Sudoscan was carried out, and the results were collected as the measurement of the electrochemical skin conductance of both hands and feet.ResultsIn the present study, we found that the abnormal rate of Sudoscan results in patients with asymptomatic neuropathy was higher than those without neuropathy and those with symptomatic neuropathy. This study also showed that lower electrochemical skin conductance at the feet was significantly associated with increasing symptoms, Neurological Symptom Score (r = −0.124, P < 0.05), Neuropathy Disability Score (r = −0.3, P < 0.01) and vibration perception threshold value (r = −0.18, P < 0.05). Logistic analysis showed that age (odds ratio 1.042, 95% confidence interval 1.014−1.071, P < 0.05) and feet electrochemical skin conductance levels (odds ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.962–0.993, P < 0.01) were independently associated with diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy.ConclusionsSudoscan might be a promising tool to screen asymptomatic diabetic distal symmetric polyneuropathy in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
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