RIOK1 is associated with non-small cell lung cancer clinical characters and contributes to cancer progression

Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors and is currently the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Although the treatment strategy has been significantly improved, the prognosis of lung cancer patients is still quite poor. RIOK1 has been reported to be highly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), however, its clinical significance and biological function are still largely unknown in lung cancer. Using western blot and immunohistochemistry, we showed that RIOK1 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and correlated with advanced stage and poor prognosis. Furthermore, knockdown of RIOK1 could inhibit proliferation, migration, and invasion in NSCLC cells and tumorigenesis in vivo through AKT, Cyclin B1, MMP2, and EMT pathway. Furthermore, cell viability and apoptosis assays demonstrated that RIOK1 maintained NSCLC cell survival and reduced apoptosis rate when cells were treated with cisplatin. Western blot analysis demonstrated that RIOK1 depletion caused up-regulated protein expression of cleaved PARP and Caspase-3 in NSCLC cells. These findings revealed a novel function of RIOK1 in non-small cell lung cancer progression and suggest that RIOK1 might become a promising diagnostic and therapeutic target for this disease.

Illustration of a number of atypical computed tomography manifestations of active pulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is a serious public health challenge facing mankind and one of the top ten causes of death. Diagnostic imaging plays an important role, particularly for the diagnosis and treatment planning of tuberculosis patients with negative microbiology results. This article illustrates a number of atypical computed tomography (CT) appearances of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), including (I) clustered micronodules (CMNs) sign; (II) reversed halo sign (RHS); (III) tuberculous pneumatocele; (IV) hematogenously disseminated PTB with predominantly diffuse ground glass opacity manifestation; (V) hematogenously disseminated PTB with randomly distributed non-miliary nodules; (VI) PTB changes occur on the background of emphysema or honeycomb changes of interstitial pneumonia; and (VII) PTB manifesting as organizing pneumonia. While the overall incidence of PTB is decreasing globally, the incidence of atypical manifestations of tuberculosis is increasing. A good understanding of the atypical CT imaging changes of active PTB shall help the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PTB in clinical practice.