beta-catenin-independent noncanonical Wnt pathway might be induced in gastric cancers

Background/aims: Abnormal Wnt signaling is often observed in human cancers. Wnt5a is a representative Wnt ligand that can activate both P-catenin-dependent canonical and beta-catenin-independent noncanonical Wnt pathways. However, the role of Wnt5a in carcinogenesis is controversial. This study was designed to understand whether Wnt5a in the Wnt pathway and its key downstream molecules such as MMP-7 and beta-catenin are involved in gastric cancers. Methods: We analyzed the expressions of Wnt5a, MMP-7 and P-catenin genes in 40 primary gastric normal and tumor biopsies by RT-PCR and the subcellular localization of P-catenin by immunohistochemistry. Results: Our results showed a specific combination of genes expressed significantly in the gastric tumor tissues: 65% of the tumor samples containing non-nuclear p-catenin were Wnt5a-positive, 42.5% were MMP-7-positive, and 35% of the samples involved both. Interestingly, normal samples did not show any relevant coexpression of Wnt5a and MMP-7 in the beta-catenin-containing samples. Conclusions: These results suggest that the noncanonical Wnt pathway might be critically important in gastric carcinogenesis

A Nationwide Retrospective Study in Turkish Children With Nephrocalcinosis.

Background/aim: Nephrocalcinosis (NC) is defined as calcium deposition in the kidney parenchyma and tubules. This study aims to determine the etiology, risk factors, and follow-up results of patients with NC in Turkey. Materials and methods: Patients diagnosed with NC in the pediatric nephrology Department Units of 19 centers from all geographical regions of Turkey over a 10-year period (2010-2019) were included in the study. The medical records from the centers were reviewed and demographic data, admission complaints, medical history, systemic and genetic disorders, risk factors for NC, treatment details, and presence of NC after one-year follow-up, were recorded retrospectively. Results: The study sample included 195 patients (88 females, 107 males). The mean age at diagnosis was 39.44 +/- 47.25 (0.5-208) months; 82/190 patients (43.2%) were diagnosed incidentally; 46/195 patients (23.6%) had an underlying disease; idiopathic hypercalciuria was detected in 75/195 (38.4%) patients. The most common systemic diseases were distal renal tubular acidosis in 11/46 patients (23.9%), primary hyperoxaluria in 9/46 patients (19.6%) and Bartter syndrome in 7/46 patients (15.3%). After one year of follow-up, NC resolved in 56/159 patients (35.2%) and they all did not have an underlying systemic disease. Conclusion: The most common presentation of NC was incidental. Distal renal tubular acidosis and primary hyperoxaluria were the main systemic diseases leading to NC, while hypercalciuria was the most common metabolic risk factor. Nephrocalcinosis was found to remain in most of the patients at a one-year follow-up. It may resolve particularly in patients with no underlying systemic disease