Autologous follicular unit extraction transplant for postburn cicatricial alopecia: A single-center's retrospective case series

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

Cicatricial alopecia not only affects patients' appearance but also has negative effects on their physical and mental well-being, as well as their daily lives. Therefore, it is essential to provide proactive treatment to patients.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical effects of autologous follicular unit extraction (FUE) transplantation in the treatment of secondary scarring alopecia caused by burn, and to evaluate its effectiveness.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study has been conducted, which included 41 patients with secondary scarring alopecia caused by burn. All patients underwent initial autologous FUE hair transplantation surgery, and the occurrence of postoperative complications was monitored. Patient satisfaction was evaluated after 12 months post-surgery.

RESULTS

Satisfaction assessments were conducted for all 41 patients. Out of the total, 31 individuals expressed being very satisfied, 7 individuals reported being satisfied, and 3 individuals indicated being not very satisfied. Among the patients, 3 experienced complications, including herpes in the donor area for one patient, temporary hair loss for another patient, and thick scab for the third patient.

CONCLUSION

FUE hair transplantation yields positive results for secondary scarring alopecia caused by burn. It offers natural hair growth patterns, minimal trauma, quick recovery, high patient satisfaction, and few complications.

PIBF1 regulates multiple gene expression via impeding long-range chromatin interaction to drive the malignant transformation of HPV16 integration epithelial cells

INTRODUCTION

Human papillomavirus (HPV) integration can induce gene expression dysregulation by destroying higher-order chromatin structure in cervical cancer.

OBJECTIVES

We established a 13q22 site-specific HPV16 gene knock-in cell model to interrogate the changes in chromatin structure at the initial stages of host cell malignant transformation.

METHODS

We designed a CRISPR-Cas9 system with sgRNA targeting 13q22 site and constructed the HPV16 gene donor. Cells were cotransfected, screened, and fluorescence sorted. The whole genome sequencing (WGS) was used to confirm the precise HPV16 gene integration site. Western blot and qRT-PCR were used to measure gene expression. In vitro and in vivo analysis were performed to estimate the tumorigenic potential of the HPV16 knock-in cell model. Combined Hi-C, chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA sequencing analyses revealed correlations between chromatin structure and gene expression. We performed a coimmunoprecipitation assay with anti-PIBF1 antibody to identify endogenous interacting proteins. In vivo analysis was used to determine the role of PIBF1 in the tumor growth of cervical cancer cells.

RESULTS

We successfully established a 13q22 site-specific HPV16 gene knock-in cell model. We found that HPV integration promoted cell proliferation, invasion and stratified growth in vitro, and monoclonal proliferation in vivo. HPV integration divided the affected topologically associated domain (TAD) into two smaller domains, and the progesterone-induced blocking factor 1 (PIBF1) gene near the integration site was upregulated, although PIBF1 was not enriched at the domain boundary by CUT-Tag signal analysis. Moreover, PIBF1 was found to interact with the cohesin complex off chromatin to reduce contact domain formation by disrupting the cohesin ring-shaped structure, causing dysregulation of tumorigenesis-related genes. Xenograft experiments determined the role of PIBF1 in the proliferation in cervical cancer cells.

CONCLUSION

We highlight that PIBF1, a potential chromatin structure regulatory protein, is activated by HPV integration, which provides new insights into HPV integration-driven cervical carcinogenesis.

Clinical effects of autologous follicular unit extraction transplantation in the treatment of secondary cicatricial alopecia after infections

OBJECTIVE

To explore the clinical effects of autologous follicular unit extraction (FUE) transplantation in the treatment of secondary scarring alopecia caused by infections, and to evaluate its effectiveness.

METHODS

A retrospective observational study has been conducted, which included nine patients with secondary scarring alopecia caused by infections. All patients underwent initial autologous FUE hair transplantation surgery, and the occurrence of postoperative complications was monitored. Patient satisfaction was evaluated after 12 months post-surgery.

RESULTS

At the follow-up, postoperative satisfaction was 88.9% in nine patients, with only one case of postoperative infection and no incidence of skin necrosis, significant bruising and swelling, unnatural appearance or temporary hair loss.

CONCLUSIONS

Autologous FUE hair transplantation is an effective method for treating secondary scarring alopecia caused by infections. This procedure is minimally invasive, resulting in high patient satisfaction and minimal complications postoperatively.

Digital, Crowdsourced, Multilevel Intervention to Promote HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Despite great efforts in HIV prevention worldwide, HIV testing uptake among men who have sex with men (MSM) remains suboptimal. The effectiveness of digital, crowdsourced, multilevel interventions in improving HIV testing is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a digital, crowdsourced, multilevel intervention in improving HIV testing uptake among MSM in China.

METHODS

We conducted a 2-arm cluster randomized controlled trial among MSM in 11 cities in Shandong province, China, from August 2019 to April 2020. Participants were men who were HIV seronegative or had unknown serum status, had anal sex with a man in the past 12 months, and had not been tested for HIV in the past 3 months. Participants were recruited through a gay dating app and community-based organizations from preselected cities; these cities were matched into 5 blocks (2 clusters per block) and further randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a digital, crowdsourced, multilevel intervention (intervention arm) or routine intervention (control arm). The digital multilevel intervention was developed through crowdsourced open calls tailored for MSM, consisting of digital intervention images and videos, the strategy of providing HIV self-testing services through digital tools, and peer-moderated discussion within WeChat groups. The primary outcome was self-reported HIV testing uptake in the previous 3 months. An intention-to-treat approach was used to examine the cluster-level effect of the intervention in the 12-month study period using generalized linear mixed models and the individual-level effect using linear mixed models.

RESULTS

A total of 935 MSM were enrolled (404 intervention participants and 531 controls); 751 participants (80.3%) completed at least one follow-up survey. Most participants were younger than 30 years (n=601, 64.3%), single (n=681, 72.8%), had a college degree or higher (n=629, 67.3%), and had an HIV testing history (n=785, 84%). Overall, the proportion of testing for HIV in the past 3 months at the 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups was higher in the intervention arm (139/279, 49.8%; 148/266, 55.6%; 189/263, 71.9%; and 171/266, 64.3%, respectively) than the control arm (183/418, 43.8%; 178/408, 43.6%; 206/403, 51.1%; and 182/397, 48.4%, respectively), with statistically significant differences at the 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-ups. At the cluster level, the proportion of participants who had tested for HIV increased 11.62% (95% CI 0.74%-22.5%; P=.04) with the intervention. At the individual level, participants in the intervention arm had 69% higher odds for testing for HIV in the past 3 months compared with control participants, but the result was not statistically significant (risk ratio 1.69, 95% CI 0.87-3.27; P=.11).

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention effectively improved HIV testing uptake among Chinese MSM. Our findings highlight that digital, crowdsourced, multilevel interventions should be made more widely available for HIV prevention and other public health issues.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1900024350; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=36718.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.1186/s13063-020-04860-8.

First Report of Tomato mottle mosaic virus infecting Chinese snake gourd (Trichosanthes kirilowii) in China

Tomato mottled mosaic virus (ToMMV) was first identified in tomato in Mexico (Li et al. 2013). It belongs to the genus Tobamovirus and family Virgaviridae, and is a positive-sense single-stranded RNA virus. The viral genome contains about 6400 nucleotides, encoding four proteins, including the 126 K protein, 183 K protein, movement protein (MP) and coat protein (CP) (Tu et al. 2021). ToMMV mainly poses a serious risk to solanaceous crops. The virus-infected plants appear stunted growth and top necrosis, and the disease leaves show mottled, shrinkage and necrosis symptoms, resulting in a significant decline in tomato fruit yield and quality (Li et al. 2017; Tu et al. 2021). Chinese snake gourd (Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim) is a perennial climbing herb in the family Cucurbitaceae, and the fruit, seed, peel and root can all be used as traditional Chinese medicine. In May of 2021, twenty-seven symptomless seedlings (developed from tissue culture plantlets) were randomly collected from nursery in Fengyang, Anhui Province. Total RNA of each sample was extracted, and RT-PCR was performed using degenerate tobamovirus primers Tob-Uni1 (5'-ATTTAAGTGGASGGAAAAVCACT-3') and Tob-Uni2 (5'-GTYGTT GATGAGTTCRTGGA-3') (Letschert et al. 2002). Amplicons with expected size were obtained from 6 of 27 samples and sequenced. Alignment results showed that the nucleotide sequence identities ranged from 98.7 to 100% with all ToMMV isolates deposited in NCBI GenBank. Then, ToMMV coat protein (CP) gene was amplified using specific primers CP-F (5'-ATGTCTTACGCTATTACTT CTCCG-3') and CP-R (5'-TTAGGACGCTGGCGCAGAAG-3'). The CP fragment was obtained and sequenced. Sequence alignment indicated that CP sequence of isolate FY (GenBank accession no. ON924176) exhibited a 100% identity with ToMMV isolate LN (MN853592.1). The anti-ToMMV polyclonal antibody (PAb) was prepared by the author (S.L.) by immunizing rabbit with purified virus from Nicotiana benthamiana, and serological tests (dot-enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, Dot-ELISA) of RNA-positive T. kirilowii leaf samples using anti-ToMMV PAb were also positive. To fulfill a Koch's postulate, a pure culture of ToMMV was obtained from N. benthamiana using infectious cDNA clone of ToMMV (Tu et al. 2021), and then healthy T. kirilowii plants were mechanically inoculated with a prepared inoculum from ToMMV-infected N. benthamiana, as described previously (Sui et al. 2017). T. kirilowii seedlings showed chlorosis and leaf tip necrosis symptoms at 10 and 20 day post-inoculation respectively, and ToMMV infection on symptomatic plants was also verified by RT-PCR detection using primers CP-F and CP-R. These results demonstrated that T. kirilowii is a host of ToMMV under natural conditions, which might threaten the production of this medicinal plant. The seedlings from nursery appeared to be asymptomatic, but the plants showed chlorosis and necrosis symptoms after indoor inoculation. In qRT-PCR analysis, viral accumulation level in greenhouse-inoculated plants was a 25.6-fold of that in field-collected samples, which may be the reason of different symptom expression between field samples and inoculated samples. ToMMV has now been detected from the solanaceous (tomato, pepper and eggplant) and leguminous (pea) crops in the field (Li et al. 2014; Ambrós et al. 2017; Zhang et al. 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first report of natural infection of ToMMV in T. kirilowii as well as its natural infection on Cucurbitaceae plants.

A high throughput bispecific antibody discovery pipeline

Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) represent an emerging class of immunotherapy, but inefficiency in the current discovery has limited their broad clinical availability. Here we report a high throughput, agnostic, single-cell-based functional screening pipeline, comprising molecular and cell engineering for efficient generation of BsAb library cells, followed by functional interrogation at the single-cell level to identify and sort positive clones and downstream sequence identification and functionality characterization. Using a CD19xCD3 bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) as a model, we demonstrate that our single-cell platform possesses a high throughput screening efficiency of up to one and a half million variant library cells per run and can isolate rare functional clones at a low abundance of 0.008%. Using a complex CD19xCD3 BiTE-expressing cell library with approximately 22,300 unique variants comprising combinatorially varied scFvs, connecting linkers and VL/VH orientations, we have identified 98 unique clones, including extremely rare ones (~ 0.001% abundance). We also discovered BiTEs that exhibit novel properties and insights to design variable preferences for functionality. We expect our single-cell platform to not only increase the discovery efficiency of new immunotherapeutics, but also enable identifying generalizable design principles based on an in-depth understanding of the inter-relationships between sequence, structure, and function.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of SlRR genes in response to abiotic stress in tomato

The cytokinin two-component signal transduction system (TCS) is involved in many biological processes, including hormone signal transduction and plant growth regulation. Although cytokinin TCS has been well characterized in Arabidopsis thaliana, its role in tomato remains elusive. In this study, we characterized the diversity and function of response regulator (RR) genes, a critical component of TCS, in tomato. In total, we identified 31 RR genes in the tomato genome. These SlRR genes were classified into three subgroups (type-A, type-B and type-C). Various stress-responsive cis-elements were present in the tomato RR gene promoters. Their expression responses under pesticide treatment were evaluated by transcriptome analysis. Their expression under heat, cold, ABA, salinity and NaHCO₃ treatments was further investigated by qRT-PCR and complemented with the available transcription data under these treatments. Specifically, SlRR13 expression was significantly upregulated under salinity, drought, cold and pesticide stress and was downregulated under ABA treatment. SlRR23 expression was induced under salt treatment, while the transcription level of SlRR1 was increased under cold and decreased under salt stress. We also found that GATA transcription factors played a significant role in the regulation of SlRR genes. Based on our results, tomato SlRR genes are involved in responses to abiotic stress in tomato and could be implemented in molecular breeding approaches to increase resistance of tomato to environmental stresses.

Predicting hot electron generation in inertial confinement fusion with particle-in-cell simulations

A series of two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations with speckled laser drivers was carried out to study hot electron generation in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion on OMEGA. Scaling laws were obtained for hot electron fraction and temperature as functions of laser/plasma conditions in the quarter-critical region. Using these scalings and conditions from hydro simulations, the temporal history of hot electron generation can be predicted. The scalings can be further improved to predict hard x-rays for a collection of OMEGA warm target implosions within experimental error bars. These scalings can be readily implemented into inertial confinement fusion design codes.

[Correlation analysis of clock genes and MEN2 medullary thyroid carcinoma]

Objective: To investigate the correlation between CLOCK and BMAL1 genes and MEN2 medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). Methods: Thirteen cases with MEN2 MTC and thirteen cases with non-MEN2 MTC were selected who were treated in the Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital between January 2013 and September 2021. Clinical indicators such as blood calcitonin level, tumor diameter and metastatic lymph node of patients were collected. The expression differences of CLOCK and BMAL1 between MEN2 MTC and para-carcinoma tissue as well as between MEN2 MTC and non-MEN2 MTC were detected by immunohistochemistry and qPCR. The correlation between lymph node metastasis and CLOCK or BMAL1 expression was analyzed. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis combined with qPCR and correlation analysis was used to explore the expression regulation relationship between RET and circadian clock genes. The rhythm disorder of MEN2 cells was verified by lipopolysaccharide cell stimulation experiment after dexamethasone rhythm synchronization. Results: MEN2 MTC exhibited typical RET gene mutation. The mean blood calcitonin level, the tumor diameter and the number of metastatic lymph nodes of patients with MEN2 MTC were higher than those of patients with non-MEN2 MTC (t value was 2.76, 2.53, 2.26, all P<0.05). Immunohistochemical results showed that the expression levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 in MEN2 MTC were higher than those in non-MEN2 MTC, while negatively expressed in para-cancerous thyroid follicle. qPCR displayed that the expression of CLOCK gene in cancer tissues was higher than that in non-MEN2 MTC and para-cancerous tissues (t value was 2.68 and 2.86, all P<0.05); the expression of BMAL1 gene in MEN2 MTC was higher than that in non-MEN2 MTC and para-cancerous tissues (t value was 2.21 and 2.35, all P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of CLOCK and BMAL1 genes were positively correlated with the number of lymph node metastases in patients with MEN2 MTC (r=0.65, P<0.001; r=0.52, P=0.005). PPI network analysis indicated that the expression of CLOCK gene was positively correlated with the abnormal expression of RET gene (r=0.96, P<0.001). With lipopolysaccharide to stimulate cultured cells in vitro after dexamethasone rhythm synchronization, the expressions of CLOCK and BMAL1 in MEN2 MTC cells (0.47±0.22 and 2.60±1.48) at 12 hours of synchronization were significantly lower than those in para-cancerous tissues (1.70±1.62 and 8.23±2.52), the difference was statistically significant(t=5.04, P=0.007; t=3.34, P=0.029). Conclusion: CLOCK and BMAL1 are correlated with the occurrence and development of MEN2 MTC, and may be potential targets for the development of new therapeutic strategies for MEN2 MTC.

HIV testing frequency and associated factors among five key populations in ten cities of China: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Regular HIV testing is the best way to detect people living with HIV promptly, yet not much is known about the characteristics of frequent, voluntary testers. This study explores factors related to HIV testing frequency among five key populations in China including men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSWs), people who use drugs (PWUD), men who have casual sex with women (MCSW) and sero-negative partners among sero-discordant couples (SNPs).

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in ten cities of China from November 2018 to September 2019 using convenience sampling to recruit participants. Univariate and multivariate partial proportional odds models were adopted to compare socio-behavioral factors associated with HIV testing frequencies among the five key populations.

RESULTS

Among the 2022 recruited participants, 36.6% reported not testing for HIV in the past year, whereas 37.0% tested once and 26.4% tested twice. Compared with MSM, FSWs (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.36-2.86) and SNPs (AOR = 3.63, 95% CI: 2.40-5.49) were more likely to test for HIV, but MCSW (AOR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.17-0.32) were less likely. Additionally, SNPs (AOR = 4.02, 95% CI: 2.78-5.83) were more likely to be frequent HIV testers, while FSWs (AOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.32-0.76) and MCSW (AOR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.20-0.41) were less likely to be frequent testers. Factors identified as barriers to HIV testing include the following: higher education level and > 5000 CNY monthly income for FSWs; elder age and a married/cohabitating status for PWUD; reported alcohol use for MCSW; and non-Han ethnicity and non-local household for SNPs. Facilitators to frequent testing included the following: higher education level for MSM and SNPs; higher AIDS knowledge score for MSM and PWUD; > 5000 CNY monthly income for FSWs and PWUD; and reporting high-risk sexual behaviors for MSM, FSW and PWUD.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV testing frequencies and associated factors were not equivalent across the five key populations in China. Public health officials should take heed of the identified high-risk populations reporting high testing rates, perhaps with intensive and tailored behavioral interventions or biochemical prophylaxis.

Variability of right ventricular linear measurements of size and function using a standardized echocardiographic protocol

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Right ventricular size and function have a prognostic value not only in right heart conditions (pulmonary hypertension, congenital heart disease), but also in left ventricular (LV) disease states. The right ventricle (RV) has a unique shape, for which a simple geometrical model is not achievable as is the case for the LV. In clinical practice simple measurements are used for the RV, since these are considered to be most reliable  and reproducible: linear cavity dimensions, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and tissue Doppler systolic velocity s’ at the tricuspid annulus. The latest RV quantitation guidelines made important modifications to RV measurements, in particular, by shifting from the apical 4-chamber view to the RV focused apical view. Very scarce data exist on the variability of these measurements.

Purpose

In this study we aim to analyze the intra and inter-observer variability of the linear measurements of RV size and function using a standardized methodology.

Methods

A mixed cohort, randomly selected from the echocardiographic database, comprising 50 patients, was retrospectively analyzed. We measured linear diameters (basal = 1, longitudinal = 2, mid = 3) in apical RV-focused view, TAPSE and s’. Based on computer simulations, we propose a step-by-step approach: tracing the longitudinal diameter as perpendicular to the mid of the basal and generally parallel with the interventricular septum, and the mid as perpendicular to the middle of the longitudinal (Figure). Two observers measured independently the same images at baseline, three (inter-observer) and six months (intra-observer).

Results

The longitudinal diameter had the lowest relative bias (3% inter and 4% intra-observer), followed by the basal (7% and 2%), and mid (6% and 6%). The limits of agreement (LOA) were small for s’ (-3 to 1 intra and -1 to 1mm inter-observer), TAPSE (-6 to 5 and -3 to 3mm), and larger for diameters (1=-5 to 10 and -8 to 6; 2=-13 to 17 and -11 to 6; 3=-11 to 7 and -9 to 4mm). ICCs for individual measurements were very good (1= 0.94 intra and 0.94 inter; 2 = 0.78 and 0.94; 3: 0.72 and 0.56; TAPSE: 0.86 and 0.94; s’=0.94 and 0.98), p &lt; 0.001 for all (Table).

Conclusion

A systematic approach to linear RV-focused apical view measurements may lead to reproducible results. It is essential that size measurements be performed in the RV focused view. Our study shows best consistency and reproducibility for the basal diameter and the linear functional parameters.  Echocardiographic laboratories may benefit from implementing a consistent analysis protocol and assessing its reproducibility. Abstract Figure: linear RV measurements  Abstract Table: variability results

LncRNA HCP5 enhances the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer via miR-216a-5p/CDC42 axis

To investigate the important roles of the cancer-promoting long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in cervical cancer, the up-regulated lncRNAs and prognostic analysis were identified through Lnc2Cancer and Lncar. LncRNA-regulated miRNA and miRNA-target mRNA were analyzed based on starBase v2.0 and miTarbase to predict the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network. Based on the above findings, the abnormally expressed histocompatibility leukocyte antigen complex P5 (HCP5) was identified in 31 cervical cancer patients through RT-qPCR. The stable cell lines were constructed to explore the effect of HCP5 on the promotion of cervical cancer and the regulatory role on the expression of miR-216a-5p and CDC42. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) assay, cell clone formation, and transwell assay were used to examine proliferation and migration ability of cervical cancer cells. The results displayed that the overexpression of HCP5 promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation and migration in vitro, and the elevated HCP5 can also promote tumor growth in vivo. Besides, RT-qPCR and western blot assay revealed that elevated HCP5 suppressed miR-216a-5p expression and then up-regulated the expression of CDC42. In contrast, knocking down HCP5 resulted in increased expression of miR-216a-5p and then downregulated the expression of CDC42. Rescue experiments also demonstrated that miR-216a-5p could in part intercept in promotion impact caused by HCP5 on cervical cancer cells. Above all, HCP5, as an oncogene, can promote proliferation and migration ability of cervical cancer via the regulation of the miR-216a-5p/CDC42 axis.

[Screening of drugs that selectively inhibit uveal melanoma cells with SF3B1 mutations]

OBJECTIVE

To screen compounds that can selectively inhibit uveal melanoma cells with splicing factor 3B subunit 1 (SF3B1) mutations in comparison with isogenic SF3B1 wild-type counterparts in a cell model of SF3B1 mutant allele knockout.

METHODS

Principal component analysis was used to analyze transcriptome alternative splicing in TCGA cohorts of uveal melanoma with wild-type SF3B1 and SF3B1 mutations, and abnormal alternative splicing events derived from SF3B1 mutations were identified. The SF3B1 mutant allele in Mel202 cells was knocked out using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, and Sanger sequencing was used to verify the edited sequence. MTT and colony formation assays were used to assess the proliferation of Mel202 and Mut-KO cells. RT-PCR agarose electrophoresis combined with Sanger sequencing was used to determine alternative splicing events in Mel202 and Mut-KO cells. MTT assay was performed to screen the compounds that showed selective inhibitory effect against Mel202 cells with SF3B1 mutation.

RESULTS

Specific knockout of SF3B1 mutant allele in Mel202 cells obviously promoted the cell proliferation and caused changes in alternative splicing of ZDHHC16 and DYNLL1 transcripts. The screening data showed that 13 compounds had selective inhibitory activity against Mel202 cells with SF3B1 mutation (Fold change≥2), and among them, tetrandrine and lapatinib showed good dose-effect curves.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a cell screening model for identification of potential individualized treatment drugs for patients with uveal melanoma with SF3B1 mutation.

E7-Targeted Nanotherapeutics for Key HPV Afflicted Cervical Lesions by Employing CRISPR/Cas9 and Poly (Beta-Amino Ester)

Introduction

Persistent HR-HPV (high-risk human papillomavirus) infection is the main cause of cervical cancer. The HPV oncogene E7 plays a key role in HPV tumorigenesis. At present, HPV preventive vaccines are not effective for patients who already have a cervical disease, and implementation of the recommended regular cervical screening is difficult in countries and regions lacking medical resources. Therefore, patients need medications to treat existing HPV infections and thus block the progression of cervical disease.

Methods

In this study, we developed nanoparticles (NPs) composed of the non-viral vector PBAE546 and a CRISPR/Cas9 recombinant plasmid targeting HPV16 E7 as a vaginal treatment for HPV infection and related cervical malignancies.

Results

Our NPs showed low toxicity and high biological safety both in vitro (cell line viability) and in vivo (various important organs of mice). Our NPs significantly inhibited the growth of xenograft tumors derived from cervical cancer cell lines in nude mice and significantly reversed the cervical epithelial malignant phenotype of HPV16 transgenic mice.

Conclusion

Our NPs have great potential to be developed as a drug for the treatment of HPV-related cervical cancer and precancerous lesions.

Systematic analysis of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-miRNA-mRNA competing endogenous RNA network to identify prognostic biomarkers and the potential regulatory axis in glioblastoma multiforme

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an intracranial brain tumor characterized by a high final lethality rate and recurrence rate, and limited available therapies. With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology, the genomic and transcriptomic features of GBM have been fully characterized. Therefore, our study aimed to identify its underlying genetic mechanisms, thus facilitating the development of novel therapies for GBM.

Methods

Based on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases, differential expression of RNAs in GBM and control group was analyzed. After constructing the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network of GBM, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGGs) were performed to analyze related key nodes and the lncRNAs interacting with them. Further univariate Cox regression was conducted to explore independent factors, and then multivariate Cox regression was performed to construct risk prediction models.

Results

We first constructed the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network of GBM and two effective prediction models that included 2 mRNAs [transcription factor 12 (TCF12) and discoidin, CUB and LCCL domain containing 2 (DCBLD2)] and 5 lncRNAs (C10orf25, LINC00343, HOXA transcript antisense RNA, myeloid-specific 1 (HOTAIRM1), FGF12 antisense RNA 2 (FGF12-AS2) and H19). Additionally, we identified several key molecules [TCF12, integrin β3 (ITGB3), high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), C10orf25 and LINC00336] closely associated with GBM prognosis. C10orf25/miR-218/DCBLD2 may be an important regulatory pathway in GBM.

Conclusions

Key molecules (TCF12, ITGB3, HMGA2, C10orf25, LINC00336 and H19) that are independent prognostic factors may be possible biomarkers to further optimize GBM prognosis. Two effective prognostic risk models that include 2 mRNAs (TCF12 and DCBLD2) and 5 lncRNAs (C10orf25, LINC00343, HOTAIRM1, FGF12-AS2 and H19) were constructed. C10orf25/miR-218/DCBLD2 may be an important regulatory pathway associated with the pathogenesis of GBM. Our findings contribute to further understanding the pathogenesis of GBM and finding possible candidate genes for prognostic and therapeutic usage with GBM.

Detection of HPV and Human Chromosome Sites by Dual-Color Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Reveals Recurrent HPV Integration Sites and Heterogeneity in Cervical Cancer

Human papillomavirus (HPV) integration in the human genome is suggested to be an important cause of cervical cancer. With the development of sequencing technologies, an increasing number of integration “hotspots” have been identified. However, this HPV integration information was derived from analysis of whole cervical cancer tissue, and we know very little about the integration in different cancer cell subgroups or individual cancer cells. This study optimized the preparation of probes and provided a dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method to detect HPV integration sites in paraffin-embedded cervical cancer samples. We used both HPV probes and site-specific probes: 3p14 (FHIT), 8q24 (MYC), 13q22 (KLF5/KLF12), 3q28 (TP63), and 5p15 (TERT). We detected HPV signals in 75 of the 96 cases of cervical cancer; 62 cases showed punctate signals, and 13 cases showed diffuse punctate signals. We identified 3p14 as a high-frequency HPV integration site in 4 cervical cancer cases. HPV integration at 8p14 occurred in 2 cases of cervical cancer. In the same cervical cancer tissue of sample No.1321, two distinct subgroups of cells were observed based on the HPV probe but showed no difference in cell and nucleus morphology. Our study provides a new method to investigate the frequent HPV integration sites in cervical cancer and reports the heterogeneity within cervical cancer from the perspective of HPV integration.

Whole-lesion histogram analysis of mono-exponential and bi-exponential diffusion-weighted imaging in differentiating lung cancer from benign pulmonary lesions using 3 T MRI

AIM

To investigate whether whole-lesion histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values derived from mono-exponential and bi-exponential diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can differentiate lung cancer from benign pulmonary lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-two patients with lung cancer and 17 patients with benign pulmonary lesions were included retrospectively. All patients underwent DWI before surgery or biopsy. ADC histogram parameters, including mean, percentile values (10^th and 90^th), kurtosis, and skewness, were calculated independently by two radiologists. The histogram parameters were compared between patients with lung cancer and benign lesions. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to evaluate the diagnostic performance.

RESULTS

The ADC_Mean, ADC_10th, D_Mean, D_10th were significantly lower in lung cancer (1.187 ± 0.144 × 10^-3; 0.440 ± 0.062 × 10^-3; 1.068 ± 0.108 × 10^-3; and 0.422 ± 0.049 × 10^-3 mm/s) compared to benign lesions (1.418 ± 0.274 × 10^-3; 0.555 ± 0.113 × 10^-3; 1.216 ± 0.149 × 10^-3; and 0.490 ± 0.044 × 10^-3 mm/s; p<0.05). The ADC_Skewness and D_Skewness were significantly different between lung cancer (2.35 ± 0.72; 2.58 ± 1.14) and benign lesions (1.85 ± 0.54; 1.59 ± 1.47; p<0.05). D_10th was robust in differentiating lung cancer from benign lesions. Using 0.453 × 10^-3 mm/s as the optimal threshold, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of D_10th were 78.12%, 82.35%, and 79.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Whole-lesion histogram analysis of ADC values derived by mono-exponential and bi-exponential DWI using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging helps distinguish lung cancer from benign pulmonary lesions.

Pump-depletion dynamics and saturation of stimulated Brillouin scattering in shock ignition relevant experiments

As an alternative inertial confinement fusion scheme, shock ignition requires a strong converging shock driven by a high-intensity laser pulse to ignite a precompressed fusion capsule. Understanding nonlinear laser-plasma instabilities is crucial to assess and improve the laser-shock energy coupling. Recent experiments conducted on the OMEGA EP laser facility have demonstrated that such instabilities can ∼100% deplete the first 0.5 ns of the high-intensity laser. Analyses of the observed laser-generated blast wave suggest that this pump-depletion starts at ∼0.02 critical density and progresses to 0.1-0.2 critical density, which is also confirmed by the time-resolved stimulated Raman backscattering spectra. The pump-depletion dynamics can be explained by the breaking of ion-acoustic waves in stimulated Brillouin scattering. Such pump depletion would inhibit the collisional laser energy absorption but may benefit the generation of hot electrons with moderate temperatures for electron shock ignition [Phys. Rev. Lett. 119, 195001 (2017)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.119.195001].

The Antitumor Efficiency of Zinc Finger Nuclease Combined with Cisplatin and Trichostatin A in Cervical Cancer Cells

BACKGROUND

Persistent infection with the high-risk of human papillomavirus (HR-HPVs) is the primary etiological factor of cervical cancer; HR-HPVs express oncoproteins E6 and E7, both of which play key roles in the progression of cervical carcinogenesis. Zinc Finger Nucleases (ZFNs) targeting HPV E7 induce specific shear of the E7 gene, weakening the malignant biological effects, hence showing great potential for clinical transformation.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to develop a new comprehensive therapy for better clinical application of ZFNs. We here explored the anti-cancer efficiency of HPV targeted ZFNs combined with a platinum-based antineoplastic drug Cisplatin (DDP) and an HDAC inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA).

METHODS

SiHa and HeLa cells were exposed to different concentrations of DDP and TSA; the appropriate concentrations for the following experiments were screened according to cell apoptosis. Then cells were grouped for combined or separate treatments; apoptosis, cell viability and proliferation ability were measured by flow cytometry detection, CCK-8 assays and colony formation assays. The xenograft experiments were also performed to determine the anti-cancer effects of the combined therapy. In addition, the HPV E7 and RB1 expressions were measured by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Results showed that the combined therapy induced about two times more apoptosis than that of ZFNs alone in SiHa and HeLa cells, and much more inhibition of cell viability than either of the separate treatment. The colony formation ability was inhibited more than 80% by the co-treatment, the protein expression of HPV16/18E7 was down regulated and that of RB1 was elevated. In addition, the xenografts experiment showed a synergistic effect between DDP and TSA together with ZFNs.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrated that ZFNs combined with DDP or TSA functioned effectively in cervical cancer cells, and it provided novel ideas for the prevention and treatment of HPV-related cervical malignancies.

Focus on autonomic dysfunctions in anti-NMDAR encephalitis: a case report

OBJECTIVE

We hope it will provide a reference for early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment of atypical Anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis with non-typical autonomic dysfunctions as the first symptom.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present a 15-year-old girl with the repetition of conscious disturbance at different levels, but no abnormal movements. Initially, there were no positive findings on routine electroencephalography (EEG) and dynamic video-electroencephalography (V-EEG), but the head-up tilt test (HTT) suggested neurocardiogenic syncope (vascular rejection type), which seemed to be the final diagnosis. However, the patient later experienced several episodes of disturbance of consciousness with unexplained abdominal pain. Abnormalities were discovered on EEG, which indicated the possibility of "epileptic seizures with autonomic-gastrointestinal features". Based on these findings, we finally tested the autoimmune encephalitis-related antibodies for the patient after the literature search and review.

RESULTS

The patient was finally diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Her symptoms were fully controlled after glucocorticoid and gamma globulin treatment, and she left the hospital with complete recovery.

CONCLUSIONS

Although autonomic nervous dysfunction occurred in our patient, her prognosis was good because she did not have respiratory or (and) circulatory failure. Exclusive diagnosis and early treatment are important in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Abdominal pain with positive HTT may be a manifestation of autonomic dysfunction in this disease.

The Effect of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy on Lymph Node Metastasis of FIGO Stage IB1-IIB Cervical Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) on the rate of lymph node metastasis (LNM) in FIGO stage IB1-IIB cervical cancer patients and compare the LNM between NACT plus surgery and surgery only.

Methods

We identified 34 eligible studies in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from inception to July 27, 2019. Data analyses were performed by Stata (version 13) and Revman (version 5.3).

Results

In these 34 included studies, the pooled incidence of LNM was estimated as 23% (95% CI, 0.20-0.26; I² = 79.6%, P<0.001). In the subgroup analysis, we identified five factors, including study type, year of publication, continents from which patients came, histological type and the FIGO stage. When taking FIGO stage into consideration, the LNM rate was 13% in stage IB (95% CI: 0.10-0.15; I² = 5.5%, P=0.385), 23% in stage IIA (95% CI: 0.18-0.28; I² = 0%, P=0.622), and 27% in stage IIB (95% CI: 0.20-0.33; I² = 0%, P=0.898), respectively. Through the comparison between NACT plus surgery and surgery only based on the six randomized controlled trials, the incidence of positive lymph nodes was lower in patients receiving NACT plus surgery than surgery only (RR=0.57, 95% CI: 0.39-0.83; I² = 60.5%, P=0.027). The 5-year OS was higher in the NACT + surgery group than surgery-only group (RR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.03-1.23; I² = 0.0%, P=0.842).

Conclusions

Among cervical cancer in stage IB1-IIB, the preoperative NACT plus radical surgery resulted in a 23% probability of LNM, which was lower than those receiving radical surgery only. In stage IIA and IIB, the effect of NACT to reduce LNM was more obvious.

Digital crowdsourced intervention to promote HIV testing among MSM in China: study protocol for a cluster randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are an important HIV key population in China. However, HIV testing rates among MSM remain suboptimal. Digital crowdsourced media interventions may be a useful tool to reach this marginalized population. We define digital crowdsourced media as using social media, mobile phone applications, Internet, or other digital approaches to disseminate messages developed from crowdsourcing contests. The proposed cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) study aims to assess the effectiveness of a digital crowdsourced intervention to increase HIV testing uptake and decrease risky sexual behaviors among Chinese MSM.

METHODS

A two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial will be implemented in eleven cities (ten clusters) in Shandong Province, China. Targeted study participants will be 250 MSM per arm and 50 participants per cluster. MSM who are 18 years old or above, live in the study city, have not been tested for HIV in the past 3 months, are not living with HIV or have never been tested for HIV, and are willing to provide informed consent will be enrolled. Participants will be recruited through banner advertisements on Blued, the largest gay dating app in China, and in-person at community-based organizations (CBOs). The intervention includes a series of crowdsourced intervention materials (24 images and four short videos about HIV testing and safe sexual behaviors) and HIV self-test services provided by the study team. The intervention was developed through a series of participatory crowdsourcing contests before this study. The self-test kits will be sent to the participants in the intervention group at the 2nd and 3rd follow-ups. Participants will be followed up quarterly during the 12-month period. The primary outcome will be self-reported HIV testing uptake at 12 months. Secondary outcomes will include changes in condomless sex, self-test efficacy, social network engagement, HIV testing social norms, and testing stigma.

DISCUSSION

Innovative approaches to HIV testing among marginalized population are urgently needed. Through this cluster randomized controlled trial, we will evaluate the effectiveness of a digital crowdsourced intervention, improving HIV testing uptake among MSM and providing a resource in related public health fields.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR1900024350 . Registered on 6 July 2019.

[Correlation between alcohol drinking and high risk sexual behaviors in HIV negative clients of female sex workers]

Objective: To explore the correlation between alcohol drinking and high-risk sexual behaviors in HIV negative clients of female sex workers and provide scientific evidence for prevention of HIV sexual transmission. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in HIV negative clients in Ji'nan and Haikou from December 2018 to May 2019. The estimated sample size was 337, the information about their demographic characteristics, AIDS knowledge awareness, sexual behaviors and alcohol drinking habit were collected through convenience sampling. The data were analyzed by using SPSS 24.0 software. Results: A total of 381 clients were included in this study. Most of them were less than 40 years old, accounting for 89.2% (340/381); 85.3% of them (325/381) reported an education level of high school and above; the clients who were married, had cohabitation with females or had girl friends accounted for 53.2% (202/380). The overall awareness rate of AIDS knowledge was 83.7% (318/380). Of all participants, 80.8% (308/381) had commercial sex in the past year, 79.8% (304/381) had non-commercial sex partners, 62.7% (239/381) had high-risk sexual behaviors. The results of logistic regression showed that compared with those with alcohol drinking frequency ≤2 times per month in last year, the clients with alcohol drinking frequency more than once a week (aOR=3.22, 95%CI: 1.25-8.27) were more likely to have high risk sexual behaviors after adjustment for age, living area, location type of residence, time of local residence, education level, monthly income level, occupation, marital status, knowledge awareness of AIDS and HIV related services, the number of commercial or non-commercial sexual partners in the past year, cost of commercial sex and HIV test frequency. Conclusions: Alcohol drinking is related to high risk sexual behaviors in HIV negative clients, and will increase the risk of HIV transmission. To control AIDS, the intervention of alcohol drinking should be combined with other preventions to improve the correct use of condoms.

[Influence of Xuebijing injection and its component paeoniflorin on immune function and survival rate of septic rats]

Objective: To explore the influence of Xuebijing injection (hereinafter referred to as Xuebijing) and its component paeoniflorin on immune function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) of spleen and survival rate of septic rats. Methods: (1) CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs and CD4(+) T cells were isolated and purified from spleens of three 9 to 12 weeks old Sprague-Dawley male rats (the same age, breed, and gender below) by immunomagnetic beads. According to the random number table (the same grouping method below), CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs were divided into blank control group, simple CD3/CD28 group, simple endotoxin/lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, LPS+ Xuebijing group, and LPS+ paeoniflorin group, with 6 wells in each group. The cells in simple CD3/CD28 group, simple LPS group, LPS+ Xuebijing group, and LPS+ paeoniflorin group were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing fetal bovine serum in volume fraction of 10%, 1.25 μg CD3, and 2.5 μg CD28 for 24 hours. Then 1 μg/mL LPS in the volume of 1 μL was added to the cells in simple LPS group, LPS+ Xuebijing group, and LPS+ paeoniflorin group. Moreover, 5 mg/mL Xuebijing in the volume of 1 μL and 80 μmol/L paeoniflorin in the volume of 1 μL were added to the cells in LPS+ Xuebijing group and LPS+ paeoniflorin group, respectively, which were cultured for another 72 hours. Cells in blank control group were routinely cultured in RPMI 1640 medium containing fetal bovine serum in volume fraction of 10% for 96 hours. The expressions of cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) and forkhead wing-link transcription factor 3 (Foxp3) and apoptosis of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs were measured by flow cytometry. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) level from culture supernatant of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CD4(+) T cells were divided into blank control' group, simple CD3/CD28' group, simple LPS' group, LPS+ Xuebijing' group, and LPS+ paeoniflorin' group, with 6 wells in each group. After being cocultured with the corresponding CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs treated as before for 72 hours, the proliferative activity of CD4(+) T cells was measured by flow cytometry, and IL-4 level from culture supernatant of CD4(+) T cells was determined by ELISA. (2) One hundred and twenty rats were divided into sham surgery group, simple sepsis group, sepsis+ Xuebijing group, and sepsis+ paeoniflorin group, with 30 rats in each group. The septic rat model was reproduced by cecal ligation and puncture surgery in simple sepsis group, sepsis+ Xuebijing group, and sepsis+ paeoniflorin group. In sham surgery group, the rats were only performed with laparotomy to simulate surgery. In sepsis+ Xuebijing group, the rats were given post-surgical injection of 4 mL/kg Xuebijing through tail vein, twice a day. In sepsis+ paeoniflorin group, the rats received 978 μg paeoniflorin via tail vein, twice a day. The survival rates of rats in the four groups on post surgery day 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were observed and recorded. The surviving cure of Kaplan-Meier was drawn. Data were statistically analyzed with one-way analysis of variance, least significant difference t test. The surviving curve was analyzed by Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Results: (1) Compared with those in blank control group, the expressions of CTLA-4 and Foxp3 of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs (t=27.19, 17.00, P<0.01) and IL-10 level from culture supernatant (t=40.76, P<0.01) were significantly increased in rats in simple LPS group. Compared with those in simple LPS group, the expressions of CTLA-4 and Foxp3 of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs (t(LPS+ Xuebijing group)=31.03, 11.27, t(LPS+ paeoniflorin group)=5.79, 5.64, P<0.01) and IL-10 level from culture supernatant (t=15.49, 4.20, P<0.01) was significantly decreased in LPS+ Xuebijing group and LPS+ paeoniflorin group. Compared with that in blank control group, the apoptosis rate of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs in simple LPS group was significantly declined (t=6.02, P<0.01). Compared with the rate in simple LPS group, the apoptosis rates of CD4(+) CD25(+) Tregs in LPS+ Xuebijing group and LPS+ paeoniflorin group were significantly increased (t=20.32, 8.60, P<0.01). (2) Compared with those in simple CD3/CD28' group, the proliferative rate of CD4(+) T cells was significantly decreased in simple LPS' group (t=22.47, P<0.01), while IL-4 level from culture supernatant was significantly elevated (t=3.51, P<0.01). Compared with those in simple LPS' group, the proliferative rates of CD4(+) T cells in LPS+ Xuebijing' group and LPS+ paeoniflorin' group were significantly increased (t=16.31, 11.48, P<0.01), while IL-4 level from culture supernatant showed no obvious change. (3) The post-operative 7-day survival rates of rats in sham surgery group, simple sepsis group, sepsis+ Xuebijing group, sepsis+ paeoniflorin group were 100% (30/30), 30% (9/30), 57% (17/30), and 47% (14/30), respectively. Compared with that in simple sepsis group, the survival rate within post-operative 7-day of rats in sepsis+ Xuebijing group was significantly higher (χ(2)=4.34, P<0.05), while the survival rate within post-operative 7-day of rats in sepsis+ paeoniflorin group showed no obvious change. Conclusions: Both Xuebijing and its component paeoniflorin are capable of reversing sepsis-induced inhibitory immune function and apoptotic resistant of Tregs in rats, and further improving the proliferative activity of T cells. In addition, the effect of paeoniflorin on improvement of survival rate of rats with sepsis is weaker than Xuebijing.

Cogeneration of hot electrons from multiple laser-plasma instabilities

Interactions of two-plasmon decay (TPD) and side-stimulated Raman scattering (SSRS) were studied using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations under inertial-confinement-fusion-relevant conditions for linearly and circularly polarized lasers. In the linear stage, SSRS took place under n_{e}=0.235n_{c} and TPD dominated near the quarter-critical density surface and their growth rates agreed with theory. In the nonlinear stage, SSRS reduced TPD through pump depletion. Hot electrons were found to be first accelerated by SSRS plasma waves and then by TPD plasma waves through a cogeneration mechanism. Compared to the linearly polarized case with the same laser intensity, both SSRS and TPD were reduced due to the lower laser amplitude in the circularly polarized case. As a result, a 30% decrease in hot electron flux was observed.

HPV-CCDC106 integration alters local chromosome architecture and hijacks an enhancer by three-dimensional genome structure remodeling in cervical cancer

Integration of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA into the human genome is a reputed key driver of cervical cancer. However, the effects of HPV integration on chromatin structural organization and gene expression are largely unknown. We studied a cohort of 61 samples and identified an integration hot spot in the CCDC106 gene on chromosome 19. We then selected fresh cancer tissue that contained the unique integration loci at CCDC106 with no HPV episomal DNA and performed whole-genome, RNA, chromatin immunoprecipitation and high-throughput chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) sequencing to identify the mechanisms of HPV integration in cervical carcinogenesis. Molecular analyses indicated that chromosome 19 exhibited significant genomic variation and differential expression densities, with correlation found between three-dimensional (3D) structural change and gene expression. Importantly, HPV integration divided one topologically associated domain (TAD) into two smaller TADs and hijacked an enhancer from PEG3 to CCDC106, with a decrease in PEG3 expression and an increase in CCDC106 expression. This expression dysregulation was further confirmed using 10 samples from our cohort, which exhibited the same HPV-CCDC106 integration. In summary, we found that HPV-CCDC106 integration altered local chromosome architecture and hijacked an enhancer via 3D genome structure remodeling. Thus, this study provides insight into the 3D structural mechanism underlying HPV integration in cervical carcinogenesis.

miR-27a is an important adipogenesis regulator associated with differential lipid accumulation between intramuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissues of sheep

Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are crucial regulators for various biological processes. Despite important function in the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes, miRNA studies are limited in regional differences in adipogenesis. Here, we show that miR-27a plays an important role in regulating differential lipid accumulation between intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) adipose tissues in sheep. Invivo, we observed that miR-27a expression in IM adipose tissue is more abundant than in SC adipose tissue. However, the expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma (PPARG) and retinoid X receptor alpha (RXR alpha) in IM adipose tissue was significantly lower than that in SC adipose tissue. In the ovine preadipocyte differentiation model, we found that the expression of miR-27a was significantly decreased in differentiated ovine adipocytes. Overexpression of miR-27a significantly downregulated the expression of PPARG and RXR alpha and suppressed the accumulation of triglyceride but promoted the proliferation of ovine preadipocytes. Whereas, inhibition of miR-27a suppressed preadipocyte proliferation but enhanced PPARG and RXR alpha expression and lipid droplet formation. In addition, dual-luciferase activity assays showed that RXR alpha was a direct target of miR-27a. Thus, miR-27a enhances ovine preadipocytes proliferation and inhibits ovine preadipocytes differentiation through regulating the expression of target RXR alpha. Collectively, our study demonstrates the functional importance of miR-27a in ovine adipogenesis and provides novel insights into exploring regional differences in adipogenesis.

Pump depletion and hot-electron generation in long-density-scale-length plasma with shock-ignition high-intensity laser

Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations for laser plasma interaction with laser intensity of 10^{16}W/cm^{2}, plasma density range of 0.01-0.28n_{c}, and scale length of 230-330μm showed significant pump depletion of the laser energy due to stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) and stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) in the low-density region (n_{e}=0.01-0.2n_{c}). The simulations identified hot electrons generated by SRS in the low-density region with moderate energy and by two-plasmon-decay near n_{e}=0.25n_{c} with higher energy. The overall hot electron temperature (46 keV) and conversion efficiency (3%) were consistent with the experiment's measurements. The simulations also showed artificially reducing SBS would lead to stronger SRS and a softer hot-electron spectrum.

[Effects of ticagrelor on cardiorespiratory fitness in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention]

Objective: To investigate the effects of ticagrelor on cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with coronary heart disease after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 1 073 patients, who were diagnosed as coronary heart disease and underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) within 1 year after PCI, were enrolled from September 2017 to September 2019 in Peking University Third Hospital, including 309 patients in ticagrelor group and 764 patients in clopidogrel group. Clinical information, blood test results, echocardiographic parameters, cardiorespiratory fitness related parameters (including peak oxygen uptake (VO(2)), anaerobic threshold VO(2), peak oxygen pulse (VO(2)/HR) and carbon dioxide ventilation equivalent (VE/VCO(2)) slope), coronary lesions and intervention information were obtained. Cardiopulmonary fitness related indexes were compared between the two groups, and the correlation between ticagrelor use and cardiopulmonary fitness related indexes was analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Patients who underwent CPET within 1 month after PCI were included in the subgroup analysis. Results: In ticagrelor group, the age was (60.3±10.3) years, and 253(81.9%) cases were male. The age of clopidogrel group was (60.6±10.0) years, and there were 608(79.6%) males. No significant differences were observed in peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2), and peak VO(2)/HR between the two groups (all P>0.05), but the VE/VCO(2) slope was significantly higher in the ticagrelor group than in the clopidogrel group (30.075 (27.207, 33.603) vs. 28.853 (25.970, 32.336), P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis suggested that the peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2) and peak VO(2)/HR were not significantly correlated with the ticagrelor use (all P>0.05), while the VE/VCO(2) slope was independently correlated with ticagrelor use (OR=1.098, 95%CI 1.032-1.168, P=0.003). Subgroup analysis of patients who underwent CPET within 1 month after PCI also indicated that no significant difference were observed in peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2), peak VO(2)/HR and VE/VCO(2) slope between the two groups (all P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis suggested that the peak VO(2), anaerobic threshold VO(2) and peak VO(2)/HR were not significantly correlated with ticagrelor use (all P>0.05), while the VE/VCO(2) slope was significantly correlated with ticagrelor use (OR=1.132, 95%CI 1.030-1.244, P=0.010). Conclusion: Among coronary heart disease patients after PCI, treatment with clopidogrel does not result in significant decrease in exercise endurance as compared with patients treated with ticagrelor.

Serum sclerostin as a potential novel biomarker for heart valve calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlation between change in sclerostin level and heart valve calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in stages 3-5, as well as the possible underlying mechanism, which could provide a clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

110 patients were divided into a healthy control group and three groups of patients with CKD stages 3, 4, and 5 according to CKD staging guidelines. Scr, BUN, AKP, TC, TG, HDL, LDL, Ca, Pi, and CRP were measured, and calcium-phosphate product (Ca×Pi) calculated. ELISA was used to measure the sclerostin level, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by MDRD. Heart valve calcification was measured by a physician in the Cardiac Department of our hospital. The correlations between sclerostin-level change and heart valve calcification, as well as each index in CKD patients in stages 3-5, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Compared with the healthy control group, the serum Ca in CKD stage-3, stage-4, and stage-5 groups (p < 0.05) was reduced, and PTH was increased (p < 0.05). Blood Pi and Ca×Pi in the stage-4 and stage-5 groups were increased (p < 0.05). The serum sclerostin level increased with renal hypofunction in stage-3 CKD patients, and was significantly increased compared with that of the control group, reaching the highest level in the terminal stage (p < 0.01). Pearson correlation analysis indicated that serum sclerostin was negatively correlated with eGFR (r = -0.91, p < 0.001) and blood Ca (r= -0.271, p < 0.001), and positively correlated with SCr (r = 0.608, p < 0.001), blood Pi level (r = 0.295, p < 0.001), PTH (r = 0.334, p < 0.001), and Ca×Pi (r = 0.275, p < 0.001). The rate of heart valve calcification in the CKD patients in stage 5 was relatively high (11/30, 36.67%), and significantly higher than that in healthy controls (1/20, 5%; p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis of heart valve calcification indicated that sclerostin was a risk factor for heart valve calcification in CKD patients in stages 3-5.

CONCLUSIONS

The sclerostin level gradually increased with renal hypofunction in CKD patients in stages 3-5, and the increase in serum sclerostin level in the CKD patients occurred earlier than the change in Pi and Ca×Pi. The risk of heart valve calcification in stage-5 CKD patients was significantly increased. Sclerostin is an independent risk factor for heart valve calcification in CKD patients.

Three-dimensional particle-in-cell modeling of parametric instabilities near the quarter-critical density in plasmas

The nonlinear regime of laser-plasma interactions including both two-plasmon decay (TPD) and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) instabilities has been studied in three-dimensional (3D) particle-in-cell simulations with parameters relevant to the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) experiments. SRS and TPD develop in the same region in plasmas, and the generation of fast electrons can be described accurately with only the full model including both SRS and TPD. The growth of instabilities in the linear stage is found to be in good agreement with analytical theories. In the saturation stage the low-frequency density perturbations driven by the daughter waves of the SRS side scattering can saturate the TPD and consequently inhibit the fast-electron generation. The fast-electron flux in 3D modeling is up to an order of magnitude smaller than previously reported in 2D TPD simulations, bringing it close to the results of ICF experiments.

Diazoxide induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-related neuroprotection mediated by p38 MAPK against Aβ25-35 insults

OBJECTIVE

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) -resident caspase-12 was identified as a mediator of Aβ neurotoxicity. Recent evidence indicates that mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel openers mediate their neuroprotective role by adjusting ER stress pathways, but the molecular details remain largely unknown and have been investigated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, the protein expression levels of calreticulin (CRT) and caspase-12 activation and phosphorylated p38 MAPK were observed by immunoblotting in cultured PC12 cells from different groups: treatment with Aβ25-35 (group Aβ25-35), treatment with diazoxide (group diazoxide), pretreatment with diazoxide and then exposure to Aβ25-35 (group diazoxide + Aβ25-35), pretreatment with p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203580 and then exposure to diazoxide and Aβ25-35 (group SB 203580 + diazoxide + Aβ25-35), and the control (group control).

RESULTS

In response to the treatment with Aβ25-35 (10 µM) for 24 h, the protein expression levels of CRT and caspase-12 activation were increased and phosphorylated p38 MAPK was decreased significantly. Diazoxide reduced CRT overexpression and caspase-12 activation and increased the up-regulation of phosphorylated p38 MAPK. When SB 203580 was presented before exposure to diazoxide and Aβ25-35, CRT expression was markedly suppressed, and the inhibition effect of diazoxide on caspase-12 activation was almost eliminated.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that diazoxide induced ERS-related neuroprotection mediated by p38 MAPK against Aβ25-35 insults. From the clinical point of view, these results are of considerable importance for the understanding of AD pathogenesis. However, further studies are required to explore more detailed mechanisms of the observed effects.

The effect of temperature on childhood hand, foot and mouth disease in Guangdong Province, China, 2010-2013: a multicity study

Background

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a serious infectious disease, which has become a public health problem. Previous studies have shown that temperature may influence the incidence of HFMD, but most only focus on single city and the results are highly heterogeneous. Therefore, a multicity study was conducted to explore the association between temperature and HFMD in different cities and search for modifiers that influence the heterogeneity.

Methods

We collected daily cases of childhood HFMD (aged 0–5 years) and meteorological factors of 21 cities in Guangdong Province in the period of 2010–2013. Distributed lag non-linear model (DLNM) with quasi-Poisson was adopted to quantify the effects of temperature on HFMD in 21 cities. Then the effects of each city were pooled by multivariate meta-analysis to obtain the heterogeneity among 21 cities. Potential city-level factors were included in meta-regression to explore effect modifiers.

Results

A total of 1,048,574 childhood cases were included in this study. There was a great correlation between daily childhood HFMD cases and temperature in each city, which was non-linear and lagged. High heterogeneity was showed in the associations between temperature and HFMD in 21 cities. The pooled temperature-HFMD association was peaking at the 79th percentile of temperature with relative risk (RR) of 2.474(95% CI: 2.065–2.965) as compared to the median temperature. Latitude was the main modifier for reducing the heterogeneity to 69.28% revealed by meta-analysis.

Conclusions

There was a strong non-linear and lagged correlation between temperature and HFMD. Latitude was strongly associated with the relationship between temperature and HFMD. Meanwhile, it had an effect on modifying the relationship. These findings can conducive to local governments developing corresponding preventive measures.

Impacts of tropical cyclones and accompanying precipitation and wind velocity on childhood hand, foot and mouth disease in Guangdong Province, China

OBJECTIVE

Guangdong province is one of the provinces most frequently hit by tropical cyclones in China. Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) continues to severely affect public health across the world. Our study aimed to evaluate the impacts of different grades of tropical cyclones and accompanying precipitation and wind velocity on HFMD among children younger than 6 years old in Guangdong province from 2009 to 2013.

METHODS

A time-stratified case-crossover design was used to examine the association between tropical cyclones and childhood HFMD. Principal component analysis (PCA) was first used to eliminate multicollinearity among meteorological variables. Conditional Poisson regression was then applied to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Tropical storms increased the risk of HFMD among children below 6 years of age on lag 4 days (OR = 1.55, 95%CI: 1.28-1.88). Tropical storms were also a risk factor for boys below 3 years of age, boys between 3 and 6 and girls below 3 years of age with the largest OR = 1.52 (95%CI:1.15-2.00), OR = 1.81 (95%CI = 1.21-2.71) and OR = 1.51 (95%CI = 1.04-2.19), respectively. Precipitation during tropical cyclones had an adverse effect on childhood HFMD when reaching 25-49.9 mm or above 100 mm with OR = 1.20 (95%CI = 1.00-1.43) on lag 0 day and OR = 1.25 (95%CI = 1.04-1.49) on lag 7 days, respectively. For extreme wind velocity during tropical cyclones, the impact on childhood HFMD was largest on the day tropical cyclones landed (OR = 1.25, 95%CI: 1.06-1.48) with winds up to 13.9-24.4  m/s.

CONCLUSIONS

Tropical storms can increase the risk of HFMD among children younger than 3 years old, especially boys between 3 and 6 years old. Precipitation during tropical cyclones is a risk factor for childhood HFMD when it is between 25 and 49.9 mm or above 100 mm. As extreme wind velocity reaches 13.9-24.4  m/s, it has an adverse effect on children's health. Children below 3 years old and boys between 3 and 6 should be given more consideration during tropical storms.

Long non-coding RNA CCAT1 promotes cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion by regulating the miR-181a-5p/MMP14 axis

Cervical cancer is a serious threat to women's health and is the third most common malignancy in women worldwide. Recent studies indicate that the long non-coding RNA CCAT1 plays a role in the malignant behavior of many tumors. However, the role of CCAT1 in cervical cancer is still unknown. Our aim is to evaluate the expression and investigate the regulatory role and potential mechanism of CCAT1 in cervical cancer. CCAT1 expression was measured by qRT-PCR. In addition, CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays, qRT-PCR assays, Transwell assays and xenograft experiments were performed to determine the role of CCAT1 in the proliferation and invasion in cervical cancer cells. The expression of CCAT1 in the cervical cancer tissues was higher than in the adjacent normal tissues. Overexpressing CCAT1 promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion in vitro. Elevated CCAT1 suppressed miR-181a expression, which was accompanied by an increased expression of MMP14 and HB-EGF. In contrast, knocking down CCAT1 resulted in increased expression of miR-181a, along with decreased expression of MMP14 and HB-EGF. Thus, CCAT1 is a key oncogenic lncRNA associated with cervical cancer and plays a role in promoting cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion by regulating the miR-181a-5p/MMP14 axis.

[Influence of vagus nerve on multiple organ function and immune reaction of T lymphocytes in septic rats]

Objective: To explore influence of vagus nerve on multiple organ function and immune reaction of T lymphocytes in septic rats. Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham injury group, sepsis group, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) group, and vagotomy (VGX) group, according to the random number table, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in sepsis group, VNS group, and VGX group were inflicted with sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Rats in VNS group were given electrical stimulation on left cervical vagus nerve for 15 min right after CLP. Rats in VGX group underwent vagotomy of left cervical vagus nerve at 30 min before CLP. At 24 h after CLP, serum of rats was collected to detect levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glycocholic acid (CG), creatine kinase (CK), myocardial creatine kinase (CK-MB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine by fully automatic biochemistry analyzer. The left lung of rats was collected to determine wet or dry mass, and wet to dry (W/D) ratio was calculated. The right lung of rats was collected to measure the activity of pulmonary myeloperoxidase (MPO) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Spleen of rats was collected to determine the proliferative activity of CD4(+) T lymphocytes by cell counting kit 8, and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction and ELISA were used to quantify mRNA expressions and levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2), interferon-γ, and IL-4, respectively. Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's honest significant difference test. Results: (1) The levels of serum ALT, AST, CG, CK, CK-MB, BUN, and creatinine, pulmonary W/D ratio, as well as MPO activity of rats in sepsis group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group and VNS group (P<0.01) and were significantly lower than those in VGX group (P<0.01). (2) The proliferative activity of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in sepsis group was 0.93±0.03, which was significantly lower than 1.54±0.07 of rats in sham injury group (P<0.01). The proliferative activity of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VNS group was 1.15±0.15, which was significantly higher than that of rats in sepsis group (P<0.01). The proliferative activity of CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VGX group was 0.75±0.06, which was obviously lower than that of rats in sepsis group (P<0.01). (3) In comparison with those of rats in sham injury group, the levels of IL-2 and interferon-γ in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in sepsis group were markedly decreased (P<0.01), while the level of IL-4 was significantly increased (P<0.01). In comparison with those of rats in sepsis group, the levels of IL-2 and interferon-γ in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VNS group were obviously increased (P<0.01), while the level of IL-4 was markedly decreased (P<0.01). As compared with those of rats in sepsis group, the levels of IL-2 and interferon-γ in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VGX group were markedly decreased (P<0.01), while the level of IL-4 was significantly increased (P<0.01). (4) As compared with those of rats in sham injury group, expressions of IL-2 and interferon-γ mRNA in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in sepsis group were markedly decreased (P<0.01), while expression of IL-4 mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.01). Expressions of IL-2 and interferon-γ mRNA in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VNS group were obviously increased when compared with those of rats in sepsis group (P<0.01), while expression of IL-4 mRNA was markedly decreased (P<0.01). In comparison with those of rats in sepsis group, expressions of IL-2 and interferon-γ mRNA in CD4(+) T lymphocytes of rats in VGX group were markedly decreased (P<0.01), while expression of IL-4 mRNA was significantly increased (P<0.01). Conclusions: Electrical stimulation of vagus nerve can significantly improve multiple organ dysfunction and reverse immunosuppression of T lymphocytes in septic rats, while vagotomy of vagus nerve may enhance the susceptibility of rats to sepsis.

[Relationship between angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial factor and vasodilation function in hypertensive patients]

Objective: To analyze the relationship between angiopoietin 2 (Ang2) and vascular endothelial factor and vasodilation function in hypertensive patients. Methods: Patients with new onset grade 1~2 hypertension (n=40) and healthy control group (n=25) wereenrolledprospectively. Serum Ang2 and nitric oxide (NO), nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin-1 (ET-1) were measured in both groups. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) were measured in hypertensive patients. The above indicators were reviewed in hypertensive patients after antihypertensive treatment until blood pressure<140/90 mmHg. Results: Compared with the control group, serum Ang2 (P=0.049) and ET-1 (P<0.001) were significantly higher. Serum NO (P<0.001) and eNOS (P<0.001) was significantly lower in the hypertensive group. Compared with baseline, serum Ang2 (P=0.049) and ET-1 (P<0.001) were decreased significantly, meanwhile serum NO (P<0.001) and eNOS (P<0.001) were significantly increased. Serum Ang2 after antihypertensive treatment was not significantly different from that of the control group, but no statistical difference was observed in FMD after antihypertensive therapy. Correlation analysis found that serum Ang2 was positively correlated with mean arterial pressure (R=0.432, P<0.001), and negative correlated with serum NO(R=-0.374, P=0.001) and FMD (R=-0.368 0, P=0.002). Multiple linear regression found that serum Ang2 was independently associated with body mass index, mean arterial pressure, and serum NO. Conclusion: Serum Ang 2 can reflect the degree of endothelial and vasodilation impairment in hypertensive patients. Antihypertensive therapy can improve endothelial function, but whether it can restore damaged vasodilation function needs further verification.

Abstract P5-04-25: Characterization of FGFR1/2 genetic alterations reveals novel fusions of FGFR1 in Chinese breast cancer

Background: Deregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) signalling has been extensively studied in various tumor types, and has been implicated in driving endocrine resistance in breast cancer. Genetic alterations of FGFR1, especially FGFR1 amplification, is one of particularly important mechanisms leading to enhanced FGFR signaling in breast cancer. However, the prevalence of FGFR1/2 genetic variations in Chinese breast cancer patients has not been well explored.

Methods: To investigate the characteristics of FGFR1 and FGFR2 genetic variations in Chinese breast cancer, we employed customized next-generation sequencing panel to screen the somatic mutation or copy number variations of FGFR1/2 in primary breast cancer tissues by using two ongoing breast cancer Cohorts, in which we have recruited 289 of early breast cancer patients (EBC Cohort) and 74 of advanced breast cancer patients (ABC Cohort).

Results: In EBC Cohort, we found FGFR1 amplification in 9.0% (26/289) patients and FGFR2 amplification in 2.1% (6/289) patients, and also found 3 of somatic FGFR1 mutations (FGFR1 p.W4C; p.E334K; p.V396I ) and 2 of FGFR2 mutations (FGFR2 p.S702L; p.Y779*). Unlike the comparable prevalence of FGFR2 genetic variations in 2.8% (8/289) of EBC Cohort and 2.7% (2/74; one amplification event and one FGFR2 p.E499D mutation) of ABC Cohort, there were more FGFR1 genetic alterations in ABC Cohort (27%; 20/74 patients; p&lt;0.001), including 19 events of FGFR1 amplification and 1 of FGFR1 c.2186+20G&gt;A intron mutation. More importantly, we identified 5 novel FGFR1 fusion genes in our cohorts, including TACC1-FGFR1, FGFR1-KCNU1, FGFR1-MIR1268A, FGFR1-LZTS1-AS1 and FGFR1-RNF5P1. Although FGFR1-TACC1 fusion gene has been previously reported in breast cancer and TACC1 is fused to the C-terminal of FGFR1 protein leading to aberrant activation of FGFR1, we found TACC1 was fused to the N-terminal of FGFR1 at exon 6 of FGFR1 in our study. In addition, we identified and verified FGFR1-MIR1268A fusion gene at mRNA level using RNA-seq analysis, and further found this fusion gene might result in the truncation of FGFR1.

Conclusions: Collectively, we characterized the prevalence of FGFR1/2 genetic alterations in Chinese breast cancer, and identified 5 of novel FGFR1 fusion genes. The potential roles for novel FGFR1 fusion genes in regulating breast cancer cellular biology and in affecting the efficacy of endocrine therapy have been under the investigation in our laboratory, and the result from which will help us better elucidate the molecular mechanism of FGFR1 in driving the resistance of endocrine therapy.

This study was supported by funding from National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 81602645), Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 2016A030313768) and Research Funds from Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau (Grant No. 201707010418 and 201804010430).

Citation Format: Wang Y, Guo L, Cao L, Jia M, Wen L, Ren C, Zhang G, Liao N. Characterization of FGFR1/2 genetic alterations reveals novel fusions of FGFR1 in Chinese breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-04-25.

MicroRNA-433 inhibits migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells via targeting Notch1

We aimed to determine the effects of miR-433 on the malignant behaviors of ovarian cancer cells, as well as to elucidate the possible mechanisms of ovarian cancer development. A total of 9 ovarian cancer tissues and 9 matched normal ovary tissues were obtained, and the expression levels of miR-433 and Notch1 were then determined by real-time PCR. Human ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3 and OVCAR3 were transfected with miR-433 mimics, negative miR-control and Notch1 siRNA. The expression of Notch1 protein in transfected cells was determined by western blot. In addition, the proliferation, migration and invasion of SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells in vitro were then evaluated using Cell Counting Kit 8, wound healing assay and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. Besides, bioinformatics methods and luciferace reporter assay were performed to confirm whether Notch1 was a direct target of miR-433. The expression of miR-433 was markedly down-regulated while Notch1 expression was significantly up-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues compared with matched normal ovary tissues. Overexpression of miR-433 significantly inhibited the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells, but had not significant effects on cell proliferation. In addition, Notch1 was a direct target of miR-433. Besides, down-regulation of Notch1 inhibited the invasion of ovarian cancer cells. Our findings indicate that miR-433 may inhibit cell migration and invasion in the development of ovarian cancer via down-regulation of Notch1. Notch1 may serve as a potential target in cancer therapy.