Phthalate Acid Esters (PAEs) in Indoor Dust from Decoration Material Stores: Occurrence, Sources, and Health Risks

Phthalate acid esters (PAEs) are one of the most widely used plasticizers globally, extensively employed in various decoration materials. However, studies on the impact of these materials on indoor environmental PAE pollution and their effects on human health are limited. In this study, forty dust samples were collected from four types of stores specializing in decoration materials (flooring, furniture boards, wall coverings, and household articles). The levels, sources, exposure doses, and potential health risks of PAEs in dust from decoration material stores were assessed. The total concentrations of Σ9PAE (the sum of nine PAEs) in dust from all decoration-material stores ranged from 46,100 ng/g to 695,000 ng/g, with a median concentration of 146,000 ng/g. DMP, DEP, DBP, and DEHP were identified as the predominant components. Among all stores, furniture board stores exhibited the highest Σ9PAE (159,000 ng/g, median value), while flooring stores exhibited the lowest (95,300 ng/g). Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that decoration materials are important sources of PAEs in the indoor environment. The estimated daily intakes of PAEs through non-dietary dust ingestion and dermal-absorption pathways among staff in various decoration-material stores were 60.0 and 0.470 ng/kg-bw/day (flooring stores), 113 and 0.780 ng/kg-bw/day (furniture board stores), 102 and 0.510 ng/kg-bw/day (wall covering stores), and 114 and 0.710 ng/kg-bw/day (household article stores). Particularly, staff in wall-covering and furniture-board stores exhibited relatively higher exposure doses of DEHP. Risk assessment indicated that although certain PAEs posed potential health risks, the exposure levels for staff in decoration material stores were within acceptable limits. However, staff in wall covering stores exhibited relatively higher risks, necessitating targeted risk-management strategies. This study provides new insights into understanding the risk associated with PAEs in indoor environments.

SCARA5 as a downstream factor of PCAT29, inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of bladder cancer

Scavenger receptor class A, member 5 (SCARA5) has been identified a novel tumor suppressor in several cancers. However, the functional and underlying mechanism of SCARA5 in bladder cancer (BC) need investigation. Here, we found SCARA5 expression was downregulated in both BC tissues and cell lines. Low SCARA5 in BC tissues was associated with a shorter overall survival. Moreover, SCARA5 overexpression reduced BC cell viability, colony formation, invasion, and migration. Further investigation demonstrated that the expression of SCARA5 was negatively regulated by miR-141. Furthermore, the long non-coding RNA prostate cancer associated transcript 29 (PCAT29) inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of BC cells by sponging miR-141. Luciferase activity assays revealed that PCAT29 targeted miR-141 and miR-141 targeted SCARA5. In conclusion, SCARA5, as a downstream factor of the PCAT29/miR-141 axis, inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of BC cells. These findings provide novel insights into the detailed molecular mechanisms of BC development.

Diagnosis, Genetics, and Management of 24 Patients With Cardiac Paragangliomas: Experience From a Single Center

Context

Paragangliomas located within the pericardium represent a rare yet challenging clinical situation.

Objective

The current analysis aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of cardiac paragangliomas, with emphasis on the diagnostic approach, genetic background, and multidisciplinary management.

Methods

Twenty-four patients diagnosed with cardiac paraganglioma (PGL) in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China, between 2003 and 2021 were identified. Clinical data was collected from medical record. Genetic screening and succinate dehydrogenase subunit B immunohistochemistry were performed in 22 patients.

Results

The median age at diagnosis was 38 years (range 11-51 years), 8 patients (33%) were females, and 4 (17%) had familial history. Hypertension and/or symptoms related to catecholamine secretion were present in 22 (92%) patients. Excess levels of catecholamines and/or metanephrines were detected in 22 (96%) of the 23 patients who have completed biochemical testing. Cardiac PGLs were localized with 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine scintigraphy in 11/22 (50%), and 99mTc-hydrazinonicotinyl-tyr3-octreotide scintigraphy in 24/24 (100%) patients. Genetic testing identified germline SDHx mutations in 13/22 (59%) patients, while immunohistochemistry revealed succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) deficiency in tumors from 17/22 (77%) patients. All patients were managed by a multidisciplinary team through medical preparation, surgery, and follow-up. Twenty-three patients received surgical treatment and perioperative death occurred in 2 cases. Overall, 21 patients were alive at follow-up (median 7.0 years, range 0.6-18 years). Local recurrence or metastasis developed in 3 patients, all of whom had SDH-deficient tumors.

Conclusion

Cardiac PGLs can be diagnosed based on clinical manifestations, biochemical tests, and appropriate imaging studies. Genetic screening, multidisciplinary approach, and long-term follow-up are crucial in the management of this disease.

[Revision rate of periprosthetic joint infection post total hip or knee arthroplasty of 34 hospitals in China between 2015 and 2017: a multi-center survey]

Objective: To investigate the rate of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) revision surgeries and clinical information of hip-/knee- PJI cases nationwide from 2015 to 2017 in China. Methods: An epidemiological investigation. A self-designed questionnaire and convenience sampling were used to survey 41 regional joint replacement centers nationwide from November 2018 to December 2019 in China. The PJI was diagnosed according to the Musculoskeletal Infection Association criteria. Data of PJI patients were obtained by searching the inpatient database of each hospital. Questionnaire entries were extracted from the clinical records by specialist. Then the differences in rate of PJI revision surgery between hip- and knee- PJI revision cases were calculated and compared. Results: Total of 36 hospitals (87.8%) nationwide reported data on 99 791 hip and knee arthroplasties performed from 2015 to 2017, with 946 revisions due to PJI (0.96%). The overall hip-PJI revision rate was 0.99% (481/48 574), and it was 0.97% (135/13 963), 0.97% (153/15 730) and 1.07% (193/17 881) in of 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. The overall knee-PJI revision rate was 0.91% (465/51 271), and it was 0.90% (131/14 650), 0.88% (155/17 693) and 0.94% (179/18 982) in 2015, 2016, 2017, respectively. Heilongjiang (2.2%, 40/1 805), Fujian (2.2%, 45/2 017), Jiangsu (2.1%, 85/3 899), Gansu (2.1%, 29/1 377), Chongqing (1.8%, 64/3 523) reported relatively high revision rates. Conclusions: The overall PJI revision rate in 34 hospitals nationwide from 2015 to 2017 is 0.96%. The hip-PJI revision rate is slightly higher than that in the knee-PJI. There are differences in revision rates among hospitals in different regions.

BMSC-derived exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 suppresses the malignant phenotypes of bladder cancer by upregulating SCARA5 expression

LncRNAs can be transported to tumor cells where they exert regulatory effects by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC)-derived exosomes. Here, we aimed to investigate the functional mechanism of BMSC-derived exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 in the progression of bladder cancer (BC). Methods of BMSC were identified by detecting surface markers through flow cytometry. Exosomes from BMSC were identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and western blot analysis of exosome markers. Cellular internalization of BMSC-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exo) into BC cells was detected by confocal microscopy. CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry, wound healing, and transwell assays were adopted to estimate cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion abilities, respectively. Interplay between miR-17 and lncRNA PTENP1 or SCARA5 was verified by dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull down, and/or RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Tumor xenograft assay was conducted in nude mice to study the role of exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 in BC progression in vivo. We showed exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 can be delivered into and suppress the malignant phenotypes of BC cells. LncRNA PTENP1 was identified as a sponge of miR-17, and SCARA5 was identified as a target gene of miR-17. The exosomes derived from PTENP1-overexpressing BMSC (BMSC^OE-PTENP1-Exo) abolished the promotive effects of miR-17 overexpression or SCARA5 knockdown on the malignant phenotypes of BC cells. Moreover, exosomal lncRNA PTENP1 was demonstrated to inhibit BC tumor growth in nude mice by miR-17/SCARA5 axis. In conclusion, BMSC-derived exosomal PTENP1 suppressed the BC progression by upregulating the expression of SCARA5 via sponging miR-17, offering a potential novel therapeutic target for BC therapy.

PDCD5 inhibits progression of renal cell carcinoma by promoting T cell immunity: with the involvement of the HDAC3/microRNA-195-5p/SGK1

BACKGROUND

Epigenetics exerts a vital role in the onset and development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Mounting evidence has shed light on the significance of human immune system in response to tumor infiltrating T cells. Hereby, we sought to unmask the immunomodulatory role of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) and its potential upstream molecule, programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) in RCC.

METHODS

RCC and adjacent non-cancerous tissues were clinically resected from 58 patients, in which the expression profile of microRNA-195-5p (miR-195-5p), PDCD5, HDAC3, and serum glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. Their relations were investigated by a series of luciferase assays in combination with ChIP and co-IP. RCC cells (A498) were intervened using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, followed by cell proliferation evaluation. After co-culture with CD3⁺ T cells, flow cytometry and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) determination were performed. A xenograft tumor mouse model was developed for in vivo validation.

RESULTS

PDCD5 was downregulated in RCC tissues and A498 cells. Upregulation of HDAC3, as well as of SGK1, resulted in suppression of A498 cell proliferation and promotion of T cell activation as evidenced by higher IFN-γ expression. Re-expression of PDCD5 downregulated HDAC3, causing a subsequent upregulation of miR-195-5p, while miR-195-5p could inversely modulate its target gene, SGK1. The regulatory mechanism appeared to be functional in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Our results highlight the possible manipulation by PDCD5 on RCC cell proliferation and T cell activation, which provides new clues to better understand the immune balance in RCC progression.

WITHDRAWN: SCARA5 regulated by MEG3/miR-141 axis attenuates proliferation, migration and invasion of bladder cancer

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Cancer Associated Fibroblasts Promote Renal Cancer Progression Through a TDO/Kyn/AhR Dependent Signaling Pathway

Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play crucial roles in cancer development, however, the specific mechanisms of CAFs associated renal cancer progression remain poorly understood. Our study observed enriched CAFs in high degree malignant tumor tissues from renal cancer patients. These CAFs isolated from tumor tissues are prone to facilitate drugs resistance and promote tumor progression in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CAFs up-regulated tryptophan 2, 3-dioxygenase (TDO) expression, resulting in enhanced secretion of kynurenine (Kyn). Kyn produced from CAFs could up-regulated the expression of aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), eventually resulting in the AKT and STAT3 signaling pathways activation. Inhibition of AKT signal prevented cancer cells proliferation, while inhibition of the STAT3 signal reverted drugs resistance and cancer migration induced by kynurenine. Application of AhR inhibitor DMF could efficiently suppress distant metastasis of renal cancer cells, and improve anticancer effects of sorafenib (Sor)/sunitinib (Sun), which described a promising therapeutic strategy for clinical renal cancer.

MicroRNA-34c suppresses proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cell via modulating high mobility group box protein 1

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis is the most frequent pathological process that causes cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to confirm miRNAs associated with atherosclerosis and explore the molecular mechanism of miR-34c and its target high mobility group box protein 1 (HMGB1) in the control of growth of smooth muscle cells in the development of atherosclerosis.

METHODS

Real-time PCR was firstly performed to confirm miRNA correlation with atherosclerosis, and computational analysis and luciferase assay were performed to explore the target of miR-34c, Western blot, and real-time PCR were also utilized to reveal the effect of whether high glucose (HG) and miR-34c affect miR-34c, HMGB1 levels, NF-κB p65 and TNF-α levels, and the role of miR-34c on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) viability induced by HG. Students' unpaired t test was performed to compare data between two groups.

RESULTS

MiR-34c level was associated with atherosclerosis with different expression between VSMCs treated with high glucose or normal VSMCs. Then, HMGB1 is a virtual target of miR-34c with predicted binding site resided in HMGB1 3'UTR and further verified by that miR-34c remarkably reduced luciferase activity of wild HMGB1 3'UTR under a concentration-dependent fashion, and miR-34c cannot influence luciferase activity of mutant HMGB1 3'UTR.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggested miR-34c might be a novel therapeutic strategy in the management of atherosclerosis by suppressing the expression of HGMB1 and its downstream effectors.

Identification of novel antimicrobial peptides from rice planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens

In this study, two novel antibacterial peptide genes, termed lugensin A and B were identified and characterized from a rice sap-sucking hemipteran insect pest, the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. Lugensin gene expression was significantly induced by Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial stains under the regulation of a signal receptor, the long peptidoglycan recognition protein (PGRP-LC) in the IMD pathway. Knockdown of PGRP-LC by RNAi eliminated bacterium induced Lugensin gene expression. Lugensins had the apparent antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli K12, Bacillus subtilis and the rice bacterial brown stripe pathogen Acidovorax avenae subsp. avenae (Aaa) strain RS-1. Lugensins inhibited bacterial proliferation by disrupting the integrity of the bacterial membranes. Scanning electron microscopy revealed abnormal membrane morphology of the recombinant Lugensin-treated bacteria. Lugensins induced complete cell disruption of E. coli K12 and B. subtilis strains while formed the holes on the cell surface of Aaa RS-1 strain. Immunofluorescence showed that Lugensins localized in the cell membrane of E. coli K12 while accumulated in the cytosol of B. subtilis. Differently, Lugensins remained in both the cell membrane and the cytosol of Aaa RS-1 strain, suggesting different action modes of Lugensins to different microbes. This is the first report of the novel antibacterial peptides found in the rice sap-sucking hemipteran insect species.

Multifunctional Thermal Management Materials with Excellent Heat Dissipation and Generation Capability for Future Electronics

Thermal management materials (TMMs) used in electronic devices are crucial for future electronics and technologies such as flexible electronics and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. As future electronics will work in a more complicated circumstance, the overheating and overcooling problems can exist in the same electronics while the common TMMs cannot meet the demand of thermal management for future electronics. In this work, nacre-mimetic graphene-based films with super flexibility and durability (in over 10,000 tensile cycles), excellent capability to dissipate excess heat (20.84 W/(m·K) at only 16-22 μm thickness), and outstanding heating performance to generate urgent heat for electronics under extremely cold conditions are fabricated by a facile solution casting method, and the fabricated composites are proved to be superior multifunctional TMMs for the thermal management in electronic chips. In addition, the application of the paper-like films with high in-plane thermal conductivity to a flexible heat spreader and film heater is demonstrated by simulation using a finite volume method, which shows the high importance of the in-plane thermal conductivity in thermal management of electronics.

[Diagnosis and treatment of testicular mixed germ cell tumors: A report of 27 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of testicular mixed germ cell tumors (TMGCT).

METHODS

This retrospective study included 27 cases (2 children and 25 adults) of TMGCT confirmed surgically and pathologically in our hospital from December 2007 to December 2012. The patients' ranged in the age of onset from 7 months to 63 years, averaging at 29.5 years. We analyzed the clinical data and reviewed the related literature.

RESULTS

At pathological examination, the TMGCTs displayed a variety of subtypes, including 13 cases of yolk sac tumor (48.1%), 13 cases of seminoma (48.1%), 18 cases of embryonal carcinoma (66.7%), 4 cases of choriocarcinoma (14.8%) and 17 cases of teratoma (63.0%). Of the total number of cases, 15 (55.6%) contained two different germ cell histological elements, 11 (40.7%) contained three, and 1 (3.7%) contained four; 18 cases (66.7%) were in stage Ⅰ, 6 (22.2%) in stage Ⅱ, and 3 (11.1%) in stage Ⅲ. All the patients underwent radical orchiectomy and, in addition, retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) + BEP chemotherapy was administered for 3 cases of stage Ⅱ and 1 case of stage Ⅲ. Three cases of stage Ⅱ and 2 cases of stage Ⅲ refused RPLND and 1 case of stage Ⅲ refused chemotherapy. A 27－49-month (mean 30 months) follow-up was completed for 21 of the patients, during which retroperitoneal metastasis was found in 3 cases of stage Ⅰ and 2 cases of stage Ⅱ, who again received RPLND+BEP and experienced no more recurrence. One case of stage Ⅲ refused both RPLND and chemotherapy and died at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

TMGCT is a rare carcinoma with atypical clinical features, mostly comprising two or three different germ cell histological elements. Comprehensive treatment of RPLND combined with BEP chemotherapy may achieve a high survival rate and reduce recurrence for most of the patients with TMGCT of stage Ⅱ or above.

Prognostic value of pretreatment prognostic nutritional index in non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND:

The pretreatment prognostic nutritional index has been considered a potential prognostic biomarker in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but this remains controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to systematically assess the prognostic value of the prognostic nutritional index in patients with NSCLC.

METHODS:

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CNKI. The hazard ratios (HRs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the link between the prognostic nutritional index and the oncological outcomes of patients with NSCLC, including overall survival, disease-free survival/recurrence-free survival, and progression-free survival.

RESULTS:

Fifteen studies were included in this meta-analysis. Twelve of these studies explored the association between the prognostic nutritional index and the overall survival of patients with NSCLC. Our pooled analysis indicated that a low prognostic nutritional index was significantly related to adverse overall survival (HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.44, 1.81; P < 0.001). Our results also showed that the prognostic nutritional index was a negative predictor for disease-free survival/recurrence-free survival, and progression-free survival in patients with NSCLC.

CONCLUSION:

Our meta-analysis demonstrated that there was a close association between the prognostic nutritional index value and prognosis in NSCLC patients and that the prognostic nutritional index may act as a useful prognostic biomarker in NSCLC patients.

A single nucleotide polymorphism located in microRNA-499a causes loss of function resulting in increased expression of osbpl1a and reduced serum HDL level

Atherosclerosis is the main pathological process that induces CVD (cardiovascular diseases), and the objective of our study was explore whether miR‑499a rs3746444 polymorphism was associated with the HDL level, one of the risk factors of atherosclerosis. Online public miRNA database was utilized to predict the miR‑499a target, and luciferase assay was conducted to confirm that miR‑499a targeted osbpl1a, then western blot analysis and real-time PCR were performed to verify miRNA-mRNA regulatory relationship between miR‑499a and osbpl1a. Based on results of bioinformatics algorithms, osbpl1a was predicted as a candidate target gene of miR‑499a, luciferase reporter was generated, and it was found that the luciferase activity of cells was substantial downregulated following co-transfection with wild osbpl1a 3'UTR and miR‑499a compared to that in scramble control, while the inhibitory effect of miR‑499a was abolished after transfection of mutant osbpl1a 3'UTR. Then, miRNA-mRNA regulatory relationship between miR‑499a and osbpl1a was detected, a concentration-dependent effect of miR‑499a on the miR‑499a expression was observed, and both osbpl1a mRNA and protein levels of cells transfected with miR‑449a (30 and 60 nM) or osbpl1a siRNA were markedly reduced, while notably improved subsequent to transfect with anti‑miR‑449a (30 and 60 nM) in comparison with NC groups, moreover, the inhibitory effect among 30 or 60 nM miR‑499a, osbpl1a siRNA was similar, the improved effect of 30 or 60 nM anti‑miR‑499a showed no significant change. The influence of rs3746444 A allele on expression level of miR‑499a represented a recessive pattern in high-grade group with a higher level of miR‑499a in AA group, and HDL level in AA group was significantly reduced related to those in AG and GG groups. This study validated that rs3746444 polymorphism influenced the expression of miR‑499a, its target gene, osbpl1a, and thereby associated with the HDL level, which makes it a potential factor involved in the mechanism of atherosclerosis.

LncRNA XIST promotes human lung adenocarcinoma cells to cisplatin resistance via let-7i/BAG-1 axis

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as oncogenes or tumor suppressors that are involved in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. LncRNA XIST expression is upregulated in several cancers, however, its biologic role in the development of the chemotherapy of human lung adenocarcinoma (LAD) has not been elucidated. This study aimed to observe the expression of LncRNA XIST in LAD and to evaluate its biologic role and clinical significance in the resistance of LAD cells to cisplatin. LncRNA XIST expression was markedly increased in cisplatin-resistant A549/DDP cells compared with parental A549 cells as shown by qRT-PCR. LncRNA XIST overexpression in A549 cells increased their chemosensitivity to cisplatin both in vitro and in vivo by protecting cells from apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation. By contrast, LncRNA XIST knockdown in A549/DDP cells decreased the chemoresistance. We revealed that XIST functioned as competing endogenous RNA to repress let-7i, which controlled its down-stream target BAG-1. We proposed that XIST was responsible for cisplatin resistance of LAD cells and XIST exerted its function through the let-7i/BAG-1 axis. Our findings suggested that lncRNA XIST may be a new marker of poor response to cisplatin and could be a potential therapeutic target for LAD chemotherapy.

Effect of Kruppel-like factor 4 on Notch pathway in hepatic stellate cells

The relationship between Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and the Notch pathway was determined to investigate the effect of KLF4 on the activation of hepatic stellate cells and underlying mechanisms. Fifty SPF BALB/c mice were randomly divided into two groups. A liver fibrosis model was established in 25 mice as the experimental group, and the remaining 25 mice served as controls. On the day 0, 7, 14, and 35, liver tissues were removed for immunofluorescent detection. The Notch pathway inhibitor DAPT was added to the primary original hepatic stellate cells, and KLF4 and Notch-associated factor expression was detected by qRT-PCR. Additionally, the hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 was used to establish control and experimental groups, and was cultured in vitro. LX-2 cells in the experimental groups were treated with DAPT and the Notch activator transforming growth factor-beta 1 separately, whereas those in the control group were given isotonic culture medium. After 48 h, KLF4 expression was examined by Western blotting. After transient transfection of LX-2 cells to increase KLF4, the expression of Notch factor was examined. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that, with the aggravation of liver fibrosis, the absorbance (A) values of KLF4 were decreased (day 0: 980.73±153.19; day 7: 1087.99±230.23; day 14: 390.95±93.56; day 35: 245.99±87.34). The expression of Notch pathway- related factors (Notch-1, Notch-2, and Jagged-1) in the hepatic stellate cell membrane was negatively correlated to KLF4 expression. With the increase of KLF4 expression, Notch-2 (0.73±0.13) and Jagged-1 (0.43±0.12) expression decreased, whereas Notch-1 level was not detectable. When the Notch pathway was inhibited, KLF4 levels generally increased (18.12±1.31). Our results indicate that KLF4 expression is negatively correlated to the Notch pathway in hepatic stellate cells, which may provide a reference for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis.

Downregulation of microRNA-637 Increases Risk of Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension by Modulating Expression of Cyclin Dependent Kinase 6 (CDK6) in Pulmonary Smooth Muscle Cells

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism by which miR-637 interferes with the expression of CDK6, which contributes to the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). MATERIAL AND METHODS We used an online miRNA database to identify CDK6 as a virtual target of miR-637, and validated the hypothesis using luciferase assay. Furthermore, we transfected SMCs with miR-637 mimics and inhibitor, and expression of CDK6 was determined using Western blot and real-time PCR. RESULTS In this study, we identified CDK6 as a target of miR-637 in smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and determined the expression of miR-637 in SMCs from PH patients with COPD and normal controls. We also identified the exact miR-637 binding site in the 3'UTR of CDK6 by using a luciferase reporter system. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CDK6 in SMCs from PH patients with COPD were clearly upregulated compared with the normal controls. Cells exposed to hypoxia also showed notably increased CKD6 mRNA and protein expression levels, and when treated with miR-637 or CDK6 siRNA, this increase in CKD6 expression was clearly attenuated. Additionally, cell viability and cell cycle analysis showed that hypoxia markedly increased viability of SMCs by causing an accumulation in S phase, which was relieved by the introduction of miR-637 or CDK6 siRNA. CONCLUSIONS Our study proved that the CDK6 gene is a target of miR-637, and demonstrated the regulatory association between miR-637 and CDK6, suggesting a possible therapeutic target for PH, especially in patients with COPD.

Floroquinone induces apoptosis and inhibits carcinoma growth in mouse tumor xenograft model of anaplastic thyroid cancer

<p class="Abstract">In the present study, effects of floroquinone on anaplastic thyroid cancer cell lines and mouse tumor xenografts were investigated. Increase in the concentration of floroquinone from 10 to 100 µM reduced the cell growth from 98 to 17% after 48 hours in HOTHC cells. Similarly, in FRO cells growth rate was found to be 96 and 21%, respectively at 10 and 100 µM concentra-tions of floroquinone. Western blot analysis showed a marked reduction in Bcl-2 expression and increased in Bax, caspase-3 and cleaved PARP expre-ssion in HOTHC cell lines on treatment with floroquinone. Floroquinone treatment of the HOTHC cells led to inhibition of the cobalt chloride-induced increase in the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor expression. In HOTHC cells, floroquinone treatment inhibited the tube formation and migration potential significantly compared to control cells. Treatment of the mouse bearing HOTHC tumor xenograft with 50 and 100 mg/kg doses of floroquinone alternatively for one month reduced the tumor volume to 48 and 17%, respectively compared to the control. Thus, floroquinone effectively inhibits growth of thyroid cancer and can be used for its treatment.</p><p><strong>Video Clip</strong>:</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/v/sub0JQlrffc">Migration assay</a>: 1 min 09 sec</p><p> </p>

Inhibition of complement C3 might rescue vascular hyporeactivity in a conscious hemorrhagic shock rat model

BACKGROUND

Vascular hyporeactivity in severe hemorrhagic shock could induce refractory hypotension and is an important cause of death. The global acute inflammatory response induced in shock triggers the over-expression of reactive oxygen species, NO, ET1 and TNF-α, which play essential roles in the pathology of vascular hyporeactivity. This leads to a hypothesis that inhibition of the complement system, the mediator of the inflammatory cascade, might be a promising therapeutic exploration for vascular hyporeactivity.

METHODS

We use cobra venom factor (CVF) and the soluble form of CR1 (sCR1) which deplete or inhibit complement C3 respectively to examine its role in vascular hyporeactivity in a conscious hemorrhagic shock rat model.

RESULTS

We first confirmed the over-activation of C3 during shock and the down-regulation effects of CVF and sCR1 on C3. Then, both CVF and sCR1 could significantly mitigate the over-expression of serum NO, ET-1, TNF-α and reactive oxygen species. Finally, the vascular reactivity of superior mesenteric arteries (SMA) was examined in vitro, which confirmed the massive reduction of vascular reactivity in shock, which was significantly rescued by both CVF and sCR1.

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of C3 might improve the reactivity of SMA to norepinephrine during hemorrhagic shock possibly through the downregulation of NO, ET1, TNF-α and reactive oxygen radicals.

MicroRNA-766 targeting regulation of SOX6 expression promoted cell proliferation of human colorectal cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of cancer-cell biological processes. Previous studies have shown that miR-766 plays an important role in a variety of biological processes in various human cancers. However, the underlying mechanism of miR-766 in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated miR-766’s role in CRC cell proliferation. Polymerase chain reaction results showed that miR-766 expression was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cells. Ectopic expression of miR-766 promoted cell growth and anchorage-independent growth in CRC cells. Bioinformatic analysis predicted SOX6, a potential target of miR-766, acting as a tumor suppressor. Luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that miR-766 directly bound to the 3′-untranslated region of SOX6. Overexpression of miR-766 suppressed SOX6 expression, resulting in the downregulation of p21 and upregulation of cyclin D1. In a further experiment, SOX6-silenced SW480 cells transfected with miR-766 promoted cell growth, suggesting that downregulation of SOX6 was required for miR-766-induced CRC cell proliferation. Taken together, these results suggested that miR-766 represents an onco-miRNA and participates in the development of CRC by modulating SOX6 expression.

Dual‑sensitive HRE/Egr1 promoter regulates Smac overexpression and enhances radiation‑induced A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell death under hypoxia

The aim of this study was to construct an expression vector carrying the hypoxia/radiation dual‑sensitive chimeric hypoxia response element (HRE)/early growth response 1 (Egr‑1) promoter in order to overexpress the therapeutic second mitochondria‑derived activator of caspases (Smac). Using this expression vector, the present study aimed to explore the molecular mechanism underlying radiotherapy‑induced A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cell death and apoptosis under hypoxia. The plasmids, pcDNA3.1‑Egr1‑Smac (pE‑Smac) and pcDNA3.1‑HRE/Egr-1‑Smac (pH/E‑Smac), were constructed and transfected into A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells using the liposome method. CoCl2 was used to chemically simulate hypoxia, followed by the administration of 2 Gy X‑ray irradiation. An MTT assay was performed to detect cell proliferation and an Annexin V‑fluorescein isothiocyanate apoptosis detection kit was used to detect apoptosis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were used for the detection of mRNA and protein expression, respectively. Infection with the pE‑Smac and pH/E‑Smac plasmids in combination with radiation and/or hypoxia was observed to enhance the expression of Smac. Furthermore, Smac overexpression was found to enhance the radiation‑induced inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of cycle arrest and apoptosis. The cytochrome c/caspase‑9/caspase‑3 pathway was identified to be involved in this regulation of apoptosis. Plasmid infection in combination with X‑ray irradiation was found to markedly induce cell death under hypoxia. In conclusion, the hypoxia/radiation dual‑sensitive chimeric HRE/Egr‑1 promoter was observed to enhance the expression of the therapeutic Smac, as well as enhance the radiation‑induced inhibition of cell proliferation and promotion of cycle arrest and apoptosis under hypoxia. This apoptosis was found to involve the mitochondrial pathway.