[Effect of oxymatrine on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in mice based on the HMGB1-TLR2/TLR4-NF-κB pathway]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the involvement of the high mobility group box protein B1 (HMGB1)-Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2)/TLR4-nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway in the intestinal mucosal injury induced by Cryptosporidium parvum infection, and to examine the effect of oxymatrine (OMT) on C. parvum infection in mice.

METHODS

Forty SPF 4-week-old BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups, including the control group, infection group, glycyrrhizin (GA) group and OMT group. Each mouse was orally administered with 1 × 105 C. parvum oocysts one week in the infection, GA and OMT groups following dexamethasone-induced immunosuppression to model C. parvum intestinal infections in mice. Upon successful modeling, mice in the GA group were intraperitoneally injected with GA at a daily dose of 25.9 mL/kg for successive two weeks, and animals in the OMT group were orally administered OMT at a daily dose of 50 mg/kg for successive two weeks, while mice in the control group were given normal food and water. All mice were sacrificed two weeks post-treatment, and proximal jejunal tissues were sampled. The pathological changes of mouse intestinal mucosal specimens were observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the mouse intestinal villous height, intestinal crypt depth and the ratio of intestinal villous height to intestinal crypt depth were measured. The occludin and zonula occludens protein 1 (ZO1) expression was determined in mouse intestinal epithelial cells using immunohistochemistry, and the relative expression of HMGB1, TLR2, TLR4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) and NF-κB p65 mRNA was quantified in mouse jejunal tissues using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay.

RESULTS

HE staining showed that the mouse intestinal villi were obviously atrophic, shortened, and detached, and the submucosal layer of the mouse intestine was edematous in the infection group as compared with the control group, while the mouse intestinal villi tended to be structurally intact and neatly arranged in the GA and OMT groups. There were significant differences among the four groups in terms of the mouse intestinal villous height (F = 6.207, P = 0.000 5), intestinal crypt depth (F = 6.903, P = 0.000 3) and the ratio of intestinal villous height to intestinal crypt depth (F = 37.190, P < 0.000 1). The mouse intestinal villous height was lower in the infection group than in the control group [(321.9 ± 41.1) μm vs. (399.5 ± 30.9) μm; t = 4.178, P < 0.01] and the GA group [(321.9 ± 41.1) μm vs. (383.7 ± 42.7) μm; t = 3.130, P < 0.01], and the mouse intestinal crypt depth was greater in the infection group [(185.0 ± 35.9) μm] than in the control group [(128.4 ± 23.6) μm] (t = 3.877, P < 0.01) and GA group [(143.3 ± 24.7) μm] (t = 2.710, P < 0.05). The mouse intestinal villous height was greater in the OMT group [(375.3 ± 22.9) μm] than in the infection group (t = 3.888, P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference in mouse intestinal villous height between the OMT group and the control group (t = 1.989, P > 0.05). The mouse intestinal crypt depth was significantly lower in the OMT group [(121.5 ± 27.3) μm] than in the infection group (t = 4.133, P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference in mouse intestinal crypt depth between the OMT group and the control group (t = 0.575, P > 0.05). The ratio of the mouse intestinal villous height to intestinal crypt depth was significantly lower in the infection group (1.8 ± 0.2) than in the control group (3.1 ± 0.3) (t = 10.540, P < 0.01) and the GA group (2.7 ± 0.3) (t = 7.370, P < 0.01), and the ratio of the mouse intestinal villous height to intestinal crypt depth was significantly higher in the OMT group (3.1 ± 0.2) than in the infection group (t = 15.020, P < 0.01); however, there was no significant difference in the ratio of the mouse intestinal villous height to intestinal crypt depth between the OMT group and the control group (t = 0.404, P > 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed significant differences among the four groups in terms of occludin (F = 28.031, P < 0.000 1) and ZO1 expression (F = 14.122, P < 0.000 1) in mouse intestinal epithelial cells. The proportion of positive occluding expression was significantly lower in mouse intestinal epithelial cells in the infection group than in the control group [(14.3 ± 4.5)% vs. (28.3 ± 0.5)%; t = 3.810, P < 0.01], and the proportions of positive occluding expression were significantly higher in mouse intestinal epithelial cells in the GA group [(30.3 ± 1.3)%] and OMT group [(25.8 ± 1.5)%] than in the infection group (t = 7.620 and 5.391, both P values < 0.01); however, there was no significant differences in the proportion of positive occluding expression in mouse intestinal epithelial cells between the GA or OMT groups and the control group (t = 1.791 and 2.033, both P values > 0.05). The proportion of positive ZO1 expression was significantly lower in mouse intestinal epithelial cells in the infection group than in the control group [(14.4 ± 1.8)% vs. (24.2 ± 2.8)%; t = 4.485, P < 0.01], and the proportions of positive ZO1 expression were significantly higher in mouse intestinal epithelial cells in the GA group [(24.1 ± 2.3)%] (t = 5.159, P < 0.01) and OMT group than in the infection group [(22.5 ± 1.9)%] (t = 4.441, P < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences in the proportion of positive ZO1 expression in mouse intestinal epithelial cells between the GA or OMT groups and the control group (t = 0.037 and 0.742, both P values > 0.05). qPCR assay showed significant differences among the four groups in terms of HMGB1 (F = 21.980, P < 0.000 1), TLR2 (F = 20.630, P < 0.000 1), TLR4 (F = 17.000, P = 0.000 6), MyD88 (F = 8.907, P = 0.000 5) and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression in mouse jejunal tissues (F = 8.889, P = 0.000 7). The relative expression of HMGB1 [(5.97 ± 1.07) vs. (1.05 ± 0.07); t = 6.482, P < 0.05] 、TLR2 [(5.92 ± 1.29) vs. (1.10 ± 0.14); t = 5.272, P < 0.05] 、TLR4 [(5.96 ± 1.50) vs. (1.02 ± 0.03); t = 4.644, P < 0.05] 、MyD88 [(3.00 ± 1.26) vs. (1.02 ± 0.05); t = 2.734, P < 0.05] and NF-κB p65 mRNA [(2.33 ± 0.72) vs. (1.04 ± 0.06); t = 2.665, P < 0.05] was all significantly higher in mouse jejunal tissues in the infection group than in the control group. A significant reduction was detected in the relative expression of HMGB1 (0.63 ± 0.01), TLR2 (0.42 ± 0.10), TLR4 (0.35 ± 0.07), MyD88 (0.70 ± 0.11) and NF-κB p65 mRNA (0.75 ± 0.01) in mouse jejunal tissues in the GA group relative to the control group (t = 8.629, 5.830, 11.500, 4.729 and 6.898, all P values < 0.05), and the relative expression of HMGB1, TLR2, TLR4, MyD88 and NF-κB p65 mRNA significantly reduced in mouse jejunal tissues in the GA group as compared to the infection group (t = 7.052, 6.035, 4.084, 3.165 and 3.274, all P values < 0.05). In addition, the relative expression of HMGB1 (1.14 ± 0.60), TLR2 (1.00 ± 0.24), TLR4 (1.14 ± 0.07), MyD88 (0.96 ± 0.25) and NF-κ B p65 mRNA (1.12 ± 0.17) was significantly lower in mouse jejunal tissues in the OMT group than in the infection group (t = 7.059, 5.320, 3.510, 3.466 and 3.273, all P values < 0.05); however, there were no significant differences between the OMT and control groups in terms of relative expression of HMGB1, TLR2, TLR4, MyD88 or NF-κB p65 mRNA in mouse jejunal tissues (t = 0.239, 0.518, 1.887, 0.427 and 0.641, all P values > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

C. parvum infection causes intestinal inflammatory responses and destruction of intestinal mucosal barrier through up-regulating of the HMGB1-TLR2/TLR4-NF-κB pathway. OMT may suppress the intestinal inflammation and repair the intestinal mucosal barrier through inhibiting the activity of the HMGB1-TLR2/TLR4-NF-κB pathway.

[Clinical study of the cytokine panel in the diagnosis of ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease]

Objective: To investigate the association between cytokines and ocular chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) and identify specific biomarkers for ocular cGVHD to enhance clinical diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation. Methods: A mouse model of cGVHD was established to explore the correlation between cGVHD and serum cytokines. Based on the findings from the animal experiments and literature review, a panel of 16 cytokine combinations was identified. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to compare the cytokine concentrations in the serum and tear samples from patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation from June 2017 to March 2022 at the Medical Center of Hematology, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University. Results: ① Compared with the control group, mice with cGVHD exhibited elevated serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-17, IFN-γ, CX3CL1, CXCL11, CXCL13, CCL11, and CCL19 concentrations (all P<0.05). ② Analysis of the cytokine profiles of the serum and tear samples revealed that compared with patients without ocular cGVHD, those with ocular cGVHD exhibited increased serum IL-8 [P=0.032, area under the curve (AUC) =0.678]; decreased serum IL-10 (P=0.030, AUC=0.701) ; elevated IL-8, IFN-γ, CXCL9, and CCL17 in tear samples; and lower IL-10 and CCL19 in tear samples (all P<0.05, all AUC>0.7). Moreover, cytokines in tear samples showed correlations with ocular surface parameters related to ocular cGVHD. Conclusions: Tear fluid demonstrates greater specificity and sensitivity as a biomarker for diagnosing ocular cGVHD than serum biomarkers. Among the identified cytokines in tear samples, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ, CXCL9, CCL17, and CCL19 serve as diagnostic biomarkers for ocular cGVHD post-transplantation, offering practical reference value for diagnosis.

[Correlation between C-reactive protein to albumin ratio and restenosis after femoral popliteal stenting in patients with lower extremity arteriosclerotic obliterans]

Objective: To investigate the study of the correlation between C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) and restenosis after stenting in patients with lower extremity atherosclerotic occlusive disease(LEASO). Methods: The clinical data of 95 patients with LEASO admitted to the Department of Vascular Surgery of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from June 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 67 males and 28 females,aged (73.1±9.4) years (range:51 to 92 years). The patients were classified into the restenosis group (n=61) and the patency group (n=34) according to the CT angiography results. Independent sample t test,Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to compare the data between two groups. Risk factors for restenosis after femoropopliteal artery stenting in patients with LEASO were analyzed using multivariate Cox regression. The relationship between preoperative CAR level and restenosis after stent placement was analyzed. Subject operating characteristic(ROC) curves of CAR were plotted to assess the predictive value of CAR for restenosis after stenting,and the results were expressed as area under the curve (AUC). Results: The aortoiliac calcification grade,number of stents,length of stents,C-reactive protein and CAR levels in restenosis group were higher than those in the patency group,and the serum albumin level was lower than that in the patency group(all P<0.05). And the results of multifactorial Cox regression analysis showed that higher pre-procedure CAR level and lower ABI value was an independent risk factor for in-stent restenosis. The AUC of the ROC curve for restenosis was 0.737(95%CI:0.617 to 0.856),the AUC of the ROC curve for 12-month restenosis was 0.709(95%CI:0.602 to 0.815), and the AUC of the ROC curve for 24-month restenosis was 0.702(95%CI:0.594 to 0.811). Conclusion: Higher pre-procedural CAR levels in patients with LEASO is risk factor for in-stent restenosis,and CAR has a predictive value for restenosis after lower extremity arterial stent dilatation and angioplasty.

A DFT and kinetic study: Is it possible to prepare epoxides without catalysts using the in-situ generated peroxy radicals or peroxides by one-step method?

DFT calculations and kinetic analysis have been employed to comprehensively explore the possibility to prepare epoxides by one-step method using the in-situ generated peroxy radicals or hydroperoxides as epoxidizing agents. Computational studies demonstrated that the selectivities for the reaction systems of O₂ /R2/R1, O₂ /CuH/R1, O₂ /CuH/styrene, O₂ /AcH/R1 were 68.2%, 69.6%, 100% and 93.3%, respectively. The in-situ generated peroxide radicals, such as HOO˙, CuOO˙ and AcOO˙, could react with R1 or styrene by attacking the CC double bond to form a CO bond and subsequently undergoing a cleavage of OO bond to yield epoxides. Peroxide radicals could abstract a hydrogen atom from methyl group on R1, forming unwanted by-products. It should be noted that the hydrogen atoms of HOO˙ is easy to be abstracted by CC double bond and simultaneously the oxygen atom is connected to the CH moiety to form an alkyl peroxy radical (Rad11), greatly limiting the selectivity. The comprehensive mechanistic studies provide a deep understanding on preparing epoxides by one-step method.

Natural aging and Alzheimer's disease pathology increase susceptibility to focused ultrasound-induced blood-brain barrier opening

Focused Ultrasound (FUS) paired with systemically-injected microbubbles (μB) is capable of transiently opening the blood-brain barrier (BBBO) for noninvasive and targeted drug delivery to the brain. FUS-BBBO is also capable of modulating the neuroimmune system, further qualifying its therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). Natural aging and AD impose significant strain on the brain and particularly the BBB, modifying its structure and subsequently, its functionality. The emerging focus on treating neurodegenerative diseases with FUS-BBBO necessitates an investigation into the extent that age and AD affect the BBB's response to FUS. FUS-BBBO was performed with a 1.5-MHz, geometrically focused transducer operated at 450 kPa and paired with a bolus microbubble injection of 8 × 108 μB/mL. Here we quantify the BBBO, BBB closing (BBBC) timeline, and BBB permeability (BBBP) following FUS-BBBO in male mice with and without AD pathology, aged 10 weeks, one year, or two years. The data presented herein indicates that natural aging and AD pathology may increase initial BBBO volume by up to 34.4% and 40.7% respectively, extend BBBC timeline by up to 1.3 and 1.5 days respectively, and increase BBBP as measured by average Ktrans values up to 80% and 86.1% respectively in male mice. This characterization of the BBB response to FUS-BBBO with age and AD further clarifies the nature and extent of the functional impact of these factors and may offer new considerations for planning FUS-BBBO interventions in aged and AD populations.

[Regulatory effects of bio-intensity electric field on microtubule acetylation in human epidermal cell line HaCaT]

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effects of bio-intensity electric field on directional migration and microtubule acetylation in human epidermal cell line HaCaT, aiming to provide molecular theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of wound repair. Methods: The experimental research methods were used. HaCaT cells were collected and divided into simulated electric field group (n=54) placed in the electric field device without electricity for 3 h and electric field treatment group (n=52) treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for 3 h (the same treatment methods below). The cell movement direction was observed in the living cell workstation and the movement velocity, trajectory velocity, and direction of cosθ of cell movement within 3 h of treatment were calculated. HaCaT cells were divided into simulated electric field group and electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 2 h group, and electric field treatment 3 h group which were treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for corresponding time. HaCaT cells were divided into simulated electric field group and 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 300 mV/mm electric field group treated with electric field of corresponding intensities for 3 h. The protein expression of acetylated α-tubulin was detected by Western blotting (n=3). HaCaT cells were divided into simulated electric field group and electric field treatment group, and the protein expression of acetylated α-tubulin was detected and located by immunofluorescence method (n=3). Data were statistically analyzed with Kruskal-Wallis H test,Mann-Whitney U test, Bonferroni correction, one-way analysis of variance, least significant difference test, and independent sample t test. Results: Within 3 h of treatment, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the cells in electric field treatment group had obvious tendency to move directionally, the movement velocity and trajectory velocity were increased significantly (with Z values of -8.53 and -2.05, respectively, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the directionality was significantly enhanced (Z=-8.65, P<0.01). Compared with (0.80±0.14) in simulated electric field group, the protein expressions of acetylated α-tubulin in electric field treatment 1 h group (1.50±0.08) and electric field treatment 2 h group (1.89±0.06) were not changed obviously (P>0.05), while the protein expression of acetylated α-tubulin of cells in electric field treatment 3 h group (3.37±0.36) was increased significantly (Z=-3.06, P<0.05). After treatment for 3 h, the protein expressions of acetylated α-tubulin of cells in 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 300 mV/mm electric field group were 1.63±0.05, 2.24±0.08, and 2.00±0.13, respectively, which were significantly more than 0.95±0.27 in simulated electric field group (P<0.01). Compared with that in 100 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expressions of acetylated α-tubulin in 200 mV/mm electric field group and 300 mV/mm electric field group were increased significantly (P<0.01); the protein expression of acetylated α-tubulin of cells in 300 mV/mm electric field group was significantly lower than that in 200 mV/mm electric field group (P<0.05). After treatment for 3 h, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the acetylated α-tubulin of cells had enhanced directional distribution and higher protein expression (t=5.78, P<0.01). Conclusions: Bio-intensity electric field can induce the directional migration of HaCaT cells and obviously up-regulate the level of α-ubulin acetylation after treatment at 200 mV/mm bio-intensity electric field for 3 h.

Enhanced pharmaceutical recovery as postoperative standard care after radical cystectomy: A meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of enhanced pharmaceutical recovery as postoperative standard care after radical cystectomy.

METHODS

A systematic literature search up to April 2021 was done and 33 studies included 6596 subjects submitted to surgery for radical cystectomy at the start of the study; 3143 of them received enhanced pharmaceutical recovery after surgery and 3453 were controls. The studies reported relationships about the effects of enhanced pharmaceutical recovery as postoperative standard care after radical cystectomy. We calculated the odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to assess the effects of enhanced pharmaceutical recovery as postoperative standard care after radical cystectomy using the dichotomous and continuous methods with a random or fixed-effect model.

RESULTS

Enhanced pharmaceutical recovery after surgery had significantly lower length of hospital stay (MD, -2.78; 95% CI, -3.59 to -1.97, p < 0.001), complications (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.60-0.94, p = 0.01), readmission within 30 days (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69-0.94, p = 0.007), and time to defecation (MD, -1.30; 95% CI, -2.22 to -0.37, p = 0.006) compared to control in subjects submitted to radical cystectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced pharmaceutical recovery after surgery may reduce the length of hospital stay, complications, readmission within 30 days, and time to first bowel movement compared to control in subjects with surgery for radical cystectomy. Furthers studies are required to validate these findings.

[Regulatory effects of bio-intensity electric field on transformation of human skin fibroblasts]

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effects of bio-intensity electric field on the transformation of human skin fibroblasts (HSFs). Methods: The experimental research methods were used. HSFs were collected and divided into 200 mV/mm electric field group treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for 6 h and simulated electric field group placed in the electric field device without electricity for 6 h. Changes in morphology and arrangement of cells were observed in the living cell workstation; the number of cells at 0 and 6 h of treatment was recorded, and the rate of change in cell number was calculated; the direction of cell movement, movement velocity, and trajectory velocity within 3 h were observed and calculated (the number of samples was 34 in the simulated electric field group and 30 in 200 mV/mm electric field group in the aforementioned experiments); the protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in cells after 3 h of treatment was detected by immunofluorescence method (the number of sample was 3). HSFs were collected and divided into simulated electric field group placed in the electric field device without electricity for 3 h, and 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 400 mV/mm electric field group which were treated with electric fields of corresponding intensities for 3 h. Besides, HSFs were divided into simulated electric field group placed in the electric field device without electricity for 6 h, and electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 3 h group, and electric field treatment 6 h group treated with 200 mV/mm electric field for corresponding time. The protein expressions of α-SMA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were detected by Western blotting (the number of sample was 3). Data were statistically analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test, one-way analysis of variance, independent sample t test, and least significant difference test. Results: After 6 h of treatment, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group were elongated in shape and locally adhered; the cells in simulated electric field group were randomly arranged, while the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group were arranged in a regular longitudinal direction; the change rates in the number of cells in the two groups were similar (P>0.05). Within 3 h of treatment, the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group had an obvious tendency to move toward the positive electrode, and the cells in simulated electric field group moved around the origin; compared with those in simulated electric field group, the movement velocity and trajectory velocity of the cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group were increased significantly (with Z values of -5.33 and -5.41, respectively, P<0.01), and the directionality was significantly enhanced (Z=-4.39, P<0.01). After 3 h of treatment, the protein expression of α-SMA of cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group was significantly higher than that in simulated electric field group (t=-9.81, P<0.01). After 3 h of treatment, the protein expressions of α-SMA of cells in 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 400 mV/mm electric field group were 1.195±0.057, 1.606±0.041, and 1.616±0.039, respectively, which were significantly more than 0.649±0.028 in simulated electric field group (P<0.01). Compared with that in 100 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expressions of α-SMA of cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group and 400 mV/mm electric field group were significantly increased (P<0.01). The protein expressions of α-SMA of cells in electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 3 h group, and electric field treatment 6 h group were 0.730±0.032, 1.561±0.031, and 1.553±0.045, respectively, significantly more than 0.464±0.020 in simulated electric field group (P<0.01). Compared with that in electric field treatment 1 h group, the protein expressions of α-SMA in electric field treatment 3 h group and electric field treatment 6 h group were significantly increased (P<0.01). After 3 h of treatment, compared with that in simulated electric field group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in 100 mV/mm electric field group, 200 mV/mm electric field group, and 400 mV/mm electric field group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in 100 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in 200 mV/mm electric field group and 400 mV/mm electric field group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in 200 mV/mm electric field group, the protein expression of PCNA of cells in 400 mV/mm electric field group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with that in simulated electric field group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in electric field treatment 1 h group, electric field treatment 3 h group, and electric field treatment 6 h group were significantly decreased (P<0.01); compared with that in electric field treatment 1 h group, the protein expressions of PCNA of cells in electric field treatment 3 h group and electric field treatment 6 h group were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01); compared with that in electric field treatment 3 h group, the protein expression of PCNA of cells in electric field treatment 6 h group was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusions: The bio-intensity electric field can induce the migration of HSFs and promote the transformation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts, and the transformation displays certain dependence on the time and intensity of electric field.

Research on the relationship between RAGE and its ligand HMGB1, and prognosis and pathogenesis of gastric cancer with diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between the expression of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and the clinical and pathological parameters and prognosis of the patients with gastric cancer (GC) with diabetes mellitus (DM).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

30 normal gastric mucosa, 30 tissues with GC, 90 tissues with GC and DM and their clinical data were collected. The expression levels of RAGE and HMGB1 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to analyze the relationship between the expression levels of RAGE and HMGB1 and the 5-year survival rate. MTT and cell scratch assays were used to detect the effects of knockdown RAGE and HMGB1 on the proliferation and migration of BGC-823 cells. Real-Time PCR was used to detect the regulation of RAGE and HMGB1 on PTBP-1, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between RAGE and HMGB1 and Polyprimidine tract protein (PTBP-1).

RESULTS

Compared with the normal gastric mucosa group, the expression levels of RAGE and HMGB1 were significantly higher in the GC group, GC with DM group. The expression of RAGE and HMGB1 was related with lymph node metastasis, TNM staging, and tumor invasion (p<0.05). Age, TNM stage, tumor infiltration depth, the expression of RAGE and HMGB1 were related with prognosis of patients with GC and DM (p<0.05). Tumor infiltration depth, the expression of RAGE and HMGB1 could affect the 5-year survival rate of patients with GC and DM (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Knockdown RAGE and HMGB1 increased the expression of PTBP-1, and RAGE and HMGB1 were negatively regulated with PTBP-1. RAGE and HMGB1 are independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with GC with DM. RAGE and HMGB1 may regulate the expression of PTBP-1 and inhibit the glycolysis of cells, which may affect the cell proliferation and migration of GC.

Effects of PIM3 in prognosis of colon cancer

PURPOSE

PIM kinase is called proto-oncogene, but there are less research on PIM family in colon cancer. This study was designed to explore the prognosis of PIM3 in colon cancer.

METHODS

In this study, we downloaded RNA-seq and clinical information of colon cancer from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Kaplan-Meier method was used for analyzing the impact of PIM3 on the survival of patients with colon cancer. Single-factor and multi-factor cox regression analysis were used for verifying the prognostic value of PIM3. Spearman correlation analysis was used for screening PIM3 related genes. Functional enrichment analysis was used for analyzing the biological functions and pathways in which PIM3 related genes may be involved. STRING online tools were used for building a co-expression network. Cytoscape was used for co-expression network visualization.

RESULTS

Compared with the low expression group, the patients in the PIM3 high expression group lived longer time. Single-factor and multi-factor cox regression analysis indicated that PIM3 was an independent prognostic factor for colon cancer. Sixty-two PIM3 related genes were screened, and GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that PIM3 related genes might be involved in the MAPK and WNT pathways. The co-expression network showed a strong correlation between PIM3 and MLKL, MYL5, PPP3R1 and other genes.

CONCLUSIONS

PIM3 is an independent prognostic factor of colon cancer and may be a target for the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0010882 promotes the progression of gastric cancer via regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

Accumulating studies have reported that circular RNAs (circRNAs) can act as novel prognostic biomarkers in multiple malignant tumors. Here, we conducted a study to investigate the potential function and molecular mechanism of action of hsa_circ_0010882 in gastric cancer (GC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of hsa_circ_0010882 in the plasma of GC patients and in GC cell lines was verified by qRT-PCR. Its association with overall survival of GC patients was then analyzed by statistical analysis. Gain-of-function and loss-of-function assays were used to investigate the physiological function of hsa_circ_0010882 in GC cells in vitro in the context of proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Moreover, the molecular mechanism of action of hsa_circ_0010882 was predicted using online databases and a literature review. A Western blot assay was used to detect the levels of proteins in the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

RESULTS

We found that hsa_circ_0010882 expression was significantly upregulated in the plasma of GC patients and GC cell lines. Increased expression of hsa_circ_0010882 was significantly correlated with tumor size and histological grade. In addition, GC patients with higher expression of hsa_circ_0010882 had significantly lower overall survival than patients with lower expression of hsa_circ_0010882. Multivariate analysis showed that hsa_circ_0010882 expression could be an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. The proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of GC cell lines were inhibited following hsa_circ_0010882 knock-down, while GC cellular apoptosis increased. Further, overexpression of hsa_circ_0010882 leads to increased proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of GC cell lines. While apoptosis was higher in the GC cell line group with low expressing hsa_circ_0010882 than the control group, no significant difference in apoptosis was detected between the hsa_circ_0010882 overexpressing and the control group. Finally, a mechanistic analysis demonstrated that the hsa_circ_0010882 was positively associated with PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Hsa_circ_0010882, as an oncogenic molecule, is highly expressed in the plasma of patients with GC and is associated with poor prognosis. It plays an important role in proliferation, migration, and invasive genotypes of GC cell lines via regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Additionally, it might be a potential prognostic biomarker for GC patients.

High expression of WISP1 promotes metastasis and predicts poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the expression level of Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) and its clinical significance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression level of WISP1 in HCC tissues and cells. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard regression model were chosen for single and multiple factor analysis of survival analysis, respectively. Furthermore, wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to verify the effect of WISP1 on HCC cell metastasis in vitro.

RESULTS

The expression level of WISP1 in HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in para-cancer tissues (p<0.05). WISP1 expression was positively correlated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage of HCC. Kaplan-Meier curve showed that HCC patients with higher WISP1 expression exhibited significantly worse progression free survival (PFS) time and overall survival (OS) time. Both univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that high expression of WISP1 was an independent predictor of poor prognosis in HCC. In addition, WISP1 significantly promoted the invasion and migration of HCC cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

WISP1 might contribute to the development of HCC, serving as a clinical biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC patients.

The safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection for treating early oesophageal carcinoma: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Oesophageal carcinoma is the sixth most lethal cancer in the world. At present, the choice of specific surgical methods is controversial. This study compares the safety and efficacy of endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection in treating early oesophageal carcinoma.

METHODS

We carried out a search of online databases including the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library with no language restrictions. The inclusion criteria were patients with early oesophageal carcinoma who accepted the treatment of endoscopic submucosal dissection compared with endoscopic mucosal resection.

FINDINGS

A total of 1,462 patients with 1,650 lesions from nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. When compared with the endoscopic mucosal resection group, the en bloc resection (endoscopic submucosal dissection 67.94% vs endoscopic mucosal resection 52.78%; odds ratio 19.79, p = 0.000) and complete resection (endoscopic submucosal dissection 75.57% vs endoscopic mucosal resection 59.47%; odds ratio 16.10, p = 0.000) rates were significantly higher in the endoscopic submucosal dissection group, while the local recurrence rate was significantly lower in the endoscopic submucosal dissection group (endoscopic submucosal dissection 0.08% vs endoscopic mucosal resection 2.66%; odds ratio 0.08, p = 0.000). The incidence of complications and procedural time were also tested.

Preventative effects of selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum on irinotecan-induced small intestinal mucositis in mice

Intestinal mucositis is a frequent side effect in cancer patients who are treated with chemotherapy. There are no effective treatment strategies to date. To find a novel way to alleviate mucositis, the effects of selenium-enriched Bifidobacterium longum (Se-B. longum) in preventing irinotecan (CPT-11)-induced intestinal mucositis in a mouse model were investigated. We tested the ability of Se-B. longum (Se 0.6 mg/kg, 5×10⁸ cfu/mice) to reduce small intestinal mucositis induced by CPT-11 (75 mg/kg, daily) injected intraperitoneally for four consecutive days in mice. Se-B. longum significantly decreased mortality induced by CPT-11 from 71.4% to 16.7%. CPT-11 induced body weight loss, which was alleviated by preventative and simultaneous administration of Se-B. longum. Se-B. longum significantly decreased the severity of diarrhoea from 11 to 4% compared to the CPT-11 group. Inflammation, including intestinal shortening and upregulation of tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β induced by CPT- 11, were prevented by Se-B. longum. Se-B. longum is effective in preventing small intestinal mucositis induced by CPT-11 and therefore has potential to be used clinically by cancer patients.