Correlations of UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms with onset and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations of UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1 member A1 (UGT1A1) gene polymorphisms with the onset and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 400 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (disease group) and healthy controls (control group) in our hospital were selected as research subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood. UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms rs8330, rs4148323 and rs35003977 were detected after Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification. RT-qPCR was performed to measure the expression level of UGT1A1. The survival of patients was analyzed combined with their prognosis. Moreover, the expression of UGT1A1 gene in lung cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was analyzed by bioinformatics, and the prognosis was analyzed.

RESULTS

According to the expression level of UGT1A1 gene from TCGA and GTEx databases, UGT1A1 gene was highly expressed in lung cancer tissues but lowly expressed in normal lung tissues, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Combined with the expression level of UGT1A1 and the prognostic information of lung cancer patients from TCGA database, patients with higher expression level of UGT1A1 gene exhibited significantly better prognosis than those with lower level (p=0.0013), suggesting that UGT1A1 gene is an anti-oncogene. There were statistically differences in allele distribution of UGT1A1 gene polymorphism rs8330 between the disease group and control group (p=0.003), and the frequency of allele G was higher in disease group. Moreover, the distribution of genotypes of UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms rs8330 (p=0.006) and rs4148323 (p=0.003) in the disease group was significantly different from that in the control group, and the frequencies of GG genotype of polymorphisms rs8330 and rs4148323 were higher in the disease group. Statistically significant differences in the distribution of recessive models of UGT1A1 gene polymorphism rs8330 were observed between the disease group and control group (p=0.047), and the disease group exhibited a lower frequency of recessive model GC + CC than control group. There were evident differences in the distribution of haplotype GGT of UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms rs8330, rs4148323 and rs35003977 between the disease group and control group (p=0.004), and the frequencies of haplotype GGT were higher in the disease group than those in the control group. UGT1A1 gene polymorphism rs8330 was remarkably associated with gene expression (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of UGT1A1 gene in patients carrying genotype CC declined notably compared with that in patients carrying genotypes GG and GC (p<0.05). Furthermore, the polymorphism rs8330 had a significant correlation with the survival of patients in disease group (p=0.0001), and patients with genotype CC had the worst prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

UGT1A1 gene polymorphisms are prominently correlated with the onset and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

Chi3l1 regulates APAP-induced liver injury by promoting macrophage infiltration

The article "Chi3l1 regulates APAP-induced liver injury by promoting macrophage infiltration, by Y. Wang, M. Zhong, W. Wang, Y.-H. Li, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (11): 4996-5003-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201906_18091-PMID: 31210337" has been withdrawn from the authors. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18091.

MiR-1-3p suppresses cell proliferation and invasion and targets STC2 in gastric cancer

OBJECTIVE

MiR-1 has been reported to act as an inhibitory microRNA in gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanism by which miR-1-3p blocks the progression of GC by targeting stanniocalcin 2 (STC2).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression level of miR-1-3p in GC was assessed via quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Expressions of STC2 were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Proliferation and invasion assays were detected by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) and transwell assays, respectively. Moreover, the dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the binding sites between miR-1-3p and STC2.

RESULTS

MiR-1-3p was significantly down-regulated in GC. Moreover, abnormal expression of miR-1-3p was correlated with GC tumor size. Functionally, overexpression of miR-1-3p inhibited proliferation and invasion in GC by inhibiting stanniocalcin 2 (STC2) expressions. In contrast, STC2 was significantly up-regulated in GC. Furthermore, miR-1-3p negatively regulated STC2 expression in GC. The upregulation of STC2 weakened the inhibitory effect of miR-1-3p in GC.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-1-3p suppressed cell proliferation and invasion by targeting STC2 in GC, providing a novel therapeutic target for GC.

Long noncoding RNA CASC15 is upregulated in non-small cell lung cancer and facilitates cell proliferation and metastasis via targeting miR-130b-3p

OBJECTIVE

Recent researches have discovered a class of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), which are dysregulated in various tumors and linked to carcinogenesis. This study aims to uncover the molecular functions of lncRNA CASC15 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumorigenesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was performed to detect CASC15 expression in 55 NSCLC samples and four NSCLC cell lines. Besides, the function of CASC15 was detected through proliferation assay, transwell assay, and wound healing assay in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, the interaction between CASC15 and miR-130b-3p in NSCLC was studied by performing dual-luciferase reporter assay. In addition, tumor formation and metastasis assay were performed in vivo.

RESULTS

CASC15 expression was remarkably upregulated in NSCLC samples compared with that in adjacent samples. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in NSCLC were inhibited via knockdown of CASC15 in vitro. Moreover, RT-qPCR results revealed that miR-130b-3p was upregulated via knockdown of CASC15 in vitro. In addition, miR-130b-3p was a direct target of CASC15 in NSCLC. Tumor formation and metastasis were inhibited after CASC15 was knockdown in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicates that CASC15 could promote metastasis and proliferation of NSCLC through sponging miR-130b-3p in vitro and in vivo, which may offer a new therapeutic intervention for NSCLC patients.

Long non-coding RNA OR3A4 is associated with poor prognosis of human non-small cell lung cancer and regulates cell proliferation via up-regulating SOX4

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have uncovered that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a crucial role in the progression of malignant tumors. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common type of fatal cancer worldwide. The aim of this study was to identify the specific function of lncRNA OR3A4 in the progression of NSCLC, and to explore the possible underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

LncRNA OR3A4 expression in 52-paired NSCLC tissues and adjacent normal tissues was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation assay and cell apoptosis assay were used to investigate the function of OR3A4 in NSCLC. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism was explored by qRT-PCR and Western blot assay.

RESULTS

OR3A4 expression was remarkably upregulated in NSCLC tissues when compared with adjacent normal tissues. The overall survival of NSCLC patients in high OR3A4 expression group was significantly worse than those in low OR3A4 expression group. After the silence of OR3A4, the proliferation of NSCLC cells was significantly inhibited. Besides, the apoptosis of NSCLC cells was remarkably promoted after the silence of OR3A4. Meanwhile, knockdown of OR3A4 significantly down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of SOX4 in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, the expression of SOX4 was found upregulated in both NSCLC tissues and cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These above results suggested that OR3A4 could promote cell proliferation and suppress cell apoptosis in NSCLC through up-regulating SOX4. Our findings demonstrated that OR3A4 might serve as a new therapeutic intervention for NSCLC patients.

LncRNA HAGLROS accelerates the progression of lung carcinoma via sponging microRNA-152

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze the expression profiling of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HAGLROS and microRNA-152 in lung carcinoma (LCa), and to explore their regulatory effects on the malignant progression of LCa.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of HAGLROS in 44 paired LCa tissues and matched adjacent tissues was determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The correlation between HAGLROS expression and clinical indexes of LCa patients was analyzed. Furthermore, HAGLROS expression in LCa cell lines was detected as well. The HAGLROS over-expression and knockdown models were established in A549 and SPC-A1 cells by transfection of pcDNA-HAGLROS and anti-HAGLROS, respectively. The biological influences of HAGLROS on LCa cells were evaluated through a series of functional experiments. Furthermore, the potential relationship between HAGLROS and microRNA-152 was analyzed.

RESULTS

HAGLROS was highly expressed in LCa tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. LCa patients with a higher expression of HAGLROS presented significantly worse tumor stage, a higher rate of lymphatic metastasis, and a lower survival. The knockdown of HAGLROS significantly attenuated the proliferative and migratory abilities of LCa cells. Meanwhile, HAGLROS over-expression obtained the opposite results. MicroRNA-152 was negatively correlated with HAGLROS in LCa. Rescue experiments showed that the knockdown of microRNA-152 reversed the regulatory effects of HAGLROS on proliferative and migratory abilities of LCa cells.

CONCLUSIONS

HAGLROS expression is correlated with tumor stage and lymphatic metastasis of LCa patients. Furthermore, HAGLROS accelerates proliferation and migration of LCa cells by regulating microRNA-152.

LncRNA FBXL19-AS1 promotes proliferation and metastasis via regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition in non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

To detect the relative expression of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 19-antisense RNA 1 (FBXL19-AS1) in tissues and cells of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and investigate the mechanism of lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 in promoting NSCLC cell proliferation and metastasis by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) via in vitro experiments.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The relative expression of lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 in NSCLC tissues and cells was detected via quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The colony formation assay was performed to study the impact of interference with lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 expression on NSCLC cell proliferation. The flow cytometry was applied to determine the influence of si-FBXL19-AS1 on the cycle distribution of NSCLC cells. After the interference with lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 expression, the transwell assay was utilized to measure the changes in the migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells, while the expression changes in EMT-related molecular markers was detected via Western blotting.

RESULTS

The results of qRT-PCR showed that the expression of lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 in NSCLC tissues and cells was up-regulated. According to the results of the colony formation assay, the proliferative capacity of NSCLC cells was decreased after the interference with lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 expression. In flow cytometry, it was indicated that the cell cycle was arrested at the G0/G1 phase in the experimental group compared with that in the control group. The transwell assay results showed that the migratory and invasive abilities of NSCLC cells were weakened after the interference with lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 expression. The results of the Western blotting assay revealed that the expressions of EMT-related molecular markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, etc.) were changed.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 in NSCLC tissues and cells is up-regulated, and the highly expressed lncRNA FBXL19-AS1 can promote NSCLC cell proliferation and metastasis by regulating the EMT.

Chi3l1 regulates APAP-induced liver injury by promoting macrophage infiltration

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the role of Chi3l1 in Acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In vivo model of liver injury was established in mice administrated with APAP (250 mg/kg) or equivalent phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Mouse liver tissues were collected at 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, and 24 h after treatment, respectively. ALT levels and apoptosis were evaluated. Additionally, we established APAP-induced acute liver injury model in wild-type (WT) mice and Chi3l1-deficient (Chi3l1-/-) mice. Pathological changes of liver tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were isolated from mouse liver, and the amounts of infiltrating macrophages and neutrophils were then counted by flow cytometry. Serum levels of cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were extracted from each mouse.

RESULTS

After APAP stimulation, Chi3l1-/- mice showed more severe liver injury than that of WT mice, which was manifested as higher ALT levels and more necrotic or apoptotic cells. Compared with WT mice, Chi3l1-/- mice expressed higher levels of inflammatory cytokines (MCP-1 and IL-6), macrophage-associated molecules (CD68 and CD86), as well as the amounts of infiltrating macrophages and neutrophils. In addition, higher expressions of inflammatory cytokines were found in BMDMs extracted from WT mice treated with those BMDM lysates derived from Chi3l1-/- mice than those of non-treated cells. APAP-treated Chi3l1-/- mice exhibited more severe liver injury than that of WT mice.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed that Chi3l1 protects the liver function from APAP-induced injury by inhibiting the secretion of inflammatory factors and macrophage infiltration.

Application of hybrid GA-PSO based on intelligent control fuzzy system in the integrated scheduling in automated container terminal

With the development of the large ship, automated container terminals (ACTs) have serious energy consumption and carbon emission problems, reducing the loading and unloading time of ships can ease energy consumption, improve the working efficiency and service level of automated terminals. This paper studies the integrated scheduling problem of the gantry cranes (QCs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and automated rail-mounted gantry (ARMG) in automated terminal. According to the loading and unloading operation mode, we build the mixed integer programming model with the goal of minimizing the ship loading and unloading time, and through various algorithms of heuristic and hybrid improved to solve this problem, it proves the effectiveness of the model to obtain optimized scheduling scheme by numerical experiments, and comparing the different performance of algorithms, the results show that the hybrid GA-PSO algorithm with adaptive auto tuning is superior to other algorithms in terms of solution time and quality, which can effectively solve the problem of integrated scheduling to save the energy of automated container terminal.

[Laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer with preservation of the left colic artery: anatomical basis and surgical experience]

In order to increase the blood supply of anastomosis, surgeons choose to preserve the left colon artery (LCA) during the laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer. However, surgeons are always ailed by hemorrhage and incompletely dissection of No. 253 lymph nodes. One reason is the shortage of understanding the relationship between inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), LCA, and inferior mesenteric vein before surgery. Another reason is that surgeon always remove the lymph nodes around LCA, while don't normatively resect No. 253 lymph nodes, which affect the overall survival rate. Therefore, the "medial-to-lateral approach" for laparoscopic preservation with LCA radical resection in rectal cancer was suggested in this article. The CT technique could be used to analyze the IMA classification, which contribuated to the standard conservation of LCA. Laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer could be completed of high quality, through accurate definition and exactly dissection of the No. 235 lymph nodes.

Advanced Digital Signal Processing Techniques on the Classification of the Heart Sound Signals

Speech processing subject primarily depends on the digital signal processing (DSP) methods, such as convolution, discrete Fourier transform (DFT), fast Fourier transforms (FFT), finite impulse response (FIR) and infinite impulse response (IIR) filters, FFT recursive and non-recursive digital filters, FFT processing, random signal theory, adaptive filters, upsampling and downsampling, etc. Recursive and non-recursive digital filters are primarily deployed to absorb the signal of interest signals and to block the unwanted signals (noise). Broadly, low-pass, high-pass, band-pass, and band-stop filters are implemented for filtering functions. In frequent, the DSP theories can be used for further biomedical engineering domains like biomedical imaging (MRI, ultrasound, CT, X-ray, PET) and genetic signal analysis-cum-processing too. In this article, the experiments such as voiced/unvoiced detection, formants estimation using FFT and spectrograms, pitch estimation and tracking and yes/no sound classification are used. Also, the analysis of normal/abnormal heart sound signals using simple energy computation and the zero-crossing rate and their results are obtained. For the entire study, the Matlab R2018a tool is used to obtain the simulation results. At last, the criticism, feedbacks, comments, reactions from the student are detailed for the exceptional development of the course.

miR-146a alleviates the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons induced by microglia activation via targeting TRAF6

OBJECTIVE

To identify the role of miR-146a and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) for improving the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons induced by microglia activation.

METHODS

Mouse microglial cell line (BV2 cell) was employed and treated with lipopolysaccharide. Mouse hippocampal nerve cell line (HT22 cell) was then grown in BV2 conditioned medium, and miR-146a overexpression and silencing cell lines were constructed. CCK8 and clone formation test were utilized to evaluate the proliferation ability of the transfected cells, and the level of inflammatory factors was measured by ELISA. Apoptosis was determined extensively by flow cytometry. The apoptosis-related protein and TRAF6 protein expressions were verified by Western blot. TRAF6 was identified to be the target gene of miR-146a based on double Luciferase Report. Finally, both TRAF6 and miR-146a were used to treat HT22 cells and the above indexes were detected repeatedly.

RESULTS

Interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-6 expressions in BV2 cells increased significantly. miR-146a overexpression distinctly increased the cell proliferation ability and B-cell lymphoma-2 expression ((Bcl-2, p < 0.05); meanwhile, the apoptosis rate of cells, apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 associated X and cleaved caspase-3), and TRAF6 gene and protein expressions were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). However, these above results were reversed for miR-146a silence. There is a targeting relationship between miR-146a and TRAF6. Silencing TRAF6 gene can promote HT22 cells' proliferation and inhibit apoptosis. The effect of miR-146a on HT22 cells was reversed by adding TRAF6 mimics to miR-146a overexpression cells.

CONCLUSION

miR-146a can inhibit the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons caused by microglia activation via targeting TRAF6 and down-regulating its expression.

[Vertical supraumbilical incision versus left lower oblique incision for specimen retrieval during laparoscopic rectal surgery]

Objective: To compared the short-term surgical outcomes of the vertical supraumbilical incision with the left lower oblique incision for specimen retrieval in laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Inclusion criteria: (1) rectal cancer confirmed by colonoscopy and pathological examination; (2) undergoing the operation for the first time; (3) laparoscopic rectal surgery performed by the same surgeon team; (4) age of > 18 years and < 76 years old. According to above criteria, clinical data of 178 consecutive patients scheduled for laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of Renji Hospital between March 2015 and December 2017 were collected. Based on incision site of the mini-laparotomy, patients were classified to the vertical supraumbilical incision group (n=75) and the left lower oblique incision group (n=103). There were no significant differences in baseline data, such as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), tumor diameter, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, score of American Society of Anesthesiologists, TNM stage, between the two groups (all P>0.05). Perioperative variables and follow-up data were compared between two groups. Results: Between the vertical supraumbilical incision group and the left lower oblique incision group, the operation time [(131.7±3.7) minutes vs. (138.5±3.5) minutes], operative bleeding volume [(138.9±11.5) ml vs. (154.3±10.3) ml], length of auxiliary incision [(4.0±0.1) cm vs. (4.0±0.1) cm], and distance from anastomosis to dentate line [(3.8±0.1) cm vs. (4.2±0.1) cm] were not significantly different (all P>0.05). As compared to the left lower oblique incision group, patients in vertical supraumbilical incision group had earlier flatus [(62.7±2.3) hours vs. (69.2±1.7) hours, t=2.282, P=0.023], earlier ambulation [(41.9±1.8) hours vs. (46.78±1.42) hours, t=2.131, P=0.032], lower pain VAS scores at postoperative 24 hours (2.0±0.1 vs. 2.4±0.1, t=2.172, P=0.032) and 48 hours (2.7±0.1 vs. 3.0±0.1, P<0.05), and lower incidence of postoperative incisional hernia [6.7% (5/75) vs. 9.7% (10/103), χ(2)=3.942, P=0.042]. However, the postoperative fluids intake time, hospitalization days, pain VAS scores at postoperative 12 hours and postoperative complications (wound infection, anastomotic leakage, urinary retention, intestinal obstruction) were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: The vertical supraumbilical incision in laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer can reduce the degree of postoperative pain, facilitate early recovery of intestinal function and decrease the incidence of incisional hernia.

[Standardized diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer during the outbreak of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Renji hospital]

Novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) is currently raging in China. It has been proven that NCP can be transmitted from human to human and cause hospital infection, which seriously threatens surgical staffs and inpatients. Although colorectal surgery is not a front-line subject in the fight against the epidemic, but in this special situation, now it is a difficult task that with the premise of how to maximize the protection for patients and their families, health of medical staff, and the safety of wards and hospitals, we can provide the highest quality medical services to ensure the orderly development of previous clinical work. Referring to the "Diagnosis and Treatment Scheme for NCP (Trial Version 4 and 5)" and combining the actual practice situation in our hospital with the "Summary of New Coronavirus Files of Shanghai Renji Hospital", we summarize how to carry out the clinical practice of colorectal surgery under the situation of the prevention and control of the NCP epidemiology, meanwhile under such situation aiming the procedure of diagnose and treatment for emergency patients with colorectal tumor, we share the experiences of the diagnosis of colorectal tumor, the management of patients with colorectal cancer who are scheduled to be admitted for surgery, the protection of wards, the perioperative management. More importantly, we introduce in detail the operative management and perioperative management of colorectal surgery patients suspected or diagnosed with new coronary pneumonia, including prevention and control measures for medical staff, operating rooms and surgical instruments. The main points are as follows: (1) Multidisciplinary team (MDT) must be run through the diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer. The members include not only routine departments, but also respiratory department and infectious department. (2) Colonoscopy examination may cause cross infection of NCP to patients and doctors. Therefore, it is prior to examine the emergency cases and life-threatening patients (bleeding, obstruction, gastrointestinal foreign bodies, etc.). If the emergent patients (intestinal obstruction) with suspected or confirmed NCP, the surgeons must perform emergency surgery, and intestinal decompressive tube through colonoscopy is not recommended. (3) The colorectal cancer patients with suspected or confirmed NCP should be placed in the isolated room with separate medical devices, and the operative room with negative pressure (under-5 Pa) must be separated. All disposable medical items, body fluids and feces of the patients in perioperative periods must be unified disposed according to the medical waste standard. (4) The surgical medical workers who process colorectal cancer patients with NCP must be protected by three-level. After operation, the medical workers must receive medical observation and be isolated for 14 days. We hope our "Renji experience" will be beneficial to colleagues.

[Countermeasures and treatment for aortic acute syndrome with novel coronavirus pneumonia]

The novel coronavirus pneumonia (NCP) has cost a great loss to the health and economic property of Chines people. Under such a special circumstance, how to deal with such patients with acute aortic syndrome has become a serious challenge. Rapid diagnosis of concomitant NCP, safe and effective transportation, implementation of the interventional procedure, protection of vascular surgical team and postoperative management and follow-up of such patients have become urgent problems for us. Combined with the latest novel government documents, the literature and the experiences from Wuhan, we answered the above questions briefly and plainly. It also hopes to inspire the national vascular surgeons to manage critical emergencies in vascular surgery and even routine vascular diseases with NCP, as a final point to limit the severe epidemic situation, and minimize the damage of NCP.

MiR-1269a acts as an onco-miRNA in non-small cell lung cancer via down-regulating SOX6

OBJECTIVE

Lung cancer, especially non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), remains one of the leading death-causing malignant tumors worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified to participate in the development and progression of NSCLC. However, the role of miR-1269a in NSCLC still needs to be elucidated. The objective of this study was to investigate the function of miR-1269a in NSCLC and its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was utilized to measure the expression level of miR-1269a in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. After transfection with miR-1269a mimics or inhibitors, the expression level of miR-1269a in NSCLC was up- or down-regulated. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assay were used to measure cell proliferation ability. Flow cytometry assay was applied to verify the cell cycle distributions of established cell lines. The potential target of miR-1269a was determined by using dual-luciferase and Western blot assays.

RESULTS

miR-1269a was significantly over-expressed in NSCLC tissues than that in adjacent normal tissues. The expression of miR-1269a was also up-regulated in NSCLC-derived cell lines. Up-regulation of miR-1269a improved the abilities of cell proliferation, colony formation, and induced cell cycle transition. Meanwhile, down-regulation of miR-1269a decreased the capacities of cell proliferation, colony formation, and arrested the cell cycle. It was further implicated that SOX6 was verified as a target of miR-1269a in NSCLC and over-expressed SOX6 could rescue the effect of miR-1269a up-regulation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrated that miR-1299a could function as an onco-miRNA in NSCLC and promote NSCLC growth via down-regulating the expression of SOX6.

Mutation Analysis of Pre-mRNA Splicing Genes PRPF31, PRPF8, and SNRNP200 in Chinese Families with Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa

BACKGROUND

To screen variants in pre-mRNA Splicing genes in 95 Chinese autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) families.

METHODS

Clinical examination and pedigree analysis were performed. Targeted exome sequencing (TES) and / or Sanger sequencing were performed to detect the variants in genes of Splicing factors and conduct intra-familiar segregation analysis with DNA available. In silico analysis was performed to predict pathogenicity of variants in protein level and in vitro splicing assays were performed to compare splicing variants with their corresponding wildtype about their splicing effect.

RESULTS

In this study, total nine different variants were identified in PRPF31, SNRNP200, and PRPF8 respectively, including six PRPF31 variants [five novel variants 322+1G>A, c.527+2T>G, c.590T>C(p.Leu197Pro), c.1035_1036insGC (p.Pro346Argfs X18), and c.1224dupG (p.Gln409AlafsX66) plus one reported variant c.1060C>T (p.Arg354X)], a recurrent PRPF8 variant c.6930G>T (p.Arg2310Ser), two SNRNP200 variants [one heterozygous and homozygous SNRNP200 recurrent variant c.3260G>A (p.Ser1087Leu), and a reported heterozygous c.2042G>A(p.Arg681His)]. In family 20009, incomplete penetrance was observed. A novel PRPF31 missense variant c.590T>C (p.Leu197Pro) was predicted to be pathogenic in protein level via in silico analysis and in vitro splicing assay demonstrated that two novel splicing PRPF31 variants c.322+1G>A and c.527+2T>G affect splicing compared with the wildtype.

CONCLUSIONS

In our studies, RP-causing variants of pre-mRNA Splicing genes (PRPF31, PRPF8 and SNRNP200) were identified in nine of the ninety-five adRP families respectively, which extend the spectra of RP variant and phenotype. And we provide the first example that SNRNP200-related RP can be caused by both heterozygous and homozygous variants of this gene.

[Effect of short-acting combined oral contraceptives on bleeding after induced abortion]

Objective: To explore the effect of short-acting combined oral contraceptives on vaginal bleeding after induced abortion. Methods: A total of 726 patients, who had took induced abortion from July 2016 to September 2016 in obstetrics and gynecology outpatient department of Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, were included and divided into the observation group and the control group according to whether they took short-acting combined oral contraceptives after induced abortion, with 312 cases, 414 cases respectively.The vaginal bleeding days, amounts of bleeding, the endometrial thickness 3 weeks later, and whether the patient had menstrual recovery on time were observed and analyzed. Results: The observation group had less bleeding days and amount of bleeding, compared with the control group.69.87% (218/312) patients of the observation group had more than 8mm of endometrial thickness on postoperative day 21, while 61.11% (253/414) of the observation group did, the difference was statistically significant (P=0.034).90.06% (281/312) patients of the observation group had menstrual recovery on time, while 82.61% (342/414) of the observation group did, the difference was statistically significant (P=0.004). Conclusion: Short-acting combined oral contraceptives after induced abortion can significantly shorten the vaginal bleeding days, reduce the amount of bleeding, promote endometrial repair and menstrual recovery.There fore, it has important clinical significance and application value.

Oxcarbazepine causes neurocyte apoptosis and developing brain damage by triggering Bax/Bcl-2 signaling pathway mediated caspase 3 activation in neonatal rats

OBJECTIVE

Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) are the main methods for treatment of neonatal seizures; however, a few AEDs may cause developing brain damage of neonate. This study aims to investigate effects of oxcarbazepine (OXC) on developing brain damage of neonatal rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Both of neonatal and adult rats were divided into 6 groups, including Control, OXC 187.5 mg/kg, OXC 281.25 mg/kg, OXC 375 mg/kg group, LEV and PHT group. Body weight and brain weight were evaluated. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe neurocyte morphology and Nissl bodies, respectively. Apoptosis was examined using TUNEL assay, and caspase 8 activity was evaluated using spectrophotometer method. Cytochrome C-release was evaluated using flow cytometry. Western blot was used to examine Bax and Bcl-2 expression.

RESULTS

OXC 375 mg/kg treatment significantly decreased brain weight compared to Control group in neonatal rats (P5 rats) (p<0.05). OXC administration causes histological changes of neurocytes. OXC 281.25 mg/kg or more concentration significantly decreased neurocytes counts and increased TUNEL-staining positive neurocytes compared to Control group (p<0.05). OXC 281.25 mg/kg and OXC 375 mg/kg significantly increased caspase 3 activity compared to Control group in P5 rats (p<0.05). OXC 281.25 mg/kg and OXC 375 mg/kg significantly increased Bax, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cytochrome C release in frontal lobes compared to Control group in P5 rats (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Oxcarbazepine at a concentration of 281.25 mg/kg or more causes neurocyte apoptosis and developing brain damage by triggering Bax/Bcl-2 signaling pathway mediated caspase 3 activation in neonatal rats.

Hemispheric asymmetry of the frontolimbic cortex in young adults with borderline personality disorder

OBJECTIVE

Although the frontolimbic cortex has been implicated in borderline personality disorder (BPD), information about possible asymmetries in this region in patients with BPD is limited. This study aimed to examine whether frontolimbic cortex asymmetries differ between patients with BPD and healthy individuals.

METHODS

The brains of 30 young adult patients with BPD and 32 healthy control subjects were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The participants completed self-report scales assessing impulsivity, affect intensity and other psychological variables. Gray matter volume, surface area, and cortical thickness in regions of interest (ROIs), namely anterior insula (AI) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) were determined and the data were probed for hemisphere-group interactions.

RESULTS

Relative to controls, patients with BPD had reduced cortical thickness in left ACC and less surface area and gray matter volume in left AI. Significant group-hemisphere interactions were observed for gray matter volume and surface area of AI and for cortical thickness of ACC. Post hoc analysis showed that the BPD patients had greater frontolimbic cortex asymmetry than healthy controls; furthermore, greater asymmetry of AI&ACC correlated with a higher score in attention subscale of Barratt Impulsiveness Scale.

CONCLUSION

Patients with BPD have greater frontolimbic asymmetry than healthy individuals.