Linc00703 suppresses non-small cell lung cancer progression by modulating CyclinD1/CDK4 expression

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to detect the expression of linc00703 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to explore the biological function and potential molecular mechanism of linc00703 in NSCLC using in vitro experiments.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The carcinoma tissues and para-carcinoma tissues were collected from 32 patients diagnosed with NSCLC, from which the RNA was extracted. The relative expression of linc00703 in NSCLC tissues was detected via quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The NSCLC cells and normal human bronchial epithelial cells were selected, in which the relative expression of linc00703 was determined via qRT-PCR. Next, the linc00703 overexpression plasmids were designed and synthesized, and then transiently transfected into NSCLC cells. After 48 h, the overexpression efficiency was detected. Finally, the changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, cycle distribution and expressions of downstream molecular markers were determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry and Western blotting, respectively, after overexpression of linc00703 in NSCLC cells.

RESULTS

The results of qRT-PCR revealed that the expression of linc00703 was down-regulated by 5.14 times on average in 29 out of 32 cases of NSCLC tissues, and it was also down-regulated in NSCLC cells. Besides, it was found through CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay and flow cytometry that after overexpression of linc00703 in NSCLC cells, the cell proliferation was inhibited, the apoptosis was enhanced, and the cell cycle was arrested in G1/G0 phase. Furthermore, the results of Western blotting showed that after overexpression of linc00703, the protein expressions of cyclinD1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) declined, while those of cyclinE1 and CDK2 did not change.

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of linc00703 is down-regulated in NSCLC, and it suppresses the occurrence and development of NSCLC via mediating the expression of cyclinD1/CDK4.

Medical ozone induces proliferation and migration inhibition through ROS accumulation and PI3K/AKT/NF-κB suppression in human liver cancer cells in vitro

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies and leading cancer-associated deaths worldwide. Ozone has been proposed as a promising therapeutic agent in the treatment of various disorders.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this paper is to assess the potential anticancer effects of the ozone on liver cancer cells.

METHOD

The liver cancer cell line of bel7402 and SMMC7721 was used in this study. Proliferation was evaluated using the CCK-8 and the colony formation assay. Wond healing assay and transwell assay without Matrigel were used to evaluate their migration ability. Flow cytometry was used for cell cycle analysis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) determination. Glutathione detection kit was used for measurement of glutathione level. Protein expression was estimated by western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Ozone treatment inhibited liver cancer cell proliferation, colony formation. Ozone induced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, which could be elucidated by the change of protein levels of p53, p21, Cyclin D1, cyclin B1, cdc2, and CDK4. We also found that ozone treatment inhibited migration ability by inhibiting EMT-relating protein. Ozone also induced ROS accumulation and decreased glutathione level decreased, which contributed to the inactivation of the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB pathway. Finally, we found that pre-treatment of liver cancer cells with N-acetylcysteine resisted ozone-induced effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Ozone restrains the proliferation and migration potential and EMT process of liver cancer cells via ROS accumulation and PI3K/AKT/NF-κB suppression.

MicroRNA-597 inhibits NSCLC progression through negatively regulating CDK2 expression

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown that microRNA-597 serves as a tumor suppressor gene. However, the role of microRNA-597 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression of microRNA-597 in NSCLC, and to further explore the possible underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to examine microRNA-597 level in tumor tissues and para-cancerous normal tissues collected from 50 patients with NSCLC. The interplay between microRNA-597 expression and clinical indicators, as well as prognosis of NSCLC patients, was analyzed. Meanwhile, qPCR was used to verify microRNA-59 level in NSCLC cell lines. Subsequently, microRNA-597 overexpression and knockdown models were constructed using lentivirus in NSCLC cell lines (including H1299 and PC-9). The impacts of microRNA-597 on the biological functions of NSCLC cells were evaluated using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, respectively. Finally, luciferase reporter gene assay and recovery experiment were performed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism.

RESULTS

QPCR results indicated that microRNA-597 level in NSCLC tissues was remarkably lower than that of adjacent normal tissues, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Compared with patients with high expression of microRNA-597, patients with low expression of microRNA-597 exhibited significantly higher incidence of pathological stage and lower overall survival rate (p<0.05). Similarly, compared with NC group, the proliferation ability of NSCLC cells was remarkably weakened in microRNA-597 overexpression group (p<0.05). However, the opposite results were observed in microRNA-597 inhibitor group (p<0.05). CDK2 expression was found remarkably elevated in NSCLC cell lines as well as in tissue samples CDK2 expression. Meanwhile, CDK2 expression was negatively correlated with microRNA-597 expression. Luciferase reporter gene assay demonstrated that overexpression of CDK2 could significantly attenuate the luciferase activity of wild-type microRNA-597 vector without attenuating that of mutant vector CDK2 expression. This further suggested that microRNA-597 could target bind to CDK2. Furthermore, cell recovery experiment revealed that CDK2 could reverse the impact of microRNA-597 on the malignant progression of NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

MicroRNA-597 expression was significantly down-regulated in NSCLC tissues, as well as cell lines. Meanwhile, microRNA-597 expression was associated with the pathological staging and poor prognosis of patients with NSCLC. In addition, microRNA-597 might suppress the malignant progression of NSCLC through the regulation of CDK2.

[Advances in researches on neoadjuvant therapy for resectable colorectal liver metastasis]

Surgery is recognized as the core treatment for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), while its recurrence rate remains relatively high, even for resectable CRLM. This hints that the efficacy of treatment involves not only technological factors of surgery, but also biological behavior of tumor. For resectable CRLM, neoadjuvant therapy is beneficial to eliminate the micro-metastasis, reduce postoperative recurrence rate, screen tumor biological behavior and improve prognosis. However, questions about which kind of CRLM patients fits for neoadjuvant therapy and what regimen should be used are still debatable. This paper reviews stratified management of resectable CRLM, choice of neoadjuvant regimen, especially the application value of targeted therapy, based on the latest guidelines and studies.

PNIPAAM/SA pH-responsive microcapsules based on chemical and non-covalent crosslinking

A triple interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) with dual responses to temperature and pH was constructed based on chemical crosslinking and electrostatic interaction. In this IPN, CaCO3 microspheres were used as the kernel and PNIPAAM/sodium alginate microcapsules were prepared by the inverse emulsion polymerization method. Research results demonstrated that CaCO3 kernels were decomposed into Ca2+ and CO2 at pH 1.2. Such decomposition facilitated the formation of triple IPN of Ca2+ crosslinking. Moreover, microcapsules were expanded by tension of CO2 and the volume increased to 3.55 × 105 times that of the original microcapsules, with capsules remaining an intact morphology. These microcapsules loading doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) stability and responses to environment were investigated. No drug overflow was observed at pH 7.4, indicating the high stability of microcapsules. However, DOX was released gradually in the simulated human stomach acid with a weak solution of hydrochloric acid (pH 1.2, 37 °C). This showed that the prepared microcapsules were feasible for drug-loaded capsules and the controlled drug release behavior could relieve side effects of drugs to human body. Moreover, it will help to increase the drug utilization and realize accurate treatment.

A Comparative Analysis of Immunohistochemical Profile of Primary and Metastatic Endometrial Endometrioid Carcinoma

Introduction/Objective

Beta catenin plays an important role in cancer tumorigenesis and have been found to be associated with metastasis in a variety of tumors. Analyzing TCGA data, we found that 30% of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma cases have beta-catenin mutations. We hypothesize that beta-catenin mutation may be associated with metastasis of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma. ER and PR expression was also compared to determine any changes after metastasis.

Methods

Retrospective institutional review of all endometrial endometrioid carcinoma (192 cases) between 2011 to 2018 was performed, including 149 cases of FIGO grade I, 38 cases of FIGO grade II and 5 cases of FIGO grade III. 19 cases with paired primary and metastatic specimen were identified. Immunohistochemistry staining (IHC) was carried out for ER, PR and beta-catenin.

Results

Median patient age was 56 years. The most common metastatic site was vagina, accounting for 68% of metastasis (14/19), followed by bladder (3/19), lung (2/19) and rectum (1/19). The primary and metastatic carcinoma of all 19 cases exhibit very similar morphology. All of those cases were positive and concordant for ER and PR in primary and metastatic endometrioid carcinoma. On the other hand, nuclear beta-catenin staining caused by mutation was positive in 5 metastatic carcinoma but not in primary carcinoma.

Conclusion

IHC expression of ER and PR remains unchanged between primary and metastatic carcinoma, demonstrating the reliability of ER and PR to confirm the origin of metastatic carcinoma. 26% of the metastatic carcinoma (5/19) exhibit nuclear beta-catenin staining but not in primary carcinoma, suggesting the possible role of beta-catenin in metastasis of endometrial endometrioid carcinoma.

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.

Novel Salt-Responsive SiO2@Cellulose Membranes Promote Continuous Gradient and Adjustable Transport Efficiency

Continuously growing interest in the controlled and tunable transport or separation of target molecules has attracted more attention recently. However, traditional "on-off" stimuli-responsive membranes are limited to nongradient feedback, which manifests as filtration efficiency that cannot be increased or decreased gradually along with the different stimuli conditions; indeed, only the transformation of on/off state is visible. Herein, we design and fabricate a series of robust salt-responsive SiO₂@cellulose membranes (SRMs) by simply combining salt-responsive poly[3-(dimethyl(4-vinylbenzyl)ammonium)propyl sulfonate] (polyDVBAPS)-modified SiO₂ nanoparticles and cellulose membranes under negative-pressure filtering. The antipolyelectrolyte effect induces stretch/shrinkage of polyDVBAPS chains inside the channels and facilities the directional aperture size and surface wettability variation, greatly enhancing the variability of interfacial transport and separation efficiency. Due to the linear salt-responsive feedback mechanism, the optimal SRMs achieve highly efficient target macromolecule separation (>75%) and rapid oil/saline separation (>97%) with a continuous gradient and adjustable permeability, instead of simply an "on-off" switch. The salt-responsive factors (SiO₂-polyDVBAPS) could be reversibly separated or self-assembled to membrane substrates; thus, SRMs achieved unprecedented repeatability and reusability even after long-term cyclic testing, which exceeds those of currently reported membranes. Such SRMs possess simultaneously a superfast responsive time, a controllable gradient permeability, a high gating ratio, and an excellent reusability, making our strategy a potentially exciting approach for efficient osmotic transportation and target molecule separation in a more controllable manner.

Click-Chemistry Approach toward Antibacterial and Degradable Hybrid Hydrogels Based on Octa-Betaine Ester Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane

An efficient process for the synthesis of degradable hydrogels containing octa-betaine ester polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) through efficient thiol-ene and Menschutkin click reactions was developed. The hydrogels exhibited a yield strength of 0.36 MPa and a compressive modulus of 4.38 MPa and displayed excellent flexibility as well as torsion resistance. Antibacterial efficacy of hydrogels (and degradation products) was evaluated using Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). Efficacy was found to increase with the concentration of cetyl chloroacetate (CCA) in the hydrogel network, reaching 93% and 99% for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Degradation of hydrogels was observed in weak alkali conditions (pH = 8) and at physiological conditions (pH = 7.4). The degradation time of the hydrogels could be finely tuned by variation of the CCA content in the hydrogel and environmental stimulus. The tunable degradation behavior under physiological conditions combined with high antibacterial efficacy could render the presented materials interesting for tissue engineering applications.

[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.

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.

GO@Fe3O4@CuSilicate Composite with a Hierarchical Structure: Fabrication, Microstructure, and Highly Electromagnetic Shielding Performance

Two nanocomposites with a hierarchical structure (GO@CuSilicate@Fe₃O₄ and GO@Fe₃O₄@CuSilicate) were fabricated in this paper. These as-synthesized nanocomposites were analyzed for their structural, compositional, and morphological features by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller methods. SEM images showed that both nanocomposites had a core-shell structure, and their shells were composed of CuSilicate nanoneedle arrays. Further, their total electromagnetic shielding efficiency was measured and compared in a wide frequency range of 8-12 GHz (X-band). Because of the "antenna" role of CuSilicate nanoneedle arrays and the polarization at the interface between graphene oxide (GO) and Fe₃O₄, GO@Fe₃O₄@CuSilicate showed higher electromagnetic shielding performance than that of GO@CuSilicate@Fe₃O₄. With 1 mm thickness, GO@Fe₃O₄@CuSilicate showed a high electromagnetic shielding efficiency (over 40 dB) in the whole X-band (8.2-12.4 GHz) and reached a maximum value (41.8 dB) at 8.2 GHz. Its total electromagnetic shielding efficiency was mainly contributed by absorption rather than reflection. This study provided an idea for the structural design of high-performance electromagnetic shielding materials in the GHz frequency range (X band).

[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.