LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 controls cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis by sponging miR-326 to regulate c-Myc expression in acute myeloid leukemia

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play essential roles in development and treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the role of lncRNA potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily Q member 1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) in AML progression and its mechanism remain largely unknown. The expressions of KCNQ1OT1, microRNA-326 (miR-326) and c-Myc were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) was used for cell differentiation. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation were measured by MTT assay, flow cytometry and qRT-PCR, respectively. The interaction between miR-326 and KCNQ1OT1 or c-Myc was explored by luciferase activity, RNA immunoprecipitation or RNA pull-down assay. We found that the expression of KCNQ1OT1 was enhanced in AML samples compared with control. KCNQ1OT1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation but promoted apoptosis and cell differentiation. KCNQ1OT1 was a decoy of miR-326 and c-Myc was a target of miR-326. KCNQ1OT1 regulated AML cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation by sponging miR-326. Moreover, overexpression of miR-326 suppressed proliferation but promoted apoptosis and PMA-induced differentiation by targeting c-Myc in AML cells. Besides, c-Myc protein level was suppressed by KCNQ1OT1 interference and rescued by miR-326 abrogation. Our data showed that KCNQ1OT1 regulates proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in AML cells by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR-326 to regulate c-Myc, providing a novel avenue for AML treatment.

[Analysis of risk factors for postoperative haemorrhage following coblation assisted tonsillectomy]

Objective: To investigate the risk factors for postoperative haemorrhage following coblation assisted tonsillectomy, thus provide the guidence for the clinical treatment. Method: The clinical data of 1 128 patients who underwent tonsillectomy were analyzed retrospectively. Result: The rate of postoperative haemorrhage was 6.02%. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis showed a significant relationship between age and postoperative haemorrhage(P<0.05). Conclusion: Age was an independent risk factor for postoperative haemorrhage following coblation-assisted tonsillectomy. .

Highly efficient InGaN green mini-size flip-chip light-emitting diodes with AlGaN insertion layer

We demonstrate highly efficient InGaN-based mini-size green light-emitting diodes (mLEDs) with AlGaN insertion layer in InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) using metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) results reveal that 'V' defects within active region can be effectively reduced by AlGaN insertion layer. Photoluminescence (PL) and time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) results indicate an increase of radiative recombination efficiency. Very high performance 523 nm InGaN green flip-chip mLEDs (0.025 mm²) with distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) show a high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 38.0%, a high wall-plug efficiency (WPE) of 32.1% and a low forward voltage of 2.8 V at a working current density of 20 A cm^-2, which are very promising for display application.

[A comparative study on early childhood caries detection by using international caries detection and assessment system-Ⅱ and WHO criteria]

Objective: To investigate and compare the sensitivities of early childhood caries detection by using international caries detection and assessment system (ICDAS)-Ⅱ and WHO criteria. Methods: A total of 449 3-year-old children from four day care kindergartens in Beijing were enrolled in this study. Both ICDAS-Ⅱ and WHO criteria were used to assess the prevalence of caries in the given subjects. The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index scores were calculated. In ICDAS-Ⅱ system, four cut-off points (D1, D2, D3 and D4) were employed to differentiate sound and decayed teeth: D1 (score 0 as sound, scores 1-6 as caries); D2 (0-1 sound, 2-6 caries); D3 (0-2 sound, 3-6 caries) and D4 (0-3 sound, 4-6 caries). SPSS software was used to analyze the data to decide the significance of differences. Results: The caries prevalence using ICDAS-Ⅱ were 76.6% (344/449), 71.3% (320/449), 52.8% (237/449) and 46.1% (207/449) for D1 to D4, respectively; the corresponding mean dmft scores were 4.95±4.85, 4.41±4.77, 2.54±3.69 and 1.97±3.10. The sites with highest caries prevalence were occlusal surface of mandibular molars in groups of D1 and D2 and proximal surface of maxillary anterior teeth in groups D3 and D4. In contrast, the caries prevalence was 48.8% (219/449) and the mean dmft was 2.27±3.54 when using WHO criteria, significantly lower than the detection rates by using ICDAS-Ⅱ (D1-D2) (P=0.00). This suggested that ICDAS-Ⅱ system was a more sensitive method in detecting early childhood caries. Conclusions: ICDAS-Ⅱ system might be superior in detection of incipient caries and be of specific value in prevention of early childhood caries.

A study on related factors of hemodynamic depression in carotid artery stenting

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the pathogenesis and related factors of carotid artery stenting (CAS) related to hemodynamic depression (HD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

433 CAS patients were admitted to our hospital and were selected from Jan 2013 to Jun 2016. We set up the HD diagnostic criteria for CAS and observed the whole morphology of vessels to classify carotid atherosclerotic plaques. We analyzed cerebral angiography and placed temporary cardiac pacemaker via femoral vein in order to prepare carotid artery stenting. We determined the general situation of HD after CAS according to the results.

RESULTS

38 patients received temporary placement of cardiac temporary pacemakers, and 241 patients (59.80%) developed HD. 403 patients were divided into HD group and non HD group and results suggested there was no significant difference between the two groups except for diabetes (p>0.05). Also, bilateral carotid stenting was performed in 26 patients (6.45%), and the HD group was significantly higher than that in non HD group (p<0.05). HD group had 31 MACCE cases, and non HD group had 2 MACCE cases. There was no occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiac temporary pacemaker may be one of the effective approaches to improve HD after CAS and reduce perioperative MACCE.

Genetic susceptibility of postmenopausal osteoporosis on sulfide quinone reductase-like gene

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a major health problem with important genetic factors in postmenopausal women. We explored the relationship between SQRDL and osteoporosis in a cohort of 1006 patients and 2027 controls from Han Chinese postmenopausal women. Our evidence supported the significant role of SQRDL in the etiology of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

INTRODUCTION

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a metabolic bone disease leading to progressive bone loss and the deterioration of the bone microarchitecture. The sulfide-quinone reductase-like protein is an important enzyme regulating the cellular hydrogen sulfide levels, and it can regulate bone metabolism balance in postmenopausal women. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether SQRDL is associated with susceptibility to PMOP in the Han Chinese population.

METHODS

A total of 3033 postmenopausal women, comprised of 1006 cases and 2027 controls, were recruited in the study. Twenty-two SNPs were selected for genotyping to evaluate the association of SQRDL gene with BMD and PMOP. Association analyses in both single marker and haplotype levels were performed for PMOP. Bone mineral density (BMD) was also utilized as a quantitative phenotype in further analyses. Bioinformatics tools were applied to predict the functional consequences of targeted polymorphisms in SQRDL.

RESULTS

The SNP rs1044032 (P = 6.42 × 10^-5, OR = 0.80) was identified as significantly associated with PMOP. Three SNPs (rs1044032, rs2028589, and rs12913151) were found to be significantly associated with BMD. Although limited functional significance can be obtained for these polymorphisms, significant hits for association with PMOP were found. Moreover, further association analyses with BMD identified three SNPs with significantly independent effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Our evidence supported the significant role of SQRDL in the etiology of PMOP and suggest that it may be a genetic risk factor for BMD and osteoporosis in Han Chinese postmenopausal women.

Herpes zoster-induced acute urinary retention: Two cases and literature review

We report two uncommon cases of acute urinary retention in Chinese patients caused by reactivation of sacral herpes zoster and requiring bladder drainage. Indwelling urinary catheterization, antiviral medication (ganciclovir), and physiotherapy with infrared light (830 nm) led to successful recovery of the micturition reflex in both cases.