MiRNA-93-5p promotes the biological progression of gastric cancer cells via Hippo signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the influence of microRNA-93-5p (miRNA-93-5p) on biological behaviors of gastric cancer (GC) cells and its regulatory effect on Hippo pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

SGC-7901 and HGC-27 cells were used for establishing miRNA-93-5p overexpression and downregulation model through transfection of miRNA-93-5p mimics or inhibitor, respectively. Relative levels of genes in Hippo pathway were determined in GC cells transfected with miRNA-93-5p mimics or inhibitor by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Regulatory effects of miRNA-93-5p on proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of GC cells were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation and transwell assay, respectively.

RESULTS

MiRNA-93-5p was markedly upregulated by transfection of miRNA-93-5p mimics into SGC-7901 cells, which was downregulated by transfection of miRNA-93-5p inhibitor into HGC-27 cells. Overexpression of miRNA-93-5p accelerated GC cells to proliferate, migrate and invade. Meanwhile, miRNA-93-5p overexpression in GC cells upregulated downstream genes in Hippo pathway, including CDX2, FOXM1 and CTGF.

CONCLUSIONS

MiRNA-93-5p enhances proliferative, migratory and invasive abilities of GC cells by activating Hippo pathway, which may serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for GC.

Replacing true unenhanced imaging in renal carcinoma with virtual unenhanced images in dual-energy spectral CT: a feasibility study

AIM

To investigate the clinical value of virtual unenhanced (VNC) spectral computed tomography (CT) images to replace the conventional true unenhanced spectral CT images (TNC) in diagnosing renal carcinoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-six cases of renal carcinoma confirmed by histopathology underwent conventional plain CT and contrast-enhanced spectral CT at arterial phase (AP) and venous phase (VP). VNC images were generated on an AW4.6 workstation. The CT attenuation, image noise, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and signal-noise-ratio (SNR) of the renal lesions and normal kidneys, long and short axis diameters of the lesion were measured from the three image sets and analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Two radiologists evaluated image quality subjectively using a five-point score, and lesion signature using a three-point score. Image quality scores were compared statistically and tested for consistency.

RESULTS

The two reviewers had good agreement for subjective evaluation (Kappa>0.70) and there was no difference in the quality of the scores among the three image groups. The lesion signature scores were all above the acceptable level. The CNR and SNR values in VNC were significantly higher than in TNC (p<0.05). VNC images had lower renal noise than in TNC (p<0.05). There was no difference in the long and short axis diameters of the lesion among the three image groups. VNC had higher CT attenuation values for the lesion and kidney than TNC (p<0.05), but the differences were <5 HU.

CONCLUSION

VNC images in spectral CT may be used to replace the conventional plain CT to reduce imaging duration and radiation dose in diagnosing renal carcinoma.

LncRNA NEAT1 regulates pulmonary fibrosis through miR-9-5p and TGF-β signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic lung disease with complex pathogenesis and poor prognosis. Studies had demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the development of fibrosis. We explored the roles of NEAT1 in PF progression in this study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PF tissues and TGF-β1-induced cells were analyzed for the function of NEAT1 in PF progression. qRT-PCR or Western blot was applied to detect NEAT1, miR‑9-5p or protein expressions. PF mice model assay was used to detect the effects of NEAT1 on PF in vivo. Luciferase reporter assay was applied to confirm target relationship between NEAT1 and miR‑9-5p. Correlation of NEAT1 and miR-9-5p was analyzed by Spearman's method.

RESULTS

We observed that NEAT1 was significantly upregulated while miR-9-5p was downregulated in PF tissues and TGF-β1-induced cells. A negative correlation was exhibited of NEAT1 and miR-9-5p expression in PF tissues. Protein level of p-Smad2 was increased in TGF-β1 induced cells. Furthermore, NEAT1 knockdown increased E-cadherin expression, while decreased N-cadherin, Vimentin, Collagen I, Collagen III and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expressions in TGF-β1-induced cells. Moreover, NEAT1 could directly target miR-9-5p to regulate the PF induced by TGF-β1. The miR-9-5p overexpression inhibited TGF-β1 and p-Smad2 expression, while NEAT1 overexpression attenuated this effect. In addition, NEAT1 inhibition enhanced E-cadherin expression, and reduced TGF-β1, p-Smad2, N-cadherin, Collagen I, Collagen III, α-SMA and Vimentin expression after BLM treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our findings showed that NEAT1 knockdown attenuated PF via the regulatory of miR-9-5p and TGF-β signaling to repress EMT and might provide new therapeutic targets for PF patients.

Efficient radiation releasing in device-level glass ceramics driven by a blue laser

Ce³⁺ doped M₃Al₅O₁₂ (MAG, M=Lu, Y) glass ceramics (GCs) have been proved to be shapeable phosphors for white lighting driven by a 453 nm laser. Quantitative characterization reflects that the net emission powers of 4 wt% LuAG-doped GC and 4 wt% YAG-doped GC are 59.99 mW and 66.22 mW at the pump power of 117.63 mW, and the quantum yields reach up to 71.1% and 78.0%, respectively. Miniaturization of devices can be achieved for LuAG/YAG-GCs by optimizing sample size and phosphor concentration with maintaining fluorescence intensity of the samples. Presupposed color coordinate trace reveals that the high-brightness white fluorescence can be realized when the appropriate intensity ratio is determined between residual laser and sample emission. The tunable white fluorescence and the efficient radiation releasing illustrate that LuAG/YAG-GCs are potential candidates for application in solid-state laser illumination.

64effects of long-term exercise training and detraining on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up

Introduction

Exercise training (ET) improves endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, whether ET improves endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. If it does, for how long the effects are sustained remains to be determined.

Methods

In a prospective study, 58 patients with AF (age, 62 ± 7 years) were randomized into an ET group for 12 months (CT, n = 13), a group with 6-month detraining after a 6-month ET (DT, n = 15), and a medical treatment only group (MT, n = 30). For ET, cycling on a bicycle ergometer was performed in the DT and CT groups 3 times a week for 6 and 12 months, respectively. Each session started with a 10-minute warmup at 60% to 70% of the maximal heart rate (HRpeak), followed by four 4-minute intervals at 80% to 90% of the HRpeak, with 3 minutes of active recovery at 60% to 70% of the HRpeak between intervals, ending with a 5-minute cooldown period. Peak exercise oxygen consumption (Vo2), intimal-medial thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery measured on high-resolution ultrasonography, and left ventricular function were measured at baseline, after 6 months of training, and after additional 6 months of continuous training or detraining follow-up assessments. In addition, plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF), endothelin-1, nitric oxide, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, and interleukin-10 levels were measured as indices of endothelial function.

Results

The 6-month ET increased peak Vo2 (CT: 29.0 ± 6.5 ml/[kg·min] and DT: 26.0 ± 8.2 ml/[kg·min] vs. MT: 23.0 ± 5.2 ml/[kg·min], p = 0.04) and decreased plasma vWF levels (CT: 103.7 ± 30.7 IU/dL and DT: 106.0 ± 31.2 IU/dL vs. MT: 145.0 ± 47.7 IU/dL, p = 0.01). Detraining significantly reduced the ET-induced increase in Vo2 and decreased the vWF to baseline level, although continuous ET maintained changes in Vo2 (CT: 28.1 ± 5.3 ml/[kg·min] and DT: 22.4 ± 6.6 ml/[kg·min] vs. MT: 21.5 ± 4.8 ml/[kg·min], p = 0.043) and in vWF (CT: 84.3 ± 39.1 IU/dL vs. DT: 122.2 ± 27.5 IU/dL and MT: 135.9 ± 50.4 IU/dL, p = 0.014). However, carotid arterial IMT, and resting left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions showed no significant changes, with no inter-group differences after 6 months of training and 6 months of continuous training or detraining.

Conclusions

The decreased vWF level suggested that ET can be a strong non-pharmacologic option to improve endothelial function in patients with AF. However, it can rapidly lose its effects after detraining. Therefore, physicians should encourage their patients to participate in a continuous exercise program to sustain its benefits in terms of improved exercise capacity and endothelial function in patients with AF.

63Effects of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation and detraining on exercise capacity and cardiac function in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up

Introduction

We aimed to determine whether maximal exercise capacity, left ventricular function, and quality of life (QoL) scores are sustained in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) after termination of training following exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ECR).

Methods

In a prospective study, 58 patients with AF (age, 62 ± 7 years) were randomized into an exercise training group for 12 months (ECR, n = 13), a group with 6-month detraining after a 6-month exercise training (DT, n = 15), and a medical treatment only group (MT, n = 30). For exercise training, cycling on a bicycle ergometer was performed in the DT and ECR groups 3 times a week for 6 and 12 months, respectively. Each session started with a 10-minute warm-up at 60%–70% of the maximal heart rate (HRpeak), followed by four 4-minute intervals at 80%–90% of the HRpeak, with 3 minutes of active recovery at 60%–70% of the HRpeak between intervals, ending with a 5-minute cool-down period. Peak exercise oxygen consumption (Vo2), left ventricular function, plasma lipid level, N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide level, and QoL score were measured at baseline, after 6 months of training, and after additional 6 months of continuous training or detraining follow-up assessments.

Results

Six months of exercise training increased the peak Vo2 (ECR: 28.2 ± 7.0 ml/[kg·min] and DT: 28.0 ± 8.3 ml/[kg·min] vs. MT: 23.0 ± 5.2 ml/[kg·min], p= 0.047) and QoL scores (36-Item Short-form Health Survey) and decreased the total cholesterol level (ECR: 146.8 ± 43.8 mg/dl and DT: 140.6 ± 22.4 vs. MT: 182 ± 44.2 mg/dl, p = 0.008). Detraining resulted in an increase in QoL score and a decrease in total cholesterol level (ECR: 142.8 ± 21.4 mg/dl and DT: 151.8 ± 39.8 vs. MT: 176.8 ± 34.2 mg/dl, p = 0.017). However, the exercise training-induced increase in peak Vo2 reverted to the baseline level after detraining (ECR: 27.1 ± 5.1 ml/kg/min vs. DT: 24.4 ± 7.2 ml/[kg·min] and MT: 21.5 ± 4.86 ml/[kg·min], p = 0.017). The resting left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions were not significantly different, with no inter-group difference after 6 months of training and 6 months of continuous training or detraining.

Conclusions

As the QoL scores are maintained despite peak Vo2 being lowered by detraining after an exercise training period in patients with AF, physicians should encourage patients’ participation in a continuous exercise program to sustain the improvement in both the QoL score and peak Vo2 with exercise training. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to observe the long-term effects of exercise training and detraining.

First-principles calculations of oxygen octahedral distortions in LaAlO3/SrTiO3(001) superlattices

The size, shape and connectivity of oxide octahedra are essential for understanding and controlling the emergent functional properties of ABO₃ perovskites. Using first-principles calculations, we systematically studied the oxygen octahedral rotation and deformation in LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃(001) superlattices. Superlattices with electron- or hole-doped interfaces, or both, are compared. The results showed that there are at least three different types of oxygen octahedral distortions in these superlattices, which is more than what had previously been reported in the literature. We demonstrate that interfacial oxygen octahedral coupling and hole-doping, in addition to epitaxial strain, are the key factors underlying the formation of multiple types of oxygen octahedral rotations in these systems. We confirm that oxygen octahedral rotations and deformations play an essential role in insulator-metal transitions. Furthermore, octahedral distortion leads to ferroelectricity like dipole formation with the polarization vector always pointing to the positively charged interfaces.

Epithelial Wnt10a Is Essential for Tooth Root Furcation Morphogenesis

WNT10A (Wingless-type MMTV integration site family, member 10A) plays a crucial role in tooth development, and patients with biallelic WNT10A mutation and mice lacking Wnt10a show taurodontism. However, whether epithelial or mesenchymal WNT10A controls the initiation of the root furcation formation remains unclear, and the functional significance of WNT10A in regulating root morphogenesis has not been clarified. Here, we investigated how Wnt10a affects tooth root development by generating different tissue-specific Wnt10a conditional knockout mice. Wnt10a knockout in the whole tissue (EIIa-Cre;Wnt10a^flox/flox) and in dental epithelium (K14-Cre;Wnt10a^flox/flox) led to an absence of or apically located root furcation in molars of mice, a phenotype that resembled taurodontism. An RNAscope analysis showed that the dynamic epithelial and mesenchymal Wnt10a expression pattern occurred during root development. Immunofluorescent staining of E-cadherin and EdU revealed decreased epithelial cell proliferation at the cervical region of the molar in K14-Cre;Wnt10a^flox/flox mice at postnatal day 0 (PN0), just before the initiation of root morphogenesis. Interestingly, we found increased pulpal mesenchymal cell proliferation in the presumptive root furcating region of the molar in K14-Cre;Wnt10a^flox/flox mice at PN4 and PN7. RNA-seq indicated that among the Wnt ligands with high endogenous expression levels in molars, Wnt4 was increased after epithelial knockout of Wnt10a. The RNAscope assay confirmed that the expression of Wnt4 and Axin2 in the dental papilla of the presumptive root furcating region, where dental pulp overgrowth occurred, was increased in K14-Cre;Wnt10a^flox/flox molars. Furthermore, after suppression of the elevated Wnt4 level in K14-Cre;Wnt10a^flox/flox molars by Wnt4 shRNA adenovirus and kidney capsule grafts, the root furcation defect was partially rescued. Taken together, our study provides the first in vivo evidence that epithelial Wnt10a guides root furcation formation and plays a crucial role in controlling the organized proliferation of adjacent mesenchymal cells by regulating proper Wnt4 expression during root furcation morphogenesis.

The effects of green coffee bean extract supplementation on lipid profile in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND AND AIM

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of green coffee bean extract (GCBE) supplementation on lipid profile in adults.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Web of sciences, and Google Scholar were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials available in English and published before February 2019. The meta-analysis was conducted using fixed effects models, and between-study heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran's Q test and I². A total of 17 effect sizes were included in the meta-analysis. Combined effect sizes on serum total cholesterol concentrations revealed significant effects of GCBE supplementation on serum total cholesterol [weighted mean difference (WMD): -4.51 mg/dL, 95% confidence interval (CI): -6.89, -2.12, p < 0.001], low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (WMD: -4.38 mg/dL, 95% CI: -6.44, -2.31, p < 0.001), and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (WMD: 2.63 mg/dL, 95% CI: 2.20, 3.07, p < 0.001) compared to controls. Nevertheless, no significant changes were observed in serum triglycerides levels (WMD: -4.34 mg/dL, 95% CI: -9.00, 0.32, p = 0.068).

CONCLUSION

The evidence from available studies suggests that the GCBE supplementation leads to significant reductions in total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels, and has modest, but, non-significant effects on triglycerides levels.

P2534Prevalence and risk factors of acquired LQTS among pregnancy: a single-center study

Background

Prolonged QT intervals have been observed in pregnant women, especially those with twin pregnancy, which predisposes them to a high risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

Purpose

To evaluate the prevalence of acquired long QT syndrome (aLQTS) in hospitalized parturient women with single and twin pregnancy and search for potential risk factors.

Methods

Information about age-matched parturient women with single and twin pregnancy were retrospectively collected in our hospital from January 2016 to June 2018. The prevalence of aLQTS was evaluated. The common risk factors for corrected QT (QTc) prolongation were compiled, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate how each factor was related to aLQTS in such population.

Results

Totally 293 parturient women (147 twin pregnancy, 50.17%) were included. The prevalence of aLQTS was 72.70% in all cases, 53.15% in the single pregnancy, 93.20% in the twin pregnancy. The proportion of severely prolonged QTc was 36.18% in all cases, 8.22% in the single pregnancy and 63.95% in the twin pregnancy. The QTc interval was much longer in the twin pregnancy than in the single pregnancy with significant difference. Differences in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, serum uric acid, fetal weight, QRS, RV5+SV1, Tp-Te, Tp-Te/QT have been revealed to be statistically significant between the QTc-prolongation group and the QTc-normal group. The incidence of gestational hypertension and twin pregnancy in the QTc-prolongation group were more prevalent than in the QTc-normal group with significant difference. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, gestational hypertension, twin pregnancy, increase of diastolic blood pressure, high total cholesterol, high serum uric acid, and heavy fetal weight were identified to be associated with QTc prolongation in parturient women.

Table 1. Risk factors significantly correlated with QTc prolongation in parturient women Index P value OR (95% CI) DBP (mmHg) 0.033* 1.052 (1.004 to 1.101) TC (mmol/L) 0.001** 1.442 (1.165 to 1.785) UA (μmol/L) 0.007** 1.004 (1.001 to 1.008) Fetal weight (g) <0.001** 1.001 (1.001 to 1.001) Hypertention (%) 0.029* 2.561 (1.099 to 5.967) Twin (%) <0.001** 12.618 (6.145 to 25.909)

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first clinical study to evaluate the prevalence of aLQTS between single and twin pregnancy. The prevalence of aLQTS is much higher in the parturient women, particularly in twin pregnancy.

[Detection and functional analysis of BMP2 gene mutation in patients with tooth agenesis]

OBJECTIVE

To screen for BMP2 mutation with functional impact in patients with congenital tooth agenesis and to make oral and skeletal phenotype record and functional analysis with in vitro experiments.

METHODS

We enrolled eighteen patients with congenital tooth agenesis. The medical and dental history was collected,and clinical and dental examinations including the X-ray examination of oral-facial and skeletal bone were performed for the phenotypic analysis. Blood samples were collected to extract DNA and whole exome sequencing was conducted. The genes involved in oral-facial development and congenital skeletal diseases were investigated for mutation screening. The mutations with functional impact were then investigated. In one patient, the BMP2 mutation with putative functional impact was selected for functional analysis. Wild type and mutant BMP2 plasmids with green fluorescent protein (GFP) tag were constructed and transfected into HEK293T cells. Subcellular protein distribution was observed under laser scanning confocal microscope. The activation of downstream SMAD1/5/9 phosphorylation by BMP2 was detected by Western blotting to investigate the functional impact and genetic pathogenicity.

RESULTS

BMP2 mutation NM_001200.3:c.393A>T (p.Arg131Ser), rs140417301 was detected in one patient with congenital tooth agenesis, while for other genes involved in oral-facial development and congenital skeletal diseases, no functionally significant mutation was found. The proband's parents didn't carry this mutation. The father had normal dentition, while the mother lacked one premolar, and both the parents showed normal palate and maxilla. The patient also had maxillary hypoplasia in both sagittal and coronal planes, palatal dysmorphology, and malocclusion, and was diagonsed with osteopenia after the X-ray examnination of his skeletal bone. Functional analysis showed this mutation had normal subcelluar localization but reduced phosphorylation of SMAD1/5/9 (reduction by 32%, 22%, and 27% in three independent replicates). Taken together with family co-segregation, this mutaion was considered as "likely pathogenic".

CONCLUSION

BMP2 mutation c.393A>T (p. Arg131Ser) affects bone morphogenetic protein signaling activity, and may affect the number of teeth, growth of maxilla and palate, and bone mineral density.

[Imaging progress of sinonasal mucosal malignant melanoma]

Summary Recent years,the incidence of sinonasal mucosal malignant melanoma increased,and imaging examinations have high values in diagnosing and staging,this article will review the imaging and pathological manifestation of sinonasal mucosal malignant melanoma ,then analyze and summarize the advantages and utilities of different examinations,as well as the differential diagnosis.The limitation of this article is the lack of clinical analysis,and it's relationship with imaging manifestation,which of both need futher investigation.

Baseline concentration of misfolded α-synuclein aggregates in cerebrospinal fluid predicts risk of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of misfolded α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregates in Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between misfolded α-Syn aggregate concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cognitive decline risk in PD.

METHODS

A total of 278 patients with PD were retrospectively included. They were diagnosed between 2011 and 2013. The end-point was 2016, and the follow-up period was 54.3 ± 10.0 months. Cognitive decline was defined as a 4-point decrease in the Mini-Mental State Examination score during follow-up. Misfolded α-Syn aggregate concentration in baseline CSF was measured using the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technique. Time to reach 50% of the maximum fluorescence value was recorded.

RESULTS

The PMCA technique successfully detected the level of misfolded α-Syn aggregates in CSF with a sensitivity of 85.3% and a specificity of 91.4%. The time to reach 50% of the maximum fluorescence value was shorter in the patients with cognitive decline than in the patients without cognitive decline (190.7 ± 40.1 h vs. 240.8 ± 45.6 h, P < 0.001). Multifactorial Cox regression analysis revealed that reaching 50% of the maximum fluorescence value in ≤219 h at baseline was associated with increased risk of cognitive decline during the follow-up (HR: 4.90, 95% CI: 2.75-8.74, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Baseline concentration of misfolded α-Syn aggregates in CSF measured by the PMCA technique predicts risk of cognitive decline in PD.