STIL is upregulated in nasopharyngeal carcinoma tissues and promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma proliferation, migration and invasion

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common primary malignancy that originates from the nasopharynx. Some regulatory networks involved in nasopharyngeal carcinoma have been reported, but the relevant genes have not been fully identified. We have used mRNA microarray to identify differential expression genes between NPC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Then high-content shRNA screening was carried out to screen the genes that may control proliferation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Cell proliferation was monitored by MTT assays and Celigo image cytometry in vitro and subcutaneous transplantation model in vivo. Flow cytometric analysis was carried out to detect the distribution of cell cycle stages and apoptosis. Transwell assay was performed to measure the migratory and invasive capacities of NPC cells. We identified 20 genes that potentially play an important role in the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by mRNA microarray and functional analysis. The result of high-content shRNA screening indicated that STIL had the greatest effect on reducing the proliferation rate of NPC cells. The analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data showed that STIL was upregulated in several human cancer tissues, and higher STIL expression level was correlated with shorter survival time. STIL knockdown also inhibited NPC cell migration and invasion, promoted G1/S phase transition and apoptosis. Three genes including ITGA2, SMAD2, JAK1, associated with molecular mechanisms of cancer were influenced by downregulating STIL. Our study confirmed STIL as a key regulator that promotes the proliferation of NPC, providing insight into the molecular mechanisms of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy.

Operating behavior of micro-LEDs on a GaN substrate at ultrahigh injection current densities

Near-ultraviolet micro-LEDs with different diameters were fabricated on GaN substrates. The electroluminescence and the light output power-current density and current density-voltage relationships were measured. A saturated current density of 358 kA/cm² was achieved with a 20 µm LED. The ideality factor curves showed steps and peaks when the injection current density was increased from 20 to 150 kA/cm² and an abnormal efficiency increase. The transport and recombination processes of micro-LEDs at high injection current densities were simulated, and the many-body effect and phase space filling in the integrated quantum drift-diffusion model were considered. Serious current crowding was observed above 100 kA/cm², even for the 20 µm LED.

[Clinical characteristics of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma misdiagnosed as tuberculous peritonitis: a report of 6 cases]

Objective: To reduce the misdiagnosis rate of ascites and improve the diagnosis rate of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. Methods: From May 2008 to May 2018, in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University,the clinical data of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma misdiagnosed as tuberculous peritonitis were retrospectively analyzed. Results: (1) Among the 6 patients, they were male; the age of onset was 42-70 (52±9.57) years old, and there was no history of asbestos exposure. (2) All cases with abdominal pain or abdominal distension were there and the course of disease was more than 1 month to more than 2 years. (3) In all patients,the nature of ascites was exudate; ADA was higher than normal value and below 45 U/L; LDH value in ascites was higher than 200 U/L (83.3%); mesothelioma was considered in ascites cytology in 1 case. (4) Laparoscopic biopsy was performed in 2 cases and B-ultrasound guided biopsy in 4 cases; Among them, malignant peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosed by pathology. (5) In Immunohistochemical positive markers, MC was the most sensitive (100%), followed by CR (67%), CK-Pan (67%), Ki-67 (67%) and EMA (67%). (6) Two patients received treatment with operation, abdominal hyperthermic perfusion and postoperative systemic chemotherapy. Conclusions: (1) Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma should be considered in middle-aged and aged male patients with unexplained ascites and early laparoscopy or laparotomy for diagnosis. (2) ADA and LDH level in ascites are significant in differentiating tuberculous peritonitis from malignant peritoneal mesothelioma. (3) Immunohistochemical positive marker MC may be a potential specific marker for malignant mesothelioma. (4) The survival time of patients is improved by comprehensive treatment such as operation and chemotherapy.

[β-catenin nuclear translocation represses thyroid cancer stem cells differentiating into cells with sodium-iodine symporter functional expression]

Objective: To confirm whether β-catenin nuclear translocation in thyroid cancer stem cells can differentiate into thyroid cancer cells without functional membrane expression of sodium-iodine transporter (NIS) and be resistant to iodide 131 treatment. Methods: Thyroid cancer stem cells were firstly isolated as a side population (SP) from human thyroid cancer cell line FTC133. The SP cells from FTC133 were transfected with β-catenin, and then differentiated. The cells were further collected for Western blot, Transwell and MTT assay to investigate the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics, tumor growth, invasion, and iodine uptake potency in vitro. Functional NIS expression and iodide uptake in differentiated cells were detected with immunofluorescent staining and iodide uptake assay, respectively. Subcutaneous severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice tumor model was induced with differentiated cancer cells to explore the in vivo effect of radioiodine treatment. Further immunohistochemical staining was performed to reveal the changes of functional proteins involved in tumor radioiodine treatment. Results: Side population was isolated from FTC133 accounting for about 0.03%, with high expression of stem cell markers and decreased expression of differentiated cell markers. Western blot showed prominent EMT phenotype in the differentiated cells from β-catenin transfected stem cell model, with absence of epithelial expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin 18, as well as abnormal expression of vimentin,fibronectin and urokinase-type plasminogen activator. Moreover,compared with cells differentiated from untransfected or empty plasmid transfected stem cells, in vitro proliferation markedly increased 85.4% and 81.0%, respectively (both P<0.01); while in vitro invasion augmented 78.8% and 84.4%, respectively (both P<0.01). Immunofluorescent staining identified that, after transfected with β-catenin, differentiated cells underwent β-catenin nuclear translocation and NIS localization transferred from membrane to plasma, compared with cells from untransfected or empty plasmid transfected stem cells. Cell iodide uptake in vitro decreased about 52.8% and 45.2%, respectively (both P<0.01). Furthermore, in vivo experiment further demonstrated that, cells differentiated from β-catenin transfected stem cells were found with much higher tumor proliferation,tumor growth rate and larger tumor mass after radioiodine 131 treatment (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Induction of β-catenin nuclear translocation in stem cells may generate differentiated thyroid cancer cells that are not sensitive to radioiodine treatment.

Has_circ_0008274 promotes cell proliferation and invasion involving AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway in papillary thyroid carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been known as important regulators in tumorigenesis. Whether circRNAs are involved in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) requires to be determined. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the expression and function of has_circ_0008274 in PTC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Tissue expression of has_circ_0008274 was evaluated in Gene Expression Omnibus datasets (GSE93522). Real-time PCR assays were used to detect the expression of has_circ_0008274 in human PTC tissues and cell lines. The correlation of has_circ_0008274 expression with clinicopathological factors was statistically analyzed. The MTT assay, colony formation assay, transwell assays were performed to analyze and compare cell viability and invasion. Western blot analysis was used to quantify the expression of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway proteins.

RESULTS

We found that has_circ_0008274 was significantly upregulated in PTC tissues, and the level of has_circ_0008274 was negatively associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. Loss-of-function assay indicated that knockdown of has_circ_0008274 suppressed PTC cells proliferation and invasion in vitro. Mechanistically, has_circ_0008274 could inhibit the activation of AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, which was demonstrated by measuring the expression levels of p-AMPK and p-mTOR.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that increased has_circ_0008274 expression modulates has_circ_0008274 to enhance PTC cells proliferation and invasion. Has_circ_0008274/ AMPK/mTOR axis may be a novel therapeutic candidate target in PTC treatment.

[Comparison of whole blood indium and the serum indium of the population exposed to the indium]

Objective: The method was established for the detection of whole blood indium and serum indium. By comparing the results of two samples, it is possible to explore the significance of whole blood indium and serum indium in the population exposed to indium compounds. Methods: According to GBZ/T 295-2017 and GBZ 294-2017, the whole blood and serum samples were diluted 20 times by 0.5% nitric acid solution (including 0.05% Triton X-100) . Under the standard mode of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) , whole blood indium and serum indium of indirect exposure group, low exposure group and high exposure group in an indium mine were detected with 20 μg/L rhodium standard solution as internal standard. Results: This method has a working range of 0.00~5.00 μg/L and a correlation coefficien t>0.999. The detection limit and quantitative lower limit of whole blood indium were 0.076 μg/L and 0.26 μg/L respectively. Those of serum indium were 0.06 μg/L and 0.20 μg/L accordingly. The recovery rates of serum and whole blood samples were 88.5%~95.6% and 93.0%~101%. Intra batch precisions were 1.3%~4.4% and 1.9%~3.5% and inter batch precision were 2.4%~6.1% and 2.1%~4.6% in two samples. There were no significant differences between whole blood indium and serum indium in indirect exposure group. The serum indium level was lower than the detection limit in 3 cases, while their whole blood indium was only below the quantitative lower limit. However, in other groups whole blood indium level was significantly higher than serum indium level (P<0.05) and even was two-fold in the high exposure group. Conclusion: The detection of whole blood indium is more sensitive than that of serum indium, which can reflect the internal exposure level more accurately in exposure population. Therefore, the whole blood indium is of more important referential value to health examination and poisoning diagnosis in the population exposed to indium and its compounds.

ANGPTL4 participates in gestational diabetes mellitus via regulating Akt pathway

OBJECTIVE

To explore ANGPTL4 expressions in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and its underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We first detected serum expressions of ANGPTL4 in GDM patients and healthy pregnancies. Subsequently, effects of ANGPTL4 knockdown on apoptosis, proliferation, and cell cycle in 3T3-L1 cells were determined, respectively. Effects of ANGPTL4 on glucose uptake and adipocyte differentiation were also evaluated, respectively. The cytokine secretion in adipocytes transfected with sh-ANGPTL4 was detected by quantitative Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, effects of ANGPTL4 knockdown on NF-kB and Akt pathway were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

ANGPTL4 was down-regulated in serum of GDM patients. In vitro experiments suggested that down-regulated ANGPTL4 inhibited apoptosis and promoted proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells. Meanwhile, down-regulated ANGPTL4 significantly inhibited glucose uptake and Akt pathway. However, ANGPTL4 expression did not affect cell cycle and adipocyte differentiation. Detection of inflammatory cytokines suggested that down-regulated ANGPTL4 resulted in increased expressions of inflammatory cytokines and activation of NF-kB pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

ANGPTL4 is down-regulated in GDM and may participate in the GDM development by promoting insulin resistance and secretion of inflammatory cytokines.

Clinical significance of long non-coding RNA EWSAT1 as a novel prognostic biomarker in osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE

Long non-coding RNA EWSAT1 (EWSAT1) has been identified as a tumor promoter in several tumors, but its prognostic values in osteosarcoma have not been reported. The purpose of this study was to explore the association between EWSAT1 expression and prognosis of osteosarcoma patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

EWSAT1 levels were examined in 176 osteosarcoma tissues and matched normal bone tissues by qRT-PCR analysis. The associations of EWSAT1 expression with clinicopathologic variables were analyzed. The survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify independent prognostic factors with independent prognostic for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).

RESULTS

We found that EWSAT1 levels were significantly higher in osteosarcoma tissues compared with matched non-cancerous tissues (p<0.01). The level of EWSAT1 expression was significantly associated with clinical stage (p=0.001) and distant metastasis (p=0.011). Then, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that high EWSAT1 expression level was associated with poorer OS (p=0.0007) and DFS (p=0.0010). Furthermore, Cox multivariate analyses demonstrated that EWSAT1 expression was an independent prognostic factor for both OS (p<0.001) and DFS (p=0.001) in osteosarcoma patients CONCLUSIONS: Increased EWSAT1 expression was associated with poor outcomes in osteosarcoma patients, and EWSAT1 could serve as a potential unfavorable prognostic biomarker.

[Clinical value of acoustic radiation force impulse technique to predict esophageal and gastric varices in patients with biliary atresia]

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI)technique in predicting esophageal and gastric varices in patients with biliary atresia after Kasai portoenterostomy. Methods: A total of 42 patients with biliary atresia after Kasai portoenterostomy were collected from September 2015 to May 2016 in Tianjin First Central Hospital.ARFI technique was used to measure the stiffness of liver and spleen, and 28 healthy children as control.According to the result of CT examination , patients with biliary atresia were divided into two groups , twenty-three patients with esophageal and gastric varices(A group) and nineteen patients without esophageal and gastric varices (B group), Comparing the difference of liver and spleen stiffness between the two groups.The ROC curve analysis was carried out to test the diagnostic power of effective parameter. Results: The ARFI value of liver (2.98±0.80) m/s and spleen (3.00±0.33) m/s of patients with biliary atresia was significantly higher than that of control group((1.10±0.16) m/s, (2.12±0.32) m/s), the differences had statistical significance (both P<0.01). Between group A and group B, the spleen ARFI value of group A(3.16±0.26) m/s was higher than group B(2.83±0.32) m/s, the difference had statistical significance (P<0.01), whereas there was no statistical difference of liver ARFI value between two group((2.93±0.65), (3.02±0.96) m/s)(P>0.05). The cut-off ARFI value of spleen to diagnose esophageal and gastric varices in biliary atresia was 3.02 m/s, and the biggest area under the ROC curve, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.81, 78.6% and 84.5%, respectively. Conclusion: ARFI can be used as a noninvasive method to predict the presence of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with biliary atresia after Kasai portoenterostomy.

lncRNA HOXA11-AS is involved in fracture healing through regulating mir-124-3p

OBJECTIVE

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to participate in many diseases. Fracture healing is one of these ordinary diseases. This study aims to identify how lncRNA HOXA11-AS affects the progression of fracture healing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

RT-qPCR was performed to detect the level of HOXA11-AS. Moreover, function assays including cell growth assay and cell apoptosis assay were performed to explore how HOXA11-AS functions in fracture healing. Furthermore, the interaction between HOXA11-AS and mir-124-3p was studied by RT-qPCR, luciferase assay, and RNA immunoprecipitation assay. Rescue experiments were performed to verify the interaction between HOXA11-AS and mir-124-3p in vitro.

RESULTS

In the research, function assays revealed that HOXA11-AS overexpression inhibited cell proliferation, while HOXA11-AS knockdown promoted cell proliferation in vitro. Moreover, HOXA11-AS overexpression promoted cell apoptosis, while HOXA11-AS knockdown inhibited cell apoptosis in vitro. Furthermore, mechanism assays demonstrated that HOXA11-AS acts a ceRNA via sponging mir-124-3p. Rescue assay demonstrated that HOXA11-AS suppressed cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis via targeting mir-124-3p.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that HOXA11-AS could inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis of osteoblast via sponging mir-124-3p, which may offer a new vision for interpreting the mechanism of fracture healing.

Effect of Variable Temperature on the Development of Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Temperature is one of the most important abiotic factors that influences the development and growth of insects. We investigated the effect of temperature on the development of the weevil Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold). The developmental zeros and effective accumulated temperatures for different developmental stages of E. brandti were estimated under variable temperatures in the laboratory. We observed that the developmental zeros of eggs, larvae, and pupae were 15.27 °C, 20.86 °C, and 14.04 °C, respectively, and the effective accumulated temperatures were 81.46 °C·d, 293.76 °C·d, and 127.76 °C·d, respectively. The rate of development increased as the temperature increased within a particular temperature range, and temperatures from 30 °C to 31 °C were particularly suitable for E. brandti rearing. Based on these results, we may be able to predict the occurrence of E. brandti, providing a reference for physical control measures targeting adults to effectively reduce oviposition and minimize population expansion.

[Tracing hepatitis C virus transmission by using high-throughput sequencing technique]

OBJECTIVE

An approach for analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) quasispecies using Hiseq high-throughput sequencing (hereinafter referred to as Hiseq sequencing) technique was developed and then applied to investigate a possible case of HCV needle sharing transmission.

METHODS

One case of HCV antibody seroconversion (P1) was found in a methadone clinic on January 15, 2015. Four HCV antibody positive injecting drug users (IDUs), P2 to P5, suspected to be involved in needle sharing transmission with P1 during the period (after March 24, 2014) that P1 may be infected with HCV were investigated, and another 28 HCV antibody positive IDUs were selected as controls (C1 to C28). These controls came from the same methadone clinic or lived in the same town with P1. The RNAs were extracted from the plasma specimens and then reverse-transcribed into cDNA. After HCV subtyping, Hiseq sequencing was performed to detect and sequence the HCV quasispecies (263 bp) in the specimens with the same subtype as P1. The frequency of quasispecies was counted and ranked. Intrapersonal and interpersonal genetic distance and phylogenetic tree were calculated.

RESULTS

The HCV subtype of specimen P1 was 3b. All the other specimens with the same subtype were P2, C7, C12, C14, C15, C16, C19, C20 and C28. Hiseq sequencing was successfully performed in 9 out of these 10 specimens, and 249 753 to 1 086 333 (average 869 608) cleaned sequences representing 3 to 172 (average 48) unique HCV quasispecies were obtained. The medians (P50) of intrapersonal genetic diversities from the 9 specimens were 0.4% to 12.3%. The P50 (P25, P75) of genetic diversities between P1 and the other 8 specimens were 19.0% (18.4%, 19.8%), 10.4% (2.8%, 18.3%), 19.6% (17.8%, 21.4%),24.9% (23.8%, 26.1%), 19.8% (18.7%, 20.7%), 20.1% (18.9%, 21.2%), 20.6% (20.0%, 21.1%), 23.6% (22.4%, 24.8%). There were no significant difference between the genetic diversities of P1 and P2 and those of P1 and other 7 specimens (H=9.40, P=0.100). The genetic diversities between few HCV quasispecies from P1 and few ones from C7 were 0. Phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that there was no HCV transmission relationship between P1 and P2, but there was HCV transmission relationship between P1 and C7.

CONCLUSION

With the feature of high-throughput, easier operation and lower cost, Hiseq sequencing technique has high practical value in tracing HCV transmission at the quasispecies level.

A non-classical Mindlin plate model incorporating microstructure, surface energy and foundation effects

A non-classical model for a Mindlin plate resting on an elastic foundation is developed in a general form using a modified couple stress theory, a surface elasticity theory and a two-parameter Winkler-Pasternak foundation model. It includes all five kinematic variables possible for a Mindlin plate. The equations of motion and the complete boundary conditions are obtained simultaneously through a variational formulation based on Hamilton's principle, and the microstructure, surface energy and foundation effects are treated in a unified manner. The newly developed model contains one material length-scale parameter to describe the microstructure effect, three surface elastic constants to account for the surface energy effect, and two foundation parameters to capture the foundation effect. The current non-classical plate model reduces to its classical elasticity-based counterpart when the microstructure, surface energy and foundation effects are all suppressed. In addition, the new model includes the Mindlin plate models considering the microstructure dependence or the surface energy effect or the foundation influence alone as special cases, recovers the Kirchhoff plate model incorporating the microstructure, surface energy and foundation effects, and degenerates to the Timoshenko beam model including the microstructure effect. To illustrate the new Mindlin plate model, the static bending and free vibration problems of a simply supported rectangular plate are analytically solved by directly applying the general formulae derived.

Upregulated STAT3 and RhoA signaling in colorectal cancer (CRC) regulate the invasion and migration of CRC cells

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to reveal the expression and activation of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and RhoA/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase 1 (ROCK1) signaling in CRC tissues, and to investigate the regulatory role of STAT3 and RhoA signaling in the invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We examined the expression of STAT3, RhoA and ROCK1 in CRC tissues with real-time PCR and Western blotting methods. And then we examined the interaction between STAT3 and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling in CRC HT-29 cells with gain-of-function and loss-of-function strategies. In addition, we determined the regulation by STAT3 and RhoA/ROCK1 on the invasion and migration of CRC HT-29 cells.

RESULTS

Our study demonstrated a significant upregulation of RhoA and ROCK1 expression and STAT3-Y705 phosphorylation in 32 CRC specimens, compared to the 17 normal CRC tissues. Further study demonstrated there was a coordination between STAT3 and RhoA/Rock signaling in the HT-29 cells. Moreover, STAT3 knockdown or RhoA knockdown significantly repressed the migration and invasion in HT-29 cells and vice versa.

CONCLUSIONS

STAT3 and RhoA signaling regulate the invasion and migration of CRC cells, implying the orchestrated and oncogenic roles of STAT3 and RhoA/ROCK1 signaling in CRC.

FoxQ1 is a Novel Molecular Target for Pancreatic Cancer and is Associated with Poor Prognosis

FOXQ1 is an oncogene for a variety of tumors and encodes the forkhead boxrelated transcription factor FoxQ1. However, little is known about the role of FoxQ1 in pancreatic cancer (PC). In this study, we examined FoxQ1 expression in PC cell lines and human PC tissues by quantitative PCR and tissue microarray based immunohistochemical staining (IHC), and investigated the clinical correlation between FoxQ1 tissue levels and the clinicopathological characteristics of PC patients. We found that FoxQ1 mRNA expression was up-regulated both in PC cell lines and tumor tissues. IHC results revealed that FoxQ1 was mainly expressed in the cytoplasm, and to a lesser extent in the nucleus of PC cells. FoxQ1 protein levels were significantly higher in PC tissues when compared with matched non-cancerous tissues, and associated positively with the degree of tumor differentiation. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis revealed that patients with high FoxQ1 expression and advanced TNM stage had poor prognosis (HR=1.856, 95%CI 1.065- 3.234, P=0.029; HR=2.091, 95%CI 1.181-3.705, P=0.01). These data indicate that FoxQ1 expression is negatively associated with the overall survival of PC patients, and that this protein may therefore represent a novel molecular target and new prognostic biomarker for PC.

Antisense expression of Gossypium hirsutum UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase in Arabidopsis leads to changes in cell wall components

UDP-glucuronate decarboxylase (UDP-xylose synthase; UXS, EC 4.1.1.35) is an essential enzyme of the non-cellulosic polysaccharide biosynthetic pathway. In the present study, using transient expression of fluorescently labeled Gossypium hirsutum UXS (GhUXS3) protein in onion epidermal cells, we observed that this protein was distributed in the cytoplasm. The GhUXS3 cDNA of cotton was expressed in an antisense orientation in Arabidopsis thaliana by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation. Homozygous plants showing down-regulation of UXS were analyzed with northern blots. Compared to the untransformed control, transgenic plant showed shorter roots, earlier blossom formation, and delayed senescence. Biochemical analysis indicated that levels of rhamnose, mannose, galactose, glucose, xylose, and cellulose were reduced in some of the down-regulated antisense plants. These results suggest that GhUXS3 regulates the conversion of non-cellulosic polysaccharides and modulates their composition in plant cell walls. We also discuss a possible cellular function for GhUXS in determining the quality of cotton fibers.

Structure and superconductivity of (Li1-x Fe x )OHFeSe single crystals grown using A x Fe2-y Se2 (A = K, Rb, and Cs) as precursors

We present results on the hydrothermal growth of ([Formula: see text])OHFeSe single crystals using floating-zone-grown [Formula: see text] (A  =  K, Rb, and Cs) as precursors. The growth proceeds by the hydrothermal ion exchange of Li/Fe-O-H for K, Rb, and Cs, resulting in a stacking layer of ([Formula: see text])OH sandwiched between the FeSe layers. Optimal growth parameters are achieved using high quality A 0.80Fe1.81Se2 single crystals added to the mixtures of LiOH, H2O, Fe and C(NH2)2Se in an autoclave and subsequently heated to 120 °C for 2 d, to obtain highest quality single crystals. The obtained crystals have lateral dimensions up to centimeters, with the final size related to that of the precursor crystal used. All ([Formula: see text])OHFeSe single crystals show a superconducting transition temperature T c  >  42 K, regardless of the phase of the precursor such as superconducting K0.80Fe1.81Se2 (T c  =  29.31 K) or non-superconducting Rb0.80Fe1.81Se2 or poor-superconducting Cs0.80Fe1.81Se2 (T c  =  28.67 K). The T c and transition width ΔT vary in the obtained single crystals, due to the inhomogeneity of the ionic exchange. X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that the 245 insulating phase is absent in the ion-exchanged single crystals, while it is observed in the [Formula: see text] precursors. Comparative studies of the structure, magnetization, and superconductivity on the parent A 0.80Fe1.81Se2 and the ion-exchanged ([Formula: see text])OHFeSe crystals are discussed. A phase diagram including antiferromagnetic spin density wave and superconducting phases is also proposed.

Changes of the directional brain networks related with brain plasticity in patients with long-term unilateral sensorineural hearing loss

Previous studies often report that early auditory deprivation or congenital deafness contributes to cross-modal reorganization in the auditory-deprived cortex, and this cross-modal reorganization limits clinical benefit from cochlear prosthetics. However, there are inconsistencies among study results on cortical reorganization in those subjects with long-term unilateral sensorineural hearing loss (USNHL). It is also unclear whether there exists a similar cross-modal plasticity of the auditory cortex for acquired monaural deafness and early or congenital deafness. To address this issue, we constructed the directional brain functional networks based on entropy connectivity of resting-state functional MRI and researched changes of the networks. Thirty-four long-term USNHL individuals and seventeen normally hearing individuals participated in the test, and all USNHL patients had acquired deafness. We found that certain brain regions of the sensorimotor and visual networks presented enhanced synchronous output entropy connectivity with the left primary auditory cortex in the left long-term USNHL individuals as compared with normally hearing individuals. Especially, the left USNHL showed more significant changes of entropy connectivity than the right USNHL. No significant plastic changes were observed in the right USNHL. Our results indicate that the left primary auditory cortex (non-auditory-deprived cortex) in patients with left USNHL has been reorganized by visual and sensorimotor modalities through cross-modal plasticity. Furthermore, the cross-modal reorganization also alters the directional brain functional networks. The auditory deprivation from the left or right side generates different influences on the human brain.

A novel regulatory function for miR-29a in keloid fibrogenesis

BACKGROUND

A growing body of evidence has shown that microRNA-29 (miR-29) plays a central role in the progression of fibrosis. However, the mechanisms underlying the role of miR-29 in keloid fibrogenesis remain unknown.

AIM

To investigate the roles of miR-29 in dermal fibroblasts in the pathogenesis of keloids.

METHODS

Primary fibroblasts from 9 patients with keloid and 6 healthy controls (HCs) were cultured and pretreated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Next, fibroblasts were transfected with precursor miRNA and anti-miR-29a miRNA. TGF-β1-associated miR-29 alterations were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Collagen I and collagen III protein levels were analysed by western blotting.

RESULTS

miR-29a, miR-29b and miR-29c levels were significantly lower in keloid compared with healthy fibroblasts (P < 0.05), and in particular, miR-29a was especially markedly reduced (P < 0.001). Type I and type III collagen mRNA and protein levels were decreased in keloid fibroblasts transfected with pre-miR-29a (P < 0.05), whereas knockdown with anti-miR-29a increased type I and type III collagen mRNA and protein expression (P < 0.05) in the fibroblasts. Interestingly, pretreatment of fibroblasts with TGF-β1 significantly decreased miR-29a (P < 0.05), whereas miR-29b and miR-29c were reduced to a lesser extent, which was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings show that miR-29a exerts as a novel regulator in the fibrogenesis of keloid, suggesting that miR-29a might be a novel marker for keloid.

Altered circulating endothelial progenitor cells in patients with keloid

Evidence has suggested that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a crucial growth factor in regulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), plays a central role in keloid formation. However, the levels of circulating EPCs in patients with keloid have not yet been explored. The aim of this study was to determine the number of circulating EPCs in patients with keloid. Circulating EPCs (defined as CD45- CD34+CD133+VEGFR2+cells) and VEGF levels from 39 patients with keloid and 22 healthy controls (HCs) were assessed by flow cytometry and ELISA, respectively. EPCs were detectable in the peripheral blood of patients with keloid. The number of circulating EPCs and the levels of plasma VEGF were significantly higher in patients with keloid than in HCs. However, no correlation was found between the number of circulating EPCs and the serum VEGF levels. This study provides the first evidence that EPCs are increased in the peripheral blood of patients with keloid. Understanding the roles of EPCs in keloid fromation may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for keloid.

Capability of GaN based micro-light emitting diodes operated at an injection level of kA/cm²

Different size InGaN/GaN based micro-LEDs (μLEDs) are fabricated. An extremely high injection level above 16 kA/cm2 is achieved for 10 μm-diameter LED. The lateral current density and carrier distributions of the μLEDs are simulated by APSYS software. Streak camera time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) results show clear evidence that the band-gap renormalization (BGR) effect is weakened by strain relaxation in smaller size μLEDs. BGR affects the relaxation of free carriers on the conduction band bottom in multiple quantum wells (MQWs), and then indirectly affects the recombination rate of carriers. An energy band model based on BGR effect is made to explain the high-injection-level phenomenon for μLEDs.

Analysis of structure, function and epitopes of Spirometra erinaceieuropaei casein kinase I

Spirometra erinaceieuropaei casein kinase I (SeCKI) was analyzed using bioinformatical methods to predict its structure and function based on the deduced amino acid sequence from full length cDNA sequence of SeCKI gene with online sites and software programs. The longest open reading frame contains 448 amino acids, 50 kDa and theoretical pI of 4.73, with a complete tubulin domain, a SMART tubulin_C domain and a low complexity region. SeCKI has no signal sequence and no transmembrane domain, but is predicted to be located extracellularly. The secondary structure of SeCKI contains 12 α-helixes, 11 β-strands and 22 coils. SeCKI had 19 potential antigenic epitopes and 25 HLA-I restricted epitopes. Based on phylogenetic analysis of SeCKI sequence, S. erinaceieuropaei has the closest evolutionary status with Hymenolepis microstoma. Information from this study could provide important insights into the identification of diagnostic antigens and molecular targets of anti-sparganum drugs.

Changes in the default mode networks of individuals with long-term unilateral sensorineural hearing loss

Hearing impairment contributes to cognitive dysfunction. Previous studies have found changes of functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) associated with cognitive processing in individuals with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Whereas the changes in the DMN in patients with long-term unilateral SNHL (USNHL) is still not entirely clear. In this work, we analyzed resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and neuropsychological test scores from normal hearing subjects (n = 11) and patients (n = 21) with long-term USNHL. Functional connectivity and nodal topological properties were computed for every brain region in the DMN. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and post hoc analyses were conducted to identify differences between normal controls and patients for each measure. Results indicated that the left USNHL presented enhanced connectivity (p < 0.05, false discovery rate (FDR) corrected), and significant changes (p < 0.05, Bonferroni corrected) of the nodal topological properties in the DMN compared with the control. More changes in the DMN have been found in the left than right long-term USNHL (RUSNHL). However, the neuropsychological tests did not show significant differences between the USNHL and the control. These findings suggest that long-term USNHL contributes to changes in the DMN, and these changes might affect cognitive abilities in patients with long-term USNHL. Left hearing loss affects the DMN more than the right hearing loss does. The fMRI measures might be more sensitive for observing cognitive changes in patients with hearing loss than clinical neuropsychological tests. This study provides some insights into the mechanisms of the association between hearing loss and cognitive function.

Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in detecting viable tumour and predicting prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after TACE

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of combined PET/CT in the detection of viable tumour in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The correlation between 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) uptake during PET and prognosis was evaluated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-three patients with 91 HCCs who had undergone TACE with lipiodol before (18)F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively reviewed. The pattern of lipiodol deposition in the tumour was divided into three groups: grade I, lipiodol remaining in ≥60% of the tumour; grade II, 20-60%; and grade III, ≤20%. The performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in evaluating the viability of HCC was assessed and compared with that of contrast-enhanced CT (CECT). The predictive value of maximal tumoural standardized uptake value (SUV) to mean liver SUV (TSUVmax/LSUVmean) ratio was tested.

RESULTS

Comparing the receiver-operating characteristic area, (18)F-FDG-PET/CT was found to be superior to CECT for the detection of viable tumour in patients with HCC after TACE (p = 0.04). A high SUV ratio (TSUVmax/LSUVmean ≥1.65) correlated significantly with tumour size (p = 0.0096), the grade of lipiodol deposition (p = 0.0387) and serum α-foetoprotein (AFP) level (p = 0.0142), but did not correlate with pathological grade (p = 0.2626). The overall survival rate was significantly higher in the low SUV ratio (TSUVmax/LSUVmean<1.65) group (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSION

(18)F-FDG-PET/CT is efficient in assessing the viability of HCC after TACE and is superior to CECT in grades I and II, and similar in grade III. It provides valuable information for prediction of prognosis and may aid decisions regarding treatment strategy.