The Physicochemical Characteristic of Activated Carbon Based on Sludge and Preparation Method

To understand the features and best preparation of sludge activated carbon (SAC), and the pore structure, component, adsorption characteristics, and the yield rate of SAC, many tests have been carried out. The study illustrated that the pore structure was mostly mesopore and amorphous pore such as the ink bottle hole. In terms of different preparations to obtain SAC, the yield of SAC in sample No.1 achieved 88.09%. Using the preparation of ZnCl2 as an activator, the iodine adsorption value was significantly higher than other preparations. However, the content of quartz in sample No.1 achieved a maximum of 52.51%. Charcoal was detected in all samples except sample nos 9-12. The adsorption capacity of Cu(II) and Cd(II) reached a maximum of 600.02 mg.kg-1 and 383.2 mg.kg-1. The results showed an optimum preparation condition, which was by using the ZnCl2 as an activator, 2:1 as the impregnated ratio, 40% concentration in activator and at 400ºC reaction temperature could create rich pore structure and charcoal inside.

Fungi of quarantine concern for China I: Dothideomycetes

The current list of Chinese quarantine pests includes 130 fungal species. However, recent changes in the taxonomy of fungi following the one fungus = one name initiative and the implementation of DNA phylogeny in taxonomic revisions, resulted in many changes of these species names, necessitating an update of the current list. In addition, many quarantine fungi lack modern morphological descriptions and authentic DNA sequences, posing significant challenges for the development of diagnostic protocols. The aim of the present study was to review the taxonomy and names of the 33 Chinese quarantine fungi in Dothideomycetes, and provide reliable DNA barcodes to facilitate rapid identification. Of these, 23 names were updated according to the single name nomenclature system, including one new combination, namely Cophinforma tumefaciens comb. nov. (syn. Sphaeropsis tumefaciens). On the basis of phylogenetic analyses and morphological comparisons, a new genus Xenosphaeropsis is introduced to accommodate the monotypic species Xenosphaeropsis pyriputrescens comb. nov. (syn. Sphaeropsis pyriputrescens), the causal agent of a post-harvest disease of pears. Furthermore, four lectotypes (Ascochyta petroselini, Mycosphaerella ligulicola, Physalospora laricina, Sphaeria lingam), three epitypes (Ascochyta petroselini, Phoma lycopersici, Sphaeria lingam), and two neotypes (Ascochyta pinodella, Deuterophoma tracheiphila) are designated to stabilise the use of these names. A further four reference strains are introduced for Cophinforma tumefaciens, Helminthosporium solani, Mycocentrospora acerina, and Septoria linicola. In addition, to assist future studies on these important pathogens, we sequenced and assembled whole genomes for 17 species, including Alternaria triticina, Boeremia foveata, B. lycopersici, Cladosporium cucumerinum, Didymella glomerata, Didymella pinodella, Diplodia mutila, Helminthosporium solani, Mycocentrospora acerina, Neofusicoccum laricinum, Parastagonospora pseudonodorum, Plenodomus libanotidis, Plenodomus lingam, Plenodomus tracheiphilus, Septoria petroselini, Stagonosporopsis chrysanthemi, and Xenosphaeropsis pyriputrescens. Citation: Zhao P, Crous PW, Hou LW, et al. 2021. Fungi of quarantine concern for China I: Dothideomycetes. Persoonia 47: 45-105. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2021.47.02.

Molecular PET/CT Profiling of ACE2 Expression In Vivo: Implications for Infection and Outcome from SARS-CoV-2

Rapid progress has been made to identify and study the causative agent leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but many questions including who is most susceptible and what determines severity remain unanswered. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a key factor in the infection process of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this study, molecularly specific positron emission tomography imaging agents for targeting ACE2 are first developed, and these novel agents are evaluated in vitro, in preclinical model systems, and in a first-in-human translational ACE2 imaging of healthy volunteers and a SARS-CoV-2 recovered patient (NCT04422457). ACE2 expression levels in different organs in live subjects are quantitatively delineated and observable differences are measured in the patient recovered from COVID-19. Surprising sites of uptake in the breast, reproductive system and very low uptake in pulmonary tissues are reported. This novel method can add a unique tool to facilitate SARS-CoV-2 related research and improve understanding of this enigmatic disease. Molecular imaging provides quantitative annotation of ACE2, the SARS-CoV-2 entry receptor, to noninvasively monitor organs impacted by the COVID-19.

Comparison of Survival and Patterns of Recurrence in Gastric Neuroendocrine Carcinoma, Mixed Adenoneuroendocrine Carcinoma, and Adenocarcinoma

IMPORTANCE

Gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma and mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma are rare pathological types of gastric cancer, and there is a lack of multicenter studies comparing the prognosis and recurrence patterns of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma, gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the differences in long-term survival and patterns of recurrence among gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma, gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This cohort study included patients with resectable gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma and gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma at 23 hospitals in China from January 2006 to December 2016. In addition, patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were selected as controls. Propensity score-matched analysis was used to match pathological stage among the different pathological types, and disease-free survival (DFS), postrecurrence survival (PRS), and patterns of recurrence were examined. Data analysis was conducted from July 15, 2020, to October 21, 2020.

EXPOSURES

Curative resection for gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma, gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma, and gastric adenocarcinoma.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The main outcomes were DFS and patterns of recurrence.

RESULTS

A total of 3689 patients were analyzed (median [interquartile range] age, 62 [55-69] years; 2748 [74.5%] men), including 503 patients (13.6%) with gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma, 401 patients (10.9%) with gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma, and 2785 patients (75.5%) with gastric adenocarcinoma. After propensity score matching, 5-year DFS was 47.6% (95% CI, 42.7%-52.5%) for patients with gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma, compared with 57.6% (95% CI, 55.1%-60.1%) with gastric adenocarcinoma (P < .001) and 51.1% (95% CI, 46.0%-56.2%) for patients with gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma, compared with 57.8% (95% CI, 55.1%-60.5%) patients with gastric adenocarcinoma (P = .02). Multivariable analyses found that, compared with gastric adenocarcinoma, gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma (hazard ratio [HR], 1.64; 95% CI, 1.40-1.93) and gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.05-1.49) were independent risk factors associated with worse DFS. Compared with matched patients with gastric adenocarcinoma, patients with gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma were more likely to have distant recurrence (268 patients [17.2%] vs 101 patients [23.7%]; P = .002), as were patients with gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (232 patients [17.3%] vs 76 patients [22.8%]; P = .02). In multivariate analysis, gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma (HR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.66-2.98) and gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (HR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.24-2.34) were independent risk factors associated with distant recurrence. Additionally, T3 to T4 stage (odds ratio, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.57-5.14; P = .001) and lymph node metastasis (odds ratio, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.31-3.10; P = .002) were independent risk factors associated with distant recurrence of gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma and gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This cohort study found that patients with gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma or gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma had worse prognoses and were more prone to distant recurrence than those with gastric adenocarcinoma. Thus, different follow-up and treatment strategies should be developed to improve the long-term survival of patients with gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma or gastric mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma, especially patients with tumors penetrating into the subserosa or deeper layers or with lymph node metastasis.

Prediction of 90-day mortality after surgery for colorectal cancer using standardized nationwide quality-assurance data

Background

Personalized risk assessment provides opportunities for tailoring treatment, optimizing healthcare resources and improving outcome. The aim of this study was to develop a 90-day mortality-risk prediction model for identification of high- and low-risk patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer.

Methods

This was a nationwide cohort study using records from the Danish Colorectal Cancer Group database that included all patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2015. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator logistic regression prediction model was developed using 121 pre- and intraoperative variables and internally validated in a hold-out test data set. The accuracy of the model was assessed in terms of discrimination and calibration.

Results

In total, 49 607 patients were registered in the database. After exclusion of 16 680 individuals, 32 927 patients were included in the analysis. Overall, 1754 (5.3 per cent) deaths were recorded. Targeting high-risk individuals, the model identified 5.5 per cent of all patients facing a risk of 90-day mortality exceeding 35 per cent, corresponding to a 6.7 times greater risk than the average population. Targeting low-risk individuals, the model identified 20.9 per cent of patients facing a risk less than 0.3 per cent, corresponding to a 17.7 times lower risk compared with the average population. The model exhibited discriminatory power with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 85.3 per cent (95 per cent c.i. 83.6 to 87.0) and excellent calibration with a Brier score of 0.04 and 32 per cent average precision.

Conclusion

Pre- and intraoperative data, as captured in national health registries, can be used to predict 90-day mortality accurately after colorectal cancer surgery.

Agaricus bisporus-Derived Glucosamine Hydrochloride Facilitates Skeletal Injury Repair through Bmp Signaling in Zebrafish Osteoporosis Model

Glucosamine hydrochloride (GAH), one of the most basic and important derivatives of chitin, is obtained by hydrolysis of chitin in concentrated hydrochloric acid. At present, little is known about how GAH functions in skeletal development. In this report, we demonstrate that GAH, extracted from the cell wall of Agaricus bisporus, acts in a dose-dependent manner to promote not only cartilage and bone development in larvae but also caudal fin regeneration in adult fish. Furthermore, GAH treatment causes a significant increase in expression of bone-related marker genes, indicating its important role in promoting skeletal development. We show that in both larval and adult osteoporosis models induced by high iron osteogenic defects are significantly ameliorated after treatment with GAH, which regulates expression of a series of bone-related genes. Finally, we demonstrate that GAH promotes skeletal development and injury repair through bone morphogenetic protein (Bmp) signaling, and it works at the downstream of the receptor level. Taken together, our findings not only provide a strong research foundation and strategy for the screening of natural osteoporosis drugs and product development using a zebrafish model but also establish the potential for the development of Agaricus bisporus-derived GAH as a new drug for osteoporosis treatment.

Fusarium: more than a node or a foot-shaped basal cell

Recent publications have argued that there are potentially serious consequences for researchers in recognising distinct genera in the terminal fusarioid clade of the family Nectriaceae. Thus, an alternate hypothesis, namely a very broad concept of the genus Fusarium was proposed. In doing so, however, a significant body of data that supports distinct genera in Nectriaceae based on morphology, biology, and phylogeny is disregarded. A DNA phylogeny based on 19 orthologous protein-coding genes was presented to support a very broad concept of Fusarium at the F1 node in Nectriaceae. Here, we demonstrate that re-analyses of this dataset show that all 19 genes support the F3 node that represents Fusarium sensu stricto as defined by F. sambucinum (sexual morph synonym Gibberella pulicaris). The backbone of the phylogeny is resolved by the concatenated alignment, but only six of the 19 genes fully support the F1 node, representing the broad circumscription of Fusarium. Furthermore, a re-analysis of the concatenated dataset revealed alternate topologies in different phylogenetic algorithms, highlighting the deep divergence and unresolved placement of various Nectriaceae lineages proposed as members of Fusarium. Species of Fusarium s. str. are characterised by Gibberella sexual morphs, asexual morphs with thin- or thick-walled macroconidia that have variously shaped apical and basal cells, and trichothecene mycotoxin production, which separates them from other fusarioid genera. Here we show that the Wollenweber concept of Fusarium presently accounts for 20 segregate genera with clear-cut synapomorphic traits, and that fusarioid macroconidia represent a character that has been gained or lost multiple times throughout Nectriaceae. Thus, the very broad circumscription of Fusarium is blurry and without apparent synapomorphies, and does not include all genera with fusarium-like macroconidia, which are spread throughout Nectriaceae (e.g., Cosmosporella, Macroconia, Microcera). In this study four new genera are introduced, along with 18 new species and 16 new combinations. These names convey information about relationships, morphology, and ecological preference that would otherwise be lost in a broader definition of Fusarium. To assist users to correctly identify fusarioid genera and species, we introduce a new online identification database, Fusarioid-ID, accessible at www.fusarium.org. The database comprises partial sequences from multiple genes commonly used to identify fusarioid taxa (act1, CaM, his3, rpb1, rpb2, tef1, tub2, ITS, and LSU). In this paper, we also present a nomenclator of names that have been introduced in Fusarium up to January 2021 as well as their current status, types, and diagnostic DNA barcode data. In this study, researchers from 46 countries, representing taxonomists, plant pathologists, medical mycologists, quarantine officials, regulatory agencies, and students, strongly support the application and use of a more precisely delimited Fusarium (= Gibberella) concept to accommodate taxa from the robust monophyletic node F3 on the basis of a well-defined and unique combination of morphological and biochemical features. This F3 node includes, among others, species of the F. fujikuroi, F. incarnatum-equiseti, F. oxysporum, and F. sambucinum species complexes, but not species of Bisifusarium [F. dimerum species complex (SC)], Cyanonectria (F. buxicola SC), Geejayessia (F. staphyleae SC), Neocosmospora (F. solani SC) or Rectifusarium (F. ventricosum SC). The present study represents the first step to generating a new online monograph of Fusarium and allied fusarioid genera (www.fusarium.org).

Multi-institutional development and validation of a nomogram to predict recurrence after curative resection of gastric neuroendocrine/mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To establish a novel nomogram to predict individual 1, 3, and 5 years disease-free survival (DFS) of patients with gastric neuroendocrine carcinoma/mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma [(MA)NEC].

BACKGROUND

Among patients undergoing radical resection of gastric (MA)NEC, there is still a high tendency for relapse.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 777 patients with gastric (MA)NEC at 23 centers in China from 2004 to 2015 was performed. Based on the established nomogram, which included age, ASA, pT, pN and Ki67, the overall patients were divided into low-risk group (LRG) and high-risk group (HRG).

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 40 months (1-169 months). The C-index, AUC and time-ROC of the nomogram were significantly higher than that of the 8th edition AJCC and ENETS TNM staging systems. The 3-year DFS of patients in HRG generated by the nomogram was significantly lower than that in LRG (all patients: 35% vs 66.9%, p < 0.001), and there were still significant differences in stratified analysis of the TNM staging systems. The local recurrence rate (10.5% vs 2.6%) and distant recurrence rate (45.1% vs 22.6%) in HRG were significantly higher than those in LRG, especially in anastomotic recurrence (6.3% vs 2%), liver recurrence (20.7% vs 13.4%) and peritoneal metastasis (12.7% vs 2.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with AJCC and ENETS TNM staging systems, the established novel validated nomogram had a significantly better prediction ability for DFS and recurrence patterns in patients with gastric (MA)NEC. It can also compensate for the shortcomings of existing AJCC and ENETS TNM staging in predicting individual recurrence risk.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Fluorine-18 Labeled 2-Phenylquinoxaline Derivatives as Potential Tau Imaging Agents

In this study, three pairs of optically pure ¹⁸F-labeled 2-phenylquinoxaline derivatives were evaluated as Tau imaging agents for the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The chiral 2-fluoromethyl-1,2-ethylenediol side chain was attached to the 2-phenylquinoxaline backbone to increase hydrophilicity, thereby improving the binding affinity of the probe to tangles and their selectivity toward Tau tangles over β-amyloid plaques (Aβ). These probes displayed excellent fluorescent properties and high selectivity for tangles on brain sections from transgenic mice (rTg4510) and AD patients. Quantitative binding assays with AD homogenates showed that the probes (R)-5 and (S)-16 have a high affinity (K_i = 4.1 and 10.3 nM, respectively) and high selectivity (30.5-fold and 34.6-fold, respectively) for tangles over Aβ. The high affinity and selectivity of (R)-[¹⁸F]5 and (S)-[¹⁸F]16 for tangles were further confirmed with autoradiography on AD brain tissue in vitro. In addition, they displayed sufficient blood-brain barrier penetration (7.06% and 10.95% ID/g, respectively) and suitable brain kinetics (brain_2 min/brain_60 min = 10.1, 6.5 respectively) in normal mice. Ex vivo metabolism studies and micro-positron emission computed tomography (PET) revealed high brain biostability, good brain kinetic properties, and low nonspecific binding for (S)-[¹⁸F]16. Together, these results demonstrate that (R)-[¹⁸F]5 and (S)-[¹⁸F]16 are promising PET probes for Tau tangles imaging.

Modular gene analysis reveals distinct molecular signatures for subsets of patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease with clinical sequelae such as itching, dyspigmentation and scarring.

OBJECTIVES

We applied a previously described modular analysis approach to assess the molecular heterogeneity of patients with CLE.

METHODS

Whole-blood transcriptomes of RNA sequencing data from a racially and ethnically diverse group of patients with CLE (n = 62) were used to calculate gene co-expression module scores. An unsupervised cluster analysis and k-means clustering based on these module scores were then performed. We used Fisher's exact tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare characteristics between patient clusters.

RESULTS

Six unique clusters of patients with CLE were identified from the cluster analysis. We observed that seven inflammation modules were elevated in two clusters of patients with CLE. Additionally, these clusters were characterized by interferon, neutrophil and cell-death signatures, suggesting that interferon-related proteins, neutrophils and cell-death processes could be driving the inflammatory response in these subgroups. Three different clusters had a predominant T-cell signature, which were supported by lymphocyte counts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data support a diverse molecular profile in CLE that further adds to the clinical variations of this skin disease, and may affect disease course and treatment selection. Future studies with a larger and diverse cohort of patients with CLE are warranted to confirm these findings.

Which Staging System Is More Suitable for Gastric Neuroendocrine Cancer and Mixed Adenoneuroendocrine Carcinomas? A Multicenter Cohort Study

PURPOSE

To evaluate whether the European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) system or the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual are suitable for gastric neuroendocrine carcinomas and/or mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinomas (G-NECs/MANECs).

METHODS

Patients in a multicentric series with G-NEC/MANEC who underwent curative-intent surgical resection for a primary tumor were included. An optimal staging system was proposed base on analysis of the T and N status and validated by the SEER database.

RESULTS

Compared with the ENETS system, the survival curves of the T category and N category in the 8th AJCC system were better separated and distributed in a more balanced way, but the survival curves of T2 vs. T3, N0 vs. N1, and N3a vs. N3b overlapped. For the T category, the 8th AJCC T category was modified by combining T2 and T3, which was consistent with the T category in the 6th AJCC manual for GC. For the N category, the optimal cut-off values of metastatic lymph nodes using X-tile were also similar to those of the N category in the 6th AJCC system. The Kaplan-Meier plots of the 6th AJCC system showed statistically significant differences between individual substages. Compared with the other 2 classifications, the 6th AJCC system also showed superior prognostic stratification. Similar results were obtained in both multicentric and SEER validation sets.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to the 8th AJCC and ENETS systems, the 6th AJCC staging system for GC is more suitable for G-NEC/MANEC and can be adopted in clinical practice.

[Epidemiological and virus molecular characterization of dengue fever outbreak in Hunan province, 2018]

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of a dengue fever outbreak in Hunan province in 2018. Methods: Real-time PCR assay was performed for the laboratory diagnosis of 8 suspected dengue fever cases. Etiological surveillance was performed in 186 suspected dengue fever cases and fever cases who had close contacts with dengue fever patients. C6/36 cells was used for the virus isolation from acute phase serum. By sequencing the full length of E genes of 15 dengue virus strains, phylogenetic analysis was performed based on the sequences obtained, including reference sequences from the NCBI GenBank database, the serotypes and gene subtypes of the virus were analyzed to trace the possible source of transmission. An emergency monitoring of vector density and a retrospective survey of sero-epidemiology in healthy population were conducted in the epidemic area. Results: In the serum samples of 8 suspected patients, 6 were dengue virus RNA positive, and 4 were NS1 antigen positive. In 186 suspected patients, 96 were dengue virus nucleic acid, NS1 antigen or antibody positive in etiological test. A total of 64 dengue virus strains were isolated. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all the dengue virus strains belonged to type 2, which might be from Guangdong or Zhejiang provinces. The Bretub index was up to 65, indicating an extremely high risk of transmission. The positive rate of the dengue virus IgG antibody was 0.53%(2/377) in retrospective survey of 377 healthy people. Conclusion: The field epidemiologic and the molecular genetics analyses showed the outbreak of dengue fever in Hunan in 2018 was caused by imported cases and dengue virus 2.

Expression, purification and characterization of three odorant binding proteins from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are critical components in insect olfactory systems where they bind, solubilize and transport odorant molecules to receptors. Here, we cloned three OBPs (PxylGOBP1, PxylGOBP2 and PxylOBP24) from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, one of the most destructive pests of cruciferous crops. These three OBPs were expressed in Escherichia coli as recombinant proteins, purified and characterized by fluorescence binding assays with 39 ligands including sex pheromone and plant-derived chemical compounds. PxylGOBP1 and PxylGOBP2 showed significantly different binding affinities to theses ligands, suggesting distinct binding preferences of these two general odorant binding proteins. PxylOBP24 showed no or extremely low binding activities to selected ligands, suggesting it may be involved in non-olfactory functions. Circular dichroism spectral results demonstrated that PxylGOBP1 and PxylGOBP2 shared similar secondary structures while PxylOBP24 was significantly different. This study improves our knowledge of insect OBPs, which will assist in a better understanding of insect olfactory system and developing more environmentally friendly pest control strategies for P. xylostella.

Effects of soybean isoflavones on the growth performance, intestinal morphology and antioxidative properties in pigs

Soybean meal is rich in soybean isoflavones, which exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticancer functions in humans and animals. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of soybean isoflavones on the growth performance, intestinal morphology and antioxidative properties in pigs. A total of 72 weaned piglets (7.45 ± 0.13 kg; 36 males and 36 females) were allocated into three treatments and fed corn-soybean meal (C-SBM), corn-soy protein concentrate (C-SPC) or C-SPC supplemented with equal levels of the isoflavones found in the C-SBM diet (C-SPC + ISF) for a 72-day trial. Each treatment had six replicates and four piglets per replicate, half male and half female. On day 42, one male pig from each replicate was selected and euthanized to collect intestinal samples. The results showed that compared to pigs fed the C-SPC diet, pigs fed the C-SBM and C-SPC + ISF diets had higher BW on day 72 (P < 0.05); pigs fed the C-SBM diet had significantly higher average daily gain (ADG) during days 14 to 28 (P < 0.05), with C-SPC + ISF being intermediate; pigs fed the C-SBM diet tended to have higher ADG during days 42 to 72 (P = 0.063), while pigs fed the C-SPC + ISF diet had significantly higher ADG during days 42 to 72 (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared to pigs fed the C-SPC diet, pigs fed the C-SBM diet tended to have greater villus height (P = 0.092), while pigs fed the C-SPC + ISF diet had significantly greater villus height (P < 0.05); pigs fed the C-SBM and C-SPC + ISF diets had significantly increased villus height-to-crypt depth ratio (P < 0.05). Compared with the C-SPC diet, dietary C-SPC + ISF tended to increase plasma superoxide dismutase activity on days 28 (P = 0.085) and 42 (P = 0.075) and reduce plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) content on day 42 (P = 0.089), as well as significantly decreased jejunal mucosa MDA content on day 42 (P < 0.05). However, no significant difference in the expression of tight junction genes among the three groups was found (P > 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that a long-term exposure to soybean isoflavones enhances the growth performance, protects the intestinal morphology and improves the antioxidative properties in pigs.

LncRNA DARS-AS1 regulates microRNA-129 to promote malignant progression of thyroid cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) DARS-AS1 in thyroid cancer, and to further investigate whether it can promote the development of thyroid cancer by regulating microRNA-129.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the level of DARS-AS1 in tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues of 34 thyroid carcinomas. It was also used to analyze the relationship between the expression of DARS-AS1 and the clinical indicators of thyroid cancer and the prognosis of patients. qPCR was used to further verify the expression of DARS-AS1 in thyroid cancer cell lines. The DARS-AS1 knockdown model was constructed using lentivirus in thyroid cancer cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), cell clone formation, and transwell migration assays were performed to evaluate the effects of DARS-AS1 on the biological function of thyroid cancer cells. Finally, the potential mechanism was explored by using recovery experiments and the interplay between DARS-AS1 and microRNA-129 was further studied.

RESULTS

qPCR results revealed that the level of DARS-AS1 in tumor tissues of thyroid cancer patients was remarkably higher than that in adjacent tissues, and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with patients with low expression of DARS-AS1, patients with high DARS-AS1 expression had a higher incidence of high tumor stage, distant metastasis, and a lower overall survival rate. Besides, compared with NC group, the proliferation and migration ability of shRNA-AS1 expression knockdown group sh-DARS-AS1 was remarkably decreased. qPCR results indicated that there was a negative correlation between the level of microRNA-129 and DARS-AS1 in thyroid cancer tissues. In addition, cell proliferation and migration ability in the microRNA-129 overexpression group were remarkably decreased. The recovery experiment also found that there was a mutual regulation between DARS-AS1 and microRNA-129, which together affected the malignant progression of thyroid cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

DARS-AS1 level in tumor tissues of thyroid cancer was remarkably increased and was correlated with the pathological stage, distant metastasis, and poor prognosis of thyroid cancer. Moreover, DARS-AS1 could promote the proliferation and migration capabilities of thyroid cancer cells by modulating microRNA-129.

MicroRNA-361-5p suppresses the tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma through targeting WT1 and suppressing WNT/β-cadherin pathway

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNA-361-5p (miR-361-5p) has been found to be involved in the pathogenesis of several human cancers. However, the specific role of miR-361-5p is still unclear in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, this study was designed to elucidate the function of miR-361-5p in HCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression levels of miR-361-5p and Wilms' tumor-1 (WT1) were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Moreover, the function of miR-361-5p was examined through Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assays. The protein expressions were examined via Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical assay. Tumor growth of HCC was observed via xenograft tumor formation assay. The relationship between miR-361-5p and WT1 was verified by the Dual-Luciferase assay.

RESULTS

Downregulation of miR-361-5p was identified in HCC, which predicted a worse prognosis in HCC patients. Furthermore, it was found that miR-361-5p suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in HCC by inhibiting WT1. MiR-361-5p also inhibited tumor growth of HCC. Besides that, miR-361-5p suppressed EMT and negatively activated the WNT/β-cadherin pathway in HCC.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-361-5p suppressed tumorigenesis of HCC by targeting WT1 and inactivating the WNT/β-cadherin pathway.

Long noncoding RNA AFAP1-AS1 promoted osteosarcoma proliferation and invasion via upregulating BDNF

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "Long noncoding RNA AFAP1-AS1 promoted osteosarcoma proliferation and invasion via upregulating BDNF, by B.-M. Zhao, F.-H. Cheng, L. Cai, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (7): 2744-2749-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201904_17547-PMID: 31002124" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/17547.