LncRNA CASC2 inhibits cell proliferation, metastasis and EMT through miR-18a/SOCS5 axis in cholangiocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is one of the tumors with high malignancy of the liver and bile system, whose development and prognosis mechanisms are still not clear. Here, a preliminary illustration was made on the expression and function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) CASC2 and the relevant mechanism of its function.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Expression of CASC2 in CCA tissues and cells were examined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Cell proliferation ability was detected using colony formation and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays while cell invasion and migration abilities were measured using transwell and Matrigel assays. Using bioinformatic analysis, underlying downstream molecules of CASC2 were predicted and by Dual-Luciferase assay and Western blot.

RESULTS

It was found that CASC2 was expressed at a significantly lower level in CCA tissues and cell lines. The overexpression of CASC2 inhibited QBC939 cell proliferation, invasion and migration when the knockdown of CASC2 accelerated HUCCT1 cell growth and metastasis. Besides, miR-18a was identified as a direct target for CASC2, and SOCS5 as target for miR-18a. Moreover, CASC2 functioned as a sponge of miR-18a to promote the SOCS5 expression, then, slowed down the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression.

CONCLUSIONS

CASC2 was downregulated in CCA tissues and cells. It could inhibit cell proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT via sponging miR-18a/SOCS5 axis. This might provide a novel target for CCA diagnosis and treatment.

CORRELATION BETWEEN SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM AND DYSLIPIDEMIA IN WOMEN IN NORTHEAST CHINA

CONTEXT

It is well known that thyroid hormones are important, being involved in affects the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, lipids. The relationship between thyroid hormones and lipid metabolism is the focus of recent research.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism and lipid metabolism in women.

DESIGN

We conducted an epidemiological survey of thyroid diseases among women in Northeast China from September 2014 to December 2014.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 1397 women underwent physical examinations and laboratory tests for thyroid function and lipid metabolism.

RESULTS

We found that the detection rate of subclinical hypothyroidism was 13.03%. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism showed significantly higher levels of triglyceride (1.69±1.9 vs. 1.45±1.4) and the risk of hyper triglyceridemia in women with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels ≥10mIU/L was 4.96-fold higher compared with that in the normal population (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Disorders of lipid metabolism in women with subclinical hypothyroidism show a direct correlation with the level of TSH, and the risk of hyper triglyceridemia is significantly increased when the level of TSH ≥10mIU/L.

Vesicle formation of single-chain amphiphilic 4-dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid in water and micelle-to-vesicle transition induced by wet-dry cycles

Simple single-chain amphiphiles (SCAs) can form vesicular structures in their single-component aqueous solutions, which has attracted great attention, but the understanding of their aggregation behavior is still limited. In this work, the aggregation behavior of 4-dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBSA), a typical simple SCA, in water was investigated. The structure and properties of the aggregates formed were determined. In particular, the effect of wet-dry cycles on the structures of aggregates was examined. The mechanisms of aggregate formation and structural transition were discussed. It was found that the increase of DBSA concentration can drive the occurrence of a micelle-to-vesicle transition, showing a critical micelle concentration and critical vesicle concentration of ∼0.53 and 2.14 mM, respectively. The vesicles formed coexist with micelles in solution, with a unilamellar structure and ∼80 nm size, and exhibit size-selective permeability. In addition, the vesicles show remarkable stability upon long-term storage, exposure to high temperature, and freeze-thaw cycles. The H-bonding interaction between DBSA species and the interdigitated structure of alkyl chains in bilayers play a key role in the formation and stability of DBSA vesicles. Interestingly, it was found that the wet-dry cycle can induce a micelle-to-vesicle transition and an obvious increase in the size of the original vesicles, accompanied by the formation of some multilamellar vesicles. This work provides a better understanding of the aggregation behavior of simple SCAs in their single-component aqueous solutions.

The effect of hyaluronic acid on nucleus pulposus extracellular matrix production through hypoxia-inducible factor-1α transcriptional activation of CD44 under hypoxia

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the leading cause of low-back pain. Implantation of hyaluronic acid (HA) is potentially a therapeutic strategy for IDD, but its pharmacological effects and mechanism under hypoxic conditions remain unclear. In this study, the expression of extracellular matrix genes and proteins were enhanced in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in the presence of HA under hypoxic condition, as shown by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence staining, and dimethylmethylene blue assays. Moreover, the expression of CD44 was increased in the presence of both HA and hypoxia compared to either alone. Using a bioinformatic database, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), a key transcription factor in the hypoxic condition, was found to have 4 predicted binding sites on the CD44 promoter. CD44 expression was significantly increased by treatment with cobalt chloride or dimethyloxalylglycine. Over-expression of HIF-1α in NPCs significantly up-regulated the expression of CD44. The binding site of HIF-1α in the CD44 promoter region, was identified by promoter truncation experiments and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Taken together, these results indicated that hypoxic conditions positively potentiated the ability of NPCs matrix synthesis in the presence of HA, which correlated with the increasing CD44 expression by HIF-1α transcriptional activation.

The expression of membrane-bound complement regulatory proteins CD46, CD55 and CD59 in oral lichen planus

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression levels of membrane-anchored complement regulatory proteins (mCRPs), CD46, CD55 and CD59 in oral lichen planus (OLP), and evaluate the activation status of complement.

DESIGN

Thirty-seven cases of OLP patients (20 non-erosive OLP and 17 erosive OLP) and twenty healthy controls were recruited in this study. The proteins and mRNA expression levels of CD46, CD55 and CD59 in OLP tissues were detected by western blotting and RT-qPCR respectively, and the expression levels of complement C3 and sC5b-9 in OLP patients' saliva were detected by ELISA to evaluate the activation status of complement. In addition, mucosa tissues of another 3 non-erosive OLP patients and another 3 healthy controls were collected, and the epithelial layer of two groups were separated to culture primary keratinocytes in vitro. Immunofluorescence was used to further detect the expression of mCRPs at the cellular level.

RESULTS

The levels of CD46, CD55 and CD59 in OLP tissues and cells were significantly decreased compared with those of the healthy control group, and the level of complement C3 in the patients' saliva was significantly decreased, while the level of sC5b-9 was increased.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the reduced expression of mCRPs keeps the complement system in a continuously active state, which may be the reason of the persistent local immune inflammatory state in OLP. This study aimed to provide new insights for the etiology and therapy of OLP.

Effects of subacute ruminal acidosis on colon epithelial morphological structure, permeability, and expression of key tight junction proteins in dairy goats

The hindgut epithelial barrier plays an important role in maintaining absorption and immune homeostasis in ruminants. However, little information is available on changes in colon epithelial barrier structure and function following grain-induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of grain-induced SARA on colon epithelial morphological structure, permeability, and gene expression involved in epithelial barrier function. Twelve mid-lactating (136 ± 2 d in milk; milk yield = 1.68 ± 0.15 kg/d) Saanen dairy goats with 62.13 ± 4.76 kg of body weight were randomly divided into either the control (CON) treatment (n = 6) or SARA treatment (n = 6). The CON goats were fed a basal diet with a nonfiber carbohydrates to neutral detergent fiber ratio of 1.15 for 60 d. The SARA goats were fed 4 diets with increasing nonfiber carbohydrates to neutral detergent fiber ratio at 1.15, 1.49, 2.12, and 2.66 to induce SARA, with each diet (referred to as period) being fed for 15 d, including 12 d for adaptation and 3 d for sampling. Continuous ruminal pH recordings were used to diagnose the severity of SARA. Additionally, colonic tissues were collected to evaluate the epithelial morphological structure, permeability, and expression of tight junction proteins using transmission electron microscopy, Ussing chamber, quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blotting. Profound disruption in the colonic epithelium was mainly manifested as the electron density of tight junctions decreased, intercellular space widened, and mitochondria swelled in SARA goats. Colon epithelial short-circuit current, tissue conductance, and the mucosal-to-serosal flux of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4 kDa were increased and potential difference was decreased in SARA goats compared with CON goats. Subacute ruminal acidosis increased mRNA and protein expression levels of CLDN1 and OCLN in the colonic epithelium. Overall, the data of the present study demonstrate that SARA can impair the barrier function of the colonic epithelium at both structural and functional levels, which is associated with severe epithelial structural damage and increased permeability and changes in the expression of tight junction proteins.

An aqueous two-phase system formed in single-component solution of α-ketooctanoic acid

An aqueous two-phase system can form in the single-component solution of α-ketooctanoic acid without any additives.

Over-expression of miR-187 inhibited cell proliferation and metastasis of glioma via down-regulating SMAD1

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified to participate in the tumorigenesis and progression of glioma. However, the expression and function of miR-187 have not been fully elucidated in glioma so far. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-187 in glioma and to explore the possible underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression levels of miR-187 in 67 glioma tissues and 21 normal brain tissues, as well as 4 glioma-derived cell lines were measured using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). MiR-187 was overexpressed or inhibited in U251 or U87MG cells using miR-187 mimics or inhibitor transfection, respectively. Colony formation assay and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay were employed to detect the proliferation ability of cells. Meanwhile, transwell assay and wound-healing assay were applied to evaluate the invasion and migration capacities of cells. Furthermore, Dual-Luciferase assay and Western blot analysis were used to verify the downstream target gene of miR-187 in glioma.

RESULTS

MiR-187 expression was significantly lower in glioma tissues and cells when compared with normal brain tissues and cell lines. Up-regulation of miR-187 markedly reduced the proliferation, migration and invasion of U251 cells compared with the negative control group. However, down-regulation of miR-187 remarkably accelerated U87MG cell growth and metastasis compared with inhibitor negative control group. Furthermore, SMAD1 was identified as a direct target for miR-187 in glioma, which could be repressed by miR-187. In addition, over-expression of SMAD1 restored the influence of miR-187 mimics in glioma cells.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-187 was lowly expressed in glioma tissues and cell lines. Acting as a tumor suppressor, miR-187 inhibited cell growth, invasion, and migration in glioma via repressing SMAD1 expression. Our findings might provide a novel insight into the biological diagnosis and treatment in glioma.

Review: Methanogens and methane production in the digestive systems of nonruminant farm animals

The greenhouse gases (GHGs) derived from agriculture include carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and methane (CH₄). Of these GHGs, CH₄, in particular, constitutes a major component of the GHG emitted by the agricultural sector. Along with environmental concerns, CH₄ emission also leads to losses in gross energy intake with economic implications. While ruminants are considered the main source of CH₄ from agriculture, nonruminant animals also contribute substantially, and the CH₄ emission intensity of nonruminants remains comparable to that of ruminants. Means of mitigating CH₄ emissions from enteric fermentation have therefore been sought. Methane is produced by methanogens-archaeal microorganisms that inhabit the digestive tracts of animals and participate in fermentation processes. As the diversity of methanogen communities is thought to be responsible for the differences in CH₄ production among nonruminant animals, it is necessary to investigate the archaeal composition of specific animal species. Methanogens play an important role in energy metabolism and adipose tissue deposition in animals. Higher abundances of methanogens, along with their higher diversity, have been reported to contribute to lean phenotype in pigs. In particular, a greater abundance of Methanosphaera spp. and early dominance of Methanobrevibacter smithii have been reported to correlate with lower body fat formation in pigs. Besides the contribution of methanogens to the metabolic phenotype of their hosts, CH₄ release reduces the productivity that could be achieved through other hydrogen (H₂) disposal pathways. Enhanced participation of acetogenesis in H₂ disposal, leading to acetate formation, could be a more favorable direction for animal production and the environment. Better knowledge and understanding of the archaeal communities of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including their metabolism and interactions with other microorganisms, would thus allow the development of new strategies for inhibiting methanogens and shifting toward acetogenesis. There are a variety of approaches to inhibiting methanogens and mitigating methanogenesis in ruminants, which can find an application for nonruminants, such as nutritional changes through supplementation with biologically active compounds and management changes. We summarize the available reports and provide a comprehensive review of methanogens living in the GIT of various nonruminants, such as swine, horses, donkeys, rabbits, and poultry. This review will help in a better understanding of the populations and diversity of methanogens and the implications of their presence in nonruminant animals.

Effects of the FABP4 gene on steroid hormone secretion in goose ovarian granulosa cells

1. To investigate the physiological role of FABP4 in the goose ovary, this study determined the effects of overexpressing and siRNA interfering FABP4 on progesterone (P₄) and oestradiol (E₂) production in granulosa cells. Measurements were made by ELISA, real-time qRT-PCR and western blotting. 2. The concentrations of P₄ and E₂ in the FABP4 overexpression granulosa cells were increased compared to the control group (P > 0.05 for P₄; P < 0.05 for E₂). Likewise, the mRNA and protein expression levels of CYP11A1 and CYP19A1 were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.001). Conversely, the concentrations of P₄ and E₂ in the FABP4 silencing granulosa cells were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Likewise, the mRNA and protein expression levels of CYP11A1 and CYP19A1 were significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.001, or P < 0.01). 3. The study indicated that the FABP4 gene may regulate steroid hormone secretion and the expression of the steroidogenic genes in geese ovarian granulosa cells. These results support the possibility that the FABP4 gene mediates ovarian steroid hormone biosynthesis function and reproduction in geese.

Effects of individualized antiplatelet therapy based on CYP2C19 genotype and platelet function on the prognosis of patients after PCI

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of individualized antiplatelet therapy based on CYP2C19 genotype and platelet function on the prognosis of patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) compared with conventional antiplatelet therapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital from December 2014 to December 2017 were included in this prospective study and randomly divided into conventional (CA) and individualized antiplatelet therapy group (IA) at 1:1 ratio. Patients in the CA group received clopidogrel 75 mg once a day (QD). Group IA was divided into extensive, intermediate, and poor metabolizers according to the results of the CYP2C19 gene test. Three genotypes were given clopidogrel 75 mg QD, 75 mg twice daily (BID) and ticagrelor 90 mg BID respectively. After taking these medicines for a period of time, platelet function was monitored by thromboelastography (TEG) and MAADP values were recorded. MAADP indicates the adenosine diphosphate (ADP) induced platelet function that not inhibited by medicine. High platelet reactivity (HPR) was defined as MAADP > 47mm, indicating a high risk of thrombus, and MAADP ≤ 31 mm indicates a high risk of hemorrhage. For extensive metabolizers (EMs) and intermediate metabolizers (IMs) patients with HPR, the antiplatelet therapy would be changed by the clinician according to the patient's conditions. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and hemorrhage events were monitored during 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

The patients with MAADP > 47 mm were 89 (28.6%) in the IA group. There were 50 EMs patients with MAADP > 47 mm (33.3%). Of which, there were 2 cases which changed the dosage of clopidogrel to 75 mg BID, 14 cases who changed clopidogrel to ticagrelor. There were 36 IMs patients with MAADP > 47 mm (30.8%). Of which, there were 19 cases who changed clopidogrel to ticagrelor. There was no significant difference in the value of MAADP between EMs and IMs patients. Within 1 year after PCI, the occurrence of MACE in the IA group was significantly lower than that in the CA group (p=0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) Patients with a CYP2C19 loss-of-function (LOF) gene who take double doses of clopidogrel overcome the decreased efficacy of clopidogrel which partly due to CYP2C19 LOF gene, without increasing the risk of hemorrhage. (2) Individualized antiplatelet therapy based on CYP2C19 genotype and platelet function can significantly reduce the occurrence of MACE (mainly acute non-fatal myocardial infarction) after PCI without increasing the risk of moderate or severe hemorrhage.

Depression and one-year survival of patients with heart failure in China: analysis from the China-PEACE Prospective Heart Failure study

Background

Depression is prevalent among patients with heart failure (HF), but data exploring association of depression with risk of death in patients with HF is scarce in China. We investigated the relationship between depression and all-cause mortality of heart failure in China.

Methods

In China PEACE 5p-HF Study, we prospectively enrolled patients primarily hospitalized with HF from 52 diverse hospitals throughout China during 2016–2018. All the patients were followed up for 1 year. About 10% patients in the cohort from 41 hospitals was included for the measurement of depression state at convenience. Depression was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 depression scale (PHQ-8) at baseline. Depression state was categorized into major depressive disorder (10–24 points), minor depression (5–10 points) and no depression (0–5 points). Cox proportional hazards regression analyses, controlling for established risk factors as age, gender, LVEF, NYHA, medication use and medical history, were used to evaluate how depression were related to end point of death from any cause.

Results

Total 584 patients were included in our analysis, with median age 69 (IQR 60–77) years, and 40.8% female. Among these patients, 36.0% had major depressive disorder (n=210), 33.9% had minor depression (n=198). There were 70 (12%) patients died within 1 year after discharge. Major depressive disorder was associated with higher all-cause mortality compared with no depression (hazard ratio=2.18, 95% confidence interval 1.36–3.50, p=0.001). While minor depression was not significantly associated with all-cause mortality.

Conclusions

Major depression is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in hospitalized patients with HF in China. It is necessary to screen for psychological health in hospitalized patients to targeting intervention.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public Institution(s). Main funding source(s): National Key Research and Development Program from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China

Autonomous atmospheric water seeping MOF matrix

The atmosphere contains an abundance of fresh water, but this resource has yet to be harvested efficiently. To date, passive atmospheric water sorbents have required a desorption step that relies on steady solar irradiation. Since the availability and intensity of solar radiation vary, these limit on-demand desorption and hence the amount of harvestable water. Here, we report a polymer-metal-organic framework that provides simultaneous and uninterrupted sorption and release of atmospheric water. The adaptable nature of the hydro-active polymer, and its hybridization with a metal-organic framework, enables enhanced sorption kinetics, water uptake, and spontaneous water oozing. We demonstrate continuous water delivery for 1440 hours, producing 6 g of fresh water per gram of sorbent at 90% relative humidity (RH) per day without active condensation. This leads to a total liquid delivery efficiency of 95% and an autonomous liquid delivery efficiency of 71%, the record among reported atmospheric water harvesters.

[Effects of hypoxia-pretreated rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium on wound healing of rats with full-thickness defects]

Objective: To investigate the effects of hypoxia-pretreated rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) conditioned medium on wound healing of rats with full-thickness defects. Methods: (1) A 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rat was sacrificed by cervical dislocation, the bilateral inguinal adipose tissue was collected, the third generation ADSCs were isolated by collagenase digestion method, and the cells morphology was observed. The cells were harvested and divided into adipogenic induction group and osteogenic induction group according to the random number table (the same grouping method below), with 6 wells in each group. The cells in adipogenic induction group were cultured for 14 days to observe adipogenesis, and cells in osteogenic induction group were cultured for 28 days to observe osteogenesis. (2) The third generation ADSCs were collected and divided into normoxic group and hypoxic group. Cells in normoxic group was incubated in normal oxygen incubator with oxygen volume fraction of 21%, and cells in hypoxic group was incubated in low oxygen incubator with oxygen volume fraction of 2% respectively, with 3 samples in each group for each time point. Three samples in normoxic group on 3 h of culture and in hypoxic group on 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of culture were collected for detecting the following indexes. The mRNA expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) were detected by real time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The cell culture supernatant in the two groups was collected, centrifuged, and filtered to obtain normoxic conditioned medium (normo-CM ) and hypoxic conditioned medium (hypo-CM). Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect content of VEGF, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in conditioned medium. (3) Twenty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 6-8 weeks were collected and divided into phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group, normo-CM group, and hypo-CM group, with 9 rats in each group. A circular full-thickness skin defect wound with diameter of 1 cm was made on the back of each rat, and the wounds of rats in PBS, normo-CM, and hypo-CM groups were respectively dropped with 50 μL PBS, normo-CM, and hypo-CM. On post injury day (PID) 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, the gross condition of wound was observed, wound area was measured, and the non-healing rate of wound was calculated. The wound tissue was collected for hematoxylin eosin staining to observe inflammatory reaction of wound on PID 3, 9, and 11 and re-epithelialization of wound on PID 9. Masson staining was used to observe the collagen deposition and analyze collagen volume fraction of wound on PID 11. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for repeated measurement, one-way analysis of variance, t test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: (1) The isolated cells showed a fusiform, in adherent growth and close arrangement when in low fusion degree. On 14 d of culture, the red lipid droplets stained with oil red O were observed in cells in adipogenic induction group, and on 28 d of culture, the red nodules stained with alizarin red S were observed in cells in osteogenic induction group. The cells were identified as ADSCs. (2) Compared with that in normoxic group, the mRNA expression of HIF-1α was significantly increased at 12 and 24 h of culture (t=5.43, 5.11, P<0.05), the mRNA expression of VEGF was significantly increased at 6 and 12 h of culture (t=3.29, 2.33, P<0.05 or P<0.01), the mRNA expression of bFGF was significantly increased at 12 h of culture (t=12.59, P<0.01) and significantly reduced at 48 h of culture (t=9.34, P<0.01), and the mRNA expression of PPAR-γ was significantly reduced at 3, 12, and 24 h of culture in hypoxic group (t=5.14, 6.56, 4.97, P<0.05). (3) Compared with that in normoxic group, the VEGF content was significantly increased at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of culture (t=5.74, 12.37, 14.80, 15.70, 34.63, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the IGF content was significantly increased at 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of culture (t=5.65, 8.06, 20.12, 22.99, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the content of TGF-β and EGF showed no obvious change at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h of culture in hypoxic group. (4) From PID 0 to 11, the wound of rats in the three groups shrank to varying degrees, with no obvious infection or exudate. On PID 11, the wound area of rats in PBS group was still large, which was larger than that in normo-CM group, and the wound area of rats in hypo-CM group was basically healed. On PID 0, 3, and 5, the non-healing rates of wound of rats in the three groups were similar. On PID 7, the non-healing rates of wound of rats in normo-CM and hypo-CM groups were significantly lower than that in PBS group (t=10.26, 16.03, P<0.05). On PID 9, the non-healing rate of wound of rats in hypo-CM group was significantly lower than that of PBS group and normo-CM group, respectively (t=17.25, 6.89, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the non-healing rate of wound of rats in normo-CM group was significantly lower than that in PBS group (t=8.81, P<0.05). On PID 11, the non-healing rate of wound of rats in hypo-CM group was (2.4±1.5)%, which was significantly lower than (20.0±5.0)% in PBS group and (7.7±1.7)% in normo-CM group (t= 30.15, 84.80, P<0.05). (5) On PID 3, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the wound of rats in hypo-CM group was obviously more than those in the other two groups. On PID 9, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the wound of rats in hypo-CM and normo-CM groups was obviously less than that in PBS group. On PID 11, the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the wound of rats in hypo-CM group was obviously less than those in PBS and normo-CM groups. On PID 9, the length of " epidermal migration tongue" on the wound of rats in hypo-CM group was longer than those of the other two groups, and the epidermis thickness was close to normal skin. On PID 11, compared with those in PBS and normo-CM groups, a large number of collagen deposits with dense structure, neat arrangement, and higher maturity were seen in the wound of rats in hypo-CM group. The wound collagen volume fraction of rats in PBS group was (22.90±1.25)%, which was significantly lower than (31.96±0.14)% in normo-CM group and (56.10±1.50)% in hypo-CM group (t=12.48, 29.43, P<0.05), and the wound collagen volume fraction of rats in normo-CM group was significantly lower than that in hypo-CM group (t=27.73, P<0.05). Conclusions: Hypoxia-pretreated can significantly enhance paracrine effect of rat ADSCs. Hypoxia-pretreated rat ADSC conditioned medium can accelerate the healing of full-thickness skin defect wound in rats by regulating inflammatory cell infiltration, promoting re-epithelialization and collagen deposition in the wound.

Horizontal sound localisation and speech perception in Bonebridge-implanted single-sided deafness patients

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the benefit of Bonebridge devices in patients with single-sided deafness.

METHOD

Five patients with single-sided deafness who were implanted with Bonebridge devices were recruited in a single-centre study. Participants' speech perception and horizontal sound localisation abilities were assessed at 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Speech intelligibility in noisy environments was measured in three different testing conditions (speech and noise presented from the front, speech and noise presented from the front and contralateral (normal ear) side separately, and speech presented from the ipsilateral (implanted Bonebridge) side and noise from the contralateral side). Sound localisation was evaluated in Bonebridge-aided and Bonebridge-unaided conditions at different stimuli levels (65, 70 and 75 dB SPL).

RESULTS

All participants showed a better capacity for speech intelligibility in quiet environments with the Bonebridge device. The speech recognition threshold with the Bonebridge device was significantly decreased at both short- and long-term follow up in the speech presented from the ipsilateral (implanted Bonebridge) side and noise from the contralateral side condition (p < 0.05). Additionally, participants maintained similar levels of sound localisation between the Bonebridge-aided and unaided conditions (p > 0.05). However, the accuracy of localisation showed some improvement at 70 dB SPL and 75 dB SPL post-operatively.

CONCLUSION

The Bonebridge device provides the benefit of improved speech perception performance in patients with single-sided deafness. Sound localisation abilities were neither improved nor worsened with Bonebridge implantation at the follow-up assessments.

MiR-23a-5p exacerbates intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury by promoting oxidative stress via targeting PPAR alpha

MiR-23a-5p is involved in the occurrence and development of some serious diseases, but its effects on intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (II/R) injury is unclear. In this research, the hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model on IEC-6 cells and II/R model in mice were used. The data showed that the ROS level in model group was significantly increased compared with control group. The level of intestinal MPO was increased and serum SOD was decreased in mice compared with sham group. Moreover, the expression levels of miR-23a-5p in model groups were obviously increased in vitro and in vivo, while the expression levels of PPARα, FOXO3α, PGC-1α, Nrf2, CAT, NQO1, HO-1 and SOD2 were significantly decreased. The double luciferase reporter gene assay showed that there was binding site between miR-23a-5p and PPARα. When miR-23a-5p was inhibited or PPARα gene was overexpressed, H/R-caused cell damage was alleviated and ROS level was decreased compared with NC group. PPARα expression level was increased, accompanied by the increased levels of FOXO3α, PGC-1α, Nrf2, CAT, NQO1, HO-1 and SOD2. After enhancing miR-23a-5p expression or silencing PPARα gene, H/R-caused cell damage was further aggravated compared with NC group, and ROS level was increased associated with the decreased levels of FOXO3α, PGC-1α, Nrf2, CAT, NQO1, HO-1 and SOD2. Our study demonstrated that miR-23a-5p exacerbated II/R injury by promoting oxidative stress via targeting PPARα, which should be considered as one new drug target to treat II/R injury.