MicroRNA-338-3p inhibits the progression of bladder cancer through regulating ETS1 expression

OBJECTIVE

MicroRNA-338-3p (miR-338-3p) was reported to influence the metastasis and development of several human cancers. However, in bladder cancer (BC), the special function of miR-338-3p remains unknown. Here, we aimed at exploring the miR-338-3p function in the progression of BC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

miR-338-3p and ETS1 expressions were examined by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in BC samples. Following that, transwell assays for cell migration and invasion were performed. And MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay for cell proliferation was conducted as well. Western blot was employed to examine the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker expressions. Finally, the relationship between miR-338-3p and E26 transformation specific-1 (ETS1) was verified by luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The decreased miR-338-3p expression was examined in BC cells. Moreover, miR-338-3p upregulation repressed cell proliferation ability in BC. Next, miR-338-3p upregulation also depressed cell metastasis and EMT in BC cells. Furthermore, ETS1 was a direct target of miR-338-3p and inversely associated with its expression. And upregulation of ETS1 partially rescued the suppression of miR-338-3p for cell proliferation and metastasis in BC.

CONCLUSIONS

Upregulation of miR-338-3p inhibited the proliferation, metastasis and EMT in BC by suppressing ETS, showing that miR-338-3p might block the development of BC through regulating ETS1 expression.

[Effect of silencing hepatocyte growth factor receptor c-Met expression on biological characteristics of colon cancer cells]

Objective: To investigate the effect of silencing hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met) expression on the biological characteristics of HCT116 colon cancer cells. Methods: Cellular model of c-Met transient transfection was established by using small interfering RNA (siRNA), the expression of c-Met in colon cancer cells was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. The apoptosis assay, cell invasion assay, cell migration and other experiments were conducted to observe the effects of silencing c-Met on the biological characteristics of colon cancer cells. Results: RT-qPCR results showed that the relative expression levels of c-Met mRNA in siRNA-Met group, blank control group and siRNA negative control (siRNA-NC) group were 0.32±0.26, 1.01±0.03 and 1.05±0.23, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that the expression level of c-Met protein in the siRNA-Met group was 0.24±0.03, significantly lower than 1.23±0.06 in the blank control group and 1.18±0.11 in the siRNA-NC group (P<0.05). The cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) results showed that the 72-hour absorbance (A) values of the siRNA-Met group, blank control group and the siRNA-NC group were 1.13±0.05, 1.48±0.08 and 1.53±0.07, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.01). Cell cycle results showed that the proportion of cells in G(2)/M phase was (14.65±1.41)% in siRNA-Met group , (5.07±0.70)% in blank control group and (5.63±0.71)% in siRNA-NC group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The expression levels of cell cycle regulatory proteins Cdc25c and cyclin B1 in siRNA-Met group were significantly decreased. The apoptotic rate in siRNA-Met group was (5.85±0.35)%, significantly higher than (1.00±0.17)% in blank control group and (0.91±1.14)% in siRNA-NC group (P<0.05). The expression level of apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 in the siRNA-Met group was significantly decreased while Bcl-2 associated X protein (BAX) expression level was significantly increased. The cell scratching result showed that the cell migration abilities of the siRNA-Met group, blank control group and the siRNA-NC group were (51.33±8.62)%, (100.00±3.72)% and (102.33±6.43)%, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The number of cell penetrating into the basement membrane of the siRNA-Met group, blank control group and the siRNA-NC group were 47.50±10.60, 100.00±5.33 and 102.50±10.61, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The expressions of invasion related proteins including MMP-2 and MMP-9 in siRNA-Met group were decreased significantly. Conclusions: c-Met plays an important role in maintaining the biological characteristics of colon cancer cells. Inhibition of c-Met may have important values in the treatment of colon cancer.

Clinical and Genetic Study on a Chinese Patient with Infantile Onset Epileptic Encephalopathy carrying a PPP3CA Null Variant: a case report

Background

PPP3CA gene encodes the catalytic subunit A of a calcium-dependent protein phosphatase called calcineurin. However, two distinct mechanisms in PPP3CA deficiency would cause two clinically different diseases. Gain-of-function mutations in the autoinhibitory domain at the C-terminus would cause ACCIID that stands for arthrogryposis, cleft palate, craniosynostosis and impaired intellectual development. While loss-of-function mutations in PPP3CA would cause infantile or early childhood onset epileptic encephalopathy1, named as IECEE1. IECEE1 is a severe epileptic neurodevelopmental disorder and mainly characterized by psychomotor delay. Here, we report a Chinese patient who was clinically and genetically diagnosed as IECEE1. We also extensively analyzed electroencephalogram (EEG) features of the patient in this study.

Case presentation

A 2-year-old Chinese patient who had recurrent polymorphic seizures was clinically and genetically diagnosed as IECEE1. A frameshift variant c.1283insC (p.T429NfsX22) was identified in this case. Multiple types of abnormal features were observed in the EEG, comparing with the previous reports.

Conclusions

These findings could expand the spectrum of PPP3CA mutations and might also support the diagnosis and further study of IECEE1.

Retrospective analysis of defect reconstruction after abdominal wall tumor resection in 30 patients

PURPOSE

It is difficult to manage the full-thickness defect that is created by radical resection of an abdominal wall tumor. This report aimed to review our institutional experience with immediate reconstruction using mesh reinforcement after abdominal wall tumor resection.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined patients who underwent abdominal wall tumor resection with immediate mesh-reinforced reconstruction between April 2014 and November 2018. The patients' records were reviewed to collect data regarding their demographic characteristics, surgical procedures, and complications.

RESULTS

We identified 30 eligible patients, including 5 who underwent simultaneous resection of affected intra-abdominal organs or tissues. The median size of the resulting abdominal wall defect was 60 cm² (interquartile range: 32-127.5 cm²) and the median mesh size was 150 cm² (interquartile range: 150-225 cm²). The median operative time was 85 min (interquartile range: 60-133.8 min), the mean hospital stay was 19.4 ± 9.0 days, and the mean follow-up period was 28.6 ± 16.0 months. The complications included seroma (n = 4), infection (n = 2), massive hematoma (n = 1), and abnormal sensation (n = 3). Tumor recurrence was observed in two patients, and three patients died because of cancer progression. No patient developed a ventral hernia or abdominal bulging.

CONCLUSION

Immediate mesh-reinforced reconstruction is feasible and effective for patients who require abdominal wall tumor resection.

Forensic Significance of Skin Injury and Fracture Caused by Child Abuse

Abstract

In recent years, cases of child abuse that result in injuries and death have occurred from time to time in China, and there may be more undetected child abuse cases. However, many pediatricians and forensic doctors lack professional knowledge and formal training in detecting child abuse, which leads to the missed diagnosis, misdiagnosis and misidentification of many cases of child abuse. This paper reviews a large number of relevant domestic and foreign literatures, combined with practical work experience and China's national conditions, preliminarily summarizes the main points of clinical diagnosis and forensic identification of child abuse cases, in order to provide some help for early detection, accurate identification of child abuse cases and timely and effective treatment and protection for abused children.

[Technical notes and clinical efficacy analysis of full-endoscopic thoracic discectomy via transforaminal approach]

Objective: To study the technical notes and clinical efficacy of full-endoscopic thoracic intervertebral discectomy via transforaminal approach. Methods: We included 16 patients with thoracic disc herniation treated by full-endoscopic thoracic discectomy via transforaminal approach between January 2017 and September 2018 in ours department of orthopedics. The average age is 53.7 years. The compressionare classified by nature: 5 cases of soft thoracic disc herniation, 7 cases of calcified or ossified thoracic disc herniation, and 4 cases of osteophyte protrusion of the posterior edge of the adjacent vertebral body of the diseased disc. All patients had symptoms of thoracic myelopathy before operation, and 7 of them had radiculopathy. Via transforaminal approach under local anesthesia, enlarged foraminoplasty and full-endoscopic thoracic discectomy were used for treatment. Observe the changes of postoperative imaging, pain symptoms and recovery of spinal cord function at 1 week, 3 months, 6 months and 1 year after operation. Back pain and radicular pain were scored with VAS, neurological function was assessed with Nurick score and mJOA score, and thoracic spine function was assessed with Oswestry disability index (ODI). Results: All operations were successfully completed, and no intraoperative conversion of surgical methods occurred. Postoperative thoracic MRI and CT examinations of all patients showed that the spinal cord was fully decompressed without any residual compression. Back pain and radicular pain were all relieved obviously in all patients, and spinal cord function was obviously restored. Transient intercostal neuralgia occurred in 2 cases after operation, and no other surgical complications occurred. Conclusions: Full-endoscopic or fluoroscopic foraminoplasty and full-endoscopic thoracic discectomyvia transforaminal approach under local anesthesia is a safe and effective treatment for soft and hard thoracic disc herniation located on the ventral side of the spinal cord.

Forensic Identification of Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

This paper reviews relevant literatures at home and abroad. The cases of child sexual abuse are systematically discussed from the aspects of epidemiology and forensic examination, in order to develop and improve the inspection and appraisal thinking and ability of domestic forensic workers in such cases. The paper also briefly introduces the current situation and existing problems of dealing with child sexual abuse cases for case-handling units at base level in China, in order to provide help to the formulation, improvement and development of relevant standards and norms for child protection in China.

Mutant BCL11B in a Patient With a Neurodevelopmental Disorder and T-Cell Abnormalities

Background: BCL11B encodes B-cell lymphoma/leukemia 11B, a transcription factor that participates in the differentiation and migration of neurons and lymphocyte cells. De novo mutations of BCL11B have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorder and immunodeficiency, such as immunodeficiency 49 (IMD49) and intellectual developmental disorder with speech delay, dysmorphic facies, and T-cell abnormalities (IDDSFTA). However, the pathogenesis of the neurodevelopmental disorder and T-cell deficiency is still mysterious. The strategy to distinguish these two diseases in detail is also unclear. Methods: A patient with unique clinical features was identified. Multiple examinations were applied for evaluation. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were also performed for the identification of the disease-causing mutation. Results: We reported a 17-month-old girl with intellectual disability, speech impairment, and delay in motor development. She presented with mild dysmorphic facial features and weak functional movement. MRI indicated the abnormal myelination of the white matter. Immunological analysis showed normal levels of RTEs and γδT cells but a deficiency of naive T cells. Genetic sequencing identified a de novo heterozygous frameshift mutation c.1192_1196delAGCCC in BCL11B. Conclusions: An IDDSFTA patient of East Asian origin was reported. The unreported neurological display, immunophenotype, and a novel disease-causing mutation of the patient extended the spectrum of clinical features and genotypes of IDDSFTA.

Development and validation of a nomogram to predict the risk of occult cervical lymph node metastases in cN0 squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue

We have explored the relations between clinicopathological features and cervical lymph node metastases (LNM) in patients with cN0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue, and developed and validated a nomogram for predicting the risk of their development. Clinical data on 230 patients with cN0 SCC of the tongue who had had primary extended excision and lymph node dissection of the neck were collected retrospectively. They were divided into a development cohort and a validation cohort in a 4:1 ratio. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of cervical LNM in patients in the development cohort, and a nomogram was established to predict the risk of such nodes. In the validation cohort, the predictive performance and compliance of the model were evaluated using the consistency index (C-index) and calibration curve, and the clinical value was evaluated by decision curve analysis. Of the 230 patients, 60 had cervical LNM, of which 60 were invaded (26%). Analysis of the development cohort showed that the site of the primary lesion, depth of invasion, size of the tumour, and histopathological grade were included in the prediction model, which was validated in the validation cohort. Consistency was high (C-index=0.846), calibration good, and it was clinically valuable. The nomogram could be used to predict the probability of occult cervical LNM before operation in patients with stage cN0 SCC of the tongue. It could also be used as a reference tool for dissection of cervical nodes and a communication tool between the doctor and the patient.

Emergent dynamics of extremes in a population driven by common information sources and new social media algorithms

We quantify how and when extreme subpopulations emerge in a model society despite everyone having the same information and available resources – and show that counterintuitively these extremes will likely be enhanced over time by new social media algorithms designed to reduce division. We verify our analysis mathematically, and show it reproduces (a) the time-dependent behavior observed in controlled experiments on humans, (b) the findings of a recent study of online behavior by Facebook concerning the impact of ‘soft’ and ‘hard’ news, (c) the observed temporal emergence of extremes in U.S. House of Representatives voting, and (d) the real-time emergence of a division in national opinion during the ongoing peace process in Colombia. We uncover a novel societal tipping point which is a ‘ghost’ of a nearby saddle-node bifurcation from dynamical systems theory, and which provides a novel policy opportunity for preventing extremes from emerging.

[Comparison between hybrid surgery and transabdominal preperitoneal surgery in treatment of irreducible inguinal hernia: A case-control study]

Objective: To compare the effects between hybrid surgery and transabdominal preperitoneal surgery in treatment of irreducible inguinal hernia. Methods: A total of 60 patients who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair between June 2011 and December 2017 were included in the study. Patients were divided into two group: hybrid surgery group (observation group, n=30) and transabdominal preperitoneal group (control group, n=30). The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, hospital stay, hospital cost and complications were analyzed. Results: The operative time of observation group and control group was 45 (35-65) minutes and 50(35-70) minutes, respectively. Intraoperative blood loss of two groups was 10(5-15) ml and 5(2-10) ml. The length of postoperative hospital stay was 2(1-4) days and 2(1-3) days in the two groups, respectively. And the hospitalization cost of two groups was 9 646 (9 066-11 560) yuan and 9 494(8 989-10 660) yuan, respectively. The intraoperative complications occurred in 4 cases in control group, including 1 case of vas deferens injury, 2 cases of spermatic vessel injury and 1 case of inferior epigastric artery injury. No intraoperative complications occurred in observation group. Perioperative complications in observation group and control group included dysuria (6.7% vs 10.0%), scrotum hematoma (3.4% vs 0%), wound pain (46.7% vs 6.7%) and fever (16.7% vs 20.0%). Twelve months of follow-up was completed in all the patients, and no recurrence or infections occurred in the two groups. The incidence of seroma in observation group and control group was 26.7%, 33.3%, respectively. One case of foreign body sensation and one case of chronic pain occurred in control group. The incidence of perioperative wound pain in patients undergoing hybrid surgery was higher than those undergoing transabdominal preperitoneal surgery (P<0.05), but no statistical differences were observed for other variables between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Hybrid surgery is safe and feasible for the treatment of irreducible inguinal hernia. Though with a higher incidence of postoperative acute pain, it may have advantages of avoiding injuries of the vas deferens and spermatic vessels.

Identification of a Splicing Mutation in ITPR1 via WES in a Chinese Early-Onset Spinocerebellar Ataxia Family

Mutations in the inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor type 1 gene (ITPR1) lead to SCA15, SCA16, and SCA29. To date, only a few families with SCA29 have been reported. A three-generation Chinese family including four affected persons and two unaffected persons were enrolled in this study. We conducted whole-exome sequencing (WES) of the proband DNA initially to find the causal gene. We ascertained the family with autosomal dominant type of congenital nonprogressive cerebellar ataxia (CNPCA) associated with delayed motor and cognitive impairment. WES study was performed with two patients and identified c.1207-2A–T transition, in exon 14 of ITPR1, which was a splicing mutation. Sanger sequencing showed that four patients within this family carried the mutation and two unaffected members did not carry it. The results showed that the novel splicing mutation of ITPR1 was the causative gene for SCA29. In conclusion, we identified a novel SCA29 causative splicing mutation of ITPR1 in a Chinese family. We suggest ITPR1 gene analysis shall be a priority for diagnosis of patients with early-onset CNPCA. Our study demonstrated that whole-exome sequencing might rapidly improve the diagnosis of genetic ataxias.

Upgrading Plan Towards Multi-messenger Observation with LHAASO

LHAASO is planning to enhance its sensitivity at energies around 100 GeV by utilize MCP staffed 20” PMT in the Water Cherekove Detector Array. The effective area for gamma ray detection will reach to 1800 m2 and differential sensitivity to 0.2 CU at 50 GeV. It will be the very useful survey detection for transient phenomena at 50 GeV in the northern sky. LHAASO is expected to play an important role in the multimessenger observation with the upgrading.

MicroRNA-1285 inhibits malignant biological behaviors of human pancreatic cancer cells by negative regulation of YAP1

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is a most deadly malignancy, with a 5-year survival rate of ~7%. Chemotherapy is the main treatment strategy of this disease. However, the high rate of resistance to chemotherapeutic agent contributes to poor prognosis. MicroRNAs are essential for the initiation, progression and chemoresistance of human malignancies. Previous studies have shown that miRNA-1285 participates in renal cell carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, its roles in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma are poorly understood. In this study, we confirmed that miR-1285 was significantly down-regulated in gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines by qRT-PCR. We found that miR-1285 suppressed cell proliferation as well as increased the sensitivity of PDAC cells to gemcitabine by CCK8 assays in vitro. Results from transwell assay indicated that miR-1285 inhibited pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion. Experiments using different cell lines got identical results. All those results demonstrated that miR-1285 act as tumor suppressor of pancreatic cancer. To our knowledge, this study is the first to elucidate the function of miR-1285 in pancreatic cancer. Western blotting analysis verified that miR-1285 negatively regulated YAP1 protein level, together with EGFR and β-catenin. YAP1 is a known oncoprotein of pancreatic cancer. As silencing of YAP1 activity might be beneficial in cancer prevention and treatment, our results suggest that miR-1285 might serve as a novel therapeutic target for miRNA-based therapy in pancreatic cancer. Further research elucidating the exact mechanisms of miRNA-1285 function and the correlation between miR-1285 levels in tissues or serum and clinical characteristics of pancreatic cancer is needed later.

Mid-infrared laser heterodyne radiometer (LHR) based on a 3.53 μm room-temperature interband cascade laser

The performance of an interband cascade laser based laser heterodyne radiometer (LHR) is demonstrated in ground-based solar occultation mode. High-resolution (0.0033 cm^-1) transmission spectra near 3.53 μm were obtained for simultaneous atmospheric observations of H₂O and CH₄. Combined with the preprocessed measurement data (acquired at Hefei, China, on June 21th 2016), an optimal estimation method based retrieval algorithm is developed for data retrieval and error analysis. By considering the corrected atmospheric parameters, vertical profiles of H₂O and CH₄ are retrieved. Finally, the measured total column abundance and XCH4 were calculated to be 1.87 ± 0.02 ppm and 1.88 ± 0.02 ppm, respectively. The interband cascade laser-based laser heterodyne radiometer that is demonstrated in this manuscript has high potential for use in the development of compact, robust, and unattended LHR for spacecraft, airborne or ground-based atmospheric sensing.