MiR-155 inhibition ameliorates 2, 4, 6-Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced experimental colitis in rat via influencing the differentiation of Th17 cells by Jarid2

Th17 cells play an important role in the immune imbalance and inflammatory state in colonic mucosa of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and to clarify the mechanism that affect the differentiation of Th17 cells will help us find a new target for the treatment of IBD. MiR-155 which is reported to have an important role in regulating immune system function is also detected to be significantly up-regulated in colonic tissues of IBD patients. However, whether and how miR-155 affects the differentiation of Th17 cells in the colon of IBD patients is still worth studying. Here, we investigated the role of miR-155 in TNBS-induced rat colitis. Firstly, we found that the disease activity index (DAI) and Colon pathological changes were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by using miR-155 inhibition sequences delivered by lentiviral vector, which revealed that miR-155 inhibition ameliorated TNBS-Induced experimental colitis. Then, we carried out flow cytometry, ELISA, qRT-PCR, and found that in TNBS+miR-155 inhibition group, the proportion of Th17 cells in spleens and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and the level of the Th17 cell-associated cytokines IL-6, IL-17A, IL-17F and IL-21 in colon tissues were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), which revealed that miR-155 inhibition regulated the differentiation and function of Th17 cells. Finally, we discovered that Jarid2 was significantly elevated (P < 0.05) by miR-155 inhibition and notch1 expression was inversely correlated with Jarid2 by using Immunohistochemistry and western blot. This study suggests that miR-155 inhibition ameliorates TNBS-induced colitis by regulating the Th17 cells differentiation and function and Jarid2/notch1 is closely related with the process.

Oxymatrine protects against DSS-induced colitis via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Oxymatrine (OMT), an alkaloid derived from the root of the Sophora flavescens, has been reported to possess a significant effect on relieving UC owing to its anti-inflammatory property. But the other therapeutic mechanism of OMT remains unclear. Recent studies have found, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of UC by pro-inflammatory effects and activating T cells. Moreover, PI3K/AKT pathway is one of the most important pathways for regulating cell apoptosis. Thus, we aim to explore whether OMT protects against UC by targeting PI3K/AKT pathway. We established the UC mice models, using LY294002 (a specific inhibitor of PI3K/AKT) as a positive control, to observe the effect of low, medium and high dose of OMT on UC and its influence on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Our data indicated that OMT can significantly ameliorate UC through anti-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, down-regulating the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells via PI3K/AKT pathway. This study reveals that PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is a potential mechanism of OMT-induced UC remission and suggests that OMT is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of UC.

Whole brain radiotherapy after stereotactic radiosurgery or surgical resection among patients with one to three brain metastases and favorable prognoses: a secondary analysis of EORTC 22952-26001

Background

The absence of a survival benefit for whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) among randomized trials has been attributed to a competing risk of death from extracranial disease. We re-analyzed EORTC 22952 to assess the impact of WBRT on survival for patients with controlled extracranial disease or favorable prognoses.

Patients and methods

We utilized Cox regression, landmark analysis, and the Kaplan-Meier method to evaluate the impact of WBRT on survival accounting for (i) extracranial progression as a time-dependent covariate in all patients and (ii) diagnosis-specific graded prognostic assessment (GPA) score in patients with primary non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Results

A total of 329 patients treated per-protocol were included for analysis with a median follow up of 26 months. One hundred and fifteen (35%) patients had no extracranial progression; 70 (21%) patients had progression <90 days, 65 (20%) between 90 and 180 days, and 79 (24%) patients >180 days from randomization. There was no difference in the model-based risk of death in the WBRT group before [hazard ratio (HR) (95% CI)=0.70 (0.45-1.11), P = 0.133), or after [HR (95% CI)=1.20 (0.89-1.61), P = 0.214] extracranial progression. Among 177 patients with NSCLC, 175 had data available for GPA calculation. There was no significant survival benefit to WBRT among NSCLC patients with favorable GPA scores [HR (95% CI)=1.10 (0.68-1.79)] or unfavorable GPA scores [HR (95% CI)=1.11 (0.71-1.76)].

Conclusions

Among patients with limited extracranial disease and one to three brain metastases at enrollment, we found no significant survival benefit to WBRT among NSCLC patients with favorable GPA scores or patients with any histology and controlled extracranial disease status. This exploratory analysis of phase III data supports the practice of omitting WBRT for patients with limited brain metastases undergoing SRS and close surveillance.

Clinical Trials Number

NCT00002899.

Identification of a 62-kDa major allergen from Artemisia pollen as a putative galactose oxidase

BACKGROUND

Around 20 years ago, a 60- to 70-kDa protein was reported as a major allergen of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen. This study was to identify and characterize its molecular properties.

METHODS

Sera from 113 Chinese and 20 Dutch Artemisia-allergic/sensitized subjects (and pools thereof) were used to identify the 60- to 70-kDa allergen. Pollen extracts of seven Artemisia species were compared by immunoblotting. Transcriptomics and proteomics (mass spectrometry) of A. annua pollen were used to identify the putative 60- to 70-kDa Artemisia allergen. Both the natural purified and recombinant allergens were evaluated for IgE reactivity by ImmunoCAP. Fourteen Chinese Artemisia-allergic patients were tested intradermally with purified natural allergen.

RESULTS

Immunoblots revealed two major bands at 12 and 25 kDa, and a weak band at 70 kDa for all seven Artemisia species. Using a combined transcriptomic and proteomic approach, the high molecular mass allergen in A. annua pollen was shown to be a 62-kDa putative galactose oxidase, with a putative N-glycosylation site. More than 94% of Artemisia pollen-allergic patients had IgE response to this allergen. Although recognition of a nonglycosylated recombinant version was only confirmed in a minority (16%) and at much lower IgE levels, this discrepancy cannot be explained simply by reactivity to the carbohydrate moiety on the natural allergen. Intradermal testing with the natural allergen was positive in five of nine sensitized patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The previously reported 60- to 70-kDa allergen of Artemisia pollen is most likely a 62-kDa putative galactose oxidase here designated Art an 7.

Potential virulence factors of bacteria associated with tail fan necrosis in the spiny lobster, Jasus edwardsii

Tail fan necrosis (TFN) is a common condition found in commercially exploited spiny lobsters that greatly diminishes their commercial value. Bacteria possessing proteolytic, chitinolytic and lipolytic capabilities were associated with TFN in spiny lobsters, Jasus edwardsii. In this study, 69 bacterial isolates exhibiting all the three enzymatic capabilities from the haemolymph and tail fans of J. edwardsii with and without TFN were further characterized and compared, including morphology, biofilm formation, antimicrobial activity, antimicrobial resistance, and production of siderophores, melanin and ammonia. The genomic patterns of the most common Vibrio crassostreae isolates were also compared between TFN-affected and unaffected lobsters. Biofilm formation was stronger in bacterial isolates from both haemolymph and tail fans of TFN-affected lobsters compared to those from the unaffected lobsters, while melanin production and siderophore production were stronger in the isolates from tail fans of lobsters with TFN. By contrast, the other characteristics of isolates were similar in lobsters with and without TFN. The Vib. crassostreae isolates from the affected lobsters had similar genomic patterns. Overall, the results indicate that in addition to proteolytic, chitinolytic and lipolytic activities, the bacteria associated with TFN commonly have enhanced activity of important virulence factors, including biofilm formation, melanin production and siderophore production.

[Efficiency Analysis of EX16+10Y Kit on Detection of the Uygur Population in Xinjiang Province]

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the efficiency of EX16+10Y kit on the forensic detection of the Uygur in Xinjiang province.

METHODS

The blood samples were extracted from 4 620 male individuals of Uygur in Xinjiang province, and amplified by EX16+10Y kit. The typing of amplification products was performed by 3130xl genetic analyzer.

RESULTS

The genotyping graphs of 15 autosomal STR loci and 10 Y-chromosomal STR loci from 4 620 male individuals of Uygur in Xinjiang province were acquired completely. The genotype distribution of 15 autosomal STR loci was consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The heterozygosity, polymorphism information content and discrimination power of STR loci were 0.637-0.838, 0.580-0.860 and 0.811-0.978, respectively. There were 766 haplotypes in 10 Y -chromosomal STR loci.

CONCLUSIONS

The test results of EX16+10Y kit is accurate and trustworthy, which can simultaneously be used for the individual identification and the screening of paternal pedigree in practical work.

Genetic characterization of a novel group of avastroviruses in geese

As part of aetiological studies, we tested 28 samples collected from domestic geese showing enteritis and sporadic death. A novel group of avastroviruses was found in six samples. One isolate was completely sequenced, which comprised 7,148 nucleotides. Pairwise comparisons and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the goose astrovirus is highly divergent from all previously described avastroviruses. Our data support the view that domestic geese can be infected by astroviruses with different genetic backgrounds, and have raised a concern about the role of domestic geese as reservoirs for diverse astroviruses.

[Association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and both cardiovascular, total mortality events in middle-aged Chinese adults]

Objective: To estimate the association between high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and cardiovascular events as well as all-cause mortality events. Methods: During 2009- 2010, out of the 11 623 individuals, 1 000 participants aged 35-64 years, were recruited and divided into 12 age-groups, to have received a study on CVD risk factors. Information on the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases was also collected. Fasting blood sample was gathered for all the participants, with hs-CRP tested. Participants in 7 out of the 12 sites were followed, with 6.21 years (36 075 person-years) as the median follow-up period. Cardiovascular and all-cause mortality events were collected. A total of 6 177 participants had been followed after excluding participants who had baseline infections, or did not take hs-CRP test/physical examination at the baseline. Finally, 5 984 participants were included for analysis. Participants were categorized into three groups based on the hs-CRP (mg/L) values: <1, 1-3 and >3, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the relationships between hs-CRP with cardiovascular events or all-cause mortality events, after adjusting for confounding factors. Results: Mean age of the participants was 50.2 years. The incidence rates of cardiovascular disease events were 3.6/1 000 person-years, 7.1/1 000 person-years,and 10.4/1 000 person-years among three groups and 3.0/1 000 person-years, 5.7/1 000 person-years, 9.1/1 000 person-years for all-cause mortality events, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, the hazard risks (HR) for cardiovascular events were 1.33 (95%CI: 0.95-1.84) in the hs-CRP 1-3 mg/L group and 1.76 (95%CI: 1.20-2.60) in the hs-CRP>3 mg/L group when comparing with the hs-CRP<1 mg/L group (trend test P=0.003). The HRs for all-cause mortality events were 1.76 (95%CI: 1.23-2.54) and 2.64 (95%CI: 1.74-4.01) (trend test P<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Hs-CRP appeared an independent predictor for cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality events.

Poly(glycoamidoamine) brush nanomaterials for systemic siRNA delivery in vivo

Delivery is the key challenge for siRNA based therapeutics. Here, we report the development of new poly(glycoamidoamine) brush nanomaterials for efficient siRNA delivery. GluN4C10 polymer brush nanoparticles, a lead material, demonstrated significantly improved delivery efficiency for siRNA against factor VII (FVII) in mice compared to poly(glycoamidoamine) brush nanomaterials reported previously.

[Development of a novel absorbable nanofiber chitosan-collagen membrane by electrospinning and the preliminary study on guided bone regeneration]

Objective: To evaluate the application effect of nanofiber chitosan-collagen membrane (NCM) on guided bone regeneration (GBR). Methods: The mixture of collagen, chitosan, polyethylene oxide was used to make up the NCM by electrospinning, then the NCM was crosslinked by glutaraldehyde vapor. The physical property of the NCM was measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were cultured on NCM to characterize the biocompatibility. The effectiveness of four groups [contrast group, Bio-gide membrane (BGM), compressed chitosan-collagen menbrane (CCM), NCM/CCM] on bone regeneration were evaluated in critical-sized defects (diameter=5 mm) in SD rats. Results: When the mixed solution consists of 4.0% collagen, 1.0% chitosan and 3.5% polyethylene oxide, the NCM could be validly fabricated by electrospinning. After cross-linking by glutaraldehyde vapor, the tensile strength and the stability of NCM in damp was enhanced. No cytotoxicity of the NCM was detected on MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. In vivo study showed that the new bone regeneration ratio of NCM/CCM group was [(43.10±1.49)%], and this was similar to that of the group of BGM [(41.36±2.60)%] (P>0.05), but higher than that of the CCM group [(33.10±1.41)%] and the contrast group [(7.22±2.46)%] (P<0.05). Conclusions: The NCM can promote new bone regeneration effectively in GBR procedure.

Abstract P3-08-11: The prognostic impact of retinoic acid-induced 2 (RAI2) expression in ERα-positive breast cancer patients

Background: Breast cancer cells disseminate to the bone marrow and form bone metastases in a large majority of late-stage patients. Retinoic Acid-Induced 2 (RAI2) was reported as a putative suppressor of early hematogenous dissemination of tumor cells to the bone marrow in breast cancer, particularly in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast cancer. Here, we investigated mRNA expression of RAI-2 in breast cancer patients during long-term follow-up.

Materials and methods: A total of 451 invasive breast cancer tissues was available for analysis of RAI2 mRNA using a TaqMan PCR system. We also sought correlations between clinicopathological factors and levels of RAI2 expression in these samples. The expression of markers associated with tumor-initiating capacity, such as SNAI1, SNAI2 and VIM was also analyzed. The median follow-up period was 9.0 years. Survival curves were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used for univariate and multivariate analyses of prognostic values.

Results: We found positive correlations between low expression of RAI2 mRNA and shorter disease-free survival and overall survival in breast cancer patients (P=0.003, P&lt;0.0001, respectively), which was limited to ERα-positive patients (P=0.04, P=0.0009, respectively), and not seen in ERα-negative patients (P=0.52, P=0.27, respectively). Low RAI2 mRNA levels were positively correlated with high grade, ERα-negativity and PgR negativity. Multivariate analysis indicated that low level RAI2 mRNA expression was an independent factor for survival both overall in breast cancer and in ERα-positive breast cancer patients

Multivariate analysis (ERα-positive breast cancer patients)  OS  Multivariate patientsp valueHR(95%CI)Tumor size≤2cm1390.83691 (Reference) &gt;2cm207 1.08(0.54-2.28)Node statusNegative176&lt;0.00011 (Reference) Positive144 4.72(2.33-10.34)Grade11240.95921 (Reference) 2•3218 0.98(0.50-2.14)RAI2 mRNA expressionhigh140&lt;0.00011 (Reference) middle•low206 4.79(2.14-12.78)

.

Conclusion:We show that low expression of RAI2 is an independent factor predictive of a poor prognosis in ERα-positive breast cancer patients. RAI2 could be a promising candidate biomarker and therapeutic target in ERα-positive breast cancer to prevent dissemination to the bone marrow.

Citation Format: Nishikawa S, Kondo N, Endo Y, Hato Y, Hisada T, Nishimoto M, Dong Y, Okuda K, Kato H, Takahashi S, Nakanishi R, Toyama T. The prognostic impact of retinoic acid-induced 2 (RAI2) expression in ERα-positive breast cancer patients [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-08-11.

Polo-like kinase 1 inhibition results in misaligned chromosomes and aberrant spindles in porcine oocytes during the first meiotic division

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), a type of serine/threonine protein kinase, has been implicated in various functions in the regulation of mitotic processes. However, these kinase's roles in meiotic division are not fully understood, particularly in the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes. In this study, the expression and spatiotemporal localization of Plk1 were initially assessed in the meiotic process of pig oocytes by utilizing Western blotting with immunofluorescent staining combined with confocal microscopy imaging technique. The results showed that Plk1 was expressed and exhibited a dynamic subcellular localization throughout the meiotic process. After germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), Plk1 was detected prominently around the condensed chromosomes and subsequently exhibited a similar subcellular localization to α-tubulin throughout subsequent meiotic phases, with particular enrichment being observed near spindle poles at MI and MII. Inhibition of Plk1 via a highly selective inhibitor, GSK461364, led to the failure of first polar body extrusion in porcine oocytes, with the majority of the treated oocytes being arrested in GVBD. Further subcellular structure examination results indicated that Plk1 inhibition caused the great majority of oocytes with spindle abnormalities and chromosome misalignment during the first meiotic division. The results of this study illustrate that Plk1 is critical for the first meiotic division in porcine oocytes through its influence on spindle organization and chromosome alignment, which further affects the ensuing meiotic cell cycle progression.

[Research on ancient literature of Lingguizhugan Decoction, a classical prescription]

Derived from Zhang Zhongjing's Shang han za bing lun (Treatise on Cold Pathogenic and Miscellaneous Diseases)of the Han Dynasty, Lingguizhugan Decoction was composed of 4 Chinese herbs: Poria, Ramulus Cinnamomi, Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, and Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae, for treating fullness and discomfort in chest and hypochondrium, phlegm and fluid retention, dizziness etc. The relevant descriptions and records in ancient Chinese medical works were collected, and as a result, altogether 162 items from 106 kinds of ancient book were available. Through statistical analysis, it was found that most of them followed the original records of composition, dosage and indications in Zhang's original work, only with some extensions in the scope of its clinical application.

Value of two-cycle docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil induction chemotherapy in hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Various studies have investigated laryngeal function and survival after induction chemotherapy in hypopharyngeal carcinoma, but potential factors to help predict response rates after induction chemotherapy remain unknown. This retro- spective study evaluated which factors are related to an ineffective response to two-cycle docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluoro- uracil (TPF) induction chemotherapy in hypopharyngeal carcinoma to determine potential candidates for this treatment in clinical practice. From Jan 2005 to Dec 2015, 81 patients diagnosed with hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on a pathological examination were analyzed. They were administered two-cycle TPF induction chemotherapy, and magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after induction chemotherapy. The mean survival time was 5.7 years (95% confidence interval, 5.1-6.2 years). The 1, 3, 5 and 6-year survival rates were 98.8%, 80.1%, 64.5%, and 54.2%, respectively. TPF induction chemotherapy was well tolerated; the main adverse effects resolved with symptomatic treatment. A response to TPF induction chemotherapy was associated with lymph node size, tumor grade, invasion region, T stage, and primary tumor. The following issues were significantly associated with an increasing non-response rate to two-cycle induction chemotherapy: increasing lymph node size, moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, invasion of the esophagus along with the thyroid cartilage, and primary tumor in the piriform sinus. Lymph nodes of ≥2.15 cm, moderately differenti- ated tumor grade, or thyroid cartilage invasion were the best cutoff values for patients who did not respond to induction chemotherapy. However, the initial cancer site, cancer stage, and degree of cancer differentiation were not closely related to the efficacy of induction chemotherapy.

[Clinicopathologic features of infant dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor: a case report and literature review]

Dysembryoplastic neuroepithelial tumor (DNT) has traditionally been viewed as rare benign tumors that present with seizure widely considered curable with surgery alone. Most DNTs occur in childhood and young adults. However, rare reported cases occur in infants. This paper reported an infant case of DNT and its diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, molecular features and prognosis based on the review of current literatures. The age onset of this patient was only 11 months old. The clinical manifestations were partial seizures and the imaging data untypical; CT and MRI were all supportive of astrocytoma. Typical glioneuronal element histologic features could be seen, which contained oligodendrocyte-like cells attached to bundles of axons and neurons floating in a myxoid interstitial fluid. Meanwhile, some atypical regions could also be seen. These atypical regions showed a mixture of oligodendrocyte-like cells and neurons without a myxoid interstitial fluid, which were easily misdiagnosed. The BRAF^V600E mutation was not detected. This patient had a good response to drug therapy. Totally surgical resection of the tumor was conducted. The patient had been seizures free for 6 months. In conclusion, DNT is a rare and well prognostic tumor (WHO grade I), which most often arise in children in the setting of medically refractory epilepsy. The most common tumor location was temporal. Because clinical symptoms, imaging and histological features of DNT and other low-grade gliomas broadly overlap such as ganglioglioma, pilocytic astrocytomas and oligodendroglioma et al., differential diagnosis should be made carefully. The glioneuronal element was the histopathological hallmark of DNT. In addition, some untypical regions should also be called attention. Although BRAF^V600E mutation didn't exist in this case, it played a role in differential diagnosis because it has been previously recorded that BRAF^V600E mutation was a common feature of DNT. Infant patients have their own characteristics. For example, drug therapy worked well and the imaging data was untypical. Doctors should improve the understanding of this disease to avoid unnecessary radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Phase coexistence and electric-field control of toroidal order in oxide superlattices

Systems that exhibit phase competition, order parameter coexistence, and emergent order parameter topologies constitute a major part of modern condensed-matter physics. Here, by applying a range of characterization techniques, and simulations, we observe that in PbTiO₃/SrTiO₃ superlattices all of these effects can be found. By exploring superlattice period-, temperature- and field-dependent evolution of these structures, we observe several new features. First, it is possible to engineer phase coexistence mediated by a first-order phase transition between an emergent, low-temperature vortex phase with electric toroidal order and a high-temperature ferroelectric a₁/a₂ phase. At room temperature, the coexisting vortex and ferroelectric phases form a mesoscale, fibre-textured hierarchical superstructure. The vortex phase possesses an axial polarization, set by the net polarization of the surrounding ferroelectric domains, such that it possesses a multi-order-parameter state and belongs to a class of gyrotropic electrotoroidal compounds. Finally, application of electric fields to this mixed-phase system permits interconversion between the vortex and the ferroelectric phases concomitant with order-of-magnitude changes in piezoelectric and nonlinear optical responses. Our findings suggest new cross-coupled functionalities.

[Association between the types of obesity and the 10-year-coronary heart disease risk, in Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region]

Objective: To investigate the association between types of obesity and the 10-year-coronary heart disease risk in Tibet and Xinjiang of China. Methods: Using the multi-stage random sampling method, 7 631 participants aged 35 or older were examined under the International Standardized Examination process but with only 5 802 were eligible for analysis, in the 2015-2016 season. Results: The prevalence rates of general obesity, central obesity, visceral obesity and compound obesity were 0.53%, 12.62%, 10.08% and 42.35%, respectively. Out of all the compound obesity cases, 58.65% (1 441/2 457) of them appeared as having all types of obesity in our study. Risk related to the 10-year-coronary heart disease was higher in men than in women [(3.05±4.14)% vs. (1.42±2.37) %, P<0.000 1. Compound obesity (30.16%) showed the highest proportion on the risk of 10-year-coronary heart disease than central obesity (28.01%), visceral obesity (18.46%) or the general obesity (19.35%). After adjustment for confounding factors, results from the multivariate analysis showed the risk in compound obesity was higher than central obesity, visceral obesity or general obesity and was associated with the highest risk on the 10-year-coronary heart disease (OR=2.889, 95%CI: 2.525-3.305). People with anomalous BMI and WC seemed to have had the higher risk (OR=3.168, 95%CI: 2.730-3.677). Conclusions: Obesity was popular in the residents of Tibet and Xinjiang areas of China. Men and people with compound obesity (especially both BMI and WC were abnormal) seemed to carry greater risk on the 10-year-coronary heart disease.

miR-144-3p serves as a tumor suppressor by targeting FZD7 and predicts the prognosis of human glioblastoma

OBJECTIVE

Previous research indicated that miR-144-3p was associated with the regulation of the carcinogenic processes, but the role of miR-144-3p in glioblastoma (GBM) remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to analyze the role of miR-144-3p in GBM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression of miR-144-3p was measured in GBM tissues and adjacent non-malignant tissues using qRT-PCR. The correlation of miR-144-3p with clinicopathological features and prognosis was also analyzed. Cell proliferation, invasion, and migration assay were applied to assess the function of miR-144-3p in vitro. Bioinformatics prediction and luciferase assays were employed to identify the predicted microRNA (miRNA) which regulates Frizzled-7 (FZD7). The levels of FZD7 and FZD7 mRNA were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR.

RESULTS

The results showed that the miR-144-3p expression was significantly downregulated in tumor tissues and GBM cell lines compared with that in normal brain tissues and the normal human astrocytes. The levels of miR-144-3p were negatively correlated with the status of WHO grade and recurrence. Furthermore, patients with low serum levels of miR-144-3p had a significantly shorter median overall survival rate. Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed that low level of miR-144-3p expression predicted poor prognosis independently. Further function assays showed that miR-144-3p inhibited proliferation invasion and migration of GBM cells. Finally, miR-144-3p was demonstrated to bind to the wild-type 3' untranslated region of FZD7 but not with its mutant.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the present study indicate that miR-144-3p suppresses tumor metastasis by targeting FZD7. This work also provides strong evidence that miR-144-3p is an independent prognostic factor for patients with GBM.

[A retrospective study on the liver pathological characteristics and the effect of antiviral treatment for 1 to 7 years old children with heptitis B e antigen negative chronic hepatitis B]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the liver pathological characteristics and the clearance rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) with antiviral treatment for 1 to 7 years old children with heptitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B.

METHOD

A total of 49 cases with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B were treated with interferon (IFN) or IFN treatment for 6 months added with lamivudine, and were followed up for at least 6 months.Retrospective analysis was performed on the liver pathological characteristics, the efficacy of antivirus treatment and its influencing factors of the HBsAg clearance rate in the cases from June 2006 to December 2013 in the 302 Hospital of People's Liberation Army.The χ(2) test was used to compare the rates.

RESULT

(1)The median age of cases was 3 years old(1-7 years old), 38 children were male(78%). Cases in the age group 1-2, >2 -3, >3 -4, >4-5, >5-6 and >6-7 were 7, 8, 14, 6, 6 and 8 respectively. HBsAg was 100% positive in mother of the cases. (2)There were 7 children whose pre-treatment alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were ≤80 U/L and pre-treatment ALT>200 U/L in 25 children. There were 24 children whose pre-treatment HBVDNA ≥1×10(7) U/ml. Genetype analysis was detected in 43 children, 3 children were B genotype, 38 were C genotype, 2 were B and C genotype. (3)Liver biopsy was performed in all children. The degree of liver inflammation ≥2 was seen in 48 (98%) children.Severe liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were found in 21(43%) children. (4)In the age group 1-2, >2-3, >3-4, >4-5, >5-6 and >6-7 years old , the clearance of HBsAg was 5, 6, 2, 1, 0 and 0 respectively. The HBsAg clearance rate between 1-3 years old group and 3-7 years old group has significant difference ((73%(11/15) vs. 9%(3/34), χ(2)=18.180, P=0.000). (5)The clearance of HBsAg in male group was 11, but 3 in female group.It showed no significant difference between two groups (χ(2)=0.073, P=0.787). (6) The clearance rate of HBsAg were 0, 24%(4/17) and 40%(10/25) in the groups of pre-treatment ALT ≤80 U/L, 80<ALT≤200 U/L and ALT >200 U/L, respectively. There were no significant difference between the groups of ALT≤200 U/L and ALT > 200 U/L(χ(2)=2.223, P=0.136). In the groups with pre-treatment HBV DNA <1×10(7)U/ml and HBV DNA≥1×10(7)U/ml, the clearance rate of HBsAg was 28%(7/25) and 29%(7/24). There were no significant elifference between two groups(χ(2)=0.008, P=0.928). (7)The clearance rate of HBsAg was 33%(7/21) in children with severe liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, while 25%(7/28) in children who had no severe liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.There were no significant difference between two groups(χ(2)=0.408, P=0.523).

CONCLUSION

There are obvious liver injuries and severe liver fibrosis in 1-7 years old children with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. The HBsAg clearance rate in the children with antiviral treatment correlated with age, among those who received antiviral treatment before 3 years old, the HBsAg clearance rate is relatively higher.

Validation of combinatorial probe-anchor ligation-based sequencing as non-invasive prenatal test for trisomy at a central laboratory

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical validity of a new ultrahigh-throughput non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) based on combinatorial probe-anchor ligation (cPAL) sequencing of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) using centralized testing.

METHODS

Maternal plasma samples were obtained from 10 594 singleton pregnancies in high-risk populations at 20 centers in China, including 8155 that were collected retrospectively and 2439 prospectively. Fetal outcome data and karyotyping results were documented as gold standard and were double blinded during NIPT. The clinical performance of the ultrahigh-throughput sequencing method, cPAL, for NIPT was validated by evaluating its sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) in detecting trisomies 21, 18 and 13 as the centralized testing mode in the reference laboratory. To ensure stable and reproducible performance of centralized cPAL-based NIPT in detecting trisomies, a series of quality-control systems, including sequencing of two sets of artificial samples, were employed and evaluated.

RESULTS

Ten prospective cases were excluded from the study because of incomplete clinical data. Four prospective samples failed to generate a NIPT result due to assay failure, presenting a failure rate of 0.16% (4/2429). A total of 168 retrospective cases and 47 prospective cases had a positive NIPT result for trisomy, giving respective positive rates of 2.06% and 1.94%. Four false-positive and no false-positive cases were observed in the retrospective and prospective groups, respectively, resulting in PPV of 97.62% (95% CI, 94.02-99.35%) and 100% (95% CI, 92.45-100%), respectively. In the retrospective group, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 100% (95% CI, 97.07-100%) and 99.98% (95% CI, 99.94-100%) for trisomy 21, 100% (95% CI, 97.75-100%) and 99.98% (95% CI, 99.94-100%) for trisomy 18, and 100% (95% CI, 15.81-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 99.95-100%) for trisomy 13. In the prospective group, sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 100% (95% CI, 90.75-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 99.85-100%) for trisomy 21, 100% (95% CI, 63.06-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 99.85-100%) for trisomy 18, and 100% (95% CI, 2.50-100%) and 100% (95% CI, 99.85-100%) for trisomy 13.

CONCLUSION

In this multicenter study with a full quality-control system, NIPT by centralized cPAL-based testing showed high stability and performance comparable to those of previous validation studies in high-risk populations. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Association between body fat percentage, visceral fat index and cardiometabolic risk factor clustering among population aged 35 year old or over, in Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region]

Objective: To investigate the association between body fat percentage (BFP), visceral fat index (VFI) and Cardiometabolic Risk Factor Clustering (CRFC), among population aged 35 or older in Tibet and Xinjiang areas. Methods: Using the stratified multi-stage random sampling method, 7 571 residents aged 35 or above were examined with international standardized examination between 2015 and 2016. Of the eligible 5 643 participants, association of BFP and VFI with CRFC was defined as having two or more of the four risk factors: hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high TG and low HDL-C, at the same time. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were employed to further explore the relationships. Results: The overall prevalence of CRFC among aged 35 and older population in Tibet and Xinjiang areas was 9.78%. BFP and VFI were divided into four groups by quartile. After adjustment for age, gender, race, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, education attainments, and altitude of residence, ORs of CRFC seemed to have increased with BFP and VFI. Compared with people having BFP of 5.0%-27.0%, the OR(95% CI) were 1.15(0.86-1.54), 1.48(1.05-2.07) and 1.72(1.10-2.68) for the ones who presented 27.1%-31.7%, 31.8%-36.6% and 36.7%-50.0% of BFP. Compared to people of having 1-6 of VFI, with OR (95%CI) as 1.20(0.81-1.79), 1.91(1.30-2.80) and 3.91(2.64-5.77) for the ones having 7-9, 10-13 and 14-30 of VFI. Areas under the curve (AUC) of CRFC appeared as 0.55 for BFP and 0.70 for VFI, respectively, with statistically significant difference (P<0.01). Conclusion: Both BFP and VFI levels were closely associated with CRFC while VFI seemed to have a better predictive value than the BFP.

Surfactant reduced the mortality of neonates with birth weight ⩾1500 g and hypoxemic respiratory failure: a survey from an emerging NICU network

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the efficacy of surfactant therapy and assisted ventilation on morbidity and mortality of neonates with birth weight (BW) ⩾1500 g and hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF).

STUDY DESIGN

We retrospectively analyzed 5650 patients with BW ⩾1500 g for incidence, management and outcome of HRF, defined as acute hypoxemia requiring mechanical ventilation and/or nasal continuous positive airway pressure ⩾24 h. The patients were allocated into groups of moderate preterm (1735, 30.7%), late preterm (1431, 25.4%), early term (ETM, 986, 17.5%), full term (1390, 24.6%) and post term (79, 1.4%), with gestational age ⩽33, 34 to 36, 37 to 38, 39 to 41 and ⩾42 weeks, respectively.

RESULTS

In the five groups, 66.9, 42, 21.6, 12.8 and 5.1% had respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). For pneumonia/sepsis and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS), the proportion was 13.8%, 25.4%, 38.0%, 52.5% and 76.0%, respectively. Surfactant was given to 21.9% (n=1238) of HRF and 51.2% (n=1108) of RDS. Survival rates of RDS were 82.2%, 87.8%, 84.5%, 77.1% and 75.0%, respectively (numbers needed to treat was 8 to 11 for surfactant benefit). Overall mortality rate of HRF was 21%, or 17.9%, 14.7%, 25.6%, 28.9% and 39.2%, respectively. Mortalities of MAS and pneumonia/sepsis were 29.4 and 27.6%. Relative risk of death was associated with initial disease severity, female gender, mechanical ventilation and congenital anomalies by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

CONCLUSION

Surfactant was effective for infants with RDS and BW ⩾1500 g, and different incidences and outcome of HRF among GA groups reflected standard of perinatal and respiratory care in emerging neonatal intensive care unit network.

Genomewide differential expression profiling of long non-coding RNAs in androgenetic alopecia in a Chinese male population

BACKGROUND

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern baldness (MPB), is the most common form of hair loss in males. A combination of genetic and androgen causes have been suggested as factors that contribute to the development of AGA. However, the specific molecular mechanisms that underly AGA remain largely unknown. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a new class of regulatory non-coding RNAs that are longer than 200 nucleotides, have been shown to play important roles in a number of cellular processes, including transcription, chromosome remodelling and post-transcriptional processing. The dysregulation of lncRNAs is associated with many forms of diseases, but it remains unknown whether lncRNAs are associated with AGA.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify AGA-associated lncRNAs and predict the potential roles of these lncRNAs in AGA.

METHODS

A genomewide microarray was used to identify lncRNAs that are differentially expressed between AGA and adjacent normal tissues. Real-time qRT-PCR was used to validate the microarray data.

RESULTS

A large number of lncRNAs were differentially expressed (fold change >2.4) between AGA and adjacent normal tissues. Of these, 770 were upregulated and 1373 were downregulated. Moreover, pathway analysis revealed that 53 functional pathways were associated with the upregulated transcripts, while 11 pathways were associated with the downregulated transcripts.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate AGA-associated lncRNAs. lncRNA profiles are altered in AGA, and these lncRNAs and their target genes may serve as novel candidates for preventing and treating AGA.

Physicochemical properties and cytotoxicity of an experimental resin-based pulp capping material containing the quaternary ammonium salt and Portland cement

AIM

To evaluate in vitro the physicochemical properties, cytotoxicity and calcium phosphate nucleation of an experimental light-curable pulp capping material composed of a resin with antibacterial monomer (MAE-DB) and Portland cement (PC).

METHODOLOGY

The experimental material was prepared by mixing PC with a resin containing MAE-DB at a 2 : 1 ratio. Cured pure resin containing MAE-DB served as control resin. ProRoot MTA and Dycal served as commercial controls. The depth of cure, degree of monomer conversion, water absorption and solubility of dry samples, calcium release, alkalinizing activity, calcium phosphate nucleation and the cytotoxicity of materials were evaluated. Statistical analysis was carried out using anova followed by Tukey's HSD test (equal variance assumed) or Tamhane test (equal variance not assumed) and independent-samples t-tests.

RESULTS

The experimental material had a cure depth of 1.19 mm, and the mean degree of monomer conversion was 70.93% immediately post-cure and 88.75% at 24 h post-cure. The water absorption of the experimental material was between those of MTA and Dycal, and its solubility was significantly less (P < 0.05) than that of Dycal and higher than that of MTA. The experimental material exhibited continuous calcium release and an alkalinizing power between those of MTA and Dycal throughout the test period. Freshly set experimental material, control resin and all 24-h set materials had acceptable cytotoxicity. The experimental material, MTA and Dycal all exhibited the formation of apatite precipitates after immersion in phosphate-buffered saline.

CONCLUSIONS

The experimental material possessed adequate physicochemical properties, low cytotoxicity and good calcium phosphate nucleation.

Green light inhibits GnRH-I expression by stimulating the melatonin-GnIH pathway in the chick brain

To study the mechanism by which monochromatic light affects gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) expression in chicken hypothalamus, a total of 192 newly-hatched chicks were divided into intact, sham-operated and pinealectomy groups and exposed to white (WL), red (RL), green (GL) and blue (BL) lights using a light-emitting diode system for 2 weeks. In the GL intact group, the mRNA and protein levels of GnRH-I in the hypothalamus, the mean cell area and mean cell optical density (OD) of GnRH-I-immunoreactive (-ir) cells of the nucleus commissurae pallii were decreased by 13.2%-34.5%, 5.7%-39.1% and 9.9%-17.3% compared to those in the chicks exposed to the WL, RL and BL, respectively. GL decreased these factors related to GnRH-I expression and the effect of GL was not observed in pinealectomised birds. However, the mRNA and protein levels of hypothalamic gonadotrophin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH) and GnIH receptor (GnIHR), the mean cell area and mean cell OD of the GnIH-ir cells of the paraventricularis magnocellularis, and the plasma melatonin concentration in the chicks exposed to GL were increased by 18.6%-49.2%, 21.1%-60.0% and 8.6%-30.6% compared to the WL, RL and BL intact groups, respectively. The plasma melatonin concentration showed a negative correlation with GnRH-I protein and a positive correlation with GnIH and GnIHR proteins. Protein expression of both GnRH-I and GnIHR showed a negative correlation in the hypothalamus. After pinealectomy, GnRH-I expression increased, whereas plasma melatonin concentration, GnIH and GnIHR expression decreased, and there were no significant differences among the WL, RL, GL and BL groups. Double-labelled immunofluorescence showed that GnIH axon terminals were near GnRH-I neurones, some GnRH-I neurones coexpressed with GnIHR and GnIH neurones coexpressed with melatonin receptor subtype quinone reductase 2. These results demonstrate that green light inhibits GnRH-I expression by increasing melatonin secretion and stimulating melatonin receptor-GnIH-GnIH receptor pathway in the chick brain.

The effects of CDKN2A rs3731249, rs11515, and rs3088440 polymorphisms on cancer risk

Many studies have been carried out to examine whether there is an association between CDKN2A polymorphisms and cancer risk, but the results from these studies were controversial. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis to clarify whether there is an association of CDKN2A polymorphisms and cancer risk. Published reports were searched in PubMed and Google Scholar. ORs with 95% CIs were calculated in the dominant models. Twenty six case-control studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the final meta-analysis. Overall, we found that rs3731249, rs11515, and rs3088440 polymorphisms were not associated with cancer risk (OR=1.27, 95%CI: 0.79-2.03; OR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.79-1.03; OR=1.02, 95%CI: 0.95-1.09). However, CDKN2A rs3731249 polymorphism was significantly associated with ovarian cancer risk (OR=0.78, 95%CI: 0.65-0.95). A significant association was observed in Asian with rs11515 polymorphism (OR=0.48, 95%CI: 0.28-0.83). This meta-analysis shows that CDKN2A rs3731249 polymorphism was significantly associated with ovarian cancer risk. In addition, CDKN2A rs11515 polymorphism might associate with cancer risk in Asians.