Identification of potential therapeutic target genes and mechanisms in non-small-cell lung carcinoma in non-smoking women based on bioinformatics analysis

OBJECTIVE

The study was aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms and identify the potential target genes by bioinformatics analysis for non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) treatment in non-smoking women.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The microarray data of GSE19804 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Paired samples (from the same patient) of tumor and normal lung tissues from 60 non-smoking female NSCLC patients were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The functional enrichment analysis was performed. Furthermore, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed by Cytoscape software. The module analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Totally, 817 DEGs including 273 up- and 544 down-regulated genes were identified. The up-regulated genes were mainly enriched in extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, focal adhesion and cell cycle functions, while down-regulated genes were mainly enriched in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway. DEGs including hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor (HMMR), collagen, type I alpha 2 (COL1A2), cyclin A2 (CCNA2), MAD2 mitotic arrest deficient-like 1 (MAD2L1), interleukin 6 (IL6) and interleukin 1, beta (IL1B) were identified in these functions. These genes were hub nodes in PPI networks. Besides, there were 3 up-regulated modules and 1 down-regulated module. The significant pathways were ECM-receptor interaction and focal adhesion in up-regulated modules, while in down-regulated module, the significant pathway was mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

The ECM-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, cell cycle and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction functions may be associated with NSCLC development. Genes such as HMMR, COL1A2, CCNA2, MAD2L1, IL6 and IL1B may be potential therapeutic target genes for NSCLC.

Voluntary exercise prior to traumatic brain injury alters miRNA expression in the injured mouse cerebral cortex

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) may be important mediators of the profound molecular and cellular changes that occur after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the changes and possible roles of miRNAs induced by voluntary exercise prior to TBI are still not known. In this report, the microarray method was used to demonstrate alterations in miRNA expression levels in the cerebral cortex of TBI mice that were pretrained on a running wheel (RW). Voluntary RW exercise prior to TBI: i) significantly decreased the mortality rate and improved the recovery of the righting reflex in TBI mice, and ii) differentially changed the levels of several miRNAs, upregulating some and downregulating others. Furthermore, we revealed global upregulation of miR-21, miR-92a, and miR-874 and downregulation of miR-138, let-7c, and miR-124 expression among the sham-non-runner, TBI-non-runner, and TBI-runner groups. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction data (RT-qPCR) indicated good consistency with the microarray results. Our microarray-based analysis of miRNA expression in mice cerebral cortex after TBI revealed that some miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-92a, miR-874, miR-138, let-7c, and miR-124 could be involved in the prevention and protection afforded by voluntary exercise in a TBI model.

Prospective controlled study of the safety and oncological outcomes of ELAPE procure with definitive anatomic landmarks versus conventional APE for lower rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

The use of extra-levator abdominoperineal resection (ELAPE) procedure for lower rectal cancer is controversial. It is unclear whether the ELAPE procedure could improve surgical safety and lead to better oncological outcomes.

METHODS

Sixty-nine lower rectal cancer patients who underwent ELAPE (36 cases) or conventional abdominoperineal resection (APE; 33 cases) between June 2011 and February 2013 were prospectively investigated. Clinicopathological variables including blood loss, intraoperative perforation (IOP) rate, circumferential resection margin (CRM) involvement, lymph node harvest, the postoperative complications, urinary and sexual function, quality of life (QOL), local recurrence rate and survival were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

Blood loss (P = 0.021), perineal wound complication (P = 0.039), IOP rate (P = 0.028), local recurrence (P = 0.034) were significantly less frequent in the ELAPE group. There was greater CRM involvement in the conventional APE group but no statistical difference between the two groups. Urinary function, sexual function and QOL were not significantly different between the two groups. Overall survival and progression-free survival were not significantly different between two groups, even when survival was analyzed according to TNM stage, T stage, N stage, and with or without neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. In patients who underwent ELAPE there was no statistical difference in postoperative complications between younger and elderly patients (age ≥60).

CONCLUSIONS

ELAPE procedure with definitive anatomic landmarks demonstrated surgical safety and decreased local recurrence for lower rectal cancer patients including the elderly, but there were no survival improvements in compared to conventional APE procedure.

Selective killing of lung cancer cells by miRNA-506 molecule through inhibiting NF-κB p65 to evoke reactive oxygen species generation and p53 activation

The tumor suppressor p53, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have crucial roles in tumorigenesis, although the mechanisms of cross talk between these factors remain largely unknown. Here we report that miR-506 upregulation occurs in 83% of lung cancer patients (156 cases), and its expression highly correlates with ROS. Ectopic expression of miR-506 inhibits NF-κB p65 expression, induces ROS accumulation and then activates p53 to suppress lung cancer cell viability, but not in normal cells. Interestingly, p53 promotes miR-506 expression level, indicating that miR-506 mediates cross talk between p53, NF-κB p65 and ROS. Furthermore, we demonstrated that miR-506 mimics inhibited tumorigenesis in vivo, implicating that miR-506 might be a potential therapeutic molecule for selective killing of lung cancer cells.

Effects of artesunate and ursolic acid on hyperlipidemia and its complications in rabbit

OBJECTIVE

To find the novel hypolipidemic agents, the effects of ursolic acid and artesunate on hyperlipidemia and its complications were determined in rabbit fed with Western-type diet.

METHODS AND RESULTS

New Zealand rabbits fed a Western-type diet developed a hyperlipidemia. Rabbits received ursolic acid (25mg/kg) or artesunate (25mg/kg) alone, or in combination (12.5+12.5mg/kg), to prevent hyperlipidemia. Ursolic acid or artesunate alone significantly decreased the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride in rabbits. Furthermore, they both attenuated liver steatosis and reduced the area of aortic root lesions. The combination of ursolic acid and artesunate was more potent than either agent alone, which indicates a strong synergistic effect.

CONCLUSION

The hypolipidemic effect of artesunate is firstly reported. Its combination with ursolic acid might have the potential to further develop for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Generation of pancreatic insulin-producing cells from rhesus monkey induced pluripotent stem cells

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides a promising possibility for type 1 diabetes therapy. However, the generation of insulin-producing cells from iPSCs and evaluation of their efficacy and safety should be achieved in large animals before clinically applying iPSC-derived cells in humans. Here we try to generate insulin-producing cells from rhesus monkey (RM) iPSCs.

METHODS

Based on the knowledge of embryonic pancreatic development, we developed a four-stage protocol to generate insulin-producing cells from RM iPSCs. We established a quantitative method using flow cytometry to analyse the differentiation efficiency. In addition, to evaluate the differentiation competence and function of RM iPSC-derived cells, transplantation of stage 3 and 4 cells into immunodeficient mice was performed.

RESULTS

RM iPSCs were sequentially induced to definitive endoderm (DE), pancreatic progenitors (PP), endocrine precursors (EP) and insulin-producing cells. PDX1(+) PP cells were obtained efficiently from RM iPSCs (over 85% efficiency). The TGF-β inhibitor SB431542 promoted the generation of NGN3(+) EP cells, which can generate insulin-producing cells in vivo upon transplantation. Finally, after this four-stage differentiation in vitro, insulin-producing cells that could secrete insulin in response to glucose stimulation were obtained. When transplanted into mouse models for diabetes, these insulin-producing cells could decrease blood glucose levels in approximately 50% of the mice.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

We demonstrate for the first time that RM iPSCs can be differentiated into functional insulin-producing cells, which will provide the basis for investigating the efficacy and safety of autologous iPSC-derived insulin-producing cells in a rhesus monkey model for type 1 diabetes therapy.

Small vestibular schwannomas can cause gait instability

PURPOSE

To confirm whether detailed gait analysis can detect gait instability in patients with small vestibular schwannoma (VS) with an apparently normal gait.

METHODS

Twenty-two patients (7 males, 15 females; 40-64 years old) with small VS and nine healthy age- and weight-matched controls were enrolled. Small VS was defined as the longest diameter less than 20mm from the porus acusticus internus on MRI with no brainstem compression. Each subject was asked to walk straight for a distance of 8m with tactile sensors attached to both feet, and repeat two trials with eyes open and closed. Gait variables of stance, swing, double support, stability, and average length of the trajectories of the center of force (TCOF) during stance were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

No significant differences in the stability of the TCOF were found during gaits with eyes open and closed between the two groups. No obvious changes in gait variables were recognized with eyes open between the two groups. However, under gait with eyes closed, the values of the coefficient of variation (CV) of the gait phase were significantly greater in stance and swing in the VS group than in the normal group. In addition, patients with canal paresis (CP) showed greater CV values in gait phase related parameters than those who without CP during gait with eyes closed.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with small VS may have an apparently normal gait, but their vestibular deficit could be detected by proper use of gait analysis, especially with visual deprivation.

WITHDRAWN: Spinal d-amino acid oxidase contributes to the pathogenesis of hyperalgesia in the rat formalin test

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Cryopreservation of embryogenic callus of Dioscorea bulbifera by vitrification

Cryopreservation of callus of Dioscorea bulbifera by vitrification was optimized. Calli of Dioscorea bulbifera were pretreated in liquid Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 2 mg L(-1) kinetin (KT), 0.5 mg L(-1) NAA, 0.5 mg L(-1) 2,4-D and 0.2 M sucrose for 5 d under continuous light (36 microM m(-2) s(-1)) at 25 + or - 1 degree C. The material was then loaded with 60 percent vitrification solution (PVS2) for 20 min at room temperature and dehydrated with 100 percent PVS2 for 30 min at 0 degree C. After changing the solution with fresh PVS2, the calli were directly immersed in liquid nitrogen and conserved for 1- 360 d. After rapid thawing in a water-bath at 35 degree C, the calli were washed three times with liquid MS medium supplemented with 2 mg L(-1) KT, 0.5 mg L(-1) NAA, 0.5 mg L(-1) 2, 4-D and 1.2 M sucrose and then transferred onto solid MS medium supplemented with KT 2 mg L(-1), NAA 0.5 mg per liter, 0.09 M sucrose and 0.75 percent agar. The cultures were kept in the dark for 2 days prior to exposure to the light (12 h light-dark cycle). The TTC test showed that 80-90 percent of the calli survived this cryoprocedure and there was a 60-70 percent regeneration of plantlets from the calli. The regenerated material did not exhibit any morphological variations.

Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of olopatadine and fexofenadine compared with placebo in Japanese cedar pollinosis using an environmental exposure unit

BACKGROUND

Second-generation oral H1-antihistamines have become a mainstay of treatment for the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis; however, the effect of olopatadine has not been widely reported to date.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the efficacy of 2 oral H1-antihistamines, olopatadine and fexofenadine, in the treatment of the nasal symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis and their possible side effects.

METHODS

This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study conducted in an environmental exposure unit (EEU). Twenty volunteers suffering from Japanese cedar pollinosis were randomly divided into 3 groups and exposed to cedar pollen in the EEU with oral administration of olopatadine hydrochloride (5 mg), fexofenadine hydrochloride (60 mg), or placebo 1 hour prior to pollen exposure. Nasal symptoms, activity impairment, and subjective sleepiness were self-assessed during the study period. Attention was measured using the digit cancellation test. The trial was repeated after 4 and 7 weeks.

RESULTS

Compared with placebo, olopatadine significantly improved nasal symptoms and activity impairment during pollen exposure (P < .05). There was no significant relief of nasal discharge or nasal congestion with fexofenadine throughout the 5-hour exposure to cedar pollen. Furthermore, olopatadine significantly reduced nasal congestion during the first 2 hours, as well as sneezing and nasal discharge 4 hours after admission to the EEU compared with fexofenadine (P < .05). There was no significant difference in the effect on subjective sleepiness among the 3 groups, and all 3 agents had little effect on attention.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that olopatadine is more effective than placebo and fexofenadine in improving nasal symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis.