Bazedoxifene - a promising brain active SERM that crosses the blood brain barrier and enhances spatial memory

Over 20 years of accumulated evidence has shown that the major female sex hormone 17β-estradiol can enhance cognitive functioning. However, the utility of estradiol as a therapeutic cognitive enhancer is hindered by its unwanted peripheral effects (carcinogenic). Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) avoid the unwanted effects of estradiol by acting as estrogen receptor antagonists in some tissues such as breast and uterus, but as agonists in others such as bone, and are currently used for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, understanding of their actions in the brain are limited. The third generation SERM bazedoxifene has recently been FDA approved for clinical use with an improved biosafety profile. However, whether bazedoxifene can enter the brain and enhance cognition is unknown. Using mice, the current study aimed to explore if bazedoxifene can 1) cross the blood-brain barrier, 2) rescue ovariectomy-induced hippocampal-dependent spatial memory deficit, and 3) activate neural estrogen response element (ERE)-dependent gene transcription. Using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), we firstly demonstrate that a peripheral injection of bazedoxifene can enter the brain. Secondly, we show that an acute intraperitoneal injection of bazedoxifene can rescue ovariectomy-induced spatial memory deficits. And finally, using the ERE-luciferase reporter mouse, we show in vivo that bazedoxifene can activate the ERE in the brain. The evidence shown here suggest bazedoxifene could be a viable cognitive enhancer with promising clinical applicability.

The effect of ultrasonic on reducing anti-browning minimum effective concentration of purslane extract on fresh-cut potato slices during storage

Enzymatic browning is one of the major difficulties for the preservation and commercial value of fresh-cut products. To research more healthy and inexpensive anti-browning methods, we investigated the effect of ultrasonic coupling purslane extract on the browning resistance of fresh-cut potato during 8d storage at 4 °C. Firstly, the optimal ultrasonic time (10 min) was obtained. Then, the results showed that the combined application with lower purslane extract concentration (0.02%, w/w) could achieve a better anti-browning effect than the optimal concentration of alone purslane extract (0.05%, w/w). The combined application not only significantly inhibited the key enzyme activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD), but also effectively reduced the damage to cell membrane, maintained its integrity and permeability. Meanwhile, it also improved antioxidant capacity during storage. Overall, the ultrasonic cavitation combined with purslane extract would be a promising method for fresh-cut industry.

Hematopoietic Progenitor Kinase1 (HPK1) Mediates T Cell Dysfunction and Is a Druggable Target for T Cell-Based Immunotherapies

Ameliorating T cell exhaustion and enhancing effector function are promising strategies for the improvement of immunotherapies. Here, we show that the HPK1-NFκB-Blimp1 axis mediates T cell dysfunction. High expression of MAP4K1 (which encodes HPK1) correlates with increased T cell exhaustion and with worse patient survival in several cancer types. In MAP4K1^KO mice, tumors grow slower than in wild-type mice and infiltrating T cells are less exhausted and more active and proliferative. We further show that genetic depletion, pharmacological inhibition, or proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC)-mediated degradation of HPK1 improves the efficacy of CAR-T cell-based immunotherapies in diverse preclinical mouse models of hematological and solid tumors. These strategies are more effective than genetically depleting PD-1 in CAR-T cells. Thus, we demonstrate that HPK1 is a mediator of T cell dysfunction and an attractive druggable target to improve immune therapy responses.

LncRNA TUG1 inhibits the proliferation and fibrosis of mesangial cells in diabetic nephropathy via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the potential function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) TUG1 in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rat diabetes mellitus (DM) model was established by streptozocin (STZ) administration. In vivo levels of TUG1 and relative genes in the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway in DM rats and control rats were determined by the quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Moreover, levels of kidney weight, 24 h-urine protein, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine in DM rats and controls were detected. Mesangial cells were subjected to induction of high-level glucose. Relative levels of TUG1 and relative genes in the PI3K/AKT pathway in mesangial cells were determined as well. Through Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, the regulatory effect of TUG1 on the proliferative ability of mesangial cells induced with high-level glucose was evaluated. Finally, expression changes in the PI3K/AKT pathway and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes in mesangial cells were determined.

RESULTS

TUG1 was downregulated in DM rats and mesangial cells induced with high-level glucose. Compared with controls, DM rats presented higher levels of kidney weight, 24 h-urine protein, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, which were markedly reduced after TUG1 overexpression in vivo. Moreover, overexpression of TUG1 downregulated TGF-β1, FN, and COL-IV, and inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

TUG1 is downregulated in DN. The overexpression of TUG1 could suppress the proliferation and ECM accumulation of mesangial cells via inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway.

[The thromboembolism risk of low-risk atrial fibrillation patients with different clinical characteristics]

Objective: This study explored the thromboembolism risk of low-risk atrial fibrillation (AF) patients (CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 0 or 1 for male and 1 or 2 for female) with different clinical characteristics to provide the basis for anticoagulation decision-making in these patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive 2 862 nonvalvular low-risk AF patients between August 2011 to December 2018 in China-AF (China Atrial Fibrillation Registry) Study, their CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was 0 or 1 for male and 1 or 2 for female. According to their age, sex, presence or absence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and vascular disease at the time of enrolling, patients were divided into CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0 score group, 1 score group, and 2 score group. Patients were followed up every 6 months by outpatient clinic visit or telephone interview. The outcome was a thromboembolic event, including ischemic stroke and systemic embolism. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to compare the thromboembolism risk between the patients with different risk factors and CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0 group. Results: A total of 2 862 low-risk atrial fibrillation patients were enrolled in this study. 915 patients (32.0%) were female, and age was (55.0±10.7) years old. There were 933 patients (32.6%) in CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0 group, 1 401 patients (49.0%) in score 1 group and 528 patients (18.5%) in score 2 group. During follow-up (median 1.5 years, 5 811.82 person-years), 33 cases of thromboembolic events were recorded, the annual rate of thromboembolism was 0.57% (95%CI 0.40%~0.80%). The number of thromboembolic events in patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0, 1 and 2 were 8, 11 and 14, respectively, and the annual thromboembolism event rates were 0.40% (95%CI 0.20%-0.81%), 0.39% (95%CI 0.22%-0.71%) and 1.34% (95%CI 0.80%-2.27%), respectively. The risk of thromboembolism of CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 2 group (HR=3.53, 95%CI 1.48-8.44; P=0.005), especially female patients aged 65-74 years in CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 2 group (HR=2.67, 95%CI 1.63-4.38; P<0.000) was significantly higher than that in patients of CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0 group. Conclusion: Low-Risk Atrial Fibrillation patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 2, especially female patients aged 65-74 years old with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 2 are at higher risk of thromboembolism in low-risk AF patients. For such patients, intensified oral anticoagulant therapy might be helpful to reduce the risk of thrombolism.

[Impact of history of hypertension and blood pressure levels on the risk of thromboembolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients]

Objective: To investigate the impact of history of hypertension and blood pressure levels on the thromboembolism risk in the setting of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Methods: China Atrial Fibrillation Registry Study prospectively enrolled 25 512 atrial fibrillation (AF) patients between August 2011 and December 2018. After exclusion of patients with valvular AF, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, receiving anticoagulation or ablation therapy at the enrollment, 7 757 patients were included in analysis. The primary endpoint was the time to the first occurrence of ischemic stroke or systemic embolism. Cox proportional hazards models were performed to evaluate whether a history of hypertension or blood pressure levels were independently associated with thromboembolism. Results: During a mean follow up of (35±25) months, 455 （5.9%）thromboembolic events occurred. The crude incidence rate of thromboembolism in patients with a history of hypertension was higher than that in patients without hypertension (2.38 vs. 1.35 per 100 patient-years, χ²=16.8，Log-rank P<0.001). Patients were further divided into 4 groups according to systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels at baseline, the crude incidence rate of thromboembolism significantly increased in proportion to the elevation of SBP levels (χ²=17.9，Log-rank P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in thromboembolism risk among 4 groups stratified by diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels (χ²=0.6，Log-rank P=0.907). Multivariable regression analysis showed that history of hypertension was independently associated with a 27% higher risk of thromboembolism (HR=1.27, 95%CI 1.01-1.61, P=0.045). Patients with SBP≥140 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) was associated with 36% higher risk of thromboembolism than patients with SBP<120 mmHg (HR=1.36, 95%CI 1.02-1.82, P=0.036). However, patients with SBP 120-129 mmHg or 130-139 mmHg were not at a higher risk of thromboembolism as compared to the patients with SBP<120 mmHg (SBP 120-129 mmHg: HR=1.23, 95%CI 0.90-1.67, P=0.193; SBP 130-139 mmHg: HR=1.30, 95%CI 0.95-1.77, P=0.098). In addition, DBP levels were not independently associated with the increased thromboembolism risk. Conclusion: A history of hypertension and SBP≥140 mmHg are independent predictors of thromboembolism risk in patients with NVAF. These results indicate that intensive efforts to lower SBP below 140 mmHg might be an important strategy to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with NVAF.

[Association between duration of digoxin use and adverse outcomes among Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation]

Objective: We aimed to explore the impact of digoxin use on outcomes in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Methods: We used the dataset from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry, a prospective, multicenter, hospital-based registry study. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 472 eligible patients enrolled from August 2011 to December 2016 were included in this ancillary study. The patients were classified into three groups according to the status of digoxin use at study enrollment, patients already receiving digoxin before registry were represented as continuous group, patients initiated on digoxin for the first time were represented as newly group, and patients without digoxin prescription at enrollment were represented as control group. Patients were followed by telephone or outpatient service every 6 months. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to investigate the association of digoxin use with adverse outcomes (all-cause death, cardiovascular death and cardiovascular hospitalization). Results: In the overall study population, men accounted for 42.8%, and the average age was (66.9±11.8) years. There were 777（7.42%）patients in continuous group, 375 (3.58%) patients in newly group, and 9 320 (89.00%) patients in control group. Compared with the control group, the patients in the newly group and the continuous group were older, had faster heart rate, lower estimated glomerular filtration rate, higher proportion of persistent atrial fibrillation, heart failure, renal insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, ischemic stroke, coronary heart disease, vascular disease and bleeding history. At the same time, the patients in the newly group and the continuous group were treated more often with anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs, ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-receptor blockers while the proportion of antiarrhythmic drugs was lower as compared to control group (P<0.05). During a median follow-up of 36 months (interquartile range: 18-48 month), risk of all-cause mortality was significantly higher in newly group compared to control group (7.3% vs. 4.7%, P<0.05), the rates of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death and cardiovascular hospitalization were all higher in continuous group than in control group (8.0% vs. 4.7%; 4.7% vs. 3.0%; 16.7% vs. 11.8%; P all<0.05). After adjustment for age, male, body mass index, blood pressure, heart rate, renal function, AF type, history of stroke, heart failure, diabetes, coronary artery disease and other drugs treatment, the association between newly group and adverse outcomes was not significant, however, digoxin use was associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR 1.26; 95%CI 1.04-1.56; P=0.019), cardiovascular death (HR 1.38; 95%CI 1.08-1.77, P =0.01), and cardiovascular hospitalization (HR 1.10; 95%CI 1.06-1.52, P=0.02) in continuous group. Conclusion: Continuous digoxin use is associated with a significant increase in adverse outcomes among Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation.

[Current status of the clinical practice and analysis on the ratioanl prescription of antiarrhythmic drugs in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation: Results from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry (CAFR) trial]

Objective: To explore the practice patterns and the related factors of oral antiarrhythmic drug (AAD) treatment in Chinese patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and to evaluate the compliance of AAD application to atrial fibrillation management guidelines. Methods: From August 2011 to August 2016, medical records from 18 014 patients with AF were analyzed based on data from the Chinese Atrial Fibrillation Registry trial. Patients were divided into AAD group (7 788 cases, 43.23%) and non-AAD group (10 226 cases, 56.77%) according to whether AAD was used at baseline or at the time of first use during follow-up. Amiodarone (4 129 cases, 53.02%) and propafenone (3 211 cases, 41.23%) were the mostly prescribed AAD and subgroup analysis was performed accordingly. Medical records were analyzed by random forest regression to evaluate the use of AAD and related factors in patients with AF, and the rationality of AAD was analyzed according to the guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation. Result: A total of 18 014 patients were included in this study, of which 60.48% (10 895/18 014) were male patients, 22.65% (4 081/18 014) were elderly patients(≥75 years old), there were 7 788 patients (43.23%) in AAD group, and 10 226 patients(56.77%) in non-AAD group. Compared with the non-AAD group, the elderly patients (≥75 years old, 13.74%(1 070/7 788) vs. 29.44%(3 011/10 226)), persistent AF (28.95% (2 250/7 788) 45.80% (4 683/10 226)), heart failure(8.29% (646/7 788) vs. 21.95% (2 245/10 226)), stroke and (or) TIA(12.15% (946/7 788) vs. 19.95% (2 040/10 226)), renal dysfunction(16.36%(1 274/7 788) vs. 29.37% (3 003/10 226)), and high thromboembolism risk(60.17% (4 748/7 788) vs. 76.40% (7 813/10 226)) were less prevalent in the AAD subgroup (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that patients in tertiary hospitals (OR=3.72, 95%CI 3.17-4.37) were more likely to use AAD, elderly patients (≥75 years old, OR=0.47, 95%CI 0.39-0.55), persistent atrial fibrillation (OR=0.66, 95%CI 0.60-0.72), and patients with heart failure (OR=0.54, 95%CI 0.47-0.63), stroke and (or) TIA (OR=0.77, 95%CI 0.68-0.87), renal dysfunction (OR=0.75, 95%CI 0.59-0.95) and high thromboembolism risk(OR=0.7, 95%CI 0.58-0.84) were more likely not to use AAD(P<0.05). In the AAD group, amiodarone and propafenone were the most commonly used AAD, accounting for 53.02% (4 129/7 788) and 41.23% (3 211/7 788), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (OR=4.57, 95%CI 3.94-5.29) and coronary heart disease (OR=4.14, 95%CI 3.03-5.64), heart failure (OR=2.07, 95%CI 1.48-2.89), non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (OR=4.84, 95%CI 2.41-9.73) were more likely to use amiodarone, and those with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (OR=0.31, 95%CI 0.15-0.65) and low thromboembolism risk (OR=0.78, 95%CI 0.63-0.97) were more likely to use propafenone (P<0.001). The overall incidence of AAD treatment, which was not indicated by the guidelines was 6.5% (480/7 340); 5.1% (212/4 129) in the amiodarone group and 8.3% (268/3 211) in the propafenone group, respectively. Compared with the rational AAD use group, the proportion of irrational drug use was higher in the elderly (≥75 years old) (20.4% (98/480) vs. 12.9% (887/6 860)), patients of high thromboembolism risk (77.1% (379/480) vs. 59.0% (4 047/6 860)), and in non-tertiary hospitals (7.1% (34/480) vs. 3.3% (299/6 860)), but lower in men(50.8% (244/480) vs. 64.5% (4 427/6 860)), P<0.001. Conclusions: The patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, who were treated with AAD, were mostly patients with fewer complications, and the patients who were treated with amiodarone were mostly patients with persistent atrial fibrillation, patients were more likely to complicate with organic heart disease. The incidence of AAD that do not comply with the guidelines was low, and it was more common in non-tertiary hospitals and the elder patients with high thromboembolism risk.

Urgent-start peritoneal dialysis and patient outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The present study was aimed at illustrating short- or long-term patient outcome among individuals with urgent-start peritoneal dialysis (PD) compared with those with conventional PD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Cohort studies were investigated comparing the effects of urgent start of PD (<14 days after catheter insertion) to those of conventional start of PD (≥14 days after catheter insertion). Risks of bias across studies were evaluated using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. We calculated the pooled risk ratios and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals for dichotomous data and continuous data, respectively.

RESULTS

Six studies involving 1,242 patients were identified. Compared with conventional PD, urgent-start PD was not associated with a high mortality (RR: 1.25, 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.69; I2=0%, p=0.99) and a higher prevalence of overall mechanical complications (RR: 1.79, 95% CI: 0.85 to 3.78; p=0.12; I2=64%, p=0.02). However, urgent-start PD was associated with a higher prevalence of leakage (RR: 6.72, 95% CI: 2.11 to 21.32; I2=0%, p=0.60). In terms of infectious complications, data analysis of the fixed-effects model showed no difference between the two groups. (RR: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.90 to 2.05, p=0.14), regardless of peritonitis (RR: 1.36, 95% CI: 0.90 to 2.05, p=0.14; I2=0%, p=0.70) or other infections (RR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.49 to 2.69, p=0.99; I2=0%, p=0.75).

CONCLUSIONS

Urgent-start PD was not associated with a higher risk of mortality and dialysis-related complications. However, compared with conventional PD, an urgent start of PD may increase the risk of a leak.

Study on the characteristics and mechanism of pulsed laser cleaning of polyacrylate resin coating on aluminum alloy substrates

The behavior of paint removal with a pulsed laser has been investigated using an Nd:YAG fiber laser. Experimental and theoretical analyses are conducted to reveal the underlying mechanism of the paint removal. The results show that the depth, radius, and volume of the pit formed by a single pulse become larger with increases in the energy density. The ideal parameters for the complete removal of paint have been achieved. During the paint removal, burning occurred over the surface, and the variation in element content has been attributed to the absorption of laser energy. Under the action of the pulsed laser, there was breakage and rearrangement of chemical bonds such as C-C, C-N, and C-O in the molecular chain of the polyacrylate paint coating. Through these analyses, the paint removal mechanism was shown to be based on chemical bond breakage, combustion, and mechanical action provided by the thermal expansion and plasma shock.

MiRNA-153-3p promotes gefitinib-sensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer by inhibiting ATG5 expression and autophagy

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the function of miRNA-153-3p in gefitinib-sensitive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expressions of miRNA-153-3p, LC3B and ATG5 in gefitinib-resistant and gefitinib-sensitive NSCLC tissues were determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The correlation between miRNA-153-3p to LC3B or ATG5 was analyzed. We evaluated autophagy level in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cells by calculating the percentage of PC-9/GR and HCC827/GR cells with positive GFP-LC3, as well as determining autophagy-related gene levels. The potential binding between ATG5 and miRNA-153-3p were verified by Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay. The regulatory effects of miRNA-153-3p/ATG5 on gefitinib-sensitivity and apoptosis were finally examined by cytotoxicity assay and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/Propidium Iodide (PI) staining, respectively.

RESULTS

MiRNA-153-3p was lowly expressed in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC relative to the gefitinib-sensitive ones. MiRNA-153-3p was negatively correlated with autophagy activity marker LC3B in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC patients. Compared with parental cells, gefitinib-resistant NSCLC cell lines PC-9/GR and HCC827/GR presented a lower level of miRNA-153-3p and a higher level of autophagy. The overexpression of miRNA-153-3p greatly inhibited autophagy level. ATG5 could directly bind to miRNA-153-3p, and ATG5 was highly expressed in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC. The correlation analysis found a negative correlation between ATG5 and miRNA-153-3p and a positive correlation between ATG5 and LC3B in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC. More importantly, ATG5 reversed the regulatory effects of miRNA-153-3p on autophagy, gefitinib-sensitivity and apoptosis of PC-9/GR and HCC827/GR cells.

CONCLUSIONS

MiRNA-153-3p is lowly expressed in gefitinib-resistant NSCLC patients. The overexpression of miRNA-153-3p enhances gefitinib-sensitivity in NSCLC by inhibiting autophagy via downregulating ATG5.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between dairy consumption and the risk of hip fracture: critical interpretation of the currently available evidence

In the present meta-analysis, reductions in the risk of hip fracture with milk consumption were only observed among American adults, but not among Scandinavian adults, possibly because milk products are more commonly fortified with vitamin D in the former population than in Scandinavian countries. The reduction in the risk of hip fracture was also observed with yogurt consumption, which is often associated with healthy lifestyles and dietary patterns that contribute to improved bone health.

INTRODUCTION

Although dairy products contain bone-beneficial nutrients, the association between dairy consumption and the risk of hip fracture remains equivocal. Fueling this uncertainty, the elevated risk of hip fracture in association with milk consumption was observed in a cohort of Swedish women. A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies was performed to critically evaluate the association, or lack thereof, between dairy consumption (milk, yogurt, and cheese) and the risk of hip fracture.

METHODS

A random effects model was used to generate the summary relative risks (RRs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of interest.

RESULTS

In the meta-analysis of the highest versus lowest category of consumption, higher consumption of yogurt (RR 0.78, 95% CI 0.68, 0.90), but not milk (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.73, 1.02) or cheese (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.66, 1.08), was associated with a lower risk of hip fracture. For milk, the reduced risk of fracture with higher milk consumption was observed in the USA (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.65, 0.87), but not in Scandinavian countries (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.85, 1.17). These findings were further supported by the fact that American studies (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88, 0.98; per 1 glass/day), but not Scandinavian studies (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.95, 1.07; per 1 glass/day), demonstrated a linear association between milk consumption and the risk of hip fracture.

CONCLUSIONS

The cumulative evidence from prospective cohort studies reassuringly suggests that the risk of hip fracture may not be elevated among people who consume milk, yogurt, and cheese, and that a greater consumption of milk or yogurt may even be associated with a lower risk of hip fracture depending on the factors that may differ across the population of interest.

The expression and clinical significance of miRNA-99a and miRNA-224 in non-small cell lung cancer

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression and clinical significance of miRNA-99a and miRNA-224 in the serum of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

83 patients with NSCLC, who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from January 2014 to September 2017, were included in the experiment group. 79 patients, who made health check up, were included in the control group. The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) technique was used to test the expressions of miRNA-99a and miRNA-224 in the serum of the patients in the two groups, and the relationship between the expression levels of miRNA-99a and miRNA-224 and the clinicopathological features of the patients with NSCLC was analyzed; the correlation between the expression of miRNA-99a and the expression of miRNA-224 in NSCLC was also analyzed.

RESULTS

The expression level of miRNA-99a in the patients with NSCLC was significantly lower than that in the patients in the normal control group; the differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). The expression level of miRNA-224 in the patients with NSCLC was markedly higher than that in the patients in the normal control group; the differences were statistically significant (p<0.001). The expression level of miRNA-99a in the patients with NSCLC was remarkably correlated with pathological stage, the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis and tissue differentiation (p<0.001). The expression level of miRNA-224 in the patients with NSCLC was significantly correlated with pathological stage, the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis and pathological grade (p<0.001). The results of partial correlation analysis showed that the expression levels of miRNA-99a and miRNA-224 were negatively correlated with each other in NSCLC (r=-0.985, p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

MiRNA-99a and miRNA-224 may be involved in the development and progression of NSCLC. MiRNA-99a is associated with NSCLC pathological stage, lymph node metastasis and tissue differentiation, while miRNA-224 is associated with NSCLC pathological stage, lymph node metastasis and pathological grade. MiRNA-99a and miRNA-224 can be used as clinical monitoring indicators for NSCLC.

Effect of miR-34a on resistance to sunitinib in breast cancer by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-34a on resistance to sunitinib in breast cancer, and to explore its possible underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Breast cancer MCF-7 cells were transfected with miR-34a inhibitor or mimics to downregulate or upregulate the expression of miR-34a. Then, the transfected cells were treated with sunitinib. Next, transwell assay was applied to detect the changes in cell invasion ability. Cell viability was measured via cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay was employed to determine the interaction between miR-34a and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The immunoblotting assay was used to measure the expression changes of proteins in the pathway.

RESULTS

The overexpression of miR-34a significantly reduced the invasive ability of MCF-7 cells after treatment with sunitinib. After miR-34a expression was downregulated, the sensitivity of MCF-7 cells to sunitinib was significantly lowered. MiR-34a interacted with the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) on Wnt1. Meanwhile, the overexpression of miR-34a remarkably downregulated the messenger RNA (mRNA) and the protein levels of Wnt1, whereas upregulated the expressions of Wnt1 and β-catenin.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-34a affects the sensitivity to sunitinib in breast cancer by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

The potential biological functions of circular RNAs during the initiation of atresia in pig follicles

The specific expression profile and function of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in mammalian ovarian follicles, especially during the atresia process, are unclear. In this study, genome-wide deep circRNA sequencing was applied to screen circRNAs in healthy and early atretic antral follicles in pig ovaries. A total of 40,567 distinct circRNAs were identified in follicles, among which 197 circRNAs (108 upregulated and 89 downregulated) were significantly shifted during the early atresia process. Most differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) lacked protein-coding potential. Annotation analysis of the DECs revealed 162 known host genes, or noncoding RNAs, and 10 intergenic regions. The key pathways in which these host genes are involved include the focal adhesion-PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA)-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 signaling pathway and transforming growth factor-beta signaling pathway. Further comparison analysis between host genes of DECs and the differentially expressed linear messenger RNA transcripts revealed the cotranscription of circRNAs and their linear mRNAs in inhibin beta units (INHBA and INHBB), glutathione S-transferase (GSTA1), and VEGFA. In addition, we predicted 196 pairs of potential circRNA-micro RNA (miRNA) interactions among 77 DECs and 101 porcine miRNAs. We have identified 16 functional miRNAs by comparing the 101 miRNAs to the functional miRNAs reported in mammal ovarian follicle atresia and granulosa cell apoptosis studies. Our study adds new knowledge to circRNA distribution profiles in pig ovarian follicles, offers a valuable reference for transcriptomic profiles in the initiation of follicular atresia, highlights warranted circRNAs for further functional investigation, and provides possible biomarkers for ovarian dysfunctions.

[Value of left ventricular myocardial strain derived from cardiac magnetic resonance tissue tracking on differentiating constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy]

Objective: To compare left ventricular myocardial mechanics detected by cardiac magnetic resonance tissue tracking(CMR-TT) between patients with constrictive pericarditis(CP) and restrictive cardiomyopathy(RCM),and see if those can be used to differentiate CP from RCM patients. Methods: A total of 23 patients with CP, 20 patients with RCM, who hospitalized in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from January 2014 to April 2019 were included in this study and 25 healthy subjects served as control group, all subjects underwent cardiac magnetic resonance examination. Myocardial mechanics were evaluated by 2-dimensional(2D) and 3-dimensional(3D) CMR-TT in terms of global longitudinal strain(GLS), circumferential strain(GCS), radial strain(GRS) and the lateral wall strain to septal wall strain ratio(lateral/septal ratio) of basal, mid-cavity and apical. The diagnostic area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was evaluated for differentiating CP from RCM. Results: Age, sex and heart rate were similar between CP and RCM patients(all P>0.05). 2D-GLS, 3D-GLS, GCS and GRS in CP and RCM groups were significantly lower than those in normal control group(all P<0.05).3D-GLS value was significantly lower in RCM patients than in CP patients(P<0.05), the area under the curve (AUC)=0.787(sensitivity 80%, specificity 78%). 3D-GCS was significantly lower in CP group than in RCM group(P<0.05), the AUC=0.737(sensitivity 80%, specificity 65%). However, there was no significant difference between CP and RCM in 3D-GRS(P>0.05). Compared with RCM, the circumferential and radial lateral/septal ratios of the basal were significantly lower in CP group than in RCM group(both P<0.05), AUC=0.737(sensitivity 70%, specificity 83%) and 0.737 (sensitivity 60%, specificity 87%), respectively. The left ventricular myocardial mechanics strain curve of the CP,RCM and normal control were different. The CP patients presented as " rapidly down-a platform" form, the RCM presented as "slowly down" form, and normal control presented as "rapidly down" form. Conclusion: Evaluating the differences in the diastolic process of left ventricular myocardium and left ventricular myocardial mechanics strain curve is helpful to differentiate CP from RCM patients.