MiR-142-5p reverses the resistance to gefitinib through targeting HOXD8 in lung cancer cells

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the role and potential mechanism of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-142-5p in the acquired resistance to gefitinib in lung cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The drug resistance of PC9/G cells was detected via methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Expression levels of miR-142-5p and HOXD8 in PC9 and PC9/G cells were detected via quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. PC9/G cells were transfected with miR-142-5p mimic, while PC9 cells were transfected with miR-142-5p inhibitor. Subsequently, expression changes of HOXD8 were determined using qRT-PCR and Western blotting, cell sensitivity to gefitinib was detected through MTT assay, and the apoptosis was detected via flow cytometry. Moreover, Dual-Luciferase reporter assay was conducted to determine the relationship between HOXD8 and miR-142-5p. Finally, potential involvement of HOXD8 in miR-142-5p-regulated gefitinib sensitivity was confirmed via rescue tests.

RESULTS

PC9/G cells were more significantly resistant to gefitinib compared with its parental PC9 cells. MiR-142-5p was down-regulated in PC9/G cells, while that of HOXD8 was up-regulated in PC9/G cells. Transfection of miR-142-5p mimic could inhibit the expression level of HOXD8 in PC9/G cells and reverse its resistance to gefitinib. Conversely, transfection of miR-142-5p inhibitor could upregulate HOXD8 in PC9 cells and promote its resistance to gefitinib. According to the Dual-Luciferase reporter assay, miR-142-5p could suppress the expression of HOXD8 through the targeted binding to the HOXD8 3'UTR. Moreover, miR-142-5p could regulate mitochondrial apoptosis pathway by targeting HOXD8. Finally, rescue tests confirmed that miR-142-5p regulated the sensitivity of PC9 cells to gefitinib by acting on the target gene HOXD8.

CONCLUSIONS

Down-regulation of miR-142-5p induces the resistance of lung cancer PC9 cells to gefitinib by upregulating HOXD8.

LINC01857 promotes the development of gastric cancer by regulating microRNA-200b

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression characteristics of LINC01857 in gastric cancer (GCa), and to further study whether it could promote GCa development by modulating microRNA-200b.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to examine LINC01857 expression in 60 pairs of GCa tissues and adjacent tissues. The interplay between LINC01857 level and clinical indexes and the prognosis of GCa patients was analyzed. Meanwhile, qRT-PCR was used to verify the expression level of LINC01857 in GCa cell lines. LINC01857 knockdown model was constructed by lentivirus transfection in GCa cell lines. Subsequently, the effect of LINC01857 on the biological function of GCa cells was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit 8 (CCK8), wound healing, and transwell assays. Furthermore, the in-depth relationship between LINC01857 and microRNA-200b was explored.

RESULTS

QRT-PCR results showed that LINC01857 level in GCa tissues was remarkably higher than that of adjacent tissues, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Compared with patients with a low level of LINC01857, the rate of lymph node and distant metastasis in patients with a high level of LINC01857 was remarkably higher, while the overall survival rate was lower (p<0.05). In vitro experiments showed that LINC01857 knockdown remarkably decreased the invasion, migration, and crawling ability of GCa cells (p<0.05). Subsequent qRT-PCR results demonstrated that the level of microRNA-200b was remarkably upregulated after the silence of LINC01857. In addition, the silence of microRNA-200b could reverse the biological function of GCa cells induced by the knockout of LINC01857.

CONCLUSIONS

LINC01857 was highly expressed in GCa, and was associated with lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, and poor prognosis of patients with GCa. In addition, LINC01857 enhanced the metastatic ability of GCa cells by regulating microRNA-200b.

Temperature dependent onset of shear thinning in supercooled glass-forming network liquids

The onset of shear thinning and the transition from Newtonian to non-Newtonian behavior in the viscous flow of select chalcogenide and oxide network glass-forming liquids in the deeply supercooled regime and its temperature dependence are studied using parallel plate rheometry. In all cases, the onset occurs at a shear rate γ̇_c that is several orders of magnitude lower than the shear relaxation rate τ₀ ^-1 and the former increases with increasing temperature. These results are in good qualitative agreement with the predictions of the existing models of shear relaxation and shear thinning based on the nonlinear Langevin equation theory, random first order transition theory, and the free volume model. However, in contrast to the theoretical predictions, the reduced shear rate W₀ (=τ₀γ̇_c) at the onset is found to range between 10^-3 and 10^-5 and decrease with increasing temperature. This temperature dependence becomes stronger with increasing fragility of the liquid. These results likely indicate that the shear thinning mechanism in network liquids could be fundamentally different from those in molecular, metallic, or polymeric glass-formers.

[The clinical observation of sirolimus combined with calcineurin inhibitors for steroid-resistant/steroid-dependent extensive cGVHD]

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of sirolimus combined with calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) in the treatment of glucocorticoid resistant/dependent extensive chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) . Methods: A total of 27 patients with steroid-resistant/steroid-dependent extensive cGVHD from November 2015 to January 2019 were enrolled and given sirolimus capsules combined with cyclosporine or tacrolimus to observe the clinical efficacy and adverse events. Results: The median duration of medication was 14.2 months and the mean duration was 16.7 months. The median follow-up time was 20.1 months (12.9-46.1 months) . Following the 6-month follow-up, 3 cases achieved complete response (CR) and 12 cases partial response (PR) . The overall response rate (ORR) was 55.6% ; for progression-free survival (PFS) , PFS-6 reached 88.9% (24/27) , and for overall survival (OS) , OS-6 was 100% . At the 1-year follow-up, there were 5 cases of CR and 11 cases of PR, ORR was 59.3% , PFS-12 reached 62.9% (17/27) , and OS-12 was 100% . The subgroup analysis found that the program was more effective for cGVHD in male donors and the target organ analysis had an advantage in the treatment of oral cavity, skin, and liver rejection. Adverse events were observed: hyperlipidemia 11.1% , oral ulcer 7.4% , fungal infection 11.1% , liver injury 3.7% , renal insufficiency 0, and no new CMV and EB viremia. Conclusion: Sirolimus combined with calcineurin inhibitors is effective in treating steroid-resistant/steroid-dependent extensive cGVHD, especially because adverse reactions (renal toxicity, CMV, EBV infection) are low in number, which is suitable for long-term treatment of cGVHD.

Unconventional Hall response in the quantum limit of HfTe5

Interacting electrons confined to their lowest Landau level in a high magnetic field can form a variety of correlated states, some of which manifest themselves in a Hall effect. Although such states have been predicted to occur in three-dimensional semimetals, a corresponding Hall response has not yet been experimentally observed. Here, we report the observation of an unconventional Hall response in the quantum limit of the bulk semimetal HfTe5, adjacent to the three-dimensional quantum Hall effect of a single electron band at low magnetic fields. The additional plateau-like feature in the Hall conductivity of the lowest Landau level is accompanied by a Shubnikov-de Haas minimum in the longitudinal electrical resistivity and its magnitude relates as 3/5 to the height of the last plateau of the three-dimensional quantum Hall effect. Our findings are consistent with strong electron-electron interactions, stabilizing an unconventional variant of the Hall effect in a three-dimensional material in the quantum limit.

[Research on consistency of different measurement methods for saliva 1,5-anhydroglucitol]

Objective: To evaluate the consistency of different measurement methods of saliva 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) in different glucose metabolism populations. Methods: From January 2018 to June 2019, 175 healthy volunteers (21-65 years, 58 males and 117 females) with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and 80 diabetic patients (18-70 years, 44 males and 36 females) were enrolled in Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital. Saliva was collected by saliva collection tube, and 1,5-AG was measured using both enzymatic and mass spectrometry methods. Serum 1,5-AG was determined by enzymatic method. Results: In NGT subjects, both serum and saliva 1,5-AG levels detected by enzymatic method were positively correlated with the saliva 1,5-AG levels detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (r=0.247 and 0.523, respectively, both P<0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between saliva and serum 1,5-AG levels detected by enzymatic method (r=-0.074, P=0.333). In diabetic patients, both serum and saliva 1,5-AG levels detected by enzymatic method were positively correlated with the saliva 1,5-AG levels detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (r=0.284 and 0.423, respectively, both P<0.05). However, there was no significant correlation between saliva and serum 1,5-AG levels detected by enzymatic method (r=-0.079, P=0.487). Conclusions: Both serum and saliva 1,5-AG levels detected by enzymatic method have a good consistency with saliva 1,5-AG levels detected by mass spectrometry method. The saliva and serum 1,5-AG levels detected by enzymatic method are not well correlated, and thus the enzymatic detection of saliva 1,5-AG needs further improvement in clinical practice.

Extensible artificial intelligence model predicts post-ablation AF recurrence using coronary sinus electrogram

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major public health problem with significant adverse outcomes and catheter ablation is a widely adopted treatment. The CABANA trial showed that catheter ablation reduced AF recurrence to a greater extent than medications. However, some of patients who underwent this procedure still experience relapse. Here, we present an innovative way to identify this subgroup using an artificial intelligence (AI) -assisted coronary sinus electrogram.

Hypothesis

Our hypothesis is that credible features in the electrogram can be extracted by AI for prediction, therefore rigorous drug administration, close follow-up or potential second procedure can be applied to these patients.

Methods

67 patients from two independent hospitals (SPH & ZSH) with non-valvular persistent AF undergoing circumferential pulmonary vein isolation were enrolled in this study, 23 of which experienced recurrence 6 months after the procedure. We collected standard 2.5-second fragments of coronary sinus electrogram from ENSITE NAVX (SPH) and Carto (ZSH)system before the ablation started. A total of 1429 fragments were obtained and a transfer learning-based ResNet model was employed in our study. Fragments from ZSH were used for training and SPH for validation of deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN). The AI model performance was evaluated by accuracy, recall, precision, F-Measure and AUC.

Results

The prediction accuracy of the DCNN in single center reached 96%, while that in different ablation systems reached 74.3%. Also, the algorithm yielded values for the AUC, recall, precision and F-Measure of 0.76, 86.1%, 95.9% and 0.78, respectively, which shows satisfactory classification results and extensibility in different cardiology centers and brands of electroanatomic mapping instruments.

Conclusions

Our work has revealed the potential intrinsic correlation between coronary sinus electrical activity and AF recurrence using DCNN-based model. Moreover, the DCNN model we developed shows great prospects in the relapse prediction for personalized post-procedural management.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The National Natural Science Foundation of China

[The appropriate cut-off point of time in range (TIR) for evaluating glucose control in type 2 diabetes mellitus]

Objective: To investigate the appropriate cut-off point of time in range (TIR) for evaluating glucose control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and analyze the prevalence of abnormal carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) in different TIR categories. Methods: A total of 2 161 subjects with T2DM (1 183 males) were enrolled from hospitalized patients at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University from January 2005 to February 2012. The age of the enrolled participants was (60.4±11.9) years. Each patient underwent continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for three consecutive days, then TIR (3.9-10.0 mmol/L), time above range (TAR) and time below range (TBR) were calculated. Fundus photography and carotid artery Doppler ultrasound were performed to diagnose DR and abnormal CIMT (defined as CIMT≥1.0 mm), respectively. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the independent association of different TIR groups with CIMT and DR. Results: All subjects were divided into 4 groups according to TIR:≤40%, 41%-70%, 71%-85% and>85%. Significant linear trends in age, diabetes duration, body mass index (BMI), total cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), TAR and mean glucose (MG) existed among the 4 groups (all P(trend)<0.05). However, there was only a weak correlation between TIR and TBR (<3.9 mmol/L) (r=0.087, P<0.001), and no significant association was observed between TBR (<3 mmol/L) and the TIR categories (P(trend)=0.378). The overall prevalence of abnormal CIMT and DR was 12.1% and 23.8%, respectively. The prevalence of abnormal CIMT in the 4 groups with ascending levels of TIR was 16.9% (59/349), 12.9% (96/746), 11.2% (57/510) and 9.0% (50/556) (P(trend)<0.001), respectively. And the prevalence of DR was 30.7% (107/349), 29.4% (219/746), 20.8% (106/510) and 14.9% (83/556), respectively (P(trend)<0.001). In the binary logistic regression model by adjusting confounding factors, compared with TIR≤ 40%, the risk of abnormal CIMT was reduced by 33.8% (OR=0.662, 95%CI: 0.456-0.963, P=0.031), 40.8% (OR=0.592, 95%CI: 0.390-0.899, P=0.014), and 45.0% (OR=0.550, 95%CI: 0.358-0.846, P=0.006) in the other three groups, respectively. And the risk of DR was reduced by 2.9% (OR=0.971, 95%CI: 0.725-1.301, P=0.844), 33.4%(OR=0.666, 95%CI: 0.479-0.924, P=0.015) and 53.3% (OR=0.467, 95%CI: 0.331-0.657, P<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: Using 40%, 70% and 85% as cut-off point of TIR helps stratify the risk of diabetic complications, and assess the glucose control (Poor: TIR≤40%; Unsatisfactory: TIR≤70%; Satisfactory: TIR>70%; Optimal: TIR>85%) in patients with T2DM.

Rheological behavior of molecular vs network chalcogenide supercooled liquids

The viscoelastic behavior of supercooled glass-forming liquids along the binary join As₄S₃-GeS₂ with As₄S₃ contents varying from 81.25 to 9 mol. % and correspondingly with structures varying from predominantly molecular to a three-dimensional tetrahedral network is studied by small-amplitude oscillatory shear parallel plate rheometry. The storage shear modulus G' shows a scaling behavior of G'(ω) ∼ ωⁿ in the terminal (low-frequency) regime, where n varies between 1 and 2 and shows an increasingly anomalous departure from the expected value of 2 (Maxwell scaling) with increasing molecule content. A concomitant departure from the Maxwell scaling is also observed for the loss modulus G″ at frequencies above the G'-G″ crossover. On the other hand, the variation in the phase angle δ with the complex modulus indicates that the molecular liquid does not display a purely viscous response even at the lowest frequencies. These results, combined with an analysis of the relaxation spectra of these liquids, suggest that the anomalous behavior of molecular liquids may be linked to their rather broad relaxation spectrum and the presence of slow relaxation processes associated with molecular clusters. Additionally, these liquids are also characterized by a wide high-frequency plateau in the relaxation spectral density that can be linked to the rotational dynamics of the constituent molecules. Such fundamental differences between the rheological behavior of molecular and network liquids may explain the significantly higher fragility of the former.

Topological Interface between Pfaffian and Anti-Pfaffian Order in ν=5/2 Quantum Hall Effect

A recent thermal Hall experiment triggered renewed interest in the problem of ν=5/2 quantum Hall effect, which motivated novel interpretations based on the formation of mesoscopic puddles made of Pfaffian and anti-Pfaffian topological orders. Here, we study an interface between the Pfaffian and anti-Pfaffian states, which may play crucial roles in thermal transport, by means of state-of-the-art, density-matrix renormalization group simulations. We demonstrate that an intrinsic electric dipole moment emerges at the interface, similar to the "p-n" junction sandwiched between N-type and P-type semiconductor. Importantly, we elucidate the topological origin of this dipole moment, whose formation is to counterbalance the mismatch of guiding-center Hall viscosity of bulk Pfaffian and anti-Pfaffian states. In addition, these results imply that the formation of a dipole moment could be helpful to stabilize the puddles made of Pfaffian and anti-Pfaffian states in experimental conditions.

The De Winter-like electrocardiogram pattern in inferior and lateral leads associated with left circumflex coronary artery occlusion

The aim of this report was to investigate coronary artery occlusion related to De Winter-like electrocardiogram (ECG) pattern. A patient admitted to Zhongshan Hospital who was diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome with De Winter-like ECG pattern was reviewed in our case report. In this case, we found that a De Winter-like ECG change in the inferior and lateral leads was associated with left circumflex coronary artery occlusion. After a timely reperfusion therapy, the symptom was obviously alleviated with a normalization of upsloping ST-segment. Doctors should be aware that De Winter-like ECG changes can also predict acute occlusion in any coronary artery, not only in the left anterior descending artery and right coronary artery but also in the left circumflex coronary artery.

Electrospun Yb-Doped In2O3 Nanofiber Field-Effect Transistors for Highly Sensitive Ethanol Sensors

Enhancing the reliability and sensitivity of gas sensors based on FETs has been of extensive concern for their practical application. However, few reports are available on nanofiber FET gas sensors fabricated by the electrospinning process. In this work, ethanol gas sensors based on Yb-doped In₂O₃ (InYbO) nanofiber FETs are fabricated by a simple and fast electrospinning method. The optimized In₂O₃ nanofiber FETs with a doping concentration of 4 mol % show a better electrical performance, including a high mobility of 6.67 cm²/Vs, an acceptable threshold voltage of 3.27 V, and a suitable on/off current ratio of 10⁷, especially the enhanced bias-stress stability. When employed in ethanol gas sensors, the gas sensors exhibit enhanced stability and improved sensitivity with a high response of 40-10 ppm, which is remarkably higher than that of previously reported ethanol gas sensors. Moreover, the InYbO nanofiber FET sensors also demonstrate a low limit of detection of 1 ppm and improved sensing performance ranging from sensitivity to the ability of selectivity. This work opens up a new prospect to achieve highly sensitive, selective, and reliable ethanol gas sensors using electrospun Yb-In₂O₃ nanofiber FETs with improved stability.

MiR-92 overexpression suppresses immune cell function in ovarian cancer via LATS2/YAP1/PD-L1 pathway

PURPOSE

Increasing evidence suggested that microRNA plays an important role in ovarian cancer. In this study, the role of miR-92 in ovarian cancer was investigated.

METHODS

In this study, miR-92 expression in clinical sample was evaluated, role of miR-92 was investigated in vitro, and underlying mechanism was investigated using Chip, co-IP, and western blot.

RESULTS

In this study, we show that miR-92 is overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissue compared with normal cancer tissue. Transfection of miR-92 increased proliferation of ovarian cancer cell, and increased migration capacity and colony formation were observed after miR-92 transfection; we found that expression of LATS2 was decreased by miR-92, and this was further confirmed by luciferase assay, which proved that miR-92 is targeting 3' of the endogenous LATS2 gene. Downregulation of LATS2 resulted in increased translocation of YAP1 and upregulation of PD-L1, which subsequently suppressed NK cell function and promoted T cell apoptosis. Moreover, co-transfection of YAP1-targeted shRNA could relieve miR-92-induced immune suppression effect. Mechanically, immunoprecipitation (IP) was used to show that LATS2 interacted with YAP1 and subsequently limited nuclear translocation of YAP1; chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was used to confirm that YAP1 could bind to enhancer region of PD-L1 to enhance transcription activity of PD-L1.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data revealed a novel mechanism which finally resulted in immune suppression in ovarian cancer.

Cardiovascular manifestations in severe and critical patients with COVID-19

Background

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) could cause virulent infection leading to Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19)‐related pneumonia as well as multiple organ injuries.

Hypothesis

COVID‐19 infection may result in cardiovascular manifestations leading to worse clinical outcome.

Methods

Fifty four severe and critical patients with confirmed COVID‐19 were enrolled. Risk factors predicting the severity of COVID‐19 were analyzed.

Results

Of the 54 patients (56.1 ± 13.5 years old, 66.7% male) with COVID‐19, 39 were diagnosed as severe and 15 as critical cases. The occurrence of diabetes, the level of D‐dimer, inflammatory and cardiac markers in critical cases were significantly higher. Troponin I (TnI) elevation occurred in 42.6% of all the severe and critical patients. Three patients experienced hypotension at admission and were all diagnosed as critical cases consequently. Hypotension was found in one severe case and seven critical cases during hospitalization. Sinus tachycardia is the most common type of arrythmia and was observed in 23 severe patients and all the critical patients. Atrioventricular block and ventricular tachycardia were observed in critical patients at end stage while bradycardia and atrial fibrillation were less common. Mild pericardial effusion was observed in one severe case and five critical cases. Three critical cases suffered new onset of heart failure. Hypotension during treatment, severe myocardial injury and pericardial effusion were independent risk factors predicting the critical status of COVID‐19 infection.

Conclusion

This study has systemically observed the impact of COVID‐19 on cardiovascular system, including myocardial injury, blood pressure, arrythmia and cardiac function in severe and critical cases. Monitoring of vital signs and cardiac function of COVID‐19 patients and applying potential interventions especially for those with hypotension during treatment, severe myocardial injury or pericardial effusion, is of vital importance.