Beam Spin Asymmetry in Semi-Inclusive Electroproduction of Hadron Pairs

A first measurement of the longitudinal beam spin asymmetry A_{LU} in the semi-inclusive electroproduction of pairs of charged pions is reported. A_{LU} is a higher-twist observable and offers the cleanest access to the nucleon twist-3 parton distribution function e(x). Data have been collected in the Hall-B at Jefferson Lab by impinging a 5.498-GeV electron beam on a liquid-hydrogen target, and reconstructing the scattered electron and the pion pair with the CLAS detector. One-dimensional projections of the A_{LU}^{sinϕ_{R}} moments are extracted for the kinematic variables of interest in the valence quark region. The understanding of dihadron production is essential for the interpretation of observables in single-hadron production in semi-inclusive DIS, and pioneering measurements of single-spin asymmetries in dihadron production open a new avenue in studies of QCD dynamics.

Optimal operation strategy of LWR based on the PCI online prognosis model

The pellet-cladding interaction (PCI) is one of the major issues in fuel rod during the power change operation in light water reactors (LWR). The frequent power transient will lead to the PCI failure, which results in the radioactive leakage. Unfortunately, the failure cannot be detected on time during operation. For solving this problem, the PCI results is calculated and predicted before the power transient, and the results is used for optimizing the operation strategy. As everyone knows, the calculation of the fuel is a cumbersome work, which is not fit for online evaluation. At first, we present a PCI online prognosis model in this paper by the method of radial basis function neural network (RBFNN). Based on this online model, an optimal operation strategy is present then. The PCI evaluation results is treated as the feedback of the strategy, which will go to the power control system to decide to carry out the power plan or to modify it. The presented operation strategy used the fast online prognosis model to predict the PCI status, which is used as a feedback signal to the power control system. The optimal operation strategy is tested by the experimental data from the references, and the results demonstrate its effectiveness.

Biosynthesis of a Novel Bioactive Metabolite of Spermidine from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens: Gene Mining, Sequence Analysis, and Combined Expression

Spermidine is a biologically active polyamine with extensive application potential in functional foods. However, previously reported spermidine titers by biosynthesis methods are relatively low, which hinders its industrial application. To improve the spermidine titer, key genes affecting the spermidine production were mined to modify Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. Genes of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (speD) and spermidine synthase (speE) from different microorganisms were expressed and compared in B. amyloliquefaciens. Therein, the speD from Escherichia coli and speE from Saccharomyces cerevisiae were confirmed to be optimal for spermidine synthesis, respectively. Gene and amino acid sequence analysis further confirmed the function of speD and speE. Then, these two genes were co-expressed to generate a recombinant strain B. amyloliquefaciens HSAM2(PDspeD-SspeE) with a spermidine titer of 105.2 mg/L, improving by 11.0-fold compared with the control (HSAM2). Through optimization of the fermentation medium, the spermidine titer was increased to 227.4 mg/L, which was the highest titer among present reports. Moreover, the consumption of the substrate S-adenosylmethionine was consistent with the accumulation of spermidine, which contributed to understanding its synthesis pattern. In conclusion, two critical genes for spermidine synthesis were obtained, and an engineering B. amyloliquefaciens strain was constructed for enhanced spermidine production.

[Development strategies and progress of composite resin filling material]

Composite resin filling material is the first choice for tooth direct bonding restoration. Its good performance can meet the requirements of clinical tooth repair treatment. It is used to restore the structure, aesthetic and function of defected teeth with a way of minimally invasive intervention. To further improve its clinical efficacy, the fundamental strategy is to ameliorate the limitation of material properties. Based on the summary of current research progress, this article focuses on the property of improved composite resin material, and the progress of developing novel resin material including antibacterial composite resin, bioactive remineralizing resin as well as self-healing resin, so as to provide innovative ideas for the future research of new composite resin filling materials.

Association of Vitamin D or Calcium Supplementation with Cardiovascular Outcomes and Mortality: A Meta-Analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis

BACKGROUND

To exploring the role of vitamin D or calcium supplementation in reducing all-cause mortality and cardiovascular outcomes.

METHODS

The search was restricted to systematic reviews or meta-analyses published from January 1, 2010, to July 7, 2019. An additional search was performed to identify recently published randomized controlled trials (from January 1, 2015, to July 7, 2019). Homogeneous results from different studies were pooled using Revman 5.3 software.

RESULTS

Twenty-three studies involving 89,251 participants were ultimately included in this meta-analysis. No associations were observed between the supplementation and composite cardiovascular outcomes, consisting of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, myocardial infarction, and other MACEs.

CONCLUSIONS

Whether used alone or in combination, vitamin D and calcium supplementation do not exert meaningful effects on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, MACEs or MI among community-dwelling adults.

Mechanism of miR-122-5p regulating the activation of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway on the cell proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells through targeting TP53 gene

OBJECTIVE

To explore the regulatory mechanism of microRNA-122-5p (miR-122-5) targeting tumor protein p53 (TP53) gene to mediate PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway on the proliferation and apoptosis of osteosarcoma (OS) cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

With the collection of osteosarcoma and normal adjacent tissues, the mRNA of miR-122-5p, TP53, PTEN, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, Bim, Bax, and Bcl-2 was detected by Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), followed by the detection of the protein expression by Western blot. The target relationship between miR-122-5p and TP53 gene was verified. The third generation osteosarcoma cells were divided into Blank group, miR-122-5p mimic negative control (NC) group, miR-122-5p mimic group, miR-122-5p inhibitor NC group, miR-122-5p inhibitor group, rapamycin group and miR-122-5p inhibitor + rapamycin group. Furthermore, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the proliferation ability, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis of each group after transfection.

RESULTS

The expression level of miR-122-5p in osteosarcoma was lower than that in normal tissues (p < 0.05), TP53, PTEN, Bim and Bax expression levels were decreased (all p < 0.05), while the expression levels of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR and Bcl-2 were highly upregulated (all p < 0.05). TP53 had the lowest expression in osteosarcoma cell line U-2OS (p < 0.05), which was selected for subsequent cell experiments. TP53 was the target gene of miR-122-5p. Compared with Blank group, miR-122-5p mimic group had increased expression of miR-122-5p (all p < 0.05); besides, there were significantly increased expression of TP53, PTEN, Bim, and Bax in miR-122-5p mimic group and rapamycin group, while remarkably decreased expression of PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR, and Bcl-2 (all p < 0.05), accompanied by increased proportion of cells in G0/G1 phase, decreased cell proportion in S phase, increased cell apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation (all p < 0.05). The opposite trends were found in miR-122-5p inhibitor group relative to miR-122-5p mimic group and rapamycin group (all p < 0.05). Meanwhile, no significant difference was found in miR-122-5p inhibitor+rapamycin group when compared with that in Blank group (all p > 0.05) except for significantly decreased miR-122-5p expression (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Upregulation of miR-122-5p may inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells by inhibiting the activation of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, which may be related to the targeted up-regulation of TP53 expression.

Prebiotic, Probiotic, Antimicrobial, and Functional Food Applications of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens belongs to the genus Bacillus and family Baciliaceae. It is ubiquitously found in food, plants, animals, soil, and in different environments. In this review, the application of B. amyloliquefaciens in probiotic and prebiotic microbes in fermentation, synthesis, and hydrolysis of food compounds is discussed as well as further insights into its potential application and gaps. B. amyloliquefaciens is also a potential microbe in the synthesis of bioactive compounds including peptides and exopolysaccharides. In addition, it can synthesize antimicrobial compounds (e.g., Fengycin, and Bacillomycin Lb), which makes its novelty in the food sector greater. Moreover, it imparts and improves the functional, sensory, and shelf life of the end products. The hydrolysis of complex compounds including insoluble proteins, carbohydrates, fibers, hemicellulose, and lignans also shows that B. amyloliquefaciens is a multifunctional and potential microbe which can be applied in the food industry and in functional food processing.

LncRNA MALAT1 affects high glucose-induced endothelial cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and angiogenesis by regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) on the high glucose-induced proliferation, apoptosis, migration and angiogenesis of endothelial cells and its potential mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were divided into 3 groups, including control group (medium with 5.5 mmol/L glucose), high glucose group (HG group, medium with 33.5 mmol/L glucose) and lncRNA MALAT1 knockdown group [HG + MALAT1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) group, medium with 33.5 mmol/L glucose]. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to observe the proliferation of HUVECs in each group at different time points. Meanwhile, the wound-healing assay was applied to detect the migratory ability of HUVECs in each group at 0 h and 24 h. The apoptosis rate of each group of cells was measured by means of flow cytometry, and the expression of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) was detected via immunofluorescence at the same time. In addition, the amount of neovascularization in each group of cells was observed through the tube formation assay. Finally, Western blotting was utilized to determine the expression level of proteins in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway in each group of cells.

RESULTS

Compared with that in the control group, the expression level of lncRNA MALAT1 in the HG group was elevated markedly (p<0.05). The proliferative capacity of HUVECs in the HG group was increased notably after knocking down lncRNA MALAT1 with siRNA (p<0.05). According to wound-healing assay, the knockdown of lncRNA MALAT1 could prominently reverse the declined HUVECs migratory ability induced by high glucose (p<0.05). Flow cytometry results manifested that the apoptosis level of HUVECs in the HG group was increased markedly, but inhibition on lncRNA MALAT1 could lower the apoptosis level evidently (p<0.05). The results of immunofluorescence showed that the expression of Bax in the HG + MALAT1 siRNA group was remarkably lower than that in the HG group (p<0.05). It was revealed in Western blotting that the knockdown of lncRNA MALAT1 could reverse the inhibition of high glucose on the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in HUVECs (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibiting lncRNA MALAT1 can promote endothelial cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis and repress endothelial cell apoptosis simultaneously, whose mechanism may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

[Clinicopathological and molecular features of biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma]

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic features, immunophenotype, molecular genetics and differential diagnosis of biphenotypic sinonasal sarcoma (BSNS), and to evaluate the role of PAX3 and PAX8 immunohistochemical (IHC) antibodies in the diagnosis of BSNS. Methods: Nasal sinus spindle cell tumors surgically treated at the Jinling Hospital from 2000 to 2019 were collected, including three cases of BSNS, 10 cases of acinar rhabdomyosarcoma, eight cases of schwannoma, five cases of hemangiopericytoma, three cases of fibrosarcoma, and one case of triton tumor. The cases were evaluated by histology, IHC by EnVision for PAX3 and PAX 8 (including PAX8 murine monoclonal antibody, clone number OTI6H8, hereinafter referred to as PAX8-OTI6H8 antibody; PAX8 rabbit monoclonal antibody, clone number EP298, hereinafter referred to as PAX8-EP298 antibody) molecular genetic tests. Results: All three BSNS patients were elderly women with clinical manifestations of nasal congestion and bleeding. Imaging showed a soft tissue density shadow of the nasal cavity and sinuses with bone destruction. The boundaries of tumors which were covered with ciliated columnar epithelium were unclear, and mucosal invasion and squamous metaplasia could be seen. Tumor cells were spindle-shaped, arranged in a bundle-like, braided arrangement, with little cellular atypia and occasional atypical mitotic figures. The tumoral interstitial vessels were mostly thin-walled, some showing staghorn-like changes. There was focal striated muscle differentiation in two cases, and bone invasion was seen in two cases. IHC staining showed that all three cases of BSNS expressed PAX3 and PAX8-OTI6H8, but not PAX8-EP298. All eight cases of schwannoma, five cases of hemangiopericytoma, and one case of triton tumor did not express PAX3, PAX8-OTI6H8 or PAX8-EP298. Eight of the ten cases of alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma expressed PAX3 and PAX8-OTI6H8, but not PAX8-EP298. Three cases of fibrosarcoma showed weak PAX3 and PAX8-OTI6H8 expression, but there was no PAX8-EP298 expression. FISH detection showed that PAX3 break apart in the tumor cells from all three patients (four specimens). Conclusions: BSNS is a distinct sinonasal low grade malignancy with dual differentiation which could be readily confused with a variety of spindle cell tumors encountered in the sinonasal cavity. The molecular genetics of PAX3 gene break is the gold standard for diagnosis of this tumor. IHC marker monoclonal PAX3 is 100% expressed in BSNS, while the specificity is limited. PAX8-OTI6H8 is also expressed in BSNS due to the cross reaction with PAX3 antibody, while PAX8-EP298 is all negative for these tumors.

A population-based study of pulmonary monitoring and toxicity for patients with testicular cancer treated with bleomycin

Background

Bleomycin is commonly used to treat advanced testicular cancer and can be associated with severe pulmonary toxicity. The primary objective of the present study was to describe the use of pulmonary function tests (pfts) and chest imaging before, during, and after treatment with bleomycin.

Methods

To identify all incident cases of testicular cancer treated with bleomycin-based chemotherapy in the Canadian province of Ontario during 2005-2010, the Ontario Cancer Registry was linked with chemotherapy treatment records. Health administrative databases were used to describe use of pfts, chest imaging, and physician visits for respiratory complaints.

Results

Of 394 patients treated with orchiectomy and chemotherapy who received at least 1 dose of bleomycin, 93% had complete chemotherapy records available. In the 4 weeks before, during, and within 2 years after finishing bleomycin-based chemotherapy, pfts were performed in 17%, 17%, and 29% of patients respectively. Chest imaging was performed in 68%, 62%, and 98% of patients in the same time periods. In the 2 years after bleomycin-based chemotherapy, 23% of treated patients had a physician visit for respiratory symptoms. That rate was substantially higher for men with greater exposure to bleomycin: 40% (24 of 60) for 10-12 doses bleomycin compared with 21% (53 of 250) for 7-9 doses and with 14% (8 of 58) for 1-6 doses (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Quality improvement initiatives are needed to increase baseline rates of chest imaging within 4 weeks of starting chemotherapy for testicular cancer; to understand why such a high proportion of men have chest imaging during bleomycin-based chemotherapy; and to mitigate the excess pulmonary toxicity seen with increasing exposure to bleomycin.

Long non-coding RNA BLACAT1 inhibits prostate cancer cell proliferation through sponging miR-361

OBJECTIVE

LncRNAs play a key role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. In this study, the effects of the lncRNA BLACAT1 in prostate cancer were investigated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of BLACAT1 and miR-361 in prostate cancer tissues and adjacent normal tissues (n=25). The function of BLACAT1 was detected through proliferation assay and apoptosis assay. The interaction between BLACAT1 and miR-361 in prostate cancer was studied by luciferase assay, RNA immunoprecipitation assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis were performed to detect the BLACAT1 binding proteins. The xenograft mice experiment was performed to further confirm the functional significance of lncRNA BLACAT1 in vivo.

RESULTS

In patient samples and prostate cancer cell lines, BLACAT1 was down-regulated and inversely proportional to DNMT1, HDAC1, EZH2, MDM2 and miR-361 expression. Treatment with 5-azacytidine and chidamide enhanced BLACAT1 expression and decreased the levels of miR-361. The BALCAT1 promoter was methylated in prostate cancer tissue and found to interact with miR-361 via luciferase assays. BLACAT1 bound to EZH2, DNMT1 and HDAC1. ChIP-seq analysis revealed that HDAC1 interacts with STAT3, while EZH2 interacts with the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) promoter.

CONCLUSIONS

Two regulatory axes of BLACAT1-EZH2-MAPK and BLACAT1-HDAC1-STAT3 were identified to be associated with the progression of prostate cancer. Both chidamide and 5-azacytidine represent promising therapeutic options in prostate cancer treatment.

Breast cancer patients have lower in-hospital mortality after acute coronary syndrome, a 5 year nationwide analysis

Background

Breast cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) share common risk factors, and breast cancer therapies are well known to cause cardiotoxicity. Prior studies highlighted the higher burden coronary artery disease and the importance to further assess its consequences on breast cancer patients.

Purpose

We sought to evaluate the revascularization rate and in-hospital short-term outcomes of breast cancer patients following acute coronary syndrome (ACS) compared to the general female population.

Methods

We reviewed the Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2010 to 2014 to identify female patients with principal diagnosis of ACS (ST-elevation and non ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina). Two subgroups were identified, women with a history of breast cancer and women without, and were propensity matched.

Multivariate regression analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of breast cancer on primary outcome (in-hospital mortality) and secondary outcomes: occurrence of shock, acute kidney injury (AKI), mechanical ventilation (MV), and length of stay (LOS). We also compared the rate of cardiac procedures. Statistical significance of odd ratios (OR) is defined with p-value&lt;0.05 and reported 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

We identified a total of 245,563 female patients with primary diagnosis of ACS, among them 10,625 (4.3%) had a history of breast cancer. The comorbidity of breast cancer was associated with statistically significant lower rates of mortality (OR 0.83, CI 0.74–0.94), shock (OR 0.87, CI 0.77–0.99), AKI (OR 0.90, CI 0.82–0.98), MV (OR 0.81, CI 0.71–0.92) and relative 5.4% decrease in LOS (CI: −7.8%, −3.0%). The cardiac procedural rates were similar for left heart catheterization (OR 0.96, CI 0.90–1.02), for percutaneous coronary intervention (OR 0.95, CI 0.89–1.02) and for CABG (OR 0.88, CI 0.78–1.00) compared to control group.

Conclusion

Breast cancer patients received a comparable catheterization and revascularization procedure rate and exhibited a statistically significant lower morbidity and mortality rates during hospitalization after an ACS event compared to the general female population.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Extraction of Beam-Spin Asymmetries from the Hard Exclusive π^{+} Channel off Protons in a Wide Range of Kinematics

We have measured beam-spin asymmetries to extract the sinϕ moment A_{LU}^{sinϕ} from the hard exclusive e[over →]p→e^{'}nπ^{+} reaction above the resonance region, for the first time with nearly full coverage from forward to backward angles in the center of mass. The A_{LU}^{sinϕ} moment has been measured up to 6.6  GeV^{2} in -t, covering the kinematic regimes of generalized parton distributions (GPD) and baryon-to-meson transition distribution amplitudes (TDA) at the same time. The experimental results in very forward kinematics demonstrate the sensitivity to chiral-odd and chiral-even GPDs. In very backward kinematics where the TDA framework is applicable, we found A_{LU}^{sinϕ} to be negative, while a sign change was observed near 90° in the center of mass. The unique results presented in this Letter will provide critical constraints to establish reaction mechanisms that can help to further develop the GPD and TDA frameworks.

[Prevalence and associated factors regarding electronic cigarette smoking among adults in Shandong province]

Objective: To understand the awareness, current or past behavior on electronic cigarette smoking (ECS) and associated factors, among adults aged ≥15 years old in Shandong province. Relationship between ECS and cessation of smoking was also studied. Methods: Using the global standard questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 6 401 adults selected by stratified multi-stage cluster sample method. Electronic data was collected by handheld computer. Data were weighted and analyzed by SPSS 19.0 complex program. Results: The prevalence rates of awareness, ever or current smoking of e-cigarettes appeared as 37.6%, 3.8% and 0.6% respectively. Data from logistic regression analysis showed that risk factors for ECS were living in urban area, at younger age, being current or former cigarettes smoker and with knowledge on the risks of smoking or being encouraged to stop smoking. Among the electronic cigarettes smokers, those who tried to quit smoking (30.1%) had a significantly higher rate than that of the non-smokers (19.5%) (P<0.05), however, the successful quitting rate was much lower than that in the non-ECS users (P<0.05). Conclusions: Rates on the awareness and uptake of electronic cigarettes are on the rise. It is necessary to strengthen and standardize the monitoring programs to provide evidence for setting up targeting intervention strategies.

LncRNA ADPGK-AS1 regulated cell proliferation, invasion, migration and apoptosis via targeting miR-542-3p in osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE

The functions of lncRNAs have been verified to be important biomarkers and regulators for diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. In osteosarcoma (OS), emerging evidence determined that lncRNA was associated with cell progression. However, due to the high incidence and recurrence rate of osteosarcoma, it is important to find an effective treatment for osteosarcoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

QRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of ADPGK-AS1 and miR-542-3p in tissues and cells. Western blot was applied to measure the protein expression of CDK4, Cyclin D1, Bcl-2, Bax, Cleaved caspase-3, MMP-2, and MMP-9. MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to measure cell proliferation and apoptosis. Cell invasion and migration were determined using the transwell assay. Moreover, luciferase reporter assay was used to ensure the relation between ADPGK-AS1 and miR-542-3p.

RESULTS

LncRNA ADPGK-AS1 expression was induced while miR-542-3p expression was reduced in OS tissues and cells. Functional experiments showed that inhibition of ADPGK-AS1 could decrease cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, as well as promoted cell apoptosis in OS cells. Also, miR-542-3p has been verified to be a target miRNA of ADPGK-AS1 and miR-542-3p could reverse the effects of ADPGK-AS1 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in OS cells.

CONCLUSIONS

ADPGK-AS1 affected cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis via targeting miR-542-3p in OS, providing a theoretical basis and a new therapeutic target for the diagnosis and treatment of OS.

MicroRNA-449b-5p promotes the progression of osteoporosis by inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via targeting Satb2

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the role of microRNA-449b-5p in osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and its mechanism of action.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was used to detect the expression levels of microRNA-449b-5p and osteogenic markers including RUNX2, OCN during BMSCs differentiation. The microRNA-449b-5p mimic and microRNA-449b-5p inhibitors were transfected into BMSCs to achieve microRNA-449b-5p overexpression and knockdown, then the expressions of osteogenic markers were detected by qRT-PCR. The ALP activity staining and the alizarin red staining were used to detect the activity of ALP and the mineralization ability of cells after overexpression and knockdown of microRNA-449b-5p. Binding sites for microRNA-449b-5p and Satb2 were predicted by TargetScan, the PicTar and microRNAanda programs, and confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The relationship between microRNA-449b-5p and Satb2 was analyzed by QRT-PCR and Western blot. The microRNA-449b-5p inhibitor and shSATB2 lentivirus were simultaneously transfected in BMSCs, and the expression levels of RUNX2, OCN and ALP were detected by qRT-PCR and ALP activity assays.

RESULTS

microRNA-449b-5p expression gradually decreased during osteogenic differentiation. Overexpression of microRNA-449b-5p inhibited BMSCs differentiation by down-regulating ALP activity, RUNX2, and OCN expression, while the opposite result was observed after knockdown of microRNA-449b-5p. MicroRNA-449b-5p can bind to the 3'UTR end of Satb2, which was involved in the osteogenic differentiation of microRNA-449b-5p-regulated BMSCs, and silencing of Satb2 can abolish the positive effect of the microRNA-449b-5p inhibitor on osteoblasts differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS

microRNA-449b-5p could aggravate osteoporosis by inhibiting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs through targeting Satb2.

[Expression of tropomyosin 2 in aortic dissection tissue]

Objective: To investigate the expression pattern of tropomyosin 2(TPM2) in aorta of patients with aortic dissection and explore its clinical implication. Methods: Thirteen cases with acute type A aortic dissection(TAAD) diagnosed by transabdominal aortic angiography from 2015 in Tongji Hospital were included. During the operation, the aortic wall tissues of these patients were collected. Ten patients with heart transplantation were selected as control group, and normal aortic wall tissues were taken. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Verhoeff's Van Gieson (EVG) staining were performed to observe the morphological changes of aorta. The mRNA expression level of TPM2 was measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative-PCR, and the protein levels of TPM2 were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining. Image The J software was used to collect the optical density values of each point on the image, obtain the integrated optical density(IOD) value, and calculate the average density(%, IOD/area of the target distribution area). Results: HE and EVG staining revealed medial degeneration and broken elastic fiber in aorta of TAAD patients. The mRNA expression levels of TPM2 were significantly upregulated in aorta of TAAD patients as compared to the control group (P<0.05), so as the TPM2 protein expression levels ((9.73±1.20)% vs. (0.11±0.04)%, P<0.05). And TPM2 was mainly expressed in cytoplasm. Conclusion: The increased expression of TPM2 in TAAD patients hints that TPM2 might be involved in the pathogenesis of aortic dissection.

Lee Silverman Voice Treatment for dysarthria in patients with Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Approximately 89% of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) suffer from dysarthria. Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT), a behavioral therapy, aims to improve speech and voice functions. The objective was to assess the effectiveness of LSVT compared with other/no speech interventions for dysarthria in patients with PD. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library, were searched. The publication date of all included studies was before 6 March 2020. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the LSVT intervention compared with other/no speech intervention were considered. The data obtained from the included studies were described and the mean differences were calculated. Eight RCTs were included in this meta-analysis comparing LSVT with other/no speech interventions. In the comparison of LSVT versus no intervention, vocal intensity for sustained 'Ah' phonation, reading the 'Rainbow passage', monologue and describing a picture increased by 8.87, 4.34, 3.25 and 3.31 dB, respectively, after 1 month of therapy. Compared with the respiratory therapy group, the LSVT group also showed significant improvement in vocal intensity for sustained 'Ah' phonation, reading the 'Rainbow passage' and monologue immediately after treatment (13.39, 6.66 and 3.19 dB). Positive improvement still existed after 24 months. There was no difference in the therapeutic effect between face-to-face and online LSVT. The effectiveness of LSVT for dysarthria in patients with PD was verified in these trials. However, future RCTs with sufficient participants are essential to evaluate the effectiveness of LSVT for dysarthria.

Circ-VANGL1 promotes the progression of osteoporosis by absorbing miRNA-217 to regulate RUNX2 expression

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate whether circ-VANGL1 can promote the progression of osteoporosis (OP) by absorbing miRNA-217 to regulate RUNX2 expression.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The serum levels of circ-VANGL1, miRNA-217 and RUNX2 in OP patients and non-OP patients were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Their expression levels in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) at different time points of osteogenesis differentiation were determined as well. The expression levels of RUNX2 and osteogenic proteins (BSP, OCN, OPN) in hBMSCs were detected by Western blot. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to verify the relationship among circ-VANGL1, miRNA-217 and RUNX2. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was conducted to evaluate the degree of osteogenic differentiation influenced by circ-VANGL1 and miRNA-217.

RESULTS

OP patients presented a higher serum level of miRNA-217 and lower serum levels of circ-VANGL1 and RUNX2 relative to non-OP patients. Circ-VANGL1 accelerated osteogenic differentiation by absorbing miRNA-217 to regulate RUNX2 expression. Moreover, miRNA-217 inhibited osteogenic differentiation by degrading RUNX2 by targeting to RUNX2 3'UTR. The overexpression of circ-VANGL1 upregulated expressions of RUNX2, BSP, OCN, and OPN. Meanwhile, ALP activity increased in hBMSCs overexpressing circ-VANGL1. However, co-overexpression of circ-VANGL1 and miRNA-217 did not alter RUNX2 expression. ALP activity in hBMSCs co-overexpressing circ-VANGL1 and miRNA-217 slightly increased, but had no difference with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Circ-VANGL1 promotes the development of OP via binding to miRNA-217 to downregulate RUNX2 expression.

AB0474 CAROTID CONTRAST ENHANCED ULTRASOUND IN CASES OF TAKAYASU ARTERITIS COMPLICATED WITH BEHCET’S DISEASE

Background:

Carotid contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is used for diagnosis and activity determination of patients with Takayasu’s arteritis (TA). However, very little is known about the carotid CEUS features of TA complicated with Behcet’s disease (BD).

Objectives:

This study reports the carotid CEUS features in cases of TA complicated with BD (TBD).

Methods:

A total of 10 carotid CEUS examinations were performed on 4 patients of TBD. 10 TA patients complicated with no rheumatoid disease were included as control group. For each carotid artery lesion, the carotid CEUS features was graded as follows: Grade 0, artery wall shows no microbubbles, Grade 1, artery wall shows limited or moderate microbubbles, Grade 2, artery wall shows severe microbubbles.

Results:

2/10 patients in TBD group has oral ulcer during the CEUS examination, while all the other patients included in our study showed no clinical symptoms related to active TA or BD. The carotid wall thickness was greater of CEUS grade 2 than grade 1 in both group(TBD: 2.62±0.74mm vs 1.66±0.22mm,p=0.001; TA:1.84±0.31mm vs 1.53±0.5mm,p=0.136). The carotid wall thickness was significantly greater in TBD group than TA group, but there was no significant differences between the two groups in clinical data and CEUS grade (table 1).

Table 1.

Clinical data and carotid CEUS features of both groups

TBDTApAge (year)32.5±3.4430.5±9.20.487Male320.605ESR (mm/h)4(2, 10)7(3.5, 11)0.406CRP (mg/L)6.42(0.55, 15.38)0.58(0.44, 5.05)0.168Wall thickness (mm)2.10±0.701.67±0.440.030CEUS grade 29120.527

Conclusion:

This study first shows carotid CEUS features in cases of TA complicated with BD, which may help with the comprehensive treatments of the disease.

Disclosure of Interests: :

None declared