Correction to: Can We Accurately Predict Cost Effectiveness Without Access to Overall Survival Data? The Case Study of Nivolumab in Combination with Ipilimumab for the Treatment of Patients with Advanced Melanoma in England

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[Role of Yes-associated protein 1 in angiotensinⅡ-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats]

Objective: To explore the mechanism of Yes-associated protein 1 (Yap1) in angiotensinⅡ(AngⅡ)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods:In vivo, 18 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three equal groups with 6 rats in each group, including control group, bleomycin-treated group (BLM), and BLM+ AngⅡ group. 28 days later, the lung tissues in all groups were harvested for the HE and Masson staining as well as the immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for Yap1. In vitro, the isolated fibroblasts were treated with 10(-7) mmol/L AngⅡor the AngⅡ-targeted inhibitor irbesartan for the scheduled time for mRNA and protein expressions of Yap1, PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), and collagen Ⅰusing PCR and Western blot, as well as the translocation test from the nucleus to the cytoplasm of Yap1 and TAZ. Subsequently, the fibroblasts were assigned into 4 groups: the empty plasmid (vector) group, the vector+ AngⅡ group, the Yap1 shRNA group, and the Yap1 shRNA+ AngⅡ group. Western blot was used to detect the relative expressions of Yap1, TAZ, Smad3 and collagen Ⅰ. The CCK-8 and EdU assays were performed to determine the proliferative capacity. Results:In vivo, severe lung fibrosis and increased Yap1 expression of IHC staining were found in BLM group. Additionally, more severe lung fibrosis and higher Yap1 expression were detected in the BLM+ AngⅡ group than the BLM group (both P<0.05). In vitro, both the mRNA and protein relative expressions of Yap1, TAZ and collagenⅠ were markedly higher in AngⅡ-treated groups than the control group (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the relative expression of phosphorylated Yap1 reached its peak at 2 h after AngⅡ stimulation. In the protein translocation tests, after treated with AngⅡ for 24 h, the relative protein levels of Yap1 and TAZ in the nucleus of the AngⅡ group were significantly higher than those in the control group (0.382±0.007 vs 0.031±0.001, 1.097±0.030 vs 0.357±0.015). However, the relative protein expressions in the cytoplasm of the AngⅡ group were obviously less than that in the control group (0.323±0.058 vs 0.418±0.044, 0.858±0.059 vs 1.201±0.015). Compared with the AngⅡ group, the expressions of Yap1 and TAZ in the AngⅡ+ irbesartan group were higher in cytoplasm (0.598±0.060 vs 0.323±0.058, 1.495±0.052 vs 0.858±0.059), while lower in the nucleus (0.323±0.058 vs 0.418±0.044, 0.858±0.059 vs 1.201±0.015) (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the relative protein expressions of Yap1, TAZ, Smad3 and collagenⅠin Yap1 shRNA+ AngⅡ group were distinctly lower than the vector+ AngⅡ group (all P<0.05). In the cell proliferation tests, the absorbance and the percentage of EdU positive cells of vector+ AngⅡ group exceeded that of vector group (both P<0.05). However, the absorbance and the percentage of EdU positive cells in the Yap1 shRNA+ AngⅡgroup were less than the vector+ AngⅡ group (both P<0.05). Conclusion: AngiotensinⅡ promoted the collagen synthesis and cell proliferation in primary lung fibroblasts by increasing the Yap1 activity, leading to the progress of fibrosis.

[Endoscopy-assisted transoral removal of deep hilar and intraparenchymal stones in the Wharton's duct]

Objective: To investigate the different surgical approaches and long-term outcomes of endoscopy-assisted transoral removal of deep hilar and intraparenchymal stones in the Wharton's duct. Methods: From January 2008 to March 2018, 481 consecutive patients with deep hilar and intraparenchymal calculi in the Wharton's duct underwent endoscopy-assisted transoral removal at Deparment of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. There were 250 males and 231 females. Their ages ranged from 9-86 years. We operated 476 patients under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, and the remaining 5 were operated under general anesthesia. On the basis of ultrasonography, spiral CT, sialography and endoscopy, the calculi were classified into 4 types: hilum stones (located at the hilum or proximally with a distance <5 mm from the hilum), infra-hilum stones (intra-glandular stones with a distance of 5-10 mm from the hilum), intraparenchymal stones (with a distance ≥10 mm from the hilum), and multiple stones (concomitant hilum and intra-glandular stones). The treatment approaches included: hilum duct slitting, intraparenchymal duct slitting, submandibulotomy and intraductal retrieval. The success rate, immediate safety and effectiveness of different types of stones were evaluated. After surgery, the patients were followed up, and gland function was analyzed on the basis of clinical symptoms and signs. Results: The calculi sizes varied from 3 to 25 mm, with a mean of 7.8 mm. The calculi were located in the right submandibular gland in 259 patients, in the left submandibular gland in 219 patients and in bilateral glands in 3 patients. The calculi were successfully removed in 446 glands, with a success rate of 92.1% (446/484). The success rate varied according to the stone sites: 97.8% (363/371) for hilum stones, 64.4% (29/45) for infra-hilum stones, 4/16 for intraparenchymal stones and 96.2% (50/52) for multiple stones. The main treatment methods applied included hilum duct slitting in 347 glands, intraparenchymal duct slitting in 13, submandibulotomy in 4, intraductal retrieval in 73, and hilum duct slitting accompanied by intraductal retrieval in 9. Ductal breakage occurred in 2 glands. All patients complained of mild to moderate pain with a duration of 3-7 days. Nine had temporal lingual nerve injury. During 3-120 months' follow-up (mean 36 months) of the total 484 glands, 1.6% (7/446) developed ranula, 1.3% (6/446) experienced obturation of the main duct and 2.0% (9/446) had recurrent stones. The remaining 95.1% (424/446) glands were symptom-free with good function. Conclusions: Endoscopy-assisted transoral removal of deep hilar and intraparenchymal submandibular calculi is a safe and effective gland-preserving procedure. According to the depth, size and number of the calculi, variant surgical approaches should be attempted to maximize the success rate and to minimize the side effects.

[Clinical study of endoscopy-assisted lithectomy of parotid gland calculi via a transoral approach]

Objective: To investigate the indications and long-term outcomes of endoscopy-assisted removal of parotid gland calculi via a transoral approach. Methods: From August 2005 to December 2016, 158 consecutive patients with parotid gland calculi underwent endoscopy-assisted lithectomy transorally. They included 71 males and 87 females, with an age of 5-84 years. The immediate safety and effectiveness were evaluated. After surgery, the patients were followed up, and gland function was analyzed on the basis of clinical manifestations, sialography, scintigraphy and sialometry. Postoperative sialograms were categorized into 2 types: ①type Ⅰ, the main duct was normal or had ectasia and stenosis, but no persistent contrast was seen on the functional film; ②type Ⅱ, the main duct had ectasia or stenosis, with persistent contrast media on the functional film. Results: Under one endoscopic procedure, the stones (or foreign bodies) were completely removed in 134 cases and almost completely removed in 10 cases, with a success rate of 91.1% (144/158). Of the 144 successful cases, the treatment options included direct basket retrieval or forceps grasping in 77 cases, basket entrapment with direct ostium incision in 36, basket capture with perio-ostium incision in 23 and perio-ostium incision in 8 cases with impacted stones. In two of the initial 14 failure cases, the stones were discharged spontaneously 3 months after operation. During 3-120 months' follow-up (mean 36 months) of the 146 patients, one had recurrent stone, two developed ductal obturation, 16 had mild symptoms, and the remaining 127 cases were asymptomatic. Of the postoperative sialograms in 34 stone-free patients 25 were type Ⅰ, 9 were type Ⅱ. Both scintigraphy and saliva flow rate indicated an improvement of the affected gland function in some degree (P<0.05). Conclusions: Transoral endoscopy-assisted removal of parotid gland calculi is a safe and effective technique. It is mainly indicated for mobile stones in the main duct or impacted stones in the anterior third of the Stensen's duct. Sialography, scintigraphy and sialometry show postoperative improvement of gland function in most of the cases.

Integrative Analysis of Genome and Expression Profile Data Reveals the Genetic Mechanism of the Diabetic Pathogenesis in Goto Kakizaki (GK) Rats

The Goto Kakizaki (GK) rats which can spontaneously develop type 2 diabetes (T2D), are generated by repeated inbreeding of Wistar rats with glucose intolerance. The glucose intolerance in GK rat is mainly attributed to the impairment in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). In addition, GK rat display a decrease in beta cell mass, and a change in insulin action. However, the genetic mechanism of these features remain unclear. In the present study, we analyzed the population variants of GK rats and control Wistar rats by whole genome sequencing and identified 1,839 and 1,333 specific amino acid changed (SAAC) genes in GK and Wistar rats, respectively. We also detected the putative artificial selective sweeps (PASS) regions in GK rat which were enriched with GK fixed variants and were under selected in the initial diabetic-driven derivation by homogeneity test with the fixed and polymorphic sites between GK and Wistar populations. Finally, we integrated the SAAC genes, PASS region genes and differentially expressed genes in GK pancreatic beta cells to reveal the genetic mechanism of the impairment in GSIS, a decrease in beta cell mass, and a change in insulin action in GK rat. The results showed that Slc2a2 gene was related to impaired glucose transport and Adcy3, Cacna1f, Bmp4, Fam3b, and Ptprn2 genes were related to Ca²⁺ channel dysfunction which may responsible for the impaired GSIS. The genes Hnf4g, Bmp4, and Bad were associated with beta cell development and may be responsible for a decrease in beta cell mass while genes Ide, Ppp1r3c, Hdac9, Ghsr, and Gckr may be responsible for the change in insulin action in GK rats. The overexpression or inhibition of Bmp4, Fam3b, Ptprn2, Ide, Hnf4g, and Bad has been reported to change the glucose tolerance in rodents. However, the genes Bmp4, Fam3b, and Ptprn2 were found to be associated with diabetes in GK rats for the first time in the present study. Our findings provide a comprehensive genetic map of the abnormalities in GK genome which will be helpful in understand the underlying genetic mechanism of pathogenesis of diabetes in GK rats.

Observation of Ultrastrong Spin-Motion Coupling for Cold Atoms in Optical Microtraps

We realize a mechanical analogue of the Dicke model, achieved by coupling the spin of individual neutral atoms to their quantized motion in an optical trapping potential. The atomic spin states play the role of the electronic states of the atomic ensemble considered in the Dicke model, and the in-trap motional states of the atoms correspond to the states of the electromagnetic field mode. The coupling between spin and motion is induced by an inherent polarization gradient of the trapping light fields, which leads to a spatially varying vector light shift. We experimentally show that our system reaches the ultrastrong coupling regime; i.e., we obtain a coupling strength that is a significant fraction of the trap frequency. Moreover, with the help of an additional light field, we demonstrate the in situ tuning of the coupling strength. Beyond its fundamental interest, the demonstrated one-to-one mapping between the physics of optically trapped cold atoms and the Dicke model paves the way for implementing protocols and applications that exploit extreme coupling strengths.

[Clinical significance of detection of soluble interleukin 2 receptor alpha chain in the assessment of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity]

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (sIL-2Rα, sCD25) in serum for the determination of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity.

METHODS

Peripheral blood was collected from 108 patients with RA, 39 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 50 healthy control subjects, and synovial fluids were from 40 patients with RA. The sera from the patients with RA, the disease control group (osteoarthritis), the healthy control group, and the synovial fluids of the RA patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters of the patients with RA were recorded and the correlation with the serum sCD25 level was analyzed.

RESULTS

The serum sCD25 concentration in RA group was (2 886±1 333) ng/L, the serum sCD25 concentration in OA group was (2 090±718) ng/L, and the serum sCD25 concentration in healthy group was (1 768±753) ng/L. The serum sCD25 level in the patients with RA was significantly higher than that in the disease controls and healthy controls (P<0.001). Sensitivity of serum sCD25 in the diagnosis of RA was 66.1% and specificity was 83.0%;serum sCD25 levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.321, P=0.001), C-reactive protein (r=0.446, P<0.001), DAS28 score (r=0.324, P<0.001), joint tenderness count (r=0.203, P=0.024), D-dimer levels (r=0.383, P<0.001), age (r=0.24, P=0.007), IgG (r=0.207, P=0.028), HRF-IgG (r=0.345, P=0.034) showed a significant positive correlation, and disease duration (r=-0.206, P=0.021) showed a negative correlation with sCD25;In patients with rheumatoid arthritis, the positive rates of serum ESR, CRP, and sCD25 were 14.3% (2 cases), 14.3% (2 cases), and 71.4% (10 cases) in the low disease activity group. The positive rates of serum ESR, CRP and sCD25 in the moderate disease activity group were 94.2% (49 cases), 82.7% (43 cases), and 86.5% (45 cases). The positive rates of serum ESR, CRP, and sCD25 in the high disease activity group were 100% (42 cases), 95.2% (40 cases), and 90.5% (38 cases);36 cases of ESR and/or CRP were negative (about 33.3%) in 108 patients, serum sCD5 levels of 17 cases in these 36 cases (about 47.2%)increased, of which 14 cases (about 82.4%) had a DAS28 score higher than 3.2.

CONCLUSION

The serum sCD25 has a high specificity for diagnosis of RA and a poor sensitivity. The serum level is closely related to the activity of RA, indicating that sCD25 may be involved in the inflammatory process of RA and may become a new inflammatory marker of RA. It is more meaningful for detection of serum sCD25 when RA is active, but ESR and/or CRP is negative.

[Role and mechanism of lipopolysaccharide induced exosome in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury]

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of exosome derived from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse macrophage (RAW264.7) on acute lung injury. Methods: RAW264.7 were cultured in vitro and divided into 2 groups: control group and LPS-induced group. The exosomes were extracted from the two groups of cell supernatant by ultracentrifugation and classified into 2 groups: C-EXO group and LPS-EXO group. In vivo, random allocation was used to averagely divide the eighteen male C57BL/6 mice into 3 groups: control group, EXO-control group and EXO-LPS group. All mice were sacrificed after 12 h. The lung tissue was used for HE staining to assess the degree of acute lung injury as well as immunohistochemical staining for interleukin (IL) -1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The tissue protein expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, β-catenin, E-cadhein, ZO-1 and Occludin were measured by Western blot. In vitro, alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells (MLE-12) were cultured and divided into 3 groups: C-control group, EXO-control-induced group and EXO-LPS-induced group. The tissue protein expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and Occludin were measured by Western blot after 12 h. Results: The two samples of C-EXO group and LPS-EXO group was proved to be exosomes. Under a light microscope, the lung tissue of EXO-LPS group showed inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhage, interstitial and alveolar edema, and the thickness of alveolar septum. The tissue protein levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in EXO-LPS group were obviously higher than the control group, EXO-control group (1.331±0.203 and 0.274±0.018, 0.892±0.074; 0.800±0.096 and 0.596±0.025, 0.441±0.061; all P<0.05). While the tissue protein levels of Occludin showed the opposite phenomenon (0.251±0.021 and 0.862±0.029, 0.453±0.013; all P<0.05). In vitro, Compared with the C-control group and the EXO-control-induced group, the expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α increased significantly in the EXO-LPS-induced group (0.900±0.033 and 0.320±0.030, 0.661±0.028; 0.739±0.045 and 0.151±0.024, 0.360±0.037; all P<0.05). whereas the protein levels of Occludin expression were reversed in MLE-12 (0.585±0.082 and 0.941±0.090, 0.732±0.083; all P<0.05). Conclusion: Exosomes derived from LPS-induced RAW264.7 can induced the acute lung injury by affecting barrier function, which probably is related to the low degree of Occludin in alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cells.

Integrated Analysis of MicroRNA (miRNA) and mRNA Profiles Reveals Reduced Correlation between MicroRNA and Target Gene in Cancer

BACKGROUND

Accumulating evidences demonstrated that microRNA-target gene pairs were closely related to tumorigenesis and development. However, the correlation between miRNA and target gene was insufficiently understood, especially its changes between tumor and normal tissues.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes of correlation of miRNAs-target pairs between normal and tumor.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

5680 mRNA and 5740 miRNA expression profiles of 11 major human cancers were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The 11 cancer types were bladder urothelial carcinoma, breast invasive carcinoma, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, kidney chromophobe, kidney renal clear cell carcinoma, kidney renal papillary cell carcinoma, liver hepatocellular carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, lung squamous cell carcinoma, stomach adenocarcinoma, and thyroid carcinoma. For each cancer type, we firstly obtained differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and genes (DEGs) in tumor and then acquired critical miRNA-target gene pairs by combining DEMs, DEGs and two experimentally validated miRNA-target interaction databases, miRTarBase and miRecords. We collected samples with both miRNA and mRNA expression values and performed a correlation analysis by Pearson method for miRNA-target pairs in normal and tumor, respectively.

RESULTS

We totally got 4743 critical miRNA-target pairs across 11 cancer types, and 4572 of them showed weaker correlation in tumor than in normal. The average correlation coefficients of miRNA-target pairs were different greatly between normal (-0.38 ~ -0.61) and tumor (-0.04 ~ -0.26) for 11 cancer type. The pan-cancer network, which consisted of 108 edges connecting 35 miRNAs and 89 target genes, showed the interactions of pairs appeared in multicancers.

CONCLUSIONS

This comprehensive analysis revealed that correlation between miRNAs and target genes was greatly reduced in tumor and these critical pairs we got were involved in cellular adhesion, proliferation, and migration. Our research could provide opportunities for investigating cancer molecular regulatory mechanism and seeking therapeutic targets.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and fracture risk: a network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Our network meta-analysis analyzed the effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) on fracture risk. By combining data from randomized controlled trials, we found that GLP-1 RAs were associated with a decreased bone fracture risk, and exenatide is the best option agent with regard to the risk of fracture. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42018094433).

INTRODUCTION

Data on the effects of GLP-1 RAs on fracture risk are conflicted. This study aimed to analyze the available evidence on the effects of GLP-1 RAs on fracture risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched for relevant published articles, and unpublished studies presented at ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for relevant clinical data. All analyses were performed with STATA 12.0 and R software (Version 3.4.4). We estimated the risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) by combining RRs for fracture effects of included trials.

RESULTS

There were 54 eligible random control trials (RCTs) with 49,602 participants, including 28,353 patients treated with GLP-1 RAs. Relative to placebo, exenatide (RR, 0.17; 95% CI 0.03-0.67) was associated with lowest risk of fracture among other GLP-1 RAs. Exenatide had the highest probability to be the safest option with regard to the risk of fracture (0.07 ‰), followed by dulaglutide (1.04%), liraglutide (1.39%), albiglutide (5.61%), lixisenatide (8.07%), and semaglutide (18.72%). A statistically significant inconsistency was observed in some comparisons.

CONCLUSION

The Bayesian network meta-analysis suggests that GLP-1 RAs were associated with a decreased bone fracture risk compared to users of placebo or other anti-hyperglycemic drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients, and exenatide is the best option agent with regard to the risk of fracture.

A simple and portable multi-channel pyrometer allowing temperature measurements down to 800 K on the microsecond scale

The measurement of transient temperatures less than 1000 K for samples in laser-heated diamond anvil cells remains a challenge. Here we present the design and performance characteristics of a multi-channel pyrometer that works in the near-infrared from 1200 to 2000 nm. It has a relatively small footprint, is portable, requires only low voltage power supplies, and can report temperatures down to 800 K on the millisecond scale or faster. A single data point without averaging can be acquired in 14 µs (sampling rate of 7 kilosamples per second). In conjunction with a diamond anvil cell, the system delivers accurate and rapid measurements down to ∼830 K. The pyrometer has been successfully interfaced several times with the combined x-ray diffraction and laser heating system at the High Pressure Collaborative Access Team at the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratories.

The inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by a brain-targeting polylysine-ApoE peptide: biochemical and structural characterizations

The in-trans delivery of protein therapeutics across the blood-brain barrier by K16ApoE peptide carrier has been demonstrated to improve the neurological symptoms and increase the life-span of late-infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL) mice. However, acute toxicity of K16ApoE was observed in LINCL mice resulting in a narrow therapeutic index, limiting the potential of translating the K16ApoE into a viable drug delivery system. This study aims to unravel the toxic mechanism of action. We hypothesized that the toxic response towards the peptide was induced by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity at neuro-muscular junction. Here, results from the dose-response study suggested that AChE activity was inhibited by K16ApoE at either low or high doses but not at the mid-dose where a significant increase in AChE activity was observed. Meanwhile, molecular docking simulations showed that the N-terminus of K16ApoE is capable of binding to the active site gorge of AChE. In addition to a favorable spatial orientation, this docking pose also revealed strong surface charge interactions which may account for the observed inhibitory effect. While statistical analysis of the dose response and survival ratio suggested that AChE is not the primary mechanism of action for the acute toxicity of K16ApoE, both biochemical evidence and structural analysis have assigned indirect but critical roles for AChE in the overall toxicity mechanism of this peptide carrier.

Clinical diagnostic significance of prealbumin, cholinesterase and retinol binding protein in liver cirrhosis combined with encephalopathy

OBJECTIVE

Hepatic encephalopathy is a common consequence of liver cirrhosis, but diagnosis can be difficult as it is based on clinical criteria alone. We hypothesised that serum prealbumin, cholinesterase and retinol binding protein (RBP) can help support the diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy.

METHODS

We enrolled 306 cirrhotic patients (110 with encephalopathy), 100 chronic hepatitis B patients and 50 healthy controls, measuring routine liver function tests (ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, and bilirubin), albumin, prothrombin time, prealbumin, cholinesterase and RBP by routine methods. Logistic regression analysis and areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were used to find predictive factors for hepatic encephalopathy.

RESULTS

There were differences in all laboratory indices between the three groups (all p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, albumin, prothrombin time, prealbumin, cholinesterase and RBP were significantly altered in those with encephalopathy (p < 0.01), but only prealbumin, cholinesterase and RBP levels were significant predictors in multivariate analysis, and each was linked to the severity of liver fibrosis defined by the Child-Pugh score (all p < 0.001). The AUCs (95% CI) of prealbumin, cholinesterase and RBP for diagnosing liver cirrhosis with hepatic encephalopathy were comparable at 0.85 (81-90), 0.81 (0.76-0.85) and 0.81 (0.76-0.86), respectively (all p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum prealbumin, cholinesterase and RBP levels are of potential clinical value in diagnosis of liver cirrhosis complicated by encephalopathy.

Role and influence of p75NTR receptor on antioxidative damage of retinal pigment epithelial cells

The study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of the p75 NTR receptor in the oxidative damage of retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE). RPE cells transfected with the p75 NTR receptor were used as the experimental group, and the untransfected RPE cells as the control group. BrdU (5-Bromo-2-deoxyUridine) was used to detect cell proliferation activity; PI/Annexin V-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate, FITC) double staining was used to detect the apoptosis rate of the cells. The expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells was observed by laser microscope, and the expression of ROS, mitochondrial markers, and C expression of cytochrome in cells was detected by flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the Fas protein, pyrolysis Caspase-3, and expression level of the vascular endothelial growth factor 165 (VEGF165) protein. The results showed that the proliferation activity of RPE cells in the experimental group decreased gradually with the increase of transfection time, and the apoptosis rate of RPE cells in the experimental group increased gradually with the increase of transfection time, and the apoptosis rate of RPE cells at each time point was significantly higher than that of the control group. The fluorescence intensity of ROS in the experimental group was significantly stronger than that in the control group (P less than 0.01). The fluorescence intensity of cytochrome C in the RPE cells in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while the number of positive mitochondria markers in the experimental group was less than that of the control group and the fluorescence intensity was weakened. The expression of Fas protein, Caspase-3 and VEGF165 protein in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P less than 0.01). In conclusion, p75 NTR receptor may be a cause of oxidative damage in RPE cells. .

1D Sub-Nanotubes with Anatase/Bronze TiO2 Nanocrystal Wall for High-Rate and Long-Life Sodium-Ion Batteries

The development of 1D nanostructures with enhanced material properties has been an attractive endeavor for applications in energy and environmental fields, but it remains a major research challenge. Herein, this work demonstrates a simple, gel-derived method to synthesize uniform 1D elongated sub-nanotubes with an anatase/bronze TiO₂ nanocrystal wall (TiO₂ SNTs). The transformation mechanism of TiO₂ SNTs is studied by various ex situ characterization techniques. The resulting 1D nanostructures exhibit, synchronously, a high aspect ratio, open tubular interior, and anatase/bronze nanocrystal TiO₂ wall. This results in excellent properties of electron/ion transport and reaction kinetics. Consequently, as an anode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), the TiO₂ SNTs display an ultrastable long-life cycling stability with a capacity of 107 mAh g^-1 at 16 C after 4000 cycles and a high-rate capacity of 94 mAh g^-1 at 32 C. This a high-rate and long-life performance is superior to any report on pure TiO₂ for SIBs. This work provides new fundamental information for the design and fabrication of inorganic structures for energy and environmental applications.

Integrated analysis of transcription factors and targets co-expression profiles reveals reduced correlation between transcription factors and target genes in cancer

Transcription factors are recognized as the key regulators of gene expression. However, the changes in the correlation of transcription factors and their target genes between normal and tumor tissues are usually ignored. In this research, we used mRNA expression profile data from The Cancer Genome Atlas which included 5726 samples across 11 major human cancers to perform co-expression analysis by the Pearson correlation coefficients. Then, integrating 81,357 pairs of transcription factors and target genes from transcription factors databases to find out the changes in the co-expression correlation of these gene pairs from normal to tumor tissues. Based on the changes in the number of co-expressed TF-TG pairs and changes in the level of co-expression, we found the generally reduced correlation between transcription factors and their target genes in cancer. Additionally, we screened out universal and specific transcription factors-target genes pairs which may significant influence particular cancer. Then, we obtained 423 cancer cell line expression profiles from Broad Institute Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia to verify our results. Some of these pairs like XRCC5-XRCC6 have been reported to involve in multiple cancers, while pairs like IRF1-PSMB9 without any previous articles related to tumor but involve in the biological processes of cancer, which are of great potential to be therapeutic targets. Our research may provide insights to better understand the tumor development mechanisms and find potential therapeutic targets.

Micro-RNAS Regulate Metabolic Syndrome-induced Senescence in Porcine Adipose Tissue-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells through the P16/MAPK Pathway

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) constitute an important repair system, but may be impaired by exposure to cardiovascular risk factors. Consequently, adipose tissue-derived MSCs from pigs with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) show decreased vitality. A growing number of microRNAs (miRNAs) are recognized as key modulators of senescence, but their role in regulating senescence in MSC in MetS is unclear. We tested the hypothesis that MetS upregulates in MSC expression of miRNAs that can serve as post-transcriptional regulators of senescence-associated (SA) genes. MSCs were collected from swine abdominal adipose tissue after 16 weeks of Lean or Obese diet ( n = 6 each). Next-generation miRNA sequencing (miRNA-seq) was performed to identify miRNAs up-or down-regulated in MetS-MSCs compared with Lean-MSCs. Functional pathways of SA genes targeted by miRNAs were analyzed using gene ontology. MSC senescence was evaluated by p16 and p21 immunoreactivity, H2AX protein expression, and SA-β-Galactosidase activity. In addition, gene expression of p16, p21, MAPK3 (ERK1) and MAPK14, and MSC migration were studied after inhibition of SA-miR-27b. Senescence biomarkers were significantly elevated in MetS-MSCs. We found seven upregulated miRNAs, including miR-27b, and three downregulated miRNAs in MetS-MSCs, which regulate 35 SA genes, particularly MAPK signaling. Inhibition of miR-27b in cultured MSCs downregulated p16 and MARP3 genes, and increased MSC migration. MetS modulates MSC expression of SA-miRNAs that may regulate their senescence, and the p16 pathway seems to play an important role in MetS-induced MSC senescence.