The expression of overexpressed PTEN enhanced IR-induced apoptosis of myocardial cells

OBJECTIVE

Myocardial cell apoptosis is an important pathologic basis of ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R). PI3K/Akt signaling pathway involves in cell growth, survival, and apoptosis regulation, thus playing an important role in the protection of I/R injury. PTEN is a negative regulatory factor of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. This study established rat I/R injury model after AMI and myocardial cell I/R injury model to explore the regulatory role of PTEN-PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in myocardial I/R injury in vivo and in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rat myocardial I/R injury model was established. PTEN and p-Akt expressions in myocardial tissue were compared. H9C2 cells were incubated in I/R condition for 12 h, followed by reoxygenation for 12 h. H9C2 cells were divided into three groups, including I/R+pSicoR-Blank, I/R+pSicoR-PTEN, and I/R+pSicoR-PTEN+VO-Ohpic. PTEN, p-Akt, Bcl-2, and Bax expressions were detected. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

PTEN expression significantly increased, while p-Akt level markedly declined in myocardial tissue in I/R group compared with Sham group. Temporary PTEN downregulation and p-Akt elevation appeared at 2 h after I/R. I/R treatment markedly enhanced PTEN and Bax expressions, increased cell apoptosis, and reduced p-Akt and Bcl-2 levels. PTEN overexpression significantly enhanced Bax expression and cell apoptosis, while declined p-Akt and Bcl-2 in H9C2 after I/R. PTEN inhibited by VO-Ohpic markedly downregulated p-Akt and Bcl-2 expressions, whereas reduced Bax level and cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The overexpression of PTEN aggravated myocardial cell apoptosis after I/R. The blockage of PTEN enhanced PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and attenuated cell apoptosis induced by I/R.

Cross-sectional Whole-genome Sequencing and Epidemiological Study of Multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis in China

Background

The increase in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) severely hampers tuberculosis prevention and control in China, a country with the second highest MDR-TB burden globally. The first nationwide drug-resistant tuberculosis surveillance program provides an opportunity to comprehensively investigate the epidemiological/drug-resistance characteristics, potential drug-resistance mutations, and effective population changes of Chinese MDR-TB.

Methods

We sequenced 357 MDR strains from 4600 representative tuberculosis-positive sputum samples collected during the survey (70 counties in 31 provinces). Drug-susceptibility testing was performed using 18 anti-tuberculosis drugs, representing the most comprehensive drug-resistance profile to date. We used 3 statistical and 1 machine-learning methods to identify drug-resistance genes/single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We used Bayesian skyline analysis to investigate changes in effective population size.

Results

Epidemiological/drug-resistance characteristics showed different MDR profiles, co-resistance patterns, preferred drug combination/use, and recommended regimens among 7 Chinese administrative regions. These factors not only reflected the serious multidrug co-resistance and drug misuse but they were also potentially significant in facilitating the development of appropriate regimens for MDR-TB treatment in China. Further investigation identified 86 drug-resistance genes/intergenic regions/SNPs (58 new), providing potential targets for MDR-TB diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the effective population of Chinese MDR-TB displayed a strong expansion during 1993–2000, reflecting socioeconomic transition within the country. The phenomenon of expansion was restrained after 2000, likely attributable to the advances in diagnosis/treatment technologies and government support.

Conclusions

Our findings provide an important reference and improved understanding of MDR-TB in China, which are potentially significant in achieving the goal of precision medicine with respect to MDR-TB prevention and treatment.

[Similarities and differences between Ginkgo biloba and Panax notoginseng in treatment of ischemic cerebrovascular disease]

Ginkgo biloba and Panax notoginseng are both herb medicines for cerebrovascular disease, and play an active role in treating ischemic cerebrovascular disease(ICVD). Their mechanisms of action include antioxidant stress, nerve protection, vascular protection. According to the comparative study of literatures, G. biloba has a certain protective effect from the early stage of free radical formation throughout the whole process of causing cell inflammation and apoptosis in antioxidant stress; while P. notoginseng has mainly anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis effects. In the nerve protection and repair of nerve damage caused by glutamate, both could promote neurogenesis, repair damaged axons and protect nerve cells. In addition, G. biloba could also relieve neurotoxicity caused by glutamate damage, while P. notoginseng have a unique effect in repairing blood-brain barrier(BBB) and blood vessel regeneration. In clinic, they are used as auxiliary drugs in combination with thrombolytic therapy, and play curative effects in alleviating inflammation, eliminating edema, improving the cure rate and the prognosis. For cerebral diseases caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, G. biloba could reduce inflammation and improve cognition. In addition, G. biloba could protect neurocyte by adjusting the secretion of dopamine in vivo, and has a certain effect on antidepressant diseases, which however needs further studies.

The expression of overexpressed PTEN enhanced IR-induced apoptosis of myocardial cells

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "The expression of overexpressed PTEN enhanced IR-induced apoptosis of myocardial cells, by Y.-B. Zhu, N. Ding, H.-L. Yi, Z.-Q. Li, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (10): 4406-4413-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201905_17948-PMID: 31173315" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/17948.

Cancer stem cell property and gene signature in bone-metastatic Breast Cancer cells

The majority of the deaths from breast cancer is due to metastasis. Bone is the most common organ to which breast cancer cells metastasize. The mechanism regulating the bone-metastatic preference remains unclear; there is a lack of a gene signature to distinguish bone-metastatic breast cancer cells. Herein, florescence-labeled MDA-MB-231 cells were transplanted into the fat pads of of the mammary gland in nude mice to generate breast tumors. Tumor cells invaded into the circulation were tracked by in vivo flow cytometry system. Metastatic tumor cells in the bone were isolated using fluorescent-activated cell sorting technique, followed by assays of cell colony formation, migration and invasion, mammosphere formation in vitro, mammary gland tumorigenesis in vivo, and Next-Generation Sequencing analysis as well. Through tumor regeneration and cell sorting, two bone-metastatic cell sublines were derived from MDA-MB-231 cells; which showed higher abilities to proliferate, migrate, invade and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transit in vitro, and stronger ability to regenerate tumors and metastasize to the bone in vivo. Both cell sublines exhibited cancer stem cell-like characteristics including higher expression levels of stem cell markers and stronger ability for mommaspheres formation. Furthermore, a Normal Distribution-like pattern of the bone-metastatic cells invading into circulation was firstly identified. Deep-sequencing analysis indicated upregulation of multiple signaling pathways in regulating EMT, cell membrane budding and morphologic change, lipid metabolism, and protein translation, which are required to provide adequate metabolic enzymes, structural proteins, and energy for the cells undergoing metastasis. In conclusion, we established two bone-metastatic breast cancer cell sublines, carrying higher degree of stemness and malignancy. The gene signature distinguishing the bone-metastatic breast cancer cells holds therapeutic potentials in prevention of breast cancer metastasis to the bone.

Chidamide increases the sensitivity of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer to Crizotinib by decreasing c-MET mRNA methylation

Introduction: Crizotinib is a kinase inhibitor targeting c-MET/ALK/ROS1 used as the first-line chemical for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with ALK mutations. Although c-MET is frequently overexpressed in 35-72% of NSCLC, most NSCLCs are primarily resistant to crizotinib treatment.

Method: A set of NSCLC cell lines were used to test the effect of chidamide on the primary crizotinib resistance in vitro and in vivo. Relationships between the synergistic effect of chidamide and c-MET expression and RNA methylation were systemically studied with a battery of molecular biological assays.

Results: We found for the first time that chidamide could sensitize the effect of crizotinib in a set of ALK mutation-free NSCLC cell lines, especially those with high levels of c-MET expression. Notably, chidamide could not increase the sensitivity of NSCLC cells to crizotinib cultured in serum-free medium without hepatocyte growth factor (HGF; a c-MET ligand). In contrast, the addition of HGF into the serum-/HGF-free medium could restore the synergistic effect of chidamide. Moreover, the synergistic effect of chidamide could also be abolished either by treatment with c-MET antibody or siRNA-knockdown of c-MET expression. While cells with low or no c-MET expression were primarily resistant to chidamide-crizotinib cotreatment, enforced c-MET overexpression could increase the sensitivity of these cells to chidamide-crizotinib cotreatment. Furthermore, chidamide could decrease c-MET expression by inhibiting mRNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification through the downregulation of METTL3 and WTAP expression. Chidamide-crizotinib cotreatment significantly suppressed the activity of c-MET downstream molecules.

Conclusion: Chidamide downregulated c-MET expression by decreasing its mRNA m6A methylation, subsequently increasing the crizotinib sensitivity of NSCLC cells in a c-MET-/HGF-dependent manner.

Technical Evaluation of Soft Mist Inhaler Use in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Proper inhaler technique is highly relevant to the effective management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The tiotropium bromide spray (TBS) (Spiriva^® Respimat^®) is a soft mist inhaler (SMI) preferred by patients to pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) because of its convenience in use. However, the technique of using TBS inhaler in the real world is unclear.

Objective

To evaluate techniques in using TBS inhaler and investigate the association between the patient characteristics and the correct use of TBS inhaler.

Methods

This cross-sectional study enrolled 74 COPD patients who used TBS inhaler device for more than 3 months. The sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were recorded. The technique of using TBS inhaler was evaluated step by step. Incorrect use was defined as the patient’s inability to complete the key steps in the inhalation manoeuvre. The percentage of incorrect use was compared between the groups. Risk factors related to incorrect use were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of the 74 participants, only 2 (2.7%) patients completed all the steps correctly, and 48 (64.9%) patients misused the key steps in the inhalation manoeuvre. Incorrect preparation of the TBS inhaler for the first use was the most frequently misused step, accounting for 77.0%. Factors associated with misuse of TBS inhaler included the educational background (p=0.010), living state (p=0.031) and COPD assessment test (CAT) score (p=0.005) of the patients. Additionally, logistic regression analysis showed that the COPD duration was significantly associated with the incorrect use (p=0.019). Compared with patients with a higher educational background, patients with an elementary school background [OR 11652.99, CI: 22.72–5975697.72], junior high school background [OR 7187.78, CI: 16.41–3146787] and high school background [OR 1563, CI: 4.27–572329.67] were more likely to misuse TBS inhaler. Patients living with their spouses alone were also more likely to commit errors in using TBS inhaler as compared with those living with their children [OR 12.29, CI of 1.14–1.96]. Clinical factors like the COPD symptoms were relative to the technical use of the device. Better technique was accompanied by a lower CAT score [OR 1.49, CI of 1.14–1.96].

Conclusion

The incorrect use of TBS inhaler was common in COPD patients. Healthcare providers should not only teach the patients about the drug preparation but help them use the inhaler correctly. Special attention should be paid to patients with a short COPD duration and a low educational background and those who live without the company of their children. Proper use of TBS inhaler can significantly improve the symptom control of COPD patients.

Identification of differentially expressed miRNA 48 h after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice by the technique of miRNA microarray

The objective was to identify the differential expressed miRNA during cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) process, thereby assisting in elucidating the mechanism of CIRI development and providing a potential target for CIRI prevention and treatment. Six mice were randomly assigned to two groups: control group and CIRI model group. A global cerebral IR model by four-vessel occlusion was prepared among the CIRI model group. Brain tissues were collected 48 h after reperfusion. Total RNA was extracted for each sample. miRNA microarrays were employed to detect the differentially expressed miRNA between the CIRI group and the control group. One differentially expressed miRNA was selected for verification by PCR. Compared with the control group, 69 miRNAs were significantly differential expressed in samples of the CIRI group, among which 50 miRNAs were upregulated and 19 miRNAs were downregulated. The real-time qPCR results indicated that the results of the miRNA microarray were reliable. A number of miRNAs were significantly regulated in the CIRI model, which suggested that miRNA was closely associated with the pathological alterations after ischemia. These identified miRNAs may provide directions and targets for the future pathological research of CIRI.

When Anthracene and Quinone Avoid Cycloaddition: Acid-Catalyzed Redox Neutral Functionalization of Anthracene to Aryl Ethers

Benzoquinone and 9-phenylanthracene barely undergo anticipated cycloaddition under acid catalysis. Instead, 9-anthracenyl aryl ethers are obtained as unexpected products. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction likely undergoes an ionic mechanism between protonated anthracene species and nucleophilic oxygen of 1,4-benzoquinone or 1,4-hydroquinone. A variety of 9-anthracenyl aryl ethers are constructed with this method. Produced anthracenyl aryl ethers are potential scaffolds for new fluorescent molecules.

[Clinical and genetic characteristics of children with STXBP1 encephalopathy]

Objective: To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) caused by syntaxin-binding protein 1 (STXBP1) gene mutation. Methods: The clinical data, gene variation and treatment outcome of 15 children with STXBP1 encephalopathy admitted to Children's Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2014 to June 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among 15 patients, 11 were male and 4 were female, age ranged from 2 months to 69 months. The clinical manifestations of 14 children were epilepsy and developmental delay (DD) and the remaining one showed developmental delay without seizure. The onset age of epilepsy ranged from two days to 19 months and 11 of them experienced the first attack before 1 year of age. The common seizure types were epileptic spasms and tonic seizures. Seven patients were diagnosed with Ohtahara syndrome or West syndrome. Epileptic form discharges were observed in the interictal electroencephalograms (EEG) of 11 patients, including multifocal discharges, suppression-burst and hypsarrhythmia. The brain magnetic resonance imaging of 7 children were abnormal, including myelin dysplasia, less white matter, lack of corpus callosum or hypoplasia. The follow-up time ranged from 2 months to 57 months, after the last follow-up, 3 cases were seizure free, 6 children showed partial response and the other 5 patients had no response on multitherapy. Six of 8 patients showed good responses to levetiracetam (LEV) monotherapy or in combination with other antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Vigabatrin (VGB) was applied to 5 patients with epileptic spasms and 4 of them showed response. All patients showed different degrees of developmental delay while four of them showed autistic features. STXBP1 gene mutations were identified in all cases and there were 15 types of gene variations, including 8 missense mutations, 1 nonsense mutation, 5 frame shift mutations and 1 complex mutation. Five novel mutations were unreported before, including c.1193A>G, c.172delG, c.1769C>T, c.1038_1039delCC, c.348_351dupTGAA. Conclusions: Development delay and epilepsy are the major and independent clinical phenotypes in children with STXBP1 encephalopathy. The variation of STXBP1 gene is mainly de novo. Levetiracetam and vigabatrin may be more effective in epilepsy control than other AEDs.

How to rescue high-dose methotrexate induced nephrotoxicity and literature review about hemodiafiltration?

Methotrexate (MTX) is a highly renal and liver toxicity drug used in hematological malignancy treatment in children and adults. High-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) therapy may cause impairment of kidney and decrease the elimination of MTX, at the same time, the serum concentration of MTX increased. Today the treatment for preventing MTX toxicity after renal shutdown is Carboxypeptidase. We report a patient who experienced nephrotoxicity after the HD-MTX infusions during the treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and received hemodiafiltration (HDF) with large dose of leucovorin (LV) to treat MTX intoxication. LV is very potent in the prevention of neurotoxicity and administration of LV could protect the normal cells, but the dosage and duration of LV should be according to the MTX concentration. Although a large dose of LV was applied, the patient's condition did not improve. It was found that the HDF with large dose of LV to save the patient and steadily improved the patient's clinical condition.

Serum Proteins as New Biomarkers for Whole-Body Exposure to High- and Low-LET Ionizing Radiation

Exposure to ionizing radiation is a major threat to human health and public security. Since the inherent limitations of current methods for indicating radiation exposure, new minimally invasive biomarkers that can be easily and quickly detected at an early stage are needed for optimal medical treatment. Serum proteins are attractive biomarkers and some radiosensitive proteins have been found, but the proteins in response to low-dose and high-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation have not been reported. In this study, mice were whole body exposed to a variety doses of carbon ions and X-rays. We performed Mouse Antibody Array to detect serum proteins expression profiles at 24 hours postirradiation. After conditional screening, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), and IGFBP-3 were further validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. After exposure to 0.05 to 1 Gy of carbon ions and 0.5 to 4 Gy of X-rays, only IGFBP-3 showed obvious increase with increased doses, both carbon ions and X-rays. Further, IGFBP-3 was detected for observation of its time-dependent changes. The results showed the expression difference of IGFBP-3 presented from 6 to 24 hours post-irradiation by carbon ions and X-rays. Moreover, the receiver–operating characteristic analysis showed that serum IGFBP-3 is efficient to triage exposed individuals with high sensitivity and specificity. These results suggest that serum IGFBP-3 is extremely sensitive to high- and low-LET ionizing radiation and is able to respond at an early stage, which could serve as a novel minimally invasive indicator for radiation exposure.

Silencing Br-C impairs larval development and chitin synthesis in Lymantria dispar larvae

In insects, 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) mediates developmental transitions and regulates molting processes through activation of a series of transcription factors. Broad-Complex (Br-C), a vital gene in the 20E signalling pathway, plays crucial roles during insect growth processes. However, whether Br-C affects chitin synthesis in insects remains unclear. In the present study, the Br-C gene from Lymantria dispar, a notorious defoliator of forestry, was identified based on transcriptome data, and subjected to bioinformatic analysis. The regulatory functions of LdBr-C in chitin synthesis and metabolism in L. dispar larvae were analysed by RNA interference (RNAi). The full-length LdBr-C gene (1431 bp) encodes a 477 amino acid (aa) polypeptide containing a common BRcore region (391 aa) at the N-terminus and a C-terminal Zinc finger domain (56 aa) harbouring two characteristic C2H2 motifs (CXXC and HXXXXH). Phylogenetic analyses showed that LdBr-C shares highest homology and identity with Br-C isoform 7 (83.12%) of Helicoverpa armigera. Expression profiles indicate that LdBr-C was expressed throughout larval and pupal stages, and highly expressed in prepupal and pupal stages. Furthermore, LdBr-C expression was strongly induced by exogenous 20E, and suppressed dramatically after application of dsLdBr-C. Bioassay results showed that knockdown of LdBr-C caused larval developmental deformity, significant weight loss, and a mortality rate of 67.18%. Knockdown of LdBr-C significantly down-regulated transcription levels of eight critical genes (LdTre1, LdTre2, LdG6PI, LdUAP, LdCHS1, LdCHS2, LdTPS and LdCHT) related to chitin synthesis and metabolism, thereby lowering the chitin content in the midgut and epidermis. Our findings demonstrate that Br-C knockdown impairs larval development and chitin synthesis in L. dispar.

Bright Blue Light Emission of Ni2+ Ion-Doped CsPbClxBr3-x Perovskite Quantum Dots Enabling Efficient Light-Emitting Devices

In recent years, significant advances have been achieved in the red and green perovskite quantum dot (PQD)-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs). However, the performances of the blue perovskite LEDs are still seriously lagging behind that of the green and red counterparts. Herein, we successfully developed Ni²⁺ ion-doped CsPbCl_xBr_3-x PQDs through the room-temperature supersaturated recrystallization synthetic approach. We simultaneously realized the doping of various concentrations of Ni²⁺ cations and modulated the Cl/Br element ratios by introducing different amounts of NiCl₂ solution in the reaction medium. Using the synthetic method, not only the emission wavelength from 508 to 432 nm of Ni²⁺ ion-doped CsPbCl_xBr_3-x QDs was facially adjusted, but also the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of PQDs was greatly improved due to efficient removal of the defects of the PQDs. Thus, the blue emission at 470 nm with PLQY of 89% was achieved in 2.5% Ni²⁺ ion-doped CsPbCl_0.99Br_2.01 QDs, which increased nearly three times over that of undoped CsPbClBr₂ QDs and was the highest for the CsPbX₃ PQDs with blue emission, fulfilling the National Television System Committee standards. Benefiting from the highly luminous Ni²⁺ ion-doped PQDs, the blue-emitting LED at 470 nm was obtained, exhibiting an external quantum efficiency of 2.4% and a maximum luminance of 612 cd/m², which surpassed the best performance reported previously for the corresponding blue-emitting PQD-based LED.

The Role of MiR-5094 as a Proliferation Suppressor during Cellular Radiation Response via Downregulating STAT5b

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in the regulation of cellular stress responses. We previously uncovered 10 novel human miRNAs which are induced by X-ray irradiation in HeLa cells using Solexa deep sequencing. The most highly expressed new miRNA, miR-5094, was predicted to target STAT5b. This study wonders whether miR-5094 participates in cellular radiation response via STAT5b. Firstly, direct interaction between miRNA-5094 and the STAT5b 3'-UTR was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. Then, the radiation responsive expression of miR-5094 and STAT5b were measured in HeLa and Jurkat cells, and the expressions of down-stream genes of STAT5b after ionizing radiation (IR) were detected in HeLa cells. At last, the effects of miR-5094 on survival fraction, cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by IR were investigated in HeLa cells, Jurkat cells and human peripheral blood T cells. It was found that up-regulation of miR-5094 by radiation induction or miRNA mimic transfection suppressed expression of STAT5b, and consequently decreased the transcription of down-stream Igf-1 and Bcl-2. Additionally, over expression of miR-5094 resulted in proliferation suppression and knockdown of miR-5094 by miRNA inhibitor after irradiation partially reversed the proliferation suppression induced by miR-5094 in HeLa cells, Jurkat cells and CD4⁺ T cells. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that up-regulation of miR-5094 down-regulated the expression of STAT5b, thereby suppressing cell proliferation after X-ray irradiation.

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban, e-waste, and background regions of South China

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are a focus of research because they are ubiquitous in the environment; however, there is still a limited understanding of the behaviors and fate of OPEs in the environment. In this study, we measured OPEs in fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) collected from three regions in South China that have potentially different sources. The concentrations of ∑OPEs in the rural electronic waste (e-waste) recycling area (3852-57,695 pg/m³ with a median of 10,955 pg/m³) were significantly higher than those in the urban and background areas with concentrations of 314-9721 pg/m³ (median = 2346 pg/m³) and 667 and 109,599 pg/m³ (median = 2170 pg/m³), respectively. The OPE compositions in the urban and e-waste areas were generally similar. Correlations analysis with other components of PM_2.5 (organic carbon, elemental carbon, and water soluble ions) indicated primary industrial and e-waste sources of OPEs in the urban and e-waste regions, respectively. Correlation analysis also revealed that relative humility played an important role in their air concentrations in the urban and background regions. The air-parcel backward trajectories of the background site demonstrated regional atmospheric transport of OPEs to this region from both the eastern industrial cities and the northern e-waste recycling region.

Fenoxycarb and methoxyfenozide (RH-2485) affected development and chitin synthesis through disturbing glycometabolism in Lymantria dispar larvae

Fenoxycarb as a juvenile hormone analogue and methoxyfenozide (RH-2485) as a 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) agonist are two main insect growth regulators (IGRs) used for pest control, whose insecticidal mechanisms had been widely reported in past decades. However, there were few studies focused on their effects on the carbohydrate metabolism of insects. Here, we reported that two IGRs (fenoxycarb and RH-2485) significantly affected growth and development of L. dispar larvae and caused larval lethality. Furthermore, both contens of three sugars (glycogen, threhalose, glucose) in four tissues (fat body, midgut, hemolymph and epidermis) and trehalase activity in three tissues (fat body, midgut and hemolymph) of L. dispar larvae were markedly affected by these two IGRs. Moreover, we found that mRNA expression levels of LdTPS, LdTre1 and LdTre2 in L. dispar larvae were dramatically suppressed by two IGRs. Additionally, chitin content in both midgut and epidermis decreased significantly after L. dispar larvae treated with fenoxycarb or RH-2485. Summarily, these results indicated that these two IGRs disturbed glycometabolism in L. dispar larvae, resulting in impeding chitin synthesis, generating new epidermis failure, disrupting molting and larval lethality in the end.

Assessment of prophylactic antibiotics administration for acute pancreatitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence has shown that prophylactic antibiotic treatment in patients with acute pancreatitis is not associated with a significant decrease in mortality or morbidity. The use and efficacy of prophylactic antibiotic treatment in acute pancreatitis remain controversial. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess whether antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial in patients with acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

We searched randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of prophylactic use of antibiotics using Medline (PubMed), Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The data were analyzed using Review Manager 5.3 software. We performed pooled analyses for infected pancreatic necrosis, mortality, surgical intervention, and non-pancreatic infection. Odds ratios (ORs) from each trial were pooled using a random or fixed effects model, depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies. Sub-group analysis or sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore potential sources of heterogeneity, when necessary.

RESULTS

Totally, 11 RCTs involving 747 participants were included, with an intervention group (prophylactic use of antibiotics, n = 376) and control group (n = 371). No significant differences were found regarding antibiotic prophylaxis with respect to incidence of infected pancreatic necrosis (OR, 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50-1.09; P = 0.13), surgical intervention (OR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.62-1.38; P = 0.70), and morality (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.44-1.15; P = 0.16). However, antibiotic prophylaxis was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the incidence of non-pancreatic infection (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.42-0.84; P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic antibiotics can reduce the incidence of non-pancreatic infection in patients with AP.

USP7-mediated deubiquitination differentially regulates CSB but not UVSSA upon UV radiation-induced DNA damage

Cockayne syndrome group B (CSB) protein participates in transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair. The stability of CSB is known to be regulated by ubiquitin-specific protease 7 (USP7). Yet, whether USP7 acts as a deubiquitinating enzyme for CSB is not clear. Here, we demonstrate that USP7 deubiquitinates CSB to maintain its levels after ultraviolet (UV)-induced DNA damage. While both CSB and UV-stimulated scaffold protein A (UVSSA) exhibit a biphasic decrease and recovery upon UV irradiation, only CSB recovery depends on USP7, which physically interacts with and deubiquitinates CSB. Meanwhile, CSB overexpression stabilizes UVSSA, but decrease UVSSA's presence in nuclease-releasable/soluble chromatin, and increase the presence of ubiquitinated UVSSA in insoluble chromatin alongside CSB-ubiquitin conjugates. Remarkably, CSB overexpression also decreases CSB association with USP7 and UVSSA in soluble chromatin. UVSSA exists in several ubiquitinated forms, of which mono-ubiquitinated form and other ubiquitinated UVSSA forms are detectable upon 6xHistidine tag-based purification. The ubiquitinated UVSSA forms, however, are not cleavable by USP7 in vitro. Furthermore, USP7 disruption does not affect RNA synthesis but decreases the recovery of RNA synthesis following UV exposure. These results reveal a role of USP7 as a CSB deubiquitinating enzyme for fine-tuning the process of TC-NER in human cells.

KCNQ1OT1 promotes migration and inhibits apoptosis by modulating miR-185-5p/Rab14 axis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play essential roles in the regulation of gene transcription in carcinogenesis and metastasis via interacting with microRNA. In this study, we explored the expressions and functions of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 and miR-185-5p in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. KCNQ1OT1 expression in OSCC tissues and cells was examined by qRT-PCR. Small interfering RNAs against KCNQ1OT1 (si- KCNQ1OT1) were used to knockdown KCNQ1OT1 in OSCC cells. Cell function was assessed by wound healing assay, transwell assay, and apoptosis detection. The binding region between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-185-5p was confirmed by luciferase assays. MiR-185-5p expression was measured by qRT-PCR. Rab14 was confirmed as a downstream target gene of miR-185-5p by measuring luciferase activities. The protein level of Rab14 in OSCC cells transfected with miR-185-5p or si-KCNQ1OT1 was determined by Western blot. The OSCC cell function and Rab14 expression after co-transfection of si-KCNQ1OT1 and miR-185-5p inhibitor were also examined. KCNQ1OT1 was upregulated in OSCC tissues and cells. KCNQ1OT1 silencing suppressed OSCC cell malignancy and downregulated miR-185-5p level, which showed upregulated expression in OSCC samples. Rab14 as a target gene of miR-185-5p was highly expressed in OSCC. KCNQ1OT1 knockdown impaired the invasion capability of OSCC cells, promoted apoptosis, and suppressed Rab14 expression. The inhibition of miR-185-5p in KCNQ1OT1 silencing cells reversed the suppression of Rab14 and restored the cancerous growth of OSCC cells. These results indicated that KCNQ1OT1 promoted OSCC tumorigenesis via the modulation of miR-185-5p/Rab14 axis, which may serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of OSCC.

MicroRNA-194 participates in endotoxemia induced myocardial injury via promoting apoptosis

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression level of microRNA-194 in myocardial injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LPS-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes injury model was established. The expression level of microRNA-194 at different treatment time points was detected. Survival and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were detected after overexpression or knockdown of microRNA-194. The target genes of microRNA-194 were predicted by bioinformatics analysis. The relationship between microRNA-194 and target genes was verified by the dual luciferase reporter analysis and Western blot. The effects of microRNA-194 mimics and overexpression plasmid pcDNA3/Slc7a5 on the cardiomyocyte apoptosis were investigated by MTT assay. Expressions of relative genes involved in Wnt/β-catenin pathway during the process of LPS-induced cardiomyocytes injury were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS

The expression level of microRNA-194 was increased in LPS-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes injury model in a time-dependent manner. Overexpressed microRNA-194 directly bound to the target gene Slc7a5 and inhibited its expression. Transfection of microRNA-194 mimics increased apoptosis of H9c2 cells, which was rescued by overexpression of pcDNA3/Slc7a5. MicroRNA-194 was capable of promoting cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

MicroRNA-194 promotes cardiomyocyte apoptosis and participates in myocardial injury induced by endotoxemia via activating Wnt/β-catenin pathway.