Pro-angiogenic effect of exosomal microRNA-103a in mice with rheumatoid arthritis via the downregulation of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha and activation of the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane, accompanied by hyperplasia and neo-angiogenesis, which promote local inflammation. Macrophage-derived exosomes have been reported to enhance inflammation and the immune response. In the present study, we identified a novel exosomal microRNA (miR)-103a, which aids in the regulation of inflammation and angiogenesis in mice with RA, and attempted to identify the underlying mechanism. Initially, a mouse model of RA was established. Thereafter, exosomes were isolated from macrophage RAW264.7 cells and evaluated through transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. After prediction and verification of the target genes of miR-103a, RT-qPCR was used to assess miR-103a and HNF4A expression in mice with RA. High expression of miR-103a and low expression of HNF4A were observed in mice with RA, thus, miR-103a was found to target and downregulate HNF4A. Exosomal miR-103a promoted inflammation and angiogenesis in mice with RA which was accompanied by an increase in the levels of factors associated with inflammation and angiogenesis. However, an opposite trend was observed upon HNF4A elevation. Exosomal miR-103a was also found to activate the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway. In conclusion, exosomal miR-103a inhibited the expression of HNF4A to activate the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway, thereby exacerbating RA in mice.

InterCarb: A Community Effort to Improve Interlaboratory Standardization of the Carbonate Clumped Isotope Thermometer Using Carbonate Standards

Increased use and improved methodology of carbonate clumped isotope thermometry has greatly enhanced our ability to interrogate a suite of Earth-system processes. However, interlaboratory discrepancies in quantifying carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47) measurements persist, and their specific sources remain unclear. To address interlaboratory differences, we first provide consensus values from the clumped isotope community for four carbonate standards relative to heated and equilibrated gases with 1,819 individual analyses from 10 laboratories. Then we analyzed the four carbonate standards along with three additional standards, spanning a broad range of δ47 and Δ47 values, for a total of 5,329 analyses on 25 individual mass spectrometers from 22 different laboratories. Treating three of the materials as known standards and the other four as unknowns, we find that the use of carbonate reference materials is a robust method for standardization that yields interlaboratory discrepancies entirely consistent with intralaboratory analytical uncertainties. Carbonate reference materials, along with measurement and data processing practices described herein, provide the carbonate clumped isotope community with a robust approach to achieve interlaboratory agreement as we continue to use and improve this powerful geochemical tool. We propose that carbonate clumped isotope data normalized to the carbonate reference materials described in this publication should be reported as Δ47 (I-CDES) values for Intercarb-Carbon Dioxide Equilibrium Scale.

LncRNA DBH-AS1 facilitates the tumorigenesis of melanoma by targeting miR-233-3p via IGF-1R/Akt signaling

OBJECTIVE

While Long Noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are well-known to modulate human cancer progression, the specific function of DBH-AS1 in melanoma remains to be fully established. The study will investigate the role of DBH-AS1 in melanoma cell.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The expression profiles of DBH-AS1, miR-223-3p, and IGF-1R in melanoma tissues and cell lines were determined by RT-qPCR analysis. CCK-8 assay, colony assays and transwell assay were employed to analyze the effects of DBH-AS1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion in GC cells. Bioinformatics analysis and Dual-Luciferase reporter assay determined the direct binding relation between DBH-AS1, miR-223-3p and IGF-1R in GC.

RESULTS

Herein, we observed significant reductions in DBH-AS1 expression in melanoma tumor tissues and cell lines. Knockdown DBH-AS1 in melanoma cells impaired their proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential. We determined that DBH-AS1 was able to modulate insulin growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) expression as a competing endogenous RNA for DBH-AS1. In line with this finding, the knockdown DBH-AS1 was associated with decreases in the expression of glucose transporter (GLUT)-1 and a consequent inhibition of glucose uptake, lactate production, and ATP generation by melanoma cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings therefore suggest that DBH-AS1 can enhance glycolytic activity in melanoma cells, thereby disrupting melanoma progression via miR-223-3p/EGFR/AKT axis. As such this signaling axis may be a viable therapeutic target for melanoma treatment in human patients.

Visible wide-angle view imaging system for the first plasma on the HL-2M tokamak

The wide-angle view imaging system, in terms of a tangential view diagnostic with field of view (FOV) of 56.8° and a downward-looking diagnostic from the top of the machine with FOV of 94.7°, has been newly constructed for the first plasma of the HL-2M tokamak achieved in December 2020. Its mission in this stage is to monitor the plasma evolution during its startup, sustainment, and disruption in the visible spectral range as well as the plasma-wall interaction. For the latter ultrawide view diagnostic, nearly three-quarters of the divertor region and half the area of the inner wall are in the view range. Both the diagnostics are characterized by a similar optical structure, i.e., the light emission from the plasma is collected by a front-end lens and transferred through an imaging fiber bundle to the camera. This optical structure is suitable for application in the complex tokamak environment mainly because the fiber bundle is flexible. Photos of glow discharges are acquired prior to the first plasma for testing the FOVs in the vacuum vessel. The spatial resolution is ∼4mm for the tangential view diagnostic and ∼10mm for the downward-looking diagnostic. The temporal resolutions, ranging from 90 to 360 Hz by changing the region of interest or binning acquisition mode of the color camera, are applied to record the plasma evolutions and/or dust creation events during the first plasma campaign.

PARP inhibitor niraparib as a radiosensitizer promotes antitumor immunity of radiotherapy in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Poly-(ADP-Ribose)-Polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) were reported as radiosensitizers in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with wide-type epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), but the effects of radiation combined with PARPi were not investigated in EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms were not well examined. This study aimed to study the efficacy of radiation combined with niraparib in EGFR-mutated NSCLC and explore their influence on the immune system.

METHODS

Clone formation and apoptosis assay were conducted to explore the effects of niraparib and radiation. Immunofluorescence was conducted to detect the double-strand DNA breaks. Real-time PCR and immunoblotting were employed to evaluate the activation of STING/TBK1/TRF3 pathway and the expression levels of interferon β, CCL5 and CXCL10. Immunocompetent mice model bearing with subcutaneous Lewis lung cancer was established to confirm the results in vivo.

RESULTS

Niraparib and radiation were synergistic to inhibit tumor both in vitro and in vivo. Radiation plus niraparib could activate anti-tumor immunity, which appeared as increased CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and activated STING/TBK1/IRF3 pathway.

CONCLUSION

PARPi not only as a radiosensitizer inhibited EGFR-mutated NSCLC tumor growth, but also cooperated with radiation to promote anti-tumor immune responses.

Effects of miR-32 targeting PTEN on proliferation and apoptosis of myeloma cells

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-32 on the proliferation and apoptosis of myeloma cells, and to verify whether it exerts its function by targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The differentially expressed miRNAs were screened in healthy people and myeloma patients. The myeloma U266 cells transfected with negative control (NC) were used as control group, those transfected with miR-32 inhibitor as transfection group, and those transfected with miR-32 inhibitor and treated with PTEN inhibitor SF1670 as the transfection + inhibitor group. Then, the cell proliferation and apoptosis in each group were detected using the 5-Ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) kit and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. Finally, the expressions of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 homologous antagonist/killer (Bak), caspase-9, and survivin were detected.

RESULTS

The expressions of some miRNAs and genes in myeloma patients were significantly different from those in healthy people. In myeloma patients, miR-32, miR-126, miR-123, and miR-183 were significantly highly expressed, while miR-5, miR-76, and miR-50 were remarkably lowly expressed. After myeloma U266 cells were transfected with the miR-32 inhibitor, the expression of miR-32 markedly declined. In addition, the mRNA expression of PTEN in myeloma cells rose after transfection with the miR-32 inhibitor, and declined after addition of the PTEN inhibitor SF1670, which were consistent with the results of Western blotting. Besides, the proliferation ability of myeloma cells was evidently weakened after transfection with the miR-32 inhibitor, while it was restored to a certain extent after addition of the PTEN inhibitor SF1670. Moreover, the number of apoptotic myeloma cells was remarkably larger after transfection with the miR-32 inhibitor, while it was remarkably smaller after addition of the PTEN inhibitor SF1670. The expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins Bak and caspase-9 in myeloma cells were significantly increased after transfection with the miR-32 inhibitor (p<0.05), and significantly decreased after addition of the PTEN inhibitor SF1670, while the expressions of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and survivin were opposite to those of Bak and caspase-9.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-32 targeting PTEN will have certain effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of myeloma cells.

The protective effect of hesperidin against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury involves the TLR-4/NF-κB/iNOS pathway in rats

Renal injury is reported to have a high mortality rate. Additionally, there are several limitations to current conventional treatments that are used to manage it. This study evaluated the protective effect of hesperidin against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced kidney injury in rats. Renal injury was induced by generating I/R in kidney tissues. Rats were then treated with hesperidin at a dose of 10 or 20 mg/kg intravenously 1 day after surgery for a period of 14 days. The effect of hesperidin on renal function, serum mediators of inflammation, and levels of oxidative stress in renal tissues were observed in rat kidney tissues after I/R-induced kidney injury. Moreover, protein expression and mRNA expression in kidney tissues were determined using Western blotting and RT-PCR. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was done for histopathological observation of kidney tissues. The data suggest that the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine in the serum of hesperidin-treated rats were lower than in the I/R group. Treatment with hesperidin also ameliorated the altered level of inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress in I/R-induced renal-injured rats. The expression of p-IκBα, caspase-3, NF-κB p65, Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) protein, TLR-4 mRNA, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was significantly reduced in the renal tissues of hesperidin-treated rats. Histopathological findings also revealed that treatment with hesperidin attenuated the renal injury in I/R kidney-injured rats. In conclusion, our results suggest that hesperidin protects against renal injury induced by I/R by involving TLR-4/NF-κB/iNOS signaling.

LncRNA MIF-AS1 aggravates the progression of ovarian cancer by sponging miRNA-31-5p

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to uncover the role of lncRNA MIF-AS1 in influencing the biological phenotypes of ovarian cancer (OC) and the underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

OC tissues and adjacent normal tissues were collected from 50 OC patients. The expression level of lncRNA MIF-AS1 in OC tissues and cells was determined by quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The prognostic potential of MIF-AS1 in OC patients was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Subsequently, the regulatory effects of MIF-AS1 on proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of ES-2 and HO-8910 cells were evaluated by a series of functional experiments. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were further conducted to verify the interaction in the regulatory loop MIF-AS1/miRNA-31-5p/PLCB1.

RESULTS

MIF-AS1 was significantly upregulated in OC tissues and cell lines (p<0.05). Higher level of MIF-AS1 predicted significantly worse prognosis of OC patients (p<0.05). The knockdown of MIF-AS1 markedly attenuated the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of ES-2 and HO-8910 cells (p<0.05). Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay verified that MIF-AS1 competed with PLCB1 to bind miRNA-31-5p. In addition, MIF-AS1 negatively regulated miRNA-31-5p expression cells, and miRNA-31-5p negatively regulated PLCB1 expression in OC.

CONCLUSIONS

MIF-AS1 was significantly upregulated in OC, which accelerated the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of OC cells. Furthermore, the regulatory loop MIF-AS1/miRNA-31-5p/PLCB1 could be utilized as a therapeutic target for OC.

Reduced serum exosomal miR-874 expression predicts poor prognosis in colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Emerging evidence has indicated that serum exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) have promising diagnostic and prognostic value for colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to detect serum exosomal miR-874 expression in CRC patients and assess its potential clinical significance.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Blood samples were collected from 125 CRC patients, 45 cases with benign adenomas (AD) and 70 healthy individuals. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to examine serum exosomal miR-874 levels.

RESULTS

The results showed that serum exosomal miR-874 levels were significantly downregulated in CRC patients compared to AD cases and healthy controls. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that serum exosomal miR-874 expression could discriminate CRC patients from healthy controls, as well as patients with AD. In addition, low serum exosomal miR-874 expression was associated with positive distant metastasis, positive lymph node metastasis, poor differentiation, and advanced TNM stage. Moreover, serum exosomal miR-874 expression was identified as a statistically significant independent prognostic factor for overall survival of CRC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, serum exosomal miR-874 expression might serve as a reliable marker for CRC diagnosis and prognosis prediction.

[Pediatric nasal neuroglial heterotopia: report of 13 cases]

Objective: To summarize clinical features and our experience of the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric nasal neuroglial heterotopia (NGH). Methods: Clinical data of 13 nasal NGH patients in Beijing Children's Hospital from August 2014 to October 2019 were retrospectively reviewed, including 9 boys and 4 girls, aged from 1 to 38 months with median age of 5 months. Radiological workups and excision of nasal NGH under general anesthesia were performed for all patients. B ultra-sound and MRI were performed for all external and mixed lesions, while ultra-low-dose CT scan and MRI for all intranasal type. Surgical approaches were dependent on location and extent of the lesions according to radiographic workup, including extranasal or transnasal endoscopic approach. Patients were followed up regularly after operation to evaluate the effect. Initial presentation, locations, imaging findings, surgical approaches and follow-up results were analyzed through descriptive statistical method. Results: Eight nasal NGH patients presented with an internal nasal mass and nasal obstruction, which belonged to intranasal type. Three patients presented with an external nasal mass which belonged to extranasal type and 2 patients had mixed lesions. The sites included nasal dorsum (n=5), anterior to the middle turbinate (n=5) and olfactory cleft (n=3). Surgical resections were done through median rhinotomy approach (n=5) or transnasal endoscopic approach (n=8). All the operations were successful and no complication occurred. All cases were followed up from 3 to 65 months. No recurrence was encountered. Conclusions: Nasal NGH is a rare lesion with atypical clinical presentation. Preoperative imaging including CT scan and MRI is essential for evaluation of the location, extent of the disease and for making the surgical plan. Treatment requires complete surgical excision.

Enhanced high temperature ferromagnetism in Bi1-xRxFeO3(R= Dy, Y) compounds

In this work we report experimental evidence for the weak high-temperature ferromagnetism in Bi1-xRxFeO3(R= Dy, Y) compounds by systematic characterizations, excluding the possible side-effects from other iron-based impurities. Remarkable saturated magnetic moment was observed in the Y-substituted samples, Bi1-xYxFeO3, which is larger than the moment obtained in Bi1-xDyxFeO3, the Dy-substituted samples with antiferromagnetic background. The physical origin of the weak ferromagnetic transition is discussed and serious lattice distortions have been identified based on the x-ray diffraction and Raman scattering data, although the rhombohedral structure symmetry remains unchanged upon the substitutions. It is believed that the structural distortion suppressed cycloid spin structure is the main factor for the enhanced magnetization in Bi1-xRxFeO3compounds. Additionally, the Dy3+-Fe3+antiferromagnetic coupling, which strengthens the antiferromagnetic interaction in Bi1-xDyxFeO3compounds, acts as the driving force for the magnetic discrepancy between Bi1-xYxFeO3and Bi1-xDyxFeO3samples.

Improved light extraction efficiency of AlGaN deep-ultraviolet light emitting diodes combining Ag-nanodots/Al reflective electrode with highly transparent p-type layer

Enhancement of light extraction efficiency (LEE) of AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been attempted by adopting Ag-nanodots/Al reflective electrodes on a highly transparent complex p-type layer. By thinning the p-GaN to several nm, highly DUV transparent p-type layer is achieved, making it meaningful for the application of reflective electrodes composed of Ag-nanodots and Al film to allow most light emitted upward to be reflected back to the sapphire side. By this approach, the maximum light output power and external quantum efficiency of the DUV-LEDs with optimized Ag nanodots/Al electrodes are severally increased by 52% and 58%, respectively, compared to those with traditional Ni/Au electrodes when the current is below 200 mA.

Keeping weight off: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction alters amygdala functional connectivity during weight loss maintenance in a randomized control trial

Obesity is associated with significant comorbidities and financial costs. While behavioral interventions produce clinically meaningful weight loss, weight loss maintenance is challenging. The objective was to improve understanding of the neural and psychological mechanisms modified by mindfulness that may predict clinical outcomes. Individuals who intentionally recently lost weight were randomized to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) or a control healthy living course. Anthropometric and psychological factors were measured at baseline, 8 weeks and 6 months. Functional connectivity (FC) analysis was performed at baseline and 8 weeks to examine FC changes between regions of interest selected a priori, and independent components identified by independent component analysis. The association of pre-post FC changes with 6-month weight and psychometric outcomes was then analyzed. Significant group x time interaction was found for FC between the amygdala and ventromedial prefrontal cortex, such that FC increased in the MBSR group and decreased in controls. Non-significant changes in weight were observed at 6 months, where the mindfulness group maintained their weight while the controls showed a weight increase of 3.4% in BMI. Change in FC at 8-weeks between ventromedial prefrontal cortex and several ROIs was associated with change in depression symptoms but not weight at 6 months. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence of neural mechanisms that may be involved in MBSR’s impact on weight loss maintenance that may be useful for designing future clinical trials and mechanistic studies.

Suppressing Anterior Cingulate Cortex Modulates Default Mode Network and Behavior in Awake Rats

The default mode network (DMN) is a principal brain network in the mammalian brain. Although the DMN in humans has been extensively studied with respect to network structure, function, and clinical implications, our knowledge of DMN in animals remains limited. In particular, the functional role of DMN nodes, and how DMN organization relates to DMN-relevant behavior are still elusive. Here we investigated the causal relationship of inactivating a pivotal node of DMN (i.e., dorsal anterior cingulate cortex [dACC]) on DMN function, network organization, and behavior by combining chemogenetics, resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and behavioral tests in awake rodents. We found that suppressing dACC activity profoundly changed the activity and connectivity of DMN, and these changes were associated with altered DMN-related behavior in animals. The chemo-rsfMRI-behavior approach opens an avenue to mechanistically dissecting the relationships between a specific node, brain network function, and behavior. Our data suggest that, like in humans, DMN in rodents is a functional network with coordinated activity that mediates behavior.

Long non-coding RNA MIR503HG serves as a tumor suppressor in non-small cell lung cancer mediated by wnt1

OBJECTIVE

The incidence and death rate of lung cancer has been rising year by year. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) seriously affects people's health and quality of life. This study was designed to explore the functional role of long-chain non-coding RNA (LncRNA) MIR503HG in the development of NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) assay was conducted to access the expression level of MIR503HG in NSCLC cell lines and tissues. The Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, and flow cytometric analysis were performed to assess the ability of MIR503HG in regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis in NSCLC. Subsequently, Western blotting was used to detect the expression level of Wnt1 in NSCLC. Besides, in vivo tumorigenesis assay was performed in nude mice to examine the ability of MIR503HG in tumor formation.

RESULTS

MIR503HG was downregulated in NSCLC. CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay revealed that MIR503HG negatively regulated cell proliferation in NSLCL progression. In addition, MIR503HG promoted cell apoptosis and suppressed cell cycle progression in NSCLC in vitro. MIR503HG inhibited tumor formation in nude mice bearing NSCLC in vivo. MIR503HG downregulated Wnt1 expression in NSCLC.

CONCLUSIONS

Lon non-coding RNA MIR503HG was downregulated in NSCLC. The over-expression of MIR503HG suppressed cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in vitro and repressed tumorigenesis in vivo. MIR503HG suppressed NSCLC progression via negatively regulating Wnt1 expression.

LncRNA ROR facilitates myocardial fibrosis in rats with viral myocarditis through regulating C-Myc expression

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of long non-coding ribonucleic acid (lncRNA) ROR on myocardial fibrosis in rats with viral myocarditis by regulating c-myc expression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 120 healthy male rats were randomly divided into three groups, including: blank control group (group N, healthy rats, n=40), model control group (group M, viral myocarditis, n=40), and group P (lncRNA ROR + viral myocarditis, n=40). At 5, 10, and 15 d after modeling, the rats were sacrificed. Meanwhile, the left ventricular mass index (LVMI), the left ventricular weight/tibial length (LVW/TL) and the heart mass index (HMI) were measured, respectively. The myocardial tissues of rats were observed via staining. The protein and mRNA expressions of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and c-myc in myocardial tissues were detected via Western blotting and quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. Moreover, the level of the serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) was detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

Compared with group N, HMI, LVMI, and LVW/TL in group M significantly increased at each time point (p<0.01). Meanwhile, they were remarkably elevated at each time point in group P when compared with those in group M (p<0.01). According to the results of hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE) staining, the myocardial fibers were normal and orderly arranged in group N. Meanwhile, no inflammatory cells were observed in group N. In group M, the proliferation of a large number of inflammatory cells was observed, and the myocardial cells were disorderly arranged and became enlarged. In group P, the myocardial fibrosis was significantly severer than that of the other two groups (p<0.05). The results of the Masson staining revealed that there was significantly less accumulation of collagen fibers in myocardium in group N. There was a little accumulation of collagen fibers in the myocardium and fibrosis declined in group M. The myocardial fibrosis in group P remarkably increased when compared with group M (p<0.05). According to the results of the Western blotting, the protein expressions of c-myc and TGF-β were significantly up-regulated in group P, compared with those in group M and N (p<0.05). However, they were remarkably higher in group M than in group N (p<0.05). QRT-PCR showed that the relative messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of c-myc and TGF-β were remarkably up-regulated in group P when compared with those in group M and N, showing statistically significant differences (p<0.05). Moreover, they were significantly higher in group M than those in group N (p<0.05). Besides, the expression level of serum IL-6 remained highest in group P (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

LncRNA ROR up-regulates the expression of c-myc and increases the level of serum IL-6, thereby facilitating the proliferation and differentiation of cardiac fibroblasts.