Inhibition of SRSF3 Alleviates Proliferation and Migration of Gastric Cancer Cells by Regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signalling Pathway

This study was aimed to investigate the impact of serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 3 (SRSF3) on the proliferation and migration of gastric cancer (GC) cells. SRSF3 levels in GC tissues and cell lines were measured by Western blotting. Functional assays were used for evaluation of GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was then examined by Western blotting. SRSF3 exhibits abnormal expression for the significantly increased levels in GC. SRSF3 knockdown significantly suppressed GC progression. SRSF3 knockdown significantly inhibited activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling. Inhibition of SRSF3 alleviates proliferation and migration of GC cells, and this process is mediated by inactivation of PI3K/ AKT/mTOR signalling. Targeting SRSF3 may be a promising strategy to combat GC.

Visible-light-induced radical cascade cyclization of 1-(allyloxy)-2-(1-arylvinyl)benzenes with sulfonyl chlorides for the synthesis of sulfonated benzoxepines

A visible light photocatalyzed cascade sulfonylation/cyclization of 1-(allyloxy)-2-(1-arylvinyl)benzenes with sulfonyl chlorides for the construction of sulfonated benzoxepines is developed.

144 Use of the CRISPR/CAS 9 system to produce porcine adipose-derived stem cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein

The goal of our project is to produce porcine adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) stably expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) by using the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRIPSR) technique. Fluorescent stem cells can facilitate the tracing and visualisation of stem cell migration, fusion, and participation in tissue regeneration after stem cell injection therapy, and represent a useful tool for tissue engineering research. The production of stem cells containing eGFP from ASCs using the CRISPR gene editing technique is able to reduce the time and labour requirement necessary for harvesting fluorescent cells from transgenic pigs. To generate fluorescent, edited cells, we utilised the ROSA 26 locus of pigs for insertion of the eGFP gene by homology-directed repair of Cas9-cleaved DNA at the ROSA 26 locus. The critical steps of producing stem cells expressing eGFP are (1) cloning of guide oligos into a Cas9 cutting vector and producing a repair template vector to insert GFP; (2) transfecting porcine stem cells with CRISPR plasmids; (3) cell sorting with flow cytometry to isolate colonies expressing GFP. A Rosa 26 Cas9-gRNA cutting vector was produced by cloning a guide RNA sequence into the vector backbone of plasmid pX458-GFP, and the donor vector was produced by the combination of the eGFP gene flanked with ROSA 26 genomic DNA inserted into plasmid pUC57. To isolate cells edited to contain the eGFP gene inserted into the ROSA-26 locus, we transfected 250,000 cells with a 1:1 mass mixture of Cas9-gRNA and eGFP repair plasmid using Lipofectamine STEM reagent (Invitrogen) in three trials. GFP+ cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting, plated in 96-well plates, and monitored for colony growth and GFP expression. These trials produced an average of ∼70 colonies from sorting, and ∼1% GFP+ colonies. As pX458 drives expression of GFP as a marker for transfection, we hypothesised that we would potentially isolate more GFP+ edited colonies if we utilised a Cas9-gRNA cutting vector expressing mCherry and sorted for cells expressing both mCherry and GFP. This would allow enrichment of edited cells expressing GFP early after transfection, without interference of cells expressing GFP from the Cas9-gRNA vector alone. Utilising this method, we again obtained an average of ∼70 colonies from sorting, and 3% GFP+ colonies. Results were subjected to Student’s t-test. The comparisons were colonies/cell sorted and GFP+ colonies/cell sorted. All data were expressed as quadratic means+mean SE. When we compared groups, no differences were found for colonies/cell sorted: P=0.53 (1.11 E-03±9.16E-04 and 5.39 E-04±3.77 E-04, respectively, for green-green or red-green) and for GFP+ colonies/cell sorted: P=0.44 (1.94 E-05±2.15E-05 and 4.59 E-05±2.46 E-05, respectively, for green-green or red-green). In conclusion, our attempts to isolate ASC edited to express GFP have been successful, and our initial results suggest that utilising a dual fluorescent label sorting strategy does not enhance the number of GFP+ ASC colonies isolated. Future studies will verify that our GFP+ ASC retain normal stem cell properties.

Screening Accuracy of SARC-F for Sarcopenia in the Elderly: A Diagnostic Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Sarcopenia is an age-related disease, which is characterized by a decline in muscle mass and function. It is one of the most important health issues in the elderly and often leads to a high rate and variety of adverse outcomes.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the screening accuracy of SARC-F for sarcopenia in the elderly.

DESIGN

We conducted a meta-analysis using articles available in 6 databases including PubMed (Medline), Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL), China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database (CNKI), and Wanfang databases from inception to May 2020.

PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged 60 years and older.

MEASUREMENTS

Sarcopenia was defined by EWGSOP2, EWGSOP, AWGS, FNIH and IWGS. Two authors independently extracted data based on predefined criteria. Where data were available we calculated pooled summary estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) based on different criteria using the hierarchical logistic regression modeling including bivariate modeling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) modeling.

RESULTS

We included 20 studies, with the prevalence of sarcopenia ranging from 6.42% to 21.56%. The number of the literatures using EWGSOP, EWGSOP2, AWGS, IWGS and FNIH as diagnostic criteria was 13, 4, 13, 8, 7, respectively. Bivariate analysis yielded a pooled sensitivity of 32% (95%CI:19%-47%), 77% (95%CI: 49%-92%), 27% (95%CI: 16%-42%), 39% (95%CI: 27%-52%), 35% (95%CI: 23%-49%) and a pooled specificity of 86% (95%CI:77%-92%), 63% (95%CI: 43%-79%), 91% (95%CI: 85%-95%), 86% (95%CI: 76%-92%), 89% (95%CI: 81%-93%), respectively. The area under the HSROC curve were 0.68 (95%CI: 0.64-0.72), 0.75 (95%CI: 0.71-0.78), 0.73 (95%CI: 0.69-0.77), 0.67 (95%CI: 0.62-0.71), 0.70 (95%CI: 0.65-0.73), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The screening accuracy of SARC-F was various based on different diagnostic criteria. There were some limitations for SARC-F, however, considering the higher practicability and specificity for screening sarcopenia in practice, SARC-F was still an effective screening tool for sarcopenia in the elderly. And the screening accuracy of SARC-F needs further exploration when EWGSOP2 is applied as diagnostic criteria and geriatric inpatients are the target participants.

Comparing the Performance of Different Instruments for Diagnosing Frailty and Predicting Adverse Outcomes among Elderly Patients with Gastric Cancer

OBJECTIVES

To examine the diagnostic performance of the Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), 11-factor modified frailty index (mFI-11), and 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) for frailty defined by Frailty Phenotype (FP), as well as to compare the predictive ability of TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 for adverse outcomes in hospital among elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery.

DESIGN

A prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Hospitalization setting, Nanjing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

We recruited 259 elderly patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery from a tertiary hospital.

MEASUREMENTS

Frailty was assessed by the FP, TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 before surgery, respectively. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to compared the diagnostic performance of TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 using FP as the reference. ROC curves were used to examine the performance of TFI, mFI-11, and mFI-5 in predicting adverse outcomes. The area under the curve (AUC)>0.70 was regarded as an indicator of good performance.

RESULTS

The prevalence of frailty ranged from 8.5% (mFI-11) to 45.9% (TFI). The AUCs of TFI (AUC: 0.764, p<0.001) was significantly greater than that of mFI-11 (AUC: 0.600, p=0.033) and mFI-5 (AUC: 0.600, p=0.0311) in the detection of frailty defined by FP, with quite different sensitivity and specificity at their original cutoffs. TFI and mFI-11 both had statistically significant but similarly inadequate predictive accuracy for adverse outcomes in hospital, including total complications (AUCs: 0.618; 0.621), PLOS (AUCs: 0.593; 0.639), increased hospital costs (AUCs: 0.594; 0.624), and hypoproteinemia (AUCs: 0.573; 0.600). For the mFI-5, only the predictive ability for hypoproteinemia was statistically significant, with poor accuracy (AUC: 0.592, p<0.0055).

CONCLUSION

The TFI performed slightly better than mFI-11 and mFI-5 in our study. Moreover, future studies are needed to further determine an optimal frailty instrument with great diagnostic and predictive accuracy.

Measurement of single-diffractive dijet production in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te with the CMS and TOTEM experiments

Measurements are presented of the single-diffractive dijet cross section and the diffractive cross section as a function of the proton fractional momentum loss ξ and the four-momentum transfer squared t. Both processesp p → p X andp p → X p , i.e. with the proton scattering to either side of the interaction point, are measured, whereX includes at least two jets; the results of the two processes are averaged. The analyses are based on data collected simultaneously with the CMS and TOTEM detectors at the LHC in proton-proton collisions ats = 8 Te during a dedicated run withβ ∗ = 90 m at low instantaneous luminosity and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 37.5 nb - 1 . The single-diffractive dijet cross section σ jj p X , in the kinematic region ξ < 0.1 ,0.03 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 , with at least two jets with transverse momentump T > 40 Ge , and pseudorapidity | η | < 4.4 , is 21.7 ± 0.9 (stat) - 3.3 + 3.0 (syst) ± 0.9 (lumi) nb . The ratio of the single-diffractive to inclusive dijet yields, normalised per unit of ξ , is presented as a function of x, the longitudinal momentum fraction of the proton carried by the struck parton. The ratio in the kinematic region defined above, for x values in the range - 2.9 ≤ log 10 x ≤ - 1.6 , is R = ( σ jj p X / Δ ξ ) / σ jj = 0.025 ± 0.001 (stat) ± 0.003 (syst) , where σ jj p X and σ jj are the single-diffractive and inclusive dijet cross sections, respectively. The results are compared with predictions from models of diffractive and nondiffractive interactions. Monte Carlo predictions based on the HERA diffractive parton distribution functions agree well with the data when corrected for the effect of soft rescattering between the spectator partons.

Measurement of single-diffractive dijet production in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te with the CMS and TOTEM experiments

Measurements are presented of the single-diffractive dijet cross section and the diffractive cross section as a function of the proton fractional momentum loss ξ and the four-momentum transfer squared t. Both processes p p → p X and p p → X p , i.e. with the proton scattering to either side of the interaction point, are measured, where X includes at least two jets; the results of the two processes are averaged. The analyses are based on data collected simultaneously with the CMS and TOTEM detectors at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te during a dedicated run with β ∗ = 90 m at low instantaneous luminosity and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 37.5 nb - 1 . The single-diffractive dijet cross section σ jj p X , in the kinematic region ξ < 0.1 , 0.03 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 , with at least two jets with transverse momentum p T > 40 Ge , and pseudorapidity | η | < 4.4 , is 21.7 ± 0.9 (stat) - 3.3 + 3.0 (syst) ± 0.9 (lumi) nb . The ratio of the single-diffractive to inclusive dijet yields, normalised per unit of ξ , is presented as a function of x, the longitudinal momentum fraction of the proton carried by the struck parton. The ratio in the kinematic region defined above, for x values in the range - 2.9 ≤ log 10 x ≤ - 1.6 , is R = ( σ jj p X / Δ ξ ) / σ jj = 0.025 ± 0.001 (stat) ± 0.003 (syst) , where σ jj p X and σ jj are the single-diffractive and inclusive dijet cross sections, respectively. The results are compared with predictions from models of diffractive and nondiffractive interactions. Monte Carlo predictions based on the HERA diffractive parton distribution functions agree well with the data when corrected for the effect of soft rescattering between the spectator partons.

Model-Independent Study of Structure in B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} Decays

The only anticipated resonant contributions to B^{+}→D^{+}D^{-}K^{+} decays are charmonium states in the D^{+}D^{-} channel. A model-independent analysis, using LHCb proton-proton collision data taken at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}, is carried out to test this hypothesis. The description of the data assuming that resonances only manifest in decays to the D^{+}D^{-} pair is shown to be incomplete. This constitutes evidence for a new contribution to the decay, potentially one or more new charm-strange resonances in the D^{-}K^{+} channel with masses around 2.9  GeV/c^{2}.

Pattern-recognition receptors in duck (Anas platyrhynchos): identification, expression and function analysis of toll-like receptor 3

1. Innate immunity provides the first line of defence against pathogenic organisms through a myriad of germline encoded receptors called pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs). Toll-like receptor (TLR) 3, as an important member of PRRs, is indispensable for host defence against viral infection by recognising virus-derived RNAs. However, little is known about the structure and function of TLR3 in ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), a natural host for the avian influenza virus.2. This study cloned the full-length cDNA of duck TLR3 using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The cDNA sequence of duck TLR3 was 4046 bp in length and encoded 895 amino acids. Multiple sequence alignment showed that duck TLR3 shared high similarity with that from other vertebrates.3. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis suggested that TLR3 mRNA was constitutively expressed in all tissues tested, having higher levels in the kidney, liver, breast muscle, ovary and heart. After stimulation with viral- or bacterial-mimics, including LPS, poly(I:C), pam3CSK4, FLS-1, FLA-ST and R848, the TLR3 transcript was significantly upregulated. Meanwhile, overexpression of duck TLR3 significantly promoted the transcription of IFN-β, IRF7, TRIF, Mx, STAT1 and STAT2 mRNA after stimulation with poly(I:C).4. These results suggested that TLR3 play an important role in resistance against viral and bacterial infections in ducks.

Constraints on the K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} Branching Fraction

A search for the decay K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-} is performed using proton-proton collision data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6  fb^{-1} and collected with the LHCb experiment during 2016, 2017, and 2018 at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The observed signal yield is consistent with zero, yielding an upper limit of B(K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<2.2×10^{-10} at 90% C.L.. The limit reduces to B(K_{S}^{0}→μ^{+}μ^{-})<2.1×10^{-10} at 90% C.L. once combined with the result from data taken in 2011 and 2012.

MiR-369-3p inhibits tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma by binding to PAX6

Accepted as crucial participators in human diseases, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to play important roles in cancer progression, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study is to preliminarily elucidate the role of miR-369-3p in HCC. Here, miR-369-3p and PAX6 expressions were detected by RT-qPCR. The functional mechanism of miR-369-3p/PAX6 axis was investigated by MTT, Transwell and luciferase reporter assays. The results showed that miR- 369-3p was downregulated in HCC and was associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage in HCC patients. Functionally, miR-369-3p overexpression inhibited cell viability and motility in HCC. Furthermore, PAX6 was confirmed as a direct target of miR-369-3p, and upregulation of PAX6 exerts carcinogenesis in the development of HCC. PAX6 can weaken the inhibitory effect of miR-369-3p in HCC. In conclusion, miR-369-3p inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells by suppressing PAX6 expression.

Observation of Enhanced Double Parton Scattering in Proton-Lead Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16 TeV

A study of prompt charm-hadron pair production in proton-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV is performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 30  nb^{-1}, collected with the LHCb experiment. Production cross sections for different pairs of charm hadrons are measured and kinematic correlations between the two charm hadrons are investigated. This is the first measurement of associated production of two charm hadrons in proton-lead collisions. The results confirm the predicted enhancement of double parton scattering production in proton-lead collisions compared to the single parton scattering production.

[The difference of surface electromyography data processing method based on simulated manal-lifting-task]

Objective: To study the differences of different signal processing method of surface electromyography (sEMG) in judging muscle fatigue. Methods: From July to October 2019, based on the model of simulated manual lifting operation, the original sEMG signals from 13 volunteers of brachial radial muscle, brachial two-headed muscle, triangle muscle, left vertical spine muscle, right vertical spine muscle and lateral femoral muscle were collected in the operation activities. Three different electromyography signal processing methods (all signal from motion beginning to the end, peak signal and ehe specified motion signal) were used to analyze the original data in time domain (RMS) and frequency domain (MDF) , the data difference between different electromyography signal processing methods was analyzed by using Wilcoxon rank and sum test and nonlinear curve fitting method. Results: The age of the subjects of the simulated lifting operation was (24.31±2.02) years old, height (173.78±4.84) cm, weight (66.28±5.58) kg, body mass index (BMI) 21.94±1.58. The thickness of triceps skinfold was (14.08±4.86) mm, and the thickness of the skin fold under the scapula was (15.54±3.59) mm. After processing the original signal data by using different sEMG signal interception methods, the normality test, Levene's test, and the Wilcoxon test showed that, except for the MDF index of the brachial two-headed muscle, the differences in the RMS and MDF signals of the other muscles were statistically significant (P<0.016) . The all signal processing method dealed with data distribution dispersion better than other methods, and the rate of change of RMS signal slope was higher than other methods. Non-linear regression results showed that all signal processing method had low volatility in processing data, and the regression equation had a high degree of fit. Conclusion: Different electromyography signal processing methods have differences. The all signal processing method which intercepts from starting point to the end point of action cycle has the least data volatility, and electromyography time domain and frequency domain index with the highest sensitivity of time, which is suitable for the application of surface electromyography to judge muscle fatigue in dynamic and complex operations.

Association of placenta-derived extracellular vesicles with pre-eclampsia and associated hypercoagulability: a clinical observational study

OBJECTIVE

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-associated condition initiated by placental factors. We have demonstrated that placental extracellular vesicles (pcEVs) cause hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant and non-pregnant mice.

STUDY DESIGN

An observational study with both case-control and longitudinal designs.

SETTING

A single centre at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University.

POPULATION

We collected blood samples and clinical information from 54 PE patients, 33 normally pregnant women at 30-36 gestational weeks and on postpartum days 1 and 4 for the cross-sectional study, and at 22-31, 32-35 and 36-40 weeks for the longitudinal study. Non-pregnant women were also recruited.

METHODS

Blood samples were analysed using flow cytometry, coagulation tests and ELISA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was plasma pcEV and other extracellular vesicles (EVs), and their expressions of anionic phospholipids and von Willebrand factor (VWF). Secondary variables included coagulation, ADAMTS-13 and the anionic phospholipid-binding proteins.

RESULTS

Plasma pcEVs progressively increased from pregnant women during non-menstrual period (NW) to PE patients (interquartile range [IQR] for NW: 206/microlitre [116-255], normal pregnancy [NP]: 1108/microlitre [789-1969] and PE: 8487/microlitre [4991-16 752]) and predicted PE. EVs from endothelial cells, platelets and erythrocytes accounted for <10% of pcEVs. VWF became hyper-adhesive in PE patients and contributed to the pregnancy-associated hypercoagulability.

CONCLUSION

Placental, platelet- and endothelial cell-derived EVs were significantly elevated in PE patients, but only pcEVs predicted PE. These EVs played a causal role in the pregnancy-induced hypercoagulability.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Placenta-derived extracellular vesicles predict pre-eclampsia and the associated hypercoagulability.

PCAT1 promotes the proliferative and migratory potentials of ovarian cancer via targeting NEK2

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to clarify the potential role of PCAT1 in the occurrence and development of ovarian cancer (OC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Expression levels of PCAT1 and NEK2 in OC tissues and cell lines were detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Correlation between PCAT1 expression with tumor stage and prognosis of OC patients was analyzed. Knockdown or over-expression of PCAT1 and NEK2 were achieved by siRNA or lentivirus transfection, respectively. Subsequently, cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle progression and migration were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry and transwell assay, respectively. Furthermore, the protein levels of relative genes in Wnt pathway were detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

PCAT1 was highly expressed in OC tissues and cell lines, especially in tumor tissues with stage III-IV compared with stage I-II. The prognosis of OC patients with higher expression of PCAT1 was significantly worse than those with lower expression. In vitro experiments confirmed that PCAT1 knockdown obviously inhibited proliferative and migratory potentials, whereas induced apoptosis of OC cells. No significant changes were observed in cell cycle progression of OC cells after knockdown or overexpression of PCAT1. Meanwhile, overexpression of PCAT1 remarkably upregulated the expression level of NEK2, which was the target gene of PCAT1. Interestingly, NEK2 knockdown could obviously suppress cell migration. Furthermore, Western blot results elucidated that PCAT1 knockdown could inhibit the protein levels of relative genes in Wnt pathway in OC cells.

CONCLUSIONS

PCAT1 was highly expressed in OC tissues than adjacent normal tissues. PCAT1 overexpression significantly promoted proliferative and migratory potentials, whereas inhibited apoptosis of OC cells through upregulating NEK2 expression via Wnt pathway.

Long non-coding RNA XIST promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression by sponging miR-200b-3p

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have proved that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as an important role in many diseases. In this research, lncRNA XIST was explored to identify how it functions in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was utilized to detect XIST expression in HCC patients. Then, we conducted Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and colony formation assays in vitro. Furthermore, mechanism assays and the interaction between XIST and miR-200b-3p were conducted.

RESULTS

By comparing with XIST expression in adjacent tissues, the XIST expression level was significantly higher in HCC samples. Moreover, functional assays showed that the cell growth ability of HCC cells was inhibited after XIST was silenced in vitro, and tumor formation was inhibited after XIST was silenced in vivo. Further experiments showed that miR-200b-3p was directly targeted by XIST.

CONCLUSIONS

Above results suggest that XIST could enhance the cell growth ability of HCC by targeting miR-200b-3p, which suggest that XIST may be a potential therapeutic target in HCC.

Upregulation of circHIPK3 promotes the progression of gastric cancer via Wnt/β-catenin pathway and indicates a poor prognosis

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the regulatory effect of circular RNA HIPK3 (circHIPK3) on the progression of gastric cancer (GC) by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. We aim to reveal whether the abnormal expression of circHIPK3 could predict the poor prognosis of GC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CircHIPK3 level in GC tissues and paracancerous tissues was determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Its level in GC cell lines (BGC, MGC, SGC and MKN) and gastric mucosal cell line (GES) was examined as well. The correlation between the circHIPK3 level and overall survival of GC was analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Regulatory effects of circHIPK3 on the proliferative ability of GC cells were evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assay, respectively. Migratory changes influenced by circHIPK3 were explored through wound healing assay. The expression levels of relative genes in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway were detected in GC cells with circHIPK3 knockdown. Finally, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway inhibitor PNU-74654 was applied for detecting its influence on cellular behaviors of GC cells.

RESULTS

CircHIPK3 level was higher in GC tissues relative to paracancerous tissues. Identically, its level was higher in GC cells compared with that of GES cells. The expression level of circHIPK3 was negatively correlated to the overall survival of GC patients. Silence of circHIPK3 weakened proliferative and migratory abilities of GC cells. In addition, circHIPK3 knockdown markedly downregulated levels of WNT1, TCF4 and β-catenin. Application of PNU-74654 weakened the abilities of GC cells to proliferate and migrate.

CONCLUSIONS

CircHIPK3 promotes GC cells to proliferate and migrate by regulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Upregulation of circHIPK3 indicates poor prognosis of GC patients.

SHH expression in placental tissues and trophoblast cell oxidative stress injury during preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between Sonic hedgehog (SHH) protein expression levels on placental tissues and the presence of preeclampsia and to assess oxidative stress in cultured trophoblast cells from placentas of women with preeclampsia treated under different conditions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We enrolled 30 pregnant women with early-onset preeclampsia (<34 weeks), 30 with late-onset preeclampsia (≥34 weeks), and 60 healthy pregnant women with early or late gestational ages for two control groups. We used ELISA tests to measure individual serum SHH levels. Also, we used real-time PCR, and Western blotting to detect Shh transcript and protein levels in placental tissues, respectively, and immunohistochemistry to localize the protein in placental tissues. We isolated trophoblast cells from placentas and cultured them in vitro under different conditions to compare oxidative stress injury and apoptosis rates between them.

RESULTS

The mean serum SHH levels in early and late preeclampsia groups were similar (p>0.05). Placentas of women with and without preeclampsia both expressed SHH protein mainly in syncytiotrophoblast cytoplasms. The mean placental SHH protein expressions in both women with early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia were significantly higher than that in the women of the late gestational age control group (p<0.05). The mean Shh mRNA abundances in early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia placentas were significantly higher than that in the late gestational age control placentas (p<0.05). The placental mitochondria oxidative stress injury was significantly higher in the preeclampsia than in the control group (p<0.05). The oxidative stress injury and apoptosis of trophoblast cells were higher in preeclampsia groups than in the late gestational age control group (p<0.05). Trophoblast cells treated with SHH serum had significantly lower oxidative stress than the same cells grown in the presence of preeclamptic serum (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The expression of Shh in placental tissues is associated with the oxidative stress mechanism during preeclampsia.

The Junctional Epithelium Is Maintained by a Stem Cell Population

The most fundamental function of an epithelial tissue is to act as a barrier, regulating interactions between the external environment and the body. This barrier function typically requires a contiguous cell layer but since teeth penetrate the oral epithelium, a modified barrier has evolved, called the junctional epithelium (JE). In health, the JE attaches to the tooth, sealing the inside of the body against oral micro-organisms. Breakdown of the JE barrier results in periodontal ligament (PDL) disintegration, alveolar bone resorption, and ultimately tooth loss. Using lineage tracing and DNA pulse-chase analyses, we identified an anatomical location in the JE that supported both fast- and slow-cycling Wnt-responsive stem cells that contributed to self-renewal of the tissue. Stem cells produced daughter cells with an extraordinarily high rate of turnover that maintained JE integrity for 1.4 y in mice. Blocking cell proliferation via a chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) eliminated fast-cycling stem cells, which caused JE degeneration, PDL destruction, and bone resorption. Upon removal of 5-Fu, slow-cycling stem cells regenerated both the structure and barrier function of the JE. Taken together, our studies identified a stem cell population in the JE and have potential clinical implications for prevention and treatment of periodontitis.

Highly expressed long non-coding RNA FEZF1-AS1 promotes cells proliferation and metastasis through Notch signaling in prostate cancer

OBJECTIVE

Growing studies indicated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) acted as imperative players in neoplasms initiation and progression. This research was designed to study the potential involvements of lncRNA FEZF1-AS1 (FEZF1-AS1) in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Real-time PCR was performed to detect the expressions of FEZF1-AS1 in PCa specimens and cell lines. Correlations between G- FEZF1-AS1 expressions and clinical characteristics and overall survivals were determined using statistical methods. The CCK-8 assays, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, transwell, and wound scratch assays were carried out to study cells viability, cells migration, and invasion. Western blot and RT-PCR were used for the determination of the influence of FEZF1-AS1 on Notch signaling pathway.

RESULTS

We found that FEZF1-AS1 expressions were distinctly reduced in human PCa tissues and cell lines compared with their non-tumor counterparts, and its higher levels were strongly associated with lymph node metastasis (p=0.012) and Angiolymphatic invasion (p=0.022). Then, Kaplan-Meier assays showed that patients with higher expressions of FEZF1-AS1 were shown to predict unfavorable overall survival. Cox proportional hazards risks assays revealed that FEZF1-AS1 acted as an independent prognostic factor for PCa. Functional investigations suggested that knockdown of FEZF1-AS1 could suppress cells proliferation, trigger late apoptosis, and inhibit cells invasion and migration. Mechanistic assays demonstrated that FEZF1-AS1 exhibited its tumor-promotive roles by activating the Notch signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

We suggested that FEZF1-AS1 served as a tumor promoter in PCa and may develop a novel therapeutic target for PCa patients.