Glucocorticoid receptor regulates expression of microRNA-22 and downstream signaling pathway in apoptosis of pancreatic acinar cells

Artificial intelligence-based tools with automated segmentation and measurement on CT images to assist accurate and fast diagnosis in acute pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES

To develop an artificial intelligence (AI) tool with automated pancreas segmentation and measurement of pancreatic morphological information on CT images to assist improved and faster diagnosis in acute pancreatitis.

METHODS

This study retrospectively contained 1124 patients suspected for AP and received non-contrast and enhanced abdominal CT examination between September 2013 and September 2022. Patients were divided into training (N = 688), validation (N = 145), testing dataset [N = 291; N = 104 for normal pancreas, N = 98 for AP, N = 89 for AP complicated with PDAC (AP&PDAC)]. A model based on convolutional neural network (MSAnet) was developed. The pancreas segmentation and measurement were performed via eight open-source models and MSAnet based tools, and the efficacy was evaluated using dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and intersection over union (IoU). The DSC and IoU for patients with different ages were also compared. The outline of tumour and oedema in the AP and were segmented by clustering. The diagnostic efficacy for radiologists with or without the assistance of MSAnet tool in AP and AP&PDAC was evaluated using receiver operation curve and confusion matrix.

RESULTS

Among all models, MSAnet based tool showed best performance on the training and validation dataset, and had high efficacy on testing dataset. The performance was age-affected. With assistance of the AI tool, the diagnosis time was significantly shortened by 26.8% and 32.7% for junior and senior radiologists, respectively. The area under curve (AUC) in diagnosis of AP was improved from 0.91 to 0.96 for junior radiologist and 0.98 to 0.99 for senior radiologist. In AP&PDAC diagnosis, AUC was increased from 0.85 to 0.92 for junior and 0.97 to 0.99 for senior.

CONCLUSION

MSAnet based tools showed good pancreas segmentation and measurement performance, which help radiologists improve diagnosis efficacy and workflow in both AP and AP with PDAC conditions.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE

This study developed an AI tool with automated pancreas segmentation and measurement and provided evidence for AI tool assistance in improving the workflow and accuracy of AP diagnosis.

Apoptosis Evaluation in Circulating CD34+-Enriched Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells in Patients with Abnormally Increased Production of Endogenous Glucocorticoids in Course of Cushing's Syndrome

Abnormalities in hematological parameters of peripheral blood have been noted in patients with endogenous Cushing's Syndrome (CS) in the corticotropin (ACTH)-dependent and ACTH-independent forms. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of glucocorticoids (GCs) action on human hematopoiesis is still not entirely clear. The aim of the study was to determine whether endogenous excessive production of GCs could affect apoptosis of CD34+ cells enriched in hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) collected from the peripheral blood of newly diagnosed CS patients. Flow cytometry, Annexin-V enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, TUNEL assay, real-time quantitative PCR, and microarray RNA/miRNA techniques were used to characterize CS patients' HSPCs. We found that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) protein expression levels in CS were higher than in healthy controls. A complex analysis of apoptotic status of CS patients' HSPC cells showed that GCs significantly augmented apoptosis in peripheral blood-derived CD34+ cells and results obtained using different methods to detect early and late apoptosis in analyzed cell population were consistent. CS was also associated with significant upregulation in several members of the BCL-2 superfamily and other genes associated with apoptosis control. Furthermore, global gene expression analysis revealed significantly higher expression of genes associated with programmed cell death control in HSPCs from CS patients. These findings suggest that human endogenous GCs have a direct pro-apoptotic activity in hematopoietic CD34+ cells derived from CS subjects before treatment.

Effective Population Size Predicts Local Rates but Not Local Mitigation of Read-through Errors

In correctly predicting that selection efficiency is positively correlated with the effective population size (Ne), the nearly neutral theory provides a coherent understanding of between-species variation in numerous genomic parameters, including heritable error (germline mutation) rates. Does the same theory also explain variation in phenotypic error rates and in abundance of error mitigation mechanisms? Translational read-through provides a model to investigate both issues as it is common, mostly nonadaptive, and has good proxy for rate (TAA being the least leaky stop codon) and potential error mitigation via "fail-safe" 3' additional stop codons (ASCs). Prior theory of translational read-through has suggested that when population sizes are high, weak selection for local mitigation can be effective thus predicting a positive correlation between ASC enrichment and Ne. Contra to prediction, we find that ASC enrichment is not correlated with Ne. ASC enrichment, although highly phylogenetically patchy, is, however, more common both in unicellular species and in genes expressed in unicellular modes in multicellular species. By contrast, Ne does positively correlate with TAA enrichment. These results imply that local phenotypic error rates, not local mitigation rates, are consistent with a drift barrier/nearly neutral model.

Circulating extracellular vesicle-encapsulated microRNA as screening biomarkers for intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm

Since intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) occasionally contain pancreatic malignancies, it is vital to develop a screening program that can detect IPMNs in the general population and that can identify IPMNs with high malignant potential. The present study investigated whether microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in the blood may be diagnostic markers for IPMN screening. Initially, extracellular vesicle-encapsulated miRNAs (EV-miRNAs) in the serum with altered expression between IPMN, IPMN-derived carcinoma (IPMC) and control samples, were identified using microarray analysis. To validate the microarray results, the expression levels of selected EV-miRNAs were detected. Briefly, serum EV-miRNAs were extracted from 38 patients with IPMN (11 patients with IPMC and 27 patients with benign IPMN) and 21 non-tumor controls. The results of the microarray analysis revealed that the expression levels of EV-miR-22-3p, EV-miR-4539 and EV-miR-6132 were higher in the IPMN and IPMC serum samples compared with those in the control samples. With regards to discriminating IPMNs from controls, only miR-4539 exhibited a significant difference (P=0.004). In the comparison between IPMN and IPMC, carcinogenic antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and EV-miR-6132 exhibited significant differences (P=0.01 and P=0.007, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that EV-miR-4539 could discriminate patients with IPMNs from control patients, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72. Additionally, ROC analysis indicated that the markers could discriminate patients with IPMC from benign IPMN, with AUC values of 0.77 for EV-miR-6132 and 0.74 for CA19-9. In conclusion, the present study suggested that EV-miRNAs may be used as diagnostic markers for the detection of IPMNs in the general population as well as for identifying IPMNs with high malignant potential.

Mode of Action of Shan-Zhu-Yu (Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.) in the Treatment of Depression Based on Network Pharmacology

Background

Although the traditional Chinese medicine Shan-Zhu-Yu may be efficacious against depression, its mechanism of action is unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the possible mechanisms of action of Shan-Zhu-Yu in the treatment of depression using network pharmacology.

Methods

The active ingredients and targets of Shan-Zhu-Yu were obtained from the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database (TCMSP) database and converted into gene names using UniProt. Then, the target genes of depression were collected using GeneCards and OMIM. Drug disease intersection genes were obtained using a Venn tool, and a protein-protein interaction network was constructed using STRING. Cytoscape was used to construct an active ingredients-targets-drug-disease network. GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID. Furthermore, Autodock was used to evaluate drug and target binding and explore possible molecular mechanisms.

Results

We identified 9721 disease genes, 13 active ingredients, 50 target genes, and 48 drug disease intersecting genes. The results of the GO enrichment analysis suggested that Shan-Zhu-Yu affects the activity of G protein-coupled amine, neurotransmitter, steroid hormone, nuclear, and G protein-coupled neurotransmitter receptors in the treatment of depression by acting on hormone and nuclear receptor binding. The main signaling pathways were associated with neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, calcium, cGMP-PKG, apoptosis, estrogen, p53, and AGE-RAGE. Molecular docking confirmed that the active components of Shan-Zhu-Yu (e.g., telocinobufagin and β-sitosterol) docked suitably with NR3C1, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3. Shan-Zhu-Yu may exert its therapeutic effects on depression via multiple targets and pathways.

Conclusions

The present study elucidates that Shan-Zhu-Yu suppresses the expression of Bax and caspase-3 and promotes that of NR3C1 and Bcl-2 through neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and apoptosis signaling pathways. Therefore, Shan-Zhu-Yu is a potential treatment option for depression, and the results of this study will provide new reference points for future experimental research and a scientific basis for its widespread clinical application.

miR-22 suppresses cell viability and EMT of ovarian cancer cells via NLRP3 and inhibits PI3K/AKT signaling pathway

PURPOSE

miR-22 plays a great role in inhibiting cell growth, metastasis and enhanced cell apoptosis in several cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functions of miR-22 in ovarian cancer.

METHODS

The proliferative ability was measured using CCK-8 assay. The protein expression associated with EMT and PI3K/AKT signaling biomarkers were measured by western blot. Luciferase assay applied to measure the luciferase activity. Kaplan-Meier method was performed to evaluate the overall survival rate of ovarian cancers.

RESULTS

miR-22 was low expressed and NLRP3 was overexpressed in ovarian cancer tissues and cells, and downregulation of miR-22 was associated with poor prognosis. The expression of NLRP3 had a negative correlation with miR-22 expression in ovarian cancer. miR-22 promoted cell viability and EMT through directly binding to the 3'-UTR of NLRP3 mRNA and inhibited PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. NLRP3 partially restored functions of miR-22 on cell proliferation and EMT in ovarian cancer.

CONCLUSION

miR-22 impaired cell viability and EMT by NLRP3 and inhibited PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in ovarian cancer. The newly identified miR-22/NLRP3/PI3K/AKT axis provides novel insight into the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer.

miR-22 and cerebral microbleeds in brainstem and deep area are associated with depression one month after ischemic stroke

In this study, we aimed to explore the relationship among miR-22, deep cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and post-stroke depression (PSD) 1 month after ischemic stroke. We consecutively recruited 257 patients with first-ever and recurrent acute cerebral infarction and performed PSD diagnosis in accordance with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV criteria for depression. Clinical information, assessments of stroke severity, and imaging data were recorded on admission. We further detected plasma miR-22 using quantitative PCR and analyzed the relationship among miR-22, clinical data, and PSD using SPSS 23.0 software. Logistic regression showed that deep (OR=1.845, 95%CI: 1.006-3.386, P=0.047) and brain stem CMBs (OR=2.652, 95%CI: 1.110–6.921, P=0.040), as well as plasma miR-22 levels (OR=2.094, 95%CI: 1.066–4.115, P=0.032) were independent risk factors for PSD. In addition, there were significant differences in baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (OR=1.881, 95%CI: 1.180–3.011, P=0.007) and Widowhood scores (OR=1.903, 95%CI: 1.182–3.063, P=0.012). Analysis of the receiver operating curve (AUC=0.723, 95%CI: 0.562–0.883, P=0.016) revealed that miR-22 could predict PSD one month after ischemic stroke. Furthermore, plasma miR-22 levels in brainstem and deep CMBs patients showed an upward trend (P=0.028) relative to the others. Patients with acute ischemic stroke, having brainstem and deep cerebral microbleeds, or a higher plasma miR-22 were more likely to develop PSD. These findings indicate that miR-22 might be involved in cerebral microvascular impairment and post-stroke depression.

In eubacteria, unlike eukaryotes, there is no evidence for selection favouring fail-safe 3' additional stop codons

Errors throughout gene expression are likely deleterious, hence genomes are under selection to ameliorate their consequences. Additional stop codons (ASCs) are in-frame nonsense ‘codons’ downstream of the primary stop which may be read by translational machinery should the primary stop have been accidentally read through. Prior evidence in several eukaryotes suggests that ASCs are selected to prevent potentially-deleterious consequences of read-through. We extend this evidence showing that enrichment of ASCs is common but not universal for single cell eukaryotes. By contrast, there is limited evidence as to whether the same is true in other taxa. Here, we provide the first systematic test of the hypothesis that ASCs act as a fail-safe mechanism in eubacteria, a group with high read-through rates. Contra to the predictions of the hypothesis we find: there is paucity, not enrichment, of ASCs downstream; substitutions that degrade stops are more frequent in-frame than out-of-frame in 3’ sequence; highly expressed genes are no more likely to have ASCs than lowly expressed genes; usage of the leakiest primary stop (TGA) in highly expressed genes does not predict ASC enrichment even compared to usage of non-leaky stops (TAA) in lowly expressed genes, beyond downstream codon +1. Any effect at the codon immediately proximal to the primary stop can be accounted for by a preference for a T/U residue immediately following the stop, although if anything, TT- and TC- starting codons are preferred. We conclude that there is no compelling evidence for ASC selection in eubacteria. This presents an unusual case in which the same error could be solved by the same mechanism in eukaryotes and prokaryotes but is not. We discuss two possible explanations: that, owing to the absence of nonsense mediated decay, bacteria may solve read-through via gene truncation and in eukaryotes certain prion states cause raised read-through rates.

In all organisms, gene expression is error-prone. One such error, translational read-through, occurs where the primary stop codon of an expressed gene is missed by the translational machinery. Failure to terminate is likely to be costly, hence genomes are under selection to prevent this from happening. One proposed error-proofing strategy involves in-frame proximal additional stop codons (ASCs) which may act as a ‘fail-safe’ mechanism by providing another opportunity for translation to terminate. There is evidence for ASC enrichment in several eukaryotes. We extend this evidence showing it to be common but not universal in single celled eukaryotes. However, the situation in bacteria is poorly understood, despite bacteria having high read-through rates. Here, we test the fail-safe hypothesis within a broad range of bacteria. To our surprise, we find that not only are ASCs not enriched, but they may even be selected against. This provides evidence for an unusual circumstance where eukaryotes and prokaryotes could solve the same problem the same way but don’t. What are we to make of this? We suggest that if read-through is the problem, ASCs are not necessarily the expected solution. Owing to the absence of nonsense-mediated decay, a process that makes gene truncation in eukaryotes less viable, we propose bacteria may rescue a leaky stop by mutation that creates a new stop upstream. Alternatively, raised read-through rates in some particular conditions in eukaryotes might explain the difference.