MicroRNA-34 suppresses breast cancer invasion and metastasis by directly targeting Fra-1

MicroRNAs have key roles in tumor metastasis. Here, we describe the regulation and function of miR-34a and miR-34c (miR-34a/c) in breast cancer metastasis. Expression analysis verified that miR-34a/c expression is significantly decreased in metastatic breast cancer cells and human primary breast tumors with lymph node metastases. Overexpression of miR-34a/c could inhibit breast cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro and distal pulmonary metastasis in vivo. Further studies revealed that Fos-related antigen 1 (Fra-1 or Fosl1) is a downstream target of miR-34a/c as miR-34a/c bound directly to the 3'untranslated region of Fra-1, subsequently reducing both the mRNA and protein levels of Fra-1. Silencing of Fra-1 recapitulated the effects of miR-34a/c overexpression, whereas enforced expression of Fra-1 reverses the suppressive effects of miR-34a/c. Moreover, significant downregulation of miR-34a in metastatic breast cancer tissues was found to be inversely correlated with Fra-1 expression. Our results demonstrate that miR-34a/c functions as a metastasis suppressor to regulate breast cancer migration and invasion through targeting Fra-1 oncogene and suggest a therapeutic application of miR-34 in breast cancer.

K, Han D, Sun B, Crous P, Houbraken J. Taxonomy, phylogeny and identification of Chaetomiaceae with emphasis on thermophilic species

Chaetomiaceae comprises phenotypically diverse species, which impact biotechnology, the indoor environment and human health. Recent studies showed that most of the traditionally defined genera in Chaetomiaceae are highly polyphyletic. Many of these morphology-based genera, such as Chaetomium, Thielavia and Humicola, have been redefined using multigene phylogenetic analysis combined with morphology; however, a comprehensive taxonomic overview of the family is lacking. In addition, the phylogenetic relationship of thermophilic Chaetomiaceae species with non-thermophilic taxa in the family is largely unclear due to limited taxon sampling in previous studies. In this study, we provide an up-to-date overview on the taxonomy and phylogeny of genera and species belonging to Chaetomiaceae, including an extensive taxon sampling of thermophiles. A multigene phylogenetic analysis based on the ITS (internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 including the 5.8S nrDNA), LSU (D1/D2 domains of the 28S nrDNA), rpb2 (partial RNA polymerase II second largest subunit gene) and tub2 (β-tubulin gene) sequences was performed on 345 strains representing Chaetomiaceae and 58 strains of other families in Sordariales. Divergence times based on the multi-gene phylogeny were estimated as aid to determine the genera in the family. Genera were delimited following the criteria that a genus must be a statistically well-supported monophyletic clade in both the multigene phylogeny and molecular dating analysis, fall within a divergence time of over 27 million years ago, and be supported by ecological preference or phenotypic traits. Based on the results of the phylogeny and molecular dating analyses, combined with morphological characters and temperature-growth characteristics, 50 genera and 275 species are accepted in Chaetomiaceae. Among them, six new genera, six new species, 45 new combinations and three new names are proposed. The results demonstrate that the thermophilic species fall into seven genera (Melanocarpus, Mycothermus, Remersonia, Thermocarpiscus gen. nov., Thermochaetoides gen. nov., Thermothelomyces and Thermothielavioides). These genera cluster in six separate lineages, suggesting that thermophiles independently evolved at least six times within the family. A list of accepted genera and species in Chaetomiaceae, together with information on their MycoBank numbers, living ex-type strains and GenBank accession numbers to ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2 sequences is provided. Furthermore, we provide suggestions how to describe and identify Chaetomiaceae species. Taxonomic novelties: new genera: Parvomelanocarpus X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Pseudohumicola X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Tengochaeta X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermocarpiscus X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermochaetoides X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Xanthiomyces X.Wei Wang & Houbraken; New species: Botryotrichum geniculatum X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai, Chaetomium subaffine Sergejeva ex X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Humicola hirsuta X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai, Subramaniula latifusispora X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai, Tengochaeta nigropilosa X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Trichocladium tomentosum X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai; New combinations: Achaetomiella gracilis (Udagawa) Houbraken, X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han & F.Y. Bai, Allocanariomyces americanus (Cañete-Gibas et al.) Cañete-Gibas, Wiederhold, X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Amesia dreyfussii (Arx) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Amesia raii (G. Malhotra & Mukerji) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arcopilus macrostiolatus (Stchigel et al.) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arcopilus megasporus (Sörgel ex Seth) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arcopilus purpurascens (Udagawa & Y. Sugiy.) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum deceptivum (Malloch & Benny) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum gangligerum (L.M. Ames) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum officinarum (M. Raza & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum piluliferoides (Udagawa & Y. Horie) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum repens (Guarro & Figueras) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Arxotrichum sinense (K.T. Chen) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Botryotrichum inquinatum (Udagawa & S. Ueda) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Botryotrichum retardatum (A. Carter & R.S. Khan) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Botryotrichum trichorobustum (Seth) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Botryotrichum vitellinum (A. Carter) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Collariella anguipilia (L.M. Ames) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Collariella hexagonospora (A. Carter & Malloch) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Collariella pachypodioides (L.M. Ames) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Ovatospora amygdalispora (Udagawa & T. Muroi) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Ovatospora angularis (Yu Zhang & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium biporatum (Cano & Guarro) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium hispanicum (Guarro & Arx) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium inaequale (Pidopl. et al.) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium longiciliatum (Yu Zhang & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium mareoticum (Besada & Yusef) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium muelleri (Arx) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium multispirale (A. Carter et al.) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium perlucidum (Sergejeva) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parachaetomium subspirilliferum (Sergejeva) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parathielavia coactilis (Nicot) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parvomelanocarpus tardus (X.Wei Wang & Samson) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Parvomelanocarpus thermophilus (Abdullah & Al-Bader) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Pseudohumicola atrobrunnea (X.Wei Wang et al.) X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Pseudohumicola pulvericola (X.Wei Wang et al.) X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Pseudohumicola semispiralis (Udagawa & Cain) X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Pseudohumicola subspiralis (Chivers) X.Wei Wang, P.J. Han, F.Y. Bai & Houbraken, Staphylotrichum koreanum (Hyang B. Lee & T.T.T. Nguyen) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Staphylotrichum limonisporum (Z.F. Zhang & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Subramaniula lateralis (Yu Zhang & L. Cai) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermocarpiscus australiensis (Tansey & M.A. Jack) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermochaetoides dissita (Cooney & R. Emers.) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermochaetoides thermophila (La Touche) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Xanthiomyces spinosus (Chivers) X.Wei Wang & Houbraken; New names: Chaetomium neoglobosporum X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermothelomyces fergusii X.Wei Wang & Houbraken, Thermothelomyces myriococcoides X.Wei Wang & Houbraken; Lecto- and / or epi-typifications (basionyms): Botryoderma rostratum Papendorf & H.P. Upadhyay, Botryotrichum piluliferum Sacc. & Marchal, Chaetomium carinthiacum Sörgel, Thielavia heterothallica Klopotek. Citation: Wang XW, Han PJ, Bai FY, Luo A, Bensch K, Meijer M, Kraak B, Han DY, Sun BD, Crous PW, Houbraken J (2022). Taxonomy, phylogeny and identification of Chaetomiaceae with emphasis on thermophilic species. Studies in Mycology 101: 121-243. doi: 10.3114/sim.2022.101.03.

Formation, Development, and Cross-Species Interactions in Biofilms

Biofilms, which are essential vectors of bacterial survival, protect microbes from antibiotics and host immune attack and are one of the leading causes that maintain drug-resistant chronic infections. In nature, compared with monomicrobial biofilms, polymicrobial biofilms composed of multispecies bacteria predominate, which means that it is significant to explore the interactions between microorganisms from different kingdoms, species, and strains. Cross-microbial interactions exist during biofilm development, either synergistically or antagonistically. Although research into cross-species biofilms remains at an early stage, in this review, the important mechanisms that are involved in biofilm formation are delineated. Then, recent studies that investigated cross-species cooperation or synergy, competition or antagonism in biofilms, and various components that mediate those interactions will be elaborated. To determine approaches that minimize the harmful effects of biofilms, it is important to understand the interactions between microbial species. The knowledge gained from these investigations has the potential to guide studies into microbial sociality in natural settings and to help in the design of new medicines and therapies to treat bacterial infections.

MicroRNA-224, negatively regulated by c-jun, inhibits growth and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition phenotype via targeting ADAM17 in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abnormal expression of miR-224 has been reported to promote cancer progression. However, the role of miR-224 is seldom reported in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We reported that miR-224 expression was significantly down-regulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Restoration of miR-224 decreased OSCC cell growth and invasion. In addition, luciferase and Western blot assays revealed that ADAM17 protein was a downstream target of miR-224. The overexpression of ADAM17 dismissed miR-224's effect on cell growth and invasion. We concluded that miR-224 inhibited OSCC cell growth and invasion through regulating ADAM17 expression. Subsequently, we revealed that c-jun directly bind to miR-224 promoter and decreased miR-224 expression. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that miR-224 may function as a tumour-suppressive microRNA in OSCC and suggested that miR-224 may be a potential therapeutic target for OSCC patients.

Absence of 3a0 charge density wave order in the infinite-layer nickelate NdNiO2

A hallmark of many unconventional superconductors is the presence of many-body interactions that give rise to broken-symmetry states intertwined with superconductivity. Recent resonant soft X-ray scattering experiments report commensurate 3a0 charge density wave order in infinite-layer nickelates, which has important implications regarding the universal interplay between charge order and superconductivity in both cuprates and nickelates. Here we present X-ray scattering and spectroscopy measurements on a series of NdNiO2+x samples, which reveal that the signatures of charge density wave order are absent in fully reduced, single-phase NdNiO2. The 3a0 superlattice peak instead originates from a partially reduced impurity phase where excess apical oxygens form ordered rows with three-unit-cell periodicity. The absence of any observable charge density wave order in NdNiO2 highlights a crucial difference between the phase diagrams of cuprate and nickelate superconductors.

Effect of solid-liquid separation on BOD and VFA in swine manure

Fresh swine manure was sieved into seven different particle size categories, i.e., <0.075 mm, < 0.15 mm, < 0.25 mm, < 0.5 min, < 1.0 mm, < 1.4 mm, and < 2.0 mm. Manure was stored in seven PVC columns and sampled every 5 days up to 30 days. Manure samples were analyzed for total volatile fatty acids (VFAs), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS), and total volatile solids (TVS). Two parameters (VFAs and BOD5) were used to determine the odor generation potential of the test manure. The results showed that total VFAs correlated well with BOD5 (R2 = 0.8297). The levels of ISS only explained 40% of BOD5 and 46% of VFAs, both of which increased with storage time, regardless of solid particle sizes. Also, the data inferred that most of the odorous compounds (measured by VFA and BOD levels) were contained in manure solid particles less than 0.075 mm. These cannot be removed by commercial mechanical separators with screen size ranging from 0.5 to 3.0 mm. With an average separation efficiency of 25% for most commercially available mechanical separators, the removal efficiencies of BOD5 and VFAs were as low as 10% and 12%, respectively. These findings cannot justify the use of solid-liquid separation tocontrol odor. Data also showed that for swine manure, it is critical to run separation treatment within the first ten days after the manure is excreted to potentially improve the separation efficiency. After ten days, the degradation of TSS was accelerated due to the increased biological activities, which may greatly reduce the separation efficiency.

Effects of bioreactor temperature and time on odor-related parameters in aerated swine manure slurries

Previous studies have linked odor generation from swine manure to some characteristics of the liquid manure such oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), and predominant microbial population. This study investigated the effect of bioreactor temperature and time on the aforementioned parameters during aeration of swine manure. Five reactors (13 1 capacity) loaded with swine manure and maintained at temperatures of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 degrees C, were supplied with air for 15 days to maintain aerobic conditions. Large fluctuations in ORP (-120 to 360 mV) were observed in the first seven days of aeration, which stabilized thereafter regardless of the bioreactor temperature. The percentage removal of VFAs and BOD5 in the manure significantly increased from 0.0% on day one to 87.8% and 65.3%, respectively, on day nine, and remained relatively constant thereafter. The mean percentage of VFAs and BOD5 removed also increased significantly with an increase in the bioreactor temperature. The VFAs and BOD5 removal increased by approximately 25% and 35%, respectively, in going from 5 to 25 degrees C, during the 15 days of aeration. Both VFAs and BOD5 in the manure were significantly correlated with ORP, aerobic bacteria, and anaerobic bacteria. The data suggested that continued aeration for seven days at 20 or 25 degrees C was sufficient for significant reduction of odor precursors (VFAs and BOD5) and in stabilization of swine manure. A linear correlation of 0.97 between VFAs and BOD5 indicated that the two parameters can be used interchangeably as indicators of odor release potential in swine manure.

Intraoperative catecholamine release in brain-dead organ donors is not suppressed by administration of fentanyl

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Endogenous catecholamines are released in brain-dead organ donors following painful stimulation during retrieval surgery, and might be harmful to harvested organs. Our hypothesis was that inhibition of pain by fentanyl would inhibit such catecholamine release.

METHODS

We tested 17 brain-dead organ donors in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study. Blood samples for determination of epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were obtained before and 10 min after in take of either fentanyl 7 microg kg(-1) or an equivalent volume of placebo. Further points of measurement were taken after skin incision and sternotomy. Mean arterial pressure and heart rate at these points were recorded.

RESULTS

Catecholamine concentrations rose following painful stimuli. No differences in haemodynamics, between the fentanyl and the placebo group were detectable. Epinephrine concentrations, but not those of norepinephrine, were higher in the fentanyl group, reaching significance following sternotomy.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the use of fentanyl (7 microg kg(-1)) was not effective in suppressing the catecholamine release, following painful surgical stimulation in brain-dead organ donors.

Factors Influencing Families' Decision-Making for Organ Donation in Hunan Province, China

BACKGROUND

In 2010, the Chinese government started a pilot project of donation after Chinese citizens' death. Seeking the consent of the families of potential donors is an important task in the organ donation process.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the factors that influence the families' decision-making for organ donation.

METHODS

We performed a content analysis of 30 semistructured in-depth interviews with immediate family members who made the decision for an organ donation. The interviewees were asked questions such as how the decision to donate was made, what factors influenced the decision, and whether the decision was rejected by relatives and friends.

RESULTS

The interviewees were the donors' parent (15; 50%), spouse (9; 30%), brother (3; 10%) or son (3; 10%), including 18 men and 12 women, with a mean age of 41.6 (standard deviation, 10.7) years; rural households accounted for 83.3%. Through analyzing the interview notes, 17 factors ware mentioned by interviewees, and 3 types of decision-making in organ donors' families were obtained. Then, the factors affecting the decisions of the donor families were classified into 3 categories and 11 subcategories.

CONCLUSIONS

Factors influencing the families' decision-making for organ donation were analyzed preliminarily in this study.

Preliminary Analysis of Competency Assessment of Organ Donation Coordinators in Hunan Province, China

BACKGROUND

The organ donation coordinator is indispensable in the process of organ donation and transplantation. The competency of coordinators is closely related to the organ donation rate.

OBJECTIVE

1) To construct a competency assessment system for organ donation coordinators; and 2) to evaluate the competency level of coordinators in Hunan province.

METHODS

We constructed the competency model framework for coordinators based on the McClelland competency model and then extracted and screened the competency indicators by interview and Delphi methods. Next, we determined the weight of the indicators by an analytic hierarchy process method. Finally, we evaluated the competency level of 42 coordinators in Hunan province with the use of our assessment system.

RESULTS

1) We constructed the competency evaluation system for organ donation coordinators, which included 6 dimensions and 21 competency indicators. 2) The average competency score of 42 coordinators was 79.43 ± 8.51. Five coordinators were at qualified level (11.9%), 18 at moderate level (42.9%), 12 at good level (25.6%), and 7 at excellent level (16.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

1) This competency evaluation system for organ donation coordinators will provide scientific evidence for human resource management in health institutions. 2) The organ donation coordinators in Hunan were qualified, but their number was insufficient.

The effect of limited aeration on swine manure phosphorus removal

Two low level aeration schemes (intermittent vs. continuous) were investigated on a laboratory scale, in conjunction with swine manure pH adjustment using sodium hydroxide (1.0 M), for manure phosphorus (P) removal. According to the data, an 80% reduction in soluble P was observed when the manure pH was increased to 8. Both intermittent and continuous aeration treatments could raise manure pH above 8 with an airflow rate of 1 L/minute in a period of 15 days. A drastic increase in pH (about 1 unit) was observed for both aeration schemes within the first day of test, resulting in a 76% reduction in soluble P concentration in the liquid. It appeared that there is no difference in terms of P removal between the two aeration programs, suggesting that the intermittent aeration be preferred to save energy while still achieving the same level of P removal.

[Spatial distribution of cancer-related burden in Guangzhou from 2010 to 2013]

Objective: To evaluate the burden and to describe the characteristics of spatial distribution caused by malignant tumors among different administrative areas in Guangzhou from 2010- 2013. Methods: Based on data from the Cancer Registry system and population in Guangzhou in 2010- 2013, disability-adjusted life year (DALY) was assessed on the disease burden of cancer, in accordance with the method used in the Global Burden of Disease study. Results: The crude incidence rates of cancer appeared as 256.22/10(5) in 2010-2011 and 270.04/10(5) in 2012-2013, with the crude mortality rates as 143.17/10(5) and 148.01/10(5), respectively, in Guangzhou. Cancers caused 606 238.95 DALYs in 2010-2011 and 623 763.80 DALYs in 2012-2013 for both sexes and 37.63 and 37.81 person year per 1 000 persons, with the standardized DALY rates as 34.51‰, 34.00‰ respectively. Three administrative districts (Yuexiu, Haizhu and Liwan) were with the largest disease burden of cancers that accounted for 45% of the DALYs for the whole Conghua district, with liver cancer was the leading cancer on DALYs, and tracheal, bronchus and lung cancer ranked the first in the other districts. Conclusions: In Guangzhou, disease burden caused by cancers was both prominently seen in the newly developed urban area and the old districts. It remains an arduous task to continue programs on control and prevention of cancers in this city.