Screening of Key Prognosis Genes of Lung Adenocarcinoma Based on Expression Analysis on TCGA Database.

Objective: The data of lung adenocarcinoma- (LUAD-) related gene expression profiles were mined from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database using bioinformatics methods and potential biomarkers related to the occurrence, development, and prognosis of LUAD were screened out to explore the key prognostic genes and clinical significance. Methods: Following the LUAD gene expression profile data that were initially exported from the TCGA database, R software DESeq2 was employed to analyze the difference between the expression profiles of LUAD and normal tissues. The R package "clusterProfiler" was subsequently utilized to perform gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses of the differential genes. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed via the String database, and cytohubba, a plugin of Cytoscape, was applied to screen hub genes using the MCC algorithm. The Gene Expression Profile Data Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) was used to analyze expressions of 10 candidate genes in LUAD samples and healthy lung samples, and the selected genes were employed for survival analysis. Results: A total of 1,598 differential genes were identified through differential analyses and data mining, with 1,394 genes upregulated and 204 downregulated. A total of 10 hub genes CCNA2, CDC20, CCNB2, KIF11, TOP2A, BUB1, BUB1B, CENPF, TPX2, and KIF2C were obtained using the cytohubba plugin. The results of the GEPIA analysis indicated that compared with normal lung tissue, the mRNA expression level of the described hub genes in LUAD tissue was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Survival analysis revealed that these genes had a significant impact on the overall survival time of LUAD patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The previously described key genes related to LUAD identified in the TCGA database may be used as potential prognostic biomarkers, which will contribute to further comprehension of the occurrence and development of LUAD and provide references for its diagnosis and treatment.

Inhibitory effect of Astragalus Membranaceus on osteoporosis in SAMP6 mice by regulating vitaminD/FGF23/Klotho signaling pathway.

Spontaneous senile osteoporosis severely threatens the health of the senior population which has emerged as a severe issue for society. A SAMP6 mouse model was utilized to estimate the impact of intragastrically administered Astragalus Membranaceus (AR) on spontaneous senile osteoporosis. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microstructure were measured using Micro-CT; contents of calcium and phosphorus were determined with the colorimetric method; and gene and protein expressions of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), Klotho, Vitamin D receptor (VDR), CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 were detected using qPCR, Western blot and ELISA assays, respectively. The findings indicated that AR could improve the femoral BMD and bone microstructure, elevate the contents of calcium and phosphorus, and increase the expression of Klotho, VDR, and CYP27B1 whereas decreasing the expression of FGF23 and CYP24A1 in SAMP6 mice in a dose independent manner. The present study has demonstrated that AR can promote osteogenesis and alleviate osteoporosis. It is also expected to provide a new insight for the treatment of spontaneous senile osteoporosis and to serve as a research basis for AR application.

[Effect of Zhusha Anshen pill, cinnabar, HgS, HgCl2 and MeHg on gene expression of renal transporters in mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Zhusha Anshen pill, cinnabar, HgS, HgCl2 and MeHg on the gene expression of renal transporters in mice. METHOD: Healthy male mice were given equivalent physiological saline, Zhusha Anshen pill (1.8 g · kg(-1), containing 0.17 g · kg(-1) of mercury), cinnabar (0.2 g · kg(-1), containing 1.7 g · kg(-1) of mercury), high dose cinnabar (2 g · kg(-1), containing 1.7 g · kg(-1) of mercury), HgS (0.2 g · kg(-1), containing 0.17 g · kg(-1) of mercury), HgCl2 (0.032 g · kg(-1), containing 0. 024 g · kg(-1) of mercury), MeHg (0.026 g · kg(-1), containing 0.024 g · kg(-1) of mercury), once daily, for 30 d, measuring body mass gain. 30 days later, the mice were sacrificed. The mercury accumulation in kidneys was detected with atomic fluorescence spectrometer. Expressions of Oat1, Oat2, Oat3, Mrp2, Mrp4, Urat1 were detected with RT-PCR. RESULT: Compared with the normal control group, a significant accumulation of Hg in kidney in HgCl2 and MeHg groups was observed (P <0.05), but these changes were not found in other groups. Compared with normal control group, mRNA expressions of Oat1 and Oat2 were evidently lower in HgCl2 and MeHg groups, but mRNA expressions of Mrp2 were apparently higher in HgCl2 group (P <0.05), mRNA expression of Mrp4 was significant higher in HgCl2 and MeHg groups, and mRNA expression of Urat1 was apparently lower in MeHg group. CONCLUSION: HgCl2 and MeHg groups show significant difference from the normal group in mercury accumulation in kidneys and gene expression of kidney transporters, but with no difference between other groups and the normal group. Compared with HgCl2 and MeHg, cinnabar and its compounds could cause lower renal toxicity to mice.