[The influence of meteorological factors on SARS-CoV-2 transmission: evidence from laboratory and epidemiological studies].

SARS-CoV-2 has infected more than 600 million people worldwide and caused more than 6 million deaths. The emerging novel variants have made the epidemic rebound in many places. Meteorological factors can affect the epidemic spread by changing virus activity, transmission dynamic parameters and host susceptibility. This paper systematically analyzed the currently available laboratory and epidemiological studies on the association between the meteorological factors and COVID-19 incidence, in order to provide scientific evidence for future epidemic control and prevention, as well as developing early warning system.

Expression of RUNX3 gene in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and its clinical significance.

We investigated the clinical significance of RUNX3 gene expression in human pancreatic carcinoma. Five samples of pancreatic tissues and 30 samples of pancreatic cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues were collected. RUNX3 expression was detected by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. The relationships between clinicopathological findings and the expression of RUNX3 were analyzed. The relative quantification level of RUNX3 mRNA expression in human pancreatic carcinoma tissues and paracancerous tissues was 2.60 (0.42-12.82) and 1.02 (0.19-3.58), respectively (P < 0.05). The percentage of positive cells expressing RUNX3 protein in human pancreatic tissues and paracancerous tissues was 45.5 ± 26.2 and 6.9 ± 6.0%, respectively (P < 0.01). The high RUNX3 group (N = 9) with 45.5% or more of the cancer cells staining for RUNX3 and the low RUNX3 group (N = 21) with less than 45.5% cancer cells staining for RUNX3. Low expression of RUNX3 correlated significantly with an advanced TNM stage (χ(2) = 6.897, P = 0.045), lymph node metastasis (χ(2) = 4.739, P = 0.029) and neural invasion (χ(2) = 5.44, P = 0.020). On the other hand, no association could be found between RUNX3 expression and clinicopathological variables including age, gender, tumor location, tumor size, tumor differentiation or the serum concentration of CEA and CA199. The expression of RUNX3 in pancreatic cancer tissues was obviously higher than that in the paracancerous tissues. Low expression of RUNX3 may have an important role in aggressiveness, lymph node metastasis and neural invasion in pancreatic cancer. In pancreatic carcinoma tissues, low expression of RUNX3 may indicate a poor prognosis.

Midazolam suppresses osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: Previous study showed that peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are expressed in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and diazepam was found to inhibit hMCSs viability in high concentration. Midazolam, a benzodiazepine derivative, is widely used as an intravenous sedative in hospital. Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) affect a broad spectrum of cellular functions. We tested the cell viability and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Bone marrow was collected from 12 patients during the operation of spine internal fixation. Cultivated with basal medium, the hBMSCs were incubated with or without midazolam (0.1, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 µM, respectively). Cell viability were tested with MTS assay after 2, 4, 6 hours respectively. Cell morphology was observed and recorded at 6 hour. After cultivated with osteogentic medium, the hBMSCs were incubated with or without midazolam (5, 10, 15, 20 µM, respectively). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and alizarin red S staining were measured. Cultivated with osteogentic medium with or without treatment of 15 µM midazolam, the mRNA expression of ALP, type 1 collagen (COL1), Runx2 and PPARγ was analyzed by real-time RT-PCR. RESULTS: The treatments of midazolam inhibited cell viability to 85%-16% respectively (p < 0.05). Rounded up phenomenon with floating cells, Membrane-blebbed cells and cytoplasmic contraction were observed after 10, 15 or 20 µM midazolam treatment. The ALP activity and Calcium deposition of hBMSCs exposed to 15 and 20 µM midazolam was significantly inhibited at 7, 14 and 21 days (p < 0.05). And the mRNA expression of ALP, COL1 and PPARγ was significantly suppressed in the hBMSCs cultured with 15 µM midazolam (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Midazolam exert negative effect on cell viability and osteogenic differentiation of cultured hBMSCs. During sedation in critical care, the use of midazolam may suppress activity of hBMSCs.

Gene expression analysis of lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aim to explore the expression difference between lung cancer cells and normal lung cells, and to investigate the mechanism of lung cancer development. Besides, we predicted the potential target site of transcriptional factors and microRNAs for differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which may help to regulate expression of DEGs. Small molecules were also identified to cure lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Gene expression profiles we used were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) using accession number of GSE2378. Firstly, we identified differential genes between lung cancer cells and normal lung cells by using R package limma. Then, we detected the processes and pathways that changed in lung cancer cells by Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Potential target sites of transcriptional factors and microRNAs were also detected based on gene annotation data in MSigDB. Finally, small molecule drugs were screened via querying Connectivity Map database. RESULTS: We obtained 2961 differentially expressed genes between lung cancer cells and normal lung cells. Besides changes in cell cycle, metabolic processes and proteasome were also dramatically disordered. Some DEGs shared target sites of the transcription factor such as E2F, ETS and CEBPB. Target sites of hsa-miR-196a and hsa-miR-200c were also significantly enriched by DEGs. Iloprost simulated the state of normal cells, while MS-275 might be potential pathogenic substances. CONCLUSIONS: We investigate the lung cancer from Gene Ontology, pathway, transcription factors and microRNAs based on gene expression profiles. All these results may facilitate lung cancer treatment with a new breakthrough.