[Clinical application of a classification based on crucial curvature of coronal imbalance in degenerative lumbar scoliosis].

Objective: To present efficacy of clinical application of a classification based on crucial curvature of coronal imbalance in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS). Methods: A case series study. Clinical data of 61 cases (8 males, 53 females) who underwent posterior correction surgery for DLS from January 2019 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age was (71.7±6.2) years (ranged 60-82 years). According to the direction of C7 plumb line (C7PL) deviated from central sacral vertical line (CSVL) and orientation of L4 coronal tilt, the author determined which one was the crucial curve. If C7PL deviated from CSVL in the same direction as concave side of the thoracolumbar curve and L4 coronally tilts opposite direction of C7PL deviates from CSVL, then the crucial curve was thoracolumbar curve (type 1). On the contrary, if C7PL deviated from CSVL in the same direction as concave side of the lumbosacral curve and L4 coronally tilts consist with direction of C7PL deviates from CSVL, then the crucial curve was lumbosacral curve (type 2). According to absolute value of coronal balance distance (|CBD|), each type of patients was divided into two groups, respectively, namely coronal balance (CB) (|CBD|≤3 cm) and coronal imbalance (CIB) (|CBD|>3 cm). Changes of Cobb angles of thoracolumbar curve and lumbosacral curve and CBD were recorded and analyzed. Results: The rate of preoperative CIB was 55.7% (34/61) in all the patients. Of the patients, 23 cases were classified as type 1 and 38 cases as type 2. The rate of preoperative CIB was 34.8% (8/23) in type 1 patients and 68.4% (26/38) in type 2. The rate of postoperative CIB was 27.9% (17/61) in all the patients, with 13.0% (3/23) in type 1 and 36.8% (14/38) in type 2. The |CBD| of CB group in type 1 patients decreased from (2.6±1.4) cm before the operation to (1.5±1.0) cm after (P=0.015); and the correction rate of thoracolumbar curve (68.8%±18.4%) was significantly higher than that of lumbosacral curve (34.5%±23.9%) (P=0.005). The |CBD| of CB group in type 2 patients decreased from (2.6±3.0) cm before the operation to (1.6±1.2) cm after (P=0.027); the correction rate of lumbosacral curve (71.3%±18.6%) was higher than that of thoracolumbar curve (57.3%±21.1%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.546). There was no significant difference in |CBD| of CIB group in type 2 patients before and after the operation (P=0.222); the correction rate of lumbosacral curve (38.3%±14.8%) was significantly lower than that of thoracolumbar curve (53.6%±16.0%) (P=0.001). There was a correlation between the change of CBD (3.8±1.5) cm and the difference in correction rate between thoracolumbar and lumbosacral curve (32.3%±19.6%) in CB group in type 1 patients after surgery (r=0.904, P<0.001). There was a correlation between the change of CBD (1.9±2.2) cm and the difference in correction rate between lumbosacral and thoracolumbar curve (14.0%±26.2%) in CB group in type 2 patients after surgery (r=0.960, P<0.001). Conclusion: Clinical application of a classification based on crucial curvature of coronal imbalance in DLS is satisfactory, and its combination with matching correction can effectively prevent the occurrence of coronal imbalance after spinal correction surgery.

[Post-ischemic treatment of nalmefene hydrochloride attenuated lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats via the Sirt1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway with inhibition of ferroptosis].

Objective: To study the effect and mechanism of post-ischemic treatment of nalmefene in alleviating the lung ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting ferroptosis through activation of the Sirt 1/Nrf 2/HO-1 axis. Methods: A total of 60 rats were randomly divided into six groups equally (n=10): the sham group, the model group(I/R), the nalmefene group, the nalmefene+EX527 group, the nalmefene+ML385 group, the nalmefene+Fe-citrate group (nalmefene+Fe group). The sham group without drug treatment was not treated with ischemia-reperfusion. The pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion model was established by occlusion of the left pulmonary hilum in the model group without drug treatment. After ischemic treatment, the nalmefene group was injected with nalmefene (15 µg/kg) via the tail vein at 5 minutes before reperfusion. The nalmefene+EX527 group, the nalmefene+ML385 group, and the nalmefene+Fe group were injected intraperitoneally with EX527 (5 mg/kg), ML385 (30 mg/kg), Fe-citrate(15 mg/kg), respectively, 2 h before moulding and then injected with nalmefene (15 µg/kg) via the tail vein at 5 minutes before reperfusion. All rats were sacrificed three hours after reperfusion, and the specimens from the upper lobe of the left lung tissue were preserved. The degree of lung tissue injury and the wet/dry weight ratio were assessed in each group of rats. Fe 2+, MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 content, GSH activity and the expression levels of Sirt1, Nrf2, HO-1, ACSL4 and GPX4 were determined. Results: Compared with the sham group, the wet/dry weight ratio, lung tissue injury score, ACSL 4 expression level, Fe 2+, TNF-α, IL-6 and MDA content, Sirt 1, Nrf 2, HO-1 messenger RNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), while GPX 4 expression level and GSH activity were significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, wet/dry weight ratio, lung tissue injury score, ACSL 4 expression level, Fe 2+, TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA content decreased significantly (P<0.01), Nrf 2, HO-1 messenger RNA and protein, GPX 4 expression, and GSH activity were significantly increased in the nalmefene group and the nalmefene+EX527 group (P<0.01). Sirt 1 messenger RNA and protein expression increased significantly in the nalmefene (P<0.01) and the nalmefene+EX527 groups (P>0.05). In the nalmefene+ML385 group, the wet/dry weight ratio, lung tissue injury score, TNF-α and IL-6 content were decreased significantly (P<0.01), while Sirt 1 messenger RNA and protein expression levels were significantly increased (P<0.01), but there were no significant changes in Nrf 2, HO-1 messenger RNA and protein expression levels, ACSL 4 and GPX 4 expression levels, Fe 2+, MDA content, and GSH activity (P>0.05). In the nalmefene+Fe group, wet/dry weight ratio, lung-injury score, TNF-α, IL-6, MDA content were decreased significantly (P<0.01), messenger RNA and protein expression levels of Sirt 1, Nrf 2, HO-1, and GSH activity were increased significantly (P<0.01), but there were no significant changes in Fe 2+content, ACSL 4 and GPX 4 expression levels (P>0.05). Compared with the nalmefene group, in the nalmefene+EX527 group, the nalmefene+ML385 group and the nalmefene+Fe group, wet/dry weight ratio, lung tissue damage score, ACSL 4 expression level, TNF-α, IL-6 and MDA content were significantly increased (P<0.01), the expression level of GPX 4 and GSH activity were significantly decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of Sirt 1, Nrf 2, HO-1 messenger RNA and protein were significantly decreased in the nalmefene+EX527 group (P<0.01). The expression levels of Nrf 2, HO-1 messenger RNA and protein decreased significantly in the namemefene+ML385 group (P<0.01), but there was no significant change in Sirt 1 messenger RNA and protein expression level (P>0.05). Sirt 1, Nrf 2, HO-1 messenger RNA-protein expression levels did not change significantly in the nalmefene+Fe group (P>0.05). Conclusion: Post-ischemic treatment with nalmefene hydrochloride may alleviate pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibiting ferroptosis through activation of the Sirt 1/Nrf 2/HO-1 axis.

Effects of subacute ruminal acidosis on colon epithelial morphological structure, permeability, and expression of key tight junction proteins in dairy goats.

The hindgut epithelial barrier plays an important role in maintaining absorption and immune homeostasis in ruminants. However, little information is available on changes in colon epithelial barrier structure and function following grain-induced subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of grain-induced SARA on colon epithelial morphological structure, permeability, and gene expression involved in epithelial barrier function. Twelve mid-lactating (136 ± 2 d in milk; milk yield = 1.68 ± 0.15 kg/d) Saanen dairy goats with 62.13 ± 4.76 kg of body weight were randomly divided into either the control (CON) treatment (n = 6) or SARA treatment (n = 6). The CON goats were fed a basal diet with a nonfiber carbohydrates to neutral detergent fiber ratio of 1.15 for 60 d. The SARA goats were fed 4 diets with increasing nonfiber carbohydrates to neutral detergent fiber ratio at 1.15, 1.49, 2.12, and 2.66 to induce SARA, with each diet (referred to as period) being fed for 15 d, including 12 d for adaptation and 3 d for sampling. Continuous ruminal pH recordings were used to diagnose the severity of SARA. Additionally, colonic tissues were collected to evaluate the epithelial morphological structure, permeability, and expression of tight junction proteins using transmission electron microscopy, Ussing chamber, quantitative real-time PCR, and Western blotting. Profound disruption in the colonic epithelium was mainly manifested as the electron density of tight junctions decreased, intercellular space widened, and mitochondria swelled in SARA goats. Colon epithelial short-circuit current, tissue conductance, and the mucosal-to-serosal flux of fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4 kDa were increased and potential difference was decreased in SARA goats compared with CON goats. Subacute ruminal acidosis increased mRNA and protein expression levels of CLDN1 and OCLN in the colonic epithelium. Overall, the data of the present study demonstrate that SARA can impair the barrier function of the colonic epithelium at both structural and functional levels, which is associated with severe epithelial structural damage and increased permeability and changes in the expression of tight junction proteins.

[Prospective cohort study on association between peri-conceptional air pollution exposure and gestational diabetes mellitus].

Objective: To explore the association between the exposure to major air pollutants in pre-pregnancy and early pregnancy (peri-conceptional period) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Methods: From March 2015 to April 2018, 4 817 pregnancies were recruited at three prenatal check-ups hospital in Hefei (Hefei First People's Hospital, Hefei. Maternal and Child Care Hospital and the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University), China. Questionnaire was used to collect the demographic data, the health status and lifestyle of pregnant women. GDM was diagnosed according to the Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes (2017 Edition). Logistic regression was used to investigate the association of exposure to major air pollutants (PM(2.5), PM(10), SO(2), CO and NO(2)) during different periods of pre-pregnancy (12 weeks before pregnancy) and first trimester (12 weeks after last menstruation) and duration of exposure to high levels of pollutants with GDM. Results: The mean±SD of the age of subjects was (29.14±4.19) years old and the prevalence of GDM was 21.4% (n=1 030). The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, the risk of GDM increased gradually with the prolonged exposure time of high-concentration pollutants compared with pregnant women who were not exposed to high pollution during the pre-pregnancy (χ(2)=61.28, P(trend)<0.001) with the OR (95%CI) values for exposure time of 1, 2, and 3 months about 1.42 (1.10-1.84), 1.73 (1.29-2.33), and 2.51 (1.75-3.59), respectively. In the pre-pregnancy period, in every 10 µg/m(3) increase of PM(2.5) and PM(10), the OR (95%CI) values of GDM were 1.14 (1.08-1.20) and 1.13 (1.08-1.19), respectively; for each increase of 1 µg/m(3) and 0.10 mg/m(3) of SO(2) and CO, the OR (95% CI) values of GDM were 1.03 (1.01-1.05) and 1.07 (1.01-1.13), respectively. For every 1 µg/m(3) increase in the average concentration of SO(2) in the first trimester, the OR (95%CI) value of GDM was 1.02 (1.01-1.05). Conclusion: PM(2.5), PM(10), SO(2) and CO exposure during the pre-pregnancy and SO(2) exposure in first trimester were positively correlated with the risk of GDM.

DSBCS modulation scheme for hybrid wireless and cable television system.

This work develops and demonstrates a double sideband with optical carrier suppression (DSBCS) modulation scheme for a hybrid wireless and cable television system based on a phase modulator (PM) and a polarization beam splitter (PBS). A carrier suppression ratio greater than 20 dB is achieved between two sidebands. In addition, the values of carrier-to-noise ratio, composite second-order and composite triple beat in various channels after 25 km of transmission are higher than the threshold value, and the power penalty of microwave signal in back-to-back and 25 km transmission perform well. Additionally, the constellation diagram of upstream signal is successfully recovered. Above results demonstrate that the proposed scheme is highly promising for practical applications.

Effects of aescin on testicular repairment in rats with experimentally induced varicocele.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of aescin treatment in a rodent model treated with an experimentally induced varicocele. Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein of rats. Aescin administration was performed daily for 4 weeks after the varicocele induction. Seven weeks later, a contrast-enhanced ultrasound was performed of the rats' testis to assess testicular blood flow. The animals were sacrificed, and H&E staining was then used to evaluate testicular pathological changes and polymorphonuclear leucocytes density. Cauda epididymal sperm counts and motility were evaluated. Blood was collected for the measurement of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinising hormone and testosterone. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed that there were significant decreases in testicular blood flow in the aescin-treated groups compared with those in control varicocele group. Testicular oedema was detected in those rats treated with a varicocele but without aescin, while no oedema was found in the experimental group. H&E staining showed dysfunctional spermatogenesis in both cohorts; however, polymorphonuclear leucocytes density was significantly reduced in aescin-treated groups. There was an increase in sperm counts of the aescin-treated groups. Our study demonstrated that aescin could exert therapeutical effects on reversal of testicular lesions in varicocele rats.

Retraction Note: MiRNA-215-5p alleviates the metastasis of prostate cancer by targeting PGK1.

The article "MiRNA-215-5p alleviates the metastasis of prostate cancer by targeting PGK1", by J.-Y. Chen, L.-F. Xu, H.-L. Hu, Y.-Q. Wen, D. Chen, W.-H. Liu, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2020; 24 (2): 639-646-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202001_20040-PMID: 32017004 has been retracted by the Editor in Chief. Following some concerns raised on PubPeer regarding a possible overlap in Figure 2C, the journal has started an investigation to assess the validity of the results as well as possible figure manipulation. The journal investigation revealed data and figure manipulation. For this reason, the Editor in Chief has decided to retract the manuscript. The authors have been informed about the retraction but remained unresponsive. This article has been retracted. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/20040.

Biocontrol of verticillium wilt and colonization of cotton plants by an endophytic bacterial isolate.

AIMS: To explore biocontrol potential of 39 DAEB isolates (doubly antagonistic towards both Verticillium dahliae Kleb and Fusarium oxysporum) against verticillium wilt of cotton and to elucidate colonization and category characteristics of an endophytic bacterium with significant biocontrol activity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Thirty-nine antagonistic endophytic bacteria strains were tested for their ability to control verticillium wilt in cotton plants caused by a defoliating pathotype of V. dahliae 107 in cotton under controlled conditions. The biocontrol trial revealed that an endophytic bacterium, designated HA02, showed a significant biocontrol activity to V. dahliae 107. After cotton seedlings were inoculated with a gfp gene-tagged HA02 (HA02-gfp), HA02-gfp populations were higher in the root than in the stem; in addition, the HA02-gfp was distributed in the maturation zone of cotton root. Furthermore, HA02-gfp also colonized seedlings of maize, rape and soybean after the bacteria inoculation. Phylogenetic trees based on 16S rDNA sequences combined with morphological, physiological and identification showed that the bacterium belongs to the Enterobacter genus. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that only 1 of 39 DAEB isolates demonstrated more efficient biocontrol potential towards V. dahliae 107 in greenhouse and field trials. HA02-gfp mainly colonized cotton in roots. In addition, we quantitatively observed HA02 colonization in other hosts. HA02 belongs to the Enterobacter genus. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first study on biocontrol to defoliating pathotype of V. dahliae Kleb by endophytic bacteria. The HA02 showed effective biocontrol to V. dahliae 107 in greenhouse and field trials. Furthermore, we assessed the quantitative and qualitative colonization of HA02 in cotton seedlings. Our study provides basic information to further explore managing strategies to control this critical disease.

Effect of thyroxine on synaptotagmin 1 and SNAP-25 expression in dorsal hippocampus of adult-onset hypothyroid rats.

Adult-onset hypothyroidism causes cognitive dysfunctions of learning and memory, in which many synaptic proteins in hippocampus are involved. In our work, we studied the effect of adult-onset hypothyroidism on the expression of synaptotagmin 1 (syt 1) and SNAP-25 in dorsal hippocampus as well as its recovery by levothyroxine (L-T(4)) replacement therapy. Rats were divided into 4 groups: control, hypothyroidism, and hypothyroid rats treated with 5 µg T(4)/100 g body weight (BW) and 20 µg L-T(4)/100 g BW, respectively. Protein levels of syt 1 and SNAP-25 in dorsal hippocampus were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The immunoblot analysis indicated that syt 1 was expressed at a significantly lower level in hypothyroid rats, while the level of SNAP-25 was much higher compared to controls. Furthermore, using immunostaining, we found that on the one hand, expression of syt 1 was significantly down-regulated in the examined layers of CA1 and CA3 subregions but not dentate gyrus (DG); however, on the other hand, expression of SNAP-25 was up-regulated in the layers of CA1, CA3, and DG. Two-week treatment with 20 µg LT(4)/ 100 g BW fully restored the levels of syt 1 and SNAP-25 to the normal level, which was more effective than 5 µg LT(4)/ 100 g BW that partially restored the levels of both proteins. These results suggest that adult-onset hypothyroidism caused down-regulation of syt 1 and up-regulation of SNAP- 25 level in dorsal hippocampus, which could be restored by L-T(4) treatment, and the recovery degree is related to the LT(4) dosage.

Promethazine inhibits neuronal apoptosis via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in rats with cerebral infarction.

The article "Promethazine inhibits neuronal apoptosis via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in rats with cerebral infarction, by X.-D. Pan, X.-L. Chen, S.-F. Ding, D. Kou, H.-L. Hu, L. Li, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (3 Suppl): 126-134-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201908_18639-PMID: 31389591" has been withdrawn from the authors stating that they "have not yet studied their work completely and have some difficulties answering questions and quickly providing solutions in the paper". The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18639.

[Characteristics and recovery of hearing loss in 573 patients with bacterial meningitis].

Objective: To analyze the characteristics and prognosis of hearing loss in children with bacterial meningitis. Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study. Patients diagnosed with bacterial meningitis who were hospitalized in Beijing Children's Hospital between 2010 and 2016 and older than 28 days and younger than 18 years at symptom onset were included in this study (n=573). All clinical information including hearing assessment results during hospitalization were reviewed. All patients with hearing loss were followed up to repeat their hearing test and assess their hearing condition with parents' evaluation of aural and (or) oral performance of children (PEACH). Patients were grouped according to their hearing assessment results, and Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors for hearing loss in patients with bacterial meningitis. Results: Five hundred and seventy-three patients were enrolled in this study, including 347 males and 226 females. The onset age ranged from 29 days to 15.8 years. Two hundred and forty-six patients had identified causative pathogens, among whom 92 cases (37.4%) were pneumococcal meningitis cases. Hearing loss was found in 160 cases (27.9%) during hospitalization, involving 240 ears. Permanent hearing loss was found in 20 cases (16.9%), involving 32 ears. In the patients with permanent hearing loss, 87.5% (28/32) of ears were identified as severe or profound hearing loss during hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis showed that dystonia, the protein concentration level in cerebrospinal fluid>1 g/L, glucose concentration level lower than 1 mmol/L and subdural effusion were independent risk factors for hearing loss (OR=2.426 (1.450-4.059), 1.865 (1.186-2.932), 1.544 (1.002-2.381) and 1.904 (1.291-2.809)). Conclusions: Hearing loss is a common sequela of bacterial meningitis in children. Most patients have transient hearing loss, but patients with severe or profound hearing impairment have a higher risk of developing permanent hearing loss.

MiRNA-215-5p alleviates the metastasis of prostate cancer by targeting PGK1.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, non-coding RNAs, which exert crucial functions in regulating biological progressions. Previous studies have demonstrated the anti-tumor effect of miRNA-215-5p. However, its specific role in influencing the progression of prostate cancer (PCa) remains unclear. This study aims to uncover the regulatory effect of miRNA-215-5p on the metastasis and prognosis of PCa. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MiRNA-215-5p levels in collected PCa tissues (n=52) and paracancerous tissues (n=52) were determined by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between miRNA-215-5p level and pathological indexes, as well as overall survival of PCa patients, was analyzed. Regulatory effects of miRNA-215-5p on proliferative and metastatic capacities of LNCaP and DU-145 cells were evaluated through cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell assay, respectively. Bioinformatics prediction was performed to search for the target genes of miRNA-215-5p and PGK1 was selected. The biological role of PGK1 in the progression of PCa was finally clarified by a series of rescue experiments. RESULTS: MiRNA-215-5p was lowly expressed in PCa tissues and cell lines. Low level of miRNA-215-5p predicted poor prognosis in PCa patients. The silence of miRNA-215-5p enhanced viability, migratory, and invasive capacities of LNCaP cells, while the overexpression of miRNA-215-5p yielded the opposite trends in DU-145 cells. PGK1 was predicted to be the target of miRNA-215-5p. PGK1 was upregulated in PCa tissues and cell lines and its high level predicted poor prognosis of PCa. Moreover, PGK1 level was negatively correlated to that of miRNA-215-5p in PCa tissues. PGK1 was able to reverse the regulatory effects of miRNA-215-5p on metastatic potentials of PCa cells. CONCLUSIONS: Downregulated miRNA-215-5p in PCa is closely related to distant metastasis and poor prognosis of affected patients. MiRNA-215-5p alleviates the malignant progression of PCa by targeting and downregulating PGK1.

MiR-101a attenuates myocardial cell apoptosis in rats with acute myocardial infarction via targeting TGF-ß/JNK signaling pathway.

The article "MiR-101a attenuates myocardial cell apoptosis in rats with acute myocardial infarction via targeting TGF-ß/JNK signaling pathway, by F.-Q. Zhou, X.-F. Zhao, F.-Y. Liu, S.-S. Wang, H.-L. Hu, Y. Fang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (10): 4432-4438-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201905_17952-PMID: 31173319" has been withdrawn from the authors. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/17952.

Dynamic infection of Verticillium dahliae in upland cotton.

Verticillium wilt, an infection caused by the soilborne fungus Verticillium dahliae, is one of the most serious diseases in cotton. No effective control method against V. dahliae has been established, and the infection mechanism of V. dahliae in upland cotton remains unknown. GFP-tagged V. dahliae isolates with different pathogenic abilities were used to analyse the colonisation and infection of V. dahliae in the roots and leaves of different upland cotton cultivars, the relationships among infection processes, the immune responses and the resistance ability of different cultivars against V. dahliae. Here, we report a new infection model for V. dahliae in upland cotton plants. V. dahliae can colonise and infect any organ of upland cotton plants and then spread to the entire plant from the infected organ through the surface and interior of the organ. Vascular tissue was found to not be the sole transmission route of V. dahliae in cotton plants. In addition, the rate of infection of a V. dahliae isolate with strong pathogenicity was notably faster than that of an isolate with weak pathogenicity. The resistance of upland cotton to Verticillium wilt was related to the degree of the immune response induced in plants infected with V. dahliae. These results provide a theoretical basis for studying the mechanism underlying the interaction between V. dahliae and upland cotton. These results provide a theoretical basis for studying the mechanism underlying the interaction between V. dahliae and upland cotton.

Association between BMP4 expression and pathology, CT characteristics and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) expression and clinical pathology, computed tomography (CT) characteristics and prognosis of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 76 NSCLC patients treated in our hospital from July 2012 to March 2015 were enrolled. The paired NSCLC and para-carcinoma tissues, as well as their CT image data were collected. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein levels of BMP4 in NSCLC were detected via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The association between BMP4 level and clinicopathological indexes of NSCLC patients was analyzed. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier method was introduced for analyzing the progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in NSCLC patients with high-level or low-level BMP4. The correlation between CT manifestations and BMP4 level in NSCLC patients was analyzed using the Chi-square test. RESULTS: The mRNA level of BMP4 in NSCLC tissues was 2.15 times higher than that in para-carcinoma tissues (p<0.05). IHC results revealed 59.21% (45/76) of BMP4-positive NSCLC tissues and 40.79% (31/76) in para-carcinoma tissues. BMP4 level was higher in NSCLC patients with lymph node metastasis and those in clinical stage III and IV than those without lymph node metastasis and in clinical stage I and II (p<0.05). Besides, BMP4 level was not correlated to the gender, age and differentiation degree of NSCLC patients (p>0.05). According to the Kaplan-Meier survival curve, both PFS and OS were significantly shortened in NSCLC patients with high level of BMP4 compared with patients with low level of BMP4 (PFS: 13.28 months vs. 19.34 months, Log-rank test, p=0.016; OS: 15.14 months vs. 22.08 months, Log-rank test, p=0.027). BMP4 level was associated with lobulation sign, spinous process sign, tumor diameter and mediastinal lymph node metastasis in CT findings (p<0.05), rather than spiculation sign, ground glass sign, calcification lesion and CT enhancement value of lung cancer (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BMP4 overexpression is closely associated with the occurrence and development of NSCLC and CT signs. Detection of BMP4 is helpful for evaluating the malignant degree and prognosis of NSCLC.

Effect of miR-29c on renal fibrosis in diabetic rats via the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of micro-ribonucleic acid (miR)-29c on renal fibrosis in diabetic rats through the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, and to investigate its related mechanism by the research on the effect of miR-29c on the expression of fibrosis-related genes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rat model of diabetic nephropathy (DN) was established, and the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24 h urine protein (24h-Pro), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (sCr) were monitored. After the rats were executed, kidney tissues were dissected, stained with paraffin and embedded in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Then, Western blotting was used to detect the levels of miR-29c, phosphorylated-AMPK (p-AMPK), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF). The human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cell line was treated with high glucose (HG) to simulate DN cell status in vivo. After that, the expressions of miR-29c and the renal fibrosis marker α-SMA were examined via Western blotting. Finally, the level of α-SMA was measured by Western blotting after HG treatment combined with miR-29c silencing. RESULTS: The levels of FBG, BUN, sCr, and 24h-Pro in DN model rats were significantly higher than those in rats of control group. The data manifested that the DN model was successfully established. The expression level of miR-29c in DN model rats was markedly increased and that of the downstream protein p-AMPK also exhibited a significantly increasing trend. In addition, the levels of α-SMA, TNF-α, and MIF were elevated. The expression levels of miR-29c and α-SMA were increased markedly after the human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cell line was treated with HG, but the expression of α-SMA was reduced after HG treatment combined with miR-29c silencing for 24 h. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-29c is probably related to the occurrence and development of DN. Besides, miR-29c silencing may inhibit the DN renal fibrosis through AMPK/mTOR signals, so miR-29c may be an effective target for the treatment of DN renal fibrosis.

LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 is overexpressed in non-small cell lung cancer and its expression level is related to clinicopathology.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) KCNQ1OT1 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to elucidate its clinical significance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 in NSCLC tissues and para-cancer tissues (5 cm or above away from the tumor). The relation between lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression and the clinical-pathological data was analyzed by the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, the survival analysis was performed by the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 increased significantly in NSCLC tissues than that of in para-cancer tissues. According to the median expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1, NSCLC patients were divided into two groups, including high expression group and low expression group. Meanwhile, the lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression was correlated with tumor size, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, and lymph node metastasis of NSCLC patients. Both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis indicated that the high expression of lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 was closely related to TNM staging and lymph node metastasis. In addition, the Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the overall survival and progression-free survival time of patients with higher lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression were significantly worse than those with lower lncRNA KCNQ1OT1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA KCNQ1OT1 might contribute to the development of NSCLC.

[Clinical study on asthma and aspirin asthma affecting chronic rhinosinusitis].

Objective:The aim of this study is to observe the effects of asthma and aspirin asthma on chronic rhinosinusitis and to explore the corresponding clinical value. Method: Eighty-six patients with CRS and asthma who were treated in the outpatient clinic during March 2015 to January 2018 were divided into asthma group(52 cases) and aspirin asthma group(34 cases) according to asthma and aspirin asthma. The clinical symptoms of the two groups were analyzed by symptomatic VAS score, Lund-Mackay score of sinus CT, and Lund-Kennedy score by nasal endoscopy.The scores of the two groups were compared under different lung function. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay the levels of inflammatory markers IL-5,IL-17,IFN-γ and TNF-α in the sinus secretions of the two groups were detected.Result:There were no significant differences in age, gender, smoking history, allergy history, surgical history and course of disease between the two groups(P<0.05), suggesting that the data were comparable. The sinus CT results showed that compared with the aspirin asthma group, the asthmatic group had irregular turbinates and a large turbinate,as shown in Figure 1. There were significant differences between the two groups in VAS score,Lund-Mackay score of sinus CT and Lund-Kennedy score by nasal endoscopy.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). And the forehead and/or facial pain or pain in the symptomatic VAS score(P<0.05), the Lund-Mackay score of the sinus CT(P<0.05),and intranasal.The difference in the Lund-Kennedy score(P<0.05) was statistically significant.There were significant differences in the distribution of lung function levels between the two groups of patients with mild airway obstructive respiratory dysfunction and pulmonary ventilation obstructive disorder(P<0.05).The average levels of IL-5,IL-17,IFN-γ and TNF-α in the aspirin asthma group were significantly lower than those in the asthma group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Aspirin-induced CRS produces asthma symptoms more severely than traditional asthma symptoms, but the induced local inflammatory response is relatively weak, and the mechanism may be closely related to IL-5,IL-17,IFN-γ and TNF-α levels.

MiR-101a attenuates myocardial cell apoptosis in rats with acute myocardial infarction via targeting TGF-ß/JNK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-101a on myocardial cell apoptosis in the rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and its regulatory mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into the Sham group, Model group, and miR-101a mimic group, with 10 rats in each group. The rat model of AMI was established by the ligation of the anterior descending coronary artery. The rat left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) were detected using a color Doppler ultrasonic apparatus. Subsequently, the miRNA online database (TargetScan) was adopted to predict miRNAs that could be able to regulate TGF-ß1. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was conducted to reveal the histopathological morphology changes in the rat heart. The serum levels of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in rats were detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Moreover, the expression levels of the transforming growth factor-beta l (TGF-ß1) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in rat heart were measured via Western blotting. RESULTS: Through searching miRNA database, miR-101a and TGF-ß1 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) had binding sites in the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR). Compared with those in Sham group, the rat LVEDV and LVESV were notably elevated, the histopathological morphology of the heart was seriously damaged, the apoptotic rate of myocardial cells and the levels of TGF-ß1 and JNK proteins significantly increased in the Model group. Additionally, compared with those in the Model group, the LVEDV and LVESV of rats in miR-101a mimic group were significantly reduced, the histopathological morphology of the heart was markedly improved, and the apoptotic rate and the levels of TGF-ß1 and JNK in rat heart were remarkably decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The myocardial cell apoptosis in AMI rats can be suppressed by overexpression of miR-101a by inhibiting the TGF-ß1/JNK signaling pathway.

Long noncoding RNA MIRG induces osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in osteoporosis through negative regulation of miR-1897.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) MIRG and its potential functions in regulating osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption function through modulating miR-1897 in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expressions of MIRG and its co-expression mRNA NFATc1 at different stages during osteoclastogenesis. The CCK-8 assay was performed to evaluate cell proliferation and differentiation. The correlation between miR-1897 and MIRG was detected by statistical analysis. Bioinformatics and luciferase assay were performed to explore the interaction and binding site of MIRG and miR-1897. We also cloned the mice NFATc1 3'-UTR into the luciferase reporter vector and constructed miR-1897 binding mutants to validate the inhibited regulation of miR-1897 to the expression of NFATc1. RESULTS: Results showed that expressions of MIRG and NFATc1 were upregulated during osteoclastogenesis. qRT-PCR and CCK-8 assay showed that MIRG expression is associated with osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The bioinformatics prediction and luciferase assay suggested that by interacting with miR-1897, MIRG acts as a molecular sponge for the miR-1897 target NFATc1, to partly modulate the inhibitory effect of miR-1897 on NFATc1. CONCLUSIONS: We found that lncRNA-MIRG was upregulated in osteoclasts, which could promote osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption function as a molecular sponge by modulating the inhibitory effect of miR-1897 on NFATc1.