LncRNA BCYRN1/miR-490-3p/POU3F2, served as a ceRNA network, is connected with worse survival rate of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and promotes tumor cell growth and metastasis.

BACKGROUNDS: LncRNA Brain Cytoplasmic RNA 1 (BCYRN1) has been certified to modulate cancer cells growth and aggressiveness in several tumors. However, research about function of BCYRN1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is limited. Therefore, our research intends to explore the function of BCYRN1 in HCC. METHODS: HepG2 and BEL-7402 cell lines were employed for later function experiments. Differently expression levels of BCYRN1, miR-490-3p, and POU class 3 homeobox 2 (POU3F2) were determined on the base of TCGA dataset including 375 HCC patients and 50 normal. 370 cases of patients, which have fairly complete clinical data, were utilized for survival analysis of BCYRN1, miR-490-3p, or POU3F2 by Kaplan-Meier method. Relative expression pattern of BCYRN1 was examined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and relative expression level of POU3F2 was assessed by qRT-PCR and western blot. Cell biological behaviors were analyzed by cell counting kit-8, cloning formation, and transwell assays. Bioinformatics software and dual luciferase assay were applied to predict and confirm the targeted relationship between BCYRN1 and miR-490-3p, as well as miR-490-3p and POU3F2. Further associations among BCYRN1, miR-490-3p, and POU3F2 were analyzed by rescue assays. RESULTS: Our results exhibited that BCYRN1 was over expressed in HCC samples, which was connected with unfavorable prognosis in HCC patients. In addition, a series of experiments exhibited that overexpression of BCYRN1 significantly expedited HCC cells growth, clone formation, and movement abilities, and vice versa. Moreover, targeted relationships between BCYRN1 and miR-490-3p, as well as miR-490-3p and POU3F2 were affirmed by dual luciferase assay. Furthermore, POU3F2 expression was negatively connected with the expression of miR-490-3p and positively associated with BCYRN1 expression. Whilst, either overexpression of miR-490-3p or knockdown of POU3F2 could remarkably inhibit the increasing trends of proliferation, clone formation, invasion, and migration abilities induced by BCYRN1 in HCC cells. CONCLUSIONS: BCYRN1, served as a competing endogenous RNA, up-regulated the expression of POU3F2 to promote the development of HCC through sponging miR-490-3p, supplying novel molecular targets and underlying prognostic biomarkers for HCC therapy.

[Effect of Simiao Yong'an Decoction on the Expression of Wnt/p-catenin Signaling Pathway in Diabetic Ulcer Model Rats].

Objective To observe the changes of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in diabetic ulcer (DU) model rats and to study the effect of Simiao Yong'an Decoction (SYD) on it. Methods Totally 51 female Wistar rats were divided into the normal control group (n =17) and the diabetes mellitus (DM) group (n =34) according to random digit table. Rats in the normal control group were fed with common forage. Those in the DM group were prepared for DM model by high fat high glucose forage +intrap- eritoneal injection of low-dose Streptozotocin (STZ). Successfully modeled rats were then randomly divided into the DU group and the DU-SYD group, 15 in each group. Fifteen rats were randomly selected from the normal control group, and then divided into the ulcer control group (CU). Rats in the DU-SYD group were administered with SYD by gastrogavage. Rats in the CU group and the DU group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage. The conditions of wound healing were observed, histomorphological changes of the wound tissues were observed by HE staining at day 3, 7, and 14, respectively. Protein and mRNA expressions of p-catenin, GSK-3ß, and Rspo-3 in wound tissues were detected by ELISA and RT-PCR. Results The wound healing rate was sequenced from high to low as Group CU, Group DU- SYD, Group DU at day 3, 7, and 14, respectively (P <0. 05). Compared with CU group, protein contents and mRNA expressions of ß-catenin and Rspo-3 in wound tissues decreased, protein contents and mR- NA expressions of GSK-3ß increased in the DU group at day 3, 7, and 14, respectively (P <0. 05). Compared with the DU group, protein contents and mRNA expressions of ß-catenin in wound tissues increased, protein contents and mRNA expressions of GSK-3ß decreased in the DU-SYD group at day 3, 7, and 14, respectively (P<0. 05). There was no significant difference in protein contents or mRNA ex- pressions of Rspo-3 between the DU group and the DU-SYD group (P >0. 05). Conclusions Down-regulation of Wnt/ß-catenin pathway might result in difficult healing of UC. SYD could promote the healing of DU possibly by regulating Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

A Meta-Analysis of MiRNA-497 and Prognosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Recently, microRNA-497 (miR-497) has been reported as a prognostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is no systematic study summarizing these data. Herein, we elucidated the prognostic role of miR497 in HCC by using meta-analysis. Methods: We systematically searched Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and, China National Knowledge Infrastructure for relevant studies. The two researchers conducted data extraction and quality evaluation independently. We used hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs), and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI) to evaluate the relationship between miR-497 expression level and HCC prognosis. Results: A total of 6 studies involving 457 participants were included in this meta-analysis. There was a significant association between the lower level of miR-497 expression and the shorter overall survival (HR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.67-2.84, P < 0.001). Meanwhile, patients with low miR-497 expression were more prone to vascular infiltration (OR = 2.73, 95%: 1.79-4.17, P < 0.001). However, the lower expression level of miR-497 had no significant correlation with TNM (tumor-node-metastasis) stage (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.17-12.49, P=0.47). Conclusions: MiR-497 might serve as a prognostic biomarker in HCC, but more clinical studies are needed to confirm this view.

Coarctation of the aorta complicated with bilateral iliac artery dissection: A rare case.

The coarctation of the aorta (CoA) combined with heart defects or cerebral artery aneurysms is more prevalent in clinical practice. However, cases of concurrent bilateral iliac artery dissection (IAD) are extremely rare and have not been reported. Here, we described a case with CoA combined with bilateral IAD. The patient, a 62-year-old male, presented with acute intermittent claudication accompanied by pain and aching in both lower limbs after walking. Following a thorough medical history inquiry and examination, the patient was diagnosed with acute bilateral IAD combined with CoA. The patient underwent endovascular treatment. Postoperatively, the aortic diameter recovered, and the bilateral IAD disappeared, yielding satisfactory therapeutic results. Conclusively, endovascular treatment of aortic coarctation combined with IAD is an effective therapeutic approach, enhancing patient survival and improving their quality of life.

Flip-over of blood vessel intima caused by vascular closure device: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Complications of vascular closure devices mainly include bleeding, vascular injury, and trapped device that cannot be removed percutaneously. However, arterial stenosis or occlusion induced by vascular injury is rare. This article introduces a rare case with severe acute limb ischemia after using the vascular closure device (StarClose). CASE SUMMARY: A 54-year-old man was admitted because of necrosis of the second toe of the left foot for 2 mo. Ultrasound showed left femoral artery stenosis, and occlusion of the left popliteal, posterior tibial, peroneal, anterior tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries, suggesting arteriosclerosis obliterans of low extremities, gangrene and type 2 diabetes. He underwent an interventional procedure of drug-eluting balloon in the left lower limb via antegrade puncture of the left common femoral artery. He developed acute limb ischemia after 1 h, and severe pain, numbness, pale skin, low skin temperature and weakened sensation in the left foot. Injury of the common femoral artery intima was considered. Exploratory surgery showed occlusion at the puncture point accompanied with bulged vascular lumen and flipped vascular intima caused by StarClose. The flipped intima was removed. The limb blood supply was restored and the limb was saved post-surgery. He recovered well at final follow-up. CONCLUSION: Incorrect use of the vascular closure device was the main cause of severe acute limb ischemia in this case.

Hepatitis B virus infection and replication in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a blood borne infectious disease that affects the liver. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) may serve as a cell source for adult stem cell transplantation in liver repair. However, the susceptibility of human BMSCs to HBV infection is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the infection and replication of HBV in cultures of human BMSCs. RESULTS: Human BMSCs were confirmed using flow cytometry. Intracellular HBV DNA was detected at d 2 after infection and maintained at relatively high levels from d 6 to d 12. The maximal level of intracellular HBV DNA was 9.37 × 105 copies/mL. The extracellular HBV DNA was observed from d 3 to d 15, and the levels ranged from 3.792 × 102 copies/mL to 4.067 × 105 copies/mL. HBsAg in the culture medium was detected from d 2 to d 16. HBeAg secretion was positive from d 5 to d 13. HBcAg constantly showed positive signals in approximately 7%-20% of BMSCs from 2 days after exposure. Intracellular HBV covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA) could be detected as early as 2 days postinfection, and strong signals were obtained with increasing time. CONCLUSION: HBV can infect and replicate in human BMSCs. Human BMSCs may be a useful tool for investigating HBV life-cycle and the mechanism of initial virus-cell interactions.

MicroRNA-141 inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through targeting PAPP-A.

It is well known that ox-LDL plays key roles in the development of atherosclerosis, partly by inducing vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) proliferation. Recent findings have revealed that microRNAs, a class of small noncoding RNAs, could regulate cell proliferation in many physiological and pathological conditions. However, the role and function of miRNAs on ox-LDL induced VSMC proliferation are not fully elucidated. In this study, we showed that ox-LDL could suppress miR-141 expression and inhibition of miR-141 could promote VSMCs proliferation. Moreover, we found that PAPPA was the direct target gene of miR-141. Overexpression of PAPPA impaired the miR-141-induced inhibition of proliferation in the VSMCs. Taken together; miR-141 may play important roles in ox-LDL-induced abnormal proliferation of the VSMC.

Surgical femorocaval bypass for treating chronic iliac vein occlusion: a case report.

Chronic inferior vena cava and iliac vein occlusion, caused by long-term of deep venous thrombosis, will lead to swelling of the limbs, venous claudication and intractable ulcer. However, conservative treatment is often ineffective for vein occlusion. With the development of interventional techniques, endovascular therapy has become the first choice for the treatment of vein occlusion with higher success rate and lower trauma. However, for cases those fail endovascular therapy or for segmental veno-occlusive diseases with low long-term patency rate, venous bypass might be the only option. And, design of anastomotic stoma and orificium fistulae design is crucial to the success of operation. A case of long term deep venous thrombosis patient with occlusion in bilateral iliac vein and distal inferior vena cava was admitted and treated with interventional therapy. Unfortunately, this method failed. Then, we selected reasonable anastomotic stoma and orificium fistulae and performed femorocaval bypass. The 12 month follow-up results showed that the swelling was successively relieved and the ulcer healed. This indicated that rational anastomotic stoma and orificium fistulae could guarantee the exact clinical efficacy of venous bypass and higher long-term patency rate.

Association of expression of XIAP-associated factor 1 (XAF1) with clinicopathologic factors, overall survival, microvessel density and cisplatin-resistance in ovarian cancer.

XIAP-associated factor 1 (XAF1) was identified as a novel X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) binding partner that can reverse the anti-apoptotic effect of XIAP. XAF1 levels are greatly decreased in many cancer tissues and cell lines. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of XAF1 and XIAP in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer and role of XAF1 in cisplatin resistance of ovarian cancer cells. Tissues from 94 patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and 30 ovarian cystadenomas were obtained. We analyzed the association of the immunohistochemical-determined expression of these two factors and clinicopathologic variables, overall survival, and angiogenesis. We established SKOV3 cells stably overexpressing XAF1 and explored the possible functions of XAF1 in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The protein expression of XAF1 was significantly lower and that of XIAP higher in malignant than nonmalignant tissues. Low XAF1 expression was associated with high-grade tumors and poor overall survival for patients. XAF1 expression was associated with microvessel density. Overexpression of XAF1 suppressed cell proliferation and enhanced SKOV3 cells sensitivity to cisplatin, as well as inhibited tumor growth and decreased MVD in vivo. Overexpression of XAF1 induced XIAP inactivation, caspase-3 activation and cytosolic expression of cytochrome c. These results suggested that XAF1 may be involved in ovarian cancer development and up-regulation of XAF1 may confer sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin-mediated apoptosis.