Inhibiting microRNA-301b suppresses cell growth and targets RNF38 in cervical carcinoma.

It has been reported microRNA-301b (miR-301b) was involved in the tumorigenesis of some cancers, but it has not been investigated in cervical carcinoma yet. In this study, miR-301b was found significantly upregulated in cervical carcinoma, and patients with high miR-301b expression had a shorter overall survival. When miR-301b was knocked down in cervical carcinoma cells, the cell growth could be significantly abolished. Our further studies showed miR-301b targeted RNF38, and inhibited its expression in cervical carcinoma cells. Moreover, RNF38 was found downregulated in cervical carcinoma, and miR-301b expression in cervical tissues was found negatively correlated with RNF38 expression. In addition, overexpression of RNF38 significantly inhibited cervical carcinoma cell growth, but overexpression of miR-301b suppressed RNF38-induced cell growth inhibition in cervical carcinoma. Collectively, this study suggested miR-301b could be a novel target for cervical carcinoma treatment.

Three-dimensional (3D) Printing Technology Assisted by Minimally Invasive Surgery for Pubic Rami Fractures.

The feasibility of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology combined with minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of pubic rami fractures was explored. From August 2015 to October 2017, a series of 30 patients who underwent surgical stabilization of their anterior pelvic ring (all utilizing the 3D printing technology) by one surgeon at a single hospital were studied. The minimally invasive incisions were made through anterior inferior cilia spine and pubic nodule. Data collected included the operative duration, the blood loss, the damage of the important tissue, the biographic union and the recovery of the function after the operation. Measurements on inlet and outlet pelvic cardiograph were made immediately post-operation and at all follow-up clinic visits. The scores of reduction and function were measured during follow-up. Results showed that the wounds of 30 patients were healed in the first stage, and there was no injury of important structures such as blood vessels and nerves. According to the Matta criteria, excellent effectiveness was obtained in 22 cases and good in 8 cases. According to the functional evaluation criteria of Majeed, excellent effectiveness was obtained in 21 cases and good in 9 cases. It was suggested that the 3D printing technology assisted by minimally invasive surgery can better evaluate the pelvic fracture before operation, which was helpful in plate modeling, and can shorten surgery duration and reduce intraoperative blood loss and complications. The positioning accuracy was improved, and better surgical result was finally achieved.

Overexpressing microRNA-150 attenuates hypoxia-induced human cardiomyocyte cell apoptosis by targeting glucose-regulated protein-94.

MicroRNA (miR)-150 has been demonstrated to protect the heart from ischemic injury. However, the protective effect of miR­150 in hypoxia­injured cardiomyocytes remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the target gene of miR­150 and the underlying molecular mechanisms of miR­150 in hypoxia­induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Using the hypoxia model of human cardiomyocytes (HCMs) in vitro, it was demonstrated that miR­150 was markedly inhibited in HCMs after hypoxia treatment. Overexpressing miR­150 significantly decreased hypoxia­induced HCM death and apoptosis. In addition, GRP94 was revealed to be a direct target of miR­150. Additionally, GRP94 was demonstrated to be involved in hypoxia­induced HCM apoptosis, and the protein expression levels of GRP94 were increased in HCMs in the presence of hypoxia. These findings demonstrated that miR­150 is involved in hypoxia­mediated gene regulation and apoptosis in HCMs. Furthermore, GRP94 knockout increased the cell viability of hypoxia­impaired HCMs with miR­150 mimic or miR­150 inhibitor transfection. In conclusion, miR­150 may serve a protective role in cardiomyocyte hypoxia injury, and the underlying mechanism was mediated, at least partially, by inhibiting GRP94 expression. These findings may provide a novel insight for the therapy of hypoxia-induced myocardial I/R injury.

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter phase II trial of Allisartan Isoproxil in essential hypertensive population at low-medium risk.

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) is a well-tolerated class of antihypertensive agents, exhibiting effective antihypertensive and cardiovascular protective function. The objective of the study was to examine the efficacy and safety of Allisartan Isoproxil, a newly developed, selective, nonpeptide blocker of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), in essential hypertensive patients at low-medium risk. METHODS AND FINDINGS: A Phase II prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial comparing Allisartan Isoproxil 240mg versus placebo was conducted in essential hypertensive patients at low-medium risk at 8 sites in China. After a 2-week placebo baseline period, 275 patients received once-daily treatment with Allisartan Isoproxil 240mg or placebo randomly for 8 weeks. Systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) was measured at week 2, 4 and 8. By the end of treatment, mean reductions from baseline of SBP and DBP in Allisartan Isoproxil and placebo groups were 14.5/10.4 and 8.3/7.7 mmHg, respectively (P<0.01). The rate of effective blood pressure control in Allisartan Isoproxil group was significantly higher than in placebo group at week 4 (61.3% vs 50.0%, P<0.05) and week 8 (67.2% vs 48.6%, P<0.01). In terms of safety and tolerability, there were no report of death and serious adverse event (SAE) in all subjects. There was no difference of frequency between two groups in adverse event (AE) and adverse drug reaction (ADR) (P>0.05). No one withdraw because of an ADR in two groups. 124 patients received additional 56 weeks treatment with Allisartan Isoproxil and 84 of them completed the study. The rate of effective BP control kept up to 80% since week 24. No significant clinical change was observed and ADRs were generally mild or moderate during the long-term study. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: Allisartan Isoproxil 240mg was effective and safe for essential hypertension patients at low-medium risk. TRIAL REGISTRATION: http://www.chictr.org/cn/ ChiCTR-TRC-10000886.

Lifestyle intervention in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in Chengyang District, Qingdao, China.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of a 6 and 12 mo lifestyle modification intervention in nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) in Chengyang District of Qingdao. METHODS: Participants with NAFLD who had resided in Chengyang District for more than 5 years were enrolled in this study. After the 6 and 12 mo lifestyle modification intervention based on physical activity, nutrition and behavior therapy, parameters such as body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase values, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and visceral fat area (VFA), the liver-spleen ratio and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were evaluated and compared between participants with and without the intervention. RESULTS: Seven hundred and twenty-four participants were assigned to the lifestyle intervention group (LS) and 363 participants were assigned to the control group (CON). After the intervention, body weights in the LS group were significantly decreased compared to those in the CON group at 6 mo (11.59% ± 4.7% vs 0.4% ± 0.2%, P = 0.001) and at 12 mo (12.73% ± 5.6% vs 0.9% ± 0.3%, P = 0.001). Compared with the CON group, BMI was more decreased in the LS group after 6 and 12 mo (P = 0.043 and P = 0.032). Waist circumference was more reduced in the LS group than in CON (P = 0.031 and P = 0.017). After the 6 and 12 mo intervention, ALT decreased significantly in the LS group (P = 0.003 and P = 0.002). After 6 and 12 mo, the metabolic syndrome rate had decreased more in the LS group compared with the CON group (P = 0.026 and P = 0.017). After 12 mo, the HOMA-IR score decreased more obviously in the LS group (P = 0.041); this result also appeared in the VFA after 12 mo in the LS group (P = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Lifestyle intervention was effective in improving NAFLD in both 6 and 12 mo interventions. This intervention offered a practical approach for treating a large number of NAFLD patients in the Chengyang District of Qingdao.

[1,25(OH)(2)D(3) influences endothelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression of aorta in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice].

OBJECTIVE: To study possible influences of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on endothelial cell proliferation, apoptosis and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression of aorta in apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE(-/-)) mice and to explore the relationship between vitamin D and atherosclerosis. METHOD: Endothelial cell of aorta in apoE(-/-) mice were isolated and cultured, and the influence of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on endothelial cell proliferation were observed by MTT, apoptosis of cells were quantitated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labelling, Bcl-2 mRNA, fas mRNA and eNOS mRNA was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULT: Endothelial cell proliferation rate of aorta did not significantly change in the two control groups (0.162 ± 0.031 vs. 0.158 ± 0.006, P > 0.05). Compared with control groups, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) stimulated endothelial cell proliferation of aorta (P < 0.05), but endothelial cell proliferation rate did not significantly change in different 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) concentration groups [1,25(OH)(2)D(3) concentration: 10(-4)mol/L, 10(-5) mol/L, 10(-6) mol/L, 10(-7) mol/L, 10(-8) mol/L, endothelial cell proliferation rate: 0.189 ± 0.013 vs. 0.285 ± 0.011 vs. 0.296 ± 0.026 vs. 0.284 ± 0.017 vs. 0.233 ± 0.010, P > 0.05]. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) research concentration as chosen as 10(-6) mol/L. In 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) 10(-6) mol/L group, the expression of Bcl-2, eNOS mRNA was significantly increased (0.78 ± 0.16 vs. 0.46 ± 0.21 vs. 0.42 ± 0.17, 0.56 ± 0.16 vs. 0.39 ± 0.13 vs. 0.35 ± 0.11, 0.46 ± 0.2 vs. 10.42 ± 0.17 vs. 0.78 ± 0.16, 0.79 ± 0.21 vs. 0.81 ± 0.20 vs. 0.43 ± 0.12), apoptotic index, Fas mRNA was significantly decreased (15.14 ± 3.19 vs. 18.94 ± 4.22 vs. 19.27 ± 4.58, 0.43 ± 0.12 vs.0.79 ± 0.21 vs. 0.81 ± 0.20)(P < 0.05). The quantity of eNOS gene expression was inversely associated with apoptosis index and Fas mRNA, was positively associated with Bcl-2 mRNA (r = -0.676, -0.758, 0.762, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) stimulated endothelial cell proliferation, inhibited apoptosis and increased eNOS expression of aorta in apoE(-/-) mice. These results may deepen understanding of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

[Comparison of stenting with sirolimus eluting stent and spot stenting with small vessel stent in treatment of small vessels with long lesions].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short and long-term outcomes between stenting with sirolimus eluting stent (SES) and spot stenting with small vessel stent (SVS) for treatment of small vessels with long lesions. METHODS: 306 coronary heart disease patients in need of stenting in small vessel (diameter < 3.0 mm) with long lesions (> 20 mm) were divided into 2 groups: SES group (n = 93, receiving 157 CYPHER stents) and SVS group (n = 113, receiving spot stenting tactics). The clinical characteristics, success rate of procedure, rate of in-stent restenosis, target lesion revasculation (TLR), and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were recorded after 6-month follow-up. RESULTS: The baseline clinical and angiographic characteristics were similar between these two groups. Two CYPHER stents failed to pass the tortuous and calcified lesions in the SES group; DRIVER stents were used instead and succeeded in the passing. The rates of in-stent restenosis, TLR, and MACE of the SES group were 4.0%, 2.2%, and 3.2% respectively, all significantly, lower than those of the SVS group (26.5%, 10.6%, and 13.3% respectively, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In treatment of small vessel with long lesions, the rates of in-stent restenosis, TLR, and MACE are all much lower in the SES group than in the SVS group. Spot stenting with SVS may be feasible for small vessels with long and tortuous lesions, especially for those in which SES fails to pass through.

[The changes and their clinical significance of D-dimer and platelet glycoprotein in patients with coronary heart disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the changes and their clinical significance of D-dimer and platelet glycoprotein (GP) in patients with coronary heart disease. METHODS: D-dimer and GP in 20 patients with stable angina (SA group), 48 patients with unstable angina (UA group), and 20 control cases were measured. The changes of D-dimer and GP in patients with and without coronary events were compared. The sensitivity of those changes in the diagnosis of coronary events was evaluated. RESULTS: There were significant differences of D-dimer and GP between UA group and SA group or control group (P < 0.01), while there was no significant difference between SA group and control group (P > 0.05). There were also significant differences of D-dimer and GP between patients with coronary events and patients without coronary events (P < 0.05). In the sensitivity test for detecting coronary events, D-dimer and GPIIb, GPIIIa were much more sensitive than other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: D-dimer and GPIIb, GPIIIa may be regarded as the indexes of coronary thrombosis and used for predicting the severity of coronary events.