MicroRNA-377-3p exacerbates chronic obstructive pulmonary disease through suppressing ZFP36L1 expression and inducing lung fibroblast senescence.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading aging related cause of global mortality. Small airway narrowing is recognized as an early and significant factor for COPD development. Senescent fibroblasts were observed to accumulate in lung of COPD patients and promote COPD progression through aberrant extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). On the basis of our previous study, we further investigated the the causes for the increased levels of miR-377-3p in the blood of COPD patients, as well as its regulatory function in the pathological progression of COPD. We found that the majority of up-regulated miR-377-3p was localized in lung fibroblasts. Inhibition of miR-377-3p improved chronic smoking-induced COPD in mice. Mechanistically, miR-377-3p promoted senescence of lung fibroblasts, while knockdown of miR-377-3p attenuated bleomycin-induced senescence in lung fibroblasts. We also identified ZFP36L1 as a direct target for miR-377-3p that likely mediated its pro senescence activity in lung fibroblasts. Our data reveal that miR-377-3p is crucial for COPD pathogenesis, and may serve as a potential target for COPD therapy.

Inhibition of TAF1B impairs ribosome biosynthesis and suppresses cell proliferation in stomach adenocarcinoma through promoting c-MYC mRNA degradation.

Hyperactivation of ribosome biosynthesis (RiBi) is a hallmark of cancer, and targeting ribosome biogenesis has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy. The depletion of TAF1B, a major component of selectivity factor 1 (SL1), disrupts the pre-initiation complex, preventing RNA polymerase I from binding ribosomal DNA and inhibiting the hyperactivation of RiBi. Here, we investigate the role of TAF1B, in regulating RiBi and proliferation in stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD). We disclosed that the overexpression of TAF1B correlates with poor prognosis in STAD, and found that knocking down TAF1B effectively inhibits STAD cell proliferation and survival in vitro and in vivo. TAF1B knockdown may also induce nucleolar stress, and promote c-MYC degradation in STAD cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that TAF1B depletion impairs rRNA gene transcription and processing, leading to reduced ribosome biogenesis. Collectively, our findings suggest that TAF1B may serve as a potential therapeutic target for STAD and highlight the importance of RiBi in cancer progression.

TAF1B depletion leads to apoptotic cell death by inducing nucleolar stress and activating p53-miR-101 circuit in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: TAF1B (TATA Box Binding Protein (TBP)-Associated Factor) is an RNA polymerase regulating rDNA activity, stress response, and cell cycle. However, the function of TAF1B in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown. Objective: In this study, we intended to characterize the crucial role and molecular mechanisms of TAF1B in modulating nucleolar stress in HCC. Methods: We analyzed the differential expression and prognostic value of TAF1B in hepatocellular carcinoma based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, tumor and paraneoplastic tissue samples from clinical hepatocellular carcinoma patients, and typical hepatocellular carcinoma. We detected cell proliferation and apoptosis by lentiviral knockdown of TAF1B expression levels in HepG2 and SMMC-7721 cells using clone formation, apoptosis, and Western blotting (WB) detection of apoptosis marker proteins. Simultaneously, we investigated the influence of TAF1B knockdown on the function of the pre-initiation complex (PIC) by WB, and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays verified the interaction between the complexes and the effect on rDNA activity. Immunofluorescence assays measured the expression of marker proteins of nucleolus stress, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays checked the rDNA activity, and qRT-PCR assays tested the pre-rRNA levels. Regarding molecular mechanisms, we investigated the role of p53 and miR-101 in modulating nucleolar stress and apoptosis. Finally, the impact of TAF1B knockdown on tumor growth, apoptosis, and p53 expression was observed in xenograft tumors. Result: We identified that TAF1B was highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma and associated with poor prognosis in HCC patients. TAF1B depletion modulated nucleolar stress and apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells through positive and negative feedback from p53-miR-101. RNA polymerase I transcription repression triggered post-transcriptional activation of miR-101 in a p53-dependent manner. In turn, miR-101 negatively feeds back through direct inhibition of the p53-mediated PARP pathway. Conclusion: These findings broaden our comprehension of the function of TAF1B-mediated nucleolar stress in hepatocellular carcinoma and may offer new biomarkers for exploring prospective therapeutic targets in HCC.

Safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of the mRNA vaccine CS-2034 as a heterologous booster versus homologous booster with BBIBP-CorV in adults aged ≥18 years: a randomised, double-blind, phase 2b trial.

BACKGROUND: Heterologous boosting is suggested to be of use in populations who have received inactivated COVID-19 vaccines. We aimed to assess the safety and immunogenicity of a heterologous vaccination with the mRNA vaccine CS-2034 versus the inactivated BBIBP-CorV as a fourth dose, as well as the efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2 omicron (BA.5) variant. METHODS: This trial contains a randomised, double-blind, parallel-controlled study in healthy participants aged 18 years or older (group A) and an open-label cohort in participants 60 years and older (group B), who had received three doses of inactivated whole-virion vaccines at least 6 months before enrolment. Pregnant women and people with major chronic illnesses or a history of allergies were excluded. Eligible participants in group A were stratified by age (18-59 years and ≥60 years) and then randomised by SAS 9.4 in a ratio of 3:1 to receive a dose of the mRNA vaccine (CS-2034, CanSino, Shanghai, China) or inactivated vaccine (BBIBP-CorV, Sinopharm, Beijing, China). Safety and immunogenicity against omicron variants of the fourth dose were evaluated in group A. Participants 60 years and older were involved in group B for safety observations. The primary outcome was geometric mean titres (GMTs) of the neutralising antibodies against omicron and seroconversion rates against BA.5 variant 28 days after the boosting, and incidence of adverse reactions within 28 days. The intention-to-treat group was involved in the safety analysis, while all patients in group A who had blood samples taken before and after the booster were involved in the immunogenicity analysis. This trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Centre (ChiCTR2200064575). FINDINGS: Between Oct 13, and Nov 22, 2022, 320 participants were enrolled in group A (240 in the CS-2034 group and 80 in the BBIBP-CorV group) and 113 in group B. Adverse reactions after vaccination were more frequent in CS-2034 recipients (158 [44·8%]) than BBIBP-CorV recipients (17 [21·3%], p<0·0001). However, most adverse reactions were mild or moderate, with grade 3 adverse reactions only reported by eight (2%) of 353 participants receiving CS-2034. Heterologous boosting with CS-2034 elicited 14·4-fold (GMT 229·3, 95% CI 202·7-259·4 vs 15·9, 13·1-19·4) higher concentration of neutralising antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant BA.5 than did homologous boosting with BBIBP-CorV. The seroconversion rates of SARS-CoV-2-specific neutralising antibody responses were much higher in the mRNA heterologous booster regimen compared with BBIBP-CorV homologous booster regimen (original strain 47 [100%] of 47 vs three [18·8%] of 16; BA.1 45 [95·8%] of 48 vs two [12·5%] 16; and BA.5 233 [98·3%] of 240 vs 15 [18·8%] of 80 by day 28). INTERPRETATION: Both the administration of mRNA vaccine CS-2034 and inactivated vaccine BBIBP-CorV as a fourth dose were well tolerated. Heterologous boosting with mRNA vaccine CS-2034 induced higher immune responses and protection against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 omicron infections compared with homologous boosting, which could support the emergency use authorisation of CS-2034 in adults. FUNDING: Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Jiangsu Provincial Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and Jiangsu Provincial Key Project of Science and Technology Plan. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

YEATS2 regulates the activation of TAK1/NF-κB pathway and is critical for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell survival.

The prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is poor despite diagnostic progress and new chemotherapeutic regimens. Constitutive activation of NF-κB is frequently observed in PDAC. In this study, we found that YEATS2, a scaffolding protein of ATAC complex, was highly expressed in human PDAC. Depletion of YEATS2 reduced the growth, survival, and tumorigenesis of PDAC cells. The binding of YEATS2 is crucial for maintaining TAK1 activation and NF-κB transcriptional activity. Of importance, our results reveal that YEATS2 promotes NF-κB transcriptional activity through modulating TAK1 abundance and directly interacting with NF-κB as a co-transcriptional factor.

Deciphering the puzzle: a case report of Tjalma syndrome (pseudo-pseudo Meigs' syndrome) with profoundly elevated CA-125 and pleural effusion.

Elevated CA-125 levels, polyserous effusions (such as pleural effusion, ascites, etc.) in young women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) may signal pseudo-pseudo Meigs' syndrome (PPMS), after excluding other causes. We describe a 32-year-old SLE patient with recurrent bilateral pleural effusions and unexplained hypercalcemia for 10 months. Extensive evaluations revealed no infections or tumors. Cytokine analysis showed elevated interleukin (IL) levels, especially IL-6 in pleural effusion. Treatment with immunosuppressive therapy resulted in reduced cancer antigen (CA) 125 levels and decreased effusion volume, demonstrating a positive response to intervention in this case of PPMS.

Circular RNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for gastric cancer: A comprehensive update from emerging functions to clinical significances.

The incidence and mortality of gastric cancer ranks as a fouth leading cause of cancer death worldwide, especially in East Asia. Due to the lack of specific early-stage symptoms, the majority of patients in most developing nations are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore, it is urgent to find more sensitive and reliable biomarkers for gastric cancer screening and diagnosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a novel type of RNAs with covalently closed loops, are becoming a latest hot spot in the field of. In recent years, a great deal of research has demonstrated that abnormal expression of circRNAs was associated with the development of gastric cancer, and suggested that circRNA might serve as a potential biomarker for gastric cancer diagnosis. In this review, we summarize the structural characteristics, formation mechanism and biological function of circRNAs, and elucidate research progress and existing problems in early screening of gastric cancer.

Limonin, an AMPK Activator, Inhibits Hepatic Lipid Accumulation in High Fat Diet Fed Mice.

NAFLD is the most prevalent liver disease in human history. The treatment is still limited yet. In the current study, we reported that limonin inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation and fatty acid synthesis in HFD fed mice. Using AMPK inhibitor and AMPK deficient C. elegans, we revealed the effect was dependent on the activation of AMPK. We found that limonin activated AMPK through inhibition of cellular energy metabolism and increasing ADP:ATP ratio. Furthermore, the treatment of limonin induced AMPK mediated suppression of the transcriptional activity of SREBP1/2. Our study suggests that limonin may a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of NAFLD.

Bmmp influences wing morphology by regulating anterior-posterior and proximal-distal axes development.

Insect wings are subject to strong selective pressure, resulting in the evolution of remarkably diverse wing morphologies that largely determine flight capacity. However, the genetic basis and regulatory mechanisms underlying wing size and shape development are not well understood. The silkworm Bombyx mori micropterous (mp) mutant exhibits shortened wing length and enlarged vein spacings, albeit without changes in total wing area. Thus, the mp mutant comprises a valuable genetic resource for studying wing development. In this study, we used molecular mapping to identify the gene responsible for the mp phenotype and designated it Bmmp. Phenotype-causing mutations were identified as indels and single nucleotide polymorphisms in noncoding regions. These mutations resulted in decreased Bmmp messenger RNA levels and changes in transcript isoform composition. Bmmp null mutants were generated by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) / CRISPR-associated protein 9 and exhibited changed wing shape, similar to mp mutants, and significantly smaller total wing area. By examining the expression of genes critical to wing development in wildtype and Bmmp null mutants, we found that Bmmp exerts its function by coordinately modulating anterior-posterior and proximal-distal axes development. We also studied a Drosophila mp mutant and found that Bmmp is functionally conserved in Drosophila. The Drosophila mp mutant strain exhibits curly wings of reduced size and a complete loss of flight capacity. Our results increase our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning insect wing development and reveal potential targets for pest control.

Expansion of targetable sites for the ribonucleoprotein-based CRISPR/Cas9 system in the silkworm Bombyx mori.

BACKGROUND: With the emergence of CRISPR/Cas9 technology, multiple gene editing procedures became available for the silkworm. Although binary transgene-based methods have been widely used to generate mutants, delivery of the CRISPR/Cas9 system via DNA-free ribonucleoproteins offers several advantages. However, the T7 promoter that is widely used in the ribonucleoprotein-based method for production of sgRNAs in vitro requires a 5' GG motif for efficient initiation. The resulting transcripts bear a 5' GG motif, which significantly constrains the number of targetable sites in the silkworm genome. RESULTS: In this study, we used the T7 promoter to add two supernumerary G residues to the 5' end of conventional (perfectly matched) 20-nucleotide sgRNA targeting sequences. We then asked if sgRNAs with this structure can generate mutations even if the genomic target does not contain corresponding GG residues. As expected, 5' GG mismatches depress the mutagenic activity of sgRNAs, and a single 5' G mismatch has a relatively minor effect. However, tests involving six sgRNAs targeting two genes show that the mismatches do not eliminate mutagenesis in vivo, and the efficiencies remain at useable levels. One sgRNA with a 5' GG mismatch at its target performed mutagenesis more efficiently than a conventional sgRNA with 5' matched GG residues at a second target within the same gene. Mutations generated by sgRNAs with 5' GG mismatches are also heritable. We successfully obtained null mutants with detectable phenotypes from sib-mated mosaics after one generation. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, our method improves the utility and flexibility of the ribonucleoprotein-based CRISPR/Cas9 system in silkworm.

Analysis of the curative effect and influencing factors of stereotactic aspiration in the treatment of primary brainstem haemorrhage.

Primary brainstem haemorrhage (PBH) is characterized by acute onset, rapid deterioration, many complications, and poor prognosis. Its treatment has been controversial. This study aimed to explore the clinical risk factors of postoperative survival and neurological function recovery of stereotactic aspiration in the treatment of PBH. The clinical data of 65 patients with severe brainstem haemorrhage from February 2019 to February 2020 in the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University were reviewed. All patients were treated with stereotactic haematoma aspiration. We determined the survival status of patients at 30 days after the operation and the recovery of neurological function at 90 days. The modified Rankin Scale score (mRS) was used to assess the survival status. The 30-day mortality rate was 23.1% (15 patients). The proportion of patients with good neurological recovery at 90 days after the operation was 32.3% (21 patients). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the haematoma classification was an independent risk factor for postoperative survival (OR = 0.197, 95% CI: 0.016-0.385, p = 0.046) and recovery of neurological function 90 days after surgery (OR = 0.019, 95% CI: 0.001-0.267, p = 0.003). The haematoma classification is an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality and recovery of neurological function 90 days after surgery. Massive and basal-tegmental haematomas were associated with higher mortality. The prognosis of patients with unilateral and bilateral tegmental haematoma was better than that of patients with other haematoma types.

GMDR: Versatile Software for Detecting Gene-Gene and Gene-Environ- ment Interactions Underlying Complex Traits.

Identification of multifactor gene-gene (G×G) and gene-environment (G×E) interactions underlying complex traits poses one of the great challenges to today's genetic study. Development of the generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction (GMDR) method provides a practicable solution to problems in detection of interactions. To exploit the opportunities brought by the availability of diverse data, it is in high demand to develop the corresponding GMDR software that can handle a breadth of phenotypes, such as continuous, count, dichotomous, polytomous nominal, ordinal, survival and multivariate, and various kinds of study designs, such as unrelated case-control, family-based and pooled unrelated and family samples, and also allows adjustment for covariates. We developed a versatile GMDR package to implement this serial of GMDR analyses for various scenarios (e.g., unified analysis of unrelated and family samples) and large-scale (e.g., genome-wide) data. This package includes other desirable features such as data management and preprocessing. Permutation testing strategies are also built in to evaluate the threshold or empirical p values. In addition, its performance is scalable to the computational resources. The software is available at http://www.soph.uab.edu/ssg/software or http://ibi.zju.edu.cn/software.

A calculation method of plant similarity giving consideration to different plant features.

A method to compute the similarity between different plants is proposed, using features of a plant׳s topological structure and peripheral contour, as well as its geometry. The topological structures are described using tree graphs, and their similarity can be calculated based on the edit distance of these graphs. The peripheral contour of a plant is abstracted by its three-dimensional convex hull, which is projected in several directions. The similarity of the different projections is calculated by an algorithm to compute the similarity of two-dimensional shapes. The similarity of the geometrical detail is computed by considering the geometrical properties of different level branches. Finally the overall similarity between different plants is calculated by combining these different similarity measures. The validity of proposed method is evaluated by detailed experiments.

3-(2,4-Dichloro-phen-yl)-5-(4-fluoro-phen-yl)-2-phenyl-7-(trifluoro-meth-yl)pyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidine.

In the title compound, C(25)H(13)Cl(2)F(4)N(3), there are four planar systems, viz. three benzene rings and a pyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyrim-idine system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.002 Å]. The dihedral angle between the dichloro-phenyl ring and the unsubstituted phenyl ring is 69.95 (5)°, while that between the fluoro-phenyl ring and the unsubstituted phenyl ring is 7.97 (10)°. The crystal packing is dominated by van der Waals inter-actions. A Cl⋯Cl inter-action of 3.475 (3) Šalso occurs.

3-(2,4-Dichloro-phen-yl)-5-(4-fluoro-phen-yl)-2-methyl-7-(trifluoro-meth-yl)pyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidine.

In the title compound, C(20)H(11)Cl(2)F(4)N(3), the central pyrazolo-[1,5-a]pyrimidine unit is almost planar [the mean deviation from the best least-square plane through the nine atoms is 0.006 (2) Å]. The fluoro-benzene ring is rotated out of this plane by 10.3 (3)°, whereas the dichloro-benzene ring is rotated by 46.2 (3)°. The crystal packing is dominated by Cl⋯Cl inter-actions of 3.475 (3) Šand van der Waals inter-actions.

1-(2,4-Dichloro-phen-yl)-5-(2-nitro-anilino)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile.

In the title compound, C(16)H(9)Cl(2)N(5)O(2), the folded mol-ecular conformation is characterized by a dihedral angle between the two benzene rings of 74.03 (5)°. An intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond is observed between the H atom of the amide group and a nitro-group O atom. Inter-molecular C-H⋯O and N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds feature in the crystal packing.

[Establishment of cellular immunity of enhanced hepatitis B vaccine].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the method to detect the cellular immune response of enhanced hepatitis B vaccine and make verification preliminary. METHODS: Immunized BALB/c mice with enhanced hepatitis B vaccine and detected the IFN-gamma spots forming cells (SFC) of mouse spleen cell by Elispot. Optimized the conditions of the experiment. Cellular immune response between enhanced hepatitis B vaccine and normal hepatitis B vaccine by Elispot were compared. RESULTS: IFN-gamma SFC was higher in 5microg dose than in 2microg dose after immunization with enhanced hepatitis B vaccine and IFN-gamma SFC was declined after immunization 3 weeks ago. IFN-gamma SFC was higher in stimulus by peptide than by protein. Compared to normal hepatitis B vaccine, IFN-gamma SFC was higher in enhanced hepatitis B vaccine. CONCLUSION: Established the detection method to evaluate the cellular immunity of enhanced hepatitis B vaccine and tested the repeatability.

[Establishment and optimization of detection of the hepatitis B immune complexes].

OBJECTIVE: To establish and optimize methods to detect the immune complexes (IC) of hepatitis B virus directly. METHODS: A C1q solid phase ELISA, mouse anti-HBs MAb solid phase ELISA and the complement consumption assay were established to detect the IC and these methods were optimized. RESULTS: All the three methods were highly sensitive, specific and reproducible. The C1q used for coating tended to lose its activity easily at room temperature. Although strict requirements are needed for the raw and processed materials for complement consumption assay and the process of manipulation is complex, it can quantitatively detect IC. Comparing to the C1q solid ELISA and complement consumption assay, the mouse anti-HBs MAb solid phase ELISA has its own merits: convenience and stability. CONCLUSION: Mouse anti-HBs MAb solid phase ELISA is the best way to detect IC directly.

[Immune response for phase I clinical trial of a hepatitis B immunogenic complex therapeutic vaccine, YIC].

OBJECTIVE: A hepatitis B immunogenic complex therapeutic vaccine, yeast-derived recombinant HBsAg combined with human anti-HBs immunoglobulin (YIC), was evaluated for safety and immune response in phase I clinical trial. METHODS: The subtypes IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 of serum anti-HBs collected from 20 immunized subjects were analyzed by ELISA. The lymphocyte proliferation assay was carried out in five subjects and was analyzed by 3H-thymidine incorporation. The assays for IFNgamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNFalpha were measured using Human Cytometric Bead Array Kit with FACSCalibur. RESULTS: The results showed that the subtypes of anti-HBs antibodies induced by 30, 60 and 90 microg YIC-immunized groups among all of the adult volunteers (20/20) were IgG1 and IgG3. The level of IgG1 was higher than that of IgG3 in each volunteer but the strength was different from each other. The rHBsAg-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation induced by three injections of 90 microg of YIC showed that the stimulation index was more than 2.0 in four out of the five individuals (4/5), ranging from 2.70 to 4.75. PHA-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation was not related to rHBsAg-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation. In the 60 microg YIC-immunized group there was no significant difference between the levels of IFNgamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 at day 0 and day 42. At day 71, in comparison to day 0, the level of IFNgamma was higher in all eight subjects studied (P = 0.015) and the level of IL-2 was also increased in seven out of eight subjects (P = 0.002). In contrast, the levels of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and TNFalpha showed no significant difference in all the subjects (P-values: 0.298, 0.976, 0.202 and 0.996). CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that this hepatitis B immunogenic complex therapeutic vaccine (YIC) can induce a potent anti-HBs response.