HDAC2 promotes the EMT of colorectal cancer cells and via the modular scaffold function of ENSG00000274093.1.

Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2), a member of the Histone deacetylase family, plays a vital role in various carcinomas. In this study, we identified that HDAC2 expression levels are associated with liver metastasis, higher T stages and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer. HDAC2 down-regulation via lentivirus-mediated expression of HDAC2-targeting shRNA reduced the in vitro migration and invasion ability of HCT116 cell as well as their liver metastasis in nude mouse xenografts. Mechanistically, HDAC2 promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in colorectal cancer cells by combining HDAC1 with EZH2 (a key histone methyltransferase), possibly through the modular scaffold function of a new lncRNA, ENSG00000274093.1. HDAC2 thus appears to promote CRC cell migration and invasion through binding HDAC1 and EZH2 via ENSG00000274093.1.

Improved submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection with slant tunnel for submucosal tumors in proximal esophagus.

BACKGROUND: The improved submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) with slant tunnel was created by our group innovatively for submucosal tumors (SMTs) in the proximal esophagus. This study aimed to provide the preliminary results of the improved STER from our center. METHODS: The key step of the improved STER is establishing a slant tunnel instead of a vertical tunnel. After a longitudinal incision was made proximally in the inclined top to the tumor, a submucosal tunnel was established from the incision to the SMT slantingly. 28 patients undergoing STER with slant tunnel were enrolled in the retrospective study. Clinical results including en bloc resection, curative resection and complication were collected. RESULTS: All the submucous tumors located at proximal esophagus originated from muscularis propria were successfully resected by the innovative STER. Tumor size ranged from 18-43 mm, with 96.4% (27/28) en bloc resection rate and 92.9% (26/28) curative rate. Three patients suffered complication, 1 patient with mild pleural effusion and another 2 patients with fever for one day. All of the complications were cured by conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: STER with slant tunnel seems to provide an optional treatment for tumors in proximal esophagus.

The kite flap for reconstructing tumour excision wounds in the middle and lower face: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present our experience with a kite flap in reconstruction of facial wounds after malignant tumour excision. METHOD: From October 2008 to September 2017, patients with facial malignant tumour were treated in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Bazhou People's Hospital with kite flaps after complete excision. The survival rate, colour, cicatrix of the flap and patient satisfaction were recorded after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients were included in the study. During follow-up, from six months to 8 years, all the kite flaps achieved primary closure and survived well, and the colour and texture were similar to the surrounding skin with no obvious scar. Dysfunction, complications and recurrence had not been reported. CONCLUSION: The kite flap may be a good option in reconstructing facial wounds after malignant tumour excision (diameters 1-5cm). It is a simple surgical method with sufficient blood supply and extensive adaptability. For patients in this study, no obvious scars were formed and the recipient site matched well with the donor site.

What are the predictors of major depression in adult patients with epilepsy?

Epilepsy is not only a chronic neurological disorder but also a condition associated with other comorbidities. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of major depression in a cohort of adult patients with epilepsy (PWEs) living in north China, and investigate the predictors of major depression in PWEs. A total of 215 consecutive cases were enrolled and divided into two groups: PWEs with major depression and PWEs without major depression. Patients were assessed for demographic characteristics, epilepsy details, and social status. A total of 65 of 215 (30.23%) PWEs exhibited comorbid major depression. A binary logistic regression model revealed the strong predictor variables of major depression to be drug responsiveness (odds ratio [OR]=0.23; p=0<0.01; 95% CI [0.13-0.39]), presence of chronic medical illnesses (OR=0.19; p=0.015<0.05; 95% CI [0.05-0.72]), and employment status (OR=0.42; p=0.015<0.05; 95% CI [0.21-0.84]).

Hydrothermal synthesis, characterization and luminescence properties of YbVO4:Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Er3+, Tm3+, Ho3+) nanocrystals.

Ytterbium orthovanadate YbVO4 nanocrystals with uniform size and shape were successfully synthesized through a facile hydrothermal approach using sodium tartrate (Na2tar) as the chelating ligand. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were taken to characterize the phases, morphologies, sizes, and luminescence properties of the samples. The results indicate that the YbVO4 samples can be rationally modified in size and morphology by altering the Na2tar content, pH value and reaction time. The possible formation mechanism of the YbVO4 samples is proposed on the basis of time-dependent experiments. Additionally, the UC luminescence properties and the emission mechanisms of YbVO4:Ln3+ (Ln3+ = Er3+, Tm3+, Ho3+) samples were systematically investigated, which show green (Er3+, 4S(3/2), 2H(11/2) --> 4I(15/2)), blue (Tm3+, 1G(4) --> 3H(6)) and green (Ho3+, 5S(2) --> 5I(8)) luminescence under 980 nm NIR excitation, respectively. These merits of multicolor emissions in the visible region endow this kind of material with potential applications in the field of light display systems, lasers, and optoelectronic devices.

ADCK1 activates the ß-catenin/TCF signaling pathway to promote the growth and migration of colon cancer cells.

As a result of mutations in the upstream components of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, this cascade is abnormally activated in colon cancer. Hence, identifying the activation mechanism of this pathway is an urgent need for the treatment of colon cancer. Here, we found an increase in ADCK1 (AarF domain-containing kinase 1) expression in clinical specimens of colon cancer and animal models. Upregulation of ADCK1 expression promoted the colony formation and infiltration of cancer cells. Downregulation of ADCK1 expression inhibited the colony formation and infiltration of cancer cells, in vivo tumorigenesis, migration, and organoid formation. Molecular mechanistic studies demonstrated that ADCK1 interacted with TCF4 (T-cell factor 4) to activate the ß-catenin/TCF signaling pathway. In conclusion, our research revealed the functions of ADCK1 in the development of colon cancer and provided potential therapeutic targets.

A Signature of Five Long Non-Coding RNAs for Predicting the Prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease Based on Competing Endogenous RNA Networks.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the functions and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA are largely unclear. Herein, we obtained 3,158 lncRNAs by microarray re-annotation. A global network of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) was developed for AD and normal samples were based on the gene expressions profiles. A total of 255 AD-deficient messenger RNA (mRNA)-lncRNAs were identified by the expression correlation analysis. Genes in the dysregulated ceRNAs were found to be mainly enriched in transcription factors and micro RNAs (miRNAs). Analysis of the disordered miRNA in the lncRNA-mRNA network revealed that 40 pairs of lncRNA shared more than one disordered miRNA. Among them, nine lncRNAs were closely associated with AD, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Of note, five lncRNAs were found to be potential biomarkers for AD. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assay revealed that PART1 was downregulated, while SNHG14 was upregulated in AD serum samples when compared to normal samples. This study elucidates the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of AD and presents new lncRNAs that can be exploited to design diagnostic and therapeutic agents for AD.

Pathological Changes of Lymphedematous Skin: Increased Mast Cells, Related Proteases, and Activated Transforming Growth Factor-ß1.

BACKGROUND: Skin fibrosis is a clinically serious pathological process of secondary lymphedema (SLE). Previous studies have shown that mast cells (MCs) are involved in lymphedema (LE) and play a key role in the pathological process of skin fibrosis. However, the role of the protease chymase and transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) secreted by MCs in the fibrotic skins of patients with secondary lower limb LE has not been explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, full-thickness skin biopsies of lymphedematous limbs from seven SLE patients and control samples from seven healthy controls were harvested. The skin samples were assayed by Masson, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence staining and were analyzed by western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The number of MCs and the expression of proteases, TGF-ß1, and latency-associated peptide TGF-ß1 (LAP TGF-ß1) were analyzed. The number of MCs and the expression of chymase, TGF-ß1, and LAP TGF-ß1 were increased in fibrotic skin compared with normal skin. The increased expression of TGF-ß1 on lymphatic vessels, endothelial cells, and in skin interstitial tissues overlapped with chymase expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that chymase and TGF-ß1 expression was significantly increased in the fibrotic skin of secondary lower limb LE. The increased expression of chymase in the skin may play an important role in the development fibrosis in the lymphedematous skin. We speculate that chymase may facilitate the release of LAP TGF-ß1 to generate activated TGF-ß1, and the upregulation of active TGF-ß1 can promote fibrosis in the SLE skin.

Cytokine expression in human labial minor salivary gland epithelial cells in health and disease.

Microdissection of biopsy material from labial minor salivary glands followed by RT-PCR demonstrates extensive production of cytokines IL-2, 1L-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha, TGF-beta, and IFN-gamma in both normal glands and in glands affected by Sjögren's syndrome. Continuation of these studies should expand our knowledge of normal salivary gland function and the pathogenesis of Sjögren's syndrome.

[Time lag effect between poplar' s sap flow velocity and microclimate factors in agroforestry system in West Liaoning Province].

By using Granier's thermal dissipation probe, the sap flow velocity of the poplars in agroforestry system in west Liaoning was continuously measured, and the microclimate factors were measured synchronously. Dislocation contrast method was applied to analyze the sap flow velocity and corresponding air temperature, air humidity, net radiation, and vapor pressure deficit to discuss the time lag effect between poplar' s sap flow velocity and microclimate factors on sunny days. It was found that the poplar's sap flow velocity advanced of air temperature, air humidity, and vapor pressure deficit, and lagged behind net radiation. The sap flow velocity in June, July, August, and September was advanced of 70, 30, 50, and 90 min to air temperature, of 80, 30, 40, and 90 min to air humidity, and of 90, 50, 70, and 120 min to vapor pressure deficit, but lagged behind 10, 10, 40, and 40 min to net radiation, respectively. The time lag time of net radiation was shorter than that of air temperature, air humidity, and vapor pressure. The regression analysis showed that in the cases the time lag effect was contained and not, the determination coefficients between comprehensive microclimate factor and poplar's sap flow velocity were 0.903 and 0.855, respectively, indicating that when the time lag effect was contained, the determination coefficient was ascended by 2.04%, and thus, the simulation accuracy of poplar's sap flow velocity was improved.

[Analysis for four isomers of resveratrol in red wine by high performance liquid chromatography].

Red wine was treated by hydrolysis with beta-glucosidase, so the piceids in it were converted to resveratrols. The contents of cis- and trans-resveratrols before and after hydrolysis were determined by high performance liquid chromatography, thereby the contents of the four isomers of resveratrol in the red wine can be calculated. The analysis was performed on a Symmetry C18 column (3.9 mm i. d. x 150 mm) with a mixture of ethanol and 0.05% acetic acid solution (23:77, v/v) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and with UV detection at 306 nm. Results show that there was a good linear relationship (r > 0.999) for all the four isomers of resveratrol in the range of 0.2 - 50.0 mg/L. The detection limits of cis- and trans-resveratrol and the corresponding piceid isomers were 0.81, 1.20, 0.40 and 0.46 ng, respectively. The recovery of resveratrol was more than 98%. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) (n = 5) were from 0.5% to 8.5%. The ranges of concentration of total resveratrol were 0.84 - 7.33 mg/L in eleven dry red wines and 0.12 - 6.00 mg/L in three grape juices. The method is convenient, and there are good precision and repeatability. The method is applicable for the analysis of four isomers of resveratrol in red wines and grape juices.