circMTO1/miR-30c-5p/SOCS3 axis alleviates oral submucous fibrosis through inhibiting fibroblast-myofibroblast transition.

BACKGROUND: circRNAs have been shown to participate in diverse diseases; however, their role in oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), a potentially malignant disorder, remains obscure. Our preliminary experiments detected the expression of circRNA mitochondrial translation optimization 1 homologue (circMTO1) in OSF tissues (n = 20) and normal mucosa tissues (n = 20) collected from Hunan Xiangya Stomatological Hospital, and a significant decrease of circMTO1 expression was showed in OSF tissues. Therefore, we further explored circMTO1 expression in OSF. METHODS: Target molecule expression was detected using RT-qPCR and western blotting. The migration and invasion of buccal mucosal fibroblasts (BMFs) were assessed using wound healing and Transwell assays. The interaction between miR-30c-5p, circMTO1, and SOCS3 was evaluated using dual luciferase, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), and RNA pull-down assays. The colocalisation of circMTO1 and miR-30c-5p was observed using fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). RESULTS: circMTO1 and SOCS3 expression decreased, whereas miR-30c-5p expression increased in patients with OSF and arecoline-stimulated BMFs. Overexpression of circMTO1 effectively restrained the fibroblast-myofibroblast transition (FMT), as evidenced by the increase in expression of Coll I, α-SMA, Vimentin, and the weakened migration and invasion functions in BMFs. Mechanistic studies have shown that circMTO1 suppresses FMT by enhancing SOCS3 expression by sponging miR-30c-5p and subsequently inactivating the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. FMT induced by SOCS3 silencing was reversed by the FAK inhibitor TAE226 or the PI3K inhibitor LY294002. CONCLUSION: circMTO1/miR-30c-5p/SOCS3 axis regulates FMT in arecoline-treated BMFs via the FAK/PI3K/AKT pathway. Expanding the sample size and in vivo validation could further elucidate their potential as therapeutic targets for OSF.

Factors related to microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion in teenagers and young adults: A cone-beam computed tomography study.

INTRODUCTION: For patients with maxillary transverse deficiency, selecting an appropriate therapeutic method is important for the treatment effect and prognosis. Our study aimed to explore factors related to microimplant-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) in teenagers and young adults using cone-beam computed tomography. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent MARPE were included in this retrospective study from February 2014 to June 2019. Midpalatal suture density (MPSD) ratio, midpalatal suture maturation (MPSM), bone effect, dentoalveolar effect, and dental effect in maxillary first molar were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the MPSD ratio, MPSM, age, and the expansion amount generated by MARPE. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients (mean age, 19.84 ± 3.96 years; range, 15-29 years) with maxillary transverse deficiency were analyzed. Age was negatively correlated with bone expansion, alveolar expansion, and alveolar change (all P <0.05). There was a negative correlation between MPSM and nasal cavity variation, bone expansion, and alveolar change (all P <0.05). The bone expansion was negatively correlated with MPSD ratio 3 (r = -0.417; P <0.05) and MPSD ratio 4 (all P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Age, MPSM, and MPSD ratio were significantly related to the MARPE effect. Age, MPSM, and MPSD ratio should be considered when choosing MARPE.

Genome-wide gene expression profiling of tongue squamous cell carcinoma by RNA-seq.

OBJECTIVE: Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is significantly more malignant than other type of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). In this study, we aimed to identify specific global gene expression signatures of TSCC to investigate the more invasive behavior of the deeply infiltrating cancer. METHODS: Using RNA-seq technology, we detected gene expression of 20 TSCCs, 20 matched paratumor tissues, and 10 healthy normal mucosa tissues. Enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO) and pathway was conducted using online tools DAVID for the dysregulated genes. Additionally, we performed the quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) to validate the findings of RNA-Seq in 10 samples of TSCC, matched paratumor, and normal mucosa, respectively. RESULTS: We detected 252 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TSCC and matched paratumor tissue, including 117 up-regulated and 135 down-regulated genes. For comparison between TSCC and normal mucosa, 234 DEGS were identified, consisting of 67 up-regulated and 167 down-regulated genes. For both two comparisons, GO categories of muscle contraction (GO: 0006936), epidermis development (GO: 0008544), epithelial cell differentiation (GO: 0030855), and keratinization (GO: 0031424) were commonly enriched. Altered gene expression affected some cancer-related pathways, such as tight junction. The qRT-PCR validation showed that gene expression patterns of FOLR1, NKX3-1, TFF3, PIGR, NEFL, MMP13, and HMGA2 were fully in concordance with RNA-Seq results. CONCLUSION: Findings in this study demonstrated the genetic and molecular alterations associated with TSCC, providing new clues for understanding the molecular mechanisms of TSCC pathogenesis.

[Ozone Sensitivity Analysis and Control Strategy in Shijiazhuang City in July 2019].

The pollution characteristics of surface ozone and its response to meteorological factors were studied based on monitoring in July 2019 in Shijiazhuang City, China. Furthermore, the WRF-CMAQ model coupled with O3 isopleths (EKMA curves) were applied to explore the non-linear response relationship of O3 to precursors VOCs and NOx, aiming to identify a suitable precursor control strategy. The results showed that the days with the maximum daily 8-hour average ozone concentration (MDA8 O3) exceeded the standard by 70.9%. The nonattainment days were usually accompanied by higher temperature, lower relative humidity, and low winds, and the south and southeast winds occurred frequently. The O3 formation was in the strong VOC-limited regime in the urban area of Shijiazhuang, whereas it was in the NOx and VOCs transition regime in suburban areas. As for the urban area, under the condition of single NOx emission reduction, O3 pollution improved when continuous NOx emission reduction was higher than 50% during the nonattainment days. By contrast, during the non-polluted days, O3 concentrations would not rebound when the reduction ratio of NOx and VOCs was higher than 1. In conclusion, VOCs reduction should be the priority for emission reduction plans in urban areas, whereas all different NOx and VOCs ratios led to a decline in O3 concentration in the suburban areas, and a VOCs:NOx of 1:2 was recommended.

[Applying Photochemical Indicators to Analyze Ozone Sensitivity in Handan].

Ozone pollution in Handan has become severe in recent years and in the summer of 2018, the average maximum daily 8-hour average ozone concentration in Handan was 175 µg·m-3 with a maximum of 257 µg·m-3. Ozone concentrations exceeded the National Air Quality Grade Ⅱ Standard in 59% of cases. In this study, the H2O2/HNO3 indicator was applied to analyze summertime ozone sensitivity in Handan using the WRF-CMAQ modeling system. The results showed that H2O2/HNO3 was more appropriate than other ozone indicators, both theoretically and based on simulation outputs. The good simulation effect of CMAQ on H2O2 and HNO3 was attributed to fine emission inventory and grid resolution. The H2O2/HNO3 simulation results showed that the relative importance of a VOCs-limited regime decreased month by month; a VOCs-NOx-mixed-limited regime was dominant in June; and a NOx-limited regime was more dominant in July and August than in June. The remarkable spatial difference in VOCs and NOx emission ratios among the counties of Handan led to differences in ozone sensitivity. The VOCs-limited regime was concentrated in counties where VOCs/NOx emission ratios were lower than 1.7. Southern counties had a NOx-limited regime, where VOCs/NOx emission ratios were higher than 6.9. Counties with VOCs/NOx emission ratios varying from 1.7 to 6.9 were more susceptible to both VOCs and NOx. According to these results, the transition range of HCHO/NO2, O3/HNO3, and O3/NOx ratios were adjusted to 0.35-0.6, 20-35, and 10-25 respectively. Adjusting the transition range of H2O2/(O3+NO2) was not effective, indicating that this indicator may not be applicable to Handan.

Risk Score Based on Two microRNAs as a Prognostic Marker of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and the Corresponding Competitive Endogenous RNA Network.

PURPOSE: Liver transplantation (LT) currently yields the best outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, tumor recurrence still occurs in some patients. Identifying markers that predict HCC recurrence after LT is an unmet medical need. METHODS: In this study, differential expression analysis was used to identify differentially expressed microRNAs (DEmiRs) between HCC and liver tissues in the The Cancer Genome Atlas database and in data from patients with recurrent or non-recurrent HCC in the GSE64989 dataset. The expression profiles of the overlap DEmiRs were used to construct an miRNA-based risk score to predict prognosis using Cox regression analysis. The target genes of the miRNAs of interest were predicted, and they were analyzed for functional enrichment. Furthermore, we used the miRNAs of interest to construct a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), miRs and mRNAs. RESULTS: Four up-regulated and three down-regulated miRNAs in HCC and recurrent HCC after LT were considered as candidate miRs. MiR-3200-3p and miR-3690 were selected to construct the miR-based risk score, which was found to be associated with poor overall survival and progression-free survival. Furthermore, it proved to be an independent prognostic factor after adjusting for other clinicopathological factors. The corresponding ceRNA networks of these two miRs that we constructed may help to understand their regulatory mechanisms in HCC. CONCLUSION: We propose a risk score based on miR-3200-3p and miR-3690 that may be useful as a prognostic marker to predict HCC recurrence after LT. We generated a ceRNA network involving these miRNAs, which may help reveal their regulatory roles in HCC.

Research on Evaluation Indexes and Weights of the Aging-Friendly Community Public Environment under the Community Home-Based Pension Model.

Community home-based care has become China's main mode of care for the elderly, and the aging of the community public environment has become the focus of attention of all of society. This study uses a questionnaire survey and the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) to (i) obtain the relative weights of indicators in the hierarchy structure of an aging-friendly community public environment and (ii) build a complete indicator evaluation system for the aging-friendly community public environment. The research results show that the quasi-side evaluation index framework of the aging-friendly community public environment is composed of four factors (i.e., community facilities, community road system, community environmental function, and community landscape configuration) and 24 evaluation indexes. The weights of the indicators in descending order are "community road system (w = 0.374)", "community facilities (w = 0.310)", "community environmental functions (w = 0.264)", and "community landscape configuration (w = 0.052)". The research results show that "community road systems" and "community facilities" are important indicators of the aging-friendliness of a community public environment. "Community environmental function" is an important supplemental factor of the aging-friendliness of a community public environment. "Community landscape configuration" involves improving the construction of the community public environment from the perspective of landscaping. Among all indicator levels, the weights of "Community road floor slip resistance" (w = 0.1795), "Daily health and medical facilities (w = 0.1181)", and "Provide social interaction functions (w = 0.1067)" are ranked the highest. These results show that ensuring the physical and mental health of the elderly in the community is a core criterion for evaluating the aging-friendliness of a public environment in the community. In this study, an index evaluation weight system is established to clarify the best approach to constructing an aging-friendly community public environment in accordance with previous standard specifications. This system can further clarify the scientific method for evaluating aging-friendly public environments built in the past and can serve as a reference for the practical world.

[Pollution Characteristics and Sensitivity of Surface Ozone in a Typical Heavy-Industry City of the North China Plain in Summer].

The pollution characteristics of surface ozone and its response to meteorological factors and precursors were studied based on monitoring and Model-3/CMAQ modeling from May to August 2018 in Handan City, China. The monitoring results showed that the maximum daily 8-hour average ozone concentration (MDA8 O3) ranged from 38.0-238.0 µg·m-3, and the nonattainment for ozone reached 44.7% during the studied period, indicating the more severe photochemical pollution in summer in Handan City. The ozone concentration was positively correlated with temperature (R=0.74 on nonattainment days and 0.42 on attainment days), but negatively correlated with relative humidity (R=-0.63 on nonattainment days and -0.58 on attainment days), demonstrating the role of photochemistry in the surface ozone of Handan City. Moreover, the highest ozone level occurred at wind speeds higher than 2.25 m·s-1 or lower than 1.00 m·s-1 during ozone nonattainment days, which indicated that regional transport and local accumulation can both cause serious ozone pollution in the city. Regarding the response of ozone to its precursors (VOCs and NOx), model simulation results based on the brute force method showed the stronger positive sensitivity to VOCs, but a weak negative sensitivity to NOx. Therefore, reduction of anthropogenic VOCs emissions is the key to improving ozone pollution in Handan City. We used the propylene-equivalent method to identify the importance of alkene and aromatic species for ozone pollution during ozone nonattainment days.

[Effect of sandblasting combined with femtosecond laser-etching on surface physicochemical properties of pure titanium].

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to generate periodic microstructures on pure titanium surface by femtosecond laser-etching after sandblasting, and to assess the physicochemical properties of its surface. METHODS: Twelve pure titanium discs with diameter of 10 mm and thickness of 4 mm were used and divided into 3 groups according to different surface treatment methods: group S (sandblasting surface), group SA (sandblasting surface with acid-etching), and group SL (sandblasting surface with femtosecond laser-etching). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the surface morphology. X-ray energy spectrum(EDS) was used to observe the surface chemical compositions. Three dimensional surface topography and surface roughness were evaluated by laser scanning confocal microscope (CLSM). The static contact angle was detected by high temperature wetting angle measuring instrument. SPSS19.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: SEM and CLSM showed well-distributed periodic and cyclic microstructure which formed second-order roughness composite structure in group SL. EDS analysis showed that the Al element on SL surface decreased (group SL 4.37%group SA 0.32>group S 0). Surface roughness analysis showed that surface roughness significantly increased in group SL [group SL (7.33±0.38)µm>group SA (1.08±0.12)µm>group S (1.05±0.14)µm](P<0.001). Static contact angle analysis showed that the static contact angle of surface was significantly reduced in group SL [group SL (34.4±2.5)°

Preparation and antibacterial activity of compound chitosan-compound Yizhihao-nanoparticles.

OBJECTIVE: To prepare chitosan (CS)-compound Yizhihao-nanoparticles (NP) and to investigate its antibacterial activity. METHODS: CS NPs were formed by the incorporation of CS and Na3 PO4. CS-compound Yizhihao NPs were prepared by ion-cross-linking. The particle sizes and surface charges of CS NPs were determined by Malvern Zetasizer 1000-HAS and atomic force microscope (AFM), respectively. The antibacterial activity of CS-compound Yizhihao-NPs was studied in vitro and compared with that of compound Yizhihao powder. RESULTS: Malvern Zetasizer 1000-HAS and AFM demonstrated that the diameter of CS-compound Yizhihao NPs was (137.00+/-14.28)nm and CS NPs had (16.90+/-1.32)mV positive surface charges. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of CS-compound Yizhihao NPs on Staphylococcus aureus,Pneumococcus,beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and Escherichia coli were 1:32,1:32,1:16,and 1:2, respectively. The minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of CS-compound Yizhihao-NPs on Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcus, beta-hemolytic streptococcus, and Escherichia coli were 1:16,1:16,1:8, and 1:2, respectively. The antibacterial efficacy of CS-compound Yizhihao-NPs to Staphylococcus aureus, Pneumococcus, and beta-hemolytic streptococcus had been improved significantly (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: CS-compound Yizhihao-nanoparticles have obvious antibacterial activity to the Staphylococcus aureus,Pneumococcus,and beta-hemolytic streptococcus,which lays the experimental foundation for new preparation of traditional Chinese medicine in future research.

Panning and identification of a colon tumor binding peptide from a phage display peptide library.

Tumor-targeting therapy can be an efficacious way to cure a malignant tumor in clinical trials. Phage display is a molecular diversity technology that allows the presentation of a large number of peptides or proteins on the surface of filamentous phage for various applications. In this study, we report on using phage display to generate peptide libraries that bind to colon cancer tissues. To accomplish this, we developed a screening protocol that contained 3 rounds of in vitro positive panning on colon cancer cells (SW480) and 2 rounds of subtractive screening in vitro on normal human intestinal epithelial cells with a phage display-7 peptide library. After several rounds of panning, both phage titer and recovery efficiency were significantly improved. Through a cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, in vivo binding assay, immunocytochemical staining, and immunohistochemical staining, peptide CP15 (VHLGYAT) was demonstrated to be the most effective peptide in targeting tumor cells (SW480 and HT29 cells) and tumor tissues but not the normal human intestinal epithelial cells and control colon tissue. These studies suggest that peptide CP15 may be a promising lead candidate in the development of a useful colon tumor diagnostic and targeted drug delivery agent.

Plasmon-Enhanced Photocurrent using Gold Nanoparticles on a Three-Dimensional TiO2 Nanowire-Web Electrode.

In this study, an anatase/rutile mixed-phase titanium dioxide (TiO2) hierarchical network deposited with Au nanoparticles (Au/TiO2 ARHN) was synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method followed by a simple calcination step. Such a unique structure was designed for improving the light harvest, charge transportation/separation, and the performance of photo-electro-chemical (PEC) cells. The properties of the as-synthesized Au/TiO2 ARHN in PEC cells were investigated by electrochemical measurements using a three-electrode system in a 1 M NaOH electrolyte. Remarkably, a 4.5-folds enhancement of the photocurrent for Au/TiO2 ARHN was observed as compared to that for TiO2 nanowire (NW), under AM1.5G solar illumination, suggesting its potential application in PEC cells. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the high photocurrent of Au/TiO2 ARHN in PEC water splitting.

Naked-eye detection of fluoride ion in water: a remarkably selective easy-to-prepare test paper.

A test paper for high-selectivity detecting fluoride ion in natural aqueous environments without any spectroscopic instrumentation was achieved by using Ru-bipy based quinonehydrazone as a chromo- and fluorogenic hybrid chemosensor.

Investigation of the association between miR­181b, Bcl­2 and LRIG1 in oral verrucous carcinoma.

Abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is involved in the development of and anti­apoptotic effects in various types of human cancer. However, miRNA­mediated regulation of oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of miR­181b in OVC and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The expression levels of miR­181b were determined using reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The expression levels of B­cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl­2) and leucine rich repeats and immunoglobulin like domains 1 (LRIG1), were evaluated using immunohistochemical staining. The correlation between Bcl­2 and LRIG1 expression was determined using a Pearson correlation analysis. The expression levels of miR­181b and Bcl­2 in OVC were significantly higher compared with normal mucosal tissue (NM); however, lower compared with the OSCC. The key target of miR­181b was LRIG1 and it was significantly lower in OVC tissues compared with NM tissue; however this was higher when compared with OSCC tissue. The expression levels of Bcl­2 were correlated with expression levels of LRIG1 in OVC tissues. Therefore, LRIG1 may be associated with anti­apoptotic function in OVC tissues.

Thermal Adaptation Methods of Urban Plaza Users in Asia's Hot-Humid Regions: A Taiwan Case Study.

Thermal adaptation studies provide researchers great insight to help understand how people respond to thermal discomfort. This research aims to assess outdoor urban plaza conditions in hot and humid regions of Asia by conducting an evaluation of thermal adaptation. We also propose that questionnaire items are appropriate for determining thermal adaptation strategies adopted by urban plaza users. A literature review was conducted and first hand data collected by field observations and interviews used to collect information on thermal adaptation strategies. Item analysis--Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA)--were applied to refine the questionnaire items and determine the reliability of the questionnaire evaluation procedure. The reliability and validity of items and constructing process were also analyzed. Then, researchers facilitated an evaluation procedure for assessing the thermal adaptation strategies of urban plaza users in hot and humid regions of Asia and formulated a questionnaire survey that was distributed in Taichung's Municipal Plaza in Taiwan. Results showed that most users responded with behavioral adaptation when experiencing thermal discomfort. However, if the thermal discomfort could not be alleviated, they then adopted psychological strategies. In conclusion, the evaluation procedure for assessing thermal adaptation strategies and the questionnaire developed in this study can be applied to future research on thermal adaptation strategies adopted by urban plaza users in hot and humid regions of Asia.

Gene profiling analysis for patients with oral verrucous carcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral verrucous carcinoma (OVC) is one malignant tumor which was carved out from the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the clinical and pathological features as well as the treatment strategies of OVC are different from OSCC. Here, global transcript abundance of tumor tissues from five patients with primary OVC and six patients with primary OSCC including their matched adjacently normal oral mucosa were profiled using the Affymetrix HGU133 Plus 2.0. Ingenuity Systems IPA software was used to analyse the gene function and biological pathways. There were 109 differentially expressed genes (more than 2-fold) between OVC and the adjacently normal tissue, among them 66 were up-regulated and 43 were down-regulated; 1172 differentially expressed genes (2-fold) between OSCC and the adjacently normal tissue, among them 608 were up-regulated and 564 were down-regulated. There were 39 common differentially expressed genes in OVC and OSCC compared with their matched normal oral mucosa, among them 22 up-regulated and 17 down-regulated, and 8 of them different between OVC and OSCC. In addition, the gene expression profile was further validated by quantitative real-time PCR (Q-RT-PCR) analysis for four of those 39 selected genes.

Transarterial chemoembolization compared with conservative treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombus: using a new classification.

We aimed to compare the survival benefit of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) with conservative treatment for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), furthermore, to reveal which PVTT types benefit from TACE treatment. From August 2007 to January 2010, a prospective controlled study was performed on consecutive patients with advanced HCC and PVTT. Of a total of 150 patients, 115 were treated with TACE (lipiodol and anticancer agents ± gelatin sponge embolization), and 35 who refused to accept the procedure were treated with conservative treatment. We performed survival analysis of the two treatment groups and then stratified by a new classification of PVTT that was divided into four types. Overall survival was significantly better in the TACE group than in the conservative group (8.67 months vs. 1.4 months, P<0.001). The overall median survival for types I-IV PVTT were 12.0, 8.3, 5.0, and 2.43 months (P<0.01). On subgroup analysis of PVTT, the median survival in the TACE group compared with conservative group for type I, II, III, and IV PVTT was 19.0 months versus 4.0 months, 11.0 months versus 1.43 months, 7.1 months versus 1.3 months, and 4.0 months versus 1.0 months, respectively (P<0.01). The TACE group had significantly better survival than the conservative group for different extent of PVTT. TACE is an effective treatment mode compared with conservative treatment for HCC and PVTT and may provide a significantly better survival benefit for different extent of PVTT.

[Establishment of xenografted model of oral verrucous carcinoma with focal squamous cell carcinoma metastasizing to the cervical lymph nodes in nude mice].

PURPOSE: To use the excised cervical lymph node tissue from oral verrucous carcinoma patient with focal squamous cell carcinoma subcutaneously to establish a xenografted model in nude mice. METHODS: The xenograft tumors were finally removed for histopathological study and the mice were laparotomized to examine metastatic tumors in livers, kidneys, lungs. RESULTS: The tumor formation rate was 87.5%(7/8),and the appearance of transplanted tumors was like that in human and HE staining showed that the cancer cells of those tumors models and mesenchymal components remained morphologically like the original tumor. The liver, renal, lung and lymph nodes didn't show obvious metastasis. CONCLUSION: The xenografted model is successfully established with a higher formation rate, and the model morphologically resembles the human tumor.