Bioinformatics Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes and Protein-Protein Interaction Networks Associated with Functional Pathways in Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND This bioinformatics study aimed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks associated with functional pathways in ulcerative colitis based on 3 Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. MATERIAL AND METHODS The GSE87466, GSE75214, and GSE48958 MINiML formatted family files were downloaded from the GEO database. DEGs were identified from the 3 datasets, and volcano maps and heat maps were drawn after R language standardization and analysis, respectively. Venn diagram software was used to identify common DEGs. PPI analysis of common DEGs was performed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes. Gene modules and hub genes were visualized in the PPI network using Cytoscape. Enrichment analysis was performed for all common DEGs, module genes, and hub genes. RESULTS A total of 90 DEGs were selected, which included 3 functional modules and 1 hub gene module. CXCL8 module genes were mainly enriched in cytokine-mediated signaling pathways and interleukin (IL)-10 signaling. CCL20 module genes were mainly enriched in the IL-17 signaling pathway and cellular response to IL-1. Hub gene modules mainly involved IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13 signaling pathways. CXCL8, CXCL1, and IL-1ß were the top 3 hub genes and were mainly involved in IL-10 signaling. CONCLUSIONS Bioinformatics analysis using 3 GEO datasets identified CXCL8, CXCL1, and IL-1ß, which are involved in IL-10 signaling, as the top 3 hub genes in ulcerative colitis. The findings from this study remain to be validated, but they may contribute to the further understanding of the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis.

Expression of MicroRNA-448 and SIRT1 and Prognosis of Obese Type 2 Diabetic Mellitus Patients After Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study sought to investigate the expression and prognostic value of peripheral blood microRNA-448 (miR-448) and its target gene SIRT1 after laparoscopic bariatric surgery in obese type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) patients. METHODS: Obese T2DM patients were selected and treated with laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure SIRT1 protein expression. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to determine the mRNA expression of the related gene. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) were grouped into blank, negative control (NC), miR-448 mimic, miR-448 inhibitor, siRNA-SIRT1 and miR-448 inhibitor + siRNA-SIRT1 groups. Transwell assays and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were applied to determine cell invasion and cell viability. A tube formation assay and an adherence test were utilized to assess the angiogenic and adhesive capacities of the cells. RESULTS: In peripheral blood, the expression of miR-448 was reduced, whereas the mRNA and protein expression of SIRT1 was increased after surgery compared to before surgery. miR-448 expression was lower and mRNA and protein expression of SIRT1 was higher in the effective group than in the ineffective group after surgery. SIRT1 is a target gene of miR-448. miR-448 can suppress viability and invasion, and it reflects the angiogenic and adhesive capacity of EPCs and the protein expression of relative genes in EPCs through targeting SIRT1. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated that miR-448 and its target gene SIRT1 can serve as prognostic indicators for obese T2DM patients after laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

Serum vaspin level as a predictive indicator in the amelioration of fatty liver and metabolic disturbance in patients with severe obesity after laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty.

BACKGROUND: This study is all about predicting the value of serum vaspin level in the amelioration of fatty liver and metabolic disturbance in patients with severe obesity after laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (LVBG). METHODS: A total of 164 patients (from January 2012 to May 2015) with severe obesity were chosen and performed LVBG. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to detect the serum vaspin level. The patients were given a biochemical automatic analyzer to measure the biochemical indicators. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) helps in the calculation of fasting insulin level (FINS) and insulin resistance (IR). The changes in fatty liver were examined by computed tomography (CT). Receiver operating characteristic curve is used to increase the predictive value of serum vaspin level in the amelioration of liver function and disturbances in the metabolism. RESULTS: Weight, BMI, waist circumference, serum vaspin level, and triglyceride (TG) decreased, but CT value of liver increased at 4th, 7th, and 12th month after surgery. After the 7th and 12th month period of surgery, the alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, FINS, and HOMA-IR reduced in the patients (P <.005). The area under ROC curve (AUC) is about 0.871 ±â€Š0.031 with 95%CI of 0.810-0.931 (P <.001). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of serum vaspin level ≤0.9 were 87.80%, 78.05%, and 83.28%, respectively. BMI, FINS, and serum vaspin level ≤0.9 were the influencing factors of the amelioration of fatty liver and metabolic disturbance. CONCLUSION: This study proves that the serum vaspin level serves as a predictive indicator in the amelioration of fatty liver and metabolic disturbance in patients with severe obesity after LVBG.