A novel tRNA-derived fragment tRF-17-18VBY9M works as a potential diagnostic biomarker for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most prevalent malignant tumors worldwide. The low effectiveness of common biomarkers for the detection of early GC makes it essential to seek new biomarkers to improve diagnostic efficacy. tsRNAs (transfer RNA-derived small RNAs) are related to the growth of malignant tumors. In this article, we focused on whether tsRNAs may be employed as biomarkers for GC. METHODS: tRF-17-18VBY9M was screened in the tsRFun database as a research object. The methodological efficacy of tRF-17-18VBY9M was evaluated using Sanger sequencing, agarose gel electrophoresis assays, and gradient dilution. The χ2 test was applied to assess the interaction between tRF-17-18VBY9M expression and clinicopathologic characteristics. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to investigate the clinical efficiency of tRF-17-18VBY9M in GC. RESULTS: The Chi-square test demonstrated that high-expressed tRF-17-18VBY9M was closely associated with the T stage, tumor node metastasis stage (TNM), lymph node metastasis, and neurological/vascular invasion. ROC curve analysis revealed that the diagnostic value of tRF-17-18VBY9M in GC was superior to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), and carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724). CONCLUSION: tRF-17-18VBY9M is up-regulated in both GC sera and tissues. Differential tRF-17-18VBY9M expression distinguishes GC patients from healthy donors and gastritis patients, which suggests tRF-17-18VBY9M could act as a diagnostic biomarker in GC.

Transfer RNA­derived small RNAs: A class of potential biomarkers in multiple cancers (Review).

Transfer (t)RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are a class of novel non-coding small RNAs that are created via precise cleavage of tRNAs or tRNA precursors by different enzymes. tsRNAs are specific biological molecules that serve essential roles in cell proliferation, apoptosis, transcriptional regulation, post-transcriptional modification and translational regulation. Additionally, tsRNAs participate in the pathogenesis of several diseases, particularly in the development of malignant tumors. At present, the process of discovering and understanding the functions of tsRNAs is still in its early stages. The present review introduces the known biological functions and mechanisms of tsRNAs, and discusses the tsRNAs progression in several types of cancers as well as the possibility of tsRNAs becoming novel tumor biomarkers. Furthermore, tsRNAs may promote and hinder tumor formation according to different mechanisms and act as oncogenic or oncostatic molecules. Therefore, tsRNAs may be future potential tumor biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Human circular RNA hsa_circ_0000231 clinical diagnostic effectiveness as a new tumor marker in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the subtlety of initial symptoms associated with gastric cancer (GC), the majority of patients are diagnosed at later stages. Given the absence of reliable diagnostic markers, it is imperative to identify novel markers that exhibit high sensitivity and specificity. Circular RNA, a non-coding RNA, plays an important role in tumorigenesis and development and is well expressed in body fluids. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to identify hsa_circ_0000231 as a new biomarker for the diagnosis of GC and to assess its clinical diagnostic value in serum. METHODS AND RESULTS: The stability and correctness of hsa_circ_0000231 was determined by agarose gel electrophoresis, Rnase R assay and Sanger sequencing. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was designed to discover the expression level of hsa_circ_0000231 and whether it has dynamic serum monitoring capability. The correlation between hsa_circ_0000231 and clinicopathological parameters was analyzed by collecting clinical and pathological data from GC patients. In addition, diagnostic efficacy was assessed by constructing receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). Hsa_circ_0000231 exhibits a stable and consistently expressed structure. In GC serum, cells, and tissues, it demonstrates reduced expression levels. Elevated expression levels observed postoperatively suggest its potential for dynamic monitoring. Additionally its expression level correlates with TNM staging and neuro/vascular differentiation. The area under ROC curve (AUC) for hsa_circ_0000231 is 0.781, indicating its superior diagnostic value compared to CEA, CA19-9, and CA72-4. The combination of these four indicators enhances diagnostic accuracy, with an AUC of 0.833. CONCLUSIONS: The stable expression of hsa_circ_0000231 in the serum of gastric cancer patients holds promise as a novel biomarker for both the diagnosis and dynamic monitoring of GC.

Hsa_Circ_0002762 may be a New Marker for the Gastric Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The global incidence and mortality rate of gastric carcinoma (GC) persists at elevated levels, often manifesting no overt symptoms in its early stages. Hsa_circ_0002762 has been identified as an important modulator in cervical cancer. This study aims to explore its role in the context of GC. METHODS: A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was implemented to assess the expression level of hsa_circ_0002762. The over-expression was confirmed through an examination of 28 cases of gastric cancer and their corresponding adjacent tissues. In addition, plasma samples from 78 healthy individuals, from 45 benign gastritis patients, and from 106 gastric cancer patients were collected, and the diagnostic efficacy was assessed by analyzing the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Simultaneously, postoperative specimens from 36 GC cases were collected, and a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis curve was used to evaluate the prognosis of GC. RESULTS: The study revealed an up-regulation in the expression of hsa_circ_0002762 in gastric cancer plasma and tissues. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for serum hsa_circ_0002762 was 0.784 (95% CI: 0.719 - 0.851), indicating a higher diagnostic efficiency compared to CEA (0.687, 95% CI: 0.611 - 0.763) and CA199 (0.699, 95% CI: 0.625 - 0.744). Combining these three biomarkers demonstrated an increased sensitivity in the diagnostic effectiveness. Finally, postoperative dynamic monitoring revealed a practical utility in predicting the clinical prognosis using serum has_circ_0002762. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from our study suggest that hsa_circ_0002762 holds promise as a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker for individuals with GC.

Serum circular RNA hsa_circ_0000702 as a novel biomarker for diagnosis of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: There is mounting evidence that Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are essential for the initiation and development of gastric cancer (GC). In this study, we further investigated the clinical importance and applicability of serum hsa_circ_0000702 in the diagnosis and treatment of GC. METHODS: Sanger sequencing, agarose gel electrophoresis, and RNase R assay were used to confirm the origin, alterations, and stability of hsa_circ_0000702 in GC patients. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of hsa_circ_0000702 in GC cell lines, serum, and tissues. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were built to evaluate their prognostic value and how well they would work in conjunction with popular biochemical markers for GC. Finally, real-time dynamic monitoring was used to assess its prognostic usefulness. RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0000702 exhibited the fundamental traits of circRNA. Hsa_circ_0000702 had good sensitivity, specificity, and stability. It was discovered that hsa_circ_0000702 was down-regulated in GC cell lines, serum, and tissues, and that the level of tumor differentiation and tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging were connected with serum hsa_circ_0000702. The area under the ROC curve of serum hsa_circ_0000702 was calculated to be 0.745 (95% CI: 0.669-0.821), indicating high diagnostic efficacy. The diagnostic value was greatly increased by combining serum CEA and CA19-9. Finally, preoperative and postoperative dynamic monitoring revealed serum hsa_circ_0000702 to be of clinical application. CONCLUSION: Serum hsa_circ_0000702 was variably expressed in GC patients, indicating that serum hsa_circ_0000702 may be a novel biomarker for GC diagnosis and dynamic monitoring.

Effect of Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation Under LIFPUS Pretreatment on Thyroid Function in EAT Rats.

BACKGROUND: A growing number of studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can effectively regulate the progression of multiple autoimmune diseases and can respond positively to mechanical stimulation by ultrasound in an in vitro setting to improve transplantation efficacy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to activate hUC-MSCs by pretreatment with low-intensity focused pulsed ultrasound (LIFPUS) in an in vitro environment and transplant them into a rat model of EAT via tail vein. To investigate the efficacy and potential mechanism of action of hUC-MSCs in the treatment of EAT. METHODS: In this study, 40 female lewis rats were divided into control, EAT, hUC-MSCs treatment and LIFPUS pretreatment transplantation group. EAT models were established by subcutaneous multi-point injection of PTG+Freund's adjuvant, and the primary hUC-MSCs were treated with different gradients of LIFPUS irradiation or sham irradiation in an in vitro environment and screened by Western Blot (WB), flow cytology cycle analysis, and cellular immunofluorescence to find the optimal treatment parameters for LIFPUS to promote cell proliferation. After tail vein injection of different pretreatment groups of hUC-MSCs, Homing sites of hUC-MSCs in vivo, circulating autoantibody expression levels and local thyroid histopathological changes were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), spleen index, tissue hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bax and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins Chop and EIF2α in thyroid tissue were also examined by WB. RESULTS: LIFPUS can effectively stimulate hUC-MSCs in vitro to achieve the most optimal proliferative and secretory activity. In the EAT model, hUC-MSCs can effectively reduce thyroid cell apoptosis, improve thyroid function and reduce excessive accumulation of autoimmune antibodies in the body. in comparison, the LIFPUS pretreatment group showed a more favorable treatment outcome. Further experiments demonstrated that hUC-MSCs transplantation may effectively inhibit the apoptotic state of thyroid follicles and follicular epithelial cells by down-regulating the unfolded protein reaction (UPR) of the PERK pathway, thus providing a therapeutic effect for AIT. CONCLUSION: hUC-MSCs can effectively reverse the physiological function of EAT thyroid tissue and reduce the accumulation of circulating antibodies in the body. in comparison, hUC-MSCs under LIFPUS pretreatment showed more desirable therapeutic potential. hUC-MSCs transplanted under LIFPUS pretreatment may be a new class of safe therapeutic modality for the treatment of AIT.

Evaluation of the correlation between frailty and sleep quality among elderly patients with osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of osteoporosis increases with age. Frailty is a distinct characteristic seen in older osteoporosis patients. Poor sleep quality is common in elderly individuals. However, there are few studies on the correlation between frailty and sleep quality in elderly patients with osteoporosis in China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from December 8, 2020, to April 30, 2021. A total of 247 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were recruited in outpatient departments at West China Hospital. A self-designed demographic data questionnaire, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Frailty Phenotype scale were used to evaluate the sleep quality and frailty of the participants. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the factors affecting frailty and sleep quality in osteoporosis patients. RESULTS: A total of 231 valid questionnaires were statistically analysed. The mean frailty score was 3.2 ± 1.6 and a total of 152 (65.8%) were frailty. The mean PSQI score was 11.9 ± 4.5 and a total of 183 (79.2%) patients had poor sleep quality (PSQI > 7). Multiple logistic regression showed that female, pain, polypharmacy, activities of daily living status (ADLs), and sleep quality were independent influencing factors for frailty, while comorbidity, ADLs and frailty status were independent influencing factors for sleep quality. CONCLUSION: We found that frailty and sleep quality were prevalent and that frailty was positively correlated with the PSQI score in elderly patients with osteoporosis in China. The higher the frailty score is, the worse the sleep quality. It means the frailer old patients were, the worse their sleep quality, and poor sleep quality may increase the risk of frailty in elderly patients with osteoporosis. To manage elderly patients with osteoporosis effectively, medical staff should pay attention to frailty, sleep quality and its influencing factors.

Multivisceral IgG4-related disease presenting as recurrent massive gastrointestinal bleeding: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly recognized autoimmune systemic disorder characterized by elevated levels of serum IgG4 and abundant infiltration of IgG4-positive plasmacytes in the affected organs. The liver, biliary system and pancreas are the most commonly affected organs. However, involvement of the digestive tract is very rare. To date, only a few cases of isolated gastric IgG4-RD have been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of IgG4-RD of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas and duodenum, which was clinically misinterpreted and thereafter over-treated. A 52-year-old male presented with obstructive jaundice for 3 years, melena for 5 months and hematemesis for 10 days. Three years prior, the patient had undergone biopsies of pancreatic lesions, liver lesions, cholecystectomy and choledochojejunostomy. Histopathology showed chronic inflammatory changes. Endoscopy at admission revealed a duodenal ulcer with active bleeding. Despite medical management, the patient presented with repeated gastrointestinal bleeding. Upon evaluation, serum IgG4 levels were found to be elevated. Histopathology of the duodenal ulcer biopsy and repeated examination of the gallbladder and pancreatic and liver biopsies confirmed IgG4 positive plasma cell infiltration. A definitive diagnosis of IgG4-RD was made and steroid administration was initiated. At last follow up, 11 months to-the-day after initiating steroid treatment, the patient was asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Notably, IgG4-RD of multiple digestive organs is still very rare. As a systemic disease, it is characterized by the infiltration of IgG4-bearing plasma cells and raised IgG4 levels. Histopathology findings remain the diagnostic gold standard for this disorder.

Electronic messaging intervention for management of cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomised controlled trial.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of an electronic messaging support service for management of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with diabetes. BACKGROUND: Microletter and short message service are widely used, but their health education benefit for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus has not been investigated. DESIGN: Convenience sample study with randomised group assignment. METHODS: Participants completed survey questionnaires, physical and laboratory evaluations between May 2015 and May 2016 and were then randomly assigned to two groups for receipt of a microletter + short message or a phone call (control). Appointment reminders and health information were sent to the intervention patients by microletter + short message. Every three months, intervention patients and control patients were followed up by telephone. After 12 months, changes in cardiovascular risk factors in each group were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant changes or between-group differences in daily smoking and drinking. There were statistically significant between-group differences in glycated haemoglobin (p = .034), postprandial plasma glucose (p = .001), postprandial insulin (p = .005), total cholesterol (p = .038) and low-density lipoprotein (p < .001). Levels of glycated haemoglobin (p = .011), fasting plasma glucose (p = .007), postprandial plasma glucose (p < .001), fasting insulin (p = 0.004), postprandial insulin (p < .001), total cholesterol (p < .001) and low-density lipoprotein (p < .001) were found to be decreased significantly in intervention patients. Systolic blood pressure decreased significantly in patients only followed by telephone (p = .014). The microletter + short message intervention was an effective means of reducing cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSION: Regular smartphone communication had a favourable impact on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Regular smartphone communication has a favourable impact on cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.