[Expression changes of RNA m6A regulators in mouse cerebellum affected by hypobaric hypoxia stimulation].

Objective: To investigate the role of RNA m6A methylation in mediating cerebellar dysplasia through analyzing the phenotypes of the mouse cerebella and the expression of several key m6A regulators upon hypobaric hypoxia treatment. Methods: Five-day old C57/BL6 mice were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 9 days. The status of mouse cerebellar development was analyzed by comparing the body weights, brain weights and histological features. Immunostaining of cell-type-specific markers was performed to analyze the cerebellar morphology. Real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemical staining were performed to detect the expression of key m6A regulators in the mouse cerebella. Results: Compared with the control, the body weights, brain weights and cerebellar volumes of hypobaric hypoxic mice were significantly reduced (P<0.01). The expression of specific markers in different cells, including NeuN (mature neuron), Calbindin-D28K (Purkinje cell) and GFAP (astrocyte), was decreased in hypobaric hypoxic mouse cerebella (P<0.01), accompanied with disorganized cellular structure. The expression of methyltransferase METTL3 was significantly down-regulated in the cerebella of hypobaric hypoxic mice (P<0.05). Conclusions: Hypobaric hypoxia stimulation causes mouse cerebellar dysplasia, with structural abnormalities in mature granular neurons, Purkinje cells and astrocytes. Expression of METTL3 is decreased in hypobaric hypoxic mice cerebellum compared with that of normobaric normoxic mice, suggesting that its mediated RNA m6A methylation may play an important role in hypobaric hypoxia-induced mouse cerebellar dysplasia.

[Clinical analysis of 4 children with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of children with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) confirmed by pathology. Methods: The clinical manifestations, imaging, pathology, treatment and outcome data of 4 children with COP confirmed by thoracoscopic lung biopsy were retrospectively analyzed, who were hospitalized at Respiratory Department of Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2004 to December 2022. Results: All of the 4 patients were male, the age ranged from 1 year 3 months to 14 years. The time from onset to diagnosis was 3 months to 3 years. The follow-up duration was 6 months to 6 years. All the 4 cases had cough, 2 cases had tachypnea and wheezing, 1 case had expectoration, 1 case had chest pain, 1 case had decreased activity tolerance and weight loss. Rales in 2 cases and hypoxemia in 1 case. Pulmonary high resolution CT showed diffuse distribution, involvement of both lungs in 3 cases, and single lung combined migration in 1 case.Three cases showed ground-glass opacity, consolidation, patchy or fibrous strips, and 1 case presented air bronchogram and "reversed halo sign". All the 4 cases were performed thoracoscopic lung biopsy, and the pathological findings showed cellulose exudate or small nodules filled with granulation tissue or fibroblasts in the alveolar cavity and small airways, and 1 case was Masson corpuscle positive. Three patients achieved remission after glucocorticoid therapy. Spontaneous remission without treatment was seen in 1 patient.Two cases were followed up for 17 months and 6 years, respectively, who had excellent outcome. Conclusions: The manifestations of COP in children include cough, expectoration and chest pain. Infants and young children may have tachypnea and wheezing. The most common chest CT findings are diffuse distribution of ground-glass opacity, patchy and consolidation in both lungs. Diagnosis should depend on pathological examination. The effect of glucocorticoid therapy is good.

[Safety of double and a half layered esophagojejunal anastomosis in radical gastrectomy: A prospective, multi-center, single arm trial].

Objective: To evaluate the safety of double and a half layered esophagojejunal anastomosis in radical gastrectomy. Methods: This prospective, multi-center, single-arm study was initiated by the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University in June 2021 (CRAFT Study, NCT05282563). Participating institutions included Nanyang Central Hospital, Zhumadian Central Hospital, Luoyang Central Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan Polytechnic University, First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Luohe Central Hospital, the People's Hospital of Hebi, First People's Hospital of Shangqiu, Anyang Tumor Hospital, First People's Hospital of Pingdingshan, and Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) gastric adenocarcinoma confirmed by preoperative gastroscopy;(2) preoperative imaging assessment indicated that R0 resection was feasible; (3) preoperative assessment showed no contraindications to surgery;(4) esophagojejunostomy planned during the procedure; (5) patients volunteered to participate in this study and gave their written informed consent; (6) ECOG score 0-1; and (7) ASA score I-III. Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) history of upper abdominal surgery (except laparoscopic cholecystectomy);(2) history of gastric surgery (except endoscopic submucosal dissection and endoscopic mucosal resection); (3) pregnancy or lactation;(4) emergency surgery for gastric cancer-related complications (perforation, hemorrhage, obstruction); (5) other malignant tumors within 5 years or coexisting malignant tumors;(6) arterial embolism within 6 months, such as angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and cerebrovascular accident; and (7) comorbidities or mental health abnormalities that could affect patients' participation in the study. Patients were eliminated from the study if: (1) radical gastrectomy could not be completed; (2) end-to-side esophagojejunal anastomosis was not performed during the procedure; or (3) esophagojejunal anastomosis reinforcement was not possible. Double and a half layered esophagojejunal anastomosis was performed as follows: (1) Open surgery: the full thickness of the anastomosis is continuously sutured, followed by embedding the seromuscular layer with barbed or 3-0 absorbable sutures. The anastomosis is sutured with an average of six to eight stitches. (2) Laparoscopic surgery: the anastomosis is strengthened by counterclockwise full-layer sutures. Once the anastomosis has been sutured to the right posterior aspect of the anastomosis, the jejunum stump is pulled to the right and the anastomosis turned over to continue to complete reinforcement of the posterior wall. The suture interval is approximately 5 mm. After completing the full-thickness suture, the anastomosis is embedded in the seromuscular layer. Relevant data of patients who had undergone radical gastrectomy in the above 12 centers from June 2021 were collected and analyzed. The primary outcome was safety (e.g., postoperative complications, and treatment). Other studied variables included details of surgery (e.g., surgery time, intraoperative bleeding), postoperative recovery (postoperative time to passing flatus and oral intake, length of hospital stay), and follow-up conditions (quality of life as assessed by Visick scores). Result: [1] From June 2021 to September 2022,457 patients were enrolled, including 355 men and 102 women of median age 60.8±10.1 years and BMI 23.7±3.2 kg/m2. The tumors were located in the upper stomach in 294 patients, mid stomach in 139; and lower stomach in 24. The surgical procedures comprised 48 proximal gastrectomies and 409 total gastrectomies. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy was administered to 85 patients. Other organs were resected in 85 patients. The maximum tumor diameter was 4.3±2.2 cm, number of excised lymph nodes 28.3±15.2, and number of positive lymph nodes five (range one to four. As to pathological stage,83 patients had Stage I disease, 128 Stage II, 237 Stage III, and nine Stage IV. [2] The studied surgery-related variables were as follows: The operation was successfully completed in all patients, 352 via a transabdominal approach, 25 via a transhiatus approach, and 80 via a transthoracoabdominal approach. The whole procedure was performed laparoscopically in 53 patients (11.6%), 189 (41.4%) underwent laparoscopic-assisted surgery, and 215 (47.0%) underwent open surgery. The median intraoperative blood loss was 200 (range, 10-1 350) mL, and the operating time 215.6±66.7 minutes. The anastomotic reinforcement time was 2 (7.3±3.9) minutes for laparoscopic-assisted surgery, 17.6±1.7 minutes for total laparoscopy, and 6.0±1.2 minutes for open surgery. [3] The studied postoperative variables were as follows: The median time to postoperative passage of flatus was 3.1±1.1 days and the postoperative gastrointestinal angiography time 6 (range, 4-13) days. The median time to postoperative oral intake was 7 (range, 2-14) days, and the postoperative hospitalization time 15.8±6.7 days. [4] The safety-related variables were as follows: In total, there were 184 (40.3%) postoperative complications. These comprised esophagojejunal anastomosis complications in 10 patients (2.2%), four (0.9%) being anastomotic leakage (including two cases of subclinical leakage and two of clinical leakage; all resolved with conservative treatment); and six patients (1.3%) with anastomotic stenosis (two who underwent endoscopic balloon dilation 21 and 46 days after surgery, the others improved after a change in diet). There was no anastomotic bleeding. Non-anastomotic complications occurred in 174 patients (38.1%). All patients attended for follow-up at least once, the median follow-up time being 10 (3-18) months. Visick grades were as follows: Class I, 89.1% (407/457); Class II, 7.9% (36/457); Class III, 2.6% (12/457); and Class IV 0.4% (2/457). Conclusion: Double and a half layered esophagojejunal anastomosis in radical gastrectomy is safe and feasible.

[Tea consumption and cancer: a Mendelian randomization study].

Objective: A Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was performed to assess the relationship between tea consumption and cancer. Methods: There were 100 639 participants with the information of gene sequencing of whole genome in the China Kadoorie Biobank. After excluding those with cancer at baseline survey, a total of 100 218 participants were included in this study. The baseline information about tea consumption were analyzed, including daily tea consumption or not, cups of daily tea consumption, and grams of daily tea consumption. We used the two-stage least square method to evaluate the associations between three tea consumption variables and incidence of cancer and some subtypes, including stomach cancer, liver and intrahepatic bile ducts cancer, colorectal cancer, tracheobronchial and lung cancer, and female breast cancer. Multivariable MR and analysis only among nondrinkers were used to control the impact of alcohol consumption. Sensitivity analyses were also performed, including inverse variance weighting, weighted median, and MR-Egger. Results: We used 54, 42, and 28 SNPs to construct non-weighted genetic risk scores as instrumental variables for daily tea consumption or not, cups of daily tea consumption, and grams of daily tea consumption, respectively. During an average of (11.4±3.0) years of follow-up, 6 886 cases of cancer were recorded. After adjusting for age, age2, sex, region, array type, and the first 12 genetic principal components, there were no significant associations of three tea consumption variables with the incidence of cancer and cancer subtypes. Compared with non-daily tea drinkers, the HR (95%CI) of daily tea drinkers for cancer and some subtypes, including stomach cancer, liver and intrahepatic bile ducts cancer, colorectal cancer, tracheobronchial and lung cancer, and female breast cancer, are respectively 0.99 (0.78-1.26), 1.17 (0.58-2.36), 0.86 (0.40-1.84), 0.85 (0.42-1.73), 1.39 (0.85-2.26) and 0.63 (0.28-1.38). After controlling the impact of alcohol consumption and performing multiple sensitivity analyses, the results were similar. Conclusion: There is no causal relationship between tea consumption and risk of cancer in population in China.

[Cardiovascular health status of Chinese adults based on "Life's Essential 8" score].

Objective: To assess the cardiovascular health status of adults in China by using the "Life's Essential 8" score, and provide reference for the development and improvement of cardiovascular disease prevention and control policies and measures. Methods: Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance was conducted in 298 counties/districts in 2015 in 31 provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) across China, multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling was used to select 45 households in each village or neighborhood, and 20 households were further selected to conduct dietary surveys. In this study, a total of 70 093 adults aged ≥20 years who completed the dietary survey and had complete information were included, their cardiovascular health status were assessed by using the "Life's Essential 8" score, a cardiovascular health scoring standard released by the American Heart Association in 2022. All results were adjusted using complex design-based sampling weights to achieve a better estimate of the population. Results: In 2015, the overall cardiovascular health score of Chinese adults aged ≥20 years was 73.3±12.6, the score was significantly higher in women (77.9±11.6) than in men (68.7±11.8), and higher in urban area (74.5±12.8) than in rural area (71.9±12.2), the differences were significant (P<0.001). It was estimated that about 0.25% (95%CI: 0.16%-0.33%) of adults in China had cardiovascular health score of 100, and 33.0% (95%CI: 31.6%-34.3%), 63.2% (95%CI: 62.1%-64.3%), and 3.9% (95%CI: 3.5%-4.2%) of adults had high, moderate and low cardiovascular health scores, respectively. The proportion of those with high cardiovascular health scores was relatively low in men, those with low education level, those with low income, those living in rural areas, and those living in southwest China (P<0.001). Of the eight factors, diet had the lowest mean score (46.0, 95%CI: 44.7-47.3), followed by blood pressure (59.4, 95%CI: 58.2-60.6) and tobacco exposure (61.4, 95%CI: 60.6-62.2). Conclusions: The cardiovascular health status of two-thirds of adult population in China needs to be improved. Diet, tobacco exposure, and blood pressure are the factors affecting the cardiovascular health of Chinese population, to which close attention needs to be paid, and men, rural residents, and those with lower socioeconomic status are key groups in cardiovascular health promotion.

Differentiation of giant cell tumours of bone, primary aneurysmal bone cysts, and aneurysmal bone cysts secondary to giant cell tumour of bone: using whole-tumour CT texture analysis parameters as quantitative biomarkers.

AIM: To determine whether computed tomography (CT) texture analysis parameters can be used as quantitative biomarkers to help differentiate giant cell tumour of bones (GCTs), primary aneurysmal bone cysts (PABCs), and aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) secondary to giant cell tumours of bone (GABCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seven patients with 63 GCTs, 31 PABCs, and 13 GABCs were analysed retrospectively. All patients underwent preoperative CT. Two radiologists independently evaluated the qualitative features of the CT images and extracted texture parameters. Patient demographics, qualitative features, and texture parameters among GCTs, PABCs, and GABCs were compared statistically. Differences in these parameters between ABCs and GCTs were also assessed. ROC curves were obtained to determine optimal parameter values. RESULTS: The best preoperative CT parameters to differentiate GCTs, PABCs, and GABCs included one qualitative feature (location around the knee) and four texture parameters (95th percentile, maximum intensity, skewness, and kurtosis). Age and three texture parameters (5th percentile, inhomogeneity, and kurtosis) enabled statistically significant differentiation between GCTs and ABCs. Combination of the above four parameters generated the largest area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the differentiation of GCTs and ABCs. CONCLUSION: CT texture analysis parameters can be used as quantitative biomarkers for preoperative differentiation among GCTs, PABCs, and GABCs.

[Effects of porcine urinary bladder matrix on motility and polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages in mice].

Objective: To explore the effects of porcine urinary bladder matrix (UBM) on the motility and polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages in mice, so as to provide evidence for the rational selection of stent in clinical wound repair. Methods: The method of experimental research was used. The microstructure of porcine UBM and absorbable dressing was observed under scanning electron microscope. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to observe the protein distribution of the two stent extracts. The primary macrophages were induced from bone marrow-derived cells isolated from six 6-8-week-old male C57BL/6J mice (mouse age, sex, and strain, the same below) and identified. Three batches of macrophages were divided into porcine UBM extract group and absorbable dressing extract group. The cells in each group were cultured with Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium/F12 medium containing the corresponding extracts. The cell migration rate was detected and calculated on 1, 3, and 7 d after scratching by scratch test. The number of migrated cells at 12 and 24 h of culture was detected by Transwell experiment. The percentages of CD206 and CD86 positive cells at 24 h of culture was detected by flow cytometer. The numbers of sample in the above cell experiments were all 3. An incision was prepared on the left and right back of twelve mice, respectively. The left incision of each mouse was included in porcine UBM group and the right incision was included in absorbable dressing group, and the corresponding stents were implanted into the incisions respectively. On post operation day (POD) 7 and 14, the number of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the stent was detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining; the number of F4/80, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9) positive cells and type Ⅰ collagen deposition in stents were observed by immunohistochemistry; the percentages of F4/80, CD86, and CD206 positive cells were observed by immunofluorescence staining. The numbers of sample in the above animal experiments were all 6. Data were statistically analyzed with analysis of variance for factorial design, analysis of variance for repeated measurement, and independent sample t test. Results: Porcine UBM has a dense basement membrane structure on one side and porous propria containing a fibrous structures on the other. Both sides of the absorbable dressing had three-dimensional porous structure. In the molecular weight range of (50-70)×103, multiple non-type Ⅰ collagen bands appeared in the lanes of porcine UBM extract, while no obvious bands appeared in the lanes of absorbable dressing extract. It had been identified that mouse bone marrow-derived cells had been successfully induced into macrophages. The cell migration rates in porcine UBM extract group were significantly higher than those in absorbable dressing extract group on 1, 3, and 7 d after scratching (with t values of 15.31, 19.76, and 20.58, respectively, P<0.05). The numbers of migrated cells in porcine UBM extract group were significantly more than those in absorbable dressing extract group at 12 and 24 h of culture (with t values of 12.20 and 33.26, respectively, P<0.05). At 24 h of culture, the percentage of CD86 positive cells in porcine UBM extract group ((1.27±0.19)%) was significantly lower than (7.34±0.14)% in absorbable dressing extract group (t=17.03, P<0.05);the percentage of CD206 positive cells in porcine UBM extract group was (73.4±0.7)%, significantly higher than (32.2±0.5)% in absorbable dressing extract group (t=119.10, P<0.05). On POD 7 and 14, the numbers of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the stents in porcine UBM group was significantly more than those in absorbable dressing group (with t values of 6.58 and 10.70, respectively, P<0.05). On POD 7 and 14, the numbers of F4/80, TGF-ß1, VEGF, and MMP-9 positive cells in the stents in porcine UBM group were significantly more than those in absorbable dressing group (with t values of 46.11, 40.69, 13.90, 14.15, 19.79, 32.93, 12.16, and 13.21, respectively, P<0.05); type Ⅰ collagen deposition in the stents in porcine UBM group was more pronounced than that in absorbable dressing group; the percentages of CD206 positive cells in the stents in porcine UBM group were significantly higher than those in absorbable dressing group (with t values of 5.05 and 4.13, respectively, P<0.05), while the percentages of CD86 positive cells were significantly lower than those in absorbable dressing group (with t values of 20.90 and 19.64, respectively, P<0.05), and more M2-type macrophages were seen in the stents in porcine UBM group and more M1-type macrophages were seen in the stents in absorbable dressing group. Conclusions: Porcine UBM can enhance macrophage motility, induce M2 polarization and paracrine function, create a microenvironment containing growth factors such as TGF-ß1 and MMP-9 tissue remodeling molecules, and promote tissue regeneration and extracellular matrix remodeling in mice.

[Recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic diseases-related hemophagocytic syndrome in China].

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS), which is currently named as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), is a hyperinflammatory syndrome characterized by persistent fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia and hemophagocytosis found in bone marrow, liver, spleen and lymph nodes due to excessive activation of macrophages and cytotoxic T cells. Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a specific form of HLH induced by autoinflammatory/autoimmune disorders which can be life-threatening and requires multiple disciplines. In order to improve clinicians' understanding of MAS and standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment practice of MAS, the rheumatology branch of Chinese Rheumatology Association organized domestic experts to formulate the diagnosis and treatment standard, in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment level of MAS and improve the prognosis of patients.

[Relationship between white matter lesions and theresponse of cerebral spinal fluid tap test and clinical features in the patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus].

Objective: To explore the relationship between white matter lesions and clinical features and response of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) tap test in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus(iNPH). Methods: Possible iNPH patients were enrolled from outpatients and inpatients in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2014 and 2019. All patients underwent detailed neuropsychological and walking assessments, CSF tap test, as well as head magnetic resonance imaging. The Fazekas score of white matter lesions, the fractional anisotropy (FA)and mean diffusivity (MD) values of regions of interest by means ofdiffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were compared between CSF tap test positive and negative response groups. The correlation between DTI parameters and clinical characteristics was analyzed. Results: Forty-three patients (29 male and 14 female, age range: 52-79 years] wererecruited.Compared with the negative group, patients in the positive group tended to have higher Fazekas score of periventricular white matter(U=108.00, P=0.03), higher MD value of the region near anterior horn of left lateral ventricles[(1.14±0.27)×10-9mm2/s vs (0.85±0.08) ×10-9mm2/s, P=0.003], lower FA value of the region near anterior horn of the right lateral ventricles[(0.20±0.07)vs(0.27±0.09), P=0.058], and higher MD value near the posterior horn of right lateral ventricle [(1.17±0.34)×10-9mm2/s vs (0.95±0.01)×10-9mm2/s, P=0.003]. FA and MD were significantly correlated with motor function, cognitive and functional scores, and iNPH grading scale (iNPHGS) scores(all P<0.05). Conclusions: The white matter lesions might be one of the pathogeneses of lNPH and apathological changewhich can be reversed by CSF drainage. More white matter lesions should not be the contraindication of CSF drainage surgery.

The extended submuscular fibroadipose tissue (SMFAT) resection and ladder suture technique for patients with a puffy SMFAT upper eyelid.

BACKGROUND: In East Asians, a common method to ameliorate puffy eyelids is to resect the excess orbital fat and the orbicularis. However, in some patients, a satisfactory improvement cannot be achieved because of the thick submuscular fibroadipose tissue (SMFAT) and minimal orbital fat. The SMFAT lies between the orbicularis and the orbital septum and can also be found in the pretarsal area. It is responsible for puffy eyelids and the slackening of the tissue after removal. In this study, we combined an extended SMFAT resection with the ladder suture technique to correct puffy SMFAT eyelids. METHOD: A total of 76 patients with a thick SMFAT and minimal orbital fat were recruited. The thick SMFAT, which included the soft tissue near the artificial fold and the pretarsal area soft tissue, was resected. The ladder suture technique was performed by positioning the stitch 1 mm below the orbicularis margin after a skin flap margin puncture. The esthetic effect was evaluated pre-operatively and at 12 months post-operatively. RESULTS: The pre-operative thickness of the SMFAT and full layers of the eyelid were 0.27 ± 0.03 mm and 2.01 ± 0.11 mm, respectively. One year after surgery, the thickness was 0.08 ± 0.02 mm and 1.68 ± 0.14 mm, respectively (p < 0.05). The post-operative upper eyelash lift-up angle and the eyelash exposure length were significantly increased on both sides compared with the pre-surgery (p < 0.05). No patients experienced complications. CONCLUSION: An extended SMFAT resection combined with the ladder suture technique can effectively correct puffy SMFAT eyelids without complications.

MiR-4282 is a tumor-suppressor gene for preventing metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer by negatively regulating MIER1.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the biological role of miR-4282 in influencing metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) by regulating MIER1. PATIENTS AND METHODS: MiR-4282 expressions in 45 cases of EOC specimens and normal controls were detected by quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The relationship between miR-4282 and clinical features in EOC patients, including pathological indicators and overall survival, was analyzed. After intervening miR-4282 level in SKOV3 and 3AO cells by plasmid transfection, changes in migratory and invasive abilities were determined by transwell assay and wound healing assay. The target gene of miR-4282 was observed by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay, followed by exploration of its involvement in EOC progression via rescue experiments. RESULTS: MiR-4282 was downregulated in EOC specimens than normal controls. EOC patients expressing low level of miR-4282 had higher incidences of lymphatic metastasis and distant metastasis, as well as worse prognosis than those overexpressing miR-4282. Overexpression of miR-4282 in SKOV3 cells weakened metastatic ability, and conversely, knockdown of miR-4282 in 3AO cells yielded the promotive trends. MIER1 was confirmed to be the target gene binding miR-4282, which was highly expressed in EOC specimens. MIER1 was able to reverse the regulatory effect of miR-4282 on EOC cell metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Lowly expressed miR-4282 in EOC specimens is closely linked to the incidence of metastasis and overall survival. MiR-4282 prevents EOC metastasis by a negative regulation on MIER1.

LncRNA SNHG3 is responsible for the deterioration of colorectal carcinoma through regulating the miR-370-5p/EZH1 axis.

OBJECTIVE: To illustrate the biological function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG3 in the deterioration of colorectal cancer (CRC) by regulating the miR-370-5p/EZH1 axis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: SNHG3 levels in fifty pairs of CRC and non-tumor tissues were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Its correlation to tumor staging, lymph node metastasis and prognosis of CRC was analyzed. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and 5-Ethynyl-2'- deoxyuridine (EdU) assay were conducted to assess the influence of SNHG3 on CRC cell proliferation in vitro. In addition, invasive ability of CRC cells transfected with si-SNHG3 was explored by transwell assay. The binding and regulatory relations in the SNHG3/miR-370-5p/EZH1 axis were ascertained by Dual-Luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: SNHG3 was upregulated in CRC tissues and cell lines. Its high level was correlated to advanced tumor staging, positive lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis of CRC. Knockdown of SNHG3 reduced proliferative and invasive rates of SW480 and HT29 cells. The SNHG3/miR-370-5p/EZH1 axis was ascertained. In addition, knockdown of miR-370-5p enhanced proliferative and invasive rates of SW480 and HT29 cells. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA SNHG3 induces proliferative and invasive potentials of CRC by regulating the miR-370-5p/EZH1 axis.

[The value of spleen density in predicting prognosis of patients with gastric cancer after curative gastrectomy].

Objective: To investigate the value of spleen density in predicting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer after radical gastrectomy. Methods: A total of 415 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical resection in the Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2012 to December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the patients, there were 295 males and 120 femles with a median age of 59 years (range 28-83 years). The patients were divided into diffuse decreased spleen density group (DROSD) (spleen density≤43.0 HU, n=118) and non-diffuse decreased spleen density group (N-DROSD) (spleen density>43.0 HU, n=297) according to the density of spleen detected by computed tomography (CT). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the checkpoint of spleen density in predicting the recurrence of the gastric cancer in those patients. The relationship with clinicopathological factors and prognosis in the two groups were further analyzed. Results: The optimal critical value of spleen density for predicting postoperative recurrence of gastric cancer was 43.0 HU, the area under the curve of ROC was 0.608, and the sensitivity and specificity was 84.9% and 40.4%, respectively. Spleen density was related to albumin, hemoglobin, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and tumor diameter in patients with gastric cancer (all P<0.05). The 5-year disease-free survival rate and 5-year disease-specific survival rate of all the patients was 45.5% and 50.1%, respectively. Univariate survival analysis showed that age, NLR, PLR, tumor location, tumor diameter, Lauren classification, TNM stage, nerve invasion, vascular invasion, DROSD and adjuvant chemotherapy were all related to the 5-year disease-free survival rate (all P<0.05); Age, NLR, tumor location, tumor diameter, Lauren classification, TNM stage, nerve invasion, vascular invasion, DROSD and adjuvant chemotherapy were all related to the 5-year disease-specific survival rate (all P<0.05). Multivariate survival analysis showed that high NLR level (HR=1.501, 95%CI: 1.136-1.984), late TNM stage (HR=2.559, 95%CI: 1.850-3.539), DROSD (HR=2.093, 95%CI: 1.571-2.788) and no adjuvant chemotherapy (HR=1.583, 95%CI: 1.204-2.083) were independent risk factor for the 5-year disease-free survival rate (all P<0.05). Late TNM stage (HR=1.938, 95%CI: 1.395-2.692), DROSD (HR=1.566, 95%CI: 1.180-2.078) and no adjuvant chemotherapy (HR=1.336, 95%CI: 1.016-1.758) were independent risk factors for the 5-year disease-free survival rate (all P<0.05). For stage Ⅰ patients, the 5-year disease-free survival rates of DROSD group and N-DROSD group was 78.6% and 83.7%, respectively; and the 5-year disease-specific survival rates was 85.7% and 89.8%, respectively (both P>0.05). For stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients, the 5-year disease-free survival rates of DROSD group and N-DROSD group was 15.4% and 48.8%, respectively, and the 5-year disease-specific survival rates was 17.3% and 54.0%, respectively (all P<0.001). Conclusion: As an imaging evaluation method, spleen density is a new tool, which can be used as a prognostic indicator for gastric cancer patients.

Protective effects of sodium ferulate on flap transplantation via anti-inflammatory modulation and oxidative stress inhibition.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) has brought attention to flap failure in reconstructive surgery. To improve the prognosis of skin transplantation, we performed experimental IRI by surgical obstruction of blood flow and used sodium ferulate (SF) to prevent IRI in rats. After SF treatment, the morphological and histological changes of the skin flaps were observed by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. We also detected the expression levels of COX-1, HO-1, and Ki67 by immunohistochemical and western blot analysis. Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to identify the content of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) in peripheral blood and skin tissue. Compared with the model group, SF treatment significantly improved the recovered flap area (%) and promoted collagen synthesis. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression was significantly inhibited by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction after SF treatment. Furthermore, SF significantly inhibited the levels of TNF-α in peripheral blood, MPO and MDA in the skin tissue, and the increased synthesis of NO. Our results showed the protective effects of SF on IRI after flap transplantation and we believe that the protective effects of SF was closely related to the alleviation of the inflammatory response and the inhibition of the oxidative stress injury.

LINC00261 regulates EBF1 to suppress malignant progression of thyroid cancer.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore the role of LINC00261 in thyroid cancer (TC) and the potential regulatory mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 40 cases of tumor tissues and adjacent tissues of TC patients were collected, and the expressions of LINC00261 and EBF1 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the relationship between LINC00261 and the clinical pathological indicators and prognosis of TC patients were analyzed. Next, LINC00261 overexpression and knockdown cell models were constructed in TC cell lines BPH5-16 and K1, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell migration were used to detect the impact of LINC00261 overexpression or silencing on cell proliferative and migration ability. The bioinformatics website was used to screen the possible target gene of LINC00261. RESULTS: qRT-PCR analysis showed that LINC00261 level was markedly reduced in TC tumor tissues, as well as corresponding cell lines. Retrospective analysis showed that low expression of LINC00261 was in positive correlation with the pathological stage, lymphatic and distant metastasis in patients with TC, meanwhile, the expression of LINC00261 was also in positive correlation with overall survival rate of TC patients. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that LINC00261 could target EBF1. Luciferase reporter gene experiment and qRT-PCR analysis suggested that LINC00261 could target EBF1 and that their expressions showed a negative correlation in TC tumor tissues and cells. Cell functional experiments confirmed that LINC00261 can inhibit the proliferative and migration ability of TC cells. Subsequently, the recovery experiment also suggested that silencing EBF1 could reverse the promotion effect of LINC00261 knockdown on the proliferative and migration ability of TC cells; while EBF1 overexpression could reverse the inhibition of LINC00261 on the proliferative and migration ability of TC cells. CONCLUSIONS: LINC00261 was markedly downregulated in TC tissues and cells. In addition, the level of LINC00261 was closely related to lymph node and distant metastasis, as well as the prognosis in TC patients. Moreover, LINC00261 could negatively regulate EBF1, thereby promoting the malignant progression of TC.