MiR-4319 targets tuftelin 1 to reduce malignancy of cervical cancer cells.

Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common malignant tumor of female reproductive system. MiR-4319 has been identified as an anti-oncogene in various cancers. In the present study, role of miR-4319 in CC was identified. Colony formation, flow cytometer, wound healing, and transwell assays were used to detect CC cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The expression of miR-4319 was decreased in clinical CC tissues and CC cell lines. Upregulation of miR-4319 suppressed cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion, and induced cell apoptosis in CC cells. Moreover, tuftelin 1 (TUFT1) was verified as a direct target of miR-4319, as confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Additionally, TUFT1 expression was remarkably increased in clinical CC tissues and CC cell lines and was negatively associated with miR-4319 expression. Furthermore, overexpression of TUFT1 partially restored the effects of miR-4319 mimic on cell viability, proliferation, migration, invasion, and cell apoptosis in CC cells. To conclude, miR-4319 played an anti-cancer role in the occurrence and development of CC, which might be achieved by targeting TUFT1.

A self-developed contained bag for laparoscopic myomectomy morcellation.

OBJECTIVES: Open power morcellation during a laparoscopic myomectomy (LM) can result in the dissemination of benign or occult malignant tumor cells in the abdominopelvic cavity. The development of a new contained collection bag for power morcellation is now favored by gynecologic surgeons worldwide. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was a single-arm trial comprising 20 women who consecutively underwent an LM involving the use of a newly designed contained collection bag for power morcellation between November 3rd 2017 and April 31st 2018. There was also a historical control group consisting of 30 women who underwent open power morcellation during an LM between May 1st 2017 and October 31st 2017. All the essential information concerning the patients and surgically related data, including the myoma size, the operation duration, and the cell count of the intraperitoneal irrigating fluid, were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The uterus size and the maximum diameters of the uterus and the myoma of the two groups were not significantly different (p = 0.65, p = 0.71, and p = 0.31, respectively). Pseudopneumoperitoneum was established and clear visualization was guaranteed in all 20 cases in the experimental group. The remaining fragment tissue amount (mean ± SD) and weight (mean ± SD) in the collection bag after morcellation in the experimental group were 5.00 ± 1.48 and 3.87 ± 1.31 (g). All the collection bags were routinely examined after the LM using normal saline, and no leaks or lesions were found. The cell counts of the intraperitoneal irrigating fluid both before and after morcellation were less than 105-106/L. The pathology of all the tissues confirmed that there were no malignant tumors. The operation of the experimental group was 18 mins longer than that of the historical control group (p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: This newly designed collection bag system for LM morcellation is effective, feasible, and safe.

Silencing SIX1 by miR-7160 inhibits non-small cell lung cancer cell growth.

The homeoprotein SIX1 is upregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and associated with NSCLC tumorigenesis and progression. We identified microRNA-7160 (miR-7160) as a SIX1-targeting miRNA. RNA immunoprecipitation results confirmed a direct binding between miR-7160 and SIX1 mRNA in NSCLC cells. In the primary and established NSCLC cells, forced overexpression of miR-7160 downregulated SIX1 and inhibited cancer cell growth, proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, miR-7160 overexpression induced apoptosis activation in NSCLC cells. Conversely, miR-7160 inhibition elevated SIX1 expression and enhanced NSCLC cell progression in vitro. Restoring SIX1 expression, by an untranslated region-depleted SIX1 expression construct, reversed miR-7160-induced anti-NSCLC cell activity. CRISPR/Cas9-inudced knockout of SIX1 mimicked miR-7160-induced actions and produced anti-NSCLC cell activity. In vivo, intratumoral injection of miR-7160-expressing lentivirus downregulated SIX1 mRNA and inhibited NSCLC xenograft growth in severe combined immunodeficient mice. Significantly, miR-7160 expression is downregulated in human NSCLC tissues and is correlated with SIX1 mRNA upregulation. Collectively, miR-7160 silenced SIX1 and inhibited NSCLC cell growth in vitro and in vivo.

Novel single component tri-rare-earth emitting MOF for warm white light LEDs.

Single-phase white phosphors could overcome many drawbacks of traditional phosphors, and warm white light phosphors have been considered suitable for indoor illumination applications. Thus, synthesizing new single-phase warm white phosphors is significant for the production of LEDs. Based on the above considerations, a novel single component warm white light phosphor SmxTbyDy0.2-x-y-metal organic frameworks (MOFs) has been prepared successfully in this study. The compound Sm0.1Tb0.04Dy0.06-MOF shows ideal warm white light emission with CIE coordinates (0.333, 0.3522), a color rendering index (CRI) value of 86.7, a low correlated color temperature (CCT) value of 4444 K, and good heating/cooling circulation. In addition, the LED devices fabricated with this novel warm white light phosphor have excellent warm white light quality even at high temperatures, which is necessary for its practical application.

Novel electromechanical actuation based on a spongy graphene paper.

A spongy graphene paper with an inside foldable corrugated structure is fabricated by electrothermal reduction of the oxygen-containing groups inside an RGO paper. Reversible macroscopical length contraction of the spongy graphene paper with a strain of 2.4% under 10 V voltage is exhibited, mostly attributed to the deformation of corrugated structures.

Effects of Zn²âº and Cu²âº on loach ovaries and ova development.

This study compared the accumulation of Zn²âº and Cu²âº in the ovaries and ova of loaches under different concentrations of Zn²âº (1.00, 2.50 and 5.00 mg/L respectively) and Cu²âº (0.10, 0.25 and 0.50 mg/L respectively). The results showed that both Zn²âº and Cu²âº accumulated in the ovaries, and that the relationship between accumulation and time was linear over 20 days of exposure. The accumulation of the metals in ovaries was closely related to the concentration of exposure in the solutions (P<0.05), and was obviously affected by the time and doses. However, the Cu²âº concentration was significantly higher than Zn²âº (P<0.05). The development level of ova in the ovaries also correlated with the concentration and exposure period in the Zn²âº and Cu²âº solutions.This study compared the accumulation of Zn2+and Cu2+ in the ovaries and ova of loaches under different concentrations of Zn2+ (1.00, 2.50 and 5.00 mg/L respectively) and Cu2+ (0.10, 0.25 and 0.50 mg/L respectively). The results showed that both Zn2+ and Cu2+ accumulated in the ovaries, and that the relationship between accumulation and time was linear over 20 days of exposure. The accumulation of the metals in ovaries was closely related to the concentration of exposure in the solutions (P<0.05), and was obviously affected by the time and doses. However, the Cu2+ concentration was significantly higher than Zn2+(P<0.05). The development level of ova in the ovaries also correlated with the concentration and exposure period in the Zn2+ and Cu2+ solutions.