Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms may contribute to asthma risk.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic airway disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: Current study aims at investigating the correlation between four vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and asthma susceptibility by conducting a meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, EBSCO, Ovid, Wiley, Web of Science, Wanfang, CNKI and VIP databases were searched using combinations of keywords relating to VDR and asthma. The published studies were filtered using our stringent inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the resultant high-quality data from final selected studies were analyzed using Stata 12.0 software. RESULTS: A total of 77 studies were initially retrieved, and after further selection, 9 studies were eligible in current analysis. The selected studies contained 2,116 patients with asthma and 1,884 healthy controls. Our results demonstrated that rs2228570, rs7975232 and rs731236 in both allele models and dominant models, and rs3782905 in allele model in the VDR gene were linked with a high risk of asthma. No significant association between VDR gene rs3782905 in dominant model and risk of asthma was detected. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis provides convincing evidence that rs2228570, rs7975232, rs731236 and rs3782905 gene polymorphisms in VDR are associated with increased susceptibility to asthma, indicating VDR polymorphisms could be developed as biomarkers for asthma susceptibility.

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms of IL-17 Gene Are Associated with Asthma Susceptibility in an Asian Population.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between the single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of interleukin-17 (IL-17), including rs763780 (7488A/G), rs2275913 (-197G/A), and rs8193036 (-737C/T), and asthma susceptibility in an Asian population. MATERIAL/METHODS: From Oct 2013 to Dec 2014, 125 asthma patients enrolled in our hospital were selected as the case group. Another 132 healthy controls undergoing physical examinations in our hospital were enrolled as the control group. The genotype frequencies of IL-17 rs763780, rs2275913 and rs8193036 SNPs were detected using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.0 (CMA 2.0) software was applied for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that asthma patients presented with higher frequencies of GA genotype in rs2275913 and TT genotype in rs8193036 of IL-17 than healthy controls (both P<0.001). The genotype frequencies of IL-17 rs763780 between the asthma patients and healthy controls exhibited no significant differences (P>0.05). The comparisons on the rs2275913 and rs8193036 frequencies between the asthma patients and healthy controls were statistically significant in both allele and addictive models (all P<0.05). The frequency of IL-17 rs763780 between the asthma patients and healthy controls were statistically different in allele models (P<0.05), but not in addictive models (P>0.05). The overall results of our case-control study were further confirmed by meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that, in an Asian population, IL-17 rs763780, rs2275913, and rs8193036 SNPs may be associated with asthma susceptibility, and GA genotype in rs2275913 and TT genotype in rs8193036 of IL-17 may contribute to increased risk of asthma in Asians.

Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-7 expression promotes metastasis in human lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase 7 (MMP-7) promotes tumor invasion and metastasis in several cancers. However, its role in lung cancer progression is understudied. In this study, we investigated the correlation between MMP-7 expression and lung cancer pathology. METHODS: We searched the databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CISCOM, CINAHL, China BioMedicine (CBM) and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for scientific literature relevant to MMP-7 and lung cancer. Carefully selected studies were pooled and ORs with 95% CI were calculated. Subgroup analyses and publication bias were analyzed to understand the retrieved data in greater detail. Version 12.0 STATA software was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: We retrieved a total of 121 studies through database searches. Finally, 14 cohort studies satisfied our inclusion/exclusion criteria, and these 14 studies, published between 2004 and 2012, were selected for meta-analysis to understand the influence of MMP-7 expression in lung cancer progression. Our results showed consistent differences in MMP-7 expression when comparisons were made between TNM I-II versus III-IV (OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.19 to 2.78, P = 0.006); histologic grade 1 to 2 versus 3 to 4 (OR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.14 to 2.42, P = 0.008); and lymph node-negative versus lymph node-positive samples (OR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.73 to 4.58, P <0.001), with significantly higher MMP-7 expression levels found in the more advanced stages. Subgroup analysis showed that age was not the factor influencing the associations between histologic grade, LN metastasis and MMP-7 expression in lung cancer patients, as both under 60 and over 60 age groups showed strong correlations (all P <0.05). However, when TNM staging was analyzed for its association with MMP-7 expression, only patients under age 60 showed a statistically significant correlation. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis results revealed that MMP-7 overexpression is associated with advanced TNM and histological grades, and is linked to aggressive LN metastasis in lung cancer patients; thus MMP-7 is a useful biomarker to assess the disease status in lung cancers.

Roles of osteopontin and matrix metalloproteinase-7 in occurrence, progression, and prognosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study detected osteopontin (OPN) and matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) expressions to explore the roles of OPN and MMP-7 in the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on NSCLC tissues (n = 152; case group) and adjacent nonneoplastic lung parenchyma (adjacent to tumor >5 cm; n = 152; control group) collected from 152 NSCLC patients. The protein expressions of OPN and MMP-7 were detected by immunohistochemistry. OPN and MMP-7 messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: The protein and mRNA expressions of OPN and MMP-7 in NSCLC tissues were evidently higher than those in adjacent nonneoplastic lung parenchyma (all P < 0.05). OPN protein and mRNA expression were associated with the degree of differentiation, tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging, and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC (all P < 0.05). MMP-7 protein expression was associated with TNM staging and lymph node metastasis (both P < 0.05) while MMP-7 mRNA expression was associated with the degree of differentiation, TNM staging, and lymph node metastasis (all P < 0.05). A significantly positive relativity was revealed between OPN expression and MMP-7 expression (protein: r = 0.789, P < 0.001; mRNA: r = 0.377, P < 0.001). Lymph node metastasis, TNM staging, OPN, and MMP-7 protein expressions were independent risk factors for the prognosis of NSCLC (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: High MMP-7 and OPN protein expressions are closely related to the occurrence, progression, and prognosis of NSCLC, and can be served as unfavorable prognostic factors for NSCLC.

Betulin inhibits lung carcinoma proliferation through activation of AMPK signaling.

Betulin (lup-20(29)-ene-3ß, 28-diol) is an abundant, naturally occurring triterpene. It is commonly isolated from the bark of birch trees and forms up to 30% of the dry weight of the extractive. In the present study, we revealed its antiproliferative effects and mechanisms using two lung carcinoma cells (A549 and NCI-292). By 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assays, we found that betulin could efficiently inhibit cell growth and proliferation. Besides, several key genes of cell-cycle regulators were also affected by betulin treatment. At the molecular level, our results demonstrated that treatment with betulin was also associated with activation of AMP kinase and inhibition of mTOR/p70S6K/pS6 signaling in these cells. In agreement, inhibition of AMPK signaling largely reversed the antiproliferative roles of betulin. Taken together, these data provide evidence for a mechanism that may contribute to the antineoplastic effects of betulin and justify further work to explore its potential roles in lung cancer prevention and treatment.

[Research on hyperspectral inversion of soil salinity in typical semiarid area].

Hysperspectral inversion of soil salinity was researched in the present paper with the chosen study object of typical semiarid area in North Shaanxi Province. The studying sites were selected, the hyperspectral data were collected, and the soil samples were taken back for experiment analysis. The reflectance of soils (R), the logarithm of the reciprocal of the reflectance (Log(1/R)) and the continual removed reflectance (R(cr)) were used to research the soil salinity. The correlations between the hyperspectral character and soil salinity was studied to filter the characteristics bands. Then the partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to study the inversion model of soil salinity with Matlab program, and the precision was compared with the verifying sites. The research result showed that the root mean square error (RMSE) of the inversion with R(cr) was the least (1.253 < 1.367 < 1.575), and its precision was the best; the correlation between the predicted value and the measured value was well (r2 = 0.761), the trend line was near y = x. In conclusion, the quantificational inversion model with the variables of R(cr) establised by PLSR was well, which will improve the survey efficiency of soil salinity.

[Research on hyperspectral remote sensing inversion of barrier factors in saline-alkaline land use].

In the present paper, the meliorated saline-alkaline land by mixing sand in the north of Shaanxi province was chosen as the study area. The growth situation of the corn in the study area was measured, and soil samples and hyperspectral data were collected. The barrier factors for saline-alkaline land use were obtained by analysing the properties of soil samples. And the hyperspectral characteristics of the barrier factors were studied to elicit the quantitative inverse model, and the accuracy was verified. The study results indicated that the salt content in soil was the primary factor restricting the saline-alkaline land use, and capillary porosity was also the barrier factor because of its good correlation with the salt content. The precisions of quantitative inverse model of salt content and capillary porosity with hyperspectral data were good (the determinate coefficients R2 were 0.938 and 0.973). The test result with testing points showed that there were good correlations between the measured value and predicted value of salt content and capillary porosity (the slope was near to 1, and R2 was 0.840 4 and 0.796 5), the accuracy was good. It is of great promotion for guiding the saline-alkaline land consolidation and use that the barrier factors for saline-alkaline land use were interpreted quantitatively by hyperspectral data.

Effects of different proportions of soft rock additions on organic carbon pool and bacterial community structure of sandy soil.

The sandy soil leaks water and fertilizer, and the ecological degradation is serious. The structural characteristics of soft rock and sandy soil are complementary, and the improvement of sandy soil by adding soft rock is of great significance to improve soil fertility, restore biodiversity, and maintain sustainable development of the Mu Us sandy land region. In this study, total organic carbon (TOC), particulate organic carbon (POC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), easily oxidized organic carbon (ROC), microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), bacterial community structure and crop yield were examined using soft rock:sand volume ratios of 0:1 (CK), 1:5 (C1), 1:2 (C2) and 1:1 (C3). Our results indicated that, compared with the CK treatment, TOC (9.66-22.34%), POC (85.65-120.41%) and ROC (114.12-192.31%) noticeably increased in C1, C2 and C3 treatments; SMBC in treatment C3 increased by 42.77%. The three dominant bacteria in the soil (Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Chloroflexi), as well as Proteobacteria abundance, greatly declined in the treatments with the addition of soft rock. Pseudarthrobacter was the dominant Genus in all treatments, having an abundance between 11.83 and 19.33%. Bacterial diversity, richness and evenness indices all recorded an increase under the treatments. POC, TOC and SMBC recorded the most significant effects on the bacterial community structure. The largest increases in wheat and corn yields were recorded in the C2 treatment (16.05% and 16.30%), followed by the C1 treatment (8.28% and 8.20%, respectively). Our findings indicate that a soft rock:sand ratio between 1:5 and 1:2 recorded the most improvement in the sandy soil environment.

Effects of Conservation Tillage on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Crop Yield in an Arid Loess Plateau, China.

Conservation tillage can improve soil physical structure and water storage, protect moisture, and increase crop yield. However, the long-term adoption of a single tillage method may have some adverse effects on soil and ecological environment, although crop yields have increased. Through informed allocation of soil tillage techniques, the combination and configuration of soil tillage measures, such as rotary tillage, subsoiling, and no tillage may reduce the shortcomings of traditional long-term farming. To explore the long-term production mode suitable for production of maize in the loess dryland area, a long-term experiment was conducted in Fuping County, Shaanxi Province, from 2013 to 2018. Six farming modes were used in the experiment: no tillage/subsoiling (N ↔ S), subsoiling/rotary tillage (S ↔ R), rotary tillage/no tillage (R ↔ N), continuous no tillage (N ↔ N), continuous subsoiling (S ↔ S), and continuous rotary tillage (R ↔ R). The changes in soil physical and chemical properties, soil water use patterns, soil water storage, conservation effects during the fallow and growth period, and the effects on farmland yield increase were analyzed. The results showed that rotary tillage can effectively improved soil structure and reduced soil bulk density, where N ↔ S treatment soil bulk density is low and in 0-60 cm soil layer averaged 1.31 g/cm3. Different tillage treatments could be used during the fallow period to store additional soil moisture: the N ↔ S treatment showed good water storage effect. Compared to traditional tillage, different tillage methods provided better soil moisture conditions for crops during the growth period, where N ↔ S treatment showed good soil moisture status during the growth period of spring maize. Among all the treatments, N ↔ S treatment effectively increased the organic carbon storage in the 0-60 cm soil layer, which was 54.3 t/hm2. Compared with traditional tillage, different tillage treatments effectively increased plant height and dry matter accumulation of spring maize, where N ↔ S treatment was found to be the best. Compared with the traditional rotary tillage model, the N ↔ S treatment significantly increased crop yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in continuous cropping fields of corn, the average yield of spring corn was 9340.2 kg/hm2, and the average WUE was 22.9 kg/(hm2·mm). In summary, for long-term sustainable development, the N ↔ S model is the best rotational tillage mode for continuous maize cropping in loess soil.

Promoter methylations of RASSF1A and p16 is associated with clinicopathological features in lung cancers.

UNLABELLED: Objection: The aim of this study is to investigate the association between promoter methylation of RASSF1A and p16 and the clinicopathological features in lung cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, EBSCO, Ovid, Wiley, Web of Science, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched using combinations of keywords related to RASSF1A, p16, methylation, and lung cancers. After screening for relevant studies, following a strict inclusion and exclusion criteria; the selected studies were incorporated into the present meta.analysis conducted using Comprehensive Meta Analysis 2.0. (CMA 2.0). RESULTS: We initially retrieved 402 studies, out which 13 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this meta.analysis, and contained a total of 1,259. patients with lung cancers. The results of this meta.analysis showed that the differences in promoter methylation ratio between the lung cancer patients in tumor, node, metastasis. (TNM) I.II and III.IV were not statistically significant. Based on histological types, patients with adenocarcinoma. (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma. (SCC) showed no significant differences in the promoter methylation ratios of RASSF1A, while the promoter methylation ratio of p16 was significantly higher in SCC patients compared to AC patients. Based on smoking status, the promoter methylation ratios of both RASSF1A and p16 was significantly higher in lung cancer patients with smoking history compared to nonsmokers. CONCLUSION: The present meta.analysis provides convincing evidence that the promoter methylation ratio of RASSF1A and p16 is associated with clinicopathological features in lung cancers, and could be used as effective biomarkers in early diagnosis in lung cancers.

miR-206 inhibits non small cell lung cancer cell proliferation and invasion by targeting SOX9.

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that have been suggested to play an essential role in tumorigenesis. miR-206 functions as a tumor suppressor in several cancers. However, its role in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. METHODS: Expression levels of miR-206 in NSCLC tissues and cell lines were determined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, we investigated the role of miR-206 on NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the target gene of miR-206 and the results were validated in NSCLC cells. RESULTS: In the present study, our results showed that miR-206 was decreased in NSCLC tissues compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues. Forced overexpression of miR-206 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. SOX9 was found to be a target of miR-206. Furthermore, down-regulation of SOX9 by shRNA performed similar effects with overexpression of miR-206. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggested that miR-206 acts as tumor suppressor in NSCLC partially via targeting SOX9.

Serum Osteopontin Levels Correlate with Clinical and Pathological Features in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: A metaanalysis was performed to investigate the association between serum osteopontin (OPN) levels and the clinical pathological features in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. STUDY DESIGN: A systematic literature search was performed to identify relevant studies published prior to September 2014 using PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Data extracted from the selected studies were analyzed using statistical software. RESULTS: Based on our stringent selection criteria only 10 studies contained a combined total of 1,135 NSCLC patients. Our metaanalysis results clearly showed a strong correlation between serum OPN levels and multiple tumor parameters, such as TNM stage, histologic grade, and lymph node metastasis in NSCLC (TNM stage: RR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.62-0.77, p < 0.001; histologic grade: RR = 1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.48, p = 0.016; lymph node metastasis: RR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.48 - 1.93, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that serum OPN levels strongly correlate with clinical and pathological features in NSCLC patients.

Associations of LIG4 and HSPB1 genetic polymorphisms with risk of radiation-induced lung injury in lung cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the correlations of genetic polymorphisms in LIG4 and HSPB1 genes with the radiation-induced lung injury (RILI), especially radiation pneumonitis (RP), in lung cancer patients. METHODS: A total of 160 lung cancer patients, who were diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and received radiotherapy, were included in the present study from September 2009 to December 2011. TaqMan Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to verify the SNPs of LIG4 and HSPB1 genes. Chi-square criterion was used to compare the differences in demographic characteristics, exposure to risk factors, and SNPs genotypes. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated by logistic regression analysis. All statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: A total of 32 (20.0%) lung cancer patients had RP after receiving radiotherapy. Of the 32 cases, 4 cases were of grade 2, 24 cases were of grade 3, and 4 cases were of grade 4. However, our results indicated that the general condition and treatment of all patients had no significant difference with RP risk (P > 0.05). Meanwhile, our results revealed that there was no significant association between the frequencies of LIG4 rs1805388 and HSPB1 rs2868371 genotype distribution and the risk of RP (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we demonstrated that the genetic polymorphisms in LIG4 rs1805388 and HSPB1 rs2868371 were not obviously correlated with the risk of RP and RILI of lung cancer.

Common variations of DNA repair genes are associated with response to platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLCs.

AIM: Individual differences in chemosensitivity and clinical outcome of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients may be induced by host inherited factors. We investigated the impact of XPD Arg156Arg, XPD Asp312Asn, XPD Asp711Asp and XPD Lys751Gln gene polymorphisms on the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC patients. METHODS: A total of 496 were consecutively selected from the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between Jan. 2003 and Nov. 2006, and all patients were followed-up until Nov. 2011. The genotyping of XPD Arg156Arg, XPD Asp312Asn, XPD Asp711Asp and XPD Lys751Gln was conducted by duplex polymerase-chain-reaction with the confronting-two-pair primer methods. RESULTS: Individuals with XPD 312 C/T+T/T and XPD 711 C/T+T/T exhibited poor responses to chemotherapy when compared with the wild- type genotype, with adjusted ORs(95% CI) of 0.67(0.38-0.97) and 0.54(0.35-0.96), respectively. Cox regression showed the median PFS and OS of patients of XPD 312 C/T+T/T genotype and XPD 711 C/T+T/T genotype to be significantly lower than those with wild-type homozygous genotype. CONCLUSION: We found polymorphisms in XPD to be associated with response to platinum-based chemotherapy in NSCLC, and our findings provide information for therapeutic decisions for individualized therapy.