Identification of Circular RNA Circ_0003256 as a Novel Player in Pediatric Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is tightly associated with the pathogenesis of human cancers, including pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this report, we sought to define the precise action of circ_0003256 in the pathogenesis of pediatric AML. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Circ_0003256, microRNA (miR)-582-3p, and protein kinase cAMP-activated catalytic subunit beta (PRKACB) were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. Cell proliferation, cycle distribution, and apoptosis were estimated by MTT, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. Direct relationships among circ_0003256, miR-582-3p, and PRKACB were verified by a dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays. RESULTS: Our data indicated that circ_0003256 was highly expressed in pediatric AML patients and cells. Suppression of circ_0003256 hindered cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis in THP-1 and MV4-11 cells. Mechanistically, circ_0003256 contained functional binding sites for miR-582-3p, and circ_0003256 suppression influenced cell behaviors by upregulating miR-582-3p. MiR-582-3p directly targeted and inhibited PRKACB and the inhibition of PRKACB phenocopied miR-582-3p overexpression in regulating cell functional behaviors. Moreover, circ_0003256 involved the posttranscriptional regulation of PRKACB through miR-582-3p. CONCLUSION: Our findings identify that suppression of circ_0003256 impedes the malignant behaviors of pediatric AML cells by regulating PRKACB expression by competing for shared miR-582-3p.

[Prevalence of informing of HIV infection status during medical care seeking and influential factors among people living with HIV/AIDS].

OBJECTIVE: To understand the prevalence of informing doctors of the HIV infection status during medical care seeking and influential factors among people living with HIV/AIDS. METHODS: The study was conducted among people living with HIV/AIDS in 7 provinces in China, including those receiving HIV test, HIV counsel and HIV infection treatment. The data were analyzed with software SAS 9.2. Chi-square test was used to compare the informing rates in patients with different characteristics. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the influential factors. RESULTS: Of the 2 432 HIV/AIDS patients, 49.7% (716/1 442) didn't inform the doctors of their HIV infection status actively. The non-active informing rate was 51.9% (559/1 077) in males, 62.9% (212/337) in age group 18-30 years old, 58.1% (555/955) in those with a educational level >primary school, 65.7% (241/367) in those working in private/joint companies or the self employed and 62.5% (197/315) in those living in small cities. The non active informing rate was highest in those infected through sexual contact (66.3%, 275/415). Multivariate logical regression analysis indicated that those infected through illegal blood donation would like to inform of the HIV infection status actively (OR=0.083, 95% CI: 0.049-0.141) , but those working in private/joint companies or the self employed would like not to inform of the HIV infection status actively (OR=1.531, 95% CI: 1.017-2.304). CONCLUSION: The non active informing rate of HIV infection status was high in people living with HIV/AIDS. It is necessary to conduct the targeted health education to encourage people living with HIV/AIDS to inform of their HIV infection status actively.