Hsa_circ_0005397 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression through EIF4A3.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the expression and potential mechanism of hsa_circ_0005397 in hepatocellular carcinoma progression. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression level of hsa_circ_0005397 and EIF4A3 from paired HCC tissues and cell lines. Western Blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to verify the protein level of EIF4A3. The specificity of primers was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve was drawn to analyze diagnostic value. Actinomycin D and nuclear and cytoplasmic extraction assays were utilized to evaluate the characteristics of hsa_circ_0005397. Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays were performed to detect cell proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the cell cycle. Transwell assay was performed to determine migration and invasion ability. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) of hsa_circ_0005397 in HCC were explored using bioinformatics websites. The relationship between hsa_circ_0005397 and Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4A3 (EIF4A3) was verified by RNA Binding Protein Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays, correlation and rescue experiments. RESULTS: In this study, hsa_circ_0005397 was found to be significantly upregulated in HCC, and the good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity shown a potential diagnostic capability. Upregulated expression of hsa_circ_0005397 was significantly related to tumor size and stage. Hsa_circ_0005397 was circular structure which more stable than liner mRNA, and mostly distributed in the cytoplasm. Upregulation of hsa_circ_0005397 generally resulted in stronger proliferative ability, clonality, and metastatic potency of HCC cells; its downregulation yielded the opposite results. EIF4A3 is an RNA-binding protein of hsa_circ_0005397, which overexpressed in paired HCC tissues and cell lines. In addition, expression of hsa_circ_0005397 decreased equally when EIF4A3 was depleted. RIP assays and correlation assay estimated that EIF4A3 could interacted with hsa_circ_0005397. Knockdown of EIF4A3 could reverse hsa_circ_0005397 function in HCC progression. CONCLUSIONS: Hsa_circ_0005397 promotes progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through EIF4A3. These research findings may provide novel clinical value for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Clinical study of standard residual liver volume and transient elastography in predicting poor prognosis of patients after hemihepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Liver cancer resection, especially in patients with hemihepatectomy or extended hemihepatectomy, often leads to poor prognosis, such as liver insufficiency and even liver failure and death, because the standard residual liver volume (SRLV) cannot be fully compensated after surgery. AIM: To explore the risk factors of poor prognosis after hemihepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma and evaluate the application value of related prognostic approaches. METHODS: The clinical data of 35 patients with primary liver cancer in Nantong Third People's Hospital from February 2016 to July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic curve was created using medcac19.0.4 to compare the critical values of the SRLV in different stages of liver fibrosis after hemihepatectomy with those of liver dysfunction after hemihepatectomy. It was constructed by combining the Child-Pugh score to evaluate its application value in predicting liver function compensation. RESULTS: The liver stiffness measure (LSM) value and SRLV were associated with liver dysfunction after hemihepatectomy. Logistic regression analysis showed that an LSM value ≥ 25 kPa [odds ratio (OR) = 6.254, P < 0.05] and SRLV ≤ 0.290 L/m2 (OR = 5.686, P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for postoperative liver dysfunction. The accuracy of the new liver reserve evaluation model for predicting postoperative liver function was higher than that of the Child-Pugh score (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: SRLV and LSM values can be used to evaluate the safety of hemihepatectomy. The new liver reserve evaluation model has good application potential in the evaluation of liver reserve function after hemihepatectomy.

Clinical and pathological characteristics of acute kidney injury caused by diquat poisoning.

Introduction: Diquat poisoning leads to kidney injury, hepatotoxicity, rhabdomyolysis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and respiratory failure. Diquat has high mortality and no specific antidote. The pathology of acute kidney injury caused by diquat poisoning has been mainly investigated in animal studies and autopsies, and typically shows renal tubular necrosis. To our knowledge, antemortem renal biopsy has not been reported in humans.Case reports: Two males and one female presented following deliberate diquat self-poisoning. Their main clinical manifestations were abdominal pain, nausea, and emesis. All developed acute kidney injury. Kidney biopsy was performed in two cases which showed acute tubular necrosis with renal interstitial edema and multifocal inflammatory cell infiltration. Treatments given included gastric lavage, catharsis, early hemoperfusion combined with continuous kidney replacement therapy or hemodialysis, administration of glucocorticoids, and antioxidant therapy. All patients survived.Discussion: Despite potentially lethal ingestions three patients survived oral diquat poisoning with intensive supportive care. No clear relationship can be made between any of the therapies given and patient outcome.Conclusions: Kidney biopsy in these patients confirmed proximal renal tubular injury was the major pathological finding although interstitial injury was also present. The role of therapies that address renal pathology requires further study.

PIWIL1 interacting RNA piR-017724 inhibits proliferation, invasion, and migration, and inhibits the development of HCC by silencing PLIN3.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of primary liver cancers. Worldwide, liver cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death. Recent studies have found that PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) participate in the occurrence and development of various tumors and are closely related to the growth, invasion, metastasis and prognosis of malignant tumors. Studies on the role and functional mechanism of piRNAs in HCC development and progression are limited. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to detect the expression of piR-017724 in both HCC tissues and cells. Based on the clinical data of HCC patients, the clinical and prognostic value of piR-017724 was further analyzed. Then, targeted silencing and overexpressing of piR-017724 in HCC cells was further used to examine the biological functions of piR-017724. In addition, the downstream target protein of piR-017724 was predicted and validated through high-throughput sequencing and public databases. Results: The piR-017724 was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and cells, and the downregulation of piR-017724 was associated with tumor stage and poor prognosis in HCC. The piR-017724 inhibitor promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells, while the piR-017724 mimic had the opposite effect. However, the piR-017724 did not affect apoptosis of HCC cells. High-throughput sequencing and qRT-PCR confirmed a reciprocal relationship between piR-017724 and PLIN3. Therefore, we speculate that piR-017724 may inhibit the development and progression of HCC by affecting the downstream protein PLIN3. Conclusions: Our study shows that piR-017724, which is lowly expressed in HCC, inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells and may affect the development of hepatocellular liver cancer through PLIN3, which provides new insights into the clinical application of piR-017724 in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Detection of antibiotic-resistant canine origin Escherichia coli and the synergistic effect of magnolol in reducing the resistance of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli.

Background: The development of antimicrobial resistance in the opportunistic pathogen Escherichia coli has become a global public health concern. Due to daily close contact, dogs kept as pets share the same E. coli with their owners. Therefore, the detection of antimicrobial resistance in canine E. coli is important, as the results could provide guidance for the future use of antibiotics. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of antibiotic-resistance of canine origin E. coli in Shaanxi province and to explore the inhibition effect of magnolol combined with cefquinome on MDR E. coli, so as to provide evidence for the use of antibiotics. Methods: Canine fecal samples were collected from animal hospitals. The E. coli isolates were separated and purified using various indicator media and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Drug-resistance genes [aacC2, ant(3')-I, aph(3')-II, aac(6')-Ib-cr, aac(3')-IIe, bla KPC , bla IMP-4 , bla OXA , bla CMY , bla TEM-1 , bla SHV , bla CTX-M-1 , bla CTX-M-9 , Qnra, Qnrb, Qnrs, TetA, TetB, TetM, Ermb] were also detected by PCR. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 10 antibiotics using the broth-microdilution method. Synergistic activity of magnolol and cefquinome against multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli strains was investigated using checkerboard assays, time-kill curves, and drug-resistance curves. Results: A total of 101 E. coli strains were isolated from 158 fecal samples collected from animal hospitals. MIC determinations showed that 75.25% (76/101) of the E. coli strains were MDR. A total of 22 drug-resistance genes were detected among the 101 strains. The bla TEM-1gene exhibited the highest detection rate (89.77%). The TetA and Sul gene also exhibited high detection rate (66.34 and 53.47%, respectively). Carbapenem-resistant E. coli strains were found in Shangluo and Yan'an. Additionally, in MDR E. coli initially resistant to cefquinome, magnolol increased the susceptibility to cefquinome, with an FICI (Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index) between 0.125 and 0.5, indicating stable synergy. Furthermore, magnolol enhanced the killing effect of cefquinome against MDR E. coli. Resistance of MDR E. coli to cefquinome decreased markedly after treatment with magnolol for 15 generations. Conclusion: Our study indicates that antibiotic-resistance E. coli has been found in domestic dogs. After treatment with magnolol extracted from the Chinese herb Houpo (Magnolia officinalis), the sensitivity of MDR E. coli to cefquinome was enhanced, indicating that magnolol reverses the resistance of MDR E. coli. The results of this study thus provide reference for the control of E. coli resistance.

Plasma circRNAs as Biomarkers in Cancer.

The incidence and mortality of cancer are increasing each year. At present, the sensitivity and specificity of the blood biomarkers that were used in clinical practice are low, which make the detection rate of cancer decrease. With advances in bioinformatics and technology, some non-coding RNA as biomarkers can be easily detected through some traditional and new technologies. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are non-coding RNAs, that is, they do not encode proteins, and have important regulatory functions. CircRNAs can remain stable in bodily fluids, such as in saliva, blood, urine, and especially plasma. The difference in the expression of plasma circRNAs between cancer patients and normal people may suggest that plasma circRNAs may play an important role in the occurrence and development of cancer. In this review, we summarized the clinical effect of plasma circRNAs in several high-incidence cancers. CircRNAs may be effective biomarkers for tumour diagnosis, treatment selection and prognosis evaluation.

miR-146a promoted breast cancer proliferation and invasion by regulating NM23-H1.

The study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of miR-146a in proliferation, invasion and migration of breast cancer and its possible mechanism via NM23-H1. The expression levels of miR-146a in breast cancer with different pathological classification were significantly increased, while the expression levels of NM23-H1 were significantly decreased, which were closely correlated. Double luciferase reporter gene was used to verify the target regulatory relationship between miR-146 and NM23-H1 on a human breast cancer cell line. miR-146a was closely related to the proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer. miR-146a also promoted the growth of breast cancer in vivo via targeting NM23-H1. In conclusion, miR-146 can promote the proliferation and invasion of breast cancer by targeting NM23-H1.

The effect and mechanism of YH0618 granule on chemotherapy- induced hair loss in patients with breast cancer: study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Hair loss is one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy, and can cause persistent negative emotions, further affecting therapeutic effects and reducing the quality of life. However, there are no clinically safe and effective methods to solve the problem at present. Our previous clinical and animal studies showed that a medicinal and edible decoction, YH0618, could significantly promote hair growth in cancer patients after chemotherapy, without interfering with the anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy. Besides, the theory of Chinese Medicine believes that the "Essence of the kidney is reflected on the hair". Therefore, this study will further explore the efficacy of YH0618 granule on chemotherapy-induced hair loss in patients with breast cancer by a randomized, double-blind, multi-center clinical trial and elucidate the potential mechanism from the aspect of kidney deficiency or renal dysfunction. METHODS/DESIGN: Eligible breast cancer patients who will start chemotherapy will be randomly divided into group A (YH0618 granule) and group B (placebo). The chemotherapeutic agents contain taxanes or/and anthracyclines, and the chemotherapy regimen will be for at least six cycles with a cycle every 3 weeks. Subjects assigned to group A will receive YH0618 granules twice a day (6 g each time), 6 days a week, mixed with 300 ml warm water from the first to the fourth chemotherapy cycle. Subjects in group B will receive the placebo granule in the same manner. The primary outcome is the time point of occurrence of hair loss reaching grade II as assessed by the WHO Toxicity Grading Scale, and objective indices of hair quality and hair-follicle growth recorded by a hair and scalp detector before the fifth chemotherapy cycle. Secondary outcomes include changes of facial color and thumbnail color, grading of thumbnails ridging, assessment of quality life, level of fatigue, routine blood test results, hepatic and renal function, and certain medical indicators which can reflect kidney deficiency in Chinese Medicine. DISCUSSION: This research is of great significance for the treatment of cancer and improving the quality of life of cancer patients. The study may provide the most direct evidence for meeting clinical needs and lay a solid scientific foundation for later product development. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ID: ChiCTR1800020107. Registered on 14 December 2018.

Sulfonated graphene oxide as an adsorbent for removal of Pb2+ and methylene blue.

One of the major challenges encountered in some conventional nano-structured adsorbents such as graphene oxide (GO) and graphene is the structural limits including serious aggregation and hydrophilic surface in water. And the sulfanilic acid functionalized graphene oxide (SGO) can powerfully attract positively charged pollutants. Therefore, the SGO served as an adsorbent to remove dyes and toxic metal ions from aqueous solution were intensively investigated. At the same time the reduced sulfonated graphene oxide (rSGO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and graphene oxide (GO) were performed as the comparative samples. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacities of SGO were 2530 mg/g for methylene blue and 415 mg/g for Pb2+, which was much higher than that of the contrast samples and adsorbents reported in literatures. The adsorption of SGO was investigated systematically including the saturated adsorption capacities, isotherm, and kinetic adsorption process. The SGO displayed high adsorption efficiency and superior adsorption capacity toward metal ions and dyes, which is mainly attribute to the good dispersibility and the multiple adsorption sites of SGO. These results are promising not only providing effective adsorbing heavy metal ions and organic dyes, but also gaining insights into adsorption mechanism of graphene materials.

Selective adsorption activities toward organic dyes and antibacterial performance of silver-based coordination polymers.

Two silver-based coordination polymers, [Ag2(bpy)2(cbda)] (BUC-51) and [Ag3(bpy)3(cpda)]·(NO3)·9H2O (BUC-52), have been successfully prepared by slow evaporation at room temperature. These coordination polymers exhibited good adsorptive performances toward series organic dyes with sulfonic groups, which could be ascribed to the AgcdotsO interaction between the silver(I) atoms in CPs and the oxygen atoms from sulfonic groups attached to organic dyes. Both BUC-51 and BUC-52 favoured slow release of Ag+ ions resulting into outstanding long-term antibacterial abilities toward Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (E. coli), which was tested by a minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) benchmark and an inhibition zone testing method. Both scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images demonstrated that these two Ag-based coordination polymers could destroy the bacterial membrane and further cause death. Additionally, the excellent stability in common solvents and good optical stability under UV-visible light facilitated their adsorptive and antibacterial applications.

Hepatitis B viral infection in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a three year follow-up.

AIM: To observe the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in maintenance hemodialysis patients. METHODS: Eighty-eight hemodialysis patients who had been receiving hemodialysis regularly for an average of 39.45 +/- 7.57 (range from 36 to 49) mo were enrolled in this study. HBV markers were measured in these patients before hemodialysis and in 100 healthy controls by the chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMI) method in order to compare the incidence of HBV infection in hemodialysis patients versus normal healthy people. All patients were then divided into two groups: patients positive for HBV markers (i.e. those positive for HBsAg, anti-HBc, HBeAg, anti-HBe, with or without positive anti-HBs) (n = 33), and patients negative for HBV markers (including those only positive anti-HBs) (n = 55). The following information was obtained for all patients: socio-demographic data, number of blood transfusions and some laboratory investigations. After 39.45 +/- 7.57 mo follow-up, HBV markers were measured in these patients by CMI. RESULTS: The incidence of HBV infection in maintenance hemodialysis patients was 37.5%, which was higher than in controls (9%). In the patients positive for HBV markers, there were 13 patients (39.4%) who had a history of blood transfusion, which was more than the number [12 (21.8%), P = 0.04] of patients negative for HBV markers. Eight of the 88 patients negative for HBV markers turned out to be positive, while three of the 33 patients positive for HBV markers turned out to be negative. There was no cirrhosis of the liver or hepatoma occurring in these patients. CONCLUSION: Maintenance hemodialysis patients have a higher risk of HBV infection than the average population. The number of blood transfusions is associated with an increased prevalence of HBV. While it is hard for hemodialysis patients to eliminate HBV, the prognosis of patients with positive HBV markers is good.

miR-34a expression in human breast cancer is associated with drug resistance.

miR-34a is significantly down-regulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines, which may be correlated with breast cancer multi-drug resistance (MDR). Here, we conducted cell-based experiments and clinical studies in a cohort of 113 breast cancer samples to analyze miR-34a expression and breast cancer MDR. Expression of miR-34a is down-regulated in the multi-drug resistant MDR-MCF-7 cells compared with its parental cells. Patients with miR-34a low expression had poorer overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) in comparison with those with high expression. Transfecting miR-34a mimics into MDR-MCF-7 breast cancer cells led to partial MDR reversal. Compared with the control group, miR-34a significantly reduced both the mRNA and protein expressions of BCL-2, CCND1 and NOTCH1, but no obvious changes were found in P53 or TOP-2a expression. In breast cancer tissue samples, the expression of miR-34a was related to BCL-2, CCND1 and NOTCH1, but not to HER-2, P53 and TOP-2a. Altogether, our findings suggest that miR-34a is an MDR and prognosis indicator of breast cancer, which may participate in the regulation of drug-resistant breast cancer by targeting BCL-2, CCND1, and NOTCH1.

Characteristics and clinical outcome of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced acute hepato-nephrotoxicity among Chinese patients.

AIM: To determine the clinicopathological characteristics of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced acute hepato-nephrotoxicity among Chinese patients. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision diagnosis code for acute kidney injury (AKI) (584.5 or 584.9) and for acute liver injury (ALI) (570.0 or 573.3) from January 2004 to December 2013. Medical records were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis of AKI and ALI and to quantify NSAID administration. RESULTS: Seven of 59 patients (11.8%) were identified with acute hepato-nephrotoxicity induced by NSAIDs. Five patients (71.4%) received over the recommended NSAIDs dose. Compared with NSAIDs-associated mere AKI, the risk factors of NSAIDs-induced acute hepato-nephrotoxicity are age older than 60 years (57.1%), a high prevalence of alcohol use (71.4%) and positive hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers (85.7%). Compared with NSAIDs-associated mere ALI, the risk factors of NSAIDs-induced acute hepato-nephrotoxicity are age older than 60 years (57.1%), increased extracellular volume depletion (71.4%), and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitor combined use (57.1%). Acute interstitial nephritis and acute tubulointerstitial disease were apparent in three out of six (42.9%) kidney biopsy patients, respectively. Acute hepatitis was found in four out of six (66.7%) liver biopsy patients. Overall complete recovery occurred in four patients within a mean of 118.25 ± 55.42 d. CONCLUSION: The injury typically occurred after an overdose of NSAIDs. The risk factors include age older than 60 years, alcohol use, positive HBV markers, extracellular volume depletion and RAAS inhibitor combined use.

Transitional cell carcinoma associated with aristolochic acid nephropathy: most common cancer in chronic hemodialysis patients in China.

BACKGROUND: The research of cancer in patients on hemodialysis (HD) in China has not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and histological features and outcomes of cancer in Chinese HD patients. METHODS: The study subjects were 49 cancer patients (1.4%) out of 3448 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients maintained on HD at China-Japan Friendship Hospital from October 1997 to July 2011. RESULTS: Urinary tract cancer (74%) was the most common followed by gastrointestinal tract cancer (12%), breast cancer (6%), lung cancer (4%), thyroid cancer (2%), and hematologic cancer (2%). Thirty-three patients (67%) had urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and 29 of them had aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) as underlying disease. Death occurred in eight patients out of 49, and the survival rate of HD patients with cancer was similar to those without cancer (P = 0.120). CONCLUSION: The urinary tract TCC is the most common cancer in HD patients with AAN in one of the centers of northern China.

[Enriched experiment and endogenous processes of glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs)].

Cell decay is an important part of microbiological endogenous processes, which consists of cell death (reduction in the amount of active bacteria) and activity decay (reduction in the specific activity of active bacteria). By means of measuring maximal anaerobic volatile fatty acid (VFA) uptake rates (VFAUR), analyzing 16S rRNA with fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) and observing membrane integrity by live/dead staining, the aerobic decay characteristics of glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs) in an enriched GAOs sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system were investigated. It was experimentally identified that a highly enriched culture of GAOs (94%) was obtained by maintaining the temperature at 30 degrees C in the SBR and a high m (COD): m (P) at 100 in the feed. The experimental results and calculations revealed that the decay and death rates of GAOs were 0.132 d(-1) and 0.034 d(-1) respectively, which demonstrated that cell death and activity decay accounted for respective 26% and 74% of the total GAOs cell decay. For this reason, cell death was only a minor factor causing the cell decay of GAOs, and activity decay was mostly responsible for this process.

[Experimental study on the effect of COD/P ratios and phosphate recovery on a BNR system].

Based on a BNR system--BCFS, the effect of COD/P and phosphate recovery on the BCFS process was experimentally investigated. The results indicate that a higher P-removal efficiency (87%) and a good P-effluent quality (< or = 0.8 mg x L(-1)) could be maintained at COD/P ratios higher than 24. When COD/P was reduced below 24, the P-removal efficiency was suddenly decreased down to 62% and the P-effluent went up to 5 mg x L(-1). Under the circumstance, chemical phosphate recovery in the side-stream of anaerobic supernatant was combined with bio-P removal. When the side-stream increased up to 30%, the P-effluent went back to < 1 mg x L(-1), with a corresponding phosphate recovery efficiency of 54%.

[Experimental determination of bacterial decay characteristics in biological wastewater treatment system].

The characteristics of cell decay in biological wastewater treatment systems were investigated under aerobic condition, by measuring the decay rate and by determining the death rate with LIVE/DEAD dyeing experiments. It was found that cell decay in biological wastewater treatment systems can be actually described as two parts: decay caused by cell death and decay derived from activity decrease. The experimental results revealed that 60% of cell decay in a nitrifying system was caused by activity decrease and 40% was caused by cell death. In a heterotrophic system, however, activity decrease was responsible for 80% of cell decay, and the other cell decay for 20% was caused by cell death.