IL-1ß promotes cervical cancer through activating NF-κB/CCL-2.

Cervical cancer is a malignancy with high morbidity and mortality among women. Interleukin (IL)-1ß, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL-2), and activation of NF-κB have been proven to be closely related to the progression of various tumors. However, their role in cervical cancer remains unclear. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected using MTT, wound healing, and transwell assays. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to measure expression of target genes. IL-1ß greatly promoted the release of CCL-2 from HeLa cells. Activation of NF-κB and phosphorylated NF-κB (p65) nuclear translocation were accelerated by IL-1ß. TPCA-1, a blocker of NF-κB, significantly inhibited the release of CCL-2 from HeLa cells. TPCA-1 markedly reversed the promotional effect of IL-1ß on viability of HeLa cells. IL-1ß increased the cell migration, proliferation, and invasion of HeLa cells through targeting the NF-κB/CCL-2 pathway. IL-1ß/NF-κB/CCL-2 might be a promising treatment target for cervical cancer treatment and prevention.

Changes of δ15N values during the volatilization process after applying urea on soil.

Ammonia (NH3) volatilized from soils plays an important role in N cycle and air pollution, thus it is important to trace the emission source and predict source contributions to development strategies mitigating the environmental harmful of soil NH3 volatilization. The measurements of 15N natural abundance (δ15N) could be used as a complementary tool for apportioning emissions sources to resolve the contribution of multiple NH3 emission sources to air NH3 pollution. However, information of the changes of δ15N-NH3 values during the whole volatilization process under different N application rates are currently lacking. Hence, to fill this gap, we conducted a 15-day incubation experiment included different urea-N application rates to determine δ15N values of NH3 during volatilization process. Results showed that volatilization process depleted 15N in NH3. The average δ15N value of NH3 volatilized from the 0, 20, 180, and 360 kg N ha-1 treatment was -16.2 ± 7.3‰, -26.0 ± 5.4‰, -34.8 ± 4.8‰, and -40.6 ± 5.7‰. Overall, δ15N-NH3 values ranged from -46.0‰ to -4.7‰ during the whole volatilization process, with lower in higher urea-N application treatments than those in control. δ15N-NH3 values during the NH3 volatilization process were much lower than those of the primary sources, soil (-3.4 ± 0.1‰) and urea (-3.6 ± 0.1‰). Therefore, large isotopic fractionation may occur during soil volatilization process. Moreover, negative relationships between soil NH4+-N and NH3 volatilization rate and δ15N-NH3 values were observed in this study. Our results could be used as evidences of NH3 source apportionments and N cycle.

Long Non-Coding RNA HULC Promotes Cervical Cancer Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion via miR-218/TPD52 Axis.

OBJECTIVE: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as important players in tumorigenesis. LncRNA highly upregulated in liver cancer (HULC) has been identified as a key regulator in the progression of various cancers. However, the functional role and the mechanisms of HULC in regulating cervical cancer cell behavior remain unclear. METHODS: HULC expression, miR-218 expression and TPD52 mRNA level in cervical cancer cells were examined by qRT-PCR. Cell proliferation was evaluated by MTT assay. Cell migration and invasion were examined by Transwell assay. TPD52 protein level was measured by Western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was measured to verify the combination of HULC and miR-218 as well as miR-218 and TPD52. RESULTS: HULC expression was upregulated in cervical cancer cell lines, and HULC promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Mechanistically, HULC acted as a sponge of miR-218 to elevate expression of TPD52, a target of miR-218, and thereby promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. CONCLUSION: HULC promotes cervical cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion via miR-218/TPD52 axis.

Role and mechanism of the Th17/Treg cell balance in the development and progression of insulin resistance.

The pathogenic mechanism of insulin resistance and associated diseases such as metabolic syndrome and diabetes remains unclear. Since inflammatory cytokines secreted by T cells play an important role in immune system homeostasis, we evaluated the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the Th17/Treg balance in insulin sensitivity and the underlying mechanism in a rat model. After establishing an insulin-resistant rat model, the rats were injected with anti-mouse IL-6R receptor antibody (MR16-1) to block IL-6. Adipose tissue and blood samples were obtained for the analysis of cytokines, Th17 and Treg markers, and insulin sensitivity blood parameters, for comparisons with those of the normal control group, IL-6-blocked control group, and insulin resistance control group. In the insulin resistance control group, the expression levels of IL-6, RORγt, and IL-17 increased, whereas those of IL-10, FoxP3, and CD4+CD25+Treg decreased. Insulin sensitivity decreased, whereas glucose, total serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acid levels significantly increased. However, the completely opposite effects for all parameters were detected in the insulin resistance IL-6-blocked group. Insulin resistance can cause inflammation and an imbalance in Th17 cells/Treg cells. IL-6 can restore this imbalance and play an important role in the development and progression of insulin resistance.

[Diversified health education mode applied in oral health care of preschool children].

PURPOSE: In regard to the current problems and deficiencies of preschool children's oral health, diversity of health education intervention was carried out, and the effect was evaluated. METHODS: Three kindergartens in Pudong New District were randomly selected. The children's age ranged from 4 to 5 years old. One hundred and ten children from one kindergarten were randomly selected as the intervention group, executing special health training and various related health education activities for a period of 1 year. Another 220 children from 2 kindergartens were chosen as control group, no special health education and behavior intervention were given. After the interventional period, the situation of children with suffering from dental caries in the intervention group and the control group, scores of oral health knowledge, and the improvement of behavior were compared. SPSS19.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: After 1 year of health education intervention, scores of oral knowledge and oral health behaviors in the interventional group increased significantly. However, caries prevalence and the average number of caries had no significant differences between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: The diversity of oral health education plays a positive role in the kindergarten for pre-school children's oral health knowledge, attitude and behavior change.