Effect miR-214-3p on proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells by targeting survivin protein.

OBJECTIVE: Studies showed that microRNAs (miRs) play an important role in the development of breast cancer. It has been shown that there were significant differences between the expression levels of serum miR-214-3p in breast cancer patients and healthy controls. Since survivin is involved in cell cycle and apoptosis, this study aims to investigate the effect of miR-214-3p on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dual-Luciferase reporter system was used to validate the cell cycle-related target gene survivin. miRanda and TargetScan were used to predict miR-214-3p target genes. Lipofectamine 2000 was used to transfect the miR-214-3p mimics, miR-NC into the MCF-7 cells. The quantitative Real Time-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-214-3p and survivin. The 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to examine the cell proliferation of breast cancer cells. The flow cytometry assay was used to evaluate the apoptosis of breast cancer cells. RESULTS: Dual-Luciferase reporter assay showed that cells co-transfected with wild-type vector and miR-214-3p mimics had significant lower ratios of hRluc/Luc fluorescence compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). The expression level of miR-214-3p was increased along with the increase of time after transfection, whereas the expression level of survivin mRNA was decreased along with the increase of time post transfection. This result suggests that miR-214-3p regulates the mRNA expression of survivin. Transfection of miR-214-3p inhibitor increased the proliferation of MCF-7 cells and transfection of miR-214-3p mimics decreased the proliferation of MCF-7 cells compared to control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Survivin gene is a downstream target of miR-214-3p in breast cancer cells. The expression of miR-214-3p and survivin is correlated with the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells.

[Differentiation of prostatitis and clinically significant prostate cancer in peripheral zone using the prostate imaging-reporting and data system].

Objective: To determine whether clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa) and prostatitis in the peripheral zone can be distinguished using prostate imaging reporting and data system version 1 (PI-RADS V1) and version 2(PI-RADS V2). Methods: Between September 2010 and August 2016, mpMRI data of 77 patients with PCa and 29 prostatitis obtained at 3.0 T were collected in Zhangjiagang Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University. Every lesion was scored according to PI-RADS (V1 and V2), as well as a sum score and a PI-RADS V2 score. The non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess differences between PCa and prostatitis regarding PS3, PS4 and PI-RADS V2 score. The diagnostic performance of PI-RADS V1 and V2 for detection of prostatitis in peripheral zone was compared by analyzing ROC curve. Results: The PI-RADS V1 score for PS3, PS4 and the PI-RADS V2-score were all significantly higher for PCa (PS3:12.1±2.1; PS4:16.2±2.9; V2:4.6±0.8) than for prostatitis (PS3:8.0±0.7; PS4:10.6±1.0; V2:3.0±0.5) (all P<0.01). Of these parameters, PS4 achieved the highest predictive value for the presence of prostatitis with an AUC of 0.937, sensitivity and specificity were 87.0%, 97.0% with a threshold of 12.5. Conclusion: Prostatitis can be differentiated from clinically significant PCa in peripheral zone on mpMRI using PI-RADS system, PS4 achieved better results compared to PS3 and V2.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of oral probiotics for the prevention of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD) in hospitalized children and adolescents has been increasing year-on-year. Paediatric CDAD places a significant economic burden on healthcare systems. Probiotics are live organisms thought to improve the microbial balance of the host, counteract disturbances in intestinal flora, and reduce the risk of colonization by pathogenic bacteria. AIM: A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to assess the economy of probiotics for the prevention of CDAD in children and adolescents receiving antibiotics. METHODS: A decision tree model combining clinical effectiveness, utility and cost data was used. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to determine the robustness of the model outcomes. FINDING: The 'oral probiotics' strategy and 'no probiotics' strategy offered patients 0.05876 and 0.056 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at a cost of $16,668.70 and $20,355.28, respectively. The oral probiotics strategy exhibited higher QALY and lower cost, and represents the cost-saving strategy. The results were robust for sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: From the perspective of the medical system, oral probiotics as a preventive strategy for CDAD in hospitalized children and adolescents receiving a therapeutic course of antibiotics reduced the risk of CDAD and represents a cost-saving strategy.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: long-term outcomes of faecal microbiota transplantation for Clostridium difficile infection.

BACKGROUND: Clostridium difficile infection is a major cause of nosocomial diarrhoea. AIM: To evaluate long-term (≥90 days) efficacy and safety of faecal microbiota transplantation for C. difficile infection and explore the factors affecting the faecal microbiota transplantation outcomes. METHODS: MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE were searched and only observational studies that utilised faecal microbiota transplantation for C. difficile infection with long-term follow-up duration (≥90 days) were included. Primary cure rate, overall recurrence rate and early (<90 days) and late (≥90 days) recurrence rate were calculated. RESULTS: Eighteen observational studies with 611 patients were included. The primary cure rate was 91.2% (95% confidence interval, CI 86.7-94.8%). The overall recurrence rate was 5.5% (95% CI 2.2-10.3%). The early recurrence rate and late recurrence rate were 2.7% (95% CI 0.7-6.0%) and 1.7% (95% CI 0.4-4.2%) respectively. Most adverse events were expected, short-lived, self-limited and manageable. The association between faecal microbiota transplantation therapy and adverse events such as inflammatory bowel disease flare, infectious disease and autoimmune disease was a concern but remained insignificant. Old age (≥65 years) was identified as a risk factor for after faecal microbiota transplantation therapy. Upper gastrointestinal administration also results in less frequent primary cure. CONCLUSIONS: Faecal microbiota transplantation seems to be a highly effective and robust therapy for recurrent C. difficile infection. However, more quality studies, such as randomised controlled trials and cohort studies with control groups, are needed to confirm its long-term efficacy and safety.

Timing of the initiation of bisphosphonates after surgery for fracture healing: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

SUMMARY: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Early administration of bisphosphonates (BPs) after surgery did not appear to delay fracture healing time either radiologically or clinically. Furthermore, the anti-resorptive efficacy of BPs given immediately after surgical repair should positively affect the rate of subsequent fractures. INTRODUCTION: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used in the prophylaxis and treatment of osteoporosis. However, early administration of BPs after surgical repair of a fracture may limit the reserve capacity of bone to heal. The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to analyze the benefits and adverse effects of early administration of BPs and give recommendations regarding when BPs should be utilized. METHODS: We identified randomized controlled trials comparing the early administration of BPs to placebo, delayed BP treatment, or no therapy in adult patients after surgery. The search was performed in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase. RESULTS: Ten studies with 2888 patients were included. Four trials used alendronate, three trials used zoledronic, two trials used risedronate, and one trial used etidronate. Early administration of BPs was considered less than 3 months after surgery. Patients treated with BP therapy had no significant differences in radiological fracture healing times compared with patients in the control group (mean difference [MD] 0.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.75 to 3.69). There were also no significant differences in the rate of delay or nonunion of fracture healing (odds ratio [OR] 0.98, 95% CI 0.64 to 1.50). However, the bone mineral density (BMD) of total hips did significantly improve after 12 months of treatment with BPs. And most bone turnover markers of patients in the study group were significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Early administration of BPs after surgery did not appear to delay fracture healing time either radiologically or clinically. Furthermore, according to the changes in BMD and bone turnover markers, the anti-resorptive efficacy of BPs given immediately after surgical repair should positively affect the rate of subsequent fractures.

Associations between polymorphisms of the GFI1B gene and growth traits of indigenous Chinese goats.

This study aimed to investigate polymorphisms of the eighth exon in the GFI1B gene among three indigenous Chinese goat breeds (QianBei Ma goats, GuiZhou white goats, and GuiZhou black goats). Furthermore, association analysis was conducted between these polymorphisms and growth traits. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP), direct DNA sequencing, and PCR-restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were applied to detect polymorphism sites, and a general linear model was used to analyze their association with growth traits. We found two consistent single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in the eighth exon of the GFI1B gene among the three breeds: 263 bp G→T and 340 bp G→A. The fixed effects model used to analyze growth traits revealed significant differences in body weight, body length, chest depth, and chest breadth between genotypes CD, CC, and DD (P < 0.01). The 340(G/C) polymorphic sites identified here will provide a basis to further study associations between the GFI1B gene and growth traits, as well as establish a theoretical foundation to develop better feeding and genetic resources of indigenous goats.

Apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells line SGC 7901 induced by garlic-derived compound S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC).

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological and experimental carcinogenesis studies provide evidence that components of garlic (Allium sativum) have anticancer activity. Hepatocellular carcinoma is highly malignant and metastatic. Currently, there is no effective chemotherapy for patients with advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma leading to an urgent need to seek for novel therapeutic options. AIM: To investigate the effect of cell growth, cell apoptosis of Garlic-Derived Compound S-Allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) on Human Gastric Cancer Cells Line SGC 7901 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The SGC 7901 cells were cultured with different concentration's SAMC. Cell viability was detected by AO/EB staining. JNK and P38 pathway were assayed by PCR (polymerase chain reaction). RESULTS: The best concentration of SAMC (300 µM) for induction SGC 7901 apoptosis was confirmed through cell viability. The PCR assay demonstrated that JNK and P38 pathway play important role in apoptosis of SGC 7901 cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that SAMC can inhibit cell proliferation and induct apoptosis of SGC 7901 cells via JNK and P38 pathway.

cDNA cloning and analysis of polymorphism of GFI1B gene in GuiZhou white goat.

This study mainly aimed to research the CDS sequence (coding sequence), polymorphisms of exon 1, exon 2 and part of exon 8 of GFI1B in GuiZhou white goat of indigenous Chinese goat. The cDNA of GFI1B was analysed through bioinformatics which was obtained by the reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The polymorphisms of GFI1B gene exons region was identified whose association with growth traits was analysed by GuiZhou white goat. The results revealed that the cDNA of GFI1B which contained a complete open reading frame (ORF) was 996 bp in full length. The accession numbers on GenBank was JX627316. One new mutation sites of C347A had been determined in the eighth intron. Our results could lay the foundation for the further investigation on the role of GFI1B gene in goat growth traits.

[Effect of taozhi zhipo granule on intestinal adhesion in rats and exploration of its therapeutic mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutical mechanism of Taozhi Zhipo Granule (TZZPG) on intestinal adhesion. METHODS: Fed SD male rats of intestinal adhesion model with TZZPG 10, 20 g/kg.d continuously for 12 days. RESULTS: TZZPG could alleviate the degree and the average length of intestinal adhesion in rats. It also could prolong bleeding time in mice and plasma recuperation time of guinea-pigs, improve the auricular microcirculation in mice, accelerate the removing speed of charcoal powder in mice's intestine and slightly strengthen the contraction of rat intestine in vitro. TZZPG relieved the croton oil topical edema of ear and reduced the capillary permeability of abdominal cavity in mice. TZZPG could enhance the phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: TZZPG has preventive effect on intestinal adhesion. The action might be due to improve the ischemia in local tissue, strengthen the contraction of intestine and inhibit the inflammation.

[Determination of the rate of micronucleus formation in lymphocytes in liver diseases and its clinical significance].

The rate of micronucleus formation in lymphocytes was determined in 42 patients (including 10 acute icteric hepatitis B, 15 chronic active hepatitis B (CAH), 8 liver cirrhosis and 9 liver cancer) and 13 normal subjects. The results showed that the rate of micronucleus formation in lymphocytes in the patients with CAH (12.267 +/- 5.298%), liver cirrhosis (12.375 +/- 8.551%) or liver cancer (19.444 +/- 13.324%) was markedly higher than that in those with acute icteric hepatitis B (5.400 +/- 1.430%) or normal subjects (3.308 +/- 1.284%) (P less than 0.01). The rate of micronucleus formation in lymphocytes is higher in the liver cancer group than that in the CAH group or cirrhosis group (P less than 0.05). The rate of presence of two or more micronuclei in the lymphocytes was obviously higher in the liver cancer group (3.667 +/- 4.743%) than that in the liver cirrhosis group (1.500 +/- 1.690%), CAH group (1.467 +/- 1.807%), acute icteric hepatitis B group (0.600 +/- 1.075%) or healthy group (0.462 +/- 0.660%) (P less than 0.01 or less than 0.05). This method is much simpler than the measurement of chromosomal damage, and its reliability is as good as the latter. Measurement of micronuclei in lymphocytes can reflect the degree of liver damage in patients with the infection of hepatitis B virus. It may be used as the subclinical marker of the patients with liver cancer too.