Circ_0002111 modulates the growth process of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells by targeting the miR-363-3p/HMGB1 axis.

Previous studies have suggested that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are engaged in the progression of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). However, the mechanism of circ_0002111 in PTC is still unclear. In this study, quantitative real-time PCR was carried out to measure the expressions of circ_0002111, microRNAs (miRNAs) and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1). Immunohistochemistry assay and western blot were applied for the determination of protein levels. The assays of 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide and thymidine analog 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine were deployed to assess PTC cell viability and proliferation, respectively. Besides, the capacities of cell apoptosis, invasion and angiogenesis were determined by flow cytometry, transwell and tube formation assays, respectively. Moreover, the interaction between miR-363-3p and circ_0002111 or HMGB1 was confirmed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Lastly, we established a xenograft model for the examination of the function of circ_0002111 in vivo. It was found that the expression of circ_0002111 was enhanced in PTC tissues and cells. Silencing circ_0002111 apparently retarded the viability, proliferation, invasion and tube formation, as well as expedited the apoptosis of PTC cells. Besides, circ_0002111 knockdown impeded the growth of the tumor in vivo. For mechanism analysis, circ_0002111 adjusted the expression of HMGB1 by sponge adsorption of miR-363-3p. Moreover, miR-363-3p inhibitor regained the influence of cellular malignant phenotype caused by circ_0002111 knockdown. Additionally, miR-363-3p overexpression impacted the cell functions by targeting HMGB1 in PTC. Thus, silencing circ_0002111 constrained the progression of PTC by the miR-363-3p/HMGB1 axis, which perhaps provided a novel idea of the therapeutic in PTC.

First case of Phthirus pubis and Demodex co-infestation of the eyelids: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Phthirus pubis is an obligate parasite of human beings. Demodex spp. is a much more common parasite of human beings. However, P. pubis infestation accompanied by Demodex mite infestation in eye has not been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the first case of Phthirus pubis and Demodex co-infestation on a 48-years-old woman. She presented to the hospital with itching and burning at her right eye for 2 weeks. Slit lamp examination revealed multiple nits and adults of P. pubis anchored to both upper and lower eyelashes. Eyelashes were trimmed, moxifloxacin eye ointment and fluorometholone eye drops were initiated daily. However, itching didn't improve after 2 weeks of treatment. Light microscopy examination of eyelashes revealed infestation with Demodex. The patient was treated with lid scrubs with 25% tea tree oil daily for 4 weeks and was completely cured. CONCLUSION: Our report shows the importance of an early and comprehensive diagnosis, because both phthiriasis palpebrarum and demodicosis can be confused with blepharitis.

Therapeutic effect of intense pulsed light with optimal pulse technology on meibomian gland dysfunction with and without ocular Demodex infestation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy with optimal pulse technology (OPT) on meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) with and without ocular Demodex infestation. METHODS: This prospective study included 150 patients with MGD who were divided into Demodex-infested (DI) and non-infested (control) groups according to Demodex counts determined by epilating eyelashes to evaluate. Each patient underwent three OPT treatment sessions at 3-week intervals. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), Demodex counts, Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) score, conjunctival congestion, tear meniscus height (TMH), tear breakup time (TBUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), corneal and conjunctival fluorescein staining scores, meibomian gland (MG) macrostructure, lid margin abnormality, MG expressibility, and meibum quality were assessed before the first treatment as baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 months (M1, M2 and M3, respectively) after treatment. RESULTS: The incidence of Demodex infestation was 59.15% (84/142) at baseline and the final Demodex eradication rate at M3 was 83.3% (70/84). Corneal staining and conjunctival congestion showed slower improvement in the DI group than in the control group at M1 and M2 (P<0.05), but was significantly improved at M3 than that at with baseline (P<0.01). Both the groups showed significant improvement in OSDI, conjunctival congestion, TBUT, corneal and conjunctival staining, MG dropout, lid margin abnormality, MG expressibility, and meibum quality at M3 (P<0.05). No differences were observed for BCVA, IOP, SIT, and TMH before and after treatment in both the groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This new-generation IPL with OPT treatment results in greater improvement in MG expressibility and meibum quality in MGD patients with Demodex infestation than in those without, but not for corneal staining.

Correlation between renin-angiotensin system gene polymorphisms and essential hypertension in the Chinese Yi ethnic group.

INTRODUCTION: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been considered to play an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between RAS gene polymorphisms and essential hypertension (EH) in the Chinese Yi ethnic group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 244 EH subjects and 185 normotensive individuals from the Chinese Yi ethnic group were genotyped for AGT M235T (rs699), AT1R A1166C (rs5186), ACE I/D (rs4340) and ACE G2350A (rs4343) polymorphisms by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. RESULTS: Significant differences in the allele and genotype frequency of ACE G2350A were observed between the EH cases and controls (p=0.001, 0.002). After being grouped by gender, significant differences in the allele and genotype frequency of ACE G2350A and AT1R A1166C were observed between females of the EH cases and controls (ACE G2350A: p=0.000, 0.002; AT1R A1166C: p=0.008, 0.011). After excluding the influence of multifactorial interactions, the ACE G2350A polymorphism is significantly associated with the pathogenesis of EH in the Chinese Yi ethnic group (odds ratio (OR)=1.656, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.807-2.524, p=0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The RAS-related ACE G2350A polymorphism is associated with the pathogenesis of EH in the Chinese Yi ethnic group.

[The effect of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation in parenteral nutrition on the outcome of patients with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the supplementation of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in parenteral nutrition (PN) confers treatment benefits to outcomes of septic patients. METHODS: The databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, the CNKI and the Wanfang biomedicine were searched to identify prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared the ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplemented with the standard PN on outcomes of adult patients with sepsis from January 1996 to June 2013. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated, and the Cochrane Collaboration RevMan 5.0 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 12 studies enrolling 721 patients were included. Significant reduction in 28-day mortality [relative risk (RR) 0.77, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.59 to 0.99, P=0.04], short intensive care unit [ICU, weighted mean difference (WMD)=-3.10, 95%CI -5.98 to -0.21, P=0.04] and hospital length of stay (WMD=-3.12, 95%CI -4.65 to -1.60, P<0.000 1) were observed in patients receiving ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplemented PN. There was no differences in days of mechanical ventilation between patients with or without adding ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in PN (WMD=1.33, 95%CI -5.09 to 7.75, P=0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Meta-analysis results demonstrated that PN supplemented with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was beneficial in improving the outcomes of patients with sepsis. However, this conclusion must be interpreted with caution due to the low quality of the enrolled trials.

[Clinical investigation on the compliance and the validity of ventilator bundle].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the compliance of ventilator bundle implementation and its preventive effect on ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP). METHODS: A before and after design was used in this single center study. Patients aged from 18 to 80 years, with mechanical ventilation (MV) duration over 48 hours were recruited during 1 year before (control group) and 2 years after bundle implementation (intervention group). Measurements included the rate of successful ventilator bundle implementation in intervention group, incidence of VAP, duration of MV and mortality within 28 days in both groups. RESULTS: A total number of 237 patients, including 71 patients in control arm and 166 patients in intervention arm, were recruited in this study. There was no statistical significance in ratio of sex, mean age, category of diseases or mean acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score between two groups (all P>0.05). Significant changes were not found in MV duration [(5.9+/-5.6) days vs. (5.2+/-6.1) days], incidence of VAP (21.1% vs. 20.5%) and mortality within 28 days (16.9% vs. 19.8%) between control and intervention group as well. In intervention group, 57 of 166 (34.3%) patients were successfully implemented all of four ventilator bundle items. The successful rate of ventilator bundle implementation were 62.5% (35/56), 22.1% (21/95) and 6.7% (1/15) in patients received MV duration < or =3 days, 4-7 days and >7 days respectively. Among the four items of the bundle, head of bed elevation > or =30 degree angle had the lowest successful rate [43.4% (72/166)]. But it was much better in the implementation of daily wake-up plus weaning, prevention of peptic ulcer and prevention of deep vein thrombosis formation [92.2% (153/166), 88.0% (146/166) and 83.1% (138/166) respectively]. CONCLUSION: The poor compliance of ventilator bundle is an important factor in impacting the efficacy of ventilator bundle.