MiR-506 suppresses papillary thyroid carcinoma cell proliferation and metastasis via targeting IL17RD.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the role of microRNA-506-3p (miR-506) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and to further explore the underlying mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression level of miR-506 in clinical cases was detected by Real Time-fluorescence quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Meanwhile, RT-qPCR was performed to determine miR-506 expression in different PTC cell lines. Bioinformatics software was used to predict the possible target genes of miR-506. Dual-Luciferase reporter gene assay together with Western blot (WB) assay were used to verify the prediction results. Finally, cellular functions such as proliferation and metastasis capacities were detected in vitro. RESULTS: RT-qPCR was used to measure the expression level of miR-506 in 80 paired PTC cases. The results showed that the expression level of miR-506 in PTC tissues was significantly decreased. In vitro, miR-506 expression was also markedly suppressed in four PTC cell lines. TPC-1 cells expressed the lowest level of miR-506. Subsequently, the target gene of miR-506 was predicted by TargetScan, miRBase and miRanda. The prediction results indicated that IL17RD was an alternative target gene of miR-506. Furthermore, miR-506 was found to remarkably inhibit the Luciferase activity of wild-type IL17RD. However, it had no effect on mutant-type. Besides, the protein expression level of IL17RD was significantly reduced in miR-506-overexpressing TPC-1 cells. More importantly, the restored expression of IL17RD could alleviate the blocking effects of miR-506 on cell proliferation, migration and invasion. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we found that miR-506 could inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of PTC cells. Meanwhile, IL17RD might be a downstream target of the biological process. Our findings provided a new therapeutic direction for the treatment of PTC.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen correlates with fibrosis and necroinflammation: A multicentre perspective in China.

The kinetics of serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during the natural history of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been studied, but the factors affecting them remain unclear. We aimed to investigate the factors affecting HBsAg titres, using data from multicentre, large-sized clinical trials in China. The baseline data of 1795 patients in 3 multicentre trials were studied, and the patients were classified into 3 groups: hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic HBV infection (n = 588), HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B (n = 596), and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (n = 611). HBsAg titres in the different phases were compared, and multiple linear progression analyses were performed to investigate the implicated factors. HBsAg titres varied significantly in different phases (P = .000), with the highest (4.60 log10 IU/mL [10%-90% confidence interval: 3.52 log10 IU/mL-4.99 log10 IU/mL]) in patients with HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection. In all phases, age and HBV DNA were correlated with serum HBsAg level. In HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients, a negative correlation between HBsAg titres and fibrosis stage was observed. Alanine amonitransferase or necroinflammatory activity was also correlated with HBsAg titres in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients. In conclusion, decreased HBsAg titres may be associated with advancing fibrosis in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients or increased necroinflammation in those with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Our findings may help clinicians better understand the kinetics of HBsAg and provide useful insights into the management of this disease.

[Expression of transcription factor SOX5 in human semen].

Objective: To study and analyze the transcript and expression pattern of SOX5 in human semen, thus to provide evidence for exploring the role of transcription factor SOX5 in the process of spermatogenesis in testis. Methods: A total of 61 semen samples and 3 blood samples (as controls) collected from healthy volunteer donors at Shanghai Human Sperm Bank in September 2015 were randomly selected. Expression of SOX5 in the semen samples was detected and quantified using agarose gel electrophoresis and real time-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis. Results: In the human semen samples, SOX5 was found in two different transcript forms: long transcript (L-SOX5) and short transcript (S-SOX5). Moreover, the S-SOX5 was specifically expressed in human semen, not detected in the control blood samples. L-SOX5 and S-SOX5 were primarily found in seminal plasma, with low expression level in sperms. The results of RT-qPCR analysis showed obviously higher mRNA expression levels of L-SOX5 than S-SOX5 in semen (0.280±0.232 vs 0.147±0.103), however, not significantly(P=0.132). Conclusion: SOX5 is expressed as different transcripts in human semen, and different transcripts may play different roles in the process of spermatogenesis in testis.

Age-related changes in anatomic bases for the insertion of zygomatic implants.

The objectives of this study were to verify whether Chinese patients are well-suited for zygomatic implantation and to observe age-related changes in the linear and angular anatomic bases of the maxilla and zygoma. Using three-dimensional images selected from maxillofacial cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans generated by SimPlant, linear and angular measurements were obtained by simulating zygomatic implantation. The edentulous group comprised 40 subjects aged between 62 and 65 years. A total of 120 dentate cases were divided into three groups based on age: the established occlusion group (n=40; 12-15 years old), the adult group (n=40; 37-40 years old), and the elderly group (n=40; 62-65 years old). The mean potential insertion length of the ordinary and additional zygomatic implants became longer with age in the dentate groups. For both zygomatic implant insertion areas, the anteroposterior lengths of the maxilla and zygoma were thicker in the older dentate groups (P<0.05). Significant differences were verified in the installation direction among the dentate groups. Gender was not a significant factor. The zygomatic skeleton changes with age, which results in linear and angular variations in the zygomatic implant insertion area. Therefore, the anatomic bases in Chinese adults are suitable for zygomatic implants.

Range-wide phylogeography and conservation genetics of a narrowly endemic stream salamander, Pachyhynobius shangchengensis (Caudata, Hynobiidae): implications for conservation.

The Shangcheng stout salamander (Pachyhynobius shangchengensis) is an endangered amphibian endemic to the Dabie Mountains, southeast China, and is currently threatened by habitat loss and illegal poaching. Here we used the mitochondrial DNA control region sequence (768 bp) to conduct a comprehensive investigation of genetic diversity, phylogeographic pattern, and demographic history of the species across its geographic distribution to assist its conservation. We concluded that the levels of genetic variation are relatively low in all four populations. Analysis of molecular variance indicated that the most likely phylogeographic pattern is [JGT] [KHJ] [TM, BYM]. Two distinct clades were identified in the phylogenetic tree of 28 haplotypes, corresponding to the two southern populations (TM, BYM) and two northern populations (JGT, KHJ). Significant population differentiation (FST) was detected among all populations. Among the four populations, historical demographic analyses (e.g., the g parameter, the Tajima D test, and the Fu Fs test) did not reveal definite information on population expansion except for the BYM population, which had undergone a strong population expansion event. Based on the analysis of a Bayesian skyline plot, the total population underwent a significant population fluctuation around 20 kya. This may have been triggered by the end of the last glacial maximum. In conclusion, the existence of three evolutionarily significant units (BMY-TM, KHJ, and JGT) and four management units (BMY, TM, KHJ, and JGT) is supported by our study.

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci of the Chinese muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi).

Eight polymorphic microsatellite markers for Muntiacus reevesi were identified and characterized in this study. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 10 across 24-48 samples. The loci showed expected and observed heterozygosities of 0.577-0.876 and 0.387-0.933, respectively, with an average polymorphic information content value of 0.682. These markers should be a useful tool for further population and conservation genetic studies of Muntiacus reevesi.

Developmental characteristics of pectoralis muscle in Pekin duck embryos.

To confirm the entire developmental process and transition point of embryonic Pekin duck pectoral muscle, and to investigate the association between pectoral muscle development and their regulating genes, anatomical and morphological analyses of embryonic Pekin duck skeletal muscles were performed, and the expression patterns of its regulating genes were investigated. The anatomical analysis revealed that body weight increased with age, while increases in pectoral muscle weight nearly ceased after the embryo was 20 days of hatching (E20). The developmental morphological characteristics of Pekin duck pectoral muscle at the embryonic stage showed that E20 was the transition point (from proliferation to fusion) of Pekin duck pectoral muscle. The expression patterns of MRF4, MyoG, and MSTN indicated that E19 or E20 was the fastest point of pectoral muscle development and the crucial transition for Pekin duck pectoral muscle development during the embryonic stage. Together, these findings imply that E20 is the crucial transition point (from proliferation to fusion) of Pekin duck pectoral muscle and that there is no muscle fiber hypertrophy after E20. Results of this study provide further understanding of the developmental process and transition point of Pekin duck pectoral muscle during the embryo stage.

An epidemiological study of sleep quality in adolescents in South China: a school-based study.

BACKGROUND: This study explored the prevalence of disturbed sleep and investigated its distribution characteristics and associated factors in adolescents in South China. METHODS: Junior middle school and senior high school students (n = 1221) were recruited from schools in Shanghai, China. Students completed a questionnaire using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and factors associated with disturbed sleep. RESULTS: The prevalence of a tendency towards poor sleep was 34.32% [95% confidence interval (CI): 31.66-36.98] with no significant difference between genders. This tendency increased with age, yielding a significant group effect (P < 0.01). In middle school and high school, the propensity towards poor sleep was 31.34% (95% CI: 28.29-34.39) and 42.22% (95% CI: 36.92-47.52) respectively. The factors associated with poor sleep were more television viewing during weekdays [odds ratio (OR): 1.56, CI: 1.36-1.71], more frequent computer/Internet use (OR: 1.25, CI: 1.08-1.39), earlier school starting time (OR: 1.12, CI: 1.07-1.28), and more time on homework during weekdays (OR: 1.78, CI: 1.51-1.98) and weekends (OR: 1.35, CI: 1.21-1.52) CONCLUSIONS: A tendency towards poor sleep is common in adolescents in South China and its incidence increases with age. The factors associated with this phenomenon indicate that poor sleep in adolescents could be improved, at least partly, by reducing the use of visual technologies and by changing school timetables.

A study on the electrophysiological heterogeneity of rabbit ventricular myocytes the effect of ischemia on action potentials and potassium currents.

With the whole-cell variant patch-clamp technique, action potentials (AP) and outward potassium currents of rabbit ventricular myocytes isolated from subendocardium and subepicardium were recorded and their changes were observed under normal and ischemia conditions. The results showed that (1) under normal condition, there were differences in the AP figures between ventricular subendocardial and subepicardial myocytes. Action potentials recorded from subepicardial myocytes had shorter action potential duration (APD) and a notch between phases 1 and 2, compared with those of subendocardial myocytes. The resting potential had no significant difference between these two populations of the action myocytes; (2) under ischemia condition, the notch of action potentials of subepicardial myocytes disappeared and the APD was shortened even more, compared with that of subendocardial myocytes; (3) under normal condition, the density of steady-state outward potassium currents of subepicardial myocytes was significantly greater than that of subendocardial myocytes; (4) under ischemia condition, the increase of steady-state outward potassium currents of subepicardial myocytes was greater than that of subendocardial myocytes. Glybenclamide could partly reverse the above changes. It is suggested that the increase of steady-state outward potassium currents during ischemia is mainly due to the opening of I(K-ATP) channels as a result of the deficiency of intracellular ATP caused by ischemia.

[Clinical biochemical observations on treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis with gusong-II].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the curative effect of Cusong II for postmenopausal osteoporosis, and try to reveal its mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-five women, 49 to 62 years old, with 5.6 years menopause were treated as the subjects and followed for 6-9 months, 1-2 years. The course of treatment ranged from 6 months to 2 years and 1 month, and the average treatment period was 1 year and 2 months. Some related biochemical markers, such as serum estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), lasting morning urinary Ca/Cr, 24 h urinary Ca/Cr, 24 h urinary E2, 24 h urinary hydroxyproline (HOP), were measured before and after treatment. RESULTS: After 6-9 months or 1-2 years, the levels of serum E2 and 24 h urinary E2 were raised significantly, while the levels of serum T and urinary Ca/Cr reduced evidently after 1- or 2- year treatment. The levels of serum E2 and 24 h urinary E2 were significantly correlated with levels of lasting morning urinary and 24 h urinary Ca/Cr, serum T, 24 h urinary HOP respectively. CONCLUSION: Gusong-II could elevate the serum E2 levels of postmenopausal women, reduce the discharge of urinary Ca/Cr and HOP, inhibit the bone resorption. The rose of the serum E2 level might be correlated with the conversion of T into E2.

[Excitatory effect of alpha-adrenoceptor on the transient inward current in sheep myocardium].

Acetyl strophanthidin (AS) 0.05 mumol/L was used to induce a stable model of transient inward current (Iti) of sheep Purkinje fibers. The effect of the alpha-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine (PE) 0.3, 1.0 mumol/L on the amplitude and duration of Iti was observed in the presence of propranolol 0.5 mumol/L to block the beta-adrenoceptor. When the preparation was perfused with PE 1.0 mumol/L for 20, 50 min, the amplitude of Iti decreased from control value 12.8 +/- 1.9 nA to respectively 10.7 +/- 1.2 nA (n = 5, P < 0.05) and 9.6 +/- 1.9 nA (n = 5, P < 0.01). The D50 of Iti prolonged correspondingly from control value 145 +/- 24.4 ms to 183.3 +/- 28.1 ms (n = 5, P < 0.05) and 207.5 +/- 34.2 ms (n = 5, P < 0.01). The inhibitory effect of PE on Iti showed a dose- and time-dependent manner. Both the time for arrival of the peak value and for return to baseline of Iti prolonged. This suggests that the kinetics of Iti channel changed in the presence of PE. When the Iti was enhanced by beta- adreceptor agonist isoprenaline (ISO) 1.0 mumol/L, the addition of PE 1.0 mumol/L to the perfusate for 10 min, the inhibitory effect become more pronounced, the amplitude of Iti decreased from 15.6 +/- 3.2 nA to 10.3 +/- 2.2 nA and the D50 of Iti prolonged from 92.5 +/- 14.3 ms to 132.5 +/- 36.0 ms (n = 5, P < 0.01).

Influences of phenylephrine on delayed afterdepolarization and triggered activity in sheep Purkinje fibers.

AIM: To compare the effects of phenylephrine (Phe) on DAD and TA in the absence or presence of propranolol (Pro). METHODS: Using intracellular microelectrode methods to record transmembrane potentials in sheep Purkinje fibers. RESULTS: Perfused Phe 1 mumol.L(-1) for 60 min, in the absence of Pro, Phe increased the amplitude of DAD from 7.5 +/- 1.2 to 9.0 +/- 2.0 mV (n = 8, P < 0.05), nonsignificantly changed the duration of DAD and induced TA in 3/11 preparations; but in the presence of Pro 0.5 mumol.L(-1) blocking beta-adrenoceptors, the amplitude of DAD increased from 7.2 +/- 1.8 to 8.3 +/- 2.1 mV at the first 20 min (n = 8, P < 0.01), and then decreased to 6.3 +/- 1.6 mV, the duration of DAD prolonged from 192 +/- 17 to 280 +/- 27 ms (n = 8, P < 0.01 vs control), meanwhile Phe could suppress the TA induced by acetylstrophanthidin and this effect was blocked by prazosin. CONCLUSION: When Pro is efficiently used in abolishing arrhythmias evoked by catecholmines, apart from directly blocking beta-adrenoceptors, relatively aggravating excitation of alpha-adrenoceptors to suppress DAD and TA is one of the important reasons.

[Effects of isoprenaline and carbachol on delayed after-depolarization in myocardium].

The effects of isoprenaline and carbachol on the delayed after-depolarization (DAD) induced by acetyl strophanthidin of 2.0 x 10(-7) mol/L were observed in sheep cardiac Purkinje fibers. The amplitude of DAD was enhanced by isoprenaline (1.0--3.0 x 10(-8) mol/L) in a dose-dependent manner and the triggered arrhythmia was induced. Carbachol of 2.0 x 10(-6) mol/L alone had no effect on the amplitude of DAD. When the DAD was enhanced by isoprenaline or the triggered arrhythmia was induced, the same concentration of carbachol could decrease the amplitude of DAD significantly and abolish the triggered arrhythmia. However, carbachol did not attenuate the amplitude of the DAD enhanced by high concentration of calcium, aminophylline or histamine. The results suggest that carbachol can antagonize the enhancement of the DAD caused by isoprenaline. This effect is possibly mediated by activation of the muscarinic receptor, which in turn causes a decrease in the adenyl cyclase activity elevated by the activation of the beta-receptor in the membrane.