WAVE3 Facilitates the Tumorigenesis and Metastasis of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma via EMT.

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein family verprolin-homologous domain-containing protein 3 (WAVE3) is reported as an oncogene regulating cell proliferation and motility in multiple malignancies, while its role in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) remains unknown. This study aimed to explore the expression and mechanism of WAVE3 in TSCC. We enrolled 64 TSCC patients admitted between June 2013 and February 2014 and collected their cancerous and adjacent normal tissues to determine WAVE3 expression by immunohistochemistry. The correlation of WAVE3 expression with TSCC patients' pathological characteristics was analyzed. Then, a 7-year follow-up was conducted to observe the value of WAVE3 in evaluating patient outcomes. In addition, human TSCC SCC9, SCC25, and CAL27 cells were purchased and detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), Transwell, and scratch-wound assays for their proliferation, invasion, and migration capacities, while real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting were utilized to quantify WAVE3 and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein expression, respectively. The most active cell lines were selected to be infected with lentiviral vectors that silenced WAVE3 (named WAVE3-sh group) and overexpressed WAVE3 cDNA (named WAVE3-OE group) to observe the impacts of interfering WAVE3 expression on TSCC cell biological behavior. The positive expression of WAVE3 in TSCC tissue was found to be obviously enhanced and predominantly located in the cytoplasm. In addition, close correlations were identified between WAVE3 and T staging, clinical staging, lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis, and differentiation degree (P < 0.05). Increased WAVE3 expression predicted an elevated risk of death, as indicated by the follow-up analysis (P < 0.05). SCC9 was selected for subsequent experiments among various TSCC cell lines studied because it showed the most potent ability to proliferate, invade, and migrate (P < 0.05). Silencing WAVE3 expression in SCC9 cells decreased cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT-related protein expression (P < 0.05), while increasing WAVE3 expression promoted SCC9 viability. WAVE3, which was highly expressed in TSCC, promoted EMT in tumor cells and accelerated their proliferation, invasion, and migration, which might provide a new theoretical basis for molecular targeted therapy of TSCC in the future.

MTFR2 Promotes the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Oral Squamous Carcinoma by Switching OXPHOS to Glycolysis.

MTFR2 is an oncogene involved in the progression of cancer, its' potential mechanism in oral squamous carcinoma remains unknown. The aim of this study was to uncover the bio-function and the mechanism of MTFR2 in the progression of oral squamous carcinoma. We scanned TCGA database to identify MTFR2 as dysregulated genes. qRT-PCR and Western blotting assays were applied to detect the expression pattern of MTFR2 in oral squamous carcinoma. We next established stable MTFR2-overexpressing and MTFR2 knocking down cell lines. A series of experiments were applied and the results indicated that MTFR2 was upregulated in cancer tissue and negatively correlated with the overall survival (OS) of patients in both the TCGA database and our inhouse database. Following experiments showed that MTFR2 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion in an oral squamous carcinoma cell line by switching OXPHOS to glycolysis.

Efficacy of an early home-based cardiac rehabilitation program for patients after acute myocardial infarction: A three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The effect of an early short-term home-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program on ventricular function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients is not yet clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of our CR program on the improvement of myocardial function using three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (3D-STE) in AMI patients. METHODS: Fifty-two AMI patients were randomly assigned to 2 groups after discharge: the rehabilitation group, which participated in an early, home-based CR program, and the control group, which received only usual care. All subjects in both groups underwent 3D-STE examinations of the left ventricle within 48 hours of percutaneous coronary intervention and again 4 weeks after discharge. Global longitudinal strain (GLS), global radial strain (GRS), global area strain (GAS), global circumferential strain (GCS), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and segmental strains were computed. The CR program was initially conducted with supervised inpatient training, followed by an unsupervised home-based training program during a 4-week follow-up. RESULTS: We obtained segmental strains from 832 segments, of which 319 were defined as interventional segments, 179 as ischemic segments, and the remaining segments as normal segments. At the 4-week follow-up, when controlling for baseline values, the rehabilitation group showed significant improvements in GLS, GRS, GCS, GAS, LVEF, and in all of the segmental strains of the 3 subgroups compared with the control group (P <0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that an early, home-based CR program can greatly improve the ventricular function of AMI patients in a short period of time.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Xenophysogobio nudicorpa (Cypriniformes; Cyprinidae).

In this study, the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequence of Xenophysogobio nudicorpa was first determined by DNA sequencing based on the PCR fragments. The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome sequence of X. nudicorpa is a circular molecule of 16,616 bp in length. It consists of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). The gene nucleotide composition of X. nudicorpa is 30.5% A, 26.0% C, 16.8% G, and 26.7% T, with a relatively high A+T content (57.2%). The results could provide useful data for studying genetic diversity and phylogenetics in X. nudicorpa and related species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Platysmacheilus nudiventris (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Gobioninae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Platysmacheilus nudiventris (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Gobioninae), an endemic Chinese cyprinid fish, was first determined by DNA sequencing based on the PCR fragments. The total length of the mitochondrial genome is 16,603 bp, including 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and a non-coding control region (D-loop). The overall-based composition is 30.2% A, 26.9% T, 16.7% G and 26.1% C, with high A+T content (57.1%). The results will provide useful data for further studies on species identification, evolutionary and population genetic studies of P. nudiventris and its related species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Sinibrama taeniatus (Cyprinidae: Cultrinae).

In this study, the complete mitochondrial DNA genome sequence of Sinibrama taeniatus was first determined by DNA sequencing based on the PCR fragments. The complete mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) genome sequence of S. taeniatus was a circular molecule of 16,623 bp in length. It consisted of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, and a control region (D-loop). The gene nucleotide composition of S. taeniatus was 31.3% A, 26.8% C, 16.1% G, and 25.8% T, with a relatively high A + T content (57.1%). The results could provide useful data for studying genetic diversity and phylogenetics in S. taeniatus and related species.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Pseudobagrus emarginatus (Siluriformes: Bagridae).

In this study, the total mitochondrial genome sequence of Pseudobagrus emarginatus (Siluriformes: Bagridae) was firstly sequenced and determined. The complete mtDNA genome sequence of P. emarginatus is 16,534 bp in length. It consists of 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and a non-coding control region (D-loop). The overall-based composition was 31.5% A, 26.8% T, 14.9% G and 26.8% C, with a high A+T content (58.3%), which was nearly the same as other reported catfishes. These results will provide useful data to the natural resources conservation and systematics analysis of P. emarginatus and its related species in future.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Rhinogobio typus (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Gobioninae).

In the present study, the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Rhinogobio typus (Teleostei, Cyprinidae, Gobioninae) was obtained using a PCR-based method. The total length of the mitochondrial genome is 16,608 bp, including 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and a non-coding control region (D-loop), which is similar to that observed in many other reported fishes. The overall-based composition is 31.3% A, 26.6% T, 15.9% G and 26.2% C, with high A + T content (57.9%). These results will provide a useful tool for species identification, evolutionary and population genetic studies of R. typus and its related species.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Pareuchiloglanis sinensis (Siluriformes: Sisoridae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Pareuchiloglanis sinensis, an endemic Chinese sisorid fish, was determined by DNA sequencing based on the PCR fragments. The complete mtDNA genome sequence of P. sinensis is 16,593 bp in length, with a gene content of 13 protein-coding, 2 ribosomal RNA, and 22 transfer RNA genes, and a typical gene arrangement identical to many other reported fishes. The overall base composition of the heavy strand was 30.6% A, 24.2% T, 16.0% G and 29.2% C, with a relatively high A + T content (54.8%). This will provide a useful tool for understanding the genetic diversity, population structure and conservation status of P. sinensis in future.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Glyptothorax sinense (Siluriformes, Sisoridae).

Glyptothorax sinense (Siluriformes, Sisoridae), is a kind of small-sized freshwater fish which mainly distributes in the middle and upper reaches of the Yangtze River in China. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of G. sinense was first determined using a PCR-based method. The complete mtDNA sequence is 16,531 bp in length, including 22 transfer RNA genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, and a non-coding control region (D-loop). The overall-based composition was 31.61% A, 26.66% T, 15.38% G and 26.34% C, with a relatively high A + T content (58.27%). This will provide a useful tool for evolutionary and population genetic studies of G. sinense.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Lepturichthys fimbriata (Teleostei, Balitoridae, Balitorinae).

Lepturichthys fimbriata is an endemic and an important commercial fish which distributes in the upper stream of the Yangtze River. In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of L. fimbriata has been first sequenced by DNA sequencing based on the PCR fragments. The mitogenome, consisting of 16,567 base pairs (bp), includes 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a non-coding control region (CR). The overall base composition of L. fimbriata is 30.4% A, 28.7% C, 16.5% G, and 24.4% T, with a relatively a slight AT bias of 54.7%. CR of 903 bp length is located between tRNA(Pro) and tRNA(Phe). The complete mitochondrial genome sequence would be useful for further studies on conservation genetics and resource management in L. fimbriata.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Jinshaia sinensis (Teleostei, Balitoridae, Balitorinae).

Jinshaia sinensis is an endemic and typical fish which is successfully adaptive to mountain torrents in the upper stream of the Yangtze River and its tributaries. In this study, the complete mitogenome sequence of J. sinensis has been first sequenced by DNA sequencing based on the PCR fragments. The mitogenome, consisting of 16,567 base pairs (bp), had typical vertebrate mitochondrial gene arrangement, including 13 protein coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNA genes and a noncoding control region (CR). The overall base composition of J. sinensis is 30.37% A, 28.82% C, 16.59% G, and 24.22% T, with a relatively a slight AT bias of 54.59%. CR of 903 bp length is located between tRNA(Pro) and tRNA(Phe). The complete mitochondrial genome may provide fundamental informative data not only for unravel the population structure and differentiation, but also for further conservation genetics studies on this balitorid species.

Short-term impact of reservoir impoundment on the patterns of mercury distribution in a subtropical aquatic ecosystem, Wujiang River, southwest China.

Surveys on pre- and post-impoundment total mercury concentrations in water, seston and fish were conducted during 2007-2008 in the Wujiang River, southwest China. Compared with the pre-impoundment, total mercury in the reservoir and downstream water rapidly increased by 164-303 % during the first half year of flooding, and then decreased by 61.7-62.2 % after 9 months of flooding. However, total mercury in seston from the reservoir and downstream generally declined. There was no significant difference in the total mercury between reservoir fish with different habitat preference and feeding habit. We find that fish tissue mercury concentration significantly increased threefold after flooding, and the increasing rate is lower than those in subarctic and temperate reservoirs. The pre- and post-impoundment fish samples exceeding the Chinese hygienic standard for tolerances of mercury in foods increased from 1.3 to 17.4 %. Long-term monitoring of fish mercury level in Wujiang River should be undertaken to ensure local food security.

[Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with multiplex PCR for rapid detection of large duplications or deletions in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and spinal muscular atrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of multiplex PCR-denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (PCR-DHPLC) method for screening large duplications or deletions in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). METHODS: DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood samples from 35 DMD and 6 SMA patients. Large duplications or deletions were screened with multiplex PCR coupled with DHPLC method. The results were validated with testing of positive and negative controls. RESULTS: Known duplications or deletions in all controls were reliably detected with multiple PCR coupled with DHPLC. Large duplications or deletions were found in 71.4% of 35 DMD patients, which included 5 large duplications and 20 large deletions. For SMA patients, deletions of SMN1 exon 7 were detected in 16 samples. CONCLUSION: Multiplex PCR coupled with DHPLC method is an effective and reliable method for detecting large genomic duplications or deletions in patients with DMD or SMA.

The impact of positive cancer family history on the clinical features and outcome of patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of positive cancer/lung cancer family history (FH) on clinical features and outcome in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. We analyzed 4,491 NSCLC patients with NSCLC who presented from January 1999-December 2005. Chi-square test and Wilcoxon test were used for univariate comparisons, while Cox Proportional Hazards regression analysis was performed to evaluate the adjusted risk of death. Univariate probability of survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimate and compared using the log-rank test. Of 4,491 patients, 579 patients (12.89%) had positive FH, including 233 patients (5.19%) with FH of lung cancer. Patients with positive lung cancer FH, compared to those with negative FH, were diagnosed at earlier age (57 vs. 60; P < 0.001), presented more cases of adenocarcinoma (58.80 vs. 50.69%; P = 0.016), and at more advanced stage (Stage IIIB/IV 45.74 vs. 36.79%; P < 0.001). These differences were also detected in patients with positive cancer FH. In addition, more females and non-smokers were among patients with positive cancer FH (30.05 vs. 26.15%; P = 0.045 and 39.90 vs. 33.82%; P = 0.008, respectively). Furthermore, patients with advanced cancer (stage IIIB/IV) who had positive FH had lower response rate to chemotherapy (CR&PR 24.68 vs. 34.42%; P = 0.024). Nevertheless, patients with positive lung cancer FH had better prognosis (P = 0.015), especially if diagnosed at an early stage (P = 0.035), and their adjusted relative risk of death was lower (RR 0.69; 95% CI: 0.51-0.93; P = 0.015). Definite epidemiologic and survival differences exist between NSCLC patients with positive or negative FH of cancer. Our results suggest that cancer FH is an important factor of clinical features, and could serve as a prognostic indicator for NSCLC.

Pin1 expression contributes to lung cancer: Prognosis and carcinogenesis.

Lung cancer remains the most common cause of death for malignancy in both men and women. Current therapies for NSCLC patients are inefficient due to the lack of diagnostic and therapeutic markers. The phospho-Ser/Thr-Pro specific prolyl-isomerase Pin1 is overexpressed in many different cancers, including NSCLC, and may possibly be used as a target for cancer therapy. We identified 79 cases with the follow-up survival and investigated the clinical relevance of Pin1 expression in NSCLC patients. To validate the oncogenic potential of Pin1 in lung cells, we overexpressed Pin1 in Glc82 cells, and downregulated Pin1 by RNA interference in H1299 cells. The 5-year survival rate of the 79 patients was 54.6%. High expression of Pin1 correlated with poor survival by univariate analysis as well as by multivariate analysis, demonstrating that high expression of Pin1 was an independent prognostic factor. Consistent with the clinical findings, overexpression of Pin1 in Glc82 cells increased cell growth and colony formation and tumorigenicity in nude mice including cell migration, invasion. To further validate the role of Pin1 in lung cancer carcinogenesis, lentivirus-mediated siRNA targeting of Pin1 resulted in the stable suppression of both cell growth, anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and tumorigenic including cell migration, invasion in H1299 cells. Pin1 expression may be an unfavorable prognostic factor in patients of NSCLC patients, and these results indicate that Pin1 may have a role in tumor development and metastasis and thus could serve as a novel target for treatment of NSCLC.

Feeding habits and habitats preferences affecting mercury bioaccumulation in 37 subtropical fish species from Wujiang River, China.

The present study is the first to report the total mercury concentration of 37 fish species collected from Wujiang River, which is the largest branch on the southern bank of Yangtze River, China and proposed for hydropower development. Total mercury concentrations varied among the 37 subtropical species examined. We found higher mercury concentrations in carnivorous species demonstrating greater mercury bioaccumulation in species with more predatory feeding habits. There is no significant difference between fish grouped by habitat preference and feeding habit. However, carnivorous species preferring benthic positions had higher total mercury concentrations than others suggesting that mercury accumulation is related to the interaction of feeding habit and habitat preference. In our study, fish that are bottom living and feed on other fish or aquatic animals are more likely at high risk of mercury exposure. Additional mercury contamination and future impoundment may raise mercury concentration in fish in the Wujiang causing concern for human health and ecological impacts.