Potential and application of abortive transcripts as a novel molecular marker of cancers.

Abortive transcript (AT) is a 2-19 nt long non-coding RNA that is produced in the abortive initiation stage. Abortive initiation was found to be closely related to RNA polymerase through in vitro experiments. Therefore, the distribution of AT length and the scale of abortive initiation are correlated to the promoter, discriminator, and transcription initiation sequence, and can be affected by transcription elongation factors. AT plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various diseases. Here we summarize the discovery of AT, the factors responsible for AT formation, the detection methods and biological functions of AT, to provide new clues for finding potential targets in the early diagnosis and treatment of cancers.

Effect of cadmium on histopathological injuries and ultra-structural changes of kidney of the turtle Mauremys reevesii.

This research investigated the effect of cadmium on the tissue and cell of kidney of the turtle Mauremys reevesii. Twenty turtles were injected with cadmium at 0, 7.5, 15, 30 mg/kg separately and five turtles were taken in each group at two weeks after exposure. Kidneys were immediately excised and macroscopic pathological changes were observed, then the kidneys were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for histopathological examination and fixed in 2.5% (v/v) glutaraldehyde for examination of ultra-structure. The tissues of kidney presented varying degrees of histopathological lesions in cadmium treated turtles by a dose-dependent manner under the light microscope. Under transmission electron microscope, renal tubules cells presented varying degrees of dose-dependent lesions. The results indicated that cadmium can cause cell damages to the kidney, in particular to the mitochondria. Mitochondria can be used as one biomarker in the monitoring of cadmium pollution and its quantitative risk assessments.

Associations of Cadmium Exposure with Peripheral Blood Cell Subtype Counts and Indices in Cadmium-Poisoned Mice.

This research was designed to investigate the effects of cadmium on blood cell injury in cadmium-poisoned mice. Twenty mice were randomly divided into two groups: control group and model group. The control group was intraperitoneally injected with normal saline every day and the model group was intraperitoneally injected with 1.4 mg/kg cadmium solution every day. The experimental period was 28 days. The blood of the mice was collected for detection and hematological analysis. The results demonstrated that cadmium increased the number of white blood cells and the number of neutrophils in mice. Cadmium reduced the number of eosinophils, the number of basophils, the number of monocytes, the amount of lymphocytes, the number of red blood cells, the hemoglobin concentration, mean corpusular volume, mean corpusular hemoglobin, mean corpusular hemoglobin concentration, and the number of platelets in mice. In summary, cadmium caused some damage to white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets in mice, but the direction of damage to different cells was inconsistent. The possible reason for this result is that cadmium damages the generation of blood cells, and the body takes corresponding defense measures.

Predicting colorectal cancer risk: a novel approach using anemia and blood test markers.

Background and objectives: Colorectal cancer remains an important public health problem in the context of the COVID-19 (Corona virus disease 2019) pandemic. The decline in detection rates and delayed diagnosis of the disease necessitate the exploration of novel approaches to identify individuals with a heightened risk of developing colorectal cancer. The study aids clinicians in the rational allocation and utilization of healthcare resources, thereby benefiting patients, physicians, and the healthcare system. Methods: The present study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of colorectal cancer cases diagnosed at the Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical University from September 2022 to September 2023, along with a control group. The study employed univariate and multivariate logistic regression as well as LASSO (Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) regression to screen for predictors of colorectal cancer risk. The optimal predictors were selected based on the area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. These predictors were then utilized in constructing a Nomogram Model for predicting colorectal cancer risk. The accuracy of the risk prediction Nomogram Model was assessed through calibration curves, ROC curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA) curves. Results: Clinical data of 719 patients (302 in the case group and 417 in the control group) were included in this study. Based on univariate logistic regression analysis, there is a correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI), red blood cell count (RBC), anemia, Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), platelet count (PLT), Red Cell Distribution Width-Standard Deviation (RDW-SD), and the incidence of colorectal cancer. Based on the findings of multivariate logistic regression analysis, the variables of BMI and RBC exhibit a decrease, while anemia and PLT demonstrate an increase, all of which are identified as risk factors for the occurrence of colorectal cancer. LASSO regression selected BMI, RBC, anemia, and PLT as prediction factors. LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis yielded the same results. A nomogram was constructed based on the 4 prediction factors identified by LASSO regression analysis to predict the risk of colorectal cancer. The AUC of the nomogram was 0.751 (95% CI, OR: 0.708-0.793). The calibration curves in the validation and training sets showed good performance, indicating that the constructed nomogram model has good predictive ability. Additionally, the DCA demonstrated that the nomogram model has diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion: The Nomogram Model offers precise prognostications regarding the likelihood of Colorectal Cancer in patients, thereby helping healthcare professionals in their decision-making processes and promoting the rational categorization of patients as well as the allocation of medical resources.

REXO2 up-regulation is positively correlated with poor prognosis and tumor immune infiltration in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: As a homologous counterpart to the prokaryotic oligonuclease found in the cellular cytoplasm and mitochondrion, REXO2 assumes a pivotal role in the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis. Nevertheless, the precise functions and mechanisms by which REXO2 operates within the context of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have hitherto remained unexamined. METHODS: The expression levels of REXO2 in HCC tissues were evaluated through the utilization of the immunohistochemical (IHC) method, and subsequently, the association between REXO2 expression and the clinicopathological characteristics of HCC patients was scrutinized employing the χ2 test. A battery of experimental assays, encompassing CCK8 viability assessment, cell colony formation, wound healing, and transwell assays, were conducted with the aim of elucidating the biological role of REXO2 within HCC cells. Complementary bioinformatics analyses were undertaken to discern potential correlations between REXO2 and immune infiltration in tumor tissues. RESULTS: Our IHC findings have unveiled a notable up-regulation of REXO2 within HCC tissues, and this heightened expression bears the status of an independent prognostic factor, portending an adverse outcome for HCC patients (P < 0.05). Upon the attenuation of REXO2 expression, a discernible reduction in the rates of proliferation, invasion and migration of HCC cells ensued (P < 0.05). Furthermore, transcriptome sequencing analysis has provided insights into the putative influence of REXO2 on the development of HCC through the modulation of TNF and NF-κB signaling pathways. Additionally, our bioinformatics analyses have demonstrated a positive correlation between REXO2 and tumor immune cell infiltration, as well as immune checkpoint CTLA-4. CONCLUSIONS: In summation, our results posit an association between the up-regulation of REXO2 and adverse prognostic outcomes, alongside the involvement of immune-related signaling pathways and tumor immune infiltration within the realm of HCC.

Effects of cadmium on liver function in turtle Mauremys reevesii.

This research was designed to investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) on liver function in turtle Mauremys reevesii. Turtles were divided into 4 groups at random. The turtles were injected intraperitoneally with Cd at 0, 7.5, 15, 30 mg kg-1 Cd chloride separately. Liver index was calculated. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and the content of TP in liver were examined with biochemical methods. The results indicated that the liver index of turtles changed obviously only at higher dose and longer time. The activities of ALT and AST in liver increased with prolongation of exposure time in a dose-dependent manner. TP content in liver was lower than that in the control. In summary, Cd had an obvious toxic effect on liver tissues of freshwater turtle Mauremys reevesii, and it was dose dependent with the extension of exposure time. But the results also showed that the turtle had strong tolerance to Cd.

Migrasomes and tetraspanins in hepatocellular carcinoma: current status and future prospects.

In recent years, many studies have attempted to clarify the formation, structure and biological function of migrasomes, which are defined as specialized organelles formed by the tips and intersections of Retraction Fibrils during cell migration. It has confirmed that migrasomes were involved in various critical biological processes and diseases, and has became a new research hotspot. In this paper, we reviewed the formation and biological functions of migrasomes, explored the relationship between migrasomes, tetraspanins and hepatocellular carcinoma and discussed the potential applications of migrasomes in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Migrasomes are specialized parts of the cell that are responsible for transporting proteins and molecules to their designated cellular locations. In this review, we have attempted to understand their formation, structure and biological function. We have also discussed the potential applications of migrasomes in liver cancer. Our study concluded that more research is required for a better understanding of migrasomes and their contents in liver cancer.

hsa-miR-9-5p-Mediated TSPAN9 Downregulation Is Positively Related to Both Poor Hepatocellular Carcinoma Prognosis and the Tumor Immune Infiltration.

Tetraspanins (TSPANs) play crucial roles in cell adhesion, migration, and metastasis of human cancer. However, there is no study in revealing the aspects of TSPAN9 traits and its functions in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. Our study is the first to portray the TSPAN9 expression in HCC tissues with immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Subsequently, a series of bioinformatics analyses such as expression estimation, survival assessment, and correlation analysis were implemented to dig out the possible upstream noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) for TSPAN9 in HCC. In this way, the relevance within TSPAN9 and tumor immunity was then explored. We found that the TSPAN9 was downregulated in HCC tissues and had a correlation with HCC prognosis. Furthermore, we identified that the AL139383.1-hsa-miR-9-5p axis was the upstream ncRNA-related pathway most associated with TSPAN9 in HCC. Besides that, expression of TSPAN9 held a significantly negative correlation with tumor immunocyte infiltration as well as immune checkpoint CTLA4. TSPAN9-related immunomodulators were mainly enriched in T cell activation, leukocyte cell-cell adhesion, regulation of T cell activation, and regulation of leukocyte cell-cell adhesion signaling pathway. In conclusion, our results indicated that hsa-miR-9-5p-mediated downregulation of TSPAN9 was associated with poor HCC prognosis, immune-related signaling pathway, and tumor immune infiltration.

Development of oral cancer tissue-mimicking phantom based on polyvinyl chloride plastisol and graphite for terahertz frequencies.

SIGNIFICANCE: A new concept of a biotissue phantom for terahertz (THz) biomedical applications is needed for reliable and long-term usage. AIM: We aimed to develop a new type of biotissue phantom without water content and with controllable THz optical properties by applying graphite powders into a polyvinyl chloride plastisol (PVCP) matrix and to give a numerical description to the THz optical properties of the phantoms using the Bruggeman model (BM) of the effective medium theory (EMT). APPROACH: The THz optical properties of graphite and the PVCP matrix were measured using THz time-domain spectroscopy, which works in the frequency range from 0.1 to 1 THz. Two phantoms with 10% and 12.5% graphite were fabricated to evaluate the feasibility of describing phantoms using the EMT. The EMT then was used to determine the concentration of graphite required to mimic the THz optical properties of human cancerous and healthy oral tissue. RESULTS: The phantom with 16.7% of graphite has the similar THz optical properties as human cancerous oral tissue in the frequency range of 0.2 to 0.7 THz. The THz optical properties of the phantom with 21.9% of graphite are close to those of human healthy oral tissue in the bandwidth from 0.6 to 0.8 THz. Both the refractive index and absorption coefficient of the samples increase with an increase of graphite concentration. The BM of the EMT was used as the numerical model to describe the THz optical properties of the phantoms. The relative error of the BM for the refractive index estimation and the absorption coefficient is up to 4% and 8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A water-free biotissue phantom that mimics the THz optical properties of human cancerous oral tissue was developed. With 21.9% of graphite, the phantom also mimics human healthy oral tissue in a narrow frequency range. The BM proved to be a suitable numerical model of the phantom.

[The Principle and Application of Photoplethysmography].

2 Faculty of Math and Natural Science, Kalashnikov Izhevsk State Technical University, Izhevsk, 426069, Russian Federation Photoplethysmography is a simple technology with low-cost. It can be used to detect blood volume changes in the microvascular. Because the photoplethysmographic devices, which are produced by this technology, are portable and noninvasive, and the data which is received consists of many physiological information of human body, this technology can give great convenience to clinical diagnostic and personal daily health monitoring. This is why it has very broad application prospects. Photoplethysmogram usual y consists of an AC component which depends on the blood volume changes in cardiac system, and a DC component which is decided by respiration, tissue, inherent components of blood. Although the origin of the photoplethysmographic signal are being researched stil , we can get many valuable information of cardiac system.