Diagnostic and prognostic value of genomic instability-derived long non-coding RNA signature of endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether genomic instability (GI)-derived long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a prognostic impact on the patients with endometrial cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma (UCEC) were selected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Systematic bioinformatics analyses were performed, including Pearson correlations, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, bivariate and multiple logistic regression analysis, and Kaplan-Meier (KM) method. RESULTS: A total of 552 UCEC samples were included in the study. The differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were identified, including 79 down-regulated lncRNAs and 31 up-regulated lncRNAs. Bivariate logistic regression analysis showed that 19 GI-derived lncRNAs were prognostic factors. By further multivariate logistic regression analysis, AC005256.1 (estimated coefficient = -0.474), AC026336.3 (estimated coefficient = -0.030), AL161618.1 (estimated coefficient = -1.661), and BX322234.1 (estimated coefficient = 1.511) were used to construct a prognostic risk model. In the train set and test set, the risk model was shown to have both a high prognostic and a diagnostic value. CONCLUSION: We developed a novel GI-derived 4-lncRNA signature for the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with endometrial cancer. These findings offered a novel perspective in the clinical management of endometrial cancer.

Effect of fermentation bed on bacterial growth in the fermentation mattress material and cecum of ducks.

The composition of microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract is closely related to the intestinal microenvironments and the exterior growth environments of host. In this study, 16S rDNA sequencing technology was adopted to investigate the influence of fermentation bed on the cecum microorganisms of ducks. Two feeding density treatment groups were set up, including group A (n = 4brids/m2) and group B (n = 6brids/m2). Samples were collected from the intermediate core fermentation layer (10-20 cm) of the fermented mattress materials and from the intestinal contents of ducks at 4, 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. Results showed that Bacteroidetes (20.12-27.17%) and Ruminococcaceae UCG-014 (2.97-10.1%) were the predominant microorganisms in duck cecum, while the Truepera (5.08-6.29%), Pricia (4.44-5.44%) and Luteimonas (3.62-4.99%) were the dominant microorganisms in fermentation mattress material. The cecum bacteria exhibited great difference among different growth periods of the ducks. Increasing the stocking density of ducks had a negative effect on the beneficial bacteria in the cecum. The microbial populations in fermentation mattress material were very different from that in the cecal. In summary, our findings can provide a scientific data for the rational use of fermentation bed feeding mode in poultry production.

Synthesis of chrysin derivatives and screening of antitumor activity.

A series of aromatic or long-chain chrysin derivatives (1-10) were synthesized by esterification of chrysin and acyl chloride. The chemical structures of these compounds were determined by mass spectrum (MS), 1H NMR, and 13C NMR spectra. Though aromatic chrysin derivatives (1-9) with a rigid structure were hard to dissolve in common organic solvents, the long-chain chrysin derivative (10) with a flexible structure had better solubility, and its anticancer activity (IC50 = 14.79 µmol/L) against liver cancer cell lines was 5.4 times better than chrysin (IC50 = 74.97 µmol/L), which showed superposition of pharmacological activity.

Dietary maifanite supplementation did not affect the apparent total tract digestibility of calcium and phosphorus in growing pigs.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary maifanite supplementation and fecal collection method on the apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) and blood parameters in growing pigs. METHODS: Thirty-six growing barrows (Duroc×Landrace×Yorkshire; 27.0±2.6 kg) were allotted to six dietary treatments with 6 pigs per treatment according to body weight in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments were: i) Low Ca+cornstarch (2.25%), ii) Low Ca+maifanite (2.25%), iii) Medium Ca+cornstarch (1.42%), iv) Medium Ca+maifanite (1.42%), v) High Ca+cornstarch (0.64%), and vi) High Ca+maifanite (0.64%). Feces were collected by the total collection (TC) and indicator method (IM). At the beginning and the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from each pig. RESULTS: For the TC method, there were no difference in Ca intake, fecal Ca output, Ca retention and the ATTD of Ca between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. However, urinary Ca excretion was lower (p = 0.01) in pigs fed low Ca diets without maifanite supplementation compared with other dietary treatments. Dietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the P metabolism in growing pigs. For the IM method, there was no difference in Ca digestibility between cornstarch and maifanite diets at the same dietary Ca level. The ATTD of P was greater (p<0.01) in pigs fed the high Ca diet with maifanite supplementation compared with the high Ca diet with cornstarch treatment. Dietary inclusion of maifanite had no effect on blood parameters in growing pigs. CONCLUSION: Dietary maifanite supplementation had no effect on the ATTD of Ca and P and serum parameters in growing pigs. The IM resulted in lower digestibility values than the TC method.

A new strategy to produce a defensin: stable production of mutated NP-1 in nitrate reductase-deficient Chlorella ellipsoidea.

Defensins are small cationic peptides that could be used as the potential substitute for antibiotics. However, there is no efficient method for producing defensins. In this study, we developed a new strategy to produce defensin in nitrate reductase (NR)-deficient C. ellipsoidea (nrm-4). We constructed a plant expression vector carrying mutated NP-1 gene (mNP-1), a mature α-defensin NP-1 gene from rabbit with an additional initiator codon in the 5'-terminus, in which the selection markers were NptII and NR genes. We transferred mNP-1 into nrm-4 using electroporation and obtained many transgenic lines with high efficiency under selection chemicals G418 and NaNO(3). The mNP-1 was characterized using N-terminal sequencing after being isolated from transgenic lines. Excitingly, mNP-1 was produced at high levels (approximately 11.42 mg/l) even after 15 generations of continuous fermentation. In addition, mNP-1 had strong activity against Escherichia coli at 5 µg/ml. This research developed a new method for producing defensins using genetic engineering.

[A tentative research of testosterone supplement therapy on male senile dementia].

OBJECTIVES: To understand the hormone levels in male senile dementia patients and the effects of testosterone supplement theraphy (TST) on male senile dementia. METHODS: The general health condition, mental health condition, hormone levels, and some other aspects were evaluated in 9 patients with male senile dementia without significant contradiction for TST. 9 patients were treated with oral testosterone undecanoate 120 mg per day for six weeks, and relative changes were observed, detected and recorded. RESULTS: In 9 cases of male senile dementia, the average score was 5.33 in mini-mental state examination (MMSE), 14.56 in Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), 5.0 in geriatric depression scale (GDS), 32.56 in partial androgen deficiency of the aging male (PADAM) measuring form. The volume of testis was small (8.33 ml on average). After 1 week of having finished TST, the levels of serum testosterone (T) dropped significantly (dropped from average 2.88 ng/ml to 2.47 ng/ml, P < 0.05) in 9 patients with TST. General evaluation with clinician's global impression(CGI) for 9 patients showed 2 cases fail and 7 cases with progress (3 of them progress significantly). Average score dropped in HAMD form (10.67) and PADAM form (28.11). Physical strength and psychological status improved significantly, but vasomotor symptoms and sexual function failed response to the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The levels of androgen is low, and the symptoms of androgen deficiency are readily seen in male senile dementia. TST can improve life quality of most patients to some extent.