Expression of the Circadian Clock Gene ARNTL associated with DNA repair gene and prognosis of patient with osteosarcoma.

PURPOSE: The study objects were to explore the correlation between the biological role of clock genes and clinical indicators in patients with osteosarcoma (OS). METHODS: We acquired the clinical information and RNA sequencing data of OS samples from the TARGET database. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and expression correlation analysis of clock genes were performed. Then, the functional enrichment analysis of clock genes was analyzed. The survival analysis of clock genes in patients of OS was carried out by univariate cox regression, Kaplan-Meier (KM) curve and multivariate cox regression methods. Moreover, the spearmen correlation analysis was performed to explore the correlation between clock genes and DNA repair genes in patients with OS. RESULTS: The PPI network and expression correlation analysis of clock genes indicated that the clock genes were highly correlated with each other. The survival analysis of clock genes found that clock gene ARNTL is a protective factor for the prognosis of patients with OS. We found that ARNTL was positively related to DNA repair genes and was involved in the biological process of DNA damage repair in patients with OS. CONCLUSIONS: ARNTL may affect the prognosis and chemotherapy response of patients with OS by regulating DNA repair pathways.

Erratum to "Identifying biomolecules and constructing a prognostic risk prediction model for recurrence in osteosarcoma" [J. Bone Oncol. 26 (2021) 100331].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.jbo.2020.100331.].

Mechanical characteristics of BMSCs-intervened sciatic nerve in chronic alcohol-intoxicated animal model.

OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanical properties of sciatic nerve in rats with chronic alcoholism (CA) and intervened with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and to provide biomechanical basis for clinical practice. METHODS: the serum of the BMSCs-intervened CA rats was sampled and determined the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), metallothionein (CAS, MT), and Glutathione/r -glutamyl cysteinyl/glycine (GSH); meanwhile, the rats' sciatic nerve was tested the tensile and observed the histomorphological changes. RESULTS: The mechanical properties of sciatic nerve in BMSCs-intervened CA rats, as well as the serum levels of MT and GSH, were significantly different from those in the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-intervened CA rats (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BMSCs intervention can restore the levels of MT, GSH, MDA, histomorphology, and tensile mechanical properties in CA animal model, and its effects on repairing sciatic nerve are obvious.

Identifying biomolecules and constructing a prognostic risk prediction model for recurrence in osteosarcoma.

INTRODUCTION: Osteosarcoma is a high-morbidity bone cancer with an unsatisfactory prognosis. The aim of this study is to develop novel potential prognostic biomarkers and construct a prognostic risk prediction model for recurrence in osteosarcoma. METHODS: By analyzing microarray data, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to screen prognostic RNA signatures and to build a prognostic model. The RNA signatures were validated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Then, we developed and validated a nomogram combining age, recurrence, metastatic, and Prognostic score (PS) models to predict the individual's overall survival at the 3- and 5-year points. Pathway enrichment of RNA was conducted based on the significant co-expressed RNAs. RESULTS: A total of 319 mRNAs and 14 lncRNAs were identified in the microarray data. One lncRNA (LINC00957) and six mRNAs (METL1, CA9, B3GALT4, ALDH1A1, LAMB3, and ITGB4) were identified as RNA signatures and showed good performances in survival prediction for both the training and validation cohorts. Cox regression analysis showed that the seven RNA signatures could independently predict overall survival. Furthermore, age, recurrence, metastatic, and PS models were identified as independent prognostic factors via univariate and multivariate Cox analyses (P < 0.05) and included in the prognostic nomogram. The C-index values for the 3- and 5-year overall survival predictions of the nomogram were 0.809 and 0.740, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides the novel potential of seven RNA candidates as prognostic biomarkers. Nomograms were constructed to provide accurate and individualized survival prediction for recurrence in osteosarcoma patients.

CENPE, PRC1, TTK, and PLK4 May Play Crucial Roles in the Osteosarcoma Progression.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a cancerous tumor in a bone. We aimed to identify the critical genes involved in OS progression, and then try to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of this disease. The microarray data of GSE32395 was used for the present study. We analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in OS cells compared with control group by Student's t-test. The significant enriched gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways were analyzed for upregulated genes and downregulated genes, respectively. In addition, a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were conducted for genes in the PPI network. In total, 183 DEGs, including 100 upregulated DEGs and 83 downregulated DEGs were screened. The upregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in 2 KEGG pathways, such as "Glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis-chondroitin sulfate" and the downregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in 12 pathways, including "cell adhesion molecules," "pentose phosphate pathway" and "allograft rejection." GO enrichment analysis indicated that the upregulated DEGs were significantly involved in biological process, such as "multicellular organismal metabolic process" and "limb morphogenesis," while the downregulated DEGs were significantly enriched in biological process, such as "Positive regulation of pathway-restricted SMAD protein phosphorylation." The PPI network included 84 interactions and 51 nodes. The "glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis-chondroitin sulfate pathway," "microtubule motor activityfunction," and "regulation of mitosis process" were significantly enriched by genes in PPI network. In particular, CENPE, PRC1, TTK, and PLK4 had higher degrees in the PPI network. The interactions between TTK and PLK4 as well as CENPE and PRC1 may involve in the OS development. These 4 genes might be possible biomarkers for the treatment and diagnosis of OS.

Knockdown of hsa_circ_0059955 Induces Apoptosis and Cell Cycle Arrest in Nucleus Pulposus Cells via Inhibiting Itchy E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important role in the progression of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD). Using bioinformatics analysis, we have found that the expression of circRNA hsa_circ_0059955 was significantly downregulated in IVDD tissues. However, the relevant mechanism of hsa_circ_0059955 in the progression of IVDD remains unclear. METHODS: CCK-8 and flow cytometry assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, Western blot assay was used to detect the expressions of ITCH, p73, CDK2 in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Moreover, a puncture-induced IVDD rat model was established to explore the role of hsa_circ_0059955 in IVDD. RESULTS: The level of hsa_circ_0059955 was significantly decreased in IVDD tissues from IVDD patients. Itchy E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (ITCH) is the host gene of hsa_circ_0059955, and downregulation of hsa_circ_0059955 significantly decreased the expression of ITCH in NP cells. In addition, downregulation of hsa_circ_0059955 markedly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in NP cells. Moreover, in vivo study illustrated that overexpression of hsa_circ_0059955 ameliorated IVDD in rats. CONCLUSION: Downregulation of hsa_circ_0059955 could induce apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in NP cells in vitro, while overexpression of hsa_circ_0059955 attenuated the IVDD in a puncture-induced rat model in vivo. Therefore, hsa_circ_0059955 might serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of IVDD.

Mechanical properties of the sciatic nerve following combined transplantation of analytically extracted acellular allogeneic nerve and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of Chemically Extracted Acellular Nerves (CEANs) when combined with Adipose-Derived mesenchymal Stem Cell (ADSC) transplantation on the repair of sciatic nerve defects in rabbits. METHODS: A total of 71 six-month-old Japanese rabbit were used in this study. Twenty rabbits served as sciatic nerve donors, while the other 51 rabbits were randomly divided into Autologous Nerve Transplantation Group (ANT, n=17), CEAN group (n=17) and CEAN-ADSCs group (n=17). In all these groups, the rabbit's left sciatic nerves were injured before the experiment, and the uninjured sciatic nerves on their right side were used as the control (CON). Electrophysiological tests were carried out and sciatic nerves were prepared for histomorphology and stretch testing at 24 weeks post-transplant. RESULTS: There were significant differences between ANT and Con groups in amplitude (AMP): P=0.031; motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV): P=0.029; Maximum stress: P=0.029; and Maximum strain P=0.027. There were also differences between the CEAN and CEAN+ADSCs groups in AMP: P=0.026, MNCV: P=0.024; Maximum stress: P=0.025 and Maximum strain: P=0.030. No significant differences in these parameters were observed when comparing the ANT and CEAN+SACN groups (MNCV: P=0.071) or the CEAN and ANT groups (Maximum stress: P=0.069; Maximum strain P=0.077). CONCLUSION: Addition of ADSCs has a significant impact on the recovery of nerve function, morphology, and tensile mechanical properties following sciatic nerve injury.

Sea cucumber Cucumaria frondosa fucoidan inhibits osteosarcoma adhesion and migration by regulating cytoskeleton remodeling.

Osteosarcoma (OS) has been demonstrated to be difficult to cure due to its potently malignant metastasis. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches blocking the metastatic potential of OS are urgently required to improve the outcomes for OS patients. In the present study, the anti­metastatic capacity of sea cucumber (Cucumaria frondosa) fucoidan (Cf­Fuc) was evaluated on osteosarcoma cells by cell adhesion assay, Transwell assay and U2OS cell migration assay. The underlying mechanism on the dynamic remodeling of the cytoskeleton was also explored. The present data indicated that Cf­Fuc could block the U2OS osteosarcoma cell adhesion to fibronectin and significantly inhibit U2OS cell migration. Cf­Fuc greatly impaired the migration capacity of U2OS cells, and the migrated distance and velocity of Cf­Fuc­treated cells were markedly reduced. Also, Cf­Fuc could impair the dynamic remodeling of the cytoskeleton possibly by suppressing the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and paxillin, as well as the activation of the Rac1/PAK1/LIMK1/cofilin signaling axis. Collectively, the present findings provide a novel therapeutic potential of C. frondosa fucoidan for osteosarcoma metastasis.

miR-487b and TRAK2 that form an axis to regulate the aggressiveness of osteosarcoma, are potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers.

To investigate the effect of microRNA-487b (miR-487b) as well as the underlying mechanism in osteosarcoma (OS). Data downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were used to analyze the expression and prognostic value of miR-487b/TRAK2. Cell counting kit-8, colony formation, and transwell assays were performed to investigate the biological functions of miR-487b and TRAK2. Luciferase reporter assay was applied to confirm the interactions between miR-487b and TRAK2. miR-487b was overexpressed in OS tissues and was inversely associated with the prognosis of OS patients. We discovered that miR-487b could contribute to the proliferative, clonogenic, invasive, and migratory capabilities of OS cells. Through target prediction using miRWalk and differential expression analysis based on the GEO data set, trafficking kinesin protein 2 (TRAK2) was recognized as a potential target of miR-487b, which was further verified by luciferase reporter assay. The expression of TRAK2 was decreased in OS tissues compared with normal tissues and was positively correlated with the prognosis of OS patients. A negative relevance was presented between the expression of miR-487b and TRAK2 in OS cells. Of note, further mechanistic analyses indicated that TRAK2 was implicated in the regulatory effect of miR-487b on the cell malignant behaviors in OS. To sum up, these results demonstrated that miR-487b played an oncogenic role in OS progression via directly targeting TRAK2, which could advance the development of cancer treatment.

Prognostic Markers Identification in Glioma by Gene Expression Profile Analysis.

This study aimed to explore more gene markers associated with glioma or its prognosis. The glioma-related RNAseq data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset in UCSC Xena database were downloaded. There was a total of 971 tumor samples and 102 normal samples in the 2 datasets. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) data between tumor and normal samples were analyzed, on which were then performed function and pathway enrichment analyses. Pearson correlation coefficient between DEGs was calculated to construct the coexpression network. Finally, prognostic genes were screened. A total of 634 upregulated and 769 downregulated DEGs were identified between tumor and control groups. These DEGs were significantly involved in 15 upregulated pathways, such as p53 signaling pathway, and 16 downregulated pathways, such as neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and cell adhesion molecules. In the coexpression network, pseudouridine synthase 7 (PUS7), EFR3 homolog B (EFR3B), and neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NRCAM) had the top three highest degrees. Additionally, 17 prognostic genes were selected, such as thrombospondin-1 (THBS1), caspase-8 (CASP8), glutamate ionotropic receptor AMPA type subunit 2 (GRIA2), GRIA4, and ADCYAP receptor type I (ADCYAP1R1). Pathways of p53 signaling pathway and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction may play important roles in glioma progression. PUS7, EFR3B, and NRCAM may be potential biomarkers of glioma. THBS1, CASP8, GRIA2, GRIA4, and ADCYAP1R1 may serve as prognostic markers in glioma.

Construction of Novel DNA Methylation-Based Prognostic Model to Predict Survival in Glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a most aggressive primary cancer in brain with poor prognosis. This study aimed to identify novel tumor biomarkers with independent prognostic values in GBMs. The DNA methylation profiles were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential methylated genes (DMGs) were screened from recurrent GBM samples using limma package in R software. Functional enrichment analysis was performed to identify major biological processes and signaling pathways. Furthermore, critical DMGs associated with the prognosis of GBM were screened according to univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis. A risk score-based prognostic model was constructed for these DMGs and prediction ability of this model was validated in training and validation data set. In total, 495 DMGs were identified between recurrent samples and disease-free samples, including 356 significantly hypermethylated and 139 hypomethylated genes. Functional and pathway items for these DMGs were mainly related to sensory organ development, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, pathways in cancer, etc. Five genes with abnormal methylation level were significantly correlated with prognosis according to survival analysis, such as ALX1, KANK1, NUDT12, SNED1, and SVOP. Finally, the risk model provided an effective ability for prognosis prediction both in training and validation data set. We constructed a novel prognostic model for survival prediction of GBMs. In addition, we identified five DMGs as critical prognostic biomarkers in GBM progression.

Identification of human lactate dehydrogenase A inhibitors with anti-osteosarcoma activity through cell-based phenotypic screening.

Human lactate dehydrogenase A plays a key role in the glycolytic process, the inhibition of the enzyme is therefore considered of interest in developing anticancer therapeutics. However, due to the highly polar nature of hLDHA binding pocket, it is very challenge to discover potent cellular active hLDHA inhibitor. Combined a cell-based phenotypic screening assay with a primary enzymatic assay, we discovered three cellular active hLDHA inhibitors, namely 38, 63, and 374, which reduced MG-63 cell proliferation with IC50 values of 6.47, 2.93, and 6.10 µM, respectively, and inhibited hLDHA with EC50 values of 3.03, 0.63, and 3.26 µM, respectively.

Mechanical properties of the sciatic nerve following combined transplantation of analytically extracted acellular allogeneic nerve and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract Purpose To investigate the effects of Chemically Extracted Acellular Nerves (CEANs) when combined with Adipose-Derived mesenchymal Stem Cell (ADSC) transplantation on the repair of sciatic nerve defects in rabbits. Methods A total of 71 six-month-old Japanese rabbit were used in this study. Twenty rabbits served as sciatic nerve donors, while the other 51 rabbits were randomly divided into Autologous Nerve Transplantation Group (ANT, n=17), CEAN group (n=17) and CEAN-ADSCs group (n=17). In all these groups, the rabbit's left sciatic nerves were injured before the experiment, and the uninjured sciatic nerves on their right side were used as the control (CON). Electrophysiological tests were carried out and sciatic nerves were prepared for histomorphology and stretch testing at 24 weeks post-transplant. Results There were significant differences between ANT and Con groups in amplitude (AMP): P=0.031; motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV): P=0.029; Maximum stress: P=0.029; and Maximum strain P=0.027. There were also differences between the CEAN and CEAN+ADSCs groups in AMP: P=0.026, MNCV: P=0.024; Maximum stress: P=0.025 and Maximum strain: P=0.030. No significant differences in these parameters were observed when comparing the ANT and CEAN+SACN groups (MNCV: P=0.071) or the CEAN and ANT groups (Maximum stress: P=0.069; Maximum strain P=0.077). Conclusion Addition of ADSCs has a significant impact on the recovery of nerve function, morphology, and tensile mechanical properties following sciatic nerve injury.

The anti-osteosarcoma property of ailanthone through regulation of miR-126/VEGF-A axis.

Background: Despite the characters of the resistance of tumour of ailanthone (AIL) were found in various tumour cells, its effect on osteosarcoma is still unclear. Herein, we attempted to see the effects of AIL on an osteosarcoma cell line MG63. Methods: MG63 cells were treated by AIL, following which CCK-8 assay, BrdU assay, Transwell assay and Western blot were utilized to detect cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. miR-126 expression in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines was measured by qRT-PCR. Further, the target of miR-126 and the downstream signalling for AIL were studied. Results: Treating MG63 cells with 1.5 µM AIL for 24 h significantly suppressed proliferation, migration, invasion and induced apoptosis. Meanwhile, AIL inhibited PI3K/AKT pathway and up-regulated miR-126 expression. miR-126 of osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines was low expressed, as relative to paracancerous tissues and normal osteoblast. The anti-tumour effects of AIL were attenuated by miR-126 silencing. Further, VEGF-A was a target of miR-126. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that AIL was effective in inhibiting MG63 cells growth, migration and invasion. The anti-tumour properties may be via up-regulating miR-126 and thereby degradation of VEGF-A.

PCAF regulates H3 phosphorylation and promotes autophagy in osteosarcoma cells.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is one of malignant cancer. Histone phosphorylation is common in tumors. We explored the effects of p300-CBP-associated factor (PCAF) and phosphorylation of H3S28 in osteosarcoma cancer cell autophagy. METHODS: Osteosarcoma cancer cell lines were collected and/or transfected with full length PCAF or interference miRNAs to mimic or silence of PCAF expression. Immunoprecipitation assay and GST pull down was used to target targeting PCAF or H3S28ph. H3-/- SNU-C1 cells were transfected with H3WT- or H3S28F-expressing or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-tagged LC3 plasmids, in which H3 was tagged with HA. An in vitro kinase activity assay was performed to test whether recombinant full-length PCAF could phosphorylate H3 in the site of S28. The functions on autophagy was detected by number of autophagosomes, number of EGFP-LC3, LC3-II/I, percentage of degradation and expression of autophagy associated gene (ATG). RESULTS: PCAF positively regulated H3S28ph in osteosarcoma cancer cells; Immunoprecipitation assay and GST pull down demonstrated that PCAF could interact directly with H3 in osteosarcoma cancer cells. In addition, silence of PCAF inhibited the number of autophagosomes, number of EGFP-LC3, LC3-II/I, percentage of degradation and expression of ATG. Moreover, H3S28A (H3S28 mutation) impaired the promoting autophagy effects of PCAF. The PCAF-H3S28ph axis promoted osteosarcoma cancer autophagy viatranscriptional regulation of ATG genes. CONCLUSION: PCAF regulated H3S28 phosphorylation and their axis promotes autophagy in osteosarcoma cancer cells viatargeting ATG5 and ATG7.

PD­L1/PD­1 axis serves an important role in natural killer cell­induced cytotoxicity in osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is a serious malignancy in pediatric patients, which comprises 2.4% of fatal cancer in children and achieves 20% of all primary bone cancers. In the present study, we employed three human osteosarcoma cell lines MG­63, HOS and U2OS for susceptibility to cytolytic activity of freshly isolated healthy donor NK cells. Cells were lysed by NK cells in a dose dependent manner. MG­63 cells exhibited less susceptibility to NK cells than HOS and U2OS cells at all cell ratios. The specific mechanism underlying the effects of NK cells on osteosarcoma cells was determined by antibody blockage experiments. The results revealed that granzyme B was the key factor in the NK cell­induced cytotoxicity of human osteosarcoma cells. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to investigate the expression of PD­L1 in MG­63, HOS and U2OS cells. The relative expression of the PD­L1 gene and protein in MG­63 cell was greater than HOS and U2OS cells. The specific lysis of human osteosarcoma cells induced by NK cells was enhanced when PD­L1/PD­1 was blocked by the PD­L1 antibody. The present study proposed that the PD­L1/PD­1 axis serves an important role in NK cell­induced cytotoxicity in osteosarcoma via granzyme B secretion. Our findings may contribute to the development of precise treatments for osteosarcoma based on the expression profile of PD­L1 in patients with this disease.

Sirt1 modulates H3 phosphorylation and facilitates osteosarcoma cell autophagy.

Abnormal histone modifications have been recognized as an important contributing factor to the initiation and progression of osteosarcoma. Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) up-regulation has been discovered in osteosarcoma cells. This study tested the influence of Sirt1 on histone H3 phosphorylation at threonine 3 (H3T3ph) in osteosarcoma cells, along with Sirt1-H3T3ph axis on osteosarcoma cell autophagy. Plasmids or si-RNAs transfection was carried out to alter Sirt1 or H3T3ph expressions. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis and GST pull-down assay were done to probe the relationship between Sirt1 and H3T3ph. Phosphoryltransferase activity of Sirt1 was tested by in vitro kinase activity assay. Cell autophagy was measured by a number of autophagosome, conversion of LC3-I to LC3-II, degradation of long-lived protein and ATG protein expressions. We found that Sirt1 directly interacted with H3 and phosphorylate H3T3 at threonine 3 in osteosarcoma cells. Moreover, Sirt1 facilitated osteosarcoma cell autophagy under starvation condition. H3T3ph took part in the Sirt1-facilitated osteosarcoma cell autophagy under starvation condition. Besides, Sirt1-H3T3ph axis facilitated osteosarcoma cell autophagy might be achieved through transcriptional activation of ATG genes. Sirt1 promoted osteosarcoma initiation and progression might be via phosphorylate H3T3 and then facilitate osteosarcoma cell autophagy through activating ATG genes transcription under starvation condition.

Identification of crucial miRNAs and lncRNAs for ossification of ligamentum flavum.

The present study aimed to screen crucial micro (mi)RNAs and long non­coding (lnc)RNAs involved in the development of ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF) based on the miRNA­mRNA and lncRNA­miRNA­mRNA competing endogenous (ce)RNA regulatory network analyses, which are rarely reported. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) and differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) between 4 OLF and 4 healthy controls were identified using two microarray datasets GSE106253 and GSE106256 collected from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. A protein­protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, followed by calculation of topological characteristics and sub­module analysis in order to obtain hub DEGs. The miRNA­mRNA and lncRNA­miRNA networks that were established based on their interaction pairs, obtained from miRwalk and starBase databases, respectively, were integrated to form the ceRNA network. The underlying functions of mRNAs were predicted using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). The present study screened 828 DEGs, 119 DELs and 81 DEMs between OLF and controls. PPI network and module analyses identified interleukin (IL)10, adenylate cyclase (ADCY)5, suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)3, G protein subunit gamma (GNG) 4, collagen type II α 1 chain (COL2A1) and collagen type XIII α 1 chain (COL13A1) as hub genes. The miRNA­mRNA network analysis demonstrated IL10 could be regulated by miR­210­3p, while COL13A1 and COL2A1 could be modulated by miR­329­3p and miR­222­5p, respectively. lncRNA­miRNA­mRNA ceRNA network analysis identified that small nucleolar RNA host gene 16­hsa­miR­196a­5p­SOCS3, ankyrin repeat and SOCS box containing 16­AS1­hsa­miR­379­5p­GNG4, nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1­has­miR­181b­5p­ADCY5, rhophilin 1­AS1­hsa­miR­299­3p­WNT7B interaction axes may be crucial. DAVID analysis predicted IL10, ADCY5, GNG4 and SOCS3 were involved in 'adaptive immune response', 'Chemokine signaling pathway' and 'regulation of apoptosis' processes, while COL2A1, COL13A1 and WNT7B may be ossification related. In conclusion, the identification of these crucial miRNAs and lncRNAs may be conducive for explaining the pathogenesis of OLF and provide certain natural, endogenous and nontoxic drug targets for the treatment of OLF.

Gene and microRNA Signatures Are Associated with the Development and Survival of Glioblastoma Patients.

This study was aimed to identify hub genes associated with the development of glioblastoma (GBM) by conducting a bioinformatic analysis. The raw gene expression data were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and The Cancer Genome Atlas project. After the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, the functional enrichment analysis of DEGs was conducted. Subsequently, the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, molecular complex detection clusters, and transcriptional factor (TF)-miRNA-target regulatory network were constructed, respectively. Furthermore, the survival analysis of prognostic outcomes and genes was analyzed. In addition, the expression of key genes was validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. A total of 884 DEGs, including 418 upregulated and downregulated genes, were identified between GBM and normal samples. The PPI network comprised a set of 3418 pairs involving 751 nodes, and AKT1 and CDK2 were the critical genes in the network. A total of seven clusters were identified, the genes in which were intensively associated with cell cycle, cholinergic synapse, and extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction. qRT-PCR analysis indicated that AKT1 and CDK2 were significantly upregulated, and NRXN3 and NPTX2 were significantly downregulated in GBM samples. The TF-miRNA-target regulatory networks were built, in which CCNB1, RFC5, microRNA524, and microRNA34b were key regulators. There were 43 genes, including NPTX2 and NRXN3, significantly related to the prognostic outcomes of GBM patients. These crucial genes might be promising options for GBM treatment.

Comparison of bone biomechanical properties after bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell or alendronate treatment in an osteoporotic animal model.

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and alendronate sodium (ALN) intervention on osteoporosis (OP). Sixty-eight 6-month-old healthy female Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were used to generate an OP model by removal of the ovaries. After 12 weeks, rats were treated with BMMSCs (BMMSC group) or ALN (ALN group) for 5 weeks. Serum type I collagen C terminal peptide (CTX_1), procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) were tested along with the femur bone density and other properties, including bone mineral density (BMD), BALP, percent trabecular area (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular number (TbN), maximum load, maximum stress, maximum strain, and elastic modulus. BMD, BALP, BV/TV, Tb.Th, TbN, maximum load, maximum stress, maximum strain, and elastic modulus values were higher in the BMMSC group versus the ALN group relative to the control group (p < 0.05); CTX_1, PINP, trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), and osteoclast number (OC.N) were lowest in the BMMSC group versus the ALN group relative to the control group (p < 0.05). Both BMMSCs and ALN could improve the metabolic function and bone quality in osteoporotic mice while restoring the strength and toughness of bones. The intervention effects of BMMSCs are better than ALN in this model.