Hsa_circ_0001925 promotes malignant progression in triple-negative breast cancer via miR-1299/YY1 axis.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are related to the pathogenesis and progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The aim of this study was to investigate the role and mechanism of hsa_circ_0001925 in TNBC progression. METHODS: Hsa_circ_0001925, microRNA (miR)-1299 and Yin Yang 1 (YY1) levels were examined in TNBC via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, flow cytometry, wound healing assay and tube formation assay were conducted to estimate the effects of hsa_circ_0001925 on malignant phenotypes of TNBC tumors. Several protein levels were measured with western blot. The regulatory relationship between miR-1299 and hsa_circ_0001925 or YY1 was validated using a dual-luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Xenograft assay was used to estimate the effect of hsa_circ_0001925 in TNBC in vivo. RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0001925 and YY1 levels were upregulated, while miR-1299 abundance was downregulated in TNBC tissues and cells. Hsa_circ_0001925 silencing constrained cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis whereas it promoted apoptosis in vitro, and hsa_circ_0001925 silencing significantly curbed xenograft tumor growth in vivo. Hsa_circ_0001925 acted as a miRNA sponge for miR-1299. Hsa_circ_0001925 decreased YY1 expression by sponging miR-1299. MiR-1299 downregulation alleviated the effects of hsa_circ_0001925 knockdown on BC progression. MiR-1299 interacted with the 3' untranslated region (3' UTR) of YY1, and YY1 overexpression partly reversed the effects of miR-1299 overexpression on BC progression. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that hsa_circ_0001925 mediated TNBC progression via regulating miR-1299/YY1 axis, providing a potential target for BC treatment.

[The application study of community-based tele-screening system for diabetic retinopathy in Beixinjing Blocks, Shanghai].

OBJECTIVE: To design the community-based tele-screening system for diabetic retinopathy and evaluate the feasibility of it. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. The tele-screening system was based on non-mydriatic digital eye fundus camara photography and computer network technology. 109 type 2 diabetes mellitus residents were randomly selected for system evaluation, which included: (1) The consistency of the far visual acuity examined by an ophthalmologist and a trained inspector, evaluated by paired t-sample test; the consistency of diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy by tele-screening system and traditional screening method by ophthalmoscope, slit-lamp bimicroscope combined with non-contact lens after pupil dilation, evaluated by kappa value and intraclass coefficient correlation. (2) The proper compression ratio of the fundus photographs transferring through the internet, evaluated by intraclass coefficient correlation. (3) The working time for the tele-screening on the residents, comparing with the traditional screening method. RESULTS: The visual acuities of the 218 eyes in 109 residents examined by an ophthalmologist were < 0.05 in 13 eyes, between 0.05 and 0.3 in 61 eyes, > or = 0.3 in 144 eyes. No significant difference was found between the vision acuity given by different examiner (t = -0.572, P = 0.568). 52 eyes were diagnosed as DR by traditional screening method, while 51 eyes were diagnosed as DR by the tele-screening method, so in DR diagnosis, high consistency were found with kappa value as 0.885, 95%CI 0.807 to 0.963, and in DR degree diagnosis with ICC value as 0.91, 95%CI 0.85 to 0.94. The most compression ratio of fundus photographs was as low as 15% (526 x 350). It took 5 to 7 minutes for the tele-screening system to examining and giving diagnosis of a diabetes mellitus resident, a little bit sooner than traditional screening method. CONCLUSIONS: This community-based tele-screening system can meet the requirements of mass screening for diabetic retinopathy.

[A prevalence survey of blindness and visual impairment in adults aged equal or more than 60 years in Beixinjing blocks of Shanghai, China].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence rate of blindness and low vision and the leading cause of blindness in residents aged > or = 60 years in Beixinjing blocks, Shanghai. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out by Shanghai First People's Hospital, affiliated Shanghai Jiaotong University and Shanghai Beixinjing Community hospital from November 2007 to April 2008. Randomly cluster sampling method was used, and all the individuals aged > or = 60 years in 8 communities from Beixinjing blocks, Shanghai was enrolled in this study. The pinhole visual acuity and presenting visual acuity were measured separately in each eye. External eye, anterior segment and ocular fundus were examined by the ophthalmologist using slit lamp-microscopes, direct ophthalmoscopy and non-mydriatic digital camara. Assigned ophthalmologic doctors assured the leading blind causes of every blind person. The survey was preceded by a pilot study where operational methods were refined and quality assurance evaluation was carried out. RESULTS: 3851 individuals were examined, and the response rate was 92.73%. According to WHO diagnostic criteria: 29 persons were diagnosed as blindness, 11 male (37.93%) and 18 female (62.07%). 104 persons were diagnosed as low vision, 37 male (35.58%) and 67 female (64.42%). The prevalence rates of blindness and low vision were 0.75% and 2.70%. The leading causes of blindness were macular degeneration, cataract, corneal diseases, and retinal detachment. According to presenting vision diagnostic criteria: 61 persons were diagnosed as severe binocular blindness, 20 male (32.79%) and 41 female (67.21%). 66 persons were diagnosed as slight binocular blindness, 27 male (40.91%) and 39 female (59.09%). 276 persons were diagnosed as monocular blindness, 120 male (43.48%) and 156 female (56.52%). The prevalence of severe binocular blindness, slight binocular blindness and monocular blindness was 1.58%, 1.71% and 7.17%, respectively. The leading causes of blindness were macular degeneration, cataract, ametropia and corneal diseases. CONCLUSION: The leading cause of blindness was macular degeneration. The prevalence of degenerative retinopathy in this area is on the rise.