miR-513b-5p inhibits the proliferation and promotes apoptosis of retinoblastoma cells by targeting TRIB1.

MicroRNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of various human malignant tumors. This study aims to explore the role of miR-513b-5p in the malignant proliferation of retinoblastoma (RB) cells and its potential molecular mechanisms. The function-gain and function-loss experiments were performed in Weri-RB1 cells using miR-513b-5 mimics and inhibitors. miR-513b-5p mimics inhibited the proliferation and clone formation and promoted apoptosis of Weri-RB1 cells. In contrast, the miR-513b-5p inhibitor promoted the proliferation and clone formation of Weri-RB1 cells and inhibited cell apoptosis. miR-513b-5p can directly bind to the 3'UTR region of TRIB1 mRNA, and inhibit its protein expression. Overexpression of TRIB1 promoted the proliferation and cloning of Weri-RB1 cells but inhibited their apoptosis. The knockdown of TRIB1 inhibited the proliferation and clone formation of Weri-RB1 cells and promoted cell apoptosis. In addition, miR-513b-5p mimics neutralized the effects of TRIB1 overexpression on the proliferation and apoptosis of Weri-RB1 cells. Finally, miR-513b-5p can inhibit the phosphorylation level of AKT, mTOR, and p70, while TRIB1 played the opposite role. miR-513b-5p inhibits the malignant proliferation of Weri-RB1 cells by repressing the expression of TRIB1. miR-513b-5p and TRIB1 may be the biomarkers and/or key targets for clinical diagnosis and treatment of RB.

Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry as a Reference Method to Evaluate Serum Calcium Measurement Bias and the Commutability of Processed Materials during Routine Measurements.

BACKGROUND: Measuring total serum calcium is important for the diagnosis of diseases. Currently, results from commercial kits for calcium measurement are variable. Generally, the performance of serum calcium measurements is monitored by external quality assessment (EQA) or proficiency testing schemes. However, the commutability of the EQA samples and calibrators is often unknown, which limits the effectiveness of EQA schemes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bias of serum calcium measurements and the commutability of processed materials. METHODS: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was applied as a comparative method, and 14 routine methods were chosen as test methods. Forty-eight serum samples from individual patients and 25 processed materials were quantified. A scatter plot was generated from patient samples, and 95% prediction intervals were calculated to evaluate the commutability of the processed materials and measurement bias at three concentration levels was used to determine the accuracy of routine assays. RESULTS: All assays showed high precision (total coefficient of variation [CV] <2.26%) and correlation coefficients (r > 0.99). For all assays, the mean bias for the 48 patient samples ranged from -0.13 mmol/L to 0.00 mmol/L (-5.61-0.01%), and the ranges for the three concentrations were -0.10-0.04 mmol/L (-5.71-2.35%), -0.14--0.01 mmol/L (-5.80--0.30%), and -0.19-0.04 mmol/L (-6.24-1.22%). The EQA samples, calibrators, and animal sera exhibited matrix effects in some assays; human serum pools were commutable in all assays; certificate reference materials were commutable in most assays, and only GBW09152 exhibited a matrix effect in one assay; and aqueous reference materials exhibited matrix effects in most assays. CONCLUSIONS: Biases for most assays were within the acceptable range, although the accuracy of some assays needs improvement. Human serum pools prepared from patient samples were commutable, and the other tested materials exhibited a matrix effect.

Combining corneal crosslinking and phakic toric Implantable Collamer Lenses for the treatment of keratectasia: A case report.

The present study reports the use of a phakic toric Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) that improved the refraction correction of high myopia and astigmatism in a case of keratectasia following corneal cross-linking. A 31-year-old male was diagnosed with keratectasia 12 years after laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Following LASIK, the manifest refraction was -3.50-2.25×90 [0.1 logarithmic expression (LogMAR) best corrected visual acuity (BVCA)] in the right eye and -8.00-3.50×175 (0.3 LogMAR BCVA) in the left eye, with a LogMAR uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 0.8 and a 'counting fingers' value of 3 ft (CF @3 ft) in the left and right eyes, respectively. Riboflavin/ultraviolet A light (UVA) corneal crosslinking (CXL) was conducted on both eyes. Seven months after cross-linking, LogMAR UDVA was 0.4, the manifest refraction was -2.75-2.50×85 and LogMAR BCVA was 0.1 in the right eye. In the left eye, LogMAR UDVA was CF @3 ft, the manifest refraction was -15.00 and LogMAR BCVA was 0.3. The corneal topography was stable 7 months after CXL. Phakic toric ICL was implanted to correct the refractive error, following which the LogMAR UDVA improved to 0.1 in the right eye and 0.3 in left eye, and visual acuity remained stable for 6 months after ICL implantation. In conclusion, combining riboflavin/UVA corneal cross-linking and phakic toric ICL implantation may be an alternative in the correction of high refractive error in patients with keratectasia.

[Clinical analysis of ultrasound-guided embryo transfer after in-vitro fertilization].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether ultrasound (US) guided embryo transfer could improve pregnancy rates. METHODS: A prospective randomized trial was conducted to compare embryo transfer under abdominal US guidance (n = 178) with traditional embryo transfer (n = 152). RESULTS: The clinical pregnancy rate was 37.1% (66/178) in the US group compared with 25.0% (38/152) in the traditional group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: US guided embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization increased pregnancy and implantation rates. It is suggested that embryo transfer should be performed under ultrasound guidance.