LncRNA HOXC-AS3 overexpression inhibits TGF-ß2-induced colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion by sponging miR-1269.

OBJECTIVE: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOXC-AS3 has been characterized as a cancer-related lncRNA in many types of cancer, while its role in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. METHODS: The expression of HOXC-AS3 and TGF-ß2 were detected by RT-qPCR. Overexpression assays were performed to explore the interaction between HOXC-AS3 and TGF-ß2. A follow-up study was performed to explore the prognostic value of HOXC-AS3 for CRC. The direct interaction between HOXC-AS3 and miR-1269 was assessed with RNA-RNA pulldown assay. Transwell assays were performed to determine the role of HOXC-AS3 and TGF-ß2 in regulating CRC cell invasion and migration. RESULTS: HOXC-AS3 was significantly downregulated in CRC tissues, while TGF-ß2 was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues compared to that in adjacent non-cancer tissues of CRC patients. The follow-up study showed that low expression levels of HOXC-AS3 in CRC tissues were closely correlated with poor survival. Correlation analysis showed that HOXC-AS3 and TGF-ß2 were inversely correlated across CRC tissues but not non-cancer tissues. Overexpression of HOXC-AS3 in the two cell lines resulted in downregulation of TGF-ß2, while the expression of HOXC-AS3 was not affected by TGF-ß2. Transwell migration and invasion assay showed that overexpression of TGF-ß2 increased cell invasion and migration, while overexpression of HOXC-AS3 decreased cell migration and invasion. In addition, overexpression of HOXC-AS3 attenuated the effects of overexpression of TGF-ß2. MiR-1269 increased the expression of TGF-ß2. HOXC-AS3 directly interacted with miR-1269 in CRC cells. CONCLUSIONS: Upregulation of HOXC-AS3 inhibited TGF-ß2-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) cell migration and invasion possibly by sponging miR-1269.

Identification of volatile organic compounds in muscle tissues of different species based on Headspace-Gas-Chromatography Ion-Mobility spectrometry.

Species identification of unknown biological samples is crucial for forensic applications, especially in cases of explosion, disaster accidents, and body mutilation after murdering, as well as poaching, illegal trade in endangered animals, and meat food fraud. In this study, we identified 60 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in fresh skeletal muscle tissues of seven different animal species (cattle, sheep, pigs, rabbits, rats, chickens and carp) and a human dead body by headspace-gas-chromatography ion-mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS), and compared their differences by retention time, drift time and molecular weight. The results showed that these VOCs formed different gallery plot fingerprints in the skeletal muscle tissues of the human dead body and seven animal species. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed significantly different fingerprints between these species, and these fingerprints maintained good stability between the species and within the same species. Some VOCs have high species specificity, while VOCs of human fresh muscle tissues from different individual sources have little difference, demonstrating that all tested muscle tissue samples could be distinguished based on different VOCs. HS-GC-IMS has proved to be a rapid, high-throughput, highly sensitive and specific species identification method, which can be used for forensic species identification in criminal cases and disaster accidents, as well as detection in the field of food safety, such as meat fraud and adulteration.

[Effect of shenqi fuzheng injection combined with chemotherapy in treating colorectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and mechanism of Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SFI) for assisting of chemotherapy in treating colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Forty CRC patients were randomly and equally assigned to two groups, the control group received chemotherapy of FOLFOX protocol and the test group treated with the same chemotherapy combining with SFI. The CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T (Treg) cells, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) in peripheral blood were determined before and after treatment, and the toxicity of chemotherapy assessed according to the WHO criteria for acute and subacute toxic reaction of anticancer drugs. RESULTS: Two cases in the control group were lost during the observing period. The amount of CD4+ CD25+ Treg cells in peripheral blood in CRC patients was significantly higher than the normal range (P<0.05), which was lowered significantly after treatment in both groups (P<0.05). Levels of TNF-alpha and IL-12 significantly elevated in the test group after treatment but lowered in the control group, showing significant difference between groups (both P<0.05). As compared with the control group, the adverse reaction to the chemotherapy was significantly lessened in the test group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Using SFI for assisting chemotherapy could not only improve the immune function of organism to enhance the effect of chemotherapy, but also reduce the adverse reaction of the chemotherapy.

Protective effect of Hua Tan Qu Shi decoction against liver injury in rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is currently a worldwide health problem. None of the existing treatment medications had got a satisfactory effect. Hua Tan Qu Shi (HTQS) decoction is a Chinese herbal formula, which has been used clinically to treat NAFLD for years. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. METHODS: High-fat diet (HFD) induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rats treated with or without HTQS decoction by gavage for 10 weeks and examined by serology, 24-h albuminuria, histology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular analyses.

[Evaluation of surgical outcomes using imaging study for patients with slow transit constipation complicated with outlet obstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical significance of multiple radiography of the pelvis in the evaluation of surgical outcomes for patients with slow transit constipation complicated with outlet obstruction. METHODS: Patients with slow transit constipation complicated with outlet obstruction were diagnosed by multiple radiography of the pelvis after screening using colon transit study. Surgery was performed according to the cause of the obstruction. Anorectal angle and the locations of perineum, pelvic peritoneum, and bladder were assessed by multiple radiography of the pelvis one month after surgery. The changes in locations of pelvic organs were assessed and the imaging appearance after the release of obstruction was observed. RESULTS: A total of 48 patients were included. Rectocele repair, partial mucosectomy with rectopexy, and hysteropexy were performed. All the patients were followed up with a mean length of 19(6-58) months. Excluding 2 patients who had no symptomatic improvement, the mean bowel movements was 1.9 times per day in the remaining 46 patients(95.8%). Preoperative anorectal angle at the squeezing phase was(128.09±13.82) degree and the difference between squeezing and resting phase was (11.14±12.58) degree, while the postoperative angle was (180.26±9.98) degree and the difference(20.01±13.11) degree(P<0.05). Preoperative location of the perineum at the squeezing phase was(-2.05±0.83) cm and the difference was(2.23±0.78) cm, while postoperative location was (-0.50±1.13) cm and the difference was (2.18±1.04) cm(P<0.05). Preoperative location of the pelvic peritoneum at the squeezing phase was(4.91±1.32) cm and the difference was (1.32±0.89) cm, while postoperative location was (2.62±2.53) cm and the difference was (3.28±0.68) cm (P<0.05). Preoperative bladder location at the squeezing phase in patients with urological symptoms was (3.92±2.51) cm and the difference was(1.39±1.27) cm, while postoperative location was (2.15±1.55) cm and the difference was (1.98±1.54) cm(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Multiple imaging of the pelvis provides objective evidence in the evaluation of surgical outcomes for patients with chronic slow transit constipation complicated with outlet obstruction.