MiR-150 inhibits proliferation of mantle-cell lymphoma cells via regulation of MET

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the influences of micro ribonucleic acid (miR)-150 on the proliferation and apoptosis of mantle-cell lymphoma (MCL) cells and to investigate the potential underlying mechanism.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Differentially expressed miRNAs in MCL tissues were excavated via microarray analysis of miRNA expression profiles. Subsequently, the expression of miRNAs were verified by quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). The influence of miRNA expression on the survival of patients was detected based on clinical data. Besides, the potential targets of miRNAs were determined using Luciferase reporter gene assay combined with qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Primary tumor cells were extracted, and the influences of miR-150 expression on cell proliferation were detected via Cell Counting Kit (CCK)-8 assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining assay. Finally, Western blotting and flow cytometry were performed to explore the impact of miR-150 on the apoptosis of primary tumor cells.

RESULTS

Microarray analysis of miRNA expression profiles and RT-qPCR verified that the expression levels of hsa-miR-486, hsa-miR-4746, and hsa-miR-3158 rose considerably in MCL tissues, while those of hsa-miR-29b-3p, hsa-miR-150, and hsa-miR-142-5p remarkably declined. According to the results of survival analysis, the survival time was notably prolonged in patients with higher expression levels of miR-150 and miR-486, especially in those with higher expression level of miR-150. Luciferase reporter gene assay and RT-qPCR and Western blotting results demonstrated that miR-150 negatively regulated the expression level of MET. Subsequent CCK-8 assay and EdU staining results revealed that up-regulation of miR-150 significantly suppressed the proliferation of primary MCL cells. Finally, Western blotting and flow cytometry found that increased expression of MET remarkably facilitated the apoptosis of primary MCL cells.

CONCLUSIONS

MiR-150 inhibits the proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of MCL cells by negatively regulating MET expression.

ORAI3 contributes to hypoxia-inducible factor 1/2α-sensitive colon cell migration

BACKGROUND

Hypoxia is a pivotal initiator of tumor angiogenesis and growth through the stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs). This study set out to examine the involvement of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in colon cancer and ascertained whether ORAI3 was involved in the pathway.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients and murine models as well as human colorectal adenocarcinoma tumor (CW2) cells were included to examine the levels of ORAI1/3 and HIF-1/2α levels. Calcium imaging was utilized to ascertain the activity of calcium channel. Scratch assay was used to assess the migration capacity of the cells.

RESULTS

Tumors from murine colon cancer xenograft models and patients with colon cancer displayed high ORAI1/3 and HIF-1/2α levels. Hypoxia treatment, mimicking the tumor microenvironment in vitro, increased ORAI1/3 and HIF-1/2α expression as well as store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE). Of note is that HIF-1/2α silencing decreased SOCE, and HIF-1/2α overexpression facilitated SOCE. Furthermore, ORAI3 rather than ORAI1 expression was inhibited by HIF-1/2α silencing while increased by ML228. Luciferase assay also confirmed that ORAI3 was elevated in the presence of ML228, indicating the linkage between HIF-1/2α and ORAI3. Additionally, colony-forming potential and cell migration capacity were decreased in siHIF-1α and siHIF-2α as well as siORAI3 cells, and the facilitating effect of ML228 on cell migration and colony-forming potential was also decreased in siORAI3 CW-2 cells, which points out the importance of ORAI3 in HIF1/2α pathway.

CONCLUSION

Our findings allow to conclude that both HIF-1α and HIF-2α facilitate ORAI3 expression, hence enhancing colon cancer progression.

Does fact-checking habit promote COVID-19 knowledge during the pandemic? Evidence from China

Objectives

Promoting health knowledge during a public health crisis is essential. This study aims to examine how fact-checking habit influences COVID-19 knowledge in the COVID-19 infodemic.

Study design

This study uses a cross-sectional survey.

Methods

During the early outbreak of COVID-19 in China, we conducted an online survey and collected data from 3000 representative Chinese Internet users. The study measured COVID-19 knowledge as a dependent variable, fact-checking habit as an independent variable, and general science knowledge and negative emotion as moderators. Internet use and several demographic factors were used as control variables. Ordinary least squares (OLS) linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between fact-checking habit and COVID-19 knowledge as a function of science knowledge and negative emotion.

Results

Fact-checking habit was negatively associated with COVID-19 knowledge, and the relationship was moderated by general science knowledge and negative emotion. For those with less science knowledge or higher levels of negative emotion, COVID-19 knowledge was lower with the increase of experience in fact-checking.

Conclusions

During a pandemic, individuals may not be able to obtain high-quality information, even if they regularly fact-check information, and especially when they lack knowledge about science or are influenced by negative emotion. To promote health knowledge during a public health crisis, basic science literacy must be promoted, and the psychological impact of the crisis on the population must also be considered.

Exosome-based liquid biopsies in cancer: opportunities and challenges

Liquid biopsy in cancer has gained momentum in clinical research and is experiencing a boom for a variety of applications. There are significant efforts to utilize liquid biopsies in cancer for early detection and treatment stratification, as well as residual disease and recurrence monitoring. Although most efforts have used circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA for this purpose, exosomes and other extracellular vesicles have emerged as a platform with potentially broader and complementary applications. Exosomes/extracellular vesicles are small vesicles released by cells, including cancer cells, into the surrounding biofluids. These exosomes contain tumor-derived materials such as DNA, RNA, protein, lipid, sugar structures, and metabolites. In addition, exosomes carry molecules on their surface that provides clues regarding their origin, making it possible to sort vesicle types and enrich signatures from tissue-specific origins. Exosomes are part of the intercellular communication system and cancer cells frequently use them as biological messengers to benefit their growth. Since exosomes are part of the disease process, they have become of tremendous interest in biomarker research. Exosomes are remarkably stable in biofluids, such as plasma and urine, and can be isolated for clinical evaluation even in the early stages of the disease. Exosome-based biomarkers have quickly become adopted in the clinical arena and the first exosome RNA-based prostate cancer test has already helped >50 000 patients in their decision process and is now included in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for early prostate cancer detection. This review will discuss the advantages and challenges of exosome-based liquid biopsies for tumor biomarkers and clinical implementation in the context of circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells.

[Absence of arterial duct in fetus: an autopsy analysis]

Objective: To analyze the absence of congenital arterial duct in fetus and to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Methods: Four hundred cases of congenital heart disease diagnosed by echocardiography during pregnancy were examined the fetal cardiovascular malformation and visceral malformation, and the absence of arterial duct was analyzed. Results: There were 24(6%)cases of absence of arterial duct, including 19 cases of left aortic arch and five cases of right aortic arch. There were 21 cases with main pulmonary arteries and 3 cases without main pulmonary arteries and branches. There were 15 cases of pulmonary artery stenosis with absence of arterial duct and the major cardiovascular malformations included six cases of single ventricle, six cases of atrial septal defect, four cases of single atrium, four cases of right atrium isomerism, four cases of double outlet right ventricle, four cases of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, three cases of tetralogy of Fallot, and three cases of persistent left superior vena cava. There were seven cases of pulmonary atresia with absence of arterial duct and with systemic-pulmonary collateral circulation. There was one case of tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve and absent arterial duct and the pulmonary artery was dilated. There was one case of aortopulmonary septal defect with absent arterial duct, with normal pulmonary artery. There were also seven cases of asplenia, seven cases of pulmonary abnormality and seven cases of visceral inversion. Conclusions: The absence of arterial duct is often associated with congenital heart disease. Pulmonary atresia is often associated with systemic-pulmonary collateral circulation. The visceral malformations are related to the accompanying congenital cardiovascular malformations.

Chinese Version of the Baylor Profound Mental Status Examination: A Brief Staging Measure for Patients with Severe Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

A specialized instrument for assessing the cognition of patients with severe Alzheimer's disease (AD) is needed in China.

OBJECTIVES

To validate the Chinese version of the Baylor Profound Mental Status Examination (BPMSE-Ch).

DESIGN

The BPMSE is a simplified scale which has proved to be a reliable and valid tool for evaluating patients with moderate to severe AD, it is worthwhile to extend the use of it to Chinese patients with AD.

SETTING

Patients were assessed from the Memory Clinic Outpatient.

PARTICIPANTS

All participants were diagnosed as having probable AD by assessment.

MEASUREMENTS

The BPMSE was translated into Chinese and back translated. The BPMSE-Ch was administered to 102 AD patients with a Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score below 17. We assessed the internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity between the BPMSE-Ch and MMSE, Severe Impairment Battery (SIB), Global Deterioration Scale (GDS-1), Geriatric Depression Scale(GDS-2), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL), Physical Self-Maintenance Scale (PSMS), Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR).

RESULTS

The BPMSE-Ch showed good internal consistency (α = 0.87); inter-rater and test-retest reliability were both excellent, ranging from 0.91 to 0.99. The construct validity of the measure was also supported by significant correlations with MMSE, SIB. Moreover, as expected, the BMPSE-Ch had a lower floor effect than the MMSE, but a ceiling effect existed for patients with MMSE scores above 11.

CONCLUSIONS

The BPMSE-Ch is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating cognitive function in Chinese patients with severe AD.

Longitudinal change in bone mineral density among Chinese individuals with HIV after initiation of antiretroviral therapy

This is the first study to report changes in BMD and related risk factors among Chinese patients with HIV after initiation of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-containing antiretroviral therapy. Greater bone mineral density (BMD) loss was observed in patients treated with TDF, compared to those on non-TDF-containing regimens. Our findings provide important knowledge regarding the risk factors in the long-term clinical management of patients with HIV in China.

INTRODUCTION

Persons living with HIV (PLWH) are at increased risk for osteoporosis and fracture. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) has been associated with higher rates of bone mineral density (BMD) loss, osteoporosis, and fracture. Few studies have studied the impact among PLWH in Asia.

METHODS

We analyzed retrospectively patients from the outpatient HIV clinic of a large tertiary hospital in Beijing, China, from March 2007 to May 2016. Patients who had dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry testing prior to antiretroviral initiation and at 48 and/or 96 weeks after initiation were included in this analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 136 patients were included (mean age 36.0 ± 10.6 years) and over 90% participants were male and Han Chinese ethnicity. We observed greater declines in BMD at the spine from baseline to week 48 (-2.94% vs. -0.74%) and at the hip from baseline to week 96 (-4.37% vs. -2.34%) in the TDF group compared with the non-TDF group. With regard to HIV-specific parameters, longer duration since HIV diagnosis and undetectable viral load over time were associated with lower BMD at the hip [relative risk (RR) 0.97, 95% confidence index (CI) (0.95, 0.99) per 1 year increase and RR 0.96, 95%CI (0.94, 0.99), respectively] and femoral neck [RR 0.97, 95%CI (0.95, 0.99) per 1 year increase and RR 0.97, 95%CI (0.95, 0.998), respectively] over 96 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to report changes in BMD among PLWH after initiation of TDF-based antiretroviral therapy in China. Our findings provide important knowledge for the long-term clinical management of PLWH from this region.

Artificial Intelligence and Acute Stroke Imaging

Artificial intelligence technology is a rapidly expanding field with many applications in acute stroke imaging, including ischemic and hemorrhage subtypes. Early identification of acute stroke is critical for initiating prompt intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality. Artificial intelligence can help with various aspects of the stroke treatment paradigm, including infarct or hemorrhage detection, segmentation, classification, large vessel occlusion detection, Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score grading, and prognostication. In particular, emerging artificial intelligence techniques such as convolutional neural networks show promise in performing these imaging-based tasks efficiently and accurately. The purpose of this review is twofold: first, to describe AI methods and available public and commercial platforms in stroke imaging, and second, to summarize the literature of current artificial intelligence-driven applications for acute stroke triage, surveillance, and prediction.

No pulsed radio emission during a bursting phase of a Galactic magnetar

Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are millisecond-duration radio transients of unknown physical origin observed at extragalactic distances^1-3. It has long been speculated that magnetars are the engine powering repeating bursts from FRB sources^4-13, but no convincing evidence has been collected so far¹⁴. Recently, the Galactic magnetar SRG 1935+2154 entered an active phase by emitting intense soft γ-ray bursts¹⁵. One FRB-like event with two peaks (FRB 200428) and a luminosity slightly lower than the faintest extragalactic FRBs was detected from the source, in association with a soft γ-ray/hard-X-ray flare^18-21. Here we report an eight-hour targeted radio observational campaign comprising four sessions and assisted by multi-wavelength (optical and hard-X-ray) data. During the third session, 29 soft-γ-ray repeater (SGR) bursts were detected in γ-ray energies. Throughout the observing period, we detected no single dispersed pulsed emission coincident with the arrivals of SGR bursts, but unfortunately we were not observing when the FRB was detected. The non-detection places a fluence upper limit that is eight orders of magnitude lower than the fluence of FRB 200428. Our results suggest that FRB-SGR burst associations are rare. FRBs may be highly relativistic and geometrically beamed, or FRB-like events associated with SGR bursts may have narrow spectra and characteristic frequencies outside the observed band. It is also possible that the physical conditions required to achieve coherent radiation in SGR bursts are difficult to satisfy, and that only under extreme conditions could an FRB be associated with an SGR burst.

Diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography colonography in patients at high risk for colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis

AIM

The aim was to explore the diagnostic value of computed tomographic colonography (CTC) compared with conventional colonoscopy in individuals at high risk for colorectal cancer.

METHOD

PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and the Web of Science were searched by two independent reviewers for potentially eligible studies published up to 31 October 2018 that were based on a per-patient analysis. stata, meta-disc and revman were used to perform this meta-analysis. A random-effect model was used, and a subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the sources of heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 14 full-text articles, involving 3578 patients, were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve of CTC for detecting polyps ≥ 6 mm were 0.87 (95% CI 0.83-0.90), 0.90 (95% CI 0.86-0.93), 9.08 (95% CI 6.28-13.13), 0.14 (95% CI 0.11-0.18) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.92-0.96), respectively. For polyps ≥ 10 mm, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of CTC were 0.91 (95% CI 0.86-0.94), 0.98 (95% CI 0.95-0.99), 40.36 (95% CI 19.16-85.03), 0.90 (95% CI 0.06-0.14) and 0.98 (95% CI 0.96-0.99), respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this meta-analysis, CTC had high diagnostic accuracy for detecting polyps ≥ 6 mm and ≥ 10 mm in patients at high risk of developing colorectal cancer and it had a higher sensitivity and specificity for detecting polyps ≥ 10 mm than polyps ≥ 6 mm. However, the results should be used cautiously due to the significant heterogeneity.

Particle-in-cell simulation method for macroscopic degenerate plasmas

Nowadays hydrodynamic equations coupled with external equation of states provided by quantum mechanical calculations is a widely used approach for simulations of macroscopic degenerate plasmas. Although such an approach is proven to be efficient and shows many good features, especially for large scale simulations, it encounters intrinsic challenges when involving kinetic effects. As a complement, here we have invented a fully kinetic numerical approach for macroscopic degenerate plasmas. This approach is based on first principle Boltzmann-Uhling-Uhlenbeck equations coupled with Maxwell's equation, and is eventually achieved via an existing particle-in-cell simulation code named LAPINS. In this approach, degenerate particles obey Fermi-Dirac statistics and nondegenerate particles follow the typical Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics. The equation of motion of both degenerate and nondegenerate particles are governed by long range collective electromagnetic fields and close particle-particle collisions. Especially, Boltzmann-Uhling-Uhlenbeck collisions ensure that evolution of degenerate particles is enforced by the Pauli exclusion principle. The code is applied to several benchmark simulations, including electronic conductivity for aluminium with varying temperatures from 2 eV to 50 eV, thermalization of alpha particles in a cold fuel shell in inertial confinement fusion, and rapid heating of solid sample by short and intense laser pulses.

[Short-term effect of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate on potassium lowering in chronic kidney disease patients with hyperkalemia]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate on emergency correction of hyperkalemia in chronic kidney disease patients. Methods: Patients with chronic kidney disease who were admitted to the Department of Nephrology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from May to June 2020 were selected. Those who had hyperkalemia and took sodium zirconium cyclosilicate powder were finally included. The patient's clinical data and laboratory results were collected. Results: A total of 24 results were included from 21 patients. The age of patients was (48.9±13.5) years old. Fourteen patients were male, and 7 patients were female. After 2 hours of administration, the venous potassium level decreased from (5.85±0.52) mmol/L to (5.15±0.43) mmol/L (P<0.001, n=21), with an average decline of (0.71±0.43) mmol/L. Meanwhile, the arterial potassium level decreased from (5.50±0.40) mmol/L to (4.88±0.33) mmol/L (P<0.001, n=10), with an average decline of (0.62±0.29) mmol/L. Based on the initial venous potassium level, the patients were further divided into three groups. The average potassium decrease in<5.5 mmol/L group (4 patients), 5.5-<6.0 mmol/L group (11 patients) and ≥6.0 mmol/L group (6 patients) was (0.46±0.26) mmol/L, (0.62±0.38) mmol/L and (1.04±0.45) mmol/L, respectively. There was statistically significant difference of potassium reduction among the three groups (P=0.045). Moreover, the extent of potassium reduction was positively correlated with baseline venous potassium level (r=0.603, P=0.004, n=21). The study did not reveal any treatment-related adverse event. Conclusion: Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate powder can rapidly and effectively reduce the serum potassium level in chronic kidney disease patients with hyperkalemia.

Hepatitis E virus infection in buffaloes in South China

ABSTRACT Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is an important global public health issue. HEV infections are recognized as a zoonotic disease. Swine are believed to be the main reservoir of HEV. Recently, yaks, cows, and yellow cattle have been reported as new reservoirs of HEV. However, whether other species of cattle and buffaloes are sensitive to HEV infection is unknown. To investigate the prevalence of HEV infection in buffaloes, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nPCR) were performed. Only one buffalo was positive to anti-HEV IgM antibody (1/106, 0.94%), and none were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibody. To our surprise, five serum (5/106, 4.72%) and three milk samples (3/40, 7.50%) from buffaloes were positive to HEV RNA. All strains of HEV isolated from buffaloes belong to genotype 4. Results indicate that buffaloes may be a new reservoir of HEV.

MFN2 contributes to metabolic disorders and inflammation in the aging of rat chondrocytes and osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Metabolic disorders and inflammation of chondrocytes are major pathological changes in aging cells and osteoarthritis (OA). Recent studies demonstrated age-related mitochondrial dysfunction may be a key contributing factor in the development of OA. Mitofusin 2 (MFN2) is a key regulator of mitochondrial fusion, cell metabolism, autophagy and apoptosis. This study was performed to ascertain whether MFN2 was involved in the aging of chondrocytes and OA.

METHODS

Metabolic measurements were taken in rat chondrocytes between different ages (3-week, 5-month, 12-month). MFN2 activity was detected in both human and rat chondrocytes during aging and OA. Then, knockdown of MFN2 with small interfering RNA (siRNA) was performed to confirm whether MFN2 contributes to metabolic changes. Lentiviruses were used to establish MFN2-overexpression/knockdown OA models both in vivo and in vitro to confirm whether MFN2 contributes to OA progress. Further, regulatory mechanism of MFN2 was assessed and interaction between MFN2 and PARKIN was performed.

RESULTS

A metabolic shift to mitochondrial respiration was confirmed in rat chondrocytes during aging. MFN2 expression was elevated in both human and rat chondrocytes during aging and OA. Knockdown of MFN2 with siRNA reversed the age-related metabolic changes in rat chondrocytes. Overexpression of MFN2 exacerbated inflammation and OA progress, while knockdown of MFN2 ameliorated inflammation and OA progress. Further, MFN2 could be ubiquitinated by PARKIN, declined PARKIN expression during aging and OA might result in elevated MFN2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated MFN2 contributes to metabolic changes and inflammation during aging of rat chondrocytes and osteoarthritis.