RNA adenosine modifications related to prognosis and immune infiltration in osteosarcoma

Diagnostic, prognostic, and immunological roles of NCAPG in pan-cancer: A bioinformatics analysis

Growing studies have shown that non-SMC condensin I complex subunit G (NCAPG) was highly expressed in a variety of tumors and was involved in the progression of multitumors, but the role of NCAPG in tumorigenesis is not fully understood. Our study purposed to systematically investigate the role of NCAPG across cancer types. Interacting molecules with NCAPG were analyzed using searching bioinformatics websites including Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins, GeneMANIA, and Global Positioning System-Prot. NCAPG-related diseases were acquired using the Open Targets Platform. The interaction of NCAPG and 14 cancer functional states was achieved using the CancerSEA website. The databases including the University of California Santa Cruz Xena, Genotype-Tissue Expression, The Cancer Genome Atlas Program, Human Protein Atlas, and XIANTAO Academic were used to interpret the expression of NCAPG. Correlations between NCAPG expression and immune infiltration and immune-related molecules were analyzed by using Tumor Immune Estimation Resource Version 2 and Tumor and Immune System Interaction Database databases. NCAPG expression was significantly upregulated in most cancer types. NCAPG was identified as a marker of diagnostic value and prognostic significance in most cancer types. NCAPG expression was related to immune cell infiltration and immune-related molecules across various cancers, especially kidney renal clear cell carcinoma and thyroid carcinoma. Furthermore, NCAPG expression could affect the enrichment and decrease immune cell infiltration to influence prognosis in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma but was devoid of evidence in thyroid carcinoma. NCAPG was a prospective marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of pan-cancer. Our results suggested that NCAPG was a potential cancer biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of pan-cancer. NCAPG might affect the immune microenvironment, which could be applied in the development of new-targeted drugs for immunotherapy.

Prognostic stratification of gastric cancer patients by intratumoral microbiota-mediated tumor immune microenvironment

Gastric cancer (GC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, and therapeutic options for advanced GC are limited. Here, we observe that intratumoral microbiota controls chemokine expression, which in turn recruits immune cells into the tumor, and that immune infiltration is strongly associated with patient survival and disease attributes. Furthermore, microbiota regulation of chemokines is differentiated in GC patients with different survival risks. As seen in gastric tumors, in high-survival-risk patients, Pseudomonas regulates CCL4, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11 accumulation to recruit immune cells such as CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, and M1 macrophages. In low-survival-risk patients, Leptospira regulates CCL4, CCL5, CXCL9, and CXCL10 accumulation to recruit multiple types of immune cells. An independent single-cell dataset of GC verified the relationship between chemokines and immune cells. What's more, chemokines, including CCL4, CCL5, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11, strongly influence the sensitivity of GC patients to potential drug candidates. This study demonstrates that intratumoral microbiota closely influences the gastric immune microenvironment and that this molding has prognostic heterogeneity, opening avenues for cancer prevention and therapy.

Matrine Enhances the Antitumor Efficacy of Chidamide in CTCL by Promoting Apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma (CTCL) is a rare group of non-Hodgkin lymphoma originating from the skin, which is characterized by T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders. Chidamide, a Chinese original antineoplastic agent with independent intellectual property rights, and matrine, an extract of Chinese herbal medicine, both have been reported to exert effects on the treatment of tumors individually. However, chidamide combined with matrine has not been tested for the treatment of CTCL.

METHODS

Both HH and Hut78 CTCL cell lines were treated with chidamide (0.4 μmol/L), matrine (0.6 g/L), or chidamide combined with matrine for 24, 48, and 72 h. Cell viability was estimated by MTS assay at each time point. Flow cytometry was then conducted to detect cell apoptosis. The exact mechanism of chidamide combined with matrine on CTCL cells was detected by Western blotting and further validated in xenograft models of NOD/SCID mice.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Compared to the single drug, chidamide combined with matrine showed a more significant effect on proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induction on CTCL cells both in vitro and in vivo. The results from the in vitro and in vivo studies suggested that matrine could enhance the anti-tumor effect of chidamide by increasing the protein expression of cleaved caspase- 3 and decreasing the expression of E-cadherin, NF-κB, p-Bad, and Bcl-2 to activate apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our data have demonstrated chidamide combined with matrine to exhibit elevated antitumor activity in both CTCL cells and xenograft models of NOD/SCID mice, which may be a potential treatment option for CTCL.

ANRIL's Epigenetic Regulation and Its Implications for Cardiovascular Disorders

Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) are a major global health concern, but their underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Recent research highlights the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), particularly ANRIL, in cardiovascular development and disease. ANRIL, located in the human genome's 9p21 region, significantly regulates cardiovascular pathogenesis. It controls nearby tumor suppressor genes CDKN2A/B through epigenetic pathways, influencing cell growth and senescence. ANRIL interacts with epigenetic modifiers, leading to altered histone modifications and gene expression changes. It also acts as a transcriptional regulator, impacting key genes in CVD development. ANRIL's involvement in cardiovascular epigenetic regulation suggests potential therapeutic strategies. Manipulating ANRIL and its associated epigenetic modifiers could offer new approaches to managing CVDs and preventing their progression. Dysregulation of ANRIL has been linked to various cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction. This abstract provides insights from recent research, emphasizing ANRIL's significance in the epigenetic landscape of cardiovascular disorders. By shedding light on ANRIL's role in cellular processes and disease development, the abstract highlights its potential as a therapeutic target for addressing CVDs.

Unveiling the role of histone deacetylases in neurological diseases: focus on epilepsy

Epilepsy remains a prevalent chronic neurological disease that is featured by aberrant, recurrent and hypersynchronous discharge of neurons and poses a great challenge to healthcare systems. Although several therapeutic interventions are successfully utilized for treating epilepsy, they can merely provide symptom relief but cannot exert disease-modifying effect. Therefore, it is of urgent need to explore other potential mechanism to develop a novel approach to delay the epileptic progression. Since approximately 30 years ago, histone deacetylases (HDACs), the versatile epigenetic regulators responsible for gene transcription via binding histones or non-histone substrates, have grabbed considerable attention in drug discovery. There are also substantial evidences supporting that aberrant expressions and/activities of HDAC isoforms are reported in epilepsy and HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have been successfully utilized for therapeutic purposes in this condition. However, the specific mechanisms underlying the role of HDACs in epileptic progression have not been fully understood. Herein, we reviewed the basic information of HDACs, summarized the recent findings associated with the roles of diverse HDAC subunits in epilepsy and discussed the potential regulatory mechanisms by which HDACs affected the development of epilepsy. Additionally, we also provided a brief discussion on the potential of HDACs as promising therapeutic targets for epilepsy treatment, serving as a valuable reference for basic study and clinical translation in epilepsy field.

MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) in breast cancer: From apoptosis dysregulation to therapeutic opportunities

Breast cancer, a pervasive and complex disease, continues to pose significant challenges in the field of oncology. Its heterogeneous nature and diverse molecular profiles necessitate a nuanced understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving tumorigenesis and progression. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) has emerged as a crucial player in breast cancer development and progression by modulating apoptosis, a programmed cell death mechanism that eliminates aberrant cells. MiR-21 overexpression is a hallmark of breast cancer, and it is associated with poor prognosis and resistance to conventional therapies. This miRNA exerts its oncogenic effects by targeting various pro-apoptotic genes, including Fas ligand (FasL), programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4), and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). By suppressing these genes, miR-21 promotes breast cancer cell survival, proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The identification of miR-21 as a critical regulator of apoptosis in breast cancer has opened new avenues for therapeutic intervention. This review investigates the intricate mechanisms through which miR-21 influences apoptosis, offering insights into the molecular pathways and signaling cascades involved. The dysregulation of apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer, and understanding the role of miR-21 in this context holds immense therapeutic potential. Additionally, the review highlights the clinical significance of miR-21 as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in breast cancer, underscoring its potential as a therapeutic target.

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIR: A biomarker and therapeutic target in urological tumors

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) significantly influence gene regulation across epigenetic, transcriptional, and post-transcriptional levels through their interactions with DNA, RNA, and proteins. There is growing evidence of lncRNAs' critical roles in the emergence and progression of various diseases, including urological tumors (UTs), such as cancers of the kidney, bladder, and prostate. Research increasingly links lncRNA dysregulation to diverse cellular processes like invasion, metastasis, apoptosis, and chromatin remodeling. Among these, HOTAIR stands out for its pivotal role in oncogenesis, impacting treatment resistance, cell migration, proliferation, survival, and genomic integrity. This review provides an overview of HOTAIR's functions, its identification, and its biological significance. Furthermore, it delves into HOTAIR's involvement in UTs, underlining its potential as a therapeutic target and biomarker for innovative approaches to treating these cancers.

Application of a single-cell-RNA-based biological-inspired graph neural network in diagnosis of primary liver tumors

Single-cell technology depicts integrated tumor profiles including both tumor cells and tumor microenvironments, which theoretically enables more robust diagnosis than traditional diagnostic standards based on only pathology. However, the inherent challenges of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data, such as high dimensionality, low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), sparse and non-Euclidean nature, pose significant obstacles for traditional diagnostic approaches. The diagnostic value of single-cell technology has been largely unexplored despite the potential advantages. Here, we present a graph neural network-based framework tailored for molecular diagnosis of primary liver tumors using scRNA-seq data. Our approach capitalizes on the biological plausibility inherent in the intercellular communication networks within tumor samples. By integrating pathway activation features within cell clusters and modeling unidirectional inter-cellular communication, we achieve robust discrimination between malignant tumors (including hepatocellular carcinoma, HCC, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, iCCA) and benign tumors (focal nodular hyperplasia, FNH) by scRNA data of all tissue cells and immunocytes only. The efficacy to distinguish iCCA from HCC was further validated on public datasets. Through extending the application of high-throughput scRNA-seq data into diagnosis approaches focusing on integrated tumor microenvironment profiles rather than a few tumor markers, this framework also sheds light on minimal-invasive diagnostic methods based on migrating/circulating immunocytes.

PRKDC Induces Chemoresistance in Osteosarcoma by Recruiting GDE2 to Stabilize GNAS and Activate AKT

Chemoresistance is one of the major causes of poor prognosis in osteosarcoma. Alternative therapeutic strategies for osteosarcoma are limited, indicating that increasing sensitivity to currently used chemotherapies could be an effective approach to improve patient outcomes. Using a kinome-wide CRISPR screen, we identified PRKDC as a critical determinant of doxorubicin (DOX) sensitivity in osteosarcoma. The analysis of clinical samples demonstrated that PRKDC was hyperactivated in osteosarcoma, and functional experiments showed that the loss of PRKDC significantly increased sensitivity of osteosarcoma to DOX. Mechanistically, PRKDC recruited and bound GDE2 to enhance the stability of protein GNAS. The elevated GNAS protein levels subsequently activated AKT phosphorylation and conferred resistance to DOX. The PRKDC inhibitor AZD7648 and DOX synergized and strongly suppressed the growth of osteosarcoma in mouse xenograft models and human organoids. In conclusion, the PRKDC-GDE2-GNAS-AKT regulatory axis suppresses DOX sensitivity and comprises targetable candidates for improving the efficacy of chemotherapy in osteosarcoma. Significance: Targeting PRKDC suppresses AKT activation and increases sensitivity to doxorubicin in osteosarcoma, which provides a therapeutic strategy for overcoming chemoresistance.

Stealth Nanocarriers in Cancer Therapy: a Comprehensive Review of Design, Functionality, and Clinical Applications

Nanotechnology has significantly transformed cancer treatment by introducing innovative methods for delivering drugs effectively. This literature review provided an in-depth analysis of the role of nanocarriers in cancer therapy, with a particular focus on the critical concept of the 'stealth effect.' The stealth effect refers to the ability of nanocarriers to evade the immune system and overcome physiological barriers. The review investigated the design and composition of various nanocarriers, such as liposomes, micelles, and inorganic nanoparticles, highlighting the importance of surface modifications and functionalization. The complex interaction between the immune system, opsonization, phagocytosis, and the protein corona was examined to understand the stealth effect. The review carefully evaluated strategies to enhance the stealth effect, including surface coating with polymers, biomimetic camouflage, and targeting ligands. The in vivo behavior of stealth nanocarriers and their impact on pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and toxicity were also systematically examined. Additionally, the review presented clinical applications, case studies of approved nanocarrier-based cancer therapies, and emerging formulations in clinical trials. Future directions and obstacles in the field, such as advancements in nanocarrier engineering, personalized nanomedicine, regulatory considerations, and ethical implications, were discussed in detail. The review concluded by summarizing key findings and emphasizing the transformative potential of stealth nanocarriers in revolutionizing cancer therapy. This review enhanced the comprehension of nanocarrier-based cancer therapies and their potential impact by providing insights into advanced studies, clinical applications, and regulatory considerations.

Refining neural network algorithms for accurate brain tumor classification in MRI imagery

Brain tumor diagnosis using MRI scans poses significant challenges due to the complex nature of tumor appearances and variations. Traditional methods often require extensive manual intervention and are prone to human error, leading to misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. Current approaches primarily include manual examination by radiologists and conventional machine learning techniques. These methods rely heavily on feature extraction and classification algorithms, which may not capture the intricate patterns present in brain MRI images. Conventional techniques often suffer from limited accuracy and generalizability, mainly due to the high variability in tumor appearance and the subjective nature of manual interpretation. Additionally, traditional machine learning models may struggle with the high-dimensional data inherent in MRI images. To address these limitations, our research introduces a deep learning-based model utilizing convolutional neural networks (CNNs).Our model employs a sequential CNN architecture with multiple convolutional, max-pooling, and dropout layers, followed by dense layers for classification. The proposed model demonstrates a significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy, achieving an overall accuracy of 98% on the test dataset. The proposed model demonstrates a significant improvement in diagnostic accuracy, achieving an overall accuracy of 98% on the test dataset. The precision, recall, and F1-scores ranging from 97 to 98% with a roc-auc ranging from 99 to 100% for each tumor category further substantiate the model's effectiveness. Additionally, the utilization of Grad-CAM visualizations provides insights into the model's decision-making process, enhancing interpretability. This research addresses the pressing need for enhanced diagnostic accuracy in identifying brain tumors through MRI imaging, tackling challenges such as variability in tumor appearance and the need for rapid, reliable diagnostic tools.

KiSS-1 Modulation by Epigenetic Agents Improves the Cisplatin Sensitivity of Lung Cancer Cells

Epigenetic alterations my play a role in the aggressive behavior of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA, vorinostat) has been reported to interfere with the proliferative and invasive potential of NSCLC cells. In addition, the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor azacytidine (AZA, vidaza) can modulate the levels of the metastasis suppressor KiSS-1. Thus, since cisplatin is still clinically available for NSCLC therapy, the aim of this study was to evaluate drug combinations between cisplatin and SAHA as well as AZA using cisplatin-sensitive H460 and -resistant H460/Pt NSCLC cells in relation to KiSS-1 modulation. An analysis of drug interaction according to the Combination-Index values indicated a more marked synergistic effect when the exposure to SAHA or AZA preceded cisplatin treatment with respect to a simultaneous schedule. A modulation of proteins involved in apoptosis (p53, Bax) was found in both sensitive and resistant cells, and compared to the treatment with epigenetic agents alone, the combination of cisplatin and SAHA or AZA increased apoptosis induction. The epigenetic treatments, both as single agents and in combination, increased the release of KiSS-1. Finally, the exposure of cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant cells to the kisspeptin KP10 enhanced cisplatin induced cell death. The efficacy of the combination of SAHA and cisplatin was tested in vivo after subcutaneous inoculum of parental and resistant cells in immunodeficient mice. A significant tumor volume inhibition was found when mice bearing advanced tumors were treated with the combination of SAHA and cisplatin according to the best schedule identified in cellular studies. These results, together with the available literature, support that epigenetic drugs are amenable for the combination treatment of NSCLC, including patients bearing cisplatin-resistant tumors.

Potential roles of PIWI-interacting RNAs in breast cancer, a new therapeutic strategy

Breast cancer (BC) has been the focus of numerous studies aimed at identifying novel biological markers for its early detection. PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs), a subset of small non-coding RNAs, have emerged as potential markers due to their aberrant expression in various cancers. PiRNAs have recently gained attention due to their aberrant expression in various cancers, including BC. PiRNAs, exhibit diverse biological activities, such as epigenetic regulation of gene and protein expression and their association with cell proliferation and metastasis has been well-established. As the field of non-coding RNAs rapidly evolves, there is great anticipation that therapies targeting piRNAs will advance swiftly. This review will delve into the various biological functions of piRNAs, such as gene suppression, transposon silencing, and epigenetic regulation of genes. The review will also highlight the role of piRNAs as either progenitors or suppressors in cancers, with a particular focus on BC. Lastly, it will touch upon the potential of piRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for BC.

Diabetes and diabetic associative diseases: An overview of epigenetic regulations of TUG1

The epigenetic regulation of lncRNA TUG1 has garnered significant attention in the context of diabetes and its associated disorders. TUG1's multifaceted roles in gene expression modulation, and cellular differentiation, and it plays a major role in the growth of diabetes and the issues that are related to it due to pathological processes. In diabetes, aberrant epigenetic modifications can lead to dysregulation of TUG1 expression, contributing to disrupted insulin signaling, impaired glucose metabolism, and beta-cell dysfunction. Moreover, it has been reported that TUG1 contributes to the development of problems linked to diabetes, such as nephropathy, retinopathy, and cardiovascular complications, through epigenetically mediated mechanisms. Understanding the epigenetic regulations of TUG1 offers novel insights into the primary molecular mechanisms of diabetes and provides a possible path for healing interventions. Targeting epigenetic modifications associated with TUG1 holds promise for restoring proper gene expression patterns, ameliorating insulin sensitivity, and mitigating the inception and development of diabetic associative diseases. This review highlights the intricate epigenetic landscape that governs TUG1 expression in diabetes, encompassing DNA methylation and alterations in histone structure, as well as microRNA interactions.

Tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion subtypes in bladder cancer and pan-cancer: a novel molecular subtyping strategy and immunotherapeutic prediction model

BACKGROUND

Molecular subtyping is expected to enable precise treatment. However, reliable subtyping strategies for clinical application remains defective and controversial. Given the significance of tumor immune dysfunction and exclusion (TIDE), we aimed to develop a novel TIDE-based subtyping strategy to guide personalized immunotherapy in the bladder cancer (BC).

METHODS

Transcriptome data of BC was used to evaluate the heterogeneity and the status of TIDE patterns. Subsequently, consensus clustering was applied to classify BC patients based on TIDE marker-genes. Patients' clinicopathological, molecular features and signaling pathways of the different TIDE subtypes were well characterized. We also utilize the deconvolution algorithms to analyze the tumor microenvironment, and further explore the sensitivity and mechanisms of each subtype to immunotherapy. Furthermore, BC patient clinical information, real-world BC samples and urine samples were collected for the validation of our findings, which were used for RNA-seq analysis, H&E staining, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we also explored the conservation of our novel TIDE subtypes in pan-cancers.

RESULTS

We identified 69 TIDE biomarker genes and classified BC samples into three subtypes using consensus clustering. Subtype I showed the lowest TIDE status and malignancy with the best prognosis and highest sensitivity to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) treatment, which was enriched of metabolic related signaling pathways. Subtype III represented the highest TIDE status and malignancy with the poorest prognosis and resistance to ICB treatment, resulting from its inhibitory immune microenvironment and T cell terminal exhaustion. Subtype II was in a transitional state with intermediate TIDE level, malignancy, and prognosis. We further confirmed the existence and characteristics of our novel TIDE subtypes using real-world BC samples and collected patient clinical data. This subtyping method was proved to be more efficient than previous known methods in identifying non-responders to immunotherapy. We also propose that combining our TIDE subtypes with known biomarkers can potentially improve the sensitivity and specificity of these biomarkers. Moreover, besides guiding ICB treatment, this classification approach can assist in selecting the frontline or recommended drugs. Finally, we confirmed that the TIDE subtypes are conserved across the pan-tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our novel TIDE-based subtyping method can serve as a powerful clinical tool for BC and pan-cancer patients, and potentially guiding personalized therapy decisions for selecting potential beneficiaries and excluding resistant patients of ICB therapy.

Comparison of bone mineral density of osteoporotic and osteopenia menopausal women treated with oral bisphosphonates before stopping the treatment and 1 year after drug holiday period

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a skeletal and bone disorder characterized by bone fractures and decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Bisphosphonates have a great tendency to bind to minerals, and their long-term use can increase the risk of bone fragility in patients. Stopping bisphosphonates after a period of time is called a drug holiday (DH). Recent evidence has shown that patients' BMD may decrease again during DH. However, few studies have been done in this regard. In the present study, we compared the BMD of postmenopausal women during bisphosphonates treatment and 1 year after DH.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 202 patients were selected with osteopenia (n = 95) and osteoporosis (n = 107); they had been treated with alendronate for 5 years (a rheumatologist confirmed the diagnosis of osteopenia and osteoporosis) and had undergone DH for 1 year. At the arrival of all patients, BMD was checked with the DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) method using the 2007 American Explorer model Hologic device based on the Caucasian race. One year later, patients were reassessed for BMD by the same device.

RESULT

The analysis of femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) T-score indices in the osteopenia and the osteoporosis groups showed reduction after DH, and the difference was statistically significant in both groups (p = 0.001). After 1 year of stopping bisphosphonate treatment, the average of FN and LS BMD decreased in both groups (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In general, it can be said that DH can reduce FN and LS T-scores. The results indicated a significant reduction in BMD after the DH period for both the osteoporosis and osteopenia groups in the early months. Also, the effect of DH in osteoporosis patients was more compared to the osteopenia individuals, which could have implications for their treatment approach, and also its effect on bone health. Key Points • The DH can reduce FN and LS T-scores • The BMD reduced after the DH period for both the osteoporosis and osteopenia groups • After 1 year of stopping bisphosphonate treatment, the average of FN and LS BMD decreased in both groups.

WTAP regulates the production of reactive oxygen species, promotes malignant progression, and is closely related to the tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma

RNA modifications have been substantiated to regulate the majority of physiological activities in the organism, including the metabolism of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which plays an important role in cells. As for the effect of RNA modification genes on ROS metabolism in glioblastoma (GBM), it has not been studied yet. Therefore, this study aims to screen the RNA modification genes that are most related to ROS metabolism and explore their effects on the biological behavior of GBM in vitro. Here, an association between WTAP and ROS metabolism was identified by bioinformatics analysis, and WTAP was highly expressed in GBM tissue compared with normal brain tissue, which was confirmed by western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. When using a ROS inducer to stimulate GBM cells in the WTAP overexpression group, the ROS level increased more significantly and the expression levels of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and catalase (CAT) also increased. Next, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay were performed to investigate the proliferation, migration, and invasion of GBM cells. The results showed that WTAP, as an oncogene, promoted the malignant progression of GBM cells. Functional enrichment analysis predicted that WTAP was involved in the regulation of tumor/immune-related functional pathways. Western blotting was used to identify that WTAP had a regulatory effect on the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt signaling. Finally, based on functional enrichment analysis, we further performed immune-related analysis on WTAP. In conclusion, this study analyzed WTAP from three aspects, which provided new ideas for the treatment of GBM.

Regulation of ferroptosis by PI3K/Akt signaling pathway: a promising therapeutic axis in cancer

The global challenge posed by cancer, marked by rising incidence and mortality rates, underscores the urgency for innovative therapeutic approaches. The PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, frequently amplified in various cancers, is central in regulating essential cellular processes. Its dysregulation, often stemming from genetic mutations, significantly contributes to cancer initiation, progression, and resistance to therapy. Concurrently, ferroptosis, a recently discovered form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent processes and lipid reactive oxygen species buildup, holds implications for diseases, including cancer. Exploring the interplay between the dysregulated PI3K/Akt pathway and ferroptosis unveils potential insights into the molecular mechanisms driving or inhibiting ferroptotic processes in cancer cells. Evidence suggests that inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway may sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis induction, offering a promising strategy to overcome drug resistance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive exploration of this interplay, shedding light on the potential for disrupting the PI3K/Akt pathway to enhance ferroptosis as an alternative route for inducing cell death and improving cancer treatment outcomes.

Role of long non-coding RNA ELFN1-AS1 in carcinogenesis

As one of the leading causes of death worldwide, cancer significantly burdens patients and the healthcare system. The role of long non-protein coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in carcinogenesis has been extensively studied. The lncRNA ELFN1-AS1 was discovered recently, and subsequent studies have revealed its aberrantly high expression in various cancer tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments have consistently demonstrated the close association between increased ELFN1-AS1 expression and malignant tumor characteristics, particularly in gastrointestinal malignancies. Functional assays have further revealed the mechanistic role of ELFN1-AS1 as a competitive endogenous RNA for microRNAs, inducing tumor growth, invasive features, and drug resistance. Additionally, the investigation into the clinical implication of ELFN1-AS1 has demonstrated its potential as a diagnostic, therapeutic, and, notably, prognostic marker. This review provides a comprehensive summary of evidence regarding the involvement of ELFN1-AS1 in cancer initiation and development, highlighting its clinical significance.

Effectiveness of strontium/silver-based titanium surface coatings in improving antibacterial and osteogenic implant characteristics: a systematic review of in-vitro studies

Introduction: Due to the high incidence of implant failures, dual functionalization of titanium surfaces with antibacterial and osteogenic agents, like silver (Ag) and strontium (Sr), has gained significant attention in recent years. However, so far, the combined antibacterial and osteoinductive effectiveness of Ag/Sr-based titanium surface coatings has only been analyzed in individual studies. Methods: This systematic review aims to evaluate the existing scientific literature regarding the PICOS question "Does dual incorporation of strontium/silver enhances the osteogenic and anti-bacterial characteristics of Ti surfaces in vitro?". As a result of a web-based search adhering to the PRISMA Guidelines using three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) until March 31, 2023, a total of 69 publications were identified as potentially relevant and 17 of which were considered appropriate for inclusion into this review. Results and Discussion: In all included publications, the use of Sr/Ag combination showed enhanced osteogenic and antibacterial effects, either alone or in combination with other agents. Moreover, the combination of Sr and Ag shows potential to synergistically enhance these effects. Nevertheless, further studies need to validate these findings under clinically more relevant conditions and evaluate the mechanism of antimicrobial and osteogenic activity of Sr/Ag combination.

Multifunctional coatings of nickel-titanium implant toward promote osseointegration after operation of bone tumor and clinical application: a review

Metal implants, especially Ni-Ti shape memory alloy (Ni-Ti SMA) implants, have increasingly become the first choice for fracture and massive bone defects after orthopedic bone tumor surgery. In this paper, the internal composition and shape memory properties of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy were studied. In addition, the effects of porous Ni-Ti SMA on osseointegration, and the effects of surface hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity on the osseointegration of Ni-Ti implants were also investigated. In addition, the effect of surface coating modification technology of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy on bone bonding was also studied. Several kinds of Ni-Ti alloy implants commonly used in orthopedic clinic and their advantages and disadvantages were introduced. The surface changes of Ni-Ti alloy implants promote bone fusion, enhance the adhesion of red blood cells and platelets, promote local tissue regeneration and fracture healing. In the field of orthopaedics, the use of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy implants significantly promoted clinical development. Due to the introduction of the coating, the osseointegration and biocompatibility of the implant surface have been enhanced, and the success rate of the implant has been greatly improved.

Synthesis, molecular docking and DFT analysis of novel bis-Schiff base derivatives with thiobarbituric acid for α-glucosidase inhibition assessment

A library of novel bis-Schiff base derivatives based on thiobarbituric acid has been effectively synthesized by multi-step reactions as part of our ongoing pursuit of novel anti-diabetic agents. All these derivatives were subjected to in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory potential testing after structural confirmation by modern spectroscopic techniques. Among them, compound 8 (IC50 = 0.10 ± 0.05 µM), and 9 (IC50 = 0.13 ± 0.03 µM) exhibited promising inhibitory activity better than the standard drug acarbose (IC50 = 0.27 ± 0.04 µM). Similarly, derivatives (5, 6, 7, 10 and 4) showed significant to good inhibitory activity in the range of IC50 values from 0.32 ± 0.03 to 0.52 ± 0.02 µM. These derivatives were docked with the target protein to elucidate their binding affinities and key interactions, providing additional insights into their inhibitory mechanisms. The chemical nature of these compounds were reveal by performing the density functional theory (DFT) calculation using hybrid B3LYP functional with 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The presence of intramolecular H-bonding was explored by DFT-d3 and reduced density gradient (RGD) analysis. Furthermore, various reactivity parameters were explored by performing TD-DFT at CAM-B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) method.

The progressive trend of modeling and drug screening systems of breast cancer bone metastasis

Bone metastasis is considered as a considerable challenge for breast cancer patients. Various in vitro and in vivo models have been developed to examine this occurrence. In vitro models are employed to simulate the intricate tumor microenvironment, investigate the interplay between cells and their adjacent microenvironment, and evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for tumors. The endeavor to replicate the latency period of bone metastasis in animal models has presented a challenge, primarily due to the necessity of primary tumor removal and the presence of multiple potential metastatic sites.The utilization of novel bone metastasis models, including three-dimensional (3D) models, has been proposed as a promising approach to overcome the constraints associated with conventional 2D and animal models. However, existing 3D models are limited by various factors, such as irregular cellular proliferation, autofluorescence, and changes in genetic and epigenetic expression. The imperative for the advancement of future applications of 3D models lies in their standardization and automation. The utilization of artificial intelligence exhibits the capability to predict cellular behavior through the examination of substrate materials' chemical composition, geometry, and mechanical performance. The implementation of these algorithms possesses the capability to predict the progression and proliferation of cancer. This paper reviewed the mechanisms of bone metastasis following primary breast cancer. Current models of breast cancer bone metastasis, along with their challenges, as well as the future perspectives of using these models for translational drug development, were discussed.

Oncolytic viruses improve cancer immunotherapy by reprogramming solid tumor microenvironment

Immunotherapies using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have achieved successful results against several types of human tumors, particularly hematological malignancies. However, their clinical results for the treatment of solid tumors remain poor and unsatisfactory. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role by interfering with intratumoral T-cell infiltration, promoting effector T-cell exhaustion, upregulating inhibitory molecules, inducing hypoxia, and so on. Oncolytic viruses are an encouraging biocarrier that could be used in both natural and genetically engineered platforms to induce oncolysis in a targeted manner. Oncolytic virotherapy (OV) contributes to the reprogramming of the TME, thus synergizing the functional effects of current ICIs and CAR T-cell therapy to overcome resistant barriers in solid tumors. Here, we summarize the TME-related inhibitory factors affecting the therapeutic outcomes of ICIs and CAR T cells and discuss the potential of OV-based approaches to alleviate these barriers and improve future therapies for advanced solid tumors.

Usage of computational method for hemodynamic analysis of intracranial aneurysm rupture risk in different geometrical aspects

The importance of the parent vessel geometrical feature on the risk of cerebral aneurysm rupture is unavoidable. This study presents inclusive details on the hemodynamics of Internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysms with different parent vessel mean diameters. Different aspects of blood hemodynamics are compared to find a reasonable connection between parent vessel mean diameter and significant hemodynamic factors of wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), and pressure distribution. To access hemodynamic data, computational fluid dynamics is used to model the blood stream inside the cerebral aneurysms. A hemodynamic comparison of the selected cerebral aneurysm shows that the minimum WSS is reduced by about 71% as the parent vessel's mean diameter is increased from 3.18 to 4.48 mm.

New gene signature from the dominant infiltration immune cell type in osteosarcoma predicts overall survival

The immune microenvironment of osteosarcoma (OS) has been reported to play an important role in disease progression and prognosis. However, owing to tumor heterogeneity, it is not ideal to predict OS prognosis by examining only infiltrating immune cells. This work aimed to build a prognostic gene signature based on similarities in the immune microenvironments of OS patients. Public datasets were used to examine the correlated genes, and the most consistent dominant infiltrating immune cell type was identified. The LASSO Cox regression model was used to establish a multiple-gene risk prediction signature. A nine-gene prognostic signature was generated from the correlated genes for M0 macrophages and then proven to be effective and reliable in validation cohorts. Signature comparison indicated the priority of the signature. Multivariate Cox regression models indicated that the signature risk score is an independent prognostic factor for OS patients regardless of the Huvos grade in all datasets. In addition, the results of the association between the signature risk score and chemotherapy sensitivity also showed that there was no significant difference in the sensitivity of any drugs between the low- and high-risk groups. A GSEA of GO and KEGG pathways found that antigen processing- and presentation-related biological functions and olfactory transduction receptor signaling pathways have important roles in signature functioning. Our findings showed that M0 macrophages were the dominant infiltrating immune cell type in OS and that the new gene signature is a promising prognostic model for OS patients.

In silico engineering and simulation of RNA interferences nanoplatforms for osteoporosis treating and bone healing promoting

Osteoporosis is a bone condition characterized by reduced bone mineral density (BMD), poor bone microarchitecture/mineralization, and/or diminished bone strength. This asymptomatic disorder typically goes untreated until it presents as a low-trauma fracture of the hip, spine, proximal humerus, pelvis, and/or wrist, requiring surgery. Utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) may be accomplished in a number of ways, one of which is by the use of very tiny RNA molecules called microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs). Several kinds of antagomirs and siRNAs are now being developed to prevent the detrimental effects of miRNAs. The goal of this study is to find new antagonists for miRNAs and siRNAs that target multiple genes in order to reduce osteoporosis and promote bone repair. Also, choosing the optimum nanocarriers to deliver these RNAis appropriately to the body could lighten up the research road. In this context, we employed gene ontology analysis to search across multiple datasets. Following data analysis, a systems biology approach was used to process it. A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was used to explore the possibility of incorporating the suggested siRNAs and miRNA antagonists into polymeric bioresponsive nanocarriers for delivery purposes. Among the three nanocarriers tested [polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyethylenimine (PEI), and PEG-PEI copolymer], MD simulations show that the integration of PEG-PEI with has-mIR-146a-5p is the most stable (total energy = -372.84 kJ/mol, Gyration radius = 2.1084 nm), whereas PEI is an appropriate delivery carrier for has-mIR-7155. The findings of the systems biology and MD simulations indicate that the proposed RNAis might be given through bioresponsive nanocarriers to accelerate bone repair and osteoporosis treatment.

Cryopreservation of bioflavonoid-rich plant sources and bioflavonoid-microcapsules: emerging technologies for preserving bioactivity and enhancing nutraceutical applications

Bioflavonoids are natural polyphenolic secondary metabolites that are medicinal. These compounds possess antitumor, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-psoriasis properties to mention a few. Plant species that contain bioflavonoids should be preserved as such. Also, the bioactivity of the bioflavonoids as neutraceutical compounds is compromised following extraction due to their sensitivity to environmental factors like light, pH, and temperature. In other words, the bioflavonoids' shelf-life is affected. Scientists noticed that bioflavonoids have low solubility properties, poor absorption, and low bioavailability following consumption. Researchers came up with methods to encapsulate bioflavonoids in order to circumvent the challenges above and also to mask the unpleasant order these chemicals may have. Besides, scientists cryopreserve plant species that contain bioflavonoids. In this review, we discuss cryopreservation and bioflavonoid microencapsulation focusing mainly on vitrification, slow freezing, and freeze-drying microencapsulation techniques. In addition, we highlight bioflavonoid extraction techniques, medicinal properties, challenges, and future perspectives of cryopreservation and microencapsulation of bioflavonoids. Regardless of the uniqueness of cryopreservation and microencapsulation as methods to preserve bioflavonoid sources and bioflavonoids' bioactivity, there are challenges reported. Freeze-drying technology is costly. Cryoprotectants damage the integrity of plant cells, to say the least. Researchers are working very hard to overcome these challenges. Encapsulating bioflavonoids via coaxial electrospray and then cryopreserving the micro/nanocapsules produced can be very interesting.