Glutaric Aciduria Type 1: Comparison between Diffusional Kurtosis Imaging and Conventional MR Imaging

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Routine MR imaging has limited use in evaluating the severity of glutaric aciduria type 1. To better understand the mechanisms of brain injury in glutaric aciduria type 1, we explored the value of diffusional kurtosis imaging in detecting microstructural injury of the gray and white matter.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 17 patients with glutaric aciduria type 1 and 17 healthy controls who underwent conventional MR imaging and diffusional kurtosis imaging. The diffusional kurtosis imaging metrics of the gray and white matter were measured. Then, the MR imaging scores and diffusional kurtosis imaging metrics of all ROIs were further correlated with the morbidity scores and Barry-Albright dystonia scores.

RESULTS

The MR imaging scores showed no significant relation to the morbidity and Barry-Albright dystonia scores. Compared with healthy controls, patients with glutaric aciduria type 1 showed higher kurtosis values in the basal ganglia, corona radiata, centrum semiovale, and temporal lobe (P < .05). The DTI metrics of the basal ganglia were higher than those of healthy controls (P < .05). The fractional anisotropy value of the temporal lobe and the mean diffusivity values of basal ganglia in glutaric aciduria type 1 were lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The diffusional kurtosis imaging metrics of the temporal lobe and basal ganglia were significantly correlated with the Barry-Albright dystonia scores. The mean kurtosis values of the anterior and posterior putamen and Barry-Albright dystonia scores were most relevant (r = 0.721, 0.730, respectively). The mean kurtosis values of the basal ganglia had the best diagnostic efficiency with area under the curve values of 0.837 for the temporal lobe, and the mean diffusivity values of the basal ganglia in glutaric aciduria type 1 were lower than those in the control group (P < .05). The diffusional kurtosis imaging metrics of the temporal lobe and basal ganglia were significantly correlated with the Barry-Albright dystonia scores. The mean kurtosis values of the anterior and posterior putamen and Barry-Albright dystonia scores were most relevant (r = 0.721, 0.730, respectively). The mean kurtosis values of the basal ganglia had the best diagnostic efficiency with area under the curve values of 0.837.

CONCLUSIONS

Diffusional kurtosis imaging provides more comprehensive quantitative information regarding the gray and white matter micropathologic damage in glutaric aciduria type 1 than routine MR imaging scores.

Hsa_circ_0060937 accelerates non-small cell lung cancer progression via modulating miR-195-5p/HMGB3 pathway

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) exert a critical effect on tumorigenesis and development. Our research aimed to clarify the function and underlying mechanism of circ_0060937 inNSCLC. The concentrations of circ_0060937, miR-195-5p and high-mobility group box 3 (HMGB3) were monitored via qRT-PCR and western blot assays. Additionally, cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion were assessed using CCK-8, colony formation, flow cytometry and transwell assays. Glycolysis was evaluated via detecting glucose uptake and lactate product. The association between miR-195-5p and circ_0060937/HMGB3 were validated using dual-luciferase reporter, RNA pull-down and RIP assays. Furthermore,in vivo experiment was performed to analyze tumorigenesis.Circ_0060937 and HMGB3 levels were elevated, whereas miR-195-5p level was dropped in NSCLC. Circ_0060937 down-regulation restrainedNSCLC cell proliferation, migration, invasion and glycolysis, and triggered apoptosis. Knockdown of circ_0060937 restrained NSCLC development via absorbing miR-195-5p. Circ_0060937 silencing inhibited NSCLC progression by mediating HMGB3. Besides, circ_0060937 depletion suppressed tumor growth in vivo.Circ_0060937 knockdown hindered NSCLC development and glycolysis via regulating miR-195-5p/HMGB3 pathway.

Circular RNA Circ_0016760 Modulates Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Growth Through the miR-577/ZBTB7A Axis

Background

Patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a poor prognosis. Circular RNA circ_0016760 (circ_0016760) is associated with the development of NSCLC. At present, the role and regulatory mechanism of circ_0016760 in NSCLC have not been well explained.

Methods

Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was executed to detect the expression of circ_0016760, miR-577, and Zinc finger and BTB domain containing 7A (ZBTB7A) mRNA in NSCLC tissues and cells. The colony formation, migration, invasion, and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) of NSCLC cells were determined through colony formation, transwell, or ECAR assays. The relationship between circ_0016760 or ZBTB7A and miR-577 was analyzed via dual-luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down or RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Protein level of ZBTB7A was evaluated with Western blot analysis. Xenograft assay was conducted to confirm the role of circ_0016760 in vivo.

Results

Circ_0016760 and ZBTB7A were upregulated and miR-577 was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cells. Circ_0016760 exhaustion curbed the colony formation, migration, invasion, and ECAR of NSCLC cells in vitro and impeded tumor growth in vivo. Mechanically, circ_0016760 modulated ZBTB7A expression via sponging miR-577 in NSCLC cells. MiR-577 downregulation abolished the repressive effects of circ_0016760 silencing on colony formation, migration, invasion, and ECAR of NSCLC cells. Also, ZBTB7A upregulation overturned the repressive impacts of miR-577 elevation on colony formation, migration, invasion, and ECAR of NSCLC cells.

Conclusion

Circ_0016760 silencing impeded NSCLC advancement through regulation of the miR-577/ZBTB7A axis.

The microRNA expression changes associated with malignancy and SDHB mutation in pheochromocytoma

Currently, the diagnosis of malignant pheochromocytoma can only be made when there is clinical evidence of metastasis or extensive local invasion. Thus, there is a need for new diagnostic marker(s) to identify tumors with malignant potential. The purpose of this study was to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) that are differentially expressed between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas and assess their diagnostic accuracy. Toward this aim, we analyzed miRNA expression in benign and malignant pheochromocytoma tumor samples using whole genome microarray profiling. Microarray analysis identified eight miRNAs that were significantly differentially expressed between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas. We measured a subset of these miRNAs directly by RT-PCR and found that miR-483-5p, miR-183, and miR-101 had significantly higher expression in malignant tumors as compared to their benign counterparts. Area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) analysis indicated that miR-483-5p, miR-101, and miR-183 could be useful diagnostic markers for distinguishing malignant from benign pheochromocytomas. In addition, these miRNAs could be detected in pheochromocytoma patient serum. Overall our data suggest that misexpression of miR-483-5p, miR-101, and miR-183 is associated with malignant pheochromocytoma.

[Catalpol content changes in Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaertn.) Libosch. under certain conditions]

HPLC determination has shown that the content of catapol in Rehmannia glutinosa decreases markedly after being dried and processed. This change of content is related to acidic and alkaline conditions. But in boiling water or saccharide solution no marked changes have been observed.

[Constituents of the dry roots of Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch]

From the extract of dry roots of Rehmannia glutimosa, fatty acids, palmitic acid, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol and sulfur (Ss) cyclic compound were isolated and identified. The latter four were isolated for the first time.

[Analysis and comparison of acidic constituents in petroleum ether-soluble fraction of radix Rehmanniae and its processed products]

The acidic constituents in petroleum ether extract of the roots Rehmannia glutinosa f. hueichingensis were fractionated and analyzed by GC-MS. 19 Kinds of acidic constituents were identified and 11 of them (the main components) were compared between Rehmanniae Radix and its processed products.