Effect of plasma exosome lncRNA on isoproterenol hydrochloride-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

Isoprenaline hydrochloride (IH) is a β-adrenergic receptor agonist commonly used in the treatment of hypotension, shock, asthma, and other diseases. However, IH-induced cardiotoxicity limits its application. A large number of studies have shown that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) regulates the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate whether abnormal lncRNA expression is involved in IH-mediated cardiotoxicity. First, the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat myocardial injury model was established. Circulating exosomes were extracted from the plasma of rats and identified. In total, 108 differentially expressed (DE) lncRNAs and 150 DE mRNAs were identified by sequencing. These results indicate that these lncRNAs and mRNAs are substantially involved in chemical cardiotoxicity. Further signaling pathway and functional studies indicated that lncRNAs and mRNAs regulate several biological processes, such as selective mRNA splicing through spliceosomes, participate in sphingolipid metabolic pathways, and play a certain role in the circulatory system. Finally, we obtained 3 upregulated lncRNAs through reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) verification and selected target lncRNA-mRNA pairs according to the regulatory relationship of lncRNA/mRNA, some of which were associated with myocardial injury. This study provides valuable insights into the role of lncRNAs as novel biomarkers of chemical-induced cardiotoxicity.

Recombinant adeno-associated virus 8 vector in gene therapy: Opportunities and challenges

In recent years, significant breakthroughs have been made in the field of gene therapy. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is one of the most promising gene therapy vectors and a powerful tool for delivering the gene of interest. Among the AAV vectors, AAV serotype 8 (AAV8) has attracted much attention for its efficient and stable gene transfection into specific tissues. Currently, recombinant AAV8 has been widely used in gene therapy research on a variety of diseases, including genetic diseases, cancers, autoimmune diseases, and viral diseases. This paper reviewed the applications and challenges of using AAV8 as a vector for gene therapy, with the aim of providing a valuable resource for those pursuing the application of viral vectors in gene therapy.

[The trend of birth weight of full-term newborns and its association with parental reproductive age in Chongqing municipality from 2010 to 2022]

To analyze the trend of abnormal birth weight of full-term newborns and its correlation with parental reproductive age in Chongqing municipality from 2010 to 2022. Based on the Chongqing Birth Certificate System, full-term newborns born from January 2010 to December 2022 were selected. Parental information and birth weight were abstracted from the system. The joinpoint regression model was used to assess the trend of incidence of low birth weight (LBW) and macrosomia in the offspring from 2010 to 2022. The logistic regression model was utilized to analyze the association between parental reproduction age and birth weight of newborns. The average birth weight of 3 155 542 newborns was (3 305.8±410.5) g. The joinpoint regression model showed a decreasing trend for the incidence of LBW from 2010 to 2016 (APC=-4.26%, P<0.05), and an increasing trend from 2020 to 2022 (APC=8.99%, P<0.05). The incidence of macrosomia exhibited a decreasing trend from 2015 to 2022 (APC=-3.37%, P<0.05). The logistic regression model showed that, compared to the group with parents aged 20-34 years, the risk of LBW increased in other age groups. The risk of macrosomia decreased when either parent was aged<20 years, and increased when both parents were aged≥20 years. In conclusion, from 2010 to 2022, the incidence of LBW in full-term offspring in Chongqing municipality decreased first and then increased, and the incidence of macrosomia increased first and then decreased. Both young and advanced parental age were associated with an increased risk of LBW in offspring, and advanced parental age was also associated with an increased risk of macrosomia in offspring. Attention should be paid to the effects of advanced maternal and paternal age on offspring birth weight. Further efforts to control childbearing at a young age were needed.

Exosomal Long Noncoding RNAs Serve as Biomarkers for Liver Disease

Exosomes are tiny vesicles secreted by cells, with a diameter of 40-160 nm, which contain proteins, DNA, mRNA, long noncoding RNA, etc. Because of the low sensitivity and specificity of the conventional biomarkers for liver diseases, it is of utmost importance to discover novel, sensitive, specific, and non-invasive biomarkers. Exosomal long noncoding RNAs have been considered as potential diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive biomarkers in a wide range of liver pathologies. In this review, we discuss the recent progress on exosomal long noncoding RNAs that serve as potential diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive markers and molecular targets in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, cholestatic liver injury, viral hepatitis, and alcohol-related liver diseases.

Preclinical safety profile of RC88-ADC：a novel mesothelin-targeted antibody conjugated with Monomethyl auristatin E

Mesothelin (MSLN) is an attractive therapeutic target for antibody drug conjugates (ADC) because of significant differences in expression pattern between diseased and normal tissues. RC88-ADC is a novel ADC, targeting MSLN, and inhibits tumor growth significantly in mice xenograft models. We performed an 11-week repeated dose toxicity study of RC88-ADC via intravenous injection in Cynomolgus Monkeys with an 8-Week recovery period according to International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) S9 and S6(R1). RC88-ADC was administered to groups of 5 male and 5 female monkeys at dose levels of 2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/2 weeks, meanwhile vehicle, naked antibody, small molecule groups were set up as the control. 4 animals died in 10 mg/kg group of RC88-ADC. The clinical symptoms mainly included ocular toxicity, weight loss and food intake decrease in the middle and high dose groups of RC88-ADC. RC88-ADC caused dose-related reversible myelosuppression, manifested as hematologic toxicity, which was consistent with the small molecule toxicity profile of its coupling. The highest non-severely toxic dose of RC88-ADC was 5 mg/kg in monkeys after repeated dosing. Nonetheless, the integrated analysis showed that RC88-ADC demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and provided an improved treatment window. These results pave the way for further investigation of RC88-ADC in humans.

Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) is highly correlated with 1-year mortality in hip fracture patients

Prevalence of cognitive impairment in hip fractures was 86.5%. MoCA is an independent risk factor of mortality. MoCA score of < 15 is correlated with 11.71 times increased risk of mortality. Early attention and caution should be given to these patients for appropriate intervention to decrease mortality rates.

INTRODUCTION

Hip fractures rank amongst the top 10 causes of disability and current mortality of hip fractures is high. Objectives were to determine 1) prevalence of cognitive impairment, 2) whether Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score was an independent risk factor associated with mortality, 3) MoCA cut-off that result in high risk of mortality.

METHODS

This was a cohort study between July 2019 to June 2020. Inclusion criteria were 1) hip fracture, 2) >  = 65 years old, and 3) low-energy trauma. Patients undergo assessment for cognitive impairment with MoCA. Prevalence was assessed, MoCA cut-off point, and accuracy of statistical model was evaluated. Logistic regression modelling was used to assess association between mortality and MoCA.

RESULTS

There were 260 patients recruited. Two hundred twenty-five patients had MoCA score < 22 signifying cognitive impairment, and 202 patients had MoCA score of < 19. 46 hip fracture patients died at 1-year follow-up. 45 of these patients had MoCA score < 19, and 1 patient had a MoCA > 22. Results showed statistical significance and good model effect (at least 0.8) with MoCA cut-off points between < 15 and < 19 (p < 0.05). After controlling confounding factors, statistical significance still existed in MoCA cut-off point at < 15 (odds ratio (95% CI) = 11.71 (1.14, 120.71); p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of cognitive impairment in hip fractures was 86.5%. MoCA is an independent risk factor of mortality in hip fracture patients. MoCA score of < 15 is correlated with 11.71 times increased risk of mortality at 1-year after a hip fracture. AUC with MoCA score < 15 was 0.948. Early attention and caution should be given to these patients for appropriate intervention to decrease mortality rates.

[Glucose-6 phosphatase catalytic subunit inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest]

Objective: To investigate the effects of glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit (G6PC) recombinant adenovirus on proliferation and cell cycle regulation of liver cancer cells. Methods: Recombinant adenovirus AdG6PC was constructed. Huh7 cells and SK-Hep1 cells were set as Mock, AdGFP and AdG6PC group. Cell proliferation and clone formation assay were used to observe the proliferation of liver cancer cells. Transwell and scratch assay were used to observe the invasion and migration of liver cancer cells. Cell cycle flow cytometry assay was used to analyze the effect of G6PC overexpression on the proliferation cycle of liver cancer cells. Western blot was used to detect the effect of G6PC overexpression on the cell-cycle protein expression in liver cancer cells. Results: The recombinant adenovirus AdG6PC was successfully constructed. Huh7 and SK-Hep1 cells proliferation assay showed that the number of proliferating cells in the AdG6PC group was significantly lower than the other two groups (P < 0.05). Clone formation assay showed that the number of clones was significantly lower in AdG6PC than the other two groups (P < 0.05), suggesting that G6PC overexpression could significantly inhibit the proliferation of liver cancer cells. Transwell assay showed that the number of cell migration was significantly lower in AdG6PC than the other two groups (P < 0.05). Scratch repair rate was significantly lower in AdG6PC than the other two groups (P < 0.05), suggesting that G6PC overexpression can significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of liver cancer cells. Cell cycle flow cytometry showed that G6PC overexpression had significantly inhibited the Huh7 cells G(1)/S phase transition. Western blot result showed that G6PC overexpression had down-regulated the proliferation in cell-cycle related proteins expression. Conclusion: G6PC inhibits the proliferation, cell-cycle related expression, and migration of liver cancer cells by inhibiting the G(1)/S phase transition.

A 90-day Sub-chronic Oral Toxicity Assessment of Mulberry Extract in Sprague Dawley Rats

Mulberry extract from Fructus Mori contains an anthocyanin pigment and has been widely used as a food additive in China and other Eastern Asian countries. Only few research has been done on toxicological profiling of mulberry extract for its safety evaluation; however, the data is inconclusive. In the current study, mulberry extract of 4200, 1400, or 466 mg/kg were orally administrated to Sprague Dawley rats for 90 consecutive days followed by a recovery period of 28 days. No abnormalities were detected in body weights, food intake, ophthalmological, hematological, coagulation, clinical chemistry, and organ weights parameters. Discoloration of urine (red, purple, and brown) and feces (black), along with bedding material (purple) were observed in the 4200 mg/kg group. Further, microscopic examination revealed brown granules in the renal tubular cells for rats in 4200 and 1400 mg/kg groups. Since these changes were associated with excretory effect of the extract, the No Observed Adverse Effect Level was determined to be 4200 mg/kg, which was equivalent to the 1058.5 mg/kg of anthocyanin.

Long noncoding RNA PCAT-1 promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation and invasion by suppressing KLF6

OBJECTIVE

Recently, the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in tumor progression has caught attention in numerous researchers. In our investigation, lncRNA PCAT-1 was studied to identify how it functioned in the progression of ovarian cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

LncRNA PCAT-1 expression was detected by quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in both ovarian cancer cells and tissue samples. Furthermore, to identify the function of PCAT-1 in ovarian cancer, cell proliferation, transwell assay and Matrigel assay were conducted. In addition, by performing qRT-PCR and Western blot assay, the underlying mechanism was explored.

RESULTS

PCAT-1 expression was remarkably higher in ovarian cancer samples when compared with that in corresponding ones. Moreover, cell proliferation, migration and invasion were inhibited after PCAT-1 was knocked down in ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expression of KLF6 (Krüppel-like factor 6) was upregulated after PCAT-1 was knocked down. Furthermore, the KLF6 expression level was negatively related to the PCAT-1 expression level in ovarian cancer samples.

CONCLUSIONS

We showed that PCAT-1 promotes the progression of ovarian cancer through enhancing cell metastasis and proliferation via suppressing KLF6, which might be a novel therapeutic strategy in ovarian cancer.

Long noncoding RNA PCAT-1 promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation and invasion by suppressing KLF6

Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, "Long noncoding RNA PCAT-1 promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation and invasion by suppressing KLF6, by H.-P. Liu, D. Lv, J.-Y. Wang, Y. Zhang, J.-F. Chang, Z.-T. Liu, N. Tang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (11): 4650-4655-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201906_18044-PMID: 31210290" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/18044.

Safety reassessment of cinobufotalin injection: new findings into cardiotoxicity

Cinobufotalin injection, a traditional Chinese medicine preparation, successfully used for several years, might induce cardiotoxicity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the cardiotoxicity of cinobufotalin injection and the cardiotoxicity-preventive effect of sodium phenytoin in vivo. According to the 4 × 4 Latin square design, four Beagle dogs were allocated into four dose levels of 0, 0.3, 1, and 3 g/kg in treatment phases I-IV (cinobufotalin injection) and 3 g/kg in treatment phase V (cardiotoxicity antidote). The following parameters and endpoints were assessed: clinical observations, body weight, indicators of myocardial injury, and electrocardiogram (ECG) parameters. The cinobufotalin injection-related changes were observed in clinical observations (rapid breathing pattern), indicators of myocardial injury (increased cardiac troponin I, creatine kinase isoenzymes, and aspartate aminotransferase), and ECG graphics (arrhythmia) at 3 g/kg concentration in treatment phases I-IV. The cardiotoxicity of cinobufotalin injection was attenuated by sodium phenytoin in treatment phase V. The results confirmed the cardiotoxicity of cinobufotalin injection, and they might bring information about the appropriate monitoring time points and cardiotoxicity parameters in clinical practices and shed light on the treatment of cardiovascular adverse reactions.

Ischemic preconditioning protects brain from ischemia/reperfusion injury by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis through PERK pathway

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of cerebral ischemic preconditioning which can decrease brain ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced apoptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The focal cerebral ischemia rat was selected as the experimental model. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells in ischemic penumbra were assessed after cerebral reperfusion. We assessed terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) positive cells and measured the expressions of phosphorylation PERK (p-PERK), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4) and caspase-12 in ischemic penumbra after cerebral reperfusion.

RESULTS

We showed that the infarct sizes can be reduced due to the preconditioning under the influence of brain ischemia after reperfusion. The effect of preconditioning on the expression of ER stress proteins suggested the expressions of the 4 proteins p-PERK, ATF4, caspase-12 and GRP78 in the penumbra cortex by immunohistochemistry and Western blot increased after cerebral ischemia. Significant reduction of the number of TUNEL-positive cells was in the penumbra cortex of the preconditioning group.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that cerebral ischemic preconditioning can protect the brain from I/R injury by inhibiting ER stress-induced apoptosis; the pathway of PERK is involved.

Vibration treatment modulates macrophage polarisation and enhances early inflammatory response in oestrogen-deficient osteoporotic-fracture healing

Fracture healing is a well-orchestrated and coordinated process and begins with the inflammatory stage involving the infiltration of immune cells and the release of cytokines, including tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) stimulation is effective in promoting fracture healing. The study hypothesis was that the innate immune response was impaired in osteoporotic fracture and LMHFV could positively modulate it. 9-month-old ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporotic rats were randomised into sham (SHAM), OVX control (OVX), OVX-vibration (OVX-VT) or OVX vibration plus administration of COX-2 specific non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (OVX-VT-NSAID). LMHFV (35 Hz, 0.3 g) was given 20 min/d and 5 d/week to the treatment groups. Healing and innate immune response were evaluated by weekly radiographs, endpoint micro-computed tomography (µCT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and histomorphometry at weeks 1, 2, 4 and 8 post-treatment. Results showed that OVX slightly elevated systemic inflammation but impaired the innate immune response locally at the fracture site, with significantly lower expressions of TNF-α and IL-6 but higher IL-10 expression during the early stage of healing. LMHFV was effective in accelerating the delayed fracture healing in OVX bones by partly restoring the impaired innate immune response at the fracture site, accompanied by promoted progression of macrophage polarisation from M1 (pro-inflammatory) to M2 (anti-inflammatory) phenotype. In conclusion, vibration treatment could positively modulate the impaired innate immune response and promote macrophage polarisation in osteoporotic-fracture healing.

[Fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase inhibits autophagy and proliferation in liver cancer cells]

Objective: To construct the recombinant adenoviral containing fructose 1, 6-biphosphatase 1 (FBP1), and to investigate whether FBP1 has effect on autophagy and proliferation in liver cancer cells (HepG2). Methods: FBP1 cDNA sequence was amplified by PCR and cloned in adenovirus vector pAdTrack-TO4, and then recombinant adenovirus plasmid pAdTrack-FBP1 was constructed. The recombinant adenovirus plasmid was transfected into HEK293 cells by Lipofectamine 3000. High-titer of recombinant adenovirus AdFBP1 was obtained by packaging and amplification. HepG2 cells were infected with recombinant adenovirus AdFBP1, and the Mock and AdGFP group were set at the same time. Western blot and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to observe the effect of FBP1 on the level of autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, and the effect of FBP1on the proliferation was observed by MTS and colony formation assay. A t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to compare the mean between group. Results: A high-titer recombinant adenovirus FBP1 was successfully constructed. Western blot and confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the level of autophagy in AdFBP1 group was significantly lower than that in AdGFP group. Western blot results showed that LC3-II protein expression level in AdGFP was 1.10 ± 0.10 and 0.30 ± 0.01 in AdFBP1 group, F = 90.36, P < 0.01. Confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis showed that the average number of autophages in AdGFP was 28.33 ± 1.53 and 12.33 ± 1.53 in AdFBP1group, F = 97.40, P < 0.01. In addition, the results of colony formation assay and MTS assay showed that the proliferation of liver cancer cells in the AdFBP1 group was significantly inhibited compared with the AdGFP group. The results of colony formation showed that the cell clones in the AdGFP group was 65.66 ± 2.57 and 34.00 ± 2.00 in AdFBP1 group, F = 141.50, P < 0.01. MTS results showed that the absorbance of AdGFP group at 96h was 39.13 ± 2.21 and 30.61 ± 3.33 in AdFBP1 group, F = 7.80, P < 0.05. Conclusion: FBP1 inhibited the autophagy and proliferation in liver cancer cells (HepG2).

Geant4-DNA example applications for track structure simulations in liquid water: A report from the Geant4-DNA Project

This Special Report presents a description of Geant4-DNA user applications dedicated to the simulation of track structures (TS) in liquid water and associated physical quantities (e.g., range, stopping power, mean free path…). These example applications are included in the Geant4 Monte Carlo toolkit and are available in open access. Each application is described and comparisons to recent international recommendations are shown (e.g., ICRU, MIRD), when available. The influence of physics models available in Geant4-DNA for the simulation of electron interactions in liquid water is discussed. Thanks to these applications, the authors show that the most recent sets of physics models available in Geant4-DNA (the so-called "option4" and "option 6" sets) enable more accurate simulation of stopping powers, dose point kernels, and W-values in liquid water, than the default set of models ("option 2") initially provided in Geant4-DNA. They also serve as reference applications for Geant4-DNA users interested in TS simulations.

[Interaction between TRPC1 and STIM1 in calcium sensing receptor mediated calcium influx and nitric oxide production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells]

Objective: To investigate the interaction of Ca(2+) protein TRPC1 and STIM1 in extracellular Ca(2+) -sensing receptor (CaR)-induced extracellular Ca(2+) influx and the production of nitric oxide (NO). Methods: Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and incubated with CaR agonist spermine (activating store-operates cation channels (SOC) and receptor-operated channels (ROC)), CaR negative allosteric modulator Calhex231 (blocking SOC, activating ROC) and ROC analogue TPA (activating ROC, blocking SOC), protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro31-8220, PKCs and PKCμ inhibitor Go6967(activate SOC, blocking ROC), respectively. The interaction of TRPC1 and STIM1 was determined using the immunofluorescence methods. The interaction between TRPC1 and STIM1 were examined by Co-immuno precipitation. The HUVECs were divided into: TRPC1 and STIM1 short hairpin RNA group (shTRPC1+ shSTIM1 group), vehicle-TRPC1+ vehicle-STIM1 group and control group. The cells were incubated with four different treatments under the action of above mentioned interventions, intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+) ](i)) was detected using the fluorescence Ca(2+) indicator Fura-2/AM, the production of NO was determined by DAF-FM. Results: (1) The expression of TRPC1 and STIM1 proteins levels in HUVECs: Under the confocal microscope, TRPC1 and STIM1 protein expression showed masculine gender, both located in cytoplasm in the normal control group. Post incubation with Calhex231+ TPA, Ro31-8220 and Go6967, TRPC1 and STIM1 positioned in cytoplasm was significantly reduced, and the combined TRPC1 and STIM1 was also significantly reduced. (2) The interaction of TRPC1 and STIM1 in HUVECs: The relative ratios of Calhex231+ TPA+ Spermine+ Ca(2+) group, Ro31-8220+ Spermine+ Ca(2+) group and Go6976+ Spermine+ Ca(2+) group STIM1/TRPC1 and TRPC1/STIM1 were as follows: (25.98±2.17)% and (44.10±4.01)%, (20.85±1.01)% and (46.31±3.47)%, (23.88±2.05)% and (39.65±2.91)%, which were significantly lower than those in the control group (100.00±4.66)% and (100.00±6.40)% and in the Spermine+ Ca(2+) group (106.04±2.45)% and (107.78±2.66)% (all P<0.05). (3) The influence of joint TRPC1 and STIM1 transfection to four different drugs treated HUVECs on [Ca(2+) ](i) and NO generation: The changes of two excitation fluorescence intensity ratio and NO net fluorescence intensity values were consistent, [Ca(2+) ](i) and NO net fluorescence intensity values were significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group and the vehicle group (all P<0.05), while which were similar between the vehicle group and control group (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Our results indicate that TRPC1 and STIM1 jointly regulate CaR-mediated Ca(2+) influx and nitric oxide generation in HUVECs in the form of binary complex.

[The regulation of CD44 expression by new tumor suppressor gene Arid2 and the influence of Arid2 on the invasion and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of a new tumor-suppressor gene Arid2 on the expression level of CD44 and the mechanism that Arid2 regulates the invasion and metastasis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2 and Huh7.

METHODS

Recombinant pGL3-CD44 reporter plasmids were transfected into hepatoma cell lines HepG2 and Huh7 cells infected with adenovirus Arid2(Ad-Arid2). Dual luciferase assays were used to determine the relative luciferase activities of reporter plasmids. Western blot technique was used to detect the influence of Arid2 on the expression of transmembrane glycoprotein CD44. Cell migration assays of tumor cells were employed to observe the impact of overexpression of Arid2 on the invasion and metastasis abilities of tumor cells. The sizes of transplanted tumors were recorded to observe the growth of subcutaneous transplanted tumors in nude mice. Statistical significance was analyzed by one-way ANOVA for multiple comparisons, and independent-samples t-test was utilized to compare two groups.

RESULTS

Luciferase assay showed cells were transfected with different length of CD44 reporter plasmids, and their relative luciferase activities were improved to different degrees, compared with pGL3-Basic control. Meanwhile, the mean luciferase activities of pGL3-CD44 -791~+224bp reporter plasmids were significantly repressed by the overexpression of Arid2 which inhibition rates were up to 73.83%±0.92%(P< 0.05, HepG2) or 48.99%±1.37% (P <0.05, Huh7), compared with Ad-GFP control. Western blot results showed that CD44 protein expression was obviously decreased by overexpression of Arid2. Cell migration assays confirmed that the invasion and metastasis abilities were inhibited by increasing Arid2 expression in Human HepG2 or Huh7 cells, which inhibition rates were 66.95%±0.59%(P< 0.05)in HepG2 cells and 73.86%±0.49%(P< 0.05) in Huh7 cells respectively. The animal experiment results indicated that Arid2 could obviously delay or restrict the subcutaneous transplanted tumors growth in nude mice, which was declined by 98.57%±0.34%(P< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CD44 promoter activities and protein expressions were significantly down-regulated by Arid2 in vitro. The growth and metastasis of tumors were obviously restrained in the hepatocellular carcinoma cells and nude models. In brief, these researches indicate CD44 may play important roles in the process where the invasion and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells are under the control of Arid2.The studies introduce and evaluate the relationships between Arid2 and CD44, and further provide a new research direction with the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Surgical outcome of daytime and out-of-hours surgery for elderly patients with hip fracture

INTRODUCTION

Surgery for hip fracture may be performed out-of-hours to avoid surgical delay. There is, however, a perception that this may constitute less-than-ideal conditions and result in a poorer outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcome of elderly patients with hip fracture who underwent daytime versus out-of-hours surgery in Hong Kong. This will help make decisions about whether to operate out-of-hours or to delay surgery until the following day.

METHODS

This retrospective study included all elderly patients with hip fracture who were operated on and discharged from the Prince of Wales Hospital in 2014. Patients were divided into groups according to the time of surgical incision. Records were examined for 30-day mortality and postoperative surgical complications, and their potential associations with surgeon characteristics.

RESULTS

Overall, 367 patients were selected in this study with 242 patients in the daytime group and 125 in the out-of-hours group. Demographic characteristics were comparable between the two groups. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 2.0% and the surgical complication rate was 24.2%. Compared with the daytime group, there was no increase in 30-day mortality or surgical complications for out-of- hours group. Fewer surgeons were involved in out-of-hours surgery but the number of surgeons and their qualifications did not affect the outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The two groups were homogeneous in terms of demographic characteristics. Outcomes for 30-day mortality and postoperative surgical complications were comparable between the two groups. Surgeons' qualifications and number of surgeons involved were also not associated with the outcomes. Out-of-hours surgery remains a viable option in order to facilitate early surgery.

How well are we managing fragility hip fractures? A narrative report on the review with the attempt to setup a Fragility Fracture Registry in Hong Kong

INTRODUCTION

In setting up a disease registry for fragility fractures in Hong Kong, we conducted a retrospective systematic study on the management of fragility hip fractures. Patient outcomes were compared with the standards from our orthopaedic working group and those from the British Orthopaedic Association that runs a mature fracture registry in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

Clinical data on fragility hip fracture patients admitted to six acute major hospitals in Hong Kong in 2012 were captured. These included demographics, pre- and post-operative assessments, discharge details, complications, and 1-year follow-up information. Analysis was performed according to the local standards with reference to those from the British Orthopaedic Association.

RESULTS

Overall, 91.0% of patients received orthopaedic care within 4 hours of admission and 60.5% received surgery within 48 hours. Preoperative geri-orthopaedic co-management was received by 3.5% of patients and was one of the reasons for the delayed surgery in 22% of patients. Only 22.9% were discharged with medication that would promote bone health. Institutionalisation on discharge significantly increased by 16.2% (P<0.001). Only 35.1% of patients attended out-patient follow-up 1 year following fracture, and mobility had deteriorated in 69.9% compared with the premorbid state. Death occurred in 17.3% of patients within a year of surgery compared with 1.6% mortality rate in a Hong Kong age-matched population.

CONCLUSIONS

The efficiency and quality of acute care for fragility hip fracture patients was documented. Regular geri-orthopaedic co-management can enhance acute care. Much effort is needed to improve functional recovery, prescription of bone health medications, attendance for follow-up, and to decrease institutionalisation. A Fracture Liaison Service is vital to improve long-term care and prevent secondary fractures.

Molecular cloning and analysis of a receptor-like promoter of Gbvdr3 gene in sea island cotton

Verticillium wilt caused by soil borne fungus Verticillium dahliae could significantly reduce cotton yield. The Ve1 homologous gene Gbvdr3 is resistant to Verticillium wilt. In order to understand of the function of the promoter Gbvdr3 in Gossypium barbadense, the promoter region of the receptor-like gene Gbvdr3 was obtained by genome walking, and the cis-element in the promoter was identified using the PLACE software in this study. The sequence analysis showed that the promoter contained elements related to stress resistance and light regulation. The cloned promoter was fused to the GUS reporter gene and transformed into Arabidopsis. GUS expression was specifically detected in roots, flowers, and seeds, suggesting that the expression of Gbvdr3 is tissue-specific. Separation and characterization analysis of the promoter of Gbvdr3 provides a platform for further research and application of this gene. Thorough understanding of the function of the Gbvdr3 promoter is important for better understanding of Gbvdr3 function. These results indicated that the promoter of Gbvdr3 was a tissue-specific promoter.

Mid-infrared Photoconductive Response in AlGaN/GaN Step Quantum Wells

AlGaN/GaN quantum structure is an excellent candidate for high speed infrared detectors based on intersubband transitions. However, fabrication of AlGaN/GaN quantum well infrared detectors suffers from polarization-induced internal electric field, which greatly limits the carrier vertical transport. In this article, a step quantum well is proposed to attempt solving this problem, in which a novel spacer barrier layer is used to balance the internal electric field. As a result, a nearly flat band potential profile is obtained in the step barrier layers of the AlGaN/GaN step quantum wells and a bound-to-quasi-continuum (B-to-QC) type intersubband prototype device with detectable photocurrent at atmosphere window (3-5 μm) is achieved in such nitride semiconductors.

FOXC2 promotes colorectal cancer metastasis by directly targeting MET

Metastasis is the major cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC). Although multiple genes have been identified to be responsible for the development of CRC, the molecular changes that enable CRC cells to undergo early local invasion and to form distant metastatic colonies still remain largely unknown. Herein, we investigated the role of Forkhead box protein C2 (FOXC2) and explored the underlying mechanisms in invasion and metastasis of CRC. We show that both high FOXC2 expression and nuclear localization of FOXC2 are significantly correlated with advanced TNM (T=primary tumor; N=regional lymph nodes; M=distant metastasis) stages. FOXC2 enhanced the invasive abilities of CRC cells in vitro and promoted local invasion and distant metastasis in an orthotopic mouse metastatic model of CRC. Microarray analysis revealed that overexpression of FOXC2 increased the proto-oncogene MET tyrosine kinase expression and activated the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-MET signaling pathway. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that FOXC2 directly associated with MET promoter to increase the transcriptional activity of MET. Inhibition of MET attenuates the invasive phenotype and metastatic potential of FOXC2-overexpressing CRC cells, indicating that MET is a major mediator of FOXC2-promoted metastasis. In addition, FOXC2 expression was positively correlated with MET expression in CRC tissue samples. Our findings suggest that FOXC2 has a crucial role in CRC metastasis by regulating HGF-MET signaling via inducing MET expression, highlighting FOXC2 as a potential therapeutic target for preventing or reducing metastasis in CRC.

Neonatal ketamine exposure causes impairment of long-term synaptic plasticity in the anterior cingulate cortex of rats

Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic most commonly used in many pediatric procedures, has been reported in many animal studies to cause widespread neuroapoptosis in the neonatal brain after exposure in high doses and/or for a prolonged period. This neurodegenerative change occurs most severely in the forebrain including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) that is an important brain structure for mediating a variety of cognitive functions. However, it is still unknown whether such apoptotic neurodegeneration early in life would subsequently impair the synaptic plasticity of the ACC later in life. In this study, we performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from the ACC brain slices of young adult rats to examine any alterations in long-term synaptic plasticity caused by neonatal ketamine exposure. Ketamine was administered at postnatal day 4-7 (subcutaneous injections, 20mg/kg given six times, once every 2h). At 3-4weeks of age, long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced and recorded by monitoring excitatory postsynaptic currents from ACC slices. We found that the induction of LTP in the ACC was significantly reduced when compared to the control group. The LTP impairment was accompanied by an increase in the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor-mediated excitatory synaptic transmission and a decrease in GABA inhibitory synaptic transmission in neurons of the ACC. Thus, our present findings show that neonatal ketamine exposure causes a significant LTP impairment in the ACC. We suggest that the imbalanced synaptic transmission is likely to contribute to ketamine-induced LTP impairment in the ACC.

Revealing of the transition from n- to p-type conduction of InN:Mg by photoconductivity effect measurement

We report evidence of the transition from n- to p-type conduction of InN with increasing Mg dopant concentration by using photoconductivity (PC) measurement at room temperature. This transition is depicted as a conversion from negative to positive PC under above-bandgap optical excitation. The n- to p-type transition in InN:Mg is further confirmed by thermopower measurements. PC detection method is a bulk effect since the optical absorption of the surface electron accumulation is negligibly low due to its rather small thickness, and thus shows advantage to detect p-type conduction. This technique is certainly helpful to study p-type doping of InN, which is still a subject of discussions.

Identification of Tumorigenesis from the Specific Coupling of Cyclooxygenase-2 with Microsomal Prostaglandin E2 Synthase-1 in vivo

A newly created hybrid enzyme (COX-2-10aa-mPGES-1), which mimics the specific biosynthesis of the inflammatory PGE2 through COX-2's coupling to mPGES-1, was stably expressed in HEK293 cells. The stable cell line, which consistently expresses the superior triple catalytic (Trip-Cat) activities from COX-2 and mPGES-1, was able to directly convert arachidonic acid into the pathogenic PGE2 and distinguish it from other PGE2 synthesizing pathways, as confirmed by enzyme immunoassay, LC/MS analysis and a specific [14C]-AA (arachidonic acid) metabolite analysis approach. A competitive assay confirmed that the endogenous cPGES and mPGES-2 in the HEK293 cells had little involvement in the presence of the expressed COX-2-10aa-mPGES-1 for the synthesis of pathogenic PGE2. Furthermore, subcutaneous injection of the stable cell lines into nu/nu mice revealed 100% (10 out 10) occurrence of tumor mass formation beginning on Day 7 and a continuous progression of the masses to the maximal size which required sacrificing the mice. In contrast, only 10% occurrence of tumor masses, though smaller and with slower growth rates, were observed for the group of vector-transfected HEK293 control cells expressing only endogenous cPGES and/or mPGES-2. The PGE2 produced from multiple pathways by the HEK293 cells co-expressing the individual wild type COX-2 and mPGES-1, and in the presence of endogenous cPGES and mPGES-2, showed also a significantly increased tumor occurrence rate to 30%, which confirmed that the sole coupling of COX-2 to mPGES-1 is a powerful tumor-advancing factor. This result implies that the engineered COX-2-10aa-mPGES-1 could be a promising molecule as a drug developing target against the pathway of COX-2 coupled to mPGES-1 to treat inflammatory diseases and cancers.

Time-series pattern of gene expression profile in gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity

There have been many studies investigating the genomic biomarker and/or molecular mechanism of nephrotoxicity using microarray. However, most of these researches were carried out by studying gene expression changes at one specific time point. As gene expression varies with time and disease stage, the current study investigated the time-series pattern of gene expression in a rat model using a typical nephrotoxic compound. Rats were administrated with 80 mg/kg gentamycin or saline by intramuscular injection for 14 consecutive days followed by a 28-d recovery. Rats were scarified on D2, D4, D8, D15 and Recovery Day (R29), when kidneys were obtained for whole-genome microarray analysis and histological examination. Urine was collected at each necropsy for kidney injury molecular-1 (KIM-1) analysis. The KIM-1 detection and histological examination confirmed the nephrotoxicity. After differentially expression genes (DEGs) identification, there were 4360 and 4323 regulated genes for females and males, respectively. However, few overlapping expression genes co-regluated at each time point were found. By principle component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster, the gene expression patterns were observed to be apparently associated with the disease stage. GO Annotation showed (1) immune response and related process, response to wounding, cell locomotion on D2; (2) cell death and apoptosis was also noted on D4; (3) processes of organic acid or carboxylic acid, apoptosis or cell death on D8 and D15; (4) processes of cell cycle, mitosis, division cell cycle on R29. In conclusion, the authors mapped the time-series gene expression patterns at the initiation, development and recovery stage of gentamycin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Induced maturation of hepatic progenitor cells in vitro

Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are a potential cell source for liver cell transplantation but do not function like mature liver cells. We sought an effective and reliable method to induce HPC maturation. An immortalized HP14.5 albumin promoter-driven Gaussian luciferase (ALB-GLuc) cell line was established from HPCs isolated from fetal mouse liver of post coitus day 14.5 mice to investigate the effect of induction factors on ALB promoter. HP14.5 parental cells were cultured in DMEM with different combinations of 2% horse serum (HS), 0.1 µM dexamethasone (DEX), 10 ng/mL hepatic growth factor (HGF), and/or 20 ng/mL fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4). Trypan blue and crystal violet staining were used to assess cell proliferation with different induction conditions. Expression of hepatic markers was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Glycogen storage and metabolism were detected by periodic acid-Schiff and indocyanine green (ICG) staining. GLuc activity indicated ALB expression. The combination of 2% HS+0.1 µM Dex+10 ng/mL HGF+20 ng/mL FGF4 induced the highest ALB-GLuc activity. Cell proliferation decreased in 2% HS but increased by adding FGF4. Upon induction, and consistent with hepatocyte development, DLK, AFP, and CK19 expression decreased, while ALB, CK18, and UGT1A expression increased. The maturity markers tyrosine aminotransferase and apolipoprotein B were detected at days 3 and 6 post-induction, respectively. ICG uptake and glycogen synthesis were detectable at day 6 and increased over time. Therefore, we demonstrated that HPCs were induced to differentiate into functional mature hepatocytes in vitro, suggesting that factor-treated HPCs may be further explored as a means of liver cell transplantation.

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 10-mediated negative regulation of the insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor-activated signalling pathway results in cognitive disorder in diabetic rats

Growth factor receptor-bound protein 10 (Grb10) is a Src homology 2 domain-containing protein and one of the binding partners for several transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors, including insulin receptor (IR) and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1-R). The hippocampus, which is critical for cognitive functions, is one of the main distribution areas of Grb10 in the central nervous system. In recent years, diabetic encephalopathy has been defined as a third type of diabetes and the IGF1-IR pathway was shown to be critical for the neuropathogenic process of cognitive disorder in diabetes. However, the role of endogenous Grb10 in regulating the IGF1-IR pathway and neurobehavioural changes is not explicit. The present study aimed to determine the in vivo function of endogenous Grb10 in diabetic encephalopathy and the underlying mechanisms. Using stereotaxic surgical techniques and lentiviral vectors expressing specific short hairpin RNA, we could steadily knockdown Grb10 expression in the hippocampus. More importantly, we demonstrated that hippocampus-specific modulation of Grb10 protein levels led to a prominent remission of cognitive disorder, including improvements in both ultrastructural pathology and abnormal neurobehavioural changes. Our findings indicate that endogenous overexpression of Grb10 functions as a suppressor of the IGF1-IR pathway, which may represent an important mechanism for regulating cognitive disorder in diabetes.

Rheological Properties and Morphological Structure of Blended and Filled Nylon-6

Rheological properties and morphological structure of PA 6/NBR and PA 6/EVA blends with and without CaCO3 fillers are studied. It is found that viscosities of samples investigated can be described approximately by the power law. The rheological behaviour of PA 6/NBR blends slightly deviates from the so-called logarithmic additivity law of the relation between viscosity and composition. The viscosity-composition curve of PA 6/EVA blends shows a positive deviation at the range of low shear rate and changes to the manner of negative deviation after the shear rate is greater than a certaine value. All the samples fabricated in the experiment perform very satisfactory in their processing. An unique morphological structure is found for them, which may be presented by the model of “sea and island”.