Erratum: Measurement of the 2νββ Decay Half-Life of ^{130}Te with CUORE [Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 171801 (2021)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.171801.

[Comparison of two child growth standards in assessing the nutritional status of children under 6 years of age]

Objective: To compare the application of China growth standard for children under 7 years of age (China standards) and World Health Organization child growth standards (WHO standards) in evaluating the prevalence of malnutrition in children aged 0-<6 years in China. Methods: The research data came from the national special program for science & technology basic resources investigation of China, named "2019-2021 survey and application of China's nutrition and health system for children aged 0-18 years". Multi-stage stratified random sampling was used to recruit 28 districts (regions) in 14 provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities across the country. Children (n=38 848) were physically measured and questionnaires were conducted in the guardians of the children. The indicators of stunting, underweight, wasting, overweight and obesity were evaluated by China standards and WHO standards respectively. Chi-square test was used to comparing the prevalence of each nutritional status between the two standards, as well as the comparison between the two standards by gender and age. Results: Among the 38 848 children, 19 650 were boys (50.6%) and 19 198 were girls (49.4%), 19 480 urban children (50.1%) and 19 368 rural children (49.9%). The stunting, underweight and wasting cases in the study population were 2 090 children (5.4%), 1 354 children (3.5%) and 1 276 children (3.3%) according to the China standards, and 1 474 children (3.8%), 701 children (1.8%) and 824 children (2.1%) according to the WHO standards, respectively; the above rates according to the China standards were slightly higher than those to the WHO standards (χ²=111.59, 213.14, and 99.99, all P<0.001). The overweight and obesity cases in the study population were 2 186 children (5.6%) and 1 153 children (3.0%) according to the China standards, and 2 210 children (5.7%) and 1 186 children (3.1%) according to the WHO standards, with no statistically significant differences (χ²=0.14 and 0.48, P=0.709 and 0.488, respectively). Compared to the results based on WHO standards, the China standards showed a lower prevalence of overweight and obesity in boys (χ²=14.95 and 5.85, P<0.001 and =0.016, respectively), and higher prevalence of overweight in girls (χ²=12.60, P<0.001); but there was no statistically significant differences in girls' obesity prevalence between the two standards (χ²=2.62, P=0.106). Conclusions: In general, the prevalence of malnutrition among children aged 0-<6 years based on China standards is slightly higher than that on WHO standards. To evaluate the nutritional status of children, it is advisable to select appropriate child growth standards based on work requirements, norms or research objectives.

Docosahexaenoic acid administration improves diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis through enhancing fatty acid oxidation in cardiac fibroblast

Diabetes mellitus can lead to various complications, including organ fibrosis. Metabolic remodeling often occurs during the development of organ fibrosis. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, shows great benefits in improving cardiovascular disease and organ fibrosis, including regulating cellular metabolism. In this study, we investigated whether DHA can inhibit diabetes-induced cardiac fibrosis by regulating the metabolism of cardiac fibroblasts. Type I diabetic mice were induced by streptozotocin and after supplementation with DHA for 16 weeks, clinical indicators of serum and heart were evaluated. DHA administration significantly improved serum lipid levels, cardiac function and cardiac interstitial fibrosis, but not blood glucose levels. Subsequently, immunofluorescences, western blot and label-free quantitative proteomics methods were used to study the mechanism. The results showed that the anti-fibrotic function of DHA was achieved through regulating extracellular matrix homeostasis including ECM synthesis and degradation. Our research demonstrated DHA regulated the energy metabolism of cardiac fibroblasts, especially fatty acid oxidation, and then affected the balance of ECM synthesis and degradation. It suggested that DHA supplementation could be considered an effective adjuvant therapy for cardiac fibrosis caused by hyperglycemia.

New Direct Limit on Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay Half-Life of ^{128}Te with CUORE

The Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events (CUORE) at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso of INFN in Italy is an experiment searching for neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay. Its main goal is to investigate this decay in ^{130}Te, but its ton-scale mass and low background make CUORE sensitive to other rare processes as well. In this Letter, we present our first results on the search for 0νββ decay of ^{128}Te, the Te isotope with the second highest natural isotopic abundance. We find no evidence for this decay, and using a Bayesian analysis we set a lower limit on the ^{128}Te 0νββ decay half-life of T_{1/2}>3.6×10^{24}  yr (90% CI). This represents the most stringent limit on the half-life of this isotope, improving by over a factor of 30 the previous direct search results, and exceeding those from geochemical experiments for the first time.

CYP2E1 plays a suppressive role in hepatocellular carcinoma by regulating Wnt/Dvl2/β-catenin signaling

Objective

Knowledge of the role of CYP2E1 in hepatocarcinogenesis is largely based on epidemiological and animal studies, with a primary focus on the role of CYP2E1 in metabolic activation of procarcinogens. Few studies have directly assessed the effects of CYP2E1 on HCC malignant phenotypes.

Methods

The expression of CYP2E1 in HCC tissues was determined by qRT-PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Overexpression of CYP2E1 in HCC cell was achieved by lentivirus transfection. The function of CYP2E1 were detected by CCK-8, wound healing, transwell assays, xenograft models and pulmonary metastasis model. TOP/FOPFlash reporter assay, western blotting, functional rescue experiments, Co-immunoprecipitation and reactive oxygen species detection were conducted to reveal the underlying mechanism of the tumor suppressive role of CYP2E1.

Results

CYP2E1 expression is down-regulated in HCC tissues, and this downregulation was associated with large tumor diameter, vascular invasion, poor differentiation, and shortened patient survival time. Ectopic expression of CYP2E1 inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition of HCC cells in vitro, and inhibits tumor formation and lung metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistic investigations show that CYP2E1 overexpression significantly inhibited Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity and decreased Dvl2 expression in HCC cells. An increase in Dvl2 expression restored the malignant phenotype of HCC cells. Notably, CYP2E1 promoted the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of Dvl2 by strengthening the interaction between Dvl2 and the E3 ubiquitin ligase KLHL12 in CYP2E1-stable HCC cells. CYP2E1-induced ROS accumulation was a critical upstream event in the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway in CYP2E1-overexpressing HCC cells.

Conclusions

These results provide novel insight into the role of CYP2E1 in HCC and the tumor suppressor role of CYP2E1 can be attributed to its ability to manipulate Wnt/Dvl2/β-catenin pathway via inducing ROS accumulation, which provides a potential target for the prevention and treatment of HCC.

Graphical Abstract

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03396-6.

[Application of three risk assessment methods to noise risk assessment in an automobile foundry enterprise]

Objective: To explore the applicability of three different kinds of noise occupational health risk assessment methods to the occupational health risk assessment of noise exposed positions in an automobile foundry enterprise. Methods: In July 2020, the occupational-health risk assessment of noise-exposed positions was conducted by using the Guidelines for risk management of occupational noise hazard (guideline method) , the International Commission on Mining and Metals Guidelines for Occupational Health Risk Assessment (ICMM) method and the Occupational-health risk index method (index method) respectively, and the results were analyzed and compared. Results: Through the occupational health field investigation, the noise exposure level of the enterprise's main workstations was between 80.3 and 94.8 dB (A) , among which the noise of the posts of shaking-sand, cleaning and modeling was greater than 85 dB (A) ; The noise risk of each position was evaluated by the three methods, and the adjustment risk level was between 2 and 5 assessed using the guideline method, between 2 and 3 assessed using the index method, and 5 evaluated using the ICMM model. Conclusion: Each of the three risk assessment methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. The ICMM model has a large difference in value assignment, and values in the results are larger than expected. The evaluation results of the guideline method and the index method are consistent in some positions, there is certain subjectivity in the evaluation using the index method, and the guideline method is more objective.

Trapped Alkali-Metal Rydberg Qubit

Rydberg interactions of trapped alkali-metal atoms are used widely to facilitate quantum gate operations in quantum processors and repeaters. In most laboratory realizations using this protocol, the Rydberg states are repelled by the trapping laser fields, requiring that the fields be turned off during gate operations. Here we create a quasi-two-level system in a regime of Rydberg excitation blockade for a mesoscopic Rb ensemble of several hundred atoms confined in a magic-wavelength optical lattice. We observe many-body Rabi oscillations between the ground and collective Rydberg state. In addition we use Ramsey interference techniques to obtain the light shifts of both the lower and upper states of the collective qubit. Whereas the coupling producing the Rabi oscillations is enhanced by a factor of sqrt[N], there is no corresponding enhancement for the light shifts. We derive an effective two-level model which is in good agreement with our observations. Trapped Rydberg qubits and an effective two-level description are expected to have broad applicability for studies of quantum simulation and networking using collective encoding in ensembles of neutral atoms.

[Neck musculoskeletal disorders and their influence factors among welders in an automobile factory]

Objective: To explore the prevalence and risk factors of neck musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) of welders among an automobile factory. Methods: In June 2019, a cluster random sampling method was used to select 677 electric welders from an automobile manufacturing plant in Shiyan City as the survey objects, and a questionnaire survey was conducted using the "Musculoskeletal Disorders Questionnaire" to analyze the prevalence and influencing factors of neck MSDs, and used logistic regression to analyze the relationship between the influencing factors and the prevalence of cervical MSDs. Results: The prevalence rate of MSDs in neck of welders was 54.8% (371/677) . The exposure rate of occupational factors, from high to low, were neckin a bent formord porsure was 71.6% (486/677) , repetitive head movements was 55.1% (373/677) , working in uncomfortable postures was 48.7% (330/677) and neck twisted was 46.8% (317/677) respectively. Sex, age, educational level, length of service, smoking, neck tilt, neck twist, working in uncomfortable posture and head repetitive movements were the risk factors of neck MSDs (P<0.05) . Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that, the main influencing factors of neck MSDs were sex, education level, age, length of service, smoking, neck tilt, working in uncomfortable posture (OR = 2.11, 2.03, 1.83, 1.21, 1.78, 1.90, 1.58, 95%CI: 1.28~3.48、1.47~2.81、1.33~2.52、1.03~1.41、1.22~2.60、1.28~2.83、1.11~2.27, P<0.05) , rest had protective effect on neck MSDs (OR= 0.38, 95%CI: 0.17~0.88, P<0.05) . Conclusion: Welders in automobile factory was highly exposed to occupational risk factors for neck MSDs. Occupational risk factors such as neck in a bent forward posture, working in an uncomfortable posture, prolonged siting, repetitive head movement should be the focus of intervention.

[Cumulative noise exposure and the risk of high-frequency hearing loss relationships]

Objective: To explore the dose-response relationship between cumulative noise exposure and high-frequency hearing loss, and further to provide a basis for the control of occupational hazards of noise. Methods: A Meta-analysis of dose-response relationships was performed on the data of eligible literatures published in China from January 2000.1 to December 2019.12. Results: The initial combined Odds Ratio (OR) and its 95%CI in the Meta-analysis were 1.10 (1.08-1.12) . As the Begg's funnel plot and Egger's test indicated publication bias (t=5.97, P<0.01) , the Trim-and-Fill Method was used for OR value adjustment. The adjusted-OR was 1.09 (1.07-1.12) ; sensitivity analysis showed that the results of this Meta-analysis have high stability; subgroup analysis indicated that the ORs of the steady-state noise group and the non-steady-state noise group were 1.10 (1.08-1.12) and 1.14 (1.07-1.21) , the ORs of the old standard group and the new standard group were 1.10 (1.08-1.12) and 1.11 (1.00-1.24) , respectively. The nonlinear dose-response relationship curve demonstrated that the risk of high-frequency hearing loss increases rapidly after CNE reaches 95 dB (A) ·years. Conclusion: There is a definite dose-response relationship between CNE and high-frequency hearing loss, which can be used to predict the risk of high-frequency hearing loss in noisy workers.

[1-deoxynojirimycin alleviates liver fibrosis induced by type 2 diabetes in mice]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) for improving diabetic liver fibrosis and explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

Mouse models of type 2 diabetes were established in 10 Kunming mice by high-fat diet feeding for 8 weeks and intraperitoneal injection of STZ, with 5 mice receiving intraperitoneal injection of citrate buffer solution with normal feeding as the control group. The mouse models were randomized into two groups (n=5) for further highfat feeding (model group) and additional treatment with 10% DNJ in drinking water (200 mg · kg^-1 per day; DNJ group) for 8 weeks. The mice were monitored for changes in body weight (BW), blood glucose, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. The pathological changes in the liver tissue were observed using HE and Sirius Red staining, and the solubility of collagens in the liver tissues was determined. The expression levels of MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-1β and TGF-β1 mRNA were detected with real-time PCR, and the protein expressions of α-SMA and collagen2 (ColA2) were determined with Western blotting. In the in vitro experiment, mouse fibroblasts L929 cells were pretreated with DNJ (10 μg/ mL) or PBS for 30 min followed by culture in high-glucose medium for 24 h, and the level of ROS production was measured using dihydroethidium (DHE) staining.

RESULTS

In the mouse model of type 2 diabetes, DNJ treatment significantly lowered serum level of glucose, TC, and TG (P < 0.05) and increased serum SOD activity (P < 0.05). DNJ obviously attenuated liver fibrosis in the diabetic mice, as shown by alleviated cross-linking of collagens and reduced contents of pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) and total collagen (P < 0.05). DNJ treatment also significantly reduced the overexpression of the proinflammatory cytokines and fibrosis-related cytokines induced by diabetes (P < 0.05). In L929 cells exposed to high glucose, pretreatment with DNJ significantly lowered the intensity of red fluorescence in DHE staining.

CONCLUSION

DNJ can attenuate type 2 diabetes-induced liver fibrosis in mice through its hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.

[Determination of Methoxyacetic acid in urine by pre-column derivatization-liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography]

Objective: To establish a method for determining methoxyacetic acid in urine by pre-column derivatization-liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with gas chromatography (GC) . Methods: Phosphate buffer solution, tert-butoxyacetic acid (internal standard) and pentafluorobenzyl bromide (derivative) were added to the urine sample. After derived in a water bath at 90 ℃ for 40 min, the mixture was cooled and filtered, then the dichloromethane was used as an extractant. After being shaken and centrifuged, the lower organic phase was sucked and injected into a gas chromatograph, separated by a DB-5 capillary column, and detected by an ECD detector. Results: The linear range of the method was 0.6~60.0 mg/L with the correlation coefficients (r) above 0.999. The average recovery was76.6%~110.7%, the inter-day precision was 8.00%~8.82%, and the detection limit was 0.13 mg/L. Conclusion: The method was founded to be high sensitivity, low organic reagent usage and green. So it is suitable for the detection of methoxyacetic acid in urine of occupational exposure to ethylene glycol monomethyl ether.

Measurement of the 2νββ Decay Half-Life of ^{130}Te with CUORE

We measured two-neutrino double beta decay of ^{130}Te using an exposure of 300.7 kg yr accumulated with the CUORE detector. Using a Bayesian analysis to fit simulated spectra to experimental data, it was possible to disentangle all the major background sources and precisely measure the two-neutrino contribution. The half-life is in agreement with past measurements with a strongly reduced uncertainty: T_{1/2}^{2ν}=7.71_{-0.06}^{+0.08}(stat)_{-0.15}^{+0.12}(syst)×10^{20}  yr. This measurement is the most precise determination of the ^{130}Te 2νββ decay half-life to date.

[Determination of n-butyl alcohol in urine by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography]

Objective: To establish a headspace solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography method for determination of n-Butyl alcohol in urine. Methods: In October 2019, the n-butyl alcohol in urine was extracted with a polydimethylsiloxane/divinylbenzene (PDMS/DVB) solid-phase microextraction head. The conditions of salt amount, extraction temperature, extraction time and desorption time were optimized. The separation was performed on HP-5 (30 m×0.32 mm×0.25 μm) capillary column and detected with flame ionization detector. The quantification was based on the external standard curve. Results: The linear relationship of n-butyl alcohol in urine was good in the range of 0.04-3.00 mg/L, the correlation coefficient was 0.999, the detection limit of the method was 0.04 mg/L, the recovery was 77.4%-102.8%, the intra-run precision was 3.67%-8.11%, and the inter-assay precision was 4.94%-6.90%. Conclusion: The method has simple operation, high concentration efficiency and high sensitivity, and it is suitable for the determination of n-butyl alcohol in urine of occupational exposure to n-butyl alcohol.

Chlorogenic Acid Alleviates Hyperglycemia-Induced Cardiac Fibrosis through Activation of the NO/cGMP/PKG Pathway in Cardiac Fibroblasts

SCOPE

Hyperglycemia-induced cardiac fibrosis is one of the main causes of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DM). Chlorogenic acid (CGA) found in many foods has excellent hypoglycemic effectiveness, but it is not known whether CGA can improve DM by inhibiting cardiac fibrosis caused by hyperglycemia.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Type I diabetic mice are induced by streptozotocin, and after treatment with CGA for 12 weeks, cardiac functions and fibrosis are determined. CGA significantly attenuates hyperglycemia-induced cardiac fibrosis and improves cardiac functions. The mechanism of CGA on fibrotic inhibition is further studied by immunofluorescence, western blot and RNA interference technology in vivo and in vitro. The results show CGA exerted its anti-fibrotic effects through activating the cyclic GMP/protein kinase G pathway (cGMP/PKG) to block hyperglycemia-induced nuclear translocation of p-Smad2/3, and then inhibiting pro-fibrotic gene expression in cardiac fibroblasts without depending on its hypoglycemic function. Moreover, the data also revealed that CGA increased cGMP level and activated PKG in cardiac fibroblasts by enhancing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and NO production.

CONCLUSION

Besides lowering blood glucose, CGA also has an independent ability to inhibit cardiac fibrosis. Therefore, long-term consumption of foods rich in CGA for diabetic patients will have great benefits to improve diabetic cardiomyopathy.

[Determination of metabolites of styrene in urine by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with high performance liquid chromatography]

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of mandelic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid in the urine of styrene by dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction-high coupled with high performance liquid chromatography. Methods: N-octanol was used as an extractant and ethanol was used as a dispersing agent. The phenylglycolic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid in the urine were extracted, and the upper liquid was taken after vortexing and centrifuged, and then was injected into HPLC for analysis. Results: The linear correlation coefficient of the concentration of phenylglycolic acid in the range of 0~10.0 mg/L was greater than 0.999. The detection limit of the method was 9.9 μg/L, the recovery rates were 86.1%~101.6%. The intraday RSDs of the method were 1.07%~3.76%, and the interday RSDs were 1.24%~3.33%. The linear correlation coefficient of phenylglyoxylic acid in the range of 0.0~2.0 mg/L is greater than 0.999. The detection limit of the method was 2.6 μg/L, the recovery rates were 88.8%~100.3%. The intraday RSDs of the method were 1.02%~ 3.17%, and the interday RSDs were 1.59%~2.41%. Conclusion: The method has low detection limit, high enrichment ratio and good sensitivity, and is suitable for determination of phenylglycolic acid and phenylglyoxylic acid in urine of occupational exposure to styrene.

[Determination of nickel in urine by ultrasonic-assisted ionic liquid microextraction-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry]

Objective: To set up a new method to determine the nickel of urine in urine using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) coupled with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) . Methods: From September 2018 to September 2019, the methanol, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate and ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate were used as dispersive solvent, the chelating agent and extraction solvent for the preconcentration of nickel, respectively. After adding into buffer solution of pH 9, ultrasonic dissolving for 10 minutes, centrifugal separation and then discarding the supernatant, the precipitate was saved. Dissolving the precipitate by methanol, mixing thoroughly on a vortex mixer, the 15 μl of the mixed solution was used for determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Results: The linear correlation coefficient of urine nickel concentration in the range of 2.0-10.0 μg/L, r=0.999, with the detection limitation of 0.43 μg/L. The recovery rate and the relative standard deviations were 95.6%-103.7% and 2.53%-4.82%, respectively. Conclusion: The method, which has low detection limit, high recovery rate and good precision, is suitable for the determination of nickel in urine for the occupational populations exposure to nickel and non-occupational exposure.

[Determination of manganese in human urine by dispersive ionic liquid-liquid microextraction-graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry]

Objective: To establish a method for the determination of manganese in urine with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) by using ionic liquid microextraction. Methods: The ethanol, 8-hydroxyquinoline and ionic liquid 1-octyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexafluorophosphate were used as dispersive solvent, chelating agent and extraction solvent respectively, for the preconcentration of manganese. After the optimal extraction conditions were optimized by single factor rotations, evaluate the performance indicators such as methodological precision, accuracy, and detection limit. Results: The linear range of urine manganese was 0.0-1.6 μg/L, and the correlation coefficient of standard curve line was 0.992, the detection limit was 0.03 μg/L, the recovery of sample spiked was 84.90%-96.50%, and the relative standard deviation was 0.36%-1.84%. Conclusion: The method has the advantages of low detection limit, high recovery rate and high sensitivity. It is suitable for the determination of manganese in urine samples from occupational exposure populations and the general population.

Improved Limit on Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay in ^{130} Te with CUORE

We report new results from the search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in ^{130} Te with the CUORE detector. This search benefits from a fourfold increase in exposure, lower trigger thresholds, and analysis improvements relative to our previous results. We observe a background of (1.38±0.07)×10^{-2}  counts/(keV kg yr)) in the 0νββ decay region of interest and, with a total exposure of 372.5 kg yr, we attain a median exclusion sensitivity of 1.7×10^{25}  yr. We find no evidence for 0νββ decay and set a 90% credibility interval Bayesian lower limit of 3.2×10^{25}  yr on the ^{130} Te half-life for this process. In the hypothesis that 0νββ decay is mediated by light Majorana neutrinos, this results in an upper limit on the effective Majorana mass of 75-350 meV, depending on the nuclear matrix elements used.

Ginsenoside-Rb1 Improved Diabetic Cardiomyopathy through Regulating Calcium Signaling by Alleviating Protein O-GlcNAcylation

Ginsenoside-Rb1 (Rb1), a major active component of ginseng, has many benefits for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus (DM), but the effect and mechanism on diabetic cardiomyopathy are not clear. In the present study, we found that Rb1-feeding significantly improved cardiac dysfunction and abnormal cardiomyocytes calcium signaling caused by diabetes. This improved calcium signaling was because Rb1 reduced Ca²⁺ leakage caused by overactivated ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) and increased Ca²⁺ uptake by sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase 2a (SERCA 2a). Furthermore, we found that Rb1 not only enhanced energy metabolism like metformin and eliminated O-GlcNAcylation of calcium handling proteins to regulate calcium signaling but also directly inhibited RyR2 activity to regulate calcium signaling. The present study indicated that as a health supplement or drug, Rb1 was a relatively effective auxiliary therapeutic substance for diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Downregulation of lncRNA ANRIL suppresses growth and metastasis in human osteosarcoma cells

Background

This study was designed to research the potential function of lncRNA ANRIL in osteosarcoma (OS).

Materials and methods

Quantitative real-time PCR, cell counting kit-8, wound healing assay, Transwell assay, flow cytometric analysis, caspase activity analysis, and Western blot were carried out.

Results

ANRIL was remarkably upregulated in human OS tissues and cells, and knockdown of ANRIL significantly suppressed MG63 cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted apoptosis. Moreover, our mechanistic research findings verified that ANRIL-influenced growth and apoptosis may be partly through regulation of caspase-3 and Bcl-2. Migration and invasion were influenced via ANRIL-mediated regulation of MTA1, TIMP-2, and E-cadherin.

Conclusion

Our finding demonstrates that ANRIL plays vital roles in OS growth and metastasis.

First Results from CUORE: A Search for Lepton Number Violation via 0νββ Decay of ^{130}Te

The CUORE experiment, a ton-scale cryogenic bolometer array, recently began operation at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. The array represents a significant advancement in this technology, and in this work we apply it for the first time to a high-sensitivity search for a lepton-number-violating process: ^{130}Te neutrinoless double-beta decay. Examining a total TeO_{2} exposure of 86.3 kg yr, characterized by an effective energy resolution of (7.7±0.5)  keV FWHM and a background in the region of interest of (0.014±0.002)  counts/(keV kg yr), we find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Including systematic uncertainties, we place a lower limit on the decay half-life of T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.3×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.); the median statistical sensitivity of this search is 7.0×10^{24}  yr. Combining this result with those of two earlier experiments, Cuoricino and CUORE-0, we find T_{1/2}^{0ν}(^{130}Te)>1.5×10^{25}  yr (90% C.L.), which is the most stringent limit to date on this decay. Interpreting this result as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, we find m_{ββ}<(110-520)  meV, where the range reflects the nuclear matrix element estimates employed.

MicroRNA-192 inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and promotes apoptosis by targeting matrix metalloproteinase-11

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression during stem cell growth, proliferation and differentiation. miRNAs are also involved in the development and progression of a number of cancer types, including osteosarcoma (OS). miR-192 is significantly downregulated in various tumors, including lung, bladder and rectal cancer. miR-192 expression is associated with the migration and invasion of OS cells. However, the expression of miR-192 and its effects on the development of OS have not been reported. In the present study, the involvement of miR-192 and its molecular mechanisms in the development of OS was investigated. The results indicate that miR-192 expression was significantly downregulated in OS tissues compared with non-tumor tissues (P<0.05). Next, a miR-192 agomir was transfected into the OS cell line MG-63 to upregulate miR-192. The effects of miR-192 overexpression were then investigated by examining cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-11 belongs to a family of nine or more highly homologous Zn²⁺-endopeptidases. It was demonstrated that the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-11 were upregulated in OS tissues compared with non-tumor tissues (P<0.05). MMP-11 was predicted by TargetScan and miRanda as a miR-192 target, which was confirmed by western blotting and dual-luciferase assays. Finally, it was demonstrated that the overexpression of miR-192 was able to downregulate MMP-11 expression and reduce proliferation, migration and invasion, and promote apoptosis in OS cells. Together, these data indicate that miR-192 may be a tumor suppressor that inhibits the progression and invasion of OS by targeting MMP-11. Therefore, miR-192 may be useful for the diagnosis and treatment of OS.

Age-related inflammatory bone marrow microenvironment induces ineffective erythropoiesis mimicking del(5q) MDS

Anemia is characteristic of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). The mechanisms of anemia in MDS are unclear. Using a mouse genetic approach, here we show that dual deficiency of mDia1 and miR-146a, encoded on chromosome 5q and commonly deleted in MDS (del(5q) MDS), causes an age-related anemia and ineffective erythropoiesis mimicking human MDS. We demonstrate that the ageing bone marrow microenvironment is important for the development of ineffective erythropoiesis in these mice. Damage-associated molecular pattern molecules (DAMPs), whose levels increase in ageing bone marrow, induced TNFα and IL-6 upregulation in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in mDia1/miR-146a double knockout mice. Mechanistically, we reveal that pathologic levels of TNFα and IL-6 inhibit erythroid colony formation and differentially affect terminal erythropoiesis through reactive oxygen species-induced caspase-3 activation and apoptosis. Treatment of the mDia1/miR-146a double knockout mice with all-trans retinoic acid, which promoted the differentiation of MDSCs and ameliorated the inflammatory bone marrow microenvironment, significantly rescued anemia and ineffective erythropoiesis. Our study underscores the dual roles of the ageing microenvironment and genetic abnormalities in the pathogenesis of ineffective erythropoiesis in del(5q) MDS.

Ion-pulling simulations provide insights into the mechanisms of channel opening of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor

The type 1 ryanodine receptor (RyR1) mediates Ca²⁺ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to initiate skeletal muscle contraction and is associated with muscle diseases, malignant hyperthermia, and central core disease. To better understand RyR1 channel function, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of channel gating and ion permeation. An adequate model of channel gating requires accurate, high-resolution models of both open and closed states of the channel. To this end, we generated an open-channel RyR1 model using molecular simulations to pull Ca²⁺ through the pore constriction site of a closed-channel RyR1 structure determined at 3.8-Å resolution. Importantly, we find that our open-channel model is consistent with the RyR1 and cardiac RyR (RyR2) open-channel structures reported while this paper was in preparation. Both our model and the published structures show similar rotation of the upper portion of the pore-lining S6 helix away from the 4-fold channel axis and twisting of Ile-4937 at the channel constriction site out of the channel pore. These motions result in a minimum open-channel pore radius of ∼3 Å formed by Gln-4933, rather than Ile-4937 in the closed-channel structure. We also present functional support for our model by mutations around the closed- and open-channel constriction sites (Gln-4933 and Ile-4937). Our results indicate that use of ion-pulling simulations produces a RyR1 open-channel model, which can provide insights into the mechanisms of channel opening complementing those from the structural data.

Molecular mechanism of the susceptibility difference between HLA-B*27:02/04/05 and HLA-B*27:06/09 to ankylosing spondylitis: substitution analysis, MD simulation, QSAR modelling, and in vitro assay

The human leukocyte antigen HLA-B27 is directly involved in the disease pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). HLA-B27 has a high degree of genetic polymorphism, with 105 currently known subtypes; the presence of aspartic acid at residue 116 (Asp116) has been found to play an essential role in AS susceptibility. Here, we systematically investigated the molecular mechanism of the susceptibility difference between the AS-associated subtypes HLA-B*27:02/04/05 and AS-unassociated subtypes HLA-B*27:06/09 to AS at sequence, structure, energetic and dynamic levels. In total seven variable residues were identified among the five studied HLA-B27 subtypes, in which Asp116 can be largely stabilized by a spatially vicinal, positively charged His114 through a salt bridge, while five other variable residues seem to have only a marginal effect on AS susceptibility. We also employed a quantitative structure-activity relationship approach to model the statistical correlation between peptide structure and affinity to HLA-B*27:05, a genetic ancestor of all other HLA-B27 subtypes and associated strongly with AS. The built regression predictor was verified rigorously through both internal cross-validation and external blind validation, and was then employed to identify potential HLA-B*27:05 binders from >20,000 cartilage-derived self-peptides. Subsequently, the binding potency of the top five antigenic peptides to HLA-B*27:05 was assayed in vitro using a FACS-based MHC stabilization experiment. Consequently, two (QRVGSDEFK and LRGAGTNEK) out of the five peptides were determined to have high affinity (BL50 = 5.5 and 15.8 nM, respectively) and, as expected, both of them possess positively charged Lys at the C-terminus.

Search for Neutrinoless Double-Beta Decay of (130)Te with CUORE-0

We report the results of a search for neutrinoless double-beta decay in a 9.8 kg yr exposure of (130)Te using a bolometric detector array, CUORE-0. The characteristic detector energy resolution and background level in the region of interest are 5.1±0.3  keV FWHM and 0.058±0.004(stat)±0.002(syst)counts/(keV kg yr), respectively. The median 90% C.L. lower-limit half-life sensitivity of the experiment is 2.9×10(24)  yr and surpasses the sensitivity of previous searches. We find no evidence for neutrinoless double-beta decay of (130)Te and place a Bayesian lower bound on the decay half-life, T(1/2)(0ν)>2.7×10(24)  yr at 90% C.L. Combining CUORE-0 data with the 19.75 kg yr exposure of (130)Te from the Cuoricino experiment we obtain T(1/2)(0ν)>4.0×10(24)  yr at 90% C.L. (Bayesian), the most stringent limit to date on this half-life. Using a range of nuclear matrix element estimates we interpret this as a limit on the effective Majorana neutrino mass, m(ββ)<270-760  meV.

Channel Gating Dependence on Pore Lining Helix Glycine Residues in Skeletal Muscle Ryanodine Receptor

Type 1 ryanodine receptors (RyR1s) release Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum to initiate skeletal muscle contraction. The role of RyR1-G4934 and -G4941 in the pore-lining helix in channel gating and ion permeation was probed by replacing them with amino acid residues of increasing side chain volume. RyR1-G4934A, -G4941A, and -G4941V mutant channels exhibited a caffeine-induced Ca(2+) release response in HEK293 cells and bound the RyR-specific ligand [(3)H]ryanodine. In single channel recordings, significant differences in the number of channel events and mean open and close times were observed between WT and RyR1-G4934A and -G4941A. RyR1-G4934A had reduced K(+) conductance and ion selectivity compared with WT. Mutations further increasing the side chain volume at these positions (G4934V and G4941I) resulted in reduced caffeine-induced Ca(2+) release in HEK293 cells, low [(3)H]ryanodine binding levels, and channels that were not regulated by Ca(2+) and did not conduct Ca(2+) in single channel measurements. Computational predictions of the thermodynamic impact of mutations on protein stability indicated that although the G4934A mutation was tolerated, the G4934V mutation decreased protein stability by introducing clashes with neighboring amino acid residues. In similar fashion, the G4941A mutation did not introduce clashes, whereas the G4941I mutation resulted in intersubunit clashes among the mutated isoleucines. Co-expression of RyR1-WT with RyR1-G4934V or -G4941I partially restored the WT phenotype, which suggested lessening of amino acid clashes in heterotetrameric channel complexes. The results indicate that both glycines are important for RyR1 channel function by providing flexibility and minimizing amino acid clashes.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorβ/δ activation is essential for modulating p-Foxo1/Foxo1 status in functional insulin-positive cell differentiation

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) participate in energy homeostasis and play essential roles in diabetes therapy through their effects on non-pancreas tissues. Pathological microenvironment may influence the metabolic requirements for the maintenance of stem cell differentiation. Accordingly, understanding the mechanisms of PPARs on pancreatic β-cell differentiation may be helpful to find the underlying targets of disrupted energy homeostasis under the pancreatic disease condition. PPARs are involved in stem cell differentiation via mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, but the subtype member activation and the downstream regulation in functional insulin-positive (INS⁺) cell differentiation remain unclear. Here, we show a novel role of PPARβ/δ activation in determining INS⁺ cell differentiation and functional maturation. We found PPARβ/δ expression selectively upregulated in mouse embryonic pancreases or stem cells-derived INS⁺ cells at the pancreatic mature stage in vivo and in vitro. Strikingly, given the inefficiency of generating INS⁺ cells in vitro, PPARβ/δ activation displayed increasing mouse and human ES cell-derived INS⁺ cell numbers and insulin secretion. This phenomenon was closely associated with the forkhead box protein O1 (Foxo1) nuclear shuttling, which was dependent on PPARβ/δ downstream PI3K/Akt signaling transduction. The present study reveals the essential role of PPARβ/δ activation on p-Foxo1/Foxo1 status, and in turn, determining INS⁺ cell generation and insulin secretion via affecting pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 expression. The results demonstrate the underlying mechanism by which PPARβ/δ activation promotes functional INS⁺ cell differentiation. It also provides potential targets for anti-diabetes drug discovery and hopeful clinical applications in human cell therapy.

Comparison of morphological and rheological conditions between conventional and eversion carotid endarterectomy using computational fluid dynamics – a pilot study

Purpose:

To compare postoperative morphological and rheological conditions after eversion carotid endarterectomy versus conventional carotid endarterectomy using computational fluid dynamics.

Basic methods:

Hemodynamic metrics (velocity, wall shear stress, time-averaged wall shear stress and temporal gradient wall shear stress) in the carotid arteries were simulated in one patient after conventional carotid endarterectomy and one patient after eversion carotid endarterectomy by computational fluid dynamics analysis based on patient specific data.

Principal findings:

Systolic peak of the eversion carotid endarterectomy model showed a gradually decreased pressure along the stream path, the conventional carotid endarterectomy model revealed high pressure (about 180 Pa) at the carotid bulb. Regions of low wall shear stress in the conventional carotid endarterectomy model were much larger than that in the eversion carotid endarterectomy model and with lower time-averaged wall shear stress values (conventional carotid endarterectomy: 0.03–5.46 Pa vs. eversion carotid endarterectomy: 0.12–5.22 Pa).

Conclusions:

Computational fluid dynamics after conventional carotid endarterectomy and eversion carotid endarterectomy disclosed differences in hemodynamic patterns. Larger studies are necessary to assess whether these differences are consistent and might explain different rates of restenosis in both techniques.

Pore dynamics and conductance of RyR1 transmembrane domain

Ryanodine receptors (RyR) are calcium release channels, playing a major role in the regulation of muscular contraction. Mutations in skeletal muscle RyR (RyR1) are associated with congenital diseases such as malignant hyperthermia and central core disease (CCD). The absence of high-resolution structures of RyR1 has limited our understanding of channel function and disease mechanisms at the molecular level. Previously, we have reported a hypothetical structure of the RyR1 pore-forming region, obtained by homology modeling and supported by mutational scans, electrophysiological measurements, and cryo-electron microscopy. Here, we utilize the expanded model encompassing six transmembrane helices to calculate the RyR1 pore region conductance, to analyze its structural stability, and to hypothesize the mechanism of the Ile4897 CCD-associated mutation. The calculated conductance of the wild-type RyR1 suggests that the proposed pore structure can sustain ion currents measured in single-channel experiments. We observe a stable pore structure on timescales of 0.2 μs, with multiple cations occupying the selectivity filter and cytosolic vestibule, but not the inner chamber. We further suggest that stability of the selectivity filter critically depends on the interactions between the I4897 residue and several hydrophobic residues of the neighboring subunit. Loss of these interactions in the case of polar substitution I4897T results in destabilization of the selectivity filter, a possible cause of the CCD-specific reduced Ca(2+) conductance.

AEBP1 upregulation confers acquired resistance to BRAF (V600E) inhibition in melanoma

An activating BRAF (V600E) kinase mutation occurs in approximately half of melanomas. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that vemurafenib (PLX4032) and dabrafenib, potent and selective inhibitors of mutant v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF), exhibit remarkable activities in patients with V600 BRAF mutant melanomas. However, acquired drug resistance invariably develops after the initial treatment. Identification of acquired resistance mechanisms may inform the development of new therapies that elicit long-term responses of melanomas to BRAF inhibitors. Here we report that increased expression of AEBP1 (adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1) confers acquired resistance to BRAF inhibition in melanoma. AEBP1 is shown to be highly upregulated in PLX4032-resistant melanoma cells because of the hyperactivation of the PI3K/Akt-cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway. This upregulates AEBP1 expression and thus leads to the activation of NF-κB via accelerating IκBa degradation. In addition, inhibition of the PI3K/Akt-CREB-AEBP1-NF-κB pathway greatly reverses the PLX4032-resistant phenotype of melanoma cells. Furthermore, increased expression of AEBP1 is validated in post-treatment tumors in patients with acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitor. Therefore, these results reveal a novel PI3K/Akt-CREB-AEBP1-NF-κB pathway whose activation contributes to acquired resistance to BRAF inhibition, and suggest that this pathway, particularly AEBP1, may represent a novel therapeutic target for treating BRAF inhibitor-resistant melanoma.

Propranolol induces apoptosis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells through downregulation of CD147

BACKGROUND

Infantile haemangiomas (IHs) are benign tumours in infancy. Most patients suffering from IHs do not require treatment. However, if there is a dramatic aesthetic or functional impairment, treatment is needed. Currently the most promising therapy for complicated IHs is the oral administration of propranolol, but its mechanism is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the role of CD147 in propranolol-induced apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODS

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with propranolol, and the treatment effects were investigated through the following methodology. (i) Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometric analysis. (ii) The expression level of CD147 was measured by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. (iii) HUVECs were transfected with lentivirus encoding CD147 short hairpin (sh)RNA or CD147 cDNA. Ensuing changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis after transfection were measured using the MTT assay and flow cytometry. (iv) The level of phosphorylation of Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) at Ser112 in HUVECs after propranolol treatment and/or CD147 shRNA transfection was detected by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Propranolol inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in HUVECs. It decreased CD147 protein expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Knocking down CD147 not only induced apoptosis but also exacerbated the apoptosis triggered by propranolol in HUVECs. Overexpression of CD147 can protect HUVECs from apoptosis and propranolol-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, knockdown of both propranolol and CD147 can downregulate Ser112 phosphorylation of BAD, indicating that propranolol and CD147 induce apoptosis in HUVECs through the same signalling transduction pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our studies demonstrate that propranolol-induced apoptosis may be mediated through the downregulation of CD147 in HUVECs. This study highlights a novel step in propranolol action and suggests a potential new target for the treatment of IHs.

Stabilization of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor ion channel-FKBP12 complex by the 1,4-benzothiazepine derivative S107

Activation of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1) complex results in the rapid release of Ca²⁺ from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and muscle contraction. Dissociation of the small FK506 binding protein 12 subunit (FKBP12) increases RyR1 activity and impairs muscle function. The 1,4-benzothiazepine derivative JTV519, and the more specific derivative S107 (2,3,4,5,-tetrahydro-7-methoxy-4-methyl-1,4-benzothiazepine), are thought to improve skeletal muscle function by stabilizing the RyR1-FKBP12 complex. Here, we report a high degree of nonspecific and specific low affinity [³H]S107 binding to SR vesicles. SR vesicles enriched in RyR1 bound ∼48 [³H]S107 per RyR1 tetramer with EC₅₀ ∼52 µM and Hillslope ∼2. The effects of S107 and FKBP12 on RyR1 were examined under conditions that altered the redox state of RyR1. S107 increased FKBP12 binding to RyR1 in SR vesicles in the presence of reduced glutathione and the NO-donor NOC12, with no effect in the presence of oxidized glutathione. Addition of 0.15 µM FKBP12 to SR vesicles prevented FKBP12 dissociation; however, in the presence of oxidized glutathione and NOC12, FKBP12 dissociation was observed in skeletal muscle homogenates that contained 0.43 µM myoplasmic FKBP12 and was attenuated by S107. In single channel measurements with FKBP12-depleted RyR1s, in the absence and presence of NOC12, S107 augmented the FKBP12-mediated decrease in channel activity. The data suggest that S107 can reverse the harmful effects of redox active species on SR Ca²⁺ release in skeletal muscle by binding to RyR1 low affinity sites.

Structural determinants of skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor gating

Ryanodine receptor type 1 (RyR1) releases Ca(2+) from intracellular stores upon nerve impulse to trigger skeletal muscle contraction. Effector binding at the cytoplasmic domain tightly controls gating of the pore domain of RyR1 to release Ca(2+). However, the molecular mechanism that links effector binding to channel gating is unknown due to lack of structural data. Here, we used a combination of computational and electrophysiological methods and cryo-EM densities to generate structural models of the open and closed states of RyR1. Using our structural models, we identified an interface between the pore-lining helix (Tyr-4912-Glu-4948) and a linker helix (Val-4830-Val-4841) that lies parallel to the cytoplasmic membrane leaflet. To test the hypothesis that this interface controls RyR1 gating, we designed mutations in the linker helix to stabilize either the open (V4830W and T4840W) or closed (H4832W and G4834W) state and validated them using single channel experiments. To further confirm this interface, we designed mutations in the pore-lining helix to stabilize the closed state (Q4947N, Q4947T, and Q4947S), which we also validated using single channel experiments. The channel conductance and selectivity of the mutations that we designed in the linker and pore-lining helices were indistinguishable from those of WT RyR1, demonstrating our ability to modulate RyR1 gating without affecting ion permeation. Our integrated computational and experimental approach significantly advances the understanding of the structure and function of an unusually large ion channel.

WASF3 regulates miR-200 inactivation by ZEB1 through suppression of KISS1 leading to increased invasiveness in breast cancer cells

The WASF3 gene promotes invasion and metastasis in breast cancer cells which have undergone epithelial-to-mesenchyme transition (EMT). Overexpression of WASF3 in cells that do not show EMT increases their invasion potential as a result of increased ZEB1/2 levels which specifically suppress the anti-invasion chromosome 1 miR-200a/ 200b/429 cluster. ZEB1/2 upregulation by WASF3 results from downregulation of KISS1, leading to release of inhibition of NFκB by IκBα. We further show that ZEB1 expression is regulated by the NFκB transcription factor. Knockdown of WASF3 in breast cancer cells leads to reduced ZEB1 levels and increased miR-200 and E-cadherin levels, resulting in loss of invasion potential. The central regulation of this interactive pathway by WASF3 accounts for the increased invasion associated with increased WASF3 expression seen in aggressive breast cancer cells. WASF3, therefore, is a potential target to suppress invasion and metastasis in breast cancer cells.