Prognostic value of long non-coding RNA TP73-AS1 expression in different types of cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: TP73 antisense RNA 1 (TP73-AS1), a newly discovered long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been reported to be upregulated in various kinds of tumors, and shows a variable influence on living quality and prognosis of patients. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the overall prognostic value of the lncRNA TP73-AS1 in cancer patients. Results: A systematic literature retrieval was carried out using the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. We calculated the pooled hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate the association of TP73-AS1 expression with prognostic and clinicopathological parameters. A total of 15 studies including 1057 cancer patients were finally selected for the meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that high TP73-AS1 expression was significantly associated with shorter overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.68­2.31, P b 0.001). According to a fixed-effects or random-effects model, elevated TP73-AS1 expression markedly predicted advanced clinical stage (OR = 3.30, 95% CI: 2.35­4.64, P b 0.001), larger tumor size (OR = 2.37, 95% CI: 1.75­3.22, P b 0.001), earlier lymph node metastasis (OR = 3.28, 95% CI: 1.59­6.76, P = 0.001), and distant metastasis (OR = 4.94, 95% CI: 2.61­9.37, P b 0.001). Conclusions: High lncRNA TP73-AS1 expression appears to be predictive of a worse OS and clinicopathologic features for patients with various types of malignant tumors. These results provide a basis for utilizing TP73- AS1 expression as an unfavorable indicator to predict survival outcomes.

Experimental research on Arginine-gingipain A gene vaccine from Porphyromonas gingivalis that prevents peri-implantitis in Beagle dogs / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#This study aims to use Arginine-gingipain A gene vaccine (pVAX1-rgpA) to immunize adult Beagle dogs and to evaluate its effect during peri-implantitis progression and development.@*METHODS@#Plasmid pVAX1-rgpA was constructed. The second and third bilateral mandible premolars of 15 adult Beagle dogs were extracted, and the implants were placed immediately. After 3 months, the animals were randomly divided into groups A, B, and C. Afterward, the animals were immunized thrice with plasmid pVAX1-rgpA, with heat-killed Porphyromonas gingivalis, or pVAX1, respectively. IgG in the serum and secretory IgA (sIgA) in saliva were quantitatively analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after 2 weeks of immunization. Peri-implantitis was induced with cotton ligatures fixed around the neck of implants. Probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing were recorded. All animals were sacrificed after ligaturation for 6 weeks. Decalcified sections with thickness of 50 μm were prepared and dyed with methylene blue to observe the bone phenotype around implants.@*RESULTS@#Levels of serum IgG and sIgA in saliva were higher in groups A and B after immunization than before the process (P0.05). At 4 and 6 weeks after ligaturation, PD of the ligatured side in group C was higher than that in groups A and B (P0.05). Bone loss in group A was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P<0.05). Abundant inflammatory cells and bacteria were present in the bone loss area around the implants in the three groups, as identified through hard tissue section observation. However, group C presented the most number of inflammatory cells and bacteria in the bone loss area around the implants.@*CONCLUSIONS@#IgG and sIgA can be generated by immunity with rgpA DNA vaccine, which can significantly slow down bone loss during experimental peri-implantitis in dogs.