MicroRNAs: emerging players in apical periodontitis

Abstract Apical periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder of periradicular tissues developed from endodontic infections. Understanding its pathophysiology and the underlying molecular mechanisms is key to the advancement of endodontics. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a group of evolutionarily conserved small non-coding RNAs, may be phenotypically and functionally associated with the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis. Several studies have focused on the role of miRNAs in the pulp and periradicular biology, and they have demonstrated their essential functions, such as initiating odontogenic differentiation and promoting pro- or anti-inflammatory responses in pulpitis. Up to date, over 2,000 miRNAs have been discovered in humans; however, only few have been reported to associate with apical periodontitis. Therefore, identifying miRNAs involved in diseased apical tissues and conducting functional studies are important in expanding our current knowledge of pulp and periradicular biology and exploring novel therapeutic avenues. In this review, we revisit current models of apical periodontitis and miRNA biogenesis, analyze existing evidence of the involvement of miRNAs in diseased apical tissues, and discuss their diverse functions and potential values. Based on their sheer abundance, prolonged stability in biofluid, and relative ease of sampling, miRNAs may be a useful tool to be developed as diagnostic biomarkers for apical periodontitis. Furthermore, it can be used as therapeutic targets in conjunction with conventional endodontic therapies.

Sevoflurane inhibits proliferation and invasion of colon cancer SW480 cells and standard regimen for advanced colorectal cancer / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of sevoflurane on the proliferation and invasion of colon cancer SW480 cells and the growth of transplanted tumor in nude mice by regulating the phosphorylation of PI3K. Methods: Colon cancer SW480 cells were treated with sevoflurane and randomly divided into control group, 0.5% sevoflurane group, 1.0% sevoflurane group and 2.0% sevoflurane group for subsequent experiments. The proliferation ability of SW480 cells was detected by Clone formation assay, mRNA expression levels of MDM2 and survivin in cells were detected by RT-PCR, invasion ability of cells was detected by Transwell assay, and protein expression levels of MDM2, survivin, VEGF, PI3K, p-PI3K, AKT and p-AKT were detected by Western blotting. PI3K activator 740Y-P was added for verification. SW480 cell transplanted tumor model was constructed on nude mice, and the tumor mass was weighed. The positive expression rates of MDM2 and VEGF in the transplanted tumor tissues were detected by Immunohistochemistry. Results: As compared with the control group and the low-dose group, the clone formation rate of SW480 cells and the number of invaded cells in the 1.0% and 2.0% sevoflurane groups were significantly decreased (all P<0.01), the mRNA and protein levels of MDM2 in the cells were significantly increased (all P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein levels of survivin were significantly decreased (all P<0.01); and the protein levels of VEGF, p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT were significantly decreased (all P<0.01). 740Y-P could reverse the effect of sevoflurane on the proliferation, invasion and expression of proteins associated with the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in SW480 cells. The mass of transplanted tumor in 2.0% sevoflurane group was significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the positive MDM2 expression rate in tumor tissues was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the positive VEGF expression rate was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion: Sevoflurane inhibits the proliferation and invasion of colon cancer SW480 cells and the growth of xenografts in nude mice possibly by inhibiting PI3K phosphorylation.

Independent prognostic genes and mechanism investigation for colon cancer

PROPOSE: We aimed to explore the potential molecular mechanism and independent prognostic genes for colon cancer (CC). METHODS: Microarray datasets GSE17536 and GSE39582 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. Meanwhile, the whole CC-related dataset were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed mRNA (DEMs) were identified between cancer tissue samples and para-carcinoma tissue samples in TCGA dataset, followed by the KEGG pathway and GO function analyses. Furthermore, the clinical prognostic analysis including overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were performed in all three datasets. RESULTS: A total of 633 up- and 321 down-regulated mRNAs were revealed in TCGA dataset. The up-regulated mRNAs were mainly assembled in functions including extracellular matrix and pathways including Wnt signaling. The down-regulated mRNAs were mainly assembled in functions like Digestion and pathways like Drug metabolism. Furthermore, up-regulation of UL16-binding protein 2 (ULBP2) was associated with OS in CC patients. A total of 12 DEMs including Surfactant Associated 2 (SFTA2) were potential DFS prognostic genes in CC patients. Meanwhile, the GRP and Transmembrane Protein 37 (TMEM37) were two outstanding independent DFS prognostic genes in CC. CONCLUSIONS: ULBP2 might be a potential novel OS prognostic biomarker in CC, while GRP and TMEM37 could be served as the independent DFS prognostic genes in CC. Furthermore, functions including extracellular matrix and digestion, as well as pathways including Wnt signaling and drug metabolism might play important roles in the process of CC.

Studies on chemical constituents in n-butyl alcohol extract of roots of Actinidia deliciosa in Guangxi / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the chemical constituents of n-butyl alcohol extract in the roots of Actinidia deliciosa in Guangxi.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The constituents were separated with various chromatographic techniques and their structures were elucidated by means of physicochemical properties and the analysis of their spectral data.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Six compounds were isolated and identified as eriantic acid B (1), 2alpha, 3beta, 24-trihydroxyursa-12-en-28-oic acid (2), 2alpha, 3alpha, 24-trihydroxyursa-12-en-28-oic acid (3), 2alpha, 3alpha, 23-tri-hydroxyursa-12, 20 (30)-dien-28-oic acid (4), 2alpha, 3alpha, 24-trihydroxyursa-12, 20 (30)-dien-28-oic acid (5), n-butyl-O-beta-D-fruto-pyranoside (6).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compounds 1-4, 6 were obtained from this plant for the first time. Compound 6 was obtained from the genus Actinidia for the first time.</p>

Experimental corrected study of hypoglycemic activity of conduritol A of stems of Gymnema sylvestre / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigates the mechanism of hypooglycemic effect of conduritol A of stems of Gymnema sylvestre.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Fourteen days later after administration, observation is taken on the change of these mice and rats weight, the FBG, TG, CHO, SOD, MDA, INS, TNF in serum were also detected with enzymology method and Radioimmuoassay method. Take the liver to determine the disposal of glucose. Take the pancreas to do the HE and immunohistochemistrial staining, and show pancreas islet beta-cell. Calulate thymus, pancreas, splenica index.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Compared with diabetic model mice, high and middosage of conduritol A could remarkably reduce fasted blood sugar in diabetic rats induced by alloxan (P < 0.01). Significantly increase the level of serum insulin (P < 0.05). Activity of SOD was obviously increased, and amount of MDA was obviously decreased (P < 0.05). The amount of conduritol A disposal of glucose was obviously increased (P < 0.05). Significantly increase thymus, pancreas, splencia index (P < 0.01 or 0.05); inhibited the atrophy of thymus, pancreas, splencias of the diabetic rats induced by alloxan. Compared with diabetic model group, cell structure and form of conduritol A had been some way improved. The immunohistochemistry results showed that beta-cells numbers of pancreas in each conduritol A group were more than those in the model group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Conduritol A could have an effect on regulating the metabolism of blood lipid, free-radical scavenging, enhancing the antioxidant ability, potentiating immune function. Promoting synthesis of hepatic to decrease fasted blood suger.</p>