[Analysis of clinical and genetic characteristics of the severe liver disease phenotype in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration].

Objective: To investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics and predictive role of the severe liver disease phenotype in patients with hepatolenticular degeneration (HLD). Methods: Inpatients with HLD confirmed at Xinhua Hospital affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 1989 to December 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Clinical classification was performed according to the affected organs. Patients with liver disease phenotypes were classified into the liver disease group and further divided into the severe liver disease group and the ordinary liver disease group. The clinical characteristics and genetic variations were compared in each group of patients. The predictive indicators of patients with severe liver disease were analyzed by multiple regression. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ(2) test according to different data. Results: Of the 159 HLD cases, 142 were in the liver disease group (34 in the severe liver disease group and 108 in the ordinary liver disease group), and 17 were in the encephalopathy group. The median age of onset was statistically significantly different between the liver disease group and the encephalopathy group [12.6 (7.0, 13.3) years versus 16.9 (11.0, 21.5) years, P<0.01]. 156 ATP7B gene mutation sites were found in 83 cases with genetic testing results, of which 54 cases carried the p.Arg778Leu gene mutation (allele frequency 46.2%). Compared with patients with other types of gene mutations (n=65), patients with homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutations (n=18) had lower blood ceruloplasmin and albumin levels, a higher prognostic index, Child-Pugh score, an international normalized ratio, and prothrombin time (P<0.05). Hemolytic anemia, corneal K-F ring, homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutation, and multiple laboratory indexes in the severe liver disease group were statistically significantly different from those in the ordinary liver disease group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the predictive factors for severe liver disease were homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutation, total bilirubin, and bile acids (ORs=16.512, 1.022, 1.021, 95% CI: 1.204-226.425, 1.005-1.039, and 1.006-1.037, respectively, P<0.05). The drawn ROC curve demonstrated a cutoff value of 0.215 3, an AUC of 0.953 2, and sensitivity and specificity of 90.91% and 92.42%, respectively. Conclusion: Liver disease phenotypes are common in HLD patients and have an early onset. Total bilirubin, bile acids, and the homozygous p.Arg778Leu mutation of ATP7B is related to the severity of liver disease in HLD patients, which aids in predicting the occurrence and risk of severe liver disease.

Long non-coding RNA CASC15 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and metastasis by downregulating miR-101-3p.

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 non-coding RNA CASC15 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and metastasis by downregulating miR-101-3p, by M.-Y. Xue, H.-X. Cao, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (20): 8897-8904-DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_201910_19285-PMID: 31696476" has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/19285.

[Role and mechanism of miRNA-181a in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease].

Objective: To investigate the role and probable mechanism of miRNA-181a in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with palmitic acid to construct a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease cell model, and the expression of miR-181a and lipidosis in the cells were measured. Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) was used to examine the effect of miR-181a expression in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a, lipidosis, reduced glutathione and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by controlling and regulating the miR-183 expression levels after transfection with miR-181 mimics and inhibitors in HepG2 cells. The miR-181a target genes were predicted by bioinformatics analysis, and verified by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blotting. The independent sample t-test was used for the comparison between the two independent samples, and the comparison between multiple groups were accorded with the normal distribution, homogeneity of variance, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: Lipidosis was significantly increased after palmitic acid treatment in HepG2 cells, and the expression level of miR-181a was significantly increased than control group. After HepG2 cells were transfected with miR-181a inhibitors, the expression of miR-181a, triglycerides and reactive oxygen species were down-regulated, and reduced glutathione, predicting the mRNA and protein expression of target gene silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1 were up-regulated. However, the results were contrary to the above changes after transfection with miR-181a mimics. Conclusion: miR-181a participates in lipidosis and promotes lipid peroxidation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. miR-181a may affect the pathogenesis and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by inhibiting the expression of silencing information regulator 2 related enzyme 1.

LINC01551 promotes metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through targeting microRNA-132-5p.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies have shown that long intergenic non-coding RNA01551 (LINC01551) is a cancer-promoting gene. However, the role of LINC01551 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has not been reported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the expression characteristics of LINC01551 in NPC, and to further explore its mechanism in promoting the metastasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of LINC01551 in tumor tissue samples and paracancerous normal ones of 36 patients with NPC; meanwhile, the expression of LINC01551 in NPC cell lines was also verified using the qRT-PCR assay. In addition, the LINC01551 knockdown model was constructed in NPC cell lines (CNE2 and 6-10B) using lentivirus, and the influence of LINC01551 on the function of NPC cells was analyzed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and transwell invasion assays. Finally, the interaction between LINC01551 and microRNA-132-5p was examined by Luciferase reporter gene assay, while the potential mechanism was further explored by cell reverse experiments. RESULTS: The results of qRT-PCR indicated that the expression level of LINC01551 in tumor tissue specimens of these patients was remarkably higher than that in adjacent tissues, and the difference was statistically significant. Meanwhile, LINC01551 expression was also found remarkably higher in cell lines than that in normal ones. In addition, compared with blank or control group, the proliferation, invasion and metastasis ability of NPC cells in LINC01551 knockdown group (si-LINC01551) was significantly reduced. Subsequently, the result of Luciferase reporting assay demonstrated that overexpression of microRNA-132-5p attenuated the Luciferase activity of the wild-type LINC01551 vector without attenuating that of the mutant vector, further demonstrating that LINC01551 can be combined with miR-132-5p. Additionally, the result of cell reverse experiment revealed that knockdown of microRNA-132-5p could reverse the effect of LINC01551 silencing on proliferation rate and metastasis of NPC cells, thus further demonstrating the mutual regulation between LINC01551 and microRNA-132-5p. CONCLUSIONS: The above studies indicated that LINC01551 was remarkably up-regulated in NPC tissues, as well as in cell lines. In addition, studies have shown that LINC01551 may promote the metastatic ability by regulating microRNA-132-5p.

Long non-coding RNA CASC15 promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell proliferation and metastasis by downregulating miR-101-3p.

OBJECTIVE: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. Recent studies have revealed that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the progression of tumorigenesis. The aim of this study was to identify the exact role of lncRNA CASC15 in the progression of NPC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CASC15 expression in both 54 paired NPC patients' tissue samples and cell lines was detected by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Moreover, the function of CASC15 was identified by performing cell proliferation assay, transwell assay and wound healing assay in vitro. The underlying mechanism was explored through Luciferase assay and RT-qPCR. In addition, tumor formation and metastasis assays were conducted in vivo. RESULTS: CASC15 expression in NPC tissues was markedly higher than that of adjacent non-tumor tissues. The proliferation, migration and invasion of NPC cells were significantly inhibited after knockdown of CASC15 in vitro. Our further experiments revealed that miR-101-3p was remarkably up-regulated via knockdown of CASC15. Meanwhile, miR-101-3p was a direct target of CASC15 in NPC. Furthermore, tumor formation and metastasis of NPC were significantly inhibited via knockdown of CASC15 in nude mice. CONCLUSIONS: CASC15 enhances NPC cell proliferation and metastasis via sponging miR-101-3p in vitro and in vivo.

Spatiotemporal patterns and risk factors concerning hepatitis B virus infections in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei area of China.

Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei is the largest urban agglomeration in northern China, but the spatiotemporal patterns and risk factors concerning hepatitis B virus (HBV) incidence in this area have been unclear. The present study aimed to reveal the spatiotemporal epidemiological features of HBV infection and quantify the association between HBV infection and socio-economic risk factors. The data on HBV cases in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei from 2007 to 2012 was collected for each county. The Bayesian space-time hierarchy model and the GeoDetector method were used to reveal spatiotemporal patterns and detect risk factors. High-risk regions were mainly distributed in the underdeveloped rural areas in the north and mid-south of the study region, while low-risk regions were mainly distributed in the urban and western areas. The HBV annual incidence rate decreased substantially over the 6-year period, dropping from 7.34/105 to 5.51/105. Compared with this overall trend, 38.5% of high-risk counties showed a faster decrease, and 35.9% of high-risk counties exhibited a slower decrease. Meanwhile, 29.7% of low-risk counties had a faster decrease, and 44.6% of low-risk counties exhibited a slower decrease. Socio-economic factors were strongly associated with the spatiotemporal patterns and variation. The population density and gross domestic product per capita were negatively associated with HBV transmission, with determinant powers of 0.17 and 0.12, respectively. The proportion of primary industry and the number of healthcare workers were positively associated with the disease incidence, with determinant powers of 0.11 and 0.8, respectively. The interactive effect between population density and the other factors exerted a greater influence on HBV transmission than that of these factors measured independently.

Cold exposure induces the acquisition of brown adipocyte gene expression profiles in cattle inguinal fat normalized with a new set of reference genes for qRT-PCR.

The last few years have seen great advances in our understanding of browning in white adipose tissue (WAT) where white adipocytes take on characteristics of brown adipocytes. At present, the economic significance of browning for animal husbandry is beginning to be realized with the emerging evidence that browning affects body weight not only in human and rodent but in farm animals. Quantitative RT-PCR provides a quick and sensitive way to preliminary determine browning of WAT. However, there have been no established condition specific reference genes for browning of cattle WAT. As the results showed, the most two stable reference genes for diet treatment were Wdr33 (M=0.38) and Hdac3 (M=0.43), while the most three internal controls for temperature treatment were Hdac3 (M=0.28), Wdr33 (M=0.32), and Hprt1 (M=0.39) among the ten candidates. The mRNA relative expression levels of selective marker genes were normalized by normalization factor (geometric mean of control genes quantities). Cold exposure rather than high energy diet induced transcript elevations of brite specific markers (Cited1, Tbx1), thermoregulatory markers (brown and beige versus white markers, i.e., Cidea, Cox7a1, Ucp1), mitochondrial biogenesis markers (Nrf1, Nrf2, Tfam), and transcription regulators (brown and beige versus white markers, i.e., Pgc1α) (P<0.05) in cattle inguinal fat (iWAT). Quantitative RT-PCR is a preliminary study for WAT browning. In conclusion, cattle inguinal fat acquired brown adipocyte gene expression features upon cold acclimation with prerequisite identification of stable reference genes.

[Changes of brain pain center and default mode network an electro acupuncture in Weizhong and Dachangshu acupoints: a task-fMRI study].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the functional brain pain center and default mode network response to electro acupuncture stimulate in weizhong acupoints(BL40) and dachangshu acupoints(BL25). METHODS: During January to February 2015, volunteers were enrolled in this study from the staff and student interns of Gansu Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. A total of 20 healthy, right-handed subjects, male 9, female 11, age (23±3) years, participated in this study. Block design task functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) 3.0 T was performed in all subjects by electro acupuncture stimulating at BL40 and BL25 from the same experienced acupuncturist.The needle connected electric acupuncture apparatus through tow long coaxial-cable. A block design with five 120 s blocks of rest time (OFF block, electric acupuncture turn off ) interspersed between five 60 s blocks of stimulation (ON block, electric acupuncture turn on) fMRI scan. Magnetic resonance data of brain function was collected and FSL(fMRI Software Library) software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: All subjects' data were analyzed except 2 cases whose head movement were more than 2 mm. Activated brain function regions by electro acupuncture stimulate included temporal lobe lateral sulcus, lobus insularis, thalamus, supramarginal gyrus, prefrontal medial frontal gyrus. Negative activated brain regions included middle frontal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, cingulate cortex abdominal segment, parietal cortex.The functional pain central and default mode network were changed when electro acupuncture stimulate in(BL40) and(BL25). CONCLUSION: There are several brain activation regions and negative activated brain regions when administering electro acupuncture stimulation at BL40 and BL25.

Chromatin organisation in duckweed interphase nuclei in relation to the nuclear DNA content.

The accessibility of DNA during fundamental processes, such as transcription, replication and DNA repair, is tightly modulated through a dynamic chromatin structure. Differences in large-scale chromatin structure at the microscopic level can be observed as euchromatic and heterochromatic domains in interphase nuclei. Here, key epigenetic marks, including histone H3 methylation and 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) as a DNA modification, were studied cytologically to describe the chromatin organisation of representative species of the five duckweed genera in the context of their nuclear DNA content, which ranged from 158 to 1881 Mbp. All studied duckweeds, including Spirodela polyrhiza with a genome size and repeat proportion similar to that of Arabidopsis thaliana, showed dispersed distribution of heterochromatin signatures (5mC, H3K9me2 and H3K27me1). This immunolabelling pattern resembles that of early developmental stages of Arabidopsis nuclei, with less pronounced heterochromatin chromocenters and heterochromatic marks weakly dispersed throughout the nucleus.

[Biocompatibility of JJ magnetic retainer metal materials].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of new JJ-magnetic retainer metal materials. METHODS: Preliminary biocompatible tests of the metal materials were performed depending on ISO 10.993-12 standard. They were cytotoxicity test, hemolysis test, acute systemic toxicity test, sensitization test and Ames test. RESULTS: The cytotoxicity of the metal material was grade I. The hemolysis rate was 0.45%. There was no abnormal sensitization and irritation actions in the experimental group. The metal had no action of mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. CONCLUSION: The JJ-magnetic retainer metal material showed excellent biocompatibility on the preliminary tests. It would be a good material in the way of biological safety.

[Evaluation of the efficacy of praziquantel-liposome against alveococcosis].

In this paper, praziquantel, an anti-hydatidosis drug, was encapsulated with liposome by REV (Reverse-phase-evaporation) method, the encapsulated percentage was 60%. The drug distribution dynamics in mice of both praziquantel (PZQ) and praziquantel liposome (PZQ-Lip) were determined using RP-HPLC method. The results indicated that the drug concentration of blood, liver and spleen in the PZQ-Lip group was higher than those in the PZQ group from 1/2 to 16 hours post ip. the t1/2 of the former was considerably prolonged. The toxicity of PZQ-Lip tested by LD50 was decreased about one fourth as compared with PZQ (3372 vs. 2,454 mg/kg). There was a significant difference in the cyst inhibition rate between PZQ-Lip group (68.7%) and PZQ group (14.3%) (P < 0.01) as shown by the results of secondary alveocococcosis mice treated with either drug at 500 mg/kg.d x 12 d for four consecutive courses. Histological observation of the germinal layer after treatment showed that the damage of PZQ-Lip group was more severe than that of PZQ group. The ultrastructural observation showed that both drugs had marked effects on the organelles of cells. The above experiments indicated that the efficacy of PZQ-Lip was more effective than PZQ for treatment of alveococcosis.