Long non-coding RNA SNHG5 promotes human hepatocellular carcinoma progression by regulating miR-363-3p/RNF38 axis.

OBJECTIVE: The involvement of long non-coding RNA (LncRNAs) in HCC development has been widely recognized in recent decades. LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 (SNHG5) has been identified to be implicated in the development of many tumors, and this study aimed to explore the role of SNHG5 in HCC tumorigenesis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression levels of SNHG5, miR-363-3p, and Ring Finger Protein 38 (RNF38) were measured by using quantitative Real Time-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) or Western blot assay, respectively. Cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to investigate cell apoptosis. Cell migration and invasion abilities were detected by transwell assay. The relationship among SNHG5, miR-363-3p, and RNF38 was confirmed using bioinformatics analysis and Luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: The expression of SNHG5 and RNF38 was elevated in HCC tissues and cell lines, and highly expressed SNHG5 and RNF38 could induce apoptosis and repress proliferation, migration, as well as invasion in HCC cells. Further investigations showed that SNHG5 might act as a competing endogenous RNA of miR-26a-5p and thereby cause the derepression of the downstream target RNF38. Moreover, rescue experiments indicated that SNHG5 silence inhibited the progression of HCC cells by regulating miR-363-3p, and the facilitated effects of RNF38 in the progression of HCC cells were regulated by miR-363-3p. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA SNHG5 may promote human HCC progression by regulating the miR-363-3p/RNF38 axis, providing a novel insight into the pathogenesis of HCC and therapeutic strategy for HCC treatment.

Highly sensitive flexible three-axis tactile sensors based on the interface contact resistance of microstructured graphene.

The lack of high-performance tactile sensors, especially for pressure/force, is a huge obstacle for the widespread application of intelligent robots. Current pressure sensors are often operated in the high range of pressure and normal direction, showing a little ability in the low range of pressure and three-axis direction simultaneously. Herein, a highly sensitive flexible tactile sensor with three-axis force sensing capacity is presented by combining microstructured polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) arrays and a reduced graphene oxide (rGO) film. The deformation of microstructured rGO/PDMS results in a change in the contact area between the rGO film and electrode, leading to a high sensitivity of -1.71 kPa-1 in the low range pressure of 0-225 Pa with a fast response time of 6 ms at a large feature size of 100 µm. To realize three-axis sensing, a sensing unit was built up, which was composed of the adjacent four parts of patterns and electrodes underneath a bump. A mechanical model of the exerted spatial force was established to calculate each axis force component via the deformation of the rGO/PDMS pattern. The experimental results show that the current difference between the adjacent two parts has a strong relationship with the applied force. As a proof of concept, we have demonstrated a 3 × 3 array sensor for arbitrary force sensing. Our tactile sensor would be used in transmitting information from a gentle spatial force and would exhibit broad applications as e-skin in integrated robots.

Clinical, pathological and unusual MRI features of five synovial sarcomas in head and neck.

OBJECTIVE: Synovial sarcoma (SS) of the head and neck is an unusual malignancy. This article documents five SSs in this region. METHODS: All the patients underwent MR examinations. Four lesions received surgical ablation; one was treated with radiotherapy before surgery. The clinical, pathological and MRI features were reviewed. RESULTS: Four of all five cases were monophasic fibrous-type SS, and the other one was biphasic type that was the fourth documented SS located in the nasopharynx. The symptoms were varied. All the masses were well defined, mainly homogeneous and solid; three of them arose adjacent to the minor joint. The mass parenchyma showed isointense signal on T1 weighted imaging similar to that of the skeletal muscle and hyperintense signal on T2 weighted imaging with remarkable enhancement. Two cases were found with fibrous septum, one with haemorrhage and one with cystic degeneration. Epithelial membrane antigens (EMAs) were all positive. The positive rate of cytokeratin (CK), part pan-CK antibody (AE1/3) and vimentin (Vim) were 50%, 75%, 75%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Well-defined head and neck masses frequently arise adjacent to the minor joint, which are mainly homogeneous and solid, with isointense signal on T1 weighted MRI and hyperintense signal on T2 weighted MRI, and remarkable enhancement should evoke the diagnosis of SS. The positive staining of Vim\AE1/3\EMA and CK facilitates the final diagnosis. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The article documents the fourth SS involving the nasopharynx; other locations were also uncommon; three of them arose adjacent to the minor joint. The clinical, pathology and uncommon MR features of SS in the head and neck are also documented.

Sputtered ZnO film on aluminium foils for flexible ultrasonic transducers.

Nanocrystalline ZnO films with both C-axis vertical grown and inclined angled grown were sputter-deposited onto aluminium foils (50 µm thick) and characterised for using as flexible ultrasonic transducers. As-deposited C-axis grown ZnO films were annealed at different temperatures up to 600 °C to enhance film crystallinity and reduce film stress. The C-axis grown ZnO film on the Al foil were bonded onto steel plates, and the pulse-echo tests verified a good performance (with dominant longitudinal waves) of the ultrasonic transducers made from both as-deposited and post-annealed films. Inclined angled ZnO films on the Al foil glued onto steel plates generated mixed shear and longitudinal waves in the pulse-echo test.