Genome­wide profiling of lncRNA and mRNA expression in CRSwNP.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases. In patients with CRSwNP, the present study performed comprehensive bioinformatics analyses to characterize the transcriptome profiles of mRNAs and long non­coding RNAs (lncRNAs). A total of 265 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 994 mRNAs were identified. The majority of up­ and downregulated differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched in the biological process of 'signal transduction'. The most significantly enriched molecular function was 'protein binding' and the most significantly enriched cellular component was 'membrane'. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis led to identification of several significantly enriched pathways [false discovery rate (FDR)<0.05], including 'cytokine­cytokine receptor interaction' (FDR=3.94x1016) and 'cell adhesion molecules' (CAMs) (FDR=1.28x10­5). Key differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified, including lncRNA XLOC_010280, which regulates chemokine (C­C motif) ligand 18 (CCL18) and inflammation, and RP11­798M19.6, which regulates polypeptide N­acetylgalactosaminyltransferase 7 (GALNT7) and cell proliferation. Based on the results of reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction, except for CCL8, neural precursor cell expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4­like and GALNT7, the expression of 3 other selected genes was consistent with the results of integrated analysis. The results of the present study provide a foundation for future investigations into mRNAs and lncRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in CRSwNP.

A Room-Temperature CNT/Fe3O4 Based Passive Wireless Gas Sensor.

A carbon nanotube/Fe3O4 thin film-based wireless passive gas sensor with better performance is proposed. The sensitive test mechanism of LC (Inductance and capacitance resonant) wireless sensors is analyzed and the reason for choosing Fe3O4 as a gas sensing material is explained. The design and fabrication process of the sensor and the testing method are introduced. Experimental results reveal that the proposed carbon nanotube (CNT)/Fe3O4 based sensor performs well on sensing ammonia (NH3) at room temperature. The sensor exhibits not only an excellent response, good selectivity, and fast response and recovery times at room temperature, but is also characterized by good repeatability and low cost. The results for the wireless gas sensor's performance for different NH3 gas concentrations are presented. The developed device is promising for the establishment of wireless gas sensors in harsh environments.

Identification of pathogenic genes and upstream regulators in allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the main cause of irreversible blindness in older individuals. Our study aims to identify the key genes and upstream regulators in AR. METHODS: To screen pathogenic genes of AR, an integrated analysis was performed by using the microarray datasets in AR derived from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The functional annotation and potential pathways of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were further discovered by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. We constructed the AR-specific transcriptional regulatory network to find the crucial transcriptional factors (TFs) which target the DEGs in AR. Electronic validation was performed to verify the DEGs obtained by integrated analysis. RESULTS: From two GEO datasets obtained, we identified 793 DEGs (460 up-regulated and 333 down-regulated genes) between AR and normal control (NC). After GO and KEGG analysis, chronic inflammatory response and MAPK signaling pathway were significantly enriched pathways for DEGs. The expression of 6 genes (CLC, CST1, CRTAM, ILK, STAT1, and POSTN) was detected. The 6 genes in GEO: GSE51392 dataset played the same pattern with that in our integrated analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The dysregulation of 3 genes (CST1, CLC and STAT1) may be involved in the pathogenesis of AR. AP-1 was associated with AR by regulating CST1 and CLC. Our finding can contribute to developing new potential biomarkers, revealing the underlying pathogenesis, and further raising new therapeutic targets for AR.

A Novel Metamaterial Inspired High-Temperature Microwave Sensor in Harsh Environments.

A high-temperature sensor based on a metamaterial unit cell is proposed in this paper. The wireless passive temperature sensing method is based on the electromagnetic backscatter principle, and thus has the advantages of higher quality, lower environmental interference, and anti-low frequency interference. We developed a finite-element method-based model for the sensor via high-frequency simulation software (HFSS). A double split-ring resonator (SRR) with an outer ring length of 13 mm was designed on alumina ceramic substrate. The sensor was fabricated at 2.42 GHz using micromechanical technology and screen printing technology. When the temperature increased from 28 to 1100 °C, the resonant frequency decreased from 2.417 to 2.320 GHz with an average sensitivity of 95.63 kHz/°C. As the sensor is easily designed and fabricated, it can be used for chipless radio frequency identification (RFID) tags by simply changing the size of rings. Furthermore, emerging 3D printing technology and commercial desktop inkjet printers will be used to realize the rapid low-cost preparation of the sensor, enabling its wide range of applications in aerospace, military, manufacturing, transportation, and other fields.

Aberrantly expressed genes and miRNAs in human hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on RNA­sequencing analysis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the key genes, miRNAs and pathways in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying HPSCC development. The gene and microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of HPSCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues from three subjects were obtained. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and differentially expressed miRNAs were identified in HPSCC. Functional annotation and protein­protein interaction (PPI) network were conducted to elucidate the biological functions of DEGs. A total of 160 DEGs (16 upregulated and 144 downregulated genes) and 79 differentially expressed miRNAs (48 upregulated and 31 downregulated miRNAs) were identified in HPSCC. The deregulated genes were significantly involved in spliceosome, cell cycle and RNA degradation. In the PPI network, S­phase kinase associated protein 1 (SKP1), non­POU domain containing octamer binding (NONO) and zinc activated ion channel (ZACN) were identified as hub proteins. On the whole, the present study may help to gain a comprehensive understanding of tumorigenesis in HPSCC and provide valuable information for early diagnosis and drug design of HPSCC in future research.

Identification of miRNA-mRNA crosstalk in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of the present study was to elaborate the underlying pathogenesis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Micro (mi) RNA and messenger (m) RNA expression profiling of patients with LSCC were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMIs) and differentially expressed mRNAs (DEMs) were identified in LSCC compared to normal control tissues. The DEMs targeted by DEMIs were identified and the negative correlation between DEMs and DEMIs was subjected to visualization. The potential functions of DEMs targeted by DEMIs were annotated in Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. A total of 663 dysregulated DEMs (449 upregulated and 214 downregulated) and 33 DEMIs (24 upregulated and 8 downregulated) were identified in LSCC compared with normal controls. 502 negative correlations between DEMIs and DEMs were identified and subjected to construct interaction network. In the network, hsa­miR­486, ­34c, ­206 and ­182 had the highest connectivity with DEMs, and respectively regulated 39, 33, 28 and 27 DEMs. DEMs targeted by DEMIs were significantly enriched in signal transduction, actin binding and extracellular region of GO terms and focal adhesion and extracellular matrix­receptor interaction of KEGG pathways. The present study may provide valuable information for understanding the potential oncogenesis mechanism in LSCC and provide the foundation work for diagnosis biomarkers and therapeutic targets for LSCC.

Right ventricular remodeling after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect.

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular (RV) volume overload is a well-known cardiac consequence of atrial septal defect (ASD) shunt, accounting for most of its long-term complications. Thus cardiac volumetric unloading is a major aim of transcatheter ASD closure. We set to study the right ventricular remodeling after transcatheter ASD closure in patients with secundum ASD. METHODS: We enrolled 46 patients who underwent successful transcatheter closure of ASD. We performed routine transthoracic echocardiographic studies, including three-dimensional echocardiography and right ventricular myocardial performance index (RVMPI), before transcatheter ASD closure, and 3 days, 1 month after transcatheter ASD closure. RESULTS: We found that: (1) the right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV) and right ventricular end-systolic volume (RVESV) (respectively 106.54+/-25.97 vs 69.78+/-10.46 mL, P < 0.05; 59.73+/-17.59 vs 33.84+/-7.18 mL, P < 0.05) were enlarged in patients with ASD compared with those in control subjects, resulting in a marked decrease of the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) (44.82%+/-4.51% vs 54.11%+/-5.89%, P < 0.05) from normal values; (2) the isovolumic relaxation and isovolumic contraction times (respectively [77.61+/-16.49] ms vs (64.09+/-11.82) ms, P < 0.05; [28.04+/-9.57] ms vs [20.45+/-6.53] ms, P < 0.05) were prolonged and ejection time ([250.02+/-24.21] ms vs [272.73+/-20.51] ms, P < 0.05) was shortened in patients with ASD compared with that in control subjects, resulting in a marked increase of the MPI (0.41+/-0.07 vs 0.31+/-0.05, P < 0.05) from normal values; and (3) after transcatheter closure, the RVEDV and RVESV decreased and the RVEF increased markedly and RVMPI decreased markedly. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of ASD results in rapid normalization of RV volume overload and improvement of RV function.

Acute effect of transcatheter closure on right ventricular function in patients with atrial septal defect assessed by tissue Doppler imaging.

OBJECTIVE: Echocardiographic measurement of right ventricular function in patients with atrial septal defect (ASD) is challenging. The Doppler myocardial performance index (MPI) may provide a method of assessing function in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate right ventricular function and its changes after transcatheter closure in patients with ASD using MPI by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). METHODS: MPI, defined as the sum of isovolumic relaxation and isovolumic contraction time divided by ejection time, was measured by tissue Doppler imaging and pulsed Doppler (PD), respectively. Measurement of time intervals and MPI with TDI and PD were performed in 46 patients with ASD before closure, and at 3 days, 1 month after closure. Twenty-two healthy volunteers served as control subjects. RESULTS: Both MPI obtained by TDI and PD increased significantly in patients with ASD compared with control subjects (TDI: 0.41 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.32 +/- 0.04, P < 0.001; PD: 0.41 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.31 +/- 0.04, P < 0.001). There were highly significant correlations between MPI values obtained by TDI and by PD in patients with ASD and in control subjects, respectively (r = 0.46, P = 0.001; r = 0.72, P < 0.001, respectively). After transcatheter closure, the MPI obtained by TDI decreased markedly in patients with ASD (3 days after closure: 0.37 +/- 0.06, P = 0.004; 1 month after closure: 0.33 +/- 0.05, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The TDI-derived MPI can be used to assess the global right ventricular function in patients with ASD. Compared with control subjects, the MPI was significantly higher in patients with ASD suggesting decreased right ventricular function. After transcatheter closure, the MPI decreased markedly and right ventricular function improved in patients with ASD.

Ginsenoside Rg1 promotes endothelial progenitor cell migration and proliferation.

AIM: To investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the migration, adhesion, proliferation, and VEGF expression of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). METHODS: EPCs were isolated from human peripheral blood and incubated with different concentrations of ginsenoside Rg1 (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 5.0 micromol/L) and vehicle controls. EPC migration was detected with a modified Boyden chamber assay. EPC adhesion was determined by counting adherent cells on fibronectin-coated culture dishes. EPC proliferation was analyzed with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. In vitro vasculogenesis was assayed using an in vitro vasculogenesis detection kit. A VEGF-ELISA kit was used to measure the amount of VEGF protein in the cell culture medium. RESULTS: Ginsenoside Rg1 promoted EPC adhesion, proliferation, migration and in vitro vasculogenesis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell cycle analysis showed that 5.0 micromol/L of ginsenoside Rg1 significantly increased the EPC proliferative phase (S phase) and decreased the resting phase (G(0)/G(1) phase). Ginsenoside Rg1 increased vascular endothelial growth factor production. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that ginsenoside Rg1 promotes proliferation, migration, adhesion and in vitro vasculogenesis.

Atrial natriuretic peptide and three-dimensional echocardiography after transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect.

BACKGROUND: Atrial septal defect (ASD) accounts for 10% of all congenital heart lesions and represent the third most congenital cardiac defect seen in adults. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is an important regulator of the sodium and volume homeostasis. This study was designed to investigate the changes in plasma ANP concentrations and three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) measurements of cardiac volume in patients with ASD during transcatheter closure of defect. METHODS: Plasma ANP concentrations and transthoracic 3DE measurements of right ventricular volume were performed in 46 patients with ASD before closure, and at 3 days after closure. 22 healthy subjects matched for age, sex served as control subjects. RESULTS: The 46 patients (20 men, 26 women; mean age 26.32 +/- 13.28, range 6 to 63 years) were diagnosed to secundum ASD (the stretched diameters of ASD were from 9~36(25.34 +/- 7.80 mm), and had been successfully placed Amplatzer septal occluder (the sizes of occluder were from 11 to 40 mm). The results showed that compared with control subjects, plasma ANP concentrations were elevated in patients with ASD. Plasma ANP concentrations positively correlated significantly with pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) (r = 0.74, p < 0.05) and 3DE measurements of cardiac volumes (right ventricular end-diastolic (r = 0.50, p < 0.05) and end-systolic volume (r = 0.50, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with RVEF (r = -0.38, p < 0.05). Transthoracic 3DE measurements of right ventricular volume and plasma ANP concentrations decreased significantly at 3 days after closure (p < 0.05) compared with it before closure. CONCLUSION: Plasma ANP concentrations were markedly elevated in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and right ventricular volume overload and decreased significantly after closure of ASD. This study suggested that ANP may help to identify patients with ASD complicated by pulmonary arterial hypertension and right ventricular volume overload that demanded early intervention and may become effective marker for evaluating changes in cardiac load after transcatheter ASD closure.

Calcium-independent and 1,25(OH)2D3-dependent regulation of the renin-angiotensin system in 1alpha-hydroxylase knockout mice.

To determine whether the cardiovascular effect of 1,25(OH)(2)D is dependent on calcium and/or phosphorus, mice with targeted deletion of the 25(OH)D 1alpha-hydroxylase and their wild-type littermates were fed a normal diet or a diet to rescue the ambient serum calcium and phosphorus levels. Mice on the normal diet were treated daily with vehicle or 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) while mice on the rescue diet received vehicle, captopril or losartan. After four weeks the vehicle-treated knockout mice developed hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and impaired cardiac function along with an up-regulation of the renin-angiotensin system in both renal and cardiac tissues. Although the serum calcium and phosphorus levels were normalized in knockout mice on the rescue diet, abnormalities in blood pressure, cardiac structure-function and the renin-angiotensin system remained. In contrast, 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) not only normalized serum calcium and phosphorus levels but also normalized blood pressure, cardiac structure-function and the renin-angiotensin system. Treatment of the knockout mice with either captopril or losartan normalized blood pressure and cardiac structure and function although renin expression remained elevated. This study shows that 1,25(OH)2D plays a protective role in the cardiovascular system by repressing the renin-angiotensin system independent of extracellular calcium or phosphorus.

Platelet-derived growth factor BB modulates PCNA protein synthesis partially through the transforming growth factor beta signalling pathway in vascular smooth muscle cells.

PDGF-BB (Platelet-derived growth factor BB) and TGF-beta1(transforming growth factor beta1) are important growth factors in the modulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen) expression in VSMCs. PCNA expresses at a high level in proliferating cells. The present study aims to assess the effects of PDGF-BB-induced overexpression of TGF-beta1 on PCNA in VSMCs. The downstream proteins of the TGF-beta signalling system in VSMCs, including TGF-beta type I receptor (ALK-5 in VSMCs), Smurf2, Smad2, pSmad2/3, Smad4, and Smad7, were also investigated. Our results revealed that PDGF-BB significantly increased the expressions of TGF-beta1 and PCNA, and the increase in PCNA can be partially inhibited by neutralizing anti-TGF-beta1 antibody. Furthermore, PDGF-BB increased the expression of ALK-5, Smurf2, pSmad2/3, and Smad4, but lowered the levels of Smad2 and Smad7; these alterations were partially restored by neutralizing anti-TGF-beta1 antibody. These findings suggest that PDGF-BB promotes PCNA expression in VSMCs partially through TGF-beta1 overexpression, and that the TGF-beta signalling system involves the molecular mechanism of PDGF-BB in VSMCs.

[Expression of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 in adults and children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and its clinical significance].

To evaluate the expressions of proliferative antigen Ki-67 and apoptosis-antagonizing protein Bcl-2 as well as their clinical significance, immunohistochemistry staining with SAP was used to detect Ki-67 antigen and Bcl-2 protein in 18 cases of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 43 cases of adults with ALL. The results showed that the levels of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression in children with ALL were lower than that in adults, but only Bcl-2 expression had significant difference. Both in children and in adults, the levels of Ki-67 expression in T-ALL and My(+) ALL were higher than that in B-ALL and null-ALL. The highest complete remission rate (CR) was seen in the group with lower expression of both indexes (Ki-67 and Bcl-2). The lowest CR rate was seen in the group with higher expression of both indexes. It is concluded that the levels of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 expression in children and adults with ALL were closely related with the subtype of ALL and chemotherapeutic effects.

[Progress on the research of microRNA and its functions in lymphoid malignancies--review].

Plant and animal genomes contain an abundance of small genes that produce RNAs of about 22 nucleotides in length, which was dubbed as microRNA (miRNA). These newly found endogenous RNAs may participate in a wide range of genetic regulatory pathways and play an important role in the organism development. This paper reviewed the recent studies and progress on the characteristics, functions and mechanisms of the microRNAs, as well as the advances of research on lymphoid malignancies.

[Expressions of ki-67 and bcl-2 in 29 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia and their clinical significance].

To investigate the expressions of proliferative antigen Ki-67 and apoptosis-antagonizing protein Bcl-2 in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and their clinical significance, immunohistochemistry method was used for detection of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 in bone marrow or peripheral blood of 29 patients with CLL. The results showed that the level of Ki-67 expression in advanced stage of CLL was higher than that in early stage of CLL and there was significant difference between these stages of CLL, but there was no significant difference between expression levels of Bcl-2 in two stages. The survival time in the group with Ki-67 expression < or = 8% was longer than that in the group of Ki-67 > 8%, and there was no significant difference of survival time between high and low groups in terms of Bcl-2 expression. It is concluded that detection of Ki-67 antigen and Bcl-2 protein for CLL patients can reflect the status of proliferation activity and apoptosis suppression of leukemia cells in patients; the level of Ki-67 expression closely correlate with the Binet stage and prognosis of CLL.

[Expression of miR-28 in B cell lymphoma cell lines detected by solution hybridization].

microRNA (miRNA) is evolutionarily conserved, non-coding small RNA (19-25 nt) involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. To further understand the biogenesis and functions of miRNA, and to quantify miRNA expression levels, the expression of miR-28 in B lymphoma cell lines was detected by solution hybridization and Northern blot, and their detected results were compared. The results indicated that detection of miR-28 by solution hybridization and Northern blot showed positive, but total RNA amount used for solution hybridization detection was significantly lower than that for Northern blot detection (5 microg vs 30 microg), signal of solution hybridization was stronger than that of Northern blot. It is concluded that the solution hybridization for detection of miR-28 in B cell lymphoma cell lines is a faster and more sensitive method as compared with standard Northern blot technique.

[Value of metoprolol injection at dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography for detection of coronary artery disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of metoprolol injection at dobutamine-atropine stress echocardiography (DASE) for detection of coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS: DASE was performed in 72 patients with suspected CAD. All the patients received rapid metoprolol injection immediately after getting peak heart rate at DASE (DASE-Meto) and were subjected to coronary angiography (CAG) within two weeks. Regional wall motion and haemodynamic parameters at peak heart rate during DASE and after metoprolol injection were analyzed, and DASE and DASE-Meto results were compared with CAG. RESULTS: There were 35 patients with CAG positive and 37 negative. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive and negative predictive values of DASE for detecting CAD were 65.7%, 86.5%, 76.4%, 82.1% and 84.6%, respectively. There were 10 patients with positive result at CAG undetected by DASE but observed regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) after metoprolol injection. So the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and positive and negative predictive values of DASE-Meto for detecting CAD were 94.3%, 83.8%, 88.9%, 72.7%, 93.9%, respectively. After metoprolol injection, the symptoms caused by the medicine used in detection were alleviated soon and recovery time was shortened. CONCLUSION: The use of metoprolol at DASE can improve the accuracy and security of CAD detection.