[Retracted] MicroRNA­451a prevents cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression via the 3­phosphoinositide­dependent protein kinase­1­mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9548.].

MicroRNA-451a prevents cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression via the 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

The role of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) in governing the progression of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) has been the focus of recent studies. However, the functional role of miR-451a in cSCC growth remains poorly understood. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the expression levels of miR-451a in cSCC cell lines and the involvement of miR-451a in cSCC progression. The results revealed that the expression levels of miR-451a were downregulated in cSCC tissues and cell lines, and that this subsequently upregulated 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDPK1) expression levels. PDPK1 was validated as a direct target of miR-451a in cSCC using bioinformatics software Starbase, dual-luciferase reporter gene assays and western blotting. Additionally, CCK-8, EdU and Transwell assays, as well as flow cytometry and Hoechst 3325 staining, were performed to assess the malignant aggressiveness of cSCC cells. Overexpression of miR-451a was demonstrated to impair the proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and promoted apoptosis in cSCC cells by interacting with PDPK1, possibly by direct targeting. Furthermore, the western blotting results indicated that miR-451a overexpression may block the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by interacting with PDPK1. In conclusion, the findings of the present study suggested that miR-451a may prevent the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of cSCC cells through the PDPK1-mediated PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which may offer potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of cSCC.

Efficacy of several biological therapies for treating moderate to severe psoriasis: A network meta-analysis.

The aim of the present meta-analysis was to systematically assess the efficacy of the various treatments available for moderate to severe psoriasis. PubMed and Embase databases were systematically searched to select relevant studies up to February 2015. Odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used as effect estimates. In addition, the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 50, PASI 75 and PASI 90 responses for the therapies were systematically assessed. A total of 33 randomized controlled trials were included in the present study. For the PASI 75 response rate, infliximab (5 mg) may be the most effective option for the treatment of moderate to severe psoriasis. Furthermore, the pooled results of the PASI 50 response rate demonstrated that infliximab (5 mg) and ustekinumab (90 mg) may be superior to other drugs for treating moderate to severe psoriasis. For the PASI 90 response rate, infliximab (5 mg), ustekinumab (90 mg) and briakinumab (weeks 0 and 4, 200 mg; week 8, 100 mg) exhibited improved results compared with other treatments. In conclusion, infliximab (5 mg) may be a superior option to treat moderate to severe psoriasis due to the relatively high PASI scores. However, despite the high PASI 90 responses, further studies are required to identify the efficacy of ustekinumab (90 mg) and briakinumab.

Pressure and temperature dependence of the Raman peak intensity ratio of asymmetric stretching vibration (ν3) and asymmetric bending overtone (2ν2) of methane.

Raman peaks of the asymmetric stretching vibration (ν3) and the asymmetric bending overtone (2ν2) of methane were studied at elevated pressures and temperatures, from 3 to 51 MPa and from 298.15 to 473.15 K. The peak intensity ratios of ν3 and 2ν2 were calculated, and the relationship among peak intensity ratio, temperature, and pressure/density were derived using equations. Such relationships allow geologists to determine the pressure and density of methane fluid inclusions using Raman spectroscopic measurements of the peak intensity ratios of ν3 and 2ν2.

Catalytic oxidation of elemental mercury over the modified catalyst Mn/alpha-Al2O3 at lower temperatures.

In order to facilitate the removal of elemental mercury (Hg(0)) from coal-fired flue gas, catalytic oxidation of Hg(0) with manganese oxides supported on inert alumina (alpha-Al2O3) was investigated at lower temperatures (373-473 K). To improve the catalytic activity and the sulfur-tolerance of the catalysts at lower temperatures, several metal elements were employed as dopants to modify the catalyst of Mn/alpha-Al2O3. The best performance among the tested elements was achieved with molybdenum (Mo) as the dopant in the catalysts. It can work even better than the noble metal catalyst Pd/alpha-Al2O3. Additionally, the Mo doped catalyst displayed excellent sulfur-tolerance performance at lower temperatures, and the catalytic oxidation efficiency for Mo(0.03)-Mn/alpha-Al2O3 was over 95% in the presence of 500 ppm SO2 versus only about 48% for the unmodified catalyst. The apparent catalytic reaction rate constant increased by approximately 5.5 times at 423 K. In addition, the possible mechanisms involved in Hg(0) oxidation and the reaction with the Mo modified catalyst have been discussed.

Enhanced elemental mercury removal from coal-fired flue gas by sulfur-chlorine compounds.

Oxidation of Hg(0) with any oxidant or converting itto a particle-bound form can facilitate its removal. Two sulfur-chlorine compounds, sulfur dichloride (SCl2) and sulfur monochloride (S2Cl2), were investigated as oxidants for Hg(0) by gas-phase reaction and by surface-involved reactions in the presence of flyash or activated carbon. The gas-phase reaction between Hg(0) and SCl2 is shown to be more rapid than the gas-phase reaction with chlorine, and the second order rate constant was 9.1 (+/- 0.5) x 10(-18) mL-molecules(-1) x s(-1) at 373 K. The presence of flyash or powdered activated carbon in flue gas can substantially accelerate the reaction. The predicted Hg(0) removal is about 90% with 5 ppm SCl2 or S2Cl2 and 40 g/m3 of flyash in flue gas. The combination of activated carbon and sulfur-chlorine compounds is an effective alternative. We estimate that coinjection of 3-5 ppm of SCl2 (or S2Cl2) with 2-3 Lb/MMacf of untreated Darco-KB is comparable in efficiency to the injection of 2-3 Lb/MMacf Darco-Hg-LH. Extrapolation of kinetic results also indicates that 90% of Hg(0) can be removed if 3 Lb/MMacf of Darco-KB pretreated with 3% of SCl2 or S2Cl2 is used. Mercuric sulfide was identified as one of the principal products of the Hg(0)/SCl2 or Hg(0)/S2Cl2 reactions. Additionally, about 8% of SCl2 or S2Cl2 in aqueous solutions is converted to sulfide ions, which would precipitate mercuric ion from FGD solution.

The performance of iodine on the removal of elemental mercury from the simulated coal-fired flue gas.

In order to facilitate the removal of elemental mercury (Hg(0)) in flue gas, iodine was used as the oxidant to convert Hg(0) to the oxidized or particulate-bound form. The removal of Hg(0) by the homogenous gas phase reaction and the heterogeneous particle-involved reactions was investigated under various conditions, and a method to test the particle-involved reaction kinetics was developed. Iodine was found to be efficient in Hg(0) oxidation, with a 2nd-order rate constant of about 7.4(+/-0.2)x10(-17)cm(3)molecules(-1)s(-1) at 393 K. Nitric oxide showed significant inhibition in the homogenous gas reaction of Hg(0) oxidation. The oxidation of Hg(0) with iodine can be greatly accelerated in the presence of fly-ash or powder activated carbon. SO(2) slightly reduced Hg(0) removal efficiency in the particle-involved reaction. It was estimated that Hg(0) removal efficiency was as high as 70% by adding 0.3 ppmv iodine into the flue gas with 20 g/m(3) of fly-ash. In addition, the predicted removal efficiency of Hg(0) was as high as 90% if 10mg/m(3) of activated carbon and 0.3 ppmv iodine were injected into the flue gas with fly-ash. The results suggest that the combination of iodine with fly-ash and/or activated carbon can efficiently enhance the removal of Hg(0) in coal-fired flue gas.