[Retracted] miR­206 inhibits cancer initiating cells by targeting EHF in gastric cancer.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the colony formation assay data shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 8 were strikingly similar to data that had already appeared in another article written by different authors at different research institutes [Chen W, Wang J, Liu S, Wang S, Cheng Y, Zhou W, Duan C and Zhang C: MicroRNA­361­3p suppresses tumor cell proliferation and metastasis by directly targeting SH2B1 in NSCLC. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 35: 76, 732516, 2016]. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published prior to its submission to Oncology Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Oncology Reports 38: 1688­1694, 2017; DOI: 10.3892/or.2017.5794].

The effect of interface angle on the thermal conductivity of Si/Ge superlattices.

Si/Ge superlattices (SLs) are good candidates for thermoelectric materials because of their remarkable thermal insulating performance compared with their bulk counterparts. In this paper, the non-equilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) simulation method was applied to investigate the thermal conductivity of Si/Ge SLs containing tilted interfaces. It was found that the thermal conductivity will be 4-5 times higher than that of other angles when the period length is 4-8 atomic layers and the interface angle is 45°. This phenomenon can be attributed to the smooth arrangement of the 45° interface which induces phonon coherent transport. Meanwhile, the thermal conductivity has not been improved due to the phonon localization although the phonons satisfy the coherent transport when the interface angle is 90°. Interestingly, the thermal conductivity is almost unchanged with the increasing interface angle when the period length is large enough which exceeds 20 atomic layers. The main reason for the unchanged thermal conductivity is due to the period length which is greater than the phonon coherence length inducing the phonon incoherent transport.

miR­206 inhibits cancer initiating cells by targeting EHF in gastric cancer.

Cancer initiating cells (CIC) are defined as the unique subpopulation in the tumors that possess the ability to initiate tumor growth and sustain self-renewal as well as metastatic potential. In this study, we found that EHF overexpression promoted formation of CIC traits and silencing it inhibited the traits in gastric cancer NCI­N87 cells. Overexpressing EHF downregulated the antitumor effect of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in NCI­N87 cells. We found that miR­206 downregulated EHF protein expression by targeting its 3'UTR in NCI­N87 cells and GES-1 cells. Overexpressing miR­206 inhibited formation of CIC in NCI­N87 cells. In gastric cancer tissues, EHF protein expression was upregulated and miR­206 was downregulated. We identified a negative correlation between EHF protein and miR­206 expression in gastric cancer tissues. Thus, we concluded that miR­206 inhibits formation of CICs by targeting EHF in gastric cancer.

A c.1363C>T (p.R455X) nonsense mutation of RB1 gene in a southern Chinese retinoblastoma pedigree.

Retinoblastoma (RB) is the most common malignant intraocular tumor in children. Fifty percent of RB patients are carriers of a predisposing germline mutation with high penetrance. RB1 has been identified as the only pathological gene. We present the rapid detection of an RB1 gene mutation in a Han pedigree of two RB patients from southern China. Total RNA was extracted from whole blood for reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze RB1 transcripts, and genomic DNA for PCR and direct sequencing to test RB1 exons. Allele-specific PCR was used to verify the mutation. The results showed that the bilaterally affected son and the unilaterally affected father were both heterozygous for the nonsense mutation c.1363C>T (p.R455X) in exon 14 of RB1. Our studies suggest the molecular basis of RB in this Chinese family and provide further evidence that codon 455 is one of the recurrent spots for mutations in RB1.

[T cell receptor diversity of CD8+ T lymphocytes and its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the complementary determining region 3 (CDR3) length diversity of T cell receptor Vbeta repertoires of CD8+ T lymphocytes and to explore its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection. METHODS: Separation of CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was carried out by using immunomagnetic beads coated with anti-CD8 antibody. Total RNAs from the purified CD8+ T lymphocytes were isolated and used to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications in CDR3 of 22 T cell receptor (TCR) gene families. CDR3 diversity and its association with viral load in individuals with HIV-1 infection were analyzed. RESULTS: An average diversity for all CDR3 profiles in CD8+ T cells from 9 HIV-infected individuals was significantly different as compared to 7 age-matched healthy donors (P<0.05) with the HIV-infected individuals losing diversity in the CDR3 profiles. There was positive correlation between changes in TCR CDR3 diversity and viral load (r=0.771, P<0.05). The changes in CDR3 length diversity of Vbeta families in HIV-infected individuals, particular in Vbeta2, Vbeta4, Vbeta5, Vbeta17, Vbeta20, Vbeta21, Vbeta23, Vbeta24, were statistically different from the healthy controls. CONCLUSION: HIV-1 infection might induce the loss of TCR Vbeta repertoire diversity and disrupt the CDR3 distributions within CD8+ T cells. There should be positive correlation between changes in TCR CDR3 diversity and the viral load in HIV-1 infected patients.

[Studies on somatostatin mRNA expression in frontal cortex of diabetic rats model].

To study the changes of somatostatin (SST) in frontal cortex of the brain of quick streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats. We established the quick-diabetic rats model by injecting streptozotocin intraperitoneally with 60 mg/kg and compared the changes of SST in frontal cortex of diabetic model with normal rats by using in situ hybridization and computer image analysis. The number, light density and the average area of positive cells in frontal cortex of diabetic model were reduced significantly in comparison with those of normal rats (P < 0.01). These results indicated that the decline of SST mRNA expression in frontal cortex may relate to chronic diabetes encephalopathy.

[Study of blue light induced DNA damage of retinal pigment epithelium(RPE) cells and the protection of vitamin C].

To evaluate protection of vitamin C on blue light-induced DNA damage of human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. The cultured RPE cells were divided into 3 groups: Control group (no blue light exposure), blue light exposure group (blue light exposure for 20 minutes) and blue light exposure + vitamin C group (blue light exposure + 100 mumol/L vitamin C). Travigen's comet assay kit and Euclid comet assay software were used to assay the DNA damage levels. The DNA percentage in the tail of electrophoretogram in the three groups were 18.44%, 54.42% and 32.43% respectively (p < 0.01). Tail moments were 8.2, 48.3, and 18.4 respectively (p < 0.01). Blue light could induce DNA damage to RPE cells but vitamin C could protect the RPE cells from the blue light-induced DNA damage.

[Observation of the metatarsal nutrient artery]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the origin, course and diameter of the metatarsal nutrient artery. METHODS: The metatarsaL nutrient in 90 feet, ranging in age from newborn to 87 years, were studied by perfusion method. The origin, course and diameter of these arteries were observed and measured. RESULTS: The diameter of the metatarsal nutrient artery was 0.24 approximate, equals 0.30 mm. The nutrient arteries of the first metatarsal bone originated from the deep plantar branch and the first metatarsal plantar artery in 59.6% of specimens, while the nutrient arteries of the other metatarsal bones mainly originate from the plantar metatarsal arteries, the plantar arch and its perfora-ting branches. The diaphysial nutrient foramina were situated in the middle third of the shaft over 90% of specimens. CONCLUSION: The metatarsal nutrient artery showes practical significance in clinic.