FOXO1 and hsa-microRNA-204-5p affect the biologic behavior of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

RNA molecules and targeting microRNA (miRNA) have been reported as novel focuses in recent research on breast cancer. This study aimed to probe the expression of FOXO1 in the MDA-MB-231 cell line and to explore the target effects of FOXO1 with hsa-microRNA-204-5p (miR-204) on the biologic behavior of MDA-MB-231 cells. The expression of FOXO1 mRNA and protein in MDA-MB-231 cells were derived and verified from the public databases, literature, and experimental assays, then the downregulation of FOXO1 was confirmed in the MDA-MB-231 cell line. The target binding of FOXO1 and miR-204 was predicted by miRWalk and confirmed by luciferase reporter assays. MiR-204 targeted the 3' untranslated region of FOXO1 and reduced FOXO1 expression in miR-204-transfected cells, resulting in cell growth amplification but inhibition of cell migration and apoptosis, which were assessed using the MTT method, wound healing assays, and flow cytometry, respectively. The protein levels of serine-threonine kinase (AKT), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK), and the phosphorylated protein kinases (P-AKT, P-JNK, and P-ERK) were measured by western blot. It was found that AKT, JNK, and ERK remained constant, but P-AKT, P-JNK, and P-ERK were upregulated after miR-204 transfection. In summary, the expression of FOXO1 was downregulated in MDA-MB-231 cells; and the target binding of miR-204 and FOXO1 affected phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathways, leading to different alterations of cellular activity in MDA-MB-231 cells.

[Efficacy comparision of lumbar disc herniation treated with acupuncture at different time intervals].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of lumbar disc herniation treated with acupuncture at different time intervals. METHODS: A total of 180 patients of lumbar disc herniation were randomized into an observation group 1, an observation group 2 and an observation group 3, 60 cases in each one. All patients were treated with acupuncture at Jiaji L3-L5 (EX-B 2), Huantiao (GB 30), Weizhong (BL 40), etc. And then KWD-808 electroacupuncture instrument was connected, time intervals of acupuncture were once every day, once every 2 days and once every 3 days, 3 weeks were provided. At 1-week, 2-week and 3-week treatment, the visual analogous scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopedics Association (JOA) scale were observated, and the effects were evaluated. RESULTS: The effective rates in the observation group 1 and the observation group 2 were 96.7% (58/60) and 95.0% (57/60), there was no significant different between the two groups (P>0.05), which were superior to 88.3% (53/60) in the observation group 3 (both P<0.01). The VAS score in each group decreased to different degrees at 1-week, 2-week and 3-week treatment compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01), there was no significant different between the observation group 1 and the observation group 2 (all P>0.05) at 1-week, 2-week and 3-week treatment, however, they were significantly reduced compared with the observation group 3 (all P<0.05). The JOA score in each group increased to different degrees at 1-week, 2-week and 3-week treatment compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01), there was no significant different between the observation group 1 and the observation group 2 (all P>0.05) at 1-week, 2-week and 3-week treatment, however, they were significantly increased compared with the observation group 3 at 3-week treatment (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture once every day and once every 2 days in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation is equally effective, better than once every 3 days.

miR-204 regulates the biological behavior of breast cancer MCF-7 cells by directly targeting FOXA1.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-protein-coding RNAs and transcripts that are 18-24 nt in length. miR-204 was first identified as an anti-oncogene and is reported to be downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer, glioma, gastric and thyroid cancer. Recent studies have proposed that a low level of miR-204 expression is associated with tumor progression and disease outcome in breast cancer. Forkhead box A1 (FOXA1), a transcription factor, plays a crucial role in breast cancer and has been predicted as a target of miR-204. In the present study, we integrated the results of microarray analyses of breast cancer tissues obtained from an online database with our own determination of the expression of miR-204 in breast cancer MCF-7 cells using real-time qPCR (RT-qPCR). The proliferative capacity of the cells was assessed using MTT assays, and cell mobility and invasiveness were evaluated using cell migration and invasion assays, respectively. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis. FOXA1 levels were detected using RT-qPCR and western blot analysis. Luciferase assays were performed to confirm that FOXA1 is directly targeted by miR-204. The results showed that miR-204 was downregulated in breast cancer cells, and we found that miR-204 was expressed at a lower level in MCF-7 cells than that observed in normal breast epithelial HBL-100 cells. Overexpression of miR-204 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of FOXA1 at the protein level was significantly reduced after cells were transfected with miR-204-expressing viruses. Luciferase assays demonstrated that FOXA1 is a direct target of miR-204, which binds to FOXA1 in a complementary region. In conclusion, miR-204 regulates the biological behavior of breast cancer cells, including cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis and apoptosis, by directly targeting FOXA1. Thus, miR-204 may act as a tumor-suppressor, and the results of the present study provide a reference for future research into the potential mechanisms underlying breast cancer progression.

Improved kinetics of LiNi(1/3)Mn(1/3)Co(1/3)O2 cathode material through reduced graphene oxide networks.

An electronically conducting 3D network of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) was introduced into LiNi(1/3)Mn(1/3)Co(1/3)O(2) (LNMC) cathode material in a special nano/micro hierarchical structure. The rate test and cycling measurement showed that the hierarchical networks remarkably improve the high rate performance of LNMC electrode for lithium-ion batteries. The effect of RGO conducting networks on kinetic property was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiostatic intermittent titration (PITT). The EIS results reveal that the RGO network greatly decreases the resistance of lithium batteries, especially the charge transfer resistance which can be attributed to the significantly improved conducting networks. The enhancement of apparent diffusion coefficient by the RGO conducting networks is shown by PITT. The power performance was found to be limited by the electrical conduction in the two-phase region, which can be greatly facilitated by the hierarchical RGO network together with carbon black. The as-obtained LNMC/RGO cathode exhibits an outstanding electrochemical property supporting the design idea of electronically conducting 3D networks for the high-energy and high-power lithium-ion batteries.

[Investigation on the source of infection regarding an avian influenza (H5N1) case in Hong Kong that returning from Guangzhou].

OBJECTIVE: We conducted an epidemiologic investigation to determine the source of infection on an avian influenza (H5N1) case who returned from Guangzhou, in Hong Kong. METHODS: Data related to epidemiologic investigation, medical observation on close contacts, Syndromic Surveillance on poultry salesmen, emergency monitoring, detection of the samples, source tracing on potential Avian influenza virus (H5, H7, H9) infected people, situation on environment pollution by avian influenza virus in the markets etc. were gathered. The determination of infection source was through comparing the different genes between the case and positive environmental samples. RESULTS: The infected case witnessed the procedure of how a live duck was killed, in market A in Guangzhou during May 17(th) to 19(th). The case was diagnosed as respiratory tract infection in 2 Third-grade-Class A hospitals in Guangzhou on May 23(th) and 24(th). The diagnosis was made as Avian influenza cases on May 26(th) after going back to Hong Kong. 23 close contacts and 34 markets poultry salesmen did not show any ILI related symptoms. However, 2 poultry salesmen from the markets nearby the place where the Avian influenza case stayed, were detected having positive H9 avian influenza antibody, with the H9 positive rate as 6.06% (2/33). Among the environmental samples in the 2 markets nearby home of the patient, chopping block was found to have carried H5, with positive rate as 9.8% (5/51) while poultry cage was found to carry H9, with the positive rate as 2.0% (1/51). A H5 positive sample was found with clade 2.3.2.1, same to the case, from a chopping block at the market B where the sources of poultry was the same as market A. CONCLUSION: The source of infection seemed to come from the markets in Guangzhou, that calling for the strengthening of poultry market management, for avian influenza prevention. History related to contact of poultry should be gathered when a diagnosis of respiratory tract infection was made. Timely sampling and testing should be made to improve the sensitivity of diagnosis.

[Epidemiological characteristic of first case of locally identified A/H1N1 secondary cases caused by imported source of infection in China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the first locally identifed A/H1N1 secondary cases outbreak in China. METHODS: Interview and field investigation were integrated to describe the whole process of transmission on each case and to illustrate the relationships between the onset of the disease and the retated factors. RESULTS: Two contact persons appearanced fever and whose throat swabs were tested positive to H1N1 viral nucleic acid. The two had a history of contact in a short distance with the initial imported case without any protective measure in the poor air ventilation. The patients clinical situation was slight. The incubation was between 37 hours and 57 hours. No other new case was found after intervention as isolation and antisepsis were taken. CONCLUSION: This event was proved to be an outbreak of local A/H1N1 secondary cases caused by the imported case. The main mode of transmission was personal contact in a short distance without protection, through air and droplet. The locus with poor air ventilation was high risk place. Contact persons should be observed seven days and tested continuously. Infectivity and pathogenicity of the A/H1N1 virus were limited and appeared weakened by generations. Patient's condition was related with persistence and frequency of contact with the infection sources. Enhancing management of contact persons, health education, early diagnose, early treatment and early insulation were effective measures of controling and prenventing the spread A/H1N1.

[Investigation on a seasonal influenza accompanying with the first locale novel A/H1N1 influenza outbreak in China].

OBJECTIVE: To timely summarize past experience and to provide more pertinent reference for control and prevention in A/H1N1 cases in influenza season. METHODS: During May 25 to 31, 2009, 2 secondary community cases caused by a influenza A/H1N1 imported case. In the close contacts of 3 A/H1N1 cases, 14 had some aspirator symptoms onset, such as fever (> or = 37.5 degrees C), cough, sore throat and etc. Laboratory tests excluded the infection of A/H1N1 influenza. For throat swab test for the 14 cases, 7 were tested for seasonal influenza virus. A face-to-face or telephone interview was conducted by CDC staff to collect information of 62 close contacts. RESULTS: Of 14 fever cases, there was no significant by differences by age[15-age group: 19.2% (5/26), over 25-age group: 25.0% (9/36); chi(2) = 0.287, P = 0.592]; by sex group [24.0% (6/25) for male and 21.6% (8/37) for female; chi(2) = 0.048, P = 0.826], by working units [dressing and design, photograph, saleroom and others, consumer group: 42.1% (8/19), 27.3% (3/11), 12.5% (2/16) and 6.3% (1/16); chi(2) = 7.653, P = 0.054], by dormitory style [dormitory style = 33.3% (4/12), non-dormitory style = 29.4% (10/34); chi(2) = 0.699, P = 0.403]. All the cases had fever (37.5 - 37.9 degrees C), no case had diarrhea. One in 3 A/H1N1 cases had diarrhea. All the 14 cases were negative result for A/H1N1 RNA. Six from 7 cases were positive for seasonal influenza test. CONCLUSION: This was a seasonal influenza outbreak happened in the close contacts of first confirmed A/H1N1 cases in community in mainland China. It showed that we should exclude the seasonal influenza in the investigation of A/H1N1 cases in the seasonal influenza period in some time. It is necessary to take effective measure to strengthen the control and prevention of seasonal influenza.

[Comparison of therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture treatment of insomnia at different time].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effects of evening-electroacupuncture (EA) and morning-EA for insomnia. METHODS: Sixty cases of simple insomnia patients were randomly divided into evening-EA group and morning-EA group, with 30 cases in each. EA (2/100 Hz, 1-3 mA) was applied to Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Touwei (ST 8), Shenmen (HT 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), etc. in the evening (8:00-9:00 pm) and in the morning (8:00-11:00 am) respectively in two groups, once daily for 10 times. Changes of mean global Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), sleep rate, frequency of hypnotic-taking, etc were observed before and after the treatment. RESULTS: In comparison with pre-treatment, mean PSQI scores in evening-EA and morning-EA groups, and hypnotic-taking frequency in evening-EA group decreased evidently during two weeks after the treatment, and sleep rates of two groups increased significantly from the 1st day on after the treatment in evening-EA group and from the 1st week on in morning-EA group (P<0.01). Comparison between two groups showed that the mean PSQI scores at the 1st and 2nd week in evening-EA group were significantly lower, and the sleep rate in evening-EA group on the 2nd week after the treatment was considerably higher than that in morning-EA group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Evening-EA can significantly lower insomnia patients' PSQI score, raise sleep rate, and reduce the hypnotic-taking frequency. Evening-EA is superior to morning-EA in the treatment of insomnia.