Knockdown of BUB1B Inhibits the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Colorectal Cancer by Regulating the JNK/c-Jun Signaling Pathway.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most common cancer, accounting for a significant number of cancer-related deaths worldwide every year. Yet, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the progression of this malignancy are not fully understood. Numerous studies indicate that BUB1 mitotic checkpoint serine/threonine kinase B (BUB1B) plays a role in the progression of various malignant tumors. However, the specific biological functions and the detailed mechanisms of how BUB1B influences CRC are still not completely known. This study aimed to explore the expression and role of BUB1B in CRC. Materials and Methods: To achieve this, the expression levels of BUB1B in human CRC tissues and cell lines were examined using real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. The role and associated mechanisms of BUB1B in CRC cell progression were assessed both in vitro and in vivo using RNA interference. Results: The findings of this study revealed an elevated expression of BUB1B in both CRC tissues and cell lines. The silencing of BUB1B in CRC cell lines notably inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. In addition, the knockdown of BUB1B inhibited the JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway, increased the expression of proapoptotic proteins, and decreased the expression of antiapoptotic proteins. The effects of BUB1B knockdown on CRC cell progression were reversed by the JNK activator PAF(C-16). Conclusions: In summary, the suppression of BUB1B hindered malignant tumor progression and heightened apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in CRC cells via the JNK/c-Jun pathway. Importantly, the removal of BUB1B expression curtailed tumor growth in human CRC xenografts in nude mice, suggesting its potential as a promising therapeutic target for CRC patients. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: No.2019 K-C086.

Electrocoagulation coupled with electrooxidation for the simultaneous treatment of multiple pollutants in contaminated sediments.

In situ and simultaneous remediation of a variety of pollutants in sediments remains a challenge. In this study, we report that the combination of electrocoagulation (EC) and electrooxidation (EO) is efficient in the immobilization of phosphorus and heavy metals and in the oxidation of ammonium and toxic organic matter. The integrated mixed metal oxide (MMO)/Fe anode system allowed the facile removal of ammonium and phosphorus in the overlying water (99% of 10 mg/L NH4+-N and 95% of 10 mg/L P disappeared in 15 and 30 min, respectively). Compared with the controls of the single Fe anode and single MMO anode systems, the dual MMO/Fe anode system significantly improved the removal of phenanthrene and promoted the transition of Pb and Cu from the mobile species to the immobile species. The concentrations of Pb and Cu in the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure extracts were reduced by 99% and 97% after an 8 hr operation. Further tests with four real polluted samples indicated that substantial proportions of acid-soluble fraction Pb and Cu were reduced (30%-31% for Pb and 16%-23% for Cu), and the amounts of total organic carbon and NH4+-N decreased by 56%-71% and 32%-63%, respectively. It was proposed that the in situ electrogenerated Fe(II) at the Fe anode and the active oxygen/chlorine species at the MMO anode are conducive to outstanding performance in the co-treatment of multiple pollutants. The results suggest that the EC/EO method is a powerful technology for the in situ remediation of sediments contaminated with different pollutants.

Targeting of MAD2L1 by miR-515-5p involves the regulation of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells.

Although many previous studies have found that the mitotic arrest deficient 2-like 1 (MAD2L1) protein contributes to the proliferation of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, but the upstream mechanism of MAD2L1 is still largely elusive. This study aimed to explore the microRNAs (miRNAs) upstream of MAD2L1 to improve our understanding of the mechanism of the MAD2L1 gene in CRC. The upstream target miRNAs (miR-515-5p) of MAD2L1 were predicted by the online databases miRWalk, miRDIP, and TargetScan. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression level of miR-515-5p in human CRC tissues. The targeting relationship between miR-515-5p and MAD2L1 was tested by dual luciferase reporter gene assays. The effects of miR-515-5p on the biological behaviors of CRC cells by regulating MAD2L1 expression were verified by qRT-PCR, western blot, Cell Counting Kit-8, and flow cytometry. The results showed that miR-515-5p was a highly reliable upstream miRNA of the MAD2L1 gene. As an upstream target miRNA of MAD2L1, miR-515-5p was lowly expression in CRC tissues. The overexpression of miR-515-5p could inhibit the proliferation of CRC cells and induce cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase leading to cell apoptosis. However, MAD2L1 gene overexpression could reverse the effects of miR-515-5p overexpression on the biological behaviors of CRC cells above. This study illustrated that miR-515-5p can inhibit proliferation and induce G1 phase arrest leading to apoptosis in CRC cells. The mechanism underlying this phenomenon may be related to the negative targeted regulation of MAD2L1.

Comparison of the Measurement of Long-Term Care Costs between China and Other Countries: A Systematic Review of the Last Decade.

BACKGROUND: The rapid aging of populations in some countries has led to a growing number of the disabled elderly, creating a huge need for Long-Term Care (LTC) and meeting its costs, which is a heavy economic burden on the families of the disabled elderly and governments. Therefore, the measurement of Long-Term Care (LTC) costs has become an important basis for the government to formulate Long-Term Care (LTC) policies, and academic research on Long-Term Care (LTC) costs is also in the process of continuous development and deepening. METHODS: This is a systematic review that aims to examine the evidence published in the last decade (2010-2019) regarding the comparison of the measurement of Long-Term Care (LTC) costs between China and other countries. RESULTS: Eighteen Chinese studies and 17 other countries' studies were included in this review. Most Chinese scholars estimated long-term care costs based on the degree of disability among the disabled elderly. However, the studies of European and American countries are more and more in-depth and comprehensive, and more detailed regarding the post-care cost of specific diseases, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and epilepsy. CONCLUSION: In future academic research, we should fully consider the human value of long-term care providers and further study the differences in the long-term care costs of different chronic diseases. In China's future policymaking, according to the experience of Germany, Sweden, and other countries, it may be an effective way to develop private long-term care insurance and realize the effective complementarity between private long-term care insurance and public long-term care insurance (LTCI).

A standard approach to expose the recurrent laryngeal nerve during endoscopic thyroidectomy.

PURPOSE: Exposing the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during all types of thyroid surgery is essential to protect this nerve. Endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) has gained acceptance from both patients and physicians, in part due to the cosmetic benefits. Therefore, the avoidance of intraoperative RLN impairment during ET is of critical significance. We have developed a standard approach to expose the RLN during ET that prevents RNL impairment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ET was performed in 120 consecutive patients with thyroid disease. In order to develop a standard procedure that protects the RLN, several steps that differed from the traditional open procedure were introduced. First, the thyroid gland was freed from the isthmus instead of the superior pole. Then, the inferior pole of the thyroid gland was meticulously freed, and the lateral side of the thyroid gland was freed followed by the superior pole. At this point, the RLN was easily visualized in the tracheoesophageal groove. The thyroidectomy was then performed simultaneously with exposure of the RLN from the inferior to superior aspects. All RLNs were exposed when hemithyroidectomies, subtotal thyroidectomies, or total thyroidectomies were performed. The operative time and parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium levels were recorded prospectively and analyzed. RESULTS: Using this method, all RLNs were easily exposed within 15 minutes. Only one case of transient RLN palsy occurred due to accidental contact of the harmonic scalpel to the nerve. Postoperative hypocalcemia occurred in 23 cases (19.2%), and the PTH level decreased significantly in 33 cases (27.5%). The PTH levels returned to normal within 3 months. CONCLUSION: Use of the described approach to expose and protect the RLN when performing ET is safe and feasible.

[Identification techniques of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in endoscopic thyroidectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of identification techniques of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in endothyroidectomies. METHODS: Routine identification of the RLN was performed in a series of 20 consecutive endothyroidectomies, and the clinical data were reviewed. RESULTS: Totally 20 RLNs were dissected. Neither transient nor permanent RLN injury occurred. CONCLUSION: To expose RLN, both sharp and blunt dissection should be applied skillfully. Thorough liberation of the thyroid lobe is essential for the identification of RLN. It is safe and feasible to remove the thyroid and identify the RLN simultaneously.