Effects of different drying methods on Rubus chingii Hu fruit during processing.

In this study, the dried fruits of Rubus chingii Hu (Chinese name: Fu-Pen-Zi; FPZ) were processed and dried by three methods-in the shade, the sun, and the oven. The composition regarding the standard ingredient, color, and antioxidant capacities were investigated pro- and post-processing. The technique of headspace-solid-phase-microextraction-gas-chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS) and flavoromics were used to analyze the flavor-conferring metabolites of FPZ. The results obtained revealed that the highest use value and antioxidant capacities were detected in the FPZ fruits processed and dried in the shade. A total of 358 metabolites were detected from them mainly consisting of terpenoids, heterocyclic compounds, and esters. In differential analysis, the down-regulation of the metabolites was much greater than their up-regulation after all three drying methods. In an evaluation of the characteristic compounds and flavors produced after the three methods, there were variations mainly regarding the green and fruity odors. Therefore, considerable insights may be obtained for the development of novel agricultural methods and applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries by analyzing and comparing the variations in the chemical composition detected pre- and post-processing of the FPZ fruits. This paper provides a scientific basis for quality control in fruits and their clinical applications.

Circular RNA circMDM2 accelerates the glycolysis of oral squamous cell carcinoma by targeting miR-532-3p/HK2.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) function as an essential regulator in the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the potential roles and mechanism of circRNAs in OSCC are still elusive. Here, this research investigates the roles and molecular mechanism of novel circRNA (circMDM2) in OSCC progression. Clinically, circMDM2 was overexpressed in OSCC tissue and cells, and the overexpression served as a poor prognostic factor for OSCC patients. Functionally, cellular experiments confirmed that circMDM2 accelerated OSCC cell proliferation and glycolysis in vitro and circMDM2 knockdown repressed the tumour growth in vivo. Mechanistically, circMDM2 sponged miR-532-3p to promote the hexokinase 2 (HK2), forming the circMDM2/miR-532-3p/HK2 axis. In conclusion, these findings demonstrated that circMDM2/miR-532-3p/HK2 axis promotes the proliferation and glycolysis of OSCC, rendering a potential diagnostic biomarker and prospective therapeutic target for OSCC.

Correction to: Splicing factor derived circular RNA circUHRF1 accelerates oral squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis via feedback loop.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Splicing factor derived circular RNA circUHRF1 accelerates oral squamous cell carcinoma tumorigenesis via feedback loop.

Emerging evidences have suggested the vital roles of circular RNA (circRNA) in the human cancers. However, the underlying biological functions and biogenesis of circRNA in the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still ambiguous. Here, we investigate the oncogenic roles and biogenesis of the novel identified circRNA, circUHRF1 (hsa_circ_0002185), in the OSCC tumorigenesis. Results showed that circUHRF1 was markedly upregulated in the OSCC cells and tissue, besides, the overexpression was closely correlated with the poor prognosis of OSCC patients. Functionally, circUHRF1 promoted the proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in vitro and the tumor growth in vivo. Mechanically, circUHRF1 acted as the sponge of miR-526b-5p, thereby positively regulating c-Myc. Transcription factor c-Myc could accelerate the transcription of TGF-ß1 and ESRP1. Moreover, splicing factor ESRP1 promoted the circularization and biogenesis of circUHRF1 by targeting the flanking introns, forming the circUHRF1/miR-526b-5p/c-Myc/TGF-ß1/ESRP1 feedback loop. In conclusion, our research identified the oncogenic roles of circUHRF1 in the OSCC tumorigenesis and EMT via circUHRF1/miR-526b-5p/c-Myc/TGF-ß1/ESRP1 feedback loop, shedding light on the pathogenic mechanism of circUHRF1 for OSCC and providing the potential therapeutic target.

[Comparing the effects of fast and slow expansion on nasal cavity and maxilla structure].

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to compare the effects of fast and slow expansion on nasal cavity structure. METHODS: A total of 40 patients were selected and randomly divided into two groups. Cone-beam computer tomography (CBCT) was obtained before and after surgery and used for comparing the changes in nasal structure before and after treatment. RESULTS: Fast expansion had resulted in greater changes in the basilar and nasal bone arch extension structures than slow expansion. No significant difference at maxillary width and nasal parenchyma. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid expansion therapy has more beneficial effects on nasal function.

Emerging Epigenetic Regulation of Circular RNAs in Human Cancer.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are novel members of the noncoding RNA family. Their characteristic covalent closed-loop structure endows circRNAs that are much more stable than the corresponding linear transcript. circRNAs are ubiquitous in eukaryotic cells, and their functions are diverse and include adsorbing microRNAs (miRNAs; acting as miRNA sponges), regulating transcription, interacting with RNA-binding proteins, and translating and deriving pseudogenes. Moreover, circRNAs are associated with the occurrence and progression of a variety of cancers, acting as new biomarkers for early diagnosis to evaluate curative effects and patient prognosis. Here, this paper briefly describes the characteristics and functions of circRNAs, and it further concludes the relationship between circRNAs and human cancer.

SNHG20: A vital lncRNA in multiple human cancers.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) act as an initial factor and promoter in different tumors as a kind of ncRNAs. The length of them is >200 nucleotides opposite small ncRNAs. Increasing researches have proved that dysregulation lncRNA has been implicated in tumorigenesis. Small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20), a member of lncRNAs, expresses frequently in cancer types, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, and bladder cancer, contributing to cancer development and progression by transcriptional or posttranscriptional modifications. Not only does this review show the recent published literature concerning the biological functions but also demonstrates molecular mechanisms of SNHG20 among above multiple malignancies and others.

Triptolide inhibits benign prostatic epithelium viability and migration and induces apoptosis via upregulation of microRNA-218.

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) has become a troublesome disease for elder men. Triptolide (TPL) has been reported to be a potential anticancer agent. However, the potential effects of TPL on BPH have not been shown out. BPH-1 cells were treated with different concentrations of TPL and/or transfected with microRNA-218 (miR-218) inhibitor, pc-survivin, sh-survivin, or their corresponding controls (NC). Thereafter, cell viability was determined by CCK-8 assay. Cell migration was accessed by modified two-chamber migration assay. Cell apoptosis was checked by propidium iodide (PI) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated Annexin V staining. In addition, messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis, respectively. BPH-1 cell viability and migration were significantly decreased, while cell apoptosis and expression of miR-218 were statistically enhanced by TPL ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). However, downregulation of miR-218 increased cell viability and migration, while decreased cell apoptosis compared with the negative control group ( P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Furthermore, the expression of cell cycle-related proteins and cell apoptosis-related proteins were also led to the opposite results with NC. In addition, we found that miR-218 negatively regulated the expression of survivin ( P < 0.01) and suppression of survivin significantly enhanced cell apoptosis ( P < 0.01). Moreover, the results demonstrated that TPL could inactivate mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, while inhibition of miR-218 alleviated the effects. TPL inhibits viability and migration of BPH-1 cells and induces cell apoptosis and also inactivates mTOR signal pathway via upregulation of miR-218. This study provides evidence for the further studies representing triptolide as a potential agent in the treatment of human BPH.

Preparation and characterization of oriented scaffolds derived from cartilage extracellular matrix and silk fibroin / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#This study aims to prepare oriented scaffolds derived from a cartilage extracellular matrix (CECM) and silk fibroin (SF) and use to investigate their physicochemical property in cartilage tissue engineering.@*METHODS@#Oriented SF-CECM scaffolds were prepared from 6% mixed slurry (CECM：SF=1：1) through modified temperature gradient-guided thermal-induced phase separation, followed by freeze drying. The SF-CECM scaffolds were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and histological staining analyses and determination of porosity, water absorption, and compressive elastic modulus of the materials.@*RESULTS@#The SEM image showed that the SF-CECM scaffolds contained homogeneous reticular porous structures in the cross-section and vertical tubular structures in the longitudinal sections. Histological staining showed that cells were completely removed, and the hybrid scaffolds retained proteogly can and collagen. The composition of the scaffold was similar to that of natural cartilage. The porosity, water absorption rate, and vertical compressive elastic modulus of the scaffolds were 95.733%±1.010%, 94.309%±1.302%, and (65.40±4.09) kPa, respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The fabricated SF-CECM scaffolds exhibit satisfactory physicochemical and biomechanical properties and thus could be an ideal scaffold in cartilage tissue engineering.

Assessment of genetic fidelity and composition: Mixed elicitors enhance triterpenoid and flavonoid biosynthesis of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. tissue cultures.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis has acquired significant importance due to its medicinal properties and health function. In this study, the quality of G. uralensis adventitious roots was evaluated in terms of genetic stability, active compounds, and anti-inflammatory activity. Monomorphic banding pattern obtained from the mother plant and tissue cultures of G. uralensis with randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers confirmed the genetic stability of adventitious roots. Neoliquiritin (neoisoliquiritin), ononin, liquiritin, and glycyrrhizic acid were identified from G. uralensis adventitious roots on the basis of high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. This study also revealed that adventitious roots possessed a better anti-inflammatory effect than native roots. To increase the contents of G. uralensis active components, elicitors were used in the adventitious roots culture. The combination of methyl jasmonate and phenylalanine synergistically stimulated the accumulation of glycyrrhetinic acid (0.22 mg/g) and total flavonoid (5.43 mg/g) compared with single treatment. In conclusion, G. uralensis adventitious roots can be an exploitable system for the production of licorice.