M1ARegpred: Epitranscriptome Target Prediction of N1-methyladenosine (m1A) Regulators Based on Sequencing Features and Genomic Features.

BACKGROUND: N1-methyladenosine (m1A) is a reversible post-transcriptional modification in mRNA, which has been proved to play critical roles in various biological processes through interaction with different m1A regulators. There are several m1A regulators existing in the human genome, including YTHDF1-3 and YTHDC1. METHODS: Several techniques have been developed to identify the substrates of m1A regulators, but their binding specificity and biological functions are not yet fully understood due to the limitations of wet-lab approaches. Here, we submitted the framework m1ARegpred (m1A regulators substrate prediction), which is based on machine learning and the combination of sequence-derived and genome-derived features. RESULTS: Our framework achieved area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) scores of 0.92 in the full transcript model and 0.857 in the mature mRNA model, showing an improvement compared to the existing sequence-derived methods. In addition, motif search and gene ontology enrichment analysis were performed to explore the biological functions of each m1A regulator. CONCLUSIONS: Our work may facilitate the discovery of m1A regulators substrates of interest, and thereby provide new opportunities to understand their roles in human bodies.

Research Progress for RNA Modifications in Physiological and Pathological Angiogenesis.

As a critical layer of epigenetics, RNA modifications demonstrate various molecular functions and participate in numerous biological processes. RNA modifications have been shown to be essential for embryogenesis and stem cell fate. As high-throughput sequencing and antibody technologies advanced by leaps and bounds, the association of RNA modifications with multiple human diseases sparked research enthusiasm; in addition, aberrant RNA modification leads to tumor angiogenesis by regulating angiogenesis-related factors. This review collected recent cutting-edge studies focused on RNA modifications (N6-methyladenosine (m6A), N5-methylcytosine (m5C), N7-methylguanosine (m7G), N1-methyladenosine (m1A), and pseudopuridine (Ψ)), and their related regulators in tumor angiogenesis to emphasize the role and impact of RNA modifications.

lncRNA SNHG1 attenuates osteogenic differentiation via the miR­101/DKK1 axis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

The imbalance induced by inhibition of bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) osteogenic differentiation results in osteoporosis (OP); however, the underlying regulatory mechanism is not completely understood. Long non­coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve crucial roles in osteogenic differentiation; therefore, investigating their regulatory role in the process of osteogenic differentiation may identify a promising therapeutic target for OP. The expression of small nucleolar RNA host gene 1 (SNHG1), Dickkopf 1 (DKK1), microRNA (miR)­101, RUNX family transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalin (OCN) were detected via reverse transcription­quantitative PCR. The protein expression levels of DKK1, ß­catenin, RUNX2, OPN, OCN, osterix and collagen type I α1 chain were analyzed by performing western blotting. The osteoblastic phenotype was assessed by conducting alkaline phosphatase activity detection and Alizarin Red staining. The interaction between SNHG1 and miR­101 was validated by bioinformatics and luciferase assays. The regulatory role of SNHG1 in BMSC osteogenic differentiation was assessed. SNHG1 expression was downregulated in a time­dependent manner during the process of osteogenic differentiation. SNHG1 overexpression inhibited osteogenic differentiation compared with the pcDNA group. The results indicated that SNHG1 and DKK1 directly interacted with miR­101. Moreover, SNHG1 regulated the Wnt/ß­catenin signaling pathway to inhibit osteogenic differentiation via the miR­101/DKK1 axis. The present study indicated that lncRNA SNHG1 could attenuate BMSC osteogenic differentiation via the miR­101/DKK1 axis as a competitive endogenous RNA. Therefore, the present study furthered the current understanding of the potential mechanism underlying lncRNAs in in osteogenic differentiation.

Evaluation of the Chemical and Mechanical Properties of Hardening High-Calcium Fly Ash Blended Concrete.

High-calcium fly ash (FH) is the combustion residue from electric power plants burning lignite or sub-bituminous coal. As a mineral admixture, FH can be used to produce high-strength concrete and high-performance concrete. The development of chemical and mechanical properties is a crucial factor for appropriately using FH in the concrete industry. To achieve sustainable development in the concrete industry, this paper presents a theoretical model to systematically evaluate the property developments of FH blended concrete. The proposed model analyzes the cement hydration, the reaction of free CaO in FH, and the reaction of phases in FH other than free CaO. The mutual interactions among cement hydration, the reaction of free CaO in FH, and the reaction of other phases in FH are also considered through the calcium hydroxide contents and the capillary water contents. Using the hydration degree of cement, the reaction degree of free CaO in FH, and the reaction degree of other phases in FH, the proposed model evaluates the calcium hydroxide contents, the reaction degree of FH, chemically bound water, porosity, and the compressive strength of hardening concrete with different water to binder ratios and FH replacement ratios. The evaluated results are compared to experimental results, and good consistencies are found.

[Application of menisci reformation and repair in the treatment of the discoid meniscus injuries].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effects of menisci reformation and repair for the treatment of discoid meniscus injuries and to explore the operation methods. METHODS: From Jun. 2005 to Dem. 2009, 28 patients underwent arthroscopic menisci reformation and repair for discoid meniscus, including 23 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 6 to 42 years, with an average of 32 years. The nature of meniscus and the type and range of tear were judged under arthroscope. The menisci reformation and repair were used to treat discoid meniscus tear at the edge. After the operation, the brace was used for 8 weeks, and heavy exercise should be avoided for 6 months. The Lysholm score was adopted to evaluate therapeutic effects. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up ranging from 3 to 36 months, averaged 8 months. The preoperative Lysholm scores ranged from 62 to 74, with a mean of (67.23 +/- 5.24), and the postoperative Lysholm scores ranged from 80 to 96, with a mean of (87.24 +/- 5.26). There was no occurrence of re-tear or re-operation due to symptom recurrence. CONCLUSION: The menisci reformation and repair has better clinical effects on the treatment of discoid meniscus tear and can be regarded as one of the operational options.

[The experiment of porcine keratinocytes cultured on porcine small intestinal submucosa in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of acellular porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS as bioscaffold of tissue engineering skin. METHODS: The second passage keratinocytes were seeded on SIS, after seeded for 11, 13, 15, 17 days, the keratinocytes/SIS composites were observed by dye directly, histopathology, immunohistochemical studies with monoclonal antibodies against laminin and transmission electron microscope (TEM). RESULTS: At eleventh day, keratinocytes were growth very well on the surface of SIS, there are 2-3 cell layers on partial of the SIS surface, the continued expression of laminin can be detected between the keratinocytes and the surface of SIS. After 13, 15, 17 days this stratified structure increased, cells contact more closely, the tonofibrils in cells, desmosome between cells and the basal membrane between the keratinocytes and the surface of SIS can be seen with TEM. CONCLUSIONS: SIS is a kind of good bioscaffold in the culture of porcine keratinocytes in vitro.