ELK1 Promotes Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and the Progression of Lung Adenocarcinoma by Upregulating B7-H3.

In previous studies, we found that B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3) was highly expressed in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and promoted epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of LUAD cells. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is unclear. This study is aimed at evaluating the role of Ets-like protein 1 (ELK1) as a transcriptional regulator of B7-H3 for mediating the development and progression of LUAD in vitro and in vivo. We confirmed that ELK1 is highly expressed in LUAD and is associated with poor patient prognosis. ELK1 was found to promote proliferation, invasion, migration, and EMT of LUAD cells through in vivo and in vitro experiments. In terms of mechanism, ELK1 binds to the B7-H3 promoter region and induces the upregulation of B7-H3 in LUAD. Our data suggest that ELK1 plays an important role in the development of LUAD and could be used as a prognostic marker and therapeutic target for LUAD.

Prophylactic abdominal aortic balloon occlusion in patients with pernicious placenta previa during cesarean section: a systematic review and meta-analysis from randomized controlled trials.

PURPOSE: Pernicious placenta previa induces severe hemorrhage during cesarean section. Abdominal aorta balloon occlusion (AABO) is considered as an effective operation for patients with pernicious placenta previa. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical application of abdominal aortic balloon occlusion in the placenta previa and cesarean section by systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WAN-FANG DATA and CQVIP were searched from inception to Jan. 15th, 2019. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss volume, postoperative hospitalization duration, intraoperative blood transfusion volume, hysterectomy rate, lower extremity thrombosis rate, ICU admission rate, adverse reaction rate, neonatal birth weight, Apgar 1-min and 5-min scores were regarded as the endpoints. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) were used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen articles were retrieved from total 650 articles, and the results of meta-analysis showed that application of intraoperative AABO had the ability to reduce the operative time (WMD = - 16.581, 95% CI - 26.690 to - 6.472; P = 0.001), the intraoperative blood loss volume (WMD = - 1202.69, 95% CI - 1732.25 to - 673.12; P < 0.001), the intraoperative blood transfusion volume (WMD = - 1202.69, 95% CI - 1732.25 to - 673.12; P < 0.001). The hysterectomy rate (RR = 0.279, 95% CI 0.164-0.474; P < 0.001), postoperative hospitalization duration (WMD = - 1.423, 95% CI - 2.070 to - 0.776; P < 0.001) and the balloon preset time (WMD = - 13.793, 95% CI - 15.341 to - 12.244; P < 0.001; I2 = 0.0%) were also reduced in AABO group. CONCLUSIONS: Application of AABO in patients with pernicious placenta previa is safe and effective, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Human action recognition based on HOIRM feature fusion and AP clustering BOW.

In this paper, we propose a human action recognition method using HOIRM (histogram of oriented interest region motion) feature fusion and a BOW (bag of words) model based on AP (affinity propagation) clustering. First, a HOIRM feature extraction method based on spatiotemporal interest points ROI is proposed. HOIRM can be regarded as a middle-level feature between local and global features. Then, HOIRM is fused with 3D HOG and 3D HOF local features using a cumulative histogram. The method further improves the robustness of local features to camera view angle and distance variations in complex scenes, which in turn improves the correct rate of action recognition. Finally, a BOW model based on AP clustering is proposed and applied to action classification. It obtains the appropriate visual dictionary capacity and achieves better clustering effect for the joint description of a variety of features. The experimental results demonstrate that by using the fused features with the proposed BOW model, the average recognition rate is 95.75% in the KTH database, and 88.25% in the UCF database, which are both higher than those by using only 3D HOG+3D HOF or HOIRM features. Moreover, the average recognition rate achieved by the proposed method in the two databases is higher than that obtained by other methods.

miR-133b inhibits cell proliferation, migration and invasion of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting EGFR.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an aggressive tumor entity characterized by early metastasis and late diagnosis. MicroRNA-133b (miR-133b) has been considered as a tumor suppressor in many human cancers by regulating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the specific effects of miR-133b and EGFR on ESCC remain unclear. METHODS: qRT-PCR and western blotting were applied for measuring expression of mRNA and protein. Flow cytometry was used for detecting cell cycle and apoptosis. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion were detected by colony formation and transwell assays. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the interaction between miR-133b and EGFR. RESULTS: Low expression of miR-133b and high expression of EGFR were identified in ESCC cells and tissues. Overexpression of miR-133b or knockdown of EGFR suppressed the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells, and raised the percentage of G1 phase cells. The apoptosis of ESCC cells were promoted by increasing miR-133b and decreasing EGFR expression. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed EGFR as the target of miR-133b in ESCC cells. Overexpression of miR-133b significantly decreased the phosphorylation of PI3K, ERK and AKT by directly down-regulating EGFR. Higher expression of E-cadherin and CK-18 and lower expression of Vimentin and N-cadherin were observed after the transfection of miR-133b mimics or shEGFR. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of miR-133b could suppress proliferation, migration and invasion of ESCC cells by inhibiting MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways through targeting EGFR, indicating that miR-133b might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ESCC.

MicroRNA-133b/EGFR axis regulates esophageal squamous cell carcinoma metastases by suppressing anoikis resistance and anchorage-independent growth.

BACKGROUND: Anoikis resistance has been demonstrated to facilitate distant metastases of cancers. MicroRNA-133b (miR-133b) is found to be down-regulated in various tumors, including esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and closely correlates with the malignant phenotype of ESCC. This study aimed to evaluate the roles of miR-133b in metastases of ESCC via regulating anoikis. METHODS: The expression of miR-133b and related molecules were detected in ESCC tissues and cells. The target relationship between miR-133b and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was verified by dual luciferase reporter assay. Cell proliferation was detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Anoikis and anchorage-independent growth were assessed by anoikis assay and soft agar assay. Migration and invasion were evaluated by scratch and transwell assays. The expressions of related molecules were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The in vivo results were determined by tumor xenografts in nude mice. RESULTS: MiR-133b level was decreased in ESCC tissues and cells, which negatively correlated with EGFR, integrin ß4 (ITGB4), and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase levels. Moreover, miR-133b down-regulated EGFR expression in ESCC cells. Overexpression of miR-133b inhibited the anoikis resistance, migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of ESCC cells via targeting EGFR. Finally, miR-133b overexpression suppressed tumor growth and lung metastases of ESCC in vivo. ITGB4/FAK/growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (Grb2), protein kinase B (AKT), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways were involved in the regulatory mechanisms of miR-133b/EGFR axis in ESCC metastases in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that miR-133b/EGFR axis regulated metastases of ESCC by affecting anoikis resistance via ITGB4/FAK/Grb2, AKT, and ERK pathways.

Enantioselective Dearomative Difunctionalization of Indoles by Palladium-Catalyzed Heck/Sonogashira Sequence.

Palladium-catalyzed enantioselective dearomative arylalkynylation of N-substituted indoles, through a Heck/Sonogashira sequence, was established using a new BINOL-based phosphoramidite as the chiral ligand. A wide range of 2,3-disubstituted indolines, bearing vicinal quaternary and tertiary stereocenters, were efficiently constructed in one step with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97 % ee) and diastereoselectivities (>20:1).

[Bonding strength of resin and tooth enamel after teeth bleaching with cold plasma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immediate bond strength and surface structure of resin and the tooth enamel which treated by cold plasma. METHODS: In the study, 40 bovine incisors were divided into two equal parts. In this sense, all enamel adhesive samples were prepared and then randomly divided into 4 groups (n =20). group 1: acid + single bond 2+resin composite (control group); group 2:beyond bleaching+ acid+single bond 2+resin composite; group 3: treated by cold plasma for 5 minutes+ acid+single bond 2+resin composite; group 4: treated by cold plasma for 5 minutes+single bond 2+resin composite. Single bond 2 bonding system and Filtek Z250 resin were used in this experiment. The shear bond strength was tested by universal testing machine. The surface of the enamel in different processes was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Statistical analyses by the single factor analysis of variance and multiple pairwise comparisons were performed with SPSS 17.0 . RESULTS: The shear bond strength of group 4 (8.60 MPa) was significantly lower than that of the other three groups (P<0.05). The shear bond strength of group 2 (17.89 MPa) was higher than that of group 4, but lower than group 1 and group 3 (P<0.05).There was no significant difference between group 1 (34.82 MPa) and group 3 (34.69 MPa). Scanning electron microscope indicated that the enamel treated by cold plasma had slight molten form, which was different from etched enamel surface.The fractured surface of group 3 was mix fracture, which was similar to the control group (group 1). CONCLUSION: Compared with the conventional clinic bleaching, immediate bond strength of resin-enamel that treated by cold plasma has not been affected.

Heterologous expression and characterization of two chitinase 5 enzymes from the migratory locust Locusta migratoria.

Insect chitinases are involved in degradation of chitin from the exoskeleton or peritrophic metrix of midgut. In Locusta migratoria, two duplicated Cht5s (LmCht5-1 and LmCht5-2) have been shown to have distinct molecular characteristics and biological roles. To explore the protein properties of the two LmCht5s, we heterologously expressed both enzymes using baculovirus expression system in SF9 cells, and characterized kinetic and carbohydrate-binding properties of purified enzymes. LmCht5-1 and LmCht5-2 exhibited similar pH and temperature optimums. LmCht5-1 has lower Km value for the oligomeric substrate (4MU-(GlcNAc)3 ), and higher Km value for the longer substrate (CM-Chitin-RBV) compared with LmCht5-2. A comparison of amino acids and homology modeling of catalytic domain presented similar TIM barrel structures and differentiated amino acids between two proteins. LmCht5-1 has a chitin-binding domain (CBD) tightly bound to colloidal chitin, but LmCht5-2 does not have a CBD for binding to colloidal chitin. Our results suggested both LmCht5-1 and LmCht5-2, which have the critical glutamate residue in region II of catalytic domain, exhibited chitinolytic activity cleaving both polymeric and oligomeric substrates. LmCht5-1 had relatively higher activity against the oligomeric substrate, 4MU-(GlcNAc)3 , whereas LmCht5-2 exhibited higher activity toward the longer substrate, CM-Chitin-RBV. These findings are helpful for further research to clarify their different roles in insect growth and development.

Enantioselective Arylative Dearomatization of Indoles via Pd-Catalyzed Intramolecular Reductive Heck Reactions.

A highly enantioselective intramolecular arylative dearomatization of indoles via palladium-catalyzed reductive Heck reactions was developed. The new strategy led to a series of optically active indolines bearing C2-quaternary stereocenters in modest to good yields with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee).

[Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the testis and penis: clinical analysis of 5 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To improve the clinical diagnosis and treatment of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of male genitalia. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 5 cases of primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of male genitalia, 4 in the testis and 1 in the penis, we also analyzed the relevant literature and clinical significance of the disease. RESULTS: All the 5 cases were treated by surgery and pathologically confirmed to be non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Three of them received chemotherapy, and the other 2 (1 in the testis and 1 in the penis) underwent both chemotherapy and radiotherapy after the operation. Follow-up averaged 25 months, during which 1 of the patients died and the other 4 survived. CONCLUSION: Primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of male genitalia is an uncommon disease with atypical clinical presentations and poor prognosis, which occurs mostly in elderly males. Definite diagnosis of the disease mainly depends on histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Surgery with multiagent chemotherapy and radiotherapy is advisable for its treatment.

[Cytoskeleton rearrangements and induced apoptosis in human umbilical venous endothelial cell and WISH cell lines during the invasion of Staphylococcus aureus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of cytoskeleton and induced apoptosis in human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVEC) and WISH cells during the invasion of Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS: S. aureus suspension was collected routinely and used to infect HUVEC and WISH cells for 10, 30, 60 and 120 min respectively. The cell-invading ability of S. aureus was observed by microscope and the rearrangement of cytoskeleton of these cells observed under fluorescent microscope. DAPI fluorescent staining and DNA agarose electrophoresis were performed to analyze the apoptosis in HUVEC cells induced by S. aureus. RESULTS: There was bacterial invasion after staphylococcus aureus was co-incubated with HUVEC and WISH cells for 10 min. The rates of infection were (54.9 +/- 2.4)% and (56.1 +/- 2.4)% at 60 min respectively. The ratios of F-actin rearrangements at 10 min, 30 min, 60 min and 120 min after the invasion of HUVEC and WISH cells with S. aureus were different at (54.7 +/- 2.8)%, (63.0 +/- 2.9)%, (71.0 +/- 2.6)%, (39.5 +/- 2.7)% and (63.3 +/- 2.6)%, (65.0 +/- 2.9)%, (77.0 +/- 2.4)% and (44.0 +/- 1.8)% respectively. The ratios of F-actin rearrangements at 10 min, 30 min and 60 min were higher than those at 120 min (P < 0.05). There was no change of microtubule observed in both cells at the same time. The apoptotic appearance was observed after the invasion of HUVEC cells with s. aureus at 60 min. CONCLUSION: S. aureus may invade the HUVEC and WISH cells through F-actin rearrangement. Apoptosis is induced in HUVEC cells at 60 min.