Enhanced expression of circ_0000735 forecasts clinical severity in NSCLC and promotes cell progression via sponging miR-1179 and miR-1182.

Although numerous dysregulated circular RNAs (circRNAs) was discovered, the study between circRNAs and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is just beginning. Here, we investigated the functions and provided a possible mechanism of circ_0000735 for NSCLC. Real-time PCR was used to elucidate the level of circ_0000735 in NSCLC tissue samples and cells. CCK8, colony formation, flow cytometric, and transwell experiments were carried out to evaluate cell proliferation, apoptosis, migratory and invasive abilities in NSCLC cell lines. Luciferase reporter assays were conducted to elucidate the mechanisms of circ_0000735 in NSCLC. Circ_0000735 was elevated in both NSCLC tissues and cells. This upregulation of circ_0000735 is associated with more advanced TNM stages and lymph node invasion. Gain and loss of function experiments documented that circ_0000735 significantly facilitated cell proliferation, migratory and invasive abilities and inhibit cell apoptosis. Moreover, we proved circ_0000735 could bound to miR-1179/1182 to exert its biological functions in NSCLC cells. Taken together, this work provided a possible treatment target for this devastating disease.

Analysis of curative effect of adjuvant therapy with bronchoalveolar lavage on COPD patients complicated with pneumonia.

Clinical effect of adjuvant therapy with bronchoalveolar lavage on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients complicated with pneumonia and its influence on the expression levels of inflammatory factors were studied. One hundred and twenty mild-moderate COPD patients complicated with pneumonia treated in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong from February 2016 to February 2017 were selected and randomly divided into three groups: One-time lavage group (n=40), two-time lavage group (n=40) and control group (n=40). Fasting peripheral blood was collected from all the patients in the morning. The lung function and blood gas analyses, and the detection of peripheral white blood cells (WBC), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were performed. Moreover, the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) in lavage fluid were detected via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The lung functions of patients in the two-time lavage group were significantly improved compared with that in the one-time lavage group (p<0.01). pH and PaO2 in two-time lavage group were higher than those in the one-time lavage group (p<0.01). Peripheral WBC, PCT and CRP levels in the two-time lavage group were lower than those in the one-time lavage group (p<0.05). The mRNA levels of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and LTB4 in lavage fluid in two-time lavage group were lower than those in one-time lavage group (p<0.01). IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and LTB4 expression levels in lavage fluid in two-time lavage group were lower than those in one-time lavage group (p<0.01). In conclusion, the adjuvant therapy with bronchoalveolar lavage improves the therapeutic effect on COPD patients complicated with pneumonia, which can significantly reduce the expression levels of inflammatory factors, and facilitate the control of pulmonary infection and recovery of lung function.

Circular RNA circ_0001649 acts as a prognostic biomarker and inhibits NSCLC progression via sponging miR-331-3p and miR-338-5p.

Accumulating evidence documented the key functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in various malignancies. However, the study regarding the involvement of circRNAs in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has just begun. In the present study, qRT-PCR was used to determine the expression of circ_0001649 in NSCLC tissues and cells. Its clinical significance was further assessed by Fisher's exact test, Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression model. Additionally, loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments were carried out to detect the functional role of circ_0001649 in cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, animal study was performed to confirm the in vitro results. Importantly, luciferase reporter assay was induced to reveal the underlying mechanism of circ_0001649. As a result, circ_0001649 was decreased in NSCLC tissues and cells and this downregulation is correlated with advanced TNM stage, positive lymph node metastasis and unfavorable prognosis. Additionally, circ_0001649 inhibited cell growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. In mechanism, circ_0001649 was identified as the sponge of miR-331-3p and miR-338-5p. Moreover, the biological functions of circ_0001649 is partly dependent on its regulation on miR-331-3p and miR-338-5p. Collectively, this study suggested that circ_0001649/miR-331-3p/miR-338-5p regulatory signaling might be a potential target for NSCLC therapy.