The non-coding competing endogenous RNAs in acute myeloid leukemia: biological and clinical implications.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematologic carcinoma that has seen a considerable improvement in patient prognosis because of genetic diagnostics and molecularly-targeted therapies. Nevertheless, recurrence and drug resistance remain significant obstacles to leukemia treatment. It is critical to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms and find solutions. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), circular RNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and pseudogenes, have been found to be crucial components in driving cancer. The competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) mechanism has expanded the complexity of miRNA-mediated gene regulation. A great deal of literature has shown that ncRNAs are essential to the biological functions of the ceRNA network (ceRNET). NcRNAs can compete for the same miRNA response elements to influence miRNA-target RNA interactions. Recent evidence suggests that ceRNA might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic strategy. So far, however, there have been no comprehensive studies on ceRNET about AML. What is not yet clear is the clinical application of ceRNA in AML. This study attempts to summarize the development of research on the related ceRNAs in AML and the roles of ncRNAs in ceRNET. We also briefly describe the mechanisms of ceRNA and ceRNET. What's more significant is that we explore the clinical value of ceRNAs to provide accurate diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets. Finally, limitations and prospects are considered.

Predictive value of serum VEGF, IL-1 and TNF-α in the treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans by revascularization.

Effect of revascularization in the treatment of thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO) and the predictive value of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) of risk factors of amputation were investigated. From April 2012 to August 2015, a total of 117 patients with TAO admitted to the First Hospital of Lanzhou University were selected. Patients treated with revascularization combined with prostaglandin sodium and cilostazol were enrolled in group A (67 patients), and patients treated with sodium and cilostazol were enrolled in group B (50 patients). The clinical efficacy was evaluated by calculating the intermittent claudication distance and the ankle brachial index (ABI) of patients. The occurrence probability of nausea and vomiting, skin pruritus, abdominal pain, coagulation abnormalities and amputation were recorded. The concentration of serum VEGF, IL-1 and TNF-α were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After treatment, the intermittent claudication distance, ABI and efficiency of group A was markedly higher than that of group B (P<0.05). After treatment, serum VEGF concentration in group A was clearly higher than that in group B (P<0.05), and IL-1 and TNF-α levels were much lower than those in group B (P<0.05). The amputation rate in group A was significantly lower than that in group B (P<0.05). Patients with amputation in both groups were enrolled in the study group (24 cases), and those without amputation were included in the control group (93 cases). The serum VEGF concentration in the study group before treatment was significantly lower than that in the control group (P<0.05), while IL-1 and TNF-α levels were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). In conclusion, pretreatment serum VEGF, IL-1 and TNF-α had a positive diagnostic value for poor prognosis of patients with amputation, and low concentration of VEGF and higher concentration of IL-1 and TNF-α are the risk factors for amputations in patients with TAO.

MicroRNA­93 regulates angiogenesis in peripheral arterial disease by targeting CDKN1A.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considered to be critical mediators of gene expression with respect to tumor progression, although their role in ischemia­induced angiogenesis is poorly characterized, including in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of action of specific miRNAs in PAD remains unknown. Reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that microRNA­93 (miR­93) was significantly upregulated in patients with PAD and in the EA.hy926 endothelial cells in response to hypoxia. Additionally, miRNA (miR)­93 promoted angiogenesis by enhancing proliferation, migration and tube formation. Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A), verified as a potential target gene of miR­93, was inhibited by overexpressed miR­93 at the protein and mRNA expression levels. Furthermore, a hind­limb ischemia model served to evaluate the role of miR­93 in angiogenesis in vivo, and the results demonstrated that miR­93 overexpression enhanced capillary density and perfusion recovery from hind­limb ischemia. Taken together, miR­93 was indicated to be a promising target for pharmacological regulation to promote angiogenesis, and the miR­93/CDKN1A pathway may function as a novel therapeutic approach in PAD.

Different doses of folic acid and vitamin B12 to treat rabbits with deep venous thrombosis and hyperhomocysteinemia.

The effects of different doses of folic acid and vitamin B12 on rabbits with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and hyperhomocysteinemia were investigated. In total, 60 New Zealand rabbits were divided into untreated control, low-dose and high-dose groups. After inducing DVT, hemorheology and coagulation indexes were measured 3 and 10 days later. We found that both treatment groups performed better than the control group, and the high-dose performed better than the low-dose. Ten days after thrombosis, the levels of Hcy and D-dimer were lower in the high-dose group. Moreover, the changes of lower extremity deep venous thrombosis were significantly reduced in both high- and low-dose groups, but the high-dose group showed the most improvement. The effective rate of the high-dose group was 100%, higher than the rate in the low-dose and control groups. Overall, high-dose of folic acid and vitamin B12 can significantly improve plasma Hcy, coagulation indexes, and pathological changes in the venous thrombosis of the lower extremity.

Endovascular treatment of bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms using bifurcated-unibody stent grafts.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular treatment of bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms (CIAA) is a promising alternative to open surgical repair. However, endovascular treatment is challenging when the CIAAs have short proximal necks and internal iliac artery needs to be preserved. METHODS/RESULTS: We report a case of a 62-year-old man who presented with bilateral CIAA with short proximal necks, with the right-side aneurysm extended into the internal iliac artery. The aneurysms were successfully excluded by using a bifurcated-unibody stent graft on the left with preservation of its internal iliac artery; a conventional tubular covered stent was used on the right with occlusion of its internal iliac artery. In addition, an aorta-bi-iliac artery stent was used to provide extended proximal landing zones for the iliac stents. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair using an iliac bifurcated-unibody stent graft can be a useful approach for the treatment of CIAAs. An aorta-bi-iliac endograft may also be needed to provide a reliable landing zone when the proximal neck of the iliac aneurysm is short.