Potential Repressive Impact of microRNA-20a on Renal Tubular Damage in Diabetic Kidney Disease by Targeting C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 6.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 6 (CXCL6) is an important chemokine. We attempt in this investigation to explore its role and possible mechanism in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: By intergrating GEO data, CXCL6 expression in DKD patients and normal controls was exhibited. miRWalk website and luciferase reporter assay were used to predict and verify the upstream miRNA of CXCL6. CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were performed to detect proliferation and apoptosis capacities. The levels of inflammatory key factors (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8) were measured using ELISA analysis. Expression of CXCL6, miR-20a, and JAK/STAT3 pathway-related markers were detected by qRT-PCR or western blot assays. RESULTS: CXCL6 was increased in DKD. miR-20a was identified as an upstream regulatory miRNA of CXCL6, and its expression was decreased in DKD and HG-treated HK-2 cells. miR-20a overexpression facilitated the proliferation of HG-treated HK-2 cells, whereas miR-20a depletion exhibited the opposite phenomenon. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 were increased by HG treatment in HK-2 cells. CXCL6 antagonized the promoting impacts of miR-20a mimics on HG-exposed HK-2 cell proliferation. The suppressive effect of miR-20a overexpression on apoptosis and inflammatory response of HG-induced HK-2 cell was rescued by CXCL6 enhancement. The protein expression of p-JAK and p-STAT3 were reduced by miR-20a mimic while facilitated by CXCL6 overexpression in HG-stimulated HK-2 cells. CONCLUSION: These consequences hinted that miR-20a might exert a repressive impact on DKD, possibly through targeting CXCL6 and mediating JAK/STAT3 pathway, which offer new targets for DKD treatment.

Clinical application of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision using the intersphincteric approach through the sacrococcygeal incision for treating patients with rectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer causing death in Western countries; laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has many advantages and thus has been used widely. Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision through the sacrococcygeal incision under direct visualization to excise distal rectal cancer is an important procedure for super-low rectal carcinomas. AIM: To investigate the feasibility of mesorectal excision and super-low rectal carcinoma excision using the intersphincteric approach through the sacrococcygeal incision. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From December 2009 to June 2017, intersphincteric resection was performed through the sacrococcygeal incision; the mesentery was excised in 27 patients with rectal cancer and a contracted pelvis (the lower edge of the tumor was 4 to 7 cm to the anal verge) through laparoscopy in the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of our hospital. RESULTS: No death was recorded during surgery. The surgical time ranged from 190 to 310 min, the bleeding volume was 50 to 150 ml, and the post-surgical length of stay was 6 to 19 days. There were three cases of anastomotic fistulas, one case of anastomotic stenosis, and one case of fecal incontinence. Follow-up visits were scheduled for 19 patients, with a mean time of 37 months, ranging from 3 to 92 months; one case of local recurrence, one case of peritoneal metastasis, and two cases of hepatic metastasis were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision using the intersphincteric approach through the sacrococcygeal incision is feasible for treating patients with a contracted pelvis and super-low rectal carcinoma.

[Effects of alternative furrow irrigation and nitrogen application rate on photosynthesis, growth, and yield of cucumber in solar greenhouse].

This paper studied the effects of alternative furrow irrigation and nitrogen (N) application rate (no N, optimal N, and conventional N) on the photosynthesis, growth characteristics, yield formation, and fruit quality of cucumber (Cucumis sativus) cultivar Jinyu No. 5 in a solar greenhouse in winter-spring growth season and autumn-winter season. Under alternative furrow irrigation, the net photosynthetic rate of upper, middle, eand lower leaves was appreciably lower and the transpiration rate decreased significantly, and the transient water use efficiency of upper and middle leaves improved, as compared with those under conventional irrigation. Stomatal factor was the limiting factor of photosynthesis under alternative furrow irrigation. The photosynthesis and transient water use efficiency of functional leaves under alternative furrow irrigation increased with increasing N application rate. Comparing with conventional irrigation, alternative furrow irrigation decreased leaf chlorophyll content and plant biomass, but increased root biomass, root/shoot ratio, and dry matter allocation in root and fruit. The economic output under alternative furrow irrigation was nearly the same as that under conventional irrigation, whereas the water use efficiency for economic yield increased significantly, suggesting the beneficial effects of alternative furrow irrigation on root development and fruit formation. With the increase of N application rate, the leaf chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a/b, specific leaf mass, plant biomass, economic yield, and fruit Vc and soluble sugar contents under alternative furrow irrigation increased, but no significant difference was observed between the treatments optimal N and conventional N. N application had little effects on the water use efficiency for economic yield. The economic yield and biomass production of the cucumber were significantly higher in winter-spring growth season than in autumn-winter growth season.