PLK1 as one novel target for the poor prognosis of bladder cancer: An observational study.

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common male malignant tumors and the most common urological tumor. However, the molecular mechanism and role of PLK1 on bladder cancer were unclear. Therefore, the study aims to explore the potential part of the overall survival of bladder cancer through bioinformatics analysis. GSE121711 and GSE130598, from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The GEO2R screened differently expressed genes, and DAVID and Metascape were used for functional annotation. The cytoHubba made hub genes identification and expression. A total of 50 BC participants were recruited. After surgery, 50 BC tumor samples from BC patients and 50 adjacent standard bladder tissue samples were obtained. The RT-qPCR assay was performed to verify the expression of hub genes. The Kaplan-Meier Plotter analyzed the effect of hub gene expression for overall survival of BC. The compulsory module of Molecular Complex Detection tool analysis was shown, which included CDK1, TTK, AURKB, MELK, PLK1, and BUB1. And the six hub genes were up-regulated in the BC compared with the normal tissues. The relative expression levels of CDK1, TTK, AURKB, MELK, PLK1, and BUB1 were significantly higher in BC samples compared with the regular kidney tissue groups. The result demonstrated that CDK1, TTK, AURKB, MELK, PLK1, and BUB1 might be considered biomarkers for BC. Overall survival analysis showed that BC patients with high expression level of PLK1 had poorer overall survival times than those with low expression level (P < .05). The expression levels of CDK1, TTK, AURKB, MELK, and BUB1 was not related to the overall survival of BC patients (P > .05). The PLK1 gene might provide new ideas and evidence for bladder cancer research.

[KMT2A Activates Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway Through LncRNA-HOTAIR to Influence the Biological Behavior of AML Cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of lysine methyltransferase 2A (KMT2A) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and its molecular mechanism affecting the proliferation of AML cells. METHODS: Co-immunoprecipitation assay was used to detect the binding of KMT2A to long non-coding RNA-HOX transcript antisense RNA (lncRNA-HOTAIR). AML cell proliferation was detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay. RESULTS: The PCR amplification signal of KMT2A group was significantly stronger than that of the negative control group and IgG group (P<0.01). Compared with the negative control group and KMT2A-OE + lncRNA-HOTAIR-KD group, the ratio of EdU+ cells in both KMT2A-OE group and lncRNA-HOTAIR-OE group significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with negative control group, the ratio of EDU+ cells in KMT2A-KD group and lncRNA-HOTAIR-KD group significantly decreased (P<0.01), the expression levels of p-Akt and p-mTOR in both KMT2A-OE group and lncRNA-HOTAIR-OE group significantly increased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: KMT2A can interact with lncRNA-HOTAIR to promote the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, thus promoting the proliferation of AML cells.

Identification and Verification of Biomarker in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma via Bioinformatics and Neural Network Model.

BACKGROUND: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of kidney cancer, which represents the 9th most frequently diagnosed cancer. However, the molecular mechanism of occurrence and development of ccRCC is indistinct. Therefore, the research aims to identify the hub biomarkers of ccRCC using numerous bioinformatics tools and functional experiments. METHODS: The public data was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the differently expressed genes (DEGs) between ccRCC and normal renal tissues were identified with GEO2R. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of the DEGs was constructed, and hub genes were screened with cytoHubba. Then, ten ccRCC tumor samples and ten normal kidney tissues were obtained to verify the expression of hub genes with the RT-qPCR. Finally, the neural network model was constructed to verify the relationship among the genes. RESULTS: A total of 251 DEGs and ten hub genes were identified. AURKB, CCNA2, TPX2, and NCAPG were highly expressed in ccRCC compared with renal tissue. With the increasing expression of AURKB, CCNA2, TPX2, and NCAPG, the pathological stage of ccRCC increased gradually (P < 0.05). Patients with high expression of AURKB, CCNA2, TPX2, and NCAPG have a poor overall survival. After the verification of RT-qPCR, the expression of hub genes was same as the public data. And there were strong correlations between the AURKB, CCNA2, TPX2, and NCAPG with the verification of the neural network model. CONCLUSION: After the identification and verification, AURKB, CCNA2, TPX2, and NCAPG might be related to the occurrence and malignant progression of ccRCC.

Research progress on advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a malignant tumor and the third most common urinary disease. It was estimated that RCC affected over 350,000 individuals in 2013, and there are nearly 140,000 deaths annually due to this disease. The initial masses in RCC patients are mostly confined to a single organ. However, due to the metastatic spread of cancer cells through the circulatory system, more than 30% of RCC patients relapse after surgery. The appearance of distant metastases often means that patients enter the advanced stage of cancer with low quality of life and a short expected survival time. This review aims to describe the extant research on advanced RCC, including its pathophysiology, heterogeneity, diagnosis, treatment, and prospects. We try to highlight the most suitable means of treating advanced RCC patients, focusing on comprehensive personalized treatments.

Progress in the correlation between PTPN12 gene expression and human tumors.

BACKGROUND: The global morbidity of cancer is rising rapidly. Despite advances in molecular biology, immunology, and cytotoxic and immune-anticancer therapies, cancer remains a major cause of death worldwide. Protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 12 (PTPN12) is a new member of the cytoplasmic protein tyrosine phosphatase family, isolated from a cDNA library of adult colon tissue. Thus far, no studies have reviewed the correlation between PTPN12 gene expression and human tumors. METHODS: This article summarizes the latest domestic and international research developments on how the expression of PTPN12 relates to human tumors. The extensive search in Web of Science and PubMed with the keywords including PTPN12, tumor, renal cell carcinoma, proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes was undertaken. RESULTS: More and more studies have shown that a tumor is essentially a genetic disease, arising from a broken antagonistic function between proto-oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. When their antagonistic effect is out of balance, it may cause uncontrolled growth of cells and lead to the occurrence of tumors. PTPN12 is a tumor suppressor gene, so inhibiting its activity will lead directly or indirectly to the occurrence of tumors. CONCLUSION: The etiology, prevention, and treatment of tumors have become the focus of research around the world. PTPN12 is a tumor suppressor gene. In the future, PTPN12 might serve as a novel molecular marker to benefit patients, and even the development of tumor suppressor gene activation agents can form a practical research direction.

Advances in research on the interaction between inflammation and cancer.

Inflammation is the body's response to cell damage. Cancer is a general term that describes all malignant tumours. There are no confirmed data on cancer-related inflammation, but some research suggests that up to 50% of cancers may be linked to inflammation, which has led to the concept of 'cancer-associated inflammation'. Although some cancer patients do not appear to have a chronic inflammatory background, there might be inflammatory cell infiltration in their cancer tissues. The continuation of the inflammatory response plays an important role in the initiation, promotion, malignant transformation, invasion and metastasis of cancer. Anti-inflammatory therapy has been shown to have some effects on the prevention and treatment of cancer, which supports a pathogenic relationship between inflammation and cancer. This review describes the interaction between inflammation and tumour development and the main mechanism of regulation of the inflammatory response during tumour development.

MiR-34c-5p plays a protective role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease via targeting CCL22.

Objective: To study the role of miR-34c-5p targeting CCL22 in affecting the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: The dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was applied to verify the targeting relationship of miR-34c-5p and CCL22. The rats were randomly assigned into Control, COPD, COPD + empty plasmids, COPD + agomir, COPD + CCL22 shRNA and COPD + agomir + CCL22 groups. COPD model was built by using cigarette smoke exposure and LPS instillation. After 28 days, the pulmonary function was examined. ELISA method was used to detect TNF-α and IL-8 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), HE staining and Masson staining to observe the pathomorphological changes of lung tissues, qRT-PCR and/or Western blot to determine miR-34c-5p and CCL22 levels, and immunohistochemical staining to measure the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1. Results: MiR-34c-5p could target CCL22 to down-regulate its expression. Both miR-34c-5p agomir and CCL22 shRNA could reduce breathing frequency (f), airway resistance (RI), and the levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in BALF of COPD rats with increased Cydn (dynamic lung compliance) and PIF (peak inspiratory flow). Besides, the inflammatory cell infiltration, rupture of partial alveolus, enlarged alveolar cavity, and increased deposition of collagen fibers were observed in COPD rat tissues, with rise in mean linear intercept (MLI) and reduction in mean alveolar number (MAN), which could be reversed by miR-34c-5p agomir or CCL22 shRNA. Conclusion: MiR-34c-5p may promote inflammation response and maintain the protease-antiprotease balance via targeting CCL22, which provides scientific basis for the clinical treatment of COPD.

The complete plastid genome sequence of Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Plantaginaceae): an endangered species endemic to The Himalayas regions.

Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) Hong, an endangered perennial species, is endemic to the Eastern Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains. In this study, we have sequenced the complete chloroplast genome of N. scrophulariiflora, which is 152,643 bp in length, including two inverted repeat (IR, 25,829 bp) regions, one large single copy region (LSC) and one small single copy region (SSC) of 83,191 bp and 17,794 bp, respectively. The cp genome has 131 annotated genes, including 86 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and eight rRNA genes. The overall GC content of it is 38.1%. Phylogenetic analysis using total chloroplast genome DNA sequence of 14 species revealed that N. scrophulariiflora was closely relates to two species of Veronica with 100% bootstrap value.

Development, characterization, and cross-amplification of microsatellite markers for Psammosilene tunicoides (Caryophyllaceae).

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Psammosilene tunicoides (Caryophyllaceae) is a narrowly distributed and endemic plant species in southwestern China. The overexploitation of natural P. tunicoides has led to the destruction of many populations. Population and genetic studies will provide crucial data for the protection and management of P. tunicoides. In this study, we develop simple sequence repeat markers of P. tunicoides to analyze population diversity. METHODS AND RESULTS: Microsatellite loci of P. tunicoides were isolated with FIASCO. Eleven polymorphic and 10 monomorphic primers were developed. The 11 polymorphic primers were tested in three P. tunicoides populations, yielding two to nine alleles per locus. Levels of observed heterozygosity varied from 0.000 to 1.000, and levels of expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.000 to 0.615. In addition, three of these loci were successfully amplified, and showed polymorphism, in three Silene species. CONCLUSIONS: These microsatellite markers can be valuable tools to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of P. tunicoides.

Tetrandrine triggers an alternative autophagy in DU145 cells.

Tetrandrine (Tet), a potent lysosomal inhibitor, blocks autophagic flux and induces cancer cell death. Previously, the present authors identified the prostate cancer cell line DU145 to exhibit high sensitivity towards Tet in 11 cancer cell lines. In the present study, autophagy in Tet-treated DU145 cells was investigated. Similar to other cell lines, such as PC-3 and 786-O cells, Tet neutralized the acidity of lysosome and blocked autophagy in DU145 cells. However, Tet failed to induce microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3) conversion in DU145 cells. By contrast, it was observed by transmission electron microscopy that Tet induced an accumulation of autophagosomes in the cytoplasm. These contrasting results indicated that Tet triggered an LC3-independent autophagy in DU145 cells. Alkalizing lysosome with chloroquine enhanced Tet-induced cell death. The results of the present study indicated that detection of autophagy in tumor cells may assist in selecting lysosome inhibitors for chemotherapy treatment in prostate cancer.

Zinc-Mediated C-3 α-Prenylation of Isatins with Prenyl Bromide: Access to 3-Prenyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles and Its Application.

A convenient and highly α-regioselective strategy for the synthesis of 3-prenyl-3-hydroxy-2-oxindoles has been developed starting from isatins and prenylzinc with good to excellent yields. This protocol provides a straightforward and practical way to introduce an α-prenyl moiety into the C-3 position of isatins. The advantages of this reaction are use of the cheap and readily available reagents, operational simplicity, and wide substrate scope. Furthermore, this transformation was applied to the synthesis of several oxindole-containing natural products, which further demonstrated the synthetic utility of this methodology.

[Cloning of ß-actin Gene in Psammosilene tunicoides and Its Role as a Reference Gene].

Objective: To establish a real-time quantitative PCR method to detect Psammosilene tunicoides ß-actin, and to provide a reference gene for the detection of Psammosilene tunicoides genes by q PCR. Methods: Specific primers were designed based on the conserved region of the ß-actin gene( Gen Bank) and were used to amplify ß-actin by PCR. ß-actin was also used as a reference gene in the q PCR analysis of glycosyltransferase gene( UGT) expression in the roots,stems,and leaves of Psammosilene tunicoides. Results: The length of the ß-actin gene amplicon from Psammosilene tunicoides was 153 bp and shared relatively high homology with ß-actin found in Vaccaria segetalis, Myosoton aquaticum and Portulaca oleracea. Furthermore, UGT was revealed to be stably expressed in different Psammosilene tunicoides tissues when ß-actin was employed as the reference gene. Conclusion: ß-actin is a reliable and suitable reference gene for studies on the expression of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis-related genes in Psammosilene tunicoides.

Synthesis of Furo[3,2-c]benzopyrans via an Intramolecular [4 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction of o-Quinonemethides.

An intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction of o-quinonemethides generated from salicylaldehydes and α-prenylated alcohols is described. In the presence of a catalytic amount of benzenesulfonic acid (BSA), the reaction proceeded smoothly in EtOH to afford furo[3,2-c]benzopyrans through a three-bond forming process in moderate to excellent yields with high diastereoselectivity. This reaction provides a simple and straightforward protocol to efficiently construct furo[3,2-c]benzopyran skeletons. A possible mechanism involving hemiacetal formation/hetero-Diels-Alder reaction is proposed to rationalize the observed results.

The relationship between laminoplasty opening angle and increased sagittal canal diameter and the prediction of spinal canal expansion following double-door cervical laminoplasty.

PURPOSE: To clarify the relationship between laminoplasty opening angle (LOA) and the increase in sagittal canal diameter (SCD) in double-door cervical laminoplasty (DDCL) and to predict the increase in SCD using the resulting formula. METHODS: We analyzed 20 patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy who underwent DDCL between September 2010 and January 2013. The pre- and post-operative parameters of the cervical spinal canal were measured by computed tomography. We deduced a formula describing the relationship between LOA and the increase in SCD and used it to predict the increase in SCD of these patients as LOA increased. RESULTS: When the C3-C7 LOA was 25°-45°, the magnitude of the increase in SCD was notable (increases of 3.08-5.6 mm compared with the pre-operative SCD). When the C3-C7 LOA was more than 45°, the magnitude of the increase in SCD was relatively smaller; the increase in C3-C7 SCD with a 55° LOA was merely 0.4 mm more than with a 45° LOA. When LOA was 30° at C3-C6 or 40° at C7, the increase in SCD was more than 4 mm. When the C3-C6 LOA was 40°, SCD increased by more than 5 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The formula accurately showed the relationship between LOA and the increase in SCD in DDCL. Based on the LOA, increases in SCD following C3-C7 laminoplasty can be accurately predicted using this formula. This enables DDCL based on accurate individual LOAs, which prevents inadequate or excessive opening.

[Isolation and diversity analyses of endophytic fungi from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis].

The paper is aimed at studying the diversity of endophytic fungi community from Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis, and to provide a scientific basis for the utilization value of the endophytic fungi as bioactive material resources. In the present study, endophytic fungi were isolated from roots, rhizomes and leaves of wild P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis collected from Baoshan, Heqing county and Songming city of Yunnan province, and identified and classified by morphological methods together with its ITS sequence analysis. Seven and forty-nine strains of endophytic fungi were isolated from P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis. They were identified belonging to 41 genus. In these 41 genus, 3 genus exist in root only, 12 genus only exist in rhizome and 8 genus only exist in leaf. There was difference in endophytic fungi isolated from different sample sites. Endophytic fungi diversity from rhizomes of Heqing site was the highest. Endophytic fungi similarity coefficient was low among different sites and tissues. Based on these results, it is reasonable to propose that endophytic fungi of P. polyphylla var. yannanensis from different tissue and different sample sites has a certain difference which is possibly relate to their different habitats, different structure and composition of each tissue.

[Characterization and thermodynamic properties of Cu(II) imprinted chitosan crosslinked membrane].

A new type of Cu(II)-imprinted chitosan crosslinked membrane (IM Cu(II)-E-CTS) was prepared via molecular imprinting technology, chemical pre-crosslinking and crosslinking methods for treatment of wastewater containing low concentration of copper ion. IM Cu(II)-E-CTS was characterized by porosity, swelling ratio, amino group content, surface morphology, functional group and crystallinity. The thermodynamic properties of Cu (II) adsorption on the as-synthesized membrane at the low concentration (20-70 mg x L(-1)) were studied. It is found that porosity, swelling ratio and amino group contents of IM Cu(II)-E-CTS are 76.9%, 109% and 4.26 mmol x g(-1), respectively. Compared to the pristine chitosan membrane (CTS), 44.0% lower swelling ratio, 528% higher of porosity, 16.5% lower of amino group content are found with IM(Cu) (II)-E-CTS. Compared to crosslinked chitosan membranes (E-CTS), 24.6% higher amino group content is found with IM(Cu) (II)-E-CTS. Compared to CTS and E-CTS, the membrane morphology of IM Cu(II) E-CTS has undergone significant changes, and the internal structure became loose. Compared with CTS, molecular chain of IM Cu(II)-E-CTS is irregular and its crystallinity ability is lowered. IM Cu(II)-E-CTS adsorbs more Cu(II) than that of the other two metal cations [Ni(II) and Zn(II)]. The adsorption of copper ion on IM Cu(II)-E-CTS for 20-70 mg x L(-1) of initial Cu(II) concentration follows the Freundlich adsorption isotherm (R2 > 0.99). The adsorption is a spontaneous, exothermic, and entropy-decreased process.

[Study on treatment of methylene blue wastewater by fly ash adsorption-Fenton and thermal regeneration].

The physicochemical properties of water-washed fly ash (FA) and acid modified fly ash (M-FA) were investigated. The adsorption of methylene blue by FA and M-FA were studied by batch experiments. Two methods, Fenton-drive oxidation regeneration and thermal regeneration, were used for regeneration of the used FA and M-FA. The result showed that the rate of adsorption process followed the second order kinetics and the adsorption followed Langmuir isotherms. The adsorption equilibrium time was 30 min, and the equilibrium adsorption capacity of FA and M-FA were 4.22 mg x g(-1) and 5.98 mg x g(-1) respectively. The adsorption capability of M-FA was higher than that of FA. In the range of pH 2-12, the adsorption capacity of M-FA increased with the increase of pH, whereas the adsorption capacity of FA decreased slowly until the pH 8 and then increased. Electrostatic adsorption was the major factor on the adsorption capacity. Around 61% and 55% percentage regeneration (PR) were obtained for FA and M-FA respectively when 78.4 mmol x L(-1) H2O2 and 0.72 mmol x L(-1) Fe2+ were used. When the condition of thermal regeneration was 400 degrees C and 2 h, a positive correlation can be found between the PRs of FA and regeneration times, the PRs were 102%, 104% and 107% in three cycles of adsorption-thermal regeneration process. However a negative correlation can be found between the PRs of M-FA and regeneration times, the PRs were 82%, 75% and 74% in three cycles of adsorption-thermal regeneration process. The PR of FA was higher than that of M-FA, and thermal regeneration was superior to Fenton-drive regeneration.

[Relationship between skin carotenoid level and metabolic syndrome related indices].

OBJECTIVE: To provide scientific rationales through an analysis of the relationship between skin carotenoid level and metabolic syndrome related indices so as to prevent the occurrences of metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS: A total of 493 cases from December 2010 to December 2011 were recruited to measure the skin carotenoid levels and various laboratory indices of metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Along with the rising risk factors of MS, the skin carotenoid level declined. And there were significant differences between the normal group (n=103), low risk group (n=63), high risk group (n=172) and the MS group (n=155) (40,407±10,961, 28,396±8683, 28,523±8887, 23,303±8887, F=72.704, P<0.01). Gender and skin carotenoid level had an obvious correlation. Males were significantly lower in females (P<0.01). There was no correlation of age and skin carotenoid level (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Skin carotenoid level and metabolic syndrome have a negative correlation. Measurement of skin carotenoid level plays a certain role in the prevention of metabolic syndrome.

[Construction of shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors of pkm2 gene and their effect on drug resistant cell line of acute promyelocytic leukemia].

This study was aimed to construct the shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors of M2-pyruvate kinase gene (pkm2) and to investigate the effects of pkm2 gene interference on the drug resistance of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) cells in vitro. Three specific shRNAs of pkm2 gene were designed and cloned into PBSU6 vector containing a U6 promotor. The constructed plasmids were identified and proved by the restriction sequence analysis. Then the effect of pkm2-shRNA on the protein expression of endogenous PKM2 was detected in NB4R2 cells, a drug resistant cell line of APL by Western blot. The alteration of NB4R2 cell differentiation with the interference of pkm2 gene was also validated by nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test. The results showed that three specific shRNA eukaryotic expression vectors targeting pkm2 were successfully constructed. The efficiency of pkm2 gene silence was proved at protein level. The interference of pkm2 gene could significantly enhance the cell differentiation in the drug resistant NB4R2 cell line. It is concluded that the DNA vector containing pkm2 targeting shRNA remarkably promotes the differentiation of NB4R2 cells, showing the prospects of developing the gene target drug.

[Fly ash-catalyzed oxidation of p-nitro phenol with H2O2].

Fly ash was investigated as a catalyst in the oxidation of p-nitro phenol (PNP) with H2O2 at ambient temperature and pressure. The physical and chemical properties of fly ash were analyzed. The effects of fly ash composition, pretreatment methods and other parameters (such as dosage, pH, reaction time and oxidant concentration) on PNP removal rate were studied. It was found that fly ash with larger specific surface area and higher carbon content demonstrated higher catalytic activity. Heat treatment (350 degrees C) on fly ash could effectively improve the PNP removal rate. With an initial H2O2 concentration of 200 mg/L, 60 g/L heat-treated fly ash could remove 62.38% PNP at 25 degrees C, pH = 2. Specific surface area, carbon and metal oxide contents of fly ash play an important role in the catalysis process. The adsorption control experiment showed that adsorption was the main effect (65.97%) in the catalysis process. The activity of the catalyst gradually increased during its reuse. The PNP removal rate could reach 82.47% and 98.72% in the second and third rounds of reuse, respectively. The removal rate remained at about 99% in the rest 9 rounds of reuse. And the catalytic properties decreased after 12 times uses.