Comprehensive analysis of competitive endogenous RNAs network associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can regulate gene expression directly or indirectly through interacting with microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the role of differentially expressed mRNAs, lncRNAs and miRNAs, and especially their related competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) network in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), is not fully comprehended. In this paper, the lncRNA, miRNA, and mRNA expression profiles of 546 HNSCC patients, including 502 tumor and 44 adjacent non-tumor tissues, from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed. 82 miRNAs, 1197 mRNAs and 1041 lncRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in HNSCC samples (fold change ≥ 2; P < 0.01). Further bioinformatics analysis was performed to construct a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network of HNSCC, which includes 8 miRNAs, 71 lncRNAs and 16 mRNAs. Through survival analysis based on the expression profiles of RNAs in the ceRNA network, we detected 1 mRNA, 1 miRNA and 13 lncRNA to have a significant impact on the overall survival of HNSCC patients (P < 0.05). Finally, some lncRNAs, which are more important for survival, were also predicted. Our research provides data to further understand the molecular mechanisms implicated in HNSCC.

Expression of RUNX2 and MDM21 in rats with periodontitis under chronic intermittent hypoxia.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the expression of RUNX2 and MDM21 in rats with periodontitis under the chronic intermittent hypoxia. METHODS: A total of 32 SD healthy rats were randomly divided into four groups, with 8 rats in each group. The molecular biological techniques of immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and Western blotting were employed to detect the effect of different hypoxia time (0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h) and different concentrations of hypoxia (0.000, 0.001, 0.010, 0.060 and 0.100 ppm) on the expression of RUNX2 and MDM21 in rats of four groups. RESULTS: The expression of RUNX2 and MDM21 in each group was significantly higher than the one at other concentrations when the concentration was 0.010 ppm, with the statistical difference (P < 0.05). The expression of RUNX2 and MDM21 was that normoxic control group > normoxic periodontitis group > hypoxia control group > hypoxia periodontitis group under the action with the concentration of 0.010 ppm for 12 h, but there was no significant difference for the comparison among groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The condition of chronic intermittent hypoxia can reduce the expression of RUNX2 and MDM21 in rats with periodontitis and aggravate the damage of periodontal bone.

Responses of distraction regenerate to high-frequency traction at a rapid rate.

BACKGROUND: Continuous traction is capable of creating an optimal biological environment for bone healing which may finally compensate for the rapid distraction rate in distraction osteogenesis. This study was designed to investigate the response of distraction callus to continuous distraction at a rapid rate using a rabbit model of mandibular lengthening. METHODS: Thirty adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to the intermittent (1 step/d) or continuous distraction (8 steps/s) group, with 15 in each. After osteotomy, manual-driven or autodriven distractor was adapted accordingly. The distraction was activated at a rate of 3.0 mm/d for 4 days. Five rabbits in each group were killed at week 2, week 4, and week 12 of consolidation, respectively. Plain radiography, microcomputed tomography, and histology examinations were used to evaluate the bone regeneration status. RESULTS: Plain radiographs and histologic studies demonstrated more advanced bone healing in continuous distraction group than that in intermittent distraction group at all the examined time points. Quantitative microcomputed tomography analysis showed significantly higher bone volume in continuous distraction group at week 2 (p < 0.01) and week 4 (p < 0.05) of consolidation. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous traction by autodriven distractor could be a promising clinical alternative to shorten the treatment course of distraction osteogenesis. Further studies to test its clinical potential using large animals that have similar metabolic rate and muscular resistance with human being are necessary.

Comparison of gene expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 between continuous and intermittent distraction osteogenesis: a quantitative study on rabbits.

BACKGROUND: Distraction osteogenesis is a controlled surgical procedure that initiates a regenerative process and uses mechanical strain to enhance the biological responses of the injured tissues to create new bone. To explore the effect of high-frequency mechanical traction on the expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), we compared the gene expression of TIMP-1 between continuous and intermittent distraction osteogenesis using a rabbit model of mandibular lengthening. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to the intermittent and continuous distraction groups. A unilateral mandibular osteotomy was performed and a custom-designed manual-driven or auto-driven distractor was bridged over the osteotomy segments. Animals were sacrificed at day-6, day-10, day-14 and day-21 after osteotomy. Samples were examined with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Real-time PCR examination showed significantly higher mRNA levels of TIMP-1 under continuous distraction than that under intermittent distraction at day-6 and day-10. No significant differences were found at day-14 and day-21. CONCLUSION: High-frequency traction provides a good mechanical environment for accelerating bone formation by up-regulating TIMP-1.

(Z)-3-(3-Phenyl-allyl-idene)-1,5-dioxa-spiro-[5.5]undecane-2,4-dione.

In the title compound, C(18)H(18)O(4), the 1,3-dioxane ring adopts a distorted envelope conformation with the C atom common to the cyclo-hexane ring forming the flap. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds occur.

3-[(5-Methyl-furan-2-yl)methyl-ene]-1,5-dioxaspiro-[5.5]undecane-2,4-dione.

There are two crystallographically independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(15)H(16)O(5). In each, the 1,3-dioxane ring is in an envelope conformation with the C atom common to the cyclo-hexane ring forming the flap. The dihedral angles between the five essentially planar [maximum deviations from the least-squares planes of 0.049 (3) and 0.042 (3) Å] atoms of the 1,3-dioxane ring and the furan ring in the two mol-ecules are 7.15 (1) and 6.80 (1)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

N-(1-Naphth-yl)acetoacetamide.

The title compound, C(14)H(13)NO(2), exists in the keto form. An N-H⋯O hydrogen bond helps to establish the packing.

{2,2'-[4-Methyl-4-aza-heptane-1,7-diylbis(nitrilo-methyl-idyne)]diphenolato}zinc(II).

In the title compound, [Zn(C(21)H(25)N(3)O(2))], the Zn(II) atom is five-coordinate from three N donor atoms and two O donor atoms of the dianion ligand in a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal arrangement. Three methyl-ene groups of the ligand are disordered over two orientations in a 0.555 (6):0.445 (6) ratio.

Bis[2-acetyl-3-methyl-pyrazine (2-hydroxy-benzo-yl)hydrazonato]zinc(II) monohydrate.

In the title compound, [Zn(C(14)H(13)N(4)O(2))(2)]·H(2)O, the Zn(II) centre is six-coordinated by four N and two O donors of two 2-acetyl-3-methyl-pyrazine (2-hydroxy-benzo-yl)hydrazonate ligands, and forms a distorted octa-hedral structure.

[Relevance of FcgammaRIIIb genotype, IgG G2m(23) factor to the susceptibility of aggressive periodontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the polymorphism of FcgammaRIIIb genotype, IgG G2m(23) factor and their associations with the susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis. METHODS: DNA of white blood cells and serum from 21 aggressive periodontitis patients and 26 healthy controls was extracted. Genotype of FcgammaRIIIb and phenotype of G2m(23) factor was determined by allele-specific PCR and dot immunobinding assay respectively. RESULTS: The frequency of FcgammaRIIIb-NA1/NA1 genotype in aggressive periodontitis patients was significantly higher than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). The ratio of subjects with FcgammaRIIIb-NA1/NA1 genotype and positive G2m(23) factor was higher in aggressive periodontitis patients (11/21) than in health controls (5/26) (P < 0.05). However, no statistical difference in distribution of G2m(23) factor alone was observed between patients and controls. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that FcgammaRIIIb-NA1/NA1 genotype may be a susceptible genotype to aggressive periodontitis in Chinese population. Subjects with FcgammaRIIIb NA1/NA1 genotype and positive G2m(23) factor may be more susceptible to aggressive periodontitis.