Effects of miR-489 targeting on SOX4 gene on proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

BackgroundHepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors found all over the globe. Despite advances in surgery and chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is still low. It is known that the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells is closely related to the occurrence, development and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma. The present work investigates the expression of microRNA-489 (miR-489) in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its effect on the biological behavior of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.MethodsThe expression of miR-489 by fluorescence quantitative PCR detection in 30 patients with hepatoblastoma of liver cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was studied. Also, the determination of hepatoblastoma in four cell lines with different metastatic potential (HR8348, HCT116, HT29 and HEPG2) and the expression of miR-489 during miR-489 simulation process was studied. MTT assay, flow cytometry and Western blot analysis were performed to know the cell proliferation to detect the changes in cell cycle, apoptosis of cells, and SOX4 gene expression respectively.ResultsRT-PCR results showed that the cells compared with pre-cancerous tissue, the expression level of miR-489 in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues than in adjacent tissue significantly decreased (P<0.05), and with liver cancer cell metastasis increased (P<0.05); analogue transfection constructed miR-489 overexpressing HEPG2 cell line by microRNA. MTT results showed that miR-489 can inhibit the proliferation of HEPG2 cells, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05); flow cytometry results showed that miR-489 mimics was transfected into HEPG2 cells at 48 hours had no significant effect on cell cycle distribution (P > 0.05); but miR-489 expression could induce apoptosis, compared with the control group, the apoptosis of miR-489 mimics was significantly increased and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn conclusion, miR-489 can significantly inhibit the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The mechanism may be down regulated by the expression of SOX4 and inhibit cell proliferation. Further this study showed that the tumor cells SOX4 gene as a regulatory factor target the genes of miR-489 in hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Rat visceral yolk sac cells: viability and expression of cell markers during maternal diabetes

The function of the visceral yolk sac (VYS) is critical for embryo organogenesis until final fetal development in rats, and can be affected by conditions such as diabetes. In view of the importance of diabetes during pregnancy for maternal and neonatal health, the objective of this study was to assess fetal weight, VYS cell markers, and viability in female Wistar rats (200-250 g) with induced diabetes (alloxan, 37 mg/kg) on the 8th gestational day (gd 8). At gd 15, rats from control (n=5) and diabetic (n=5) groups were anesthetized and laparotomized to remove the uterine horns for weighing of fetuses and collecting the VYS. Flow cytometry was used for characterizing VYS cells, and for determining mitochondrial activity, cell proliferation, DNA ploidy, cell cycle phases, and caspase-3 activity. Fetal weight was reduced in the diabetic group. Expression of the cell markers CD34, VEGFR1, CD115, CD117, CD14, CCR2, CD90, CD44, STRO-1, OCT3/4, and Nanog was detected in VYS cells in both groups. In the diabetic group, significantly decreased expression of CD34 (P<0.05), CCR2 (P<0.001), and OCT3/4 (P<0.01), and significantly increased expression of CD90 (P<0.05), CD117 (P<0.01), and CD14 (P<0.05) were observed. VYS cells with inactive mitochondria, activated caspase-3, and low proliferation were present in the rats with diabetes. Severe hyperglycemia caused by maternal diabetes had negative effects on pregnancy, VYS cell viability, and the expression of cell markers.     

Adsorption of miR-218 by lncRNA HOTAIR regulates PDE7A and affects glioma cell proliferation,invasion, and apoptosis

Objective: To evaluate the role of targeted adsorption of miR-218 by long-chain non-coding RNAHOTAIR to regulate PDE7A on glioma cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis. Methods: The expressions of lncRNA HOTAIR, miR-218, and PDE7A in glioma tissues and normal parcancer tissues, NHA and glioma cell lines were determined, and correlations among the three genes were analyzed. The subcellular localization of lncRNA HOTAIR was determined by fluorescent in situ hybridization. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to validate the targeted relationship between lncRNA HOTAIR/miR-218/PDE7A. Glioma cells were grouped to receive intervention of lncRNA HOTAIR or miR-218. MTT, transwell, and flow cytometry were performed to determine the proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis of cells. Results: Compared with the normal tissues and cells, the expression of lncRNA HOTAIR was increased while miR-218 was suppressed in glioma tissues samples and cells (all P<0.05). Inhibition of lncRNA HOTAIR expression, was able to induce apoptosis and suppress the proliferation and invasion of cells (all P<0.05). LncRNA HOTAIR is mainly localized in the cytoplasm, and is able to adsorb miR-218 as ceRNA. The effect of knockdown of HOTAIR on glioma cells could be partially rescued by miR-218 inhibitor. The expression of PDE7A was enhanced in glioma tissues and cells compared to normal tissues and cells (all P<0.05), which positively correlated with the expression of HOTAIR (r=0.546, P<0.05) and negatively correlated with the expression of miR-218 (r=0.363, P<0.05). The targeted relationship between miR-218 and PDE7A was validated: Overexpression of miR-218 was able to suppress the proliferation and invasion of glioma cells and restrain apoptosis compared to the miR-NC group (all P<0.05). The effect of miR-218 on glioma cells could be partially rescued by PDE7A. Conclusion: lncRNA HOTAIR can adsorb miR-218 to regulate expression of PDE7A and promote the malignant biologic behavior of glioma cells.     

The effect of sulfasalazine in pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures in rats

We aimed to reveal the anti-convulsant effects sulfasalazine and its mechanism in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures in rats. Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats (200-250 g) were randomly divided into two groups: 24 for electroencephalography (EEG) recording (group A) and 24 for behavioral studies (group B). About 70 mg/kg PTZ was used for behavioral studies after sulfasalazine administration and 35 mg/kg PTZ was used for EEG recording after sulfasalazine administration. Electrodes were implanted on the dura mater over the left frontal cortex and the reference electrode was implanted over the cerebellum for EEG recording. Racine’s convulsion scale, first myoclonic jerk onset time, spike percentages, brain malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) levels were evaluated between the groups. First myoclonic jerk onset time was significantly shorter in the saline group than both 250 and 500 mg/kg sulfasalazine groups (P<0.05). Racine''s convulsion scores were significantly lower in the 250 and 500 mg/kg sulfasalazine groups than the saline group (P<0.05, P<0.001). The two sulfasalazine groups had lower spike percentages than the saline group (P<0.05). Significantly lower MDA and PGF2α levels were observed in the 250 and 500 mg/kg sulfasalazine groups compared with the saline group (P<0.05, P<0.001, respectively). SOD increased significantly in both sulfasalazine groups compared with the PTZ+saline group (P<0.05). Our study demonstrated that sulfasalazine had protective effects on PTZ-induced convulsions by protecting against oxidative and inflammatory damage associated with PTZ.     

Role of MAPK7 in cell proliferation and metastasis in ovarian cancer

Aim: To investigate the effect of mitogen-activated protein kinase 7 (MAPK7) in ovarian cancer metastasis and to explore its potential mechanism. Methods: pcDNA-MAPK7 and siRNA-MAPK7 vectors were transfected into the human ovarian cell line OVCAR-3 based on gene silencing and overexpression methods. Effects of MAPK7 overexpression and silencing on OVCAR-3 cells proliferation, cell invasion, and migration were analyzed using the MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, Matrigel methods, and Markered methods respectively. In addition, effect of MAPK7 expression on extracellular matrix (ECM) associated protein was detected using Western blot. Results: Compared with the controls, MAPK7 was up-regulated when cells were transfected with pcDNA-MAPK7 plasma, as well as MAPK7 was sliced when cells were transfected with siRNA-MAPK7 plasma (P<0.05). Besides, biological function analysis performed that overexpression of MAPK7 significantly increased OVCAR-3 cell proliferation, invasion, and migration (P<0.05), while these effects were inhibited by MAPK7 silencing (P<0.05). Additionally, MAPK7 overexpression increased type II collagen expression (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference between MAPK7 expression and type I collagen expression (P>0.05). Conclusion: Our data implied the up-regulated MAPK7 might contribute to ovarian cancer metastasis through up-regulating type II collagen expression and then were involved in cell biological processes such as cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. MAPK7 may be a potential therapeutic target in the clinical treatment for ovarian cancer.     

Phenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes in adult coeliac disease.

In coeliac disease immunological abnormalities are not confined to the small bowel and it has been suggested that changes in peripheral blood lymphocytes may predispose to autoimmune or malignant complications. Using dual-colour immunofluorescence with labelled monoclonal antibodies, multiparameter flow cytometry was used to analyse peripheral blood lymphocytes in 32 untreated coeliacs, 29 treated coeliacs and 20 healthy volunteers. When the absolute numbers were considered, a decrease of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ lymphocytes was found in untreated coeliacs compared with treated coeliacs and healthy volunteers. The proportion of CD3+ was significantly higher in untreated coeliacs (P<0.05) than in healthy volunteers. No differences were observed in CD4+, CD8+ and CD19+ subsets between the three groups studied. The proportion of CD3+ CD25+ and CD3+ HLA-DR+ cells were higher in untreated coeliacs (P<0. 001 and P>0.005) and in treated coeliacs (P<0.005 and P<0.05) than in healthy volunteers. On the contrary, natural killer cells and cytotoxic cells were lower in untreated and treated coeliacs than in healthy volunteers. As regards B-cell subsets, the only difference was the increase in FcepsilonR+ B cells in untreated coeliacs. The absolute reduction of peripheral lymphocytes in coeliac disease probably reflects their compartimentalization in intestinal mucosa. The decrease of natural killer cells and cytotoxic cells may be in keeping with the increased prevalence of malignancy in this condition. Finally, the phenotypic changes found in untreated coeliacs indicate T-cell activation.     

High expression of Twist is associated with tumor aggressiveness and poor prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma

Aims: Twist has been reported to play crucial roles for malignant aggressiveness; however, detailed pathological significance of Twist in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is not fully understood. The present study was to clarify clinical significance and molecular functions of Twist in patients with RCC. Methods: Twist expression was examined by immunohistochemical techniques in 156 formalin-fixed specimens. Cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis were measured as the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells (proliferation index, PI), CD31-stained vessels (microvessel density, MVD), and TUNEL-positive cells (apoptotic index, AI). In addition, semi-quantification of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 was performed. Macrophages were identified with anti-CD68 antibody, and the tumor associated macrophage (TAM) density was calculated as CD68-positive cells per high-power field. Results: Twist expression was positively associated with grade, pT stage, and metastasis (p<0.001). We also noticed that its expression was considerably higher in cancer cells of sarcomatoid RCC and in those at the edge of the tumors. Twist expression was positively correlated with PI, MVD, MMP2 expression, and TAM density (P<0.001), but not with AI, and MMP-2 expression and TAM density were independently correlate by multi-variate analyses. Kaplan-Meir survival curves showed high Twist expression was a worse predictor for cause-specific survival (P<0.001). Conclusions: Twist plays important roles in tumor growth, progression, and survival in patients with RCC patients. Such pathological mechanisms are significantly associated with increased cancer cell proliferation, angiogenesis, MMP2 expression, and macrophage recruitment. These findings are important information for discussion of treatment and observation strategies in these patients.     

Bevacizumab induces A549 cell apoptosis through the mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress in vitro

Aims: To observe the effect of bevacizumab on human A549 cells and explore its mechanism. Methods: After different concentrations (0 μM, 1 μM, 5 μM, 25 μM) of bevacizumab treating in A549 cells, CCK8 assay detect the impact of bevacizumab on A549 cell proliferation and flow cytometry determine the effect of bevacizumab on human A549 cells apoptosis. Real-time PCR and Western blotting detect the changing expression of the target gene (CHOP, caspase-4, IRE1, XBP-1) on mRNA and Protein level. Results: Treatment with bevacizumab for 24-hr have induced cell death in a does-dependent manner dramatically (P<0.05). In terms of the mRNA level, expression of XBP-1 has increased obviously in each group (1 μM, 5 μM, 25 μM) (P<0.01); the expression of CHOP (25 μM) and caspase-4 (5 μM) have increased slightly (P<0.05). In terms of the protein level, the expression of CHOP has increased obviously in each group (1 μM, 5 μM, 25 μM) when compared with the control group (0 μM) (P<0.05). As for caspase-4 (5 μM, 25 μM), the expression have increased slightly when compared with the control group (0 μM) (P<0.05). Conclusion: Bevacizumab can induce A549 cell apoptosis through the mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress.     

Alterations in lymphocyte phenotype and function in children with shigellosis who develop complications.

This study was designed to see whether alterations occur in peripheral blood mononuclear cell phenotype and function in children with Shigella dysenteriae 1 infection with complications (leukemoid reaction and/or hemolytic-uremic syndrome) and whether there are any alterations prior to the development of complications. The following groups of children (ages, 12 to 60 months) were compared: children without any infection (n = 51), children with uncomplicated shigellosis (n = 65), children admitted with complicated shigellosis (leukemoid reaction and/or hemolytic-uremic syndrome) (n = 29), and children with shigellosis who developed complications after enrollment (subsequently complicated shigellosis) (n = 12). Tests for the peripheral blood mononuclear cell phenotype (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD57 [corrected], CD20, and CD25), spontaneous proliferation, and the proliferative response to phytohemagglutinin, pokeweed mitogen, and the lipopolysaccharide of S. dysenteriae 1 were performed, as were skin tests for delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH). Children who subsequently developed complications differed from other groups of children as follows: (i) the numbers of CD3+ and CD4+ cells were lower than in uninfected children (P < 0.05), (ii) the CD4/CD8 ratio was lower than in children with uncomplicated shigellosis (P < 0.05) and in uninfected children (P < 0.05), and (iii) the levels of spontaneous proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were higher and DTH responses were lower than those in children with uncomplicated shigellosis (P < 0.05 and P < 0.017, respectively). Children with complications differed by having (i) increased numbers of CD3- CD57- [corrected] CD20- cells (P < 0.05) compared with those in other groups of children and (ii) lower CD4/CD8 ratios (P < 0.05), higher levels of spontaneous proliferation (P < 0.05), and lower DTH responses (P = 0.005) than children with uncomplicated shigellosis. Three to five days after enrollment, the number of CD4+ cells increased in children who subsequently developed complications (P = 0.025), i.e., when they developed complications and at this time their CD4+ cell number was similar to that of other groups of children. Thus, lymphocyte phenotype and function are altered prior to the development of complications in children with shigellosis, and once complications develop, the pattern of alterations changes. Whether these alterations have a role in precipitating complications or whether they reflect early events underlying the development of complications remains to be elucidated.     

Association between interferon gamma 13-CA-repeats polymorphism and metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a population of Northern China

Interferon Gamma gamma (IFN-γ) 13-CA-repeats polymorphism is associated with a variety of diseases; here we report its association with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) metastasis in a retrospective analysis of a cohort of 220 NPC patients in the northern China. The results showed that the distributions of CA13-/CA13-genotypes were significantly higher in the patients with lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) and distant metastasis (P<0.001); there was a significant difference between NPC patients with stage I+II and those with stage III+IV regarding CA13+/CA13-(P<0.001) and CA13-/CA13- genotypes (P<0.001); further analysis showed a more pronounced difference between NPC patients with stage I+II+III and those with stage IV for CA13-/CA13-genotype (P<0.001), whereas no difference was found for CA13+/CA13- genotype (P=0.790). Thus, we identify that IFN-γ 13-CA-repeat polymorphism is significantly associated with the metastasis of NPC, which may provide insights into its prognosis and individualized treatment.     

Expression of lncRNA NEAT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and its correlation with Th1/Th2 balance

Objective: This study explored and analyzed the expression of LncRNA NEAT1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its correlation with Th1/Th2 balance. Methods: We chose 97 SLE patients admitted in our hospital from Jun. 2016 to Feb. 2019 as SLE group, and randomly selected 50 healthy volunteers that underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period as control group. We detected the expression of LncRNA NEAT1 in PBMCs of the two groups of subjects by qRT-PCR, the degree of Th1 and Th2 cells in both groups by flow cytometry, and the expression of TFN-γ and IL-4 in both groups by ELISA. Results: The relative expression of LncRNA NEAT1 in PBMCs of SLE group was higher than that of control group (P<0.05). The proportion of Th1 and the ratio of Th1/Th2 cells in PBMCs were markedly lower in the SLE group than the control group (P<0.05), while the proportion of Th2 was higher in the SLE group than the control group (P<0.05). IFN-γ level in SLE group was much lower than the control group (P<0.05), while IL-4 level was evidently higher in the SLE group than in controls (P<0.05). The expression of LncRNA NEAT1 in PBMCs of SLE group was notably negatively correlated with Th1 proportion and Th1/Th2 ratio (P<0.05), while positively correlated with Th2 proportion (P<0.05). Conclusion: LncRNA NEAT1 in PBMCs of SLE patients is abnormally highly expressed, and this expression is negatively correlated with Th1/Th2 balance. These two factors may interact and jointly affect the occurrence and progression of SLE.     

Propofol inhibits burn injury-induced hyperpermeability through an apoptotic signal pathway in microvascular endothelial cells

Recent studies have revealed that an intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascade is involved in vascular hyperpermeability and endothelial barrier dysfunction. Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol) has also been reported to inhibit apoptotic signaling by regulating mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and caspase-3 activation. Here, we investigated whether propofol could alleviate burn serum-induced endothelial hyperpermeability through the inhibition of the intrinsic apoptotic signaling cascade. Rat lung microvascular endothelial cells (RLMVECs) were pretreated with propofol at various concentrations, followed by stimulation with burn serum, obtained from burn-injury rats. Monolayer permeability was determined by transendothelial electrical resistance. Mitochondrial release of cytochrome C was measured by ELISA. Bax and Bcl-2 expression and mitochondrial release of second mitochondrial-derived activator of caspases (smac) were detected by Western blotting. Caspase-3 activity was assessed by fluorometric assay; mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m) was determined with JC-1 (a potential-sensitive fluorescent dye). Intracellular ATP content was assayed using a commercial kit, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were measured by dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Burn serum significantly increased monolayer permeability (P<0.05), and this effect could be inhibited by propofol (P<0.05). Compared with a sham treatment group, intrinsic apoptotic signaling activation - indicated by Bax overexpression, Bcl-2 downregulation, Δψ_m reduction, decreased intracellular ATP level, increased cytosolic cytochrome C and smac, and caspase-3 activation - was observed in the vehicle group. Propofol not only attenuated these alterations (P<0.05 for all), but also significantly decreased burn-induced ROS production (P<0.05). Propofol attenuated burn-induced RLMVEC monolayer hyperpermeability by regulating the intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathway.     

Cyst infection in hospital-admitted autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease patients is predominantly multifocal and associated with kidney and liver volume

Positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has improved cyst infection (CI) management in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The determinants of kidney and/or liver involvement, however, remain uncertain. In this study, we evaluated clinical and imaging factors associated with CI in kidney (KCI) and liver (LCI) in ADPKD. A retrospective cohort study was performed in hospital-admitted ADPKD patients with suspected CI. Clinical, imaging and surgical data were analyzed. Features of infected cysts were evaluated by PET/CT. Total kidney (TKV) and liver (TLV) volumes were measured by CT-derived multiplanar reconstruction. CI was detected in 18 patients who experienced 24 episodes during an interval of 30 months (LCI in 12, KCI in 10 and concomitant infection in 2). Sensitivities of CT, magnetic resonance imaging and PET/CT were 25.0, 71.4, and 95.0%. Dysuria (P<0.05), positive urine culture (P<0.01), and previous hematuria (P<0.05) were associated with KCI. Weight loss (P<0.01) and increased C-reactive protein levels (P<0.05) were associated with LCI. PET/CT revealed that three or more infected cysts were present in 70% of the episodes. TKV was higher in kidney-affected than in LCI patients (AUC=0.91, P<0.05), with a cut-off of 2502 mL (72.7% sensitivity, 100.0% specificity). TLV was higher in liver-affected than in KCI patients (AUC=0.89, P<0.01) with a cut-off of 2815 mL (80.0% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity). A greater need for invasive procedures was observed in LCI (P<0.01), and the overall mortality was 20.8%. This study supports PET/CT as the most sensitive imaging method for diagnosis of cyst infection, confirms the multifocal nature of most hospital-admitted episodes, and reveals an association of kidney and liver volumes with this complication.     

Comparison of percutaneous microwave ablation and laparoscopic resection in the prognosis of liver cancer

The effect of percutaneous microwave ablation and laparoscopic resection on the prognosis of liver cancer was investigated. Ninety patients with liver cancer treated at our hospital from March 2010 to March 2012 were divided into group A and group B (n=45) by using a random number table, and the surgical conditions and the prognosis were compared. The surgical conditions of patients in group A were significantly better than those in group B (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in group A was 6.67%, which was obviously lower than that of group B (P<0.05). The local recurrence rate of group A was 20.00%, and that of group B was 8.89%, which showed a significant difference (P<0.05). The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of either total recurrence rate (P>0.05) or 1-year, 2-year and 3-year survival (P>0.05). Both percutaneous microwave ablation and laparoscopic resection had a good long-term efficacy in liver cancer. However, percutaneous microwave ablation was superior as it caused less invasiveness, reduced the incidence of complications and improved prognosis of liver cancer.     

5-Aza-CdR can reverse gefitinib resistance caused by DAPK gene promoter methylation in lung adenocarcinoma cells

To explore the relationship between death associated protein kinase (DAPK) gene promoter methylation and gefitinib resistance in Lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. EGFR-mutation lung adenocarcinoma cell lines PC9 and the gefitinib-resistant with T790M Mutation cell lines PC9/GR were chosen as cell models, and PC9/GR were treated with 5-aza-CdR (1 μmol/L). The experiments were divided into three groups: PC9 group, PC9/GR group and PC9/GR with 5-Aza-CdR pretreatment group. Treat three groups cell with different concentrations gefitinib, the cell proliferation was determined by MTT assay. The apoptotic rates were detected by flow cytometry. The methylation of DAPK gene promoter region was examined by methylation-specific PCR (MSP). The expressions of DAPK protein were detected by Western blot. MTT results showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of PC9 and PC9/GR cell lines increase from 0.12 μmol/L to 8.52 μmol/L. But after treated with 5-aza-CdR, the IC50 of PC9/GR cell lines decrease to 4.35 μmol/L, and the resistance index (RI) decrease from 71 to 36 (P<0.05). Flow cytometry results showed that the apoptosis rate were 24.80%±0.28%, 12.70%±0.31%, 19.8%±0.15% respectively. MSP results showed that DAPK gene promoter region was un-methylated in PC9 cells and methylated in PC9/GR cells, when treated with 5-aza-CdR, DAPK gene promoter region was partly methylated in PC9/GR cells (P<0.05). Western blot results showed that the levels of DAPK protein were reduced significantly in PC9/GR cell lines compared with PC9, and after treated with 5-aza-CdR, the expression levels of DAPK protein in PC9/GR were increased (P<0.05). In conclusion, DAPK gene promoter methylation may contribute to the downregulation of DAPK gene and protein, and consequently affect the sensitivity of gefitinib in lung adenocarcinoma lines, induced gefitinib resistance. But 5-Aza-CdR can reverse gefitinib resistance by demethylation of DAPK gene promoter.     

Intercostal and forearm muscle deoxygenation during respiratory fatigue in patients with heart failure: potential role of a respiratory muscle metaboreflex

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of respiratory muscle fatigue on intercostal and forearm muscle perfusion and oxygenation in patients with heart failure. Five clinically stable heart failure patients with respiratory muscle weakness (age, 66±12 years; left ventricle ejection fraction, 34±3%) and nine matched healthy controls underwent a respiratory muscle fatigue protocol, breathing against a fixed resistance at 60% of their maximal inspiratory pressure for as long as they could sustain the predetermined inspiratory pressure. Intercostal and forearm muscle blood volume and oxygenation were continuously monitored by near-infrared spectroscopy with transducers placed on the seventh left intercostal space and the left forearm. Data were compared by two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni correction. Respiratory fatigue occurred at 5.1±1.3 min in heart failure patients and at 9.3±1.4 min in controls (P<0.05), but perceived effort, changes in heart rate, and in systolic blood pressure were similar between groups (P>0.05). Respiratory fatigue in heart failure reduced intercostal and forearm muscle blood volume (P<0.05) along with decreased tissue oxygenation both in intercostal (heart failure, -2.6±1.6%; controls, +1.6±0.5%; P<0.05) and in forearm muscles (heart failure, -4.5±0.5%; controls, +0.5±0.8%; P<0.05). These results suggest that respiratory fatigue in patients with heart failure causes an oxygen demand/delivery mismatch in respiratory muscles, probably leading to a reflex reduction in peripheral limb muscle perfusion, featuring a respiratory metaboreflex.     

Effects of exercise training on autonomic modulation and mood symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea

We evaluated the effects of exercise training (ET) on the profile of mood states (POMS), heart rate variability, spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and sleep disturbance severity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Forty-four patients were randomized into 2 groups, 18 patients completed the untrained period and 16 patients completed the exercise training (ET). Beat-to-beat heart rate and blood pressure were simultaneously collected for 5 min at rest. Heart rate variability (RR interval) was assessed in time domain and frequency domain (FFT spectral analysis). BRS was analyzed with the sequence method, and POMS was analyzed across the 6 categories (tension, depression, hostility, vigor, fatigue, and confusion). ET consisted of 3 weekly sessions of aerobic exercise, local strengthening, and stretching exercises (72 sessions, achieved in 40±3.9 weeks). Baseline parameters were similar between groups. The comparisons between groups showed that the changes in apnea-hypopnea index, arousal index, and O₂ desaturation in the exercise group were significantly greater than in the untrained group (P<0.05). The heart rate variability and BRS were significantly higher in the exercise group compared with the untrained group (P<0.05). ET increased peak oxygen uptake (P<0.05) and reduced POMS fatigue (P<0.05). A positive correlation (r=0.60, P<0.02) occurred between changes in the fatigue item and OSA severity. ET improved heart rate variability, BRS, fatigue, and sleep parameters in patients with OSA. These effects were associated with improved sleep parameters, fatigue, and cardiac autonomic modulation, with ET being a possible protective factor against the deleterious effects of hypoxia on these components in patients with OSA.     

Efficient Inhibition of Ovarian Cancer by Gelonin Toxin Gene Delivered by Biodegradable Cationic Heparin-polyethyleneimine Nanogels

The use of toxins for cancer therapy has great promise. Gelonin, a potent plant toxin, causes cell death by inactivating the 60S ribosomal subunit. Recently, we developed a novel gene delivery system using biodegradable cationic heparin-polyethyleneimine (HPEI) nanogels. In the current study, the antitumor activity of a recombinant plasmid expressing gelonin (pGelonin) on human ovarian cancer was assessed. The application of HPEI nanogels, was also evaluated. Gelonin-cDNA was cloned into the pVAX1 plasmid vector and transfected into SKOV3 human ovarian cancer cells using biodegradable cationic HPEI nanogels. The expression of gelonin in vitro and in vivo was confirmed using RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined using an MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis. For the in vivo study, an SKOV3 intraperitoneal ovarian carcinomatosis model was established, and nude mice were randomly assigned into four groups receiving i.p. administration of pGelonin/HPEI complexes, pVAX/HPEI complexes, HPEI alone and 5% glucose solution. The tumor weight was monitored, and a TUNEL assay and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate apoptosis and cell proliferation in the tumor tissue sections, respectively. Gelonin was efficiently expressed in SKOV3 cancer cells in vitro and in vivo using pGelonin incorporated with HPEI nanogels. The pGelonin/HPEI complexes inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis in the cell culture. Treatment for intraperitoneal carcinomatosis with pGelonin/HPEI complexes reduced the tumor weight by ~58.55% compared to the control groups (P<0.05). The antitumor effect was accompanied by increased apoptosis and reduced cell proliferation (P<0.05). No significant side effects were observed with i.p. administration of the pGelonin/HPEI complexes. Our data indicate that HPEI nanogel-delivered pGelonin may have promising applications against human ovarian cancer.     

Ulinastatin Preconditioning Attenuates Inflammatory Reaction of Hepatic Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in Rats via High Mobility Group Box 1(HMGB1) Inhibition

Objective It has been found that ulinastatin (UTI) can attenuate hepatic injury in a rat model of ischemia reperfusion (IR), but the specific mechanism is unclear. This study aims to investigate possible pathomechanism of ulinastatin in reducing the inflammatory response after hepatic IR.Methods A male sprague-dawley(SD) rat model of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury was used. The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups on average, which were 0.9% saline and IR group as control, ulinastatin preconditioning (UPC) group, UPC+rHMGB1 (recombinant HMGB1) group and UPC +anti-HMGB1 group. Serum aminotransferases, TNF-α, IL-1 and Myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were measured. Histopathology examination and apoptotic cell detection and the different expression of HMGB1 protein were also assessed.Results Serum levels of aminotransferases, cytokines and hepatic MPO in UPC and UPC+anti-HMGB1 groups were significantly lower than those in control group (p<0.05). Decreased histologic damage and apoptosis were also seen in these two groups (p<0.05).Conclusions HMGB1 expressions in UPC and UPC+anti-HMGB1 groups were significantly lower than those in the two control groups (p<0.05), pretreatment with ulinastatin attenuated liver IR injury by reducing HMGB1 expression through its anti-inflammatory effects.