Circular RNA hsa_circ_0000567 can be used as a promising diagnostic biomarker for human colorectal cancer

Background

Recent studies have revealed that circular RNAs are involved in the biological process of some kinds of human cancers. However, little is known about their diagnostic values and functions in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

The expression levels of hsa_circ_0000567 in 102 paired CRC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues, 5 CRC cell lines, and a normal colorectal epithelial cell line were detected by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The correlations between hsa_circ_0000567 expression levels and the clinicopathological factors of patients with CRC were analyzed. Furthermore, the loss‐of‐function assay was performed to investigate the functions of hsa_circ_0000567 in vitro. Finally, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to evaluate the diagnostic value of hsa_circ_0000567.

Results

Hsa_circ_0000567 expression was significantly downregulated in CRC tissues and CRC cell lines. In addition, the decreased hsa_circ_0000567 expression in CRC was negatively correlated with tumor size (P = .011), lymph metastasis (P = .003), distal metastasis (P < .0001), and tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage (P = .003) in CRC. Moreover, knockdown of hsa_circ_0000567 promoted CRC cells proliferation and migration in vitro. Importantly, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.8653, which indicates hsa_circ_0000567 can serve as a diagnostic biomarker.

Conclusion

Hsa_circ_0000567 may be a novel suppressor and a potential diagnosis biomarker in CRC.

     

Performance Characterization of Broad Band Sustainable Sound Absorbers Made of Almond Skins

In order to limit the environmental impact caused by the use of non-renewable resources, a growing research interest is currently being shown in the reuse of agricultural by-products as new raw materials for green building panels. Moreover, the European directives impose the goal of sustainability supporting the investigation of passive solutions for the reduction of energy consumption. Thus, the promotion of innovative building materials for the enhancement of acoustic and thermal insulation of the buildings is an important issue. The aim of the present research was to evaluate the physical, acoustical, and thermal performances of building panels produced by almond skin residues, derived from the industrial processing of almonds. In this paper different mix designs were investigated using polyvinyl acetate glue and gum Arabic solution as binders. Air-flow resistivity σ and normal incidence sound absorption coefficient α were measured by means of a standing wave tube. Thermal conductivity λ, thermal diffusivity α, volumetric heat capacity ρc were measured using a transient plane source device. Finally, water vapor permeability δ_p was experimentally determined using the dry cup method. Furthermore, a physical characterization of the specimens in terms of bulk density ρ_b and porosity η allowed to study the correlation existing between the binder and the aggregates and the consequent acoustical and hygrothermal behavior occurring on the different mix designs. The achieved results suggested the investigated materials comparable to the main products currently existing on the market.     

钙调蛋白及其突变体与电压门控钠离子通道1.2异亮氨酸-谷氨酰胺基序的结合作用

目的: 探讨在不同钙离子浓度下电压门控钠离子通道（Na_V）1.2与钙调蛋白（CaM）的结合,并分析CaM的钙离子结合位点突变后与Na_V1.2结合能力的变化。方法: 应用PCR技术构建Na_V1.2蛋白片段异亮氨酸-谷胺酰胺（IQ）基序的cDNA,采用QIAGEN点突变技术构建CaM突变体（CaM₁₂、CaM₃₄、CaM₁₂₃₄）,应用牵出（pull-down）试验技术检测有钙（100 nmol/L钙离子浓度）和无钙条件下Na_V1.2 IQ与CaM及其突变体（CaM₁₂、CaM₃₄、CaM₁₂₃₄）的结合情况。结果: CaM与Na_V1.2 IQ在无钙和有钙情况下均可互相结合,而单独重组谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶（GST）不具有与CaM结合的能力。无钙条件下CaM与Na_V1.2 IQ的结合量大于有钙条件下两者的结合量（P < 0.05）;无钙条件下,CaM野生型与Na_V1.2 IQ结合量大于CaM突变体与Na_V1.2 IQ的结合量,其中CaM₁₂₃₄的结合能力在三个突变体中最弱（P < 0.05）。结论: CaM及其突变体对Na_V1.2 IQ的结合具有钙离子依赖性,这一CaM调控Na_V1.2新机制为离子通道疾病研究提供了一定依据。     

环状非编码RNA在眼部疾病中表达研究进展

环状非编码RNA（circRNA）是指一类不具有5’末端帽子和3’末端poly（A）尾巴的一类非编码RNA,其通过共价键形成环形结构,它们可以通过几种不同的机制调节蛋白质的编码。越来越多的研究发现,circRNA在细胞增殖、分化、凋亡、血管生成、免疫调节等多种细胞功能中发挥一定的作用,从而导致多种疾病（如恶性肿瘤、炎症性疾病、神经系统疾病等）的发生。本文综述了circRNA在眼科疾病中的潜在作用和可能机制,以期能够为相关眼科疾病的早期诊断和不同阶段的治疗提供新的思路。     

The cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation for treating patients with gastric antral vascular ectasia refractory to first line endoscopic therapy

Abstract

Objective: This economic evaluation aims to provide a preliminary assessment of the cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) compared with argon plasma coagulation (APC) when used to treat APC-refractory gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) in symptomatic patients.

Methods: A Markov model was constructed to undertake a cost-utility analysis for adults with persistent symptoms secondary to GAVE refractory to first line endoscopic therapy. The economic evaluation was conducted from a UK NHS and personal social services (PSS) perspective, with a 20-year time horizon, comparing RFA with APC. Patients transfer between health states defined by haemoglobin level. The clinical effectiveness data were sourced from expert opinion, resource use and costs were reflective of the UK NHS and benefits were quantified using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) with utility weights taken from the literature. The primary output was the Incremental Cost-Effectiveness Ratio (ICER), expressed as cost per QALY gained.

Results: Over a lifetime time horizon, the base case ICER was £4840 per QALY gained with an 82.2% chance that RFA was cost-effective at a threshold of £20,000 per QALY gained. The model estimated that implementing RFA would result in reductions in the need for intravenous iron, endoscopic intervention and requirement for blood transfusions by 27.1%, 32.3% and 36.5% respectively. Compared to APC, RFA was associated with an estimated 36.7% fewer procedures.

Conclusions: RFA treatment is likely to be cost-effective for patients with ongoing symptoms following failure of first line therapy with APC and could lead to substantive reductions in health care resource.