Hypomethylation-mediated overexpression of ITGA2 stimulates cell invasion and migration of thyroid carcinoma

Objective. To study the molecular mechanism of DNA methylation-mediated ITGA2 overexpression in thyroid carcinoma (TC). Methods. First, 450K methylation data and mRNA expression profiles in TCGA-THCA dataset were downloaded from TCGA database. ITGA2 was identified as a methylation-driven gene by using R package “MethylMix”. Afterwards, qRT-PCR, western blot and flow cytometry assay were performed to measure ITGA2 expression in TC cells. Methylationspecific PCR was utilized to measure promoter region methylation of ITGA2 in TC cells. Transwell and wound healing assays were carried out to assess cell invasive and migratory properties. Results. Compared with normal cells, TC cells presented significantly increased ITGA2 expression. In addition, ITGA2 expression was controlled by DNA methylation. Hypomethylation of CpG island resulted in an increased ITGA2 expression. Hence, methylation and expression levels of ITGA2 were inversely associated. Moreover, overexpression of ITGA2 and promoter region hypomethylation facilitated cell invasive and migratory abilities in TC. Conclusion. These findings authenticated that promoter region hypomethylation of ITGA2 fostered ITGA2 expression as well as TC cell invasion and migration

MicroRNA-196a-5p targeting LRP1B modulates phenotype of thyroid carcinoma cells

Introduction: Thyroid cancer (TC) is a common endocrine malignancy, comprising nearly one-third of all head and neck malignancies worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated in the malignant progression of multiple cancers; however, their contribution to thyroid diseases has not been fully explored. Material and methods: This study aimed to illustrate the regulatory mechanism of microRNA-196a-5p in TC progression and to investigate whether microRNA-196a-5p affects progression of TC cells by targeting low-density lipoprotein receptor-associated protein 1B (LRP1B). MicroRNA-196a-5p and LRP1B expression status in TC cells and normal human thyroid cells was detected by quantative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, scratch healing assay, and Transwell assay were also performed. Results: The results showed that microRNA-196a-5p expression was up-regulated and LRP1B expression was down regulated in TC cells. In addition, the upregulation of microRNA-196a-5p facilitated progression of TC cells. Silencing microRNA-196a-5p led to the opposite results. Dual-luciferase reporter assay offered evidence for microRNA-196a-5p targeting LRP1B in TC. MicroRNA-196a-5p could target LRP1B to facilitate proliferation, invasion, and migration of TC cells. Conclusion: Overall, this study revealed that microRNA-196a-5p may be a cancer-promoting microRNA that plays an important role in TC progression

Multimodal computed tomography-guided intravenous rtPA for aborted stroke in a HIV-infected young man: a case report

Abstract Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been recognized as a risk factor for both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke among young adults. However, information on the optimal management of HIV patients presenting with presumed acute ischemic stroke within the time window of intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-rtPA) thrombolysis is limited. To the best of our knowledge, the use of multimodal computed tomography (CT)-based imaging to guide acute-phase treatment for patients with HIV infection has never been reported. Case presentation We report the clinical, imaging, and immunological features of a young man suffering from presumed acute ischemic stroke, initially without awareness of the presence of HIV infection. IV-rtPA guided by multimodal CT, including brain CT angiography (CTA) and CT perfusion (CTP), was administered at the emergency department. His symptoms were relieved, and there was no recurrence during the 2-month follow up. Conclusions Mutimodal CT is a valuable and promising tool for the early management of HIV-infected patients, especially for those presenting within the strict thrombolysis time window

Indigenous, Yellow-Feathered Chickens Body Measurements, Carcass Traits, and Meat Quality Depending on Marketable Age

Given an increasing trend in slaughter and chilling for the sale of chickens in China, it is important to determine the marketable age of chickens for chilled sales. This study determined the effects of two marketable ages on the body measurements, carcass traits, and meat quality of yellow-feathered chickens. A total of 360 healthy one-day-old male Xueshan chickens were raised in six pens (straw-covered floor, numbered 1 to 6) and treated in the same manner (free access to food and water) until day 100. Sixty chickens from pens numbered 1 to 3 and 4 to 6 were selected to determine the body measurements, carcass traits, and meat quality at two slaughter ages (90 and 100 days), respectively. One hundred-day-old chickens had a higher body slope, cockscomb, keel, shank lengths, and higher live and dressed weights (p p p < 0.05). These findings indicate that two marketable ages both have pros and cons, but 90 days chickens perform better on carcass appearance, and producers can adjust the marketable age to meet needs of different consumers. This study provides a unique idea and theoretical reference for breeding and marketing yellow-feathered chickens

MicroRNA-873-5p suppresses cell malignant behaviors of thyroid cancer via targeting CXCL5 and regulating P53 pathway

We aimed to examine the roles of microRNA-873-5p and CXCL5 in thyroid cancer (TC) cells. qRT-PCR was adopted to measure the expression levels of CXCL5 mRNA and microRNA-873-5p in TC cells, and western blot was adopted to evaluate the CXCL5 protein expression level. Bioinformatics analysis was done to predict the upstream gene of CXCL5. Dual-luciferase assay was applied to validate the binding relationship of CXCL5 and the upstream regulatory gene. Cell experiments were done to detect the effects of microRNA-873-5p targeting CXCL5 on malignant progression of cancer cells. Western blot was adopted to demonstrate the phosphorylation level of P53 pathway related-proteins. CXCL5 was upregulated in TC cells and tissues. The results of in vitro assays displayed that CXCL5 downregulation dramatically suppressed the malignant behaviors of TC cells. MicroRNA-873-5p suppressed CXCL5 expression, but the suppressive effect of microRNA-873-5p on TC cells was abolished through CXCL5 overexpression. Additionally, microRNA-873-5p could mediate p53 pathway and thereby inhibit the malignant behaviors of TC cells through targeting CXCL5. In summary, we proved that microRNA-873-5p repressed the malignant behaviors of TC cells through targeting CXCL5 and P53 pathway, indicating that microRNA-873-5p can be a biomarker for TC

Constructing a thyroid cancer prognostic risk model based on CD8+ T cell associated genes

Thyroid cancer (TC) is a common and curable endocrine tumor occurring in the head and neck characterized by a low mortality rate compared to other malignancies. In this study, the immune microenvironment of TC was investigated to identify biomarkers. The mRNA and clinical data available in this study were accessed from The Cancer Genome Atlas-Thyroid Cancer (TCGA-THCA) dataset. Differences in immune infiltration levels of TC and normal samples were assessed by CIBERSORT. Thyroid cancer samples were classified into high- and low-abundance groups according to the median abundance of immune cell infiltration, and CD8 + T cells were notably correlated with the survival status. Differential expression analysis was conducted on CD8 + T cells to obtain immune-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Subsequently, a prognostic risk model was established through Cox regression analysis. According to the median risk score, samples in the training set and validation set were assigned to high- and low-risk groups. The survival and ROC curves demonstrated that the model possesses favorable prognostic prediction ability. Furthermore, the results of gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated differences between the high- and low-risk groups in terms of ECM receptor interaction and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathways. The tumor microenvironment of TC samples was evaluated by ESTIMATE, which showed that stromal scores were higher in the high-risk group. Finally, simple-sample GSEA (ssGSEA) was performed on TC samples. The results indicated a higher infiltration level of NK cells in the low-risk group, as well as a lower level in the high-risk group. In terms of immune function-related gene sets, genes related to APC co-inhibition, cytolytic activity, HLA and T cell co-inhibition were observed to present higher expression levels in the low-risk group. In general, this study built a 6-gene prognostic risk assessment model based on CD8 + T cells through bioinformatics analysis, which is expected to be a reference for clinicians to judge the prognosis of TC patients

MiR-222-3p promotes the proliferation, migration and invasion of papillary thyroid carcinoma cells through targeting SLC4A4

Objective. An increasing number of studies indicate that miR-222-3p is upregulated in various cancers and can regulate tumor progression. This study aimed to explore the regulatory mechanism of miR-222- 3p in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods. TCGA database was used to dig differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNAs in PTC tissue. Relevant references were searched to determine target miRNA. StarBase, TargetScan and miRDB were applied to predict mRNAs that had binding sites with the target miRNA. Then, the mRNAs were intersected with differentially downregulated mRNAs in TCGA to determine the target mRNA. qRT-PCR was exerted to evaluate gene expression of miR-222-3p and SLC4A4 in PTC. Western blot was performed out to evaluate the protein expression of SLC4A4 in PTC cells. CCK-8, wound healing assay and cell invasion assay were undertaken to observe the proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities of PTC cells. Dual-luciferase assay was employed to test the binding relationship between miR222-3p and SLC4A4. Results. MiR-222-3p was highly expressed in PTC while SLC4A4 was lowly expressed. Moreover, miR222-3p was able to promote the proliferation, invasion, and migration of PTC cells. SLC4A4 was able to reverse these promotive effects of miR-222-3p. Conclusion. MiR-222-3p can promote the proliferation, migration and invasion of PTC cells through targeting SLC4A4. MiR-222-3p is expected to be a molecular therapeutic target for PTC patients

Halogenated Organic Pollutant Residuals in Human Bared and Clothing-Covered Skin Areas: Source Differentiation and Comprehensive Health Risk Assessment

To comprehensively clarify human exposure to halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) through dermal uptake and hand-to-mouth intake, skin wipe samples from four typical skin locations from 30 volunteers were collected. The total concentration of the target chemicals (24 HFRs and 16 PCBs) ranged from 203 to 4470 ng/m(2). BDE-209 and DBDPE accounted for about 37 and 40% of Sigma(24)HFRs, respectively, and PCB-41 and PCB-110 were the dominant PCB congeners, with proportion of 24 and 10%, respectively. Although exhibiting relatively lower concentrations of contaminants than bared skin locations, clothing-covered skin areas were also detected with considerable levels of HFRs and PCBs, indicating clothing to be a potentially significant exposure source. Significant differences in HFR and PCB levels and profiles were also observed between males and females, with more lower-volatility chemicals in male-bared skin locations and more higher-volatility compounds in clothing-covered skin locations of female participants. The mean estimated whole-body dermal absorption doses of Sigma(8)HFRs and Sigma(16)PCBs (2.9 x 10(-4) and 6.7 x 10(-6) mg/kg.d) were 12 orders of magnitude higher than ingestion doses via hand-to-mouth contact (6.6 x 10(-7) and 3.1 x 10(-7) mg/kg.d). The total noncarcinogenic health risk resulted from whole-body dermal absorption and oral ingestion to Sigma(7)HFRs and Sigma(16)PCBs were 5.2 and 0.35, respectively