MiR-20a-5p represses multi-drug resistance in osteosarcoma by targeting the KIF26B gene

BACKGROUND: Chemoresistance hinders curative cancer chemotherapy in osteosarcoma (OS), resulting in only an approximately 20 % survival rate in patients with metastatic disease at diagnosis. Identifying the mechanisms responsible for regulating chemotherapy resistance is crucial for improving OS treatment. METHODS: This study was performed in two human OS cell lines (the multi-chemosensitive OS cell line G-292 and the multi-chemoresistant OS cell line SJSA-1). The levels of miR-20a-5p and KIF26B mRNA expression were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. KIF26B protein levels were determined by western blot analysis. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: We found that miR-20a-5p was more highly expressed in G-292 cells than in SJSA-1 cells. Forced expression of miR-20a-5p counteracted OS cell chemoresistance in both cell culture and tumor xenografts in nude mice. One of miR-20a-5p's targets, kinesin family member 26B (KIF26B), was found to mediate the miR-20a-5p-induced reduction in OS chemoresistance by modulating the activities of the MAPK/ERK and cAMP/PKA signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to providing mechanistic insights, our study revealed that miR-20a-5p and KIF26B contribute to OS chemoresistance and determined the roles of these genes in this process, which may be critical for characterizing drug responsiveness and overcoming chemoresistance in OS patients

MiR-34a-5p promotes the multi-drug resistance of osteosarcoma by targeting the CD117 gene.

An association has been reported between miR-34a-5p and several types of cancer. Specifically, in this study, using systematic observations of multi-drug sensitive (G-292 and MG63.2) and resistant (SJSA-1 and MNNG/HOS) osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines, we showed that miR-34a-5p promotes the multi-drug resistance of OS through the receptor tyrosine kinase CD117, a direct target of miR-34a-5p. Consistently, the siRNA-mediated repression of CD117 in G-292 and MG63.2 cells led to a similar phenotype that exhibited all of the miR-34a-5p mimic-triggered changes. In addition, the activity of the MEF2 signaling pathway was drastically altered by the forced changes in the miR-34a-5p or CD117 level in OS cells. Furthermore, si-CD117 suppressed the enhanced colony and sphere formation, which is in agreement with the characteristics of a cancer stem marker. Taken together, our data established CD117 as a direct target of miR-34-5p and demonstrated that this regulation interferes with several CD117-mediated effects on OS cells. In addition to providing new mechanistic insights, our results will provide an approach for diagnosing and chemotherapeutically treating OS

Hepatitis C Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors, Anyang, China

Hepatitis C virus screening was conducted among 8,226 residents 25–65 years of age in 4 counties of China; virus prevalence was 0.9%. A subsequent case–control study indicated blood transfusion (odds ratio [OR] 4.55), esophageal balloon examination (OR 3.78), and intravenous injection (OR 5.83) were associated with infection

Evaluating Charitable Crowdfunding based on Storytelling Linguistic Cues: A Narrative Persuasion Perspective

Charitable crowdfunding has become an increasingly popular way for people to seek help from the public. Yet, many charitable crowdfunding campaigns suffer from underfunding. Given that project description is the primary source of information for fundraisers to present their cause to prospective donors, the platform may preemptively assess the success rate of charitable crowdfunding campaigns based on the narrative elements embedded with such description. Furthermore, though prior research about narrative persuasion (i.e., storytelling) has alluded to generic mechanisms (i.e. identifiable character, imaginable plot, and verisimilitude) in eliciting empathic feeling, limited attention has been paid to scrutinizing the effects of narrative elements in driving donation behaviors in charitable crowdfunding. To this end, this study attempts to elucidate how linguistic cues embedded in the project narratives is associated with donation performance in charitable crowdfunding

MicroRNA-200c overexpression inhibits tumorigenicity and metastasis of CD117+CD44+ ovarian cancer stem cells by regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition

BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are believed to be ‘seed cell’ in cancer recurrence and metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can play an important role in the progression of primary tumor towards metastasis by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of miRNA-200c overexpression on the EMT, tumorigenicity and metastasis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) CSCs. METHODS: The EOC CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs were isolated from the human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 by using a magnetic-activated cell sorting system, and the lentivirus miR-200c transduced CSCs were then selected for the study. The assays of colony forming, wound healing, cellular migration in vitro and tumor progression in vivo were performed. RESULTS: The miR-200c expression was reduced in the CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs compared with the non-CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs. However, the stable overexpression of the miR-200c in the CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs resulted in a significant down-regulation of ZEB-1 and the Vimentin expression, an upregulation of the E-cadherin expression as well as a decrease of colony forming, migratory and invasion in vitro. Importantly, the miR-200c overexpression significantly inhibited the CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs xenograft growth and lung metastasis in vivo in nude mice by inhibition of the EMT. In addition, the down-regulation of ZEB-1 showed the same efficacy as the miR-200c overexpression in the CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs. CONCLUSION: These findings from this study suggest that the miR-200c overexpression may be considered a critical approach for the EOC CD117(+)CD44(+)CSCs in clinical trials

The Anyang Esophageal Cancer Cohort Study: Study Design, Implementation of Fieldwork, and Use of Computer-Aided Survey System

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been observed repeatedly in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues. However, the causal relationship between HPV infection and the onset of ESCC remains unknown. A large cohort study focusing on this topic is being carried out in rural Anyang, China. Methodology/Principal Findings: The Anyang Esophageal Cancer Cohort Study (AECCS) is a population-based prospective endoscopic cohort study designed to investigate the association of HPV infection and ESCC. This paper provides information regarding the design and implementation of this study. In particular we describe the recruitment strategies and quality control procedures which have been put into place, and the custom designed computer-aided survey system (CASS) used for this project. This system integrates barcode technology and unique identification numbers, and has been developed to facilitate real-time data management throughout the workflow using a wireless local area network. A total of 8,112 (75.3%) of invited subjects participated in the baseline endoscopic examination; of those invited two years later to take part in the first cycle of follow-up, 91.9 % have complied. Conclusions/Significance: The AECCS study has high potential for evaluating the causal relationship between HPV infection and the occurrence of ESCC. The experience in setting up the AECCS may be beneficial for others planning to initiate simila

Hovendulcisic acid A-D: four novel ceanothane-type triterpenoids from Hovenia dulcis stems with anticancer properties

Sixteen ceanothane-type triterpenoids, including four new compounds—hovendulcisic acids A–D (1–4) —were purified from the stems of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. The structures of 1–4 were confirmed by comprehensive means including ECD and quantum chemical calculations. Putative biosynthetic pathways of 1–16 were proposed, and 3, 5, and 15 exhibited antitumor activity on A549 and MDA-MB-231 cells

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Uptake and the Willingness to Receive the HPV Vaccination among Female College Students in China: A Multicenter Study

Background: This study aimed to determine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake and willingness to receive HPV vaccination among female college students, in China, and its associated factors. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey of female college students across the eastern, central, and western regions of China was undertaken between April and September 2019. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine factors associated with the HPV vaccine uptake and willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. Results: Among the total 4220 students who participated in this study, 11.0% reported having been vaccinated against HPV. There are direct effects of indicators of higher socioeconomic status, older age (β = 0.084 and p = 0.006), and geographical region (residing in Eastern China, β = 0.033, and p = 0.024) on HPV vaccine uptake. Higher knowledge (β = 0.062 and p < 0.000) and perceived susceptibility (β = 0.043 and p = 0.002) were also predictors of HPV vaccine uptake. Of those who had not received the HPV vaccine, 53.5% expressed a willingness to do so. Likewise, social economic status indicators were associated with the willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. Total knowledge score (β = 0.138 and p < 0.001), both perceived susceptibility (β = 0.092 and p < 0.001) and perceived benefit (β = 0.088 and p < 0.001), and sexual experience (β = 0.041 and p = 0.007) had a positive and significant direct effect on the willingness to receive the HPV vaccine, while perceived barriers (β = −0.071 and p < 0.001) had a negative effect on the willingness to receive the HPV vaccine. Conclusions: Geographical region and socioeconomic disparities in the HPV vaccination uptake rate and willingness to receive the HPV vaccine provide valuable information for public health planning that aims to improve vaccination rates in underserved areas in China. The influence of knowledge and perceptions of HPV vaccination suggests the importance of communication for HPV immunization