Inhibitory effects of adenovirus mediated tandem expression of RhoA and RhoC shRNAs in HCT116 cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>RhoA and RhoC are deregulated by over expression in many human tumors, including colorectal cancer. Some reports show that they play a pivotal role in the carcinogenesis, tumor development and infiltration metastasis. In this study, for the first time we constructed recombinant adenovirus to investigate the inhibitory effects of RhoA and RhoC shRNAs in tandem expression on the cell proliferation and invasion of colorectal cancer HCT116 cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The recombinant adenovirus carrying RhoA and RhoC shRNAs in tandem expression was transfected into HCT116. The mRNA transcription and protein expressions of RhoA and RhoC were examined by RT-FQPCR and Western blot respectively. Cellular proliferation inhibitory activity was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay and invasive and migrating potential was detected through in vitro Matrigel coated invasion and migration assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Both mRNA and proteins Levels of RhoA and RhoC were significantly reduced in HCT116 cells transfected with Ad-A1+A2+C1+C2 than those in Ad-HK group and control one. The relative RhoA and RhoC mRNA transcriptions were decreased to 40% and 36% (P < 0.05), while proteins expression reducing 42% and 35%, respectively (P < 0.05). Growth curves analysis showed that alive cell number in the Ad-A1+A2+C1+C2 group was lower than others in the third to sixth day and transwell chamber analysis showed that migration/invasion activity was significantly suppressed in Ad-A1+A2+C1+C2 group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results indicate recombinant adenovirus carrying RhoA and RhoC shRNAs in tandem expression may inhibit the growth and invasion of HCT116 cells. Application of such vector to inhibit one or more genes may be a new method to cancer therapy.</p

MicroRNA Dysregulation in the Spinal Cord following Traumatic Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers a multitude of pathophysiological events that are tightly regulated by the expression levels of specific genes. Recent studies suggest that changes in gene expression following neural injury can result from the dysregulation of microRNAs, short non-coding RNA molecules that repress the translation of target mRNA. To understand the mechanisms underlying gene alterations following SCI, we analyzed the microRNA expression patterns at different time points following rat spinal cord injury

An Observational Overview of Solar Flares

We present an overview of solar flares and associated phenomena, drawing upon a wide range of observational data primarily from the RHESSI era. Following an introductory discussion and overview of the status of observational capabilities, the article is split into topical sections which deal with different areas of flare phenomena (footpoints and ribbons, coronal sources, relationship to coronal mass ejections) and their interconnections. We also discuss flare soft X-ray spectroscopy and the energetics of the process. The emphasis is to describe the observations from multiple points of view, while bearing in mind the models that link them to each other and to theory. The present theoretical and observational understanding of solar flares is far from complete, so we conclude with a brief discussion of models, and a list of missing but important observations.Comment: This is an article for a monograph on the physics of solar flares, inspired by RHESSI observations. The individual articles are to appear in Space Science Reviews (2011

Expression of RhoA and RhoC in colorectal carcinoma and its relations with clinicopathological parameters

Background: Ras homologous (Rho) family GTPases play a pivotal role in the regulation of numerous cellular functions associated with malignant transformation and metastasis. To evaluate the role of these GTPases in colorectal cancer, the mRNA expression levels in matched sets of tumor and non-tumor tissues from surgical specimens were analyzed. The relationship between the mRNA levels in tumor tissues to the clinicopathological features was also assessed. Methods: A total of 68 patients with colorectal carcinoma were recruited and the levels of RhoA and RhoC mRNA transcripts in cancer, paratumoral and normal tissues were characterized by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (QRT-PCR). Their correlation to clinical histopathological parameters was analyzed. Results: The levels of RhoA and RhoC mRNA transcripts in carcinoma tissues were significantly higher than those in the matched paratumor and normal tissues from the same patient (p&#60;0.05). The expression levels of both genes were significantly correlated with metastasis of cancer cells to lymph nodes and liver (p&#60;0.05). The levels of RhoA expression were significantly correlated with the histopathological degree of cancer, while the expression of RhoC was correlated with the extent of local invasion to intestine. Conclusions: This is the first study with QRT-PCR to examine the expressions of RhoA and RhoC genes in colorectal carcinoma of Chinese patients. The significantly up-regulated RhoA and RhoC expressions suggest that they may contribute to the initiation, development, invasion and metastasis of colorectal carcinoma in Chinese patients. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:811–7.Peer Reviewe

Application of steel slag composite grout for strengthening expressway photovoltaic slope

Steel slag composite grout (SSCG) was prepared by a large amount of steel slag (SS) to reinforce expressway photovoltaic (PV) slopes and reduce carbon emission. Laboratory tests were conducted to investigate SSCG properties, including flowability, effective water-solid ratio (W/S), stone rate, initial and final setting time, as well as flexural strength (FS), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), FS/UCS ratio and microstructure of SSCG stone body. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC, 42.5) and sulphoaluminate cement (SAC, 42.5) grouts were selected to make contrasts. Based on the performance results, the recommended SSCG composition for engineering application is 40 % SS + 25 % blast furnace slag (BFS) + 20 % silicate cement clinker (CC) + 10 % fly ash (FA) + 5 % flue gas desulfurisation gypsum (FGDG). and the recommended admixture is: 6 % AA + 2 % bentonite + 0.4 % FND-C. With the above SSCG and related grouting techniques for slope soils, the soil cohesion was increased by 7.3–12.2 % and the angle of internal friction was increased by 10.2–19.7 %. To further validate the beneficial effects of SSCG on slope stability and the safe application of PV systems, numerical modelling calculations were conducted based on the soil sample test results. The simulations demonstrated the positive effect of SSCG in enhancing slope stability and facilitating the secure installation of PV systems on expressway slopes. The successful operation of grid-connected PV systems provided compelling evidence for the technical applicability of SSCG and it contributed to the application feasibility of PV systems to expressway slopes. The innovative use of SSCG in this study not only ensures the safety of construction projects but also contributes to environmental sustainability through the application of industrial slags

TA allele of rs2070673 in the CYP2E1 gene is associated with lobular inflammation and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in patients with biopsy-proven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Background Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) plays a role in lipid metabolism, and by increasing hepatic oxidative stress and inflammation, the up-regulation of CYP2E1 is involved in development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). We aimed to explore the relationship between CYP2E1-333A&gt;T (rs2070673) and the histological severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods We studied 438 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD. NASH was defined as NAFLD Activity Score ≥5 with existence of steatosis, ballooning and lobular inflammation. CYP2E1-333A&gt;T (rs2070673) was genotyped by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Serum cytokines related to inflammation were measured by the Bio-plex 200 system to investigate possible mediating factors involved in the process. Results TA genotype of rs2070673 had a higher prevalence of moderate/severe lobular inflammation (27.6% vs. 20.3% vs. 13.3%, P&lt;0.01) and NASH (55.7% vs. 42.4% vs. 40.5%, P&lt;0.01) compared with the AA and TT genotypes, respectively. In multivariable regression modelling the heterozygote state TA was associated with moderate/severe lobular inflammation (adjusted-OR: 2.31, 95%CI 1.41-3.78, P&lt;0.01) or NASH (adjusted-OR, 95%CI: 1.82, 1.22-2.69, P&lt;0.01), independently of age, sex, common metabolic risk factors and presence of liver fibrosis. Compared with no-NASH, NASH patients had significantly higher levels of serum interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, interleukin-18 and interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), whereas only IP-10 was increased with the rs2070673 TA variant (P=0.01). Mediation analysis showed that IP-10 was responsible for ~60% of the association between the rs2070672 and NASH. Conclusions The TA allele of rs2070673 is strongly associated with lobular inflammation and NASH and this effect appears to be largely mediated by serum IP-10 levels

Clinicopathologic Factors Related to the Histological Tumor Grade of Breast Cancer in Western China: An Epidemiological Multicenter Study of 8619 Female Patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Breast cancer is now recognized as a clinically heterogeneous disease with a wide spectrum of epidemiological and clinicopathologic features. We aimed to evaluate whether epidemiological and clinicopathologic features are associated with the histological tumor grade of breast carcinomas in Western China. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from the Western China Clinical Cooperation Group and assessed associations between clinicopathologic factors and histological tumor grade in 8619 female breast cancer patients. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (tumor grade I/II) and Group II (tumor grade III). Univariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationships between clinicopathologic factors and tumor grade. RESULTS: Patients presenting with positive axillary lymph nodes, large tumor size (>2 cm), lymphovascular invasion, hormone receptor negativity, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) positivity, and triple negativity tended to have an increased risk of a high tumor grade. However, the number of pregnancies or births was inversely correlated with the risk of a high tumor grade. In addition, patients presenting with grade III tumors were more likely to receive aggressive treatment, such as adjuvant chemotherapy, anti–HER-2 therapy, and level III axillary lymph node dissection. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that several clinicopathologic factors were associated with high tumor grade of breast cancer patients in Western China