Search

Background. The poor prognosis of the highly malignant tumor osteosarcoma stems from its drug resistance and therefore exploring its resistance mechanisms will help us identify more effective treatment options. However, the effects of miR-125b-5p on drug resistance in osteosarcoma cells are still unclear. Methods. To study the effects of miR-125b-5p on drug resistance in osteosarcoma cells. Osteosarcoma-resistant miR-125b-5p was obtained from the databases GeneCards and g:Profiler. CCK8, western blot, and transwell were applied for the detection of the miR-125b-5p effects on proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and drug resistance in osteosarcoma. Bioinformatics is aimed at demonstrating the targeting factor miR-125b-5p, performing protein interaction enrichment analysis by Metascape, and finally validating by binding sites. Results. Upregulation of miR-125b-5p restrains proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma and promotes apoptosis. In addition, miR-125b-5p can restore drug sensitivity in drug-resistant osteosarcoma. miR-125-5p restrains the signal transducer and inhibits the transcription 3 (STAT3) expression activator via targeting its 3 ′ -UTR. STAT3 affects drug-resistant osteosarcoma to regulate the ABC transporter. Conclusion. miR-125b-5p/STAT3 axis mediates the drug resistance of osteosarcoma by acting on ABC transporter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in China is 9.4%, which is at a relatively high level. Its serious impact on maternal and infant health is the main reason for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. There are many factors affecting pregnancy-induced hypertension. The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension is different due to different levels of cultural knowledge, health awareness, economic income, nutrition, and medical support. Since its etiology has not been elucidated thus far, there is no known treatment of the disease, and the main principles are spasmolysis, hypotension, expansion, and timely termination of pregnancy. Observe the effect of nimodipine combined with magnesium sulfate on serum heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and pentamer 3 (PTX3) levels in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. Ninety-six patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension syndrome admitted to our hospital from May 2016 to February 2019 are selected and randomly divided into two groups according to the 1 : 1 principle, with 48 cases in each group. The single drug group is treated with magnesium sulfate, and the combined group is treated with nimodipine combined with magnesium sulfate. Changes in blood pressure, HSP70, PTX3, placental growth factor (PLGF), and vascular endothelial cell injury markers are recorded in the two groups, and adverse reactions and pregnancy outcomes are observed. After treatment, the blood pressure and levels of HSP70, PTX3, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and nitric oxide (NO) in the two groups decreased, and the level of PLGF increased. The diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and levels of HSP70, PTX3, ET-1, and NO in the combined group are lower than those in the single drug group, and the level of PLGF is higher than that in the single drug group (P < 0.05). During the treatment period, the adverse reaction rate of the combined group is 6.25% compared with 8.33% of the single agent group, and the difference is not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Follow-up visits found that the cesarean section rate and abnormal fetal heart rate in the combined group are 16.67% and 4.17%, respectively, which are lower than 35.42% and 16.67% in the single drug group, and the difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with 14.58%, 12.50%, and 2.08% in the single drug group, the neonatal asphyxia rate, premature birth rate, and stillbirth rate in the combined group are 6.25%, 4.17%, and 0.00%, respectively, and the difference is not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Nimodipine combined with magnesium sulfate can effectively control blood pressure in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension, reduce vascular endothelial damage, regulate the expression of HSP70, PTX3, and PLGF, and improve pregnancy outcomes without increasing adverse reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between subclinical thyroid dysfunction and uric acid was not well established. This study aimed to determine if subclinical thyroid dysfunction is associated with hyperuricemia risk and to evaluate the levels of uric acid in patients with different forms of subclinical thyroid dysfunction. A systematic search was conducted in 4 databases to obtain relevant studies on subclinical thyroid dysfunction (subclinical hyperthyroidism and subclinical hypothyroidism) and uric acid. The standardized mean difference (SMD) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used for evaluation, and the sensitivity analysis was conducted. Publication bias was estimated by funnel plot, Egger's test, and Begg's test. A total of 73 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that serum levels of uric acid in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were significantly higher than those of controls and patients with subclinical hyperthyroidism. Patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunction had a higher prevalence of hyperuricemia compared with normal clinical thyroid function. Subclinical thyroid dysfunction was associated with the prevalence of hyperuricemia. Different types of subclinical thyroid dysfunction had varied effects on serum levels of uric acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Realgar was usually selected as a substitute for arsenic trioxide to treat acute promyelocytic leukemia due to its higher effect without high cardiotoxicity. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), realgar is usually processed by the water-grinding method clinically, but the mechanism of realgar processing detoxification is still unclear. However, it is necessary to take safety and efficacy into account while evaluating a drug. Methods. Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into control group, realgar products-treated groups, and corresponding subgroups. Biochemistry analysis and histopathological examination were performed in the study, and plasma samples were collected from all the rats for metabolomics analysis. Results. No significant toxicity was observed in rats treated with 0.64 g/kg/day grinding realgar (G-r) and water-grinding realgar (WG-r). When the dose increased to 1.92 g/kg/day, the liver weight coefficients of the rats treated with G-r (HG-r: 3.65 ± 0.26%) and WG-r (HWG-r: 3.67 ± 0.14%) increased significantly and severe hepatic injury occurred in comparison to the control group (Group C: 3.00 ± 0.21%). After one week's withdrawal, the liver injury caused by the high dose of WG-r significantly recovered, while the liver damage caused by G-r was more difficult to recover. In metabolomics analysis, 14 metabolites were identified as the potential biomarkers in realgar-treated rats. These metabolites indicated that there were perturbations of the primary bile acid biosynthesis, arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, and glycerophospholipid metabolism in the realgar-treated groups. Conclusions. These results illustrate that, as a TCM processing method, water grinding had the effect of reducing toxicity, and the metabolomics method may be a valuable tool for studying the toxicity induced by TCM and the mechanism of TCM processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel fluorescence probe NA-LCX was rationally designed and synthesized for the sequential recognition of Cu2+ and H2S by the combination of hydroxyl-naphthalene and diformylphenol groups. The response properties of NA-LCX for Cu2+ ions and H2S with "on-off-on" manner were investigated by fluorescence emission spectra. A highly selective and sensitive response of complex NA-LCX-Cu2+ for H2S over other competing amino acids was observed with a limit of detection at 2.79 μM. The stoichiometry of NA-LCX toward Cu2+ ions was determined to be 1 : 1 by the UV-Vis absorption spectrum, and the coordination configuration was calculated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Moreover, probe NA-LCX was applied successfully for the recognition of Cu2+ ions and H2S in living cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new fluorescence probe L was rationally designed and synthesized for the recognition of Cu2+ ions by the combination of coumarin hydrazide and 2-acetylpyrazine. The photochemical properties and selectivity of L for Cu2+ ions in a CH3CN/HEPES (3 : 2, v/v) buffer were investigated by UV-vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. A highly selective and sensitive response of L for Cu2+ ions over other competing metal ions was observed with limit of detection in 3 μM. The coordination stoichiometry of L to Cu2+ ions was determined to be 1 : 1 by the UV-vis absorption spectrum, the fluorescence titrations, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Moreover, L was applied successfully for recognition of intracellular Cu2+ ions in living cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel coumarin-based compound DPAC with two dipicolylamine (DPA) arms as the chelator sites was designed and synthesized. The compound DPAC exhibits a highly selective response to Cu2+ ions with a distinctly emission-quenching phenomenon. Moreover, the in situ formed complex DPAC-Cu2+ was used for the detection of pyrophosphate (PPi). The binding manner of probe DPAC-Cu2+ with PPi in 1 : 1 stoichiometry was supported by the Benesi-Hildebrand fitting, ESI-MS and HPLC analysis. The linear range of PPi concentration was 1-4 μM, and the detection limit was 0.53 μM. The competing experiments illustrated that the probe DPAC-Cu2+ had good sensitivity and selectivity for PPi than other anions, including ATP, ADP, AMP, and Pi in CH3CN : HEPES (3 : 2, v/v, pH=7.20) buffer. Further, cell fluorescence imaging experiments indicated that the probe DPAC-Cu2+ had a potential to be used to detect PPi in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are thought to be in an early stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging reflects spontaneous brain activity and/or the endogenous/background neurophysiological process of the human brain. Regional homogeneity (ReHo) rapidly maps regional brain activity across the whole brain. In the present study, we used the ReHo index to explore whole brain spontaneous activity pattern in MCI. Our results showed that MCI subjects displayed an increased ReHo index in the paracentral lobe, precuneus, and postcentral and a decreased ReHo index in the medial temporal gyrus and hippocampus. Impairments in the medial temporal gyrus and hippocampus may serve as important markers distinguishing MCI from healthy aging. Moreover, the increased ReHo index observed in the postcentral and paracentral lobes might indicate compensation for the cognitive function losses in individuals with MCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]