Search

Resumo Fundamento: O antibiótico quimioterápico antraciclina doxorrubicina (DOX) pode induzir cardiotoxicidade cumulativa e levar à disfunção cardíaca. RNAs não codificantes longos (lncRNAs) podem funcionar como importantes reguladores na lesão miocárdica induzida por DOX. Objetivo: Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar o papel funcional e o mecanismo molecular do RNA antisense lncRNA OXCT1 1 (OXCT1-AS1) na lesão celular miocárdica induzida por DOX in vitro. Métodos: Cardiomiócitos humanos (AC16) foram estimulados com DOX para induzir um modelo de lesão celular miocárdica. A expressão de OXCT1-AS1, miR-874-3p e BDH1 em células AC16 foi determinada por RT-qPCR. A viabilidade das células AC16 foi medida pelo ensaio XTT. A citometria de fluxo foi empregada para avaliar a apoptose de células AC16. Western blotting foi utilizado para avaliar os níveis proteicos de marcadores relacionados à apoptose. O ensaio repórter de luciferase dupla foi conduzido para verificar a capacidade de ligação entre miR-874-3p e OXCT1-AS1 e entre miR-874-3p e BDH1. O valor de p

Background: Ovarian cancer is a fatal gynecologic malignancy. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) has been verified to serve as key regulator in ovarian cancer tumorigenesis. Objective: The aim of the study was to study the functions and mechanism of lncRNA PITPNA-AS1 in ovarian cancer cellular process. Methods: Clinical ovarian cancer samples were collected and stored at an academic medical center. Cellular fractionation assays and fluorescence in situ hybridization were conducted to locate PITPNA-AS1 in OC cells. TUNEL staining, colony-forming assays, and Transwell assays were performed for evaluating cell apoptosis as well as proliferative and migratory abilities. Western blot was conducted for quantifying protein levels of epithelialmesenchymal transition markers. The binding relation between genes was verified by RNA pulldown, RNA immunoprecipitation, and luciferase reporter assays. Gene expression levels in ovarian cancer tissues and cells were subjected to RT-qPCR. Results: PITPNA-AS1 level was downregulated in ovarian cancer samples and cells. PITPNA-AS1 overexpression contributed to the accelerated ovarian cancer cell apoptosis and inhibited cell migration, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition process. In addition, PITPNA-AS1 interacted with miR-223-3p to regulate RHOB. RHOB knockdown partially counteracted the repressive impact of PITPNA-AS1 on ovarian cancer cell activities. Conclusion: PITPNA-AS1 inhibited ovarian cancer cellular behaviors by targeting miR-223-3p and regulating RHOB

Abstract Background Ferroptosis plays an essential role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Meteorin-like/Meteorin-β (Metrnβ) is a protein secreted by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue and plays a role in cardiovascular diseases. However, its role in acute lung injury has not been elucidated. Methods In this study, we used an adenovirus (Ad) delivery system to overexpress or knockdown Metrnβ in lung tissue to examine the role of Metrnβ in LPS-induced acute lung injury. Results We found that ferroptosis was increased during LPS-induced ALI. The expression of Metrnβ was reduced in ALI lung tissue. Overexpression of Metrnβ in lung tissue alleviated LPS-induced lung injury, inflammation, and ferroptosis. Moreover, Metrnβ knockout in lung tissue accelerated LPS-induced ALI, inflammation, and ferroptosis. We also cultured MLE-12 cells and transfected the cells with Ad-Metrnβ or Metrnβ siRNA. Metrnβ overexpression ameliorated LPS-induced MLE cell death, inflammation and ferroptosis, while Metrnβ knockdown aggregated cell survival and decreased inflammation and ferroptosis. Moreover, we found that Metrnβ enhanced ferroptosis-related Gpx4 expression and reduced ferroportin and ferritin levels. Furthermore, we found that Metrnβ positively regulated SIRT1 transcription thus inhibited P53, increased SLC7A11 expression. When we used the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1, the deteriorating effects of Metrnβ knockout were abolished in ALI mice. Moreover, SIRT1 knockout also abolished the protective effects of Metrnβ overexpression in vivo. Conclusions Taken together, Metrnβ could protect LPS-induced ALI by activating SIRT1-P53- SLC7A11 mediated ferroptosis inhibition.

Objective: Peroxiredoxin-3 (Prx-3) is widely acknowledged as an antioxidant that protects against mitochondrialreactive oxygen species. Nonetheless, its role in cardiac fibrosis has not been elucidated. We aim to explore the roleand mechanism of Prx-3 in cardiac fibrosis.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, mice received subcutaneous injections of isoproterenol (ISO) for 14consecutive days (10 mg/kg/d for three days, followed by 5 mg/kg/d for 11 days) to establish a cardiac fibrosis model. Themice were subsequently injected with adenovirus-Prx-3 (ad-Prx-3) to enable Prx-3 overexpression. Echocardiographywas used to evaluate cardiac function. Mice heart fibroblasts were isolated and stimulated with transforming growthfactor β1 (TGFβ1) to induce fibrosis in vitro. Cells were also transfected with ad-Prx-3 for overexpression of Prx-3.Results: Echocardiographic diameters and fibrosis markers indicated that Prx-3 could inhibit ISO-induced cardiacdysfunction and fibrosis. Fibroblasts with Prx-3 overexpression exhibited reduced activation, proliferation, and collagentranscription. We found that Prx-3 reduced the expression of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) and reduced P38 levels. Aftertreatment with a P38 inhibitor, the Prx-3 overexpression-induced anti-fibrosis effect was mitigated.Conclusion: Prx-3 could protect against ISO-induced cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting the NOX4-P38 pathway.

Abstract Background Pyroptosis refers to programmed cell death associated with inflammation. Emodin has been reported to alleviate lung injuries caused by various pathological processes and attenuate ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injuries in diverse tissues. Methods Lewis rats were assigned into the sham, the I/R, and the I/R + emodin groups. Emodin and phosphate‐buffered saline were intraperitoneally injected into rats of the emodin group and I/R group for 30 min, respectively. These rats were then subjected to left thoracotomy followed by 90‐min clamping of the left hilum and 120‐min reperfusion. Sham‐operated rats underwent 210‐min ventilation. Lung functions, histological changes, lung edema, and cytokine levels were assessed. Protein levels were measured by western blotting. Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to evaluate pyroptosis. Results Emodin alleviated the I/R‐induced lung dysfunction, lung damages, and inflammation. Protective effects of emodin against I/R‐mediated endothelial pyroptosis was observed in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, emodin inactivated the TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB/NLRP3 pathway. Conclusion Emodin attenuates lung ischemia–reperfusion injury by inhibiting GSDMD‐mediated pyroptosis in rats.

ObjectiveMucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma translocation protein 1 (MALT1) modulates the inflammatory immune response and organ dysfunction, which are closely implicated in sepsis pathogenesis and progression. This study aimed to explore the role of MALT1 in sepsis-induced organ injury, immune cell dysregulation, and inflammatory storms.MethodsSeptic mice were constructed by intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide, followed by overexpression or knockdown of MALT1 by tail vein injection of the corresponding lentivirus. Mouse naïve CD4+ T cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages were treated with MALT1 overexpression/knockdown lentivirus plus lipopolysaccharide.ResultsIn the lungs, livers, and kidneys of septic mice, MALT1 overexpression exaggerated their injuries, as shown by hematoxylin and eosin staining (all p

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) strategies in COVID-19 patients differ from those in patients suffering from cardiogenic cardiac arrest. During CPR, both healthcare and non-healthcare workers who provide resuscitation are at risk of infection. The Working Group for Expert Consensus on Prevention and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Cardiac Arrest in COVID-19 has developed this Chinese Expert Consensus to guide clinical practice of CPR in COVID-19 patients. Main recommendations: 1) A medical team should be assigned to evaluate severe and critical COVID-19 for early monitoring of cardiac-arrest warning signs. 2) Psychological counseling and treatment are highly recommended, since sympathetic and vagal abnormalities induced by psychological stress from the COVID-19 pandemic can induce cardiac arrest. 3) Healthcare workers should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). 4) Mouth-to-mouth ventilation should be avoided on patients suspected of having or diagnosed with COVID-19. 5) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression are recommended. 6) Tracheal-intubation procedures should be optimized and tracheal-intubation strategies should be implemented early. 7) CPR should be provided for 20-30 min. 8) Various factors should be taken into consideration such as the interests of patients and family members, ethics, transmission risks, and laws and regulations governing infectious disease control. Changes in management: The following changes or modifications to CPR strategy in COVID-19 patients are proposed: 1) Healthcare workers should wear PPE. 2) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression can be implemented to reduce or avoid the spread of viruses by aerosols. 3) Both the benefits to patients and the risk of infection should be considered. 4) Hhealthcare workers should be fully aware of and trained in CPR strategies and procedures specifically for patients with COVID-19.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents with poor prognosis. MicroRNA-181a-5p (miR-181a-5p) is involved in the progression of various tumors; however, its role and underlying mechanism in osteosarcoma remains unclear. In this study, we found that miR-181a-5p was upregulated in human osteosarcoma cells and tissues. miR-181a-5p mimic significantly promoted, while miR-181a-5p inhibitor blocked the proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, and cell cycle progression of osteosarcoma cells. Mechanistically, miR-181a-5p bound to the 3′-untranslational region of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and reduced its protein expression, thereby activating protein kinase B (PKB/AKT) pathway. Either PTEN overexpression or AKT inhibition notably blocked the tumor-promoting effects of miR-181a-5p. Moreover, we observed that miR-181a-5p mimic further inhibited growth of human osteosarcoma cells in the presence of adriamycin or cisplatin. Overall, miR-181a-5p promotes osteosarcoma progression via PTEN/AKT pathway and it is a promising therapeutic target to treat osteosarcoma.

Objective. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the major histopathological subtype of renal cancer, and ferroptosis is implicated in the pathogenesis of ccRCC. The present study was aimed at investigating the role and underlying mechanisms of microRNA-4735-3p (miR-4735-3p) in ccRCC. Methods. Human ccRCC cell lines were transfected with the miR-4735-3p mimic or inhibitor to manipulate the expression of miR-4735-3p. Cell proliferation, colony formation, cell migration, cell invasion, cell death, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, and iron metabolism were determined. To validate the necessity of solute carrier family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1), human ccRCC cell lines were overexpressed with SLC40A1 using adenoviral vectors. Results. miR-4735-3p expression was reduced in human ccRCC tissues and cell lines but elevated upon ferroptotic stimulation. The miR-4735-3p mimic increased, while the miR-4735-3p inhibitor decreased oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, iron overload, and ferroptosis of human ccRCC cell lines. Mechanistic studies identified SLC40A1 as a direct target of miR-4735-3p, and SLC40A1 overexpression significantly attenuated iron overload and ferroptosis in the miR-4735-3p mimic-treated human ccRCC cell lines. Conclusion. miR-4735-3p facilitates ferroptosis and tumor suppression in ccRCC by targeting SLC40A1.

Purpose: Computed tomography (CT) characteristics associated with critical outcomes of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported. However, CT risk factors for mortality have not been directly reported. We aim to determine the CT-based quantitative predictors for COVID-19 mortality.Methods: In this retrospective study, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients at Wuhan Central Hospital between December 9, 2019, and March 19, 2020, were included. A novel prognostic biomarker, V-HU score, depicting the volume (V) of total pneumonia infection and the average Hounsfield unit (HU) of consolidation areas was automatically quantified from CT by an artificial intelligence (AI) system. Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate risk factors for mortality.Results: The study included 238 patients (women 136/238, 57%; median age, 65 years, IQR 51–74 years), 126 of whom were survivors. The V-HU score was an independent predictor (hazard ratio [HR] 2.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50–5.17; p = 0.001) after adjusting for several COVID-19 prognostic indicators significant in univariable analysis. The prognostic performance of the model containing clinical and outpatient laboratory factors was improved by integrating the V-HU score (c-index: 0.695 vs. 0.728; p < 0.001). Older patients (age ≥ 65 years; HR 3.56, 95% CI 1.64–7.71; p < 0.001) and younger patients (age < 65 years; HR 4.60, 95% CI 1.92–10.99; p < 0.001) could be further risk-stratified by the V-HU score.Conclusions: A combination of an increased volume of total pneumonia infection and high HU value of consolidation areas showed a strong correlation to COVID-19 mortality, as determined by AI quantified CT.

A previous study found that transmembrane protein 43 (TMEM43) was highly associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy. However, as a transmembrane protein, TMEM43 may be involved in ferroptosis in cardiovascular disease. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of TMEM43 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cardiac injury and the underlying mechanism. Mice were injected with LPS (10 mg/kg) for 12 h to generate experimental sepsis. Mice were also subjected to AAV9-shTMEM43 to knock down TMEM43 or AAV9-TMEM43 to overexpress TMEM43 in hearts. H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes were also transfected with Ad-TMEM43 or TMEM43 siRNA to overexpress/knock down TMEM43. As a result, TMEM43 knockdown in hearts deteriorated LPS-induced mouse cardiac injury and dysfunction. LPS increased cardiac ferroptosis as assessed by malonaldehyde (MDA) and cardiac iron density, which were aggravated by TMEM43 knockdown. Moreover, TMEM43 overexpression alleviated LPS-induced cardiac injury, dysfunction, and ferroptosis. In vitro experiments showed that TMEM43 overexpression inhibited LPS-induced lipid peroxidation and cardiomyocyte injury while TMEM43 knockdown aggravated LPS-induced ferroptosis and injury in cardiomyocytes. Mechanistically, LPS increased the expression of P53 and ferritin but decreased the level of Gpx4 and SLC7A11. TMEM43 could inhibit the level of P53 and ferritin enhanced the level of Gpx4 and SLC7A11. Furthermore, ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1), a specific inhibitor of ferroptosis, could protect against LPS-induced cardiac injury and also counteracted the deteriorating effects of TMEM43 silencing in the heart. Based on these findings, we concluded that TMEM43 protects against sepsis-induced cardiac injury via inhibiting ferroptosis in mice. By targeting ferroptosis in cardiomyocytes, TMEM43 may be a therapeutic strategy for preventing sepsis in the future.

BackgroundThe recent emergence and rapid global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is leading to public health crises worldwide. Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking (CS) are two known risk factors in many diseases including respiratory infections.MethodsWe performed a multi-center study in the four largest hospitals designated for COVID-19 patients in Wuhan. There are totally 1547 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 enrolled in the study, alcohol consumption and CS history were evaluated among these patients. The epidemiology, laboratory findings and outcomes of patients contracted COVID-19 were further studied.ResultsOur findings indicated that COVID-19 patients with a history of CS tend to have more severe outcomes than non-smoking patients. However, alcohol consumption did not reveal significant effects on neither development of severe illness nor death rates in COVID-19 patients.ConclusionCS is a risk factor for developing severe illness and increasing mortality during the SARS-CoV-2 infection. We believe that our findings will provide a better understanding on the effects of alcohol intake and CS exposure in COVID-19 patients.

No effective therapeutic method is available for the treatment of radiation pulmonary fibrosis. Recent studies have suggested that urine can provide an effective and noninvasive source of many differentiating or differentiated progenitor cells and stem cells. The aim of our present study was to assess the therapeutic effects of human urine-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (uMSCs) in a cell model of radiation pulmonary fibrosis. MRC-5 cells were irradiated and cultured in the presence of conditioned medium from uMSCs (MSCCM). MSCCM inhibited MRC-5 cell proliferation and reduced collagen deposition as measured by CCK-8 assay, Sircol assay, qPCR and western blot. MSCCM also reduced the expression of the pro-fibrotic TGF-β1 and increased the expression of anti-fibrotic IFN-γ at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, we found that MSCCM inhibited the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway induced by irradiation as well. Our data suggest that MSCCM could reduce irradiation-induced TGF-β1 production and ameliorate collagen deposition by inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. Our present study provides new insights into the treatment effect of uMSCs in radiation pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Klotho is a novel anti-aging hormone involved in human coronary artery disease. The present study aimed to detect the effects and mechanism of Klotho on cardiomyocytes in a hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) model in vitro. Neonatal Sprague-Dawley rat cardiomyocytes were randomly distributed into experimental groups as follows: Control group; H/R group, 4-h hypoxia followed by 3-h reoxygenation; and H/R+Klotho group, incubated with 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 μg/ml Klotho protein for 16 h and then subjected to 4-h hypoxia/3-h reoxygenation. In order to evaluate cardiomyocyte damage, cell viability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were measured. Cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. The 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate reagent was used to estimate the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Immunofluorescence staining was used to test whether Klotho induced decreased nuclear translocation of forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1). Western blot analysis was performed to detect protein levels of FOXO1, phospho-FOXO1, Akt, phospho-Akt and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2). Cell viability was significantly decreased, levels of LDH in the cardiomyocyte culture medium were significantly increased and the apoptotic rate was enhanced in the H/R group when compared with those of the control group. Compared with the H/R group, cell viability of the H/R+Klotho groups was significantly higher (P<0.05). Treatment with Klotho protein resulted in a significant resistance of cardiomyocytes to apoptosis and the release of LDH was decreased. Intracellular ROS levels in the H/R group were significantly elevated above those of the control group (P<0.05). Following treatment with Klotho, intracellular ROS levels were significantly decreased compared with those of the H/R group (P<0.05). Western blot analysis confirmed that Klotho protein treatment increased FOXO1 levels in the nucleus and decreased FOXO1 levels in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, exogenous Klotho protein promoted translocation of FOXO1 from cytoplasm to nucleus. In addition, the administration of Klotho protein suppressed phosphorylation of FOXO1 and Akt, and markedly increased the protein expression levels of SOD2. In conclusion, treatment with Klotho protein had beneficial effects on cardiomyocytes undergoing H/R injury. The mechanism of this effect may be associated with suppressed apoptosis of cardiomyocytes, inhibition of phosphorylation of FOXO1 and Akt as well as suppression of cytoplasm transfer of FOXO1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods and analysis Pathology-confirmed WHO type II/III NPC patients at clinical stage III–IVA (eighth American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union for International Cancer Control staging system) will be included in the study. They will receive ICT plus nimotuzumab (NTZ), followed by radiotherapy plus NTZ or concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus NTZ (stratified based on the efficacy of ICT plus NTZ). The primary endpoint is 3-year failure-free survival rate; while the secondary endpoints are 3-year overall survival rate, distant metastasis-free survival rate and locoregional recurrence-free survival rate, and short-term remission rate of tumour and treatment toxicity.Ethics and dissemination The study protocol has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. Our findings will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal. Implementation strategies are in place to ensure privacy and confidentiality of participants.Trial registration number ChiCTR2000041139.