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Background: The present study aimed to explore the biological role and underlying mechanism of the long non‐coding RNA actin filament‐associated protein 1‐antisense RNA1 (lncRNA AFAP1‐AS1) in the progression of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Methods: A quantitative reverse transcriptase‐PCR (RT‐qPCR) was conducted to assess relative levels of the miR‐133a‐5p, lncRNAs AFAP1‐AS1 and zinc finger family member 2 (ZIC2) in TSCC cell lines and specimens, whereas ZIC2 protein levels were measured using western blotting. After modifying the levels of expression of lncRNA AFP1‐AS1, miR‐133a‐5p and ZIC2 using lentivirus or plasmid transfection, we examined AKT/epithelial–mesenchymal transition signaling pathway alterations, in vivo carcinogenesis of TSCC in nude mice and in vitro malignant phenotypes. A dual‐luciferase reporter assay was conducted to confirm the targeting relationship between ZIC2 and miR‐133a‐5p, as well as between miR‐133a‐5p and lncRNA AFAP1‐AS1. Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we additionally validated AFP1‐AS1. The potential biological pathway for AFP1‐AS1 was investigated using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). We also evaluated the clinical diagnostic capacities of AFP1‐AS1 and clustered the most potential biomarkers with the Mfuzz expression pattern. Finally, we also made relevant drug predictions for AFP1‐AS1. Results: In TSCC cell lines and specimens, lncRNA AFAP1‐AS1 was upregulated. ZIC2 was upregulated in TSCC cells as a result of lncRNA AFAP1‐AS1 overexpression, which also promoted TSCC cell migration, invasion, viability, and proliferation. Via the microRNA sponge effect, it was found that lncRNA AFAP1‐AS1 could upregulate ZIC2 by competitively inhibiting miR‐133a‐5p. Interestingly, knockdown of ZIC2 reversed the biological roles of lncRNA AFAP1‐AS1 with respect to inducing malignant phenotypes in TSCC cells. In addition, in vivo overexpression of lncRNA AFAP1‐AS1 triggered subcutaneous tumor growth in nude mice implanted with TSCC cells and upregulated ZIC2 in the tumors. The TCGA database findings revealed that AFAP1‐AS1 was significantly upregulated in TSCC specimens and had good clinical diagnostic value. The results of GSEA showed that peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor signaling pathway was significantly correlated with low expression of AFP1‐AS1. Finally, the results of drug prediction indicated that the group with high AFAP1‐AS1 expression was more sensitive to docetaxel, AZD4547, AZD7762 and nilotinib. Conclusions: The upregulation of lncRNA AFAP1‐AS1, which increases TSCC cell viability, migration, proliferation and invasion via the AFAP1‐AS1/miR‐133a‐5p/ZIC2 axis, aids in the progression of TSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmunity is reported involving in reproductive failures, and antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity has been regarded as a typical feature of autoimmunity. Published studies on the association of ANA with reproductive failures including infertility are controversial. The aim of this meta‐analysis was to analyse whether the presence of ANA positivity increases the risk of infertility in women. We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for relevant literature without any restrictions prior to April 28, 2021. All analyses were performed using the RevMan 5.3 software. Twelve studies with 2734 participants, including 1482 patients with infertility, met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The total positivity rate of ANA was 23.8% (353/1482) in all infertile patients and 8.5% (107/1252) in the control group. Infertile females had a significantly higher ANA positivity rate than the control group (odds ratio [OR] = 2.90, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.72–4.87, I2 = 65%, P <.0001). Several subgroup analyses were performed to reduce the heterogeneity. ANA positivity was associated with female infertility in studies either performed by indirect immunofluorescence (OR = 2.26, 95% CI:1.67–3.06, P <.00001) or by ELISA (OR = 10.76, 95% CI:1.82–63.64, P <.00001). ANA was significantly associated with increased risk of women infertility either after the definite exclusion of individuals with autoimmune diseases (AID) or without exclusion [(OR = 1.99, 95% CI:1.29–3.06, P =.002), (OR = 2.76, 95% CI:1.56–4.88, P =.0005), respectively]. This meta‐analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in infertile women and suggests that ANA positivity increases the risk of infertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Psilocin is an active metabolite form of psilocybin and exerts psychoactive effects. Recent studies suggest that psilocin may have regulatory effects on abuse drugs, but the mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we want to explore the effects of psilocin on methamphetamine (METH)‐induced alterations of behavior in mice and its molecular mechanisms. Methods: Acute METH administration model and conditioned place preference (CPP) model were used to investigate the effects of psilocin on METH‐induced alterations of behavior. Western blot was used to detect the expression of proteins. Results: In the acute 2 mg/kg METH administration model, 1 mg/kg psilocin counteracted METH‐induced elevation of activity. In the 1 mg/kg METH‐induced CPP model, 1 mg/kg psilocin inhibited CPP formation during the acquisition phase. However, psilocin did not impact METH extinction and relapse. Molecular results showed that the regulatory effect of psilocin on METH was underscored by altered expression of dopamine 2 receptor (D2R) and phosphorylated extra‐cellular signal‐regulated kinase (p‐ERK) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and ventral tegmental area (VTA). Trifluoperazine (TFP)‐2HCl is a D2R inhibitor, and SCH772984 is a selective extra‐cellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor that effectively inhibits ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The results indicated that 2 mg/kg TFP‐2HCl and 10 mg/kg SCH772984 blocked METH‐induced hyperactivity and acquisition of METH‐induced CPP. Conclusion: Psilocin has regulatory effects on METH‐induced alterations of behavior in mice via D2R‐mediated signal regulation of ERK phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLS) are the main cell component in the inflamed joints of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). FLS intimately interact with infiltrating T cells. Fibroblasts have potent inhibitory effects on T cells, leading to the resolution of inflammation and immune tolerance. However, this "regulatory" phenotype is defect in RA, and FLS in RA instead act as "proinflammatory" phenotype mediating inflammation perpetuation. Signals that orchestrate fibroblast heterogeneity remain unclear. Here, it is demonstrated that different cytokines can induce distinct phenotypes of FLS. Interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) is pivotal in inducing the regulatory phenotype of FLS (which is termed FLSreg) characterized by high expressions of several inhibitory molecules. Rapamycin enhances the effect of IFN‐γ on FLS. Based on the characteristics of FLSreg, a novel biomimetic therapeutic strategy for RA is designed by coating cell membrane derived from FLSreg induced by IFN‐γ and rapamycin on nanoparticles, which is called FIRN. FIRN show good efficacy, stability, and inflammatory joint targeting ability in an RA mouse model. The findings clarify how fibroblast phenotypes are modulated in the inflammatory microenvironment and provide insights into novel therapeutic designs for autoimmune diseases based on regulatory fibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the seismic time–frequency resolution is a crucial step for identifying thin reservoirs. In this paper, we propose a new high‐precision time–frequency analysis algorithm, synchroextracting generalized S‐transform, which exhibits superior performance at characterizing reservoirs and detecting hydrocarbons. This method first calculates time–frequency spectra using generalized S‐transform; then, it squeezes all but the most smeared time–frequency coefficients into the instantaneous frequency trajectory and finally obtains highly accurate and energy‐concentrated time–frequency spectra. We precisely deduce the mathematical formula of the synchroextracting generalized S‐transform. Synthetic signal examples testify that this method can correctly decompose a signal and provide a better time–frequency representation. The results of a synthetic seismic signal and real seismic data demonstrate that this method can identify some reservoirs with thincknesses smaller than a quarter wavelength and can be successfully applied for hydrocarbon detection. In addition, examples of synthetic signals with different levels of Gaussian white noise show that this method can achieve better results under noisy conditions. Hence, the synchroextracting generalized S‐transform has great application prospects and merits in seismic signal processing and interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Tumor endothelial cells (TECs) have been investigated using human tumor xenografts in mice models. In order to provide pure human TECs for the updating of clinical anti‐angiogenic cancer therapy, in the present study we established a protocol of purification of TECs derived from clinical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and revealed the TEC features by in vitro and in vivo assays. Methods: We isolated TECs from fresh surgical resections of HCC by magnetic‐activated cell sorting and purified by flow cytometry sorting upon CD31 expression, referred to as ECDHCCs. Next, we identified cultured ECDHCCs by morphology, phenotype, genotype, and functional assays. Results: The ECDHCCs appeared as Weibel–Palade bodies under electron microscopy. They expressed endothelial markers, such as CD31, CD105, and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, and expressed the genes that are associated with pro‐angiogenesis, especially vascular endothelial growth factor, epiregulin, and programmed cell death 10. Functionally, ECDHCCs were capable of tube formation, wound healing, and Transwell migration in vitro. These in vitro behaviors were validated by in vivo Matrigel plug assay in mice. Finally, comparison of ECDHCC with the Hep‐G2 liver cancer cell line showed there was no similarity of phenotype or function between these two types of cells. Conclusions: Tumor endothelial cells derived from human HCC can be isolated and purified from clinical samples by flow cytometer. They have the endothelial phenotype and morphologic features and are capable of tube formation and migration. This study provides a useful model for researchers to study tumor angiogenesis and screening of candidate targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]