Search

The shortage and unevenness of fossil energy sources are affecting the development and progress of human civilization. The technology of efficiently converting material resources into energy for utilization and storage is attracting the attention of researchers. Environmentally friendly biomass materials are a treasure to drive the development of new‐generation energy sources. Electrochemical theory is used to efficiently convert the chemical energy of chemical substances into electrical energy. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of green and economical electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Although many reviews have been reported around the application of biomass‐derived catalytically active carbon (CAC) catalysts in ORR, these reviews have only selected a single/partial topic (including synthesis and preparation of catalysts from different sources, structural optimization, or performance enhancement methods based on CAC catalysts, and application of biomass‐derived CACs) for discussion. There is no review that systematically addresses the latest progress in the synthesis, performance enhancement, and applications related to biomass‐derived CAC‐based oxygen reduction electrocatalysts synchronously. This review fills the gap by providing a timely and comprehensive review and summary from the following sections: the exposition of the basic catalytic principles of ORR, the summary of the chemical composition and structural properties of various types of biomass, the analysis of traditional and the latest popular biomass‐derived CAC synthesis methods and optimization strategies, and the summary of the practical applications of biomass‐derived CAC‐based oxidative reduction electrocatalysts. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest advances to provide research directions and design ideas for the development of catalyst synthesis/optimization and contributes to the industrialization of biomass‐derived CAC electrocatalysis and electric energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Scoliosis associated with spondylolisthesis is a common phenomenon. Recent research has reported that scoliosis can spontaneously disappear after lumbar spinal fusion surgery. Researchers have advocated that, for scoliosis associated with vertebral slippage, surgery for the latter may be the only necessary intervention, while unnecessary surgery for scoliosis should be avoided. So we propose that minimally invasive techniques can achieve treatment effects similar to those of open surgery. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of unilateral dual‐channel endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) for treating lumbar spondylolisthesis with spinal scoliosis. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis and spinal scoliosis who underwent ULIF between September 2021 and September 2023. Measurements of the Cobb angle, lumbar lordosis (LL) angle, sacral slope (SS), slip percentage (SP), slip angle (SA), L1 plumb line‐S1 distance (LASD), and average intervertebral height (AIH) were taken preoperatively, immediately following surgery, 3 months after surgery, and at the final follow‐up. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring systems were used to assess clinical results. The surgical efficacy was evaluated by comparing these parameters before and after surgery. Comparison of indicators within the same group was conducted using one‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance or paired sample t‐tests, whereas between‐group differences were compared using an independent t‐test. Results: This study included 31 individuals who underwent surgery and completed follow‐up. The follow‐up period did not show a significant loss of corrective angles. Furthermore, the Cobb angle, SP, SA, and LASD significantly decreased after surgery, whereas the LL angle, SS, and AIH significantly increased (all p < 0.05). SP did not differ between the immediate postoperative period and the 3‐month and final follow‐up periods (p > 0.05). However, other parameters significantly improved during the follow‐up period at all time points, except from 3 months to the final follow‐up period (p > 0.05). Throughout the follow‐up period, the lower back and leg pain VAS, ODI, and JOA scores considerably improved compared with the preoperative levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ULIF effectively treated lumbar spondylolisthesis with scoliosis, thereby reducing the degree of slip and scoliosis. By performing surgical reduction, fusion, and fixation only on the slipped segment, ULIF also had a corrective effect on the spinal lateral curvature, thereby avoiding the need for unnecessary scoliosis surgery. Moreover, the short‐term efficacy was satisfactory, but the long‐term efficacy requires further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver diseases include all types of viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease (ALD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cirrhosis, liver failure (LF) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver disease is now one of the leading causes of disease and death worldwide, which compels us to better understand the mechanisms involved in the development of liver diseases. Anoctamin 1 (ANO1), a calcium‐activated chloride channel (CaCC), plays an important role in epithelial cell secretion, proliferation and migration. ANO1 plays a key role in transcriptional regulation as well as in many signalling pathways. It is involved in the genesis, development, progression and/or metastasis of several tumours and other diseases including liver diseases. This paper reviews the role and molecular mechanisms of ANO1 in the development of various liver diseases, aiming to provide a reference for further research on the role of ANO1 in liver diseases and to contribute to the improvement of therapeutic strategies for liver diseases by regulating ANO1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of olivine, specifically the type‐B characterized by c‐axes aligned parallel to lineation and b‐axes concentrated perpendicular to foliation, is essential for explaining the trench‐parallel seismic anisotropy in the forearc regions of subduction zones. However, its origin remains a subject of ambiguity and controversy. In this study, we present experimental findings on the formation of a type‐B olivine CPO through the dehydration of foliated serpentinite under a compressive stress at a pressure of 300 MPa and temperature of 700–750°C. Our results reveal a progressive evolution of olivine CPO, transitioning from a type‐C fabric to a type‐B fabric, with increasing grain size and dehydration level. The type‐B CPO observed in coarse‐grained olivine within fully dehydrated samples primarily arises from mechanisms involving anisotropic growth, grain rotation, and oriented coalescence of newly formed, small olivine grains following the decomposition of antigorite under a compressive stress. This study provides the first experimental evidence for a novel, low‐temperature dynamic dehydration mechanism, in contrast to the mechanism of high‐temperature plastic flow, for explaining the development of type‐B olivine CPO in forearc regions. Hence, it contributes significantly to our understanding of the formation of olivine CPO with implications for seismic anisotropy in subduction zone forearcs. Plain Language Summary: This study focuses on understanding why rocks in the forearc regions near subduction zones, where one tectonic plate slides beneath another, have a specific type of olivine arrangement known as type‐B olivine fabric. This arrangement is responsible for explaining why seismic velocities have a certain pattern in those areas. However, there has been disagreement about how this arrangement of olivine comes about. To investigate this, we conducted experiments where we subjected rocks rich in antigorite to high temperatures, causing them to transform into olivine. During these experiments, we observed changes in the size and shape of olivine grains, and their arrangement shifted from type‐C to type‐B as we adjusted the temperature and duration of the experiments. We found a relationship between the shape of olivine grains and how they were arranged. This change in arrangement can be explained by factors like the grains growing in different directions, rotating, and coming together in a specific way. Our discovery suggests that this particular olivine arrangement can occur during the transformation from antigorite to olivine at relatively low temperatures. This arrangement plays a more significant role for the trench‐parallel seismic anisotropy in the subduction forearc regions than we previously understood. Key Points: Dynamic dehydration of antigorite triggers the evolution of olivine crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) from type‐C to type‐BTransitional type‐C olivine CPO is induced by topotactic and anisotropic growth of olivine during antigorite dehydrationType‐B olivine CPO is the final form of antigorite dehydration generated by anisotropic growth, grain rotation, and oriented coalescence [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteoid osteoma is a benign osteogenic tumor that occurs mostly in the femoral stem, while osteoid osteoma occurring in the lumbar vertebral body is a relatively rare case. To minimize treatment‐related complications, a computer‐assisted navigation fully visualized spinal endoscopy was used. Ultimately, the pathology was diagnosed as osteoid osteoma. Case Presentation: We report a 19‐year‐old adult male with low back pain that worsened at night and CT, MRI imaging showed an abnormal signal shadow at the posterior margin of the lumbar vertebral body. Due to the proximity of the lesion to the spinal canal and adjacent to the nerve roots, it was difficult to precisely localize the lesion by purely endoscopic or open procedures, and if necessary, the resection of surrounding tissues had to be expanded, causing unnecessary damage to the surrounding tissues. Therefore, we choose computer‐assisted navigation fully visualized spinal endoscopy to perform the treatment. Conclusion: In this case, we report an osteoid osteoma that occurs less frequently in the lumbar vertebral body. Using computer‐assisted navigation with fully visualized spinal endoscopy, we successfully resected the osteoid osteoma at the posterior margin of the L3 vertebral body preoperatively by computer‐planned path with intraoperative visualization endoscopy, minimizing the damage to spinal stability. Computer‐assisted navigation with visualization endoscopy provides a more precise and minimally invasive approach to the treatment of osteoid osteoma of the spine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: The molecular mechanisms underlying hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated cell division cycle‐associated 3 (CDCA3) expression status and characterized a CDCA3‐related long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) in HCC. Methods: RT‐qPCR and western blot were used to determine CDCA3 expression level in HCC clinical specimens. 5′ and 3′‐RACE, RNAscope, RNA pull‐down, CRISPR/Cas9‐based RNA immunoprecipitation (CRIP) and site‐directed mutation experiments were used to characterize lncCDCA3L and investigate its function target. Chi‐square test and Kaplan–Meier analysis were used to assess lncCDCA3L clinical significance. The effects of lncCDCA3L on HCC development were assessed by overexpression in vitro and in vivo. Results: In this study, we found CDCA3 was a potential oncogenic factor in HCC and characterized the lncCDCA3L, which could inhibit CDCA3. LncCDCA3L is significantly downregulated in HCC and its expression level is associated with tumour size and can act as an independent risk factor affecting postoperative survival time in HCC patients. Mechanistically, lncCDCA3L can repress CDCA3 protein level and inhibit hepatocarcinogenesis by directly binding to CDCA3 mRNA at 1423–1455 region via a novel manner based on a hairpin structure motif. Conclusions: Our study collectively unveiled the molecular mechanisms of how lncCDCA3L repressed the tumourigenic properties of HCC cells and exhibited a tumour suppressor character in HCC in a CDCA3‐dependent manner. The findings here support lncCDCA3L can be used as a candidate prognostic biomarker for HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation mechanism and electronic transport properties of imidazole sandwiched between gold electrodes are investigated using the non‐equilibrium Green's function formalism combined with density functional theory. Our calculations show that the imidazole radical bridges the gold electrodes and the covalent Au−N bonds formed at the molecule‐electrode interfaces enhance the junction stability. In contrast, adding one more electron to the junction, which corresponds to the imidazole radical anion, will increase the antibonding orbital population and thus weaken the junction stability. The calculated low‐bias conductance values of junctions with a single imidazole radical and two imidazole radicals linked in series through one gold atom are in excellent agreement with the experimental measurements, which are mainly contributed by the σ‐type Au−N bonds. These findings deepen our understanding of the structure‐property relationship of imidazole‐gold molecular junctions and facilitate the design of future imidazole‐based molecular electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A green and natural biomass carbon with hollow structure was first reported derived from waste makeup cotton, which was prepared by facile pyrolysis and carbonisation in the nitrogen‐filled vacuum tube furnace. Utilised as lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) anode materials, the hollow structure exhibits superior cycling and rate performance. At the current density of 100 mA g−1, it demonstrates a reversible capacity of 340 mAh g−1 with the Coulombic efficiency of 58.8%, and the reversible capacity gradually increases to 450 mAh g−1 at 300 cycles, displaying long cycling stability. Even at a higher current density of 500 mA g−1, the capacity can be maintained around 245 mAh g−1 after 150 cycles. Moreover, the hollow carbon exhibits excellent rate capability (222 mAh g−1 at an ultrahigh rate of 2000 mA g−1). This enhanced property can be attributed to its special hollow structure, which could provide fast lithium ions and electrons transfer path to facilitate the electrochemical reaction. The authors believe this work could help to design new carbon materials with green and environmental protection as anode materials for LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bulk composition of overthickened Tibetan deep crust has been generally believed to be mafic granulite with eclogite at the lowermost crust. However, a granulitic/eclogitic deep crust is in contradiction to geological and geophysical observations in southern Tibet. Here we present petrofabrics and seismic properties of amphibolites from exhumed crustal part of the Indian plate in the eastern Himalayan syntaxis. Our results show strong fabrics of amphibole, nearly random fabrics of plagioclase and strong seismic anisotropies of amphibolites (AVp = 5.6–12.0% and Max. AVs = 5.1–7.7%). Comparing to a deep crust composed of nearly isotropic mafic granulite and weakly anisotropic eclogite, a thick amphibolitic layer in the middle‐lower crust would better account for the strong shear wave splitting (0.2–0.5 s in delay times or 4–15% in S wave anisotropy), the suture boundary parallel faster shear wave polarization, and the widespread postcollisional adakite‐like potassic rocks in southern Tibet. Plain Language Summary: We study the petrofabrics and seismic anisotropies of exposed lower crust of the subducting Indian plate. Our results show that a thick layer of amphibolites in the middle‐lower crust would agree better with the geological and geophysical observations than a deep crust entirely made of granulite and eclogite underneath southern Tibet. Key Points: Himalayan amphibolites are characterized by strong fabrics of amphibole and nearly random fabrics of plagioclaseHimalayan amphibolites show strong whole‐rock P wave and S wave seismic anisotropies mostly resulting from their amphibole componentsA thick amphibolite layer can account for the strong S wave splitting and the suture boundary parallel Vs1 polarization in southern Tibet [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug‐induced liver injury (DILI) is the most common reason for a drug to be withdrawn from the market. Apart from stopping the offending drug, no regimens are available for treating idiosyncratic DILI in clinical practice. Methods: We carried out a randomized, double‐blind, multidoses, active drug controlled, multicentre phase II trial to assess the safety and efficacy of the study drug, magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate (MgIG), as compared to tiopronin, a standard therapy for DILI in China. The primary outcome was the proportion of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization at week 4 after study drug administration. Logistic regression was used to examine the odds of ALT normalization between low dose (Group A) and high dose (Group B) vs active control (Group C). Results: One hundred and seventy‐four eligible subjects were randomized and enrolled into three groups: 59 in group A, 56 in group B and 59 in group C. It was shown that group A and group B lowered ALT level even at early stage of study drug administration; when compared with Group C (61.02%), the proportions of ALT normalization at week 4 were significantly greater in Group A (84.75%, P = .0029) and Group B (85.71%, P = .0037) respectively. The results from the univariate logistic model showed that the odds of ALT normalized among subjects in Group A were about 3.6 times greater (OR = 3.55, 95% CI: 1.47‐8.57, P = .0049) than subjects in Group C. Similar effect was observed among subjects in Group B (OR = 3.83, 95% CI: 1.54‐9.55, P = .0039). Conclusions: This trial provided preliminary evidence that MgIG is an effective and safe treatment for patients with acute DILI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic-scale mechanochemistry is realized from force exerted by a C60-functionalized scanning tunneling microscope tip. Two conformers of tin phthalocyanine can be prepared on coinage-metal surfaces. A transition between these conformers is induced on Cu(111) and Ag(100). Density-functional calculations reveal details of this reaction. Because of the large energy barrier of the reaction and the strong interaction of SnPc with Cu(111), the process cannot be achieved by electrical means. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Steroid oestrogens are typical endocrine-disrupting compounds in the environment and are excreted from the human and animals mainly as conjugates, including sulfate and glucuronide salts. The oestrogen conjugates are largely biologically inactive, but they can be de-conjugated and release free oestrogens, which usually exhibit strong oestrogenicity. Therefore, it is important to study the fate of oestrogen conjugates in the environment. However, because of the complexity of environmental matrixes, time-consuming pre-treatments of samples are usually required to reduce the interference of the matrixes. 14C radioisotope can trace target substances and their degradation products at low concentrations in complex environmental samples and is therefore essential in such studies. We synthesized three oestrogen sulfates with 14C-labelling at the ring, i.e. [3-14C]-estrone-3-sulfate ammonium salt, [3-14C]-17β-estradiol-17-sulfate ammonium salt, and [3-14C]-17β-estradiol-3,17-disulfate diammonium salt with radiochemical purities of >98% by sulfation of [3-14C]-labelled estrone and 17β-estradiol in dry pyridine with SO3-triethylamine at room temperature or 90-95 °C, followed by hydrolysis with KOH-methanol solution and purification by preparative thin-layer chromatography on silica gel using an ammonia-containing eluent. The products were characterized by mass spectrometry and 13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, using their corresponding non-labelled compounds. The 14C-labelled oestrogen conjugates provide possibilities for studying their fate in soil and sediment environments as well as in the animal manure. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Aberration of miR-129-2 has been linked to a variety of human tumours. However, whether miR-129-2 is involved in hepatocarcinogenesis remains unknown. Here, we investigate the involvement of miR-129-2 in HBV infection-related HCC. Methods A total of 75 paired tumour and their corresponding non-tumour liver tissues from HCC patients with serum HBs Ag positive were collected. The methylation of miR-129-2 gene was quantitatively analysed by a DNA methylation-sensitive endonuclease digestion followed by quantitative PCR. The expression of mature miR-129-2 (miR-129-3p) was detected by Taqman RT- PCR. SOX4 expression was detected using quantitative realtime RT- PCR, western blot and immunohistochemical staining. The function of miR-129-2 was investigated using cell proliferation and clonogenicity assays in vitro. Results Compared with the adjacent non-tumour tissues, tumour tissues exhibited significantly increased miR-129-2 hypermethylation both in frequency (37.33% vs. 8%, P < 0.0001) and in intensity (14.77% vs. 3.08%, P = 0.002). Accordantly, miR-129-3p expression in HCC tissues was significantly lower than that in non-tumour tissues ( P = 0.0461), in a manner reversely correlated with the level of miR-129-2 hypermethylation. Notably, SOX4 level in the HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumour tissues ( P = 0.0174) and normal liver tissues ( P = 0.0077), correlated reversely with miR-129-3p level ( P = 0.0105). Furthermore, overexpression of miR-129-2 in HepG2 reduced cell proliferation and clonogenicity, while co-expression with SOX4 could partially reverse its antitumor effects. In addition, SOX4 in HepG2 cell can enhance β-catenin/TCF activity by increasing β-catenin level. Conclusion The current data indicated that methylation-mediated repression of miR-129-2 may enhance oncogenic SOX4 expression and involve in HCC tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Recent research has suggested that the oncomir microRNA 155 (miR-155) is up-regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, the authors investigated the tumorigenic mechanism of this oncomir in the development of HCC. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was conducted to analyze the expressions of miR-155 and its potential target genes in paired tumor tissues and adjacent tumor-free tissues and in disease-free liver tissue samples. The in silico predicted target genes of miR-155 were assessed by dual-luciferase reporting assay, real-time RT-PCR, and Western blot analyses. U6 promoters that drive miR-155 precursor overexpression and miR-155 tough decoy knock-down constructs were used to study its affects on cell proliferation in vitro and on tumor formation in nude mice. RESULTS: Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated a gradual ascension of miR-155 expression in cirrhotic liver tissues and in HCC tumor tissues compared with low expression levels in normal liver tissues. Ectopic expression of miR-155 in HepG2 cells enhanced its tumorigenesis, whereas depletion of the endogenous miR-155 reversed these tumorigenic properties. Ectopic expression of sex-determining region Y box 6 (SOX6) was able to reverse the growth-promoting property of miR-155. Concordantly, the results demonstrated for the first time that SOX6 is a direct target of miR-155. Further analysis revealed that SOX6 reduced cell growth by up-regulating p21waf1/cip1 expression in a p53-dependent manner. In addition, a decline in p21waf1/cip1 expression caused by miR-155 could be reversed by SOX6 expression. CONCLUSIONS: The current data indicated that SOX6 is a novel target of miR-155 and that miR-155 enhances liver cell tumorigenesis at least in part through the novel miR-155/SOX6/p21waf1/cip1 axis. These findings suggest that miR-155 may be a potential target for HCC treatment. Cancer 2012. © 2011 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Frequent promoter hypermethylation of the inhibitors in either Rb or p53 pathways is associated with the hepatocellular carcinoma ( HCC) development. Objective To quantitatively assess the gradual changes of the promoter methylation of p14 ARF, p15 INK4b, p16 INK4a and CCND2 genes in hepatitis B virus ( HBV) infection-related HCC. Methods A total of 118 pairs of tumour and their corresponding non-tumour tissues were collected from HCC patients with evidence of HBV infection. The promoter methylation status was analysed by combined DNA methylation-sensitive and methylation-dependent restriction endonuclease digestion, followed by subsequential quantitative PCR assay. Results Promoter hypermethylation frequencies were gradually increased from 6.25% in normal liver tissues to 21.19% in adjacent non-tumour and to 40.68% in tumour tissues for p16 INK4a ( P = 0.000), and from none to 10.20% and to 29.59% for CCND2 ( P = 0.001). The hypermethylation intensities in HCC tissues were also significantly increased ( P = 0.0018 for p16 INK4a, P = 0.0001 for CCND2). Altogether, 48.93% cases were found with increased hypermethylation intensity of either p16 INK4a and/or CCND2 promoter in tumour tissues, compared with their matched non-tumour tissues. In addition, tumour tissue p16 INK4a promoter hypermethylation was significantly higher in male than that in female gender patients in frequency ( P = 0.041) and was significantly increased in patients older than 50 years of age in intensity ( P = 0.0021). No hypermethylation of p14 ARF or p15 INK4b was found. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that from normal liver to the adjacent cirrhotic liver and to the HCC tissues, p16 INK4a hypermethylation was gradually increased both in frequency and in intensity, such increase might be gender and age related. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An urgent challenge to the development of rechargeable Zn–air batteries (RZABs) is the highly active, durable, and low‐cost catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction (ORR and OER). Herein, a carbon‐based monolithic catalyst is designed via anchoring P‐modified MnCo2O4 inverse spinel nanoparticles on biomass‐derived carbon (P‐MnCo2O4@PWC). The introduction of surface P atoms regulates the electronic structures and valences of metal atoms by adjusting the coordination fields by (P‐O)δ– and Metal‐P. The optimization of the adsorption behavior of key intermediates facilitates the activation and conversion of reaction species. The monolithic structure is beneficial to the construction of a three‐phase interface for efficient mass transfer and high electrical conductivity. The P‐MnCo2O4@PWC catalyst displays outstanding bifunctional catalytic properties with a thin ΔE (the difference between the OER potential at 10 mA cm–2 and the ORR halfwave potential) of 0.66 V. The RZAB with P‐MnCo2O4@PWC as cathode delivers an exceptional peak power density (160 mW cm–2) and remarkable cycle life (over 1200 cycles), overcoming those with noble metal counterparts. This research provides a promising general surface‐phosphorization way to the design of carbon electrocatalysts and the high‐value utilization of biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gene signatures for predicting the outcome of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) have been employed for many years. However, various signatures have been applied in clinical practice. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to filter out an effective LUSC prognostic gene signature by simultaneously integrating mRNA and microRNA (miRNA). Methods: First, based on data from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) (https://www.cancer.gov/tcga), mRNAs and miRNAs that were related to overall survival of LUSC were obtained by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method. Subsequently, the predicting effect was tested by time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Next, related clinical indices were added to evaluate the efficiency of the selected gene signatures. Finally, validation and comparison using three independent gene signatures were performed using data from the Gene Expression Omnibus database (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo). Results: Our data showed that the prognostic index (PI) contained 17 mRNAs and one miRNA. According to the best normalized cut‐off of PI (0.0247), the hazard ratio of the PI was 3.40 (95% confidence interval = 2.33–4.96). Moreover, when clinical factors were introduced, the PI was still the most significant index. In addition, only two Gene Ontology terms with p < 0.05 were reported. Furthermore, validation implied that, using our 18‐gene signature, only hazard ratio = 1.36 (95% confidence interval = 1.01–1.83) was significant compared to the other three groups of gene biomarkers. Conclusions: The 18‐gene signature selected based on data from the TCGA database had an effective prognostic value for LUSC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Aberration of miR-129-2 has been linked to a variety of human tumours. However, whether miR-129-2 is involved in hepatocarcinogenesis remains unknown. Here, we investigate the involvement of miR-129-2 in HBV infection-related HCC., Methods: A total of 75 paired tumour and their corresponding non-tumour liver tissues from HCC patients with serum HBsAg positive were collected. The methylation of miR-129-2 gene was quantitatively analysed by a DNA methylation-sensitive endonuclease digestion followed by quantitative PCR. The expression of mature miR-129-2 (miR-129-3p) was detected by Taqman RT-PCR. SOX4 expression was detected using quantitative realtime RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemical staining. The function of miR-129-2 was investigated using cell proliferation and clonogenicity assays in vitro., Results: Compared with the adjacent non-tumour tissues, tumour tissues exhibited significantly increased miR-129-2 hypermethylation both in frequency (37.33% vs. 8%, P < 0.0001) and in intensity (14.77% vs. 3.08%, P = 0.002). Accordantly, miR-129-3p expression in HCC tissues was significantly lower than that in non-tumour tissues (P = 0.0461), in a manner reversely correlated with the level of miR-129-2 hypermethylation. Notably, SOX4 level in the HCC tissues was significantly higher than that in non-tumour tissues (P = 0.0174) and normal liver tissues (P = 0.0077), correlated reversely with miR-129-3p level (P = 0.0105). Furthermore, overexpression of miR-129-2 in HepG2 reduced cell proliferation and clonogenicity, while co-expression with SOX4 could partially reverse its antitumor effects. In addition, SOX4 in HepG2 cell can enhance β-catenin/TCF activity by increasing β-catenin level., Conclusion: The current data indicated that methylation-mediated repression of miR-129-2 may enhance oncogenic SOX4 expression and involve in HCC tumorigenesis., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)