The RAS association domain family protein 1a (RASSF1A), a tumor suppressor gene at 3p21.3, plays a very important role in various cancers, including the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Hypermethylation of CpG islands in the RASSF1A promoter region contribute to epigenetic inactivation. However, the association between RASSF1A promoter methylation and HNSCC remains unclear and controversial. Therefore, a meta-analysis was performed in the study to identify the association. We identified the eligible studies through searching PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases with a systematic searching strategy. The information on characteristics of each study and prevalence of RASSF1A methylation were collected. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Meta-regression was performed to analyze heterogeneity and funnel plots were applied to evaluate publication bias. A total of 550 HNSCC patients and 404 controls from twelve eligible studies were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, a significant association was observed between RASSF1A methylation status and HNSCC risk under a random-effects model (OR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.58-5.46). There was no significant publication bias observed. The meta-analysis suggested that there was a significant association between aberrant RASSF1A methylation and HNSCC.

Hyperuricemia (HU) often progresses to combine with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the clinical scenario, which further exacerbates metabolic disorders; early detection of biomarkers, if obtained during the HU progression, may be beneficial for preventing its combination with NAFLD. This study aimed to decipher the biomarkers and mechanisms of the development of steatosis in HU. Four groups of subjects undergoing health screening, including healthy subjects, subjects with HU, subjects with HU combined with NAFLD (HU+NAFLD) and subjects with HU initially and then with HU+NAFLD one year later (HU→HU+NAFLD), were recruited in this study. The metabolic profiles of all subjects' serum were analyzed by liquid chromatography quadruple time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The metabolomic data from subjects with HU and HU+NAFLD were compared, and the biomarkers for the progression from HU to HU+NAFLD were predicted. The metabolomic data from HU→HU+NAFLD subjects were collected for further verification. The results showed that the progression was associated with disturbances of phospholipase metabolism, purine nucleotide degradation and Liver X receptor/retinoic X receptor activation as characterized by up-regulated phosphatidic acid, cholesterol ester (18:0) and down-regulated inosine. These metabolic alterations may be at least partially responsible for the development of steatosis in HU. This study provides a new paradigm for better understanding and further prevention of disease progression.

The pigmentation pattern of Lepidoptera varies greatly in different development stages. To date, the effects of key genes in the melanin metabolism pathway on larval and adult body color are distinct, yet the effects on pupal pigmentation remains unclear. In the silkworm, Bombyx mori, the black pupa (bp) mutant is only specifically melanized at the pupal stage. Using positional cloning, we found that a mutation in the Aspartate decarboxylase gene (BmADC) is causative in the bp mutant. In the bp mutant, a SINE-like transposon with a length of 493 bp was detected ~2.2 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site of BmADC. This insertion causes a sharp reduction in BmADC transcript levels in bp mutants, leading to deficiency of β-alanine and N-β-alanyl dopamine (NBAD), but accumulation of dopamine. Following injection of β-alanine into bp mutants, the color pattern was reverted that of the wild-type silkworms. Additionally, melanic pupae resulting from knock-down of BmADC in the wild-type strain were obtained. These findings show that BmADC plays a crucial role in melanin metabolism and in the pigmentation pattern of the silkworm pupal stage. Finally, this study contributes to a better understanding of pupa pigmentation patterns in Lepidoptera.

Osteoblasts participating in the inflammation regulation gradually obtain concerns. However, its role in joint inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of osteoblastic pleckstrin homology domain-containing family O member 1 (PLEKHO1), a negative regulator of osteogenic lineage activity, in regulating joint inflammation in RA.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have the ability to dictate tumor initiation, recurrence, and metastasis. Here, we examined the expression of aα2δ1+ in laryngeal cancer tissues and further determined the effect of α2δ1 on the migratory ability and tumorigenicity of laryngeal cancer cells. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that α2δ1 was positive in 13 (13/16, 81.25%) cases in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) tissues, 7 (7/16, 43.75%) cases in paracancerous tissues and only 2 (2/16, 12.5%) cases in normal tumor tissues. Our quantitative RT-PCR assays further showed that α2δ1+ LSCC cells expressed significantly higher levels of stem cell-associated genes and drug efflux and resistance genes versusα2δ1- cells. Sphere-forming assays demonstrated higher sphere-forming efficiency in the α2δ1+versusα2δ1- subpopulation. Our Matrigel assays showed that α2δ1+ cells exhibited significantly greater invasive and migratory ability than α2δ1- cells. Furthermore, the percentage of purified α2δ1+ in TU686 and TU212 cells treated cisplatin or paclitaxel was significantly higher than that of the control group. Tumor xenograft assays revealed that the tumorigenicity of α2δ1+ cells was much higher than α2δ1- cells. In conclusion, a α2δ1+ subpopulation with CSC-like property was present in laryngeal cancer and possessed high self-renewal activity and was sufficient for tumor growth, differentiation, migration, invasion, and chemotherapeutic resistance. They could represent a promising therapeutic target for LSCC.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a major tuberous crop produced worldwide. In this study, we sequenced 158 diverse cassava varieties and identified 349,827 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and indels. In each chromosome, the number of SNPs and the physical length of the respective chromosome were in agreement. Population structure analysis indicated that this panel can be divided into three subgroups. Genetic diversity analysis indicated that the average nucleotide diversity of the panel was 1.21 × 10-4 for all sampled landraces. This average nucleotide diversity was 1.97 × 10-4, 1.01 × 10-4, and 1.89 × 10-4 for subgroups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Genome-wide linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis demonstrated that the average LD was about ∼8 kb. We evaluated 158 cassava varieties under 11 different environments. Finally, we identified 36 loci that were related to 11 agronomic traits by genome-wide association analyses. Four loci were associated with two traits, and 62 candidate genes were identified in the peak SNP sites. We found that 40 of these genes showed different expression profiles in different tissues. Of the candidate genes related to storage roots, Manes.13G023300, Manes.16G000800, Manes.02G154700, Manes.02G192500, and Manes.09G099100 had higher expression levels in storage roots than in leaf and stem; on the other hand, of the candidate genes related to leaves, Manes.05G164500, Manes.05G164600, Manes.04G057300, Manes.01G202000, and Manes.03G186500 had higher expression levels in leaves than in storage roots and stem. This study provides basis for research on genetics and the genetic improvement of cassava.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling is essential for osteogenesis. However, recombinant human BMPs (rhBMPs) exhibit large inter-individual variations in local bone formation during clinical spinal fusion. Smurf1 ubiquitinates BMP downstream molecules for degradation. Here, we classify age-related osteoporosis based on distinct intraosseous BMP-2 levels and Smurf1 activity. One major subgroup with a normal BMP-2 level and elevated Smurf1 activity (BMP-2n/Smurf1e) shows poor response to rhBMP-2 during spinal fusion, when compared to another major subgroup with a decreased BMP-2 level and normal Smurf1 activity (BMP-2d/Smurf1n). We screen a chalcone derivative, i.e., 2-(4-cinnamoylphenoxy)acetic acid, which effectively inhibits Smurf1 activity and increases BMP signaling. For BMP-2n/Smurf1e mice, the chalcone derivative enhances local bone formation during spinal fusion. After conjugating to an osteoblast-targeting and penetrating oligopeptide (DSS)6, the chalcone derivative promotes systemic bone formation in BMP-2n/Smurf1e mice. This study demonstrates a precision medicine-based bone anabolic strategy for age-related osteoporosis.

The aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has emerged as important hallmarks of cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the differences of miRNA expression remain unclear. Many studies have reported that miR-98-5p plays vital functions in the development and progression of multiple cancers. However, its role in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains unknown.

Fine particulate matter (PM₂.₅) has been associated in humans with inflammation, oxidative stress and cancer. Studies had shown that curcumin could potentially inhibit these effects; however, there had been no in vivo or in vitro reports about the effects of curcumin on organisms exposed to PM₂.₅. This predictive study explored the possible biological functions and pathways involved in the mechanism of curcumin inhibition of the hazardous effects of PM₂.₅. For predictive analysis, microarray data were used to investigate the effect of PM₂.₅ on human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC), and human target proteins of curcumin were retrieved from PubChem. Two protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were established based upon differential genes and target proteins, respectively, and the common network of these two networks was found. Functional and pathway analysis of the common network was performed using the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) software. The results suggested that the predictive effects of curcumin on HBEC exposed to PM₂.₅ were involved in bio-functions, including inflammatory response of airway, cancerogenesis, and apoptosis, and in pathways such as cancer, glucocorticoid receptor signaling, and NF-kappaB signaling. This study predicted for the first time that curcumin could be a potential therapeutic agent for protecting the human airway from the hazardous effects of PM₂.₅.

Vasohibin 2 (VASH2) is an angiogenic factor and cancer-related protein that acts via paracrine mechanisms. Here, we investigated the angiogenic function and mechanism of action of VASH2 in 200 human breast cancer tissues by performing immunohistochemical staining, western blot, indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and a semi-quantitative sandwich-based antibody array. Breast cancer cells stably overexpressing VASH2 or with knocked-down VASH2 were established and used for in vivo and in vitro models. In human luminal tissue, but not in HER2-positive or basal-like breast cancer tissues, VASH2 was positively correlated with CD31-positive microvascular density, induced angiogenesis in xenograft tumors, and promoted human umbilical vein endothelial cell tube formation in vitro. VASH2 expression was absent in the concentrated conditioned medium collected from knocked-down VASH2 and VASH2-overexpressing luminal breast cancer cells. Further, VASH2 regulated the expression of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) in human luminal breast cancer cells, and the pro-angiogenic effect induced by VASH2 overexpression was blocked by FGF2 neutralization in vitro. Additionally, dual luciferase reporter assay and Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis results showed that FGF2 promoter was transcriptionally activated by VASH2 via histone modifications. In conclusion, VASH2 expression is positively correlated with FGF2 expression and promotes angiogenesis in human luminal breast cancer by transcriptional activation of fibroblast growth factor 2 through non-paracrine mechanisms.

This manuscript elaborates on the establishment of a chemotaxonomic classification strategy for closely-related Citrus fruits in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs). UPLC-Q-TOF-MS-based metabolomics was applied to depict the variable chemotaxonomic markers and elucidate the metabolic mechanism of Citrus TCMs from different species and at different ripening stages. Metabolomics can capture a comprehensive analysis of small molecule metabolites and can provide a powerful approach to establish metabolic profiling, creating a bridge between genotype and phenotype. To further investigate the different metabolites in four closely-related Citrus TCMs, non-targeted metabolite profiling analysis was employed as an efficient technique to profile the primary and secondary metabolites. The results presented in this manuscript indicate that primary metabolites enable the discrimination of species, whereas secondary metabolites are associated with species and the ripening process. In addition, analysis of the biosynthetic pathway highlighted that the syntheses of flavone and flavone glycosides are deeply affected in Citrus ripening stages. Ultimately, this work might provide a feasible strategy for the authentication of Citrus fruits from different species and ripening stages and facilitate a better understanding of their different medicinal uses.

Hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD), with poorly understood pathogenesis, has become a major public health threat across Asia Pacific. In order to characterize the metabolic changes of HFMD and to unravel the regulatory role of clinical intervention, we have performed a metabolomics approach in a clinical trial. In this study, metabolites profiling was performed by liquid chromatography/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-Q-TOF-MS) platform from the HFMD clinical patient samples. The outcome of this study suggested that 31 endogenous metabolites were mainly involved and showed marked perturbation in HFMD patients. In addition, combination therapy intervention showed normalized tendency in HFMD patients in differential pathway. Taken together, these results indicate that metabolomics approach can be used as a complementary tool for the detection and the study of the etiology of HFMD.

Androgens have been linked to the onset, severity, and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the most common pattern in RA is kidney deficiency, which partly corresponds to a low sex hormone state. In this study, TCM kidney deficiency was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats with castration surgery, and a TCM preparation, Yi Shen Juan Bi Pill (YJB), was used to treat collagen induced arthritis (CIA) rats with castration. Metabolomic technique was used to evaluate the pharmacological mechanism in castrated CIA rats treated by YJB. The results showed that castration significantly increased the severity of the arthritis in rats but was ameliorated by YJB. Its pharmacological mechanism was partially associated with lipid metabolites involving free fatty acid (FFA) and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). In conclusion, the experimental results demonstrate the protective effect of YJB on the TCM kidney deficiency pattern induced by androgen deficiency in CIA rats and support that YJB should be used for the clinical treatment of RA with TCM kidney deficiency pattern.

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by mutations in the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) gene or by defects in the tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) synthesis pathway. Here, by positional cloning, we report that the 6-pyruvoyl-tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) gene, encoding a key enzyme of BH4 biosynthesis, is responsible for the alc (albino C) mutation that displays pale body color, head shaking, and eventually lethality after the first molting in silkworm. Compared to wild type, the alc mutant produced more substrates (phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr)) and generated less DOPA and dopamine. Application of 2,4-diamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine (DAHP) to block BH4 synthesis in the wild type effectively produced the alc-like phenotype, while BH4 supplementation rescued the defective body color and lethal phenotype in both alc and DAHP-treated individuals. The detection of gene expressions and metabolic substances after drugs treatments in alc and normal individuals imply that silkworms and humans have a high similarity in the drugs metabolic features and the gene pathway related to BH4 and the dopamine biosynthesis. We propose that the alc mutant could be used as an animal model for drug evaluation for BH4-deficient PKU.

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important tropical starchy root crop that is adapted to drought but extremely cold sensitive. A cold-tolerant, high-quality, and robust supply of cassava is urgently needed. Here, we clarify genome-wide distribution and classification of CCGG hemi-methylation and full-methylation, and detected 77 much candidate QTLsepi for cold stress and 103 much candidate QTLsepi for storage root quality and yield in 186 cassava population, generated by crossing two non-inbred lines with female parent KU50 and male parent SC124 (KS population). We developed amplified-fragment single nucleotide polymorphism and methylation (AFSM) genetic map in this population. We also constructed the AFSM QTL map, identified 260 much candidate QTL genes for cold stress and 301 much candidate QTL genes for storage root quality and yield, based on the years greenhouse and field trials. This may accounted for a significant amount of the variation in the key traits controlling cold tolerance and the high quality and yield of cassava.

Phenytoin, an antiepileptic drug, has been widely used for wound healing. Inspired by previous studies, phenytoin silver (PnAg), a sparingly soluble silver nanocompound, was synthesized which exhibited good therapeutic efficacy in tissue repair with low toxicity (LD50 >5 g/kg). In vivo studies showed that PnAg could accelerate dermal wound healing and strong inflammation control in Sprague-Dawley rats (SD rat) and Bama minipigs. Due to its low solubility, PnAg led to low toxicity and blood enrichment in animals. Furthermore, PnAg could upregulate the promoter activity of Jak, Stat3, and Stat3 downstream proteins. Therefore, PnAg may serve as an effective therapeutic compound for wound healing through regulating the gp130/Jak/Stat3 signaling pathway.

Identifying the early-stage colon adenocarcinoma (ECA) patients who have lower risk cancer vs. the higher risk cancer could improve disease prognosis. Our study aimed to explore whether the glandular morphological features determined by computational pathology could identify high risk cancer in ECA via H&E images digitally.

Luminal glucose enhances intestinal Ca2+ absorption through apical Cav 1.3 channels necessary for GLUT2-mediated glucose absorption. As these reciprocal mechanisms are not well understood, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of intestinal [Ca2+ ]cyt and SGLT1-mediated Na+ -glucose co-transports.

Increasing evidence has demonstrated that long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve important roles in numerous malignancies, including triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC). The lncRNA titin‑antisense RNA1 (TTN‑AS1) has previously been reported to promote tumorigenesis in various types of cancer. The present study aimed to investigate the potential role of TTN‑AS1 in breast cancer and the associated underlying mechanisms. Following prediction by Starbase and confirmation by dual‑luciferase reporter assay, TINCR was demonstrated to be a target gene for microRNA (miR)‑211‑5p. The expression levels of TTN‑AS1 and miR‑211‑5p, which was predicted to be targeted by TTN‑AS1, in TNBC tissues and in the breast cancer cell lines MDA‑MB‑453 and MDA‑MB‑231 were measured using reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. Following TTN‑AS1‑knockdown, cell proliferation was measured using a Cell Counting Kit‑8 assay and colony formation assay, whereas cell invasion and migration were measured using Transwell and wound healing assays, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the potential interaction between TTN‑AS1 and miR‑211‑5p. In addition, rescue assays were conducted to investigate the effects of TTN‑AS1 and miR‑211‑5p on TNBC development. The results demonstrated that TTN‑AS1 expression was significantly upregulated, whereas that of miR‑211‑5p was found to be downregulated in TNBC tissues and cell lines compared with the matched adjacent normal tissues and normal breast epithelial cell line MCF‑10A, respectively. Furthermore, TTN‑AS1‑knockdown inhibited the proliferation and invasive and migratory abilities of MDA‑MB‑453 and MDA‑MB‑231 cells, which was reversed following co‑transfection with the miR‑211‑5p inhibitor. The results from luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR‑211‑5p was a direct target of TTN‑AS1, suggesting that TTN‑AS1 may bind directly to miR‑211‑5p to negatively regulate its expression. In conclusion, the findings from the present study demonstrated that TTN‑AS1 regulated the proliferation and invasive and migratory abilities of TNBC by targeting miR‑211‑5p. This study may provide some insights into the regulatory mechanism of TNBC and help the development of novel therapeutic interventions for TNBC.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by synovitis. Pien Tze Huang (PZH) is a Chinese patent medicine with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. However, whether PZH could be used in RA therapy is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and the potential mechanism of PZH on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice.