Aim To investigate the expression levels of cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein-1(CYFIP1)in colorectal cancer and assess the impact of CYFIP1 interaction on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorec-tal cancer cell HT29,along with its potential mecha-nisms.Methods Immunohistochemistry was em-ployed to assess CYFIP1 expression in 32 colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent tissues.Coexpressed genes were identified using the GEPIA2 website to predict potential correlations and binding sites.Following the construction of a siRNA-CYFIP1,alterations in cell proliferation,apoptosis,and levels of apoptosis-related proteins were evaluated through CCK-8 assay,Hoechst 33342/PI double staining assay,and Western blot a-nalysis,respectively.Results The immunohisto-chemical findings revealed a significantly elevated level of CYFIP1 expression in colorectal cancer tissues com-pared to paracancer tissues(P＜0.05).The expres-sion of CYFIP1 did not show any correlation with age and gender,but exhibited associations with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05).A conserved TP53 binding site was predicted in the 3kbps DNA re-gion upstream of the CYFIP1 gene using GEPIA2,JASPAR databases,and rVista 2.0 promoter prediction software.Following transfection of HT29 cells with siRNA-CYFIP1,the clonogenesis and proliferation of cells significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Additional-ly,the levels of cleaved caspase-3 were elevated,while the expression levels of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were reduced after transfection with siRNA-CYFIP1(P＜0.05),which might be related to the interaction be-tween CYFIP1 and TP53.Conclusions The upregu-lation of CYFIP1 in colorectal cancer is associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis.Upon silen-cing,CYFIP1 demonstrates the ability to suppress pro-liferation in HT29 cells and modulate the expression of apoptotic proteins.

Objective:To observe effectiveness of combining diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in evaluating the upper limb motor functioning of stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-seven stroke survivors with upper limb motor dysfunction were selected. At the 4th, 12th and 24th week after their onset, each was were assessed using Fugl-Meyer Upper Limb (FMA-UE) scoring, the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), the Barthel Index (BI) and hemiplegic hand function classification. DTI was also applied and MEPs were measured. The patients were divided into an MEP positive group and an MEP negative group according to the existence of the MEP waveform. The DTI and MEP parameters were correlated with the FMA-UE scores, linear regressions were evaluated and a receiver operating characteristics curve was prepared to estimate the utility of DTI in predicting hand function. The sensitivity and specificity of MEPs in predicting hand function recovery were evaluated.Results:The asymmetry index (FAa) of the average anisotropy score of the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the FAa of the cerebral peduncle were both significantly correlated with the FMA-UE scores at the 12th and 24th weeks. The best cut-off points for predicting functional recovery of a patient′s hand were 0.155 for the FAa of the posterior limb of the internal capsule and 0.145 for the cerebral peduncle. Among the 37 patients, the MEPs of 8 (the MEP positive group) could be extracted, and their hand functions recovered completely. The sensitivity of the MEPs in predicting the complete recovery of hand function was 80% with 100% specificity. The linear regression analysis showed 77% prediction accuracy for the FAa and MEPs of the cerebral peduncle for upper limb motor function at the 24th week after onset. In the MEP negative group, two patients completely recovered their hand function, with one′s FAa less than 0.145, and the other′s more than 0.145. When the MEP was negative, the sensitivity of DTI in predicting the recovery of hand function was 50% with 81.5% specificity.Conclusions:DTI combined with MEPs can be used as an index to evaluate the prognosis of upper limb motor function in stroke patients.

Objective:To observe effectiveness of combining diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) with motor evoked potentials (MEPs) in evaluating the upper limb motor functioning of stroke survivors.Methods:Thirty-seven stroke survivors with upper limb motor dysfunction were selected. At the 4th, 12th and 24th week after their onset, each was were assessed using Fugl-Meyer Upper Limb (FMA-UE) scoring, the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), the Barthel Index (BI) and hemiplegic hand function classification. DTI was also applied and MEPs were measured. The patients were divided into an MEP positive group and an MEP negative group according to the existence of the MEP waveform. The DTI and MEP parameters were correlated with the FMA-UE scores, linear regressions were evaluated and a receiver operating characteristics curve was prepared to estimate the utility of DTI in predicting hand function. The sensitivity and specificity of MEPs in predicting hand function recovery were evaluated.Results:The asymmetry index (FAa) of the average anisotropy score of the posterior limb of the internal capsule and the FAa of the cerebral peduncle were both significantly correlated with the FMA-UE scores at the 12th and 24th weeks. The best cut-off points for predicting functional recovery of a patient′s hand were 0.155 for the FAa of the posterior limb of the internal capsule and 0.145 for the cerebral peduncle. Among the 37 patients, the MEPs of 8 (the MEP positive group) could be extracted, and their hand functions recovered completely. The sensitivity of the MEPs in predicting the complete recovery of hand function was 80% with 100% specificity. The linear regression analysis showed 77% prediction accuracy for the FAa and MEPs of the cerebral peduncle for upper limb motor function at the 24th week after onset. In the MEP negative group, two patients completely recovered their hand function, with one′s FAa less than 0.145, and the other′s more than 0.145. When the MEP was negative, the sensitivity of DTI in predicting the recovery of hand function was 50% with 81.5% specificity.Conclusions:DTI combined with MEPs can be used as an index to evaluate the prognosis of upper limb motor function in stroke patients.

Aim To investigate the expression levels of cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein-1(CYFIP1)in colorectal cancer and assess the impact of CYFIP1 interaction on the proliferation and apoptosis of colorec-tal cancer cell HT29,along with its potential mecha-nisms.Methods Immunohistochemistry was em-ployed to assess CYFIP1 expression in 32 colorectal cancer tissues and adjacent tissues.Coexpressed genes were identified using the GEPIA2 website to predict potential correlations and binding sites.Following the construction of a siRNA-CYFIP1,alterations in cell proliferation,apoptosis,and levels of apoptosis-related proteins were evaluated through CCK-8 assay,Hoechst 33342/PI double staining assay,and Western blot a-nalysis,respectively.Results The immunohisto-chemical findings revealed a significantly elevated level of CYFIP1 expression in colorectal cancer tissues com-pared to paracancer tissues(P＜0.05).The expres-sion of CYFIP1 did not show any correlation with age and gender,but exhibited associations with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05).A conserved TP53 binding site was predicted in the 3kbps DNA re-gion upstream of the CYFIP1 gene using GEPIA2,JASPAR databases,and rVista 2.0 promoter prediction software.Following transfection of HT29 cells with siRNA-CYFIP1,the clonogenesis and proliferation of cells significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Additional-ly,the levels of cleaved caspase-3 were elevated,while the expression levels of caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were reduced after transfection with siRNA-CYFIP1(P＜0.05),which might be related to the interaction be-tween CYFIP1 and TP53.Conclusions The upregu-lation of CYFIP1 in colorectal cancer is associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis.Upon silen-cing,CYFIP1 demonstrates the ability to suppress pro-liferation in HT29 cells and modulate the expression of apoptotic proteins.

Objective To campare biomechanical effects of different postural compression techniques on three-dimensional model of lumbar disc herniation(LDH)by finite element analysis.Methods Lumbar CT image of a 48-year-old female patient with LDH(heighted 163 cm,weighted 53 kg)was collected.Mimics 20.0,Geomagic Studio,Solidwords and other software were used to establish three-dimensional finite element model of LDH on L4,5 segments.Compression techniques under horizon-tal position,30° forward bending and 10° backward extension were simulated respectively.After applying the pressure,the ef-fects of compression techniques under different positions on stress,strain and displacement of various tissues of intervertebral disc and nerve root were observed.Results L4,5 segment finite element model was successfully established,and the model was validated.When compression manipulation was performed on the horizontal position,30° flexion and 10° extension,the annular stress were 0.732,5.929,1.286 MPa,the nucleus pulposus stress were 0.190,1.527,0.295 MPa,and the annular strain were 0.097,0.922 and 0.424,the strain sizes of nucleus pulposus were 0.153,1.222 and 0.282,respectively.The overall displace-ment distance of intervertebral disc on Y direction were-3.707,-18.990,-4.171 mm,and displacement distance of nerve root on Y direction were+7.836,+5.341,+3.859 mm,respectively.The relative displacement distances of nerve root and interverte-bral disc on Y direction were 11.543,24.331 and 8.030 mm,respectively.Conclusion Compression manipulation could make herniated intervertebral disc produce contraction and retraction trend,by increasing the distance between herniated interverte-bral disc and nerve root,to reduce symptoms of nerve compression,to achieve purpose of treatment for patients with LDH,in which the compression manipulation is more effective when the forward flexion is 30°.

OBJECTIVE: Huangqi Decoction (HQD), a classical traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been used as a valid treatment for alleviating liver fibrosis; however, the underlying molecular mechanism is still unknown. Although our previous studies showed that microRNA-663a (miR-663a) suppresses the proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the transforming growth factor-β/small mothers against decapentaplegic (TGF-β/Smad) pathway, whether long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in HSC activation via the miR-663a/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway has not yet reported. The present study aimed to investigate the roles of lncRNA lnc-C18orf26-1 in the activation of HSCs and the mechanism by which HQD inhibits hepatic fibrosis. METHODS: The expression levels of lnc-C18orf26-1, miR-663a and related genes were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. HSCs were transfected with the miR-663a mimic or inhibitor and lnc-C18orf26-1 small interfering RNAs. The water-soluble tetrazolium salt-1 assay was used to assess the proliferation rate of HSCs. Changes in lncRNA expression were evaluated in miR-663a-overexpressing HSCs by using microarray to identify miR-663a-regulated lncRNAs. RNA hybrid was used to predict the potential miR-663a binding sites on lncRNAs. Luciferase reporter assays further confirmed the interaction between miR-663a and the lncRNA. The expression levels of collagen α-2(I) chain (COL1A2), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway-related proteins were determined using Western blotting. RESULTS: Lnc-C18orf26-1 was upregulated in TGF-β1-activated HSCs and competitively bound to miR-663a. Knockdown of lnc-C18orf26-1 inhibited HSC proliferation and activation, downregulated TGF-β1-stimulated α-SMA and COL1A2 expression, and inhibited the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. HQD suppressed the proliferation and activation of HSCs. HQD increased miR-663a expression and decreased lnc-C18orf26-1 expression in HSCs. Further studies showed that HQD inhibited the expression of COL1A2, α-SMA, TGF-β1, TGF-β type I receptor (TGF-βRI) and phosphorylated Smad2 (p-Smad2) in HSCs, and these effects were reversed by miR-663a inhibitor treatment. CONCLUSION Our study identified lnc-C18orf26-1 and miR-663a as promising therapeutic targets for hepatic fibrosis. HQD inhibits HSC proliferation and activation at least partially by regulating the lnc-C18orf26-1/miR-663a/TGF-β1/TGF-βRI/p-Smad2 axis.
Humans ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/pharmacology* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/pharmacology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation ; Transforming Growth Factors/pharmacology*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupotomy on the fat infiltration degree of lumbar multifidus muscle (LMM) in patients with lumbar disc herniation after percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED). METHODS: A total of 104 patients with lumbar disc herniation treated with PTED were randomly divided into an observation group (52 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (52 cases, 4 cases dropped off). Patients of both groups received rehabilitation training of two weeks 48 h after PTED treatment. The observation group was treated with acupotomy (L₃-L₅ Jiaji [EX-B 2]) once within 24 h after PTED. In the two groups, the fat infiltration cross sectional area (CSA) of LMM was compared before and 6 months after PTED, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) score were observed before and 1, 6 months after PTED. The correlation between fat infiltration CSA of LMM in each segment and VAS score was analyzed. RESULTS: Six months after PTED, the fat infiltration CSA of LMM in L₄/L₅ and the total L₃-S₁ segments of the observation group was lower than that before PTED (P<0.05), and the fat infiltration CSA of LMM in L₄/L₅ of the observation group was lower than the control group (P<0.01). One month after PTED, the ODI and VAS scores of the two groups were lower than those before PTED (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). Six months after PTED, the ODI and VAS scores of the two groups were lower than those before PTED and 1 month after PTED (P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.01). There was a positive correlation between the fat infiltration CSA of LMM in the total L₃-S₁ segments and VAS scores in the two groups before PTED (r = 0.64, P<0.01). Six months after PTED, there was no correlation between the fat infiltration CSA of LMM in each segment and VAS scores in the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupotomy can improve the fat infiltration degree of LMM, pain symptoms and activities of daily living in patients with lumbar disc herniation after PTED.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Activities of Daily Living ; Paraspinal Muscles ; Treatment Outcome ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Retrospective Studies ; Endoscopy ; Diskectomy ; Acupuncture Therapy

Objective To investigate the current prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections in Yunnan province, so as to provide the scientific evidence for formulating the soil-borne nematodiasis control strategy in the province. Methods In 2015, a total of 20 survey sites were sampled in 10 counties (cities) of Yunnan Province using the stratified cluster random sampling method. Stool samples were collected from all local permanent residents at ages of one year and older in each survey site, and the soil-borne nematode eggs were identified using the modified Kato-Katz technique and the egg number was counted. In addition, the hookworm species was identified using the filter-paperculture method, and Enterobius vermicularis eggs were detected using the cellophane tape method in children at ages of 3 to 6 years. Results A total of 5 067 residents received stool examinations, and 950 residents were detected with soil-borne nematode infections, with an overall prevalence rate of 18.75%. The prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichura and hookworm was 7.52%, 8.47% and 9.02%, respectively. Among 446 children detected using the cellophane tape method, 5 children were detected with E. vermicularis infections. Among the 160 residents with hookworm infections, there were 139 residents with Necator americanus infections (86.88%), 16 with A. duodenale infections (10.00%) and 5 with mixed infections (3.12%). Mild A. lumbricoides (67.98%, 259/381), T. trichura (88.58%, 380/429) and hookworm infections (94.53%, 432/457) were predominant. Among the four ecological zones, the highest prevalence of human soilborne nematode infections was found in the East Tibet-South Sichuan Ecological Zone (31.79%), and among the 10 survey counties (cities), the greatest prevalence was seen in Gongshan Derung and Nu Autonomous County (50.13%), while the lowest prevalence was found in Ninglang Yi Autonomous County (0.40%). The prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections was 5.67% (43/759), 26.67% (610/2 287) and 14.70% (297/2 021) in high-, moderate- and low-economic-level regions, respectively. There were no significant differences in the prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections in terms of ecological regions, survey counties (cities) or economic development levels (χ² = 342.20, 814.60 and 201.34, all P < 0.05). There was no significantdifference in the prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections between male (18.21%, 441/2 422) and female residents (19.24%, 509/2 645) (χ² = 0.89, P > 0.05), and soil-borne nematode infections were detected in residents at all age groups, with the greatest prevalence found in residents at ages of 1 to 9 years (25.88%). In addition, the highest prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections was seen in residents with the Dulong Ethnic Minority (82.09%), in preschool children (25.06%) and in illiterate residents (24.80%), and there was no age-, ethnicity-, occupation- or education level-specific prevalence of soil-borne nematode infections detected (χ² = 46.50, 1 016.96, 36.33 and 52.43, all P < 0.05). Conclusions The prevalence of human soil-borne nematode infections remains high in Yunnan Province. The management of soil-borne nematodiasis requires to be reinforced among low-age children, farmers, old people and residents with low educations levels or ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Bmi-1 gene silence on the proliferation ability of K562 cells in vitro and in vivo, and to explore the relation of molecular mechanism between proliferation ability of K562 cells in vitro and in vivo with PTEN/pAKT signaling pathway. METHODS: The Bmi-1 small interference RNA (siRNA) sequences were transfected into K562 cells for decreasing Bmi-1 expression. The effect of Bmi-1 siRNA on the proliferation of K562 cells in vitro and in vivo was detected by MTT method and colony-forming test, the effect of Bmi-1 siRNA on the tumorogenicity of K562 cells was observed by subcutaneous inoculation of K562 cells, LY294002 and Bpv treated K562 cells in nude mice, the expression of Bmi-1, PTEN and pAKT proteins were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: The Bmi-1 siRNA could inhibit the proliferation activity, colony-forming and tumor-forming abilities of K562 cells. After the silence of Bmi-1 gene, the PTEN expression in Bmi-1 gene-silenced group was significantly enhanced. While the pAKT expression in Bmi-1 gene-silenced group was significantly reduced; after the K562 cells were treated with LY294002 (an inhibitor of pAKT), the pAKT expression colony-forming and tumor forming abilities were reduced in comparison with untreated K562 cells; after the K562-S1 cells were treated with Bpv (an inhibitor of PTEN), the PTEN expression decreased, while the pAKT expression, colony forming and tumor-forming abilities were restored. CONCLUSION The Bmi-1 gene possibly involves in regulation of K562 proliferation in vivo and in vitro, the effect of PTEN/pAKT signaling pathway maybe one of molecular mechanisms mediating this regulation.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Leukemia ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Signal Transduction

Objective: To investigate whether diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and motor evoked potentials (MEP) can be used as biomarkers to assess the degree of motor dysfunction of stroke survivors. Methods: Sixty partially-paralyzed stroke survivors were given Fugl-Meyer assessments (FMAs) and MEP tests and assessed using DTI seeking any correlations among the results. The receiver operating characteristics curves (ROCs) were prepared to determine the tests′ efficacy in assessing severe motor dysfunction. Results: ① Asymmetry in the fractional anisotropy (aFA) of the peduncles cerebra as measured by DTI was negatively correlated with the FMA scores of the upper and lower limbs on the affected side. The aFA values of the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) were negatively correlated with the FMA scores of the affected upper limb, but not with the FMA scores of the affected lower limbs. The abnormalities in central motor conduction time and motor threshold, which are MEP parameters, were negatively correlated with the FMA scores of the affected limbs. ② The ROCs showed that the aFA value of the PLIC was the best indicator for assessing severe upper limb motor dysfunction, with a cut-off value of 0.167 giving the best discrimination. MEP waveform loss could also be used. It has high sensitivity but low specificity. ③ A combination of DTI and MEP can improve specificity in assessing severe motor dysfunction in the upper limbs. Conclusion DTI and MEP can both be used to evaluate motor dysfunction in stroke survivors. They have high clinical value for assessing severe motor dysfunction of the upper limbs.