Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of human mitochondrial transcription termi-nation factor-3 ( hMTERF3) in non-small cell lung cancer ( NSCLS) and to analyze its clinicopathological significance. Methods The paraffin block samples used in this study included 65 cases of NSCLC and 32 cases of normal alveolar epithelial tissues. We determined the expressions of hMTERF3 in NSCLC and normal alveolar epithelial tis-sues by immunohistochemistry, calculate the survival rate using the Kaplan-Meier method, and analyzed the risk factors affecting the prognosis of NSCLC using the Cox Proportional Hazard Model. Results In the 65 cases of NSCLC, 31 ( 47. 69%) showed positive expression of hMTERF3. The total survival time was significantly shor-ter in the patients with a high than in those with a low hMTERF3 ex-pression ([30.39±3.35] vs [57.61±7.12] mo, P<0.05). The riskfactors affecting the prognosis of NSCLC included positive expression of hMTERF3 (HR=3.302, 95% CI:1.598-6.905) and lymph node metastasis (HR=4.052, 95% CI: 1.212-12.398). Conclusion hMTERF3 is overexpressed in NSCLC. Highly expressed hMTERF3 and lymph node metastasis reduce the survival time of NSCLC patients, suggesting that hMTERF3 may be a potential bio-marker for the prognosis of NSCLC.

Based on the capacitance coupling principle, we studied a capacitive way of non-contact electrocardiogram (EGG) monitoring, making it possible to obtain ECG on the condition that a patient is habilimented. Conductive fabric with a good electrical conductivity was used as electrodes. The electrodes fixed on a bed sheet is presented in this paper. A capacitance comes into being as long as the body gets close to the surface of electrode, sandwiching the cotton cushion, which acts as dielectric. The surface potential generated by heart is coupled to electrodes through the capacitance. After being processed, the signal is suitable for monitoring. The test results show that 93.5% of R wave could be detected for 9 volunteers and ECG with good signal quality could be acquired for 2 burnt patients. Non-contact ECG is harmless to skin, and it has advantages for those patients to whom stickup electrodes are not suitable. On the other hand, it is convenient to use and good for permanent monitoring.
Electric Conductivity ; Electrocardiography ; instrumentation ; Electrodes ; Humans

Objective Human mitochondrial transcription termination factor 3 ( MTERF3 ) is a negative regulator of mito?chondrial gene expression and energy metabolism. This study was to construct a prokaryotic expression system for MTERF3 in Esche?richia coli ( E. coli ) and prepare its mouse?anti?human polyclonal antibody. Methods The complete open reading frame ( ORF) of human MTERF3 cDNA was amplified by RT?PCR and subcloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET28b. Then the recombinant plasmid pET28b?MTERF3 was transformed into competent E.coli BL21(DE3) and IPTG induced the expression of 6×his fusion protein. The recom?binant human MTERF3 protein was purified through Ni2+?NTA agar?ose gel column affinity chromatography and the purified recombinant protein was used as immunogen to immunize the BALB/c mice to pre?pare its specific polyclonal antibody. The titer and specificity of the antibody were analyzed by ELISA, Western blot and cellular immuno?fluorescence, respectively. Results The recombinant human MTERF3 protein was successfully expressed in E. coil and the mouse?anti?human MTERF3 polyclonal antibody with high quality was successfully prepared. ELISA showed that the titer of the antibody was 1:105 . Western blot and immunofluorescence detection revealed that the mouse?anti?human MTERF3 antibody could recognize the native MTERF3 antigen specifically. Conclusion Human MTERF3 expressed in the prokaryotic system has strong immunogenicity and the polyclonal antibody obtained from immunizing mice has high titer and specificity. The prokaryotic expression of human MTERF3 and the preparation of its antibody lay the foundation for further function research of human MTERF3.

Objective The proteins encoded by mitochondrial transcription termination factor 1 ( MTERF1) plays important roles in regulating the mitochondrial gene expression and oxidative phosphorylation .This study was to investigate the characteristics and regulation mechanisms of the human MTERF1 gene with bioinformatics tools . Methods Using online bioinformatics software and phylogenetic foot-printing, we analyzed the promoter distribution , GpG island, transcription factors , and binding sites of the human MTERF1 gene. Results The human MTERF1 gene was located on 7q21.2, with a full length of 7845 bp, consisting of 4 exons and 3 introns.There were at least 2 promoters in the 5′region of the gene.The core promoter of the MTERF1 gene was located between 1878 and 2447 bp, which played a key role in its transcription .An 812 bp CpG island was observed in the gene promoter region .In addi-tion, 26 transcription factor binding sites were found in the conserved promoter region of human and mouse homologous MTERF1 genes. Conclusion Gene promoter-related online bioinformatics software can improve the efficiency of human MTERF1 gene promoter resear-ches and provide significant information for the prediction of gene pro-moter function.

PURPOSE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of small non-coding RNAs involved in different cancers, including lung cancer. Here, we aim to investigate the expression profiles of circulating miRNAs and their roles contributed to the progress of lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The levels of circulating miRNA in lung cancer patients were investigated by miRNAs assay. Then we predicted the target genes of aberrantly expressing miRNAs by searching genetic databases. Based on the A549 cells transfected with miR-1246 mimics or miR-1246 inhibitor,we further measured the roles of miR-1246 involving in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and invasion capacities of lung cancer cells in vitro. Finally, we detected the effects of miR-1246 on glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β)/β-catenin pathway by immunofluorescence and Western blot, respectively. RESULTS: We identified that 14 miRNAs were aberrantly expressed in the serum of lung cancer patients. Among them, miR-1246 was the most up-regulated. The cell assays indicated that miR-1246 significantly increased the migration and invasion capabilities of A549 lung cancer cells. Meanwhile, immunofluorescence analysis revealed that miR-1246 promoted EMT process of A549 cells accompanying with decreasing E-cadherin expression, while increasing vimentin and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) expression. Furthermore, an online tool predicated that miR-1246 might bind to 3′-untranslated region of GSK-3β, which was confirmed by overexpression and knockdown of miR-1246 assays. CONCLUSION: Taken together, the study illustrates that miR-1246 regulates Wnt/β-catenin pathway through targeting GSK-3β/β-catenin, which partly contributing to tumor metastasis. MiR-1246 may play an essential role in the diagnosis and therapeutic of lung cancer.
Blotting, Western ; Cadherins ; Databases, Genetic ; Diagnosis ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Glycogen Synthase ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Lung Neoplasms ; MicroRNAs ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; RNA, Small Untranslated ; Transforming Growth Factors ; Vimentin

Objective:To evaluate the clinical value of different shimming methods at 7.0 T MR in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) T 2WI. Methods:Totally 23 healthy volunteers were prospectively recruited from the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from November, 2022 to May, 2023, including 12 volunteers who underwent 2D shimming mode and 14 volunteers who underwent 3D shimming mode. 2D shimming mode included patient-specific (PS) mode, direct signal control (DSC) mode, the standard circularly polarized (CP) mode, and volume-specific (VS) mode. 3D shimming mode included universal pulses (UP) mode and CP mode. The image quality for the subtentorial and supratentorial region was assessed by the subjective image quality score and signal-to-noise ratio. Comparisons of quantitative indices between multiple groups were performed using repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman′s test; comparisons of quantitative indices between 2 groups were performed using paired-samples t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results:The image quality of subtentorial region and SNR was significant differences in 2D T 2WI with PS mode, DSC mode, CP mode and VS mode ( F=26.74, P<0.001; F=28.24, P<0.001), and the image quality score and SNR of PS mode, DSC mode, VS mode were better than CP mode ( P<0.05). In 2D T 2WI, there was no significant difference in image quality score and SNR of supratentorial region in PS mode, DSC mode, CP mode ( P>0.05). Besides, in 3D T 2WI, the image quality score for subtentorial and supratentorial region of UP mode were better than those of CP mode ( Z=-2.74, P=0.006; Z=-3.24, P=0.001); SNR of subtentorial region was significantly better in UP mode than those in CP mode ( t=3.49, P=0.004). But there was no significant difference in SNR of supratentorial region between the UP mode and CP mode in 3D T 2WI ( P>0.05). Conclusion:T 2WI with different shimming methods at 7.0 T MR can provide data support for the clinical application, which is helpful for the accurate diagnosis of patients with subtentorial lesions.