AIM:To investigate the expression of AU-rich element RNA-binding factor 1(AUF1),an RNA-binding protein,in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and to explore its potential role in HCC progression through regula-tion of metabolism-related genes.METHODS:A tissue microarray containing 99 HCC samples and 95 adjacent nontu-morous liver tissues was used to assess AUF1 expression.The associations between AUF1 expression and HCC clinical pa-rameters were analysed using the GEPIA and UALCAN databases.The AUF1 gene was knocked down in human hepato-blastoma HepG2 cells by siRNA,and transcriptomic and TMT quantitative proteomic analyses were performed to identify alterations in metabolism-related genes.RESULTS:The AUF1 expression was significantly elevated in HCC tissues and correlated with a poor prognosis.Knockdown of AUF1 in HepG2 cells resulted in reduced cell viability and increased apop-tosis.Integrative analyses of transcriptomic and proteomic data revealed that AUF1 knockdown in HepG2 cells led to up-regulation of carboxylesterase 3(CES3),fibrinogen gamma chain(FGG)and 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate aldolase 1(HOGA1),and down-regulation of lamin B receptor(LBR),riboflavin kinase(RFK),sterol O-acyltransferase 1(SOAT1)and TWIST neighbor(TWISTNB).Clinical data from GEPIA and UALCAN databases suggested that the expression of these metabolism-related genes in HCC patients exhibited an opposite trend.CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that AUF1 is highly expressed in HCC,and may contribute to tumor progression and poor prognosis by modulating the expres-sion of a series of metabolism-related genes.

AIM:To investigate the expression of AU-rich element RNA-binding factor 1(AUF1),an RNA-binding protein,in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and to explore its potential role in HCC progression through regula-tion of metabolism-related genes.METHODS:A tissue microarray containing 99 HCC samples and 95 adjacent nontu-morous liver tissues was used to assess AUF1 expression.The associations between AUF1 expression and HCC clinical pa-rameters were analysed using the GEPIA and UALCAN databases.The AUF1 gene was knocked down in human hepato-blastoma HepG2 cells by siRNA,and transcriptomic and TMT quantitative proteomic analyses were performed to identify alterations in metabolism-related genes.RESULTS:The AUF1 expression was significantly elevated in HCC tissues and correlated with a poor prognosis.Knockdown of AUF1 in HepG2 cells resulted in reduced cell viability and increased apop-tosis.Integrative analyses of transcriptomic and proteomic data revealed that AUF1 knockdown in HepG2 cells led to up-regulation of carboxylesterase 3(CES3),fibrinogen gamma chain(FGG)and 4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate aldolase 1(HOGA1),and down-regulation of lamin B receptor(LBR),riboflavin kinase(RFK),sterol O-acyltransferase 1(SOAT1)and TWIST neighbor(TWISTNB).Clinical data from GEPIA and UALCAN databases suggested that the expression of these metabolism-related genes in HCC patients exhibited an opposite trend.CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that AUF1 is highly expressed in HCC,and may contribute to tumor progression and poor prognosis by modulating the expres-sion of a series of metabolism-related genes.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture postconditioning on the expression of microRNA-1 (miRNA-1) in rats with arrhythmias induced by myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R).Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 2-3 months, weighing 280-320 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), I/R group and electroacupuncture postconditioning group (EP group). The model of myocardial reperfusion arrhythmia was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery for 30 min followed by 30-min reperfusion in anesthetized rats.The artery was only isolated without ligation after thoracotomy in group S. Bilateral Neiguan acupoints were stimulated for 30 min starting from the time point immediately after reperfusion in EP group.The occurrence of arrhythmia during reperfusion was recorded.The rats were sacrificed at 30 min of reperfusion, and hearts were removed for examination of the pathological changes of the myocardium and for determination of miRNA-1 expression (by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) and expression of Kir2.1 and connexin 43 (Cx43) (by Western blot). Results:Compared with S group, the incidence of arrhythmia was significantly increased, the expression of miRNA-1 was up-regulated, and the expression of Kir2.1 and Cx43 was down-regulated in I/R and EP groups ( P<0.05). Compared with I/R group, the incidence of arrhythmia was significantly decreased, the expression of miRNA-1 was down-regulated, and the expression of Kir2.1 and Cx43 was up-regulated in EP group ( P<0.05). The pathological changes of myocardium were accentuated in I/R and EP groups when compared with S group, and the pathological changes were significantly attenuated in EP group when compared with I/R group. Conclusion:The mechanism by which electroacupuncture postconditioning reduces the occurrence of reperfusion arrhythmia is related to up-regulation of Kir2.1 and Cx43 expression after down-regulation of miRNA-1 expression in rats.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on electrophysiological characteristics of ventricular myocardium during myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in rats.Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade healthy adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 280-320 g, were divided into 3 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (group SH), I/R group and group EA.The model of myocardial I/R injury was established by ligating the left anterior descending branch of coronary artery for 30 min followed by 30-min reperfusion in anesthetized rats.Bilateral Neiguan acupoints in forelimbs were stimulated for 30 min during the period of reperfusion in group EA.Heart rate (HR), monophasic action potential amplitude (MAPA), maximum depolarization rate (V max), and monophasic action potential duration at 90% repolarization (MAPD 90) were recorded.The development of arrhythmias and arrhythmias score were recorded during reperfusion. Results:Compared with group SH, HR was significantly decreased, MAPA and V max were decreased, MAPD 90 was prolonged, and the incidence of ventricular premature beat, ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation and arrhythmias score were increased at T 1, 2 in I/R and EA groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group I/R, HR was significantly increased, MAPA and V max were increased, MAPD 90 was shortened, and the incidence of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation and arrhythmias score were decreased at T 2 in EA group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:EA can accelerate myocardial depolarization and shorten repolarization, thus decreasing the occurrence of reperfusion arrhythmia in rats.

Objective To evaluate the effects of different concentrations of desflurane on the electrophysiological stability of hearts in female patients.Methods Forty female patients,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ,aged 20-50 yr,weighing 45-77 kg,scheduled for elective surgery with general anesthesia,were divided into 2 groups (n =20 each) using a random number table method:0.6 MAC group (group D1) and 1.3 MAC group (group D2).The intravenous access was opened after admission to the operating room,midazolam 0.1 mg/kg,vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg,fentanyl 3 μg/kg and etomidate 0.3 mg/kg were injected intravenously,and mechanical ventilation was performed after tracheal intubation.The concentrations of desflurane reached 0.6 and 1.3 MAC in D1 and D2 groups,respectively.Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were collected before anesthesia induction (T1),at 5 min after intubation (T2) and at 20 min after reaching the set concentration of desflurane (T3).The QT interval and Tpe interval were measured,the QTc interval,Tp-e/QT ratio and index of cardiac electrophysiological balance were calculated,and the development of arrhythmia was also observed.Results The QT interval and QTc interval were significantly longer,and the Tp-e/QT ratio was lower at T3 than at T1,2 in two groups (P＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in QT interval,Tp-e/QT ratio or index of cardiac electrophysiological balance at each time point between two groups (P＞0.05).No arrhythmia was found in neither group.Conclusion The clinical concentration of desflurane affects the electrophysiological stability of hearts to some extent in female patients without causing arrhythmia.