Metastasis serves as an indicator of malignancy and is a biological characteristic of carcinomas. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in the promotion of tumor invasion and metastasis and in the enhancement of tumor cell aggressiveness. Prostaglandin E synthase 3 (p23) is a cochaperone for heat shock protein 90 (HSP90). Our previous study showed that p23 is an HSP90-independent transcription factor in cancer-associated inflammation. The effect and mechanism of action of p23 on lung cancer metastasis are tested in this study. By utilizing cell models in vitro and mouse tail vein metastasis models in vivo, the results provide solid evidence that p23 is critical for promoting lung cancer metastases by regulating downstream CXCL1 expression. Rather than acting independently, p23 forms a complex with RNA-binding motif protein 14 (RBM14) to facilitate EMT progression in lung cancer. Therefore, our study provides evidence for the potential role of the RBM14-p23-CXCL1-EMT axis in the metastasis of lung cancer.

Elemene is widely recognized as an effective anti-cancer compound and is routinely administered in Chinese clinical settings for the management of several solid tumors, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its detailed molecular mechanism has not been adequately demonstrated. In this research, it was demonstrated that elemene effectively curtailed NSCLC growth in the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. Mechanistically, employing high-throughput screening techniques and subsequent biochemical validations such as microscale thermophoresis (MST), microRNA-145-5p (miR-145-5p) was pinpointed as a critical target through which elemene exerts its anti-tumor effects. Interestingly, elemene serves as a binding stabilizer for miR-145-5p, demonstrating a strong binding affinity (dissociation constant (K _D) = 0.39 ± 0.17 μg/mL) and preventing its degradation both in vitro and in vivo, while not interfering with the synthesis of the primary microRNA transcripts (pri-miRNAs) and precursor miRNAs (pre-miRNAs). The stabilization of miR-145-5p by elemene resulted in an increased level of this miRNA, subsequently suppressing NSCLC progression through the miR-145-5p/mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 3 (MAP3K3)/nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) pathway. Our findings provide a new perspective on revealing the interaction patterns between clinical anti-tumor drugs and miRNAs.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound cyclo plasty(UCP)in the treatment of glaucoma and to investigate related influencing factors.METHODS: The study involved a total of 110 patients(134 eyes)who received UCP treatment between January 2019 and January 2022 at three medical centers: Tianjin Eye Aier Eye Hospital, Chongqing Aier Eye Hospital, and Chongqing Nanping Aier Eye Hospital. Patients were classified into three categories: primary angle-closure glaucoma, primary open-angle glaucoma, and secondary glaucoma. Best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and the usage of anti-glaucoma medications, etc., were recorded at 6 and 12 mo postoperatively.RESULTS: After 6 months of the UCP procedure, statistically significant differences in intraocular pressure were observed across all groups(all P<0.05). At 12 mo postoperatively, intraocular pressure of the primary angle-closure and primary open-angle glaucoma groups showed differences(all P<0.05). Notably, there were no significant changes in visual acuity at either the 6 or 12 mo compared to preoperative values across all patient groups(all P>0.05). Furthermore, the study identified a statistically significant correlation between the changes in intraocular pressure at 6 mo and factors such as age, history of previous glaucoma surgery, baseline white-to-white(corneal diameter), and the extent of UCP treatment(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The UCP procedure has been demonstrated to effectively lower intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma. The efficacy appears to be influenced by variables including patient age, previous glaucoma surgery history, baseline white-to-white(corneal diameter), and the scope of UCP treatment. Importantly, UCP treatment did not adversely affect visual acuity, underscoring its favorable safety profile.

OBJECTIVETo study the influence of the quorum sensing inhibitor brominated furanone on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) biofilm formation.

METHODSDoubling dilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of brominated furanone on P. gingivalis. Absolute ethyl alcohol added in P. gingivalis bacterial suspension was used as the negative control, while P. gingivalis bacterial suspension as blank control. The influences of 1/4MIC, 1/2MIC, MIC, 2MIC of brominated furanone on P. gingivalis biofilm formation were studied by the optical density determination and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

RESULTSFour groups of brominated furanone with different concentrations were shown to inhibit P. gingivalis biofilm formation. With the increased concentration of brominated furanone, optical density of P. gingivalis suspension decreased. The biofilm structures of 1/4MIC group, 1/2MIC group and MIC group were loose. Only scattered P. gingivalis cells but no biofilm structure was seen in 2MIC group.

CONCLUSIONBrominated furanone could inhibit P. gingivalis biofilm formation without the influence on bacterial growth. The future application of this chemical compound may provide a new possibility for the antimicrobial treatment of periodontal disease.

Biofilms ; Furans ; Porphyromonas gingivalis ; Quorum Sensing