BACKGROUNDNucleolin (NCL) is the most abundant RNA-binding protein in the cell nucleolus and plays an important role in chromatin stability, ribosome assembly, ribosomal RNA maturation, ribosomal DNA transcription, nucleocytoplasmic transport, and regulation of RNA stability and translation efficiency. In addition to its anti-apoptotic properties, the underlying mechanisms associated with NCL-related roles in different cellular processes remain unclear. In this study, the effect of NCL on microRNA (miRNA) expression was evaluated by generating transgenic mice with myocardial overexpression of NCL and by analyzing microarrays of mature and precursor miRNAs from mice.

METHODSUsing microinjection of alpha-MyHc clone 26-NCL plasmids, we generated transgenic mice with myocardial overexpression of NCL firstly, and then mature and precursor miRNAs expression profiles were analyzed in NCL transgenic mice (n = 3) and wild-type (WT) mice (n = 3) by miRNA microarrays. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used to perform Student's t-test, and statistical significance was determined at P < 0.05.

RESULTSSeveral miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed, of which 11 were upregulated and 4 were downregulated in transgenic mice with myocardial overexpression of NCL compared to those in WT mice. Several differentially expressed miRNAs were subsequently confirmed and quantified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Bioinformatics analysis was used for the prediction of miRNA targets. Furthermore, in vitro experiments showed that NCL regulated miR-21 expression following hydrogen peroxide preconditioning.

CONCLUSIONSMyocardial-protection mechanisms exerted by NCL might be mediated by the miRNAs identified in this study.

OBJECTIVEAdvances in genomics and molecular biology have led to the discovery of a large group of uncharacterized long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). Emerging evidence indicated that many lncRNAs function in multiple biological processes and its dysregulation often causes diseases. Recent studies suggested that almost all regulatory lncRNAs interact with biological macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, and protein. LncRNAs regulate gene expression mainly on three levels, including epigenetic modification, transcription, and posttranscription, through DNA methylation, histone modification, and chromatin remodeling. LncRNAs can also affect the development of diseases and therefore be used to diagnose and treat diseases. With new sequencing and microarray techniques, hundreds of lncRNAs involved in reproductive disorders have been identified, but their functions in these disorders are undefined.

DATA SOURCESThis review was based on articles published in PubMed databases up to July 10, 2017, with the following keywords: "long noncoding RNAs", "LncRNA", "placentation", and "reproductive diseases".

STUDY SELECTIONOriginal articles and reviews on the topics were selected.

RESULTSLncRNAs widely participate in various physiological and pathological processes as a new class of important regulatory factors. In spermatogenesis, spermatocytes divide and differentiate into mature spermatozoa. The whole process is elaborately regulated by the expression of phase-specific genes that involve many strains of lncRNAs. Literature showed that lncRNA in reproductive cumulus cells may contribute to the regulation of oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development.

CONCLUSIONSLncRNA has been found to play a role in the development of reproduction. Meanwhile, we reviewed the studies on how lncRNAs participate in reproductive disorders, which provides a basis for the study of lncRNA in reproduction regulation.

OBJECTIVETo examine the incidence of congenital heart disease (CHD) in children aged 0-3 years in the rural areas of Chongqing, and to determine the suitable "screening-diagnosis-follow-up" system and screening indicators for CHD in these areas.

METHODSChildren aged 0-3 years from rural areas of the Fuling Disctrict of Chongqing were selected by cluster sampling. Using the "screening-diagnosis-evaluation system" employed at the levels of village/town, district/county, and province/city, the children were screened for seven indicators, i.e., family history of CHD, dyspnea, cyanosis, unique facial features, other congenital malformations, heart murmurs, and blood oxygen saturation (SpO<95%). Children who were positive for one or more indicators accepted echocardiography (ECG) for the diagnosis of CHD. CHD patients were evaluated for disease progression, given guided treatments, and followed-up by pediatric cardiologists.

RESULTSScreening was performed for 10 005 out of the 10 281 children enrolled in the study (97.32% response rate). Among the 175 children who were positive for the indicators, 166 underwent ECG and 60 (0.6‰) were diagnosed with CHD, including 46 cases of simple CHD (76.65%), 11 cases of combined CHD (18.33%), and 3 cases of complex CHD (5.00%). Of the 7 screening indicators, heart murmur had the largest area under the ROC curve for the diagnosis of CHD. In addition, a combination of screening indicators (heart murmur, unique facial features, and other congenital malformations) was most effective for screening out CHD. The CHD patients were given surgical or intervention treatments, and followed up for 6 to 18 months. Ten patients improved without treatment, 13 patients received interventional or surgical treatment, 1 patient died of non-cardiac reasons. The remaining 36 patients were subjected to further follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSHeart murmur alone and in combination with unique facial features and other congenital malformations are valuable tools for CHD screening in children aged 0-3 years. The "village/town-district/county-province/city" screening-diagnosis-evaluation systems are useful for the early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of CHD in infants and young children from the rural areas of Chongqing.

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; diagnosis ; Heart Murmurs ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Oxygen ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and clinical significance of SHP-1 mRNA in patients with myelogenous leukemia.

METHODSThe SYBR Green-based qRT-PCR was used to assess SHP-1 mRNA levels in 54 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), 30 cases of de novo acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) and 10 persons without malignancy as controls.

RESULTSThe relative expression levels of SHP-1 mRNA in control group (CG), chronic phase CML (CP-CML) group, advanced phase of CML (including accelerated phase CML and blastic phase CML) group and AML group were 1.15±0.62, 4.96±1.76, 2.60±0.90 and 0.45±0.20, respectively. The expression of SHP-1 mRNA in patients with CML significantly increased in comparison with that in CG(P<0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of SHP-1 mRNA in CP-CML group very significantly increased as compared with that in advanced stage of CML group(P<0.0001). The expression of SHP-1 mRNA in AML group significantly decreased as compared with that in CG group(P=0.0442). In CP-CML group, statistical analysis showed that SHP-1 mRNA expression at baseline in optimal responders (5.712±0.4476) was significantly higher than that in the suboptimal or failed responders (4.044±0.3701)(P=0.0090). Meanwhile, the SHP-1 mRNA expression in AML patients was higher than that in CR group (0.4984±0.05164) and non-CR group (0.3537±0.02388)(P=0.0017).

CONCLUSIONThe SHP-1 mRNA levels in CML patients are higher than that in AML patients, and probably correlats with disease progression of CML. The mRNA expression level of SHP-1 may be a molecular marker to predict early response to inatinib treatment in CP-CML and AML.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features and response to therapies in multiple myeloma (MM) patients with del (17p).

METHODSA total of 122 newly diagnosed MM patients hospitalized in the Department of Hematology of Peking University Third Hospital between October 2012 and September 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The fluorescent in situ hybridization(FISH) and G-binding staining were used for detection of cytogenetic abnormalities. These MM patients with del (17p) were divided into non-bortezomib chemotherapy (VAD or CHOP) group and bortezomib chemotherapy (PAD or PCD) group. Response criteria was according to IMWG criteria, including complete remission (CR), very good partial remission (VGPR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD), overall response rate (ORR) was defined as CR+VGPR+PR. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to evaluate overall survival (OS) and progressive free survival (PFS).

RESULTSCytogenetic abnormalities were detected in 60 patients, and the frequency of del(17p) was 10.7% (13 of the 122 patients). For the 13 MM patients with del(17p), median age was 59 years old, male vs female ratio was 8:5, 7 patients were found to have soft tissue plasmacytoma at the time of diagnosis, and IgG accounted for 61.5% (8/13). The frequency of coexisting other cytogenetic abnormalities was 53.8% (7/13); del(13q14) (D13S319 and/or RB1) accounted for 30.8%(4/13), and gain (1q21) 23.1%(3/13), 13 patients were able to be evaluated for the response, ORR were 33.3%(2/6) vs 100.0%(7/7), VGPR 0% vs 57.1%, PR 33.3% vs 42.9%, PD 50.0% vs 0% in non-bortezomib chemotherapy and bortezomib groups, respectively (P=0.042). 4 patients received 50 Gy radiotherapy for soft tissue plasmacytoma, no responses were observed. With a median follow up of 14(2.0-40)months, median PFS and OS time were 6(95% CI0.9-11.1) months and 21(95% CI9.0-33.0) months, respectively. Median OS in bortezomib groups was significant longer than that in the non-bortezomib groups, not reachable vs 10.8(95%CI3.4-16.6) months (P=0.017).

CONCLUSIONMM with del(17p) shows high frequency of soft tissue plasmacytoma, and high prevalence of coexisting gain(1q21) and del(13q14). These patients are not sensitive to non-bortezomib chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and has a poor survival. Bortezomib are able to improve the outcome of these MM patients.

DNA marked-assisted selection of medicinal plants accelerated the breeding and promotion of new cultivars, and guaranteed the healthy development of Chinese medicinal materials industry. The first disease-resistant cultivar of notoginseng, namely "Miaoxiang Kangqi 1", served as the object of study. We evaluated the Kangqi's resistance of seeds, seedlings and root against the pathological bacteria (Fusarum oxysporum) of root rot. Compared to the traditional cultivars, the disease index of notoginseng seeds declined by 52.0% after inoculation for seven days; the death rate of seedlings and disease index of root respectively decreased by 72.1% and 62.4% after inoculation for 25 days. Additionally, the growth inhibition ratio of notoginseng seeds and seedlings declined after inoculation. The seeds, seedlings and roots of "Miaoxiang Kangqi 1" showed significantly resistant to root rot. The evaluation of disease-resistance of Kangqi provided the basis for the popularization of new cultivar and guaranteed the favoring conduct of notoginseng pollution-free cultivation.

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical effects of artificial radial head prosthesis replacement for the treatment of comminuted fracture of the radial head.

METHODSFrom June 2011 to June 2015, 25 patients with radial head comminuted fracture were treated with artificial radial head replacement, including 10 males and 15 females, ranging in age form 24 to 61 years old(mean, 40 years old). The functional recovery of the patients suffering from limb and elbow in different periods, the activity degree of the elbow joint and the function of the elbow in the latest follow-up were compared.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duration ranged from 12 to 48 months, averaged 26 months. There were no complications such as infection, elbow instability, subluxation of the distal radioulnar joint, and myositis ossificans. The VAS, Broberg and Morrey elbow function score were improved 6, 9 months after operation compared with that 3 months after operation(<0.05). There were significant differences in elbow flexion and extension, rotation activity between injured side and healthy side 3, 6, 9 months after operation(<0.01), but no significant differences between injured side and healthy side at the latest follow-up(>0.05). At the latest follow-up, according to Broberg and Morrey elbow function evaluation criteria, 16 cases got an excellent result, 7 good and 2 poor.

CONCLUSIONSIt can maximize the recovery of elbow joint stability and quicken early functional exercise, prevent and reduce the occurrence of complications by using the artificial radial head replacement therapy to repair comminuted fracture of the radial head. The short-term curative effect is satisfactory, but the long-term effect needs further observation.

OBJECTIVETo observe the curative effect of musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided needle-knife on the degenerative meniscus disease, and to provide a new method in the treatment of degenerative meniscus disease.

METHODSSeventy-seven patients with degenerative meniscus disease treated in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2015 to September 2015 were selected, including 30 males and 47 females, aged from 44 to 66 years old, with an average of 57.5 years old. VAS scores, Lysholm scores and distance of meniscal protrusion were analyzed and compared before treatment, 2 weeks and 1 month after treatment. The curative effect was summarized at last.

RESULTSThe mean Lysholm scores were 51.63±15.26(before treatment), 77.13±11.82(2 weeks after treatment) and 87.56±8.65(1 month after treatment). The mean VAS scores were 7.080±1.574 (before treatment), 2.630±0.310(2 weeks after treatment) and 0.850±0.177(1 month after treatment). The mean of the distance of meniscal protrusion scores were 0.400±0.156 (before treatment), 0.298±0.140 (2 weeks after treatment) and 0.240±0.110 (1 month after treatment). VAS scores and Lysholm scores were improved significantly compared with preoperative results. The distance of meniscal protrusion showed an obvious improvement after treatment.

CONCLUSIONSThe treatment of musculoskeletal ultrasound-guided needle-knife has advantages of high accuracy position and excellent effectiveness for degenerative meniscus disease. The treatment provides safety operation and significantly improves quality of life in patients without any complications.

OBJECTIVETo compared the early outcomes of patients undergoing elective surgeries for colon cancer with and without preoperative mechanical bowel preparation.

METHODSBetween July, 2014 and February, 2016, patients undergoing elective surgery for colon cancer with primary anastomosis were randomly assigned into control group with mechanical bowel preparation 12 h before surgery and treatment group without mechanical bowel preparation. Baseline data collection was completed within 12 h after the operation. The levels of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin, prealbumin and albumin

RESULTSSeventy-six patients were assigned in the treatment group and 72 in the control group. Significant differences were found in the incidence of wound infection and intra-abdominal infection (P<0.05) but not in that of anastomotic leakage or early postoperative bowel obstruction (P>0.05) between the two 2 groups. The first flatus time (P=0.03) and prealbumin level on the first postoperative day (P=0.03) differed significantly between the two groups, but the operation time was similar between them (P=0.06).

CONCLUSIONIn patients undergoing elective surgeries for colon cancer, preoperative mechanical bowel preparation is associated with increased postoperative complications, delayed recovery of intestinal motility and poorer nutrition status early after the operation.