Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs with covalently closed structures, which have important functions in plants. However, their biogenesis, degradation, and function upon treatment with gibberellins (GAs) and auxins (1-naphthaleneacetic acid, NAA) remain unknown. Here, we systematically identified and characterized the expression patterns, evolutionary conservation, genomic features, and internal structures of circRNAs using RNase R-treated libraries from moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) seedlings. Moreover, we investigated the biogenesis of circRNAs dependent on both cis- and trans-regulation. We explored the function of circRNAs, including their roles in regulating microRNA (miRNA)-related genes and modulating the alternative splicing of their linear counterparts. Importantly, we developed a customized degradome sequencing approach to detect miRNA-mediated cleavage of circRNAs. Finally, we presented a comprehensive view of the participation of circRNAs in the regulation of hormone metabolism upon treatment of bamboo seedlings with GA and NAA. Collectively, our study provides insights into the biogenesis, function, and miRNA-mediated degradation of circRNAs in moso bamboo.
RNA, Circular/metabolism* ; Multiomics ; Poaceae/metabolism* ; Seedlings/genetics* ; Hormones/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant

Objective : To investigate the protective effect of adiponectin APN on myocardial injury caused by sep⁃ sis and its possible mechanism. : Methods Results : Compared with sham group , the expression of Bax , cleaved Caspase3 protein increased and the expression of Bcl⁃2 protein decreased in LPS group. Compared with LPS group , the injury in APN + LPS group was significantly alleviated , showing that the expression of Bax , cleaved caspase3 protein decreased and the expression of Bcl⁃2 protein increased. Meanwhile , compared with sham group , the expression of Cx43 increased in LPS group and decreased in APN + LPS group. Conclusion Adiponectin can attenuate LPS⁃induced cardiac injury in septic mice. The mechanism may be through the inhibition of apoptotic signal pathway and the expression of Cx43.

【Objective】 To study the mechanism of Apocynum leaves in the treatment of sepsis by network pharmacology method in order to explore the multi-dimensional research method of Xinjiang ethnic medicine treatment of infectious diseases and provide scientific theoretical basis for clinical medication. 【Methods】 TCMSP and literature collection were used to screen the main active components of Apocynum venetum leaf, and target prediction analysis was conducted by SwissTarget Prediction database. We used Genecards database to screen relevant targets for sepsis, used Omicshare to calculate Venn figure of the intersection targets, constructed the protein-protein interaction network diagram in the STRING database, used Ensembl for name conversion of protein targets, then entered Omicshare server for Go function and KEGG pathway enrichment of dynamic analysis. Last we used Cytoscape3.6.0 software to construct "Apocynum venetum leaf-the active ingredients-targets-Go-KEGG-sepsis" network to explore the mechanism of action of Apocynum’s resistance to sepsis. 【Results】 Kaferol, luteolin, proanthocyanidin B1 and phytosterol in Apocynum venetum leaves may treat sepsis by controlling signal transduction, regulating hormone level and anti-infection through predictive biological targets such as Akt1, VEGFA, MAPK3, EGFR, Src and PTGS2. They can play an important role through VEGF, EGFR, erbB, HIF-1, RAS and other enrichment pathways. 【Conclusion】 The active components of Apocynum venetum leaves can fight against sepsis through multiple targets and multiple pathways.

OBJECTIVE：To preliminarily s tudy the potential mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ on allergic rhinitis （AR）model mice. METHODS ：C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into blank group ，model group and astragaloside Ⅳ group，with 10 mice in each group. Except for blank group ，AR model was prepared by sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin on day 0，7，14 and 21-27. Astragaloside Ⅳ group was given astragaloside Ⅳ 40 mg/kg intraperitoneally at the dose of 0.02 mL/g on the 15th to 27th day of modeling （given the drug 1 h before challenge sensitization on the 21st to 27th day ）. Blank group and model group were given constant volume of normal saline intraperitoneally ，once a day. Twenty-four hours after sensitization from the last challenge ， the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the nasal mucosa of each group was observed ，and the contents of interleukin 4（IL-4）， IL-5 and interferon gamma （IFN-γ）in the nasal lavage fluid were measured. The levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS），and the count of phosphorylated Janus kinase 2（p-JAK2）and phosphorylation signal transduction and activation of transcription protein 6 （p-STAT6）positive cells in the nasal mucosa and spleen as well as the phosphorylation levels of JAK 2 and STAT 6 proteins in spleen tissue （i.e. p-JAK 2/JAK2 ratio，p-STAT6/STAT6 ratio）were also determined. RESULTS ：Compared with blank group ，the number of inflammatory cells in the nasal mucosa （eosinophils and mast cells ）in the model group ，the contents of IL- 4 and IL- 5 in the nasal lavage fluid ，and the levels of ROS in the nasal mucosa and spleen tissues in the model group ，the count of p-JAK 2 and p-STAT 6 positive cells increased significantly ，the p-JAK2/JAK2 ratio，p-STAT6/STAT6 ratio in the spleen tissue were significantly increased （P＜0.05），and the content of INF-γ in the nasal lavage fluid was significantly decreased（P＜0.05）. Compared with model group ，the count of inflammatory cells infiltrated in the nasal mucosa ，the contents of IL- 4 and IL- 5 in the nasal cavity lavage fluid ，the level of ROS and the number of p-JAK 2 and p-STAT 6 positive cellsin the nasal mucosa and spleen tissue as well as the p-JAK2/JAK2 ratio and p-STAT 6/STAT6 ratio in spleen tissue were decreased significantly （P＜0.05），and the content of INF-γ in nasal lavage fluid was significantly increased（P＜0.05）. CO NCLUSIONS：Astragaloside Ⅳ can effectively improve the inflammatory response in AR model mice ，the mechanism of which may be related to down-regulation of JAK2/STAT6 signaling pathway and ROS level.

Objective: To explore the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who received entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxianwan for 78 weeks. Methods: Patients with chronic HBV infection were randomly treated with entecavir alone or in combination with anluohuaxian for 78 weeks. Ishak fibrosis score was used for blind interpretation of liver biopsy specimens. The improvement in liver fibrosis condition before and after the treatment was compared. Student's t test and non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U-Test and Kruskal-Wallis test) were used to analyze the measurement data. The categorical variables were analyzed by Chi-square test method and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to test bivariate associations. Results: Liver fibrosis improvement rate after 78 weeks of treatment was 36.53% (80/219) and the progression rate was 23.29% (51/219). The improvement of liver fibrosis was associated to the degree of baseline fibrosis and treatment methods (P < 0.05). The improvement rate of hepatic fibrosis in patients treated with anluohuaxianwan combined with entecavir at baseline F < 3 (54.74%, 52/95) was significantly higher than that in patients treated only with entecavir (33.33%, 16/48), P = 0.016 and the progression rate of hepatic fibrosis (13.68%, 13/95) was lower than that in patients treated alone (18.75%, 9/48), P = 0.466. In patients with baseline F < 3, the proportion of patients with improved and stable liver fibrosis in the combined treatment group (68.1%, 32/47) was higher than that in the treatment group alone (51.7%, 15/29). Conclusion Combined anluohuaxianwan and entecavir treatment can significantly improve the improvement rate of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Furthermore, it has the tendency to improve the stability rate and reduce the rate of progression of liver fibrosis.

Recently, salvia miltiorrhiza has made a great progress in research of central nervous system (CNS) injury and neurodegeneration. Salvia miltiorrhiza and its active ingredients can exert multiple effects involving reduction of cell loss, attenuation of oxidative stress, improvement of micro-circulation and promotion of neuroregeneration, and show a protective effect on CNS diseases. Regulation of oxidative stress and removing accumulated metabolite may be the important mechanisms by which salvia miltiorrhiza exerts neuroprotective effects. This study will systematically discuss the pharmacological effects and possible mechanisms of salvia miltiorrhiza based on the core pathological changes in CSN diseases, and evaluate its drug safety through combing the related toxicology researches to provide a reference for clinical transformation of Chinese medicine in threatment of CNS diseases.

Objective To analyze the expression of Kruppel-like factor 4 (KLF4 ) and CD44 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues ,and to investigate their effects on the prognosis .Methods From June 2012 to September 2016 ,in The Second People′s Hospital of Nanyang ,a total of 100 patients with ESCC who receiving operation were selected .The ESCC tissues and the adjacent non-cancerous tissues (control) of the patients were collected .The expression levels of KLF4 and CD44 protein were detected by immunohistochemistry .The expressions of KLF4 and CD44 at mRNA and protein level of 50 paired fresh tissues were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting ,respectively . T-test ,chi-square ,Kaplan-Meier method and Pearson correlation analysis were performed for statistical analysis .Results The positive expression rate of KLF4 protein in ESCC tissues was 55％ (55/100) ,which was lower than that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (77％ ,77/100) ,and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =10 .778 ,P=0 .001) .The positive expression rate of CD44 protein in ESCC tissues was 81％ (81/100) ,which was higher than that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues (11％ ,11/100) ,and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=112 .600 ,P<0 .01) .The expression level of KLF4 mRNA in 43 cases was lower than that in adjacent non-cancerous tissues ,the expression level of CD44 mRNA in 46 cases was much higher than that of adjacent non-cancerous tissues ,and the differences were statistically significant (χ2 =51 .837 and 70 .563 ,both P< 0 .01) .There were statistically significant differences in positive expression rates of KLF4 in cancer tissues between different gender , differentiation degree , invasion depth ,TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (all P<0 .05) .Similarly there were statistically significant differences in positive expression rates of CD 44 in cancer tissues between different differentiation degree ,invasion depth ,TNM stage and lymph node metastasis (all P< 0 .05) .The expression of KLF4 was negatively correlated with CD44 expression ,either at protein level or mRNA level (r= -0 .284、-0 .518 ,both P< 0 .01) .The median survival time of patients with positive KLF4 expression in cancer tissues was 33 months ,which was longer than that of patients with negative KLF4 expression (20 months) ,and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 =4 .021 , P= 0 .019) .The median survival time of patients with positive CD44 expression in cancer tissues was 24 months ,which was shorter than that of patients with negative CD44 expression (37 months) , and the difference was statistically significant (χ2 = 4 .379 , P= 0 .016) .The results of univariate analysis showed that TNM stage ,KLF4 expression and CD44 expression were correlated with overall survival time (all P<0 .05) . The results of multivariate analysis indicated that TNM stage ,lower KLF4 expression and higher CD44 expression were the independent risk factors for survival (all P<0 .05) .Conclusion Lower expression of KLF4 and higher expression of CD44 in ESCC may be closely correlated with its occurrence ,development and prognosis .

Objective: To detect differentially expressed microRNAs in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) before being treated with pegylated interferon (PegIFN) and the relationship between their target genes and HBsAg loss. Methods: Pretreatment differentially expressed microRNAs between different response groups were screened using high throughput microarrays and validated by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Bioinformatics analysis was performed to determine their target genes potential mechanistic roles. Results: A total of 417 microRNA were differentially expressed between different response groups, among which 342 were up-regulated and 75 were down-regulated. miR-3960, miR-126-3p, miR-23 a-3p and miR-335-5p were verified to be down-regulated by RT-qPCR result in HBsAg loss group. Bioinformatic analysis result show that the relevant pathways of microRNAs include AMPK signal pathway, NOD-like signal pathway, NF-kappa B signal pathway and mTOR signal pathway. Conclusions HBsAg loss is probably achieved as the result of genes expression regulated in association with immune response, further enhance the immune response of HBV elimination and acquire HBsAg loss.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to explore the effect of SPARC on the anti-cancer effect of gemcitabine and underlying mechanism in pancreatic cancer.

METHODSAfter treating with gemcitabine, the proliferation rate of MIA PaCa2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells was detected by MTT assay. The cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis in each group were examined by flow cytometry, and the capability of clone formation was tested by adhesion-dependent clone formation assay. The apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSThe growth of pancreatic cancer cells was inhibited by gemcitabine in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Its IC50 at 24, 48, and 72-h was (40.1 ± 2.5) µmol/L, (15.0 ± 0.5) µmol/L and (6.6 ± 0.1) µmol/L, respectively. The overexpression of SPARC increased the inhibitory effect of gemcitabine on growth of pancreatic cancer MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells, presenting a dose- and time- dependent manner. Its IC50 at 24, 48, 72 h was (24.3 ± 1.5) µmol/L, (7.7 ± 0.3) µmol/L and (4.8 ± 0.2) µmol/L, respectively. The clone formation assay showed that before gemcitabine treatment, the clone numbers of MIA PaCa2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells were (2350 ± 125), (2130 ± 120) and (1567 ± 11), respectively. After gemcitabine treatment, the clone numbers of MIA PaCa2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells were ( 1674 ± 79) , (1587 ± 94) and (557 ± 61), respectively. The overexpression of SPARC enhanced the chemosensitivity of MIA PaCa2 cells to gemcitabine chemotherapy. After treating with 10 µmol/L gemcitabine for 48 h, the ratio of G0/G1 cells in MIA PaCa2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells were (56.0 ± 5.5)%, (55.0 ± 4.5)% and (68.0 ± 7.0)%, respectively. The cells arrested at G0/G1 phase were significantly increased in the MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells. The apoptosis rates of MIA PaCa2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells were (22.4 ± 2.5)%, (19.9 ± 2.0)% and (37.7 ± 3.9)%, respectively, indicating that overexpression of SPARC enhanced the gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in MIA PaCa2 cells. The Western blot analysis showed that, compared with MIA PaCa2 and MIA PaCa2/V cells, the expression of caspase-2, -8, -9 and cleaved PARP protein was significantly increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 was not changed significantly in the MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells.

CONCLUSIONSPARC can enhance the chemosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine via regulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins.

Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 2 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle Checkpoints ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cysteine Endopeptidases ; metabolism ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Osteonectin ; metabolism ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism ; Time Factors

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effect of SPARC on the anti-cancer effect of gemcitabine and underlying mechanism in pancreatic cancer . Methods After treating with gemcitabine, the proliferation rate of MIA PaCa2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells was detected by MTT assay .The cell cycle distribution and cell apoptosis in each group were examined by flow cytometry, and the capability of clone formation was tested by adhesion-dependent clone formation assay . The apoptosis-related proteins were analyzed by Western blot .Results The growth of pancreatic cancer cells was inhibited by gemcitabine in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner .Its IC50 at 24, 48, and 72-h was (40.1 ±2.5) μmol/L, (15.0 ±0.5) μmol/L and (6.6 ±0.1) μmol/L, respectively.The overexpression of SPARC increased the inhibitory effect of gemcitabine on growth of pancreatic cancer MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells, presenting a dose-and time-dependent manner .Its IC50 at 24, 48, 72 h was (24.3 ±1.5) μmol/L, (7.7 ±0.3) μmol/L and (4.8 ±0.2) μmol/L, respectively.The clone formation assay showed that before gemcitabine treatment , the clone numbers of MIA PaCa 2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells were ( 2350 ±125 ) , ( 2130 ±120 ) and ( 1567 ±11 ) , respectively . After gemcitabine treatment, the clone numbers of MIA PaCa2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells were ( 1674 ±79) , (1587 ±94) and (557 ±61), respectively.The overexpression of SPARC enhanced the chemosensitivity of MIA PaCa 2 cells to gemcitabine chemotherapy .After treating with 10 μmol/L gemcitabine for 48 h, the ratio of G0/G1 cells in MIA PaCa2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells were (56.0 ±5.5)%, (55.0 ±4.5)% and (68.0 ±7.0)%, respectively.The cells arrested at G0/G1 phase were significantly increased in the MIA PaCa 2/SPARC69 cells.The apoptosis rates of MIA PaCa2, MIA PaCa2/V and MIA PaCa2/SPARC69 cells were (22.4 ±2.5)%, (19.9 ±2.0)% and (37.7 ± 3.9)%, respectively, indicating that overexpression of SPARC enhanced the gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in MIA PaCa2 cells.The Western blot analysis showed that , compared with MIA PaCa2 and MIA PaCa2/V cells, the expression of caspase-2,-8,-9 and cleaved PARP protein was significantly increased , while the expression of Bcl-2 was not changed significantly in the MIA PaCa 2/SPARC69 cells.Conclusion SPARC can enhance the chemosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine via regulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins .