Objective:To investigate the effects of probiotics on intestinal flora, intestinal function, and T lymphocyte level in patients with cervical cancer after radiotherapy.Methods:A total of 92 patients with cervical cancer who underwent pelvic radiotherapy in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2020 to February 2022 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into control and experimental groups ( n = 46/group). The patients in the experimental group took probiotics during radiotherapy, while the patients in the control group did not take probiotics during radiotherapy. The amount of intestinal flora, D-lactic acid, diamine oxidase, and T lymphocyte subset levels pre- and post-radiotherapy were compared between the two groups. Urinary lactulose (L) and mannitol (M) concentrations were determined in each group. Urinary excretion ratios of L to M were calculated. Results:After 10, 15, and 20 times of radiotherapy and after all radiotherapies, the amount of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group ( F = 128.60, 224.99, all P < 0.05). The amount of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( F = 2 065.46, 948.23, both P < 0.05). After 10, 15, and 20 times of radiotherapy and after all radiotherapies, plasma D-lactic acid level in the experimental group was (9.34 ± 1.63) μg/L, (9.15 ± 1.36) μg/L, (8.68 ± 1.06) μg/L, and (8.05 ± 0.82) μg/L, respectively. After 10, 15, and 20 times of radiotherapy and after all radiotherapies, plasma diamine oxidase level in the experimental group was (86.34 ± 20.25) μg/L, (84.28 ± 17.45) μg/L, (80.40 ± 13.35) μg/L, and (76.85 ± 10.87) μg/L, respectively, and urinary excretion ratio of L to M in the experimental group was (1.84 ± 0.16), (1.55 ± 0.12), (1.26 ± 0.09), (0.98 ± 0.06), respectively, all of which were significantly lower than those in the control group ( F = 121.60, 31.73, 417.84, all P < 0.05). After 10, 15, and 20 times of radiotherapy and after all radiotherapies, CD4 + level in the experimental group was (39.80 ± 4.90)%, (40.92 ± 5.30)%, (42.52 ± 6.14)%, (43.83 ± 6.55)%, respectively, CD4 +/CD8 + was (1.52 ± 0.25), (1.63 ± 0.22), (1.71 ± 0.39), (1.83 ± 0.22), respectively, all of which were significantly higher than those in the control group ( F = 58.69, 31.07, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:Probiotics can improve the status of intestinal flora and intestinal barrier function in patients with cervical cancer after radiotherapy, and simultaneously improve the cellular immune function of patients.

Objective:To investigate factors associated with the concentration of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and its metabolites in peripheral blood of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were receiving long-term oral HCQ treatment.Methods:SLE patients who had been taking HCQ for more than 3 months were recruited. Clinical characteristics, laboratory test results and SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) scores were examined. The concentrations of HCQ and its metabolites from peripheral blood were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Student's-test and Nonpara-metric tests were used to compare quantitative data, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze qualitative data. Correlation between the test results was assessed by correlation coefficient. Variables with P values less than 0.05 in univariate analysis were entered into a logistic regression model. Results:In total, 191 SLE patients on long-term HCQ treatment were included in the analysis. Medians of HCQ blood concentrations ([HCQ]), desethylhydroxychloroquine (DHCQ) blood concentrations ([DHCQ]), desethylchloroquine (DCQ) blood concentrations ([DCQ]) and bisdesethylchloroquine (BDCQ) blood concentrations ([BDCQ]) were 523.19 (402.63, 677.88) ng/ml, 291.79 (212.30, 432.51) ng/ml, 49.37 (35.00, 73.05) ng/ml, 21.78(14.37, 52.46) ng/ml respectively. On multivariate analysis, weight-adjusted oral HCQ dose [ OR(95% CI)=1.366 (1.053, 1.772) , P=0.019], the course of hydroxychloroquine [ OR (95% CI) =0.991 (0.984, 0.999), P=0.026], estimated glomerular filtration rate [ OR(95% CI)=0.984 (0.971, 0.997), P=0.014] and platelet count [ OR (95% CI)=1.010 (1.005, 1.015), P<0.001] were associated with [HCQ]. [HCQ], [DCQ], [BDCQ], [BDCQ]/[HCQ] were negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ( r=-0.20, P=0.006; r=-0.19, P=0.010; r=-0.26, P<0.001; r=-0.15, P=0.044, respectively) after adjusted for age, course of disease, duration of HCQ treatment and weight adjusted HCQ dosage, [DHCQ]/[HCQ] was negatively correlated with the SLEDAI score ( r=-0.16, P=0.027) when the effects of glucocorticoid was controlled, [BDCQ]/[HCQ] among different renal function levels was statistically significant ( H=12.46, P=0.014). Conclusion:The factors associated with HCQ blood concentrations in SLE patients on long-term oral HCQ treatment are weight-adjusted HCQ dosage, duration of hydroxychloroquine intake and renal function. In addition, [BDCQ] is closely correlated with renal function, [DHCQ] is correlated with SLE disease activity.

Objective:To investigate the expression and clinical significance of neutrophil myeloperoxidase (MPO) in patients with MPO-antibody associated vasculitis (AAV).Methods:Thirty-six newly diagnosed MPO-AAV patients who were hospitalized in the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University from July 2018 to June 2021 were enrolled,and 36 age and sex matched healthy subjects were selected as controls. Neutrophil MPO level was detected by flow cytometry (FCM) and MPO mRNA was tested by real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in all subjects. Serum complement fragment C5 (C5a) and MPO in both groups and serum MPO-anti-antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA) in MPO-AAV group were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while the disease activity was evaluated by Birmingham vasculitis activity score-V3 (BVAS-V3).Results:Compared with the heathy control group, the expression of MPO mRNA in neutrophils, serum MPO and complement C5a in MPO-AAV group were significantly higher[MPO mRNA:30.2±11.5 vs. 1.9±0.6, P<0.001;MPO:(112.0±68.7) IU/L vs. (87.4±22.9) IU/L, P=0.01; C5a:(187.3±90.3) ng/ml vs. (107.3±31.1) ng/ml, P<0.001; respectively], while the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of MPO in neutrophils were significantly lower [ 1 343.3±723.4 vs. 2 868.0±1 136.5, P<0.001]. In MPO-AAV group, the expression of neutrophil MPO mRNA was positively correlated with serum MPO-ANCA and MPO levels ( r=0.537, P=0.001 and r=0.358, P=0.032; respectively). Multiple regression analysis suggested that neutrophil MPO mRNA expression was positively correlated with serum MPO-ANCA level ( β=0.695, P=0.006); neutrophil MPO level was negatively correlated with serum MPO-ANCA, MPO and complement C5a levels ( r=-0.335, P=0.046; r=-0.372, P=0.026; r=-0.577, P<0.001; respectively). Further, neutrophil MPO level was negatively correlated with serum complement C5a level ( β=-0.374, P=0.043). BVAS-V3 was positively correlated with MPO mRNA expression in neutrophils, serum MPO-ANCA, MPO and complement C5a ( r=0.598, P<0.001; r=0.599, P<0.001; r=0.537, P=0.001; r=0.415, P=0.012; respectively) and negatively correlated with MPO level in neutrophils ( r=-0.342, P=0.041). In multiple regression analysis it suggested that BVAS-V3 was positively correlated with MPO mRNA expression in neutrophils ( β=0.511, P=0.002). Conclusion:In MPO-AAV patients, MPO synthesis and release in neutrophils are both significantly increased, which might be influenced by serum MPO-ANCA and C5a, respectively. Furthermore, MPO synthesis activity in neutrophils is an independent factor related to disease activity.

Objective:To investigate the effect of lncRNA UCA1 on the radiosensitivity of in vitro cultured glioma cell lines SHG-44, U87 and U251 by regulating the miR-873-5p expression. Methods:The survival of glioma cells SHG-44, U87 and U251 treated with different radiation intensities (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy) was detected by colony formation assay. The expression levels of UCA1 in glioma cells SHG-44, U87 and U251 were measured by qRT-PCR. The radiation-resistant glioma cells U87 and U251 were selected for subsequent study. After silencing UCA1 expression and/or over-expressing miR-873-5p, the cell survival rate was detected by colony formation assay, and the cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay and qRT-PCR were employed to verify the targeting relationship between UCA1 and miR-873-5p.Results:UCA1 was up-regulated in the radiation-resistant U87 and U251 cells. Silencing UCA1 or over-expressing miR-873-5p inhibited the survival of U87 and U251 cells, and promoted the cell apoptosis induced by radiation exposure. miR-873-5p was a target gene of UCA1, and UCA1 negatively regulated the expression of miR-873-5p. The inhibition of miR-873-5p could reverse the effect of silencing UCA1 on the radiosensitivity of glioma cells. Silencing UCA1 increased the inhibitory effect of radiation on the glioma cell U251 xenografts.Conclusion:Silencing UCA1 inhibits the survival of glioma cells and promotes the cell apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of miR-873-5p, thereby increasing the radiosensitivity of glioma cells.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of long-chain non-coding RNA (LncRNA) UCA1 on the proliferation, apoptosis and radiosensitivity of lung cancer cell and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods:qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of UCA1 and miR-513a-5p in lung cancer cell A549, H1299 and normal human lung cell HBE. The si-con group (transfected si-con), si-UCA1 group (transfected si-UCA1), miR-513a-5p group (transfected miR-513a-5p mimics), miR-NC group (transfected miR-NC), IR+ si-con group (transfected si-con, and irradiated), IR+ si-UCA1 group (transfected miR-NC and irradiated), IR+ miR-513a-5p group (transfected miR-513a-5p mimics and irradiated), IR+ miR-NC group (transfected miR-NC and irradiated), IR+ si-UCA1+ anti-miR-513a-5p group (co-transfected si-UCA1, anti-miR-513a-5p and irradiated) were transfected into the A549 and H1299 cells by liposome method, and then the cells in certain groups were subject to 4Gy irradiation. The cell proliferation of each group was detected by MTT assay. The sensitivity enhancement ratio was assessed by clone formation assay. The cell apoptosis of each group was detected by flow cytometry. The fluorescence activity of each group was detected by dual-fluorescein gene detection assay.Results:Compared with human normal lung cell HBE, the expression levels of UCA1 were significantly up-regulated in the lung cancer cell A549 and H1299(both P<0.05), whereas those of miR-513a-5p were significantly down-regulated (both P<0.05). Inhibition of UCA1 and overexpression of miR-513a-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation, promoted cell apoptosis and increased the sensitivity of radiation exposure of A549 and H1299(sensitivity enhancement ratio=1.897, 2.146 and 1.615, 1.872). miR-513a-5p could suppress the fluorescence activity of wild-type UCA1 cells, and UCA1 could negatively regulate the expression of miR-513a-5p. Inhibition of miR-513a-5p could reverse the enhancement effect of inhibiting UCA1 upon the radiosensitivity of lung cancer cells. Conclusions:Inhibition of LncRNA UCA1 can enhance the sensitivity of radiation exposure to lung cancer cells. The mechanism may be related to the targeted inhibition of miR-513a-5p.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of long-chain non-coding RNA MEG3(LncRNA MEG3) on the radiosensitivity of cervical cancer cells, and to explore its underlying mechanism.Methods:The expression of LncRNA MEG3 in cervical cancer cells was detected by qRT-PCR. In the overexpression control group (transfected with pcDNA 3.1), LncRNA MEG3 overexpression group (transfected with pcDNA 3.1-LncRNA MEG3), miR-NC inhibition group (transfected with anti-miR-NC), miR-181a-5p inhibition group (transfected with anti-miR-181a-5p), LncRNA MEG3+ miR-NC overexpression group (co-transfected with pcDNA3.1-LncRNA MEG3 and anti-miR-NC), LncRNA MEG3+ miR-181a-5p overexpression group (co-transfected with pcDNA 3.1-LncRNA MEG3 and anti-miR-181a-5p), all plasmids were transfected into SiHa cells by liposome method. The cell survival fraction was assessed by colony formation assay. The cell apoptosis rate was evaluated by flow cytometry. The cell fluorescence activity was assessed by dual luciferase reporter assay. The expression levels of PTEN, p-Akt and Akt proteins were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the radiosensitive group, the expression of LncRNA MEG3 was significantly down-regulated in radiation-resistant cervical cancer tissues ( P<0.05), and its expression level was positively correlated with the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells. Overexpression of LncRNA MEG3 or inhibition of miR-181a-5p could significantly enhance the irradiation sensitivity and promote the apoptosis of cervical cancer cell line SiHa (both P<0.05). The fluorescence activity of wild-type LncRNA MEG3 cells was inhibited by miR-181a-5p. Overexpression of miR-181a-5p reversed the irradiation sensitization and pro-apoptosis effect of LncRNA MEG3 and the regulation of the PTEN/Akt signaling pathway on cervical cancer cell. Conclusion:LncRNA MEG3 can enhance the sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to radiation exposure, probably by targeting the miR-181a-5p and regulating the PTEN/Akt signaling pathway, which will provide a new direction for improving clinical prognosis of cervical cancer patients.

Objective:To investigate whether lncRNA LINC00909 affected the radiosensitivity of colorectal cancer cells by targeting miR-548-3p.Methods:The expression levels of LINC00909 and miR-584-3p in colorectal cancer and adjacent tissues were detected by qRT-PCR. The colorectal cancer cells SW480 and SW620 were cultured in vitro, and transfected with si-NC, si-LINC00909, miR-NC, miR-584-3p mimics, si-LINC00909, and anti-miR-NC and si-LINC00909, and anti-miR-584-3p, respectively. The cells were irradiated with a dose of 4 Gy. The cell survival fraction and sensitization enhancement ratio (SER) were detected by clone formation assay. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay. Cell migration and invasion were assessed by Trans well chamber assay. The targeting relationship between LINC00909 and miR-584-3p was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay. The effect of interfering with the expression of LINC00909 or inhibiting the expression of miR-584-3p on the weight of the xenograft tumor after irradiation was evaluated by subcutaneous xenograft experiment in nude mice. Results:The expression level of LINC00909 in colorectal cancer tissues was significantly up-regulated ( P<0.05), whereas the expression level of miR-584-3p was significantly down-regulated ( P<0.05). After interfering with the expression of LINC00909 or miR-584-3p overexpression, the cell survival fraction score was significantly reduced ( P<0.05), the SERs were 2.017 and 1.762, and cell proliferation, migration and invasion were suppressed (all P<0.05). Dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that LINC00909 could target and bind to miR-584-3p. After interfering with the expression of LINC00909, the weight of the transplanted tumor was significantly reduced ( P<0.05), whereas the weight of the transplanted tumor was significantly increased after co-transfection with anti-miR-584-3p ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Interfering with the expression of LINC00909 can inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion ability of colorectal cancer cells by up-regulating the expression of miR-548-3p, thereby enhancing the cell radiosensitivity.

Objective: To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of HOXC8 on the radiosensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549, aiming to provide novel ideas for clinical combined treatment. Methods: The A549 cells with stable knockdown of HOXC8 were constructed by using lentivirus and validated by qPCR and Western blot. The radiosensitivity of A549 stable cell line was assessed by plate clone formation assay. The expression levels of TGF-β₁ and the proteins in the downstream signal pathway after knockdown of HOXC8 were detected by Western blot. Results: The A549 cells with stable knockdown of HOXC8 were successfully constructed. The viability and clonogenic capacity of A549 cells were significantly reduced after silencing HOXC8. Silencing HOXC8 also increased the sensitivity of A549 cells to radiotherapy and significantly inhibited the expression of TGF-β₁ and p-Smad2/3 proteins in the downstream signaling pathway. Conclusion Silencing HOXC8 can increase the sensitivity of A549 cells to radiotherapy probably by inhibiting TGF-β₁ signaling transduction. HOXC8 might play an important role in A549 cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of lncRNA CCAT1 and miR-130b-3p on the radiosensitivity of human pancreatic cancer cells PANC-1.Methods Real-time PCR was used to detect the relative expression levels of CCAT1 and miR-130b-3p in pancreatic cancer tissues and cell lines including PANC-1 cells irradiated with 2 Gy X-rays.After silencing CCAT1 and/or inhibiting miR-130b-3p expression,cell apoptosis rate,Caspase 3 activity and cell survival were detected by flow cytometry,Caspase 3 activity detection kit and colony formation assay,respectively.Cell survival curve was stimulated by the multi-target single-hit model.Based on the starBase v2.0 online analysis,the luciferase reporter gene assay,RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation assay (RIP) and Real-time PCR assay were applied to verify the relationship between CCAT1 and miR-130b-3p.Results CCAT1 expression was up-regulated (t=6.322-8.555,P＜0.05),but miR-130b-3p expression was down-regulated (t =3.950-18.795,P＜ 0.05) in the radiation-resistant pancreatic cancer tissues,pancreatic cancer cell lines and 2 Gy-irradiated PANC-1 cells.When the CCAT1 silenced PANC-1 cells were irradiated with 2 Gy,cell survival fraction decreased (t=2.929,5.047,5.234,5.125,P＜0.05),apoptosis rate and Caspase 3 activity increased (t=6.953,6.836,P＜0.05).CCAT1 could selectively regulate miR-130b-3p expression.Inhibition of miR-130b-3p expression could enhance PANC-l cell survival (t =4.564,6.736,8.656,P＜0.05),but reduced apoptosis rate (t=5.234,P＜0.05) and Caspase 3 activity (t=10.440,P＜0.05).Conclusions Silencing CCAT1 promotes the expression of miR-130b-3p and enhances radiosensitivity of PANC-1 cells.

Objective To observe the relationship between serum hydroxyproline,nitric oxide (NO) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) and severity of traumatic osteoarthritis in rats,so as to provide scientific basis for prevention and treatment of Kaschin Beck disease.Methods Thirty-six healthy six-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups according to weight via the random digital table method,including control group,ligamentum cutting group,ligamentum cutting + exercise group,with 12 rats in each group.Except the control group,the other two groups of rats were treated by anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT).After 7 days,the ligamentum cutting + exercise group was tested at a 6-animal-treadmills for 20 min per day for 4 weeks.At the tenth week after operation,the surgical unilateral knee joints were taken;under a biological optical microscope,the gross joint morphology of each group was compared,which was scored according to C.Colombo articular cartilage pathological evaluation parameter standard.Rat serum was separated,and the contents of hydroxyproline,NO and COMP were determined.Results There were statistically significant differences among the 3 groups in the pathological evaluation of knee cartilage in rats (F =38.80,P ＜ 0.01).The scores of pathological evaluation of ligamentum cutting group,ligamentum cutting + exercise group were significantly higher than that of the control group (14.82 ± 6.19,18.25 ± 5.71 vs 1.58 ± 0.99,P ＜ 0.01).There was no statistical significant difference in comparison of ligamentum cutting group and ligamentum cutting + exercise group (P ＞ 0.05),and there was no statistical significant difference in serum hydroxyproline content of the 3 groups (F =2.15,P ＞ 0.05).There were statistical significant differences in serum NO and COMP of the 3 groups (F =36.13,16.77,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Traumatic osteoarthritis is caused by combining ACLT with movement,and serum levels of NO and COMP are closely related to the severity of osteoarthritis.Detections of NO and COMP are introduced into the research field of Kaschin-Beck disease,which will provide experimental basis for monitoring and treatment of Kaschin-Beck disease.