A novel microRNA signature predicts vascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma

Vascular invasion (VI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an important clinical parameter to predict survival. In this study, we collected microRNA (miRNA) expression data from HCC patients using The Cancer Genome Atlas database and identified a novel miRNA signature associated with VI. First, we categorized HCC patients into groups with or without VI (VI+ and VI−). We identified three miRNAs (miRNA-210, miRNA-10b, and miRNA-9-1) that were associated with VI according to a Kaplan–Meier analysis. This three-miRNA signature exhibited good predictive ability for VI in patients with HCC according to a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis at 1, 3, and 5 years. Patients with HCC with a high risk score exhibited a trend toward worse outcomes as determined by multivariable Cox regression and stratified analyses. This three-miRNA signature provides an accurate prediction of VI and can be used as an independent prognostic indicator for predicting VI in HCC patients.     

Homologous shell microstructures in Cambrian hyoliths and molluscs

Hyoliths were among the earliest biomineralizing metazoans in Palaeozoic marine environments. They have been known for two centuries and widely assigned to lophotrochozoans. However, their origin and relationships with modern lophotrochozoan clades have been a longstanding palaeontological controversy. Here, we provide broad microstructural data from hyolith conchs and opercula from the lower Cambrian Xinji Formation of North China, including two hyolithid genera and four orthothecid genera as well as unidentified opercula. Results show that most hyolith conchs contain a distinct aragonitic lamellar layer that is composed of foliated aragonite, except in the orthothecid New taxon 1 that has a crossed foliated lamellar microstructure. Opercula are mostly composed of foliated aragonite and occasionally foliated calcite. These blade or lath‐like microstructural fabrics coincide well with biomineralization of Cambrian molluscs rather than lophophorates, as exemplified by the Cambrian members of the tommotiid‐brachiopod linage. Accordingly, we propose that hyoliths and molluscs might have inherited their biomineralized skeletons from a non‐mineralized or weakly mineralized common ancestor rather than as a result of convergence. Consequently, from the view of biomineralization, the homologous shell microstructures in Cambrian hyoliths and molluscs strongly strengthen the phylogenetic links between the two groups.     

SAMD9 is a (epi-) genetically regulated anti-inflammatory factor activated in RA patients

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - The immune responses, involved in recognition of cancer-specific antigens, are of particular interest as this may provide major leads towards developing new...     

MicroRNA-26b/PTEN Signaling Pathway Mediates Glycine-Induced Neuroprotection in SAH Injury

Neurochemical Research - Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a form of stroke associated with high mortality and morbidity. Despite advances in treatment for SAH, the prognosis remains poor. We have...     

Expression Changes of NMDA and AMPA Receptor Subunits in the Hippocampus in rats with Diabetes Induced by Streptozotocin Coupled with Memory Impairment

Neurochemical Research - Cognitive impairment in diabetes (CID) is a severe chronic complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been hypothesized that diabetes can lead to cognitive dysfunction...     

RhoC/ROCK2 promotes vasculogenic mimicry formation primarily through ERK/MMPs in hepatocellular carcinoma

Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) results in the formation of an alternative circulatory system that can improve the blood supply to multiple malignant tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the potential mechanisms of RhoC/ROCK in VM have not yet been investigated in HCC. Here, RhoC expression was upregulated in HCC tissues, especially the VM-positive (VM+) group, compared to noncancerous tissues (P < 0.01), and patients with high expression of RhoC had shorter survival times (P < 0.001). The knockdown of RhoC via short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in SK-Hep-1 cells significantly decreased VM formation and cell motility. In contrast, cell motility and VM formation were remarkably enhanced when RhoC was overexpressed in HepG2 cells. To further assess the potential role of ROCK1 and ROCK2 on VM, we stably knocked down ROCK1 or ROCK2 in MHCC97H cells. Compared to ROCK1 shRNA, ROCK2 shRNA could largely affect VM formation, cell motility and the key VM factors, as well as the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, p-ERK, p-MEK, p-FAK, p-paxillin, MT1-MMP and MMP2 levels were clearly altered following the overexpression of RhoC, but ROCK2 shRNA had little effect on the expression of p-FAK, which indicated that RhoC regulates FAK/paxillin signaling, but not through ROCK2. In conclusion, our results show that RhoC/ROCK2 may have a major effect on VM in HCC via ERK/MMPs signaling and might be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.     

Medium chain carboxylic acids production from waste biomass: Current advances and perspectives

Alternative chemicals to diverse fossil-fuel-based products is urgently needed to mitigate the adverse impacts of fossil fuel depletion on human development. To this end, researchers have focused on the production of biochemical from readily available and affordable waste biomass. This is consistent with current guidelines for sustainable development and provides great advantages related to economy and environment. The search for suitable biochemical products is in progress worldwide. Therefore, this review recommends a biochemical (i.e., medium chain carboxylic acids (MCCAs)) utilizing an emerging biotechnological production platform called the chain elongation (CE) process. This work covers comprehensive introduction of the CE mechanism, functional microbes, available feedstock types and corresponding utilization strategies, major methods to enhance the performance of MCCAs production, and the challenges that need to be addressed for practical application. This work is expected to provide a thorough understanding of the CE technology, to guide and inspire researchers to solve existing problems in depth, and motivate large-scale MCCAs production.     

ClC‐c regulates the proliferation of intestinal stem cells via the EGFR signalling pathway in Drosophila

ObjectivesAdult stem cells uphold a delicate balance between quiescent and active states, which is crucial for tissue homeostasis. Whereas many signalling pathways that regulate epithelial stem cells have been reported, many regulators remain unidentified.Materials and MethodsFlies were used to generate tissue‐specific gene knockdown and gene knockout. qRT‐PCR was used to assess the relative mRNA levels. Immunofluorescence was used to determine protein localization and expression patterns. Clonal analyses were used to observe the phenotype. RNA‐seq was used to screen downstream mechanisms.ResultsHere, we report a member of the chloride channel family, ClC‐c, which is specifically expressed in Drosophila intestinal stem/progenitor cells and regulates intestinal stem cell (ISC) proliferation under physiological conditions and upon tissue damage. Mechanistically, we found that the ISC loss induced by the depletion of ClC‐c in intestinal stem/progenitor cells is due to inhibition of the EGFR signalling pathway.ConclusionOur findings reveal an ISC‐specific function of ClC‐c in regulating stem cell maintenance and proliferation, thereby providing new insights into the functional links among the chloride channel family, ISC proliferation and tissue homeostasis.