Hfq Is a Global Regulator That Controls the Pathogenicity of Staphylococcus aureus

The Hfq protein is reported to be an RNA chaperone, which is involved in the stress response and the virulence of several pathogens. In E. coli, Hfq can mediate the interaction between some sRNAs and their target mRNAs. But it is controversial whether Hfq plays an important role in S. aureus. In this study, we found that the deletion of hfq gene in S. aureus 8325-4 can increase the surface carotenoid pigments. The hfq mutant was more resistant to oxidative stress but the pathogenicity of the mutant was reduced. We reveal that the Hfq protein can be detected only in some S. aureus strains. Using microarray and qRT-PCR, we identified 116 genes in the hfq mutant which had differential expression from the wild type, most of which are related to the phenotype and virulence of S. aureus. Among the 116 genes, 49 mRNAs can specifically bind Hfq protein, which indicates that Hfq also acts as an RNA binding protein in S. aureus. Our data suggest that Hfq protein of S. aureus is a multifunctional regulator involved in stress and virulence.     

Quinoline-carboxylic acids are potent inhibitors that inhibit the binding of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) to IGF-binding proteins

4-benzylquinolines 5, based on a series of isoquinolines 1, were prepared and tested as inhibitors of the IGF/IGFBP-3 complex based on their ability to displace IGF-I from its binding to IGF-binding protein-3. SAR studies on the 6,7-dihydroxy moiety of the quinoline 5a showed that the catecol moiety could be replaced with other functional groups. Computational modeling of the 5a/mini-IGFBP-5 complex revealed the possible binding site of 5a on IGFBP-5.     

Association of the CTLA4 Gene with Graves' Disease in the Chinese Han Population

To determine whether genetic heterogeneity exists in patients with Graves'' disease (GD), the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated 4 (CTLA-4) gene, which is implicated a susceptibility gene for GD by considerable genetic and immunological evidence, was used for association analysis in a Chinese Han cohort recruited from various geographic regions. Our association study for the SNPs in the CTLA4 gene in 2640 GD patients and 2204 control subjects confirmed that CTLA4 is the susceptibility gene for GD in the Chinese Han population. Moreover, the logistic regression analysis in the combined Chinese Han cohort revealed that SNP rs231779 (allele frequencies p = 2.81×10⁻⁹, OR = 1.35, and genotype distributions p = 2.75×10⁻⁹, OR = 1.42) is likely the susceptibility variant for GD. Interestingly, the logistic regression analysis revealed that SNP rs35219727 may be the susceptibility variant to GD in the Shandong population; however, SNP, rs231779 in the CTLA4 gene probably independently confers GD susceptibility in the Xuzhou and southern China populations. These data suggest that the susceptibility variants of the CTLA4 gene varied between the different geographic populations with GD.     

Cigarette smoke extract alters genome‐wide profiles of circular RNAs and mRNAs in primary human small airway epithelial cells

As a novel kind of non‐coding RNA, circular RNAs (circRNAs) were involved in various biological processes. However, the role of circRNAs in the developmental process of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is still unclear. In the present study, by using a cell model of COPD in primary human small airway epithelial cells (HSAECs) treated with or without cigarette smoke extract (CSE), we uncovered 4,379 previously unknown circRNAs in human cells and 903 smoke‐specific circRNAs, with the help of RNA‐sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Moreover, 3,872 up‐ and 4,425 down‐regulated mRNAs were also identified under CSE stimulation. Furthermore, a putative circRNA‐microRNA‐mRNA network was constructed for in‐depth mechanism exploration, which indicated that differentially expressed circRNAs could influence expression of some key genes that participate in response to pentose phosphate pathway, ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters, glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis pathway and cancer‐related pathways. Our research indicated that cigarette smoke had an influence on the biogenesis of circRNAs and mRNAs. CircRNAs might be involved in the response to CSE in COPD through the circRNA‐mediated ceRNA networks.     

Long non-coding RNA CCAT1 promotes cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion by regulating the miR-181a-5p/MMP14 axis

Cervical cancer is a serious threat to women’s health and is the third most common malignancy in women worldwide. Recent studies indicate that the long non-coding RNA CCAT1 plays a role in the malignant behavior of many tumors. However, the role of CCAT1 in cervical cancer is still unknown. Our aim is to evaluate the expression and investigate the regulatory role and potential mechanism of CCAT1 in cervical cancer. CCAT1 expression was measured by qRT-PCR. In addition, CCK-8 assays, colony formation assays, qRT-PCR assays, Transwell assays and xenograft experiments were performed to determine the role of CCAT1 in the proliferation and invasion in cervical cancer cells. The expression of CCAT1 in the cervical cancer tissues was higher than in the adjacent normal tissues. Overexpressing CCAT1 promoted cervical cancer cell proliferation, colony formation, and invasion in vitro. Elevated CCAT1 suppressed miR-181a expression, which was accompanied by an increased expression of MMP14 and HB-EGF. In contrast, knocking down CCAT1 resulted in increased expression of miR-181a, along with decreased expression of MMP14 and HB-EGF. Thus, CCAT1 is a key oncogenic lncRNA associated with cervical cancer and plays a role in promoting cervical cancer cell proliferation and invasion by regulating the miR-181a-5p/MMP14 axis.     

联合检测血清NGAL、KIM-1和SCr可有效提高慢性肾病分期诊断

为了探讨中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白(neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL)和肾损伤分子-1 (kidney injury molecule-1, KIM-1)以及血肌酐(serum creatinine, SCr)联合检测对慢性肾病(chronic kidney disease, CKD)的早期诊断价值,本研究收集260例肾病患者和85例健康体检者,检测其血清NGAL、KIM-1和SCr水平。依据肾功能分级标准,CKD患者分为CKD 1期(53例),CKD 2期(68例),CKD 3期(71例),CKD 4期(46例)和CKD 5期(22例),并分析以上指标在各组间的含量差异,及其联合测定对CKD早期的敏感性。与健康对照组相比较,CKD 1期、CKD 2期、3期、4期和5期患者的NGAL、KIM-1水平均明显升高(p<0.001)。血清SCr含量在CKD 3期、4期和5期组较健康对照组显著增加(p<0.001)。以上3项指标均随着CKD严重程度增加而升高。各组指标阳性率分析显示,3项联合检测阳性率高于单项检测阳性率。ROC曲线分析NGAL、KIM-1、SCr对CKD诊断的AUC值F分别是为0.824、0.805、0.856。相关性分析结果显示,GFR和NGAL、KIM-1、SCr相关系数分别是r=-0.784、-0.756、-0.728 (p<0.05)。NGAL与KIM-1、SCr的相关系数分别是r=0.932、0.764 (p<0.05);KIM-1与SCr的相关系数r分别是0.791 (p<0.05)。本研究初步得出结论:血清NGAL、Kim-1可作为CKD早期诊断的重要指标,联合检测血清NGAL、Kim-1、SCr可有效提高CKD早期肾损伤诊断的敏感度,对CKD的分期诊断和治疗具有极其重要的临床价值。     

Community-based colorectal cancer intervention in underserved Korean Americans

Background: Despite evidence of a decline in both incidence and prevalence of colorectal cancer nationwide, it remains the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third highest cause of mortality among Asian Americans, including Korean Americans. This community-based and theoretically guided study evaluated a culturally appropriate intervention program that included a bilingual cancer educational program among Korean Americans including information on CRC risks, counseling to address psychosocial and access barriers, and patient navigation assistance. Methods: A two-group quasi-experimental design with baseline and post-intervention assessment and a 12-month follow-up on screening was used in the study. Korean Americans (N = 167) were enrolled from six Korean churches. The intervention group received culturally appropriate intervention program addressing accessibility and psychosocial barriers, and navigation assistance for screening. The control group received general health education that included cancer-related health issues and screening. Results: There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the post-intervention and control groups in awareness of CRC risk factors. There was also a significant improvement in the pre–post across HBM measures in the intervention group for perceived susceptibility (p < 0.05) and benefits and barriers to screening (p < 0.001). At baseline, 13% of participants in the intervention group and 10% in control group reported having had a CRC cancer screening test in the previous year. At the 12-month post-intervention follow-up, 77.4% of participants in the intervention group had obtained screening compared to 10.8% in the control group. Conclusion: While health disparities result from numerous factors, a culturally appropriate and church-based intervention can be highly effective in increasing knowledge of and access to, and in reducing barriers to CRC screening among underserved Koreans.     

麻疹病毒受体与病毒侵入

麻疹病毒是一种具囊膜的负链RNA病毒,两种主要的囊膜蛋白血凝素蛋白(H)和膜融合蛋白(F)表达在膜表面负责病毒侵入过程中与宿主受体的结合和膜融合过程.病毒囊膜蛋白与受体的相互作用是病毒侵入宿主的关键步骤,决定了病毒感染能力、种属和组织嗜性.因此,囊膜病毒与受体的结合位点往往成为重要的抗病毒药物的靶点.目前已发现的3种麻疹病毒受体包括CD46、SLAM和Nectin-4.以下综述了麻疹病毒受体的特征及在病毒侵入中的作用、麻疹病毒H蛋白与受体的相互作用机制,为抗病毒药物设计及麻疹病毒作为肿瘤治疗性载体的应用提供理论依据.     

Association of Genetic Variants in the Adiponectin Gene with Metabolic Syndrome: A Case-Control Study and a Systematic Meta-Analysis in the Chinese Population

Background

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome has been rising worldwide, including in China, but knowledge on specific genetic determinants of metabolic syndrome is very limited. A number of studies have reported that polymorphisms in the ADIPOQ gene are associated with metabolic syndrome in Chinese Han populations. However, data is still conflicting. The objective of this study was to examine the associations of the adiponectin genetic variants with metabolic syndrome by a case-control study and meta-analyses in Chinese.

Methods

We first investigated the association of ADIPOQ rs2241766 (+45T>G in exon 2), rs266729 (−11377C>G in promoter) and rs1501299 (+276G>T in intron 2) polymorphisms with metabolic syndrome in a Hubei Han Chinese population with 322 metabolic syndrome patients and 161 normal controls recruited from the Yichang, Hubei. Then we comprehensively reviewed the association between ADIPOQ rs2241766/rs266729/rs1501299 and metabolic syndrome in the Chinese populations via a meta-analysis. The strength of association was assessed by odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

The G allele frequency of rs2241766 in metabolic syndrome patients was significantly higher than those of controls group (29.8% vs 23.3%, OR = 1.40, P = 0.033). The logistic regression analysis adjusted by gender and age showed a nominally significant association for rs2241766 GG+GT genotype (P = 0.065, OR = 1.55) and rs1501299 GG genotype in recessive model (OR = 1.54, P = 0.066). However, no association was observed for rs266729 in our sample. We identified thirteen studies for rs2241766 (2,684 metabolic syndrome patients and 2,864 controls), three studies for rs266729, and eleven studies for rs1501299 (2,889 metabolic syndrome patients and 3,304 controls) in Chinese. Meta-analysis indicated significant associations for the rs2241766 G allele (OR = 1.14, 95%CI = 1.05–1.24, P = 0.003), rs266729 GG+GT genotypes (OR = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.68–0.92, P = 0.003) and rs1501299 GG+TG genotypes (OR = 1.42, 95%CI 1.16–1.75, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated ADIPOQ as a pleiotropic locus for metabolic syndrome and its components in the Han Chinese population.