The lung cancer incidence in the Xuanwei and neighboring region, Yunnan, China, is among the highest in China and is attributed to severe air pollution with high benzo(a)pyrene levels. We systematically and comparatively analyzed DNA methylation alterations at genome and gene levels in Xuanwei lung cancer tissues and cell lines, as well as benzo(a)pyrene-treated cells and mouse samples. We obtained a comprehensive dataset of genome-wide cytosine-phosphate-guanine island methylation in air pollution-related lung cancer samples. Benzo(a)pyrene exposure induced multiple alterations in DNA methylation and in mRNA expressions of DNA methyltransferases and ten-11 translocation proteins; these alterations partially occurred in Xuanwei lung cancer. Furthermore, benzo(a)pyrene-induced DKK2 and EN1 promoter hypermethylation and LPAR2 promoter hypomethylation led to down-regulation and up-regulation of the genes, respectively; the down-regulation of DKK2 and EN1 promoted the cellular proliferation. Thus, DNA methylation alterations induced by benzo(a)pyrene contribute partially to abnormal DNA methylation in air pollution-related lung cancer, and these DNA methylation alterations may affect the development and progression of lung cancer. Additionally, vitamin C and B6 can reduce benzo(a)pyrene-induced DNA methylation alterations and may be used as chemopreventive agents for air pollution-related lung cancer.
Background: The dysregulation of long non-coding RNAs is a frequent finding in glioblastoma (GBM) and is considered as a crucial mechanism contributing to GBM oncogenesis and progression. The biological roles and underlying mechanisms of action of UBA6 antisense RNA 1 (UBA6-AS1) in GBM have been rarely investigated. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate in detail the role of UBA6-AS1 in the modulation of the malignant properties of GBM and explore the possible underlying mechanism(s). Methods: The expression of UBA6-AS1 in GBM was determined via reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometric analysis, Transwell migration and invasion assays, and in vivo tumorigenicity assay were applied to elucidate the biological effects of UBA6-AS1 on GBM cells. The possible biological events associated with UBA6-AS1 were investigated by luciferase reporter, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and rescue assays. Results: UBA6-AS1 was overexpressed in GBM, which was consistent with the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. In the case of UBA6-AS1 depletion, GBM cell proliferation, migration and invasion were notably decreased and cell apoptosis was enhanced in vitro. Additionally, knockdown of UBA6-AS1 suppressed the proliferation of GBM cells in vivo. Mechanistically, UBA6-AS1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA by adsorbing miR-760 and, consequently, upregulating homeobox A2 (HOXA2) expression. Rescue experiments demonstrated that the UBA6-AS1 silencing-mediated regulatory effects on GBM cells were reversed by the decrease of miR-760 or restoration of HOXA2 expression. Conclusion: Therefore, the results of the present study revealed that UBA6-AS1 promoted the malignant progression of GBM via targeting the miR-760/HOXA2 axis, thereby representing a promising effective target for the treatment of GBM. Keywords: UBA6 antisense RNA 1, long non-coding RNA, homeobox A2, glioblastoma
Background and Objectives: The site types of Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis clonal plantations in southern Yunnan were compared, aiming to provide basis for site selection and scientific plantations management. Materials and Methods: In this study, 80 standard plots were set up in the 6−9-year-old Eucalypts plantations in Pu'er City and Lincang City. Furthermore, the quantitative theory I model and canonical correlation analysis were used to analyze the relationship between dominant tree growth traits and site factors, and evaluate the growth potential of E. urophylla × E. grandis plantation. Results: The multiple correlation coefficient between 8 site factors (altitude, slope, slope level, soil thickness, slope direction, texture, soil bulk density, and litter thickness) and the quantitative growth of the dominant wood was 0.825 (P < 0.05). According to the correlation coefficient of the quantitative regression model, slope, altitude, and soil thickness were the main factors for the classification of E. urophylla × E. grandis plantations in southern Yunnan. In addition, E. urophylla × E. grandis plantations grew best downhill and mid uphill at relatively low altitude, where the soil layer was thick and composed of weathered red soil. Contrastingly, E. urophylla × E. grandis plantation growth was extremely poor in uphill sites at higher altitude, where the soil layer was thin and composed of semi-weathered purple soil. Furthermore, total N, and available B, Cu, and Zn content, as well as soil organic matter content in the soil had a great influence on the growth of E. urophylla × E. grandis. Conclusions: Nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer as well as trace elements such as B, Zn, and Cu can be properly applied in middle- and low-yield forests to promote the growth and development of E. urophylla × E. grandis plantations.
There is substantial evidence implicating ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder. Given the rising global incidence of AD, there is a pressing need to identify drugs with enhanced efficacy and reduced side effects, which has become a worldwide objective. Due to their diverse pharmacological effects, natural substances have emerged as possible candidates. Erigeron Breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-Mazz (EBHM), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, has been the subject of research demonstrating its beneficial therapeutic effects on cognitive impairment-related diseases, offering promising prospects for widespread application. However, it is essential to note that the extant literature on the EBHM regulation of ferroptosis treatment for AD is limited. This study utilized an integrated approach involving WGCNA, network pharmacology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations to identify the active component and four hub genes of EBHM-regulated ferroptosis treatment AD, including HSPA8, GSK3B, CTSB, and YWHAG, as well as constructing a polygenic diagnostic model with predictive value. HSPA8 and 3,4,5-tricaffeoylquinic acid (TCQA) may be the most crucial hub genes and active components of EBHM for treating AD by regulating ferroptosis, as determined by molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. These findings may contribute to an in-depth comprehension of the molecular mechanisms of EBHM regulation of ferroptosis for the treatment of AD, thereby shedding new light on developing effective therapeutic pharmaceuticals for AD.
To provide the prerequisite for further investigation of drugs ototoxicity and the probable mechanisms, explant culture technique of guinea pig cochlear strial marginal cells were established.26 healthy pigmented guinea pig were randomly divided into four groups according to the period of stria vascularis cultivated: 24 hours group (n = 8); 72 hours group (n = 8); more than 72 hours group (n = 8); control group (fresh stria vascularis fixed group, n = 2). Several explants of stria vascularis and spiral ligament obtained by mechanical dissociation were cultivated and kept at 37 degrees C with maximal humidity in 5% CO2/95% air. The following culture media were used: E-MEM with hepes buffer (20 mmol/L), fetal calf serum (10%).The normal activity of stria vascularis explants cultivated for 24 hours may maintain. There were no significant change in the structure features of stria vascularis between 24-hour group and control group. There were significant difference in the structure features between 72-hour group and control group. The stria vascularis of 72-hour group cannot be observed normal stria vascularis structure, the stria vascularis structure was loose, the marginal cells reached the border of the explant and they proliferated outside the explant. The marginal cells cultivated from the stria vascularis explant may be cultivated in cell-culture dishes for 13 days.Our present results suggested that explant culture technique of cochlear strial marginal cells of guinea pigs has been successfully established. The stria vascularis cultivated for 24 hours which be maintained normal activity and structure features may be used for further investigation of drugs ototoxicity and the probable mechanisms.
Hospital staff are vulnerable and at high risk of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection. The aim of this study was to monitor the psychological distress in hospital staff and examine the relationship between the psychological distress and possible causes during the COVID-19 epidemic.An online survey was conducted from February 1 to February 14, 2020. Hospital staff from five national COVID-19 designated hospitals in Chongqing participated. Data collected included demographics and stress responses to COVID-19: 1) the impact of event scale to measure psychological stress reactions; 2) generalizedanxietydisorder 7 to measure anxiety symptoms; 3) Patient Health Questionnaire 9 to measure depression symptoms; 4) Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale to measure obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS); and 5) Patient Health Questionnaire 15 to measure somatization symptoms. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors that were correlated with psychological distress.Hospital staff that participated in this study were identified as either doctors or nurses. A total of 456 respondents completed the questionnaires with a response rate of 91.2%. The mean age was 30.67 ± 7.48 years (range, 17 to 64 years). Of all respondents, 29.4% were men. Of the staff surveyed, 43.2% had stress reaction syndrome. The highest prevalence of psychological distress was OCS (37.5%), followed by somatization symptoms (33.3%), anxiety symptoms (31.6%), and depression symptoms (29.6%). Univariate analyses indicated that female subjects, middle aged subjects, subjects in the low income group, and subjects working in isolation wards were prone to experience psychological distress. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed "Reluctant to work or considered resignation" (odds ratio [OR], 5.192; 95%CI, 2.396-11.250; P < .001), "Afraid to go home because of fear of infecting family" (OR, 2.099; 95%CI, 1.299-3.391; P = .002) "Uncertainty about frequent modification of infection and control procedures" (OR, 1.583; 95%CI, 1.061-2.363; P = .025), and"Social support" (OR, 1.754; 95%CI, 1.041-2.956; P = .035) were correlated with psychological reactions. "Reluctant to work or considered resignation" and "Afraid to go home because of fear of infecting family" were associated with a higher risk of symptoms of Anxiety (OR, 3.622; 95% CI, 1.882-6.973; P < .001; OR, 1.803; 95% CI, 1.069-3.039; P = .027), OCS (OR, 5.241; 95% CI, 2.545-10.793; P < .001; OR, 1.999; 95% CI, 1.217-3.282; P = .006) and somatization (OR, 5.177; 95% CI, 2.595-10.329; P < .001; OR, 1.749; 95% CI, 1.051-2.91; P = .031). "Stigmatization and rejection in neighborhood because of hospital work", "Reluctant to work or considered resignation" and "Uncertainty about frequent modification of infection and control procedures" were associated with a higher risk of symptoms of Depression(OR, 2.297; 95% CI, 1.138-4.637; P = .020; OR, 3.134; 95% CI, 1.635-6.006; P = .001; OR, 1.645; 95% CI, 1.075-2.517; P = .022).Hospital staff showed different prevalence of psychological distress during the COVID-19 epidemic. Our study confirmed the severity of negative psychological distress on hospital staff and identified factors associated with negative psychological distress that can be used to provide valuable information for psychological interventions to improve the mental health of vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 epidemic.
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