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Abstract Thyroid cancer keeps rapidly increasing worldwide and the most frequent type is papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are proved dysregulated in many types of malignancies, including thyroid cancer. Although miR-let-7e has been implicated in several types of cancer regulation, relatively little is known about the function of miR-let-7e in PTC. In this study, we showed that the overexpression of miR-let-7e or knockdown of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) inhibited cell migration and invasion. MiR-let-7e downregulates HMGB1 expression by directly targeting the HMGB1 3′-UTR. Furthermore, HMGB1 reintroduction reversed the anti-proliferation, anti-migration, and anti-invasion roles of miR-let-7e. miR-let-7e might function as a tumor suppressor in papillary thyroid carcinoma through HMGB1. Therefore, our study demonstrates that miR-let-7e plays an important role in papillary thyroid carcinoma progression and might represent a new potential therapeutic target for treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: To investigate the protective effects of berberine on radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with radiotherapy. Patients and methods: In this randomised, double-blind study, 90 patients with NSCLC were divided into two groups. The trial group received radiation therapy plus berberine, and the control group received radiation therapy plus a placebo for 6 weeks. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecular-1 (sICAM-1) and transforming growth factor-beta-1 (TGF-β1) were measured. RILI and pulmonary function were evaluated at 6 weeks and 6 months after treatment, respectively. Results: Of the 90 patients enroled, 43 in the control group and 42 in the trial group completed the study. The incidence of RILI was significantly lower in the trial group at 6 weeks and 6 months than that in the control group (45.2% versus 72.1% and 35.7% versus 65.1%, respectively, both P <0.05). sICAM-1 levels in the trial group were significantly lower at weeks 6 and 12 (373.64±89.33 versus 459.53±123.59 and 447.83±111.21 versus 513.91±150.46, both P <0.01), and plasma TGF-β1 levels were lower at week 3 and 6 (5.43±1.47 versus 6.22±1.78 and 5.93±2.39 versus 7.67±2.74, P <0.05 and 0.01, respectively) in comparison with the control group. Significant differences were observed in FEV1 (P =0.033) and DLCO (P =0.003) between patients receiving berberine and those receiving placebo. Independent-samples T-test showed reductions from baseline FVC at week 6 (P <0.05), and FEV1 and DLCO at month 6 (P <0.05 and 0.01, respectively) in the trial group were significantly smaller than that in the control group. Conclusion: Berberine significantly reduced the incidence of RILI, improved PF and decreased the levels of sICAM-1 and TGF-β1. The exact mechanisms remain to be further explored. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Accumulating evidence has suggested that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the progression of types of human cancers. It has been known that exosomes can mediate cell-cell crosstalk by transferring lncRNAs in tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the role of exosomal lncRNA HEIH on cisplatin (DDP) resistance in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). The expression of HEIH in human oral keratinocytes cell line (HOK), DDP-sensitive TSCC cell line (SCC4/S) and DDP-resistant TSCC cell line (SCC4/DDP) was measured. SCC4/S and SCC4/DDP cells were transfected with sh-HEIH to examine TSCC cell proliferation and apoptosis. The DDP-resistant exosomes were extracted and identified. The expression of miR‑3619-5p and TDGF in DDP-sensitive recipient cells was determined. The binding capacity between HEIH and miR‑3619-5p, along with miR‑3619-5p and TDGF was verified. HEIH expression was significantly upregulated in SCC4/DDP cells. Downregulation of HEIH inhibited DDP resistance and cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis. HEIH acted as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR‑3619-5p to upregulate HDGF expression. Exosomal HEIH promoted cell proliferation and drug resistance and inhibited cell apoptosis by sponging miR‑3169-5p and upregulating HDGF. Exosomal HEIH acted as a ceRNA for miR‑3619-5p to upregulate HDGF, thereby promoting DDP resistance in TSCC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Inflammation and immune reactions are implicated in atherogenesis and plaque disruption. The precise triggers for inflammation in atherosclerosis are not fully understood but may include hypercholesterolemia, modified lipoproteins and local or distant infections. TLRs play an important role in the innate and inflammatory signaling responses to microbial agents. Evidence from diverse sources has suggested that TLRs can affect atherosclerosis in multiple ways. Several reports have documented the expression of TLRs in atherosclerotic lesions and suggested that the TLR-NF-κB pathway is activated in the lesion, resulting in the transcription of a variety of genes involved in the inflammatory and proliferative responses of cells critical to atherogenesis and ultimately leading to the synthesis and release of antimicrobial peptides and inflammatory cytokines that provide a critical link to adaptive immunity. Moreover, TLR4 expression in macrophages is up-regulated by oxidized LDL, which suggests a potential mechanism for the synergistic effects of hypercholesterolemia and infection in acceleration of atherosclerosis. These findings indicate that TLRs provide additional new insights into the link among lipids, infection/inflammation and atherosclerosis, thus may be effective therapeutic target molecules. We speculate that TLRs are important for the development and progression of atherosclerosis, and hence blocking the expression of TLRs may serve as new targets for antiatherogenic therapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: T helper 1 cell (Th1) polarization persists in the autoimmune response found in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) expression, which also plays an important role in autoimmune diseases, was verified to increase in ITP. However, the exact role of TLR7 in ITP is not well elucidated. Here, we explored the hypothesis that TLR7 participates in the pathophysiology of ITP by affecting Th1 polarization. Materials and methods: Twenty-two ITP patients and twenty-one controls were enrolled in this study. We examined the cytokine secretion of macrophages in ITP patients and controls using both TLR7 agonist (imiquimod) and antagonist (IRS 661). The influence of macrophage secretion from these groups and its effects on Th1/Th2 differentiation were subsequently studied. Effects of TLR7 on Th1/Th2 balance and platelet counts were also studied in vivo using a thrombocytopenic mouse model. Results: In in vitro assays, imiquimod enhanced interleukin (IL)-12 secretion in macrophages from ITP patients inducing Th1 differentiation. However, IRS 661 had the exact opposite effect and skewed Th differentiation towards the Th2 subset in ITP. Results from our in vivo studies indicated that injection of imiquimod in ITP mice resulted in elevated plasma levels of IFN-γ and decreased platelet counts. Nevertheless, injection of IRS 661 resulted in elevated plasma levels of IL-4 and platelet counts. Conclusion: These findings indicate that TLR7 promotes Th1 polarization and may contribute thus in the pathogenesis of ITP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To explore the value of modified intraoperative real-time 125I seed implantation planning for lumbar lymph nodes metastases. We collected 26 lymph nodes metastases patients, who received 125I seed implantation from January 2015 to December 2021. 13 patients procedure were guided by modified intraoperative real-time treatment plan, and the rest were guided by conventional treatment plan. To compare the differences of the dosimetric parameters between pre-plan and post-plan of the 2 groups, and the percentage difference of the dosimetric parameters between the 2 groups. Then evaluate the curative effect and side effects after 6-month. There were no significant differences in dosimetric parameters between pre-plan and post-plan in modified intraoperative real-time treatment plan group, and showed significant differences in V 150 between pre-plan and post-plan in conventional treatment plan group(z =-3.045, P <0.001), and the rest dosimetric parameters of conventional treatment plan group showed no significant differences beforeand after operation(P >0.05). The percentage difference of V 150 between the 2 groups showed statistically significant(z =2.103 , P =0.004), and the rest dosimetric parameters showed no significant differences(P >0.05).6 months after the brachytherapy, the effective rate of Modified intraoperative real-time treatment plan group was 77%(10/13), and 46%(6/13) in Conventional treatment plan group, and no peritonitis and hemorrhage were observed. The application of modified real-time planning improved accuracy of dosimetric, reduced the high dose rate area, and provide guarantee for 125I seed implantation planning for lumbar lymph nodes metastases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the relationship between dose parameters and tumor volume reduction ratio after 125I seed implantation for recurrent cervical squamous cell carcinoma, and to obtain the better parameters to predict the curative effect. 26 cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients with 30 lesions were studied retrospectively in our clinic. All patients underwent dose verification immediately after operation, and obtained postoperative D 90 (the minimum peripheral dose accepted by 90% target volume). The patients were followed up regularly. According to the CT images during the actual follow-up, the tumor volume reduction ratio at the end of t months (R t),the tumor volume reduction ratio 1 month after operation (R 1), the first month actual absorbed dose (D 1m), the first month efficacy corrected absorbed dose (D 1e), the first month sensitivity corrected absorbed dose (D 1s) and the t months actual absorbed dose (D t) were calculated. Curve fitting was performed for postoperative D90 and R1, and curve fitting was performed for postoperative D 90 , D 1m , D 1e , D 1s and R t to find the correlation between each parameter and tumor volume reduction ratio. The mean values of D 90 ,D 1m ,D 1e ,D 1s ,R t ,R 1 were (105.4±22.8) Gy,(30.9±7.4)Gy,(37.1±8.9)Gy,(37.8±11.6)Gy,(39.4±17)%,(20.4±12)%. Postoperative D 90 and R 1 , postoperative D 90 , D 1m , D 1e , D 1s andR t all have positive relationship. The equations are as follows y=6.856×10-7x3-2.66×10-4x2+0.031x-0.879(R2=0.139),y=1.573×10-6x3-4.47×10-4x2+0.045x-0.967(R2=0.027),y=7.11×10-5x3-0.07x2+0.193x-1.402(R2=0.043),y=3.546×10-5x3-0.003x2+0.108x-0.744(R2=0.126),y=1.022×10-5x3-0.001x2+0.048x-0.275(R2=0.243). PostoperativeD 90 , D 1m , D 1e and D 1s were positively correlated with postoperative tumor volume reduction ratio, which can be used to predict the efficacy of primary recurrent cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients with particle implantation. Compared with D 90 and D 1m , and D 1e , D 1s can be better predictors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]