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Background: Although the fact that long non-coding RNA MCM3AP antisense RNA 1 (MCM3AP-AS1) is oncogenic in several cancers is well documented, very few researchers investigate its expression and function in prostate cancer. Methods: Paired prostate cancer samples were selected, and expressions of MCM3AP-AS1, miR-876-5p and WNT5A were examined by qRT-PCR. MCM3AP-AS1 shRNA was transfected into LNCaP and PC-3 cell lines, and then the proliferative activity and apoptosis of cancer cells were detected by CCK-8 assay, EdU assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to analyze the changes of miR-876-5p and WNT5A. Luciferase reporter gene assay was employed to determine the regulatory relationship between miR-876-5p and MCM3AP-AS1, miR-876-5p and WNT5A. Results: MCM3AP-AS1 was significantly up-regulated in cancerous tissues of prostate cancer samples, positively correlated with the expression of WNT5A, while negatively related with miR-876-5p. After transfection of MCM3AP-AS1 shRNA into prostate cancer cells, the proliferative ability of cancer cells was signally inhibited, but the apoptosis of cancer cells was increased. MCM3AP-AS1 shRNA could reduce the expression of WNT5A on both mRNA and protein levels. Besides, MCM3AP-AS1 was identified as a sponge of miR-876-5p. WNT5A was validated as a target gene of miR- 876-5p. Conclusion: MCM3AP-AS1 is abnormally up-regulated in prostate cancer tissues and can modulate the proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer cells, which has the potential to be the "ceRNA" to regulate the expression of WNT5A by targeting miR-876-5p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with sarcomatoid differentiation is a relatively rare tumor containing both carcinoma and sarcomatoid components. However, there has not been a systemic study on immunophenotypes of renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation, especially using some renal specific immunohistochemical markers. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively investigate the distinct immunophenotypes of RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation to analyze the pathogenesis of sarcomatoid differentiation and identify new prognostic factors in RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation.Methods: A total of 42 cases of RCCs with sarcomatoid differentiation were enrolled into the study. Immunohistochemistry study was performed on tissue microarrays to evaluate the expressions of 19 immunohistochemical markers including a series of epithelial, mesenchymal markers and RCC specific markers. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to assess the prognostic values of CD10, CAIX, p53 and Bcl-2.Results: Histologically, 42 cases of RCCs with sarcomatoid differentiation presented with different proportions of carcinoma and sarcomatoid components. The cohort contained 35 cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and 7 cases of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) based on the carcinoma components. Immunohistochemically, all cases were positive for vimentin, and 80% of cases showed immunostaining for at least one epithelial marker, such as CK, EMA, CK7 and CK18. Notably, the expression rates of CAIX, CD10 and PAX8 in sarcomatoid cells were 76%, 76% and 64%, respectively. The carcinoma component of the tumors showed differentient labeling for CAIX, CD10, vimentin, CK7 and CD117 in CCRCC vs ChRCC, but the sarcomatoid component lost the specificity for these markers ( p < 0.05). Patients with positive expressions of CAIX, p53 and Bcl-2 had a poor prognosis.Conclusions: The sarcomatoid cells in RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, supporting their epithelial origin. PAX8, CAIX and CD10 could be used as the reliable and useful markers to determine the renal origin of sarcomatoid cells such as in fine needle aspiration cases and metastatic RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation. CAIX, p53 and Bcl-2 might play important roles in the transformation from renal cell carcinoma to high malignant sarcomatoid differentiation, and these three immunohistochemical markers are adverse prognostic factors for the survival of patients with RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the host innate immune system, various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize conserved pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and represent an efficient first line of defense against invading pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a major class of PRRs, which are able to recognize a wide range of PAMPs and play a central role in initiating innate immune responses. TLR21 is one of the non-mammalian TLRs identified in some bird and fish species. Results: In the present study, we reported the cloning and identification of a TLR21 cDNA from the head kidney of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.), named CcTLR21. The full-length CcTLR21 cDNA was 3557 bp long, including an open reading frame (ORF) of 2895 bp, which encoded a putative protein of 964 amino acids. The putative CcTLR21 protein was found to comprise a signal peptide, 14 LRR domains in the extracellular region and a TIR domain in the cytoplasmic region, which fits with the characteristic TLR domain architecture. The phylogenetic analysis showed that CcTLR21 possessed high amino acid identities with the TLR21s in other freshwater teleosts. A Real-time PCR assay showed that CcTLR21 mRNA was expressed in almost all tissues examined in healthy common carp, while the levels obviously varied among different tissues. During the embryonic and early larval developmental stages of common carp, the CcTLR21 showed two peaks of expression, with the first at 1 dpf and the second at 10 dpf. When challenged with poly(I:C) (a viral model) or Aeromonas hydrophila, the expression level of CcTLR21 was up-regulated in a variety of common carp tissues. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that CcTLR21 plays a significant role in innate immune defense during larvae ontogeny and in responses to viral or bacterial pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with sarcomatoid differentiation is a relatively rare tumor containing both carcinoma and sarcomatoid components. However, there has not been a systemic study on immunophenotypes of renal cell carcinoma with sarcomatoid differentiation, especially using some renal specific immunohistochemical markers. In this study, we aimed to comprehensively investigate the distinct immunophenotypes of RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation to analyze the pathogenesis of sarcomatoid differentiation and identify new prognostic factors in RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation., Methods: A total of 42 cases of RCCs with sarcomatoid differentiation were enrolled into the study. Immunohistochemistry study was performed on tissue microarrays to evaluate the expressions of 19 immunohistochemical markers including a series of epithelial, mesenchymal markers and RCC specific markers. Kaplan-Meier method was applied to assess the prognostic values of CD10, CAIX, p53 and Bcl-2., Results: Histologically, 42 cases of RCCs with sarcomatoid differentiation presented with different proportions of carcinoma and sarcomatoid components. The cohort contained 35 cases of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (CCRCC) and 7 cases of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (ChRCC) based on the carcinoma components. Immunohistochemically, all cases were positive for vimentin, and 80% of cases showed immunostaining for at least one epithelial marker, such as CK, EMA, CK7 and CK18. Notably, the expression rates of CAIX, CD10 and PAX8 in sarcomatoid cells were 76%, 76% and 64%, respectively. The carcinoma component of the tumors showed differentient labeling for CAIX, CD10, vimentin, CK7 and CD117 in CCRCC vs ChRCC, but the sarcomatoid component lost the specificity for these markers ( p < 0.05). Patients with positive expressions of CAIX, p53 and Bcl-2 had a poor prognosis., Conclusions: The sarcomatoid cells in RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation express both epithelial and mesenchymal markers, supporting their epithelial origin. PAX8, CAIX and CD10 could be used as the reliable and useful markers to determine the renal origin of sarcomatoid cells such as in fine needle aspiration cases and metastatic RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation. CAIX, p53 and Bcl-2 might play important roles in the transformation from renal cell carcinoma to high malignant sarcomatoid differentiation, and these three immunohistochemical markers are adverse prognostic factors for the survival of patients with RCC with sarcomatoid differentiation.

Background: Generation of extended- spectrum β- lactamases is one of the major mechanisms by which clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae develop resistance to antibiotics. Combined antibiotics prove to be a relatively effective method of controlling such resistant strains. Some of Chinese herbal active ingredients are known to have synergistic antibacterial effects. This study is aimed to investigate synergistic effects of Chinese herbal active ingredients with cefotaxime on the extended- spectrum β- lactamase positive strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and to analyze mechanism of synergistic action, providing experimental evidence for clinical application of antimicrobial drugs., Results: For total sixteen strains including fifteen strains of cefotaxime resistant K. pneumoniae and one extended- spectrum β- lactamase positive standard strain, the synergy rates of cefotaxime with baicalein, matrine, and clavulanic acid were 56.3 %, 0 %, and 100 %, respectively. The fractional inhibitory concentration index of combined baicalein and cefotaxime was correlated with the percentage decrease of cefotaxime MIC of all the strains (r = -0.78, p <0.01). In the group of synergy baicalein and cefotaxime, the transcribed mRNA level of CTX-M-1 after treatment of baicalein was decreased significantly (p <0.05). Moreover, the CTX-M-1 mRNA expression percentage inhibition (100 %, 5/5) was significantly higher than non- synergy group (25 %, 1/4) (p <0.05)., Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that baicalein exhibited synergistic activity when combined with cefotaxime against some of extended- spectrum β- lactamases positive K. pneumoniae strains by inhibiting CTX-M-1 mRNA expression. However, no direct bactericidal or bacteriostatic activity was involved in the synergistic action. Baicalein seems to be a promising novel effective synergistic antimicrobial agent.

Background: The tuberous root of sweetpotato is undisputedly an important organ from agronomic and biological perspectives. Little is known regarding the regulatory networks programming tuberous root formation and development., Results: Here, as a first step toward understanding these networks, we analyzed and characterized the genome-wide transcriptional profiling and dynamics of sweetpotato root in seven distinct developmental stages using a customized microarray containing 39,724 genes. Analysis of these genes identified temporal programs of gene expression, including hundreds of transcription factor (TF) genes. We found that most genes active in roots were shared across all developmental stages, although significant quantitative changes in gene abundance were observed for 5,368 (including 435 TFs) genes. Clustering analysis of these differentially expressed genes pointed out six distinct expression patterns during root development. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that genes involved in different processes were enriched at specific stages of root development. In contrast with the large number of shared expressed genes in root development, each stage or period of root development has only a small number of specific genes. In total, 712 (including 27 TFs) and 1,840 (including 115 TFs) genes were identified as root-stage and root-period specific, respectively at the level of microarray. Several of the specific TF genes are known regulators of root development, including DA1-related protein, SHORT-ROOT and BEL1-like. The remaining TFs with unknown roles would also play critical regulatory roles during sweetpotato tuberous root formation and development., Conclusions: The results generated in this study provided spatiotemporal patterns of root gene expression in support of future efforts for understanding the underlying molecular mechanism that control sweetpotato yield and quality.

Background: Many osteotomy methods and fixation types have been used to correct the misalignment observed in tibia vara and to achieve a more uniform distribution of weight across the knee joint., Purpose: The aim of this study is to test the efficacy and safety of a modified closing wedge high tibial osteotomy (CWHTO) procedure for tibia vara., Methods: In this prospective study, young adults with tibia vara and mild medial arthritic changes were included. A CWHTO was performed at the distal third of the tibial tuberosity, instead of the conventional proximal site. An L-shaped locking compression plate was used for internal fixation. Before/after evaluation of femoro-tibial angle (FTA), pain relief, patellar height, and posterior tibial slope were evaluated. Adverse events were monitored., Results: Seventy-five knees from 46 patients aged 27.2 ± 5.8 years (range, 14-43 years) underwent the modified CWHTO procedure. After a follow-up of 26.3 ± 7.4 months (range, 15-46 months), FTA correction was 12.4° ± 4.7° (range, 7°-31°), and pain was relieved. Reduction in the posterior tibial slope was 3.0° ± 2.3° (p<0.001), while there was no significant change in patella height. Bone union was observed in all patients. There were a delayed union in four knees, a peroneal nerve lesion in five knees causing partial paralysis and/or sensory loss, and infections in two knees. Three patients underwent a second surgery. All adverse events were successfully treated except for a case of extensor hallucis longus muscle paralysis., Conclusions: The modified CWHTO procedure is efficient and safe for the correction of tibia vara in young patients.

Background: Currently there exists a limited availability of genetic marker resources in sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas), which is hindering genetic research in this species. It is necessary to develop more molecular markers for potential use in sweetpotato genetic research. With the newly developed next generation sequencing technology, large amount of transcribed sequences of sweetpotato have been generated and are available for identifying SSR markers by data mining., Results: In this study, we investigated 181,615 ESTs for the identification and development of SSR markers. In total, 8,294 SSRs were identified from 7,163 SSR-containing unique ESTs. On an average, one SSR was found per 7.1 kb of EST sequence with tri-nucleotide motifs (42.9%) being the most abundant followed by di- (41.2%), tetra- (9.2%), penta- (3.7%) and hexa-nucleotide (3.1%) repeat types. The top five motifs included AG/CT (26.9%), AAG/CTT (13.5%), AT/TA (10.6%), CCG/CGG (5.8%) and AAT/ATT (4.5%). After removing possible duplicate of published EST-SSRs of sweetpotato, a total of non-repeat 7,958 SSR motifs were identified. Based on these SSR-containing sequences, 1,060 pairs of high-quality SSR primers were designed and used for validation of the amplification and assessment of the polymorphism between two parents of one mapping population (E Shu 3 Hao and Guang 2k-30) and eight accessions of cultivated sweetpotatoes. The results showed that 816 primer pairs could yield reproducible and strong amplification products, of which 195 (23.9%) and 342 (41.9%) primer pairs exhibited polymorphism between E Shu 3 Hao and Guang 2k-30 and among the 8 cultivated sweetpotatoes, respectively., Conclusion: This study gives an insight into the frequency, type and distribution of sweetpotato EST-SSRs and demonstrates successful development of EST-SSR markers in cultivated sweetpotato. These EST-SSR markers could enrich the current resource of molecular markers for the sweetpotato community and would be useful for qualitative and quantitative trait mapping, marker-assisted selection, evolution and genetic diversity studies in cultivated sweetpotato and related Ipomoea species.