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Abstract Introduction Nuclear receptor subfamily five group A member two (NR5A2) plays a key role in the development of many tumor types, while it is uncertain in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The aim of this work was to determine the role of NR5A2 in cSCC proliferation, and to determine whether NR5A2 mediates the effect of cisplatin in cSCC. Methods We performed a systematic study of existing data and conducted a preliminary bioinformatics analysis of NR5A2 expression in cSCC using bioinformatics databases. Immunohistochemical staining was performed on cSCC tissues of seven patients to study NR5A2 expression. NR5A2 expression was examined in human keratin‐forming cells (HaCaT) and human cSCC cells (A431, Colo‐16, SCL‐1, SCL‐2, and HSC‐5). Stable A431 and SCL‐2 cell lines consisting of sh‐RNA‐NR5A2 were constructed to detect changes in cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and to determine the key proteins in the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. We also investigated changes in the effects of cisplatin on cSCC cells by CCK‐8, clone formation assay, and Flow apoptosis assay after NR5A2 knockdown. Results NR5A2 showed enhanced expression in cSCC tissues than in healthy tissues. Downregulation of NR5A2 in cSCC cells led to the formation of a less malignant phenotype. In contrast, the proliferative capacity of the cSCC cells was enhanced posttreatment with RJW100, an NR5A2 agonist. Additionally, NR5A2 knockdown led to a decrease in the expression level of the proteins in the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, and this inhibition was reversed by LiCl and recombinant antibody, Wnt3a. Moreover, NR5A2 knockdown resulted in diminished proliferative capacity and increased apoptotic cells after the addition of cisplatin. Conclusion NR5A2 plays a crucial role in the progression of cSCC, and the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway may be involved in the regulation of NR5A2‐mediated cSCC. Knockdown of NR5A2 enhanced both the proliferation inhibiting and apoptosis promoting effects of cisplatin on cSCC.

Plasma miRNAs can characterize several diseases, including acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which is noninvasive and currently affordable in most laboratories worldwide. We aimed to demonstrate plasma miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b as diagnostic biomarkers in AIS.GSE110993 and GSE86291 datasets were analyzed to obtain plasma differentially expressed miRNAs between AIS and healthy control subjects (HCs). We further applied RT‐qPCR for the validation in 85 AIS patients and 85 HCs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were conducted to evaluate their diagnostic utility in AIS. Correlation was analyzed between DEmiRNAs and clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as inflammatory markers. The plasma levels of miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b were found to be consistently altered in both GSE110993 and GSE86291 datasets. In comparison to HCs, AIS patients at admission exhibited lower levels of miR‐140‐3p and miR‐320b and higher level of miR‐130a‐3p in their plasma. The ROC analysis revealed that plasma miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b had area under the curve values of 0.790, 0.831, and 0.907, respectively. When combined, these miRNAs showed superior discriminatory power with a sensitivity of 91.76% and specificity of 95.29%. Plasma miR‐140‐3p and miR‐320b negatively correlated glucose levels and inflammatory markers (IL‐6, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and VEGF) in AIS patients. Conversely, plasma miR‐130a‐3p levels were positively associated with glucose levels and these markers. Plasma miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b levels varied significantly among AIS patients with different NIHSS scores. Plasma miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b had high diagnostic value in AIS patients, which were correlated with inflammation and severity in stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Due to the rapid motility of the selected sperm, sperm parameters cannot be accurately determined by the manual method. So, the application of a computer‐assisted sperm analysis system with a high frame rate (HFR‐CASA, 85 Hz) in sperm selection is investigated. Methods: A total of 177 semen samples were collected for sperm selection with density gradient centrifugation. Then, the manual method and HFR‐CASA method will be used to observe and analyze the sperm concentration, motility, and percentage of progressively motile sperm (PR) of the selected sperm samples. The quality control of sperm concentration was performed with microballoons. Two selected sperm samples were analyzed 10 times repeatedly to evaluate the accuracy of the HFR‐CASA. Results: The results of microballoons analyzed with the HFR‐CASA were in control. The coefficients of variation of sperm concentration, motility, and PR from two selected sperm samples were all below 10%. The results of 177 selected sperm samples analyzed by the manual method and HFR‐CASA showed that although there were significant positive correlations in sperm concentration, motility, and PR between them (p < 0.001), the manual method significantly underestimated sperm concentration (p = 0.002) but overestimated sperm motility and PR (p < 0.001). When sperm concentration was below 50 × 106/mL, the manual method significantly overestimated sperm concentration (p < 0.05). However, when sperm concentration was more than 100 × 106/mL, the manual method significantly underestimated sperm concentration (p < 0.001). Regardless of sperm concentration, the manual method consistently overestimated sperm motility and PR (p < 0.001). When sperm concentration was more than 20 × 106/mL, there was no correlation in sperm PR between them (p > 0.05). When sperm concentration was below 50 × 106/mL, the correct rate of captured sperm by the HFR‐CASA was more than 98%. Conclusion: The HFR‐CASA method is more accurate than the manual method in analyzing the selected sperm samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To investigate a potential relationship between Solute carrier family 30 (zinc transporter) member 8 (SLC30A8) rs13266634 variant and efficacy of rosiglitazone or repaglinide in treating newly diagnosed Chinese type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: A total of 209 diabetic patients without any antihyperglycemic history were recruited and treated with repaglinide or rosiglitazone randomly for 48 weeks (104 and 105 patients, respectively). Anthropometric measurements and clinical laboratory tests were carried out before and after the treatment. An non-synonymous variant rs13266634 was genotyped by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectroscopy. Results: Ninety-one patients in repaglinide group and ninety-three patients in rosiglitazone group completed the study. Δ value of homeostasis model assessment of beta cell function (HOMA-B) and Δ value of fasting proinsulin levels were statistically significant between three genotype groups (P=0.0149 and 0.0246, respectively) after rosiglitazone treatment. However, no genotype association was observed in the repaglinide or rosiglitazone group with other parameters. Conclusion: The SLC30A8 variant was associated with the efficacy of insulin sensitizer monotherapy on insulin secretion in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in Shanghai, China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]