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Multiple studies have indicated that long non-coding RNAs are aberrantly expressed in cancers and are pivotal in developing various tumors. No studies have investigated the expression and function of long non-coding antisense RNA PCNA-AS1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In this study, the expression of PCNA-AS1 was identified by qRT–PCR. Cell function assays were used to explore the potential effect of PCNA-AS1 on ESCC progression. A prediction website was utilized to discover the relationships among PCNA-AS1, miR-2467-3p and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Dual luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays were executed to verify the binding activity between PCNA-AS1, miR-2467-3p and PCNA. As a result, PCNA-AS1 was highly expressed in ESCC and was associated with patient prognosis. PCNA-AS1 overexpression strongly contributed to ESCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. PCNA-AS1 and PCNA were positively correlated in ESCC. Bioinformatics analysis, RIP and luciferase reporter gene assays revealed that PCNA-AS1 could act as a competitive endogenous RNA to sponge miR-2467-3p, thus upregulating PCNA. In conclusion, the current outcome demonstrates that PCNA-AS1 may be a star molecule in the treatment of ESCC.

Study objective: To determine the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided paracervical nerve blocks for the painless treatment of patients with cervical cancer post-implantation. Design: Single-center randomized controlled trial. Setting: Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University (July 2023 to October 2023). Trial number: ChiCTR2300071580 [https://clin.larvol.com/trial-detail/ChiCTR2300071580]. Patients: Eighty patients with cervical cancer underwent post-implantation treatment. Interventions: Patients receiving and not receiving paracervical nerve blocks (Groups T and C, respectively) were randomly allocated. Measurements: Primary measures included visual analog scale (VAS) scores and patient body movement scores at various stages, including vaginal speculum placement (T1), applicator/needle insertion (T2), treatment administration following connection of the treatment tube (T3), needle withdrawal and hemostasis (T4), and willingness to receive further treatment. The secondary observation indices in this study included the operation time, incidence of hypoxemia, occurrence of nausea and vomiting, adverse events related to the circulatory system, patient satisfaction score, operator satisfaction score, and operation duration required by patients with an Alderte score of ≥ 9. Main results: Forty patients each were randomly allocated into Groups T and C. The VAS scores did not differ significantly between the two groups at T1. However, at T3 and T4, the VAS scores of Group T was significantly lower than that of Group C. No significant difference was observed in the body movement scores between the two groups at T1 and T3. However, the body movement score of Group T was significantly lower than that of Group C (P < 0.001) at T2 and T4. Group T showed higher postoperative satisfaction and willingness to receive further treatment compared to that of Group C. Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided paracervical nerve block effectively reduced the pain scores in patients with cervical cancer undergoing post-implantation treatment and enhanced their inclination to undergo further treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): The aim of this study is to explore the potential neuroprotective effects of Ginkgolide B (GB), a main terpene lactone and active component in Ginkgo biloba, in hypoxia-induced neuronal damage, and to further investigate its possible mechanisms.Materials and Methods: 54 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: the untreated control group (n=18); the hypoxia group (n=18; exposed to 6000 m simulated plateau altitude for six days); and the GB group (n=18; intragastric administration of 12 mg/kg GB three days prior to rapid adaption to 6000 m and on the first two days of hypoxia). After hypoxia exposure for six days, we dissected out the brain hippocampi and performed hematoxylin and eosin staining, Nissl staining, and TUNEL staining. Homogenates of the hippocampi were used to test the oxidative stress indices including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and catalase. Bax and caspase-3 expression in the hippocampal tissue was measured using qRT-PCR.Results: Treatment with GB before exposure to hypoxia could protect neural cells and increase the number of Nissl bodies. TUNEL and qRT-PCR results demonstrated that GB treatment could decrease apoptotic cells in different areas of the hippocampus. Antioxidant defense systems such as SOD, GSH, and catalase were decreased (P