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The exostosin (EXT) protein family is involved in diverse human diseases. However, the expression and prognostic value of EXT genes in human lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) is not well understood. In this study, we analyzed the association between expression of EXT1 and EXT2 genes and survival in patients with LUSC using bioinformatics resources such as Oncomine and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) server and Kaplan–Meier plotter. Furthermore, regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) were predicted for EXT1 and used to establish a potential miRNA‐messenger RNA (mRNA) regulation network for LUSC using the ENCORI platform. We observed that EXT1 and EXT2 expression levels were higher in LUSC than those in normal tissues. However, only EXT1 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) in LUSC patients. Functional annotation enrichment analysis showed that genes co‐expressed with the EXT1 gene were enriched in biological processes such as cell adhesion and migration, and KEGG pathways such as extracellular matrix receptor interactions, complement and coagulation cascades, and cell death. Furthermore, three miRNAs, hsa‐mir‐190a‐5p, hsa‐mir‐195‐5p, and hsa‐mir‐490‐3p, were identified to be potentially involved in the regulation of EXT1. In summary, we identified EXT1 expression as a novel potential prognostic marker for human LUSC and the regulatory miRNAs that could possibly contribute to the prognosis of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objectives] In this research, the objective was to establish an efficient and low-expensive rapid propagation technology for the virus-free sweet potato, to meet the needs of industrial production. [ Methods] The virus-free sweet potato 'Ganshu 1' plantlets were studied by the single faotor and orthogonal test methods. The culture conditions( medium type, sustentation, water source, light source, carbohydrate source and sugar concentration) were analyzed. The morphologioal indices ( leaves, roots, stem tip and added value of plant height) were measured and evaluated. [ Results] The single factor results revealed that the plantlets cultured on the 1/2MS medium,shallow-layer liquid medium,tap water-fluorescent light and 60 g·L-1 soft sugar accordingly had the optimal indices with new leaves 4.83,4.67,5.00 and 5.33;roots 2.17,1.67 1.67 and 1.50;stem tip 6.67,5.33,5.67 and 5.17;and added value of plant height 2.17,3.08,2.73 and 2.50 cm,respeotively. The order and contribution rate of every culture condition on the target index was as follows: light, sustentation, medium type, water, soft sugar concentration, and carbohydrate source. [ Conclusions] The optimal culture condition was 1/2MS + shallow-layer liquid medium + tap water+LED lights+ 30 g·L-1 soft sugar in virus-free sweet potato seedling rapid propagation. The virus-free sweet potato seedlings showed the best growth performances using the optimal culture condition. Additionally, it can shorten the culture period and furthermore reduce more than 81.04% cultivating cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the preventive effect of stanozolol on retinoic acid-induced bone lesion in rats using bone mineral density (BMD), biomechanics, and bone histomorphometry methods. Methods Twenty-four 4-month-old virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, retinoic acid (RA) group, and stanozolol group. Rats in control group were given vehicle. Rats in RA groups were given RA of 70 mg* kg 1 ⋅ d-1. Rats in stanozolol group were given RA of 70 mg ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ d-1 and stanozolol of 0. 5 mg ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ d-1. All the rats were oral gavaged at 5 mL⋅ kg-1 for 28 days. At the experimental endpoint, bone mineral density (BMD) of the right femur was examined, and biomechanical properties and bone histomorphometric parameters of the proximal tibial metaphysis ( PTM) and the tibial shaft (Tx) were measured. Results Compared to those in control group, BMD decreased by 10. 2%, and biomechanical properties including elastic load, maximum load, break load, rigid coefficient, and bending energy decreased by 39. 1%, 32. 9%, 36. 4%, 40. 2%, 38. 0% in femur in RA group, respectively (P <0.01). Compared to those in control group, the static parameters including total tissue area, trabecular area, and trabecular perimeter decreased by 31. 6%, 40. 0%, and 36. 2% (P < 0. 01), and the dynamic parameters including percent labeled perimeter (% L. Pm), bone formation rate (BFR/TV, BFR/BV, and BFR/BS) decreased by 57. 1%, 69. 9%, 62.0%, and 65. 8%, respectively, in PTM in RA group (P < 0. 01). Compared to those in control group, the static parameters (the total tissue area and cortical area) and the dynamic parameters of periosteum of Tx significantly decreased, while the dynamic parameters of endosteum of Tx significantly increased in RA group. Compared to those in RA group, the elastic load, rigid coefficient, and bending-energy increased by 22. 2%, 22. 9%, and 17. 7%, respectively, in the femurs in stanozolol group. No significant changes of BMD and histomorphometric parameters in PTM and Tx were found in stanozolol group. Conclusion Stanozolol can partially relieve bone damage induced by RA in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the bone targeted anti-osteoporosis effect of free rhubarb anthraquinone compounds in rats with glucocorticoid-induccd osteoporosis. Methods Using fluorescent tracing method, the fluorescence in the epiphysis of the distal femurs was observed in rats with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis in situ. It was correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) at the same location. One hundred and twenty-six 4-month-old female SD rats were randomly divided into prednisone group (Pred), prednisone + free anthraquinoncs group (Pred + FAQ), and normal control group (CON). Each group was further subdivided into 7 subgroups. The administration period was 13 weeks at the last. BMD and BMC in distal part (2 mm) of the femurs were scanned using pQCT. The photofluorogram of the coronary symmetrical section of the bone samples in Pred + FAQ group was obtained using cpitluorcsccncc microscope. Results BMD of the distal part of the femur was significantly increased in Pred + FAQ group (P < 0.05) compared to those in Pred group. The fluorescence of the epiphysis of bone samples at all time points elevated or eliminated following the epiphyseal "growth-closed" cycle in Pred +FAQ group. It was not significantly correlated with BMD of the bone samples. BMC was not significantly correlated with BMD of the bone samples. Conclusion Free rhubarb anthraquinonc compounds can prevent bone loss due to glucocorticoidHiiduccd osteoporosis. There is no significant accumulation of fluorescence combined free anthraquinonc compounds and bone targeting property. This experiment explores a beneficial research model for investigate bone targeted anti-osteoporosis effective components in bone tissue through pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics link perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium homeostasis imbalance is one of the important pathological mechanisms in heart failure. Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a), a calcium ATPase on the sarcoplasmic reticulum in cardiac myocytes, is a myocardial systolic-diastolic Ca2 + homeostasis regulating enzyme that is not only involved in cardiac diastole but also indirectly affects cardiac myocyte contraction. SERCA2a expression was found to be decreased in myocardial tissue in heart failure, however, there are few reports on serum SERCA2a expression in patients with heart failure, and this study was designed to investigate whether serum SERCA2a levels are associated with the occurrence of adverse events after discharge in patients hospitalized with heart failure. Patients with heart failure hospitalized in the cardiovascular department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, China, from July 2018 to July 2019 were included in this study, and serum SERCA2a concentrations were measured; each enrolled patient was followed up by telephone after 6 months (6 ± 1 months) for general post-discharge patient status. The correlation between serum SERCA2a levels and the occurrence of adverse events (death or readmission due to heart failure) after hospital discharge was assessed using multiple analysis and trend analysis. Seventy-one patients with heart failure were finally included in this study, of whom 38 (53.5%) were men and 33 (46.5%) were women (All were postmenopausal women). Multiple analysis revealed no correlation between serum SERCA2a levels and the occurrence of adverse events in the total study population and in male patients, but serum SERCA2a levels were associated with the occurrence of adverse outcome events after hospital discharge in female patients (OR = 1.02, P = .047). Further analysis using a trend analysis yielded a 4.0% increase in the risk of adverse outcomes after hospital discharge for each unit increase in SERCA2a in female patients (OR = 1.04; P = .02), while no significant difference was seen in men. This study suggests that serum SERCA2a levels at admission are associated with the occurrence of post-discharge adverse events in postmenopausal female patients hospitalized with heart failure., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a bone and joint disease characterized by progressive cartilage degradation. In the face of global trends of population aging, OA is expected to become the fourth most common disabling disease by 2020. Nevertheless, the detailed pathogenesis of OA has not yet been elucidated. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including long noncoding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs, do not encode proteins but have recently emerged as important regulators of apoptosis and autophagy of chondrocytes, thereby highlighting a potential role in chondrocyte injury leading to OA onset and progression. We here review recent findings on these regulatory roles of ncRNAs to provide new directions for research on the pathogenesis of OA and offer new therapeutic targets for prevention and treatment. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Aim: To investigate the bone-protective effects of salvianolate (Sal), a total polyphenol from Radix Salviae miltiorrhizae, on bone tissue in the spontaneous lupus-prone mouse model, B6.MRL-Fas (lpr) /J, undergoing glucocorticoid (GC) treatment., Methods: Fifteen-week-old female B6.MRL-Fas (lpr) /J mice were administered either a daily dose of saline (lupus group), prednisone 6 mg/kg (GC group), Sal 60 mg/kg (Sal group); or GC plus Sal (GC + Sal group) for a duration of 12 weeks. Age-matched female C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice were used for control. Micro-computed tomography assessments, bone histomorphometry analysis, bone biomechanical test, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting analysis for bone markers, and renal histology analysis were performed to support our research endeavor., Results: Lupus mice developed a marked bone loss and deterioration of mechanical properties of bone due to an increase in bone resorption rather than suppression of bone formation. GC treatment strongly inhibited bone formation in lupus mice. Sal treatment significantly attenuated osteogenic inhibition, and also suppressed hyperactive bone resorption, which recovered the bone mass and mechanical properties of bone in both the untreated and GC-treated lupus mice., Conclusion: The data support further preclinical investigation of Sal as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus-related bone loss.

This investigation was directed to the effects of DanShenGuBao on biomechanical properties and bone mineral density (BMD) of femur induced by retinoic acid (RA) in rats. Forty 4-month-old virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 5 groups(8 rats each) control group, RA group and different doses of DanShenGuBao groups. Rats in control group were given vehicle, rats in other four groups were given RA at 70 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) in the morning and given different drugs in the afternoon at the same time. Rats in RA group were given vehicle, rats in other groups were given different doses of DanShenGuBao which contained 10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), 5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), 2.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) tanshinol, respectively. All of rats were treated at 5 ml x kg(-1) by oral gavaged for 28 days. In preparation for the determination of dynamic changes in bone tissues, all rats were given subcutaneous injections of 30 mg x kg(-1) tetracycline on the 14th, 13th day and 5 mg x kg(-1) calcein on the 4th, 3rd day before death. At the experimental endpoint, the rats were sacrificed by cardiac puncture under sodium pentobarbital anesthesia. Physical parameters, BMD and biomechanical properties of femur were assessed. Compared with those in control group, the physical parameters (cross-sectional diameter, wet and dry weight), BMD and biomechanical properties (max-load, elasticity-load, break-strain, rigid coefficient and bending-energe) were significantly decreased in RA group. Compared with that in RA group, the BMD of femur was increased significantly in medium and high dose of DanShenGuBao group, but there was no significant change in physical parameters and biomechanical properties of femur. RA could decrease the physical parameters, BMD and biomechanical properties of femur. DanShenGuBao could increase BMD, but it was found with no obvious effect on physical parameters and biomechanical properties.

This paper presents the correlative changes of cancellous bone histomorphometry, biomechanical property and bone mineral contents of lumbar vertebrae in ovariectomized rats. Forty eight 10.5-month-old female SD rats were randomized to six groups: 1) Basal: at 10.5 mon. of age; 2) sham-1: sham-operated at 13 mon. of age; 3) OVX-1: ovariectomized at 13 mon. of age; 4) sham-2: sham-operated at 16 mon. of age; 5) OVX-2: ovariectomized at 16 mon. of age; and 6) OVX-2 + EE: ovariectomized and treated with 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol (100 micrograms.kg-1.d-1) starting at 13 mon. of age for 12 weeks. Double in vivo fluorochrome labeling was administered to all rats. At the end-point of study, the undecalcified longitudinal fourth lumbar vertebra (LV4) sections were cut and stained with Goldner's Trichrome for bone histomorphometric analyses. The mechanical properties of the compact fifth lumbar vertebra body (LV5) were measured with compression test, the LV5 bodies then were dried constantly with high temperature and digested with acid for testing of bone mineral content. A trend in trabecular bone volume (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) of LV4, bone break load, break stress, elastic moduli and bone calcium content of LV5 to increase with the increase of age was revealed in the intact rats, but the highest value was at 13 mon. of age. A positive correlation was seen between histomophormetry and bone bio-mechanical properties in the intact rats. Compared with the data from the sham-operated rats, the BV/TV and Tb. Th significantly decreased and bone turnover rate significantly increased in OVX rats at 10 weeks, and the above parameters further decreased 22 weeks post OVX. Correspondingly, the bone break load, break stress, elastic moduli and bone calcium content significantly decreased with the increase of time post OVX was compared with those of sham-operated rats. A positive correlation between histomophormetry and bone biomechanical properties was also observed in OVX rats (r = 0.399, P = 0.018). Bone histomorphometry is good for predicting early physiological and pathological changes and bone biomechanical properties are good parameters for predicting corresponding function of bone such as fracture. Both of them are useful and needful in the animal studies on osteoporosis and related pharmacodynamic observations on new drugs.