Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel type of noncoding RNAs that modulate the pathogenesis of multiple diseases. Nevertheless, the role of circRNAs in diabetic nephropathy (DN) pathogenesis is still ambiguous. In the current study, our team aims to investigate the expression profiles of circRNAs in DN and identify the function of circRNA on mesangial cells. CircRNAs microarray analysis revealed dysregulated circRNA in db/db DN mice, and circRNA_15698 was validated to be upregulated in both db/db mice and mouse mesangial cells (SV40-MES13) that were exposed to high glucose (25 mM) using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Loss-of-functional experiments showed that circRNA_15698 knockdown significantly inhibited the expression levels of collagen type I (Col. I), collagen type IV (Col. IV), and fibronectin. Moreover, the cellular localization of circRNA_15698 was mainly in the cytoplasm. Bioinformatics tools and luciferase reporter assay confirmed that circRNA_15698 acted as a 'sponge' of miR-185, and then positively regulated the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) protein expression, suggesting a circRNA_15698/miR-185/TGF-β1 pathway. Further validation experiments validated that circRNA_15698/miR-185/TGF-β1 promoted extracellular matrix (ECM)-related protein synthesis. In summary, our study preliminarily investigates the role of circRNAs in mesangial cells and ECM accumulation, providing a novel insight for DN pathogenesis.

Circular RNA circRNA_15698 aggravates the extracellular matrix of diabetic nephropathy mesangial cells via miR-185/TGF-β1

Emerging evidence has validated the vital role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) in the chemoresistance of cancer treatment. In the present study, we investigate the function of lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 on oxaliplatin (OXA) resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and discover the underlying molecular mechanism. Results revealed that lncRNA NR2F1-AS1 was up-regulated in oxaliplatin-resistant HCC tissue and cells using microarray analysis and RT-PCR. Meanwhile, ABCC1 protein was overexpressed in OXA-resistant HCC cells (Huh7/OXA and HepG2/OXA). In vitro, NR2F1-AS1 knockdown reduced the invasion, migration, drug-resistant gene (MDR1, MRP5, LRP1) and IC50 value in Huh7/OXA and HepG2/OXA cells. In vivo, NR2F1-AS1 knockdown decreased the tumour weight of HCC cells. Bioinformatics tools and luciferase reporter assay confirmed miR-363 targeted the 3'-UTR of NR2F1-AS1 and ABCC1 mRNA, presenting that NR2F1-AS1 promoted ABCC1 expression through endogenous sponging miR-363. In summary, results conclude that NR2F1-AS1 regulates HCC OXA resistance through targeting miR-363-ABCC1 pathway, providing a vital theoretic mechanism and therapeutic target for HCC chemoresistance.

https://www.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jcmm.13605

LncRNA NR2F1-AS1 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma oxaliplatin resistance by targeting ABCC1 via miR-363.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is a multifactorial pathological process associated with low back pain, the leading cause of years lived in disability worldwide. Key characteristics of the pathological changes connected with degenerative disc disease (DDD) are the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), apoptosis and senescence, as well as inflammation. The impact of nonphysiological mechanical stresses on IVD degeneration and inflammation, the mechanisms of mechanotransduction, and the role of mechanosensitive miRNAs are of increasing interest. As post-transcriptional regulators, miRNAs are known to affect the expression of 30% of proteincoding genes and numerous intracellular processes. The dysregulation of miRNAs is therefore associated with various pathologies, including degenerative diseases such as DDD. This review aims to give an overview of the current status of miRNA research in degenerative disc pathology, with a special focus on the involvement of miRNAs in ECM degradation, apoptosis, and inflammation, as well as mechanobiology.

MicroRNAs in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration, Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Mechanobiology

CircRNA circ-BANP-mediated miR-503/LARP1 signaling contributes to lung cancer progression.

Long noncoding RNA BLACAT1 modulates ABCB1 to promote oxaliplatin resistance of gastric cancer via sponging miR-361.

It has been determined that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are identified as a potential regulatory factor in multiple tumors as well as multiple myeloma (MM). However, the role of colorectal neoplasia differentially expressed (CRNDE) in the pathogenesis of MM remains unclear. In this study, we found that the CRNDE expression level, in MM samples and cell lines, is higher than that in the control detected by real-time qPCR, which is also closely related to tumor progression and poor survival in MM patients. Knockdown of CRNDE significantly inhibits the proliferative vitality of MM cells (U266 and RPMI-8226), induces cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase, and promotes apoptosis. After being transfected with siRNA, miR-451 expression observably increases. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase assay reveal the interaction by complementary bonding between CRNDE and miR-451. Pearson's correlation shows that CRNDE is negatively correlated to miR-451 expression in human MM samples. Subsequently, miR-451 inhibitor rescues the inhibited tumorigenesis induced by CRNDE knockdown. Our study illustrates that lncRNA CRNDE induces the proliferation and antiapoptosis capability of MM by acting as a ceRNA or molecular sponge via negatively targeting miR-451, which could act as a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for MM.

Long Noncoding RNA CRNDE Promotes Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth by Suppressing miR-451.

Posterior atlantoaxial fixation: a review of all techniques.

The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous vertebroplasty at a hyperextension position (PVPHP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty at a hyperextension position (PKPHP) for the treatment of osteoporotic Kummell’s disease. This study was a retrospective, single-centre study. There were 35 patients with osteoporotic Kummell’s disease who were analyzed. Twenty-two of them underwent PVPHP and the other 13 patients underwent PKPHP from January 2013 to January 2015. The volume of bone cement injection and operation costs were compared. We compared the visual analogue score (VAS) and vertebral Cobb’s angle at pre-operation, the second day after operation, and the final follow-up. We compared the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score at the pre-operation and the final follow-up. There were no significant differences in gender, age, course of disease, bone mineral density (BMD), and mean follow-up time between the two groups (P > 0.05). Regarding the costs of the operation, the PKPHP group was significantly higher than the PVPHP group (P   0.05). At the final follow-up, the Cobb’s angle was increased in both groups, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the bone cement leakage rate between the two groups (P > 0.05). For the treatment of Kummell’s disease, PVPHP and PKPHP are both safe and effective, but PVPHP is more economical and can be considered a preferred method of treatment.

Is percutaneous kyphoplasty the better choice for minimally invasive treatment of neurologically intact osteoporotic Kümmell’s disease? A comparison of two minimally invasive procedures

BACKGROUND The thoracolumbar AO type A3 fracture is an incomplete burst fracture, which affects one vertebral body endplate. The objective of this study was to determine which of two minimal invasive techniques was more suitable for A3 fractures based on clinical and radiographic results. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 112 patients with A3 subtype fractures without neurological deficits. A total of 63 patients received percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF), and 49 patients were treated using mini-open Wiltse approach with pedicle screw fixation (MWPSF). The clinical outcomes, surgery-related results, and the pre-operative and post-operative radiological findings were compared between the two groups. RESULTS The length of incision, intra-operative blood loss, post-operative hospitalization time, visual analog score (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and accuracy rate of pedicle screw placement were compared between the PPSF and MWPSF groups, with no significant differences found (p>0.05). However, the vertebral body angle (VBA) and Cobb's angle in the MWPSF group was much better than in the PPSF group (p<0.05). The operating time and C-arm exposure time of the MWPSF group were significantly lower than the PPSF group (p<0.05). The operative and post-operative costs of the PPSF group were significantly higher than the MWPSF group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study found no significant differences in some clinical outcomes between the two groups. Both treatments were safe and effective for A3 subtype fractures. Nevertheless, given the radiation exposure, reduction of kyphosis, special equipment required, learning curve and hospitalization costs associated with PPSF, we concluded that MWPSF was a better choice for A3 subtype fractures.

/pdf/a-comparison-of-the-mini-open-wiltse-approach-with-pedicle-lirdjuwtxp.pdf

A Comparison of the Mini-Open Wiltse Approach with Pedicle Screw Fixation and the Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation for Neurologically Intact Thoracolumbar Fractures.

Qining Wu

Papers

Long Noncoding RNA CRNDE Promotes Multiple Myeloma Cell Growth by Suppressing miR-451.

Posterior atlantoaxial fixation: a review of all techniques.

Is percutaneous kyphoplasty the better choice for minimally invasive treatment of neurologically intact osteoporotic Kümmell’s disease? A comparison of two minimally invasive procedures

A Comparison of the Mini-Open Wiltse Approach with Pedicle Screw Fixation and the Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation for Neurologically Intact Thoracolumbar Fractures.

The in vitro and in vivo effects of microRNA-133a on intervertebral disc destruction by targeting MMP9 in spinal tuberculosis