Xiangjun Chen

Effects of miR-145-5p through NRAS on the cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in melanoma by inhibiting MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways

We aimed to detect the effects of miR‐145‐5p on the cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion in NRAS‐mutant, BRAF‐mutant, and wild‐type melanoma cells, in order to figure out the potential mechanisms and provide a novel therapeutic target of melanoma. RT‐qPCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of miR‐145‐5p and NRAS in melanoma tumor tissues and cells, respectively. Luciferase assay was performed to determine whether miR‐145‐5p directly targeted NRAS. After transfecting miR‐145‐5p mimics, miR‐145‐5p inhibitors, NRAS cDNA and NRAS siRNA into CHL‐1, VMM917 and SK‐mel‐28 cells, functional assays were used to detect the proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration, including MTT, flow cytometry, Transwell and wound healing assays. In addition, xenograft models in nude mice were also conducted to verify the role of miR‐145‐5p in vivo. MiR‐145‐5p was able to suppress proliferation, invasion, and migration of VMM917 and CHL‐1 cells and induce apoptosis by inhibiting MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways. However, aberrant expression of miR‐145‐5p and NRAS has little impact on the viability and metastasis of BRAF‐mutant melanoma. The higher expression of miR‐145‐5p in xenograft models repressed the VMM917‐induced and CHL‐1‐induced tumor growth observably and has little effect on SK‐mel‐28‐induced tumor growth which was consistent with the results in vitro. Through targeting NRAS, miR‐145‐5p could suppress cell proliferation, invasion, and migration and induce apoptosis of CHL‐1 and VMM917 melanoma cells by inhibiting MAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways.

Long Noncoding RNA PVT1 as a Novel Diagnostic Biomarker and Therapeutic Target for Melanoma

Accumulating evidences indicated that plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) plays vital roles in several cancers. However, the expression, functions, and clinical values of PVT1 in melanoma are still unknown. In this study we measured the expression of PVT1 in clinical tissues and serum samples and explored the diagnostic value of PVT1 for melanoma and the effects of PVT1 on melanoma cell proliferation, cell cycle, and migration. Our results, combined with publicly available PVT1 expression data, revealed that PVT1 is upregulated in melanoma tissues compared with nonneoplastic nevi tissues. Serum PVT1 level is significantly increased in melanoma patients compared with age and gender-matched nonmelanoma controls with melanocytic nevus. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that serum PVT1 level could sensitively discriminate melanoma patients from controls. Furthermore, serum PVT1 level indicted melanoma dynamics. Functional experiments showed that overexpression of PVT1 promotes melanoma cells proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration, while depletion of PVT1 significantly inhibits melanoma cells proliferation, cell cycle progression, and migration. Collectively, our results indicate that PVT1 functions as an oncogene in melanoma and could be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for melanoma.

Epidemiology of bedside stove burns in a retrospective cohort of 5089 pediatric patients

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively analyze the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric bedside stove burns (PBSB) in China and to explore prevention and control measures. METHODS Data on pediatric burns from three hospitals located in the epidemic area were collected from January 1996 to December 2010 and were divided into the PBSB group and the control group. The epidemiological characteristics and related information for each patient were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 16,595 pediatric burns were found, including 5089 PBSB and 11,506 other types of burns. The two groups differed significantly in terms of age, gender, body parts burned, degree of burn, delay of hospitalization, and treatment measures (Ps all<0.05). Risk factors for PBSB included being younger than 3 years old, living in a rural area, low literacy level of guardians, not receiving health education, and lack of a protective fence protection (Ps all<0.05). Furthermore, meal time and winter and spring seasons were high risk periods for PBSB. CONCLUSION The risk factors for PBSB include age, region, time of occurrence, and literacy level of guardians. Health education and installation of a protective fence between the stove and the bed could reduce the incidence of PBSB.

Long noncoding RNA ILF3-AS1 promotes cell proliferation, migration and invasion via negatively regulating miR-200b/a/429 in melanoma

Melanoma is the most malignant skin cancer, which account for most of skin-cancer-related deaths. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is a class of noncoding RNAs with crucial roles in many cancers. However, the roles of lncRNAs in melanoma have not been well studied. In the present study, using public available data and clinical tissues samples, we found that lncRNA ILF3-AS1 is up-regulated in melanoma tissues and cell lines, and correlated with poor prognosis of melanoma patients. Functional experiments showed that knockdown of ILF3-AS1 inhibits melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Mechanistically, we found that ILF3-AS1 interacts with EZH2, promotes the binding of EZH2 to the miR-200b/a/429 promoter, and represses miR-200b/a/429 expression. The expression of ILF3-AS1 is negatively correlated with that of miR-200b/a/429 in melanoma tissues. Moreover, inhibition of miR-200b/a/429 abrogates the biological roles of ILF3-AS1 knockdown on melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that melanoma-upregulated lncRNA ILF3-AS1 promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion via negatively regulating miR-200b/a/429, and imply that ILF3-AS1 may be a potential prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for melanoma.

Association of Autologous Fat Injection in Facial Artery With Ophthalmological Complications: An Experimental Animal Study

Importance Complications caused by autologous fat filling have been reported. Comprehensive knowledge of the possible adverse effects of autologous fat filling is needed. Objective To determine the association of autologous fat filling with ophthalmic function complications. Design, Setting, and Participants Four adult New Zealand white rabbits were killed for a facial anatomy study. Sixty-four adult New Zealand white rabbits underwent fat harvest using the Coleman technique. Autologous fat was minced or digested with collagenase 1 and centrifuged to separate fat lipid and fat granules. Either 0.2 mL or 0.4 mL of minced fat, fat granules, fat lipid, or saline (control) was retrogradely injected into the facial artery of rabbit models. Electroretinography and ophthalmic fundoscopy were performed to measure the retina and fundus artery occlusions 2 weeks after surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures Visual impairment, blindness, and death. Results Injection of 0.2 mL of fat granules, fat lipid, and saline resulted in 100% (8 of 8), 62.5% (5 of 8), and 0 ophthalmic complications, respectively; and 0.4 mL resulted in 87.5% (7 of 8), 12.5% (1 of 8), and 0 ophthalmic complications, respectively. Injection of 0.2 mL and 0.4 mL minced fat led to 100% (8 of 8) ophthalmic complications and death, respectively. The mortality rates were 37.5% (3 of 8), 12.5% (1 of 8), and 0 for 0.2 mL emboli injection, and 100% (8 of 8), 50% (4 of 8), and 0 for 0.4 mL, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance In this study, minced fat injection was associated with more ophthalmic complications than injection of fat granules and fat lipid. Increasing the injection volume of fat tissues could raise the incidence of morbidity and mortality. Level of Evidence NA.

Comparing the Curative Efficacy of Different Skin Grafting Methods for Third-Degree Burn Wounds

Background Our research purpose was to compare the curative efficacy of different skin grafting methods for treating third-degree burn wounds. Material/Methods A total of 105 patients with third-degree burns were involved in this study. The burn wounds of these patients were treated using three different methods: Meek skin grafting, Stamp skin grafting, and Microskin grafting. Patients treated with different methods were placed in different groups. The skin graft survival rate, skin graft fusion time, wound healing time, total time of surgery, and 1% total body surface area (TBSA) treatment costs in each group were evaluated during and after the grafting procedures. After the operations, patients were followed up for 3 to 18 months in order to evaluate the postoperative outcomes. Results The skin graft survival rate was significantly higher in the Meek group compared to the rates in the Stamp and Microskin groups (both P<0.01). In addition, the skin graft fusion time, wound healing time, and 1% TBSA treatment costs were significantly lower in the Meek group compared to those in the Stamp and Microskin groups (both P<0.01). Furthermore, the Meek group exhibited better results with respect to curative efficacy, scarring status, and joint activity in comparison to the other two groups (both P<0.05). Conclusions The Meek skin grafting method showed better clinical efficacy for treating large wound areas in third-degree burn patients compared to the Stamp and Microskin skin grafting methods.

Three-dimensional digitalized virtual planning for retrograde sural neurovascular island flaps: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness and safety of three-dimensional (3D) digitalized planning for the sural neurovascular island flap in repair of soft tissue defects in the ankle and foot. METHODS This study included 40 patients with soft tissue defects of the ankle and foot who underwent soft tissue reconstruction between October 2008 and June 2012. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups: 3D-reconstruction group (Group A, n=20) and control group (Group B, n=20). Three-dimensional, digitalized virtual planning was performed in the patients in Group A, who underwent computed topographic angiography. The survival rate, operation time, and surgical accuracy were compared between the two groups. RESULTS All flaps in Group A survived and the recipient site primarily healed, but 4 flaps in Group B had marginal necrosis after the operation. During the 6-12 month follow-up period, all flaps in Group A had good skin quality. In Group B, hard scarring and mild contracture occurred in 4 cases, and the patients experienced pain when walking. The survival rate of the flap in Group A (100%) was significantly higher than in Group B (70%). The operation time in Group A was significantly less than in Group B. The surgical accuracy in Group A was significantly better than in Group B. CONCLUSION The preoperative use of 3D digitalized virtual planning for the sural neurovascular island flap improves the surgical accuracy, decreases the operation time, and increases the survival rate of the flap. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic III.