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LAG1 longevity assurance homolog 2 (LASS2) is a candidate biomarker in cancer that is dysregulated in various types of tumor, potentially affecting cell growth, invasion and migration. Although its effects on liver cancer metastasis and invasion have been reported, specific phenotypic studies and potential molecular mechanisms have not been completely elucidated in hepatoblastoma (HB). In the present study, the effect of LASS2 on the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of HepG2 HB cells was assessed, and the underlying mechanisms were investigated. The human LASS2 coding sequence was inserted into an adenovirus vector and transduced into HepG2 cells. It was determined that the overexpression of LASS2 inhibited HepG2 cell viability and proliferation, as determined by cell counting kit-8 and colony formation assays, and induced apoptosis by increasing reactive oxygen species, reducing mitochondrial membrane potential and inducing intracellular Ca 2+ overload. In addition, the overexpression of LASS2 induced G 0 /G 1 cell cycle arrest through modulating the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, including p27, cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4. Immunofluorescence was used to determine that nuclear factor (NF)-κB p-p65 was primarily expressed in the cytoplasm rather than in the nucleus; western blot analysis demonstrated that LASS2 downregulated the expression of NF-κB p-p65 relative to its inactive form in HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that LASS2 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in HepG2 HB cells through the mitochondrial apoptotic, NF-κB and cell cycle signaling pathways.

Objective This study aimed to investigate serum levels of the cystatin C (CysC)/creatinine (Cr) ratio and renal serum markers (CysC, Cr, urea, and uric acid [UA]) for different ages and by sex. We also aimed to establish pediatric reference intervals for the serum CysC/Cr ratio. Methods Serum samples were collected from 4765 healthy children (0–18 years old). Serum markers of renal function were measured, and the CysC/Cr ratio of each participant was calculated and statistically analyzed. Results The renal marker CysC did not substantially change after 1 year old. Cr, urea, and UA levels generally increased with age. However, the serum CysC/Cr ratio steadily decreased with age. The CysC/Cr ratio showed significant differences in age among all age groups and varied with sex, except for in the 1 to 6-year-old groups. The overall serum CysC/Cr ratio in girls was higher than that in boys. Conclusion Reference intervals of the serum CysC/Cr ratio in the pediatric population were established. These intervals need to be partitioned by age and sex.

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has become a public health emergency of international concern. SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection is the diagnostic criterion for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nevertheless, RNA detection has many limitations, such as being time-consuming and cost-prohibitive, and it must be performed in specialized laboratories. Virus antibody detection is a routine method for screening for multiple viruses, but data about SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection are limited. Method Throat swabs and blood were collected from 67 suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection patients at the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University and Zunyi Fourth People’s Hospital isolated observation departments. Throat swab samples were subjected to SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection by real-time PCR. Blood was used subjected to SARS-CoV-2 IgG/IgM detection by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gold immunochromatography assay (GICA). Blood underwent C-reactive protein detection by immunoturbidimetry, and white blood cells, neutrophil percentages and lymphocyte percentages were counted and calculated, respectively. Clinical symptoms, age and lifestyle habits (smoking and drinking) in all patients were recorded. Data were analysed using SPSS version 19. The results were confirmed by T and χ2 tests; correlations with detection results were analysed by kappa coefficients. Odds ratio (OR) and corrected OR values were analysed by logistic regression. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Of the 67 patients included in this study, 26 were SARS-CoV-2 RNA-positive. GICA IgM sensitivity was 50.9% (13/26), and specificity was 90.2% (37/41). ELISA IgM sensitivity was 76.9% (20/26), and specificity was 90.2% (37/41). ELISA IgG sensitivity was 76.9% (20/26), and specificity was 95.1% (39/41). The kappa coefficients between RNA detection and ELISA IgG, ELISA IgM, and GICA IgM results were 0.741 (P < 0.01), 0.681 (P < 0.01) and 0.430 (P < 0.01), respectively. Conclusion Among the candidate blood indicators, serum IgG and IgM detected by ELISA had the best consistency and validity when compared with standard RNA detection; these indicators can be used as potential preliminary screening tools to identify those who should undergo nucleic acid detection in laboratories without RNA detection abilities or as a supplement to RNA detection.