Background Osteoporosis mainly occurs in postmenopausal women, which is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD) due to unbalanced bone resorption by osteoclasts and formation by osteoblasts. Circulating monocytes play important roles in osteoclastogenesis by acting as osteoclast precursors and secreting osteoclastogenic factors, such as IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been implicated as important biomarkers in various diseases. The present study aimed to find significant miRNA biomarkers in human circulating monocytes underlying postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methodology/Principal Findings We used ABI TaqMan® miRNA array followed by qRT-PCR validation in circulating monocytes to identify miRNA biomarkers in 10 high and 10 low BMD postmenopausal Caucasian women. MiR-133a was upregulated ( P =0.007) in the low compared with the high BMD groups in the array analyses, which was also validated by qRT-PCR ( P =0.044). We performed bioinformatic target gene analysis and found three potential osteoclast-related target genes, CXCL11, CXCR3 and SLC39A1. In addition, we performed Pearson correlation analyses between the expression levels of miR-133a and the three potential target genes in the 20 postmenopausal women. We did find negative correlations between miR-133a and all the three genes though not significant. Conclusions/Significance This is the first in vivo miRNA expression analysis in human circulating monocytes to identify novel miRNA biomarkers underlying postmenopausal osteoporosis. Our results suggest that miR-133a in circulating monocytes is a potential biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

BackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression by targeting mRNAs. Recently, miRNAs have been shown to play important roles in the etiology of various diseases. However, little is known about their roles in the development of osteoporosis. Circulating monocytes are osteoclast precursors that also produce various factors important for osteoclastogenesis. Previously, we have identified a potential biomarker miR-133a in circulating monocytes for postmenopausal osteoporosis. In this study, we aimed to further identify significant miRNA biomarkers in human circulating monocytes underlying postmenopausal osteoporosis.Methodology/Principal FindingsWe used ABI TaqMan miRNA array followed by qRT-PCR validation in human circulating monocytes from 10 high BMD and 10 low BMD postmenopausal Caucasian women to identify miRNA biomarkers. MiR-422a was up-regulated with marginal significance (P = 0.065) in the low compared with the high BMD group in the array analysis. However, a significant up-regulation of miR-422a was identified in the low BMD group by qRT-PCR analysis (P = 0.029). We also performed bioinformatic target gene analysis and found several potential target genes of miR-422a which are involved in osteoclastogenesis. Further qRT-PCR analyses of the target genes in the same study subjects showed that the expression of five of these genes (CBL, CD226, IGF1, PAG1, and TOB2) correlated negatively with miR-422a expression.Conclusions/SignificanceOur study suggests that miR-422a in human circulating monocytes (osteoclast precursors) is a potential miRNA biomarker underlying postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Sustained and non-resolved inflammation is a characteristic of periodontitis. Upon acute inflammation, gingival fibroblasts release cytokines to recruit immune cells to counter environmental stimuli. The intricate regulation of pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, such as NF-κB, is necessary to maintain periodontal homeostasis. Nonetheless, how inflammation is resolved has not yet been elucidated. In this study, 22 subtypes of taste receptor family 2 (TAS2Rs), as well as the downstream machineries of Gα-gustducin and phospholipase C-β2 (PLCβ2), were identified in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Various bitter agonists could induce an intensive cytosolic Ca2+ response in HGFs. More importantly, TAS2R16 was expressed at a relatively high level, and its agonist, salicin, showed robust Ca2+ evocative effects in HGFs. Activation of TAS2R16 signaling by salicin inhibited the release of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, at least in part, by repressing LPS-induced intracellular cAMP elevation and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation in HGFs. These findings indicate that TAS2Rs activation in HGFs may mediate endogenous pro-inflammation resolution by antagonizing NF-κB signaling, providing a novel paradigm and treatment target for the better management of periodontitis.

Purpose Explore the potential mediating effects of anxiety symptoms and hopelessness on the relationship between academic stress and depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. Patients and Methods A total of 1309 college students with informed consent were recruited from a local university in China. Academic stress, anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms were assessed by self-report scales. Haye’s PROCESS macro for SPSS was used to test the hypothesized mediation effect of anxiety symptoms and hopelessness in the relationship between academic stress and depressive symptoms. Results Anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and depressive symptoms were common among college students and were all significantly positively associated with academic stress levels. Academic stress could indirectly affect depressive symptoms by anxiety symptoms, hopelessness, and both anxiety symptoms and hopelessness. The total effect of academic stress on depressive symptoms was 0.063. The total effect of three indirect pathway was 0.039 which account for 62% of the total effect. Conclusion The study detailed the specific process of depressive symptoms caused by academic stress in college students. Anxiety symptoms and hopelessness could mediate the relationship between academic stress and depressive symptoms. Paying attention to the anxiety levels and hopelessness levels of college students with high academic pressure is suggested as a means of preventing depression and promoting mental health.

Among APOE e4 noncarriers, C carriers in CLOCK gene 3111T/C were associated with a high susceptibility of AD, but among APOE e4 carriers, the functional polymorphism of CLOCK gene 3111T/C was not associated with the susceptibility of AD.