No abstract

The detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) has received great attention. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) plays crucial roles in carcinogenesis and is considered as one of the most studied oncomiRNAs. We determined if miR-21 could be used a marker for the detection of CTCs in gastric cancer patients. Peripheral blood samples were collected from 53 preoperative patients with gastric cancer and 20 healthy volunteers. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the level of miR-21. Receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC) were constructed. Patients with gastric cancer display a significantly higher level of miR-21 in peripheral blood than those from controls. The miR-21 level was associated with the tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage, tumor size and tissue categories. The area under ROC curve was up to 0.853 ± 0.086. This study highlights the potential of the detection of miR-21 in peripheral blood as a novel tool for monitoring CTCs in gastric cancer patients.

The purpose of this study is to address the effect and mechanism of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SdF-1) α/chemokine (c-X-c motif) receptor 4 (cXcr4) signaling on capillary tube formation of human retinal vascular endothelial cells (Hrecs). The expression of cXcr4 in Hrecs was quantified by reverse transcription (RT-PCR) and western blotting. The effects of SdF-1α/cXcr4 signaling in capillary tube formation and migration of Hrecs was examined using three-dimensional Matrigel assay and wound scratching assay respectively in vitro. cell proliferation of Hrecs was examined using cell counting kit (ccK)-8 assay in the presence of different concentrations of SdF-1α protein. The effect of SdF-1α/cXcr4 signaling in Hrec expression of VeGF, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), il-8 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule (icaM)-1 was examined using rT-Pcr and western blotting. rT-Pcr and western blot analysis revealed cXcr4 was expressed in Hrecs. The number of intact capillary tubes formed by Hrecs in the presence of SdF-1α was markedly more compared with a PBS treated control group. However, it was reduced with treatment with an cXcr4 antagonist. Wound scratching assay showed a significant increase in the number of migrated Hrecs under SdF-1α stimulation and the number was reduced with treatment with an cXcr4 antagonist. rT-Pcr and western blotting showed that SdF-1α significantly promoted VEGF, bFGF, il-8 and icaM-1 expression in Hrecs. The proliferation of Hrecs in the presence of SdF-1α was promoted in a dosage-dependent manner. SdF-1α/cXcr4 signaling can increase Hrec capillary tube formation through promoting Hrec migration, proliferation and expression of VeGF, bFGF, il-8 and icaM-1.

AimsTo investigate the burden of blindness and vision loss (BVL) in China over the past 30 years according to year, age and sex, and to estimate future predictions.MethodsWe analysed the years lived with disability (YLDs), number of cases, age-standardised YLD rates (ASYRs) and age-standardised prevalence rates (ASPRs) of BVL in China from 1990 to 2019. We focused on changes over time using estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs). Additionally, we used the Bayesian age-period-cohort model to predict the BVL burden from 2020 to 2030.ResultsThe number of YLDs and prevalent cases due to BVL increased from 2.57 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 1.74 to 3.72) and 90.76 million (95% UI 72.21 to 111.92) in 1990 to 5.42 (95% UI 3.61 to 8.02) and 211.67 million (95% UI 168.21 to 259.66) in 2019, respectively. The BVL ASYRs and ASPRs showed a decreasing trend, with EAPCs of −0.13 (95% CI −0.28 to 0.02) and −0.11 (95% CI −0.19 to −0.04), respectively. The elderly and female populations had a higher BVL burden. The numbers of YLDs and cases due to BVL are projected to continue rising to 7.74 and 279.49 million in 2030, respectively. The ASYRs and ASPRs also showed increasing trends.ConclusionWhile rates of BVL in China have decreased, there has been a notable increase in the number of YLDs and new cases over the past 30 years. Projections suggest that the burden of BVL will continue to rise over the next 11 years. To address this challenge, appropriate policies must be implemented.