Exp Ther Med
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Crucial to the development and maintenance of pain sensations is neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75NTR), the low affinity receptor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This receptor is widespread among dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the spinal cord. Few reports have demonstrated the specific role of p75NTR in the development of cancer-induced bone pain (CIBP). ⋯ PWT, in response to mechanical stimulation, was significantly lower compared with that in sham rats and the ambulatory score was significantly higher than that in sham rats. Finally, intrathecal injection of a p75NTR-targeting small interfering RNA significantly decreased mTOR and p75NTR expression levels in DRG neurons and the spinal cord of CIBP rats, as well as partially reversing the decline in PWTs and the increase in ambulatory score. In conclusion, the present study determined that the activation of BDNF/p75NTR/mTOR signaling may participate in nociceptive transmission in CIBP, suggesting a novel mechanism and potential therapeutic target for CIBP treatment and management.
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Liver cancer exhibits the fourth most common cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Due to the rapid growth, solid tumors undergo severe hypoxia and produce high levels of extracellular adenosine to maintain homeostasis. A previous study indicated that the hypoxic condition in liver cancer increased hepatic adenosine, which is known to facilitate cancer survival and proliferation. ⋯ Furthermore, the siRNA-mediated downregulation of A2B inhibited the growth and proliferation of HepG2, which is a liver cancer cell line. The relationship between HIF-1α and A2B expression was also identified in human liver cancer specimens. In conclusion, the current study indicated that A2B is induced by the HIF-1α transcriptional regulator during hypoxia, and it may be a potential pharmacologic and therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with liver cancer.
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Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder that impairs the quality of life of affected patients. Emerging studies indicate that certain long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have important roles in psoriasis. However, the exact functions of lncRNAs and their regulatory mechanisms as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in psoriasis have remained to be fully elucidated. ⋯ A total of 253 lncRNAs, 106 miRNAs and 1,156 mRNAs were identified as being differentially expressed between psoriasis skin and healthy control skin. The present study identified two key lncRNAs that may potentially have a role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis: AL035425.3 and Prader Willi/Angelman region RNA 6. This integrative analysis enhances the understanding of the molecular mechanism of psoriasis and may provide novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of psoriasis.
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The present study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) regarding the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in sepsis patients, and investigate its correlation/association with disease severity, inflammation and mortality in sepsis patients with ARDS. A total of 57 sepsis patients with ARDS and 58 sepsis patients without ARDS were recruited for the present case-control study. Laboratory tests, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score were evaluated, and mortality during hospitalization was recorded. ⋯ In sepsis patients with ARDS, serum suPAR levels were positively correlated with the APACHE II score, SOFA score and the levels of CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8. In addition, serum suPAR levels were lower in survivors compared with those in non-survivors, and ROC curve analysis suggested that serum suPAR was able to predict the probability of mortality. In conclusion, serum suPAR independently predicted an elevated risk of ARDS in patients with sepsis, and was correlated/associated with greater disease severity, higher inflammation and increased mortality in patients with sepsis and ARDS.
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The increasing aging of the world population is accompanied by a rise in the incidence of knee osteoarthritis (KOA). There has been a growing interest in shockwave treatment for orthopedic diseases, including KOA. In previous trials, extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) was compared to physical therapy or placebo in the treatment of KOA. ⋯ The outcomes regarding pain, ROM, LI and WOMAC were significantly different between the two different groups (P<0.05). The present meta-analysis suggested that ESWT may achieve a better therapeutic effect for patients with KOA as compared to physical therapy. However, high-quality trials with large sample sizes are essential to substantiate these results.