At present, treatment options for thyroid carcinoma remain limited. The present study aimed to investigate the role of ZFAS1 in various major hallmarks of cancer and the underlying mechanisms in thyroid carcinoma cells. The interactions between long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRs) and target genes were predicted by bioinformatics and confirmed by performing dual-luciferase assays. The mRNA and protein expressions were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. Cell invasion, migration, and viability were evaluated via Transwell, wound-healing and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays, respectively. The results demonstrated that lncRNA ZFAS1 expression was upregulated in thyroid carcinoma tissues, TT and SW579 cells, and was associated with the proliferation of these two cell lines. Notably, downregulation ZFAS1 reduced migration and invasion, and reversed the promotive effects of miR-302a-3p inhibitor on the proliferation, migration and invasion of TT and SW579 cells. Moreover, cyclin D1 (CCND1) is targeted by miR-302a-3p, and was regulated by ZFAS1. In addition, the downregulation of ZFAS1 not only reversed the promotive effects of miR-302a-3p inhibitor on CCND1 expression and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of TT and SW579 cells, but also targeted and increased the expression of miR-302a-3p, and further reduced the expression of CCND1, resulting in suppression of the proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of thyroid carcinoma cells.

Wuliangye is one of the most famous brands of baijiu in China. The typical flavours of Wuliangye baijiu are mainly formed by the multifarious enzymes in fermentation starter (Baobaoqu, BBQ). As the enzymes remained poorly understood, the detailed enzymatic composition of BBQ was analysed by metaproteomics for the first time. It is worth noting that the enzymes from plant, animals and micro-organisms were detected together and oxidoreductases were the dominant enzymes. Next, the analysis of function showed that the enzymes were mainly involved in carbon metabolism and the biosynthesis of amino acids. Additionally, the relationship between differential abundant enzymes and formation of typical flavour substances in premium and normal BBQ was established. Furthermore, the activities of classic enzymes in BBQ were examined to verify the reliability of metaproteomic results. This study will provide clues to further improve the manufacturing technology for Wuliangye baijiu.

Thallium (Tl) has been identified as a priority contaminant because of its severe toxic effects. Exact measurement of Tl is a challenge because it is difficult to avoided altering the element's chemical speciation during sampling, transport, and storage. In situ measurement may be a good choice. Based on the in situ technique of Diffusive Gradient in Thin-films (DGT), new DGT devices equipped with novel laboratory-synthesized manganese oxide (δ-MnO2) binding gels were developed and systematically validated for the measurement of Tl, including Tl(I) and Tl(III) species, in water. Comparison between Chelex binding gel and δ-MnO2 gel on the uptake kinetic of Tl demonstrated that δ-MnO2 binding gels could adsorb Tl rapidly and effectively. Removal of Tl from the δ-MnO2 gels was achieved using 1 mol L-1 oxalic acid, yielding elution efficiencies of 1.0 and 0.86 respectively for both Tl(I) and TI(III). Theoretical responses from DGT devices loaded with δ-MnO2 gel (δ-MnO2-DGT) were obtained irrespective of pH (4-9) and ionic strength (0.1-200 mmol L-1 NaNO3). δ-MnO2-DGT showed good potential for long-term monitoring of Tl due to its high adsorption capacity of 27.1 μg cm-2 and the stable performance of δ-MnO2 binding gel stored in 0.01 mol L-1 NaNO3 solution for at least 117 d. Field deployment trials confirmed that δ-MnO2-DGT can accurately measure the time-averaged concentrations of Tl in fluvial watercourses. In summary, the newly developed δ-MnO2-DGT shows potential for environmental monitoring and biogeochemical investigation of Tl in waters, sediments, and soils.

Background To observe the effect of enoxaparin sodium-polymethyl methacrylate (ES-PMMA) bone cement supplemented with alendronate (AN) on bone repair of bone defects in New Zealand rabbits. Methods Twenty-seven New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into ES/AN, ES-PMMA and PMMA groups, with a total of 27 New Zealand rabbits. The drugs loaded in 40 g bone cement powder were as follows: ES/AN group 8000 AxaIU enoxaparin (ES) and 200 mg alendronate (AN), ES-PMMA group 8000 AxaIU enoxaparin (ES), PMMA group without drugs. A bone defect model with a length of 10 mm and a diameter of 5 mm was made from the left tibia of rabbits, and the prepared bone cement was placed in the tibia defect. At 4 weeks, 8 weeks and 12 weeks after the operation, 3 rabbits in each group were sacrificed, and left tibia samples were collected for histological scoring, HE staining and Masson staining. Bone mineral density and new bone volume were measured by imaging, and the related data were processed by one-way ANOVA and least significance difference (LSD) post hoc test. Results (1) Bone mineral density (BMD, mg/mm3) around the bone defect: at the 4th week, BMD in the ES/AN group was higher than that in the PMMA group; at the 8th week, the BMD in the ES/AN group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups; and at the 12th week, the BMD in the ES/AN group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups. (2) New bone volume (BV, mm3): at the 4th week, BV in the ES/AN group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups, BV in the ES/AN group was significantly higher than that in the other two groups at the 8th and 12th weeks, and BV in the ES-PMMA group was higher than that in the PMMA group. (3) Histological score: at the 4th and 8th weeks, the histological score of the ES/AN group was higher than that of the PMMA group, and at the 12th week, the histological score of the ES/AN group was higher than that of the other two groups. (4) Cortical bone thickness (μm): at the 4th, 8th and 12th weeks, the cortical bone thickness in the ES/AN group was higher than that in the other two groups, and the cortical bone thickness in the ES-PMMA group was higher than that in the PMMA group. (5) The percentage of mature area of new bone in the ES/AN group was higher than that in the other two groups at the 4th week, and at the 8th and 12th weeks, the percentage of mature area of new bone in the ES/AN group and ES-PMMA group was significantly higher than that in the PMMA group. Conclusion (1) Enoxaparin sodium bone cement supplemented with alendronate was superior to enoxaparin sodium bone cement and PMMA bone cement in promoting bone repair of tibial bone defects in New Zealand rabbits. (2) Enoxaparin sodium bone cement is superior to PMMA bone cement in promoting bone repair, showing a certain osteogenic potential.