Jing-peng Jin

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Although considerable progress has been made in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of CVD, there is still a critical need for novel diagnostic biomarkers and new therapeutic interventions to decrease the incidence of this disease. Recently, there is increasing evidence that circulating miRNAs (miRNAs), i.e. endogenous, stable, single-stranded, short, non-coding RNAs, can be used as diagnostic biomarkers for CVD. Furthermore, miRNAs represent potential novel therapeutic targets for several cardiovascular disorders. In this review we provides an overview of the effects of several CVD; including heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, arrhythmias and pulmonary hypertension; on levels of circulating miRNAs. In addition, the use of miRNA as therapeutic targets is also discussed, as well as challenges and recommendations in their use in the diagnosis of CVD.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as important regulators of cancer-cell biological processes. Previous studies have shown that miR-766 plays an important role in a variety of biological processes in various human cancers. However, the underlying mechanism of miR-766 in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells remains unclear. In this study, we investigated miR-766's role in CRC cell proliferation. Polymerase chain reaction results showed that miR-766 expression was significantly upregulated in CRC tissues and cells. Ectopic expression of miR-766 promoted cell growth and anchorage-independent growth in CRC cells. Bioinformatic analysis predicted SOX6, a potential target of miR-766, acting as a tumor suppressor. Luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that miR-766 directly bound to the 3'-untranslated region of SOX6. Overexpression of miR-766 suppressed SOX6 expression, resulting in the downregulation of p21 and upregulation of cyclin D1. In a further experiment, SOX6-silenced SW480 cells transfected with miR-766 promoted cell growth, suggesting that downregulation of SOX6 was required for miR-766-induced CRC cell proliferation. Taken together, these results suggested that miR-766 represents an onco-miRNA and participates in the development of CRC by modulating SOX6 expression.

Th aim of this study was to develop a new facile chemical method for early screening of colorectal cancer.The -C(O)OH groups modified Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) were prepared by an facile innovative route of acid attacking on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The -C(O)OH groups were further transported into -C(O)Cl groups by SOCl2 treating. The obtained ClCQDs were conjugated onto the anti-Desmin, which were applied for testing the Desmin concentration in serum by using linearly fitted relationship with photoluminescence (PL) intensity.The obtained carbon quantum dots are quasispherical graphite nanocrystals with photoluminescence at about 455 nm. The Desmin with concentration of 1 ng/mL can lead to a decrease of PL intensity for anti-Desmin conjugated CQDs with good linearity. This assay had good specificity for Desmin with in interferential substances of immunoglobulin G (IgG), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), and carcinoembryoic antigen (CEA).A new facile acid attack method was developed to prepare ClCQDs, which could conjugate onto the anti-Desmin for detection of Desmin in serum with high sensitivity and specificity. As the detection limit is lower than 1 ng/ mL, this work provides a promising strategy for the evaluation of colorectal cancer risk with low cost and excellent sensing performance.