Role of non-coding RNAs in pancreatic cancer: The bane of the microworld

Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of pancreatic cancer has been greatly advanced. However, the molecular events involved in the initiation and development of pancreatic cancer remain inscrutable. None of the present medical technologies have been proven to be effective in significantly improving early detection or reducing the mortality/morbidity of this disease. Thus, a better understanding of the molecular basis of pancreatic cancer is required for the identification of more effective diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), generally including microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs, have recently been found to be deregulated in many human cancers, which provides new opportunities for identifying both functional drivers and specific biomarkers of pancreatic cancer. In this article, we review the existing literature in the field documenting the significance of aberrantly expressed and functional ncRNAs in human pancreatic cancer, and discuss how oncogenic ncRNAs may be involved in the genetic and epigenetic networks regulating functional pathways that are deregulated in this malignancy, particularly of the ncRNAs’ role in drug resistance and epithelial-mesenchymal transition biological phenotype, with the aim of analyzing the feasibility of clinical application of ncRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Evaluation of increasing service life of epoxy zinc-rich coating on 3 wt.%Ni-advanced low-alloy steel in marine atmospheric environment

The addition of Ni element into steel to prolong the service life of coated steel was investigated in marine atmospheric environment by laboratory simulated accelerated experiment.The scanning electron microscope and electron probe microanalysis combined with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize coated steel properties and examined the anti-corrosion performance.The results showed that 3 wt.%Ni-advanced steel(3Ni steel)substrate obviously delayed the failure time of coating compared to carbon steel,therefore prolonging the service life of coating on the steel.X-ray diffraction patterns for the corrosion products under the scratched coating on 3Ni steel exhibited that FeNi_(2)O_(4) and Fe_(2)O_(3) occurred in the corrosion product of 3Ni steel.It was also found that Ni element enriched in the product layer through analyzing the appearance and composition of corrosion products by electron probe micro-analysis.Chloride ions were blocked out of product by the enrichment of Ni element in rust layer.

Upregulated Expression of Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor in Lung by Inhalation of High Concentration of Sulfur Dioxide

To the Editor： Sulfur dioxide （SO2） is one of the main air pollutants, which is formed when sulfur-containing fuel is burned In some special situation, people may be exposed to high concentration of SO,, such as an accident of SO2 tank leakage, mine blast, smoke of gunpowder in a war, and smoke of volcanic eruption, which may be harmful to the persons who are exposed to it. Many studies have indicated that SO, exposure increases morbidity and mortality. SO, can not only produce a variety of adverse pulmonary effects, such as bronchitis and airway hyperresponsiveness but also have harmful effects on other systems and organs. It is associated with increased risk of acute myocardial infarction, and inhalation of SO, can cause injury in brain including stroke. The expressions of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in lung and liver of rat were affected by exposure to SO2 and benzo（a）pyrene. The expressions of apoptosis-related genes can be augmented and the apoptosis of the cells was induced in liver, lung, and brain of rats exposed to SO2.