RESUMO Introdução: Com a preparação e desenvolvimento dos Jogos Olímpicos de Inverno, houve um aumento da popularidade do esqui. Impulsionados por essa demanda, o desenvolvimento profissional dos treinadores requer atualizações nas análises de lesões esportivas dos esquiadores, elaboração de estratégias de prevenção e tratamento correspondentes, além de treinamentos de resistência de modo a promover o desenvolvimento da qualidade física dos atletas, como a massa óssea e sua densidade mineral. Objetivo: Estudar as lesões esportivas dos esquiadores e explorar necessidades e modos de aplicação do treino de resistência no esqui. Métodos: O método de pesquisa por questionário foi utilizado para explorar os principais tipos de lesões e seus fatores influenciadores. Em seguida, 20 voluntários foram selecionados para o experimento de treinamento de resistência, cada grupo de 10 pessoas incluiu 5 homens e 5 mulheres. O grupo controle manteve uma vida diária normal, enquanto ao grupo experimental foi adicionado um treinamento de resistência, três vezes por semana, com base no grupo controle. Resultados: Os resultados da pesquisa mostraram que a proporção atual de lesões por esqui foi relativamente alta, principalmente em lesões leves. Após 9 semanas no grupo experimental de treinamento de resistência, tanto homens quanto mulheres tiveram desenvolvimento positivo de massa óssea. Conclusão: O treinamento de resistência pode não só melhorar a qualidade física, mas também reduzir a ocorrência de lesões esportivas, demonstrando os benefícios de sua implementação no treinamento de resistência dos esquiadores. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: With the preparation and development of the Winter Olympic Games, there has been an increase in the popularity of skiing. Driven by this demand, the professional development of coaches requires updates in the analysis of skiers’ sports injuries, elaboration of corresponding prevention and treatment strategies, and resistance training to promote the development of athletes’ physical quality, such as bone mass and mineral density. Objective: Study the sports injuries of skiers and explore needs and ways of applying resistance training in skiing. Methods: The questionnaire survey was used to explore the main types of injuries and their influencing factors. Then, 20 volunteers were selected for the resistance training experiment; each group of 10 people included five men and five women. The control group maintained a normal daily life, while resistance training was added to the experimental group three times a week, based on the control group. Results: The research results showed that the current proportion of skiing injuries was relatively high, mainly in mild injuries. After nine weeks in the experimental resistance training group, both men and women had positive bone mass development. Conclusion: Resistance training can improve physical quality and reduce the occurrence of sports injuries, demonstrating the benefits of its implementation in endurance training for skiers. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: Con la preparación y el desarrollo de los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno, ha aumentado la popularidad del esquí. Impulsado por esta demanda, el desarrollo profesional de los entrenadores requiere actualizaciones en el análisis de las lesiones deportivas de los esquiadores, la elaboración de las correspondientes estrategias de prevención y tratamiento, así como el entrenamiento de la resistencia para promover el desarrollo de la calidad física de los atletas, como la masa ósea y la densidad mineral. Objetivo: Estudiar las lesiones deportivas de los esquiadores y explorar las necesidades y formas de aplicar el entrenamiento de resistencia en el esquí. Métodos: Se utilizó el método de encuesta por cuestionario para explorar los principales tipos de lesiones y sus factores de influencia. A continuación, se seleccionaron 20 voluntarios para el experimento de entrenamiento de resistencia, cada grupo de 10 personas incluía 5 hombres y 5 mujeres. El grupo de control mantuvo una vida diaria normal, mientras que al grupo experimental se le añadió un entrenamiento de resistencia, tres veces por semana, basado en el grupo de control. Resultados: Los resultados de la investigación mostraron que la proporción actual de lesiones de esquí era relativamente alta, principalmente en las lesiones leves. Después de 9 semanas en el grupo experimental de entrenamiento de resistencia, tanto los hombres como las mujeres tuvieron un desarrollo positivo de la masa ósea. Conclusión: El entrenamiento de resistencia no sólo puede mejorar la calidad física, sino también reducir la aparición de lesiones deportivas, lo que demuestra los beneficios de su aplicación en el entrenamiento de resistencia de los esquiadores. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

ABSTRACT Introduction By improving the material level of life, the amount of exercise of adolescents is decreasing, leading the muscular strength and cardiorespiratory resistance to also decrease instead of increase. Therefore, it is urgent to present effective training methods in physical education teaching to benefit adolescents’ quality of life. Objective Study the effect of table tennis training on musculature and cardiorespiratory endurance in young students. Methods 60 students from grade 7 of a high school were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. The experiment lasted for 9 weeks. In this paper, intra-group comparisons and inter-group comparisons were used. Before the experiment and after 9 weeks of training, students had their biophysical indicators collected; these data were analyzed and statistically compared. Results Existing physical education training can overall improve students’ physical muscular and cardiopulmonary endurance. The results show that the current training is effective, but inferior to that experienced with table tennis, and should be adjusted. Conclusion In teaching high school youth, physical education teachers are advised to promote table tennis to promote the young student’s health. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción Al mejorar el nivel de vida material, la cantidad de ejercicio de los adolescentes está disminuyendo, lo que hace que la fuerza muscular y la resistencia cardiorrespiratoria también disminuyan en lugar de aumentar. Por lo tanto, es urgente presentar métodos de formación eficaces en la enseñanza de la educación física, con el objetivo de beneficiar el nivel de calidad de vida de los adolescentes. Objetivo Estudiar el efecto del entrenamiento de tenis de mesa sobre la musculatura y la resistencia cardiorrespiratoria en jóvenes estudiantes. Métodos 60 estudiantes de 7º curso de un instituto se dividieron aleatoriamente en grupo experimental y grupo de control. El experimento duró 9 semanas. En este trabajo se utilizó la comparación intragrupo y la comparación intergrupo. Antes del experimento y después de 9 semanas de entrenamiento, se recogieron los indicadores biofísicos de los estudiantes, se analizaron estos datos y se compararon estadísticamente. Resultados El entrenamiento de educación física existente puede mejorar la resistencia física muscular y cardiopulmonar general de los estudiantes. Los resultados demuestran que el entrenamiento actual es eficaz, pero inferior al experimentado con el tenis de mesa, y debería ajustarse. Conclusión En la situación actual de la enseñanza para jóvenes de secundaria, se aconseja que los profesores de educación física promuevan el tenis de mesa como medida auxiliar en la promoción integral de la salud del joven estudiante. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução Ao melhorar o nível de vida material, a quantidade de exercício dos adolescentes está diminuindo, levando a força muscular e a resistência cardiorrespiratória a também diminuem ao invés de aumentar. Portanto, é urgente apresentar métodos de treinamento eficazes no ensino da educação física, visando beneficiar o nível de qualidade de vida dos adolescentes. Objetivo Estudar o efeito do treinamento de tênis de mesa sobre a musculatura e a resistência cardiorrespiratória em jovens estudantes. Métodos 60 alunos da série 7 de uma escola de ensino médio foram aleatoriamente divididos em grupo experimental e controle. O experimento durou 9 semanas. Neste trabalho, foram usadas a comparação intragrupo e a comparação intergrupo. Antes do experimento e após 9 semanas de treinamento, os alunos tiveram seus indicadores biofísicos coletados, esses dados foram analisados e comparados estatisticamente. Resultados O treinamento de educação física existentes podem melhorar globalmente a resistência muscular física e cardiopulmonar dos alunos. Os resultados mostram que o treinamento atual é eficaz, porém inferior ao experimentado com o tênis de mesa, devendo ser ajustados. Conclusão Na atual situação do ensino para jovens do ensino médio, é aconselhado aos professores de educação física promoverem o tênis de mesa como uma medida auxiliar na promoção integral da saúde do jovem estudante. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Abstract Objectives Metastasis is one of the biggest challenges in the management of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (ESCC), of which molecular mechanisms remain elusive. The present study aimed to explore the roles and underlying mechanisms of Transmembrane protein 26 (TMEM26) in ESCC. Method TMEM26 expressions in tumorous and adjacent tissues from patients with ESCC and in normal esophageal epithelial and ESCC cell lines were detected by immunostaining and western blotting, respectively. The Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), a critical process during metastasis, was investigated by wound healing and Transwell assays, and EMT-related proteins were examined after the TMEM26 alteration in ESCC cell lines. NF-κB signaling activation and Tight Junction (TJ) protein expression were analyzed by western blotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. In vivo verification was performed on the liver metastatic murine model. Results Compared with non-cancerous esophageal tissues and cells, the TMEM26 expression level was higher in ESCC samples and cell lines, where the plasma membrane localization of TMEM26 was observed. The EMT-related processes of ESCC cells were suppressed by RNAi depletion of TMEM26 but aggravated by TMEM26 overexpression. Mechanistically, TMEM26 promoted NF-κB signaling to accelerate EMT in ESCC cells. The plasma membrane presentation and assembly of TJ proteins were impaired by TMEM26. Conclusion Overall, TMEM26 acts as a critical determinant for EMT in ESCC cells by disrupting TJ formation and promoting NF-κB signaling, which may be a potential therapeutic target for treating metastatic ESCC.

RESUMO Introdução A tensão muscular lombar é uma lesão crônica dos tecidos moles, tais como músculos lombares, ligamentos e fáscia. O exercício funcional tem certas aplicações no tratamento de lesões musculares lombares ocasionadas pelo esporte. Porém, as análises na intensidade dos resultados do tratamento no músculo psoas são inconclusivas. Objetivo Analisar a eficácia clínica do exercício funcional no tratamento da disfunção no músculo psoas. Métodos 10 atletas com diagnóstico de estiramento muscular lombar receberam treinamento contínuo com protocolo de exercícios funcionais por 2 semanas, 5 vezes por semana. A eficácia clínica foi avaliada pela escala analógica visual de score de dor e Prokin254 para índices de capacidade de propriocepção antes e depois do tratamento. O artigo adota um método de estatística matemática para analisar o efeito terapêutico do exercício da função motora com SPSS 13.0. Resultados Pacientes relataram uma redução da dor na musculatura sob esforço após o exercício funcional. Os resultados foram significativamente diferentes (P<0,05). A força lombar dos pacientes foi significativamente aprimorada. Esse índice tem diferença estatística considerável (P<0,05). Conclusão O exercício funcional revelou um efeito positivo sobre o tratamento da lesão muscular do psoas. Os resultados da pesquisa deste artigo podem fornecer um protocolo eficaz de treinamento para a reabilitação de pessoas com tensão do músculo psoas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação de Resultados.

ABSTRACT Introduction Lumbar muscle strain is a chronic injury to soft tissues such as the lumbar muscles, ligaments, and fascia. Functional exercise has specific applications in treating lumbar muscle injuries caused by sports. However, analyses on the treatment results in the psoas muscle are inconclusive. Objective Analyze the clinical efficacy of functional exercise in treating psoas muscle dysfunction. Methods 10 athletes diagnosed with lumbar muscle strain received continuous training with a functional exercise protocol for two weeks, five times a week. Clinical efficacy was assessed by visual analog scale for pain score and Prokin254 for proprioception ability indices before and after treatment. The article adopts a mathematical statistics analysis method to analyze the therapeutic effect of motor function exercise with SPSS 13.0. Results Patients reported a reduction of pain in the muscles under exertion after functional exercise. The results were significantly different (P<0.05). Patients’ lumbar strength was significantly improved. This index has a considerable statistical difference (P<0.05). Conclusion Functional exercise showed a positive effect on the treatment of psoas muscle injury. The research results of this article can provide an effective training protocol for the rehabilitation of people with a psoas muscle strain. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the result.

RESUMEN Introducción La distensión muscular lumbar es una lesión crónica de los tejidos blandos como los músculos lumbares, los ligamentos y la fascia. El ejercicio funcional tiene ciertas aplicaciones en el tratamiento de las lesiones musculares lumbares causadas por el deporte. Sin embargo, los análisis sobre la intensidad de los resultados del tratamiento en el músculo psoas no son concluyentes. Objetivo Analizar la eficacia clínica del ejercicio funcional en el tratamiento de la disfunción del músculo psoas. Métodos 10 atletas con diagnóstico de distensión muscular lumbar recibieron un entrenamiento continuo con un protocolo de ejercicios funcionales durante 2 semanas, 5 veces por semana. La eficacia clínica se evaluó mediante la escala analógica visual para la puntuación del dolor y el Prokin254 para los índices de capacidad de propiocepción antes y después del tratamiento. El artículo adopta un método estadístico matemático para analizar el efecto terapéutico del ejercicio de la función motora con SPSS 13.0. Resultados Los pacientes informaron una reducción del dolor en los músculos bajo esfuerzo después del ejercicio funcional. Los resultados fueron significativamente diferentes (P<0,05). La fuerza lumbar de los pacientes mejoró significativamente. Este índice tiene una diferencia estadística considerable (P<0,05). Conclusión El ejercicio funcional reveló un efecto positivo en el tratamiento de la lesión del músculo psoas. Los resultados de la investigación de este artículo pueden proporcionar un protocolo de entrenamiento eficaz para la rehabilitación de personas con distensión del músculo psoas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Unlike most high-income countries where subtype B viruses predominate, the Cuban HIV-1 epidemic is characterized by a great diversity of subtypes and circulating recombinant forms. Some studies have shown that HIV variants exhibiting a preference for the CXCR4 co-receptor (X4-tropic) could have impacts on disease pathogenesis, with clinical implications for antiviral treatment plans. Determination of HIV co-receptor tropism is crucial for clinicians in deciding whether maraviroc is an appropriate antiviral. OBJECTIVE Characterize V3 sequence variability and its relation to viral tropism across different subtypes circulating in Cuba and explore how this may affect treatment success with maraviroc. METHODS We designed a cross-sectional study that included 72 plasma samples obtained at the Pedro Kourí Tropical Medicine Institute in Havana, Cuba. We sequenced the C2V3 env region and assessed subtype based both on env and pol sequences; tropism was predicted by Geno2pheno analysis. Additionally, 35 V3-loop Cuban sequences, obtained from a previous study, were incorporated into the analysis. Statistical associations among virological, clinical and epidemiological variables were assessed by a chi-square test. RESULTS Tropism prediction for 72 variants revealed that CRF19_cpx was associated with dual-tropic R5X4 viruses (p = 0.034). Moreover, when 35 sequences from a former study were added, the association was significant not only for R5X4 (p = 0.019) but also for X4-tropic variants (p = 0.044). Alignment of 107 V3-loop sequences showed wide diversity among the different HIV-1 subtypes circulating in Cuba. CONCLUSIONS In accordance with G2P, CRF19_cpx is a genetic variant with a high proportion of X4 and R5X4-tropic viruses. The results from the present study suggest that the Cuban recombinant could be a more pathogenic variant and that maraviroc may not be suitable for patients infected with CRF19_cpx.

SUMMARY: Trans-sutural distraction is a biological process that induces the formation of new bone and changes the position of bone by pulling on growing suture under the action of external forces. Currently, therapy to midfacial hypoplasia treated by trans-sutural distraction has been applied. In this study, Beagle dogs were selected as experimental animals, and a traction device designed by ourselves was applied to Beagle dogs to simulate the treatment process of trans-sutural distraction in human face, so as to provide a basis for the subsequent research on the related mechanism of trans-sutural distraction. The objective is that the animal model can provide the basis for the follow-up study of transsutural distraction. 45 month beagle dogs were randomly divided into two groups 3 in experiment group and 3 in control group. Implant nails were implanted as the bone marker in the bilateral zygomatic temporal suture, zygomandibular maxillary suture and palatine transverse suture in experimental group. The traction of the maxilla was carried out by the external cranial traction frame with canine fossa as bearing point, 800g force each side, elastic traction for 15 days. The control group only implanted the implant nail as the bone marker on both sides of the bone suture. The distance between two implant nails was measured by vernier calipers and X-ray examination, compared with preoperative and postoperative changes. X-ray and cephalometric measurements were used to measure change in the cranial basal angle. HE staining was used to observe the width of the bone seams, the morphology and structure of the cells and the tissue of the new bone under the phase contrast microscope. Then descriptive statistical analysis and t-test between two independent samples are carried out for the measurement data. The experimental group had a good retention of the beagle traction frame. In the experimental group, the maxillaries of dogs were protrudent in the process of traction gradually and the occlusal relationship changed to type II malocclusion. When the traction is 15 days, the coverage distance is about 8~9 mm. Before and after the traction, the distance between landmark points indicated that the spacing between the transverse palatine suture was the largest (experimental group: 5.52±0.19 mm control group 1.31±0.06 mm P<0.05), and zygomaticotemporal suture was the second (experimental group: 3.12±0.15 mm, control group 0.73±0.04 mm, P<0.05), and zygomaticomaxillary suture was less (experimental group: 2.60±0.34 mm, control group 0.53±0.05 mm, P<0.05). The cranial basal angle was no change before and after operation (controlgroup: 32.3±1.3°, experimental group: 33.2±1.1° P>0.05. Histology showed that the collagenous fibers in the suture of the control group were denser and the osteoblasts were visible on the edge of the suture, showing osteogenic activity. The experimental group significantly widened suture (experimental group: 1209.388±42.714 µm, control group 248.276±22.864 µm, P<0.05), the number of fibroblasts increased significantly with loose collagen fiber. The direction of cell and fiber arrangement were parallel to the traction force. There were many small blood vessels and marrow cavities, and the bone trabecula around the bone suture was thin (experimental group: 23.684±3.774 mm, control group: 86.810±9.219 mm, P < 0.05), showing active osteogenic activity. The growing beagle dog can be used to establish a suture traction animal model for experimental study. In the experiment, Kirschner wire was used to penetrate the bottom plane of the piriform hole of the maxilla (about the position of the canine fossa at the back) and the traction direction was basically the same as the growth direction, and the maxilla was basically parallel and moved forward.

RESUMEN: La distracción trans-sutural es un proceso biológico que induce la formación de hueso nuevo y cambia la posición del éste al tirar de la sutura en crecimiento bajo la acción de fuerzas externas. Actualmente, se ha aplicado la terapia para la hipoplasia de la cara media tratada por distracción trans-sutural. En este estudio, fueron seleccionados perros Beagle como animales experimentales, y un dispositivo de tracción fue instalado a los perros para simular el proceso de tratamiento de la distracción trans-sutural en el rostro humano. El objetivo fue proporcionar una base para la investigación posterior sobre mecanismos relacionados con la distracción trans-sutural. El modelo animal puede proporcionar la base para este tipo de estudio de seguimiento de la distracción trans-sutural. Perros Beagle de 45 meses de edad se dividieron aleatoriamente en dos grupos: 3 en el grupo experimental y 3 en el grupo control. Los clavos de implante se usaron como marcadores óseos en la sutura temporal cigomática bilateral, la sutura maxilar cigomandibular y en la sutura transversal palatina en el grupo experimental. La tracción del maxilar se realizó mediante el marco de tracción craneal externo con fosa canina como punto de apoyo, 800 g de fuerza a cada lado, tracción elástica durante 15 días. En el grupo control solo se implantó el clavo del implante como marcador óseo en ambos lados de la sutura. La distancia entre dos clavos de implante se midió mediante calibradores de vernier y examen de rayos X, en comparación con los cambios preoperatorios y postoperatorios. Se utilizaron mediciones cefalométricas y de rayos X para medir el cambio en el ángulo basal craneal. La tinción con HE se usó para observar el ancho de las suturas óseas, la morfología y la estructura de las células y el tejido del hueso nuevo bajo el microscopio de contraste de fase. Luego se realizó un análisis estadístico descriptivo y una prueba t entre dos muestras independientes para los datos de medición. El grupo experimental tuvo una buena retención del cuadro de tracción del Beagle. En el grupo experimental, los maxilares de los perros sobresalieron gradualmente en el proceso de tracción y la relación oclusal cambió a maloclusión tipo II. Cuando la tracción era de 15 días, la distancia de cobertura fue de aproximadamente 8 ~ 9 mm. Antes y después de la tracción, la distancia entre los puntos de referencia indicaba que el espacio entre la sutura palatina transversal era más grande (grupo experimental: 5,52 ± 0,19 mm, grupo de control 1,31 ± 0,06 mm, P <0,05), y la sutura cigomáticotemporal fue la segunda. (Grupo experimental: 3,12 ± 0,15 mm, grupo control 0,73 ± 0,04 mm, P <0,05), y la sutura cigomaticomaxilar fue menor (grupo experimental, 2,60 ± 0,34 mm, grupo control 0,53 ± 0,05 mm, P <0,05). El ángulo basal craneal no cambió antes ni después de la operación (grupo control 32,3 ± 1,3, grupo experimental, 33,2 ± 1,1 ° , P> 0,05). La histología mostró que las fibras colágenas en la sutura del grupo control eran más densas y los osteoblastos se observaron en el margen de la sutura, mostrando actividad osteogénica. En el grupo experimental se amplió significativamente la sutura (1209,388 ± 42,714 µm, grupo control 248,276 ± 22,864 µm, P <0,05), el número de fibroblastos aumentó significativamente con fibras colágenas dispersas. La dirección de la disposición de la celda y las fibras era paralela a la fuerza de tracción. Se observó gran cantidad de vasos sanguíneos pequeños, cavidades medulares, y trabéculas óseas alrededor de la sutura ósea (grupo experimental: 23,684 ± 3,774 mm, grupo control: 86,810 ± 9,219 mm, P <0,05), que mostró actividad osteogénica activa. El perro Beagle en crecimiento se puede utilizar para estudios experimentales y así establecer un modelo animal de tracción de sutura. En el proceso, se usó alambre de Kirschner para penetrar en el plano inferior del foramen piriforme del maxilar (aproximadamente en la posición de la fosa canina en la parte posterior) y la dirección de tracción fue básicamente la misma que en el crecimiento.

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) has been shown to inhibit invasion and induce apoptosis of various types of cancer. However, its role on human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells is still not well elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of BITC on apoptosis and invasion of SCC9 cells, and its underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. SCC9 cells were exposed to BITC (5 and 25 μM) for 24 and 48 h. Cell growth, apoptosis, invasion, and migration were detected in vitro by MTT, FITC-conjugated annexin V/propidium iodide staining followed by flow cytometry, Matrigel-coated semi-permeable modified Boyden, and wound-healing assay. S100A4, PUMA, and MMP-9 expressions were detected to investigate its mechanisms. Xenotransplantation experiments were used to investigate the role of BITC on tumor growth and lung metastasis. BITC inhibited cell viability and induced cell apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner through upregulation of PUMA signals. BITC inhibited cell invasion and migration by downregulation of S100A4 dependent MMP-9 signals. The ip administration of BITC reduced tumor growth but not lung metastasis of SCC9 cells subcutaneously implanted in nude mice. BITC treatment activated pro-apoptotic PUMA and inhibited S100A4-dependent MMP-9 signals, resulting in the inhibition of cell growth and invasion in cultured and xenografted SCC9 cells. Thereby, BITC is a potential therapeutic approach for OSCC.

Obesity and its consequent type 2 diabetes are significant threats to global health. Emerging evidence indicates that ginsenosides from ginseng (Panax ginseng) have anti-diabetic activity. We hypothesized that ginsenosides Rg1 could suppress dietary-induced obesity and improve obesity-related glucose metabolic disorders. Our results showed that ginsenoside Rg1 attenuated dietary-induced body weight gain and fat accumulation in white adipocyte tissue of mice fed a high-fat diet. Furthermore, we found that ginsenosides Rg1 not only decreased fasting glucose concentration and the 2-h postprandial glucose concentration, but also improved insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in those mice. Ginsenoside Rg1 also activated the AMPK pathway in vitro and in vivo and increased plasma membrane translocation of GLUT4 in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells. In conclusion, our observations suggested that ginsenoside Rg1 inhibited dietary-induced obesity and improved obesity-related insulin resistance and glucose intolerance by activation of the AMPK pathway.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have gradually been recognized as regulators of embryonic development; however, relatively few miRNAs have been identified that regulate cardiac development. A series of recent papers have established an essential role for the miRNA-17-92 (miR-17-92) cluster of miRNAs in the development of the heart. Previous research has shown that the Friend of Gata-2 (FOG-2) is critical for cardiac development. To investigate the possibility that the miR-17-92 cluster regulates FOG-2 expression and inhibits proliferation in mouse embryonic cardiomyocytes we initially used bioinformatics to analyze 3’ untranslated regions (3’UTR) of FOG-2 to predict the potential of miR-17-92 to target it. We used luciferase assays to demonstrate that miR-17-5p and miR-20a of miR-17-92 interact with the predicted target sites in the 3’UTR of FOG-2. Furthermore, RT-PCR and Western blot were used to demonstrate the post-transcriptional regulation of FOG-2 by miR-17-92 in embryonic cardiomyocytes from E12.5-day pregnant C57BL/6J mice. Finally, EdU cell assays together with the FOG-2 rescue strategy were employed to evaluate the effect of proliferation on embryonic cardiomyocytes. We first found that the miR-17-5p and miR-20a of miR-17-92 directly target the 3’UTR of FOG-2 and post-transcriptionally repress the expression of FOG-2. Moreover, our findings demonstrated that over-expression of miR-17-92 may inhibit cell proliferation via post-transcriptional repression of FOG-2 in embryonic cardiomyocytes. These results indicate that the miR-17-92 cluster regulates the expression of FOG-2 protein and suggest that the miR-17-92 cluster might play an important role in heart development.