The dysregulation and clinical relevance of lncRNAs MYOSLID and SFTA1P in colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a very common cancer worldwide. CRC is characterized by some changes in the expression of oncogenic and tumor suppressor genes. These changes are associated with dysregulation of non-coding RNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs).

Relationship between long non-coding RNAs and Hippo signaling pathway in gastrointestinal cancers; molecular mechanisms and clinical significance.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a significant biological role in the regulation of various cellular processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and migration. In various malignancies, lncRNAs interplay with some main cancer-associated signaling pathways, including the Hippo signaling pathway to regulate the various cellular processes. It has been revealed that the cross-talking between lncRNAs and Hippo signaling pathway involves in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers development and progression.

Effectiveness of ethics case based on blended learning approaches on medical students' learning: A quasi-experimental study.

Background: The use of active teaching methods in ethics education, instead of being merely teacher centred, can lead students to problem-solving in a practical way. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of comprehensive medical ethics education based on educational approaches and the effect of this approach on students' learning and moral reasoning skills.

Materials And Methods: This quasi-experimental intervention study was performed on seventy physiopathology medical students who had taken the medical ethics course.

Evidence for expression of promoterless GFP cassette: Is GFP an ideal reporter gene in biotechnology science?

Green fluorescent protein (GFP) has played an important role in biochemistry and cell biology as a reporter gene. It has been used to assess the potency of promoters for recombinant protein production. This investigation reveals evidences suggesting that the gene () could be expressed without the promoter.

Shining Light on the Sprout of Life: Optogenetics Applications in Stem Cell Research and Therapy.

Optogenetics is the integration of genetics and optics to achieve gain or loss of function of well-defined events in specific cells of living tissue. As a versatile tool, upon light illumination, it allows fast control of precisely defined events in biological systems from single cell to different parts of whole tissue in freely moving animals. Taking advantage of this method, a multitude of studies have been published to understand brain functions and dysfunctions.

Photodynamic therapy on keloid fibroblasts in tissue-engineered keratinocyte-fibroblast co-culture.

Background And Objectives: Keloids are disfiguring, proliferative scars that are a pathologic response to cutaneous injury. An organotypic tissue culture system (the Raft model 1-10) was used to investigate the feasibility of using photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an adjunctive therapy to treat keloids following surgical excision. The Raft co-culture system mimics skin by layering keratinocytes on top of fibroblasts embedded in a collagen matrix.

Characterization of submucosal lesions using optical coherence tomography in the rabbit subglottis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of optical coherence tomography in differentiating between several simulated subglottic lesions, using an ex vivo rabbit laryngotracheal model.

Design: Laryngotracheal complexes were harvested from euthanized rabbits and divided into the following 4 groups: (1) control, (2) submucosal collagen injection (simulating scar formation), (3) dehydration and rehydration (simulating edema), and (4) repeated intubation trauma. The subglottic region was imaged using optical coherence tomography.

Congenital lobar emphysema: an otolaryngologic perspective.

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is an uncommon but potentially life threatening pulmonary abnormality affecting infants. Patients often present within the first 6 months of life with recurrent respiratory distress as a result of hyperinflation of the affected pulmonary lobe, and resultant near total collapse of normal lung parenchyma. We present a case of a 2-month-old infant with recurrent admissions for respiratory distress.

A novel laryngoscope instrument stabilizer for operative microlaryngoscopy.

Objective: To evaluate and optimize the design of a removable and inexpensive internal stabilization device to reduce the effect of intention tremor during laryngeal microsurgery.

Study Design And Setting: In this laboratory investigation, stabilizers were designed and constructed to allow a nonobstructing view of the surgical field, permit simple insertion and removal, and accommodate microsurgical instruments. Prototype stabilizers were tested by using a Dedo laryngoscope, a measurement grid, and video recording equipment, which recorded instrument tremor within the magnified operative field for later analysis.

Long-term in vivo stability of rabbit nasal septal cartilage following laser cartilage reshaping: a pilot investigation.

Background And Objectives: To evaluate the long-term effect of laser cartilage reshaping on rabbit nasal septal cartilage viability and mechanical integrity in an in vivo model.

Study Design/materials And Methods: In vivo animal investigation. Rabbit septal cartilage specimens were laser (Nd:YAG, lambda = 1.

Lasers in pediatric airway surgery: current and future clinical applications.

Background And Objectives: The smaller anatomy and limited access to instrumentation pose a challenge to the pediatric airway surgeon. The enhanced precision and ability to photocoagulate tissue while operating with the laser enhances the surgeon's ability to successfully treat unique pediatric conditions.

Study Design/materials And Methods: A comprehensive literature review was performed using the Medline (1995-2004) database.

Radiofrequency cartilage reshaping: efficacy, biophysical measurements, and tissue viability.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility of reshaping cartilage using radiofrequency (RF) heating, and to examine the effects of this process on tissue biophysical properties (optical and thermal) and cellular viability.

Methods: Mechanically deformed porcine septal cartilage was reshaped using 2 RF-generating devices. We performed dynamic measurements of tissue thermal and optical properties while heating cartilage with one of these devices.

Predicting survival of lung transplantation candidates with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia: does PaO(2) predict survival?

Objective: To find a parameter that would discriminate between the patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia who survived to undergo transplantation and those who died while waiting to undergo transplantation.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all lung transplant referrals for idiopathic interstitial pneumonia that were listed with United Network for Organ Sharing at the University of California San Diego from January 1990 to February 1999. Of the 331 patients who were listed, 48 met the eligibility criteria.

A cost-benefit analysis and method of creating high-quality posters for a low cost.

Objective: To introduce the results of a cost-benefit analysis comparing an office-based low-cost technique for producing research posters versus conventional methods.

Study Design: Cost-benefit analysis.

Methods: The average cost for manufacturing a 4' x 6' poster using university-based and commercial reprographic centers (from 10 different institutions and cities) was determined through a phone survey.

Aquatic activities after total laryngectomy.

Objective: To assess the techniques used by patients who have undergone laryngectomies to enable them to participate in aquatic activities.

Study Design: Unstructured interviews.

Methods: The case histories of 4 patients who have returned to swimming and other aquatic activities after total laryngectomy were obtained by nonstructured interviews emphasizing techniques used to swim, safety precautions taken, any accidents or near accidents, and perceived effect of aquatic activities on sense of well being and quality of life.

Laser-mediated cartilage reshaping with feedback-controlled cryogen spray cooling: biophysical properties and viability.

Background And Objective: Recent studies have indicated that chondrocyte viability decreases with prolonged or repeated laser irradiation. To optimize laser-mediated cartilage reshaping, the heating process must be finely controlled. In this study, we use high-power Nd:YAG laser irradiation (lambda = 1.

Angioresistance of thermally modified cartilage grafts in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model.

Background: The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model allows direct observation of vascularization acutely in explanted or cultured tissues in an immunologically isolated environment. In vivo, angioinvasion of the tissue matrix does not occur in viable cartilage tissue, whereas denatured or nonviable grafts are readily vascularized and/or resorbed.

Objective: To determine, using the CAM model, whether angioinvasion of thermally altered cartilage explants occurs acutely.

Prevalence of external auditory canal exostoses in surfers.

Objective: To determine (1) the prevalence of external auditory exostoses in a population of surfers and (2) the relationship between the length of time spent surfing and the prevalence, severity, and location of the exostoses.

Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological study.

Setting: General community.