A risk model based on lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA gene signature for predicting prognosis of patients with bladder cancer.

Objectives: We aimed to analyze lncRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNA expression profiles of bladder cancer (BC) patients, thereby establishing a gene signature-based risk model for predicting prognosis of patients with BC.

Methods: We downloaded the expression data of lncRNAs, miRNAs and mRNA from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) as training cohort including 19 healthy control samples and 401 BC samples. The differentially expressed RNAs (DERs) were screened using limma package, and the competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNA) regulatory network was constructed and visualized by the cytoscape.

Identification and characterization of cotton PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTORS in temperature-dependent flowering.

PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTORS (PIFs) integrate light and temperature signs to control plant growth and development. However, little is known about PIFs in crop plants such as cotton. Here, we identified 68 PIF proteins and their coding genes from an allotetraploid and three diploid ancestors.

Collagen IV and Podocyte-Related Gene Variants in Patients with Concurrent IgA Nephropathy and Thin Basement Membrane Nephropathy.

Introduction: IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis among adults in clinic. Thin basement membrane nephropathy is often underestimated or even omitted if it coincides with IgA nephropathy. Therefore, it is necessary to study the epidemiological, clinical, and molecular characteristics of the concurrence of this entity.

Gut Microbiota Characteristics Are Associated With Severity of Acute Radiation-Induced Esophagitis.

Background: Acute radiation-induced esophagitis (ARIE) is one of the most debilitating complications in patients who receive thoracic radiotherapy, especially those with esophageal cancer (EC). There is little known about the impact of the characteristics of gut microbiota on the initiation and severity of ARIE.

Materials And Methods: Gut microbiota samples of EC patients undergoing radiotherapy ( = 7) or concurrent chemoradiotherapy ( = 42) were collected at the start, middle, and end of the radiotherapy regimen.

Activation of 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Synthases Sets Stomatal Density and Clustered Ratio on Leaf Epidermis of in Response to Drought.

The adjustment of stomatal density and clustered ratio on the epidermis is the important strategy for plants to respond to drought, because the stoma-based water loss is directly related to plant growth and survival under drought conditions. But the relevant adjustment mechanism still needs to be explored. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) is disclosed to promote stomatal development, while ACC levels depend on activation of ACC synthase (ACS) family members.

Prevalence, risk and protective factors for mild cognitive impairment in a population-based study of Singaporean elderly.

The prevalence of dementia has been widely reported, and its potential risk and protective factors are well-characterized. However, there is a scarcity of related information regarding mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Thus this population-based study aimed to determine the prevalences of MCI and its subtypes, as well as to identify the risk and protective factors for MCI in the Chinese elderly population of Singapore.

Early argatroban and antiplatelet combination therapy in acute non-lacunar single subcortical infarct associated with mild intracranial atherosclerosis.

Background: Patients with acute non-lacunar single subcortical infarct (SSI) associated with mild intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) have a relatively high incidence of early neurological deterioration (END), resulting in unfavorable functional outcomes. Whether the early administration of argatroban and aspirin or clopidogrel within 6-12 h after symptom onset is effective and safe in these patients is unknown.

Methods: A review of the stroke database of Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University and Qingdao Center Hospital, Qingdao University Medical College in China was undertaken from May 2017 to January 2020 to identify all patients with non-lacunar SSI caused by ICAS within 6-12 h of symptom onset based on MRI screening.

Inflammatory markers as independent predictors for stroke outcomes.

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of stroke. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between various inflammatory risk markers and ischemic stroke outcome and subtype.

Methods: A total of 3,013 ischemic stroke patients who were admitted to our hospital from 01/01/2016 to 12/30/2018 were retrospectively studied.

Left Atrial Enlargement is Associated with Stroke Severity with Cardioembolic and Cryptogenic Subtypes in a Chinese Population.

Background: Left atrial enlargement is associated with increased risk for stroke. However, few studies that evaluated the correlation between left atrial size and ischemic stroke severity. In this study, we aim to evaluate the association between left atrial size and stroke severity, especially with cardioembolic and cryptogenic stroke in the Chinese population.

Prophylactic atorvastatin prior to intra-arterial administration of iodinated contrast media for prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury: A meta-analysis of randomized trial data .

Background: The efficacy of high-dose atorvastatin pretreatment in reducing the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has been examined in some randomized studies. However, the results across the trials remain controversial.

Objective: This study sought to perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of high-dose atorvastatin in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) while undergoing CAG or PCI.

Role of microRNA-15a-5p in the atherosclerotic inflammatory response and arterial injury improvement of diabetic by targeting FASN.

The present study aims to investigate the mechanism of miR-15a-5p in the atherosclerotic (AS) inflammatory response and arterial injury improvement in diabetic rats by regulating fatty acid synthase (FASN). Initially, bioinformatics tools were applied to evaluate miRNAs and genes correlating with AS, and the target relation between miRNAs and FASN was measured using the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay. Subsequently the diabetic AS rat model was established and the surviving rats were divided into: negative control (NC), miR-15a-5p mimic, miR-15a-5p inhibitor, sh-FASN and miR-15a-5p + sh-FASN groups.

TIPE1 Inhibits Breast Cancer Proliferation by Downregulating ERK Phosphorylation and Predicts a Favorable Prognosis.

TIPE1, which acts as a cell death regulator, has emerged as a tumor suppressor in the process of carcinogenesis. However, our recent research demonstrated that it serves as an oncogene in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer, indicating that the role of TIPE1 in carcinogenesis needs to be further evaluated. In this study, we show that TIPE1 is able to inhibit breast cancer cell growth both and .

Tumor-suppressive miR-3650 inhibits tumor metastasis by directly targeting NFASC in hepatocellular carcinoma.

In recent years, a growing body of evidence has provided support for the important role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the progression of human cancers. A recent study showed that a novel miRNA miR-3650 expression was significantly decreased in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the precise role of miR-3650 in HCC have remained poorly understood.

Identification of inflammatory and vascular markers associated with mild cognitive impairment.

Biochemical processes have been associated with the pathogenesis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, including chronic inflammation, dysregulation of membrane lipids and disruption of neurotransmitter pathways. However, research investigating biomarkers of these processes in MCI remained sparse and inconsistent. To collect fresh evidence, we evaluated the performance of several potential markers in a cohort of 57 MCI patients and 57 cognitively healthy controls.

Efficacy and safety of paricalcitol in patients undergoing hemodialysis: a meta-analysis.

Background: The elevated calcium and phosphorus levels in patients undergoing hemodialysis may increase the risk of all-cause mortality. Paricalcitol, as a new vitamin D receptor activator (VDRA), seemed to be effective in reducing the calcium and phosphorus levels.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of paricalcitol with other VDRAs in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

The association of serum lipid level with ischemic stroke in the elderly of Xinjiang.

Background: The aim of the present study is to determine the association of serum lipid level in the above 55-year-old age elderly with ischemic stroke (IS) in Xinjiang regions, China.

Methods: 408 patients with IS and 347 healthy individuals as control in the ≥55-year-old elderly were selected for the present study in Xinjiang province of China from July 2010 to July 2012. Patients were divided into different groups according to the IS subtypes (large-artery atherosclerosis, LAA; cardio-aortic embolism CE; small-artery occlusion, SAO), plague stability, hypertension and diabetes.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between intravascular ultrasound-guided and angiography-guided drug-eluting stent implantation: A meta-analysis of randomised control trials and systematic review.

This systematic review was designed to evaluate the overall efficacy of angiography-guided drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation vs intravascular ultrasound-guided (IVUS) implantation for percutaneous coronary intervention. The electronic databases CENTRAL, PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE were searched for systematic reviews to investigate angiography-guided and IVUS-guided DES implantation. We measured the following six parameters in each patient: cardiovascular death, stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularisation (TLR), myocardial infarction (MI), major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), and all-cause death.

The Clinical Effects of Sildenafil for Erection in Patients after Kidney Transplantation: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: With the wide use of sildenafil in kidney-transplanted patients, it is vital to recognize the effectiveness and safety in clinical practice.

Methods: Full-text articles involving the application of sildenafil after renal transplantation searched out in multiple databases were reviewed. All the meta-analyses were performed with Review Manager 5.

Network‑based gene function inference method to predict optimal gene functions associated with fetal growth restriction.

The guilt by association (GBA) principle has been widely used to predict gene functions, and a network‑based approach may enhance the confidence and stability of the analysis compared with focusing on individual genes. Fetal growth restriction (FGR), is the second primary cause of perinatal mortality. Therefore, the present study aimed to predict the optimal gene functions for FGR using a network‑based GBA method.

Novel Method of 3-Dimensional Graphical Representation for Proteins and Its Application.

In this article, we propose a 3-dimensional graphical representation of protein sequences based on 10 physicochemical properties of 20 amino acids and the BLOSUM62 matrix. It contains evolutionary information and provides intuitive visualization. To further analyze the similarity of proteins, we extract a specific vector from the graphical representation curve.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene polymorphisms and risk of erectile dysfunction: An updated meta-analysis of genetic association studies.

Purpose: Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) polymorphisms have been implicated as risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED), but the results of genetic association studies are inconclusive. We performed a meta-analysis of published studies investigating the association between ED and three eNOS polymorphisms, intron 4 VNTR, G894T and T786C in humans.

Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant studies published up to November 2017.

Efficacy of atorvastatin on the prevention of contrast-induced acute kidney injury: a meta-analysis.

Background: Results of studies on the efficacy of atorvastatin pretreatment on reducing the prevalence of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) in patients undergoing coronary angiography (CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) have been controversial.

Objective: We undertook a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) after CAG or PCI.

Materials And Methods: We undertook a systematic search of electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) up to June 2017.