Determination of wax deposition and corrosion in pipelines by neutron back diffusion collimation and neutron capture gamma rays.

Wax deposition in pipelines can be very costly for plant operation in oil industry. New techniques are needed for allocation and thickness determination of wax deposits. The timely removal of wax can make large saving in operational cost.

The role of miR-18b in MDM2-p53 pathway signaling and melanoma progression.

Background: Although p53 is inactivated by point mutations in many tumors, melanomas infrequently harbor mutations in the p53 gene. Here we investigate the biological role of microRNA-18b (miR-18b) in melanoma by targeting the MDM2-p53 pathway.

Methods: Expression of miR-18b was examined in nevi (n = 48) and melanoma (n = 92) samples and in melanoma cell lines and normal melanocytes.

Inhibition of PTEN gene expression by oncogenic miR-23b-3p in renal cancer.

Background: miR-23b is located on chromosome number 9 and plays different roles in different organs especially with regards to cancer development. However, the functional significance of miR-23b-3p in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not been reported.

Methods And Results: We measured miR-23b-3p levels in 29 pairs of renal cell carcinoma and their normal matched tissues using real-time PCR.

miRNA-34b inhibits prostate cancer through demethylation, active chromatin modifications, and AKT pathways.

Purpose: miRNAs can act as oncomirs or tumor-suppressor miRs in cancer. This study was undertaken to investigate the status and role of miR-34b in prostate cancer.

Experimental Design: Profiling of miR-34b was carried out in human prostate cancer cell lines and clinical samples by quantitative real-time PCR and in situ hybridization.

miR-23b represses proto-oncogene Src kinase and functions as methylation-silenced tumor suppressor with diagnostic and prognostic significance in prostate cancer.

The miRNAs have great potential as biomarkers and therapeutic agents owing to their ability to control multiple genes and potential to influence cellular behavior. Here, we identified that miR-23b is a methylation-silenced tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. We showed that miR-23b expression is controlled by promoter methylation and has great promise as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in prostate cancer.

MicroRNA-1280 inhibits invasion and metastasis by targeting ROCK1 in bladder cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-protein-coding sequences that can function as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. This study documents the tumor suppressor role of miR-1280 in bladder cancer. Quantitative real-time PCR and in situ hybridization analyses showed that miR-1280 is significantly down-regulated in bladder cancer cell lines and tumors compared to a non-malignant cell line or normal tissue samples.

Clinical assessment of axillary lymph nodes and tumor size in breast cancer compared with histopathological examination: a population-based analysis of 2,537 women.

Background: The clinical assessment of axillary lymph nodes status and tumor size is important for the management of patients with breast cancer. The first goal of this study was to determine the accuracy of axillary lymph node status in relation to the presence of metastases as revealed by histopathological examination. The second goal was to compare the tumor size as assessed by physical examination, with the size obtained by histopathological examination.

Genistein suppresses prostate cancer growth through inhibition of oncogenic microRNA-151.

Genistein has been shown to suppress the growth of several cancers through modulation of various pathways. However, the effects of genistein on the regulation of oncogenic microRNA-151 (miR-151) have not been reported. In this study, we investigated whether genistein could alter the expression of oncogenic miR-151 and its target genes that are involved in the progression and metastasis of prostate cancer (PCa).

Use of smoke-less tobacco amongst the staff of tertiary care hospitals in the largest city of Pakistan.

Background: Use of smoke-less tobacco (SLT) is very common in South and South-East Asian countries. It is significantly associated with various types of cancers. The objectives of this study were to assess the proportion of hospital staff that use SLT, and to identify the factors associated with its use and their practices.

NOTES transvaginal hybrid cholecystectomy: the United States human experience.

Background: "Pure" NOTES and "hybrid" NOTES procedures have gained popularity during the past few years. However, most of these published series have been documented outside the United States.

Methods: This is a prospective, nonrandomized series of patients.

Higher IL-6 and IL6:IGF Ratio in Patients with Barth Syndrome.

Background: Barth Syndrome (BTHS) is a serious X-linked genetic disorder associated with mutations in the tafazzin gene (TAZ, also called G4.5). The multi-system disorder is primarily characterized by the following pathologies: cardiac and skeletal myopathies, neutropenia, growth delay, and exercise intolerance.

Low anastomotic stricture rate after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass using a 21-mm circular stapling device.

Background: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has been established as a safe and effective procedure for morbid obesity management. Amongst some of the postoperative complications are gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomotic strictures, with an incidence of 3 to 27 % in some series. This study evaluates the incidence of GJ strictures using a 21-mm circular stapling device and its response to treatment with endoscopic balloon dilation.

Synthesis of 1,5-benzodiazepine and its derivatives by condensation reaction using H-MCM-22 as catalyst.

A simple and versatile method for the synthesis of 1,5-benzodiazepines is via condensation of o-phenylenediamines (OPDA) and ketones in the presence of catalytic amount of H-MCM-22 using acetonitrile as solvent at room temperature. In all the cases, the reactions are highly selective and are completed within 1-3 h. The method is applicable to both cyclic and acyclic ketones without significant differences.

miRNA-708 control of CD44(+) prostate cancer-initiating cells.

Tumor recurrence in prostate cancer has been attributed to the presence of CD44-expressing tumor-initiating cells. In this study, we report that miR-708 is a key negative regulator of this CD44(+) subpopulation of prostate cancer cells, with important implications for diagnosis and prognosis of this disease. miR-708 was underexpressed in CD44(+) cells from prostate cancer xenografts.

Evidence-based practice and related information literacy skills of nurses in Singapore: an exploratory case study.

Increased demand for medical or healthcare services has meant that nurses are to take on a more proactive and independent role intending to patients, providing basic treatment and deciding relevant clinical practice. This, in turn, translates into the need for nurses to be able to translate research and evidence into their practice more efficiently and effectively. Hence, competencies in looking for, evaluating, synthesizing and applying documented information or evidence-based practice becomes crucial.

Recessively inherited severe aortic aneurysm caused by mutated EFEMP2.

Familial aortic aneurysm (AA) is mostly inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder. However, recessively inherited AA has also been observed but in association with skin manifestations of cutis laxa, which is caused by a mutated EFEMP2 gene. In the present study, we recruited 9 patients, from 4 unrelated consanguineous families, with recessively inherited AA.

Phytobezoar: a rare cause of late upper gastrointestinal perforation following gastric bypass surgery.

Marginal ulcers are a well described complication following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. These may be a cause for perforation. We describe a case of upper gastrointestinal perforation 18 months following a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass that appeared to be caused by a food bezoar.

Up-regulation of microRNA-21 correlates with lower kidney cancer survival.

Background: MicroRNA-21 is up-regulated in a variety of cancers like, breast, colorectal, lung, head and neck etc. However, the regulation of miR-21 in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has not yet been studied systematically.

Methods And Results: We measured miR-21 levels in 54 pairs of kidney cancers and their normal matched tissues by real-time PCR.

Wnt signaling pathways in urological cancers: past decades and still growing.

The Wnt signaling pathway is involved in a wide range of embryonic patterning events and maintenance of homeostasis in adult tissues. The pathological role of the Wnt pathway has emerged from studies showing a high frequency of specific human cancers associated with mutations that constitutively activate the transcriptional response of these pathways. Constitutive activation of the Wnt signaling pathway is a common feature of solid tumors and contributes to tumor development, progression and metastasis in various cancers.

Determination of air/water ratio in pipes by fast neutrons: experiment and Monte Carlo simulation.

Fast neutron dose attenuation from a (252)Cf neutron source is used for the determination of air to water ratio in pipes. Such measurement of the two-phase flow volume fraction is important for many industrial plants such as desalination plants and oil refineries. Fast neutrons penetrate liquid more than slow neutrons or gamma rays.

MicroRNA-34a modulates c-Myc transcriptional complexes to suppress malignancy in human prostate cancer cells.

MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a), a potent mediator of tumor suppressor p53, has been reported to function as a tumor suppressor and miR-34a was found to be downregulated in prostate cancer tissues. We studied the functional effects of miR-34a on c-Myc transcriptional complexes in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. Transfection of miR-34a into PC-3 cells strongly inhibited in vitro cell proliferation, cell invasion and promoted apoptosis.

Nurses' perceptions of and participation in continuing nursing education: results from a study of psychiatric hospital nurses in Bahrain.

Background: Although many psychiatric hospital nurses in Bahrain attend at least one continuing nursing education (CNE) activity per year, many others do not. This study explored these nurses' perceptions of CNE and factors that promote or hinder participation in CNE activities.

Methods: A descriptive design was used to gather data from a convenience sample of 200 nurses working at the psychiatric hospital in Bahrain.

Polymorphisms in the 3'UTR of the human leptin gene and their role in hypertension.

Leptin is a protein hormone, mainly synthesized in adipocytes, that regulates the food intake and energy expenditure of the body. Rare mutations in the leptin gene cause obesity. Common polymorphisms of the leptin gene have been associated with obesity, however their association with arterial blood pressure has not been fully elucidated.

Regular post dinner walk; can be a useful lifestyle modification for gastroesophageal reflux.

Objectives: To evaluate the correlation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms with routine post dinner physical activity and time interval before going to bed, in multiethnic South Asian population.

Methods: Prospective, cross sectional analytical, multicenter study was conducted from February 2009 to March 2010. Patient's relative sitting in outpatient clinics with no comorbids, nonsmoker and non alcoholic were included.