Prognostic value of performance status in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The association between performance status (PS) and the prognosis of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients receiving tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic value of PS in mRCC patients treated with TKIs.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched to identify the studies that had assessed the association between pretreatment PS and prognosis in mRCC patients receiving TKIs.

Socioeconomic status and mortality among dialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The reported association between individual indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) and mortality in dialysis patients was inconsistent in previous studies. We performed a meta-analysis to identify the association between SES and mortality of dialysis population.

Methods: The meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with MOOSE guidelines.

Germline mutation causes idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a rare disease with high heritability. Although several predisposing genes have been linked to IPAH, the genetic aetiology remains unknown for a large number of IPAH cases.

Methods: We conducted an exome-wide gene-based burden analysis on two independent case-control studies, including a total of 331 IPAH cases and 10 508 controls.

Hit or a miss: Concordance between histopathologic-endoscopic findings in gastric mucosal biopsies.

Background: Current literature shows a variable degree of concordance between endoscopic and histopathologic findings in gastric mucosal biopsies. Most prior studies have focused on specific gastric entities such as gastritis in patients with high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).

Coffee and tea consumption and the risk for subarachnoid hemorrhage: A meta-analysis.

Objectives: Reports on the association between coffee or tea consumption and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) risk are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine if an association exists between consumption of coffee or tea and the risk for SAH.

Methods: A random-effects model was used to estimate the summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

The neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio as a diagnostic marker for bacteraemia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Bacteraemia is a common cause of increased morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients, but its early diagnosis and identification are complicated. The neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLCR) has been suggested as a useful indicator for the diagnosis of bacteraemia. We performed this meta-analysis to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the NLCR for bacteraemia.

Lithium use and risk of fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

Unlabelled: This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized the results from nine eligible observational studies. Lithium use was significantly associated with a decrease risk of fractures.

Introduction: The association between lithium use and risk of fracture is uncertain.

CRISPR Activation Screens Systematically Identify Factors that Drive Neuronal Fate and Reprogramming.

Comprehensive identification of factors that can specify neuronal fate could provide valuable insights into lineage specification and reprogramming, but systematic interrogation of transcription factors, and their interactions with each other, has proven technically challenging. We developed a CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) approach to systematically identify regulators of neuronal-fate specification. We activated expression of all endogenous transcription factors and other regulators via a pooled CRISPRa screen in embryonic stem cells, revealing genes including epigenetic regulators such as Ezh2 that can induce neuronal fate.

Systematic meta-analysis of genetic variants associated with osteosarcoma susceptibility.

Background: In the past decade, accumulated evidence has suggested that genetic variation is related to the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma. Although there are a large number of studies on the association between genetic variation and osteosarcoma, their results are inconsistent. To clarify these findings, we performed a systematic meta-analysis using allelic contrasts for each gene-specific single nucleotide variants with all available data in the field of osteosarcoma.

FTO, GCKR, CDKAL1 and CDKN2A/B gene polymorphisms and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: Studies had examined the associations between genetic polymorphisms and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, conclusions of these studies were controversial due to the smaller sample size and limited statistical power. We carried out a meta-analysis with the aim of providing a more comprehensive summary of the currently available research to evaluate the relationship between FTO, GCKR, CDKAL1 and CDKN2A/B gene polymorphisms and GDM risk.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) Distant from Xenobiotic Response Elements Can Modulate Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Function: SNP-Dependent CYP1A1 Induction.

expression can be upregulated by the ligand-activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Based on prior observations with estrogen receptors and estrogen response elements, we tested the hypothesis that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) mapping hundreds of base pairs (bp) from xenobiotic response elements (XREs) might influence AHR binding and subsequent gene expression. Specifically, we analyzed DNA sequences 5 kb upstream and downstream of the gene for putative XREs.

Biliary tract external drainage improves inflammatory mediators and pathomorphology of the intestine, liver, and lung in septic rats.

Background: To investigate the effect of biliary tract external drainage (BTED) on inflammatory mediators and pathomorphism of intestine, liver, and lung in septic rats.

Method: 48 SD rats (n = 8 per group) were randomized into six groups: control, sepsis, sepsis plus BTED, normal bile (obtained from eight healthy rats), and septic bile infusion for 6 hours respectively to test the effects of BTED bile infusion on cytokines' expression and tissue injury in the intestine, liver, and lung of septic/normal rats. Co-cultivation of intestinal epithelial cells (IEC-6) with bile for 12 hours was performed to evaluate the potential cytotoxicity of septic bile.

Anthocidins A⁻D, New 5-Hydroxyanthranilic Acid Related Metabolites from the Sea Urchin-Associated Actinobacterium, Streptomyces sp. HDa1.

Four new 5-hydroxyanthranilic acid related compounds, named anthocidins A⁻D (⁻), two known analogues -lauryl 5-hydroxyanthranilate () and isolauryl 5-hydroxyanthranilate (), together with benzamide (), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxycinnamamide (), and (3-)-hexahydro-3-[(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)methyl]pyrrolo[1,2-]pyrazine-1,4-dione (), were isolated from the fermentation broth of the marine-derived actinomycete, sp. HDa1, which was isolated from the gut of a sea urchin, , collected from Hainan Island, China. The structures of these secondary metabolites were elucidated on the basis of their 1D and 2D-NMR and mass spectroscopic data, and anthocidin A was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction with Cu Kα radiation.

Short-time dynamics of lysozyme solutions with competing short-range attraction and long-range repulsion: Experiment and theory.

Recently, atypical static features of microstructural ordering in low-salinity lysozyme protein solutions have been extensively explored experimentally and explained theoretically based on a short-range attractive plus long-range repulsive (SALR) interaction potential. However, the protein dynamics and the relationship to the atypical SALR structure remain to be demonstrated. Here, the applicability of semi-analytic theoretical methods predicting diffusion properties and viscosity in isotropic particle suspensions to low-salinity lysozyme protein solutions is tested.

Smoking increases the risk of diabetic foot amputation: A meta-analysis.

Accumulating evidence suggests that smoking is associated with diabetic foot amputation. However, the currently available results are inconsistent and controversial. Therefore, the present study performed a meta-analysis to systematically review the association between smoking and diabetic foot amputation and to investigate the risk factors of diabetic foot amputation.

Main air pollutants and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Previous studies of ambient air pollutants and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) have yielded mixed results, and the association between air pollution and ventricular arrhythmias in these patients remains unclear. This study aimed to assess and quantify the association between exposure to major air pollutants [CO, inhalable particles (PM), SO, fine particulate matter (PM), O, and NO] and the presence of ventricular arrhythmia in patients with ICD.

Methods: The Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, Global Health Library, Virtual Health Library, Population Information Online (POPLINE), and New York Academy of Medicine Grey Literature Report databases were searched to identify studies analyzing the association between ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ICD and the abovementioned main air pollutants.

The Associations between Apolipoprotein E Gene Epsilon2/Epsilon3/Epsilon4 Polymorphisms and the Risk of Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) plays important roles in lipoprotein metabolism and cardiovascular disease. Evidence suggests the gene epsilon2/epsilon3/epsilon4 (ε2/ε3/ε4) polymorphisms might be associated with the susceptibility of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, no clear consensus has yet been established.

The safety and efficacy of hybrid ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: A meta-analysis.

Introduction: Hybrid ablation, an emerging therapy that combines surgical intervention and catheter ablation, has become a viable option for the treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation. In this analysis, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hybrid ablation, as well as compare the outcomes of one-step and staged approaches.

Methods: We conducted a search in major online databases and selected the studies that met the inclusion criteria.

Disturbance-Estimated Adaptive Backstepping Sliding Mode Control of a Pneumatic Muscles-Driven Ankle Rehabilitation Robot.

A rehabilitation robot plays an important role in relieving the therapists' burden and helping patients with ankle injuries to perform more accurate and effective rehabilitation training. However, a majority of current ankle rehabilitation robots are rigid and have drawbacks in terms of complex structure, poor flexibility and lack of safety. Taking advantages of pneumatic muscles' good flexibility and light weight, we developed a novel two degrees of freedom (2-DOF) parallel compliant ankle rehabilitation robot actuated by pneumatic muscles (PMs).

Elevation of serum uric acid and incidence of type 2 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Recently, several cohort studies suggested a positive relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which is inconsistent with the results of functional research. Our aim was to further evaluate this correlation by conducting a systematic review.

Methods: Computerized literature searches of the Medline database, EMBASE database, and PubMed were used to evaluate the relationship between SUA and T2DM in cohort studies.

Risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among adults in Chinese mainland: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Identifying risk factors is a key point for preventive strategies to reduce the incidence of COPD. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the most important risk factors for COPD among adults in Chinese Mainland, so as to provide some precautions and interventions on this disease and preventing further recurrences.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review relating to risk factors for COPD through PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang database and VIP database was conducted before March 31, 2017.

The curative effect of liposuction curettage in the treatment of bromhidrosis: A meta-analysis.

Background: We aimed to understand the curative effect of liposuction curettage (LC) in the treatment of bromhidrosis.

Methods: Relevant studies published before January 2017were searched from the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, VIP, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases. Parameters including recurrence, complications, complete response, and overall response were assessed.

Diagnostic accuracy of contrast enhanced ultrasound in patients with blunt abdominal trauma presenting to the emergency department: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating blunt abdominal trauma for patients presenting to the emergency department. Electronic search of Scopus and Pubmed was performed from inception to September 2016. Human studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS in identifying abdominal solid organ injuries were included.

Under-Coupling Whispering Gallery Mode Resonator Applied to Resonant Micro-Optic Gyroscope.

As an important sensing element, the whispering gallery mode resonator (WGMR) parameters seriously affect the resonant micro-optic gyroscope (RMOG) performance. This work proposes an under-coupling resonator to improve the resonator's value and to optimize the coupling coefficient to maximize the RMOG's sensitivity. GeO₂-doped silica waveguide-type resonators with different coupling coefficients were simulated, designed, fabricated and tested.

MYB89 Transcription Factor Represses Seed Oil Accumulation.

In many higher plants, seed oil accumulation is precisely controlled by intricate multilevel regulatory networks, among which transcriptional regulation mainly influences oil biosynthesis. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the master positive transcription factors, WRINKLED1 (WRI1) and LEAFY COTYLEDON1-LIKE (L1L), are important for seed oil accumulation. We found that an R2R3-MYB transcription factor, MYB89, was expressed predominantly in developing seeds during maturation.