CRISPR/Cas9 System with Dual gRNAs Synergically Inhibit Hepatitis B Virus Replication.

Background: In recent years, a gene-editing technology known as clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas9 has been developed and is progressively advancing into clinical trials. While current antiviral therapies are unable to eliminate the Hepatitis B virus (HBV), it stands as a prime target for the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The objective of this study was to enhance the efficacy of CRISPR/Cas9 in suppressing HBV replication, lowering HBsAg and HBeAg levels, and eliminating covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA).

Visible-Light-Promoted Selenylation/Cyclization of -Alkynyl Benzylazides/-Propargyl Arylazides: Synthesis of Seleno-Substituted Isoquinolines and Quinolines.

A simple and efficient visible-light-promoted selenylation/cyclization of -alkynyl benzylazides/-propargyl arylazides have been realized for the practical synthesis of seleno-substituted isoquinolines and quinolines. This strategy provides the synthesis of valuable seleno-substituted isoquinoline and quinoline derivatives via the construction of one C(sp2)-Se bond and one C-N bond within one process.

Synthesis of Selenyl-Substituted Quinoline Derivatives via Substrate-Controlled Three-Component Domino Reactions.

A simple and efficient method for the preparation of selenyl-substituted quinoline derivatives through a C-H selenylation of in situ-generated 3-acetyl quinoline has been developed. This protocol is easy to handle, scalable, and good functional group tolerant, providing a rapid method to 3-selenoacetyl quinoline and 3-diselenoacetyl quinoline derivatives.

Molecular diagnosis of Kallmann syndrome with diabetes by whole exome sequencing and bioinformatic approaches.

Background: Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a hypogonadotropic hypogonadism accompanied by anosmia or hyposmia. It is associated with the low secretion of gonadotropins which can lead to other abnormal endocrine metabolism disorders such as diabetes. Through genetic and molecular biological methods, more than 10 KS pathogenic genes have been found.

The role of MYB proto-oncogene like 2 in tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer.

Despite the efficacy of tamoxifen in preventing disease relapse, a large portion of breast cancer patients show intrinsic or acquired resistance to tamoxifen, leading to treatment failure and unfavorable clinical outcome. MYB proto-oncogene like 2 (MYBL2) is a transcription factor implicated in the initiation and progression of various human cancers. However, its role in tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer remained largely unknown.

Geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase 1 knockout ameliorates ventilator-induced lung injury via regulation of TLR2/4-AP-1 signaling.

Objective: To investigate the role of geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase 1 (GGPPS1) in ventilator-induced lung injury along with the underlying mechanism.

Methods: A murine VILI model was induced by high-tidal volume ventilation in both wild-type and GGPPS1 knockout mice. GGPPS1 expression was detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatants of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) patients and healthy volunteers, as well as in lung tissues and BALF supernatants of the VILI mice using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), western bolt and immunohistochemical (IHC).

Adjuvant rhubarb alleviates organs dysfunction and inhibits inflammation in heat stroke.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of adjuvant rhubarb on the recovery of patients with heat stroke. A total of 85 patients with heat stroke were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: One group receiving conventional treatment for heat stroke (conventional group) and one group receiving rhubarb supplement in addition to conventional treatment (rhubarb group). Liver and kidney function parameters, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores, plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and venous white blood cell count (WBC) were analyzed.

An Elevated Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Poor Prognosis and Clinicopathological Characteristics in Patients with Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the clinicopathological and prognostic values of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in colorectal cancer (CRC). The PubMed and Embase databases and the references of relevant studies were systematically searched. This study was performed with hazard ratios (HRs) and odd ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as effect measures.

Effect of radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery in older patients with early breast cancer and breast ductal carcinoma in situ: a meta-analysis.

Background: There are no consistent agreements on whether radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) could provide local control and survival benefit for older patients with early breast cancer or breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of radiotherapy after BCS in older patients with early breast cancer or DCIS.

Results: Radiotherapy could reduce the risk of local relapse in older patients with early breast cancer.

Aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use reduce gastric cancer risk: A dose-response meta-analysis.

Background: The association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and gastric cancer (GC) risk is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the chemopreventive effect of NSAIDs for GC.

Methods: A literature search was performed for relevant studies using the PubMed and Embase database (up to March 2016).