Prognostic value of statin for cancer patients: A Meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effect of statins on prognosis for patients with cancers.


Methods: Literature on PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane library was screened from the establishment of databases to March, 2015 to find relevant studies. Random-effects models were used to calculate the pooled hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between statin use and all-cause mortality and cancer-specific mortality.

Association Between Maternal Obesity and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring: A Meta-analysis.

As the link between maternal obesity and risk of autism among offspring is unclear, the present study assessed this association. A systematic search of an electronic database was performed to identify observational studies that examined the association between maternal obesity and autism. The outcome measures were odds ratios comparing offspring autism risk between obese and normal-weight mothers.

Runx2/miR-3960/miR-2861 Positive Feedback Loop Is Responsible for Osteogenic Transdifferentiation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

We previously reported that Runx2/miR-3960/miR-2861 regulatory feedback loop stimulates osteoblast differentiation. However, the effect of this feedback loop on the osteogenic transdifferentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) remains unclear. Our recent study showed that miR-2861 and miR-3960 expression increases significantly during β-glycerophosphate-induced osteogenic transdifferentiation of VSMCs.

[Perioperative nursing for gastric perforation repair operation performed by the first domestic surgical robot].

We reported a case of gastric perforation repair operation performed by the first domestic surgical robot, named Miaoshou. The comprehensive and accurate nursing assessments and targeted psychological care were performed before the surgery. Close observation and care, effective prevention and treatment of complications, and nice guidance of diet were conducted after the surgery.

Abnormal Expression of miR-21 and miR-95 in Cancer Stem-Like Cells is Associated with Radioresistance of Lung Cancer.

This study demonstrated that miR-21 and miR-95 expression were significantly higher in the ALDH1(+)CD133(+)subpopulation than in the ALDH1(-)CD133(-) subpopulation of lung cancer cells. Combined delivery of anti-miR-21 and anti-miR-95 by calcium phosphate nanoparticles significantly inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft tumor model and sensitized radiotherapy. The anti-miRNAs significantly reduced miR-21 and miR-95 levels, increased PTEN, SNX1, and SGPP1 protein expression, but reduced Akt Ser(473) and Thr(308) phosphorylation.

The role of CD29-ILK-Akt signaling-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition of liver epithelial cells and chemoresistance and radioresistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) are aggressive cancers, and the prognosis of HCC patients is poor. This study investigated the roles of CD29 in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and chemoresistance and radioresistance in HCC tumors. CD29 expression in HCC and peritumoral tissues was measured by immunohistochemistry.

Pilot-scale study on nitrogen and aromatic compounds removal in printing and dyeing wastewater by reinforced hydrolysis-denitrification coupling process and its microbial community analysis.

Aiming to efficiently dispose printing and dyeing wastewater with "high organic nitrogen and aromatic compounds, but low carbon source quality", the reinforced anaerobic hydrolysis-denitrification coupling process, based on improved UASB reactors and segregated collection-disposition strategy, was designed and applied at the pilot scale. Results showed that the coupling process displayed efficient removal for these two kinds of pollutants (nitrogen and aromatics), since the concentration of NH3-N (shortened as ρ (NH3-N)) < 8 mg/L, ρ (TN) < 15 mg/L with long-term stability for the effluent, and both species and abundances of aromatics reduced greatly by UASBs according to GC-MS. Microbial community analysis by PCR-DGGE showed that Bacteroidetes and Alphaproteobacteria were the dominant communities in the bioreactors and some kinds of VFAs-producing, denitrifying and aromatic ring opening microorganisms were discovered.

Adaptation and validation of the "cognitive complaints in bipolar disorder rating assessment" (COBRA) in Chinese bipolar patients.

Background: There is no specific instrument available to measure cognitive deficits as reported by bipolar patients in China. Therefore, if discrepancies between bipolar patients' reports and the results of neuropsychological tests which have been described in other countries existing or not in Chinese bipolar disorder patients have not been known yet. And it is completely blank about the subjective cognition of these Chinese bipolar patients.

Predictors of health-related quality of life in Chinese caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders: a cross-sectional study.

The purpose of this study was to identify the predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in China. Two hundred and seventy-three caregivers were surveyed using questionnaires on HRQOL, family functioning, coping style, social support, and caregiver burden. Besides socio-demographic characteristics of children with ASD and their caregivers, results demonstrate that family functioning, coping style, social support, caregiver burden are predictors of HRQOL in caregivers of children with ASD, and these predictors correlated with each other.

Multidisciplinary parent education for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders.

This quasi-experimental study aimed to determine the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary parent education program focused on improving health-related quality of life (HRQOL) for caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). This study included 42 participants (22 intervention, 20 wait-list control) who were the main caregivers of children with ASD. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention.

Application of a glycaemic control optimization programme in patients with stress hyperglycaemia.

Background: Stress-induced hyperglycaemia (SHG) can be observed in as high as 75% of critically ill patients, which can induce severe complications or adverse events. However, conventional intensive insulin therapy (CIIT) tends to induce hypoglycaemia and glucose variability.

Aims: This study investigated the clinical effects of a blood glycaemic control optimization programme (BGCOP) in patients with stress hyperglycaemia post hepatobiliary or pancreatic surgery.

[Criterion-related validity of the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire-Chinese version].

Objective: To investigate the criterion-related validity of Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL)-Chinese version and to evaluate the effect of menopausal symptoms on health related quality of life.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey. Three communities were randomly chosen in Changsha, and then 340 menopausal women aged 45-55 years were randomly chosen from the documented data of the 3 community health service centers.

[Effect of standardized PICC training and management on the clinical effect and complication of catheterization].

Objective: To determine the clinical effect of standardized training and management of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) and catheter-related complications.

Methods: A total of 610 patients were divided into a control group and an observation group, the control group (n=300) were catheterized by trainees who received "short-term intensive training", the observation group (n=310) by "system standardized training and management". The clinical efficacy of catheterization and the rate of catheter-related complications were compared.

[Indwelling position and bacterial colonization of peripheral venous indwelling needles in patients with cardiovascular diseases].

Objective: To study the characteristics of infections associated with peripheral venous indwelling needles and to explore the best indwelling position in patients with cardiovascular diseases from the perspective of bacteriology.

Methods: A total of 240 hospitalized patients from the Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University between November 2009 to July 2010 were randomly selected, and were divided into 3 groups according to the indwelling position and the indwelling time: a back of hand group (n=80), a forearm group (n=80) and a foot group (n=80). The above 3 groups were also divided into 4 subgroups according to the indwelling time (T1: 48 h ≤ t < 72 h; T2: 72 h ≤ t ≤ 96 h; T3: 96 h < t ≤ 120 h; and T4: 120 h < t ≤ 168 h) (20 patients in each subgroup).

[Serum omentin-1 concentration and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women].

Objective: To determine the relationship between serum omentin-1 concentration and bone mineral desity in postmenopausal women, and the adipose influence of tissue on bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: BMD values of 336 participants were measured by dual-energy-x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at various skeletal sites: the anteroposterior spine, femeral neck, total hip (T-hip) and total body BMD (TBMD). Body compositions including lean tissue mass (LTM) and body fat mass (FBM) were measured by DEXA.

Prevalence of stress hyperglycemia among hepatopancreatobiliary postoperative patients.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of stress hyperglycemia and its association with mortality among hepatopancreatobiliary postoperative patients admitted.

Methods: Retrospectively analysis was made on 706 cases of the hepatopancreatobiliary postoperative patients from three Grade A hospitals in Hunan province from November 2011 to June 2012, including the incidence and risk factors of patients with stress hyperglycemia.

Results: The incidence of stress hyperglycemia of pancreatic postoperative patients was 34.

Omentin-1 attenuates arterial calcification and bone loss in osteoprotegerin-deficient mice by inhibition of RANKL expression.

Aims: Omentin-1 (also known as intelectin-1) is a recently identified visceral adipose tissue-derived cytokine that is inversely related to obesity. Our previous study showed that omentin-1 inhibits osteoblastic differentiation of calcifying vascular smooth muscle cells (CVSMCs) in vitro. This study was undertaken to investigate the effects of omentin-1 on arterial calcification and bone metabolism in vivo.

Omentin inhibits osteoblastic differentiation of calcifying vascular smooth muscle cells through the PI3K/Akt pathway.

Arterial calcification is positively associated with visceral adiposity, but the mechanisms remain unclear. Omentin is a novel adipokine that is selectively expressed in visceral adipose tissue. The levels of circulating omentin are decreased in obesity, and they correlate negatively with waist circumference.

Arsenic trioxide-mediated growth inhibition of myeloma cells is associated with an extrinsic or intrinsic signaling pathway through activation of TRAIL or TRAIL receptor 2.

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) is a well-known inhibitor of cell proliferation. Preclinical and clinical studies showed that ATO has anti-myeloma effects. However, the underlying mechanism remains elusive.

Estrogen receptor α36 mediates a bone-sparing effect of 17β-estrodiol in postmenopausal women.

Recently, a membrane-based estrogen receptor (ER), ER-α36, was identified and cloned that transduces membrane-initiated estrogen signaling such as activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling pathway. Here we show that the postmenopausal level of estradiol (E2) induces mitogenic, antiapoptotic, and antiosteogenic effects and proapoptotic effects in postmenopausal osteoblasts and osteoclasts with high levels of ER-α36 expression, respectively. We also found that ER-α36 mediated the effects of postmenopausal-level E(2) on proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation of osteoblasts through transient activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway, whereas ER-α36-mediated postmenopausal-level E(2) induces apoptosis of osteoclasts through prolonged activation of the MAPK/ERK pathway with the involvement of reactive oxygen species.

Icaritin induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells via the JNK1 signaling pathway independent of the estrogen receptor.

Chinese herbs have become a focus in cancer treatment. Icaritin, a prenylflavonoid derivative from Chinese herbs of the Epimedium genus, has selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulating activity. This study evaluates the effects of icaritin on the apoptosis of HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

L-carnitine and taurine synergistically inhibit the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells.

Aim: To investigate the synergistic action of L-carnitine (LC) and taurine (TAU) on the proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Methods: DNA and protein synthesis of VSMCs were assessed using scintillation counting. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium content were determined to investigate the effects of LC and TAU on the osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of VSMCs.