Serum microRNA-135a downregulation as a prognostic marker of non-small cell lung cancer.

Abnormal expression of microRNA-135a (miR-135a) is closely associated with oncogenesis. However, the relationship between serum miR-135a levels and the clinical parameters and prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain unclear. The study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of serum miR-135a expression in patients with NSCLC.

Radiofrequency ablation of symptomatic cervical inlet patch using a through-the-scope device: a pilot study.

Background And Aims: The cervical inlet patch (CIP) is an area of heterotopic gastric mucosa at the proximal esophagus, which can secrete both acid and mucus. Attributable symptoms include chronic globus sensation and sore throat. Previous studies have demonstrated improvement in symptoms after ablation using argon plasma coagulation.

Promoter analysis of bovine cardiomyopathy-associated protein 1 gene.

The CMYA1 (cardiomyopathy-associated protein 1) is an actin-binding protein that plays a vital role in cardiac morphogenesis. CMYA1 is expressed specifically in the myocardial and skeletal muscle and is up-regulated in injured muscle. We therefore speculated that the bovine CMYA1 promoter might be muscle-specific.

Synthesis and in Vitro Antifungal Activities of Novel Benzamide Derivatives Containing a Triazole Moiety.

The study reported the synthesis and antifungal activities in vitro against six phytopathogenic fungi of 17 novel N-[2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethyl-2-[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]butyl]benzamide derivatives. All the target compounds were synthesized and elucidated by means of MS, high resolution (HR)-MS, IR, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR analysis. The results showed that almost all the derivatives exhibited good activities against each of the tested fungi at the concentration of 50 µg/mL.

Using short-message-service notification as a method to improve acute flaccid paralysis surveillance in Papua New Guinea.

Background: High quality acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance is required to maintain polio-free status of a country. Papua New Guinea (PNG) is considered as one of the highest risk countries for polio re-importation and circulation in the Western Pacific Region (WPRO) of the World Health Organization due to poor healthcare infrastructure and inadequate performance in AFP surveillance. The Government of PNG, in collaboration with WHO, piloted the introduction of short-message-service (SMS) to sensitize pediatricians and provincial disease control officers on AFP and to receive notification of possible AFP cases to improve surveillance quality in PNG.

[The circumferential decompression by posterior transpedicular osteotomy and segmental instrumentation with interbody fusion for thoracic ossification of posterior iongitudinal ligament].

Objective: To observe the efficacy of the circumferential decompression with posterior transpedicular osteotomy and segmental instrumentation with interbody fusion for thoracic ossification of posterior Iongitudinal ligament (T-OPLL).

Methods: From May 2012 to June 2015, 16 consecutive patients underwent posterior transpedicular osteotomy and segmental instrumentation with interbody fusion.Osteotomy range was depended by length and types of OPLL.

First airborne pathogen direct analysis system.

We report a portable "sample to answer" system for the rapid detection of airborne pathogens for the first time. The system contains a key microfluidic chip which fulfills both pathogen enrichment and biological identification functions. The system realizes simple operation and less human intervention as well as minimum reagent contamination.

Yin Yang 1 promotes mTORC2-mediated AKT phosphorylation.

Yin Yang 1 (YY1) regulates both gene expression and protein modifications, and has shown a proliferative role in cancers. In this study, we demonstrate that YY1 promotes AKT phosphorylation at S473, a marker of AKT activation. YY1 expression positively correlated with AKT(S473) phosphorylation in a tissue microarray and cultured cells of breast cancer, but negatively associated with the distant metastasis-free survival of 166 breast cancer patients.

The value of combined application of ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology and thyroglobulin measurement for the diagnosis of cervical lymph node metastases from thyroid cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the diagnostic value of ultrasound-guided (US-guided) fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), thyroglobulin measurement on fine-needle aspiration (FNA-Tg), combined US-guided FNAC, and the ratio between FNA-Tg and serum Tg (FNA-Tg/serum Tg) for patients with cervical lymph node (CLN) metastases from thyroid carcinoma.

Methods: We selected 148 patients with thyroid cancer with suspicious CLN metastases who met the inclusion criteria. FNAC findings, FNA-Tg levels, and serum Tg levels were evaluated before surgical treatment.

The Associations of Job Stress and Organizational Identification with Job Satisfaction among Chinese Police Officers: The Mediating Role of Psychological Capital.

Police officers' job satisfaction is an important issue for police force management, but insufficient research exists on the topic, especially in China. This study aimed to examine the associations of job stress and organizational identification with job satisfaction among Chinese police officers, and particularly the mediating role of psychological capital (PsyCap). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Liaoning Province of China during the period of September-October 2014.

Assessment of the hepatitis B birth dose vaccination program, Papua New Guinea, 2014.

Introduction: Papua New Guinea (PNG) implemented hepatitis B birth dose (BD) vaccination in 2005 yet since that time coverage has remained low, allowing mother-to-child transmission to occur. We conducted a field assessment of the BD vaccination program to develop strategies for improving the BD coverage.

Methods: We selected five provinces with higher hepatitis B prevalence and five with lower prevalence based on the results of a 2013 hepatitis B serological survey.

Microfluidics for rapid detection of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation for intraoperative application.

OBJECT Conventional methods for isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) detection, such as DNA sequencing and immunohistochemistry, are time- and labor-consuming and cannot be applied for intraoperative analysis. To develop a new approach for rapid analysis of IDH1 mutation from tiny tumor samples, this study used microfluidics as a method for IDH1 mutation detection. METHODS Forty-seven glioma tumor samples were used; IDH1 mutation status was investigated by immunohistochemistry and DNA sequencing.

The Effects of Being an Only Child, Family Cohesion, and Family Conflict on Behavioral Problems among Adolescents with Physically Ill Parents.

Background: This study aimed to examine the parental physical illness' effect on behavioral problems among adolescents, and the effects of being an only child, family cohesion, and family conflict on behavioral problems among adolescents with physically ill parents in Liaoning province, China.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2009. A questionnaire including two dimensions of the Family Environment Scale (family cohesion and family conflict), self-reported Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), and demographic factors was distributed to the subjects.

Photocatalytic Performance of a Nd-SiO2-TiO2 Nanocomposite for Degradation of Rhodamine B Dye Wastewater.

The photocatalytic performance of a novel Nd-SiO2-TiO2 nanocomposite catalyst prepared by a sol-gel method was examined in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB), a notorious organic compound present in dye wastewaters. The prepared samples were characterized by low-temperature N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic analysis indicated the enhanced chemical bonding of O--Ti and O--Ti--O with introduction of Nd and SiO2 dopant species into TiO2.

Personalised lamellar keratoplasty and keratopigmentation in Asian corneal leucoma patients.

Objective: To describe a personalised lamellar keratoplasty (LK) associated with the keratopigmentation (KTP) technique for corneal leucoma among Asian patients.

Methods: This report was a non-randomised, retrospective clinical study performed in 32 consecutive eyes of 32 patients to improve cosmetic appearance. Twenty-two patients underwent LK combined with KTP, either by intralamellar or superficial route.

Microfluidic system for high-throughput immunoglobulin-E analysis from clinical serum samples.

Rapid and high-throughput analytical techniques for IgE that requires a small serum amount are very important, especially for pediatric patients. In these patients, blood is collected from veins, which is painful compared to fingertip blood collection. Herein, a novel microfluidic system capable of high-throughput parallel analyses of allergen-specific IgE from small amounts of patient serum was successfully developed.

Rapid microfluidic immunoassay for surveillance and diagnosis of Cryptosporidium infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

Cryptosporidiosis has been reported to be associated with HIV/acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which greatly reduces the quality of life and shortens the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients. In order to properly treat the infected patients, accurate and automatic diagnostic tools need to be developed. In this study, a novel microfluidic immunochip system was presented for the surveillance and the rapid detection of Cryptosporidium infection in 190 HIV-infected patients from Guangxi, China, using the P23 antigen of Cryptosporidium.

Expression of TS, RRM1, ERCC1, TUBB3 and STMN1 Genes in Tissues of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer and its Significance in Guiding Postoperative Adjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background: To explore the expression of TS, RRM, ERCC1, TUBB3 and STMN1 genes in the tissues of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its significance in guiding the postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Materials And Methods: Real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect the expression of TS, RRM, ERCC1, TUBB3 and STMN1 genes in the tissues of NSCLC patients so as to analyze the relationship between the expression of each gene and the clinical characteristics and to guide the postoperative individualized chemotherapy according to the detection results of NSCLC patients.

Results: Expression of TS gene was evidently higher in patients with adenocarcinoma than those with non-adenocarcinoma (P=0.

Overexpression of the A-FABP gene facilitates intermuscular fat deposition in transgenic mice.

Adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP), the most abundant FABP in adipocytes, controls fatty acid uptake, transport, and metabolism in fat cells. We constructed a transgenic mice model that overexpressed the cattle A-FABP gene to investigate the relationship between A-FABP expression and intermuscular fat deposition. There was no significant difference in body weight and serum biochemical indexes between transgenic and wild-type mice.

The role of YY1 in oncogenesis and its potential as a drug target in cancer therapies.

Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is a multifunctional protein regulating both gene transcription and protein modifications. Recent studies reveal a proliferative role of YY1 in oncogenesis. Consistently, YY1 overexpression has been observed in various human malignancies and its levels correlate with poor prognoses of many types of cancers.

Hepatitis B surface antigen seroprevalence among children in Papua New Guinea, 2012-2013.

Approximately 8% of the population in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. To decrease the burden of chronic HBV infection, a national 3-dose infant hepatitis B vaccination program was implemented starting in 1989, with a birth dose (BD) added to the schedule in 1992. To assess the impact of the hepatitis B vaccination program, we conducted a serosurvey among children born after vaccine introduction.

[Clinical outcomes of mini-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion under Quadrant system for upper lumbar disc herniation].

Objective: To evaluate the treatment outcomes of mini-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion by Quadrant system for upper lumbar disc herniation.

Methods: Between February 2008 and June 2011, 21 patients with upper lumbar disc herniation underwent mini-invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion under Quadrant system at our institution. The relevant patient data included visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores before and after operation 1 week, 3 months and last follow-up.

DMP1β, a splice isoform of the tumour suppressor DMP1 locus, induces proliferation and progression of breast cancer.

Our recent work has indicated that the DMP1 locus on 7q21, encoding a haplo-insufficient tumour suppressor, is hemizygously deleted at a high frequency in breast cancer. The locus encodes DMP1α protein, an activator of the p53 pathway leading to cell cycle arrest and senescence, and two other functionally undefined isoforms, DMP1β and DMP1γ. In this study, we show that the DMP1 locus is alternatively spliced in ∼30% of breast cancer cases with relatively decreased DMP1α and increased DMP1β expression.

The effects of psychological interventions on depression and anxiety among Chinese adults with cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

Background: Our previous studies found the high prevalence of depression and anxiety among Chinese cancer patients, and many empirical studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of psychological interventions on depression and anxiety among Chinese cancer patients. This study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis in order to assess the effects of psychological interventions on depression and anxiety in Chinese adults with cancer.

Methods: The four most comprehensive Chinese academic database- CNKI, Wanfang, Vip and CBM databases-were searched from their inception until January 2014.

Antitumor activity of adenoviral vector containing T42 and 4xT42 peptide gene through inducing apoptosis of tumor cells and suppressing angiogenesis.

The T42 peptide, generated from two active fragments of tumstatin, has been shown to have anti‑tumor activity. The adenoviral vector is the most frequently used vector in research and clinical trials for gene therapy. In the present study, the anti‑tumor activity of the T42 peptide and quadruple T42 (4xT42) peptide adenoviral vectors were elucidated for the first time, to the best of our knowledge.