A meta-analysis of the association between BRAF mutation and nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Background: Previous studies investigating the association between BRAF mutations and nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain controversial. To address the issue, we performed an updated meta-analysis of related articles.

Methods: We conducted a comprehensive literature search in the electronic databases including ISI Science Citation Index, EMBASE, PubMed, and CNKI (up to January 2016).

Original Research: miR-194 inhibits proliferation and invasion and promotes apoptosis by targeting KDM5B in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Increasing evidence suggests that miR-194 is down-regulated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tumor tissue. However, the role and underlying mechanism of miR-194 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma have not been well defined. We used DIANA, TargetScan and miRanda to perform target prediction analysis and found KDM5B is a potential target of miR-194.

Galectin-3 knockdown increases gefitinib sensitivity to the inhibition of EGFR endocytosis in gefitinib-insensitive esophageal squamous cancer cells.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most aggressive malignancies with a distinctly high incidence and mortality rate. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the major histologic subtype of EC, with 40-70 % of tumors overexpressing the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Blockade of EGFR signal transduction may be a promising and effective strategy for EC therapy.

MiR-186 targets ROCK1 to suppress the growth and metastasis of NSCLC cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors in human cancers. Increasing evidence shows that deregulation of miRNAs contributes to the development and progression of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, we identified miR-186 as a tumor suppressor in NSCLC, which was decreased in NSCLC.

Acute toxicity, respiratory reaction, and sensitivity of three cyprinid fish species caused by exposure to four heavy metals.

Using 3 cyprinid fish species zebra fish, rare minnow, and juvenile grass carp, we conducted assays of lethal reaction and ventilatory response to analyze sensitivity of the fish to 4 heavy metals. Our results showed that the 96 h LC50 of Hg(2+) to zebra fish, juvenile grass carp, and rare minnow were 0.14 mg L(-1), 0.

Short-term impact of reservoir impoundment on the patterns of mercury distribution in a subtropical aquatic ecosystem, Wujiang River, southwest China.

Surveys on pre- and post-impoundment total mercury concentrations in water, seston and fish were conducted during 2007-2008 in the Wujiang River, southwest China. Compared with the pre-impoundment, total mercury in the reservoir and downstream water rapidly increased by 164-303 % during the first half year of flooding, and then decreased by 61.7-62.

Feeding habits and habitats preferences affecting mercury bioaccumulation in 37 subtropical fish species from Wujiang River, China.

The present study is the first to report the total mercury concentration of 37 fish species collected from Wujiang River, which is the largest branch on the southern bank of Yangtze River, China and proposed for hydropower development. Total mercury concentrations varied among the 37 subtropical species examined. We found higher mercury concentrations in carnivorous species demonstrating greater mercury bioaccumulation in species with more predatory feeding habits.