Calcium channel blockers versus other classes of drugs for hypertension.

Background: This is the first update of a review published in 2010. While calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are often recommended as a first-line drug to treat hypertension, the effect of CCBs on the prevention of cardiovascular events, as compared with other antihypertensive drug classes, is still debated.

Objectives: To determine whether CCBs used as first-line therapy for hypertension are different from other classes of antihypertensive drugs in reducing the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events.

Prestroke statin use enhances collateralization in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Background: Statin therapy has been shown to be effective in the prevention of ischemic stroke. In addition, recent studies have suggested that prior statin therapy could lower the initial stroke severity and improve stroke functional outcomes in the event of stroke. It was speculated that prestroke statin use may enhance collateral circulation and result in favorable functional outcomes.

microRNA-217 suppressed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition through targeting PTPN14 in gastric cancer.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is the one of most common malignancies and its mechanism of metastasis remains unclear. The study was designed to investigate the effects of microRNA-217 on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

Methods: The expression levels of miR-217 in GC were assayed by real-time qPCR.

Massive hemobilia due to a ruptured mycotic hepatic artery aneurysm associated with streptococcal endocarditis: case report.

Hepatic artery aneurysm rupture is a rare cause of massive hemobilia, which is potentially life-threatening, cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Cases of mycotic hepatic artery aneurysm associated with streptococcal endocarditis have rarely been reported. In the present study, we report a case of massive hemobilia that was caused by ruptured mycotic hepatic artery aneurysm in a patient who was infected with streptococcal endocarditis 3 months previously.

The risk factors for long-term survival outcome in solitary hepatocellular carcinoma up to 2 cm: Propensity score matching analysis in a population cohort with a high rate of HBV infection.

Background: The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging recently classified solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤ 2 cm with or without vascular invasion as stage T1a. We aimed to discuss the risk factors of these stage T1a patients.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with solitary HCC ≤2 cm from September 2008 to June 2015 were included in our study.

WITHDRAWN:PPARα Suppresses PD-L1-Mediated Immune Escape by Down-regulating SPP1 in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher.

Association Between Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Risk: A Meta-Analysis.

Published studies have demonstrated a closer association between vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) risk, but the results were inconsistent. We therefore performed this meta-analysis to explore the precise associations between VDR gene polymorphisms and PCOS risk. Five online electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, SCI index, CNKI and Wanfang) were searched.

Pre-stroke warfarin enhancement of collateralization in acute ischemic stroke: a retrospective study.

Background: Warfarin therapies not only are used to prevent stroke in patients with high risk of cardioembolism such as patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), but also was associated with lower stroke severity and more favorable functional outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to middle cerebral artery occlusion. It was speculated that pre-stroke warfarin may promote collateralization and result in reduced stroke severity. This study aimed to investigate the association between pre-stroke warfarin use and leptomeningeal collaterals in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to occlusion of the middle cerebral artery.

Three mutations of adult type 1 Gaucher disease found in a Chinese patient: A case report.

Rationale: Gaucher disease (GD), characterized by glucosylceramide accumulation in the macrophage-monocyte system, is caused by glucosidase b acid (GBA) gene mutations which lead to the deficiency of lysosomal enzyme glucocerebrosidase. The mutation spectrum of GBA in Chinese patients is quite different from those seen in Jewish and non-Jewish Caucasian patients. Thus, it is relatively hard to diagnose GD in Chinese.

MicroRNA-126 attenuates cell apoptosis by targeting TRAF7 in acute myeloid leukemia cells.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has a 5-year survival rate of only about 30%-40% due to the self-renewal and differentiation ability of leukemia stem-like cells (LSCs). To address the potential for novel therapeutic targets in LSCs, we investigated the roles of miRNA-126 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 7 (TRAF7) in AML. We used qRT-PCR and Western blot to investigate the expression levels of miRNA-126 and TRAF7 in AML cell lines.

No Association Between MicroRNA-608 rs4919510 G>C Polymorphism and Digestive System Cancers Susceptibility: A Meta-Analysis Based on 10,836 Individuals.

Previous epidemiologic studies have revealed a possible association between microRNA-608 rs4919510 G>C polymorphism and digestive system cancers (DSCs) risk, but the results were not consistent. We therefore performed an updated meta-analysis to explore the association between microRNA-608 rs4919510 G>C polymorphism and DSCs risk. Crude odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the relationship between the microRNA-608 rs4919510 G>C polymorphism and DSCs risk.

Temporal characteristics of social support in colorectal cancer survivors during the first year post operation.

Purpose: To describe the level of perceived social support and to identify its predictors among Chinese colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors during the first year post operation.

Methods: Newly diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer aged 18 and above who were admitted for curative surgery in a tertiary care hospital between January 2012 and July 2014 were consecutively recruited. This cohort study included 5 assessment waves over the first year post surgery (at baseline, 4-6 week, 3-month, 6-month and 12-month follow-up) regarding social support level among 189 CRC survivors.

Significant association between lncRNA H19 polymorphisms and cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

Previous epidemiological research suggests polymorphisms in long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) H19 are associated with an increased risk of cancer, but the results are inconsistent. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to more accurately determine the association between lncRNA H19 polymorphisms and cancer risk. The PubMed, Embase, and Science Citation Index online databases were searched and 11 relevant studies involving a total of 33,209 participants were identified.

[The influence and mechanisms of lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) on invasion and metastasis of colon cancer cells].

To investigate the effect and molecular mechanisms of LSD1 on proliferation and metastasis of colon cancer. The influence of down-regulated LSD1 expression on proliferation, invasion and apoptosis of colon cancer cells were detected by transwell invasion assay, cell proliferation assay and apoptosis assay, respectively. Three independent siRNAs targeting LSD1 (siRNA-1554, siRNA-705, and siRNA-1973) were transfected to SW620 cells to detect gene-silencing efficiency, and the result showed that the knockdown effect of siRNA-705 were better than the other two siRNAs at both mRNA and protein levels.

Obesity and developmental delay in a patient with uniparental disomy of chromosome 2.

Objective: Uniparental disomy (UPD) is an unusual situation wherein two homologous chromosomes are inherited from the same parent. UPDs can cause clinical abnormalities owing to the aberrant dosage of genes regulated by epigenetic imprinting or homozygosity of variants for recessive phenotypes. The aim of this study was to identify the genetic cause of the obesity and developmental delay phenotype in a 3-year-old Chinese boy.

Cadmium Exposure and Risk of Any Fracture: A PRISMA-Compliant Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Several observational studies have investigated the relation between cadmium exposure and risk of any fracture. However, the results from epidemiological studies for the association are inconsistent.We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between cadmium exposure and risk of any fracture.

Association between microRNA-196a2 rs11614913, microRNA-146a rs2910164, and microRNA-423 rs6505162 polymorphisms and esophageal cancer risk: A meta-analysis.

Many observational studies have found that microRNA-196a2 rs11614913, microRNA-146a rs2910164, and microRNA-423 rs6505162 are associated with esophageal cancer risk. However, the results were mixed and inconsistent among these studies. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between the polymorphisms of three microRNAs and esophageal cancer susceptibility.

Increased intake of vegetables, but not fruits, may be associated with reduced risk of hip fracture: A meta-analysis.

Association between dietary intake of vegetables and fruits and risk of hip fracture has been reported for many years. However, the findings remain inconclusive. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between intake of vegetables and fruits, and risk of hip fracture.

Association between cadmium exposure and renal cancer risk: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Cadmium (Cd) is a widespread environmental pollutant and has been a recognized carcinogen for several decades. Many observational studies reported Cd exposure might be one cause of renal cancer. However, these findings are inconsistent.

Exposure to fluoride in drinking water and hip fracture risk: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Background: Many observational studies have shown that exposure to fluoride in drinking water is associated with hip fracture risk. However, the findings are varied or even contradictory. In this work, we performed a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between fluoride exposure and hip fracture risk.

Exposure to ionizing radiation during dental X-rays is not associated with risk of developing meningioma: a meta-analysis based on seven case-control studies.

Background: Many observational studies have found that exposure to dental X-rays is associated with the risk of development of meningioma. However, these findings are inconsistent. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between exposure to dental X-rays and the risk of development of meningioma.

Expression and significance of twist, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Background: Twist, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, has been reported to play a key role in the metastatic progression of several types of cancer.

Aims: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of Twist, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

Methods: The expression of Twist, E-cadherin, and N-cadherin in GISTs was determined by immunohistochemistry, and their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed.