Perceived professional benefits and their associated factors among Chinese registered nurses caring for women diagnosed with gynecological cancer.

PROPOSE: Registered nurses (RNs) are considered to be a major source of professional supportive care for women diagnosed with gynecological cancer (GC). This study described the level of perceived professional benefits and explored association between perceived professional benefits, sense of coherence (SOC), and coping strategies in Chinese RNs caring for women diagnosed with GC. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was employed to collect data using the Nurses' Perceived Professional Benefits Questionnaire (NPPBQ), Sense of coherence scale (SOC-13), and Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE). The questionnaires were administered to 250 RNs in China. The correlations between NPPBQ, SOC-13, and Brief COPE were evaluated with Pearson's correlation coefficient. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relative contribution of each possible factor in explaining variance in the increased NPPBQ. RESULTS: The total score for the NPPBQ was 142.4 (range 33.0-165.0). SOC, dysfunctional coping strategies, and problem-focused coping strategies were recognized as predictors of RNs' perceived professional benefit, while, emotion-focused coping strategies were not significantly associated with RNs' perceived professional benefits. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that RNs who have high levels of SOC, dysfunctional coping strategies, and problem-focused coping strategies tend to experience more perceived professional benefit. These findings propose new perspectives for nursing managers to promote RNs' perceived professional benefit by helping RNs to find meaningfulness when caring for women diagnosed with GC, increasing RNs' communication skills to improve their relationship with patients, and training RNs to use coping strategies effectively.

Prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Their Associations with Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Among Chinese Adolescents with Depression.

The presence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in adolescents diagnosed with depression has been associated with an extensive range of mental health issues, including non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). However, there has been a dearth of research into the prevalence of ACEs and their associations with NSSI among depressed adolescent populations in China. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of different types of ACEs and their associations with NSSI in depressed Chinese adolescents. Utilizing Chi-squared tests, latent class analysis (LCA), and multinomial logistic regression, the prevalence of different types of ACEs and their associations with NSSI were determined in a sample of 562 adolescents with depression. Among depressed adolescents. 92.9% of depressed adolescents reported ACEs, and the prevalence of emotional neglect, physical abuse, caregiver treated violently, and bullying was relatively high. ACEs, including sexual abuse (OR = 5.645), physical abuse (OR = 3.603), emotional neglect (OR = 3.096), emotional abuse (OR = 2.701), caregiver divorce/family separation (OR = 2.5), caregiver treated violently (OR = 2.221), and caregiver substance abuser (OR = 2.117), were associated with increased odds of exposure among depressed adolescents with NSSI. The high ACEs class (19%), the moderate ACEs class (40%), and the low ACEs class (41%) were identified as latent classes. NSSI was more prevalent in the high/moderate ACEs class compared to the low ACEs class, particularly in the high ACEs class. The situation of the prevalence of ACEs among adolescents with depression was unsatisfactory, and certain types of ACEs were associated with NSSI. Eliminating potential risk factors for NSSI requires the early prevention and targeted intervention of ACEs. Moreover, additional large-scale longitudinal studies are necessary to assess the different development trajectories associated with ACEs, such as the relationships between the different development periods of ACEs and NSSI, and to ensure the adoption of evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies.

Resilience of infertile families undergoing in vitro fertilization: An application of the double ABC-X model.

BACKGROUND: Family resilience plays a crucial role in protecting the mental health and family stability of infertile patients. However, information associated with infertile families resilience is scarce. The double ABC-X model provides a roadmap for this, helps organize knowledge, and lays the foundation for knowledge development. AIMS: To describe the current situation of family resilience of infertile women, and to test the predictive theoretical model of family resilience based on infertility stigma, individual resilience, coping style, and posttraumatic growth. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: A convenience sample of 372 infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization were recruited between April and August 2020. The Chinese-Family Resilience Assessment Scale, Infertility Stigma Scale, Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire, Chinese version of Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and Chinese version of Post Traumatic Growth Inventory were used to measure family resilience, infertility stigma, individual resilience, coping style, and posttraumatic growth. Structural equation models were used to analyze the relationship among these variables. RESULTS: The results showed that family resilience was related to infertility stigma, positive coping, and individual resilience. Moreover, the path analysis indicated that positive coping and individual resilience mediated the effects of infertility stigma on family resilience. CONCLUSIONS: A high level of stigma among infertile women should be identified. Interventions for targeting positive coping and individual resilience might ultimately increase their family resilience.

The Association Between Sleep Disturbance and Proinflammatory Markers in Patients With Cancer: A Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbance is one of the symptoms with high incidence and negative influence in patients with cancer. A better understanding of the biological factors associated with sleep disturbance is critical to predict, treat, and manage this condition. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between sleep disturbance and proinflammatory markers in adult patients with cancer. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in 7 databases from inception to March 1, 2020, for this meta-analysis. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted data, and appraised the quality of the studies. Meta-analyses were conducted using Stata 12.0 software. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included. Results indicated that sleep disturbance was associated with higher levels of the overall proinflammatory markers and that the effect size was small yet significant. Further subgroup analyses suggested that sleep disturbance was significantly associated with interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, but not with interleukin-1ß or tumor necrosis factor-α. Meta-regression results indicated that only the sample source affected the association between sleep disturbance and proinflammatory markers. CONCLUSION: There was a positive relationship between sleep disturbance and selected proinflammatory markers in adult patients with cancer. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE: This review provides empirical support for the association between sleep disturbance and certain proinflammatory markers. Healthcare providers can further explore specific biomarkers to precisely identify the individuals at risk of sleep disturbance and develop targeted strategies for therapeutic and clinical interventions.

Sexual Function, Self-Esteem, and Quality of Life in Infertile Couples Undergoing in vitro Fertilization: A Dyadic Approach.

Purpose: Infertility has adverse effects on the quality of life (QoL) of infertile couples. Previous studies found important associations between sexual function, self-esteem and QoL, but mainly focused on one individual's approach rather than both partners. This study adopted a dyadic approach to evaluate the relationship between sexual function and QoL in couples with infertility through mediation and improving self-esteem. Patients and Methods: Between October 2020 and January 2021, 428 couples with infertility (n=856) undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) at a tertiary hospital in Hefei, China, were registered for the current descriptive cross-sectional research. The dyads' sociodemographic and clinical features, as well as their sexual function, self-esteem, and QoL were evaluated. The Fertility quality of life scale (FertiQoL), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and International Index of Erectile Function-15 (IIEF-15) were used to evaluate the participants. The Actor-Partner Interdependence Mediation Model (APIMeM) was utilized to examine data from the dyadic relationships. Results: According to the APIMeM analysis, sexual function of individuals with infertility was directly and indirectly connected with their QoL, mediated through their self-esteem. The women's sexual function was found to be positively associated with their partner's QoL, with the women's self-esteem acting as a complete mediator. The men's sexual function was found to be positively associated with partner's QoL, with the men's self-esteem acting as a complete mediator. Conclusion: The findings suggest that boosting participants' self-esteem can help them and their partners have a better QoL. Also, therapies aimed at improving and sustaining self-esteem of couples with infertility could help mitigate the negative influence of low sexual function on their QoL.

Effectiveness of a professional identity promotion strategy for nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A quasi-experimental study.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of a professional identity promotion strategy (PIPS) on nursing students' professional identity and resilience. METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental study with a random cluster sample of 103 sophomore undergraduate nursing students. One hundred students answered the questionnaires at both baseline and follow-up (51 of 53 in the intervention group and 49 of 50 in the control group). Intervention and control groups underwent 5 months PIPS and standard professional education from May 2 to September 27, respectively. Participants completed the professional identity questionnaire for nursing students (PIQNS) and Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC). Data were collected at baseline (T0), after the intervention (T1) and 3 months after the intervention (T2), and analyzed using the Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and repeated-measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups (p > .05) regarding demographic questions, professional identity, or resilience at baseline (p > .05). Significant differences were found in professional identity between groups (p < .001), measurement times (p = .026), and in the interaction between groups and measurement times (p = .018) from T0 to T2. Significant differences were found in resilience between groups (p < .001), measurement times (p = .007), and in the interaction between groups and measurement times (p = .035) from T0 to T2. CONCLUSIONS: The PIPS program improved nursing students' professional identity and resilience. Further long-term effectiveness of the program needs to be tested with implementation through various forms of mobile technology.

Predictive Model of Psychological Distress in Patients With Lung Cancer: A Cross-sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with lung cancer suffer from significant psychological distress. The underlying theoretical model that may explain what predicts or mediates the degree of psychological distress has not been elucidated. OBJECTIVES: To describe the incidence of psychological distress in patients with lung cancer and to test a predictive theoretical model of psychological distress based on symptom burden, type D personality, social support, and intrusive thoughts. METHODS: Three hundred eighty-nine patients with stages I to IV lung cancer were recruited. Participants completed a battery of scales, including measures of psychological distress, symptom burden, type D personality, perceived social support, intrusive thoughts, and demographic and clinical characteristics. The predictive theoretical model was tested using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Experiencing clinically significant psychological distress was reported by 63.75% of participants. Consistent with the social cognitive processing model, symptom burden, type D personality, social support, and intrusive thoughts all significantly and directly predicted the level of psychological distress in patients with lung cancer. Moreover, intrusive thoughts mediated the effects of type D personality and symptom burden on psychological distress; social support and symptom burden mediated the effects of type D personality on psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the participants experienced psychological distress at a clinically significant level. Intrusive thoughts and social support mediated the effects of type D personality and symptom burden on psychological distress. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Patients with type D personality and symptom burden should be identified. Interventions for targeting social support and intrusive thoughts might ultimately reduce their psychological distress.

Validation of a Chinese version of the short-form Cataldo lung cancer stigma scale.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer stigma is a widespread psychosocial problem. We developed a short form of the Cataldo lung cancer stigma scale for Chinese people with lung cancer (CLCSS-C-SF) and compared its psychometric properties with those of the full and short versions. METHODS: This was a secondary analysis using data from the full CLCSS-C, distress thermometer and perceived social support of Chinese people with lung cancer (N = 394). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to identify factor structure and assess construct validity. The internal consistency and concurrent and known-group validity were evaluated. RESULTS: The 22-item CLCSS-C-SF comprised four factors. The convergent validity evaluated using average variance extracted and discriminant validity were acceptable. Cronbach's alphas, concurrent and known-group validity were satisfactory for three versions. Only the four-factor model proposed was validated by CFA. CONCLUSION: The CLCSS-C-SF is reliable and valid and can be used in Chinese lung cancer populations.

Change in symptom clusters perioperatively in patients with lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To describe the trajectory, number, and types of symptom clusters at three time points (i.e., day of admission [T1], 2-4 days postoperatively [T2], and 1 month postoperatively [T3]) using ratings of symptom occurrence and severity and to identify the changes in these symptom clusters over time in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: We analysed the data of 217 lung cancer patients who received surgical treatment at a tertiary hospital affiliated to Anhui Medical University, in Hefei City, China. The occurrence and severity of 19 symptoms at all points of measurement were measured using the general and lung cancer modules of the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to extract the symptom clusters. RESULTS: Seven symptom clusters were identified across symptom dimensions. However, only three of them (i.e., lung cancer specific, sleep disturbance, and nervous system) were relatively stable across dimensions and time. Two symptom clusters varied over time but not with dimensions (nutritional and gastrointestinal). The other two symptom clusters (psychological and respiratory) differed in terms of time and dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings may provide insights into the seven identified clusters and overall stability of three symptom clusters in lung cancer patients perioperatively.

Analysis of changes in the volume of edema around brain contusions and the influencing factors: A single-center, retrospective, observational study.

ABSTRACT: Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a common neurosurgical condition, has well-known treatment guidelines. However, the mechanisms underlying the varying severity of brain edema secondary to TBI are largely unknown, leading to controversial treatments.This study seeks to measure edema volumes around brain contusions in different regions, analyze factors related to differences in edema volume and provide a theoretical basis for brain edema treatment.Data from 113 brain contusion patients treated at the Department of Neurosurgery of Fuzhou General Hospital from January 2017 to November 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Based on computed tomography (CT) data, the patients were divided into the venous group (brain contusion in regions with large cortical veins, n = 47) and the nonvenous group (brain contusions in other regions, n = 66). Here, 3D Slicer software was used to calculate the brain contusion volume on the first CT obtained after injury and the brain contusion volume and its surrounding edema on the 5th day after injury. The brain contusion volume to surrounding edema volume ratio was calculated, and the number of patients who showed brain contusion progression requiring surgery was determined. Hematocrit (Hct), fibrinogen (Fg), and d-dimer levels within 6 hours and on the 5th day after admission were also compared.Patients in the venous group had a significantly increased percentage of area with edema around the brain contusion compared with patients in the nonvenous group (P < .05), and the 2 groups showed no significant difference in the number of patients with brain contusion progression or surgical treatment (P > .05) or Hct, Fg, or d-dimer (D-D) levels. For all patients, Hct, Fg, and D-D levels within 6 hours after admission were significantly different from those on the 5th day (P < .05 for all).Cortical venous obstruction may be the most important factor influencing edema around brain contusions. The Fg level decreased slightly, and the D-D level increased to its peak rapidly after mild-moderate TBI. This change was followed by a gradual increase in the former and a gradual decrease in the latter.

[Retracted] Anticancer activity of taraxerol acetate in human glioblastoma cells and a mouse xenograft model via induction of autophagy and apoptotic cell death, cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell migration.

Following the publication of the above paper, a concerned reader drew to the Editor's attention that several figures (Figs. 3, 4, 7 and 10) contained apparent anomalies, including repeated patternings of data within the same figure panels. Furthermore, Fig. 3 contained data that bore striking similarities to data published in Fig. 6 in another paper published in Molecular Medicine Reports, which has now been retracted [Zhu Y­Y, Huang H­Y and Wu Y­L: Anticancer and apoptotic activities of oleanolic acid are mediated through cell cycle arrest and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Mol Med Rep 12: 5012­5018, 2015]. After having conducted an independent investigation in the Editorial Office, the Editor of Molecular Medicine Reports has determined that the above paper should be retracted from the Journal on account of a lack of confidence concerning the originality and the authenticity of the data. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office never received any reply. The Editor regrets any inconvenience that has been caused to the readership of the Journal. [the original article was published in Molecular Medicine Reports 13: 4541­4548, 2016; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.5105].

Post-traumatic growth and its influencing factors among Chinese women diagnosed with gynecological cancer: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: The experience of cancer could lead to positive psychological changes following the struggle with diagnosis and treatment. Understanding post-traumatic growth and its influencing factors in women affected by gynecological cancer is essential to enhance their possibility of achieving positive changes. The purpose of this study was to describe the post-traumatic growth level and explore the influencing factors of post-traumatic growth in Chinese women diagnosed with gynecological cancer. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey with a convenience sampling method was employed to collect data using the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Distress Disclosure Index (DDI), Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The questionnaires were administered to 344 participants recruited from two hospitals in Hefei City, the capital of Anhui Province in China, between March 2018 and March 2019. All statistical analyses were performed using nonparametric tests. The Mann-Whitney U Test was used to distinguish the intergroup differences. Correlations were evaluated with Spearman rank correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Total score for PTGI was 56.5 (range 48.0-68.0). The subscale with the highest centesimal score in the PTGI was appreciation of life and the lowest was spiritual change. The top five items with the highest scores of PTGI belonged to appreciating life, personal strength, and relating to others. Self-disclosure, confrontation, avoidance, acceptance-resignation, perceived social support, education level, cancer type and the place they lived had significant influence on post-traumatic growth. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that women who have high levels of perceived social support, confrontation, avoidance, self-disclosure and education level tend to experience more post-traumatic growth, while, conversely, high levels of acceptance-resignation have a negative influence on promoting post-traumatic growth. These meaningful findings propose new perspectives for promoting post-traumatic growth in Chinese women diagnosed with gynecological cancer.

Predictive model of psychological distress in family caregivers of patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To examine a predictive theoretical model of psychological distress based on the following variables reflected on family caregivers of patients with cancer: the unmet supportive care needs, subjective caregiving burden, social support, and the positive aspects of caregiving. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a sample of 484 dyads of patients and their family caregivers. The caregivers completed structured questionnaires designed to measure psychological distress, unmet supportive care needs, subjective caregiving burden, positive aspects of caregiving, and social support. Patients' demographic variables and medical data were collected from a medical record review. We used a structural equation modeling to test the predictive theoretical model. RESULTS: Path analysis results partially supported the proposed model with satisfactory fit indices. Specifically, family caregivers with an increasing number of unmet needs or a heavier caregiving burden were more likely to have more severe psychological distress. Bootstrapping results supported that the caregiving burden and social support were significant mediators. Greater unmet supportive care needs predicted higher psychological distress through increasing caregiving burden. Stronger social support predicted lower psychological distress through decreasing caregiving burden. Positive aspects of caregiving predicted lower caregiving burden through the increasing perceived social support, which in turn eliminated psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Unmet supportive care needs could cause psychological distress through increasing caregiving burden. The positive aspects of caregiving reduced caregiving burden through increasing social support, which subsequently alleviated psychological distress. Interventions that aim to satisfy supportive care needs, to reduce caregiving burden, and to strengthen social support ties may boost the mental health of family caregivers.

Psychometric Testing of the Chinese Version of Supportive Care Needs Survey for Partners and Caregivers of Cancer Patients.

The objective of this study was to test the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey for Partners and Caregivers (SCNS-P&C-C) among the caregivers of Chinese patients with cancer. The original English version of SCNS-P&C was translated into Chinese using a forward and backward translation approach. The psychometric properties of the SCNS-P&C-C including factor structure, convergent, and discriminative validities and internal consistency were then tested. A convenience sample of 498 caregivers of hospitalized patients with cancer was recruited from oncology units in three tertiary public hospitals in Hefei city, mainland China. Exploratory factor analysis revealed four domains of the SCNS-P&C-C, which resemble the original English version scale. The convergent validity of the SCNS-P&C-C has established with statistically significant correlations between the SCNS-P&C-C and the Chinese version of Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (r = 0.327, P < 0.01). The SCNS-P&C-C has also good internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from 0.79 to 0.89 for the four subscales and 0.94 for the total scale. The Chinese version of the SCNS-P&C was found to be reliable and valid to assess the supportive care needs for partners and caregivers of Chinese patients with cancer. The SCNS-P&C-C can be used to assess and understand the supportive care needs of Chinese caregivers of patients with cancer. Such information will help the healthcare professionals to formulate tailored supportive care services for the caregivers of Chinese patients with cancer.

Microsurgical and Endovascular Treatments for Ruptured Paraclinoid Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of paraclinoid aneurysms can be challenging due to their relationship to the cavernous sinus, carotid siphon, and optic nerve. The goal of this retrospective analysis is to compare the efficacy and safety of microsurgical versus endovascular treatments for ruptured paraclinoid aneurysms. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed to collect information about patient demographics, risk factors, diagnosis (the position and size of aneurysms), Hunt and Hess grade, and surgical method and outcomes, including modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at the time of discharge and 6 months later, complications, and death. RESULTS: In total, 15 and 6 patients were recruited into the microsurgery and endovascular groups, respectively. No difference was detected regarding age, sex, risk factors, and Hunt and Hess grade. Most patients had ophthalmic segment aneurysms (87% versus 83%; p = 1.000) and small aneurysms (< 10 mm, 67% versus 100%; p = 0.102). In the microsurgical group, five patients (33%) had large aneurysms (10-25 mm); three patients (20%) had multiple aneurysms (all p > 0.05 compared with the endovascular group). The occlusion rate at 6 months was 93% in the microsurgical group and 100% in the endovascular group (p > 0.05). No difference was found regarding mRS or the complication and mortality rates between the two groups (all p > 0.05). The occurrence of complications was not related to the location and size of aneurysms (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective analysis indicates that good clinical outcomes can be achieved with both microsurgical and endovascular approaches. But further prospective randomized multicenter studies are needed to provide more evidence for clinical practice.

Anticancer activity of taraxerol acetate in human glioblastoma cells and a mouse xenograft model via induction of autophagy and apoptotic cell death, cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell migration.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the in vitro and in vivo anticancer and apoptotic effects of taraxerol acetate in U87 human glioblastoma cells. The effects on cell cycle phase distribution, cell cycle-associated proteins, autophagy, DNA fragmentation and cell migration were assessed. Cell viability was determined using the MTT assay, and phase contrast and fluorescence microscopy was utilized to determine the viability and apoptotic morphological features of the U87 cells. Flow cytometry using propidium iodide and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate demonstrated the effect of taraxerol acetate on the cell cycle phase distribution and apoptosis induction. Western blot analysis was performed to investigate the effect of the taraxerol acetate on cell cycle­associated proteins and autophagy­linked LC3B­II proteins. The results demonstrated that taraxerol acetate induced dose­ and time­dependent cytotoxic effects in the U87 cells. Apoptotic induction following taraxerol acetate treatment was observed and the percentage of apoptotic cells increased from 7.3% in the control cells, to 16.1, 44.1 and 76.7% in the 10, 50 and 150 µM taraxerol acetate­treated cells, respectively. Furthermore, taraxerol acetate treatment led to sub­G1 cell cycle arrest with a corresponding decrease in the number of S­phase cells. DNA fragments were observed as a result of the gel electrophoresis experiment following taraxerol acetate treatment. To investigate the inhibitory effects of taraxerol acetate on the migration of U87 cell, a wound healing assay was conducted. The number of cells that migrated to the scratched area decreased significantly following treatment with taraxerol acetate. In addition, taraxerol acetate inhibited tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. Administration of 0.25 and 0.75 µg/g taraxerol acetate reduced the tumor weight from 1.2 g in the phosphate­buffered saline (PBS)­treated group (control) to 0.81 and 0.42 g, respectively. Similarly, 0.25 and 0.75 µg/g taraxerol acetate injection reduced the tumor volume from 1.3 cm3 in the PBS-treated group (control) to 0.67 and 0.25 cm3, respectively.

The Clinical Characteristics and Treatment of Cerebral Microarteriovenous Malformation Presenting with Intracerebral Hemorrhage: A Series of 13 Cases.

OBJECT: The aim of this report was to explore the clinical presentation, radiological features, treatment methods, and outcome of micro-AVMs presenting with intracerebral hemorrhage. METHODS: The clinical data, radiological features, treatment, and follow-up results for a consecutive series of 13 cases with micro-AVMs were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All 13 patients presented with intracerebral hemorrhage. Ten cases were confirmed by enhanced thin layer CT scanning and CTA, and the other 3 cases were confirmed by DSA. Treatment consisted of surgical removal in 10 cases, endovascular embolization in 1, and radiosurgery in 2. The modified GOS score was achieved in the third month after discharge: 10 cases were rated with 5 points (good recovery), 1 case was rated with 4 points (mild disability), and 2 cases were rated with 3 points (severe disability). During follow-up, No case of rebleeding was reported. CONCLUSIONS: Intracerebral hemorrhage is the main clinical manifestation of micro-AVMs. It is beneficial to find a tiny nidus of dense vessels located on hematoma wall on enhanced thin layer CT scanning for a clear diagnosis and to detect any abnormal feeding artery or venous drainage for an indirect diagnostic evidence. Resection is the main method of treatment for micro-AVMs.

miR-630 targets LMO3 to regulate cell growth and metastasis in lung cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that play key roles in cancer development and progression. Therefore, the discovery of miRNAs may provide a new and powerful tool for understanding the mechanism of carcinogenesis. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the functional significance of miR-630 and to identify its possible target genes in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Our results showed that miR-630 was significantly down-regulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. The enforced expression of miR-630 was able to inhibit cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells. Moreover, our results further revealed that LMO3, a nuclear LIM-only proteins, was identified as a target of miR-630. Restoration of LMO3 remarkably reversed the tumor-suppressive effects of miR-630 on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in NSCLC cells. Therefore, we demonstrated that miR-630 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells by down-regulating LMO3 expression, suggesting miR-630 as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of human NSCLC in the future.

Coexistence of ectopic pituitary adenoma and empty sella in a patient with acromegaly : a case report and review of literature.

Ectopic pituitary adenoma with an empty sella is extremely rare. We report an unusual patient with an ectopic growth hormone-secreting pituitary adenoma in the sphenoid sinus with an empty sella. The association is related to a development disorder of the anterior pituitary tissues. Tumor in the sphenoid sinus was completely removed by endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach. During the follow-up, the patient met the criteria for endocrinological cure.