LncRNA HOTAIR promotes colon cancer development by down-regulating miRNA-34a.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) HOTAIR in colon cancer, and to further explore its function in the development of colon cancer and its potential regulatory mechanisms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect HOTAIR expression in 72 colon cancer tissues along with adjacent normal tissues. Meanwhile, the relationship between HOTAIR level and colon cancer pathological parameters and patient prognosis were analyzed, respectively. QRT-PCR further verified the HOTAIR expression in colon cancer cells. Besides, knockdown and overexpression of HOTAIR models were constructed using lentivirus in HT29 and HCT-116 colon cancer cell lines. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) and cell colony formation assays were used to analyze the effects of HOTAIR on biological function of colon cancer cell. In addition, dual luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to explore the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: QRT-PCR results showed that HOTAIR expression in colon cancer was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. The incidence of distant metastasis was higher in patients with high expression of HOTAIR while their survival rate was lower than that of patients with low HOTAIR expression. Meanwhile, cell proliferation, invasion as well as migration ability of the cells in HOTAIR knockdown group was significantly decreased than those in the negative control group. QRT-PCR results showed that mRNA levels of miR-34a and HOTAIR in colon cancer tissues were negatively correlated. Besides, luciferase reporter gene assay revealed that overexpression of miR-34a significantly attenuated the luciferase activity of the wild-type HOTAIR vector group without attenuating the mutant HOTAIR vector group (p>0.05) In addition, the recovery experiment also found a mutual regulation between HOTAIR and miR-34a, together they could affect the malignant progression of colon cancer. CONCLUSIONS: HOTAIR expression was significantly increased in colon cancer, which was in association with distant metastasis and poor prognosis of colon cancer. In addition, HOTAIR may promote malignant progression of colon cancer by regulating miR-34a.

[Clinical presentation and performance of urine dipstick for diagnosis of urinary infection in geriatric population]. / Présentation clinique et performance de la bandelette urinaire pour le diagnostic d'infection urinaire en population gériatrique.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTI) are the second cause of community-acquired bacterial infections in the elderly. Distinguishing symptomatic UTI from asymptomatic bacteriuria is problematic, as older adults are less likely to present with localized urinary symptoms. We evaluated characteristics of patients presenting UTI among elderly with sepsis. Moreover, we aimed to evaluate the sensibility and specificity of urine dipstick tests in the diagnosis of UTI in geriatric population. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We led a prospective, monocentric, observational study between April 2017 and January 2018. We included patients hospitalized in geriatric wards, who were prescribed urine culture for UTI symptoms or/and infection without primary sites for which a urine culture was prescribed. Dipstick urinalyses were performed for all patients. Clinical and biological characteristics of all patients were compared according to the final diagnosis of UTI. Moreover, results of dipstick tests were evaluated for the diagnosis of UTI in this population. RESULTS: Among 165 patients, 67 (40.6 %) had a UTI and 98 (59.4 %) had another diagnosis. These two groups were comparable for age and daily-living activities. In the UTI group, the proportion of women was higher than in the other group (P<0.05), and mean MMSE score was lower (P<0.05). Positive urine dipstick test for leukocytes and/or nitrites had high sensitivity (92 %), but low specificity (50 %). Negative predictive value of this test was high (91 %). CONCLUSION: For suspicion of UTI among elderly, few criteria are specific. Negative dipstick tests can suggest an absence of UTI due to its high negative predictive value.

Pigment patterns and photoprotection of anthocyanins in the young leaves of four dominant subtropical forest tree species in two successional stages under contrasting light conditions.

Light-driven subtropical forest succession is a dynamic process in which mesophytic climax communities replace heliophytic ones. Juvenile leaves (particularly mesophytic ones) are sensitive to high irradiances. To determine the photoprotection strategy that juvenile leaves use during subtropical forest succession, anthocyanin accumulation patterns were investigated in the young leaves of two mid-successional dominant trees (i.e., Schima superba and Castanopsis fissa) and two late-successional dominant trees (i.e., Cryptocarya concinna and Acmena acuminatissima) grown in 100% (FL) and 25% (LL) of full sunlight. All four tree species produced anthocyanins in their juvenile leaves when <50% of chlorophylls and carotenoids had developed. Higher anthocyanin concentrations accumulated in the young leaves grown in FL than in those grown in LL and in late-successional than in mid-successional trees. The juvenile leaves of late-successional trees were subjected to higher light-induced photoinhibition than those of mid-successional trees, despite of the fact that the leaves of late-successional trees showed greater non-photochemical quenching than those of mid-successional trees. Under LL conditions, photosystem II excitation pressure (1 - qP) was significantly higher in the juvenile leaves of late-successional trees than those of mid-successional trees. Under either FL or LL conditions, anthocyanin concentrations in juvenile leaves were negatively related to the light compensation point in mature leaves across species. However, anthocyanin concentrations were positively related to the antioxidant capacity of juvenile leaves. These results indicate that anthocyanin accumulation in the juvenile leaves of subtropical dominant trees during forest community succession is a flexible photoprotective response to ambient irradiances according to leaf sensitivity to light.

ESR1 gene polymorphisms PvuII (rs2234693T>C) and XbaI (rs9340799A>G) may not be directly correlated with cardiovascular disease risk.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the correlations between the estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) gene polymorphisms PvuII (rs2234693T>C) and XbaI (rs9340799A>G) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Case-control studies were screened and selected from a larger group of studies that were retrieved through a comprehensive search of scientific literature databases, which was complemented by manual searches. Data from studies selected were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis 2.0 software. A total of 240 studies were initially retrieved and 10 studies were eventually included in the meta-analysis. These 10 case-control studies involved 7029 CVD patients (5001 myocardial infarction patients, 1223 coronary artery disease patients, 805 acute coronary syndromes patients) and 6901 healthy controls. We found no significant association between the PvuII (rs2234693T>C) and XbaI (rs9340799A>G) polymorphisms and CVD risk. We detected no significant associations under all genetic inheritance models tested, including the allele, dominant, homozygous, heterozygous, and recessive models, or for comparisons between the case group and control group (all P > 0.05). Our meta-analysis results strongly suggest that the ESR1 gene polymorphisms PvuII (rs2234693T>C) and XbaI (rs9340799A>G) are not associated with CVD risk.

Immunotherapy for Lewis lung carcinoma utilizing dendritic cells infected with CK19 gene recombinant adenoviral vectors.

Dendritic cells (DCs) as 'professional' antigen-presenting cells (APCs) initiate and regulate immune responses to various antigens. DC-based vaccines have become a promising modality in cancer immunotherapy. Cytokeratin 19 (CK19) protein is expressed at high levels in lung cancer and many other tumor cells, suggesting CK19 as a potential tumor­specific target for cancer immune therapy. We constructed a recombinant adenoviral vector containing the CK19 gene (rAd-CK19). DCs transfected with rAd-CK19 were used to vaccinate C57BL/6 mice bearing xenografts derived from Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells. The transfected DCs gave rise to potent CK19-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) capable of lysing LLC cells. Mice immunized with the rAd­CK19-DCs exhibited significantly attenuated tumor growth (including tumor volume and weight) when compared to the tumor growth of mice immunized with rAd-c DCs or DCs during the 24-day observation period (P<0.05). The results revealed that the mice vaccinated with the rAd-CK19-DCs exhibited a potent protective and therapeutic antitumor immunity to LLC cells in the subcutaneous model along with an inhibitive effect on tumor growth compared to the mice vaccinated with the rAd-c DCs or DCs alone. The present study proposes a meaningful mode of action utilizing rAd-CK19 DCs in lung cancer immunotherapy.

Association between chronic osteomyelitis and deep-vein thrombosis. Analysis of a nationwide population-based registry.

Studies on the association between chronic osteomyelitis and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PE) are scarce. The aim of this study was to analyse a nationwide population-based database for association between DVT or PE after a diagnosis of chronic osteomyelitis. This nationwide population-based cohort study was based on data obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database from 1998 to 2008, with a follow-up period extending to the end of 2010. We identified patients with chronic osteomyelitis using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes. The patients with chronic osteomyelitis and comparison controls were selected by 1:1 matching on a propensity score. The propensity score was calculated by a logistic regression to estimate the probability of the treatment assignment given the baseline variables including age, sex, and Charlson comorbidity index score. We analysed the risks of DVT and PE by using Cox proportional hazards regression models, including sex, age, and comorbidities. In total, 24,335 chronic osteomyelitis patients and 24,335 controls were enrolled in the study. The risk of developing DVT was 2.49-fold in patients with chronic osteomyelitis compared with the comparison cohort, after adjusting for age, sex, and comorbidities. The multiplicative increased risks of DVT were also significant in patients with chronic osteomyelitis with any comorbidity. In conclusion, physicians should consider chronic osteomyelitis in their evaluation of risk factors for DVT.

A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study: increased risk of acute coronary syndrome in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) between patients with and without ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHOD: This retrospective cohort study identified all patients with AS aged ≥ 18 years newly diagnosed from 2000 to 2009, registered in the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan. The non-AS cohort consisted of fourfold randomly selected control patients free of AS, frequency matched by age, sex, and diagnosis year. The incidence of ACS was determined for both AS and non-AS cohorts. RESULTS: We selected 6262 patients with AS and 25 048 patients without AS. The patients with AS were more prevalent than those without, with co-morbidities of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), hyperlipidaemia, stroke, and peripheral vascular diseases. The overall incidence rate of ACS was higher in the AS cohort than in the non-AS cohort (4.4 vs. 2.9 per 1000 person-years), with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 1.36 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-1.59]. AS patients with co-morbidities of hypertension, DM, and cancer had an aHR of 7.74 for ACS, compared to those without these co-morbidities. CONCLUSIONS: AS patients are at higher risk of ACS compared with non-AS subjects. Management of CV risk factors should be taken into account for the treatment of patients with AS, especially for patients with co-morbidities of hypertension, DM, and cancer.

Evaluating the potential of a new isotope-labelled glyco-ligand for estimating the remnant liver function of schistosoma-infected mice.

A new glyco-derivative compound (OCTAM) was developed and labelled with isotope to form (188) Re-OCTAM as a candidate nuclear medicine imaging agent for testing the liver function. We evaluated the potential of isotope-labelled OCTAM for estimating the remnant liver function in vitro and in vivo schistosoma-infected mice. The affinity of OCTAM to liver asialoglycoprotein receptors (ASGPR) was assessed by competitive inhibition assay in vitro. In vivo assessments were performed to score the remnant liver function in mice at different schistosomal infection stages. OCTAM binds specifically to ASGPR and showed competitive inhibition of anti-ASGPR antibody binding to hepatocytes, and was higher than that of other galactosyl ligands. Micro-SPECT/CT images of uninfected mice revealed strong liver uptake. Quantified serial images of mice infected for 9, 12 and 18 weeks showed delayed liver uptake, and the retention of uptake was inversely correlated with stage and grade of schistosoma infection. Pathological and biochemical analysis demonstrated that gradually accumulating liver injury caused by infection significantly influenced uptake of (188) Re-OCTAM. Hepatic ASGPR expression diminished only in the chronic infection stage. This study demonstrated that the isotope-labelled OCTAM could accumulate in the liver, might have potential as an imaging agent for in vivo hepatic function evaluation of schistosomiasis.

Utilization of lightflecks by seedlings of five dominant tree species of different subtropical forest successional stages under low-light growth conditions.

We selected five typical tree species, including one early-successional species (ES) Pinus massoniana Lamb., two mid-successional species (MS) Schima superba Gardn. et Champ. and Castanopsis fissa (Champ. ex Benth.) Rehd. et Wils. and two late-successional species (LS) Cryptocarya concinna Hance. and Acmena acuminatissima (BI.) Merr et Perry., which represent the plants at three successional periods in Dinghushan subtropical forest succession of southern China. Potted seedlings of the five species were grown under 12% of full sunlight for 36 months. The ES and MS showed the slowest and fastest responses to lightflecks, respectively, which correlated with the rate of stomatal opening. In contrast to P. massoniana and C. concinna, the other three species exhibited a high induction loss. Early-successional species showed the lowest specific leaf area and chlorophyll content, the highest photosynthetic capacity (A(max)) and respiratory carbon losses (R(d)). Compared with ES and MS, LS showed lower A(max) and R(d). The five tree species showed a similar chlorophyll a/b ratio after long-term low-light adaptations. On the other hand, LS had a relatively higher de-epoxidation state to protect themselves from excess light during lightflecks. Our results indicated that (i) slower responses to lightflecks could partially explain why ES species could not achieve seedling regeneration in low-light conditions; (ii) fast responses to lightflecks could partially explain why MS species could achieve seedling regeneration in low-light conditions; and (iii) smaller respiratory carbon losses might confer on the LS species a competitive advantage in low-light conditions.

The use of polyethylenimine-DNA to topically deliver hTERT to promote hair growth.

The present study investigates the efficacy of polyethylenimine (PEI)-DNA complex that expressed human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) to transfect hair follicle stem cells and produce sufficient hTERT to stimulate hair growth. Transfection with pLC-hTERT-DNA-PEI complex (D+P group) in vitro induced expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in 35.8% of the purified stem cell population, suggesting enhanced cell proliferation. In vivo transfection efficiency of rat dorsal skin was determined by staining for ß-gal activity. Cells positive for ß-gal were located in the bulge region and dermal sheath of hair follicles. The follicles in the hTERT-transfected region entered anagenon day 15 after transfection, whereas non-transfected (Neg) controls remained in telogen. The similar effect was observed in 50-day-old rat dorsal skin. D+P group displayed a specific expression of hTERT and sufficient to initiate a transition to the anagen phase and promote new hair synthesis 18 days after the transfection. hTERT promoted follicle neogenesis following wounding. In all, 60 days after wounding, tissues of the D+P group showed more newly regenerating hair follicles (83±52 regenerated follicles per rat) in contrast to control group tissues (15±15 regenerated follicles per rat). These studies provide a potential approach for gene therapy of skin disease.

[<< Torsade de pointe >> like EKG in a 88-year-old patient]. / Pseudotorsade de pointe chez une patiente âgée de 88 ans.

EKG may be difficult to perform in the elderly. Tremors may induce an EKG pattern suggestive of torsade de pointe. Unexpected good clinical tolerance and appropriate analysis of the EKG allow to correct the diagnosis.

[Pseudoachalasia due to amyloidosis treated by botulinum toxin]. / Pseudoachalasie liée à l'amylose traitée par toxine botulique.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudoachalasia mimics primary achalasia and can provoke serious complications in the elderly. CASE RECORD: A 84 years-old woman had dysphagia with recurrent pneumonia. Pseudoachalasia related to a multifocal primitive amyloidosis was diagnosed. Treatment with botulinum toxin injection during a gastric fibroscopy resulted in clinical improvement, still notable 15 months later. DISCUSSION: Botulinum toxin injection may be a useful tool in treatment of pseudoachalasia due to amyloidosis.

In vivo measurement of the elastic modulus of the human periodontal ligament.

The present study was designated to determine the elastic properties of the periodontal ligament (PDL) in human subjects. A maxillary central incisor was experimentally translated so that stress or strain could be uniformly distributed in the PDL by applying a single force passing through the center of resistance. Displacements were measured under different magnitudes of load using a magnet-magnetic sensing system. From the load-displacement relations, Young's modulus of the PDL was calculated. The values determined were approximately 0.12 MPa under load ranging from 0 to 0.5 N, 0.25 MPa within the range of 0.5-1.0 N, 0.44 MPa under load 1.0-1.5 N, and between 0.69 and 0.96 MPa with 1.5-2.0 N. The values of Young's moduli increased almost exponentially with the increment of load due to a non-linear elasticity of the PDL.

Ultrasonographic measurement of tongue movement during swallowing.

Previous ultrasonographic studies on tongue functions were limited by the possibility of artifacts caused by movement of the submental area during function. Consequently, tongue movements were misinterpreted. A dynamic tongue imaging technique, the cushion-scanning technique, was used to overcome this problem. Later, swallowing was investigated and divided into five phases using cushion-scanning technique-aided M-mode ultrasonograms. In this study, cushion-scanning technique in combination with the B-mode and M-mode ultrasonography was applied to investigate and measure the tongue movement during swallowing in 55 normal persons. The average duration, range of motion and speed of swallowing were found to be 2.43 s, 24.06 mm, and 10.34 mm/s, respectively. The computer-aided B-mode plus M-mode ultrasonography in combination with the cushion-scanning technique is a valuable tool for study of tongue functions.

Force measurement on fracture site with external fixation.

A force measurement device has been designed to monitor the mechanical properties of fracture site with external fixation. Forces are measured through electric resistance strain gauges mounted on fixation framework and the measurement results are displayed on an LCD screen. The device features a force range of 0-10 kg with linearity and repeatability less than 1% and accuracy less than 0.1 kg.

The cushion scanning technique: a method of dynamic tongue sonography and its comparison with the transducer-skin coupling scanning technique during swallowing.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: We describe the cushion scanning technique (CST), which solves common difficulties encountered during ultrasound investigations of swallowing. These problems arise when the transducer is held in direct contact with the submental area. Some of these problems include movements of the ultrasound transducer during swallowing and compression of the submental region, which causes abnormal swallowing patterns. METHODS: To compare ultrasound images produced with the conventional hand-held transducer-skin coupling scanning technique with the CST, we studied five participants with no clinical signs of tongue dysfunction. All tongue movements were recorded by real-time B+M-mode sonography. RESULTS: Images produced with the hand-held transducer were found to be unstable because the transducer moved during swallowing, thereby changing the scanning section. By contrast, the transducer and the participant's head remained in a constant position throughout the CST trial. There was no obvious compression of the submental muscles. CONCLUSION: The CST allows for a better intraindividual reproducibility of the swallowing pattern and for a more standardized and objective ultrasound examination than the hand-held transducer-skin coupling scanning technique.

[Classification and interpretation of the oral swallowing phase using B+M mode ultrasound]. / Einteilung und Interpretation der oralen Schluckphase mittels B+M-Mode-Sonographie.

A cushion device and B+M mode ultrasonography technique were used in 30 healthy volunteers to study tongue movement during swallowing. M-mode images show an amplitude-time diagram, in which the entire tongue movement during swallowing can be easily scrutinized. The different tongue movements during swallowing result in several turning points on the graph of the M-mode sonogram, which divide the oral swallowing phase into five subphases (I, IIa, IIb, IIIa, IIIb). Based on this new classification of swallowing, the tongue movements of the participants were interpreted and classified.