Robust model-free adaptive iterative learning control for an autonomous bus trajectory tracking system.

A robust model-free adaptive iterative learning control (R-MFAILC) algorithm is proposed in this work to address the issue of laterally controlling an autonomous bus. First, according to the periodic repetitive working characteristics of autonomous buses, a novel dynamic linearized method used in the iterative domain is utilized, and a time-varying data model with a pseudo gradient (PG) is given. Then, the R-MFAILC controller is designed with a proposed adaptive attenuation factor. The proposed algorithm's advantage lies in the R-MFAILC controller, which solely utilizes the input and output data of the regulated entity. Moreover, the R-MFAILC controller has strong robustness and can handle the nonlinear measurement disturbances of the system. In simulations based on the Truck-Sim simulation platform, the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified. A rigorous mathematical analysis is employed to demonstrate the stability and convergence of the proposed algorithm.

Enhancing assisted diagnostic accuracy in scalp psoriasis: A Multi-Network Fusion Object Detection Framework for dermoscopic pattern diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a common method of scalp psoriasis diagnosis, and several artificial intelligence techniques have been used to assist dermoscopy in the diagnosis of nail fungus disease, the most commonly used being the convolutional neural network algorithm; however, convolutional neural networks are only the most basic algorithm, and the use of object detection algorithms to assist dermoscopy in the diagnosis of scalp psoriasis has not been reported. OBJECTIVES: Establishment of a dermoscopic modality diagnostic framework for scalp psoriasis based on object detection technology and image enhancement to improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy. METHODS: We analyzed the dermoscopic patterns of scalp psoriasis diagnosed at 72nd Group army hospital of PLA from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021, and selected scalp seborrheic dermatitis as a control group. Based on dermoscopic images and major dermoscopic patterns of scalp psoriasis and scalp seborrheic dermatitis, we investigated a multi-network fusion object detection framework based on the object detection technique Faster R-CNN and the image enhancement technique contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE), for assisting in the diagnosis of scalp psoriasis and scalp seborrheic dermatitis, as well as to differentiate the major dermoscopic patterns of the two diseases. The diagnostic performance of the multi-network fusion object detection framework was compared with that between dermatologists. RESULTS: A total of 1876 dermoscopic images were collected, including 1218 for scalp psoriasis versus 658 for scalp seborrheic dermatitis. Based on these images, training and testing are performed using a multi-network fusion object detection framework. The results showed that the test accuracy, specificity, sensitivity, and Youden index for the diagnosis of scalp psoriasis was: 91.0%, 89.5%, 91.0%, and 0.805, and for the main dermoscopic patterns of scalp psoriasis and scalp seborrheic dermatitis, the diagnostic results were: 89.9%, 97.7%, 89.9%, and 0.876. Comparing the diagnostic results with those of five dermatologists, the fusion framework performs better than the dermatologists' diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Studies have shown some differences in dermoscopic patterns between scalp psoriasis and scalp seborrheic dermatitis. The proposed multi-network fusion object detection framework has higher diagnostic performance for scalp psoriasis than for dermatologists.

Feedforward-feedback-enhanced model-free adaptive iterative learning control with measurement disturbance and data dropout for an autonomous bus trajectory tracking system.

This article presents an innovative enhanced model-free adaptive iterative learning control approach suited for autonomous bus trajectory tracking systems that may experience measurement disruptions and random data dropouts. Data loss can occur independently and randomly at different times and in different iterations with varying probabilities, leading to successive data dropouts on both the time and iteration axes. The proposed enhanced model-free adaptive iterative learning control controller incorporates a data compensation mechanism to compensate for missing data, ensuring excellent control performance. This data-driven control strategy requires only input/output data for controller design. The convergence and effectiveness of the proposed approach are verified through rigorous mathematical analysis and simulation outcomes.

Parotid metastasis of rare lung adenocarcinoma: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of malignancy-related deaths worldwide. The most common sites of metastasis include the nervous system, bone, liver, respiratory system, and adrenal glands. LC metastasis in the parotid gland is very rare, and its diagnosis presents a challenge. Here, we report a case of parotid metastasis in primary LC. CASE SUMMARY: The patient was a 74-year-old male who was discovered to have bilateral facial asymmetry inadvertently two years ago. The right earlobe was slightly swollen and without pain or numbness. Computed tomography (CT) examination showed bilateral lung space-occupying lesions. Pulmonary biopsy was performed and revealed adenocarcinoma (right-upper-lung nodule tissue). Positron emission tomography-CT examination showed: (1) Two hypermetabolic nodules in the right upper lobe of the lung, enlarged hypermetabolic lymph nodes in the right hilar and mediastinum, and malignant space-occupying lesion in the right upper lobe of the lung and possible metastasis to the right hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes; and (2) multiple hypermetabolic nodules in bilateral parotid glands. Parotid puncture biopsy was performed considering lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. Gene detection of lung biopsy specimens revealed an EGFR gene 21 exon L858R mutation. CONCLUSION: This case report highlights the challenging diagnosis of parotid metastasis in LC given its rare nature. Such lesions should be differentiated from primary tumors of the parotid gland. Simple radiological imaging is unreliable, and puncture biopsy is needed for final diagnosis of this condition.

The efficacy of cetuximab plus PD-1 inhibitors as salvage therapy in PD-1 refractory patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: The prognosis of patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) that are refractory to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) immunotherapy is relatively poor. The salvage therapy was rarely investigated and urgently needed. Methods: We conducted a single center retrospective real-world study to explore the efficacy of cetuximab plus PD-1 inhibitors as salvage therapy in patients progressed from first-line immunotherapy. Results: In the present study, 28 eligible patients were included between October 2020 and May 2023. By the cut-off date (Sep 24th, 2023), the objective response rate (ORR) was 46.4% (95% CI, 29.5%-64.2%). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed the median progression free survival (mPFS) in the study was 6.87 months (95% CI, 4.77-8.97 months), and median overall survival (mOS) was 9.67 months (95% CI, 4.79-14.55 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that ECOG performance status and best response to salvage therapy was found to be the prognosis factor of salvage therapy. For the safety, the most common treatment related adverse events (TRAEs) were rash (72.1%), anemia (64.3%) and fatigue (46.5%) during the salvage therapy. The most common potential irAEs were hypothyroidism (25%), and pneumonitis (14.3%). Only 3 patients (10.7%) experienced grade 3 TRAEs, and no treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions: Our study showed the combination of cetuximab with PD-1 inhibitors might be a potential efficacy and safety choice in PD-1 refractory patients with R/M HNSCC which need further investigation.

Comprehensive analysis of circRNAs for N7-methylguanosine methylation modification in human oral squamous cell carcinoma.

N7-methylguanosine (m7G) modification is closely related to the occurrence of tumors. However, the m7G modification of circRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains to be investigated. Methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) was used to measure the methylation levels of m7G and identify m7G sites in circRNAs in human OSCC and normal tissues. The host genes of differentially methylated and differentially expressed circRNAs were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses, and circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were predicted using the miRanda and miRDB databases. The analysis identified 2348 m7G peaks in 624 circRNAs in OSCC tissues. In addition, the source of m7G-methylated circRNAs in OSCC was mainly the sense overlap region compared with normal tissues. The most conserved m7G motif in OSCC tissues was CCUGU, whereas the most conserved motif in normal tissues was RCCUG (R = G/A). Importantly, GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the host genes of differentially methylated and differentially expressed circRNAs were involved in many cellular biological functions. Furthermore, the significantly differentially expressed circRNAs were analyzed to predict the circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks. This study revealed the whole profile of circRNAs of differential m7G methylation in OSCC and suggests that m7G-modified circRNAs may impact the development of OSCC.

CM3-SII polysaccharide obtained from Cordyceps militaris ameliorates hyperlipidemia in heterozygous LDLR-deficient hamsters by modulating gut microbiota and NPC1L1 and PPARα levels.

Accumulating evidence has demonstrated that polysaccharides derived from edible fungi have lipid-lowering effects in mice. However, the lipid metabolism mechanisms in mice and humans are different. We have previously elucidated the structural characteristics of the alkali-extracted polysaccharide CM3-SII obtained from Cordyceps militaris. This study aimed to investigate whether CM3-SII could ameliorate hyperlipidemia in a heterozygous low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient hamster model of hyperlipidemia. Our data demonstrated that CM3-SII significantly decreased total plasma cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in heterozygous LDLR-deficient hamsters. Unlike ezetimibe, CM3-SII could enhance the concentration of plasma apolipoprotein A1 and the expression of liver X receptor α/ATP-binding cassette transporter G8 mRNA pathway and suppress the expression of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1, which help to reduce cholesterol levels further. Moreover, the results of molecular docking analysis demonstrated that CM3-SII could directly bind to Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 with high affinity. The triglyceride-lowering mechanisms of CM3-SII were related to its downregulation of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c and upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α. Importantly, CM3-SII increased the abundance of Actinobacteria and Faecalibaculum and the ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes. Thus, CM3-SII attenuated hyperlipidemia by modulating the expression of multiple molecules involved in lipid metabolism and the gut microbiota.

[Retracted] MicroRNA­655 suppresses cell proliferation and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma by directly targeting metadherin and regulating the PTEN/AKT pathway.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that the data in the centre panel shown for the cell invasion assays in Fig. 2C were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere prior to its submission to Molecular Medicine Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive a reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Molecular Medicine Reports 18: 3106­3114, 2018; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2018.9292].

Data-Driven Distributed Information-Weighted Consensus Filtering in Discrete-Time Sensor Networks With Switching Topologies.

This article proposes a data-driven distributed filtering method based on the consensus protocol and information-weighted strategy for discrete-time sensor networks with switching topologies. By introducing a data-driven method, a linear-like state equation is designed by utilizing only the input and output (I/O) data without a controlled object model. In the identification step, data-driven adaptive optimization recursive identification (DD-AORI) is exploited to identify the recurrence of time-varying parameters. It is proved that for discrete-time switching networks, estimation errors of all nodes are ultimately bounded when data-driven distributed information-weighted consensus filtering (DD-DICF) is executed. The algorithm combines with the received neighbors and direct or indirect observations for the target node to produce modified gains, resulting in a novel state estimator containing an information interaction mechanism. Subsequently, convergence analysis is performed on the basis of the Lyapunov equation to guarantee the boundedness of DD-DICF estimate error. Simulations verify the performance of the DD-DICF against the theoretical results as well as in comparison with some existing filtering algorithms.

Efficacy and safety of camrelizumab plus transarterial chemoembolization in intermediate to advanced hepatocellular carcinoma patients: A prospective, multi-center, real-world study.

Objective: Camrelizumab is a newly developed program-death receptor one inhibitor; the real-world evidence about its application in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment is lacking. Therefore, this prospective, multi-center, real-world study evaluated the efficacy and safety of camrelizumab plus transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating intermediate-to-advanced HCC patients. Methods: This study consecutively enrolled 101 intermediate to advanced HCC patients. All patients received camrelizumab-based treatment within 30 days of the perioperative period of the TACE operation. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary effects were overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and AEs. Results: Specifically, the median PFS was 9.7 (95% confidence interval: 7.4-12.0) months, with a 1-year PFS rate of 30.6%. Meanwhile, the median OS was not reached (NR) yet, with a 1-year OS rate of 61.9%. Besides, the CR, PR, SD, and PD rates were 12.8%, 44.9%, 29.5%, and 12.8%, respectively. The ORR and DCR were 57.7% and 87.2%, respectively. More cycles of camrelizumab were independently correlated with prolonged PFS (hazard ratio (HR): 0.415, P = 0.002), whereas longer intervals between camrelizumab administration and TACE were independently associated with unfavorable PFS (HR: 1.873, P = 0.032). The incidence of total AEs was 90.1%; most AEs were grade 1 (20.8%), grade 2 (28.7%) and grade 3 (37.6%), while only 3 (3.0%) patients had grade 4 AEs. Conclusion: The camrelizumab plus TACE regimen is effective and safe, indicating its potential to serve as a promising treatment choice for intermediate to advanced HCC patients.

A Novel Genetic Neural Network Algorithm with Link Switches and Its Application in University Professional Course Evaluation.

This study exploits a novel enhanced genetic neural network algorithm with link switches (EGA-NNLS) to model the professional university course evaluating system. Various indices should be employed to evaluate the learning effect of a professional course comprehensively and objectively, and the traditional artificial evaluation methods cannot achieve this goal. The presented data-driven modeling method, EGA-NNLS, combines a neural network with link switches (NN-LS) with an enhanced genetic algorithm (EGA) and the Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm. It employs an optimized network structure combined with EGA and NN-LS to learn the relationships between the system's input and output from historical data and uses the network's gradient information via the LM algorithm. Compared with the traditional backpropagation neural network (BPNN), EGA-NNLS achieves a faster convergence speed and higher evaluation precision. In order to verify the efficiency of EGA-NNLS, it is applied to a collection of experimental data for modeling the professional university course evaluating system.

Inhibition of Inflammatory Response and Promotion of Osteogenic Activity of Zinc-Doped Micro-Arc Titanium Oxide Coatings.

An early and sustained immune response can lead to chronic inflammation after the implant is placed in the body. The implantable materials with immunomodulatory effects can reduce the body's immune response and promote the formation of ideal osseointegration between the implants and bone tissue. In this study, zinc-coated titanium micro-arc oxide coating was prepared on titanium surface by micro-arc oxidation. The physical properties, anti-inflammation, and osteogenesis of the material were evaluated. We have physically characterized the surface structure of the coatings by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) and detected the release of Zn2+ from the coating surface by inductively coupled optical plasma emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The BMSCs were inoculated on the surface of the coating, and the biocompatibility of the coating was evaluated by CCK-8 analysis and living and dead cell staining. The osteogenic effect of the layer on BMSCs was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays, osteocalcin (OCN) immunofluorescence, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). The survival status of RAW264.7 on the coating surface and the mRNA expression of the associated proinflammatory markers, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), cluster of differentiation 86 (CD86), and inducible nitric oxide (INOS) were detected by CCK-8 analysis and q-PCR. In parallel, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) analysis and q-PCR screened and evaluated the effective concentration of Zn2+ anti-inflammatory in vitro. The results show that the coating has good physical characterization, and Zn is uniformly bound to the surface of titanium and shows stable release and good biocompatibility to BMSCs, downregulating the expression of inflammation-related genes promoting the bone formation of BMSCs. We have successfully prepared zinc-coated micro-arc titanium oxide coating on the titanium surface, which has good osteogenesis and great anti-inflammatory potential and provides a new way for osseointegration in the implant.

Analysis of the intervention effect and self-satisfaction of sports dance exercise on the psychological stress of college students.

BACKGROUND: College students are a high-risk subpopulation of psychological disorders. The problem of various adverse phenomena and consequences caused by excessive pressure on college students has gradually become the focus of social and psychological academic circles. However, studies related to individual self-concept and psychological pressure are rare. OBJECTIVE: To explore the impact of sports dance exercises on college students' psychological pressure and improve the psychological effects of their self-satisfaction. METHODS: College students were taken as research objects, randomly divided into a control group and an observation group. The observation group is intervened with sports dance exercises. The observation group was intervened with sports dance exercises. The stress response characteristic questionnaire and multidimensional self-satisfaction rating scale were utilized to measure college students' conditions before and after the intervention. Finally, the obtained data were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Generally, the psychological stress response of college students was mild, with self-satisfaction and various dimensions at a moderately higher level. No significant differences were discovered in the psychological stress response and self-satisfaction level between the control group and the observation group before intervention (P > 0.05), which were homogeneous. Compared with the data obtained before the intervention, after the intervention, the control group scores were slightly reduced in all dimensions of the psychological stress response and self-satisfaction. In contrast, the scores were significantly increased in the experimental group (P < 0.05). Psychological stress response could reliably explain 30.4%of the total self-satisfaction variance (P < 0.01). The negative self-evaluation was the most important variable affecting self-satisfaction, followed by poor interpersonal communication and poor sleeping quality. CONCLUSIONS: Sports dance exercises could alleviate the psychological stress of college students and improve their self-satisfaction. Colleges and universities should include sports dance in the content of optional public courses and encourage more college students to actively participate in sports dance exercises to improve their mental health.

The influence of physical exercise on college students' mental health and social adaptability from the cognitive perspective.

BACKGROUND: the relationship between physical exercise (PE) and mental health (MH) had been an important research topic in exercise psychology. With the development of society, the increasingly fierce social competition had put forward higher and higher requirements for college students' social adaptability (SA). As members of the new era, college students were expected to not only have innovative knowledge concept, solid knowledge foundation, and healthy psychology, but also have the ability to adapt to the changes in the environment, know how to get along with others, and deal with problems alone. OBJECTIVE: this study aimed to evaluate the PE, MH, and SA of college students, and to analyze the internal relationships among PE, MH, and SA. METHODS: based on questionnaire survey, college students were randomly selected for investigation and the data were statistically processed. RESULTS: there were significant differences in the MH of students of different genders, majors, grades, and origins. There was a significant difference between the amount of exercise and the MH of college students. The amount of exercise was positively correlated with the MH level of college students, and there was also a positive correlation between PE and MH. The SA of the physical exercisers was average, but the SA of the non-physical exercisers was poor. There was a significant difference between the SA of the physical exercisers and the non-physical exercisers. There were significant differences in the SA between physical exercisers and non-physical exercisers of different genders, majors, grades, and origins. Physical exercisers who participated in team sports were more socially adaptable. There was no significant difference in the SA of physical exercisers of different genders, majors, and origins, and the SA of senior students was stronger. CONCLUSIONS: PE had a positive effect on college students' MH and social adaptation ability. Colleges and universities could improve their MH and social adaptation ability by arranging appropriate PE.

Macrophage Plasticity and Atherosclerosis Therapy.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease starting with the entry of monocytes into the subendothelium and the subsequent differentiation into macrophages. Macrophages are the major immune cells in atherosclerotic plaques and are involved in the dynamic progression of atherosclerotic plaques. The biological properties of atherosclerotic plaque macrophages determine lesion size, composition, and stability. The heterogenicity and plasticity of atherosclerotic macrophages have been a hotspot in recent years. Studies demonstrated that lipids, cytokines, chemokines, and other molecules in the atherosclerotic plaque microenvironment regulate macrophage phenotype, contributing to the switch of macrophages toward a pro- or anti-atherosclerosis state. Of note, M1/M2 classification is oversimplified and only represent two extreme states of macrophages. Moreover, M2 macrophages in atherosclerosis are not always protective. Understanding the phenotypic diversity and functions of macrophages can disclose their roles in atherosclerotic plaques. Given that lipid-lowering therapy cannot completely retard the progression of atherosclerosis, macrophages with high heterogeneity and plasticity raise the hope for atherosclerosis regression. This review will focus on the macrophage phenotypic diversity, its role in the progression of the dynamic atherosclerotic plaque, and finally discuss the possibility of treating atherosclerosis by targeting macrophage microenvironment.

MicroRNA­495 targets Notch1 to prohibit cell proliferation and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with the initiation and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) by regulating a variety of cancer­associated behaviors. Fully understanding the regulatory mechanism of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of OSCC may provide novel promising approaches for the identification of prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for this particular malignancy. In the present study, reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed to detect miRNA (miR)­495 expression in OSCC tissues and cell lines. The effects of miR­495 on the proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells were determined using Cell Counting Kit­8 and Matrigel invasion assays, respectively. The mechanisms underlying the action of miR­495 in OSCC cells were also investigated. Results from the present study revealed that miR­495 expression was downregulated in OSCC tissues and cell lines compare with in adjacent normal tissues and human oral keratinocytes, respectively. Exogenous expression of miR­495 restricted cell proliferation and invasion of OSCC cells in vitro. Notch1 was identified as a direct functional target of miR­495 in OSCC. Furthermore, Notch1 knockdown exhibited inhibitory effects, similar to those induced by miR­495 overexpression in OSCC cells. Restoration of Notch1 expression rescued the suppressive effects of miR­495 on OSCC cell proliferation and invasion. These findings suggested an important role for miR­495 in the regulation of OSCC cell growth and metastasis, at least partly by directly targeting Notch1. In addition, the findings of the present study revealed the potential of miR­495 as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with OSCC.

MicroRNA­655 suppresses cell proliferation and invasion in oral squamous cell carcinoma by directly targeting metadherin and regulating the PTEN/AKT pathway.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of a variety of biological processes and their dysregulation is closely related to cancer formation and progression. Therefore, examination of aberrantly expressed miRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) may provide important clues for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with OSCC. The aim of the present study was to determine miRNA (miR)­655­3p expression in OSCC tissues and cell lines, and to investigate the biological roles and mechanisms of miR­655­3p associated with OSCC. Data from the present study indicated that miR­655 expression was significantly downregulated in human OSCC tissues and cell lines. Overexpression of miR­655 attenuated cell proliferation and invasion in OSCC in vitro. Metadherin (MTDH) mRNA was predicted as a potential target of miR­655 by bioinformatics analysis, and this was confirmed by luciferase reporter assay, reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. In OSCC tissues, MTDH was highly expressed and inversely correlated with miR­655 expression levels. MTDH overexpression reversed the inhibitory effects of miR­655 mimics in OSCC cells. Notably, the upregulation of miR­655 expression inhibited the activation of the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN)/RAC­α serine/threonine­protein kinase (AKT) pathway in OSCC cells. Therefore, these results may provide the first evidence that miR­655 targets MTDH to inhibit proliferation and invasion of OSCC by inhibiting PTEN/AKT signaling. Thus, the restoration of miR­655 expression may be a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with OSCC.

[Preparation and application of polyclonal antibody against amelotin polypeptide].

OBJECTIVE: To prepare and identify the rabbit anti-mouse polyclonal antibody against amelotin polypeptide. METHODS: The polypeptide was synthesized based on the bioinformatics analysis of amelotin, and coupled with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) for immunization. The amelotin polypeptide-KLH was injected into New Zealand rabbits to prepare the polyclonal antibody. ELISA technology was used to detect the titer of the antibody. The specificity of the polyclonal antibody was identified by Western blotting. The expression of amelotin in the submandibular tissue of mice was observed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: ELISA showed that the titer of amelotin antibody was 1:1,000,000. Western blotting verified that the antibody had a high specificity. Immunohistochemistry indicated that amelotin was highly expressed in odontoprisis full-thick enamel of 3-day-old and 7-day-old mice, and also expressed in duct epithelial cytoplasm of submandibular glands of 7-day-old mice. CONCLUSION: The polyclonal antibody against amelotin polypeptide has been prepared successfully with high titer and high specificity.

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. We systematically searched the PubMed and EMBASE databases to screen relevant studies. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to compute the risk of esophageal cancer. Because of the differences in ethnicities, sources of controls, and genotyping methods, the meta-analysis was conducted using a random-effect model regardless of heterogeneity. To further explore potential heterogeneity, we performed subgroup and sensitivity analyses, and publication bias was also evaluated. A total of 6 case-control studies on microRNA-196a2 rs11614913, 4 studies on microRNA-146a rs2910164, and 4 studies on microRNA-423 rs6505162 were considered eligible in the meta-analysis. No statistical association was found between microRNA-196a2 rs11614913, microRNA-146a rs2910164, and microRNA-423 rs6505162 polymorphisms and esophageal cancer susceptibility in any genetic model. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses showed similar results. In summary, based on the currently limited proof, no association exists between microRNA-196a2 rs11614913, microRNA-146a rs2910164, and microRNA-423 rs6505162 polymorphism and esophageal cancer risk. However, the result should be cautiously interpreted because of the heterogeneity among studies. Large, high quality clinical trials are required to verify our findings.