Diagnostic panel of serum miR-125b-5p, miR-182-5p, and miR-200c-3p as non-invasive biomarkers for urothelial bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify a diagnostic panel of serum microRNAs (miRNAs) for the early detection of bladder cancer (BC). METHODS: Serum samples were collected from 112 BC patients and 112 normal controls (NCs). A three-stage selection was conducted to identify differentially expressed miRNAs as candidates to construct the diagnostic panel. Further, to explore their potential roles in urothelial BC, bioinformatics analyses, including target genes prediction and functional annotation, were used. RESULTS: Six downregulated miRNAs (miR-1-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-100-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-143-3p, and miR-200c-3p) and one upregulated, miR-182-5p, in BC patients' serum were detected compared to NCs and were selected to establish the diagnostic panel. Based on a backward stepwise logistic regression analysis, miR-125b-5p, miR-182-5p, and miR-200c-3p comprehended the diagnostic panel [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.959, sensitivity = 91.67%, specificity = 92.5%]. CONCLUSION: The panel of three miRNAs had an excellent diagnostic capability, representing a potential non-invasive method for early BC detection.

Diminutive Incision Acromioplasty Assisted with Arthroscopy in the Treatment of Chinese Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome / Acromioplastia de Incisión Diminuta Asistida con Artroscopia en el Tratamiento de Pacientes Chinos con Síndrome de Pinzamiento Subacromial

ABSTRACT Background: Many causes can lead to shoulder pain and subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most frequently recorded disorders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effects of diminutive incision acromioplasty assisted with arthroscopy for the treatment of Chinese patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. Subject and Methods: Twenty-two patients with 24-painful shoulders subacromial impingement syndrome were enrolled. All painful shoulders were in Grades II (8) and III (16) according to Neer's classification. Detailed physical examination was performed. Conventional radiography and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder region of all patients were done. The University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder (UCLA) score system was used for all patients to evaluate their satisfaction after surgery. The preoperative recordings of the UCLA scores were collected and all enrolled cases including 24-painful shoulders were available for follow-up in 1, 3, 6, 12 months after surgery. Results: According to the UCLA scoring system, the symptom of all painful shoulders were improved after one year postoperatively. The average score before surgery from 15.4 points increased to 31.2 points postoperatively, showing a statistical difference (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A diminutive incision acromioplasty assisted with arthroscopy is a reliable approach to treat Chinese patients with subacromial impingement syndrome. All painful shoulders were obviously improved in one year after surgery.

ABSTRACT Antecedentes: Muchas causas pueden provocar dolor de hombro y síndrome de compresión subacromial (SIS) es el trastorno más frecuentemente registrado. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la clínica. Efectos de la acromioplastia con incisión diminuta asistida con artroscopia para el tratamiento de Pacientes chinos con síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial. Sujeto y métodos: Se incluyeron veintidós pacientes con síndrome de afectación subacromial de 24-hombros dolorosos. Todos los hombros dolorosos estaban en Grados II (8) y III (16) de acuerdo con la clasificación de Neer. Se realizó examen físico detallado. Se realizaron radiografías convencionales y, posteriormente, imágenes de resonancia magnética (IRM) de la región del hombro de todos los pacientes. El sistema de puntuación de la Universidad de California en Los Angeles Shoulder (UCLA) se utilizó para que todos los pacientes evaluaran su satisfacción después de la cirugía. Los registros preoperatorios de las puntuaciones de UCLA se recopilaron y todos los casos incluidos, incluidos 24-hombros dolorosos, estaban disponibles para el seguimiento en 1, 3, 6 y 12 meses después de la cirugía. Resultados: De acuerdo con el sistema de puntuación de UCLA, el síntoma de todos los hombros dolorosos mejoró después de un año después de la operación. La puntuación promedio antes de la cirugía de 15.4 puntos aumentó a 31.2 puntos después de la operación, mostrando una diferencia estadística (p < 0.05) Conclusiones: Una acromioplastia de incisión diminuta asistida con artroscopia es un enfoque confiable para tratar a pacientes chinos con síndrome de pinzamiento subacromial. Todas las lesiones dolorosas se mejoraron obviamente en un año después de la cirugía.

Association between Toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly polymorphism and coronary heart disease susceptibility.

Published data on the association between Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) Asp299Gly polymorphism and coronary heart disease (CHD) susceptibility are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. English-language studies were identified by searching PubMed and Embase databases (up to November 2016). All epidemiological studies were regarding Caucasians because no TLR4 Asp/Gly and Gly/Gly genotypes have been detected in Asians. A total of 20 case-control studies involving 14,416 cases and 10,764 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, no significant associations were found between TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism and CHD susceptibility in the dominant model (OR=0.89; 95%CI=0.74 to 1.06; P=0.20) pooled in the meta-analysis. In the subgroup analysis by CHD, non-significant associations were found in cases compared to controls. When stratified by control source, no significantly decreased risk was found in the additive model or dominant model. The present meta-analysis suggests that the TLR4 Asp299Gly polymorphism was not associated with decreased CHD risk in Caucasians.

Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution decreases mortality and morbidity in high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease: an 11-year experience from a single institution.

Cardioplegic reperfusion during a long term ischemic period interrupts cardiac surgery and also increases cellular edema due to repeated solution administration. We reviewed the clinical experiences on myocardial protection of a single perfusion with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) for high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease. This retrospective study included 101 high-risk patients undergoing arterial switch operation between March 2001 and July 2012. We divided the cohort into two groups: HTK group, myocardial protection was carried out with one single perfusion with HTK solution; and St group, myocardial protection with conventional St. Thomas' crystalloid cardioplegic solution. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass did not differ between the two groups. The mortality, morbidity, ICU stay, post-operative hospitalization time, and number of transfusions in HTK group were lower than those in St group (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that HTK is a statistically significant independent predictor of decreased early mortality and morbidity (P<0.05). In conclusion, HTK solution seems to be an effective and safe alternative to St. Thomas' solution for cardioplegic reperfusion in high-risk patients with complex congenital heart disease.

HLA-DR3 antigen in the resistance to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) has been hypothesized as a multifactorial disorder initiated by an environment trigger in individuals with predisposing human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. Published data on the association between HLA-DR3 antigen and IDC risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Studies were identified by searching the PUBMED and Embase database (starting from June 2015). A total of 19 case-control studies including 1378 cases and 10383 controls provided data on the association between HLA-DR3 antigen and genetic susceptibility to IDC. Overall, significantly decreased frequency of HLA-DR3 allele (OR=0.72; 95%CI=0.58-0.90; P=0.004) was found in patients with IDC compared with controls. When stratified by myocardial biopsy or non-biopsy cases, statistically decreased risk was found for IDC in myocardial biopsy cases (OR=0.69; 95%CI=0.57-0.84; P=0.0003). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, borderline statistically significantly decreased risk was found among Europeans from 12 case-control studies (OR=0.76; 95%CI=0.58-1.00; P=0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that individuals with HLA-DR3 antigen may have a protective effect against IDC.

Contact force-guided catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials

Contact force (CF) sensing technology allows real-time monitoring during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the effect of CF sensing technology on procedural parameters and clinical outcomes still needs clarification. Because of the inconsistent results thus far in this area, we performed a meta-analysis to determine whether CF sensing technology can improve procedural parameters and clinical outcomes for the treatment of AF. Studies examining the benefits of CF sensing technology were identified in English-language articles by searching the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (inception to May 2015). Ten randomized, controlled trials involving 1834 patients (1263 males, 571 females) were included in the meta-analysis (681 in the CF group, 1153 in the control group). Overall, the ablation time was significantly decreased by 7.34 min (95%CI=-12.21 to -2.46; P=0.003, Z test) in the CF group compared with the control group. CF sensing technology was associated with significantly improved freedom from AF after 12 months (OR=1.55, 95%CI=1.20 to 1.99; P=0.0007) and complications were significantly lower in the CF group than in the control group (OR=0.50, 95%CI=0.29 to 0.87; P=0.01). However, fluoroscopy time analysis showed no significantly decreased trend associated with CF-guided catheter ablation (weighted mean difference: -2.59; 95%CI=-9.06 to 3.88; P=0.43). The present meta-analysis shows improvement in ablation time and freedom from AF after 12 months in AF patients treated with CF-guided catheter ablation. However, CF-guided catheter ablation does not decrease fluoroscopy time.

Contact force-guided catheter ablation for the treatment of atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.

Contact force (CF) sensing technology allows real-time monitoring during catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, the effect of CF sensing technology on procedural parameters and clinical outcomes still needs clarification. Because of the inconsistent results thus far in this area, we performed a meta-analysis to determine whether CF sensing technology can improve procedural parameters and clinical outcomes for the treatment of AF. Studies examining the benefits of CF sensing technology were identified in English-language articles by searching the MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases (inception to May 2015). Ten randomized, controlled trials involving 1834 patients (1263 males, 571 females) were included in the meta-analysis (681 in the CF group, 1153 in the control group). Overall, the ablation time was significantly decreased by 7.34 min (95%CI=-12.21 to -2.46; P=0.003, Z test) in the CF group compared with the control group. CF sensing technology was associated with significantly improved freedom from AF after 12 months (OR=1.55, 95%CI=1.20 to 1.99; P=0.0007) and complications were significantly lower in the CF group than in the control group (OR=0.50, 95%CI=0.29 to 0.87; P=0.01). However, fluoroscopy time analysis showed no significantly decreased trend associated with CF-guided catheter ablation (weighted mean difference: -2.59; 95%CI=-9.06 to 3.88; P=0.43). The present meta-analysis shows improvement in ablation time and freedom from AF after 12 months in AF patients treated with CF-guided catheter ablation. However, CF-guided catheter ablation does not decrease fluoroscopy time.

HLA-DR3 antigen in the resistance to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) has been hypothesized as a multifactorial disorder initiated by an environment trigger in individuals with predisposing human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. Published data on the association between HLA-DR3 antigen and IDC risk are inconclusive. To derive a more precise estimation of the relationship, a meta-analysis was performed. Studies were identified by searching the PUBMED and Embase database (starting from June 2015). A total of 19 case-control studies including 1378 cases and 10383 controls provided data on the association between HLA-DR3 antigen and genetic susceptibility to IDC. Overall, significantly decreased frequency of HLA-DR3 allele (OR=0.72; 95%CI=0.58-0.90; P=0.004) was found in patients with IDC compared with controls. When stratified by myocardial biopsy or non-biopsy cases, statistically decreased risk was found for IDC in myocardial biopsy cases (OR=0.69; 95%CI=0.57-0.84; P=0.0003). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, borderline statistically significantly decreased risk was found among Europeans from 12 case-control studies (OR=0.76; 95%CI=0.58-1.00; P=0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that individuals with HLA-DR3 antigen may have a protective effect against IDC.

Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution decreases mortality and morbidity in high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease: an 11-year experience from a single institution

Cardioplegic reperfusion during a long term ischemic period interrupts cardiac surgery and also increases cellular edema due to repeated solution administration. We reviewed the clinical experiences on myocardial protection of a single perfusion with histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) for high-risk patients with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with complex congenital heart disease. This retrospective study included 101 high-risk patients undergoing arterial switch operation between March 2001 and July 2012. We divided the cohort into two groups: HTK group, myocardial protection was carried out with one single perfusion with HTK solution; and St group, myocardial protection with conventional St. Thomas' crystalloid cardioplegic solution. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass did not differ between the two groups. The mortality, morbidity, ICU stay, post-operative hospitalization time, and number of transfusions in HTK group were lower than those in St group (P<0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that HTK is a statistically significant independent predictor of decreased early mortality and morbidity (P<0.05). In conclusion, HTK solution seems to be an effective and safe alternative to St. Thomas' solution for cardioplegic reperfusion in high-risk patients with complex congenital heart disease.

Mapping quantitative trait loci for sheath blight disease resistance in Yangdao 4 rice.

Rice sheath blight (ShB), which is caused by Rhizoctonia solani, has become the most serious rice disease in China. Yangdao 4, a cultivar with partial resistance to ShB, was crossed with Lemont, a susceptible cultivar, to develop mapping populations that were used to analyze quantitative trait loci (QTL) that confer resistance to ShB. QTL analysis were performed in 3 environments (E1-E3) using 2 F2 and 1 F2:3 populations, respectively. Three traits were recorded to evaluate ShB resistance, including disease rating (DR), lesion height (LH), and percentage of lesion height (PLH). Based on field evaluation of ShB resistance and the 2 genetic maps constructed, we identified a total of 8 QTLs for DR (4 in E1, 4 in E2, and 3 in E3), 6 QTLs for LH (1 in E1, 3 in E2, and 2 in E3), and 7 QTLs for PLH (1 in E1, 4 in E2, and 2 in E3). Sixteen of the ShB-QTLs co-localized as 6 clusters on chromosomes 3, 7, 11, and 12. Four of the 6 clusters contained ShB-QTLs that were detected in 2 environments, while the other 2 clusters with ShB-QTLs were detected in 1 environment. Three ShB-QTLs (qSBD-3-2, qSBL-3-1, and qSBPL-3-1) were delimited to a 581-kb region flanked by markers D333B and D334 on chromosome 3. The resistance alleles of Yangdao 4 at the qSBD-3-2 locus decreased DR by 0.68 and 0.79 in E2 and E3, respectively.

High levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C further increase platelet activation in hypercholesterolemic patients

High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) enhance platelet activation, whereas high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) exert a cardioprotective effect. However, the effects on platelet activation of high levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C (HLC) have not yet been reported. We aimed to evaluate the platelet activation marker of HLC patients and investigate the antiplatelet effect of atorvastatin on this population. Forty-eight patients with high levels of LDL-C were enrolled. Among these, 23 had HLC and the other 25 had high levels of LDL-C combined with normal levels of HDL-C (HNC). A total of 35 normocholesterolemic (NOMC) volunteers were included as controls. Whole blood flow cytometry and platelet aggregation measurements were performed on all participants to detect the following platelet activation markers: CD62p (P-selectin), PAC-1 (GPIIb/IIIa), and maximal platelet aggregation (MPAG). A daily dose of 20 mg atorvastatin was administered to patients with high levels of LDL-C, and the above assessments were obtained at baseline and after 1 and 2 months of treatment. The expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was increased in HNC patients compared to NOMC volunteers (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Furthermore, the surface expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was greater among HLC patients than among HNC patients (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Although the expression of CD62p and PAC-1 decreased significantly after atorvastatin treatment, it remained higher in the HLC group than in the HNC group (P<0.05 and P=0.116). The reduction of HDL-C further increased platelet activation in patients with high levels of LDL-C. Platelet activation remained higher among HLC patients regardless of atorvastatin treatment.

High levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C further increase platelet activation in hypercholesterolemic patients.

High levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) enhance platelet activation, whereas high levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) exert a cardioprotective effect. However, the effects on platelet activation of high levels of LDL-C combined with low levels of HDL-C (HLC) have not yet been reported. We aimed to evaluate the platelet activation marker of HLC patients and investigate the antiplatelet effect of atorvastatin on this population. Forty-eight patients with high levels of LDL-C were enrolled. Among these, 23 had HLC and the other 25 had high levels of LDL-C combined with normal levels of HDL-C (HNC). A total of 35 normocholesterolemic (NOMC) volunteers were included as controls. Whole blood flow cytometry and platelet aggregation measurements were performed on all participants to detect the following platelet activation markers: CD62p (P-selectin), PAC-1 (GPIIb/IIIa), and maximal platelet aggregation (MPAG). A daily dose of 20 mg atorvastatin was administered to patients with high levels of LDL-C, and the above assessments were obtained at baseline and after 1 and 2 months of treatment. The expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was increased in HNC patients compared to NOMC volunteers (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Furthermore, the surface expression of platelets CD62p and PAC-1 was greater among HLC patients than among HNC patients (P<0.01 and P<0.05). Although the expression of CD62p and PAC-1 decreased significantly after atorvastatin treatment, it remained higher in the HLC group than in the HNC group (P<0.05 and P=0.116). The reduction of HDL-C further increased platelet activation in patients with high levels of LDL-C. Platelet activation remained higher among HLC patients regardless of atorvastatin treatment.

Value of C-arm computed tomography in radiofrequency ablation of small lung lesions.

This study aimed to explore the value of C-arm computed tomography (CT) applications in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of small lung lesions. The puncture success rate, cumulative survival rate, tumor response rate, complications, and radiation dose during C-arm CT-guided RFA of 36 small lung lesions in 34 patients were analyzed. In 35 RFA procedures for 36 small lung lesions, the puncture success rate was 100%. There were 7 cases of complications, including 4 cases of pneumothorax (puncture suction or closed chest drainage was not required) and 3 cases of hemoptysis. The cumulative survival rate in the 34 patients after RFA was 100% at 6 months, 69.0% at 1 year, and 60.0% at 2 years. In assessments of 36 foci imaged during the follow-up period, the total response rates at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months were 77.8% (28/36), 69.7% (23/33), and 61.3% (19/31), respectively. The mean cumulative dose and average effective dose during surgery were 120.1 ± 61.4 mGy and 3.5 ± 1.7 mSv, respectively. The application of C-arm CT to RFA of small lung lesions could provide abundant information to the surgeon and increase the lesion puncture success rate and is considered to be a promising image-guided technology.

Development of 1047 insertion-deletion markers for rice genetic studies and breeding.

In this study, a total of 1047 insertion-deletion (InDel) primer pairs distributed across the rice genome were developed and experimentally validated. The primer pairs were designed based on the InDel length polymorphisms between 93-11 (Oryza sativa ssp indica cv.) and Nipponbare (Oryza sativa ssp japonica cv.), aiming for utilization between indica and japonica rice, or between other inter-subspecific rice cultivars. The 1047 primer pairs were dispersed across all 12 of the rice chromosomes, with one InDel marker found every 371.3 kb on average. The InDel length of the markers varied from 3 to 39 bp: 88.2% of the markers contained 6 to 25 bp, only 6.2% of markers were ≤ 5 bp, and 5.6% were ≥ 26 bp. Six hundred and twenty-three (59.5%) of the 1047 InDel markers were shown to amplify well and were polymorphic between Taichung65 and IR8, and 476 (45.5%) markers were polymorphic between Lemont and Yangdao4, while 398 (38.0%) were polymorphic in both combinations. These results demonstrated that the polymerase chain reaction-based InDel markers developed in this study could be of immediate use for rice genetic studies and breeding programs.

A spheroid-based 3-D culture model for pancreatic cancer drug testing, using the acid phosphatase assay.

Current therapy for pancreatic cancer is multimodal, involving surgery and chemotherapy. However, development of pancreatic cancer therapies requires a thorough evaluation of drug efficacy in vitro before animal testing and subsequent clinical trials. Compared to two-dimensional culture of cell monolayer, three-dimensional (3-D) models more closely mimic native tissues, since the tumor microenvironment established in 3-D models often plays a significant role in cancer progression and cellular responses to the drugs. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the benefits of 3-D in vitro models of various cancers. In the present study, we have developed a spheroid-based, 3-D culture of pancreatic cancer cell lines MIAPaCa-2 and PANC-1 for pancreatic drug testing, using the acid phosphatase assay. Drug efficacy testing showed that spheroids had much higher drug resistance than monolayers. This model, which is characteristically reproducible and easy and offers rapid handling, is the preferred choice for filling the gap between monolayer cell cultures and in vivo models in the process of drug development and testing for pancreatic cancer.

A spheroid-based 3-D culture model for pancreatic cancer drug testing, using the acid phosphatase assay

Current therapy for pancreatic cancer is multimodal, involving surgery and chemotherapy. However, development of pancreatic cancer therapies requires a thorough evaluation of drug efficacy in vitro before animal testing and subsequent clinical trials. Compared to two-dimensional culture of cell monolayer, three-dimensional (3-D) models more closely mimic native tissues, since the tumor microenvironment established in 3-D models often plays a significant role in cancer progression and cellular responses to the drugs. Accumulating evidence has highlighted the benefits of 3-D in vitro models of various cancers. In the present study, we have developed a spheroid-based, 3-D culture of pancreatic cancer cell lines MIAPaCa-2 and PANC-1 for pancreatic drug testing, using the acid phosphatase assay. Drug efficacy testing showed that spheroids had much higher drug resistance than monolayers. This model, which is characteristically reproducible and easy and offers rapid handling, is the preferred choice for filling the gap between monolayer cell cultures and in vivo models in the process of drug development and testing for pancreatic cancer.