Plasma Exosomal miRNA-139-3p is a Novel Biomarker of Colorectal Cancer.

Objectives: This study investigated plasma exosomal miRNA-139-3p as a blood-based biomarker for the early diagnosis and metastasis monitoring of colorectal cancer (CRC). Patients and Methods: Exosome-rich fractions were isolated from the plasma of 80 CRC patients, and 23 controls using a kit method. We then used real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) to detect miR-139-3p levels in all subjects to evaluate expression levels and the predictive value of plasma exosomal miR-139-3p in CRC. We also collected clinicopathological data to explore correlations between abnormal miR-139-3p expression and clinicopathological parameters. Results: When compared with healthy controls, exosomal miR-139-3p expression levels in CRC patients were significantly down-regulated. Furthermore, these expression levels were lower in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and submucosal patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that exosomal miR-139-3p levels were differentiated between CRC patients and healthy controls, as well as between non-metastatic and metastatic patients. Conclusion: Our findings show that decreased exosomal miR-139-3p expression levels in CRC patient plasma may act as a novel biomarker for the early diagnosis and metastasis monitoring in CRC.

Exercise and quality of life after first-ever ischaemic stroke: a two-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) post-stroke is an important health outcome. Physical deconditioning and physical inactivity are highly prevalent in stroke survivors. This study aimed to assess the long-term trends in QoL and to explore the effect of exercise on the QoL of ischaemic stroke patients. METHODS: Data for this prospective study were collected at baseline using face-to-face interviews, and telephone follow-ups were completed every three months from 2010 through 2014. QoL was evaluated with the 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12). The relationship between changes in exercise and QoL changes was analysed with a multi-level model. RESULTS: Exercise and QoL generally increased during the study period. After adjusting for covariates, the SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores increased by 0.60 on average for each unit increase in exercise frequency and by 0.52 for each hour increase in weekly exercise time. For weekly exercise times ≤ 22.73 h, the PCS scores continued to increase with increasing exercise time. The Mental Component Summary scores increased by 0.51 on average for each unit increase in exercise frequency and by 0.35 for each hour increase in weekly exercise time. Furthermore, the standard deviations of exercise frequency and exercise time were inversely associated with changes in the PCS score. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise is an important modifiable behaviour. Long-term regular mild exercise should be recommended to improve QoL among stroke survivors.

[Changes in health-related quality of life in incipient stroke survivors].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the long-term changes in quality of life of stroke patients. METHODS: A total of 467 stroke survivors were recruited for this study. The participants completed the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) at a three-month interval over two years. Multi-level modelling was performed to identify the trend of changes and associated demographic characteristics. RESULTS: The participants had (31.50 +/- 10.49) PCS and (51.92 +/- 10.03) MCS at the baseline survey. Overall, PCS and MCS scores increased over time, but MCS scores declined slightly 15 months later. Men had higher PCS scores than women. The multi-level model revealed similar trends of PCS changes in those with different gender and education. Older patients had slower changes in quality of life over time (beta9 = -0.013, P = 0.03) compared with their younger counterparts. The trends of MCS changes were similar among those with different age, gender and education. CONCLUSION: Support should be strengthened for female stroke survivors and those with older age and lower levels of education.

[Assessing quality of life of patients with stroke using EQ-5D and SF-12].

OBJECTIVE: To compare.the results of EQ-SD and SF-12 for assessing health-related quality of life in stroke patients. METHODS: EQ-5D and SF-12 were administered to 598 ischemic stroke patients through face-to-face interviews. Differences in PCS-12 and MCS-12 scores across different levels of EQ-5D dimensions were tested using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The EQ-5D index and visual analogue scale/score (VAS) scores of respondents were compared between those with higher than and lower than median SF-12 scores using student t-test. Pearson correlations between PCS-12 and EQ-5D scores were tested. RESULTS: PCS-12 and MCA-12 scores varied across different levels of EQ-5D dimensional scores, except for pain/discomfort. EQ-5D and VAS scores varied between those with high and low SF-12 scores. No significant differences in EQ-5D index and VAS scores were found in the EQ-5D indicated healthy respondents between those with high and low SF-12 scores (P>0.05). PCS-12 was positively correlated with EQ-5D index and VAS scores, with r=0.15 (P<0.001) and r=0.33 (P< 0.001), respectively. MCS-12 was also positively correlated with EQ-5D index and VAS score, with r=0.17 (P<0.001) and r = 0.13 (P<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Both instruments are valid measurements for assessing quality of life. The SF-12 appeared to be more sensitive to differences in health status. EQ-5D is preferable if both quality of life assessment and health economics study are to be conducted.