LINC00460 promotes neuroblastoma tumorigenesis and cisplatin resistance by targeting miR-149-5p/DLL1 axis and activating Notch pathway in vitro and in vivo.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been demonstrated to participate in neuroblastoma cisplatin resistance and tumorigenesis. LncRNA LINC00460 was previously reported to play a critical regulatory role in many cancer development. Nevertheless, its role in modulating neuroblastoma cisplatin resistance has not been explored till now. Cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cell lines were established by exposing neuroblastoma cell lines to progressively increasing concentrations of cisplatin for 6 months. LINC00460, microRNA (miR)-149-5p, and delta-like ligand 1 (DLL1) mRNA expression was measured through RT-qPCR. The protein levels of DLL1, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers, and the Notch signaling-related molecules were measured via western blotting. The IC50 value for cisplatin, cell growth, metastasis and apoptosis were analyzed in cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cells. The binding between LINC00460 (or DLL1) and miR-149-5p was validated through dual-luciferase reporter assay. The murine xenograft model was established to perform in vivo assays. LINC00460 and DLL1 levels were elevated, while miR-149-5p level was reduced in cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cells. LINC00460 depletion attenuated IC50 values for cisplatin, weakened cell growth, metastasis, and EMT, and enhanced apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant neuroblastoma cells. Mechanically, LINC00460 sponged miR-338-3p to increase DLL1 level, thereby activating Notch signaling pathway. DLL1 overexpression antagonized LINC00460 silencing-induced suppression on neuroblastoma cell cisplatin resistance and malignant behaviors, while such effects were further reversed by treatment with DAPT, the inhibitor of Notch pathway. Additionally, LINC00460 knockdown further augmented cisplatin-induced impairment on tumor growth in vivo. LINC00460 contributes to neuroblastoma cisplatin resistance and tumorigenesis through miR-149-5p/DLL1/Notch pathway, providing new directions to improve the therapeutic efficacy of chemotherapy drugs applied in patients with neuroblastoma.

Monte Carlo-transformed field expansion method for simulating electromagnetic wave scattering by multilayered random media.

We present an efficient numerical method for simulating the scattering of electromagnetic fields by a multilayered medium with random interfaces. The elements of this algorithm, the Monte Carlo-transformed field expansion method, are (i) an interfacial problem formulation in terms of impedance-impedance operators, (ii) simulation by a high-order perturbation of surfaces approach (the transformed field expansions method), and (iii) efficient computation of the wave field for each random sample by forward and backward substitutions. Our perturbative formulation permits us to solve a sequence of linear problems featuring an operator that is deterministic, and its LU decomposition matrices can be reused, leading to significant savings in computational effort. With an extensive set of numerical examples, we demonstrate not only the robust and high-order accuracy of our scheme for small to moderate interface deformations, but also how Padé summation can be used to address large deviations.

Inguinal hernia repair by Bianchi incision in boys: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Open inguinal hernia repair by Bianchi incision is a potential alternative technique for the treatment of IH. This study aims to retrospectively analyze boys with IH, who underwent open IH repair by Bianchi incision. METHODS: A total of 3300 boys (1-144 months) with IH from April 2007 to September 2015 were enrolled into this study. An open high scrotal incision (Bianchi incision) to ligate the processus proximal to the internal inguinal ring was performed in patients for IH repair. Then, all patients were followed up after 7 days, 1 month, and 1 year. Operation time, hernia recurrence, hydrocele, testicular atrophy, cosmetic results, and the satisfaction of parents were evaluated. RESULTS: Among these 3300 boys, 1662 (50.36%) and 1349 (40.88%) boys with IH were operated on the right and left side, respectively, while 289 (8.76%) patients underwent bilateral surgery. The average operation time was 13.0 ± 2.3 min for unilateral cases and 25.2 ± 4.2 min for bilateral cases. Furthermore, among these 3300 boys, 309 boys (9.36%) were lost to follow-up, and the remaining 2991 boys underwent a total of 3245 IH repairs. The complications included 20 recurrences who were repaired with the same technique, one wound rupture, and one acquired undescended testis. No infection, obvious scrotal hematoma, testicular atrophy, and vas deferens injury were found during the follow-up. In most instances, the scars were invisible, obtaining an excellent cosmetic effect. CONCLUSION: Inguinal hernia repair by Bianchi incision is a safe, easy and effective technique with cosmetic benefits, which could be a reliable alternative for the treatment of pediatric inguinal hernia.

[Effect of epidermal growth factor and testosterone on androgen receptor activation in urethral plate fibroblasts in hypospadias].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate androgen receptor (AR) expression and the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and testosterone on AR expression level.
 METHODS: EGF or different concentrations of testosterone were incubated with the primary urethral plate fibroblasts from patients with hypospadias. The levels of AR expression in the fibroblasts were detected by immunocytochemical assays and graphical analysis.
 RESULTS: There was no significant difference in AR activation under physiological concentrations (3×10(-8) mol/L) of testosterone between the control and the distal hypospadias group (P>0.05). However, there was a significant decrease in AR activation in the proximal hypospadias group compared to that in the control group (P<0.001). Under the concentration of 3×10(-6) mol/L, the effects of testosterone on AR activation were dramatically different in the three groups (control group>distal hypospadias group>proximal hypospadias group, P<0.001). AR activation level in the group of proximal hypospadias was improved most obviously when EGF and physiological concentration of testosterone were employed in the urethral plate fibroblasts from hypospadias patients (P<0.001), and it was improved more in the distal hypospadias group than that in the control group (P=0.02).
 CONCLUSION: AR expression and activation in the urethral plate fibroblasts from hypospadias patients are abnormal. EGF can be used to improve AR activation in fibroblasts from different types of hypospadias, especially in the proximal type.

[EFFECTIVENESS OF ADVANCED SKIN FLAP AND V-SHAPED VENTRAL INCISION ALONG THE ROOT OF PENILE SHAFT FOR CONCEALED PENIS].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effectiveness of advanced skin flap and V-shaped ventral incision along the root of penile shaft for concealed penis in children. METHODS: Between July 2007 and January 2015, 121 boys with concealed penis were treated with advanced skin flap and V-shaped ventral incision along the root of penile shaft. The age varied from 18 months to 13 years (mean, 7.2 years). Repair was based on a vertical incision in median raphe, complete degloving of penis and tacking its base to the dermis of the skin. Advanced skin flap and a V-shaped ventral incision along the root of penile shaft were used to cover the penile shaft. RESULTS: The operation time ranged from 60 to 100 minutes (mean, 75 minutes). Disruption of wound occurred in 1 case, and was cured after dressing change; and primary healing of incision was obtained in the others. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 7 years (median, 24 months). All patients achieved good to excellent cosmetic results with a low incidence of complications. The results were satisfactory in exposure of penis and prepuce appearance. No obvious scar was observed. The penis had similar appearance to that after prepuce circumcision. CONCLUSION: A combination of advanced skin flap and V-shaped ventral incision along the root of penile shaft is a simple, safe, and effective procedure for concealed penis with a similar appearance result to the prepuce circumcision.

Field enhancement and saturation of millimeter waves inside a metallic nanogap.

This paper investigates the millimeter electromagnetic waves passing through a metal nanogap. Based upon the study of a perfect electrical conductor model, we show that the electric field enhancement inside the gap saturates as the gap size approaches zero, and the ultimate enhancement strength is inversely proportional to the thickness of the metal film. In addition, no significant enhancement can be gained by decreasing the gap size further if the aspect ratio between the dimensions of the underlying geometric structure exceeds approximately 100.

Imaging of reflective surfaces by near-field optics.

We consider an imaging problem that aims to identify the profile of a reflective surface by the scattered wave measured in the near field. Potential applications include nondestructive detection of micro devices, subwavelength imaging techniques in nano-optics. When the height of the imaging target is small, the connection between the localized evanescent wave modes of the measurement and the high spatial frequency components of the structure is characterized explicitly, which leads to a natural reconstruction method with super resolution images. A novel multiple frequency approach is also presented that captures both the main features as well as the fine details of the structure.