Spatiotemporal matching between medical resources and population ageing in China from 2008 to 2017.

BACKGROUND: Globally, the increasingly severe population ageing issue has been creating challenges in terms of medical resource allocation and public health policies. The aim of this study is to address the space-time trends of the population-ageing rate (PAR), the number of medical resources per thousand residents (NMRTR) in mainland China in the past 10 years, and to investigate the spatial and temporal matching between the PAR and NMRTR in mainland China. METHODS: The Bayesian space-time hierarchy model was employed to investigate the spatiotemporal variation of PAR and NMRTR in mainland China over the past 10 years. Subsequently, a Bayesian Geo-Detector model was developed to evaluate the spatial and temporal matching levels between PAR and NMRTR at national level. The matching odds ratio (OR) index proposed in this paper was applied to measure the matching levels between the two terms in each provincial area. RESULTS: The Chinese spatial and temporal matching q-statistic values between the PAR and three vital types of NMRTR were all less than 0.45. Only the spatial matching Bayesian q-statistic values between the PAR and the number of beds in hospital reached 0.42 (95% credible interval: 0.37, 0.48) nationwide. Chongqing and Guizhou located in southwest China had the highest spatial and temporal matching ORs, respectively, between the PAR and the three types of NMRTR. The spatial pattern of the spatial and temporal matching ORs between the PAR and NMRTR in mainland China exhibited distinct geographical features, but the geographical structure of the spatial matching differed from that of the temporal matching between the PAR and NMRTR. CONCLUSION: The spatial and temporal matching degrees between the PAR and NMRTR in mainland China were generally very low. The provincial regions with high PAR largely experienced relatively low spatial matching levels between the PAR and NMRTR, and vice versa. The geographical pattern of the temporal matching between the PAR and NMRTR exhibited the feature of north-south differentiation.

Whole-Genome Sequencing Reveals Diverse Models of Structural Variations in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Comprehensive identification of somatic structural variations (SVs) and understanding their mutational mechanisms in cancer might contribute to understanding biological differences and help to identify new therapeutic targets. Unfortunately, characterization of complex SVs across the whole genome and the mutational mechanisms underlying esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is largely unclear. To define a comprehensive catalog of somatic SVs, affected target genes, and their underlying mechanisms in ESCC, we re-analyzed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 31 ESCCs using Meerkat algorithm to predict somatic SVs and Patchwork to determine copy-number changes. We found deletions and translocations with NHEJ and alt-EJ signature as the dominant SV types, and 16% of deletions were complex deletions. SVs frequently led to disruption of cancer-associated genes (e.g., CDKN2A and NOTCH1) with different mutational mechanisms. Moreover, chromothripsis, kataegis, and breakage-fusion-bridge (BFB) were identified as contributing to locally mis-arranged chromosomes that occurred in 55% of ESCCs. These genomic catastrophes led to amplification of oncogene through chromothripsis-derived double-minute chromosome formation (e.g., FGFR1 and LETM2) or BFB-affected chromosomes (e.g., CCND1, EGFR, ERBB2, MMPs, and MYC), with approximately 30% of ESCCs harboring BFB-derived CCND1 amplification. Furthermore, analyses of copy-number alterations reveal high frequency of whole-genome duplication (WGD) and recurrent focal amplification of CDCA7 that might act as a potential oncogene in ESCC. Our findings reveal molecular defects such as chromothripsis and BFB in malignant transformation of ESCCs and demonstrate diverse models of SVs-derived target genes in ESCCs. These genome-wide SV profiles and their underlying mechanisms provide preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications for ESCCs.

MicroRNA-548b inhibits proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by directly targeting specificity protein 1.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7812.].

Spatiotemporal trends and influence factors of global diabetes prevalence in recent years.

Diabetes is one of the most widespread global epidemics and has become the main component of the global disease burden. Based on data regarding the prevalence of diabetes in 203 countries and territories from 2013 to 2017, we employed the Bayesian space-time model to investigate the spatiotemporal trends in the global diabetes prevalence. The factors influencing the diabetes prevalence were assessed by the Bayesian LASSO regression model. We identified 77 (37.9%) hotspots with a higher diabetes prevalence than the global average, 10 (0.4%) warm spots with global average level and 116 (57.1%) cold spots with lower level than global average. Of the 203 countries and territories, 68 (33.5%), including 31 hotspots, 5 warm spots and 32 cold spots, exhibited an increasing trend. Of these, 60 experienced an annual increase of more than 0.25%, and 8 showed an increasing trend. Three populous countries, namely China, the USA and Mexico, exhibited a high prevalence and an increasing trend simultaneously. Three socioeconomic factors, body mass index (BMI), urbanization rate (UR) and gross domestic product per capita (GDP-PC), and PM2.5 pollution were found to significantly influence the prevalence of diabetes. BMI was the strongest factor; for every 1% increase in BMI, the prevalence of diabetes increased by 2.371% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.957%, 3.890%) in 2013 and by 3.045% (95% CI: 1.803%, 4.397%) in 2015 and 2017. PM2.5 pollution could be a risk factor, and its influencing magnitude gradually increased as well. With an annual PM2.5 concentrations increase of 1.0% in a country, the prevalence of diabetes increased by 0.196% (95% CI: 0.020%, 0.356%). The UR, on the other hand, was found to be inversely associated with the prevalence of diabetes; with each UR increase of 1%, the prevalence of diabetes decreased by 0.006% (95% CI: 0.001%, 0.011%).

Modifying thin film composite membrane with zeolitic imidazolate framework-8@polydopamine for enhanced antifouling property.

Biofouling and organic fouling are major obstacles for polymeric membranes during application. In this work, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8@polydopamine (ZIF-8@PDA) nanoparticles were prepared by an aqueous synthesis strategy and incorporated into the polyamide (PA) selective layer to synthesize thin film nanocomposite membrane (TFN) during interfacial polymerization. The permeability and selectivity of the composite membrane were simultaneously improved with the introduction of ZIF-8@PDA. The water permeability of the TFN membrane increased to 3.74 ± 0.19 L/(m2·h·bar), which is 43.8% higher than that of the control membrane. Besides, the rejection of TFN membrane to sodium chloride is 98.68 ± 0.13%, which shows 0.99% increment than the unmodified membrane. Moreover, organic fouling and biofouling of the TFN membrane were also alleviated thanks to the introduction of the hydrophilic ZIF-8@PDA. The short-term filtration results indicate the performance of the TFN membrane is stable during operation.

MicroRNA-548b inhibits proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by directly targeting specificity protein 1.

Emerging studies have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) are aberrantly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and the dysregulation of miRNAs exerts crucial roles in the carcinogenesis and development of HCC. Therefore, elucidating the relationship between miRNAs and HCC progression is of great importance to develop novel therapeutic techniques and to improve the prognosis of patients with this malignancy. Recently, miR-548b-3p (miR-548b) has been demonstrated to be a cancer-associated miRNA in tongue squamous cell carcinoma and glioma. However, the expression and function of miR-548b in HCC remain poorly understood. In the present study, it was found that miR-548b is expressed at low levels in HCC tissues and cell lines. Decreased miR-548b expression was found to be positively associated with the clinical features of HCC, including the TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. Functional experiments revealed that upregulation of miR-548b expression decreased proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. Specificity protein 1 (SP1) was verified to be a direct target of miR-548b in HCC cells; as Spearman's correlation analysis identified miR-548b expression to be negatively correlated with that of SP1 expression in HCC tissue specimens. In addition, SP1 inhibition exhibited similar effects as miR-548b overexpression in HCC cells. SP1 reintroduction significantly reversed the suppressive effects of miR-548b upregulation on the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells. In conclusion, the results presented in the present study demonstrated that miR-548b may serve as a tumor suppressive miRNA that inhibits the proliferation and invasion of HCC cells by directly targeting SP1. Consequently, miR-548b can be exploited as a novel therapeutic target for treating patients with HCC in the future, but this needs to be investigated further.

Radiofrequency deep hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: In the era of precision medicine, chemotherapy is still considered the cornerstone of treatment for lung cancer patients without gene mutations. How to reduce the toxicity and increase the efficiency of chemotherapy is worth exploring. This study aimed to investigate the curative effects and safety of hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy (HCT) for advanced patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially those with malignant pleural effusion. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated medical records of 93 patients with advanced NSCLC (stage IIIB-IV) from March 2011 to January 2014. The patients were divided into HCT and chemotherapy (CT) groups. The HCT group was treated with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GP) regimen combined with regional radiofrequency deep hyperthermia, while the CT group was treated with GP regimen only. Those with malignant pleural effusion extra underwent thoracentesis and intrapleural injection chemotherapy combined with hyperthermic or not. Clinical treatment results and adverse reactions were compared and analyzed after treatment. SPSS 19.0 software (SPSS Inc., USA) was used for statistical data processing. P values less than 0.05 were accepted to be statistically significant. RESULTS: Among the 93 patients, HCT group included 48 patients (16 patients with malignant pleural effusion), CT group included 45 patients (10 patients with malignant pleural effusion). There was no significant difference between the two groups in patient characteristics. The overall response rate (ORR) of pleural effusions was much better in HCT group than that in CT group (81.2% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.046). The patients in HCT group had lower incidence rate of weakness (12.5% vs. 46.7%, χ = 13.16, P < 0.001) and gastrointestinal (25.0% vs. 77.8%, χ = 25.88, P < 0.001) adverse reactions than that in CT group. The objective tumor response and survival showed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperthermia combined with chemotherapy might lead to the development of better therapeutic strategy for advanced NSCLC with malignant pleural effusion patients. Also, it could greatly reduce the chemotherapy toxic effects in the incidence of weakness and gastrointestinal adverse reactions in advanced NSCLC patients.

Exploring Spatial Trends and Influencing Factors for Gastric Cancer Based on Bayesian Statistics: A Case Study of Shanxi, China.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth most common type of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. To detect the spatial trends of GC risk based on hospital-diagnosed patients, this study presented a selection probability model and integrated it into the Bayesian spatial statistical model. Then, the spatial pattern of GC risk in Shanxi Province in north central China was estimated. In addition, factors influencing GC were investigated mainly using the Bayesian Lasso model. The spatial variability of GC risk in Shanxi has the conspicuous feature of being 'high in the south and low in the north'. The highest GC relative risk was 1.291 (95% highest posterior density: 0.789⁻4.002). The univariable analysis and Bayesian Lasso regression results showed that a diverse dietary structure and increased consumption of beef and cow milk were significantly (p ≤ 0.08) and in high probability (greater than 68%) negatively associated with GC risk. Pork production per capita has a positive correlation with GC risk. Moreover, four geographic factors, namely, temperature, terrain, vegetation cover, and precipitation, showed significant (p < 0.05) associations with GC risk based on univariable analysis, and associated with GC risks in high probability (greater than 60%) inferred from Bayesian Lasso regression model.

Facile microwave-assisted synthesis of In2O3 nanocubes and their application in photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline.

Novel In2O3 nanocube photocatalysts were successfully prepared by a facile microwave-assisted synthesis method. The obtained products are nano-sized with square corners and high crystallinity. The In2O3 nanocubes possessed high efficiency of electron-hole separation, resulting in high photocatalytic activities for the degradation of tetracycline under both visible light (λ > 420 nm) and full-range light irradiation (360-760 nm), the ratios of which are 39.3% and 61.0%, respectively. Moreover, the calculated positions of the CB and VB under our experimental conditions at the point of zero for In2O3 nanocubes are -0.60 V and +2.17 V, respectively. Note that the redox potentials of [O2/·O2 -] and [·OH/OH-] are -0.33 V and +2.38 V, respectively, which means that the irradiated In2O3 nanocubes can reduce O2 into ·O2 - without oxidizing OH- into ·OH. It can be concluded that ·O2 - and h+ are the main active species of In2O3 in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation and full-range light irradiation.

MicroRNA-140-3p inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells by targeting ATP6AP2.

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Compelling evidence reveals that there is a causative link between microRNAs deregulation and lung cancer development and metastasis. The aim of present study was to explore the function of miR-140-3p in the development and metastasis of lung cancer cell. Using real-time PCR, we detected the miR-140-3p expression of lung cancer tissues and its pared non-lung cancer tissue. Then, we evaluated the role of miR-140-3p in cell proliferation, invasion and migration using MTT, colony formation assay, Transwell invasion and Transwell migration assay in lung cancer cell lines. As a result, miR-140-3p expression level was lower in lung cancer tissues compared to adjacent normal lung cancer tissue. After miR-140-3p was upregulated in A549 or H1299 cells, cell proliferation, invasion and migration was notably attenuated. Furthermore, we identified ATP6AP2, which is associated with adenosine triphosphatases (ATPases), was a directly target of miR-140-3p in lung cancer cells. In conclusion, our data suggest miR-140-3p/ATP6AP2 axis might act as a potential therapeutic biomarker for lung cancer.

A facile one-step solvothermal synthesis of bismuth phosphate-graphene nanocomposites with enhanced photocatalytic activity.

A facile one-step solvothermal approach was developed to synthesize BiPO4-graphene (BP-RGO) nanocomposites using ethylene glycol/water as the solvent and reducing agent. During the solvothermal reaction, both the effective reduction of graphene oxide (GO) and the growth of rod-shaped BiPO4 as well as its deposition on graphene occurred simultaneously. The as-obtained BP-2%RGO nanocomposite showed the highest photocatalytic activity toward the photodegradation of methyl orange (MO), which was about 2.0 and 1.5 times as high as that of pure BiPO4 and physical mixture of BiPO4 and graphene, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of BP-2%RGO nanocomposite is attributed to a larger surface area, much increased adsorption capacity, and more effective charge transportations and separations arisen from the introduction of graphene along with the intimate interfacial contact between BiPO4 and graphene. This work highlights the significant effect of solvothermal method and introduction of graphene on the photoactivity of graphene-based nanocomposites. It is expected that this method could aid to fabricate more efficient graphene-based photocatalysts with improved interfacial contact and photocatalytic performance for environmental remediation.