Competing endogenous RNA networks and gastric cancer

Recent studies have showed that RNAs regulate each other with micro RNA(mi RNA) response elements(MREs) and this mechanism is known as "competing endogenous RNA(ce RNA)" hypothesis. Long noncoding RNAs(lnc RNAs) are supposed to play important roles in cancer. Compelling evidence suggests that lnc RNAs can interact with mi RNAs and regulate the expression of mi RNAs as ce RNAs. Several lnc RNAs such as H19, HOTAIR and MEG3 have been found to be associated with mi RNAs in gastric cancer(GC), generating regulatory crosstalk across the transcriptome. These MRE sharing elements implicated in the ce RNA networks(ce RNETs) are able to regulate m RNA expression. The ce RNA regulatory networks including m RNAs, mi RNAs, lnc RNAs and circular RNAs may play critical roles in tumorigenesis, and the perturbations of ce RNETs may contribute to the pathogenesis of GC.

Genetic variant of cyclooxygenase-2 in gastric cancer:More inflammation and susceptibility

Gastric cancer accounts for the majority cancer-related deaths worldwide.Although various methods have considerably improved the screening,diagnosis,and treatment of gastric cancer,its incidence is still high in Asia,and the 5-year survival rate of advanced gastric cancer patients is only 10%-20%.Therefore,more effective drugs and better screening strategies are needed for reducing the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer.Cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)is considered to be the key inducible enzyme in prostaglandins(PGs)synthesis,which is involved in multiple pathways in the inflammatory response.For example,inflammatory cytokines stimulate innate immune responses via Toll-like receptors and nuclear factor-kappa B to induce COX-2/PGE2 pathway.In these processes,the production of an inflammatory microenvironment promotes the occurrence of gastric cancer.Epidemiological studies have also indicated that non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs can reduce the risk of malignant tumors of the digestive system by blocking the effect of COX-2.However,clinical use of COX-2 inhibitors to prevent or treat gastric cancer may be limited because of potential side effects,especially in the cardiovascular system.Given these side effects and low treatment efficacy,new therapeutic approaches and early screening strategies are urgently needed.Some studies have shown that genetic variation in COX-2 also play an important role in carcinogenesis.However,the genetic variation analysis in these studies is incomplete and isolated,pointing out only a few single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs)and the risk of gastric cancer,and no comprehensive study covering the whole gene region has been carried out.In addition,copy number variation(CNV)is not mentioned.In this review,we summarize the SNPs in the whole COX-2 gene sequence,including exons,introns,and both the 5’and 3’untranslated regions.Results suggest that COX-2 does not increase its expression through the CNV and the SNPs in COX-2 may serve as the potential marker to establish risk stratification in the general population.This review synthesizes emerging insights of COX-2 as a biomarker in multiple studies,summarizes the association between whole COX-2 sequence variation and susceptibility to gastric cancer,and discusses the future prospect of therapeutic intervention,which will be helpful for early screening and further research to find new approaches to gastric cancer treatment.

Successful individualized endodontic treatment of severely curved root canals in a mandibular second molar:A case report

BACKGROUND The incidence rate of severely curved root canals in mandibular molars is low,and the root canal treatment of mandibular molars with this aberrant canal anatomy may be technically challenging.CASE SUMMARY A 26-year-old Chinese female patient presented with intermittent and occlusal pain in the left mandibular second molar.The patient had undergone filling restoration for caries before endodontic consultation.With the aid of cone beam computed tomography(CBCT),a large periapical radiolucency was observed,and curved root canals in a mandibular second molar were confirmed,depicting a severe and curved distolingual root.Nonsurgical treatments,including novel individualized preparation skills and techniques and the use of bioceramic materials as an apical barrier,were performed,and complete healing of the periapical lesion and a satisfactory effect were achieved.CONCLUSION A case of severely curved root canals in a mandibular second molar was successfully treated and are reported herein.The complex anatomy of the tooth and the postoperative effect were also evaluated via the three-dimensional reconstruction of CBCT images,which accurately identified the aberrant canal morphology.New devices and biomaterial applications combined with novel synthesis techniques can increase the success rate of intractable endodontic treatment.

A Decision Tree Approach for Predicting Smokers’Quit Intentions

This paper presents a decision tree approach for predicting smokers＇ quit intentions using the data from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Survey. Three rule-based classification models are generated from three data sets using attributes in relation to demographics, warning labels, and smokers＇ beliefs. Both demographic attributes and warning label attributes are important in predicting smokers＇ quit intentions. The model＇s ability to predict smokers＇ quit intentions is enhanced, if the attributes regarding smokers＇ internal motivation and beliefs about quitting are included.

Environmental factors regulating cyanobacteria dominance and microcystin production in a subtropical lake within the Taihu watershed,China

Understanding the pattern ofphytoplankton and their dependence on water quality variables, can help the management of eutrophic lakes. The aim of this study was to determine water quality and environmental factors associated with cyanobacteria dominance and microcystin production in Qingshan Lake, a subtropical lake located in the headwater of the Taihu watershed, China. Water samples collected monthly from 10 study sites in Qingshan Lake were analyzed for the species distributions of freshwater algae and physico-chemical parameters including total nitrogen （TN）, ammonia （NH4＋-N）, nitrate （NO3--N）, total phosphorus （TP）, and chlorophyll a （Chl-a） from June, 2008 to May, 2009. Qingshan Lake was found to be eutrophic, based on the calculated trophic state index （TSI）. The average TN of 4.33 mg/L during the study period exceeded the Surface Water Quality Standards of China. TP was significantly correlated with relative abundance of cyanobacteria and Microeystis biovolume, indi- cating its important role in regulating cyanobacteria. Microcystis, Anabaena, and Oscillatoria were dominant cyanobacteria in Qingshan Lake from June to November, 2008. Cyanobacteria dominance was regulated by water temperature and TE Principal component analysis further indicated that microcystin production was most affected by water temperature, TP, and cyanobacteria biomass. Results suggest that the control of TP in summer can mitigate cyanobacteria dominance and microcystin production in Qingshan Lake, and close monitoring should be undertaken in summer.

Treating ischaemic stroke with intravenous tPA beyond 4.5 hours under the guidance of a MRI DWI/T2WI mismatch was safe and effective

Purpose Clinical trials have provided evidence that treating patients with acute ischaemic stroke(AIS)beyond 4.5 hours was feasible.Among them using MRI diffusion-weighted imaging/fluid attenuation inversion response(DWI/FLAIR)mismatch to guide intravenous tissue plasminogen activator(tPA)was successful.Our study explored the outcome and safety of using DWI/T2-weighted imaging(T2WI)mismatch to guide intravenous tPA therapy for patients with AIS between 4.5 hours and 12 hours of onset.Method This was a retrospective study.Records of 1462 AIS patients with the time of onset of<12 hours were reviewed.Those had MRI rapid sequence study and had hyperintense signal on DWI but normal T2WI and received intravenous tPA up to 12 hours of onset were included in the analysis.Their demographics,risk factors,post-tPA complications,National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores and outcome were recorded and analyse.χ2 was used to compare the intergroup variables.SAS was used to perform statistical calculation.A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.results Of 1462 identified,601(41%)patients were entered into the final analysis.Among them,327(54%)had intravenous tPA within 4.5 hours of onset and 274(46%)were treated between 4.5-12 hours.After intravenous tPA,426 cases(71%)had>4 pints of improvement on NIHSS score within 24 hours.Postintravenous tPA,32(5.32%)cases had haemorrhagic transformation.26(4.33%)were asymptomatic ICH and 4(0.67%)died.At 90 days,523(87%)achieved a modified Rankin scale of 0-2.Conclusion Using MRI DWI/T2WI mismatch to identify patients with AIS for intravenous tPA between 4.5 hours and 12 hours was safe and effective.The outcome was similar to those used DWI/PWI or DWI/FLAIR mismatch as the screening tool.However,obtaining DWI/T2WI was faster and avoided the need of contrast material.

Comprehending the therapeutic effects of stereotactic body radiation therapy for small hepatocellular carcinomas based on imagings

Surgical resection or radiofrequency ablation(RFA)is considered first-choice treatment for small hepatocellular carcinomas(HCCs).When a patient has a small HCC that is inoperable or unsuitable for RFA,what are alternative treatments?Some oncologists recommend transarterial chemoembolization(TACE),chemotherapy,molecular-targeted therapy,or immunotherapy.However,these treatments have minimally beneficial effects in small HCCs.Stereotactic body radiation therapy(SBRT)is a liver-directed radical therapy for small HCCs,with treatment outcomes similar to those for surgical resection or RFA,but many oncologists do not comprehend its efficacy or accept this therapy.We herein discuss 11 typical patients who received SBRT for various indications:refusal to undergo resection or RFA;surgical resection or RFA considered difficult or unfeasible;residual cancer after surgical resection or RFA or incomplete iodized oil retention after TACE;or tumor recurrence after resection or RFA.We describe each case,including the radiation field,tumor radiation dose,and response to SBRT in both the tumor and liver parenchyma.These clinical data should help readers understand this new therapeutic technique.We also conducted a literature review and found evidence to support survival benefit with SBRT,including good three-and five-year overall survival rates.The purpose of this article is to encourage readers to accept the concept that SBRT is a low-toxicity and effective therapeutic option for patients with small HCCs,which offers substantial local control and improved overall survival,especially for patients with a tumor that is unresectable or unsuitable for RFA,residual tumor after local therapy,or intrahepatic recurrent tumor.