Targeting miRNA by CRISPR/Cas in cancer:advantages and challenges

Clustered regulatory interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)has changed biomedical research and provided entirely new models to analyze every aspect of biomedical sciences during the last decade.In the study of cancer,the CRISPR/CRISPR-associated protein(Cas)system opens new avenues into issues that were once unknown in our knowledge of the non-coding genome,tumor heterogeneity,and precision medicines.CRISPR/Cas-based geneediting technology now allows for the precise and permanent targeting of mutations and provides an opportunity to target small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs(miRNAs).However,the development of effective and safe cancer gene editing therapy is highly dependent on proper design to be innocuous to normal cells and prevent introducing other abnormalities.This study aims to highlight the cutting-edge approaches in cancer-gene editing therapy based on the CRISPR/Cas technology to target miRNAs in cancer therapy.Furthermore,we highlight the potential challenges in CRISPR/Cas-mediated miRNA gene editing and offer advanced strategies to overcome them.

Analysis of a Cashew Shell and Fly Ash Rich Brake Liner Composite Material

Hybrid materials collected from organic and inorganic sources,which are traditionally used as brake lining materials,generally include fly ash,cashew shell powder,phenolic resins,aluminium wool,barites,lime powder,carbon powder and copper powder.The present research focuses on the specific effects produced by fly ash and aims to provide useful indications for the replacement of asbestos due to the health hazards caused by the related fibers.Furthermore,the financial implications related to the use of large-volume use of fly ash,lime stone and cashew shell powder,readily available in most countries in the world,are also discussed.It is shown that many manufacturing and automotive industries,which are currently experiencing difficulties in meeting the increasing demand for brake lining material,may take advantage from the proposed solution.

Drought trend analysis in a semi-arid area of Iraq based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Normalized Difference Water Index and Standardized Precipitation Index

Drought was a severe recurring phenomenon in Iraq over the past two decades due to climate change despite the fact that Iraq has been one of the most water-rich countries in the Middle East in the past.The Iraqi Kurdistan Region(IKR)is located in the north of Iraq,which has also suffered from extreme drought.In this study,the drought severity status in Sulaimaniyah Province,one of four provinces of the IKR,was investigated for the years from 1998 to 2017.Thus,Landsat time series dataset,including 40 images,were downloaded and used in this study.The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI)and the Normalized Difference Water Index(NDWI)were utilized as spectral-based drought indices and the Standardized Precipitation Index(SPI)was employed as a meteorological-based drought index,to assess the drought severity and analyse the changes of vegetative cover and water bodies.The study area experienced precipitation deficiency and severe drought in 1999,2000,2008,2009,and 2012.Study findings also revealed a drop in the vegetative cover by 33.3%in the year 2000.Furthermore,the most significant shrinkage in water bodies was observed in the Lake Darbandikhan(LDK),which lost 40.5%of its total surface area in 2009.The statistical analyses revealed that precipitation was significantly positively correlated with the SPI and the surface area of the LDK(correlation coefficients of 0.92 and 0.72,respectively).The relationship between SPI and NDVI-based vegetation cover was positive but not significant.Low precipitation did not always correspond to vegetative drought;the delay of the effect of precipitation on NDVI was one year.

Sahel Afforestation and Simulated Risks of Heatwaves and Flooding Versus Ecological Revegetation That Combines Planting and Succession

Studies simulating the large-scale afforestation of the African Sahel constantly find warning signals of increased risk of extreme temperatures and heatwaves resulting from changes in albedo and latent heat flow. We review the afforestation measures underlying three simulation studies, together with a restoration model in which compartments are formed by greenbelts to enable succession of savanna vegetation, protected from hot wind and drought. Savanna-like vegetation (around 20% woody plants) will show bright reflective surface and drying of leaves during dry season rather than constant green color, with very different impact on albedo and temperatures. We derive that the simulated risks of extreme heat and flooding from rain will strongly depend on species, shape and density of the new vegetation. Ecological restoration concepts are expected to mitigate or prevent such restoration related climatic risks. Compact afforestation of the Sahel does not appear to be necessary or feasible. A restoration model based on compartmentalization and the protected succession of diverse, climatically adaptable vegetation could also be used in populated drylands, as a sustainable and temperature balancing solution to desertification.

Disadvantages of using pacifier in infants:a systematic review

背景和目的:正常发育的新生儿具有吸吮的生物学遗传倾向。过度使用奶嘴和奶瓶来满足这种生理需求可能会导致儿童遭受多种并发症。鉴于此,我们基于文本研究、研究者的经历以及专家的评论开展了本次系统评价,旨在全面分析安慰奶嘴应用的优缺点。方法:采用安慰奶嘴营养、非排他性营养、母乳、母乳喂养等关键词检索CINHAL、PubMed、Web of Science、Scopus等数据库中2008至2018年在国外数据库中发表的所有研究。结果:本文纳入14项分析婴儿使用安慰奶嘴的缺点的合格研究。最后,从纳入研究数量、口腔与牙齿疾病发生频率、言语障碍、耳炎、睡眠紊乱、营养失调和认知紊乱等方面讨论了使用安慰奶嘴喂养的缺点。结论:以合理咨询母乳喂养的方式方法来替代亲属不正确的喂养教育,并告知父母孩子的情感需求,同时强调应在孩子1岁时停止安慰乳头喂养,以期有效消除与导致前述紊乱相关的因素。

Global sensitivity analysis of certain and uncertain factors for a circular tunnel under seismic action

There are many certain and uncertain design factors which have unrevealed rational effects on the generation of tensile damage and the stability of the circular tunnels during seismic actions.In this research paper,we have dedicated three certain and four uncertain design factors to quantify their rational effects using numerical simulations and the Sobol's sensitivity indices.Main effects and interaction effects between the design factors have been determined supporting on variance-based global sensitivity analysis.The results detected that the concrete modulus of elasticity for the tunnel lining has the greatest effect on the tensile damage generation in the tunnel lining during the seismic action.In the other direction,the interactions between the concrete density and both of concrete modulus of elasticity and tunnel diameter have appreciable effects on the tensile damage.Furthermore,the tunnel diameter has the deciding effect on the stability of the tunnel structure.While the interaction between the tunnel diameter and concrete density has appreciable effect on the stability process.It is worthy to mention that SoboFs sensitivity indices manifested strong efficiency in detecting the roles of each design factor in cooperation with the numerical simulations explaining the responses of the circular tunnel during seismic actions.

Analysis of stiffness and flexural strength of a reinforced concrete beam using an invented reinforcement system

In this study,we conducted experimental tests on two specimens of reinforced concrete beams using a three-point bending test to optimize the flexure and stiffness designs.The first specimen is a reinforced concrete beam with an ordinary reinforcement,and the second specimen has an invented reinforcement system that consists of an ordinary reinforcement in addition to three additional bracings using steel bars and steel plates.The results of the flexure test were collected and analyzed,and the flexural strength,the rate of damage during bending,and the stiffness were determined.Finite element modeling was applied for both specimens using the LS-DYNA program,and the simulation results of the flexure test for the same outputs were determined.The results of the experimental tests showed that the flexural strength of the invented reinforcement system was significantly enhanced by 15.5%compared to the ordinary system.Moreover,the flexural cracks decreased to a significant extent,manifesting extremely small and narrow cracks in the flexure spread along the bottom face of the concrete.In addition,the maximum deflection for the invented reinforced concrete beam decreased to 1/3 compared to that of an ordinary reinforced concrete beam.The results were verified through numerical simulations,which demonstrated excellent similarities between the flexural failure and the stiffness of the beam.The invented reinforcement system exhibited a high capability in boosting the flexure design and stiffness.