Abstract Analysis of molecular genetic markers in biological fluids has been proposed as a useful tool for cancer diagnosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small regulatory RNAs that are frequently ...dysregulated in lung cancer and have shown promise as tissue-based markers for its prognostication. The aim of this study was to determine whether aberrant miRNA expression can be used as a marker in sputum specimen for the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Experimental design: expressions of mature miRNAs, mir-21 and mir-155 , were examined by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and normalized to that of control miRNA, U6B , in sputum of 23 patients with NSCLC and 17 cancer-free subjects. The data was compared with conventional sputum cytology for the diagnosis of lung cancer. All endogenous miRNAs were present in sputum in a remarkably stable form and sensitively and specifically detected by real-time RT-PCR. Mir-21 expression in the sputum specimens was significantly higher in cancer patients (76.32 ± 9.79) than cancer-free individuals (62.24 ± 3.82) ( P < 0.0001). Furthermore, overexpression of mir-21 showed highly discriminative receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve profile, clearly distinguishing cancer patients from cancer-free subjects with areas under the ROC curve at 0.902 ± 0.054. Detection of mir-21 expression produced 69.66% sensitivity and 100.00% specificity in diagnosis of lung cancer, as compared with 47.82% sensitivity and 100.00% specificity by sputum cytology. The measurement of altered miRNA expression in sputum could be a useful noninvasive approach for the diagnosis of lung cancer.
This study presents the investigation of the effects of magnetized water on some growth characteristics of chili pepper (Capsicum annuum) plants. A total of 80 chili seeds were divided into four ...groups in a complete randomized design. Normal tap water was taken and divided into four parts. The first group was given normal tap water, while the other three groups were given water magnetized with 3, 6 and 9 neodymium magnets (NdFeB) respectively. The results showed that magnetized water caused changes in the study parameters. Although the plants watered with magnetized water were taller than those watered with normal tap water, there were no significant differences between the four groups (p=0.224). The results revealed that stem thickness of chili peppers is fairly affected by the magnetized water. There was no significant difference among the four treatments (p=0.218). The current study found that the number of leaves is significantly affected by watered with magnetized water (p=0.015). The leaves of chili peppers watered with water treated with 6 magnets (74.50±13.57) were the highest and those watered with non-magnetized were the lowest in number (60.00±6.09) among four groups. The effect of magnetized water depends on the number of magnets utilized for magnetizing water.
Introduction: Hypotension is the most frequent consequence of spinal anesthesia in cesarean section. It results in harmful effects on mother and newborn.
Aim: This study aim was to evaluate the ...correlation of positional changes in hemodynamic (heart rate and blood pressure) measured before spinal anesthesia in anticipation of occurrence of hypotension throughout cesarean delivery.
Methods: 100 ASA grade I parturient were selected for this prospective observational study. Preoperative sociodemographic data, parity, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded including changes in systolic, diastolic, mean arterial blood pressure, and heart rate after positional shift from supine to lateral and sitting positions. Intraoperative, occurrence of hypotension was noted.
Results: With hypotension as the dependent variable, the age, parity, heart rate at supine position, and changes in (heart rate, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure) from supine to lateral position, and from supine to sitting position had high statistical significant negative correlation with blood pressure as P value <.05. Multivariate logistic analysis to assess predictors of hypotension concluded that changes in hemodynamic variable from supine to lateral position only significant predictor were (∆ heart rate, ∆ diastolic and ∆ mean blood pressure), and changes in hemodynamic variable from supine to sitting position only significant predictor were (∆heart rate and ∆ diastolic blood pressure).
Discussion: Elevated sympathetic activity before neuraxial anesthesia was associated with higher risk for post-spinal hypotension. The great variability in hemodynamic after positional change indicates higher sympathetic activity to blood vessels. The high rise in the autonomic activity, the higher the risk for post-spinal hypotension
Conclusion: Age, parity, and positional changes in hemodynamic were correlated with blood pressure reading after spinal anesthesia during cesarean delivery.
Ulcerative colitis (UC), an inflammatory bowel disease, affects mucosal lining of colon leading to inflammation and ulcers. Sulforaphane is a natural compound obtained from cruciferous vegetables. We ...aimed to investigate potential therapeutic effects of sulforaphane in experimentally induced UC in rats through affection antioxidant activity, mitochondrial biogenesis and DNA polymerization.
UC was induced in rats via an intracolonic single administration of 2 ml of 4% acetic acid. UC rats were treated with 15 mg/kg sulforaphane. Samples of colon were used to investigate gene expression and protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator (PGC-1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), cyclin D1, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).
UC showed dark distorted Goblet cell nucleus with disarranged mucus granules and no distinct brush border with atypical microvilli. All morphological changes were improved by treating with sulforaphane. Finally, treatment with sulforaphane significantly increased expression of PGC-1, TFAM, Nrf2 and HO-1 associated with reduction in expression of mTOR, cyclin D1 and PCNA.
Sulforaphane could cure UC in rats. The protective activity can be explained by enhancing antioxidant activity, elevating mitochondrial biogenesis and inhibiting DNA polymerization.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
There are limited data on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes at a national level, and none after 60 days of follow up. The aim of this study was to describe national, 60-day all-cause ...mortality associated with COVID-19, and to identify risk factors associated with admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).
This was a retrospective cohort study including the first consecutive 5000 patients with COVID-19 in Qatar who completed 60 days of follow up by June 17, 2020. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 60 days after COVID-19 diagnosis. In addition, we explored risk factors for admission to ICU.
Included patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 28 and April 17, 2020. The majority (4436, 88.7%) were males and the median age was 35 years interquartile range (IQR) 28-43. By 60 days after COVID-19 diagnosis, 14 patients (0.28%) had died, 10 (0.2%) were still in hospital, and two (0.04%) were still in ICU. Fatal COVID-19 cases had a median age of 59.5 years (IQR 55.8-68), and were mostly males (13, 92.9%). All included pregnant women (26, 0.5%), children (131, 2.6%), and healthcare workers (135, 2.7%) were alive and not hospitalized at the end of follow up. A total of 1424 patients (28.5%) required hospitalization, out of which 108 (7.6%) were admitted to ICU. Most frequent co-morbidities in hospitalized adults were diabetes (23.2%), and hypertension (20.7%). Multivariable logistic regression showed that older age adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.041, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.022-1.061 per year increase; P < 0.001, male sex (aOR 4.375, 95% CI 1.964-9.744; P < 0.001), diabetes (aOR 1.698, 95% CI 1.050-2.746; P 0.031), chronic kidney disease (aOR 3.590, 95% CI 1.596-8.079, P 0.002), and higher BMI (aOR 1.067, 95% CI 1.027-1.108 per unit increase; P 0.001), were all independently associated with increased risk of ICU admission.
In a relatively younger national cohort with a low co-morbidity burden, COVID-19 was associated with low all-cause mortality. Independent risk factors for ICU admission included older age, male sex, higher BMI, and co-existing diabetes or chronic kidney disease.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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•iCRT14 is a β-catenin blocker.•iCRT14 significantly increased the survival of HCC rats.•iCRT14 treatment exhibited antitumor effects against HCC.•iCRT14 suppressed liver tissue ...inflammation, fibrosis and angiogenesis.
Destructive effects of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is enhanced by many cellular mechanisms including activation of fibrosis, inflammation and tumor invasion. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the therapeutic effects of iCRT14, β-catenin blocker, on HCC. In addition, the molecular effects of iCRT14 will be investigated on inflammation, fibrosis and tumor invasion pathways. After inducting HCC in rats, hepatic tissues were used for determination of the expression of β-catenin, nuclear factor (NF)κB, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)9, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and integrin-β6. Hepatic tissues were stained with hematoxylin/eosin and with anti-Ki67. Results revealed that iCRT14 significantly increased the survival percent of HCC rats, reduced both α-fetoprotein and average number of nodules. In parallel, hepatic sections from HCC rats stained with hematoxylin/eosin revealed vacuolated cytoplasm and necrotic nodules, which were attenuated by treatment with iCRT14. Finally, treating HCC rats with iCRT14 resulted in reduction of the expression of NFκB, TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β1, MMP9, FGF-2 and integrin-β6. In conclusion, iCRT14 treatment exhibited antitumor effects against HCC through impairing β-catenin signaling pathway. iCRT14 suppressed liver tissue inflammation, fibrosis and angiogenesis, possibly via reducing expression of NFκB, TNF-α, IL-1β, TGF-β1, MMP-9, FGF-2.