MicroRNA-210 (miR-210) is an oncogenic miRNA previously associated with prognosis in human gliomas, an incurable tumour type of the central nervous system. Here miR-210 was investigated as a ...potential serum biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis of glioma.
Serum was immediately prepared from blood samples collected from patients with glioma grades I-IV at primary diagnosis (n=136) and healthy controls (n=50) from February 2007 to March 2014 in the Department of Neurosurgery of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College (Wuhu, China). Total RNA was isolated from serum. cDNA was synthesised with primers specific for miR-210 and miR-16-1 (internal control), and quantitative real-time RT-PCR was performed. Results were statistically analysed to determine the role of miR-210 in the diagnosis and prognosis of human glioma patients.
An approximately seven-fold increase in miR-210 expression was detected in serum samples from glioblastoma patients relative to healthy controls. A threshold expression value (2.259) was chosen from receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC), and the low and high miR-210 expression groups were analysed by multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses. Results revealed an association of high serum miR-210 expression with tumour grade and poor patient outcome (P-values <0.001).
Serum miR-210 is a promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarker that can be detected in the peripheral blood of patients with glioma.
Abstract
We select the largest sample of Swift gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) so far to reexamine the classification in terms of time duration, hardness ratio, and physical collapse model. To analyze the ...sample selection effect, we divide the observed Swift GRB sample into four subsamples according to signal-to-noise level, spectral quality, and extended emission. First, we find that only the sample of Swift GRBs with well-measured peak energy can be evidently divided into two types at a boundary of ∼1 s, and other data sets are well described by three Gaussian functions. Using Swift GRBs with known redshift, a Kolmogorov–Smirnov test shows the intrinsic duration distributions of five data sets are equally distributed. Second, we ascertain in the plane of hardness ratio versus duration that the hardness ratio of short GRBs is significantly higher than those of middle classes and long GRBs, while the latter two components are the same in statistics, implying the so-called middle class to be artificial. Third, we apply a collapse model to discriminate the boundaries between collapse and noncollapse Swift bursts. It is interesting to find that a significant fraction, ≥30%, of Swift short GRBs could have originated from the collapsing progenitors, while all long GRBs are produced from the collapsars only. Finally, we point out that short GRBs with extended emission are the main contributors to the noncollapsar population with longer duration.
Abstract
We report the discovery of an ultrahigh-energy (UHE) gamma-ray source, LHAASO J2108+5157, by analyzing the LHAASO-KM2A data of 308.33 live days. A significant excess of gamma ray–induced ...showers is observed in both energy bands of 25−100 and >100 TeV with 9.5
σ
and 8.5
σ
, respectively. This source is not significantly favored as an extended source with an angular extension smaller than the point-spread function of KM2A. The measured energy spectrum from 20 to 200 TeV can be approximately described by a power-law function with an index of −2.83 ± 0.18
stat
. A harder spectrum is demanded at lower energies considering the flux upper limit set by Fermi-LAT observations. The position of the gamma-ray emission is correlated with a giant molecular cloud, which favors a hadronic origin. No obvious counterparts have been found, and deeper multiwavelength observations will help to cast new light on this intriguing UHE source.
The influences of erbium (Er) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Al–Mg–Mn–Zr alloys have been investigated. It has been found that about 0.2
wt.% Er can be dissolved in the matrix, ...excess Er atoms segregate at grain boundaries to form primary Al
3Er. Addition of 0.4
wt.% Er refines the grain size of the as-cast alloy due to the formation of primary Al
3Er. The solid solution decomposes to form a dispersion of secondary Al
3Er, with facets parallel to {1
0
0} and {1
1
0} planes, during homogenization at 470
°C. The secondary Al
3Er precipitates improve strength, especially the elevated temperature strength. The yield strength, at 150
°C, of the alloy with 0.2
wt.% Er is 50% higher than that of the Er-free alloy. The recrystallization temperature of the alloy with 0.4
wt.% Er is about 25
°C higher than that of the alloy without addition of Er.
Abstract
We collect 133 fast radio bursts (FRBs), including 110 nonrepeating and 23 repeating ones, and systematically investigate their observational properties. To check the frequency dependence of ...FRB classifications, we define our samples with a central frequency below/above 1 GHz as subsample I/II. First, we find that there is a clear bimodal distribution of pulse width for subsample I. If we classify FRBs into short FRBs (
s
FRBs; <100 ms) and long FRBs (
l
FRBs; >100 ms) as done for short and long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), the
s
FRBs at higher central frequency are commonly shorter than those at lower central frequency not only for nonrepeating but also repeating
s
FRBs. Second, we find that fluence and peak flux density are correlated with a power-law relation of
F
∝
S
p
,
obs
γ
for both
s
FRBs and
l
FRBs whose distributions are obviously different. Third, the
l
FRBs with isotropic energies ranging from 10
42
to 10
44
erg are more energetic than the
s
FRBs in the
F
–
DM
EX
plane, indicating that they are two representative types. Finally, it is interesting to note that the peak flux density behaves independently on the redshift when the distance of the FRBs becomes far enough, which is similar to the scenario of the peak flux evolving with redshift in the field of GRBs. We predict that fainter FRBs at a higher redshift of
z
> 2 can be successfully detected by FAST and the Square Kilometre Array in the near future.
Critical factors that determine the percolation threshold of carbon nanotube (CNT)‐reinforced polymer nanocomposites are studied. An improved analytical model is developed based on an interparticle ...distance concept. Two dispersion parameters are introduced in the model to correctly reflect the different dispersion states of CNTs in the matrix—entangled bundles and well‐dispersed individual CNTs. CNT–epoxy nanocomposites with different dispersion states are fabricated from the same constituent materials by employing different processing conditions. The corresponding percolation thresholds of the nanocomposites vary over a wide range, from 0.1 to greater than 1.0 wt %, and these variations are explained in terms of dispersion parameters and aspect ratios of CNTs. Important factors that control the percolation threshold of nanocomposites are identified based on the comparison between modeling data and experimental results.
Experiments and modeling are used to study the effect of carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersions and aspect ratios on the percolation threshold of CNT–polymer nanocomposites. Four different processing conditions are used to achieve mixtures of individual CNTs and entangled bundles (see figure), and their electrical properties are characterized.
This study aims to explore the influence of microRNA-328-3p on proliferative and apoptotic abilities of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, and the potential regulatory mechanisms.
Quantitative ...Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to detect the expression of microRNA-328-3p in 52 tumor tissue samples and paracancerous ones of HCC patients. The potential interaction between microRNA-328-3p level and clinical indicators of HCC patients was analyzed. Subsequently, the microRNA-328-3p overexpression model was established. In addition, the influence of microRNA-328-3p on the biological functions of the HCC cells was analyzed by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation assay, and flow cytometry. Finally, the potential downstream gene of microRNA-328-3p was explored by bioinformatics analysis. Recovery experiments were performed to explore the regulation mechanism.
QRT-PCR results revealed that microRNA-328-3p level in tumor tissue specimens of HCC patients was remarkably lower than that in adjacent ones, and the difference was statistically significant. Compared with patients with high expression of microRNA-328-3p, those with low expression of miR-328-3p had more advanced pathological staging and lower overall survival. The overexpression of microRNA-328-3p decreased the proliferative capacity and increased apoptotic rate in HCC cells. Subsequently, MMP-9 expression was found to be highly expressed in HCC tissues and cells, and negatively correlated with microRNA-328-3p level. In addition, microRNA-328-3p overexpression significantly down-regulated the protein expressions of CD31, Ki-67, c-Myc, MMP-2, and MMP-9. In the cell reverse experiment, the overexpression of MMP-9 could counteract the influence of the overexpressed microRNA-328-3p on proliferation and apoptosis in HCC cells, so as to regulate the malignant progression of HCC.
MicroRNA-328-3p could inhibit the malignant progression of HCC. Its level is remarkably associated with the pathological staging and prognosis of HCC patients. In addition, it is found that microRNA-328-3p might suppress the proliferative ability and promote apoptosis of HCC cells via modulating MMP-9.
To determine the odor-active compounds in Cheddar cheeses with different ripening times (6, 10, and 14 mo), 39 potent odorants of Cheddar cheeses were identified with a flavor dilution factor range ...between 1 and 512 by aroma extract dilution analysis. To further determine their contribution to the overall aroma profile of Cheddar cheeses, odor activity values of 38 odorants with flavor dilution factors ≥1 were calculated. A Cheddar cheese matrix was developed to determine the concentrations and the odor thresholds of these key aroma compounds. The result of the aroma recombinant experiment prepared by mixing the key aroma compounds in the concentrations in which they occurred in Cheddar cheeses showed that the overall aroma profile of the recombinant sample was very similar to that of Cheddar cheese. The main different compounds in Cheddar cheese with different ripening time were acetic acid, butanoic acid, dimethyl trisulfide, methional, hexanal, (E)-2-nonenal, acetoin, 1-octen-3-one, δ-dodecalactone, furaneol, hexanoic acid, heptanal, and ethyl caproate. This study could provide important information for researching and developing Cheddar cheese–related products.
Abstract Aims This study aimed to compare the therapeutic efficacy of liver resection (LR) and percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) for single hepatocellular carcinoma ≤3 cm (HCC) in ...cirrhotic livers. Methods In this study, 190 patients with single HCC ≤3 cm and Child-Pugh A cirrhosis were retrospectively reviewed. Among these patients, 122 patients underwent LR, and 68 patients received PMCT. The therapeutic efficacy and complications were compared between the two procedures. Results There was no treatment-related hospital mortality in either group. Major complications were significantly more frequent in the LR group compared to the PMCT group (22.1% vs 5.9%, p = 0.004). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates for the LR group and PMCT group were 98.4%, 93.6%, 55.2% and 97.1%, 87.7%, 51%, respectively. There was no significant difference in OS rates between the LR group and PMCT group ( p = 0.153). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year DFS rates were 96.7%, 70.5% and 43.7%, respectively, in the LR group, which were significantly higher compared to the PMCT group (92.6%, 50.5% and 26.3%, p = 0.006). Subgroup analyses revealed that HCC patients with portal hypertension (PH), OS and DFS were similar between the two groups. Conclusions LR may provide better DFS and lower recurrence rates than PMCT for single HCC ≤3 cm and Child-Pugh A cirrhosis. For HCC patients with PH, PMCT may provide therapeutic effects that are similar to LR.
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