The Prognostic and Clinical Value of CD44 in Colorectal Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background: CD44 is widely used as a putative cancer stem cells (CSCs) marker for colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the prognostic role of CD44 in CRC remains controversial.Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association of various CD44 isoforms and overall survival (OS) and clinicopathological features of CRC patients.Results: A total of 48 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Total CD44 isoforms overexpression was significantly correlated with worse OS of patients with CRC (HR = 1.32, 95% CI = 1.08–1.61, P = 0.007). In a stratified analysis, a higher level of either CD44v6 or CD44v2 had an unfavorable impact on OS (HRCD44v6 = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.10–2.14, P = 0.010; HRCD44v2 = 2.93, 95% CI = 1.49–5.77, P = 0.002). Additionally, CD44 was shown to be associated with some clinicopathological features, such as lymph node metastasis (ORCD44 = 1.56, 95% CI = 1.01–2.41, P = 0.044; ORCD44v6 = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.19–3.26, P = 0.008; ORTotal CD44 isoforms = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.15–2.14, P = 0.004), distant metastasis (ORCD44 = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.08–7.83, P = 0.035; ORTotal CD44 isoforms = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.02–3.53, P = 0.044). Moreover, a high level of CD44 showed a possible correlation with poor differentiation (ORTotal CD44 isoforms = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.00–2.08, P = 0.051), elevated level of CD44v6 tend to be correlated with tumor size (OR = 1.71, 95% CI = 0.99–2.96, P = 0.056).Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated that CD44 overexpression might be an unfavorable prognostic factor for CRC patients and could be used to predict poor differentiation, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis

Effects of obesity with reduced 25(OH)D levels on bone health in elderly Chinese people: a nationwide cross-sectional study

BackgroundObesity is often accompanied by lower 25(OH)D levels, whereas these two parameters exhibit opposite effects on bone health. It is uncertain what are the effects of lower 25(OH)D levels in obesity on bone health in elderly Chinese people.MethodsA nationally representative cross-sectional analysis of China Community-based Cohort of Osteoporosis (CCCO) was performed from 2016 to 2021, which consisted of 22,081 participants. Demographic data, disease history, Body mass index (BMI), bone mineral density (BMD), the levels of the biomarkers of vitamin D status and those of bone metabolism markers were measured for all participants (N = 22,081). The genes (rs12785878, rs10741657, rs4588, rs7041, rs2282679 and rs6013897) related to 25(OH)D transportation and metabolism were performed in a selected subgroup (N = 6008).ResultsObese subjects exhibited lower 25(OH)D levels (p < 0.05) and higher BMD (p < 0.001) compared with those of normal subjects following adjustment. The genotypes and allele frequency of rs12785878, rs10741657, rs6013897, rs2282679, rs4588 and rs7041 indicated no significant differences among three BMI groups following correction by the Bonferroni’s method (p > 0.05). The levels of total 25(OH)D (ToVD) were significantly different among the GC1F, GC1S and GC2 haplotype groups (p < 0.05). Correlation analysis indicated that ToVD levels were significantly correlated with parathyroid hormone levels, BMD, risk of osteoporosis (OP) and the concentration levels of other bone metabolism markers (p < 0.05). Generalized varying coefficient models demonstrated that the increasing BMI, ToVD levels and their interactions were positively associated with BMD outcomes (p < 0.001), whereas the reduced levels of ToVD and BMI increased the risk of OP, which was noted notably for the subjects with reduced ToVD levels (less than 20.69 ng/ml) combined with decreased BMI (less than 24.05 kg/m2).ConclusionThere was a non-linear interaction of BMI and 25(OH)D. And higher BMI accompanied by decreased 25(OH)D levels is associated with increased BMD and decreased incidence of OP, optimal ranges exist for BMI and 25(OH)D levels. The cutoff value of BMI at approximately 24.05 kg/m2 combined with an approximate value of 25(OH)D at 20.69 ng/ml are beneficial for Chinese elderly subjects

Li4WO5: A temperature stable low-firing microwave dielectric ceramic with rock salt structure

A Li4WO5 ceramic with rock salt structure was prepared by the solid-state reaction method and its microwave dielectric properties was demonstrated for the first time. It could be well densified at relatively low sintering temperature (∼890 °C). XRD and DTA analysis revealed a phase transformation from cubic to orthorhombic occured at 700 °C. Excellent microwave dielectric properties with a near-zero temperature coefficient of resonant frequency ∼−2.6 ppm/°C, a relative permittivity ∼8.6 and a quality factor ∼23,100 GHz (at 11.0 GHz) was obtained. Li4WO5 was found to be chemically compatible with silver powders when sintered at 890 °C. All the results indicate that the Li4WO5 ceramic is a promising candidate as a base material in low temperature cofired ceramic technology

Effect of multiple neonatal sevoflurane exposures on hippocampal apolipoprotein E levels and learning and memory abilities

Background: Sevoflurane anesthesia is widely used in pediatric patients. In this study, we investigated whether early multiple exposures to sevoflurane induced cognitive dysfunction by altering the hippocampal expression of ApoE later in development. Methods: Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to 2.6% sevoflurane at postnatal day 7 (P7), P14, and P21 for 2 h. The ability of learning and memory was assessed using the Morris water maze at P37 and P97. The hippocampal volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at P37 and P97. The hippocampal expression of ApoE was assessed by immunohistochemical analyses and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Behavioral testing revealed that the ability of learning and memory in the sevoflurane-exposed rats was decreased compared with the control animals; however, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05). The MRI results showed a significant decrease in the left hippocampal volume, left maximum hippocampal length, and right maximum hippocampal length in the sevoflurane young group compared with the control young group (P  0.05). Among the adult animals, there was no significant difference between the groups in any parameter tested (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Multiple exposures to sevoflurane during the neonatal period decreased the volume of the hippocampus and increased the hippocampal expression of ApoE. The differential expression level of ApoE in different hippocampal subdivisions suggested that the expression of ApoE was regionally specific and reversible. Key Words: sevoflurane, Sprague–Dawley rat, neonatal period, behavior, apolipoprotein E, β-amyloi

Simultaneous detection and identification of Peste des petits ruminants Virus Lineages II and IV by MCA-Based real-time quantitative RT-PCR assay within single reaction

Abstract Background Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) disease is a cross-species infectious disease that severely affects small ruminants and causes great losses to livestock industries in various countries. Distinguishing vaccine-immunized animals from naturally infected animals is an important prerequisite for the eradication of PPR. At present PPRV are classified into lineages I through IV, and only one vaccination strain, Nigeria/75/1, belongs to lineage II, but all of the epidemic strains in China at present are from lineage IV. Results To achieve this goal, we developed an SYBR Green I real-time qRT-PCR method for rapid detection and identification of PPRV lineages II and IV by analyzing different melting curve analyses. The negative amplification of other commonly circulating viruses such as orf virus, goat poxvirus, and foot-and-mouth disease virus demonstrated that primers targeting the L gene of PPRV were extremely specific. The sensitivity of the assay was assessed based on plasmid DNA and the detection limit achieved was 100 copies of PPRV lineages II and IV. Conclusion Since the method has high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, it will be effectively differentiated PPRV lineages II from PPRV lineages IV in PPRV infected animals

A low-firing Ca5Ni4(VO4)6 ceramic with tunable microwave dielectric properties and chemical compatibility with Ag

A Ca5Ni4(VO4)6 low loss microwave dielectric ceramic with A site deficient garnet structure was prepared via the conventional solid state reaction method. Ca5Ni4(VO4)6 sintered at 980 °C for 4 h to a relative density of 96.2% exhibits favorable microwave dielectric properties such as a permittivity of 10.9, a Q×f value of 96,500 GHz, and a τf value of −63.6 ppm/°C. Its large negative τf could be compensated by forming a solid solution with LiCa2Mg2V3O12, that led to improved properties with a near-zero τf=−3.7 ppm/°C, εr=10.2, Q×f=59,300 GHz for 0.8Ca5Ni4(VO4)6−0.2LiCa2Mg2V3O12 after sintering at 955 °C for 4 h. Further on, 0.8Ca5Ni4(VO4)6−0.2LiCa2Mg2V3O12 proved to be chemically compatible with Ag electrodes, so it might be a possible candidate for LTCC applications

Interleukin-9 Deletion Relieves Vascular Dysfunction and Decreases Blood Pressure via the STAT3 Pathway in Angiotensin II-Treated Mice

Background. Multiple interleukin (IL) family members were reported to be closely related to hypertension. We aimed to investigate whether IL-9 affects angiotensin II- (Ang II-) induced hypertension in mice. Methods. Mice were treated with Ang II, and IL-9 expression was determined. In addition, effects of IL-9 knockout (KO) on blood pressure were observed in Ang II-infused mice. To determine whether the effects of IL-9 on blood pressure was mediated by the signal transducer and activator of the transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, Ang II-treated mice were given S31-201. Furthermore, circulating IL-9 levels in patients with hypertension were measured. Results. Ang II treatment increased serum and aortic IL-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner; IL-9 levels were the highest in the second week and continued to remain high into the fourth week after the treatment. IL-9 KO downregulated proinflammatory cytokine expression, whereas it upregulated anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, relieved vascular dysfunction, and decreased blood pressure in Ang II-infused mice. IL-9 also reduced smooth muscle 22α (SM22α) expression and increased osteopontin (OPN) levels both in mice and in vitro. The effects of IL-9 KO on blood pressure and inflammatory response were significantly reduced by S31-201 treatment. Circulating IL-9 levels were significantly increased in patients with the hypertension group than in the control group, and elevated IL-9 levels positively correlated with both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in patients with hypertension. Conclusions. IL-9 KO alleviates inflammatory response, prevents phenotypic transformation of smooth muscle, reduces vascular dysfunction, and lowers blood pressure via the STAT3 pathway in Ang II-infused mice. IL-9 might be a novel target for the treatment and prevention of clinical hypertension

A reduced sintering temperature and improvement in the microwave dielectric properties of Li₂Mg₃TiO₆ through Ge substitution

In this paper, we demonstrate a strategy to reduce the sintering temperature of titanates through an appropriate amount of Ge substitution for Ti. A series of Li₂Mg₃Ti1-xGexO₆ (x = 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, 0.10, 0.12) ceramics, prepared by a solid-state reaction method, are reported. By controlling the content of the Ge substitution, the sintering temperature of Li₂Mg₃TiO₆ was significantly reduced to 1140 °C. When x = 0.10, the Li₂Mg₃Ti1-xGexO₆ ceramics sintered at 1140 °C for 6 h displayed excellent values of εr = 13.7, Q × f = 131,500 GHz and τf = −34.2 ppm/°C. In addition, the temperature stability was successfully adjusted to be close to zero by adding CaTiO₃ to form a composite ceramic. A temperature stable ceramic 0.96Li₂Mg₃Ti0.9Ge0.1O₆-0.04CaTiO₃ with τf = −3.5 ppm/°C, εr = 14.9 and Q × f = 68,900 GHz was obtained when sintered at 1180 °C. The good dielectric performances of the CaTiO₃-modified Li₂Mg₃Ti0.9Ge0.1O₆ ceramics makes them possible candidates for substrates in microwave integrated circuits