Gene Expression Profiling Identified High-mobility Group AT-hook (HMGA2) as Being Frequently Upregulated in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the most deadly malignancies worldwide and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most frequent type. Methods: We identified up-regulated genes from gene expression profiles of HKESC-4 cell line, its parental tumor tissues, non-tumoral esophageal epithelia and lymph nodes with metastatic carcinoma using Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 microarray. Results: Four genes [High-mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2), paternally expressed 10 (PEG10), SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 2 (SHANK2) and WNT1 inducible signaling pathway protein 3 (WISP3)] were selected for further validation with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in a panel of ESCC cell lines and clinical specimens. HMGA2 was found to be overexpressed in the panel of ESCC cell lines tested. By using immunohistochemistry, HMGA2 was found to be up-regulated in 70% of ESCC tissues (21 out of 30 cases). Conclusion: This study demonstrates successful use of gene microarray to identify and reveal HMGA2 as a novel and consistently overexpressed gene in ESCC cell lines and clinical samples.published_or_final_versio

Interplay between SIRT1 and hepatitis B virus X protein in the activation of viral transcription

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Red flags for the early detection of spinal infection in back pain patients

© 2019 The Author(s). Background: Red flags are signs and symptoms that are possible indicators of serious spinal pathology. There is limited evidence or guidance on how red flags should be used in practice. Due to the lack of robust evidence for many red flags their use has been questioned. The aim was to conduct a systematic review specifically reporting on studies that evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of red flags for Spinal Infection in patients with low back pain. Methods: Searches were carried out to identify the literature from inception to March 2019. The databases searched were Medline, CINHAL Plus, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, Pedro, OpenGrey and Grey Literature Report. Two reviewers screened article texts, one reviewer extracted data and details of each study, a second reviewer independently checked a random sample of the data extracted. Results: Forty papers met the eligibility criteria. A total of 2224 cases of spinal infection were identified, of which 1385 (62%) were men and 773 (38%) were women mean age of 55 (± 8) years. In total there were 46 items, 23 determinants and 23 clinical features. Spinal pain (72%) and fever (55%) were the most common clinical features, Diabetes (18%) and IV drug use (9%) were the most occurring determinants. MRI was the most used radiological test and Staphylococcus aureus (27%), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (12%) were the most common microorganisms detected in cases. Conclusion: The current evidence surrounding red flags for spinal infection remains small, it was not possible to assess the diagnostic accuracy of red flags for spinal infection, as such, a descriptive review reporting the characteristics of those presenting with spinal infection was carried out. In our review, spinal infection was common in those who had conditions associated with immunosuppression. Additionally, the most frequently reported clinical feature was the classic triad of spinal pain, fever and neurological dysfunction. This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

Insertion mutagenesis of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by electroporation and heterologous DNA

We introduced plasmid pCmVCAT containing a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene, flanked by the cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and nopaline synthase polyadenylation sequences, into Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by electroporation; chloramphenicol (CAM) resistance was used for selection. Several mutants with aberrant response to cadmium (Cd) toxicity were obtained by screening CAM resistant transformants. Southern blot analysis showed random integration of pCmVCAT sequence into the nuclear genome. Expression of CAT gene was confirmed by the detection of CAT gene transcript in Northern blot analysis and the detection of CAT enzyme by ELISA assay. This study demonstrated the feasibility of transforming Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with heterologous DNA by electroporation, and the expression of heterologous gene, in this alga

Full weight bearing after non-cemented total hip replacement is compatible with satisfactory results

Two matched groups of 29 patients underwent hydroxyapatite-coated non-cemented total hip replacement. One group was started on immediate protected-weight-bearing walking and the other group was started on immediate full-weight-bearing walking. They were followed up regularly for 2 years. They were assessed with Harris hip score clinically and Engh's criteria of osteo-integration radiographically. No difference was found between the two groups. All patients had excellent clinical outcome after hip replacement, and all femoral stems were stable radiographically. Patients can walk with full weight bearing safely immediate after hydroxyapatite-coated non-cemented total hip replacement.link_to_subscribed_fulltex