The prognostic value of long noncoding RNA MEG3 expression in the survival of cancer patients: a meta-analysis

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. lncRNA MEG3 is a tumor suppressor that is down-regulated in several cancers. However, its prognostic value in human malignancies remains controversial. We have therefore undertaken a meta-analysis to explore the relationship between cancer survival and the expression of long non-coding RNA MEG3. A systematic literature search identified 13 potentially eligible investigations comprising 1733 patients in nine different cancer types. In the pooled analysis, a low expression of MEG3 was associated with a low overall survival (OS) in cancer patients with a combined HR of 0.830 [hazard ratio (HR) =0.83; 95% CI: 0.70–0.98; P=0.0.03; random effect model]. However, sub-group analysis according to cancer type revealed that MEG3 expression was not associated with better OS in gastrointestinal cancer (HR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.33 to 1.03, P = 0.06) and breast cancer patients (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.12 to 5.88, P = 0.87). In conclusion, our results demonstrate that only in the pooled analysis, there was a significant relationship between MEG3 expression and cancer survival. Further investigation of other molecular biomarkers involved in tumorigenesis-related pathways is necessary

Global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Funding: F Carvalho and E Fernandes acknowledge support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), in the scope of the project UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences UCIBIO and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy i4HB; FCT/MCTES through the project UIDB/50006/2020. J Conde acknowledges the European Research Council Starting Grant (ERC-StG-2019-848325). V M Costa acknowledges the grant SFRH/BHD/110001/2015, received by Portuguese national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), IP, under the Norma Transitória DL57/2016/CP1334/CT0006.proofepub_ahead_of_prin

A comparison between the effect of zirconia-coated FRC and glass fiber posts on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth

  Background and Aims : The root fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth depends on the types of posts. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of two types of bonded non-metallic posts with different elasticity modulus on the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth under compressive loads.   Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, 20 fresh extracted mandibular premolars were selected and sectioned adjacent to the CEJ and then were endodontically treated. The specimens were randomly divided into two groups (n=10). After post space preparations, the fiber RTD Light posts (R.T.D, France) and zirconia coated fiber posts (ICE light, Danville) were cemented into the root canals. Composite resin (Lumiglass R.T.D, France) cores were built up. Aluminium foil was used to mimic the PDL, and the specimens were embedded in acrylic resin and tested in a Universal Testing Machine. A compressive load was applied at a 90 degree angle until fracture at a crosshead speed of 1mm/min. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and T test .   Results: The mean fracture resistance of R.T.D group was (1083.11 ± 156.74 (N)) and the mean of ICE light group was (865.18 ± 106.24 (N)). The highest mean fracture resistance was observed in RTD fiberglass and a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups (P<0.001).   Conclusion: FRC posts with zirconia coating due to unfavorable fractures of the teeth should be used with caution, and thus, fiber posts are preferred

Detection of dopamine receptors using nanoscale dendrimer for potential application in targeted delivery and whole-body imaging: synthesis and in vivo organ distribution

Dopamine is one of the most important neurotransmitters released by neurons in the central nervous system, and a variety of neurological illnesses and mental disorders are associated with impairments in the secretion and functionality of dopamine. Dopamine, depending on the type of receptors, can act as a stimulant or an inhibitor. In this study, dendrimer-conjugated dopamine was utilized as a chelating agent for Technetium-99m to investigate the organ distribution of this compound in vivo using the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) technique. For this purpose, dendrimers were synthesized using polyethylene glycol diacid and citric acid precursors, and dopamine was conjugated to the dendrimer using EDC/NHS cross-linker. The results showed no sign of toxicity of the dopamine-functionalized dendrimers on HEK-293 cell lines. The optimization of labeling conditions was conducted using the experimental design method (i.e., conjugate value, pH, and the amount of reducing agent), and then labeling efficiency was evaluated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Finally, the study of organ distribution in normal mice using SPECT imaging and comparing it with gene expression in different organs revealed that dopamine D1 receptors exhibited the highest accumulation in the liver and that the drug retained its specificity

Evaluation of the prevalence of cardiometabolic disorders (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) diagnosed, undiagnosed, treated, and treatment goal in the elderly: Bushehr Elderly Health Program (BEH)

Abstract As the population ages, the global burden of cardiometabolic disorders will increase. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cardiometabolic disorders (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia) in elderly and to evaluate the effects of various variables including age, sex, education, marital status, smoking, income, physical activity, dementia and depressed mood on untreated cardiometabolic disorders. This was a cross sectional study conducted in Bushehr Elderly Health Program. A total 2381 participants were included. Medical data were collected by trained interviewers. The mean age of the study participants was 69.34 years. Proportions of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia were 43.25%, 75.71%, 64.74% and 35.31% respectively. Untreated diabetes prevalence was higher for males (OR = 1.60, 95%CI = 1.20–2.15), older adults (OR = 1.02, 95%CI = 1.00–1.05), and pre-frail status (OR = 0.69, 95%CI = 0.52–0.92). Males (OR = 2.16, 95%CI = 1.64–2.84) and current smokers (OR = 1.42, 95%CI = 1.05–1.93), in contrast to married participants (OR = 0.25, 95%CI = 0.08–0.78), people with higher education levels (OR = 0.51, 95%CI = 0.29–0.89) and dementia (OR = 0.78, 95%CI = 0.61–1.00) were more likely to have untreated HTN. Untreated dyslipidemia is more common in smokers (OR = 1.78, 95%CI = 1.19–2.66) and males (OR = 1.66, 95%CI = 1.21–2.27), while untreated hypercholesteremia is more common in males (OR = 3.20, 95%CI = 1.53–6.69) and is reported lower in people with dementia (OR = 0.53, 95%CI = 0.28–1.01)