Knockdown of interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells

Interferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) has recently been identified as a new molecular marker in human colorectal cancer. However, its role in glioma carcinogenesis is not known. In this study, we demonstrated that suppression of IFITM1 expression significantly inhibited proliferation of glioma cells in a time-dependent manner. The growth inhibitory effect was mediated by cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, IFITM1 knockdown significantly inhibited migration and invasion of glioma cells, which could be attributed to decreased expression and enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9. Taken together, these results suggest that IFITM1 is a potential therapeutic target for gliomas

Heterologous expression and localization of cryptic haloacid dehalogenase Chd1 of Burkholderia cepacia MBA4

published_or_final_versionBotanyMasterMaster of Philosoph

Southwest model in Southeast Asia.

The recent growth of budget airlines in Southeast Asia has sparked off debates over their sustainability. This report analyzed the success factors of Southwest Airlines that constitute the Southwest Model. We integrated this Southwest Model into Southeast Asia and evaluated its applicability in the region

Assessment of novel antiviral filter using pseudo-type SARS-CoV-2 virus in fast air velocity vertical-type wind tunnel

Abstract Current evidence suggests that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can remain suspended spread in aerosols for longer period of time under poorly ventilated indoor setting. To minimize spreading, application of antiviral filter to capture infectious aerosols and to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 can be a promising solution. This study aimed to develop a method to assess simultaneously the filtration and removal efficiency of aerosolized pseudo-type SARS-CoV-2 using a vertical-type wind tunnel with relatively high face velocity (1.3 m/s). Comparing with the untreated spunlace non-woven filter, the C-POLAR™ treated filter increased the filtration efficiency from 74.2 ± 11.5% to 97.2 ± 1.7%, with the removal efficiency of 99.4 ± 0.051%. The results provided not only solid evidence to support the effectiveness of the cationic polymeric coated filter in fighting against the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, but also a method to test viral filtration and removal efficiency under relative fast air velocity and with a safer environment to the operators

Circulating microRNA 132-3p and 324-3p Profiles in Patients after Acute Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a highly morbid and fatal condition with high rate of cognitive impairment and negative impact in quality of life among survivors. Delayed cerebral infarction (DCI) is one the major factors for these negative outcomes. In this study we compared the circulating microRNA profiles of SAH patients and healthy individuals, and the circulating microRNA profiles of SAH patients with and without DCI.Peripheral blood samples on Day 7 after the onset of SAH were subjected to microarray analysis with Affymetrix miRNA 3.0 array and quantitative PCR analysis. SAH patients with (N = 20) and without DCI (N = 20) and Healthy controls (N = 20) were included for analyses.We demonstrated that 99 miRNAs were found to be dysregulated in the SAH patient group with DCI. 81 miRNAs were upregulated and 18 were downregulated. Findings from KEGG pathway analysis showed that miRNAs and target genes for axon guidance and TGF-beta signaling were involved, implying that the resulted differential miRNA expression pattern reflect the results of SAH instead of etiology of the disease. miR-132-3p and miR-324-3p showed distinctive upregulations in qPCR [miR-132: 9.5 fold (95%CI: 2.3 to 16.7) in DCI group and 3.4 fold (95%CI: 1.0 to 5.8) in Non-DCI group; miR-324: 4924 fold (95%CI: 2620 to 7228) in DCI group and 4545 fold (95%CI: 2408 to 6683) in non-DCI group]. However, there were no significant differences in fold changes between SAH patients with and without DCI [fold change ratios (mean+/-SD): 2.7+/-4.2 and 1.1+/-1.1 for miRNA-132 and miRNA-324].Our study demonstrated that as compared to healthy control, miR-132 and miR-324 showed a upregulation in both SAH DCI and Non-DCI groups. However, the differences between the SAH DCI and non-DCI groups were not statistically significant

Long-Term Survival and Clinicopathological Implications of DNA Mismatch Repair Status in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancers in Hong Kong Chinese Women

To investigate the role of DNA mismatch repair status (MMR) in survival of endometrioid endometrial cancer in Hong Kong Chinese women and its correlation to clinical prognostic factors, 238 patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer were included. Tumor MMR status was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Clinical characteristics and survival were determined. Association of MMR with survival and clinicopathological parameters were assessed. MMR deficiency (dMMR) was found in 43 cases (16.5%). dMMR was associated with poor prognostic factors including older age, higher stage, higher grade, larger tumor size and more radiotherapy usage. Long-term survival was worse in dMMR compared to the MMR proficient group. The dMMR group had more deaths, shorter disease-specific survival (DSS), shorter disease-free survival (DFS), less 10-year DSS, less 10-year DFS, and more recurrence. The 5-year DSS and 5-year DFS in the dMMR group only showed a trend of worse survival but did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, dMMR is present in a significant number of endometrioid endometrial cancers patients and is associated with poorer clinicopathological factors and survival parameters in the long run. dMMR should be considered in the risk stratification of endometrial cancer to guide adjuvant therapy and individualisation for longer follow up plan