Hypermethylation of SOX2 gene in hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma

This study investigated the expression and methylation profiles of SOX2, a stem cell-related transcription factor, in placentas and gestational trophoblastic disease. The methylation status of SOX2 promoter region in 55 hydatidiform moles, 4 choriocarcinoma, 23 first trimester, and 15 term placentas was evaluated by methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. The methylated allele was found in 4.4% (1/23) of first trimester placentas, 26.7% (4/15) term placentas, and 56.4% (31/55) of hydatidiform moles and all choriocarcinoma samples and cell lines. A significant reduction in SOX2 messenger RNA expression was found in the hydatidiform moles (P = .027) when compared with that in the placentas. SOX2 messenger RNA expression was significantly correlated with SOX2 hypermethylation (P < .001). SOX2 expression was restored in choriocarcinoma cell lines following treatment to 5-Aza-2(')-deoxycytidine and/or Trichostatin A, demethylation and histone deacetylase inhibitors, respectively, and the response was synergistic. Epigenetic mechanisms may play important role on the transcriptional regulation of SOX2 and contribute to pathogenesis of gestational trophoblastic disease.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Finite element modeling of 3D turning of titanium

The finite element modeling and experimental validation of 3D turning of grade two commercially pure titanium are presented. The Third Wave AdvantEdge machining simulation software is applied for the finite element modeling. Machining experiments are conducted. The measured cutting forces and chip thickness are compared to finite element modeling results with good agreement. The effects of cutting speed, a limiting factor for productivity in titanium machining, depth of cut, and tool cutting edge radius on the peak tool temperature are investigated. This study explores the use of 3D finite element modeling to study the chip curl. Reasonable agreement is observed under turning with small depth of cut. The chip segmentation with shear band formation during the Ti machining process is investigated. The spacing between shear bands in the Ti chip is comparable with experimental measurements. Results of this research help to guide the design of new cutting tool materials and coatings and the studies of chip formation to further advance the productivity of titanium machining.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45846/1/170_2005_Article_2511.pd

Biomimetic poly(glycerol sebacate)/poly(L-lactic acid) blend scaffolds for adipose tissue engineering

Large three-dimensional poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS)/poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) scaffolds with similar bulk mechanical properties to native low and high stress adapted adipose tissue were fabricated via a freeze-drying and a subsequent curing process. PGS/PLLA scaffolds containing 73 vol.% PGS were prepared using two different organic solvents, resulting in highly interconnected open-pore structures with porosities and pore sizes in the range of 91–92% and 109–141 μm, respectively. Scanning electron microscopic analysis indicated that the scaffolds featured different microstructure characteristics, depending on the organic solvent in use. The PGS/PLLA scaffolds had a tensile Young’s modulus of 0.030 MPa, tensile strength of 0.007 MPa, elongation at the maximum stress of 25% and full shape recovery capability upon release of the compressive load. In vitro degradation tests presented mass losses of 11–16% and 54–55% without and with the presence of lipase enzyme in 31 days, respectively. In vitro cell tests exhibited clear evidence that the PGS/PLLA scaffolds prepared with 1,4-dioxane as the solvent are suitable for culture of adipose derived stem cells. Compared to pristine PLLA scaffolds prepared with the same procedure, these scaffolds provided favourable porous microstructures, good hydrophilic characteristics, and appropriate mechanical properties for soft tissue applications, as well as enhanced scaffold cell penetration and tissue in-growth characteristics. This work demonstrates that the PGS/PLLA scaffolds have potential for applications in adipose tissue engineering

The microstructure and mechanical properties of selectively laser melted AlSi10Mg: The effect of a conventional T6-like heat treatment

Selective laser melting (SLM) of aluminium is of research interest because of its potential benefits to high value manufacturing applications in the aerospace and automotive industries. In order to demonstrate the credibility of SLM Al parts, their mechanical properties need to be studied. In this paper, the nano-, micro-, and macro-scale mechanical properties of SLM AlSi10Mg were examined. In addition, the effect of a conventional T6-like heat treatment was investigated and correlated to the generated microstructure. Nanoindentation showed uniform hardness within the SLM material. Significant spatial variation was observed after heat treatment due to phase transformation. It was found that the SLM material's micro-hardness exceeded its die-cast counterpart. Heat treatment softened the material, reducing micro-hardness from 125±1 HV to 100±1 HV. An ultimate tensile strength (333 MPa), surpassing that of the die cast counterpart was achieved, which was slightly reduced by heat treatment (12%) alongside a significant gain in strain-to-failure (~threefold). Significantly high compressive yield strength was recorded for the as-built material with the ability to withstand high compressive strains. The SLM characteristic microstructure yielded enhanced strength under loading, outperforming cast material. The use of a T6-like heat treatment procedure also modified the properties of the material to yield a potentially attractive compromise between the material's strength and ductility making it more suitable for a wider range of applications and opening up further opportunities for the additive manufacturing process and alloy combination

Differential Expression Profile and Genetic Variants of MicroRNAs Sequences in Breast Cancer Patients

The technology available for cancer diagnosis and prognosis is not yet satisfactory at the molecular level, and requires further improvements. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) have been recently reported as useful biomarkers in diseases including cancer. We performed a miRNA expression profiling study using peripheral blood from breast cancer patients to detect and identify characteristic patterns. A total of 100 breast cancer patients and 89 healthy patients were recruited for miRNA genotyping and expression profiling. We found that hs-miR-196a2 in premenopausal patients, and hs-miR-499, hs-miR-146a and hs-miR-196a2 in postmenopausal patients, may discriminate breast cancer patients from healthy individuals. In addition, we found a significant association between two microRNA polymorphisms (hs-miR-196a2 and hs-miR-499) and breast cancer risk. However, no significant association between the hs-miR-146a gene and breast cancer risk was found. In summary, the study demonstrates that peripheral blood miRNAs and their expression and genotypic profiles can be developed as biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer

Review of thermo-physical properties, wetting and heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids and their applicability in industrial quench heat treatment

The success of quenching process during industrial heat treatment mainly depends on the heat transfer characteristics of the quenching medium. In the case of quenching, the scope for redesigning the system or operational parameters for enhancing the heat transfer is very much limited and the emphasis should be on designing quench media with enhanced heat transfer characteristics. Recent studies on nanofluids have shown that these fluids offer improved wetting and heat transfer characteristics. Further water-based nanofluids are environment friendly as compared to mineral oil quench media. These potential advantages have led to the development of nanofluid-based quench media for heat treatment practices. In this article, thermo-physical properties, wetting and boiling heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids are reviewed and discussed. The unique thermal and heat transfer characteristics of nanofluids would be extremely useful for exploiting them as quench media for industrial heat treatment

Global Retinoblastoma Presentation and Analysis by National Income Level.

Importance: Early diagnosis of retinoblastoma, the most common intraocular cancer, can save both a child's life and vision. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that many children across the world are diagnosed late. To our knowledge, the clinical presentation of retinoblastoma has never been assessed on a global scale. Objectives: To report the retinoblastoma stage at diagnosis in patients across the world during a single year, to investigate associations between clinical variables and national income level, and to investigate risk factors for advanced disease at diagnosis. Design, Setting, and Participants: A total of 278 retinoblastoma treatment centers were recruited from June 2017 through December 2018 to participate in a cross-sectional analysis of treatment-naive patients with retinoblastoma who were diagnosed in 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures: Age at presentation, proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, and tumor stage and metastasis. Results: The cohort included 4351 new patients from 153 countries; the median age at diagnosis was 30.5 (interquartile range, 18.3-45.9) months, and 1976 patients (45.4%) were female. Most patients (n = 3685 [84.7%]) were from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Globally, the most common indication for referral was leukocoria (n = 2638 [62.8%]), followed by strabismus (n = 429 [10.2%]) and proptosis (n = 309 [7.4%]). Patients from high-income countries (HICs) were diagnosed at a median age of 14.1 months, with 656 of 666 (98.5%) patients having intraocular retinoblastoma and 2 (0.3%) having metastasis. Patients from low-income countries were diagnosed at a median age of 30.5 months, with 256 of 521 (49.1%) having extraocular retinoblastoma and 94 of 498 (18.9%) having metastasis. Lower national income level was associated with older presentation age, higher proportion of locally advanced disease and distant metastasis, and smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma. Advanced disease at diagnosis was more common in LMICs even after adjusting for age (odds ratio for low-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 17.92 [95% CI, 12.94-24.80], and for lower-middle-income countries vs upper-middle-income countries and HICs, 5.74 [95% CI, 4.30-7.68]). Conclusions and Relevance: This study is estimated to have included more than half of all new retinoblastoma cases worldwide in 2017. Children from LMICs, where the main global retinoblastoma burden lies, presented at an older age with more advanced disease and demonstrated a smaller proportion of familial history of retinoblastoma, likely because many do not reach a childbearing age. Given that retinoblastoma is curable, these data are concerning and mandate intervention at national and international levels. Further studies are needed to investigate factors, other than age at presentation, that may be associated with advanced disease in LMICs

Magic-factor 1, a partial agonist of Met, induces muscle hypertrophy by protecting myogenic progenitors from apoptosis.

Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine of mesenchymal origin that mediates a characteristic array of biological activities including cell proliferation, survival, motility and morphogenesis. Its high affinity receptor, the tyrosine kinase Met, is expressed by a wide range of tissues and can be activated by either paracrine or autocrine stimulation. Adult myogenic precursor cells, the so called satellite cells, express both HGF and Met. Following muscle injury, autocrine HGF-Met stimulation plays a key role in promoting activation and early division of satellite cells, but is shut off in a second phase to allow myogenic differentiation. In culture, HGF stimulation promotes proliferation of muscle precursors thereby inhibiting their differentiation