Physicians’ and nurses’ decision making to encounter neonates with poor prognosis in the neonatal intensive care unit

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Sage in Clinical Ethics on 03/06/2020. Available online: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1477750920927173This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Sage in Clinical Ethics on 03/06/2020.Available online: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1477750920927173acceptedVersio

Downregulation of miR-1266-5P, miR-185-5P and miR-30c-2 in prostatic cancer tissue and cell lines

Over the latest decade, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) has received more attention. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that may serve a role as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Certain miRNAs regulate the apoptosis pathway by influencing pro- or anti-apoptotic genes. We hypothesized that increases in the expression of B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and BCL2-like 1 (BCL2L1) genes, which have been reported in various types of cancer tissues, may be due to the downregulation of certain miRNAs. The present study aimed to identify miRNAs that target BCL2 and BCL2L1 anti-apoptotic genes in prostate cancer (PCa) clinical tissue samples. Certain candidate miRNAs were selected bioinfor-matically and their expression in PCa samples was analyzed and compared with that in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissue samples. The candidate miRNAs that targeted BCL2 and BCL2L1 genes were searched in online databases (miRWalk, microRNA.org, miRDB and TargetScan). A total of 12 miRNAs that target the 3'-untranslated region of the aforementioned genes and/or for which downregulation of their expression has previously been reported in cancer tissues. A total of 30 tumor tissue samples from patients with PCa and 30 samples tissues from patients with BPH were obtained and were subjected to reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction for expression analysis of 12 candidate miRNAs, and the BCL2 and BCL2L1 genes. Additionally, expression of 3 finally selected miRNAs and genes was evaluated in prostate cancer PC3 and DU145 cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Among 12 miRNA candidates, the expression of miR-1266, miR-185 and miR-30c-2 was markedly downregulated in PCa tumor tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, downregulation of these miRNAs was associated with upregulation of the BCL2 and BCL2L1 genes. An inverse association between three miRNAs (miR-1266, miR-185 and miR-30c-2) and two anti-apoptotic genes (BCL2 and BCL2L1) may be considered for interventional miRNA therapy of PCa. © 2018, Spandidos Publications. All rights reserved

Efficacy of transarterial chemoembolization on lesion reduction in colorectal liver metastases

Following failure of systemic chemotherapy, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an available method to control unresectable liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma (CRC). The aim of present study was to evaluate the efficacy of chemoembolization for inoperable metastatic liver lesions from CRC. Forty-five CRC patients with liver metastases resistant to systemic chemotherapy were enrolled in our study. For each patient, three session of TACE were conducted with 45 days interval. A combination of mitomycin, doxorubicin, and lipiodol were used for TACE. A tri-phasic computed tomography scan and biochemical laboratory tests were performed for all patients at baseline and 30 days after each TACE. Image analysis included measurement of lesion diameters as well as contrast enhancement. Eleven patients deceased before completing three session and the final analyses were performed on the remaining 34 patients. Evaluation of a total 93 lesions in all patients after chemoembolization sessions revealed a 25.88 reduction in anteroposterior (AP) diameter, 33.92 transverse (T) diameter, and 42.22 in product of APxT diameter of lesions (P<0.001 for all instances). CT scan showed a total disappearance of 33 of lesions and evident reduction in contrast enhancement in 16 of them. There were no changes in contrast enhancement in 51 of lesions. Evaluation of single largest lesion in each patient revealed 57.32 reduction in AP diameter, 59.66 in T diameter, and 62.17 in product of APxT diameters (P<0.001 for all diameters). TACE offers a viable option for CRC patients with unresectable liver metastases by significantly reducing lesion size and contrast enhancement. © 2012 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Downregulation of miR-1266-5P, miR-185-5P and miR-30c-2 in prostatic cancer tissue and cell lines

Over the latest decade, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) has received more attention. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that may serve a role as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. Certain miRNAs regulate the apoptosis pathway by influencing pro- or anti-apoptotic genes. We hypothesized that increases in the expression of B cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) and BCL2-like 1 (BCL2L1) genes, which have been reported in various types of cancer tissues, may be due to the downregulation of certain miRNAs. The present study aimed to identify miRNAs that target BCL2 and BCL2L1 anti-apoptotic genes in prostate cancer (PCa) clinical tissue samples. Certain candidate miRNAs were selected bioinfor-matically and their expression in PCa samples was analyzed and compared with that in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tissue samples. The candidate miRNAs that targeted BCL2 and BCL2L1 genes were searched in online databases (miRWalk, microRNA.org, miRDB and TargetScan). A total of 12 miRNAs that target the 3'-untranslated region of the aforementioned genes and/or for which downregulation of their expression has previously been reported in cancer tissues. A total of 30 tumor tissue samples from patients with PCa and 30 samples tissues from patients with BPH were obtained and were subjected to reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction for expression analysis of 12 candidate miRNAs, and the BCL2 and BCL2L1 genes. Additionally, expression of 3 finally selected miRNAs and genes was evaluated in prostate cancer PC3 and DU145 cell lines and human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Among 12 miRNA candidates, the expression of miR-1266, miR-185 and miR-30c-2 was markedly downregulated in PCa tumor tissues and cell lines. Furthermore, downregulation of these miRNAs was associated with upregulation of the BCL2 and BCL2L1 genes. An inverse association between three miRNAs (miR-1266, miR-185 and miR-30c-2) and two anti-apoptotic genes (BCL2 and BCL2L1) may be considered for interventional miRNA therapy of PCa. © 2018, Spandidos Publications. All rights reserved

Rehabilitation of hand function after spinal cord injury using a novel handgrip device: a pilot study

BackgroundActivity-based therapy (ABT) for patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), which consists of repetitive use of muscles above and below the spinal lesion, improves locomotion and arm strength. Less data has been published regarding its effects on hand function. We sought to evaluate the effects of a weekly hand-focused therapy program using a novel handgrip device on grip strength and hand function in a SCI cohort.MethodsPatients with SCI were enrolled in a weekly program that involved activities with the MediSens (Los Angeles, CA) handgrip. These included maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) and a tracking task that required each subject to adjust his/her grip strength according to a pattern displayed on a computer screen. For the latter, performance was measured as mean absolute accuracy (MAA). The Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) was used to measure each subject's independence prior to and after therapy.ResultsSeventeen patients completed the program with average participation duration of 21.3&nbsp;weeks. The cohort included patients with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) A (n = 12), AIS B (n = 1), AIS C (n = 2), and AIS D (n = 2) injuries. The average MVC for the cohort increased from 4.1&nbsp;N to 21.2&nbsp;N over 20&nbsp;weeks, but did not reach statistical significance. The average MAA for the cohort increased from 9.01 to 21.7% at the end of the study (p = .02). The cohort's average SCIM at the end of the study was unchanged compared to baseline.ConclusionsA weekly handgrip-based ABT program is feasible and efficacious at increasing hand task performance in subjects with SCI

Solar ultraviolet radiation and ozone depletion-driven climate change: Effects on terrestrial ecosystems

In this assessment we summarise advances in our knowledge of how UV-B radiation (280-315 nm), together with other climate change factors, influence terrestrial organisms and ecosystems. We identify key uncertainties and knowledge gaps that limit our ability to fully evaluate the interactive effects of ozone depletion and climate change on these systems. We also evaluate the biological consequences of the way in which stratospheric ozone depletion has contributed to climate change in the Southern Hemisphere. Since the last assessment, several new findings or insights have emerged or been strengthened. These include: (1) the increasing recognition that UV-B radiation has specific regulatory roles in plant growth and development that in turn can have beneficial consequences for plant productivity via effects on plant hardiness, enhanced plant resistance to herbivores and pathogens, and improved quality of agricultural products with subsequent implications for food security; (2) UV-B radiation together with UV-A (315-400 nm) and visible (400-700 nm) radiation are significant drivers of decomposition of plant litter in globally important arid and semi-arid ecosystems, such as grasslands and deserts. This occurs through the process of photodegradation, which has implications for nutrient cycling and carbon storage, although considerable uncertainty exists in quantifying its regional and global biogeochemical significance; (3) UV radiation can contribute to climate change via its stimulation of volatile organic compounds from plants, plant litter and soils, although the magnitude, rates and spatial patterns of these emissions remain highly uncertain at present. UV-induced release of carbon from plant litter and soils may also contribute to global warming; and (4) depletion of ozone in the Southern Hemisphere modifies climate directly via effects on seasonal weather patterns (precipitation and wind) and these in turn have been linked to changes in the growth of plants across the Southern Hemisphere. Such research has broadened our understanding of the linkages that exist between the effects of ozone depletion, UV-B radiation and climate change on terrestrial ecosystems

Omics-based molecular techniques in oral pathology centred cancer: Prospect and challenges in Africa

: The completion of the human genome project and the accomplished milestones in the human proteome project; as well as the progress made so far in computational bioinformatics and “big data” processing have contributed immensely to individualized/personalized medicine in the developed world.At the dawn of precision medicine, various omics-based therapies and bioengineering can now be applied accurately for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and risk stratifcation of cancer in a manner that was hitherto not thought possible. The widespread introduction of genomics and other omics-based approaches into the postgraduate training curriculum of diverse medical and dental specialties, including pathology has improved the profciency of practitioners in the use of novel molecular signatures in patient management. In addition, intricate details about disease disparity among diferent human populations are beginning to emerge. This would facilitate the use of tailor-made novel theranostic methods based on emerging molecular evidences