Evaluating the miR-302b and miR-145 expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: MicroRNAs are involved in key cellular processes regulating, and their misregulation is linked to cancer. The miR-302-367 cluster is exclusively expressed in embryonic stem and carcinoma cells. This cluster also promotes cell reprogramming and stemness process. In contrast, miR-145 is mostly regarded as a tumor suppressor, where it regulates cellular functions such as cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis. By suppressing the main pluripotency factors (OCT4, SOX2, MYC and KLF4), miR-145 silences the self-renewal program in ESCs. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to find a potential link between the expression level of hsa-miR-302b and hsa-miR-145 with tumor vs. non-tumor as well as high-grade vs. low-grade states of the esophageal tissue samples. Methods: A total number of 40 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) were obtained, and the tumor and marginal non-tumor areas delineated and punched off by an expert pathologist. Total RNA was extracted with Trizol, and cDNA synthesized using the miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR Kit. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays were performed using specific LNA-primers and SYBR Green master mix. Results: The expression level of miR-302b failed to show any significant difference, neither between tumor and their non-tumor counterparts, nor among tumors with different grades of malignancies (P > 0.05). In contrast, miR-145 was significantly down regulated in all grades of tumor samples (P 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data revealed a significant down-regulation of miR-145 in ESCC tissue samples. Based on our ROC curve analysis data (AUC = 0.74, P < 0.001) miR-145 could be regarded as a potential tumor marker for diagnosis of esophageal cancer. © 2015, Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran. All rights reserved

Method of functional integration in the problem of line width of parametric X-ray relativistic electron radiation in a crystal

The coherent and non-coherent scattering effects on "backward" parametric X-ray radiation by relativistic electrons in a crystal on the basis of the method of functional integration is investigated. A comparison of contributions of these effects to parametric X-ray radiation line width has been considered. It is shown that in a number of cases the major contribution to the line width of parametric X-ray radiation is made by non-coherent multiple scattering.Comment: 7 pages, LaTeX2e forma

Signature change from Schutz's canonical quantum cosmology and its classical analogue

We study the signature change in a perfect fluid Friedmann-Robertson-Walker quantum cosmological model. In this work the Schutz's variational formalism is applied to recover the notion of time. This gives rise to a Schrodinger-Wheeler-DeWitt equation with arbitrary ordering for the scale factor. We use the eigenfunctions in order to construct wave packets and evaluate the time-dependent expectation value of the scale factor which coincides with the ontological interpretation. We show that these solutions exhibit signature transitions from a finite Euclidean to a Lorentzian domain. Moreover, such models are equivalent to a classical system where, besides the perfect fluid, a repulsive fluid is present.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, to appear in PR

Therapeutic strategies for Huntington’s disease

PURPOSE AND REVIEW: Huntington's disease is a fatal autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a trinucleotide expansion in the HTT gene, and current therapies focus on symptomatic treatment. This review explores therapeutic approaches that directly target the pathogenic mutation, disrupt HTT mRNA or its translation. RECENT FINDINGS: Zinc-finger transcription repressors and CRISPR-Cas9 therapies target HTT DNA, thereby preventing all downstream pathogenic mechanisms. These therapies, together with RNA interference (RNAi), require intraparenchymal delivery to the brain in viral vectors, with only a single delivery potentially required, though they may carry the risk of irreversible side-effects. Along with RNAi, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) target mRNA, but are delivered periodically and intrathecally. ASOs have safely decreased mutant huntingtin protein (mHTT) levels in the central nervous system of patients, and a phase 3 clinical trial is currently underway. Finally, orally available small molecules, acting on splicing or posttranslational modification, have recently been shown to decrease mHTT in animal models. SUMMARY: Huntingtin-lowering approaches act upstream of pathogenic mechanisms and therefore have a high a priori likelihood of modifying disease course. ASOs are already in late-stage clinical development, whereas other strategies are progressing rapidly toward human studies

Diamond Etching Beyond 10 μm with Near-Zero Micromasking

To exploit the exceptional properties of diamond, new high quality fabrication techniques are needed to produce high performing devices. Etching and patterning diamond to depths beyond one micron has proven challenging due to the hardness and chemical resistance of diamond. A new cyclic Ar/O2 - Ar/Cl2 ICP RIE process has been developed to address micromasking issues from the aluminium mask by optimising the proportion of O2 in the plasma and introducing a preferential “cleaning” step. High quality smooth features up to, but not limited to, 10.6 μm were produced with an average etched surface roughness of 0.47 nm at a diamond etch rate of 45 nm/min and 16.9:1 selectivity

A Simulated Annealing method to solve a generalized maximal covering location problem

The maximal covering location problem (MCLP) seeks to locate a predefined number of facilities in order to maximize the number of covered demand points. In a classical sense, MCLP has three main implicit assumptions: all or nothing coverage, individual coverage, and fixed coverage radius. By relaxing these assumptions, three classes of modelling formulations are extended: the gradual cover models, the cooperative cover models, and the variable radius models. In this paper, we develop a special form of MCLP which combines the characteristics of gradual cover models, cooperative cover models, and variable radius models. The proposed problem has many applications such as locating cell phone towers. The model is formulated as a mixed integer non-linear programming (MINLP). In addition, a simulated annealing algorithm is used to solve the resulted problem and the performance of the proposed method is evaluated with a set of randomly generated problems

Deep and Superficial Cervical Flexor Muscles Strength in Female Students with Forward Head Posture Compared to Normal Group Using Electromyography and Pressure Bio- Feedback Device

Abstract: Background & Aims: Forward head posture deformity is a disorder in head weight balance condition leading to some alterations in cervical muscles, strength. This research aimed to determine the strength of deep and superficial cervical flexor muscles in female students with forward head posture compared to the normal group. Methods: From the total of 724 female students in Shahid Bahonar University taking physical education I course, 60 students were enrolled into the two equal groups of with and without forward head posture. For selecting subjects, Posture screen test, New York test and lateral photography in stand position were used. Pressure Biofeedback device was applied to investigate the strength of cervical muscles during two craniocervical flexion test (CCFT) and combination test. To ensure proper performance of tests, Surface Electromyography was used. Results: The two groups showed significant difference in deep cervical muscles strengths (P=0.002), while there was no significant difference between the two groups in superficial flexor muscles strength (P=0.803). Conclusion: Since activation of superficial cervical flexor muscles leads to deep cervical flexor muscles inactivity, designing training programs involving just deep flexor muscles seems to be essential in individuals with forward head posture deformity. Keywords: Neck muscles, Forward head posture, Craniovertebral angle, Electromyography, Pressure Bio-feedback devic

Effect of Music Therapy on Patients' Anxiety and Hemodynamic Parameters During Coronary Angioplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: A cardiac catheterization laboratory can be a frightening environment and music can be a supportive source of environmental sound that stimulates and maintains relaxation. However, the results of studies are conflicting in this regard. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of music therapy on patients’ anxiety and hemodynamic parameters during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Patients and Methods: This was a randomized controlled trial, conducted in the Catheterization Laboratory Unit of Baqiyatallah Hospital, in Tehran, Iran. A sample of 64 patients, who were planned to undergo coronary angioplasty, was recruited. Patients were randomly allocated to either the control or the experimental groups. In the experimental group, patients received a 20 to 40-minute music therapy intervention, consisting of light instrumental music albums by Johann Sebastian Bach and Mariko Makino. Patients in the control group received the routine care of the study setting, which consisted of no music therapy intervention. Study data were collected by a demographic questionnaire, the Spielberger’s State Anxiety Inventory, and a data sheet for documenting hemodynamic parameters. Chi-square, independent-samples t tests, paired-samples t-test and repeated measures analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. Results: Before the intervention, the study groups did not differ significantly in terms of anxiety level and hemodynamic parameters. Moreover, the differences between the two groups, regarding hemodynamic parameters, were not significant after the intervention (P > 0.05). However, the level of post-intervention anxiety in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (32.06 ± 8.57 and 38.97 ± 12.77, respectively; P = 0.014). Compared with the baseline readings, the level of anxiety in the control group did not change significantly after the study (41.91 ± 9.88 vs. 38.97 ± 12.77; P = 0.101); however, in the experimental group, the level of post-intervention anxiety was significantly lower than the pretest readings (32.06 ± 8.57 vs. 41.16 ± 10.6; P = 0.001). Conclusions: Music therapy is a safe, simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive nursing intervention, which can significantly alleviate patients’ anxiety during coronary angioplasty

Using TurbSim stochastic simulator to improve accuracy of computational modelling of wind in the built environment

Small wind turbines are often sited in more complex environments than in open terrain. These sites include locations near buildings, trees and other obstacles, and in such situations, the wind is normally highly three-dimensional, turbulent, unstable and weak. There is a need to understand the turbulent flow conditions for a small wind turbine in the built environment. This knowledge is crucial for input into the design process of a small wind turbine to accurately predict blade fatigue loads and lifetime and to ensure that it operates safely with a performance that is optimized for the environment. Computational fluid dynamics is a useful method to provide predictions of local wind flow patterns and to investigate turbulent flow conditions at small wind turbine sites, in a manner that requires less time and investment than actual measurements. This article presents the results of combining a computational fluid dynamics package (ANSYS CFX software) with a stochastic simulator (TurbSim) as an approach to investigate the turbulent flow conditions on the rooftop of a building where small wind turbines are sited. The findings of this article suggest that the combination of a computational fluid dynamics package with the TurbSim stochastic simulator is a promising tool to assess turbulent flow conditions for small wind turbines on the roof of buildings. In particular, in the prevailing wind direction, the results show a significant gain in accuracy in using TurbSim to generate wind speed and turbulence kinetic energy profiles for the inlet of the computational fluid dynamics domain rather than using a logarithmic wind-speed profile and a pre-set value of turbulence intensity in the computational fluid dynamics code. The results also show that small wind turbine installers should erect turbines in the middle of the roof of the building and avoid the edges of the roof as well as areas on the roof close to the windward and leeward walls of the building in the prevailing wind direction