Functional Effects of let-7g Expression in Colon Cancer Metastasis.

MicroRNA regulation is crucial for gene expression and cell functions. It has been linked to tumorigenesis, development and metastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, the let-7 family has been identified as a tumor suppressor in different types of cancers. However, the function of the let-7 family in CRC metastasis has not been fully investigated. Here, we focused on analyzing the role of let-7g in CRC. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) genomic datasets of CRC and detailed data from a Taiwanese CRC cohort were applied to study the expression pattern of let-7g. In addition, in vitro as well as in vivo studies have been performed to uncover the effects of let-7g on CRC. We found that the expression of let-7g was significantly lower in CRC specimens. Our results further supported the inhibitory effects of let-7g on CRC cell migration, invasion and extracellular calcium influx through store-operated calcium channels. We report a critical role for let-7g in the pathogenesis of CRC and suggest let-7g as a potential therapeutic target for CRC treatment

Novel Nanohybrids of Silver Particles on Clay Platelets for Inhibiting Silver-Resistant Bacteria

We develop a novel nanohybrid showing a strong antibacterial activity on all of the tested pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus auerus and silver-resistant E. coli. The nanohybrid consists of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) supported on 1 nm-thick silicate platelets (NSPs). The AgNP/NSP nanohybrid enables to encapsulate bacteria and triggers death signals from the cell membrane. The geographic shape of the NSPs concentrates AgNPs but impedes their penetration into attached cells, mitigating the detrimental effect of silver ion deposition in applied tissues. Moreover, the tightly tethered AgNPs on NSP surface achieve a stronger biocidal effect than silver nitrate, but bypassing Ag+ mechanism, on silver-resistant bacteria. This nanohybrid presents an effective and safe antimicrobial agent in a new perspective

Thyroid Cancer Presenting with Concomitant Metastatic Breast Cancer in the Thyroid

The thyroid is an unusual site to find cancer metastasis. When it does occur, such cancer spread is often manifested in multiple metastases and generally suggests a poor prognosis. We presented here a 49-year-old woman recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer, who had been treated for stage IIA breast cancer 8 years ago. After radical right thyroidectomy and left subtotal thyroidectomy, her pathological report showed papillary thyroid carcinoma, right thyroid, with concomitant metastatic breast carcinoma. This is the first case of which we are aware involving coexisting thyroid cancer and metastatic breast cancer in the ipsilateral lobe. Moreover, the circumstances of this case show a very unique clinical course compared with previous studies. Given the unusual circumstances of our case, we further discuss the relationship between thyroid cancer and breast cancer

Serotype and multilocus sequence typing of Streptococcus suis from diseased pigs in Taiwan

Abstract Streptococcus suis (S. suis) infection can cause clinically severe meningitis, arthritis, pneumonia and septicemia in pigs. To date, studies on the serotypes, genotypes and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. suis in affected pigs in Taiwan are rare. In this study, we comprehensively characterized 388 S. suis isolates from 355 diseased pigs in Taiwan. The most prevalent serotypes of S. suis were serotypes 3, 7 and 8. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed 22 novel sequence types (STs) including ST1831-1852 and one new clonal complex (CC), CC1832. The identified genotypes mainly belonged to ST27, ST94 and ST1831, and CC27 and CC1832 were the main clusters. These clinical isolates were highly susceptible to ceftiofur, cefazolin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and gentamicin. The bacteria were prone to be isolated from cerebrospinal fluid and synovial fluid in suckling pigs with the majority belonging to serotype 1 and ST1. In contrast, ST28 strains that corresponded to serotypes 2 and 1/2 were more likely to exist in the lungs of growing-finishing pigs, which posted a higher risk for food safety and public health. This study provided the genetic characterization, serotyping and the most current epidemiological features of S. suis in Taiwan, which should afford a better preventative and treatment strategy of S. suis infection in pigs of different production stages

防風網編織形式對減風效果之風洞試驗研究

Windbreak Net is an extremely important facility of prevention of wind damage; however, windbreak net's function varies with different types; hence, the research's main purpose was to compare the differences of shelter effect with diverse windbreak net weaving types. The research adopted three types of windbreak nets of higher market share in Taiwan: plain weave, knitted weave, which had two different mesh shapes, and ribbed weave, which had two varied weaving methods. The wind tunnel test was conducted with these five sets of windbreak net, and relative wind velocity, wind velocity reduction coefficient, protection index, and economic benefit were used respectively to do comparison and make analysis to explore the influence of weaving type, mesh number and shape on wind velocity reduction effect.The test results showed that when all windbreaks had the same ventilation rate, the windbreak net of plain weave had the best shelter effect, the secondary was ribbed weave, and the worst was knitted weave; however, if both the shading and anti-insect functions were required, the windbreak net of knitted weave type was relatively more ideal to choose; yet if taking economic benefit into consideration, the windbreak net of ribbed weave was the cheapest. As for the mesh shape, triangle had better shelter effect than rectangle, and in this research case, mesh number had no significant difference in wind velocity reduction.防風網是風害防治極為重要之設施，然而防風網之功能因其形式不同而異；因此，本試驗主要目的即在於比較防風網編織形式對減風功效之差異，研究中採用國內市占率較高之平織、針織及羅紋織三種形式防風網，其中針織有兩種不同網目形狀，而羅紋織則有兩種不同編織方式，將此五組防風網，進行風洞試驗，分別以相對風速、減風係數、保護指數及經濟效益比較分析，探討編織形式、網目數量及形狀對減風效果之影響。經試驗結果顯示，當透風率相同時，在減風功效方面，以平織形式之防風網最佳，羅紋織次之、針織最差；然而若需兼具遮陽及防蟲功效，則應選用針織形式之防風網較為理想；但若考量經濟效益，則又以羅紋織防風網最為價廉。至於網目形狀以三角形比矩形有較佳之減風功效，而網目數量在本試驗個案中，對於減風並無明顯差異

A Nomogram for Predicting Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Cooperative Surgery during the Endoscopic Resection of Subepithelial Tumors of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

Background: Considering the widespread use of esophagogastroduodenoscopy, the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal (GI) subepithelial tumors (SET) increases. For relatively safer removal of upper GI SETs, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been developed as an alternative to surgery. This study aimed to analyze the outcome of endoscopic resection for SETs and develop a prediction model for the need for laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) during the procedure. Method: We retrospectively analyzed 123 patients who underwent endoscopic resection for upper GI SETs between January 2012 and December 2020 at our institution. Intraoperatively, they underwent ESD or submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER). Results: ESD and STER were performed in 107 and 16 patients, respectively. The median age was 55 years, and the average tumor size was 1.5 cm. En bloc resection was achieved in 114 patients (92.7%). The median follow-up duration was 242 days without recurrence. Perforation occurred in 47 patients (38.2%), and 30 patients (24.4%) underwent LECS. Most perforations occurred in the fundus. Through multivariable analysis, we built a nomogram that can predict LECS requirement according to tumor location, size, patient age, and sex. The prediction model exhibited good discrimination ability, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.893. Conclusions: Endoscopic resection is a noninvasive procedure for small upper-GI SETs. Most perforations can be successfully managed endoscopically. The prediction model for LECS requirement is useful in treatment planning

A Soft Coral Natural Product, 11-Episinulariolide Acetate, Inhibits Gene Expression of Cyclooxygenase-2 and Interleukin-8 through Attenuation of Calcium Signaling

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