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Background: SNPs in the promoter region of miRNAs have been reported to be associated with cancer prognosis. Our previous study found that miR-146b had a strong correlation with the stage classification of gastric cancer and contributed to tumor progression. The current study was aimed at investigating whether an SNP located in the promoter region of miR-146b could affect the survival rate of gastric cancer. Methods: Using bioinformatics tools, we identified one SNP (rs1536309) that is located in the miR-146b promoter. We genotyped this SNP site to assess its association with gastric cancer prognosis in 940 cases. Results: We found that the dominant model of miR-146b rs1536309 was associated with a higher survival rate of gastric cancer. The association remained significant in the subgroup analysis by age (=60), sex (male), tumor size (=5 cm), histologic type (diffuse), lymph node metastasis (N0), distant metastasis (M0), and TNM stage (I/II). Conclusions: Our results suggested that the miR-146b rs1536309 polymorphism may be a potential biomarker for the prognosis of gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WC-12Co powder with nano WC grains was used to deposit wear resistant coatings by AC-HVAF (acukote high velocity air-fuel) spray system. The phase compositions and microstructures of the coatings were examined. The microhardness, fracture toughness and wear resistance were investigated. According to the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, the principal phase is WC, and its decomposition products are not found. The sprayed coating has a porosity lower than 1% and the grain sizes of coatings are among 80∼100 nm which contribute to an average microhardness (HV 0.3 ) as high as 19 403 MPa on the surface and 17 410 MPa on the cross-section. At the load of 15 N and rotational speed of 1198 r/min of WC counter body, the nano-sized coatings show a decreased average mass loss by 40% compared with micro-sized coatings, and a stable friction coefficient of 0.26∼0.28 (micron-sized coatings: 0.25∼0.4) in the dry wear conditions. It is concluded that the sprayed nano structural WC-12Co coatings have a better wear resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which describes the association between genetic variations and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Chinese workers. The researchers have examined the transcription factor grainyhead like 2 (GRHL2) polymorphism in high intensity noise exposed workers. The study indicates that GRHL2 polymorphism may positively contribute to the etiology of NIHL.