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Background/Aims: This study is aimed at identification of miR-195-5p/MMP14 expression in cervical cancer (CC) and their roles on cell proliferation and invasion profile of CC cells through TNF signaling pathway in CC. Methods: Microarray analysis, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and DAVID were used to analyze differentially expressed miRNAs, mRNAs and signaling pathways. MiR-195-5p and MMP14 expression levels in CC cell were determined by qRT-PCR. Western blot was employed to measure MMP14 and TNF signaling pathway-relating protein level. Luciferase reporter system was used to confirm the targeting relationship between MMP14 and miR-195-5p. Cell proliferation and invasion was respectively deeded by CCK8, transwell. In vivo experiment was carried out to study the impact of MMP14 and miR-195-5p on CC development in mice. Results: The microarray analysis and the results of qRT-PCR determined that miR-195-5p was under-expressed and MMP14 was over-expressed in CC cells. GSEA and DAVID analysis showed that TNF signaling pathway was regulated by miR-195-5p/MMP14 and activated in cervical carcinoma cells. The miR-195-5p and MMP14 have a negative regulation relation. In vivo experiment found that down-regulated MMP14 and up-regulated miR-195-5p suppressed the tumor development. Conclusion: Our results suggest that MMP14 is a direct target of miR-195-5p, and down-regulated MMP14 and up-regulated miR-195-5p suppressed proliferation and invasion of CC cells by inhibiting TNF signaling pathway.

Introduction In this secondary analysis of the Metformin and AcaRbose in Chinese as the initial Hypoglycaemic treatment (MARCH) trial, we evaluated what demographic and clinical factors were associated with reduction in weight. We also assessed the effects of acarbose and metformin treatment on weight reduction. Material and methods We analyzed the demographic and clinical laboratory values from the 784 patients with type 2 diabetes of the MARCH study who were treated for 48 weeks with acarbose or metformin. We determined the association of the different parameters with a weight reduction of ≥ 2 kg in patients using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results In patients treated with acarbose, males were less likely than females to lose ≥ 2 kg of weight (p = 0.025). Higher baseline HbA 1c levels and lower decreases from baseline in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels after 48 weeks of treatment were negatively associated with losing ≥ 2 kg of weight (both, p < 0.05). Higher baseline glucagon AUC was also positively associated with reducing weight by ≥ 2 kg (p = 0.010). In patients treated with metformin, change from baseline in whole body insulin sensitivity increased the odds of having a weight reduction of ≥ 2 kg (p = 0.014). Conclusions This study found that for both acarbose and metformin, control of FPG significantly impacted weight loss. Baseline AUC for glucagon in patients treated with acarbose and an increase of whole body insulin sensitivity after 48 weeks of treatment with metformin were important factors for weight reduction.

Summary: Objective: To compare the outcomes of the en bloc and branched graft techniques for supra-aortic vessel reconstruction in total arch replacement (TAR) for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). Methods: In 53 ATAAD patients with intact supra-aortic arch vessels undergoing TAR, the arch vessels were reconstructed using the branched graft technique in 35 patients and en bloc technique in 18, i.e. reimplantation of the innominate artery and the left carotid artery (LCA) and transposition of left subclavian artery to LCA. The early and mid-term outcomes were compared between two groups. Results: The selective antegrade cerebral perfusion time in en bloc group was significantly longer (33 ± 10 vs 24 ± 7 min, p = 0.001). Operative mortality was 5.7% (3/53), including 1 and 2 in the en bloc and branched graft groups, respectively (5.6% vs 5.7%, p = 0.981). Stroke occurred in 1 patient. No spinal cord injury occurred. At mean 4.3 ± 1.6 years, clinical and CT follow-up were complete in 100% and 86% (43/50). No cerebrovascular accidents or upper extremity claudication occurred. There were 4 deaths and 1 reintervention in follow-up. Survival was 88.6% and 88.9% at 3 months, and 83.3% and 88.6% at 6 months, 3 and 5 years in the en bloc and branched graft groups, respectively (p = 0.597). The arch vessels were patent in 100% (43/43) without stenosis or aneurysm. Conclusions: The modified en bloc technique could achieve comparable early and mid-term outcomes to the branched graft technique in patients undergoing TAR for ATAAD. This approach may be an alternative technique for ATAAD patients with intact supra-aortic arch vessels. Keywords: Aortic dissection, Aortic arch, Surgery, Total arch replacement, Vascular prosthesis/frozen elephant trunk

Background To characterize prognostic and risk factors of central nervous system (CNS) metastases in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods A retrospective analysis of Xijing Hospital electronic medical records was conducted to identify patients with pathologically confirmed EOC and CNS metastases. In addition to patient demographics, tumor pathology, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes, we compared putative cancer stem cell marker CD133 expression patterns in primary and metastatic lesions as well as in recurrent EOC with and without CNS metastases. Results Among 1366 patients with EOC, metastatic CNS lesions were present in 29 (2.1%) cases. CD133 expression in primary tumor was the only independent risk factor for CNS metastases; whilst the extent of surgical resection of primary EOC and platinum resistance were two independent factors significantly associated with time to CNS metastases. Absence of CD133 expression in primary tumors was significantly associated with high platinum sensitivity in both patient groups with and without CNS metastases. Platinum resistance and CD133 cluster formation in CNS metastases were associated with decreased survival, while multimodal therapy including stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for CNS metastases was associated with increased survival following the diagnosis of CNS metastases. Conclusions These data suggest that there exist a positive association between CD133 expression in primary EOC, platinum resistance and the increased risk of CNS metastases, as well as a less favorable prognosis of EOC. The absence of CD133 clusters and use of multimodal therapy including SRS could improve the outcome of metastatic lesions. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the true nature of the association between platinum sensitivity, CD133 expression, and the risk and prognosis of CNS metastases from EOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A porous substrate plays an important role in constructing a thin-film composite forward osmosis (TFC-FO) membrane. To date, the morphology and performance of TFC-FO membranes are greatly limited by porous substrates, which are commonly fabricated by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) or thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. Herein, a novel TFC-FO membrane has been successfully fabricated by using cellulose triacetate (CTA) porous substrates, which are prepared using a nonsolvent-thermally induced phase separation (N-TIPS) process. The pore structure, permeability, and mechanical properties of CTA porous substrate are carefully investigated via N-TIPS process (CTAN-TIPS). As compared with those via NIPS and TIPS processes, the CTAN-TIPS substrate shows a smooth surface and a cross section combining interconnected pores and finger-like macropores, resulting in the largest water flux and best mechanical property. After interfacial polymerization, the obtained TFC-FO membranes are characterized in terms of their morphology and intrinsic transport properties. It is found that the TFC-FO membrane supported by CTAN-TIPS substrate presents a thin polyamide film full of nodular and worm-like structure, which endows the FO membrane with high water permeability and selectivity. Moreover, the TFC-FO membrane supported by CTAN-TIPS substrate displays a low internal concentration polarization effect. This work proposes a new insight into preparing TFC-FO membrane with good overall performance.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has traditionally been considered to affect mainly the elderly; however, the age at diagnosis has gradually reduced in recent years. Although the incidence of young-onset T2DM is increasing, it is still not fully clear the onset characteristics and risk factors of early-onset T2DM. The aim of this study was to describe the initiating characteristics of early-onset T2DM in Chinese patients and evaluate the risk factors for diabetes mellitus. Methods: This cross-sectional controlled study was performed using a questionnaire survey method in outpatients of multiple centers in China. A total of 1545 patients with T2DM with an age at onset of

Lignin is the second most abundant and low-cost natural polymer, but its high value-added utilization is still lack of effective and economic ways. In this paper, waste lignosulfonate (LS) was introduced to fabricate antifouling membrane surfaces via layer-by-layer self-assembly with polyethyleneimine (PEI). The LS/PEI multilayers were successfully deposited on the polysulfone (PSf) membrane, as demonstrated by ATR-FTIR, XPS, Zeta potential measurements, AFM, and SEM. Meanwhile, the effect of the number of bilayers was investigated in detail on the composition, morphologies, hydrophilicity, and antifouling performance of the membrane surface. As a result, with the bilayer numbers increase to 5, the PSf membrane shows smooth surface with small roughness, and its water contact angle reduces to 44.1°, indicating the improved hydrophilicity. Accordingly, the modified PSf membrane with 5 LS/PEI bilayers repels the adsorption of protein, resulting in good antifouling performance. This work provides a green, facile, and low-cost strategy to construct antifouling membrane surfaces.