miR-448 negatively regulates ovarian cancer cell growth and metastasis by targeting CXCL12

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the study is to investigate the roles of miR-448 in ovarian cancer.

METHODS

miR-448 and CXCL12 mRNA expression were examined using qRT-PCR. CXCL12 promoter activity was detected by luciferase activity system. Cell proliferation was assayed by MTT or colony formation. Migration and invasion was assayed by transwell chamber.

RESULTS

miR-448 expression was usually under-expressed in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines compared with their normal ones. Ectopic expression of miR-448 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion in ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, bioinformatic prediction suggested that CXCL12 was a target gene of miR-448. We also demonstrated that restored expression of CXCL12 dampened miR-448-mediated suppression of tumor progression, which suggests the important role of miR-448 in tumor progression.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicate that miR-448 functions as a tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer, which exerts its activity by suppressing the expression of CXCL12.

Sliding hip screw versus sliding helical blade for intertrochanteric fractures

The spiral blade modification of the Dynamic Hip Screw (DHS) was designed for superior biomechanical fixation in the osteoporotic femoral head. Our objective was to compare clinical outcomes and in particular the incidence of loss of fixation.

In a series of 197 consecutive patients over the age of 50 years treated with DHS-blades (blades) and 242 patients treated with conventional DHS (screw) for AO/OTA 31.A1 or A2 intertrochanteric fractures were identified from a prospectively compiled database in a level 1 trauma centre. Using propensity score matching, two groups comprising 177 matched patients were compiled and radiological and clinical outcomes compared. In each group there were 66 males and 111 females. Mean age was 83.6 (54 to 100) for the conventional DHS group and 83.8 (52 to 101) for the blade group.

Loss of fixation occurred in two blades and 13 DHSs. None of the blades had observable migration while nine DHSs had gross migration within the femoral head before the fracture healed. There were two versus four implant cut-outs respectively and one side plate pull-out in the DHS group. There was no significant difference in mortality and eventual walking ability between the groups. Multiple logistic regression suggested that poor reduction (odds ratio (OR) 11.49, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.45 to 90.9, p = 0.021) and fixation by DHS (OR 15.85, 95%CI 2.50 to 100.3, p = 0.003) were independent predictors of loss of fixation.

The spiral blade design may decrease the risk of implant migration in the femoral head but does not reduce the incidence of cut-out and reoperation. Reduction of the fracture is of paramount importance since poor reduction was an independent predictor for loss of fixation regardless of the implant being used.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:398–404.

Unruptured saccular aneurysm presenting migraine

Headache can be attributed to cranial or cervical vascular disorders including ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack, non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, unruptured vascular malformation, arteritis, carotid-vertebral artery pain, and cerebral venous thrombosis. Here, we present a case report of unruptured saccular aneurysm with migraine. The patient was a previously healthy 32-year-old man with repeated episodes of headache for 6 years. Findings for computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head were normal. Head magnetic resonance angiography revealed a small, nodule-like protuberance seen in the anterior communicating artery. Based on his clinical features and ancillary examinations, the patient was diagnosed with migraine without aura. The patient subsequently underwent digital subtraction angiography (DSA), which revealed a 2-mm cystic protuberance in the superoposterior anterior communicating artery. The patient underwent stent-assisted coil embolization of the aneurysm. Subsequent DSA results indicated no recurrence of aneurysm and no recurrence of headache was reported after surgical treatment.

[Study on the effect of Klotho gene interferred by plasmid-mediated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on sinoatrial node pacing channel gene]

The study was aimed to assess the effect of Klotho gene and sinoatrial node pacing channel gene (HCN4 and HCN2) for studying sick sinus syndrome, with Klotho gene under the interference of Plasmid-mediated short hairpin RNA. Twenty-five C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups, i. e, plasmid shRNA 24h group, plasmid shRNA 12h group, sodium chloride 24h group and sodium chloride 12h group. Plasmid shRNA 50microL (1microg/microL) and sodium chloride 50microl were respectively injected according to mice vena caudalis into those in plasmid shRNA group and sodium chloride group. After 12h or 24h respectively, all mice were executed and their sinoatrial node tissues were cut. The mRNA of Klotho, HCN4 and HCN2 gene were detected by RT-PCR. The results of RT-PCR showed that Klotho, HCN4 and HCN2 mRNA levels were lower compared with those in sodium chloride 12h group after 12h interference interval. The results indicated that there might be the a certain relationship between Klotho gene and sinoatrial node pacing channel gene.

Fabrication of metal nanoparticle arrays by controlled decomposition of polymer particles

We report a novel fabrication method for ordered arrays of metal nanoparticles that exploits the uniform arrangement of polymer beads deposited as close-packed monolayers. In contrast to colloidal lithography that applies particles as masks, we used thermal decomposition of the metal-covered particles to precisely define metal structures. Large arrays of noble metal (Au, Ag, Pt) nanoparticles were produced in a three-step process on silicon, fused silica and sapphire substrates, demonstrating the generality of this approach. Polystyrene spheres with diameters ranging between 110 nm and 1 μm were convectively assembled into crystalline monolayers, coated with metal and annealed in a resistive furnace or using an ethanol flame. The thermal decomposition of the polymer microspheres converted the metal layer into particles arranged in hexagonal arrays that preserved the order of the original monolayer. Both the particle size and the interparticle distance were adjusted via the thickness of the metal coating and the sphere diameter, respectively.

Neurobehavioral abnormalities in a brain-specific NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase knockout mouse model

The aim of the present study was to test a new hypothesis that brain cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR) and CPR-dependent enzymes play important roles in behavioral performance. A mouse model with brain neuron-specific deletion of the Cpr gene (brain-Cpr-null) was recently generated. Brain-Cpr-null mice and wild-type (WT) littermates were compared in a variety of behavioral assays. Notable differences were found in the exploratory behavior assay: for both males and females, activity in the center of the chamber was significantly higher for brain-Cpr-null than for WT mice on days 2 and 3 of the assay, although no significant difference was found between the two groups in anxiety-like behavior in the elevated zero maze. Furthermore, in the fear-conditioning assay, brain-Cpr-null mice exhibited significantly less activity suppression than did WT controls. This deficit in activity suppression was not accompanied by any difference between WT and brain-Cpr-null mice in nociceptive responses to foot shocks. Abnormal activity suppression was also observed in both male and female brain-Cpr-null mice during the contextual memory test. However, in the Morris water maze assay, the brain-Cpr-null and WT mice were indistinguishable, indicating normal spatial memory in the mutant mice. These data collectively indicate a novel role of the Cpr gene in fear conditioning and memory.

Oxygen therapy for pneumonia in adults

BACKGROUND

Oxygen therapy is widely used in the treatment of lung diseases. However, the effectiveness of oxygen therapy as a treatment for pneumonia is not well known.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and safety of oxygen therapy in the treatment of pneumonia in adults older than 18 years.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) 2011, Issue 4, part of The Cochrane Library, www.thecochranelibrary.com (accessed 9 December 2011), which includes the Cochrane Acute Respiratory Infections Group's Specialised Register, MEDLINE (1948 to November week 3, 2011) and EMBASE (1974 to December 2011).

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of oxygen therapy for adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and nosocomial (hospital-acquired) pneumonia (HAP or NP) in intensive care units (ICU).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently reviewed abstracts and assessed data for methodological quality.

MAIN RESULTS

Three RCTs met our inclusion criteria. The studies enrolled 151 participants with CAP or immunosuppressed patients with pulmonary infiltrates. Overall, we found that non-invasive ventilation can reduce the risk of death in the ICU, odd ratio (OR) 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.09 to 0.88; endotracheal intubation, OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.61; complications, OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.70; and shorten ICU length of stay, mean duration (MD) -3.28, 95% CI -5.41 to -1.61.Non-invasive ventilation and standard oxygen supplementation via a Venturi mask were similar when measuring mortality in hospital, OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.11 to 2.68; two-month survival, OR 1.67, 95% CI 0.53 to 5.28; duration of hospital stay, MD -1.00, 95% CI -2.05 to 0.05; and duration of mechanical ventilation, standard MD -0.26, 95% CI -0.66 to 0.14. Some outcomes and complications of non-invasive ventilation were varied according to different participant populations. We also found that some subgroups had a high level of heterogeneity when conducting pooled analyses.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Non-invasive ventilation can reduce the risk of death in the ICU, endotracheal intubation, shorten ICU stay and length of intubation. Some outcomes and complications of non-invasive ventilation were varied according to different participant populations. Other than the oxygen therapy, we must mention the importance of standard treatment by physicians. The evidence is weak and we did not include participants with pulmonary tuberculosis and cystic fibrosis. More RCTs are required to answer these clinical questions. However, the review indicates that non-invasive ventilation may be more beneficial than standard oxygen supplementation via a Venturi mask for pneumonia.

Polymorphism H558R in the Human Cardiac Sodium Channel SCN5A Gene is Associated with Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmias and its prevalence is increasing worldwide in line with the growing elderly population. Many single nucleotide polymorphisms and mutations are associated with AF, including the common loss-of-function histidine-558-to-arginine (H558R) polymorphism of the human cardiac sodium channel, voltage-gated, type V, α subunit (encoded by the SCN5A gene). The H558R polymorphism results from the T-C transition in the SCN5A gene. This study recruited 135 patients with AF and 296 healthy controls to scan for and perform targeted genotyping of the H558R polymorphism of the SCN5A gene. Logistic regression analysis showed that the TC and CC genotypes (i.e. genotypes that result in the R558 polymorphism) were significantly associated with an increased risk of developing AF. The R558 polymorphism conferred an odds ratio for AF of 3.451 (95% confidence interval 1.718, 6.931). In conclusion, this study provided evidence for the role of the H558R polymorphism of the SCN5A gene in increasing the susceptibility to AF.