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Background: The aberrant expression of microRNA-139-3p (miR-139-3p) has been recently involved in the development of multiple tumor types, but its function in ovarian cancer remains not well investigated. In this study, we mainly investigated the function of miR-139-3p in the progression of ovarian cancer. Methods: The levels of miR-139-3p in ovarian cancer cells and tissues were detected using quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR) assay. The proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cell were determined, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm ELAV Like RNA Binding Protein 1 (ELAVL1) was a target gene of miR-139-3p. The expression of ELAVL1 was detected using Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining assay. The roles of miR-139-3p on the growth and metastasis of ovarian cancer cell in vivo were explored using transplanted tumor model and experimental lung metastasis model. Results: MiR-139-3p was down-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues and ovarian cancer cell lines (SK-OV-3, A2780 and OVCAR-3). Overexpression of miR-139-3p decreased the growth, colony formation, migration and invasiveness of SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells. Moreover, overexpression of miR-139-3p reduced the growth and lung metastasis of ovarian cancer cells in vivo. The luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that ELAVL1 was a target of miR-139-3p and its expression was negatively regulated by miR-139-3p. Furthermore, the expression of ELAVL1 was inversely correlated with miR-139-3p level in ovarian cancer tissue. Conclusion: Taken together, we demonstrated that miR-139-3p regulated ovarian cancer growth and metastasis by modulating the expression of ELAVL1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve problems of bulking agents shortage for sewage sludge (SS) composting and of disposal of cassava distillery residues (CDR) in the alcohol industry, the effects of using CDR instead of maize straw as bulking agents were investigated at full scale in Rizhao, China. This was done by comparing CDR-added and straw-added piles. Both CDR and straw promoted sanitation achievement of SS composts. CDR was effective at increasing fermentation temperature, whereas straw was superior in maintaining the thermophilic phase. The free air space (FAS) of matrices provided by CDR or straw were sufficient (>30%) for fermentation, and showed rising trends during composting. Extensive mass reduction was also accomplished in composting even after considering the weight of added straw or CDR. Compared with straw-added piles, CDR-added piles showed less average FAS (51.42%), water removal (49.68%), and organic matter (OM) loss (21.51%), but greater volume reduction (16.34%). The time-dependence of OM loss varied between the CDR-added (which followed zero-order kinetics) and straw-added (first-order kinetics) piles. After fermentation, the composts were phytotoxin-free in both treatments. The CDR-added piles had lower EC (2,221 μS cm−1) and C/N (13.29) than straw-added piles. A smaller germination index (73.59%) for CDR-added piles, combined with higher pH (7.33) and oxygen consumption rate (4.33 mL L−1min−1), suggests that SS composting with CDR requires a longer time to reach maturity than with straw. However, CDR can be used instead of maize straw as a bulking agent for full-scale SS composting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid developments in pulse power technology, the gas spark switch has broadened its application in both industrial fields and research fields, such as the extraction of unconventional gas resources and underwater electrical wire explosion. Thus, the repetitive switch needs high current capability, small breakdown voltage variance, and long lifetime in an airtight cavity. The performances of the switch directly influence the output characteristics of the system, but electrode erosion is inevitable, which may decrease the self-breakdown voltage and the lifetime. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the electrode erosion characteristics under adverse conditions. The cathode showed a worse erosion surface. Compared with the central zone of the electrodes, the outer zone showed a worse surface roughness for both the cathode and the anode. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Self-integrating Rogowski coil has been widely used for measurements of pulsed currents from nanosecond timescale to microsecond timescale in pulsed power systems. Appropriate designs of coil’s structure are vital to high-frequency response. This paper proposed a new structure of Rogowski coil so as to provide a better response to fast pulsed current. Four Rogowski coils with different structures were tested in three different platforms. Experimental results showed that the hybrid Printed Circuit Board Rogowski coil had the best performance in this paper, which could respond to square waves with fronts of $\sim 2$ ns and had a sensitivity of 0.585 V/kA. The designed maximal peak current was 100 kA. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and safety of early dressing removal of clean wounds following thoracotomy. Subjects and Methods: A total of 230 patients (127 males, mean age 55.6 ± 16.7 years) were randomly divided into study and control groups. In the study group the cotton gauze dressing was removed 48 h after the surgery, whereas in the control group the dressing was kept on for 7-8 days until the removal of skin sutures. The infection and healing of the wounds were examined, and patients were followed up for 30 days. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in age, sex, smoking rates, concurrent illnesses and operational characteristics between the study and control groups (p > 0.05). The wound infection rate in the study and control groups was 6 (5.2%) and 7 patients (6.1%), respectively (p = 0.775). Two patients (1.7%) from the study group and 1 (0.9%, p = 0.561) from the control group had partial wound approximation by day 7. Surrounding skin integrity was normal in 106 (92.2%) of the study group and 107 (93.0%) of the control group patients by postoperative day 7 (p = 0.801). Conclusion: Removal of wound dressing 48 h after thoracic surgery was not associated with an increased risk of surgical site infection. Hence the early removal of wound dressing did not appear to have an adverse impact on wound healing. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Embedment of drug-like heterocyclic moieties was successfully employed in the novel modification of the readily available but poorly bioactive natural alkaloid sinomenine. Application of the newly proposed approach afforded a number of more potent sinomenine-like molecules with a significantly high hit rate. Among these new analogous, up to 500-fold increase of in vitro immunosuppressive activity was achieved. Further biological experiments of representative compound 4b indicated that it might inhibit NF-κB activation induced by TNF-α in a dose dependent way and showed remarkable in vivo treatment effects against the mouse experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) disease models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Previous studies have shown that estrogen may reduce neurological damages in Parkinson''s disease but the mechanisms of this protective effect are unclear. This study was designed to investigate the effect of isoflavone, a plant-derived estrogen, on the apoptosis of an in vitro cell model for Parkinson''s disease. This cell model was based on 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+)-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. PC12 cells were divided into four groups: control (vehicle), MPP+ (250μmol/L) only, isoflavone (10μM)+MPP+ (250μmol/L), and isoflavone (10μM) only group. Bax protein in PC12 cells was measured with Western-blot. The expression of Bax gene was analysed by in situ hybridization assay. The apoptosis ratio in the isoflavone+MPP+ group (30.9%) and the control group (30.7%) was similar (P >0.05), but it was lower than in the MPP+ group (67.9%, P <0.05). Optical density in the Bax positive cells in the isoflavone+MPP+ group was lower than in the MPP+ group (0.28±0.03 vs 0.45±0.06, P <0.05). Bax mRNA in the isoflavone+MPP+ group was lower than in the MPP+ group (0.23±0.02 vs 0.47±0.04, P <0.01). The Bax protein in the isoflavone+MPP+ group was also lower than in the MPP+ group (89±12 vs 131±19, P <0.01). In conclusion, soflavone suppressed MPP+-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells. The apoptosis suppression is associated with a decreased level of proapoptotic Bax gene and Bax protein. Further studies are warranted to investigate the clinical effect of isoflavone on Parkinson''s disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

High entropy alloy coatings show great potential for improving the wear resistance of the stainless-steel substrate. However, there are few comparative studies on the tribological properties of high entropy alloy coatings with different elements. In the present study, the FeCoCrNiCu x and FeCoCrNiSi x high entropy alloy coatings were designed and prepared by laser cladding. The microstructures of the high entropy coating were analyzed. The tribological properties of the high entropy alloy coatings sliding against Si 3 N 4 balls at room temperature and 600 °C were investigated. The results show that after adding Cu/Si, the tribological properties of the coating change little at room temperature, but increased significantly at high temperature of 600 °C. The FeCoCrNiSi coating has the best tribological performance at 600 °C with an average friction coefficient and wear rate of 0.19 and 0.677 (×10−4 mm3/N·m), respectively. In general, the addition of Cu increases the thermal conduction ability of the coating, improves the toughness and the bonding strength of the coating; the addition of Si refines the grain size, increases the degree of work hardening and improves the wear resistance of the coating. • The effect of Cu/Si on laser cladding FeCoCrNi coatings was investigated. • The addition of Cu/Si in equal molar ratio at room temperature improved wear resistance of FeCoCrNi coating. • At 600 °C, the addition of Cu/Si both improved the tribological properties of FeCoCrNi coating. • The FeCoCrNiSi coating showed the best tribological performance at high temperature (600 °C). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Whether cigarette smoking can increase the risk of hip fracture in women is unclear. This meta-analysis, which pooled results from 10 prospective cohort studies, was performed to derive a more precise estimation between cigarette smoking and the risk of hip fracture in women., Materials and Methods: Pubmed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and ISI Web of Science were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. A meta-analysis was performed to examine the association among 10 studies. The pooled risk estimates were calculated by using both random- and fixed-effects model. Heterogeneity among articles and their publications bias were also tested. All of the statistical analyses were performed using the software programs STATA (version 12.0)., Results: Relative risk was significantly increased in current female smokers (pooled RR, 1.30; 95%CI, 1.16-1.45). The association was significant among the high-dose smokers (more than 15 cigarettes per day) while not among the low-does smokers (less than 15 cigarettes per day). Omission of any single study had little effect on the pooled risk estimate. Former smokers had a similar RR of hip fracture (RR, 1.02; 95%CI, 0.93-1.11) to published papers. Smoking cessation for ≥10 years leads to a significant decline in risk., Conclusions: Smoking is associated with an increased hip fracture risk in women. Cessation of smoking for ≥10 years had a decreased impact on risk of hip fracture. Given the inconsistency among the studies in the choice of adjustments, the associations between cigarette smoking and risk of hip fracture in women await further investigation., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Breast cancer is a leading tumor with a high mortality in women. This study examined the spatio-temporal distribution of the incidence of female breast cancer in Shenzhen between 2007 and 2012., Methods: The data on breast cancer incidence were obtained from the Shenzhen Cancer Registry System. To describe the temporal trend, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) was analyzed using a joinpoint regression model. Spatial autocorrelation and a retrospective spatio-temporal scan approach were used to detect the spatio-temporal cluster distribution of breast cancer cases., Results: Breast cancer ranked first among different types of cancer in women in Shenzhen between 2007 and 2012 with a crude incidence of 20.0/100,000 population. The age-standardized rate according to the world standard population was 21.1/100,000 in 2012, with an AAPC of 11.3%. The spatial autocorrelation analysis showed a spatial correlation characterized by the presence of a hotspot in south-central Shenzhen, which included the eastern part of Luohu District (Donghu and Liantang Streets) and Yantian District (Shatoujiao, Haishan, and Yantian Streets). Five spatio-temporal cluster areas were detected between 2010 and 2012, one of which was a Class 1 cluster located in southwestern Shenzhen in 2010, which included Yuehai, Nantou, Shahe, Shekou, and Nanshan Streets in Nanshan District with an incidence of 54.1/100,000 and a relative risk of 2.41; the other four were Class 2 clusters located in Yantian, Luohu, Futian, and Longhua Districts with a relative risk ranging from 1.70 to 3.25., Conclusions: This study revealed the spatio-temporal cluster pattern for the incidence of female breast cancer in Shenzhen, which will be useful for a better allocation of health resources in Shenzhen.

Femoral midshaft fracture is one of the most common clinical injuries and is often caused by high-energy traffic accidents. Intramedullary nailings, plates, and external fixators are all used as treatment alternatives for a variety of patients depending on fracture location, displacement, comminution, soft tissue condition, and local tradition. Locked intramedullary nailing is currently the preferred treatment method for most diaphyseal fractures and has good clinical results. The goal of this study was to compare expandable and locked intramedullary nailing for the treatment of AO type 32A and 32B1 femoral midshaft fractures. The authors performed a retrospective analysis of 46 patients (33 men and 13 women; mean age, 32.3 years; range, 22-52 years) with femoral midshaft fractures who were divided into 2 groups-one treated with an expandable intramedullary nailing method and the other with a conventional locked intramedullary nailing. The 2 groups were compared with respect to operation time, fluoroscopic time, amount of estimated blood loss, hospitalization time, healing time, and complications. Patients were followed for at least 1 year. The results of this study showed that all of the patients achieved bone union within 12 to 24 months. Expandable nailing performed better than locked nailing in operation time, fluoroscopic time, amount of estimated blood loss, and healing time (P<.001). There was no difference in hospitalization time and no visible shortening or severe complications were observed in either group. Based on the results of this study, the expandable intramedullary nailing is an easy and effective treatment for AO type 32A and 32B1 diaphyseal femoral fractures., (Copyright 2015, SLACK Incorporated.)

In pulsed power systems, pulsed currents with risetimes from nanosecond to microsecond can be effectively measured by self-integrating Rogowski coils. Appropriate design of the structure and the integrating resistor is crucial to the high-frequency response of a coil. In this paper, several novel designs of Rogowski coil's integrating resistors were proposed and tested. Experimental results showed that the optimized coil could response square waves with fronts of ∼1.5 ns and had a sensitivity of ∼0.75 V/kA. The maximal peak current was designed as 100 kA.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical results of angiography and embolization for massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage after abdominal surgery., Methods: This retrospective study included 26 patients with postoperative hemorrhage after abdominal surgery. All patients underwent emergency transarterial angiography, and 21 patients underwent emergency embolization. We retrospectively analyzed the angiographic features and the clinical outcomes of transcatheter arterial embolization., Results: Angiography showed that a discrete bleeding focus was detected in 21 (81%) of 26 patients. Positive angiographic findings included extravasations of contrast medium (n = 9), pseudoaneurysms (n = 9), and fusiform aneurysms (n = 3). Transarterial embolization was technically successful in 21 (95%) of 22 patients. Clinical success was achieved in 18 (82%) of 22 patients. No postembolization complications were observed. Three patients died of rebleeding., Conclusion: The positive rate of angiographic findings in 26 patients with postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhage was 81%. Transcatheter arterial embolization seems to be an effective and safe method in the management of postoperative gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bionut.2010.09.004. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn., (Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier SAS.. All rights reserved.)

Total syntheses of 22-hydroxyacuminatine and luotonin A were achieved in direct fashion and high overall yields (16% in eight steps and 47% in five steps, respectively). A mild cascade methodology was successfully applied in both syntheses as a common strategy. The new approach presents the advantages of short routes, high overall yields, use of stable intermediates, and ease of operations.

A mild and efficient cascade methodology is reported to construct variously substituted indolizino[1,2-b]quinolin-9(11H)-ones. Efficiently triggered by bis(triphenyl)oxodiphosphonium trifluoromethanesulfonate under mild conditions, this cascade achieved significant enhancements in chemical yields. Utilizing this highly efficient domino reaction followed by a Sharpless dihydroxylation, an eight-step total synthesis of camptothecin was accomplished from a known pyridine derivative in direct fashion with an overall yield of 47% and 95% ee.

A stereoseletive synthesis of 2,7-anhydrosialic acid derivative 18 was achieved from d-glucono-delta-lactone. A highly syn-selective addition of Grignard reagent to theN-benzylimine 8 served as a key step.