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Abstract To reduce mutual coupling of an improved nested array (INA), the authors propose an augmented improved nested array (AINA) by splitting the dense subarray of the INA into two parts and rearranging one of them on the right side of the last element in the INA, which enhances the number of unique lags in difference coarray and reduces the number of element pairs with small separations. The closed‐form expressions for the physical element locations, the range of consecutive lags and the number of unique lags are derived for any given element number. It is indicated that the AINA possesses higher degrees of freedom and less mutual coupling than the common sparse arrays. Numerical simulations verify the superiority of the proposed configuration.

Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Circular RNAs may play important roles in the progression of CRC. In this study, we investigated the roles and mechanisms of action of circ‐MALAT1 in CRC. Gene expression and protein abundance were determined using qRT‐PCR and western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by MTT, clone formation, and wound‐healing assays. The interactions among the long non‐coding RNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (circ‐MALAT1), miR‐506‐3p, and lysine acetyltransferase 6B (KAT6B) were predicted using the StarBase software and confirmed by the luciferase activity assay. Circ‐MALAT1 and KAT6B were upregulated, while miR‐506‐3p was downregulated in CRC cells. We validated that knocking down of circ‐MALAT1 suppressed proliferation, migration, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of CRC cells, and these effects were abolished by miR‐506‐3p downregulation or KAT6B sufficiency. Our study suggests that circ‐MALAT1 could sponge miR‐506‐3p to regulate the expression of KAT6B. Moreover, KAT6B sufficiency could neutralize miR‐506‐3p‐dependent growth arrest, migration, and EMT. Circ‐MALAT1 promotes cell proliferation, migration, and EMT of CRC cells via the miR‐506‐3p/KAT6B axis, thereby acting as a novel potential therapeutic target for the treatment of colorectal cancer.

Abstract With the rapid increase in its incidence in the last decade, colorectal cancer (CRC) is becoming one of the most life‐threatening cancers. Circular RNA PTK2 (circPTK2) has multiple functions in oncogenesis, including in CRC. However, it remains elusive if circPTK2 also plays an important role in CRC malignancy. The levels of circPTK2, miR‐506‐3p, and AKT serine/threonine kinase 2 (AKT2) were measured by qPCR. The protein level of AKT2 was evaluated by western blotting assay. The proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cancer cells were evaluated by MTT, colony formation, wound‐healing, and transwell assays. The interaction between circPTK2 and miR‐506‐3p and between miR‐506‐3p and AKT2 mRNA were verified by dual‐luciferase reporter assay. The expressions of circPTK2 and AKT2 were elevated in CRC cells, with a concomitant reduction of miR‐506‐3p. The knockdown of circPTK2 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of CRC cells. CircPTK2 targeted miR‐506‐3p and negatively regulated its expression. Furthermore, miR‐506‐3p overexpression suppressed the CRC progression by downregulating the AKT2 expression. AKT2 overexpression or miR‐506‐3p inhibition restored the suppression of growth and invasiveness of CRC cancer cells caused by circPTK2 silencing. The circPTK2/miR‐506‐3p/AKT2 axis plays a novel and essential role in promoting CRC progression, providing potential targets for CRC therapeutic modality.

Abstract Aim Chronic skin disease (CSD) often has devastating effects on the physiological, psychological and social aspects of patients, who must adapt to them. However, it is not clear how patients adapt, especially with regard to their psychosocial adaptation (PSA). This research explored a theoretical model of PSA among people with CSD. Design Following constructivist grounded theory methodology, a qualitative study was undertaken between August 2018 and June 2019. Methods Observation and semi‐structured interview were conducted with included participants (n=19). Data were iteratively coded and analyzed by constant comparison following the key stages of initial, focused, axial and theoretical coding until saturation was achieved. Results When individuals face the impacts of disease, they try to adjust to adapt it. The findings showed the core category (self‐cognitive) and the contributing categories (impacts of chronic skin disease, contextual factors, physiological experiences, psychological experiences, social experiences, and positive and negative psychosocial adaptations) of the PSA among people with CSD. The process of PSA among people with CSD was not linear throughout the disease and was instead entwined within a set of complexes (contextual factors‐experience) interactions. The consequences of PSA included positive and negative aspects. The theoretical model of PSA among people with CSD will provide us with information needed to develop accurate assessment and effective intervention strategies. Understanding that PSA among people with CSD is a complex, dynamic, and interactional process may provide evidence for further assessing and meeting the needs of people.

Abstract Objective Despite the proven benefits of adjuvant endocrine therapy, adherence to oral endocrine therapy in breast cancer treatment is a substantial problem. The aim of this study was to assess adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy by women in China for the first 5 years, and to identify its influencing factors. Methods Stratified sampling method was adopted to select 1875 cases of breast cancer patients for cross‐sectional telephone follow‐up. Compliance to medications was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Status of endocrine therapy was assessed using nine additional questions. Binomial regression was used when assessing the factors associated with persistence, multinomial regression models were used to assess factors associated with compliance. Results Of 888 patients who started adjuvant endocrine therapy, 769(86.6%) persisted and 119 (13.4%) discontinued. 760 patients who completed Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, the compliance was 7.4% low, 42% medium, and 50.6% high. The type of medication, duration of medication and side effects had an impact both on persistence and compliance. Age, history of radiotherapy and caregivers only had an impact on persistence. Conclusions Medication adherence was affected by many factors. Special attention and interventions should be given to women taking tamoxifen in the 2nd to 3rd year of medication, and aromatase inhibitors in the 1st to 2nd year. Further prospective design studies are needed to explore effective measures to improve medication adherence of women with breast cancer treated by endocrine therapy.