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Abstract Introduction Cholelithiasis represents a known risk factor for digestive system neoplasm. Few studies reported the association between cholelithiasis and the risk of prostate cancer (PCa), and the results were controversial. Methods We reviewed the medical records of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University Hospital to perform a retrospective matched case–control study, which included newly diagnosed 221 PCa patients and 219 matched controls. Logistic regression was applied to compare cholelithiasis exposure and adjusted for confounding factors. Additionally, we conducted a meta-analysis pooling this and published studies further to evaluate the association between cholelithiasis and PCa risk. Related ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to assess the strength of associations. Results Our case–control study showed that cholelithiasis was associated with a higher incidence of PCa (OR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.06–3.31) after multivariable adjustment for covariates. The incidence of PCa was increased in patients with gallstones but not cholecystectomy. 7 studies involving 80,403 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Similarly, the results demonstrated that cholelithiasis was associated with an increased risk of PCa (RR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.17–1.56) with moderate-quality evidence. Cholelithiasis patients with low BMI increased the PCa incidence. Moreover, Subgroup analysis based on region showed that cholelithiasis was associated with PCa in Europe (RR = 1.24, 95%CI 1.03–1.51) and Asia (RR = 1.32, 95%CI 1.24–1.41). Conclusions The results suggested an association between cholelithiasis and the risk of PCa. There was no significant relationship between cholecystectomy therapy and PCa risk. Further cohort studies should be conducted to demonstrate the results better.

Abstract Background Increased folic acid has been found to be latently protective against gynecological infection, including several kinds of vaginosis. In this study, we laid emphasis on whether RBC (Red Blood Cell) folate was associated with the infectious ratio of Trichomonas vaginalis, a kind of anaerobic parasitic protozoan. Methods We set RBC folate as the exposure variable and Trichomonas vaginalis as the outcome variable. Other subsidiary variables were regarded as covariates that may work as potential effect modifiers. The cross-sectional study was conducted with two merged waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2004, and a sample of 1274 eligible women (1212 negative and 62 positive in Trichomonas vaginalis infection) was integrated for the exploration of the association between RBC folate and Trichomonas vaginalis infection. Multivariate regression analyses, subgroup analyses, and subsequent smooth curve fittings were conducted to estimate the relationship between RBC folate and Trichomonas vaginalis in women. Results In the multivariable logistic regression analyses, a negative association was observed between stratified RBC folate status and Trichomonas vaginalis infection with all confounders adjusted. Referencing the lowest RBC folate concentration quartile, the higher concentration quartiles reported a relatively lower infection ratio, while there was a weak correlation between total RBC folate concentration and T. vaginalis (Trichomonas vaginalis) infection. In subgroup analyses stratified by BMI and age, this association was only found significant in high age and BMI groups. Conclusions The cross-sectional study indicated a negative association between RBC folic acid and Trichomonas vaginalis infection, and latent effects of BMI and age on the association were also found.

The capacitive power transfer (CPT) technology is a novel solution to transfer power wirelessly by using electric field. Although there is an insulating layer on the coupling plates, leakage electric field is still existing around the plates. So there might have an electric shock hazard when a human body touches the conductors placed around the coupling plates. To solve this problem, an equivalent capacitor model of the metallic conductor and the coupling plate is established. Besides, a human body impedance model is introduced to obtain equivalent circuits of the CPT system when a human touches the conductor. The formulas of the four coupling plate voltages are derived for a full bridge series resonant CPT system. Moreover, the distributed voltages of the conductor placed above different coupling plates are given. The correctness of the theoretical analysis has been verified by the experimental results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YAP1 gene fusions are found in subgroups of paediatric ependymomas. Here the authors show that YAP1 activation in NeuroD6 positive neuronal precursor cells can induce ependymoma-like tumours in mice.

Abstract Background The increasing incidence of radiation-induced osteosarcoma of the maxilla and mandible (RIOSM) has become a significant problem that can limit long-term survival. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association of clinicopathologic characteristics with treatment outcomes and prognostic factors of patients who developed RIOSM after undergoing radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods We reviewed the medical records of 53,760 NPC patients admitted to Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center during the period August 1964 to August 2012. Of these patients, 47 who developed RISOM and met inclusion criteria were included in this study. Two of these 47 patients refused treatment and were then excluded. Results For all patients treated for NPC at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center during the study period, the total incidence of RIOSM after radiotherapy was 0.084% (47/53,760). Two patients (4.4%) had metastases at the diagnosis of RIOSM. Thirty-nine of the 45 (86.7%) patients underwent surgery for RIOSM; most patients (24/39; 61.5%) who underwent resection had gross clear margins, with 15 patients (38.5%) having either a gross or microscopic positive margin. All patients died. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates for the entire cohort of 45 patients were 53.3%, 35.6% and 13.5%, respectively. The independent prognostic factors associated with high OS rate were tumor size and treatment type. Conclusions RISOM after radiotherapy for NPC is aggressive and often eludes early detection and timely intervention. Surgery combined with postoperative chemotherapy might be an effective treatment to improve patient survival.

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