Search

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have a critical role in cancer initiation and progression, and thus may mediate oncogenic or tumor suppressing effects, as well as be a new class of cancer therapeutic targets. We performed high-throughput sequencing of RNA (RNA-seq) to investigate the expression level of lncRNAs and protein-coding genes in 30 esophageal samples, comprised of 15 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) samples and their 15 paired non-tumor tissues. We further developed an integrative bioinformatics method, denoted URW-LPE, to identify key functional lncRNAs that regulate expression of downstream protein-coding genes in ESCC. A number of known onco-lncRNA and many putative novel ones were effectively identified by URW-LPE. Importantly, we identified lncRNA625 as a novel regulator of ESCC cell proliferation, invasion and migration. ESCC patients with high lncRNA625 expression had significantly shorter survival time than those with low expression. LncRNA625 also showed specific prognostic value for patients with metastatic ESCC. Finally, we identified E1A-binding protein p300 (EP300) as a downstream executor of lncRNA625-induced transcriptional responses. These findings establish a catalog of novel cancer-associated functional lncRNAs, which will promote our understanding of lncRNA-mediated regulation in this malignancy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between baseline atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) and new-onset myocardial infarction (MI) in hypertensive patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: 2,281 participants were included in this analysis after strict adherence to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated using multivariable Cox regression models. A generalized additive model was employed to determine nonlinear relationships. RESULTS: In multivariate-adjusted models, there was a positive association between AIP and new-onset MI (per SD increase; HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.22-1.65). Smoothing curve fitting revealed a J-shaped association between AIP and new-onset MI, with a turning point of approximately -0.08. The addition of AIP to a model with established risk factors improved the C-index (p=0.007), integrated discrimination improvement (p=0.007), and continuous net reclassification improvement (p=0.027) for the new-onset MI. CONCLUSIONS: A J-shaped relationship was observed between AIP and new-onset MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the fabrication of single-mode channel waveguide structures produced by the vacuum assisted microfluidic soft lithography technique. The soft lithographic technique in conjunction with a specially designed photomask pattern and a synthesized UV curable epoxy resin can result in a high yield, cost-effective method for fabrication of channel waveguides. In particular, the use of the microfluidic technique allows for the production of freestanding high quality single-mode channel waveguides on various substrates. Notably, the introduction of sectional flow tapers allows for proper uniform filling of long length small cross-sectional waveguide structures that would ordinarily succumb to clogging at shorter distances during channel filling. The fabricated polymer waveguide was 30 mm in length with a cross section dimension of 7 × 7 µm. The single-mode waveguide propagation was confirmed with beam profiler measurement, and the measured propagation loss for this polymer waveguide was about 0.55 dB/cm.

The plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition technique deposited carbon doped silicon oxide SiO(C, H) from trimethy1silane (3MS) and oxygen was studied. Serious particle issue can be resolved for plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) deposited carbon doped silicon dioxide low k thin films by rearranging process steps.

Presents a study which examined a carbon dioxide laser used as a light source to generate acoustic waves in an aluminum sample. Relationship between the acoustic wave amplitude and the incident laser energy; Spectra of the resonance P and S waves; Value of the amplitude ratio between the generated P and S waves.

A non-probabilistic reliability optimization method for structures with uncertain-but-bounded variables was presented. Based on the interval model description for the uncertain-but-bounded parameters, the non-probabilistic reliability index was used to measure the structural reliability. The optimal design was formulated as a nested two-loop optimization problem. For a nonlinear function, a number of constraints that satisfied the non-probabilistic reliability index were treated as the serial system, and the feasible region of the uncertain parameters was determined by the target non-probabilistic reliability index. The inner optimization method for solving a number of non-probabilistic reliability indices was transformed into the problem of minimizing the functions within the feasible range. For a linear function, the non-probabilistic reliability optimization problem can be transformed into a deterministic optimization problem. The high computational cost of determining the non-probabilistic reliability was greatly reduced. Three numerical examples were presented to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interannual variability (IAV) in atmospheric CO2 growth rate (CGR) is closely connected with the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. However, sensitivities of CGR to temperature and precipitation remain largely uncertain. This paper analyzed the relationship between Mauna Loa CGR and tropical land climatic elements. We find that Mauna Loa CGR lags precipitation by 4 months with a correlation coefficient of -0.63, leads temperature by 1 month (0.77), and correlates with soil moisture (-0.65) with zero lag. Additionally, precipitation and temperature are highly correlated (-0.66), with precipitation leading by 4-5 months. Regression analysis shows that sensitivities of Mauna Loa CGR to temperature and precipitation are 2.92 ± 0.20 Pg C yr-1 K-1 and -0.46 ± 0.07 Pg C yr-1 100 mm-1, respectively. Unlike some recent suggestions, these empirical relationships favor neither temperature nor precipitation as the dominant factor of CGR IAV. We further analyzed seven terrestrial carbon cycle models, from the TRENDY project, to study the processes underlying CGR IAV. All models capture well the IAV of tropical land-atmosphere carbon flux (CFTA). Sensitivities of the ensemble mean CFTA to temperature and precipitation are 3.18 ± 0.11 Pg C yr-1 K-1 and -0.67 ± 0.04 Pg C yr-1 100 mm-1, close to Mauna Loa CGR. Importantly, the models consistently show the variability in net primary productivity (NPP) dominates CGR, rather than soil respiration. Because NPP is largely driven by precipitation, this suggests a key role of precipitation in CGR IAV despite the higher CGR correlation with temperature. Understanding the relative contribution of CO2 sensitivity to precipitation and temperature has important implications for future carbon-climate feedback using such "emergent constraint". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]