Search

OBJECTIVE: High mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2) is a kind of oncogene that regulates cell proliferation and cycle. HMGA2 up-regulation is related to the occurrence of multiple tumors including colorectal cancer. MiR-150 is found down-regulated in colorectal cancer tissue. Bioinformatics analysis shows the complementary targeted relationship between miR-150 and the 3'-UTR of HMGA2. This study explores the role of microRNA-150 (miR- 150) in regulating HMGA2 expression, colorectal cancer cell proliferation, and cycle. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Colorectal cancer patients were enrolled to collect cancer and paracarcinoma tissues. MiR-150 and HMGA2 expressions were tested in tissue. MiR-150, HMGA2, and Cyclin A levels in colorectal cancer cell line SW480, and normal colorectal epithelial cell line FHC were compared. The targeted relationship between miR-150 and the 3'-UTR of HMGA2 was evaluated by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. SW480 cells were divided into five groups, including miR-control, miR-150 mimic, small interfere normal control (si-NC), si-HMGA2, and miR-150 mimic + si-HMGA2. Cell cycle was determined by using flow cytometry. The cell proliferation was detected by using the cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) test. RESULTS: HMGA2 expression was significantly increased, while miR-150 levels were significantly declined in colorectal cancer tissue compared with that in para-carcinoma tissue (p<0.05). HMGA2 and Cyclin A levels were higher significantly, whereas miR-150 expression was lower significantly in SW480 cells compared to that in FHC cells (p<0.05). MiR-150 targeted band to the 3'-UTR of HMGA. MiR-150 mimic and/ or si-HMGA2 significantly reduced HMGA2 and Cyclin A expressions, blocked cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, and attenuated cell proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: We observed that miR-150 down-regulated Cyclin A expression to block colorectal cancer cell cycle and inhibit proliferation through targeted inhibiting HMGA2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature and twist characteristics of cascaded long period fiber gratings (LPFGs) written in PANDA polarization-maintaining fibers have been experimentally investigated. The temperature sensitivity of the proposed structure reaches 102:6 pm °C-1. The amplitude of the peak decreases as the structure is rotated clockwise, whereas it increases as the structure is rotated counterclockwise. The resonance wavelength responds linearly to the twist ratio with a sensitivity of 0.072 nm .rad m-1/-1 for a range of ±21 rad m-1. The proposed structure could be employed for twist and temperature sensing applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fracture behavior of microscale lead-free Sn-3.0Ag-0.5Cu solder joints of different sizes was investigated under quasistatic microtension loading. The experimental results show that the ultimate tensile strength of a joint does not always increase with decreasing thickness-to-diameter ratio ( d/ t), which is commonly regarded as the dominant factor for mechanical constraint in the joint. A clear joint volume effect on the strength has been found, i.e., the joint’s strength increases with decreasing joint volume $$ \left( {V = {\frac{\pi }{4}}d^{2} t} \right), $$ and the correlation follows an inverse proportional function reasonably well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) has the potential to improve ventilation/perfusion matching and decrease pulmonary artery pressure in patients with profound respiratory failure., Methods: Eight patients, average age of 35 years (range, 2.5-77 years) and burn size 49% (range, 19-80%), with inhalation injury and respiratory failure failing conventional management (average Pao2/FiO2 ratio (PFR) 85) were given inhaled NO at 20 ppm., Results: An immediate mean increase in PFR of 10% and a decrease in pulmonary artery mean pressure of 7.8% was noted. At 24 hours, the average improvement in PFR was 28% and that in pulmonary artery mean pressure was 7.7%. Although not reaching statistical significance, these changes were more pronounced in those patients who went on to survive. There was no hypotension attributed to NO administration, and maximum methemoglobin levels averaged 0.9%., Conclusions: Inhaled NO can be safely administered to selected burn patients with severe respiratory failure who are perceived to be failing conventional support. Although current data are not adequate to support its general use, an immediate and sustained improvement in PFR and pulmonary artery mean pressure may correlate with eventual recovery of pulmonary function. Continued evaluation in controlled settings seems warranted and is in progress.