Identification of novel genes in aging osteoblasts using next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics.

During the aging process, impaired osteoblastic function is one key factor of imbalanced bone formation and age-related bone loss. The aim of this study is to explore the differentially expressed genes in normal and aged osteoblasts and to identify genes potentially involved in age-related alteration in bone physiology. Based on next generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis, 12 differentially expressed microRNAs and 22 differentially expressed genes were identified.

Comparison of single-port and three-port laparoscopic salpingectomy in the management for tubal pregnancy.

Background: To compare the short-term outcome of patients undergoing single-port laparoscopic salpingectomy (SP-LS) and conventional three-port laparoscopic salpingectomy (C-LS).

Methods: A retrospective evaluation of 112 patients with tubal pregnancies treated by one surgeon at a single teaching hospital. Among these, 47 patients were treated with SP-LS and the remaining 65 were treated with C-LS.

Surgery Versus Radiation Treatment for High-Grade Neuroendocrine Cancer of Uterine Cervix: A Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Database Analysis.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess treatment and other factors impacting survival in cervical high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (HGNEC).

Methods/materials: We identified patients with cervical HGNECs diagnosed during 1988 to 2012 in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. We determined overall survival by International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stages and by local treatment modalities, that is, radical surgery versus external beam radiation treatment (EBRT) plus brachytherapy using Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test.

Wound healing.

Wound healing is an important physiological process to maintain the integrity of skin after trauma, either by accident or by intent procedure. The normal wound healing involves three successive but overlapping phases, including hemostasis/inflammatory phase, proliferative phase, and remodeling phase. Aberration of wound healing, such as excessive wound healing (hypertrophic scar and keloid) or chronic wound (ulcer) impairs the normal physical function.

Deduction of Novel Genes Potentially Involved in Osteoblasts of Rheumatoid Arthritis Using Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatic Approaches.

The role of osteoblasts in peri-articular bone loss and bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has gained much attention, and microRNAs are hypothesized to play critical roles in the regulation of osteoblast function in RA. The aim of this study is to explore novel microRNAs differentially expressed in RA osteoblasts and to identify genes potentially involved in the dysregulated bone homeostasis in RA. RNAs were extracted from cultured normal and RA osteoblasts for sequencing.

Angiotensin 1-7 modulates electrophysiological characteristics and calcium homoeostasis in pulmonary veins cardiomyocytes via MAS/PI3K/eNOS signalling pathway.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia, and pulmonary veins (PVs) play a critical role in triggering AF. Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) regulates calcium (Ca ) homoeostasis and also plays a critical role in cardiovascular pathophysiology. However, the role of Ang-(1-7) in PV arrhythmogenesis remains unclear.

Estrogen Effects on Wound Healing.

Wound healing is a physiological process, involving three successive and overlapping phases-hemostasis/inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling-to maintain the integrity of skin after trauma, either by accident or by procedure. Any disruption or unbalanced distribution of these processes might result in abnormal wound healing. Many molecular and clinical data support the effects of estrogen on normal skin homeostasis and wound healing.

Decoy receptor 3 promotes cell adhesion and enhances endometriosis development.

Endometriosis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease with persistent activation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signalling pathway. Aberrant adhesion of endometrium is the essential step in the progression of endometriosis, but the molecular mechanism of ectopic growth of endometrium is still unclear. Decoy receptor 3 (DcR3)/TNFRSF6B, a pleiotropic immunomodulator regulated by oestrogen, is able to activate focal adhesion kinase to promote cell adhesion.

The frequency of cancer predisposition gene mutations in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer patients in Taiwan: From BRCA1/2 to multi-gene panels.

An important role of genetic factors in the development of breast cancer (BC) or ovarian cancer (OC) in Taiwanese (ethnic Chinese) patients has been suggested. However, other than germline BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, which are related to hereditary breast-ovarian cancer (HBOC), cancer-predisposition genes have not been well studied in this population. The aim of the present study was to more accurately summarize the prevalence of genetic mutations in HBOC patients using various gene panels ranging in size from BRCA1/2 alone to multi-gene panels.

Genetic and ethnic modulation of cardiovascular toxicity of vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors, including monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), are important as anticancer treatments through curbing tumour angiogenesis and growth. VEGF inhibitors have significant cardiovascular effects. By blocking VEGF receptors, ligands, or signal pathways, VEGF inhibitors disturb the balance between vasodilation and vasoconstriction, undermine endothelial cell integrity, and activate cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Aging Modulates the Substrate and Triggers Remodeling in Atrial Fibrillation.

Aging plays a critical role in the genesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) and also increases the risks of cardiac dysfunction and stroke in AF patients. AF is caused by increased AF triggering from abnormalities of the thoracic vein and/or modulated substrate (atrial) with enhancement of AF maintenance. Clinical and laboratory evidence indicates that aging is significant in the creation of atrial electrical and structural remodeling that leads to increased susceptibility to AF occurrence.

A single institute retrospective trial of concurrent chemotherapy with SIR-Spheres versus SIR-Spheres alone in chemotherapy-resistant colorectal cancer liver metastases.

Background: The use of selective internal radiation therapy with yttrium 90 resin microspheres (SIR-Spheres) in chemotherapy-resistant colorectal cancer liver metastases has been associated with favorable progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival when given alone or concurrently with chemotherapy. We conducted a single institute retrospective trial to explore the potential impact of SIR-Spheres with concurrent chemotherapy . SIR-Spheres alone on liver PFS in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Response to comment on "Oestrogen-induced angiogenesis and implantation contribute to the development of parasitic myomas after laparoscopic morcellation".

According to the literature review, CO2 insufflation on parasitic myoma implantation is not well studied, and we concur that our study is related to "Morcellation-induced parasitic myomas." We did not compare CO2 insufflation to non-insufflation in our study. The reason is the efficacy of gasless laparoscopic myomectomy and morcellation is not well established and this modality is seldom performed.

ADAM10 modulates calcitriol-regulated RAGE in cardiomyocytes.

Background: Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) signalling plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Calcitriol modulates cardiac RAGE expression. This study explored the mechanisms underlying the effect of calcitriol on RAGE and soluble RAGE (sRAGE) expression in cardiomyocytes.

Redox and Activation of Protein Kinase A Dysregulates Calcium Homeostasis in Pulmonary Vein Cardiomyocytes of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases the occurrence of atrial fibrillation and pulmonary vein (PV) arrhythmogenesis. Calcium dysregulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) enhance PV arrhythmogenic activity. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether CKD modulates PV electrical activity through dysregulation of calcium homeostasis and ROS.

Mitochondrial dysfunction on sinoatrial node and pulmonary vein electrophysiological activities.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Sinoatrial node (SAN) dysfunction increases arrhythmogenesis of pulmonary veins (PVs), which is the most important trigger of AF; however, it is not clear whether mitochondrial dysfunction differentially regulates electrical activity of SANs and PVs. In the present study, conventional microelectrodes were used to record the action potentials (APs) in isolated rabbit PVs, SANs, left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) before and after application of trifluorocarbonylcyanide phenylhydrazone (FCCP; a mitochondrial uncoupling agent) at 10, 100 and 300 nM.

Discrepant effects of heart failure on electrophysiological property in right ventricular outflow tract and left ventricular outflow tract cardiomyocytes.

Ventricular arrhythmias commonly arise from the right (RVOT) and left ventricular outflow tracts (LVOT) in patients without structural heart disease. Heart failure (HF) significantly increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias. The regional differences and how HF affects the electrophysiological characteristics of RVOT and LVOT cardiomyocytes remain unclear.

Improved oxygen uptake efficiency slope in acute myocardial infarction patients after early phase I cardiac rehabilitation.

A predischarge submaximal exercise test is often recommended after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) as part of phase I cardiac rehabilitation. In this study, a submaximal exercise parameter, oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), was used to monitor the benefit of early mobilization within 48 h after AMI. An early mobilization protocol within 48 h after AMI has been initiated since 1 September 2012 in our center.

Heart failure modulates electropharmacological characteristics of sinoatrial nodes.

The impact of heart failure (HF) on sinoatrial node (SAN) channel regulation and electropharmacological responses has remained elusive. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of HF on the electrical activity of SANs with and without pharmacological interventions. Action potentials (APs) were recorded in isolated SANs from normal rabbits (control) and those with HF (rapid ventricular pacing for 4 weeks) prior to and after administration of a funny current blocker (ivabradine; 0.

Colon Cancer, Version 1.2017, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

This portion of the NCCN Guidelines for Colon Cancer focuses on the use of systemic therapy in metastatic disease. Considerations for treatment selection among 32 different monotherapies and combination regimens in up to 7 lines of therapy have included treatment history, extent of disease, goals of treatment, the efficacy and toxicity profiles of the regimens, mutational status, and patient comorbidities and preferences. Location of the primary tumor, the mutation status, and tumor microsatellite stability should also be considered in treatment decisions.

Postoperative maintenance levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system and endometrioma recurrence: a randomized controlled study.

Background: According to 3 randomized trials, the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system significantly reduced recurrent endometriosis-related pelvic pain at postoperative year 1. Only a few studies have evaluated the long-term effectiveness of the device for preventing endometrioma recurrence, and the effects of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system as a maintenance therapy remain unclear.

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate whether a maintenance levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is effective for preventing postoperative endometrioma recurrence.

Modulation of Autonomic Nervous Activity in the Termination of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Autonomic nervous activity plays a critical role in the genesis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF, PAF). However, the role of autonomic nervous activity on AF termination has not been elucidated. Heart rate variability (HRV) is widely used to evaluate autonomic nervous activity in humans.

Activated p300 acetyltransferase activity modulates aortic valvular calcification with osteogenic transdifferentiation and downregulation of Klotho.

Background: The calcific aortic valve (AV) disease is a common disease with the unclear mechanism, and optimal pharmacological treatment remains unavailable. Epigenetic modulation by histone acetyltransferase (HAT) plays a critical role in osteogenic transdifferentiation and atherosclerosis. The purposes of this study were to investigate whether HAT contributes to the pathophysiology of AV calcification and assess the therapeutic potential of HAT inhibition.

PPARs modulate cardiac metabolism and mitochondrial function in diabetes.

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a major complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Currently, effective treatments for diabetic cardiomyopathy are limited. The pathophysiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy is complex, whereas mitochondrial dysfunction plays a vital role in the genesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy.