A real-time quantitative PCR based on molecular beacon for detecting Brucella infection / PCR quantitativo em tempo real, baseado em guia molecular para detecção de infeção por Brucella

O objetivo deste comunicado é desenvolver um método quantitativo PCR em tempo real, baseado em guia molecular (MB) (MB-qPCR) para detecção de infecção por espécies de Brucella, e avaliar seu potencial de utilização clínica. Os primers e as sondas MB foram desenhados para amplificação específica e determinação de sequência conservada do código do gene para os primeiros 58-aa da proteína de membrana externa OMP-2a, que é compartilhada em cinco espécies de Brucella epidêmicas. A avaliação metodológica foi realizada por análise de sensibilidade, especificidade, coeficiente de variação intra e inter, e a linearidade do qPCR. O potencial diagnóstico foi avaliado comparando-se o método qPCR desenvolvido com ensaios de exames bacteriológicos convencionais, incluindo os testes de soroaglutinação convencionais (SATs) e os testes do Rosa Bengala (RBPTs). O método exibiu alta sensibilidade (tão baixo quanto 50 cópias) e grande faixa de linearidade (102-108 cópias). Nenhuma reação cruzada foi encontrada com bactéria clínica comum. A sensibilidade diagnóstica foi superior ao exame bacteriológico, e a especificidade diagnóstica foi superior ao SAT ou ao RBPT. Um método MB-qPCR altamente sensível e específico para DNA de Brucella foi estabelecido com sucesso, provando ser uma ferramenta útil no diagnóstico molecular de brucelose.(AU)

Comparison between Ozurdex and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatment for retinal vein occlusion–related macular edema: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of intravitreal dexamethasone (DEX) implant and intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments for macular edema (ME) secondary to retinal vein occlusion (RVO), central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). The electronic databases comprehensively searched for the studies that compared DEX with anti-VEGF treatments in patients suffering from RVO-related ME. The effectiveness was estimated using best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), and intraocular pressure (IOP). All data were analyzed by Review Manager (RevMan) 5.3. According to the meta-analysis from five randomized control trials, both DEX implant and anti-VEGF agent treatments were effective, but no significant differences in BCVA and CRT were observed between these two treatments. Novartis' two studies indicated that anti-VEGF agents significantly reduced the CRT compared with DEX implant at 6 months [weighted mean difference: 158.53 ?m, 95% confidence interval (CI): (71.09, 245.96), P= 0.0004]. Furthermore, anti-VEGF agents showed some advantages on cataract formation [risk ratio (RR): 3.43, 95% CI: (1.35, 8.71), P= 0.009] and other adverse events [RR: 1.19, 95% CI: (1.09, 1.31), P= 0.0002] without heterogeneity (P = 0.20, I2 = 35%). Anti-VEGF agents were also effective treatments for cataract formation or less adverse events for RVO-related ME. In contrast, DEX implant had higher risk for IOP elevation and lower cataract incidence than anti-VEGF agents. Hence, complementary and alternative treatments are expected.

MicroRNA‑185 is a novel tumor suppressor by negatively modulating the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway in human colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The deregulation of microRNA‑185 (miR‑185) has been showed to be associated with many cancers and act as a tumor suppressor in many types of human malignancies. We hence tried to find out its role in human colorectal cancer (CRC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: miR‑185 expression was investigated by real‑time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. We carried out transfections to overexpress or knockdown of miR‑185 by mimics or inhibitor, respectively. Functional study like cell counting kit‑8 assay was performed to evaluate the proliferation. For addressing the impact of miR‑185 on Wnt/β‑catenin signaling, we further applied luciferase reporter assay and Western blotting for specific proteins in this pathway. RESULTS: miR‑185 was decreased in CRC cell lines when compared with corresponding control cell line. We also proved that its overexpression in LoVo cells could remarkably suppress cell proliferation whereas knocked it down in SW480 cells has the opposite effect in vitro. Mechanically, we demonstrated that miR‑185 could suppress the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling and modulate the transcription and translation level of downstream molecules of this pathway, including MYC and CCND1. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggested that miR‑185 exerts its tumor suppressor activities probably through a negative modulation of the Wnt/β‑catenin pathway.

A meta‑analysis of erlotinib versus docetaxel for advanced nonsmall‑cell lung cancer with poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The extent of the benefit of erlotinib in the treatment of advanced nonsmall‑cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is still controversial when compared with docetaxel. This meta‑analysis was performed to compare the efficacy of erlotinib with docetaxel for different patients with advanced NSCLC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched Cochrane Library, PubMed, CNKI, and identified 23 randomized controlled clinical trials from 2008 to 2015. According to our further full‑text screening, 6 clinical trials were included in the final meta‑analysis. RESULTS: Six papers were included in this study. The progression‑free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and toxicity were included in our outcomes. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) of PFS was 1.57 (95% confidential index [CI] = 1.47–1.69). The pooled HR of OS was 1.66 (95% CI = 1.43–1.92). The pooled risk ratio of ORR was 0.56 (95% CI = 0.35–0.91). The toxicity analysis showed odds ratio = 1.79 (95% CI = 1.20–2.69). CONCLUSIONS: In terms of PFS, OS, and toxicity the effect of erlotinib in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients is superior to docetaxel.

Computed tomography-guided iodine-125 interstitial implantation as an alternative treatment option for lung cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim was to evaluate the safety, feasibility and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)‑guided percutaneous interstitial brachytherapy using radioactive iodine‑125 (125I) seeds for the treatment of lung cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Included in this study were 45 male and 35 female patients aged 52–85 years (mean 72‑year) who were diagnosed with lung cancer. Of the 80 cases of lung cancer, 38 were pathologically confirmed as squamous cell carcinoma, 29 as adenocarcinoma, 2 as small cell lung cancer, and 11 as metastatic lung cancer. Percutaneous interstitial implantation of radioactive 125I seeds was performed under CT guidance. The treatment planning system was used to reconstruct three‑dimensional images of the tumor to determine the quantity and distribution of 125I seeds to be implanted. Under CT guidance, 125I seeds were embedded into the tumor, with the matched peripheral dose set at 100–130 Gy. Follow‑up CT scan was done in 2‑month to explore the treatment efficacy. RESULTS: The procedure was successful in all patients. No major procedure‑associated death occurred. The duration of follow‑up was 6‑month. Complete response (CR) was seen in 38 cases (47.5%), partial response (PR) in 27 cases (33.75%), stable disease (SD) in 10 cases (12.5%), and progressive disease in 5 cases (6.25%), with a local control rate (CR + PR + SD) of 93.75%. The 2‑, 4‑ and 6‑month overall response rate (CR + PR) was 78%, 83% and 81%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Implantation of CT‑guided 125I seeds is a safe and effective alternative option for the treatment of lung cancer.

Involvement of miR-30c in resistance to doxorubicin by regulating YWHAZ in breast cancer cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that modulate gene expression implicated in cancer, which play crucial roles in diverse biological processes, such as development, differentiation, apoptosis, and proliferation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether miR-30c mediated the resistance of breast cancer cells to the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin (ADR) by targeting tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (YWHAZ). miR-30c was downregulated in the doxorubicin-resistant human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7/ADR and MDA-MB-231/ADR compared with their parental MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines, respectively. Furthermore, we observed that transfection of an miR-30c mimic significantly suppressed the ability of MCF-7/ADR to resist doxorubicin. Moreover, the anti-apoptotic gene YWHAZ was confirmed as a target of miR-30c by luciferase reporter assay, and further studies indicated that the mechanism for miR-30c on the sensitivity of breast cancer cells involved YWHAZ and its downstream p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) pathway. Together, our findings provided evidence that miR-30c was one of the important miRNAs in doxorubicin resistance by regulating YWHAZ in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7/ADR.

Structural and Functional Analysis of Giant Strong Component of Bacillus thuringiensis Metabolic Network / Análise estrutural de funcional do GSC (Giant Strong Component) da rede metabólica de Bacillus thurigiensis

The purpose of this work was to study the giant strong component (GSC) of B. thuringiensis metabolic network by structural and functional analysis. Based on so-called "bow tie" structure, we extracted and studied GSC with its functional significance. Global structural properties such as degree distribution and average path length were computed and indicated that the GSC is also a small-world and scale-free network. Furthermore, the GSC was decomposed and functional significant for metabolism of these divisions were investigated by comparing to KEGG metabolic pathways.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma análise estrutural e funcional do GSC (Giant Strong Component) da rede metabólica de Bacillus thurigiensis. Baseando-se na estrutura bow-tie, o GSC foi extraído e analisado quanto ao sue significado funcional. Propriedades estruturais globais tais como grau de distribuição e tamanho médio da via metabólica foram mensuradas, concluindo-se que o GSC é também uma rede small world e scalefree. Além disso, a rede GSC foi decomposta e as divisões com significância funcional no metabolismo foram comparadas às vias metabólicas KEGG.