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The Expression and Prognostic Value of NOX4 in Gastric Cancer
Lu Qiao,
Ning Xie,
Yuru Bai,
Bin Qin,
Baicang Zou,
Yongquan Shi,
Yan Chen,
Na Liu,
Jinhai Wang
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
144-151
Received:
1 August 2018
Accepted:
22 August 2018
Published:
12 October 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajim.20180606.11
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Abstract: Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide which threaten the health of human. A lot of work has been done in tumor pathogenesis in recent years, while modest progress in diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer have been made. Methods: Multiple databases including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were explored to identify the expression pattern of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase 4 (NOX4), the main source of reactive oxygen species, in gastric cancer. We also analyzed the correlation between the expression level of NOX4 and gastric cancer patients’ clinical features. The prognostic value of NOX4 was explored in TCGA and K-M Plotter. Last, we utilized TCGA and DAVID databases to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms of NOX4 with TCGA and DAVID databases. Results: We found that NOX4 was upregulated in tumors compared with adjacent non-tumor tissues and overexpression was correlated with tumor invasion and TNM stage in gastric cancer. Furthermore, NOX4 level could be an independent prognostic marker for GC, unacted on the choice of therapy or HER2 expression. Besides, we investigated the potential mechanisms of NOX4 in gastric cancer. Conclusions: Our findings proved that NOX4 may be a new prognostic factor or therapeutic marker for gastric cancer.
Abstract: Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide which threaten the health of human. A lot of work has been done in tumor pathogenesis in recent years, while modest progress in diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer have been made. Methods: Multiple databases including The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene E...
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Abnormal Weight Among University Students in the Kingdom of Bahrain (2018): Prevalence, Factors, Predictions, and Recommendations
Nizar Jaoua,
Alexander Woodman,
Majeed Amini
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
152-160
Received:
23 August 2018
Accepted:
7 September 2018
Published:
12 October 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajim.20180606.12
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Abstract: Over the past two decades, the Kingdom of Bahrain has seen an increase in weight in a growing number of people. Experts in the field determined that it is due to a lack of exercise and poor dietary habits. The problem has reached extremely high records of obesity; 37% for females and 30% for males. The statistics were based on a cross-sectional study of 414 volunteers at a local shopping mall. The goal of this primary data analysis was to determine the current prevalence of weight abnormalities. The findings were used to predict the trend of such abnormalities among the sub-population of university students in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The analysis, done in 2018, was based on 1,100 surveys collected from subjects in the central universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain including the University of Bahrain, Ahlia University, University of Bahrain, Arabian Gulf University, Applied Science University, AMM International University, Arab Open University, and Bahrain Polytechnic. The research was conducted over a period of several months. The authors developed surveys in both Arabic and English and randomly selected participants aged between eighteen and twenty-five among full-time students from major universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The standards of these weight issues, including obesity, overweight and underweight issues were determined with the use of the International Classification Index, a diagnostic tool used for health management. It is managed and prescribed by the World Health Organization. Based on the Chi-square test, the results strongly depended on the gender, age, and the extent of exercise performed on a weekly basis. As a result, a multinomial logistic regression involving these factors was used to compare the trends and predict the highest and lowest probabilities of each abnormal weight. For example, the male students, aged twenty-two or older who exercise less than one hour a week, were the most likely to be obese and overweight; about 20% and 42% chance, respectively. However, the students most probable to be underweight (about 11%) were those females; aged eighteen or nineteen who exercise less than one hour a week.
Abstract: Over the past two decades, the Kingdom of Bahrain has seen an increase in weight in a growing number of people. Experts in the field determined that it is due to a lack of exercise and poor dietary habits. The problem has reached extremely high records of obesity; 37% for females and 30% for males. The statistics were based on a cross-sectional stu...
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Saxagliptin Attenuates Diabetic Nephropathy with Suppressing Oxidative Stress by Inhibiting AGEs-RAGE Axis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Ye Feng,
Chengjiang Li,
Yuehuan Liu,
Long Zhang,
Zhe Zhang
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
161-169
Received:
16 September 2018
Accepted:
11 October 2018
Published:
5 November 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajim.20180606.13
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Abstract: As a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor used in diabetes mellitus (DM) therapy, saxagliptin (Saxa) has been reported an additional protective benefit of diabetic nephropathy (DN), which might be independent of its glucose-lowering effect. However, the mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, STZ-induced DM rat model received a placebo or Saxa (10mg or 20mg/kg, 8-10 rats in each group). Blood glucose, serum lipid, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, as well as urine protein and albumin concentration, were examined. Gene expression and protein level of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) were also tested. Moreover, markers for oxidative stress and antioxidant ability were determined. The results showed moderate albuminuria in diabetic rats was attenuated after Saxa treatment, consistent with morphological improvement supported by histological analysis. Both AGEs and RAGE levels were elevated in DM group but reduced after Saxa administration. Furthermore, the level of malondialdehyde (MAD), Caspase 3, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in kidney were much lower in Saxa group compared with DM group, indicating the oxidation and apoptosis in DM were ameliorated by Saxa. On the other hand, markers of antioxidation such as total antioxidation capability (TAOC), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), had a relevant increase, suggesting enhanced antioxidation in the kidney. In conclusion, these findings show that Saxa possesses anti-oxidative activity to ameliorate diabetic renal damage, which is related to the regulation of the AGEs-RAGE axis.
Abstract: As a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor used in diabetes mellitus (DM) therapy, saxagliptin (Saxa) has been reported an additional protective benefit of diabetic nephropathy (DN), which might be independent of its glucose-lowering effect. However, the mechanism is not fully understood. In this study, STZ-induced DM rat model received a placeb...
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Prediction of Post-Tuberculosis Lung Function Impairment
Eric Walter Pefura-Yone,
Adamou Dodo Balkissou,
Amadou Djenabou,
Virginie Poka-Mayap,
Boniface Moifo,
Marie-Chantal Madjoumessi,
Brenda Tanyi,
Christopher Kuaban,
André Pascal Kengne
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2018
Pages:
170-181
Received:
9 December 2018
Accepted:
25 December 2018
Published:
18 January 2019
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajim.20180606.14
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Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to establish prediction equations for post-tuberculosis residual lung function in patients successfully treated for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods: This study took place at the Yaounde Jamot Hospital of Yaounde (YJH) and used data from three cross-sectional studies conducted from January to July 2015 (7 months), December 2015 to May 2016 (6 months) and from January to May 2017 (5 months). Adults successful treated for bacteriologically proven pulmonary TB were included. Spirometric indices including forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and FEV1/FVC ratio were measured using standard methods. Predicted values were estimated using the reference spirometric equations of the Global Lung Initiative equations (GLI) 2012. General linear models were used to establish prediction equations of post-tuberculous residual lung function. Internal validation of the derived models used the bootstrap resampling procedures. A difference was considered significant if p < 5%. Results: In this study, 400 patients (53.5% men) were included. The median age (25th -75th percentiles) of men was 40 (31-50) years and that of women was 36(27.8-46) years (p=0.002). Determinants of the post-tuberculosis spirometric indices vary according to each indice and include age, weight, height, body mass index, smoking, duration of symptoms before TB treatment, persistent of respiratory symptoms after TB treatment, persistent of cavity lesions and extension of lung sequelae. The prediction equations of the spirometric indices have been established separately for men and women to account for significant differences in the absolute values of spirometric parameters in men and women. The prediction equations of residual lung function parameters were in the form: lung function parameters = Intercept + β1*P1 + β2*P2 +…βn*Pn; βn is regression coefficient for corresponding predictor (Pn), for categorical variables Pn is 1 if the modality is present and 0 if the modality is absent. For each of the spirometric variable, differences in performance measures (optimism) were mostly marginal. Conclusion: The equations developed and validated in this study could help the selection of patients in whom spirometry should be a priority after TB treatment. Like any newly developed model, results from this study are just preliminary findings. Models will require independent external validation to establish the performance both in the study setting and in other settings.
Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to establish prediction equations for post-tuberculosis residual lung function in patients successfully treated for pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods: This study took place at the Yaounde Jamot Hospital of Yaounde (YJH) and used data from three cross-sectional studies conducted from January to July 2015 (7 m...
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