Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are RNAs that exceed 200 nucleotides in length and that are not translated into proteins. Thousands of lncRNAs have been identified with functions in processes such as transcription and translation regulation, RNA processing, and RNA and protein sponging. LncRNAs show prominent expression in the nervous system and have been implicated in neural development, function and disease. Recent work has begun to report on the expression and roles of lncRNAs in motor neurons (MNs). The cell bodies of MNs are located in cortex, brainstem or spinal cord and their axons project into the brainstem, spinal cord or towards peripheral muscles, thereby controlling important functions such as movement, breathing and swallowing. Degeneration of MNs is a pathological hallmark of diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. LncRNAs influence several aspects of MN development and disruptions in these lncRNA-mediated effects are proposed to contribute to the pathogenic mechanisms underlying MN diseases (MNDs). Accumulating evidence suggests that lncRNAs may comprise valuable therapeutic targets for different MNDs. In this review, we discuss the role of lncRNAs (including circular RNAs [circRNAs]) in the development of MNs, discuss how lncRNAs may contribute to MNDs and provide directions for future research.
The early diagnosis of prostate cancer (PCa) is mainly based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood levels and digital rectal examination. However, this approach may result in a high rate of negative biopsies and increased detection of clinically insignificant PCa (CS-PCa). An important prognostic biomarker, PSA density (PSA-D) demonstrated improved performance in PCa detection compared to PSA. The relationship between prostate volume and the prognostic accuracy of PSA-D remains mostly unclear. The aim of our study is to investigate the PSA-D predictive value of CS-PCa detection at different prostate volumes.
Using our local radical prostatectomy registry, patients were divided into three prostate size subgroups based on preoperative sonographic prostate volume assessment less than 50, 50-75, and more than 75 cc. Patients' and PCa characteristics were recorded, including age, body mass index, PSA at diagnosis, prostate volume, PSA-D, D'Amico risk classification, Gleason grade group, and pathological stadium-size glands (72.7% and 43%, respectively).
PSA-D is associated with CS-PCa detection in radical prostatectomy specimens in small and medium-size prostates. The level of PSA-D is directly associated with the ISUP PCa grade group. Therefore, PSA-D is a beneficial, available, and cost-effective tool during decision-making in patients with small and medium-size prostate when considering treatment for PCa.
PSA-D is associated with CS-PCa detection in radical prostatectomy specimens in small and medium-size prostates. The level of PSA-D is directly associated with the ISUP PCa grade group. Therefore, PSA-D is a beneficial, available, and cost-effective tool during decision-making in patients with small and medium-size prostate when considering treatment for PCa.
The Fricke dosimeter has been shown to be a viable option as an absorbed dose standard. This work aims to provide the dose distribution in an irradiator container during blood irradiation using Fricke dosimetry.
Measurements were performed using a Gammacell Elan 3000 blood irradiator at Hemocenter in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A specific phantom was constructed and patented by the authors to perform these measurements. Fricke solution was prepared according to international protocols, and polyethylene bags filled with Fricke solution (n=19) were spatially distributed within the phantom. Control bags were also submitted to the same process, except the irradiation. The irradiation time was calculated to give 25.7Gy to the central portion of the phantom, the same dose used for blood bags.
Encouraging results were obtained with an overall uncertainty of 2.1% (k=1). https://www.selleckchem.com/ The obtained results were compared with the doses calculated by the physicist from Hemocenter based on parameters provided by the manufacturer. The mean dose delivered to the Fricke bag in the center of the phantom (cavity 2) was 28.7±0.5Gy, which is 12% higher than the planned dose of 25.7Gy.
The obtained results showed that the setup (Fricke and phantom) is able to perform dosimetry for blood irradiators. The delivered dose was higher than expected. This highlights the importance in controlling all the parameters during irradiation to ensure the correct dose for all irradiated bags.
The obtained results showed that the setup (Fricke and phantom) is able to perform dosimetry for blood irradiators. The delivered dose was higher than expected. This highlights the importance in controlling all the parameters during irradiation to ensure the correct dose for all irradiated bags.
Malignant germ cell tumours (GCTs) of the testis are rare neoplasms, but the most common solid malignancies in young men. World Health Organization guidelines divide GCTs into five types, for which numerous immunohistochemical markers allow exact histological subtyping in the majority of cases. In contrast, a germ cell origin is often hard to prove in metastatic GCTs that have developed so-called somatic malignant transformation. A high percentage, up to 89%, of GCTs are characterised by the appearance of isochromosome 12p [i(12p)]. Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation has been the most common diagnostic method for the detection of i(12p) so far, but has the disadvantages of being time-consuming, demanding, and not being a stand-alone method. The aim of the present study was to establish a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assay as an independent method for detecting i(12p) and regional amplifications of the short arm of chromosome 12 by using DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue.
A cut-off value to distinguish between the presence and absence of i(12p) was established in a control set consisting of 36 tumour-free samples. In a training set of 149 GCT samples, i(12p) was detectable in 133 tumours (89%), but not in 16 tumours (11%). In a test set containing 27 primary and metastatic GCTs, all 16 tumours with metastatic spread and/or somatic malignant transformation were successfully identified by the detection of i(12p).
In summary, the qPCR assay presented here can help to identify, further characterise and assign a large proportion of histologically inconclusive malignancies to a GCT origin.
In summary, the qPCR assay presented here can help to identify, further characterise and assign a large proportion of histologically inconclusive malignancies to a GCT origin.https://www.selleckchem.com/
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