Summary Background Analyses of microRNA expression profiles have shown that many microRNAs are expressed aberrantly and correlate with tumorigenesis, progression, and prognosis of various haematological and solid tumours. We aimed to assess the relation between microRNA expression and progression and prognosis of gastric cancer. Methods 353 gastric samples from two independent subsets of patients from Japan were analysed by microRNA microarray. MicroRNA expression patterns were compared between non-tumour mucosa and cancer samples, graded by diffuse and intestinal histological types and by progression-related factors (eg, depth of invasion, metastasis, and stage). Disease outcome was calculated by multivariable regression analysis to establish whether microRNAs are independent prognostic factors. Findings In 160 paired samples of non-tumour mucosa and cancer, 22 microRNAs were upregulated and 13 were downregulated in gastric cancer; 292 (83%) samples were distinguished correctly by this signature. The two histological subtypes of gastric cancer showed different microRNA signatures: eight microRNAs were upregulated in diffuse-type and four in intestinal-type cancer. In the progression-related signature, miR-125b, miR-199a, and miR-100 were the most important microRNAs involved. Low expression of let-7g (hazard ratio 2·6 [95% CI 1·3–4·9]) and miR-433 (2·1 [1·1–3·9]) and high expression of miR-214 (2·4 [1·2–4·5]) were associated with unfavourable outcome in overall survival independent of clinical covariates, including depth of invasion, lymph-node metastasis, and stage. Interpretation MicroRNAs are expressed differentially in gastric cancers, and histological subtypes are characterised by specific microRNA signatures. Unique microRNAs are associated with progression and prognosis of gastric cancer. Funding National Cancer Institute.

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Purpose of Review. Since the original publication on the quadratus lumborum (QL) block, the technique has evolved significantly during the last decade. This review highlights recent advances in various approaches for administering the QL block and proposes directions for future research. Recent Findings. The QL block findings continue to become clearer. We now understand that the QL block has several approach methods (anterior, lateral, posterior, and intramuscular) and the spread of local anesthetic varies with each approach. In particular, dye injected using the anterior QL block approach spread to the L1, L2, and L3 nerve roots and within psoas major and QL muscles. Summary. The QL block is an effective analgesic tool for abdominal surgery. However, the best approach is yet to be determined. Therefore, the anesthetic spread of the several QL blocks must be made clear.

Copolymerizations of ethylene with styrene by various (cyclopentadienyl)(aryloxy)titanium(IV) complexes of the type Cp′TiCl2(O-2,6-i Pr2C6H3) [Cp′ ) t BuC5H4 (2), 1,3-Me2C5H3 (3), 1,2,3-Me3C5H3 (4), 1,2,4-Me3C5H3 (5)] have been explored in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as the cocatalyst. Effect of cyclopentadienyl fragment was explored and the catalytic activity increased in the order 3, 4 > 2 > 5, suggesting that effects of both electronic and steric bulk play an essential role for the copolymerization. Resultant polymers by these catalyst systems were poly(ethylene-co-styrene)s exclusively in all cases, and the use of 4 was quite effective for preparing relatively high molecular weight polymer with unimodal molecular weight distribution as well as with efficient styrene incorporation. The styrene incorporation efficiency did not strongly depend upon the cyclopentadienyl fragment used, and this is somewhat different from those obtained by the linked cyclopentadienyl-amide titanium catalyst [Me 2Si-(C5Me4)(NR)]TiCl2 [R ) tert-Bu (6), cyclohexyl (7)]. The resultant copolymers possessed unimodal comonomer distributions (single composition) confirmed by both cross-fractionation chromatography (CFC) and GPC/FT-IR. The microstructure for the resultant copolymer by 2-5 was different from those prepared by a linked type catalyst (6) and was fairly dependent upon the cyclopentadienyl fragment used.