Although the use of sorafenib appears to increase the survival rate of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients, there is also a proportion of patients who exhibit a poor primary response to sorafenib therapy. It is therefore critical to elucidate the mechanisms underlying sorafenib resistance and find representative biomarkers for sorafenib treatment in RCC patients. Herein, we identified a long non-coding RNA referred to as lncRNA-SRLR (sorafenib resistance-associated lncRNA in RCC) that is upregulated in intrinsically sorafenib-resistant RCCs. lncRNA-SRLR knockdown sensitized nonresponsive RCC cells to sorafenib treatment, whereas the overexpression of lncRNA-SRLR conferred sorafenib resistance to responsive RCC cells. Mechanistically, lncRNA-SRLR directly binds to NF-κB and promotes IL-6 transcription, leading to the activation of STAT3 and the development of sorafenib tolerance. A STAT3 inhibitor and IL-6-receptor antagonist both restored the response to sorafenib treatment. Moreover, a clinical investigation demonstrated that high levels of lncRNA-SRLR correlated with poor responses to sorafenib therapy in RCC patients. Collectively, lncRNA-SRLR may serve as not only a predictive biomarker for inherent sorafenib resistance but also as a therapeutic target to enhance responses to sorafenib in RCC patients.

The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between hypertension and risk of depression. The relationship between hypertension and depression has been discussed for a long time, but the results are controversial. Studies were searched from PubMed and Cochrane up to 24 March 2014. Any prospective cohort study, which possibly reported the relationship between hypertension and depression, was included. The random effect model was used to calculate the pooled relative risk (RR). Finally, five prospective cohort studies were included for analysis, with a total of 9647 participants involved. Our meta-analysis does not support that hypertension is probably a risk factor of depression. The pooled RR was 1.16 (95% confidence interval: 0.91, 1.42) when those exposed to hypertension were compared with those who were not. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias test suggested that the overall result of this analysis was robust. Further studies are needed to exclude the effects of other confounding factors.

Both trandolapril and verapamil are effective and widely used antihypertensive agents. The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy and tolerability of trandolapril/ verapamil (Tr/Ve) combination for blood pressure control and renoprotection. PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched for relevant studies. A meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the criteria was performed. Twelve RCTs were ultimately included out of 62 studies. (3) Incidence of all-cause adverse events (AEs) was comparable between combination and monotherapy. The present meta-analysis indicates that Tr/Ve combination provides a superior blood pressure control and a favourable renoprotective effect without an increase of overall AEs than verapamil monotherapy. The combination also shows a slight advantage over trandolapril monotherapy by reducing DBP and albuminuria to a greater extent.

Background:  We report a case of a male patient in our hospital who developed associated multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumanii (MDRAB) intracrainial ventriculitis and treated using intraventricular (IVT) plus intrathecal (IT) colistin. Objective: The purpose of our case report is to show case the effectiveness and safety of using intraventricular (IVT) plus intrathecal(IT) colistin in the management of potentially fatal MDRAB associated intracrainial ventriculitis. Materials and methods: Patient was diagnosed with MDRAB after developing associated symptoms and conducting cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) culture and sensitivity analysis. Colistin 250,000 IU once   daily administered via intraventricular plus intrathecal routes for 14 days was prescribed. Result: Cerebrospinal fluid was collected on the 14th day post commencement of colistin and sterilization was attained. Conclusion: Colistin is a potentially effective and safe therapy for the treatment of MDRAB intracrainial ventriculitis.