[Cardiac β-adrenergic receptor regulation of mitochondrial function in heart failure].

Heart failure is characterized by abnormal β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) activation and mitochondrial dysfunction. In heart failure, overactivation of β-AR mediates key pathological processes in cardiomyocytes, including oxidative stress, calcium overload and metabolic abnormalities, which subsequently lead to inflammation, myocardial apoptosis and necrosis. Mitochondria are the core organelles for energy metabolism, and also play a vital role in calcium homeostasis, redox balance and signaling transduction.

PPARα is involved in high-fat diet-induced risk avoidance impairment the regulation of hippocampal BDNF.

Risk avoidance behaviors are essential for survival. "Uncontrollable" risk-taking behaviors in animals or humans may have severe adverse consequences. In humans, a large proportion of psychiatric disorders are accompanied by impairments in risk avoidance.

Index-based dietary patterns and stomach cancer in a Chinese population.

Objectives: Dietary factors are of importance in the development of stomach cancer. This study aims to examine index-based dietary patterns associated with stomach cancer in a Chinese population.

Methods: Using data from a population-based case-control study conducted in Jiangsu Province, China, we included a total of 8432 participants (1900 stomach cancer cases and 6532 controls).

[The cholestatic fibrosis induced by α-naphthylisothiocyanate in mice and the inflammation pathway].

To explore the development of cholestatic fibrosis induced by α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) and the inflammation pathways. Fifteen 129/Sv mice weighing (23±2) g were randomly divided into 2 groups: control group (=5) and experiment group (=10). The control group was fed commercial chow diet and the experiment group was fed the same diet supplemented with 0.

Dietary Intake of Fatty Acids, Total Cholesterol, and Stomach Cancer in a Chinese Population.

To investigate the associations between dietary fatty acids and cholesterol consumption and stomach cancer (SC), we analyzed data from a population-based case-control study with a total of 1900 SC cases and 6532 controls. Dietary data and other risk or protective factors were collected by face-to-face interviews in Jiangsu Province, China, from 2003 to 2010. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using multiple unconditional logistic regression models and an energy-adjusted method.

Metagenomic Characterization of Candidatus Smithella cisternae Strain M82_1, a Syntrophic Alkane-Degrading Bacteria, Enriched from the Shengli Oil Field.

The methanogenic degradation of hydrocarbons plays an important role in hydrocarbon-contaminated environments in the absence of an external electron acceptor. Members of Syntrophaceae sublineages were previously reported to be responsible for syntrophic alkane degradation. However, limited information is currently available on their physiological capabilities in nature because it is very challenging to cultivate these as-yet uncultured microbes.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients Who Underwent Surgery for Genital Tract Malformations at Peking Union Medical College Hospital across 31 Years.

Background: Female genital malformations represent miscellaneous deviations from normal anatomy. This study aimed to explore the clinical characteristics of patients who underwent surgery for genital tract malformations at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) during a 31-year period.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed surgical cases of congenital malformation of the female genital tract at PUMCH for a 31-year period, analyzed the clinical characteristics of 1634 hospitalized patients, and investigated their general condition, diagnosis, and treatment process.

Jiangsu Four Cancers Study: a large case-control study of lung, liver, stomach, and esophageal cancers in Jiangsu Province, China.

Cancer is a major public health burden both globally and in China. The most common cancer-related deaths in China are attributable to cancers of the lung, liver, stomach, and esophagus. Previous epidemiologic studies on cancer in China have often been limited by small sample sizes, inconsistent measurements, and lack of precise and accurate data.

[Screening of effective ingredients of Yinzhihuang injection against cholestasis and their mechanism].

Chinese herbal medicinal formulation Yinzhihuang injection is widely used in clinic for jaundice and chronic liver diseases in eastern Asian countries. However, the pharmacologically active components and the underlying mechanism are unclear. In this study, 30 male ICR mice were randomly assigned into 6 groups： normal control, model control, chlorogenic acid group, geniposide group, baicalin group and wogonoside group.

Household ventilation may reduce effects of indoor air pollutants for prevention of lung cancer: a case-control study in a Chinese population.

Background: Although the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified various indoor air pollutants as carcinogenic to humans, few studies evaluated the role of household ventilation in reducing the impact of indoor air pollutants on lung cancer risk.

Objectives: To explore the association between household ventilation and lung cancer.

Methods: A population-based case-control study was conducted in a Chinese population from 2003 to 2010.

Chronic curcumin treatment normalizes depression-like behaviors in mice with mononeuropathy: involvement of supraspinal serotonergic system and GABAA receptor.

Rationale: Comorbid depression is commonly observed in individuals who suffer from neuropathic pain, which necessitates improved treatment. Curcumin, a phenolic compound derived from Curcuma longa, possesses both antinociceptive and antidepressant-like activities in animal studies, suggesting its possible usefulness in treating this comorbidity.

Objective: We investigated the effect of curcumin on depressive-like behaviors in mice with mononeuropathy, and explored the mechanism(s).

Raw garlic consumption as a protective factor for lung cancer, a population-based case-control study in a Chinese population.

Protective effect of garlic on the development of cancer has been reported in the in vitro and in vivo experimental studies; however, few human epidemiologic studies have evaluated the relationship. A population-based case-control study has been conducted in a Chinese population from 2003 to 2010, with the aim to explore the association between raw garlic consumption and lung cancer. Epidemiologic data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a standard questionnaire among 1,424 lung cancer cases and 4,543 healthy controls.

Rapidly increasing rates of hip fracture in Beijing, China.

The age-specific rates of hip fractures have been declining in most countries in the West but a few studies suggest that the rates might be increasing in areas of Asia that are undergoing urbanization. We previously conducted a population-based study of hip fracture rates in Beijing, China, in 1990 to 1992 that included validation of hip fracture cases. Using a similar approach to validate cases, we estimated the age-specific hip fracture rates in Beijing, China, for 2002 to 2006.

Curcumin exerts antinociceptive effects in a mouse model of neuropathic pain: descending monoamine system and opioid receptors are differentially involved.

Curcumin, a phenolic compound present in Curcuma longa, has been reported to exert antinociceptive effects in some animal models, but the mechanisms remain to be elucidated. This work aimed to investigate the antinociceptive action of curcumin on neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanism(s). Chronic constriction injury (CCI), a canonical animal model of neuropathic pain, was produced by loosely ligating the sciatic nerve in mice and von Frey hair or hot plate test was used to assess mechanical allodynia or thermal hyperalgesia (to heat), respectively.

[A pharmacodynamics study of an intravitreal amphotericin B drug delivery system for the treatment of experimental Aspergillus fumigatus endophthalmitis].

Objective: To observe a new amphotericin B drug delivery system (AmB-DDS), and investigate the therapeutic effects of AmB-DDS on an experimental Aspergillus fumigatus endophthalmitis.

Methods: (1) In order to observe the effects of AmB-DDS, thirty-four New Zealand albino rabbits were intravitreal injected Aspergillus fumigatus suspension (10(3) colony forming unit, CFU) in applanation of vitreous body before therapy 48 hours. All models were randomly divided into five groups.