Circulating apoE4 protein levels from dried blood spots predict cognitive function in a large population-based survey setting.

Introduction: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele carries risk for cognitive impairment, but whether the level of circulating apoE4 protein in carriers affects cognition is unclear, as is how health and lifestyle impact circulating apoE4 levels.

Methods: We assayed apoE4 protein levels in dried blood spots of 12,532 adults aged 50+. Regression analyses tested the likelihood of cognitive impairment between groups and within those with detected apoE4 protein.

Design of cationic surfactant reinforced carrageenan waterproof composite films and applied as water induced electricity generator.

Carrageenan (CR) is a renewable polysaccharide material for packaging application due to its good film-forming property, but its use can be limited by the water solubility. In this research, CR hydrogels were modified by quaternary ammonium surfactants with different length of hydrocarbon tails (n, 8≦n≦16) by adsorption method and waterproof films were obtained after drying. The composition and charge interaction of composite films was confirmed by FTIR.

Dual-targeting strategy using trastuzumab and lapatinib in a patient with HER2 gene amplification in recurrent metachronous metastatic gallbladder carcinoma.

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a rare and highly aggressive tumor. Early diagnosis is challenging, which results in a poor prognosis using systemic therapy. Recent studies have identified a subset of GBC patients with HER2 gene (ERBB2) amplification that could benefit from HER2-targeted therapy.

Effect of paiteling on human papillomavirus infection of the cervix.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of the traditional Chinese medicine paiteling on the outcome of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection of the cervix. A total of 321 patients were enrolled in this study and HPV subtypes were determined by the Hybribio HPV genotyping system. The patients were divided into the loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP; n=82) and non-LEEP (n=239) groups, according to the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia classification.

Two novel phenanthraquinones with anti-cancer activity isolated from Bletilla striata.

7-Hydroxy-2-methoxy-phenanthrene-3,4-dione and 3',7',7-trihydroxy-2,2',4'-trimethoxy-[1,8'-biphenanthrene]-3,4-dione, two novel compounds and four known compounds were isolated from Bletilla striata. The structures of the compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The two compounds exhibited antiproliferative effects using the MTT test; these effects may be due to cell cycle arrest and inducing ROS generation.

Impact of Abdominal Shape on Short-Term Surgical Outcome of Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer.

Background: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) has been widely accepted for the treatment for gastric cancer. The aim of the present study was to explore the impact of abdominal shape parameters on gastric antrum cancer patients' short-term surgical outcomes of LADG with D2 lymph node dissection in both genders, including the number of lymph nodes retrieved and surgical safety index.

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 177 gastric antrum cancer patients, who underwent LADG between April 2009 and January 2016.

Biological Evaluation of Ferrocenyl Olefins: Cancer Cell Growth Inhibition, ROS Production, and Apoptosis Activity.

The antiproliferative effects of various ferrocenyl olefins were evaluated against the cell lines MCF-7 (human breast cancer cells), DLD-1 (human colon adenocarcinoma cells), HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells), and A549 (human lung carcinoma cells), using the MTT test. IC50 values were determined. Compounds 8, 9, 11, and 12 with high antiproliferative activity were tested for their reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cell cycle analysis was performed on A549 cells.

[Clinicopathologic features of inflammatory fibroid polyp in gastrointestinal tract].

Objective: To study the clinicopathologic characteristics, immunophenotypes, pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal inflammatory fibroid polyp (IFP).

Methods: The clinical data, histologic features and immunohistochemical results of 6 cases of gastrointestinal inflammatory fibroid polyp were analyzed, with review of literature.

Results: There were altogether 5 women and a man.

GSK-3β controls autophagy by modulating LKB1-AMPK pathway in prostate cancer cells.

Background: Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3B, GSK-3β) is a multi-functional protein kinase involved in various cellular processes and its activity elevates after serum deprivation. We have shown that inhibition of GSK-3β activity triggered a profound autophagic response and subsequent necrotic cell death after serum deprivation in prostate cancer cells. In this study, we dissected the mechanisms involved in GSK-3β inhibition-triggered autophagy.

Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer with situs inversus totalis: A case report.

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare anomaly in which the abdominal and thoracic cavity structures are located opposite to their usual positions. Occasionally, patients with this condition are diagnosed with malignant tumors. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman with gastric cancer and SIT.

Primary myoepithelial carcinoma of the lung: a case report and review of literature.

Primary myoepithelial carcinoma of the lung is a very rare tumor arising from the salivary glands of the respiratory epithelium. Since it was first described by Higashiyama et al. in 1998, to the best of our knowledge, only eight actual cases reported in the English-language literature so far.

Excessive levels of nitric oxide in rat model of Parkinson's disease induced by rotenone.

Systemic rotenone models of Parkinson's disease (PD) are highly reproducible and may provide evidence on the pathogenesis of PD. In the present study, male Sprague-Dawley rats (1-year-old) were subcutaneously administered with rotenone (1.5 mg/kg/day) for six days and observed for the following three weeks.

Neuroprotection by saponins.

Saponins, an important group of bioactive plant natural products, are glycosides of triterpenoid or steroidal aglycones. Their diverse biological activities are ascribed to their different structures. Saponins have long been recognized as key ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine.

PI-3 kinase p110β: a therapeutic target in advanced prostate cancers.

Prostate cancers in the castration-resistant stage are life-threatening because they are not curable in clinic. The novel androgen receptor inhibitor Xandi (Enzalutamide) and the new CYP17 inhibitor Zytiga (Abiraterone) prolonged patient survival only a few months in advanced prostate cancers. Therefore, novel therapeutic agents for advanced prostate cancers are urgently needed.

Effects of small interfering RNA interference of connexin 37 on subcutaneous gastric tumours in mice.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of small interfering (si)RNA interference of connexin 37 (Cx37) on subcutaneous gastric tumours in mice. Constructed lentiviruses carrying siRNA against Cx37 significantly knocked down Cx37 mRNA and protein expression in vitro. A total of 60 mice with gastric cancer were randomly divided into the Cx37 siRNA group, the mock‑siRNA group and the control group.

Primary paraganglioma located between the thyroid gland and the left common carotid artery: A case report.

Head and neck paraganglioma is a rare and predominantly asymptomatic tumor. In the present study, an extremely rare case of asymptomatic paraganglioma located between the left common carotid artery and the left thyroid is described. The clinical presentation, cytomorphology and the immunohistochemical characteristics for the diagnosis of head and neck paraganglioma are described.

Prognostic significance of nuclear hepatoma-derived growth factor expression in gallbladder cancer.

Aim: To assess the expression of nuclear hepatoma-derived growth factor (HDGF) in benign and malignant gallbladder lesions and to determine its clinicopathological significance.

Methods: We studied 40 patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) and a control group of 40 patients with cholelithiasis. All diagnoses of GBC and cholelithiasis were confirmed by histopathological examination after surgery.

Expression of ERCC1, MSH2 and PARP1 in non-small cell lung cancer and prognostic value in patients treated with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic value of the expression of excision repair cross-complementation group l (ERCC1), MutS protein homolog 2 (MSH2) and poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1) in non-small-cell lung cancer patients receiving platinum-based postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was applied to detect the expression of ERCC1, MSH2 and PARP1 in 111 cases of non-small cell lung cancer paraffin embedded surgical specimens. Through og-rank survival analysis, we evaluated the prognostic value of the ERCC1, MSH2, PARP1 and the related clinicopathological factors.