AZD2014, a dual mTOR inhibitor, attenuates cardiac hypertrophy in vitro and in vivo.

Cardiac hypertrophy is one of the most common genetic heart disorders and considered a risk factor for cardiac morbidity and mortality. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a key regulatory function in cardiovascular physiology and pathology in hypertrophy. AZD2014 is a small-molecule ATP competitive mTOR inhibitor working on both mTORC1 and mTORC2 complexes.

Peptide Adjuvant to Invigorate Cytolytic Activity of NK Cells in an Obese Mouse Cancer Model.

Cancer patients who are overweight compared to those with normal body weight have obesity-associated alterations of natural killer (NK) cells, characterized by poor cytotoxicity, slow proliferation, and inadequate anti-cancer activity. Concomitantly, prohibitin overexpressed by cancer cells elevates glucose metabolism, rendering the tumor microenvironment (TME) more tumor-favorable, and leading to malfunction of immune cells present in the TME. These changes cause vicious cycles of tumor growth.

Cell surface engineering and application in cell delivery to heart diseases.

Cell-based therapy has expanded its influence in cancer immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering. Due to their secretory functions, differentiation capabilities, specific homing effects through chemotaxis, distinctive therapeutic potentials, and expandability, cells have become an attractive reagent for advanced therapeutic strategies. Therefore, the ability to modify cells and manipulate their functions according to intended therapeutic designs has been the central scientific interest in the field of biomedical research.

Physical Activity: A Viable Way to Reduce the Risks of Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer's Disease, and Vascular Dementia in Older Adults.

A recent alarming rise of neurodegenerative diseases in the developed world is one of the major medical issues affecting older adults. In this review, we provide information about the associations of physical activity (PA) with major age-related neurodegenerative diseases and syndromes, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, and mild cognitive impairment. We also provide evidence of PA's role in reducing the risks of these diseases and helping to improve cognitive outcomes in older adults.

Usability of a smartphone food picture app for assisting 24-hour dietary recall: a pilot study.

Background/objectives: The Recaller app was developed to help individuals record their food intakes. This pilot study evaluated the usability of this new food picture application (app), which operates on a smartphone with an embedded camera and Internet capability.

Subjects/methods: Adults aged 19 to 28 years (23 males and 22 females) were assigned to use the Recaller app on six designated, nonconsecutive days in order to capture an image of each meal and snack before and after eating.

Best-evidence interventions: findings from a systematic review of HIV behavioral interventions for US populations at high risk, 2000-2004.

Objectives: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV/AIDS Prevention Research Synthesis Team conducted a systematic review of US-based HIV behavioral intervention research literature from 2000 through 2004 to identify interventions demonstrating best evidence of efficacy for reducing HIV risk.

Methods: Standard systematic review methods were used. Each eligible study was reviewed on the basis of Prevention Research Synthesis Team efficacy criteria that focused on 3 domains: study design, implementation and analysis, and strength of evidence.

A systematic review of HIV partner counseling and referral services: client and provider attitudes, preferences, practices, and experiences.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to understand client and provider attitudes, experiences, and practices regarding HIV partner notification in the United States and to help identify future research and program needs.

Goals: The goals of this study were to synthesize the literature reporting client and provider attitudes, experiences, and practices and to identify potential negative effects of HIV partner notification.

Study Design: This study consisted of a systematic qualitative review.