Microarray analysis of long non-coding RNA expression profiles in Marfan syndrome.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) serve a crucial role in every aspect of cell biological functions as well as in a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and nervous system disease. However, the differential expression profiles of lncRNAs in Marfan syndrome (MFS) have not been reported. The aim of the present study was to identify potential target genes behind the pathogenesis of MFS by analyzing microarray profiles of lncRNA in aortic tissues from individuals with MFS and normal aortas (NA).

Roles of miR-200 family members in lung cancer: more than tumor suppressors.

miRNAs are a class of single-stranded noncoding RNAs, which have no coding potential, but modulate many molecular mechanisms including cancer pathogenesis. miRNAs participate in cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, as well as carcinogenesis or cancer progression, and their involvement in lung cancer has been recently shown. They are suggested to have bidirectional functions on important cancer-related genes so as to enhance or attenuate tumor genesis.

Microarray analysis reveals a potential role of LncRNAs expression in cardiac cell proliferation.

Background: Long non-coding RNAs (LncRNAs) have been identified to play important roles in epigenetic processes that underpin organogenesis. However, the role of LncRNAs in the regulation of transition from fetal to adult life of human heart has not been evaluated.

Methods: Immunofiuorescent staining was used to determine the extent of cardiac cell proliferation.

Outcome Predictors in Patients Presenting With Acute Aortic Dissection.

Objective: To investigate the role of thyroid hormones and other factors in acute aortic dissection and an association with in-hospital adverse events.

Design: A retrospective analysis.

Setting: A university-affiliated cardiac center.

microRNA miR-10b inhibition reduces cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.

Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer. Till now, the treatment of lung cancer has been unsatisfactory, which is associated with poor prognosis and high mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent requirement to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying lung tumorigenesis.

miR-33a levels in hepatic and serum after chronic HBV-induced fibrosis.

Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which can lead to hepatic disease, has become a critical national healthcare problem, and many people die each year as a result of HBV infection and its complications. Although microRNA-33a (miR-33a) is a novel modulator of lipid and cholesterol metabolism, the role of miR-33a in the hepatic fibrogenesis is still unknown. Here, we aimed to explore the roles and mechanisms of miR-33a in liver fibrosis.

Potent antitumor activity of HSP90 inhibitor AUY922 in adrenocortical carcinoma.

The objective of this study is to investigate the expression of HSP90 and the effect of HSP90 inhibitor AUY922 in ACC. The expression of HSP90 was measured in tissue samples from 36 human sporadic adrenocortical tumors by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and real-time PCR. The effect of AUY922 was tested on SW13 and H295R cells by evaluating cell viability and apoptosis in vitro.

[Expression and clinical significance of circadian gene Per2 in non-small cell lung cancer].

Objective: To detect the expression of Per2 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and analyze its clinical significance.

Methods: The expression of Per2 was determined in 60 NSCLC and 20 normal lung tissues by immunohistochemical assay, and the relationship between Per2 expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed.

Results: The positive expression rates of Per2 in NSCLC and normal lung tissues were 71.

Generation of disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with different karyotypes of Down syndrome.

Introduction: Down syndrome (DS), a major cause of mental retardation, is caused by trisomy of some or all of human chromosome 21 and includes three basic karyotypes: trisomy 21, translocation, and mosaicism. The derivation of DS-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provides us novel DS models that can be used to determine the DS mechanism and to devise therapeutic approaches for DS patients.

Methods: In the present study, fibroblasts from patients with DS of various karyotypes were reprogrammed into iPSCs via the overexpression of four factors: OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC, by using lentiviral vectors.

Acute dysfunction of mechanical aortic valve as electrocardiographic mimic of acute left main coronary artery occlusion.

We report three patients with acute dysfunction of mechanical aortic valve prosthesis resulting in chest pain, concomitant cardiogenic shock, and electrocardiographic changes mimicking acute occlusion of the left main coronary artery whereas emergency coronary angiography revealed normal coronary arteries. During operation, abnormal proliferation of subvalvular pannus overgrowth on the inflow aspect of the prosthesis was found to impede normal prosthesis closure. We discuss the possible underlying mechanisms of electrocardiographic presentations.

Central zone of myocardial infarction: a neglected target area for heart cell therapy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the fate of transplanted cells in the central zone of myocardial infarction (MI), and to clarify the relationship between the injection-site impact and the efficacy of cell therapy. MI was created by coronary ligation in female rats. Three weeks later, 3-million labelled male bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were directly injected into the border (BZC group) or central zone (CZC group) of MI area.

Unloading the infarcted heart affect MMPs-TIMPs axis in a rat cardiac heterotopic transplantation model.

Ventricular assist devices may function as a bridge to recovery or heart transplantation, however, little is known about its mechanisms. This study examined the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP) axis in the process of recovery after unloading in a rat ischemic-induce heart failure (HF) model. Myocardial infarction model was created with the coronary artery ligation.

[miRNA changes in the reverse remodeling heart of rats].

Objective: To establish a reverse remodeling heart model in rats and observe collagen and TGF-β expression and relevant microRNAs changes during reverse remodeling.

Methods: Lewis rats were divided into four groups including sham (NL, n = 10), abdominal aortic constriction (AAC, n = 10), heterotopic transplantation of abdominal aortic constriction (AAC-HT, n = 9) and heterotopic transplantation of normal heart (HT, n = 8). Left ventricular wall thickness and LV cavity were measured by echocardiography.

MicroRNA-155 silencing enhances inflammatory response and lipid uptake in oxidized low-density lipoprotein-stimulated human THP-1 macrophages.

It has been proposed that the inflammatory response of monocytes/macrophages induced by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is a key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. MicroRNA-155 (miR-155) is an important regulator of the immune system and has been shown to be involved in acute inflammatory response. However, the function of miR-155 in oxLDL-stimulated inflammation and atherosclerosis remains unclear.

SDF-1α inhibits hypoxia and serum deprivation-induced apoptosis in mesenchymal stem cells through PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2 signaling pathways.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been demonstrated to be a promising cell sources for cardiac regeneration. Poor survival rate of transplanted BMSCs in infarcted myocardium attenuated its clinical application. It's reported that stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) could protect progenitor cells including endothelial progenitor cells and embryonic stem cells from apoptosis.

[Concurrent standard dose of cisplatin, paclitaxel, and radiotherapy followed by surgery in treatment of thoracic esophageal carcinoma].

Objective: To investigate the curative effect of incorporation of the regimen of standard dose of paclitaxel combined with cisplatin into concurrent radiotherapy as pre-operative treatment for patients with esophageal carcinoma.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with primary diagnosis of esophageal carcinoma, 17 in stage II and 9 in stage III, underwent conventional fractionated radiotherapy with a total dosage of 40 Gy (2 Gy per day, 5 doses per week). Paclitaxel were given intravenously at a dose of 135 mg/m(2) for 3 h on day1 and day 22.

[Carinal resection and reconstruction, and bronchoplasty and pulmonary arterioplasty in the treatment of central-type lung cancer].

Background: Boonchoplasty can not only remove tumor but also reserve lung tissue maximally, and it becomes an alternative choice for patient with poor pulmonary function who could not accept pneumonectomy. The aim of this study is to summarize the experience of carinal resection and reconstruction, bronchoplasty and pulmonary arterioplasty in the treatment of central-type lung cancer.

Methods: From March, 1987 to March, 2005, A total of 79 patients with central-type lung cancer underwent operation.