Acidic buffer or plus cyclosporine A post-conditioning protects isolated rat hearts against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background: It is well documented that transient acidosis during reperfusion is protective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardioprotection of acidic buffer or plus cyclosporine A in isolated rat hearts after cardioplegic arrest.

Methods: Langendorff-perfused Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were perfused for 20 min with Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) buffer followed by 30 min of crystalloid cardioplegia and 60 min of reperfusion.

Plating versus intramedullary pin or conservative treatment for midshaft fracture of clavicle: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Hypothesis: Clavicular fractures account for 2% to 2.6% of all fractures. Plating has been considered the gold standard for treating midshaft clavicular fracture.

Differential roles for the interferon-inducible IFI16 and AIM2 innate immune sensors for cytosolic DNA in cellular senescence of human fibroblasts.

The IFN-inducible IFI16 and AIM2 proteins act as innate immune sensors for cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). On sensing dsDNA, the IFI16 protein induces the expression of IFN-β whereas the AIM2 protein forms an inflammasome, which promotes the secretion of IL-1β. Given that the knockdown of IFI16 expression in human diploid fibroblasts (HDF) delays the onset of cellular senescence, we investigated the potential roles for the IFI16 and AIM2 proteins in cellular senescence.

Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in a rural Chinese population: the Handan Eye Study.

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of age-related degeneration (AMD) in a rural Chinese population and to assess its associations with age, gender, and smoking.

Design: Population-based cross-sectional.

Participants: Persons aged 30+ years, recruited between October 2006 and October 2007, from Yongnian County, Handan, Hebei Province, China.

Dynamic distribution of NuMA and microtubules in human fetal fibroblasts, developing oocytes and somatic cell nuclear transferred embryos.

Background: The nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) plays a central role in the assembly and maintenance of spindle poles. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) studies on non-human primates have shown that meiotic spindle removal during enucleation causes depletion of NuMA and the minus-end-directed motor protein (HSET) from the ooplasm, and this in turn leads to failure of embryo development. To determine whether NuMA from somatic cells could compensate for NuMA loss during enucleation, the distribution of NuMA and microtubule organization were investigated in human fibroblasts, developing oocytes and SCNT embryos.

Characterization of the specific interaction between archaeal FHA domain-containing protein and the promoter of a flagellar-like gene-cluster and its regulation by phosphorylation.

The mechanism and target genes of regulation by Forkhead (FHA) domain-containing transcription factors have not yet been documented in Archaea. In this study, using a bacterial one-hybrid technique, we successfully screened and identified for the first time a target gene regulated by ST0829, an FHA domain-containing potential transcriptional factor in the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus tokodaii. We show that ST0829 could specifically bind to the promoter region of ST2519p, the archaeal flagellar protein-encoding operon (including FlaG, FlaF, FlaH, FlaI, and FlaJ) by using both in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay and surface plasmon resonance experiments, and invivo chromatin immunoprecipitation assays.

Pharmacological postconditioning protects isolated rat hearts against ischemia-reperfusion injury: the role of mitochondrial permeability transition pore.

Postconditioning has been verified to provide cardioprotection and is associated with the state of mitochondrial permeability transition pore. However, there are a few limitations with clinical use of classic postconditioning; therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to study whether inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening with cyclosporine A also provided cardioprotection. Langendorff-perfused Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were perfused for 20 minutes with Krebs-Henseleit buffer followed by 30 minutes of crystalloid cardioplegia and 60 minutes of reperfusion.

Acidic buffer or plus cyclosporine a postconditioning protects isolated rat hearts against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: It is well documented that transient acidosis during reperfusion is protective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardioprotection of acidic buffer or plus cyclosporine A in isolated rat hearts after cardioplegic arrest. METHODS: Langendorff-perfused Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were perfused for 20 min with Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) buffer followed by 30 min of crystalloid cardioplegia and 60 min of reperfusion.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of intravenous palonosetron in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in adults.

Objectives: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare treatment effectiveness and adverse effects in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with palonosetron to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).

Methods: We identified randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) comparing palonosetron with first-generation 5-HT3RA in the prevention of CINV in cancer patients. Meta-analyses were performed on homogeneous studies.

Evaluation of shunting flow differences in varied conditions in a simulated adult CPB model during normothermia.

Background: It is well documented that lower pump flow during clinical cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) procedures may be significantly detrimental to tissues and organs. The major cause of hypoperfusion is due to shunting flow existing in the closed CPB circuits. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate various shunting flow conditions in a simulated adult CPB model under normothermia.

[Expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor in the synovium of patients with osteoarthritis].

Objective: To detect the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in patients with osteoarthritis and investigate their roles in the synovial lesions of osteoarthritis.

Methods: The expressions of HIF-1α and VEGF in the synovium were detected by immunohistochemical staining in 30 osteoarthritis cases, 20 acute traumatic arthritis cases and 10 normal synovial biopsy samples. The correlation between HIF-1α and VEGF, and their relationships with osteoarthritis were analyzed.

Quantum dot-antisense oligonucleotide conjugates for multifunctional gene transfection, mRNA regulation, and tracking of biological processes.

It was demonstrated that oligonucleotides, independent of their base sequence and length, could effectively induce the cellular uptake of mercapto acid-capped CdTe QDs after the oligonucleotides were covalently attached on the surface of the QDs. Following these experimental observations, a conjugate composed of covalently linked anti-survivin antisense oligonucleotides (ASON) and CdTe QDs was designed and synthesized. Then, the survivin mRNA down-regulation and the apoptosis of HeLa cells induced by ASON were studied.

Aim2 deficiency stimulates the expression of IFN-inducible Ifi202, a lupus susceptibility murine gene within the Nba2 autoimmune susceptibility locus.

Murine Aim2 and p202 proteins (encoded by the Aim2 and Ifi202 genes) are members of the IFN-inducible p200 protein family. Both proteins can sense dsDNA in the cytoplasm. However, upon sensing dsDNA, only the Aim2 protein through its pyrin domain can form an inflammasome to activate caspase-1 and induce cell death.

Prevalence and causes of amblyopia in a rural adult population of Chinese the Handan Eye Study.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of and factors associated with amblyopia in a rural Chinese population.

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Participants: Six thousand eight hundred thirty Han Chinese aged 30 years or more, recruited from Yongnian County, Handan, Hebei Province, China.

Gender-dependent expression of murine Irf5 gene: implications for sex bias in autoimmunity.

Molecular mechanisms that contribute to sex bias in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease, remain unknown. We found that the expression levels of interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5), a lupus susceptibility factor, depend on gender of mice. We found that steady-state levels of the Irf5 mRNA were relatively higher in splenic cells from certain autoimmune-prone mice (for example, NZB and NZB/W F(1)) than in non-autoimmune C57BL/6 mice.

Normal macular thickness measurements using optical coherence tomography in healthy eyes of adult Chinese persons: the Handan Eye Study.

Purpose: To describe macular thickness measured by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in healthy eyes of adult Chinese persons.

Design: Population-based cross-sectional study.

Participants: Chinese adults aged 30+ years who were residents of Handan, North China.

Interferon-inducible p200-family proteins as novel sensors of cytoplasmic DNA: role in inflammation and autoimmunity.

Deregulated innate immune responses that result in increased levels of type I interferons (IFNs) and stimulation of IFN-inducible genes are thought to contribute to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. One family of IFN-inducible genes is the Ifi200 family, which includes the murine (eg, Ifi202a, Ifi202b, Ifi203, Ifi204, Mndal, and Aim2) and human (eg, IFI16, MNDA, IFIX, and AIM2) genes. Genes in the family encode structurally related proteins (the p200-family proteins), which share at least one partially conserved repeat of 200-amino acid (200-AA) residues.

[Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C in pancreatic cancer and its effect upon lymph node metastasis].

Objective: To investigate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGF-C) and the effect of antisense oligonucleotide (ASODN) upon lymph node metastasis of pancreatic cancer cell.

Methods: We selected 15 cases of human pancreatic cancer and detected the expression of VEGF-C in primary tumor and lymph node metastasis tissues with immunohistochemistry. Meanwhile, the spontaneous lymphatic metastasis model in nude mice was established with orthotopic implantation for the human pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1, isolation and culture of primary tumor and spontaneous lymphatic metastasis.

Aspartate racemase, generating neuronal D-aspartate, regulates adult neurogenesis.

D-aspartic acid is abundant in the developing brain. We have identified and cloned mammalian aspartate racemase (DR), which converts L-aspartate to D-aspartate and colocalizes with D-aspartate in the brain and neuroendocrine tissues. Depletion of DR by retrovirus-mediated expression of short-hairpin RNA in newborn neurons of the adult hippocampus elicits profound defects in the dendritic development and survival of newborn neurons and survival.

[Microbiologic study on the pathogens isolated from wound culture among orthopaedic patients after Wenchuan earthquake].

Objective: To observe the bacterial characteristic of orthopedic open wounds injured in Wenchuan earthquake and their drug-resistant pattern for reasonable application of antibiotics.

Methods: A total of 340 secretion specimens isolated from 148 cases of orthopedic open wounds of earthquake victims were analyzed. Among the patients, 71 patients were male and 77 patients were female, ranging in age from 2 to 82 years, with an average of 40.

Interferon-inducible IFI16, a negative regulator of cell growth, down-regulates expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene.

Background: Increased levels of interferon (IFN)-inducible IFI16 protein (encoded by the IFI16 gene located at 1q22) in human normal prostate epithelial cells and diploid fibroblasts (HDFs) are associated with the onset of cellular senescence. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the IFI16 protein contributes to cellular senescence-associated cell growth arrest remain to be elucidated. Here, we report that increased levels of IFI16 protein in normal HDFs and in HeLa cells negatively regulate the expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) gene.

Decorating multi-walled carbon nanotubes with quantum dots for construction of multi-color fluorescent nanoprobes.

Novel multi-color fluorescent nanoprobes were prepared by electrostatically assembling differently sized CdTe quantum dots on polyethylenimine (PEI) functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). The structural and optical properties of the nano-assemblies (MWNTs-PEI-CdTe) were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction spectra (EDS), Raman spectroscopy, confocal microscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was also applied to investigate the electrostatic assembling among oxidized MWNTs, PEI and CdTe.

[Current and development in shoulder arthroplasty].

Objective: To review the recent research progress on shoulder arthroplasty, and to predict future research direction.

Methods: Recent literature concerned the shoulder arthroplasty was reviewed and analyzed in terms of applied anatomy, designs of prosthesis, patterns of prosthesis and fixation ways of prosthesis.

Results: The shoulder arthroplasty represented the treatments of choice for the patients with end-stage shoulder diseases and traumatic diseases.