Prognostic analysis of orthostatic intolerance using survival model in children.

Background: Orthostatic intolerance (OI) is a common disease at pediatric period which has a serious impact on physical and mental health of children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of related factors on the prognosis of children with OI.

Methods: The subjects were 170 children with OI, including 71 males (41.

Astragalus mongholicus regulate the Toll-like-receptor 4 meditated signal transduction of dendritic cells to restrain stomach cancer cells.

Background: According to the traditional view, we depend on three methods to treat tumors; surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, these methods have its own limitations in application. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the oldest healing systems.

Combinatorial immunotherapy of sorafenib and blockade of programmed death-ligand 1 induces effective natural killer cell responses against hepatocellular carcinoma.

Sorafenib, a multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a standard treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we report that the combinatorial therapy of sorafenib and anti-programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) can be implemented with good results for HCC. Cancer mouse models were used to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and examine the immunologic mechanisms of the sorafenib/anti-PD-L1 mAb therapy.

Nurses' roles in direct nursing care delivery in China.

Aim: To study the nurses' roles in direct nursing care delivery in the neurology ward in China.

Background: As patients' demands for healthcare have increased, the quality of the nursing service has become a focus of attention. Nurses play an important role in the delivery of care and can affect the quality of patient care.

A novel fluorescence probing strategy for the determination of parathion-methyl.

A sensitive fluorescence probing strategy for parathion-methyl (PM) detection was developed based on electron transfer (ET) between p-nitrophenol (the hydrolysate of PM) and CdTe quantum dots (QDs) in cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). PM was hydrolyzed by organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) to form p-nitrophenol. P-nitrophenol is a typically electron-deficient compound due to the strong electron-withdrawing effect of the nitro groups.

Genotoxicity assessment of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with different particle sizes and surface coatings.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been widely used for various biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging and drug delivery. However, their potential toxic effects, including genotoxicity, need to be thoroughly understood. In the present study, the genotoxicity of IONPs with different particle sizes (10, 30 nm) and surface coatings (PEG, PEI) were assessed using three standard genotoxicity assays, the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation assay (Ames test), the in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test, and the in vivo micronucleus assay.

[Construction and immunological responses of recombinant adenovirus containing Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 in mice].

This study aimed to construct recombinant adenovirus expressing Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) against nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The C-terminal region fragment of the ebna1 gene of Epstein-Barr virus was amplified from the standard strain B95-8 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The gene fragment was inserted into the pDC316 shuttle plasmid using the EcoRI and BgIII restriction enzyme sites.

A hybrid antioxidizing and antibacterial material based on Ag-La2O3 nanocomposites.

The Ag-La2O3 hybrid nanoparticles were prepared by loading Ag nanoparticles on the surface of the La2O3 nanorods. The synthesis was a one-step process where sodium borohydride was used as a reducing agent to convert silver ions into silver nanoparticles, which were further deposited on the La2O3 nanorods. Moreover, they were found evenly dispersed upon the surface of La2O3 supports.

High mobility group box 1 release from cholangiocytes in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.

High mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB1) is an important proinflammatory molecule in a number of inflammatory disorders, but little is known about its role in acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). To elucidate the role of HMGB1 in ACLF, the expression of HMGB1 in liver specimens from patients with ACLF was investigated. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to confirm the expression and subcellular localization of HMGB1 in liver specimens obtained from 13 patients with ACLF caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, 20 patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and 20 healthy controls.

hMSH2 expression is associated with paclitaxel resistance in ovarian carcinoma, and inhibition of hMSH2 expression in vitro restores paclitaxel sensitivity.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between paclitaxel resistance, gene copy number, and gene expression in ovarian carcinoma, and to restore paclitaxel sensitivity in a paclitaxel-resistant ovarian carcinoma cell line by using hMSH2-targeting siRNA. Paclitaxel-resistant ovarian carcinoma cell lines OC3/TAX300 and OC3/TAX50 and their parental cell lines were analyzed by comparative genomic hybridization, and the expression levels of hMSH2 in ovarian carcinoma cell lines and tissues were determined. An siRNA targeted to hMSH2 mRNA was used to transfect a paclitaxel-resistant cell line.

Psychological stress induced hippocampus zinc dyshomeostasis and depression-like behavior in rats.

There are strong evidences showed that psychological stress (PS) could result in depression. Recently, many attentions were paid to the roles of corticosterone (CORT) and zinc dyshomeostasis in the development of depression. In this study, we investigated the zinc level in rat hippocampus after exposure to PS and accompanied behavior change.

Involvement of calcium-sensing receptors in hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension by promoting phenotypic modulation of small pulmonary arteries.

Phenotype modulation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) plays an important role during hypoxia-induced vascular remodeling and pulmonary hypertension (PAH). We had previously shown that calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is expressed in rat PASMCs. However, little is known about the role of CaSR in phenotypic modulation of PASMCs in hypoxia-induced PAH as well as the underlying mechanisms.

Characterization and expression analysis of two distinct neuropeptide Ya paralogues in Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian).

Two distinct neuropeptide Ya paralogues (jlNPYa1 and jlNPYa2) were cloned and characterized in Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian), with a highly conserved organization encoded by four exons and three introns. The cDNAs for jlNPYa1 and jlNPYa2 were 693 and 730 bp in size, respectively.

GATA-4 protects against hypoxia-induced cardiomyocyte injury: effects on mitochondrial membrane potential.

Our previous studies have suggested that GATA-4 increases the differentiation of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into cardiac phenotypes. This study further investigated whether GATA-4 enhances MSC-mediated cardioprotection following hypoxia. MSCs were harvested from rat bone marrow and transduced with GATA-4 (MSC(GATA-4)).

Development of a bi-enzyme tracer competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of thiacloprid and imidaclothiz in agricultural samples.

A bi-enzyme tracer direct competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dc-ELISA) was developed based on anti-imidaclothiz and anti-thiacloprid antibodies. Several affected physicochemical factors were optimised, including methanol concentration, ionic strength and pH value. Under the optimised conditions, 50% inhibiting concentration (IC50) values for thiacloprid and imidaclothiz were 182.

Expression profiling of serum microRNA-101 in HBV-associated chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent a class of evolutionarily conserved, non-coding small RNAs (18-25 nt) that have emerged as master regulators of several biological processes. Recently, circulating miRNAs have also been reported to be promising biomarkers for various pathological conditions. In the present study, we report the comparative expression profiling of microRNA-101 (miR-101) in serum and tissue samples from chronic hepatitis B (CHB), HBV-associated liver cirrhosis (HBV-LC), and HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC) patients and healthy controls.

Effect of Yangyinqingfei decoction on radiation-induced lung injury via downregulation of MMP12 and TIMP-1 expression.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect and underlying mechanism of Yangyinqingfei decoction on radiation-induced lung injury in rats. Wistar rats (n=75) were randomly divided into five experimental groups (A-E). Rats in two of the groups were administered saline solution, whereas rats in the remaining three groups were administered different doses of Yangyinqingfei decoction.

Association of branched-chain amino acids with carotid intima-media thickness and coronary artery disease risk factors.

Background: Recent studies have determined that branched-chain (BCAAs) and aromatic (AAAs) amino acids are strongly correlated with obesity and atherogenic dyslipidemia and are strong predictors of diabetes. However, it is not clear if these amino acids are capable of identifying subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD), particularly with subclinical atherosclerosis who are at risk of developing CAD.

Methods: Four hundred and seventy two Chinese subjects (272 males and 200 females, 42-97 y of age) undergoing physical exams were recruited at random for participation in the cross-sectional study.

Dual effects of amiodarone on pacemaker currents in hypertrophied ventricular myocytes isolated from spontaneously hypertensive rats.

The pacemaker current If conducted by hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels plays a critical role in the regulation of cardiac automaticity, with If density increased in hypertrophied ventricular myocytes. Amiodarone, a highly effective anti-arrhythmic agent, blocks human HCN currents and native If under normal conditions. To determine the effects of amiodarone under pathological conditions, we monitored If under after both acute (0.

A rapid and precise method for quantification of fatty acids in human serum cholesteryl esters by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.

We described a rapid and precise method for simultaneous quantification of eleven fatty acids in human serum cholesteryl esters (CEFAs) by liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). After extraction of serum lipids with isopropanol, CEFAs were separated on reversed phase liquid chromatography and detected by mass spectrometry in positive ion mode with multiple reaction monitor. Individual CEFA was quantified by peak area normalization method and expressed as molar percent of total CEFAs.

[Study on RNA interference silencing hMSH2 induces the reversal chemo-resistance of ovarian carcinoma cell line OC3/TAX300].

Objective: To investigate the reversal effect of hMSH2 small interference RNA(siRNA) on chemo-resistance of ovarian carcinoma cell line OC3/TAX300, explore the clinical significance.

Methods: The specific hMSH2 siRNA (experimental group) and non-specific hMSH2 siRNA (negative control group) was designed, synthesized and transfected into ovarian carcinoma cell line OC3/TAX300. The expression mRNA and protein levels of hMSH2 were detected by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and western blot.

[Preliminary analysis on the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of pandrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (PDR-Ab) in the Chinese PLA General Hospital and compare the efficacies of different antibiotic treatments in aged patients with ventilator-associative pneumonia (VAP) caused by PDR-Ab.

Methods: Data were collected from all isolated PDR-Ab strains in our hospital from April 2009 to April 2010. The clinical features, treatment, and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed.

Advances in serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma: correlation with high grade serous carcinoma and ovarian carcinogenesis.

Early serous carcinoma in fallopian tube or serous tubal intraepithelial carcinoma (STIC), an early lesion limited to the epithelium of the fallopian tube and firstly identified from specimen obtained by prophylactic salpingo-oophorectomy, has provided insight into pelvic high grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). Increasing evidence indicates that STIC is a likely precursor for HGSC and several studies have focused on this lesion and its clinical significance. This review addresses recent advances in recognizing STIC and its correlation with HGSC and ovarian carcinogenesis.

GATA-4 induces changes in electrophysiological properties of rat mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can differentiate into cardiac cells that have the potential to contribute to heart repair following ischemic injury. Overexpression of GATA-4 can significantly increase differentiation of MSC into cardiomyocytes (CM). However, the specific impact of GATA-4 overexpression on the electrophysiological properties of MSC-derived CM has not been well documented.

Parkinson׳s disease-related modulation of functional connectivity associated with the striatum in the resting state in a nonhuman primate model.

The goal of this study was to describe Parkinson׳s disease (PD)-related modulation of functional connectivity (FC) associated with the striatum in the resting state in a nonhuman primate model of early-stage PD. Weekly intravenous injections of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) (0.5 mg/kg body weight) were performed until parkinsonian motor symptoms developed in four macaques.