Rhein activated Fas-induced apoptosis pathway causing cardiotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.

Rhein, one of the main active components of rhubarb (Dahuang) and Polygonum multiflorum (Heshouwu), has a wide range of effective pharmacological effects. Recently, increasing studies have focused on its potential hepatorenal toxicity, but the cardiotoxicity is unknown. In this study, we found that the IC of rhein to H9c2 cells at 24 h and 48 h were 94.

Serum Ferritin Independently Predicts the Incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Aim: This study aimed to determine whether serum ferritin (SF) is an independent risk factor of the incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and rapid renal function decline (RFD) in male Tibetan patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study that included 191 male Tibetan patients with T2DM without CKD. Patients were divided into three groups according to the level of SF.

Early detection of circulating DNA of Schistosoma japonicum in sentinel mice models.

Currently in China, the schistosomiasis control program has shifted its focus from transmission control to the elimination of the disease. Effective forecast and surveillance systems of schistiosomiasis are of great importance for issuing timely and early warnings on risk of infection, and therefore implementing preventive measures to avoid infection. There is great demand in more sensitive and specific methods to improve the surveillance system for early detection of S.

Three-dimensional digitalized virtual planning for saphenous artery flap: a pilot study.

Objective: Since the 1970s, research and applications on flap and muscle flap had solved many problems in microsurgical reconstruction. However, the traditional flap design is completely dependent on two-dimensional (2D) images. The purpose of this study was to discuss the methods in the visualization of saphenous artery flap by digitalized technique and its applications by digitalized technique.

Sulforaphane induces adipocyte browning and promotes glucose and lipid utilization.

Scope: Obesity is closely related to the imbalance of white adipose tissue storing excess calories, and brown adipose tissue dissipating energy to produce heat in mammals. Recent studies revealed that acquisition of brown characteristics by white adipocytes, termed "browning," may positively contribute to cellular bioenergetics and metabolism homeostasis. The goal was to investigate the putative effects of natural antioxidant sulforaphane (1-isothiocyanate-4-methyl-sulfonyl butane; SFN) on browning of white adipocytes.

Alignment of the lower extremity mechanical axis by computer-aided design and application in total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: The success of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) depends on many factors. The position of a prosthesis is vitally important. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the value of a computer-aided establishing lower extremity mechanical axis in TKA using digital technology.

Multiple genetic variants are associated with colorectal cancer risk in the Han Chinese population.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major health burden worldwide and is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe. CRC is a complex disease resulting from a series of genetic and epigenetic changes that lead to a stepwise progression from normal mucosa to dysplasia and finally to carcinoma. In this study, we present genetic association results between 25 tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms and CRC in a case-control study (203 cases, 296 controls) of a Han Chinese population.

Fluorescent species formed by reaction of trinitroaromatics with N,N-dimethylformamide and hydroxide.

Trinitrobenzene (TNB) and trinitrotoluene (TNT) react in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) to form multiple species in solution. Despite structural similarities, electronic spectra show that the reactivity is different for TNB and TNT. In addition to reaction with the DMF solvent, residual water in nominally dry DMF generates sufficient hydroxide for reaction with TNB and TNT.

Optimized antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities of titanate nanofibers containing silver.

Titanate nanofibers containing silver have been demonstrated through the experiments reported herein to have effective antifungal and antiproliferative activities in the presence of UV light. The titanate nanofibers containing silver can be fabricated by means of ion exchange followed by a topochemical process in an environment suitable for reductive reactions. Excellent antibacterial, antifungal, and antiproliferative activities could be demonstrated by both Ag₂Ti₅O₁₁ · xH₂O and Ag/titanate (UV light irradiation) due to their unique structures and compositions, which have photocatalytic activities to generate reactive oxygen species and capabilities to continuously release the silver ions.

[The ultrastructure of compound eye in the Portunus tritubereulatus under different wavelength lights adaptation].

The fine structure of compound eye in Portunus tritubereulatus under different wavelength lights adaptation was studied with electron microscopy. The Portunus tritubereulatus were trained in a darkroom for 30 minutes and they were given the lights of different wavelength (red 750 nm, yellow 580 nm, green 560 nm, blue 400 nm). The result showed that fine structures varied with different wavelength lights.

Stat3 confers resistance against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced oxidative injury in hepatocytes through upregulation of Mn-SOD.

Background/aims: Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) causes oxidative stress to the cell and induces apoptotic cell death. Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3) is one of the most important molecules involved in the initiation of liver development and regeneration, and has recently been shown to protect cells against various pathogens. In order to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Stat3, we examined whether it protects against H/R-induced injury in primary hepatocytes.

Stat3 protects against Fas-induced liver injury by redox-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (Stat3) is one of the most important molecules involved in the initiation of liver development and regeneration. In order to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of Stat3, we examined whether Stat3 protects against Fas-mediated liver injury in the mouse. A constitutively activated form of Stat3 (Stat3-C) was adenovirally overexpressed in mouse liver by intravenous injection, and then a nonlethal dose of Fas agonist (Jo2) was injected intraperitoneally into the mouse (0.