Nesfatin-1 functions as a switch for phenotype transformation and proliferation of VSMCs in hypertensive vascular remodeling.

The phenotypic transformation from differentiated to dedifferentiated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays a crucial role in VSMC proliferation and vascular remodeling in many cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. Nesfatin-1, a multifunctional adipocytokine, is critically involved in the regulation of blood pressure. However, it is still largely unexplored whether nesfatin-1 is a potential candidate in VSMC phenotypic switch and proliferation in hypertension.

Muscle Atrophy Induced by Mechanical Unloading: Mechanisms and Potential Countermeasures.

Prolonged periods of skeletal muscle inactivity or mechanical unloading (bed rest, hindlimb unloading, immobilization, spaceflight and reduced step) can result in a significant loss of musculoskeletal mass, size and strength which ultimately lead to muscle atrophy. With advancement in understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in disuse skeletal muscle atrophy, several different signaling pathways have been studied to understand their regulatory role in this process. However, substantial gaps exist in our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved, as well as their functional significance.

Nesfatin-1 promotes VSMC migration and neointimal hyperplasia by upregulating matrix metalloproteinases and downregulating PPARγ.

The dedifferentiation, proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential in the progression of hypertension, atherosclerosis and intimal hyperplasia. Nesfatin-1 is a potential modulator in cardiovascular functions. However, the role of nesfatin-1 in VSMC biology has not been explored.

Induction of a high-titered antibody response using HIV gag-EV71 VP1-based virus-like particles with the capacity to protect newborn mice challenged with a lethal dose of enterovirus 71.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is the most frequently detected causative agent in hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) and is a serious threat to public health in the Asia-Pacific region. Many EV71 vaccines are under development worldwide, and although both inactivated virus vaccines and virus-like particles (VLPs) are considered to be effective, the main focus has been on inactivated EV71vaccines. There have been very few studies on EV71 VLPs.

Proteomic analysis reveals the distinct energy and protein metabolism characteristics involved in myofiber type conversion and resistance of atrophy in the extensor digitorum longus muscle of hibernating Daurian ground squirrels.

Previous hibernation studies demonstrated that such a natural model of skeletal muscle disuse causes limited muscle atrophy and a significant fast-to-slow fiber type shift. However, the underlying mechanism as defined in a large-scale analysis remains unclarified. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) based quantitative analysis were used to examine proteomic changes in the fast extensor digitorum longus muscles (EDL) of Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus).

Functional STR within : a novel potential risk factor for colorectal cancer.

was previously regarded as a proto-oncogene, but recent reports have found that it acts as a tumor repressor in hepatocellular carcinogenesis and a prognostic predictor for colorectal carcinoma (CRC), although, its role in colorectal carcinogenesis is still unclear. This hospital-based case-control study with 830 CRC cases and 878 controls was carried out to determine the effect of the short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphism, located in the 3'UTR, on CRC risk in the study population of Chinese adults. Distribution of the genotypic frequency between CRC cases and controls in the Xuzhou study center revealed that the risk of CRC decreased as the repeat numbers increased.

Therapeutic potential of low-dose IL-2 in immune thrombocytopenia: An analysis of 3 cases.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an acquired immune-mediated disorder with regulatory T cells (Tregs) reduction. Recent studies have shown that low-dose interleukin-2 can preferentially induce Treg expansion in vivo, and therefore offers a therapeutic strategy against immune thrombocytopenia. We have demonstrated in a previous study that Tregs and platelet counts significantly improve in an adult with ITP following low-dose IL-2 treatment.

How to detect the rare BCR-ABL (e14a3) transcript: A case report and literature review.

The Philadelphia (Ph; BCR-ABL) chromosome originates from a translocation event between chromosomes 9 and 22, and results in the BCR-ABL fusion gene. In chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), the BCR-ABL gene is mainly coded for by a major breakpoint cluster region (M-bcr, e13a2 and e14a2). However, in some patients, BCR-ABL genes are encoded by a minor (m)-bcr, e1a2, and a micro (µ)-bcr region, e19a2.

Understanding the Effect of Delay Time of Solvent Washing on the Performances of Perovskite Solar Cells.

Uniform and dense perovskite films were realized by the one-step solution-processing method combined with toluene washing. The influence of the delay time applied for toluene washing on the film quality of CHNHPbI (MAPbI) was investigated in a comprehensive manner. The optimal delay time was experimentally observed at the critical point when the color of the film changes from transparent to hazy.

Pterostilbene protects against uraemia serum-induced endothelial cell damage via activation of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 signaling.

Chronic kidney disease causes uremia-related endothelial cell dysfunction associated with high risk for cardiovascular diseases. The vascular endothelium is permanently exposed to uraemic toxins including indoxyl sulfate, which provokes endothelial damage in subjects with end-stage renal disease. Pterostilbene (PT) is identified to be homologous derivative of resveratrol and exerts antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

Identification of the optimal dose and calpain system regulation of tetramethylpyrazine on the prevention of skeletal muscle atrophy in hindlimb unloading rats.

Previous studies in our lab have shown that tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) could effectively attenuate disuse induced muscle atrophy. In order to screening out the optimal dose of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) for protection against disuse induced muscle atrophy in hindlimb unloading (HLU) rats, in this study, we compared effects of 4 TMP doses on muscle wet weight (MWW), the ratios of muscle wet weight/body weight (MWW/BW) and muscle wet weight/dry weight (MWW/DW), fiber type composition, as well as cross-sectional area (CSA) in soleus (SOL) muscle. Consequently, we quantified optimal dose effects on both functional properties and protein expression (calpain-1, calpain-2, calpastatin and MuRF1) in SOL and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) inhibits the inflammatory response by inhibiting the activation of P38 and JNK signaling pathway and decreases the restenosis of vein grafts in rats.

This study aims to explore the effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) on vascular inflammatory response and vascular injury in grafted vein wall of rats and its possible mechanism. Vascular grafting model was established by modified cuff. The effect of TSG-6 on the inflammatory response and vascular injury of vein graft was investigated.

Maternal early pregnancy vitamin D status in relation to low birth weight and small-for-gestational-age offspring.

Maternal vitamin D deficiency is an independent risk factor for fetal growth. We examined the associations between maternal vitamin D status (defined by 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]) at the first prenatal visit and measures of newborn and placental weight, in a large China cohort of singleton, term, live births. From July 2015 to June 2016, women delivering singleton, term, live births with 25(OH)D measured at a first prenatal visit (N=747).

Remarkable plasticity of Na, K-ATPase, Ca-ATPase and SERCA contributes to muscle disuse atrophy resistance in hibernating Daurian ground squirrels.

We investigated cytosolic calcium (Ca) and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca regulation in skeletal muscle fibers of hibernating Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus), non-hibernating hindlimb-unloaded (HLU) squirrels, and HLU rats to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in preventing muscle atrophy in hibernators. The Na, K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase activities in the soleus muscle (SOL) of squirrels were maintained in hibernation, decreased during interbout arousal (IB-A), and increased to autumn/pre-hibernation (AUT/Pre-H) levels in torpor after interbout arousal (Post-IBA), whereas activities in the extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) were stable during hibernation, but increased during post-hibernation (Post-H). Activities increased in the SOL of HLU rats, but were stable in HLU squirrels.

Antimicrobial resistance of 3 types of gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospital surfaces and the hands of health care workers.

Background: There has been an increased focus in recent years on antimicrobial resistance of bacteria isolated from clinical samples. However, resistance of bacteria from hospital environments has been less frequently investigated.

Methods: According to hygienic standard for disinfection in hospitals, samples were collected from hospital inanimate surfaces and the hands of health care workers after daily cleaning.

Noninvasive detection of acute renal allograft rejection by measurement of soluble Tim-3 in urine.

The purpose of the present study was to assess whether urinary soluble T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (sTim-3) could be adopted as a novel non‑invasive biomarker for acute rejection (AR) following renal transplantation. A total of 156 patients were enrolled between January 2006 and December 2009, comprising 49 patients with biopsy‑proven AR, 58 patients with stable grafts and no abnormal histological findings (NO‑AR), 10 patients with subclinical rejection (SCR) in protocol biopsies, 10 patients with acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and 29 patients with chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN). Additionally, urine samples from 40 healthy individuals were also collected as controls.

A dramatic blood plasticity in hibernating and 14-day hindlimb unloading Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus).

We compared the effects of hibernation inactivity and 14-day hindlimb unloading in non-hibernating period on biochemical, rheological, and hematological parameters of blood in Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus). Twenty-four squirrels were randomly divided into four groups: control (CON), hibernation (HIB), post-hibernation (POST), and 14-day hindlimb unloading (HU). The results showed that serum enzymes (L-lactate dehydrogenase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase) activities decreased in HIB, POST, and HU squirrels compared with CON.

Subchronic toxicity of low dose propoxur, permethrin, and their combination on the redox status of rat liver.

Carbamates and pyrethroids are widely used pesticides. However, their joint toxicity at low doses with long-term exposure remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the subchronic joint hepatotoxicity of the two representative pesticides within these two classes, i.

CD73 promotes proliferation and migration of human cervical cancer cells independent of its enzyme activity.

Background: CD73 has both enzymatic and non-enzymatic functions in cells. As a nucleotidase, CD73 plays its enzymatic function by catalyzing the hydrolysis of AMP into adenosine and phosphate. In addition to this, accumulating data have shown that CD73 is a key regulatory molecule involved in cancer growth and metastasis, but this non-enzymatic function of CD73 in cervical cancer cells has not been well studied.

Platelet desialylation correlates with efficacy of first-line therapies for immune thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a common autoimmune bleeding disorder. Despite considerable investigation, the pathogenesis of ITP remains incompletely understood, and for many patients, effective therapy is still unavailable. Using murine models and in vitro studies of human blood samples, we recently identified a novel Fc-independent platelet clearance pathway, whereby antibody-mediated desialylated platelets can be cleared in the liver via asialoglycoprotein receptors, leading to decreased response to standard first-line therapies targeting Fc-dependent platelet clearance.

CD4 + CD25 + CD127 high cells as a negative predictor of multiple organ failure in acute pancreatitis.

Background: It has been suggested that severity of the immune response induced by immune cells is associated with morbidity and mortality from acute pancreatitis. The authors investigated and evaluated the relationship between distinct peripheral lymphocyte subsets at admission and clinical outcome prior to hospital discharge so as to find a predictor to the prognosis of acute pancreatitis in lymphocyte profile.

Methods: Lymphocyte subsets in admission peripheral venous blood were tested through flow cytometry on 48 patients with acute pancreatitis.

The Effect of Histological CD20-Positive B Cell Infiltration in Acute Cellular Rejection on Kidney Transplant Allograft Survival.

. It is controversial whether lymphocyte infiltration exhibited in biopsy specimens is associated with transplant outcomes. This study focused on the effect of CD20-positive B cell infiltration in biopsy specimens from allografts with acute cellular rejection (ACR) in a Chinese population.

Relationship between JAK2V617F mutation, allele burden and coagulation function in Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Objectives: Our aim was to explore the relationship between JAK2V617F mutation allele burden and hematological parameters especially in coagulation function in Chinese population.

Methods: This study included 133 Ph-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) patients between 2013 and 2016. All the clinical and experimental data of patients were collected at the time of the diagnosis without any prior treatment, including blood parameters, coagulation function, splenomegaly, vascular events and chromosome karyotype.

Low dose IL-2 increase regulatory T cells and elevate platelets in a patient with immune thrombocytopenia.

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder in which its immune system destroys platelets and leads to haemorrhage symptom. Recent studies have found that regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleen were reduced in ITP patients and recovered after effective ITP therapy. Low-dose Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been reported recently to increase Tregs and used to treat autoimmune disease including graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after organ transplantation and HCV-related autoimmune vasculitis.

iTRAQ-based proteomic analysis of myofibrillar contents and relevant synthesis and proteolytic proteins in soleus muscle of hibernating Daurian ground squirrels ().

Background: Daurian ground squirrels () deviate from significant increase of protein catabolism and loss of myofibrillar contents during long period of hibernation inactivity.

Methods: Here we use iTRAQ based quantitative analysis to examine proteomic changes in the soleus of squirrels in pre-hibernation, hibernation and post-hibernation states. The total proteolysis rate of soleus was measured by the release of the essential amino acid tyrosine from isolated muscles.