Association of alkaline phosphatase with isolated coronary artery ectasia.

Background: It has been shown that alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is a reliable marker for cardiovascular events and mortality. However, there is no data available regarding the association of ALP with isolated coronary artery ectasia (CAE). The aim of the present study was to assess the serum ALP activity in isolated CAE.

Snoring and glaucoma.

Purpose: To examine a potential association between snoring and glaucoma in a population-based setting.

Methods: The population-based Beijing Eye Study 2011 included 3468 subjects with an age of 50+ years. The participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination.

Impact of currently prescribed lipid-lowering drugs on plasma PCSK9 concentration: single or in combination study in rats.

Background: An emerging data suggested a significant impact of statins on PCSK9 concentration, while the rapid impacts of other lipid-lowering drugs such as ezetimibe and xuezhikang alone or in combination on PCSK9 and lipid profile have not been assessed. This study aims to investigate whether an enhanced PCSK9 concentration by single or combined therapy of lipid-lowering drugs currently used precedes the changes of lipid profile in rats.

Methods: Sixty-three rats were randomly divided into six groups and orally administrated with placebo (N = 13), ezetimibe 10 mg/kg daily, Xuezhikang 1200 mg/kg daily, ezetimibe 10 mg/kg plus Xuezhikang 1200 mg/kg daily, pitavastatin 10 mg/kg daily or pitavastatin 10 mg/kg plus ezetimibe 10 mg/kg daily for 3 days (N = 10 for each group respectively).

PCSK9 gene mutations and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin-like/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a newly-identified circulating protein in cholesterol metabolism in mammals, including humans, which has emerged as a new pharmacological target for hypocholesterolemia. It has been demonstrated that PCSK9 gene mutations are associated with hyper- or hypocholesterolemia. In the latter case, the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is markedly reduced, suggesting that low level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) at birth is highly beneficial.

Establishment and identification of induced pluripotent stem cells in liver cancer patients.

Objective: To induce pluripotent stem (IPS) cells from fibrocytes that are separated from liver cancer patients.

Methods: The fibrocytes were reprogrammed to IPS cells by lentiviral vector, stained and identified by immunohistochemistry.

Results: The IPS cells were successfully established from fibrocytes after infection, and IPS cell clones formed in round shape under a microscopy.

Dyslipidemia in rat fed with high-fat diet is not associated with PCSK9-LDL-receptor pathway but ageing.

Background: Obesity is associated with unfavorable alternations in plasma lipid profile and a broad spectrum of cardio-metabolic disorders. Proprotein convestase subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a novel circulating protein that promotes hypercholesterolemia by decreasing hepatic low lipoprotein density receptor (LDLR) protein. However, the relationship between PCSK9 concentration and lipid profile in an obesity condition has less been investigated.

Superficial esophageal lesions detected by endoscopic ultrasound enhanced with submucosal edema.

Aim: To determine if there is consistency between endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) findings and pathological results for detecting lesions of different depth in the esophageal mucosa.

Methods: A canine (Beagle) model was established in which lesions of different depths were created in the esophageal mucosa by thermal burning. Seventy-two hours later, these lesions and adjacent tissue in the esophagus were examined by EUS.

How does experience modulate auditory spatial processing in individuals with blindness?

Comparing early- and late-onset blindness in individuals offers a unique model for studying the influence of visual experience on neural processing. This study investigated how prior visual experience would modulate auditory spatial processing among blind individuals. BOLD responses of early- and late-onset blind participants were captured while performing a sound localization task.

Cloning, characterization and application of a glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase promoter from Aspergillus terreus.

It is important to develop native and highly efficient promoters for effective genetic engineering of filamentous fungi. Although Aspergillus terreus is an important industrial fungus for the production of itaconic acid and lovastatin, the available genetic toolbox for this microorganism is still rather limited. We have cloned the 5' upstream region of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (gpd; 2,150 bp from the start codon) from A.

OK-432 synergizes with IFN-γ to confer dendritic cells with enhanced antitumor immunity.

Generation of functional dendritic cells (DCs) with boosted immunity after the withdrawal of initial activation/maturation conditions remains a significant challenge. In this study, we investigated the impact of a newly developed maturation cocktail consisting of OK-432 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) on the function of human monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs). We found that OK-432 plus IFN-γ stimulation could induce significantly stronger expression of surface molecules, production of cytokines, as well as migration of DCs compared with OK-432 stimulation alone.

Improvement of hydrogen peroxide stability of Pleurotus eryngii versatile ligninolytic peroxidase by rational protein engineering.

Peroxide tolerant versatile peroxidases are required for industrial applications. In this study, rational protein engineering was performed to improve the oxidative stability of Pleurotus eryngii versatile ligninolytic peroxidase. Residues which are easily oxidized such as methionine, and close to H2O2-binding pocket and heme were identified for site-directed mutagenesis.

Acute myocardial infarction in an 8-year old male child with homozygous familiar hypercholesterolemia: laboratory findings and response to lipid-lowering drugs.

Background: Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare, inherited metabolic disease, caused by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor abnormality, consequently leading to an increase of serum levels of LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Clinically, this disease is characterized by the deposition of LDL-C in skin, tendons, and arterial wall. Children with HoFH develop significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in the first decade of life and frequently die of myocardial infarction (MI) before 20 years of age.

Expression of pim-1 in tumors, tumor stroma and tumor-adjacent mucosa co-determines the prognosis of colon cancer patients.

Provirus integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (pim-1) is a proto-oncogene that is linked to the development and progression of several cancers. In this study, we evaluated pim-1 expression in tumors, tumor stroma and tumor-adjacent mucosa together as an independent prognostic factor for colon cancer patients. The study included 343 colon cancer patients.

Short-term impact of low-dose atorvastatin on serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9.

Background And Objective: Several small studies have found that moderate- to high-dose statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) could increase the serum proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) level. However, little is known regarding the short-term, dose-dependent effects of low-dose atorvastatin and the rapid effects of a single dose of atorvastatin on PCSK9. The objective of this study was to investigate the short-term impact of low-dose atorvastatin on PCSK9 in humans.

Decreased expression of interleukin-36α correlates with poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Interleukin-36α (IL-36α) has been found to have a prominent role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders; however, little is known about the role of IL-36α in cancer. In this study, we investigated the expression, prognostic value, and the underlying antitumor mechanism of IL-36α in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). From immunohistochemistry analysis, IL-36α expression was lower in poorly differentiated HCC cells.

[Removal of BTEX by a biotrickling filter and analysis of corresponding bacterial communities].

The pre-acclimated microbial consortium and the activated sludge were used as start inoculums of a bench-scale biotrickling filter (BTF). The performance of the biotrickling filter on the removal of BTEX mixture was evaluated, and the changes in the bacterial community structure of the BTF were analyzed by PCR-DGGE technique. The results showed that the BTF could be acclimated within a short time, the biomass that adhered to the surface of packing materials increased rapidly from 5.

IL-17A promotes immune cell recruitment in human esophageal cancers and the infiltrating dendritic cells represent a positive prognostic marker for patient survival.

We previously reported that tumor-infiltrating interleukin (IL)-17A-producing cells play a protective role in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, the potential mechanisms involved remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of IL-17A on immune cell recruitment and function in ESCC.

The phenotype of ex vivo generated cytokine-induced killer cells is associated with overall survival in patients with cancer.

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are ex vivo generated heterogeneous NK-like T lymphocytes. It is not very clear whether the phenotype of CIK cells is associated with their therapeutic efficacy to cancer patients. Thus, in this study, the association of phenotype of CIK cells and the overall survival of 121 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 74 patients with lung cancer and 42 patients with colorectal cancer, all of whom underwent surgical resection and received autogenous CIK cell therapy, was analyzed.

The efficacy of cytokine-induced killer cell infusion as an adjuvant therapy for postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Background: Even after surgery, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has poor prognosis; adjuvant therapy is needed to improve effectively the outcome of HCC patients. We evaluated the efficacy of cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cell infusion as an adjuvant therapy for postoperative HCC patients.

Methods: A total of 410 patients were studied retrospectively (January 2002 to January 2007): 206 received surgery alone; 204 received surgery and at least four cycles of CIK cell transfusion (CIK group).

Percutaneous coronary intervention with anomalous origin of right coronary artery: case reports and literature review.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in an anomalous right coronary artery (RCA) can be technically difficult because selective cannulation of the vessel may not be easy. We thereby present two cases with unstable angina pectoris of anomalous originated RCA. The PCI were successfully performed in two patients with a special guiding wire manipulating skill which we called "gone with the flow" combined with balloon anchoring technology, providing excellent angiographic visualization and sound guide support for stent delivery throughout the procedure without severe cardiovascular adverse effects.

Kruppel-like factor 2 might mediate the rapamycin-induced arterial thrombosis in vivo: implications for stent thrombosis in patients.

Background: Stent thrombosis is one of severe complications after sirolimus-eluting stent implantation. Rapamycin (sirolimus) promotes arterial thrombosis in in vivo studies. However, the underlying molecular and transcriptional mechanisms of this adverse effect have not been thoroughly investigated.

Long-term clinical outcomes of patients with unprotected left main bifurcation lesions treated with 2-stent techniques.

Background: Currently available evidence suggests that outcomes are less favorable when left main (LM) bifurcation lesions are treated with 2-stent techniques compared with a single-stent technique. We aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the 2-stent techniques for treating unprotected LM bifurcation lesions in Chinese patients.

Methods: We enrolled 301 consecutive patients treated with drug-eluting stents (DES) implantation using 2-stent techniques for unprotected LM bifurcation lesions (MEDINA 1, 1, 1, 70.

Increased red cell distribution width in patients with slow coronary flow syndrome.

Objective: An elevated red cell distribution width has been recognized as a predictor of various cardiovascular diseases. Slow coronary flow syndrome is an important angiographic clinical entity with an unknown etiology. This study aimed to examine the relationship between red cell distribution width and the presence of slow coronary flow syndrome.

Conversion of fatty aldehydes into alk (a/e)nes by in vitro reconstituted cyanobacterial aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase with the cognate electron transfer system.

Background: Biosynthesis of fatty alk(a/e)ne in cyanobacteria has been considered as a potential basis for the sunlight-driven and carbon-neutral bioprocess producing advanced solar biofuels. Aldehyde-deformylating oxygenase (ADO) is a key enzyme involved in that pathway. The heterologous or chemical reducing systems were generally used in in vitro ADO activity assay.