DR region of NKAα1 is a target to ameliorate hepatic lipid metabolism disturbance in obese mice.

Background: Na/K-ATPase (NKA), an ion pumping enzyme ubiquitously expressed in various cells, is critically involved in cellular ion homeostasis and signal transduction. However, the role of NKA in hepatic lipid homeostasis has yet to be fully characterized.

Methods: The activity of NKA and NKAα1 expression were determined in steatotic cells, mice and patients.

Application of multiplex competitive PCR combined with capillary electrophoresis in carrier screening of spinal muscular atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive, fatal neurological disorder in children. The pathogenic gene of SMA is survival motor neuron1 (SMN1). There are many methods to detect SMN1 gene copy number, but few techniques are suitable for large-scale population screening.

Folic Acid Rescues Valproic Acid-Induced Morphogenesis Inhibition in Neural Rosettes Derived From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

The ability of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to specialize in neuroepithelial tissue makes them ideal candidates for use in the disease models of neural tube defects. In this study, we cultured hPSCs in suspension with modified neural induction method, and immunostaining was applied to detect important markers associated with cell fate and morphogenesis to verify the establishment of the neural tube model . We carried out the drug experiments to further investigate the toxicity of valproic acid (VPA) exposure and the potential protective effect of folic acid (FA).

Efficacy of the combination of minimally invasive CO laser incision with photodynamic therapy for infected epidermoid cysts.

Background: There are three main techniques for the removal of epidermoid cysts: traditional wide excision, minimal excision, and punch biopsy excision. For inflamed cysts, the wall is more friable and, therefore, more difficult to remove completely. The classic surgical excision always leads to a long scar or high rate of recurrence.

[Progresses in therapeutic strategies for thymic rejuvenation].

The thymus is a vital primary lymphoid organ that provides unique microenvironments for the proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of T cells. With advancing age, however, the thymus gradually undergoes age-related involution and reduction in immune function, which are characterized by decreases in tissue size, cellularity, and naïve T cell output. This dynamic process leads to the reduced efficacy of the immune system with age and contributes to the increased susceptibility to infection, autoimmune disease, and cancer.

[Adenosine receptors agonists mitigated PAH of rats induced by chronic hypoxia through reduction of renin activity/angiotensin II levels and increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase-nitric oxide levels].

Objective: Recent studies showed that adenosine played important roles in vasodilation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of adenosine, its A1 and A2b receptor agonists on pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) induced by chronic hypoxia in rats by continuously subcutaneous administration with an osmotic pump for 14 days, and to see if rennin angiotensin system and inducible nitric oxygen synthase (iNOS)/nitric oxide (NO) mediate the effects.

Method: Fifty-six male SD rats were randomly assigned to seven groups.

[Progresses of methods for epigenomics study].

Epigenetics refers to the heritable changes in gene expression without any alteration in DNA sequence, including DNA methylation, histone modification and chromatin conformation. Epigenomics deals with global analyses of epigenetic changes across the entire genome. In the fields of epigenetics and epigenomics, DNA methylation has been drawn a special attention because of its close correlation to human development and carcinogenesis.

[The change of immunoactivity of dendritic cells induced by recombinant rat 4-1BBL].

Aim: To investigate the change of immunoactivity and surface marker of dendritic cells (DCs) derived from bone marrow and induced by rat 4-1BBL.

Methods: Plasmid pIRES2-EGFP-4-1BBL was constructed and tansfected into HepG2 cells by lipofectin-mediated method, and positive cells were screened by G418. The expression of 4-1BBL in cells were detected by RT-PCR, and the expression of EGFP was detected by fluorescence microscopy.

[Effects of continuous adenosine infusion on pulmonary hypertension in chronically hypoxic rats].

Objective: To observe the effects of continuous subcutaneous adenosine infusion on pulmonary hypertension in chronically hypoxic rats.

Methods: Twenty-four SD rats were randomized into normoxic group, hypoxic group and adenosine-treated hypoxic group. Hypoxic environment was simulated in a chamber filled with 10% oxygen and 90% nitrogen.

BCSG1 methylation status and BCSG1 expression in breast tissues derived from Chinese women with breast cancer.

Objective: To investigate the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of BCSG1 gene expression in breast tissues derived from Chinese women with breast cancer.

Methods: The methylation status of exon 1 of the BCSG1 gene in breast cancer, and matched non-neoplastic adjacent and benign lesion tissues was extensively examined using methylation-specific PCR analysis. Corresponding mRNA expression levels were determined by real-time PCR.

L-type calcium channel blocker suppresses calcineurin signal pathway and development of right ventricular hypertrophy.

Background And Purpose: Many studies have shown that L-type calcium channel blockers can prevent and treat right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH). In order to identify the mechanism, we investigated the role of the calcineurin signal pathway in the progression of RVH induced by chronic hypoxia and the effects of an L-type calcium channel blocker on the pathway.

Methods: Rats were allocated to 1 of 3 groups (n=10 for each): chronic hypoxia group, amlodipine treatment group (30 mg/kg/day, administered via gavage); and control group.

[Effect of adenosine on activity of transcription factor NF-kappa B and cytokines in myocardial tissue of experimental rats with pneumonia].

Objective: Recent studies have shown that cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 play important roles in myocardial injury or dysfunction. Transcription nuclear factor (NF-kappa B) have been implicated in the regulation of a variety of cytokines in response to cellular defense. The authors observed the activity of NF-kappa B and cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-6 mRNA expression in myocardium to further investigate the mechanism of myocardial injury caused by infectious pneumonia.

[Effect of cyclosporine A on myocardial calcineurin activity of the right ventricle and plasma NO, nitric oxide synthase and endothelin-1 levels in rats with chronic hypoxia].

Objective: To study the role of calcineurin in the progression of right ventricle myocardial hypertrophy in rats exposed to chronic hypoxia by examining the effect of Ca(2+) channel blockers on the activation of calcineurin and plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO), NO synthase, and endothelin-1 (ET-1).

Methods: Rat models of right ventricle myocardial hypertrophy were established by exposing the rats to chronic hypoxia in 10.0%+/-0.