Recovery of a hypolipidemic polysaccharide from artificially cultivated with an effective method.

In this study, an effective method was developed to extract the polysaccharide from (PFSV) by destroying the cell wall. Box-Behnken design was employed to determine the optimal processing conditions as follows: processing temperature (80°C), processing time (0.81 h) and amount of HCl (1.

The polymorphisms of MIR31HG gene is correlated with alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in Chinese Han male population.

Background: Alcoholic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a multifaceted illness that seriously disturbs the patients' quality of life. The role of lncRNAs in alcoholic ONFH has attracted widespread attention in recent years. This study mainly explored whether MIR31HG polymorphism affects the risk of ONFH.

An Analytical Solution for Stress Transfer between a Broken Prestressing Wire and Mortar Coating in PCCP.

A prestressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP) consists of a concrete core, a steel cylinder, prestressing wires, and a mortar coating. Most PCCP failures are related to the breakage of prestressing wires. It is thus expected that the load-bearing capacity of PCCP is significantly affected by the length of the prestress loss zone and the stress distribution in the broken wire.

Enantioselective Pd-catalyzed dearomative reductive Heck and domino Heck-Suzuki reactions of 2-CF-indoles.

Highly enantioselective palladium-catalyzed dearomative reductive Heck reaction and domino Heck-Suzuki reaction of 2-CF-indoles have been developed. Using Pd(OAc)/()-Synphos as the catalyst and EtSiH as a hydride source, a variety of indolines bearing a 2-trifluoromethyl quaternary stereocenter were obtained a dearomative reductive Heck reaction. Alternatively, using Pd(dba)/phosphoramidite as the catalyst and ArBNa as a coupling partner, structurally diverse indolines containing two vicinal carbon stereocenters were afforded through the domino dearomative Heck-Suzuki reaction.

The onset of sleep disturbances and their associations with anxiety after acute high-altitude exposure at 3700 m.

Sleep disturbances and psychiatric repercussions pose great challenges at high altitude; however, few studies have investigated sleep disturbance and anxiety profiles and their associations after acute exposure in consecutive patients. Thus, we aimed to study the profiles of sleep disturbances in consecutive patients after high-altitude exposure and the association of such disturbances with anxiety. A total of 668 participants were recruited at sea level and 3700 m.

Anti-atherosclerotic effect of hesperidin in LDLr mice and its possible mechanism.

Hesperidin, a citrus bioflavonoid, exerts numerous pharmacological activities. However, its protective effect against atherosclerosis in vivo remains poorly understood. In the present study, we aimed to observe the effects of hesperidin on high fat diet (HFD)-induced atherosclerosis using LDL receptor deficient (LDLr) mice.

Physiological and psychological factors associated with onset of high-altitude headache in Chinese men upon acute high-altitude exposure at 3700 m.

Aim We aimed to identify clinical characteristics and risk factors associated with onset of high-altitude headache (HAH) after acute exposure at 3700 m. Method In two hours, 163 individuals ascended by plane to 3700 m. Demographic information, physiological and psychological measurements, cognitive function, physical work capacity tests and profile of mood states within one week prior to the departure and within 24 hours after arrival were examined.

Principal Component Analysis and Risk Factors for Acute Mountain Sickness upon Acute Exposure at 3700 m.

Objective: We aimed to describe the heterogeneity in the clinical presentation of acute mountain sickness (AMS) and to identify its primary risk factors.

Methods: The participants (n = 163) received case report form questionnaires, and their heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), echocardiographic and transcranial Doppler variables, ability to perform mental and physical work, mood and psychological factors were assessed within 18 to 22 hours after arriving at 3700 m from sea level (500 m) by plane. First, we examined the differences in all variables between the AMS-positive and the AMS-negative groups.

Lack of association of CYP11B2-344C/T polymorphism with essential hypertension: a meta-analysis.

Objective: A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the correlation between CYP11B2-344C/T polymorphism and essential hypertension susceptibility.

Methods: By retrieving relevant databases and collecting domestic and international literatures about the correlation between CYP11B2-344C/T polymorphism and essential hypertension, the quality of literature were evaluated according to NEWCASTLE-OTTAWA case-control study quality rating scale (NOS). RevMan 5.

Correlation between blood pressure changes and AMS, sleeping quality and exercise upon high-altitude exposure in young Chinese men.

Background: Excessive elevation of arterial blood pressure (BP) at high altitude can be detrimental to our health due to acute mountain sickness (AMS) or some AMS symptoms. This prospective and observational study aimed to elucidate blood pressure changes induced by exposure to high-altitude hypoxia and the relationships of these changes with AMS prevalence, AMS severity, sleep quality and exercise condition in healthy young men.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed in 931 male young adults exposed to high altitude at 3,700 m (Lhasa) from low altitude (LA, 500 m).

Identification of the interaction between vimentin and nucleocapsid protein of transmissible gastroenteritis virus.

Nucleocapsid (N) protein of transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) packages viral RNA genome to form a ribonucleoprotein complex. In addition to its function as a structural protein, N protein is involved in cell apoptosis or cell-cycle regulation. N protein possibly interacts with host factors to modulate cellular functions.

Cerebral hemodynamic characteristics of acute mountain sickness upon acute high-altitude exposure at 3,700 m in young Chinese men.

Purpose: We aimed at identifying the cerebral hemodynamic characteristics of acute mountain sickness (AMS).

Methods: Transcranial Doppler (TCD) sonography examinations were performed between 18 and 24 h after arrival at 3,700 m via plane from 500 m (n = 454). A subgroup of 151 subjects received TCD examinations at both altitudes.

Identification of cellular proteome using two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis in ST cells infected with transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus.

Background: Transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV) is an enteropathogenic coronavirus that causes diarrhea in pigs, which is correlated with high morbidity and mortality in suckling piglets. Information remains limited about the comparative protein expression of host cells in response to TGEV infection. In this study, cellular protein response to TGEV infection in swine testes (ST) cells was analyzed, using the proteomic method of two-dimensional difference gel electrophoresis (2D DIGE) coupled with MALDI-TOF-TOF/MS identification.

Effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist olmesartan on renal hemodynamic variables and vascular structural properties in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of renal failure in diabetes mellitus (DM). It has been known that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers have a renal protective effect. This study aimed to investigate whether treatment with angiotensin II receptor blocker, olmesartan, could modify renal hemodynamic variables and vascular structural properties, then attenuate renal injury in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DM rats.

CCN1 promotes the differentiation of endothelial progenitor cells and reendothelialization in the early phase after vascular injury.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) contribute to the process of reendothelialization and prevent neointimal formation after vascular injury. The present study was designed to investigate whether the cysteine-rich 61 (CYR61, CCN1), an important matricellular component of local vascular microenvironment, has effect on EPCs differentiation and reendothelialization in response to vascular injury in rat. Following balloon injury, CCN1 was rapidly induced and dynamically changed at vascular lesions.

CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells converted by rapamycin from peripheral CD4+CD25(-) naive T cells display more potent regulatory ability in vitro.

Background: Rapamycin (RAPA) is a relatively new immunosuppressant drug that functions as a serine/threonine kinase inhibitor to prevent rejection in organ transplantation. RAPA blocks activation of T-effector (Teff) cells by inhibiting the response to interleukin-2. Recently, RAPA was also shown to selectively expand the T-regulator (Treg) cell population.

Inhibitor of DNA binding-1 promotes the migration and proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells in vitro.

Migration and proliferation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are the key mechanisms in re-endothelialization after vascular injury. Inhibitor of DNA binding-1 (Id1) function has been linked to the proliferation, migration, and senescence of cells, and studies have shed light on the relationship between Id1 and the biological functions of EPCs. On the basis of the available data concerning Id1 and the behavior of EPCs, we hypothesized that Id1 was an important regulator in modulating the migration and proliferation of EPCs.

Hepatocyte growth factor protects endothelial progenitor cell from damage of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Risk factors for coronary heart disease including low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can reduce the number and activity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), thereby hindering their usefulness for treating cardiovascular disease in transplants. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can protect EPCs from the inhibition caused by LDL cholesterol. EPCs derived from mouse bone marrow were isolated and cultured in medium supplemented with different concentrations of LDL cholesterol.

Blockade of connexin 43 hemichannels reduces neointima formation after vascular injury by inhibiting proliferation and phenotypic modulation of smooth muscle cells.

Connexins 43 (Cx43) plays a key role in neointimal formation after vascular injury, but the mechanism still needs to be further explored. We hypothesized that the gap junction-dependent function of Cx43 to mediate intercellular communication has a crucial role in the development and progression of vascular diseases. The effect of intercellular communication mediated by Cx43 hemichannels on neointimal formation after vascular injury was investigated.

Transfection of HGF gene enhances endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function and improves EPC transplant efficiency for balloon-induced arterial injury in hypercholesterolemic rats.

Risk factors for coronary heart disease can reduce the number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and impair EPC function, thus hindering their utility in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we began exploring the feasibility of genetic modification of EPCs with hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to counter the effects of these risk factors and enhance the biological functions of EPCs. The effects of HGF transfection on proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of EPCs were investigated.

A meprin inhibitor suppresses atherosclerotic plaque formation in ApoE-/- mice.

Meprin is a member of the astacin family of zinc metalloendopeptidases. It is widely distributed in the body, and hydrolyzes and inactivates several endogenous vasoactive peptides, some of which could alter various functions of cells in the arterial wall. We assessed the influence of chronic meprin inhibition by daily administration of actinonin (5mg/kg body weight per day; i.