Early pirfenidone treatment enhances lung function in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients.

This editorial comments on the study by Lei investigating the efficacy of early treatment with pirfenidone on the lung function of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) published. This study evaluates the efficacy of early treatment with pirfenidone on lung function in patients with IPF. The early and advanced stages of IPF are defined, highlighting the drug's benefits.

In-silico target prediction by ensemble chemogenomic model based on multi-scale information of chemical structures and protein sequences.

Identification and validation of bioactive small-molecule targets is a significant challenge in drug discovery. In recent years, various in-silico approaches have been proposed to expedite time- and resource-consuming experiments for target detection. Herein, we developed several chemogenomic models for target prediction based on multi-scale information of chemical structures and protein sequences.

Genetic variants of IFIH1 and DHX58 affect the chronicity of hepatitis C in the Chinese Han population.

Hepatitis C remains a major public health problem in the world. The host immune system plays a key role in viral clearance. This study aimed to investigate the connection between retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like (RIG-I-like) receptor gene polymorphism and hepatitis C chronicity in the Chinese Han population.

Dual-tracer PET/CT-targeted, mpMRI-targeted, systematic biopsy, and combined biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer: a pilot study.

Purpose: Growing evidence proved the efficacy of multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)-guided targeted biopsy (TB) in prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis, but there is no direct comparison between mpMRI-TB and PSMA PET/CT-TB. Gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) is highly expressed in PCa, which can compensate for the unstable expression of PSMA in PCa. Therefore, we designed a study to compare the efficiency of mpMRI-TB, dual-tracer (GRPR and PSMA) PET/CT-TB, systematic biopsy, and combined biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Preventive and inhibitive effects of Yiwei Xiaoyu granules on the development and progression of spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia lesions.

Background: Spasmolytic polypeptide-expressing metaplasia (SPEM) is a potential preneoplastic lesion.

Aim: To elucidate the microRNA (miR)-7-mediated preventive and inhibitive effects of Yiwei Xiaoyu granules (YWXY) in SPEM lesions.

Methods: Gastric mucosa biopsies were collected from chronic atrophic gastritis patients and healthy people with signed informed consent.

[Molecular regulation mechanism of and in myoblast fusion].

Myogenesis is a complex physiological process that is mainly involved in the proliferation of myogenic stem cells to form myoblasts, which then differentiated and fused to form multinucleated myotubes. Many proteins have been found to be involved in myoblast fusion, but none of them are muscle-specific fusion proteins. In recent years, two muscle-specific transmembrane proteins, i.

Quantitative Evaluation of Percutaneous Local Drug Perfusion Against Refractory Infantile Hemangioma via 3-D Power Doppler Angiography.

To assess the practicality of 3-D power Doppler angiography (3-D-CPA) for local drug perfusion dosage guidance of refractory infantile hemangioma (IH) treatment, 47 cases (48 lesions) of refractory IH were selected for local bleomycin infusion (once a month). Ultrasound was performed before treatment and 1 and 2 months after the first treatment. The 3-D volume (V) change of infantile hemangiomas and the ratio of bleomycin injection to 3-D V before treatment were calculated, and statistical analysis was performed.

Clear Cell Odontogenic Carcinoma: a Clinicopathological and Immunocytochemical Analysis.

Clear cell odontogenic carcinoma (CCOC) is a rare odontogenic tumor associated with aggressive clinical behavior, metastasis and low survival. To date, only 67 cases have been described in the English language literature, and an understanding of the behavior of CCOC has been based on limited case reports. The aim of the research was to further reveal the features of CCOC.

Three-Level Hepatotoxicity Prediction System Based on Adverse Hepatic Effects.

Hepatotoxicity is a major cause of drug withdrawal from the market. To reduce the drug attrition induced by hepatotoxicity, an accurate and efficient hepatotoxicity prediction system must be constructed. In the present study, we constructed a three-level hepatotoxicity prediction system based on different levels of adverse hepatic effects (AHEs) combined with machine learning, using (1) an end point, hepatotoxicity; (2) four hepatotoxicity severity degrees; and (3) specific AHEs.

Total polysaccharides of the Sijunzi decoction attenuate tumor necrosis factor-α-induced damage to the barrier function of a Caco-2 cell monolayer the nuclear factor-κB-myosin light chain kinase-myosin light chain pathway.

Aim: To explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of total polysaccharides of the Sijunzi decoction (TPSJ) on the epithelial barriers .

Methods: Caco-2 cell monolayers were treated with or without TPSJ in the presence or absence of TNF-α, and paracellular permeability and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) were measured to evaluate the epithelial barrier function. Immunofluorescence and western blotting were respectively used to evaluate the distribution and expression of the tight junction proteins claudin 1, claudin 2, zo3, and occludin in Caco-2 cells.

Clinical significance of intrapancreatic choledochal cyst excision in surgical management of type I choledochal cyst.

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of intrapancreatic choledochal cyst excision in treating type I choledochal cyst, and increase understanding of the need for thorough surgical management of the disease. Methods Primary and secondary (including multiple) surgical cases, treated between 2005 and 2015, were retrospectively analysed, and follow-up data of post-treatment effectiveness to date were reviewed. Differences in curative effects were compared between whole and partial excision of the choledochal cyst.

Effect of Single Intra-cutaneous Injection for Acute Thoracic Herpes Zoster and Incidence of Postherpetic Neuralgia.

The therapeutic effect of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is often disappointing and challenging. The role of intra-cutaneous injection of local anesthetic and steroids in preventing PHN remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a single intra-cutaneous injection of ropivacaine plus methylprednisolone on acute thoracic herpes zoster (HZ) pain intensity and duration, eruptive duration, and PHN incidence.

Unique Roles of Gold Nanoparticles in Drug Delivery, Targeting and Imaging Applications.

Nanotechnology has become more and more potentially used in diagnosis or treatment of diseases. Advances in nanotechnology have led to new and improved nanomaterials in biomedical applications. Common nanomaterials applicable in biomedical applications include liposomes, polymeric micelles, graphene, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, ferroferric oxide nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), and so on.

Synthesis of 1-Thio-Substituted Isoquinoline Derivatives by Tandem Cyclization of Isothiocyanates.

A copper-catalyzed tandem arylation-cyclization process to access 1-(arylthio)isoquinolines from isothiocyanates and diaryliodonium salts is described. It is the first general method to construct the potentially useful 1-(arylthio)isoquinoline derivatives. Moreover, 1-(methylthio)isoquinoline derivatives were also achieved successfully with MeOTf instead of diaryliodonium salts under metal-free conditions.

Sijunzi Decoction attenuates 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats and ameliorates TNBS-induced claudin-2 damage via NF-κB pathway in Caco2 cells.

Background: SijunziDecoction (SJZD) is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription used to treat the diseases of gastrointestinal tract since ancient times. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of SJZD on TNBS-induced colitis in rats and TNBS-damaged Caco2 cells.

Methods: The rat colitis model was induced by 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS).

Mapping QTLs for Fertility Restoration of Different Cytoplasmic Male Sterility Types in Rice Using Two Backcross Inbred Line Populations.

Hybrid rice breeding using cytoplasmic male sterility/fertility restoration (CMS/) systems plays an important role in ensuring global food security. Two backcross inbred line (BIL) populations derived from either Xieqingzao B (XB)//XB/Dongxiang wild rice (DWR) (XXD) or XB//DWR/XB (XDX) were used to detect quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for fertility restoration of Dwarf wild abortive- (DA-), Indonesia Paddy- (ID-), and DWR-type CMS in rice. Lines with ID- and DA-type CMS were testcrossed with both the XXD- and XDX-BILs, while the line with DWR-type CMS was testcrossed with the XDX-BILs only.

[Efficacy of intracutaneous methylene blue injection for moderate to severe acute thoracic herpes zoster pain and prevention of postherpetic neuralgia in elderly patients].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intradermal injection of methylene blue for treatment of moderate to severe acute thoracic herpes zoster and prevention of postherpetica neuralgia in elderly patients.

Methods: Sixty-four elderly patients with herpes zoster were randomized to receive a 10-day course of intradermal injection of methylene blue and lidocaine plus oral valaciclovir (group A, 32 cases) and intradermal injection of lidocaine plus oral valaciclovir (group B).Herpes evaluation index, pain rating index, incidence of postherpetic neuralgia, and comprehensive therapeutic effect were compared between the two groups at 11, 30 and 60 days after the treatment.

[MicroRNA regulates animal adipocyte differentiation].

Adipose tissues play a critical role in the regulation of energy metabolism and homeostasis, and is also an important endocrine organ. Adipocyte differentiation is a complicated physiological process during which mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into adipocytes. This process is synergistically regulated by a large number of transcription factors, hormones and signaling pathway molecules.

The Effect on Sodium/Iodide Symporter and Pendrin in Thyroid Colloid Retention Developed by Excess Iodide Intake.

It is well known that excess iodide can lead to thyroid colloid retention, a classic characteristic of iodide-induced goiter. However, the mechanism has not been fully unrevealed. Iodide plays an important role in thyroid function at multiple steps of thyroid colloid synthesis and transport among which sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) and pendrin are essential.

Genetic variations in vitamin D receptor were associated with the outcomes of hepatitis C virus infection among Chinese population.

Vitamin D has been considered as an immune modulator, and exerted the effect through the vitamin D receptor (VDR). This study investigated the associations of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of VDR with the outcomes of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Three SNPs (rs2228570, rs757343 and rs739837) were genotyped by TaqMan assay among Chinese population, including 538 HCV spontaneous clearance subjects, 834 persistent infection subjects and 1030 uninfected subjects.

A new simplified volume-loaded heterotopic rabbit heart transplant model with improved techniques and a standard operating procedure.

Background: The classic non-working (NW) heterotopic heart transplant (HTX) model in rodents had been widely used for researches related to immunology, graft rejection, evaluation of immunosuppressive therapies and organ preservation. But unloaded models are considered not suitable for some researches. Accordingly, We have constructed a volume-loaded (VL) model by a new and simple technique.

Meta-analysis of associations of IL1 receptor antagonist and estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms with systemic lupus erythematosus susceptibility.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that affects a number of different organs and tissues. Interleukin-1 (IL1) and estrogen are considered potential elements in the pathology of SLE. Recently, the variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in the IL1 receptor antagonist gene (IL1-RN) and PvuII (rs2234693) and XbaI (rs9340799) polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor 1 gene (ESR1) have been associated with a predisposition to SLE.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on cerebral PKC isozyme expression levels in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) of "Dingzhongxian" (MS 5) and "Dingpangxian" (MS 8) on the expression of cerebral protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes in local cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CI/RI) rats so as to explore its underlying mechanism in protecting ischemic brain tissue.

Methods: Seventy-two Wistar rats were randomized into normal control (n = 8), CI/RI model (model, n = 32), and EA (n = 32) groups. The later two groups were further divided into 4, 12, 24 and 72 h subgroups, respectively, with 8 rats in each.

OsGLU3, a putative membrane-bound endo-1,4-beta-glucanase, is required for root cell elongation and division in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Plant roots move through the soil by elongation. This is vital to their ability to anchor the plant and acquire water and minerals from the soil. In order to identify new genes involved in root elongation in rice, we screened an ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS)-mutagenized rice library, and isolated a short root mutant, Osglu3-1.