Assessment of Liver Fibrosis Using Real-time Shear-wave Elastography for Patients with Hepatitis B e Antigen-negative Chronic Hepatitis B and Alanine Transaminase <2 Times the Upper Limit of Normal.

Background: We assessed liver fibrosis using real-time shear-wave elastography (SWE) combined with liver biopsy (LB) for patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and alanine transaminase < 2 times the upper limit of normal and hepatitis B virus DNA < 2000 IU/ml.

Methods: A total of 107 patients met the inclusion criteria. Real- ime SWE and ultrasoundassisted liver biopsies were consecutively performed.

Effects of puerarin combined with conventional therapy on ischemic stroke.

This study evaluated the use of conventional therapy combined with puerarin on ischemic stroke. Eighty patients with ischemic stroke admitted to Tangshan Gongren Hospital from March 2014 to September 2015 were randomly divided into two groups. The control group was treated with conventional therapy.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 attenuates calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro.

Objectives: Vascular calcification is a dysfunction of the vasculature. Recent findings indicate that fibroblast growth factor21 (FGF21), a protector of the cardiovascular system, is related to the mineral deposition of bone and enhances the osteogenic activity of bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-2. In this study, we explored whether FGF21 suppresses vascular calcification.

Meta-analysis of the efficacy of treatments for newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with del(17p).

We analyzed the treatment of newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (NDMM/RRMM) patients with del(17p). Thirteen prospective studies that evaluated 3,187 MM patients, including 685with del(17p), were included in our meta-analysis. The incidence of del(17p) in NDMM and RRMM patients was similar (13% vs.

Animal and model systems for studying cystic fibrosis.

The cystic fibrosis (CF) field is the beneficiary of five species of animal models that lack functional cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) channel. These models are rapidly informing mechanisms of disease pathogenesis and CFTR function regardless of how faithfully a given organ reproduces the human CF phenotype. New approaches of genetic engineering with RNA-guided nucleases are rapidly expanding both the potential types of models available and the approaches to correct the CFTR defect.

Treatment Trends, Effectiveness, and Safety of Statins on Lipid Goal Attainment in Chinese Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients: a Multicenter, Retrospective Cohort Study.

Purpose: Limited data exist on the use of statins in Chinese patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We therefore conducted this study to observe the usage trend and the effectiveness of statins on LDL-C goal attainment and other lipid parameters among PCI-treated patients.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective, observational, longitudinal cohort study was conducted in PCI-treated patients with CAD between July 1, 2011, and February 28, 2015.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 plays an inhibitory role in vascular calcification in vitro through OPG/RANKL system.

Vascular calcification is prevalent and associated with adverse outcome without available therapy. The benefits of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 on metabolism and atherosclerosis make it a promising therapeutic agent for vascular calcification. We investigated the effects of FGF21 on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) calcification by culturing rat VSMCs in a calcifying medium for 9days.

Role of angiopoietin-2 in the cardioprotective effect of fibroblast growth factor 21 on ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury in H9c2 cardiomyocytes.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) exerts a protective effect in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced cardiac injury. However, the exact molecular mechanism underlying the FGF21 action remains unclear. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2) in the cardioprotective effect of FGF21.

Screening cytokine/chemokine profiles in serum and organs from an endotoxic shock mouse model by LiquiChip.

Studying the cytokine profiles in animal models or patients with sepsis provides an experimental basis for the identification of diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this study, we used a liquid protein chip (LiquiChip), also known as flexible multi-analyte profiling technology, to perform quantitative analyses of several cytokines and chemokines (e.g.

Validation study of the safety attitudes questionnaire (SAQ) in public hospitals of Heilongjiang province, China.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to validate the reliability and validity of the safety attitudes questionnaire (SAQ) in Heilongjiang province, northern China.

Methods: The SAQ was distributed to 27 public hospitals in five cities across Heilongjiang province. The Cronbach's α, item-dimension and dimension-dimension correlations were calculated.

Plasma Phospholipids and Sphingolipids Identify Stent Restenosis After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of plasma metabolomic biomarkers for in-stent restenosis (ISR).

Background: ISR remains an issue for patients after percutaneous coronary intervention. Identification of biomarkers to predict ISR could be invaluable for patient care.

The effects of a treatment combination of anti-VEGF injections, laser coagulation and cryotherapy on patients with type 3 Coat's disease.

Background: To examined the curative effect of vitreous injection with ranibizumab,laser coagulation and cryotherapy in treating stage 3 Coats' disease with exudative retinal detachment.

Methods: Seventeen patients with stage 3 Coats' disease were enrolled in the study. All eyes were treated with vitreous injection of ranibizumab as initial treatment, and subsequent treatment depended on the absorption of subretinal fluid, Including cryotherapy and laser photocoagulation.

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein through TLR4 signaling induces mitochondrial DNA fragmentation and regulates macrophage cell death after trauma.

Trauma is a major cause of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Macrophages (Mφ) direct trauma-induced inflammation, and Mφ death critically influences the progression of the inflammatory response. In the current study, we explored an important role of trauma in inducing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in Mφ and the subsequent regulation of Mφ death.

Effects of gap junction intercellular communication on the docetaxel-induced cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes.

The effect of gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) on docetaxel-induced hepatotoxicity and its underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. The present study involved investigating the effect of downregulating GJs derived from connexin (Cx) 32 in BRL-3A cells by three different mechanisms: Using a low-density culture; suppression of Cx32 using small interfering RNA; and use of the chemical inhibitor 2‑aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2‑APB), all of which led to attenuated docetaxel hepatotoxicity. In order to investigate the relevant mechanisms involved, apoptosis and caspase activities of BRL‑3A cells were determined.

The Association between Breakfast Skipping and Body Weight, Nutrient Intake, and Metabolic Measures among Participants with Metabolic Syndrome.

The effect of skipping breakfast on health, especially in adults, remains a controversial topic. A secondary data analysis was conducted to examine associations between breakfast eating patterns and weight loss, nutrient intake, and metabolic parameters among participants with metabolic syndrome (MetS) ( = 240). Three randomly selected 24-h dietary recalls were collected from each participant at baseline and at the one-year visit.

Epigenetic regulator CXXC5 recruits DNA demethylase Tet2 to regulate TLR7/9-elicited IFN response in pDCs.

TLR7/9 signals are capable of mounting massive interferon (IFN) response in plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) immediately after viral infection, yet the involvement of epigenetic regulation in this process has not been documented. Here, we report that zinc finger CXXC family epigenetic regulator CXXC5 is highly expressed in pDCs, where it plays a crucial role in TLR7/9- and virus-induced IFN response. Notably, genetic ablation of CXXC5 resulted in aberrant methylation of the CpG-containing island (CGI) within the gene and impaired IRF7 expression in steady-state pDCs.

Ultrasound biomicroscopic imaging in paediatric ocular toxocariasis.

Purpose: To determine the potential and usefulness of ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) as a diagnostic procedure on a larger cohort of paediatric patients with ocular toxocariasis.

Methods: UBM was performed on 41 eyes of 41 patients with ocular toxocariasis in order to determine configuration of peripheral retina, pars plana and vitreous. Location and range of peripheral pathology using ophthalmoscopy with scleral indentation, UBM and intraoperative confirmation were recorded and compared.

The importance of genetic counseling and genetic screening: a case report of a 16-year-old boy with resistant hypertension and severe hypokalemia.

Liddle's syndrome, an autosomal dominant form of monogenic hypertension, is characterized by salt-sensitive hypertension with early penetrance, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, suppression of plasma rennin activity and aldosterone secretion, and a clear-cut response to epithelial sodium channel blockers but not spironolactone therapy. Here, we describe the case of a 16-year-old boy patient with resistant hypertension (maintain 170-180/100-110 mm Hg after administration four kinds of antiypertensive drugs) and severe hypokalemia. After a series of checks, we exclude primary aldosteronism and renal artery stenosis and other diseases.

NF-κB activation is critical for bacterial lipoprotein tolerance-enhanced bactericidal activity in macrophages during microbial infection.

Tolerance to bacterial components represents an essential regulatory mechanism during bacterial infection. Bacterial lipoprotein (BLP)-induced tolerance confers protection against microbial sepsis by attenuating inflammatory responses and augmenting antimicrobial activity in innate phagocytes. It has been well-documented that BLP tolerance-attenuated proinflammatory cytokine production is associated with suppressed TLR2 signalling pathway; however, the underlying mechanism(s) involved in BLP tolerance-enhanced antimicrobial activity is unclear.

Relationship between two blood stasis syndromes and inflammatory factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between inflammatory factors and two Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome types of qi stagnation and blood stasis (QSBS) and qi deficiency and blood stasis (QDBS) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Methods: Sixty subjects with ACS, whose pathogenesis changes belongs to qi disturbance blood stasis syndrome, were divided into 2 groups: 30 in the QSBS group and 30 in the QDBS group. The comparative analysis on them was carried out through comparing general information, coronary angiography and inflammatory factors including intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) and lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2).

In vitro corrosion properties and cytocompatibility of Fe-Ga alloys as potential biodegradable metallic materials.

The in vitro biodegradable properties and cytocompatibility of Fe-Ga alloys including FeGa, (FeGa)B and (FeGa)(TaC), and pure Fe were investigated for biomedical applications. The microstructure of the alloys was characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and optical microscopy. The results showed that A2 and D0 phases were detected for the three types of Fe-Ga alloys, and additional FeB and TaC phases were found in the (FeGa)B and (FeGa)(TaC) alloys, respectively.

History and progression of Fat cadherins in health and disease.

Intercellular adhesions are vital hubs for signaling pathways during multicellular development and animal morphogenesis. In eukaryotes, under aberrant intracellular conditions, cadherins are abnormally regulated, which can result in cellular pathologies such as carcinoma, kidney disease, and autoimmune diseases. As a member of the Ca-dependent adhesion super-family, Fat proteins were first described in the 1920s as an inheritable lethal mutant phenotype in , consisting of four member proteins, FAT1, FAT2, FAT3, and FAT4, all of which are highly conserved in structure.

In vivo synthesis of nano-selenium by Tetrahymena thermophila SB210.

Nano-selenium has a great potential to be used in chemical, biological, medical and environmental fields. Biological methods for nano-selenium synthesis have attracted wide interests, because they can be operated at ambient temperature and pressure without complicated equipments. In this work, a protozoa, Tetrahymena thermophila (T.

Optimal Revascularization Strategy on Medina 0,1,0 Left Main Bifurcation Lesions in Type 2 Diabetes.

. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The implications of a diagnosis of DM are as severe as the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

Investigating enhanced mechanical properties in dual-phase Fe-Ga-Tb alloys.

Dual-phase (FeGa)Tb alloys with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 were synthesized by arc melting and homogenization treatment. The microstructures and the corresponding mechanical properties were systematically investigated. The chemical composition of the body centered cubic matrix is FeGa.