Drugs targeting TGF-β/Notch interaction attenuate hypertrophic scar formation by optic atrophy 1-mediated mitochondrial fusion.

Hypertrophic scar (HS) formation is a cutaneous fibroproliferative disease that occurs after skin injuries and results in severe functional and esthetic disability. To date, few drugs have shown satisfactory outcomes for the treatment of HS formation. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)/Notch interaction via small mothers against decapentaplegic 3 (Smad3) could facilitate HS formation; therefore, targeting TGF-β/ Notch interaction via Smad3 is a potential therapeutic strategy to attenuate HS formation.

Acinar ATP8b1/LPC pathway promotes macrophage efferocytosis and clearance of inflammation during chronic pancreatitis development.

Noninflammatory clearance of dying cells by professional phagocytes, termed efferocytosis, is fundamental in both homeostasis and inflammatory fibrosis disease but has not been confirmed to occur in chronic pancreatitis (CP). Here, we investigated whether efferocytosis constitutes a novel regulatory target in CP and its mechanisms. PRSS1 transgenic (PRSS1) mice were treated with caerulein to mimic CP development.

Patients with SERPINC1 rs2227589 polymorphism found to have multiple cerebral venous sinus thromboses despite a normal antithrombin level: A case report.

Background: The hereditary antithrombin (AT) deficiency caused by SERPINC1 gene mutation is an autosomal dominant thrombotic disorder. An increasing number of studies have shown that mutations in the SERPINC1 rs2227589 polymorphic site are correlated with a risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) at common sites, such as lower extremity deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. Currently, there are no reports of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), a VTE site with a low incidence rate and rs2227589 polymorphism.

EMC6 regulates acinar apoptosis via APAF1 in acute and chronic pancreatitis.

Treatment of acute pancreatitis (AP) and chronic pancreatitis (CP) remains problematic due to a lack of knowledge about disease-specific regulatory targets and mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to screen proteins related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis pathways that may play a role in pancreatitis. Human pancreatic tissues including AP, CP, and healthy volunteers were collected during surgery.

ATF6 aggravates acinar cell apoptosis and injury by regulating p53/AIFM2 transcription in Severe Acute Pancreatitis.

There is no curative therapy for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) due to poor understanding of its molecular mechanisms. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in SAP and increased expression of ATF6 has been detected in SAP patients. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of ATF6 in a preclinical SAP mouse model and characterize its regulatory mechanism.

[Observation of the Feline Intestinal Epithelial Cell Infected with Toxoplasma gondii].

Small intestine samples of neonatal cat were aseptically collected from the jejunum-ileum region and digested with collagenase XI/dispase I. Immunohistochemistry results showed that feline intestinal epithelial cells were successfully isolated and could be cultured. Cytokeratin was positive in the cytoplasm of feline intestinal epithelial cells.

[A genome-wide screen for promoter-specific sites of differential DNA methylation during human cell malignant transformation in vitro].

Objective: To explore potential epigenetic biomarkers for toxic effects, tumor-related chemical prevention and biological monitor by a genome-wide screening for differential DNA methylation during human cell malignant transformation in vitro.

Methods: The two in vitro cell transformation models included B(a)P-induced human bronchial epithelial cell introduced by H-Ras (HBER) cell transformation and simian vacuolating virus 40 small T antigen induced (SV40 ST-induced) HBER cell transformation. Methylated genes were collected by methylated DNA immunoprecipitation and whole genome amplification (MeDIP-WGA) at three time points during cell transformation which represented different transformation stage.

[Effects of alligator Zhikegao on relieving cough dispelling phlegm and anti-inflammation].

Objective: To research the effects of Alligator Zhikegao on relieving cough, dispelling phlegm and anti-inflammation.

Method: The coughing tests in mice, the phenol red secreting tests in mice, ear edema tests in mice,and paw edema tests and subcutaneous cotton ball granuloma in rats were adopted for observing the related pharmacological effects of Alligator Zhikegao.

Result: Alligator Zhikegao could obviously prolong the latent period and decrease the times of mouse coughing, and remarkably inhibit the mouse ear edema (P < 0.