Altered insulin response to an acute bout of exercise in pediatric obesity.

Pediatric obesity typically induces insulin resistance, often later evolving into type 2 diabetes. While exercise, enhancing insulin sensitivity, is broadly used to prevent this transition, it is unknown whether alterations in the exercise insulin response pattern occur in obese children. Therefore, we measured exercise insulin responses in 57 healthy weight (NW), 20 overweight (OW), and 56 obese (Ob) children.

Direct implantation versus platelet-rich fibrin-embedded adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in treating rat acute myocardial infarction.

Background: This study tested whether adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSC) embedded in platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) scaffold is superior to direct ADMSC implantation in improving left ventricular (LV) performance and reducing LV remodeling in a rat acute myocardial infarction (AMI) model of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) ligation.

Methods: Twenty-eight male adult Sprague Dawley rats equally divided into group 1 [sham control], group 2 (AMI only), group 3 (AMI+direct ADMSC implantation), and group 4 (AMI+PRF-embedded autologous ADMSC) were sacrificed on day 42 after AMI.

Results: LV systolic and diastolic dimensions and volumes, and infarct/fibrotic areas were highest in group 2, lowest in group 1 and significantly higher in group 3 than in group 4, whereas LV performance and LV fractional shortening exhibited a reversed pattern (p<0.

Testing the robustness of transmission network models to predict ectoparasite loads. One lizard, two ticks and four years.

We investigated transmission pathways for two tick species, Bothriocroton hydrosauri and Amblyomma limbatum, among their sleepy lizard (Tiliqua rugosa) hosts in a natural population in South Australia. Our aim was to determine whether a transmission network model continued to predict parasite load patterns effectively under varying ecological conditions. Using GPS loggers we identified the refuge sites used by each lizard on each day.

Isolation, characterization, and molecular modeling of a rheumatoid factor from a Hepatitis C virus infected patient with Sjögren's syndrome.

We have previously isolated several IgG rheumatoid factors (RFs) from patients with both rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura using phage display system. To study IgG RFs in patients with other autoimmune diseases, phage display antibody libraries from a hepatitis C virus infected patient with Sjögren's syndrome were constructed. After panning, a specific clone RFL11 was isolated for characterization in advance.

NON-HOMOGENEOUS POISSON PROCESS MODEL FOR GENETIC CROSSOVER INTERFERENCE.

The genetic crossover interference is usually modeled with a stationary renewal process to construct the genetic map. We propose two non-homogeneous, also dependent, Poisson process models applied to the known physical map. The crossover process is assumed to start from an origin and to occur sequentially along the chromosome.

Apoptotic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy protects against lung and kidney injury in sepsis syndrome caused by cecal ligation puncture in rats.

Introduction: We tested the hypothesis that apoptotic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (A-ADMSC) are superior to healthy (H)-ADMSC in attenuating cecal ligation puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis-mediated lung and kidney injuries.

Methods: Adult male rats divided into group 1 (sham controls), group 2 (CLP), group 3 [CLP + H-ADMSC administered at 0.5, 6, and 18 hours after CLP], and group 4 [CLP + A-ADMSC administered as in group 3] were sacrificed 72 hours after CLP with blood, lung, and kidney collected for studies.

Retention of endothelial progenitor cells in bone marrow in a murine model of endogenous tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) deficiency in response to critical limb ischemia.

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is crucial for regulating endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) mobilization from bone marrow to circulation in murine critical limb ischemia (CLI) by ligating the left femoral artery.

Methods: Wild-type (C57BL/6) (n=40) mice were equally divided into group 1A (sham control), group 2A (CLI), group 3A [control-tPA (4.0 mg/kg)] and group 4A [CLI-tPA (intravenously at 3 h after CLI)].

Levels of circulating microparticles in lung cancer patients and possible prognostic value.

Background: Endothelial-derived microparticles (EDMPs) and platelet-derived microparticles (PDMPs) have been reported to be increasing in various diseases including malignant diseases. Here, we investigated whether these MPs may be useful biomarkers for predicting lung cancer (LC) disease status, cell type, or metastasis.

Methods And Results: One hundred and thirty LC patients were prospectively enrolled into the study between April 2011 and February 2012.

Innate immune response after acute myocardial infarction and pharmacomodulatory action of tacrolimus in reducing infarct size and preserving myocardial integrity.

Background: This study investigated the association between innate immune reaction and myocardial damage after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and anti-inflammatory role of tacrolimus in reducing infarct size. Male mini-pigs (n=18) were equally categorized into sham control (SC), untreated AMI (by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery), and AMI-Tacrolimus (AMI-Tac) (0.5 mg intra-coronary injection 30 minutes post-AMI).

Exendin-4 and sitagliptin protect kidney from ischemia-reperfusion injury through suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory reaction.

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that exendin-4 and sitagliptin can effectively protect kidney from acute ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury.

Methods: Adult SD-rats (n = 48) equally divided into group 1 (sham control), group 2 (IR injury), group 3 [IR + sitagliptin 600 mg/kg at post-IR 1, 24, 48 hr)], and group 4 [IR + exendin-4 10 μm/kg at 1 hr after procedure] were sacrificed after 24 and 72 hrs (n = 6 at each time from each group) following clamping of bilateral renal pedicles for 60 minutes (groups 2-4).

Results: Serum creatinine level and urine protein to creatinine ratio were highest in group 2 and lowest in group 1 (all p < 0.

Cytokine profiling in patients with VCP-associated disease.

Valosin containing protein (VCP) disease (also known as Inclusion Body Myopathy, Paget Disease of Bone and Frontotemporal Dementia [IBMPFD] syndrome) is caused by mutations in the gene encoding VCP classically affecting the muscle, bone and brain. Although the genetic cause has been identified, details regarding the pathogenesis of IBMPFD have not been fully determined. Muscle wasting observed in VCP disease is suggestive of cytokine imbalance.

Dynamic interactions of gas exchange, body mass, and progressive exercise in children.

Purpose: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) is increasingly used as a biomarker of fitness in children. Maximal or peak values remain the most common variables obtained in CPET, but these physiologically challenging high-intensity work rates (WR) are often not achieved. We hypothesized that interactions of gas exchange, heart rate (HR), and WR CPET variables (slopes) could yield useful mechanistic and clinical insights that might enhance the clinical utility of CPET in children.

PCR amplification and DNA sequence of mcyA gene: the distribution profile of a toxigenic Microcystis aeruginosa in the Hartbeespoort Dam, South Africa.

Using new polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers, a once known to be under-transcribed microcystin synthetase A (mcyA) gene from the only known toxigenic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa dominating the Hartbeespoort Dam was consistently amplified from genomic DNA extracted from a set of algal and cell free water samples collected across this dam. In addition to this, five more mcy genes (mcyBCDEG) were also amplified during this study. The resultant mcyA PCR products (518 bp) were purified and sequenced and gave nucleotide sequence segments of 408 bp sizes.

Benefit of combined therapy with nicorandil and colchicine in preventing monocrotaline-induced rat pulmonary arterial hypertension.

This study tested the hypothesis that combined therapy with nicorandil and colchicine is superior to either alone in attenuating monocrotaline (MCT)-induced rat pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=50) were equally randomized into group 1 (sham control), group 2 [MCT (60 mg/kg i.p.

Sitagliptin therapy enhances the number of circulating angiogenic cells and angiogenesis-evaluations in vitro and in the rat critical limb ischemia model.

Background Aims: We tested the hypothesis that sitagliptin is capable of increasing blood flow in the rat critical limb ischemia (CLI) model by enhancement of angiogenesis.

Methods: Adipose tissue from adult-male Fischer 344 rats (n = 6) were cultured in endothelial progenitor cell culture medium for 14 d with (25 μmol/L) or without sitagliptin. CLI was induced by ligation of the left femoral artery.

Gas signatures from Escherichia coli and Escherichia coli-inoculated human whole blood.

Background: The gaseous headspace above naïve Escherichia Coli (E. coli) cultures and whole human blood inoculated with E. coli were collected and analyzed for the presence of trace gases that may have the potential to be used as novel, non-invasive markers of infectious disease.

Associations between genetic polymorphisms of paraoxonase genes and coronary artery disease in a Taiwanese population.

Objective: We evaluated the relationship between polymorphisms of the paraoxonase (PON) gene and the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) in Taiwanese patients.

Methods: Our sample set included 369 volunteers, classified into two groups: 162 healthy volunteers and 207 CAD patients aged 60.0 ± 9.

Cyclosporine-assisted adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy to mitigate acute kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Introduction: This study tested the hypothesis that cyclosporine (CsA)-supported syngeneic adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADMSC) therapy offered superior attenuation of acute ischemia-reperfusion (IR) kidney injury to either therapy alone.

Methods: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 40) were equally divided into group 1 (sham controls), group 2 (IR injury), group 3 (IR + CsA (20 mg/kg at 1 and 24 hours after procedure)), group 4 (syngeneic ADMSC (1.2×106) at 1, 6 and 24 hours after procedure), and group 5 (IR + CsA-ADMSC).

Notch ligand delta-like 4-pretreated dendritic cells alleviate allergic airway responses by enhancing IL-10 production.

The Notch pathway plays a role in the processes of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, which affect the development and function of various organs. Dendritic cells (DCs), as professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs), induce T cell activation and promote T cell differentiation by antigen stimulation. Research has shown that Notch ligand delta-like 4 (Dll4) in APCs is associated with stimulation of a Th1-type response.

Simvastatin attenuates the additive effects of TNF-α and IL-18 on the connexin 43 up-regulation and over-proliferation of cultured aortic smooth muscle cells.

Statin therapy is known to down-regulate inflammatory activities in atheromatous tissues of animals. The aims of this study were to examine the regulatory role of interleukin-18 (IL-18) in the connexin 43 (Cx43) and the proliferation of cultured aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) as well as to elucidate the underlying therapeutic mechanism of simvastatin. Vytorin therapy significantly alleviated high-cholesterol diet-induced hypercholesterolemia, suppressed neointimal hyperplasia, macrophage infiltration, and Cx43 and IL-18 expression in rabbit aortic walls.

Pathogenic Yersinia DNA in intestinal specimens of pediatric patients with Crohn's disease.

Studies indicate a close relationship between Yersinia and Crohn's disease in adults. Our study tested 77 colonic specimens from children with Crohn's disease for the presence of Yersinia DNA using a validated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Control cases included specimens from 45 ulcerative colitis patients and 10 appendicitis patients.

Apoptotic effect of cisplatin and cordycepin on OC3 human oral cancer cells.

Objective: To evaluate apoptotic effects of cisplatin and cordycepin as single agent or in combination with cytotoxicity in oral cancer cells.

Methods: The influences of cisplatin (2.5 μg/mL) and/or cordycepin treatment (10 or 100 μmol/L) to human OC3 oral cancer cell line were investigated by morphological observation for cell death appearance, methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) assay for cell viability, flow cytometry assay for cell apoptosis, and Western blotting for apoptotic protein expressions.

Paradoxical impairment of angiogenesis, endothelial function and circulating number of endothelial progenitor cells in DPP4-deficient rat after critical limb ischemia.

Introduction: We hypothesized that dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP4) may impair angiogenesis, endothelial function, and the circulating number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) in a model of critical limb ischemia (CLI) through ligating the left femoral artery using DPP4-deficient rats.

Methods: Adult male DPP4-deficient (DPP4(D)) rats (n = 18) were equally divided into CLI only (DPP4(D)-CLI) and CLI treated by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) (DPP4(D)-CLI-GCSF). For comparison, age-matched wild-type (WT) Fischer 344 rats (n = 18) were randomized into two groups receiving identical treatment compared to their DPP4-deficient counterparts and labeled as WT-CLI (n = 9) and WT-CLI-GCSF (n = 9), respectively.

Impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support on clinical outcome of pediatric patients with acute cardiopulmonary failure: a single-center experience.

Background: Conventional therapy against acute pediatric cardiopulmonary failure (APCPF) caused by a variety of disease entities remains unsatisfactory with extremely high morbidity and mortality. For refractory APCPF, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is one of the last resorts.

Methods: In this study, the in-hospital outcomes of pediatric patients with refractory APCPF receiving ECMO support were reviewed.

Bayesian-network-based safety risk assessment for steel construction projects.

There are four primary accident types at steel building construction (SC) projects: falls (tumbles), object falls, object collapse, and electrocution. Several systematic safety risk assessment approaches, such as fault tree analysis (FTA) and failure mode and effect criticality analysis (FMECA), have been used to evaluate safety risks at SC projects. However, these traditional methods ineffectively address dependencies among safety factors at various levels that fail to provide early warnings to prevent occupational accidents.