LOXL2-dependent deacetylation of aldolase A induces metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression.

Lysyl-oxidase like-2 (LOXL2) regulates extracellular matrix remodeling and promotes tumor invasion and metastasis. Altered metabolism is a core hallmark of cancer, however, it remains unclear whether and how LOXL2 contributes to tumor metabolism. Here, we found that LOXL2 and its catalytically inactive L2Δ13 splice variant boost glucose metabolism of esophageal tumor cells, facilitate tumor cell proliferation and promote tumor development in vivo.

L2Δ13, a splicing isoform of lysyl oxidase-like 2, causes adipose tissue loss via the gut microbiota and lipid metabolism.

Obesity is primarily characterized by the dysregulation of lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. Here, we found that the body weight of transgenic mice overexpressing L2Δ13, a selectively spliced isoform of lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2), was lower than that of wild-type (WT) mice. Numerous microbiotas were significantly changed and most microbial metabolites were abnormal in L2Δ13 mice.

Intermittent Fasting: Potential Bridge of Obesity and Diabetes to Health?

Obesity has been an escalating worldwide health problem for decades, and it is likely a risk factor of prediabetes and diabetes. Correlated with obesity, the number of diabetic patients is also remarkable. A modest weight loss (5-10%) is critical to alleviate the risk of any other metabolic disease.

Dietary Fermented Soy Extract and Oligo-Lactic Acid Alleviate Chronic Kidney Disease in Mice via Inhibition of Inflammation and Modulation of Gut Microbiota.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global epidemic with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Effective preventive strategies are urgently needed. This study aimed to investigate the effect of nutraceutical components, a fermented soybean product (ImmuBalance, IMB) and an oligo-lactic acid product (LAP), on the prevention of adenine-induced CKD in mice.

Generation of fully functional hepatocyte-like organoids from human induced pluripotent stem cells mixed with Endothelial Cells.

Despite advances in stem cell research, cell transplantation therapy for liver failure is impeded by a shortage of human primary hepatocytes (HPH), along with current differentiation protocol limitations. Several studies have examined the concept of co-culture of human induced pluripotent cells (hiPSCs) with various types of supporting non-parenchymal cells to attain a higher differentiation yield and to improve hepatocyte-like cell functions both in vitro and in vivo. Co-culturing hiPSCs with human endothelial cells (hECs) is a relatively new technique that requires more detailed studies.

Radioprotective Effect of Walnut Oligopeptides Against Gamma Radiation-Induced Splenocyte Apoptosis and Intestinal Injury in Mice.

Walnut oligopeptides (WOPs) intake is associated with the augment of the antioxidant defense system and immune system. The chief object of this study is to evaluate the radioprotective effect of walnut oligopeptides extracted from walnut seed protein against Coγ-irradiation induced damage in mice. Female BALB/c mice were administered WOPs through drinking water for 14 days until a single dose of whole-body Coγ-irradiation.

Ginseng oligopeptides protect against irradiation-induced immune dysfunction and intestinal injury.

Intestinal injury and immune dysfunction are commonly encountered after irradiation therapy. While the curative abilities of ginseng root have been reported in prior studies, there is little known regarding its role in immunoregulation of intestinal repairability in cancer patients treated with irradiation. Our current study aims to closely examine the protective effects of ginseng-derived small molecule oligopeptides (Panax ginseng C.

Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) oligopeptides regulate innate and adaptive immune responses in mice via increased macrophage phagocytosis capacity, NK cell activity and Th cells secretion.

Traditionally used as a restorative medicine, ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) has been the most widely used and acclaimed herb in Chinese communities for thousands of years. To investigate the immune-modulating activity of ginseng oligopeptides (GOP), 420 healthy female BALB/c mice were intragastrically administered distilled water (control), whey protein (0.15 g per kg body weight (BW)), and GOP 0.

[Expression of -429 and Its Target Gene in Sperms from Asthenospermia Patients].

Objectives: To investigate the expression of -429 and its target gene heat shock protein A4L () in sperms from asthenospermia patients.

Methods: Twenty semen samples from healthy and fertile adults and 20 semen samples from asthenospermia patients were collected,and normal sperm parameters were defined according to World Health Organization criteria.The expression levels of -429 and mRNA were determined by qRT-PCR,and the bioinformatics tool (Targetscan) was used to predict the target of -429.

Suppression of TNF-α and free radicals reduces systematic inflammatory and metabolic disorders: Radioprotective effects of ginseng oligopeptides on intestinal barrier function and antioxidant defense.

Irradiation therapy is markedly associated with intestinal injure and oxidant stress. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A.

Paeonol Suppresses Neuroinflammatory Responses in LPS-Activated Microglia Cells.

In this work, we assessed the anti-inflammatory effects of paeonol (PAE) in LPS-activated N9 microglia cells, as well as its underlying molecular mechanisms. PAE had no adverse effect on the viability of murine microglia N9 cell line within a broad range (0.12∼75 μM).

The difference between oats and beta-glucan extract intake in the management of HbA1c, fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Increasing oats and beta-glucan extract intake has been associated with improved glycemic control, which is associated with the reduction in the development of diabetes. This study aims to assess the different effects between oat (whole and bran) and beta-glucan extract intake on glycemic control and insulin sensitivity. PubMed, Embase, Medline, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL and Web of Science were searched up to February 2014.

Sea cucumber (Codonopsis pilosula) oligopeptides: immunomodulatory effects based on stimulating Th cells, cytokine secretion and antibody production.

This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulating activity of small molecule oligopeptides from sea cucumber (Codonopsis pilosula) (SOP) in mice. Seven assays were performed to determine the immunomodulatory effects, including splenic lymphocyte proliferation and delayed-type hypersensitivity assays (cell-mediated immunity), IgM antibody response of spleen to sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and serum hemolysin level assays (humoral immunity), the carbon clearance assay and the phagocytic capacity of peritoneal cavity phagocytes assay (macrophage phagocytosis), and the NK cell activity assay. Spleen T lymphocyte subpopulations, multiplex sandwich immunoassays of serum cytokine and immunoglobulin levels and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for small intestinal secretory immunoglobulin were performed to study the mechanism by which SOP affects the immune system.

Long-term lamivudine for chronic hepatitis B and cirrhosis: A real-life cohort study.

Aim: To investigate clinical outcomes of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and liver cirrhosis (LC) patients under whole-course management with lamivudine (LAM).

Methods: This was a retrospective-prospective cohort study based on two nonrandom cohorts of Chinese patients (LAM group and history control group). Two hundred thirty-eight patients with LAM treatment for at least 12 mo under whole-course management were included in the LAM group.

Effects of 90-Day Feeding of Transgenic Maize BT799 on the Reproductive System in Male Wistar Rats.

BT799 is a genetically modified (GM) maize plant that expresses the Cry1Ac gene from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The Cry1Ac gene was introduced into maize line Zhen58 to encode the Bt crystal protein and thus produce insect-resistant maize BT799. Expression of Bt protein in planta confers resistance to Lepidopteran pests and corn rootworms.

Clinical significance of epigenetic silencing and re-expression of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase using epigenetic agents in laryngeal carcinoma.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene expression levels, and DNA methylation status and histone modifications in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Chromatin immunoprecipitation, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR were performed to analyze histone modifications, DNA methylation status and mRNA expression levels in the promoter region of the MGMT gene in laryngeal carcinoma HEp-2 cells, as well as in 50 paired healthy and LSCC tissue samples. The present study demonstrated that treatment of HEp-2 cells with 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (Aza), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, significantly upregulated MGMT mRNA expression levels, reduced MGMT DNA methylation, reduced MGMT histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) di-methylation, and increased MGMT histone H3 lysine 4 di-methylation without a significant change in H3K9 acetylation.

Residual amount of HBV DNA in serum is related to relapse in chronic hepatitis B patients after cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogs.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between relapse and the levels of the residual amount of HBV DNA in serum at cessation in chronic hepatitis B patients meeting 2008 Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) cessation criteria.

Methods: A total of 72 chronic hepatitis B patients who took NAs and had reached 2008 APASL cessation criteria entered the study. Patients were followed up for 6 months or longer after antiviral therapy was stopped.

[Clinical experience of supplying sodium chloride for the treatment of patients with severe heart failure].

Objective: To observe the effect and safety of supplying sodium chloride in the treatment of patients with severe heart failure.

Methods: Consecutive 51 hospitalized patients with severe heart failure and cardiac edema were included in this study. Normal diet (6 g NaCl/d) was supplied to all patients.

[Outcomes of IVF-ET and percentage of morphologically normal sperm before and after swim-up treatment].

Objective: To study the relationship between sperm morphology and the outcomes of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) before and after swim-up treatment of sperm on the day of oocyte retrieval.

Methods: This study included 94 couples to be treated by IVF-ET for tubal factor infertility. Sperm samples were collected on the day of oocyte retrieval and sperm morphology evaluated according to the Kruger criteria before and after swim-up treatment.

[DNA methylation and histone modification relate to RASSF1A gene deletion in laryngeal carcinoma tissues].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between RASSF1A gene expression and DNA methylation or histone modification in laryngeal carcinoma tissues.

Methods: Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and realtime quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (realtime RT-PCR) were used to analyze RASSF1A gene promoter region histone H3 lysine 9 methylation, H3 lysine 4 methylation, H3 lysine 9 acetylation, DNA methylation, and RASSF1A gene expression in laryngeal carcinoma tissue of 50 cases.

Results: DNA methylation rate of gene RASSF1A was 62% in 50 cases of laryngeal carcinoma, but no DNA methylation was found in normal control group, with a significant difference (χ(2) = 15.

[Intracytoplasmic sperm injection for obstructive azoospermia].

Objective: To sum up the experience in the treatment of obstructive azoospermia by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 107 cases of obstructive azoospermia treated by ICSI in our center from Jan. 2006 to Dec.

Overexpression of SATB1 in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the expression of special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 1 (SATB1), and the relationship between SATB1 and clinicopathological factors of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

Methods: Real-time PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze 80 samples of LSCC and 25 samples of control mucosa. The relationship between SATB1 expression and clinicopathological parameters was evaluated.