Effects of epigallocatechin gallate on the cell-wall structure of Mycobacterial smegmatis mc²155.

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the main component of green tea extracts that inhibits the growth of Mycobacterial smegmatis mc(2)155, and the mechanism is not clear. This study showed the effects of EGCG on the growth of mc(2)155. The content and the structure of EGCG in LB medium with mc(2)155 were identified by HPLC and LC/MS.

Functional identification of MSMEG_6402 protein from Mycobacterium smegmatis in decaprenylphosphoryl-D-arabinose biosynthesis.

The arabinogalactan (AG) of the mycobacterial cell wall consists of an arabinan region, a galactan region and a disaccharide linker. Decaprenylphosphoryl-D-arabinose (DPA) is the donor for arabinofuran residues, which are formed from phosphoribose diphosphate (PRPP) and decaprenyl phosphate (DP). DP is sequentially catalyzed by a three-step process that involves a transferase, a phosphatase and an epimerase.

The anti-proliferative effects and mechanisms of low molecular weight scorpion BmK venom peptides on human hepatoma and cervical carcinoma cells .

Peptides from scorpion venom have been previously studied for use in the prevention and treatment of various types of cancer in folk medicine. The present study investigated the anti-proliferative effects and mechanisms of the low molecular weight (~3 kDa) BmK scorpion venom peptides (LMWSVP) on human hepatoma (SMMC 7721) and cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. The data indicated that LMWSVP inhibited the growth of SMMC 7721 cells, but had no effect on the growth of HeLa cells.

Relationship between brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and metabolic syndrome components in a Chinese population.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between arterial stiffness, as measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) in a Chinese population. A total of 4,445 subjects were enrolled. The prevalence of MS in our study population was 21.

Gut microbe analysis between hyperthyroid and healthy individuals.

Clinicians have long recognized that thyroid hormones have some effects on the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to investigate the gut microbiota in hyperthyroid and assess whether there are alterations in the diversity and similarity of gut microbiota in the hyperthyroid when compared with healthy individuals. PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) with universal primers targeting V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene was employed to characterize the overall intestinal microbiota composition, and some excised gel bands were cloned for sequencing.

Cardiac ablation of Rheb1 reduces sodium currents in infant mice.

Objective: The Ras homolog enriched in brain gene (Rheb) is a center player within the insulin/Rheb/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and plays a critical role in regulating cellular growth. Rheb-/- embryos have been reported to die around midgestation, due to the defects of the development of the cardiovascular system. Recent studies from ours and another group consistently showed that Rheb1 was indispensable for the cardiac hypertrophic growth after early postnatal period.

Success rate and safety of coronary angiography and angioplasty via radial artery approach among a Chinese population.

Objective: To find out the safety and success rate of transradial coronary angiography and angioplasty among a Chinese population.

Design: This was a prospective study performed on 2845 consecutive patients in a single interventional center at the first affiliated hospital, Nanjing Medical University, in Nanjing from August 2012 to July 2013. Allen's test was carried out on all patients who were involved in the study.

Dietary and circulating lycopene and stroke risk: a meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Epidemiological studies support a protective role of lycopene against stroke occurrence or mortality, but the results have been conflicting. We conducted a meta-analysis to assess the relationship between dietary or circulating lycopene and stroke risk (including stroke occurrence or mortality). Relevant papers were collected by screening the PubMed database through October 2013.

Meta-analysis of the association between dietary lycopene intake and ovarian cancer risk in postmenopausal women.

Accumulating evidence suggests the protective role of dietary lycopene against the risk of ovarian cancer due to its antioxidant activity, but not all relevant studies have deduced positive results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the exact relationship between dietary lycopene intake and ovarian cancer risk by conducting a meta-analysis. The 10 studies included in our meta-analysis were selected from the PubMed database, and final risk estimates were calculated by using a random-effects model.

Phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 and mTORC2 synergistically maintain postnatal heart growth and heart function in mice.

The protein kinase Akt plays a critical role in heart function and is activated by phosphorylation of threonine 308 (T308) and serine 473 (S473). While phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) is responsible for Akt T308 phosphorylation, the identities of the kinases for Akt S473 phosphorylation in the heart remain controversial. Here, we disrupted mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) through deletion of Rictor in the heart and found normal heart growth and function.

Rural-urban differences in inpatient quality of care in US Veterans with ischemic stroke.

Purpose: Differences in stroke care quality for patients in rural and urban locations have been suggested, but whether differences exist across Veteran Administration Medical Centers (VAMCs) is unknown. This study examines whether rural-urban disparities exist in inpatient quality among veterans with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: In this retrospective study, inpatient stroke care quality was assessed in a national sample of veterans with acute ischemic stroke using 14 quality indicators (QIs).

Cardiac ablation of Rheb1 induces impaired heart growth, endoplasmic reticulum-associated apoptosis and heart failure in infant mice.

Ras homologue enriched in brain 1 (Rheb1) plays an important role in a variety of cellular processes. In this study, we investigate the role of Rheb1 in the post-natal heart. We found that deletion of the gene responsible for production of Rheb1 from cardiomyocytes of post-natal mice resulted in malignant arrhythmias, heart failure, and premature death of these mice.

Improvement of intestinal microflora balance by polysaccharide from Physalis alkekengi var. francheti.

A water‑soluble polysaccharide fraction (PPSB) was fractionated from Physalis alkekengi var. francheti and purified using DEAE‑52 Cellulose and Sephadex G‑200 chromatography. The physicochemical properties of PPSB and its molecular activities involved in the improvement of intestinal microflora balance were evaluated.

Lycopene supplement and blood pressure: an updated meta-analysis of intervention trials.

Epidemiological studies suggested that lycopene supplement could decrease blood pressure, but the results were conflicting. We conducted an updated meta-analysis by screening PubMed databases, and calculated the combined effect size using a random effect model. In addition, subgroup analysis stratified by baseline blood pressure, lycopene dosage, duration, study location and the funding support of the paper was also conducted.

Association of CYBA rs7195830 polymorphism with estimated glomerular filtration rate in an adult Han sample from Jiangsu province, China.

Background: Reactive oxygen species are thought to contribute to the development of renal damage. The P22phox subunit of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAPDH) oxidase, encoded by the cytochrome b245a polypeptide gene, CYBA, plays a key role in superoxide anion production. We investigated the association of CYBA rs7195830 polymorphism with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the role it plays in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in a Han Chinese sample.

BTG1 inhibits breast cancer cell growth through induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

BTG1, which belongs to the BTG/Tob family, regulates cell cycle progression in a variety of cell types and appears to play roles in inhibiting proliferation, promoting apoptosis and stimulating cellular differentiation in multiple cell types. However, it remains unclear whether BTG1 is a breast cancer suppressor gene, and the role of BTG1 in breast cancer cell growth has not yet been determined. In the present study, we observed that BTG1 was weakly expressed in human breast tumors and in breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231).

Postdischarge quality of care: do age disparities exist among Department of Veterans Affairs ischemic stroke patients?

This study examined whether age disparities existed across postdischarge quality indicators (QIs) for veterans with ischemic stroke who received care at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs). This retrospective cohort included a national sample of 3,196 veterans who were diagnosed with ischemic stroke and received acute and postdischarge stroke care at 127 VAMCs in fiscal year 2007 (10/1/06 through 9/30/07). Data included an assessment of postdischarge stroke QIs in the outpatient setting during the 6 mo postdischarge.

A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study of the effects of qili qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of qili qiangxin capsules in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF).

Background: Qili qiangxin capsules are a traditional Chinese medicine that has been approved in China for the treatment of CHF, but the evidence supporting its efficacy remains unclear.

Methods: A total of 512 patients with CHF were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive the placebo or qili qiangxin capsules in addition to their standard medications for the treatment of CHF.

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 promotes the myocardial homing of mesenchymal stem cells in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common form of non-ischemic cardiomyopathy that leads to heart failure. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are under active investigation currently as a potential therapy for DCM. However, little information is available about the therapeutic potential of intravenous administration of MSCs for DCM.

Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of Rheb1-mTORC1 signaling exerts cardioprotection against adverse cardiac remodeling in mice.

A previous study indicated that Rheb1 is required for mammalian target of TOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in the brain. However, the function of Rheb1 in the heart is still elusive. In the present study, we deleted Rheb1 specifically in cardiomyocytes and found that reduced Rheb1 levels conferred cardioprotection against pathologic remodeling in myocardial infarction (MI) and pressure overload (transverse aortic constriction) mouse models.

In vivo effects on the intestinal microflora of Physalis alkekengi var. francheti extracts.

This study aimed to investigate the effects on the intestinal microflora balance of Physalis alkekengi var. francheti extracts (PE) using in vivo mouse model. Luteolin-7-O-β-glycoside, Physalin J, Physalin D, and Physalin P were isolated from PE extracts and identified.

Side effects of antibiotics on the intestinal microflora by PCR-DGGE.

Antibiotics are recommended for use in the treatment of infectious diseases, but the side effects have not been thoroughly investigated, especially on the intestinal tract. Fluoroquinolones, macrolides and β-lactams were tested the side effects on the intestinal microbflora of mice in this study. The similarity and sequence analysis of the dominant bands for different drug administration periods were carried out by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles.

Circulating microRNAs levels in Chinese heart failure patients caused by dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Previous studies demonstrated dysregulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the myocardium of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). This study investigated levels of miRNAs in the circulation of DCM patients, and the value of miRNAs as biomarkers for DCM.

Methods And Materials: In 45 DCM patients and 39 age- and sex-matched controls, circulating miR-423-5p, miR-126, miR-361-5p, miR-155, and miR-146a concentrations were measured and correlated to cardiac functional parameters, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).