Predictive value of plasma sB7-H3 and YKL-40 in pediatric refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

Objective: This study investigated the clinical significance of plasma sB7-H3 and YKL-40 levels in children with refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP).

Methods: A total of 182 RMPP patients (103 general Mycoplasma pneumoniae patients and 79 RMPP patients) were included. sB7-H3, YKL-40, and other inflammatory factors were measured.

miR-153-3p Attenuates the Development of Gastric Cancer by Suppressing SphK2.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been extensively reported to play a role in GC development; however, it remains unknown whether miR-153-3p participates in the nosogenesis of GC. GC tissues along with the adjacent nontumor tissues were obtained from 50 patients with GC.

Luteolin attenuates high glucose-induced podocyte injury via suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

Aims: Diabetic nephropathy is a growing health concern, which is reported to be associated with inflammation. Luteolin has been explored for the treatment of some diabetic complications. Although several studies have verified the effect of luteolin on diabetic nephropathy, the mechanism by which the therapeutic effects of luteolin on diabetic nephropathy has not been established.

G004, a synthetic sulfonylurea compound, exerts anti-atherosclerosis effects by targeting SIRT1 in ApoE mice.

Atherosclerosis attracts increasing global attention because of its morbidity and mortality. G004, as a synthetic sulfonylurea compound, has been confirmed to have anti-hyperglycaemia, anti-platelet and anti-thrombus effects. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether G004 suppress the onset and development of atherosclerosis and illuminate its probable mechanism of action.

I, a synthetic anti-diabetes agent, attenuates atherosclerosis through its lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis properties.

Here, we investigated whether I, which was initially developed as a hypoglycemic agent, possesses anti-atherosclerotic activity and attempted to elucidate the probable mechanism of action underlying this activity. ApoE mice were fed a Western diet and simultaneously administered I, glimepiride, or pioglitazone once daily for 12 weeks, and the atherosclerotic vascular lesions, lipid content, and expression levels of LOX-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and Bax/Bcl-2 in mouse aortas were assessed. RAW264.

Photonic approach for microwave frequency measurement with adjustable measurement range and resolution using birefringence effect in highly non-linear fiber.

We experimentally demonstrate a novel approach for microwave frequency measurement utilizing birefringence effect in the highly non-linear fiber (HNLF). A detailed theoretical analysis is presented to implement the adjustable measurement range and resolution. By stimulating a complementary polarization-domain interferometer pair in the HNLF, a mathematical expression that relates the microwave frequency and amplitude comparison function is developed.

Simultaneous generation of a frequency-multiplied and phase-shifted microwave signal with large tunability.

We demonstrate a photonic approach to simultaneously realize a frequency-multiplied and phase-shifted microwave signal based on the birefringence effects in the high nonlinear fiber. The phase shift caused by asymmetric variations in refractive indexes of fiber between two orthogonal polarization states is introduced into two coherent harmonic of the modulated signals. By beating the phase-modulated sidebands, a frequency-multiplied microwave signal is generated and its phase can be adjusted by simply controlling the pump power.

Calcium dynamics of cortical astrocytic networks in vivo.

Large and long-lasting cytosolic calcium surges in astrocytes have been described in cultured cells and acute slice preparations. The mechanisms that give rise to these calcium events have been extensively studied in vitro. However, their existence and functions in the intact brain are unknown.