C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 promotes endothelial cell homing via the Akt-signal transducer and activator of transcription pathway to accelerate healing of ischemic and hypoxic skin ulcers.

C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL-8) promotes cell homing and angiogenesis. However, under hypoxic conditions, the role of CXCL-8 in the homing of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and its effect on the healing of skin ulcers caused by ischemia and hypoxia remain unknown. In the current study, assays measuring cell proliferation, angiogenesis and cell migration were performed to evaluate alterations in the proliferation, angiogenic capacity and chemotaxis of HUVECs treated with CXCL-8 protein and/or an Akt inhibitor (AZD5363 group) under hypoxic conditions.

Physical activity and risk of prostate and bladder cancer in China: The South and East China case-control study on prostate and bladder cancer.

Background: Recent meta-analyses have suggested a modest protective effect of high levels of physical activity on developing both prostate and bladder cancer, but significant heterogeneity between studies included in these meta-analyses existed. To our knowledge, few Chinese studies investigated the association between physical activity and prostate cancer and none between physical activity and bladder cancer. Given the inconsistencies between previous studies and because studies on the relation between physical activity and prostate and bladder cancer in China are scarce, it remains elusive whether there is a relationship between physical activity and prostate and bladder cancer within the Chinese population.

MicroRNA-608 inhibits proliferation of bladder cancer via AKT/FOXO3a signaling pathway.

Background: Current evidence indicates that miR-608 is widely down-regulated in various malignant tumors including liver cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and glioma, and acts as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting cell proliferation, invasion and migration or by promoting apoptosis. The specific biological function of miR-608 in bladder cancer is still unknown.

Methods: qRT-PCR and Chromogenic in Situ Hybridization (CISH) was conducted to assess the expression of miR-608 in paired BCa tissues and adjacent non-tumor bladder urothelial tissues.

An increase in long non-coding RNA PANDAR is associated with poor prognosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Nearly 30% of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients present with metastasis at the time of diagnosis, and the prognosis for these patients is poor. Therefore, novel potential prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ccRCC could be helpful. Emerging evidence indicates that lncRNAs play important roles in cancer tumorigenesis and could be used as potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Hydrogen Sulfide As a Potential Target in Preventing Spermatogenic Failure and Testicular Dysfunction.

Aims: Testis and sperm are particularly susceptible to inflammation and oxidative stress. Although hydrogen sulfide (HS) has been considered an important biological signaling molecule in inflammatory and oxidative stress processes, its role in the male reproductive system was poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of HS in the regulation of male reproductive system.

Hydrogen sulfide pretreatment improves mitochondrial function in myocardial hypertrophy via a SIRT3-dependent manner.

Background And Purpose: Hydrogen sulfide (H S) is a gaseous signal molecule with antioxidative properties. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is closely associated with mitochondrial function and oxidative stress. The study was to investigate whether and how H S improved myocardial hypertrophy via a SIRT3-dependent manner.

PPAR-α improves the recovery of lung function following acute respiratory distress syndrome by suppressing the level of TGF-β1.

Although peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-α has been reported to be involved in preventing acute lung injury (ALI), the molecular regulation of post‑ALI lung recovery remains to be fully elucidated. The aim of the present study was to characterize the mechanism by which PPAR‑α prevents ALI and examine the role of PPAR‑α in the recovery of lung function following acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Reverse transcription‑quantitative‑polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses suggested that PPAR‑α was effective in suppressing transforming growth factor (TGF)‑β1 in HLF cells and RAW 264.

Study on the Basic Performance of Three-phase Fluidized Bed Equipment for Solar Photocatalysis-Membrane Separation.

In this study, three-phase fluidized bed equipment for the solar photocatalysis-membrane separation (E-SPME), comprising solar photocatalytic degradation and membrane separation zones, was first introduced, and the photocatalytic degradation of acid red B wastewater (ARBW) with a TiO photocatalyst was investigated using the E-SPME. The experimental results indicated the circulating flow of wastewater between the two zones and the increase in the ARBW photocatalytic degradation efficiency with decreasing membrane flux. The same experimental phenomenon was observed with the change in the aeration rate in the lower water tank from 0.

Effect of ephedrine combined with bupivacaine on maternal hemodynamic and spinal nerve block in cesarean delivery.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of ephedrine intrathecal injection on maternal thermodynamics and spinal nerve block in cesarean section. A total of 107 patients undergoing elective cesarean section under combined spinal epidural anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups: group E: Bupivacaine (6 mg) combined with ephedrine (15 mg) and group C: Bupivacaine (6 mg). Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), the incidence of hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia, nausea and vomiting were all recorded.

Protein S-sulfhydration by hydrogen sulfide in cardiovascular system.

Unlabelled: Hydrogen sulfide (H S), independently of any specific transporters, has a number of biological effects on the cardiovascular system. However, until now, the detailed mechanism of H S was not clear. Recently, a novel post-translational modification induced by H S, named S-sulfhydration, has been proposed.

Apigenin inhibits renal cell carcinoma cell proliferation.

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in vegetables and fruits, has antitumor activity in several cancer types. The present study evaluated the effects and mechanism of action of apigenin in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells. We found that apigenin suppressed ACHN, 786-0, and Caki-1 RCC cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

A Zinc Oxide Nanoflower-Based Electrochemical Sensor for Trace Detection of Sunset Yellow.

Zinc oxide nanoflower (ZnONF) was synthesized by a simple process and was used to construct a highly sensitive electrochemical sensor for the detection of sunset yellow (SY). Due to the large surface area and high accumulation efficiency of ZnONF, the ZnONF-modified carbon paste electrode (ZnONF/CPE) showed a strong enhancement effect on the electrochemical oxidation of SY. The electrochemical behaviors of SY were investigated using voltammetry with the ZnONF-based sensor.

ATM participates in the regulation of viability and cell cycle via ellipticine in bladder cancer.

Ellipticine, an alkaloid isolated from Apocyanaceae plants, has been demonstrated to exhibit antitumor activity in several cancers. However, the effect and the mechanisms underlying its action have not been investigated in human bladder cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of ellipticine on the behavior of T‑24 bladder cancer cells.

Jolkinolide A and Jolkinolide B Inhibit Proliferation of A549 Cells and Activity of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

BACKGROUND Jolkinolide A (JA) and Jolkinolide B (JB) are diterpenoids extracted from the roots of Euphorbia fischeriana Steud and have been shown to have anti-tumor activity. However, their effects on the ability of tumor cells to invade blood vessels and metastasize remain largely unknown. Investigations into the effects of JA and JB on the angiogenesis of tumor tissues may facilitate the identification of new natural drugs with anti-tumor growth and metastasis activities.

Dietary fiber intake is inversely associated with risk of pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis.

Background And Objectives: The association between fiber intake and pancreatic cancer risk is conflicting and poorly explored. The aim of study was to investigate the association between dietary fiber intake and the risk of pancreatic cancer by conducting a meta-analysis of epidemiological studies.

Methods And Study Design: Systematic search of PubMed and Embase databases up to April 2015 were conducted to identify relevant studies.

Identification and Characterization of the Lysine-Rich Matrix Protein Family in Pinctada fucata: Indicative of Roles in Shell Formation.

Mantle can secret matrix proteins playing key roles in regulating the process of shell formation. The genes encoding lysine-rich matrix proteins (KRMPs) are one of the most highly expressed matrix genes in pearl oysters. However, the expression pattern of KRMPs is limited and the functions of them still remain unknown.

miR-148a-3p represses proliferation and EMT by establishing regulatory circuits between ERBB3/AKT2/c-myc and DNMT1 in bladder cancer.

miR-148a-3p downregulation has emerged as a critical factor in cancer progression yet, the underlying mechanisms of miR-148a-3p expression pattern and its function in bladder cancer remains to be elucidated. Here, we illustrate that miR-148a-3p is frequently downregulated in bladder cancer and that its expression may be regulated by DNA methylation. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) and miR-148a-3p function in a positive feedback loop in bladder cancer.

Tomato consumption and prostate cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Previous studies have reported controversial results on the association between tomato consumption and prostate cancer risk. Hence, we performed a meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate this relationship. A total of 24 published studies with 15,099 cases were included.

Aliskiren protects against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury via an endothelial nitric oxide synthase dependent manner.

Aliskiren, a direct renin inhibitor, has shown potent ability to attenuate hypertension. Our previous research has found that aliskiren protected against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and enhanced phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in spontaneously hypertensive rats. However, whether the cardioprotective effect of aliskiren against myocardial I/R injury was eNOS-dependent is unknown.

Prostate Specific Antigen and Prostate Cancer in Chinese Men Undergoing Initial Prostate Biopsies Compared with Western Cohorts.

Purpose: We determined the characteristics of Chinese men undergoing initial prostate biopsy and evaluated the relationship between prostate specific antigen levels and prostate cancer/high grade prostate cancer detection in a large Chinese multicenter cohort.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 13,904 urology outpatients who had undergone biopsy for the indications of prostate specific antigen greater than 4.0 ng/ml or prostate specific antigen less than 4.

Effects of activin A and its downstream ERK1/2 in oxygen and glucose deprivation after isoflurane-induced postconditioning.

Background: Isoflurane postconditioning (ISPOC) plays a neuroprotection role in the brain. Previous studies confirmed that isoflurane postconditioning can provide better protection than preconditioning in acute hypoxic-ischemic brain damage, such as acute craniocerebral trauma and ischemic stroke. Numerous studies have reported that activin A can protect rat's brain from cell injury.

Hydrogen Sulfide Regulates Krüppel-Like Factor 5 Transcription Activity via Specificity Protein 1 S-Sulfhydration at Cys664 to Prevent Myocardial Hypertrophy.

Background: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a gasotransmitter that regulates multiple cardiovascular functions. Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) exerts diverse functions in the cardiovascular system. Whether and how H2S regulates KLF5 in myocardial hypertrophy is unknown.

Ca Mediates the Self-Assembly of the Foot Proteins of Pinctada fucata from the Nanoscale to the Microscale.

Bivalve animals such as mussels and pearl oysters secrete proteinaceous byssus from the foot to attach themselves to solid surfaces under seawater. Although the biomolecules of mussel byssus have been extensively studied, how they form insoluble threads underwater from soluble protein precursors and how they produce hierarchical microscale threads from biomolecules remains unclear. Here, using the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata as a model, metal ions rather than pH are found to play critical roles in the solidification process of the byssus.

Pesticide exposure and risk of bladder cancer: A meta-analysis.

Objective: We conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively evaluate the correlation between pesticide exposure and the risk of bladder cancer by summarizing the results of published case-control and cohort studies.

Methods: A systematic literature search of articles update to February 2015 was conducted via Pubmed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases, and the references of the retrieved articles. Fixed- or random-effect models were used to summarize the estimates of OR with 95% CIs for the highest versus the lowest exposure of pesticide.