Genetic and functional variants of the TBX20 gene promoter in dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of heart failure and sudden cardiac death. As DCM is a genetically heterogeneous disease, genetic variants of cardiac transcription factor genes may play an important role. Transcription factor TBX20, an indispensable factor in normal heart development, is involved in the regulation of cardiac structure and function.

Correlation Analysis of Promoter Polymorphism and Function in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is caused by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Cathepsin B affects the pathogenesis of DCM; however, its molecular mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we examined the association of rare variants with the occurrence of DCM.

Association Lp-PLA2 Gene Polymorphisms with Coronary Heart Disease.

Objectives: The study evaluated the association between lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) gene polymorphisms and coronary heart disease (CHD), in order to explore the molecular genetics of CHD.

Methods: Groups of CHD patients ( = 283) and healthy controls ( = 261) were involved in this study. R92H, V279F, and A379V polymorphisms of LP-PLA2 gene were confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct DNA sequencing.

Identification and functional study of GATA4 gene regulatory variants in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a common and complex disease. Dysfunction of pancreatic β cells, which cannot release sufficient insulin, plays a central role in T2D. Genetics plays a critical role in T2D etiology.

Heterodimerization of the kappa opioid receptor and neurotensin receptor 1 contributes to a novel β-arrestin-2-biased pathway.

Together with its endogenous ligands (dynorphin), the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) plays an important role in modulating various physiological and pharmacological responses, with a classical G protein-coupled pathway mediating analgesia and non-G protein-dependent pathway, especially the β-arrestin-dependent pathway, eliciting side effects of dysphoria, aversion, drug-seeking in addicts, or even relapse to addiction. Although mounting evidence has verified a functional overlap between dynorphin/KOR and neurotensin/neurotensin receptor 1 (NTSR1) systems, little is known about direct interaction between the two receptors. Here, we showed that KOR and NTSR1 form a heterodimer that functions as a novel pharmacological entity, and this heterodimer, in turn, brings about a switch in KOR-mediated signal transduction, from G protein-dependent to β-arrestin-2-dependent.

Lateral intracerebroventricular injection of Apelin-13 inhibits apoptosis after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Apelin-13 inhibits neuronal apoptosis caused by hydrogen peroxide, yet apoptosis following cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury has rarely been studied. In this study, Apelin-13 (0.1 μg/g) was injected into the lateral ventricle of middle cerebral artery occlusion model rats.

3-methyladenine, an autophagic inhibitor, attenuates therapeutic effects of sirolimus on scopolamine-induced cognitive dysfunction in a rat model.

Previous studies have demonstrated that sirolimus has therapeutic effects for Alzheimer's disease which characterized by cognitive dysfunction. However, its underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms of therapeutic effects of sirolimus for cognitive dysfunction rat model which induced by chronic administration of scopolamine.

Chronic lipopolysaccharide exposure induces cognitive dysfunction without affecting BDNF expression in the rat hippocampus.

Previous studies have shown that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has the potential to cause cognitive dysfunction. However, the underlying pathogenesis has yet to be fully elucidated. Increasing attention is being focused on infection in the central nervous system.

Effects of BD1047, a σ receptor antagonist, on the expression of mTOR, Camk2γ and GSK-3β in fluvoxamine-treated N2a cells.

Fluvoxamine, a common antidepressant agent, is designed to exert its pharmacological effect by inhibiting synaptic serotonin reuptake. However, increasing evidence has demonstrated that σ receptors are likely to be involved in the mechanism of action of fluvoxamine. The present study aimed to observe the effects of fluvoxamine on the expression levels of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), Ca/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2γ (Camk2γ) and glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) in fluvoxamine-treated N2a cells and attempted to elucidate whether σ receptors mediate the pharmacological effects of fluvoxamine.

Ketamine attenuates the lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in cultured N2a cells.

The use of ketamine is recommended in patients with sepsis undergoing surgery due to its anti-inflammatory effects. However, a paucity of data exists with regard to the anti-inflammatory effects of ketamine in the central nervous system. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of ketamine on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‑induced inflammatory responses in cultured Neuro2a (N2a) cells and to elucidate its potential mechanism of action.

Prehospital therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Therapeutic hypothermia has been recommended for the treatment of cardiac arrest patients who remain comatose after the return of spontaneous circulation. However, the optimal time to initiate therapeutic hypothermia remains unclear. The objective of the present study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of prehospital therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest.

[The nonlinear relationship between the resuscitation therapy and intensive insulin therapy in severe sepsis and septic shock patients].

Objective: To study the relationship between the resuscitation therapy and intensive insulin therapy on stress-induced hyperglycemia in severe sepsis and septic shock patients, and to evaluate the value on nonlinear viewpoint in the treatment of patients with sepsis.

Methods: The data of 129 hospitalized patients with severe sepsis and septic shock were analyzed and they were divided into eight groups every 6 hours in ascending order for full recovery. The resuscitation therapy time of each group was compared with insulin dosage in each unit time with nonlinear least square method.