Suppression of Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II Ameliorates Neuronal Apoptosis from Ischemic Brain Injury.

Background: Ischemia stroke is a destructive cerebrovascular disease and a major cause of death and lifelong neurological disability. N-Acetyl-l-aspartyl-l-glutamate (NAAG) is a neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain and involves a variety of physiological and pathological functions including ischemia brain injury. Full understanding of the functions of NAAG peptidase (GCPII) in the pathogenesis of ischemia brain injury is extremely valuable for effective therapies to ischemia stroke.

Interferon γ-Induced Nuclear Interleukin-33 Potentiates the Release of Esophageal Epithelial Derived Cytokines.

Background: Esophageal epithelial cells are an initiating cell type in esophageal inflammation, playing an essential role in the pathogenesis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A new tissue-derived cytokine, interleukin-33 (IL-33), has been shown to be upregulated in esophageal epithelial cell nuclei in GERD, taking part in mucosal inflammation. Here, inflammatory cytokines secreted by esophageal epithelial cells, and their regulation by IL-33, were investigated.

Reverse micelles-in-microspheres with sustained release of water-soluble combretastatin A4 phosphate for S180 tumor treatment.

Combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P), the water-soluble phosphate pro-drug of combretastatin A4 (CA4), acts as a novel vascular disrupting agent (VDA). It strongly inhibits tubulin polymerization and selectively exerts action against tumor blood vessels. However, its quite short half-life (∼30 min) results in a short action time and consequently limits its application.

The Influence of Dihydrotestosterone on the Development of Graves' Disease in Female BALB/c Mice.

Background: Graves' disease (GD) is a common organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by hyperthyroidism that has significant sex differences in prevalence and clinical expressions. Abnormal cytokine production and T cell activation may result in various manifestations of GD. Studies have shown that androgen treatment can provide protection against autoimmune diseases, but the effects of androgen treatment on GD are still unknown.

Label-Free Detection of Ag+ Based on Gold Nanoparticles and Ag+-Specific DNA.

A sensitive label-free method was presented for the determination of silver ion (Ag+) in this paper. Cytosine-rich DNA (C-DNA) was used as Ag+ specific DNA. Without Ag+ in the solution, fluorescence of fluorescein (FAM) is quenched by C-DNA stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in high salt environment.

PAR-2 activation enhances weak acid-induced ATP release through TRPV1 and ASIC sensitization in human esophageal epithelial cells.

Esophageal visceral hypersensitivity has been proposed to be the pathogenesis of heartburn sensation in nonerosive reflux disease. Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is expressed in human esophageal epithelial cells and is believed to play a role in inflammation and sensation. PAR-2 activation may modulate these responses through adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release, which is involved in transduction of sensation and pain.

Engineering Gyroid-Structured Functional Materials via Templates Discovered in Nature and in the Lab.

In search of optimal structures for functional materials fabrication, the gyroid (G) structure has emerged as a promising subject of widespread research due to its distinct symmetry, 3D interconnected networks, and inherent chiral helices. In the past two decades, researchers have made great progress fabricating G-structured functional materials (GSFMs) based on G templates discovered both in nature and in the lab. The GSFMs demonstrate extraordinary resonance when interacting with light and matter.

Activin A expression in esophageal carcinoma and its association with tumor aggressiveness and differentiation.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of activin A in esophageal carcinoma and its association with tumor differentiation and metastasis. A total of 57 esophageal carcinoma patients and 36 controls were included in the current study. The mRNA and protein expression levels of activin A in esophageal tumors or normal esophageal tissues were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemical analysis.

Artesunate induces apoptosis via a ROS-independent and Bax-mediated intrinsic pathway in HepG2 cells.

This study aims to explore the detail molecular mechanism by which artesunate (ARS), an artemisinin derivative, induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells. ARS induced a loss of mitochondrial transmemberane potential (ΔΨm), phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization, as well as activations of Bax/Bak and caspases indicative of apoptosis induction. Silencing Bax but not Bak significantly inhibited ARS-induced apoptosis, demonstrating the key role of the Bax-mediated intrinsic pathway.

MicroRNA-137 Contributes to Dampened Tumorigenesis in Human Gastric Cancer by Targeting AKT2.

MiRNAs play important roles in tumorigenesis. This study focused on exploring the effects and regulation mechanism of miRNA-137 on the biological behaviors of gastric cancer. Total RNA was extracted from tissues of 100 patients with gastric cancer and from four gastric cancer cell lines.

[Expression of CD163 in children with Epstein-Barr virus infection].

Objective: To study the clinical significance of CD163 in the diagnosis and the evaluation of severity and prognosis of childhood hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH).

Methods: Ninety-four children were classified into Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive (n=55) and EBV-negative groups (n=39; control group). The EBV-positive group was subgrouped into infectious mononucleosis (IM; n=47) and HLH (n=8).

Effects of Rhubarb combined with ulinastatin on T-cell subsets in sepsis rats.

The pathogenesis of sepsis, a systemic inflammatory response syndrome, is very complicated and not well understood. However, the importance of lymphocyte percentage and ratio is implicated. Rhubarb is a traditional Chinese medication and plays a role in protecting gastrointestinal mucous and controlling the SIRS damage.

Morphological evidence for a neurotensinergic periaqueductal gray-rostral ventromedial medulla-spinal dorsal horn descending pathway in rat.

Neurotensin (NT) is an endogenous neuropeptide that exerts potent opioid-independent analgesic effects, most likely via the type 2 NT receptor (NTR2). Previous morphological and electrophysiological studies suggested that the NT-NTR2 system is primarily localized in structures that constitute the descending pain control pathway, such as the periaqueductal gray (PAG), the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), and the spinal dorsal horn (SDH). However, relevant morphological evidence for this neurotensinergic (NTergic) circuit is lacking.

Epithelial ovarian cancer: A case report.

An 82-year-old female was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in May 2004. Following gynecological surgery, pathological evaluation showed stage IIIC epithelial ovarian cancer. From June 2004 to January 2005, the patient received six cycles of conventional treatment combined with intravenous paclitaxel (Taxol) and cisplatin.

Real-time monitoring of stresses and displacements in cervical nuclei pulposi during cervical spine manipulation: a finite element model analysis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to research the distribution of stresses and displacements in cervical nuclei pulposi during simulated cervical spine manipulation (CSM).

Methods: A 3-dimensional finite element model of C3/4~C6/7 was established. The detailed mechanical parameters of CSM were analyzed and simulated.

Overoxidized polypyrrole/graphene nanocomposite with good electrochemical performance as novel electrode material for the detection of adenine and guanine.

Most conducting polymer/graphene composites have excellent electrical conductivity. However, the background currents of these composites modified electrodes are much larger. In order to improve the sensitivities of these methods, it is necessary to decrease the background signal.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers and analysis of genetic diversity in Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.).

Chinese jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill, 2n = 2× = 24, Rhamnaceae) is an economically important Chinese native species. It has high nutritional value, and its medicinal properties have led to extensive use in traditional oriental medicine. The characterization of genotypes using molecular markers is important for genetic studies and plant breeding.

[Pregabalin combined with intrathecal sufentanil infusion for breakthrough pain in patients with bone metastases].

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect of pregabalin combined with intrathecal sufentanil infusion for the treatment of breakthrough pain in patients with bone metastases.

Methods: A total of 60 breakthrough pain patients with bone metastases were randomly divided to 3 groups: group A (pregabalin combined with intrathecal sufentanil infusion group, n=20), group B (placebo combined with intrathecal sufentanil infusion group, n=20) and group C (oral morphine sulfate controlled-release tablet group, n=20). The differences in visual analogue scale (VAS) between background pain and breakthrough pain, the seizure frequency of breakthrough pain, general satisfaction and side effects of the 3 groups were observed.

Effects of lifestyle intervention improve cardiovascular disease risk factors in community-based menopausal transition and early postmenopausal women in China.

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of a 12-month lifestyle intervention in improving cardiovascular disease risk factors in community-based menopausal transition and early postmenopausal women in China.

Methods: One hundred healthy menopausal transition and early postmenopausal women aged 40 to 60 years were randomly assigned to receive either lifestyle change intervention (n = 53) or usual care (n = 47). Menopause status was defined by the menstrual change criteria of the Stages of Reproductive Aging Workshop + 10 based on prospective menstrual calendars.

Effect of hypoglycemic anti-deafness capsules in diabetic patients with deafness and toxicological assessment in rats.

Objective: Through experiment on animals and clinical trials to explore the safety and efficacy of hypoglycemic anti-deafness capsules on diabetic patients with deafness.

Methods: Total 296 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were randomly divided into two groups. A treatment group of 164 patients (208 ears) was treated with hypoglycemic anti-deafness capsules based on TCM syndrome differentiation.

4 Null Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts Exhibit Enhanced Sensitivity to Oxidants: Role of 4-Hydroxynonenal in Oxidant Toxicity.

The alpha class glutathione s-transferase (GST) isozyme GSTA4-4 (EC2.5.1.