Associations of muscle mass and strength with new-onset diabetes among middle-aged and older adults: evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study (CHARLS).

Background: The associations of muscle mass and strength with new-onset Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain controversial. We aimed to longitudinally evaluate muscle mass and strength in predicting T2DM among Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: We enrolled 6033 participants aged ≥ 45 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a cohort survey, between 2011 and 2012.

Associations of sarcopenia with peak expiratory flow among community-dwelling elderly population: based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).

Purpose: To cross-sectionally and longitudinally investigate the correlations of sarcopenia and its components with peak expiratory flow (PEF) among Chinese community-dwelling elderly people.

Methods: The data were extracted from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 4053 participants aged ≥ 60 years were enrolled from CHARLS 2011, and 2810 were followed up until 2015.

Evidence for a role of geranylgeranylation in renal angiomyolipoma and renal epithelioid angiomyolipoma.

Research on mevalonate kinase deficiency has revealed that it may lead to the development of renal angiomyolipomas (RAMLs). Thus, it was suspected that geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GGPPS), a key enzyme in the mevalonate pathway, may be involved in the development of RAMLs. In the present study, the expression of GGPPS in RAMLs and renal epithelioid angiomyolipomas (REAs) was assessed, and paraffin embedded specimens from 60 patients, including 9 cases with REA and 51 cases with RAML, were examined.

Neochlorogenic acid inhibits against LPS-activated inflammatory responses through up-regulation of Nrf2/HO-1 and involving AMPK pathway.

Acute and chronic inflammatory diseases are associated with excessive inflammation due to the accumulation of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines produced by macrophages. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of neochlorogenic acid (nCGA) from Lonicera japonica on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated inflammation in macrophages and participation of the AMPK/Nrf2 pathway. nCGA pretreatment significantly reduced the production of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E, TNF-α, reactive oxygen species, IL-1β, and IL-6 by LPS-activated macrophages.

Effects of microRNA-19b on airway remodeling, airway inflammation and degree of oxidative stress by targeting TSLP through the Stat3 signaling pathway in a mouse model of asthma.

This study explored the effects of microRNA-19b (miR-19b) on airway remodeling, airway inflammation, and degree of oxidative stress in a mouse model of asthma. Bioinformatics analyses and dual luciferase reporter gene assays revealed that thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a direct target of miR-19b. An asthma model was established via ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization and challenge in 72 female BALB/c mice.

Anti-inflammatory effects of novel polygonum multiflorum compound via inhibiting NF-κB/MAPK and upregulating the Nrf2 pathways in LPS-stimulated microglia.

The incorporation of Polygonum multiflorum into the diet can result in anti-aging effects owing to its wide range of biological and pharmaceutical properties. We investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory properties of CRPE56IGIH isolated from P. multiflorum by focusing on its role in the induction of phase II antioxidant enzymes and the modulation of upstream signaling pathways.

Deficiency of SUMO-specific protease 1 induces arsenic trioxide-mediated apoptosis by regulating XBP1 activity in human acute promyelocytic leukemia.

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)/sentrin-specific protease 1 (SENP1), a member of the SENP family, is highly expressed in several neoplastic tissues. However, the effect of SENP1 in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has not been elucidated. In the present study, it was observed that SENP1 deficiency had no effect on the spontaneous apoptosis or differentiation of NB4 cells.

Anti-neuroinflammatory Effect of Emodin in LPS-Stimulated Microglia: Involvement of AMPK/Nrf2 Activation.

AMPK/Nrf2 signaling regulates multiple antioxidative factors and exerts neuroprotective effects. Emodin is one of the main bioactive components extracted from Polygonum multiflorum, a plant possessing important activities for human health and for treating a variety of diseases. This study examined whether emodin can activate AMPK/Nrf2 signaling and induce the expression of genes targeted by this pathway.

2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside exerts anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated microglia by inhibiting NF-κB and activating AMPK/Nrf2 pathways.

2,3,4',5-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucoside (THSG) affects neuroinflammation-related neurodegenerative diseases and inhibits neuroinflammatory mediators. However, the detailed impacts and underlying mechanisms of THSG on neuroinflammatory responses are still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism of THSG via AMPK/Nrf2 signaling pathways.

Novel compound from Polygonum multiflorum inhibits inflammatory response in LPS-stimulated microglia by upregulating AMPK/Nrf2 pathways.

Polygonum multiflorum extracts are known to improve memory and learning ability, and have neuroprotective and anti-aging activity. However, its function and the underlying mechanisms in neuroinflammation-mediated neurodegenerative disease remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of several compounds from P.

Cucurbitacin B inhibits immunomodulatory function and the inflammatory response in macrophages.

Cucurbitacin B (CuB) is a triterpenoid that is widely distributed in the plant kingdom and has a variety of biological activities. However, the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of CuB have not been well characterized. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of CuB on parameters related to antigen presentation and T-cell activation.

Emodin induces neurite outgrowth through PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β-mediated signaling pathways in Neuro2a cells.

In this study, a neurite outgrowth-inducing substance was isolated from the ethylacetate extract of the Polygonum multiflorum roots and identified as emodin by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. Emodin displayed remarkable neurite outgrowth-inducing activity in Neuro2a cells, as demonstrated by morphological changes and immunocytochemistry for class III β-tubulin. Emodin exhibited a stronger neutrophic activity than retinoic acid (RA) known as inducer of neurite outgrowth in Neuro2a cells.

Involvement of heme oxygenase-1 in neuroprotection by sanguinarine against glutamate-triggered apoptosis in HT22 neuronal cells.

Sanguinarine is a natural compound isolated from the roots of Macleaya cordata and M. microcarpa, has been reported to possess several biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. In the present study, we demonstrated that sanguinarine markedly induces the expression of HO-1 which leads to a neuroprotective response in mouse hippocampus-derived neuronal HT22 cells from apoptotic cell death induced by glutamate.

The neuroprotective effects of cordycepin inhibit glutamate-induced oxidative and ER stress-associated apoptosis in hippocampal HT22 cells.

Glutamate toxicity increases the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular calcium levels, resulting in neuronal dysfunction, neurodegenerative disorders, and death. Cordycepin is a derivative of the nucleoside adenosine, and is believed to exert neuroprotective effects against glutamate-induced oxidative toxicity in HT22 neuronal cells. Excessive glutamate induces oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, gradually increasing ER-related pro-apoptotic transcription factor C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression, and eventually up-regulating expression of the pro-apoptotic factor Bax.

[Analysis of clinical features and allergic status of asthmatic patients with positive serum mycosis-specific IgE].

Objective: To improve understanding of the clinical characteristics and diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis (ABPM).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data, including clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, pulmonary function tests and chest CT imaging of 95 asthmatic patients with positive serum mycosis-specific IgE from January 2010 to September 2012 in Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University.

Results: Of the 95 patients, 59 cases met the diagnostic criteria of ABPM.

Sanguinarine inhibits invasiveness and the MMP-9 and COX-2 expression in TPA-induced breast cancer cells by inducing HO-1 expression.

Most complications of breast cancer are attributed to metastasis to distant organs, including lymph nodes, bone, lung and liver. Metastasis is considered the leading cause of mortality in patients with breast cancer. The emergence of anti-metastatic properties in breast cancer is an important clinical phenomenon affecting long-term survival.

Halofuginone induces the apoptosis of breast cancer cells and inhibits migration via downregulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9.

Halofuginone (HF) is extracted from Dichroa febrifuga, a plant used in traditional medicine. We report that the HF extract inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells and induces the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis, an important feature of potential anticancer agents. In addition, HF significantly reduces the migration and invasion of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells after 12-O-tetraecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) stimulation.

Acanthopanax senticosus exerts neuroprotective effects through HO-1 signaling in hippocampal and microglial cells.

Extracts of Acanthopanax senticosus, a traditional herb commonly found in Northeastern Asia, are used for treating neurodegenerative disorders such as ischemia and depression. However, the mechanisms of its neuroinflammatory and cytoprotective effects have not been investigated. We examined the mechanism of A.

Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam modulates neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects in hippocampal and microglial cells via HO-1- and Nrf-2-mediated pathways.

Recent evidence indicates that microglial activation and hippocampal damage may play important roles in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam has been used as a folk remedy for the treatment of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in China and Korea. In this study, the mechanism responsible for the neuroprotective and anti-neuroinflammatory effects of Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam ethyl acetate fraction (BCE) was investigated.

Anti-inflammatory effects of aromatic-turmerone through blocking of NF-κB, JNK, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways in amyloid β-stimulated microglia.

Amyloid β (Aβ) induces the production of neuroinflammatory molecules, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of numerous neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, suppression of neuroinflammatory molecules could be developed as a therapeutic method. Aromatic (ar)-turmerone, turmeric oil isolated from Curcuma longa, has long been used in Southeast Asia as both a remedy and a food.

Suppression of α-MSH and IBMX-induced melanogenesis by cordycepin via inhibition of CREB and MITF, and activation of PI3K/Akt and ERK-dependent mechanisms.

Cordycepin has been a traditional medicine in China and Korea for centuries. This study explored the inhibitory effect of cordycepin on melanogenesis and the relative molecular mechanisms. Cordycepin inhibited melanin synthesis-related enzymes, such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP1) and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP2).

Aromatic-turmerone inhibits α-MSH and IBMX-induced melanogenesis by inactivating CREB and MITF signaling pathways.

This study investigated the anti-melanogenic effect of aromatic (ar)-turmerone on alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and 3-isobuty-1-methxlzanthine (IBMX)-induced tyrosinase (Tyr), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TRP-2) expression in B16F10 melanoma cells. We demonstrated that ar-turmerone inhibits α-MSH and IBMX-induced melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity. Data also showed that ar-turmerone inhibits the expression of tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 in α-MSH- and IBMX-stimulated B16F10 cells.

[Modulation of TLR9 on anti-tumor immune responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with non-small-cell lung cancer].

Objective: To assess the modulation of TLR9 on anti-tumor immune responses in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: PBMCs were isolated from 36 NSCLC patients. Lung cancer cells were isolated from these patients and further enriched.

Targeting toll-like receptor 9 with CpG oligodeoxynucleotides enhances anti-tumor responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from human lung cancer patients.

CpG-oligonucleotides (CpG-ODN), which induce signaling through Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9), are currently under investigation as adjuvants in therapy against infections and cancer. However, whether the CpG-ODN alone could enhance the anti-tumor immunity and the underlying mechanisms remains unclear. Here, we investigated that stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from human lung cancer patients with CpG-ODN induced proliferation responses of the PBMCs, accompanied by the elevated cytokine secretion, including IFN-alpha, IL-12 and TNF-alpha.

[The effects of CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides on airway remodeling in chronic asthmatic mice].

Objective: To investigate if CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG-ODN) intervention has inhibitory effects on the development of airway remodeling in an ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mouse model of chronic asthma.

Methods: Forty female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10): (1) Group A (chronic asthma model): mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA (10 microg) precipitated with aluminium hydroxide (100 microg) on days 1 and 14. From day 21, the mice were challenged by nebulized 2.