The function of FUS in neurodevelopment revealed by the brain and spinal cord organoids.

The precise control of proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitors is crucial for the development of the central nervous system. Fused in sarcoma (FUS) is an RNA-binding protein pathogenetically linked to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration (FTLD) disease, yet the function of FUS on neurodevelopment is remained to be defined. Here we report a pivotal role of FUS in regulating the human cortical brain and spinal cord development via the human iPSCs-derived organoids.

The genome of the medicinal plant Andrographis paniculata provides insight into the biosynthesis of the bioactive diterpenoid neoandrographolide.

Andrographis paniculata is a herbaceous dicot plant widely used for its anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties across its distribution in China, India and other Southeast Asian countries. A. paniculata was used as a crucial therapeutic treatment during the influenza epidemic of 1919 in India, and is still used for the treatment of infectious disease in China.

Dichloroacetate induces protective autophagy in esophageal squamous carcinoma cells.

Dichloroacetate (DCA) is an inhibitor of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, which promotes the flux of carbohydrates into mitochondria and enhances the aerobic oxidation of glucose. DCA has previously been demonstrated to exhibit antitumor properties. The present study revealed that treatment with DCA induced increased levels of autophagy-associated proteins in esophageal squamous carcinoma cells while minimally affecting apoptosis.

Comparison of two different size needles in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration for diagnosing solid pancreatic lesions: A meta-analysis of prospective controlled trials.

Background: This meta-analysis aimed to provide a pooled analysis of prospective controlled trials comparing the diagnostic accuracy of 22-G and 25-G needles on endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS-FNA) of the solid pancreatic mass.

Methods: We established a rigorous study protocol according to Cochrane Collaboration recommendations. We systematically searched the PubMed and Embase databases to identify articles to include in the meta-analysis.

[Efficacy and Safety Evaluation of Liujin Runzao Concentrated Decoction in Treating Primary Sjögren's Syndrome].

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Liujin Runzao Concentrated Decoction (LRCD) for the treatment of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). Methods Forty pSS patients with fluid depletion and distribution obstacles syndrome (FDDOS) were randomly assigned to the experimen- tal group and the control group according to 1:1 proportion. All patients received standard therapy: Radix Paeoniae alba total glycosides 600 mg, twice per day.

Relationship between ambient fine particles and ventricular repolarization changes and heart rate variability of elderly people with heart disease in Beijing, China.

Objective: To explore the effects of particulate matters less than 2.5 μm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5) on heart repolarization/depolarization and heart rate variability (HRV).

[Association between ambient PM10/PM2.5 levels and population mortality of circulatory diseases: a case-crossover study in Beijing].

Objective: To explore the association between levels of ambient particulate matters (PM10 and PM2.5) and population mortality of circulatory diseases (ICD10: I00~I99) in Beijing.

Methods: The daily data of ambient PM2.

[Relationship between daily mean temperature and emergency department visits for respiratory diseases: a time-series analysis].

Objective: To quantitatively evaluate the influences of daily mean air temperature (DMT) on Emergency Department Visits (EDVs) for the respiratory diseases.

Methods: The EDV data from medical records for respiratory diseases in Peking University Third Hospital between January 2004 and June 2009 were collected. The data of the air pollutants (SO(2), NO(2) and PM(10)) and meteorological factors at the same time periods were also collected from the local authorities of Beijing.