Plasma YKL-40 and NGAL are useful in distinguishing ACO from asthma and COPD.

Background: Asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) overlap (ACO) is characterized by the coexistence of features of both asthma and COPD and is associated with rapid progress and a poor prognosis. Thus, the early recognition of ACO is crucial.

Objectives: We sought to explore the plasma levels of biomarkers associated with asthma (periostin, TSLP and YKL-40), COPD (NGAL) and their possible correlation with lung function, the bronchodilator response and radiographic imaging in patients with asthma, COPD and with features of ACO.

Broadband Terahertz Spectroscopy of Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquids.

Ionic liquids are liquid salts at ambient temperature composed of organic cations and organic/inorganic anions. Outstanding physical and chemical properties of ionic liquids lead to increasing application in scientific and industrial field. Ionic liquids have been already investigated by different spectroscopic techniques, including terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy.

Prediction of Tubulointerstitial Injury in Chronic Kidney Disease Using a Non-Invasive Model: Combination of Renal Sonography and Laboratory Biomarkers.

The goal of the study described here was to evaluate the degree of tubulointerstitial injury in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) using a more accurate model that combines renal sonographic parameters and laboratory biomarkers. A total of 308 patients were enrolled. The study protocol included conventional ultrasound, contrast-enhanced ultrasonography and renal biopsy.

A case of ureteral myeloid sarcoma post-renal transplantation.

Background: Significant attention has been directed toward the high incidence of malignant tumours that occur post-transplantation. However, there are few reports of myeloid sarcomas (MSs) following renal transplantation.

Case Presentation: This case report describes a 26-year-old male patient who presented with repeatedly high creatinine levels and hydronephrosis six months post-renal transplantation.

Prognostic analysis of hepatocellular carcinoma on the background of liver cirrhosis via contrast-enhanced ultrasound and pathology.

The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation between the quantitative parameters of contrast-enhancement ultrasound for primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and biological manifestations of tumor (Ki-67), and to explore the related risk factors of primary hepatocellular carcinoma, so as to provide the theoretical basis for the further study on contrast-enhancement ultrasound manifestations, clinical features and prognosis of HCC. The patients with HCC confirmed by operation or puncture were collected, and those with the background of liver cirrhosis and immunohistochemical staining for tumor sample sections were selected. H&E staining sections of pathological tissues of tumor samples were observed, whether there was any microvessel invasion (MVI) was recorded, the microvessel density (MVD) was counted and the recurrence situations after liver cancer operation was followed up.

Role of Immune Cells in Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) is one of the major complications of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and is currently the most common cause of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) worldwide. Traditionally, DKD is considered a disease which has nothing to do with the immune system, and the pathogenesis is mainly characterized to be metabolic disturbance. Recent growing evidence indicates immunologic and inflammatory mechanisms in the development and progression of DKD.

Application of Micromirror in Microsurgical Clipping to the Intracranial Aneurysms.

Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the values and disadvantages of micromirror in the intracranial aneurysm clipping surgery.

Methods: Micromirror was used to assist microsurgical clipping to 36 intracranial aneurysms in 31 patients, of which 3 were carotid-ophthalmic artery aneurysms, 3 were anterior choroidal artery aneurysms, 11 were posterior communicating artery aneurysms, 7 were middle cerebral artery aneurysms, 10 were anterior communicating artery or anterior cerebral artery aneurysms, and the rest were a posterior cerebral artery aneurysm and a posterior inferior cerebellar artery aneurysm. The micromirror was used before and after clipping to observe the anatomic features of necks hidden behind and medial to aneurysms, to visualize surrounding neurovascular structures, and to verify the optimal clipping position.

Risk factors for postpolypectomy bleeding in patients receiving anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications.

Background And Aims: Balancing the risks for thromboembolism and postpolypectomy bleeding in patients requiring anticoagulation and antiplatelet agents is challenging. We investigated the incidence and risk factors for postpolypectomy bleeding on anticoagulation, including heparin bridge and other antithrombotic therapy.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort and case control study at 2 tertiary-care medical centers from 2004 to 2012.

Feasibility of Urgent-Start Peritoneal Dialysis in Older Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) frequently require urgent-start dialysis. Recent evidence suggests that peritoneal dialysis (PD) might be a feasible alternative to hemodialysis (HD) in these patients, including in older patients.

Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients aged > 65 years with ESRD who underwent urgent dialysis without functional vascular access or PD catheter at a single center, from January 2011 to December 2014.

Anti-inflammatory activity of resveratrol prevents inflammation by inhibiting NF‑κB in animal models of acute pharyngitis.

Recent studies have demonstrated that resveratrol can reduce blood sugar, improve insulin resistance, regulate abnormalities in lipid metabolism, and lower the secretion and expression of inflammatory factors. The present study investigated the anti‑inflammatory effects of resveratrol in animal models of acute pharyngitis, and its possible mechanisms. Commercial ELISA kits were used to measure tumor necrosis factor‑α, interleukin (IL)‑6, macrophage inflammatory protein‑2, cyclooxygenase‑2 levels and caspase‑3/9 activity.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for assessment of tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis in immunoglobulin A nephropathy: a preliminary clinical study.

Purpose: To investigate the potential of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) for evaluating the severity of tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis (TA/IF) in immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) patients.

Materials And Methods: A total of 80 patients with IgAN and 33 healthy adults were investigated. Patients were divided into three groups according to the TA/IF (T) grade of the Oxford classification: T0 (n = 28), T1 (n = 35), and T2 (n = 17).

The role of hemoglobin variability as a prognostic indicator in peritoneal dialysis patients: a retrospective descriptive study.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of hemoglobin fluctuations on cardiovascular prognosis of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD).

Methods: Retrospective descriptive study, with sample composed of 333 patients treated with PD at the Renal Unit. Two indicators were adopted to indicate hemoglobin fluctuations of PD patients: absolute value of hemoglobin variability (HV) and HV trend.

Curcumin inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells through Bcl-2 and PI3K/Akt, and by upregulating miR-15a.

Curcumin is a natural compound extracted from the dried rhizomes of (curcuma root or zedoary) that exhibits extensive pharmacological effects and low toxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether curcumin inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis of laryngeal cancer through Bcl-2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt), and by upregulating microRNA-15a (miR-15a). It was demonstrated that curcumin inhibits cell proliferation, and promotes apoptosis and increased caspase-3 activity of human laryngeal cancer cells.

Calcium dobesilate may alleviate diabetes‑induced endothelial dysfunction and inflammation.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a leading cause of end‑stage renal disease. However, the pathogenesis of DKD remains unclear, and no effective treatments for the disease are available. Thus, there is an urgent need to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms of DKD and to develop more effective therapies for this disease.

Incomplete Ionization of a 110 meV Unintentional Donor in β-GaO and its Effect on Power Devices.

Understanding the origin of unintentional doping in GaO is key to increasing breakdown voltages of GaO based power devices. Therefore, transport and capacitance spectroscopy studies have been performed to better understand the origin of unintentional doping in GaO. Previously unobserved unintentional donors in commercially available [Formula: see text] GaO substrates have been electrically characterized via temperature dependent Hall effect measurements up to 1000 K and found to have a donor energy of 110 meV.

Protein Kinase A/CREB Signaling Prevents Adriamycin-Induced Podocyte Apoptosis via Upregulation of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Complexes.

Previous work showed that the activation of protein kinase A (PKA) signaling promoted mitochondrial fusion and prevented podocyte apoptosis. The cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) is the main downstream transcription factor of PKA signaling. Here we show that the PKA agonist 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate-cyclic AMP (pCPT-cAMP) prevented the production of adriamycin (ADR)-induced reactive oxygen species and apoptosis in podocytes, which were inhibited by CREB RNA interference (RNAi).

Quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for assessment of renal pathology: A preliminary study in chronic kidney disease.

Objective: To assess the severity of renal pathology in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) using contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (US).

Methods: 275 patients with CKD who were proven by renal biopsy and 30 healthy adults were examined using conventional US and contrast-enhanced US. Ultrasonic parameters included renal length, cortical thickness, rise time (RT), peak intensity (PI), area under the time-intensity curve (AUC), wash-in slope (WIS) and time to peak (TTP).

CaHDZ27, a Homeodomain-Leucine Zipper I Protein, Positively Regulates the Resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum Infection in Pepper.

Homeodomain-leucine zipper class I (HD-Zip I) transcription factors have been functionally characterized in plant responses to abiotic stresses, but their roles in plant immunity are poorly understood. Here, a HD-Zip I gene, CaHZ27, was isolated from pepper (Capsicum annum) and characterized for its role in pepper immunity. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that CaHDZ27 was transcriptionally induced by Ralstonia solanacearum inoculation and exogenous application of methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, or ethephon.

Renoprotective mechanisms of Astragaloside IV in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

Nephrotoxicity remains a serious adverse effect of cisplatin chemotherapy, limiting its clinical usage. Numerous studies show that oxidative stress and inflammation are closely associated with cisplatin-induced renal damage. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) has been found to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammation functions.

Complex Permittivity of Ionic Liquid Mixtures Investigated by Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy.

Ionic liquids are salts found in their liquid state at ambient temperature. The physicochemical properties of ionic liquids can be tailored by selecting constituent cation and anion from numerous available ions. The physicochemical properties can be further tuned by mixing different neat ionic liquids.

The impact of non-dipper circadian rhythm of blood pressure on left ventricular hypertrophy in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease.

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between non-dipper circadian rhythm of blood pressure (BP) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods and results All 257 patients with stage 1 to 5 CKD were enrolled in the study and classified into a CKD1-3 group and a CKD4-5 group according to renal function. The parameters and circadian rhythm of BP were measured by a GE Marquette Tonoport V Eng dynamic sphygmomanometer, and cardiac structure was examined by echocardiography.

Comparison of combined leflunomide and low-dose corticosteroid therapy with full-dose corticosteroid monotherapy for progressive IgA nephropathy.

IgA nephropathy is the most common primary glomerulonephritis and one of the leading causes of end-stage renal disease. We performed a randomized, controlled, prospective, open-label trial to determine whether leflunomide combined with low-dose corticosteroid is safe and effective for the treatment of progressive IgA nephropathy, as compared to full-dose corticosteroid monotherapy. Biopsy-proved primary IgA nephropathy patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 30 ml/min/1.

[Effects of alginate/collagen scaffold on cell proliferation and differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells].

To build scaffold materials with different concentrations of alginate and collagen, and to observe the effects of alginate/collagen ratio on the proliferation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSC) and osteogenic differentiation. The optimal concentration of alginate/collagen will be chosen for constructing hydrogel that will be used for bone tissue engineering. Soluble hydrogel scaffold materials containing alginate/collagen were prepared, and the following groups were established based on different alginate/collagen ratio: 4∶1 (group A), 2∶1 (group B), and 1∶1 (group C).

Targeting effect of microRNA on CD133 and its impact analysis on proliferation and invasion of glioma cells.

MiR-200b, a member of the microRNA-200 family, has been identified to be capable of suppressing glioma cell growth through targeting CREB1 or CD133. However, whether miR-200b affects the biological behavior (proliferation, invasion, and migration) of glioma cells is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of miR-200b on the biological behavior of glioma cells in vitro.