Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 5 Mediates Wnt5a Expression in Microcystin-Leucine-Arginine-Induced Liver Lipid Metabolism Disorder in Mice.

Objective: Microcystin-leucine-arginine (MC-LR) exposure induces lipid metabolism disorders in the liver. Secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (SFRP5) is a natural antagonist of winglesstype MMTV integration site family, member 5A (Wnt5a) and an anti-inflammatory adipocytokine. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether MC-LR can induce lipid metabolism disorders in hepatocytes and whether SFRP5, which has anti-inflammatory effects, can alleviate the effects of hepatic lipid metabolism by inhibiting the Wnt5a/Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway.

Effect of refractive status on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in Chinese Population.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and other related parameters measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and the refractive error of eyes.

Methods: A total of 5394 subjects were enrolled in this population-based cohort study, who were divided into three groups by refractive state after they underwent a standardized ophthalmic examination: emmetropia (the absolute value should range from 0 to 0.5 D), low-moderate myopia (the absolute value of myopic error should range from 0.

Spatio-temporal pattern and driving forces of ecosystem services in coalfields of Shanxi Pro-vince, China.

Although coal has made a huge contribution to the development of the economy and socie-ty and its economic benefits have often attracted much attention, little research has focused on the ecosystem services of coalfields. Based on remote sensing data, meteorological data, and soil data in Shanxi coalfields during 1986, 2000, and 2015, we estimated soil conservation and water yield using the InVEST model, assessed the net primary productivity of vegetation using the CASA mo-del, and estimated sand fixation using the RWEQ model. Further, we simulated the spatial patterns of ecosystem services (ESs) using the k-means cluster analysis method and analyzed the influence factors of ESs using the Geodetector model in Shanxi coalfield areas.

Burden of visual impairment in mainland China: the Handan Eye Study and Beijing Eye Study.

Purpose: To determine the impact of visual impairment (VI) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and to compare the health burden of VI in different areas in mainland China.

Methods: A cohort of 6830 people from rural villages and a cohort of 3251 people from an urban city were included to receive comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations and complete the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions 3 Levels (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. For urban and rural populations, a unified VI grouping standard was adopted: the eyes were classified into normal group, mild-moderate group, and severe group according to WHO standards, and then divided into 6 groups considering both eyes.

SGK1 inhibits cellular apoptosis and promotes proliferation via the MEK/ERK/p53 pathway in colitis.

Aim: To investigate the role of serum-and-glucocorticoid-inducible-kinase-1 (SGK1) in colitis and its potential pathological mechanisms.

Methods: SGK1 expression in mucosal biopsies from patients with active Crohn's disease (CD) and normal controls was detected by immunohistochemistry. We established an acute colitis model in mice induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonicacid, and demonstrated the presence of colitis using the disease activity index, the histologic activity index and hematoxylin and eosin staining.

PKCα regulates vasopressin-induced aquaporin-2 trafficking in mouse kidney collecting duct cells in vitro via altering microtubule assembly.

Aim: Aquaporin-2 (AQP2) is a vasopressin-regulated water channel located in the collecting tubule and collecting duct cells of mammalian kidney. The aim of this study is to investigate whether PKCα plays a role in vasopressin-induced AQP2 trafficking in mouse inner medullary collecting duct 3 (mIMCD3) cells.

Methods: AQP2-mIMCD3 stable cell line was constructed by transfection of mouse inner medullary collecting duct 3 (mIMCD3) cells with AQP2-GFP construct.