Sirtuin 3 Ameliorates Lung Senescence and Improves Type II Alveolar Epithelial Cell Function by Enhancing the FoxO3a-Dependent Antioxidant Defense Mechanism.

Lung aging alters the intrinsic structure of the lung and pulmonary surfactant system and increases the mortality and morbidity due to respiratory diseases in elderly individuals. We hypothesized that lung aging results from an insufficiency of type II alveolar epithelial cells (AECIIs) in the lung tissue. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) is a member of the sirtuin family of proteins that promote longevity in many organisms.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Patients with Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease are Optimal Candidate for Cardiac Tissue Engineering.

Engineered heart tissues (EHTs) are regarded as being the most promising alternative to synthetic materials, and autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used as seeding cells. However, few studies have evaluated the feasibility of using MSCs from patients with cyanotic congenital heart disease (C-CHD) as seeding cells for EHTs, in comparison with cells from patients of acyanotic congenital heart disease (A-CHD). In the present study, we cultured MSCs from A-CHD and C-CHD patients in normoxia or hypoxia conditions, and compared their pro-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic and inflammation-modulatory potentials.

MicroRNA-421 promotes proliferation and invasion of non-small cell lung cancer cells through targeting PDCD4.

Recent evidence highlights that microRNAs serve as crucial regulators of tumorigenesis, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present study was designed to investigate the expression profile, clinical significance and biological role of miR-421 in NSCLC. The results showed that miR-421 expression was markedly increased in NSCLC tissues and cell lines.

Predictive role of UCA1-containing exosomes in cetuximab-resistant colorectal cancer.

Background: Primary or acquired resistance to cetuximab often occurs during targeted therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. In many cancers, the key role of the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 (UCA1) in anticancer drug resistance has been confirmed. Emerging evidence has shown that specific exosomal lncRNAs may serve as meaningful biomarkers.

Impact of surgical ventricular restoration on early and long-term outcomes of patients with left ventricular aneurysm: A single-center experience.

Left ventricular aneurysm (LVA) is a common complication of myocardial infarction. However, the optimal treatment for LVA remains controversial.In this retrospective study, we analyzed the early and long-term clinical consequences of surgical ventricular restoration on 102 patients who had undergone repair between January, 2005 and January, 2015.

Sirtuin3 protects aged human mesenchymal stem cells against oxidative stress and enhances efficacy of cell therapy for ischaemic heart diseases.

Sirtuin3 (SIRT3) is associated with oxidative stress and lifespan. However, the possible mechanisms underlying its influence are unknown. We hypothesized that SIRT3 increases the antioxidant capacity of aged cells and improves the efficacy of human mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC) therapy for ischaemic heart diseases in aged patients.

Lower Senescence of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells than Donor-Matched Bone Marrow Stem Cells for Surgical Ventricular Restoration.

Surgical ventricular reconstruction (SVR) can restore cardiac function for left ventricular aneurysm to some extent. However, the patches used in this treatment have some limitations such as stiffness and calcification. Engineering heart tissues (EHTs) have emerged as a promising biomaterial to repair damaged heart.

Improved Left Ventricular Aneurysm Repair with Cell- and Cytokine-Seeded Collagen Patches.

Background: Engineered heart tissues (EHTs) present a promising alternative to current materials for surgical ventricular restoration (SVR); however, the clinical application remains limited by inadequate vascularization postimplantation. Moreover, a suitable and economic animal model for primary screening is another important issue.

Methods: Recently, we used 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride chemistry (EDC) to initiate a strengthened, cytokine-conjugated collagenous platform with a controlled degradation speed.

Metabolic profiles of adipose-derived and bone marrow-derived stromal cells from elderly coronary heart disease patients by capillary liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Adipose-tissue derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADSC)-based therapy is a promising option for patients with atherosclerotic conditions, including coronary artery disease. However, the potential differences in the metabolic characteristics between bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and ADSCs have remained to be fully elucidated. The present study aimed to compare the metabolic profiles of BMSCs and ADSCs via liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Suppression of miR-34a Expression in the Myocardium Protects Against Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through SIRT1 Protective Pathway.

MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is expressed in the myocardium and expression is altered after myocardial injury. We investigated the effects of miR-34a on heart function after ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Cardiomyocytes were isolated from neonatal rat hearts and simulated IR injury was induced in vitro.

Impact of Antiretroviral Therapy on the Spread of Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Chaoyang District, Beijing, China: Using the Asian Epidemic Model.

Background: Successful antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing the infectivity of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We conducted a study to predict the potential effect of ART on the spread of HIV in Chaoyang District, Beijing, China, using the Asian Epidemic Model (AEM).

Methods: The AEM baseline workbook was used to determine the current infection status and to project the future spread of HIV under current conditions.

Phenotypic switching of vascular smooth muscle cells in the 'normal region' of aorta from atherosclerosis patients is regulated by miR-145.

Switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) from a contractile phenotype to an adverse proliferative phenotype is a hallmark of atherosclerosis or vascular restenosis. However, the genetic modulators responsible for this switch have not been fully elucidated in humans nor have they been correlated with clinical abnormalities. This study investigated genetic mechanisms involved in phenotypic switching of VSMCs at non-defect areas of the aorta in patients with atherosclerosis.

Decreased SIRT3 in aged human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells increases cellular susceptibility to oxidative stress.

Sirtuin3 (SIRT3) is an important member of the sirtuin family of protein deacetylases that is localized to mitochondria and linked to lifespan extension in organisms ranging from yeast to humans. As aged cells have less regenerative capacity and are more susceptible to oxidative stress, we investigated the effect of ageing on SIRT3 levels and its correlation with antioxidant enzyme activities. Here, we show that severe oxidative stress reduces SIRT3 levels in young human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hMSCs).

Expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 by transplanted VSMCs modifies heart structure and function after myocardial infarction.

Objectives: Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling is a critical aspect of cardiac remodelling following myocardial infarction. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are physiological inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that degrade the ECM proteins. TIMP-3 is highly expressed in the heart and is markedly downregulated in patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy.

Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 or vascular endothelial growth factor transfection of aged human mesenchymal stem cells enhances cell therapy after myocardial infarction.

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for ischemic heart disease, but the regenerative capacity of these cells decreases with age. In this study, we genetically engineered old human MSCs (O-hMSCs) with tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP3) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and evaluated the effects on the efficacy of cell-based gene therapy in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model. Cultured O-hMSCs were transfected with TIMP3 (O-TIMP3) or VEGF (O-VEGF) and compared with young hMSCs (Y-hMSCs) and non-transfected O-hMSCs for growth, clonogenic capacity, and differentiation potential.

[The sexual behavior characteristics and STD infection status of women who have sex with women in Beijing].

Objective: To study sexual behavioral characteristics, infection status of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STDs) among women who have sex with women (WSW) in Beijing.

Methods: A total of 150 WSWs were recruited by snowball sampling in several main types of activity sites of WSW (including NGOs, salons, bars, etc.) in Beijing during September 2010 to April 2011.

[Characteristics of sexual behaviors and infection status of AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases among men who have sex with men in 2009 in Beijing].

Objective: To analyze sexual behavior characteristics and sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS infections in man who have sex with men (MSM) of Beijing Chaoyang district.

Methods: Through selecting 10 MSM as seed in Chaoyang district of the existing education member companion in its main activity place, using snowball sampling to select 1008 people that 16 years old or above, nearly a year had sex with male in Chaoyang to conduct an investigation.Questionnaires were used to investigate the general conditions, characteristics of sexual behaviors, condom usage, AIDS knowledge awareness and sexually transmitted diseases history.

Inhibiting matrix metalloproteinase by cell-based timp-3 gene transfer effectively treats acute and chronic ischemic cardiomyopathy.

After a myocardial infarction (MI), an increase in the cardiac ratio of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) relative to their inhibitors (TIMPs) causes extracellular matrix modulation that leads to ventricular dilatation and congestive heart failure. Cell therapy can mitigate these effects. In this study, we tested whether increasing MMP inhibition via cell-based gene transfer of Timp-3 further preserved ventricular morphometry and cardiac function in a rat model of MI.

[Incidence and risk factors of HIV and syphilis seroconversion among men who have sex with men in Beijing].

Objective: To study the incidence and risk factors of HIV and syphilis seroconversion among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing.

Methods: A total of 550 MSM were recruited on the basis of community and followed up after 6 and 12 months in Beijing. Each subject was investigated by only one investigator at one time to collect information on demographics and behaviors.

The effect of age on the efficacy of human mesenchymal stem cell transplantation after a myocardial infarction.

Objective: Clinical trials of cardiac cell therapy have indicated limited benefits in aging patients, even though preclinical studies using young animals consistently reported significant improvements. Animal studies have demonstrated reduced efficacy of donor cells isolated from older individuals. Here, we evaluated the effects of donor age on the function of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) in the context of cell therapy for ischemic cardiomyopathy.

[Study on the relationship between behavioral factors, psychological status and HIV infection among men who have sex with men in Beijing.].

Objective: To study the prevalence and risk factors of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Beijing.

Methods: A sample of 550 MSM was recruited between March and June in 2008 in Beijing. Interviewer-administered interviews were conducted to collect information on demographics and behaviors.