STAT3 signaling controls satellite cell expansion and skeletal muscle repair.

The progressive loss of muscle regenerative capacity with age or disease results in part from a decline in the number and function of satellite cells, the direct cellular contributors to muscle repair. However, little is known about the molecular effectors underlying satellite cell impairment and depletion. Elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), are associated with both age-related and muscle-wasting conditions.

JAK/STAT3 pathway inhibition blocks skeletal muscle wasting downstream of IL-6 and in experimental cancer cachexia.

Cachexia, the metabolic dysregulation leading to sustained loss of muscle and adipose tissue, is a devastating complication of cancer and other chronic diseases. Interleukin-6 and related cytokines are associated with muscle wasting in clinical and experimental cachexia, although the mechanisms by which they might induce muscle wasting are unknown. One pathway activated strongly by IL-6 family ligands is the JAK/STAT3 pathway, the function of which has not been evaluated in regulation of skeletal muscle mass.

Inaccuracy of home sphygmomanometers: a perspective from clinical practice.

Objective: Home blood pressure monitoring requires a precise blood pressure measurement technique and an accurate sphygmomanometer. The oscillometric sphygmomanometers have some drawbacks including in accuracy. The aims of this study were to assess the inaccuracy of home sphygmomanometers using a method first proposed in 2009 and to compare validated devices with other devices.

Validation of the Omron M3 Intellisense (HEM-7051-E) upper arm blood pressure monitor, for self-measurement, according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010 in a stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease population.

Background: Encouragement of home blood pressure (BP) monitoring has a great potential to improve hypertension control rates. The purpose of this study was to test validation of the Omron M3 Intellisense (HEM-7051-E) upper arm BP measuring monitor for self-measurement according to the European Society of Hypertension International Protocol revision 2010 (ESH-IP2) in stage 3-5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Methods: 66 patients having CKD stage 3-5 were included in the study.