Cell cycle characteristics of the pancreas in an animal model of isolated pancreatic trauma.

Background: In our previous study, we established a small animal model that mimicked the pathophysiology of isolated pancreatic trauma. To gain further insights into the relationships between tissue damage and the ability of the pancreatic cells to regenerate, we induced pancreatic trauma in rats maintained over 7 days and analyzed both the alteration of the cell death and the cell cycle distribution of the pancreatic cells in this study.

Methods: The rats were divided into two groups as follows: impact and control.

Screening for key genes associated with atopic dermatitis with DNA microarrays.

The aim of the present study was to identify key genes associated with atopic dermatitis (AD) using microarray data and bioinformatic analyses. The dataset GSE6012, downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, contains gene expression data from 10 AD skin samples and 10 healthy skin samples. Following data preprocessing, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the limma package of the R project.

Hypothalamic SIRT1 prevents age-associated weight gain by improving leptin sensitivity in mice.

Aims/hypothesis: Obesity is associated with ageing and increased energy intake, while restriction of energy intake improves health and longevity in multiple organisms; the NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is implicated in this process. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus are critical for energy balance regulation, and the level of SIRT1 protein decreases with age in the ARC. In the current study we tested whether conditional Sirt1 overexpression in mouse POMC or AgRP neurons prevents age-associated weight gain and diet-induced obesity.

Proteomic analysis and immune properties of exosomes released by macrophages infected with Mycobacterium avium.

The role of exosomes shed from Mycobacterium avium sp. paratuberculosis-infected macrophages in intercellular communication processes was examined. We compared the responses of resting macrophages infected with M.

Relay recognition of Cu2+ and S2- in water by a simple 2-(2'-aminophenyl)benzimidazole derivatized fluorescent sensor through modulating ESIPT.

A new 2-(2'-aminophenyl)benzimidazole (2-APBI) derivatized fluorescent sensor (L) that behaves relay recognition of Cu(2+) and S(2-) in water solution (pH 7.4) has been developed. Sensor L displays excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) featured two emission bands and performs highly selective and sensitive recognition to Cu(2+) through two emissions simultaneous quenching.

Unbalanced distribution of materials: the art of giving rise to hepatocytes from liver stem/progenitor cells.

Liver stem/progenitor cells (LSPCs) are able to duplicate themselves and differentiate into each type of cells in the liver, including mature hepatocytes and cholangiocytes. Understanding how to accurately control the hepatic differentiation of LSPCs is a challenge in many fields from preclinical to clinical treatments. This review summarizes the recent advances made to control the hepatic differentiation of LSPCs over the last few decades.

Urinary function following laparoscopic lymphadenectomy for male rectal cancer.

Objectives: Urinary function can be protected following open lateral node dissection (LND) with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation (PANP) for advanced rectal cancer. However data regarding urinary function after laparoscopic LND with PANP have not been reported. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of laparoscopic LND with PANP on urinary function in male patients with rectal cancer.

Stages based molecular mechanisms for generating cholangiocytes from liver stem/progenitor cells.

Except for the most organized mature hepatocytes, liver stem/progenitor cells (LSPCs) can differentiate into many other types of cells in the liver including cholangiocytes. In addition, LSPCs are demonstrated to be able to give birth to other kinds of extra-hepatic cell types such as insulin-producing cells. Even more, under some bad conditions, these LSPCs could generate liver cancer stem like cells (LCSCs) through malignant transformation.

Effects of treatment with hydrogen sulfide on methionine-choline deficient diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in rats.

Background And Aim: Oxidative stress and inflammation play important roles in the progression from simple fatty liver to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of this work was to investigate whether treatment with hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) prevented NASH in rats through abating oxidative stress and suppressing inflammation.

Methods: A methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet rat model was prepared.

Effects of neurolytic celiac plexus block on liver regeneration in rats with partial hepatectomy.

Liver regeneration is the basic physiological process after partial hepatectomy (PH), and is important for the functional rehabilitation of the liver after acute hepatic injury. This study was designed to explore the effects of neurolytic celiac plexus block (NCPB) on liver regeneration after PH. We established a model of PH in rats, assessing hepatic blood flow, liver function, and serum CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 concentrations of the residuary liver after PH.

Three-dimensional renal CT angiography for guiding segmental renal artery clamping during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) renal computed tomography angiography (CTA) in guiding segmental renal artery clamping during laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN).

Materials And Methods: Forty-three patients with renal tumours undergoing renal CTA before LPN were retrospectively enrolled in this study. 3D arteriogram reconstructed images were created to identify the renal tumour-supplying arteries.

Wild-type rabies virus phosphoprotein is associated with viral sensitivity to type I interferon treatment.

Rabies virus (RABV) is a single-stranded, negative-sense RNA virus that causes a fatal neurological disease in humans and animals. Our previous studies have shown that lab-adapted, but not wild-type (wt), RABV enhances innate immune responses including type I interferon (IFN) and chemokines. To determine if treatment with type I IFN can inhibit RABV infection, mouse neuroblastoma and baby hamster kidney cells were treated with IFN-α before being infected with lab-adapted or wt RABV.

Progressive balloon dilatation following hepaticojejunostomy improves outcome of bile duct stricture after iatrogenic biliary injury.

Background: Iatrogenic biliary stricture (IBS) is a disastrous complication of cholecystectomy. Although the endoscopic treatments are well accepted as initial attempts for IBS, surgical hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is often necessary for a considerable proportion of patients. However, the anastomotic stricture after HJ also occurs.

Defining and predicting complete remission of type 2 diabetes: a short-term efficacy study of open gastric bypass.

Objective: To investigate the metabolic effects of open Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on pancreatic endocrine reserve in overweight/obese Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes during postoperative year 1.

Methods: Retrospective analysis comparing pre- and postoperative results of oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) with determinations of insulin and C-peptide, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and BMI at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months in 99 overweight patients (BMI 26.3 ± 4.

Magnetic navigation system and CT roadmap-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention: a comparison to the conventional approach.

Background: Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) has been successfully integrated with the magnetic navigation system (MNS) to facilitate a roadmap-assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to compare this new approach of PCI versus conventional PCI regarding the difference of contrast usage, x-ray exposure, procedure success, and in-hospital expenses.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients with stable coronary artery disease and coronary artery lesions of ≥70% diameter stenosis diagnosed by both pre-procedure CTCA and coronary angiography (CAG) were enrolled to receive the MNS and CT roadmap-assisted PCI.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase in the ventromedial hypothalamus mediates leptin-induced glucose uptake in red-type skeletal muscle.

Leptin is a key regulator of glucose metabolism in mammals, but the mechanisms of its action have remained elusive. We now show that signaling by extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and its upstream kinase MEK in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) mediates the leptin-induced increase in glucose utilization as well as its insulin sensitivity in the whole body and in red-type skeletal muscle of mice through activation of the melanocortin receptor (MCR) in the VMH. In contrast, activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), but not the MEK-ERK pathway, in the VMH by leptin enhances the insulin-induced suppression of endogenous glucose production in an MCR-independent manner, with this effect of leptin occurring only in the presence of an increased plasma concentration of insulin.

In vivo effect of oat cereal β-glucan on metabolic indexes and satiety-related hormones in diet-induced obesity C57-Bl mice.

This study explored the dose-dependent effect of oat cereal β-glucan on improving metabolic indexes of obesity mice. C57-Bl mice were randomized to chow diet (N) group and high fat diet group and other three doses of oat β-glucan groups (low β-glucan, medium β-glucan, and high β-glucan). Energy intake, glucose, lipids, and appetite related hormones were tested.

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the temporal bone: three cases and a review of the literature.

Inflammatory pseudotumor (IP) is a clinically aggressive but histologically benign condition of unknown cause. Its appearance in the temporal bone is uncommon. We present clinical, radiological, and histopathologic findings of three cases originating in the temporal bone.

[Changes of cytokines and protein expression of macrophages stimulated with exosome from macrophages by Mycobacterium avium infection].

Objective: To explore the mechanism underlying the molecular immune response of macrophages stimulated with exosome [(+)exosome] from macrophages after Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) infection and analyze the differential protein component of the exosome.

Methods: The culture supernatants of M.

Interpretation of interlocking key issues of cancer stem cells in malignant solid tumors.

Objective: In this review, several interlinking issues related to cancer stem cells (CSCs) in malignant solid tumors are sequentially discussed.

Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane library, combining the words CSCs, solid tumor, isolation, identification, origination, therapy, target and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Results: Because a primary problem is the isolation of CSCs, we first analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of recently used methods, which were mostly based on the physical or immunochemical characteristics of CSCs.

[Influence of gastric bypass surgery on hepatic gluconeogenesis in type 2 diabetic Goto Kakizaki rats].

Objective: To investigate the influence and significance of gastric bypass surgery on hepatic gluconeogenesis in type 2 diabetic Goto Kakizaki(GK) rats.

Methods: Forty GK rats were randomly divided into Roux-en-Y gastric bypass group(group A) and sham operation group(group B). Differences in glucose tolerance experiment(OGTT) at preoperative and postoperative 1, 2 and 4 weeks were compared and weight was recorded.

Dual-source CT coronary angiography involving injection protocol with iodine load tailored to patient body weight and body mass index: estimation of optimal contrast material dose.

Background: Body mass index (BMI) has a positive linear influence on arterial attenuation at coronary CT angiography involving injection protocol with dose linearly tailored to body weight (BW). Excessive contrast material may inadvertently be given in heavier patients when the dose is determined by BW only.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of injection protocol with dose of contrast material (CM) tailored to BW and BMI on coronary arterial attenuation, contrast-to-noise ratio, and image noise at dual-source CT coronary angiography (DSCT-CA).

Antenatal betamethasone exposure alters renal responses to angiotensin-(1-7) in uninephrectomized adult male sheep.

Antenatal corticosteroid exposure reduces renal function and alters the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system to favor angiotensin activation of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) mediated responses in ovine offspring. This study aimed to assess whether antenatal steroid exposure would affect renal responses to the direct intrarenal infusion of angiotensin-(1-7) in rams and the angiotensin receptors involved in mediating responses to the peptide. Adult, uninephrectomized rams exposed to either betamethasone or vehicle before birth received intrarenal angiotensin-(1-7) infusions (1 ng/kg/min) alone or in combination with antagonists to angiotensin receptors for 3 h.