Predictive value of aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio for contrast-associated acute kidney injury in patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: Pre-procedure liver insufficiency has been demonstrated as a poor prognostic factor after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Recent research discovered that the aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio (De-Ritis ratio) reflects the severity of liver insufficiency and was associated with adverse outcomes. We aim to evaluate the predictive value of the De-Ritis ratio for contrast-associated acute kidney injury (CA-AKI) and long-term mortality in patients undergoing elective PCI.

[Related factors of atrophic glossitis in 124 consecutive cases].

Purpose: To study the relationship between atrophic glossitis and anemia, anemia types and other related factors(oral candida infection, xerostomia) in 124 consecutive cases.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-four cases with atrophic glossitis and 53 healthy controls were collected from Qingdao local population. The main indexes including general status, oral examination findings, hemoglobin (Hb), mean red blood cell volume (MCV), vitamin B12, ferritin, folic acid, anemia and anemia type, xerostomia and candida infection were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20.

miR-544a Stimulates endometrial carcinoma growth via targeted inhibition of reversion-inducing cysteine-rich protein with Kazal motifs.

Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a female-specific malignant tumor. Although current treatments can achieve good outcomes and improve patient survival, there remains a high incidence of treatment-induced infertility, a serious side effect that is unacceptable to those of childbearing age. Studies have demonstrated that micro ribonucleic acids (microRNAs or miRNAs) such as miR-544a regulate tumor-related gene expression.

Normothermic Machine Perfusion Combined with Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improves the Oxidative Stress Response and Mitochondrial Function in Rat Donation After Circulatory Death Livers.

There is a need to improve the quality of donor liver from donation after circulatory death (DCD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanism of normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) on the oxidative stress and mitochondrial function in DCD livers. DCD livers were obtained, a rat NMP system was established, and BMMSCs were extracted and identified.

Pre-Procedural N-Terminal Pro-B Type Natriuretic Peptide Predicts Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury and Long-Term Outcome in Elderly Patients After Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

The aim of the study is to evaluate the association of pre-procedural N-terminal pro-B type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) and long-term outcomes in elderly patients undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).A total of 540 patients aged ≥ 75 years who had undergone elective PCI between January 2012 and December 2015 were enrolled in this study. Admission NT-proBNP levels were measured before PCI.

Association of prealbumin levels with contrast-induced acute kidney injury in elderly patients with elective percutaneous coronary intervention.

Purpose: Inflammatory factors play a critical role in contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI). Prealbumin, a nutritional and inflammatory indicator, is a well-established predictor of short- and long-term outcomes in numerous clinical conditions. The current study investigated the association of pre-procedural prealbumin levels with CI-AKI and long-term outcomes in geriatric patients after elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Association of Preprocedural Hyperglycemia With Contrast-Induced Acute Kidney Injury and Poor Outcomes After Emergency Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

We investigated whether preprocedural hyperglycemia was associated with contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) and long-term outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who underwent emergency percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients (n = 558) with ACS who underwent emergency PCI were consecutively enrolled. Preprocedural hyperglycemia was defined as glucose levels >198 mg/dL (11 mmol/L).

Effect of genes modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on small bowel transplant rejection.

Aim: To investigate whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) modified with the and genes can augment the inhibitory effect of BMMSCs on small bowel transplant rejection.

Methods: Lewis rat BMMSCs were cultured . Third-passage BMMSCs were transduced with the genes or the gene alone.

Effects of heme oxygenase-1-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on microcirculation and energy metabolism following liver transplantation.

Aim: To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) on the microcirculation and energy metabolism of hepatic sinusoids following reduced-size liver transplantation (RLT) in a rat model.

Methods: BMMSCs were isolated and cultured using an adherent method, and then transduced with HO-1-bearing recombinant adenovirus to construct HO-1/BMMSCs. A rat acute rejection model following 50% RLT was established using a two-cuff technique.

Association between plasma BMP-2 and in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the association between plasma bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) level and in-stent restenosis in patients with coronary artery disease.

Methods: A total of 96 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and were followed up after PCI were enrolled in this study. 47 patients diagnosed with in-stent restenosis (ISR) were recruited to ISR group and 49 patients without ISR were recruited to Control group according to the results of coronary angiography (CAG).

Biological effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on hepatitis B virus in vitro.

The aim of the present study was to explore the effects of co‑culturing bone marrow‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) cultured with hepatitis B virus (HBV)‑infected lymphocytes in vitro. BM‑MSCs and lymphocytes from Brown Norway rats were obtained from the bone marrow and spleen, respectively. Rats were divided into the following five experimental groups: Group 1, splenic lymphocytes (SLCs); group 2, HepG2.

Effect of heme oxygenase-1 transduced bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on damaged intestinal epithelial cells in vitro.

In this study, we explored the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow overexpressing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on the damaged human intestinal epithelial barrier in vitro. Rat MSCs were isolated from bone marrow and transduced with rat HO-1 recombinant adenovirus (HO-MSCs) for stable expression of HO-1. Colorectal adenocarinoma 2 (Caco2) cells were treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) to establish a damaged colon epithelial model.

Immunomodulatory effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing heme oxygenase-1: Protective effects on acute rejection following reduced-size liver transplantation in a rat model.

Here we explore the T-lymphocyte suppressive and immunomodulatory effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) overexpressing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) on acute rejection following reduced-size liver transplantation (RLT) in a rat model. The proliferation activity, cell cycle progression, secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, expression of CD25 and CD71 in lymphocytes, and activity of NK cells were found to be significantly lowered, and the proportion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) was found to be increased relative to BMMSCs when Adv-HO-1/BMMSCs were co-cultured with Con A ex vivo; secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines was significantly higher. When treated with saline, BMMSCs or Adv-HO-1/BMMSCs, post-transplantation rats receiving Adv-HO-1/BMMSCs showed better median survival time, lower rejection activity index, higher anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, lower proinflammatory cytokine levels, more peripheral Tregs, and lower natural killer cell viability.

A novel risk score model for prediction of contrast-induced nephropathy after emergent percutaneous coronary intervention.

Background: A few studies developed simple risk model for predicting CIN with poor prognosis after emergent PCI. The study aimed to develop and validate a novel tool for predicting the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients undergoing emergent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: 692 consecutive patients undergoing emergent PCI between January 2010 and December 2013 were randomly (2:1) assigned to a development dataset (n=461) and a validation dataset (n=231).

Impact of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease on Long-Term Outcome in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between COPD and major adverse cardiovascular and cerebral events (MACCE) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). .

Risks and treatment strategies for de novo hepatitis B virus infection from anti-HBc-positive donors in pediatric living donor liver transplantation.

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and risk factors of de novo HBV infection in pediatric patients receiving living donor liver transplants (LDLT) from HBcAb-positive donors, and to explore its treatment strategies. The data of 101 pediatric recipients receiving LDLT in Tianjin First Central Hospital between September 2006 and December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The HBV markers were regularly tested before and after the surgery, including HBsAb, HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAb, and HBcAb.

Impact of non-oncological factors on tumor recurrence after liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary neoplasm of the liver and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Liver transplantation (LT) has become one of the best curative therapeutic options for patients with HCC, although tumor recurrence after LT is a major and unaddressed cause of mortality. Furthermore, the factors that are associated with recurrence are not fully understood, and most previous studies have focused on the biological properties of HCC, such as the number and size of the HCC nodules, the degree of differentiation, the presence of hepatic vascular invasion, elevated serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein, and the tumor stage outside of the Milan criteria.

Inhibition of HBV Replication in HepG2.2.15 Cells by Human Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell-Derived Dendritic Cells.

Anti-HBV therapy is essential for patients awaiting liver transplantation. This study aimed to explore the effects of dendritic cells (DCs) derived from the peripheral blood of hepatitis B patients on the replication of HBV in vivo and to evaluate the biosafety of DCs in clinical therapy. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from HBV-infected patients and maturation-promoting factors and both HBsAg and HBcAg were used to induce DC maturation.

Application of nucleoside analogues to liver transplant recipients with hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B is a common yet serious infectious disease of the liver, affecting millions of people worldwide. Liver transplantation is the only possible treatment for those who advance to end-stage liver disease. Donors positive for hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antibody (HBcAb) have previously been considered unsuitable for transplants.

Gallstones in liver transplant recipients: A single-center study in China.

Background/aims: Liver transplant recipients include patients who present with almost all kinds of end-stage liver disease. Studying the relationship between gallstones and end-stage liver disease among liver transplant recipients is becoming important.

Materials And Methods: Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to assess 1640 liver transplant recipients.

Reduction of acute rejection by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells during rat small bowel transplantation.

Background: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) have shown immunosuppressive activity in transplantation. This study was designed to determine whether BMMSCs could improve outcomes of small bowel transplantation in rats.

Methods: Heterotopic small bowel transplantation was performed from Brown Norway to Lewis rats, followed by infusion of BMMSCs through the superficial dorsal veins of the penis.

Effects of dendritic cells from hepatitis B virus transgenic mice-stimulated autologous lymphocytes on hepatitis B virus replication: a study on the impact of specific sensitized effector cells on in vitro virus replication.

The objective of this study was to explore the effects of dendritic cells (DCs) from hepatitis B virus (HBV) transgenic mice-stimulated autologous lymphocytes on in vitro HBV replication. DCs from HBV transgenic mice were induced to maturity by lipopolysaccharide, followed by incubation with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) in vitro. Mature DCs and autologous lymphocytes were co-stimulated to form specific sensitized immune effector cells (IEC), which were then co-cultured with the human hepatoma cell line HepG2.