Vitamin D 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D reduces lipid accumulation in hepatocytes by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a significant liver condition associated with metabolic syndrome, is the leading cause of liver diseases globally and its prevalence is on the rise in most nations. The protective impact of vitamin D on NAFLD and its specific mechanism remains unclear.

Aim: To examine the role of vitamin D in NAFLD and how vitamin D affects the polarization of hepatic macrophages in NAFLD through the vitamin D receptor (VDR)-peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)γ pathway.

[3 + 2] Cycloaddition Reaction of Vinylsulfonium Salts with Hydrazonoyl Halides: Synthesis of Pyrazoles.

An efficient [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between generated nitrile imines from hydrazonoyl halides and vinylsulfonium salts is developed. The nitrile imines are demonstrated to be a new class of reaction partner for vinylsulfonium salts to conduct the [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction. The process provides a concise and efficient method for the construction of pyrazole derivatives under mild reaction conditions with broad substrate scope, good product yields, and high regioselectivity.

Associations of E-proteinoid 3 receptor genetic polymorphisms with salt sensitivity, longitudinal blood pressure changes, and hypertension incidence in Chinese adults.

The E-proteinoid 3 receptor (PTGER3), a member of the prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) subtype receptor, belongs to the G-protein-coupled superfamily of receptors. Animal studies have demonstrated its involvement in salt sensitivity by regulating sodium reabsorption. This study aimed to investigate the association between genetic variants of PTGER3 and salt sensitivity, longitudinal blood pressure (BP) changes, and the incidence of hypertension in Chinese adults.

Predictors of mortality and poor outcome for patients with severe infectious encephalitis in the intensive care unit: a cross-sectional study.

Background: There are few thorough studies assessing predictors of severe encephalitis, despite the poor prognosis and high mortality associated with severe encephalitis. The study aims to evaluate the clinical predictors of mortality and poor outcomes at hospital discharge in patients with severe infectious encephalitis in intensive care units.

Method: In two Chinese hospitals, a retrospective cohort study comprising 209 patients in intensive care units suffering from severe infectious encephalitis was carried out.

Application of Femtosecond Laser + Piggyback Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implantation in Patients with Super-High Myopia Complicated with Cataract.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of piggyback multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in treating patients with high myopia complicated with cataract.

Methods: This was a prospective controlled study. We compared 32 eyes of 32 patients who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with piggyback IOL implantation (two IOLs were implanted into the capsule) with 32 eyes of 32 patients who also underwent the same surgery (one IOL implanted into the capsule) due to high myopia complicated with cataract at the Wuhan Aier Eye Expert Hospital between January 2019 and October 2020.

Association of high-normal albuminuria and vascular aging: Hanzhong adolescent hypertension study.

Normoalbuminuria has recently been associated with increased cardiovascular risk, and vascular aging is proposed as the early manifestation of cardiovascular disease. Here, the authors aimed to examine the association of high-normal albuminuria and vascular aging in a Chinese cohort. From our previously established cohort, 1942 participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.

Associations of lipid accumulation product, visceral adiposity index, and triglyceride-glucose index with subclinical organ damage in healthy Chinese adults.

Background And Aims: Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease development. Here, we aimed to examine and compare the predictive values of three novel obesity indices, lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI), and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, for cardiovascular subclinical organ damage.

Methods: A total of 1,773 healthy individuals from the Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension Study cohort were enrolled.

Lead exposure disturbs ATP7B-mediated copper export from brain barrier cells by inhibiting XIAP-regulated COMMD1 protein degradation.

The brain barrier is an important structure for metal ion homeostasis. According to studies, lead (Pb) exposure disrupts the transportation of copper (Cu) through the brain barrier, which may cause impairment of the nervous system; however, the specific mechanism is unknown. The previous studies suggested the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is a sensor for cellular Cu level which mediate the degradation of the MURR1 domain-containing 1 (COMMD1) protein.

Early-Life Cardiovascular Risk Factor Trajectories and Vascular Aging in Midlife: A 30-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Vascular aging, as assessed by structural and functional arterial properties, is an independent predictor of cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to explore the associations of individual cardiovascular risk factors from childhood to midlife and their accumulation over a 30-year span with vascular aging in midlife.

Methods: Using data from the ongoing cohort of Hanzhong Adolescent Hypertension study, 2180 participants aged 6 to 18 years at baseline were followed for over 30 years.

MiR-130/SNAP-25 axis regulate presynaptic alteration in anterior cingulate cortex involved in lead induced attention deficits.

Brain volume decrease in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) after lead (Pb) exposure has been linked to persistent impairment of attention behavior. However, the precise structural change and molecular mechanism for the Pb-induced ACC alteration and its contribution to inattention have yet to be fully characterized. The present study determined the role of miRNA regulated synaptic structural and functional impairment in the ACC and its relationship to attention deficit disorder in Pb exposed mice.

Anti-inflammatory effect of miR-125a-5p on experimental optic neuritis by promoting the differentiation of Treg cells.

Methylprednisolone pulse treatment is currently used for optic neuritis. It can speed visual recovery, but does not improve the ultimate visual outcomes. Recent studies have reported that miR-125a-5p has immunomodulatory effects on autoimmune diseases.

Comparison of the actual diameter of capsulotomy and predicted diameter of capsulotomy after femtosecond laser-assisted capsulotomy.

Purpose: To compare the consistency between the actual diameter of capsulotomy (ADC) and the predicted diameter of capsulotomy (PDC) in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and analyze the factors that influence the deviation of the diameter of capsulotomy (DDC) between the actual and predicted.

Setting: Aier Eye Hospital of Wuhan University, China.

Design: Retrospective observational case series.

Early life body mass index trajectories and albuminuria in midlife: A 30-year prospective cohort study.

Background: Albuminuria is a marker of vascular dysfunction and is associated with chronic renal and cardiovascular diseases. Data on the association between the longitudinal patterns of weight change early in life and albuminuria later in life are limited. We aimed to identify the body mass index (BMI) trajectory across a 30-year span and evaluate its association with middle-age albuminuria.

Medical cost and healthcare utilization of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in China: A cohort study based on hospital data from 2015 to 2018.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a specific neurodegenerative disease, imposed increased economic and utilizations burden on the healthcare system, especially with the progress of the diseases severity. However, the economic burden on Chinese ALS patients remained unclear. This study therefore was aimed to investigate medical cost and healthcare utilization for Chinese ALS patients.

An efficient autometallography approach to localize lead at ultra-structural levels of cultured cells.

Understanding the precise intracellular localization of lead (Pb) is a key in deciphering processes in Pb-induced toxicology. However, it is a great challenge to trace Pb , especially in cultured cells. We aimed to find an innovative and efficient approach to investigate distribution of Pb in cells and to validate it through determining the subcellular Pb content.

Structural elucidation of high-molecular-weight alkaline degradation products of hexoses.

High-molecular-weight alkaline degradation products of hexoses (HMWHADPs) are colored substances in sugar solutions formed during sugar manufacturing process. These products may be occluded within sugar crystals and impart yellow or brown color to sucrose, thereby negatively affecting the quality of white sugar. Thus, the structural properties of HMWHADPs pose a significant scientific problem in the sugar industry.

Low-level Gestational Lead Exposure Alters Dendritic Spine Plasticity in the Hippocampus and Reduces Learning and Memory in Rats.

Lead (Pb) is known to impair children's cognitive function. It has been previously shown that developmental Pb exposure alters dendritic spine formation in hippocampal pyramidal neurons. However, the underlying mechanism has not yet been defined.

Adult lead exposure increases blood-retinal permeability: A risk factor for retinal vascular disease.

Low-to-moderate level developmental and adult lead exposure produces retinal dysfunction and/or degeneration in humans and experimental animals. Although high level in vivo or in vitro lead disrupts blood-brain-barrier tight junctions and increases its permeability, the blood-retinal-barrier (BRB) has not been examined. There were four overall goals.

Dietary saturated fatty acid and polyunsaturated fatty acid oppositely affect hepatic NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome through regulating nuclear factor-kappa B activation.

Aim: To investigate the effect of different dietary fatty acids on hepatic inflammasome activation.

Methods: Wild-type C57BL/6 mice were fed either a high-fat diet or polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-enriched diet. Primary hepatocytes were treated with either saturated fatty acids (SFAs) or PUFAs as well as combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Cellular uptake of lead in the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier: Novel roles of Connexin 43 hemichannel and its down-regulations via Erk phosphorylation.

As the structural basis of blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCB), epithelial cells in the choroid plexus (CP) are targets for lead (Pb). Pb is known to accumulate in the CP; however, the mechanism of Pb uptake in the choroidal epithelial cells remains unknown. Recently, hemichannels of Connexin 43 (Cx43), the most ubiquitously expressed gap junction proteins in the CP, were found to be important pathways for many substances.

A new modified animal model of myosin-induced experimental autoimmune myositis enhanced by defibrase.

Introduction: We investigated the effect of defibrase (a proteolytic enzyme extraction of Agkistrodon halys venom) on experimental autoimmune myositis (EAM) in guinea pigs and explored the option of using a modified pig model of EAM to enhance the study of this disease.

Material And Methods: Guinea pigs were divided into 3 groups: group A (control group) was immunized with complete Freund adjuvant (CFA), then received 6 injections of saline weekly; group B (EAM group) was immunized with partially purified rabbit myosin emulsified with CFA, then received an injection of saline; group C (EAM + defibrase group) was immunized with purified rabbit myosin emulsified with CFA, then received an injection of defibrase. The animals were observed for their general health condition and the body weight was measured daily.

Lead Exposure Impairs Hippocampus Related Learning and Memory by Altering Synaptic Plasticity and Morphology During Juvenile Period.

Lead (Pb) is an environmental neurotoxic metal. Pb exposure may cause neurobehavioral changes, such as learning and memory impairment, and adolescence violence among children. Previous animal models have largely focused on the effects of Pb exposure during early development (from gestation to lactation period) on neurobehavior.

Correlation between serum IGF-1 and blood lead level in short stature children and adolescent with growth hormone deficiency.

Unlabelled: This study aimed to investigate correlation between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and blood lead level in short stature children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and IGF-1 signal molecules were investigated in lead exposed rats. Our findings may provide evidence for clarifying pathogenesis of lead induced short stature in children.

Methods: 880 short stature children were recruited from clinics and divided into GHD group and idiopathic short stature (ISS) group according to the GH peak in growth hormone stimulation test.

Reduction of brain barrier tight junctional proteins by lead exposure: role of activation of nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Src via chaperon GRP78.

Lead (Pb) has long been recognized as a neurodevelopmental toxin. Developing blood-brain barrier (BBB) is known to be a target of Pb neurotoxicity; however, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Recent evidence suggests that intracellular nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase Src regulates tight junctional proteins (TJPs).