Rhein alleviates advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced inflammatory injury of diabetic cardiomyopathy in vitro and in vivo models.

In diabetic patients, diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common causes of death. The inflammatory response is essential in the pathogenesis of DCM. Rhein, an anthraquinone compound, is extracted from the herb rhubarb, demonstrating various biological activities.

Prognostic value of systemic immune inflammation index and geriatric nutrition risk index in early-onset colorectal cancer.

Background: Systemic nutritional and inflammatory markers, which are easy to measure are associated with the progression and prognosis of many cancers. Nevertheless, among the various available indicators, optimal prognostic indicators for patients with early-onset colorectal cancer have not been identified. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify optimal nutritional and inflammatory markers for early-onset colorectal cancer and examine the relationship between systemic nutritional and inflammatory markers before treatment and survival in patients with early-onset colorectal cancer.

Protective Mechanisms of Suxiao Jiuxin Pills () on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in vivo and in vitro.

Objective: To study the protective mechanism of Chinese medicine Suxiao Jiuxin Pills (, SXJ) on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Methods: Mouse myocardial I/R injury model was created by 30-min coronary artery occlusion followed by 24-h reperfusion, the mice were then divided into the sham group (n=7), the I/R group (n=13), the tirofiban group (TIR, positive drug treatment, n=9), and the SXJ group (n=11). Infarct size (IS), risk region (RR), and left ventricle (LV) were analyzed with double staining methods.

The failure of non-invasive prenatal testing due to maternal dermatomyositis.

We experienced a case of a pregnant woman who failed to obtain a result from NIPT, due to the high level of total cell-free DNA. A subsequent ultrasound examination discovered that the fetus had severe intrauterine growth restriction, so the woman decided to abort the baby. At the same time, the woman developed slight swelling and tenderness of the proximal interphalangeal and meta-carpophalangeal joints.

Translation and validation of the Tibetan confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit.

Background: At present, there is no available delirium translated assessment method for 3.3 million Tibetans. This study aimed to provide a method for delirium assessment for Tibetan patients speaking this language by validating a translation of the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit (CAM-ICU).

Interaction of Ferulic Acid with Glutathione S-Transferase and Carboxylesterase Genes in the Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens.

Plant phenolics are crucial defense phytochemicals against herbivores and glutathione S-transferase (GST) and carboxylesterase (CarE) in herbivorous insects are well-known detoxification enzymes for such xenobiotics. To understand relationship between a plant phenolic and herbivore GST or CarE genes, we evaluated the relationship between a rice phenolic ferulic acid and resistance to brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens), and investigated the interaction of ferulic acid with GST or CarE genes in BPH. The results indicate that ferulic acid content in tested rice varieties was highly associated with resistance to BPH.

Mipu1 inhibits lipid accumulation through down-regulation of CD36 in RAW264.7 cells.

Background/aims: Our recent data indicated that Mipu1 overexpression reduces lipid intake and CD36 expression of macrophages in the presence of oxLDL. However, the mechanism of Mipu1 inhibiting lipid accumulation in macrophages is not elucidated.

Methods: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot analysis were used to detect expression of Mipu1 and CD36.

H2S, a novel therapeutic target in renal-associated diseases?

For more than a century, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been regarded as a toxic gas. Recently, the understanding of the biological effects of H2S has been changed. This review surveys the growing recognition of H2S as an endogenous signaling molecule in mammals, with emphasis on its physiological and pathological pathways in the urinary system.

Mipu1 overexpression protects macrophages from oxLDL-induced foam cell formation and cell apoptosis.

Mipu1 (myocardial ischemic preconditioning upregulated protein 1) is a novel N-terminal Kruppel-associated box (KRAB)/C2H2 zinc finger superfamily protein, that displays a powerful effect in protecting H9c2 cells from oxidative stress-induced cell apoptosis. The present study aims to investigate the effect of Mipu1 overexpression on oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced foam cell formation, cell apoptosis, and its possible mechanisms. New Zealand healthy rabbits were used to establish atherosclerosis model, and serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer.

[Clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of 5 cases of primary pneumonic plague in Tibet in 2010].

Objective: To explore the clinical manifestations, the feature of chest X-ray, the clinical outcome, and the clinical treatments of severe pneumonic plague.

Methods: We observed the clinical course of primary pneumonic plague in 5 patients, who infected Yersinia pestis in Tibet during September 2010, including manifestations of chest X-ray, the antibiotic therapy, respiratory support and the prognosis.

Results: All of the 5 patients presented with high fever, bloody sputum and difficulty breathing.

The serotonergic system may be involved in the sleep-inducing action of oleamide in rats.

The mechanism underlying the sleep-inducing effect of oleamide, an endogenous fatty acid amide, was studied in rats. Animals implanted with cerebrocortical and dorsal neck muscle electrodes were monitored continuously by electroencephalograph (EEG) and electromyograph (EMG) for 4 h after i.p.