China's Stem Cell Research and Knowledge Levels of Medical Practitioners and Students.

Over the last few decades, China has greatly expanded its scope of stem cell research, generating various scientific advances and medical applications. However, knowledge of the extent and characteristics of domestic stem cell development, particularly medical workers' opinions, is lacking. This study's purposes were to analyze the growth trends of China's stem cell community and identify the knowledge and attitudes held by Chinese medical workers regarding stem cell research.

MFG-E8 accelerates wound healing in diabetes by regulating "NLRP3 inflammasome-neutrophil extracellular traps" axis.

Sustained activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) impair wound healing of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). Our previous study reported that milk fat globule epidermal growth factor VIII (MFG-E8) attenuates tissue damage in systemic lupus erythematosus. However, the functional effect of MFG-E8 on "NLRP3 inflammasome-NETs" inflammatory loop in wound healing of diabetes is not completely elucidated.

Angiopoietin-like 8 Improves Insulin Resistance and Attenuates Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Angiopoietin-like 8 (ANGPTL8) is closely linked to obesity-associated metabolic diseases and insulin resistance. The aim of the current study was to investigate the ability of ANGPTL8 to reverse insulin resistance in obese mice. The administration of ANGPTL8 reduced weight gain and improved glucose tolerance in mice with diet-induced obesity.

Elevated serum milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 levels in type 2 diabetic patients are suppressed by overweight or obese status.

Inflammation is the most important link between obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Although milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) is a key mediator in anti-inflammatory responses, its role in obesity and diabetes is not yet completely understood. We aimed to measure MFG-E8 serum levels and to explore the role of MFG-E8 in obesity and T2D.

Circulating milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 levels are increased in pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Aims/introduction: Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) is the key mediator in anti-inflammatory responses that facilitate phagocytosis of apoptotic cells, and play an essential role in type 2 diabetes and pregnancy, both of which are under a low-grade inflammatory state. However, the action of MFG-E8 in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is unclear. We measured plasma MFG-E8 levels in pregnancy and GDM for the first time, and elucidated possible relationships between its plasma levels and various metabolic parameters.

TGF-β1 Upregulates the Expression of Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 1 in Murine Lungs.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (TREM-1) increases the expression of TGF-β family genes, which are known as profibrogenic cytokines in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. In this study, we determined whether TGF-β1 regulated the expression of TREM-1 in a mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis. The expression of TGF-β1 and TREM-1 was increased on day 7, 14, and 21 after single intratracheal injection of bleomycin (BLM).

Vasoactive intestinal peptide suppresses macrophage-mediated inflammation by downregulating interleukin-17A expression via PKA- and PKC-dependent pathways.

Interleukin (IL)-17A is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that markedly enhances inflammatory responses in the lungs by recruiting neutrophils and interacting with other pro-inflammatory mediators. Reducing the expression of IL-17A could attenuate inflammation in the lungs. However, whether VIP exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the expression of IL-17A has remained unclear.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide promotes the wound healing of human bronchial epithelial cells via PKC and MAPK pathways.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is a 37-amino acid neuropeptide derived from the calcitonin gene. CGRP is widely distributed in the central and peripheral neuronal systems. In the lung, CGRP could modulate dendritic cell function, stimulate proliferation of alveolar epithelial cells and mediate lung injury in mice.