Glucometabolic-Related Genes as Diagnostic Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Bioinformatics Analysis.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two widespread chronic disorders characterized by shared risk factors and molecular pathways. Glucose metabolism, pivotal for cellular homeostasis and energy supply, plays a critical role in these diseases. Its disturbance has been linked to the pathogenesis of both AD and T2DM.

Mechanism of Hepatocyte Apoptosis.

Hepatocyte apoptosis plays important roles in both the removal of external microorganisms and the occurrence and development of liver diseases. Different conditions, such as virus infection, fatty liver disease, hepatic ischemia reperfusion, and drug-induced liver injury, are accompanied by hepatocyte apoptosis. This review summarizes recent research on the mechanism of hepatocyte apoptosis involving the classical extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.

[The clinical characteristic of 43 cases of neuroendocrine tumors with liver metastases].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and its treatment outcome, so as to further cognition of NET.

Methods: The clinical data of patients with liver metastases of NET diagnosed by Peking Union Medical College Hospital during January 1996 to July 2010 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: The ratio of male to female was 1:1.

[The diagnostic value of plasma chromogranin A in neuroendocrine tumors].

Objective: To investigate the value of plasma chromogranin A (CgA) in the diagnosis of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of plasma CgA in different gastrointestinal pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP NETs). To investigate the role of monitoring plasma CgA in the progress of GEP NETs.

Methods: ELISA kits were used to measure the CgA plasma level in 56 cases of GEP NETs, 52 cases of pheochromocytoma, and 7 cases of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and 52 cases of normal controls respectively.

[Study on the chemical constituents of the fruit handles from Schizandra chinensis].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of the fruit handles from Schizandra chinensis.

Methods: Compounds from the 85% ethanol extracts were isolated by silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, recrystal, etc., and their structures were identified by the spectral analysis and chemical evidence.

Evaluation of the diagnostic value of serum tumor markers, and fecal k-ras and p53 gene mutations for pancreatic cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value for pancreatic cancer of four serum tumor markers, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 199, CA242, CA50 and carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), and fecal k-ras and p53 gene mutations.

Methods: From February 2002 to March 2004, 136 patients were consecutively diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the three participating medical centers. The diagnosis was confirmed by pathology in 53 patients, of whom five were excluded because they did not have measurement of serum tumor marker.

[The role of fecal elastase-1 in pancreatic diseases].

Objective: To determine the average concentration and its ranges of fecal elastase-1 (FE1) in healthy controls; to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of FE1 in the assay of pancreatic insufficiency; and to evaluate the diagnosing and differentiating value of FE1 in pancreatic diseases.

Methods: Used the FE1 ELISA kit to quantitate the concentrations of FE1 in 73 healthy controls with different age groups, and 30 patients with chronic pancreatitis, 17 patients with pancreatic cancer and 24 patients with non-pancreatic digestive diseases. Urine N-benzoyl-tyrosyl-para-aminobenzoic acid (BT-PABA) was measured in those patients as a comparison simultaneously.

[Developing a hospital-based high risk scoring model and screening strategy for pancreatic cancer].

Objective: To develop a high risk scoring model and screening strategy to improve the diagnosis of symptomatic pancreatic cancer.

Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was undertaken among a cohort comprising 136 pancreatic cancer patients and 191 patients with benign gastrointestinal diseases who were hospitalized between Feb, 2002 and Mar, 2004. All patients were consulted with an epidemiological questionnaire.

[The diagnostic value of serum carcinoma markers, fecal K-ras and p53 gene mutation in pancreatic cancers].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum carcinoma markers CA19-9, CA242, CA50 and carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA), fecal K-ras and p53 gene mutation in pancreatic cancer.

Methods: We collected 136 new cases of pancreatic cancer and 240 patients with benign digestive diseases including 49 patients with benign pancreatic diseases diagnosed in Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Tumor Hospital and Shenyang PLA General Hospital from February 2002 to March 2004. Blood samples were collected and serum carcinoma markers CA19-9, CA242, CA50 and CEA were measured.