Intravoxel incoherent motion MRI for predicting early response to induction chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: To investigate the value of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in predicting the early response to induction chemotherapy (IC) and chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: Fifty NPC patients who received IC and CRT underwent an IVIM DW-MRI on a 1.5-Tesla MRI scanner.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells inhibit the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells by inhibiting the transforming growth factor β pathway.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are considered to be a potential therapy for end-stage liver disease. However, the therapeutic mechanism of BM-MSCs remains unclear. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of paracrine signaling in BM‑MSCs in liver cirrhosis in vitro.

Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Affected by Promoter Hypermethylation Induces Aberrant Gli2 Expression in Spina Bifida.

GLI2 is a key mediator of the sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway and plays an important role in neural tube development during vertebrate embryogenesis; however, the role of gli2 in human folate-related neural tube defects remains unclear. In this study, we compared methylation status and polymorphisms of gli2 between spina bifida patients and a control group to explore the underlying mechanisms related to folate deficiency in spina bifida. No single nucleotide polymorphism was found to be significantly different between the two groups, although gli2 methylation levels were significantly increased in spina bifida samples, accompanied by aberrant GLI2 expression.

Screening lactic acid bacteria with high yielding-acid capacity from pickled tea for their potential uses of inoculating to ferment tea products.

For there were very short of excellent strains inoculated to ferment tea products, the lactic acid bacteria from pickled tea were isolated, characterized and identified, and the acid production capacity of part better strains was determined. There are only 22 strains isolated from pickled tea, and 2 of them were yeast, and 8 strains selected from the other 20 strains all were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum. A1, L2 and L5 of L.

Improved ferroelectric/piezoelectric properties and bright green/UC red emission in (Li,Ho)-doped CaBi4Ti4O15 multifunctional ceramics with excellent temperature stability and superior water-resistance performance.

Multifunctional materials based on rare earth ion doped ferro/piezoelectrics have attracted considerable attention in recent years. In this work, new lead-free multifunctional ceramics of Ca1-x(LiHo)x/2Bi4Ti4O15 were prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method. The great multi-improvement in ferroelectricity/piezoelectricity, down/up-conversion luminescence and temperature stability of the multifunctional properties is induced by the partial substitution of (Li0.

Curcumin combined with FAPαc vaccine elicits effective antitumor response by targeting indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase and inhibiting EMT induced by TNF-α in melanoma.

Fibroblast activation protein α (FAPα) is a potential target for cancer therapy. However, elimination of FAPα+ fibroblasts activates secretion of IFN-γ and TNF-α. IFN-γ can in turn induce expression indolamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), thereby contributing to immunosuppression, while TNF-α can induce EMT.

Trefoil factors: Gastrointestinal-specific proteins associated with gastric cancer.

Trefoil factor family (TFF), composed of TFF1, TFF2, and TFF3, is a cluster of secreted peptides characterized by trefoil domain (s) and C-terminal dimerization domain. TFF1, a gastric tumor suppressor, is a single trefoil peptide originally detected in breast cancer cell lines but expressed mainly in the stomach; TFF2, a candidate of gastric cancer suppressor with two trefoil domains, is abundant in the stomach and duodenal Brunner's glands; and TFF3 is another single trefoil peptide expressed throughout the intestine which can promote the development of gastric carcinoma. According to multiple studies, TFFs play a regulatory function in the mammals' digestive system, namely in mucosal protection and epithelial cell reconstruction, tumor suppression or promotion, signal transduction and the regulation of proliferation and apoptosis.

Oesophagectomy in a patient with azygos vein continuation of the inferior vena cava: report of a case.

The azygos system of veins varies greatly in its mode of origin, but the variation in which the azygos vein is a continuation of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is rare. During an oesophagectomy, the azygos vein typically is transected as a requirement of the surgery. In this case, the enlarged azygos and its arch were a continuation of the IVC.

[Effect of Tiam 1 on cell proliferation and migration in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1 (Tiam 1) overexpression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells.

Method: Endogenous expression of Tiam 1 in 8 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell (HNSCC) lines was investigated by real-time RT-PCR. A lentivirus vector containing Tiaml was transfected into UM-SCC-47 cells, a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line with little endogenous Tiaml expression.

Genotyping analysis of 3 RET polymorphisms demonstrates low somatic mutation rate in Chinese Hirschsprung disease patients.

Background: Genetic mosaicism has been reported for both coding and non-coding sequences in the RET gene in Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) patients. This study aimed to investigate somatic mutation rate in Chinese population by comparing both homozygous genotype percentage and risk allele frequency of 3 RET single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among blood and colon samples.

Methods: DNA was extracted from 59 HSCR blood samples, 59 control blood samples and 76 fresh frozen colon tissue samples (grouped into ganglionic, transitional and aganglionic level).

LKB1 gene inactivation does not sensitize non-small cell lung cancer cells to mTOR inhibitors in vitro.

Aim: Previous study has shown that endometrial cancers with LKB1 inactivation are highly responsive to mTOR inhibitors. In this study we examined the effect of LKB1 gene status on mTOR inhibitor responses in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.

Methods: Lung cancer cell lines Calu-1, H460, H1299, H1792, and A549 were treated with the mTOR inhibitors rapamycin or everolimus (RAD001).

[The basic structure of heavy-ion tumor therapy facility].

Heavy-ions have the similar characteristic of depth-dose distribution with protons, but exhibit enhanced physical and radiobiological benefits. With increasing development in technical and clinical research, more facilities are being installed in the world. At the same time, many critical techniques of heavy-ion therapy facility were optimized and completed.

AKT regulation of mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal dialysis is modulated by Smurf2 and deubiquitinating enzyme USP4.

Background: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a key role in mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT) during peritoneal dialysis (PD). However, the role of Akt in MMT transformation in PD is not clear.

Results: In this study, we observed that the phosphorylated form of protein kinase B (Akt), termed as pAkt, was up-regulated in the peritoneum of mice undergoing PD.

Reaction between CH3O2 and BrO radicals: a new source of upper troposphere lower stratosphere hydroxyl radicals.

Over the last two decades it has emerged that measured hydroxyl radical levels in the upper troposphere are often underestimated by models, leading to the assertion that there are missing sources. Here we report laboratory studies of the kinetics and products of the reaction between CH3O2 and BrO radicals that shows that this could be an important new source of hydroxyl radicals:BrO + CH3O2 → products (1). The temperature dependent value in Arrhenius form of k(T) is k1 = (2.

Atorvastatin prevents angiotensin II-induced high permeability of human arterial endothelial cell monolayers via ROCK signaling pathway.

Intracranial aneurysm, as a common cause of cerebral hemorrhage, is often discovered when the aneurysm ruptures, causing subarachnoid hemorrhage. Unfortunately, the formation of cerebral aneurysm, which is associated with endothelial damage and macrophage migration, still cannot be prevented now. Tight junctions (TJs) open due to the disappearance of TJ proteins occludin and zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) in damaged endothelia, thus allowing macrophage migration and forming cerebral aneurysm.

Fatty acid ethyl esters disrupt neonatal alveolar macrophage mitochondria and derange cellular functioning.

Background: Chronic alcohol exposure alters the function of alveolar macrophages (AM), impairing immune defenses in both adult and neonatal lungs. Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are biological markers of prenatal alcohol exposure in newborns. FAEEs contribute to alcohol-induced mitochondrial (MT) damage in multiple organs.

Endovascular repair with chimney technique for juxtarenal aortic aneurysm: a single center experience.

Objective: Chimney endovascular aneurysm repair (Ch-EVAR) is a cheap and immediately available method for treatment of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (JRAAs). The aim of this study was to report experiences and results with balloon expandable stent (BES) for Ch-EVAR.

Methods: From January 2008 to June 2013 (mean time, 26 ± 13 months), 42 patients who underwent Ch-EVAR were retrospectively reviewed.

[Comparison of perioperative outcomes and lymphadenectomy after thoracoscopic esophagectomy in semi prone position and open esophagectomy].

Objective: Thoracoscopic esophagectomy has gained worldwide popularity. This study compared the perioperative outcomes and lymphadenectomy after thoracoscopic esophagectomy in semi prone position and open esophagectomy.

Methods: Sixty-two consecutive patients after thoracoscopic esophagectomy were compared with 62 patients who underwent open esophagectomy.

Increased IL-22 level in allergic rhinitis significantly correlates with clinical severity.

Background: IL-22 regulates various processes and has been linked to diverse effects. However, the importance of IL-22 in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis (AR) remains poorly understood. This study sought to evaluate the levels of IL-22 and IL-17A in AR patients and their association with clinical severity ofN AR.

Effect of different calcium contents on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-5Al-1Bi-0.3Mn magnesium alloy.

The effect of different Ca contents on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-5Al-1Bi-0.3Mn (AMB501) magnesium alloys was investigated by conventional melting and casting technique using different Ca contents (1.0, 2.

Neuroprotective effects of the Buyang Huanwu decoction on functional recovery in rats following spinal cord injury.

Background: The Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) is a traditional Chinese herbal prescription and has been used in China to treat spinal cord injury (SCI) for hundreds of years. Clinical trials have shown that BYHWD improves the outcome of SCI in clinical trials, but the mechanisms are not known. This study observed the neuroprotective effects of BYHWD on spinal nerve cells after SCI and investigated possible mechanisms.

[Expression of CLIC1 and IGFBP7 in complete hydatidiform mole].

Objective: To investigate the expression level of chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7) in complete hydatidiform mole (CHM) and estimate the relationship between the expression level and clinical prognosis.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was used to detect the expression level of P57(KIP2) in order to differentiate CHM. CLIC1 and IGFBP7 expression level of CHM were measured by IHC method then.

[Effects of hyperthermia combined platinum-based drugs on ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3].

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of hyperthermia combined with various platinum-based drugs cis-platinum (DDP), carboplatin (CBP), oxaliplatin (OXA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cell lines SKOV3.

Methods: SKOV3 cells were treated with different concentrations of anticancer drugs DDP (final concentration respectively 0, 1.25, 2.

In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Radix Isatidis extract and bioaccessibility of six bioactive compounds after simulated gastro-intestinal digestion.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Radix Isatidis called "Ban-Lan-Gen" is one of the most commonly-used traditional Chinese medicines for antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antipyretic purposes. Investigate the bioaccessibility of uridine, epigoitrin, adenosine, clemastanin B, indigoticoside A and isolariciresinol as well as the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities during an in vitro gastro-intestinal digestion of the Radix Isatidis extract (RIE).

Materials And Methods: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique was adopted to determine the bioaccessibility of six bioactive compounds in RIE.

Efficacy of adefovir dipivoxil combined with a corticosteroid in 38 cases of nephrotic syndrome induced by hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis.

Objective: To investigate the treatment efficacy of adefovir dipivoxil combined with a corticosteroid on hepatitis B virus-associated glomerulonephritis (HBV-GN).

Methods: A total of 38 patients with nephrotic syndrome induced by HBV-GN were treated for 36 weeks between 2010 and 2012.

Results: The efficacy analysis showed that 11 patients achieved complete remission and 17 patients achieved partial remission, and the effective remission rate was 73.