Association between serum homocysteine and erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels. A comprehensive search was performed using databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library to identify suitable studies published by July 2023. The statistical analysis involved calculating the standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using STATA software.

Ginseng-derived nanoparticles inhibit lung cancer cell epithelial mesenchymal transition by repressing pentose phosphate pathway activity.

It is unclear whether ginseng-derived nanoparticles (GDNPs) can prevent tumor cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Here, we describe typical characteristics of GDNPs and possible underlying mechanisms for GDNP antitumor activities. First, GDNPs particle sizes and morphology were determined using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively, while cellular uptake of PKH67-labeled GDNPs was also assessed.

Ranking the Healthcare Resource Factors for Public Satisfaction with Health System in China-Based on the Grey Relational Analysis Models.

(1) Background: Public satisfaction with the health system is a very important comprehensive indicator. Given the limited healthcare resources in a society, it is always important for policymakers to have full information about the priority and the ranking order of the factors of healthcare resources for improving public satisfaction. (2) Methods: Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) is advantageous for satisfaction analysis because satisfaction is a "grey concept" of "having a clear boundary but vague connotation".

MicroRNA-155 from sputum as noninvasive biomarker for diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB), caused by , is a widespread infectious disease around the world. Early diagnosis is always important in order to avoid spreading. At present, many studies have confirmed that microRNA (miRNA) could be a useful tool for diagnosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Mannose-Capped Lipoarabinomannan Induces IL-10-Producing B Cells and Hinders CD4Th1 Immunity.

The importance of Th1/interferon (IFN)-γ-mediated responses in mycobacterial infection has been well established. However, little is known about B cell-mediated immunity during Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Interleukin (IL)-10-producing B cells (B10 cells), a subset of B regulatory cells (Bregs), are implicated in modulating the immune response.

Low Bacterial Co-infection Invalidates the Early Use of Non-anti- Antibiotics in Pediatric Refractory Pneumonia Patients.

Childhood refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia (RMPP) is a lung disease with elevated level of C-reactive protein and severe clinical and radiological deterioration. Whether bacterial co-infection contributes to disease of RMPP and whether inclusion of non-anti-MP antibiotics in treatment regimen would benefit RMPP patients remains elusive. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 675 RMPP children.

Chromium supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aim: Increasing evidence has suggested that chromium supplementation may improve the clinical symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), yet the results have been inconsistent. To derive a more precise estimation of the efficacy of chromium, a meta-analysis was performed.

Methods: Studies published in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library up to April 2017 were retrieved.

HOXC10 Promotes the Metastasis of Human Lung Adenocarcinoma and Indicates Poor Survival Outcome.

As master regulator of embryonic morphogenesis, homeodomain-containing gene 10 (HOXC10) has been found to promote progression of human cancers and indicates poor survival outcome. However, the role of HOXC10 in lung adenocarcinoma still unclear. HOXC10 expression was evaluated in 63 primary lung adenocarcinoma tissues from our local hospital, and further systematically confirmed in lung cancer tissues from six GEO datasets (GSE19188, GSE31210, GSE10072, GSE7670, GSE32863, GSE30219), and Kaplan-Meier plotter database.

Selection and identification of specific glycoproteins and glycan biomarkers of macrophages involved in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.

Macrophages are the primary host target cells of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). However, little is known about the changes of membrane glycopatterns of macrophages in response to M.

A Single ssDNA Aptamer Binding to Mannose-Capped Lipoarabinomannan of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Enhances Immunoprotective Effect against Tuberculosis.

Because Mycobacterium bovis, termed bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the only available used tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, retains immunomodulatory properties that limit its protective immunogenicity, there are continuous efforts to identify the immunosuppression mechanism as well as new strategies for improving the immunogenicity of BCG. Here, an ssDNA aptamer "antibody" BM2 specifically bound to the mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) of BCG was selected. BM2 significantly blocked ManLAM-mannose receptor (MR) binding, triggered ManLAM-CD44 signaling, and enhanced M1 macrophage and Th1 activation via cellular surface CD44 in vitro and in vivo.

Generation and application of ssDNA aptamers against glycolipid antigen ManLAM of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for TB diagnosis.

The development of effective Mycobacterial antigen diagnostic reagents remains a high priority. Mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (ManLAM) is a lipoglycan serving as a major cell wall component. ManLAM is also an early released antigen in the blood circulation system during Mycobacteria tuberculosis (M.

Meta-analytic approaches to determine gender differences for delayed healing in venous leg ulcers.

Objective The aim of this analysis was to perform a meta-analysis evaluating gender difference of delayed healing risk in patients with venous leg ulcers. Methods We searched the PubMed and Web of Knowledge from their inception to 4 July 2015. The meta-analysis of pooled odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for venous leg ulcers healing risk were calculated.

CFP10 and ESAT6 aptamers as effective Mycobacterial antigen diagnostic reagents.

The development of effective Mycobacterial antigen diagnostic reagents remains a high priority. The 6-kDa early secreted antigenic target (ESAT6) and 10-kDa culture filtrate protein (CFP10) are secreted early by virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) and are not present in the non-virulent Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG).

[Effect of the ethanol extracts of starfish Asterias amurensis on the levels of serum IL-4 and IFN-γ in mice].

Aim: To investigate the effect of the ethanol extracts of the starfish Asterias amurensis on the levels of serum IL-4 and IFN-γ in mice.

Methods: The whole bodies of the starfish were chopped and extracted with ethanol. The ethanol extracts were chromatographed on silica gel column.

[Preparation of rabbit anti-recombinant human calreticulin antibody and its characterization].

Aim: To prepare the rabbit anti-recombinant human calreticulin (hCRT) antibody and its characterization.

Methods: The gene coding for hCRT was amplified by PCR and cloned into prokaryotic expression vector pET32a. Then the recombinant plasmid pET32a/hCRT was transformed into E.

Specific control of immunity by regulatory CD8 T cells.

T lymphocytes with dedicated suppressor function (Treg) play a crucial role in the homeostatic control of immunity in the periphery. Several Treg phenotypes have now been identified in the CD4 and CD8 T cell populations, suggesting their down-regulatory function in both human and animal models of autoimmunity, transplantation and tumor immunity. Here we will focus on the CD8 Treg population and their ability to specifically inhibit a pathogenic autoimmune response.

Limited clonality in autoimmunity: drivers and regulators.

The available T cell repertoire directed against self is appreciable owing to the escape of many clones from negative selection, largely because many determinants on self proteins are cryptic and not presented adequately. In addition, the degeneracy of T cell receptor specificity permits each lymphocyte a broad recognitive potential. Within the available self-reactive repertoire are T cells with high affinity, and these can compete favorably with other T cells with the same specificity.