Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) inhibits hepatoma cell growth via downregulation of SEPT2 expression.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor with poor prognosis and low therapeutic efficacy. Recent studies have demonstrated the therapeutic prospect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) cancer angiogenesis. However, the action mechanisms remain elusive.

Gli2 silencing enhances TRAIL-induced apoptosis and reduces tumor growth in human hepatoma cells in vivo.

Our previous studies have showed that Gli2 played a predominant role in proliferation and apoptosis resistance to TRAIL in hepatoma cells. The purpose of this study was to explore whether Gli2 silencing enhances efficiency of TRAIL for hepatoma in vivo. SMMC-7721-shRNA cells were implanted subcutaneously into nude mices and TRAIL was injected into the peritoneal space.

MicroRNA-1269 promotes proliferation in human hepatocellular carcinoma via downregulation of FOXO1.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies and a major cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that play essential roles in various stages during cancer progression. The aim of the current study was to elucidate the role of miR-1269 in the pathogenesis of HCC.

A statistical parametric mapping toolbox used for voxel-wise analysis of FDG-PET images of rat brain.

Purpose: PET (positron emission tomography) imaging researches of functional metabolism using fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) of animal brain are important in neuroscience studies. FDG-PET imaging studies are often performed on groups of rats, so it is desirable to establish an objective voxel-based statistical methodology for group data analysis.

Material And Methods: This study establishes a statistical parametric mapping (SPM) toolbox (plug-ins) named spmratIHEP for voxel-wise analysis of FDG-PET images of rat brain, in which an FDG-PET template and an intracranial mask image of rat brain in Paxinos & Watson space were constructed, and the default settings were modified according to features of rat brain.

CD4(+)CD25 (+) regulatory T cells are not required for mesenchymal stem cell function in fully MHC-mismatched mouse cardiac transplantation.

Although the immunomodulative properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) open up attractive possibilities in solid-organ transplantation, information concerning the optimal dose, route, timing of administration, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-restriction and relevant mechanisms is currently lacking. Therefore, better characterization of MSC immunoregulatory activity and elucidation of its mechanisms are crucial. In this study, we confirmed that MSCs did not elicit proliferation by allogeneic CD4(+) T cells, suggesting that MSCs were not immunogenic.

The role of circulating microRNA-126 (miR-126): a novel biomarker for screening prediabetes and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Recent studies suggested an association of endothelial microRNA-126 (miR-126) with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In the current study, we examined whether circulating miR-126 is associated with T2DM and pre-diabetic syndrome. The study included 82 subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), 75 subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFG), 160 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, and 138 healthy individuals.

RNA-Seq transcriptome profiling identifies CRISPLD2 as a glucocorticoid responsive gene that modulates cytokine function in airway smooth muscle cells.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory respiratory disease that affects over 300 million people worldwide. Glucocorticoids are a mainstay therapy for asthma because they exert anti-inflammatory effects in multiple lung tissues, including the airway smooth muscle (ASM). However, the mechanism by which glucocorticoids suppress inflammation in ASM remains poorly understood.

Stability of miR-126 in Urine and Its Potential as a Biomarker for Renal Endothelial Injury with Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background. The purpose of the present study was to assess the feasibility of using miR-126 in the urine as a biomarker for diabetic nephropathy. Methods.

Dynamic metabolic changes after permanent cerebral ischemia in rats with/without post-stroke exercise: a positron emission tomography (PET) study.

Objectives: Recent studies have suggested that rehabilitation therapy can accelerate functional recovery after a stroke. Although often overlooked, the cortical hemisphere contralateral to an infarction plays an important role. This study investigates alterations in metabolism of both the damaged ('ipsilateral') as well as the undamaged ('contralateral') hemisphere using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-micro-positron emission tomography (PET) in a rat permanent stroke model (with or without post-injury exercise) in order to elucidate the relative importance of either hemisphere to the recovery process following stroke.

Ellagic acid exerts anti-proliferation effects via modulation of Tgf-β/Smad3 signaling in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Ellagic acid has been shown to inhibit tumor cell growth. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, our aim was to investigate whether ellagic acid inhibits the proliferation of MCF- 7 human breast cancer cells via regulation of the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway.

An improved MLVF method and its comparison with traditional MLVF, spa typing, MLST/SCCmec and PFGE for the typing of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become an important nosocomial pathogen, causing considerable morbidity and mortality. During the last 20 years, a variety of genotyping methods have been introduced for screening the prevalence of MRSA. In this study, we developed and evaluated an improved approach capillary gel electrophoresis based multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat fingerprinting (CGE/MLVF) for rapid MRSA typing.

De Garengeot hernia: the ultrasound and computed tomographic findings in an 81-year-old woman.

The presence of appendix within a femoral hernia is a rare condition in an incarcerated femoral hernia. It has a characteristic groin mass, and the diagnosis of appendicitis is mainly made intraoperatively. A specific imaging appearance (ultrasonography, computed tomography [CT]) allows accurate prospective diagnosis.

Overexpression of CPE-ΔN predicts poor prognosis in colorectal cancer patients.

Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) is one of the most important carboxypeptidases involved in biosynthesis of numerous peptide hormones and neurotransmitters and has an important role in endocrine regulation. A splice variant of CPE (CPE-ΔN) has been detected and the mechanism of CPE-ΔN action in tumorigenesis has been studied in many different cancers. The aim of this study was to examine CPE-ΔN expression in human colorectal cancer (CRC) and to evaluate its possible use as a potential prognostic marker.

Glycated albumin is a potential diagnostic tool for diabetes mellitus.

Using a community-based population cross-sectional study, we investigated the validity of an enzymatic method for glycated albumin (GA) measurements and evaluated its utility as a diagnostic tool for diabetes mellitus (DM). In total, 1,211 participants from the city of Harbin, People's Republic of China, were enrolled in the study. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for GA, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) measurements in diagnosed and undiagnosed DM were compared, based on a definition of DM using 1999 WHO criteria.

The activation of MAPK in melanoma cells resistant to BRAF inhibition promotes PD-L1 expression that is reversible by MEK and PI3K inhibition.

Purpose: Selective BRAF inhibition (BRAFi) provides a paradigm shift for melanoma treatment. The duration of benefit is typically limited before resistance develops. Interest remains in combining targeted and immune therapies to overcome resistance and improve durability of clinical benefit.

Potential clinical significance of plasma-based KRAS mutation analysis using the COLD-PCR/TaqMan(®) -MGB probe genotyping method.

Despite the improved ability to detect mutations in recent years, tissue specimens cannot always be procured in a clinical setting, particularly from patients with recurrence of tumors or metastasis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether plasma is able to be used for mutation analysis instead of tissue specimens. We collected plasma from 62 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) prior to treatment.

CD44 variant isoforms are specifically expressed on peripheral blood lymphocytes from asthmatic patients.

Asthma is a disease characterized by chronic airway inflammation, and Th2 cells play a critical role in initiating and sustaining asthmatic inflammation. It has been shown that CD44 expressed on CD4(+) T cells plays a critical role in the accumulation of antigen-specific Th2 cells in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness induced by antigen challenge in the airways. The aim of this study was to determine whether there are specific CD44 variant isoforms (CD44v) expressed on lymphocytes from asthmatic patients.

Genome-wide association analysis in asthma subjects identifies SPATS2L as a novel bronchodilator response gene.

Bronchodilator response (BDR) is an important asthma phenotype that measures reversibility of airway obstruction by comparing lung function (i.e. FEV(1)) before and after the administration of a short-acting β(2)-agonist, the most common rescue medications used for the treatment of asthma.

Circannual temperature-related variation in hemoglobin A1c is unlikely to affect its use as a diagnostic test for type 2 diabetes.

Background: To evaluate the relationship between temperature and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels in Harbin of China and analyze whether these would affect diagnosis and control of diabetes.

Methods: Two groups were investigated: 1. Routine patients come from outpatients, 2.

Islet isolation and purification from inbred Wuzhishan miniature pigs.

Background: To investigate the applicability of inbred Wuzhishan (WZS) miniature pigs for porcine islet isolation and purification.

Methods:  Islet isolation and purification was conducted on adult (1-yr-old), male inbred WZS miniature pigs and age- and sex-matched market pigs obtained from a local slaughterhouse (control group). Pancreata were excised, and islet isolation was carried out by static digestion and discontinuous gradient centrifugation.

MicroRNA-590-5p regulates proliferation and invasion in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting TGF-β RII.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulatory small non-coding RNAs that can regulate gene expression by binding to gene elements, such as the gene promotor 5'UTR, mainly in the 3'UTR of mRNA. One miRNA targets many mRNAs, which can be regulated by many miRNAs, leading to a complex metabolic network. In our study, we found that the expression level of miR-590-5p is higher in the human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 than in the normal hepatocellular cell line L02.

Utility of hemoglobin A1c for the identification of individuals with diabetes and prediabetes in a Chinese high risk population.

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the utility of Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) to identify individuals with undiagnosed DM and prediabetes (preDM) in the high risk population of Chinese people.

Methods: A total of 424 high risk individuals without known diabetes, who met at least three of the high risk factors for DM (hypertension, abnormal blood lipid, family history of DM and high BMI) were selected for this study, HbA1c, fasting plasma concentrations of glucose (FPG) and a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured. The performance of HbA1c in relation to undiagnosed DM and preDM investigated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, the reference for DM and preDM, are according to the 2011 WHO-FPG/OGTT criteria and the appropriate cut-off points of HbA1c for DM and preDM were assessed.

Knockdown of BDNF suppressed invasion of HepG2 and HCCLM3 cells, a mechanism associated with inactivation of RhoA or Rac1 and actin skeleton disorganization.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its primary receptor tropomysin-related kinase B (TrkB) mediate critical signalings for supporting survival and growth of neurons. Even though we have previously confirmed that more expressions of BDNF and TrkB were closely correlated with multiple and advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the exact mechanisms underlying have not been investigated. The expressions of BDNF and TrkB were examined by western blot and BDNF secretion was evaluated by ELISA in human HCC cell lines of HepG2 and HCCLM3 with high metastatic potential.

Relative performance of two equations for estimation of glomerular filtration rate in a Chinese population having chronic kidney disease.

Background: The new Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation was developed to address the systematic underestimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation in patients with relatively well-preserved kidney function. Performance of the new equation in the Chinese population is unknown. The goal of the present study was to compare performance of these two equations in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).