Differences in the perceptions of patients with primary biliary cholangitis and physicians from various hospital departments: An online survey.

Objectives: Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease that affects the quality of life (QoL) of patients. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in perceptions of PBC among physicians from different hospital departments and patients with PBC.

Methods: An online survey regarding the general knowledge, diagnosis, and management of PBC was completed by physicians and patients.

Alu antisense RNA ameliorates methylglyoxal-induced human lens epithelial cell apoptosis by enhancing antioxidant defense.

Aim: To determine whether an antisense RNA corresponding to the human Alu transposable element (Aluas RNA) can protect human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) from methylglyoxal-induced apoptosis.

Methods: Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were used to assess HLEC viability. HLEC viability/death was detected using a Calcein-AM/PI double staining kit; the annexin V-FITC method was used to detect HLEC apoptosis.

Anti-aging Effects of Alu Antisense RNA on Human Fibroblast Senescence Through the MEK-ERK Pathway Mediated by KIF15.

Objective: To investigate whether human short interspersed nuclear element antisense RNA (Alu antisense RNA; Alu asRNA) could delay human fibroblast senescence and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: We transfected Alu asRNA into senescent human fibroblasts and used cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and senescence-associated beta-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining methods to analyze the anti-aging effects of Alu asRNA on the fibroblasts. We also used an RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) method to investigate the Alu asRNA-specific mechanisms of anti-aging.

The role of statins in patients with early diabetic nephropathy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Little is known about the renoprotective effects of statins on the regulation of urinary oxidative stress markers and proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, we conducted this protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of statins in patients with early diabetic nephropathy.

Methods: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols reporting guidelines to conduct this study.

The relationship between fleas and small mammals in households of the Western Yunnan Province, China.

The Yunnan province has one of the most serious outbreaks of the plague epidemic in China. Small mammals and fleas are risk factors for the occurrence of plague in commensal plague foci. Understanding the relationship between fleas and small mammals will help control fleas and prevent the onset of the plague.

Characterization of a New Insecticidal Anthraquinone Derivative from an Endophyte of against .

Endophytic fungi have proven to be prolific producers of bioactive secondary metabolites with agricultural applications. In this study, bioassay-guided isolation of the endophytic fungus yielded four anthraquinone derivatives (compounds -), including a previously undescribed dimethylated derivative of bipolarin, 6,8-di--methylbipolarin (). Their structures were determined by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance analysis as well as high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry data, and the absolute configuration of was established by comparing the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism spectra.

Characterization of diketopiperazine heterodimers as potential chemical markers for discrimination of two dominant black aspergilli, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus tubingensis.

Black aspergilli are distributed worldwide and represent one of the most prolific sources of metabolites with biomedical and agrochemical interests. However, due to their similar morphological characteristics and insufficient molecular identification, the taxonomic classification of black aspergilli remains ill-defined. The production of specialised metabolites is often unique for species among black aspergilli and could be used as diagnostic chemical markers for species identification.

Circulating MicroRNA-4739 May Be a Potential Biomarker of Critical Limb Ischemia in Patients with Diabetes.

Critical limb ischemia (CLI) is the most severe manifestation of peripheral artery disease, which is common but rarely diagnosed. Noninvasive biomarkers are urgently required to assist in the diagnosis of CLI. Accumulating evidence indicates that miRNAs play an important role in the development of various diseases.

Insecticidal Activities of Chloramphenicol Derivatives Isolated from a Marine Alga-Derived Endophytic Fungus, , against the Cotton Bollworm, (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

A great deal of attention has been focused on the secondary metabolites produced by marine endophytic fungi, which can be better alternatives to chemicals, such as biopesticides, for control of polyphagous pests. On the basis of its novel biocontrol attributes, chemical investigation of a marine alga-derived endophytic fungus, , resulted in the isolation of three chloramphenicol derivatives (compounds ⁻). Their chemical structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of their nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and by comparison with the data available in the literature.

MiR-323b-5p acts as a novel diagnostic biomarker for critical limb ischemia in type 2 diabetic patients.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major contributor to peripheral artery disease (PAD), especially in cases that advance to critical limb ischemia (CLI). Accumulating evidence indicates that miRNAs play an important role in the development of PAD and T2DM. Due to the limited value of current diagnostic methods for CLI in T2DM patients, we compared the miRNA expression profiles of Chinese T2DM patients with or without CLI to find out whether distinctive miRNAs could serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers.

Prenylated Diphenyl Ethers from the Marine Algal-Derived Endophytic Fungus .

Considerable attention has been paid to marine derived endophytic fungi, owing to their capacity to produce novel secondary metabolites with potent bioactivities. In this study, two new compounds with a prenylated diphenyl ether structure-diorcinol L () and ()-diorcinol B ()-were isolated from the marine algal-derived endophytic fungus , along with seven known compounds: ()-diorcinol B (), 9-acetyldiorcinol B (), diorcinol C (), diorcinol D (), diorcinol E (), diorcinol J (), and a dihydrobenzofuran derivative . Their structures were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopy studies.

Siglec-5 is a novel marker of critical limb ischemia in patients with diabetes.

Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI) is common but uncommonly diagnosed. Improved recognition and early diagnostic markers for CLI are needed. Therefore, the aim of our study was to identify plasma biomarkers of CLI in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Enhanced photoresponsive polyethyleneimine/citric acid co-carbonized dots for facile and selective sensing and intracellular imaging of cobalt ions at physiologic pH.

Whether as an important biological element or as a radioactive source/medicine, the monitoring of trace levels of cobalt ions (Co) has become a non-negligible factor for human health and green environment. Current technologies for the detection of Co are cost-expensive and time-consuming, and require cumbersome sample pretreatment process. Herein a novel sensing platform has been developed for Co detection based on the quenching of the enhanced fluorescence signal of polyamine functionalized C-dots.

[Expression and significance of mTOR/4EBP1/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway in lung tissues of asthmatic mice].

Objective: To study the expression and significance of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/eukaryote initiating factor 4E binding protein 1(4EBP1)/hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathway in asthmatic mice.

Methods: Forty SPF level 6-8 week-old female Balb/C mice were randomly divided into control, asthma, budesonide and mTOR inhibitor (rapamycin) intervention groups (n=10 each). The asthmatic mouse model was prepared via OVA induction and challenge test.

Litopenaeus vannamei clathrin coat AP17 involved in white spot syndrome virus infection.

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) is the main pathogen of shrimp culture, and has brought great losses of the shrimp aquaculture industry every year since it has been found. However, the specific mechanism of the virus into the cell is not very clear. Recent research suggests that clathrin-mediated endocytosis is involved in WSSV infection.

[Changes in lymphocyte subsets in infants with common lower respiratory tract infectious diseases].

Objective: To investigate the changes and clinical significance of lymphocyte subsets in infants with bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, and bronchiolitis.

Methods: A total of 111 children with bronchitis, 418 children with bronchopneumonia, and 83 children with bronchiolitis were enrolled as disease groups, and 235 healthy children were enrolled as control group. Flow cytometry was applied to measure lymphocyte subsets.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester inhibits liver fibrosis in rats.

Aim: To investigate the hepatoprotective effects and antioxidant activity of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in rats with liver fibrosis.

Methods: A total of 75 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to seven experimental groups: a normal group (n = 10), a vehicle group (n = 10), a model group (n = 15), a vitamin E group (n = 10), and three CAPE groups (CAPE 3, 6 and 12 mg/kg, n = 10, respectively). Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by injecting CCl4 subcutaneously, feeding with high fat forage, and administering 30% alcohol orally for 10 wk.

White spot syndrome virus VP51 interact with ribosomal protein L7 of Litopenaeus vannamei.

The interaction between viral structural proteins and host plays key functions in viral infection. In previous studies, most research have been undertaken to explore the interaction of envelope structural proteins with host molecules. However, how the nucleocapsid proteins of WSSV interacted with host molecules remained largely unknown.

[Levels of myeloid-derived suppressor cells in peripheral blood of infants with recurrent wheezing].

Objective: To study myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) levels in peripheral blood of infants with recurrent wheezing, and the role of MDSC in the development of recurrent wheezing.

Methods: Thirty-one infants with recurrent wheezing at wheezing attacks were randomly enrolled in the study. Twenty-seven infants with bronchopneumonia and 27 preoperative infants (hernia or renal calculus), without infectious or neoplastic diseases, were selected as controls.

Peripheral blood MDSCs, IL-10 and IL-12 in children with asthma and their importance in asthma development.

Objective: To investigate myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) accumulation and interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interleukin 12 (IL-12) levels during the onset of asthma in both pediatric patients and mouse models, as well as their possible roles in the development of asthma.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were gathered from children with asthma attacks (attack group) and alleviated asthma (alleviated group), as well as two control groups, children with pneumonia and healthy children. The pathological characteristics of asthma in asthmatic mice, budesonide-treated asthmatic mice, and normal control mice were also evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

Altered miRNA expression is associated with differentiation, invasion, and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in patients from Huaian, China.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the leading malignancy in Huaian, China. Recently, emerging studies have suggested that an aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression signature exists in ESCC. However, there is discordant information available on specific miRNA expression in patients from different regions.

[Changes to CD4(+)CD25(high+)CD127(low) regulatory T cells in peripheral blood from children with bronchiolitis, and its clinical significance].

Objective: To study changes to CD4(+)CD25(high+)CD127(low) regulatory T cells (Treg) in peripheral blood from children with bronchiolitis, and to explore its clinical significance.

Methods: Thirty-one children with bronchiolitis and aged under two years were randomly enrolled as the bronchiolitis group, and 25 under two-year-olds with bronchopneumonia were randomly enrolled as the bronchopneumonia group. A further twenty-five children with non-infectious diseases such as hernia and renal calculus served as the control group.

[The effects of SV40 PolyA sequence and its AATAAA signal on upstream GFP gene expression and transcription termination].

SV40 PolyA (Simian virus 40 PolyA, also called PolyA) sequence is DNA sequence (240 bp) that possesses the activity of transcription termination and can add PolyA tail to mRNA. PolyA contains AATAAA hexanucleotide polyadenylation signal. Fourteen copies of Alu in sense orientation (Alu14) were inserted downstream of GFP in pEGFP-C1 to construct pAlu14 plasmid, and then HeLa cells were transiently transfected with pAlu14.

Telaprevir for chronic hepatitis C with genotype 1: a meta-analysis.

Background/aims: The examination of HCV virological clearance through several randomized clinical trials of telaprevir in genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C.

Methodology: We analyzed the effect of telaprevir on the end of treatment virological response and the sustained response, and investigated its harmful effect using meta-analysis of 5 randomized controlled trials.

Results: Overall analysis revealed a significant effect of telaprevir in both naive patients (RR, 1.