MTHFR C677T polymorphism and cerebrovascular lesions in elderly patients with CSVD: A correlation analysis.

Plasma homocysteine (Hcy) has been identified as a potential risk factor for cerebral small vessel disease. Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) leads to cognitive impairment, depression, and other symptoms and is a common disease in middle-aged and elderly people. To investigate the relationship between 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase () C677T polymorphism and CSVD in elderly patients, plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and genotyping were assessed.

A pocket-sized device automates multiplexed point-of-care RNA testing for rapid screening of infectious pathogens.

Rapid screening of infectious pathogens at the point-of-care (POC) is ideally low-cost, portable, easy to use, and capable of multiplex detection with high sensitivity. However, satisfying all these features in a single device without compromise remains a challenging task. Here, we introduce an ultraportable, automated RNA amplification testing device that allows rapid screening of infectious pathogens from clinical samples.

The association between the ApoE polymorphisms and the MRI-defined intracranial lesions in a cohort of southern China population.

Background: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele is considered as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the association of APOE allele with MRI evidence of intracranial lesions has not been well understood.

Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR was performed to detect the APOE genotype; MRI was examined for intracranial lesions.

Relationship between serum quantitative HBsAg and HBV DNA levels in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) level has been developed as an important marker to predict treatment outcome recent years. The authors aimed to identify the correlation between quantitative HBsAg and hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA level in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and explore whether quantitative HBsAg can be used as a surrogate marker of serum HBV DNA for CHB patients. One hundred seventy-three patients were included in this study.

Active droplet-array (ADA) microfluidics enables multiplexed complex bioassays for point of care testing.

We introduce a novel and versatile microfluidic technology that allows parallel and multi-step bioanalytical procedures to be simply implemented by switching reagent-containing droplet arrays among alternative interaction zones for intended mass or energy transport in a programmable manner. This enables multiplexed complex bioassays for point-of-care testing.

Ultrasensitive detection of serum hepatitis B virus by coupling ultrafiltration DNA extraction with real-time PCR.

Background: A simple and reliable DNA extraction of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is critical in developing an ultrasensitive detection method for HBV infection. Current commercially available serum Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) DNA extraction methods are time-consuming, expensive and/or require specialized equipment, which hinders wide adoption of clinical laboratories. This study offers a report on an ultrasensitive HBV DNA detection method by coupling serum HBV DNA extraction by ultrafiltration (UF) with real-time PCR (qPCR) detection.

Inhibition of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Pathway by Thiazole Antibiotic Thiostrepton Attenuates the CD44+/CD24-Stem-Like Population and Sphere-Forming Capacity in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Background/aim: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a particular clinical challenge because these cancers do not respond to endocrine therapy or other available targeted agents. The lack of effective agents and obvious targets are major challenges in treating TNBC. In this study we explored the cytostatic effect of thiazole ring containing antibiotic drug thiostrepton on TNBC cell lines and investigated the molecular mechanism.

Highly efficient capillary polymerase chain reaction using an oscillation droplet microreactor.

The current work presents the development of a capillary-based oscillation droplet approach to maximize the potential of a continuous-flow polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Through the full utilization of interfacial chemistry, a water-in-oil (w/o) droplet was generated by allowing an oil-water plug to flow along a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) capillary. The w/o droplet functioned as the reactor for oscillating-flow PCR to provide a stable reaction environment, accelerate reagent mixing, and eliminate surface adsorption.

[Studies on the effect of Ginkgo biloba extracts on NF-kappaB pathway].

Objective: To investigate NF-kappaB and IkappaBalpha activities in HL-60 induced by TNF-alpha in order to understand the molecular mechanism of GbE in asthma treatment.

Methods: The amount of IkappaBalpha in HL-60 cells stimulated by TNF-alpha and GbE was measured by western blotting. Plasmid pNF-kappaB-LuC was transfected and NF-kappaB activity was analyzed by measuring the expression level of luciferase.

[Serum sCD40L detection for risk evaluation of acute coronary syndromes].

Objective: To investigate the value of serum soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) detection in risk evaluation of acute coronary syndromes (ACS).

Methods: This study involved 200 patients with established diagnosis of ACS, with death or nonfatal myocardial infarction as the end point of observation during the 6-month-long follow-up. Blood samples were obtained from the patients within the initial 72 h of ACS onset, and the levels of sCD40L and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).