MicroRNA-21 in the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), associated with significant morbidity and mortality, is widely known to involve epithelial apoptosis, excessive inflammation, and fibrosis in response to ischemia or reperfusion injury, which results in either chronic pathological changes or death. Therefore, it is imperative that investigations are conducted in order to find effective, early diagnoses, and therapeutic targets needed to help prevent and treat AKI. However, the mechanisms modulating the pathogenesis of AKI still remain largely undetermined.

Probucol and cilostazol exert a combinatorial anti-atherogenic effect in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Introduction: Probucol (PB) and cilostazol (CZ) both exhibit anti-atherogenic effects. However, their combinatorial effects are unclear. This study was designed to investigate their combinatorial anti-atherogenic effect in cholesterol-fed rabbits.

Induced dual-nanospray: a novel internal calibration method for convenient and accurate mass measurement.

Accurate mass information is of great importance in the determination of unknown compounds. An effective and easy-to-control internal mass calibration method will dramatically benefit accurate mass measurement. Here we reported a simple induced dual-nanospray internal calibration device which has the following three advantages: (1) the two sprayers are in the same alternating current field; thus both reference ions and sample ions can be simultaneously generated and recorded.

Poly[[μ-aqua-diaqua-bis-(μ-furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ato-κ(2) O (2):O (5))bis-(1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2) N,N')dicopper(II)] N,N-dimethyl-formamide monosolvate].

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, {[Cu2(C6H2O5)2(C12H8N2)2(H2O)3]·C3H7NO} n , contains two Cu(II) atoms, two furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate (L) ligands, two 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands, three coordinating water mol-ecules and one N,N-dimethyl-formamide solvent mol-ecule. Each Cu(II) atom is coordinated by two N atoms from one phen ligand, two O atoms from two L ligands and two water mol-ecules in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. The main difference between the environments of the two independent Cu atoms is in the Cu-Owater distances, which are 2.

catena-Poly[[[aqua-(2,2'-bipyridine-κ(2) N,N')zinc]-μ-furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ato-κ(2) O (2):O (5)] dihydrate].

In the title hydrated coordination polymer, {[Zn(C6H2O5)(C10H8N2)(H2O)]·2H2O} n , an infinite [1-10] chain is formed by the linking of [Zn(C10H8N2)(H2O)](2+) entities by bridging, monodentate furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate dianionic linkers. The Zn(2+) coordination geometry is a trigonal bipyramid, with one N atom (from 2,2'-bipyridine) and one O atom (from the bridging dianion) in the axial positions. For each Zn(II) atom, the dihedral angle between the furan ring of its coordinated bridging ligand and its coordinated bipyridine ring system is 87.

Effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine as an adjunctive treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy in patients with heart failure.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) as an adjunctive treatment for patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and heart failure.

Design: Studies on biomedical treatment plus CHM versus biomedical treatment alone in treating patients with DCM and heart failure were retrieved from PubMed and other major databases (1980-2011). Meta-analysis was performed on the overall effects on effective rate, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular diastolic end diameter, and other outcome measures.

catena-Poly[[[aqua-(2,2'-bipyridine-κ(2)N,N')copper(II)]-μ-furan-2,5-di-carboxyl-ato-κ(2)O(2):O(5)] dihydrate].

In the crystal structure of the title compound, {[Cu(C(6)H(2)O(5))(C(10)H(8)N(2))(H(2)O)]·2H(2)O}(n), an infinite chain parallel to [110] is formed by the linking of Cu(H(2)O)(2,2'-bipyridine) units through a furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate bridge. The Cu(II) atom shows a square-pyramidal geometry, with one furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate O atom in the apical position. The dihedral angle between the planes of the furan ring and the bipyridine mol-ecule is 83.

Structural characterization of synthetic polymers using thermal-assisted atmospheric pressure glow discharge mass spectrometry.

With the development of material science and the practical needs of the polymer industry, rapid characterization of synthetic polymers using mass spectrometry is of sustainable interest. Herein a new method for characterizing synthetic polymers using thermal-assisted atmospheric pressure glow discharge mass spectrometry (TA-APGD-MS) is established. After illustration of the mechanism of ion formation, typical polymer samples such as polystyrene (PS), polyoxymethylene (POM) and poly (butanediol succinate) (PBS) were directly characterized at the molecular level using TA-APGD-MS.

catena-Poly[[(1,3-dimethyl-imidazolin-2-one-κN)(1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2)N,N')copper(II)]-μ-furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ato-κ(2)O(2):O(5)].

The polymeric title compound, [Cu(C(6)H(2)O(5))(C(12)H(8)N(2))(C(5)H(10)N(2)O)](n), is composed of an infinite chain formed along [100] by linking the (1,3-dimethyl-imidazolin-2-one)(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II) units with two O atoms of two carboxyl-ate groups of the furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate ligand. The Cu(II) atom, which lies on a twofold rotation axis, displays a square-pyramidal coordination. The dihedral angles of the 1,10-phenanthroline ligand with respect to the furan rings of the carboxyl-ate anions that are connected to the metal atom are 62.

Incorporating Zn2SnO4 quantum dots and aggregates for enhanced performance in dye-sensitized ZnO solar cells.

The performance of dye-sensitized ZnO solar cells was improved by a facile surface-treatment approach through chemical-bath deposition. After the surface treatment, the quantum dots of Zn(2)SnO(4) were deposited onto ZnO nanoparticles accompanied by the aggregations of Zn(2)SnO(4) nanoparticles. The ZnO film displayed a better resistance to acidic dye solution on account of the deposited Zn(2)SnO(4) nanoparticles.

Characteristics of Himalayan marmots and their response to an atherogenic diet.

The purpose of the present study was to characterize Himalayan marmot lipoprotein profiles and investigate their response to an atherogenic diet. Sixteen marmots were randomly divided into two groups. The control group was fed with a standard chow diet, and the other group was fed with a chow diet containing 0.

Comparison of entecavir and adefovir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B.

The results of several new clinical trials that compared the effectiveness of entecavir (ETV) treatment with that of adefovir (ADV) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) were published in recent years. However, the numbers of patients included in these clinical trials were too small to draw a clear conclusion as to whether ETV is more effective than ADV. Therefore, a new meta-analysis was needed to compare ETV with ADV for the treatment of CHB.

Microarray analysis of murine retinal light damage reveals changes in iron regulatory, complement, and antioxidant genes in the neurosensory retina and isolated RPE.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate light damage-induced transcript changes within neurosensory retina (NSR) and isolated retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Similar studies have been conducted previously, but were usually limited to the NSR and only a portion of the transcriptome. Herein most of the transcriptome, not just in the NSR but also in isolated RPE, was queried.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and ACE inhibitor-related cough: a meta-analysis.

Objective: An insertion/deletion (I/D) variant in the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene was associated with ACE inhibitor (ACEI)-related cough in previous studies. However, the results were inconsistent. Our objective was to assess the relationship between the ACE I/D polymorphism and ACEI-related cough by meta-analysis and to summarize all studies that are related to ACE I/D polymorphism and ACEI-cough and make a summary conclusion to provide reference for the researchers who attempt to conduct such a study.

catena-Poly[[(1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2)N,N')zinc]-μ-furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ato-κ(4)O(2),O(2'):O(5),O(5')].

In the title coordination polymer, [Zn(C(6)H(2)O(5))(C(12)H(8)N(2))](n), an infinite chain is formed along [010] by linking the chelated {Zn(phen)} entities (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline) with two carboxyl-ate groups of the furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate ligand. The Zn(II) atom shows trigonal-prismatic coordination.

A new simple model for prediction of hospital mortality in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: The current prognostic models for mortality and functional outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are not simple enough. To predict the outcome of ICH, a new simple model, ICH index (ICHI), was established and evaluated in this study.

Methods: Medical records of all cases with ICH in our hospital from January 2008 to August 2009 were reviewed.

Multispectral palmprint recognition using a quaternion matrix.

Palmprints have been widely studied for biometric recognition for many years. Traditionally, a white light source is used for illumination. Recently, multispectral imaging has drawn attention because of its high recognition accuracy.

catena-Poly[[[aqua-bis-(1H-imidazole-κN(3))copper(II)]-μ-furan-2,5-di-car-boxylato-κ(2)O(2):O(5)] trihydrate].

In the title cooridnation polymer, {[Cu(C(6)H(2)O(5))(C(3)H(4)N(2))(2)(H(2)O)]·3H(2)O}(n), an infinite chain is formed along [001] by linking of the Cu(C(3)N(2)H(4))(2)(H(2)O) entities with two bridging monodentate carboxyl-ate groups of two different furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate dianions. The geometry of the Cu(2+) ion is a square-based pyramid with the water atom in the apical position and the ligand O and N atoms in a trans orientation. The dihedral angle between the imidazole planes is 83.

catena-Poly[(aqua-dimethano-lzinc)-μ-furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ato-κ(3)O(2):O(2),O(2')].

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [Zn(C(6)H(2)O(5))(CH(3)OH)(2)(H(2)O)](n), an infinite chain is formed along the b axis by linking of the Zn(OH(2))(CH(3)OH)(2) unit with one carboxyl-ate group of the furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate ligand. The Zn(II) ion is in a distorted octa-hedral environment with one weak coordination [Zn-O(carboxyl-ate) = 2.565 (3) Å] and two meth-anol mol-ecules located in axial positions.

catena-Poly[(triaqua-zinc)-μ-furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ato-κ(3)O(2):O(2),O(2')].

In the crystal structure of the title compound, [Zn(C(6)H(2)O(5))(H(2)O)(3)](n), an infinite chain is formed along [001] by linking of the Zn(H(2)O)(3) entities with one carboxyl-ate group of the furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate ligand. Adjacent chains are linked by O(water)-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions. The Zn(H(2)O)(3)O(3) polyhedron displays a distorted octa-hedral geometry with one weak Zn-O(carboxyl-ate) coordination [2.

catena-Poly[[triaquacopper(II)]-μ(2)-furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ato-κ(4)O(1),O(2):O(2),O(2')].

In the title compound, [Cu(C(6)H(2)O(5))(H(2)O)(3)](n), an infinite chain is formed along [001] by linking of the Cu(OH(2))(3)O(4) cluster with one carboxyl-ate group of the furan-2,5-dicarboxyl-ate ligand. Adjacent chains are linked by O(water)-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding inter-actions. The Cu(OH(2))(3)O(4) cluster displays a penta-gonal bipyrimadal geometry with two weak coordinations [Cu-O(furan) = 2.

Association between TaqIB polymorphism of cholesteryl ester transfer protein and coronary artery disease in the Chinese population.

Objective: To assess whether the TaqIB polymorphism of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) in Chinese population, we performed a meta-analysis in this paper.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, the Science Citation Index (SCI), the China Biological Medicine database (CBM), the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and the Wanfang database for relevant articles. Data were extracted, and pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Temporal and quantitative analysis of atherosclerotic lesions in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

The diet-induced atherosclerotic rabbit is an ideal model for atherosclerosis study, but temporal changes in atherosclerotic development in hypercholesterolemic rabbits are poorly understood. Japanese white rabbits were fed a high-cholesterol diet to induce sustained hypercholesterolemia, and each group of 10-12 animals was then sacrificed at 6, 12, 16, or 28 weeks. The rabbit aortas were harvested, and the sizes of the gross and intima atherosclerotic lesions were quantified.

Expression of TRPV1 in rabbits and consuming hot pepper affects its body weight.

The capsaicin receptor, known as transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily member 1 (TRPV1), is an important membrane receptor that has been implicated in obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. The rabbit model is considered excellent for studying cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, however, the tissue expression of TRPV1 and physiological functions of its ligand capsaicin on diet-induced obesity have not been fully defined in this model. In the current study, we investigated the tissue expression of TRPV1 in normal rabbits using real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis.

The Oral Iron Chelator Deferiprone Protects Against Retinal Degeneration Induced through Diverse Mechanisms.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of the iron chelator deferiprone (DFP) on sodium iodate (NaIO)-induced retinal degeneration and on the hereditary retinal degeneration caused by the mutation.

Methods: Retinas from NaIO-treated C57BL/6J mice, with or without DFP cotreatment, were analyzed by histology, immunofluorescence, and quantitative PCR to investigate the effect of DFP on retinal degeneration. To facilitate photoreceptor quantification, we developed a new function of MATLAB to perform this task in a semiautomated fashion.