New Loss-of-Function Mutations in PCSK9 Reduce Plasma LDL Cholesterol.

Background: Lower plasma levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol (LDL-C) can reduce the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The loss-of-function mutations in (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) have been known to associate with low LDL-C in many human populations. PCSK9 genetic variants in Chinese Uyghurs who are at high risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to their dietary habits have not been reported.

Research progress of quality control for the seed of Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H.F. Chow (Suan-Zao-Ren) and its proprietary Chinese medicines.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Semen Ziziphi Spinosae (SZS), the seed of Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa (Bunge) Hu ex H.F.

Serum CTRP9 and high-molecular weight adiponectin are associated with ischemic stroke.

Background: C1q/TNF-related protein 9 (CTRP9) and adiponectin (APN) have beneficial metabolic regulatory and vasoprotective effects. This study explored alteration of CTRP9 and APN multimers during onset of ischemic stroke and development, to provide novel clinical and experimental basis for recognition and prevention of ischemic stroke.

Methods: There were 269 patients with ischemic stroke and 182 control subjects included in this study.

E3 ubiquitin ligase RNF5 attenuates pathological cardiac hypertrophy through STING.

Ring-finger protein 5 (RNF5) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase which is expressed in a variety of human tissues. RNF5 is involved in the regulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, and innate immunity and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various tumors. However, the role of RNF5 in cardiac hypertrophy has not been reported.

Effects of robotic-assisted gait training on motor function and walking ability in children with thoracolumbar incomplete spinal cord injury.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in neurological dysfunction of the spinal cord below the injury.

Objective: To explore the immediate and long-term effects of robotic-assisted gait training (RAGT) on the recovery of motor function and walking ability in children with thoracolumbar incomplete SCI.

Methods: Twenty-one children with thoracolumbar incomplete SCI were randomly divided into the experimental (n = 11) and control groups (n = 10).

Perioperative Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors Improve Major Outcomes of Heart Failure Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Propensity-Adjusted Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to study the association of perioperative administration of renin angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) and clinical outcomes of patients with heart failure (HF) undergoing cardiac surgery.

Summary Background Data: It is controversial whether the perioperative RASi should be administered in HF patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: A total of 2338 patients with HF and undergoing CABG and/or valve surgeries at multiple hospitals from 2001 to 2015 were identified from STS database.

Improving the antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities of Stemonae Radix by solid-state fermentation with T2-12.

Stemonae Radix, a medicinal and edible herb, has been reported to possess various pharmacological effects. In the present study, Stemonae Radix was fermented by fungi to improve the antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities. The results showed that Stemonae Radix fermented by T2-12 exhibited two-folds more antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase activities than non-fermented material.

[Expression and Clinical Significance of Leukemia Stem Cell Antigen in Acute Myeloid Leukemia].

Objective: To analyze the expression characteristics of leukemia stem cell (LSC) antigen in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to explore the correation of LSC-specific antigens with the subtypes, cytogenetics and clinical efficacy of AML.

Methods: A total of 61 newly diagnosed patients with AML (except M3) hospltalized in Department of Hematology of our hopital were selected from January 2013 to March 2016. The immun phenotypes and expression of Tim-3, CD96 and CD123 on leucamia cells were detected by direct immunofluorescenct flow cytometry.

Correlation between Histone Deacetylase 9 and Regulatory T Cell in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure.

Heart failure (HF) is the end stage of various kinds of cardiovascular diseases and leads to a high mortality worldwide. Numerous studies have demonstrated that frequencies of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) are reduced in HF patients and properly expanding Tregs attenuates HF progression. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) 9 has been revealed to contribute to several cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

Enhanced visible light photocatalytic activity of N, F-codoped TiO powders with high thermal stability.

Doping non-metals onto TiO has been regarded as a promising way to gain a more effective photocatalyst. In this paper, N, F-codoped TiO was synthesized by the sol-gel method, demonstrating both high adsorption capacity and high photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation. Samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV-visible diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-vis DRS).

Application of Rose and Wright's algorithm in the diagnosis of lacrimal gland masses: a study of 93 cases.

Objective: To investigate the application of Rose and Wright's algorithm in diagnosing lacrimal gland masses.

Design: Retrospective observational cases series.

Participants: A total of 93 consecutive patients with primary masses within the orbital lobe of the lacrimal gland were reviewed.

lncRNA co-expression network model for the prognostic analysis of acute myeloid leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a highly heterogeneous hematologic malignancy with great variability of prognostic behaviors. Previous studies have reported that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in AML and may thus be used as potential prognostic biomarkers. However, thus use of lncRNAs as prognostic biomarkers in AML and their detailed mechanisms of action in this disease have not yet been well characterized.

[The effect of rat dental papilla cells on macrophage secretion of cytokines though paracrine mechanism].

Purpose: To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of rat dental papilla cells (RDPCs) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced macrophages.

Methods: Dental papilla tissues from SD rats were isolated and cultured. Cells were passaged and purified using different digesting method.

6,7-Dihydrobenzo[f]benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-d][1,4]oxazepine derivatives as selective inhibitors of PI3Kα.

Twenty eight 6,7-dihydrobenzo[f]benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-d][1,4]oxazepine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated their biological activities as PI3K inhibitors. Biological evaluation against four human tumor cell lines revealed that most target compounds showed impressively better antiproliferative activities than that of LY294002. Among these compounds, compound 25 exhibited the most potent and selective activity for PI3Kα, with the IC50 value of 0.

Effects of periodontal treatment on glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The association between diabetes and inflammatory periodontal diseases has been studied extensively. However, there is a lack of robustness and homogeneity among studies describing effects of periodontal treatment on glycemic control. The aim of this study was to carry out a meta-analysis to understand whether periodontal treatment could improve glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.

Enhanced brain distribution and pharmacodynamics of rivastigmine by liposomes following intranasal administration.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder associated with cholinergic neurons degeneration. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) not only provides protection for the brain but also hinders the treatment and diagnosis of this neurological disease, because the drugs must cross BBB to reach the lesions. The present work was aimed at formulating rivastigmine liposomes (Lp) and cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) modified liposomes (CPP-Lp) to improve rivastigmine distribution in brain and proceed to enhance pharmacodynamics by intranasal (IN) administration and minimize side effects.

[Tear film and lacrimal excretion changes after lacrimal gland tumor removal].

Objective: To study the change of tear film and lacrimal secretion after lacrimal gland tumor removal operation.

Methods: It was a retrospective case series study. Nineteen cases (19 eyes) with pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland from January, 2010 to July, 2011 in Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University were elected.

A high level of integrin α6 expression in human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells is associated with a migratory and invasive phenotype.

Background: The integrin α6 subunit is part of the integrin α6β1 and α6β4 complexes, which are known to mediate the invasion of carcinoma cells. However, the precise role of integrin α6 in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has not yet been addressed.

Methods: Twenty cases of ICCs and matched nontumor samples were used to analyze integrin α6 expression by immunohistochemistry.