Low serum adiponectin levels are associated with reduced insulin sensitivity and lipid disturbances in short children born small for gestational age.

Background: Being born as small for gestational age (SGA) has an increased risk of developing metabolic/cardiovascular disturbances in later life. The role of adiponectin in the metabolic disturbance in SGA children remained undefined.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum levels of adiponectin and insulin sensitivity as well as lipid profile in short children born SGA at prepubertal ages.

Transmission of H7N9 influenza virus in mice by different infective routes.

Background: On 19 February 2013, the first patient infected with a novel influenza A H7N9 virus from an avian source showed symptoms of sickness. More than 349 laboratory-confirmed cases and 109 deaths have been reported in mainland China since then. Laboratory-confirmed, human-to-human H7N9 virus transmission has not been documented between individuals having close contact; however, this transmission route could not be excluded for three families.

Zinc finger protein 382 is downregulated by promoter hypermethylation in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia patients.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the second-most common form of leukemia in children. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns are characteristic of AML. Zinc finger protein 382 (ZNF382) has been suggested to be a tumor suppressor gene possibly regulated by promoter hypermethylation in various types of human cancer.

Combinations of oseltamivir and fibrates prolong the mean survival time of mice infected with the lethal H7N9 influenza virus.

The outbreak of human infections caused by the novel avian-origin H7N9 influenza viruses in China since March 2013 underscores the urgent need to find an effective treatment strategy against H7N9 infection in humans. In this study, we assessed the effectiveness of combinations of oseltamivir and two immunomodulators (simvastatin and fenofibrate) against H7N9 infection in a mouse model. Mice treated with oseltamivir plus fenofibrate exhibited the longest mean survival time, the largest reduction of viral titre in lung tissue, the highest levels of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-lymphocytes, and the greatest decrease in pulmonary inflammation.

Parenteral nutrition-associated liver injury and increased GRP94 expression prevented by ω-3 fish oil-based lipid emulsion supplementation.

Objective: Parenteral nutrition in infants with gastrointestinal disorders can be lifesaving, but it is also associated with parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease. We investigated the effects of incorporating ω-3 fish oil in a parenteral nutrition mixture on signs of parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease and explored the mechanism involved in this process.

Methods: Seven-day-old New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups of 8, and for 1 week they were infused via the right jugular vein with standard total parenteral nutrition with soybean oil (TPN-soy) or TPN with ω-3 fish oil-based lipid emulsion (TPN-FO), or naturally nursed with rabbit milk (control).

Long-circulating liposomal daptomycin enhances protection against systemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection with improved therapeutic potential.

In the face of escalating problems with pathogen control, the development of proper formulations of existing antibiotics is as important as the development of novel antibiotics. Daptomycin is a lipopeptide antibiotic with potent activity against Gram-positive bacteria. Currently, only injectable solution of daptomycin has been approved for clinical use.

Apolipoprotein E synthesized by adipocyte and apolipoprotein E carried on lipoproteins modulate adipocyte triglyceride content.

Excessive energy storage of adipose tissue makes contribution to the occurrence and progression of obesity, which accompanies with multiple adverse complications, such as metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular diseases. It is well known that apolipoprotein E, as a component of lipoproteins, performs a key role in maintaining plasma lipoproteins homeostasis. Interestingly, apolipoprotein E is highly expressed in adipocyte and has positive relation with body fat mass.

Sub-chronically exposing mice to a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon increases lipid accumulation in their livers.

The potential for exposing humans and wildlife to environmental polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has increased. Risk assessments describing how PAHs disturb lipid metabolism and induce hepatotoxicity have only received limited attention. In the present study, seven-week-old male ICR mice received intraperitoneal injections of 0, 0.

An antifungal role of hydrogen sulfide on the postharvest pathogens Aspergillus niger and Penicillium italicum.

In this research, the antifungal role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the postharvest pathogens Aspergillus niger and Penicillium italicum growing on fruits and under culture conditions on defined media was investigated. Our results show that H2S, released by sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) effectively reduced the postharvest decay of fruits induced by A. niger and P.

Gender differences in the relationship between plasma lipids and fasting plasma glucose in non-diabetic urban Chinese population: a cross-section study.

The association between dyslipidemia and elevated fasting glucose in type 2 diabetes is well known. In non-diabetes, whether this association still exists, and whether dyslipidemia is an independent risk factor for high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels are not clear. This cross-sectional study recruited 3460 non-diabetic Chinese subjects (1027 men, and 2433 women, aged 35-75 years old) who participated in a health survey.

[Expression and significance of ERalpha mRNA of residents exposed to arsenic via drinking water].

Objective: To detect ERbeta mRNA expression of subjects exposed to different arsenic drinking water, and to analyze the potential relationship between their abnormal expression and heart injury caused by arsenic in order to study the endocrine disturbing effect of arsenic.

Methods: Molecular epidemiological method was used. The study subjects included a total of 273 residents exposed to arsenic via drinking water,and they were divided into four groups according to arsenic concentration, and their blood ERbeta mRNA expression was detected by real-time RT-PCR.

Metallothionein III (MT3) is a putative tumor suppressor gene that is frequently inactivated in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia by promoter hypermethylation.

Background: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the second most common form of leukemia in children. Aberrant DNA methylation patterns are a characteristic feature in various tumors, including AML. Metallothionein III (MT3) is a tumor suppresser reported to show promoter hypermethylated in various cancers.

Characterization of microRNA expression in serous ovarian carcinoma.

Serous ovarian cancer is a major gynecologic malignancy with a poor 5‑year survival rate. However, little is known regarding the behavior and genetics of ovarian tumorigenesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to be dysregulated in ovarian carcinomas.

Associations between seattle heart failure model scores and medical resource use and costs: findings from HF-ACTION.

Background: Prognostic models, such as the Seattle Heart Failure Model (SHFM), have been developed to predict patient survival. The extent to which they predict medical resource use and costs has not been explored. In this study, we evaluated relationships between baseline SHFM scores and 1-year resource use and costs using data from a clinical trial.

Ursolic acid induces apoptosis through mitochondrial intrinsic pathway and suppression of ERK1/2 MAPK in HeLa cells.

Ursolic acid (UA), a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid compound, has been demonstrated to induce apoptosis in various tumors. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of UA-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. Here, we reported that UA induced apoptosis through the mitochondrial intrinsic pathway in HeLa cells, as shown by release of cytosol cytochrome c, activation of caspase-9 and -3, reduction of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and increase of Bax and Bak.

Synthetic disialyl hexasaccharides protect neonatal rats from necrotizing enterocolitis.

Two novel synthetic α2-6-linked disialyl hexasaccharides, disialyllacto-N-neotetraose (DSLNnT) and α2-6-linked disialyllacto-N-tetraose (DS'LNT), were readily obtained by highly efficient one-pot multienzyme (OPME) reactions. The sequential OPME systems described herein allowed the use of an inexpensive disaccharide and simple monosaccharides to synthesize the desired complex oligosaccharides with high efficiency and selectivity. DSLNnT and DS'LNT were shown to protect neonatal rats from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and are good therapeutic candidates for preclinical experiments and clinical application in treating NEC in preterm infants.

CD56(bright)CD25+ NK cells are preferentially recruited to the maternal/fetal interface in early human pregnancy.

Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells are believed to be critical for maintaining maternal/fetal tolerance and regulating placental vascular remodeling based upon their abundance and unique phenotype during early pregnancy. However, the mechanism for how the dNK cells play such important roles in successful pregnancy remains undefined. Here, we identified a subtype of dNK cells characterized as having a CD3(-)CD56(bright)CD25(+) phenotype.

Role of mitochondrial electron transport chain dysfunction in Cr(VI)-induced cytotoxicity in L-02 hepatocytes.

Background: Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] and its compounds (e.g. chromates), which are extensively used in numerous industrial processes including leather tanning and steel manufacturing, are considered as priority pollutants.

Impact of cardiovascular events on change in quality of life and utilities in patients after myocardial infarction: a VALIANT study (valsartan in acute myocardial infarction).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of nonfatal cardiovascular (CV) events on changes in health-related quality of life (HRQL).

Background: There is limited understanding of the impact of nonfatal CV events on long-term changes in HRQL in survivors of myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: The VALIANT (Valsartan In Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial enrolled 14,703 patients post-MI complicated by Killip class II or higher (scale measuring heart failure severity post-MI ranging from class I to IV) and/or reduced ejection fraction.

Chemoenzymatic synthesis of sialosides containing C7-modified sialic acids and their application in sialidase substrate specificity studies.

Modifications at the glycerol side chain of sialic acid in sialosides modulate their recognition by sialic acid-binding proteins and sialidases. However, limited work has been focused on the synthesis and functional studies of sialosides with C7-modified sialic acids. Here we report chemical synthesis of C4-modified ManNAc and mannose and their application as sialic acid precursors in a highly efficient one-pot three-enzyme system for chemoenzymatic synthesis of α2-3- and α2-6-linked sialyl para-nitrophenyl galactosides in which the C7-hydroxyl group in sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid, Neu5Ac, or 2-keto-3-deoxynonulosonic acid, Kdn) was systematically substituted by -F, -OMe, -H, and -N3 groups.

Effectiveness of predicting in-hospital mortality in critically ill children by assessing blood lactate levels at admission.

Background: Hyperlactatemia upon admission is a documented risk factor for mortality in critically ill adult patients. However, the predictive significance of a single lactate measurement at admission for mortality in the general population of critically ill children remains uncertain. This study evaluated the predictive value of blood lactate levels at admission and determined the cut-off values for predicting in-hospital mortality in the critically ill pediatric population.

Differences in treatment, outcomes, and quality of life among patients with heart failure in Canada and the United States.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes, resource utilization, and health-related quality of life between Canadian and U.S. patients enrolled in ASCEND-HF (Acute Study of Clinical Effectiveness of Nesiritide in Decompensated Heart Failure).

Rapid adaptation of avian H7N9 virus in pigs.

How the H7N9 avian influenza virus gained the distinct ability to infect humans is unclear. Pigs are an important host in influenza virus ecology because they are susceptible to infection with both avian and human influenza viruses and are often involved in interspecies transmission. Here, we passaged one avian isolate and one human isolate in pigs to examine the mammalian host adaptation of the H7N9 virus.

Aspirin and age related macular degeneration; the possible relationship.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is becoming the leading cause of blindness in developed countries. The exact etiology and pathophysiology of AMD is still unclear. A number of risk factors of AMD have been recognized, such as cigarette smoking, a family history of AMD and being Caucasian.

[Biological characteristics of PHA-induced CIK cells and its killing activity to K562 cells].

The purpose of study was to investigate the in vitro proliferation ability of PHA-induced CIK cells and traditionally prepared CIK cells, the effector cell level and its influence on killing activity to K562 cells, and to analyze the difference between them. The peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMNC) of healthy persons were isolated and divided into A and B group. The CIK cells in A group were obtained by using traditional culture method, the CIK cells in B group were prepared by PHA induction.