A circular network of adenosine-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction as coregulators of acute myocardial infarction.

This study aims to explore the molecular mechanisms and associated pathways of myocardial infarction (MI). We employed a variety of analytical methods, including Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis, transcriptome microarray data analysis, gene function and pathway enrichment analysis, untargeted metabolomic mass spectrometry analysis, and gene-metabolite interaction network analysis. The MR analysis results revealed a significant impact of mitochondrial DNA copy number on MI and coronary artery bypass grafting.

Role of the ERK1/2 pathway in osmolarity effects on nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis in a disc perfusion culture.

Osmolarity fluctuations are inevitable within the nucleus pulposus (NP). However, the effects of osmolarity on NP cell apoptosis within the organ-cultured disc remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate effects of different osmolarity levels (hypo-, iso-, and hyper-) and osmolarity modes (constant and cyclic) on NP cell apoptosis in a disc perfusion culture and to study the role of the ERK1/2 pathway in this regulatory process.

Dynamic Compression Effects on Immature Nucleus Pulposus: a Study Using a Novel Intelligent and Mechanically Active Bioreactor.

Background: Previous cell culture and animal in vivo studies indicate the obvious effects of mechanical compression on disc cell biology. However, the effects of dynamic compression magnitude, frequency and duration on the immature nucleus pulposus (NP) from an organ-cultured disc are not well understood.

Objective: To investigate the effects of a relatively wide range of compressive magnitudes, frequencies and durations on cell apoptosis and matrix composition within the immature NP using an intelligent and mechanically active bioreactor.

Insulin resistance is an independent determinate of ED in young adult men.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) triggers endothelial dysfunction, which contributes to erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease.

Aim: To evaluate whether IR was related to ED in young adult patients.

Methods: A total of 283 consecutive men complaining of ED at least six months were enrolled, with a full medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests collected.

[An outbreak of human Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infections presenting with toxic shock syndrome in Sichuan, China].

Objective: In mid-July 2005, five patients presented with septic shock to a hospital in Ziyang city in Sichuan, China, to identify the etiology of the unknown reason disease, an epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory study were conducted.

Methods: An enhanced surveillance program were established in Sichuan, the following activities were introduced: active case finding in Sichuan of (a) laboratory diagnosed Streptococcus suis infection and (b) clinically diagnosed probable cases with exposure history; supplemented by (c) monitoring reports on meningococcal meningitis. Streptococcus suis serotype 2 infection was confirmed by culture and biochemical reactions, followed by sequencing for specific genes for serotype and virulence factors.