RBP4 promotes denervation-induced muscle atrophy through STRA6-dependent pathway.

Backgrounds: Fat infiltration of skeletal muscle has been recognized as a common feature of many degenerative muscle disorders. Retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) is an adipokine that has been demonstrated to be correlated with the presence and severity of sarcopenia in the elderly. However, the exact role and the underlying mechanism of RBP4 in muscle atrophy remains unclear.

DNA methylation of skeletal muscle function-related secretary factors identifies FGF2 as a potential biomarker for sarcopenia.

Background: Sarcopenia is characterized by progressive loss of muscle mass and function due to aging. DNA methylation has been identified to play important roles in the dysfunction of skeletal muscle. The aim of our present study was to explore the whole blood sample-based methylation changes of skeletal muscle function-related factors in patients with sarcopenia.

Association of AST/ALT (De Ritis) ratio with sarcopenia in a Chinese population of community-dwelling elderly.

Background: The aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio, also known as De Ritis ratio, has been reportedly associated with malnutrition which plays a crucial role in sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between AST/ALT ratio and sarcopenia in the Chinese community-dwelling elderly.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with 2751 participants (1343 men and 1408 women) aged ≥60 years was performed.

Curcumin Suppresses Metastasis via Sp-1, FAK Inhibition, and E-Cadherin Upregulation in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a serious public health problem that results due to changes of diet and various environmental stress factors in the world. Curcumin is a traditional medicine used for treatment of a wide variety of tumors. However, antimetastasis mechanism of curcumin on CRC has not yet been completely investigated.

[Phylogenetic analysis and expression patterns of tropomyosin in amphioxus].

In amphioxus, we found a mesoderm related gene, tropomyosin, which encodes a protein comprising 284 amino acid residues, sharing high identities with other known Tropomyosin proteins both in vertebrates and invertebrates. Phylogenetically, amphioxus Tropomyosin fell outside the invertebrate clade and was at the base of the vertebrate protein family clade, indicating that it may represent an independent branch. From the early neurula to the larva stage, whole-mount in situ hybridization and histological sections found transcripts of amphioxus tropomyosin gene.

Characterization of the immune defense related tissues, cells, and genes in amphioxus.

Amphioxus is an important animal model for phylogenetic analysis, including comparative immunology. Exploring the immune system in amphioxus contributes to our understanding of the origin and evolution of the vertebrate immune system. We investigated the amphioxus immune system using ultrastructural examination and in situ hybridization.

[Effect of ulinastatin preconditioning on gene expression profile of kidney tissue in a rat sepsis model].

Objective: To investigate the modulation effect of ulinastatin (UTI) preconditioning on gene expression of kidney tissue in septic rats by DNA microarrays.

Methods: Forty-five male Wistar rats were divided into control group, sepsis group and UTI group, with 15 rats in each group by means of random number table. Cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) was used to reproduce rat sepsis model.

[Isolation, phylogenetic analysis and developmental expression parttern of AmphiRab23b in amphioxus].

The hedgehog (Hh) pathway plays an important role during the embryonic development and is related to the progression of cancers. Rab23 is a crucial functional molecule in Hh pathway. However, there is no report about amphioxus Rab23 up to now except the annotations of two isoforms in the genome of Florida lancelet (Branchiostoma floridae).

Characterization of SoxB2 and SoxC genes in amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri): implications for their evolutionary conservation.

Most Sox genes directly affect cell fate determination and differentiation. In this study, we isolated two Sox genes: SoxB2 and SoxC from amphioxus (Branchiostoma belcheri), the closest living invertebrate relative of the vertebrates. Alignments of SoxB2 and SoxC protein sequences and their vertebrate homologs show high conservation of their HMG domains.

Moisture vapor transmission rates of various transparent dressings at different temperatures and humidities.

Background: Transparent dressings are commonly used to cover central venous catheter sites. However, it has been suggested that they might not allow adequate moisture vapor transmission, resulting in local moistness that promotes bacterial growth. We compared the moisture vapor transmission rates (MVTRs) of different, currently used transparent and traditional gauze dressings.

Changes of serum beta-endorphin by programmed exercise training are correlated with improvement of clinical symptoms and quality of life in female mitral valve prolapse syndrome.

Background: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common entity in female population. Although this is a minor disease, it may cause annoying symptoms that impair quality of life (QOL), and no established therapy for this problem. The aim of this study isto examine whether programmed exercise training by treadmill in female MVP syndrome would improve clinical symptoms and QOL.