Comparison between thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin and TSH-receptor antibodies in the diagnosis and management of Graves' disease.

Introduction: TSH-receptor antibodies (TRAb) directed against the TSH receptor (TSH-R) induce hyperthyroidism in patients with Graves' disease (GD). TRAb detected by previous radioimmunoassay only reflects the presence of autoantibodies, but not the function of such antibodies. Thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (TSI) is a relatively new method for assessing TSH-receptor antibodies function.

Electroacupuncture Promotes Autophagy by Regulating the AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a complex neurological disease, and its occurrence and development are closely related to the autophagy signaling pathway. However, the mechanism by which electroacupuncture (EA) affects the regulation of autophagy has not been fully elucidated. TLE gene chip dataset GSE27166 and data from rats without epilepsy (n = 6) and rats with epilepsy (n = 6) were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus.

Association of phenotypic transformation of circulating tumor cells and early recurrence in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma following liver transplantation.

Background: CTCs play a critical role in the diagnosis and prognosis of liver cancer. However, there are few studies on whether different types of CTCs can predict the prognosis in patients with HCC following LT.

Methods: Retrospective data including CTCs detected by the CanPatrolTM platform combined with RNA-ISH were collected and analyzed on 56 patients from December 2016 to December 2019 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China.

Long-term inhibition of dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 reduces islet infiltration and downregulates IL-1β and IL-12 in NOD mice.

Dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor (sitagliptin) is a novel anti-hyperglycemia drug in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, its potential in type 1 diabetes is still unclear. Recent studies show that increased infection, especially respiratory tract infection, is significantly associated with DPP-4 inhibitors.

Liraglutide Exerts Potential Anti-inflammatory Effect in Type 1 Diabetes by Inhibiting IFN-γ Production Suppressing JAK-STAT Pathway.

Background: Type 1 diabetes is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Interferon γ plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes. Signal transducer and activator of transcription transduces type I interferon cytokines in T cells, leading to Th1 cell differentiation and production of interferon γ.

MiR-125b blocks Bax/Cytochrome C/Caspase-3 apoptotic signaling pathway in rat models of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeting p53.

Objective:  To explore the potential effect of miR-125b on p53-mediated regulation of Bax/Cytochrome C/Caspase-3 apoptotic signaling pathway in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (CIR) injury.

Methods:  Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used to conduct CIR injury and injected with miR-125b mimic/inhibitor or p53 inhibitor (Pifithrin-α, PFT-α). Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to analyze the targeting relationship between miR-125b and p53.

Neuroprotective effect of matrine on MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease and on Nrf2 expression.

The incidence rate of Parkinson's disease (PD) is ≤2% in Chinese individuals >65 years old, accounting for 40% of the global total of PD patients. The pathogenesis of PD is not yet clear, and oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is considered to be the main reason for the onset of PD. Studies have shown that matrine exhibits good antioxidant activity.

Protective effects of Acanthopanax polysaccharides on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and its mechanisms.

A kind of Acanthopanax polysaccharides extracted from the root of Acanthioanax senticosus was named CASPs. The protective effect of CASPs on the cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was observed and the underlying mechanism was explored. Wistar male rats were randomly divided into six groups, namely, sham-operated group, model group, nimodipine group (15 mg/kg/day) and CASPs groups (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day).

Survivin-specific small interfering RNAs enhance sensitivity of glioma U-87MG cells to paclitaxel by promoting apoptosis.

A survivin siRNA expression vector was transfected into glioma U-87MG cells and these cells were then treated with paclitaxel. The results showed that survivin-specific siRNA combined with paclitaxel treatment synergistically inhibited glioma U-87MG cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis. This treatment also inhibited the expression of the cell cycle regulatory proteins, survivin, cyclinD1, c-Myc and CDK4 and enhanced the sensitivity of U-87MG cells to paclitaxel.