MiR-22-3p and miR-29a-3p synergistically inhibit hepatic stellate cell activation by targeting AKT3.

Hepatic fibrosis (HF) is a worldwide health problem for which there is no medically effective drug treatment at present, and which is characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. The HF model in cholestatic rats by ligating the common bile duct was induced and the differentially expressed miRNAs in the liver tissues were analyzed by microarray, which showed that miR-22-3p and miR-29a-3p were significantly downregulated in bile-duct ligation (BDL) rat liver compared with the sham control. The synergistic anti-HF activity and molecular mechanism of miR-22-3p and miR-29a-3p by targeting AKT serine/threonine kinase 3 (AKT3) in HSCs were explored.

[Effects of CAAP1 on Proliferation, Migration and Invasion of Hepatoma Cell Line SMMC-7721].

Objective: To investigate the effect of caspase activity and apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CAAP1) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of hepatoma cell SMMC-7721.

Methods: pcDNA3/ 1, the overexpression vector of 1, and pSilencer 2.1-U6 neo/shR- 1, the knockdown vector, were constructed and examined.

MicroRNA-185 reduces the expression of hepatitis B virus surface antigen by targeting PRKCH in HepG2 2.2.15 cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are single-stranded noncoding RNAs with 18 to 25 nucleotides and play critical roles in a wide spectrum of biological processes. We repored that miR-185 inhibited hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression and hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication without affecting the proliferation of HepG2 2.2.

Acupuncture Improves the Facial Muscular Function in a Case of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a genetic muscle disorder in which muscles of the face, shoulder blades, and upper arms develop gradual and progressive weakness. There is no effective pharmacological treatment currently available for this disorder so far. We had an opportunity to treat a patient with FSHD using acupuncture.

CFTR protects against vascular inflammation and atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the vascular wall. Dysfunction of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) has been shown to result in inflammatory responses in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. However, little is known about the role of CFTR in vascular inflammation and atherogenesis.

Which level is responsible for gluteal pain in lumbar disc hernia?

Background: There are many different reasons why patients could be experiencing pain in the gluteal area. Previous studies have shown an association between radicular low back pain (LBP) and gluteal pain (GP). Studies locating the specific level responsible for gluteal pain in lumbar disc hernias have rarely been reported.

β3-adrenoceptor mediates metabolic protein remodeling in a rabbit model of tachypacing-induced atrial fibrillation.

Background: The beta 3-adrenoceptor (β3-AR) is closely associated with energy metabolism. This study aimed to explore the role of β3-AR in energy remodeling in a rabbit model of pacing-induced atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods: Rabbits with a sham-operation or pacing-induced AF were used for this study, and the latter group was further divided into three subgroups: 1) the pacing group, 2) the β3-AR agonist (BRL37344)-treated group, and 3) the β3-AR antagonist (SR59230A)-treated group.

[Inhibitory and apoptosis regulating effects of adriamycin on different human breast cancer cell lines].

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory and apoptosis regulating effects of adriamycin (ADM) on different human breast cancer cell lines and to evaluate the value of apoptosis in breast cancer treatment.

Methods: Human breast cancer cells of the lines Bcap37 and MDA-MB-231 were cultured. ADM of different concentrations was added into the culture fluid.