Serum TNF-α concentrations in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and diabetic nephropathy patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the concentrations of serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, increased in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN) patients.

Methods: The four databases (PubMed, CNKI, WanFang and Chinese-Cqvip) were searched from Jan 1, 1999 to October 1, 2016 for all clinical case-control studies about the serum TNF-α concentrations in T2DM and T2DN patients. All relevant data were extracted from published reports.

Changes of transforming growth factor beta 1 in patients with type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy: A PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The existing evidence indicates increased levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and those with type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN); yet no meta-analysis displays a reliable result. Here we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate characteristic changes of TGF-β1 in T2DM and diabetic nephropathy.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted for eligible studies, which reported the association of TGF-β1 withT2DM and T2DN patients, in PubMed, Wangfang, Chinese-Cqvip, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database, from February 1, 1991 to December 15, 2015.

Correlation between serum interleukin-6 level and type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This report aimed to explore the association between the change of circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients and the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Methods: Four databases (PubMed, CNKI, WanFang and Civip) were used to search and list all clinical case-control studies about serum IL-6 level in T1DM patients between Jan 1, 2000 and Aug 31, 2016.

Results: A total of 20 case-control studies with 1238 T1DM patients and 742 healthy controls were included in this study.

ACE Gene I/D Polymorphism and Obesity in 1,574 Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Association between ACE gene I/D polymorphism and the risk of overweight/obesity remains controversial. We investigated the possible relationship between ACE gene I/D polymorphism and obesity in Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. In this study, obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) value ≥ 25 kg/m and subjects were classified into 4 groups (lean, normal, overweight, and obese).

Identification and analysis of the expression of microRNA from lactating and nonlactating mammary glands of the Chinese swamp buffalo.

To study the role of microRNA (miR) in the lactation physiology of water buffalo, 2 multiparous dairy buffaloes (including an 8-yr-old buffalo that had been lactating for 3 mo, as well as a 10-yr-old nonlactating, nonpregnant buffalo) were used for miR library construction. The profile of differentially expressed miR in lactating and nonlactating mammary gland tissues of these water buffalo were investigated using Illumina-Solexa high-throughput sequencing technology (Illumina, San Diego, CA). The data identified 259 miR families, 359 mature miR, 363 pre-miR, 230 novel buffalo miR, and 5 buffalo-specific miR that were expressed in mammary tissues.

Morning breathing exercises prolong lifespan by improving hyperventilation in people living with respiratory cancer.

Disturbance of oxygen-carbon dioxide homeostasis has an impact on cancer. Little is known about the effect of breath training on cancer patients. Here we report our 10-year experience with morning breathing exercises (MBE) in peer-support programs for cancer survivors.

Microcatheter Looping Technique Facilitates the Embolization of Complex Intracranial Aneurysms with an Acute Angle Branch Incorporated into the Sac.

Objective: Intracranial aneurysms with an acutely angled parent vessel are difficult to enter using conventional techniques. This study examined efficacy, safety, and technical aspects of intraluminal, intra-aneurysmal, and in vitro microcatheter looping techniques (MLTs).

Methods: MLTs were used to treat intracranial aneurysms with an incorporated acute angle branch in 29 consecutive patients after failed treatment with conventional techniques.

Cross-talk between AMP-activated protein kinase and renin-angiotensin system in uninephrectomised rats.

Introduction: The renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the ultrasensitive energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) have been implicated in normal and aberrant states of the kidney, but interaction between the RAS and AMPK remains unknown.

Methods: Ninety-six rats were stratified into four groups: sham, uninephrectomised, uninephrectomised rats treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril or the angiotensin receptor blocker losartan. Histopathological examination at 9 months post-operation and biochemical measurements at 3, 6 and 9 months were performed for changes in renal structure and function.

Increased Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Activity Is Associated With High Prevalence of Depression in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: Obesity, inflammation, and decreased neuropeptide Y (NPY) are risk factors for depression. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4), a newly identified adipokine, has been proved to promote inflammation and NPY degradation. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association between plasma DPP4 activity and depression symptoms in middle-aged and older adults.

Changes of Regulatory T Cells and of Proinflammatory and Immunosuppressive Cytokines in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes of regulatory T cells (Treg), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, transforming growth factor- (TGF-), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). .

Role of Jnk1 in development of neural precursors revealed by iPSC modeling.

Jnk1-deficient mice manifest disrupted anterior commissure formation and loss of axonal and dendritic microtubule integrity. However, the mechanisms and the specific stages underlying the developmental defects remain to be elucidated. Here, we report the generation of Jnk1-deficient (Jnk1 KO) iPSCs from Jnk1 KO mouse tail-tip fibroblasts (TTFs) for modeling the neural disease development.

Endovascular management of ruptured basilar artery dissection with two overlapping Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support stents.

The optimal endovascular treatment method of ruptured basilar artery dissection still remains controversial. We reported a case with ruptured basilar artery dissection involving the left anterior inferior cerebellar artery. The dissecting aneurysm was successfully treated with two overlapping Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support stents and the preservation of antegrade blood flow of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery was achieved.

Association of Plasma DPP4 Activity With Mild Cognitive Impairment in Elderly Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Results From the GDMD Study in China.

Objective: Hyperglycemia, inflammation, and oxidative stress are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of cognitive decline. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) is a newly identified adipokine related to these risk factors. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association between plasma DPP4 activities and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes.

Late recurrence of a completely occluded large intracranial aneurysm treated with a Tubridge flow diverter.

We report a rare case of recurrence of a large intracavernous aneurysm after angiography proved complete occlusion. The aneurysm was treated by a combination of a Tubridge flow diverter and coils, and balloon angioplasty, after flow diverter devices deployment for parent vessel stenosis. Six month angiographic follow-up demonstrated complete occlusion.

Late recurrence of a completely occluded large intracranial aneurysm treated with a Tubridge flow diverter.

We report a rare case of recurrence of a large intracavernous aneurysm after angiography proved complete occlusion. The aneurysm was treated by a combination of a Tubridge flow diverter and coils, and balloon angioplasty, after flow diverter devices deployment for parent vessel stenosis. Six month angiographic follow-up demonstrated complete occlusion.

Neuroendocrine hormone amylin in diabetes.

The neuroendocrine hormone amylin, also known as islet amyloid polypeptide, is co-localized, co-packaged and co-secreted with insulin from adult pancreatic islet β cells to maintain glucose homeostasis. Specifically, amylin reduces secretion of nutrient-stimulated glucagon, regulates blood pressure with an effect on renin-angiotensin system, and delays gastric emptying. The physiological actions of human amylin attribute to the conformational α-helix monomers whereas the misfolding instable oligomers may be detrimental to the islet β cells and further transform to β-sheet fibrils as amyloid deposits.

Cross-cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Simplified Chinese Version of the Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale.

Purpose: To perform a cross-cultural adaptation and translation of the original version of the Activities of Daily Living Scale of the Knee Outcome Survey into Simplified Chinese and validate of the Simplified Chinese version.

Methods: The original version was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Simplified Chinese according to the guidelines and the recommendations of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Outcome Committee. A total of 213 patients (96 male, 117 female) were selected to participate in our investigation.

Nodular glomerulosclerosis and renin angiotensin system in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a multifactorial and polygenic disease with nodular glomerulosclerosis (NGS) pathognomonic for diabetes and hypertension. Patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension have characteristic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) gene polymorphisms.

Methods And Results: In this retrospective cohort study, we correlated the presence of NGS with renal function, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) genotypes (DD, DI, and II), angiotensinogen (AGT) genotypes (MM, MT, and TT) and immunohistochemical staining characteristics of RAS components in 847 patients and 172 consecutive autopsy cases with type 2 diabetes.

Impacts of soil petroleum contamination on nutrient release during litter decomposition of Hippophae rhamnoides.

Petroleum exploitation causes contamination of shrub lands close to oil wells. Soil petroleum contamination affects nutrient release during the litter decomposition of shrubs, which influences nutrient recycling and the maintenance of soil fertility. Hence, this contamination may reduce the long-term growth and stability of shrub communities and consequently, the effects of phytoremediation.

Hepatitis C Virus Subtype and Evolution Characteristic Among Drug Users, Men Who Have Sex With Men, and the General Population in Beijing, China.

The aim of this study was to characterize the current molecular epidemiology of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and evaluate the evolutionary patterns of HCV subtypes in Beijing, China, among different subpopulations.The whole blood samples and behavioral data were collected from a total of 10,354 subjects, including drug users (DUs), men who have sex with men (MSM), and the general population, in Beijing from 2010 to 2011. Samples were tested for HCV infection using both enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time PCR.

Increased plasma dipeptidyl peptidase-4 activities are associated with high prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the association between plasma Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) activities and diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes.

Research Design And Methods: A total of 1193 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetic subjects were studied. Plasma DPP4 activity, mannose 6-phosphate receptor, inflammatory markers and oxidative stress parameters were measured in all participants.

Comparative Assessment of Glycosylation of a Recombinant Human FSH and a Highly Purified FSH Extracted from Human Urine.

Glycosylation is an important PTM and is critical for the manufacture and efficacy of therapeutic glycoproteins. Glycan significantly influences the biological properties of human follicle-stimulating hormone (hFSH). Using a glycoproteomic strategy, this study compared the glycosylation of a putative highly purified FSH (uhFSH) obtained from human urine with that of a recombinant human FSH (rhFSH) obtained from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells.