Rosiglitazone Inhibits Activation of Hepatic Stellate Cells via Up-Regulating Micro-RNA-124-3p to Alleviate Hepatic Fibrosis.

Background: The activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) is involved in hepatic fibrogenesis and is regulated by the decreased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). Rosiglitazone (RGZ) is a highly potent agonist of PPARγ.

Aims: To clarify molecular regulatory mechanism of RGZ in the activation of HSCs in hepatic fibrosis.

DNM1L, a key prognostic predictor for gastric adenocarcinoma, is involved in cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptosis.

Dynamin-1-like protein (DNM1L) encodes a member of the dynamin superfamily of GTPases. It mediates mitochondrial and peroxisomal division and is involved in the regulation of apoptosis. However, its role in gastric cancer remains unclear.

BCAT1, a key prognostic predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma, promotes cell proliferation and induces chemoresistance to cisplatin.

Background & Aims: BCAT1 initiates the catabolism of branched-chain amino acids. Here, we investigated the function of BCAT1 and its transcriptional regulatory mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: RNASeq was used to evaluate BCAT1 mRNA levels in HCC and normal matched specimens.

Relationship between CIP2A expression, and prognosis and MDR-related proteins in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

CIP2A is highly expressed in a variety of malignancies. We determined the expression and clinical significance of CIP2A in patients with advanced gastric cancer. CIP2A protein was expressed in 25 of 37 cancer tissue specimens.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promote osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion.

Background: Bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) are locally adjacent to the tumor tissues and may interact with tumor cells directly. The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of BMSCs on the proliferation and invasion of osteosarcoma cells in vitro and the possible mechanism involved.

Methods: BMSCs were co-cultured with osteosarcoma cells, and CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell proliferation.

Treatment with ginkgo biloba extract protects rats against acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury by modulating alveolar macrophage.

Introduction: Acute pancreatitis (AP) protease release induces lung parenchymal destruction via inflammatory mediators. Ginkgo biloba has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of ginkgo biloba extract on experimental acute pancreatitis-associated lung injury in the rat and to investigate the underlying mechanisms.

Anticancer effects of baicalein on hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

The therapeutic potential of baicalein against hepatoma cells was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In cell viability assays, baicalein showed significant cytotoxicity against the hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines H22, Bel-7404, and Hep G2 and moderate cytotoxicity against immortalized human hepatocytes. Baicalein induced G0/G1-phase arrest in hepatocellular carcinoma cells, inhibited AKT, and promoted the degradation of β-catenin and cyclin D1 without activation of GSK-3β.

Association between single nucleotide polymorphisms of the transforming growth factor-β1 gene and overall survival in unresectable locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients treated with radio(chemo)therapy in a Chinese population.

The outcome is variable for unresectable locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (ULANSCLC) patients treated with radio(chemo)therapy. The aim of this study is to investigate whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) gene are associated with overall survival (OS) in ULANSCLC patients treated with definitive radio(chemo)therapy. A total of 109 patients who had available blood samples and complete clinical and follow-up information were enrolled.

Lentiviral vector-mediated down-regulation of IL-17A receptor in hepatic stellate cells results in decreased secretion of IL-6.

Aim: To investigate the mechanism of interleukin (IL)-6 secretion through blocking the IL-17A/IL-17A receptor (IL-17RA) signaling pathway with a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) in vitro.

Methods: HSCs were derived from the livers of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. IL-6 expression was evaluated using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

Dechlorination of p,p'-DDTs coupled with sulfate reduction by novel sulfate-reducing bacterium Clostridium sp. BXM.

A novel non-dsrAB (without dissimilatory sulfite reductase genes) sulfate-reducing bacterium (SRB) Clostridium sp. BXM was isolated from a paddy soil. Incubation experiments were then performed to investigate the formation of reduced sulfur compounds (RSC) by Clostridium sp.

Excessive sulfur supply reduces cadmium accumulation in brown rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Human activities have resulted in cadmium (Cd) and sulfur (S) accumulation in paddy soils in parts of southern China. A combined soil-sand pot experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of excessive S supply on iron plaque formation and Cd accumulation in rice plants, using two Cd levels (0, 1.5 mg kg(-1)) combined with three S concentrations (0, 60, 120 mg kg(-1)).

Atmospheric inorganic nitrogen deposition to a typical red soil forestland in southeastern China.

A 2-year monitoring study was conducted to estimate nitrogen deposition to a typical red soil forestland in southeastern China. The dry deposition velocities (V(d)) were estimated using big leaf resistance analogy model. Atmospheric nitrogen dry deposition was estimated by combing V(d) and nitrogen compounds concentrations, and the wet deposition was calculated via rainfall and nitrogen concentrations in rainwater.

Sulfur (S)-induced enhancement of iron plaque formation in the rhizosphere reduces arsenic accumulation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) seedlings.

The effects of two sulfur (S) sources (SO(4)(2-), S(0)), and three rates of S application (0, 30, 120 mgS/kg) on the formation of iron plaque in the rhizosphere, and on the root surface of rice, and As (arsenic) uptake into rice (Oryza sativa L.) were studied in a combined soil-sand culture experiment. Significant differences in As uptake into rice between +S and -S treatments were observed in relation to S sources, and rates of S application.

A novel thermal biosensor based on enzyme reaction for pesticides measurement.

A novel thermal biosensor based on enzyme reaction for pesticides detection has been developed. This biosensor is a flow injection analysis system and consists of two channels with enzyme reaction column and identical reference column, which is set for eliminating the unspecific heat. The enzyme reaction takes place in the enzyme reaction column at a constant temperature (40 degrees C) realized by a thermoelectric thermostat.