Protective Mechanism of Berberine on Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells against Apoptosis Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide via the Stimulation of Autophagy.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of severe and irreversible vision loss with limited effective therapies. Diminished autophagy and increased oxidative damage caused by ROS in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of AMD, and strategies aimed at enhancing autophagy are likely to protect these cells from oxidative damage. We have previously shown that berberine (BBR), an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from Chinese herbs, was able to protect human RPE cells from HO-induced oxidative damage through AMPK activation.

The association of TAP polymorphisms with non-small-cell lung cancer in the Han Chinese population.

The host immune system plays a crucial role in multiple types of cancer, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) protein heterodimer complexes might promote intracellular antigen peptide binding with class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC-I) molecules, and in recent years, TAP1 and TAP2 have been reported to be associated with multiple cancer risks. In the current study, we investigated the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TAP1 and TAP2 with NSCLC in a Han Chinese population.

Dermabrasion combined with photodynamic therapy: a new option for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer.

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignancy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is effective for the treatment of certain NMSCs. However, the clinical response rates of some NMSCs to single PDT are still far from ideal.

The interplay between m6A modification and non-coding RNA in cancer stemness modulation: mechanisms, signaling pathways, and clinical implications.

Cancer stemness, mainly consisting of chemo-resistance, radio-resistance, tumorigenesis, metastasis, tumor self-renewal, cancer metabolism reprogramming, and tumor immuno-microenvironment remodeling, play crucial roles in the cancer progression process and has become the hotspot of cancer research field in recent years. Nowadays, the exact molecular mechanisms of cancer stemness have not been fully understood. Extensive studies have recently implicated that non-coding RNA (ncRNA) plays vital roles in modulating cancer stemness.

Clinical efficacy of glucocorticoid and terbutaline in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: To investigate the efficacy of glucocorticoid and terbutaline in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD).

Methods: 248 patients with AECOPD were assigned into two groups, 124 patients in the control group were only given terbutaline treatment, while 124 patients in the experimental group were treated with glucocorticoid and terbutaline. The effect on lung function and blood gas indexes were compared between the two groups.

Beta-2-Microglobulin is an Independent Risk Factor for Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis in Patients with Primary Aldosteronism.

Aim: To identify the association between serum beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) or cystatin C (CysC) and asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 265 subjects were enrolled, including 83 patients with PA, 91 with essential hypertension (EH), and 91 normotensive (NT) controls. B2M, CysC, plasma renin activity (PRA), and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) were measured, and the aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) was calculated.

An MST4-pβ-Catenin Signaling Axis Controls Intestinal Stem Cell and Tumorigenesis.

Elevated Wnt/β-catenin signaling has been commonly associated with tumorigenesis especially colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, an MST4-pβ-catenin signaling axis essential for intestinal stem cell (ISC) homeostasis and CRC development is uncovered. In response to Wnt3a stimulation, the kinase MST4 directly phosphorylates β-catenin at Thr40 to block its Ser33 phosphorylation by GSK3β.

Outdoor sunscreen testing with high-intensity solar exposure in a Chinese and Caucasian population.

Background: Currently, sunscreens' sun protection factor (SPF) and ultraviolet (UV) A protection are tested separately under indoor conditions, without considering external conditions that may affect performance. Studies are often conducted in Caucasian individuals; other racial groups may respond differently.

Methods: An outdoor, double-blind, intra-individual study was performed in 63 healthy Chinese and Caucasian volunteers in Singapore.

An injectable and self-healing hydrogel with controlled release of curcumin to repair spinal cord injury.

The harsh local micro-environment following spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a great challenge for neural regeneration. Local reconstitution of a favorable micro-environment by biocompatible scaffolds with desirable functions has thus been an area of concern. Herein, a hybrid hydrogel was developed using Fmoc-grafted chitosan (FC) and Fmoc peptide (FI).

Retrospective Analysis of Drug Sensitivity of in Teaching Hospitals of South China.

The aim of this study was retrospective analysis of drug sensitivity of in two teaching hospitals of South China. A total of 304 isolates obtained from patients in South China from 2016 to 2020 were evaluated. The MICs of penicillin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone (CRO), cefepime, ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime and azithromycin (AZM) against the isolates were determined by the agar dilution method.

Talaromyces marneffei infection in non-HIV-infected patients in mainland China.

Background: Talaromyces marneffei, formerly known as Penicillium marneffei, is a significant emerging pathogenic fungus in Southeast Asia which can generate life-threatening systemic infections. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is considered as the most underlying disease among systemic infections. However, infections due to T.

Survival outcome after stereotactic body radiotherapy for locally advanced and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Some studies reported stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has demonstrated superior therapeutic results than conventional radiotherapy. Nevertheless, this statement is controversial and the trial attempting to prove this is underway. We conducted this systemic review and meta-analysis aiming to combine the latest and most complete information about the survival outcomes and toxicities following SBRT for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer (BRPC).

Polymorphisms in transporter associated with antigen presenting are associated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer in a Chinese Han population.

The host immune system plays an important role in infectious diseases and cancers. The heterodimer formed by transporter associated with antigen presenting (TAP)1 and TAP2 is responsible for intracellular peptide loading onto MHC-I molecules. Studies have shown that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TAP genes might affect the expression and function of TAP and be associated with cancer risk.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Relationship Between Metabolic Reprogramming and Immune Function in Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: Prostate cancer is the most common malignant urinary tumor among men. Treatments are currently unsatisfactory for advanced prostate cancer. Cancer biology remains the basis for developing new antitumor drugs.

Effect of glucocorticoids infiltration on CRSwNP after endoscopic sinus surgery and the curative efficacy of nasal ventilation function and mucociliary clearance.

Objectives: This study investigated and analyzed the effects of glucocorticoid infiltration on chronic rhino-sinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and its curative efficacy on nasal ventilation function and mucociliary clearance (MCC).

Methods: 126 CRSwNP patients admitted to the hospital from March 2018 to May 2020 were enrolled and randomly divided into observation group (n=65) and control group (n=61) based on random number table. The control group received ESS, and the observation group was given glucocorticoids treatment after ESS.

CUL3 (cullin 3)-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of BECN1 (beclin 1) inhibit autophagy and promote tumor progression.

Macroautophagy/autophagy plays an important role during the development of human cancer. BECN1 (beclin 1), a core player in autophagy regulation, is downregulated in many kinds of malignancy. The underlying mechanism, however, has not been fully illuminated.

Association between social determinants of health and direct economic burden on middle-aged and elderly individuals living with diabetes in China.

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the association between social determinants of health and direct economic burden on Chinese middle-aged and elderly individuals living with diabetes in China.

Methods: This study used data from the baseline wave of The China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) database, covering 17,708 middle-aged and elderly residents in China. The population with diabetes was grouped into those diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DDM) and those undiagnosed with diabetes mellitus (UDM).

Laparoscopic uterovaginal anastomosis in patients with congenital cervicovaginal atresia: An institutional experience with 23 patients.

Objective: To introduce our experience of laparoscopic uterovaginal anastomosis and operative outcomes following this technique and update the clinical management of congenital cervicovaginal atresia.

Study Design: Between March 2015 and January 2019, twenty-three patients with congenital cervicovaginal atresia underwent laparoscopic uterovaginal anastomosis and Luohu procedure. Their clinical characteristics, surgical outcomes and follow-up data were retrospectively reviewed.

Exosomes derived from miR-26a-modified MSCs promote axonal regeneration via the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway following spinal cord injury.

Background: Exosomes derived from the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) have shown great potential in spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment. This research was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects of miR-26a-modified MSC-derived exosomes (Exos-26a) following SCI.

Methods: Bioinformatics and data mining were performed to explore the role of miR-26a in SCI.

Activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway Causes Drug Resistance in Breast Cancer.

Although chemotherapy, targeted therapy and endocrine therapy decrease rate of disease recurrence in most breast cancer patients, many patients exhibit acquired resistance. Hyperactivation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is associated with drug resistance and cancer progression. Currently, a number of drugs targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR are being investigated in clinical trials by combining them with standard therapies to overcome acquired resistance in breast cancer.

Integrating network pharmacology and experimental evidence to decipher the cardioprotective mechanism of Yiqihuoxue decoction in rats after myocardial infarction.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: "Qi deficiency and blood stasis" syndrome is one of the most common syndromes treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine among ischemic heart disease (IHD) patients in clinic. As a Chinese herbal formula with the function of tonifying Qi and activating blood, Yiqihuoxue Decoction (YQHX) has been frequently proven to be effective in the clinical treatment of IHD.

Aim Of The Study: The cardioprotective mechanisms of YQHX in treating ischemic heart disease were investigated, with emphasis on the key targets and pathways.

Lung cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells promote tumor metastasis and tumorigenesis by induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and stem-like reprogram.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted more attention in antitumor therapy by using MSCs as vehicles or targeting modulators of MSCs. But their role and mechanisms in tumor progression are less known. In the present study, we successfully isolated pairs of MSCs from lung cancer (LC-MSCs) and adjacent tumor-free tissues.

The difference of social cognitive and neurocognitive performance between patients with schizophrenia at different stages and influencing factors.

Objects: To explore the specific features of cognitive function in patients with schizophrenia at different stages and its influencing factors.

Methods: The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) were administered to 208 patients with schizophrenia, including 158 clinically stable schizophrenia (CSS) and 50 first-episode patients with schizophrenia (FES), and 40 healthy controls (HC). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match the CSS and FES.