The effect of Telmisartan on the expression of connexin43 and neointimal hyperplasia in a rabbit iliac artery restenosis model.

We established a rabbit iliac artery restenosis model to explore the impact of Telmisartan on the expression of Connexin43 (Cx43) and neointimal hyperplasia. Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n = 10), restenosis group (n = 10), and Telmisartan group (n = 10). The restenosis model was established by high-cholesterol diet combined with double-balloon injury of iliac arteries.

Meta-analysis of open surgical repair versus hybrid arch repair for aortic arch aneurysm.

Objective: To conduct a meta-analysis of available comparative studies evaluating hybrid arch repair versus open surgical repair of aortic arch aneurysm.

Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase and Web of Science to identify any studies comparing the results of hybrid arch repair with open surgical repair of aortic arch aneurysm. Study quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

Does concomitant acromioplasty facilitate arthroscopic repair of full-thickness rotator cuff tears? A meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: To conduct a meta-analysis with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in full text to determine the benefits of concomitant acromioplasty in repairing full-thickness rotator cuff tears.

Methods: Literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library from databases inception through February 2016 to identify RCTs evaluating the efficacy of performing a concomitant acromioplasty. Statistical heterogeneity among studies was quantitatively evaluated by I-squared index (I(2)) and trial sequential analysis (TSA) was applied to control random errors.

MiR-506 suppresses cell proliferation and tumor growth by targeting Rho-associated protein kinase 1 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Recent studies have shown that miR-506 plays important roles in human cancer progression. However, little is known about the function of miR-506 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we found that miR-506 significantly inhibits HCC cell proliferation in vitro and tumorigenicity in vivo.

Is patellar denervation necessary in total knee arthroplasty without patellar resurfacing?

Purpose: To conduct a meta-analysis with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in full text to determine the effectiveness of patellar denervation (PD) in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Literature search was performed in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library for information from the earliest date of data collection to February 2015. RCTs comparing the benefits and risks of PD with those of no patellar denervation (NPD) in primary TKAs were included.

Adeno-associated virus mediated gene transfer of Shepherdin inhibits gallbladder carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo.

Gene therapy, a significantly crucial strategy for treatment of malignancies, has been gradually accepted in recent years. However, this therapeutic approach has being facing great challenges concerning problems which include complicated development of cancer with multiple gene control, effective target shortage, low efficiency of gene transferring and safety of the vector delivery system. Shepherdin, a novel peptidomimetic molecule designed from Lys-79 to Leu-87 of survivin, has been identified as a tumor suppressor with the function that can not only competitively interfere with the interaction between survivin and Hsp90 (heat shock protein-90) leading to the degradation of survivin to anti-tumor, but also competitively target the ATP-dependent binding pocket of Hsp90 resulting in the dysfunction of Hsp90 chaperone to cell apoptosis via a mitochondrial dependent or independent pathway.

Genetic alteration regulated by microRNAs in biliary tract cancers.

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) constitute a relatively rare but highly malignant class of tumors with poor prognosis including gallbladder cancer, intra- and extra-hepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Recently, accumulated evidences have demonstrated that deregulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is closely associated with the development, invasion, metastasis and prognosis of different cancers including BTCs. MiRNAs comprise an endogenously expressed and highly evolutionarily conserved group of small, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs which negatively regulate target genes expression by means of combining with 3' untranslated region (UTR) of corresponding mRNAs at the post-transcriptional level with significant roles in various fundamental cellular procedures including cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, cell cycle control and apoptosis.

Prior radial-scanning endoscopic ultrasonography training did not contribute to subsequent linear-array endoscopic ultrasonography study performance in the stomach of a porcine model.

Background/aims: The optimal training mode for linear array endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has not been established. Prior radial-scanning EUS training seems to improve subsequent linear array EUS learning. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate its value in linear array EUS training.

Potential role of NADPH oxidase in pathogenesis of pancreatitis.

Studies have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are closely related to inflammatory disorders. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX), originally found in phagocytes, is the main source of ROS in nonphagocytic cells. Besides directly producing the detrimental highly reactive ROS to act on biomolecules (lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids), NOX can also activate multiple signal transduction pathways, which regulate cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis by producing ROS.

Folic acid supplementation with and without vitamin B6 and revascularization risk: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background & Aims: There is a growing amount of data and a continuing controversy over the effect of folic acid supplementation with and without vitamin B6 on revascularization risk.

Methods: We conducted a meta-analysis based on up-to-date published relevant randomized trials to further examine this issue. Relative risk (RR) was used to measure the effect of folic acid supplementation on risk of revascularization using a random-effects model.