Early-Life Famine Exposure and Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases in Later Life: Findings From the REACTION Study.

Background Previous studies reported that early-life exposure to undernutrition is associated with the risk of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome in adulthood, but the association with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life remains unclear. The current study aimed to investigate whether exposure to Chinese famine in early life is associated with risk of CVD. Methods and Results We used data from REACTION (Risk Evaluation of Cancers in Chinese Diabetic Individuals: A Longitudinal Study), which recruited a total of 259 657 community-dwelling adults aged 40 years or older from 25 centers across mainland China between 2011 and 2012.

Mutation of miR-21 targets endogenous lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a chronic disorder characterized by hepatic fat accumulation and abnormal lipid metabolism. Although miR-21 has been implicated in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, it is unknown whether miR-21 could function as a therapeutic target. Here, we perform transfection analysis of miR-21 mimic or control mimic to evaluate the effects of miR-21 expression levels on human HepG2 nonalcoholic fatty liver cells.

Association of insulin resistance with breast, ovarian, endometrial and cervical cancers in non-diabetic women.

Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance were reported to play a crucial role in diabetes-cancer relationship. This study aimed to explore the associations between insulin resistance and several female cancers in a non-diabetic population. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 121,230 middle-aged and elderly non-diabetic women.

Reduced metallothionein expression induced by Zinc deficiency results in apoptosis in hepatic stellate cell line LX-2.

The present study is to investigate the molecular mechanism by which Zinc (Zn) deficiency induces apoptosis in hepatic stellate cells. LX-2 cells were incubated with N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (TPEN; 5 μM, 10 μM and 25 μM) for 24 h. MTT assay was used to test the proliferation ability of LX-2 cells.

Zinc mediated hepatic stellate cell collagen synthesis reduction through TGF-β signaling pathway inhibition.

This study is to investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of Zinc (Zn) on hepatic stellate cell collagen synthesis. The proliferation and collagen synthesis ability of LX-2 cells were detected after adding Zn. The collagen synthesis related proteins of MMP-13 and TIMP1 along with TGF-β signaling pathway related proteins were detected by Western blot.

Experimental study on apoptosis of TNFR1 receptor pro-endothelial progenitor cells activated by high glucose induced oxidative stress.

Objective: To investigate whether high glucose in vitro activating TNFR1 and further promote rat marrow endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) apoptosis.

Methods: Rat morrow endothelial progenitor cells were cultured and identified by Confocal Microscopy; then were treated with high glucose (5.5, 15, 30, 60 mmol/L), mannitol (15, 30, 60, 90 mmol/L), high glucose + Tempol and high glucose+ MAB430.

miR-485-5p acts as a negative regulator in gastric cancer progression by targeting flotillin-1.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in cancer progression including gastric cancer. miR-485-5p is reported as a potential suppressor in breast cancer, but its expression, cellular function and clinic features in gastric cancer is not known. In our study, we found that miR-485-5p expression was down-regulated in gastric cancer cell lines.

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) in the paraglottic space: report of a case and review of literature.

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy is also known as Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) and is characterized by painless bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. In the present case report, a 67-year-old Chinese woman presented with a 3-month history of progressive voice hoarseness, progressive dyspnea on exertion and a foreign body sensation. MRI revealed a lesion involving the right side of the paraglottic space.

Advanced glycation endproducts regulate smooth muscle cells calcification in cultured HSMCs.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) promoting the calcification of smooth muscle cells.

Methods: The successfully cultured smooth muscle cells were divided into three groups: normal culture group (group A), calcified culture group (group B), calcification + AGEs group (group C); the concentration of intracellular calcium ion was detected in each group; the promotion of AGEs on the calcification of HSMCs was confirmed by VON KOSSA staining; and the expressions of β-catenin, RAGE, β-catenin, OPG and E-cadherin protein were detected by immunofluorescence and western blot.

Results: The morphology of the cells in each group showed that the amount of calcified plaques in calcification + AGES group were significantly higher than the calcification group.

Effects of asiaticoside on human umbilical vein endothelial cell apoptosis induced by Aβ1-42.

This study is to investigate the potential role of asiaticoside (AS) in Aβ1-42-induced apoptosis on the human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC). HUVEC cells were divided into Aβ1-42 group (treated with 50 μM Aβ1-42), AS groups (treated with 50 μM Aβ1-42 and 10 mM, 1 mM, 0.1 mM or 0.

Scalp junctional nevus with malignant transformation (melanoma) metastatic to parotid lymph node region, cervical lymph nodes and the back: a case report and review of literature.

Parotid malignancy may occur as a primary neoplasm of the salivary tissue or as metastatic involvement of the parotid lymph nodes. Primary tumors of squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma involving the skin of the head and neck have the potential to spread to lymph nodes of the parotid gland. Metastatic malignant melanoma to the back was exceptionally rare and no such reports have been noted in the literature.

miRNA-124 down-regulates SOX8 expression and suppresses cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small lung cell carcinoma (NSCLC) is a leading lethal disease and a global health burden. The function of the Sex determining region Y (SRY)-related high mobility group box (SOX) family gene in cancer has attracted the attention of more and more scientists recently, yet there are few reports regarding the role of SOX in NSCLC. Our study aimed to investigate the expression of SOX8, a protein belonging to the E group of the SOX family, as well as SOX9, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the relationship of gene expression to clinicopathological factors and prognosis in patients.

BRAF mutation as a potential marker to identify the proximal colon serrated polyps with malignant potential.

A large number of serrated polyps with malignant potential in the proximal colon were underestimated using currently available criteria mostly based on architectural and cytological features, contributing to proximal interval colorectal cancers. Recently, increasing evidences indicate that BRAF((V600E)) mutation is a specific molecular feature and driver of the serrated pathway, and proximal serrated polyps with BRAF((V600E)) mutation have a high risk of progression to malignancy. We proposed that immunohistochemical detection of BRAF((V600E)) using a BRAF((V600E)) mutation-specific antibody is a feasible technique for reproducibly identifying proximal serrated polyps with malignant potential in clinical practice, which may need more aggressive treatment and vigilant clinical monitoring.

miRNA-124 down-regulates SOX8 expression and suppresses cell proliferation in non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small lung cell carcinoma (NSCLC) is a leading lethal disease and a global health burden. The function of the Sex determining region Y (SRY)-related high mobility group box (SOX) family gene in cancer has attracted the attention of more and more scientists recently, yet there are few reports regarding the role of SOX in NSCLC. Our study aimed to investigate the expression of SOX8, a protein belonging to the E group of the SOX family, as well as SOX9, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the relationship of gene expression to clinicopathological factors and prognosis in patients.

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung: a case report.

Primary malignant melanoma of the lung is a very rare disease with about 40 cases reported in English literature. We report a 49-year-old female with history of 2 month chest pain who was revealed to have a peripheral lung mass in left upper lobe by chest CT scan. Left upper lobectomy was performed and post-operative pathology revealed to be primary malignant melanoma of the lung.

Cancer biology in diabetes.

Diabetes is a serious metabolic disease that causes multiple organ dysfunctions. Recent evidence suggests that diabetes could contribute to the initiation and progression of certain cancers in addition to the classic diabetic complications. Furthermore, some of the drugs used clinically to treat patients with diabetes might affect cancer initiation, progression and mortality.

Autocrine Sonic hedgehog attenuates inflammation in cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice via upregulation of IL-10.

Hedgehog signaling plays critical roles in pancreatic oncogenesis and chronic pancreatitis, but its roles in acute pancreatitis (AP) are largely ambiguous. In this study, we provide evidence that Sonic hedgehog (Shh), but neither Desert hedgehog (Dhh) nor Indian hedgehog (Ihh), is the main protein whose expression is activated during the development of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis in mice, and the Shh serves as an anti-inflammation factor in an autocrine manner. Blocking autocrine Shh signaling with anti-Shh neutralizing antibody aggravates the progression of acute pancreatitis.