Association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, rs2235371 and rs2013162, in the IRF6 gene with non-syndromic cleft palate in northeast China.

The aim of this study was to determine the association between two SNPs (rs2235371 and rs2013162) in the interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6) gene and non-syndromic cleft palate (NSCP) in northeast China. We genotyped these two SNPs in 104 NSCP cases, as well as in 178 parents and 300 controls. Case-control and case-parent analyses were performed using χ2 tests and family-based association tests (FBAT).

The therapeutic potential of sulforaphane on light-induced photoreceptor degeneration through antiapoptosis and antioxidant protection.

Oxidative stress due to excessive light exposure can exacerbate a variety of human retinal diseases by accelerating photoreceptor cell death. The thioredoxin (Trx) system is considered to play a crucial role in reduction/oxidation (redox) regulation of signal transduction and in cell defense against oxidative stresses. Sulforaphane (SF) protects cells from oxidative damage through nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), which is responsible for multiple detoxification processes, including elevating the expression of Trx.

Assessment risk of osteoporosis in Chinese people: relationship among body mass index, serum lipid profiles, blood glucose, and bone mineral density.

Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship among age, sex, body mass index (BMI), serum lipid profiles, blood glucose (BG), and bone mineral density (BMD), making an assessment of the risk of osteoporosis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 1,035 male and 3,953 female healthy volunteers (aged 41-95 years) were recruited by an open invitation. The basic information, including age, sex, height, weight, waistline, hipline, menstrual cycle, and medical history, were collected by a questionnaire survey and physical examination.

Transforming Growth Factor β Mediates Drug Resistance by Regulating the Expression of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinase 4 in Colorectal Cancer.

Drug resistance is one of the main causes of colon cancer recurrence. However, our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and availability of therapeutic options remains limited. Here we show that expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) is positively correlated with drug resistance of colon cancer cells and induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment in drug-resistant but not drug-sensitive cells.

Evaluation of serum lipid profile, body mass index, and waistline in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: People with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of hypertension, arteriosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke. Glucose intolerance (insulin resistance) is the main feature of type 2 diabetes. Obesity leads to insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, etc.

Effect of probiotics on the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients: a randomized controlled multicenter trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the potential preventive effect of probiotics on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Methods: This was an open-label, randomized, controlled multicenter trial involving 235 critically ill adult patients who were expected to receive mechanical ventilation for ≥48 h. The patients were randomized to receive (1) a probiotics capsule containing live Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis (Medilac-S) 0.

BPTF promotes tumor growth and predicts poor prognosis in lung adenocarcinomas.

BPTF, a subunit of NURF, is well known to be involved in the development of eukaryotic cell, but little is known about its roles in cancers, especially in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here we showed that BPTF was specifically overexpressed in NSCLC cell lines and lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Knockdown of BPTF by siRNA significantly inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis and arrested cell cycle progress from G1 to S phase.

Beneficial effects of intramyocardial mesenchymal stem cells and VEGF165 plasmid injection in rats with furazolidone induced dilated cardiomyopathy.

To explore the impact of myocardial injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and specific recombinant human VEGF165 (hVEGF165 ) plasmid on collagen remodelling in rats with furazolidone induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). DCM was induced by furazolidone (0.3 mg/bodyweight (g)/day per gavage for 8 weeks).

The Role of Uncoupling Protein 2 During Myocardial Dysfunction in a Canine Model of Endotoxin Shock.

To explore the role of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) during myocardial dysfunction in a canine model of endotoxin shock, 26 mongrel canines were randomly divided into the following four groups: A (control group; n = 6), B2 (shock after 2 h; n = 7), B4 (shock after 4 h; n = 7), and B6 (shock after 6 h; n = 6). Escherichia coli endotoxin was injected into the canines via the central vein, and hemodynamics were monitored. Energy metabolism, UCP2 mRNA and protein expression, and UCP2 localization were analyzed, and the correlation between energy metabolism changes, and UCP2 expression was determined.

Transcriptional upregulation centra of HO-1 by EGB via the MAPKs/Nrf2 pathway in mouse C2C12 myoblasts.

Long-term abuse of alcohol results in chronic alcoholic myopathy which is associated with increased oxidative stress. Ginkgo biloba extract (EGB) is widely used as a therapeutic agent to treat certain cardiovascular and neurological disorders. Although EGB is known to possess antioxidant functions and potent cytoprotective effects, its protective mechanism on alcohol-induced oxidative damage in C2C12 myoblasts remains unclear.

Use of Fluorescence Imaging in Combination with Patent Blue Dye versus Patent Blue Dye Alone in Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Breast Cancer.

Purpose: Near-infrared fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) has the potential to improve sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in breast cancer. In this clinical trial, we compared the potential value of ICG combined with blue dye with that of blue dye alone for detecting SLNs.

Methods: Patients undergoing SLN biopsy (SLNB) between November 2010 and November 2013 were included.

Appropriate second-line therapies for management of severe postpartum hemorrhage.

Objective: To explore appropriate second-line therapies for management of severe postpartum hemorrhage at cesarean delivery.

Methods: A retrospective study was done of 87 women who underwent cesarean delivery and received uterotonics after placental separation at the Beijing Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital, China, between 2009 and 2013. Group 1 (n=52) included patients with 500-700 mL of blood loss before application of intrauterine gauze tamponade or B-Lynch suture as second-line therapy, while group 2 (n=35) included patients with blood loss of more than 700 mL before application of either gauze tamponade or B-Lynch suture.

Evaluation of the benefit of using blue dye in addition to indocyanine green fluorescence for sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with breast cancer.

Background: Near infrared-guided indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence has vast potential for guiding sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in patients with breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate any additional clinical benefit for SLNB when blue dye is used in combination with ICG.

Methods: Between November of 2009 and September of 2013, 86 patients diagnosed with breast cancer were investigated by SLNB using a combination of patent blue and ICG.

Peritoneal microvascular endothelial function and the microinflammatory state are associated with baseline peritoneal transport characteristics in uremic patients.

Purpose: To investigate microvessel density (MVD), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA expression in peritoneal tissues, and their relationships with baseline peritoneal transport in uremia.

Methods: Thirty uremic patients with a peritoneal dialysis catheter were selected in the Department of Nephrology in Dalian Central Hospital, Liaoning, China between 2010 and 2012. Peritoneal specimens were harvested for assessment of MVD, VEGF, eNOS, and IL-6 mRNA expression.

Efficacy and safety of Abelmoschus manihot for primary glomerular disease: a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Abelmoschus manihot, a single medicament of traditional Chinese medicine, has been widely used to treat kidney disease. This is the first randomized controlled clinical trial to assess its efficacy and safety in patients with primary glomerular disease.

Study Design: Prospective, open-label, multicenter, randomized, controlled, clinical trial.

Breast cancer sentinel lymph node mapping using near-infrared guided indocyanine green in comparison with blue dye.

Near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging using indocyanine green (ICG) was considered to have the potential to improve sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in breast cancer. Herein, we performed a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the effectiveness of ICG fluorescence imaging compared with blue dye imaging in SLN navigation surgery. We also analyzed lymph drainage pathways to identify targets for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB).

[Radiofrequency coblation of tongue channeling for supine position associated obstructive sleep apnea].

Objective: To assess the effect of low-temperature radiofrequency coblation of tongue Channeling for supine position associated OSAHS.

Method: One thousand and three hundred eighty one patients with OSAHS were examined and treated with radiofrequency coblation of tongue channeling. Polysomnography was performed before and one year after the surgery.

Utilization of PET-CT in target volume delineation for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and atelectasis.

Background: To investigate the utilization of PET-CT in target volume delineation for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and atelectasis.

Methods: Thirty NSCLC patients who underwent radical radiotherapy from August 2010 to March 2012 were included in this study. All patients were pathologically confirmed to have atelectasis by imaging examination.

Effect of transplantation of bone marrow stem cells on myocardial infarction size in a rabbit model.

Background: Intravenous transplantation has been regarded as a most safe method in stem cell therapies. There is evidence showing the homing of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) into the injured sites, and thus these cells can be used in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to investigate the effect of intravenous and epicardial transplantion of BMSCs on myocardial infarction size in a rabbit model.

[The study of the correlation of papillary thyroid carcinoma's invasion toward Ezrin and E-cadherin].

Objective: In order to assess the significance of Ezrin and E-Cadherin in invasion and metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Method: The 81 paraffin-embedded specimen PTC and normal thyroid tissues adjacent to cancer operated from 2005 to 2008 were tested. The expressions of Ezrin, E-Cadherin in the specimen were assayed by immunohistochemical staining.

Therapeutic effect of mesenchymal stem cells in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage: reduced apoptosis and enhanced neuroprotection.

Stem cell transplantation has been used to improve neural function in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, reports on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in ICH are limited. We aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and related mechanisms by transplantation of MSCs in rats with ICH.

[Study of the correlation of papillary thyroid carcinoma's invasion with Ezrin, Moesin and E-Cadherin].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Ezrin, Moesin and E-Cadherin on the invasion and metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).

Methods: The 81 paraffin-embedded specimen of PTC treated in The Second Clinical College of Harbin Medical University from 2005 to 2008 were examined immunohistochemically for Ezrin, Moesin, and E-Cadherin. Normal thyroid tissues adjacent to cancer were control.

[A retrospective study of 101 maxillofacial fractures].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characters and treatments of maxillofacial fractures.

Method: A review of 101 maxillofacial fractures was presented with respect to age, sex, cause of fractures, pattern of fractures, treatments and therapeutic effect.

Result: The majority of fractures were found in 20-to-50-year-old males.

Prevalence of the precore G1896A mutation in Chinese patients with e antigen negative hepatitis B virus infection and its relationship to pre-S1 antigen.

This study investigated the prevalence of the precore G1896A mutation in Chinese patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) negative HBV infection and its relation to serum HBV pre-S1 antigen. The overall prevalence of the precore G1896A mutation was 72.6% in HBeAg-negative Chinese patients with detectable serum HBV DNA.

Mask adaptor--a novel method of positive pressure ventilation during propofol deep sedation for upper GI endoscopy.

Background: Propofol dosages required for upper GI endoscopy are often high enough to pose serious risks of respiratory depression. Stopping the procedure and bag ventilating a patient until the propofol wears off may be a safer management because traditional mask ventilation is not available.

Objective: We introduce the mask adaptor for upper GI endoscopy (MAUGE), a new method of positive pressure ventilation during upper GI endoscopy, and assessed its feasibility and safety.