Molecular evidence of impaired iron metabolism and its association with Parkinson's disease progression.

The aim of the study is to investigate the role of ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 7 (ABCB7) in correlation with the progression of Parkinson's disease. Initially, the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was used to develop a mouse model of mild and severe forms of Parkinson's disease. Histology, immunohistology, and Western blotting were used to investigate the role of ABCB7 in disease progression.

Xanthoplanine attenuates macrophage polarization towards M1 and inflammation response via disruption of CrkL-STAT5 complex.

Monocyte infiltration and macrophage polarization are widely considered as pivotal steps for the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Previous studies suggested that zanthoxylum piperitum had strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it remains unclear whether zanthoxylum piperitum inhibits inflammation via macrophage function.

CircPRKCI relieves lipopolysaccharide-induced HK2 cell injury by upregulating the expression of miR-545 target gene ZEB2.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible influences of circPRKCI abnormal expression on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced HK2 cell injury and its mechanism. The circPRKCI level was identified in serum samples from patients with urosepsis and healthy subjects, as well as LPS-treated HK2 cells by qRT-PCR. Cell viability, apoptosis, expression of proteins associated with apoptosis, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-treated HK2 cells were measured.

Analysis of Preoperative Factors Influencing Hypoglossal-facial 'Side'-to-side Neurorrhaphy for Facial Paralysis after Excision of Acoustic Neuroma.

Objective: Hypoglossal nerve-facial nerve 'side'-to-side neurorrhaphy is a new method for the treatment of potential incomplete facial paralysis after acoustic neuroma. However, there are differences in postoperative outcomes among patients. This study analysed preoperative factors that may influence the treatment outcomes of neurorrhaphy.

LncRNA SNHG16 promotes non-small cell lung cancer development through regulating EphA2 expression by sponging miR-520a-3p.

Background: Recent evidence has found that lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 16 (SNHG16) was associated with cell carcinogenesis in NSCLC. Here, we further investigated the precise functions and mechanisms of SNHG16 in NSCLC progression.

Methods: The expression of SNHG16, microRNA (miR)-520a-3p and EPH Receptor A2 (EphA2) was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot, respectively.

Enhancement of epithelial cell autophagy induced by sinensetin alleviates epithelial barrier dysfunction in colitis.

Intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction is a key pathology of colitis. Autophagy of epithelial cells maintains homeostasis of the intestinal barrier by inhibiting apoptosis and stimulating degradation of the tight junction protein claudin-2. This study investigated the effects and mechanism of activity of sinensetin, a polymethylated flavonoid isolated from tangerine peel and citrus, on intestinal barrier dysfunction in colitis.

Multiple Antigenic Peptide System Coupled with Amyloid Beta Protein Epitopes As An Immunization Approach to Treat Alzheimer's Disease.

Latest studies suggest that Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the "four big killers" that threaten the health of the elderly. AD affects about 46 million people across the world, and there is a critical need for research on new therapies for treating AD. The purpose of the present study was to develop and evaluate immunogens to elicit antibodies against the formation of amyloid beta protein (Aβ), a pathological hallmark of AD, as a therapeutic strategy in AD.

Saponins regulate intestinal inflammation in colon cancer and IBD.

The saponins are natural surface-active glycosides which are the principal components of many popular herbal medicinal plants such as ginseng, astragalus, and bupleurum. Recent studies have suggested that saponins can exert strong anti-inflammatory effects and induce immune homeostasis in many diseases. Intestinal-inflammation-related digestive diseases include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury, necrotizing enterocolitis and radiation proctitis, as well as intestinal inflammation caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Organic anion transporter 3 (OAT3)-mediated transport of dicaffeoylquinic acids and prediction of potential drug-drug interaction.

Dicaffeoylquinic acids (DCQAs) are widely distributed in daily food and herb medicine (such as Dengzhanxiyin injection) with multiple health benefits and pharmacological activities. However, drug-drug Interactions (DDIs) between DCQAs and possible concomitant drugs were not fully understood in clinic. The purpose of present study was to investigate the role of organic anion transporters (OATs) in the transport of DCQAs and to explore the potential clinical DDIs using in vitro transporter assays.

[Clinical features and surgical treatment of neurilemmoma versus carotid body tumors at bifurcation of carotid artery].

Objective: To analyze clinical features, surgical treatment and outcomes of neurilemmoma and carotid body tumors in bifurcation of carotid artery.

Methods: The clinical data of 17 patients with neurilemmomas and 76 patients with carotid body tumors at the bifurcation of carotid artery, who were surgically treated in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from March 2012 to November 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. The clinicopathological characteristics, surgical procedures and outcomes were compared between two groups.

The AT1/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling pathway is involved in Angiotensin II-enhanced proliferation of hepatic carcinoma cells.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been strongly associated with biological behavior in human malignant tumors; nevertheless, its function in hepatic carcinoma growth and progression is still not well understood. This study investigates the effect and mechanism of Ang II on the HepG2 and Hep3B hepatic carcinoma cell lines in vitro. The effect of Ang II on HepG2 and Hep3B cell viability was examined by cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8).

Downregulation of microRNA-448 inhibits IL-1β-induced cartilage degradation in human chondrocytes via upregulation of matrilin-3.

Background: Osteoarthritis is characterized by the continuous degradation of the articular cartilage. The microRNA miR-448 has been found to be broadly involved in cellular processes, including proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and EMT. While aberrant expression of miR-448 has been found in multiple cancers, its level in osteoarthritis cartilage and its role in the progression of this disease are still unknown.

MicroRNA-584 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion in non-small cell lung cancer by directly targeting MTDH.

Lung cancer is the third most frequent human malignant tumour and the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Emerging lines of evidence have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are upregulated or downregulated in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and this phenomenon is involved in the regulation of various processes during tumorigenesis and progression, including tumour groWTh, apoptosis, cell invasion, and tumour metastasis. Therefore, understanding the molecular mechanism that associates abnormally expressed miRNAs with NSCLC formation and development may lead to the identification of novel diagnostic, and therapeutic targets for patients with NSCLC.

Up-regulated WDR5 promotes gastric cancer formation by induced cyclin D1 expression.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fourth common cancer and second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. WD repeat domain 5 (WDR5) has been identified that its functions as an important role in various biological functions through the epigenetic regulation of gene transcription. However, the oncogenic effect of WDR5 in gastric cancer remains largely unknown.

Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes of Unipolar and Bipolar Radial Head Prosthesis in Patients with Radial Head Fracture: A Systemic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: To compare clinical outcomes of unipolar and bipolar radial head prosthesis in the treatment of patients with radial head fracture.

Materials And Methods: Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, Google Scholar databases were searched until April 18, 2016 using the following search terms: radial head fracture, elbow fracture, radial head arthroplasty, implants, prosthesis, unipolar, bipolar, cemented, and press-fit. Randomized controlled trials, retrospective, and cohort studies were included.

Impact of Different Levels of iPTH on All-Cause Mortality in Dialysis Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism after Parathyroidectomy.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) usually required parathyroidectomy (PTX) when drugs treatment is invalid. Analysis was done on the impact of different intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) after the PTX on all-cause mortality.

Methods: An open, retrospective, multicenter cohort design was conducted.

Baicalin inhibits hypoxia-induced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation via the AKT/HIF-1α/p27-associated pathway.

Baicalin, a flavonoid compound purified from the dry roots of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has been shown to possess various pharmacological actions. Previous studies have revealed that baicalin inhibits the growth of cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis. Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disease characterized by enhanced pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMCs) proliferation and suppressed apoptosis.

[3-dimensional visualization study of angle nerve of facial nerve].

Objective: To validate the previous anatomic study result about angle nerve of facial nerve through 3-dimensional (3-D) visualization technique, so as to provide theory basis for clinic treatment of nerve loss.

Method: The full-thickness soft tissue at internal side of inner canthus was harvested from adult cadaveric head. The skin was 3 cm in length and 1 cm in width, with 2 parallel cut lines as location markers.

In vitro characterization of glucuronidation of vanillin: identification of human UDP-glucuronosyltransferases and species differences.

Vanillin is a food flavoring agent widely utilized in foods, beverages, drugs, and perfumes and has been demonstrated to exhibit multiple pharmacological activities. Given the importance of glucuronidation in the metabolism of vanillin, the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase conjugation pathway of vanillin was investigated in this study. Vanillin glucuronide was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) and a hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by β-glucuronidase.

[Anatomic study of malar fat pad and aging analysis].

Objective: To discuss the midface aging mechanism through anatomic study of malar fat pad.

Methods: 10 fresh adult cadaveric heads (20 sides) fixed by vascular perfusion of formalin were used for anatomic study with microsurgery technique under microscope. The midfacial ligament and connective tissue between skin and subcutaneous fat were observed carefully in different parts of midface.