RARβ acts as both an upstream regulator and downstream effector of miR-22, which epigenetically regulates NUR77 to induce apoptosis of colon cancer cells.

This study investigates the mechanism and consequences of microRNA-22 ( miR-22) induction. Our data revealed for the first time that retinoic acid (RA) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, including short-chain fatty acids and suberanilohydroxamic acid (SAHA), could individually or in combination induce miR-22. This induction was mediated via RA receptor β (RARβ) binding to a direct repeat 5 (DR5) motif.

Mitochondrial expression and activity of P-glycoprotein under oxidative stress in outer blood-retinal barrier.

Aim: To investigate the role of oxidative stress in regulating the functional expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in mitochondria of D407 cells.

Methods: D407 cells were exposed to different ranges of concentrations of HO. The mitochondrial location of P-gp in the cells subjected to oxidative stress was detected by confocal analysis.

NIMA-related kinase 2 regulates hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth and proliferation.

NIMA-related kinase 2 (Nek2) is often upregulated in human cancer and is important in regulating the cell cycle and gene expression, and maintaining centrosomal structure and function. The present study aimed to investigate the expression pattern, clinical significance, and biological function of Nek2 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). mRNA and protein levels of Nek2 were examined in HCC and corresponding normal liver tissues.

Changes in cardiac structure and function in a modified rat model of myocardial hypertrophy.

Aim: In this study we designed a modified method of abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) in order to establish a stable animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). We also evaluated cardiac structure and function in rats with myocardial hypertrophy using echocardiography, and provide a theory and experimental basis for the application of drug interventions using the LVH animal model. We hope this model will provide insight into novel clinical therapies for LVH.

Loss of intestinal O-glycans promotes spontaneous duodenal tumors.

Mucin-type O-glycans, primarily core 1- and core 3-derived O-glycans, are the major mucus barrier components throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Previous reports identified the biological role of O-glycans in the stomach and colon. However, the biological function of O-glycans in the small intestine remains unknown.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine as a Sedative Premedication for Patients Undergoing Suspension Laryngoscopy: A Randomized Double-Blind Study.

Background: Intranasal dexmedetomidine, a well-tolerated and convenient treatment option, has been shown to induce a favorable perioperative anxiolysis in children. We investigate intranasal dexmedetomidine as a sedative premedication for anesthesia recovery in an adult population.

Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial; 81 adult patients scheduled for elective suspension laryngoscopy received intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 μg∙kg-1) or a placebo 45-60 min before anesthetic induction.

Anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody ameliorates immunosuppression after peripheral tissue trauma: attenuated T-lymphocyte response and increased splenic CD11b (+) Gr-1 (+) myeloid-derived suppressor cells require HMGB1.

Although tissue-derived high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is involved in many aspects of inflammation and tissue injury after trauma, its role in trauma-induced immune suppression remains elusive. Using an established mouse model of peripheral tissue trauma, which includes soft tissue and fracture components, we report here that treatment with anti-HMGB1 monoclonal antibody ameliorated the trauma-induced attenuated T-cell responses and accumulation of CD11b(+)Gr-1(+) myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the spleens seen two days after injury. Our data suggest that HMGB1 released after tissue trauma contributes to signaling pathways that lead to attenuation of T-lymphocyte responses and enhancement of myeloid-derived suppressor cell expansion.

Alterations in cardiac structure and function in a modified rat model of myocardial hypertrophy.

This study was aimed to establish a stable animal model of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) to provide theoretical and experimental basis for understanding the development of LVH. The abdominal aorta of male Wistar rats (80-100 g) was constricted to a diameter of 0.55 mm between the branches of the celiac and anterior mesenteric arteries.

Anticipation, anti-glaucoma drug treatment response and phenotype of a Chinese family with glaucoma caused by the Pro370Leu myocilin mutation.

Aim: To describe the anticipation and anti-glaucoma drugs response of a Chinese family with juvenile-onset open angle glaucoma (JOAG) caused by the Pro370Leu myocilin (MYOC) mutation.

Methods: Fifteen members of a three-generation Chinese family with JOAG were recruited to this study. They all underwent ophthalmic common examinations.

Haemoglobin A₁c measurement in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the interference of carbamylated haemoglobin (cHb) to haemoglobin A1c (HbA₁c) measurements in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) by three ion-exchange chromatography methods.

Design And Methods: We included three ion-exchange chromatography methods (Bio-Rad Variant II, G7 and HA-8160) and one affinity chromatography method (Primus Ultra2) to test HbA₁c. In vitro carbamylation of haemoglobin was also performed to test interference of carbamylation.

The effect of a telephone follow-up intervention on illness perception and lifestyle after myocardial infarction in China: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Lifestyle modification is an integral component of cardiac secondary prevention, while it has been confirmed that myocardial infarction (MI) patients' health-related behaviors are heavily influenced by their illness perception.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of a telephone follow-up intervention for improving MI patients' illness perception and lifestyle.

Design: A randomized controlled trial, longitudinal research design was employed.

Efficacy of carbamazepine combined with botulinum toxin a in the treatment of blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Purpose: To observe the efficacy of the combined treatment of carbamazepine and botulinum toxin A for blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm.

Methods: Fifty-eight patients with either blepharospasm or hemifacial spasm were randomly divided into treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, 30 patients were administered with local intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin A and oral carbamazepine 100 mg/time, 3 times a day for 60 days.

[Expression of connective tissue growth factor in colorectal cancer and its association with prognosis].

Objective: To investigate the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in colorectal cancer(CRC) and its association with clinicopathologic parameters and overall survival rate.

Methods: Fresh tumor tissues and matched distal normal colon tissues were collected from 92 patients diagnosed as CRC by surgical operation. The expression level of CTGF mRNA was quantified by quantitative reverse transcription PCR.

A randomised controlled trial of dexmedetomidine for suspension laryngoscopy.

We randomly allocated 80 patients to intravenous dexmedetomidine (0.25, 0.5, or 1 μg.

Effectiveness of 3 surgical decompression strategies for treatment of multilevel cervical myelopathy in 3 spinal centers in China: a retrospective study.

Study Design: Retrospective multicenter study.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes and surgical-related adverse events in patients with multilevel cervical myelopathy (MCM) undergoing simple anterior, simple posterior, or 1-stage posterior-anterior surgical decompression strategies.

Summary Of Background Data: Simple anterior, simple posterior, and 1-stage posterior-anterior surgical decompression strategies have been advocated for MCM treatment in both Western and Chinese populations.

MicroRNA-181a promotes gastric cancer by negatively regulating tumor suppressor KLF6.

MicroRNAs have emerged as crucial regulators of tumorigenesis. However, it remains unknown whether miR-181a is involved in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer. In this study, we found that miR-181a is overexpressed in human gastric cancer tissues.

Expression and activity of p-glycoprotein elevated by dexamethasone in cultured retinal pigment epithelium involve glucocorticoid receptor and pregnane X receptor.

Purpose: To investigate whether dexamethasone has an effect on functional expression of p-glycoprotein in cultured human RPE and, if so, whether this occurs through interaction with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and pregnane X receptor (PXR).

Methods: The human RPE D407 was treated with increasing concentrations of dexamethasone and/or RU486 for various time periods up to 24 hours. Treated cells were collected for cell viability, expressions of p-glycoprotein and PXR, and rhodamine 123 accumulation assays.

High glucose decreases expression and activity of p-glycoprotein in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium possibly through iNOS induction.

Inhibition of p-glycoprotein under hyperglycemic conditions has been reported in various barrier tissues including blood-brain barrier, intestine, and kidney, and has been linked to significant clinical complications. However, whether this is also true for the outer blood-retinal barrier constituted by retinal pigment epithelium, or has a role in pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy is not yet clear. In this study, using cultured human retinal pigment epithelium cell line D407, we found that high glucose exposure induced a significant decrease in p-glycoprotein expression both at mRNA and at protein levels, accompanied by an attenuated p-glycoprotein activity determined by intracellular rhodamine 123 retention.

[Multicenter case-control study of the relationship between smoking and bladder cancer in China].

Objective: To explore the relationship between smoking and bladder cancer in China.

Methods: A multicenter case-control study was conducted from September 2005 to June 2008. A total of 432 bladder cancer patients, matched with 392 control cases, received a questionnaire including the type of exposure (active vs.

The association between the SLC6A3 VNTR 9-repeat allele and alcoholism-a meta-analysis.

Background: Dopamine transporter gene (SLC6A3) represents a promising candidate involved in the development of alcoholism. This study aimed to explore the association between the 9-repeat allele (A9) of a 40-bp variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the 3' un-translated region (3' UTR) of the SLC6A3 gene and alcoholism.

Methods: The SLC6A3 VNTR was genotyped by PCR in unrelated Mexican Americans including 337 controls and 365 alcoholics.

Diagnostic utility of an anti-CCP point-of-care immunotest in Chinese patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: Early and accurate diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has become increasingly important. The clinical significance of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody in Chinese RA adults was studied using an anti-CCP2 rapid test.

Methods: Anti-CCP antibody and rheumatoid factor (RF) were determined in 95 RA patients and 140 patients with rheumatic diseases other than RA.

Overexpression of osteopontin in hepatocellular carcinoma and its relationships with metastasis, invasion of tumor cells.

Osteopontin (OPN) plays an important role in metastasis and relapse of human cancer. However, the whole story of OPN relating to cancer has been far from clear untill now. To investigate the expression of OPN in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its relationships with recurrence and metastasis of HCC, normal and malignant liver tissues from patients with HCC were analyzed using immunohistochemical staining.

[Experimental study of NK4 gene targeted therapy mediated by human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter for colon cancer].

Objective: To investigate anti-tumor effect of the recombined adenovirus encoding NK4 gene regulated by human telomerase reverse transcriptase (HTERT) promoter (Ad HTERTp-NK4) on human colon cancer.

Methods: Colon cell line HCT116 was infected with Ad HTERTp-NK4. NK4 expression was determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.

Influence of polygenetic polymorphisms on the susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease of Chinese people.

Background And Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of polygenetic polymorphisms, which play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, on the susceptibility to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) of Chinese people.

Methods: The subjects were selected from an epidemiological survey in the Guangdong province of southern China. In each polymorphism study, 50-117 subjects who met the diagnostic criteria of NAFLD and had typical clinical and ultrasonographic findings were placed into the case group.