Combination of ultra-low dose rituximab and low dose tacrolimus versus tacrolimus alone in the treatment of non-responsive idiopathic membranous nephropathy: a Chinese retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: Some patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN) do not respond to cyclophosphamide plus steroids treatment, and we define them as non-responsive iMN. The combined regimen of rituximab (RTX) and tacrolimus (TAC) has an excellent effect on this kind of non-responsive iMN patients; however, the optimal dose is still unclear. In this retrospective study, we comapred the efficacy and safety of ultra-low dose RTX plus low-dose TAC therapy versus standard TAC monotherapy in patients with non-responsive iMN.

Evaluation of the safety and tolerability of tamoxifen for ischemia-incited renal injury in mice.

Tamoxifen is used to activate tamoxifen-dependent Cre recombinase (CreER) to generate time- and tissue-specific genetically mutant mice. However, tamoxifen is also an active estrogen analogue that binds with higher affinity to estrogen receptors and exhibits anti-apoptosis, anti-inflammation, and antifibrotic properties. Renal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury is characterized by increased apoptosis and inflammation, so optimal utility of tamoxifen-inducible CreER genetic systems in I/R model is important.

GAG and collagen II attenuate glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis by regulating NF-κB and MAPK signaling.

As a component of collagen II, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) has a relatively close relationship with bone metabolism. GAG and collagen II have been proven to promote connection of the bone trabecular structure. However, the exact mechanism remains unknown.

AAL exacerbates pro-inflammatory response in macrophages by regulating Mincle/Syk/Card9 signaling along with the Nlrp3 inflammasome assembly.

Previously, we demonstrated that Agrocybe aegerita lectin (AAL), a galectin isolated from edible mushroom Agrocybe aegerita, exerts potent anti-tumor activity, while the mechanisms by which AAL suppresses tumor growth are yet to be elucidated. Here, we conducted studies with focus for its impact on the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced innate immune response. Administration of AAL significantly exacerbated the severity of CLP-induced septic shock as manifested the increased lethality.

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of TGFβ1 and ATM associated with radiation-induced pneumonitis: a prospective cohort study of thoracic cancer patients in China.

Background: We examined the effects of the rs1800469 and rs1800470 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1) gene and the rs189037 and rs373759 SNPs of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene on the risk of radiation-induced pneumonitis (RP) in patients who underwent radiotherapy for various thoracic malignancies.

Methods: We determined the genotype and allele distributions of rs1800469 (C-509T), rs1800470 (C869T), rs189037 (A-111G), and rs373759 (126713 G>A) in 141 Han Chinese patients who underwent definitive thoracic radiotherapy (50 to 77 Gy, 5 days/wk) for lung cancer (small cell or non-small cell tumors, n = 97), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC, n = 27), or mediastinal cancer (n = 17). Clinical variables were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models to calculate the relative risk of RP associated with the clinical variables, and a Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between the SNP genotypes and alleles and the incidence of RP for the various risk factors.

IL-21 does not involve in OVA-induced airway remodeling and chronic airway inflammation.

Interleukin (IL-21) is a member of the type I cytokine family with sequence homology to IL-2, IL-4, and IL-15. IL-21 has been reported to improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis in mice. In this study we examined whether IL-21 signaling involved in allergic airway inflammation and remodeling in vivo by using ovalbumin (OVA)-induced chronic asthma model.

BTLA associates with increased Foxp3 expression in CD4(+) T cells in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease, and its pathogenesis involves a variety of genetic, environmental, and immunological factors such as T helper cells and their secreted cytokines. B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is an immunoregulatory receptor that has a strong suppressive effect on T-cell function. However the role of BTLA in UC remains poorly understood.

Exclusion of IL-21 in the pathogenesis of OVA-induced asthma in mice.

Asthma is characterized by airway inflammation, mucus overproduction, and airway hyperreactivity. Cytokines, especially T helper 2-derived cytokines interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13, are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. IL-21 has a variety of effects on the immune system.

BTLA exhibits immune memory for αβ T cells in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Despite past extensive studies, the role of B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) in αβ T cells in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (ATB) remains poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that BTLA expression on αβ T cells is decreased in patients with M. tuberculosis (Mtb) infection.

Sumoylation modulates oxidative stress relevant to the viability and functionality of pancreatic beta cells.

Sumoylation is an evolutionarily conserved regulatory mechanism to play an important role in various cellular processes through modulation of protein localization, stability and functionality. Recent studies including ours have consistently demonstrated that sumoylation provides protection for cells against oxidative stress. Given that pancreatic beta cells are a vulnerable target of oxidative stress, we thus in this minireview, updated the advancement of sumoylation in the regulation of ROS generation, and discussed its impact on several critical signaling pathways relevant to beta cells against oxidative stress and maintenance of functionality.

Three-year follow-up results for non-surgical root canal therapy of idiopathic external root resorption on a maxillary canine with MTA: a case report.

External root resorption (ERR) is an uncommon and intractable disease. Treatment alternatives are case-dependant and aim for the repair of the resorptive lesion and long-term retention of the tooth. A forty-year-old Asian female was diagnosed with idiopathic ERR on tooth #11 (the left maxillary canine) by CBCT.

Comparative analysis of arterial spin labeling and dynamic susceptibility contrast perfusion imaging for quantitative perfusion measurements of brain tumors.

We comparatively analyzed the difference between three-dimensional arterial spin labeling (3D-ASL) and the conventional dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) perfusion imaging in the setting of assessing brain tumor perfusion in 28 patients with proved brain tumors. All patients were scheduled with standard MRI, 3D-ASL and DSC scannings on a GE DISCOVERY MR 750 system. Maximal relative tumor perfusion was obtained based on the region of interest (ROI) method.

Clinical and genetic characteristics for the Urofacial Syndrome (UFS).

The Urofacial (Ochoa) Syndrome (UFS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder and over 100 patients have been reported thus far. UFS is characterized by the abnormal facial expression and dysfunctional voiding. The patients show a peculiar distortion of the facial expression (grimacing as if in pain or sadness when they tried to smile or laugh) along with urinary tract infection, enuresis, vesicoureteral reflux and hydronephrosis without any underlying neurological lesion and previous urinary obstruction.

SUMO1 regulates endothelial function by modulating the overall signals in favor of angiogenesis and homeostatic responses.

As a versatile regulatory mechanism, sumoylation has been found to be essential for ordered diverse cellular processes. However, the exact impact of sumoylation on endothelial function largely remained elusive. Here we investigated the role of small ubiquitin-like modifier 1 (SUMO1) mediated sumoylation in the regulation of endothelial function by examining its effect on angiogenesis and homeostatic responses.

The significance of antral follicle size prior to stimulation in predicting ovarian response in a multiple dose GnRH antagonist protocol.

Prediction of ovarian responses prior to stimulation is not only useful for patient counseling, but also important in tailoring the optimal dosage of gonadotrophin for individual patients. By prospectively study of 214 women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment, we obtained data supporting that antral follicle size could be an additional valuable predictive marker other than the antral follicle count (AFC) in predicting ovarian response. Our studies revealed that AFC achieved the best predictive value in relation to the number of oocyte obtained, followed by antral follicle size, basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and body mass index (BMI).