S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 impairs the inhibitory effects of miR-1236-3p on bladder tumors.

We have previously demonstrated that miR-1236-3p has the robust ability to up-regulate p21 expression by targeting the p21 promoter, thus inhibiting bladder cancer progression. Microarray experiments displayed that miR-1236-3p significantly increased the expression of the oncogenic F-box protein S-phase kinase-associate protein 2 (Skp2) while activating p21 expression in bladder cancer cells. Here, we confirmed that Skp2 was over-expressed following transfection with miR-1236-3p.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote stem cell-like properties of hepatocellular carcinoma cells through IL-6/STAT3/Notch signaling.

In this study, we investigated the role of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. We showed that CAFs secrete high levels of IL-6, which promoted stem cell-like properties in HCC cells by activating Notch signaling through STAT3 Tyr705 phosphorylation. These effects were abolished by Notch1 shRNA knockdown in HCC cells or treatment with an IL-6 neutralizing antibody or the p-STAT3 (Tyr705) inhibitor cryptotanshinone.

Role of Krüppel-like factor 4 in cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by excessive proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), leading to dysregulated vascular remodeling. Cigarette smoke (CS) is a common risk factor causing PH, and our previous study showed that CS extract (CSE) stimulated abnormal PASMC proliferation. However, the molecular mechanism remains unclear.

lncRNA MALAT1/miR-205-5p axis regulates MPP-induced cell apoptosis in MN9D cells by directly targeting LRRK2.

Metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), as a long chain non-coding RNA (lncRNA), has been reported to be upregulated in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the mechanisms underlying this process remain unknown. Hence, to investigate the role of MALAT1 in PD, N-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP) was used to induce PD in the MN9D dopaminergic neuronal cell line and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) was used to induce PD in C57BL/6 mice.

Deletion of diacylglycerol-responsive TRPC genes attenuates diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting activation of the TGFβ1 signaling pathway.

TRPC6 plays a critical role in proteinuric kidney diseases, and TRPC3 is involved in tubulointerstitial damage and renal fibrosis in obstructed kidneys. Podocyte loss is a characteristic event in diabetic nephropathy (DN). The aim of this study was to examine whether deletion of the closely related diacylglycerol (DAG)-responsive TRPCs in mice (TRPC3/6/7) affects diabetes-induced renal dysfunction and podocyte loss.

MiR-514a-3p inhibits cell proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition by targeting EGFR in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: Dysregulation of miR-514a-3p has been reported in multiple human malignancies. However, its biological function and molecular mechanisms in renal cell cancer (RCC) remain unclear. The aims of this study were to explore the role of miR-514a-3p and its potential mechanism in human RCC.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 delayed endothelial replicative senescence and protected cells from HO-induced premature senescence through SIRT1.

Vascular aging is an independent risk factor for age-related diseases, including atherosclerosis. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been widely recognized as a metabolic regulator that is elevated in response to caloric and nutritional restrictions. Recent studies have demonstrated its emerging role as a pro-longevity hormone, but its effects on the senescence of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) remain unclear.

One case with dexmedetomidine-induced stuporous state in epileptic patient undergoing abdominal surgery.

A 56-year-old epileptic patient underwent right hemicolectomy and cholecystectomy surgery under general endotracheal anesthesia. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, and sufentanil, rocuronium, and dexmedetomidine infusions. After the operation and confirmation of neuromuscular recovery, the patient woke from anesthesia within 15 min and successfully extubated.

Role of conventional magnetic resonance imaging in the screening of epilepsy with structural abnormalities: a pictorial essay.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease with serious impact on patients and society. The causes of epilepsy comprise a heterogeneous group of disorders, rendering epilepsy diagnoses rather difficult and challenging. The primary role of MRI is to locate and define the probable anatomic epileptogenic lesions.

Alteration of circadian rhythm during epileptogenesis: implications for the suprachiasmatic nucleus circuits.

It is important to realize that characterization of the circadian rhythm patterns of seizure occurrence can implicate in diagnosis and treatment of selected types of epilepsy. Evidence suggests a role for the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) circuits in overall circadian rhythm and seizure susceptibility both in animals and humans. Thus, we conclude that SCN circuits may exert modifying effects on circadian rhythmicity and neuronal excitability during epileptogenesis.

Sapylin promotes wound healing in mouse skin flaps.

Seroma formation is one of the most common complications after modified radical mastectomy. Sapylin is an agent used to reduce seroma formation following breast cancer surgery. In this article, we aimed to identify the potential mechanism by which Sapylin reduced seroma formation.

Verapamil suppresses cardiac alternans and ventricular arrhythmias in acute myocardial ischemia via ryanodine receptor inhibition.

T-wave alternans (TWA) is a potent arrhythmia substrate under the conditions of acute myocardial ischemia. Abnormal intracellular calcium cycling contributes to the genesis of cardiac alternans. Ryanodine receptor (RyR) is a pivotal Ca cycling protein central to Ca signaling in the heart.

Methylation of the FOXP3 upstream enhancer as a clinical indicator of defective regulatory T cells in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Atherosclerosis is an immune-mediated inflammatory process, which acts as the main cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Regulatory CD4+CD25+FOXP3+T cells (Tregs) are thought to play a major role in inhibiting the formation and progression of atherosclerosis. However, the exact role played by Tregs in the pathogenesis of ACS is yet remained unclear.

Experimental and models for the study of human aortic dissection: promises and challenges.

Aortic dissection (AD) is a life-threatening aortopathy with high mortality. To mimic spontaneous AD, investigate the pathogenesis of AD and develop novel therapeutic targets and measures, multiple AD experimental models have been generated, including drugs or chemicals induced experimental models, genetically modified experimental models, surgically or invasively induced experimental models, and models. However, the perfect model of AD that replicates every aspect of the natural disease has not be generated yet.

The potential role of lysosome-associated membrane protein 3 (LAMP3) on cardiac remodelling.

Lysosome-associated membrane protein 3 (LAMP3) was first identified as a cell surface marker of mature dendritic cells and specifically expressed in lung tissues. Recently studies demonstrated that LAMP3 plays a critical role in several cancers, and regulated by hypoxia. However, whether LAMP3 expressed in the heart and cardiomyocytes and changed its expression level in the hearts with cardiac remodelling was largely unknown.

Senile cataract and genetic polymorphisms of APE1, XRCC1 and OGG1.

Polymorphisms of DNA repair enzymes which may influence their repair efficiency lead to diseases, for example, senile cataract. In this study, we aimed to analyze the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms in AP endonuclease-1 (APE1), 8-oxoguanine glycosylase-1 (OGG1) and X-ray repair cross-complementing-1 (XRCC1) genes with the risk of age-related cataract in a Chinese population. Genotyping was carried out by the polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing on 402 cataract patients and 813 controls in this study.

Histone methyltransferases: novel targets for tumor and developmental defects.

Histone lysine methylation plays a critical role in epigenetic regulation of eukaryotes. To date, studies have shown that lysine residues of K4, K9, K27, K36 and K79 in histone H3 and K20 in histone H4 can be modified by histone methyltransferases (HMTs). Such histone methylation can specifically activate or repress the transcriptional activity to play a key role in gene expression/regulation and biological genetics.