[Epidemiological investigation of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing].

To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of tinnitus in Sichuan and Chongqing. We designed a tinnitus epidemiological questionnaire. The multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling methods was applied to obtain study subjects in six areas (Nanchong, Jiangjin, Fengdu, Yunyang, Suining and Ya'an), which were selected for epidemiological investigation.

Echinatin mitigates H2O2-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in lens epithelial cells via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

Background: Oxidative stress has been reported to be an early factor in the development of cataracts. Echinatin (Ech) is an active ingredient of licorice that exhibits antioxidant effects.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of Ech on oxidative stress-induced lens epithelial cell (LEC) damage.

Optimal level of positive end-expiratory pressure during nasal continuous airway pressure for severe bronchiolitis: a prospective study.

Background: Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) has been increasingly applied in the pediatric setting. However, there is no uniform standard for setting and titrating positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) level, which is paramount to the effectiveness of the treatment. This study aimed to investigate the optimal parameters for nCPAP in the treatment of severe bronchiolitis based on clinical efficacy and pulmonary function parameters.

Response efficacy and heterogeneity of antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia: Systemic review and meta-analysis.

Backgrounds: This meta-analysis aimed to assess antipsychotic and placebo effects in patients with schizophrenia at the level of symptom factors.

Methods: A systematic literature search up to June 2020 was undertaken and 62 studies were included, with 23,478 patients with schizophrenia at the study baseline point. We calculated mean differences with 95% confidence intervals.

Rosmarinic acid inhibits proliferation and migration, promotes apoptosis and enhances cisplatin sensitivity of melanoma cells through inhibiting ADAM17/EGFR/AKT/GSK3β axis.

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound, exerts multiple biological properties including anti-cancer. The metalloprotease, a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 17 (ADAM17), can activate ligands of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and contribute to tumor progression. We aimed to investigate whether RA could exhibit anti-cancer effects in melanoma cells through down-regulating ADAM17.

miR‑451 suppresses the malignant characteristics of colorectal cancer via targeting SAMD4B.

Cancer metastasis and recurrence are major causes of poor survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, the biological behavior of microRNA (miR)‑451 in CRC deserves further investigation. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR was applied to measure the relative expression of miR‑451 in blood serum specimens from patients with CRC and CRC cells.

Effects of Birinapant on Proliferation and Invasion of MGC-803 Gastric Cancer Cells and Mechanism Underlying These Effects.

We studied the effects of birinapant, a mimetic of the second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase (SMAC), on invasion and proliferation of MGC-803 gastric cancer cells and the molecular mechanisms underlying these processes. The expression of cellular inhibitor of apoptosis 1 (cIAP1) and TNF receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) in gastric cancer cell line MGC-803 and normal gastric mucosa GES-1 cells were analyzed by Western blotting and cell immunofluorescence assay. After pretreatment of MGC-803 cells with birinapant, a Transwell invasion assay was used to evaluate the cell invasion ability.

TRIM14 regulates melanoma malignancy via PTEN/PI3K/AKT and STAT3 pathways.

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers with poor overall survival. To date, there are still few effective methods for the treatment of melanoma. TRIM14 was previously reported to be an important oncogene in many tumors.

miR-129 Blocks Secondary Hyperparathyroidism-Inducing Fgf23/αKlotho Signaling in Mice with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background: Secondary hyperparathyroidism, a condition of excess parathyroid hormone (PTH, Pth) production, is often seen in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23, Fgf23). Elevated FGF23 levels stimulate secondary hyperparathyroidism-associated parathyroid αKlotho signaling. As overexpression of rationally selected microRNAs can suppress target gene activation, we hypothesized that microRNA-based suppression of parathyroid FGF23/αKlotho axis activity may be a potential strategy to combat secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Regional anesthetics versus analgesia for stopping the persistent postsurgical pain: A meta-analysis.

Introduction: Regional anesthesia might moderate the risk of persistent postsurgical pain, but its effect compared to systemic analgesia is still conflicting. This meta-analysis study was performed to assess the relationship between the efficiency of regional anesthesia versus systemic analgesia in reducing pain persisting longer than 3 months after surgery.

Methods: Through a systematic literature search up to August 2020, 31 studies included 2975 subjects who underwent surgery at baseline and reported a total of 1471 subjects using regional anesthesia and 1319 subjects using conventional anesthesia were found recording relationships between efficiency of regional anesthesia versus systemic analgesia in reducing pain persisting longer than 3 months after surgery.

Sugar in Beverage and the Risk of Incident Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and Stroke: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between sugar in beverage and dementia, Alzheimer Disease (AD) dementia and stroke.

Methods: This prospective cohort study were based on the US community-based Framingham Heart Study (FHS). Sugar in beverage was assessed between 1991 and 1995 (5th exam).

Efficacy and Safety of Iodine-125 Brachytherapy in the Treatment of Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a difficult challenge for physicians, especially when patients have been treated with external beam radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided iodine-125 brachytherapy as a palliative treatment for R/M HNSCC.

Methods: From May 2011 to July 2018, we enrolled 87 patients with R/M HNSCC who had previously received external beam radiotherapy.

PPM1A suppresses the proliferation and invasiveness of RCC cells via Smad2/3 signaling inhibition.

Background: Cytokine therapies show promise in treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is a cytokine whose downstream Smad2/3 signaling activity is inhibited by the protein phosphatase Mg/Mn-dependent 1 A (PPM1A). Here, we hypothesized that PPM1A may be involved in suppressing RCC cell aggressiveness through its negative regulation of Smad2/3.

MicroRNA-25-3p suppresses epileptiform discharges through inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis via targeting OXSR1 in neurons.

MicroRNA-25-3p (miR-25-3p) has been reported to be closely related with oxidative stress and apoptosis. Here, we aimed to detect the effects of miR-25-3p in the primarily cultured hippocampal neurons. Kainic acid (KA) was used to induce epileptic seizures in the rats.

The efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant buparlisib for breast cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies.

Introduction: The efficacy of neoadjuvant buparlisib for breast cancer remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the influence of neoadjuvant buparlisib versus placebo for breast cancer.

Methods: We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through May 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant buparlisib versus placebo for breast cancer.

Activation of liver X receptor promotes hippocampal neurogenesis and improves long-term cognitive function recovery in acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion mice.

Cerebral ischemia (CI) leads to cognitive dysfunction due to the loss of hippocampal neurons. Liver X receptors (LXRs), including the LXRα and LXRβ isoforms, are critical for neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, neurodegeneration, and cholesterol metabolism. However, the potential role of LXRs in the pathogenesis of CI-induced cognitive impairment is unclear.

Clinical Observation of the Efficacy of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography on Elder Choledocholithiasis and Its Effects on the Levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6.

Objective: We conducted this study to investigate the clinical efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on elder choledocholithiasis and its effects on the levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6.

Methods: Elder patients with choledocholithiasis were enrolled in this study, and according to the surgical methods, they were divided into the ERCP group and the surgical group. After treatment, we compared the efficacy of these two methods on patients, inflammatory responses indicated by the levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6, and the complications.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy for heart failure: a meta-analysis.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment has emerged as an important adjunct therapy for heart failure. However, the use of MSC to treat heart failure has not been well established. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of MSC treatment for heart failure.

Efficacy and safety of baroreflex activation therapy for treatment of resistant hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To provide definite evidence for the anti-hypertensive benefit of Baroreflex Activation Therapy (BAT) for resistant hypertension, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BAT. Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Two reviewers independently determined the eligibility of studies and extracted the data.

Efficacy of aliskiren supplementation for heart failure : A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Aliskiren might be beneficial for heart failure. However, the results of various studies are controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy of aliskiren supplementation for heart failure.

Genistein promotes ionizing radiation-induced cell death by reducing cytoplasmic Bcl-xL levels in non-small cell lung cancer.

Genistein (GEN) has been previously reported to enhance the radiosensitivity of cancer cells; however, the detailed mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we report that GEN treatment inhibits the cytoplasmic distribution of Bcl-xL and increases nuclear Bcl-xL in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Interestingly, our in vitro data show that ionizing radiation IR treatment significantly increases IR-induced DNA damage and apoptosis in a low cytoplasmic Bcl-xL NSCLC cell line compared to that of high cytoplasmic Bcl-xL cell lines.

Efficacy and safety of bazedoxifene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Bazedoxifene may be promising to treat osteoporosis of postmenopausal women. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the efficacy and safety of bazedoxifene in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods: PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched.

Efficacy and safety of Mobi-C cervical artificial disc versus anterior discectomy and fusion in patients with symptomatic degenerative disc disease: A meta-analysis.

Background: Total disc replacement (TDR) using Mobi-C cervical artificial disc might be promising to treat symptomatic degenerative disc disease. However, the results remained controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy and safety of Mobi-C cervical artificial disc and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients with symptomatic degenerative disc disease.

[Ginsenoside Rh₂ induces apoptosis and autophagy of K562 cells by activating p38].

To study the effect of ginseng saponin Rh₂ in inducing apoptosis of human leukemia K562 cells, and explore its mechanism from the aspect of autophagy pathway. CCK-8 assay was used to examine the growth inhibition of human leukemia cell lines K562 treated with ginsenoside Rh₂; flow cytometry (FCM) was used to detect cell apoptosis; Hoechst staining was used to observe the changes of cell morphological apoptosis; Acridine and MDC staining were used to detect the effects of the Rh₂ on autophagy; Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression levels of the proteins closely associated with autophagy and apoptosis. In order to study the effect of autophagy in proliferation and apoptosis, we used the autophagy inhibitor (3-MA).

Transforming growth factor-β1 signaling promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition-like phenomena, cell motility, and cell invasion in synovial sarcoma cells.

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the reverse process (the mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition [MET]) have been shown to be associated with tumor cell invasion and metastasis in different carcinomas. The EMT and MET have recently been shown to play a key role in the pathogenic processes of sarcomas, which are completely different from those of carcinomas. However, the definitive roles of the EMT in the tumorigenesis of synovial sarcomas remain unknown.