Early steep decline of liver stiffness predicts histological reversal of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with entecavir.

It is unknown whether dynamic changes of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) can predict the reversibility of fibrosis. Therefore, we evaluated the utility of LSM changes in predicting histological changes of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) on antiviral therapy. In a prospective cohort of CHB patients treated with entecavir, virological measurement and biochemical measurement along with LSM were measured at baseline and every 6 months.

Biofunctionalized Electrospun PCL-PIBMD/SF Vascular Grafts with PEG and Cell-Adhesive Peptides for Endothelialization.

Artificial small-caliber vascular grafts are still limited in clinical application because of thrombosis, restenosis, and occlusion. Herein, a small-caliber vascular graft (diameter 2 mm) is fabricated from poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(isobutyl-morpholine-2,5-dione) (PCL-PIBMD) and silk fibroin (SF) by electrospinning technology and then biofunctionalized with low-fouling poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and two cell-adhesive peptide sequences (CREDVW and CAGW) with the purpose of enhancing antithrombogenic activity and endothelialization. The successful grafting of PEG and peptide sequences is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.

Biomechanical assessment of single LISS versus double-plate osteosynthesis in the AO type 33-C2 fractures: A finite element analysis.

Objectives: In the present study, we assessed the biomechanical advantage between the single LISS and double-plate used in AO type 33-C2 fractures with the method of finite element analysis, which will help surgeons choose the optimal therapy to the unstable distal femoral fracture.

Methods: The AO type 33-C2 fractures and the models of LISS plate and medial plate was constructed in 3-matic software and UG-NX software respectively. We then assembled the single plate and the double-plate to the fracture model separately to form the fixation models.

Effect of photobiomodulation on neural differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) can enhance the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation, differentiation, and tissue repair and can therefore be used in regenerative medicine. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation on the directional neural differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and provide a theoretical basis for neurogenesis. hUC-MSCs were divided into control, inducer, laser, and lasers combined with inducer groups.

Expression profile of microRNAs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of rats as predictors for smoke inhalation injury.

Smoke inhalation injury (SII) is an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in patients with severe burns, however, the underlying mechanisms of SII are still not fully understood. In our study, we established an advanced rat model of SII based on the previous work, and explored the dynamic changes of pathophysiology and inflammatory factors during 28days post SII. We also measured the different expressions of miRNAs in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) between SII and normal control rats by miRNA microarray.

W Modified Polymeric Micelles with Different Hydrophobic Cores for Efficient Gene Delivery and Capillary-like Tube Formation.

Recently, polymeric micelles with different biodegradable hydrophobic cores, such as poly(lactide--glycolide) (PLGA) and poly(lactide--3(S)-methyl-morpholine-2,5-dione) (PLMD), have been used for gene delivery. The biodegradable hydrophobic cores should play an important role in gene delivery. However, little research has focused on selectively promoting proliferation and migration of endothelial cells (ECs) as well as vascularization by altering hydrophobic cores of polymeric micelles.

miR-22-Notch Signaling Pathway Is Involved in the Regulation of the Apoptosis and Autophagy in Human Ovarian Cancer Cells.

microRNA-22 (miR-22) is a brain-enriched regulatory gene which has been reported to be involved in the development of cancers. The Notch signaling pathway exerts important functions in cell growth. This study is designed to investigate the mechanisms of miR-22-Notch signaling pathway in apoptosis and autophagy of human ovarian cancer cells.

Effectiveness of paroxetine in the treatment of poststroke depression.

This study retrospectively investigated the effectiveness of paroxetine for the treatment of poststroke depression (PSD).Seventy patient cases with PSD were included in this study, and were assigned to an intervention group and a control group equally. All patients received routine treatment in both groups.

Multitargeting Peptide-Functionalized Star-Shaped Copolymers with Comblike Structure and a POSS-Core To Effectively Transfect Endothelial Cells.

Gene therapy meets one serious bottleneck in clinical application, namely, lack of safe and efficient gene delivery systems. In order to solve this problem, we designed a lowly cytotoxic and highly efficient gene delivery system for the transfection of endothelial cells. Octa(3-ammoniumpropyl)octasilsesquioxane octachloride reacted with 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide under alkaline condition, and sequentially initiated 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (PEGMA) via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to prepare the eight-arm copolymer with a biocompatible polyhedral oligomericsilsesquioxane (POSS).

[Neuroprotective effects and mechanism of saikosaponin A on acute spinal cord injury in rats].

Objective: To investigate the effect of saikosaponin a (SSa) on the levels of immune inflammation in rats with acute spinal cord injury and its possible mechanism.

Methods: Seventy-two Sprague Dawley rats (weighing, 220-250 g) were randomly divided into sham operation group (group A), spinal cord injury group (group B), and SSa treatment group (group C) respectively, 24 rats in each group. The spinal cord injury model was induced by using the Allen's method in groups B and C; the spinous process and vertebral plate at both sides were cut off by lamina excision to expose the spinal cord in group A.

Exendin-4 Plays a Protective Role in a Rat Model of Spinal Cord Injury Through SERCA2.

Background/aims: Current therapies for spinal cord injury (SCI) have limited efficacy, and identifying a therapeutic target is a pressing need. Sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase 2 (SERCA2) plays an important role in regulating calcium homeostasis, which has been shown to inhibit apoptosis. Exendin-4 has been shown to inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells in SCI, which can also improve SERCA2 expression.

Large retrospective study of artificial dura substitute in patients with traumatic brain injury undergo decompressive craniectomy.

Background: Decompressive craniectomy is widely used for treating patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Usually patients have dura mater defect due to surgery or injury itself. The defective area may left open or repaired by artificial dura substitutes.

Exendin-4 inhibits high-altitude cerebral edema by protecting against neurobiological dysfunction.

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of exendin-4 (Ex-4) have been reported previously. However, whether (Ex-4) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE) remains poorly understood. In this study, two rat models of HACE were established by placing rats in a hypoxic environment with a simulated altitude of either 6000- or 7000-m above sea level (MASL) for 72 hours.

[Qualitative pathological assessment of liver fibrosis regression after antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B].

To investigate the methods for qualitative pathological assessment of dynamic changes in liver fibrosis/cirrhosis after antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), since antiviral therapy can partially reverse liver fibrosis and cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B and semi-quantitative, rather than qualitative, pathological assessment is often used for the research on liver fibrosis regression. Previously untreated CHB patients with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were enrolled, and liver biopsy was performed before treatment and at 78 weeks after the antiviral therapy based on entecavir. The follow-up assessment was performed once every half a year.

The regulatory effect of oxymatrine on the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced MS1 cells.

Background: Oxymatrine (OM), a major quinolizidine alkaloid extracted from the roots of Sophora flavescens, has been proved to regulate a variety of signaling pathways to produce a wide range of pharmacological effects.

Objectives: The regulatory effects of OM on the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway under the stimulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in MS1 cells were explored to illuminate the potential anti-inflammatory mechanism of OM for pancreatitis treatment.

Methods: The signaling molecules related to the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway in MS1 cells were detected by Western blotting under different conditions, including OM pretreatment and LPS stimulation.

Targeting of NT5E by miR-30b and miR-340 attenuates proliferation, invasion and migration of gallbladder carcinoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been closely associated with the proliferation, invasion and migration of various cancers, including gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). Previous studies have revealed dysregulation of miR-30b and miR-340 in many types of cancer. However, the role of miR-30b and miR-340 in the development and progression of GBC remains unclear.

On-treatment changes of liver stiffness at week 26 could predict 2-year clinical outcomes in HBV-related compensated cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: It is unclear whether liver stiffness measurement (LSM) dynamic changes after anti-HBV treatment could predict the risk of liver-related events (LREs), particularly in patients with HBV-related compensated cirrhosis.

Methods: Treatment-naïve patients with HBV-related compensated cirrhosis were enrolled. All patients were under entecavir-based antiviral therapy, and followed up every 26 weeks for 2 years.

Effects of Different Training Loads on Emotional State and mRNA and Protein Expressions of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Subunits, Postsynaptic Density 95, and Kinesin Family Member 17 in Hippocampus of Rats.

BACKGROUND Emotional state can be affected by different training loads. The aim of this study was to explore the changes of rat emotional state, as well as the mRNA and protein expressions of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs), postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95), and kinesin family member 17 (KIF-17) in the hippocampus, by long-term moderate-intensity and high-intensity training models in rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS The exercise model of SD rats was set up by treadmill running of moderate and high intensities for 4 weeks.

Effects of silenced PAR-2 on cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis of esophageal cancer.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) on cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis in the esophageal EC109 cell line. Two short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression plasmids were constructed based on the PAR-2 mRNA sequence in humans, and they were transfected into the EC109 esophageal cancer cell line, and the stable interference cell line (shRNA-PAR-2 EC109) was obtained by puromycin selection. Following transfection of PAR-2 shRNA-1, PAR-2 expression was significantly downregulated in mRNA level and protein level in EC109 cells (P<0.

HO‑1 alleviates cholesterol‑induced oxidative stress through activation of Nrf2/ERK and inhibition of PI3K/AKT pathways in endothelial cells.

Heme oxygenase‑1 (HO‑1), as an inducible and cytoprotective enzyme, has a protective effect against cellular oxidative stress. In the present study, cholesterol was used to induce lipid overload and increase reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress in EA.hy926 cells.

[A preliminary study on the autophagy level of human periodontal ligament cells regulated by nicotine].

Objective: To explore the effect of nicotine on the autophagy level of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs).

Methods: Periodontal tissues collected from premolars for orthodontic treatment reasons were used to culture hPDLCs. Western blot analysis was performed to test the most optimal time and concentration of nicotine on the autophagy level of the hPDLCs.

[Tumor Associated Fibroblasts Promote PD-L1 Expression in Lung Cancer Cells].

Background: Tumor-associated fibroblasts (TAF) is an important part of TME, which inhibits the function of immune cells. CD8+ T cells play a significant role in tumor immunity. T-cell membrane possesses a distinct type of molecule with a negative regulatory function.

[Altered Treg and IL-1A Expression in the Immune Microenvironment of Lung Squamous-cell Cancer after EGFR Blockade].

Background: Targeting the mutations and amplifications in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene has curative effects on cancers of the lung, oral cavity, and gastrointestinal system. However, a systemic immune inflammation is an adverse effect of this therapeutic strategy. In this study, we aimed to identify the possible changes in the tumor microenvironment that contribute to the anti-cancer activity of EGFR inhibition.

Lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio is associated with prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: correlation with CD163 positive M2 type tumor-associated macrophages, not PD-1 positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

The research aims to examine the prognostic value of the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), neutrophil-to- lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The relation of these hematologic indicators to poor antitumor immunity and prognosis must be investigated. Clinicopathologic data and survival information of 355 patients with DLBCL was retrospectively analyzed.