Development of a mouse model of arecoline-induced oral mucosal fibrosis.

Objective: To develop a BALB/c mouse model of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) induced by arecoline and to exhibit an accumulation of collagen and angiogenesis changes.

Methods: BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to either the control (distilled water) or experimental group (arecoline) (n = 40). Eight mice from each group were sacrificed every 4 weeks since 8 weeks post treatment.

Ultrahigh-Magnitude Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan on Rhesus Monkeys With Implanted Deep Brain Stimulation Hardware.

Background: Patients with implanted deep brain stimulation (DBS) hardware are prohibited from undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans at magnitudes greater than 1.5 T to avoid potential MRI-related heating injury. Whether DBS devices are compatible with higher field MRI scanning is unknown.

Cofilin 1 promotes bladder cancer and is regulated by TCF7L2.

Earlier reports demonstrated that Cofilin expression is increased in bladder cancer samples, though its function remains unknown. Here, we found that Cofilin 1 expression was higher in bladder cancer tissues than in paracancerous tissues. Overexpression of Cofilin 1 promoted, while Cofilin 1 knockdown inhibited, proliferation, migration, and invasion in the T24 and RT4 bladder cancer cell lines.

polymorphisms are associated with the risk of liver cancer in a Han Chinese population.

We explored the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in and liver cancer risk. Thirteen SNPs were genotyped in 473 cases and 564 controls. Genetic model, linkage disequilibrium, and haplotype analyses were performed to evaluate the association between SNPs and liver cancer risk.

genes polymorphism and the risk of renal cell carcinoma in Chinese Han population.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is considered a cytokine-responsive tumor. However, with the lack of diagnostic screening biomarkers, early diagnosis of RCC is challenging. Our study was investigated the association of IL1 gene polymorphisms and RCC risk.

Dengue virus infection during pregnancy increased the risk of adverse fetal outcomes? An updated meta-analysis.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of maternal dengue virus (DENV) infection during pregnancy in premature birth, low birth weight, miscarriage and stillbirth.

Methods: Systematic electronic literature searches were conducted including PubMed, Medline, Embase, Web of science, Scopus and the Cochrane Library database, up until July 5, 2017. Effect sizes were estimated by using the relative risk (RR) or odds ratio (OR) with theirs corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI).

Up-regulated microRNA-299 corrected with poor prognosis of glioblastoma multiforme patients by targeting ELL2.

Background: An increasing understanding of the genes and molecular pathways of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) can provide us a useful insight for the development of more effective targeted therapeutic.

Methods: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of miR-299 and its target genes in GBM, the expression levels of miR-299 and its target gene in human normal brain tissues and GBM were analyzed in silico using genes microarray and hierarchical clustering analysis followed by validation with quantitative RT-PCR.

Results: Our results show that miR-299 is up-regulated in GBM patients.

Association between gene polymorphisms and COPD susceptibility in a Chinese Han population.

Objective: We investigated the association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms in regulation of telomere elongation helicase 1 (), which has been associated with telomere length in several brain cancers and age-related diseases, and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: In a case-control study that included 279 COPD cases and 290 healthy controls, five single-nucleotide polymorphisms in were selected and genotyped using the Sequenom MassARRAY platform. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression after adjusting for age and gender.

Consciousness loss during epileptogenesis: implication for VLPO-PnO circuits.

There is a growing concern about consciousness loss during epileptic seizures. Understanding neural mechanisms could lead to a better comprehension of cerebral circuit function in the control of consciousness loss in intractable epilepsy. We propose that ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO)- PnO (nucleus pontis oralis) circuits may serve a major role in the loss of consciousness in drug-refractory epilepsy.

Comparison of MRI, CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of local and metastatic of nasopharyngeal carcinomas: an updated meta analysis of clinical studies.

Background: A meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of MRI, CT and FDG PET/CT in TNM stage of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients (NPC).

Methods: Through a search of studies from 1996 to April 2015, pooled estimated sensitivity, specificity, pooled diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves and Q*-index were calculated.

Results: Totally 23 studies were included for analysis.

Ultra-high magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): a potential examination for deep brain stimulation devices and the limitation study concerning MRI-related heating injury.

Nowadays, the patients with deep brain stimulation (DBS) devices are restricted to undertake 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) according to the guideline. Nevertheless, we conducted an experiment to test pathological change near the leads in different field-strength MRI.

Baicalein Attenuates Neurological Deficits and Preserves Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity in a Rat Model of Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Previous studies have demonstrated that baicalein has protective effects against several diseases, which including ischemic stroke. The effect of baicalein on the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and its related mechanisms are not well understood. We aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which baicalein may influence the BBB in a rat model of ICH.

Post-traumatic stress influences local and remote functional connectivity: a resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with alterations in regional brain activation and remote functional connectivity (FC) in limbic and prefrontal cortex. However, little is known about local FC changes following a traumatic event. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance images were collected for typhoon survivors with (n = 27) and without PTSD (n = 33), and healthy controls (n = 30).

Post-traumatic stress disorder after typhoon disaster and its correlation with platelet 5-HT concentrations.

Objective: To investigate residents' psychological stress factors and research the correlation between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and platelet 5-HT concentrations so as to provide scientific bases for diagnosis and treatment of PTSD and psychological intervention for people in the disaster area.

Methods: A questionnaire survey of 5500 residents who have accepted psychological help was conducted by the emphatic investigation method. While high performance liquid chromatography was used to detect the platelet serotonin concentration of 100 PTSD patients and 100 healthy people.

Involvement of microRNA-1297, a new regulator of HMGA1, in the regulation of glioma cell growth in vivo and in vitro.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of versatile gene expression regulators, participating in the regulation of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level in both physiological and pathological conditions. Gliomas are the most common brain malignancy in adults, and deregulation of microRNAs takes part in the gliomagenesis process. Here, we found that the expression of miR-1297 is significantly reduced in both glioma cell lines and clinical glioma tissues.

[Curative Effects of Hydroxyurea on the Patients with β-thalassaemia Intermadia].

Objective: To investigate the clinical features of β-thalassaemia intermediate (TI) patients and the curative effect and side reactions of hydroxyurea therapys.

Methods: Twenty nine patients with TI were divided into hydroxyurea therapy group and no hydroxyurea therapy group; the curative effect and side reactions in 2 groups were compared; the situation of blood transfusion in the 2 groups was evaluated.

Results: In hydroxyurea therapy group, the hemoglobin level increased after treatment for 3 months; the reticulocyte percentage obviously decreased after treatment for 12 months; the serum ferritin had been maintained at a low level; while in no hydroxyurea therapy group, the levels of hemoglobin and reticulocytes were not significantly improved after treatment, the serum ferritin level gradually increased.

Prevalence and risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in a Hlai community in Hainan Island of China.

Objectives: We investigated prevalence and risk factors of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in a population of Hlai (the Li) ethnicity, a major minority, in Qicha Town, Changjiang County, Hainan Province, PRC, during 2014.

Methods: All residents at the age of 40 years or older were interviewed with standardized questionnaires. Spirometry was performed to measure the possible airflow limitation.

The correlation of microRNA-181a and target genes with poor prognosis of glioblastoma patients.

To investigate the expression and clinical significance of miR-181a and its target genes in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the expression levels of miR-181a and three target genes in human normal brain tissues and GBM were analyzed in silico using gene microarray, gene ontology, KEGG pathway and hierarchical clustering analysis followed by validation with quantitative RT-PCR. Our results show that miR-181a is down-regulated in GBM patients. The three target genes, ANGPT2, ARHGAP18 and LAMC1, are negatively correlated with the expression of miR-181a.

Polymorphisms in VEGF-A are associated with COPD risk in the Chinese population from Hainan province.

In this study, we examined and validated how common variants contribute to susceptibility to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the Han Chinese population. Here, we genotyped 18 nucleotide polymorphisms and evaluated their association with COPD using chi-square test and genetic model analysis (246 COPD patients and 350 controls), and found three SNPs that might cause a predisposition to COPD. Both rs3025030 and rs3025033 are located on chromosome 6 in VEGF-A.

Elevated matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of bladder cancer.

The present study investigated the potential association between matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and the pathogenesis of bladder cancer. The present study reviewed previous studies published in Chinese and English using predefined selection criteria, which identified high-quality studies concerning MMP-9 and bladder cancer. Statistical analyses of the data were conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 2.

Diagnostic Value of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Radiation Encephalopathy Induced by Radiotherapy for Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis.

In this study, articles in English and Chinese were selected from available electronic databases prior to September 2014. The metabolic concentrations and patterns of N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA), Choline (Cho), Creatine (Cr), NAA/Cr, NAA/Cho, and Cho/Cr ratios in radiotherapy-induced radiation encephalopathy by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy were extracted. A meta-analysis was performed to quantitatively synthesize findings of these studies.

Sulforaphane inhibits TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via the reactive oxygen species-dependent pathway.

Sulforaphane is recognized as a safe antitumor agent derived from various cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli. It has been demonstrated that sulforaphase is a potent antitumor agent in diverse cancers. However, its effect on hepatocellular carcinoma remains largely unknown.

Genetic polymorphisms of pharmacogenomic VIP variants in Li nationality of southern China.

Objectives: The present study aimed to screen members of the Li nationality in southern China for genotype frequencies of VIP variants and to determine differences between the Li ethnicity and global human population samples in HapMap.

Methods: In this study, we genotyped 77 very important pharmacogenetic (VIP) variants selected from the pharmacogenomics knowledge base (PharmGKB) in members of the Li population and compared our data with other eleven populations from the HapMap data set.

Results: Our results showed that VDR rs1540339, VKORC1 rs9934438, and MTHFR rs1801133 were most different in Li compared with most of the eleven populations from the HapMap data set.

Neurochemical abnormalities in anterior cingulate cortex on betel quid dependence: a 2D (1)H MRS investigation.

The effects of betel quid dependence (BQD) on biochemical changes remain largely unknown. Individuals with impaired cognitive control of behavior often reveal altered neurochemicals in Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Imaging (MRSI) and those changes are usually earlier than structural alteration. Here, we examined BQD individuals (n = 33) and age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy control participants (n = 32) in an 2D (1)H-MRS study to observe brain biochemical alterations in the anterior cingulated cortex (ACC) associated with the severity of BQD and duration of BQD.