GDF-15 gene expression alterations in human lymphoblastoid cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes following exposure to ionizing radiation.

The identification of rapid, sensitive and high‑throughput biomarkers is imperative in order to identify individuals harmed by radiation accidents, and accurately evaluate the absorbed doses of radiation. DNA microarrays have previously been used to evaluate the alterations in growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) gene expression in AHH‑1 human lymphoblastoid cells, following exposure to γ‑rays. The present study aimed to characterize the relationship between the dose of ionizing radiation and the produced effects in GDF‑15 gene expression in AHH‑1 cells and human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs).

Plasma Amino Acid Profile in Patients with Aortic Dissection.

Aortic dissection (AD), a severe cardiovascular disease with the characteristics of high mortality, is lack of specific clinical biomarkers. In order to facilitate the diagnosis of AD, we investigated plasma amino acid profile through metabolomics approach. Total 33 human subjects were enrolled in the study: 11 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients without aortic lesion and 11 acute AD and 11 chronic AD.

Chronic stress accelerates ligature-induced periodontitis by suppressing glucocorticoid receptor-α signaling.

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease. Recent studies have shown that chronic stress (CS) might modulate periodontal disease, but there are few models of CS-induced periodontitis, and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. The present study established a rat model of periodontitis associated with CS induced by nylon thread ligatures.

Syntaxin 1A mediates isoflurane but not hypoxia preconditioning-induced alleviation of hypoxia-reoxygenation injury in rat cardiomyocytes.

Preconditioning with ischemia/hypoxia (IPC/HPC) or clinically available volatile anesthetics such as isoflurane (Iso-PC) could activate cardioprotective signaling pathways, thereby reducing myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. However, their molecular targets remain elusive. We herein investigated the roles of syntaxin 1A (Stx-1A) in cardiomyocyte protection induced by HPC and Iso-PC.

Outcome of Stretta radiofrequency and fundoplication for GERD-related severe asthmatic symptoms.

This study aimed to investigate the outcome of treatment with Stretta radiofrequency (SRF) or laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF). A total of 137 gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) patients with severe asthmatic symptoms who responded inadequately to medical treatment for asthma were investigated. The patients were followed up 1 year and 5 years after SRF (n = 82) or LNF (n = 55) treatment.

Wall thickening pattern in atherosclerotic basilar artery stenosis.

Our aim was to investigate wall thickening (WT) pattern of atherosclerotic basilar artery stenosis with three-dimensional volumetric isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition (3D VISTA), and the relationship with clinical characteristics. Twenty consecutive patients with atherosclerotic basilar artery stenosis were prospectively enrolled. All cross-sectional slices on VISTA images of basilar arteries were assessed, and classified as eccentric or concentric WT.

Correlation between the In Vitro Functionality of Stored Platelets and the Cytosolic Esterase-Induced Fluorescence Intensity with CMFDA.

It has been hypothesized that the cytosolic esterase-induced fluorescence intensity (CEIFI) from carboxy dimethyl fluorescein diacetate (CMFDA) in platelets may related to platelet functions. In the present study, we measured the change of CEIFI in platelets during storage, and examined the correlations of CEIFI with the in vitro functionality of stored platelets, including the ADP-induced aggregation activity, hypotonic shock response, expression of CD62P as well as platelet apoptosis. The CEIFI of fresh platelets, when tested at 10 μM CMFDA, the mean fluorescence intensity index (MFI) was 305.

Visible Thrombolysis Acceleration of a Nanomachine Powered by Light-Driving F0F1-ATPase Motor.

We report on thrombolysis acceleration of a nanomachine powered by light-driving δ-subunit-free F0F1-ATPase motor. It is composed of a mechanical device, locating device, energy storage device, and propeller. The rotory δ-subunit-free F0F1-ATPase motor acts as a mechanical device, which was obtained by reconstructing an original chromatophore extracted from Rhodospirillum rubrum.

Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists in preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Newly developed neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R) antagonists have been recently tried in the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to explore whether NK-1R antagonists were effective in preventing PONV.The PRISMA statement guidelines were followed.

A preliminary investigation of anti-reflux intervention for gastroesophageal reflux related childhood-to-adult persistent asthma.

Background: Childhood-to-adult persistent asthma is usually considered to be an atopic disease. However gastroesophageal reflux may also play an important role in this phenotype of asthma, especially when it is refractory to pulmonary medicine.

Methods: Fifty-seven consecutive GERD patients who had decades of childhood-to-adult persistent asthmatic symptoms refractory to pulmonary medication were enrolled.

Nurses' attitudes towards older people and working with older patients: an explanatory model.

Aim: To establish an explanatory model of registered nurses' attitudes towards older people and working with older patients.

Background: Increasing demands for health-care from an ageing population will require a higher proportion of nurses who have positive attitudes towards older people and like working with older patients.

Method: A convenience sample of registered nurses (n = 579; 79.

Role of the embryonic protein SOX2 in cholangiocarcinoma.

SOX2 overexpression correlates with aggressive behavior and poor overall survival in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). However, the cellular functions and precise role of SOX2 in CCA have not been elucidated. Here, we inserted SOX2 coding sequence to establish a CAA cell line which stably overexpressed SOX2.

Early experience in high-resolution MRI for large vessel occlusions.

Background: Large vessel occlusions are an important cause of ischemic stroke. Imaging goals center on identifying the site of occlusion, the size of the ischemic core and the size of the ischemic penumbra. The etiology of the occlusion is typically inferred by history and demographics, or subacutely during investigation for shunt, hypercoagulable state or other causes.

Management of bleeding gastric varices in patients with sinistral portal hypertension.

Background And Aim: Sinistral portal hypertension (SPH) is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Besides splenectomy, there is no consensus on the role of sclerotherapy and splenic embolization for bleeding gastric varices (GVs). This retrospective study summarizes our experience in managing GV bleeding from SPH in patients with pancreatic diseases.

Job satisfaction and work related variables in Chinese cardiac critical care nurses.

Aim: To explore critical care nurses' views of their job satisfaction and the relationship with job burnout, practice environment, coping style, social support, intention to stay in current employment and other work-related variables.

Background: Nurse shortage is a global issue, especially in critical care. Job satisfaction is the most frequently cited factor linked to nurses' turnover.

Higher risk of recurrent ischemic events in patients with intracranial in-stent restenosis.

Background And Purpose: Reliable data concerning prognosis of patients with intracranial in-stent restenosis (ISR) is lacking. We prospectively studied long-term outcomes of patients with and without a catheter angiography-verified ISR.

Methods: Between September 2001 and May 2009, 540 consecutive patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis received stenting treatment at our institute.

Radiofrequency ablation of splenic tumors: a case series.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for treatment of splenic tumors has rarely been reported. Here we describe our experiences of undergoing RFA in three patients with solitary metastatic (n=2) and benign (n=1) tumors of the spleen. Two patients also had underlying cirrhotic hypersplenism.

Arthroscopic debridement and synovium resection for inflammatory hip arthritis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of arthroscopic surgery in inflammatory hip arthritis.

Methods: A retrospective clinical study was conducted inspecting 40 hips in 36 patients of inflammatory arthritis. There were 17 cases of ankylosing spondylitis, 11 cases of rheumatoid arthritis, and 8 cases of psoriatic arthritis.

Liquid chromatography-electrospray quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry method for the quantitation of palonosetron in human plasma and urine: Application to a pharmacokinetic study.

The new analytical method for the determination of palonosetron in human plasma and urine has been developed based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The method utilized tramadol as the internal standard (IS). Separation was carried out on a Zorbax Eclipse TC-C(18) column using methanol-1mM ammonium formate in water (containing 0.