MiR-424 is over-expressed and attenuates ischemia-reperfusion kidney injury via p53 and death receptor 6 pathway.

Background: Ischemic reperfusion injury of kidney is major cause for renal failure, however the involved pathogenesis remains unclear creating an void for its effective treatment. Here we studied involvement of microRNA-424 in renal injury.

Methods: For the study, p53 or HIF-1α mice were used, ischemic renal injury was induced using clamping of renal pedicles bilateraly.

Biofunctionalization of decellularized porcine aortic valve with OPG-loaded PCL nanoparticles for anti-calcification.

Decellularized valve stents are widely used in tissue-engineered heart valves because they maintain the morphological structure of natural valves, have good histocompatibility and low immunogenicity. However, the surface of the cell valve loses the original endothelial cell coverage, exposing collagen and causing calcification and decay of the valve in advance. In this study, poly ε-caprolactone (PCL) nanoparticles loaded with osteoprotegerin (OPG) were bridged to a decellularized valve using a nanoparticle drug delivery system and tissue engineering technology to construct a new anti-calcification composite valve with sustained release function.

Cancer cell-derived exosomes promote cell proliferation and inhibit cell apoptosis of both normal lung fibroblasts and non-small cell lung cancer cell through delivering alpha-smooth muscle actin.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell-derived exosome on cell proliferation and apoptosis in normal lung fibroblast cells and NSCLC cells, and whether it regulates cell functions through delivering alpha-smooth muscle actin (ASMA). NSCLC exosomes were extracted from A549 cells, then cocultured with normal lung fibroblasts (HLF1 cells) and NSCLC cells (A549 cells). Blank ShRNA and ASMA ShRNA plasmids were transferred into HLF1 cells/A549 cells with or without NSCLC exosomes, which were divided into 4 groups accordingly: Negative control (NC) group, SH group, Exosome group and Exosome+SH group.

Epithelial ovarian cancer: feasibility of image-guided intratumoral radiofrequency hyperthermia-enhanced direct gene therapy.

The aim of this study was to develop an interventional oncologic technique, "Image-guided intratumoral radiofrequency hyperthermia (RFH)-enhanced herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene therapy of ovarian cancer. This study consisted of three portions: (1) serial in-vitro experiments to establish "proof-of-principle" of this novel technique using human ovarian cancer cells; (2) serial in-vivo experiments to validate technical feasibility using animal models with the same orthotopic ovarian cancers; and (3) serial investigations into the underlying bio-molecular mechanisms of this technique. We included four subject groups: (i) combination therapy with RFH+HSV-TK gene therapy; (ii) gene therapy-only; (iii) RFH-only; and (iv) Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).

Native Coronary Collateral Microcirculation Reserve in Rat Hearts.

Background We occasionally noticed that native collateral blood flow showed a recessive trend in the early stages of acute myocardial infarction in rats, which greatly interferes with the accurate assessment of native collateral circulation levels. Here, we sought to recognize the coronary collateral circulation system in depth, especially the microcirculation part, on this basis. Methods and Results In this study, we detected native collateral flow with positron emission tomography perfusion imaging in rats and found that the native flow is relatively abundant when it is initially recruited.

Aberrant expression of oxidative stress related proteins affects the pregnancy outcome of gestational diabetes mellitus patients.

Gestational diabetemellitus (GDM) is a condition whereby a mother's glucose tolerance is impaired with onset or first recognition during pregnancy which is not either type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress plays an essential role in diabetes, however, whether it also includes in GDM has not been fully clarified. Therefore, we investigated the changes of oxidative stress biomarkers and their relationship with pregnancy outcomes in patients with GDM.

Long-term renal sympathetic denervation ameliorates renal fibrosis and delays the onset of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

This study was designed to explore the effects of long-term renal denervation (RDN) on blood pressure and renal function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). RDN was performed in bilateral renal arteries with 10% phenol in absolute ethanol in SHR and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) at 13 weeks. Age-matched SHR and WKY served as controls.

Arctigenin prevents monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats.

The hallmark features of the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) include the proliferation of pulmonary vascular smooth muscle cells, oxidative stress, inflammation, and pulmonary artery remodeling. Arctigenin is a bioactive component of that exerts anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects in several diseases; however, its effects on pulmonary arteries are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of arctigenin to prevent PAH.

Pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1)-associated deaths among children in China: A retrospective analysis.

Importance: A cluster of influenza-associated deaths occurred among children during pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) in China, but the risk factors and causes for death have not been clarified.

Objective: We describe the clinical findings regarding 2009 influenza A (H1N1)-associated pediatric deaths in China, including the risk factors for death.

Methods: The definition of 2009 influenza A (H1N1)-associated pediatric death is death in a child who is younger than 14 years and has laboratory-confirmed influenza.

Thoracoscopy Assisted Minimally Surgery (NUSS procedure) for Pectus Excavatum vs. Novel Modified NUSS procedure - A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Objective: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the efficacy of thoracoscopy assisted minimally surgery (NUSS procedure) for pectus excavatum and novel modified NUSS procedure by comparing the data of patients of pectus excavatum who had undergone novel modified NUSS Procedure or NUSS procedure.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed, involving 132 cases of patients with pectus excavatum collected from Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine Xinhua Hospital cardio-thoracic surgery between Jan. 2009 and Jan.

Diffusion MRI biomarkers predict the outcome of irreversible electroporation in a pancreatic tumor mouse model.

The purpose of this work is to explore the potential contribution of diffusion MRI to predict the effects of irreversible electroporation (IRE) in a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) mouse model. Thirteen mice were injected with Panc-02 PDAC cells in both flanks. One tumor was treated with IRE when it reached a diameter of about 5 mm.

Simvastatin inhibits inflammatory response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages through the microRNA-22/Cyr61 axis.

Simvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, has been shown to improve atherosclerosis (AS) via its anti-inflammatory activity. Recently, several studies have reported the involvement of macrophages in chronic inflammation associated with AS. However, it is unknown whether macrophages participate in the anti-inflammatory activity of simvastatin in AS.

microRNA-182-5p alleviates spinal cord injury by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis through modulating the TLR4/NF-κB pathway.

Inflammatory response and apoptosis play an important role in progression of spinal cord injury (SCI). Recently, aberrant microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as a key regulator in SCI. However, it remains unknown whether and how miRNAs mediated the inflammatory response after SCI.

Lithium sulfonate-grafted poly(vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoro propylene) ionomer as binder for lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium sulfonate-grafted poly(vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoro propylene) P(VDF-HFP) ionomers are synthesized through covalent attachment of taurine and used as binder for the LiFePO cathode of lithium-ion batteries(LIBs). The incorporation of the ionomer binders will add ionic conducting channels inside the electrodes, and prevent electrolyte depletion during rapid charge-discharge processes. It leads to an improved performance of LIBs using the ionomer binders including cycling stability and rate capability compared to that of LIBs using non-ionic binders (PVDF and PVDF-HFP).

Correction: Functional human 3D microvascular networks on a chip to study the procoagulant effects of ambient fine particulate matter.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/C7RA11357A.].

Central cholinergic system mediates working memory deficit induced by anesthesia/surgery in adult mice.

Background: Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is consistently associated with increased morbidity and mortality, which has become a major concern of patients and caregivers. Although POCD occurs mainly in aged patients, it happens at any age. Previous studies demonstrated that anesthesia/surgery had no effects on reference memory of adult mice.

Therapeutic effects of targeting RAS-ERK signaling in giant congenital melanocytic nevi.

Most giant congenital melanocytic nevi (GCMN) exhibit an activating mutation in NRAS. Constitutive activation of the RAS-ERK signaling pathway induces proliferation in nevus cells and plays a pivotal role in melanoma development. In this study, we studied the efficacy of RAS-ERK pathway targeted therapy in GCMN.

Synergistic regulation mechanism of iperoxo and LY2119620 for muscarinic acetylcholine M2 receptor.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors are GPCRs that regulate the activity of a diverse array of central and peripheral functions in the human body, including the parasympathetic actions of acetylcholine. The M2 muscarinic receptor subtype plays a key role in modulating cardiac function and many important central processes. The orthosteric agonist and allosteric modulator can bind the pocket of M2.

CD151 up-regulation contributes to the invasion of pituitary adenomas.

CD151 is up-regulated in several types of tumors and is involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. However, the potential role of CD151 in pituitary adenomas remains unclear. Here, we performed quantitative real-time PCR and immunochemistry to measure the expression levels of CD151 in samples of pituitary adenomas and investigated the effects of CD151 knock-down on tumor phenotypes in the HP75 pituitary adenoma cell line.

POCD in patients receiving total knee replacement under deep vs light anesthesia: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Clinical observation, as well as randomized controlled trials, indicated an increasing rate of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) with increasing depth of general anesthesia. However, the findings are subject to bias due to varying degree of analgesia. In this trial, we compared the rate of POCD between patients receiving light versus high anesthesia while holding analgesia comparable using nerve block.

β-catenin inhibitors suppress cells proliferation and promote cells apoptosis in PC9 lung cancer stem cells.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of β-catenin inhibitors on cells proliferation and apoptosis in lung cancer stem cells (LCSCs). Drug-resistance PC9 cells were induced by escalation of cisplatin repeated treatment, and then PC9 LCSCs were constructed by Sphere Formation methods. Membrane expression of OCT4, SOX2, CD44, CD133 and β-Catenin were detected by Immunofluorescent staining, and mRNA of CSCs marker genes and Wnt/β-Catenin target genes were determined by qPCR assay.

Inhibitory effect of the mitogen activated protein kinase specific inhibitor PD98059 on Mtb-Ag-activated γδΤ cells.

Objective: This study aimed to observe the inhibitory effects of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) specific inhibitor PD98059 on Mtb-Ag activated γδΤ cells and to investigate the role of MAPK in MAPK/ERK pathway of γδΤ cells activated by Mtb-Ag.

Methods: Healthy human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) was isolated from the peripheral blood, and then stimulated by phorbol esters (PMA), ionomycin (IM) and Mtb-Ag. PBMC of the experimental group was pretreated by PD98059 of 0, 1, 10 or 100 μmol/L while the control group was given no pretreatment.

Efficient Storing Energy Harvested by Triboelectric Nanogenerators Using a Safe and Durable All-Solid-State Sodium-Ion Battery.

Storing energy harvested by triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) from ambient mechanical motion is still a great challenge for achieving low-cost and environmental benign power sources. Here, an all-solid-state Na-ion battery with safe and durable performance used for efficient storing pulsed energy harvested by the TENG is demonstrated. The solid-state sodium-ion batteries are charged by galvanostatic mode and pulse mode with the TENG, respectively.

Characterization and functional elucidation of CD8+AT2+ lymphocytes in human thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Human thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is one of the most fatal cardiovascular diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanism behind this disease remains uncertain. Previous studies have proven the importance of angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2) and endothelial cells in aneurysm pathology.