Changes in focal adhesion kinase expression in rats with collagen-induced arthritis and efficacy of intervention with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs alone or in combination.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is known to promote the proliferation, migration and survival of synovial cells and plays an important role in the occurrence, development and pathological process of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study was to observe FAK changes in synovial cells of rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and after intervention with disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) alone or in combination in a CIA female SD rat model induced by collagen type II. The rats were randomized to 8 groups: normal control group, CIA model control group, methotrexate (MTX, 0.

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphisms with Crohn's disease in a Chinese Han population.

Objective: To investigate whether Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene polymorphisms alter the susceptibility of a Chinese Han population to Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Blood samples were collected from patients with CD and from healthy control subjects for analyzing SNP rs4291 (promoter, A262T), SNP rs4343 (exon 16, A11860G), and rs4646994 (intron 16, Alu insertion/deletion). Allele and genotype frequencies were compared, and pairwise linkage disequilibrium and haplotypes were analyzed in patients with CD.

MiR-451 inhibits synovial fibroblasts proliferation and inflammatory cytokines secretion in rheumatoid arthritis through mediating p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized as joint synovial inflammation. MicroRNA is a group of small noncoding RNA molecules discovered in recent years that can posttranscriptional regulate mRNA expression and involved in a variety processes of immune cell activation and differentiation. There is still lack of study about the role of miR-451 in rheumatoid arthritis.

Differential diagnosis between Crohn's disease and intestinal tuberculosis using integrated parameters including clinical manifestations, T-SPOT, endoscopy and CT enterography.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate clinical manifestations, T-SPOT, endoscopy and CT enterography to differentiate Crohn's disease (CD) from intestinal tuberculosis (ITB).

Methods: 128 in patients with suspected CD and ITB were prospectively enrolled in the study. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, endoscopic and CT enterographic data were collected.

Genetic association between CARD9 variants and inflammatory bowel disease was not replicated in a Chinese Han population.

Objective: In order to investigate whether CARD9 gene is associated with IBD in Chinese Han population, we replicated 2 SNPs of CARD9 which have been reported to be significantly associated with IBD.

Methods: Two SNPs were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction with sequence-specific primers in 288 patients (232 CD patients, 56 UC patients) and 274 controls.

Results: The frequencies and distributions of alleles and genotypes of the tested SNPs were analyzed, and no significant differences were found between patients and controls.

Oxidative stress contributes to abnormal glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in two hyperlipidemia models.

Objective: Lipid metabolism disturbance can result in insulin resistance and glucose intolerance; however, the features of glucose metabolism are still elusive in different dyslipidemia. Our study intended to explore the characteristics and molecular mechanisms of glucose metabolism abnormal in hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia models.

Methods: Two mouse models were used in this study, one was lipoprotein lipase gene-deleted (LPL(+/-)) mice, and the other was high fat dietary (HFD) mice.

Prognostic value of cancer stem cell marker CD133 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC): a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CD133 is one of the most commonly used markers of pancreatic cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are characterized by their ability for self-renewal and tumorigenicity. Although the expression of CD133 has been reported to correlate with poor prognosis of PDAC in most literatures, some controversies still exist. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between CD133 expression and prognosis and clinicopathological features in PDAC.

Genetic polymorphisms in apoptosis-related genes and the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The apoptotic pathway is important in the control of vital processes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the current study, we aimed to determine whether apoptotic gene-related polymorphisms modified HCC prognosis. We genotyped 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 10 core genes (TP53, TP53INP1, TP53BP1, CDKN2A, CDKN1A, CDKN1B, MDM2, BAX, CCDN1 and BCL2) in the apoptotic pathway by using DNA from blood samples of 362 HCC patients receiving surgical resection of HCC tumor.

Tumor suppressor SPOP mediates the proteasomal degradation of progesterone receptors (PRs) in breast cancer cells.

Progesterone induces proliferation of breast cancer cells and contributes to the development of breast cancer. The effects of progesterone are mediated by progesterone receptors (PRs). However, it is still not fully understood how the proliferative effects of PR is regulated in vivo.

The implantation of a Nickel-Titanium shape memory alloy ameliorates vertebral body compression fractures: a cadaveric study.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a Nickel-Titanium (Ni-Ti) shape memory alloy in the treatment of vertebral body compression fractures.

Methods: The experimental thoracic-lumbar fracture units were made with adult human fresh-frozen vertebral specimens. A total of 30 fresh-frozen vertebral units were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups: control group, percutaneous kyphoplasty group (PKP group), and percutaneous Ni-Ti shape memory alloys implant group (Ni-Ti implant group).

Association of Adiponectin gene polymorphisms and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between Adiponectin gene polymorphisms and the genetic susceptibility of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: 357 NAFLD patients from January 2005 to December 2013 and 357 cases of healthy controls among the Han population were collected; polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to detect three tagSNPs (Rs2241767, rsl501299 and rs3774261) of Adiponectin. Risk factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression and haplotype analysis was performed using SHEsis software.

Expression of human papillomavirus and prognosis of juvenile laryngeal papilloma.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between clinical behavior and expression of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis, in an attempt to develop an effective molecular biological method to predict prognosis. We included 37 patients with juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis in the study group and 10 cases each of juvenile vocal cord polyps and juvenile normal laryngeal mucosa as the control group. We detected HPV by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization, identified the virus type, and measured HPV-DNA content using a computer-assisted, color pathological image-analysis system.

Conformational selection and induced fit for RNA polymerase and RNA/DNA hybrid backtracked recognition.

RNA polymerase catalyzes transcription with a high fidelity. If DNA/RNA mismatch or DNA damage occurs downstream, a backtracked RNA polymerase can proofread this situation. However, the backtracked mechanism is still poorly understood.

A case of methylprednisolone treatment for interstitial pneumonia induced by gefitinibin.

In this case, an old man was diagnosed as lung cancer, clinical stage IV. In order to alleviate cancer, this patient was treated with gefitinib. Three months later, symptoms such as a significant weakness, chest tightness and shortness of breath after sports arised and intensifying.

A meta-analysis of XPD/ERCC2 Lys751Gln polymorphism and melanoma susceptibility.

We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis to determine the association between XPD/ERCC2 Lys751Gln polymorphism and melanoma susceptibility. Based on comprehensive searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE and ISI Web of knowledge, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang Database, we identified eligible studies about the association between XPD/ERCC2 Lys751Gln polymorphism and melanoma risk. A total of 5,961 cases and 8,669 controls in studies were included in this meta-analysis.

Extended anterolateral approach for treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures improves operative procedure and patient prognosis.

Purpose: The treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fracture remains controversial and challenging. Several approaches for this fracture have been applied for direct exposure and support plate fixation. However, several structures are to be at risk via posterior approach, which may affect exposure and plate application.

Gait modification strategies of trunk over left stance phase in patients with right anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

Purpose: To investigate the gait modification strategies of trunk over left stance phase in patients with right anterior cruciate ligament deficiency (ACL-D).

Methods: Thirty-six patients with right ACL-D and thirty-six health subjects (control) were recruited to undergo a 3-dimensional (3D) gait analysis. Coordinate data from 26 reflective markers positioned on the body surface of participants were recorded with a 3D optical video motion capture system, as they walked on the ground, ascended and descended a custom-built staircase.

Clinical efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus propofol in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging: a meta-analysis.

Dexmedetomidine, as a sole or combinable sedative, has served in pediatric sedation undergoing MRI. However, clinical effects of dexmedetomidine are still controversial. This meta-analysis was to assess the effects between dexmedetomidine and propofol in children undergoing MRI, especially outcomes and adverse events of patients.

Interactions of Dnd proteins involved in bacterial DNA phosphorothioate modification.

DNA phosphorothioation (PT) is the first discovered physiological DNA backbone modification, in which a non-bridging oxygen atom of the phosphodiester bond is replaced with a sulfur atom in Rp (rectus for plane) configuration. PT modification is governed by a highly conserved gene cluster dndA/iscS-dndBCDE that is widespread across bacterial and archaeal species. However, little is known about how these proteins coordinately react with each other to perform oxygen-sulfur swap.

Effect of high ovarian response on the expression of endocrine gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) in peri-implantation endometrium in IVF women.

Objective: To investigate the effect of ovarian stimulation on the expression of EG-VEGF mRNA and protein in peri-implantation endometrium in women undergoing IVF and its relation with endometrial receptivity (ER).

Design: Prospective laboratory study.

Setting: University hospital.

Long noncoding RNA expression profiles of the doxorubicin-resistant human osteosarcoma cell line MG63/DXR and its parental cell line MG63 as ascertained by microarray analysis.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging in molecular biology as crucial regulators of cancer. The efficacy of doxorubicin--based chemotherapy in osteosarcoma (OS) is usually limited by acquired drug resistance. To explore the mechanism of chemoresistance of OS in terms of lncRNA, using a human lncRNA-mRNA combined microarray, we identified 3,465 lncRNAs (1,761 up and 1,704 down) and 3,278 mRNAs (1,607 up and 1,671 down) aberrantly expressed in all three sets of doxorubicin-resistant MG63/DXR and their paired parental MG63 cells (fold-change >2.

Upregulated lncRNA-UCA1 contributes to progression of lung cancer and is closely related to clinical diagnosis as a predictive biomarker in plasma.

Objective: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play an important regulatory roles in cancer biology, and the lncRNA-UCA1 is upregulated in several cancers such as bladder cancer, breast cancer and colorectal cancer, however, the contributions of UCA1 to non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remain largely unknown.

Methods: Expression levels of lncRNA-UCA1 in tumor tissues and plasma from NSCLC patients was evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR, and its association with overall survival of patients was analyzed by statistical analysis. Moreover, the UCA1 expression correlation between tumor tissues and plasma was demonstrated by linear regression analysis.