3D imaging of PSD-95 in the mouse brain using the advanced CUBIC method.

Aims: Postsynaptic density - 95 kDa protein (PSD95) is an important molecule on the postsynaptic membrane. It interacts with many other proteins and plays a pivotal role in learning and memory formation. Its distribution in the brain has been studied previously using in situ hybridization as well as immunohistochemistry.

Erythropoietin Reduces Insulin Resistance via Regulation of Its Receptor-Mediated Signaling Pathways in Mice Skeletal Muscle.

Erythropoietin (EPO) can reduce insulin resistance (IR) in adipocytes; however, it is unknown whether EPO can decrease IR in skeletal muscle. Here we investigated whether EPO could reduce IR in type 2 diabetic mouse skeletal muscle and its possible signaling mechanisms of action. Twelve-week-old diabetic mice were employed in this study.

Orthostatic Hypotension Predicts Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly: Findings from a Cohort Study.

Background: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a known risk factor for cerebral ischemia, but its correlation with cognitive impairment (CI) is not well established.

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between OH and CI in the elderly.

Methods: The study group consisted of 44 OH patients who presented with drowsiness, vertigo, and fatigue between January 2009 and December 2011 (OH group).

Low-dose aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients on hemodialysis: A 5-y prospective cohort study.

Introduction Aspirin is an effective antiplatelet drug for preventing cardiovascular events in high-risk subjects. However, for patients with chronic kidney disease and undergoing hemodialysis (HD), its preventive efficacy remains controversial. The present study aimed to determine whether aspirin therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality in patients on HD.

Correlation between blood circulation grading and angiogenesis using ultrasonic contrast of rabbit VX2 hepatic carcinoma.

Objective: To build the rabbit model of VX2 hepatic carcinoma, examine the tumor body using the ultrasonic contrast and study the correlation between the blood circulation grading and angiogenesis.

Methods: The VX2 tumor strain was prepared in the lateral muscle of the hind legs of 40 male New Zealand rabbits (which were purchased from Nanjing Senbao Biotech Co., Ltd.

The expression of SEIPIN in the mouse central nervous system.

Immunohistochemical staining was used to investigate the expression pattern of SEIPIN in the mouse central nervous system. SEIPIN was found to be present in a large number of areas, including the motor and somatosensory cortex, the thalamic nuclei, the hypothalamic nuclei, the mesencephalic nuclei, some cranial motor nuclei, the reticular formation of the brainstem, and the vestibular complex. Double labeling with NeuN antibody confirmed that SEIPIN-positive cells in some nuclei were neurons.

[Biomechanical study on repairing distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injuries with artificial ligaments].

Objective: To investigate the biomechanical properties of artificial ligament in the treatment of injuries to distal tibiofibular syndesmosis so as to provide a scientific basis for clinical application.

Methods: Sixteen fresh ankle specimens were harvested from 8 normal fresh-frozen cadavers. The initial tests were performed on 16 intact specimens (group A) and then the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury models were made (group B); the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis was fixed with artificial ligament in 8 specimens (group C) and with cannulated lag screw in the other 8 specimens (group D).

[Effect of vitamin D supplementation in early life on the expression of interleukin-10 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in rat asthma model].

Objective: To explore the effect and mechanism of vitamin D supplementation in early life on rat asthma model.

Method: Thirty two sex-mature, female Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group (n = 8), a low dose group (n = 8), a medium dose group (n = 8) and a high dose group (n = 8). From the seventh day of pregnancy on, the rats in each group were given different doses of vitamin D by intragastric administration, until the offspring rats were 21 days old.

Adiponectin is positively associated with insulin resistance in subjects with type 2 diabetic nephropathy and effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker losartan.

Background: Plasma adiponectin concentration is inversely associated with renal function. There is little literature on adiponectin levels and regulation by anti-hypertensive medication with an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB), especially in subjects with type 2 diabetes in different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: Eighty subjects with type 2 diabetic nephropathy were randomly divided into two groups: losarten group (n = 41) and amlodipine group (n = 39).

Thirty years of kidney transplantation in two Chinese centers.

Since the first kidney transplantation was performed in 1976, 4,306 renal transplantations have been performed at Shanghai No. 1 People's Hospital and Fujian Oriental Hospital. Nearly all (99%) of the grafts were from deceased donors.

Effects of angiotensin II receptor antagonist, Losartan on the apoptosis, proliferation and migration of the human pancreatic stellate cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects of AT1 (Type 1 angiotensin II receptor) antagonist (Losartan) on the apoptosis, proliferation and migration of the human pancreatic stellate cells (hPSCs).

Methods: hPSCs were isolated from pancreatic sample of patients with pancreatic carcinoma using radioimmunoassay (RIA) technique to detect the concentration of AngII in culture media and cell homogenate. Immunocytochemistry (ICC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) methods were utilized to test AT1 expression in hPSCs.

[Targeting glycyrrhetinic acid to hepatic stellate cells in treating rat liver fibrosis].

Objectives: We synthesized M6P26-HSA as a carrier for hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and coupled it with glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) to get a new conjugate GA-HSA-M6P26. Its organ distribution, specific combination with HSC and anti-fibrotic effect on livers were studied.

Methods: The GA-HSA-M6P26 was labeled with 125I and its organ distribution was detected radiologically.

Loss of heterozygosity of chromosome 20 in sporadic colorectal cancer.

Objective: To analyze the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 20 in patients with sporadic colorectal cancer to identify additional loci involved in colorectal tumorigenesis.

Methods: Polymorphic microsatellite markers were analyzed in 83 colorectal cancer patients' tumor and normal DNA by PCR. PCR products were electrophoresed on an 377 DNA sequencer.

[Treating early giant retinal tears altogether with perfluorodecalin and perfluoropropane].

Objective: To study the method of lens-sparing (without lensectomy) and non-silicone oil tamponade for treating early giant retinal tears.

Method: 13 early giant retinal tear cases were treated altogether with perfluoropropane and perfluorodecalin.

Results: The retinal reattachment rate was 92.