Ablation of Lgr4 enhances energy adaptation in skeletal muscle via activation of Ampk/Sirt1/Pgc1α pathway.

Leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 4 (Lgr4) is a newfound obese-associated gene. Previous study reveals that heterozygous mutation of Lgr4 correlates with decreased body weight in human. In our recent study, we demonstrate that Lgr4 ablation promotes browning of white adipose tissue and improves whole-body metabolic status.

Structural changes in the progression of atrial fibrillation: potential role of glycogen and fibrosis as perpetuating factors.

Background: Previous studies of the goat heart subjected to prolonged atrial pacing induced sustained atrial fibrillation (AF). Structural changes included marked accumulation of glycogen in atrial myocytes.

Aims: In the present study, we hypothesized that glycogen deposition in canine atrial myocytes promotes paroxysmal forms of AF and is involved in fibrosis development in the later stages of AF.

Relationship between CCR and NT-proBNP in Chinese HF patients, and their correlations with severity of HF.

Aim: To evaluate the relationship between creatinine clearance rate (CCR) and the level of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in heart failure (HF) patients and their correlations with HF severity.

Methods And Results: Two hundred and one Chinese patients were grouped according to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification as NYHA 1-2 and 3-4 groups and 135 cases out of heart failure patients as control group. The following variables were compared among these three groups: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, hypertension, diabetes, NT-proBNP, creatinine (Cr), uric acid (UA), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), and CCR.

Development and Testing of Self-Management Scale for PD Patients.

Objectives: To develop and evaluate the self-management scale for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods: The item pool was formulated based on literature reviews and in-depth interviews. An initial scale containing five factors and 44 items was constructed through two rounds of Delphi expert consultation and a preliminary test.

Catheter-based renal sympathetic denervation significantly inhibits atrial fibrillation induced by electrical stimulation of the left stellate ganglion and rapid atrial pacing.

Background: Sympathetic activity involves the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF). Renal sympathetic denervation (RSD) decreases sympathetic renal afferent nerve activity, leading to decreased central sympathetic drive. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of RSD on AF inducibility induced by hyper-sympathetic activity in a canine model.

Screening of key genes in gastric cancer with DNA microarray analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify key genes and novel potential therapeutic targets related to gastric cancer (GC) by comparing cancer tissue samples and healthy control samples using DNA microarray analysis.

Methods: Microarray data set GSE19804 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus. Preprocessing and differential analysis were conducted with of R statistical software packages, and a number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were obtained.

Butyrate alleviates metabolic impairments and protects pancreatic β cell function in pregnant mice with obesity.

The relative or absolute deficiency of pancreatic β-cell mass function underlies the pathogenesis of diabetes. It is necessary to alleviate the metabolic stress and reduce the demand for insulin to decrease the effects of mutations affecting β-cell expansion. Butyrate is a natural nutrient existed in food and can also be produced physiologically through the intestinal fermentation of fiber.

[Mitochondrial function score combined with Gleason score for predicting the progression of prostate cancer].

Objective: To evaluate the mitochondrial function score in combination with Gleason score in predicting the progression of prostate cancer.

Methods: This study included twenty 58-79 (70.1 +/- 1.

Herbal extract "Songyou Yin" inhibits tumor growth and prolongs survival in nude mice bearing human hepatocellular carcinoma xenograft with high metastatic potential.

Purpose: Chinese herbs have become a focus of interest in cancer treatment. This study evaluates the effect of the herbal compound extract "Songyou Yin" (containing Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.-danshen and other four herbs) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).