Iodine-131 induces apoptosis in HTori-3 human thyrocyte cell line and G2/M phase arrest in a p53-independent pathway.

Iodine‑131 is known to destroy residual thyroid tissue following surgical resection of differentiated thyroid carcinoma and is widely used to treat hyperthyroidism. However, the mechanism by which iodine‑131 induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the human thyrocyte cell line, Htori‑3, remains to be elucidated. In the present study, the cytotoxic effect of iodine‑131 on the HTori‑3 cell line and the underlying mechanism of iodine‑131‑induced cell apoptosis were investigated.

Calcium signaling of pancreatic acinar cells in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis is an increasingly common and sometimes severe disease that lacks a specific therapy. The pathogenesis of pancreatitis is still not well understood. Calcium (Ca(2+)) is a versatile carrier of signals regulating many aspects of cellular activity and plays a central role in controlling digestive enzyme secretion in pancreatic acinar cells.

The prognostic values of 12 cirrhosis-relative noninvasive models in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinogenesis is associated with the progression of cirrhosis, and the latter further aggravates tumor development and prognosis. The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic values of 12 cirrhosis-relative noninvasive models in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 363 HCC patients who either underwent partial hepatectomy (PH) or received transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TCAE).

Induced pluripotent stem cell-based therapies for inherited arrhythmias: opportunities and challenges involved (Review).

The identification of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology represents great potential for recapitulating complex physiological phenotypes, probing toxicological testing and screening candidate drugs, demonstrating novel mechanistic insights and, in particular, applying iPSC-based therapeutic strategies for inherited disorders. Inherited arrhythmias are caused by various genetic abnormalities and harbor similar clinical outcomes. Clinically, the poorest outcomes are fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death.

Functional analyses reveal the essential role of SOX6 and RUNX2 in the communication of chondrocyte and osteoblast.

Summary: This study provides novel evidence that sex determining region Y (SRY)-box (SOX6) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) play essential roles in the communication of chondrocyte and osteoblast. Our findings open a new avenue to the limited understanding of the coordination effect between chondrogenesis and osteogenesis.

Introduction: Sox6 and Runx2 are two new susceptibility genes for osteoporosis identified by genome-wide association studies, but the functions of these genes in osteogenesis remain unclear.

Discoidin domain receptor 2 facilitates prostate cancer bone metastasis via regulating parathyroid hormone-related protein.

Prostate cancer frequently metastasizes to the skeleton but the underlying mechanism remains largely undefined. Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) is a member of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family and is activated by collagen binding. This study aimed to investigate the function and detailed mechanism of DDR2 in prostate cancer bone dissemination.

Genistein attenuates brain damage induced by transient cerebral ischemia through up-regulation of ERK activity in ovariectomized mice.

Stroke has severe consequences in postmenopausal women. As replacement therapy of estrogen have various adverse effects and the undermined outcomes. Genistein, a natural phytoestrogen, has been suggested to be a potential neuroprotective agent for such stroke patients.

Splenic metastasis of ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma: A case report and review of the literature.

Splenic metastasis of ovarian cancer appears to be more common in serous cystadenocarcinomas. Splenic metastasis usually occurs postoperatively and simultaneously with dissemination to the greater omentum and pelvic cavity. Compared with other ovarian cancer subtypes, ovarian clear cell adenocarcinoma (OCCA) is rare, accounting for <5% of all ovarian malignancies.

Gefitinib-induced interstitial pneumonia: A case report and review of the literature.

The aim of this study was to explore the clinical characteristics of and treatment strategies for interstitial pneumonia induced by gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The detailed clinical data of one patient with NSCLC and gefitinib-induced interstitial pneumonia were compiled and a review of relevant previous studies was performed. Based on this case report and the review, the clinical characteristics, mechanisms and treatment strategies of this rare disease were analyzed.

[A novel histological typing and grading-scale system of colorectal cancer].

Objective: To formulate a novel histological typing and grading-rated system for colorectal cancer (CRC) for evaluating the biological behavior of CRC and prognosis.

Methods: According to the highly heterogeneous histological features, WHO classification and histological differentiation criteria, and other biological behavior parameters of CRC, a novel histological typing and grading-scale system for CRC was designed. The histological typing and corresponding grading-scale of CRC was defined as the following: (1) No mucin-producing adenocarcinoma, including tubular adenocarcinoma, sieve-like acne adenocarcinoma, medullary carcinoma, serrated adenocarcinoma and micropapillary carcinoma, etc.

Allitridin reduces I Kr current by disrupting the trafficking of human ether-à-go-go-related gene channels.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of allitridin on human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels.

Methods: We used whole-cell patch clamping and laser confocal scanning microscopy to evaluate the effects of allitridin on hERG currents and the membrane expression of the hERG protein expressed in HEK 293 cells.

Results: The amplitude of IKr showed a concentration-dependent decrease with increasing allitridin concentration.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 3 is associated with heroin dependence but not depression or schizophrenia in a Chinese population.

Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 3 (mGluR3, encoded by GRM3) plays important roles in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, depression, and drug dependence. GRM3 polymorphisms were reported to be associated with prefrontal activity, cognitive shifting, and memory capability in healthy subjects, as well as susceptibility to schizophrenia and depression. The goal of this study was to replicate the association of GRM3 with schizophrenia and depression and to explore GRM3's potential association with heroin dependence (HD) in a Chinese population.

Genetic variants in microRNA target sites of 37 selected cancer-related genes and the risk of cervical cancer.

Objectives: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in putative microRNA binding sites (miRSNPs) modulate cancer susceptibility via affecting miRNA binding. Here, we sought to investigate the association between miRSNPs and cervical cancer risk.

Methods: We first genotyped 41 miRSNPs of 37 cancer-related genes in 338 patients and 334 controls (Study 1), and replicated the significant associations in 502 patients and 600 controls (Study 2).

[Foxp3(+)Treg cells mediate immune protection of Humulus pollen allergy DNA vaccine pcDNA3.1-Hum in asthmatic mice].

Objective: To construct a humulus pollen allergy DNA vaccine pcDNA3.1-Hum and investigate its effect for immune protection mediated by Foxp3(+)Treg cells in asthmatic mice.

Methods: The target humulus gene obtained from pTripIEx2-Hum plasmid by double enzyme digestion was inserted sequentially into pcDNA3.

Hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors-not otherwise specified: a case report.

Neoplasms of perivascular epithelioid cells (PEComas) are characterized by epithelioid to spindle cells with eosinophilic to clear cytoplasm, an intimate relationship with blood vessels, and coexpression of myoid and melanocytic immunohistochemical markers. While most reported hepatic PEComas, such as angiomyolipoma (AML), behave in a benign fashion, emerging PEComas cases without typical characteristics require further clarification. We report a case of primary hepatic perivascular epithelioid cell tumors-not otherwise specified (HPEComas-NOS) with untypical pathological and immunohistochemical features compared to those of the benign hepatic AML cases.

[Transforming growth factor β1 enhances the invasiveness of human glioma cell line via ERK/MAPK pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) on the invasiveness of human glioma SF767 cell line in vitro and explore the possible molecular mechanism.

Methods: Human glioma SF767 cell line treated with TGF-β1 for 12, 24, or 48 h were examined for the expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition- and ERK/MAPK pathway-associated proteins using Western blotting. MTT assay and Transwell assay were employed to assess the changes in the cell proliferation and invasiveness after TGF-β1 treatment, respectively.

New iPSC for old long QT syndrome modeling: putting the evidence into perspective.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells or iPSCs) are typically derived by transfection of certain stem cell-associated genes into non-pluripotent cells, such as adult fibroblasts (typically adult somatic cells). Various diseases can be modeled through iPSC technology. The important implication of iPSCs to offer an unprecedented opportunity to recapitulate pathologic human tissue formation in vitro has generated great excitement and interest in the whole biomedical research community.

[Differential diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in calcified thyroid nodules].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in calcified thyroid nodules.

Methods: A total of 179 cases with calcified thyroid nodules between February 2009 and September 2012 underwent CEUS by injection of microbubbles via superficial vein was included in the study. Pathological diagnosis as a gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, negative predictive and diagnostic coincidence rate of CEUS were evaluated.

[Protective effect of low-dose ketamine against intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury following carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in rats].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of low-dose ketamine against intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury following pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide in rats.

Methods: Thirty healthy male adult SD rats (body weight 280-320 g) were randomized into sham-operated group, model group and ketamine group and subjected to pneumoperitoneum for 120 min with carbon dioxide (not in sham-operated group). The rats in ketamine group received an intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg ketamine 10 min before pneumoperitoneum, and those in the other two groups received saline injection.

[Bioinformatics analysis and identification of transcriptional regulation of human UCA1 gene].

Objective: To analyze the transcription factor binding sites and methylation in the promoter region of UCA1 gene.

Methods: UCA1 gene promoter was analyzed using CpG software to predict the CpG island. MatrixCatch and TFSEARCH were used to predict the potential transcription factor binding sites in UCA1 gene core promoter.

[Correlation between serum marker variations and pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Objective: To examine the correlation of the changes in the serum markers (C-reactive protein, endothelin-1, interleukin-6, and brain natriuretic peptide) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary hypertension secondary to COPD.

Methods: A total of 174 COPD patients with acute exacerbation, admitted between February 2011 and February, 2013, were enrolled in this study, with 43 volunteers with normal pulmonary functions as controls. Pulmonary arterial pressure was determined by Doppler echocardiograph, and the severities (mild, moderate and severe) of PH secondary to COPD was evaluated.

[Significance of MICA antibody monitoring in management of acute and chronic rejection after renal transplantation].

Objective: To evaluate the association of major histocompatibility complex class I chain related gene A (MICA) antibodies with acute rejection (AR), chronic rejection (CR) and renal function after renal transplantation.

Methods: Serum MICA antibodies were detected with ELISA before and after transplantation with also examinations of panel reactive antibodies (PRA), serum creatinine, urine, graft ultrasound, lymphocyte subsets and the pathology of graft biopsy. The study was carried out in two parts to monitor MICA antibodies in acute and chronic rejections after renal transplantation.

Drug-induced long QT syndrome in women.

Congenital long QT syndromes (LQTS) are inherited heart diseases that can present as palpitations, syncope (fainting), seizures, cardiac arrest, and sudden death. Acquired LQTS mostly occurs as a result of exposure to an environmental stressor that is responsible for the excessive prolongation of the QT interval. The most common environmental stressor is adverse drug reactions, which can lead to drug-induced LQTS (di-LQTS).

[Effect of erythropoietin on activities of antioxidant enzymes in the brain tissue of aged rats].

Objective: To study the effect of erythropoietin (EPO) on the activities of antioxidant enzymes, namely catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the brain tissues of aged rats.

Methods: Thirty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control, aging model, and recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) treatment groups (n=10). Morris water maze was used to compare the behavioral indexes.

Association of the GDNF gene with depression and heroin dependence, but not schizophrenia, in a Chinese population.

The association of seven GDNF tag SNPs with depression, heroin dependence (HD) and schizophrenia was evaluated in Chinese. An increased risk of HD and depression was associated with rs2910709 T/T genotype and rs884344 C allele, respectively, suggesting GDNF is a novel susceptibility gene for depression and HD.