Targeting Keap1 by miR-626 protects retinal pigment epithelium cells from oxidative injury by activating Nrf2 signaling.

Activation of the NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) cascade can offer significant protection against oxidative stress in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. Here, we identified a novel kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-targeting microRNA, microRNA-626 (miR-626) that activates Nrf2 signaling. In ARPE-19 cells and primary human RPE cells, ectopic overexpression of miR-626 targeting the 3'-UTR (3'-untranslated region) of Keap1 downregulated its expression, promoting Nrf2 protein stabilization and nuclear translocation, leading to expression of ARE-dependent genes (HO1, NOQ1 and GCLC).

Dexamethasone-induced cytotoxicity in human osteoblasts is associated with circular RNA HIPK3 downregulation.

Dexamethasone (DEX) exerts potent cytotoxicity against cultured human osteoblasts. The current study examined the role of the circular RNA HIPK3 (circHIPK3) in the mechanism of cell death. We found that circHIPK3 expression was downregulated in DEX-treated human osteoblasts and circHIPK3 levels decreased in human necrotic femoral head tissues.

Protective effect of leaves extract, EGb761, on myocardium injury in ischemia reperfusion rats regulation of TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Beneficial actions of EGb 761 against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in lung, brain and renal ischemia have been described. However, the relationship between EGb 761 and signal molecules in myocardial ischemia reperfusion has not been well elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanism of EGb 761 preconditioning on anti-myocardial I/R injuries .

microRNA-135b expression silences Ppm1e to provoke AMPK activation and inhibit osteoblastoma cell proliferation.

Forced-activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) can possibly inhibit osteoblastoma cells. Here, we aim to provoke AMPK activation via microRNA silencing its phosphatase Ppm1e (protein phosphatase Mg2+/Mn2+-dependent 1e). We showed that microRNA-135b-5p ("miR-135b-5p"), the anti-Ppm1e microRNA, was significantly downregulated in human osteoblastoma tissues.

[Association of T lymphocyte subsets and allergens with Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection complicated by wheezing in infants and young children].

Objective: To investigate the percentage of T lymphocyte subsets and allergen screening results in infants and young children with Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection complicated by wheezing.

Methods: Flow cytometry was used to measure the percentage of peripheral blood T cell subsets in 354 infants and young children with MP infection complicated by wheezing (MP wheezing group), 336 infants and young children with MP infection but without wheezing (MP non-wheezing group), and 277 children with recurrent wheezing (recurrent wheezing group). Allergen screening was also performed for these children.

Identification of DNA-PKcs as a primary resistance factor of salinomycin in osteosarcoma cells.

Malignant osteosarcoma (OS) is still a deadly disease for many affected patients. The search for the novel anti-OS agent is extremely urgent and important. Our previous study has proposed that salinomycin is a novel anti-OS agent.

The anti-cancer activity of the mTORC1/2 dual inhibitor XL388 in preclinical osteosarcoma models.

In the present study, we investigated the activity of XL388, a novel mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1/2 (mTORC1/2) dual inhibitor, in preclinical osteosarcoma (OS) models. XL388 was cytotoxic, cytostatic and pro-apoptotic to multiple established OS cell lines and primary human OS cells. XL388 blocked mTORC1/2 activation and downregulated cyclin D1/B1 expressions in OS cells, leaving AKT Thr-308 phosphorylation un-affected.

Activating AMP-activated protein kinase by an α1 selective activator compound 13 attenuates dexamethasone-induced osteoblast cell death.

Excessive glucocorticoid (GC) usage may lead to non-traumatic femoral head osteonecrosis. Dexamethasone (Dex) exerts cytotoxic effect to cultured osteoblasts. Here, we investigated the potential activity of Compound 13 (C13), a novel α1 selective AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator, against the process.

The role of 64-slice CT following perfusion with iohexol via the hepatopancreatic ampulla in assessing pancreaticobiliary junctions.

The aim of this study was to delineate the structure of the pancreatic and biliary ducts in premature infants using a novel imaging method. The duodenal papillae of 30 premature infant cadavers were dissected. The pancreatic and biliary ducts were visualized using 64-detector multislice spiral computed tomography (MSCT).

Differentiation between mycoplasma and viral community-acquired pneumonia in children with lobe or multi foci infiltration: a retrospective case study.

Objectives: To analyse the clinical features, inflammatory markers and radiographs of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) cases with lobe or multi foci infiltration; with a special focus on factors which allow the differential diagnosis of viral and mycoplasma pneumonia.

Setting: Retrospective chart review of CAP cases in a large university teaching hospital.

Participants: 126 paediatric CAP cases, with lobe or multi foci infiltration, presenting between May 2012 and April 2013.

DNA-PKcs-SIN1 complexation mediates low-dose X-ray irradiation (LDI)-induced Akt activation and osteoblast differentiation.

Low-dose irradiation (LDI) induces osteoblast differentiation, however the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we explored the potential role of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs)-Akt signaling in LDI-induced osteoblast differentiation. We confirmed that LDI promoted mouse calvarial osteoblast differentiation, which was detected by increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity as well as mRNA expression of type I collagen (Col I) and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2).

Expression of Β-catenin and c-myc during human common bile duct development: a possible role in the morphogenesis of the common bile duct.

β-catenin and c-myc play important roles in the development of tissues and organs. However, little is known about their expression patterns during the development of the human common bile duct. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect β-catenin and c-myc expression in common bile duct samples from postmortem tissues of 14 premature infants and 6 spontaneously aborted fetuses.

[Clinical application of magnetic resonance imaging in congenital anorectal malformation].

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of MRI examination in congenital anorectal malformation (CARM).

Method: Forty-four cases with operatively proved anorectal malformation from May 2008 to May 2012 in the authors' hospital were reviewed. Of the 44 cases, 25 were males and 19 females, their age ranged from 1 day to 2 years.

P53 dependent mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening is required for dexamethasone-induced death of osteoblasts.

Prolonged or overdose glucocorticoids (GCs) usage is the common cause of osteoporosis. In the present study, we studied the cellular mechanism of dexamethasone (Dex)-induce osteoblast cell death by focusing on the role of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP). In cultured osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, Dex-induced mPTP opening, which was demonstrated by mitochondrial membrane potential (MPP) decrease, cyclophilin-D (CyPD)-adenine nucleotide translocator 1 (ANT-1) mitochondrial complexation and cytochrome C (cyto-C) release.

Association of meteorological factors with pediatric intussusception in subtropical china: a 5-year analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether climate factors correlate with variations in the rate of pediatric intussusception cases presenting to the Children's Hospital in Suzhou, China.

Material And Methods: The hospital records of 5,994 pediatric cases of intussusception who had presented between Aug 2006 and Dec 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data and air enema reduction data were collected for each case.

Predictors of successful air enema reduction of intussusception in infants younger than 4 months.

Objectives: Intussusception is rare in infants younger than 4 months, and the use of air enema for reduction of intussusception has been limited. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the predictors of successful reduction of intussusception using air enema in infants younger than 4 months.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of 97 intussusception patients of younger than 4 months between January 2008 and December 2012.

Salinomycin activates AMP-activated protein kinase-dependent autophagy in cultured osteoblastoma cells: a negative regulator against cell apoptosis.

Background: The malignant osteoblastoma has poor prognosis, thus the search for novel and more efficient chemo-agents against this disease is urgent. Salinomycin induces broad anti-cancer effects both in vivo and in vitro, however, its role in osteoblastoma is still not clear.

Key Findings: Salinomycin induced both apoptosis and autophagy in cultured U2OS and MG-63 osteoblastoma cells.

Temporal characteristics of respiratory syncytial virus infection in children and its correlation with climatic factors at a public pediatric hospital in Suzhou.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important viral pathogen in infants and children. It is important to analyze RSV epidemic patterns and related relevant factors in order to prevent further infections and related complications.

Objective: To explore the relationship between RSV infection rate in hospitalized children from Suzhou area and climatic factors.

Radiological findings in 210 paediatric patients with viral pneumonia: a retrospective case study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the radiological presentations of different types of viral pneumonia in children.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal swab specimens and bronchial aspirate samples from children with acute respiratory infections were obtained and tested for influenza B, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza (Types 1, 2 and 3) by direct immunofluorescence assay, or for influenza A (Subtype H1N1) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The chest radiographs of the 210 confirmed cases of viral pneumonia were analysed retrospectively by two independent radiologists for the identification, characterisation and description of the distribution of imaging abnormalities.

Chest imaging findings in children with influenza A H1N1.

Objective: To assess imaging findings at presentation in children diagnosed with influenza A (H1N1) infection.

Methods: This is a retrospective observational cohort study conducted at The Children's Hospital affiliated to Soochow University, Suzhou, China between September 2009 and March 2010. Nasopharyngeal swabs and bronchial aspirate samples from 81 children with acute respiratory infections were tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Effects of forced running exercise on cognitive function and its relation to zinc homeostasis-related gene expression in rat hippocampus.

Voluntary exercise has been implicated to be beneficial for overall health and cognitive function in both clinical and experimental studies, but little is presently known about forced physical exercise on cognition and underlying molecular mechanism. We have used real-time RT-PCR to analyze gene expression in hippocampus, in the presence and absence of physical exercise, during spatial learning of rats in the Morris water maze. Our results show distinct zinc homeostasis-related gene expression profiles associated with learning and memory.