Impact of Long-Term Burden of Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure From Childhood on Adult Left Ventricular Structure and Function.

Background Data are limited regarding the relationship between the life-course burden of risk factors and adult cardiac function. This study sought to examine the impact of long-term burden of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) levels on changes in adult left ventricular (LV) structure and function in a community-based cohort. Methods and Results The longitudinal study cohort consisted of 1108 adult patients (726 White; 41.

Prognostic value of preoperative serum bilirubin levels in ovarian cancer.

Bilirubin is a promising prognostic factor for non-liver disease-related deaths in various cancers. We investigated the association between preoperative serum bilirubin levels and oncological outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 282 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC), and grouped them according to optimal threshold values of total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL), and indirect bilirubin (IBL) measured by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

Dinaciclib prolongs survival in the ; ; (KPC) transgenic murine models of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Dinaciclib is a small molecule cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor with the potential to treat multiple cancers. To better understand its cytotoxic action in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), we evaluated dinaciclib therapeutic effects in the transgenic mouse model ( ; ; mice; KPC mice). Tumor growth and microenvironment were dynamically monitored by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Significant reduction in the LDL cholesterol increases the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 33 randomized controlled trials.

The dose-dependent pleiotropic effects of statin therapy may have unwanted side effects such as increasing the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The relationships among statin therapy, LDL-cholesterol levels, and ICH risk remain controversial. Here, we conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of dose-dependent statin therapy and ICH risk.

The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R)-specific antagonist A804598 inhibits inflammatory reaction in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Activation of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) has been found to increase expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the joints and synovial lining of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Increased expression of TNF-α promotes joint destruction through deterioration of type II collagen by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), expression of proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and activation of cellular signaling pathways. In the present study, we exposed fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) to TNF-α in the presence and absence of the P2X7R antagonist A804598.

The expressions of EphB4 and ephrinB2 in lung adenocarcinomas: a high level of the EphB4 protein is associated with lymph node metastasis.

Eph tyrosine kinase receptors and their ephrin ligands are involved in normal development and tumorigenesis. Eph receptors are frequently over expressed in a wide variety of human malignant tumors, being associated with tumor growth, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of EphB4 and its ligand of ephrinB2 protein expressions in human lung adenocarcinomas.

EPA attenuates epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis through the TGF-β1/Smad3/ILK pathway in renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells by up-regulating miR-541.

Background: It was reported that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) could prevent tubulointerstitial injury in kidney. EPA could also inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of HK-2 cells stimulated by albumin (Alb) . However, the regulating molecular mechanism of EPA remains to be elucidated.

miR-557 inhibits the proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells by targeting EGFR.

Deregulation of microRNA has been suggested as a critical event in pancreatic cancer development and progression. Thus far, very little is known about the role of miR-557; therefore, the goal of this study was to investigate the potential role of miR-557 in pancreatic cancer. In the present study, we discovered that miR-557 expression was lowered in cancerous pancreatic tissue samples relative to non-cancerous adjacent controls, and when miR-557 was overexpressed we found that this promoted the apoptotic death of pancreatic cancer cells, suppressing their proliferation, invasion, and migration.

Upregulation of the long non-coding RNA SPRY4-IT1 predicts poor prognosis in breast cancer.

Background: The upregulation of long non-coding RNA SPRY4 intronic transcript 1 (lncRNA SPRY4-IT1) has been observed in breast cancer (BC). However, there is no previous study of the relationship between SPRY4-IT1 and patient prognosis in BC. This study investigated the prognostic value of SPRY4-IT1 in BC patients.

Expression of B7-H6 in chronic myeloid leukemia and its clinical significance.

Objective: To examine the expression level of B7-H6 in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients and to explore its clinical significance.

Methods: Two hundred twenty-eight CML patients were included and peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) mononuclear cells were collected for B7-H6 mRNA expression analyses by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: The expression of B7-H6 mRNA was successfully detected in all PB and BM samples.

DcR3 promotes proliferation and invasion of pancreatic cancer via a DcR3/STAT1/IRF1 feedback loop.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most common gastrointestinal malignancies that are highly aggressive with a low 5-year survival rate. Accumulated evidence has indicated that decoy receptor 3 (DcR3) is involved in several pathologic processes and various cancers. However, the mechanisms underlying dysregulated DcR3 expression and activation in PC remain to be fully established.

TLR2 deficiency enhances susceptibility to oral carcinogenesis by promoting an inflammatory environment.

Inflammation is closely related to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, its mechanism is still obscure. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) plays an important role in oral chronic inflammatory diseases, but the role of TLR2 in OSCC is unclear.

Dendritic cell immunotherapy induces anti-tumor effect in a transgenic mouse model of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The promise of dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy has been established by two decades of translational research. However, long-term benefits of DC vaccination are reported in only scattered patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Here we optimize DC vaccination and evaluate its safety and antitumor efficacy in the genetically engineered PDAC model ( (KPC mice)).

Experimental factors are associated with fetal fraction in size selection noninvasive prenatal testing.

Every year, 4-6 million pregnant women undergo noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which is used worldwide for fetal aneuploidy screening. Adequate fetal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is the critically important factor to ensure high sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we sought to increase the fetal fraction by adjusting experimental factors in the size selection for NIPT.

Photoresponsive Delivery Microcarriers for Tissue Defects Repair.

Intelligent responsive microcarriers have emerged as a promising class of biomaterials for therapeutic delivery and tissue regeneration, since they can respond to external stimuli and release the loaded drugs in an active manner. Among various available stimuli, near-infrared (NIR) light is particularly attractive because it can penetrate biotic tissues with sufficient intensity and minimal damage. In this work, a kind of photoresponsive delivery microcarriers (PDMs) is developed using microfluidics.

A novel dominant-negative mutation of the CSF1R gene causes adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia.

Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder that is caused by mutations in the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor () gene. Functional haplo-insufficiency of the gene has been considered for the underlying genetic mechanisms. A novel mutation of and its effects on CSF1R expression or clinical characteristics were explored in an ALSP family.

DWI and DCE-MRI approaches for differentiating reversibly electroporated penumbra from irreversibly electroporated ablation zones in a rabbit liver model.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the hypothesis that DWI-MRI and DCE-MRI cab be used to distinguish between IRE and RE zones of IRE treatment in a rabbit liver model. 6 rabbits underwent baseline and post-procedure MR imaging with DWI and DCE-MRI as well as IRE (10 pulses, 2000 V, 10 µs/pulse, 10 ms between pulses). Rabbits were euthanized immediately after post-procedure MRI to acquire liver tissue for histology.

Natural killer cell-based adoptive transfer immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in a mouse model.

Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in host immunity against different malignancies, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Our study aimed to evaluate the antitumor effects of NK cell-based adoptive transfer immunotherapy for PDAC in an orthotopic mouse model. Orthotopic (KPC) mice were used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy.

Sequencing of short cfDNA fragments in NIPT improves fetal fraction with higher maternal BMI and early gestational age.

Low fetal DNA fraction (< 4%) samples obtained during noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) are responsible for 0.5%-3% of "no calls". Maternal characteristics such as body mass index (BMI) and gestational age (GA) are the main factors that influence fetal fraction.

B7-H3 increases the radioresistance of gastric cancer cells through regulating baseline levels of cell autophagy.

Gastric cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Adjuvant therapy has been shown to improve survival and is delivered either postoperatively (chemoradiotherapy) or perioperatively (chemotherapy) in Western countries. Debate continues regarding which of these approaches is an optimal strategy.

evaluation of callispheres microspheres in the porcine renal artery embolization model.

This study aimed to evaluate the operational performance, embolization effect and safety of CalliSpheres microspheres (CSM) in a porcine renal model. 24 healthy normal pigs were randomized into CSM group and Embosphere microspheres (ESM) group equally, and embolized with CSM or ESM in the lower pole of right kidneys, respectively. On D2, D7 and D28 after the operation, angiography and biochemistry examination were performed, and then the pigs were subjected to renal macroscopic and histopathological examination after euthanasia (4 pigs/group per each time point).

Sitagliptin ameliorates advanced glycation end-product (AGE)-induced degradation of extracellular matrix in human primary chondrocytes.

Accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) increases inflammation and triggers processes involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). As a major debilitating age-related disease, it is imperative that novel therapies for OA be sought. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the selective dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin in human primary chondrocytes exposed to insult by AGEs to elucidate the potential role of sitagliptin in the treatment of OA.

Effect of whey protein on blood pressure in pre- and mildly hypertensive adults: A randomized controlled study.

In China, the frequency of mild hypertension cases remains prevalently high. Meanwhile, diets containing functional ingredients that control blood pressure have received considerable attention. In this randomized, controlled intervention study, 65 participants were randomly assigned to consume 30 g of whey protein or maltodextrin daily for 12 weeks.

Novel Role of Carbon Monoxide in Improving Neurological Outcome After Cardiac Arrest in Aged Rats: Involvement of Inducing Mitochondrial Autophagy.

Background Dysfunctional mitochondria are associated with neurological injury after cardiac arrest ( CA ). Although carbon monoxide ( CO ) has shown various potential therapeutic effects in preclinical tissue injury models, its mechanism of action in CA remains unclear. We sought to investigate the effects of a novel CO -releasing molecule on cerebral mitochondrial dysfunction and neurological injury after CA .

Influence of -acetyl cysteine (NAC) and 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane (MDO) on the properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement.

The properties of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement make it a popular bone filling material. However, its disadvantages, such as lack of biodegradability and osteogenesis, restrict its clinical application. Studies have indicated the osteogenic properties of -acetyl cysteine (NAC) and the biodegradability of 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane/methyl methacrylate-based (MDO/MMA) copolymers.