Elevated ASCL2 expression is associated with metastasis of osteosarcoma and predicts poor prognosis of the patients.

Achaetescute-like 2 (ASCL2), a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor, plays an important role in the determination of neuronal precursors in the central and peripheral nervous system and involves in tumor progression. However, the role of ASCL2 expression in the osteosarcoma prognosis has not been elaborated. This study aimed to evaluate ASCL2 expression level in osteosarcoma and assess its prognostic value for patients.

Advanced glycation endproducts induce apoptosis of endothelial progenitor cells by activating receptor RAGE and NADPH oxidase/JNK signaling axis.

Elevated levels of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis. Dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which is essential for re-endothelialization and neovascularization, is a hallmark of atherosclerosis. However, it remains unclear whether and how AGEs acts on EPCs to promote pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Impacts of stellate ganglion block on plasma NF-κB and inflammatory factors of TBI patients.

The aim of this study was to initially explore the regulatory mechanism of brain function protection of SGB from the view of nerve-endocrine-immune network. 50 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) were divided into the SGB treatment group and the control group, the changes of serum IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α and CGRP levels were detected by ELISA, and the changes of lymphocyte NF-κB protein expression was detected by Western Blot. The control group exhibited the higher expression of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α, while the SGB treatment group exhibited various degrees of reduction.

Lack of association of CYP11B2-344C/T polymorphism with essential hypertension: a meta-analysis.

Objective: A meta-analysis was carried out to evaluate the correlation between CYP11B2-344C/T polymorphism and essential hypertension susceptibility.

Methods: By retrieving relevant databases and collecting domestic and international literatures about the correlation between CYP11B2-344C/T polymorphism and essential hypertension, the quality of literature were evaluated according to NEWCASTLE-OTTAWA case-control study quality rating scale (NOS). RevMan 5.

Contribution of glutathione S-transferase gene polymorphisms to development of skin cancer.

Background: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) family genes are of vital importance in maintaining cellular defence systems, protecting cells against the toxic effects of reactive oxygen produced during the synthesis of melanin, and detoxifying environmental mutagens and chemical or synthetic drugs. As no previous meta-analyses have examined the association of polymorphisms at GSTT1, GSTP1 Ile105Val with skin cancer risk and independently published studies have produced inconsistent conclusions, we were promoted to estimate the associations in the largest study to date.

Methods: Computer-assisted searches were carried out to systematically identify the studies of GST polymorphisms and skin cancer.

[Studies on the changes in the interleukin-13 expression and on activator protein-1 activity in rat pulmonary tissue with acute lung injury induced by endotoxin].

Objective: To investigate the changes in plasma level of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and the changes in the pulmonary IL-13 mRNA content and the pulmonary activator protein-1 (AP-1) activity of the rats inflicted with acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), so as to explore the relationship between IL-13 expression and AP-1 activity.

Methods: One hundred and twenty Wistar rats were employed in the study and were randomly divided into A (2 mg/kg), B (4 mg/kg), C (6 mg/kg) and D (8 mg/kg) groups according to different dosage of LPS administration and a control group (NS group) at each observing time point. The rats were observed at 1, 2, 4 and 6 postburn hours (PBHs) and every 6 rats were deployed in every group and each time points.

[The effect of fastigial nucleus electrical stimulation on the therapeutic window of opportunity for intervention of focal cerebral ischemia].

Objective: To investigate the effect of cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) electrical stimulation on the therapeutic window of opportunity for intervention of focal cerebral ischemia.

Methods: Thirty-five healthy male Wistar rats were divided into focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion group (I/R group, undergoing ischemia by embolism of middle cerebral artery for 3, 6 or 8 hours and then undergoing reperfusion for 24 hours, thus subdivided into I/R 3 hours, 6 hours, and 8 hours subgroups of 5 rats), focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion plus FN electrical stimulation group (I/R-FN group, n = 15, undergoing FN electrical stimulation followed by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion as in the I/R group), and sham operation group (n = 5). Twenty-four hours after the reperfusion or sham operation, the rats were killed.