Association between CEBPE Variant and Childhood Acute Leukemia Risk: Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of 22 Studies.

The CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (CEBPs) have been involved in the etiology of acute leukemia (AL) and investigated in numerous genetic association studies, however, the results were inconclusive. The current meta-analysis was conducted to clarify the effect of CEBPE rs2239633 variant on childhood AL risk. Electronic literature search was performed on August 15, 2014, from databases of Medline, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science.

Effect of stent-assisted angioplasty on cognitive status and serum levels of amyloid beta in patients with intracranial and/or extracranial artery stenosis.

Aim: The study reported here aimed to examine how stent-assisted angioplasty affects cognitive status and serum levels of amyloid betas (Aβs) 1-40 and 1-42 in patients with cerebral arterial stenosis.

Methods: Patients with cerebral arterial stenosis were given stent-assisted angioplasty plus conventional treatment (stent-assisted angioplasty group) or conventional treatment alone (control group). Cognitive status and Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 serum levels were determined before treatment and at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment.

Safety and efficacy of intracoronary human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell treatment for very old patients with coronary chronic total occlusion.

This study aimed to investigate the safety and feasibility of intracoronary injection of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell to the very old patients with coronary chronic total occlusion. 15 consecutive patients received mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord in epicardial coronary artery supplying collateral circulation. The patients were randomly allocated to low-dose 3x10(6), mid-dose 4x10(6) and high-dose 5x10(6) groups.

Decompressive craniectomy for the treatment of malignant infarction of the middle cerebral artery.

Early decompressive craniectomy (DC) has been shown to reduce mortality in malignant middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction, whereas efficacy of DC on functional outcome is inconclusive. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the effects of DC on malignant MCA infarction and investigated whether age of patients and timing of surgery influenced the efficacy. We systematically searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, Web of Science update to June 2014.

Enhanced anticancer activity of DM1-loaded star-shaped folate-core PLA-TPGS nanoparticles.

The efficient delivery of therapeutic drugs into interested cells is a critical challenge to broad application of nonviral vector systems. In this research, emtansine (DM1)-loaded star-shaped folate-core polylactide-d-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (FA-PLA-TPGS-DM1) copolymer which demonstrated superior anticancer activity in vitro/vivo in comparison with linear FA-PLA-TPGS nanoparticles was applied to be a vector of DM1 for FR(+) breast cancer therapy. The DM1- or coumarin 6-loaded nanoparticles were fabricated, and then characterized in terms of size, morphology, drug encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release.

Relationship between chronic diarrhea with normal colonoscopy findings and terminal ileum lesions.

Background: The causes and mechanisms of chronic diarrhea are complex. This study aimed to explore the relationship between chronic diarrhea with normal colonoscopy findings and terminal ileum lesions.

Methods: All cases were collected from January 2009 to June 2010.

Uric acid levels in obstructive sleep apnea patients with atrial fibrillation.

Background And Aims: The objective of this observational study was to determine whether there is an association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and uric acid and to identify the risk markers for AF in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed OSA were screened at baseline. The final study population consisted of 516 patients.

Assessment of the platelet parameters and serum butyrylcholinesterase activity in type 1 diabetes patients with ketoacidosis.

The potential roles of serum butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity and platelet indices in type 1 diabetes (T1D) remain uncertain. We aimed to investigate the correlation among the platelet indices, serum BChE activity, and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Sixty-one T1D patients, 29 patients with DKA, and 30 age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled.

Evaluation of ischemia-modified albumin and C-reactive protein in type 2 diabetics with and without ketosis.

Overview: To investigate whether serum ischemia-modified albumin or C-reactive protein is reliable for predicting type 2 diabetic patients with ketosis.

Approach: One hundred and four diabetic patients, 48 with diabetic ketosis, and 33 controls were enrolled in the study. Serum ischemia-modified albumin and C-reactive protein were measured and evaluated for their ability to distinguish diabetic ketosis.

Increased serum levels of ischemia-modified albumin and C-reactive protein in type 1 diabetes patients with ketoacidosis.

Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA) levels have been advocated as a biomarker for evaluating the oxidative stress status. No data are showed on the potential role of IMA in type 1 diabetes (T1D). We aimed to establish the correlation among serum levels of IMA, C-reactive protein (CRP), and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in patients with T1D.