[The correlation between nutritional status, body composition, and symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between nutritional status, body composition and symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: The study was conducted among 102 PD patients between November 2020 to April 2021 in the outpatient and inpatient of Neurology department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University. Basic data, such as age, gender, course of disease and Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) stage of the patients, were collected. In the "open" state, the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and other scales were used to evaluate the clinical symptoms of PD patients. The nutritional status of PD patients was evaluated by the micro-nutrition rating Scale (MNA), and the body composition data of PD patients was measured by the body composition analyzer.The patients were divided into three groups according to the MNA: well-nourished group(45 cases), malnutrition-risk group (43 cases)and malnutrition group(14 cases). Body composition, laboratory tests, bone density, and symptoms of PD were compared among the three groups. Results: Among 102 PD patients, 48 were males (47.1%) and 54 were females (52.9%), aged 42-86 (66±9) years old. Compared with the malnutrition-risk group, lymphocytes in the malnutrition group [(1.45±0.48) × 109/L vs (1.76±0.43)×109/L], uric acid [(227±54) µmol/L vs (282±63) µmol/L] were all low, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). Compared with the well-nourished group, hemoglobin [(125±17) g/L vs (136±14) g/L], prealbumin [(0.23±0.05) g/L vs (0.27±0.06) g/L], and uric acid [(227±54) µmol/L vs (312±76) µmol/L] and Retinol binding protein [(33±7) mg/L were lower than (39±10) mg/L] in the malnutrition group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Except for the visceral fat area and body fat percentages, there was no significant difference in body composition indexes and bone mineral density T-value between the malnutrition-risk and malnutrition groups (P<0.05). Compared with the well-nourished group, the body fat [(16±6) kg vs (20±6) kg], the percentage of body fat [(26±9)% vs (29±7)%], the waist-hip ratio [(0.86±0.05) vs (0.89±0.05)], and the upper arm circumference [(29.00±2.59) cm vs (30.74±2.75) cm] in the malnutrition risk group were lower, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in all body composition indicators and T-values of bone density between the malnourished and well nourished groups (all P<0.05). The MNA score of PD patients was negatively correlated with UPDRS Ⅰ, UPDRS Ⅱ, and UPDRS Ⅳ scores (r=-0.347, -0.364, -0.303, all P<0.05); Body composition indicators: total body water and inorganic salts were negatively correlated with UPDRS-I (r=-0.206, -0.223, all P<0.05), and body fat was negatively correlated with levodopa Equivalent dose (LED) (r=-0.209, P<0.05) Conclusions: The malnutrition risk and incidence of malnutrition in PD patients are high; lymphocyte, uric acid, hemoglobin, Retinol binding protein, body composition and bone mineral density were low in malnutrition group. MNA score of PD patients was negatively correlated with Parkinson's disease symptoms.

[Clinical features and spinal lesions in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and spinal lesions related to micturitionin of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome(CP/CPPS) patients. Methods: Patients with CP/CPPS were enrolled to this study at the outpatient department of Tongji Hospital between January and June 2019. The data of clinical features was collected and analyzed, including lower urinary tract symptoms(LUTS), bowel syndrome and pain over different parts of body, as well as lower urinary tract dysfunction, spinal lesions and pelvic organ morphological changes demonstrated by MRI. The potential role of spinal lesions in the development of CP/CPPS syndrome was investigated. Results: A total of 126 CP/CPPS patients were included, with an age［M（Q1，Q3）］of 41(31,53) years and a course of disease of 2(1,20) years. Among them, 126 (100.0%) were complicated with LUTS, 72(57.1%) with bowel dysfunction and 88(69.8%) with pain. MRI showed the cervical central disc herniation(126 cases, 100.0%), the ischemic changing in the cervical area of visceral efferant pathway(82 cases, 65.1%), the lumbar central disc herniation(65 cases, 51.6%), and the sacral nerve cysts(97 cases, 77.0%) are commonly seen. In addition, the morphological changes in the visceral organs containing smooth muscle were demonstrated, including thickened bladder wall(91 cases, 72.2%), distended seminal vesicles(70 cases, 55.6%) and distended sigmoid colon/rectum(59 cases, 46.8%). Conclusions: CP/CPPS patients were characterized by the co-existence of LUTS, bowel dysfunction and somatic pain in one individual. The presence of multi-organ symptoms, combined with the high prevalence of spinal lesions associated with micturition reflex, suggesting the potential role of the spinal lesions in the development of CP/CPPS.

Overexpression of zinc-finger protein 677 inhibits proliferation and invasion by and induces apoptosis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Recent studies have demonstrated that zinc-finger protein 677 (ZNF677) acts as a tumor suppressor gene in cancer. However, the expression and function of ZNF677 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) are still unclear. In this study, we used bioinformatics analysis and in vitro experiments to investigate the expression of ZNF677 in ccRCC tissues and the malignant biological behavior of ZNF677 in 786-0 cells. We demonstrated that ZNF677 is hypermethylated in ccRCC and is associated with clinicopathological features. The results of the functional assays indicate that ZNF677 inhibits tumor cell proliferation and invasion and induces apoptosis. Further prognostic analysis indicated that low expression of ZNF677 is associated with shorter overall survival. Additionally, ZNF677 overexpression suppressed the invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of 786-0 cells by inactivating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This is the first report to evaluate the influence of ZNF677 on ccRCC cells malignant biological behavior. The results indicate that high expression of ZNF677 could be considered as a favorable prognostic indicator for ccRCC.

[HIV related risk factors among adolescents and young adults].

Adolescents and young adults are getting to becoming full-fledged adults, along with the maturity of physical bodies, the mentality is going to be matured. Adolescents and young adults are prone to unsafe sexual conducts which may lead to higher risks of HIV. The number of HIV newly reported cases has been increasing in adolescents and young adults and has attracted attention by people from all walks of life. This paper reviews the current status of HIV infection, routes of transmission, ways of case-finding and risk factors related to the susceptibility of HIV etc.,aiming to provide evidence for reducing the risk of HIV infection in adolescents and young adults.

[Progress of research on the susceptibility of HIV infection among heterosexual partners of men who have sex with men].

Affected by internal and external factors, more than 70.0% of men who have sex with men (MSM) have the intention to get married, and more than 90.0% of MSM view marriage as inevitable. Due to the marriage, there merges a group of women who are heterosexual partners of MSM and also known as'tongqi' (TQ). Because MSM is a high-risk group infected with HIV, together with the existence of other predisposing factors, the TQ population is also under increased risk of HIV infection. This article summarizes the definition, population scale, physical health problems, and risk factors of HIV infection among TQ with the purpose of providing evidence for the implementation on the follow-up prevention and control programs of sexually transmitted diseases for the TQ population.

[Estimation of newly HIV infection trend by using the back-calculation method in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture].

Objective: Using the changing patterns of CD(4)(+) lymphocytes (CD(4)) counts of HIV/AIDS cases, we tried to estimate the number of newly infected HIV in Honghe Hani and Yi autonomous prefecture (Honghe prefecture) Yunnan province, and to provide reference for evaluating the trend of local HIV epidemic. Methods: Among diagnosed HIV infections, those who were at ≥15 years old, having available initial CD(4) records of testing, initiating antiviral therapy before the end of 2018, were selected from the case reporting system of Honghe prefecture, Yunnan province. Both Depletion model of the square root on CD(4) and the time of infection were used to back-calculate the seroconversion time of each individual. Both direct probability distribution method and life table method were used to calculate the distribution rates of diagnosis and the weight of delay. The number of diagnoses over the years was used to reversely estimate the total number of newly HIV infections. Results: At the end of 2018, the total number of HIV infections was estimated 35 977 with the rate of diagnosis as 77.50% in Honghe prefecture of Yunnan province. The number of new HIV infections appeared as 23 792 in 2008-2018. Cumulatively, the number of new HIV infections was 12 185 up to 2007. The estimated number of new HIV infections decreased from 2 602 in 2008 to 1 480 in 2018. The weight of diagnostic delay decreased from 5.49 in one year to 1.00 in 20 years, and the diagnosis rate increased from 18.2% to 100.0% during 20 years. Conclusion: In Honghe prefecture of Yunnan province, the number of newly infection showed a declining trend but the diagnostic rate was still far from reaching the "first 90% target" . It is expected to expand the timeliness on detection and case-finding so as to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

[Strategic thinking to improve the basic research in liver transplantation in the new era].

Liver transplantation(LT) is the "crown" of surgery and is also an important manifestation of national medical standards. In the past half century, China has made remarkable progress in LT. Currently, China is the second largest country of LT world widely and presents an international advanced level in the efficacy of LT. However, it is notable that there are still many bottlenecks to be solved in China. In the era of precision medicine and big data, the basic research of LT is largely lagging behind and unable to meet the rapid development of clinical needs. Strengthen the basic research of LT is a breakthrough strategy in rejuvenating the country through science and technology in the new era. A high-quality professional research team should be built through multi-disciplinary cooperation and superior resources gathering. Researcher's innovative thinking and strategic vision should be cultivated via the learning of new technologies (e.g., single-cell exploration and multi-omics analysis) and new courses (e.g., transplant oncology and transplant immunology). Government investment also needs to be increased to speed up the nurturing of high-level talents and get great achievements. Basic research is the driving force for China to become a leading country in LT.

[Using linear mixed-effects model to analyze the progression of HIV disease, among men who have sex with men].

Objective: To understand the progression of CD(4)(+) T cells (CD(4)) declining rate in different age groups among MSM and to further explore the pathogenesis of HIV infection. Methods: Data regarding MSM who were diagnosed as HIV positive, aged ≥15 years, with homosexual route of transmission and with more than two records of CD(4) count retained before antiretroviral therapy (ART), were collected from the National AIDS Comprehensive Prevention Information System until May 31, 2019. Linear mixed effect model was used to fit the linear elimination relationship between the square root of CD(4) cell count and infection time before taking up the ART. To get the intercept estimation, we used the results from CD(4) count which containing the dates of last negativity and first positivity on HIV antibody testing. Both t test and Z test were used to test the model parameters. Median intervals from HIV seroconversion to CD(4)<500, <350, <200 cells/µl were estimated. Results: A total of 26 754 individuals were included in the study including 146 of them having records on the last date of being test negative. Their median age was 27 years old (M=27, P(25)-P(75):23-35). The intercept of the liner mixed models among 15-, 25- and ≥35 year olds were 24.84 (95%CI: 23.76-25.92), 23.94 (95%CI: 22.86-25.02), 23.44 (95%CI: 21.91-24.96) and the slope of the liner mixed models among the 15-24, 25-34, 35-44 and ≥45 year olds were -1.31 (95%CI: -1.33--1.25), -1.37(95%CI: -1.40--1.33), -1.53 (95%CI: -1.58--1.47) and -1.59 (95%CI:-1.68--1.51), respectively. Estimation on the median intervals from HIV seroconversion to CD(4) <500, <350, <200 cells/µl counts were 1.29 (95%CI: 0.79-1.81), 3.92 (95%CI: 3.36-4.48) and 7.21 (95%CI: 6.58-7.81), respectively. The median time of 15-24 age group from HIV seroconversion to reach the three CD(4) thresholds appeared the longest, as 1.89 (95%CI: 1.05-2.85), 4.68(95%CI: 3.80-5.77) and 8.17 (95%CI: 7.23-9.42) years, respectively, the median time of ≥45 age group from HIV seroconversion to reach the three CD(4) thresholds appeared the shortest, as 0.68 (95%CI: 0.00-1.72)、2.98 (95%CI: 1.91-4.14)、5.85 (95%CI: 4.62-7.16) years, respectively. Conclusions: Our findings suggested that the CD(4) declining rate had been accelerated along with ageing. Progression time from HIV seroconversion to different CD(4) thresholds appeared different, which was shorter in the older age group. Again, these findings showed the great impact of HIV infection among older age groups in the MSM population. Early diagnosis and treatment were bound to delay the progression of the disease.

[Application of Bayesian statistics in AIDS epidemic estimation].

With the prevalence of AIDS in countries around the world, the epidemic has affected more areas and more populations, and the epidemic pattern is more complicated, so the methods for estimating and predicting AIDS epidemic need to be improved continuously. The existing mathematical statistics models and computer software prediction methods of AIDS epidemic have their own advantages and disadvantages, combination and mutual corroboration of different epidemiological estimation methods can facilitate the comprehensive assessment of the AIDS epidemic. This paper summarizes the thinking, development, application and precautions of Bayesian statistics in AIDS epidemic estimation to provide reference for the further application of Bayesian statistics in AIDS epidemic estimation.

[Sacral neuromodulation preliminary outcomes in male patients with idiopathic dysuria].

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and safety of sacral neuromodulation (SNM) therapy for men with idiopathic dysuria. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2016, a total of 26 patients treated with SNM therapy from multi-center across the country were retrospectively studied. The age ranged from 19 to 86 years with an average age of 45.2 years. Patients suffered from one or multiple urinary symptoms such as frequency of urination, urgency, urinary retention, etc. All patients had received more than two types of conservative therapy including oral and behavioral therapy, but had poor or no improvement. The voiding diary, urgency score and the quality of life score before implantation, in stageⅠ after implantation and stage Ⅱ after permanent implantation were recorded and compared. Results: A total of 22 patients chose to receive IPG at the end of stageⅠ therapy while 4 patients refused further stage Ⅱ therapy because of dissatisfactory effect. The conversion rate of stage Ⅰ to stage Ⅱ was 84.6% (22/26). The average follow-up time was 19.2 months, ranging from 3 to 63 months. The baseline of residual urine, voiding frequency and average voiding amount and those after stage Ⅰ therapy were [5 (0, 137.5) ] ml vs [0 (0, 40) ] ml, 14.6±6.1 vs 9.1±2.8, [100 (80, 135) ] ml vs [190 (150, 210) ] ml, respectively. The differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).However, no significant differences were found in urination volume and quality of life (QoL) before and after implantation(P>0.05). During an average follow-up time of 19.2 months after the permanent implantation, over 80% patients had an improvement of residual urine volume by more than 50% after permanent implantation while the improvement was 55.6% after stage Ⅰ therapy, suggesting that the improvement of residual urine volume might be positively correlated with the duration of regulation. No significant differences were found in other parameters between stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ therapy. No adverse events like wound infection and electrode dislocation happened during our study. Conclusions: SNM is an effective and safety procedure for male patients with idiopathic dysuria, with a relatively high transfer rate. The medium-term curative effect is stable. The duration of regulation may be positively correlated with the improvement of residual urine.

The MTHFR polymorphism affect the susceptibility of HCC and the prognosis of HCC liver transplantation

Background. Methylenetetrahyfrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is the key enzyme for one carbon and folate metabolism. Previous studies have drawn different conclusions about the relationship between the mutation of MTHFR and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence. MTHFR polymorphisms' influence on liver transplantation for HCC recurrence has yet not been reported. Aim of this study was to clarify the impact of MTHFR polymorphism on hepatocarcinogenesis and the prognosis of liver transplant recipient with HCC. Methods. This study enrolled 244 HCC patients and 487 healthy individuals in Chinese Han population to analyze the influence of MTHFR polymorphism on HCC susceptibility first. Furthermore, this research choose another 100 donors’ and 104 recipients’ specimens to detect the association between polymorphism of MTHFR and post-transplant HCC recurrence. Result. rs1801131 polymorphism A to C was associated with the occurrence of HCC in Chinese Han population (p < 0.05), especially in age exceeding 50 years (p < 0.01). No association was observed with rs1801133 polymorphism and HCC occurrence. The mean tumor-free survival for recipients with donor liver graft rs1801133 C to T variants was shorter than CC type (12.63 ± 3.84 vs 22.43 ± 4.74 months, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that Donor rs1801133 and Hangzhou criteria were two independent prognostic factors for tumor-free survival (p < 0.05). Neither donor rs1801131 polymorphism nor recipients’ MTHFR polymorphisms was associated with HCC recurrence. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that MTHFR polymorphism was associated with HCC occurrence and post-transplant HCC recurrence. rs1801131 mutation A to C is a valuable molecular biomarker for predicting HCC occurrence in Chinese Han population. Donor MTHFR rs1801133 C to T polymorphism could present as a promising prognostic biomarkers for HCC recurrence in liver transplant recipients (AU)

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The MTHFR polymorphism affect the susceptibility of HCC and the prognosis of HCC liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Methylenetetrahyfrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is the key enzyme for one carbon and folate metabolism. Previous studies have drawn different conclusions about the relationship between the mutation of MTHFR and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence. MTHFR polymorphisms' influence on liver transplantation for HCC recurrence has yet not been reported. Aim of this study was to clarify the impact of MTHFR polymorphism on hepatocarcinogenesis and the prognosis of liver transplant recipient with HCC. METHODS: This study enrolled 244 HCC patients and 487 healthy individuals in Chinese Han population to analyze the influence of MTHFR polymorphism on HCC susceptibility first. Furthermore, this research choose another 100 donors' and 104 recipients' specimens to detect the association between polymorphism of MTHFR and post-transplant HCC recurrence. RESULT: rs1801131 polymorphism A to C was associated with the occurrence of HCC in Chinese Han population (p < 0.05), especially in age exceeding 50 years (p < 0.01). No association was observed with rs1801133 polymorphism and HCC occurrence. The mean tumor-free survival for recipients with donor liver graft rs1801133 C to T variants was shorter than CC type (12.63 ± 3.84 vs 22.43 ± 4.74 months, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that Donor rs1801133 and Hangzhou criteria were two independent prognostic factors for tumor-free survival (p < 0.05). Neither donor rs1801131 polymorphism nor recipients' MTHFR polymorphisms was associated with HCC recurrence. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that MTHFR polymorphism was associated with HCC occurrence and post-transplant HCC recurrence. rs1801131 mutation A to C is a valuable molecular biomarker for predicting HCC occurrence in Chinese Han population. Donor MTHFR rs1801133 C to T polymorphism could present as a promising prognostic biomarkers for HCC recurrence in liver transplant recipients.

Donor Graft MicroRNAs: A Newly Identified Player in the Development of New-onset Diabetes After Liver Transplantation.

New-onset diabetes after liver transplantation (NODALT) is a frequent complication with an unfavorable outcome. We previously demonstrated a crucial link between donor graft genetics and the risk of NODALT. We selected 15 matched pairs of NODALT and non-NODALT liver recipients using propensity score matching analysis. The donor liver tissues were tested for the expression of 10 microRNAs (miRNAs) regulating human hepatic glucose homeostasis. The biological functions of potential target genes were predicted using gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Both miR-103 and miR-181a were significantly highly expressed in the NODALT group as compared to the non-NODALT group. The predicted target genes (e.g. Irs2, Pik3r1, Akt2, and Gsk3b) were involved in glucose import and the insulin signaling pathway. We also observed dysregulation of miRNAs (e.g. let-7, miR-26b, miR-145, and miR-183) in cultured human hepatocytes treated with tacrolimus or high glucose, the two independent risk factors of NODALT identified in this cohort. The hepatic miRNA profiles altered by tacrolimus or hyperglycemia were associated with insulin resistance and glucose homeostatic imbalance as revealed by enrichment analysis. The disease susceptibility miRNA expressive pattern could be imported directly from the donor and consolidated by the transplant factors.

New Insights Into Roles of Ubiquitin Modification in Regulating Plastids and Other Endosymbiotic Organelles.

Recent findings have revealed important and diverse roles for the ubiquitin modification of proteins in the regulation of endosymbiotic organelles, which include the primary plastids of plants as well as complex plastids: the secondary endosymbiotic organelles of cryptophytes, alveolates, stramenopiles, and haptophytes. Ubiquitin modifications have a variety of potential consequences, both to the modified protein itself and to cellular regulation. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) can target individual proteins for selective degradation by the cytosolic 26S proteasome. Ubiquitin modifications can also signal the removal of whole endosymbiotic organelles, for example, via autophagy as has been well characterized in mitochondria. As plastids must import over 90% of their proteins from the cytosol, the observation that the UPS selectively targets the plastid protein import machinery is particularly significant. In this way, the UPS may influence the development and interconversions of different plastid types, as well as plastid responses to stress, by reconfiguring the organellar proteome. In complex plastids, the Symbiont-derived ERAD-Like Machinery (SELMA) has coopted the protein transport capabilities of the ER-Associated Degradation (ERAD) system, whereby misfolded proteins are retrotranslocated from ER for proteasomal degradation, uncoupling them from proteolysis: SELMA components have been retargeted to the second outermost plastid membrane to mediate protein import. In spite of this wealth of new information, there still remain a large number of unanswered questions and a need to define the roles of ubiquitin modification further in the regulation of plastids.

Epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection: a national epidemiological survey of Chinese Han population.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a high morbidity disease in China. The aim of this study was to explore the latest distribution of HCV genotypes in China, mainly focusing on epidemiological characteristics and risk factors of HCV genotype 1 in Chinese Han population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 793 HCV-positive patients were enrolled from 21 hospitals across China. The association of epidemiological data with HCV genotype 1 and the potential risk factors was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The HCV genotype 1b was detected in 66.9% of 793 patients. The way of infection, disease course, HCV RNA level, history of blood transfusion and smoking were found to be significantly different between patients infected with HCV genotype 1 and non-genotype 1. The result of univariate logistic regression analysis showed that HCV genotype 1 infection has a close relationship with age, gender, smoking history, the way of infection, allergy, disease course, and HCV RNA level. Moreover, the HCV RNA level, disease course, and blood transfusion history were the related risk factors for infection of HCV genotype 1 as demonstrated by multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The HCV genotype 1 was still the main genotype of HCV infection in China. We should intensify HCV screening for those people who aged over 50 years and had a history of blood transfusion in China. The treatment of genotype 1 should be paid more attention in antiviral of HCV.

[Upregulated Notch1 expression promotes bone morphogenetic protein-2/4 expression of calcified human heart valve interstitial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the protein expression of Notch1 in the cultured calcified human heart valve interstitial cells (hVICs) in vitro and related mechanisms. METHODS: hVICs were divided into two groups: control hVICs were cultured in conventional media for 14 days and calcified hVICs were cultured with calcification inducers: ß-glycerophosphate (500 µl), ascorbic acid (200 µl), dexamethasone(100 µl) for 7 days. The calcified hVICs were further divided into calcified hVICs group and inhibited calcified hVICs by adding specific Notch1 inhibitor DAPT (50 µmol/L(4 µl/hole))groups and cultured for another 7 days. Inflammatory response of all groups were induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 to 12 hours. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Notch1, phosphorylation nuclear transcription factor κB (p-NF-κB), bone morphogenetic protein-2/4(BMP-2/4). ELISA was applied to detect the content of BMP-2 secretion of the groups. Von Kossa staining was used to observe of cellular calcification. RESULTS: (1)Von Kossa staining is positive in the induced calcification group, the expression of Notch1, p-NF-κB, BMP-2 and BMP-4 is significantly higher in the induced calcification group than in the control group (all P<0.05). The expression of BMP-2 is significantly higher in the induced calcification group than in control group ((88.23±3.28) pg/ml vs. (25.41±3.68) pg/ml, P=0.02). (2) After treatment with DAPT, the calcification and the expression of Notch1, p-NF-κB, BMP-2 and BMP-4 were significantly decreased compared to calcification group (all P<0.05). The expression of BMP-2 is (26.74±4.62) pg/ml in the calcification inhibition group and (80.41±2.96) pg/ml in calcified control group (P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Upregulated Notch 1 expression promotes BMP-2/4 secretion in LPS stimulated hVICs, and contributes to osteogenic changes in hVICs. Inhibiting Notch1 can decrease the BMP-2/4 secretion and calcification in hVICs, which may serve as a novel therapeutic option for treating calcific valve disease.

Statins and the brain: New perspective for old drugs.

Statins are one of the most popular lipid-lowering drugs (LLDs). Upon oral administration, these drugs are well absorbed by the intestine and effectively used for the treatment of dyslipidemias. Recently, statins are becoming also well-known for their cholesterol-independent effects and their potential use in brain diseases and different types of cancers. While still controversial, recent research has suggested that statin's cholesterol-independent activities work possibly through alterations on isoprenoid levels. This reduction of isoprenoids in the central nervous system might result in effective biochemical and behavioral improvements on certain neurological disorders. This manuscript aims to highlight current research describing the use of statin therapy in the brain and discuss whether statins might affect neuronal dynamics and function independently of their cholesterol regulatory role.

Korean red ginseng: a new approach for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a rare complication after liver transplantation with an extremely poor prognosis; its occurrence offers great challenges. METHODS: We have reported herein one case of acute GVHD after liver transplantation who was treated with a traditional Chinese medicine named Korean Red Ginseng (KRG). RESULTS: The acute GVHD was successfully cured by KRG. CONCLUSIONS: The successful salvage of acute GVHD after liver transplantation by KRG may provide a new viable therapeutic option.