Molecular medicine reports
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Celastrol and triptolide, chemical compounds isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii hook (also known as thunder god vine), are effective against rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Celastrol targets numerous signaling pathways involving NF‑κB, endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‑ATPase, myeloid differentiation factor 2, toll‑like receptor 4, pro‑inflammatory chemokines, DNA damage, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Triptolide, inhibits NF‑κB, the receptor activator of NF‑κB (RANK)/RANK ligand/osteoprotegerin signaling pathway, cyclooxygenase‑2, matrix metalloproteases and cytokines. ⋯ Clinical studies have demonstrated that T. wilfordii has several promising bioactivities, but its multi‑target toxicity has restricted its application. Thus, dosage control and structural modification of T. wilfordii are required to reduce the toxicity. In this review, future directions for research into these promising natural products are discussed.
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The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in individuals >65 years of age is 13% and ~66 million individuals in this age group undergo surgery annually under anesthesia. It is therefore important to determine whether commonly used inhaled anesthetics induce cytotoxicity, which may lead to neurodegeneration. Findings from several studies suggest that the anesthetics, isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane, may activate caspases, increase the synthesis and accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) protein, and induce hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins, all of which are cellular responses consistent with the neuropathogenesis of AD. ⋯ The possible underlying mechanism was also reviewed. However, several aspects of this phenomenon remain to be elucidated. Further studies are required to fully examine anesthesia-induced neurotoxicity and elucidate the effect of inhaled anesthetics on the onset and progression of AD.
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Lung cancer is the leading cause of mortality from cancer among men and women worldwide. More individuals die each year of lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancer combined. Despite new diagnostic techniques, the overall 5-year survival rate remains at approximately 15% and the majority of patients still present with advanced disease. ⋯ Diagnosing and treating cancer at its early stages, ideally during the precancerous stages, could increase the 5-year survival rate by 3-4‑fold, with the possibility of cure. To date, no screening method has been shown to decrease the disease-specific mortality rate. This review describes issues related to early lung cancer screening and their rationale, the management of primary cancers detected by screening and the different approaches that have been tested for cancer screening; these include imaging techniques, bronchoscopies and molecular screening, such as analysis of epigenomics using different noninvasive or invasive sources, such as blood, sputum, bronchoscopic samples and exhaled breath.
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Cryoglobulins are immunoglobulins that precipitate at low temperatures and redissolve upon rewarming. Cryoglobulinemia refers to the presence of circulating cryoglobulins in serum, and generally leads to a systemic inflammatory syndrome characterized by fatigue, arthralgia, purpura, neuropathy and glomerulonephritis. The disease mainly involves small to medium-sized blood vessels and causes vasculitis due to cryoglobulin-containing immune complexes. ⋯ For patients with chronic HCV infection, anti-viral therapy is indicated. Intense immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory therapy, including steroids, plasmapheresis and cytotoxic agents, is reserved for organ-threatening or recalcitrant disease. In this review, we discuss the clinical characteristics of the three types of cryoglobulinemia.
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Selenium is an essential biological trace element. Adult daily intake of selenium should be approximately 100 µg per day. This compound has a two-sided effect depending on its concentration. ⋯ A lower redox state caused by selenium may be implicated in toxic diseases, such as alkali disease and blind staggers. Collectively, selenium seems to have both harmful and beneficial attributes. The aim of this review is to summarize the various biological functions of selenium and to illustrate its opposite roles as a pro-oxidant and an antioxidant.