Annals of medicine
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Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) are regulatory molecules that play important roles in various biological and pathological processes. Herein, we aimed to explore whether maternally expressed gene 8 (MEG8) promotes M1 macrophage polarization among Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) rats, and to investigate the underlying mechanism. ⋯ The lncRNA MEG8 sponged miR-181a-5p, which contributes to M1 macrophage polarization by regulating SHP2 expression in HSP rats.Key MessagesLncRNA MEG8 downregulation and M2 polarization in Henoch Schonlein purpura rats.MEG8 upregulation enhances M1 polarization and suppresses JAK2/STAT3 pathway.MEG8 sponges miRNA-181a-5p to regulate SHP2 expression.MiRNA-181a-5p upregulation reverses lncRNA MEG8-mediated enhancement of M1 polarization and inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.SHP2 downregulation reverses lncRNA MEG8-mediated enhancement of M1 polarization and inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
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The Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) was revised in 2016 which lacked sufficient evidence for prognostic value of subclassification of focal segmental glomerular sclerosis (S lesion), and the proper proportion of S lesion for subclassification remains undetermined. ⋯ This study might recommend new subclassification of S scores (S0 (no S lesion), S1 (S lesion <25% of glomeruli), and S2 (S lesion ≥ 25% of glomeruli)) for the Oxford classification. This model may also help to evaluate pros and cons of immunosuppressive therapy in IgAN patients with different level of S lesion.KEY MESSAGESS lesion ≥ 25% is an independent risk factor for poor renal outcome in IgAN patients.This new subclassification of S scores may help to evaluate pros and cons of immunotherapy in IgAN patients with different level of S lesion.
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The prevalence of obesity and dyslipidaemia was observed to be increased among the tribal populations, due to globalization. ⋯ The observed differences can possibly attribute to both their respective ancestries resulting in different gene pools and the physical environment. The results of the study highlight the importance of gene-gene and gene-environment interactions in adverse phenotype groups.KEY MESSAGEAmong the tribal population, the prevalence of obesity and dyslipidaemia has been increased.Differential distribution and associations of selected markers hint towards differential genetic architecture in these populations.MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism was found to show a significantly decreased risk for WHtR and low HDL among the Liangmai tribe and BMI among the Mizo tribe.Significant increased risk posed by FTO rs9939609 gene polymorphism was moderated by the interaction with MC4R rs17782313.
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Ursolic acid (UA) is a potent plant-based hepatoprotective agent having poor bioavailability, which hampers its therapeutic efficacy. The present study tries to overcome this limitation by combining it with piperine (PIP), a proven bioenhancer and hepatoprotective agent. ⋯ The findings indicated that the combination of PIP and UA is an effective strategy in enhancing the bioavailability and hepatoprotective potential of UA.KEY MESSAGESUrsolic acid in a combination with piperine provides a synergistic hepatoprotective effect in carbon tetrachloride induced liver damage in rats.Piperine improves the pharmacokinetic properties of ursolic acid when given in combination.Piperine improves the relative oral bioavailability of ursolic acid by tenfold when combined together.
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Observational Study
Variability of blood eosinophil count and prognosis of COPD exacerbations.
Eosinophils in peripheral blood are one of the emerging biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, when analysing the relationship between peripheral eosinophilia and COPD prognosis, highly variable results are obtained. The aim of our study is to describe the serum eosinophilia levels in COPD patients and to analyse their relationship to prognosis following hospital admission. ⋯ The results of our study do not seem to support the usefulness of BEC as a COPD biomarker.KEY MESSAGESThere is evidence that BEC participates in pathophysiological mechanisms of the COPD.BEC may be useful as a biomarker in COPD for aspects such as the optimization of treatments.We did not find any relationship between BEC levels and prognosis following hospital admission for AECOPD.