Arch Med Sci
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Our previous study showed that naringin (NRG) protects cardiomyocytes against high glucose (HG)-induced injuries by inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Leptin induces hypertrophy in rat cardiomyocytes via p38/MAPK activation. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that leptin-Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)/signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), which are responsible for leptin's functions, are involved in HG-induced injuries and cardioprotective effects of NRG in cardiomyocytes. ⋯ This study provides new evidence of the NRG protective effects of H9c2 cells against HG-induced injuries possibly via modulation of the leptin-JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
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Vascular malformations are present in a great variety of congenital syndromes, either as the predominant or additional feature. They pose a major challenge to the clinician: due to significant phenotype overlap, a precise diagnosis is often difficult to obtain, some of the malformations carry a risk of life threatening complications and, for many entities, treatment is not well established. To facilitate their recognition and aid in differentiation, we present a selection of notable congenital disorders of vascular system development, distinguishing between the heritable germinal and sporadic somatic mutations as their causes. Clinical features, genetic background and comprehensible description of molecular mechanisms is provided for each entity.
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Aging is a natural process involving dysfunction of multiple organs and is characterized by increased susceptibility to infections, cancer and autoimmune diseases. The functionality of the immune system depends on the capacity of lymphocytes to proliferate in response to antigenic challenges, and telomere length has an important role regulating the number of cell divisions. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between telomere length, interleukin 2 (IL-2) production, CD25 expression and proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in aged men. ⋯ In aged men the telomere length shortening and the reduced T cell proliferation are not related to the capacity of IL-2 production and CD25 expression on T lymphocytes.
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Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and cognitive impairment (CI) may reduce body awareness in older adults. The first aim of this study was to determine the impact of CMP and CI on body awareness in older adults. The second was to search for the factors most affecting body awareness using logistic regression analysis. ⋯ The results obtained from this study indicate that cognitive impairment and pain should be reduced by improving body awareness among older adults. That is why health professionals should evaluate all related factors affecting body awareness before planning the most suitable rehabilitation program.
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The main treatment regimen for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) involves platinum-based chemotherapy (cisplatin or carboplatin) and etoposide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TOP2A and ERCC1 genes were tested as prognostic and predictive factors in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There are limited data about the clinical relevance of these genetic alterations in SCLC. We undertook this retrospective study to determine the influence of SNPs in TOP2A (rs34300454; rs13695; rs11540720) and ERCC1 (rs11615; rs3212986) genes on the efficiency and toxicity of chemotherapy with platinum and etoposide in SCLC Caucasian patients. ⋯ SNPs in ERCC1 and TOP2 genes may be associated with the toxicities and survival of SCLC patients treated with cisplatin and etoposide.