Arch Med Sci
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This study investigated the relationships between differentially co-expressed gene pairs or links (DCLs) and transcription factors (TFs) in the gene transcription regulatory network (GTRN) to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). ⋯ ICAM1 and LTBP may play a role in PD symptom development and pathology, and might be regulated by important TFs (AHR, SP1, PAX5, etc.) identified in the GTRN of PD. These findings may help elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying PD and find a novel drug target for this disease.
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We aimed to examine the change in the number and severity of visits to the emergency departments (EDs) and subsequent admissions for urgent urologic conditions in the early stage of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Poland. ⋯ The observed declines in ED visits and admissions were apparent with the significant effect of national lockdowns. Our results indicate that some of the patients requiring urgent medical help did not appear at the ED or came later than they would have done before the pandemic, presenting with more severe complaints.
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Recent experimental and population studies have highlighted the existence of telomere-mitochondria interplay. Besides studies revealing the molecular mechanisms underlying the associations of telomere defects and mitochondrial functions, investigations of mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) and telomere length (TL) in healthy and disease phenotypes have likewise begun, with the aim of gaining more insights about their relationship in humans. ⋯ Our results extend the until now modest number of studies investigating mtDNAcn and TL simultaneously in humans. In addition, we are the first to examine the relationship between mtDNAcn and telomere length in MZ and DZ twin subjects.
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A variety of inflammatory mediators are produced by the degenerative human intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues spontaneously, suggesting their role in the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Our present study was designed to investigate the regulatory effect of microRNA-16 (miR-16) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells of the IVD. ⋯ Our study suggested that, in NP cells of the IVD, miR-16 could exert inhibitory effects on the LPS-induced inflammatory response through NF-κB and MAPK pathways by directly mediating TAB3. In this way, miR-16 would play a protective role against LPS-induced IDD and inflammation. Therefore, miR-16 may be a novel therapeutic target for the inhibit of the ECM in the IVD.
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Periampullary diverticulum (PAD), although commonly discovered in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), remains controversial regarding its role in pancreaticobiliary diseases and the failure rate of cannulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of PAD with pancreaticobiliary diseases and its impact on the outcome of ERCP. ⋯ Periampullary diverticulum develops with aging and seems to be associated with an increase in pancreaticobiliary diseases and post-ERCP complications except for perforation. Additionally, the presence of PAD does not affect the technical success of ERCP.