Arch Med Sci
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Aberrant expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with various cancer types. However, few studies have assessed lncRNAs in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to investigate the expression and impact of lncRNAs in OSCC. ⋯ Elevated expression of MALAT-1 in OSCC may play a role in tumorigenesis and/or metastasis. Further studies are necessary to identify the mechanism by which MALAT-1 influences SCC4 growth and migration and validate its increased expression in OSCC patients.
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Urotensin II (UII) is an important vasoactive peptide involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Monocytes/macrophages play important roles in every step of atherosclerosis. Although UII has a chemoattractant effect on monocytes, it is unclear whether UII regulates inflammatory responses in macrophages. The present study sought to explore whether UII can promote leukotriene B4 (LTB4) production by macrophages. ⋯ Urotensin II may promote 5-lipoxygenase expression and LTB4 release in RAW264.7 macrophages via UT-ROS-Akt pathways. These results indicate that UII may participate in macrophage activation and suggest a potential new mechanism underlying atherosclerosis.
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To investigate the association between blood pressure components and microalbuminuria (MAU) in newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve hypertensive patients. ⋯ In newly diagnosed and treatment-naïve hypertensive patients, increased SBP and PP were independently associated with MAU.
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One of the major causes of cataract in diabetes is oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nowadays, new substances with antioxidative properties that may prevent cataract development are needed. One such substance is caffeine - an alkaloid with well-documented antioxidative activity. ⋯ The results of the present study may be of relevance in determining the effect of caffeine on the processes induced by ROS in vivo. Further, they can be an indication for clinical observations aiming at the assessment of both preventive and therapeutic effects of caffeine in cataract.
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The main purpose of the present research was to study the anticancer effects of methylwogonin in A375 human malignant melanoma cells by evaluating its effects on apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, cancer cell invasion and the mTOR/PI3K/AKT signalling pathway. ⋯ Different doses of methylwogonin led to concentration-dependent downregulation of phosphorylated PI3K, AKT and mTOR.