Int J Med Sci
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Serum osteocalcin is significantly related to indices of obesity and lipid profile in Malaysian men.
Recent studies revealed a possible reciprocal relationship between the skeletal system and obesity and lipid metabolism, mediated by osteocalcin, an osteoblast-specific protein. This study aimed to validate the relationship between serum osteocalcin and indices of obesity and lipid parameters in a group of Malaysian men. ⋯ Serum osteocalcin is associated with indices of obesity and HDL level in men. These relationships should be validated by a longitudinal study, with comprehensive hormone profile testing.
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To clarify the precise characteristics of human hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) for future cytotherapy in liver diseases. ⋯ The human HPCs are highly similar to primary hepatocytes in their transcriptional profiles. The CD45 and CD109 markers could potentially be utilized to identify and isolate HPCs for further cytotherapy of liver diseases.
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Reactive gliosis and glial scar formation have been evidenced in the animal model of ischemic stroke, but not in human ischemic brain. Here, we have found that GFAP, ED1 and chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (CSPG) expression were significantly increased in the cortical peri-infarct regions after ischemic stroke, compared with adjacent normal tissues and control subjects. Double immunolabeling showed that GFAP-positive reactive astrocytes in the peri-infarct region expressed CSPG, but showed no overlap with ED1-positive activated microglia. Our findings suggest that reactive gliosis and glial scar formation as seen in animal models of stroke are reflective of what occurs in the human brain after an ischemic injury.
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Several social economic factors play important roles in treatments of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and finally influence the clinical outcomes. The basic social medical insurance (BSMI) is an important economic factor in China's medical system. However, the impact of BSMI on clinical outcomes in STEMI patients has not been explored yet. The aim of this study is to investigate whether BSMI is a predictor of clinical outcomes in the patients with STEMI in Shanghai, China. ⋯ These results demonstrate that BSMI is closely associated with the major adverse events-free survival rate at 36-month follow-up in the STEMI patients under the current policies in Shanghai, China.
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Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective cytokine. However, several studies have demonstrated that plasma adiponectin levels were inversely associated with pulmonary function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, suggesting a proinflammatory or pulmonary-destructive role. It is still unclear whether adiponectin is a potent biomarker predicting declines in pulmonary function. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between adiponectin and pulmonary function among Japanese individuals who participated in an annual health check-up. ⋯ The results of the present study suggest that adiponectin levels are predictive of declines in FEV1 in the general population.