Nrf2 pathway potentially confers protection against cigarette smoke-induced sarcopenia in a mouse model.

Background: Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) could alleviate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-induced muscle dysfunction, and this study aimed to explore the specific mechanisms involved.

Methods: We successfully established a 12-week cigarette smoke-induced mouse model to replicate COPD-related sarcopenia. The Nrf2 agonist sulforaphane (SFN) and inhibitor ML385 were used to comprehensively assess the regulatory function of Nrf2 in COPD-related sarcopenia.

In vitro reconstitution of meiotic DNA double-strand-break formation.

The Spo11 complex catalyses the formation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), initiating meiotic recombination-a process that is essential for fertility and genetic diversity. Although the function of Spo11 has been known for 27 years, previous efforts to reconstitute DSB formation in vitro have been unsuccessful. Here we biochemically characterize the mouse SPO11-TOP6BL protein complex, and show that this complex cleaves DNA and covalently attaches to the 5' terminus of DNA breaks in vitro.

A Low Expression of NRF2 Enhances Oxidative Stress and Autophagy in Myofibroblasts, Promoting Progression of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Background: The inflammation phenotypes are often closely related to oxidative stress and autophagy pathway activation, which could be developed as a treatment target.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the underlying mechanism of inflammation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: The lung tissue single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) dataset of GSE171541 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.

Intercellular Communication-Related Molecular Subtypes and a Gene Signature Identified by the Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Combined with a Transcriptomic Analysis.

Background: The tumor microenvironment (TME) of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) comprise various cell types that communicate with each other through ligand-receptor interactions. This study focused on the identification of cell types in LUAD by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data and screening of intercellular communication-related genes.

Methods: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (https://www.

Cigarette smoke extract promotes proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells through suppressing C/EBP-α expression.

Cigarette smoke has been considered a major contributor to the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In COPD patients, the airway smooth muscle layer has been observed to be markedly thickened and the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) was therefore used by the present study as a model to assess the impact of cigarette smoke extract (CSE). ASMCs were exposed to various concentrations of CSE and the proliferation of the cells was analyzed by an MTT assay.

Ranolazine attenuated heightened plasma norepinephrine and B-Type natriuretic peptide-45 in improving cardiac function in rats with chronic ischemic heart failure.

As a new anti-anginal agent, ranolazinehas been shown to play a cardioprotective role in regulating myocardial ischemic injury. Given that plasma norepinephrine (NE) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP, also termed B-type natriuretic peptide-45 in rats) are considered neuron-hormones to indicate heart failure progression. This study aims to examine effects of ranolazine on plasma NE and BNP-45 of rats with chronic ischemic heart failure (CHF).

[Normative research on bacteriostasis and relieving itching external therapeutic function of kochiae fructus].

Objective: To normalize bacteriostasis and relieving itching external therapeutic function of Kochiae Fructus.

Methods: Itching guinea pig model caused by histamine, itching mice model, eczema guinea pig model caused by OVA, and inhibitory effect on pathogens in vitro were used to observe the itching threshold, symptoms and other related physiological index, as well as the inhibitory effect on the normal skin fungi by water extraction of Kochiae Fructus to evaluate the external therapeutic function of Kochiae Fructus.

Results: The itching threshold of guinea pig itching model treated by water extraction of Kochiae Fructus at high, medium and low three dosage level, could be significantly increased when compared with negative control group (P < 0.

[Rosuvastatin attenuates vascular endothelial adhesiveness in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice].

Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects on the vessel wall of rosuvastatin in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Methods: Eight-week-old apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed a normal chow diet were treated with vehicle or various doses of rosuvastatin (1, 5, or 20 mg/kg) by subcutaneous injection for 2 or 6 weeks prior to sacrifice. Endothelial adhesiveness for monocytes was determined by functional binding assay.

[The relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene promoter polymorphism and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) gene promoter polymorphism and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Methods: The plasma TNF-alpha level of OSAHS group and non-OSAHS group was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Eighteen patients with severe OSAHS were treated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for 1 month, and the serum levels of TNF-alpha was also measured.

[The change of platelet derived growth factor in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome].

Objective: To observe the change of platelet derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients, and to explore the relationship of PDGF-BB, OSAHS and complicated cardiovascular diseases.

Methods: The levels of serum PDGF-BB in 40 OSAHS patients and 20 healthy controls were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. The levels of PDGF-B mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).