Metformin Induces Autophagy via the AMPK-mTOR Signaling Pathway in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells.

Background: Metformin may exert the anticancer effect on multiple types of cancers and some potential mechanisms have been suggested. Our study was designed to determine the effect of metformin on the cell autophagy and autophagic flux via the AMPK-mTOR signaling pathway in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.

Methods: MHCC97H and HepG2 cell lines were cultured and treated without and with metformin at various concentrations (2, 5, 10 and 20 mM) for 48 h.

Expression and Significance of Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) is an important molecule of the insulin signal transduction pathway and has been associated with the occurrence and development of many tumors, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our study was designed to determine the expression and significance of IRS-1 in human HCC.

Methods: Two hundred and forty specimens were drawn from 140 patients, including 100 HCC tissues and 100 paracancerous (PC) tissues from 100 HCC patients, 20 liver cirrhosis (LC) tissues from 20 LC patients, and 20 chronic hepatitis (CH) tissues from 20 CH patients.

Clinical characteristics of 312 hospitalized older patients with COVID-19 in Wuhan, China.

Objectives: Much of the previous research on COVID-19 was based on all population. But substantial numbers of severe episodes occur in older patients. There is a lack of data about COVID-19 in older adults.

Increased Level of Systolic Blood Pressure in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: More than 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) also have hypertension. Moreover, hypertension has been regarded as one paraneoplastic phenomenon of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our study was designed to determine the relationship between blood pressure and DM in HCC patients.

A Quartz Crystal Microbalance dew point sensor without frequency measurement.

This work deals with the design of a dew point sensor based on Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) without measuring the frequency. This idea is inspired by the fact that the Colpitts oscillation circuit will stop oscillating when the QCM works in the liquid media. The quartz crystal and the electrode are designed through the finite element simulation and the stop oscillating experiment is conducted to verify the sensibility.

The acute effects of a new type of implantable gastric electrical stimulators featuring varied pulse widths on beagle dogs' food intake and gastric accommodation.

Background: To improve the therapeutic effects of gastric electrical stimulation (GES) for obesity, an animal experiment was conducted using a new type of stimulators. Proper parameters of GES were selected, and the impacts of GES on the food intake and gastric accommodation of canines were observed.

Methods: Eight beagle dogs were operated on, and GES was performed on them.

[Effect of baicalin on liver fatty acid binding protein in oxidative stress model in vitro].

Objective: To investigate the effect of baicalin on liver fatty acid binding protein in oxidative stress model in vitro.

Methods: (1) Cellular oxidative stress in vitro was induced by incubating cells with 400μmol/L hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for 20 minutes at 37 degrees C in the dark. After Chang liver cell line was treated with different dose of baicalin for 24, 48 and 72 hours.

[Experimental study on the stimulating effect and the tissue compatibility of a new type of implanted gastric electrical stimulator].

A new type of gastric electrical stimulator (GES) was introduced. After the stimulator was implanted in beagle dogs, its stimulating effects and the pathological changes at the implant site were observed to study the safety and efficacy of stimulator as well as the tissue compatibility of the materials used. The results showed that, this type of stimulator was safe and capable of inhibiting food intake of the dogs, and that the materials used had good tissue compatibility.