Autophagy, a major lysosomal degradation process, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it still remains unclear what role all the autophagy-related genes (ARGs) play in CRC prognosis. A univariate Cox analysis was conducted to select ARGs related with overall survival (OS) for CRC cohort of the TCGA database. A multivariate Cox analysis was used to develop an

Abnormal proliferation and migration of human airway smooth-muscle cells (hASMC) play crucial roles in child asthma. We investigated the effect of Six-ingredient-Xiao-qing-long decoction (SXD) on the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-stimulated hASMC. Cell viability and migration of TGF-β1-induced hASMC were determined by CCK-8 and transwell assays. The expressions of FK506 binding protein 51 (FKBP51)

The sampling of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for chemical analysis is usually performed by a freehand lumbar puncture in a routine clinical procedure, while the suboccipital region is used for postmortem examinations. We introduce a new application for a semiautomated robotic, computed tomography (CT)-guided needle placement for postmortem lumbar and suboccipital CSF sampling. Postmortem computed tomography

Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathic pain (PIPNP) is a major therapy- and dose-limiting side effect that is extremely laborious to treat. Resveratrol (Res), with a structure name of 3,5,40-trihydroxystilbene, is a kind of natural polyphenolic chemical with plenty of useful characteristics such as anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative stress. However, the impact of Res on PIPNP remains unclear

The biocontrol potential of antagonistic bacteria and yeasts isolated from tomato phyllosphere and fructoplane was evaluated against fruit rot of tomato caused by Alternaria alternata. A total of 48 bacterial and 24 yeast isolates were obtained from field-grown tomato leaves/fruits collected from Barka, Oman. The antagonistic activities of these isolates were evaluated against A. alternata using in

Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the key treatments for thyroid cancer (TC). Our previous results showed that RT enhances autophagy and blocks RT-induced P53-dependent TC cell apoptosis. However, how RT induces autophagy in TC remains poorly understood. Human TC cell lines, SW579 cells (primary squamous cell carcinoma cells) and FTC-133 (follicular thyroid carcinoma cells) and were used to expose to X-ray

Dengue has become a global affliction despite continuous efforts to find cure for this age-old disease. Hopeful results for dengue vaccine are far-fetched as the effectiveness are tied to previous dengue virus (DENV) exposure and billions of dollars needed to be invested for vaccine development. Medicinal plants are ideal alternatives to combat DENV infection as it has long been utilized in traditional

ABSTRACT This study investigated whether an optic neuropathy results in changes of brain glucose metabolism using 2-deoxy-2-F-18 fluoro-D-glucose (F-18 FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Optic nerves were crushed in the left eye of four male Sprague–Dawley rats, which were examined using F-18 FDG PET 7 days before and after surgery for a total of 5 weeks. We calculated the standardized uptake

(2020). Editorial questions. All Life: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 691-693.

Dexmedetomidine is a novel, highly selective α2 adrenoceptor agonist, whereas oxycodone serves as a μ- and ĸ-amboceptor agonist. To analyze the effects of dexmedetomidine combined with oxycodone in locally anesthetized patients undergoing transforaminal endoscopic resection of nucleus pulposus. 112 patients were evenly randomized into oxycodone group (OG), dexmedetomidine group (DG), oxycodone-dexmedetomidine

We aimed to explore the clinical efficacy and effects of albuterol combined with tiotropium bromide on pulmonary functions of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). 72 patients with AECOPD were divided into a combination treatment group (n = 38, albuterol + tiotropium bromide) and the control group (n = 34, routine treatment). Efficacy, incidence of adverse

ABSTRACT Several plant phytochemicals have been reported to possess therapeutic properties. However, most of them are capable of causing oxidation of the human haemoglobin into the ferric state making them hazardous to cells and tissues. This study was aimed at investigating the non-oxidative effect of the flavonoid-rich fraction of Lasianthera africana leaves (LAFRF) on human haemoglobin. Isolation

Pig farming is one of the major contributors to the livestock industry. In recent years, palm kernel cake (PKC) has increasingly been used in the feed industry as an alternative source of feed ingredient for pigs. As pigs have a great sense of smell, difference in volatile composition of PKC could affect its acceptance and inclusion rate in pig feed. In this study, a comparative study on the volatile

ABSTRACT Pollutants in aquatic environment tends to alter the community composition and activities of biofilm cells. The stress induced by these pollutants leads to the production of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) which play a key role in the degradation of pollutants in aquatic environment. This mini-review is aimed at forecasting the efficiency of the use of natural freshwater microalgae

ABSTRACT In this study, an entomopathogenic fungus was isolated from whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) cadaver samples collected from eggplant fields in Barka, Oman. The fungus was identified as Cordyceps javanica based on sequence analysis of ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. Under in vitro conditions, the fungus was able to grow between 20°C and 30°C, with a maximum growth at 30°C

Date palm is the most important crop in Oman, occupying approximately 50% of the area devoted to agriculture. Little information is available on leaf spot diseases of date palm in Oman and in the world. This study was conducted to identify the most common fungal pathogens associated with leaf spot diseases of date palm. A total of 198 symptomatic leaf samples were collected from seven districts in

ABSTRACT Liver cancer (LC) is the third largest contributor to mortality related to malignancies worldwide. The study was directed toward exploring the effects of miR-223 on LC proliferation and apoptosis. Dual luciferase reporter assay (DLRA) was carried out to verify the direct relationship of TLR4 mRNA 3′-UTR and miR-223-3p. HepG2 cells subsequently were transfected with miR-223 mimics. MTT assay

ABSTRACT A high glucose (HG) or state predispose to osteoarthritis and has adverse effects on cartilage regeneration. Human Wharton’s jelly stem cells (hWJSCs) isolated from umbilical cords have been reported to promote cartilage regeneration. Furthermore, resveratrol (RSV) has numerous beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, we investigated the effects of HG (28 mM),

ABSTRACT The total phospholipid fraction (TPF) has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces apoptosis in animal models. Our objective was to assess the effects of TPF on pressure ulcers in a mouse model of cutaneous ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Cutaneous I/R injury was created by trapping the dorsal skin between two magnetic disks for 12 h, followed by disk removal. TPF administration in I/R

ABSTRACT Favipiravir and remdesivir, inhibitors of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) were recently suggested as a potential SARS-CoV2 inhibitors. Since favipiravir and remdesivir target a critical and a viral-specific process, discovering other small molecules that do the same to use as treatment could be beneficial in slowing the outbreak. Though there have been many suggested antivirals to treat

Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of a combination of methotrexate (MTX) plus calcium folinate (CF) and actinomycin D (ACT-D) treatment in patients with low-risk trophoblastic tumors. Methods: We included 95 and 101 patients who received chemotherapy with MTX plus CF (MTX + CF group) and ACT-D (ACT-D group). The cure rate, drug resistance rate, number of treatment

ABSTRACT The effects of flavonoids, in the medical formulation Daflon 500 mg (DAF) in protection of the heart against ischemia/reperfusion are not completely understood. Heart function data from Langendorff perfused Wistar rat hearts (n = 8/group) were digitally computed, and the infarct size was evaluated using 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and cardiac enzyme levels. The total

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, resulting from lack of disjunction of sister chromatids of human chromosome 21 or not partial disjunction of chromosome 21 (Hsa21), usually during maternal meiosis. The expression of genes in chromosome 21 is very complex and many other genes in other chromosomes can play a role in DS. The protein encoded by the Cerebellar

ABSTRACT Pneumonia remains the leading infectious cause of death among children under five years of age, and the elderly. Several biomarkers, which have been identified for its diagnosis lack specificity, as they could not differentiate viral from bacterial pathogens of the disease; these biomarkers also fail to establish a distinction between pneumonia and other associated diseases such as pulmonary

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of microwave ablation and entecavir as a combination treatment for primary liver cancer and their effects on hepatitis B virus (HBV) and liver function. A total of 258 patients were randomly allocated into the study group (n = 129) for treatment with microwave ablation and entecavir or the control group (n = 129) for treatment with microwave ablation alone. The levels

A commercial herbal oil with different bottle materials on the Indonesian markets was studied. The effects of the different specimens viz. PET-new, PET-open, and AL-new on the main antibacterial components of herbal oil were investigated. Step-1, analysis of antibacterial activity (against S. aureus and E. coli) and testing of non-toxic (in-vivo). Step-2, detection of the main antibacterial compounds

Background: Most plants have medicinal properties, which they achieve from certain secondary metabolites. Phytochemicals are compounds produced by plants. They may affect health but are not-essential nutrients as our diet does not require them to sustain life in the same way as vitamins and minerals. Objectives: The study reports the phytochemistry and medicinal properties of Solanum torvum fruits

The purpose of the study was to investigate the expressions of VEGF and pAkt protein, and to evaluate their clinicopathological implications in oral cancer. A total of 55 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and 15 cases of inflammatory lesion as a control were included in the study. Expression pattern of pAkt and VEGF protein was evaluated through immunohistochemistry. In addition, apoptosis

Ammonia homeostasis is essential for the normal functioning of macro-and microorganisms. The change in concentration of ammonia derivatives in intracellular and extracellular environments is a marker of nitrogen metabolism imbalance. Transport of these molecules is now known to occur by both simple diffusion and special membrane-associated transporters belonging to the Amt/MEP/Rh family. This protein

We aimed to explore the tolerance of esophageal cancer cells to radiation and to observe the morphological and gene expression changes in the cells following irradiation. The esophageal cancer cell line, Eca109, was cultured in vitro and was irradiated with a 6-MeV electron beam at a dose of 3 Gy once every other day, resulting in a cumulative dose of 15 Gy to 21 Gy. After radiotherapy, total RNA was

ABSTRACT Nervous system diseases, especially degenerative diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), seriously endanger human health, and the injured adult neurons are difficult to self-renew. Therefore, cell replacement therapy with good application prospects has become a hot spot in biomedical research. Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are promising sources of cells with unlimited proliferation

ABSTRACT Accumulating evidence suggests that cardiomyocyte autophagy is relevant to the onset of cardiac hypertrophy (CH). Several miRNAs are involved in the occurrence of heart failure, and relevant therapeutic treatments are currently being developed. MicroRNA-377 (miR-377) is known to correlate with the progression of various cancers, however, its function in CH has not been determined. Therefore

ABSTRACT Background: 8-week old Sprague Dawley rats represent the standard rodent model of oesophageal surgery, which is challenging and might be eased by larger oesophageal lengths. Therefore, we aimed to analyse whether oesophageal length would linearly increase with bodyweight and ensure comparable experimental conditions. Methods: We analysed 41 8-week old Sprague Dawley rats of both sexes by linear

ABSTRACT We sought to investigate the expression characteristics of adiponectin (APN) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) in the periodontal tissues of rats with periodontitis and the effect on vascular calcification. Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, periodontitis group, and vascular calcification group. Western blotting was

ABSTRACT Refractory wounds can be a serious threat to the quality of life and survival of patients. Various surgical methods have been attempted; however, they do not cure these refractory wounds; therefore, new and promising treatment methods to improve wound healing and angiogenesis are urgently warranted. Adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) cells have been clinically used to promote

Data visualisation is an essential tool for effective communication and interpretation of information. Visualisation of information using images is easier compared to numerical values. Google Earth provides a platform for a practical monitoring site visualisation system. A real-time web-based water quality monitoring system was deployed on Google Earth based on National Water Quality Index of Malaysia

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the expression of miR-223-3p in a rat model of myocardial infarction and the effects of miR-223-3p on cardiomyocytes. Forty rats were randomly divided into mock surgical, model (acute myocardial infarction (AMI) group (AMIG)), AMI + miR-223-3p adenovirus (intervention group (IG)), and AMI + scramble-NC (negative control group (NCG)) groups. Cardiac function

To our knowledge, no study to date has assessed the ability of baseline Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score plus uric acid (UA) concentration to predict short-term clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis. This single-center retrospective cohort study analyzed 432 patients with sepsis who were followed up for at least 30-days between January 2016 and December 2018. The

Endometriosis (EM) is an estrogen-dependent, frequent benign gynecological disease, which reduces the quality of life in EM patients. Propofol regulates the apoptosis of EM. miR-9-5p is decreased in early secretory endometrium, TGFBI is increased in EM, however, their functions in EM remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms underlying the effects of propofol on the proliferation

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by interacting with microRNAs (miRNAs) and/or mRNAs. However, the function of most lncRNAs in NSCLC remains unclear. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blot were applied for detection of mRNA/miRNA and protein level. Interaction between LncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14)

Hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress are major risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to investigate the hypolipidemic and hepatic antioxidant potentials of the methanol Leek extract (LE) in a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rat model. Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6/groups) as 1) control fed standard diet, 2) HFD, 3) HFD + (Atorvastatin)

This study investigated the application of crude methanol extract (CME) of Zapoteca portoricensis root and its methanol (MF) and ethyl acetate (EAF) fractions in managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Forty-five albino rats (180-200 g) were divided into nine groups of five rats each: Group 1 served as normal control. BPH was induced in groups 2–9 using dihydrotestosterone and estradiol. Group

Dendrobium officinale caulis is the dried mature stems (Mat) of D. officinale Kimura et Migo. D. officinale protocorms (DOPs) are the conical embryonic tissues formed after seed germination. Previous studies suggest that these different plant parts possess similar pharmacological activities. However, the metabolic profiles and gene expression across different growth stages of D. officinale remain unknown

We aimed to analyze the efficacy of cytarabine + aclarubicin + recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, i.e. CAG) regimen combined with decitabine in the clinical treatment of adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In total, 68 patients with adult AML were randomized into observation and control groups by random sampling. The control group (n = 34) was treated with CAG regimen alone

Background: Obesity is associated with serious health risks, including premature mortality. This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of individual or combination treatment with Spirulina platensis and green coffee bean aqueous extracts in high-fat diet-induced (HFD) obese rats. Methods: Rats were fed on HFD to induce obesity. Corn oil in the HFD accounted for 50.98% of the calories. Fifty rats

Age-related osteoporosis affects people of both genders at any age especially postmenopausal women. The manifestation of reduced bone strength leads to increased risk of bone fracture. Currently, many have sought for plant-based supplements for the management of bone health. Red clover (Trifolium pratense) contains phytoestrogenic isoflavones which are known to limit osteoclastic activity and reduce

ABSTRACT Many traditional plants have been used to fight life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. These plants have been shown to possess antioxidant activities, decrease the diabetes nuisance. The effect of 250 mg/kg b.wt of polyherbal drug (PHD) was investigated on high-fat diet-induced diabetic rats and impact of PHD administration was observed. The blood biochemical

ABSTRACT Inflammation plays a major role in etiology of multiple diseases and it has become an imperative therapeutic target in pharmacological interventions. Over the years, natural products originating from plants have made great contributions in the drug discovery process. Belonging to the Asteraceae family, Stevia rebaudiana (S. rebaudiana) is exploited at a large scale for its purpose as a natural

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) usually causes multiple-organ dysfunction syndrome and exhibits a high mortality rate. It has been previously reported that berberine, as a dominant alkaloid, can be effectively used against inflammation. However, there is limited data on the effects of berberine hydrochloride (BBRH) on inflammation in SAP rat models. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were given preliminary intraperitoneal

ABSTRACT This study was designed to evaluate the effects of alprostadil on patients with refractory heart failure receiving statin treatment. One hundred patients with refractory heart failure were categorized into two groups, control (n = 50) and intervention (n = 50). The control group was treated with statins only, while the intervention group received a combination treatment with alprostadil and

Abnormal long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the generation and progression of malignancies. We aimed to determine the expression and clinical importance of lncRNA ENST433110 in thyroid cancer (TC). We thus investigated the role of ENST433110 in TC cell invasion, migration, and proliferation. ENST433110 expression was assessed using RT-PCR, cell migration was evaluated using a Transwell assay

Whether electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted from mobile phones is hazardous to human health is largely unknown. We investigated the effects of mobile phone radiation on critical organs in a rabbit model by exposing the animals to mobile phone radiation with sub-thermal specific absorption rate (SAR) of 1.0 and 0.7 W/kg for the head and the body, respectively, for 16 weeks (6 h/day, 6 days/week)

Tumor necrosis factor-α induced protein 8 like 2 (TIPE2) is one of the newly discovered negative regulators for body’s immune balance. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of TIPE2 gene-modified human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAD-MSCs) on immune tolerance. In this study, the TIPE2 over-expressed and the non-transfected hAD-MSCs were severally co-cultured with injured cardiomyocytes

N6-2-hydroxyethyl-adenosine (HEA) is one of the main bioactive components found in Cordyceps cicadae and it has been reported to display antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Cisplatin (CP) is one of the most commonly used chemotherapeutic drug for treating various cancers and tumors, but the use is widely curtailed due to its toxicity of various organs including the kidney. This study was

Anhydrosafflor Yellow B (AHSYB), is an effective ingredient with a high content extracted from safflower. The effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), one of the main compounds in safflower, has been extensively investigated both in experimental study and in clinical practice. However, few studies of AHSYB on inflammation in rats with acute permanent cerebral ischemia was explored. In this study,

ABSTRACT In this study, endophytic fungi were isolated from Euphorbia larica Boiss. and their antagonistic potential against phytopathogenic fungi viz. Fusarium sp., Rosellinia sanctae-cruciana and Cladosporium sp. was evaluated using an in vitro confrontation assay. A total of four endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots of E. larica. Among them, two fungal isolates (SQUCC-F1-1 and SQUCC-F6-2)

ABSTRACT Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is the study of the distribution of allelic and genotypic frequencies in a population. The objective of this study is to evaluate the allelic and genotypic frequency of different qualitative traits of men and women in Punjab, Pakistan. A total of 909 individuals were recruited for this study. In population, the frequency order of the blood group is B > O > A > AB

Background: The effects of gender and age on the growth of hepatic hemangioma remain inconclusive. This study aims to further explore the natural growth of hepatic hemangioma and its influencing factors. Methods: From June 2014 to April 2019, 534 untreated patients who were diagnosed with hepatic hemangioma in our hospital were enrolled. The growth changes of hepatic hemangioma were observed at follow-up

In the field of life sciences, systems biology has encountered insurmountable obstacles caused by the complexity and adaptability of organisms. In the near future, precision medicine is expected to establish a personalized state-description system and a corresponding targeted-treatment system, but the comprehensive treatment of disease will remain a significant and difficult problem that needs to be