Arch Med Sci
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Redox signaling initiates pathogenesis of neuronal degeneration. Plumbagin is a potential antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and radio sensitizing properties. In the present study, we aimed to determine the protective role of plumbagin against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells by determining nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) pathways. ⋯ Together, our results show that plumbagin modulated NF-κB and Nrf-2 signaling. Thus, plumbagin might be an effective compound in preventing H2O2-induced neurotoxicity and its associated inflammatory responses.
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Lenalidomide is an effective therapy of POEMS syndrome. However, there is concern that exposure to lenalidomide may reduce the efficiency of blood cell collection in persons who may eventually receive an autotransplant. We studied the impact of lenalidomide therapy on subsequent blood cell mobilization and collection including frequency of blood CD34+ cells and CXCR4 expression before and after mobilization with cyclophosphamide and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). ⋯ Brief lenalidomide treatment for POEMS did not reduce numbers of CD34+ blood cells collected but increased CXCR4 expression on bone marrow CD34+ cells.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) patients have higher serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which alters the test interpretation. We aim to define BNP cutoff levels to diagnose acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in CKD according to CHF subtype: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). ⋯ BNP cutoff values for the diagnosis of ADHF in HFrEF were higher than those in HFpEF across CKD stages 3-4, with moderate discriminatory diagnostic ability.
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Pediatric asthma has remained a health threat to children in recent years. The abnormal proliferation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells contributes to airway remodeling during development of asthma. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of ASM cell proliferation during airway remodeling. miR-590-5p has been reported to regulate cell proliferation in various cell types. However, it remains unclear whether miR-590-5p regulates ASM cell proliferation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of miR-590-5p in regulating fetal ASM cell proliferation in vitro stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). ⋯ MiR-590-5p inhibits proliferation of fetal ASM cells by down-regulating STAT3, thereby suggesting a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of pediatric asthma.
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Preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening (PGD/PGS) can effectively detect chromosomal abnormalities in an embryo but only if an embryo is available. However, not all couples can obtain an embryo that is available for testing. The purpose of this study was to identify factors which might affect the formation of PGD/PGS embryos to predict the possibility of obtaining embryos that could be detected. ⋯ Elderly women, those with lower AMH and women with 47, XXX or 45, X have fewer ova, leading to the possibility of no blastocyst. These couples should be fully informed and weigh the advantages and disadvantages before undergoing PGD/PGS.