Arch Med Sci
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Telomeres are protective chromosomal ends. Short telomeres are a proven biomarker of biological aging. We aimed to find an association of telomere length and telomerase activity in circulating leukocytes and thromboaspirates of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Furthermore, association of the telomere-telomerase system with oxidative stress markers (as common risk factors for coronary artery disease (CAD)) was tested. ⋯ Leukocyte telomere length and telomerase activity can differentiate CAD patients from healthy persons, and relate CAD to oxidative stress.
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There is growing interest in head-to-head comparison between different lipid-lowering nutraceuticals. The aim of our study was to test the lipid-lowering effect of dietary supplementation with low-dose monacolins from red yeast rice (2.8 mg per daily dose) combined with berberine (Armolipid Plus®) or highly standardized artichoke extract versus placebo. ⋯ Patients with polygenic hypercholesterolemia experienced a significant improvement in several cardiovascular risk factors in both ATC and Armolipid Plus® groups.
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Several reports have noted that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) induced lymphopenia in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. However, the clinical significance of lymphopenia remains unclear. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between lymphopenia at an early stage and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. ⋯ Older COVID-19 patients are more susceptible to lymphopenia. Multiple organ injuries were more serious in COVID-19 patients with lymphopenia. Lymphopenia at an early stage aggravates the severity and elevates the death risk of COVID-19 patients.
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Schisandrin B (SchB) has been reported to perform a wide range of biological functions, including antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory activity and stimulation of osteoblast proliferation. However, the function and mechanism of SchB in ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis are still unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-osteoporotic activity of SchB in an experimental rat model of estrogen deficiency, which is usually used to mimic human postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO). ⋯ SchB exerted anti-osteoporotic activity in OVX-operated rats by accelerating the phosphorylation of PI3K and Akt, subsequently upregulating the expression of β-catenin.
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To explore the function of interleukin 1α (IL-1α) in bladder cancer (BCa). ⋯ Our findings suggested that IL-1α might be a therapy target for BCa malignant progression.