E-Only Articles
The Postoperative Serum Interleukin-15 Concentration Correlates with Organ Dysfunction and the Prognosis of Septic Patients Following Emergency Gastrointestinal Surgery
To clarify the time course of changes in the serum interleukin-15 (IL-15) concentrations in septic patients undergoing emergency surgery for abdominal infection and to investigate whether the serum IL-15 levels correlate with the postoperative clinical course of septic patients.Dietary Flaxseed Protects Against Lung Ischemia Reperfusion Injury Via Inhibition of Apoptosis and Inflammation in a Murine Model
The hallmark of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the resultant oxidant stress has been implicated in apoptotic cell death as well as subsequent development of inflammation. Dietary flaxseed (FS) is a rich source of naturally occurring antioxidants and has been shown to reduce lung IRI in mice. However, the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of FS in IRI remain to be determined.Split-Liver Procedure and Inflammatory Response: Improvement by Pharmacological Preconditioning
Final outcome of split-liver (SL) transplantation is impaired due to an increased rate of vascular complications and primary non-function. Herein, we hypothesized that an in situ split-liver procedure induces an inflammatory response and a deterioration of graft quality. We further studied whether graft quality can be improved by pharmacologic preconditioning.Therapeutic Potential of Propagated Hepatocyte Transplantation in Liver Failure
This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of intrasplenic transplantation of culture-propagated homologous hepatocytes in rats suffering from acute liver failure (ALF).Tetrandrine Induces Apoptosis and Triggers Caspase Cascade in Human Bladder Cancer Cells
Tetrandrine is known to exert anti-tumor effects, however, little is known about its effect on human bladder carcinoma. In this study, employing two different human bladder cancer cell lines, 5637 and T24, which represent high-risk superficial bladder cancer (5637) and high-grade bladder cancer (T24), we tested tetrandrine-induced apoptosis and growth inhibition in bladder carcinoma cell lines and investigated the possible mechanisms.Hydrogen-Rich Saline Provides Protection Against Hyperoxic Lung Injury
Hydrogen has been proven to be a novel antioxidant through its selectively reducing of the hydroxyl radical. In this study, we investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich saline on the prevention of acute lung injury induced by hyperoxia (HALI) in rats.Protective Effect of Lifor Solution in Experimental Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
Improved kidney preservation methods are needed to reduce ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in kidney allografts. Lifor is an artificial preservation solution comprised of nutrients, growth factors, and a non-protein oxygen and nutrient carrier. The current study compared the effectiveness of Lifor to University of Wisconsin solution (UW) in protecting rat kidneys from warm IR and cold storage injury.Testosterone-Down-Regulated Akt Pathway During Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion: A Mechanism Involving BAD, Bcl-2 and FOXO3a
Lower levels of myocardial Akt activity in males are associated with a higher incidence of heart failure and worsened cardiac function after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). While Akt activation by estrogen provides cardioprotection in females, no information exists regarding the effect of testosterone on the myocardial Akt pathway following I/R. We hypothesized that following I/R: (1) endogenous testosterone will decrease myocardial Akt activation in male hearts; (2) endogenous testosterone will mediate downstream signals of Akt, including Bad, Bcl-2, and FOXO3a; (3) administration of exogenous testosterone will recapitulate negative effects on the Akt pathway in castrated male hearts.Leucocyte Depletion Improves Renal Function in Porcine Kidney Hemoreperfusion Through Reduction of Myeloperoxidase+ Cells, Caspase-3, IL-1β, and Tubular Apoptosis
Leucocytes play crucial roles in ischemia reperfusion injury that is inevitable in kidney transplantation. Leucocyte-depleted hemoreperfusion improved post-ischemic renal function was demonstrated in our previous study and its underlying mechanisms were further investigated in this study.Antitumor Activity of Polyuridylic Acid in Human Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcomas
The immunomodulatory properties of polyuridylic acid (PolyU) make it a promising agent in cancer immunotherapy. However, there is limited information on its direct effects on tumor cells.Protective Role of Simvastatin on Lung Damage Caused by Burn and Cotton Smoke Inhalation in Rats
Smoke inhalation injury is a major comorbid factor in patients with thermal injury and occurs in about 30% of patients with major burns. In addition, inhalation injury reportedly accounts for 20%–84% of the mortality in burned individuals and is associated with higher mortality rates for every age and burn size category. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of simvastatin on lung damage with burn and cotton smoke inhalation.Cytoprotective Effects of Human Interleukin-10 Gene Transfer Against Necrosis and Apoptosis Induced by Hepatic Cold Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Apoptosis as well as necrosis may play an important role in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Interleukin 10 (IL-10), a Th2 type cytokine, modulates inflammatory responses by inhibiting the production of proinflammatory cytokines. The study focused on cytoprotective and antiapoptotic pathways to assess mechanisms by which gene transduction of human IL-10 (hIL-10) may renders grafts resistant to the cold I/R injury.
