Cong Peng

Persistence of human fetal hemoglobin (HbF, α(2)γ(2)) in adults lessens the severity of sickle cell disease (SCD) and the β-thalassemias. Here, we show that the repressor BCL11A is required in vivo for silencing of γ-globin expression in adult animals, yet dispensable for red cell production. BCL11A serves as a barrier to HbF reactivation by known HbF inducing agents. In a proof-of-principle test of BCL11A as a potential therapeutic target, we demonstrate that inactivation of BCL11A in SCD transgenic mice corrects the hematologic and pathologic defects associated with SCD through high-level pancellular HbF induction. Thus, interference with HbF silencing by manipulation of a single target protein is sufficient to reverse SCD.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the safety and intra-individual contrast enhancement of low-osmolar monomeric iohexol and the iso-osmolar dimeric iodixanol in body computed tomography (CT) scanning. METHODS: In this single center, double-blind, prospective study, a total of 2000 consecutive patients undergoing adult body CT scanning were prospectively enrolled, with 1000 patients assigned to iodixanol and 1000 patients assigned to iohexol. In both groups, the contrast medium was injected at the rate of 3.5 ml/s. Subjective assessment of image quality for each image was determined using a 3-grading scale by three reviewers. Patients were monitored with questioning and vital signs before injection, immediately after injection, and at 24 and 48 h. Extensive laboratory evaluation also was performed. RESULTS: Laboratory results showed no significant difference across groups. There were also no detectable differences in image quality between the two contrast groups in this study. The total adverse reactions occurred in less than 1 % of individuals receiving iodixanol comparing to 2.5 % in iohexol group (P < 0.05). Among them, only 0.7 % patients injecting iodixanol suffered immediate events, comparing to 2 % patients in iohexol group. In all, 0.2 % patients with iodixanol and 0.5 % with iohexol had late allergic reaction. Further, No deaths occurred in any of the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The iso-osmolar iodixanol provides image quality compared with that of iohexol, with lower incidence of adverse events.

Objective Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine and metabolic disorder that impacts 8-13% of women in their reproductive years. However, the drugs commonly used to treat PCOS are often prescribed off-label and may carry potential side effects. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of curcumin in a PCOS rat model. Materials and methods A PCOS rat model was established through daily subcutaneous injection of 60 mg/kg body weight of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) for 21 days. The PCOS rats received a daily intragastric dose of 50 mg/kg body weight of curcumin for another 21 days. Ovarian morphological changes, estrous cycle changes, and hormone level changes were measured to evaluate the therapeutic effectiveness of curcumin in PCOS rats. Oxidative stress markers in the ovaries were analyzed to explore the mechanisms of curcumin in PCOS rats. Results This study demonstrated that curcumin alleviated insulin resistance and significantly reduced serum levels of estradiol ( p = 0.02), luteinizing hormone ( p = 0.009), testosterone ( p = 0.003), and the LH/FSH ratio ( p = 0.008) in PCOS rats. Curcumin also restored normal ovarian morphology and the estrous cycle in these rats. Furthermore, curcumin treatment significantly decreased levels of oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde ( p = 0.004) and reactive oxygen species ( p = 0.005), while increasing antioxidant levels such as superoxide dismutase ( p = 0.04), glutathione peroxidase ( p = 0.002), and glutathione ( p = 0.02) in ovarian tissues. Additionally, curcumin significantly upregulated PPAR-γ in the ovarian tissues of PCOS rats. Conclusion This study demonstrates that curcumin effectively restores ovarian morphology, hormone levels, and estrous cycles in PCOS rats. These effects may be linked to its ability to reduce oxidative stress in ovaries via the upregulation of PPAR-γ. Curcumin shows promise as a potential drug for the treatment of PCOS.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility of diagnosing osteoporosis (OP) in women through magnetic resonance image compilation (MAGiC). METHODS: A total of 110 patients who underwent lumbar magnetic resonance imaging and dual X-ray absorptiometry examinations were collected and divided into two groups according bone mineral density: osteoporotic group (OP) and non-osteoporotic group (non-OP). The variation trends of T1 (longitudinal relaxation time), T2 (transverse relaxation time) and BMD (bone mineral density) with the increase of age, and the correlation of T1 and T2 with BMD were examined by establishing a clinical mathematical model. RESULTS: With the increase of age, BMD and T1 value decreased gradually, while T2 value increased. T1 and T2 had statistical significance in diagnosing OP (P < 0.001), and there is moderate positive correlation between T1 and BMD values (R = 0.636, P < 0.001), while moderate negative correlation between T2 and BMD values (R=-0.694, P < 0.001). Receiver characteristic curve test showed that T1 and T2 had high accuracy in diagnosing OP (T1 AUC = 0.982, T2 AUC = 0.978), and the critical values of T1 and T2 for evaluating osteoporosis were 0.625s and 0.095s, respectively. Besides, the combined utilization of T1 and T2 had higher diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.985). Combined T1 and T2 had higher diagnostic efficiency (AUC = 0.985). Function fitting results of OP group: BMD=-0.0037* age - 0.0015*T1 + 0.0037*T2 + 0.86, sum of squared error (SSE) = 0.0392, and non-OP group: BMD = 0.0024* age - 0.0071*T1 + 0.0007*T2 + 1.41, SSE = 0.1007. CONCLUSION: T1 and T2 value of MAGiC have high efficiency in diagnosing OP by establishing a function fitting formula of BMD with T1, T2 and age.