The neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) system plays a critical regulatory role in modulating host homeostasis and optimizing health. We created the dbNEI 2 years ago to collect NEI molecules and interactions. For transferring the conceptual NEI to the systematic NEI network and uncovering the NEI's medical function, we updated the dbNEI 2.0 in three ways: (i) extended NEI molecules to 2242 genes and ...

OBJECTIVES To construct a specific database for the neuro-endocrine-immune (NEI) interactions. METHODS/RESULTS Version 1.0 database for neuro-endocrine-immune (dbNEI) serves as a web-based knowledge resource specific for the NEI systems. dbNEI collects 1,058 NEI related signal molecules, their 940 interactions and 72 affiliated tissues from the Cell Signaling Networks database, manually selec...

OBJECTIVE To estimate the psychometric properties of a vision-targeted measure of health-related quality of life, the National Eye Institute-Refractive Error Quality of Life survey (NEI-RQL), which includes 13 scales designed to assess the impact of refractive error and its correction on day-to-day life. DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS The NEI-RQL was self-administered by 667 my...

As more engineered nanomaterials (eNM) are developed for a wide range of applications, it is crucial to minimize any unintended environmental impacts resulting from the application of eNM. To realize this vision, industry and policymakers must base risk management decisions on sound scientific information about the environmental fate of eNM, their availability to receptor organisms (eg, uptake)...

In order to determine the effect of endometrial injury (EI) on in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in women with unexplained subfertility and explore the relationship between EI and endometrial inflammatory cytokines, 66 women with unexplained subfertility undergoing IVF treatment were recruited. 38 patients in the EI group underwent EI in the mid-luteal phase of the cycle and 28 patients in ...

PURPOSE To assess the impact of refractive surgery on quality of life using the National Eye Institute Refractive Error Quality of Life instrument (NEI-RQL) and to evaluate the responsiveness of our Portuguese version of the NEI-RQL instrument to surgical correction of refractive error. METHODS In this prospective study, the NEI-RQL, a 42-item questionnaire with 13 scales, was self-administer...

BACKGROUND Sivelestat is a neutrophil elastase inhibitor (NEI) with positive impact on the respiratory complications in thoracic surgery. Based on the findings of a recent study, NEI may have a good response for avoiding ischemia reperfusion injury in liver resection. OBJECTIVES The current study aimed to examine the impact of NEI on the postoperative outcomes after liver resection. PATIENT...

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic neuropeptide, with a major role in stimulation of feeding behavior in mammals. MCH signals in the brain occur via two seven-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptors, namely MCH1 (SLC-1, MCH(1), MCH-R1, or MCH-1R) and MCH2 (SLT, MCH(2), MCH-R2, or MCH-2R). In this study, we demonstrate that the pro-MCH(131-165) peptide neuropeptide-glutamic acid-i...

OBJECTIVES To describe the vision-targeted, health-related quality of life, measured with the National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ), in patients with age-related macular degeneration, cataract, or reduced visual acuity; to determine the relationship between the NEI-VFQ subscale scores and clinical measures of visual function; and to assess the internal consistency and r...

Escherichia coli endonuclease VIII (Nei) excises oxidized pyrimidines from DNA. It shares significant sequence homology and similar mechanism with Fpg, a bacterial 8-oxoguanine glycosylase. The structure of a covalent Nei-DNA complex has been recently determined, revealing critical amino acid residues which are important for DNA binding and catalysis. Several Fpg structures have also been repor...