Propane-2-sulfonic acid octadec-9-enyl-amide, a novel PPARα/γ dual agonist, attenuates molecular pathological alterations in learning memory in AD mice

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have revealed that Propane-2-sulfonic acid octadec-9-enyl-amide(N15) exerts a protective role in the inflammatory response after ischemic stroke and in neuronal damage. However, little is known about N15 in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of N15 on AD and explore the underlying molecular mechanism.

METHODS

AD mice model was established by lateral ventricular injection with Aβ25-35. N15 was daily intraperitoneal administered for 28 days. Morris Water Maze was used to evaluate the neurocognitive function of the mice. The expression of PPARα/γ, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Neurotrophin-3 (NT3), ADAM10, PS1 and BACE1 were measured by qPCR. Aβ amyloid in the hippocampus was measured by Congo red assay. Toluidine blue staining was used to detect the neuronal apoptosis. Protein levels of ADAM10, PS1 and BACE1 were determined using immunoblotting.

RESULTS

N15 treatment significantly reduced neurocognitive dysfunction, which also significantly activated the expression of PPARα/γ at an optimal dose of 200 mg/kg. Administration of N15 alleviated the formation of Aβ amyloid in the hippocampus of AD mice, enhanced the BDNF mRNA expression, decreased the mRNA and protein levels of PS1 and BACE1, upregulated ADAM10 mRNA and protein levels.

CONCLUSION

N15 exerts its neuroprotective effects through the activation of PPARα/γ and may be a potential drug for the treatment of AD.

Achromobacter species (sp.) outbreak caused by hospital equipment containing contaminated water: risk factors for infection

BACKGROUND

Nosocomial outbreaks of urinary tract infections caused by Achromobacter spp. have been rare in recent decades.

AIM

To identify the origin of an Achromobacter sp. outbreak, conduct multi-modal infection control measures, and finally to stop the outbreak. To this end, an epidemiological outbreak investigation and risk factor analysis were performed.

METHODS

Achromobacter sp. was detected in 22 patients in our urology wards and six environmental cultures of specimens obtained from the operating rooms. Strains isolated were submitted for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. An on-site epidemiological investigation, evaluation of patient medical records, and environmental sampling were performed to identify the source of the outbreak, and implementation of infection control intervention. A case-control study was performed to analyse the potential risk factors.

FINDINGS

Environmental sampling showed that the source of the infection for 22 patients was an ISA-IIIA-type medical pressurizer containing contaminated water. A case-control analysis showed that the risk factors for infection were: diagnosis of kidney/ureteral stones, surgery, placement of a double-J stent, and history of hospitalization in the past three months.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the outbreak occurred in patients who underwent internal lithotripsy and double-J stent placement, due to contact transmission with the contaminated sensor and connecting tubes of the ISA-IIIA-type medical pressurizer.

Programmed Death Ligand-1-Overexpressing Donor Exosomes Mediate Donor-Specific Immunosuppression by Delivering Co-Inhibitory Signals to Donor-Specific T Cells

Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) and donor antigens are critical for donor immature dendritic cells (DCs) targeting donor-specific T cells to induce transplant tolerance. This study aims to clarify whether DC-derived exosomes (DEX) with donor antigens (H2b) and high levels of PD-L1 expression (DEXPDL1+ ) can help to suppress graft rejection. In this study, it is demonstrated that DEXPDL1+ presents donor antigens, as well as PD-L1 co-inhibitory signals, directly or semi-directly via DCs to H2b-reactive T cells. This dual signal presentation can prolong the survival of heart grafts from B6 (H2b) mice but not from C3H (H2k) mice by inhibiting T cell activation, inducing activated T cell apoptosis, and modulating the balance of T cell differentiation from inflammatory to regulatory. Additionally, even though DEXPDL1+ treatment cannot induce tolerance after short-term treatment, this study provides a new vehicle for presenting co-inhibitory signals to donor-specific T cells. This novel strategy may facilitate the realization of donor-specific tolerance via the further optimization of drug-loading combinations and therapeutic regimens to elevate their killing ability.

Oleoylethanolamide Protects against Acute Ischemic Stroke by Promoting PPARα-Mediated Microglia/Macrophage M2 Polarization

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) has been demonstrated to be a feasible protectant in ischemic stroke. However, the mechanism for OEA-afforded neuroprotection remains elusive. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of OEA on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)-mediated microglia M2 polarization after cerebral ischemia. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) was induced for 1 h in wild-type (WT) or PPARα-knock-out (KO) mice. Mouse small glioma cells (BV2) microglia and primary microglia cultures were used to evaluate the direct effect of OEA on microglia. A coculture system was used to further elucidate the effect of OEA on microglial polarization and ischemic neurons' fate. OEA promoted the microglia switch from an inflammatory M1 phenotype to the protective M2 phenotype and enhanced the binding of PPARα with the arginase1 (Arg1) and Ym1 promoter in WT mice but not in KO mice after MCAO. Notably, the increased M2 microglia caused by OEA treatment were strongly linked to neuron survival after ischemic stroke. In vitro studies confirmed that OEA shifted BV2 microglia from (lipopolysaccharide) LPS-induced M1-like to M2-like phenotype through PPARα. Additionally, the activation of PPARα in primary microglia by OEA led to an M2 protective phenotype that enhanced neuronal survival against oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in the coculture systems. Our findings demonstrate the novel effects of OEA in enhancing microglia M2 polarization to protect neighboring neurons by activating the PPARα signal, which is a new mechanism of OEA against cerebral ischemic injury. Therefore, OEA might be a promising therapeutic drug for stroke and targeting PPARα-mediated M2 microglia may represent a new strategy to treat ischemic stroke.

Logistic regression analysis of risk factors for intra-abdominal hypertension after giant ventral hernia repair: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Intra-abdominal hypertension (IAH) is a classical complication after giant ventral hernia surgery and may lead to abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS). Assessment of risk factors and prevention of IAH/ACS are essential for hernia surgeons.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study including 58 giant ventral hernia patients in our center between Jan 1, 2017, and Mar 1, 2022, we recorded age, gender, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypoproteinemia, body mass index (BMI), the ratio of hernia sac volume to abdominal cavity volume (HSV/ACV), defect width, tension reduction procedure (TRP), positive fluid balance (PFB) and IAH of these patients and analyzed the data using univariate and multivariate logistic regression to screen the risk factors for IAH after surgery.

RESULTS

The multivariate analysis showed that HSV/ACV ≥ 25%, hypoproteinemia, and PFB were independent risk factors for the occurrence of IAH after giant ventral hernia repair (P = 0.025, 0.016, 0.017, respectively). We did not find any correlation between postoperative IAH and the patient's age, gender, COPD, CHD, hypertension, T2DM, BMI, defect width, TRP, and PFB.

CONCLUSION

Identifying risk factors is of great significance for the early identification and prevention of IAH/ACS. We found that HSV/ACV ≥ 25%, hypoproteinemia, and PFB were independent risk factors for IAH after giant ventral hernia repair.

Novel immunosuppressive effect of FK506 by upregulation of PD-L1 via FKBP51 in heart transplantation

The calcineurin inhibitor-FK506-is a first-line immunosuppressant that regulates T-cell secretion of IL-2 and other cytokines. However, the mechanism of its protective effect on target cells and its role on tumor recurrence and interaction with anti-tumor immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as PD-L1 blocking, are still unclear. Here, in a murine heart transplantation model, we observed the upregulation of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression by FK506 in both dendritic cells (DCs) and allografts. Blocking PD-L1 during FK506 treatment increased IFN-γ and TNF-α expression, enhanced CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell proliferation, and suppressed Treg differentiation. Moreover, PD-L1 decreased T-cell infiltration and induced T cell apoptosis in both the spleen and graft. PD-L1 was not only required in FK506-mediated immunosuppression but also upregulated by FK506. Treatment with SAFit2, a FKBP51 selective inhibitor, reduced the expression of PD-L1 on DCs and the grafts and interfered with the immunosuppressive effect of FK506, suggesting that the mechanism depends on FK506-binding protein (FKBP) 51 expression. Overall, our results add new insights into the role of FK506, not only on T-cell cytokine secretion but also on co-inhibitory molecular regulation and target cell immune privilege.

RGD-modified injectable hydrogel maintains islet beta-cell survival and function

OBJECTIVE

A potential solution for islet transplantation and drug discovery vis-à-vis treating diabetes is the production of functional islets in a three-dimensional extracellular matrix. Although several scaffold materials have been reported as viable candidates, a clinically applicable one that is injectable and can maintain long-term functionality and survival of islet pancreatic beta-cells (β-cells) is far from being established.

RESULTS

In the current study, we evaluated a ready-to-use and injectable hydrogel's impact on β-cells' function and viability, both in vitro and in vivo. We found that β-cells in high concentration with hydrogels functionalized via Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) demonstrated better viability and insulin secretory capacity in vitro. Moreover, it is a biocompatible hydrogel that can maintain β-cell proliferation and vascularization without stimulating inflammation after subcutaneous injection. Meanwhile, modifying the hydrogel with RGD can maintain β-cells' secretion of insulin, regulating the blood glucose levels of mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, these preliminary results indicate that this RGD-modified hydrogel is a potential extracellular matrix for islet transplantation at extrahepatic sites, and they also provide a reference for future tissue engineering study.

Propane-2-sulfonic acid octadec-9-enyl-amide, a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ dual agonist, enhances hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroplasticity in rats with cerebral ischaemia

Our previous studies showed that propane-2-sulfonic acid octadec-9-enyl-amide (N15), a novel peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors α and γ (PPARα/γ) dual agonist, protected against ischaemia-induced acute brain damage in mice and improved cognitive ability in the chronic phase of ischaemic stroke. It is well known that hippocampal neurogenesis is closely related to cognitive function. In the present study, we investigated the effect of N15 on hippocampal neurogenesis and neuroplasticity in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model. The middle cerebral artery of rats was blocked for 2 hours. Oral administration of 100 mg/kg N15 or vehicle was given once daily for days 2-13 after MCAO. The newly mature neurons were detected by staining. The expressions of synapse-related proteins were observed by qRT-PCR or western blotting. We found that N15-treated rats showed improved survival post-MCAO. In addition, N15 treatment markedly increased the newly mature neurons and enhanced the expression levels of growth-associated protein-43, synaptophysin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 in the hippocampus. Moreover, N15 promoted the activation of PPARα and PPARγ on day 7 and 14 after cerebral ischaemia. These results reveal that N15 may promote neurogenesis and neuroplasticity in MCAO rats through the activation of the PPARα/γ dual signal pathway.

Linking seed germination and plant height: a case study of a wetland community on the eastern Tibet Plateau

Seed germination is the earliest trait expressed in a plant's life history, and it can directly affect the expression of post-germination traits. Plant height is central to plant ecological strategies, because it is a major determinant of the ability of a species to compete for light. Thus, linking seed germination and plant height at the community level is very important to understanding plant fitness and community structure. Here, we tested storage condition and temperature requirements for germination of 31 species from a wetland plant community on the eastern Tibet Plateau and analysed correlation of germination traits with plant height in relation to storage condition. Germination percentage was positively related to plant height, and this relationship disappeared when seeds were incubated at a low temperature (i.e. 5 °C) or after they were stored under wet-cold conditions. The response of seeds to dry+wet-cold storage was negatively related to plant height. Based on the scores of each species on the first two principal components derived from PCA, species were classified into two categories by hierarchical clustering, and there was a significant difference between germination and plant height of species in these two categories. These results suggest that the requirements for seed germination together with seasonal change in environmental conditions determine the window for germination and, in turn, plant growth season and resource utilisation and ultimately plant height.

Properties of oscillatory neuronal activity in the basal ganglia and thalamus in patients with Parkinson's disease

Background

The cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease (PD) are bradykinesia, rigidity and rest tremor. Abnormal activity in the basal ganglia is predicted to underlie the mechanism of motor symptoms. This study aims to characterize properties of oscillatory activity in the basal ganglia and motor thalamus in patients with PD.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with PD who underwent bilateral or unilateral electrode implantation for subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS (n = 11), unilateral pallidotomy (n = 9) and unilateral thalamotomy (n = 9) were studied. Microelectrode recordings in the STN, globus pallidus internus (GPi) and ventral oral posterior/ventral intermediate of thalamus (Vop/Vim) were performed. Electromyography of the contralateral limbs was recorded. Single unit characteristics including interspike intervals were analyzed. Spectral and coherence analyses were assessed. Mean spontaneous firing rate (MSFR) of neurons was calculated. Analysis of variance and X² test were performed.

Results

Of 76 STN neurons, 39.5% were 4–6 Hz band oscillatory neurons and 28.9% were β frequency band (βFB) oscillatory neurons. The MSFR was 44.2 ± 7.6 Hz. Of 62 GPi neurons, 37.1% were 4–6 Hz band oscillatory neurons and 27.4% were βFB neurons. The MSFR was 80.9 ± 9.6 Hz. Of 44 Vop neurons, 65.9% were 4–6 Hz band oscillatory neurons and 9% were βFB neurons. The MSFR was 24.4 ± 4.2 Hz. Of 30 Vim oscillatory neurons, 70% were 4–6 Hz band oscillatory neurons and 13.3% were βFB neurons. The MSFR was 30.3 ± 3.6 Hz. Further analysis indicated that proportion of βFB oscillatory neurons in STN and GPi was higher than that of similar neurons in the Vop and Vim (P < 0.05). Conversely, the proportion of 4–6 Hz band oscillatory neurons and tremor related neurons in the Vim and Vop was higher than that of STN and GPi (P < 0.05). The highest MSFR was for GPi oscillatory neurons whereas the lowest MSFR was for Vop oscillatory neurons (P < 0.005).

Conclusion

The alterations in neuronal activity in basal ganglia play a critical role in generation of parkinsonism. β oscillatory activity is more prominent in basal ganglia than in thalamus suggesting that the activity likely results from dopaminergic depletion. While both basal ganglia and thalamus have tremor activity, the thalamus appears to play a more important role in tremor production, and basal ganglia β oscillatory activity might be the trigger.

Effects of curcumin plus Soy oligosaccharides on intestinal flora of rats with ulcerative colitis

To explore the therapeutic effect of curcumin (Cur) and soybean oligosaccharides (SBOS) on ulcerative colitis (UC) through testing the intestinal flora and ulcerative colitis (UC). 80 male SD rats were selected divided into four groups with 20 rats in each group: normal group, sulfasalazine (SASP) group, model group and group of curcumin plus soy oligosaccharide. All animals were treated for 4 weeks. In the fifth week rats were decapitated. Macroscopic damage scores of colonic mucosa were calculated. A 4mL blood sample was taken to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor -α (TNF-α) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) by the double antibody sandwich ABC-ELISA method (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Colonic tissues with the most obvious lesions were obtained using a surgical scissor. A routine hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method was used to stain pathological specimens and images of staining results were obtained. Histological injury scores of colonic mucosa were calculated. Ulcerative colitis model rats had the highest macroscopic damage scores and histological injury scores of colonic mucosa. After treatment the contents of TNF-α and IL-8 decreased significantly in the group of curcumin plus soy oligosaccharide compared with the model group with statistical significance (P <0.01) while the contents were close to those in the SASP group. There was no statistical significance (P> 0.05). The treatment could decrease TNF-α and IL- 8 expression and reduce colonic mucosa inflammation and tissue damage.

Combined Diffusion Tensor Imaging and Apparent Transverse Relaxation Rate Differentiate Parkinson Disease and Atypical Parkinsonism

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Both diffusion tensor imaging and the apparent transverse relaxation rate have shown promise in differentiating Parkinson disease from atypical parkinsonism (particularly multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy). The objective of the study was to assess the ability of DTI, the apparent transverse relaxation rate, and their combination for differentiating Parkinson disease, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, and controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 106 subjects (36 controls, 35 patients with Parkinson disease, 16 with multiple system atrophy, and 19 with progressive supranuclear palsy) were included. DTI and the apparent transverse relaxation rate measures from the striatal, midbrain, limbic, and cerebellar regions were obtained and compared among groups. The discrimination performance of DTI and the apparent transverse relaxation rate among groups was assessed by using Elastic-Net machine learning and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with controls, patients with Parkinson disease showed significant apparent transverse relaxation rate differences in the red nucleus. Compared to those with Parkinson disease, patients with both multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy showed more widespread changes, extending from the midbrain to striatal and cerebellar structures. The pattern of changes, however, was different between the 2 groups. For instance, patients with multiple system atrophy showed decreased fractional anisotropy and an increased apparent transverse relaxation rate in the subthalamic nucleus, whereas patients with progressive supranuclear palsy showed an increased mean diffusivity in the hippocampus. Combined, DTI and the apparent transverse relaxation rate were significantly better than DTI or the apparent transverse relaxation rate alone in separating controls from those with Parkinson disease/multiple system atrophy/progressive supranuclear palsy; controls from those with Parkinson disease; those with Parkinson disease from those with multiple system atrophy/progressive supranuclear palsy; and those with Parkinson disease from those with multiple system atrophy; but not those with Parkinson disease from those with progressive supranuclear palsy, or those with multiple system atrophy from those with progressive supranuclear palsy.

CONCLUSIONS

DTI and the apparent transverse relaxation rate provide different but complementary information for different parkinsonisms. Combined DTI and apparent transverse relaxation rate may be a superior marker for the differential diagnosis of parkinsonisms.

Influence of OATP1B1 Function on the Disposition of Sorafenib-β-D-Glucuronide

The oral multikinase inhibitor sorafenib undergoes extensive UGT1A9-mediated formation of sorafenib-β-D-glucuronide (SG). Using transporter-deficient mouse models, it was previously established that SG can be extruded into bile by ABCC2 or follow a liver-to-blood shuttling loop via ABCC3-mediated efflux into the systemic circulation, and subsequent uptake in neighboring hepatocytes by OATP1B-type transporters. Here we evaluated the possibility that this unusual process, called hepatocyte hopping, is also operational in humans and can be modulated through pharmacological inhibition. We found that SG transport by OATP1B1 or murine Oatp1b2 was effectively inhibited by rifampin, and that this agent can significantly increase plasma levels of SG in wildtype mice, but not in Oatp1b2-deficient animals. In human subjects receiving sorafenib, rifampin acutely increased the systemic exposure to SG. Our study emphasizes the need to consider hepatic handling of xenobiotic glucuronides in the design of drug-drug interaction studies of agents that undergo extensive phase II conjugation.

Genetic associations with viral respiratory illnesses and asthma control in children

BACKGROUND

Viral respiratory infections can cause acute wheezing illnesses in children and exacerbations of asthma.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify variation in genes with known antiviral and pro-inflammatory functions to identify specific associations with more severe viral respiratory illnesses and the risk of virus-induced exacerbations during the peak fall season.

METHODS

The associations between genetic variation at 326 SNPs in 63 candidate genes and 10 phenotypes related to viral respiratory infection and asthma control were examined in 226 children enrolled in the RhinoGen study. Replication of asthma control phenotypes was performed in 2128 children in the Copenhagen Prospective Study on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC). Significant associations in RhinoGen were further validated using virus-induced wheezing illness and asthma phenotypes in an independent sample of 122 children enrolled in the Childhood Origins of Asthma (COAST) birth cohort study.

RESULTS

A significant excess of P values smaller than 0.05 was observed in the analysis of the 10 RhinoGen phenotypes. Polymorphisms in 12 genes were significantly associated with variation in the four phenotypes showing a significant enrichment of small P values. Six of those genes (STAT4, JAK2, MX1, VDR, DDX58, and EIF2AK2) also showed significant associations with asthma exacerbations in the COPSAC study or with asthma or virus-induced wheezing phenotypes in the COAST study.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified genetic factors contributing to individual differences in childhood viral respiratory illnesses and virus-induced exacerbations of asthma. Defining mechanisms of these associations may provide insight into the pathogenesis of viral respiratory infections and virus-induced exacerbations of asthma.

Structural Imaging and Parkinson's Disease: Moving Toward Quantitative Markers of Disease Progression

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Although the pathological hallmark of PD is dopaminergic cell death in the substantia nigra pars compacta, widespread neurodegenerative changes occur throughout the brain as disease progresses. Postmortem studies, for example, have demonstrated the presence of Lewy pathology, apoptosis, and loss of neurotransmitters and interneurons in both cortical and subcortical regions of PD patients. Many in vivo structural imaging studies have attempted to gauge PD-related pathology, particularly in gray matter, with the hope of identifying an imaging biomarker. Reports of brain atrophy in PD, however, have been inconsistent, most likely due to differences in the studied populations (i.e. different disease stages and/or clinical subtypes), experimental designs (i.e. cross-sectional vs. longitudinal), and image analysis methodologies (i.e. automatic vs. manual segmentation). This review attempts to summarize the current state of gray matter structural imaging research in PD in relationship to disease progression, reconciling some of the differences in reported results, and to identify challenges and future avenues.

Vitamin D prevents articular cartilage erosion by regulating collagen II turnover through TGF-β1 in ovariectomized rats

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effect of vitamin D on turnover of articular cartilage with ovariectomy (OVX) induced OA, and to investigate transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) as a possible underlying mechanism mediated by 1α,25(OH)2D3.

DESIGN

Sixty-six rats were randomly allocated into seven groups: sham plus control diet (SHAM+CTL), OVX+CTL diet, sham plus vitamin D-deficient (VDD) diet, OVX+VDD diet, and three groups of ovariectomized rats treated with different doses of 1α,25(OH)2D3. The cartilage erosion and the levels of serum 17β-estradiol, 1α,25(OH)2D3 and C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) were measured. TGF-β1, type II Collagen (CII), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-9,-13 in articular cartilage were assessed by immunohistochemistry. TGF-β1 and CTX-II expression were measured in articular cartilage chondrocytes treated with/without tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), 1α,25(OH)2D3, and TGF-β receptor inhibitor (SB505124) in vitro.

RESULTS

Cartilage erosion due to OVX was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner by 1α,25(OH)2D3 supplementation, and exacerbated by VDD. The expressions of TGF-β1 and CII in articular cartilage were suppressed by OVX and VDD, and rescued by 1α,25(OH)2D3 supplementation. The expression of MMP-9,-13 in articular cartilage increased with OVX and VDD, and decreased with 1α,25(OH)2D3 supplementation. In vitro experiments showed that 1α,25(OH)2D3 increased the TGF-β1 expression of TNF-α stimulated chondrocytes in a dose-dependent manner. 1α,25(OH)2D3 significantly counteracted the increased CTX-II release due to TNF-α stimulation, and this effect was significantly suppressed by SB505124.

CONCLUSION

VDD aggravated cartilage erosion, and 1α,25(OH)2D3 supplementation showed protective effects in OVX-induced OA partly through the TGF-β1 pathway.

A common variant in RAB27A gene is associated with fractional exhaled nitric oxide levels in adults

BACKGROUND

Exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a biomarker for eosinophilic inflammation in the airways and for responsiveness to corticosteroids in asthmatics.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to identify in adults the genetic determinants of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) levels and to assess whether environmental and disease-related factors influence these associations.

METHODS

We performed a genome-wide association study of FeNO through meta-analysis of two independent discovery samples of European ancestry: the outbred EGEA study (French Epidemiological study on the Genetics and Environment of Asthma, N = 610 adults) and the Hutterites (N = 601 adults), a founder population living on communal farms. Replication of main findings was assessed in adults from an isolated village in Sardinia (Talana study, N = 450). We then investigated the influence of asthma, atopy and tobacco smoke exposure on these genetic associations, and whether they were also associated with FeNO values in children of the EAGLE (EArly Genetics & Lifecourse Epidemiology, N = 8858) consortium.

RESULTS

We detected a common variant in RAB27A (rs2444043) associated with FeNO that reached the genome-wide significant level (P = 1.6 × 10(-7) ) in the combined discovery and replication adult data sets. This SNP belongs to member of RAS oncogene family (RAB27A) and was associated with an expression quantitative trait locus for RAB27A in lymphoblastoid cell lines from asthmatics. A second suggestive locus (rs2194437, P = 8.9 × 10(-7) ) located nearby the sodium/calcium exchanger 1 (SLC8A1) was mainly detected in atopic subjects and influenced by inhaled corticosteroid use. These two loci were not associated with childhood FeNO values.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

This study identified a common variant located in RAB27A gene influencing FeNO levels specifically in adults and with a biological relevance to the regulation of FeNO levels. This study provides new insight into the biological mechanisms underlying FeNO levels in adults.

Low dose nicotine attenuates Aβ neurotoxicity through activation early growth response gene 1 pathway

Epidemiological studies indicate that smoking is negatively correlated with the incidence and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nicotine was reported to be the active factor. However, the detailed mechanisms still remain to be fully elucidated. Early growth response gene 1 (EGR-1) plays important roles in several important biological processes such as promoting cell growth, differentiation, anti oxidative stress, and apoptosis, but few in the pathogenesis of AD. In the present study, we show that nicotine can activate the MAPK/ERK/EGR-1 signaling pathway partially through α7 nAChR. In addition, the up-regulation of EGR-1 by nicotine can also increase the phosphorylation of CyclinD1 which contributes to the attenuation of amyloid-β (Aβ(25-35)) -induced neurotoxicity. Although nicotine and Aβ(25-35) can activate EGR-1, the expression of EGR-1 is down-regulated following treatment with nicotine and Aβ(25-35). This study demonstrates that low dose nicotine attenuates Aβ(25-35)-induced neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo through activating EGR-1 pathway.

Identifying hub genes and dysregulated pathways in hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the hub genes and dysregulated pathways of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and explore the molecular mechanism of the biological process associated with HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Microarray data were got from NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The most significant top 100 up-regulated gene signatures and top 100 down-regulated gene signatures were identified by integrated analysis of the multiple microarray datasets using a novel model genome-wide relative significance (GWRS) and genome-wide global significance (GWGS). Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and pathway analysis of those genes were performed based on Gene Ontology website and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed using Cytoscape 2.1. In addition, we analysed the significantly dysregulated signaling pathways across the PPI network and KEGG pathway analysis.

RESULTS

We screened 2920 up-regulated and 2231 down-regulated gene signatures across multiple studies by GWRS and GWGS. The top 100 up-regulated and top 100 down-regulated gene signatures were selected for further research. GO enrichment analysis showed that these genes significantly enriched in terms of mitosis (p = 5.83×10-20), nuclear division (p = 5.83×10-20) and M phase of mitotic cell cycle (p = 9.39×10-20). The most significant terms of KEGG pathway included cell cycle (p = 1.33×10-8), oocyte meiosis (p = 1.41×10-4), drug metabolism (p = 2.15×10-4) and p53 signaling pathway (p = 3.57×10-4). PPI network suggested that BIRC5, CDC20, CCNB1, BUB1B, MAD2L1 and CDK1 were important significant genes which were considered as hub genes. Across the PPI and pathway, cell cycle, oocyte meiosis and p53 signaling pathway were the significantly dysregulated pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study displayed robust gene signatures in HCC. It showed that the dysregulations of cell cycle, oocyte meiosis, p53 signaling pathway and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation pathway were closely associated to the development and progression of HCC. Besides, genes BIRC5, CDC20, CCNB1, BUB1B, MAD2L1 and CDK1 as the hub genes might play important roles for diagnosing and therapy of HCC.

A 12-week subchronic intramuscular toxicity study of risperidone-loaded microspheres in rats

Long-acting injectable formulations of antipsychotics have been an important treatment option to increase the compliance of the patient with schizophrenia by monitoring drug administration and identifying medication noncompliance and to improve the long-term management of schizophrenia. Risperidone, a serotoninergic 5-HT2 and dopaminergic D2 receptor antagonist, was developed to be a long-acting sustained-release formulation for the treatment of schizophrenia. In this study, 12-week subchronic toxicity study of risperidone-loaded microspheres (RMs) in rats by intramuscular injection with an 8-week recovery phase was carried out to investigate the potential subchronic toxicity of a novel long-acting sustained-release formulation. The results indicated that the dosage of 10-90 mg/kg of RM for 2 weeks did not cause treatment-related mortality. The main drug-related findings were contributed to the dopamine D2 receptor and α1-adrenoceptor antagonism of risperidone such as elevation of serum and pituitary prolactin levels and ptosis and changes in reproductive system (uterus, ovary, vagina, mammary gland, testis, seminal vesicle, epididymis, and prostate). In addition, foreign body granuloma in muscle at injection sites caused by poly-lactide-co-glycolide was observed. At the end of the recovery phase, these changes mostly returned to normal. The results indicated that RM had a good safety profile in rats.

Qualitative analysis and enantiospecific determination of angular-type pyranocoumarins in Peucedani Radix using achiral and chiral liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Angular-type pyranocoumarins (APs), the derivatives of khellactone, are widely documented as the main active constituents in Peucedani Radix (Chinese name: Qian-hu). Owing to the natural occurrence of chiral centers, enantiomers of APs are extensively distributed in the original plant, and enantioselective performances have been definitely demonstrated for these enantiomers. In current study, the chemical characterization of the major and minor APs in Peucedani Radix was performed using ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector and hybrid ion trap-orbitrap mass spectrometry. On the other hand, a heart-cut two-dimensional achiral-chiral liquid chromatography combining triple quadropole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry system (2D LC-MS/MS) was developed for simultaneous enantiospecific quantification of eighteen coumarins, including seven pairs of enantiomers. Eleven APs (1-11) were recruited to propose UV absorption characteristics and electrospray ionization fragmentation patterns of APs. A total of 42 components were categorized into APs based on their UV spectral properties and identified according to the proposed mass fragmentation pathways, while two linear-type furanocoumarins (12-13) were unambiguously assigned by further purification. A Capcell core RP-C18 column was employed in the primary LC dimension to achieve efficient racemic separation for the main chemical constituents (1-9 and 12-13) in Peucedani Radix, while a Chiralpak AD-RH column was utilized in the secondary dimension to contribute enantioselective separation for seven enantiomerically enriched components (1, 3 and 5-9). Collectively, the results provided the chemical evidences for revealing the material basis of the therapeutic effects of Peucedani Radix, and the developed 2D LC-MS/MS system in the present study is expected to be an ideal tool for the quality control of Peucedani Radix as well as a reliable technique for complex matrices containing both achiral and chiral components.

Single-port laparoscopic extraperitoneal repair of pediatric inguinal hernias and hydroceles by using modified Kirschner pin: a novel technique

BACKGROUND

The development of laparoscopic processus vaginalis repair has provided an alternative approach to the management of inguinal hernia and hydroceles in children. Here we describe our new technique for laparoscopic extraperitoneal ligation of processus vaginalis with subumbilical single-port using a modified Kirschner pin.

METHODS

A 5-mm trocar for an operative laparoscope was placed through an infraumbilical incision. A Kirschner pin with a hole in one flat terminal was inserted at the point of the internal inguinal ring. The processus vaginalis was closed extracorporeally by a non-absorbable suture, which was introduced into the abdomen through the Kirschner pin performing dissection within the extraperitoneal space in a series of movements. When a contralateral patent processus vaginalis is present, laparoscopic-assisted extracorporeal ligation is performed during the same operation.

RESULTS

Between September 2010 and September 2012, 211 children (130 cases of inguinal hernia and 81 cases of hydrocele) underwent processus vaginalis repair using this novel technique. A contralateral patent processus vaginalis was present and thus simultaneously closed in 20 patients with unilateral inguinal hernias and 12 patients with unilateral hydroceles. The mean operative time was 18 min (8-35 min). The mean follow-up period is 12 months (range 5-24 months), and no recurrence and complications has been observed to date.

CONCLUSIONS

This article describes a unique technique of extracorporeal circuit ligation of processus vaginalis using a minimally invasive technique as afforded by a reused modified Kirschner pin. Single-port laparoscopic processus vaginalis repair using this instrument is feasible and seems to be safe.

A 12-week intramuscular toxicity study of risperidone-loaded microspheres in Beagle dogs

Long-acting formulations of antipsychotics are important treatment options to increase the compliance of schizophrenic patients. Risperidone, a 5-HT2 and dopaminergic D2 receptor antagonist, was developed as long-acting sustained-release microspheres with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) as a drug carrier for the treatment of schizophrenia. In the present study, the main objective is to determine the nonclinical safety profile of risperidone-loaded microspheres (RM) in Beagle dogs after intramuscular administration for 3 months, once in 2 weeks, followed by 8-week recovery phase. No animal death was found and no special toxicological findings were observed. The findings, such as hypoactivity, ptosis, increased heart rate, and elevated serum and pituitary prolactin levels, were observed and related to the pharmacological effects of risperidone. The changes in the reproductive system (uterus, ovary, vagina, cervix, and mammary gland) were considered secondary to the prolactin elevation, and the congestion of spleen was related to risperidone. The foreign body granulomas at injection sites might be caused by PLGA. At the end of recovery phase, the above changes mostly recovered to normal, and on administering 3 mg/kg dose level once in 2 weeks on Beagle dogs showed no observed adverse effect. Taken together, RM had exhibited the acceptable safety.

Cysteamine improves growth performance and gastric ghrelin expression in preweaning piglets

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cysteamine on growth performance of preweaning piglets and gastric expression of ghrelin mRNA in vivo and in vitro. Twelve litters of newborn piglets were allocated randomly to control and treatment groups. From 15 d of age, piglets in the control group were fed basal creep diet, whereas the treatment group received basal diet supplemented with 120 mg cysteamine per kg of diet until weaning on 35 d of age. Body weight gain, creep feed consumption, and diarrhea rates were recorded, and gastric mucosal tissues were collected for quantifying mRNA expression. To evaluate the direct effect of cysteamine on gastric ghrelin expression, primary cultures of gastric mucosal cells isolated from 35-d-old piglets were exposed to cysteamine for 20 h at 0, 1, 10, and 100 μg/mL, respectively. Dietary cysteamine increased (P < 0.05) average daily creep feed consumption and BW gain in preweaning pigs, which was accompanied by reduction in diarrhea rates. At 35 d of age, piglets treated with cysteamine showed increased (P < 0.05) ghrelin and gastrin and decreased (P < 0.05) somatostatin mRNA expression in gastric mucosa. Moreover, dietary cysteamine treatment increased serum concentration of gastrin (P < 0.05). In vitro, cysteamine significantly increased ghrelin mRNA expression in gastric mucosal cells at the concentration of 10 μg/mL. In conclusion, dietary cysteamine is effective in improving the growth performance and health condition of preweaning piglets, which is associated with its stimulatory effects on gastric ghrelin mRNA expression both in vivo and in vitro.

Induction and repair of DNA double-strand breaks assessed by gamma-H2AX foci after irradiation with pulsed or continuous proton beams

In particle tumor therapy including beam scanning at accelerators, the dose per voxel is delivered within about 100 ms. In contrast, the new technology of laser plasma acceleration will produce ultimately shorter particle packages that deliver the dose within a nanosecond. Here, possible differences for relative biological effectiveness in creating DNA double-strand breaks in pulsed or continuous irradiation mode are studied. HeLa cells were irradiated with 1 or 5 Gy of 20-MeV protons at the Munich tandem accelerator, either at continuous mode (100 ms), or applying a single pulse of 1-ns duration. Cells were fixed 1 h after 1-Gy irradiation and 24 h after 5-Gy irradiation, respectively. A dose-effect curve based on five doses of X-rays was taken as reference. The total number of phosphorylated histone H2AX (gamma-H2AX) foci per cell was determined using a custom-made software macro for gamma-H2AX foci counting. For 1 h after 1-Gy 20-MeV proton exposures, values for the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 0.97 ± 0.19 for pulsed and 1.13 ± 0.21 for continuous irradiations were obtained in the first experiment 1.13 ± 0.09 and 1.16 ± 0.09 in the second experiment. After 5 Gy and 24 h, RBE values of 0.99 ± 0.29 and 0.91 ± 0.23 were calculated, respectively. Based on the gamma-H2AX foci numbers obtained, no significant differences in RBE between pulsed and continuous proton irradiation in HeLa cells were detected. These results are well in line with our data on micronucleus induction in HeLa cells.

Differential involvement of striato- and cerebello-thalamo-cortical pathways in tremor- and akinetic/rigid-predominant Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) presents clinically with varying degrees of resting tremor, rigidity, and bradykinesia. For decades, striatal-thalamo-cortical (STC) dysfunction has been implied in bradykinesia and rigidity, but does not explain resting tremor in PD. To understand the roles of cerebello-thalamo-cortical (CTC) and STC circuits in the pathophysiology of the heterogeneous clinical presentation of PD, we collected functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from 17 right-handed PD patients [nine tremor predominant (PDT) and eight akinetic-rigidity predominant (PDAR)] and 14 right-handed controls while they performed internally-guided (IG) sequential finger tapping tasks. The percentage of voxels activated in regions constituting the STC and CTC [divided as cerebellar hemisphere-thalamo-cortical (CHTC) and vermis-thalamo-cortical (CVTC)] circuits was calculated. Multivariate analysis of variance compared the activation patterns of these circuits between study groups. Compared to controls, both PDAR and PDT subjects displayed an overall increase in the percentage of voxels activated in both STC and CTC circuits. These increases reached statistical significance in contralateral STC and CTC circuits for PDT subjects, and in contralateral CTC pathways for PDAR subjects. Comparison of PDAR and PDT subjects revealed significant differences in ipsilateral STC (P=0.005) and CTC (P=0.043 for CHTC and P=0.003 for CVTC) circuits. These data support the differential involvement of STC and CTC circuits in PD subtypes, and help explain the heterogeneous presentation of PD symptoms. These findings underscore the importance of integrating CTC circuits in understanding PD and other disorders of the basal ganglia.

Tannin-based rigid foams: a survey of chemical and physical properties

Tannin-based rigid foams, prepared from 95% natural material, are suggested for replacing synthetic phenol-formaldehyde foams in various applications. For that purpose, a few physical properties were measured and reported here: resistance to fire and chemicals, absorption of various liquids, permeability, thermal conductivity and mechanical (compressive and tensile) strength. Modifying the composition through the use of boric and/or phosphoric acid allowed substantial increase of fire resistance. The materials were also found to present good resistance to strong acid and bases, and to solvents. High affinity for water, but limited one for organic liquids, was also evidenced. Finally, slightly anisotropic mechanical properties were measured. The materials present a brittle behaviour, whether tested in compression or traction; nevertheless, their strengths, as well as their thermal conductivities, are fully comparable with those of their phenolic counterparts. We show that such materials of vegetable origins can compete with synthetic ones for most of traditional applications.

Elevated glutathione production by adding precursor amino acids coupled with ATP in high cell density cultivation of Candida utilis

AIMS

Three precursor amino acids and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are necessary for fermentative production of glutathione. In this study, our aims were to develop a strategy to enhance glutathione production by adding three precursor amino acids coupled with ATP in high cell density (HCD) cultivation of Candida utilis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A high-glutathione yeast strain, C. utilis WSH 02-08, was used in this study. Whole fermentative process for glutathione production was divided into two phases of cell growth and glutathione synthesis. Cells concentration was increased by HCD cultivation. Meanwhile, intracellular glutathione content was enhanced by the addition of three precursor amino acids. Concentrations of three precursor amino acids added at stationary phase were optimized by response surface methodology. Moreover, the addition of ATP 15 h after the addition of the three amino acids can further enhance glutathione production. Based on aforementioned phenomenon, a strategy of adding three precursor amino acids coupled with ATP was developed to enhance glutathione production.

CONCLUSION

Without the addition of three precursor amino acids and the ATP, a total glutathione of 1123 mg l(-1) was achieved after 60-h cultivation. In comparison, addition of three precursor amino acid counterparts resulted in a total glutathione of 1841 mg l(-1). Moreover, by adding amino acids combined with ATP, a total glutathione of 2043 mg l(-1) was achieved after 72-h cultivation, increased by 81.9% and 11%, respectively, as compared with the control and the one without ATP addition.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This is the first report on investigating changes of the intracellular three precursor amino acids and ATP, and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthase activity in HCD cultivation of C. utilis for glutathione production. A strategy of combining addition of three precursor amino acids with ATP was developed to enhance glutathione production in C. utilis.