[Mechanism of piRNA in bisphenol A-promoted invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells]

Objective: To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA) in bisphenol A (BPA)-induced prostate cancer cell invasion and migration. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data was used to analyze and screen for piRNAs with significantly increased expression in prostate cancer tissues. PC-3 cells were treated with different concentrations of BPA for 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively, and the 20% inhibitory concentration (IC20) was measured using a CCK-8 assay. The expression levels of piRNAs before and after BPA treatment were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Target genes regulated by BPA and associated with prostate cancer were screened in the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD). Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to verify the relationship between piRNA and target genes, and the expression change of the piRNA target gene was detected by Western blotting. Cell migration and invasion assays were used to determine the effects of piRNA on the malignant phenotype of prostate cancer cells. Results: After treatment of PC-3 cells with 160 μmol/L BPA, the expression of piR-sno48 was most significantly increased (P<0.05). Transfection of piR-sno48 antagomir resulted in decreased expression of endogenous piR-sno48 and a significant increase in the expression of its target gene GSTP1 (P<0.05). However, the expression of GSTP1 did not change significantly in BPA-treated PC-3 cells after transfection with piR-sno48 antagomir (P>0.05). The dual-luciferase reporter gene confirmed that piR-sno48 inhibited the expression of GSTP1 by forming an inversely complementary sequence with the 3'-UTR of GSTP1. The Transwell assay results showed that treatment with BPA significantly increased the invasion and migration ability of prostate cancer cells (P<0.01), whereas piR-sno48 antagonists significantly inhibited the effects above (P<0.01). Conclusion: BPA promotes the invasion and migration of prostate cancer cells by upregulating the expression of piR-sno48 and suppressing the expression of GSTP1. Interfering with the expression of endogenous piR-sno48 may inhibit the malignant phenotype of prostate cancer cells caused by BPA.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Exerts Neuroprotective Effect by Reducing Aβ Toxicity Through Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Reperfusion Cell Model

Ischemia stroke is thought to be one of the vascular risks associated with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) has been reported to protect against stroke and AD, while the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, SH-SY5Y cell model treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) was used to explore the potential mechanism of HSYA. Results from cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) showed that 10 μM HSYA restored the cell viability after OGD 2 hours/R 24 hours. HSYA reduced the levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species, while improved the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Furthermore, apoptosis was inhibited, and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor was improved after HSYA treatment. In addition, the expression levels of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) and BACE1 were decreased by HSYA, as well as the expression levels of binding immunoglobulin heavy chain protein, PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum (ER) kinase pathway, and activating transcription factor 6 pathway, whereas the expression level of protein disulfide isomerase was increased. Based on these results, HSYA might reduce Aβ toxicity after OGD/R by interfering with apoptosis, oxidation, and neurotrophic factors, as well as relieving ER stress.

Berberine ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive impairment through Sirt1/Nrf2/NF-κB signaling pathway in C57BL/6J mice

The inflammatory response is the stress reactions to infection or injury so as to help the body return to normal as soon as possible. In central nervous system, the over activated immune system causes irreversible damage to neurons and synapses,which results in cognitive impairment. Berberine,an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from Coptidis Rhizoma,plays a powerful role in anti-inflammation.It has been reported that berberine significantly improved the decline of cognitive ability.Therefore,we carried out this work to find out the specific mechanism.We tested behaviourally that berberine administration did improve lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cognitive impairment in C57BL/6J mice. We found that berberine reduced neuronal damage in the hippocampus by Nissl staining, and verified by Western blot and immunofluorescence that berberine improved LPS-induced cognitive impairment through the SIRT1/NRF2/NF-κB signaling pathway.The results showed that berberine plays an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant role by targeting SIRT1/NRF2/NFκB signaling pathway so as to reduce the cognitive impairment and neuronal damage caused by lipopolysaccharide in C57BL/6J mice.Berberine pre-protection increased the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) after activating nuclear factor E2 related factor 2 (NRF2), and inhibited the activation of NF-κB and the release of iNOS, which may be related to berberine activating SIRT1. However,the effect of reducing inflammatory response was inhibited after using SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 in vitro.This research explains the significance of anti-inflammatory in the treatment of cognitive impairment from different angles. Key words: berberine;lipopolysaccharide;cognitive impairment; neuroinflammation; SIRT1.

CD147 Protein Expression and Temozolomide Resistance in Glioma Cells: An Ex vivo and In vivo Study

It has been noted that temozolomide resistance occurs in a number of malignancies, including glioma, although the underlying cause of this is unknown. The goal of the study in vivo investigation to show that increased CD147 expression in glioma cells is a factor in their resistance to the chemotherapy drug temozolomide. Proliferation assays, TUNEL assays, reactive oxygen species assays, protein degradation assays, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, quantitative polymerase chain reactions, and tumorigenicity assays were all carried out. Using the human protein atlas databases, the expression levels of CD147 in different kinds of malignancies were examined. For immunohistochemistry, a total of 7, 12, 19, 15, and 16 glioma samples were taken from para-carcinoma tissue, representing stage I, stage II, stage III, and stage IV gliomas, respectively. The expression of CD147 proteins is correlated with the tumor's aggressiveness. Cell development was slowed by suppressing the expression of the CD147 protein. The expression of the CD147 protein contributed to the emergence of temozolomide resistance. Expression of the CD147 protein reduced mRNA expression. The growth-inhibitory impact of temozolomide on glioma cells was enhanced by the suppression of CD147 protein.  Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 expression and CD147 protein expression showed a significant reciprocal connection with each other (p 0.0001, r2 = 0.3254). In glioma, resistance to temozolomide is due to overexpression of CD147 protein and induction of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2.

Preparation and tensile conductivity of carbon nanotube/polyurethane nanofiber conductive films based on the centrifugal spinning method

Flexible conductive thin films have recently become a research area of focus in both academia and industry. In this study, a method of preparing nanofiber conductive films by centrifugal spinning is proposed. Polyurethane (PU) nanofiber films were prepared by centrifugal spinning as the flexible substrate film, and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were used as the conducting medium, to obtain CNTs/PU nanofiber conductive films with good conductivity and elasticity. The effects of different CNT concentrations on the properties of the nanofiber films were investigated. It was found that the conductivity of the nanofiber conductive films was optimal when an impregnation concentration of 9% CNTs was used in the stretching process. Cyclic tensile resistance tests showed that the nanofiber conductive films have good durability and repeatability. Physical and structural property analysis of the CNT/PU conductive films indicate that the adsorption of the CNTs on the PU surface was successful and the CNTs were evenly dispersed on the surface of the matrix. Moreover, the CNTs improved the thermal stability of the PU membrane. The CNT/PU conductive films were pasted onto a human finger joint, wrist joint, and Adam's apple to test the detection of movement. The results showed that finger bending, wrist bending, and laryngeal prominence movement all caused a change in resistance of the conductive film, with an approximately linear curve. The results indicate that the CNT/PU nanofiber conductive film developed in this study can be used to test the motion of human joints.

The Effect of Posaconazole and Isavuconazole on the Pharmacokinetics of Erdafitinib in Beagle Dogs by UPLC-MS/MS

Objective: A robust, quick, and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of erdafitinib in beagle dog plasma was developed and validated to evaluate the changes of posaconazole and isavuconazole on the pharmacokinetics of erdafitinib in beagle dogs, respectively.

Methods: This experiment adopted a three-period self-control experimental design. In the first period (group A), erdafitinib was orally administered to six beagle dogs at a dose of 4 mg/kg. In the second period (group B), the same six beagle dogs were orally given posaconazole at a dose of 7 mg/kg, and after 30 min, erdafitinib was orally given. In the third period (group C), isavuconazole at a dose of 7 mg/kg was given orally, and then, erdafitinib was orally given. At the different time points after erdafitinib was given in the three periods, the blood samples were collected. The concentration of erdafitinib was detected by the developed UPLC-MS/MS method. DAS 2.0 was used to calculate the pharmacokinetic parameters of erdafitinib.

Results: Erdafitinib had a good linear relationship in the range of 1–500 ng/ml, and the lower limit of quantification was 1 ng/ml. The precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability meet the requirements of the guiding principles. After erdafitinib was combined with posaconazole, the C_max and AUC_0→t of erdafitinib increased by 27.19% and 47.62%, respectively, and the t_1/2 was prolonged to 6.33 h. After erdafitinib was combined with isavuconazole, the C_max and AUC_0→t of erdafitinib increased by 23.13% and 54.46%, respectively, and the t_1/2 was prolonged to 6.31 h.

Conclusion: A robust and reliable UPLC-MS/MS method was fully optimized and developed to detect the plasma concentration of erdafitinib in beagle dogs. Posaconazole and isaconazole could inhibit the metabolism of erdafitinib in beagle dogs and increase the plasma exposure of erdafitinib.

Design, synthesis and evaluation of tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives as potential hypoglycemic agents

Two series of tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives have been designed and synthesized based on ZG02, a promising candidate developed in our previous studies. The newly prepared compounds were screened for glucose consumption activity in HepG2 cell lines. Aza-tetrahydrocarbazole compound 12b showed the most potent hypoglycemic activity with a 45% increase in glucose consumption when compared to the solvent control, which had approximately 1.2-fold higher activity than the positive control compounds (metformin and ZG02). An investigation of the potential mechanism indicated that 12b may exhibit hypoglycemic activity via activation of the AMPK pathway. Metabolic stability assays revealed that 12b showed good stability profiles in both artificial gastrointestinal fluids and blood plasma from SD rats. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed and the results further confirmed that 12b was a potent hypoglycemic agent.

[Study of influence of birth weight on risk of chronic diseases and blood uric acid in adulthood]

Objective: To understand the influence of birth weight on the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and the relationship between birth weight and serum uric acid in adulthood. Methods: According to the Chinese Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance Program, a total of 1 131 residents aged 18 years and above were enrolled from Hexi, Nankai, Hongqiao, Wuqing, Jinnan, Baodi and Jizhou districts of Tianjin. The data of birth weight and blood pressure of the residents were collected, and fasting venous blood samples were collected from them to detect uric acid, blood glucose and blood lipids levels. The distribution of birth weight of the surveyed population was described, and the relationship between birth weight and chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and the blood uric acid level in adulthood were analyzed. Results: The average birth weight of the surveyed population in Tianjin was 3.37 kg, which was higher in males than in females. No matter overweight/obesity, hypertension or diabetes, the prevalence rate of normal birth weight was the lowest in adulthood. After univariate logistic regression analysis and adjusting for age, sex, smoking and drinking status, it was found that compared with normal birth weight, low birth weight had a stronger correlation with diabetes (OR=2.91,95%CI:1.46-5.76) and dyslipidemia (OR=1.79,95%CI:1.01-3.19) in adulthood. Macrosomia was strongly associated with overweight/obesity in adulthood (OR=1.47, 95%CI:1.08-2.01). There was no significant difference in serum uric acid level among the residents with different birth weights. Conclusions: The low birth weight of the surveyed population in Tianjin was closely related to the risk of diabetes and dyslipidemia in adulthood, and the macrosomia was closely related to the risk of overweight/obesity in adulthood.

Inhibitory effects of lactoferrin on pulmonary inflammatory processes induced by lipopolysaccharide by modulating the TLR4-related pathway

This study tested the ability of lactoferrin to modulate pulmonary inflammation. To construct in vitro and in vivo inflammatory lung models, cells from the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549) were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 µg/mL), and mice (CD-1) were intratracheally administered LPS [10 mg/kg of body weight (BW), tracheal lumen injection], respectively. The A549 cells were preincubated with lactoferrin (10 mg/mL), and the mice were intraperitoneally injected with lactoferrin (100 mg/kg of BW), followed by LPS treatment. The concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) in culture medium of A549 cells and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the mice were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The toll-like receptor 4-related pathway (TLR4/MyD88/IRAK1/TRAF6/NFκB) was determined at gene and protein expression levels in A549 cells and mouse lung tissue. Results showed that LPS treatment significantly elevated the concentrations of IL-1β and TNF-α in the A549 cell culture medium and in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the mice; it also elevated both the mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4 and the TLR4 downstream factors in A549 cells and mouse lung tissue. Nevertheless, lactoferrin apparently depressed the releases of IL-1β and TNF-α from A549 cells and lung tissues stimulated by LPS, and significantly suppressed the TLR4 signaling pathway. Lactoferrin also promoted the enhancement of miR-146a expression in A549 cells and mouse lung tissue. Moreover, 100°C heating for 3 min caused total loss of the previously listed bioactivity of lactoferrin. Collectively, we proved that lactoferrin intervened in LPS-induced inflammation in the pulmonary cell model and in the mouse model, through inhibiting the TLR4-related pathway.

[Study on the diet balance index and its relationship with blood uric acid of smoking adults in Tianjin]

Objective: Diet balance index (DBI_16) was used to evaluate the dietary status of smoking adults in Tianjin, and the relationship between DBI_16 and serum uric acid was analyzed. Methods: A total of 1 478 inhabitants aged 18 and above were enrolled. The dietary status was obtained with a 3-day dietary recall and condiment weighing method. And their fasting venous blood was collected to detect uric acid. Food intake and DBI_16 scores of smokers and non-smokers were described, and the relationship among smoking, diet quality distance (DQD-DBI), and serum uric acid was analyzed. Results: The intake of vegetables, fruits, and milk of smokers in Tianjin was lower than while the salt, oil, cereals, and aquatic products were higher than that of non-smokers. The DBI_16 scores of vegetables and fruits, food types, milk, and beans of smokers were lower than those of non-smokers in Tianjin, and the scores of pure energy foods and condiments were higher than those of the non-smokers. The DQD-DBI, high bound score and low bound score of smokers in Tianjin were 42.0, 14.0, and 29.0 respectively, which were all higher than those of non-smokers. The main problems appeared as moderately inadequate intake (accounting for 67.0%), low, excessive intake (accounting for 70.9%), and moderate imbalance of intake (accounting for 67.2%). The serum uric acid of smokers was higher than in the non-smokers, and there the same result appeared under the conditions of "not suitable" in DQD-DBI. Conclusions: In Tianjin, the dietary imbalance was more evident in smokers than the non-smokers, and the serum uric acid was significantly higher than the non-smokers. Strategies as strengthening the nutrition education and intervention targeted for smokers were in urgent need.

Histone Demethylase JMJD1A Promotes Tumor Progression via Activating Snail in Prostate Cancer

The histone demethylase JMJD1A plays a key functional role in spermatogenesis, sex determination, stem cell renewal, and cancer via removing mono- and di-methyl groups from H3K9 to epigenetically control gene expression. However, its role in prostate cancer progression remains unclear. Here, we found JMJD1A was significantly elevated in prostate cancer tissue compared with matched normal tissue. Ectopic JMJD1A expression in prostate cancer cells promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro, and tumorigenesis in vivo; JMJD1A knockdown exhibited the opposite effects. Mechanically, we revealed that JMJD1A directly interacted with the Snail gene promoter and regulated its transcriptional activity, promoting prostate cancer progression both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, we found that JMJD1A transcriptionally activated Snail expression via H3K9me1 and H3K9me2 demethylation at its special promoter region. In summary, our studies reveal JMJD1A plays an important role in regulating proliferation and progression of prostate cancer cells though Snail, and thus highlight JMJD1A as potential therapeutic target for advanced prostate cancer. IMPLICATIONS: Our studies identify that JMJD1A promotes the proliferation and progression of prostate cancer cells through enabling Snail transcriptional activation, and thus highlight JMJD1A as potential therapeutic target for advanced prostate cancer.

[Study on the relationship between preoperative evaluation, operation and prognosis of microvascular decompression for the treatment of hemifacial spasm]

Objective: To investigate the relationship between preoperative evaluation, surgery and prognosis of microvascular decompression (MVD) for the treatment of hemifacial spasm (HFS). Methods: The clinical data of 128 HFS patients treated with MVD in the department of neurosurgery of Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province were retrospectively analyzed. According to the SMC grading system, the patients were divided into general spasm group and severe spasm group, and the clinical characteristics, offending vessel, prognosis and surgical complications of the two groups were compared. Results: In the general spasm group,the age at MVD was (48.6±10.6) years, the disease duration was (4.2±3.3) years;while in the severe spasm group,the age at MVD was (51.8±9.9) years, the disease duration was (8.1±4.5) years;the differences of age and disease duration between the two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05).In the general spasm group, there were 41 cases in which the offending vessel were AICA, 21 cases were PICA, 1 case was VA, 63 cases were single offending vessel, and 7 cases were multiple offending vessels. In the severe spasm group, there were 29 cases in which the offending vessel were AICA, 13 cases were PICA, 2 cases were VA, the total of 44 cases were single offending vessel and 14 cases were multiple offending vessels.There was a significant difference in the proportion of multiple offending vessels in the two groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Patients in the two groups were followed up for 12 to 32 months after surgery, and the difference in effective rate and recurrence rate was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Some kinds of postoperative complications were different between the two groups, the incidence of postoperative delayed facial paralysis was statistically significant (P<0.05), and the other complications were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the general spasm group, the patients in the severe spasm group were older, with longer disease duration, higher probability of multiple offending vessels and higher incidence of postoperative delayed facial paralysis. Therefore, preoperative SMC grading is helpful for the evaluation and prediction of intraoperative and postoperative conditions, which is worthy of wide clinical application.

Lesions of mediodorsal thalamic nucleus reverse abnormal firing of the medial prefrontal cortex neurons in parkinsonian rats

The dysfunction of the medial prefrontal cortex is associated with affective disorders and non-motor features in Parkinson’s disease. However, the exact role of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus in the function of the prefrontal cortex remains unclear. To study the possible effects of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus on the neurological function of the medial prefrontal cortex, a model of Parkinson’s disease was established by injecting 8 µg 6-hydroxydopamine into the substantia nigra compacta of rats. After 1 or 3 weeks, 0.3 µg ibotenic acid was injected into the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus of the midbrain. At 3 or 5 weeks after the initial injury, neuronal discharge in medial prefrontal cortex of rat brain was determined electrophysiologically. The numbers of dopamine-positive neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in substantia nigra compacta and ventral tegmental area were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results demonstrated that after injury, the immunoreactivity of dopamine neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase decreased in the substantia nigra compacta and ventral tegmental areas of rats. Compared with normal medial prefrontal cortical neurons, at 3 and 5 weeks after substantia nigra compacta injury, the discharge frequency of pyramidal neurons increased and the discharge pattern of these neurons tended to be a burst-discharge, with an increased discharge interval. The discharge frequency of interneurons decreased and the discharge pattern also tended to be a burst-discharge, but the discharge interval was only higher at 3 weeks. At 3 weeks after the combined lesions, the discharge frequency, discharge pattern and discharge interval were restored to a normal level in pyramidal neurons and interneurons in medial prefrontal cortex. These findings have confirmed that mediodorsal thalamic nucleus is involved in regulating neuronal activities of the medial prefrontal cortex. The changes in the function of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus may be associated with the abnormal discharge activity of the medial prefrontal cortex neurons after substantia nigra compacta injury. All experimental procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Xi’an Jiaotong University, China (approval No. XJTULAC2017-067) on August 26, 2017.

[Effects of sodium arsenite exposure on activation and extracellular matrix secretion of human hepatic stellate cells]

Objective: To explore the effects of sodium arsenite (NaAsO(2)) exposure on the activation and extracellular matrix secretion of human hepatic stellate cells, and to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism study of arsenic induced hepatic fibrosis. Methods: Different doses of NaAsO(2) (0.0, 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, 50.0, 100.0 μmol/L) were exposed to human hepatic stellate cell line (Lx-2) for 24, 48 and 72 huors. CCK-8 assay was used to measure cell viability and IC(50) of NaAsO(2) on Lx-2 was then calculated; According to IC(50) results, 0.000, 1.875, 3.750, 7.500, and 15.000 μmol/L of NaAsO(2) were exposed to Lx-2 cells for 24 hours, besides, 7.500 μmol/L of NaAsO(2) was exposed to Lx-2 cells for 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours, then collected cells and culture supernatant; HSC activation-related protein, including α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression levels were detected by Western blot analysis, the main extracellular matrix including laminin (LN) , hyaluronic acid (HA), collagen Ⅳ (COL-Ⅳ) and procollagen Ⅲ(P Ⅲ NP) secretion level was detected by Elisa assay. Results: CCK-8 assay showed that the cell viability of Lx-2 cells were increased obviously at low doses (≤1.0 μmol/L) of arsenic exposure, especially at 48 and 72 h. In contrast, with the increasing doses of arsenic exposure, the survival rate of Lx-2 cell was decreased gradually, and the survival rate of the high-dose (50, 100 μmol/L) arsenic exposure group at 24, 48 and 72 h were significantly lower than 0.0 μmol/L group, P<0.05. The IC(50) of NaAsO(2) on Lx-2 cells at 24, 48, 72 h were calculated as 72.75, 48.19 and 29.95 μmol/L, respectively; The expression levels of HSC activation-related protein showed that, after treated with 1.875, 3.750, 7.500, 15.000 μmol/L NaAsO(2) for 24 h, α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein level were higher than 0.000 μmol/L group. The increased expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 protein were most significant in 7.500 μmol/L NaAsO(2) group (P<0.05). In addition, the expression levels of α-SMA and TGF-β1 also showed a time-dependent increasing in Lx-2 cells after treated with 7.500 μmol/L NaAsO(2) for 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h; Elisa assay showed that after treated with 1.875, 3.750, 7.500, 15.000 μmol/L NaAsO(2) for 24 h, the secretion levels of HA, LN, COL-Ⅳ and PⅢNP were obvious higher than 0.000 μmol/L group (P<0.05). Moreover, the secretion levels of HA, LN, COL-Ⅳ and P Ⅲ NP also showed a time-dependent increased manner in Lx-2 cells after exposed to 7.500 μmol/L NaAsO(2) for 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h (P<0.05). Conclusion: NaAsO(2) exposure to Lx-2 cells can upregulate the expression level of HSC activation-related proteins, induce its further activation, then increase ECM secretion level.

[The expression of programmed death receptor 1 in non-small cell lung cancer and its clinicopathological features and prognosis showed a connection with epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutations]

Objective: To investigate the relationships between the expression of programmed death 1 (PD-1) and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The study also attempted to investigate the clinicopathological features and prognosis in NSCLC patients. Methods: The expression of PD-1 protein in 88 cases of NSCLC tumor tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mutations of EGFR in NSCLC were detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction-Amplification Refractory Mutation System(PCR-ARMS) method. The expression of PD-1 and patients' clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. Results: PD-1 was positive in 63.6%(56/88) NSCLC tumor tissues, which was significantly higher than that in adjacent normal tissues (21.6%, 19/88) (P<0.05). EGFR gene mutations were found in 43 cases (48.9%), in which 30 cases (69.8%)were PD-1 positive expression. 45 cases had the wild types of EGFR gene, in which 26 cases (57.8%) were PD-1 positive. There were 24 cases of 19Del EGFR mutations, including 20 cases (83.3%) of PD-1 positive expression. 19 patients had 21L858 EGFR mutations, including 10 cases (52.6%) of PD-1 positive expression. The expression of PD-1 in NSCLC was related to patients' smoking status, lymph node metastasis and EGFR gene mutations (P<0.05). The median progression-free survival time of patients with PD-1 positive and negative expression was 7.03 and 18.66 months, respectively (P=0.007). In patients with wild-type EGFR gene, the median progression-free survival time of PD-1 positive and negative expression was 25.21 and 38.24 months, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P=0.024). The median progression-free survival time in 43 cases of EGFR mutant patients with PD-1 positive and negative expression was 21.23 and 31.44 months. The difference was not statistically significant (P=0.128). Conclusions: PD-1 expresses in both EGFR mutant and wild-type NSCLC, and its expression levelis different with various EGFR mutations. The expression of PD-1 in NSCLC is related to the prognosis of patients, and the prognosis of patients with positive PD-1 expression was poor.

In vitro effect of IL-17D on human ovarian carcinoma cells and inherent immunity

This study explored the expression of interleukin 17D (IL-17D) secreted by human ovariancarcinoma cells and the effect of exogenous IL-17D transfection on MICA, which is the ligand of NKG2D, on the surface of ovary carcinoma cells. Human ovarian papillary serous adenocarcinoma cell line SKOV3, empty vector control cell line SKOV3/vector, exogenous human IL-17D stable-transfected cell line SKOV3/IL-17D, as well as cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant cell SKOV/CDDP were cultured; ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line OVCAR-3, empty vector control cell line OVCAR3/vector and OVCAE3/IL- 17D were observed under a microscope. In the study, methyl-thiazolyl-tetrazolium (MTT) method was used to detect the inhibition rate, resistance index and proliferation of SKOV3 and SKOV3/CDDP. It was found that the expression of IL-17 D in SKOV3/CDDP was much higher than that of its parent cell line SKOV3; IL-17D might be correlated to the drug resistance of cells; the proliferation of SKOV3 transfected with IL-17D was significantly accelerated, indicating IL-17D may be effective in promoting the growth of oncocyte.

Comprehensive studies of interfacial strain and oxygen vacancy on metal-insulator transition of VO2 film

As a typical strong correlation material, vanadium dioxide (VO2) has attracted wide interest due to its particular metal-insulator transition (MIT) property. However, the relatively high critical temperature (T c) of ~68 °C seriously hinders its practical applications. Thus modulating the phase transition process and decreasing the T c close to room temperature have been hot topics for VO2 study. In the current work, we conducted a multi-approach strategy to control the phase transition of VO2 films, including the interfacial tensile/compressive strain and oxygen vacancies. A synchrotron radiation reciprocal space mapping technique was used to directly record the interfacial strain evolution and variations of lattice parameters. The effects of interfacial strain and oxygen vacancies in the MIT process were systematically investigated based on band structure and d-orbital electron occupation. It was suggested that the MIT behavior can be modulated through the combined effects of the interfacial strain and oxygen vacancies, achieving the distinct phase transition close to room temperature. The current findings not only provide better understanding for strain engineering and oxygen vacancies controlling phase transition behavior, but also supply a combined way to control the phase transition of VO2 film, which is essential for VO2 film based device applications in the future.

[Effect of 5-HT7 receptor agonist on pyramidal neurons in the medial frontal cortex in a rat model of Parkinson's disease]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the activity of pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of normal and 6-OHDA-lesioned rats and the responses of the neurons to 5-hydroxytryptamine-7 (5-HT(7)) receptor stimulation.

METHODS

The changes in spontaneous firing of the pyramidal neurons in the mPFC in response to 5-HT(7) receptor stimulation were observed by extracellular recording in normal and 6-OHDA-lesioned rats.

RESULTS

Both systemic and local administration of 5-HT(7) receptor agonist AS 19 resulted in 3 response patterns (excitation, inhibition and no change) of the pyramidal neurons in the mPFC of normal and 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. In normal rats, the predominant response of the pyramidal neurons to AS 19 stimulation was excitatory, and the inhibitory effect of systemically administered AS 19 was reversed by GABAA receptor antagonist picrotoxinin. In the lesioned rats, systemic administration of AS 19 also increased the mean firing rate of the pyramidal neurons, but the cumulative dose for producing excitation was higher than that in normal rats. Systemic administration of AS 19 produced an inhibitory effect in the lesioned rats, which was partially reversed by picrotoxinin. Local administration of AS 19 at the same dose did not change the ?ring rate of the neurons in the lesioned rats.

CONCLUSION

The activity of mPFC pyramidal neurons is directly or indirectly regulated by 5-HT7 receptor, and degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway leads to decreased response of these neurons to AS 19.

[Effect of sodium nitrite on phosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins and spatial learning and memory in rats]

The present study was aimed to explore the effect of sodium nitrite on cytoskeletal protein phosphorylation and spatial learning and memory in rats. Rats were served with drinking water containing sodium nitrite (100 mg/kg) for 60 days, then, the ability of spatial learning and memory of the rats was measured by Morris water maze. Phosphorylation level of tau and neurofilament, and the expression of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) catalytic subunit in the hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. In comparison with the rats served with normal tap water, the rats served with sodium nitrite water showed significantly longer latency to find the hidden platform in Morris water maze (P < 0.05), elevated phosphorylation level of tau and neurofilament, and decreased expression of PP2A catalytic subunit (P < 0.05). These results indicated that administration of sodium nitrite could impair the spatial learning and memory of the rats, and the hyperphosphorylation of cytoskeletal proteins and the down-regulation of PP2A might be underlying mechanisms for the impairment.

Control of the metal-insulator transition in VO₂ epitaxial film by modifying carrier density

External controlling the phase transition behavior of vanadium dioxide is important to realize its practical applications as energy-efficient electronic devices. Because of its relatively high phase transition temperature of 68 °C, the central challenge for VO2-based electronics, lies in finding an energy efficient way, to modulate the phase transition in a reversible and reproducible manner. In this work, we report an experimental realization of p-n heterojunctions by growing VO2 film on p-type GaN substrate. By adding the bias voltage on the p-n junction, the metal-insulator transition behavior of VO2 film can be changed continuously. It is demonstrated that the phase transition of VO2 film is closely associated with the carrier distribution within the space charge region, which can be directly controlled by the bias voltage. Our findings offer novel opportunities for modulating the phase transition of VO2 film in a reversible way as well as extending the concept of electric-field modulation on other phase transition materials.

[Intraventricular injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine alters neuronal activity of neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex of rat]

The present study is aimed to investigated the firing activity of pyramidal neurons and interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in rats with bilateral intraventricular injection of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) by using in vivo extracellular recording. The results showed that the injection of 5,7-DHT reduced the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) levels in the mPFC and dorsal raphe nucleus in the rats. The firing rate of mPFC pyramidal neurons in rats with 5,7-DHT injection was significantly higher than that of normal rats, and the firing pattern of these neurons also changed significantly towards a more burst-firing, while the injection decreased the firing rate of mPFC interneurons and changed the firing pattern of the interneurons towards a more irregular. These results indicate that the lesions of the serotonergic neurons lead to the changes in the firing activity of mPFC pyramidal neurons and interneurons, suggesting that serotonergic system plays an important role in the regulation of the neuronal activity in the mPFC.

Strain dynamics of ultrathin VO₂ film grown on TiO₂ (001) and the associated phase transition modulation

Tuning the metal insulator transition (MIT) behavior of VO2 film through the interfacial strain is effective for practical applications. However, the mechanism for strain-modulated MIT is still under debate. Here we directly record the strain dynamics of ultrathin VO2 film on TiO2 substrate and reveal the intrinsic modulation process by means of synchrotron radiation and first-principles calculations. It is observed that the MIT process of the obtained VO2 films can be modulated continuously via the interfacial strain. The relationship between the phase transition temperature and the strain evolution is established from the initial film growth. From the interfacial strain dynamics and theoretical calculations, we claim that the electronic orbital occupancy is strongly affected by the interfacial strain, which changes also the electron-electron correlation and controls the phase transition temperature. These findings open the possibility of an active tuning of phase transition for the thin VO2 film through the interfacial lattice engineering.

Microwave-assisted N-Arylation of Indoles via C(sp2)–N(sp2) Bond Formation by Aromatic Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions

Microwave-assisted nucleophilic aromatic substitution on aryl halides with different indoles is described. Moderate to good yields are obtained in short reaction time (25 - 40 min) when coupling indoles with fluoro- and chloro-substituted aryl halides under catalyst-free conditions.

Antifatigue and Antioxidant Activity of Alcoholic Extract from Saussurea involucrata

Fatigue is a noticeable and highly prevalent symptom in tense, industriously, and economically affluent modern society. Therefore, new antifatigue agents to smooth the fatigue feature are an energetic topic. The total ethanol extract (ESI) of Saussurea involucrata Kar et Kir., known as Tian-Shan snow lotus, was evaluated for antifatigue activity in ICR mice with mice forced swimming test and the determination of the contents of blood lactic acid and serum urea nitrogen. ESI (0.05, 0.15, 0.25 g/kg) was administered orally to mice for 4 weeks. The average swimming times to exhaustion of the ESI-treated ICR mice (0.15, 0.25 g/kg) were prolonged by 132% and 180% (p<0.001) with a lessening of fatigue compared with that of the control group. Analysis of biochemical parameters showed that levels of serum urea nitrogen and blood lactic acid of experimental groups were also decreased significantly (p<0.001) compared with that of the control group. The antioxidant activity of ESI was investigated by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging assay and the hydrogen peroxide-induced luminol chemiluminescence assay and the results indicated that ESI exerts DPPH scavenging ability and reducing power. These results provide scientific evidence that S. involucrata may have been potential as an antifatigue agent.

Activation of AMPK by pterostilbene suppresses lipogenesis and cell-cycle progression in p53 positive and negative human prostate cancer cells

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death in men in Western countries. Epidemiological studies have linked the consumption of fruits and vegetables to a reduced risk of prostate cancer, and small fruits are particularly rich sources of many active phytochemical stilbenes, such as pterostilbene. As a constituent of small fruits such as grapes, berries, and their products, pterostilbene is under intense investigation as a cancer chemopreventive agent. Using the p53 wild type LNCaP and p53 null PC3 cells, we found that treatment with pterostilbene resulted in dose-dependent inhibition of cellular proliferation, which suggested that the interaction of pterostilbene with the p53 might not fully explain its inhibitory effect on proliferation. In this study, we found that pterostilbene activated AMPK in both p53 positive and negative human prostate cancer cells. Pterostilbene-activated AMPK decreased the activity and/or expression of lipogenic enzymes, such as fatty acid synthase (FASN) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Interestingly, the resolution between apoptosis and growth arrest following AMPK activation is greatly influenced by p53 status. In p53 positive LNCaP cells, pterostilbene blocked the progression of cell cycle at G1 phase by inducing p53 expression and further up-regulating p21 expression. However, pterostilbene induced apoptosis in p53 negative PC3 cells. Our results suggest that pterostilbene may be a functional chemopreventive agent and that dietary exposure to pterostilbene would be helpful for antiprostate cancer activity.

Synthesis of benzopyrano[4,3-b](N-arylsulfonyl)indoles and benzopyrano[3,4-b](N-arylsulfonyl)indoles via intramolecular palladium-catalyzed aryl-aryl coupling reaction

A series of benzopyrano[3,4-b](N-arylsulfonyl) indole derivatives and benzopyrano[4,3-b](N-arylsulfonyl) indole derivatives were synthesized from 2- or 3-methylindole via intermolecular S( N )2 reaction and subsequent intramolecular palladium-catalyzed aryl-aryl coupling reaction for the first time. It was suggested that, besides using the Fischer cyclization, benzopyrano[4,3-b]indoles and benzopyrano[3,4-b]indoles could also be prepared via intermolecular S( N )2 reaction and sequential intramolecular palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction.

Blockade of mGluR5 reverses abnormal firing of subthalamic nucleus neurons in 6-hydroxydopamine partially lesioned rats

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluRs) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) results in burst-firing activity of STN neurons, which is similar to that observed in Parkinson's disease (PD). We examined the effects of chronic and systemic treatment with 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP), a selective mGluR5 antagonist, in firing activity of STN neurons in partially lesioned rats by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). In 6-OHDA-lesioned rats treated with vehicle, injection of 6-OHDA (4 microg) into the medial forebrain bundle produced a partial lesion causing 36% loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive (TH-ir) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). The 6-OHDA lesion in vehicle-treated rats showed an increasing firing rate and a more irregular firing pattern of STN neurons. Whereas chronic, systemic treatment of MPEP (3 mg/kg/day, 14 days) produced neuroprotecive effects on the TH-ir neurons and normalized the hyperactive firing activity of STN neurons in 6-OHDA partially lesioned rats. These data demonstrate that partial lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway increases firing activity of STN neurons in the rat, and chronic, systemic MPEP treatment has the neuroprotective effect and reverses the abnormal firing activity of STN neurons, suggesting that MPEP has an important implication for the treatment of PD.

In vivo effect of 5-HT₇ receptor agonist on pyramidal neurons in medial frontal cortex of normal and 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats: an electrophysiological study

The 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-7 receptor began to be cloned and pharmacologically characterized close to 20 years ago. It couples positively via G-proteins to adenylyl cyclase and activation of this receptor increases neuronal excitability, and several studies have shown that degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway leads to an impairment of 5-HT system. Here we reported that systemic and local administration of 5-HT₇ receptor agonist AS 19 produced excitation, inhibition and no change in the firing rate of pyramidal neurons in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of normal and 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats. In normal rats, the mean response of the pyramidal neurons to AS 19 by systemic and local administration in mPFC was excitatory. The inhibitory effect by systemic administration of AS 19 was reversed by GABA(A) receptor antagonist picrotoxinin. Systemic administration of picrotoxinin excited all the neurons examined in normal rats, and after treatment with picrotoxinin, the local administration of AS 19 further increased the firing rate of the neurons. In the lesioned rats, systemic administration of AS 19, at the same doses, also increased the mean firing rate of the pyramidal neurons. However, cumulative dose producing excitation in the lesioned rats was higher than that of normal rats. Systemic administration of AS 19 produced inhibitory effect in the lesioned rats, which was partially reversed by picrotoxinin. The local administration of AS 19, at the same dose, did not change the firing rate of the neurons in the lesioned rats. Systemic administration of picrotoxinin and the local administration of AS 19 did not affect the firing rate of the neurons in the lesioned rats. These results indicate that activity of mPFC pyramidal neurons is regulated through activation of 5-HT₇ receptor by direct or indirect action, and degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway leads to decreased response of these neurons to AS 19, suggesting dysfunction and/or down-regulation of 5-HT₇ receptor on the pyramidal neurons and GABA interneurons in the lesioned rats.

Unilateral lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway decreases the response of fast-spiking interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex to 5-HT1A receptor agonist and expression of the receptor in parvalbumin-positive neurons in the rat

5-Hydroxytryptamine(1A) (5-HT(1A)) receptors are expressed in the prefrontal cortical interneurons. Among these interneurons, calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV)-positive fast spiking (FS) interneurons play an important role in regulatory function of the prefrontal cortex. In the present study, the response of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) FS interneurons to the selective 5-HT(1A) receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT and change in expression of 5-HT(1A) receptor on PV-positive neurons were examined in rats with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) by using extracellular recording and double-labeling immunofluorescence histochemistry. Systemic administration of 8-OH-DPAT (1-243 μg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently inhibited the mean firing rate of the FS interneurons in sham-operated and the lesioned rats, respectively. The cumulative doses producing inhibition in the lesioned rats (243 μg/kg) was significantly higher than that of sham-operated rats (27 μg/kg). Furthermore, the local application of 8-OH-DPAT (0.01 μg) in the mPFC inhibited the FS interneurons in sham-operated rats, while having no effect on firing rate of the FS interneurons in the lesioned rats. In contrast to sham-operated rats, the lesion of the SNc in rats did not cause the change of PV-positive neurons in the prelimbic prefrontal cortex, a subregion of the mPFC, whereas the lesion of the SNc markedly reduced in percentage of PV-positive neurons expressing 5-HT(1A) receptors. Our results indicate that degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway results in the decreased response of FS interneurons in the mPFC to 5-HT(1A) receptor stimulation, which attributes to down-regulation of 5-HT(1A) receptor expression in these interneurons.

Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling by Saussurea involucrata, a rare traditional Chinese medicinal herb, in human hormone-resistant prostate cancer PC-3 cells

Prostate carcinoma is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of death of men in the United States. To date, no effective therapeutic treatment allows abrogation of the progression of prostate cancer to more invasive forms. In this study, we identified Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir., a rare traditional Chinese medicinal herb, as a potential agent for androgen-independent prostate cancer patients and investigated its biological mechanism as an antineoplastic agent. S. involucrata caused a concentration- and time-dependent inhibition of cell proliferation in human hormone-resistant prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Moreover, in vitro studies in a panel of several types of human cancer cell lines revealed that S. involucrata inhibited cell proliferation with high potency. To evaluate the bioactive compounds, we successively extracted the S. involucrata with fractions of methanol (SI-1), ethyl acetate (SI-2), n-butanol (SI-3), and water (SI-4). Among these extracts, SI-2 contains the most effective bioactivity. SI-2 treatment resulted in significant time-dependent growth inhibition together with G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PC3 cells. In addition, SI-2 treatment strongly induced p21WAF1/CIP and p27KIP1 expression, independent of the p53 pathway, and downregulated expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4). SI-2 treatment increased levels of Bax, cytochrome c, activated caspase-3, and active caspase-9 and decreased Bcl-2 expression level. One of the major targets for the therapy in prostate cancer can be epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). SI-2 markedly reduced phosphorylation of EGFR and inhibited activation of AKT and STAT3. Moreover, p.o. administration of SI-2 induced a dose-dependent inhibition of PC-3 tumor growth in vivo. In summary, our study identifies S. involucrata as an effective inhibitor of EGFR signaling in human hormone-resistant prostate cancer PC-3 cells. We suggest that S. involucrata could be developed as an agent for the management of EGFR-positive human cancers.

One-pot N-arylation of indoles directly from N-arylsulfonylindoles via consecutive deprotection and S(N)Ar Reactions with activated Aryl halides

An efficient one-pot step by step t-BuOK-mediated procedure for the synthesis of N-arylindoles has been developed in moderate to good yields. The protocol involves the consecutive deprotection of N-arylsulfonylindoles as latent indoles and subsequent S(N)Ar reactions with activated aryl halides. This tandem reaction affords an efficient and convenient preparation of N-arylindoles that benefit from prior indoles protection by arylsulfonyl group, and can shorten a reaction sequence and improve synthetic efficiency.

Serum KL-6 differentiates neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy from the inborn errors of surfactant metabolism

BACKGROUND

The study was conducted in order to determine if the glycoprotein KL-6 is a useful biomarker in differentiating neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia of infancy (NEHI), a benign form of children's interstitial lung disease, from the more severe inborn errors of surfactant metabolism (IESM), since their clinical presentation can be similar.

METHODS

Serum KL-6 levels were measured in 10 healthy control children, 6 with NEHI and 13 with IESM (4 with surfactant protein C (SP-C) and 9 with ABCA3 mutations). The initial clinical presentation, findings on previous CT scans and interstitial lung disease (ILD) scores at the time of KL-6 testing were compared. Correlations of KL-6 levels with age and with interval from lung biopsy were evaluated.

RESULTS

The median (range) KL-6 levels were 265 (1-409), 194 (47-352), 1149 (593-4407) and 3068 (726-9912) U/ml for the control, NEHI, SP-C and ABCA3 groups, respectively. When compared with the control and NEHI groups, median KL-6 levels were significantly higher in the SP-C (p<0.01; p = 0.01, respectively) and ABCA3 groups (p<0.001; p = 0.001, respectively); however, there was no difference between the control and NEHI groups (p = 0.91). An inverse relationship was seen between KL-6 levels and age in the IESM groups, but not in the NEHI or control groups. Children with NEHI had similar presenting clinical features and were equally symptomatic at the time of KL-6 measurement as those with IESM.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with NEHI have normal KL-6 levels, in contrast to those with IESM, who have elevated serum KL-6 levels; serum KL-6 may be a useful biomarker in distinguishing between these entities when their clinical presentations overlap.

Effects of quercetin on hyper-proliferation of gastric mucosal cells in rats treated with chronic oral ethanol through the reactive oxygen species-nitric oxide pathway

AIM: To investigate the effect of quercetin (3,3’,4’,5,7-pentahydroxy flavone), a major flavonoid in human diet, on hyper-proliferation of gastric mucosal cells in rats treated with chronic oral ethanol.

METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200-250 g, were randomly divided into control group (tap water ad libitum), ethanol treatment group (6 mL/L ethanol), quercetin treatment group (intragastric gavage with 100 mg/kg of quercetin per day), and ethanol plus quercetin treatment group (quercetin and 6 mL/L ethanol). Expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Cyclin D1 were detected by Western blot to assay gastric mucosal cell proliferation in rats. To demonstrate the influence of quercetin on the production of extra-cellular reactive oxygen species/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) in rats, changes in levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), protein carbonyl, nitrite and nitrate (NOx) and nitrotyrosine (NT) were determined. The activity of inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS) including iNOS and nNOS was also detected by Western blot.

RESULTS: Compared to control animals, cell proliferation in the gastric mucosa of animals subjected to ethanol treatment for 7 days was significant increased (increased to 290% for PCNA density P < 0.05, increased to 150 for Cyclin D1 density P < 0.05 and 21.6 ± 0.8 vs 42.3 ± 0.7 for PCNA positive cells per view field), accompanied by an increase in ROS generation (1.298 ± 0.135 &mgr;mol vs 1.772 ± 0.078 &mgr;mol for TBARS P < 0.05; 4.36 ± 0.39 mmol vs 7.48 ± 0.40 mmol for carbonyl contents P < 0.05) and decrease in NO generation (11.334 ± 0.467 &mgr;mol vs 7.978 ± 0.334 &mgr;mol P < 0.01 for NOx; 8.986 ± 1.351 &mgr;mol vs 6.854 ± 0.460 &mgr;mol for nitrotyrosine P < 0.01) and nNOS activity (decreased to 43% P < 0.05). This function was abolished by the co-administration of quercetin.

CONCLUSION: The antioxidant action of quercetin relies, in part, on its ability to stimulate nNOS and enhance production of NO that would interact with endogenously produced reactive oxygen to inhibit hyper-proliferation of gastric mucosal cells in rats treated with chronic oral ethanol.

Clinical, radiological and pathological features of ABCA3 mutations in children

BACKGROUND

Mutations in the ABCA3 gene can result in fatal surfactant deficiency in term newborn infants and chronic interstitial lung disease in older children. Previous studies on ABCA3 mutations have focused primarily on the genetic abnormalities and reported limited clinical information about the resultant disease. A study was undertaken to analyse systematically the clinical presentation, pulmonary function, diagnostic imaging, pathological features and outcomes of children with ABCA3 mutations.

METHODS

The records of nine children with ABCA3 mutations evaluated at Texas Children's Hospital between 1992 and 2005 were reviewed and their current clinical status updated. Previous diagnostic imaging studies and lung biopsy specimens were re-examined. The results of DNA analyses were confirmed.

RESULTS

Age at symptom onset ranged from birth to 4 years. Cough, crackles, failure to thrive and clubbing were frequent findings. Mean lung function was low but tended to remain static. CT scans commonly revealed ground-glass opacification, septal thickening, parenchymal cysts and pectus excavatum. Histopathological patterns included pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, desquamative interstitial pneumonitis and non-specific interstitial pneumonitis, and varied with age. Dense abnormalities of lamellar bodies, characteristic of ABCA3 mutations, were seen by electron microscopy in all adequate specimens. Outcomes varied with the age at which the severity of lung disease warranted open lung biopsy, and some patients have had prolonged survival without lung transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

The presentation and course of interstitial lung disease due to ABCA3 mutations are variable, and open lung biopsy and genetic testing are warranted early in the evaluation of children with a consistent clinical picture.

Chronic ethanol feeding alters the epithelial cell proliferation and apoptosis in rat gastric mucosa

We developed a chronic drinking rat model to investigate the long-term effects of ethanol feeding on cell proliferation and apoptosis in rat stomach. Adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats received either an isocaloric control or drinking water containing 6% (v/v) ethanol as their only water intake for 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days. At the end of each feeding period, animals were sacrificed and the stomach was dissected for the sample preparation. The cell proliferation and apoptosis in gastric mucosa of rats in different groups were analyzed by flow cytometer, immunohistochemistry and computer image analysis. In the flow cytometric study, compared with the control, the cell apoptosis in gastric mucosa of the rats was enhanced during the exposure to the ethanol in 3rd to 28th day. Otherwise the cell proliferation was increased in 3rd to 14th days, and decreased in 28th days, respectively. The results were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and computer image analysis studied. This finding suggested that short-term chronic adequate alcohol intake may enhance the cell turnover of gastric mucosa. Long-term stimulus with the low concentration ethanol may cause the impairment of the cell turnover function of the gastric mucosa and may be one of the mechanisms underlying the gastric pathology associated with alcohol abuse.

Insights into post-infectious bronchiolitis obliterans in children

New information contributing to our understanding of risk factors predisposing to bronchiolitis obliterans in children

Time course of hemosiderin production by alveolar macrophages in a murine model

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The diagnosis of alveolar hemorrhage is assisted by the presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages (HLMs) in the BAL fluid or lung tissue. Despite the importance of this diagnostic method in clinical settings, limited information is available on the formation and clearance of HLMs as a function of time. The objectives of this study are to determine the time course of HLMs within the BAL and lung tissue, and to evaluate the effect of a single blood aspiration on the recruitment of inflammatory cells within the BAL.

DESIGN

Under light anesthesia, Balb/c mice received a single intranasal instillation of species-specific blood (50 microL). Control animals received heparinized sterile saline solution in a similar manner. At several time points after blood aspiration, BAL was recovered for cell differentials and determination of HLMs. The time course for HLMs was also established in the lung tissue.

RESULTS

Hemosiderin staining within alveolar macrophages was first detected in the BAL and lung tissue at day 3, peaked at day 7, and persisted through 2 months. The analysis of the BAL revealed an increased number of total cells, with an acute inflammatory reaction that resolved within 2 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate the validity of this model for the study of HLM production after blood aspiration. Additional work using animal models of lung hemorrhage is needed to further characterize the cellular events leading to clearance of erythrocytes within the lung.

Recurrent milk aspiration produces changes in airway mechanics, lung eosinophilia, and goblet cell hyperplasia in a murine model

Recurrent aspiration of milk into the respiratory tract has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of inflammatory lung disorders including asthma. However, the lack of animal models of aspiration-induced lung injury has limited our knowledge of the pathophysiological characteristics of this disorder. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of recurrent milk aspiration on airway mechanics and lung cells in a murine model. Under light anesthesia, BALB/c mice received daily intranasal instillations of whole cow's milk (n = 7) or sterile physiologic saline (n = 9) for 10 d. Respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and dynamic elastance (Edyn,rs) were measured in anesthetized, tracheotomized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated mice 24 h after the last aspiration of milk. Rrs and Edyn,rs were derived from transrespiratory and plethysmographic pressure signals. In addition, airway responses to increasing concentrations of i.v. methacholine (Mch) were determined. Airway responses were measured in terms of PD(100) (dose of Mch causing 100% increase from baseline Rrs) and Rrs,max (% increase from baseline at the maximal plateau response) and expressed as % control (mean +/- SE). We found recurrent milk aspiration did not affect Edyn and baseline Rrs values. However, airway responses to Mch were increased after milk aspiration when compared with control mice. These changes in airway mechanics were associated with an increased percentage of lymphocytes and eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage, mucus production, and lung inflammation. Our findings suggest that recurrent milk aspiration leads to alterations in airway function, lung eosinophilia, and goblet cell hyperplasia in a murine model.

Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia syndromes in children

Pulmonary infiltrates with eosinophilia (PIE) are a group of heterogeneous disorders having the common findings of lung disease and eosinophilia in the peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, or pulmonary interstitium. Eleven cases of PIE syndromes were identified through a retrospective and prospective chart review: drug-induced (2), acute eosinophilic pneumonia (3), infant pulmonary eosinophilia (2), parasite-induced (2), Churg-Strauss syndrome (1), and atypical chronic PIE (1). Patient demographics, clinical presentation, and disease severity varied considerably among groups. Therapeutic interventions included bronchodilators (10), oxygen (7), corticosteroids (9), and mechanical ventilation (3). A single patient with acute eosinophilic pneumonia died. Our experience suggests that PIE syndromes are rare in childhood and that clinical presentation can vary widely. Because of the potential for significant morbidity and mortality, aggressive diagnostic evaluations are warranted, particularly in children with respiratory failure of unknown etiology.

Selective inhibition of inducible nitric oxide in ischemia-reperfusion of rat small intestine

PURPOSE

We investigated the role of constitutive and inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthases in intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by observing the alterations in hemodynamics and intestinal microcirculation in response to I/R in rats, with or without inhibitors of NO synthases.

METHODS

Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 9/group) received a standard I/R procedure alone: I/R plus intravenous administration of aminoguanidine (an inhibitor of inducible NO synthase); I/R plus L-NAME (NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, an inhibitor of constitutive and inducible NO synthase); IR + L-Arg (L-arginine, an NO precursor); or a sham operation plus the vehicle. The I/R procedure was performed by clamping the perfusion vessels of a segment of the terminal ileum, and medication was administered intravenously before and after intestinal ischemia. The intestinal perfusion and leukocyte-endothelial interactions were evaluated with in vivo microscopy and laser Doppler flowmetry. Surface expression of CD11b (an adhesion molecule) of circulating granulocytes was measured with flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Intestinal I/R produced circulatory alterations, intestinal microcirculatory derangement, energy depletion, and lipid peroxidation. Aminoguanidine significantly attenuated the reperfusion-related depression of mean arterial pressure (MAP), the decrease in intestinal perfusion index, the decrease in tissue ATP preservation, the increase in tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and the expression of CD11b of circulating granulocytes. Administration of L-NAME had only minor and transient effects on reperfusion-related changes of MAP, intestinal flux, numbers of adherent leukocytes, and CD11b expression, but had some protective effects on tissue MDA and adenosine triphosphate levels and flow velocity. L-Arg further decreased the MAP but did not affect reperfusion-related variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show that the selective inhibition of inducible NO synthase by aminoguanidine attenuates the hemodynamic and microcirculatory derangement that results from intestinal I/R.