Caspase-1 deletion reveals pyroptosis participates in neural damage induced by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in tMCAO model mice

Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, drives inflammation in the context of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The molecular mechanism of pyroptosis underlying ischemia/reperfusion, however, is not fully understood. The transient middle cerebral artery occlusion was applied to wild-type and caspase-1 knockout mice. 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride-staining and immunohistochemistry were used to identify the ischemic region, and western blot and immunofluorescence for the examination of neuronal pyroptosis. The expression of inflammatory factors and the behavioral function assessments were further conducted to examine the effects of caspase-1 knockout on protection against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Ischemia/reperfusion injury increased pyroptosis-related signals represented by the overexpression of pyroptosis-related proteins including caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD). Meanwhile, the number of GSDMD positive neurons increased in penumbra by immunofluorescence staining. Compared with wild-type mice, those with caspase-1 knockout exhibited decreased levels of pyroptosis-related proteins following ischemia/reperfusion. Furthermore, ischemia/reperfusion attack-induced brain infarction, cerebral edema, inflammatory factors, and neurological outcomes were partially improved in caspase-1 knockout mice. The data indicate that pyroptosis participates in ischemia/reperfusion induced-damage, and the caspase-1 might be involved, it provides some new insights into the molecular mechanism of ischemia.

[Cost-effectiveness of pharmaceutical smoking cessation intervention in China primary cancer prevention]

Objectives: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of typical pharmaceutical smoking cessation intervention strategies in China in the context of primary cancer prevention. Methods: Markov cohort simulation models were established to simulate the burden of 12 smoking caused cancer, including lung cancer, oral cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, and acute myeloid leukemia. Taking incremental cost effectiveness ratio (ICER) as the main indicator, the model sets one year as the cycling period for 50 periods and simulates the cohort of 10 000 thirty-five-year-old current smokers with various smoking cessation strategies. To ensure the robustness of conclusion, univariate sensitivity analysis, probability sensitivity analysis, and age-group sensitivity analysis were conducted. Results: The results showed that varenicline intervention was the most cost-effective intervention. Compared to the next most effective option, incremental cost of each additional quality-adjusted life year is 11 140.28 yuan, which is below the threshold of willingness to pay (1 year GDP per capita). The value of ICER increased as the increasing age group of adopting intervention, but neither exceeded the threshold of willingness to pay. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the value of discount rate, the hazard ratio and cost of intervention strategy had a greater impact on the result of ICER. Conclusion: In China, the use of varenicline to quit smoking is highly cost effective in the context of cancer primary prevention, especially for younger smokers.

[Prevalence and risk factors for pterygium in six rural regions of Yunnan Province]

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of pterygium in the rural population aged 40 years and above of 12 ethnic groups in 6 regions of Yunnan Province. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. According to the method of multistage stratified sampling, samples of the rural population aged 40 years and above were collected from 12 ethnic groups (Han, Yi, Tibetan, Lisu, Bai, Naxi, Zhuang, Miao, Dai, Jingpo, Hani, and Lahu) in six areas (Diqing, Lijiang, Wenshan, Dehong, and Pu'er) of Yunnan Province from March 2019 to November 2019. Anterior segment examination was carried out in the target population with a hand-held slit-lamp, according to which pterygium was diagnosed, while the posterior segment of the eye was assessed by direct ophthalmoscopy. A field questionnaire survey was also conducted. A two-level model was used to study the effects of the location, nationality, sex, age, occupation, outdoor activities, smoking, and alcohol consumption on the prevalence of pterygium, with the ethnic group as the high level and the individual as the low level. Results: Among 9 617 subjects, the total prevalence rate of pterygium was 22.6%, which was adjusted to 19.6% according to the age and gender data of the Statistics Bureau of Yunnan Province. There was significant difference in prevalence of pterygium among six regions after adjusting for age and sex (χ²=146.50, P<0.001). The prevalence of pterygium was the highest in Wenshan (29.4%), followed by Chuxiong (24.4%), Diqing (17.5%), Pu'er (17.5%), Dehong (15.8%), and Lijiang (15.7%) (χ²=146.50, P<0.001). The results of the single factor analysis showed that there was statistically significant difference among different groups of age, gender, nationality, location, history of smoking, drinking, eating habits, sleeping time, continuous use of eye drops, temperature, humidity, altitude, longitude, latitude, and ultraviolet ray (P<0.05). However, the results of the multivariate analysis showed that the main risk factors of pterygium were female(OR=1.357,95%CI:1.173~1.568), advanced age(OR=1.540,95%CI:1.301~1.823), location(OR=1.713,95%CI:1.000~2.667), continuous use of eye drops(OR=1.177,95%CI:1.034~1.340), and more than 40 years of alcohol drinking(OR=1.525, 95%CI: 1.108~2.099), and the protective factor was more than 40 years of smoking(OR=0.723,95%CI:0.544~0.960). Conclusions: The prevalence of pterygium varies greatly among different regions in Yunnan Province. The main factors affecting the prevalence are sex, age, region, smoking history, and drinking history.

Ischemic accumulation of succinate induces Cdc42 succinylation and inhibits neural stem cell proliferation after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion

Ischemic accumulation of succinate causes cerebral damage by excess production of reactive oxygen species. However, it is unknown whether ischemic accumulation of succinate affects neural stem cell proliferation. In this study, we established a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. We found that succinate levels increased in serum and brain tissue (cortex and hippocampus) after ischemia/reperfusion injury. Oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation stimulated primary neural stem cells to produce abundant succinate. Succinate can be converted into diethyl succinate in cells. Exogenous diethyl succinate inhibited the proliferation of mouse-derived C17.2 neural stem cells and increased the infarct volume in the rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Exogenous diethyl succinate also increased the succinylation of the Rho family GTPase Cdc42 but repressed Cdc42 GTPase activity in C17.2 cells. Increasing Cdc42 succinylation by knockdown of the desuccinylase Sirt5 also inhibited Cdc42 GTPase activity in C17.2 cells. Our findings suggest that ischemic accumulation of succinate decreases Cdc42 GTPase activity by induction of Cdc42 succinylation, which inhibits the proliferation of neural stem cells and aggravates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

[Therapeutic effect of amniotic membrane-fibrin sealant cement on severe ocular surface alkali burn in rabbits]

Objective To prepare a biologically active amniotic membrane powder and explore its preservation conditions, and to evaluate the efficacy of the amniotic membrane (AM)-fibrin sealant (FS) cement made from the amniotic powder on the rabbit severe ocular surface alkali burn model. Methods Experimental research. Fresh AM was air-dried, cooled with liquid nitrogen, ground into amniotic powder and sterilized by radiation. The expression of transformed growth factor, nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) after preparation and 10, 20 and 30 days after storage at room temperature, 4 ℃ and -20 ℃ was tested and compared with that in the fresh AM. The AM-FS cement containing different concentrations of amniotic powder and no amniotic powder was diluted. Rabbit corneal epithelial cells were cultured for 72 hours. The effects of different concentrations of amniotic powder on epithelial cell growth were observed by light microscopy, and the amniotic powder concentration with the largest absorbance value at 450 nm was selected for subsequent animal experiments. Thirty-two right eyes of 32 rabbits as the severe ocular surface alkali burn model were divided using the random counting method into the AM-FS cement group, fresh AM transplantation group, FS group and antibiotic control group (8 rabbits each group) and given different interventions. After weekly observation of corneal repair, hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining of monocyte chemotaxis protein 1 (MCP-1)and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were performed and detected by light microscopy at 28 days. The logFC values of the growth factor or receptor expression difference ratio were corrected by BH; the data were analyzed by t-test and analysis of variance. Results: The expression of TGF in the amniotic membrane powder compared with the fresh amniotic membrane group (logFC=-0.11), and the expression of NGFR (HGF, EGF, bFGF) was higher than that of the fresh amniotic membrane group (logFC=-2.07, 0.72, 0.46, 2.62; P<0.05); the expression of HGF, bFGF and EGF in amniotic membrane powder stored for 10 days and 20 days were no lower than fresh amniotic membrane; at 30 days, the expression of growth factors or receptors except HGF and bFGF were decreased, and HGF, bFGF and EGF were no less than 4 ℃ and -20 ℃.The maximum A value was obtained for 0.25 mg/ml of the amniotic membrane powder after 72 hours of the CEC culture 0.98±0.05. The corneal recovery was better in the AM-FS and fresh amniotic membrane transplant groups, with corneal turbidity scores of 3.75±0.46 and 3.50±0.46, respectively, on 28 days, lower than antibiotics (4.29±0.45) (t=2.480, 3.629; P=0.019, 0.001). The corneal neovascular area in the antibiotic control group was compared with the other three groups (t=4.040, 4.339, 2.820; all P<0.001); the corneal neovascular area in the AM-FS group was (9.88±0.20) and (18.96±0.18) mm² at 7 and 28 days. The corneal neovascularization area at 7 and 28 days in the fresh AM group [(9.54±0.22) and (18.08±0.96) mm²] was smaller than the AM-FS group (t=3.085, 3.017, P=0.005, 0.005). Despite the tiny statistical difference (0.34, 0.88), there was no clinical difference. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed corneal structures were intact in the AM-FS and fresh AM groups, the epithelial arrangement became normal, and the corneal healing was superior to the FS and antibiotic control groups. Immunohistochemistry showed that the positive expression of VEGF in the fresh AM group was weaker than that in the remaining three groups. MCP-1 was expressed to a similar extent in the AM-FS and fresh AM groups. Conclusions: The active cytokine had high expression and stable properties at room temperature. The AM-FS cement containing 0.25 mg/ml amniotic powder can promote the repair of corneal epithelium, reduce inflammatory reaction and corneal neovascularization after alkali burning in rabbit eyes.

[Clinicopathological features of low-grade oncocytic renal tumor (CD117-negative, cytokeratin 7-positive): report of seven cases]

Objective: To explore clinicopathological features of low-grade oncocytic tumor (LOT) of the kidney and to analyze its relationship to hybrid oncocytic/chromophobe tumor (HOCT) of the kidney, renal oncocytoma (RO), and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC). Methods: Seven LOTs were identified from the pathologic archives of two hospitals, including Xiangya Hospital (5 cases) and the Second Xiangya Hospital (2 cases) of Central South University between 2012 and 2019. Clinical data of the LOTs were collected. The tumor morphology was analyzed and immunohistochemistry was performed. Results: All LOTs occurred in adults, aged from 49 to 72 years (median 56.0 years, mean 60.7 years). The tumor size ranged from 2.5 to 6.0 cm (median 4.3 cm, mean 4.3 cm). There were three male and four female patients. Three cases occurred in the left kidney and four in the right. All the tumors were solitary lesions without the clinicopathologic background of Birt-Hogg-Dubé (BHD) syndrome or oncocytosis. Five patients had available follow-up data (follow-up period 23-95 months, median 69.0 months, mean 64.6 months) and all were alive without disease. Microscopically, all LOTs were well-circumscribed (7/7). Three LOTs were partly encapsulated. The tumors demonstrated a predominant growth pattern comprising prominently compact small nests surrounded by delicately branching thin-walled blood vessels, imparting an organoid architecture (7/7), but variable numbers of glandular or gland-like structures were often seen among the small nests (7/7). There were frequently areas with loose, edematous stroma, and the tumor cells exhibited reticular, trabecular, or single cell arrangements (6/7). Focal hemorrhage was also commonly present in both compact and loose areas (5/7). In addition, focally cystic formation and ossification occurred in the compact area of one case and in the loose area of another case. The tumor cells in LOT showed intermediate cytologic characteristics between RO and chRCC, including abundantly eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, ovoid to round nuclei with mostly smooth contours, discernable small nucleoli (RO features), frequently delicate perinuclear halos, and occasional binucleation (chRCC features). The tumors were typically CK7-positive and CD117-negative (7/7), and variable staining for PAX8 (5/7), P504s (2/7), and vimentin (1/7). They were negative for CK20, CD10 and FOXI1. All tumors retained SDHB immunostaining. Conclusions: LOT is a rare and indolent oncocytic renal tumor with homogeneously intermediate cytologic features between RO and chRCC. There are some clinicopathologic overlaps between LOT and sporadic HOCT. The distinctive morphology and immunophenotype of LOT suggest that it is potentially a distinct tumor entity.

Momordica charantia Exosome-Like Nanoparticles Exert Neuroprotective Effects Against Ischemic Brain Injury via Inhibiting Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 and Activating the AKT/GSK3β Signaling Pathway

Plant exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) have shown great potential in treating tumor and inflammatory diseases, but the neuroprotective effect of plant ELNs remains unknown. In the present study, we isolated and characterized novel ELNs from Momordica charantia (MC) and investigated their neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present study, MC-ELNs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and MC-ELN injection intravenously. The integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) was examined by Evans blue staining and with the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), claudin-5, and ZO-1. Neuronal apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL and the expression of apoptotic proteins including Bcl2, Bax, and cleaved caspase 3. The major discoveries include: 1) Dil-labeled MC-ELNs were identified in the infarct area; 2) MC-ELN treatment significantly ameliorated BBB disruption, decreased infarct sizes, and reduced neurological deficit scores; 3) MC-ELN treatment obviously downregulated the expression of MMP-9 and upregulated the expression of ZO-1 and claudin-5. Small RNA-sequencing revealed that MC-ELN-derived miRNA5266 reduced MMP-9 expression. Furthermore, MC-ELN treatment significantly upregulated the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway and attenuated neuronal apoptosis in HT22 cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that MC-ELNs attenuate ischemia-reperfusion–induced damage to the BBB and inhibit neuronal apoptosis probably via the upregulation of the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway.

[A predictive model based on risk factors for early mortality in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma]

目的

分析影响初治多发性骨髓瘤（NDMM）患者早期死亡（EM）的因素，建立其预测模型，以期识别EM风险。

方法

回顾性分析2009年5月至2017年1月吉林大学白求恩第一医院收治的275例NDMM患者，对6个月（EM6）、12个月（EM12）及24个月（EM24）内死亡患者初诊时基线特征进行单因素分析，并根据多因素分析结果建立EM的预测模型。

结果

本研究中EM6、EM12及EM24的发生率分别是5.5%、12.7%和30.2%；最常见的死亡原因为疾病复发/进展，在EM6、EM12及EM24中分别占60.0%、77.1%及84.3%。影响EM6的因素包括经白蛋白校正的血清钙（校正钙）>2.75 mmol/L和PLT<100×10⁹/L；影响EM12的因素包括年龄>75岁、国际分期系统（ISS） Ⅲ期、修订版国际分期系统（R-ISS） Ⅲ期、校正钙>2.75 mmol/L、血清肌酐>177 µmol/L、PLT<100×10⁹/L及骨髓浆细胞比例≥60%；影响EM24的因素中，除上述影响EM12的因素外，还包括男性和染色体核型1q+。多因素分析尚未发现EM6和EM12的独立预后因素。在EM24的多因素分析中，年龄>75岁、PLT<100×10⁹/L和染色体核型1q+是EM24的独立预后因素。根据Logistic回归系数赋分：年龄>75岁：1分；PLT<100×10⁹/L：2分；染色体核型1q+：1分，建立EM24预测模型，ROC曲线下面积为0.709（95%CI 0.626~0.793）。积分≥3分的患者24个月内死亡风险是0~2分患者的26倍，积分0~4分的NDMM患者中位总生存期分别为59、41、22、17.5及16个月（P<0.001）。

结论

年龄>75岁、PLT<100×10⁹/L和染色体核型1q+为EM24的独立预后因素，依据上述变量构建的EM24预测模型有助于识别EM风险和预测生存，具有较好标准度与区分度。

Astrocytic Kir6.1 deletion aggravates neurodegeneration in the lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease via astrocyte-neuron cross talk through complement C3-C3R signaling

Complement pathway over-activation has been implicated in a variety of neurological diseases. However, the signaling pathways governing astrocytic complement activation in Parkinson's disease (PD) are poorly understood. Kir6.1, a pore-forming subunit of ATP-sensitive potassium (K-ATP) channel, is prominently expressed in astrocytes and exhibits anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we hypothesize that Kir6.1/K-ATP channel may regulate astrocytic complement activation in the pathogenesis of PD. In this study, astrocytic Kir6.1 knockout (KO) mice were used to examine the effect of astrocytic Kir6.1/K-ATP channel on astrocytic complement activation triggered by the lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Here, we found that astrocytic Kir6.1 KO mice showed more dopaminergic neuron loss and more astrocyte reactivity in substantia nigra compacta than controls. We also found that astrocytic Kir6.1 KO increased the expression of complement C3 in astrocytes in LPS-induced mouse model of PD. Mechanistically, astrocytic Kir6.1 KO promoted astroglial NF-κB activation to elicit extracellular release of C3, which in turn interacted with neuronal C3aR to induce neuron death. Blocking complement function by NF-κB inhibitor or C3aR antagonist rescued the aggravated neuron death induced by Kir6.1 KO. Collectively, our findings reveal that astrocytic Kir6.1/K-ATP channel prevents neurodegeneration in PD via astrocyte-neuron cross talk through NF-κB/C3/C3aR signaling and suggest that targeting astroglial Kir6.1/K-ATP channel-NF-κB-C3-neuronal C3aR signaling represents a novel therapeutic strategy for PD.

[HIV self-testing reagent use in pre-exposure prophylaxis and related factors in men who have sex with men]

Objective: To understand the current status of HIV self-testing reagent use in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and related factors in men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods: From December 2018 to December 2019, "Gold data" online platform (www.jinshuju.com) was used to conduct multicenter PrEP studies in Shenyang, Beijing, Chongqing and Shenzhen of China. Results: A total of 1 222 MSM PrEP users were included in the multicenter study. The average age of the participants was (31.5±8.7) years, and the number of sexual partners in the past three months was 3 (P₂₅,P₇₅:2,6). The proportions of those who did not use condoms in anal sex with fixed, casual and commercial partners were 62.7% (456/727), 56.3% (440/781) and 41.0% (16/39), respectively. Up to 74.5% (910/1 222) of participants had used HIV self-testing reagents, and the number of HIV self-testing during last year was 3 (P₂₅,P₇₅:2,5). The multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that compared with age group >40 years, those with education level of junior high school or below, those with psychological identity as female, event driven PrEP users, those never using new type drugs in past 3 months, the participants aged 18- years (aOR=2.06, 95%CI: 1.35-3.14), 26- years (aOR=2.72, 95%CI: 1.77-4.17), 31- years (aOR=1.76, 95%CI: 1.19-2.59), undergraduates (aOR=2.18, 95%CI: 1.35-3.49), graduate students and above (aOR=3.06, 95%CI: 1.69-5.54), those with psychological identity as male (aOR=3.22, 95%CI: 1.55-6.70), daily PrEP users (aOR=1.35, 95%CI: 1.03-1.78), and new type drug users in the past three months (aOR=1.72, 95%CI: 1.30-2.28) had higher proportions of HIV self-testing behaviors. Conclusions: The proportion of HIV self-testing in MSM PrEP users was high, while it was relatively low in older age group, event driven PrEP users and MSM never using new type drugs. To assess and improve the effectiveness and compliance of PrEPs, it is necessary to provide better HIV self-testing service for MSM with low HIV self-testing rate.

[Clinical features and pathological analysis of lacrimal gland occupying lesions in 91 cases]

Objective: To analyze the pathogenesis, histopathological classification and clinical features of lacrimal gland occupying lesions. Methods: This was a retrospective case series study. Clinical data of 91 patients (102 eyes) with lacrimal gland area occupying diseases who received ophthalmic surgery in the Second People's Hospital of Yunnan Province from January 2014 to November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including patients' age, reasons for treatment, gender, imageological examination data and pathological diagnosis results. All patients had more than one medical imaging examination results and histopathological diagnosis results. Results: Among 91 cases, 46 patients (50.5%) were male and 45 (49.5%) were female. The age distribution ranged from 1.1 years to 72 years old, with an average age of 43 years. All of benign tumors added up to 58 cases (63.7%). Pleomorphic adenoma (43 cases, 47.3%), dermoid cyst (6 cases, 6.6%), and inflammatory pseudotumor (6 cases, 6.6%) were the most common cases in the benign lacrimal gland occupying tumors. There were 33 cases (36.3%) of malignant tumors. Adenoid cystic carcinoma (15 cases, 16.5%), adenocarcinoma (6 cases, 6.6%) and lymphoma (5 cases, 5.5%) had the highest incidence among the malignant lacrimal gland occupying tumors. The most common reason for seeking medical treatment was exophthalmos (50 cases, 54.9%; 30 cases were pleomorphic adenoma). Brow arch mass (22 cases, 24.2%) and pain in and around the eye (9 cases, 9.9%; 5 cases were adenoid cystic carcinoma) were also major reasons. Conclusions: The most common benign lacrimal gland area occupying lesion in surgery patients of Yunnan is pleomorphic adenoma, which more occurred in patients with exophthalmos as the main symptoms. The most common malignant tumor in the lacrimal gland area is adenoid cystic carcinoma and the most common reason to seek medical advice was pain in and around the eye. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55:842-846).

[Expression of autophagy-related proteins in cortical nodules of tuberous sclerosis complex]

Objective: To investigate the expression of LC3B, p-AMPKα and p27 in cortical tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Methods: Nineteen specimens of surgically resected TSC cortical tubers were collected at Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, from 2014 to 2017. The expression of the three proteins in the lesions and the adjacent relatively normal regions was detected by immunohistochemical staining (EnVision two-step method). Results: LC3B was mainly expressed in the dysmorphic neuron and giant cell in TSC cortical tubers and in the adjacent relatively normal neurons, and the expression was diffuse or perinuclear cytoplasmic. There was no significant difference in the average optical density between abnormal cells and neurons adjacent to the lesions (0.343±0.195 vs. 0.419±0.088, P>0.05). p-AMPKα was localized in the cytoplasm of dysmorphic neurons and giant cell in TSC cortical tubers. The average optical density of abnormal cells in the lesions was significantly higher than that of neurons adjacent to the lesions (0.306±0.123 vs. 0.233±0.654, P<0.05). P27 showed nuclear positivity, mainly expressed in the neurons and glial cells close to TSC cortical tubers, while the positive rate in the abnormal cells in TSC cortical tubers was low (15/19 vs. 7/19, P<0.05). Conclusion: There is no significant decrease in the level of autophagy in dysmorphic neurons and giant cells in TSC cortical tubers, which may be related to the compensatory mechanism of AMPK signaling pathway, but without activation of downstream p27.

Kir6.1/K-ATP channel on astrocytes protects against dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease via promoting mitophagy

ATP-sensitive potassium (K-ATP) channels, coupling cell metabolism to cell membrane potential, are involved in brain diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). Kir6.1, a pore-forming subunit of K-ATP channel, is prominently expressed in astrocytes and participates in regulating its function. However, the precise role of astrocytic Kir6.1-contaning K-ATP channel (Kir6.1/K-ATP) in PD is not well characterized. In this study, astrocytic Kir6.1 knockout (KO) mice were used to examine the effect of astrocytic Kir6.1/K-ATP channel on dopaminergic (DA) neurodegeneration triggered by the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine. Here, we found that astrocytic Kir6.1 KO mice showed more DA neuron loss in substantia nigra compacta (SNc), lower level of dopamine in the striatum, and more severe motor dysfunction than controls. Interestingly, this companied by increased neuroinflammation and decreased autophagy level in SNc in vivo and astrocytes in vitro. Mechanistically, astrocytic Kir6.1 KO inhibited mitophagy which resulted in an increase in the accumulation of damaged mitochondria, production of reactive oxygen species and neuroinflammation in astrocytes. Restoration of astrocytic mitophagy rescued the deleterious effects of astrocytic Kir6.1 ablation on mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation and DA neuron death. Collectively, our findings reveal that astrocytic Kir6.1/K-ATP channel protects against DA neurodegeneration in PD via promoting mitophagy and suggest that astrocytic Kir6.1/K-ATP channel may be a promising therapeutic target for PD.

MiR-19b Functions as a Potential Protector in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

BACKGROUND

MicroRNA-19b (miR-19b) is essential in determining oligodendroglia proliferation. Phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome 10 (PTEN) is considered the target of miR-19b and participates in oligodendrocyte differentiation and proliferation.

METHODS

Murine EAE was induced by myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG35- 55). For EAE reversal, artificially synthesized agomiR-19b was intravenous injected after immunization.

RESULTS

We found that the expression of miR-19b is significantly reduced in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse model. This downregulation, which is associated with the neurological scores, can be dramatically ameliorated by agomiR-19b. Our results show that agomiR-19b increases the expression of myelin basic protein (MBP) and cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (CNP), which are regularly utilized as molecular markers of oligodendrocytes. Furthermore, our study also revealed that miR-19b probably affects the expression of PTEN in the EAE model.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that the restoration of miR-19b probably exerts its therapeutic effect by affecting PTEN in the pathogenesis of EAE.

Locating the source node of diffusion process in cyber-physical networks via minimum observers

Locating the source node that initiates a diffusion process is an increasingly popular topic that contributes new insights into the maintenance of cyber security, rumor detection in social media, digital surveillance of infectious diseases, etc. Existing studies select the observers randomly or select them heuristically according to the network centrality or community measures. However, there still lacks a method to identify the minimum set of observers for accurately locating the source node of information diffusion in cyber physical networks. Here, we fill this knowledge gap by proposing a greedy optimization algorithm by analyzing the differences of the propagation delay. We use extensive simulations with both synthetic and empirical networks to show that the number of observers can be substantially decreased: Our method only uses a small fraction of nodes (10%-20%) as observers in most networks, whereas the conventional random selection methods have to use 2-3 times more nodes as observers. Interestingly, if a network has a large proportion of low-degree nodes (e.g., karate network), it is necessary to recruit more observers. In particular, the periphery nodes that are only connected with one edge must be observers. Combining our greedy optimization algorithm with the diffusion-back method, the performance of source localization is robust against noise.

[Analysis on clinical characteristics of 316 patients with hydrofluoric acid burns]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with hydrofluoric acid (HF) burns. Methods: Clinical data of 316 patients with HF burns admitted to Zhejiang Quhua Hospital from January 2004 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into non and mild poisoning group (NMP, n=157), moderate poisoning group (MP, n=120), and severe and fatal poisoning group (SFP, n=39) based on the severity of poisoning. Occurrences of hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, and hyperkalemia of patients within 24 hours after admission were recorded. Values of emergency urinary fluoride of patients on admission were recorded. Values of urinary fluoride of patients admitted to hospital in 4 hours post injury in groups MP and SFP at post injury hour 4, 12, and 24 and on post injury day 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 were also recorded. Electrocardiographic abnormalities of patients within 24 hours after admission were recorded. Data were processed with chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: (1) Hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypokalemia occurred in some patients in each of the three groups, but no patient had hyperkalemia. Taking serum calcium namely total serum calcium as reference, the incidence rate of hypocalcemia of patients in group NMP was close to that in group MP (χ(2)=0.05, P>0.05). The incidence rate of hypocalcemia of patients in group SFP was significantly higher than that in group NMP or group MP (χ(2)=10.53, 7.92, P<0.01). The incidence rates of hypokalemia in the three groups were close (χ(2)=0.63, P>0.05). Taking serum ionized calcium as reference, the incidence ratio of hypocalcemia of patients in group NMP was close to that in group MP (χ(2)=0.01, P>0.05), while there were statistically significant differences in incidence ratio of hypocalcemia of patients between group SFP and each of group NMP and group MP (χ(2)=4.66, 4.47, P<0.05). Taking serum calcium as reference, the incidence rate of hypocalcemia of patients was 7.3% (23/316). Taking serum ionized calcium as reference, the incidence rate of hypocalcemia of patients was 60.0% (42/70), which was significantly higher than that of taking serum calcium as reference (χ(2)=113.74, P<0.01). The incidence rates of hypomagnesemia of patients in groups MP and NMP were close (χ(2)=0.02, P>0.05). The incidence rate of hypomagnesemia of patients in group SFP was significantly higher than that in group NMP or group MP (χ(2)=14.69, 9.94, P<0.01). (2) The urinary fluoride levels were tested in 288 patients, with the value of emergency urinary fluoride of patients on admission 0.2-590.0 mg/L. The values of urinary fluoride of 202 patients were above the normal value. The values of emergency urinary fluoride of patients in groups NMP, MP, and SFP were 2.15 (1.11, 4.30), 5.89 (1.72, 14.25), and 36.0 (13.2, 103.2) mg/L, respectively. The values of emergency urinary fluoride of patients in groups MP and SFP were significantly higher than the value in group NMP (χ(2)=23.28, 66.03, P<0.01). The value of emergency urinary fluoride of patients in group SFP was significantly higher than that in group MP (χ(2)=39.23, P<0.01). The value of urinary fluoride of 33 patients admitted to hospital within 4 hours post injury in groups MP and SFP reached the top at 4 hours post injury and then gradually declined, which returned to normal on about 5 days post injury. The values of urinary fluoride of patients in group SFP at 4, 12, and 24 hours post injury and on 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days post injury were significantly higher than those in group MP (Z=-4.28, -4.15, -3.81, -4.21, -2.48, -2.06, -2.31, -2.68, -3.03, P<0.05 or P<0.01). (3) Twenty-seven patients had electrocardiographic abnormality. There were 12 patients with T wave changes (the most common), 8 patients with ST-T changes, 6 patients with ventricular arrhythmias, 6 patients with conduction block, and 1 patient with broadened QRS waveform. There was no patient with prolonged Q-T interval. The ratios of patients with the above electrocardiographic abnormalities in group SFP were higher than those in group NMP and group MP. Conclusions: Clinical manifestations of patients with HF burn are hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, and electrocardiographic abnormality. In addition to routine serum electrolyte and electrocardiogram monitoring, the levels of serum ionized calcium and urinary fluoride can be helpful to evaluate the severity of illness of the patients.

[Analysis on effects of modified dosage of calcium gluconate on patients with hydrofluoric acid burns not in hands or feet]

Objective: To retrospectively explore the effects of modified dosage of calcium gluconate (CG) on the patients with hydrofluoric acid burns not in hands or feet. Methods: One hundred and sixty patients with hydrofluoric acid burns not in hands or feet were hospitalized in our burn ward from January 2004 to December 2017. Based on the dosage of CG at different admission time, 76 patients hospitalized from January 2004 to December 2012 were included in traditional group, and 84 patients hospitalized from January 2013 to December 2017 were included in modified group. For patients in the two groups, subcutaneous injection of CG solution at one time was immediately conducted on admission in topical treatment. In traditional group, the injection was CG solution with mass concentration of 100 g/L. For wounds of superficial partial-thickness and above degree, CG solution was prescribed at the dosage of 50 mg/cm(2). Wounds of superficial-thickness or mass fraction of hydrofluoric acid less than 20.0% did not receive injection. In modified group, the mass concentration of CG solution for injection was diluted with normal saline to 25 g/L. For wounds of deep partial-thickness and above degree, CG solution was prescribed at the dosage of (50×mass fraction of hydrofluoric acid) mg/cm(2). For wounds of superficial partial-thickness, CG solution was prescribed at the dosage of (25×mass fraction of hydrofluoric acid) mg/cm(2). For wounds of superficial-thickness, CG solution was prescribed at the dosage of 2.5 mg/cm(2). For systemic treatment, the injection velocity of CG solution via venous access was adjusted according to the level of serum calcium namely total serum calcium of patients in traditional group. In modified group, serum ionized calcium was additionally detected through automatic blood gas analyzer by the bed to regulate the injection velocity of CG via venous access. The incidence rate of hypercalcemia and mortality of patients after treatment in the two groups, and the situation about treatment of survivors in the two groups were analyzed. Data were processed with chi-square test, Fisher's exact probability test, t test, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: (1) After treatment, 9 patients (11.8%) had hypercalcemia, while the other 67 patients (88.2%) did not have hypercalcemia in traditional group. Two patients (2.4%) had hypercalcemia, while the other 82 patients (97.6%) did not have hypercalcemia in modified group. The incidence rate of hypercalcemia of patients in traditional group was significantly higher than that in modified group (χ(2)=5.579, P=0.02). (2) There were two deaths (2.6%) and 74 survivors (97.4%) in traditional group, while there were two deaths (2.4%) and 82 survivors (97.6%) in modified group. The mortalities of patients in the two groups were close (P>0.05). (3) The ratios of eschar excision and skin grafting and hyperplastic scar formation, wound healing time, and ratio of esophageal scar stenosis of survivors in the two groups were close (χ(2)=0.002, 0.054, Z=0.66, P>0.05). Conclusions: Hydrofluoric acid is highly dangerous. The early management of patients with hydrofluoric acid burns emphasizing specialized dosage of CG for treatment can be helpful to reduce incidence of complications and improve the safety of treatment.

A rapid and high-quality method for total RNA isolation from Haematococcus pluvialis

Haematococcus pluvialis, as the most potential natural source of astaxanthin, which is a powerful antioxidant with high economic value, has attracted more and more scientific attention in recent years. An in-depth understanding of the mechanism for how H. pluvialis produces astaxanthin requires the intensive investigations on its genetic information. In particular, many reported studies were based on a variety of RNA analyses. However, it is difficult to extract RNA with high quality and quantity from H. pluvialis, because of the blockage from its thick cell wall and contamination by a large quantity of pigments, polysaccharides, and lipids. Therefore, we proposed an optimized Trizol-based RNA extraction method for H. pluvialis by investigating the effect of cell wall broken ways, algal strains, and cell growth status on total RNA isolation. Using this rapid, convenient, and cost-saving method, isolated H. pluvialis RNA had high quantity and quality (with an RNA integrity number of 7.0 and a concentration of 1604.1 ng/μL) equivalent to that isolated by commercial kit, enabling its applications into downstream RNA analyses.

Cloning and characterization of the UBC gene from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Protein ubiquitination is extensively involved in the regulation of a considerable number of physiological processes in plant cells. E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, UBC), one of the essential enzymes of eukaryotic ubiquitination, catalyzes protein ubiquitination together with E1 and E3. In this study, we cloned four full-length cDNA NnUBCs of Nelumbo nucifera. With the same coding sequence length of 459 bp and coding 153 amino acids, these four genes are highly homologous with the AtUBC1 and AtUBC2 of Arabidopsis thaliana. Quantitative fluorescence polymerase chain reaction showed that these four genes exhibited different expression patterns in different tissues of N. nucifera. Overall, the expression of NnUBC3 was the highest in all plant tissues. Tests of different stress treatments showed that NnUBC3 plays an important role in response to heat, salt, and drought stresses in N. nucifera. Moreover, transgenic Arabidopsis plants (Atubc1-1Atubc2-1 mutant) expressing NnUBC3 presented a wild-type phenotype, indicating that NnUBC3 performs the same function as AtUBC1 and AtUBC2.

Molecular and characterization of NnPPO cDNA from lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) in rhizome browning

The complete cDNA (NnPPO) of polyphenol oxidase in Nelumbo nucifera was successfully isolated, using Rapid amplification cDNA end (RACE) assays. The full-length cDNA of NnPPO was 2069 bp in size, containing a 1791 bp open reading frame coding 597 amino acids. The putative NnPPO possessed the conserved active sites and domains for PPO function. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that NnPPO shared high homology with PPO of high plants, and the homology modeling proved that NnPPO had the typical structure of PPO family. In order to characterize the role of NnPPO, Real-time PCR assay demonstrated that NnPPO mRNA was expressed in different tissues of N. nucifera including young leave, rhizome, flower, root and leafstalk, with the highest expression in rhizome. Patterns of NnPPO expression in rhizome illustrated its mRNA level was significantly elevated, which was consistent with the change of NnPPO activity during rhizome browning. Therefore, transcriptional activation of NnPPO was probably the main reason causing rhizome browning.

Identification and characterization of chalcone synthase cDNAs (NnCHS) from Nelumbo nucifera

Chalcone synthase (CHS) catalyzes the first committed step in flavonoids biosynthetic pathway. In this study, six full-length cDNAs (NnCHS) encoding CHS from Nelumbo nucifera were successfully isolated, using rapid amplification cDNA end (RACE) assay. The obtained cDNAs were 1426 bp in size, containing a 1167 bp open reading frame coding 389 amino acids. Exons-intron architecture of NnCHS gene was illustrated, consisting two exons inserted by a 426 bp intron. The putative NnCHS possessed all the conserved active sites for CHS function as well as the family signature. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that NnCHS shared high homology with CHS from high plants, and the homology-based structural modeling showed that NnCHS had the typical structure of CHS. Moreover, Real-time PCR assays demonstrated that NnCHS mRNAs were expressed in various tissues of N. nucifera, with the highest expression in red flower and lowest level in the leaves. Moreover, patterns of NnCHS expression illustrated short-time wounding or low temperature significantly induced the up-regulation of NnCHS mRNA.

Development and characterization of genic-SSR markers from different Asia lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) types by RNA-seq

Nelumbo nucifera is an important economic vegetable and traditional medicine, but available genetic resources remain limited. Next generation sequencing has proven to be a rapid and effective means of identifying genic simple sequence repeat (genic-SSR) markers. This study developed genic-SSRs for N. nucifera using Illumina sequencing technology to assess diversity across cultivated and wild lotus. A total of 105,834 uni-contigs were produced with an average read length of 722 bp. Exactly 11,178 genic-SSR loci were identified in 9523 uni-contigs. Di-nucleotide (64.5%) was the most abundant SSR, followed by tri-nucleotide (23%), tetra-nucleotide (8.9%), penta-nucleotide (2.5%), and hexa-nucleotide (1%) repeat types. The most common di- and tri-nucleotide repeat motifs were AG/CT (51%) and AAG/CTT (8%), respectively. Based on these SSRs sequences, 6568 primer pairs were designed, of which 72 primers were randomly selected for synthesis and validation, and 38 in-silico polymorphic primers were obtained using in-house perl scripts. A total of 110 primers were screened in the lotus samples and the results showed that 101 primers yielded amplification products, of which 80 were polymorphs. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 17 and the PIC (polymorphism information content) ranged from 0.19 to 0.87 with a mean value of 0.55. An Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) dendrogram based on Jaccard's similarity coefficients showed that the correlation between geographical source and genotype was low. This study describes the distribution of genic-SSRs in the expressed portion of the lotus genome. These genic-SSRs have an important role to play in molecular mapping, diversity analysis, and marker-assisted selection strategies in Nelumbo.

Leaf transcriptome analysis and development of SSR markers in water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis)

Water chestnut (Eleocharis dulcis) is an important aquatic crop in China; however, transcriptomic and genomic data in public databases are limited. To identify genes and development molecular markers, high-throughput transcriptome sequencing was applied to generate transcript sequences from water chestnut leaf. More than 24 million reads were obtained, trimmed, and assembled into 40,796 contigs with an average length of 616.6 bp. Sequence similarity analyses against 4 public databases (NR, GO, KEGG, KOG) revealed 17,628 contigs that could be annotated with gene descriptions, conserved protein domains, or gene ontology terms. Among the important metabolic pathways, 27 genes were related to starch synthesis and 13 genes were in the steroid synthetic pathway. In addition, 2570 cDNA simple sequence repeats were identified as potential molecular markers in our contigs. One hundred pairs of polymerase chain reaction primers were designed and used for validation of the amplification. The results revealed that 87 primer pairs were successfully amplified in initial screening tests. Overall, this transcriptome dataset and these markers can serve as a platform for further gene expression studies, functional genomic studies, and marker-assisted selection in E. dulcis.

Overexpression of the growth arrest-specific homeobox gene Gax inhibits proliferation, migration, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis in serum-induced vascular smooth muscle cells

The Gax gene has been implicated in a variety of cell-developmental and biological processes, and aberrant Gax expression is linked to many diseases. In this study, to provide important insights for Gax-based gene therapy in vein graft restenosis and its anti-restenotic mechanism, we used rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) to investigate the effects of Gax overexpression on proliferation, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis in a serum-stimulated culture. Rabbit VSMC lines that stably overexpressed Gax were established by transfection with recombinant adenoviral vector Ad5-Gax. The effect of Gax overexpression on in vitro serum-induced VSMCs proliferation, migration, cell cycle, and apoptosis was assessed by MTT, wound healing, and flow cytometry assays, respectively. To investigate the effect of Gax overexpression on PCNA and MMP-2 in serum-induced VSMCs, immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR, and gelatin zymography were performed. The results clearly showed that Gax overexpression decreases PCNA expression in serum-induced VSMCs. Gax overexpression also significantly inhibited cell proliferation by blocking entry into the S-phase of the cell cycle, promoted cell apoptosis, and reduced cell migration activity by downregulating MMP-2 release and activity. These findings indicate that Gax would be an optimal target gene for gene therapy to treat vein graft restenosis.

Isolation and characterization of microsatellite loci for the herbaceous tuber crop, Amorphophallus konjac (Araceae)

Amorphophallus konjac is an herbaceous tuber crop with tremendous potential for commercial development. We report the development of microsatellite primers for this important crop species. Thirteen polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed and tested in two populations of A. konjac from the Wuling Mountain Region (WL population) and the Yunnan Province (YN population) in China. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 1 to 7; the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0 to 1 and from 0 to 0.844, respectively, in the two populations. These microsatellite markers will facilitate further studies in population genetics and utilization of A. konjac.

Primary myxoid liposarcoma of the thyroid gland

Primary myxoid liposarcoma of the thyroid gland is extremely rare. This report describes such a case. A 59-year-old woman was admitted for evaluation of a 6 x 6 x 5 cm nodule in the left lobe of the thyroid gland. Left thyroid lobectomy was performed without any postoperative treatment except for follow-up. Osseous and pulmonary metastasis developed 1 year later and the patient died 15 months after the surgery. The clinical course and treatment choice are discussed.

Enhanced critical pressure for buckling of carbon nanotubes due to an inserted linear carbon chain

Recent findings of linear carbon-atom chains (C-chains) inside carbon nanotubes have stimulated considerable interest. In this work, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and an elastic string-elastic shell model is adopted to study radial pressure-induced buckling of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) filled with a C-chain. The continuum model predicts that the C-chain increases critical buckling pressure considerably (about 40%-160%) for SWCNTs of diameters ranging from 0.68 to 0.72 nm, in reasonable quantitative agreement with the prediction of MD simulation. In particular, the MD simulation confirms that the originally circular cross section of filled SWNTs becomes elliptical after buckling, as predicted by the continuum model.

Continuous treatment process of mercury removal from aqueous solution by growing recombinant E. coli cells and modeling study

A continuous treatment process was developed to investigate the capability of genetically engineered E. coli to simultaneously accumulate mercuric ions and reproduce itself in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) system. The influence of dilution rate and initial Hg(2+) concentration on continuous process was evaluated. Results indicated that the recombinant E. coli could effectively accumulate Hg(2+) from aqueous solution with Hg(2+) removal ratio up to about 90%, and propagate its cells at the same time in the continuous treatment system under suitable operational conditions. A kinetic model based on mass balance of Hg(2+) was proposed to simulate the continuous process. The modeling results were in good agreement with the experimental data.

Identification of 10 882 porcine microsatellite sequences and virtual mapping of 4528 of these sequences

A total of 10 882 porcine microsatellite repeats were identified in genomic shotgun sequences from the Sino-Danish Pig Genome Sequencing Consortium (http://www.piggenome.dk). Of these, 4528 microsatellites were placed on a pig-human comparative map by blast analysis of porcine sequences against the human genome (blast cut-off threshold =1 x 10(-5)). All microsatellite sequences placed on the comparative map are accessible at http://www.animalgenome.org/QTLdb/pig.html. These sequences increase the number of identified microsatellites in the porcine genome by several orders of magnitude. They are a new resource of microsatellite sequences for generating markers to be used in linkage studies and in fine mapping and positional cloning of quantitative trait loci.

[Construction of a baculovirus transfer vector and expression of baculovirus-mediated gfp gene in larvae of Spodoptera litura]

To construct a novel baculovirus expression system of Spodoptera litura multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus, the 5' end and 3' end-flanking fragments of ph gene were amplified from the genome DNA of SpltMNPV, Japan-C3 strain using two pairs of primers synthesized according to SpltMNPV China-G2 strain genome DNA sequence published in GenBank. To obtain the transfer vector pSplt-gfp, the fragment of gfp gene was inserted into this vector between two fragments tandem linked into pUC18. The spli cells were cotransfected with pSplt-gfp and the wild SpltMNPV genome DNA. The recombinant virus containing gfp was selected with the limited dilution method. The fluorescence can be observed in the spli cells and the 3rd instar larvae after 24 and 48 hours by infection of the recombinant virus, respectively. The result showed that the recombinant virus was obtained successfully. It will be helpful to establish Spodoptera litura multicapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus expression system and more effective pesticide for Spodoptera litura.

[Inhibitory effect of matrine on lipopolysacchride-induced tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 production from rat Kupffer cells]

The effect of matrine on the lipopolysacchride (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 production from rat Kupffer cell was investigated. Results showed that matrine 125, 250 and 500 mg.L-1 suppressed TNF and IL-6 production from Cal-primed Kupffer cells in the presence of lipopolysacchrides (LPS, 100 micrograms.L-1) in a concentration-dependent manner. Treatment with matrine 50 and 100 mg.kg-1 before LPS injection(3.5 mg.kg-1) markedly decreased mouse serum TNF and IL-6. The results suggest that matrine may have protective effect on LPS-induced liver injury.

Ro 31-8220 inhibits release of interleukin-1 and interleukin-6 from mouse peritoneal macrophages induced by fibrin fibrinogen degradation products

AIM

To study the effect of fibrin fibrinogen degradation products (FFDP) on release of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from mouse peritoneal macrophages, and the effect of a new selectively potent protein kinase C inhibitor Ro 31-8220 (Ro).

METHODS

IL-1 and IL-6 activities were measured by thymocyte proliferation assay and B9 cell proliferation methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric method, respectively.

RESULTS

Ro 0.01-1 mumol.L-1 obviously inhibited FFDP-induced release of IL-1 and IL-6 from mouse peritoneal macrophages.

CONCLUSION

Ro exerted inhibitory effects on FFDP-induced release of IL-1 and IL-6 in vitro.

[Effects of inhibitor of protein kinase C on brain edema formation evoked by experimental cerebral ischemia in gerbils and rats]

Recent studies have suggested that protein kinase C (PKC) may be involved in the formation of brain edema. In this paper, the effects of two kinds of PKC inhibitors, H-7 and matrine, were examined on the brain edema formation in experimental models. The results showed that pretreatment with H-7 6.25 and 12.5 mg.kg-1 prevented the accumulation of water and certain electrolytes in the unilateral hemisphere of the brain evoked by ligation of a single common carotid artery in Mongolian gerbil; pretreatment with matrine 25 and 50 mg.kg-1 reduced the extent of cerebral edema formation evoked by ligation of a single common carotid artery in gerbil and by middle cerebral artery occlusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. These results present new evidence for the involvement of PKC in the formation of brain edema.

[Effect of silymarin on mouse liver damage, production and activity of tumor necrosis factor]

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been well-characterized as a prominent mediator in the development of liver injury. Effects of silymarin (SB) on mouse liver damage, TNF production and activity were studied. Pretreatment with SB (25-50 mg.kg-1, i.p., bid x 3 d) before the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) injection markedly alleviated liver injury and diminished LPS-induced TNF production in Propionibacterium acnes (PA)-primed mice. SB (12.5-50 micrograms.ml-1) significantly inhibited LPS-induced TNF release from mouse peritoneal macrophage in a concentration-dependent manner. SB(12.5-100 micrograms.ml-1) was also shown to markedly reduce TNF cytotoxicity on human hepatic cell line GSG-7701 and mouse fibroblastic cell line L929 cells concentration-dependently. These results suggest that inhibition of TNF production and its actions may be involved in the mechanism of protective action of SB on liver damage.

Partial dominance of a keratin 14 mutation in epidermolysis bullosa simplex--increased severity of disease in a homozygote

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex is a disease in which keratin gene mutations cause the production of defective intermediate filaments, which leads in turn to epidermal basal cell fragility and blistering. The inheritance in nearly all kindreds is autosomal dominant, most kindreds have missense mutations, and the encoded proteins appear to exert a dominant negative function. One previously reported patient with generalized blistering had a fully dominant mutation of keratin 5; in that kindred a homozygote was affected no more severely than the heterozygotes. By contrast we report here a keratin 14 mutation that causes blistering limited to the hands and feet in heterozygotes, but homozygotes have more severe, widespread blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. Thus keratin gene mutations may be not only fully recessive or fully dominant but also partially dominant as well.

Effects of Ro 31-8220 on smooth muscle cell proliferation induced by fibrinogen degradation products

AIM

To study the mitogenic activity of fibrin fibrinogen degradation products (FFDP) and the effect of a new selectively potent protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor Ro 31-8220 (Ro).

METHODS

Rat aortic smooth muscle cells (SMC) proliferation in culture was measured by crystal violet staining assay.

RESULTS

FFDP stimulated the proliferation of SMC during the experimental period of 72 h, Ro 0.01-1 mumol.L-1 inhibited FFDP-induced cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Ro exerted inhibitory effect on cell proliferation induced by FFDP.

Effects of Ro 31-8220 on lipopolysaccharides-induced hepatotoxicity and release of tumor necrosis factor from rat Kupffer cells

AIM

To investigate protein kinase C (PKC) functions on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hepatotoxicity, a new potent PKC inhibitor Ro 31-8220 (Ro) was used to detect its effect on LPS-induced hepatotoxicity in rat hepatocytes and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release from rat Kupffer cells (KC).

METHODS

Hepatocytes (containing KC) were incubated with LPS (10 mg.L-1) and Ro (0.1-10 mumol.L-1) for 24 h, alanine aminotransferase (AlaA) leakage in the culture as indication of hepatotoxicity. The TNF activity in the supernatant of rat KC culture with LPS in the presence of Ro (0.1-10 mumol.L-1) was monitored by the L929 target cell lytic assay.

RESULTS

Ro (0.1-10 mumol.L-1) reduced AlaA leakage in the hepatocyte culture. Ro inhibited dose-dependently the LPS-induced TNF production from rat KC.

CONCLUSION

PKC inhibitor Ro protects the hepatocytes from LPS-induced cytotoxicity and inhibits the LPS-induced TNF production from rat KC.

Distribution and origins of nitric oxide-producing nerve fibers in the dog tongue: correlated NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for calcitonin gene-related peptide using light and electron microscopy

The distribution and origins of nitric oxide (NO)-producing nerves in the dog tongue with reference to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-containing sensory fibers were investigated using NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry and immunohistochemistry for CGRP and NO synthase combined with retrograde axonal tracing and denervation experiments. The ultrastructural relationships between NADPH-d-positive and CGRP-immunoreactive neuronal elements were also examined electron microscopically. NADPH-d-positive and CGRP-immunoreactive varicose fibers were found within the taste buds and surrounding the epithelia of the fungiform papillae, and they disappeared completely after severance of the lingual nerve. Following injection of fast blue into the subepithelial layer of the anterior two thirds of the tongue, retrogradely labeled neurons possessing NO synthase and/or CGRP immunoreactivities were mainly detected in the trigeminal ganglion. Some of the retrogradely labeled trigeminal cells showed the coexistence of NADPH-d reactivity and CGRP immunoreactivity, but in the geniculate ganglion neither NADPH-d reactivity nor NO synthase immunoreactivity was found instead of retrogradely labeled CGRP-immunoreactive neurons. The lingual artery and its branches, including the arteriovenous anastomoses, showed dense distributions of NADPH-d-positive fibers, most of which were unaffected by the denervation experiments. There were many small ganglia in the tongue, and virtually all ganglionic neurons were NADPH-d reactive. CGRP-immuno-reactive varicose fibers were also found around the vascular walls and within the intralingual ganglia. Ultrastructural analysis revealed a close distribution of NADPH-d-positive and CGRP-immunoreactive varicose fibers within the arterial walls, and synaptic contacts between CGRP-immunoreactive terminals and NADPH-d-positive intralingual ganglionic neurons. These results indicated that the taste buds of epithelia of fungiform papillae in the anterior two thirds of the dog tongue receive NADPH-d-positive and CGRP-immunoreactive sensory fibers from the trigeminal ganglion, and that perivascular NADPH-d-positive fibers mainly originate from intrinsic ganglia in the tongue. The ultrastructural findings suggest an intrinsic peripheral nerve-reflex mechanism in the regulation of the lingual vascular function by NO-producing postganglionic parasympathetic neurons and CGRP-containing sensory fibers.

Effect of matrine on lipopolysaccharides/D-galactosamine-induced hepatitis and tumor necrosis factor release from macrophages in vitro

AIM

To study the effects of matrine (Mat) on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced fatal hepatitis in D-galactosamine (D-GalN)-sensitized mice and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) release from peritoneal macrophages (PMO).

METHODS

Mice were pretreated with Mat (10, 50 mg.kg-1, i.p., bid x 3 d), and then injected i.p. LPS + D-GalN. Liver injury was assessed by quantifying plasma activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and histopathological examination. The TNF activities in the supernatants of mouse PMO stimulated with LPS in the presence of Mat (32.5-500 mg.L-1) were monitored by the L929 target cells lytic assay.

RESULTS

Mat pretreatment markedly diminished hepatic injury induced by LPS in combination with D-GalN. Mat inhibited LPS-induced TNF release from mouse PMO in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner.

CONCLUSION

Mat protected the D-GalN-treated mice from the development of fatal hepatitis induced by LPS, and inhibited the LPS-induced TNF release from mouse PMO.

Effects of matrine on mouse splenocyte proliferation and release of interleukin-1 and -6 from peritoneal macrophages in vitro

AIM

To investigate the mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effect of matrine (Mat), its effects on mouse splenocyte proliferation, and release of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from mouse peritoneal macrophages.

METHODS

Splenocyte proliferation was assayed by [3H] TdR incorporation. IL-1 and IL-6 activities were measured by thymocyte proliferation assay and B9 cell proliferation MTT colorimetric method, respectively.

RESULTS

Mat (125-500 mg.L-1) obviously inhibited concanavalin A (Con A, 5 mg.L-1)- and lipopolysaccarides (LPS, 10 mg.L-1)-induced splenocyte proliferation and LPS-induced release of IL-1 and IL-6 from mouse peritoneal macrophages.

CONCLUSION

Mat inhibited splenocyte proliferation and release of IL-1 and IL-6 in vitro.

Inhibitory effect of quercetin on tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-1 beta pro-osteoclastic activities

AIM

To study the effects of quercetin on tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) pro-osteoclastic activities.

METHODS

[3H] TdR uptake by osteoblasts was used to measure cell proliferation, microspectrophotometer for cellular AIP activity using p-nitrophenyl phosphate as enzyme substrate, and radioimmunoassay for prostaglandin E2.

RESULTS

Quercetin 5-40 mumol.L-1 reduced the inhibition of cell proliferation and AIP activity induced by TNF or IL-1 beta in a concentration-dependent manner. PGE2 production stimulated by either cytokines was also reduced by quercetin at 20 and 40 mumol.L-1.

CONCLUSION

quercetin exerted a marked inhibitory effect on TNF and IL-1 activities, related to their pro-osteoclastic function.

[Inhibitory effects of protein kinase C inhibitors on tumor necrosis factor induced bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cell injuries]

The effects of protein kinase C(PKC) inhibitors 1-(5-isoquino-linylsulfonyl)-2-methylpeperazine (H-7) and quercetin on tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were studied in cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) in vitro. Incubation of BPAEC with TNF caused a significant increase in percent lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, stimulation of EC-dependent neutrophils (PMN) adhesion to BPAEC and inhibition of BPAEC DNA synthesis and proliferation. All these were restored by both H-7 and quercetin. The IC50 of H-7 and quercetin was 9.7 and 10.8 mumol.L-1 for the inhibition of LDH% release; 19.5 and 16.7 mumol.L-1 for the inhibition of TNF-induced PMN-EC adhesion; 7.0 and 6.1 mumol.L-1 for TNF-induced inhibition of DNA synthesis and 8.7 and 11.36 mumol.L-1 for proliferation. These results suggest that PKC inhibitors H-7 and quercetin protect BPAEC from TNF induced injuries and PKC play an important role in EC activation by TNF.

[Effect of matrine on mouse hepatitis and tumor necrosis factor production induced by Propionibacterium acnes/lipopolysaccharides]

The effect of matrine (Mat) on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced fatal hepatitis and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production in Propionibacterium acnes (PA)-primed mice were studied. Mice were injected i.p. LPS (10 micrograms/mouse) 7 d after i.p. PA (0.5 ml/mouse) to induce fatal hepatitis. After i.p. LPS, serum TNF activity rose to 1657 +/- 406 kU.L-1 at 1.5 h and ALT activity increased up to 1,496 +/- 890 U.L-1 at 5 h. Six of 8 mice died within 5 h and the massive hemorrhagic necrosis of the liver was observed in all mice. Administration of Mat (10, 50 mg.kg-1, i.p., bid x 3 d) before the LPS injection markedly reduced the elevation of serum TNF and ALT activity in a dose-dependent manner, and diminished the mortality induced by LPS. Liver congestion and necrosis induced by LPS in PA-primed mice were ameliorated markedly by Mat pretreatment. Mat (62.5-250 mg.L-1) inhibited LPS-induced TNF release from PA-primed mouse peritoneal macrophage in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. These results seggest that Mat protected PA-primed mice from the development of fatal hepatitis induced by LPS due to inhibition of TNF production.

Protein kinase C inhibitor H-7 blocks effects of tumor necrosis factor on bone cells

AIM

To study the effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on the neonatal mouse osteoblast-enriched calvarial cells and effects of protein kinase C (PK C) inhibitor, 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2 -methylpiperazine (H-7) on the TNF actions.

METHODS

[3H]TdR uptake by the osteoblasts was used to measure cell proliferation. Cellular alkaline phosphatase (AIP) and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (trAcP) activities were determined spectrophotometrically.

RESULTS

TNF (1-100 kU . L-1) inhibited both proliferation and expression of AIP activity, but stimulated trAcP activity. These TNF-induced actions were blocked by simultaneous addition of H-7 (5-20 mumol . L-1).

CONCLUSION

TNF has potent effects on the osteoblasts, and the blockade of TNF actions by H-7 suggests that TNF exert its effects through PK C.

Identification of new apolipoprotein B epitopes and haplotypes and their distribution in swine populations

Results from comparative immunogenetic studies on inheritance and identification of four new apolipoprotein B (apoB) allotypes and three additional apoB haplotypes and their distribution in miniature and domestic swine are presented. Immunological surveys on the four new and 16 previously described Lpb allotypes and genetic analysis of their segregation in progenies, of miniature and domestic swine and their crosses, indicate that three new allotypes designated Lpb9, Lpb10 and Lpb101 are individual (mutant) apoB epitopes, each representing a discriminating marker for one of the new apoB haplotypes specified by three new apoB alleles designated Lpb9, Lpb10 and Lpb101. The fourth allotype, Lpb20, is one of the common epitopes forming the alternative epitope pair with Lpb10, and is a constituent of each of the eight previously described and two new apoB haplotypes. The new apoB alleles have so far been found only in miniature swine, with Lpb10 being the most frequent in the Göttingen, Vietnamese Pot-belly and Japanese Miniature, Lpb9 was detected only in Minnesota Miniature and Lpb101 only in Vietnamese Potbelly. The common allotype, Lpb20, shares immunological similarities with human apoB indicating its ancestral origin, whereas none of the alloreagents detecting the three individual apoB variants, Lpb9, Lpb10 or Lpb101, showed cross-reactivity with human apoB, suggesting their exclusive swine origin and evolvement during speciation through mutations.