Proinflammatory protein CARD9 is essential for infiltration of monocytic fibroblast precursors and cardiac fibrosis caused by Angiotensin II infusion

Background

Angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced cardiac remodeling with the underlying mechanisms involving inflammation and fibrosis has been well documented. Cytosolic adaptor caspase recruitment domain 9 (CARD9) has been implicated in the innate immune response. We aimed to examine the role of CARD9 in inflammation and cardiac fibrosis induced by Ang II.

Methods

Two-month-old CARD9-deficient (CARD9^−/−) and wild-type (WT) male mice were infused with Ang II (1,500 ng/kg/min) or saline for 7 days. Heart sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome and examined by immunohistochemistry; and activity and protein levels were measured in macrophages obtained from mice.

Results

WT mice with Ang II infusion showed a marked increase in CARD9⁺ macrophages in the heart, but CARD9^−/− mice showed significantly suppressed macrophage infiltration and expression of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF). Importantly, Ang II–induced cardiac fibrosis (extracellular matrix and collagen I deposition) was diminished in CARD9^−/− hearts, as was the expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and level of myofibroblasts positive for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Furthermore, Ang II activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), JNK and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in WT macrophages was reduced in CARD9^−/− macrophages.

Conclusion

CARD9 plays an important role in regulating cardiac inflammation and fibrosis in response to elevated Ang II.

Post-operative infection after minimally invasive versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF): literature review and cost analysis

INTRODUCTION

Surgical site infection (SSI) in the setting of lumbar fusion is associated with significant morbidity and medical resource utilization. To date, there have been no studies conducted with sufficient power to directly compare the incidence of SSI following minimally invasive (MIS) vs. open TLIF procedures. Furthermore, studies are lacking that quantify the direct medical cost of SSI following fusion procedures. We set out to determine the incidence of SSI in patients undergoing MIS vs. open TLIF reported in the literature and to determine the direct hospital cost associated with the treatment of SSI following TLIF at our institution.

METHODS

A systematic Medline search was performed to identify all published studies assessing SSI after MIS or open TLIF. The cumulative incidence of SSI was calculated from all reported cohorts and compared between MIS vs. open TLIF. In order to determine the direct hospital costs associated with the treatment of SSI following TLIF, we retrospectively reviewed 120 consecutive TLIFs performed at our institution, assessed the incidence of SSI, and calculated the SSI-related hospital costs from accounting and billing records.

RESULTS

To date, there have been 10 MIS-TLIF cohorts (362 patients) and 20 open-TLIF cohorts (1 133 patients) reporting incidences of SSI. The cumulative incidence of reported SSI was significantly lower for MIS vs. open-TLIF (0.6% vs. 4.0%, p=0.0005). In our experience with 120 open TLIF procedures, SSI occurred in 6 (5.0%) patients. The mean hospital cost associated with the treatment of SSI following TLIF was $ 29,110 in these 6 cases. The 3.4% decrease in reported incidence of SSI for MIS vs. open-TLIF corresponds to a direct cost savings of $ 98,974 per 100 MIS-TLIF procedures performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Post-operative wound infections following TLIF are costly complications. MIS vs. open TLIF is associated with a decreased reported incidence of SSI in the literature and may be a valuable tool in reducing hospital costs associated with spine care.

Isolation and identification of acaricidal compounds in Inula japonica (Asteraceae)

We identified acaricidal compounds in Inula japonica Thunberg (Asteraceae) that were effective against carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval). Petroleum-ether extracts from I. japonica were toxic to T. cinnabarinus, with a 50% lethal concentration (LC50) value of 1.18 mg/ml. Silica gel column chromatography was used to separate the acaricidal components. Seventeen of 38 fraction groups had mite mortality rates >50%, nine fraction groups had rates >60%, and three fraction groups had rates >80% at 2 mg/ml. The major volatile compounds in the bioactive fraction groups were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy, and beta-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2), lupeol (3), and alpha-amyrin (4) were identified and determined to have acaricidal activity against T. cinnabarinus in vitro.

Effective treatment of chemoresistant breast cancer in vitro and in vivo by a factor VII-targeted photodynamic therapy

Background:

The purpose of this study was to test a novel, dual tumour vascular endothelial cell (VEC)- and tumour cell-targeting factor VII-targeted Sn(IV) chlorin e6 photodynamic therapy (fVII-tPDT) by targeting a receptor tissue factor (TF) as an alternative treatment for chemoresistant breast cancer using a multidrug resistant (MDR) breast cancer line MCF-7/MDR.

Methods:

The TF expression by the MCF-7/MDR breast cancer cells and tumour VECs in MCF-7/MDR tumours from mice was determined separately by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry using anti-human or anti-murine TF antibodies. The efficacy of fVII-tPDT was tested in vitro and in vivo and was compared with non-targeted PDT for treatment of chemoresistant breast cancer. The in vitro efficacy was determined by a non-clonogenic assay using crystal violet staining for monolayers, and apoptosis and necrosis were assayed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The in vivo efficacy of fVII-tPDT was determined in a nude mouse model of subcutaneous MCF-7/MDR tumour xenograft by measuring tumour volume.

Results:

To our knowledge, this is the first presentation showing that TF was expressed on tumour VECs in chemoresistant breast tumours from mice. The in vitro efficacy of fVII-tPDT was 12-fold stronger than that of ntPDT for MCF-7/MDR cancer cells, and the mechanism of action involved induction of apoptosis and necrosis. Moreover, fVII-tPDT was effective and safe for the treatment of chemoresistant breast tumours in the nude mouse model.

Conclusions:

We conclude that fVII-tPDT is effective and safe for the treatment of chemoresistant breast cancer, presumably by simultaneously targeting both the tumour neovasculature and chemoresistant cancer cells. Thus, this dual-targeting fVII-tPDT could also have therapeutic potential for the treatment of other chemoresistant cancers.

The Resolution of Photoelectrochemically Etched Features

The profiles of features etched photoelectrochemically in n-InP are studied to determine the factors which govern their distortions and to determine the factor limiting spatial resolution for etch depths in the 100–200−μm range. The optimal conditions for etching straight grooves using laser light are determined. The application to front-to-back mask registration will be discussed.

Measurement of the parity-violating longitudinal single-spin asymmetry for W± boson production in polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 500 GeV

We report the first measurement of the parity-violating single-spin asymmetries for midrapidity decay positrons and electrons from W+ and W- boson production in longitudinally polarized proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 500 GeV by the STAR experiment at RHIC. The measured asymmetries, A(L)(W+) = -0.27 ± 0.10(stat.) ± 0.02(syst.) ± 0.03(norm.) and A(L)(W-) = 0.14 ± 0.19(stat.) ± 0.02(syst.) ± 0.01(norm.), are consistent with theory predictions, which are large and of opposite sign. These predictions are based on polarized quark and antiquark distribution functions constrained by polarized deep-inelastic scattering measurements.

Patterns and forces of occlusal contacts during lateral excursions recorded by the T-Scan II system in young Chinese adults with normal occlusions

The objective was to characterise the patterns and forces of occlusal contacts during lateral mandibular excursions in a young Chinese adult population. Angle Class I normal occlusions in 85 dental students aged 20-29 were evaluated using the T-Scan II occlusal imaging and analysis system. The frequency of occlusal contacts was recorded for right and left lateral excursions at the position of lateral disclusion, at the canine-to-canine position and at the lateral maximal position. At the canine-to-canine position, the occlusal contact patterns were classified, and the relative forces were compared by multiple regression analysis, with α = 0·05. At the position of lateral disclusion, a high percentage of canine contacts (58·5%) and individual posterior tooth contacts on the working side was observed. At the canine-to-canine position, the canines on the working side contacted most frequently (68·9%), and the occlusal contact patterns could be classified into six groups. At the lateral maximal position, incisors (39·0%) and canines (32·3%) contacted most frequently. At the canine-to-canine position, subjects with occlusal contacts only on canines or on first premolars on the working side had the lowest relative occlusal forces (P < 0·001). Canine protection and group function do not identify all descriptors for lateral occlusal contact patterns in the natural dentition. Six occlusal contact patterns were found at the lateral canine-to-canine position.

Formation Enthalpies of Tetravalent Lanthanide Perovskites by High Temperature Oxide Melt Solution Calorimetry

High-temperature oxide melt solution calorimetry was used to measure formation enthalpies for several compositions of perovskites of nominal stoichiometry BaPrO3 and BaCeO3. Samples were synthesized from chemical solution methods followed by calcination at 1100-1300°C. PrO2 was synthesized by oxidation of Pr6O11 in an oxygen flow at 280°C. The samples were characterized by microprobe, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. Cell parameters were refined by the Rietveld method. Barium excess in the samples with respect to ideal stoichiometry was detected. Drop solution enthalpies were measured in a Calvet type twin microcalorimeter, using 3Na2O·4MoO3 solvent at 702°C. Preliminary values of the formation enthalpy of BaPrO3 and BaCeO3 from oxides were -70 ±10 kJ/mol and -51 ±10 kJ/mol, respectively. They fall on the normal trend of energetics versus Goldschmidt tolerance factor and do not show any special stabilization of BaPrO3 relative to other MLnO3 perovskites.

Complication of adenoid cystic carcinoma and sialolithiasis in the submandibular gland: report of a case and its etiological background

The authors report a case of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) complicated with sialolithiasis of the submandibular gland. The patient was a 43-year-old female with a history of papillotubular carcinoma of the breast almost at the same time. She had noticed a swelling in her sublingual area for 10 years, which was later diagnosed by her dentist to be due to a sialolith in the left submandibular gland. After several years of observation, the patient was referred to have her left submandibular gland, containing the stone, surgically removed with a diagnosis of atrophic sialadenitis. Histopathologically, the submandibular gland was extensively replaced with fibrous granulation tissue, in which there were small but invasive foci of ACC. The present case indicates that ACC could arise in the background of chronic sialadenitis. It is suggested that long-standing sialadenitis cases should be carefully examined to exclude suspicion of malignancy before surgery.

Clinical outcomes of ovulation induction with metformin, clomiphene citrate and human menopausal gonadotrophin in polycystic ovary syndrome

This pilot study evaluated the effects of coadministration of metformin with clomiphene citrate (CC) and human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) in women with CC-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Sixty women with PCOS were randomly assigned to receive 3 months' treatment with metformin or placebo together with CC and HMG. Transvaginal ultrasound was used to monitor follicular development and ovulation was induced by human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). The number of dominant follicles, the oestradiol level on the day HCG was given and the amount of HMG required were significantly lower in the metformin group than in the placebo group, whereas the mono-ovulatory rate and pregnancy rate in the third cycle were significantly higher. The cumulative pregnancy rate in the metformin group (43.3%) was higher than in the placebo group (20.0%), but this difference did not reach statistical significance. In conclusion, coadministration of metformin with CC and HMG reduced the amount of HMG required and increased the mono-ovulatory rate and pregnancy rate.

Construction and expression of DNA vaccine pIRES-Sj97-Sj14-Sj26 and its immunogenicity in mice

To find a new preventive strategy for the infection of Schistosoma japonica, plasmid pIRES-Sj97-Sj14-Sj26 that contains fatty binding protein (Sj14), GST (Sj26) and paramyocin (Sj97) that are expressed on the membrane, was constructed. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of Sj14 mRNA, Sj26 mRNA and Sj97 mRNA in the Hela cells, the indirect immunofluorescent test was employed for the detection of the expression of trans-membrane Sj26 after the plasmid was transfected into Hela cells. Fifty BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 5 groups and pIRES-Sj97-Sj14-Sj26 plasmid DNA, pIRES-Sj14-Sj26 plasmid DNA, pIRES-Sj26 plasmid DNA, pIRES blank vector and normal saline were respectively injected into the quadriceps muscles of thigh. Eight weeks after the immunization the mice were killed and significantly higher level of IgG was detected in the pIRES-Sj97-Sj14-Sj26 group as compared with the pIRES blank vector, normal saline and pIRES-Sj26 groups (P<0.01) and the pIRES-Sj14-Sj26(P<0.05). Single splenocyte suspension was prepared to detected the level of IFN-gamma by ELISA and the lymphocyte stimulating index (SI) by MTT. SI was significantly higher of in the pIRES-Sj97-Sj14-Sj26 group than in other groups (P<0.01), while the IFN-gamma level was significantly higher the pIRES-Sj97-Sj14-Sj26 group than in pIRES blank vector and normal saline groups (P<0.01), but no significant differences were found when compared with pIRES-Sj14-Sj26 and pIRES-Sj26 groups. Flow cytometery showed that the percent-ages of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were much higher in the pIRES-Sj97-Sj14-Sj26 group (P< 0.01, P<0.05). It was concluded that pIRES-Sj97-Sj14-Sj26 vaccine may induce stronger immune response in BALB/c mice.

Measurement of the bottom quark contribution to nonphotonic electron production in p + p collisions at √s=200 GeV

The contribution of B meson decays to nonphotonic electrons, which are mainly produced by the semileptonic decays of heavy-flavor mesons, in p + p collisions at √s=200  GeV has been measured using azimuthal correlations between nonphotonic electrons and hadrons. The extracted B decay contribution is approximately 50% at a transverse momentum of pT≥5  GeV/c. These measurements constrain the nuclear modification factor for electrons from B and D meson decays. The result indicates that B meson production in heavy ion collisions is also suppressed at high pT.

The Mechanical Stress–Activated Serum-, Glucocorticoid-Regulated Kinase 1 Contributes to Neointima Formation in Vein Grafts

Rationale:

Mechanical stress plays an important role in proliferation of venous smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in neointima, a process of formation that contributes to failure of vein grafts. However, it is unknown what intracellular growth signal leads to proliferation of venous SMCs.

Objective:

The objective of this study is to identify mechanisms of mechanical stretch on neointima formation.

Methods and Results:

By a microarray analysis, we found that mechanical cyclic stretch (15% elongation) stimulated the transcription of SGK-1 (serum-, glucocorticoid-regulated kinase-1). Mechanical stretch–induced SGK-1 mRNA expression was blocked by actinomycin D. The mechanism for the SGK-1 expression involved MEK1 but not p38 or JNK signaling pathway. SGK-1 activation in response to stretch is blocked by insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 receptor inhibitor and mammalian target of rapamycin complex (mTORC)2 inhibitor (Ku-0063794) but not mTORC1 inhibitor (rapamycin). Mechanical stretch–induced bromodeoxyuridine incorporation was reduced by 83.5% in venous SMCs isolated from SGK-1 knockout mice. In contrast, inhibition of Akt, another downstream signal of PI3K resulted in only partial inhibition of mechanical stretch–induced proliferation of venous SMCs. Mechanical stretch also induced phosphorylation and nuclear exportation of p27 kip1 , whereas knockout of SGK-1 attenuated this effect of mechanical stretch on p27 kip1 . In vivo, we found that placement of a vein graft into artery increased SGK-1 expression. Knockout of SGK-1 effectively prevented neointima formation in vein graft. There is significant lower level of p27 kip1 located in the nucleus of neointima cells in SGK-1 knockout mice compared with that of wild-type vein graft. In addition, we also found that wire injury of artery or growth factors in vitro increased expression of SGK-1.

Conclusions:

These results suggest that SGK-1 is an injury-responsive kinase that could mediate mechanical stretch–induced proliferation of vascular cells in vein graft, leading to neointima formation.

Potassium doping effect on the lattice softening and electronic structure of Ba(1-x)K(x)Fe(2)As(2) probed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Ba(1-x)K(x)Fe(2)As(2) superconducting samples (x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5) were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method. In this contribution the doping effect of potassium on the lattice dynamics in this newly discovered Ba(1-x)K(x)Fe(2)As(2) superconductor has been investigated by extended X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy. The analysis shows that with potassium doping an increased disorder in the iron layers is mainly related to the softening of the Fe-Fe bond. Information about the electronic structure of these materials has also been obtained by looking at the X-ray absorption near-edge structure spectra that point out the presence of holes in the Fe-3d/As-4p hybridized orbital of the BaFe(2)As(2)-based system.