Combination of valproic acid and ATRA restores RARβ2 expression and induces differentiation in cervical cancer through the PI3K/Akt pathway

Epigenetic silencing of the tumor suppressor gene, RARβ2, through histone deacetylation has been established as an important process of cervical carcinogenesis. This pivotal role has led to the suggestion that a combination of retinoids selective for RARβ2 with histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors may have therapeutic potential. Valproic acid (VPA), a HDAC inhibitor, has a critical role in the regulation of gene expression through histone acetylation and causes transformed cells to undergo growth arrest, differentiation, and apoptosis. Therefore, we hypothesized that the combination of VPA and ATRA could restore RARβ2 expression, thus resulting in enhanced anti-neoplastic activity in cervical cancer. Here, we show that VPA combined with ATRA led to hyperacetylation of histone H3 and a significant alteration of gene expression in cervical cancer cells, including RARβ2 gene expression, which was upregulated 50- to 90-fold. The combination therapy effectively inhibited the growth of cervical cancer cells more than the single agent treatment both in vitro and in vivo. The additive effects were associated with a significant upregulation of p21(CIP1) and p53 as well as a pronounced decrease in p-Stat3. Furthermore, the combined treatment led to cell cycle arrest predominantly at the G1 phase, and it preferentially induced cell differentiation rather than apoptosis in cervical cancer cells. The differentiation program was determined by the presence of E-cadherinmediated adhesion and activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Taken together, these results provide new insight into the mechanisms of enhanced antitumor activity of the HDAC inhibitor and ATRA regimen, thus offering a new therapeutic strategy for cervical cancer patients.

Age-dependent alterations of HLA-DR expression and effect of lipopolysaccharide on cytokine secretion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in the elderly population

HLA-DR, a major histocompatibility complex, MHC class II, is involved in several autoimmune conditions, disease susceptibility and disease resistance. Here, we investigate the impact of different age individuals on HLA-DR expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The results indicate that HLA-DR expression on PBMCs in the population aged above 70 years significantly increased as compared with that in the lower-age groups by flow cytometry analysis (B-D; r = 0.690, P = 0.000265). In addition, followed by LPS stimulation, the levels of cytokine TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 secretion by allogeneic T lymphocytes from different age groups (A-D) were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Notably, levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly reduced in groups B, C and D as compared with group A (P < 0.05), whereas levels of IL-10 increased (P = 0.012). However, no significant difference in PBMC-secreted TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-10 levels was observed among groups A, B, C and D (P > 0.05) before LPS stimulation. We firstly present data showing an age-dependent increase in HLA-DR expression in the population aged above 70 years and the individual with aged above 70 years has reduced the secretion of inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-6) by PBMCs and increased the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) after LPS stimulation in vitro. The better understanding of HLR-DR expression on human PBMCs in aged individuals and its relation to the host cellular immunity would provide important insights into the immunity of aged individuals and particularly, in elderly patients with sepsis.

Circadian epigenomic remodeling and hepatic lipogenesis: lessons from HDAC3

Circadian rhythms have evolved to anticipate metabolic needs across the 24-h light/dark cycle. This is accomplished by circadian expression of metabolic genes orchestrated by transcription factors through chromatin remodeling and histone modifications. Our recent genome-wide study on histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) in mouse liver provides novel insights into the molecular link between circadian rhythm and hepatic de novo lipogenesis. We found that liver-specific knockout of HDAC3 in adult mouse displays severe hepatic steatosis associated with enhanced de novo lipogenesis and increased expression of lipogenic genes. Genome-wide analysis (ChIP-seq) revealed a pronounced circadian pattern of HDAC3 occupancy on genes involved in lipid metabolism, which is inversely related to histone acetylation and RNA polymerase II recruitment at these sites. The cistromes of HDAC3 and its binding partner, nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR), significantly overlap with that of Rev-erbα, a nuclear receptor directly involved in the core circadian machinery. Knockout of Rev-erbα in mouse also leads to hepatic steatosis and enhanced de novo lipogenesis. Collectively, these data suggest that the circadian epigenomic remodeling controlled by HDAC3, and largely directed by Rev-erbα, is essential for homeostasis of the lipogenic process in liver.

Effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance of sows during the first two parities

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary fibre on reproductive performance during the first two parities. Gilts were randomly allocated to receive three fibrous diets from days 1-90 of gestation, including low fibre [low fiber (LF), 10.8% neutral detergent fiber (NDF), n=132], middle fibre [middle fiber (MF), 15.8% NDF, n=132] and high fibre diet (HF, 20.8% NDF, n=135), until completion of the second parity. Response criteria included backfat measurements, litter size and pig weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation, weaning-oestrus-interval, oestrus rate, sow farrowing and culling rate, uniformity of newborns and relative organ weights. The results showed sows fed LF diet in parity 1 gained more backfat (p<0.05) during gestation but lost more (p<0.05) during lactation than sows fed HF diet. Furthermore, sows fed LF diet farrowed more pigs (+0.7-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and pigs born alive (+1.0 pigs, p<0.05) relative to sows fed HF diet. Likewise, sows fed LF and MF diets had greater litter weights at parturition (both p=0.06) and day 22 after lactation (both p<0.05). In parity 2, yet, it was MF diet to increase both total pigs born and pigs born alive (+0.9-1.1 pigs, p<0.05) and litter weight (p=0.05) relative to other diets. After 22 d of lactation, intriguingly, sows fed HF diet had most pigs alive (p<0.01-0.07) and heavier litter weight (p=0.07 or 0.2). Feeding HF diet also increased internal organs weight of newborns (p<0.05). Collectively, feeding LF and MF diets had beneficial effects on litter weight at parturition and day 22 of lactation in parity 1, and feeding MF diet until parity 2 was able to improve litter size and weight at parturition, but this positive effect disappeared after 22 days of lactation, instead feeding HF diet showed the optimal litter performance.

Quick and effective technique for specimen extraction during video-assisted thoracic surgery

We describe here a novel technique for specimen extraction during video-assisted thoracic surgery. Traditionally, most surgeons extract specimens using a tough nylon sac or bag. However, this procedure is time-consuming and difficult for trainees to perform. We developed a novel extraction sac with two positioning finger sacs. Our technique consists of first grasping the specimen and then enclosing it with the sac instead of placing the specimen into the sac. By grasping the specimen and performing a movement resembling the drawing off of a glove, the resected specimen is inserted into the bag and can be subsequently extracted. We conclude that this new strategy is an effective, quick and safe technique.

Lipoic acid effects on monoaminergic system after pilocarpine-induced seizures

Systemic injection of pilocarpine has been shown to induce recurrent seizures and epileptic discharges demonstrated by EEG monitoring. It also has been reported that antioxidants are able to diminish or prevent the occurrence of epileptic discharges induced by pilocarpine through the inhibition of free radical formation and neurotransmitter metabolic alterations. The purpose of this work was to determine the effects of lipoic acid (LA) on the levels of dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), norepinephrine (NE) and subsequent metabolites in the hippocampus of rats after seizure induction by pilocarpine. Seizures dramatically decreased the levels of DA, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and NE, whereas significantly increased the levels of neurotransmitter metabolites. The administration of lipoic acid before seizure induction resulted in normalized levels of DA and 5-HA. However, the lipoic acid administration in similar conditions produced a reduction of the metabolites levels when compared with the pilocarpine group. These results suggest that the establishment of acute phase of seizures induced by pilocarpine might be produced by consequent the activation of serotonergic neurons. In addition, the lipoic acid inhibits hyperactivity of this system during the installation of pilocarpine-induced seizures.

Rich internet application system for patient-centric healthcare data management using handheld devices

Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) are an emerging software platform that blurs the line between web service and native application, and is a powerful tool for handheld device deployment. By democratizing health data management and widening its availability, this software platform has the potential to revolutionize telemedicine, clinical practice, medical education and information distribution, particularly in rural areas, and to make patient-centric medical computing a reality. In this paper, we propose a telemedicine application that leverages the ability of a mobile RIA platform to transcode, organise and present textual and multimedia data, which are sourced from medical database software. We adopted a web-based approach to communicate, in real-time, with an established hospital information system via a custom RIA. The proposed solution allows communication between handheld devices and a hospital information system for media streaming with support for real-time encryption, on any RIA enabled platform. We demonstrate our prototype's ability to securely and rapidly access, without installation requirements, medical data ranging from simple textual records to multi-slice PET-CT images and maximum intensity (MIP) projections.

Adipose stromal cells-secreted neuroprotective media against neuronal apoptosis

Transplantation of pluripotent adipose stem/stromal cells (ASC) alleviates tissue damage and improves functional deficits in both stroke and cardiovascular disease animal models. Recent studies indicate that the primary mechanism of ASC-induced repair may not be directly related to tissue regeneration through differentiation, but rather through paracrine mechanisms provided by secreted pro-survival and repair-inducing trophic factors. In this study, we have found that ASC-conditioned medium (ASC-CM) potently protected cerebellar granule neurons (CGN) from apoptosis induced by serum and potassium deprivation. Neural cell protection was mostly attributable to activated caspase-3 and Akt-mediated neuroprotective pathway signaling. Specific neutralization of neurotrophic factor activity demonstrated that serum and potassium deprivation-induced Akt-mediated neuroprotection and caspase-3-dependent apoptosis were mainly modulated by IGF-1. These data suggest that of the many neuroprotective factors secreted by ASC, IGF-1 is the major factor that mediates protection against serum and potassium deprivation-induced CGN apoptosis. This study establishes a mechanistic basis supporting the therapeutic application of ASC for neurological disorders, specifically through paracrine support provided by trophic factor secretion.

Cortical expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha after human brain contusion

Recent studies have demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) agonists can protect the brain against excessive oxidative stress and inflammation in traumatic brain injury (TBI) and stroke through endogenous PPAR-alpha. However, it has not been investigated whether, and to what degree, cerebral expression of PPAR-alpha changes after TBI, especially in the human brain. In this study, 12 contused brain samples were obtained from 11 patients undergoing surgery for TBI 6 - 98 h after trauma. PPAR-alpha binding activity was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and temporal and cellular expression of PPAR-alpha by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that a persistent upregulation of PPAR-alpha binding activity and protein expression occurred in injured cortex after TBI, which peaked 24 - 72 h post-injury. Expression of PPAR-alpha was mainly located in glial and vascular endothelial cells with a little expression in the neurons. It is concluded that TBI could greatly upregulate the binding activity and protein expression of PPAR-alpha in injured human brain, which might be important in brain pathophysiology after TBI.

Dynamic gadolinium-enhanced MRI in early ischaemia of the proximal femoral epiphysis--a preliminary study

AIM

To compare the sensitivities of dynamic Gadoteridol (Gd)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and conventional Gd-enhanced spin-echo (SE) T1-weighted imaging (WI) in the detection of decreased perfusion of early epiphyseal ischaemia, and to determine the contribution of metaphyseal vascularity to physeal perfusion in epiphyseal vascular occlusion by dynamic Gd-enhanced MRI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight 2-week-old piglets were divided evenly into four groups: control groups A and B, and ischaemic groups A and B (seven animals in each). In the ischaemic groups, MRI was performed bilaterally on hips in persistent hyperabduction for 30 min. In the control and ischaemic group A the piglets underwent dynamic Gd-enhanced MRI, and in control and ischaemic group B the piglets were subjected to Gd-enhanced SE T1WI.

RESULTS

In ischaemic group A, the enhancement ratio (ER) and enhancement speed (ES) of the various tissues (except the metaphysis) were significantly lower than those in control group A on dynamic Gd-enhanced MRI (p<0.05). However, in ischaemic group B, no significant decrease in the ER of each tissue was found, compared with the ER in control group B as viewed using Gd-enhanced SE T1WI (p>0.05). On dynamic Gd-enhanced MRI, the ER and ES of the physis were less than those of metaphysis in the ischaemic group A (p<0.05); however, the ER and ES of the physis were similar to those of metaphysis in control group A (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dynamic Gd-enhanced MRI is more sensitive than conventional Gd-enhanced SE T1WI in the detection of early epiphyseal ischaemia. Physeal perfusion might be from the metaphysis in epiphyseal vascular occlusion.

Influence of glutamine on intestinal inflammatory response, mucosa structure alterations and apoptosis following traumatic brain injury in rats

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can induce a persistent inflammatory response, histopathological changes and apoptosis in the intestine. Glutamine has been shown to reduce bacterial translocation and maintain intestine mucosal integrity, but its effects on the inflammatory response, structural alterations and apoptosis in intestinal mucosa following TBI have not been previously investigated. Using the weight-drop method, a right parietal cortical contusion was induced in rats and, for the next 5 days, they were fed either chow alone or chow mixed with glutamine. Intestinal tissue samples were then removed for analysis. Following TBI, glutamine supplementation was found to: decrease intestinal concentrations of interleukin (IL) -1beta, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and IL-6; downregulate intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression; attenuate TBI-induced damage to the intestine structure; and reduce apoptosis. These results suggest that post-TBI glutamine administration could suppress intestinal inflammation, protect intestinal mucosal structure and reduce mucosal apoptosis.