Cotton LIM domain-containing protein GhPLIM1 is specifically expressed in anthers and participates in modulating F-actin

As one form of actin binding protein (ABP), LIM domain protein can trigger the formation of actin bundles during plant growth and development. In this study, a cDNA (designated GhPLIM1) encoding a LIM domain protein with 216 amino acid residues was identified from a cotton flower cDNA library. Quantitative RT-PCR indicated that GhPLIM1 is specifically expressed in cotton anthers, and its expression levels are regulated during anther development of cotton. GhPLIM1:eGFP transformed cotton cells display a distributed network of eGFP fluorescence, suggesting that GhPLIM1 protein is mainly localised to the cell cytoskeleton. In vitro high-speed co-sedimentation and low co-sedimentation assays indicate that GhPLIM1 protein not only directly binds actin filaments but also bundles F-actin. Further biochemical experiments verified that GhPLIM1 protein can protect F-actin against depolymerisation by Lat B. Thus, our data demonstrate that GhPLIM1 functions as an actin binding protein (ABP) in modulating actin filaments in vitro, suggesting that GhPLIM1 may be involved in regulating the actin cytoskeleton required for pollen development in cotton.

Plant natural products: from traditional compounds to new emerging drugs in cancer therapy

Natural products are chemical compounds or substances produced naturally by living organisms. With the development of modern technology, more and more plant extracts have been found to be useful to medical practice. Both micromolecules and macromolecules have been reported to have the ability to inhibit tumour progression, a novel weapon to fight cancer by targeting its 10 characteristic hallmarks. In this review, we focus on summarizing plant natural compounds and their derivatives with anti-tumour properties, into categories, according to their potential therapeutic strategies against different types of human cancer. Taken together, we present a well-grounded review of these properties, hoping to shed new light on discovery of novel anti-tumour therapeutic drugs from known plant natural sources.

Effect of integrin combined laminin on peripheral blood vessel of cerebral infarction and endogenous nerve regeneration

The third Chinese nationwide survey on causes of death states that cerebrovascular disease, accounting for 22.45% of total deaths, ranks as the first cause of death among rural and urban residents. It has become a serious public health problem since it has the highest disability and fatality rate among single diseases. Cerebral infarction is the most common cerebrovascular disease. In order to enhance the treatment response of cerebral infarction, this paper established male Sprague Dawley (SD) rat reperfusion model with 2 h of cerebral artery embolism by suture method. Neurological function deficit was scored according to rat improvement 24 h after model establishment, and 50 rats with scores between 10 and 13 were included in an ultimate experiment and were randomly divided into 5 groups: undisturbed control group, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) up-regulated vessel group, endostatin down-regulated vessel group, ventricle injected Cxc Chemokin Receptor 4 (CXCR4) antibody group, ventricle injected α6β1 antagonist (GoH3 antibody) group, respectively. The experiment was initiated after grouping and measurement of the relative data. The obtained results showed that the behavioral recovery of the VEGF group was more obvious compared with the control group, and the differences were statistically significant. The research was carried out using decreased modified neurological severity scores (mNSS), and the time a rat took to remove a pasted object. However, the behavioral recovery in the endostatin group, anti-CXCR4 group and GoH3 group was slow, and the difference was statistically significant, which showed as slowly decreased mNSS scoring and inconspicuous improved time of a rat removing a sticker. Compared with the control group, the number of peripheral BrdU+/ vWF+ cells of rat cerebral infarction in the VEGF group increased, and the peripheral VEGF expression quantity of cerebral infarction increased, thus the difference was statistically significant. However, cells in the endostatin group, anti-CXCR4 group, and GoH3 group were fewer and VEGF expression was reduced, and the difference was statistically significant. All these findings suggest that the promotion of angiogenesis after cerebral infarction can better provide the vascular niche for the proliferation, migration and differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs), thereby further promoting endogenous nerve regeneration. NSPCs can always closely connect with vessels through the interaction of integrin α6β1 and laminin; furthermore, under the support provided by the vascular niche and the chemotaxis of stromal cellderived factor (SDF-1), NSPCs can migrate from the subventricular zone (SVZ) to the periphery of infarction.

Cyclic additional optical true time delay for microwave beam steering with spectral filtering

Optical true time delay (OTTD) is an attractive way to realize microwave beam steering (MBS) due to its inherent features of broadband, low-loss, and compactness. In this Letter, we propose a novel OTTD approach named cyclic additional optical true time delay (CAO-TTD). It applies additional integer delays of the microwave carrier frequency to achieve spectral filtering but without disturbing the spatial filtering (beam steering). Based on such concept, a broadband MBS scheme for high-capacity wireless communication is proposed, which allows the tuning of both spectral filtering and spatial filtering. The experimental results match well with the theoretical analysis.

Enteric bacterial protein AvrA promotes colonic tumorigenesis and activates colonic beta-catenin signaling pathway

Salmonella infections can become chronic and increase the risk of cancer. The mechanisms by which specific Salmonella organisms contribute to cancer, however, are still unknown. Live and attenuated Salmonella are used as vectors to target cancer cells, but there have been no systematic studies of the oncogenic potential of chronic Salmonella infections in cancer models. AvrA, a pathogenic product of Salmonella, is inserted into host cells during infection and influences eukaryotic cell pathways. In the current study, we colonized mice with Salmonella AvrA-sufficient or AvrA-deficient Salmonella typhimirium strains and induced inflammation-associated colon cancer by azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS). We confirmed Salmonella persisted in the colon for up to 45 weeks. Salmonella was identified not only in epithelial cells on the colonic luminal surface and base of the crypts but also in invading tumors. Tumor incidence in the AvrA+infected group was 100% compared with 51.4% in the AOM/DSS group without bacterial gavage and 56.3% in mice infected with the AvrA- strain. Infection with AvrA+ strain also altered tumor distribution from the distal to proximal colon that might reflect changes in the microbiome. AvrA-expressing bacteria also upregulated beta-catenin signaling as assessed by decreased beta-catenin ubiquitination, increased nuclear beta-catenin and increased phosphorylated-beta-catenin (Ser552), a marker of proliferating stem-progenitor cells. Other β-catenin targets increased by AvrA included Bmi1, a cancer stem cell marker, matrix metalloproteinase-7, and cyclin D1. In summary, AvrA-expressing Salmonella infection activates β-catenin signals and enhances colonic tumorigenesis. Our findings provide important new mechanistic insights into how a bacterial protein targets proliferating stem-progenitor cells and contributes to cancer development. Our observations also raise a note of caution regarding the use of mutant Salmonella organisms as vectors for anti-cancer therapy. Finally, these studies could suggest biomarkers (such as AvrA level in gut) to assess cancer risk in susceptible individuals and infection-related dysregulation of β-catenin signaling in cancer.

Phase modulation parallel optical delay detector for microwave angle-of-arrival measurement with accuracy monitored

A novel phase modulation parallel optical delay detector is proposed for microwave angle-of-arrival measurement with accuracy monitored by using only one dual-electrode Mach-Zehnder modulator. A theoretical model is built up to analyze the proposed system including measurement accuracy monitoring. The spatial delay measurement is translated into the phase shift between two replicas of a microwave signal. Thanks to the accuracy monitoring, the phase shifts from 5° to 165° are measured with less than 3.1° measurement error.

Meta-analysis of protective effect of sevoflurane on myocardium during cardiac surgery

BACKGROUND

This study aims to evaluate the effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on myocardium in cardiac surgery and provide evidence for clinical anesthesia practice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Literature about the protective effect of sevoflurane anesthesia on myocardium in cardiac surgery published before March, 2012 was retrieved from the database of PubMed and EMBASE. The quality of inclusive randomized controlled trials was evaluated and screened according to the Jadad scale. Finally, meta-analysis was performed by using the RevMan5.0 software.

RESULTS

In this research, there were totally 17 articles in accordance with the inclusive criteria and all of them were in English with the study sites being abroad. Each article was more than 3 points in Jadad scale. Compared with total intravenous anesthesia group, postoperative 12h CO and CI of patients have been significantly improved in the sevoflurane anesthesia group; and concentration of postoperative 24 h cTnI in the sevoflurane anesthesia group has been reduced, as well as assisted respiratory time and ICU stay after operation. There is no significant difference in hospitalization stay between both groups; postoperative usage of vasoactive drugs in sevoflurane anesthesia group is less than in total intravenous anesthesia group. There is no significant difference in postoperative appearance of atrial fibrillation, recurrence rate of angina pectoris and mortality of patients after operation between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Sevoflurane can better protect myocardium in the cardiac surgery.

Synthesis and Properties Evaluation of Nonionic-Anionic Surfactants Suitable for Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Sea Water

In view of imperfections of conventional anionic and nonionic surfactants used for enhanced oil recovery, especially the characteristics of high salinity and high Calcium/Magnesium for sea water flooding, a new novel displacement agent suitable for sea water flooding was synthesized through alkoxylation, epoxidation, sulfonation reaction with fatty alcohol as core. The structure of the product was characterized by IR. The properties of the product, including salt tolerance, temperature resistance etc. were evaluated. At 70 °C, when the concentration of this surfactant is 0.3 %, the interfacial tension between simulated water solution and Bohai1A-4 well crude reaches 10−3 mN/m order, the salt tolerance reaches 50 000 mg/L, the resistance to calcium and magnesium reaches 2000 mg/L. The laboratory physical simulation test shows that the binary complex system (polymer + surfactant) can enhance the recovery ratio by 17.9 %, while better synergistic effect of the system is obtained.

The significance of fragile histidine triad protein as a molecular prognostic marker of bladder urothelial carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

The role and clinical significance of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in the pathogenesis of bladder urothelial carcinoma (UC) and the potential of Fhit protein as a prognostic biomarker for UC were investigated.

METHODS

FHIT expression was determined according to semiquantitative immunohistochemical staining for Fhit protein levels in normal bladder and bladder UC tissues. Associations between FHIT expression, clinicopathological features and survival were evaluated.

RESULTS

This study evaluated 42 cases of normal bladder and 125 cases of bladder UC; bladder UC cases had a median follow-up of 53.5 months. Immuno histochemistry showed that 95.2% of normal cases and 47.2% of bladder UC cases, respectively, were positive for Fhit protein; this difference was statistically significant. There was a significant association between negative FHIT expression in bladder UC and advanced tumour stage, high pathological grade, large tumour size, tumour recurrence and reduced survival time, but no association with age, gender, tumour number or tumour shape.

CONCLUSIONS

The FHIT gene may have an important role in the pathogenesis of bladder UC and was expressed at lower levels in bladder UC compared with normal bladder tissue. Using Fhit protein as a biomarker could provide important information about patient prognosis.

Analysis of plasma calprotectin and polymorphisms of S100A8 in patients with aggressive periodontitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Calprotectin is an important proinflammatory mediator in various inflammatory diseases and is composed of two subunits (S100A8 and S100A9). However, the level of calprotectin in plasma of patients with aggressive periodontitis and its relationship with gene polymorphisms of S100A8 are unclear.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The plasma concentrations of calprotectin were measured, using an enzyme immunoassay, in 139 patients with aggressive periodontitis and in 88 periodontally healthy control subjects. These patients were genotyped for the rs3795391 and rs3806232 polymorphisms of S100A8.

RESULTS

The plasma concentration of calprotectin in patients with aggressive periodontitis was significantly higher than in controls (2.17 mg/L vs. 1.72 mg/L, respectively, p = 0.001). The percentage of the AA genotype of S100A8 rs3795391 was significantly higher in patients than in controls (82% vs. 69.3%, respectively, p = 0.027), while the frequency of the allele G was decreased among patients compared with controls (9.6% vs. 16.1%, respectively, p = 0.036), which was especially apparent in men (rs3795391 genotype, p = 0.005; rs3795391 allele, p = 0.015). The mean probing depth in patients carrying the AA genotype was significantly higher than that of patients carrying the GA + GG genotype of two polymorphisms of S100A8 (rs3795391, p = 0.035; rs3806232, p = 0.040), whereas the levels of calprotectin between different genotypes were not significantly different (rs3795391, p = 0.11; rs3806232, p = 0.15).

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that aggressive periodontitis is associated with elevated levels of plasma calprotectin and that gene polymorphisms of S100A8 may influence the susceptibility and severity of aggressive periodontitis.

Localization and functional characterization of pulmonary bovine odorant-binding protein

Bovine odorant-binding protein (OBP) may function in olfaction and defense against oxidative injury, but its role in inflammation and defense against bacterial infection has not been investigated. Expression of OBP was discovered in the bovine lung and found to undergo changes in abundance during glucocorticoid administration and stress. OBP was localized to nasal, tracheal, and bronchial mucosal glands with immunohistochemistry, with faint expression in airway surface epithelium and none in bronchioles or alveoli. Two isoforms of OBP were identified, appearing to be differentially regulated during lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary inflammation, but differences between these isoforms were not revealed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Functional studies showed no effect of OBP on in vitro growth of Escherichia coli or Mannheimia haemolytica under iron-replete or iron-depleted conditions, nor did OBP opsonize bacteria for an enhanced neutrophil oxidative burst. However, OBP did reduce the ability of supernatants from lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages to induce neutrophil chemotaxis. These findings indicate that OBP may inhibit neutrophil recruitment by inflammatory mediators, and they suggest an ability to bind macrophage-derived inflammatory mediators within the airways.

Enhanced hypotensive, bradycardic, and hypnotic responses to alpha2-adrenergic agonists in spinophilin-null mice are accompanied by increased G protein coupling to the alpha2A-adrenergic receptor

We previously identified spinophilin as a regulator of alpha(2) adrenergic receptor (alpha(2)AR) trafficking and signaling in vitro and in vivo (Science 304:1940-1944, 2004). To assess the generalized role of spinophilin in regulating alpha(2)AR functions in vivo, the present study examined the impact of eliminating spinophilin on alpha(2)AR-evoked cardiovascular and hypnotic responses, previously demonstrated to be mediated by the alpha(2A)AR subtype, after systemic administration of the alpha(2)-agonists 5-bromo-N-(4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-6-quinoxalinamine (UK14,304) and clonidine in spinophilin-null mice. Mice lacking spinophilin expression display dramatically enhanced and prolonged hypotensive, bradycardic, and sedative-hypnotic responses to alpha(2)AR stimulation. Whereas these changes in sensitivity to alpha(2)AR agonists occur independent of any changes in alpha(2A)AR density or intrinsic affinity for agonist in the brains of spinophilin-null mice compared with wild-type control mice, the coupling of the alpha(2A)AR to cognate G proteins is enhanced in spinophilin-null mice. Thus, brain preparations from spinophilin-null mice demonstrate enhanced guanine nucleotide regulation of UK14,304 binding and evidence of a larger fraction of alpha(2A)AR in the guanine-nucleotide-sensitive higher affinity state compared with those from wild-type mice. These findings suggest that eliminating spinophilin expression in native tissues leads to an enhanced receptor/G protein coupling efficiency that contributes to sensitization of receptor mediated responses in vivo.

RACK1, a potential target to decrease morphine reward in mice

Morphine reexposure induces the decrease of receptor for activated C-kinase 1 protein (RACK1) levels in frontal cortex, and the increase of p-ERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) levels in mouse frontal cortex, striatum, hippocampus and nucleus accumbens (NAcc). Moreover, RACK1 is associated with the core kinases of the ERK pathway, Raf, MEK, and ERK. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of overexpression of RACK1 on the conditioned place preference (CPP) and the level of p-ERK in morphine reexposure mice. Mice were subcutaneously injected with morphine on the 2nd, 4th, 6th, and the 8th day, saline was delivered the next day. After mice showed place preference, RACK1 was administered by intraventricular injection 20 minutes after injection of morphine on the 11th, 13th, 15th, and 17th day. CPP was measured on the 18th day. It was found that morphine reexposured mice showed a decreased RACK1 level in the frontal cortex, striatum and an increased RACK1 level in hippocampus and NAcc, but this effect was reversed after administration of RACK1. In this study we demonstrated that RACK1 decreased p-ERK and erased CPP during reexposure of morphine and there was no an effect in reexposure saline mice. It strongly suggests that RACK1 may play a crucial role in morphine reexposured mice and the RACK1 has the potential to be a remedy to the morphine reward.

Genetic associations of LYN with systemic lupus erythematosus

We targeted LYN, a src-tyosine kinase involved in B-cell activation, in case-control association studies using populations of European-American, African-American and Korean subjects. Our combined European-derived population, consisting of 2463 independent cases and 3131 unrelated controls, shows significant association with rs6983130 in a female-only analysis with 2254 cases and 2228 controls (P=1.1 x 10(-4), odds ratio (OR)=0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.73-0.90)). This single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is located in the 5' untranslated region within the first intron near the transcription initiation site of LYN. In addition, SNPs upstream of the first exon also show weak and sporadic association in subsets of the total European-American population. Multivariate logistic regression analysis implicates rs6983130 as a protective factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) susceptibility when anti-dsDNA, anti-chromatin, anti-52 kDa Ro or anti-Sm autoantibody status were used as covariates. Subset analysis of the European-American female cases by American College of Rheumatology classification criteria shows a reduction in the risk of hematological disorder with rs6983130 compared with cases without hematological disorders (P=1.5 x 10(-3), OR=0.75 (95% CI: 0.62-0.89)). None of the 90 SNPs tested show significant association with SLE in the African American or Korean populations. These results support an association of LYN with European-derived individuals with SLE, especially within autoantibody or clinical subsets.