Atorvastatin suppresses Toll-like receptor 4 expression and NF-κB activation in rabbit atherosclerotic plaques

BACKGROUND

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays an essential role in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis, which overexpresses in atherosclerotic lesions and mediates the production of inflammatory factors. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of atorvastatin on TLR4 protein and mRNA expression and its downstream factor NF-κB activation in rabbit atherosclerotic plaques.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rabbits continuously fed with high-fat diet for 24 weeks were randomly divided into two groups, the drug-treated group orally administrated with atorvastatin (2 mg/kg/day) three weeks after high-fat diet feeding and the model group with no treatment. The expression of TLR4 protein and mRNA, the level of activated NF-κB (p65) were respectively detected by western blotting, quantitative RT-PCR, and ELISA.

RESULTS

The results showed that atorvastatin treatment reduced the expression of TLR4 protein and mRNA by 24.1% (p < 0.05) and 46.9% (p < 0.01), respectively, and also inhibited NF-κB activation by 76.0% (p < 0.001) in the atherosclerotic plaques.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, it was suggested that atorvastatin could exert an anti-atherosclerotic activity besides inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis.

Perturbations in cortical development and neuronal network excitability arising from prenatal exposure to benzodiazepines in mice

During brain development, many factors influence the assembly and final positioning of cortical neurons, and this process is essential for proper circuit formation and normal brain function. Among many important extrinsic factors that guide the maturation of embryonic cortical neurons, the secreted neurotransmitter GABA has been proposed to influence both their migratory behaviour and their terminal differentiation. The full extent of the short-term and long-term changes in brain patterning and function caused by modulators of the GABA system is not known. In this study, we specifically investigated whether diazepam, a commonly used benzodiazepine that modulates the GABAA receptor, alters neuronal positioning in vivo, and whether this can lead to lasting effects on brain function. We found that fetal exposure to diazepam did not change cell positioning within the embryonic day (E)14.5 mouse cerebral cortex, but significantly altered neuron positioning within the E18.5 cortex. In adult mice, diazepam treatment affected the distribution of cortical interneurons that express parvalbumin or calretinin, and also led to a decrease in the numbers of calretinin-expressing interneurons. In addition, we observed that neonatal exposure to diazepam altered the sensitivity of mice to a proconvulsant challenge. Therefore, exposure of the fetal brain to benzodiazepines has consequences for the positioning of neurons and cortical network excitability.

[Clinical analysis of 2261 cases of Yunnan Tin miners with lung cancer]

BACKGROUND

To find out the clinical features and the regular patterns of lung cancer among Yunnan Tin miners and get ready for the further clinical practices.

METHODS

From 1975 to 1998 the clinical data in 2261 patients with primary lung cancer from Yunnan Tin Corporation were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

The male patients were obviously more than female (male to female was 97.3:1). The ratio of age ranging from 50 to 69 years old was 74.3%. Of the whole group, 60.4% was squamous cell carcinoma and 71.4%was in stage III or IV. The 5-year survival rates of the three groups, which were respectively treated with surgical resection, non-surgical therapy and palliatively supporting therapy, were 43.4%, 7.5% and 1.2% respectively (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

There are some features in patients with lung cancer from Yunnan Tin Corporation. Early diagnosis for lung cancer and healthy quality education will be still important for our future work.

Mutations in the β-tubulin gene TUBB5 cause microcephaly with structural brain abnormalities

The formation of the mammalian cortex requires the generation, migration, and differentiation of neurons. The vital role that the microtubule cytoskeleton plays in these cellular processes is reflected by the discovery that mutations in various tubulin isotypes cause different neurodevelopmental diseases, including lissencephaly (TUBA1A), polymicrogyria (TUBA1A, TUBB2B, TUBB3), and an ocular motility disorder (TUBB3). Here, we show that Tubb5 is expressed in neurogenic progenitors in the mouse and that its depletion in vivo perturbs the cell cycle of progenitors and alters the position of migrating neurons. We report the occurrence of three microcephalic patients with structural brain abnormalities harboring de novo mutations in TUBB5 (M299V, V353I, and E401K). These mutant proteins, which affect the chaperone-dependent assembly of tubulin heterodimers in different ways, disrupt neurogenic division and/or migration in vivo. Our results provide insight into the functional repertoire of the tubulin gene family, specifically implicating TUBB5 in embryonic neurogenesis and microcephaly.

WD40-repeat protein 62 is a JNK-phosphorylated spindle pole protein required for spindle maintenance and timely mitotic progression

The impact of aberrant centrosomes and/or spindles on asymmetric cell division in embryonic development indicates the tight regulation of bipolar spindle formation and positioning that is required for mitotic progression and cell fate determination. WD40-repeat protein 62 (WDR62) was recently identified as a spindle pole protein linked to the neurodevelopmental defect of microcephaly but its roles in mitosis have not been defined. We report here that the in utero electroporation of neuroprogenitor cells with WDR62 siRNAs induced their cell cycle exit and reduced their proliferative capacity. In cultured cells, we demonstrated cell-cycle-dependent accumulation of WDR62 at the spindle pole during mitotic entry that persisted until metaphase-anaphase transition. Utilizing siRNA depletion, we revealed WDR62 function in stabilizing the mitotic spindle specifically during metaphase. WDR62 loss resulted in spindle orientation defects, decreased the integrity of centrosomes displaced from the spindle pole and delayed mitotic progression. Additionally, we revealed JNK phosphorylation of WDR62 is required for maintaining metaphase spindle organization during mitosis. Our study provides the first functional characterization of WDR62 and has revealed requirements for JNK/WDR62 signaling in mitotic spindle regulation that may be involved in coordinating neurogenesis.

Anti-cancer activities of tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate in breast cancer patients under radiotherapy

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that administration of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol present in abundance in widely consumed tea, inhibits cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis in breast cancer patients. EGCG in 400 mg capsules was orally administered three times daily to breast cancer patients undergoing treatment with radiotherapy. Parameters related to cell proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis were analyzed while blood samples were collected at different time points to determine efficacy of the EGCG treatment. Compared to patients who received radiotherapy alone, those given radiotherapy plus EGCG for an extended time period (two to eight weeks) showed significantly lower serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and reduced activation of metalloproteinase-9 and metalloproteinase-2 (MMP9/MMP2). Addition of sera obtained from patients treated with combination of radiotherapy and EGCG feeding for 2-8 weeks to in vitro cultures of highly-metastatic human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells resulted in the following significant changes: (1) suppression of cell proliferation and invasion; (2) arrest of cell cycles at the G0/G1 phase; (3) reduction of activation of MMP9/MMP2, expressions of Bcl-2/Bax, c-Met receptor, NF-κB, and the phosphorylation of Akt. MDA-MB-231 cells exposed to 5-10 µM EGCG also showed significant augmentation of the apoptosis inducing effects of γ-radiation, concomitant with reduced NF-κB protein level and AKT phosphorylation. These results provide hitherto unreported evidence that EGCG potentiated efficacy of radiotherapy in breast cancer patients, and raise the possibility that this tea polyphenol has potential to be a therapeutic adjuvant against human metastatic breast cancer.

Induction of apoptosis in sea bream fibroblasts by Vibrio harveyi haemolysin and evidence for an anti-apoptotic role of heat shock protein 70

In this study, we exposed black sea bream, Mylio macrocephalus (Basilewsky), fibroblast (BSF) and silver sea bream, Sparus sarba Forsskål, fibroblast (SSF) cell lines to a recombinant Vibrio harveyi haemolysin (VHH) and investigated mechanisms involved in apoptosis. A decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, followed by an increase in caspase 3 activity, occurred within 2-8 h of VHH exposure, in both cell lines; however, VHH did not alter cellular levels of reactive oxygen species. As heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is known to prevent the onset of apoptosis in certain mammalian cells, we aimed to test whether such a protective effect is operative in VHH-exposed fibroblasts. The amounts of HSP70 were elevated in SSF and BSF via an acute heat shock or an acute heat shock followed by a 6 h recovery. It was found that the VHH-mediated reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential was suppressed in cells that had a 6 h post-heat shock recovery, and the protective effect of heat shock-induced HSP70 was attenuated following treatment of cells with the HSP70 inhibitor, quercetin. This study demonstrates how haemolysin causes cell death via induction of apoptosis and provides evidence as to the role of HSP70 as an anti-apoptotic factor.

Acute kidney injury in Chinese patients with lupus nephritis: a large cohort study from a single center

OBJECTIVE

In this study we assess clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment and prognosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in a large cohort of Chinese patients with lupus nephritis.

METHODS

The clinical, laboratory, renal histopathology, treatment and outcome data were retrospectively collected and compared between lupus nephritis patients with and without AKI. The impact of AKI on renal outcome was evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 322 patients with renal biopsy-proven lupus nephritis, 66 (20.5%) were identified as AKI. Male predominance was observed in patients with AKI (p < 0.001). In comparison with the non-AKI group, patients with AKI had significantly higher proportions of serositis (p < 0.001), neurologic disorder (p = 0.026), anemia (p < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.013) and nephrotic syndrome (p = 0.011), but significant lower serum C3 (p < 0.001). The Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) scores, renal pathological activity indices and chronicity indices were significantly higher in the AKI group (p < 0.001 in all cases). Regarding outcome, the AKI group had a significantly poorer renal outcome compared with non-AKI group (p < 0.001). In the AKI group, patients with crescentic glomerulonephritis and thrombotic microangiopathy had the worst renal outcome. AKI was an independent risk factor for renal outcome (hazard ratio [HR] = 5.819, 95% confidence interval 2.411-14.044, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

AKI is common in lupus nephritis and is an independent risk factor for renal outcome.

Study of the MLB parameterisation for change in surface solar irradiance with sun zenith angle in clear sky

Abstract. The MLB parameterisation (Modified Lambert-Beer, Mueller et al., 2004) describes the change in SSI with sun zenith angle (SZA) in clear-sky conditions. It applies to the direct and global SSI as well as their spectral distribution. We assess its performances by comparing its results to the outputs of the radiative transfer model libRadtran and standard interpolation procedures. The standard two-point fitting MLB function performs very well at SZA between 0° and 60° and fairly bad from 60° to 89.9°. A parameterisation made of four MLBs for four intervals (0°, 60°), (60°, 75°), (75°, 85°) and (85°, 89.9°) is also tested. This piecewise MLB parameterisation exhibits satisfactory performances at any SZA and outperforms standard linear interpolation techniques. 95 % of errors in global SSI are less than 1 W m−2 for each band and less than 5 W m−2 for total irradiance.

Solar irradiance in clear atmosphere: study of parameterisations of change with altitude

Abstract. Parameterisation of changes of the solar irradiance at ground level with a specific variable (e.g. solar zenithal angle, aerosol optical depth, altitude, etc.) is often used in operational processes because it saves computational time. This paper deals with the modelling of the vertical profile of downwelling solar irradiance for the first two kilometres above ground in clear sky conditions. Two analytical parameterisations are evaluated for direct and global irradiance in spectral bands as well as for the total irradiance. These parameterisations reproduce the vertical profile with good accuracy for global spectral irradiance and are less accurate for direct component, especially in turbid atmosphere. A piecewise linear interpolation technique using irradiance values known at surface and 4 altitudes every 500 m performs better in any case.

Down-modulation of cancer targets using locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based antisense oligonucleotides without transfection

Usually, small interfering RNAs and most antisense molecules need mechanical or chemical delivery methods to down-modulate the targeted mRNA. However, these delivery approaches complicate the interpretations of biological consequences. We show that locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based antisense oligonucleotides (LNA-ONs) readily down-modulate genes of interest in multiple cell lines without any delivery means. The down-modulation of genes was quick, robust, long-lasting and specific followed by potent down-modulation of protein. The efficiency of the effect varied among the 30 tumor cell lines investigated. The most robust effects were found in those cells where nuclear localization of the LNA-ON was clearly observed. Importantly, without using any delivery agent, we demonstrated that HER3 mRNA and protein could be efficiently down-modulated in cells and a tumor xenograft model. These data provide a simple and efficient approach to identify potential drug targets and animal models. Further elucidation of the mechanism of cellular uptake and trafficking of LNA-ONs may enhance not only the therapeutic values of this platform but also antisense molecules in general.

Vortex phase diagram of the layered superconductor Cu0.03TaS2 for H is parallel to c

The magnetization and anisotropic electrical transport properties have been measured in high quality Cu(0.03)TaS(2) single crystals. A pronounced peak effect has been observed, indicating that high quality and homogeneity are vital to the peak effect. A kink has been observed in the magnetic field, H, dependence of the in-plane resistivity ρ(ab) for H is parallel to c, which corresponds to a transition from activated to diffusive behavior of the vortex liquid phase. In the diffusive regime of the vortex liquid phase, the in-plane resistivity ρ(ab) is proportional to H(0.3), which does not follow the Bardeen-Stephen law for free flux flow. Finally, a simplified vortex phase diagram of Cu(0.03)TaS(2) for H is parallel to c is given.

Morphological and functional changes in guinea-pig neurons projecting to the ileal mucosa at early stages after inflammatory damage

In the present study the relationship between tissue damage and changed electro-physiological properties of Dogiel type II myenteric neurons within the first 24 hours after induction of inflammation with trinitrobenzene sulfonate (TNBS) in the guinea-pig ileum was investigated. Treatment with TNBS causes damage to the mucosa, inflammatory responses in the mucosa and enteric ganglia and changes in myenteric neuron properties. Thus we hypothesise that the physiological changes in the myenteric neurons could be due to damage to their mucosal processes or inflammation in the vicinity of cell bodies or the processes. We found an association between hyperexcitability of myenteric Dogiel type II neurons and damage to the mucosa and its innervation at 3 and 24 h, times when there was also an inflammatory reaction. The lack of hyperexcitability in neurons from control tissues in which axons projecting to the mucosa were severed suggests that inflammation may be an important contributing factor to the neuronal hyperexcitability at the acute stage of inflammation. Despite mucosal repair and re-innervation of the mucosa before 7 days after induction of inflammation, neuronal hyperexcitability persists. Although the mechanisms underlying neuronal hyperexcitability at the acute stage of inflammation might be different from those underlying long-term changes in the absence of active inflammation in the ganglia, the persistent changes in neuronal excitability may contribute to post-inflammatory gut dysfunctions.