The in vitro effects of caffeine on viability, cycle cycle profiles, proliferation, and apoptosis of glioblastomas

OBJECTIVE

We studied the effects of caffeine on cell viability, cell cycle profiles, proliferation, and apoptosis in rat C6 and human U87MG glioblastoma cell lines.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cell viability was quantified by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Flow cytometry was used to quantify the relative number of cells in different phases of the cell cycle, while cell proliferation was quantified using the Cell Counting Kit-8. The proportion of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins Caspase-3, Cyt-C, Bax and Bcl-2 by Western blot.

RESULTS

Caffeine at doses of up to 0.5 mM did not affect cell viability in both rat C6 and human U87MG glioblastoma cells. Further studies were done using the dose of 0.5 mM. Percentage of cells in the G0/G1 phase was markedly increased, while percentage of cells in the S phase decreased, after cell treatment with caffeine. Cell proliferation was significantly inhibited by caffeine. Furthermore, caffeine induced cell apoptosis, decreased expression of Bcl-2, and increased expression of Cyt-C and Caspase-3.

CONCLUSIONS

Caffeine inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in glioblastoma cells. Our results provide the experimental basis for further studies of potential role of caffeine in the treatment of glioblastomas.

Effect of a potential probiotics Lactococcus garvieae B301 on the growth performance, immune parameters and caecum microflora of broiler chickens

In this study, a novel Lactococcus garvieae B301 was isolated from the intestinal tract of a healthy piglet. L. garvieae B301 was tolerant to acid pH, simulated gastric and small intestinal transit juices, indicating that it was capable of surviving in the gastrointestinal tract. L. garvieae B301 was safe and beneficial to broilers, as broiler chickens supplemented with L. garvieae B301 had lower diarrhoea incidence and mortality than the Control. Moreover, supplementation of broiler diets with L. garvieae B301 resulted in an increase in body weight and the number of caecum lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacterium spp., and decrease in feed-to-gain ratio and the number of caecum coliforms. It also had a positive effect on the thymus index and bursa of Fabricius index and enhanced serum levels of immune globulins. All these results showed that L. garvieae B301 could enhance the growth performance of broiler chickens and improve their health. Thus, L. garvieae B301 could be a promising feed additive for broiler chickens.

Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression is involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To investigate biological impact of the downregulation of yes-associated protein (YAP) through RNA interference in the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in MHCC97H and MHCC97L.

METHODS

MHCC97H and MHCC97L cells were transiently transfected by YAP-siRNA. Furthermore, protein expressions and mRNA levels of characteristic markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (E-cadherin, N-cadherin) were examined by Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction, and transwell invasion assay was used to detect changes of invasiveness of MHCC97H and MHCC97L cells.

RESULTS

The transfected group with YAP-siRNA in MHCC97H after 72 h by Western blotting showed obviously higher expression of E-cadherin compared with the control group (P < 0.05), and lower expression of N-cadherin (P < 0.05). In MHCC97L cells, the expression of E-cadherin was also significantly increased (P < 0.05); however, N-cadherin expression did not significantly change (P > 0.05). Moreover, compared with the control group, Transwell invasion assay showed that the number of the transfected groups was significantly decreased in MHCC97H and MHCC97L cell lines (both P < 0.05). The result of real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated that mRNA levels of E-cadherin increased (P < 0.05), but the mRNA levels of N-cadherin did not significantly change (P > 0.05) in these two cell lines, indicating some effects of post-transcriptional regulation mechanism after silencing YAP.

CONCLUSIONS

YAP expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines MHCC97H and MHCC97L is closely related with the characteristic markers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, N-cadherin and E-cadherin expression.

Newly Emerged Porcine Deltacoronavirus Associated With Diarrhoea in Swine in China: Identification, Prevalence and Full-Length Genome Sequence Analysis

To identify and characterize aetiologic agent(s) associated with an outbreak of a severe diarrhoea in piglets in Jiangxi, China, in March 2015, a nested reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for the detection of porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) was developed. A survey based on the nested RT‐PCR established indicated that the monoinfection of PDCoV (33.71%) and coinfection of PDCoV (19.66%) with porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV) were common in diarrhoeal pigs in Jiangxi, China. A high prevalence of PDCoV (58.33%) in diarrhoeal samples which were PEDV negative was observed. The complete genome sequence of a representative PDCoV strain, PDCoV/CHJXNI2/2015, was determined. Phylogenetic analysis of complete genome and S protein sequences of PDCoV/CHJXNI2/2015 demonstrated that it was most closely related to Hong Kong and US PDCoVs. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the identification, prevalence, complete genome sequencing and molecular characterizations of PDCoV in diarrhoeal samples in pigs in China.

Effect of dietary energy source and level on nutrient digestibility, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and milk performance in lactating dairy cows

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary energy source and level on intake, digestion, rumen microbial protein synthesis, and milk production in lactating dairy cows, using corn stover as a forage source. Eight multiparous Holstein cows, 4 of which were fitted with rumen cannulas, were evaluated in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design, with each period lasting 21 d. The cows were randomly assigned into 4 treatment groups: low-energy (LE) ground corn (GC), LE steam-flaked corn (SFC), high-energy (HE) GC, and HE SFC. Changes to ruminal energy degradation rates were induced by feeding the cows diets of either finely ground corn or SFC as components of diets with the same total energy level. Milk yield, milk protein content and yield, and milk lactose yield all increased in response to higher levels of dietary energy, whereas contents of milk fat and lactose were unaffected. Cows fed HE diets had a higher crude microbial protein yield and total-tract apparent digestibility than those receiving LE diets. Milk yield, milk protein yield, and microbial protein yield were also higher when SFC replaced GC as the main energy source for lactating cows fed LE diets. These results suggest that an increased dietary energy level and ruminal degradation rate are beneficial to milk protein production, which we suggest is due to increased yields of microbial proteins, when cows are fed corn stover as a dietary forage source.

Inverse identification of the release location, temporal rates, and sensor alarming time of an airborne pollutant source

With an accidental release of an airborne pollutant, it is always critical to know where, when, and how the pollutant has been released. Then, emergency measures can be scientifically advised to prevent any possible harm. This investigation proposes an inverse model to identify the release location, the temporal rate profile, and the sensor alarming time from the start of a pollutant release. The first step is to implement the inverse operation to the cause-effect matrix to obtain the release rate profiles for discrete candidate scenarios with concentration information provided by one sensor. The second step is to interpret the occurrence probability of each solution in the first step with the Bayesian model by matching the concentration at the other sensor. The proposed model was applied to identify a single pollutant source in a two-dimensional enclosure using measurement data and in a three-dimensional aircraft cabin with simulated data. The results show that the model is able to correctly determine the pollutant source location, the temporal rate profile, and the sensor alarming time. The known conditions for input into the inverse model include a steady flow field and the valid temporal concentrations at two different locations.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

The proposed inverse model can tell where, when, and how a gaseous pollutant has been accidently released based on the monitoring concentrations measured by two sensors. This methodology can be useful for providing emergency protection to indoor occupants.

Inter-rater reliability and validity of automated impedance manometry analysis and fluoroscopy in dysphagic patients after head and neck cancer radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Pharyngeal automated impedance manometry (AIM) analysis is a novel non-radiological method to analyze swallowing function based on impedance-pressure recordings. In dysphagic head and neck cancer patients, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the AIM-derived swallow risk index (SRI) and a novel measure of postswallow residue (iZn/Z) by comparing it against videofluoroscopy as the gold standard.

METHODS

Three blinded experts classified 88 videofluoroscopic swallows from 16 patients for aspiration and degree of postswallow residue. Pressure-impedance recordings of the patient and age-matched control swallows were analyzed using AIM by three observers who derived the SRI and iZn/Z. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for videofluoroscopic and AIM measures. Patient pressure/impedance measurements were compared with videofluoroscopy scores and control subjects to determine validity for detecting clinically relevant swallowing dysfunction.

KEY RESULTS

Agreement among observers assessing presence of penetration and aspiration was modest (ICC 0.57) for videofluoroscopy and good (ICC 0.71, 0.82) for AIM-derived SRI and iZn/Z. When compared with age-matched controls, the SRI was higher in patients with aspiration (mean diff. 28.6, 95% CI [55.85, 1.355], p < 0.05). The iZn/Z had moderate positive correlation with bolus residue on fluoroscopy (BRS score) (rs (86) = 0.4120, p < 0.0001) and was increased in both patients with aspiration (∆244 [419.7, 69.52; p < 0.05]) and penetration (∆240 [394.3, 85.77]; p < 0.05) compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

AIM-based measures of swallowing function have better inter-rater reliability than comparable fluoroscopically derived measures. These measures are easily determined and objective markers of clinically relevant features of disordered swallowing following radiotherapy.

Correlation of CD₄⁺ CD₂₅⁺ Foxp₃⁺ Treg with the recovery of joint function after total knee replacement in rats with osteoarthritis

In this study, we observed changes in CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg expression in rats with osteoarthritis (OA) to explore the role that CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg plays in the decline in the condition of OA rats. Thirty rats were randomly divided into 2 groups equally and OA was induced in rats in the model group by injection of papain and l-cysteine into the right knee joint. Cartilage lesions were scored by the modified Mankin scale; pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry; interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-4 levels were evaluated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; and the levels of CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry. The left knee joints of the model rats appeared palpable swelling and osteophytes, while the body weight, heart and lung function of these rats decreased. The serum IL-4 level was lower, whereas the serum IL-17 level was higher in the model group (P < 0.05). The peripheral blood CD4(+) CD25(+) Foxp3(+) Treg of CD4(+)T cells was significantly lower. Correlation of the changes in the levels of IL-4, IL-17, and Treg suggests that the underlying mechanism may be a reduction of the regulatory effect of Treg. The specific mechanism still requires further study.

Role of p14ARF-HDM2-p53 axis in SOX6-mediated tumor suppression

Sex-determining region Y box 6 (SOX6) has been described as a tumor-suppressor gene in several cancers. Our previous work has suggested that SOX6 upregulated p21^Waf1/Cip1(p21) expression in a p53-dependent manner; however, the underlying mechanism has remained elusive. In this study, we confirmed that SOX6 can suppress cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo by stabilizing p53 protein and subsequently upregulating p21. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunocytofluorescence assays demonstrated that SOX6 can promote formation of the p14ARF-HDM2-p53 ternary complex by promoting translocation of p14ARF (p14 alternate reading frame tumor suppressor) to the nucleoplasm, thereby inhibiting HDM2-mediated p53 nuclear export and degradation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with PCR assay proved that SOX6 can bind to a potential binding site in the regulatory region of the c-Myc gene. Furthermore, we confirmed that SOX6 can downregulate the expression of c-Myc, as well as its direct target gene nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1), and that the SOX6-induced downregulation of NPM1 is linked to translocation of p14ARF to the nucleoplasm. Finally, we showed that the highly conserved high-mobility group (HMG) domain of SOX6 is required for SOX6-mediated p53 stabilization and tumor inhibitory activity. Collectively, these results reveal a new mechanism of SOX6-mediated tumor suppression involving p21 upregulation via the p14ARF-HDM2-p53 axis in an HMG domain-dependent manner.

Improving the fracture toughness and the strength of epoxy using nanomaterials--a review of the current status

The incorporation of nanomaterials in the polymer matrix is considered to be a highly effective technique to improve the mechanical properties of resins. In this paper the effects of the addition of different nanoparticles such as single-walled CNT (SWCNT), double-walled CNT (DWCNT), multi-walled CNT (MWCNT), graphene, nanoclay and nanosilica on fracture toughness, strength and stiffness of the epoxy matrix have been reviewed. The Young's modulus (E), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), mode I (GIC) and mode II (GIIC) fracture toughness of the various nanocomposites at different nanoparticle loadings are compared. The review shows that, depending on the type of nanoparticles, the integration of the nanoparticles has a substantial effect on mode I and mode II fracture toughness, strength and stiffness. The critical factors such as maintaining a homogeneous dispersion and good adhesion between the matrix and the nanoparticles are highlighted. The effect of surface functionalization, its relevancy and toughening mechanism are also scrutinized and discussed. A large variety of data comprised of the mechanical properties of nanomaterial toughened composites reported to date has thus been compiled to facilitate the evolution of this emerging field, and the results are presented in maps showing the effect of nanoparticle loading on mode I fracture toughness, stiffness and strength.

Beta-interferon exposure and onset of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Beta-interferons (IFNβ) are the most widely prescribed drugs for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, whether or not treatment with IFNβ can delay secondary progressive MS (SPMS) onset remains unknown. Our aim was to examine the association between IFNβ exposure and SPMS onset in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study using British Columbia (Canada) population-based clinical and health administrative data (1985-2008) was conducted. RRMS patients treated with IFNβ (n = 794) were compared with untreated contemporary (n = 933) and historical (n = 837) controls. Cohort entry was the first clinic visit during which patients became eligible for IFNβ treatment (baseline). The outcome was time from baseline to SPMS onset. Cox regression models with IFNβ as a time-dependent exposure were adjusted for sex, and baseline age, disease duration, disability, *socioeconomic status and *comorbidities (*available for the contemporary cohorts only). Additional analyses included propensity score adjustment.

RESULTS

The median follow-up for the IFNβ-treated, untreated contemporary and historical controls were 5.7, 3.7 and 7.3 years, and the proportions of patients reaching SPMS were 9.2%, 11.8% and 32.9%, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, IFNβ exposure was not associated with the risk of reaching SPMS when either the contemporary or the historical untreated cohorts were considered (hazard ratio 1.07; 95% confidence interval 0.93-1.48, and hazard ratio 1.04; 95% confidence interval 0.74-1.46, respectively). Further adjustments and the propensity score yielded results consistent with the main analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Amongst patients with RRMS, use of IFNβ was not associated with a delayed onset of SPMS.

Risk stratification and prognostic value of GRACE and TIMI risk scores for female patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

AIM

The aim of this paper was to investigate the value of Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) risk scores for risk stratification and prognosis in female patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).

METHODS

Non-elderly (<65 years) and elderly (≥65 years) female patients with NSTE-ACS (totally 869 cases) were enrolled in this study. The patients were further divided into low, intermediate and high-risk groups according to their GRACE and TIMI scores. Patients were followed up for 1 year to record the mortality and incidence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Differences in mortality and MACE incidence between the two scoring systems were compared by the area under the ROC curve.

RESULTS

The area under ROC curve (AUC) corresponding to the mortality and MACE incidence in any period by the GRACE scoring system was significantly larger than the TIMI scoring system in the elderly patients at 1 year of follow-up (AUC of mortality, 0.79 vs. 0.68; AUC of MACE, 0.78 vs. 0.72; P<0.05). Mortality and MACE incidence increased in parallel with the scores. Risk ratio values of Cox regression analysis based on GRACE and TIMI scores were greater than 1 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Both GRACE and TIMI were adoptable in clinical risk stratification and prognosis of female patients with NSTE-ACS at different age groups. GRACE showed better accuracy than the TIMI scores.

The inhibition of high-voltage-activated calcium current by activation of MrgC11 involves phospholipase C-dependent mechanisms

High-voltage-activated (HVA) calcium channels play an important role in synaptic transmission. Activation of Mas-related G-protein-coupled receptor subtype C (MrgC; mouse MrgC11, rat homolog rMrgC) inhibits HVA calcium current (ICa) in small-diameter dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, but the intracellular signaling cascade underlying MrgC agonist-induced inhibition of HVA ICa in native DRG neurons remains unclear. To address this question, we conducted patch-clamp recordings in MrgA3-eGFP-wild-type mice, in which most MrgA3-eGFP(+) DRG neurons co-express MrgC11 and can be identified for recording. We found that the inhibition of HVA ICa by JHU58 (0.001-100nM, a dipeptide, MrgC-selective agonist) was significantly reduced by pretreatment with a phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor (U73122, 1μM), but not by its inactive analog (U73343) or vehicle. Further, in rats that had undergone spinal nerve injury, pretreatment with intrathecal U73122 nearly abolished the inhibition of mechanical hypersensitivity by intrathecal JHU58. The inhibition of HVA ICa in MrgA3-eGFP(+) neurons by JHU58 (100nM) was partially reduced by pretreatment with a Gβγ blocker (gallein, 100μM). However, applying a depolarizing prepulse and blocking the Gαi and Gαs pathways with pertussis toxin (PTX) (0.5μg/mL) and cholera toxin (CTX) (0.5μg/mL), respectively, had no effect. These findings suggest that activation of MrgC11 may inhibit HVA ICa in mouse DRG neurons through a voltage-independent mechanism that involves activation of the PLC, but not Gαi or Gαs, pathway.

Effects of DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid on broilers at different dietary inclusion rates

1. A growth experiment was conducted to determine the effectiveness of liquid analogue, DL-2-hydroxy-4-(methylthio) butanoic acid (HMTBA), compared to powder DL-methionine (DLM), in commercial maize-soybean-meal broiler diets similar to those commonly used in China, on feed conversion ratio (FCR), growth performance and European Production Index (EPI) of broilers. 2. A 4 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement of treatments was used in which HMTBA or DLM was fed at 4 concentrations (low, medium, high and very-high inclusion rates) of supplementation at 100% equivalence on an equimolar basis. Negative control diets were commercial starter, grower and finisher feeds with no added methionine. A total of 1008 commercial-type Arbor Acres 1-d-old chicks were randomly distributed into 9 groups, with 8 replicates of 14 (7 male + 7 female) birds per treatment. 3. The body weight gain of the control group was significantly lower than that of the others in the starter period but did not show any differences during the other periods. The FCR of the control group was higher than that of the others except for those with HMTBA in the grower period. It was also observed that the FCR dropped as the supplemented concentration of methionine was increased regardless of the source. Some of the treatment groups produced a better breast yield than the control. The EPI between the two products did not show any significant difference. 4. In conclusion, both of the methionine sources were equally effective in ameliorating the effects of a dietary deficiency of total sulphur amino acids.

INFLUENCE OF miR-373 ON THE INVASION AND MIGRATION OF BREAST CANCER AND THE EXPRESSION LEVEL OF TARGET GENES TXNIP

An increasing number of people die from breast cancer every year. Consequently, more research has been concentrated on the study of this type of tumour, and miR-373 resulted as an important gene for treating breast cancer. To explore the influence of miR-373 on the invasion and migration of breast cancer and the expression level of target gene TXNIP, a set of therapeutic methods were designed based on miR-373. The transfection was performed using miR-373 inhibitor; the concentration of miR-373 was controlled by inhibitor, and it was transfected into MCF-7 cell by lipofectin. Fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression level of miR-373 in cells after transfection as well as that of Caspase-3 and Caspase-8. MTT assay was used to detect the influence of miR-373 inhibitor on MCF-7 cells. The expression quantity of miR-373 in cell and tissue of breast cancer with high-low invasion and migration ability was detected by qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction), thus the influence of the expression quantity of miR-373 on the invasion and migration of cell was determined. The expression of miR-373, EMT and TXNIP was determined by Western blot. Through the identification of proteomics and bioinformatics, it was finally found that TXNIP was regulated by miR-373. The protein expression level of TXNIP was negatively correlated with the level of miR-373. Thus it was concluded that miR-373 could promote the invasion and migration of breast cancer. In addition, in the tissue and cell of breast cancer with different invasion and migration abilities, the expression level of TXNIP was negatively correlated with the level of miR-373.