Gastric Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Gastrointestinal Bleeding After Liver Transplant: A Case Report

Gastrointestinal (GI) metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma is very rare. This is the first report of post-transplantation gastric metastasis. A 43-year-old man with a history of hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the right anterior segment of the liver received an orthotopic liver transplant. Three months after the transplantation, pulmonary metastasis was found by chest computed tomography, and he received 1 course of gamma knife treatment. He complained of melena with anemia 17 months post liver transplantation. Abdominal CT scan showed new occupying lesions in the liver and a mass in the stomach and around the spleen with embolus in the splenic vein. Endoscopy revealed a large irregular cauliflower-like mass in fundus with ulceration and bleeding on the surface. He received symptomatic treatment, but died of cancer-related bleeding 4 months later. GI bleeding may due to gastric metastasis after liver transplantation.

Advanced glycation end-products induced VEGF production and inflammatory responses in human synoviocytes via RAGE-NF-κB pathway activation

Aging and diabetes are known to be the major cause to affect the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been observed to accumulate in various organs especially in joint tissue and do damage to the joint tissue during aging and diabetes. Synovial angiogenesis and inflammation are observed across the full range of OA severity. The signaling pathway of AGEs on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and inflammatory responses in synoviocytes are still unclear. Here, we investigated the role of receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and the signaling pathway involved in AGEs-induced VEGF production and inflammatory responses in human synoviocytes. Human synoviocytes were cultured and treated with AGEs (25-100 µg/ml). AGEs significantly induced the protein expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and VEGF and the productions of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2), VEGF, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in human synoviocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, AGEs markedly activated the phosphorylations of IκB kinase (IKK)α/β, IκBα, and nuclear factor (NF)-κB-p65 proteins in human synoviocytes in a time-dependent manner. Treatment with neutralizing antibody for RAGE statistically significantly decreased the AGEs-induced increase in COX-2, VEGF, PGE2, IL-6, and MMP13 and AGEs-activated NF-κB pathway activation. Taken together, these findings indicate that AGEs are capable of inducing VEGF production and inflammatory responses via RAGE-NF-κB pathway activation in human synoviocytes. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:791-800, 2016.

Curative-Intent Aggressive Treatment Improves Survival in Elderly Patients With Locally Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma and High Comorbidity Index

For locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), therapeutic decisions depend on comorbidity or age. We estimated the treatment outcomes of patients with different Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) scores and ages to determine whether aggressive treatment improves survival.Data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance and cancer registry databases were analyzed, and we included >20-year-old patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) stage III or IV HNSCC (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 140.0-148.9) undergoing surgery, chemotherapy (CT), radiotherapy (RT), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), sequential CT and RT, or surgery with adjuvant treatment. The exclusion criteria were a past cancer history, distant metastasis, AJCC stage I or II, missing sex data, an age < 20 years, nasopharyngeal cancer, in situ carcinoma, sarcoma, and HNSCC recurrence. The index date was the date of first HNSCC diagnosis, and comorbidities were scored using the CCI. The enrolled patients were categorized into Group 1 (curative-intent aggressive treatments) and Group 2 (best supportive care or palliative treatments).We enrolled 21,174 stage III or IV HNSCC patients without distant metastasis (median follow-up, 3.25 years). Groups 1 and 2 comprised 18,584 and 2232 patients, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, and clinical stage, adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of overall death in Group 1 were 0.33 (0.31-0.35), 0.34 (0.31-0.36), and 0.37 (0.28-0.49), and those of all-cause death among patients undergoing curative surgical aggressive treatments were 1.13 (0.82-1.55), 0.67 (0.62-0.73), and 0.49 (0.46-0.53) for CCI scores of ≥10, 5 to 9, and <5, respectively.Aggressive treatments improve survival in elderly (≥65 years) and critically ill HNSCC patients. Curative nonsurgical aggressive treatments including definitive RT or CCRT might be suitable for HNSCC patients with CCI scores ≥10.

Influenza Vaccination Reduces Dementia Risk in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Population-Based Cohort Study

Taiwan has the highest prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) worldwide. CKD, a manifestation of vascular diseases, is associated with a high risk of dementia. Here, we estimated the association between influenza vaccination and dementia risk in patients with CKD. Data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan were used in this study. The study cohort included all patients diagnosed with CKD (according to International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes) at healthcare facilities in Taiwan (n = 32,844) from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2007. Each patient was followed up to assess dementia risk or protective factors: demographic characteristics of age and sex; comorbidities of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cerebrovascular diseases, parkinsonism, epilepsy, substance and alcohol use disorders, mood disorder, anxiety disorder, psychotic disorder, and sleep disorder; urbanization level; monthly income; and statin, metformin, aspirin, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) use. A propensity score was derived using a logistic regression model for estimating the effect of vaccination by accounting for covariates that predict receiving the intervention (vaccine). A time-dependent Cox proportional hazard model was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) of dementia among vaccinated and unvaccinated CKD patients. The study population comprised 11,943 eligible patients with CKD; 5745 (48%) received influenza vaccination and the remaining 6198 (52%) did not. The adjusted HRs (aHRs) of dementia decreased in vaccinated patients compared with those in unvaccinated patients (influenza season, noninfluenza season, and all seasons: aHRs = 0.68, 0.58, and 0.64; P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.0001, respectively). In the sensitivity analysis, adjustments were made to estimate the association of age and sex; diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, cerebrovascular diseases, anxiety disorder; and statin, metformin, ACEI, and aspirin use with the incidence of dementia in various models. A stronger protective effect against dementia risk was demonstrated during the noninfluenza season. Regardless of comorbidities or drug use, influenza vaccination was an independent protective factor and dose-dependently reduced the risk of dementia in CKD patients. Influenza vaccination exerts dose-response and synergistic protective effects against dementia in CKD patients with dementia risk factors by reducing the incidence of dementia.

Outcomes of Induction Chemotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Combined Study of Two National Cohorts in Taiwan

The use of induction chemotherapy (CT) is controversial. We compared the survival of head and neck cancer patients receiving docetaxel- or platinum-based induction CT before concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with the survival of those receiving upfront CCRT alone. Data from the National Health Insurance and cancer registry databases in Taiwan were linked and analyzed. We enrolled patients who had head and neck cancer between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2011. Follow-up was from the index date to December 31, 2013. We included head and neck patients diagnosed according to the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification codes 140.0-148.9 who were aged >20 years, at American Joint Committee on Cancer clinical cancer stage III or IV, and receiving induction CT or platinum-based CCRT. The exclusion criteria were a cancer history before head and neck cancer diagnosis, distant metastasis, AJCC clinical cancer stage I or II, receipt of platinum and docetaxel before radiotherapy, an age <20 years, missing sex data, docetaxel use during or after RT, induction CT for >8 weeks before RT, induction CT alone before RT, cetuximab use, adjuvant CT within 90 days after RT completion, an RT dose <7000 cGy, curative head and neck cancer surgery before RT, nasopharyngeal cancer, in situ carcinoma, sarcoma, and head and neck cancer recurrence. We enrolled 10,721 stage III-IV head and neck cancer patients, with a median follow-up of 4.18 years (interquartile range, 3.25 years). The CCRT (arm 1), docetaxel-based induction CT (arm 2), and platinum-based CCRT (arm 3; control arm) groups comprised 7968, 503, and 2232 patients, respectively. Arm 3 was used to investigate mortality risk after induction CT. After adjustment for age, sex, clinical stage, and comorbidities, the adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) for overall death were 1.37 (1.22-1.53) and 1.44 (1.36-1.52) in arms 2 and 3, respectively. In a disease-specific survival rate analysis, aHRs (95% CI) of head and neck cancer-related death were 1.29 (1.14-1.46) and 1.47 (1.38-1.56) in arms 2 and 3, respectively. Compared with CCRT alone, docetaxal- or platinum-based induction CT did not improve survival but increased the risk of all-cause and head and neck cancer-related death.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Deficiency Attenuates Oxidative Stress-Related Mesangial Cell Activation and Macrophage Infiltration and Extracellular Matrix Accumulation in Diabetic Nephropathy

AIMS

Activation of glomerular mesangial cells (MCs) and functional changes of renal tubular cells are due to metabolic abnormalities, oxidative stress, and matrix accumulation in the diabetic nephropathy (DN). Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation has been implicated in DN. In this study, we investigated the role of AhR in the pathophysiological processes of DN using AhR knockout (AhRKO) and pharmacological inhibitor α-naphthoflavone mouse models.

RESULTS

The increased blood glucose, glucose intolerance, MC activation, macrophage infiltration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation were significantly attenuated in AhRKO mice with diabetic inducer streptozotocin (STZ) treatment. AhR deficiency by genetic knockout or pharmacological inhibition also decreased the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)/prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress, NADPH oxidase activity, and N-ɛ-carboxymethyllysine (CML, a major advanced glycation end product) in STZ-induced diabetic mice. CML showed remarkably increased AhR/COX-2 DNA-binding activity, protein-DNA interactions, gene regulation, and ECM formation in MCs and renal proximal tubular cells, which could be reversed by siRNA-AhR transfection. CML-increased AhR nuclear translocation and biological activity in MCs and renal proximal tubular cells could also be effectively attenuated by antioxidants.

INNOVATION

We elucidate for the first time that AhR plays an important role in MC activation, macrophage infiltration, and ECM accumulation in DN conferred by oxidative stress.

CONCLUSIONS

AhR-regulated COX-2/PGE₂ expression and ECM deposition through oxidative stress cascade is involved in the CML-triggered MC activation and macrophage infiltration. These findings suggest new insights into the development of therapeutic approaches to reduce diabetic microvascular complications. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 24, 217-231.

Epigallocatechin Gallate Attenuates Partial Bladder Outlet Obstruction-induced Bladder Injury via Suppression of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-related Apoptosis-In Vivo Study

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea extract, on partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO)-induced bladder injury in a rat model.

METHODS

The female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent sham or BOO procedures, and were divided into several groups (sham with saline injection, sham with EGCG treatment, BOO with saline injection, and BOO with EGCG treatment). The rats in each group were randomized into 2 groups (48 hours and 30 days after the BOO procedure) for when their bladders were harvested. EGCG (4.5 mg/kg/day) and saline were administered via intraperitoneal injection after the BOO procedure during the study period. Bladder tissue was examined for inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related apoptotic markers by Western blot, and histological staining.

RESULTS

BOO induced acute bladder injury (hemorrhage, edema, and neutrophil infiltration) after 48 hours. In addition, cystometry showed a decrease in micturition pressure and intercontractile interval. We also observed increased expressions of cyclooxygenase-2, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase at 48 hours, as well as ER stress markers such as caspase-12 and CCAAT/-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). Treatment with EGCG significantly improved pBOO-induced histologic changes, bladder dysfunction, and the overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2, CHOP, and caspase-12 at 48 hours. Similarly, EGCG treatment for 30 days effectively recovered compliance and intercontractile interval, submucosal ER stress-related apoptosis (CHOP and caspase-12) at 30 days after pBOO.

CONCLUSIONS

EGCG alleviate pBOO-induced bladder injury and dysfunction via suppression of inflammation and ER stress-related apoptosis.

Advanced glycation end-products induce skeletal muscle atrophy and dysfunction in diabetic mice via a RAGE-mediated, AMPK-down-regulated, Akt pathway

Diabetic myopathy, a less studied complication of diabetes, exhibits the clinical observations characterized by a less muscle mass, muscle weakness and a reduced physical functional capacity. Accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), known to play a role in diabetic complications, has been identified in ageing human skeletal muscles. However, the role of AGEs in diabetic myopathy remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of AGEs on myogenic differentiation and muscle atrophy in vivo and in vitro. We also evaluated the therapeutic potential of alagebrium chloride (Ala-Cl), an inhibitor of AGEs. Muscle fibre atrophy and immunoreactivity for AGEs, Atrogin-1 (a muscle atrophy marker) and phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expressions were markedly increased in human skeletal muscles from patients with diabetes as compared with control subjects. Moreover, in diabetic mice we found increased blood AGEs, less muscle mass, lower muscular endurance, atrophic muscle size and poor regenerative capacity, and increased levels of muscle AGE and receptor for AGE (RAGE), Atrogin-1 and phosphorylated AMPK, which could be significantly ameliorated by Ala-Cl. Furthermore, in vitro, AGEs (in a dose-dependent manner) reduced myotube diameters (myotube atrophy) and induced Atrogin-1 protein expression in myotubes differentiated from both mouse myoblasts and primary human skeletal muscle-derived progenitor cells. AGEs exerted a negative regulation of myogenesis of mouse and human myoblasts. Ala-Cl significantly inhibited the effects of AGEs on myotube atrophy and myogenesis. We further demonstrated that AGEs induced muscle atrophy/myogenesis impairment via a RAGE-mediated AMPK-down-regulation of the Akt signalling pathway. Our findings support that AGEs play an important role in diabetic myopathy, and that an inhibitor of AGEs may offer a therapeutic strategy for managing the dysfunction of muscle due to diabetes or ageing.

Long-Term Feeding of Chitosan Ameliorates Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in a High-Fructose-Diet-Impaired Rat Model of Glucose Tolerance

This study was designed to investigate the effects of long-term feeding of chitosan on plasma glucose and lipids in rats fed a high-fructose (HF) diet (63.1%). Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged seven weeks were used as experimental animals. Rats were divided into three groups: (1) normal group (normal); (2) HF group; (3) chitosan + HF group (HF + C). The rats were fed the experimental diets and drinking water ad libitum for 21 weeks. The results showed that chitosan (average molecular weight was about 3.8 × 10⁵ Dalton and degree of deacetylation was about 89.8%) significantly decreased body weight, paraepididymal fat mass, and retroperitoneal fat mass weight, but elevated the lipolysis rate in retroperitoneal fats of HF diet-fed rats. Supplementation of chitosan causes a decrease in plasma insulin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, Interleukin (IL)-6, and leptin, and an increase in plasma adiponectin. The HF diet increased hepatic lipids. However, intake of chitosan reduced the accumulation of hepatic lipids, including total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) contents. In addition, chitosan elevated the excretion of fecal lipids in HF diet-fed rats. Furthermore, chitosan significantly decreased plasma TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), the TC/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio, and increased the HDL-C/(LDL-C + VLDL-C) ratio, but elevated the plasma TG and free fatty acids concentrations in HF diet-fed rats. Plasma angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) protein expression was not affected by the HF diet, but it was significantly increased in chitosan-supplemented, HF-diet-fed rats. The high-fructose diet induced an increase in plasma glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, but chitosan supplementation decreased plasma glucose and improved impairment of glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance. Taken together, these results indicate that supplementation with chitosan can improve the impairment of glucose and lipid metabolism in a HF-diet-fed rat model.

Associations between HLA-A\B\DRB1 polymorphisms and risks of vulvar lichen sclerosus or squamous cell hyperplasia of the vulva

In this study, we aimed to explore the associations between HLA-A\B\DRB1 polymorphisms and the risks of vulvar lichen sclerosus (VLS) or squamous cell hyperplasia of the vulva (SCHV) in Han Chinese women. We enrolled 76 Han Chinese women with VLS (Group A), 74 with SCHV (Group B), and 66 healthy women (control group) in this study. Polymerase chain reaction amplification with sequence specific primers (PCR-SSP) was used to determine HLA-A\B\DRB1 polymorphisms. Compared with the control group, HLA-A*11, -B*15, and -DRB1*12 were present at a higher frequency in groups A and B, while HLA-B*13 was present at a higher frequency in group A. Fewer women in group A carried HLA-A*31, -DRB1*01, and -DRB1*03 genotypes and fewer women in group B carried HLA-B*40 and -DRB1*03 genotypes. Significant differences were found between group B and the control group for HLA-A*11, -B*15, -B*40, and -DRB1*03, and between group A and the control group for HLA-B*15 and -DRB1*12. The HLA-A*11, HLA-B*13, HLA-B*15, and HLA-DRB1*12 genotypes were associated with a higher risk of VLS, while the HLA-A*31, HLA-DRB1*01, and HLA-DRB1*03 genotypes were associated with a lower risk of VLS. In addition, carrying HLA-A*11, HLA-B*15, HLA-B*35, and HLA-DRB1*12 genotypes, and carrying HLA-B*40 and HLA-DRB1*03 genotypes were found to be risk or protective factors for SCHV, respectively.

Arsenic Exposure and Glucose Intolerance/Insulin Resistance in Estrogen-Deficient Female Mice

BACKGROUND

Epidemiological studies have reported that the prevalence of diabetes in women > 40 years of age, especially those in the postmenopausal phase, was higher than in men in areas with high levels of arsenic in drinking water. The detailed effect of arsenic on glucose metabolism/homeostasis in the postmenopausal condition is still unclear.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the effects of arsenic at doses relevant to human exposure from drinking water on blood glucose regulation in estrogen-deficient female mice.

METHODS

Adult female mice who underwent ovariectomy or sham surgery were exposed to drinking water contaminated with arsenic trioxide (0.05 or 0.5 ppm) in the presence or absence of 17β-estradiol supplementation for 2-6 weeks. Assays related to glucose metabolism were performed.

RESULTS

Exposure of sham mice to arsenic significantly increased blood glucose, decreased plasma insulin, and impaired glucose tolerance, but did not induce insulin resistance. Blood glucose and insulin were higher, and glucose intolerance, insulin intolerance, and insulin resistance were increased in arsenic-treated ovariectomized mice compared with arsenic-treated sham mice. Furthermore, liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA expression was increased and liver glycogen content was decreased in arsenic-treated ovariectomized mice compared with arsenic-treated sham mice. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in islets isolated from arsenic-treated ovariectomized mice was also significantly decreased. Arsenic treatment significantly decreased plasma adiponectin levels in sham and ovariectomized mice. Altered glucose metabolism/homeostasis in arsenic-treated ovariectomized mice was reversed by 17β-estradiol supplementation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that estrogen deficiency plays an important role in arsenic-altered glucose metabolism/homeostasis in females.

CITATION

Huang CF, Yang CY, Chan DC, Wang CC, Huang KH, Wu CC, Tsai KS, Yang RS, Liu SH. 2015. Arsenic exposure and glucose intolerance/insulin resistance in estrogen-deficient female mice. Environ Health Perspect 123:1138-1144; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1408663.

Dementia Risk in Irradiated Patients With Head and Neck Cancer

Patients with head and neck cancer are treated through surgery, radiotherapy (RT), and chemotherapy (CT). Carotid artery damage and neurotoxicity were previously observed in these patients. This study estimated the dementia risk associated with different treatment modalities in a head and neck cancer population with long-term follow-up. Taiwan's National Health Insurance claims database and a cancer registry database from the Collaboration Center of Health Information Application were linked for the present analysis. Patients with head and neck cancer, treated from January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2010, were included in the study. The follow-up duration was the period from the index date to December 31, 2012. Inclusion criteria were head and neck cancer; an age >20 years; and having undergone surgery, CT, concurrent CT, or surgery with adjuvant treatment. Exclusion criteria were another cancer diagnosed before the head and neck cancer, death or being diagnosed with dementia within 2 years after the treatment of the head and neck cancer, stroke before the index date, distant metastasis, in situ carcinoma, sarcoma, head and neck cancer recurrence, an unknown sex, and an age <20 years. In total, 20,135 patients were included. In patient groups that underwent surgery alone, surgery and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and chemoradiotherapy alone, the dementia incidence per 1000 person-years was 1.44, 1.04, and 1.98, respectively. The crude hazard ratio (HR) of dementia was 1.84 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-2.81) in the RT with or without CT group. After adjustment for age, sex, clinical stage, and comorbidity, the HR was 1.92 (95% CI 1.14-3.24). Examining the dementia risk in patients who received different treatment modalities according to the Cox proportional-hazard model revealed that an age >65 years and having undergone RT with or without CT were risk factors (P < 0.001 and P = 0.015; and HRs of 16.5 and 1.92, respectively). The dementia risk in patients at different clinical stages was not significantly different among the various treatment groups, regardless of whether the patients received RT. However, younger (<65 y) patients who received RT with or without CT had a 2.96-fold (95% CI 1.24-7.08) higher risk of dementia and a 3.54-fold (95% CI 1.32-9.51) higher adjusted HR compared with the surgery-alone group. Patients who received a total radiation dose >6660 cGy exhibited a 1.69-fold (95% CI 0.97-2.95, P = 0.063) higher dementia risk compared with those who received a total radiation dose <6660 cGy. Receiving a higher radiation dose increased the dementia risk and persistently escalated the dementia incidence even 9 years after RT. Younger (<65 y) patients have a high risk of dementia after RT. The selection of young patients for dose de-escalation requires improvement for reducing irradiation to the neck and areas near brain tissues, particularly in Taiwan, where the median patient age is 53 years.

MLN4924, a Novel NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor, exhibits antitumor activity and enhances cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in human cervical carcinoma: in vitro and in vivo study

MLN4924, an inhibitor of NEDD8 activating enzyme (NAE), has been reported to have activity against various malignancies. Here, we investigated the antitumor properties of MLN4924 and MLN4924 in combination with cisplatin on human cervical carcinoma (CC) in vitro and in vivo. Two human CC cell lines, ME-180 and HeLa, were used in this study. The cytotoxic effects of MLN4924 and/or cisplatin were measured by cell viability (MTT), proliferation (BrdU incorporation), apoptosis (flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC labeling), and the expression of cell apoptosis-related proteins (Western blotting). In vivo efficacy was determined in Nu/Nu nude mice with ME-180 and HeLa xenografts. The results showed that MLN4924 elicited viability inhibition, anti-proliferation and apoptosis in human CC cells, accompanied by activations of apoptosis-related molecules and Bid, Bcl-2 phosphorylation interruption, and interference with cell cycle regulators. Moreover, MLN4924 caused an endoplasmic reticulum stress response (caspase-4, ATF-4 and CHOP activations) and expression of other cellular stress molecules (JNK and c-Jun activations). Additionally, MLN4924 suppressed growth of CC xenografts in nude mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that MLN4924 potentiated cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity in CC cells with activation of caspases. Consistently with this, MLN4924 significantly enhanced cisplatin-induced growth inhibition of CC xenografts. Together, these findings suggest that MLN4924 alone or in combination with cisplatin is of value in treating human CCs.

ATP synthase subunit-β down-regulation aggravates diabetic nephropathy

In this study, we investigated the role of ATP synthase subunit-β (ATP5b) in diabetic nephropathy. Histopathological changes, fibrosis, and protein expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), and ATP5b were obviously observed in the kidneys of db/db diabetic mice as compared with the control db/m(+) mice. The increased ATP5b expression was majorly observed in diabetic renal tubules and was notably observed to locate in cytoplasm of tubule cells, but no significant increase of ATP5b in diabetic glomeruli. AGEs significantly increased protein expression of ATP5b and fibrotic factors and decreased ATP content in cultured renal tubular cells via an AGEs-receptor for AGEs (RAGE) axis pathway. Oxidative stress was also induced in diabetic kidneys and AGEs-treated renal tubular cells. The increase of ATP5b and CTGF protein expression in AGEs-treated renal tubular cells was reversed by antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. ATP5b-siRNA transfection augmented the increased protein expression of α-SMA and CTGF and CTGF promoter activity in AGEs-treated renal tubular cells. The in vivo ATP5b-siRNA delivery significantly enhanced renal fibrosis and serum creatinine in db/db mice with ATP5b down-regulation. These findings suggest that increased ATP5b plays an important adaptive or protective role in decreasing the rate of AGEs-induced renal fibrosis during diabetic condition.

Chitosan nanofiber scaffold improves bone healing via stimulating trabecular bone production due to upregulation of the Runx2/osteocalcin/alkaline phosphatase signaling pathway

Osteoblasts play critical roles in bone formation. Our previous study showed that chitosan nanofibers can stimulate osteoblast proliferation and maturation. This translational study used an animal model of bone defects to evaluate the effects of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds on bone healing and the possible mechanisms. In this study, we produced uniform chitosan nanofibers with fiber diameters of approximately 200 nm. A bone defect was surgically created in the proximal femurs of male C57LB/6 mice, and then the left femur was implanted with chitosan nanofiber scaffolds for 21 days and compared with the right femur, which served as a control. Histological analyses revealed that implantation of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds did not lead to hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity. Instead, imaging analyses by X-ray transmission and microcomputed tomography showed that implantation of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds improved bone healing compared with the control group. In parallel, microcomputed tomography and bone histomorphometric assays further demonstrated augmentation of the production of new trabecular bone in the chitosan nanofiber-treated group. Furthermore, implantation of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds led to a significant increase in the trabecular bone thickness but a reduction in the trabecular parameter factor. As to the mechanisms, analysis by confocal microscopy showed that implantation of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds increased levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), a key transcription factor that regulates osteogenesis, in the bone defect sites. Successively, amounts of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin, two typical biomarkers that can simulate bone maturation, were augmented following implantation of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds. Taken together, this translational study showed a beneficial effect of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds on bone healing through stimulating trabecular bone production due to upregulation of Runx2-mediated alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin gene expressions. Our results suggest the potential of chitosan nanofiber scaffolds for therapy of bone diseases, including bone defects and bone fractures.

The novel Aryl hydrocarbon receptor inhibitor biseugenol inhibits gastric tumor growth and peritoneal dissemination

Biseugenol (Eug) is known to antiproliferative of cancer cells; however, to date, the antiperitoneal dissemination effects have not been studied in any mouse cancer model. In this study, Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) expression was associated with lymph node and distant metastasis in patients with gastric cancer and was correlated with clinicolpathological pattern. We evaluated the antiperitoneal dissemination potential of knockdown AhR and Biseugenol in cancer mouse model and assessed mesenchymal characteristics. Our results demonstrate that tumor growth, peritoneal dissemination and peritoneum or organ metastasis implanted MKN45 cells were significantly decreased in shAhR and Biseugenol-treated mice and that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress was caused. Biseugenol-exposure tumors showed acquired epithelial features such as phosphorylation of E-cadherin, cytokeratin-18 and loss mesenchymal signature Snail, but not vimentin regulation. Snail expression, through AhR activation, is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) determinant. Moreover, Biseugenol enhanced Calpain-10 (Calp-10) and AhR interaction resulted in Snail downregulation. The effect of shCalpain-10 in cancer cells was associated with inactivation of AhR/Snail promoter binding activity. Inhibition of Calpain-10 in gastric cancer cells by short hairpin RNA or pharmacological inhibitor was found to effectively reduced growth ability and vessel density in vivo. Importantly, knockdown of AhR completed abrogated peritoneal dissemination. Herein, Biseugenol targeting ER stress provokes Calpain-10 activity, sequentially induces reversal of EMT and apoptosis via AhR may involve the paralleling processes. Taken together, these data suggest that Calpain-10 activation and AhR inhibition by Biseugenol impedes both gastric tumor growth and peritoneal dissemination by inducing ER stress and inhibiting EMT.

-173G/C polymorphism in the promoter of MIF is associated with hepatitis B virus infection in a Chinese Han population

In addition to the host immune response, genetic and environmental factors play crucial roles in the manifestation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) -173G/C polymorphism (rs755622), located in the promoter region of MIF, may play integral roles in diverse processes, including the immune response. Thus, the MIF -173G/C polymorphism may influence the immune response to HBV during natural infection. We investigated whether the MIF -173G/C polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to HBV infection in a Chinese Han population. A total of 596 HBV infection cases and 612 age-matched controls were recruited for the study. Genotyping of the MIF -173G/C polymorphism was performed using the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction method. The frequencies of the alleles and genotypes in patients and controls were compared using the χ(2) test. Carriers of the variant C allele in MIF -173 G/C were at significantly higher risk of HBV infection than carriers of the wild-type allele (P = 0.032, odds ratio = 0.799, 95% confidence interval = 0.651-0.981). However, there was no significant difference in the distribution of MIF -173G/C genotypes between case and control groups in either population (P = 0.096, degrees of freedom = 2). Our findings indicate that the G to C base change in MIF -173 G/C confers an increased risk of development of HBV infection by altering the expression of MIF in our Chinese Han population.

Cantharidin Induces Apoptosis Through the Calcium/PKC-Regulated Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathway in Human Bladder Cancer Cells

Bladder cancer is a common malignancy worldwide. However, there is still no effective therapy for bladder cancer. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxic effects of cantharidin [a natural toxin produced (pure compound) from Chinese blister beetles (Mylabrisphalerata or Mylabriscichorii) and Spanish flies (Cantharis vesicatoria)] in human bladder cancer cell lines (including: T24 and RT4 cells). Treatment of human bladder cancer cells with cantharidin significantly decreased cell viability. The increase in the expressions of caspase-3 activity and cleaved form of caspase-9/-7/-3 were also increased in cantharidin-treated T24 cells. Furthermore, cantharidin increased the levels of phospho-eIF2α and Grp78 and decreased the protein expression of procaspase-12, which was accompanied by the increase in calpain activity in T24 cells. Cantharidin was capable of increasing the intracellular Ca 2+ and the phosphorylation of protein kinase C (PKC) in T24 cells. The addition of BAPTA/AM (a Ca 2+ chelator) and RO320432 (a selective cell-permeable PKC inhibitor) effectively reversed the increase in caspase-3 and calpain activity, the phosphorylation levels of PKC and eIF2α and Grp78 protein expression, and the decrease in procaspase-12 expression induced by cantharidin. Importantly, cantharidin significantly decreased the tumor volume (a dramatic 71% reduction after 21 days of treatment) in nude mice xenografted with T24 cells. Taken together, these results indicate cantharidin induced human bladder cancer cell apoptosis through a calcium/PKC-regulated ER stress pathway. These findings suggest that cantharidin may be a novel and potential anticancer agent targeting on bladder cancer cells.

Protective effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on aluminum-induced cerebral damage in Alzheimer's disease rat model

The protein expressions of neurotrophic factors can be enhanced by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) stimulation in the brain. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the protective effect of LIPUS stimulation against aluminum-induced cerebral damage in Alzheimer's disease rat model. LIPUS was administered 7 days before each aluminum chloride (AlCl₃) administration, and concomitantly given with AlCl₃ daily for a period of 6 weeks. Neurotrophic factors in hippocampus were measured by western blot analysis. Behavioral changes in the Morris water maze and elevated plus maze were examined in rats after administration of AlCl₃. Various biochemical analyses were performed to evaluate the extent of brain damages. LIPUS is capable of prompting levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in rat brain. AlCl₃ administration resulted in a significant increase in the aluminum concentration, acetylcholinesterase activity and beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in AlCl₃ treated rats. LIPUS stimulation significantly attenuated aluminum concentration, acetylcholinesterase activity, Aβ deposition and karyopyknosis in AlCl₃ treated rats. Furthermore, LIPUS significantly improved memory retention in AlCl₃-induced memory impairment. These experimental results indicate that LIPUS has neuroprotective effects against AlCl₃-induced cerebral damages and cognitive dysfunction.

Supplementation of chitosan alleviates high-fat diet-enhanced lipogenesis in rats via adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase activation and inhibition of lipogenesis-associated genes

This study investigated the role of chitosan in lipogenesis in high-fat diet-induced obese rats. The lipogenesis-associated genes and their upstream regulatory proteins were explored. Diet supplementation of chitosan efficiently decreased the increased weights in body, livers, and adipose tissues in high-fat diet-fed rats. Chitosan supplementation significantly raised the lipolysis rate; attenuated the adipocyte hypertrophy, triglyceride accumulation, and lipoprotein lipase activity in epididymal adipose tissues; and decreased hepatic enzyme activities of lipid biosynthesis. Chitosan supplementation significantly activated adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and attenuated high-fat diet-induced protein expressions of lipogenic transcription factors (PPAR-γ and SREBP1c) in livers and adipose tissues. Moreover, chitosan supplementation significantly inhibited the expressions of downstream lipogenic genes (FAS, HMGCR, FATP1, and FABP4) in livers and adipose tissues of high-fat diet-fed rats. These results demonstrate for the first time that chitosan supplementation alleviates high-fat diet-enhanced lipogenesis in rats via AMPK activation and lipogenesis-associated gene inhibition.

PPARγ is involved in the hyperglycemia-induced inflammatory responses and collagen degradation in human chondrocytes and diabetic mouse cartilages

Diabetic hyperglycemia has been suggested to play a role in osteoarthritis. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) was implicated in several pathological conditions including diabetes and inflammation. The detailed effects and mechanisms of hyperglycemia on cartilage damage still need to be clarified. Here, we investigated the role of PPARγ in hyperglycemia-triggered chondrocyte/cartilage damages using a human chondrocyte culture model and a diabetic mouse model. Human chondrocytes were cultured and treated with high concentration of glucose (30 mM) to mimic hyperglycemia in the presence or absence of pioglitazone, a PPARγ agonist. Streptozotocin (STZ) was used to induce mouse diabetes. Our data showed that high glucose induced the protein expressions of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and production of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2 ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), but decreased the protein expression of collagen II and PPARγ in human chondrocytes. These alterations in high glucose-treated human chondrocytes could be reversed by pioglitazone in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, pioglitazone administration could also significantly reverse the hyperglycemia, formation of AGEs, productions of IL-6 and MMP-13, and cartilage damage in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Taken together, these findings suggest that hyperglycemia down-regulates PPARγ expression and induces inflammatory and catabolic responses in human chondrocytes and diabetic mouse cartilages.

Cancer risk in HBV patients with statin and metformin use: a population-based cohort study

Chronic infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV) often causes chronic inflammation of the liver with an increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBV-infected individuals may also have an increased incidence of nonliver cancers. Taking statin or metformin may decrease inflammation and infiltration, which may, as a result, reduce the risk of liver cancer or other major cancers in patients with HBV infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that statin and metformin could reduce the incidence of liver cancer (HCC) or nonliver cancers in patients with HBV.Using the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database 2000 to 2008, this cohort study comprised patients with a recorded diagnosis of HBV (N = 71,847) between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2008. Each patient was followed-up until the end of 2008. The occurrence of HCC or a nonliver cancer was evaluated in patients who either were or were not taking statin or metformin. Cox proportional hazard regressions were used to evaluate the cancer incidence after adjusting for known confounding factors.In total, 71,824 HBV-infected patients comprised the study cohort. Our study showed that either metformin or statin use was associated with a reduction in the incidence of cancer. This was most prominent in patients taking both statin and metformin. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for patients using only statin were 0.52 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.57) for all cancers, 0.28 (95% CI, 0.23-0.35) for liver cancer, and 0.63 (95% CI, 0.57-0.70) for nonliver cancers. Patients taking only metformin had risk-adjusted HRs of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.75-0.90) for all cancers, 0.97 (95% CI, 0.84-1.14) for liver cancer, and 0.75 (95% CI, 0.67-0.84) for nonliver cancers. A dose-dependent effect of statin use for chemoprevention was observed for all cancers, including both liver cancer and nonliver cancers. A dose-dependent effect of metformin was also seen in liver cancer and nonliver cancers without stratification into different cumulative daily doses of statin use.This population-based cohort study investigated the protective effect of statin and metformin against cancer events in patients with HBV infection. Our study demonstrated that either statin or metformin served as independent chemopreventive agents with a dose-response effect in reducing the incidence of cancer with a dose-response effect of the agents and an additive or synergistic effect of combining statin and metformin use in reducing the incidence of many cancers.

Lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera) and its active constituents prevent inflammatory responses in macrophages via JNK/NF-κB signaling pathway

Inflammation is a serious health issue worldwide that induces many diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), sepsis, acute pancreatitis and lung injury. Thus, there is a great deal of interest in new methods of limiting inflammation. In this study, we investigated the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn, an aquatic perennial plant cultivated in eastern Asia and India, in anti-inflammatory pharmacological effects in the murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7. Results showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and COX-2, as well as the mRNA expression and level of IL-6 and TNF-α, while NNE significantly reduced these effects of LPS. LPS also induced phospho-JNK protein expression. The JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 decreased the proteins expression of phospho-JNK, iNOS, COX-2, and the mRNAs expression and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α. Further, NNE reduced the protein expression of phospho-JNK. LPS was also found to promote the translocation of NF-κB from the cytosol to the nucleus and to decrease the expression of cytosolic IκB. NNE and SP600125 treatment recovered the LPS-induced expression of NF-κB and IκB. While phospho-ERK and phospho-p38 induced by LPS, could not be reversed by NNE. To further investigate the major components of NNE in anti-inflammatory effects, we determined the quercetin and catechin in inflammatory signals. Results showed that quercetin and catechin significantly decreased the proteins expression of iNOS, COX-2 and phospho-JNK. Besides, the mRNAs and levels of IL-6 and TNF-α also decreased by quercetin and catechin treatment in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. These results showed that NNE and its major components quercetin and catechin exhibit anti-inflammatory activities by inhibiting the JNK- and NF-κB-regulated pathways and could therefore be an useful anti-inflammatory agent.

Honokiol confers immunogenicity by dictating calreticulin exposure, activating ER stress and inhibiting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Peritoneal dissemination is a major clinical obstacle in gastrointestinal cancer therapy, and it accounts for the majority of cancer-related mortality. Calreticulin (CRT) is over-expressed in gastric tumors and has been linked to poor prognosis. In this study, immunohistochemistry studies revealed that the up-regulation of CRT was associated with lymph node and distant metastasis in patients with gastric cancer specimens. CRT was significantly down-regulated in highly metastatic gastric cancer cell lines and metastatic animal by Honokiol-treated. Small RNA interference blocking CRT by siRNA-CRT was translocated to the cells in the early immunogenic response to Honokiol. Honokiol activated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and down-regulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) activity resulting in PPARγ and CRT degradation through calpain-II activity, which could be reversed by siRNA-calpain-II. The Calpain-II/PPARγ/CRT axis and interaction evoked by Honokiol could be blocked by gene silencing or pharmacological agents. Both transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induced cell migration, invasion and reciprocal down-regulation of epithelial marker E-cadherin, which could be abrogated by siRNA-CRT. Moreover, Honokiol significantly suppressed MNNG-induced gastrointestinal tumor growth and over-expression of CRT in mice. Knockdown CRT in gastric cancer cells was found to effectively reduce growth ability and metastasis in vivo. The present study provides insight into the specific biological behavior of CRT in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis. Taken together, our results suggest that the therapeutic inhibition of CRT by Honokiol suppresses both gastric tumor growth and peritoneal dissemination by dictating early translocation of CRT in immunogenic cell death, activating ER stress, and blocking EMT.

Antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of exopolysaccharide by submerged culture of inocutus hispidus

This work was to investigate the hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities of the exopolysaccharides produced in a stirred-tank bioreactor by Inocutus hispidus. The exopolysaccharides showed significant antioxidant activities, up to 70.7±2.5% inhibition of hydroxyl radicals, 50% inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals, and a Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity of 3.3 mM. The exopolysaccharide also showed notable hypoglycemic effects in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, reducing the plasma glucose, total cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations by 18.2±1.5, 20.9±0.8 and 14.4±0.4, respectively. The results demonstrated the potential of this EPS for human health protection against oxidative damage and hyperglycemia.

Drynaria fortunei J. Sm. improves the bone mass of ovariectomized rats through osteocalcin-involved endochondral ossification

AIM OF THIS STUDY

Our previous study showed that Drynaria fortunei J. Sm. (Kunze), a traditional Chinese medical herb, can promote osteoblast differentiation and maturation. This study was further aimed to confirm the traditional effects of Kunze on the bone mass of ovariectomized rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female Wistar rats were given an ovariectomy and then administered the water extract of Kunze (WEK). Systemic and tissue toxicities of WEK were assessed. A biomechanical test, bone mineral contents, and bone histomorphometry were analyzed to determine the effects of the WEK on the bone mass. Levels of osteocalcin (OCN) in bone tissues were determined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. The effects of naringin, one of the bioactive compounds of the WEK, on the bone mass were evaluated.

RESULTS

A bilateral ovariectomy in rats caused a time-dependent decrease in levels of serum 17β-estradiol. Exposure of ovariectomized rats to the WEK at 0.5 and 1g/kg body weight/day for 1, 2, 3, and 6 months did not induce systemic or tissue toxicities. Biomechanical testing and a bone mineral content analysis showed that the ovariectomy decreased the bone torsion force and bone ash in time-dependent manners. In comparison, after exposure to the WEK, the ovariectomy-induced reductions in the bone torsion force and bone ash were significantly alleviated. In parallel, results of a bone histomorphometric assay further revealed that the ovariectomy caused significant diminution in the production of prehypertrophic chondrocytes and trabecular bone but enhanced hypertrophic chondrocyte numbers in the growth plate. However, exposure to the WEK lowered ovariectomy-induced changes in these cellular events. As to the mechanism, the WEK increased OCN biosynthesis in bone tissues of ovariectomized rats. Administration of naringin to ovariectomized rats caused significant amelioration of the bone strength, bone mineral contents, and trabecular bone amounts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the WEK can translationally promote the bone mass in ovariectomized rats through stimulating OCN-involved endochondral ossification.

Titanium nanoparticle inhalation induces renal fibrosis in mice via an oxidative stress upregulated transforming growth factor-β pathway

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Nano-TiO2) are gradually being used extensively in clinical settings, industry, and daily life. Accumulation studies showed that Nano-TiO2 exposure is able to cause injuries in various animal organs, including the lung, liver, spleen, and kidney. However, it remains unclear whether exposure of Nano-TiO2 by inhalation causes renal fibrosis. Here, we investigated the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS)/reactive nitrogen species (RNS) related signaling molecules in chronic renal damage after Nano-TiO2 inhalation in mice. Mice were treated with Nano-TiO2 (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/week) or microparticle-TiO2 (0.5 mg/week) by nonsurgical intratracheal instillation for 4 weeks. The results showed that Nano-TiO2 inhalation increased renal pathological changes in a dose-dependent manner. No renal pathological changes were observed in microparticle-TiO2-instilled mice. Nano-TiO2 (0.5 mg/week) possessed the ability to precipitate in the kidneys, determined by transmission electron microscopy and increased serum levels of blood urea nitrogen. The expressions of markers of ROS/RNS and renal fibrosis markers, including nitrotyrosine, inducible nitric oxide synthase, hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), heme oxygenase 1, transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), and collagen I, determined by immunohistochemical staining were increased in the kidneys. Furthermore, Nano-TiO2-induced renal injury could be mitigated by iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine and ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine treatment in transcription level. The in vitro experiments showed that Nano-TiO2 significantly and dose-dependently increased the ROS production and the expressions of HIF-1α and TGFβ in human renal proximal tubular cells, which could be reversed by N-acetylcysteine treatment. Taken together, these results suggest Nano-TiO2 inhalation might induce renal fibrosis through a ROS/RNS-related HIF-1α-upregulated TGF-β signaling pathway.

Detection of methemoglobin in whole blood based on confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy and multivariate statistical techniques

Raman spectroscopy has been shown to have the potential for revealing oxygenated and spin ability of hemoglobin. In this study, confocal micro-Raman spectroscopy is developed to monitor the effect of sodium nitrite on oxyhemoglobin (HbO2 ) in whole blood. We observe that the band at 1,638 cm(-1) which is sensitive to the oxidation state decreases dramatically, while the 1,586 cm(-1) (low-spin state band) reduces both in methemoglobin (MetHb) and poisoning blood. Our results show that adding in sodium nitrite lead to the transition from HbO2 (Fe(2+) ) to MetHb (Fe(3+) ) in whole blood, and the iron atom converts from the low spin state to the high spin state with a delocalization from porphyrin plane. Moreover, multivariate statistical techniques, including principal components analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) are employed to develop effective diagnostic algorithms for classification of spectra between pure blood and poisoning blood. The diagnostic algorithms based on PCA-LDA yield a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 100% for separating poisoning blood from normal blood. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve further confirms the effectiveness of the diagnostic algorithm based on PCA-LDA technique. The results from this study demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy combined with PCA-LDA algorithms has tremendous potential for the non-invasive detection of nitrite poisoning blood.

Nε-carboxymethyllysine-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress promotes endothelial cell injury through Nox4/MKP-3 interaction

N(ε)-carboxymethyllysine (CML) is an important driver of diabetic vascular complications and endothelial cell dysfunction. However, how CML dictates specific cellular responses and the roles of protein tyrosine phosphatases and ERK phosphorylation remain unclear. We examined whether endoplasmic reticulum (ER) localization of MAPK phosphatase-3 (MKP-3) is critical in regulating ERK inactivation and promoting NADPH oxidase-4 (Nox4) activation in CML-induced endothelial cell injury. We demonstrated that serum CML levels were significantly increased in type 2 diabetes patients and diabetic animals. CML induced ER stress and apoptosis, reduced ERK activation, and increased MKP-3 protein activity in HUVECs and SVECs. MKP-3 siRNA transfection, but not that of MKP-1 or MKP-2, abolished the effects of CML on HUVECs. Nox4-mediated activation of MKP-3 regulated the switch to ERK dephosphorylation. CML also increased the integration of MKP-3 with ERK, which was blocked by silencing MKP-3. Exposure of antioxidants abolished CML-increased MKP-3 activity and protein expression. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining of both MKP-3 and CML was increased, but phospho-ERK staining was decreased in the aortic endothelium of streptozotocin-induced and high-fat diet-induced diabetic mice. Our results indicate that an MKP-3 pathway might regulate ERK dephosphorylation through Nox4 during CML-triggered endothelial cell dysfunction/injury, suggesting that therapeutic strategies targeting the Nox4/MKP-3 interaction or MKP-3 activation may have clinical implications for diabetic vascular complications.

Afatinib and its encapsulated polymeric micelles inhibits HER2-overexpressed colorectal tumor cell growth in vitro and in vivo

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is known as a common malignant neoplasm worldwide. The role of EGFR/HER2 in CRC is unclear. Afatinib is an irreversible EGFR/HER2 inhibitor. There were few studies of afatinib on CRC. Here, we investigated the protein levels/expressions of HER2 in sera and tumors from CRC patients and the therapeutic effect of afatinib on HER2-overexpressed CRC in vitro and in vivo. The increased HER2 levels were detected in the collected sera and tumors of patients with CRC. The serological HER2 levels were correlated with the tumor HER2 expressions in patients. Afatinib also inhibited the HER2-positive tumor cell growth and caused apoptosis in HER2-overexpressed human colorectal cancer HCT-15 cells but not in low HER2 expressed human gastric cancer MKN45 cells. In vivo study showed that afatinib reduced tumor growth in HER2-overexpressed xenografts. Moreover, afatinib-encapsulated micelles displayed higher cytotoxic activity in HCT-15 cells and were more effective for tumor growth suppression in HCT-15-induced tumor xenografts than afatinib performance alone. Taken together, these findings suggest that higher serum HER2 levels reflect the higher HER2 contents in tumors of CRC patients, and the improved afatinib-encapsulated micelles possess high therapeutic efficacy in HER2-overexpressed CRC in vitro and in vivo.

Quercetin attenuates renal ischemia/reperfusion injury via an activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-regulated autophagy pathway

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a major cause of acute renal failure. Quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant, presents in many kinds of food. The molecular mechanism of quercetin on renal protection during I/R is still unclear. Here, we investigated the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-regulated autophagy in renal protection by quercetin. To investigate whether quercetin protects renal cells from I/R-induced cell injury, an in vitro model of I/R and an in vivo I/R model were used. Cell apoptosis was determined by propidium iodide/annexin V staining. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used to determine the autophagy. AMPK expression was inhibited with appropriate short hairpin RNA (shRNA). In cultured renal tubular cell I/R model, quercetin decreased the cell injury, up-regulated the AMPK phosphorylation, down-regulated the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) phosphorylation and activated autophagy during I/R. Knockdown of AMPK by shRNA transfection decreased the quercetin-induced autophagy but did not affect the mTOR phosphorylation. In I/R mouse model, quercetin decreased the increased serum creatinine level and altered renal histological score. Quercetin also increased AMPK phosphorylation, inhibited the mTOR phosphorylation and activated autophagy in the kidneys of I/R mice. These results suggest that quercetin activates an AMPK-regulated autophagy signaling pathway, which offers a protective effect in renal I/R injury.

Effects of arsenic on osteoblast differentiation in vitro and on bone mineral density and microstructure in rats

BACKGROUND

Arsenic is a ubiquitous toxic element and is known to contaminate drinking water in many countries. Several epidemiological studies have shown that arsenic exposure augments the risk of bone disorders. However, the detailed effect and mechanism of inorganic arsenic on osteoblast differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells and bone loss still remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the effects and mechanism of arsenic on osteoblast differentiation in vitro and evaluated bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microstructure in rats at doses relevant to human exposure from drinking water.

METHODS

We used a cell model of rat primary bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and a rat model of long-term exposure with arsenic-contaminated drinking water, and determined bone microstructure and BMD in rats by microcomputed tomography (μCT).

RESULTS

We observed significant attenuation of osteoblast differentiation after exposure of BMSCs to arsenic trioxide (0.5 or 1 μM). After arsenic treatment during differentiation, expression of runt-related transcription factor-2 (Runx2), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and osteocalcin in BMSCs was inhibited and phosphorylation of enhanced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was increased. These altered differentiation-related molecules could be reversed by the ERK inhibitor PD98059. Exposure of rats to arsenic trioxide (0.05 or 0.5 ppm) in drinking water for 12 weeks altered BMD and microstructure, decreased Runx2 expression, and increased ERK phosphorylation in bones. In BMSCs isolated from arsenic-treated rats, osteoblast differentiation was inhibited.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that arsenic is capable of inhibiting osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs via an ERK-dependent signaling pathway and thus increasing bone loss.

Development of 5Ns chromosome-specific SCAR markers for utilization in future wheat breeding programs

In previous studies, we developed a wheat-Psathyrostachys huashanica Keng disomic addition line 3-8-10-2, which exhibited high stripe rust resistance and could be used as a donor source for introducing novel disease resistance gene(s) into wheat in future breeding programs. It was identified using cytology, genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), EST-SSR, EST-STS and morphological analyses. However, these techniques are not suitable for breeding programs that require the rapid screening of large numbers of genotypes because they are highly technical and time-consuming. In this study, three Ns genome-specific SCAR markers were developed via random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. These SCAR markers were further validated using a complete set of wheat-P. huashanica disomic addition lines, which segregated the 5Ns disomic addition line individuals. Our results indicated that the SCAR markers associated with the 5Ns chromosome of P. huashanica and they provide a low cost, high efficiency, alternative tool for screening 5Ns chromosomes in a wheat background. These newly developed SCAR markers that species-specificity of the markers was proved by analysis of a wide range of cereal species, and specific for 5Ns chromosome, which should be useful in marker-assisted selection for wheat breeders who want to screen genotypes that may contain 5Ns chromatin.

Resveratrol attenuates high-fat diet-induced disruption of the blood-brain barrier and protects brain neurons from apoptotic insults

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintains brain microenvironment. Our previous study showed that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) can damage the BBB by inducing apoptosis of cerebrovascular endothelial cells. This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of resveratrol on high-fat diet-induced insults to the BBB and brain neurons. Exposure of mice to a high-fat diet for 8 weeks increased levels of serum total cholesterol (146 ± 13) and LDL (68 ± 8), but resveratrol decreased such augmentations (119 ± 6; 45 ± 8). Permeability assays showed that a high-fat diet induced breakage of the BBB (88 ± 21). Meanwhile, resveratrol alleviated this interruption (16 ± 6). Neither resveratrol nor a high-fat diet caused the death of cerebrovascular endothelial cells. Instead, exposure to a high-fat diet disrupted the polymerization of occludin and zonula occludens (ZO)-1, but resveratrol significantly attenuated those injuries. Neither a high-fat diet nor resveratrol changed the levels of occludin or ZO-1 in brain tissues. Resveratrol protected brain neurons against high-fat diet-induced caspase-3 activation and genomic DNA fragmentation. This study shows that resveratrol can attenuate the high-fat diet-induced disruption of the BBB via interfering with occludin and ZO-1 tight junctions, and protects against apoptotic insults to brain neurons.

Osteoporosis Prevention by Adlay ( Yì Yǐ: The Seeds of Coix Lachryma-Jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) in a Mouse Model

Osteoporosis is characterized by reduced bone mass and quality due to an imbalanced bone remodeling. A grass crop, adlay (Coix lachryma-jobi), is a kind of nourishing food, which has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we investigated the effect of adlay (C. lachryma-jobi L. var. ma-yuen Stapf) on osteoporosis using an ovariectomized mouse model. The adlay diet (10% and 30% adlay in mouse diet) or water extract of adlay (0.3 g/kg/day) was given to ovariectomized mice for 4 weeks. In some experiments, the primary rat osteoblast cells were used to test the possible mechanism of adlay on osteoporosis. The body weight was slightly increased and uterus weight was markedly decreased in ovariectomized mice, which were not affected by adlay treatment. Adlay diet (30%) and adlay extract feedings significantly reversed the decreased bone alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium contents and bone mineral density in ovariectomized mice. Moreover, adlay extracts increased the osteoblast cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Adlay extracts also increased the protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 in osteoblast cells. ERK inhibitor PD98059 significantly reversed the increased osteoblast cell proliferation by adlay extracts. Taken together, these findings indicate that adlay effectively alleviates the osteoporotic status in ovariectomized mice. Adlay is capable of increasing the proliferation of osteoblast cells via an ERK-regulated signaling pathway. Adlay may be a helpful healthy food for osteoporosis prevention.

Low-dose benzo(a)pyrene and its epoxide metabolite inhibit myogenic differentiation in human skeletal muscle-derived progenitor cells

The risk of low birth weights is elevated in prenatal exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are ubiquitous environmental pollutants generated from combustion of organic compounds, including cigarette smoke. We hypothesized that benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a member of PAHs existing in cigarette smoke, may affect the myogenesis to cause low birth weights. We investigated the effects of BaP and its main metabolite, benzo(a)pyrene-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide (BPDE), on the myogenic differentiation of human skeletal muscle-derived progenitor cells (HSMPCs). HSMPCs were isolated by a modified preplate technique and cultured in myogenic differentiation media with or without BaP and BPDE (0.25 and 0.5 μM) for 4 days. The multinucleated myotube formation was morphologically analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. The expressions of myogenic differentiation markers and related signaling proteins were determined by Western blotting. Both BaP and BPDE at the submicromolar concentrations (0.25 and 0.5 μM) dose-dependently repressed HSMPCs myogenic differentiation without obvious cell toxicity. Both BaP and BPDE inhibited the muscle-specific protein expressions (myogenin and myosin heavy chain) and phosphorylation of Akt (a known modulator in myogenesis), which could be significantly reversed by the inhibitors for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), estrogen receptor (ER), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. BaP- and BPDE-activated NF-κB-p65 protein phosphorylation could also be attenuated by both AhR and ER inhibitors. The inhibitory effects of BaP and BPDE on myogenesis were reversed after withdrawing BaP exposure, but not after BPDE withdrawal. These results suggest that both BaP and BPDE are capable of inhibiting myogenesis via an AhR- or/and ER-regulated NF-κB/Akt signaling pathway.

Celecoxib-induced cytotoxic effect is potentiated by inhibition of autophagy in human urothelial carcinoma cells

Celecoxib, a cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, can elicit anti-tumor effects in various malignancies. Here, we sought to clarify the role of autophagy in celecoxib-induced cytotoxicity in human urothelial carcinoma (UC) cells. The results shows celecoxib induced cellular stress response such as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, phosopho-SAPK/JNK, and phosopho-c-Jun as well as autophagosome formation in UC cells. Inhibition of autophagy by 3-methyladenine (3-MA), bafilomycin A1 or ATG7 knockdown potentiated celecoxib-induced apoptosis. Up-regulation of autophagy by rapamycin or GFP-LC3B-transfection alleviated celecoxib-induced cytotoxicity in UC cells. Taken together, the inhibition of autophagy enhances therapeutic efficacy of celecoxib in UC cells, suggesting a novel therapeutic strategy against UC.

C/EBP homologous protein deficiency aggravates acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury

AIM: To investigate the pathophysiological role of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in severe acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury.

METHODS: A severe acute pancreatitis model was induced with 6 injections of cerulein (Cn, 50 μg/kg) at 1-h intervals, then intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 7.5 mg/kg) in CHOP-deficient (Chop^-/-) mice and wild-type (WT) mice. Animals were sacrificed under anesthesia, 3 h or 18 h after LPS injection. Serum amylase, lipase, and cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α], pathological changes, acute lung injury, and apoptosis in the pancreas were evaluated. Serum amylase and lipase activities were detected using a medical automatic chemical analyzer. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to evaluate TNF-α and IL-6 levels in mouse serum and lung tissue homogenates. Apoptotic cells in sections of pancreatic tissues were determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) analysis. The mouse carotid arteries were cannulated and arterial blood samples were collected for PaO₂ analysis. The oxygenation index was expressed as PaO₂/FiO₂.

RESULTS: Administration of Cn and LPS for 9 and 24 h induced severe acute pancreatitis in Chop^-/- and WT mice. When comparing Chop^-/- mice and WT mice, we observed that CHOP-deficient mice had greater increases in serum TNF-α (214.40 ± 19.52 pg/mL vs 150.40 ± 16.70 pg/mL; P = 0.037), amylase (4236.40 ± 646.32 U/L vs 2535.30 ± 81.83 U/L; P = 0.041), lipase (1678.20 ± 170.57 U/L vs 1046.21 ± 35.37 U/L; P = 0.008), and IL-6 (2054.44 ± 293.81 pg/mL vs 1316.10 ± 108.74 pg/mL; P = 0.046) than WT mice. The histopathological changes in the pancreases and lungs, decreased PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio, and increased TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the lungs were greater in Chop^-/- mice than in WT mice (pancreas: Chop^-/-vs WT mice, hemorrhage, P = 0.005; edema, P = 0.005; inflammatory cells infiltration, P = 0.005; total scores, P = 0.006; lung: hemorrhage, P = 0.017; edema, P = 0.017; congestion, P = 0.017; neutrophil infiltration, P = 0.005, total scores, P = 0.001; PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio: 393 ± 17.65 vs 453.8, P = 0.041; TNF-α: P = 0.043; IL-6, P = 0.040). Results from TUNEL analysis indicated increased acinar cell apoptosis in mice following the induction of acute pancreatitis. However, Chop^-/- mice displayed significantly reduced pancreatic apoptosis compared with the WT mice (201.50 ± 31.43 vs 367.00 ± 47.88, P = 0.016).

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CHOP can exert protective effects against acute pancreatitis and limit the spread of inflammatory damage to the lungs.

Osteogenesis induced in goat bone marrow progenitor cells by recombinant adenovirus coexpressing bone morphogenetic protein 2 and basic fibroblast growth factor

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) have been shown to exhibit a synergistic effect to promote bone repair and healing. In this study, we constructed a novel adenovirus with high coexpression of BMP2 and bFGF and evaluated its effect on osteogenic differentiation of goat bone marrow progenitor cells (BMPCs). Recombinant adenovirus Ad-BMP2-bFGF was constructed by using the T2A sequence. BMPCs were isolated from goats by density gradient centrifugation and adherent cell culture, and were then infected with Ad-BMP2-bFGF or Ad-BMP2. Expression of BMP2 and bFGF was detected by ELISA, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was detected by an ALP assay kit. In addition, von Kossa staining and immunocytochemical staining of collagen II were performed on BMPCs 21 days after infection. There was a high coexpression of BMP2 and bFGF in BMPCs infected with Ad-BMP2-bFGF. Twenty-one days after infection, ALP activity was significantly higher in BMPCs infected with Ad-BMP2-bFGF than in those infected with Ad-BMP2. Larger and more mineralized calcium nodules, as well as stronger collagen II staining, were observed in BMPCs infected with Ad-BMP2-bFGF than in those infected with Ad-BMP2. In summary, we developed a novel adenovirus vector Ad-BMP2-bFGF for simultaneous high coexpression of BMP2 and bFGF, which could induce BMPCs to differentiate efficiently into osteoblasts.

Hemorrhagic cystitis in children treated with alkylating agent cyclophosphamide: The experience of a medical center in Taiwan

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a common complication with chemotherapeutic alkylating agents. We investigated the possible prognostic factors of cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in children.

METHODS

Medical records of children (< 18 years old) with cyclophosphamide-related hemorrhagic cystitis were collected retrospectively from January 2000 to December 2010 in a tertiary care center. We also prospectively enrolled children (< 18 years old) with cyclophosphamide treatment.

RESULTS

The retrospective study consisted of 23 patients whose median age was 11 years. The median day of onset time was 1 day after cyclophosphamide usage. The hemato-oncological diseases included acute leukemia (39.1%), lymphoma (13%), blastoma (13%), sarcoma (13%), aplastic anemia (13%), and others (8.7%). Patients who received bone marrow transplantation (BMT) had significantly longer duration of hemorrhagic cystitis than those who did not receive BMT (p < 0.05). Serum uric acid, checked prior to and after the onset of hemorrhage cystitis, was significantly lower after the development of hemorrhagic cystitis (p < 0.05). In the prospective study, 11 children were enrolled with a median age of 5 years. The urinary nitrite/nitrate and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α levels increased significantly after cyclophosphamide usage (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Alteration serum uric acid level and BMT could be indicators for severe hemorrhagic cystitis. The elevated levels of urinary nitrite/nitrate and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α may indicate the essential roles played by nitric oxide syntheses and reactive oxidative stress in cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis. These findings may help clinicians formulate a better strategy for treating cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.

In vivo detection of Hirschsprung's disease by optical coherence tomography in rats

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a developmental intestinal obstruction, which is often diagnosed with a repeated biopsy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive, real-time imaging modality. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of diagnosis of HSCR, the targeted biopsies of suspicious tissues and the location of operative treatment using OCT. An HSCR Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat model (benzalkonium chloride-treated (BAC-treated)) was used. Colon tissues with BAC-treated and without BAC-treated were imaged using OCT. To establish OCT criteria for identification of HSCR, OCT images were compared with corresponding histology images and muscle layer thickness was measured. Furthermore, attenuation coefficients of OCT signals were calculated to illustrate the differences between tissues with BAC-treated and without BAC-treated. Our results show that OCT images of colon tissues with HSCR are well correlated with histology images. In comparison with a muscle layer without HSCR, the thickness of muscle layer with HSCR is increased significantly. The muscle layer in colon tissues with HSCR for 6 weeks had a higher attenuation coefficient than those without HSCR. However, the attenuation coefficient of those with HSCR for 3 weeks had no obvious change. In conclusion, the study demonstrates for the first time that OCT has the potential for diagnosis, biopsy and location of HSCR in vivo.

Cadmium induces apoptosis in pancreatic β-cells through a mitochondria-dependent pathway: the role of oxidative stress-mediated c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation

Cadmium (Cd), one of well-known highly toxic environmental and industrial pollutants, causes a number of adverse health effects and diseases in humans. The growing epidemiological studies have suggested a possible link between Cd exposure and diabetes mellitus (DM). However, the toxicological effects and underlying mechanisms of Cd-induced pancreatic β-cell injury are still unknown. In this study, we found that Cd significantly decreased cell viability, and increased sub-G1 hypodiploid cells and annexin V-Cy3 binding in pancreatic β-cell-derived RIN-m5F cells. Cd also increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and malondialdehyde (MDA) production and induced mitochondrial dysfunction (the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and the increase of cytosolic cytochrome c release), the decreased Bcl-2 expression, increased p53 expression, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, and caspase cascades, which accompanied with intracellular Cd accumulation. Pretreatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC) effectively reversed these Cd-induced events. Furthermore, exposure to Cd induced the phosphorylations of c-jun N-terminal kinases (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK)1/2, and p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), which was prevented by NAC. Additionally, the specific JNK inhibitor SP600125 or JNK-specific small interference RNA (si-RNA) transfection suppressed Cd-induced β-cell apoptosis and related signals, but not ERK1/2 and p38-MAPK inhibitors (PD98059 and SB203580) did not. However, the JNK inhibitor or JNK-specific si-RNA did not suppress ROS generation in Cd-treated cells. These results indicate that Cd induces pancreatic β-cell death via an oxidative stress downstream-mediated JNK activation-triggered mitochondria-regulated apoptotic pathway.

Antidiabetic effects of pterosin A, a small-molecular-weight natural product, on diabetic mouse models

The therapeutic effect of pterosin A, a small-molecular-weight natural product, on diabetes was investigated. Pterosin A, administered orally for 4 weeks, effectively improved hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in streptozotocin, high-fat diet-fed, and db/db diabetic mice. There were no adverse effects in normal or diabetic mice treated with pterosin A for 4 weeks. Pterosin A significantly reversed the increased serum insulin and insulin resistance (IR) in dexamethasone-IR mice and in db/db mice. Pterosin A significantly reversed the reduced muscle GLUT-4 translocation and the increased liver phosphoenolpyruvate carboxyl kinase (PEPCK) expression in diabetic mice. Pterosin A also significantly reversed the decreased phosphorylations of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt in muscles of diabetic mice. The decreased AMPK phosphorylation and increased p38 phosphorylation in livers of db/db mice were effectively reversed by pterosin A. Pterosin A enhanced glucose uptake and AMPK phosphorylation in cultured human muscle cells. In cultured liver cells, pterosin A inhibited inducer-enhanced PEPCK expression, triggered the phosphorylations of AMPK, acetyl CoA carboxylase, and glycogen synthase kinase-3, decreased glycogen synthase phosphorylation, and increased the intracellular glycogen level. These findings indicate that pterosin A may be a potential therapeutic option for diabetes.

Second harmonic generation in 3-d uniform arrangement of type I collagen on nonlinear optics microscopy

Second harmonic microscopic imaging and spectroscopy technology has become a powerful tool for biomedical studies, especially in fibrosis-related diseases research. And type I collagen is the major risk factors for fibrotic diseases. In this study, model for three-dimensional (3-D) uniform arrangement type I collagen is set up for researching the second harmonic generation (SHG) on nonlinear optics microscopy. Based on this model, we discuss the influence of different length and size collagen in 3-D arrangement type I collagen. Results can guide us to neatly judge the size, length, and molecules density effect on SHG. For practical application, this theoretical approach can lead us to analyze different severity of collagen diseases.

Mercuric compounds induce pancreatic islets dysfunction and apoptosis in vivo

Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that is an environmental and industrial pollutant throughout the world. Mercury exposure leads to many physiopathological injuries in mammals. However, the precise toxicological effects of mercury on pancreatic islets in vivo are still unclear. Here, we investigated whether mercuric compounds can induce dysfunction and damage in the pancreatic islets of mice, as well as the possible mechanisms involved in this process. Mice were treated with methyl mercuric chloride (MeHgCl, 2 mg/kg) and mercuric chloride (HgCl₂, 5 mg/kg) for more than 2 consecutive weeks. Our results showed that the blood glucose levels increased and plasma insulin secretions decreased in the mice as a consequence of their exposure. A significant number of TUNEL-positive cells were revealed in the islets of mice that were treated with mercury for 2 consecutive weeks, which was accompanied by changes in the expression of the mRNA of anti-apoptotic (Bcl-2, Mcl-1, and Mdm-2) and apoptotic (p53, caspase-3, and caspase-7) genes. Moreover, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased significantly in the mice after treatment with mercuric compounds for 2 consecutive weeks, and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the pancreatic islets also markedly increased. In addition, the mRNA expression of genes related to antioxidation, including Nrf2, GPx, and NQO1, were also significantly reduced in these islets. These results indicate that oxidative stress injuries that are induced by mercuric compounds can cause pancreatic islets dysfunction and apoptosis in vivo.

New half-lives of r-process Zn and Ga isotopes measured with electromagnetic separation

The β decays of neutron-rich nuclei near the doubly magic (78)Ni were studied at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility using an electromagnetic isobar separator. The half-lives of (82)Zn (228±10  ms), (83)Zn (117±20  ms), and (85)Ga (93±7  ms) were determined for the first time. These half-lives were found to be very different from the predictions of the global model used in astrophysical simulations. A new calculation was developed using the density functional model, which properly reproduced the new experimental values. The robustness of the new model in the (78)Ni region allowed us to extrapolate data for more neutron-rich isotopes. The revised analysis of the rapid neutron capture process in low entropy environments with our new set of measured and calculated half-lives shows a significant redistribution of predicted isobaric abundances strengthening the yield of A>140 nuclei.

Involvement of interleukin-6-regulated nitric oxide synthase in hemorrhagic cystitis and impaired bladder contractions in young rats induced by acrolein, a urinary metabolite of cyclophosphamide

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a common complication in children receiving cyclophosphamide, a chemotherapeutic alkylating agent. Acrolein is a urinary metabolite from cyclophosphamide and can induce hemorrhagic cystitis. Here, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of acrolein by intravesical instillation on urinary bladder muscle contractions and pathological alterations in rats. Acrolein instillation significantly increased the muscle contractions of rat bladder detrusor after 1 and 6 h but markedly decreased detrusor contractions after 24 h. Acrolein increased phosphorylated protein kinase C (pan-PKC) expressions in bladders after 1 and 6 h but inhibited it after 24 h. Inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) protein expressions were markedly induced in bladders 24 h after acrolein treatment. Twenty-four-hour acrolein instillation increased the levels of nitrite/nitrate and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the urinary bladder. The iNOS inhibitors significantly inhibited the acrolein-increased nitrite/nitrate levels, but not IL-6 levels. IL-6-neutralizing antibodies effectively inhibited the acrolein-increased NOx levels. The increased detrusor contractions by 1-h acrolein treatment were significantly reversed by the PKC inhibitor RO32-0432, and the decreased detrusor contractions by 24-h acrolein treatment were significantly reversed by the iNOS inhibitor and IL-6-neutralizing antibody. Both the iNOS inhibitor and IL-6-neutralizing antibody effectively reversed the increased iNOS expression, decreased PKC phosphorylation, increased bladder weight, and hemorrhagic cystitis in rats 24 h after acrolein treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that an IL-6-regulated iNOS/NO signaling pathway participates in the acrolein-triggered detrusor contraction inhibition and hemorrhagic cystitis. These findings may help us to find a new strategy to treat cyclophosphamide-induced hemorrhagic cystitis.