Allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells suppress mTORC1 pathway in a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSC) transplantation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to determine the mechanism of ADSC transplantation.

METHODS

B6.MRL/lpr mice were administered ADSC intravenously every week from age 28 to 31 weeks, while the lupus control group and the normal control received phosphate buffered solution (PBS) on the same schedule.

RESULTS

Compared with the lupus control group, the ADSC treatment group had a significant improvement of histologic abnormalities, serologic abnormalities, and immunologic function. Anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, spleen/weight ratio, deposits of C3/IgG in the kidney, and serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were significantly decreased with the transplantation of ADSC. A significant decrease of the Th17/CD4⁺ T cell ratio in the spleen, the serum IL-17 concentration, as well as renal IL-17 expression was observed in the ADSC treatment group. Western blot results also showed that ADSC treatment had a lower expression of protein kinase B (Akt), p-Akt, mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K, p-p70S6K, and HIF-1α.

CONCLUSION

ADSC treatment can prevent the development of lupus nephritis and significantly ameliorate already-established disease. ADSC treatment reduced Akt, mTOR, p70S6K, HIF-1α, and that this inhibition can avert IL-17-induced inflammation, suggesting that ADSC may be a promising treatment for SLE.

The impact of TRAIL on proliferation of secretory prostate cancer PC-3 cell and LMO2 gene expression

OBJECTIVE

To determine the expressions of TRAIL protein and LMO2 gene in prostate cancer tissues with different differentiation degree and identify the influence of TRAIL on prostate cancer PC-3 cell proliferation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Surgical specimens from a total of 30 prostate cancer patients with radical prostatectomy were collected. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the different degrees of differentiation. TRAIL positive rate was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). LMO2 expression was assessed by Real-time PCR and Western-blot. PC-3 cell proliferation was determined by CCK-8 assay.

RESULTS

The positive rate of TRAIL protein was significantly higher in moderately differentiated group (80%) and well differentiated group (100%) compared with that in poorly differentiated group (54.55%), respectively (χ2 = 27.33, p < 0.05; χ2 = 40.12, p < 0.01). Streptavidin-peroxidase (SP) assay showed that TRAIL protein expression in well-differentiated group was significantly higher than that in moderately differentiated group and poorly differentiated group. qRT-PCR result demonstrated that LMO2 mRNA levels in moderately and well-differentiated group were significantly increased compared to that in poorly differentiated group (p < 0.001). Also, the proliferation rate of PC-3 cells in well-differentiated group was significantly higher than that in well-differentiated and moderately differentiated groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our data indicated that the positive rate of TRAIL protein increased in a prostate cancer differentiation dependent manner.

Comparison of Intraoral Bone Regeneration with Iliac and Alveolar BMSCs

This study compared the osteogenic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) of iliac and alveolar origins (I-BMSCs and Al-BMSCs, respectively), which were transplanted in combination with β tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) in peri-implant bone defects to investigate the osseointegration between dental implants and tissue-engineered bone in dogs. Specifically, I-BMSCs and Al-BMSCs were cultured, characterized, and seeded on β-TCP and subjected to immunoblotting analyses and alkaline phosphatase activity assays. Subsequently, these cell-seeded scaffolds were implanted into defects that were freshly generated in the mandibular premolar areas of 4 dogs. The defects were covered with β-TCP + Al-BMSCs ( n = 6), β-TCP + I-BMSCs ( n = 6), or β-TCP ( n = 6) or served as the blank control ( n = 6). After healing for 12 wk, the formation and mineralization of new bones were assessed through micro-computed tomographic, histologic, and histomorphometric analyses, and bone-to-implant contacts were measured in the specimens. It was evident that in this large animal model, I-BMSCs and Al-BMSCs manifested similarly strong osteogenic potential, as significantly more new bone was formed in the Al-BMSC and I-BMSC groups than otherwise ( P < 0.01). Therefore, Al-BMSCs are emerging as an efficient alternative for autologous mesenchymal stem cells in regenerative dental and maxillofacial therapies. I-BMSCs, if not restricted in their bioavailability, can also be of great utility in bone tissue-engineering applications.

Parent Artery Reconstruction for Large or Giant Cerebral Aneurysms Using the Tubridge Flow Diverter: A Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial (PARAT)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although flow diverters have been reported with favorable clinical and angiographic outcomes in various literatures, randomized trials determining their true effectiveness and safety are still in lack. The Parent Artery Reconstruction for Large or Giant Cerebral Aneurysms Using the Tubridge Flow Diverter (PARAT) trial was designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Tubridge flow diverter in the treatment of large or giant aneurysms in comparison with Enterprise stent-assisted coiling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective, multicenter, randomized trial was conducted at 12 hospitals throughout China. Enrolled adults with unruptured large/giant intracranial aneurysms were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either Enterprise stent-assisted coiling or Tubridge flow diverter implantation. The primary end point was complete occlusion at 6-month follow-up, while secondary end points included technical success, mortality, target vessel-related stroke, aneurysm bleeding, in-stent stenosis, parent artery occlusion, and the frequency of all adverse events.

RESULTS

Among 185 enrolled subjects, 41 withdrew before procedure initiation. Overall, 82 subjects underwent Tubridge implantation, and 62 subjects were primarily treated with stent-assisted coiling. The results of 6-month follow-up imaging included complete occlusion rates of 75.34% versus 24.53% for the Tubridge and stent-assisted coiling groups, respectively, with a calculated common odds ratio of 9.4 (95% confidence interval, 4.14-21.38; P < .001). There was a higher, nonsignificant frequency of complications for Tubridge subjects. Multivariate analysis showed a decreased stroke rate at the primary investigational site, with a marginal P value (P = .051).

CONCLUSIONS

This trial showed an obviously higher rate of large and giant aneurysm obliteration with the Tubridge FD over Enterprise stent-assisted coiling. However, this higher obliteration rate came at the cost of a nonsignificantly higher rate of complications. Investigational site comparisons suggested that a learning curve for flow-diverter implantation should be recognized and factored into trial designs.

Transcriptome analysis of ruminal epithelia revealed potential regulatory mechanisms involved in host adaptation to gradual high fermentable dietary transition in beef cattle

Background

The transition from a high forage to a highly fermentable diet can induce digestive disorders in the rumen. To date, the host mechanisms that regulate the adaption to such dietary transition are largely unknown. To understand the molecular mechanisms involved in such phenomena, RNA-sequencing was performed to identify the changes in the transcriptome of ruminal epithelia during gradual transition from a diet containing 0% to 89% grain.

Results

In total, the expression of 11,044, 11,322 and 11,282 genes were detected in ruminal epithelia of beef heifers (n = 15) fed 0%, 72% and 89% barley grain diet, respectively. The transcriptome profiles of rumen epithelia differed between low grain diet (LGD) (0% grain) and high grain diet (HGD) (72% and 89%), and HGD tended to reduce the expression of genes involved in epithelial catalytic and binding activities. When diet was changed from 72% to 89% grain, the mean ruminal pH change was significantly different among individual heifers with five of them decreased (down group (DG); from 6.30±0.09 to 5.87±0.15, P < 0.01) and five of them increased (up group (UG); from 5.84±0.42 to 6.35±0.37, P < 0.05). The functional analysis of differentially expressed (DE) genes revealed inhibited “Immune response of leukocytes”, “Attraction of phagocytes”, and “Cell movement of leukocytes” (P < 0.05) functions (Z-score = −2.2, −2.2 and −2.0, respectively) in DG, and inhibited “Concentration of lipid” and “Proliferation of epithelial cells” functions in UG (Z-score = −2.0, and −1.8, respectively). In addition, the expression of genes involved in ketogenesis (HMGCL) and lipid synthesis (SREBF2, FABP4) was increased in DG, while the expression of ketogenesis (ACAT2, HMGCS) and cholesterol synthesis related genes (HMGC and FDPS) were deceased in UG. Furthermore, the upstream regulators were found to be involved in the regulation of immune response and cell cycle progress, and SNP (g.46834311A > G) in FABP4 was identified between two groups of animals (P < 0.1).

Conclusion

The identified genes, upstream regulators, and SNP could be potential genetic markers that may account for the varied individual ruminal pH responses to the dietary transition stress.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12864-017-4317-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

[Anxiety and depression in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss and its influencing factors]

Objective:To evaluate the psychological status of anxiety and depression in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and to analyze the factors that affect the occurrence of anxiety and depression. Method:A total of 198 patients with moderate and severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss were enrolled. The patients were tested by general condition questionnaire and hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Patients who developed anxiety and depression were tested again using the HADS at 1 week after completion of the treatment. Result:The incidence of anxiety was 27.27% in patients with moderate and severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and the incidence of depression was 25.25%. The scores of anxiety and depression were statistically significant (P<0.05). The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the status of anxiety and depression was accompanied by symptoms and other diseases (P<0.05). There was a significant difference between the effective group, the significant efficacy group and the cured group (P<0.05). The difference between the scores before and after treatment was compared. Differences in the ineffective group compared with the other three groups, and the cured group compared with the other three groups of anxiety, depression were statistically significant. Conclusion:The problem of anxiety and depression in patients with moderate and severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss is relatively prominent, and the symptoms of anxiety and depression are obviously affected by the symptoms and other diseases. After treatment, anxiety and depression status changes significantly. In clinical practice, anxiety and depression and its influencing factors should be taken into account for the treatment of the patients with severe sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

[Health economic evaluation of a 23 value pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination pilot programme among elderly chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients in China]

Objective: From the perspective of health economics, to evaluate 23 pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccination programme among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient. Methods: In the pilot counties of the project of integrated care pathway for COPD patient (Hanbin district of Hanzhong city in Shanxi Province, Qianjian district of Qingqing city, Huandao district of Qindao city in Shangdong Province, Wen county of Jiaozuo city in Henan Province), information of insurance participants of New Rural Cooperative Medical System (NRCS) was collected by local NRCM information system, which included general information as well as records of medical care and medical fee. Nonprobability sampling method was applied to select a total of 860 objects, who were over 60 years old with local household registration, hospitalized within one recent year due to COPD acute exacerbation, and without vaccination of 23 voluntary pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine within 3 years. A quasi-experimental design without control group was adopted. Objects were vaccinated with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine from January to December in 2013, then were followed up from January in 2014 for one year. Data of effectiveness and medical cost was collected by self-designed questionnaire and <EuroQol five dimensions questionnaire >(Chinese version). Paired rank sum test applied to test the difference of quality of life, number and direct medical cost of treatment (including outpatient treatment and hospitalization) due to COPD acute exacerbation, one year before and after intervention. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and cost-benefit ratio (CBR) of the programme were calculated. Results: By January 2014, eight hundred sixty objects were vaccinated. By January 2015, seven hundred eighty eight objects were followed up, with 72 cases withdrawed (8.4%). On average, COPD patients reduced 1.12±2.51 treatments due to acute exacerbation, including 0.28±2.09 outpatient treatments and 0.85±1.15 hospitalizations. Total medical cost was saved by 3 610.21 per capita yuan, including outpatient cost of 241.41 yuan and hospitalization cost of 269.82 yuan; Quality of life was gained by 0.03 QALY gain per capita. The ICER was dominant and CBR was 12.00. Conclusion: COPD patients vaccinated with 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine within one year reduced treatments due to acute exacerbation. The vaccination was cost effective and cost saving , and we suggest the vaccine should be covered in the public health program or health insurance scheme in conditional region.

MicroRNA-455 suppresses the oncogenic function of HDAC2 in human colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-induced mortality. Histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) is involved in prognosis and therapy of CRC. This study aimed to explore novel therapeutic targets for CRC. The alteration of HDAC2 expression in CRC tissues was estimated by qRT-PCR. After lentivirus transfection, HDAC2 knockdown was confirmed by western blot analysis. The effect of HDAC2 knockdown on cell proliferation was then assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Screened by TargetScan, microRNA (miR)-455 was predicted to bind to 3′UTR of HDAC2 and the prediction was verified by luciferase assay. Finally, cells were transfected, respectively, with miR-455 mimics or miR-455 negative control (miR-NC) and the expression of HDAC2, cell proliferation and apoptosis of transfected cells were respectively evaluated by western blot analysis, MTT assay and flow cytometry. Results showed that the HDAC2 expression was up-regulated in CRC tissues (P<0.05). HDAC2 knockdown significantly decreased cell viability at day 3 (P<0.05), day 4 (P<0.01), and day 5 (P<0.001) after infection. Then, miR-455 was verified to directly target HDAC2, resulting in a significant difference in luciferase activity (P<0.01). Moreover, miR-455 decreased the expression of HDAC2 (P<0.01). miR-455 remarkably decreased cell viability at day 3 (P<0.05), day 4 (P<0.01), and day 5 (P<0.001) after transfection while inducing cell apoptosis (P<0.001). In conclusion, miR-455 inhibited cell proliferation while inducing cell apoptosis by targeting HDAC2 in CRC cells.

An indoleacetic acid-producing Ochrobactrum sp. MGJ11 counteracts cadmium effect on soybean by promoting plant growth

AIMS

To analyse whether some indoleacetic acid (IAA)-secreting plant growth-promoting bacteria can alleviate cadmium (Cd) stress, the role of an Ochrobactrum sp. MGJ11 from rhizosphere of soybean in promoting plant growth, and to evaluate the counteracting Cd effects on soybean.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Ochrobactrum sp. MGJ11 produced 121·2 mg l-1 of IAA. MGJ11 increased soybean root length, shoot length and biomass by 30·1, 30·8 and 13·4% respectively. In liquid medium, no IAA production was detected in Cd concentration of 100 mg l-1 . In soil with 20-80 mg kg-1 Cd, MGJ11 promoted soybean root elongation (29·4-161·4%) and increased the shoot length (up to 52·7%) and biomass (up to 87·2%). After growing for 38 days, Cd concentrations in the roots of inoculated soybean were lower than in those of noninoculated plants. Only a little Cd (2·6-16·9 μg g-1 ) was translocated from the root to shoot.

CONCLUSIONS

Ochrobactrum sp. MGJ11 secretes IAA and shows tolerance against Cd. MGJ11 inoculation improves the root length, shoot length and biomass of soybean in both vermiculite and Cd vermiculite, and decreases Cd concentration of soybean root. The characteristics of MGJ11 suggest that it could be used for promoting soybean growth and lowering bioavailability of soil Cd for soybean root.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

In this study, we isolated a plant growth-promoting Ochrobactrum with the activity of mitigating Cd toxicity to plant roots. The Ochrobactrum can be considered as a potential bioaugmentation agent that promotes plant growth, especially in some agricultural systems, or that helps in the phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated soil.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of music therapy for the older adults with depression

OBJECTIVES

To determine the efficacy of music therapy in the management of depression in the elderly.

METHOD

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Change in depressive symptoms was measured with various scales. Standardized mean differences were calculated for each therapy-control contrast.

RESULTS

A comprehensive search yielded 2,692 citations; 19 articles met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis suggests that music therapy plus standard treatment has statistical significance in reducing depressive symptoms among older adults (standardized mean differences = 1.02; 95% CI = 0.87, 1.17).

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests that music therapy has an effect on reducing depressive symptoms to some extent. However, high-quality trials evaluating the effects of music therapy on depression are required. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Vincristine promotes migration and invasion of colorectal cancer HCT116 cells through RhoA/ROCK/ Myosin light chain pathway

Vincristine is an antitumor vinca alkaloid isolated from vinca rosea, and is a medication used to treat a number of types of cancer. In this study, we investigated the impact of vincristine on oncogenic phenotypes of human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. MTT assay demonstrated that vincristine showed a obviously inhibitory effect on cell growth compared to non-treated cells. However, Transwell assay showed that vincristine promoted migration and invasion of HCT116 cells in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner between 0.5 and 15 μM vincristine treatment, whereas cell growth showed no remarkable difference within the same concentration range. Additionally, Western blot analysis showed that vincristine significantly elevated RhoA activity and Myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, suggesting the involvement of RhoA/ROCK pathway in the vincristine-induced enhancement of cellular motility. Furthermore, we found that both the siRNA for RhoA and ROCK inhibitor Y27632 attenuated the phosphorylation of MLC, as well as vincristine-induced migration and invasion. These data indicate that vincristine enhanced migration and invasion of HCT116 cells possibly through stimulating RhoA/ROCK/MLC signaling pathway.