Hydrogen sulfide reduces kidney injury due to urinary-derived sepsis by inhibiting NF-κB expression, decreasing TNF-α levels and increasing IL-10 levels

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) on kidney injury induced by urinary-derived sepsis. Rabbits were randomly divided into control, sham, sepsis, NaHS 2.8 μmol/kg and NaHS 8.4 μmol/kg groups, with six rabbits in each group. Upper urinary tract obstruction and acute infection was induced to establish the sepsis model. Blood was collected to carry out a white blood cell (WBC) count, and creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) analysis. Morphological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-10 and nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). Cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) activity was measured by the spectrophotometric methylene blue method and the blood H₂S concentration was measured by deproteinization. WBC, Cr and BUN levels were significantly elevated in the sepsis group compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). Following treatment with NaHS, the WBC, Cr and BUN levels were significantly decreased in the NaHS groups compared with those in the sepsis group (P<0.05). The pathological features of kidney injury were also alleviated by NaHS. In the sepsis group, the levels of TNF-α, IL-10 and NF-κB were significantly increased compared with those in the control group (P<0.05). In the NaHS groups, the TNF-α and NF-κB levels were significantly reduced whereas the IL-10 level was significantly increased compared with the respective levels in the sepsis group (P<0.05). The H₂S concentration was significantly decreased in the sepsis group and this reduction was attenuated in the NaHS groups (P<0.05). Furthermore, the NaHS 8.4 μmol/kg dose revealed a more potent effect than the NaHS 2.8 μmol/kg dose. Thus, exogenous H₂S reduced kidney injury from urinary-derived sepsis by decreasing the levels of NF-κB and TNF-α, and increasing the level of IL-10.

Challenging role of Wnt5a and its signaling pathway in cancer metastasis (Review)

Wnt5a is a noncanonical signaling member of the wingless-related/mouse mammary tumor virus integration family, which is involved in a wide range of cellular processes, particularly in cancer development and metastasis. Accumulating evidence indicates that Wnt5a exhibits paradoxical effects in various types of cancer metastasis. Therefore, the Wnt5a signaling cascade in cancer metastasis appears to be complex and may depend on binding receptors, downstream effectors, exogenous inhibitors and tumor microenvironments, as well as the extracellular matrix, particularly cell/tissue-tropic contexts. The aim of the present study was to summarize the previous findings on the roles of Wnt5a and the potential mechanisms in various types of cancer metastasis. Furthermore, it is reasonable to hypothesize that Wnt5a and the involved signaling pathways may become molecular targets in the treatment of cancer metastasis.

Anti-inflammatory activity of ezetimibe by regulating NF-κB/MAPK pathway in THP-1 macrophages

Inflammation plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis. Monocytes/macrophages are involved in the inflammatory process during atherogenesis. Here, we performed daily gavage of ezetimibe in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice fed with a high-fat diet and found that ezetimibe administration decreased the level of C-reactive protein significantly. To investigate the potential molecular mechanism, we employed microarray analysis on the cultured macrophages treated with Chol:MβCD in the presence or absence of ezetimibe. We found that ezetimibe dramatically down-regulated the expression of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) gene. Consistent with the microarray results, TNF-α protein levels were inhibited by ezetimibe. Moreover, ezetimibe suppressed the promoter activity of TNF-α but not TNF-α lacking the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) binding domain in THP-1 cells treated with phorbol myristate acetate and Chol:MβCD. Furthermore, treatment of THP-1 macrophages with ezetimibe resulted in the degradation of IκB and subsequently inhibited nuclear translocation of NF-κB and its transcriptional activity. Inhibition of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway using PD98059 attenuated the reduction effect of ezetimibe on the expression of NF-κB. Collectively, our results demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory properties of ezetimibe in THP-1 macrophages are, at least in part, through suppression of NF-κB activation via the MAPK pathway. These data provide direct evidence for the potential application of ezetimibe in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Triptolide inhibits the multidrug resistance in prostate cancer cells via the downregulation of MDR1 expression

Triptolide (TPL) is a diterpenoid triepoxide derived from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii and possesses anti-tumor activity against a range of cancer cells. However, the effect of TPL on prostate cancer cells and its potential to overcome multidrug resistance (MDR) have not been explored. Therefore, in this study we used prostate cancer cell line DU145 as the experimental model and established DU145/ADM cell line resistant to adriamycin (ADM). Our results showed that TPL inhibited the proliferation and induced the cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of DU145 cells in a dose and time dependent manner. TPL decreased the levels of Cyclin D1 and anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and increased the levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Fas and Bax. Furthermore, we found that TPL restored the sensitivity DU145/ADM cells to ADM in a dose dependent manner, and this was accompanied by the inhibition of MDR1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. Taken together, these results provide strong evidence that TPL overcomes MDR in prostate cancer cells by downregulating MDR1 expression, and suggest that TPL is a promising agent for prostate cancer therapy, especially for chemoresistant prostate cancer.

Ulinastatin reduces urinary sepsis‑related inflammation by upregulating IL‑10 and downregulating TNF‑α levels

The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of ulinastatin (UTI) for the treatment of sepsis and to investigate the associated molecular mechanisms. Twenty‑four male rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups, the normal, sham, sepsis model and UTI groups, each containing 6 rabbits. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)‑10 and tumor necrosis factor‑α (TNF‑α) were measured by enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Liver, kidney and lung tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) 36 h after sacrifice and morphological changes were observed under an optical microscope. The expression levels of IL‑10 and TNF‑α proteins in rabbit kidney tissue in each group were determined by immunohistochemical detection and western blot analysis. ELISA results indicated that, compared with the sepsis model, IL‑10 levels were significantly higher in the UTI treatment group (183.91±11.521 pg/ml) at 36 h (P=0.000), while serum TNF‑α concentration decreased significantly in the UTI treatment group (31.637±2.770 pg/ml; P=0.000). Results of western blot analysis were consistent with the immunohistochemistry, indicating that UTI upregulates IL‑10 and downregulates TNF‑α levels. In the current study, UTI was demonstrated to effectively treat urinary sepsis and alleviate the inflammatory response in tissues. These effects were mediated by the upregulation of IL‑10 and downregulation of TNF‑α levels.

Preparation, characterization, and phenol adsorption of activated carbons from oxytetracycline bacterial residue

The oxytetracycline bacterial residue-activated carbon (OBR-AC) prepared from oxytetracycline bacterial residue with K2CO3 under chemical activation was studied. The effects of activation temperature, activation time, and activation ratio on the specific surface area (SSA) and methylene blue adsorption (MBA) were studied. Characterization of the optimum OBR-AC was performed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), pore structure (PS,) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The optimum parameters were as follows: 800 degrees C activation temperature, 3 hr activation time, and 1:3 activation ratio. The SSA and MBA under optimum conditions were 1593.09 m2/g and 117.0 mg/g, respectively. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetics data were determined for the adsorption of phenol from the synthetically prepared phenol solution. The results showed that the Langmuir model gave the best fit for equilibrium isotherm, whereas the kinetics data were well fitted by the pseudo-second order model.

IMPLICATIONS

In the past, the bacterial residues have been used for feed additives in China. Unfortunately, doubts of its suitability as a feedstock have been raised because of the small amount of antibiotics, a large number of the fermentation by-products and metabolic products and by-products remaining in the bacterial residues. So Oxytetracycline Bacterial Residue (OBR) is one of hazardous wastes in China. In order to solve the problem of OBR, the preparation of OBR-AC is studied, and OBR-AC under optimum operation parameters is characterized by Scanning Eldctron Microscopy (SEM), Pore Structure (PS) and Fourier Transfer-Infra Red (FT-IR). Moreover, the phenol adsorption isotherms and kinetics models for OBR-AC under optimum operation parameters are studied.

Hypertonic saline reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse brain edema through inhibiting aquaporin 4 expression

INTRODUCTION

Three percent sodium chloride (NaCl) treatment has been shown to reduce brain edema and inhibited brain aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression in bacterial meningitis induced by Escherichia coli. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the main pathogenic component of E. coli. We aimed to explore the effect of 3% NaCl in mouse brain edema induced by LPS, as well as to elucidate the potential mechanisms of action.

METHODS

Three percent NaCl was used to treat cerebral edema induced by LPS in mice in vivo. Brain water content, IL-1β, TNFα, immunoglobulin G (IgG), AQP4 mRNA and protein were measured in brain tissues. IL-1β, 3% NaCl and calphostin C (a specific inhibitor of protein kinase C) were used to treat the primary astrocytes in vitro. AQP4 mRNA and protein were measured in astrocytes. Differences in various groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Three percent NaCl attenuated the increase of brain water content, IL-1β, TNFα, IgG, AQP4 mRNA and protein in brain tissues induced by LPS. Three percent NaCl inhibited the increase of AQP4 mRNA and protein in astrocytes induced by IL-1β in vitro. Calphostin C blocked the decrease of AQP4 mRNA and protein in astrocytes induced by 3% NaCl in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Osmotherapy with 3% NaCl ameliorated LPS-induced cerebral edema in vivo. In addition to its osmotic force, 3% NaCl exerted anti-edema effects possibly through down-regulating the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα) and inhibiting the expression of AQP4 induced by proinflammatory cytokines. Three percent NaCl attenuated the expression of AQP4 through activation of protein kinase C in astrocytes.

Decontamination of Bacillus subtilis var. niger spores on selected surfaces by chlorine dioxide gas

OBJECTIVE

Chlorine dioxide (CD) gas has been used as a fumigant in the disinfection of biosafety laboratories. In this study, some experiments were conducted to assess the inactivation of spores inoculated on six materials [stainless steel (SS), painted steel (PS), polyvinyl chlorid (PVC), polyurethane (PU), glass (GS), and cotton cloth (CC)] by CD gas. The main aims of the study were to determine the sporicidal efficacy of CD gas and the effect of prehumidification before decontamination on sporicidal efficacy.

METHODS

Material coupons (1.2 cm diameter of SS, PS, and PU; 1.0 cm×1.0 cm for PVC, GS, and CC) were contaminated with 10 μl of Bacillus subtilis var. niger (ATCC 9372) spore suspension in mixed organic burden and then dried in a biosafety cabinet for 12 h. The spores were recovered by soaking the coupons in 5 ml of extraction liquid for 1 h and then vortexing the liquid for 1 min.

RESULTS

The log reductions in spore numbers on inoculated test materials exposed to CD gas [0.080% (volume ratio, v/v) for 3 h] were in the range of from 1.80 to 6.64. Statistically significant differences were found in decontamination efficacies on test material coupons of SS, PS, PU, and CC between with and without a 1-h prehumidification treatment. With the extraction method, there were no statistically significant differences in the recovery ratios between the porous and non-porous materials.

CONCLUSIONS

The results reported from this study could provide information for developing decontamination technology based on CD gas for targeting surface microbial contamination.

Expression patterns of human DAB2IP protein in fetal tissues

Human DOC-2/DAB2-interacting protein (DAB2IP) is encoded by a tumor suppressor gene and a newly recognized member of the Ras-GTPase-activating family. DAB2IP is a critical component of many signal transduction pathways mediated by Ras and tumor necrosis factors including apoptosis pathways, and it is involved in the formation of many types of tumors. DAB2IP participates in regulation of gene expression and pluripotency of cells. It has been reported that DAB2IP was expressed in different tumor tissues. Little information is available concerning the expression levels of DAB2IP in normal tissues and cells, however, and no studies of its expression patterns during the development of human embryos have been reported. We examined the expression of DAB2IP during human embryonic development to understand better DAB2IP functions. Human fetuses, weeks 9 to 38, and a newborn were obtained from miscarriages or stillbirths. Tissues were embedded in paraffin to construct arrays that were stained immunohistochemically. The DAB2IP-positive cells were identified and scored based on both the percentage of stained cells and their staining intensities. DAB2IP was expressed in most fetal tissues examined. DAB2IP was expressed primarily in cell cytoplasm throughout the fetal development. The expression levels varied among tissues and different gestational ages. Virtually no expression was observed in the cerebrum, parotid gland, thymus, thyroid gland and spleen. Expression was much greater in the adrenal gland and pancreas; weakly to moderately strong in the endocardium, stomach, kidney, testis and small intestine; and lower in liver, trachea, skin, ovary and endometrium. Its expression in the lung, esophagus and bladder were much weaker to absent.

Analysis of an ultra-compact wavelength filter based on hybrid plasmonic waveguide structure

In this letter, we propose and analyze an ultra-compact wavelength filter on silicon-based hybrid plasmonic waveguides, which confines light in a nanometeric silica dioxide layer between the silicon substrate and metal cap. The filter consists of a stub structure coupled to a straight waveguide. The three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is applied to calculate the spectral responses of such devices. Similar resonant behaviors are obtained since those devices are based on two-dimensional Metal-Insulator-Metal waveguide structure. Results also show that by adding stubs and tuning the distance between stubs can further improve the device's performance and shape the spectral response to some extent.

Moxifloxacin monotherapy for treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of moxifloxacin monotherapy for treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections. PubMed, EMBASE, Science Direct, ClinicalTrials.gov and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched to retrieve randomised controlled trials (RCTs) compared moxifloxacin monotherapy with other antibiotics in the treatment of complicated intra-abdominal infections from January 1999 to July 2011. A meta-analysis of all included randomised controlled trials was performed. Four randomised controlled trials including a total of 2444 patients with complicated intra-abdominal infections were included for meta-analysis. The results of the meta-analysis indicated that the moxifloxacin was associated with similar clinical cure rate (four RCTs, 1934 patients, OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.61, 1.04, p = 0.09), bacteriological success rates (four RCTs, 1484 patients, OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.59, 1.05, p = 0.11) and mortality (four RCTs, 2227 patients, OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.45, 1.83, p = 0.79) compared with the control group. The overall incidence of adverse events of moxifloxacin was significantly higher than that in the control group (three RCTs, 1367 patients, OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.63, p = 0.008), although the incidence of drug-related adverse events (three RCTs, 1601 patients, OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 0.69, 1.85, p = 0.63) and serious adverse events (three RCTs, 1815 patients, OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.59, 2.60, p = 0.58) were similar between the compared treatment groups. Moxifloxacin is an effective and relatively safe option for the treatment of patients with intra-abdominal infections. Moxifloxacin monotherapy has similar efficacy to combination therapy.

Hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation: three case reports

OBJECTIVE

To explore the surgical techniques of hepatic artery reconstruction in liver transplantation (OLT) and the choice of treatment for hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT).

METHODS

We analyzed hepatic artery reconstructions based on 234 cadaveric donor liver transplantations and seven living related liver transplantations from April 2003 to February 2009. Anastomosis time was compared between the groups with respect to vascular caliber. Interventional thrombolysis or early thrombectomy and hepatic artery reconstruction was implemented in three HAT cases.

RESULTS

The hepatic artery anastomoses for vessels less than 3 mm in diameter (n = 78) required 33.6 ± 21.3 minutes which were significantly greater compared with those for vessels more than 3 mm in diameter (n = 163; 19.4 ± 7.4 minutes). Among two patients (0.83%) who developed early HAT within the first week after the operation, one was successfully treated by interventional thrombolysis, but the other required an urgent conduit between the aorta and the graft after attempted thrombolysis. Only one patient (0.41%) displayed a delayed HAT without special management, but recovered liver function upon follow-up.

DISCUSSION

Early detection and proper revascularization measures can yield satisfactory results after HAT.

Preparation of activated carbons from wet activated sludge by direct chemical activation

An improved method for preparing activated carbons from wet waste activated sludge (WAS) by direct chemical activation was studied in this paper. The effects of processing parameters on iodine adsorption capacity of the product were investigated. Results show that sludge-based activated carbon prepared with KOH had a larger iodine value than those activated with ZnCl(2) and KCl. The maximum iodine value was observed at the KOH concentration of 0.50 M. Increasing the impregnation time from 10 to 20 h resulted in a 20% increase in the iodine value. The highest iodine value was obtained at the activation temperature of 600 degrees C and holding time of 1 h. Sludge water content had insignificant effects on the iodine value of products. Raw WAS with a water content of 93.2% can be converted into an activated carbon with a high specific surface area of 737.6 m(2) g(-1) and iodine value of 864.8 mgg(-1) under optimum experimental conditions. Other physical properties such as total pore volume, micropore volume and mean pore diameter of the product were also reported and compared with those of commercial activated carbon.

Expression of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and Th1/Th2, Tc1/Tc2 profiles in the peripheral blood of patients with condyloma acuminatum

BACKGROUND

Condyloma acuminatum (CA) is a disease that appears as proliferative lesions of the genital epithelium caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The balance between type 1 and type 2 T-cell subsets in patients with CA is thought to modulate antiviral immunity. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit proliferation and cytokine production by both T-helper (Th)1 and Th2 cells and reversibly suppress CTL-mediated immunity. A better understanding of the mechanisms of T-cell regulation in CA might help in developing more effective therapeutic strategies. Objective. To evaluate the balance of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2 and to assess their correlation with changes in number of Tregs in CA.

METHODS

The percentage of Th1, Th2, Tc1, Tc2 and Tregs were detected by flow cytometry after intracellular staining for cytokines (interferon-gamma and interleukin-4) and Foxp3 of T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 30 patients and 20 healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

Patients with CA showed a decreased proportion of Th1 and Tc1 cells and a decreased ratio of Th1/Th2 and Tc1/Tc2. In particular, strikingly decreased ratios of Th1/Th2 were found in 15 patients with relapsed CA (P < 0.01). The mean +/- SD number of Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ Tregs increased significantly in patients with CA (3.37 +/- 1.03%) and patients with relapsed CA (4.68 +/- 1.17%) compared with healthy controls (1.18 +/- 0.53%) (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Tregs appear to downregulate cytokine expression in both Tc1 and Th1 subsets of effector T cells, which may be responsible for antivirus responses.