The HIV/AIDS epidemic among young people in China between 2005 and 2012: results of a spatial temporal analysis

OBJECTIVES

Despite a recent increase in the HIV/AIDS epidemic among young people in China, youth-specific HIV data are limited.

METHODS

In total, 56 621 individuals with HIV/AIDS, aged 15-24 years, registered in the Case Reporting System of China between 2005 and 2012 and having complete spatial information were included in the present analysis. Spatial autocorrelation (general and local) and space-time scanning were performed using the ArcGIS 10.2 and SaTScan 9.3 software, respectively.

RESULTS

During 2005-2012, the number of reported HIV/AIDS cases and the proportion of HIV cases increased while the proportion of AIDS cases decreased. Sexual contact became the predominant route of transmission in later years. Spatial analysis showed marked geographical variations in HIV infection among young people throughout China during 2005-2012. The number of new hotspots increased over time. They were mainly localized to southeastern coastal areas, southwestern frontier provinces or autonomous regions (of Guangxi, Yunnan and Sichuan) and Beijing municipality. Later these hotspots disappeared and new hotspots were found in the northeast of the country. Significant clusters of HIV-positive cases were identified in three different time periods, which indicated high HIV transmission among young Chinese people in the recent past. The risk of HIV infection was highest in the first cluster (2009-2012; this cluster was the largest in size) covering the provinces of Guizhou and Yunnan, the Chongqing municipality, Guangxi, and the province of Sichuan. The second cluster (2010-2012) was mostly located in Shanghai, South Jiangsu, Zhejiang and South Anhui, while the third cluster (2010-2012) was located in Beijing and Tianjin.

CONCLUSIONS

Target-specific comprehensive behavioural interventions are urgently needed to contain the HIV epidemic among young people.

Curcumin Ameliorates Furazolidone-Induced DNA Damage and Apoptosis in Human Hepatocyte L02 Cells by Inhibiting ROS Production and Mitochondrial Pathway

Furazolidone (FZD), a synthetic nitrofuran derivative, has been widely used as an antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent. Recently, the potential toxicity of FZD has raised concerns, but its mechanism is still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on FZD-induced cytotoxicity and the underlying mechanism in human hepatocyte L02 cells. The results showed that curcumin pre-treatment significantly ameliorated FZD-induced oxidative stress, characterized by decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde formation, and increased superoxide dismutase, catalase activities and glutathione contents. In addition, curcumin pre-treatment significantly ameliorated the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, the activations of caspase-9 and -3, and apoptosis caused by FZD. Alkaline comet assay showed that curcumin markedly reduced FZD-induced DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner. Curcumin pre-treatment consistently and markedly down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of p53, Bax, caspase-9 and -3 and up-regulated the mRNA expression level of Bcl-2. Taken together, these results reveal that curcumin protects against FZD-induced DNA damage and apoptosis by inhibiting oxidative stress and mitochondrial pathway. Our study indicated that curcumin may be a promising combiner with FZD to reduce FZD-related toxicity in clinical applications.

Surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence-trans-obturator tape compared with tension-free vaginal tape-5-year follow up: an economic evaluation

OBJECTIVE

To conduct an economic evaluation of the use of trans-obturator tape (TOT) compared with tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) in the surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women.

DESIGN

Cost-utility and cost-effectiveness analyses from a public-payer perspective, conducted alongside a randomised clinical trial.

SETTING

Health services provided in Alberta, Canada.

SAMPLE

A total of 195 women participated in the randomised clinical trial, followed to 5 years postsurgery.

METHODS

Comparisons were undertaken between study groups for cost and two health-outcome measures. Multiple imputation was used to estimate the 14% of missing data. Bootstrapping was used to account for sampling uncertainty. Sensitivity analyses were based on complete case analyses and the removal of a TVT patient with extreme health service cost.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The 15D instrument was used to calculate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) for the primary analysis. Absence of serious adverse events was also analysed. Costs were based on inpatient and outpatient hospital use data and practitioner fee-for-service claims data.

RESULTS

The TOT group had a nonsignificant average saving of $2368 (95% CI -$7166 to $2548) and incremental gain of 0.04 QALYs (95% CI -0.06 to 0.14) compared with TVT. TOT was dominant in over 71% of bootstrap replications and cost-effective over a wide range of willingness-to-pay. Cost-effectiveness analysis using the absence of an serious adverse events provided similar results.

CONCLUSION

The results suggest that TOT is cost-effective compared with TVT in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

The results of a 5-year cost-effectiveness analysis suggest that trans-obturator tape is cost-effective compared with tension-free vaginal tape in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

[Cluster analysis of the clinical presentations in patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and its significance]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze subtypes of the clinical presentation of moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) by cluster analysis and to explore its significance.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of adult moderate-to-severe OSAS patients, which were diagnosed in Respiratory Department, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from October 2012 to October 2015. Fifteen kinds of clinical presentations were included in the cluster analysis, and analysis of characteristic of each cluster was then performed after category.

RESULTS

Patients were classified as three distinct clusters. They were identified as "daytime sleepiness group" , "night insomnia group" and "minimally symptomatic group" , consisting of 450 cases (44.64%), 351 cases (34.82%) and 207 cases (20.54%) of the entire cohort. Members in daytime sleepiness group had the highest probability of daytime sleepiness, tiredness, irritableness and the highest Epworth Sleeping Scale score[329 cases (73.11%), 280 cases (62.22%), 223 cases (49.56%) and (13.50±4.93) points], members in night insomnia group had the highest probability of complaining of insomnia, nocturia, night sweats, apnea and awakening[177 cases (50.43%), 157 cases (44.73%), 130 cases (37.04%), 296 cases (84.33%), 182 cases (51.85%)], the probability of having typical symptoms above was the lowest in minimally symptomatic group, but these patients were more likely to have related comorbidities: hypertension, coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease[118 cases (57.00%), 41 cases (19.81%), 44 cases (21.26%), 34 cases (16.43%), 38 cases (18.36%)]; all above results were significantly higher than the other two groups (P<0.012 5). The rate of diabetes in minimally symptomatic group[28 cases (13.53%)]was also higher but the difference was not statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Cluster analysis contributes to classify multiple clinical presentations of OSAS patients, which has important significance for recognizing disease heterogeneity and early diagnosis.

Angiotensin inhibition or blockade for the treatment of patients with quiescent lupus nephritis and persistent proteinuria

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) reduces proteinuria and the rate of renal function deterioration in diabetic nephropathy and other glomerular diseases, but its role in quiescent lupus nephritis has not been established. We conducted a retrospective study to investigate the effects of ACEI/ARB on proteinuria and renal function in patients with persistent proteinuria (>1 g/day) despite resolution of acute lupus nephritis following immunosuppressive treatment. Fourteen out of 92 patients were included. The duration of treatment with ACEI/ARB was 52.1 ± 35.7 months. The levels of proteinuria, serum albumin, serum creatinine, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 1.10 to 6.90 g/day, 35.8 ± 3.6 g/L, 102.54 ± 34.48 μmol/L, 137.6 ± 10.9 and 81.9 ± 9.2 mmHg at baseline. Proteinuria and serum albumin showed significant sustained improvements after 6 and 24 months of treatment. Comparison of slopes for serial proteinuria, albumin and reciprocal of serum creatinine before and after treatment showed significant improvements in six (43%), eight (57%) and two patients, respectively. At last follow-up proteinuria remained significantly lower (0.36 g/day, P = 0.043) and albumin higher (41.3 ± 2.2 g/L, P = 0.023). Eleven (78.6%) patients had proteinuria improved by >50%, and five had insignificant proteinuria at last follow-up. Systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced from 6 months onwards, but this did not correlate with proteinuria reduction. Diastolic blood pressure, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, anti-dsDNA, C3 and haemoglobin were not altered. We conclude that ACEI/ARB effectively reduces proteinuria and improves serum albumin in patients with persistent proteinuria despite quiescent lupus nephritis.

HSP90 gene expression induced by aspirin is associated with damage remission in a chicken myocardial cell culture exposed to heat stress

To understand the potential protection of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) induced by aspirin against heat stress damage in chicken myocardial cells, enzyme activities related to stress damage, cytopathological changes, the expression and distribution of HSP90, and HSP90 mRNA levels in the myocardial cells exposed to heat stress (42°C) for different durations with or without aspirin administration (1 mg/ml, 2 h prior) in vitro were investigated. Significant increase of enzyme levels in the supernatant of heat-stressed myocardial cells and cellular lesions characterised by acute degeneration, karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis were observed, compared to non-treated cells. However, the lesions of cells treated with aspirin were milder, characterised by earlier recovery of enzyme levels to the control levels and no obvious heat stress-related cellular necrosis. Stronger positive signals in the cytoplasm and longer retention of HSP90 signal in nuclei were observed in aspirin-treated myocardial cells than those of only heat-stressed cells. HSP90 level in the aspirin-treated myocardial cells was 11.1-fold higher than that in non-treated cells, and remained at a high level at the early stage of heat stress, whereas it was just 4.1-fold higher in only heat-stressed cells and returned rapidly to a low level. Overexpression of HSP90 mRNA in aspirin-treated cells was observed throughout the experiment, whereas HSP90 mRNA decreased significantly only in heat-stressed cells. The early higher HSP90 expression induced by aspirin during heat stress was accompanied by decreased heat stress damage, suggesting that aspirin might play an important role in preventing myocardial cells from heat stress damage in vitro.

Non-traumatic hernia of the lateral abdominal wall in a patient infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

Introduction There are several classifications for abdominal hernias, and a non-traumatic lateral wall hernia (LAWH) is a rare type. We report the first case of a patient with LAWH infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Case History A 53-year-old HIV-infected male presented with an abdominal mass. The patient had a history of treatment with combination antiretroviral therapy. A LAWH was diagnosed based on physical examination and findings of computed tomography. Open mesh repair was undertaken successfully. The patient had no evidence of a recurrent hernia during 11 months of follow-up. Conclusions High intra-abdominal pressure and weak connective tissue can lead to LAWHs. Antiretroviral therapy and lipodystrophy can cause LAWHs in HIV-infected patients.

Autosomal recessive mutations in THOC6 cause intellectual disability: syndrome delineation requiring forward and reverse phenotyping

THOC6 is a part of the THO complex, which is involved in coordinating mRNA processing with export. The THO complex interacts with additional components to form the larger TREX complex (transcription export complex). Previously, a homozygous missense mutation in THOC6 in the Hutterite population was reported in association with syndromic intellectual disability. Using exome sequencing, we identified three unrelated patients with bi-allelic mutations in THOC6 associated with intellectual disability and additional clinical features. Two of the patients were compound heterozygous for a stop and a missense mutation, and the third was homozygous for a missense mutation; the missense mutations were predicted to be pathogenic by in silico analysis and modeling. Clinical features of the three newly identified patients and those previously reported are reviewed; intellectual disability is moderate to severe, and malformations are variable including renal and heart defects, cleft palate, microcephaly, and corpus callosum dysgenesis. Facial features are variable and include tall forehead, short upslanting palpebral fissures +/- deep set eyes, and a long nose with overhanging columella. These subtle facial features render the diagnosis difficult to make in isolation with certainty. Our results expand the mutational and clinical spectrum of this rare disease, confirm that THOC6 is an intellectual disability causing gene, while providing insight into the importance of the THO complex in neurodevelopment.

Improved Tissue-Based Analytical Test Methods for Orellanine, a Biomarker of Cortinarius Mushroom Intoxication

Orellanine (OR) toxin is produced by mushrooms of the genus Cortinarius which grow in North America and in Europe. OR poisoning is characterized by severe oliguric acute renal failure, with a mortality rate of 10%–30%. Diagnosis of OR poisoning currently hinges on a history of ingestion of Cortinarius mushrooms and histopathology of renal biopsies. A key step in the diagnostic approach is analysis of tissues for OR. Currently, tissue-based analytical methods for OR are nonspecific and lack sensitivity. The objectives of this study were: (1) to develop definitive HPLC and LC-MS/MS tissue-based analytical methods for OR; and (2) to investigate toxicological effects of OR in mice. The HPLC limit of quantitation was 10 µg/g. For fortification levels of 15 µg/g to 50 µg/g OR in kidney, the relative standard deviation was between 1.3% and 9.8%, and accuracy was within 1.5% to 7.1%. A matrix-matched calibration curve was reproduced in this range with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.97–0.99. The limit of detection was 20 ng/g for LC-MS/MS. In OR-injected mice, kidney OR concentrations were 97 ± 51 µg/g on Day 0 and 17 ± 1 µg/g on termination Day 3. Splenic and liver injuries were novel findings in this mouse model. The new tissue-based analytical tests will improve diagnosis of OR poisoning, while the mouse model has yielded new data advancing knowledge on OR-induced pathology. The new tissue-based analytical tests will improve diagnosis of OR poisoning, while the mouse model has yielded new data advancing knowledge on OR-induced pathology.

A novel pathway for the production of H2 S by DAO in rat jejunum

BACKGROUND

Hydrogen sulfide (H2 S) is endogenously generated from L-cysteine (L-Cys) by the enzymes cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and cystathionine-γ-Lyase (CSE). Hydrogen sulfide is also produced from D-cysteine (D-Cys) by D-Amino acid oxidase (DAO).

METHODS

The H2 S production was measured by the methylene blue assay. The expression of DAO was investigated by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The short-circuit current (Isc) was recorded using the Ussing chamber technique.

KEY RESULTS

The epithelium in rat jejunum possesses DAO, and generates H2 S. D-cysteine, originally used as a negative control for L-Cys, significantly increases the H2 S release, which is inhibited by I2CA, an inhibitor of DAO. In vitro study by Ussing chamber technique reveals that D-Cys decreases the Isc across the epithelium of the rat jejunum and enhances the Na(+) -coupled L-alanine transport.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

A novel pathway for the production of H2 S by DAO exists in rat jejunum.

Small scale green infrastructure design to meet different urban hydrological criteria

As small scale green infrastructures, rain gardens have been widely advocated for urban stormwater management in the contemporary low impact development (LID) era. This paper presents a simple method that consists of hydrological models and the matching plots of nomographs to provide an informative and practical tool for rain garden sizing and hydrological evaluation. The proposed method considers design storms, infiltration rates and the runoff contribution area ratio of the rain garden, allowing users to size a rain garden for a specific site with hydrological reference and predict overflow of the rain garden under different storms. The nomographs provide a visual presentation on the sensitivity of different design parameters. Subsequent application of the proposed method to a case study conducted in a sub-humid region in China showed that, the method accurately predicted the design storms for the existing rain garden, the predicted overflows under large storm events were within 13-50% of the measured volumes. The results suggest that the nomographs approach is a practical tool for quick selection or assessment of design options that incorporate key hydrological parameters of rain gardens or other infiltration type green infrastructure. The graphic approach as displayed by the nomographs allow urban planners to demonstrate the hydrological effect of small scale green infrastructure and gain more support for promoting low impact development.

Quinocetone triggered ER stress-induced autophagy via ATF6/DAPK1-modulated mAtg9a trafficking

The present study is undertaken to explore quinocetone-induced autophagy and its possible mechanism. Western blotting and green fluorescence protein (GFP)-LC3 vector transfection were performed to determine the ratio of LC3 conversion and its subcellular localization. Results revealed that the quinocetone induced autophagy in time- and dose-dependent manners. Besides, we tested the expressions of immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein (BiP) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and the transcription of BiP, HerpUD, and sec24D by western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. Results showed that quinocetone also induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress during quinocetone-induced autophagy. Furthermore, we observed the cleavage of ATF6, the phosphorylation of MRLC, and the expression of death-associated protein kinase (DAPK1) by western blotting; the transcription of DAPK1 by RT-PCR; and the subcellular localization of ATF6 and mAtg9 by immunofluorescence. These results suggest that quinocetone stimulates the MRLC-mediated mAtg9 trafficking, which is critical for autophagosome formation, via the ATF6 upregulated expression of DAPK1. Last, we generated ATF6 and DAPK1 stable knockdown HepG2 cell lines and found that the conversion ratios of LC3 were decreased upon the treatment of quinocetone. Together, we propose that quinocetone induces autophagy through ER stress signaling pathway-induced cytoskeleton activation.

Clinical experience from Thailand: noninvasive prenatal testing as screening tests for trisomies 21, 18 and 13 in 4736 pregnancies

PURPOSE

The purpose of this article is to report the clinical experience and performance of massively parallel sequencing-based noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) as a screening method in detecting trisomy 21, 18, and 13 (T21/T18/T13) in a mixed-risk population in Thailand.

METHODS

In a 30-month period, 121 medical centers in Thailand offered NIPT as clinical screening tests for fetal T21, T18, and T13 in the mixed-risk population. All NIPT-positive cases were recommended to undergo invasive prenatal diagnosis.

RESULTS

A total of 4736 participants received the NIPT test, including 2840 high-risk pregnancies, either with advanced maternal age or positive serum biochemical tests, and 1889 low-risk pregnancies without conventional indications; 99.9% (4732/4736) of the participants with a median maternal age of 35 years old received reports, and 1.3% (63/4732) were classified as test positive, including 36 T21, 19 T18, and 8 T13; 82.5% (52/63) took prenatal diagnosis, and 11.5% (6/52) false-positive cases were observed. The positive predictive values for the detection of T21, T18, and T13 were 94.4%, 79.0%, and 87.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

With stringent protocol, our prospective large-scale multicenter nationwide study demonstrated that NIPT showed excellent performance as screening tests for the detection of fetal T21, T18, and T13 in mixed-risk pregnancies in Thailand.

Thapsigargin induces apoptosis when autophagy is inhibited in HepG2 cells and both processes are regulated by ROS-dependent pathway

Thapsigargin (TG), is widely used to induce endoplasmic reticular stress. Treated with TG for a long time, cells suffer the unfolded protein response (UPR) to elude apoptosis, but may activate autophagy. However, the switch between autophagy and apoptosis is unclear. To clarify the key signal for selection of these two protective responses, we studied the correlation of autophagy and apoptosis in HepG2 cells exposed to TG with time. TG induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells was evidenced by typical cell morphological changes and the activation of caspase-12, caspase-9 and caspase-3. Meanwhile, cytochrome c was released following with the dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was increased. TG-induced autophagy was confirmed by the accumulation of MDC, GFP-LC3 staining autophagic vacuoles, and the improved expression of LC3 II and Beclin-1. Additionally, inhibited autophagy via chloroquine (CQ) markedly enhanced the apoptosis induced by TG, which was linked to the Bcl-2 family. Furthermore, TG induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the ROS scavenger effectively suppressed TG-induced apoptosis and autophagy. All these results proved that restraint of autophagy may enhance TG-induced apoptosis through increasing the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and both processes were regulated by ROS.

Note: A small roll angle measurement method with enhanced resolution based on a heterodyne interferometer

Small roll angle is hard to be measured directly by commercial interferometer instruments due to their low sensitivities in axial direction. A method for its measurement based on a heterodyne interferometer is presented, which adopts accessories including a half wave plate, a multiple-reflector, and a phase meter to achieve test by detecting phase differences between the measurement and reference arms. Mathematical model reveals the resolution will be improved by increasing pass times through the half wave plate. The theoretical resolution is up to 0.19 in. when the pass times increase to three and the phase meter resolution is 0.01°. The proposed method is proved by the experiment.

Acute, mutagenicity, teratogenicity and subchronic oral toxicity studies of diaveridine in rodents

Diaveridine (DVD) is a member of the 2,4-pyrimidinediamine class of dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors. It is used in combination with sulfaquinoxaline as an antiprotozoal agent in animals for the prophylaxis and treatment of coccidiosis and leucocytozoonosis. Herein, we report a complete toxicological safety assessment of DVD for clinical use. The study of toxicity, genetic toxicity (mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus assay, mice sperm abnormality test and in vivo chromosome aberration test of mammalian bone marrow), 90-day sub-chronic toxicity and teratogenicity test were performed. In the acute oral toxicity tests, median lethal dose, LD50, was more than 2378mg/kg body weight in Sprague Dawley rats (1025mg/kg body weight in ICR mice). The testing results for three terms of mutagenicity toxicity (mouse chromosome aberration, erythrocyte micronucleus and sperm abnormality) were all negative at 128-512mg/kg body weight. For 90-day feeding of DVD at the dosage of 10mg/kg body weight in both male and female SD rats, no signs of toxicological effects were detected. Meanwhile, for teratogenicity test in female SD rats at the dosage of 37mg/kg body weight, there were no toxicological signs observed. Thus, our results suggested that the DVD is safe when administered orally in rats at 10mg/kg body weight per day.

Colistin-Induced Apoptosis of Neuroblastoma-2a Cells Involves the Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Autophagy

Neurotoxicity remains a poorly characterized adverse effect associated with colistin therapy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of colistin-induced neurotoxicity using the mouse neuroblastoma2a (N2a) cell line. Colistin treatment (0-200 μM) of N2a neuronal cells induced apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner. Colistin-induced neurotoxicity was associated with a significant increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, with a concomitant decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and the glutathione (GSH) levels. Mitochondrial dysfunction was evident from the dissipation of membrane potential and the increase of Bax/Bcl-2, followed by the release of cytochrome c (CytC). Caspase-3/7, -8, and -9 activations were also detected. Colistin-induced neurotoxicity significantly increased the gene expression of p53 (1.6-fold), Bax (3.3-fold), and caspase-8 (2.2-fold) (all p < 0.01). The formation of autophagic vacuoles was evident with the significant increases (all p < 0.05 or 0.01) of both of Beclin 1 and LC3B following colistin treatment (50-200 μM). Furthermore, inhibition of autophagy by pretreatment with chloroquine diphosphate (CQ) enhanced colistin-induced apoptosis via caspase activation, which could be attenuated by co-treatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. In summary, our study reveals that colistin-induced neuronal cell death involves ROS-mediated oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, followed by caspase-dependent apoptosis and autophagy. A knowledge base of the neuronal signaling pathways involved in colistin-induced neurotoxicity will greatly facilitate the discovery of neuroprotective agents for use in combination with colistin to prevent this undesirable side effect.

Development of a new benazepril hydrochloride chewable tablet and evaluation of its bioequivalence for treatment of heart failure in dogs

The aim of the study was to develop a new chewable benazepril hydrochloride(BH) tablet, investigate its physical properties, and evaluate its bioequivalence with the branded formulation (Fortekor). A corrective agent was included in the formula to improve its palatability and convenience for administration to dogs. The tablet remained stable in light, heat, and humidity tests, and its physical properties such as hardness, uniformity of content, and dissolution rate were highly consistent with the technical standards. After single and repeated administrations to eight beagles and single dose to 14 mongrel dogs (0.5 mg/kg p.o.), plasma BH and its active metabolite, benazeprilat (BZ), were detected. There was no significant difference in the major pharmacokinetic parameters (Cmax , Tmax, and AUC₀₋₂₄) between the two formulations. The 90% confidence intervals calculated for the ratios of area under the time-concentration curve (AUC₀₋₂₄) were 92.4-116.3% for BH and 89.9-102.3% for BZ, within the accepted range for bioequivalence of 80-125%. The results showed our new chewable tablet is bioequivalent to the commercial product and suitable for addition to the benazepril product family for the treatment of heart failure in dogs.

Stromal miR-200s contribute to breast cancer cell invasion through CAF activation and ECM remodeling

The activation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is a key event in tumor progression, and alternative extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins derived from CAFs induce ECM remodeling and cancer cell invasion. Here we found that miR-200 s, which are generally downregulated in activated CAFs in breast cancer tissues and in normal fibroblasts (NFs) activated by breast cancer cells, are direct mediators of NF reprogramming into CAFs and of ECM remodeling. NFs with downregulated miR-200 s displayed the traits of activated CAFs, including accelerated migration and invasion. Ectopic expression of miR-200 s in CAFs at least partially restored the phenotypes of NFs. CAF activation may be governed by the targets of miR-200 s, Fli-1 and TCF12, which are responsible for cell development and differentiation; Fli-1 and TCF12 were obviously elevated in CAFs. Furthermore, miR-200 s and their targets influenced collagen contraction by CAFs. The upregulation of fibronectin and lysyl oxidase directly by miR-200 or indirectly through Fli-1 or TCF12 contributed to ECM remodeling, triggering the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells both in vitro and vivo. Thus, these data provide important and novel insights into breast CAF activation and ECM remodeling, which trigger tumor cell invasion.

Curcumin attenuates quinocetone-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in human hepatocyte L02 cells

Quinocetone (QCT), a new quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides, has been used as antimicrobial feed additive in China. Potential genotoxicity of QCT was concerned as a public health problem. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on QCT-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in human hepatocyte L02 cells. Cell viability and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), biomarkers of oxidative stress including superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) level were measured. Meanwhile, comet assay and micronucleus assay were carried out to evaluate genotoxicity. The results showed that, compared to the control group, QCT at the concentration ranges of 2-16 μg/mL significantly decreased L02 cell viability, which was significantly attenuated with curcumin pretreatment (2.5 and 5 μM). In addition, QCT significantly increased cell oxidative stress, characterized by increases of intracellular ROS level, while decreased endogenous antioxidant biomarkers GSH level and SOD activity (all p < 0.05 or 0.01). Curcumin pretreatment significantly attenuated ROS formation, inhibited the decreases of SOD activity and GSH level. Furthermore, curcumin significantly reduced QCT-induced DNA fragments and micronuclei formation. These data suggest that curcumin could attenuate QCT-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in L02 cells, which may be attributed to ROS scavenging and anti-oxidative ability of curcumin. Importantly, consumption of curcumin may be a plausible way to prevent quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides-mediated oxidative stress and genotoxicity in human or animals.

Curcumin attenuates quinocetone-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in human hepatocyte L02 cells

Quinocetone (QCT), a new quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides, has been used as antimicrobial feed additive in China. Potential genotoxicity of QCT was concerned as a public health problem. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of curcumin on QCT-induced oxidative stress and genotoxicity in human hepatocyte L02 cells. Cell viability and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), biomarkers of oxidative stress including superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) level were measured. Meanwhile, comet assay and micronucleus assay were carried out to evaluate genotoxicity. The results showed that, compared to the control group, QCT at the concentration ranges of 2-16 μg/mL significantly decreased L02 cell viability, which was significantly attenuated with curcumin pretreatment (2.5 and 5 μM). In addition, QCT significantly increased cell oxidative stress, characterized by increases of intracellular ROS level, while decreased endogenous antioxidant biomarkers GSH level and SOD activity (all p < 0.05 or 0.01). Curcumin pretreatment significantly attenuated ROS formation, inhibited the decreases of SOD activity and GSH level. Furthermore, curcumin significantly reduced QCT-induced DNA fragments and micronuclei formation. These data suggest that curcumin could attenuate QCT-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in L02 cells, which may be attributed to ROS scavenging and anti-oxidative ability of curcumin. Importantly, consumption of curcumin may be a plausible way to prevent quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides-mediated oxidative stress and genotoxicity in human or animals.

Synergy between baicalein and penicillins against penicillinase-producing Staphylococcus aureus

The combination of baicalein (the active constituent of Scutellaria baicalensis) with penicillin G/amoxicillin showed potent synergy against 20 clinical penicillinase-producing Staphylococcus aureus strains including 10 isolates that were additionally methicillin-resistant (MRSA). The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices of penicillins+baiclein ranged from 0.14 to 0.38. Baicalein protected penicillins (penicillin G and amoxicillin) from penicillinase and increased the susceptibility of penicillinase-supplemented S. aureus ATCC 29213 in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of penicillinase activity by baicalein should be responsible for the synergism and protective effect. These findings offer us good evidence that the penicillins combined with baicalein showed potent synergistic activity against penicillinase-producing S. aureus and penicillinase-producing MRSA in vitro and might provide promising implications for clinical treatment of these bacterial infections.

Neutrophil extracellular trap formation is associated with autophagy-related signalling in ANCA-associated vasculitis

Increasing evidence indicates that aberrant neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation could contribute to the pathogenesis of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). Recent research has provided evidence that a novel type of ANCA autoantibody, anti-lysosomal membrane protein-2 (LAMP-2) antibody, may have a pathogenic role in AAV. We have shown previously that anti-LAMP-2 antibody-stimulated NET formation contains autoantigens and anti-microbial peptides. The current study sought to determine whether LAMP-2, as a novel antigen of ANCA, was present on NETs in AAV patients, the influence of the anti-LAMP-2 antibody on the neutrophil apoptosis rate and the role of autophagy in anti-LAMP-2 antibody-induced NET formation. NET formation was assessed using immunofluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy or live cell imaging. The neutrophil apoptosis rate was analysed using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS). Autophagy was detected using LC3B accumulation and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that enhanced NET formation, which contains LAMP-2, was observed in kidney biopsies and neutrophils from AAV patients. The apoptosis rate decreased significantly in human neutrophils stimulated with anti-LAMP-2 antibody, and this effect was attenuated by the inhibitors of autophagy 3-methyladenine (3MA) and 2-morpholin-4-yl-8-phenylchromen-4-one (LY294002). The anti-LAMP-2 antibody-stimulated NET formation was unaffected by benzyloxycarbonyl-Val- Ala-Asp (OMe)-fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk) and necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), which are inhibitors of apoptosis and necrosis, respectively, but was inhibited by 3MA and LY294002. Moreover, the proportion of LC3BI that was converted to LC3BII increased significantly (P=0.0057), and massive vacuolizations that exhibited characteristics typical of autophagy were detected in neutrophils stimulated with anti-LAMP-2 antibody. Our results provide further evidence that autophagy is involved in ANCA-induced NET formation in human neutrophils.