In silico analysis and experimental validation of molecular mechanisms of salvianolic acid A-inhibited LPS-stimulated inflammation, in RAW264.7 macrophages

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to explore mechanisms by which salvianolic acid A (SAA) revealed its anti-inflammatory activity, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was determined by the Griess reaction and cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. Interleukin-6, TNFα and interleukin-1β were determined by ELISA. The RAW264.7 cells were transfected with siRNA against p38 or HO-1. Expressions of COX-2, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), NF-κB, HO-1, p-p38 and phosphorylation of IκB kinase α/β were detected by western blotting. Potential targets of SAA were analysed by homology modelling, target prediction, protein-protein interaction prediction and docking studies.

RESULTS

Salvianolic acid A suppressed LPS-triggered production of NO, TNFα and Interleukin-6. It also reduced protein expression of inducible NO synthase and COX-2, and reduced translocation of NF-κB to nuclei. Moreover, SAA promoted expression of phosphorylated p38, and downstream HO-1. Zn (II) protoporphyrin IX, a specific inhibitor of HO-1, or siRNA against HO-1 could effectively increase transfer of NF-κB. SAA was predicted to target amyloid-beta protein-like protein and arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase, that could regulate p38 and HO-1.

CONCLUSIONS

In silico analysis and experimental validation together demonstrated that SAA exhibited its anti-inflammatory effect via the p38-HO-1 pathway in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, reduced transfer of NF-κB to the nuclei and thus reduced production of inflammatory mediators.

Hybrid III-nitride/organic semiconductor nanostructure with high efficiency nonradiative energy transfer for white light emitters

A novel hybrid inorganic/organic semiconductor nanostructure has been developed, leading to very efficient nonradiative resonant-energy-transfer (RET) between blue emitting InGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) and a yellow light emitting polymer. The utilization of InGaN/GaN nanorod arrays allows for both higher optical performance of InGaN blue emission and a minimized separation between the InGaN/GaN MQWs and the emitting polymer as a color conversion medium. A significant reduction in decay lifetime of the excitons in the InGaN/GaN MQWs of the hybrid structure has been observed as a result of the nonradiative RET from the nitride emitter to the yellow polymer. A detailed calculation has demonstrated that the efficiency of the nonradiative RET is as high as 73%. The hybrid structure exhibits an extremely fast nonradiative RET with a rate of 0.76 ns(-1), approximately three times higher than the InGaN/GaN MQW nonradiative decay rate of 0.26 ns(-1). It means that the RET dominates the nonradiative processes in the nitride quantum well structure, which can further enhance the overall device performance.

An immunofluorescence assay for the detection of wheat rust species using monoclonal antibody against urediniospores of Puccinia triticina

AIMS

Wheat (Triticum aestivum) is one of the most important crop species, but yields are often drastically reduced by rust epidemics. In this report, we describe a rapid and sensitive immunofluorescence method for the detection of urediniospores of the fungi Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici, Puccinia triticina and Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, which are causal agents of wheat rust.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The method uses monoclonal antibody LPT-2 against the urediniospores of P. triticina and PE-cy3 goat anti-mouse. Urediniospores of P. triticina or those of two species that are difficult to distinguish from P. triticina, P. striiformis f. sp. tritici or P. graminis f. sp. tritici were immobilized on a glass slide, and the sample was then treated with LPT-2. Thereafter, a second antibody, goat anti-mouse conjugated PE-cy3, was added, and the slide was observed in a fluoroscope. The fluorescent signal was strong with P. triticina urediniospores, weak with P. striiformis f. sp. tritici urediniospores and weak-to-intermediate with P. graminis f. sp. tritici urediniospores. The detection limit of this method was 2 ng ml(-1) of the monoclonal antibody LPT-2.

CONCLUSIONS

In this article, we describe the production and diagnostic application of a novel mouse monoclonal antibody specific to urediniospores of P. triticina.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

After further technical development, this method may become a tool for on-site identification of P. triticina urediniospores and will therefore help in the selection and timing of fungicide applications for control of wheat rust outbreaks.

First measurement of the CP-violating phase in Bs(0) → ϕϕ decays

A first flavor-tagged measurement of the time-dependent CP-violating asymmetry in B(s)(0) → ϕϕ decays is presented. In this decay channel, the CP-violating weak phase arises due to CP violation in the interference between B(s)(0)-B(s)(0) mixing and the b → sss gluonic penguin decay amplitude. Using a sample of pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1) and collected at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV with the LHCb detector, 880 B(s)(0) → ϕϕ signal decays are obtained. The CP-violating phase is measured to be in the interval [-2.46,-0.76] rad at a 68% confidence level. The p value of the standard model prediction is 16%.

Measurements of the branching fractions of [Formula: see text] decays

The branching fractions of the decay [Formula: see text] for different intermediate states are measured using data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb^-1, collected by the LHCb experiment. The total branching fraction, its charmless component [Formula: see text] and the branching fractions via the resonant [Formula: see text] states η_c (1S) and ψ(2S) relative to the decay via a J/ψ intermediate state are [Formula: see text] Upper limits on the B⁺ branching fractions into the η_c (2S) meson and into the charmonium-like states X(3872) and X(3915) are also obtained.

Efficacy and safety of 15(R/S)-methyl-lipoxin A(4) in topical treatment of infantile eczema

BACKGROUND

 Lipoxins are potential anti-inflammatory mediators and serve as an endogenous 'braking signal' in the inflammatory process. Accumulating evidence has indicated the efficacy of lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4) ) and its analogs in the treatment of many animal models of inflammatory diseases.

OBJECTIVES

 This study investigates the efficacy and safety of 15(R/S)-methyl-lipoxin A(4) in the topical treatment of infantile eczema.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this two-centre, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel-groups comparative study, 60 patients were randomly assigned to receive either the 15(R/S)-methyl-lipoxin A(4) cream, mometasone furoate (Eloson, Schering-Plough, Shanghai, China) or placebo for 10days. The efficacy was determined using the Severity Scale Score (SSS), Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) and the Infants' Dermatitis Quality of Life Index (IDQOL). Safety was monitored by physical examination, laboratory investigation and documentation of clinical adverse events.

RESULTS

 The treatment of eczema with 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA(4) cream significantly relieved the severity, induced a recovery, and improved the quality of life of the patients, as demonstrated by significantly reduced SSS, EASI and IDQOL, respectively, in a way similar to the efficacy of Eloson. All safety parameters remained within normal limits. No clinical adverse event was found in the three patient groups.

CONCLUSIONS

 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA(4) was well tolerated, and significantly reduced the severity of eczema. The results of this small exploratory study suggest that 15(R/S)-methyl-LXA(4) warrants further investigation in the treatment of eczema.

The difference in the attitude of Chinese and Japanese college students regarding deceased organ donation

BACKGROUND

Under the influence of traditional oriental culture, the lack of organ donation is especially serious in China and Japan. The aim of this study was to compare Chinese and Japanese college students' attitudes and analyze contributing factors toward deceased donation.

METHODS

An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire comprising 15 questions was distributed to approximately 400 college students at Liaoning University, China, and Kyushu University, Japan. Statistical analysis used SPSS software.

RESULTS

Japanese students' attitude towards deceased organ donation was more favorable than that of Chinese students (43.6% versus 35.9%, P = .001). Several factors contributed to positive responses by students from both countries: family perspective on organ donation and transplantation; decision to donate to family members; prior blood donation; living liver or kidney donation; possibility of needing a transplant; and willingness to receive a deceased or a living donor organ.

CONCLUSIONS

More efforts must emphasize awareness and up-to-date knowledge regarding organ donation among citizens and should be undertaken by the Chinese and Japanese governments.

Chimney stents for endovascular repair of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms with unfavourable anatomy

AIM

The aim of this paper was to present our experience with the use of chimney grafts in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of juxtarenal aortic aneurysms (JAA) with unfavourable anatomy.

METHODS

Between January 2001 and January 2011, 5 patients (4 men and 1 woman; mean age 78 years) with JAAs were treated with chimney grafts in the renal arteries. All the cases were at high risk for open repair and were unsuitable for standard endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair because of short neck length, or large neck angulation. Six chimney stents (5 balloon expandable stents and 1 self-expandable stent) were implanted into the renal arteries.

RESULTS

The technical success was 100%. The final angiography showed excellent results, with good flow into the kidneys and complete exclusion of the aneurysm sac and no type I endoleaks. The average follow-up period was 15.8 months (range, 1-52 months). One patient died two months after surgery because of heart failure. An early small type II endoleak found in one patient resolved within three months without treatment. All chimney grafts were patent at the end of the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

The chimney graft technique is an expansion of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), especially suitable for juxtarenal aortic aneurysms in patients with a high surgical risk. The chimney graft technique is feasible, even in the setting of unfavourable aortic anatomy. Long-term results are still unknown.

First observation of CP violation in the decays of B(s)0 mesons

Using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb(-1) and collected by LHCb in 2011 at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, we report the measurement of direct CP violation in B(s)(0)→K(-)π(+) decays, A(CP)(B(s)(0)→K(-)π(+)=0.27±0.04 (stat)±0.01 (syst), with significance exceeding 5 standard deviations. This is the first observation of CP violation in the decays of B(s)(0) mesons. Furthermore, we provide an improved determination of direct CP violation in B(0)→K(+)π(-) decays, A(CP)(B(0)→K(+)π(-)=-0.080±0.007 (stat)±0.003 (syst), which is the most precise measurement of this quantity to date.

Determination of the X(3872) meson quantum numbers

The quantum numbers of the X(3872) meson are determined to be J(PC)=1(++) based on angular correlations in B(+)→X(3872)K(+) decays, where X(3872)→π(+)π(-)J/ψ and J/ψ→μ(+)μ(-). The data correspond to 1.0 fb(-1) of pp collisions collected by the LHCb detector. The only alternative assignment allowed by previous measurements J(PC)=2(-+) is rejected with a confidence level equivalent to more than 8 Gaussian standard deviations using a likelihood-ratio test in the full angular phase space. This result favors exotic explanations of the X(3872) state.