An expression profiling analysis of hybrid millet and its parents at grain filling stage

Heterosis has been widely used in crop breeding and production. However, a shortage of genes known to function in heterosis significantly limits our understanding of the molecular basis underlying heterosis. Here, we report 740 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the leaves of the hybrid millet Zhang No.5 and its parents at the grain filling stage determined using Solexa Illumina digital gene expression. Of the 740 DEGs, 546 were from the hybrid and its parents and most were up-regulated in the hybrid. Particularly, a large number of DEGs related to starch and carbohydrate metabolism and 2 DEGs encoding chlorophyll a/b binding proteins were up-regulated in hybrid millet. Moreover, all DEGs were enriched in the biological process and molecular function, and no DEGs were found to be enriched in the cellular component of GO terms. Pathway enrichment using KEGG showed that several DEGs were enriched in the circadian rhythm pathway. Further analysis revealed that the altered circadian rhythm, which mediates photosynthesis and carbohydrate accumulation, may play an important role in heterosis of the hybrid millet.

Precore/basal core promoter mutants quantification throughout phases of hepatitis B virus infection by Simpleprobe

AIM: To investigate precore/basal core promoter (PC/BCP) mutants throughout hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and to determine their relationship to hepatitis B early antigen (HBeAg) titers.

METHODS: We enrolled 191 patients in various stages of HBV infection at the Huashan Hospital and the Taizhou Municipal Hospital from 2010 to 2012. None of the patients received antiviral therapy. HBV DNA from serum, was quantified by real-time PCR. The HBV genotype was determined by direct sequencing of the S gene. We used the Simpleprobe ultrasensitive quantitative method to detect PC/BCP mutants in each patient. We compared the strain number, percentage, and the changes in PC/BCP mutants in different phases, and analyzed the relationship between PC/BCP mutants and HBeAg by multiple linear regression and logistic regression.

RESULTS: Patients with HBV infection (n = 191) were assigned to groups by phase: Immune tolerance (IT) = 55, Immune clearance (IC) = 67, Low-replicative (LR) = 49, and HBeAg-negative hepatitis (ENH) = 20. Of the patients (male, 112; female, 79) enrolled, 122 were HBeAg-positive and 69 were HBeAg-negative. The median age was 33 years (range: 18-78 years). PC and BCP mutation detection rates were 84.82% (162/191) and 96.86% (185/191), respectively. In five HBeAg-negative cases, we detected double mutation G1896A/G1899A. The logarithm value of PC mutant quantities (log₁₀ PC) significantly differed in IT, IC, and LR phases, as well as in the ENH phase (F = 49.350, P < 0.001). The logarithm value of BCP mutant quantities (log₁₀ BCP) also differed during the four phases (F = 25.530, P < 0.001). Log₁₀ PC and log₁₀ BCP values were high in the IT and IC phases, decreased in the LR phase, and increased in the ENH phase, although the absolute value at this point remained lower than that in the IT and IC phases. PC mutant quantity per total viral load (PC%) and BCP mutant quantity per total viral load (BCP%) differed between phases (F = 20.040, P < 0.001; F = 10.830, P < 0.001), with PC% and BCP% gradually increasing in successive phases. HBeAg titers negatively correlated with PC% (Spearman’s rho = -0.354, P < 0.001) and BCP% (Spearman’s rho = -0.395, P < 0.001). The negative correlation between PC% and HBeAg status was significant (B = -5.281, P = 0.001), but there was no such correlation between BCP% and HBeAg status (B = -0.523, P = 0.552).

CONCLUSION: PC/BCP mutants become predominant in a dynamic and continuous process. Log₁₀ PC, log₁₀ BCP, PC% and BCP% might be combined to evaluate disease progression. PC% determines HBeAg status.

Activation of BV2 microglia by lipopolysaccharide triggers an inflammatory reaction in PC12 cell apoptosis through a toll-like receptor 4-dependent pathway

Microglia play an important role in neuronal protection and damage. However, the molecular and cellular relationship between microglia and neurons is unclear. We carried out a prospective study to detect that activation of BV2 microglia induced PC12 cell apoptosis in vitro through the TLR4/adapter protein myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. BV2 microglia were treated with different concentrations of LPS for 24 h. Western blot was utilized to detect the expression of TLR4 and the downstream signaling pathway. The level of inflammatory mediator was quantified using a specific ELISA kit. The supernatant of 10 μg/ml LPS-treated BV2 cells was used as conditioned medium (CM). PC12 cells were co-culture with CM for 24 h. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay and cell apoptosis was tested by flow cytometry. BV2 microglia were treated with 10, 20, or 30 μg/ml LPS for 24 h. The expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB significantly increased. When PC12 cells were co-cultured with CM for 24 h, cell viability decreased. CM up-regulated the Bax level and down-regulated the Bcl-2 protein level in PC12 cells. PC12 cells pretreated with interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) for 30 min, significantly alleviated CM-induced PC12 cell apoptosis. These results suggest that BV2 microglia activated by LPS triggered TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway that induced the release of IL-1β and could participate in the PC12 cells injury.

Search for a light sterile neutrino at Daya Bay

A search for light sterile neutrino mixing was performed with the first 217 days of data from the Daya Bay Reactor Antineutrino Experiment. The experiment's unique configuration of multiple baselines from six 2.9 GW(th) nuclear reactors to six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 m and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls makes it possible to test for oscillations to a fourth (sterile) neutrino in the 10(-3) eV(2)<|Δm(41)(2) |< 0.3 eV(2) range. The relative spectral distortion due to the disappearance of electron antineutrinos was found to be consistent with that of the three-flavor oscillation model. The derived limits on sin(2) 2θ(14) cover the 10(-3) eV(2) ≲ |Δm(41)(2)| ≲ 0.1 eV(2) region, which was largely unexplored.

Effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide on CD4(+)/CD8(+) T cell levels after traumatic brain injury in a rat model

BACKGROUND

The effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) during traumatic brain injury (TBI) and whether it can modulate secondary injury has not been reported previously. The present study evaluated the potential protective effects of ventricular infusion of PACAP in a rat model of TBI.

METHODS

Male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups (n=6, each): sham-operated, vehicle (normal saline)+TBI, and PACAP+TBI. Normal saline or PACAP (1 μg/5 μL) was administered intracerebroventricularly 20 minutes before TBI. Right parietal cortical contusion was produced via a weight-dropping method. Brains were extracted 24 hours after trauma. Histological changes in brains were examined by HE staining. The numbers of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells in blood and the spleen were detected via flow cytometry.

RESULTS

In injured brain regions, edema, hemorrhage, inflammatory cell infiltration, and swollen and degenerated neurons were observed under a light microscope, and the neurons were disorderly arrayed in the hippocampi. Compared to the sham group, average CD4(+) CD8(-) lymphocyte counts in blood and the spleen were significantly decreased in rats that received TBI+vehicle, and CD4(-) CD8(+) were increased. In rats administered PACAP prior to TBI, damage was attenuated as evidenced by significantly increased CD4(+), and decreased CD8(+), T lymphocytes in blood and the spleen.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment with PACAP may protect against TBI by influencing periphery T cellular immune function.

Effect of functional chronic visceral pain caused by neonatal colorectal distension on depression-like behavior and expression of CRH in the paraventricular nucleus of adult male rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of functional chronic visceral pain caused by neonatal colorectal distension (CRD) on depression-like behavior and expression of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of adult male rats, and to explore the underlying mechanism.

METHODS: Neonatal male rats were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10 for each), a sham operation group and a CRD group. The CRD group was given colorectal distension twice daily on postnatal days 8, 10, and 12. Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scores, pain threshold, and external oblique discharge amplitude were used to test visceral hypersensitivity during postnatal weeks 8-10. Open field test, sucrose preference test and forced swim test were used to test depression-like behavior during postnatal weeks 10-12. After behavior tests, HE staining was used to detect pathological changes of the colorectal tissue. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of CRH in the PVN. Radioimmunoassay was used to detect the level of cortisol in blood.

RESULTS: Colorectal distension resulted in chronic visceral hypersensitivity without pathological changes in the colorectal tissue. Rats with functional chronic visceral pain caused by early-life stress exhibited depression-like behavior. The expression of CRH in the PVN and the level of CORT in blood of CRD rats increased compared with control rats.

CONCLUSION: Rats with functional chronic visceral pain caused by early-life stress show depression-like behavior, and the underlying mechanism may be related to increased expression of CRH in the PVN and dysfunction of the HPA axis.

Helicobacter pylori-induced posttranscriptional regulation of H-K-ATPase α-subunit gene expression by miRNA

Acute Helicobacter pylori infection of gastric epithelial cells induces CagA oncoprotein- and peptidoglycan (SLT)-dependent mobilization of NF-κB p50 homodimers that bind to H-K-ATPase α-subunit (HKα) promoter and repress HKα gene transcription. This process may facilitate gastric H. pylori colonization by induction of transient hypochlorhydria. We hypothesized that H. pylori also regulates HKα expression posttranscriptionally by miRNA interaction with HKα mRNA. In silico analysis of the HKα 3' untranslated region (UTR) identified miR-1289 as a highly conserved putative HKα-regulatory miRNA. H. pylori infection of AGS cells transfected with HKα 3' UTR-Luc reporter construct repressed luciferase activity by 70%, whereas ΔcagA or Δslt H. pylori infections partially abrogated repression. Transfection of AGS cells expressing HKα 3' UTR-Luc construct with an oligoribonucleotide mimetic of miR-1289 induced maximal repression (54%) of UTR activity within 30 min; UTR activity was unchanged by nontargeting siRNA transfection. Gastric biopsies from patients infected with cagA(+) H. pylori showed a significant increase in miR-1289 expression compared with uninfected patients or those infected with cagA(-) H. pylori. Finally, miR-1289 expression was necessary and sufficient to attenuate biopsy HKα protein expression in the absence of infection. Taken together, these data indicate that miR-1289 is upregulated by H. pylori in a CagA- and SLT-dependent manner and targets HKα 3' UTR, affecting HKα mRNA translation. The sensitivity of HKα mRNA 3' UTR to binding of miR-1289 identifies a novel regulatory mechanism of gastric acid secretion and offers new insights into mechanisms underlying transient H. pylori-induced hypochlorhydria.

Interface effects on the electronic transport properties in highly epitaxial LaBaCo2O(5.5+δ) films

Single-crystalline perovskite LaBaCo2O5.5+δ thin films were grown on a (110) NdGaO3 single-crystal substrate in order to systematically investigate the effect of lattice mismatch on the electrical transport properties in comparison to the films on LaAlO3, SrTiO3, and MgO substrates. Microstructure studies reveal that all of the LaBaCo2O5.5+δ films are of excellent quality with atomically sharp interface structures. The electrical and magnetic transport property studies indicate that the resistivity, magnetoresistance, and magnetic moment of the film are very sensitive to the substrate materials because of the lattice mismatch/interface strain. The Curie temperature, however, is almost independent of the strain imposed by the substrate, probably because of the strong coupling between the nanodomain boundary and interface strain.

Spectral measurement of electron antineutrino oscillation amplitude and frequency at Daya Bay

A measurement of the energy dependence of antineutrino disappearance at the Daya Bay reactor neutrino experiment is reported. Electron antineutrinos (ν¯(e)) from six 2.9  GW(th) reactors were detected with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls. Using 217 days of data, 41 589 (203 809 and 92 912) antineutrino candidates were detected in the far hall (near halls). An improved measurement of the oscillation amplitude sin(2)2θ(13)=0.090(-0.009)(+0.008) and the first direct measurement of the ν¯(e) mass-squared difference |Δm(ee)2|=(2.59(-0.20)(+0.19))×10(-3)  eV2 is obtained using the observed ν¯(e) rates and energy spectra in a three-neutrino framework. This value of |Δm(ee)2| is consistent with |Δm(μμ)2| measured by muon neutrino disappearance, supporting the three-flavor oscillation model.

Effect of early-life stress on chronic functional visceral pain and CRH R1 expression in the paraventricular nucleus in adult rats

AIM: To assess the effect of early-life stress on chronic functional visceral pain and expression of corticotropin releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRH R1) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rats with chronic functional visceral pain to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders.

METHODS: Neonatal rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10), including a male control group, a female control group, a male separation group, a female separation group, a male distension group and a female distension group. HE staining was used to detect histologic changes in the colon tissue. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect the changes in CRH R1 expression in the PVN. Brain tissue sections were immunostained for c-fos as a marker for activation of the PVN. Furthermore, normal male adult rats were randomly divided into three groups (normal control, saline and lidocaine, n = 6 for each group) to observe the role of PVN in the regulation of chronic functional visceral pain in normal rats by intra-PVN administration of lidocaine (1%, 0.3 µL).

RESULTS: Neonatal maternal separation (NMS) or colorectal distension (CRD) resulted in chronic visceral hypersensitivity without pathological changes in the colon tissue. There was no gender difference in the above change. Electrical discharge of the abdominal external oblique muscle in rats 10, 20, and 30 min after intra-PVN microinjection of 1% lidocaine was decreased significantly under the stimulation of CRD at 60 mmHg compared with normal controls and saline rats. The expression of CRH R1 and c-fos in the PVN of NMS and CRD rats increased compared with control rats.

CONCLUSION: Early-life stress can lead to chronic functional visceral pain in rats in adulthood. Allodynia caused by NMS is more obvious than that by CRD. The PVN and CRH R1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic functional visceral pain caused by early-life stress.

[Effect of spontaneous firing of injured dorsal root ganglion neuron on excitability of wide dynamic range neuron in rat spinal dorsal horn]

The aim of the paper is to study the effect of spontaneous firing of injured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuron in chronic compression of DRG (CCD) model on excitability of wide dynamic range (WDR) neuron in rat spinal dorsal horn. In vivo intracellular recording was done in DRG neurons and in vivo extracellular recording was done in spinal WDR neurons. After CCD, incidence of spontaneous discharge and firing frequency enhanced to 59.46% and (4.30 ± 0.69) Hz respectively from 22.81% and (0.60 ± 0.08) Hz in normal control group (P < 0.05). Local administration of 50 nmol/L tetrodotoxin (TTX) on DRG neuron in CCD rats decreased the spontaneous activities of WDR neurons from (191.97 ± 45.20)/min to (92.50 ± 30.32)/min (P < 0.05). On the other side, local administration of 100 mmol/L KCl on DRG neuron evoked spontaneous firing in a reversible way (n = 5) in silent WDR neurons of normal rats. There was 36.36% (12/33) WDR neuron showing after-discharge in response to innocuous mechanical stimuli on cutaneous receptive field in CCD rats, while after-discharge was not seen in control rats. Local administration of TTX on DRG with a concentration of 50 nmol/L attenuated innocuous electric stimuli-evoked after-discharge of WDR neurons in CCD rats in a reversible manner, and the frequency was decreased from (263 ± 56.5) Hz to (117 ± 30) Hz (P < 0.05). The study suggests that the excitability of WDR neurons is influenced by spontaneous firings of DRG neurons after CCD.

¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁵N assignments of the holo-acyl carrier protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) are a group of highly conserved and abundant proteins in bacteria. ACPs play a central role as the acyl group carriers in bacterial fatty acid biosynthesis, providing building blocks for membrane biogenesis and the production of secondary metabolites. In the versatile human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, three ACP homologs have been identified. One homolog, AcpP, exhibits the strongest sequence homology to the canonical Escherichia coli ACP. Here we report the (1)H, (13)C and (15)N assignments of the holo-AcpP of P. aeruginosa.

Exogenous administration of PACAP alleviates traumatic brain injury in rats through a mechanism involving the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) is effective in reducing axonal damage associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and has immunomodulatory properties. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is an important mediator of the innate immune response. It significantly contributes to neuroinflammation induced by brain injury. However, it remains unknown whether exogenous PACAP can modulate TBI through the TLR4/adapter protein myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated the potential neuroprotective mechanisms of PACAP pretreatment in a weight-drop model of TBI. PACAP38 was microinjected intracerebroventricularly before TBI. Brain samples were extracted from the pericontusional area in the cortex and hippocampus. We found that TBI induced significant upregulation of TLR4, with peak expression occurring 24 h post-trauma, and that pretreatment with PACAP significantly improved motor and cognitive dysfunction, attenuated neuronal apoptosis, and decreased brain edema. Pretreatment with PACAP inhibited upregulation of TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecules MyD88, p-IκB, and NF-κB, and suppressed increases in the levels of the downstream inflammatory agents interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), in the brain tissue around the injured cortex and in the hippocampus. Administration of PACAP both in vitro and in vivo attenuated the ability of the TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to increase TLR4 protein levels. Therefore, PACAP exerts a neuroprotective effect in this rat model of TBI, by inhibiting a secondary inflammatory response mediated by the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in microglia and neurons, thereby reducing neuronal death and improving the outcome following TBI.

Propofol inhibits hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced human gastric epithelial cell injury by suppressing the Toll-like receptor 4 pathway

This study aimed to investigate the role of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathway in normal human gastric epithelial (GES-1) cells under hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in vitro, and the effect of propofol on injured GES-1 cells as well as its possible mechanism. Before H/R induction, GES-1 cells were preconditioned with fat emulsion, propofol, or epigallocatechin gallate. Then cell viability, cell apoptosis, and related molecules in the cells were analyzed under experimental conditions. We found that propofol 50 μmol/L markedly inhibited the H/R injury under hypoxia 1.5 h/reoxygenation 2 hours by promoting GES-1 cell viability and decreasing cell apoptosis. The TLR4 signal may be involved in the protective effect of propofol against H/R injury. The malondialdehyde contents and superoxide dismutase activities were recovered under propofol preconditioning. In summary, propofol preconditioning may exert a protective effect on H/R injury in GES-1 cells and the mechanism may be via inhibition of the activated TLR4 signal under H/R conditions.

Protein interaction and microRNA network analysis in osteoarthritis meniscal cells

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis among elderly adults. Herein, we performed protein-protein interaction (PPI) and miRNA network analysis to evaluate the global correlation between miRNA regulation and the PPI network in human osteoarthritis. Our results showed that desmoplakin (DSP), cystatin A (CSTA), calmodulin 1, tyrosine kinase endothelial, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), syndecan 1 (SDC1), ephrin type-A receptor 4, and PDZ and LIM domain protein 1 were associated with osteoarthritis. Among these proteins, DSP and CSTA interaction and IGF-1, IGFBP7 and SDC1 interaction were observed in our PPI network. Furthermore, these potential target proteins were also linked with individual miRNA in the network. Our findings shed light on the PPIs and mechanisms by which miRNA may regulate the protein interaction network in osteoarthritis, which might provide theoretical support for further studies aimed at discovering new therapeutic strategies.

Propofol participates in gastric mucosal protection through inhibiting the toll-like receptor-4/nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway

AIMS

Propofol has demonstrated protective effects against digestive injury. Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) is involved in gastric mucosal injury. However, it has not yet been clarified whether propofol protects gastric mucosa from ethanol-induced injury and whether the mechanism involved is related to TLR4 activation. Therefore, this prospective study was carried out to address the issue.

METHODS

Gastric mucosal injury was induced in mice by intragastric administration of ethanol. Propofol was given intraperitoneally 30 min before ethanol intragastric administration and, 1h later, gastric specimens were studied using hematoxylin--eosin staining, quantitative real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemical staining and Western blot assays; serum specimens were studied using ELISA kits.

RESULTS

Propofol at 25mg/kg significantly attenuated ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury. In addition, propofol pretreatment significantly inhibited the upregulated expression of high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) protein, TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecules--myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)--in gastric mucosa, while suppressing the increased release of tumor neurosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in serum. Furthermore, upregulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in gastric mucosa was clearly depressed by propofol.

CONCLUSION

Propofol can inhibit HMGB1 expression and TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB-mediated inflammatory responses, and hamper apoptosis, which may contribute to its protective action against ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury.

Effect of earthworm loads on organic matter and nutrient removal efficiencies in synthetic domestic wastewater, and on bacterial community structure and diversity in vermifiltration

In this paper, we studied the effect of earthworm loads on the removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), total nitrogen, and total phosphorus from synthetic domestic sewage and on the bacterial community structure and diversity of substrates in earthworm packing beds. The different vermifiltrations (VFs), including the control, are successful in removing both organic matter (OM) and nutrients. The removal rate of NH3-N at 12.5 g of earthworm/L of soil VF is higher compared with that at 0 and 4.5 earthworm load VFs. The highest Shannon index, in the earthworm packing bed, occurred at 16.5 earthworm load VF. Furthermore, the COD removal rate is significantly correlated with the Shannon index, which reveals that OM removal for synthetic domestic sewage treatment at VF might be more dependent on bacterial diversity at the earthworm packing bed. The band distributions and diversities of the bacterial community for samples from different earthworm loads in VFs suggest that the bacterial community structure was only affected within the earthworm packing bed when the earthworm load reached a certain level. The present study adds to the current understanding of OM and nutrient degradation processes in VF domestic wastewater treatment.

Molybdenum(VI) removal by using constructed wetlands with different filter media and plants

The efficacy and capacity of vertical-flow wetland filters on molybdenum (Mo) removal from wastewater was examined, employing reed (Phragmites australis) and cattail (Typha latifolia) as well as different adsorption granular media. Humus, cinder, modified cinder, as well as pyrite were used as filter media. A synthetic effluent with different concentrations of Mo(VI) at different hydraulic retention times was used for simulating Mo leached mine wastewater. Laboratory experiments showed that the equilibrium adsorption data were in agreement with the Langmuir isotherm model, and the maximum Mo(VI) adsorption capacities of modified cinder and pyrite were 10.01 and 6.25 mg/g, respectively. Mo(VI) removal in F5 (combination substrates of pyrite and cinder) was found to be more stable and effective than that of F1 (conventional gravel and soil filter media) during the 14-week experiment. Most of the Mo(VI) was retained in the 10-20 cm of the substrate, and adsorbed by the modified cinder and pyrite. The largest fraction of Mo(VI) retained was the water-soluble fraction on the surface of the pyrite. Cattail was more suitable for Mo(VI) absorption than reed, but the bioaccumulation accounted for a very small portion of the total removal.

A novel angiogenesis inhibitor impairs lovo cell survival via targeting against human VEGFR and its signaling pathway of phosphorylation

Colorectal cancer represents the fourth commonest malignancy, and constitutes a major cause of significant morbidity and mortality among other diseases. However, the chemical therapy is still under development. Angiogenesis plays an important role in colon cancer development. We developed HMQ18–22 (a novel analog of taspine) with the aim to target angiogenesis. We found that HMQ18–22 significantly reduced angiogenesis of chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and mouse colon tissue, and inhibited cell migration and tube formation as well. Then, we verified the interaction between HMQ18–22 and VEGFR2 by AlphaScreen P-VEGFR assay, screened the targets on angiogenesis by VEGF Phospho Antibody Array, validated the target by western blot and RNAi in lovo cells. We found HMQ18–22 could decrease phosphorylation of VEGFR2(Tyr¹²¹⁴), VEGFR1(Tyr¹³³³), Akt(Tyr³²⁶), protein kinase Cα (PKCα) (Tyr⁶⁵⁷) and phospholipase-Cγ-1 (PLCγ-1) (Tyr⁷⁷¹). Most importantly, HMQ18–22 inhibited proliferation of lovo cell and tumor growth in a human colon tumor xenografted model of athymic mice. Compared with normal lovo cells proliferation, the inhibition on proliferation of knockdown cells (VEGFR2, VEGFR1, Akt, PKCα and PLCγ-1) by HMQ18–22 decreased. These results suggested that HMQ18–22 is a novel angiogenesis inhibitor and can be a useful therapeutic candidate for colon cancer intervention.

Meta-analysis of epidemiological studies of association of two polymorphisms in the interleukin-10 gene promoter and colorectal cancer risk

In order to make a comprehensive assessment of the potential association between two genetic variants in the IL-10 gene promoter, -1082 A>G (rs1800896) and -592 C>A (rs1800872), and colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, we conduced a meta-analysis of seven epidemiological studies, which included 1469 colorectal cancer cases and 2566 controls. Neither of the two polymorphisms had any association with increased CRC risk in overall population [for rs1800896: odds ratio (OR) = 0.90, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 0.76-1.06 in the dominant model and for rs1800872: OR = 1.06, 95%CI = 0.91-1.23 in the dominant model]. In subgroup analysis of the rs1800896 polymorphism, the results did not change when the analyses were restricted to individual studies, or those fulfilling Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, or according to the source of controls. For rs1800872, however, when stratifying by the source of controls, the A allele had a significant increased risk of CRC among studies with population-based controls in the codominant model (AC vs CC: OR = 1.30, 95%CI = 1.04-1.63) and dominant model (AA/AC vs CC: OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.01-1.55). Based on this meta-analysis, we conclude that the IL-10 rs1800872 polymorphism could be a risk factor for CRC development among European populations. However, we found no association between the IL-10 rs1800896 polymorphism and CRC risk. Further studies, either with larger sample size or involving other SNPs and haplotypes of the IL-10 gene, are necessary to clarify the contribution of IL-10 genetic variations in colorectal carcinogenesis.

Toll-like receptor 4 signaling is involved in PACAP-induced neuroprotection in BV2 microglial cells under OGD/reoxygenation

OBJECT

The neuroprotective effects of pituitary adenylate cyclise-activating polypeptide (PACAP) have been well documented in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms by which PACAP protected microglia from ischemic/hypoxic injury via inhibition of microglia activation remain unclear. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a considerable role in the induction of innate immune and inflammatory responses. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of PACAP on the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)/reoxygenation BV2 microglia and to explore the role of TLR4/myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway in the neuroprotective effects of PACAP.

METHODS

We conducted OGD/reoxygenation by placing BV2 microglia into an airtight chamber and in glucose-free medium. BV2 microglia cell viability was determined by MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide] assay. Western blot was utilized to detect TLR4, MyD88 expression, inhibitory protein of NF-kappaB (IkappaB) phosphorylation/degradation, NF-kappaB activation. Level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in culture medium was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

We found that pretreatment with PACAP to BV2 cells immediately before OGD/reoxygenation significantly alleviated microglia hypoxic injury. PACAP inhibited upregulation of TLR4, MyD88 and NF-kappaB in BV2 microglial cells exposed to OGD/reoxygenation. PACAP administration also significantly reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines and apoptosis in BV2 microglia exposed to OGD/reoxygenation.

DISCUSSION

Pretreatment with PACAP inhibited activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-kappaB signaling pathway and decreased inflammatory cytokine levels, as well as apoptosis in microglia, thereby attenuating microglia hypoxic injury. Our results suggested that TLR4-mediated MyD88-dependent signaling pathway contributed to neuroprotection of PACAP to microglia against OGD/reoxygenation.

Germline deletion of pantothenate kinases 1 and 2 reveals the key roles for CoA in postnatal metabolism

Pantothenate kinase (PanK) phosphorylates pantothenic acid (vitamin B₅) and controls the overall rate of coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis. Pank1 gene deletion in mice results in a metabolic phenotype where fatty acid oxidation and gluconeogenesis are impaired in the fasted state, leading to mild hypoglycemia. Inactivating mutations in the human PANK2 gene lead to childhood neurodegeneration, but Pank2 gene inactivation in mice does not elicit a phenotype indicative of the neuromuscular symptoms or brain iron accumulation that accompany the human disease. Pank1/Pank2 double knockout (dKO) mice were derived to determine if the mild phenotypes of the single knockout mice are due to the ability of the two isoforms to compensate for each other in CoA biosynthesis. Postnatal development was severely affected in the dKO mice. The dKO pups developed progressively severe hypoglycemia and hyperketonemia by postnatal day 10 leading to death by day 17. Hyperketonemia arose from impaired whole-body ketone utilization illustrating the requirement for CoA in energy generation from ketones. dKO pups had reduced CoA and decreased fatty acid oxidation coupled with triglyceride accumulation in liver. dKO hepatocytes could not maintain the NADH levels compared to wild-type hepatocytes. These results revealed an important link between CoA and NADH levels, which was reflected by deficiencies in hepatic oleate synthesis and gluconeogenesis. The data indicate that PanK1 and PanK2 can compensate for each other to supply tissue CoA, but PanK1 is more important to CoA levels in liver whereas PanK2 contributes more to CoA synthesis in the brain.

Effect of propofol on proliferation and apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells in gastric ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice

AIM: To observe the changes in proliferation and apoptosis of gastric mucosal cells in gastric ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, and to clarify whether propofol has a gastric protection effect and the possible mechanisms involved.

METHODS: Seventy-two Kunming mice were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation group, I/R injury group, fat emulsion group, and propofol group. Except the sham operation group, I/R injury was induced in other groups by clamping the celiac artery for 30 min and allowing reperfusion for 1h. The mice were finally sacrificed to observe morphological changes and investigate gastric mucosal damage index (GMDI). The histological changes of the stomach were observed using light microscopy. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutas (SOD) in gastric mucosal cells were measured by colorimetry analysis. Immunohistochemistry and TdT-mediated d-UTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay were used to observe PCNA expression and apoptosis in gastric mucosa, and the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins was determined by Western blot.

RESULTS: Severe mucosal lesions induced by gastric I/R were considerably reduced following administration of propofol (25 mg/kg); mucosal and submueosal hyperemia, edema, and deep erosion were improved significantly. Compared to the I/R group, treatment with propofol significantly reduced gastric mucosal MDA content and cell apoptosis (33.9% ± 1.3% vs 60.8% ± 6.9%, P < 0.01), enhanced SOD activity, promoted cell proliferation (16.0% ± 1.8% vs 6.4% ± 1.2%, P < 0.01), and regulated Bax (0.453 ± 0.025 vs 0.268 ± 0.023, P < 0.01) and Bcl-2 (0.513 ± 0.014 vs 0.752 ± 0.015, P < 0.01) protein expression.

CONCLUSION: Propofol protects against gastric gastric I/R injury possibly by promoting gastric mucosal cell proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis.