A novel gene with a vWD domain and three Kazal-type domains: molecular cloning and expression in the ovary of the oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense

A novel gene encoding avon Willebrand factor D (vWD) domain and three Kazal-type domains was firstly indentified from the ovary of the oriental river prawn Macrobrachium nipponense and this gene was named as MnvWD-Kazal. Bioinformatics analyses showed that this gene encodes a protein of 857 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 92.7 kDa. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-QPCR) analyses revealed that the level of MnvWD-Kazal mRNA expression varied in the developing ovary and substantially differed between other tissues. In the ovary, the level of MnvWD-Kazal expression gradually increased from the perinucleolus (PN) stage to the yolk granule (YG) stage, and then abruptly decreased at the sexual maturation (MA) stage. The maximum expression occurred in the YG stage and the minimum was at the paracmasis (PM) stage. The expression level of MnvWD-Kazal in the intestine was much higher than that in other tissues. The differential expressions of MnvWD-Kazal at different stages of the ovary suggest that this novel gene may play a critical role in the oocyte maturation of M. nipponense.

Medicinal chemistry of sirtuin inhibitors

As members of Class III histone deacetylases (HDACs), sirtuins use stoichiometric nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) to remove the acetyl group from N-acetyl-lysines of histones or non-histone proteins. Sirtuins have been implicated in metabolic diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, constituting a promising target for drug discovery. While the early sirtuin inhibitors mimicked NAD(+) or substrate peptides, high-throughput and in silico screenings have identified a wide range of core structures, many of which have been subjected to medicinal chemistry efforts. This review outlines inhibitor chemotypes, and their chemical modifications and biological evaluations, highlighting strategies to enhance inhibitory activity and selectivity among isoforms.

Aberrant expression of chromogranin A, miR-146a, and miR-146b-5p in prostate structures with focally disrupted basal cell layers: an early sign of invasion and hormone-refractory cancer?

Our recent studies have suggested that prostate tumor invasion is triggered by autoimmunoreactions induced focal basal cell layer disruptions (FBCLD) that selectively favor monoclonal proliferation of the overlying progenitors or of a biologically more aggressive cell clone. As circulating chromogranin-A (CgA) levels are found to correlate with tumor progression and the status of hormone refractoriness, our current study attempted to assess whether CgA-positive cells would be preferentially distributed in epithelial structures with FBCLD. Paraffin-embedded specimens from 50 patients with organ-confined prostate cancer were subjected to double immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibodies to basal cells and CgA. From each case, 3-5 randomly selected fields were digitally photographed and the photos were magnified 400% and the numbers of CgA-positive cells in epithelial structures with non-disrupted, focally disrupted, and lost basal cell layer were separately counted. The averaged number of cell for each category was statistically compared with the Pearson's Chi-square test. In addition, morphologically similar structures with and without CgA-positive cell clusters were microdissected from four selected cases and subjected to a comparison of differential micro-RNA expression levels. Our study revealed that, although isolated CgA-positive cells were seen in both the basal cell layer and the luminal cell population in all cases, only 8 cases (16%) harbored large clusters of CgA-positive cells that were concentrated in a given area, in which all or nearly all cells appeared to share a similar morphological and immunohistochemical profile. Microdissected epithelial structures with CgA-positive cell clusters exhibited a more than 5- and 7-fold lower expression of miR-146a and miR-146b-5p than their CgA-negative counterparts. As focal basal cell layer disruptions and the reduction or loss of miR-146a and miR-146b-5p has been documented to correlate with prostate tumor invasion and hormone refractoriness, our findings suggest that aberrant CgA expression in epithelial structures with FBCLD may represent an early sign of these events.

Long-term outcomes of late course accelerated hyper-fractionated radiotherapy for localized esophageal carcinoma in Mainland China: a meta-analysis

Published data on the long-term survival results of patients with localized esophageal carcinoma receiving late course accelerated hyper-fractionated radiotherapy (LCAF RT) versus conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CF RT) are inconclusive. In order to derive a more precise estimation of the both treatment-regimes, a meta-analysis based on systematic review of published articles was performed. A meta-analysis was performed using trials identified through Pubmed and Chinese national knowledge infrastructure. Results in 5-year survival and 5-year local control were collected from randomized trials comparing LCAF RT with CF RT. Review Manager (The Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, England) and Stata software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA) were used for data management. A total of 11 trials were involved in this analysis with 572 cases and 567 controls. Our results showed that LCAF RT, compared with CF RT, significantly improved the 5-year survival (odds ratio [OR]= 2.93, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.15-4.00, P < 0.00001) and 5-year local control (OR = 3.96, 95% CI: 2.91-5.38, P < 0.00001). LCAF RT was more therapeutically beneficial than CF RT in the localized esophageal carcinoma.

Comparison of the proliferation, viability, and differentiation capacity of adipose-derived stem cells from different anatomic sites in rabbits

Tissue engineering is clinically promising for missing and damaged tissues. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), a type of mesenchymal stem cells, represent a reliable source of seed cells for tissue engineering with multiple merits such as minimal invasion, abundant yield, little immunity, low morbidity, easy isolation, and rapid expansion. However, because the properties of adipose tissue-derived cells differ depending on the fat depot from which they are derived, we compared the ASCs from three anatomic sites of New Zealand white rabbits: subcutaneous inguinal (SI), subcutaneous dorsocervical (SD), and retroperitoneal perinephric (RP) regions. We investigated cellular behaviors including proliferation, viability, and differentiation. The ASCs of the subcutaneous regions (SI and SD) had higher performances in all assessments compared to those of the RP region. Moreover, the SI and SD ASCs had significant differences, with SI ASCs having better properties than SD ASCs. We conclude that the different anatomic distributions of fat contribute to the different behaviors of ASCs. The SI region offers the most applicable cell source reservoir for ASC tissue engineering.

Predictive Value of Penile Dynamic Colour Duplex Doppler Ultrasound Parameters in Patients with Post-Traumatic Urethral Stricture

This study evaluated dynamic colour duplex Doppler ultrasound (D-CDDU) for the assessment of erectile function in patients with post-traumatic urethral stricture. In total, 44 patients with urethral stricture secondary to trauma were recruited between January 2009 and June 2010. Peak systolic velocity of the cavernosal artery was measured before and after intracavernosal injection (ICI) of 20 mg papaverine and 1 mg phentolamine. Cavernosal artery end-diastolic velocity and resistance index (RI) were evaluated after ICI. Patients with RI ≥ 0.8 had significantly shorter strictures than those with RI < 0.8 after ICI only in cases of posterior urethral stricture. Patients with RI ≥ 0.8 were significantly younger than those with RI < 0.8. Urethral stricture length was negatively correlated with RI ( r = −0.375). Cavernosal artery RI after ICI is a reliable predictor of erectile function in patients with urethral stricture, especially posterior stricture. The patient's age should be considered when using this parameter.

Survival time comparison between Hawley and clear overlay retainers: a randomized trial

The objectives of this study were to compare the survival time of the Hawley retainer (HR) and the clear overlay retainer (COR) over one-year follow-up and to analyze risk factors contributing to their breakage. In this randomized, controlled clinical trial, we assigned 120 adolescent patients to receive either the HR or the COR. All specific data on breakage dates, the reasons for breakage, and the broken parts of the retainers were recorded. A survival analysis was used to describe retainer survival over time. No significant differences were observed in survival times between the 2 groups for either the maxillary retainer (p = 0.254) or the mandibular retainer (p = 0.188). Both retainers tended to fracture, but the fracture locations were different. The findings indicate that clinicians should avoid increasing buccal root torque and reinforce the retainer base plates. Breakage rates may not influence the choice of retainer (Trial Registration number is ChiCTR-TRC-00000055).

The different trajectories of antipsychotic response: antipsychotics versus placebo

BACKGROUND

It is generally accepted that antipsychotics are more effective than placebo. However, it remains unclear whether antipsychotics induce a pattern or trajectory of response that is distinct from placebo. We used a data-driven technique, called growth mixture modelling (GMM), to identify the different patterns of response observed in antipsychotic trials and to determine whether drug-treated and placebo-treated subjects show similar or distinct patterns of response.

METHOD

We examined data on 420 patients with schizophrenia treated for 6 weeks in two double-blind placebo-controlled trials using haloperidol and olanzapine. We used GMM to identify the optimal number of response trajectories; to compare the trajectories in drug-treated versus placebo-treated patients; and to determine whether the trajectories for the different dimensions (positive versus negative symptoms) were identical or different.

RESULTS

Positive symptoms were found to respond along four distinct trajectories, with the two most common trajectories ('Partial responder' and 'Responder') accounting for 70% of the patients and seen proportionally in both drug- and placebo-treated. The most striking drug-placebo difference was in the 'Dramatic responders', seen only among the drug-treated. The response of negative symptoms was more modest and did not show such distinct trajectories.

CONCLUSIONS

Trajectory models of response, rather than the simple responder/non-responder dichotomy, provide a better statistical account of how antipsychotics work. The 'Dramatic responders' (those showing >70% response) were seen only among the drug-treated and make a significant contribution to the overall drug-placebo difference. Identifying and studying this subset may provide specific insight into antipsychotic action.

Intron-1 rs3761548 is related to the defective transcription of Foxp3 in psoriasis through abrogating E47/c-Myb binding

Foxp3 is a master transcription factor (TF) for development and function of CD4(+)CD25(+)Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells (Treg cells) and is critical for the transcription of target genes. But the transcriptional regulation of Foxp3 itself has not been fully understood until now. Here, we aimed to demonstrate the hypothesis that upstream single nucleotide polymorphism(s) (SNPs) of Foxp3 was/were responsible for the defective transcription of Foxp3 in psoriasis and to explore the mechanism behind this hypothesis. In this study, SNP of large sample was investigated for risk analysis. Mature algorithms, electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to identify TF binding site variations. Loss-of-function and overexpression assays and cell cycle blocker assay were performed to identify when and what kind of possible roles the candidate factors play. Our results showed that intron-1 rs3761548 was correlated with a significant susceptibility to psoriasis. The rs3761548 contributed to the decreased resting Foxp3 transcription and impaired acceleration of Foxp3 transcription levels after stimulation in psoriatic patients with genotype AA. We analysed and demonstrated potent new E47/c-Myb -dependent regulation elements in rs3761548, oppositely controlling Foxp3 gene transcription at G1 and G2/M phases of Treg cells in psoriatic patients. For patients with rs3761548 AA, the polymorphism causes loss of bindings to the E47 and c-Myb factors, leading to defective transcription of Foxp3 gene. Further identification of the networks and molecular mechanisms underlying Foxp3 transcription may provide new insights into Foxp3 transcriptional regulation and alternative therapeutic strategies to improve characteristics of autoimmune disorders.

Baifuzi reduces transient ischemic brain damage through an interaction with the STREX domain of BKCa channels

Stroke is a long-term disability and one of the leading causes of death. However, no successful therapeutic intervention is available for the majority of stroke patients. In this study, we explored a traditional Chinese medicine Baifuzi (Typhonium giganteum Engl.). We show, at first, that the ethanol extract of Baifuzi exerts neuroprotective effects against brain damage induced by transient global or focal cerebral ischemia in rats and mice. Second, the extract activated large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) channel (BK(Ca)) channels, and BK(Ca) channel blockade suppressed the neuroprotection of the extract, suggesting that the BK(Ca) is the molecular target of Baifuzi. Third, Baifuzi cerebroside (Baifuzi-CB), purified from its ethanol extract, activated BK(Ca) channels in a manner similar to that of the extract. Fourth, the stress axis hormone-regulated exon (STREX) domain of the BK(Ca) channel directly interacted with Baifuzi-CB, and its deletion suppressed channel activation by Baifuzi-CB. These results indicate that Baifuzi-CB activated the BK(Ca) channel through its direct interaction with the STREX domain of the channel and suggests that Baifuzi-CB merits exploration as a potential therapeutic agent for treating brain ischemia.

IL-17RA aptamer-mediated repression of IL-6 inhibits synovium inflammation in a murine model of osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Generate DNA aptamers to inhibit IL-17RA-mediated synovial inflammation in an experimental mouse model of osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

A novel cell-SELEX method was applied to obtain DNA aptamers specific for IL-17RA. A single-stranded (ss) DNA library with four(30) probes was synthesised. By incubating this library with NIH3T3 cells, we collected DNA ligands that could bind the cell surface. The collected ligands were incubated with IL-17RA-deficient NIH3T3 cells, and unbound ssDNA was harvested from the supernatant for the next round of selection. After 12 cycles, specific aptamers against IL-17RA were generated. For animal experiments, a meniscectomy was performed on Balb/C mice to generate an animal model of OA. Mice received weekly intra-articular (i.a.) injections of aptamers or control treatments for 6 weeks. Synovial membranes were evaluated by histomorphology and the mRNAs of critical inflammatory cytokines were measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

An aptamer termed RA10-6 was obtained that could efficiently block IL-17 binding to IL-17RA in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. Histological examination and quantitative RT-PCR results showed that OA mice that injected with RA10-6, especially in combination with celecoxib demonstrated inhibition of synovial thickening and reduction in IL-6 levels in the synovial tissue.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that RA10-6 can inhibit synovial inflammation by blocking IL-17/IL-17RA-mediated IL-6 expression. RA10-6 acted synergistically with celecoxib to inhibit IL-6 expression in synovial tissues. Thus, aptamers targeting IL-17RA might serve as potent adjunctive agents for the early treatment of OA.