Physiological and molecular changes in plants grown at low temperatures

Apart from water availability, low temperature is the most important environmental factor limiting the productivity and geographical distribution of plants across the world. To cope with cold stress, plant species have evolved several physiological and molecular adaptations to maximize cold tolerance by adjusting their metabolism. The regulation of some gene products represents an additional mechanism of cold tolerance. A consequence of these mechanisms is that plants are able to survive exposure to low temperature via a process known as cold acclimation. In this review, we briefly summarize recent progress in research and hypotheses on how sensitive plants perceive cold. We also explore how this perception is translated into changes within plants following exposure to low temperatures. Particular emphasis is placed on physiological parameters as well as transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation of cold-induced gene products that occur after exposure to low temperatures, leading to cold acclimation.

GsZFP1, a new Cys2/His2-type zinc-finger protein, is a positive regulator of plant tolerance to cold and drought stress

Plant acclimation to environmental stress is controlled by a complex network of regulatory genes that compose distinct stress-response regulons. The C2H2-type zinc-finger proteins (ZFPs) have been implicated in different cellular processes involved in plant development and stress responses. Through microarray analysis, an alkaline (NaHCO(3))-responsive ZFP gene GsZFP1 was identified and subsequently cloned from Glyycine soja. GsZFP1 encodes a 35.14 kDa protein with one C2H2-type zinc-finger motif. The QALGGH domain, conserved in most plant C2H2-type ZFPs, is absent in the GsZFP1 protein sequence. A subcellular localization study using a GFP fusion protein indicated that GsZFP1 is localized to the nucleus. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that GsZFP1 was induced in the leaf by ABA (100 μM), salt (200 mM NaCl), and cold (4°C), and in the root by ABA (100 μM), cold (4°C), and drought (30% PEG 6000). Over-expression of GsZFP1 in transgenic Arabidopsis resulted in a greater tolerance to cold and drought stress, a decreased water loss rate, and an increase in proline irrespective of environmental conditions. The over-expression of GsZFP1 also increased the expression of a number of stress-response marker genes, including CBF1, CBF2, CBF3, NCED3, COR47, and RD29A in response to cold stress and RAB18, NCED3, P5CS, RD22, and RD29A in response to drought stress, especially early during stress treatments. Our studies suggest that GsZFP1 plays a crucial role in the plant response to cold and drought stress.

Intestinal barrier function in health and gastrointestinal disease

Defects in intestinal barrier function are associated with diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. There is growing evidence that increases in intestinal permeability plays a pathogenic role in diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and celiac disease, and functional bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This review takes a unique translational approach to discuss the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the regulation of intestinal barrier function in IBS. The review summarizes the components of the intestinal barrier including the tight junction complex within the epithelium, and the methods used to assess gut permeability both in vitro and in vivo. Throughout the review, the authors have attempted to critically review the latest research from both experimental animal models and human studies to appraise whether intestinal barrier dysfunction is a primary cause of functional GI disorders, such as IBS.…

The association between Barrett's esophagus and Helicobacter pylori infection: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The effect of Helicobacter pylori on Barrett's esophagus is poorly understood. We conducted a meta-analysis to summarize the existing literature examining the effect that H. pylori has on Barrett's esophagus.

DESIGN

 We performed a comprehensive search to identify studies pertaining to the association between H. pylori and Barrett's esophagus. We conducted meta-regression analyses to identify sources of variation in the effect of H. pylori on Barrett's esophagus.

RESULTS

 Our analysis included a total of 49 studies that examined the effect of H. pylori on Barrett's esophagus and seven studies that examined the effect of cag A positivity on Barrett's esophagus. Overall, H. pylori, and even more so cag A, tended to be protective for Barrett's esophagus in most studies; however, there was obvious heterogeneity across studies. The effect of H. pylori on Barrett's esophagus varied by geographic location and in the presence of selection and information biases. Only four studies were found without obvious selection and information bias, and these showed a protective effect of H. pylori on Barrett's esophagus (Relative risk = 0.46 [95% CI: 0.35, 0.60]).

CONCLUSIONS

 Estimates for the effect of H. pylori on Barrett's esophagus were heterogeneous across studies. We identified selection and information bias as potential sources of this heterogeneity. Few studies without obvious selection and information bias have been conducted to examine the effect of H. pylori on Barrett's esophagus, but in these, H. pylori infection is associated with a reduced risk of Barrett's esophagus.

Olfaction in Parkinson's disease and related disorders

Olfactory dysfunction is an early 'pre-clinical' sign of Parkinson's disease (PD). The present review is a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of such dysfunction in PD and related disorders. The olfactory bulb is implicated in the dysfunction, since only those syndromes with olfactory bulb pathology exhibit significant smell loss. The role of dopamine in the production of olfactory system pathology is enigmatic, as overexpression of dopaminergic cells within the bulb's glomerular layer is a common feature of PD and most animal models of PD. Damage to cholinergic, serotonergic, and noradrenergic systems is likely involved, since such damage is most marked in those diseases with the most smell loss. When compromised, these systems, which regulate microglial activity, can influence the induction of localized brain inflammation, oxidative damage, and cytosolic disruption of cellular processes. In monogenetic forms of PD, olfactory dysfunction is rarely observed in asymptomatic gene carriers, but is present in many of those that exhibit the motor phenotype. This suggests that such gene-related influences on olfaction, when present, take time to develop and depend upon additional factors, such as those from aging, other genes, formation of α-synuclein- and tau-related pathology, or lowered thresholds to oxidative stress from toxic insults. The limited data available suggest that the physiological determinants of the early changes in PD-related olfactory function are likely multifactorial and may include the same determinants as those responsible for a number of other non-motor symptoms of PD, such as dysautonomia and sleep disturbances.

Viral infections of the lower respiratory tract

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are a global burden to public health and are frequently caused by respiratory viruses. Advances in molecular diagnostic techniques have allowed the identification of previously undetected viral pathogens and have improved our understanding of respiratory virus infections. Here we review the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of recently identified viruses including human metapneumovirus, human coronaviruses NL63 and HKU1, human rhinovirus C, bocavirus, WU and KI polyomaviruses, and parechovirus. The roles of these viruses in LRTIs in children and adults are discussed.

A Tn antigen binding lectin from Myrsine coriacea displays toxicity in human cancer cell lines

The Tn antigen (GalNAc-O-Ser/Thr) is one of the most specific human cancer-associated structures. In the present study we characterize the biochemical and functional properties of the Myrsine coriacea lectin (McL). We show that McL is an unusual high molecular weight highly glycosylated protein, which displays a strong Tn binding activity. The lectin exhibits in vitro inhibition of proliferation in the six cancer cell lines evaluated, in a dose-dependent manner (the strongest activity being against HT-29 and HeLa cells), whereas it does not exhibit toxicity against normal lymphocytes. McL could be exploited in the design of potential new tools for the diagnosis or treatment of cancer.

Therapeutic targets and recent advances in protein immunotoxins

Targeted therapy has replaced the conventional methods of disease management with the advances in recombinant technology and increased understanding of molecular mechanisms of diseases. The immunotoxin strategy for diseases like cancer and a variety of autoimmune disorders has been used successfully in the past since its discovery. Since bacterial, fungal and plant toxins have various limitations like toxicity and immunogenicity, studies on fully humanized immunotoxins have gained attraction recently, which reduced toxicity significantly. Improved methods of antibody engineering have led to the emergence of various new formats of immunotoxins. This review summarizes the target moieties used in immunotoxin constructs in different diseases and describes the recent advances in immunotoxin targeting.

Early intervention with a small molecule inhibitor for tumor necrosis factor-α prevents cognitive deficits in a triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Chronic neuroinflammation is an important component of Alzheimer's disease and could contribute to neuronal dysfunction, injury and loss that lead to disease progression. Multiple clinical studies implicate tumor necrosis factor-α as an inflammatory mediator of neurodegeneration in patients with Alzheimer's because of elevated levels of this cytokine in the cerebrospinal fluid, hippocampus and cortex. Current Alzheimer's disease interventions are symptomatic treatments with limited efficacy that do not address etiology. Thus, a critical need exists for novel treatments directed towards modifying the pathophysiology and progression.

METHODS

To investigate the effect of early immune modulation on neuroinflammation and cognitive outcome, we treated triple transgenic Alzheimer's disease mice (harboring PS1(M146V), APP(Swe), and tau(P301L) transgenes) with the small molecule tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, 3,6'-dithiothalidomide and thalidomide, beginning at four months of age. At this young age, mice do not exhibit plaque or tau pathology but do show mild intraneuronal amyloid beta protein staining and a robust increase in tumor necrosis factor-α. After 10 weeks of treatment, cognitive performance was assessed using radial arm maze and neuroinflammation was assessed using biochemical, stereological and flow cytometric endpoints.

RESULTS

3,6'-dithiothalidomide reduced tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA and protein levels in the brain and improved working memory performance and the ratio of resting to reactive microglia in the hippocampus of triple transgenic mice. In comparison to non-transgenic controls, triple transgenic Alzheimer's disease mice had increased total numbers of infiltrating peripheral monomyelocytic/granulocytic leukocytes with enhanced intracytoplasmic tumor necrosis factor-α, which was reduced after treatment with 3,6'-dithiothalidomide.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that modulation of tumor necrosis factor-α with small molecule inhibitors is safe and effective with potential for the long-term prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

A conditionally replicating adenovirus carrying interleukin-24 sensitizes melanoma cells to radiotherapy via apoptosis

Combinatorial therapy is the current trend of the development of novel cancer treatments due to the high heterogenous nature of solid tumors. In this study, we investigated the effects of the combined use of a conditionally replicating adenovirus carrying IL-24 (ZD55-IL-24) and radiotherapy on the proliferation and apoptosis of melanoma A375 cells in vitro and in vivo. Compared with either agent used alone, ZD55-IL-24 combined with radiotherapy significantly inhibited cell proliferation, accompanied with increased apoptosis. Radiotherapy did not affect the expression of IL-24 and E1A of ZD55-IL-24-treated cells, but increased the expression of Bax, promoted the activation of caspase-3, while decreasing Bcl-2 levels. Thus, this synergistic effect of ZD55-IL-24 in combination with radiotherapy provides a novel strategy for the development of melanoma therapies, and is a promising approach for further clinical development.

Correlation between percentages of peripheral blood CD4+CXCR5+Tfh cells and those of FoxP3+Treg cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection

AIM: To investigate the correlation between the percentages of blood CD4⁺CXCR5⁺Tfh cells and those of CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺Treg cells in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

METHODS: Fresh peripheral blood samples were collected from 15 chronic asymptomatic HBV carriers (AsC), 42 chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients, of whom 25 were seropositive and 17 seronegative for HBeAg, 11 inactive HBsAg carriers (InC), and 15 healthy controls. The percentages of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺Tfh cells and CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺Treg cells were measured by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: The percentages of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺Tfh cells in total CD4⁺T cells isolated from AsC, HBeAg(+)CHB and HBeAg(-)CHB patients were significantly higher than that from healthy controls [17.66 (15.34%-20.56%), 21.95 (19.60%-26.32%), 22.33 (17.58%-24.85%) vs 13.67 (9.80%-15.32%), all P < 0.001]. The percentages of CD4⁺CXCR5⁺Tfh cells in HBeAg(+)CHB or HBeAg(-)CHB patients were elevated significantly compared to those in AsC or InC patients, 16.11 (12.33%-19.73%), P < 0.05. The percentage of CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺Treg cells in AsC patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls, 7.70 (6.35%-9.13%) vs 6.53 (5.54%-7.35%), P < 0.05. Meanwhile, there was a decreasing tendency of the percentages of CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺Treg cells in HBeAg(+)CHB patients, 7.52 (6.09%-8.49%) compared to AsC patients. A negative correlation was found between the percentages of circulating CD4+CXCR5+Tfh cells and the HBV DNA load (r = -0.275, P < 0.05), while no significant correlation was found between the percentages of circulating CD4⁺CXCR5⁺Tfh cells and ALT or HBsAg levels.

CONCLUSION: CD4⁺CXCR5⁺Tfh cells may participate in chronic HBV-related immune response, and the relative bias between CD4⁺CD25⁺FoxP3⁺Treg cells and CD4⁺CXCR5⁺Tfh cells may correlate with disease activity.

The origin and properties of extracellular DNA: from PAMP to DAMP

DNA is a polymeric macromolecule whose biological activities depend on location as well as binding to associated molecules. Inside the cell, DNA is the source of genetic information and binds histones to form nucleosomes. DNA can exit the cell, however, to enter the extracellular space primarily during cell death, either apoptosis or necrosis, as well as NETosis. While bacterial DNA is a potent immune stimulant by virtue of its CpG motifs, mammalian DNA, which is ordinarily inactive, can acquire activity by associating with nuclear, cytoplasmic and serum proteins which promote its uptake into cells to stimulate internal DNA sensors, including Toll-like receptor 9. Among these proteins, anti-DNA autoantibodies can form immune complexes with DNA to stimulate plasmacytoid dendritic cells to produce type 1 interferon. Together, these findings suggest that the immune properties of DNA are mutable and diverse, reflecting its context and the array of attached molecules.

RETRACTED: Molecular forms of HMGB1 and keratin-18 as mechanistic biomarkers for mode of cell death and prognosis during clinical acetaminophen hepatotoxicity

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Full length keratin-18 (FL-K18) and High Mobility Group Box-1 (HMGB1) represent circulating indicators of necrosis during acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity in vivo. In addition, the caspase-cleaved fragment of K18 (cK18) and hyper-acetylated HMGB1 represent serum indicators of apoptosis and immune cell activation, respectively. The study aim was to assess their mechanistic utility to establish the balance between apoptosis, necrosis, and immune cell activation throughout the time course of clinical APAP hepatotoxicity.

METHODS

HMGB1 (total, acetylated) and K18 (apoptotic, necrotic) were identified and quantified by novel LC-MS/MS assays in APAP overdose patients (n=78).

RESULTS

HMGB1 (total; 15.4±1.9ng/ml, p<0.01, acetylated; 5.4±2.6ng/ml, p<0.001), cK18 (5649.8±721.0U/L, p<0.01), and FL-K18 (54770.2±6717.0U/L, p<0.005) were elevated in the sera of APAP overdose patients with liver injury compared to overdose patients without liver injury and healthy volunteers. HMGB1 and FL-K18 correlated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity (R(2)=0.60 and 0.58, respectively, p<0.0001) and prothrombin time (R(2)=0.62 and 0.71, respectively, p<0.0001). Increased total and acetylated HMGB1 and FL-K18 were associated with worse prognosis (King's College Criteria) or patients that died/required liver transplant compared to spontaneous survivors (all p<0.05-0.001), a finding not reflected by ALT and supported by ROC analysis. Acetylated HMGB1 was a better predictor of outcome than the other markers of cell death.

CONCLUSIONS

K18 and HMGB1 represent blood-based tools to investigate the cell death balance clinical APAP hepatotoxicity. Activation of the immune response was seen later in the time course as shown by the distinct profile of acetylated HMGB1 and was associated with worse outcome.

Role of the frequency of blood CD4(+) CXCR5(+) CCR6(+) T cells in autoimmunity in patients with Sjögren's syndrome

The blood CD4(+) CXCR5(+) T cells, known as "circulating" Tfh, have been shown to efficiently induce naïve B cells to produce immunoglobulin. They play an important role in certain autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we show for the first time that the frequency of CD4(+) CXCR5(+) T cells is increased in pSS patients and positively correlated with autoantibodies in the blood. The concentration of Th17-like subsets (CD4(+) CXCR5(+) CCR6(+)) in pSS patients was found to be significantly higher than in healthy controls. Functional assays showed that activated Th17-like subtypes in the blood display the key features of Tfh cells, including invariably coexpressed PD-1, ICOS, CD40L and IL-21. Th17 subsets were found to highly express Bcl-6 protein and Th1 and Th2 were not. Bcl-6 is believed to be a master transforming factor for Tfh cell differentiation and facilitate B cell proliferation and somatic hypermutation within the germinal center. These data indicate that Th17 subsets of CD4(+) CXCR5(+) T cells in the blood may participate in the antibody-related immune responses and that high frequency of CD4(+) CXCR5(+) CCR6(+) Tfh cells in blood may be suitable biomarkers for the evaluation of the active immune stage of pSS patients. It might provide insights into the pathogenesis and perhaps help researchers identify novel therapeutic targets for pSS.

Antiangiogenic and anticancer molecules in cartilage

Cartilage is one of the very few naturally occurring avascular tissues where lack of angiogenesis is the guiding principle for its structure and function. This has attracted investigators who have sought to understand the biochemical basis for its avascular nature, hypothesising that it could be used in designing therapies for treating cancer and related malignancies in humans through antiangiogenic applications. Cartilage encompasses primarily a specialised extracellular matrix synthesised by chondrocytes that is both complex and unique as a result of the myriad molecules of which it is composed. Of these components, a few such as thrombospondin-1, chondromodulin-1, the type XVIII-derived endostatin, SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) and the type II collagen-derived N-terminal propeptide (PIIBNP) have demonstrated antiangiogenic or antitumour properties in vitro and in vivo preclinical trials that involve several complicated mechanisms that are not completely understood. Thrombospondin-1, endostatin and the shark-cartilage-derived Neovastat preparation have also been investigated in human clinical trials to treat several different kinds of cancers, where, despite the tremendous success seen in preclinical trials, these molecules are yet to show success as anticancer agents. This review summarises the current state-of-the-art antiangiogenic characterisation of these molecules, highlights their most promising aspects and evaluates the future of these molecules in antiangiogenic applications.

MicroRNAs and lung cancers: from pathogenesis to clinical implications

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US and worldwide. Better understanding of the disease is warranted for improvement in clinical management. Here we summarize the functions of small-RNA-based, posttranscriptional gene regulators, i.e. microRNAs, in the pathogenesis of lung cancers. We discuss the microRNAs that play oncogenic as well as tumor suppressive roles. We also touch on the value of microRNAs as markers for diagnosis, prognosis and the promising field of microRNA-based novel therapies for lung cancers.

Transient receptor potential melastatin-related 7 channel is overexpressed in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas and regulates human pancreatic cancer cell migration

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer with a tendency to invade surrounding healthy tissues, leading to a largely incurable disease. Despite many advances in modern medicine, there is still a lack of early biomarkers as well as efficient therapeutical strategies. The melastatin-related transient receptor potential 7 channel (TRPM7) is a nonselective cation channel that is involved in maintaining Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) homeostasis. It has been recently reported to regulate cell differentiation, proliferation and migration. However, the role of TRPM7 in PDAC progression is far to be understood. In our study, we show that TRPM7 is 13-fold overexpressed in cancer tissues compared to the healthy ones. Furthermore, TRPM7 staining is stronger in tumors with high grade, suggesting a correlation between TRPM7 expression and PDAC progression. Importantly, TRPM7 expression is inversely related to patient survival. In BxPC-3 cell line, dialyzing the cytoplasm during the patch-clamp whole-cell recording with a 0-Mg(2+) solution activated a nonselective current with a strong outward rectification. This cation current is inhibited by intracellular Mg(2+) and by TRPM7 silencing. The downregulation of TRPM7 by small interference RNA dramatically inhibited intracellular Mg(2+) fluorescence and cell migration without affecting cell proliferation, suggesting that TRPM7 contributes to Mg(2+) entry and cell migration. Moreover, external Mg(2+) following TRPM7 silencing fully restored the cell migration. In summary, our results indicate that TRPM7 is involved in the BxPC-3 cell migration via a Mg(2+)-dependent mechanism and may be a potential biomarker of poor prognosis of PDAC.

Is TNF a link between aging-related reproductive endocrine dyscrasia and Alzheimer's disease?

This commentary addresses a novel mechanism by which aging-related changes in reproductive hormones could mediate their action in the brain. It presents the evidence that dyotic endocrine signals modulate the expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and related cytokines, and that these cytokines are a functionally important downstream link mediating neurodegeneration and dysfunction. This convergence of dyotic signaling on TNF-mediated degeneration and dysfunction has important implications for understanding the pathophysiology of AD, stroke, and traumatic brain disease, and also for the treatment of these diseases.

Hepatitis B surface antigen variants in voluntary blood donors in Nanjing, China

Background

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is still one of the serious infectious risks for the blood transfusion safety in China. One plausible reason is the emergence of the variants in the major antigenic alpha determinant within the major hydrophilic region (MHR) of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), which have been assumed to evade the immune surveillance and pose a challenge to the disease diagnosis. It is well documented that some commercial ELISA kits could detect the wild-type but not the mutant viruses. The high prevalence of HBV in China also impaired the application of nucleic acid testing (NAT) in the improvement of blood security. Molecular epidemiological study of HBsAg variations in China is still limited. This study was designed to identify the prevalence of mutations in the HBsAg in voluntary blood donors in Nanjing, China.

Methods

A total of 20,326 blood units were enrolled in this study, 39 donors were positive for HBV S gene in the nested-PCR. Mutations in the major hydrophilic region (MHR; aa 99-169) were identified by direct sequencing of S region.

Results

Among of 20,326 blood units in the Red Cross Transfusion Center of Nanjing from October 2008 to April 2009, 296 samples (1.46%, 296/20,326) were HBsAg positive in the 2 successive rounds of the ELISA test. In these HBsAg positive units, HBV S gene could be successfully amplified from 39 donors (13.18%, 39/296) in the nested-PCR. Sequence analysis revealed that 32 strains (82.1%, 32/39) belong to genotype B, 7 strains (17.9%, 7/39) to genotype C. Besides well known G145R, widely dispersed variations in the MHR of S region, were observed in 20 samples of all the strains sequenced.

Conclusions

HBV/B and HBV/C are dominant in Nanjing, China. The mutations in the MHR of HBsAg associated with disease diagnosis are common.

Amelioration of glucolipotoxicity-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress by a "chemical chaperone" in human THP-1 monocytes

Chronic ER stress is emerging as a trigger that imbalances a number of systemic and arterial-wall factors and promote atherosclerosis. Macrophage apoptosis within advanced atherosclerotic lesions is also known to increase the risk of atherothrombotic disease. We hypothesize that glucolipotoxicity might mediate monocyte activation and apoptosis through ER stress. Therefore, the aims of this study are (a) to investigate whether glucolipotoxicity could impose ER stress and apoptosis in THP-1 human monocytes and (b) to investigate whether 4-Phenyl butyric acid (PBA), a chemical chaperone could resist the glucolipotoxicity-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Cells subjected to either glucolipotoxicity or tunicamycin exhibited increased ROS generation, gene and protein (PERK, GRP-78, IRE1α, and CHOP) expression of ER stress markers. In addition, these cells showed increased TRPC-6 channel expression and apoptosis as revealed by DNA damage and increased caspase-3 activity. While glucolipotoxicity/tunicamycin increased oxidative stress, ER stress, mRNA expression of TRPC-6, and programmed the THP-1 monocytes towards apoptosis, all these molecular perturbations were resisted by PBA. Since ER stress is one of the underlying causes of monocyte dysfunction in diabetes and atherosclerosis, our study emphasize that chemical chaperones such as PBA could alleviate ER stress and have potential to become novel therapeutics.

Modulation of cellular responses on engineered polyurethane implants

An in vivo rat cage implant system was used to study the effect of polyurethane surface chemistries on protein adsorption, macrophage adhesion, foreign-body giant cell formation (FBGCs), cellular apoptosis, and cytokine response. Polyurethanes with zwitterionic, anionic, and cationic chemistries were developed. The changes in the surface topography of the materials were determined using atomic force microscopy and the wettability by dynamic contact angle measurements. The in vitro protein adsorption studies revealed higher protein adsorption on cationic surfaces when compared with the base, while adsorption was significantly reduced on zwitterionic (**p < 0.01) and anionic (*p < 0.05) polyurethanes. Analysis of the exudates surrounding the materials revealed no differences between surfaces in the types or levels of cells present. Conversely, the proportion of adherent cells undergoing apoptosis, as determined by annexin V-FITC staining, increased significantly on anionic followed by zwitterionic surfaces (60 + 5.0 and 38 + 3.7%) when compared with the base. Additionally, zwitterionic and anionic substrates provided decreased rates of macrophage adhesion and fusion into FBGCs, whereas cationic surfaces promoted macrophage adhesion and FBGC formation. Visualization of the F-actin cytoskeleton by Alexa Fluor 488 phalloidin showed a significant delay in the cytoskeletal fusion response on zwitterionic and the anionic surfaces. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-10) and pro-wound healing cytokines (IL-4 and TGF-β) revealed differential cytokine responses. Cationic substrates that triggered stimulation of TNF-α and IL-4 were associated with more spread cells and higher FBGCs, whereas zwitterionic and anionic substrates that suppressed these cytokines levels were associated with less spread cells and few FBGCs. These studies have revealed that zwitterionic and anionic polyurethane surface chemistries can not only reduce nonspecific adhesion, fusion, and inflammatory events but also effectively promote cellular apoptosis in vivo.

Structural olfactory nerve changes in patients suffering from idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Background

Complications of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) are usually caused by elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). In a similar way as in the optic nerve, elevated ICP could also compromise the olfactory nerve system. On the other side, there is growing evidence that an extensive lymphatic network system around the olfactory nerves could be disturbed in cerebrospinal fluid disorders like IIH. The hypothesis that patients with IIH suffer from hyposmia has been suggested in the past. However, this has not been proven in clinical studies yet. This pilot study investigates whether structural changes of the olfactory nerve system can be detected in patients with IIH.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Twenty-three patients with IIH and 23 matched controls were included. Olfactory bulb volume (OBV) and sulcus olfactorius (OS) depth were calculated by magnetic resonance techniques. While mean values of total OBV (128.7±38.4 vs. 130.0±32.6 mm³, p=0.90) and mean OS depth (8.5±1.2 vs. 8.6±1.1 mm, p=0.91) were similar in both groups, Pearson correlation showed that patients with a shorter medical history IIH revealed a smaller OBV (r=0.53, p<0.01). In untreated symptomatic patients (n=7), the effect was greater (r=0.76, p<0.05). Patients who suffered from IIH for less than one year (n=8), total OBV was significantly smaller than in matched controls (116.6±24.3 vs. 149.3±22.2 mm³, p=0.01). IIH patients with visual disturbances (n=21) revealed a lower OS depth than patients without (8.3±0.9 vs. 10.8±1.0 mm, p<0.01).

Conclusions/Significance

The results suggest that morphological changes of the olfactory nerve system could be present in IIH patients at an early stage of disease.

Helicobacter pylori: Eradication or Preservation

Helicobacter pylori infects about 50% of the world's population and inevitably results in the development of gastritis. Of those infected, about 10% develop peptic ulcer disease and roughly 1% develop gastric cancer. Conversely, some take the view that H. pylori infection provides some protection against gastro-esophageal reflux disease and possibly asthma. This review aims to explore the case for and against eradication of the bacterium using a "test and treat" approach amongst the general population.

Genetic variation in IL28B and treatment outcome in HBeAg-positive and -negative chronic hepatitis B patients treated with Peg interferon alfa-2a and adefovir

In a cohort of 95 chronic hepatitis B patients, who were treated with peg-interferon and adefovir for 1 year, and who had 15% HBsAg loss (overall), no association was found between IL28B polymorphisms and HBeAg seroconversion or HBsAg clearance. These findings suggest that any association with outcome, if present, is less than that seen in chronic hepatitis C. Additional studies are needed to enlarge sample size and to refine our understanding of IL28B biology in the context of chronic hepatitis B response to immunomodulatory and direct antiviral therapy.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure in chronic hepatitis B

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is most commonly caused by acute severe exacerbation of CHB. The pathophysiology of ACLF in CHB is still poorly understood. Despite the identification of important predisposing factors and prognostic markers, ACLF in CHB remains a disease associated with high mortality. The majority of studies using nucleoside analog therapy did not show any significant improvement in survival, although larger prospective studies are needed. Liver transplantation is the definitive treatment for ACLF in CHB. The challenge ahead would be prognosticating cases with favorable or unfavorable outcomes in order to streamline patients for early transplantation or for medical therapy.

Chromaffin cells: the peripheral brain

Chromaffin cells probably are the most intensively studied of the neural crest derivates. They are closely related to the nervous system, share with neurons some fundamental mechanisms and thus were the ideal model to study the basic mechanisms of neurobiology for many years. The lessons we have learned from chromaffin cell biology as a peripheral model for the brain and brain diseases pertain more than ever to the cutting edge research in neurobiology. Here, we highlight how studying this cell model can help unravel the basic mechanisms of cell renewal and regeneration both in the central nervous system (CNS) and neuroendocrine tissue and also can help in designing new strategies for regenerative therapies of the CNS.

MicroRNAs As Biomarkers For Clinical Features Of Lung Cancer

Each year about 1.4 million people die from lung cancer worldwide. Despite efforts in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, survival rate remains poor for this disease. This unfortunate situation is largely due to the fact that a high proportion of cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, highlighting the great need for identifying new biomarkers in order to improve early diagnosis and treatment. Recent studies on microRNAs have not only shed light on their involvement in tumor development and progression, but also suggested their potential utility as biomarkers for subtype diagnostics, staging and prediction of treatment response. This review article summarizes the impact of microRNAs on lung cancer biology, and highlights their role in the detection and classification of lung cancer as well as direct targets for drug development.

Comparison of a Chinese Herbal Medicine (CCH1) and Lactulose as First-Line Treatment of Constipation in Long-Term Care: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Double-Dummy, and Placebo-Controlled Trial

Many institutionalized patients and their healthcare providers are dissatisfied with current laxative therapy. This study compared therapeutic efficacy, safety, and laxative cost of an herbal formula (CCH1) and lactulose for long stay patients with constipation. In this double-blind, double-dummy, and placebo-controlled trial, we randomized 93 residents with chronic constipation from two long-term care facilities in Taiwan to receive either CCH1 with lactulose placebo or CCH1 placebo with lactulose for 8 weeks, then followed up for 4 weeks without study medication. Both treatments were effective and well tolerated for patients, but CCH1 produced more spontaneous bowel movements, less rectal treatments, less amount of rescue laxative, and lower laxative cost than lactulose during treatment. No significant differences were found in stool consistency, stool amount, global assessment, and safety concerns. In conclusion, our results suggest that CCH1 may have better efficacy and could be used as an alternative option to lactulose in the treatment of constipation in long-term care.

Rutin inhibits β-amyloid aggregation and cytotoxicity, attenuates oxidative stress, and decreases the production of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, multi-factorial neurodegenerative disease. The aggregation of soluble β-amyloid (Aβ) into fibrillar deposits is a pathological hallmark of AD. The Aβ aggregate-induced neurotoxicity, inflammatory reactions, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide (NO) generation are strongly linked to the etiology of AD. Here, we show that the common dietary flavonoid, rutin, can dose-dependently inhibit Aβ42 fibrillization and attenuate Aβ42-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Moreover, rutin decreases the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO, glutathione disulfide (GSSG), and malondialdehyde (MDA), reduces inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity, attenuates mitochondrial damage, increases the glutathione (GSH)/GSSG ratio, enhances the activities of super oxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and modulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines by decreasing TNF-α and IL-1β generation in microglia. Taken together, the actions of rutin on multiple pathogenic factors deserves further investigation for the prevention and treatment of AD.

GPCRs and cancer

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which represent the largest gene family in the human genome, play a crucial role in multiple physiological functions as well as in tumor growth and metastasis. For instance, various molecules like hormones, lipids, peptides and neurotransmitters exert their biological effects by binding to these seven-transmembrane receptors coupled to heterotrimeric G-proteins, which are highly specialized transducers able to modulate diverse signaling pathways. Furthermore, numerous responses mediated by GPCRs are not dependent on a single biochemical route, but result from the integration of an intricate network of transduction cascades involved in many physiological activities and tumor development. This review highlights the emerging information on the various responses mediated by a selected choice of GPCRs and the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors exert a primary action in cancer progression. These findings provide a broad overview on the biological activity elicited by GPCRs in tumor cells and contribute to the identification of novel pharmacological approaches for cancer patients.

Reflux and sex: what drives testing, what drives treatment?

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) affects ∼10-20% of American adults. Although symptoms are equally common in men and women, we hypothesized that sex influences diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in patients with GER. PubMed database between 1997 and October 2011 was searched for English language studies describing symptoms, consultative visits, endoscopic findings, use and results of ambulatory pH study, and surgical therapy for GER. Using data from Nationwide Inpatient Sample, Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, we determined the sex distribution for admissions and reflux surgery between 1997 and 2008. Studies on symptoms or consultative visits did not show sex-specific differences. Even though women are less likely to have esophagitis or Barrett's esophagus, endoscopic studies enrolled as many women as men, and women were more likely to undergo ambulatory pH studies with a female predominance in studies from the US. Surgical GER treatment is more commonly performed in men. However, studies from the US showed an equal sex distribution, with Nationwide Inpatient Sample data demonstrating an increase in women who accounted for 63% of the annual fundoplications in 2008. Despite less common or severe mucosal disease, women are more likely to undergo invasive diagnostic testing. In the US, women are also more likely to undergo antireflux surgery. These results suggest that healthcare-seeking behavior and socioeconomic factors rather than the biology of disease influence the clinical approaches to reflux disease.

The role and pathophysiological relevance of membrane transporter PepT1 in intestinal inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease

Intestinal inflammation is characterized by epithelial disruption, leading to loss of barrier function and the recruitment of immune cells, including neutrophils. Although the mechanisms are not yet completely understood, interactions between environmental and immunological factors are thought to be critical in the initiation and progression of intestinal inflammation. In recent years, it has become apparent that the di/tripeptide transporter PepT1 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of such inflammation. In healthy individuals, PepT1 is primarily expressed in the small intestine and transports di/tripeptides for metabolic purposes. However, during chronic inflammation such as that associated with inflammatory bowel disease, PepT1 expression is upregulated in the colon, wherein the protein is normally expressed either minimally or not at all. Several recent studies have shown that PepT1 binds to and transports various bacterial di/tripeptides into colon cells, leading to activation of downstream proinflammatory responses via peptide interactions with innate immune receptors. In the present review, we examine the relationship between colonic PepT1-mediated peptide transport in the colon and activation of innate immune responses during disease. It is important to understand the mechanisms of PepT1 action during chronic intestinal inflammation to develop future therapies addressing inappropriate immune activation in the colon.

Effects of oral finasteride on erectile function in a rat model

INTRODUCTION

Many clinical studies reported finasteride-related erectile dysfunction, but to date, few animal experiments have focused on it.

AIM

To investigate the effects of oral finasteride on erectile function in a rat model.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Erectile responses and morphological changes.

METHODS

Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (25/group): (i) control; (ii) castration; (iii) castration with testosterone (T) replacement; and (iv) oral finasteride treatment. Four weeks later, erectile function was measured by the ratio of intracavernosal pressure and mean arterial blood pressure upon electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. Serum T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and intraprostatic DHT were measured. The weights and histopathological features of the penile corpus cavernosum and prostate were examined.

RESULTS

Serum T and DHT and intraprostatic DHT concentrations, erectile function, and mean weights of the corpus cavernosum and prostate were lowest in group 2. There was no significant difference in the serum T concentration and erectile function between groups 4 and 1. However, the serum and intraprostatic DHT concentrations were significantly lower in group 4 than in group 1 (both P < 0.001). The tissue weights of the corpus cavernosum and prostate were reduced by 25.9% and 92.3% in group 4 compared with group 1 (both P < 0.001). Histopathology revealed a significant atrophy of the prostate in groups 2 and 4. There was a significant decrease in the smooth muscle content in group 2, but not in groups 3 and 4.

CONCLUSIONS

In a rat model, finasteride treatment for 4 weeks reduces the weight of the corpus cavernosum but appears not to affect the erectile responses to electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. As erection is a complex process involving important signaling in the brain, further studies are necessary to demonstrate the long-term effects of finasteride on both central and peripheral neural pathways of erection.

Advances in understanding the relationship between lipid metabolism and colorectal carcinoma

In recent years, the morbidity and mortality of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) have been increasing and it has become a serious threat to human health. In the research of the development of CRC, more and more researchers are concerned about the relationship between lipid metabolism and CRC. High-fat diets are more likely to cause CRC. Different types of lipids may play an opposite role in the formation and development of CRC. There are various hypotheses explaining the effect of lipid metabolism on the pathogenesis of CRC, and further studies are needed to confirm them. Elucidation of the relationship between lipid metabolism and CRC will be beneficial to the diagnosis and therapy of this malignancy.

Mediation of glucolipotoxicity in INS-1 rat insulinoma cells by small heterodimer partner interacting leucine zipper protein (SMILE)

Sustained elevations of glucose and free fatty acid concentration have deleterious effects on pancreatic beta cell function. One of the hallmarks of such glucolipotoxicity is a reduction in insulin gene expression, resulting from decreased insulin promoter activity. Sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), a lipogenic transcription factor, is related to the development of beta cell dysfunction caused by elevated concentrations of glucose and free fatty acid. Small heterodimer partner (SHP) interacting leucine zipper protein (SMILE), also known as Zhangfei, is a novel protein which interacts with SHP that mediates glucotoxicity in INS-1 rat insulinoma cells. Treatment of INS-1 cells with high concentrations of glucose and palmitate increased SREBP-1c and SMILE expression, and decreased insulin gene expression. Adenovirus-mediated overexpression of SREBP-1c in INS-1 cells induced SMILE expression. Moreover, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of SMILE (Ad-SMILE) in INS-1 cells impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion as well as insulin gene expression. Ad-SMILE overexpression also inhibited the expression of beta-cell enriched transcription factors including pancreatic duodenal homeobox factor-1, beta cell E box transactivator 2 and RIPE3b1/MafA, in INS-1 cells. Finally, in COS-1 cells, expression of SMILE inhibited the insulin promoter activity induced by these same beta-cell enriched transcription factors. These results collectively suggest that SMILE plays an important role in the development of beta cell dysfunction induced by glucolipotoxicity.

Identification of miR-508-3p and miR-509-3p that are associated with cell invasion and migration and involved in the apoptosis of renal cell carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as powerful regulators of multiple processes linked to human cancer, including cell apoptosis, proliferation and migration, suggesting that the regulation of miRNA function could play a critical role in cancer progression. Recent studies have found that human serum/plasma contains stably expressed miRNAs. If they prove indicative of disease states, miRNAs measured from peripheral blood samples may be a source for routine clinical detection of cancer. Our studies showed that both miR-508-3p and miR-509-3p were down-regulated in renal cancer tissues. The level of miR-508-3p but not miR-509-3p in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patient plasma demonstrated significant differences from that in control plasma. In addition, the overexpression of miR-508-3p and miR-509-3p suppressed the proliferation of RCC cells (786-0), induced cell apoptosis and inhibited cell migration in vitro. Our data demonstrated that miR-508-3p and miR-509-3p played an important role as tumor suppressor genes during tumor formation and that they may serve as novel diagnostic markers for RCC.

Pericellular pH homeostasis is a primary function of the Warburg effect: inversion of metabolic systems to control lactate steady state in tumor cells

The Warburg effect describes a heightened propensity of tumor cells to produce lactic acid in the presence or absence of O(2) . A generally held notion is that the Warburg effect is related to energy. Using whole-genome, proteomic MALDI-TOF-MS and metabolite analysis, we investigated the Warburg effect in malignant neuroblastoma N2a cells. The findings show that the Warburg effect serves a functional role in regulating acidic pericellular pH (pHe), which is mediated by metabolic inversion or a fluctuating dominance between glycolytic-rate substrate level phosphorylation (SLP) and mitochondrial (mt) oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to control lactic acid production. The results also show that an alkaline pHe caused an elevation in SLP/OXPHOS ratio (approximately 98% SLP/OXPHOS); while the ratio was approximately 56% at neutral pHe and approximately 93% in acidic pHe. Acidic pHe paralleled greater expression of mitochondrial biogenesis and OXPHOS genes, such as complex III-V (Uqcr10, Atp5 and Cox7c), mt Fmc1, Romo1, Tmem 173, Tomm6, aldehyde dehydrogenase, mt Sod2 mt biogenesis component PPAR-γ co-activator 1 adjunct to loss of mt fission (Mff). Moreover, acidic pHe corresponded to metabolic efficiency evidenced by a rise in mTOR nutrient sensor GβL, its downstream target (Eif4ebp1), insulin modulators (Trib3 and Fetub) and loss of catabolic (Hadhb, Bdh1 and Pygl)/glycolytic processes (aldolase C, pyruvate kinase, Nampt and aldose-reductase). In contrast, alkaline pHe initiated loss of mitofusin 2, complex II-IV (Sdhaf1, Uqcrq, Cox4i2 and Aldh1l2), aconitase, mitochondrial carrier triple repeat 1 and mt biosynthetic (Coq2, Coq5 and Coq9). In conclusion, the Warburg effect might serve as a negative feedback loop that regulates the pHe toward a broad acidic range by altering lactic acid production through inversion of metabolic systems. These effects were independent of changes in O(2) concentration or glucose supply.

Microglia function in Alzheimer's disease

Contrary to early views, we now know that systemic inflammatory/immune responses transmit to the brain. The microglia, the resident "macrophages" of the brain's innate immune system, are most responsive, and increasing evidence suggests that they enter a hyper-reactive state in neurodegenerative conditions and aging. As sustained over-production of microglial pro-inflammatory mediators is neurotoxic, this raises great concern that systemic inflammation (that also escalates with aging) exacerbates or possibly triggers, neurological diseases (Alzheimer's, prion, motoneuron disease). It is known that inflammation has an essential role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), since amyloid-β (Aβ) is able to activate microglia, initiating an inflammatory response, which could have different consequences for neuronal survival. On one hand, microglia may delay the progression of AD by contributing to the clearance of Aβ, since they phagocyte Aβ and release enzymes responsible for Aβ degradation. Microglia also secrete growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines, which are neuroprotective. In addition, microglia removal of damaged cells is a very important step in the restoration of the normal brain environment, as if left such cells can become potent inflammatory stimuli, resulting in yet further tissue damage. On the other hand, as we age microglia become steadily less efficient at these processes, tending to become over-activated in response to stimulation and instigating too potent a reaction, which may cause neuronal damage in its own right. Therefore, it is critical to understand the state of activation of microglia in different AD stages to be able to determine the effect of potential anti-inflammatory therapies. We discuss here recent evidence supporting both the beneficial or detrimental performance of microglia in AD, and the attempt to find molecules/biomarkers for early diagnosis or therapeutic interventions.

Effect of D-alanine in teichoic acid from the Streptococcus thermophilus cell wall on the barrier-protection of intestinal epithelial cells

D-Alanylation of teichoic acid (TA) affects various functions of Gram-positive bacteria, including immunomodulatory effects. We investigated in this study the impact of D-alanine (D-Ala) in TA from Streptococcus thermophilus ATCC 19258(T) on the barrier-protecting effect in human intestinal Caco-2 cells. ATCC 19258(T) suppressed the tumor necrosis factor-α-induced decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (TER), an indicator of the barrier function. The D-alanylation of TA in ATCC 19258(T) was growth phase- and culture temperature-dependent. Treatment of ATCC 19258(T) with Mg(2+) decreased the dlt mRNA expression and D-Ala content in TA and also abolished the suppressive effect on the TER decrease. Supplementation with L-alanine (L-Ala) to the broth led to an increase of D-Ala in ATCC 19258(T) and of the intestinal barrier-protecting effect. Taken together, D-Ala in TA played an important role in the barrier-protecting effect of S. thermophilus in the intestinal epithelium, and these beneficial effects could be enhanced by exogenous L-Ala.

Involvement of the mannose receptor and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway of the microdomain of the integral membrane protein after enteropathogenic Escherichia coli infection

The microdomain of the integral membrane protein (MIMP) has been shown to adhere to mucin and to antagonize the adhesion of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) to epithelial cells; however, the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we further identified the receptor of MIMP on NCM460 cells and investigated the mechanism (the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase [MAPK] pathway) following the interaction of MIMP and its corresponding receptor, mannose receptor. We first identified the target receptor of MIMP on the surfaces of NCM460 cells using immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry technology. We also verified the mannose receptor and examined the degradation and activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. The results indicated that MIMP adhered to NCM460 cells by binding to the mannose receptor and inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK stimulated after EPEC infection via inhibition of the Toll-like receptor 5 pathway. These findings indicated that MIMPs relieve the injury of NCM460 cells after enteropathogenic E. coli infection through the mannose receptor and inhibition of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, both of which may therefore be potential therapeutic targets for intestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease.

A Novel prognostic scoring system to predict 3-month mortality risk in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure in hepatitis B: a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

The present study was done to establish an objective, sensitive prognostic scoring system and to determine the applicability of this model in predicting the 3-month mortality of patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure in hepatitis B (ACLFB).

METHODS

We developed a novel prognostic scoring system, calculated from six clinical indices including serum total bilirubin, prothrombin activity, serum creatinine, hepatic encephalopathy, infections, and the depth of ascites from 499 patients with ACLFB. Differences in the sensitivity, specificity, and practicality of a Novel prognostic scoring system and the model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) for the Novel scoring systems and MELD scoring systems were 0.967 (95% CI, 0.956-0.977) and 0.900 (95% CI, 0.878-0.922), respectively. The analysis of the ROC curve indicated that the Novel scoring systems were an exact, pertinent, and objective prognostic model with greater accuracy than the MELD. In the Novel scoring systems, the survival rate of these patients whose scores ranged from 2 to 6 was 98.80%, while for those whose scores point at 7 and 15, the mortality rates were 8.70% (2/23) and 95.45% (21/22), respectively, and the mortality rate of these patients whose scores were 16 and above was 100.00%. However, in the MELD prognostic scoring systems, there were no score ranges with 100.00% survival rate.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed an objective, pertinent, and sensitive prognostic scoring system that predicted the 3-month mortality of patients with ACLFB with greater accuracy than the MELD.

MetastamiRs: non-coding MicroRNAs driving cancer invasion and metastasis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs of ~22 nucleotides that function as negative regulators of gene expression by either inhibiting translation or inducing deadenylation-dependent degradation of target transcripts. Notably, deregulation of miRNAs expression is associated with the initiation and progression of human cancers where they act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors contributing to tumorigenesis. Abnormal miRNA expression may provide potential diagnostic and prognostic tumor biomarkers and new therapeutic targets in cancer. Recently, several miRNAs have been shown to initiate invasion and metastasis by targeting multiple proteins that are major players in these cellular events, thus they have been denominated as metastamiRs. Here, we present a review of the current knowledge of miRNAs in cancer with a special focus on metastamiRs. In addition we discuss their potential use as novel specific markers for cancer progression.

MicroRNAs - Important Molecules in Lung Cancer Research

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are important regulators of gene expression. They are involved in many physiological processes ensuring the cellular homeostasis of human cells. Alterations of the miRNA expression have increasingly been associated with pathophysiologic changes of cancer cells making miRNAs currently to one of the most analyzed molecules in cancer research. Here, we provide an overview of miRNAs in lung cancer. Specifically, we address biological functions of miRNAs in lung cancer cells, miRNA signatures generated from tumor tissue and from patients’ body fluids, the potential of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for lung cancer, and its role as therapeutic target.

Protons and Ca2+: ionic allies in tumor progression?

Ion channels and G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) play a fundamental role in cancer progression by influencing Ca(2+) influx and signaling pathways in transformed cells. Transformed cells thrive in a hostile environment that is characterized by extracellular acidosis that promotes the pathological phenotype. The pathway(s) by which extracellular protons achieve this remain unclear. Here, a role for proton-sensing ion channels and GPCRs as mediators of the effects of extracellular protons in cancer cells is discussed.

Parkinson's disease therapeutics: new developments and challenges since the introduction of levodopa

The demonstration that dopamine loss is the key pathological feature of Parkinson's disease (PD), and the subsequent introduction of levodopa have revolutionalized the field of PD therapeutics. This review will discuss the significant progress that has been made in the development of new pharmacological and surgical tools to treat PD motor symptoms since this major breakthrough in the 1960s. However, we will also highlight some of the challenges the field of PD therapeutics has been struggling with during the past decades. The lack of neuroprotective therapies and the limited treatment strategies for the nonmotor symptoms of the disease (ie, cognitive impairments, autonomic dysfunctions, psychiatric disorders, etc.) are among the most pressing issues to be addressed in the years to come. It appears that the combination of early PD nonmotor symptoms with imaging of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system offers a promising path toward the identification of PD biomarkers, which, once characterized, will set the stage for efficient use of neuroprotective agents that could slow down and alter the course of the disease.