Expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes of depressed and nondepressed individuals

The effect of 5-α reductase inhibitor on Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell-related inflammatory response in BPH

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of 5-α reductase inhibitor on the expression of inflammation-related cytokines in Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) specimens after transurethral prostatic resection (TUR-P).

METHODS

We prospectively examined the expression of inflammation-related cytokines with immunohistochemistry in the paraffin blocks of 60 patients who underwent TUR-P. 30 cases in the 5-α-reductase inhibitor group were treated with finasteride, 5 mg qd, for more than 6 months; 30 cases in the control group were not treated with medicine before operation. HE staining was used to analyze the difference of inflammation reaction between the two groups, and immunohistochemical staining was used to analyze the effect of 5-α reductase inhibitor on the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Interleukin-21 (IL-21) and Interleukin-23 (IL-23) in prostatic tissue.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference in the location, range and degree of inflammation between the two groups (P > 0.05). When IL-17 expression was low, there was statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Bcl-2 expression was positively correlated with IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IFN-γ (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the expression of IL-21, IL-23 and high expression of IL-17 between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

5-α Reductase inhibitor can inhibit the expression of Bcl-2 in prostatic tissue and the inflammatory response related to T-helper cell 1 (Th1) and T-helper cell 2 (Th2) cells. However, it did not affect Th17 cell-related inflammatory response.

Antitumor Activity of Palladium(II) Complexes on DU-145 Cell Line in Vitro

In the area of non-platinum complexes, various complexes containing gold, copper, ruthenium, and palladium have shown a strong cytotoxic effect on different cancer cell lines. The aim of our study was to examine the cytotoxicity of the Pd(II) complexes (C1-C5) and the corresponding ligands (L1-L5) on the DU-145 prostate cancer cell line. Also, due to its clinical application, the cytotoxicity of cisplatin has been examined. Our findings showed that C1- C5 complexes and cisplatin show dose-dependent and strong cytotoxic effects against the DU-145 cell line in vitro. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that early apoptosis was induced by all five Pd(II) complexes. Also, the results showed that complexes C1, C3, and C5 induced G0/G1 phase arrest on DU- 145 cells. Pd(II) complex C2 induced S phase arrest, while C4 complex induced G2/M phase arrest on cancer cells. Additionally, all tested complexes significantly reduced the amount of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Also, there was a significant increase in the concentration of proapoptotic Bax protein in DU-145 cells treated C1-C5 complexes. The results of our research demonstrated that Pd(II) complexes induced apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway. Thus, it is crucial to further investigate the cytotoxicity of these Pd(II) complexes in vivo. Complex C2 might be a good candidate for a new generation of anticancer drugs.

circRNA_PTPRA functions as a sponge of miR-582-3p to regulate hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a lethal disease and one of the most common types of cancer. HCC is associated with exponentially increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Accumulating evidence has identified circular RNAs (circRNAs) to be regulators of cancer progression. However, to the best of our knowledge, the potential effect of circRNA protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type A (circRNA_PTPRA) in HCC and its mechanism remain unknown. The present study aimed to assess the effects and underlying mechanism of circRNA_PTPRA in a HCC Huh-7 cells model. The sites of interaction between circRNA_PTPRA and microRNA (miR)-582-3p were predicted using the StarBase software and verified using dual luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays in Huh-7 cells. HCC cell viability, apoptosis, migration and invasion were measured using MTT, flow cytometry and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression levels of circRNA_PTPRA, miR-582-3p, cyclin D1, MMP-9, Bcl-2 and Bax were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting. The results of the dual luciferase reporter and RIP assays demonstrated that miR-582-3p directly targeted circRNA_PTPRA. Compared with the human normal hepatocyte cell line, THLE-2, the expression levels of circRNA_PTPRA were upregulated, which were found to be inversely correlated with those of miR-582-3p expression in Huh-7 and HCCLM3 cells. miR-582-3p overexpression using mimics suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion, whilst downregulating cyclin D1 and MMP-9 expression in Huh-7 cells. In addition, transfection of HCC cells with the miR-582-3p mimic promoted apoptosis by downregulating Bcl-2 expression and upregulating Bax expression in Huh-7 cells. Knocking down circRNA_PTPRA expression using small interfering RNA (siRNA) markedly downregulated circRNA_PTPRA expression levels and upregulated miR-582-3p expression, but was reversed by co-transfection with the miR-582-3p inhibitor. Furthermore, reduced HCC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, increased levels of cell apoptosis, upregulated Bax expression and downregulated cyclin D1, MMP-9 and Bcl-2 expression were all observed after knocking down circRNA_PTPRA. All these effects aforementioned were reversed by co-transfection with the miR-582-3p inhibitor. In conclusion, findings from the present study suggested that circRNA_PTPRA may regulate HCC cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis and migration by sponging miR-582-3p. This indicates that the circRNA_PTPRA/miR-582-3p axis may represent a potential target for HCC diagnosis and treatment.

A study on sexual functioning and depression in Iranian women following cesarean hysterectomy due to placental abnormality after 3-6 months

This study aims to investigate the prevalence of depression and impaired sexual function following the hysterectomy in Iran. This study was performed as a retrospective cohort study, from August 2017 to August 2018. Fifty-two patients with a cesarean hysterectomy and 52 with cesarean section were considered as the cases and controls, respectively. Depression and sexual function were assessed 3-6 months following the surgery in both cases and controls. Depression was evaluated by using Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) questionnaire-II-Persian. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). The average BDI in cases was 15.37 ± 7.6 and in controls was 13.06 ± 6.7. Mild to moderate depression was detected 57.3 percent of whom with hysterectomy and 36.5 percent of whom with C/S, the BDI sum score did not differ significantly between cases and controls (p = .096). The FSFI in cases was 20.06 ± 6.96, and controls was 21.7 ± 9.83 without any significant difference (p = .364). The depression had not been significantly different between women who underwent hysterectomy and were not following 3-6 months after surgery. Furthermore, both groups had impaired sexual function after the surgery.

Improving the Understanding of the Immunopathogenesis of Lymphopenia as a Correlate of SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk and Disease Progression in African Patients: Protocol for a Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, continues to impact health systems throughout the world with serious medical challenges being imposed on many African countries like Nigeria. Although emerging studies have identified lymphopenia as a driver of cytokine storm, disease progression, and poor outcomes in infected patients, its immunopathogenesis, as well as environmental and genetic determinants, remain unclear. Understanding the interplay of these determinants in the context of lymphopenia and COVID-19 complications in patients in Africa may help with risk stratification and appropriate deployment of targeted treatment regimens with repurposed drugs to improve prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

This study is designed to investigate the role of vitamin D status, vasculopathy, apoptotic pathways, and vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms in the immunopathogenesis of lymphopenia among African people infected with SARS-CoV-2.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study will enroll 230 participants, categorized as "SARS-CoV-2 negative" (n=69), "COVID-19 mild" (n=32), "hospitalized" (n=92), and "recovered" (n=37), from two health facilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Sociodemographic data, travel history, and information on comorbidities will be obtained from case files and through a pretested, interview-based structured questionnaire. Venous blood samples (5 mL) collected between 8 AM and 10 AM and aliquoted into EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and plain tubes will be used for complete blood count and CD4 T cell assays to determine lymphopenia (lymphocyte count <1000 cells/µL) and CD4 T lymphocyte levels, as well as to measure the concentrations of vitamin D, caspase 3, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) using an autoanalyzer, flow cytometry, and ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) techniques. Genomic DNA will be extracted from the buffy coat and used as a template for the amplification of apoptosis-related genes (Bax, Bcl-2, BCL2L12) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotyping of VDR (Apa1, Fok1, and Bsm1) gene polymorphisms by the PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism method and capillary sequencing. Total RNA will also be extracted, reverse transcribed, and subsequently quantitated by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) to monitor the expression of apoptosis genes in the four participant categories. Data analyses, which include a test of association between VDR gene polymorphisms and study outcomes (lymphopenia and hypovitaminosis D prevalence, mild/moderate and severe infections) will be performed using the R statistical software. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and linkage disequilibrium analyses for the alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes of the genotyped VDR gene will also be carried out.

RESULTS

A total of 45 participants comprising 37 SARS-CoV-2-negative and 8 COVID-19-recovered individuals have been enrolled so far. Their complete blood counts and CD4 T lymphocyte counts have been determined, and their serum samples and genomic DNA and RNA samples have been extracted and stored at -20 °C until further analyses. Other expected outcomes include the prevalence and distribution of lymphopenia and hypovitaminosis D in the control (SARS-CoV-2 negative), confirmed, hospitalized, and recovered SARS-CoV-2-positive participants; association of lymphopenia with CD4 T lymphocyte level, serum vitamin D, sVCAM-1, sFasL, and caspase 3 levels in hospitalized patients with COVID-19; expression levels of apoptosis-related genes among hospitalized participants with COVID-19, and those with lymphopenia compared to those without lymphopenia; and frequency distribution of the alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes of VDR gene polymorphisms in COVID-19-infected participants.

CONCLUSIONS

This study will aid in the genotypic and phenotypic stratification of COVID-19-infected patients in Nigeria with and without lymphopenia to enable biomarker discovery and pave the way for the appropriate and timely deployment of patient-centered treatments to improve prognosis.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/21242.

Cross-Cultural Approach of Postpartum Depression: Manifestation, Practices Applied, Risk Factors and Therapeutic Interventions

It is a well known fact that postpartum depression (PPD) is a global phenomenon that women may experience, regardless of cultural identity and beliefs. This literature review presents the cultural beliefs and postnatal practices around the world, in each continent and people's origins, looking through the extent to which they contribute positively or negatively to the onset of the disease. 106 articles were used in this research, through a systematic electronic search of Pubmed (Medline) and Scopus. Comparison is also made between the prevalence, the risk factors and the different ways of appearance of the disease around the world and among immigrants. Finally, the initiatives and interventions made so far by the governments and institutions with a view to prevent and address this global problem are presented. The results showed (a) that different cultures share the same risk factors towards the disease (b) significant differences in the prevalence of the disease among both Western and non Western cultures and between the cultures themselves (c) more tendencies for somatization of depressive symptoms in non-Western cultures, (d) different postnatal practices between cultures, which are not always effective (e) the more non-West a culture is, the less interventions concern on mental health; the same phenomenon is observed on populations burdened by immigration. The beliefs held by culture should be taken seriously in detecting of PPD, as well as the assessment of the needs of women who have recently given birth.

Postnatal depression and its effects on child development: a review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries

INTRODUCTION OR BACKGROUND

It is well established that postnatal depression (PND) is prevalent in high-income countries and is associated with negative personal, family and child developmental outcomes.

SOURCES OF DATA

Here, studies on the prevalence of maternal PND in low- and middle-income countries are reviewed and a geographical prevalence map is presented. The impact of PND upon child outcomes is also reviewed.

AREAS OF AGREEMENT

The available evidence suggests that rates of PND are substantial, and in many regions, are higher than those reported for high-income countries. An association between PND and adverse child developmental outcomes was identified in many of the countries examined.

AREAS OF CONTROVERSY

Significant heterogeneity in prevalence rates and impact on child outcomes across studies means that the true extent of the disease burden is still unclear.

AREAS TIMELY FOR DEVELOPING RESEARCH

Nonetheless, there is a compelling case for the implementation of interventions to reduce the impact of PND on the quality of the mother-infant relationship and improve child outcomes.