Association between monocyte to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol ratio and osteoporosis: An analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013-2014

The monocyte to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio (monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio) was proposed as a marker of atherosclerosis. Osteoporosis and atherosclerosis share common risk factors and pathophysiological mechanisms. This study aimed to assess the relationship between monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio and osteoporosis. Participants aged ≥50 years with complete bone mineral density (BMD), monocyte, and HDL-C examination data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 were included. Descriptive analysis was performed separately according to males and females. Weight linear regression and weight logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the association between the monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio and BMD and osteopenia and osteoporosis and vertebral fracture. A total of 1804 participants were included. Among the participants with osteopenia, 398 (48.31%) were males and 466 (51.91%) were females. Among those with osteoporosis, 38 (2.77%) were males and 95 (9.50%) were females. In females, monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio was negatively associated with femoral neck BMD (regression coefficient (β) = -0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI): (-0.29, -0.07)) and high monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio was associated with higher odds of osteopenia (odds ratio (OR) = 1.22; 95% CI: (1.01, 1.47)) and osteoporosis (OR = 1.68; 95% CI: (1.13, 2.49)) after adjusting for confounders. In males, only monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio >0.35 was observed to be associated with higher odds of osteoporosis (OR = 1.96; 95% CI: (1.02, 3.79)). Stratified analyses showed that similar results were also found in different populations. This study showed that the monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio was negatively associated with BMD and the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis in females. The monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio may be a new marker of osteoporosis or osteopenia.

[Exosomal FZD10 derived from non-small cell lung cancer cells promotes angiogenesis of human umbilical venous endothelial cells in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of exosomal FZD10 derived from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells on angiogenesis of human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs) and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODS

We analyzed the expression of FZD10 in two NSCLC cell lines (95D and H1299 cells), normal human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B cells) and their exosomes isolated by ultracentrifugation. Cultured HUVECs were treated with the exosomes derived from NSCLC cells or NSCLC cells transfected with FZD10-siRNA, and the changes in tube formation ability of the cells were analyzed using an in vitro angiogenesis assay. ELISA was performed to determine the concentration of VEGFA and Ang-1 in the conditioned media of HUVECs, and RT-qPCR was used to analyze the mRNA levels of VEGFA and Ang-1 in the HUVECs. The effects of exosomal FZD10 on the activation of PI3K, Erk1/2 and YAP/TAZ signaling pathways were evaluated using Western blotting.

RESULTS

Compared with BEAS-2B cells and their exosomes, 95D and H1299 cells and their exosomes all expressed high levels of FZD10 (P < 0.01). The exosomes derived from 95D and H1299 cells significantly enhanced tube formation ability and increased the expressions of VEGFA and Ang-1 protein and mRNA in HUVECs (P < 0.01), but FZD10 knockdown in 95D and H1299 cells obviously inhibited these effects of the exosomes. Exosomal FZD10 knockdown suppressed the activation of PI3K and Erk1/2 signaling pathways, but had no obvious effect on the activation of YAP/TAZ signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

Exosomal FZD10 derived from NSCLC cells promotes HUVEC angiogenesis in vitro, the mechanism of which may involve the activation of PI3K and Erk1/2 signaling pathways.

Biosynthesis of Novel Naphthoquinone Derivatives in the Commonly-used Chassis Cells Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli

Naphthoquinones harboring 1,4-naphthoquinone pharmacophore are considered as privileged structures in medicinal chemistry. In pharmaceutical industry and fundamental research, polyketide naphthoquinones were widely produced by heterologous expression of polyketide synthases in microbial chassis cells, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli. Nevertheless, these cell factories still remain, to a great degree, black boxes that often exceed engineers’ expectations. In this work, the biotransformation of juglone or 1,4-naphthoquinone was conducted to generate novel derivatives and it was revealed that these two naphthoquinones can indeed be modified by the chassis cells. Seventeen derivatives, including 6 novel compounds, were isolated and their structural characterizations indicated the attachment of certain metabolites of chassis cells to naphthoquinones. Some of these biosynthesized derivatives were reported as potent antimicrobial agents with reduced cytotoxic activities. Additionally, molecular docking as simple and quick in silico approach was performed to screen the biosynthesized compounds for their potential antiviral activity. It was found that compound 11 and 17 showed the most promising binding affinities against Nsp9 of SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating their potential antiviral activities. Overall, this work provides a new approach to generate novel molecules in the commonly used chassis cells, which would expand the chemical diversity for the drug development pipeline. It also reveals a novel insight into the potential of the catalytic power of the most widely used chassis cells.

Angioarchitectural characteristics associated with complications of embolization in supratentorial brain arteriovenous malformation

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Embolization is an important therapeutic technique in brain arteriovenous malformations; however, little has been reported on the factors contributing to complications. We retrospectively reviewed a large series of supratentorial brain AVMs to identify the angioarchitectural characteristics that might be associated with the complications of embolization and poor clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The clinical and angiographic features of 130 consecutive patients with supratentorial brain AVMs embolized with ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer in our hospital from 2005-2008 were retrospectively reviewed. None of these patients had prior embolization. Complications were classified as transient neurologic deficits, persistent neurologic deficits, and death. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the angiographic features in patients with and without complications.

RESULTS

Twenty-three complications occurred in 130 embolization procedures, 13 (10%) were transient neurologic deficits (9 ischemic and 4 hemorrhagic), 9 (6.92%) were persistent neurologic deficits (7 ischemic and 2 hemorrhagic), and 1 death occurred. By univariate analyses, eloquent cortex (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.08-3.42) and exclusive deep venous drainage (OR, 4.56; 95% CI, 1.28-9.67) were correlated with procedural complications. The impaction of eloquent cortical location (P = .001) and exclusive deep venous drainage (P = .035) on complications were also demonstrated by multivariate analysis. Eloquent cortex mainly resulted in permanent ischemic neurologic deficit; occlusion of drainage vein was significantly correlated with periprocedural hemorrhage in supratentorial brain AVMs with subtotal and partial embolization.

CONCLUSIONS

In a retrospective study on supratentorial brain AVMs with first-time embolization, 6.92% of patients had permanent neurologic deficit or death. Eloquent cortical location and exclusive deep venous drainage were associated with complications.

Multiple microRNAs modulate p21Cip1/Waf1 expression by directly targeting its 3' untranslated region

Cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (CDKN1A), also known as p21Cip1/Waf1, is a master downstream effector of tumor suppressors. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate through a high-throughput luciferase reporter screen that p21Cip1/Waf1 can be directly targeted by nearly 28 microRNAs (miRNAs). The results were further confirmed by a series of mutational analyses and luciferase reporter assays. These 28 miRNAs can substantially inhibit p21Cip1/Waf1 expression, predominantly at translational level. Many of these miRNAs were upregulated in cancers and might serve as modulators of oncogenesis. Furthermore, 8 of these 28 p21-regulating miRNAs are located in the chromosome 19 miRNA cluster, the largest miRNA gene cluster in humans, and they can clearly promote cell proliferation and cell-cycle progression in choriocarcinoma cells. In conclusion, our screening strategy provides an alternative approach to uncovering miRNA modulators of an individual mRNA, and it has identified multiple miRNAs that can suppress p21Cip1/Waf1 expression by directly targeting its 3' untranslated region.

A giant facial nerve schwannoma extending from the middle cranial fossa to the mastoid region: case report

Facial nerve schwannomas are uncommon benign tumours and seldom extend into the middle cranial fossa. This is a case report of a giant facial nerve schwannoma extending from the middle cranial fossa to the mastoid region, which was successfully removed using combined interdisciplinary subtemporal and transmastoid approaches. Complete resection of the tumour was the optimal therapy for this patient because the facial nerve had been severely destroyed by the tumour. The clinical presentation, histological features, radiological findings and management of this case, as well as the relevant literature, are presented.

Isolated intracranial Rosai-Dorfman disease mimicking suprasellar meningioma: case report with review of the literature

Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) is an idiopathic histiocytic proliferation affecting the lymph nodes. Isolated intracranial RDD is rare and usually appears as a well-defined, dural-based lesion without lymphadenopathy. The clinical and radiological features of intracranial RDD are similar to meningioma. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry are essential for a definitive diagnosis. This is a report of a 43-year old male with isolated intracranial RDD, which manifested as a suprasellar meningioma. The clinical, radiological and pathological aspects of the disease are discussed within the context of a review of previously reported cases.

[Long-term follow-up of patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with primary angioplasty or thrombolysis. Results of the MITRA trial]

Long-term follow-up after treatment with primary angioplasty compared to treatment with thrombolysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains still to be determined. We therefore analyzed the data of the "Maximal Individual Therapy" in Acute Myocardial Infarction (MITRA-1) Registry. Follow-up data for a median of 17 months after discharge were available in 2090 out of 2195 (95%) AMI patients treated with thrombolysis, as well as 293 out of 312 patients (94%) treated with primary angioplasty. There were only small differences in patient characteristics between the two treatment groups. Compared to patients treated with thrombolysis, those treated with primary angioplasty had a higher prevalence of prior myocardial infarction (16.4% versus 12.2%, p = 0.04), longer prehospital delay: 10 minutes (130 minutes versus 120 minutes, p = 0.002), and a longer door-to-treatment time: 45 minutes (p < 0.001). Primary angioplasty patients were more likely to be treated with beta-blockers (primary angioplasty 79.8% versus thrombolysis 66.2%, p < 0.001) or statins (24.5% versus 16.5%, p < 0.001). There was no difference between the treatment groups for total mortality (p = 0.90) nor for the combined endpoint of death or re-infarction (p = 0.85). However, the combined endpoint of death, re-infarction or percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary bypass surgery was significantly lower in the primary angioplasty group (primary angioplasty 25.6% versus thrombolysis 32.3%, univariate odds ratio 0.72, 95% CI: 0.55-0.95, p = 0.02). This result was confirmed by multivariate analysis after adjusting for confounding parameters (multivariate odds ratio: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.42-0.91). The beneficial effect of primary angioplasty compared to thrombolysis achieved during the hospital stay after an AMI is maintained during a 17 month follow-up. AMI patients treated with thrombolysis were more likely to be treated with either percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary bypass surgery after discharge.

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein deficiency causes slow egg embryonation of Schistosoma japonicum

In our attempt to discover a potential cause for accumulation of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) deficiency in Eastern Asia, we studied the association of CETP deficiency with pathogenesis of Schistosoma japonicum, a life-threatening parasite peculiar to this region. The eggs of S. japonicum showed slow embryonation when cultured in CETP-deficient human plasma. Restoration of CETP to the deficient plasma rescued it, while inhibition of CETP in normal plasma did not cause slow embryonation of the cultured eggs. The egg embryonation was also retarded in the liver but not in the intestine of wild-type mice in comparison to the CETP-transgenic mice. The granulomatous lesion around the parasite eggs in the liver was less in the wild-type than in the CETP-transgenic mice. Thus, CETP deficiency may act against Schistosomiasis japonica by retarding egg embryonation, a potential cause of liver granulomatosis. It does not seem directly due to the lack of CETP activity in plasma but to abnormal lipoprotein generated by chronic CETP deficiency.

[The expression of CD15 mRNA CD44v6 mRNA and nm23H1 mRNA in breast cancer and their clinical significance]

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship of the expression of CD15 mRNA and its protein, CD44v6 mRNA and nm23H1 mRNA with the clinical pathology parameter and prognosis of breast cancer, and to investigate the correlation of the expression of CD15 mRNA with CD44v6 mRNA and nm23H1 mRNA.

METHODS

Catalyzed signal amplification (CSA) method of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of CD15 mRNA and its protein, CD44v6 mRNA and nm23H1 mRNA in 94 cases of breast cancer.

RESULTS

The overexpression of CD15 mRNA and its protein and CD44v6 mRNA and the low expression nm23H1 mRNA were correlated with the grading, clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, recurrence and prognosis of breast cancer. Patients who had overexpression of CD15 mRNA and CD44v6 mRNA and low expression of nm23H1 mRNA had a higher lymph node metastatic rate and a lower survival rate.

CONCLUSION

The expression of CD15 mRNA has a synergistic action in positive and negative regulation with that of CD44v6 mRNA and nm23H1 mRNA. Combining detection of the expression of these three mRNA is a reliable index to evaluate the metastasis, recurrence and prognosis of breast cancer.

Fatty acids and beta-carotene in australian purslane (Portulaca oleracea) varieties

The fatty acid profile and beta-carotene content of a number of Australian varieties of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) were determined by GC and HPLC. The total fatty acid content ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 mg/g of fresh mass in leaves, 0.6 to 0.9 mg/g in stems and 80 to 170 mg/g in seeds. alpha-Linolenic acid (C18:3omega3) accounted for around 60% and 40% of the total fatty acid content in leaves and seeds, respectively. Longer-chain omega-3 fatty acids were not detected. The beta-carotene content ranged from 22 to 30 mg/g fresh mass in leaves. These results indicate that Australian purslane varieties are a rich source of alpha-linolenic acid and beta-carotene.

A slotted waveguide field applicator to sustain large diameter uniform plasma cylinders

We describe a slotted waveguide field applicator and present the results of experimental investigation. The experimental results show that it can efficiently transfer power to plasma in the wide pressure range. Specially, it is able to produce a large diameter uniform plasma cylinder with diameter over 160 mm. The electron temperature and density are 2-4 eV and 10(10)-10(11) cm-3, respectively, under conditions of the pressure below 135 Pa and the microwave power 500-900 w. In addition, the primary study of the surface-wave modes indicate that the mode of m = 6 can be excited and propagate.

[HBxAg enhanced p53 protein accumulation in hepatoma cells]

OBJECTIVE

In order to determine the interaction between HBxAg and p53 protein and its role in hepatocarcinogenesis.

METHODS

Cotransfection was performed using reporter gene, chloramphenical acetyltransferase (CAT), p53 and HBVx gene, and dexamethasone inducible HBx plasmid pMAMHBx was constructed for the experiment. Human hepatoma cell line Hep3B was used as the target cell. The activity of HBxAg and p53 was detected by CAT assay and immunohistochemical staining after transient transfection.

RESULTS

HBxAg could increase the accumulation of p53 protein in cells and enhance CAT expression. Immunohistochemical staining showed that p53 protein bound to HBxAg in the cytoplasm and formed a complex causing a partial block of the process of p53 during passing through the nuclear membrane from the cytoplasm.

CONCLUSION

Data strongly suggested that HBxAg is capable of binding p53 and forms a protein-protein complex which might reduce or inactivate p53's antiproliferative activity and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HBV-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Study on tissue culture of Poligonum multiflorum]

In the present thesis, suitable medium for callus inducement and relationship between culture time and callus growth of Poligonum multiflorum were studied by mono-factorial and orthogonal design test. The experiments showed that the best medium for callus inducement was MS + 2,4-D 1 mg/L + 6-BA 1 mg/L + IBA 0.5 mg/L, dark culture was better than light culture, callus grew fast when it was cultured 12 days, whole plant could be induced by callus, the induce rate was 95%.

Lipoprotein and apolipoprotein secretion by a newborn piglet intestinal cell line (IPEC-1)

The aim of these studies was to characterize the synthesis and secretion of lipoproteins and apolipoprotein B (apo B) and apo A-I by a newborn swine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-1). Differentiated cells exhibited enterocytic features, including microvilli. [3H] oleic acid was taken up and incorporated into cellular lipids and secreted into the basolateral medium in lipoproteins. Total apo B and apo A-I secreted increased with oleic acid incubation. However, cellular apo B and apo A-I content did not change. Whereas undifferentiated cells synthesized and secreted only apo B-100, both apo B-100 and apo B-48 were produced by differentiated cells. The ratio of radiolabeled apo B-48 to apo B-100 in both basolateral medium and cell homogenate increased with oleic acid treatment after 24-h steady-state labeling. However, apo B mRNA editing was unchanged, indicating posttranslational regulation of this ratio. Pulse-chase radiolabeling demonstrated no major changes in cellular or basolateral medium apolipoprotein labeling kinetics with oleic acid or dexamethasone incubation. The dissociation of apo B and apo A-I mass secretion from the secretion of radiolabeled apo B and apo A-I in response to oleic acid absorption suggests the presence of an intracellular pool of apolipoprotein with a slow turnover that is mobilized for secretion in response to fatty acid uptake.

Effect of acute feeding of diets of varying fatty acid composition on intestinal apolipoprotein expression in the newborn swine

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dietary fatty acids of varying chain lengths and degrees of saturation on intestinal apolipoprotein (apo) B and A-I expression in the newborn piglet. Two-day-old female piglets received one of three isocaloric formulas containing 48% of total calories (120 kcal/kg/24 h) as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) from MCT oil, intermediate-chain saturated triglycerides (ICST) from coconut oil, or long-chain polyunsaturated triglycerides (LCPUT) from safflower oil by continuous duodenal infusion for 24 h. After in situ radiolabeling, jejunal and ileal mucosal apo B-48 and A-I were immunoprecipitated, and synthesis was expressed as percentage of total protein synthesis. Mucosal apo B and A-I mass was measured by ELISA as nanograms of apoprotein/microgram of total protein. Fifty percent less apo B jejunal synthesis was present in the ICST group versus the MCT and LCPUT groups (0.67 +/- 0.07, 1.19 +/- 0.20, and 1.25 +/- 0.15, respectively, mean +/- SEM, p < 0.05). Jejunal apo B mass was lower in the MCT group versus the ICST and LCPUT groups (0.10 +/- 0.02, 0.21 +/- 0.03, and 0.16 +/- 0.03, respectively, p < 0.05). Ileal apo B synthesis was lowest in the ICST group. No differences were found in ileal apo B mass. Two-fold higher jejunal apo A-I synthesis was found in the LCPUT group versus the MCT and ICST groups (14.18 +/- 1.69, 7.56 +/- 2.63, and 6.36 +/- 0.58, respectively, p < 0.01). No differences were found for jejunal apo A-I mass. In the ileum, the only difference was a higher apo A-I mass in the LCPUT group (p < 0.05). We conclude that in the newborn piglet intestinal apo B and A-I expression is acutely and differentially regulated by dietary lipid varying in fatty acid chain length and saturation. The patterns of regulation are complex and vary among specific apolipoproteins and regions of the small intestine and include co- and posttranslational mechanisms.

Intestinal expression of apolipoprotein A-IV and C-III is coordinately regulated by dietary lipid in newborn swine

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dietary fatty acids on intestinal apolipoprotein (apo) A-IV and C-III expression in the newborn piglet. Two-day-old female piglets received one of three isocaloric formulas containing medium-chain triglycerides (TG) (MCT), intermediate-chain saturated TG (ICST), or long-chain polyunsaturated TG (LCPUT) by continuous duodenal infusion for 24 hrs. Control groups received a low-TG elemental formula infusion (LTG group) and a high-TG long-chain unsaturated lipid emulsion infusion (HTG group). Jejunal synthesis of both apo A-IV and C-III was increased by all infusions compared to the LTG group. Apo A-IV and C-III mRNA levels paralleled synthesis levels except for apo C-III with the MCT diet, where regulation appeared to occur at the translational level. Among all groups, apo A-IV synthesis and mRNA abundance were linearly correlated with that of apo C-III.

Sequence of the porcine apoA-I gene

The nucleotide sequence of the swine apoA-I gene (encoding apolipoprotein) has been determined. The structure of the gene is similar to that of the human gene, and the exons exhibit a high degree of homology with those of the human gene. The porcine apoA-I gene is located adjacent to the apoC-III gene, as in humans.

Modulation of murine hepatic lipase activity by exogenous and endogenous Kupffer-cell activation

Deficiency of hepatic lipase (HL) may play a role in the lipoprotein abnormalities in chronic inflammatory states which are characterized by reticuloendothelial-system activation and cytokine release. HL triacylglycerol hydrolase activity was measured in heparin perfusates of livers from autoimmune MRL/lpr mice, which spontaneously develop a condition closely resembling human lupus erythematosis and exhibit spontaneous Kupffer-cell activation after 8 weeks of age, as well as from normal mice treated with Corynebacterium parvum or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid complex [poly(I.C)] to induce Kupffer-cell activation. HL activity in MRL/lpr mice older than 8 weeks was 29.5% (P = 0.002) of that in age-matched control MRL/++ mice. Treatment of normal mice with C. parvum or poly(I.C) resulted in HL activities 18.6% (P = 0.004) and 13.1% (P = 0.007) respectively of untreated controls. Northern-blot hybridization of liver poly(A)+ RNA showed no differences in HL mRNA abundance in MRL/++ mice compared with the MRL/lpr autoimmune strain after 8 weeks of age, or in normal control mice compared with those treated with C. parvum, indicating attenuation of HL activity at the translational or post-translational level. Deficiency of this enzyme may represent one of the mechanisms contributing to the dyslipoproteinaemia of autoimmune disease and chronic infection.