Dislodgement of Hydrogen Bubbles in Microchannels with Embedded Pillars: An Analytical, Experimental, and Numerical Study

Microchannels with integrated pillars have enhanced the production capabilities and performance of various applications due to their high surface-to-volume ratio. However, emerging gas bubbles can become trapped, potentially limiting the functionality or efficiency of the device when scaled down to the low-micrometer scale. Understanding the conditions required to dislodge these bubbles is thus critical for optimizing microfluidic devices with complex physical behaviors. Here an analytical model is presented that outlines the dislodgment conditions and driving forces for such gas-liquid flows. These terms are derived from the gas-liquid interface properties, geometry, and processing parameters. As the density of the pillar arrangement is scaled down, the resistance to bubble dislodgment typically increases. Nevertheless, the bubble is compelled to dislodge at lower pressure loads when critical volumes are reached. This newly discovered effect is particularly noticeable in densely packed arrays and can be explained by the interplay of increased surface tension, geometrical restrictions, and volume-preserving forces. The analytical terms and effects are validated through novel experimental and numerical methods tailored for microchannels in the low-micrometer scale, showing strong agreement.

Interval aerobic/resistance exercise training depresses adrenergic-induced apoptosis of lymphocytes in sedentary males

PURPOSE

Adrenergic stimulation affects lymphocyte autophagy and apoptosis by activating β1-adrenergic receptor (β1-AR) and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK-2) downstream signaling. This study investigated how combined aerobic and resistance exercise training on the interval or continuous pattern influences aerobic/muscular fitness and β1-AR/GRK-2 signaling, and corresponding apoptosis/autophagy of lymphocytes in sedentary males.

METHODS

Thirty-four sedentary males were randomized into interval training (IT, age = 22.5 ± 0.6 years, fitness level = 47.5 ± 0.9 mL/min/kg, body mass index (BMI) = 22.4 ± 0.4 kg/m2, n = 17) and continuous training (CT, age = 21.6 ± 0.4 years, fitness level = 45.2 ± 1.0 mL/min/kg, BMI = 22.2 ± 0.3 kg/m2, n = 17) groups. These subjects performed IT (bicycle exercise at alternating 40% and 80%VO2 reserve (VO2R) and isokinetic exercise at alternating 60°/s and 180°/s) or CT (bicycle exercise at continuously 60%VO2R and isokinetic exercise at continuously 120°/s) for 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Aerobic capacity and muscular strength/endurance were determined by the graded exercise test (GXT) and isokinetic strength test, respectively. Blood lymphocyte autophagy/apoptosis and β1-AR/GRK-2 signaling were analyzed using flow cytometry.

RESULTS

Both IT and CT groups increased isokinetic strengths at various angular velocities, whereas only IT significantly enhanced muscle endurance, indicated by lowered fatigue index from 47.0 ± 1.3% to 41.8 ± 1.6% (P < 0.05). Moreover, the IT group (143 ± 7%) revealed a higher improvement in VO2peak than CT group (132 ± 6%) (P < 0.05). Acute GXT augmented (i) GRK-2 and protein kinase A expressions, (ii) LAMP-2 upregulation and acridine orange staining, (iii) mitochondrial transmembrane potential diminishing, caspase-3 activation, and phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure caused by epinephrine in blood lymphocytes. However, the degree of epinephrine-induced lymphocyte PS exposure potentiated by GXT was suppressed from 65.2 ± 5.2% to 47.4 ± 6.5% following 6 weeks of the IT (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The IT may be considered more beneficial than CT in terms of improving aerobic/muscular fitness and simultaneously ameliorating apoptosis of blood lymphocyte evoked by intense exercise or adrenergic stimulation in sedentary males.

Peptide-Coated Bacteriorhodopsin-Based Photoelectric Biosensor for Detecting Rheumatoid Arthritis

An effective early diagnosis is important for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management. This study reveals a novel RA detection method using bacteriorhodopsin as a photoelectric transducer, a light-driven proton pump in purple membranes (PMs). It was devised by covalently conjugating a PM monolayer-coated electrode with a citrullinated-inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 3 (ITIH3)542-556 peptide that recognizes the serum RA-associated autoantibodies. The direct serum coating decreased the photocurrents in the biosensor, with the reduction in the photocurrent caused by coating with an RA-patient serum that is significantly larger than that with a healthy-control serum (38.1% vs. 20.2%). The difference in the reduction in the photocurrent between those two serum groups widened after the serum-coated biosensor was further labeled with gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-conjugated anti-IgA (anti-IgA-AuNP) (53.6% vs. 30.6%). Both atomic force microscopic (AFM) and Raman analyses confirmed the sequential peptide, serum, and anti-IgA-AuNP coatings on the PM-coated substrates. The reductions in the photocurrent measured in both the serum and anti-IgA-AuNPs coating steps correlated well with the results using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits (Spearman rho = 0.805 and 0.787, respectively), with both a sensitivity and specificity close to 100% in both steps. It was shown that an RA diagnosis can be performed in either a single- or two-step mode using the developed biosensor.

The Efficacy of Anthropometric Indicators in Predicting Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Using FibroScan® CAP Values among the Taiwanese Population

The controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) measurement obtained from FibroScan® is a low-risk method of assessing fatty liver. This study investigated the association between the FibroScan® CAP values and nine anthropometric indicators, including the abdominal volume index (AVI), body fat percentage (BFP), body mass index (BMI), conicity index (CI), ponderal index (PI), relative fat mass (RFM), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), and risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (fatty liver). We analyzed the medical records of adult patients who had FibroScan® CAP results. CAP values <238 dB/m were coded as 0 (non- fatty liver) and ≥238 dB/m as 1 (fatty liver). An individual is considered to have class 1 obesity when their body mass index (BMI) ranges from 30 kg/m2 to 34.9 kg/m2. Class 2 obesity is defined by a BMI ranging from 35 kg/m2 to 39.9 kg/m2, while class 3 obesity is designated by a BMI of 40 kg/m2 or higher. Out of 1763 subjects, 908 (51.5%) had fatty liver. The BMI, WHtR, and PI were found to be more strongly correlated with the CAP by the cluster dendrogram with correlation coefficients of 0.58, 0.54, and 0.54, respectively (all p < 0.0001). We found that 28.3% of the individuals without obesity had fatty liver, and 28.2% of the individuals with obesity did not have fatty liver. The BMI, CI, and PI were significant predictors of fatty liver. The BMI, PI, and WHtR demonstrated better predictive ability, indicated by AUC values of 0.72, 0.68, and 0.68, respectively, a finding that was echoed in our cluster group analysis that showed interconnected clustering with the CAP. Therefore, of the nine anthropometric indicators we studied, the BMI, CI, PI, and WHtR were found to be more effective in predicting the CAP score, i.e., fatty liver.

Xanthan-Gum/Pluronic-F-127-Based-Drug-Loaded Polymeric Hydrogels Synthesized by Free Radical Polymerization Technique for Management of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Smart and intelligent xanthan gum/pluronic F-127 hydrogels were fabricated for the controlled delivery of atomoxetine HCl. Different parameters such as DSC, TGA, FTIR, XRD, SEM, drug loading, porosity, swelling index, drug release, and kinetics modeling were appraised for the prepared matrices of hydrogels. FTIR confirmed the successful synthesis of the hydrogel, while TGA and DSC analysis indicated that the thermal stability of the reagents was improved after the polymerization technique. SEM revealed the hard surface of the hydrogel, while XRD indicated a reduction in crystallinity of the reagents. High gel fraction was achieved with high incorporated contents of the polymers and the monomer. An increase in porosity, drug loading, swelling, and drug release was observed with the increase in the concentrations of xanthan gum and acrylic acid, whereas Pluronic F-127 showed the opposite effect. A negligible swelling index was shown at pH 1.2 and 4.6 while greater swelling was observed at pH 7.4, indicating a pH-responsive nature of the designed hydrogels. Furthermore, a higher drug release was found at pH 7.4 compared to pH 1.2 and 4.6, respectively. The first kinetics order was followed by the prepared hydrogel formulations. Thus, it is signified from the discussion that smart xanthan gum/pluronic F-127 hydrogels have the potential to control the release of the atomoxetine HCl in the colon for an extended period of time.

Improvement in Skin Penetration Capacity of Linalool by Using Microemulsion as a Delivery Carrier: Formulation Optimization and In Vitro Evaluation

Linalool is an aromatic oil with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-UVB-induced skin damage effects. The aim of this study was to develop a linalool-loaded microemulsion formulation for topical application. In order to quickly obtain an optimal drug-loaded formulation, statistical tools of the response surface methodology and a mixed experimental design with four independent variables of oil (X₁), mixed surfactant (X₂), cosurfactant (X₃) and water (X₄) were used to design a series of model formulations in order to analyze the effect of the composition on the characteristics and permeation capacity of linalool-loaded microemulsion formulations and to obtain an appropriate drug-loaded formulation. The results showed that the droplet size, viscosity and penetration capacity of linalool-loaded formulations were significantly affected by formulation component proportions. The skin deposition amount of the drug and flux of such formulations expressively increased about 6.1-fold and 6.5-fold, respectively, when compared to the control group (5% linalool dissolved in ethanol). After 3 months of storage, the physicochemical characteristics and drug level did not show a significant change. The linalool formulation-treated rat skin showed non-significant irritation compared to skin treatments in the distilled-water-treated group. The results showed that specific microemulsion applications might be considered as potential drug delivery carriers for essential oil topical application.

Coronary Artery Spasm-Related Heart Failure Syndrome: Literature Review

Although heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome that becomes worse over time, certain cases can be reversed with appropriate treatments. While coronary artery spasm (CAS) is still underappreciated and may be misdiagnosed, ischemia due to coronary artery disease and CAS is becoming the single most frequent cause of HF worldwide. CAS could lead to syncope, HF, arrhythmias, and myocardial ischemic syndromes such as asymptomatic ischemia, rest and/or effort angina, myocardial infarction, and sudden death. Albeit the clinical significance of asymptomatic CAS has been undervalued, affected individuals compared with those with classic Heberden's angina pectoris are at higher risk of syncope, life-threatening arrhythmias, and sudden death. As a result, a prompt diagnosis implements appropriate treatment strategies, which have significant life-changing consequences to prevent CAS-related complications, such as HF. Although an accurate diagnosis depends mainly on coronary angiography and provocative testing, clinical characteristics may help decision-making. Because the majority of CAS-related HF (CASHF) patients present with less severe phenotypes than overt HF, it underscores the importance of understanding risk factors correlated with CAS to prevent the future burden of HF. This narrative literature review summarises and discusses separately the epidemiology, clinical features, pathophysiology, and management of patients with CASHF.

Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of Aspartic/Alginic Acid Based Semi-Interpenetrating Network Hydrogels for Controlled Release of Ibuprofen

Different combinations of polymers, aspartic acid (ASP), alginic acid (AL), and monomer acrylic acid (AA) were crosslinked in the presence of an initiator ammonium peroxodisulfate (APS) and cross-linker ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) to develop aspartic acid/alginic acid-co-poly(acrylic acid) (ASP/ALPAA) (semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN)) hydrogels by the free radical polymerization technique for the controlled delivery of ibuprofen (IBP). Various studies such as dynamic swelling studies, drug loading, in vitro drug release and sol-gel analysis were carried out for the hydrogels. Higher swelling was observed at higher pH 7.4 as compared to lower pH 1.2, due to the presence of carboxylic groups of polymers and the monomer. Hence, pH-dependent swelling was exhibited by the developed hydrogels which led to a pH-dependent drug release and vice versa. The structural properties of the hydrogels were assessed by FTIR, PXRD, TGA, DSC, and SEM which confirmed the fabrication and stability of the developed structure. FTIR analysis revealed the reaction of both polymers with the monomer during the polymerization process and confirmed the overlapping of the monomer on the backbone of the both polymers. The disappearance of high intense crystalline peaks and the encapsulation of the drug by the hydrogel network was confirmed by PXRD. TGA and DSC showed that the developed hydrogels were thermally more stable than their basic ingredients. Similarly, the surface morphology of the hydrogels was analyzed by SEM and showed a smooth surface with few pores. Conclusively, ASP/ALPAA hydrogels have the potential to deliver IBP for a long period of time in a controlled way.

Migraine with active headache was associated with other painful physical symptoms at two-year follow-up among patients with major depressive disorder

BACKGROUND

Few studies have investigated the associations of comorbid migraine with other painful physical symptoms (PPS) in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) at the two-year follow-up point. This study aimed to investigate this issue.

METHODS

At baseline, 155 outpatients with MDD were enrolled. Migraine was diagnosed at baseline according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders. At follow-up, data of 101 subjects were analyzed. The average intensities of head, bone and/or joints, back, chest, abdomen, neck and/or shoulder, general muscle, and limb pain in the past week were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). At follow-up, active headache was defined as a score on the VAS > 3. Multiple linear regressions were used to investigate the associations of migraine at baseline with other PPS at follow-up.

RESULTS

Compared with the migraine with inactive headache group and the non-migraine group, patients with migraine with active headache had significantly higher intensities of other PPS and a lower remission rate of depression. There were no significant differences in the pain intensities of the other seven PPS between the migraine with inactive headache group and the non-migraine group. Headache intensity was significantly correlated with the intensities of other PPS at baseline and follow-up. Migraine with active headache independently predicted other PPS after controlling for depression and anxiety at baseline.

CONCLUSIONS

Migraine with active headache among MDD patients could predict other PPS. Prevention and treatment of headache might help to decrease other PPS and improve the prognosis of depression. Integration of treatment for depression and headache is indicated.

Effects of nitrogen fertilization rate on tocopherols, tocotrienols and γ-oryzanol contents and enzymatic antioxidant activities in rice grains

Tocopherols (Toc), tocotrienols (T3) and γ-oryzanol (GO), major bioactive compounds of rice, are known to possess potent antioxidant activity. In this study, the objective was to determine the effects of nitrogen fertilization rate on contents of Toc, T3 and GO, and activities of enzymatic antioxidants in rice grains. Experiments were conducted on five different levels of nitrogen fertilization. Among the different treatments, grains of 2 N (two-fold of the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer) treatment showed the highest total Toc, total T3, α-T3, β-Toc, γ-Toc and γ-T3 levels, whereas 0 N (no treatment) group had the highest GO content. Increasing nitrogen fertilization significantly reduced the rice grain catalase and ascorbate peroxidase, but not the superoxide dismutase activities. Under 0 N and 0.5 N (low N fertilization) treatments, malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ contents in rice grains were significantly higher than that of other treatments. These results suggest that a two-fold increase in nitrogen fertilization favor the accumulation of Toc and T3 but not GO in rice grains.

Expression shifts of floral symmetry genes correlate to flower actinomorphy in East Asia endemic Conandron ramondioides (Gesneriaceae)

BACKGROUND

Bilateral symmetry flower (zygomorphy) is the ancestral state for Gesneriaceae species. Yet independent reversions to actinomorphy have been parallelly evolved in several lineages. Conandron ramondioides is a natural radially symmetrical species survived in dense shade mountainous habitats where specialist pollinators are scarce. Whether the mutations in floral symmetry genes such as CYC, RAD and DIV genes, or their expression pattern shifts contribute to the reversion to actinomorphy in C. ramondioides thus facilitating shifts to generalist pollinators remain to be investigated. To address this, we isolated putative orthologues of these genes and relate their expressions to developmental stages of flower actinomorphy.

RESULTS

Tissue specific RT-PCR found no dorsal identity genes CrCYCs and CrRADs expression in petal and stamen whorls, while the ventral identity gene CrDIV was expressed in all petals. Thus, ventralized actinomorphy is evolved in C. ramondioides. However, CrCYCs still persists their expression in sepal whorl. This is congruent with previous findings that CYC expression in sepals is an ancestral state common to both actinomorphic and zygomorphic core Eudicot species.

CONCLUSIONS

The loss of dorsal identity genes CrCYCs and CrRADs expression in petal and stamen whorl without mutating these genes specifies that a novel regulation change, possibly on cis-elements of these genes, has evolved to switch zygomorphy to actinomorphy.

Universal health insurance, health inequality and oral cancer in Taiwan

INTRODUCTION

The introduction of universal health insurance coverage aims to provide equal accessibility and affordability of health care, but whether such a policy eliminates health inequalities has not been conclusively determined. This research aims to examine the healthcare outcomes of oral cancer and determine whether the universal coverage system in Taiwan has reduced health inequality.

METHODS

Linking the databases of the National Cancer Registry with the National Mortality Registry in Taiwan, we stratified patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma by gender and income to estimate the incidence rate, cumulative incidence rate aged from 20 to 79 (CIR20-79), life expectancy, and expected years of life lost (EYLL). The difficulties with asymmetries and short follow-up periods were resolved through applying survival analysis extrapolation methods.

RESULTS

While all people showed a general improvement in life expectancy after the introduction of the NHI, the estimated change in EYLL's of the high-, middle-, and low-income female patients were found to have +0.3, -0.5 and -7 years of EYLL, respectively, indicating a reduction in health inequality. Improvements for the male patients were unremarkable. There was no drop in the CIR20-79 of oral cancer in disadvantaged groups as in those with higher incomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Universal coverage alone may not reduce health inequality across different income groups for oral cancer unless effective preventive measures are implemented for economically disadvantaged regions.

Magnolol-mediated regulation of plasma triglyceride through affecting lipoprotein lipase activity in apolipoprotein A5 knock-in mice

Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor of arteriosclerosis, stroke, and other coronary heart disease, which has been shown to correlate with single nucleotide polymorphisms of genes essential for lipid metabolism, such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5). In this study, the effect of magnolol, the main active component extracted from Magnolia officinalis, on LPL activity was investigated. A dose-dependent up-regulation of LPL activity, possibly through increasing LPL mRNA transcription, was observed in mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes cultured in the presence of magnolol for 6 days. Subsequently, a transgenic knock-in mice carrying APOA5 c.553G>T variant was established and then fed with corn oil with or without magnolol for four days. The baseline plasma triglyceride levels in transgenic knock-in mice were higher than those in wild-type mice, with the highest increase occurred in homozygous transgenic mice (106 mg/dL vs 51 mg/dL, p<0.01). After the induction of hyperglyceridemia along with the administration of magnolol, the plasma triglyceride level in heterozygous transgenic mice was significantly reduced by half. In summary, magnolol could effectively lower the plasma triglyceride levels in APOA5 c.553G>T variant carrier mice and facilitate the triglyceride metabolism in postprandial hypertriglyceridemia.

Untreated duration predicted the severity of depression at the two-year follow-up point

Background

No study has investigated the impact of the duration of untreated depression (DUD) on the severity of depression at the two-year follow-up point in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who discontinued pharmacotherapy. This study aimed to investigate this issue.

Methods

This study enrolled 155 subjects with MDD at baseline, and 101 subjects who had discontinued pharmacotherapy for 17.1 ± 5.8 months were assessed at the two-year follow-up point. DUD was defined as the interval between the onset of the index major depressive episode and the start of pharmacotherapy. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate depression. Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the impacts of DUD on the severity and improvement percentage (IP) of depression at follow-up.

Results

A longer DUD was significantly associated with a greater severity and a lower IP of depression at follow-up. After controlling for confounding factors, DUD was the most significant factor predicting the severity and IP of depression at follow-up. DUD was more strongly associated with the prognosis of depression at follow-up than depression and anxiety severities at baseline.

Conclusions

The DUD at baseline independently predicted the severity of depression at the two-year follow-up point. Although the patients had discontinued pharmacotherapy for nearly 1.5 years, the impact of the DUD on the severity of depression persisted at follow-up. The DUD was an important index that predicted the severity of depression at the two-year follow-up point.

Treatment delay and fatal outcomes of pulmonary tuberculosis in advanced age: a retrospective nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Studies focusing on pulmonary tuberculosis in advanced age (≥80 years) are lacking. This study aimed to explore treatment delay, outcomes and their predictors in this group.

METHODS

Adult (≥20 years) patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan from 2004 to 2009. Treatment completion and mortality rates were noted at one year after treatment.

RESULTS

Among the 81,081 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis identified, 13,923 (17.2%) were aged ≥80 years, and 26,897 (33.2%) were aged 65-79 years. The treatment completion, mortality rates and treatment delay were 54.8%, 34.7% and 61 (12-128) [median, (1st-3rd quartiles)] days in patients aged ≥80 years, 68.3%, 18.5% and 53 (8-122) days in patients aged 65-79 years, and 78.9%, 6.5% and 21 (1-84) days in patients aged <65 years, respectively. The elder patients were more likely to receive second-line anti-tuberculosis agents. The treatment completion rate decreased with older age, female sex, comorbidities, low income, requiring second-line anti-tuberculosis agents, severity of pulmonary tuberculosis and longer treatment delay. Older age, female sex, comorbidities, low income, and not undergoing rapid molecular diagnostic tests were independently associated with longer treatment delays.

CONCLUSIONS

Pulmonary tuberculosis in advanced age has a longer treatment delay and a higher mortality rate. Applying rapid molecular diagnostic tools may reduce treatment delay and should be integrated into the diagnostic algorithm for pulmonary tuberculosis, particularly in elderly patients.

Comorbidity and dementia: A nationwide survey in Taiwan

Background

Comorbid medical diseases are highly prevalent in the geriatric population, imposing hardship on healthcare services for demented individuals. Dementia also complicates clinical care for other co-existing medical conditions. This study investigated the comorbidities associated with dementia in the elderly population aged 65 years and over in Taiwan.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide, population-based, cross-sectional survey; participants were selected by computerized random sampling from all 19 Taiwan counties between December 2011 and March 2013. After exclusion of incomplete or erroneous data, 8,456 subjects were enrolled. Of them, 6,183 were cognitively normal (control group), 1,576 had mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 697 had dementia. We collected information about types of comorbidities (i.e., vascular risk factors, lung diseases, liver diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, and cancers), Charlson comorbidity index score, and demographic variables to compare subjects with normal cognition, MCI, and dementia.

Results

Regardless of the cognitive condition, over 60% of the individuals in each group had at least one comorbid disease. The proportion of subjects possessing at least three comorbidities was higher in those with cognitive impairment (MCI 20.9%, dementia 27.3%) than in control group (15%). Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were the most common comorbidities. The mean number of comorbidities and Charlson comorbidity index score were greater in MCI and dementia groups than in control group. Logistic regression demonstrated that the comorbidities significantly associated with MCI and dementia were cerebrovascular disease (OR 3.35, CI 2.62–4.28), cirrhosis (OR 3.29, CI 1.29–8.41), asthma (OR 1.56, CI 1.07–2.27), and diabetes mellitus (OR 1.24, CI 1.07–1.44).

Conclusion

Multiple medical comorbid diseases are common in older adults, especially in those with cognitive impairment. Cerebrovascular disease, cirrhosis, asthma, and diabetes mellitus are important contributors to cognitive deterioration in the elderly. Efforts to lower cumulative medical burden in the geriatric population may benefit cognitive function.

Galectin-3 and Its Genetic Variation rs4644 Modulate Enterovirus 71 Infection

Galectin-3, a chimeric type β-galactoside-binding protein, is known to modulate viral infection; however, its role in enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection has not been investigated. We generated galectin-3 null rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells and evaluated whether EV71 infection would be affected. In galectin-3 null cells, the released and intracellular EV71 viral loads were suppressed after 24 h of infection, and cell death rates were significantly lower, while cell proliferation remained unaltered. In addition, RD cells expressing a nonsynonymous genetic variant of galectin-3, rs4644 (LGALS3 +191C/A, P64H), produced lower virus titers than those with wild-type galectin-3 (C allele). To clarify whether the in vitro viral load reduction correlates with clinical severity, we enrolled children with laboratory-confirmed EV71 infection. Since hyperglycemia is an indicator of severe EV71 infection in children, 152 of 401 enrolled children had glucose examinations at admission, and 59 subjects had serum glucose levels ≥ 150 mg/dL. In comparison to the rs4644 AA genotype (2.2 ± 0.06 log10 mg/dL), serum glucose levels during EV71 infection were higher in patients with CC (2.4 ± 0.17 log10 mg/dL, p = 0.03) and CA (2.4 ± 0.15 log10 mg/dL, p = 0.02) genotypes, respectively. These findings suggest that the rs4644 AA genotype of galectin-3 might exert a protective effect. In summary, galectin-3 affects EV71 replication in our cellular model and its variant, rs4644, is associated with hyperglycemia in the clinical setting. The underlying mechanism and its potential therapeutic application warrant further investigation.

Protein Kinase RNA-Like Endoplasmic Reticulum Kinase-Mediated Bcl-2 Protein Phosphorylation Contributes to Evodiamine-Induced Apoptosis of Human Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells

We investigated the anticancer mechanism of evodiamine (EVO) against the viability of human A498 renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cells in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro study showed that EVO decreased the viability of A498 cells with the occurrence of apoptotic characteristics such as hypodiploid cells, DNA ladders, chromatin-condensed cells, and cleaved caspase (Casp)-3/poly(ADP ribose) polymerase (PARP) proteins. Pharmacological studies using chemical inhibitors of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) indicated that phosphorylation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) protein participated in EVO-induced cell death of A498 cells, and application of the JNK inhibitor, SP600125 (SP), inhibited EVO-induced cleavage of the Casp-3/PARP proteins and chromatin condensation according to Giemsa staining. EVO disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) with increased protein levels of the phosphorylated Bcl-2 protein (p-Bcl-2) was prevented by JNK inhibitors in A498 cells. A structure-activity relationship study showed that a methyl group at position 14 in EVO was important for its apoptotic effects and increased p-Bcl-2 protein in A498 cells. Furthermore, significant increases in the phosphorylated endoplasmic reticular stress protein, protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK at Thr980), by EVO were detected in A498 cells, and the PERK inhibitor, GSK2606414, significantly suppressed EVO-induced apoptosis, p-JNK, p-PERK, and cleaved PARP proteins. The in vivo study showed that EVO significantly reduced RCC growth elicited by a subcutaneous injection of A498 cells, and an increased protein level of p-PERK was observed according to an immunohistochemical analysis. Apoptosis by EVO was also demonstrated in other RCC cells such as 786-O, ACHN, and Caki-1 cells. This is the first study to demonstrate the anti-RCC effect of EVO via apoptosis in vitro and in vivo, and activation of JNK and PERK to induce Bcl-2 protein phosphorylation, which led to disruption of the MMP.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate Mediates Renal Tubular Cell Apoptosis through PPARgamma Inactivation

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are ubiquitously distributed in the environments including stainless pan-coating, raincoat, fire extinguisher, and semiconductor products. The PPAR family has been shown to contribute to the toxic effects of PFCs in thymus, immune and excretory systems. Herein, we demonstrated that perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) caused cell apoptosis through increasing ratio of Bcl-xS/xL, cytosolic cytochrome C, and caspase 3 activation in renal tubular cells (RTCs). In addition, PFOS increased transcription of inflammatory cytokines (i.e., TNFα, ICAM1, and MCP1) by NFκB activation. Conversely, PFOS reduced the mRNA levels of antioxidative enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase, as a result of reduced PPARγ transactivational activity by using reporter and chromatin immuoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. PFOS reduced the protein interaction between PPARγ and PPARγ coactivator-1 alpha (PGC1α) by PPARγ deacetylation through Sirt1 upregulation, of which the binding of PPARγ and PGC1α to a peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE) in the promoter regions of these antioxidative enzymes was alleviated in the ChIP assay. Furthermore, Sirt1 also deacetylated p53 and then increased the binding of p53 to Bax, resulting in increased cytosolic cytochrome C. The effect of PPARγ inactivation by PFOS was validated using the PPARγ antagonist GW9662, whereas the adverse effects of PFOS were prevented by PPARγ overexpression and activators, rosiglitozone and L-carnitine, in RTCs. The in vitro finding of protective effect of L-carnitine was substantiated in vivo using Balb/c mice model subjected to PFOS challenge. Altogether, we provide in vivo and in vitro evidence for the protective mechanism of L-carnitine in eliminating PFOS-mediated renal injury, at least partially, through PPARγ activation.

Down-Regulation of Cytokinin Oxidase 2 Expression Increases Tiller Number and Improves Rice Yield

BACKGROUND

Cytokinins are plant-specific hormones that affect plant growth and development. The endogenous level of cytokinins in plant cells is regulated in part by irreversible degradation via cytokinin oxidase/dehydrogenase (CKX). Among the 11 rice CKXs, CKX2 has been implicated in regulation of rice grain yield.

RESULTS

To specifically down-regulate OsCKX2 expression, we have chosen two conserved glycosylation regions of OsCKX2 for designing artificial short hairpin RNA interference genes (shRNA-CX3 and -CX5, representing the 5' and 3' glycosylation region sequences, respectively) for transformation by the Agrobacterium-mediated method. For each construct, 5 independent transgenic lines were obtained for detailed analysis. Southern blot analysis confirmed the integration of the shRNA genes into the rice genome, and quantitative real time RT-PCR and northern blot analyses showed reduced OsCKX2 expression in the young stem of transgenic rice at varying degrees. However, the expression of other rice CKX genes, such as CKX1 and CKX3, in these transgenic lines was not altered. Transgenic rice plants grown in the greenhouse were greener and more vigorous with delayed senescence, compared to the wild type. In field experiments, both CX3 and CX5 transgenic rice plants produced more tillers (27-81 %) and grains (24-67 %) per plant and had a heavier 1000 grain weight (5-15 %) than the wild type. The increases in grain yield were highly correlated with increased tiller numbers. Consistently, insertional activation of OsCKX2 led to increased expression of CKX2 and reduced tiller number and growth in a gene-dosage dependant manner.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these results demonstrate that specific suppression of OsCKX2 expression through shRNA-mediated gene silencing leads to enhanced growth and productivity in rice by increasing tiller number and grain weight.