Vascular endothelial cell growth factor promotes tyrosine phosphorylation of mediators of signal transduction that contain SH2 domains. Association with endothelial cell proliferation

Vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell-specific mitogen that plays an important role in angiogenesis, promotes the tyrosine phosphorylation of at least 11 proteins in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC). Proteins immunoprecipitated from lysates of control- and VEGF-stimulated BAEC with antisera to phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) were fractionated by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred to Immobilon-P. Evaluation of the Western blots with antisera to phosphotyrosine demonstrated that PLC-gamma and two proteins (100 and 85 kDa) that associate with PLC-gamma were phosphorylated in response to VEGF. By using antisera specific to other mediators of signal transduction that contain SH2 domains for immunoprecipitation, it was demonstrated that VEGF promotes phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Ras GTPase activating protein (GAP), and the oncogenic adaptor protein NcK. Proteins of M(r) consistent with the VEGF receptors Flt-1 and Flk-1/KDR were also tyrosine phosphorylated in stimulated cells. Tyrosine-phosphorylated Nck, PLC-gamma, and two GAP-associated proteins, p190 and p62, were in GAP immunoprecipitates of VEGF-stimulated BAEC, and tyrosine-phosphorylated NcK was in phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase immunoprecipitates. These observations suggest that VEGF promotes formation of multimeric aggregates of VEGF receptors with proteins that contain SH2 domains and activate various signaling pathways. VEGF-promoted proliferation of endothelial cells and tyrosine phosphorylation of SH2 domain containing signaling molecules were inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein.

Inhibitors of HIV-1 replication [corrected; erratum to be published] that inhibit HIV integrase

HIV-1 replication depends on the viral enzyme integrase that mediates integration of a DNA copy of the virus into the host cell genome. This enzyme represents a novel target to which antiviral agents might be directed. Three compounds, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 1-methoxyoxalyl-3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, and L-chicoric acid, inhibit HIV-1 integrase in biochemical assays at concentrations ranging from 0.06-0.66 microgram/ml; furthermore, these compounds inhibit HIV-1 replication in tissue culture at 1-4 microgram/ml. The toxic concentrations of these compounds are fully 100-fold greater than their antiviral concentrations. These compounds represent a potentially important new class of antiviral agents that may contribute to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of viral integration. Thus, the dicaffeoylquinic acids are promising leads to new anti-HIV therapeutics and offer a significant advance in the search for new HIV enzyme targets as they are both specific for HIV-1 integrase and active against HIV-1 in tissue culture.

A medicinal extract of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu acts as a dual inhibitor of cyclooxygenase and 5-lipoxygenase to reduce inflammation

A mixed extract containing two naturally occurring flavonoids, baicalin from Scutellaria baicalensis and catechin from Acacia catechu, was tested for cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibition via enzyme, cellular, and in vivo models. The 50% inhibitory concentration for inhibition of both ovine COX-1 and COX-2 peroxidase enzyme activities was 15 microg/mL, while the mixed extract showed a value for potato 5-LOX enzyme activity of 25 microg/mL. Prostaglandin E2 generation was inhibited by the mixed extract in human osteosarcoma cells expressing COX-2, while leukotriene production was inhibited in both human cell lines, immortalized THP-1 monocyte and HT-29 colorectal adenocarcinoma. In an arachidonic acid-induced mouse ear swelling model, the extract decreased edema in a dose-dependent manner. When arachidonic acid was injected directly into the intra-articular space of mouse ankle joints, the mixed extract abated the swelling and restored function in a rotary drum walking model. These results suggest that this natural, flavonoid mixture acts via "dual inhibition" of COX and LOX enzymes to reduce production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and attenuate edema in an in vivo model of inflammation.

Structure-activity relationships: analogues of the dicaffeoylquinic and dicaffeoyltartaric acids as potent inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 integrase and replication

The dicaffeoylquinic acids (DCQAs) and dicaffeoyltartaric acids (DCTAs) are potent and selective inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) integrase. They also inhibit HIV-1 replication at nontoxic concentrations. Since integrase is an excellent target for anti-HIV therapy, structure-activity relationships were employed to synthesize compounds with: (1) improved potency against HIV-1 integrase, (2) improved anti-HIV effect in tissue culture, and (3) increased selectivity as indicated by low cellular toxicity. Thirty-four analogues of the DCTAs and DCQAs were synthesized and tested for cell toxicity, anti-HIV activity, and inhibition of HIV-1 integrase. Seventeen of the 34 analogues had potent activity against HIV-1 integrase ranging from 0. 07 to >10 microM. Seventeen analogues that were synthesized or purchased had no inhibitory activity against integrase at concentrations of 25 microM. Of the biologically active analogues, 7 of the 17 inhibited HIV replication at nontoxic concentrations. The most potent compounds were D-chicoric acid, meso-chicoric acid, bis(3,4-dihydroxydihydrocinnamoyl)-L-tartaric acid, digalloyl-L-tartaric acid, bis(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-L-tartaric acid, dicaffeoylglyceric acid, and bis(3, 4-dihydroxyphenylacetyl)-L-tartaric acid. Anti-HIV activity of the active compounds in tissue culture ranged from 35 to 0.66 microM. Structure-activity relationships demonstrated that biscatechol moieties were absolutely required for inhibition of integrase, while at least one free carboxyl group was required for anti-HIV activity. These data demonstrate that analogues of the DCTAs and the DCQAs can be synthesized which have improved activity against HIV integrase.

Dietary patterns are associated with prevalence of fatty liver disease in adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Previous studies have indicated that higher levels of food consumption are associated with fatty liver disease (FLD), but few studies have investigated the relationship between this disease and different dietary patterns. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between dietary patterns and FLD in adults.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Dietary intakes of participants in the Tianjin were assessed via questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify dietary patterns, and FLD was defined as having a FLD diagnosis using liver ultrasonography. Relationships between dietary patterns and FLD were assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Female participants in the highest quartile of high-carbohydrate/sweet pattern scores had a 2.19-fold greater risk (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.40-3.46) of developing non-alcoholic FLD (NAFLD) than those in the lowest quartile after adjusting for confounding factors. No significant differences were found between any dietary pattern and NAFLD in males. In males, a significantly increasing trend of alcoholic FLD (AFLD) prevalence was associated with increasing high-protein/cholesterol pattern scores (P for trend = 0.03; odds ratio (OR), 2.08; 95% CI, 1.15-3.81) while an increased high-carbohydrate/sweet pattern score appeared protective against AFLD (P for trend = 0.02; OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.29-1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that high-protein/cholesterol pattern scores are associated with higher prevalence of AFLD in males. We also show high-carbohydrate/sweet pattern scores are associated with higher prevalence of NAFLD in females; but, interestingly, this pattern shows a favorable effect on AFLD in males.

The value of dual time point (18)F-FDG PET imaging for the differentiation between malignant and benign lesions

AIM

To assess the clinical value of dual time point 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG PET) imaging for the differentiation between malignant and benign lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-six patients (28 patients with primary lung cancer, 18 patients with digestive system carcinoma, 13 patients with other malignant tumours, and 37 patients with benign lesions) underwent FDG-PET/CT at two time points: examination 1 at 45-55 min and examination 2 at 160+/-24 (150-180) min after the intravenous injection of 233+/-52 (185-370)MBq (18)F-FDG. Reconstructed images were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The maximum standardized uptake values (SUVmax) of the lesions were calculated for both time points. An increase was considered to have occurred if the SUVs at examination 2 had increased by >10% as compared with those at the examination 1.

RESULTS

The lesions in 24 of 28 (86%) patients with primary lung cancer had an SUVmax > or = 2.5 at examination 1. Of these, SUVmax values increased in 23 patients, but had not changed in one patient, at examination 2. The lesions in the other four patients with primary lung tumour had SUVmax values between 1.5 and 2.5 at examination 1, which were considered as suspected positive, increased SUVmax values were observed in three of these patients at examination 2. The malignant lesions in 17 of 18 patients with digestive system carcinoma showed SUVmax values > or = 2.5 and only one patient had an SUVmax value < 1.5 at examination 1; all lesions showed an increase in SUVmax values at examination 2. In 13 patients with other malignant tumours, all lesions had SUVmax values > or = 2.5 at examination 1 and the SUVmax values were further increased at examination 2. Therefore, the malignant lesions in 54/59 (92%) of patients had SUVmax values > or = 2.5 at examination 1 and showed a further increase in SUVmax value at examination 2. Only 12 of 37 (32%) patients with benign lesions showed SUVmax values > or = 2.5 at examination 1 and nine patients with benign lesions had SUVmax values > or = 2.5 in examination 2. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values for the early and delayed imaging were 91.5, 67.6, 82.3, 81.8, and 83.3%, and 98.3, 75.7, 89.6, 86.6, and 96.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study provide further evidence that dual time point (18)F-FDG PET imaging is an important noninvasive method for the differentiation of malignant and nonmalignant lesions.

The Grb2 binding domain of mSos1 is not required for downstream signal transduction

Cellular Ras proteins are activated primarily by specific guanine-nucleotide releasing factors such as the Son of Sevenless (Sos) proteins. This activation event is thought to occur in response to plasma membrane localization of a complex containing Sos and a small adapter protein Grb2. We have isolated a dominant mutant allele of mSos1 which transforms Rat1 cells, yet is no longer able to bind Grb2. Biochemical experiments reveal that the subcellular distribution of this truncated Sos protein is not altered with respect to the wild type Sos protein. These data argue against a role for Grb2 in the direct recruitment of Sos proteins to the plasma membrane and suggest that Grb2 may function to overcome negative regulation of Sos by its C terminus.

Modified Aloe barbadensis polysaccharide with immunoregulatory activity

Aloe barbadensis polysaccharide was partially digested with cellulase and further purified by dialysis, stepwise ethanol precipitation, and size exclusion chromatography. Crude modified Aloe polysaccharide (MAP) activated macrophage cells and stimulated fibroblast growth. Under the same conditions, native Aloe barbadensis gel had no effect on macrophage activation. MAP prevented ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation-induced immune suppression as determined by contact hypersensitivity (CHS) response in C3H/HeN mice. This in vivo activity was correlated with the activity of MAP to inhibit UVB irradiation-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) release from human epidermoid carcinoma cells (KB cells). MAP with an average molecular weight of 80,000 Dalton (Da) contained mannose, galactose, and glucose in a ratio of 40:1.4:1.0. MAP was likely a linear, highly acetylated molecule.

Hypoglycemic activity of a polyphenolic oligomer-rich extract of Cinnamomum parthenoxylon bark in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Cinnamon bark has been reported to be effective in the alleviation of diabetes through its antioxidant and insulin-potentiating activities. The water-soluble polyphenolic oligomers found in cinnamon are thought to be responsible for this biological activity. In this study, the hypoglycemic activity of a polyphenolic oligomer-rich extract from the barks of Cinnamomum parthenoxylon (Jack) Nees was studied in normal, transiently hyperglycemic, and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of the extract at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body wt. caused significant changes in body weight loss and fasting blood glucose levels of normal rats. In STZ-induced diabetic rats, after administration of the extract at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body wt. over 14 days, the blood glucose levels were decreased by 11.1%, 22.5%, and 38.7%, respectively, and the plasma insulin levels were significantly increased over pre-treatment levels. In an oral glucose tolerance test, the extract produced a significant decrease in glycemia 90 min after the glucose pulse. These results suggest that Cinnamomum parthenoxylon polyphenolic oligomer-rich extract could be potentially useful for post-prandial hyperglycemia treatment.

Computational identification of citrus microRNAs and target analysis in citrus expressed sequence tags

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new family of small RNA molecules found in plants and animals. We developed a comprehensive strategy for identifying new miRNA homologues by mining the repository of available citrus expressed sequence tags (ESTs). By adopting a range of filtering criteria, we identified a total of 38 potential miRNAs--nine, five, nine and 15 miRNAs in Citrus trifoliata (ctr-miRNAs), C. clementina (ccl-miRNAs), C. reticulata (crt-miRNAs) and C. sinensis (csi-miRNAs), respectively--from more than 430,000 EST sequences in citrus. Using the potential miRNA sequences, we conducted a further BLAST search of the mRNA database and found six potential target genes in these citrus species. Eight miRNAs were selected in order to verify their existence in citrus using Northern blotting, and the functions of several miRNAs in miRNA-mediated gene regulation are experimentally suggested. It appears that all these miRNAs regulate expression of their target genes by cleavage, which is the most common situation in gene regulation mediated by plant miRNAs. Our achievement in identifying new miRNAs in citrus provides a powerful incentive for further studies on the important roles of these miRNAs.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for primary trigeminal neuralgia using the Leksell Gamma unit

OBJECTIVE

Previous papers have reported Gamma Knife radiosurgery to be a safe, effective method for primary trigeminal neuralgia. Since November 1996, we have treated primary trigeminal neuralgia using the Leksell Gamma Knife at the Tianjin Medical University. The present study reports clinical results of Gamma Knife radiosurgery in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia in 80 cases.

METHODS

The mean patient age was 67 years (range 32-92), the mean duration of facial pain was 7.6 years (range 1.5-29). The male:female ratio was 31:49. The right side of the face was involved in 45 patients (56.25%) and the left side in 30 cases (37.5%), with bilateral involvement in 5 cases (6.25%). Under local anesthesia, all patients underwent stereotactic MRI to identify the trigeminal nerve. A single isocenter, using a 4-mm collimator, was positioned at the sensory root of the trigeminal nerve entry zone of the pons, 4-6 mm from the brainstem surface, so that no more than the 20% isodose was administered to the brainstem. The maximum dose was between 70 and 90 Gy, with a mean of 75.6 Gy. For bilateral trigeminal neuralgia, two separate matrices were employed, and bilateral Gamma Knife radiosurgery was performed on the same day.

RESULTS

Follow-up ranged from 12 to 43 months (mean 23.7 months). Neurological evaluation indicated excellent response in 42 cases (52.5%), good response in 25 cases (31.25%), effective response in 8 cases (10%), so the total pain control rate was 93.75%. The latency from Gamma Knife surgery to pain relief ranged from 1 to 120 days (mean 22 days). Among the 75 patients 7 with pain control experienced pain recurrence 5-26 months after being completely free from pain. A second Gamma Knife radiosurgery was performed in 7 recurrent cases and 5 patients with treatment failure. A maximal dose ranging from 70 to 80 Gy was given (mean 74.2 Gy). After a mean follow-up of 18 months (8-33 months), 9 patients achieved excellent results, and 2 had good results. The latency interval to pain relief ranged from 1 to 120 days (mean 15 days). Nine patients developed new facial numbness, while no other complication appeared in the remainder of the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Gamma Knife radiosurgery is a safe and effective method in the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia once diagnosis is established.

Pikuroside: a novel iridoid from Picrorhiza kurroa

A new iridoid, pikuroside (1), was isolated from the roots of Picrorhiza kurroa, together with three known iridoids, picroside I (2), picroside II (3), and 6-feruloyl catalpol (4). The structure of 1 was established by interpretation and full assignments of NMR spectral data. Pikuroside (1) had no antiinflammatory activity, although the crude extract and picroside II (3) demonstrated moderate activity.

Clinical study of orthokeratology in young myopic adolescents

This project was designed to study the efficacy of orthokeratology and its related problems in a population of young myopic adolescents. Fifty-four young myopia adolescents ages 11 to 15 years were enrolled in the study and followed over a 6-month period. The procedures included (1) baseline refraction, assessment of tear quality and quantity, and cornea examination including cornea topography, A-scan ultrasound of cornea thickness, and spectromicroscopy of the corneal endothelium; (2) diagnostic lens fitting and evaluation; (3) lens dispensing and educating the patients or their parents; (4) follow-up schedule and data analysis; and (5) maintenance lens dispensing and analysis of wearing schedules. Myopia was reduced between -1.25 and -5.00 D (-3.00 D average). Myopia reduction was almost complete in the first 6 months, with most of the reduction occurring during the first 2 weeks. Seventy-five percent of the possible reduction occurred during this 2-week time period. Tear quality and quantity influenced reduction speed and amount. Corneal thickness and endothelium remained unchanged over the study period. Subjective refraction is the most reliable method to measure the status of ocular refractive changes. Corneal staining occurred in 45% of subjects during the procedure, mainly in subjects with tear problems. Eighteen percent of the subjects showed induced astigmatism, which could be reversed by refitting the lens or changing the wearing schedule. Maintenance lenses had to be worn every night for young adolescents to maintain myopia reduction. Orthokeratology is a reliable option for reducing some myopia in young adolescents. The first 2 weeks are critical for the procedure. Complete examination and the data analysis procedures are important for monitoring prognosis and eye health.

The heterogeneous energy landscape expression of KWW relaxation

Here we show a heterogeneous energy landscape approach to describing the Kohlrausch-Williams-Watts (KWW) relaxation function. For a homogeneous dynamic process, the distribution of free energy landscape is first proposed, revealing the significance of rugged fluctuations. In view of the heterogeneous relaxation given in two dynamic phases and the transmission coefficient in a rate process, we obtain a general characteristic relaxation time distribution equation for the KWW function in a closed, analytic form. Analyses of numerical computation show excellent accuracy, both in time and frequency domains, in the convergent performance of the heterogeneous energy landscape expression and shunning the catastrophic truncations reported in the previous work. The stretched exponential β, closely associated to temperature and apparent correlation with one dynamic phase, reveals a threshold value of 1/2 defining different behavior of the probability density functions. Our work may contribute, for example, to in-depth comprehension of the dynamic mechanism of glass transition, which cannot be provided by existing approaches.

Rehmanniae Radix Preparata suppresses bone loss and increases bone strength through interfering with canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in OVX rats

Rehmanniae Radix Preparata (RRP) improves bone quality in OVX rats through the regulation of bone homeostasis via increasing osteoblastogenesis and decreasing osteoclastogenesis, suggesting it has a potential for the development of new anti-osteoporotic drugs.

INTRODUCTION

Determine the anti-osteoporotic effect of RRP in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and identify the signaling pathway involved in this process.

METHODS

OVX rats were treated with RRP aqueous extract for 14 weeks. The serum levels of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were determined by ELISA. Bone histopathological alterations were evaluated by H&E, Alizarin red S, and Safranin O staining. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone microstructure in rat femurs and lumbar bones were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and micro-computed tomography. Femoral bone strength was detected by a three-point bending assay. The expression of Phospho-glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (p-GSK-3β), GSK-3β, Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), cathepsin K, OPG, RANKL, IGF-1, Runx2, β-catenin, and p-β-catenin was determined by western blot and/or immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

Treatment of OVX rats with RRP aqueous extract rebuilt bone homeostasis demonstrated by increasing the levels of OPG as well as decreasing the levels of TRAP, RANKL, and ALP in serum. Furthermore, RRP treatment preserved BMD and mechanical strength by increasing cortical bone thickness and epiphyseal thickness as well as improving trabecular distribution in the femurs of OVX rats. In addition, RRP downregulated the expression of DKK1, sclerostin, RANKL, cathepsin K, and the ratio of p-β-catenin to β-catenin, along with upregulating the expression of IGF-1, β-catenin, and Runx2 and the ratio of p-GSK-3β to GSK-3β in the tibias and femurs of OVX rats. Echinacoside, jionoside A1/A2, acetoside, isoacetoside, jionoside B1, and jionoside B2 were identified in the RRP aqueous extract.

CONCLUSION

RRP attenuates bone loss and improves bone quality in OVX rats partly through its regulation of the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, suggesting that RRP has the potential to provide a new source of anti-osteoporotic drugs.

Quantification of urine 17-ketosteroid sulfates and glucuronides by high-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectroscopy

The measurement of androgen steroids has been utilized as a clinical indicator of adrenal function, androgen abuse, and as a prediction of general health or biological aging. An improved high-performance liquid chromatography-ion trap mass spectroscopic method with sonic spray ionization (SSI) technology for the quantification of individual urinary 17-ketosteroid sulfates and glucuronides was developed and validated. Sample preparation was simplified using a C18 cartridge followed by direct injection onto a reversed-phase HPLC column. Individual 17-ketosteroid from 63 urinary specimens collected in a 24-h period was measured. 17-Ketosteroid conjugates, total 17-KS-S and the ratio of total 17-KS-S to creatinine referred to herein as the Anabolic/Catabolic Index (ACI) showed statistically significant negative correlations with age.

Resveratrol inhibits bile acid-induced gastric intestinal metaplasia via the PI3K/AKT/p-FoxO4 signalling pathway

Gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM) is the essential pre-malignancy of gastric cancer. Chronic inflammation and bile acid reflux are major contributing factors. As an intestinal development transcription factor, caudal-related homeobox 2 (CDX2) is key in GIM. Resveratrol has potential chemopreventive and anti-tumour effects. The aim of the study is to probe the effect of resveratrol in bile acid-induced GIM. We demonstrated that resveratrol could reduce CDX2 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner in gastric cell lines. A Cignal Finder 45-Pathway Reporter Array and TranSignal Protein/DNA Array Kit verified that resveratrol could increase Forkhead box O4 (FoxO4) activity and that Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) could reduce FoxO4 activity. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis showed that FoxO4 could bind to the CDX2 promoter, and these conjectures were supported by chromatin-immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. Resveratrol can activate FoxO4 and decrease CDX2 expression by increasing phospho-FoxO4 nucleus trans-location. Resveratrol could increase FoxO4 phosphorylation through the PI3K/AKT pathway. Ectopic FoxO4 expression can up-regulate FoxO4 phosphorylation and suppress CDCA-induced GIM marker expression. Finally, we found a reverse correlation between p-FoxO4 and CDX2 in tissue arrays. This study validates that resveratrol could reduce bile acid-induced GIM through the PI3K/AKT/p-FoxO4 signalling pathway and has a potential reversing effect on GIM, especially that caused by bile acid reflux.

Drug leads from the Kallawaya herbalists of Bolivia. 1. Background, rationale, protocol and anti-HIV activity

Aqueous, organic and alcoholic extracts of over 100 samples of 60 species of Kallawaya medicinal herbs representing 30 plant families were assayed to compare their toxicity and ability to protect MT-2 T-lymphoblastoid cells from the cytopathic effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The results are reported as a therapeutic index (TI) which was > 25 for eighteen species, including seven > 50 and one > 100. The anti-HIV activity resided primarily in the aqueous rather than in the organic extracts and was concentrated in plants used in ethnomedicine to treat lung and liver diseases.

Elevated serum complement C3 levels are related to the development of prediabetes in an adult population: the Tianjin Chronic Low-Grade Systematic Inflammation and Health Cohort Study

AIMS

To investigate whether serum complement C3 is related to the prevalence and incidence of prediabetes in an adult population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional (n = 10 206) and prospective cohort study (n = 3333), with a mean (range; 95% CI) follow-up of 2.63 (1-6; 2.58-2.68) years, was conducted in people recruited from the Health Management Centre of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in Tianjin, China. Measurement of serum C3 concentration, blood fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance, HbA1c and other potential confounding factors was performed at baseline and each year during the follow-up. Prediabetes was defined according to the criteria of the American Diabetes Association. Adjusted logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess the relationships between C3 quintiles and prediabetes.

RESULTS

The prevalence and incidence of prediabetes were 38.5% and 119 per 1000 person-years, respectively. In cross-sectional analysis, after adjustment for potential confounders, the odds ratios of prediabetes for increasing quintiles of C3 were 1.00 (reference), 1.32 (95% CI 1.14-1.53), 1.37 (95% CI 1.18-1.59), 1.75 (95% CI 1.51-2.03), 2.25 (95% CI 1.93-2.62; P for trend < 0.0001). In the cohort analysis, the multiple-adjusted hazard ratio of prediabetes in the highest quintile of baseline C3 was 1.43 (95% CI 1.15, 1.78; P for trend < 0.001), when compared with the lowest quintile.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that elevated serum C3 levels are significantly related to an increased risk of developing prediabetes in an adult population, suggesting that C3 can be used as a biomarker in high-risk individuals to improve primary prevention of prediabetes and diabetes.

Baseline concentration of misfolded α-synuclein aggregates in cerebrospinal fluid predicts risk of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND

The prognostic significance of misfolded α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregates in Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been well investigated. The aim of this study was to reveal the relationship between misfolded α-Syn aggregate concentration in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and cognitive decline risk in PD.

METHODS

A total of 278 patients with PD were retrospectively included. They were diagnosed between 2011 and 2013. The end-point was 2016, and the follow-up period was 54.3 ± 10.0 months. Cognitive decline was defined as a 4-point decrease in the Mini-Mental State Examination score during follow-up. Misfolded α-Syn aggregate concentration in baseline CSF was measured using the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technique. Time to reach 50% of the maximum fluorescence value was recorded.

RESULTS

The PMCA technique successfully detected the level of misfolded α-Syn aggregates in CSF with a sensitivity of 85.3% and a specificity of 91.4%. The time to reach 50% of the maximum fluorescence value was shorter in the patients with cognitive decline than in the patients without cognitive decline (190.7 ± 40.1 h vs. 240.8 ± 45.6 h, P < 0.001). Multifactorial Cox regression analysis revealed that reaching 50% of the maximum fluorescence value in ≤219 h at baseline was associated with increased risk of cognitive decline during the follow-up (HR: 4.90, 95% CI: 2.75-8.74, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Baseline concentration of misfolded α-Syn aggregates in CSF measured by the PMCA technique predicts risk of cognitive decline in PD.

Inhibition of cyclinB1 Suppressed the Proliferation, Invasion, and Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells and Enhanced the Sensitivity to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis

Background

CyclinB1 is highly expressed in various tumor tissues and plays an important role in tumor progression. However, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the role of cyclinB1 in the development and progression of HCC.

Methods

The expression of cyclinB1 was analyzed using the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) database, and detected in HCC tissues and HCC cell lines through quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. CyclinB1-short hairpin RNA (Sh-cyclinB1) was transfected into HCC cells to knockdown cyclinB1, and the effect of cyclinB1 knockdown on HCC was examined via the MTT assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, scratch assay, cell cycle analysis in vitro, and xenograft model in nude mice. In addition, the role of cyclinB1 on tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis was measured using flow cytometry and Western blotting.

Results

The GEPIA database analysis showed that cyclinB1 was highly expressed in HCC tissues. The results of qRT-PCR and Western blotting proved that the expression of cyclinB1 was significantly increased in HCC tissues and cell lines. The data of the MTT assay, colony formation assay, and cell cycle analysis indicated that cyclinB1 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of HCC cells. In addition, cell migration, invasion, and epithelial mesenchymal transition were also impaired by cyclinB1 knockdown. Furthermore, the xenograft model in nude mice demonstrated that inhibition of cyclinB1 suppressed tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Finally, the results of flow cytometry and Western blotting indicated that inhibition of cyclinB1 enhanced the sensitivity of HCC cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

Conclusion

Overall, these data provide reasonable evidence that cyclinB1 may serve as a proto-oncogene during the progression of HCC.