Patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of cardiovascular events. Our aim in this study was to assess the cut-off value for lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) in CKD patients with a history of cardiova...Patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of cardiovascular events. Our aim in this study was to assess the cut-off value for lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) in CKD patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This was a cross-sectional study. Variables including age, sex, history of CVD, body mass index and CKD stage, were collected during CKD patient’s first admission in the nephrology dialysis department. Blood samples were collected for quantitative determination of Lp(a) by immunoturbidimetric method. They were divided into two groups: CKD patients without history of CVD and CKD patients with history of CVD. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess associations with a significance level of 0.05%. Area under the curve (AUC) and new cut-off value for Lp(a) were identified by drawing Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. A total of seventy CKD patients with median age of 43 years [minimum-maximum = 15 - 78 years] were included. Patients with history of CVD were 65.71% (46/70). New Lp(a) cut-off point in CKD patients with history of CVD was 66.50 nmol/L [sensitivity, 87.00%;specificity, 58.30%;AUC = 0.727;p = 0.000]. ROC curve demonstrated good performance of Lp(a) to screen CKD patients with history of CVD. Further research is needed to determine an LPA gene polymorphism’s contribution to increasing risk for CVD at each kidney disease stage.展开更多
Resistin,a newly discovered peptide hormone mainly secreted by adipose tissues,is present at high levels in serum of obese mice and may be a potential link between obesity and insulin resistance in rodents. However,so...Resistin,a newly discovered peptide hormone mainly secreted by adipose tissues,is present at high levels in serum of obese mice and may be a potential link between obesity and insulin resistance in rodents. However,some studies of rat and mouse models have associated insulin resistance and obesity with decreased resistin expression. In humans,no relationship between resistin level and insulin resistance or adiposity was observed. This suggests that additional studies are necessary to determine the specific role of resistin in the regulation of energy metabolism and adipogenesis. In the present study,we investigated the effect of resistin in vivo on glucose and lipid metabolism by over-expressing resistin in mice by intramuscular injection of a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-Retn encoding porcine resistin gene. After injection,serum resistin and serum glucose (GLU) levels were significantly increased in the pcDNA3.1-Retn-treated mice; there was an obvious difference in total cholesterol (TC) level between the experiment and the control groups on Day 30. In pcDNA3.1-Retn-treated mice,both free fatty acid (FFA) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were markedly lower than those of control,whereas HDL cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels did not differ between the two groups. Furthermore,lipase activity was expressly lower on Day 20. Our data suggest that resistin over-expressed in mice might be responsible for insulin resistance and parameters related to glucose and lipid metabolism were changed accordingly.展开更多
The experiment was set up for examining the physiological and biological indexes quickly and exactly, for obtaining information of tobacco-field fertilizing and tobacco growing. The ASD Field spec FR 2500 was used to ...The experiment was set up for examining the physiological and biological indexes quickly and exactly, for obtaining information of tobacco-field fertilizing and tobacco growing. The ASD Field spec FR 2500 was used to measure spectra reflectance of flue-cured tobacco and the relationship between hyperspectral parameters and biochemical contents （total nitrogen, chlorophyll, carotenoid）, and physiological indexes （fresh weight, dry weight, moisture content） of flue-cured tobacco leaves was studied by correlation and stepwise regression statistic methods at different nitrogen and potassium levels. The results indicated that the spectra curves of different treatments had obvious rules and great diversities. There were high correlations between different types of spectra parameters and ten physiological and biochemical indexes of flue-cured tobacco leaves. Hyperspectral characteristic variables of ten physiological and biochemical indexes were found through stepwise regression, and SDr/SDb was the characteristic variable closest to seven biochemical contents. Simultaneously, the R2 and regression coefficient of equations reached 0.05 significant level and the equations had good estimating effects through the examination of other samples. Accordingly, this study suggested that the ten physiological and biochemical indexes could be estimated quickly by the estimating models, at the same time nitrogen-potassium fertilization and growth condition of flue-cured tobacco could be inspected.展开更多
Aim： To investigate whether oral treatment with D-004, a lipid extract of the Cuban royal palm fruit, produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue of normal and testosterone （T）-treated rats. Methods： In ou...Aim： To investigate whether oral treatment with D-004, a lipid extract of the Cuban royal palm fruit, produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue of normal and testosterone （T）-treated rats. Methods： In our first experiment, normal rats were distributed into five groups： one group treated with the vehicle and four groups treated with D-004 （100, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg）. In our second experiment, rats were randomized into five groups： a negative control group and four T-injected groups. The latter were comprised of a positive control group treated with the vehicle, and three groups treated with D-004 （200, 400 or 800 mg/kg）. Results： In normal rats, D-004 （100-800 mg/kg） inhibited significantly and dose-dependently iron-initiated malondialdehyde （MDA） accumulation in prostate homogenates （35.7%-80.0%） vs. the controls. D-004 （200-800 mg/kg） significantly reduced baseline MDA and carbonyl groups in prostate homogenates of normal rats to approximately 80% and 50%, respectively, and totally （100%） in T-treated rats. Conclusion： Oral treatment with D-004 reduced MDA and carbonyl groups dose-dependently and markedly in normal and T-injected rats. These findings show that D-004 given at doses effective to prevent prostate hyperplasia also produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue.展开更多
Cancer cell resistance to widely used chemotherapeutic agents is gradually developed. Natural products, mainly isolated from medicinal plants, have been considered as valuable sources for herbal anticancer drugs. The ...Cancer cell resistance to widely used chemotherapeutic agents is gradually developed. Natural products, mainly isolated from medicinal plants, have been considered as valuable sources for herbal anticancer drugs. The present study aimed to evaluate in vitro antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities of crude ethyle alcohole extract and four fractions of Q. brantii acorn. Crude ethyle alcohole extract of Q. brantii acorn was prepared and subjected to fractionation with different polarity. Subsequently, the extract and the fractions wereevaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity in two cancerous(Hela and AGS) and one normal(HDFs) cell lines using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2ol) 2, 5 diphenyltetrazoliumbromide] assay. To determine whether the cytotoxicity of these compounds involved the induction of apoptosis, Hela cells were treated with IC_(50) concentrations of test compounds, stained with both propidium iodide(PI) and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC), and analyzed by flow cytometry. In vitro cytotoxicity assay showed that the cell viability was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner following treatment with crude ethyle alcohole extract and Cholophorm and n-Butanol fractions. Based on the probit regression model, antiproliferative activities of crude ethyle alcohole extract, Cholophorm fraction, and n-Butanol fraction on Hela and AGS cells and HDFs cells were significantly different(P < 0.001). The results of flow cytometric analysis showed that crude ethyle alcohole extract and two fractions of Q. brantii acorn induced early apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that crude ethyle alcohole extract and Cholophorm and n-Butanol fractions of Q. brantii acorn suppress the proliferation of cancer cells through induction of early apoptosis.展开更多
Cadmium-metallothionein （Cd-MT） of Pteria penguin was used to immunize domestic rabbit in order to obtain polyclonal antibody against Cd-MT. Using the anti-Cd-MT antibody, a method of indirect non-competitive enzyme...Cadmium-metallothionein （Cd-MT） of Pteria penguin was used to immunize domestic rabbit in order to obtain polyclonal antibody against Cd-MT. Using the anti-Cd-MT antibody, a method of indirect non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （non-competitive ELISA） was established to detect shellfish Cd-MT. In this case, the minimum detectable concentration of P. penguin Cd-MT was （4.563±0.051） ng/mL. The linear range of detection was 9.75-2.0×104 ng/mL. Intra-assay relative standard deviation （RSD） was less than 11.6%, and inter-assay RSD less than 6.7%. The recovery rates ranged from 83.7% to 119.0%. The polyclonal antibody against Cd-MT of P. penguin can also be used to detect MT of other four types of shellfish. In the crude extracts from different organs of P. penguin, the MT concentrations determined by this method matched well with the concentrations of cadmium detected by the atomic absorption spectroscopy.展开更多
BACKGROUND Liver injury in patients with dengue infection is common.Most patients have mild and transient hepatitis.Acute liver failure(ALF)in dengue infection is rare but results in an extremely poor prognosis.AIM To...BACKGROUND Liver injury in patients with dengue infection is common.Most patients have mild and transient hepatitis.Acute liver failure(ALF)in dengue infection is rare but results in an extremely poor prognosis.AIM To identify prognostic predictors of ALF and death in patients with dengueinduced severe hepatitis(DISH).METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 2311 serologically confirmed adolescent and adult dengue patients who were hospitalized during a 12-year study period(between 2007 and 2019)at the university hospital of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital,Bangkok,Thailand.Patients with DISH[n=134(5.80%)],defined as a baseline transaminase>10 times the normal reference cut-off level,and DISH with subsequent ALF as defined by the American Association for the Study of the Liver Diseases 2011 criteria[n=17(0.74%)],were included.Predictors of ALF and in-hospital death were identified using logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Of the 151 dengue-infected patients with severe liver injury or ALF,51%were female,with a mean age of 27.9±14.5 years.Capillary leakage syndrome(CLS)occurred in 68.2%(n=103)of DISH and 100%of ALF patients.The mortality rate was low in DISH patients(0.8%)but was remarkably high if ALF developed(58.8%).In univariate analysis,age,sex,hematocrit,white blood count,atypical lymphocyte count,platelet count,international normalized ratio(INR),bilirubin,serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase,serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase,alkaline phosphatase,albumin,creatinine,Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD)score,presence of liver comorbidity and presence of CLS were identified as potential prognostic parameters for ALF or death.In multivariate analysis,the MELD score remained the only predictor of ALF with an adjusted odds ratio(aOR)of 1.3[95%confidence interval(CI):1.1-1.5;P=<0.001].An initial MELD score≥15 was associated with ALF from DISH with an area under the receiver operating characteristic(AUROC)of 0.91,88.2%sensitivity and 87.3%specificity.Regarding mortality prediction,the deterioration of liver function to ALF was the most significant factor related to death in DISH patients(aOR 108.5,95%CI:5.5-2145.4,P=0.002).Other independent factors associated with death included baseline INR(aOR 10.4,95%CI:2.6-40.5,P=0.001).An INR≥1.5 predicted death from DISH with an AUROC of 0.83(81.8%sensitivity and 86.8%specificity).CONCLUSION The MELD score is the best predictor of ALF in DISH patients,a complication from dengue that is associated with high mortality.The presence of ALF and the baseline INR level are independent markers of death in DISH patients.展开更多
The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) signaling axis constitutes a master "communication coordinator" between cells of the nervous and immune systems.To date,VIP and its two main receptors expressed in T l...The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) signaling axis constitutes a master "communication coordinator" between cells of the nervous and immune systems.To date,VIP and its two main receptors expressed in T lymphocytes,vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor (VPAC)1 and VPAC2,mediate critical cellular functions regulating adaptive immunity,including arresting CD4 T cells in G 1 of the cell cycle,protection from apoptosis and a potent chemotactic recruiter of T cells to the mucosa associated lymphoid compartment of the gastrointestinal tissues.Since the discovery of VIP in 1970,followed by the cloning of VPAC1 and VPAC2 in the early 1990s,this signaling axis has been associated with common human cancers,including leukemia.This review highlights the present day knowledge of the VIP ligand and its receptor expression profile in T cell leukemia and cell lines.Also,there will be a discussion describing how the anti-leukemic DNA binding transcription factor,Ikaros,regulates VIP receptor expression in primary human CD4 T lymphocytes and T cell lymphoblastic cell lines (e.g.Hut-78).Lastly,future goals will be mentioned that are expected to uncover the role of how the VIP signaling axis contributes to human leukemogenesis,and to establish whether the VIP receptor signature expressed by leukemic blasts can provide therapeutic and/or diagnostic information.展开更多
The papain-like protease(PL^(pro)) of Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV) has proteolytic,deubiquitinating,and de ISGylating activities.The latter two are involved in the suppression of the antivira...The papain-like protease(PL^(pro)) of Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV) has proteolytic,deubiquitinating,and de ISGylating activities.The latter two are involved in the suppression of the antiviral innate immune response of the host cell.To contribute to an understanding of this process,we present here the X-ray crystal structure of a complex between MERS-CoV PL^(pro) and human ubiquitin(Ub) that is devoid of any covalent linkage between the two proteins.Five regions of the PL^(pro) bind to two areas of the Ub.The C-terminal five residues of Ub,RLRGG,are similar to the P5–P1 residues of the polyprotein substrates of the PL^(pro) and are responsible for the major part of the interaction between the two macromolecules.Through sitedirected mutagenesis,we demonstrate that conserved Asp165 and non-conserved Asp164 are important for the catalytic activities of MERS-CoV PL^(pro).The enzyme appears not to be optimized for catalytic efficiency; thus,replacement of Phe269 by Tyr leads to increased peptidolytic and deubiquitinating activities.Ubiquitin binding by MERS-CoV PL^(pro) involves remarkable differences compared to the corresponding complex with SARS-CoV PL^(pro).The structure and the mutational study help understand common and unique features of the deubiquitinating activity of MERS-CoV PL^(pro).展开更多
Objective: To investigate the effect of Thymus vulgaris(T. vulgaris) on learning and memory functions in scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rats. Memory enhancing activity in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats was in...Objective: To investigate the effect of Thymus vulgaris(T. vulgaris) on learning and memory functions in scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rats. Memory enhancing activity in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze and passive avoidance paradigm.Methods: A total of 42 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups as follow:control group: received water, scopolamine treated group: received scopolamine 1 mg/kg for 15 days, two scopolamine + T. vulgaris treated groups: received scopolamine and T. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days, two intact groups:received T. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days.Results: Administration of T. vulgaris extract significantly restored memory and learning impairments induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test.Conclusions: T. vulgaris extract has repairing effects on memory and behavioral disorders produced by scopolamine and may have beneficial effects in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.展开更多
Over the past decade,several biochemical pathways have been investigated to understand the underlying mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognition.1,2 Lourenco et al.,3 in an elegant...Over the past decade,several biochemical pathways have been investigated to understand the underlying mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognition.1,2 Lourenco et al.,3 in an elegant study published in Nature Medicine,examined the relationship between exercise training and hippocampal memory function.Mechanistically,the authors showed that FNDC5/irisin is an important mediator of beneficial effects of physical exercise in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.展开更多
MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are small(ca. 20-24 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs that have recently been recognized as key post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression;and they are involved in many biological processes in pla...MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are small(ca. 20-24 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs that have recently been recognized as key post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression;and they are involved in many biological processes in plants, such as root growth and development. The miRNAs regulate root elongation, lateral root(LR) formation and adventitious root(AR) development in response to hormone signaling, nutrient uptake and biotic/abiotic stress. This review provides multiple perspectives on the involvement of miRNAs in regulating root growth and development in plants. We also discuss several crucial mechanisms of miRNAs, their relationships with transcription factors and the target gene-mediated hormone signaling interactions in the regulation of root growth and development.展开更多
Unicellular micro-alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been recognized as a promising host for expressing recombinant proteins albeit its limited utility due to low levels of heterologous protein expression. Here, trans...Unicellular micro-alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been recognized as a promising host for expressing recombinant proteins albeit its limited utility due to low levels of heterologous protein expression. Here, transcription of the 3.4-kb mosquito-larvicidal cry4Ba gene from Bacillus thuringiensis in transgenic C. reinhardtii chloroplasts under control of the promoter and 5’-untranslated region of photosynthetic psbA gene was accomplished. Inverted repeats in chloroplast genomes of the host strain with deleted endogenous psbA genes were selected as recombination targets. Two transformant lines were obtained by dual-phenotypic screening via exhibition of resistance to spectinomycin and restoration of photosynthetic activity. Stable and site-specific integration of intact cry4Ba and psbA genes into chloroplast genomes found in both transgenic lines implied homoplasmy of organelle populations. Achievement in cotranscription of cry4Ba and psbA transgenes revealed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analyses demonstrates the sufficiency of this system’s transcription machinery, offering the further innovation for insecticidal protein production.展开更多
Oxygenation of tissues plays an important role in the development and progression of tumor to treatment effects.Method of metalloporphyrines phosphorescence quenching by oxygen is one of the ways to measure dynamics o...Oxygenation of tissues plays an important role in the development and progression of tumor to treatment effects.Method of metalloporphyrines phosphorescence quenching by oxygen is one of the ways to measure dynamics of the oxygen concentration in the tissues by phosphorescence lifetime imaging of meso-tetra(sulfophenyl)tetrabenzoporphyrin Pd(Ⅱ)(TBP)using the time-correlated single photon counting(TCSPC)method.It has been shown that phosphorescence lifetime of the sensor in S37 tumor in vivo varied in the range of 130 to 290μs after both topical and intravenous administration of TBP.It indicates that oxygen level in tumors was lower compared to normal tissues where TBP phosphorescence has not been detected.Phosphorescence lifetimes of TBP increased in the solid tumor and in the muscle after photodynamic therapy of solid tumor that demonstrates oxygen consumption during treatment and possibly stopping the blood flow and hence the oxygen supply to the tissues.展开更多
Objective: To explore the effects of aqueous extract from Phthirusa pyrifolia leaves(67 mg/kg body weight for 12 days) on the reproductive function of male Wistar rats through oral administration.Methods: Animals(n = ...Objective: To explore the effects of aqueous extract from Phthirusa pyrifolia leaves(67 mg/kg body weight for 12 days) on the reproductive function of male Wistar rats through oral administration.Methods: Animals(n = 30), aged 13 weeks and weighing(378.5 ± 5.0) g, were housed in a vivarium under controlled environmental conditions [photoperiod of 12 h light/dark,temperature of(23 ± 1)C] and were fed standard rations ad libitum. The experiment ran for 12 days, wherein animals were divided into three groups: negative control(n = 6)received water, positive control(n = 12) with finasteride at a concentration of 1.0 mg/kg;and a test group(n = 12) submitted to aqueous extract. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and submitted to analyses.Results: The morphological results of the testes showed that the aqueous extract induced significant changes in the diameter and cross-sectional area of the seminiferous tubules as well as the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium. Furthermore, the extract was able to abruptly decrease testosterone concentrations by about 81.88% in the treated group when compared with the negative control,(47.0 ± 4.8) ng/d L and(255.0 ± 2.0) ng/d L,respectively, and 76.8%,(211.0 ± 8.7) ng/d L, when compared with finasteride. However,the extract causes neither liver damage nor impairment of renal function.Conclusions: These results suggest that the high amounts of flavonoids shown to be in the extract may be responsible for its hepato-protective effects and suggest a possible decrease in the libido and reproduction of rats.展开更多
Bacteria, like industrial engineers, must manage processes that convert low value inputs into high value outputs. Bacteria are not intelligent, so they utilize self-organizing production systems to accelerate life-sus...Bacteria, like industrial engineers, must manage processes that convert low value inputs into high value outputs. Bacteria are not intelligent, so they utilize self-organizing production systems to accelerate life-sustaining chemical processes. Here I explore two questions. First, can businesses apply the principles of self-organization? Second, can operations researchers contribute to our understanding of biological systems? I explain biochemical concepts in plain terms, illustrated with a few informative laboratory evolution experiments, and describe the organizing principles that underlie complex biological systems. I describe the new disciplines of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, which offer opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration between life scientists and operations researchers.展开更多
Purines have a recognized importance as intercellular mes- sengers. These molecules play an important role in the de- velopment and maintenance of the central nervous system （CNS）, as well as in its response to path...Purines have a recognized importance as intercellular mes- sengers. These molecules play an important role in the de- velopment and maintenance of the central nervous system （CNS）, as well as in its response to pathological conditions. Both adenine and guanine-based purines can be released from astrocytes, where they play a relevant role as extracel- lular signaling molecules. Particularly, the nucleoside gua- nosine has been proposed as an extracellular molecule that regulates the response of CNS to damage. Following injury, this nucleoside attains high concentrations in the extracel- lular space, where it activates multiple signaling pathways.展开更多
Preclinical and clinical trials of stem cell therapy have been carried out for treating a broad spectrum of diseases using several types of adult stem cells. While encouraging therapeutic results have been obtained, m...Preclinical and clinical trials of stem cell therapy have been carried out for treating a broad spectrum of diseases using several types of adult stem cells. While encouraging therapeutic results have been obtained, much remains to be investigated regarding the best cell type to use, cell dosage, delivery route, long-term safety, clinical feasibility, and ultimately treatment cost. Logistic aspects of stem cell therapeutics remain an area that requires urgent attention from the medical community. Recent cardiovascular trial studies have demonstrated that growth factors and cytokines derived from the injected stem cells and host tissue appear to contribute largely to the observed therapeutic benefits, indicating that trophic actions rather than the multilineage potential (or stemness) of the administered stem cells may provide the underlying tissue healing power. However, the capacity for trophic factor production can be aberrantly downregulated as seen in human heart disease. Skeletal muscle is a dynamic tissue with an impressive ability to continuously respond to environmental stimuli. Indeed, a relation exists between active skeletal muscle and low cardiovascular risk, highlighting the critical link between the skeletal muscle and cardiovascular systems. Adding to this notion are recent studies showing that stem cells injected into skeletal muscle can rescue the failing rodent heart through activation of the muscle trophic factor network and mobilization of bone marrow multilineage progenitor cells. However, aging and disease can adversely affect the host tissue into which stem cells are injected. A better understanding of the host tissue response in stem cell therapy is necessary to advance the field and bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical findings.展开更多
文摘Patients living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of cardiovascular events. Our aim in this study was to assess the cut-off value for lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) in CKD patients with a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This was a cross-sectional study. Variables including age, sex, history of CVD, body mass index and CKD stage, were collected during CKD patient’s first admission in the nephrology dialysis department. Blood samples were collected for quantitative determination of Lp(a) by immunoturbidimetric method. They were divided into two groups: CKD patients without history of CVD and CKD patients with history of CVD. Fisher’s exact test was used to assess associations with a significance level of 0.05%. Area under the curve (AUC) and new cut-off value for Lp(a) were identified by drawing Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve. A total of seventy CKD patients with median age of 43 years [minimum-maximum = 15 - 78 years] were included. Patients with history of CVD were 65.71% (46/70). New Lp(a) cut-off point in CKD patients with history of CVD was 66.50 nmol/L [sensitivity, 87.00%;specificity, 58.30%;AUC = 0.727;p = 0.000]. ROC curve demonstrated good performance of Lp(a) to screen CKD patients with history of CVD. Further research is needed to determine an LPA gene polymorphism’s contribution to increasing risk for CVD at each kidney disease stage.
基金Project (No. 0612068) supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Ocean University, China
文摘Resistin,a newly discovered peptide hormone mainly secreted by adipose tissues,is present at high levels in serum of obese mice and may be a potential link between obesity and insulin resistance in rodents. However,some studies of rat and mouse models have associated insulin resistance and obesity with decreased resistin expression. In humans,no relationship between resistin level and insulin resistance or adiposity was observed. This suggests that additional studies are necessary to determine the specific role of resistin in the regulation of energy metabolism and adipogenesis. In the present study,we investigated the effect of resistin in vivo on glucose and lipid metabolism by over-expressing resistin in mice by intramuscular injection of a recombinant eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1-Retn encoding porcine resistin gene. After injection,serum resistin and serum glucose (GLU) levels were significantly increased in the pcDNA3.1-Retn-treated mice; there was an obvious difference in total cholesterol (TC) level between the experiment and the control groups on Day 30. In pcDNA3.1-Retn-treated mice,both free fatty acid (FFA) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were markedly lower than those of control,whereas HDL cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels did not differ between the two groups. Furthermore,lipase activity was expressly lower on Day 20. Our data suggest that resistin over-expressed in mice might be responsible for insulin resistance and parameters related to glucose and lipid metabolism were changed accordingly.
文摘The experiment was set up for examining the physiological and biological indexes quickly and exactly, for obtaining information of tobacco-field fertilizing and tobacco growing. The ASD Field spec FR 2500 was used to measure spectra reflectance of flue-cured tobacco and the relationship between hyperspectral parameters and biochemical contents （total nitrogen, chlorophyll, carotenoid）, and physiological indexes （fresh weight, dry weight, moisture content） of flue-cured tobacco leaves was studied by correlation and stepwise regression statistic methods at different nitrogen and potassium levels. The results indicated that the spectra curves of different treatments had obvious rules and great diversities. There were high correlations between different types of spectra parameters and ten physiological and biochemical indexes of flue-cured tobacco leaves. Hyperspectral characteristic variables of ten physiological and biochemical indexes were found through stepwise regression, and SDr/SDb was the characteristic variable closest to seven biochemical contents. Simultaneously, the R2 and regression coefficient of equations reached 0.05 significant level and the equations had good estimating effects through the examination of other samples. Accordingly, this study suggested that the ten physiological and biochemical indexes could be estimated quickly by the estimating models, at the same time nitrogen-potassium fertilization and growth condition of flue-cured tobacco could be inspected.
文摘Aim： To investigate whether oral treatment with D-004, a lipid extract of the Cuban royal palm fruit, produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue of normal and testosterone （T）-treated rats. Methods： In our first experiment, normal rats were distributed into five groups： one group treated with the vehicle and four groups treated with D-004 （100, 200, 400 or 800 mg/kg）. In our second experiment, rats were randomized into five groups： a negative control group and four T-injected groups. The latter were comprised of a positive control group treated with the vehicle, and three groups treated with D-004 （200, 400 or 800 mg/kg）. Results： In normal rats, D-004 （100-800 mg/kg） inhibited significantly and dose-dependently iron-initiated malondialdehyde （MDA） accumulation in prostate homogenates （35.7%-80.0%） vs. the controls. D-004 （200-800 mg/kg） significantly reduced baseline MDA and carbonyl groups in prostate homogenates of normal rats to approximately 80% and 50%, respectively, and totally （100%） in T-treated rats. Conclusion： Oral treatment with D-004 reduced MDA and carbonyl groups dose-dependently and markedly in normal and T-injected rats. These findings show that D-004 given at doses effective to prevent prostate hyperplasia also produces antioxidant effects in the prostate tissue.
基金the Director of Medical Plants Research Center, Molecular and cellular Research Center and to the Deputy of Research and Technology of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran for financial support to this work
文摘Cancer cell resistance to widely used chemotherapeutic agents is gradually developed. Natural products, mainly isolated from medicinal plants, have been considered as valuable sources for herbal anticancer drugs. The present study aimed to evaluate in vitro antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities of crude ethyle alcohole extract and four fractions of Q. brantii acorn. Crude ethyle alcohole extract of Q. brantii acorn was prepared and subjected to fractionation with different polarity. Subsequently, the extract and the fractions wereevaluated for their in vitro antiproliferative activity in two cancerous(Hela and AGS) and one normal(HDFs) cell lines using MTT [3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2ol) 2, 5 diphenyltetrazoliumbromide] assay. To determine whether the cytotoxicity of these compounds involved the induction of apoptosis, Hela cells were treated with IC_(50) concentrations of test compounds, stained with both propidium iodide(PI) and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC), and analyzed by flow cytometry. In vitro cytotoxicity assay showed that the cell viability was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner following treatment with crude ethyle alcohole extract and Cholophorm and n-Butanol fractions. Based on the probit regression model, antiproliferative activities of crude ethyle alcohole extract, Cholophorm fraction, and n-Butanol fraction on Hela and AGS cells and HDFs cells were significantly different(P < 0.001). The results of flow cytometric analysis showed that crude ethyle alcohole extract and two fractions of Q. brantii acorn induced early apoptotic cell death. These findings suggest that crude ethyle alcohole extract and Cholophorm and n-Butanol fractions of Q. brantii acorn suppress the proliferation of cancer cells through induction of early apoptosis.
基金Supported by the Earmarked Fund for Modern Agro-Industry Technology Research System (CARS-48-07B)Guangdong Provincial Agriculture Key Project (2010B020313005)
文摘Cadmium-metallothionein （Cd-MT） of Pteria penguin was used to immunize domestic rabbit in order to obtain polyclonal antibody against Cd-MT. Using the anti-Cd-MT antibody, a method of indirect non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （non-competitive ELISA） was established to detect shellfish Cd-MT. In this case, the minimum detectable concentration of P. penguin Cd-MT was （4.563±0.051） ng/mL. The linear range of detection was 9.75-2.0×104 ng/mL. Intra-assay relative standard deviation （RSD） was less than 11.6%, and inter-assay RSD less than 6.7%. The recovery rates ranged from 83.7% to 119.0%. The polyclonal antibody against Cd-MT of P. penguin can also be used to detect MT of other four types of shellfish. In the crude extracts from different organs of P. penguin, the MT concentrations determined by this method matched well with the concentrations of cadmium detected by the atomic absorption spectroscopy.
基金Supported by the Fatty Liver Unit,Foundation of the Faculty of Medicine,Chulalongkorn University.
文摘BACKGROUND Liver injury in patients with dengue infection is common.Most patients have mild and transient hepatitis.Acute liver failure(ALF)in dengue infection is rare but results in an extremely poor prognosis.AIM To identify prognostic predictors of ALF and death in patients with dengueinduced severe hepatitis(DISH).METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 2311 serologically confirmed adolescent and adult dengue patients who were hospitalized during a 12-year study period(between 2007 and 2019)at the university hospital of King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital,Bangkok,Thailand.Patients with DISH[n=134(5.80%)],defined as a baseline transaminase>10 times the normal reference cut-off level,and DISH with subsequent ALF as defined by the American Association for the Study of the Liver Diseases 2011 criteria[n=17(0.74%)],were included.Predictors of ALF and in-hospital death were identified using logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Of the 151 dengue-infected patients with severe liver injury or ALF,51%were female,with a mean age of 27.9±14.5 years.Capillary leakage syndrome(CLS)occurred in 68.2%(n=103)of DISH and 100%of ALF patients.The mortality rate was low in DISH patients(0.8%)but was remarkably high if ALF developed(58.8%).In univariate analysis,age,sex,hematocrit,white blood count,atypical lymphocyte count,platelet count,international normalized ratio(INR),bilirubin,serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase,serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase,alkaline phosphatase,albumin,creatinine,Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD)score,presence of liver comorbidity and presence of CLS were identified as potential prognostic parameters for ALF or death.In multivariate analysis,the MELD score remained the only predictor of ALF with an adjusted odds ratio(aOR)of 1.3[95%confidence interval(CI):1.1-1.5;P=<0.001].An initial MELD score≥15 was associated with ALF from DISH with an area under the receiver operating characteristic(AUROC)of 0.91,88.2%sensitivity and 87.3%specificity.Regarding mortality prediction,the deterioration of liver function to ALF was the most significant factor related to death in DISH patients(aOR 108.5,95%CI:5.5-2145.4,P=0.002).Other independent factors associated with death included baseline INR(aOR 10.4,95%CI:2.6-40.5,P=0.001).An INR≥1.5 predicted death from DISH with an AUROC of 0.83(81.8%sensitivity and 86.8%specificity).CONCLUSION The MELD score is the best predictor of ALF in DISH patients,a complication from dengue that is associated with high mortality.The presence of ALF and the baseline INR level are independent markers of death in DISH patients.
基金Supported by A NIH/NIDDK career award 1KO1 DK064828 to GPD,2P20 RR015566 and P20 RR016741 from the National Center for Research Resources,a component of the National Institutes of Health
文摘The vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) signaling axis constitutes a master "communication coordinator" between cells of the nervous and immune systems.To date,VIP and its two main receptors expressed in T lymphocytes,vasoactive intestinal peptide receptor (VPAC)1 and VPAC2,mediate critical cellular functions regulating adaptive immunity,including arresting CD4 T cells in G 1 of the cell cycle,protection from apoptosis and a potent chemotactic recruiter of T cells to the mucosa associated lymphoid compartment of the gastrointestinal tissues.Since the discovery of VIP in 1970,followed by the cloning of VPAC1 and VPAC2 in the early 1990s,this signaling axis has been associated with common human cancers,including leukemia.This review highlights the present day knowledge of the VIP ligand and its receptor expression profile in T cell leukemia and cell lines.Also,there will be a discussion describing how the anti-leukemic DNA binding transcription factor,Ikaros,regulates VIP receptor expression in primary human CD4 T lymphocytes and T cell lymphoblastic cell lines (e.g.Hut-78).Lastly,future goals will be mentioned that are expected to uncover the role of how the VIP signaling axis contributes to human leukemogenesis,and to establish whether the VIP receptor signature expressed by leukemic blasts can provide therapeutic and/or diagnostic information.
基金supported by the European Commission through its "SILVER" project (contract no.HEALTHF3-2010-260644)the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF)support by the DFG Cluster of Excellence "Inflammation at Interfaces" (EXC 306)
文摘The papain-like protease(PL^(pro)) of Middle-East respiratory syndrome coronavirus(MERS-CoV) has proteolytic,deubiquitinating,and de ISGylating activities.The latter two are involved in the suppression of the antiviral innate immune response of the host cell.To contribute to an understanding of this process,we present here the X-ray crystal structure of a complex between MERS-CoV PL^(pro) and human ubiquitin(Ub) that is devoid of any covalent linkage between the two proteins.Five regions of the PL^(pro) bind to two areas of the Ub.The C-terminal five residues of Ub,RLRGG,are similar to the P5–P1 residues of the polyprotein substrates of the PL^(pro) and are responsible for the major part of the interaction between the two macromolecules.Through sitedirected mutagenesis,we demonstrate that conserved Asp165 and non-conserved Asp164 are important for the catalytic activities of MERS-CoV PL^(pro).The enzyme appears not to be optimized for catalytic efficiency; thus,replacement of Phe269 by Tyr leads to increased peptidolytic and deubiquitinating activities.Ubiquitin binding by MERS-CoV PL^(pro) involves remarkable differences compared to the corresponding complex with SARS-CoV PL^(pro).The structure and the mutational study help understand common and unique features of the deubiquitinating activity of MERS-CoV PL^(pro).
基金Supported by Research and Technology Deputy of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences(Grant No.1756)
文摘Objective: To investigate the effect of Thymus vulgaris(T. vulgaris) on learning and memory functions in scopolamine-induced memory deficit in rats. Memory enhancing activity in scopolamine-induced amnesic rats was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze and passive avoidance paradigm.Methods: A total of 42 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups as follow:control group: received water, scopolamine treated group: received scopolamine 1 mg/kg for 15 days, two scopolamine + T. vulgaris treated groups: received scopolamine and T. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days, two intact groups:received T. vulgaris extract 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight per day for 15 days.Results: Administration of T. vulgaris extract significantly restored memory and learning impairments induced by scopolamine in the passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test.Conclusions: T. vulgaris extract has repairing effects on memory and behavioral disorders produced by scopolamine and may have beneficial effects in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
基金supported by the German Research Foundation (DFG BU 1837/5-1BU 1837/5-2)
文摘Over the past decade,several biochemical pathways have been investigated to understand the underlying mechanisms involved in the beneficial effects of physical exercise on cognition.1,2 Lourenco et al.,3 in an elegant study published in Nature Medicine,examined the relationship between exercise training and hippocampal memory function.Mechanistically,the authors showed that FNDC5/irisin is an important mediator of beneficial effects of physical exercise in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
基金funded by the Science and Technology Department of Henan Province,China(212102110046)the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration of China(110202101005(JY-05))+1 种基金the Science and Technology Project of China National Tobacco Corporation Henan Tobacco Company,China(2018410000270095)the Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project of Henan Province,China(202110466042)。
文摘MicroRNAs(miRNAs) are small(ca. 20-24 nucleotides) non-coding RNAs that have recently been recognized as key post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression;and they are involved in many biological processes in plants, such as root growth and development. The miRNAs regulate root elongation, lateral root(LR) formation and adventitious root(AR) development in response to hormone signaling, nutrient uptake and biotic/abiotic stress. This review provides multiple perspectives on the involvement of miRNAs in regulating root growth and development in plants. We also discuss several crucial mechanisms of miRNAs, their relationships with transcription factors and the target gene-mediated hormone signaling interactions in the regulation of root growth and development.
文摘Unicellular micro-alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has been recognized as a promising host for expressing recombinant proteins albeit its limited utility due to low levels of heterologous protein expression. Here, transcription of the 3.4-kb mosquito-larvicidal cry4Ba gene from Bacillus thuringiensis in transgenic C. reinhardtii chloroplasts under control of the promoter and 5’-untranslated region of photosynthetic psbA gene was accomplished. Inverted repeats in chloroplast genomes of the host strain with deleted endogenous psbA genes were selected as recombination targets. Two transformant lines were obtained by dual-phenotypic screening via exhibition of resistance to spectinomycin and restoration of photosynthetic activity. Stable and site-specific integration of intact cry4Ba and psbA genes into chloroplast genomes found in both transgenic lines implied homoplasmy of organelle populations. Achievement in cotranscription of cry4Ba and psbA transgenes revealed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analyses demonstrates the sufficiency of this system’s transcription machinery, offering the further innovation for insecticidal protein production.
文摘Oxygenation of tissues plays an important role in the development and progression of tumor to treatment effects.Method of metalloporphyrines phosphorescence quenching by oxygen is one of the ways to measure dynamics of the oxygen concentration in the tissues by phosphorescence lifetime imaging of meso-tetra(sulfophenyl)tetrabenzoporphyrin Pd(Ⅱ)(TBP)using the time-correlated single photon counting(TCSPC)method.It has been shown that phosphorescence lifetime of the sensor in S37 tumor in vivo varied in the range of 130 to 290μs after both topical and intravenous administration of TBP.It indicates that oxygen level in tumors was lower compared to normal tissues where TBP phosphorescence has not been detected.Phosphorescence lifetimes of TBP increased in the solid tumor and in the muscle after photodynamic therapy of solid tumor that demonstrates oxygen consumption during treatment and possibly stopping the blood flow and hence the oxygen supply to the tissues.
基金Supported by the National Research Council(CNPq)Foundation for Science and Technology of the State of Pernambuco(FACEPE)Personnel Improvement Coordination-CAPES/PROCAD/NF/no 1415/2007,Brazil
文摘Objective: To explore the effects of aqueous extract from Phthirusa pyrifolia leaves(67 mg/kg body weight for 12 days) on the reproductive function of male Wistar rats through oral administration.Methods: Animals(n = 30), aged 13 weeks and weighing(378.5 ± 5.0) g, were housed in a vivarium under controlled environmental conditions [photoperiod of 12 h light/dark,temperature of(23 ± 1)C] and were fed standard rations ad libitum. The experiment ran for 12 days, wherein animals were divided into three groups: negative control(n = 6)received water, positive control(n = 12) with finasteride at a concentration of 1.0 mg/kg;and a test group(n = 12) submitted to aqueous extract. At the end of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed and submitted to analyses.Results: The morphological results of the testes showed that the aqueous extract induced significant changes in the diameter and cross-sectional area of the seminiferous tubules as well as the thickness of the seminiferous epithelium. Furthermore, the extract was able to abruptly decrease testosterone concentrations by about 81.88% in the treated group when compared with the negative control,(47.0 ± 4.8) ng/d L and(255.0 ± 2.0) ng/d L,respectively, and 76.8%,(211.0 ± 8.7) ng/d L, when compared with finasteride. However,the extract causes neither liver damage nor impairment of renal function.Conclusions: These results suggest that the high amounts of flavonoids shown to be in the extract may be responsible for its hepato-protective effects and suggest a possible decrease in the libido and reproduction of rats.
文摘Bacteria, like industrial engineers, must manage processes that convert low value inputs into high value outputs. Bacteria are not intelligent, so they utilize self-organizing production systems to accelerate life-sustaining chemical processes. Here I explore two questions. First, can businesses apply the principles of self-organization? Second, can operations researchers contribute to our understanding of biological systems? I explain biochemical concepts in plain terms, illustrated with a few informative laboratory evolution experiments, and describe the organizing principles that underlie complex biological systems. I describe the new disciplines of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, which offer opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration between life scientists and operations researchers.
基金funding from Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPq#403120/2012-8,#308723/2013-9,#449436/2014-4)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES),Brazil
文摘Purines have a recognized importance as intercellular mes- sengers. These molecules play an important role in the de- velopment and maintenance of the central nervous system （CNS）, as well as in its response to pathological conditions. Both adenine and guanine-based purines can be released from astrocytes, where they play a relevant role as extracel- lular signaling molecules. Particularly, the nucleoside gua- nosine has been proposed as an extracellular molecule that regulates the response of CNS to damage. Following injury, this nucleoside attains high concentrations in the extracel- lular space, where it activates multiple signaling pathways.
基金Supported by NIH HL84590 New York State Stem Cell Board,United States
文摘Preclinical and clinical trials of stem cell therapy have been carried out for treating a broad spectrum of diseases using several types of adult stem cells. While encouraging therapeutic results have been obtained, much remains to be investigated regarding the best cell type to use, cell dosage, delivery route, long-term safety, clinical feasibility, and ultimately treatment cost. Logistic aspects of stem cell therapeutics remain an area that requires urgent attention from the medical community. Recent cardiovascular trial studies have demonstrated that growth factors and cytokines derived from the injected stem cells and host tissue appear to contribute largely to the observed therapeutic benefits, indicating that trophic actions rather than the multilineage potential (or stemness) of the administered stem cells may provide the underlying tissue healing power. However, the capacity for trophic factor production can be aberrantly downregulated as seen in human heart disease. Skeletal muscle is a dynamic tissue with an impressive ability to continuously respond to environmental stimuli. Indeed, a relation exists between active skeletal muscle and low cardiovascular risk, highlighting the critical link between the skeletal muscle and cardiovascular systems. Adding to this notion are recent studies showing that stem cells injected into skeletal muscle can rescue the failing rodent heart through activation of the muscle trophic factor network and mobilization of bone marrow multilineage progenitor cells. However, aging and disease can adversely affect the host tissue into which stem cells are injected. A better understanding of the host tissue response in stem cell therapy is necessary to advance the field and bridge the gap between preclinical and clinical findings.
