Inflammatory markers such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) are elevated in dialysis patients and can predict cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. Endotoxin is ...an important source and also another marker of inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of oral probiotics on serum levels of endotoxemia and cytokines in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The decline of residual renal function, peritonitis episodes, and cardiovascular events were also recorded. From July 2011 to June 2012, a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in PD patients. The intervention group received one capsule of probiotics containing 109 cfu Bifobacterium bifidum A218, 109 cfu Bifidobacterium catenulatum A302, 109 cfu Bifidobacterium longum A101, and 109 cfu Lactobacillus plantarum A87 daily for six months, while the placebo group received similar capsules containing maltodextrin for the same duration. Levels of serum TNF-α, interferon gamma, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and endotoxin were measured before and six months after intervention. 39 patients completed the study (21 in the probiotics group and 18 in the placebo group). In patients receiving probiotics, levels of serum TNF-α, IL-5, IL-6, and endotoxin significantly decreased after six months of treatment, while levels of serum IL-10 significantly increased. In contrast, there were no significant changes in levels of serum cytokines and endotoxin in the placebo group after six months. In addition, the residual renal function was preserved in patients receiving probiotics. In conclusion, probiotics could significantly reduce the serum levels of endotoxin, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6), IL-5, increase the serum levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10), and preserve residual renal function in PD patients.
Aims
We investigated the role of transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor type 1 (TRPV1) in simvastatin‐mediated activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and angiogenesis.
...Methods
Fluo‐8 NW assay was for Ca2+ detection; Griess's assay was for NO bioavailability; Western blotting and immunoprecipitation were for protein phosphorylation and interaction; tube formation and Matrigel plug assay were for angiogenesis.
Results
In endothelial cells (ECs), treatment with simvastatin time‐dependently increased intracellular level of Ca2+. Pharmacological inhibition or genetic disruption of TRPV1 abrogated simvastatin‐mediated elevation of intracellular Ca2+ in ECs or TRPV1‐transfected HEK293 cells. Loss of TRPV1 function abolished simvastatin‐induced NO production and phosphorylation of eNOS and calmodulin protein kinase II (CaMKII) in ECs and in aortas of mice. Inhibition of TRPV1 activation prevented the simvastatin‐elicited increase in the formation of TRPV1–Akt–CaMKII–AMPK–eNOS complex. In mice, Matrigel plug assay showed that simvastatin‐evoked angiogenesis was abolished by TRPV1 antagonist and genetic ablation of TRPV1. Additionally, our results demonstrated that TRP ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) is the downstream effector in the simvastatin‐activated TRPV1‐Ca2+ signalling and in the consequent NO production and angiogenesis as evidence by that re‐expression of TRPA1 further augmented simvastatin‐elicited Ca2+ influx in TRPV1‐expressed HEK293 cells and ablation of TRPA1 function profoundly inhibited the simvastatin‐induced increase in the phosphorylation of eNOS and CaMKII, formation of TRPV1–Akt–CaMKII–AMPK–eNOS complex, NO bioavailability, tube formation and angiogenesis in ECs or mice.
Conclusion
Simvastatin‐induced Ca2+ influx may through the activation of TRPV1–TRPA1 signalling, which leads to phosphorylation of CaMKII, increases in the formation of TRPV1–CaMKII–AMPK–eNOS complex, eNOS activation, NO production and, ultimately, angiogenesis in ECs.
To update and expand upon prior Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) guidelines by developing patient-focused treatment recommendations for individuals with Knee, Hip, and ...Polyarticular osteoarthritis (OA) that are derived from expert consensus and based on objective review of high-quality meta-analytic data.
We sought evidence for 60 unique interventions. A systematic search of all relevant databases was conducted from inception through July 2018. After abstract and full-text screening by two independent reviewers, eligible studies were matched to PICO questions. Data were extracted and meta-analyses were conducted using RevMan software. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Evidence Profiles were compiled using the GRADEpro web application. Voting for Core Treatments took place first. Four subsequent voting sessions took place via anonymous online survey, during which Panel members were tasked with voting to produce recommendations for all joint locations and comorbidity classes. We designated non-Core treatments to Level 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4A, 4B, or 5, based on the percentage of votes in favor, in addition to the strength of the recommendation.
Core Treatments for Knee OA included arthritis education and structured land-based exercise programs with or without dietary weight management. Core Treatments for Hip and Polyarticular OA included arthritis education and structured land-based exercise programs. Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were strongly recommended for individuals with Knee OA (Level 1A). For individuals with gastrointestinal comorbidities, COX-2 inhibitors were Level 1B and NSAIDs with proton pump inhibitors Level 2. For individuals with cardiovascular comorbidities or frailty, use of any oral NSAID was not recommended. Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroids, IA hyaluronic acid, and aquatic exercise were Level 1B/Level 2 treatments for Knee OA, dependent upon comorbidity status, but were not recommended for individuals with Hip or Polyarticular OA. The use of Acetaminophen/Paracetamol (APAP) was conditionally not recommended (Level 4A and 4B), and the use of oral and transdermal opioids was strongly not recommended (Level 5). A treatment algorithm was constructed in order to guide clinical decision-making for a variety of patient profiles, using recommended treatments as input for each decision node.
These guidelines offer comprehensive and patient-centered treatment profiles for individuals with Knee, Hip, and Polyarticular OA. The treatment algorithm will facilitate individualized treatment decisions regarding the management of OA.
Aims/hypothesis
Recent reports indicate that B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein 1 (BLIMP-1), encoded by the
Prdm1
gene, expands its control over T cells and is associated with susceptibility to ...colitis in mice with T cell-specific BLIMP-1 deficiency. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of BLIMP-1 in regulating autoimmune diabetes and T helper type 17 (Th17) cells.
Methods
We generated T cell-specific
Blimp1
(also known as
Prdm1
) transgenic (Tg) or conditional knockout (CKO) NOD mice, in which
Blimp1
is overexpressed or deleted in T cells, respectively. By side-by-side analysing these Tg or CKO mice, we further dissected the potential mechanisms of BLIMP-1-mediated modulation on autoimmune diabetes.
Results
Overproduction of BLIMP-1 in T cells significantly attenuated insulitis and the incidence of diabetes in NOD mice. Consistent with these results, the diabetogenic effect of splenocytes was remarkably impaired in
Blimp1
Tg mice. Moreover, overproduction of BLIMP-1 repressed the proliferation and activation of lymphocytes and enhanced the function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in NOD mice. In contrast, mice lacking BLIMP-1 in T cells markedly increased Th1 and Th17 cells, and developed highly proliferative and activated lymphocytes. Strikingly, overexpansion of Th1 and Th17 cells in CKO mice was significantly reduced by introducing a
Blimp1
transgene, reinforcing the emerging role of BLIMP-1 in autoimmunity.
Conclusions/interpretation
We conclude that BLIMP-1 orchestrates a T cell-specific modulation of autoimmunity by affecting lymphocyte proliferation and activation, Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation, and Treg function. Our results provide a theoretical basis for developing BLIMP-1-manipulated therapies for autoimmune diabetes.
We study the behavior of the F region ionosphere in the Northern Hemisphere during the sudden stratospheric warming period of 19–30 January 2009 by using FORMOSAT‐3/Constellation Observing System for ...Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) ionosphere data (NmF2, hmF2, and height profile). We concentrated our study in the longitude bands 30°E–30°W, as well as 150°E–150°W, where no detailed study has been reported so far. At low magnetic latitude, the NmF2 decreases except during 09–12 LT: in the latitude zone of 20–40° NmF2 shows an increase of 30% during 09–12 LT. At higher magnetic latitude the NmF2 shows an increase during daytime and a reduction in the evening (21–03 LT). There is a latitude zone where NmF2 does not change. The latitude seems to correspond to the latitude where atmospheric temperature does not change. The behavior of the NmF2 seems to suggest a reduction of neutral density in low latitude and increase of neutral density in higher latitude. During the period of day of year (DOY) 25–31, the NmF2 shows a drastic reduction only during 06–09 LT in low latitudes, which is slightly away from geomagnetic equator. This special feature which occurred during declining phase of the sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) might be explained as due to enhanced dynamo electric field. The study suggests global change of the thermosphere including dynamo region, in spite of the fact that SSW is a high‐latitude phenomenon which occurred much below the height region of thermosphere.
Key Points
A latitude region exists where NmF2 does not change during SSW
Extremely reduced NmF2 appears in low geomagnetic altitude at 06–09 LT
Similar ionospheric feature appears at two longitude zones
The optical response of semiconducting monolayer transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) is dominated by strongly bound excitons that are stable even at room temperature. However, substrate-related ...effects such as screening and disorder in currently available specimens mask many anticipated physical phenomena and limit device applications of TMDCs. Here, we demonstrate that that these undesirable effects are strongly suppressed in suspended devices. Extremely robust (photogain > 1,000) and fast (response time < 1 ms) photoresponse allow us to study, for the first time, the formation, binding energies, and dissociation mechanisms of excitons in TMDCs through photocurrent spectroscopy. By analyzing the spectral positions of peaks in the photocurrent and by comparing them with first-principles calculations, we obtain binding energies, band gaps and spin-orbit splitting in monolayer TMDCs. For monolayer MoS2, in particular, we obtain an extremely large binding energy for band-edge excitons, E bind ≥ 570 meV. Along with band-edge excitons, we observe excitons associated with a van Hove singularity of rather unique nature. The analysis of the source-drain voltage dependence of photocurrent spectra reveals exciton dissociation and photoconversion mechanisms in TMDCs.
The objective of this nationwide cohort study was to investigate the risk of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) in living liver donors (LDs). A total of 1333 LDs and 5332 matched nondonors were identified ...during 2003–2011. Hospitalized patients identified as LDs were assigned to the LD cohort, and the non‐LD comparison cohort comprised age‐ and sex‐matched nondonors. Cumulative incidences and hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated. The overall incidence of PUD was 1.74‐fold higher in the LD cohort than in the non‐LD cohort (2.14 vs. 1.48 per 1000 person‐years). After adjustment for age, sex, monthly income and comorbidities, we determined that the LD cohort exhibited a higher risk of PUD than did the non‐LD cohort (adjusted HR 1.74, 95% confidence interval CI 1.45–2.09). The incidence of PUD increased with age; the risk of PUD was 2.53‐fold higher in patients aged ≥35 years (95% CI 2.14–2.99) than in those aged ≤34 years. LDs with comorbidities of osteopathies, chondropathies and acquired musculoskeletal deformities exhibited a higher risk of PUD (adjusted HR 3.93, 95% CI 2.64–5.86) compared with those without these comorbidities. LDs are associated with an increased risk of PUD after hepatectomy.
This nationwide longitudinal follow‐up study evaluates the incidence of peptic ulcer disease and its associated major complications in living liver donors and suggests these donors may have an increased risk of peptic ulcer disease after hepatectomy.
The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of flavonoid-induced apoptosis in HL-60 leukaemic cells. Thus, the effect of structurally related flavonoids on cell viability, DNA ...fragmentation and caspase activity was assessed. Loss of membrane potential and reactive oxygen species generation were also monitored by flow cytometry. The structurally related flavonoids, such as apigenin, quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol were able to induce apoptosis in human leukaemia HL-60 cells. Treatment with flavonoids (60
μM) caused a rapid induction of caspase-3 activity and stimulated proteolytic cleavage of poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Furthermore, these flavonoids induced loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into the cytosol, and subsequent induction of procaspase-9 processing. The potency of these flavonoids on these features of apoptosis were in the order of: apigenin>quercetin>myricetin>kaempferol in HL-60 cells treated with 60
μM flavonoids. These results suggest that flavonoid-induced apoptosis is stimulated by the release of cytochrome c to the cytosol, by procaspase-9 processing, and through a caspase-3-dependent mechanism. The induction of apoptosis by flavonoids may be attributed to their cancer chemopreventive activity. Furthermore, the potency of flavonoids for inducing apoptosis may be dependent on the numbers of hydroxyl groups in the 2-phenyl group and on the absence of the 3-hydroxyl group. This provides new information on the structure–activity relationship of flavonoids.
Although the expression of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is altered in hepatocellular cancer (HCC), their biological effects are poorly defined. We have identified lncRNA with highly conserved ...sequences, ultraconserved lncRNA (ucRNA) that are transcribed and altered in expression in HCC. Extracellular vesicles, such as exosomes and microvesicles, are released from tumor cells and can transfer biologically active proteins and RNA across cells. We sought to identify the role of vesicle-mediated transfer of ucRNA as a mechanism by which these novel lncRNA could influence intercellular signaling with potential for environmental modulation of tumor cell behavior. HCC-derived extracellular vesicles could be isolated from cells in culture and taken up by adjacent cells. The expression of several ucRNA was dramatically altered within extracellular vesicles compared to that in donor cells. The most highly significantly expressed ucRNA in HCC cell-derived extracellular vesicles was cloned and identified as a 1,198-bp ucRNA, termed TUC339. TUC339 was functionally implicated in modulating tumor cell growth and adhesion. Suppression of TUC339 by siRNA reduced HCC cell proliferation, clonogenic growth, and growth in soft agar. Thus, intercellular transfer of TUC339 represents a unique signaling mechanism by which tumor cells can promote HCC growth and spread. These findings expand the potential roles of ucRNA in HCC, support the existence of selective mechanisms for lncRNA export from cells, and implicate extracellular vesicle-mediated transfer of lncRNA as a mechanism by which tumor cells can modulate their local cellular environment. Intercellular transfer of functionally active RNA molecules by extracellular vesicles provides a mechanism that enables cells to exert genetic influences on other cells within the microenvironment.
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