Facilitation of Behavioral and Cortical Emergence from Isoflurane Anesthesia by GABAergic Neurons in Basal Forebrain.

General anesthesia shares many similarities with natural sleep in behavior and electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns. The latest evidence suggests that general anesthesia and sleep-wake behavior may share overlapping neural substrates. The GABAergic neurons in the basal forebrain (BF) have recently been demonstrated to play a key role in controlling wakefulness. It was hypothesized that BF GABAergic neurons may participate in the regulation of general anesthesia. Here, using in vivo fiber photometry, we found that the activity of BF GABAergic neurons was generally inhibited during isoflurane anesthesia, having obviously decreased during the induction of anesthesia and being gradually restored during the emergence from anesthesia, in Vgat-Cre mice of both sexes. Activation of BF GABAergic neurons with chemogenetic and optogenetic approaches decreased sensitivity to isoflurane, delayed induction, and accelerated emergence from isoflurane anesthesia. Optogenetic activation of BF GABAergic neurons decreased EEG δ power and the burst suppression ratio (BSR) during 0.8% and 1.4% isoflurane anesthesia, respectively. Similar to the effects of activating BF GABAergic cell bodies, photostimulation of BF GABAergic terminals in the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) also strongly promoted cortical activation and behavioral emergence from isoflurane anesthesia. Collectively, these results showed that the GABAergic BF is a key neural substrate for general anesthesia regulation that facilitates behavioral and cortical emergence from general anesthesia via the GABAergic BF-TRN pathway. Our findings may provide a new target for attenuating the depth of anesthesia and accelerating emergence from general anesthesia.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The basal forebrain (BF) is a key brain region controlling sleep-wake behavior. Activation of GABAergic neurons in the BF potently promotes behavioral arousal and cortical activity. Recently, many sleep-wake-related brain structures have been reported to participate in the regulation of general anesthesia. However, it is still unclear what role BF GABAergic neurons play in general anesthesia. In this study, we aim to reveal the role of BF GABAergic neurons in behavioral and cortical emergence from isoflurane anesthesia and elucidate the underlying neural pathways. Understanding the specific role of BF GABAergic neurons in isoflurane anesthesia would improve our understanding of the mechanisms of general anesthesia and may provide a new strategy for accelerating emergence from general anesthesia.

Thioredoxin-interacting protein mediates NALP3 inflammasome activation in podocytes during diabetic nephropathy.

Numerous studies have shown that the NALP3 inflammasome plays an important role in various immune and inflammatory diseases. However, whether the NALP3 inflammasome is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) is unclear. In our study, we confirmed that high glucose (HG) concentrations induced NALP3 inflammasome activation both in vivo and in vitro. Blocking NALP3 inflammasome activation by NALP3/ASC shRNA and caspase-1 inhibition prevented IL-1ß production and eventually attenuated podocyte and glomerular injury under HG conditions. We also found that thioredoxin (TRX)-interacting protein (TXNIP), which is a pro-oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory factor, activated NALP3 inflammasome by interacting with NALP3 in HG-exposed podocytes. Knocking down TXNIP impeded NALP3 inflammasome activation and alleviated podocyte injury caused by HG. In summary, the NALP3 inflammasome mediates podocyte and glomerular injury in DN, moreover, TXNIP participates in the formation and activation of the NALP3 inflammasome in podocytes during DN, which represents a novel mechanism of podocyte and glomerular injury under diabetic conditions.

Acupuncture inhibits mammalian target of rapamycin, promotes autophagy and attenuates neurological deficits in a rat model of hemorrhagic stroke.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for approximately 15% of all stroke cases. Previous studies suggested that acupuncture may improve ICH-induced neurological deficits. Therefore, we investigated the effects of acupuncture on neurological deficits in an animal model of ICH. METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with autologous blood (50 µL) into the right caudate nucleus. Additional rats underwent sham surgery as controls. ICH rats either received acupuncture (GV20 through GB7 on the side of the lesion) or sham acupuncture (1 cm to the right side of the traditional acupuncture point locations). Some ICH rats received acupuncture plus rapamycin injection into the right lateral ventricle. Neurological deficits in the various groups were assessed based on composite neurological score. The perihemorrhagic penumbra was analyzed by histopathology following hematoxylin-eosin staining. Levels of autophagy-related proteins light chain (LC)3 and p62 as well as of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-related proteins, and phosphorylated (p)-mTOR and p-S6K1 (ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta-1), were assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Acupuncture significantly improved composite neurological scores 7 days after ICH (17.7 ± 1.49 vs 14.8 ± 1.32, p < 0.01). Acupuncture augmented autophagosome and autolysosome accumulation based on transmission electron microscopy. Acupuncture significantly increased expression of LC3 (p < 0.01) but decreased expression of p62 (p < 0.01). Acupuncture also reduced levels of p-mTOR and p-S6K1 (both p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture improved neurological deficits in a rat model of ICH, possibly by inhibiting the mTOR pathway and activating autophagy.

Parabrachial nucleus astrocytes regulate wakefulness and isoflurane anesthesia in mice.

Background: The parabrachial nucleus (PBN) is an important structure regulating the sleep-wake behavior and general anesthesia. Astrocytes in the central nervous system modulate neuronal activity and consequential behavior. However, the specific role of the parabrachial nucleus astrocytes in regulating the sleep-wake behavior and general anesthesia remains unclear. Methods: We used chemogenetic approach to activate or inhibit the activity of PBN astrocytes by injecting AAV-GFAabc1d-hM3Dq-eGFP or AAV-GFAabc1d-hM4Di-eGFP into the PBN. We investigated the effects of intraperitoneal injection of CNO or vehicle on the amount of wakefulness, NREM sleep and REM sleep in sleep-wake behavior, and on the time of loss of righting reflex, time of recovery of righting reflex, sensitivity to isoflurane, electroencephalogram (EEG) power spectrum and burst suppression ratio (BSR) in isoflurane anesthesia. Results: The activation of PBN astrocytes increased wakefulness amount for 4 h, while the inhibition of PBN astrocytes decreased total amount of wakefulness during the 3-hour post-injection period. Chemogenetic activation of PBN astrocytes decreased isoflurane sensitivity and shortened the emergence time from isoflurane-induced general anesthesia. Cortical EEG recordings revealed that PBN astrocyte activation decreased the EEG delta power and BSR during isoflurane anesthesia. Chemogenetic Inhibition of PBN astrocytes increased the EEG delta power and BSR during isoflurane anesthesia. Conclusion: PBN astrocytes are a key neural substrate regulating wakefulness and emergence from isoflurane anesthesia.

Regulation of wakefulness by GABAergic dorsal raphe nucleus-ventral tegmental area pathway.

The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) has previously been proved to be involved in the regulation of the sleep-wake behavior. DRN contains several neuron types, such as 5-HTergic and GABAergic neurons. GABAergic neurons, which are the second largest cell subtype in the DRN, participate in a variety of neurophysiological functions. However, their role in sleep-wake regulation and the underlying neural circuitry remains unclear. Herein, we used fiber photometry and synchronous electroencephalogram (EEG)/electromyography (EMG) recording to demonstrate that DRN GABAergic neurons exhibit high activities during wakefulness and low activities during NREM sleep. Short-term optogenetic activation of DRN GABAergic neurons reduced the latency of NREM-to-wake transition and increased the probability of wakefulness, while long-term optogenetic activation of these neurons significantly increased the amount of wakefulness. Chemogenetic activation of DRN GABAergic neurons increased wakefulness for almost 2 h and maintained long-lasting arousal. In addition, inhibition of DRN GABAergic neurons with chemogenetics caused a reduction in the amount of wakefulness. Finally, similar to the effects of activating the soma of DRN GABAergic neurons, optogenetic stimulation of their terminals in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) induced instant arousal and promoted wakefulness. Taken together, our results illustrated that DRN GABAergic neurons are vital to the induction and maintenance of wakefulness, which promote wakefulness through the GABAergic DRN-VTA pathway.

Regulation of wakefulness by astrocytes in the lateral hypothalamus.

The lateral hypothalamus (LH) is an important brain region mediating sleep-wake behavior. Recent evidence has shown that astrocytes in central nervous system modulate the activity of adjacent neurons and participate in several physiological functions. However, the role of LH astrocytes in sleep-wake regulation remains unclear. Here, using synchronous recording of electroencephalogram/electromyogram in mice and calcium signals in LH astrocytes, we show that the activity of LH astrocytes is significantly increased during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep-to-wake transitions and decreased during Wake-to-NREM sleep transitions. Chemogenetic activation of LH astrocytes potently promotes wakefulness and maintains long-term arousal, while chemogenetic inhibition of LH astrocytes decreases the total amount of wakefulness in mice. Moreover, by combining chemogenetics with fiber photometry, we show that activation of LH astrocytes significantly increases the calcium signals of adjacent neurons, especially among GABAergic neurons. Taken together, our results clearly illustrate that LH astrocytes are a key neural substrate regulating wakefulness and encode this behavior through surrounding GABAergic neurons. Our findings raise the possibility that overactivity of LH astrocytes may be an underlying mechanism of clinical sleep disorders.

Role of CD2-associated protein in albumin overload-induced apoptosis in podocytes.

Proteinuria is a well-established exacerbating factor of chronic kidney diseases. However, the harmful effects of protein overload on podocytes and the underlying mechanisms are still poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the effects of high concentrations of albumin on podocytes and investigated the role of CD2AP (CD2-associated protein) in albumin overload-induced podocyte apoptosis. Conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of BSA. In addition, CD2AP eukaryotic expression vector or siRNA (small interfering RNA) was transfected into podocytes before they were exposed to BSA. Podocyte apoptosis, expressions of active caspase-3 (p17) and CD2AP, and the distribution of F-actin cytoskeleton were detected by flow cytometry, Western-blot analysis and fluorescent staining respectively. It was found that exposure of podocytes to BSA induced podocyte apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner that was accompanied by up-regulation of active caspase-3, the disruption of F-actin cytoskeleton, and decreased expression of CD2AP. Transfection of CD2AP eukaryotic expression vector into podocytes increased CD2AP expression, partially restored F-actin distribution, blocked active caspase-3 expression and inhibited podocyte apoptosis. In contrast, transfection of CD2AP siRNA deteriorated the above changes induced by BSA. It is concluded that protein overload induces podocyte apoptosis via the down-regulation of CD2AP and subsequent disruption of cytoskeleton of podocytes, and CD2AP may play an important role in protein overload-induced podocyte injury.

[Chinfloxacin hydrochloride inhibits HERG potassium channel at open state].

This study is designed to investigate the effects of chinfloxacin hydrochloride (CFX) on the kinetics of HERG K+ channel. Whole cell patch clamp technique was used to record HERG K+ currents from HEK293 cells transiently transfected with cgi-HERG-GFP plasmids and channel kinetics were assessed in the absence and presence of CFX and moxifloxacin hydrochloride (MOX). Results demonstrated that the open state of HERG K+ channel was inhibited by CFX in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 162.1 +/- 14.2 micromol x L(-1), two folds higher than its positive control MOX. But there were no significant effects on channel kinetics. In addition, the inhibitory effect of CFX on HERG was enhanced when cells were subjected to altered extracellular K+ concentration.

[Effect of acupuncture on NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20) through "Qubin" (GB 7) on NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and to explore the action mechanism of acupuncture on promoting the recovery of neural function in rats with ICH. METHODS: Forty SPF six-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group, a non-acupoint group and an acupuncture group, 10 rats in each group. The rats in the model group, non-acupoint group and acupuncture group were intervened with autologous blood injection to prepare ICH model, while the rats in the sham operation group were only intervened with operation but not injection with autologous blood. About 3 hours after the establishment of the model, the rats in the acupuncture group were intervened with acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20) through "Qubin" (GB 7), once every 12 hours, for 7 days; the rats in the non-acupoint group were intervened with acupuncture at the non-acupoint [parallel to the "Baihui" (GV 20), 1 cm next to the midline] on the affected side, and other treatment was the same as the acupuncture group. At the end of the intervention, the composite nerve function score of each group was evaluated; the histomorphology of the hemorrhage penumbra was observed by HE staining; the expression of NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle in the brain was detected by immunohistochemistry; the relative protein expression levels of NLRP3, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in brain were detected by the method of Western blot. RESULTS: Seven days into intervention, compared with the sham operation group, each item score and total score of composite nerve function in the model group were significantly reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05). There was edema and karyopyknosis in brain neuron as well as necrocytosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the model group. Compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, the total score of composite nerve function and the scores of symmetrical movement of limbs (LS) and proprioception of tentacles (VP) in the acupuncture group were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the cell necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were relieved. Compared with the sham operation group, NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle expression and the relative protein expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1ß and IL-18 in brain tissue in the model group were increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group and the non-acupoint group, NLRP3 inflammatory corpuscle expression and the relative protein expression levels of NLRP3, IL-1ß and IL-18 in brain tissue in the acupuncture group were reduced (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV 20) through "Qubin" (GB 7) could downregulate the expression of NLRP3, IL-1ß and IL-18 in the brain tissue of ICH rats, inhibit the inflammatory response, and promote the recovery of neural function.

Downregulation of CD2-associated protein impaired the physiological functions of podocytes.

Emerging evidences show that CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) is involved in podocyte injury and the pathogenesis of proteinuria. However, the exact molecular mechanism by which CD2AP exerts its biological function is elusive. We knocked down CD2AP gene by target siRNA in conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes, which showed lowered cell adhesion and spreading ability (P<0.05). At the same time, cell cycle was arrested in G2/M phase (P<0.05), and pathologic nuclear division could easily be seen in CD2AP siRNA-transfected podocytes. The proliferation of podocytes were also inhibited significantly by CD2AP siRNA transfection (P<0.05). Further study revealed disordered distributions of F-actin, as well as lowered nephrin expression and phosphorylation in podocytes. These data suggest that CD2AP may play a crucial role in maintaining the normal function of podocytes and lowered CD2AP causes podocyte injury by disrupting the cytoskeleton and disturbing the nephrin-CD2AP signaling pathway.

[Role of CD2-associated protein in podocyte differentiation.].

To study the cellular changes and the potential role of CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) in podocyte differentiation, conditionally immortalized murine podocyte cell line was cultured in RPMI 1640 medium under permissive condition at 33 °C. After transfection with CD2AP small interfering RNA (siRNA) the cells were shifted to non-permissive condition at 37 °C. Simultaneously, untransfected cells were taken as differentiation control. The podocyte proliferation rate was determined by MTT method. The expressions of CD2AP, WT1, synaptopodin and nephrin mRNAs were examined by RT-PCR. CD2AP, WT1 and nephrin protein expressions were examined by Western blot. The distribution of CD2AP, nephrin, F-actin and tubulin in differentiated and undifferentiated podocytes was detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The results showed: (1) CD2AP, WT1 and nephrin were stably expressed in differentiated and undifferentiated podocytes while synaptopodin was only expressed in differentiated podocytes. (2) CD2AP and nephrin mRNA and protein expressions were up-regulated during podocyte differentiation (P<0.05). (3) CD2AP and tubulin were distributed in the cytoplasm and perinulcear region in undifferentiated podocytes, and F-actin was predominantly localized to a cortical belt and paralleled to the cell axis. Under differentiation condition, CD2AP distribution profile was presented as peripheral accumulation, tubulin took on fascicular style and F-actin extended into foot processes in podocytes. CD2AP colocalized with nephrin and F-actin in undifferentiated podocytes. (4) After transfection with CD2AP siRNA, the expression of CD2AP was partially inhibited and cell growth was arrested; Synaptopodin, the differentiation podocyte marker, was apparently down-regulated; The differentiation of podocytes was delayed. The results demonstrate that podocyte differentiation is accompanied by cytoskeleton rearrangement and cell morphology change. CD2AP might play an essential role in podocyte differentiation.

The expression of toll-like receptor 2, 4 of livers in mice with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The complicated pathogenesis of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) is a hot topic in critical care medicine. In this study we explored the expression of toll-like receptor (TLR) 2, 4 of livers in SIRS mice and evaluated the role of TLR2, 4 in the pathogenesis of SIRS. METHODS: Forty BABL/C mice were randomly divided into 2 groups: control (n=20) and SIRS (n=20). SIRS model was induced by severe acute pancreatitis. Blood routine, blood amylase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and temperature were measured. Histological changes of pancreases and livers were observed microscopically. The mRNA expressions of TLR2, 4 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The protein expressions of TLR2, 4 were examined by Western blot. RESULTS: Marked edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, hemorrhage, and necrosis were observed in the pancreases and livers of SIRS mice. The concentrations of amylase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase were increased significantly. Body temperature and white blood cell count were decreased. The mRNA and protein expressions of TLR2, 4 increased markedly in SIRS mice. Significant difference was observed between SIRS and control mice (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The expressions of TLR2, 4 of livers were increased markedly in SIRS mice, indicating that TLR might play an important role in the pathogenesis of SIRS.

Why h atom prefers the on-top site and alkali metals favor the middle hollow site on the Basal plane of graphite.

In this work, the different adsorption properties of H and alkali metal atoms on the basal plane of graphite are studied and compared using a density functional method on the same model chemistry level. The results show that H prefers the "on-top site" while alkali metals favor the "middle hollow site" of graphite basal plane due to the unique electronic structures of H, alkali metals, and graphite. H has a higher electronegativity than carbon, preferring to form a covalent bond with C atoms, whereas alkaline metals have lower electronegativity, tending to adsorb on the highest electrostatic potential sites. During adsorption, there are more charges transferred from alkali metal to graphite than from H to graphite.

[Role of connective tissue growth factor in human renal tubular epithelial cell transdifferentiation in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) on the transdifferentiation of human renal tubular epithelial cells and to explore the influence of CTGF antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASODN) transfection on the transdifferentiation process induced by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1). METHODS: Human renal tubular epithelial cells of the strain HKC were cultured and divided into 3 groups: (1) negative control group, (2) low dose CTGF group, treated with recombinant human CTGF (rhCTGF) with the terminal concentration of 2.5 microg/L, and (3) high dose CTGF group, treated with rhCTGF with the terminal concentration of 5.0 microg/L). To evaluate the contribution of CTGF to the transdifferentiation induced by TGF-beta1, Another HKC cells were divided into 4 groups: (1) untreated control group (Group C), (2) Group T, stimulated by TGF-beta1 (10.0 microg/L), (3) Group S, stimulated by sense ODN transfection + TGF-beta1 (10.0 microg/L), and (4) Group A, stimulated by antisense ODN transfection + TGF-beta1 (10.0 microg/L). RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen type IV (col IV) mRNA. Indirect immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometry were used to assess the level of intracellular alpha-SMA protein. ELISA was used to determine the concentration of col IV in the media. RESULTS: The normal HKC cells were round and the HKC cells stimulated with rhCTGF became elongated. Upon the stimulation of different concentrations of rhCTGF, the expression of alpha-SMA mRNA increased markedly (both P < 0.01), while the mRNA expression of collagen type IV gene was down-regulated significantly (both P < 0.01). The percentage of alpha-SMA positive cells was significantly higher in the stimulated groups than that in negative control with significant difference among any 2 groups (38.9%, 65.5% vs. 2.4% respectively, all P < 0.01). Under this condition, collagen type IV secreted into the culture medium was lowered markedly upon the induction of CTGF (P < 0.01). RT-PCR analysis showed that the CTGF gene expression was upregulated by TGF-beta1 stimulation and peaked in 3 hours, and the alpha-SMA expression was upregulated by TGF-beta1 stimulation, however, peaked in 6 hours. The CTGF mRNA expression of the HKC cells transfected with CTGF ASODN that was stimulated by TGF-beta1 10 microg/L was significantly suppressed (P < 0.01) and the alpha-SMA mRNA expression induced by TGF-beta1 10 microg/L was significantly inhibited by CTGF ASODN transfection (P < 0.01). Indirect immunofluorescence assay showed that normal HKC cells did not express alpha-SMA, 48 hours after stimulation of TGF-beta1 10 microg/L the HKC cells showed expression of alpha-SMA in the cytoplasm, and the intracytoplasmic alpha-SMA expression was significantly down-regulated by the transfection of CTGF ASODN (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: CTGF can promote the transdifferentiation of human renal tubular epithelial cells towards myofibroblast (MyoF) in vitro, and CTGF blockade results in a dramatic inhibition of TGF-beta-induced transdifferentiation of renal tubular cells. So CTGF may be a crucial factor in promoting tubular-epithelial myofibroblast transdifferentiation.

[High glucose stimulates synthesis of fibronectin in human mesangial cells via serum and glucocorticoid induced protein kinase-1 signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of serum and glucocorticoid induced kinase-1 (SGK(1)) pathways in fibronectin (FN) synthesis in human mesangial cell (HMC) under high glucose condition and the mechanism by which SGK(1) contributes to glomerulosclerosis in diabetic nephropathy (DN). METHODS: HMCs were cultured and transfected with (P)IRES2-EGFP-(S422D) SGK(1) mutant (SD), plasmid containing SGK(1) dominant activation mutant, or blank plasmid. Non-transfected HMCs were used as control group. Then the HMCs were divided into 6 groups: transfected with SD + high glucose (SD-HG, 25 mmol/L D-glucose), transfected with FP + high glues (FP + HG), non-transfected + high glucose (NT-HG), transfeted with SD + normal glucose (SD-NG, 5.5 mmol/L D-glucose), transfected with FP + normal glues (FP + NG), and non-transfected + normal glucose (NT-NG). Eight hours after the glucose stimulation, RT-PCR was used to examine the SGK(1) mRNA expression and fibronectin (FN). Western blotting was used to detect the fibronectin (FN) protein expression. RESULTS: The SGK(1) mRNA expression of the SD + HG group was 0.709, significantly higher than those of the FP + HG and NT + HP groups (0.497 and 0.491, both P < 0.01). The SGK(1) protein expression of the SD + HG group was 1,178,497, significantly higher than those of the FP + HG and NT + HP groups (193,875 and 195,597 respectively, both P < 0.01). The FN mRNA expression of the SD + HG group was 0.749, significantly higher than those of the FP + HG and NT + HP groups (0.463 and 0.475 respectively, both P < 0.01). The FN protein expression of the SD + HG group was 659,550, significantly higher than those of the FP + HG and NT + HG groups (342,354 and 340,428 respectively, both P < 0.01). There were not significant differences in the expressions of FN mRNA and protein among different NG groups. CONCLUSION: SGK(1) may be involved in the signal transduction leading to the increase of fibronectin production in DN and therefore may play an active part in glomerulosclerosis in DN.

Role of connective growth factor in plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibronectin expression induced by transforming growth factor beta1 in renal tubular cells.

BACKGROUND: Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) contributes greatly to renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, which is the final event leading to end-stage renal failure. This study was designed to investigate the effects of CTGF antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on the expressions of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibronectin in renal tubular cells induced by transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) in addition to the role of CTGF in the accumulation and degradation of renal extracellular matrix (ECM). METHODS: A human proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HKC) was cultured in vitro. Cationic lipid-mediated CTGF antisense ODNs were transfected into HKC cells. After HKC cells were stimulated with TGF-beta1 (5 microg/L), the mRNA levels of PAI-1 and fibronectin were measured by RT-PCR. Intracellular PAI-1 protein synthesis was assessed by flow cytometry. The secreted PAI-1 and fibronectin in the medium were determined by Western blot and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: TGF-beta1 was found to induce tubular CTGF, PAI-1, and fibronectin mRNA expression. PAI-1 and fibronectin mRNA expression induced by TGF-beta1 was significantly inhibited by CTGF antisense ODNs. CTGF antisense ODNs also inhibited intracellular PAI-1 protein synthesis and lowered the levels of PAI-1 and fibronectin protein secreted into the medium. CONCLUSIONS: CTGF may play a crucial role in the accumulation and degradation of excessive ECM during tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and transfecting CTGF antisense ODNs may be an effective way to prevent renal fibrosis.

High serum uric acid and increased risk of type 2 diabetes: a systemic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

OBJECTIVE: Current evidence suggests high serum uric acid may increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, but the association is still uncertain. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between serum uric acid and future risk of type 2 diabetes by conducting a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of the PubMed database through April 2012. Prospective cohort studies were included in meta-analysis that reported the multivariate adjusted relative risks (RRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between serum uric acid and risk of type 2 diabetes. We used both fix-effects and random-effects models to calculate the overall effect estimate. The heterogeneity across studies was tested by both Q statistic and I(2) statistic. Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression test were used to assess the potential publication bias. RESULTS: We retrieved 7 eligible articles derived from 8 prospective cohort studies, involving a total of 32016 participants and 2930 incident type 2 diabetes. The combined RR of developing type 2 diabetes for the highest category of serum uric acid level compared with the lowest was 1.56(95% CI, 1.39-1.76). Dose-response analysis showed the risk of type 2 diabetes was increased by 6% per 1 mg/dl increment in serum uric acid level (RR 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04-1.07). The result from each subgroup showed a significant association between serum uric acid and risk of type 2 diabetes. In sensitive analysis, the combined RR was consistent every time omitting any one study. Little evidence of heterogeneity and publication bias was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies provided strong evidence that high level of serum uric acid is independent of other established risk factors, especially metabolic syndrome components, for developing type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older people.

Field-effect transistors fabricated from diluted magnetic semiconductor colloidal nanowires.

Field-effect transistors (FETs) fabricated from undoped and Co(2+)-doped CdSe colloidal nanowires show typical n-channel transistor behaviour with gate effect. Exposed to microscope light, a 10 times current enhancement is observed in the doped nanowire-based devices due to the significant modification of the electronic structure of CdSe nanowires induced by Co(2+)-doping, which is revealed by theoretical calculations from spin-polarized plane-wave density functional theory.

Cobalt-doped cadmium selenide colloidal nanowires.

Co(2+)-doped CdSe colloidal nanowires with tunable size and dopant concentration have been prepared by a solution-liquid-solid (SLS) approach for the first time. These doped nanowires exhibit anomalous photoluminescence temperature dependence in comparison with undoped nanowires.

Calcium entry via TRPC6 mediates albumin overload-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis in podocytes.

Albumin, which is the most abundant component of urine proteins, exerts injurious effects on renal cells in chronic kidney diseases. However, the toxicity of albumin to podocytes is not well elucidated. Here, we show that a high concentration of albumin triggers intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) increase through mechanisms involving the intracellular calcium store release and extracellular calcium influx in conditionally immortalized podocytes. The canonical transient receptor potential-6 (TRPC6) channel, which is associated with a subset of familial forms of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) and several acquired proteinuric kidney diseases, was shown to be one of the important Ca(2+) permeable ion channels in podocytes. Therefore we explored the role of TRPC6 on albumin-induced functional and structural changes in podocytes. It was found that albumin-induced increase in [Ca(2+)](i) was blocked by TRPC6 siRNA or SKF-96365, a blocker of TRP cation channels. Long-term albumin exposure caused an up-regulation of TRPC6 expression in podocytes, which was inhibited by TRPC6 siRNA. Additionally, the inhibition of TRPC6 prevented the F-actin cytoskeleton disruption that is induced by albumin overload. Moreover, albumin overload induced expression of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress protein GRP78, led to caspase-12 activation and ultimately podocyte apoptosis, all of which were abolished by the knockdown of TRPC6 using TRPC6 siRNA. These results support the view that albumin overload may induce ER stress and the subsequent apoptosis in podocytes via TRPC6-mediated Ca(2+) entry.