Tomato NADPH oxidase SlWfi1 interacts with the effector protein RipBJ of Ralstonia solanacearum to mediate host defence.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in regulating numerous functions in organisms. Among the key regulators of ROS production are NADPH oxidases, primarily referred to as respiratory burst oxidase homologues (RBOHs). However, our understanding of whether and how pathogens directly target RBOHs has been limited. In this study, we revealed that the effector protein RipBJ, originating from the phytopathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum, was present in low- to medium-virulence strains but absent in high-virulence strains. Functional genetic assays demonstrated that the expression of ripBJ led to a reduction in bacterial infection. In the plant, RipBJ expression triggered plant cell death and the accumulation of H2O2, while also enhancing host defence against R. solanacearum by modulating multiple defence signalling pathways. Through protein interaction and functional studies, we demonstrated that RipBJ was associated with the plant's plasma membrane and interacted with the tomato RBOH known as SlWfi1, which contributed positively to RipBJ's effects on plants. Importantly, SlWfi1 expression was induced during the early stages following R. solanacearum infection and played a key role in defence against this bacterium. This research uncovers the plant RBOH as an interacting target of a pathogen's effector, providing valuable insights into the mechanisms of plant defence.

Phytoconstituent-derived zingerone nanoparticles disrupt the cell adhesion mechanism and suppress cell motility in melanoma B16F10 cells.

Combining phytochemicals and nanotechnology to improve the unfavorable innate properties of phytochemicals and develop them into potent nanomedicines to enhance antitumor efficacy has become a novel strategy for cancer chemoprevention. Melanoma is the most aggressive, metastatic, and deadly disease of the primary cutaneous neoplasms. In this study, we fabricated phytoconstituent-derived zingerone nanoparticles (NPs) and validated their effects on cell adhesion and motility in melanoma B16F10 cells. Our data indicated that zingerone NPs significantly induced cytotoxicity and anti-colony formation and inhibited cell migration and invasion. Moreover, zingerone NPs dramatically interfered with the cytoskeletal reorganization and markedly delayed the period of cell adhesion. Our results also revealed that zingerone NPs-mediated downregulation of MMPs (matrix metalloproteinases) activity is associated with inhibiting cell adhesion and motility. We further evaluated the effects of zingerone NPs on Src/FAK /Paxillin signaling, our data showed that zingerone NPs significantly inhibited the protein activities of Src, FAK, and Paxillin, indicating that they play important roles in zingerone NP-mediated anti-motility and anti-invasion in melanoma cells. Accordingly, the phytoconstituent-zingerone NPs can strengthen the inhibition of tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis in malignant melanoma. Altogether, these multi-pharmacological benefits of zingerone NPs will effectively achieve the purpose of melanoma prevention and invasion inhibition.

The Iridoid Glycoside Loganin Modulates Autophagic Flux Following Chronic Constriction Injury-Induced Neuropathic Pain.

Autophagy facilitates the degradation of organelles and cytoplasmic proteins in a lysosome-dependent manner. It also plays a crucial role in cell damage. Whether loganin affects autophagy in chronic constriction injury (CCI)-induced neuropathic pain remains unclear. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of loganin on the autophagic-lysosomal pathway in the rat CCI model. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into sham, CCI, sham + loganin, and CCI + loganin. Loganin (5 mg/kg/day) was intraperitoneally injected once daily, and rats were sacrificed on day 7 after CCI. This study focused on the mechanism by which loganin modulates autophagic flux after CCI. CCI enhanced the autophagic marker LC3B-II in the ipsilateral spinal cord. The ubiquitin-binding protein p62 binds to LC3B-II and integrates into autophagosomes, which are degraded by autophagy. CCI caused the accumulation of p62, indicating the interruption of autophagosome turnover. Loganin significantly attenuated the expression of Beclin-1, LC3B-II, and p62. Double immunofluorescence staining was used to confirm that LC3B-II and p62 were reduced by loganin in the spinal microglia and astrocytes. Loganin also lessened the CCI-increased colocalization of both proteins. Enhanced lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2) and pro-cathepsin D (pro-CTSD) in CCI rats were also attenuated by loganin, suggesting that loganin improves impaired lysosomal function and autophagic flux. Loganin also attenuated the CCI-increased apoptosis protein Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Loganin prevents CCI-induced neuropathic pain, which could be attributed to the regulation of neuroinflammation, neuronal autophagy, and associated cell death. These data suggest autophagy could be a potential target for preventing neuropathic pain.

Loganin Attenuates High Glucose-Induced Schwann Cells Pyroptosis by Inhibiting ROS Generation and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is caused by hyperglycemia, which induces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses that damage nerve tissue. Excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation trigger the inflammation and pyroptosis in diabetes. Schwann cell dysfunction further promotes DPN progression. Loganin has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory neuroprotective activities. This study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of loganin on high-glucose (25 mM)-induced rat Schwann cell line RSC96 injury, a recognized in vitro cell model of DPN. RSC96 cells were pretreated with loganin (0.1, 1, 10, 25, 50 µM) before exposure to high glucose. Loganin's effects were examined by CCK-8 assay, ROS assay, cell death assay, immunofluorescence staining, quantitative RT-PCR and western blot. High-glucose-treated RSC96 cells sustained cell viability loss, ROS generation, NF-κB nuclear translocation, P2 × 7 purinergic receptor and TXNIP (thioredoxin-interacting protein) expression, NLRP3 inflammasome (NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1) activation, IL-1ß and IL-18 maturation and gasdermin D cleavage. Those effects were reduced by loganin pretreatment. In conclusion, we found that loganin's antioxidant effects prevent RSC96 Schwann cell pyroptosis by inhibiting ROS generation and suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Loganin prevents chronic constriction injury-provoked neuropathic pain by reducing TNF-α/IL-1ß-mediated NF-κB activation and Schwann cell demyelination.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral nerve injury can produce chronic and ultimately neuropathic pain. The chronic constriction injury (CCI) model has provided a deeper understanding of nociception and chronic pain. Loganin is a well-known herbal medicine with glucose-lowering action and neuroprotective activity. PURPOSE: This study investigated the molecular mechanisms by which loganin reduced CCI-induced neuropathic pain. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, sham+loganin, CCI and CCI+loganin. Loganin (1 or 5 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally once daily for 14 days, starting the day after CCI. For behavioral testing, mechanical and thermal responses were assessed before surgery and on d1, d3, d7 and d14 after surgery. Sciatic nerves (SNs) were collected to measure proinflammatory cytokines. Proximal and distal SNs were collected separately for Western blotting and immunofluorescence studies. RESULTS: Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were reduced in the loganin-treated group as compared to the CCI group. Loganin (5 mg/kg/day) prevented CCI from inducing proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1ß), inflammatory proteins (TNF-α, IL-1ß, pNFκB, pIκB/IκB, iNOS) and receptor (TNFR1, IL-1R), adaptor protein (TRAF2) of TNF-α, and Schwann cell demyelination and axonal damage. Loganin also blocked IκB phosphorylation (p-IκB). Double immunofluorescent staining further demonstrated that pNFκB/pIκB protein was reduced by loganin in Schwann cells on d7 after CCI. In the distal stumps of injured SN, Schwann cell demyelination was correlated with pain behaviors in CCI rats. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that loganin improves CCI-induced neuroinflammation and pain behavior by downregulating TNF-α/IL-1ß-dependent NF-κB activation.

Valproate reduces neuroinflammation and neuronal death in a rat chronic constriction injury model.

Valproate (VPA) is a well-known drug for treating epilepsy and mania, but its action in neuropathic pain is unclear. We used a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model to explore whether VPA prevents neuropathic pain-mediated inflammation and neuronal death. Rats were treated with or without VPA. CCI + VPA rats were intraperitoneally injected with VPA (300 mg/kg/day) from postoperative day (POD) 1 to 14. We measured paw withdrawal latency (PWL) and paw withdrawal threshold (PWT) 1 day before surgery and 1, 3, 7, 14 days after CCI and harvested the sciatic nerves (SN), spinal cord (SC) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) on POD 3, 7, and 14. PWL and PWT were reduced in CCI rats, but increased in CCI + VPA rats on POD 7 and POD 14. VPA lowered CCI-induced inflammatory proteins (pNFκB, iNOS and COX-2), pro-apoptotic proteins (pAKT/AKT and pGSK-3ß/GSK-3ß), proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß) and nuclear pNFκB activation in the SN, DRG and SC in CCI rats. COX-2 and pGSK-3 proteins were decreased by VPA on immunofluorescence analysis. VPA attenuated CCI-induced thermal and mechanical pain behaviors in rats in correlation with anti-neuroinflammation action involving reduction of pNFκB/iNOS/COX-2 activation and inhibition of pAKT/pGSK-3ß-mediated neuronal death from injury to peripheral nerves.

Atorvastatin prevents neuroinflammation in chronic constriction injury rats through nuclear NFκB downregulation in the dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord.

Atorvastatin, traditionally used to treat hyperlipidemia, belongs to a class of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors. This study investigated the antineuroinflammatory and antihyperalgesic effects of atorvastatin in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord for chronic constriction injury (CCI) neuropathic pain in rats. Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups including sham, CCI, and CCI+atorvastatin. Rats were orally administered atorvastatin (10 mg/kg/day) once daily for 2 weeks after surgery and sacrificed at days 3, 7, and 14. All animals were assessed for mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in both hindpaws. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect inflammatory proteins and proinflammatory cytokines at day 7 after surgery. Pain behaviors were significantly reduced in the CCI+atorvastatin group compared to the CCI group. Atorvastatin attenuated CCI-induced inflammatory mediators (pAkt/Akt, COX-2, iNOS, EP1, and EP4) and reduced proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1ß levels in DRG and spinal cord. Atorvastatin also inhibited nuclear pNFκB activation. Double immunofluorescent staining further demonstrated that pNFκB proteins were decreased by atorvastatin in DRG satellite cells and spinal microglia. Atorvastatin may primarily inhibit the nuclear translocation of pNFκB to prevent CCI-induced peripheral neuropathic pain. Atorvastatin exhibits antineuroinflammatory and antinociceptive properties in the central and peripheral nerve systems.

Xanthine derivative KMUP-1 reduces inflammation and hyperalgesia in a bilateral chronic constriction injury model by suppressing MAPK and NFκB activation.

Neuropathic pain is characterized by spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia. The aim of this study was to investigate whether KMUP-1 (7-[2-[4-(2-chlorobenzene)piperazinyl]ethyl]-1,3-dimethylxanthine) could improve pain hypersensitivity and reduce inflammatory mediators, and also explore possible mechanisms in the rat sciatic nerve using bilateral chronic constriction injury (CCI) to induce neuropathic pain. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham, Sham+KMUP-1, CCI, and CCI+KMUP-1. KMUP-1 (5 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally starting at day 1 after surgery. Mechanical and thermal responses were assessed before surgery and at days 3, 7, and 14 after CCI. Sciatic nerves around the injury site were isolated for Western blots and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to analyze protein and cytokine levels. The results show that thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were reduced in the KMUP-1 treated group as compared to that in the CCI group. Inflammatory proteins (COX2, iNOS, and nNOS) and proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1ß) induced by CCI were decreased in the KMUP-1 treated group at day 7 after surgery. KMUP-1 also inhibited neuropathic pain-related mechanisms, including p38 and ERK activation, but not JNK. Furthermore, KMUP-1 blocked IκB phosphorylation (p-IκB) and phospho-nuclear factor κB (p-NF-κB) translocation to nuclei. Double immunofluorescent staining further demonstrated that p-IκB (an indicator of activated NFκB) and p-NFκB proteins were almost abolished by KMUP-1 in peripheral macrophages and spinal microglia cells at day 7 after surgery. On the basis of these findings, we concluded that KMUP-1 has antiinflammatory and antihyperalgesia properties in CCI-induced neuropathic pain via decreases in MAPKs and NF-κB activation.

Microstructural evolution and electrical properties of base-metal electroded BaTi4O9 materials with B-Si-Ba-Zn-O glass system.

Barium titanate-based microwave dielectrics usually require relatively high temperatures to sinter, which prevents the use of base metals such as copper for electrodes. In this work, BaTi(4)O(9) microwave dielectric ceramics co-fired with copper electrodes are made possible by adding B-Si-Ba- Zn-O glass to induce liquid-phase sintering at sufficiently low temperature and in reduced atmosphere. The microstructures and electric properties of the BaTi(4)O(9) ceramics thus obtained are carefully examined and studied. Proper glass composition may significantly facilitate mass transportation in the low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) material, resulting in better densification without serious degradation of electric properties. Although the B2O3/SiO2 ratio enhances the glass mobility during sintering, the BaO/ZnO ratio contributes to the chemical affinity of glass to BaTi(4)O(9) ceramics. In addition, various Ba-Ti-O phases with different Ba/Ti ratios may be found in the specimen through the X-ray diffraction patterns when the BaO/ZnO ratio is varied. If the BaO/ZnO ratio is high and the glass flows easily in the material, the Ba(4)Ti(13)O(30) phase is formed. If the BaO/ZnO ratio is low and the glass flows easily in the material, the BaTi(6)O(13) phase appears. We find that glass-induced Ba(4)Ti(13)O(30) transformation may significantly decrease Qxf values in the BT4-BSBZ materials. Therefore, the appropriate glass composition must be selected to ensure the phase stability of dielectrics to achieve the best performance possible.

KMUP-1 inhibits L-type Ca²âº channels involved the protein kinase C in rat basilar artery myocytes.

This study investigated whether KMUP-1, a xanthine-based derivative, inhibits L-type Ca(2+) currents (I(Ca,L)) in rat basilar artery smooth muscle cells (RBASMCs). We used whole cell patch-clamp recording to monitor Ba(2+) currents (I(Ba)) through L-type Ca(2+) channels (LTCCs). Under voltage-clamp conditions, holding at -40 mV, KMUP-1 (1, 3, 10 µM) inhibited I(Ba) in a concentration-dependent manner and its IC(50) value was 2.27 ± 0.45 µM. A high concentration of KMUP-1 (10 µM) showed without modifying the I(Ba) current-voltage relationship. On the other hand, the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 1 µM) increase I(Ba) was inhibited by KMUP-1. Pretreatment with the PKC inhibitor chelerythrine (5 µM) intensified KMUP-1-inhibited I(Ba). However, the Rho kinase inhibitor Y-27632 (30 µM) failed to affect the I(Ba) inhibition by KMUP-1. In light of these results, we suggest that KMUP-1 inhibition of LTCCs in concentration- and voltage-dependent manners in RBASMCs may be due, at least in part, to its modulation of the PKC pathway.

Hypotensive and antiaggregative effects of eugenosedin-B with serotonin and alpha/beta-adrenoceptor antagonistic activities in rats and human platelets.

Eugenosedin-B is able to block serotonin (5-HT) and alpha/beta receptors and to inhibit platelet aggregation. In Wistar rats, intravenous injections of eugenosedin-B (2.4, 7.2, 12 micromoL/kg) caused a dose-dependent decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. In contrast, intracisternal injection of eugenosedin-B (0.3, 0.03 micromoL) and an alpha2-antagonist yohimbine (0.03 micromoL) increased blood pressure and heart rate. Eugenosedin-B and yohimbine prevented hypotension induced by intracisternal injection of an alpha2-agonist clonidine (38 pmol). In in vitro experiments, eugenosedin-B (10, 10, 10 M) competitively antagonized norepinephrine-, clonidine-, and 5-HT (10 to 10 M)-induced vasocontractions in isolated rat aorta. It also competitively antagonized the isoproterenol (10 to 10 M)-induced positive inotropic effects in isolated rat atrium. These findings clearly suggest that eugenosedin-B possesses alpha1, alpha2, beta1, and 5-HT2A receptor blocking activities. In isolated rabbit ear artery sensitized with 16 mM K, eugenosedin-B antagonized 5-nonyloxytryptamine- and 5-HT-induced vasocontractions, indicating it also blocked 5-HT1B and 5-HT2A receptors. In radioligand-binding experiments, eugenosedin-B had significant binding affinities on alpha1, alpha2, beta1, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT2A receptors. In human platelets, eugenosedin-B inhibited epinephrine and 5-HT-induced aggregations. It also had competitive binding effects in human platelet with [H]yohimbine (alpha2), [H]ketanserin (5-HT2A). We conclude that hypotensive and vasorelaxant effects of eugenosedin-B can be attributed to its multiple actions on the blockade of 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, alpha1/2 and beta1 receptors, and its ability to reduce platelet aggregation attributed to its blockade of alpha2 and 5-HT2A receptors.

Hypopituitarism associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: report of one case.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a wide range of clinical manifestations. Hydrocephalus unrelated to brain tumors is rare in neurofibromatosis type 1. A 16-year-and-6-month-old girl with primary amenorrhea was found to have hydrocephalus associated with neurofibromatosis type 1. After endocrine and brain imaging study, the cause of primary amenorrhea was proven to be hypopituitarism due to hydrocephalus. She entered puberty soon after relieving the hydrocephalus with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. However, arrest of puberty was noted three months later. Therefore estrogen replacement therapy was given. Early detection of hydrocephalus was difficult in this patient. From the experience of our case, MRI study of brain is indicated in patient with neurofibromatosis type 1 and endocrine dysfunction.

Adrenoleukodystrophy: clinical analysis of 9 Taiwanese children.

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a peroxisomal disorder and identified in many races without apparent predilection for any race. This study was designed to investigate the clinical and therapeutic aspects of X-ALD in Taiwanese children with this disorder. We retrospectively reviewed all children admitted to NTUH from Nov. 1993 to Aug. 2002 with the diagnosis of ALD, defined by increased very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA). The mean age at diagnosis of the patients was 7.4 years (range, 2.8 to 13 years). Seven out of 9 patients had abnormal brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) studies. Three patients received bone marrow transplantation. Of these, two died of severe graft-versus-host disease and the other remained stable. Of the remaining 6 patients, two patients were in vegetative status and the other two patients were neurologically normal. X-ALD in Taiwanese children had similar clinical manifestations as reviewed in western countries. Symmetrical demyelination in parieto-occipital region and the accumulation of contrast material at the edge of the lesion are the typical MRI findings. Proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) can be used to evaluate either the asymptomatic patient or patient with normal brain image. Performance of T-cell depletion bone marrow transplantation or cord blood transplantation is suggested for X-ALD with early cerebral involvement.

Anti-epileptic drugs-induced de novo absence seizures.

The authors present three patients with de novo absence epilepsy after administration of carbamazepine and vigabatrin. Despite the underlying diseases, the prognosis for drug-induced de novo absence seizure is good because it subsides rapidly after discontinuing the use of the offending drugs. The gamma-aminobutyric acid-transmitted thalamocortical circuitry accounts for a major part of the underlying neurophysiology of the absence epilepsy. Because drug-induced de novo absence seizure is rare, pro-absence drugs can only be considered a promoting factor. The underlying epileptogenecity of the patients or the synergistic effects of the accompanying drugs is required to trigger the de novo absence seizure. The possibility of drug-induced aggravation should be considered whenever an unexpected increase in seizure frequency and/or new seizure types appear following a change in drug treatment. By understanding the underlying mechanism of absence epilepsy, we can avoid the inappropriate use of anticonvulsants in children with epilepsy and prevent drug-induced absence seizures.

Schwartz-Jampel syndrome: report of one case.

We report a case of Schwartz-Jampel syndrome in a 2-year-9-month-old Taiwanese girl and her clinical response to treatment. She had a history of generalized muscle stiffness and hypertrophy since birth. Clinical and electromyographic myotonia were noted. Other clinical features included short stature, unusual facial appearance, ophthalmoplegia, elbow joint contractures, and developmental hip dysplasia. Muscle stiffness and myotonia improved after infusion of lidocaine. She then received oral mexiletine and the symptoms significantly improved.