Endothelial MICU1 alleviates diabetic cardiomyopathy by attenuating nitrative stress-mediated cardiac microvascular injury.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial microvascular injury is the key event in early diabetic heart disease. The injury of myocardial microvascular endothelial cells (CMECs) is the main cause and trigger of myocardial microvascular disease. Mitochondrial calcium homeostasis plays an important role in maintaining the normal function, survival and death of endothelial cells. Considering that mitochondrial calcium uptake 1 (MICU1) is a key molecule in mitochondrial calcium regulation, this study aimed to investigate the role of MICU1 in CMECs and explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: To examine the role of endothelial MICU1 in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), we used endothelial-specific MICU1ecKO mice to establish a diabetic mouse model and evaluate the cardiac function. In addition, MICU1 overexpression was conducted by injecting adeno-associated virus 9 carrying MICU1 (AAV9-MICU1). Transcriptome sequencing technology was used to explore underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Here, we found that MICU1 expression is decreased in CMECs of diabetic mice. Moreover, we demonstrated that endothelial cell MICU1 knockout exacerbated the levels of cardiac hypertrophy and interstitial myocardial fibrosis and led to a further reduction in left ventricular function in diabetic mice. Notably, we found that AAV9-MICU1 specifically upregulated the expression of MICU1 in CMECs of diabetic mice, which inhibited nitrification stress, inflammatory reaction, and apoptosis of the CMECs, ameliorated myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis, and promoted cardiac function. Further mechanistic analysis suggested that MICU1 deficiency result in excessive mitochondrial calcium uptake and homeostasis imbalance which caused nitrification stress-induced endothelial damage and inflammation that disrupted myocardial microvascular endothelial barrier function and ultimately promoted DCM progression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that MICU1 expression was downregulated in the CMECs of diabetic mice. Overexpression of endothelial MICU1 reduced nitrification stress induced apoptosis and inflammation by inhibiting mitochondrial calcium uptake, which improved myocardial microvascular function and inhibited DCM progression. Our findings suggest that endothelial MICU1 is a molecular intervention target for the potential treatment of DCM.

Isolation and Cultivation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells from the Mouse Circle of Willis.

INTRODUCTION: Culturing cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells (CVSMCs) in vitro can provide a model for studying many cerebrovascular diseases. This study describes a convenient and efficient method to obtain mouse CVSMCs by enzyme digestion. METHODS: Mouse circle of Willis was isolated, digested, and cultured with platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) to promote CVSMC growth, and CVSMCs were identified by morphology, immunofluorescence analysis, and flow cytometry. The effect of PDGF-BB on vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation was evaluated by cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay, morphological observations, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: CVSMCs cultured in a PDGF-BB-free culture medium had a typical peak-to-valley growth pattern after approximately 14 days. Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry detected strong positive expression of the cell type-specific markers alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11 (SMMHC), smooth muscle protein 22 (SM22), calponin, and desmin. In the CCK-8 assay and Western blotting, cells incubated with PDGF-BB had significantly enhanced proliferation compared to those without PDGF-BB. CONCLUSION: We obtained highly purified VSMCs from the mouse circle of Willis using simple methods, providing experimental materials for studying the pathogenesis and treatment of neurovascular diseases in vitro. Moreover, the experimental efficiency improved with PDGF-BB, shortening the cell cultivation period.

Icaritin promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation by down-regulating AFP gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Icaritin, an active ingredient of the Chinese herb Epimedium, plays an anti-tumor role in liver cancer by inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocellular cells and promoting their apoptosis. In China, phase II and a large phase III clinical trial of icaritin reagent for the treatment of hepatocellular cancer is under-going, but the specific mechanism of icaritin action was unclear. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), an oncofetal protein, produced in the healthy fetal liver and yolk sac. Intracellular AFP promoted cellular proliferation and inhibited cellular apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The study was aimed to investigate the effect of icaritin on HCC through p53/AFP pathway. METHODS: Real-time RT PCR and western blot were used to detect p53 and AFP expression levels in HCC cells treated with icaritin. The mechanism of icaritin affecting p53 expression was verified by ubiquitination experiment, and the binding activity of icaritin on p53 in AFP promoter region was verified by luciferase experiment. EdU, MTT and flow cytometry were used to determine whether icaritin affected HCC cellular proliferation and apoptosis through p53/ AFP pathway. Expression levels of p53 and AFP in xenograft mouse model were determined by western blotting. RESULTS: Our results showed icaritin inhibited AFP expression at mRNA and protein level. AFP was also identified as the target gene of the p53 transcription factor. Icaritin abrogated murine double minute (Mdm) 2-mediated p53 ubiquitination degradation to improve the stability of p53. Up-regulated p53 protein levels then transcriptionally inhibited the AFP promoter. Icaritin-mediated decrease of AFP through Mdm2/p53 pathways inhibited HCC cellular proliferation and promoted HCC cellular apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed the mechanism of icaritin in promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation in liver cancer cells. The regulatory mechanism of icaritin in AFP protein down-regulation provides a theoretical and experimental basis for further research into new drugs for the treatment of liver cancer.

Protective effects of hydrogen gas in a rat model of branch retinal vein occlusion via decreasing VEGF-α expression.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress (OS) is an essential factor in the pathogenesis of branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Studies have demonstrated the role of hydrogen gas in the regulation of OS. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of hydrogen gas on the BRVO rat model. METHODS: Twenty-four BRVO rats were randomly divided into two groups: the hydrogen gas (H) group (42% H2, 21% O2, 37% N2) and the model (M) group (21% O2, 79% N2). Rats in the H group inhaled hydrogen gas for 8 h every day up to 30 d post-occlusion. Twelve age-matched healthy rats served as the control (C) group. Retinal function and morphology were detected at 1, 7, 14 and 30 d post-occlusion. Furthermore, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-α) was detected by immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: Full-field electroretinography (ffERG) revealed that the amplitude of the b-wave (dark-adaptation 3.0 response), the amplitude of the OPs2 wave and the light-adapted flicker response in the H group were all higher than those in the M group at 7 d post-occlusion (all p < 0.05). The reopen time of occlusive retinal vessels in the H group was 2.235 ± 1.128 d, which was shorter than that in the M group (4.234 ± 2.236 d, p < 0.05). The rats in the H group had a thinner IPL + GCL + NFL and an increased total retina compared with those in the M group at 3 d post-occlusion (p < 0.05), while the rats in the H group had a thicker INL, IPL + GCL + NFL and total retina compared with those at 7, 14 and 30 d post-occlusion (p < 0.05). Moreover, the flow velocity of ear vein blood was increased in the H group compared with that in the M group (p < 0.05). The expression of VEGF-α in the H group was dramatically decreased compared with that in the M group at 1, 7 and 14 d post-occlusion (p < 0.05), while the expression kept in similar level at 30 d post-occlusion (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that inhalation of hydrogen gas could alleviate retinal oedema, shorten reopen time and improve retinal function, and the potential mechanism might be related to a decrease in VEGF-α expression.

A positive feedback loop between Pim-1 kinase and HBP1 transcription factor contributes to hydrogen peroxide-induced premature senescence and apoptosis.

Oxidative stress can induce cell dysfunction and lead to a broad range of degenerative alterations, including carcinogenesis, aging, and other oxidative stress-related conditions. To avoid undergoing carcinogenesis in response to oxidative stress, cells trigger a succession of checkpoint responses, including premature senescence and apoptosis. Increasing evidence indicates that H2O2, an important cause of oxidative stress, functions as an important physiological regulator of intracellular signaling pathways that participate in regulation of cell premature senescence and apoptosis. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this process remain to be studied extensively. In this study, we describe the importance of Pim-1 kinase in this checkpoint response to oxidative stress. Pim-1 binds to and phosphorylates the transcription factor high mobility group box transcription factor 1 (HBP1), activating it. H2O2 enhances the interaction between Pim-1 and HBP1 and promotes HBP1 accumulation. In turn, HBP1 rapidly and selectively up-regulates Pim-1 expression in H2O2-stimulated cells, thereby creating a Pim-1-HBP1 positive feedback loop that regulates H2O2-induced premature senescence and apoptosis. Furthermore, the Pim-1-HBP1 positive feedback loop exerts its effect by regulating the senescence markers DNMT1 and p16 and the apoptosis marker Bax. The Pim-1-HBP1 axis thus constitutes a novel checkpoint pathway critical for the inhibition of tumorigenesis.

A Natural Occurring Mouse Model with Adgrv1 Mutation of Usher Syndrome 2C and Characterization of its Recombinant Inbred Strains.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Our laboratory discovered a Kunming mouse with enormous electroretinogram (ERG) defects. Its auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold was significantly elevated and closely resembled the features of Usher syndrome (USH). This study sought to cross these USH-like mice (named KMush/ush mice) with CBA/CaJ mice to establish recombinant inbred strains and identify their phenotypes and genotypes. METHODS: KMush/ush mice were crossed with CBA/CaJ mice to establish inbred strains by sibling mating. ERG, ABR, ocular fundus morphology, histological examinations of the retina and inner ear, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and exon sequencing were performed to assess the phenotypes and genotypes of the offspring strains. RESULTS: The F1 hybrids from crossing KMush/ush and CBA/CaJ mice had normal ERG and ABR responses. The F2 offspring from intercrossing the F1 mice showed a segregation of the retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and hearing loss phenotypes. The CBA-1ush/ush mice had an RP phenotype that was characterized by a vanished ERG waveform and loss of the outer nuclear layer. Their Pde6b gene had a nonsense mutation that resulted in the failure of protein production in western blotting. However, the ABR threshold of this strain of mice was normal. The CBA-2ush/ush mice had normal retinal function and architecture. Their ABR threshold was increased, with a dramatic degeneration of the stereocilia bundles in the outer hair cells of the inner ear. Whole exome sequencing and exon sequencing revealed a deletion of one base pair in exon 31 of the Adgrv1 gene, which would result in the premature termination of protein encoding. The level of Adgrv1 mRNA was reduced in the CBA-2ush/ush mice. The CBA-3ush/ush mice had phenotypes of RP, elevated ABR threshold, and degeneration of the stereocilia bundles in the outer hair cells. They were closely associated with the nonsense mutations of Pde6b and Adgrv1, respectively. CONCLUSION: We isolated a mouse strain with hearing loss from inbred mice with retinal degeneration and established it as a recombinant inbred strain with a spontaneous mutation in Adgrv1, the human Usher syndrome 2C gene. The retinal degeneration was cause by a mutation in Pde6b, while the hearing loss was caused by a mutation in Adgrv1.

HBP1-mediated Regulation of p21 Protein through the Mdm2/p53 and TCF4/EZH2 Pathways and Its Impact on Cell Senescence and Tumorigenesis.

The activity of the CDK inhibitor p21 is associated with diverse biological activities, including cell proliferation, senescence, and tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms governing transcription of p21 need to be extensively studied. In this study, we demonstrate that the high-mobility group box-containing protein 1 (HBP1) transcription factor is a novel activator of p21 that works as part of a complex mechanism during senescence and tumorigenesis. We found that HBP1 activates the p21 gene through enhancing p53 stability by inhibiting Mdm2-mediated ubiquitination of p53, a well known positive regulator of p21. HBP1 was also found to enhance p21 transcription by inhibiting Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. We identified histone methyltransferase EZH2, the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2, as a target of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. HBP1-mediated repression of EZH2 through Wnt/ß-catenin signaling decreased the level of trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 27 of overall and specific histone on the p21 promoter, resulting in p21 transactivation. Although intricate, the reciprocal partnership of HBP1 and p21 has exceptional importance. HBP1-mediated elevation of p21 through the Mdm2/p53 and TCF4/EZH2 pathways contributes to both cellular senescence and tumor inhibition. Together, our results suggest that the HBP1 transcription factor orchestrates a complex regulation of key genes during cellular senescence and tumorigenesis with an impact on protein ubiquitination and overall histone methylation state.

Protective effects of hydrogen-rich saline against N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced photoreceptor degeneration.

The N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-treated rat is typically used as an animal model of chemically-induced retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been recognized as the crucial contributor to the retinal photoreceptor apoptosis seen in MNU-treated rats. In the present study, we explored the therapeutic effects of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS), a selective ROS scavenger, on MNU-induced photoreceptor degeneration. Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of HRS ameliorated MNU-induced photoreceptor degeneration in terms of morphology and function: Sharply decreased thickness of the retinal outer nuclear layer (ONL) and flattened photopic and scotopic electroretinogram (ERG) waveforms, typically seen in response to MNU treatment, were substantially rescued in rats cotreated with MNU and HRS (MNU + HRS). Moreover, the terminal deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay revealed a smaller number of apoptotic photoreceptors in the MNU + HRS group compared that in the MNU group. Compared to MNU-treated rats, retinal malondialdehyde (MDA) content in MNU + HRS rats significantly decreased while superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity significantly increased. Morphological and multi-electrode array (MEA) analyses revealed more efficient preservation of the architecture and field potential waveforms in particularly the peripheral regions of the retinas within the MNU + HRS group, compared to that in the MNU group. However, this enhanced protection of structure and function in the peripheral retina is unlikely the result of site-dependent variation in the efficacy of HRS; rather, it is most likely due to reduced susceptibility of peripheral photoreceptors to MNU-induced degeneration. Inner retinal neuron function in the MNU + HRS rats was better preserved, with fewer apoptotic photoreceptors in the ONL. Collectively, these results support the rationale for future clinical evaluation of HRS as a therapeutic agent for human RP.

Interfacial Interaction in Anodic Aluminum Oxide Templates Modifies Morphology, Surface Area, and Crystallization of Polyamide-6 Nanofibers.

Here, we demonstrated that, when the precipitation process of polyamide-6 (PA6) solution happens in cylindrical channels of an anodized aluminum oxide membrane (AAO), interface interactions between a solid surface, solvent, non-solvent, and PA6 will influence the obtained polymer nanostructures, resulting in complex morphologies, increased surface area, and crystallization changes. With the enhancing interaction of PA6 and the AAO surface, the morphology of PA6 nanostructures changes from solid nanofibers, mesoporous, to bamboo-like, while at the same time, metastable γ-phase domains increase in these PA6 nanostructures. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas of solid, bamboo-like, and mesoporous PA6 nanofibers rise from 16, 20.9, to 25 m(2)/g. This study shows that interfacial interaction in AAO template fabrication can be used in manipulating the morphology and crystallization of one-dimensional polymer nanostructures. It also provides us a simple and novel method to create porous PA6 nanofibers with a large surface area.

The comparison of sensitivity of motion sickness between retinal degeneration fast mice and normal mice.

Recent studies report that a conflict between information from the visual system and vestibular system is one of the main reasons for induction of motion sickness (MS). We may be able to clarify the integration mechanism of visual and vestibular information using an animal model with a visual defect, the retinal degeneration fast (rdf) mouse, and the role of vestibular information in the pathogenesis of MS. The rdf mice and wild-type Kunming mice were subjected to rotary stimulation to induce MS. Conditioned taste anorexia to saccharin solution and behavior score were used to observe the differences in MS sensitivity between two types of mice. The decrease in intake of saccharin solution and the behavior score in rdf mice were greater than those in normal mice. After rotatory stimulation, the reduction of intake mass and the behavior score were greater in rdf mice compared to those of normal mice. The rdf mice were more sensitive to rotation than normal mice. We conclude that visual information plays a role in the pathogenesis of MS. Visual information and vestibular information impact each other and integrate through certain channels in the central nervous system in mice.

Sugar-metal ion interactions: the complicated coordination structures of cesium ion with D-ribose and myo-inositol.

The novel cesium chloride-D-ribose complex (CsCl·C5H10O5; Cs-R) and cesium chloride-myo-inositol complex (CsCl·C6H12O6; Cs-I) have been synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction and FTIR, FIR, THz, and Raman spectroscopy. Cs(+) is eight-coordinated to three chloride ions, O1 and O2 from one D-ribose molecule, O1 from another D-ribose molecule, and O4 and O5 from the third D-ribose molecule in Cs-R. For one D-ribose molecule, the oxygen atom O1 in the ring is coordinated to two cesium ions as an oxygen bridge, O2 is cocoordinated with O1 to one of the two cesium ions, and O4 and O5 are coordinated to the third cesium ion, respectively. O3 does not coordinate to metal ions and only takes part in forming hydrogen bonds. One chloride ion is connected to three cesium ions. Thus, a complicated structure of Cs-D-ribose forms. For Cs-I, Cs(+) is 10-coordinated to three chloride ions, O1 and O2 from one myo-inositol molecule, O3 and O4 from another myo-inositol molecule, O5 and O6 from the third myo-inositol molecule, and O6 from the fourth myo-inositol molecule. One metal ion is connected to four ligands, and one myo-inositol is coordinated to four Cs(+) ions, which is also a complicated coordination structure. Crystal structure results, FTIR, FIR, THz, and Raman spectra provide detailed information on the structure and coordination of hydroxyl groups to metal ions in the cesium chloride-D-ribose and cesium chloride-myo-inositol complexes.

(Butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol-κ(3) O (1),O (2),O (3))(ethanol-κO)tris-(nitrato-κ(2) O,O')holmium(III).

In the title Ho(III)-erythritol complex, [Ho(NO3)3(C4H10O4)(C2H5OH)], the Ho(III) cation is chelated by a tridentate erythritol ligand and three bidentate nitrate anions. An ethanol mol-ecule further coordinates the Ho(III) cation, completing the irregular O10 coordination geometry. In the crystal, an extensive O-H⋯O hydrogen-bond network links the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure.

(Butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol-κ(3) O (1),O (2),O (3))(ethanol-κO)tris-(nitrato-κ(2) O,O')erbium(III).

In the title Er(III)-erythritol complex, [Er(NO3)3(C2H5OH)(C4H10O4)], the Er(III) cation is chelated by one erythritol mol-ecule, three nitrate anions and an ethanol mol-ecule, completing an irregular ErO10 coordination geometry. The Er-O bond lengths are in the range 2.348 (3)-2.583 (3) Å. In the crystal, extensive O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding links the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure.

[(2R,3S)-Butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol-κ(3) O (1),O (2),O (3)](ethanol-κO)tris-(nitrato-κ(2) O,O')samarium(III).

The title Sm(III)-erythritol complex, [Sm(NO3)3(C2H6O)(C4H10O4)], is isotypic with its Nd, Eu, Y, Gd, Tb and Ho analogues. The Sm(III) cation exhibits a coordination number of ten and is chelated by a tridentate erythritol ligand and three bidentate nitrate anions. It is additionally coordinated by an O atom of an ethanol mol-ecule, completing an irregular coordination sphere. The Sm-O bond lengths range from 2.416 (2) to 2.611 (2) Å. In the crystal, extensive O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding involving all hy-droxy groups and some of the nitrate O atoms links the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network.

Transcriptomic analysis of the cerebral hippocampal tissue in spontaneously hypertensive rats exposed to acute hypobaric hypoxia: associations with inflammation and energy metabolism.

We evaluated the effect of acute hypobaric hypoxia (AHH) on the hippocampal region of the brain in early-stage spontaneously hypertensive male rats. The rats were classified into a control (ground level; ~ 400 m altitude) group and an AHH experimental group placed in an animal hypobaric chamber at a simulated altitude of 5500 m for 24 h. RNA-Seq analysis of the brains and hippocampi showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were primarily associated with ossification, fibrillar collagen trimer, and platelet-derived growth factor binding. The DEGs were classified into functional categories including general function prediction, translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis, replication, recombination, and repair. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were primarily associated with relaxin signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, and amoebiasis pathways. Protein-protein interaction network analysis indicated that 48 DEGs were involved in both inflammation and energy metabolism. Further, we performed validation experiments to show that nine DEGs were closely associated with inflammation and energy metabolism, of which two (Vegfa and Angpt2) and seven (Acta2, Nfkbia, Col1a1, Edn1, Itga1, Ngfr, and Sgk1) genes showed up and downregulated expression, respectively. Collectively, these results indicated that inflammation and energy metabolism-associated gene expression in the hippocampus was altered in early-stage hypertension upon AHH exposure.

Programing Cell Assembly via Ink-Free, Label-Free Magneto-Archimedes Based Strategy.

Tissue engineering raised a high requirement to control cell distribution in defined materials and structures. In "ink"-based bioprintings, such as 3D printing and photolithography, cells were associated with inks for spatial orientation; the conditions suitable for one ink are hard to apply on other inks, which increases the obstacle in their universalization. The Magneto-Archimedes effect based (Mag-Arch) strategy can modulate cell locomotion directly without impelling inks. In a paramagnetic medium, cells were repelled from high magnetic strength zones due to their innate diamagnetism, which is independent of substrate properties. However, Mag-Arch has not been developed into a powerful bioprinting strategy as its precision, complexity, and throughput are limited by magnetic field distribution. By controlling the paramagnetic reagent concentration in the medium and the gaps between magnets, which decide the cell repelling scope of magnets, we created simultaneously more than a hundred micrometer scale identical assemblies into designed patterns (such as alphabets) with single/multiple cell types. Cell patterning models for cell migration and immune cell adhesion studies were conveniently created by Mag-Arch. As a proof of concept, we patterned a tumor/endothelial coculture model within a covered microfluidic channel to mimic epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) under shear stress in a cancer pathological environment, which gave a potential solution to pattern multiple cell types in a confined space without any premodification. Overall, our Mag-Arch patterning presents an alternative strategy for the biofabrication and biohybrid assembly of cells with biomaterials featured in controlled distribution and organization, which can be broadly employed in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cell biology research.

Interactions between metal ions and carbohydrates. Spectroscopic characterization and the topology coordination behavior of erythritol with trivalent lanthanide ions.

The coordination of carbohydrate to metal ions is important because it may be involved in many biochemical processes. The synthesis and characterization of several novel lanthanide-erythritol complexes (TbCl(3)·1.5C(4)H(10)O(4)·H(2)O (TbE(I)), Pr(NO(3))(3)·C(4)H(10)O(4)·2H(2)O (PrEN), Ce(NO(3))(3)·C(4)H(10)O(4)·2H(2)O (CeEN), Y(NO(3))(3)·C(4)H(10)O(4)·C(2)H(5)OH (YEN), Gd(NO(3))(3)·C(4)H(10)O(4)·C(2)H(5)OH (GdEN)) and Tb(NO(3))(3)·C(4)H(10)O(4)·C(2)H(5)OH (TbEN) are reported. The structures of these complexes in the solid state have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Erythritol is used as two bidentate ligands or as three hydroxyl group donor in these complexes. FTIR spectra indicate that two kinds of structures, with water and without water involved in the coordination sphere, were observed for lanthanide nitrate-erythritol complexes. FIR and THz spectra show the formation of metal ion-erythritol complexes. Luminescence spectra of Tb-erythritol complexes have the characteristics of the Tb ion.

[In-vivo and ex-vivo studies on region-specific remodeling of large elastic arteries due to simulated weightlessness and its prevention by gravity-based countermeasure].

The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that a medium-term simulated microgravity can induce region-specific remodeling in large elastic arteries with their innermost smooth muscle (SM) layers being most profoundly affected. The second purpose was to examine whether these changes can be prevented by a simulated intermittent artificial gravity (IAG). The third purpose was to elucidate whether vascular local renin-angiotensin system (L-RAS) plays an important role in the regional vascular remodeling and its prevention by the gravity-based countermeasure. This study consisted of two interconnected series of in-vivo and ex-vivo experiments. In the in-vivo experiments, the tail-suspended, hindlimb unloaded rat model was used to simulate microgravity-induced cardiovascular deconditioning for 28 days (SUS group); and during the simulation period, another group was subjected to daily 1-hour dorso-ventral (-G(x)) gravitation provided by restoring to normal standing posture (S + D group). The activity of vascular L-RAS was evaluated by examining the gene and protein expression of angiotensinogen (Ao) and angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1R) in the arterial wall tissue. The results showed that SUS induced an increase in the media thickness of the common carotid artery due to hypertrophy of the four SM layers and a decrease in the total cross-sectional area of the nine SM layers of the abdominal aorta without significant change in its media thickness. And for both arteries, the most prominent changes were in the innermost SM layers. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization revealed that SUS induced an up- and down-regulation of Ao and AT1R expression in the vessel wall of common carotid artery and abdominal aorta, respectively, which was further confirmed by Western blot analysis and real time PCR analysis. Daily 1-hour restoring to normal standing posture over 28 days fully prevented these remodeling and L-RAS changes in the large elastic arteries that might occur due to SUS alone. In the ex-vivo experiments, to elucidate the important role of transmural pressure in vascular regional remodeling and differential regulation of L-RAS activity, we established an organ culture system in which rat common carotid artery, held at in-vivo length, can be perfused and pressurized at varied flow and pressure for 7 days. In arteries perfused at a flow rate of 7.9 mL/min and pressurized at 150 mmHg, but not at 0 or 80 mmHg, for 3 days led to an augmentation of c-fibronectin (c-FN) expression, which was also more markedly expressed in the innermost SM layers, and an increase in Ang II production detected in the perfusion fluid. However, the enhanced c-FN expression and increased Ang II production that might occur due to a sustained high perfusion pressure alone were fully prevented by daily restoration to 0 or 80 mmHg for a short duration. These findings from in-vivo and ex-vivo experiments have provided evidence supporting our hypothesis that redistribution of transmural pressures might be the primary factor that initiates region-specific remodeling of arteries during microgravity and the mechanism of IAG is associated with an intermittent restoration of the transmural pressures to their normal distribution. And they also provide support to the hypothesis that L-RAS plays an important role in vascular adaptation to microgravity and its prevention by the IAG countermeasure.

catena-Poly[[[tetra-aqua-neodymium(III)]-di-µ-isonicotinato] chloride].

In the title complex, {[Nd(C(6)H(4)NO(2))(2)(H(2)O)(4)]Cl}(n), the Nd(III) cation is located on a twofold rotation axis and coordinated by four isonicotiniate anions and four water mol-ecules in a distorted square-anti-prismatic geometry. The carboxyl-ate groups of the isonicotinate anions bridge the Nd(III) cations, forming polymeric chains running along the c axis. The Cl(-) anion is located on a twofold rotation axis and is linked to the polymeric chains via O-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding. Inter-molecular O-H⋯O and O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds are also present in the crystal structure.

Equilibrium and Vestibular Safety of Modafinil in Healthy Volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Modafinil, as a wake-promoting agent, is commonly used to relieve fatigue during military operations. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding the effects of modafinil on the equilibrium and vestibular organs, especially when prescribing this drug to flight crewmembers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the equilibrium- and vestibular-related safety effects of modafinil.METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, 10 healthy male volunteers received a single 200-mg oral dose of modafinil or placebo. Equilibrium and vestibular functions were assessed 2 h after oral administration by the sensory organization test (SOT), adaptation test (ADT), and video head impulse test (v-HIT).RESULTS: There was no change in the equilibrium scores of the six SOT conditions or the composite scores between the modafinil and placebo groups. Statistically significant differences were not observed for the sway energy score (SES) in the toe-down test. In the toe-up test, the SES decreased by 16.7% in the modafinil group relative to the placebo group in trial 2, while the differences in other trials were not statistically significant. In the v-HIT, there was no significant difference in the gain of each semicircular canal between the two groups.DISCUSSION: A single 200-mg dose of modafinil did not cause any impairment to vestibular function, equilibrium ability, or adaptive balance response; in fact, modafinil might have a positive effect on adaptation function in healthy volunteers. These findings preliminarily suggest that there is no hidden risk of vestibular dysfunction among aviation employees using modafinil.Liu F, Zhang M, Chen T, Zhai L, Zhang Z, Xue J. Equilibrium and vestibular safety of modafinil in healthy volunteers. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2022; 93(6):487-492.