ABSTRACT
Myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury is a complex phenomenon that causes severe damage to the myocardium. However, the potential molecular mechanisms of MI/R injury have not been fully clarified. We identified potential molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets in MI/R injury through analysis of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found between MI/R injury and normal samples, and overlapping DEGs were found between GSE61592 and GSE67308. Gene Ontology (GO) and pathway analysis were performed for overlapping DEGs by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integration Discovery (DAVID). Then, a network of protein-protein interaction (PPI) was constructed through the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) database. Potential microRNAs (miRNAs) and therapeutic small molecules were screened out using microRNA.org database and the Comparative Toxicogenomics database (CTD), respectively. Finally, we identified 21 overlapping DEGs related to MI/R injury. These DEGs were significantly enriched in IL-17 signaling pathway, cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway, chemokine signaling, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathway. According to the degree in the PPI network, CCL2, LCN2, HP, CCL7, HMOX1, CCL4, and S100A8 were found to be hub genes. Furthermore, we identified potential miRNAs (miR-24-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR-2861, miR-217, miR-4251, and miR-124-3p) and therapeutic small molecules like ozone, troglitazone, rosiglitazone, and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for MI/R injury. These results identified hub genes and potential small molecule drugs, which could contribute to the understanding of molecular mechanisms and treatment for MI/R injury.
Subject(s)
Myocardial Reperfusion Injury , MicroRNAs , Computational Biology , Gene Expression Profiling , Gene Regulatory Networks , Protein Interaction Maps , Gene OntologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the surface of Enterococcus faecalis and the dynamic forming process of those biofilms using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in air condition.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The surface of Enterococcus faecalis which were dried in air were observed with AFM. We used the cellulose nitrate film to construct the Enterococcus faecalis biofilms model in vitro, and then placed the biofilms under AFM to observe the surface changes of biofilms' development.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The cell surfaces of strain Enterococcus faecalis were not regular because of the presence of the amorphous substance on the colony surface, which congregated globular, fibrous structure. Gradually determined that at 6 h the initial biofilm formed and at 24 h the biofilms maintained the steady-state. AFM height images showed topographical changes due to biofilms' development, which were used to characterize several aspects of the bacterial surface, such as the presence of extracellular polymeric substance, and the biofilms' development stage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Application of AFM in physiological conditions could be useful in observing Enterococcus faecalis surface ultrastructure and dynamic process of biofilms formation.</p>
Subject(s)
Bacterial Adhesion , Biofilms , Enterococcus faecalis , Microscopy, Atomic ForceABSTRACT
In order to investigate the strength,structure and cell cytocompatibility of injectable thermosensitive chitosan(CS)/poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)composite hydrogel,chitosan hydrochloride solution was transferred to a neutral pH and mixed with different proportions of PVA,then the gelation time and strength of these different hydrogels were tested and spatial structures were observed under a scanning electron microscopy(SEM)after freeze-drying.The cytocompatibility of the hydrogels was evaluated through cytotoxicity test and three-dimensional culture with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.The results showed that the CS/PVA solution kept in liquid state at low temperature(0-4℃)and turned into transparent elastomer about 15-20 min at 37℃.Gelation time was prolonged,the strength increased and porous structure became dense with the PVA content increased in the mixed hydrogel.The cytotoxicity grades of these gels were from 0 to 1.Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells could survive and proliferate in the gel within 3 weeks,and the gel had good cytocompatibility,it was concluded that thermosensitive CS/PVA composite hydrogel not only has interpenetrating network structure and better mechanical strength,but also has good cytocompatibility,and may be used as an injectable scaffold for tissue engineering.