Magnetic Susceptibility Difference-Induced Nucleus Positioning in Gradient Ultrahigh Magnetic Field.

Despite the importance of magnetic properties of biological samples for biomagnetism and related fields, the exact magnetic susceptibilities of most biological samples in their physiological conditions are still unknown. Here we used superconducting quantum interferometer device to detect the magnetic properties of nonfixed, nondehydrated live cell and cellular fractions at a physiological temperature of 37°C (310 K). It is obvious that there are paramagnetic components within human nasopharyngeal carcinoma CNE-2Z cells. More importantly, the magnetic properties of the cytoplasm and nucleus are different. Although within a single cell, the magnetic susceptibility difference between cellular fractions (nucleus and cytoplasm) could only cause ∼41-130 pN forces to the nucleus by gradient ultrahigh magnetic fields of 13.1-23.5 T (92-160 T/m), these forces are enough to cause a relative position shift of the nucleus within the cell. This not only demonstrates the importance of magnetic susceptibility in the biological effects of magnetic field but also illustrates the potential application of high magnetic fields in biomedicine.

Hereditary renal glycosuria, diabetes and responses to SGLT2 inhibitor.

AIMS: To present the clinical features of two rare cases with hereditary renal glycosuria and diabetes, explore their responses to sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, and summarize the reported solute carrier family 5 member 2 (SLC5A2) mutations and related phenotypes. METHODS: Two patients were followed up for 6.5 and 3 years respectively. SLC5A2 and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1-alpha (HNF1A) gene were sequenced. We used the flash glucose monitoring system to evaluate the efficacy of SGLT2 inhibitor treatment. Then we retrieved all the literature and analyzed SLC5A2 gene mutations and the phenotypes. RESULTS: During long-time follow up, the two patients had frequent unproportional renal glycosuria in the morning even when their fasting serum glucose was only slightly increased. A novel rare mutation V359G and a pathogenic rare mutation ivs7 + 5G > A in SLC5A2 gene were found respectively. In Case 1, the 24 h glucose excretion was 2.2 g/d and increased to 103 g/d after dapaglifozin treatment, whereas the average glucose (6.33 ± 1.56 vs. 6.28 ± 1.74 mmol/L), and time in range (TIR) (95% vs. 93%) were similar. In Case 2, the 24 h glycosuria was 121.4 g/d and increased to 185.8 g/day after dapaglifozin add-on therapy, with a further reduction of average glucose (9.11 ± 2.63 vs. 7.54 ± 2.39 mmol/L, p < 0.001) and better TIR (70% vs. 84%). We reviewed 139 cases with hereditary renal glycosuria and SLC5A2 gene mutation. The urine glucose was highest in patients with homozygous mutations [64.0(36.6-89.6)g/24 h] compared with compound heterozygous mutations [25.9(14.4-41.2)g/24 h] and heterozygous mutations [3.45(1.41-7.50)g/24 h] (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic renal glycosuria could not protect individuals completely from developing diabetes. Patients with SGLT2 gene mutations are still responsive to the SGLT2 inhibitor treatment.

Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Atrial Fibrillation: From Molecular Mechanisms to Diagnostic and Therapeutic Opportunities.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are endogenous protective proteins and biomarkers of cell stress response, of which examples are HSP70, HSP60, HSP90, and small HSPs (HSPB). HSPs protect cells and organs, especially the cardiovascular system, against harmful and cytotoxic conditions. More recent attention has focused on the roles of HSPs in the irreversible remodeling of atrial fibrillation (AF), which is the most common arrhythmia in clinical practice and a significant contributor to mortality. In this review, we investigated the relationship between HSPs and atrial remodeling mechanisms in AF. PubMed was searched for studies using the terms "Heat Shock Proteins" and "Atrial Fibrillation" and their relevant abbreviations up to 10 July 2022. The results showed that HSPs have cytoprotective roles in atrial cardiomyocytes during AF by promoting reverse electrical and structural remodeling. Heat shock response (HSR) exhaustion, followed by low levels of HSPs, causes proteostasis derailment in cardiomyocytes, which is the basis of AF. Furthermore, potential implications of HSPs in the management of AF are discussed in detail. HSPs represent reliable biomarkers for predicting and staging AF. HSP inducers may serve as novel therapeutic modalities in postoperative AF. HSP induction, either by geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) or by other compounds presently in development, may therefore be an interesting new approach for upstream therapy for AF, a strategy that aims to prevent AF whilst minimizing the ventricular proarrhythmic risks of traditional anti-arrhythmic agents.

Gold Nanomaterials and Bone/Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Biomedical Applications and Molecular Mechanisms.

Recently, as our population increasingly ages with more pressure on bone and cartilage diseases, bone/cartilage tissue engineering (TE) have emerged as a potential alternative therapeutic technique accompanied by the rapid development of materials science and engineering. The key part to fulfill the goal of reconstructing impaired or damaged tissues lies in the rational design and synthesis of therapeutic agents in TE. Gold nanomaterials, especially gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), have shown the fascinating feasibility to treat a wide variety of diseases due to their excellent characteristics such as easy synthesis, controllable size, specific surface plasmon resonance and superior biocompatibility. Therefore, the comprehensive applications of gold nanomaterials in bone and cartilage TE have attracted enormous attention. This review will focus on the biomedical applications and molecular mechanism of gold nanomaterials in bone and cartilage TE. In addition, the types and cellular uptake process of gold nanomaterials are highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and future directions are indicated.

Honokiol protects against epidural fibrosis by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix overproduction in rats post­laminectomy.

Epidural fibrosis (EF)­induced failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS) in patients post­laminectomy remains a medical challenge. Although the scarring mechanisms remain unclear, the majority of aetiological studies have reported fibroblast dysfunction. Honokiol, the major bioactive constituent of the magnolia tree, exerts a variety of pharmacological effects, including anti­proliferative and anti­fibrotic effects, on various cell types. The present study investigated whether honokiol attenuates EF progression. In vitro, it was found that honokiol inhibited excessive fibroblast proliferation induced by transforming growth factor­ß1 (TGF­ß1) and the synthesis of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, including fibronectin and type I collagen, in a dose­dependent manner. These effects were attributed to the ability of honokiol to suppress the activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which is indispensable for the progression of fibrosis. Mechanistically, honokiol attenuated the TGF­ß1­induced activation of the Smad2/3 and mitogen­activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways in fibroblasts. In vivo, honokiol reduced the proliferation of fibroblasts and the synthesis of ECM components, thus ameliorating EF in a rat model post­laminectomy. Taken together, these preclinical findings suggest that honokiol deserves further consideration as a candidate therapeutic agent for EF.

Baicalein Inhibits the IL-1ß-Induced Inflammatory Response in Nucleus Pulposus Cells and Attenuates Disc Degeneration In vivo.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is widely considered one of the main causes of low back pain, which is a chronic progressive disease closely related to inflammation and degeneration of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Baicalein is a natural bioactive compound with anti-inflammatory effects in different diseases, including inhibition of the inflammatory response in chondrocytes, whose morphology and avascular supply are similar to those of NP cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that baicalein may have a therapeutic effect on IDD by suppressing the inflammatory response. In vitro, NP cells were pretreated with baicalein for 2 h and then incubated with IL-1ß for 24 h. We found that baicalein not only inhibited the overexpression of inflammatory cytokine production, including NO, PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-6, but also suppressed the expression of COX-2 and iNOS. The IL-1ß-induced overexpression of MMP13 and ADAMTS5 and degradation of aggrecan and type II collagen were reversed by baicalein in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, we found that baicalein suppressed the IL-1ß-induced activation of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. Moreover, an in vivo study demonstrated that baicalein treatment could ameliorate IDD in a puncture-induced rat model. Thus, baicalein has great value as a potential therapeutic agent for IDD.