A nomogram model for predicting intramyocardial hemorrhage post-PCI based on SYNTAX score and clinical features.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to develop a nomogram model for predicting the occurrence of intramyocardial hemorrhage (IMH) in patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). The model is constructed utilizing clinical data and the SYNTAX Score (SS), and its predictive value is thoroughly evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted, including 216 patients with AMI who underwent Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) within a week post-PCI. Clinical data were collected for all patients, and their SS were calculated based on coronary angiography results. Based on the presence or absence of IMH as indicated by CMR, patients were categorized into two groups: the IMH group (109 patients) and the non-IMH group (107 patients). The patients were randomly divided in a 7:3 ratio into a training set (151 patients) and a validation set (65 patients). A nomogram model was constructed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The predictive capability of the model was assessed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, comparing the predictive value based on the area under the ROC curve (AUC). RESULTS: In the training set, IMH post-PCI was observed in 78 AMI patients on CMR, while 73 did not show IMH. Variables with a significance level of P < 0.05 were screened using univariate logistic regression analysis. Twelve indicators were selected for multivariate logistic regression analysis: heart rate, diastolic blood pressure, ST segment elevation on electrocardiogram, culprit vessel, symptom onset to reperfusion time, C-reactive protein, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, high-sensitivity troponin T (HS-TnT), and SYNTAX Score. Based on multivariate logistic regression results, two independent predictive factors were identified: HS-TnT (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.61, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.21-2.25, P = 0.003) and SS (OR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.42-4.90, P = 0.003). Consequently, a nomogram model was constructed based on these findings. The AUC of the nomogram model in the training set was 0.893 (95% CI: 0.840-0.946), and in the validation set, it was 0.910 (95% CI: 0.823-0.970). Good consistency and accuracy of the model were demonstrated by calibration and decision curve analysis. CONCLUSION: The nomogram model, constructed utilizing HS-TnT and SS, demonstrates accurate predictive capability for the risk of IMH post-PCI in patients with AMI. This model offers significant guidance and theoretical support for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of these patients.

ALKBH5-mediated m6A modification of IL-11 drives macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition and pathological cardiac fibrosis in mice.

Cardiac macrophage contributes to the development of cardiac fibrosis, but factors that regulate cardiac macrophages transition and activation during this process remains elusive. Here we show, by single-cell transcriptomics, lineage tracing and parabiosis, that cardiac macrophages from circulating monocytes preferentially commit to macrophage-to-myofibroblast transition (MMT) under angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension, with accompanying increased expression of the RNA N6-methyladenosine demethylases, ALKBH5. Meanwhile, macrophage-specific knockout of ALKBH5 inhibits Ang II-induced MMT, and subsequently ameliorates cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction. Mechanistically, RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing identifies interlukin-11 (IL-11) mRNA as a target for ALKBH5-mediated m6A demethylation, leading to increased IL-11 mRNA stability and protein levels. By contrast, overexpression of IL11 in circulating macrophages reverses the phenotype in ALKBH5-deficient mice and macrophage. Lastly, targeted delivery of ALKBH5 or IL-11 receptor α (IL11RA1) siRNA to monocytes/macrophages attenuates MMT and cardiac fibrosis under hypertensive stress. Our results thus suggest that the ALKBH5/IL-11/IL11RA1/MMT axis alters cardiac macrophage and contributes to hypertensive cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction in mice, and thereby identify potential targets for cardiac fibrosis therapy in patients.

Anti-rheumatoid arthritis potential of different fractions derived from of Coluria longifolia.

Coluria longifolia Maxim (C. longifolia) is a Chinese folk medication commonly used to treat arthritis and joint pain. Literatures have reported that C. longifolia has significant anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic effects. The aim of this research was to assay the effective fractions of C. longifolia (EFCL) against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to elucidate its anti-RA mechanism on a preliminary basis. The rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was established. The therapeutic effects of different fractions in vivo were evaluated by body weight changes, a foot swelling score, inflammatory factors and histopathological examination. The mechanism of EFCL was investigated by activity of oxidative stress related enzyme, qPCR and Western blotting tests. In vivo results showed that total extraction (TE) and n-butanol fraction (NF) could significantly alleviate the symptoms of RA, decrease the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.01), and improve histopathological injury. The mechanism study showed that SOD level was significantly increased with MDA level decreased in the NF group. The upregulated proteins and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, HO1 and NQO1 after TE and NF administration suggested that the anti-arthritic effect may be related to the Nrf2 signaling pathway and downstream HO1 and NQO1. In conclusion, this study confirmed that C. longifolia is capable of treating RA with NF as the main effective fraction. Its anti-RA action may be associated with Nrf2 signaling pathway and downstream HO1 and NQO1.

Bufotalin attenuates pulmonary fibrosis via inhibiting Akt/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic interstitial lung disease with no cure. Bufotalin (BT), an active component extracted from Venenum Bufonis, has been prescribed as a treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases. However, whether BT has antifibrotic properties has never been investigated. In this study, we report on the potential therapeutic effect and mechanism of BT on IPF. BT was shown to attenuate lung injury, inflammation, and fibrosis as well as preserve pulmonary function in bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis model. We next confirmed BT's ability to inhibit TGF-ß1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and myofibroblast activation (including differentiation, proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix production) in vitro. Furthermore, transcriptional profile analysis indicated the Wnt signaling pathway as a potential target of BT. Mechanistically, BT effectively prevented ß-catenin from translocating into the nucleus to activate transcription of profibrotic genes. This was achieved by blunting TGF-ß1-induced increases in phosphorylated Akt Ser437 (p-Akt S437) and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3ß Ser9 (p-GSK-3ß S9), thereby reactivating GSK-3ß. Additionally, the antifibrotic effects of BT were further validated in another in vivo model of radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Collectively, these data demonstrated the potent antifibrotic actions of BT through inhibition of Akt/GSK-3ß/ß-catenin axis downstream of TGF-ß1. Thus, BT could be a potential option to be further explored in IPF treatment.

Leonurine Attenuates Obesity-Related Vascular Dysfunction and Inflammation.

Oxidative stress in adipose tissue is a crucial pathogenic mechanism of obesity-associated cardiovascular diseases. Chronic low-grade inflammation caused by obesity increases ROS production and dysregulation of adipocytokines. Leonurine (LEO) is an active alkaloid extracted from Herba Leonuri and plays a protective role in the cardiovascular system. The present study tested whether LEO alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress, and improves vascular function in an obese mouse model. Here, we found that obesity leads to inflammation and oxidative stress in epididymal white adipose tissue (EWAT), as well as vascular dysfunction. LEO significantly improved inflammation and oxidative stress both in vivo and in vitro. Obesity-induced vascular dysfunction was also improved by LEO as evidenced by the ameliorated vascular tone and decreased mesenteric artery fibrosis. Using mass spectrometry, we identified YTHDF1 as the direct target of LEO. Taken together, we demonstrated that LEO improves oxidative stress and vascular remodeling induced by obesity and targets YTHDF1, raising the possibility of LEO treating other obesity-related metabolic syndromes.

The glycosyltransferase ST3GAL2 is regulated by miR-615-3p in the intestinal tract of Campylobacter jejuni infected mice.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) infections are of increasing importance worldwide. As a typical mucosal pathogen, the interaction of C. jejuni with mucins is a prominent step in the colonisation of mucosal surfaces. Despite recent advances in understanding the interaction between bacterial pathogens and host mucins, the mechanisms of mucin glycosylation during intestinal C. jejuni infection remain largely unclear. This prompted us to identify relevant regulatory networks that are concerted by miRNAs and could play a role in the mucin modification and interaction. RESULTS: We firstly used a human intestinal in vitro model, in which we observed altered transcription of MUC2 and TFF3 upon C. jejuni NCTC 11168 infection. Using a combined approach consisting of in silico analysis together with in vitro expression analysis, we identified the conserved miRNAs miR-125a-5p and miR-615-3p associated with MUC2 and TFF3. Further pathway analyses showed that both miRNAs appear to regulate glycosyltransferases, which are related to the KEGG pathway 'Mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis'. To validate the proposed interactions, we applied an in vivo approach utilising a well-established secondary abiotic IL-10-/- mouse model for infection with C. jejuni 81-176. In colonic tissue samples, we confirmed infection-dependent aberrant transcription of MUC2 and TFF3. Moreover, two predicted glycosyltransferases, the sialyltransferases ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL2, exhibited inversely correlated transcriptional levels compared to the expression of the identified miRNAs miR-125a-5p and miR-615-3p, respectively. In this study, we mainly focused on the interaction between miR-615-3p and ST3GAL2 and were able to demonstrate their molecular interaction using luciferase reporter assays and RNAi. Detection of ST3GAL2 in murine colonic tissue by immunofluorescence demonstrated reduced intensity after C. jejuni 81-176 infection and was thus consistent with the observations made above. CONCLUSIONS: We report here for the first time the regulation of glycosyltransferases by miRNAs during murine infection with C. jejuni 81-176. Our data suggest that mucin type O-glycan biosynthesis is concerted by the interplay of miRNAs and glycosyltransferases, which could determine the shape of intestinal glycosylated proteins during infection.

miR-125a-5p inhibits cancer stem cells phenotype and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma.

OBJECTIVE: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common type of cancer with high mortality. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a vital role in the development of glioblastoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of miR-125a-5p in glioblastoma and in the tumorigenesis of chemotherapeutic drug-resistant cancer stem-like cells in brain glioma. METHODS: The role of miR-125a-5p in the regulation of CSCs, EMT, migration, and invasion in glioblastoma was measured in this study. RESULTS: We showed the roles of miR-125a-5p in the regulation of CSCs, EMT, migration, and invasion in glioblastoma. miR-125a-5p can inhibit the CSCs phenotype and EMT in glioblastoma cells. In addition, its over-expression can significantly regulate CSCs-associated genes and EMT-associated gene expression in glioblastoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that miR-125a-5p is one of the key microRNAs regulating CSCs and EMT programs in glioblastoma. The results suggested that miR-125a-5p might be a novel therapy target for glioblastoma.

Campylobacter jejuni genes Cj1492c and Cj1507c are involved in host cell adhesion and invasion.

BACKGROUND: Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) has been assigned as an important food-borne pathogen for human health but many pathogenicity factors of C. jejuni and human host cell responses related to the infection have not yet been adequately clarified. This study aimed to determine further C. jejuni pathogenicity factors and virulence genes based on a random mutagenesis approach. A transposon mutant library of C. jejuni NCTC 11168 was constructed and the ability of individual mutants to adhere to and invade human intestinal epithelial cells was evaluated compared to the wild type. We identified two mutants of C. jejuni possessing altered phenotypes with transposon insertions in the genes Cj1492c and Cj1507c. Cj1492c is annotated as a two-component sensor and Cj1507c is described as a regulatory protein. However, functions of both mutated genes are not clarified so far. RESULTS: In comparison to the wild type, Cj::1492c and Cj::1507c showed around 70-80% relative motility and Cj::1492c had around 3-times enhanced adhesion and invasion rates whereas Cj::1507c had significantly impaired adhesive and invasive capability. Moreover, Cj::1492c had a longer lag phase and slower growth rate while Cj::1507c showed similar growth compared to the wild type. Between 5 and 24 h post infection, more than 60% of the intracellular wild type C. jejuni were eliminated in HT-29/B6 cells, however, significantly fewer mutants were able to survive intracellularly. Nevertheless, no difference in host cell viability and induction of the pro-inflammatory chemokine IL-8 were determined between both mutants and the wild type. CONCLUSION: We conclude that genes regulated by Cj1507c have an impact on efficient adhesion, invasion and intracellular survival of C. jejuni in HT-29/B6 cells. Furthermore, potential signal sensing by Cj1492c seems to lead to limiting attachment and hence internalisation of C. jejuni. However, as the intracellular survival capacities are reduced, we suggest that signal sensing by Cj1492c impacts several processes related to pathogenicity of C. jejuni.

miR-125a-5p inhibits cancer stem cells phenotype and epithelial to mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common type of cancer with high mortality. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a vital role in the development of glioblastoma. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of miR-125a-5p in glioblastoma and in the tumorigenesis of chemotherapeutic drug-resistant cancer stem-like cells in brain glioma. METHODS The role of miR-125a-5p in the regulation of CSCs, EMT, migration, and invasion in glioblastoma was measured in this study. RESULTS We showed the roles of miR-125a-5p in the regulation of CSCs, EMT, migration, and invasion in glioblastoma. miR-125a-5p can inhibit the CSCs phenotype and EMT in glioblastoma cells. In addition, its over-expression can significantly regulate CSCs-associated genes and EMT-associated gene expression in glioblastoma cells. CONCLUSIONS We concluded that miR-125a-5p is one of the key microRNAs regulating CSCs and EMT programs in glioblastoma. The results suggested that miR-125a-5p might be a novel therapy target for glioblastoma.

RESUMO OBJETIVO O glioblastoma (GBM) é um câncer comum e de alta mortalidade. A transição epitélio-mesênquima (EMT) desempenha um papel vital no desenvolvimento do glioblastoma. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar o papel do miR-125a-5p no glioblastoma e a tumorigênese de células-troco cancerígenas resistentes a medicamentos quimioterápicos em gliomas cerebrais. METODOLOGIA Os papéis do miR-125a-5p na regulação de células-tronco cancerígenas, EMT, migração e invasão do glioblastoma foram medidos neste estudo. RESULTADOS Mostramos a função do miR-125a-5p na regulação das células-tronco cancerígenas, EMT, migração e invasão do glioblastoma. O miR-125a-5p pode inibir o fenótipo e a EMT de células-tronco cancerígenas em células de glioblastoma. Além disso, a sua superexpressão pode regular de forma significante genes associados às células-tronco cancerígenas e a expressão de genes associados à EMT em células de glioblastoma. CONCLUSÕES Concluímos que o miR-125a-5p é um dos principais microRNAs na regulação de células-tronco cancerígenas e programas de EMT em glioblastomas, e os resultados sugerem que o miR-125a-5p pode ser um novo alvo terapêutico em casos de glioblastoma.

N gene enhances resistance to Chilli veinal mottle virus and hypersensitivity to salt stress in tobacco.

Plants use multiple mechanisms to fight against pathogen infection. One of the major mechanisms involves the disease resistance (R) gene, which specifically mediates plant defense. Recent studies have shown that R genes have broad spectrum effects in response to various stresses. N gene is the resistance gene specifically resistant to Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). However, the role of N gene in abiotic stress and other viral responses remains obscure. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms by which N regulates plant defense responses under Chilli veinal mottle virus (ChiVMV) infection and salt stress. Here, we monitored the physiological and molecular changes of tobacco plants under virus attack. The results showed that when tobaccoNN and tobacconn plants were exposed to ChiVMV, tobaccoNN plants displayed higher susceptibility at five days post infection (dpi), while tobacconn plants exhibited higher susceptibility at 20 dpi. In addition, accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of HARPIN-INDUCED1(NtHIN1) were higher in tobaccoNN plants than in tobacconn plants at 5 dpi. Interestingly, the pathogenesis-related gene (NtPR1 and NtPR5), the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and the content of salicylic acid (SA) in tobaccoNN plants increased compared with those in tobacconn plants. It was suggested that the N gene induced a hypersensitive response (HR) and enhanced the systemic resistance of plants in response to ChiVMV via the SA-dependent signaling pathway. In addition, the N gene was also induced significantly by salt stress. However, tobaccoNN plants showed hypersensitivity toward increased salt stress, and this hypersensitivity was dependent on abscisic acid and jasmonic acid but not SA. Taken together, our results indicate that the N gene appears to be important in the plant response to ChiVMV infection and salt stress.

α-Expansin EXPA4 Positively Regulates Abiotic Stress Tolerance but Negatively Regulates Pathogen Resistance in Nicotiana tabacum.

Since they function as cell wall-loosening proteins, expansins can affect plant growth, developmental processes and environmental stress responses. Our previous study demonstrated that changes in Nicotiana tabacum α-expansin 4 (EXPA4) expression affect the sensitivity of tobacco to Tobacco mosaic virus [recombinant TMV encoding green fluorescent protein (TMV-GFP)] infection by Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression. In this study, to characterize the function of tobacco EXPA4 further, EXPA4 RNA interfernce (RNAi) mutants and overexpression lines were generated and assayed for their tolerance to abiotic stress and resistance to pathogens. First, the differential phenotypes and histomorphology of transgenic plants with altered EXPA4 expression indicated that EXPA4 is essential for normal tobacco growth and development. By utilizing tobacco EXPA4 mutants with abiotic stress, it was demonstrated that RNAi mutants have increased hypersensitivity to salt and drought stress. In contrast, the overexpression of EXPA4 in tobacco conferred greater tolerance to salt and drought stress, as indicated by less cell damage, higher fresh weight, higher soluble sugar and proline accumulation, and higher expression levels of several stress-responsive genes. In addition, the overexpression lines were more susceptible to the viral pathogen TMV-GFP when compared with the wild type or RNAi mutants. The induction of the antioxidant system, several defense-associated phytohormones and gene expression was down-regulated in overexpression lines but up-regulated in RNAi mutants when compared with the wild type following TMV-GFP infection. In addition, EXPA4 overexpression also accelerated the disease development of Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 on tobacco. Taken together, these results suggested that EXPA4 appears to be important in tobacco growth and responses to abiotic and biotic stress.

Alpha-momorcharin enhances Tobacco mosaic virus resistance in tobaccoNN by manipulating jasmonic acid-salicylic acid crosstalk.

Alpha-momorcharin (α-MMC) is a type-I ribosome inactivating protein (RIP) with a molecular weight of 29 kDa found in plants. This protein has been shown to be effective against a broad range of human viruses and also has anti-tumor activities. However, the mechanism by which α-MMC induces plant defense responses and regulates the N gene to promote resistance to the Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) is still not clear. By using pharmacological and infection experiments, we found that α-MMC enhances TMV resistance of tobacco plants containing the N gene (tobaccoNN). Our results showed that plants pretreated with 0.5 mg/ml α-MMC could relieve TMV-induced oxidative damage, had enhanced the expression of the N gene and increased biosynthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA). Moreover, transcription of JA and SA signaling pathway genes were increased, and their expression persisted for a longer period of time in plants pretreated with α-MMC compared with those pretreated with water. Importantly, exogenous application of 1-Aminobenzotriazole (ABT, SA inhibitor) and ibuprofen (JA inhibitor) reduced α-MMC induced plant resistance under viral infection. Thus, our results revealed that α-MMC enhances TMV resistance of tobaccoNN plants by manipulating JA-SA crosstalk.

Tobacco alpha-expansin EXPA4 plays a role in Nicotiana benthamiana defence against Tobacco mosaic virus.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Tobacco EXPA4 plays a role in Nicotiana benthamiana defence against virus attack and affects antioxidative metabolism and phytohormone-mediated immunity responses in tobacco. Expansins are cell wall-loosening proteins known for their endogenous functions in cell wall extensibility during plant growth. The effects of expansins on plant growth, developmental processes and environment stress responses have been well studied. However, the exploration of expansins in plant virus resistance is rarely reported. In the present study, virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) and Agrobacterium-mediated transient overexpression were conducted to investigate the role of Nicotiana tabacum alpha-expansin 4 (EXPA4) in modulating Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV-GFP) resistance in Nicotiana benthamiana. The results indicated that silencing of EXPA4 reduced the sensitivity of N. benthamiana to TMV-GFP, and EXPA4 overexpression accelerated virus reproduction on tobacco. In addition, our data suggested that the changes of virus accumulation in response to EXPA4 expression levels could further affect the antioxidative metabolism and phytohormone-related pathways in tobacco induced by virus inoculation. EXPA4-silenced plants with TMV-GFP have enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities, which were down-regulated in virus-inoculated 35S:EXPA4 plants. Salicylic acid accumulation and SA-mediated defence genes induced by TMV-GFP were up-regulated in EXPA4-silenced plants, but depressed in 35S:EXPA4 plants. Furthermore, a VIGS approach was used in combination with exogenous phytohormone treatments, suggesting that EXPA4 has different responses to different phytohormones. Taken together, these results suggested that EXPA4 plays a role in tobacco defence against viral pathogens.

Effect of Wenhua Juanbi Recipe () on expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand, osteoprotegerin, and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 14 in rats with collagen-induced arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of Wenhua Juanbi Recipe (, WJR) on expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 14 (TNFRSF14, also known as LIGHT) in rats with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). METHODS: CIA rats were generated by subcutaneous injection of bovine collagen type-II at the tail base. Sixty CIA rats were randomly assigned (10 animals/group) to: model, methotrexate (MTX)-treated (0.78 mg/kg body weight), and WJR-treated (22.9 g/kg) groups. Healthy normal rats (n=10) were used as the normal control. Treatments or saline were administered once daily by oral gavage. Rats were sacrifificed at day 28 post-treatment and knee synovium and peripheral blood serum were collected. Toe swelling degree and expression of RANKL, OPG, and LIGHT were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, toe swelling degree was signifificantly increased in the model group (P<0.01). After treatment, toe swelling degree decreased signifificantly in the WJR and MTX groups compared with the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the normal group, expression of RANKL and LIGHT were signifificantly increased and OPG signifificantly decreased in peripheral blood and synovium of the model group (P<0.01). Conversely, RANKL and LIGHT expression were signifificantly reduced and OPG increased in the WJR and MTX groups compared with the model group (P<0.01). No statistically significant difference existed between WJR and MTX groups. CONCLUSION: WJR likely acts by reducing RANKL expression and increasing OPG expression, thus inhibiting RANKL/RANK interaction and reducing LIGHT expression, thereby inhibiting osteoclast formation/activation to block bone erosion.

The Roles of Alpha-Momorcharin and Jasmonic Acid in Modulating the Response of Momordica charantia to Cucumber Mosaic Virus.

Alpha-momorcharin (α-MMC) is a type-I ribosome inactivating protein with a molecular weight of 29 kDa that is found in Momordica charantia, and has been shown to be effective against a broad range of human viruses as well as having anti-tumor activities. However, the role of endogenous α-MMC under viral infection and the mechanism of the anti-viral activities of α-MMC in plants are still unknown. To study the effect of α-MMC on plant viral defense and how α-MMC increases plant resistance to virus, the M. charantia-cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) interaction system was investigated. The results showed that the α-MMC level was positively correlated with the resistance of M. charantia to CMV. α-MMC treatment could alleviate photosystem damage and enhance the ratio of glutathione/glutathione disulfide in M. charantia under CMV infection. The relationship of α-MMC and defense related phytohormones, and their roles in plant defense were further investigated. α-MMC treatment led to a significant increase of jasmonic acid (JA) and vice versa, while there was no obvious relevance between salicylic acid and α-MMC. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were induced in α-MMC-pretreated plants, in a similar way to the ROS burst in JA-pretreated plants. The production of ROS in both ibuprofen (JA inhibitor) and (α-MMC+ibuprofen)-pretreated plants was reduced markedly, leading to a greater susceptibility of M. charantia to CMV. Our results indicate that the anti-viral activities of α-MMC in M. charantia may be accomplished through the JA related signaling pathway.

Analysis of isoquinoline alkaloids using chitosan-assisted liquid-solid extraction followed by microemulsion liquid chromatography employing a sub-2-micron particle stationary phase.

A simple, efficient, and green chitosan-assisted liquid-solid extraction method was developed for the sample preparation of isoquinoline derivative alkaloids followed by microemulsion LC. The optimized mobile phase consisted of 0.8% w/v of ethyl acetate, 1.0% w/v of SDS, 8.0% w/v of n-butanol, 0.1% v/v acetic acid, and 10% v/v ACN. Compared to pharmacopoeia method and organic solvent extraction, this new approach avoided the use of volatile organic solvents, replacing them with relatively small amounts of chitosan. Under the optimum conditions, good linearity (r2 > 0.9980) for all calibration curves and low detection limits between 0.05 and 0.10 µg/mL were achieved. The presented procedure was successfully applied to determine alkaloids in Rhizoma coptidis with satisfactory recoveries (81.3-106.4%).

Role of Transcription Factor HAT1 in Modulating Arabidopsis thaliana Response to Cucumber mosaic virus.

Arabidopsis thaliana homeodomain-leucine zipper protein 1 (HAT1) belongs to the homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) family class II that plays important roles in plant growth and development as a transcription factor. To elucidate further the role of HD-Zip II transcription factors in plant defense, the A. thaliana hat1, hat1hat3 and hat1hat2hat3 mutants and HAT1 overexpression plants (HAT1OX) were challenged with Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). HAT1OX displayed more susceptibility, while loss-of-function mutants of HAT1 exhibited less susceptibility to CMV infection. HAT1 and its close homologs HAT2 and HAT3 function redundantly, as the triple mutant hat1hat2hat3 displayed increased virus resistance compared with the hat1 and hat1hat3 mutants. Furthermore, the induction of the antioxidant system (the activities and expression of enzymatic antioxidants) and the expression of defense-associated genes were down-regulated in HAT1OX but up-regulated in hat1hat2hat3 when compared with Col-0 after CMV infection. Further evidence showed that the involvement of HAT1 in the anti-CMV defense response might be dependent on salicylic acid (SA) but not jasmonic acid (JA). The SA level or expression of SA synthesis-related genes was decreased in HAT1OX but increased in hat1hat2hat3 compared with Col-0 after CMV infection, but there were little difference in JA level or JA synthesis-related gene expression among HAT1OX or defective plants. In addition, HAT1 expression is dependent on SA accumulation. Taken together, our study indicated that HAT1 negatively regulates plant defense responses to CMV.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Resection for Retroperitoneal Dumbbell-Shaped Lumbar Spinal Schwannomas: Operative Technique and Surgical Results.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal dumbbell lumbar spinal schwannomas (RDLSSs) classified as the Eden type 4 are composed of small intervertebral foramen components and large paravertebral components extending into the retroperitoneal cavity. The surgical management of RDLSSs s remains a great challenge for all neurosurgeons because of the features of tumor. OBJECTIVE: To present our experience in the laparoscopic resection of RDLSSs and to evaluate endoscopy surgery by an anterior approach for the treatment of RDLSSs. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 3 patients with RDLSSs who underwent laparoscopic surgery by an anterior approach between June 2013 and July 2014. Patient demographics, operative reports, and pre- and postoperative images were reviewed. RESULTS: All tumors were removed completely with retroperitoneal laparoscopy by the anterior approach. There were no major morbidities related to the surgical procedure in this series, and all patients recovered from surgery. The preoperative symptoms either improved or resolved in 2 patients, whereas they remained unchanged in 1 patient. Postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 24 months, and none of the patients showed signs of tumor recurrence or spinal deformity. CONCLUSIONS: The operative plan should be tailored to the features of the RDLSS. Retroperitoneal laparoscopy surgery by the anterior approach can produce safe and effective resection of RDLSSs with minimal postoperative complications. This procedure may be preferred for RDLSSs mainly located in the retroperitoneum without spinal canal extension.

MicroRNA-197 inhibits cell proliferation by targeting GAB2 in glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma is the most common type of primary brain tumor in adults, and is usually fatal in a short duration. Acquiring a better understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of glioblastoma is essential to the design of effective therapeutic strategies. Grb2-associated binding protein 2 (GAB2) is a member of the daughter of sevenless/Gab family of scaffolding adapters, and has been reported to be important in the development and progression of human cancer. Previously, it has been reported that GAB2 is expressed at high levels in glioma, and may serve as a useful prognostic marker for glioma and a novel therapeutic target for glioma invasion intervention. Elucidating why GAB2 is overexpressed in glioma, and investigating how to downregulate it will assist in further understanding the pathogenesis and progression of the disease, and to offer novel targets for therapy. The present study used in situ hybridization to detect microRNA (miR)­197 expression levels and Targetscan to predict that the 3'-UTR of GAB2 was targeted by miR-197. Northern blotting and reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction were also conducted in the current study. miR-197 is downregulated in glioblastoma tissues, compared with adjacent normal tissues, however it involvement continues to be detected in the disease. The results of the present study demonstrated that miR­197, as a tumor suppressor gene, inhibited proliferation by regulating GAB2 in glioblastoma cells. Furthermore, GAB2 was not only upregulated in glioma, but its expression levels were also associated with the grades of glioma severity. In addition, overexpression of GAB2 suppressed the expression of miR­197 in glioblastoma cells. Therefore, restoration of miR­197 and targeting GAB2 may be used, in conjunction with other therapies, to prevent the progression of glioblastoma.