Hypoxic/Ischemic Inflammation, MicroRNAs and δ-Opioid Receptors: Hypoxia/Ischemia-Sensitive Versus-Insensitive Organs.

Hypoxia and ischemia cause inflammatory injury and critically participate in the pathogenesis of various diseases in various organs. However, the protective strategies against hypoxic and ischemic insults are very limited in clinical settings up to date. It is of utmost importance to improve our understanding of hypoxic/ischemic (H/I) inflammation and find novel therapies for better prevention/treatment of H/I injury. Recent studies provide strong evidence that the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs), which regulate gene expression and affect H/I inflammation through post-transcriptional mechanisms, are differentially altered in response to H/I stress, while δ-opioid receptors (DOR) play a protective role against H/I insults in different organs, including both H/I-sensitive organs (e.g., brain, kidney, and heart) and H/I-insensitive organs (e.g., liver and muscle). Indeed, many studies have demonstrated the crucial role of the DOR-mediated cyto-protection against H/I injury by several molecular pathways, including NLRP3 inflammasome modulated by miRNAs. In this review, we summarize our recent studies along with those of others worldwide, and compare the effects of DOR on H/I expression of miRNAs in H/I-sensitive and -insensitive organs. The alternation in miRNA expression profiles upon DOR activation and the potential impact on inflammatory injury in different organs under normoxic and hypoxic conditions are discussed at molecular and cellular levels. More in-depth investigations into this field may provide novel clues for new protective strategies against H/I inflammation in different types of organs.

Exosomal miR-4639 and miR-210 in Plasma and Urine as Biomarkers in IgA Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: It has been widely recognized that exosomal miRNAs can participate in the pathogenesis of different renal disorders and serve as disease biomarkers. Although kidney biopsy is still the gold standard for diagnosing and monitoring immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN), it is highly required to identify new and effective noninvasive biomarkers for IgAN, the most frequently detected primary glomerulonephritis worldwide. METHODS: Plasma and urinary exosomes were extracted by PEG precipitation. Size and morphological characteristics of plasma and urinary exosomes were observed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The levels of plasma and urinary exosomes were revealed by Western blotting. The expressions of target miRNAs were revealed by in situ hybridization and qRT-PCR. RESULTS: The levels of plasma and urinary exosomes were remarkably enhanced in IgAN patients compared with healthy controls (HCs). The expressions of miR-4639 and miR-210 in IgAN patients were significantly higher in contrast to the individuals with membranous nephropathy, minimal change nephrosis, diabetic nephropathy, or HC. These also played a valuable role in assessing the kidney function and the level of proteinuria. Furthermore, plasma and urinary exosomal miR-4639 expression was associated with more serious and active histological activity (mesangial hypercellularity, crescent, and C3 complement deposition). With an average follow-up of 8 months, miR-4639 and miR-210 expressions in plasma and urinary exosomes were higher in patients with progressive IgAN. Plasma exosomal miR-4639 and miR-210 were better than proteinuria (g/24 h) to estimate renal outcomes. CONCLUSION: Exosomal miR-4639 and miR-210 could be used as valid biomarkers to assist in diagnosis, evaluate severity, and assess disease development of IgAN.

Lycopene attenuates aluminum-induced hippocampal lesions by inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated inflammation and apoptosis in the rat.

Aluminum (Al) causes hippocampal lesions by oxidative stress, which is widely accepted as the primary pathogenesis of Al neurotoxicity. Lycopene (LYC), a naturally carotenoid, has received extensive attention due to its antioxidant effect. In this study, the neuroprotective effects and mechanisms of LYC against aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced hippocampal lesions were explored. First, oral administration of LYC (4 mg/kg) alleviated AlCl3-induced (150 mg/kg) cognition impairment and histopathological changes of the hippocampus in rats. Then, LYC significantly attenuated AlCl3-induced oxidative stress, presenting as the reduced reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels, and increased glutathione level and superoxide dismutase activity. Moreover, LYC also protected the hippocampus from AlCl3-induced apoptosis and neuroinflammation, as assessed by protein levels of p53, Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma gene 2 (Bcl-2), Cytochrome c (Cyt c), cleaved caspase-3 and nuclear factor kappa B, as well as the mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 beta. Finally, LYC increased nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation and its downstream gene expression, including heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1, glutamate cysteine ligase catalytic subunit and superoxide dismutase 1, which were involved in antioxidant, anti-apoptosis, and anti-inflammation. Overall, our findings demonstrate LYC attenuates Al-induced hippocampal lesions by inhibiting oxidative stress-mediated inflammation and apoptosis in the rat.

Protective effects of selenium against zearalenone-induced apoptosis in chicken spleen lymphocyte via an endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway.

Selenium (Se), an antioxidant agent, provides significant protection from reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cell damage in vivo and in vitro. However, it is unclear whether Se can protect against zearalenone (ZEN)-induced apoptosis in chicken spleen lymphocyte. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanism of the apoptosis induced by ZEN in chicken spleen lymphocyte and further evaluated the protective mechanism of Se on ZEN-induced apoptosis. The results show that ZEN induced an increase in ROS generation and lipid peroxidation, and a decrease in levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione (GSH). The results of apoptosis morphologically from acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) fluorescent staining and flow cytometry analysis show apparent apoptosis in the ZEN-treated group, and was confirmed by the upregulation of caspase-3, -12 and downregulation of Bcl-2. Meanwhile, ZEN activated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by upregulating ER stress-related molecular sensors (GRP78, ATF6, ATF4, IRE). However, co-treatment with Se effectively blocked ROS generation, improved antioxdative capacity, and reversed apoptosis and ER stress-related genes and protein expression. Taken together, these data suggest that oxidative stress and ER stress play a vital role in ZEN-induced apoptosis, and Se had a significant preventive effect on ZEN-induced apoptosis in chicken spleen lymphocyte via ameliorating the ER stress signaling pathway.

Ru Modulation Effects in the Synthesis of Unique Rod-like Ni@Ni2P-Ru Heterostructures and Their Remarkable Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Performance.

The construction of highly efficient and stable Pt-free catalysts for electrochemical hydrogen generation is highly desirable. Herein, we demonstrate the first metal-phosphides-metal system consisting of Ru, Ni2P, and Ni, which forms unique multiheterogeneous Ni@Ni2P-Ru nanorods. Interestingly, a Ru modulation effects that promotes the desorption of H2 to achieve a moderate hydrogen adsorption energy (ΔGH), and enables the formation of Ni@Ni2P nanorods via Ru-Ni coordination to enhance the conductivity was discovered. Due to its optimal ΔGH, improved conductivity and rod-like morphology, this catalyst shows superior electrocatalytic HER performances in both acidic and alkaline conditions, which are superior to those of some recently reported phosphides and close to that of commercial 20% Pt/C. Such a design strategy is not limited to Ni2P and Ru but also may be extended to other similar phosphides and noble metals, providing a new promising approach and an alternative to Pt catalysts for electrocatalytic applications.

[One case of auricle cartilage calcification].

The patient complained of painless mass in the right ear for 3 months. The ipsilateral ear was 1/2 thicker than contralateral one and felt stiff without elasticity. There was limited eminence in cavum conchae about 1 mm in height and about 6 mm x 10 mm in size with clear boundary. which felt hard without tenderness. X-ray showed a long oval nodular calcification with clear but irregular boundary in cavum conchae under the right auricle, the size of which was about 4 mm x 7 mm. The patient was diagnosed right auricle cartilage calcification.

[Value of multiplanar reconstruction of lumbar nerve roots on the same level by high resolution computed tomography in diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation and/or bulge].

OBJECTIVE: To explore value of multiplanar reconstruction of lumbar nerve roots on the same level by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation and/or bulge (LDHB). METHODS: Thirty-one patients with manifestations of typical nerve root compression, such as lumbago and tenderness of percussion pain at the corresponding sites were scanned with 16-slice spiral CT and multiplanar reconstruction of lumbar nerve roots on the same level with the workshop ADW4.150, and were diagnosed as with LDHB with 50 segments. The diagnoses were confirmed by operation later. RESULTS: This technique showed not only the existence of LDHB but also the signs of nerve root compression, including the touch of nerve roots with the LDHB (100%), translocation of nerve roots (96%), morphological change (94%), changes of diameter (92%), changes of direction (88%), changes of density (80%), increase of the angle between the dural sac and nerve root (76%), etc. Along with the prolonging of time, the nerve roots became thinner in all segments. CONCLUSION: Multiplanar reconstruction of lumbar nerve roots on the same level by high resolution computed tomography is valuable in the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation and/or bulge.

[Features of obturator nerve by high-resolution CT at the same slice with multiplanar planar reconstruction techniques and clinic value thereof].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the features of obturator nerve (ON) by high-resolution CT (HRCT) at the same slice with multiplanar planar reconstruction techniques and clinic value thereof. METHODS: The normal lumbar vertebral bodies of 60 healthy adults and the abnormal lumbar vertebral bodies of 31 patients with ON disorders were scanned with 16-slice spiral CT, multiplanar reconstruction was conducted in the Workstation ADW4. 1, with UNIX system and DICOM form. The images at the same slice were studied. RESULTS: The shapes, thickness, direction, length, adjourning relationship, and tension could be shown at the same slice of oblique and coronal section or oblique and sagittal plane with rotation in external sides on the way from the starting point of dural sac to foramen obturatum in pelvis, meanwhile the manifestations of abnormal ON also could be shown. CONCLUSION: The anatomical features and abnormal manifestation of ON at the same slice with 16-slice spiral CT using the multiplanar reconstruction techniques can be fully shown from the starting point of dural sac to the foramen obturatum in pelvis. This technique is very important in diagnosis and treatment of diseases of obturator nerve.