Black Hole Formation in Randall-Sundrum II Braneworlds.

We present the first numerical study of the full dynamics of a braneworld scenario, working within the framework of the single brane model of Randall and Sundrum. In particular, we study the process of gravitational collapse driven by a massless scalar field which is confined to the brane. Imposing spherical symmetry on the brane, we show that the evolutions of sufficiently strong initial configurations of the scalar field result in black holes that have finite extension into the bulk. Furthermore, we find preliminary evidence that the black holes generated form a unique sequence, irrespective of the details of the initial data. The black hole solutions we obtain from dynamical evolutions are consistent with those previously computed from a static vacuum ansatz.

Modulation of oxidized-LDL receptor-1 (LOX1) contributes to the antiatherosclerosis effect of oleanolic acid.

Oleanolic acid (OA) is a bioactive pentacyclic triterpenoid. The current work studied the effects and possible mechanisms of OA in atherosclerosis. Quails (Coturnix coturnix) were treated with high fat diet with or without OA. Atherosclerosis was assessed by examining lipid profile, antioxidant status and histology in serum and aorta. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to 200µg/mL ox-LDL for 24h, then cell viability was assessed with MTT assay; reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed with DCFDA staining. Expression levels of LOX-1, NADPH oxidase subunits, nrf2 and ho-1 were measured with real time PCR and western blotting. Furthermore, LOX-1 was silenced with lentivirus and the expression levels assessment was repeated. OA treatment improved the lipid profile and antioxidant status in quails fed with high fat diet. Histology showed decreased atherosclerosis in OA treated animals. Ox-LDL exposure decreased viability and induced ROS generation in HUVECs, and this progression was alleviated by OA pretreatment. Moreover, elevated expression of LOX-1, NADPH oxidase subunits, nrf2 and ho-1 were observed in ox-LDL exposed HUVECs. OA pretreatment prevented ox-LDL induced increase of LOX-1 and NADPH oxidase subunits expression, while further increased nrf2 and ho-1 expression. Silencing of LOX-1 abolished ox-LDL induced effects in cell viability, ROS generation and gene expression. OA could alleviate high fat diet induced atherosclerosis in quail and ox-LDL induced cytotoxicity in HUVECs; the potential mechanism involves modulation of LOX-1 activity, including inhibition of expression of NADPH oxidase subunits and increase of the expression of nrf2 and ho-1.