Microplastics in soil-plant system: effects of nano/microplastics on plant photosynthesis,rhizosphere microbes and soil properties in soil with different residues

Plant and Soil - To investigate the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-beads) on the soil properties, photosynthesis of Flowering Chinese cabbage, the rhizosphere microbial community and...     

Involvement of Kv1.3 and p38 MAPK signaling in HIV-1 glycoprotein 120-induced microglia neurotoxicity

Inflammatory responses mediated by activated microglia play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-associated neurocognitive disorders. Studies on identification of specific targets to control microglia activation and resultant neurotoxic activity are imperative. Increasing evidence indicate that voltage-gated K⁺ (K_v) channels are involved in the regulation of microglia functionality. In this study, we investigated K_v1.3 channels in the regulation of neurotoxic activity mediated by HIV-1 glycoprotein 120 (gp120)-stimulated rat microglia. Our results showed treatment of microglia with gp120 increased the expression levels of K_v1.3 mRNA and protein. In parallel, whole-cell patch-clamp studies revealed that gp120 enhanced microglia K_v1.3 current, which was blocked by margatoxin, a K_v1.3 blocker. The association of gp120 enhancement of K_v1.3 current with microglia neurotoxicity was demonstrated by experimental results that blocking microglia K_v1.3 attenuated gp120-associated microglia production of neurotoxins and neurotoxicity. Knockdown of K_v1.3 gene by transfection of microglia with K_v1.3-siRNA abrogated gp120-associated microglia neurotoxic activity. Further investigation unraveled an involvement of p38 MAPK in gp120 enhancement of microglia K_v1.3 expression and resultant neurotoxic activity. These results suggest not only a role K_v1.3 may have in gp120-associated microglia neurotoxic activity, but also a potential target for the development of therapeutic strategies.     

Role of the APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 Polymorphism in the Development of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: Evidence from a Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. The association between the APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism and the risk of POAG has been widely reported, but the results of previous studies remain controversial. To comprehensively evaluate the APOE ɛ2/ɛ3/ε4 polymorphism on the genetic risk for POAG, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of previously published studies. The PubMed and Web of Science databases were systematically searched to identify relevant studies. Data were extracted from these studies and odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals were computed to estimate the strength of the association. Stratified analyses according to ethnicity and sensitivity analyses were also conducted for further confirmation. A total of nine studies were eligible for the meta-analysis, and these studies included data on 1928 POAG cases and 1793 unrelated match controls. The combined results showed that there were no associations between the APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism and POAG risk in any of the 10 comparison models. The analysis that was stratified by ethnicity subgroups also failed to reveal a significant association. The sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability and reliability of the findings. There was no risk of publication bias. Our meta-analysis provides strong evidence that the APOE ε2/ε3/ε4 polymorphism is not associated with POAG susceptibility in any populations.     

Immunohistochemical evaluation of ras oncogene expression in pulmonary and pleural neoplasms

We undertook an immunohistochemical analysis of human bronchopulmonary epithelial neoplasms and pleural mesotheliomas using a monoclonal antibody which recognizes ras oncogene products (p21ras). The monoclonal antibody, RAP-5, recognizes both unaltered and certain mutated p21ras. Formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissue samples of 187 lung epithelial tumors and 27 pleural mesotheliomas were investigated; normal and bronchiectatic lungs were similarly studied. Normal lung and pleural tissue did not immunostain except for occasional type II pneumocytes. Reactive type II pneumocytes adjacent to carcinomas and bronchiectasis immunostained consistently. Twenty four/34 (71%) squamous carcinomas immunostained. Only 8/50 (16%) adenocarcinomas immunostained focally and weakly whereas 19/24 (79%) bronchioloalveolar carcinomas immunostained. Eleven/18 (61%) large cell carcinomas immunostained with variable intensity. Eleven/13 (85%) carcinoids, 6/7 (85%) well differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas, and 18/21 (86%) intermediate cell neuroendocrine carcinomas immunostained while none of 20 small cell neuroendocrine carcinomas immunostained. Only a few mesotheliomas were immunostained focally. Two/14 (14%) epithelial type and 1/9 (11%) biphasic type mesotheliomas immunostained weakly; none of 4 spindle cell mesotheliomas immunostained. We conclude that while at least occasional cases of most types of pulmonary epithelial neoplasms express p21ras, the frequency and intensity of the expression are distinctly greater in certain tumor types such as squamous, bronchioloalveolar, and neuroendocrine neoplasm except for the small cell type. Contrary to these lung epithelial neoplasms, most mesotheliomas did not immunostain for p21ras. Whether the enhanced p21ras expression may point to a different mechanism of transformation or may merely reflect differentiation features remains undetermined.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> Enhancement of Lactate Esters on the Percutaneous Penetration of Drugs with Different Lipophilicity

Lactate esters are widely used as food additives, perfume materials, medicine additives, and personal care products. The objective of this work was to investigate the effect of a series of lactate esters as penetration enhancers on the in vitro skin permeation of four drugs with different physicochemical properties, including ibuprofen, salicylic acid, dexamethasone and 5-fluorouracil. The saturated donor solutions of the evaluated drugs in propylene glycol were used in order to keep a constant driving force with maximum thermodynamic activity. The permeability coefficient (K _p), skin concentration of drugs (SC), and lag time (T), as well as the enhancement ratios for K _p and SC were recorded. All results indicated that lactate esters can exert a significant influence on the transdermal delivery of the model drugs and there is a structure-activity relationship between the tested lactate esters and their enhancement effects. The results also suggested that the lactate esters with the chain length of fatty alcohol moieties of 10–12 are more effective enhancers. Furthermore, the enhancement effect of lactate esters increases with a decrease of the drug lipophilicity, which suggests that they may be more efficient at enhancing the penetration of hydrophilic drugs than lipophilic drugs. The influence of the concentration of lactate esters was evaluated and the optimal concentration is in the range of 5∼10 wt.%. In sum, lactate esters as a penetration enhancer for some drugs are of interest for transdermal administration when the safety of penetration enhancers is a prime consideration.