A review of the botany,traditional uses,phytochemistry and pharmacology of Nepeta tenuifolia Briq.

Phytochemistry Reviews - Nepeta tenuifolia (N. tenuifolia) is a common aromatic herb that is widespread in East Asia. The aerial parts and spikes can be used as the traditional phytomedicines for...     

Adiponectin: A biomarker for rheumatoid arthritis?

Recent achievements in the biology and the function of adipose tissue have regarded white adipose tissue (WAT) as an important endocrine and secretory organ. Releasing a series of multiple-function mediators, WAT is involved in a wide spectrum of diseases, including not only cardiovascular and metabolic complications, such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes, but also inflammatory- and immune-related disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). A large number of these mediators, called adipokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), leptin, adiponectin, resistin, chemerin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), visfatin, and so on have been identified and studied widely. Important advances related to these proteins shed new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of many complicated diseases, although details of which remain unclear. Adiponectin, one of the most widely investigated adipokine, has been shown to possess both anti- and pro-inflammatory effects. RA is a chronic systemic inflammatory-related autoimmune disease. Accumulated evidence has demonstrated that cytokines and adipokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of RA. In this review, we have summarized the most recent advances in adiponectin research in the context of RA, focusing primarily on its effect on RA-related cells, its regulation on pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as its validation as a biomarker for RA.     

Interleukin-22 Mediates Early Host Defense against Rhizomucor pusilluscan Pathogens

Background

In recent years, the fungal infectious disease zygomycosis has increased in incidence worldwide, especially among the immunodeficient population. Despite the rates of zygomycosis-related death and deformation being very high, the mechanism(s) by which the fungal pathogens cause these severe manifestations remain unknown.

Methods

Using the associated Rhizomucor variabilis species, which can selectively induce cutaneous zygomycosis in otherwise healthy individuals, we investigated the host mechanisms of infection-related responses, including cytokine and chemokine expression as well as contributions of particular T cell subsets. siRNA specifically targeting IL-22,IL-17 and IFN-γ were used to down-regulate expression of those molecules.

Results

In mouse models of infection, IL-22 was implicated in development of Rhizomucor spp.-induced skin lesions. In cultured human peripheral blood monocytes, R. pusilluscan, which is often found in immunodeficient patients, induced the production of IL-22, while R. variabilis did not. Moreover, Rhizomucor spp.-induced secretion of Il-22 from CCR6⁺CCR4⁺CCR10⁺ cells was down-regulated by knockdown of IL-22 related signaling receptors, RORC and ARH.

Conclusion

Our data strongly suggest that avoidance of IL-22 may be one mechanism by which mucor species produce morbidity and mortality in infected individuals.     

Serum Lipoprotein(a) Positively Correlates with Coronary Artery Calcification in Low-Risk Chinese Han Patients: A Study from a Single Center

Background

Elevated plasma levels of lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and a higher degree of coronary artery calcification (CAC) are both considered to be risk factors for atherosclerosis. However, previous studies have demonstrated that the relationship between Lp(a) levels and the degree of CAC indicates significant heterogeneity that may be due to varying ethnicities. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive power of Lp(a) for CAC as measured by multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in the Han ethnic group of China.

Methods

A total of 1082 subjects were recruited in this study. The patients were divided into four groups: patients without hypertension or diabetes were group 1, patients with hypertension were group 2, patients with diabetes were group 3 and patients with both hypertension and diabetes were group 4. CAC score (CACs), lipid profiles (Lp(a), LDL, HDL, TG, TC), HbA1C, glucose, personal health history and body morphology were measured in all participants. The predictive power of Lp(a) for calcified atherosclerotic plaque was determined by correlations and ordinal logistic regression.

Results

There was no significant difference in the CACs between group 2 and group 3 (z = 1.790, p = 0.736), and there were significant differences among the other groups. However, there was no significant difference in the total Lp(a) among the 4 groups (χ² = 0.649, p = 0.885). Only In group 1, Lp(a) was a statistically significant predictor of the presence of calcified coronary plaque using ordinal logistic regression.

Conclusions

Levels of Lp(a) positively correlate with CACs among Chinese Han people who are without diabetes and hypertension, suggesting that Lp(a) may be an important risk factor for the presence of calcified atheromas.     

Reference gene selection and validation for mRNA expression analysis by RT-qPCR in murine M1- and M2-polarized macrophage

Molecular Biology Reports - Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (M0) and M1- and M2-polarized macrophages are being widely used as a laboratory model for polarized macrophages related molecular...     

Screening of optimal reference genes for qRT-PCR and preliminary exploration of cold resistance mechanisms in Prunus mume and Prunus sibirica varieties

Molecular Biology Reports - Prunus sibirica and Prunus mume are closely related plant species that differ in cold tolerance. Hybrids of P. sibirica and true mume, belonging to the apricot mei...     

Novel Role of HAX-1 in Neurons Protection After Spinal Cord Injury Involvement of IRE-1

Neurochemical Research - Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the diseases with high probability of causing disability in human beings, and there is no reliable treatment at present. Neuronal...     

Induction and maintenance of specific multipotent progenitor stem cells synergistically mediated by Activin A and BMP4 signaling

We recently reported that epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs)-like cells could be derived from preimplantation embryos (named as AFSCs). Here, we established AFSCs from pre-implantation embryos of multiple mouse strains and showed that unlike EpiSCs, the derivation efficiency of AFSCs was affected by the genetic background. We then used AFSCs lines to dissect the roles of Activin A (Act A) and basic fibroblast growth factor and reported that Act A alone was capable of maintaining self-renewal but not developmental potential in vivo. Finally, we established a novel experimental system, in which AFSCs were efficiently converted to multipotent progenitor stem cells using Act A and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (named as ABSCs). Importantly, these ABSCs contributed to neural mesodermal progenitors and lateral plate mesoderm in postimplantation chimeras. Taken together, our study established a robust experimental system for the generation of specific multipotent progenitor stem cells that was self-renewable and capable of contributing to embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues.     

Cloning of the Lentinula edodes B mating-type locus and identification of the genetic structure controlling B mating

During the life cycle of heterothallic tetrapolar Agaricomycetes such as Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler, the mating type system, composed of unlinked A and B loci, plays a vital role in controlling sexual development and resulting formation of the fruit body. L. edodes is produced worldwide for consumption and medicinal purposes, and understanding its sexual development is therefore of great importance. A considerable amount of mating type factors has been indicated over the past decades but few genes have actually been identified, and no complete genetic structures of L. edodes B mating-type loci are available. In this study, we cloned the matB regions from two mating compatible L. edodes strains, 939P26 and 939P42. Four pheromone receptors were identified on each new matB region, together with three and four pheromone precursor genes in the respective strains. Gene polymorphism, phylogenetic analysis and distribution of pheromone receptors and pheromone precursors clearly indicate a bipartite matB locus, each sublocus containing a pheromone receptor and one or two pheromone precursors. Detailed sequence comparisons of genetic structures between the matB regions of strains 939P42, 939P26 and a previously reported strain SUP2 further supported this model and allowed identification of the B mating type subloci borders. Mating studies confirmed the control of B mating by the identified pheromone receptors and pheromones in L. edodes.