Stretch-induced cell proliferation is mediated by FAK-MAPK pathway

Previously we reported that a uni-axial cyclic stretch treatment of rat 3Y1 fibroblasts induced focal adhesion kinase (FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation followed by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation (Wang et al., 2001) [Wang, J.G., Miyazu, M., Matsushita, E., Sokabe, M., Naruse, K., 2001. Uni-axial cyclic stretch induces focal adhesion kinase (FAK) tyrosine phosphorylation followed by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 288, 356-361]. In the present study, we investigated whether stretch-induced MAPK activation leads to proliferation of fibroblasts. 3Y1 fibroblasts were subjected to a uni-axial cyclic stretch treatment (1 Hz, 120% in length) and the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation was measured to access cell proliferation. BrdU incorporation increased in a time-dependent manner and became significant within 6 hours. To investigate the involvement of FAK, we transiently expressed FAK mutants that lacked tyrosine phosphorylation site (s) (F397Y, F925Y, F397/925Y). Transient expression of wild-type FAK or mock vector did not inhibit the stretch-induced BrdU incorporation, however, the FAK mutants significantly blocked BrdU incorporation. Treatment of the cells with MAPK inhibitors, PD98059 or SB203580, blocked extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and p38 MAPK phosphorylation, respectively, and also blocked stretch-induced BrdU incorporation. These results suggest that the stretch-induced FAK activation followed by MAPK activation plays an important role in the stretch-induced proliferation of 3Y1 fibroblasts.     

Cloning, expression, and function of BLAME, a novel member of the CD2 family

The CD2 family is a growing family of Ig domain-containing cell surface proteins involved in lymphocyte activation. Here we describe the cloning and expression analysis of a novel member of this family, B lymphocyte activator macrophage expressed (BLAME). BLAME shares the structural features of the CD2 family containing an IgV and IgC2 domain and clusters with the other family members on chromosome 1q21. Quantitative PCR and Northern blot analysis show BLAME to be expressed in lymphoid tissue and, more specifically, in some populations of professional APCs, activated monocytes, and DCS: Retroviral forced expression of BLAME in hematopoietic cells of transplanted mice showed an increase in B1 cells in the peripheral blood, spleen, lymph nodes, and, most strikingly, in the peritoneal cavity. These cells do not express CD5 and are CD23(low)Mac1(low), characteristics of the B1b subset. BLAME may therefore play a role in B lineage commitment and/or modulation of signal through the B cell receptor.     

Using Routinely Reported Tuberculosis Genotyping and Surveillance Data to Predict Tuberculosis Outbreaks

We combined routinely reported tuberculosis (TB) patient characteristics with genotyping data and measures of geospatial concentration to predict which small clusters (i.e., consisting of only3 TB patients) in the United States were most likely to become outbreaks of at least 6 TB cases. Of 146 clusters analyzed, 16 (11.0%) grew into outbreaks. Clusters most likely to become outbreaks were those in which at least 1 of the first 3 patients reported homelessness or excess alcohol or illicit drug use or was incarcerated at the time of TB diagnosis and in which the cluster grew rapidly (i.e., the third case was diagnosed within 5.3 months of the first case). Of 17 clusters with these characteristics and therefore considered high risk, 9 (53%) became outbreaks. This retrospective cohort analysis of clusters in the United States suggests that routinely reported data may identify small clusters that are likely to become outbreaks and which are therefore candidates for intensified contact investigations.     

A Study of Dielectric Properties of Proteinuria between 0.2 GHz and 50 GHz

This paper investigates the dielectric properties of urine in normal subjects and subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD) at microwave frequency of between 0.2 GHz and 50 GHz. The measurements were conducted using an open-ended coaxial probe at room temperature (25°C), at 30°C and at human body temperature (37°C). There were statistically significant differences in the dielectric properties of the CKD subjects compared to those of the normal subjects. Statistically significant differences in dielectric properties were observed across the temperatures for normal subjects and CKD subjects. Pearson correlation test showed the significant correlation between proteinuria and dielectric properties. The experimental data closely matched the single-pole Debye model. The relaxation dispersion and relaxation time increased with the proteinuria level, while decreasing with the temperature. As for static conductivity, it increased with proteinuria level and temperature.     

A Multicenter Retrospective Review of Prone Position Ventilation (PPV) in Treatment of Severe Human H7N9 Avian Flu

Background

Patients with H7N9 avian flu concurrent with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) usually have a poor clinical outcome. Prone position ventilation (PPV) has been shown to improve the prognosis of patients with severe ARDS. This study explored the effects of PPV on the respiratory and circulatory mechanics of H7N9-infected patients with severe ARDS.

Methods

Individuals admitted to four hospitals designated for H7N9 patients in Guangdong province were treated with PPV, and their clinical data were recorded before and after receiving PPV.

Results

Six of 20 critically ill patients in the ICU received PPV. After treatment with 35 PPV sessions, the oxygenation index (OI) values of the six patients when measured post-PPV and post-supine position ventilation (SPV) were significantly higher than those measured pre-PPV (P < 0.05).The six patients showed no significant differences in their values for respiratory rate (RR), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), tidal volume (TV) or arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) when compared pre-PPV, post-PPV, and post-SPV. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the mean values for arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), central venous pressure (CVP), heart rate (HR), lactic acid (LAC) levels or the doses of norepinephrine (NE) administered when compared pre-PPV, post-PPV, and post-SPV.

Conclusion

PPV provided improved oxygenation that was sustained after returning to a supine position, and resulted in decreased carbon dioxide retention. PPV can thus serve as an alternative lung protective ventilation strategy for use in patients with H7N9 avian flu concurrent with severe ARDS.     

Phase separation of Axin organizes the β-catenin destruction complex

In Wnt/β-catenin signaling, the β-catenin protein level is deliberately controlled by the assembly of the multiprotein β-catenin destruction complex composed of Axin, adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), casein kinase 1α (CK1α), and others. Here we provide compelling evidence that formation of the destruction complex is driven by protein liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of Axin. An intrinsically disordered region in Axin plays an important role in driving its LLPS. Phase-separated Axin provides a scaffold for recruiting GSK3β, CK1α, and β-catenin. APC also undergoes LLPS in vitro and enhances the size and dynamics of Axin phase droplets. The LLPS-driven assembly of the destruction complex facilitates β-catenin phosphorylation by GSK3β and is critical for the regulation of β-catenin protein stability and thus Wnt/β-catenin signaling.     

402例烟雾病抗核抗体谱检测结果分析

目的:探讨烟雾病的发生与自身免疫性疾病是否存在一定的联系。方法:对402例烟雾病抗核抗体谱检测结果进行回顾性分析。结果:402例烟雾病确诊病例中,有112位患者抗核抗体谱检测结果中存在阳性结果,阳性率为27.86%。其中,抗dsDNA、抗CB、抗Sm、抗SS-A、抗SS-B、抗Jo-1、抗RO-52、抗ScL-70、抗RIB、抗PM-sd、抗nRNP、抗PCNA、抗Nuc、抗HI、抗M2抗体在阳性病例中所占百分比分别为16.07%、1.79%、5.36%、17.86%、7.14%、5.36%、13.39%、5.36%、7.14%、4.46%、2.68%、11.61%、6.25%、8.93%和8.04%。结论:烟雾病患者中抗核抗体阳性率较高,自身免疫性疾病可能是烟雾病发生的重要诱因之一。     

柳珊瑚共附生放线菌Streptomyces sp. SCSGAA0009中生物碱类化合物及其抗菌和抗附着活性

【目的】从南海柳珊瑚共附生放线菌的次生代谢产物中寻找具有抗菌和抗附着活性的先导化合物。【方法】应用化学与生物活性相结合的筛选方法,从柳珊瑚共附生微生物中筛选获得代谢产物丰富且具有生物活性的目标菌株并通过大发酵提取浸膏,利用硅胶柱色谱、凝胶柱色谱和高效液相色谱等方法对发酵产物进行分离、纯化,运用波谱解析鉴定化合物的结构。【结果】从采自海南三亚的柳珊瑚(Muricella flexuosa)样品中分离到一株放线菌SCSGAA0009,鉴定为链霉属Streptomycessp.,从其改良ISP2发酵液中分离到新化合物N-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)propionamide(1)和已知化合物phenazine-1-carboxylic acid(2),其中化合物2对大肠杆菌和海洋细菌假单胞菌(Pseudoaltermonas piscida)具有较好抗菌活性,且有强抗草苔虫(Bugulaneritina)幼虫附着活性。【结论】首次从柳珊瑚共附生放线菌的次生代谢产物中获得新的生物碱化合物1,首次报道化合物2的抗海洋细菌活性和抗附着活性;从南海柳珊瑚共附生微生物的次生代谢产物中可以得到新化合物和活性化合物,这一来源的微生物资源值得深入研究。