Role of IKK/NF-κB signaling in extinction of conditioned place aversion memory in rats

The inhibitor κB protein kinase/nuclear factor κB (IKK/NF-κB) signaling pathway is critical for synaptic plasticity. However, the role of IKK/NF-κB in drug withdrawal-associated conditioned place aversion (CPA) memory is unknown. Here, we showed that inhibition of IKK/NF-κB by sulphasalazine (SSZ; 10 mM, i.c.v.) selectively blocked the extinction but not acquisition or expression of morphine-induced CPA in rats. The blockade of CPA extinction induced by SSZ was abolished by sodium butyrate, an inhibitor of histone deacetylase. Thus, the IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway might play a critical role in the extinction of morphine-induced CPA in rats and might be a potential pharmacotherapy target for opiate addiction.     

Modulation of prion protein oligomerization, aggregation, and beta-sheet conversion by 4,4'-dianilino-1,1'-binaphthyl-5,5'-sulfonate (bis-ANS)

The prion protein (PrP) is the major agent implicated in the diseases known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The onset of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy is related to a change in conformation of the PrP(C), which loses most of its alpha-helical content, becoming a beta-sheet-rich protein, known as PrP(Sc). Here we have used two Syrian hamster prion domains (PrP 109-141 and PrP 109-149) and the murine recombinant PrP (rPrP 23-231) to investigate the effects of anilino-naphtalene compounds on prion oligomerization and aggregation. Aggregation in the presence of bis-ANS (4,4'-dianilino-1,1'-binaphthyl-5,5'-sulfonate), ANS (1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate), and AmNS (1-amino-5-naphtalenesulfonate) was monitored. Bis-ANS was the most effective inhibitor of prion peptide aggregation. Bis-ANS binds strongly to rPrP 23-231 leading to a substantial increase in beta-sheet content and to limited oligomerization. More strikingly, the binding of bis-ANS to full-length rPrP is diminished by the addition of nanomolar concentrations of oligonucleotides, demonstrating that they compete for the same binding site. Thus, bis-ANS displays properties similar to those of nucleic acids, causing oligomerization and conversion to beta-sheet (Cordeiro, Y., Machado, F., Juliano, L., Juliano, M. A., Brentani, R. R., Foguel, D., and Silva, J. L. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 49400-49409). This dual effect of bis-ANS on prion protein makes this compound highly important to sequester crucial conformations of the protein, which may be useful to the understanding of the disease and to serve as a lead for the development of new therapeutic strategies.     

三种不同方法固定的石蜡切片中RNA的分析

研究在 10 %中性福尔马林、丙酮、甲醇 氯仿 冰醋酸 3种方法固定的石蜡切片中提取RNA的质量和数量 .取 2 5 0g体重的Wistar大鼠的肾脏 ,分别采用 10 %中性福尔马林、丙酮、甲醇 氯仿 冰醋酸 3种方法固定 ,石蜡包埋 ,H E染色 ;采用RNA裂解液、TRIZOL试剂 2种方法提取切片RNA ,逆转录为cDNA ,采用普通PCR和SYBRGREEN 1定量PCR分析RNA质量和数量 .结果表明 ,3种固定方法都可保持组织良好的结构和形态 ;采用 2种提取方法 ,均可经RT PCR扩增出 180bp大鼠磷酸甘油醛脱氢酶 (G3PDH)、5 6 5bpβ肌动蛋白 (β actin)、10 0bp纤溶酶系活化剂抑制物 1(PAI 1) ;但采用RNA裂解液时 ,比TRIZOL试剂可提取更多的RNA .     

Statin Use and the Risk of Parkinson's Disease: An Updated Meta-Analysis

Introduction

In response to the ongoing debate over the relationship between the use of statins and the risk of Parkinson''s disease (PD), we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies to examine their association.

Methods

We conducted a review of the literature using electronic databases supplemented by a manual search to identify potentially relevant case-control or cohort studies. Summary relative risk (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were also conducted.

Results

Eleven studies (five case-control and six cohort) with a total of 3,513,209 participants and 21,011 PD cases were included. Statin use was associated with a lower risk of PD, with a summary RR of 0.81 (95% CI 0.71–0.92). Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the robustness of results. Subgroup analyses showed that neither study design nor study region significantly influenced the effect estimates. However, subgroup studies adjusted for age or sex had a greater inverse association than did unadjusted analyses (age-adjusted RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60–0.95; age-unadjusted RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75–0.99 and sex-adjusted RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59–0.98; sex-unadjusted RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.79–0.92).

Conclusions

Results of this systematic review suggest that statin use is associated with a reduced PD risk. However, randomized controlled trials and more observational studies should be performed before strong conclusions are drawn.     

Effect of relative humidity on population growth of <Emphasis Type=Italic>Apolygus lucorum</Emphasis> (Heteroptera: Miridae)

Apolygus lucorum (Meyer-Dür) (Heteroptera: Miridae) is a significant insect pest of cotton, Chinese dates, grapes and many other crops in China, and its populations typically increase after heavy rains. However, the intrinsic mechanism of the rainfall-dependent outbreak is not yet fully understood. In our study, the effect of different relative humidity (RH), 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80% RH, on population growth of A. lucorum was evaluated in the laboratory. High humidity (e.g. 70 and 80% RH) was observed to significantly increase egg and nymph survival, prolong adult life longevity, and improve female fecundity. However, low humidity (e.g. 40 and 50% RH) led to unfavorable effects on survival and fecundity. As a result, the intrinsic capacity for increase (r _m), net production (R _o), and the finite rate of increase (λ) of A. lucorum population greatly increased with increasing relative humidity. Additionally, the relationships between r _m and R _o and relative humidity were good fits to the logistic models y = 36.82/(1 + Exp(10.76 − 0.19x)) (p < 0.001) and y = 0.10/(1 + Exp(9.26 − 0.19x)) (p = 0.003), respectively. This study provides insight into the phenology of A. lucorum, and may contribute to modeling of its population dynamics.     

Miniaturized lensless imaging systems for cell and microorganism visualization in point-of-care testing

Low-cost, robust, and user-friendly diagnostic capabilities at the point-of-care (POC) are critical for treating infectious diseases and preventing their spread in developing countries. Recent advances in micro- and nanoscale technologies have enabled the merger of optical and fluidic technologies (optofluidics) paving the way for cost-effective lensless imaging and diagnosis for POC testing in resource-limited settings. Applications of the emerging lensless imaging technologies include detecting and counting cells of interest, which allows rapid and affordable diagnostic decisions. This review presents the advances in lensless imaging and diagnostic systems, and their potential clinical applications in developing countries. The emerging technologies are reviewed from a POC perspective considering cost effectiveness, portability, sensitivity, throughput and ease of use for resource-limited settings.     

Sex,sex chromosomes and gene expression

The X chromosome has fewer testis-specific genes than autosomes in many species. This bias is commonly attributed to X inactivation in spermatogenesis but a recent paper in BMC Biology provides evidence against X inactivation in Drosophila and proposes that somatic tissue- and testis- but not ovary-specific genes tend not to be located on the X chromosome. Here, we discuss possible mechanisms underlying this bias, including sexual antagonism and dosage compensation.     

Development of a bioadhesive nanoformulation with Glycyrrhiza glabra L. extract against Candida albicans

Abstract

Glycyrrhiza glabra L. is considered an important source of bioactive compounds. This study aimed at the development of an efficient solution for the treatment of oral candidiasis. Several extracts of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. were prepared using different solvents and their potential in vitro antifungal activity was assessed. Ethanolic extracts showed the most promising results against C. albicans. This extract was incorporated into mucoadhesive nanoparticles (PLA, PLGA and alginate), which were further included in an oral gel, an oral film and a toothpaste, respectively. The results showed that nanoparticles were successfully produced, presenting a mean size among 100–900?nm with high encapsulation efficiency. In vitro studies showed that the most bioadhesive formulation was the oral film with extract-loaded PLGA nanoparticles, followed by the toothpaste with extract-loaded alginate nanoparticles and the oral gel with extract-loaded PLA nanoparticles.