Carbon monoxide preconditioning is mediated via activation of mitochondrial-derived vesicles.

Preconditioning with inhalative carbon monoxide (CO) at low concentrations provides protection against hypoxic and ischemic insults in the brain and heart. The present study aims to test a hypothesis that activation of mitochondrial-derived vesicles (MDVs) is a mechanism underlying the protective effect of CO preconditioning. Here we show that CO preconditioning induced mild oxidative stress and activated massive production of MDVs.

Fatal unexpected death due to familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis type 3.

Familial hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of immune dysregulation associated with uncontrolled activation of cytotoxic T cells and macrophages. Herein, we report a case of a 14-month-old Chinese boy who presented with fever, abdominal distension and thrombopenia, and died within 3 days of admission to the hospital. Postmortem examination revealed pleuroperitoneal fluid, enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and hepatosplenomegaly.

[The effects of curcumin on PTEN/PI3K/Akt pathway in Ec109 cells].

Objective: To investigate the inhibition effect of curcumin on the proliferation of the human esophageal carcinoma cell line Ec109 and its impact on PEN/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Methods: Esophageal carcinoma Ec109 cells were cultured in vitro conventionally and were treated with curcumin at different concentrations. The cell proliferation level was examined by MIT colorimetry, the ultrastructure of curcumin-treated Ec109 cells were detected with transmission electron microscope (TEM) and cell apoptosis was observed by FCM with AnnexinV-FITC/PI double staining.

[Curcumin induces apoptosis by PTEN/PI3K/AKT pathway in EC109 cells].

Objective: To study the molecular mechanism of curcumin in human esophageal carcinoma cell line (EC109).

Methods: EC109 cells were cultivated in vitro. When 80%-90% confluence was reached, they were treated with curcumin in different concentrations (15-120 µmol/L).