Validation of extracellular miRNA quantification in blood samples using RT-qPCR.

Extracellular microRNAs (miRs) have been proposed as important blood-based biomarkers for several diseases. Contrary to proteins and other RNA classes, miRs are stable and easily detectable in body fluids. In this respect, miRs represent a perfect candidate for minimal invasive biomarkers which can hopefully become a complement for invasive histological examinations of tumor tissue.

Evaluation of the plasmatic and parenchymal elution kinetics of two different irinotecan-loaded drug-eluting embolics in a pig model.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare irinotecan elution kinetics of two drug-eluting embolic agents in a porcine model.

Materials And Methods: Embolization of the left liver lobe was performed in 16 domestic pigs, with groups of two receiving 1 mL of DC Bead M1 (70-150 µm) or Embozene TANDEM (75 µm) loaded with 50 mg irinotecan. Irinotecan plasma levels were measured at 0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes after completed embolization and at the time of euthanasia (24 h, 48 h, 72 h, or 7 d).

Mitogen-activated protein kinase-activated protein kinases 2 and 3 regulate SERCA2a expression and fiber type composition to modulate skeletal muscle and cardiomyocyte function.

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-activated protein kinases 2 and 3 (MK2/3) represent protein kinases downstream of the p38 MAPK. Using MK2/3 double-knockout (MK2/3(-/-)) mice, we analyzed the role of MK2/3 in cross-striated muscle by transcriptome and proteome analyses and by histology. We demonstrated enhanced expression of the slow oxidative skeletal muscle myofiber gene program, including the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) coactivator 1α (PGC-1α).

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-mediated phosphorylation of p300 enhances myosin heavy chain I/beta gene expression via acetylation of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1.

The nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) c1 has been shown to be essential for Ca(2+)-dependent upregulation of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) I/β expression during skeletal muscle fiber type transformation. Here, we report activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 in Ca(2+)-ionophore-treated C2C12 myotubes and electrostimulated soleus muscle. Activated ERK1/2 enhanced NFATc1-dependent upregulation of a -2.

Neuronal NO synthase and its inhibitor PIN are present and influenced by glucose in the human beta-cell line CM and in rat INS-1 cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) is synthesised by different nitric oxide synthases (NOS) from L-arginine and acts as a signal transducer in a variety of cells. The neuronal isoenzyme of NOS (nNOS) was recently found in rodent beta-cells and beta-cell lines. We provide evidence that nNOS is also present in the human beta-cell line CM and that the specific inhibitor of nNOS PIN is expressed in CM and INS-1 cells.