The dual regulator Sufu integrates Hedgehog and Wnt signals in the early Xenopus embryo.

Hedgehog (Hh) and Wnt proteins are important signals implicated in several aspects of embryonic development, including the early development of the central nervous system. We found that Xenopus Suppressor-of-fused (XSufu) affects neural induction and patterning by regulating the Hh/Gli and Wnt/β-catenin pathways. Microinjection of XSufu mRNA induced expansion of the epidermis at the expense of neural plate tissue and caused enlargement of the eyes.

The role of carbon monoxide in metabolic disease.

Metabolic disease is a complex disorder defined by various factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In recent years, the incidence of chronic metabolic disease has dramatically increased throughout the world. These chronic metabolic diseases are associated with elevated inflammatory activities.

Paragonimus worm from a New Guinea native in 1926.

Objective: To reobserve and research the specimen of Paragonimus worm found in the left lung of a New Guinea native in 1926, which was previously identified as Paragonimus westermani Kerbert or Paragonimus ringeri Cobbold.

Methods: Using reconstructive software and microscopy to observe some organs of the worm, and compared with other species of paragonimus.

Results: The three dimensional (3D) views of ovary and two testes of New Guinea specimen showed that the ovary was clearly divided into six lobes.

Silyl fluoride electrophiles for the enantioselective synthesis of silylated pyrrolidine catalysts.

Chiral silylated pyrrolidine catalysts are obtained in high yield and enantioselectivity by sparteine-mediated lithiation of N-Boc-pyrrolidine and addition to silyl fluoride electrophiles. The activity and enantioselectivity of a new tert-butyldiphenylsilylpyrrolidine catalyst has been demonstrated for various asymmetric Michael reactions at 5 mol % catalyst loading and affords up to 99% ee for asymmetric Michael reactions with aldehydes and nitro-olefins. Acetaldehyde donors proceed with yields up to 77% and enantioselectivities up to 96% ee, avoiding common side reactions that often lower yields.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor insensitivity of non-cycling CD34+ human acute myeloid leukaemia cells with FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 mutations.

The efficacy of tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors on non-cycling acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells, previously shown to have potent tumourigenic potential, is unknown. This pilot study describes the first attempt to characterize non-cycling cells from a small series of human FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation positive samples. CD34+ AML cells from patients with FLT3 mutation positive AML were cultured on murine stroma.

Morphine attenuates endothelial cell adhesion molecules induced by the supernatant of LPS-stimulated colon cancer cells.

A large reservoir of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is available in the colon and this could promote colon cancer metastasis by enhancing tumor cell adhesion, intravasation, and extravasation. Furthermore, adhesion molecules like ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin play important roles in the adhesion of tumor cells to endothelium. This study was designed to determine whether morphine can attenuate the expressions of adhesion molecules up-regulated by the supernatant of LPS-stimulated HCT 116 colon cancer cells (LPS-Sup).

Interactions of dendritic cells with cancer cells and modulation of surface molecules affect functional properties of CD8+ T cells.

To understand the interaction of dendritic cells (DCs) with cancer cells, we investigated molecular changes in DCs following co-culture with cancer cells. DCs co-cultured with Jurkat cancer cells showed remarkable down-regulation of MHC class I molecules, while DCs co-cultured with MCF-7 cancer cells showed minimal changes. Interestingly, down-regulation of MHC class I on DCs was not observed upon treatment with Jurkat cell lysate or culture supernatant, suggesting the importance of direct cell-cell interactions.

The TRIF/TBK1/IRF-3 activation pathway is the primary inhibitory target of resveratrol, contributing to its broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory effects.

Resveratrol, a stilbene type compound identified in wine and fruit juice, has been found to exhibit various pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidative, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. Although numerous papers have explored the pharmacology of resveratrol in one particular cellular action, how this compound can have multiple effects simultaneously has not been fully addressed. In this study, therefore, we explored its broad-spectrum inhibitory mechanism using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory responses and reporter gene assays involving overexpression of toll like receptor (TLR) adaptor molecules.

Ameliorating effects of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit on plasma ethanol level in a mouse model assessed with H-NMR based metabolic profiling.

The ameliorating effects of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) flesh and peel samples on plasma ethanol level were investigated using a mouse model. Mango fruit samples remarkably decreased mouse plasma ethanol levels and increased the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase.

Intrathecal hydromorphone added to hyperbaric bupivacaine for postoperative pain relief after knee arthroscopic surgery: a prospective, randomised, controlled trial.

Background And Objective: Adding opioid to spinal anaesthetic provides additional analgesia during the postoperative period. The purpose of this study was to determine the dose of intrathecal hydromorphone necessary to achieve postoperative pain relief after arthroscopic knee surgery.

Methods: In a prospective, double-blinded parallel, placebo-controlled manner, 60 patients who were undergoing unilateral knee arthroscopy randomly received unilateral spinal anaesthesia with 0.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization methods and troubleshooting applied to fixed cell suspensions.

A robust procedure for performing fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is described, with tips for troubleshooting. FISH probes are now more reliable and there is a greater range commercially available. FISH is an essential part of the cytogeneticist's repertoire.

Critical role of CFTR-dependent lipid rafts in cigarette smoke-induced lung epithelial injury.

Apoptosis of lung epithelial and endothelial cells by exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) severely damages the lung tissue, leading to the pathogenesis of emphysema, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We have recently established a direct correlation between decreased lipid raft CFTR expression and emphysema progression through increased ceramide accumulation. In the present work, we investigated the role of membrane CFTR in regulating apoptosis and autophagy responses to CS exposure.

From quantum motifs to assemble nanoaggregates: the preparation of organo-molybdenum hybrid nanostructures.

Nanoaggregates such as nanowires, nanoparticles, nanotubules, and nanoribbons were prepared from bulk crystals, which are shaped as needles (1), blocks (2), tubules (3α), and plates (3β), respectively, by grinding and ultrasonication. Nanowires have diameters of approximately 2 nm, lengths of thousands of nanmeters, and the distance between adjacent nanowires is approximately 2 nm. The diameters of nanoparticles range from 3 to 5 nm.

Critical role of proteostasis-imbalance in pathogenesis of COPD and severe emphysema.

The environmental, genetic, and/or age-related changes in proteostasis induce inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. We quantified the correlation of protein expression of critical proteostasis mediators to severity of chronic lung disease using lung tissue samples from control and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) subjects (GOLD stage 0-IV) and cigarette smoke (CS)-induced murine model. The human bronchial epithelial cells, HEK-293, and Beas2B cells were used for in vitro experiments to verify the mechanisms.

Morphine postconditioning attenuates ICAM-1 expression on endothelial cells.

The purpose of this study is to determine 1) whether morphine post condition (MPostC) can attenuate the intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1) expression after reoxygenation injury and 2) the subtype(s) of the opioid receptors (ORs) that are involved with MPostC. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were subjected to 6 hr anoxia followed by 12 hr reoxygenation. Three morphine concentrations (0.

Critical modifier role of membrane-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-dependent ceramide signaling in lung injury and emphysema.

Ceramide accumulation mediates the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive lung diseases. Although an association between lack of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and ceramide accumulation has been described, it is unclear how membrane-CFTR may modulate ceramide signaling in lung injury and emphysema. Cftr(+/+) and Cftr(-/-) mice and cells were used to evaluate the CFTR-dependent ceramide signaling in lung injury.

Early-age-related changes in proteostasis augment immunopathogenesis of sepsis and acute lung injury.

Background: The decline of proteasomal activity is known to be associated with the age-related disorders but the early events involved in this process are not apparent. To address this, we investigated the early-age-related (pediatric vs. adult) mechanisms that augment immunopathogenesis of sepsis and acute lung injury.

Development of PEGylated PLGA nanoparticle for controlled and sustained drug delivery in cystic fibrosis.

Background: The mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene results in CF. The most common mutation, ΔF508-CFTR, is a temperature-sensitive, trafficking mutant with reduced chloride transport and exaggerated immune response. The ΔF508-CFTR is misfolded, ubiquitinated, and prematurely degraded by proteasome mediated- degradation.

Why person affected by leprosy did not look after their plantar ulcer? Experience from Pakokku zone, Myanmar.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify methods of caring plantar ulcers in leprosy patients and the underlying causes of poor plantar ulcer care during January and February 2008. This was conducted in Pakokku zone as it was one of the "9 selected townships of the Disabilities survey, i.e.

Superiority of visipaque (iodixanol)-controlled density gradient over Ficoll-400 in adult porcine islet purification.

Objective: Sufficient and favorable biological functions of islets are major problems hindering xenotransplantation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects on harvesting, purity, viability, and function of using improved Visipaque (iodixanol) and Ficoll-400 for adult porcine islet purification.

Methods: Twelve adult porcine pancreata were randomly divided into an Iodixanol-University of Wisconsin (UW) group and a Ficoll-400-UW group according to the purification method.

Resistin enhances the expansion of regulatory T cells through modulation of dendritic cells.

Background: Resistin, a member of adipokine family, is known to be involved in the modulation of immune responses including inflammatory activity. Interestingly, resistin is secreted by adipocytes in mice and rats whereas it is secreted by leukocytes in humans. However, the mechanism behind the effect of resistin on the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) remains poorly understood.

Utility of sarcoma-specific fusion gene analysis in paraffin-embedded material for routine diagnosis at a specialist centre.

Aims: Diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas can be difficult. It can be aided by detection of specific genetic aberrations in many cases. This study assessed the utility of a molecular genetics/cytogenetics service as part of the routine diagnostic service at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

Lysophosphatidylcholine increases neutrophil bactericidal activity by enhancement of azurophil granule-phagosome fusion via glycine.GlyR alpha 2/TRPM2/p38 MAPK signaling.

Neutrophils are the first-line defense against microbes. Enhancing the microbicidal activity of neutrophils could complement direct antimicrobial therapy for controlling intractable microbial infections. Previously, we reported that lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), an endogenous lipid, enhances neutrophil bactericidal activity (Yan et al.

Tribuli fructus constituents protect against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells.

A new phenolic amide, tribulusimide D (4-hydroxy-N-[3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propen-1-yl]-3-methoxybenzamide) (1), together with a known phenolic amide, terrestriamide ((E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-prop-2-enamide) (2) and a flavonol glycoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated from the H2O extract of Tribuli Fructus. Compounds 1 and 3 showed significant hepatoprotective activities, with EC50 values of 13.46 +/- 0.