Impact of Long-Term Cannabidiol (CBD) Treatment on Mouse Kidney Transcriptome.

Background: Cannabidiol, which is one of the main cannabinoids present in plants, has been shown to have therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that may be useful for treatment of various kidney conditions.

Objectives: This article investigates the effect of long-term cannabidiol (CBD) treatment on changes in the renal transcriptome in a mouse model. The main hypothesis was that systematic CBD treatment would affect gene expression associated with those processes in the kidney.

Mouse Pxt1 expression is regulated by Mir6996 miRNA.

Mouse Pxt1 gene is expressed exclusively in male germ cells and encodes for a small, cell death inducing protein. However, upon PXT1 interaction with BAG6, cell death is prevented. In transiently transfected cell lines the PXT1 expression triggered massive cell death, thus we ask the question whether the interaction of PXT1 and BAG6 is the only mechanism preventing normal, developing male germ cells from being killed by PXT1.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis for Hybrid Breeding in Wheat.

Disclosure of markers that are significantly associated with plant traits can help develop new varieties with desirable properties. This study determined the genome-wide associations based on DArTseq markers for six agronomic traits assessed in eight environments for wheat. Moreover, the association study for heterosis and analysis of the effects of markers grouped by linkage disequilibrium were performed based on mean values over all experiments.

Activation of signaling pathways in models of t(6;9)-acute myeloid leukemia.

Patients within the WHO-subgroup of t(6;9)-positive acute myeloid leukemia (AML) differ from other AML subgroups as they are characterised by younger age and a grim prognosis. Leukemic transformation can often be attributed to single chromosomal aberrations encoding oncogenes, in the case of t(6;9)-AML to the fusion protein DEK-CAN (also called DEK-NUP214). As being a rare disease there is the urgent need for models of t(6;9)-AML.

Reactivation of hepatitis B virus infection in a seafarer: an omitted problem of maritime medicine.

Infection with hepatitis B virus (HBV), despite the implementation of extensive preventive measures, has remained one of the biggest health problems worldwide. There are still people not covered by the compulsory vaccination programme and carriers of an actively replicating virus among professionally active seafarers. The article is based on a case report of a seafarer with life-threatening reactivation of long-term uncontrolled HBV infection that resulted in decompensated cirrhosis and liver transplant.

The Search as Learning Spaceship: Toward a Comprehensive Model of Psychological and Technological Facets of Search as Learning.

Using a Web search engine is one of today's most frequent activities. Exploratory search activities which are carried out in order to gain knowledge are conceptualized and denoted as (SAL). In this paper, we introduce a novel framework model which incorporates the perspective of both psychology and computer science to describe the search as learning process by reviewing recent literature.

Evaluation of genetic structure in European wheat cultivars and advanced breeding lines using high-density genotyping-by-sequencing approach.

Background: The genetic diversity and gene pool characteristics must be clarified for efficient genome-wide association studies, genomic selection, and hybrid breeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic structure of 509 wheat accessions representing registered varieties and advanced breeding lines via the high-density genotyping-by-sequencing approach.

Results: More than 30% of 13,499 SNP markers representing 2162 clusters were mapped to genes, whereas 22.

Mapping of quantitative trait loci for traits linked to fusarium head blight in barley.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease occurring in small grain cereals worldwide. The disease results in the reduction of grain yield, and mycotoxins accumulated in grain are also harmful to both humans and animals. It has been reported that response to pathogen infection may be associated with the morphological and developmental traits of the host plant, e.

Boerhaave Syndrome - over 290 years of surgical experiences. Can the disorder recur?

Spontaneous perforation of the esophagus (Boerhaave syndrome) is a rare disease that poses a serious surgical challenge. The analysis of literature concerning the Boerhaave syndrome reveled cases of recurrent spontaneous perforation of the esophagus. The incidental nature of this condition calls for more accurate assessment of all such cases.

What do we know about Tietze's syndrome?

Tietze's syndrome is a benign, self-limiting arthropathy, without purulent character. The disease most often involves articulations: sternocostal, sternoclavicular, or costochondral joints. The characteristic symptoms are tenderness, pain and edema involving one of the aforementioned joints on one side.

Malignant mesothelioma as a difficult interdisciplinary problem.

The authors of the present report review the etiology and clinical symptoms of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) as well as diagnostic techniques (both radiological and biomarkers) used for its detection. Subsequently, they present methods of multimodal treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy) recommended by the International Mesothelioma Interest Group (IMIG). Finally, they discuss complications and long-term results associated with these methods of MPM treatment.

New aspects in the diagnosis and treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax.

This paper provides a recapitulation of the position of the British Thoracic Society and the American College of Chest Physicians based on a review of the literature concerning the current methods of diagnosing and treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP). The previously developed guidelines were re-evaluated in 2015 by a task force of the European Respiratory Society (ERS). They are intended to be used by surgeons as well as emergency and pulmonary ward physicians, and they apply largely to emergency procedures.

Is it possible to standardize the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax? Part 2: surgical methods of treatment.

The present report provides a detailed description of the surgical methods for primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP) treatment, from open surgery (thoracotomy) to minimally invasive procedures (video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery - VATS). It describes the methods of preventing pneumothorax recurrence, including partial or complete resection of the parietal pleura and chemical pleurodesis with VATS. The pros and cons of each method are presented.

The role and importance of club cells (Clara cells) in the pathogenesis of some respiratory diseases.

The report presents the cellular structure of the respiratory system as well as the history of club cells (Clara cells), their ultrastructure, and location in the airways and human organs. The authors discuss the biochemical structure of proteins secreted by these cells and their importance for the integrity and regeneration of the airway epithelium. Their role as progenitor cells for the airway epithelium and their involvement in the biotransformation of toxic xenobiotics introduced into the lungs during breathing is emphasized.

Evaluating the Role of p38 MAPK in the Accelerated Cell Senescence of Werner Syndrome Fibroblasts.

Progeroid syndromes show features of accelerated ageing and are used as models for human ageing, of which Werner syndrome (WS) is one of the most widely studied. WS fibroblasts show accelerated senescence that may result from p38 MAP kinase activation since it is prevented by the p38 inhibitor SB203580. Thus, small molecule inhibition of p38-signalling may be a therapeutic strategy for WS.

A rare case of duodenal ulcer perforation accompanied by Boerhaave syndrome.

Esophageal perforation is the fastest progressing and the most life-threatening disruption of gastrointestinal tract continuity. It must be regarded as an emergency condition that requires early diagnosis as well as very aggressive and rapid implementation of treatment in order to avoid serious complications and death. Methods of treatment for spontaneous esophageal perforation continue to be a matter of controversy.

The effect of RO3201195 and a pyrazolyl ketone P38 MAPK inhibitor library on the proliferation of Werner syndrome cells.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of the pyrazolyl ketone p38 MAPK inhibitor RO3201195 in 7 steps and 15% overall yield, and the comparison of its effect upon the proliferation of Werner Syndrome cells with a library of pyrazolyl ketones, strengthens the evidence that p38 MAPK inhibition plays a critical role in modulating premature cellular senescence in this progeroid syndrome and the reversal of accelerated ageing observed in vitro on treatment with SB203580.

Small molecule inhibition of p38 MAP kinase extends the replicative life span of human ATR-Seckel syndrome fibroblasts.

Ataxia-telangiectasia and rad3 (ATR)-related Seckel syndrome is associated with growth retardation and premature aging features. ATR-Seckel fibroblasts have a reduced replicative capacity in vitro and an aged morphology that is associated with activation of stress-associated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated HSP27. These phenotypes are prevented using p38 inhibitors, with replicative capacity restored to the normal range.

The effect of small-molecule inhibition of MAPKAPK2 on cell ageing phenotypes of fibroblasts from human Werner syndrome.

Fibroblasts derived from the progeroid Werner syndrome (WS) show reduced replicative lifespan and a "stressed" morphology, both phenotypes being alleviated by using the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580. Because p38 is a major hub for the control of stress-signalling pathways we were interested in examining the possible role for downstream kinases in order to refine our understanding of the role of p38 signalling in regulation of WS cell growth. To this end we treated WS and normal fibroblasts with MK2 inhibitors to determine whether MK2 inhibition would affect either the growth or morphology of WS cells.

p38 (MAPK) stress signalling in replicative senescence in fibroblasts from progeroid and genomic instability syndromes.

Werner Syndrome (WS) is a human segmental progeria resulting from mutations in a DNA helicase. WS fibroblasts have a shortened replicative capacity, an aged appearance, and activated p38 MAPK, features that can be modulated by inhibition of the p38 pathway. Loss of the WRNp RecQ helicase has been shown to result in replicative stress, suggesting that a link between faulty DNA repair and stress-induced premature cellular senescence may lead to premature ageing in WS.

Activation of p38 MAP kinase and stress signalling in fibroblasts from the progeroid Rothmund-Thomson syndrome.

Rothmund-Thomson fibroblasts had replicative lifespans and growth rates within the range for normal fibroblasts; however, they show elevated levels of the stress-associated p38 MAP kinase, suggestive of stress during growth. Treatment with the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor SB203580 increased both lifespan and growth rate, as did reduction of oxidative stress using low oxygen in some strains. At replicative senescence p53, p21(WAF1) and p16(INK4A) levels were elevated, and abrogation of p53 using shRNA knockdown allowed the cells to bypass senescence.