MCP-1/MCPIP-1 Signaling Modulates the Effects of IL-1β in Renal Cell Carcinoma through ER Stress-Mediated Apoptosis.

In renal cell carcinoma (RCC), interleukin (IL)-1β may be a pro-metastatic cytokine. However, we have not yet noted the clinical association between tumoral expression or serum level of IL-1β and RCC in our patient cohort. Herein, we investigate molecular mechanisms elicited by IL-1β in RCC.

Clinical association between the metabolite of healthy gut microbiota, 3-indolepropionic acid and chronic kidney disease.

Background & Aims: Emerging evidence indicates that gut microbiota serves an important role in the development and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Changes to the gut microbial flora can cause the generation of uremic toxins, which contribute to chronic kidney injury. The aim of the current study was to explore the clinical association between metabolites and CKD.

Serum levels of uncoupling proteins in patients with differential insulin resistance: A community-based cohort study.

The uncoupling protein (UCP) belongs to a family of energy-dissipating proteins in mitochondria. Increasing evidences have indicated that UCPs have immense impact on glucose homeostasis and are key proteins in metabolic syndrome. For applying the findings to clinical practice, we designed a study to explore the association between serum UCPs 1-3 and insulin resistance.

Propofol-enhanced autophagy increases motility and angiogenic capacity of cultured human umbilical vascular endothelial cells.

Aims: Propofol (PPF), an intravenous anesthetic agent, is previously reported to attenuate oxidative stress- and inflammation-induced endothelial cell dysfunction. This study investigated its effect on endothelial cell biology.

Main Methods: Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with PPF and subject to measurements for nitric oxide (NO) production, autophagy flux, signal transduction, migration, and in vitro angiogenesis.

Toll-like receptor-4 is a target for suppression of proliferation and chemoresistance in HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells.

Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) is known to influence growth and migration of hepatocellular tumors; however, its role in hepatoblastoma remains poorly understood. This study investigated the regulatory role of TLR4 in proliferation and chemoresistance of HepG2 hepatoblastoma cells. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a TLR4 agonist, was found to significantly upregulate TLR4 expression in HepG2 cells, but not in malignant Huh-7 and Sk-Hep1 hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

A novel exo-cellulase from white spotted longhorn beetle (Anoplophora malasiaca).

Wood feeding insects depends heavily on the secretion of a combination of cellulases, mainly endoglucanases and other glucanases such as exoglucanases and xylanases, for efficient digestion of the cellulosic materials. To date, although a high number of endoglucanases have been found in xytophagous insects, little is known about exoglucanases encoded in the genome of these insects. Here we report the identification and isolation of an exoglucanase, designated as AmCel-5B, from the white spotted longhorn beetle, Anoplophora malasiaca.