PAK4-relevant proliferation reduced by cell autophagy via p53/mTOR/p-AKT signaling.

Background: P21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) involves in cell proliferation in cancer and mutually regulates with p53, a molecule is demonstrated to control cell autophagy by mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling. Since the signaling exhibits an association with PAK family members in cell autophagy, it implies that PAK4-relevant proliferation may be impacted by autophagy via p53 with a lack of evidence in cancer cells.

Methods: In this research, transient and stable PAK4-knockdown human hepatocarcinoma cell lines (HepG2) were constructed by transfection of PAK4-RNA interference (RNAi) plasmid and lentivirus containing PAK4-RNAi plasmid, respectively.

Expression of E-prostanoid receptors in nasal polyp tissues of smoking and nonsmoking patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: Different inflammatory reactions have been observed in the polyp tissues of nonsmokers and smokers with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). E-prostanoid (EP) receptors play a role in the inflammatory processes. Cigarette smoke (CS) exposure regulates EP-receptor expression levels promoting inflammatory mediator release from various inflammatory cells.

[Changes of heme oxygenase-1 expression in the nigrostriatal system of MPTP-treated SAMP8 mouse].

Aim: To explore the relationship between the expression of hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) and the dopaminergic system impairment in MPTP-treated SAMP8 mice.

Methods: 6-month-old male SAMP8 mice received MPTP (20 mg/kg) subcutaneous injection at 2-h intervals for 4 times, and the control group was treated with an equal volume of normal saline. Mice were sacrificed at 6 h, 24 h, 3 d and 8 d after the first injection for the detection of the changes of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and HO-1 in the nigrostriatal system by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.

Biomechanical characteristics investigation on long-term free graft with expanded porcine skin.

Background: Free skin graft has to be used when the large area skin are burned. The objective of this study is to quantify the influence of free graft and expansion on the skin biomechanical remodeling.

Method: Four white pigs (weighing from 17 kg to 23 kg) were used.