Antipsychotic Drugs Inhibit Platelet Aggregation via P2Y 1 and P2Y 12 Receptors.

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) used to treat clinical psychotic syndromes cause a variety of blood dyscrasias. APDs suppress the aggregation of platelets; however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. We first analyzed platelet aggregation and clot formation in platelets treated with APDs, risperidone, clozapine, or haloperidol, using an aggregometer and rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM).

NRIP is newly identified as a Z-disc protein, activating calmodulin signaling for skeletal muscle contraction and regeneration.

Nuclear receptor interaction protein (NRIP, also known as DCAF6 and IQWD1) is a Ca(2+)-dependent calmodulin-binding protein. In this study, we newly identify NRIP as a Z-disc protein in skeletal muscle. NRIP-knockout mice were generated and found to have reduced muscle strength, susceptibility to fatigue and impaired adaptive exercise performance.

Sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy with the application of target-controlled infusion.

Background/aims: A majority of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy procedures are performed under sedation, with the intravenous administration of a hypnotic agent combined with an opioid analgesic agent. The goal of our study was to establish the quality and plausibility of target-controlled infusion (TCI) as a sedation mechanism for upper and lower gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies.

Materials And Methods: A randomized, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial was arranged in a local community hospital.

Regulation of neutrophil phagocytosis of Escherichia coli by antipsychotic drugs.

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) have been used to ease the symptoms of schizophrenia. APDs have recently been reported to regulate the immune response. Our previous studies revealed that the atypical APDs risperidone and clozapine and the typical APD haloperidol can inhibit the phagocytic ability of macrophages.

The caffeic acid in aqueous extract of Tournefortia sarmentosa enhances neutrophil phagocytosis of Escherichia coli.

Tournefortia sarmentosa, a Chinese herbal medicine, is considered an antioxidant or a detoxicating agent. Recently T. sarmentosa has received attention for its effects on the immune response.

Phospholipase A/Acyltransferase enzyme activity of H-rev107 inhibits the H-RAS signaling pathway.

Background: H-rev107, also called HRASLS3 or PLA2G16, is a member of the HREV107 type II tumor suppressor gene family. Previous studies showed that H-rev107 exhibits phospholipase A/acyltransferase (PLA/AT) activity and downregulates H-RAS expression. However, the mode of action and the site of inhibition of H-RAS by H-rev107 are still unknown.

Effect of aqueous extract of Tournefortia sarmentosa on the regulation of macrophage immune response.

Tournefortia sarmentosa, a Chinese herbal medicine, is considered an antioxidant or a detoxicant agent. Recent studies have shown that T. sarmentosa plays an important role in inhibiting low-density-lipoprotein oxidation and attenuating acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.

Regulation of macrophage immune responses by antipsychotic drugs.

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) have been used to ease clinical psychotic symptoms. APDs have also been recently discovered to induce immune regulation. Our previous studies found that atypical APDs risperidone and clozapine could inhibit INF-γ production of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and could inhibit Th1 differentiation.

H-rev107 regulates prostaglandin D2 synthase-mediated suppression of cellular invasion in testicular cancer cells.

Background: H-rev107 is a member of the HREV107 type II tumor suppressor gene family which includes H-REV107, RIG1, and HRASLS. H-REV107 has been shown to express at high levels in differentiated tissues of post-meiotic testicular germ cells. Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is conjectured to induce SRY-related high-mobility group box 9 (SOX9) expression and subsequent Sertoli cell differentiation.

Involvement of the prostaglandin D2 signal pathway in retinoid-inducible gene 1 (RIG1)-mediated suppression of cell invasion in testis cancer cells.

Retinoid-inducible gene 1 (RIG1), also called tazarotene-induced gene 3, belongs to the HREV107 gene family, which contains five members in humans. RIG1 is expressed in high levels in well-differentiated tissues, but its expression is decreased in cancer tissues and cancer cell lines. We found RIG1 to be highly expressed in testicular cells.

Clozapine inhibits Th1 cell differentiation and causes the suppression of IFN-γ production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are widely used to alleviate a number of psychic disorders and may have immunomodulatory effects. However, the previous studies of cytokine and immune regulation in APDs are quite inconsistent. The aim of this study was to examine the in vitro effects of different ADPs on cytokine production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

NRIP enhances HPV gene expression via interaction with either GR or E2.

We previously identified a gene, nuclear receptor-interaction protein (NRIP), which functions as a transcription cofactor in glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and human papillomavirus E2 (HPV E2)-driven gene expression. Here, we comprehensively evaluated the role of NRIP in HPV-16 gene expression. NRIP acts as a transcription cofactor to enhance GR-regulated HPV-16 gene expression in the presence of hormone.

Risperidone modulates the cytokine and chemokine release of dendritic cells and induces TNF-α-directed cell apoptosis in neutrophils.

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) that bind mainly to the dopamine D2 receptor or the type II 5-HT receptor have been used to ease the symptoms of schizophrenia. Several studies have reported that APDs can also regulate the immune response. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the major antigen-presenting cells in the immune system.

Antipsychotic drugs suppress the AKT/NF-κB pathway and regulate the differentiation of T-cell subsets.

Antipsychotic drugs (APDs) are commonly used to ease the symptoms of schizophrenia; however, these same drugs also have an effect on the human immune system. Our previous studies have shown that risperidone and clozapine effectively decrease the production of IFN-γ for CD4(+) T-cells in PBMC. In contrast, haloperidol causes an increase in the production of IFN-γ for CD4(+) T-cells in PBMC.

Lentiviral short hairpin RNA screen of human kinases and phosphatases to identify potential biomarkers in oral squamous cancer cells.

Oral carcinoma is a serious public health problem and the leading cause of head and neck cancer mortality worldwide. Moreover, oral cancer patients often present symptoms at a late stage and show a high recurrence rate after treatment. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify novel biomarkers for early diagnosis or clinical oral cancer therapy.

Homocysteine induces smooth muscle cell proliferation through differential regulation of cyclins A and D1 expression.

The mechanism of homocysteine-induced cell proliferation in human vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) remains unclear. We investigated the molecular mechanisms by which homocysteine affects the expression of cyclins A and D1 in human umbilical artery SMCs (HUASMCs). Homocysteine treatment induced proliferation of HUASMCs and increased the expression levels of cyclins A and D1.

Breast cancer amplified sequence 2, a novel negative regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor.

Breast cancer amplified sequence 2 (BCAS2) was reported previously as a transcriptional coactivator of estrogen receptor. Here, we report that BCAS2 directly interacts with p53 to reduce p53 transcriptional activity by mildly but consistently decreasing p53 protein in the absence of DNA damage. However, in the presence of DNA damage, BCAS2 prominently reduces p53 protein and provides protection against chemotherapeutic agent such as doxorubicin.

Difference in the regulation of IL-8 expression induced by uropathogenic E. coli between two kinds of urinary tract epithelial cells.

Bacterial adherence to epithelial cells is a key virulence trait of pathogenic bacteria. The type 1 fimbriae and the P-fimbriae of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) have both been described to be important for the establishment of urinary tract infections (UTI). To explore the interactions between the host and bacterium responsible for the different environments of UPEC invasion, we examined the effect of pH and osmolarity on UPEC strain J96 fimbrial expression, and subsequent J96-induced interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression in different uroepithelial cells.

The N-terminal domain of EBNA1 acts as a suppressor of the HER2/neu oncogene.

HER2/neu oncogene-mediated malignancy is clearly associated with various human cancers. Therefore, HER2/neu targeting is an effective approach to cancer therapy. We have previously demonstrated that Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen-1 (EBNA1) can suppress HER2/neu oncogene expression, although EBNA1 itself has oncogenic potential.

Risk factors affecting adverse outcomes of cardiac surgery in patients aged 70 years and older.

Background: The elderly segment of the population in Taiwan is increasing rapidly. According to the latest information from the Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics, Executive Yuan, Taiwan, 1,553,367 civilians of the total population of 22,879,510 (6.8%) are seventy years old and older in 2007.

Perioperative thrombotic occlusion of left external iliac artery during anterior lumbar interbody fusion.

We report a case of thrombotic occlusion of left external iliac artery during the procedure of anterior lumbar interbody fusion. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography angiography. The patient also developed severe rhabdomyolysis postoperatively.

Prediction for major adverse outcomes in cardiac surgery: comparison of three prediction models.

Background/purpose: Recent advances in medical treatment have altered the profile of patients referred for cardiac surgery. The proportion of high risk patients has increased dramatically. Numerous multifactorial risk scores have been developed to predict outcomes after cardiac surgery.

Massive pulmonary embolism during orthopedic surgery.

A 90-year-old female patient undergoing surgery for knee and hip fractures under general anesthesia sustained cardiac arrest intraoperatively. The transesophageal echocardiography performed during resuscitation revealed massive pulmonary embolism with a 2 x 3 cm oval-shaped thrombus in the bifurcation of pulmonary artery. Anticoagulant therapy was administered immediately.

The use of rocuronium and sevoflurane in acute intermittent porphyria--a case report.

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an inherited metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of porphobilinogen deaminase, an enzyme found in the synthetic pathway of heme. Acute attack of AIP may be precipitated by many factors during operation and anesthesia, including fasting, dehydration, stress, infection, and drugs. Acute attack of AIP is likely fatal.