[Analysis of the impact of heparin on the affinity of high mobility group box-1 protein and the receptor of advanced glycation end products by surface plasmon resonance technology].

To investigate the affinity constants of heparin with high mobility group protein 1(HMGB1) and HMGB1 with the receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and to analyze the impact of heparin on the affinity of HMGB1 and RAGE, the standard BIAcore amine coupling chemistry protocol using EDC and NHS was employed for immobilizing. Surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology was used to detect the affinity constants of heparin/HMGB1, HMGB1/RAGE and heparin/ RAGE. Binding analysis was used to investigate the impact of heparin on the affinity of HMGB1 and RAGE.

NMR, IR/Raman, and structural properties in HNO and RNO (R = alkyl and aryl) metalloporphyrins with implication for the HNO-myoglobin complex.

Structural and functional details of heme protein complexes with HNO and the isoelectronic RNO (R = alkyl and aryl) molecules (metabolic intermediates) are largely unknown. We report a quantum chemical investigation of three characteristic spectroscopic properties, (1)H and (15)N NMR chemical shifts and NO vibrational frequencies in synthetic HNO and RNO heme complexes, with theory-versus-experiment correlation coefficients R(2) = 0.990-0.

TRAF6 polymorphisms not associated with the susceptibility to and severity of sepsis in a Chinese population.

Background: The tumor necrosis factor recepter associated factor (TRAF) 6 is an important intracellular adapter protein that plays a pivotal role in activating multiple inflammatory and immune related processes induced by cytokines. TRAF6 represents a strong candidate susceptibility factor for sepsis. We investigated whether polymorphisms at the TRAF6 gene are associated with the susceptibility to and severity of sepsis.

Characterization of potential antiviral resistance mutations in hepatitis B virus reverse transcriptase sequences in treatment-naïve Chinese patients.

Full-length hepatitis B virus (HBV) reverse transcriptase (RT) sequences were amplified and sequenced among 192 nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA)-naïve Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis B. Deduced amino acids (AAs) at 42 previously reported potential NA resistance (NAr) mutation positions in RT region were analyzed. Patients were found with either B-genotype (28.

LIM and cysteine-rich domains 1 regulates cardiac hypertrophy by targeting calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T cells signaling.

LIM domain proteins are important regulators in cell growth, cell fate determination, cell differentiation, and remodeling of the cell cytoskeleton. LIM and cysteine-rich domains 1 (Lmcd1) is a novel protein that contain 2 LIM domains with regular spacing in the carboxy-terminal region. However, its roles in cardiac growth remain unknown.

Preferential encapsulation and stability of La(3)N cluster in 80 atom cages: experimental synthesis and computational investigation of La(3)N@C(79)N.

We report the synthesis and electronic stabilization of La(3)N@C(79)N. Unsuccessful efforts to encapsulate bulky La(3)N clusters in small C(80) cages have been attributed to large ionic radii. The preferred species for La(3)N clusters in all-carbon cages is La(3)N@C(96).

The 5A apolipoprotein A-I mimetic peptide displays antiinflammatory and antioxidant properties in vivo and in vitro.

Objective: The apolipoprotein (apo)A-I mimetic peptide 5A is highly specific for ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC)A1-mediated cholesterol efflux. We investigated whether the 5A peptide shares other beneficial features of apoA-I, such as protection against inflammation and oxidation. Methods- New Zealand white rabbits received an infusion of apoA-I, reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (HDL) containing apoA-I ([A-I]rHDL), or the 5A peptide complexed with phospholipids (1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl phosphatidylcholine [PLPC]), before inserting a collar around the carotid artery.

Evaluating the intrinsic cysteine redox-dependent states of the A-chain of human insulin using NMR spectroscopy, quantum chemical calculations, and mass spectrometry.

Previous functional studies have proposed that solution-phase loading of human insulin A-chain peptides into cell surface Class II molecules may be limited by the redox state of intrinsic cysteine residues within the A-chain peptide. T cell functional studies of a human insulin A-chain analogue (KR A1-15) comprised of residues 1-15 of the A-chain peptide as well as an amino-terminal lysine-arginine extension have been carried out in a reducing environment. These data suggest that free thiol moieties within this peptide may participate in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) II/peptide interactions.

Puerarin attenuates high-glucose-and diabetes-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation by blocking PKCbeta2/Rac1-dependent signaling.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in several steps leading to the development of diabetic vascular complications. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and the possible mechanism of puerarin on high-glucose (HG; 25 mM)-induced proliferation of cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and neointimal formation in a carotid arterial balloon injury model of obese Zucker rats. Our data demonstrated that puerarin significantly inhibited rat VSMC proliferation as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and NADPH oxidase activity induced by HG treatment.

Pro12Ala polymorphism in PPARgamma2 associated with depression in Chinese nonagenarians/centenarians.

Background And Aims: The Pro12Ala polymorphism of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) has been associated with decreased obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and other age-associated diseases such as cognitive impairment, hypertension, cancer, osteoarthritis. Each one of these diseases had been linked to depression. Moreover, there is also an association between Pro12 Ala polymorphism in PPAR gamma2 and longevity.

Mössbauer, NMR, geometric, and electronic properties in S = 3/2 iron porphyrins.

Iron porphyrins with the intermediate spin S = 3/2 or admixed with S = 5/2 or 1/2 are models for a number of heme protein systems, including cytochromes c'. The (57)Fe Mossbauer quadrupole splittings and (1)H and (13)C NMR chemical shifts have been found to be useful probes of their electronic states. We present the results of the first successful quantum chemical calculations of the Mössbauer and NMR properties in various S = 3/2 iron porphyrin complexes, covering four-, five-, and six-coordinate states and three commonly seen porphyrin conformations: planar, ruffled, and saddled.

Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes attenuates cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis.

Cellular repressor of E1A-stimulated genes (CREG) is a secreted glycoprotein of 220 amino acids. It has been proposed that CREG acts as a ligand that enhances differentiation and/or reduces cell proliferation. CREG has been shown previously to attenuate cardiac hypertrophy in vitro.

Crocetin protects against cardiac hypertrophy by blocking MEK-ERK1/2 signalling pathway.

Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the progression of pathological cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Because crocetin represses oxidative stress in vitro and in vivo, we have suggested that crocetin would repress cardiac hypertrophy by targeting oxidative stress-dependent signalling. We tested this hypothesis using primary cultured cardiac myocytes and fibroblasts and one well-established animal model of cardiac hypertrophy.

Deciphering the NMR fingerprints of the disordered system with quantum chemical studies.

Recent developments in solid-state NMR techniques helped acquire high-resolution NMR spectra for solid systems with structural disorder. But the structural origin of the observed chemical shift nonequivalence in these systems has not been revealed. We report a quantum chemical investigation of the solid-state NMR spectrum in N,N-bis(diphenylphosphino)-N-((S)-alpha-methylbenzyl)amine, where eight nonequivalent (31)P NMR chemical shifts were resolved with a range of 13.

Targeted expression of receptor-associated late transducer inhibits maladaptive hypertrophy via blocking epidermal growth factor receptor signaling.

Receptor-associated late transducer (RALT) is a feedback inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling. RALT has been shown previously to be induced in the ischemic heart and to promote cardiomyocyte apoptosis in vitro. However, the role of RALT in cardiac hypertrophy remains unclear.

[Establishment of a nested PCR to identify hepatitis B virus genotypes A-D and subgenotypes B1, B2, C1 and C2].

Objective: To establish a hepatitis B virus (HBV) nested PCR (nPCR) for detection of genotypes A-D and subgenotypes B1, B2, C1 and C2.

Methods: The entire HBV nucleotide sequences of genotypes A-H retrieved from GenBank were compared and analyzed by DNAStar software. The PCR primers were designed by Primer Premier 5.

The effects of NK4 on viral myocarditis mice.

NK4 may be a promising agent to inhibit tumor invasion and metastasis. To observe the effects of NK4 on the cardiovascular system with pathological injury and to discuss the mechanism, we established an experimental model of viral myocarditis (VCM) by coxsackievirus B3 infection in Balb/c mice on Day 0 and administered NK4 twice daily to the VCM and control mice from Day 20 to Day 45. We then evaluated the cardiac function by means of ultrasonic inspection.

Upregulation of BACE1 and beta-amyloid protein mediated by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion contributes to cognitive impairment and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) increases the risk of Alzheimer disease (AD) through several biologically plausible pathways, but the relationship between CCH and the development of AD remains uncertain. To investigate expression of APP, BACE1 and A beta in the hippocampus of BCCAO rats and study pathophysiological mechanism of AD from CCH. CCH rat model was established by chronic bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO).

Lysosomal cysteine peptidase cathepsin L protects against cardiac hypertrophy through blocking AKT/GSK3beta signaling.

The lysosomal cysteine peptidase cathepsin L (CTSL) is an important lysosomal proteinase involved in a variety of cellular functions including intracellular protein turnover, epidermal homeostasis, and hair development. Deficiency of CTSL in mice results in a progressive dilated cardiomyopathy. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that cardiac overexpression of human CTSL in the murine heart would protect against cardiac hypertrophy in vivo.

G0 function of BCL2 and BCL-xL requires BAX, BAK, and p27 phosphorylation by Mirk, revealing a novel role of BAX and BAK in quiescence regulation.

BCL2 and BCL-x(L) facilitate G(0) quiescence by decreasing RNA content and cell size and up-regulating p27 protein, but the precise mechanism is not understood. We investigated the relationship between cell cycle regulation and the anti-apoptosis function of BCL2 and BCL-x(L). Neither caspase inhibition nor abrogation of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis by BAX and BAK deletion fully recapitulated the G(0) effects of BCL2 or BCL-x(L), suggesting that mechanisms in addition to anti-apoptosis are involved in the cell cycle arrest function of BCL2 or BCL-x(L).

Delayed ethyl pyruvate therapy attenuates experimental severe acute pancreatitis via reduced serum high mobility group box 1 levels in rats.

Aim: To investigate the effect of delayed ethyl pyruvate (EP) delivery on distant organ injury, survival time and serum high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) levels in rats with experimental severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

Methods: A SAP model was induced by retrograde injection of artificial bile into the pancreatic ducts of rats. Animals were divided randomly into three groups (n = 32 in each group): sham group, SAP group and delayed EP treatment group.

Low concentrations of the soy phytoestrogen genistein induce proteinase inhibitor 9 and block killing of breast cancer cells by immune cells.

The risks and benefits of diets and supplements containing the estrogenic soy isoflavone genistein are not well established. We report that 10 nm genistein potently induces the granzyme B inhibitor, proteinase inhibitor 9 (PI-9) in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. By inducing PI-9, genistein inhibits the ability of human natural killer (NK) cells to lyse the target breast cancer cells.

Regulation of Chk2 ubiquitination and signaling through autophosphorylation of serine 379.

The Chk2 protein kinase protects genome integrity by promoting cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA double-strand breaks, and Chk2 mutations are found in both familial and sporadic cancers. Exposure of cells to ionizing radiation (IR) or radiomimetic drugs induces Chk2 phosphorylation by ATM, followed by Chk2 oligomerization, auto-/transphosphorylation, and activation. Here we demonstrate that Chk2 is ubiquitinated upon activation and that this requires Chk2 kinase activity.