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Septic encephalopathy (SE) is a critical factor determining sepsis mortality. Vascular inflammation is known to be involved in SE, but the molecular events that lead to the development of encephalopathy remain unclear. Using time-lapse in vivo two-photon laser scanning microscopy, we provide the first direct evidence that cecal ligation and puncture in septic mice induces microglial trafficking to sites adjacent to leukocyte adhesion on inflamed cerebral microvessels. Our data further demonstrate that septic injury increased the chemokine CXCL1 level in brain endothelial cells by activating endothelial P2RX7 and eventually enhanced the binding of Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18)-expressing leukocytes to endothelial ICAM-1. In turn, leukocyte adhesion upregulated endothelial CX3CL1, thereby triggering microglia trafficking to the injured site. The sepsis-induced increase in endothelial CX3CL1 was abolished in CD18 hypomorphic mutant mice. Inhibition of the P2RX7 pathway not only decreased endothelial ICAM-1 expression and leukocyte adhesion but also prevented microglia overactivation, reduced brain injury, and consequently doubled the early survival of septic mice. These results demonstrate the role of the P2RX7 pathway in linking neurovascular inflammation to brain damage in vivo and provide a rationale for targeting endothelial P2RX7 for neurovascular protection during SE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Gelidocalamus T. H. Wen, endemic to southern China, is a small but taxonomically problematic genus of Arundinarieae (Poaceae, Bambusoideae). During field work, a population of Gelidocalamus from Zixing, Hunan, was discovered, appearing to be distinct from our previously identified collection. Comparisons of the population of Zixing were performed by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a plastid genome-based phylogeny. Morphologically, it was mostly similar to G.multifolius , but differed by culm leaf erect with densely white pubescence, apical branch sheath much longer than the internodes and foliage leaf larger. Phylogenetically, the new species was well-supported as a sister to the clade of G.multifolius + G.tessellatus , and the above three taxa were clustered in the Shibataea clade (IV) of Arundinarieae. Thus, the new species, formally named as Gelidocalamuszixingensis W.G.Zhang, G.Y.Yang & C.K.Wang, was described and illustrated herein., (Cheng-Kun Wang, Rong Guo, Chun-Ce Guo, Guang-Yao Yang, Wen-Gen Zhang.)

Grb2-associated-binding protein 1 (Gab1) is a docking/scaffolding molecule known to play an important role in cell growth and survival. Here, we report that Gab1 is decreased in cholinergic neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and in a mouse model of AD. In mice, selective ablation of Gab1 in cholinergic neurons in the medial septum impaired learning and memory and hippocampal long-term potentiation. Gab1 ablation also inhibited SK channels, leading to an increase in firing in septal cholinergic neurons. Gab1 overexpression, on the other hand, improved cognitive function and restored hippocampal CaMKII autorphosphorylation in AD mice. These results suggest that Gab1 plays an important role in the pathophysiology of AD and may represent a novel therapeutic target for diseases involving cholinergic dysfunction.

Overproduction of H 2 O 2 causes oxidative stress and is the hallmark of vascular diseases. Tracking native H 2 O 2 in the endothelium is therefore indispensable to gain fundamental insights into this pathogenesis. Previous fluorescent probes for H 2 O 2 imaging were generally arylboronates which were decomposed to emissive arylphenols in response to H 2 O 2 . Except the issue of specificity challenged by peroxynitrite, boric acid by-produced in this process is actually a waste with unknown biological effects. Therefore, improvements could be envisioned if a therapeutic agent is by-produced instead. Herein, we came up with a "click-to-release-two" strategy and demonstrate that dual functional probes could be devised by linking a fluorophore with a therapeutic agent via a H 2 O 2 -responsive bond. As a proof of concept, probe AP consisting of a 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl) benzothiazole fluorophore and an aspirin moiety has been prepared and confirmed for its theranostic effects. This probe features high specificity towards H 2 O 2 than other reactive species including peroxynitrite. Its capability to image and ameliorate endothelial injury has been verified both in vitro and in vivo . Noteworthy, as a result of its endothelial-protective effect, AP also works well to reduce thrombosis formation in zebrafish model., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists.

Tumor drug resistance is a major obstacle to cancer chemotherapy. We previously constructed a fusion protein based on two tumstatin-derived sequences named recombinant VBMDM (rVBMDMP). We preliminarily confirmed its inhibition of HUVEC and colon cancer cell growth. The present study further systematically observed the inhibitory effect of rVBMDMP on lung cancer cell growth and analyzed a possible mechanism to provide a theoretical basis for the development of new antitumor protein drugs. The effect of rVBMDMP on human lung adenocarcinoma (A549) and cisplatin-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma (A549/DDP) cell proliferation was evaluated by MTS assay. Hoechst 33342 staining performed together with fluorescence microscopy and immunoblot analysis were used to examine the effects of rVBMDMP on the apoptosis of A549/DDP cells. A protein phosphorylation chip was used to identify changes in rVBMDMP-induced signaling protein phosphorylation. Changes in the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt signal transduction pathway and expression of multidrug resistance protein (MRP-2)-related molecules following rVBMDMP treatment in A549/DDP cells were evaluated by western blot analysis. A lung cancer xenograft model was used to evaluate the reversal effect of rVBMDMP on drug-resistance of A549/DDP cell tumors to cisplatin in vivo. The results demonstrated that rVBMDMP increased the phosphorylation of 79 signaling proteins, including focal adhesion kinase (FAK), caspase-6, Fas, FasL and FAF1 and downregulated 30 signaling proteins, including integrin αV, integrin β3, PI3K/Akt, NF-κB and MRP-2 compared with the controls. rVBMDMP also increased the sensitivity of A549 and A549/DDP cells to cisplatin and directly induced apoptosis, which may be related to MRP-2 and Bcl-2 downregulation. The effects of growth inhibition and apoptosis induction of rVBMDMP on A549/DDP cells may be related to the inhibition of integrin αVβ3 and PI3K/Akt protein phosphorylation. Finally, we observed an increase in cancer cell sensitivity to cisplatin by rVBMDMP using the A549/DDP cell xenograft model in nude mice. Our study suggests that rVBMDMP may be an effective potential chemotherapy sensitizer and may be a viable drug candidate in anticancer therapies.

In recent years, people have bred freshwater pearls as a substitute for natural pearls that occur in seawater, and they have also developed water-soluble pearl powder (P-w) and ultra-micro (P-mu) and ultra-nano pearl powder (P-n) products. However, neither the scientific value of pearl powder, nor the differences in efficiencies of different pearl powder products is still unknown. In this study, the effectiveness of three kinds of pearl powder products in various applications was compared. Tests for transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and evaluations of the skin surface hydration of test subjects showed that pearl powder has a satisfactory moisturizing effect on skin and that P-mu has a distinctly stronger moisturizing effect than P-w. The three pearl powder products can also significantly reduce the activation of tyrosinase and free radicals. In tests for reducing power and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) for scavenging free radicals, P-n and P-mu showed better performance than P-w. These results provide a reliable scientific basis for the use of pearl powder in beauty treatment, resistance to aging, and clinical medical treatment.

Objective: To explore the expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in Tca8113 cell, and to investigate its relationship to the chemoresistance. METHODS; The Tca8113 cell line was cultured by IMDM and the concentration of Pingyangmycin (PYM) added to Tca8113 cell line was increased gradually and continually, which was to induce the PYM-resistance in Tca8113 cell line. The sensitivity of Tca8113 cell to PYM and expression of XIAP were measured with methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) chromatometry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain raction (RT-PCR). The XIAP level in the cells and its chemoresistance to PYM were analyzed by linear regression., Results: The IC50 of Tca8113-1-10 group and Tca8113-10-10 group were(12.758 +/- 0.030), (18.986 +/- 0.150) microg x mL(-1) respectively. The IC50 of Tca8113-1-20 group and Tca8113-10-20 group increased to (26.302 +/- 0.072), (35.294 +/- 0.115) microg x mL(-1) respectively. There was a relation between XIAP and the drug-resistance in Tca8113 cell., Conclusion: XIAP may play an important role in the chemoresistance which might serve as a new therapeutic target for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the mechanical character, microleakage and mineralizing potential of nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAP)-added glass ionomer cement(GIC)., Methods: 8% nano-HAP were incorporated into GIC as composite, and pure GIC as control. Both types of material were used to make 20 cylinders respectively in order to detect three-point flexural strength and compressive strength. Class V cavities were prepared in 120 molars extracted for orthodontic treatment, then were filled by two kinds of material. The microleakage at the composite-dentine interface was observed with confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) after stained with 1% rhodamin-B-isothiocyanate for 24 hours. Class V cavities were prepared in the molars of 4 healthy dogs, filled with composite, and the same molars in the other side were filled with GIC as control. The teeth were extracted to observe the mineralizing property with polarimetric microscope in 8 weeks after filling., Results: Three-point flexural strength and compressive of nano-HAP-added GIC were increased compared with pure GIC (P < 0.001, P < 0.05). The nanoleakages and microleakages appeared at the material-dentine interface in the two groups, but there were more microleakages in control group than in experiment group (P = 0.004). New crystals of hydroxyapatite were formed into a new mineralizing zone at the interface of tooth and nano-HAP-added GIC, while there was no hydroxyapatite crystals formed at the interface of tooth and pure GIC., Conclusion: 8% nano-HAP-added GIC can tightly fill tooth and have mineralizing potential, and can be used as liner or filling material for prevention.