The mitochondrial Na^＋/Ca^2＋ exchanger may reduce high glucose-induced oxidative stress and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 3 inflammasome activation in endothelial cells

Background The mitochondrial Na^＋/Ca^2＋ exchanger, NCLX, plays an important role in the balance between Ca2. influx and efflux across the mitochondrial inner membrane in endothelial ceils. Mitochondrial metabolism is likely to be affected by the activity of NCLX because Ca^2＋ activates several enzymes of the Krebs cycle. It is currently believed that mitochondria are not only centers of energy produc- tion but are also important sites of reactive oxygen species （ROS） generation and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain receptor 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome activation. Methods ＆ Results This study focused on NCLX function, in rat aortic endothelial cells （RAECs）, induced by glucose. First, we detected an increase in NCLX expression in the endothelia of rats with diabetes mellitus, which was induced by an injection of streptozotocin. Next, colocalization of NCLX expression and mitochondria was detected using confocal analysis. Suppression of NCLX expression, using an siRNA construct （siNCLX）, enhanced mitochondrial Ca^2＋ influx and blocked efflux induced by glucose. Unexpectedly, silencing of NCLX expression induced increased ROS generation and NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Conclusions These findings suggest that NCLX affects glucose-dependent mitochondrial Ca^2＋ signaling, thereby regulating ROS generation and NLRP3 in- flammasome activation in high glucose conditions. In the early stages of high glucose stimulation, NCLX expression increases to compensate in order to self-protect mitochondrial maintenance, stability, and function in endothelial cells.

Rapid Detection and Identification of Infectious Pathogens Based on High-throughput Sequencing

Background： The dilemma of pathogens identification in patients with unidentified clinical symptoms such as lever of unknown origin exists, which not only poses a challenge to both the diagnostic and therapeutic process by itself, but also to expert physicians. Methods： In this report, we have attempted to increase the awareness of unidentified pathogens by developing a method to investigate hitherto unidentified infectious pathogens based on unbiased high-throughput sequencing. Results： Our observations show that this method supplements current diagnostic technology that predominantly relies on information derived five cases from the intensive care unit. This methodological approach detects viruses and corrects the incidence of false positive detection rates of pathogens in a much shorter period. Through our method is followed by polymerase chain reaction validation, we could identify infection with Epstein-Barr virus, and in another case, we could identify infection with Streptococcus viridians based on the culture, which was false positive. Conclusions： This technology is a promising approach to revolutionize rapid diagnosis of infectious pathogens and to guide therapy that might result in the improvement of personalized medicine.