Behcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect many systems in the body. Cardiac involvement increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality and occurs in 1%-5% of patients with BD. Ventricul...Behcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect many systems in the body. Cardiac involvement increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality and occurs in 1%-5% of patients with BD. Ventricular arrythmias are believed to be the cause of this increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and it is also thought to be related with cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Heart rate turbulence (HRT) is a new predictor of cardiac autonomic activity. HRT is an independent and powerful predictor of mortality. In this study, we investigated the cardiac autonomic activity which can be determined by HRT in patients with BD. Forty patients with BD (20 men, mean age: 40 ± 9 years, range: 27-55 years) were diagnosed according to the International Study Group Criteria (ISGC) and gender and age matched healthy volunteers (20 men, mean age: 39 ± 8 years, range: 26-56 years) were included in this study. All of the participants (patients and controls) underwent 24 hours Holter electrocardiogram. HRT parameters, turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) were calculated with HRT (View Version 0.60-0.1 of Software Program). There were no significant differences in TO and TS values between patients with BD and control subject (TO-BD: 0.014 ± 0.03, TO-Control: 0.011 ± 0.04;TS-BD: 7.88 ± 4.9, TS-Control: 9.42 ± 6.7 respectively). Although increased cardiovascular mortality rates in BD have been shown in many studies, HRT values—detecting the risk of sudden death—do not seem to be altered in this disease.展开更多
AIM:rAAV mediated endostatin gene therapy has been examined as a new method for treating cancer.However, a sustained and high protein delivery is required to achieve the desired therapeutic effects.We evaluated the im...AIM:rAAV mediated endostatin gene therapy has been examined as a new method for treating cancer.However, a sustained and high protein delivery is required to achieve the desired therapeutic effects.We evaluated the impact of topoisomerase inhibitors in rAAV delivered endostatin gene therapy in a liver tumor model. METHODS:rAAV containing endostatin expression cassettes were transduced into hepatoma cell lines.To test whether the topoisomerase inhibitor pretreatment increased the expression of endostatin,Western blotting and ELISA were performed.The biologic activity of endostatin was confirmed by endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation assays. The anti-tumor effects of the rAAV-endostatin vector combined with a topoisomerase inhibitor,etoposide,were evaluated in a mouse liver tumor model. RESULTS:Topoisomerase inhibitors,including camptothecin and etoposide,were found to increase the endostatin exPression level in vitro.The over-expressed endostatin, as a result of pretreatment with a topoisomerase inhibitor, was also biologically active.In animal experiments,the combined therapy of topoisomerase inhibitor,etoposide with the rAAV-endostatin vector had the best tumor- suppressive effect and tumor foci were barely observed in livers of the treated mice.Pretreatment with an etoposide increased the level of endostatin in the liver and serum of rAAV-endostatin treated mice.Finally,the mice treated With rAAV-endostatin in combination with etoposide showed the longest survival among the experimental models. CONCLUSION:rAAV delivered endostatin gene therapy in combination with a topoisomerase inhibitor pretreatment is an effective modality for anticancer gene therapy.展开更多
The therapeutic effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) system on hepatocellular carcinoma was studied in this experiment. The tk-containing retroviral recombinants were used to infect...The therapeutic effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) system on hepatocellular carcinoma was studied in this experiment. The tk-containing retroviral recombinants were used to infect hepatoma cells (BEL-7402) and the cells were treated with ganciclovir (0-1000 microg/ml). The results showed that HSV-tk gene could be efficiently transferred in vitro into hepatoma cells and stably expressed. The growth potential of the tk-containing cells was significantly inhibited by GCV (P展开更多
After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. According to WHO data, about 1% of the world’s population over 60 years of age is affected by PD, and its incidence ...After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. According to WHO data, about 1% of the world’s population over 60 years of age is affected by PD, and its incidence increases with age. Information about mortality plays a relevant role in the planning and distribution of financial resources in the areas of public health, social assistance and the like. Thus, this article aims to describe the evolution of PD mortality in the Brazilian state capitals, in the period from 2010 to 2019. A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted, based on data collection (number of deaths and estimated resident population), by sex and age group, available in the DATASUS SIM. Mortality rates were calculated per 100 thousand inhabitants;and statistical tests of linear regression, the t-test, ANOVA and the Tukey test, using the R program, were performed to evaluate the significance of the data. The number of deaths and mortality rates were higher in males compared to females and the incidence of mortality was higher in the over 80s. Notably, the southeastern region presented the highest mortality rates, which is to be expected because it concentrates the highest proportion of elderly people. It is hoped that such data will aid the implementation of public health policies and adequate social assistance for those affected by PD, in order to improve their quality of life.展开更多
Acetyltransferases,required to transfer an acetyl group on protein are highly conserved proteins that play a crucial role in development and disease.Protein acetylation is a common post-translational modification pivo...Acetyltransferases,required to transfer an acetyl group on protein are highly conserved proteins that play a crucial role in development and disease.Protein acetylation is a common post-translational modification pivotal to basic cellular processes.Close to 80%-90%of proteins are acetylated during translation,which is an irreversible process that affects protein structure,function,life,and localization.In this review,we have discussed the various N-acetyltransferases present in humans,their function,and how they might play a role in diseases.Furthermore,we have focused on N-acetyltransferase 9 and its role in microtubule stability.We have shed light on how N-acetyltransferase 9 and acetylation of proteins can potentially play a role in neurodegenerative diseases.We have specifically discussed the N-acetyltransferase 9-acetylation independent function and regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling and microtubule stability during development and neurodegeneration.展开更多
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-arginine (L-arg) on early compensatory renal growth (CRG), tubulointerstitial accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), long term survival rate and renal scarring in rats wi...OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-arginine (L-arg) on early compensatory renal growth (CRG), tubulointerstitial accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), long term survival rate and renal scarring in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy (SNx). METHODS: The experiment included four groups of rats (n = 5 each group): (1) Sham group, (2) SNx group, (3) SNx + L-arg group, and (4) Sham + L-arg group (L-arg 1% in drinking water). Parameters related with CRG and early tubulointerstitial expression of ECM and alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry at day 30. The survival rate and the extent of renal scarring in the rats were observed at day 120. RESULTS: L-arg significantly increased the early CRG of SNx rats as determined by the wet kidney weight (P展开更多
文摘Behcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that can affect many systems in the body. Cardiac involvement increases the risk of cardiovascular mortality and occurs in 1%-5% of patients with BD. Ventricular arrythmias are believed to be the cause of this increased risk of cardiovascular mortality and it is also thought to be related with cardiac autonomic dysfunction. Heart rate turbulence (HRT) is a new predictor of cardiac autonomic activity. HRT is an independent and powerful predictor of mortality. In this study, we investigated the cardiac autonomic activity which can be determined by HRT in patients with BD. Forty patients with BD (20 men, mean age: 40 ± 9 years, range: 27-55 years) were diagnosed according to the International Study Group Criteria (ISGC) and gender and age matched healthy volunteers (20 men, mean age: 39 ± 8 years, range: 26-56 years) were included in this study. All of the participants (patients and controls) underwent 24 hours Holter electrocardiogram. HRT parameters, turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence slope (TS) were calculated with HRT (View Version 0.60-0.1 of Software Program). There were no significant differences in TO and TS values between patients with BD and control subject (TO-BD: 0.014 ± 0.03, TO-Control: 0.011 ± 0.04;TS-BD: 7.88 ± 4.9, TS-Control: 9.42 ± 6.7 respectively). Although increased cardiovascular mortality rates in BD have been shown in many studies, HRT values—detecting the risk of sudden death—do not seem to be altered in this disease.
基金Supported by a faculty research grant of Yonsei University College of Medicine for 2002,No.2002-06
文摘AIM:rAAV mediated endostatin gene therapy has been examined as a new method for treating cancer.However, a sustained and high protein delivery is required to achieve the desired therapeutic effects.We evaluated the impact of topoisomerase inhibitors in rAAV delivered endostatin gene therapy in a liver tumor model. METHODS:rAAV containing endostatin expression cassettes were transduced into hepatoma cell lines.To test whether the topoisomerase inhibitor pretreatment increased the expression of endostatin,Western blotting and ELISA were performed.The biologic activity of endostatin was confirmed by endothelial cell proliferation and tube formation assays. The anti-tumor effects of the rAAV-endostatin vector combined with a topoisomerase inhibitor,etoposide,were evaluated in a mouse liver tumor model. RESULTS:Topoisomerase inhibitors,including camptothecin and etoposide,were found to increase the endostatin exPression level in vitro.The over-expressed endostatin, as a result of pretreatment with a topoisomerase inhibitor, was also biologically active.In animal experiments,the combined therapy of topoisomerase inhibitor,etoposide with the rAAV-endostatin vector had the best tumor- suppressive effect and tumor foci were barely observed in livers of the treated mice.Pretreatment with an etoposide increased the level of endostatin in the liver and serum of rAAV-endostatin treated mice.Finally,the mice treated With rAAV-endostatin in combination with etoposide showed the longest survival among the experimental models. CONCLUSION:rAAV delivered endostatin gene therapy in combination with a topoisomerase inhibitor pretreatment is an effective modality for anticancer gene therapy.
文摘The therapeutic effect of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase/ganciclovir (HSV-tk/GCV) system on hepatocellular carcinoma was studied in this experiment. The tk-containing retroviral recombinants were used to infect hepatoma cells (BEL-7402) and the cells were treated with ganciclovir (0-1000 microg/ml). The results showed that HSV-tk gene could be efficiently transferred in vitro into hepatoma cells and stably expressed. The growth potential of the tk-containing cells was significantly inhibited by GCV (P
文摘After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. According to WHO data, about 1% of the world’s population over 60 years of age is affected by PD, and its incidence increases with age. Information about mortality plays a relevant role in the planning and distribution of financial resources in the areas of public health, social assistance and the like. Thus, this article aims to describe the evolution of PD mortality in the Brazilian state capitals, in the period from 2010 to 2019. A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted, based on data collection (number of deaths and estimated resident population), by sex and age group, available in the DATASUS SIM. Mortality rates were calculated per 100 thousand inhabitants;and statistical tests of linear regression, the t-test, ANOVA and the Tukey test, using the R program, were performed to evaluate the significance of the data. The number of deaths and mortality rates were higher in males compared to females and the incidence of mortality was higher in the over 80s. Notably, the southeastern region presented the highest mortality rates, which is to be expected because it concentrates the highest proportion of elderly people. It is hoped that such data will aid the implementation of public health policies and adequate social assistance for those affected by PD, in order to improve their quality of life.
基金supported by 1RO1EY032959-01 and RO1 supplement from NIH,Schuellein Chair Endowment Fund and STEM Catalyst Grant from the University of Dayton(to AS).
文摘Acetyltransferases,required to transfer an acetyl group on protein are highly conserved proteins that play a crucial role in development and disease.Protein acetylation is a common post-translational modification pivotal to basic cellular processes.Close to 80%-90%of proteins are acetylated during translation,which is an irreversible process that affects protein structure,function,life,and localization.In this review,we have discussed the various N-acetyltransferases present in humans,their function,and how they might play a role in diseases.Furthermore,we have focused on N-acetyltransferase 9 and its role in microtubule stability.We have shed light on how N-acetyltransferase 9 and acetylation of proteins can potentially play a role in neurodegenerative diseases.We have specifically discussed the N-acetyltransferase 9-acetylation independent function and regulation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling and microtubule stability during development and neurodegeneration.
文摘OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of L-arginine (L-arg) on early compensatory renal growth (CRG), tubulointerstitial accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), long term survival rate and renal scarring in rats with 5/6 nephrectomy (SNx). METHODS: The experiment included four groups of rats (n = 5 each group): (1) Sham group, (2) SNx group, (3) SNx + L-arg group, and (4) Sham + L-arg group (L-arg 1% in drinking water). Parameters related with CRG and early tubulointerstitial expression of ECM and alpha smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry at day 30. The survival rate and the extent of renal scarring in the rats were observed at day 120. RESULTS: L-arg significantly increased the early CRG of SNx rats as determined by the wet kidney weight (P
