Coffee Restores Expression of lncRNAs Involved in Steatosis and Fibrosis in a Mouse Model of NAFLD

Background and aim: Coffee intake exerts protective effects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), although without fully cleared mechanisms. In this study we aimed to assess whether coffee consumption may influence the expression of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the liver. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed a 12-week standard diet (SD), high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD plus decaffeinated coffee solution (HFD + coffee). Expression of specific lncRNAs involved in NAFLD was analyzed by real-time PCR. For the most differentially expressed lncRNAs, the analysis was also extended to their mRNA targets. Results: Decaffeinated coffee intake reduced body weight gain, prevented NAFLD, lowered hyperglycemia and hypercholesterolemia. NAFLD was associated with lower hepatic expression of Gm16551, a lncRNA inhibiting de novo lipogenesis, and higher expression of H19, a lncRNA promoting fibrogenesis. Coffee intake restored Gm16551 to levels observed in lean mice and downregulated gene expression of its targets acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase 1 and stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase 1. Furthermore, coffee consumption markedly decreased hepatic expression of H19 and of its target gene collagen alpha-1(I) chain; consistently, in mice fed HFD + coffee liver expression of αSMA protein returned to levels of mice fed SD. Expression of lncRNA involved in circadian clock such as fatty liver-related lncRNA 1 (FLRL1) and fatty liver-related lncRNA 2 (FLRL2) were upregulated by HFD and were also modulated by coffee intake. Conclusion. Hepatoprotective effects of coffee may be depending on the modulation of lncRNAs involved in key pathways of NAFLD onset and progression.     

子痫前期患者胎盘中Lnc RNA表达谱的差异分析

目的 分析子痫前期患者(PE)和正常妊娠者胎盘组织中长链非编码RNA( lncRNA)表达谱的差异.方法 选取在广西壮族自治区人民医院产科就诊的12 例PE患者和12例正常妊娠者.利用 Affymetrix lncRNA 芯片检测其中3 例PE患者 和3 例正常妊娠者胎盘中lncRNA 和mRNA 表达,GO 及Pathway 分析差异表达的lncRNA 功能分布,构建lncRNA-mRNA 的共表达网络,筛选可能与PE相关lncRNA,并应用qPCR进行芯片结果验证.结果 PE患者胎盘中差异表达大于1.5倍的 lncRNA 共有26 个,其中上调有 9个,表达下调有 17个,其中GSTT1上调最显著,ENST00000384564下调最显著;差异表达超过1.2倍的mRNA有 208 个,其中上调 87个,下调121 个,其中TREML2上调最显著,而CYTL1下调最显著.GO分析显示,差异表达的mRNA主要参与先天免疫反应、炎症响应、免疫响应、凝血等生物学过程;pathway分析显示,差异表达的mRNA主要参与吞噬体形成通路、Fc受体介导的吞噬通路、自然杀伤细胞介导的细胞毒性等信号通路.lncRNA-mRNA共表达网络分析找到了NR_038877、NR_002794等可能与PE发病相关的lncRNAs.qRT-PCR 验证了ARPC3、PIK3CG、CLEC4M、FCGR1A、CYBB、NCF4在PE组显著下调;n340778、n342887、n345093、n346352、NR_002794、NR_038877、NR_039741在PE组显著上调,与芯片结果相一致.结论 子痫前期患者胎盘中lnc RNA表达谱发生显著变化,其可能参与了PE的发病过程.     

新疆维吾尔族溃疡性结肠炎患者相关的长链非编码RNA差异表达谱及功能研究

目的:利用微阵列芯片和生物信息学技术,分析溃疡性结肠炎(UC)中长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)表达特征。方法:选取医院确诊的3例维吾尔族UC患者,将其纳入观察组,另选3名维吾尔族健康体检者纳入对照组,运用lncRNA芯片检测两组结肠组织中lncRNAs和信使核糖核酸(mRNAs)表达谱,分析两组间差异表达的lncRNAs。运用在线生物信息学软件对差异lncRNAs的生物学功能和lncRNAs预测的靶向mRNAs进行全基因组关联分析。结果:芯片结果预处理分析中,两组的芯片结果在总体基因的表达一致。通过对lncRNA和mRNA的数据进行聚类分析发现,在两组样本中,lncRNA和mRNA的基因表达存在明显的差异。观察组患者病变结肠组织中表达的lnc RNAs筛选差异倍数≥2,共有1242个,其中表达上调579个,下调663个;差异表达的lncRNAs主要在免疫系统进展、炎症通路及B细胞的激活等功能上显著富集;基因座信息预测差异表达的lncRNA靶基因中有8个与UC发病机制相关的lncRNA-mRNA分子调控机制。结论:新疆维吾尔族UC患者与维吾尔族健康者的结肠组织存在差异表达的lncRNAs,且可能参与UC的致病调控过程。     

Dietary macronutrient composition affects hypothalamic appetite regulation in chicks

Objective: The objective was to determine the effects of high-protein and high-fat diets, and fasting and refeeding, on appetite regulation in chicks.

Methods: Day of hatch chicks were fed one of four diets: basal, high protein (25% crude protein), and 15 and 30% high fat (15 and 30% metabolizable energy derived from soybean oil, respectively), and assigned to one of three treatments at 4 days: (1) access to feed, (2) 3 hours of fasting, or (3) fasting followed by 1 hour of refeeding. The hypothalamus was collected, total RNA isolated, and mRNA abundance measured.

Results: Food intake was reduced in chicks fed the high-protein and high-fat diets. Agouti-related peptide, neuropeptide Y (NPY), NPY receptors 1, 2, and 5, melanocortin receptors 3 and 4 (MC3R and 4R, respectively), mesotocin, corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and CRF receptor sub-type 2 (CRFR2) mRNAs were greatest in chicks that consumed the basal diet. Refeeding was associated with increased MC3R mRNA in the high-protein diet group. CRFR2 mRNA was increased by fasting and refeeding in chicks that consumed the high-protein diet.

Discussion: Food intake and hypothalamic gene expression of some important appetite-associated factors were reduced in chicks fed the high-protein or high-fat diets. Fasting and refeeding accentuated several differences and results suggest that the CRF and melanocortin pathways are involved.     

The uses and limitations of a hand-held germicidal ultraviolet wand for surface disinfection

The morbidity and mortality from healthcare associated infections has raised concern that conventional disinfection methods are inadequate and that other adjunct methods such as room fumigation and ultraviolet irradiation may be needed. There is also concern that these alternative methods may pose a risk to workers and patients.

Objectives. (1) Determine the efficacy of a germicidal UV-C wand for surface disinfection, (2) evaluate changing relative humidity (RH) and different target distances on bacteria kill rates, and (3) assess potential exposure concerns.

Methods. This study investigates whether a hand-held germicidal wand can efficaciously disinfect surfaces treated with either a vegetative or spore forming bacterium and to evaluate the effect of changing environmental conditions such as relative humidity (RH), target position, and target distances on microbial kill rates.

Results. Kill rate was best at 40–65% RH at a temperature range of 21–24°C. Both high and low RH interfered with the ability of UV-C to kill the vegetative microbe. In the case of the spore forming bacterium, increased surface drying time was the most significant factor increasing kill rate.

Conclusions. This research demonstrates that UV-C was efficacious under optimal conditions, a direct beam exposure, and a short target distance (12.7 cm). However, there are limitations when used in non-optimal conditions. Increased distance and indirect beam angles resulted in lower kill rates. It is also important to minimize unnecessary patient and worker exposure during its use.     

Nutraceuticals to promote neuronal plasticity in response to corticosterone-induced stress in human neuroblastoma cells

Objectives: To search for novel compounds that will protect neuronal cells under stressed conditions that may help to restore neuronal plasticity.

Methods: A model of corticosterone (CORT)-induced stress in human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) was used to compare the efficacy of 6 crude extracts and 10 pure compounds (6 polyphenols, 2 carotenoids, 1 amino acid analogue, and 1 known antidepressant drug) to increase neuronal plasticity and to decrease cytotoxicity.

Results: Astaxanthin (among pure compounds) and phlorotannin extract of Fucus vesiculosus (among crude extracts) showed a maximum increase in cell viability in the presence of excess CORT. BDNF-VI mRNA expression in SH-SY5Y cells was significantly improved by pretreatment with quercetine, astaxanthin, curcumin, fisetin, and resveratrol. Among crude extracts, xanthohumol, phlorotannin extract (Ecklonia cava), petroleum ether extract (Nannochloropsis oculata), and phlorotannin extract (F. vesiculosus) showed a significant increase in BDNF-VI mRNA expression. CREB1 mRNA expression was significantly improved by astaxanthin, β-carotene, curcumin, and fluoxetine whereas none of the crude extracts caused significant improvement. As an adjunct of fluoxetine, phlorotannin extract (F. vesiculosus), β-carotene, and xanthohumol have resulted in significant improvement in BDNF-VI mRNA expression and CREB1 mRNA expression was significantly improved by phlorotannin extract (F. vesiculosus). Significant improvement in mature BDNF protein expression by phlorotannin extract (F. vesiculosus) and β-carotene as an adjunct of fluoxetine confirm their potential to promote neuronal plasticity against CORT-induced stress.

Discussion: The carotenoids, flavonoids, namely quercetine, curcumin, and low molecular weight phlorotannin-enriched extract of F. vesiculosus may serve as potential neuroprotective agents promoting neuronal plasticity in vitro.

Graphical abstract: Cascade of events associated with disturbed homeostatic balance of glucocorticoids and impact of phlorotannin extract (F. vesiculosus) and β-carotene in restoring neuronal plasticity. Abbreviation: TrKB, tropomyosin receptor kinase B; P-ERK, phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase; PI3K, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; Akt, protein kinase B; Ca++/CaMK, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase; pCREB, phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein; CRE, cAMP response elements, CORT, corticosterone; and BDNF; brain-derived neurotrophic factor.     

The Magic Pill: The Branding of Impotence and the Positioning of Viagra as Its Solution through Edutainment

Product placement can be presented through edutainment. A drug such as Viagra is introduced or impotence is branded in movies and TV series in different ways to raise awareness of impotence disorder and Viagra as a solution.

This study aims to analyze strategies of framing and branding Viagra and impotence disorder, based on a qualitative method analysis of 40 movies and TV series.

Findings show that Viagra is shown as not only for older men but also for young and healthy men. Out of 40 movies and TV series in the study sample, in 14 (32.5%), the age of the target audience ranged from 20 to 40 years, in 12 (31.6%) movies and series, the age of the target audience was over 40, and in 12 (31.6%) movies and series, the target audience was very old (over 70). Viagra is shown as not only treating impotence but is presented as a wonder drug that provides a solution for psychological and social needs. The movies show usage instructions, side effects, and risks, and how to store the drug.

We recommend that the viewing audience be educated for critical viewing of movies/series in order to empower viewers and give them tools for their decision-making processes concerning their health.