MiR-19a mediates the negative regulation of the NF-κB pathway in lipopolysaccharide-induced endometritis by targeting TBK1

Objective

In both humans and animals, endometritis is severe inflammation of the uterus, and it causes great economic losses in dairy cow production. MicroRNAs have been reported to play an important role in various inflammatory diseases. However, the regulatory mechanisms of miR-19a in endometritis remain unclear. Thus, the aims of this study are to investigate the role of miR-19a in a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endometritis and elucidate the possible mechanisms in bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs).

Methods and results

Histological analysis showed that LPS induced severe pathological changes, suggesting that the endometritis mouse model was well established. The qPCR assay indicated that miR-19a expression in the uterine tissues of mice with endometritis and in bEECs with LPS stimulation was significantly reduced. The overexpression of miR-19a significantly decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) and the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and IκBα. Similar results were also obtained following the knockdown of TBK1. Furthermore, a dual luciferase reporter assay further validated that miR-19a inhibited TBK1 expression by binding directly to the 3′-UTR of TBK1.

Conclusion

We demonstrated that miR-19a has anti-inflammatory effects and mediates the negative regulation of the NF-κB Pathway in LPS-induced endometritis by targeting TBK1.

     

Functional characterization of CEP250 variant identified in nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common manifestation of inherited retinal diseases with high degree of genetic, allelic, and phenotypic heterogeneity. CEP250 encodes the C‐Nap1 protein and has been associated with various retinal phenotypes. Here, we report the identification of a mutation (c.562C>T, p.R188*) in the CEP250 in a consanguineous family with nonsyndromic RP. To gain insights into the molecular pathomechanism underlying CEP250 defects and the functional relevance of CEP250 variants in humans, we conducted a functional characterization of CEP250 variant using a novel Cep250 knockin mouse line. Remarkably, the disruption of Cep250 resulted in severe impairment of retinal function and significant retinal morphological alterations. The homozygous knockin mice showed significantly reduced retinal thickness and ERG responses. This study not only broadens the spectrum of phenotypes associated with CEP250 mutations, but also, for the first time, elucidates the function of CEP250 in photoreceptors using a newly established animal model.     

Hierarchical Archimedean copula models for the analysis of binary familial data

Archimedean copulas are commonly used in a wide range of statistical models due to their simplicity, manageable analytical expressions, rich choices of generator functions, and other workable properties. However, the exchangeable dependence structure inherent to Archimedean copulas limits its application to familial data, where the dependence among family members is often different. When response variables are binary, modeling the familial associations becomes more challenging due to the stringent constraints imposed on the dependence parameters. This paper proposes hierarchical Archimedean copulas to account for the natural hierarchical dependence structure in familial data and addresses the details in the modeling of binary familial data and the inference based on maximum likelihood estimate. An example showing the flexibility of this powerful tool is also presented with possible extension to other similar studies.     

Effect of Dibutyl Phthalate on the Tolerance and Lipid Accumulation in the Green Microalgae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella vulgaris</Emphasis>

Offshore oil exploration creates threats to coastal ecosystems, including increasing urbanization and associated effluent releases. Genotoxicity biomarkers in mussels were determined across a gradient of coastal zone influences of offshore petroleum exploration in southeastern Brazil. Coastal ecosystems such as estuaries, beaches and islands were seasonally monitored for genotoxicity evaluation using the brown mussel Perna perna. The greatest DNA damage (5.2%?±?1.9% tail DNA and 1.5‰? ±?0.8‰ MN) were observed in urban estuaries, while Santana Archipelago showed levels of genotoxicity near zero and is considered a reference site. Mussels from urban and pristine beaches showed intermediate damage levels, but were also influenced by urbanization. Thus, mussel genotoxicity biomarkers greatly indicated the proposed oil exploration and urbanization scenarios that consequently are genetically affecting coastal organisms.     

蓝布正提取物对血管性痴呆大鼠学习记忆能力及海马NT-3,BDNF蛋白表达的影响

目的:观察蓝布正提取物(GHE)对血管性痴呆(VD)大鼠学习记忆能力的影响并探讨其作用的机制。方法:采用双侧颈总动脉结扎法制作VD大鼠模型,将大鼠随机分成假手术组,模型组,GHE高、中、低剂量组(7,3.5,1.75 g·kg~(-1))和阳性药组(天保宁银杏叶片,0.007 g·kg~(-1)),各组灌胃相应药物,每日1次,连续35 d,在第30~35天进行Morris水迷宫实验检测大鼠的学习记忆能力,Morris水迷宫实验结束后处死大鼠,收集大脑样本,免疫组化法检测海马CA1区B细胞淋巴瘤-2(Bcl-2)相关X蛋白(Bax),Bcl-2,神经营养因子-3(NT-3),脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)蛋白表达。结果:与模型组比较,GHE高、中剂量组可明显缩短大鼠的逃避潜伏期,增加穿越平台数(P0.05);GHE高、中、低剂量组可显著降低海马CA1区Bax表达,升高Bcl-2,NT-3,BDNF表达(P0.05,P0.01)。结论:GHE能改善VD大鼠的学习记忆能力,其机制可能与促进海马CA1区NT-3,BDNF的表达,抑制神经细胞凋亡有关。     

烧伤合并急性呼吸道梗阻预防措施分析

目的:调查烧伤合并急性呼吸道梗阻的危险因素并探讨预防措施。方法:将189例患者按气管切开的时间分为观察组(98例)、对照组(91例),统计疾病的发生原因及并发症的发生情况。结果:2组的发生原因均以上呼吸道水肿为主;呼吸道梗阻、窒息、肺部感染及低氧血症等并发症的发生率2组比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:烧伤后出现急性呼吸道梗阻的主要是原因是上呼吸道水肿,对于此类患者在接诊后1小时内行气管切开术能有效地提高患者治疗效果,减少并发症。     

Epithelial fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 regulates enamel formation

The interaction between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues plays a critical role in the development of organs such as teeth, lungs, and hair. During tooth development, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling is critical for regulating reciprocal epithelial and mesenchymal interactions. FGF signaling requires FGF ligands and their receptors (FGFRs). In this study, we investigated the role of epithelial FGF signaling in tooth development, using the Cre-loxp system to create tissue-specific inactivation of Fgfr1 in mice. In K14-Cre;Fgfr1(fl/fl) mice, the apical sides of enamel-secreting ameloblasts failed to adhere properly to each other, although ameloblast differentiation was unaffected at early stages. Prior to eruption, enamel structure was compromised in the K14-Cre;Fgfr1(fl/fl) mice and displayed severe enamel defects that mimic amelogenesis imperfecta (AI), with a rough, irregular enamel surface. These results suggest that there is a cell-autonomous requirement for FGF signaling in the dental epithelium during enamel formation. Loss of Fgfr1 affects ameloblast organization at the enamel-secretory stage and, hence, the formation of enamel.     

Endoscope-assisted reduction of long-standing condylar dislocation

Endoscopy is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders. This paper introduces arthro-endoscopy as a new method of treatment for temporomandibular joint dislocation. As this method is minimally invasive, it is suitable for medically compromised patients who cannot tolerate open surgery.     

Root canal systems in mandibular first premolars with C-shaped root configurations. Part I: Microcomputed tomography mapping of the radicular groove and associated root canal cross-sections

The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphology of the radicular grooves and root canal cross-sections in mandibular first premolars that exhibit a C-shaped root. Eighty-six mandibular first premolars with C-shaped roots were scanned from the coronal to anatomical apex using microCT80. The location, length, and depth of the radicular grooves were measured. The cross-sectional morphology of root canal systems was evaluated at 11 levels. Results were subject to the Kruskal-Wallis test. Of the 86 C-shaped roots, a total of 93 radicular grooves were noted. Most of the grooves (78.5%) were located on the mesiolingual surface of the root. The C-shaped canal could vary considerably in shape at different levels, and the incidence of two canals at the middle and apical was 21% and 80%, respectively. This study shows that radicular grooves may present relevant morphologic variations in the root canal system when the C-shaped root is present.     

Selective laser sintering technology for customized fabrication of facial prostheses

This article describes the use of SLS to produce a wax prototype for the fabrication of a partial nasal prosthesis. This technique may be an alternative to more conventional laboratory techniques for facial prosthesis fabrication and allows direct generation of definitive wax patterns. With the satisfying effect of nasal defect restoration, patients may be effectively rehabilitated and derive emotional and physical benefit from the treatment provided.