Immune-enhancing effects of a polysaccharide PRG1-1 from Russula griseocarnosa on RAW264.7 macrophage cells via the MAPK and NF-κB signalling pathways

Polysaccharides are one of many bioactive compounds found in edible mushrooms. Edible mushrooms have become attractive as “health foods” and as source materials for immunomodulators. The aim of this project was to study the immunoregulatory effects of a purified polysaccharide derived from wild Russula griseocarnosa (PRG1-1) on macrophages. Our data showed that in RAW264.7 macrophage cells, PRG1-1 increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, PRG1-1 increased the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Western blotting demonstrated that the regulation of NO and cytokines was mediated through the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathways. Therefore, PRG1-1 has the capacity to activate macrophages via the NF-κB and MAPK pathways. These findings helped to elucidate the immune-modulatory properties of the polysaccharide from R. griseocarnosa.     

Preservation of renal function in chronic diabetes by enhancing glomerular glucose metabolism

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) affects approximately 30–40% of patients with type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). It is a major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) for the developed world. Hyperglycemia and genetics are major causal factors for the initiation and progression of DN. Multiple abnormalities in glucose and mitochondrial metabolism induced by diabetes likely contribute to the severity of DN. Recent clinical studies in people with extreme duration of T1DM (>?50 years, Joslin Medalist Study) have supported the importance of endogenous protective factors to neutralize the toxic effects of hyperglycemia on renal and other vascular tissues. Using renal glomeruli from these patients (namely Medalists) with and without DN, we have shown the importance of increased glycolytic flux in decreasing the accumulation of glucose toxic metabolites, improving mitochondrial function, survival of glomerular podocytes, and reducing glomerular pathology. Activation of a key glycolytic enzyme, pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), resulted in the normalization of renal hemodynamics and mitochondrial and glomerular dysfunction, leading to the mitigation of glomerular pathologies in several mouse models of DN.     

The neural correlates of attachment style during emotional processing: an activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis

Attachment style is a relatively stable trait linked to emotion regulation and coping as measured by questionnaire responses. An increasing number of functional brain imaging studies have explored the neural underpinnings of attachment style during emotional processing. However, until now, an overall picture of brain regions involved in this trait remained unexplored. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of 12 peer-reviewed studies on attachment style using activation likelihood estimation (ALE) in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We observed a significant negative correlation between avoidance attachment scores and activation of left inferior frontal gyrus to emotional stimuli, implying an inhibition processing for emotional stimuli in people with high avoidance attachment. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between anxiety attachment scores and activation of left amygdala during emotional processing, which suggested an increased vigilance to emotional stimuli.     

Lentiviral Vectors and Adeno‐Associated Virus Vectors: Useful Tools for Gene Transfer in Pain Research

Pain, especially chronic pain, has always been a heated point in both basic and clinical researches since it puts heavy burdens on both individuals and the whole society. A better understanding of the role of biological molecules and various ionic channels involved in pain can shed light on the mechanism under pain and advocate the development of pain management. Using viral vectors to transfer specific genes at targeted sites is a promising method for both research and clinical applications. Lentiviral vectors and adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors which allow stable and long‐term expression of transgene in non‐dividing cells are widely applied in pain research. In this review, we thoroughly outline the structure, category, advantages and disadvantages and the delivery methods of lentiviral and AAV vectors. The methods through which lentiviral and AAV vectors are delivered to targeted sites are closely related with the sites, level and period of transgene expression. Focus is placed on the various delivery methods applied to deliver vectors to spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion both of which play important roles in primary nociception. Our goal is to provide insight into the features of these two viral vectors and which administration approach can be chosen for different pain researches. Anat Rec, 301:825–836, 2018. © 2017 The Authors. The Anatomical Record published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Association of Anatomists.     

Time-average albumin predicts the long-term prognosis of IgA nephropathy patients achieved remission

Objective To clarify the long-term renal prognosis and related risk factors of progression for IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients who achieved remission under current therapy. To identify the target value of the serum albumin level for Chinese patients with IgAN. Methods The patients with biopsy-proven primary IgAN in Nephrology Department of Renji Hospital in Shanghai were studied．The survival of renal and the relationships between clinical parameters and renal outcome were assessed. Results A total of 369 patients between Jan 2005 and Dec 2010 were included with a median follow-up time of 49.0 (38.0-65.8) months. All the subjects had achieved a complete remission (CR) or partial remission (PR) following six months’ therapy after diagnosis. Progressive renal disease had occurred in 61 cases at the end of follow-up. Three variables had a significant independent effect on renal outcome in patients achieving remission under current therapy regimen for IgAN, including time-average serum creatinine (TA-Scr) [HR(95%CI): 1.03(1.01-1.04)], time-average serum albumin (TA-Alb) [HR(95%CI): 0.83 (0.69-0.99)], and eGFR ratio within one year [HR(95%CI): 0.00(0.00-0.01)]. By multivariate Cox analyses, each 1 g/L drop of TA-Alb was related with 17.2% increase in the risk of renal progression. The ROC curve indicated that combination of serum albumin at baseline and during a long-term had a more significant value in prediction of renal outcome than independent predictor alone. By Kaplan-Meier analyses, patients with TA-Alb﹤38 g/L had a 10.4 fold sincreased risk of progressive disease compared with that of TA-Alb﹥38 g/L. Conclusions IgAN patients with lower eGFR ratio, higher TA-Scr and lower TA-Alb would progress to ESRD more quickly, and serum albumin during follow-up is important for predicting IgAN progression.     

Correction to: Factors Contributing to Psychological Ill#Effects and Resilience of Caregivers of Children with Developmental Disabilities During a Nation#wide Lockdown During the COVID#19 Pandemic

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders -     

Basilar artery on computed tomography angiography score and clinical outcomes in acute basilar artery occlusion

Journal of Neurology - This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) based on the baseline Basilar...