PRAS40活性调节与功能的研究进展

PRAS40是蛋白激酶B(PKB/Akt)的作用底物,亦是m TORC1的特异性结合蛋白,有多个位点可发生磷酸化,其中Thr246磷酸化受Akt调控,而Ser183、Ser212及Ser221等磷酸化主要受m TORC1调控。磷酸化修饰的PRAS40可调节与Raptor及14-3-3等蛋白的结合,参与Akt、m TORC1活性的调控。PRAS40具有调控细胞增殖、参与神经损伤保护等作用,在胰岛素抵抗、神经退行性病变及肿瘤中扮演重要角色,有望成为药物作用的新靶点。     

骨髓间充质干细胞对不同时长应力刺激的力学响应

目的通过检测骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)的弹性模量和表征细胞应力纤维结构,研究不同时长应力刺激下MSCs的力学响应特点。方法利用原子力显微镜(atomic force microscope,AFM)和激光共聚焦显微镜(laser scanning confocal microscope,LSCM)对体外培养的大鼠MSCs细胞骨架进行高分辨成像,同时使用带有微球的微悬臂实施微区力曲线检测,进针时间分别选择为0.1、0.5、1、5、10 s,计算并比较300 nm压入深度时MSCs的弹性模量。结果大鼠MSCs的细胞骨架呈现致密交联网状结构。细胞弹性模量随应力刺激时长改变而发生明显变化,MSCs在作用时间分别为0.1、0.5、1、5、10 s时各组弹性模量中位数和4分位数(QR)间距分别为10.02(QR=9.66)、1.94(QR=7.71)、3.63(QR=19.33)、17.15(QR=35.13)、23.52 k Pa(QR=34.87)。除刺激时间极短(0.1 s)的情况,细胞弹性模量有随应力刺激时间增长而增大的趋势。结论大鼠MSCs具有完善的力学承载结构,与理想弹性体不同,可对较长时间应力刺激做出主动响应,导致弹性模量上升。研究结果可以为组织工程学通过力学刺激调控MSCs行为的研究提供基础数据。     

神经营养因子受体同源物2通过上调proNGF、sortilin、p75NTR表达诱导脑出血后血肿周围脑组织细胞凋亡

目的探讨脑出血后不同时期血肿周围脑组织中神经营养因子受体同源物2(NRH2)、神经生长因子前体(pro NGF)、sortilin、神经营养因子受体p75(p75NTR)表达及与细胞凋亡的关系。方法收集临床脑出血后实施血肿清除术的周围组织标本,根据脑出血距离标本取出时间,分为6h以内(包括6h)、6h以上至24h(包括24h)、24h以上至72h(包括72h)、72h以上4组,同时取10例手术过程中血肿远隔部位掉落的组织块作为对照组,通过末端脱氧核糖核酸转移酶介导的脱氧尿苷三磷酸缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)测定脑细胞的凋亡指数(AI),采用实时荧光定量PCR、Western blot法分别检测脑组织中NRH2、pro NGF、sortilin、p75NTR mRNA和蛋白表达,Western blot法检测脑组织中Bcl-2、Bax的表达。体外培养大鼠皮层星形胶质细胞,经NRH2 siRNA或scramble siRNA转染后,Western blot法检测pro NGF、sortilin、p75NTR蛋白表达。结果与对照组以及6h以内的脑出血组相比,脑出血后6h以上各组AI升高,以24h以上至72h内组为最高,但6h以内的脑出血组AI与对照组无区别。随着脑出血时间的延长,pro NGF、p75NTR mRNA和蛋白表达水平逐渐升高,24h以上至72h达到高峰,72h后仍处于较高水平。与对照组和6h以内的脑出血组比较,脑出血后6h以上至24h内(包括24h),脑组织NRH2、sortilin的mRNA与蛋白表达水平及Bax表达水平即增加,24h以上至72h内达高峰,72h后仍维持在较高水平。但与对照组比较,6h以内的脑出血组上述指标无显著性差异。与对照组相比,6h以内的脑出血组Bcl-2表达水平无明显变化,脑出血后6h以上的脑出血各组脑组织Bcl-2表达水平降低,以24h以上至72h内处于最低值。NRH2 siRNA组pro NGF、sortilin、p75NTR蛋白表达水平明显低于空白对照组、scramble siRNA组。结论 NRH2在脑出血后血肿周围脑组织中表达增加,通过促进pro NGF、sortilin、p75NTR表达增加Bax/Bcl-2比率,从而诱导脑细胞凋亡。     

Solution‐Processable Donor‐Acceptor‐Donor Oligomers with Cross‐Linkable Functionality

Electron‐acceptor units, combined with bithiophene substituted with flexible chains end‐functionalized with cross‐linkable moieties, provide soluble donor‐acceptor‐donor (DAD) π‐conjugated oligomer‐type molecules with cross‐linking ability and broad absorption in the visible spectrum. A study on the cross‐linking conditions of the new oligomers to yield insoluble polymer networks is presented, including conditions for obtaining polymer films over poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate‐covered substrates. The combination of the DAD molecular design and cross‐linking functionality opens prospects for applications in solution‐processed small‐molecule solar cells with morphologically‐stable organic layers.

     

Men suffer vertebral fractures with similar spinal T-scores to women

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the applicability of the WHO densitometric criteria for the diagnosis of spinal osteoporosis in men and to compare it with women with vertebral fractures, as well as to analyze the role of vertebral dimensions in the development of spinal fractures. METHODS: For these purposes we analyzed, using DXA, vertebral projected area and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD), as well as T and Z-scores in lumbar spine in a cohort of 66946 individuals; 2556 of these subjects had one or more atraumatic vertebral fracture (396 men and 2160 postmenopausal women). RESULTS: Men and women with fractures showed significantly lower mean BMD, T-score and Z-score values than individuals without fractures while vertebral dimensions were similar in both groups of patients. When comparing men and women with vertebral fractures, the former showed a significantly greater projected area (46.89+/-5.5 vs. 39.13+/-4.6 cm(2) p<0.001) and lumbar BMD (0.991+/- 0.21 vs. 0.938+/- t0.19 g/cm(2) p<0.001). However, the median lumbar T-score values were similar for both sexes (-2.3 in women vs. -2.2 in men; p: NS). In addition, a similar percentage of men and women with vertebral fractures showed T-score values <-2.5 in the lumbar spine (44% vs. 46%, p=NS). CONCLUSION: We conclude that although men with vertebral fractures have greater vertebral dimensions and BMD than women, the lumbar T-scores are similar. Therefore, it seems reasonable to adopt the same T-score values for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in men and women.     

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves glucose and insulin regulation in well-controlled, type 2 diabetes: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety

Background and aimTo address the paucity of randomized clinical studies assessing ginseng on long-term outcomes in type 2 diabetes, we assessed the clinical antidiabetic efficacy and safety of 12 weeks of supplementation with a Korean red ginseng (KRG) preparation, dose, and mode of administration, selected from an acute, clinical, screening model.Methods and resultsNineteen participants with well-controlled type 2 diabetes (sex: 11 M:8 F, age: 64 ± 2 years, BMI: 28.9 ± 1.4 kg/m², HbA_1c: 6.5%) completed the study. Using a double-blind, randomized, crossover design, each participant received the selected KRG preparation (rootlets) and placebo at the selected dose (2 g/meal = 6 g/day) and mode of administration (preprandial oral agent [−40 min]) for 12 weeks as an adjunct to their usual anti-diabetic therapy (diet and/or medications). Outcomes included measures of efficacy (HbA_1c and fasting- and 75-g oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT]-plasma glucose [PG], plasma insulin [PI], and insulin sensitivity index [ISI] indices); safety (liver, kidney, haemostatic, and blood-pressure function); and compliance (returned capsules, diet-records, and body-weight).There was no change in the primary endpoint, HbA_1c. The participants, however, remained well-controlled (HbA_1c = 6.5%) throughout. The selected KRG treatment also decreased 75g-OGTT-PG indices by 8–11% and fasting-PI and 75g-OGTT-PI indices by 33–38% and increased fasting-ISI (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA]) and 75g-OGTT-ISI by 33%, compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Safety and compliance outcomes remained unchanged.ConclusionsAlthough clinical efficacy, as assessed by HbA_1c, was not demonstrated, 12 weeks of supplementation with the selected KRG treatment maintained good glycemic control and improved PG and PI regulation safely beyond usual therapy in people with well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Further investigation with similarly selected KRG treatments may yield clinical efficacy.     

Recurrence Rates After Abdominal Surgery for Complete Rectal Prolapse: A Multicenter Pooled Analysis of 643 Individual Patient Data

PURPOSE This study was designed to determine what impact surgical technique, means of access, and method of rectopexy have on recurrence rates following abdominal surgery for full-thickness rectal prolapse.METHODS Consecutive individual patient data on age, gender, surgical technique (mobilization-only, mobilization-resection-pexy, or mobilization-pexy), means of access (open or laparoscopic), rectopexy method (suture or mesh), follow-up length, and recurrences were collected from 15 centers performing abdominal surgery for full-thickness rectal prolapse between 1979 and 2001. Recurrence was defined as the presence of full-thickness rectal prolapse after abdominal surgery. Chi-squared test and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis were used to assess statistical heterogeneity. Recurrence-free curves were generated and compared using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test, respectively.RESULTS Abdominal surgery consisted of mobilization-only (n = 46), mobilization-resection-pexy (n = 130), or mobilization-pexy (n = 467). There were 643 patients. After excluding center 8, there was homogeneity on recurrence rates among the centers with recurrences (n = 8) for age (hazards ratio, 0.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.2–1.7; P = 0.405), gender (hazards ratio, 0.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.1–2.3; P = 0.519), and center (hazards ratio, 0.3; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.1–1.5; P = 0.142). However, there was heterogeneity between centers with (n = 8) and without recurrences (n = 6) for gender (P = 0.0003), surgical technique (P < 0.0001), means of access (P = 0.01), and rectopexy method (P < 0.0001). The median length of follow-up of individual centers varied from 4 to 127 months (P < 0.0001). There were 38 recurrences at a median follow-up of 43 (range, 1–235) months. The pooled one-, five-, and ten-year recurrence rates were 1.06, 6.61, and 28.9 percent, respectively. Age, gender, surgical technique, means of access, and rectopexy method had no impact on recurrence rates.CONCLUSIONS Although this study is likely underpowered, the impact of mobilization-only on recurrence rates was similar to that of other surgical techniques.Presented at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Dallas, Texas, May 8 to 13, 2004     

Enhanced expression of Gi proteins in non-hypertrophic hearts from rats with hypertension-induced by L-NAME treatment

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present studies is to investigate if the enhanced expression of Gs alpha protein and their mRNA observed in various models of hypertensive rats is due to the expressed hypertrophy or hypertension. METHODS: Hypertension, in Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by the oral administration of the arginine analog N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in their drinking tap water for a period of 4 weeks. The control rats were given plain tap water only. The levels of inhibitory guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins (Gi alpha-2, Gi alpha-3), stimulatory guanine nucleotide proteins (Gs alpha) and G beta proteins were determined by immunoblotting, whereas the levels of Gi alpha-2, Gi alpha-3, Gs alpha and adenylyl cyclase type V enzyme mRNA were determined by Northern-blotting techniques. Adenylyl cyclase activity was determined by measuring [32P]cAMP formation from [alpha32P]ATP. RESULTS: The systolic blood pressure was enhanced in L-NAME-treated rats compared to control rats (190 +/- 9.2 mmHg versus 121 +/- 6.3 mmHg); however, heart-to-body-weight ratio was not different in two groups. The levels of Gi alpha-2 and Gi alpha-3 proteins and their mRNA were significantly augmented in hearts from L-NAME-treated rats, however, the levels of Gs alpha and G beta were unaltered. In addition, the effect of low concentrations of GTPgammaS on forskolin (FSK)-stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity (receptor-independent functions of Gi alpha) was significantly enhanced in L-NAME-treated rats. However, the inhibitions of adenylyl cyclase exerted by oxotremorine, C-ANP(4-23) and angiotensin II (AII) (receptor-dependent function of Gi alpha) were completely attenuated in L-NAME-treated rats. On the other hand, cholera toxin stimulated GTP or GTPgammaS-sensitive adenylyl cyclase activity (Gs alpha function) to similar extent in control and L-NAME-treated rats, suggesting that Gs alpha functions were not altered by L-NAME treatment. However, the stimulatory effects of isoproterenol, glucagon, NaF on adenylyl cyclase were diminished in L-NAME-treated rats. In addition, FSK-stimulated enzyme activity was also diminished in L-NAME-treated rats without any changes in the mRNA levels of type V enzyme. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that L-NAME hypertensive rats that do not express cardiac hypertrophy exhibit enhanced expression of Gi alpha protein and associated adenylyl cyclase activity.