MicroRNA Microarray Expression Profiling in Human Myocardial Infarction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNA molecules, are negative regulators of gene expression. Recent studies have indicated their role in various forms of cardiovascular disease. In spite of the number of miRNA microarray analyses performed, little is known about the genome-wide miRNA expression pattern in human myocardial infarction (MI). Using miRNA microarrays and bioinformatic analysis, miRNA expression was analyzed on human MI and foetal hearts compared to healthy adult hearts, to determine whether there is any similar expression pattern between MI and foetal hearts, and to identified miRNAs that have not previously been described as dysregulated in cardiovascular diseases. Of 719 miRNAs analyzed, ∼ 50% were expressed in human hearts, 77 miRNAs were absent from all tested tissues and 57 were confidently dysregulated in at least one tested group. Some expression patterns appeared to be similar in MI and foetal hearts. Bioinformatic analysis revealed 10 miRNAs as dysregulated in MI not yet related to cardiovascular disease, and 5 miRNAs previously described only in animal models of cardiovascular diseases. Finally, qRT-PCR analysis confirmed dysregulation of 7 miRNAs, miR-150, miR-186, miR-210, miR-451, and muscle-specific, miR-1 and miR-133a/b; all of these are believed to be involved in various physiological and pathological processes.     

Reciprocal effect of Waardenburg syndrome mutations on DNA binding by the Pax-3 paired domain and homeodomain

The Pax-3 protein contains two DNA-binding domains, a paired domain and a homeodomain. Mutations in Pax-3 cause Waardenburg syndrome (WS) in humans and the mouse Splotch (Sp) phenotype. In the Sp-delayed mouse, a mutation in the Pax-3 paired domain (G9R) abrogates the DNA-binding activity of both the paired domain and the homeodomain, suggesting that they may functionally interact. To investigate this possibility further, we have analyzed the DNA-binding properties of additional point mutants in the Pax-3 paired domain and homeodomain that occur in WS patients (F12L, N14H, G15S, P17L, R23L, G48A, S51F and G66D in the paired domain, V47F and R53G in the homeodomain), the Pax-1 un mutation (G15A) and a substitution associated with Peters' anomaly in the PAX-6 gene (R23G). Within the paired domain, seven of 10 mutations were found to abrogate DNA-binding by the paired domain. Remarkably, these seven mutations also affected DNA binding by the homeodomain, causing either a complete loss (P17L and G66D), a reduction (R23G, R23L, G15S and G15A) or an increase in DNA-binding activity (N14H). In addition, the effect of paired domain mutations occurred at the level of monomer formation by the homeodomain, while the dimerization potential of this domain seemed unaffected in mutants where it could be analyzed. Furthermore, while both homeodomain mutations were found to abolish DNA binding by this domain, the R53G mutation also abrogated DNA binding by the paired domain. The important observation that independent mutations in either domain can affect DNA binding by the other in the intact Pax- 3 protein strongly suggests that the two domains are not functionally independent but bind DNA through cooperative interactions. Modeling the deleterlous mutations on the three-dimensional structure of the paired domain of Drosophila Prd shows that these mutations cluster at the DNA interface, thus suggesting that a series of DNA contacts are essential for DNA binding by both the paired domain and the homeodomain of Pax-3.      

Validating self-reported strokes in a longitudinal UK cohort study (Whitehall II): Extracting information from hospital medical records versus the Hospital Episode Statistics database

Background

Quantiles are a staple of epidemiologic research: in contemporary epidemiologic practice, continuous variables are typically categorized into tertiles, quartiles and quintiles as a means to illustrate the relationship between a continuous exposure and a binary outcome.

Discussion

In this paper we argue that this approach is highly problematic and present several potential alternatives. We also discuss the perceived drawbacks of these newer statistical methods and the possible reasons for their slow adoption by epidemiologists.

Summary

The use of quantiles is often inadequate for epidemiologic research with continuous variables.     

Differential expression of microRNAs miR-21, miR-31, miR-203, miR-125a-5p and miR-125b and proteins PTEN and p63 in verrucous carcinoma of the head and neck

Odar K, Bo?tjan?i? E, Gale N, Glava? D & Zidar N
(2012) Histopathology  61, 257–265 Differential expression of microRNAs miR‐21, miR‐31, miR‐203, miR‐125a‐5p and miR‐125b and proteins PTEN and p63 in verrucous carcinoma of the head and neck Aims: To investigate the expression of microRNAs miR‐21, miR‐31, miR‐203, miR‐125a‐5p and miR‐125b and proteins phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) and p63 in verrucous carcinoma (VC) of the head and neck. Methods and results: Thirty cases of VC, 50 cases of conventional squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 30 samples of normal epithelium of the head and neck were included. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to analyse the expression of microRNAs and proteins, respectively. In comparison to normal epithelium, miR‐21 was overexpressed in both VC and SCC and miR‐31 was overexpressed in VC and in well‐ and moderately differentiated SCC. Levels of miR‐203 were elevated in VC but unaltered or reduced in SCC, and levels of miR‐125a‐5p and miR‐125b were reduced in VC but unaltered in SCC. PTEN was down‐regulated in both VC and SCC, whereas p63 was down‐regulated in VC but up‐regulated in SCC. Differential expression of p63 in VC correlated inversely with the expression of miR‐21 and miR‐203. Conclusions: Differences between VC, SCC and normal epithelium in expression profiles of investigated molecules indicate their association with the pathogenesis and clinicopathological characteristics of VC. Our results suggest that some microRNAs and proteins, particularly miR‐125b, miR‐203 and p63, might be useful in the diagnosis of VC.     

G-protein-coupled receptor expression, function, and signaling in macrophages

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are widely targeted in drug discovery. As macrophages are key cellular mediators of acute and chronic inflammation, we review here the role of GPCRs in regulating macrophage function, with a focus on contribution to disease pathology and potential therapeutic applications. Within this analysis, we highlight novel GPCRs with a macrophage-restricted expression profile, which provide avenues for further exploration. We also review an emerging literature, which documents novel roles for GPCR signaling components in GPCR-independent signaling in macrophages. In particular, we examine the crosstalk between GPCR and TLR signaling pathways and highlight GPCR signaling molecules which are likely to have uncharacterized functions in this cell lineage.     

左腋动脉和臂丛神经走行变异1例

笔者在标本解剖操作观察腋窝结构时发现1例左侧腋动脉与臂丛神经位置及走行出现变异,既往文献报道的变异多为腋动脉发出的分支与臂丛神经之间的位置与走行之间变异^[1-3],本次解剖观察发现腋动脉与臂丛神经的内侧束、外侧束和后束之间的位置关系出现变异,与既往报道有所不同,现报告如下。     

槲皮素诱导人肝癌SMMC-7721细胞凋亡的研究

目的:观察槲皮素(quercetin)体外对肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的生长抑制和诱导凋亡作用,并探讨线粒体在诱导凋亡机制中的作用。方法:以10、30、60和100μmol/L槲皮素作用于体外培养的SMMC-7721细胞,MTT法检测细胞生长抑制率;Annexi-V/PI双染流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况;吖啶橙(acridine or-ange,AO)染色法观察细胞凋亡时形态变化;JC-1染色法检测细胞线粒体膜电位(mitochondrial membrane potential)变化。结果:槲皮素体外能抑制肝癌SMMC-7721细胞的生长(P<0.01),诱导细胞发生凋亡,并呈现量效和时效关系。10、30、60和100μmol/L槲皮素作用72h引起的细胞抑制率(F=343.71,P<0.01)和凋亡率(F=234.17,P<0.01)明显高于对照组。槲皮素作用48h后,AO染色图片可见细胞膜呈泡状膨出和凋亡小体等。凋亡过程中线粒体膜电位下降。结论:槲皮素体外能抑制肝癌SMMC-7721细胞生长,诱导细胞凋亡发生,线粒体膜电位下降在细胞凋亡过程中可能起到重要作用。     

Usefulness of muscle denervation as an MRI sign of peripheral nerve pathology

Peripheral nerve disorders may be classified into compressive or entrapment neuropathies and non‐compressive neuropathies. Muscle denervation recognized on MRI may be a useful sign in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve disorders. Acute or subacute denervation results in prolonged T2 relaxation time, producing increased signal in skeletal muscle on short tau inversion‐recovery and fat‐suppressed T2‐weighted images. Chronic denervation produces fatty atrophy of skeletal muscles, resulting in increased muscle signal on T1‐weighted images. This review will outline and illustrate the various ways that muscle denervation as seen on MRI may assist in the diagnosis and localization of peripheral nerve disorders.