Top Journal Content
1
Abstract:
Biomarkers play an important role in the detection at an early stage of pancreatic cancer. The aim of the present study was to optimize the conditions of antibody arrays for detecting Hippocalcin-like 1 (HPCAL1), phosphati-dylethanolamine binding protein 1 (PEBP1), lectin galactoside-binding soluble 7 (LGALS7), and serpin peptidase inhibitor clade E member 2 (SERPINE2) as biomarkers for pancreatic cancer detection in a single assay and to investigate antibodies’ specificity and cross-reactivity. Capture antibodies against HPCAL1, PEBP1, LGALS7 and SERPINE2 were printed on nitrocellulose coated glass slides. HPCAL1, PEBP1, LGALS7 and SERPINE2 proteins with different concentrations were incubated with the capture antibodies at different temperatures for different time periods. Biotinylated detection antibodies recognizing a different epitope on the captured proteins and a secondary detection molecule (Streptavidin-PE) were used to detect fluorescent signals. The arrays showed the strongest signals when the concentration of the capture antibodies was at 500 μg/mL in PBST0.05 (PBS with 0.05% Tween-20), and the slides were incubated overnight at 4°C. The lowest protein concentration for detection was 2 ng/mL. Each antibody demonstrated high specificity to the corresponding antigen in detecting a mixture of 4 proteins without significant cross-reactivity. The fluorescence and biomarker concentration displayed a linear correlation. The antibody microarray system could be a useful tool for potential biomarker detection for pancreatic cancer.
Biomarkers play an important role in the detection at an early stage of pancreatic cancer. The aim of the present study was to optimize the conditions of antibody arrays for detecting Hippocalcin-like 1 (HPCAL1), phosphati-dylethanolamine binding protein 1 (PEBP1), lectin galactoside-binding soluble 7 (LGALS7), and serpin peptidase inhibitor clade E member 2 (SERPINE2) as biomarkers for pancreatic cancer detection in a single assay and to investigate antibodies’ specificity and cross-reactivity. Capture antibodies against HPCAL1, PEBP1, LGALS7 and SERPINE2 were printed on nitrocellulose coated glass slides. HPCAL1, PEBP1, LGALS7 and SERPINE2 proteins with different concentrations were incubated with the capture antibodies at different temperatures for different time periods. Biotinylated detection antibodies recognizing a different epitope on the captured proteins and a secondary detection molecule (Streptavidin-PE) were used to detect fluorescent signals. The arrays showed the strongest signals when the concentration of the capture antibodies was at 500 μg/mL in PBST0.05 (PBS with 0.05% Tween-20), and the slides were incubated overnight at 4°C. The lowest protein concentration for detection was 2 ng/mL. Each antibody demonstrated high specificity to the corresponding antigen in detecting a mixture of 4 proteins without significant cross-reactivity. The fluorescence and biomarker concentration displayed a linear correlation. The antibody microarray system could be a useful tool for potential biomarker detection for pancreatic cancer.
2
2014, 28(1): 1-17.
DOI: 10.7555/JBR.28.20130191
Abstract:
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia affecting patients today. Disease prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, and is associated with often catastrophic and costly consequences, including heart failure, syncope, dementia, and stroke. Therapies including anticoagulants, anti-arrhythmic medications, devices, and non-pharmacologic procedures in the last 30 years have improved patients' functionality with the disease. Nonetheless, it remains imperative that further research into AF epidemiology, genetics, detection, and treatments continues to push forward rapidly as the worldwide population ages dramatically over the next 20 years.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia affecting patients today. Disease prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, and is associated with often catastrophic and costly consequences, including heart failure, syncope, dementia, and stroke. Therapies including anticoagulants, anti-arrhythmic medications, devices, and non-pharmacologic procedures in the last 30 years have improved patients' functionality with the disease. Nonetheless, it remains imperative that further research into AF epidemiology, genetics, detection, and treatments continues to push forward rapidly as the worldwide population ages dramatically over the next 20 years.
3
Abstract:
Leishmaniasis is a disease that ranges in severity from skin lesions to serious disfigurement and fatal systemic infection. Resistance to infection is associated with a T-helper-1 immune response that activates macrophages to kill the intracellular parasite in a nitric oxide-dependent manner. Conversely, disease progression is generally associated with a T-helper-2 response that activates humoral immunity. Current control is based on chemothera-peutic treatments which are expensive, toxic and associated with high relapse and resistance rates. Vaccination remains the best hope for control of all forms of the disease, and the development of a safe, effective and afford-able antileishmanial vaccine is a critical global public-health priority. Extensive evidence from studies in animal models indicates that solid protection can be achieved by immunization with defined subunit vaccines or live-at-tenuated strains of Leishmania. However, to date, no vaccine is available despite substantial efforts by many labo-ratories. Major impediments in Leishmania vaccine development include: lack of adequate funding from national and international agencies, problems related to the translation of data from animal models to human disease, and the transition from the laboratory to the field. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of protective immune re-sponses and generation and maintenance of the immunological memory, an important but least-studied aspect of antiparasitic vaccine development, during Leishmania infection is needed. This review focuses on the progress of the search for an effective vaccine against human and canine leishmaniasis.
Leishmaniasis is a disease that ranges in severity from skin lesions to serious disfigurement and fatal systemic infection. Resistance to infection is associated with a T-helper-1 immune response that activates macrophages to kill the intracellular parasite in a nitric oxide-dependent manner. Conversely, disease progression is generally associated with a T-helper-2 response that activates humoral immunity. Current control is based on chemothera-peutic treatments which are expensive, toxic and associated with high relapse and resistance rates. Vaccination remains the best hope for control of all forms of the disease, and the development of a safe, effective and afford-able antileishmanial vaccine is a critical global public-health priority. Extensive evidence from studies in animal models indicates that solid protection can be achieved by immunization with defined subunit vaccines or live-at-tenuated strains of Leishmania. However, to date, no vaccine is available despite substantial efforts by many labo-ratories. Major impediments in Leishmania vaccine development include: lack of adequate funding from national and international agencies, problems related to the translation of data from animal models to human disease, and the transition from the laboratory to the field. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of protective immune re-sponses and generation and maintenance of the immunological memory, an important but least-studied aspect of antiparasitic vaccine development, during Leishmania infection is needed. This review focuses on the progress of the search for an effective vaccine against human and canine leishmaniasis.
4
Abstract:
Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury is a major cause of liver transplant failure, and is of increasing significance due to increased use of expanded criteria livers for transplantation. This review summarizes the mechanisms and protective strategies for hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in the context of liver transplantation. Pharmacological therapies, the use of pre-and post-conditioning and machine perfusion are discussed as protective strategies. The use of machine perfusion offers significant potential in the reconditioning of liver grafts and the prevention of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, and is an exciting and active area of research, which needs more study clinically.
Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury is a major cause of liver transplant failure, and is of increasing significance due to increased use of expanded criteria livers for transplantation. This review summarizes the mechanisms and protective strategies for hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in the context of liver transplantation. Pharmacological therapies, the use of pre-and post-conditioning and machine perfusion are discussed as protective strategies. The use of machine perfusion offers significant potential in the reconditioning of liver grafts and the prevention of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury, and is an exciting and active area of research, which needs more study clinically.
5
2013, 27(1): 1-13.
DOI: 10.7555/JBR.27.20120077
Abstract:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an escalating health problem worldwide, covers a spectrum of pathologies characterized by fatty accumulation in hepatocytes in early stages, with potential progression to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and failure. A close, yet poorly understood link exists between NAFLD and dyslipidemia, a constellation of abnormalities in plasma lipoproteins including triglyceride-rich very low density lipoproteins. Apolipoproteins are a group of primarily liver-derived proteins found in serum lipoproteins; they not only play an extracellular role in lipid transport between vital organs through circulation, but also play an important intracellu-lar role in hepatic lipoprotein assembly and secretion. The liver functions as the central hub for lipoprotein metab-olism, as it dictates lipoprotein production and to a significant extent modulates lipoprotein clearance. Lipoprotein metabolism is an integral component of hepatocellular lipid homeostasis and is implicated in the pathogenesis, potential diagnosis, and treatment of NAFLD.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an escalating health problem worldwide, covers a spectrum of pathologies characterized by fatty accumulation in hepatocytes in early stages, with potential progression to liver inflammation, fibrosis, and failure. A close, yet poorly understood link exists between NAFLD and dyslipidemia, a constellation of abnormalities in plasma lipoproteins including triglyceride-rich very low density lipoproteins. Apolipoproteins are a group of primarily liver-derived proteins found in serum lipoproteins; they not only play an extracellular role in lipid transport between vital organs through circulation, but also play an important intracellu-lar role in hepatic lipoprotein assembly and secretion. The liver functions as the central hub for lipoprotein metab-olism, as it dictates lipoprotein production and to a significant extent modulates lipoprotein clearance. Lipoprotein metabolism is an integral component of hepatocellular lipid homeostasis and is implicated in the pathogenesis, potential diagnosis, and treatment of NAFLD.
6
2013, 27(4): 254-271.
DOI: 10.7555/JBR.27.20130030
Abstract:
The p53 tumor suppressor is a key transcription factor regulating cellular pathways such as DNA repair, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and senescence. It acts as an important defense mechanism against cancer onset and progression, and is negatively regulated by interaction with the oncoprotein MDM2. In human cancers, the TP53 gene is frequently mutated or deleted, or the wild-type p53 function is inhibited by high levels of MDM2, leading to downregulation of tumor suppressive p53 pathways. Thus, the inhibition of MDM2-p53 interaction presents an appealing therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer. However, recent studies have revealed the MDM2-p53 interaction to be more complex involving multiple levels of regulation by numerous cellular proteins and epigenetic mechanisms, making it imperative to reexamine this intricate interplay from a holistic viewpoint. This review aims to highlight the multifaceted network of molecules regulating the MDM2-p53 axis to better un-derstand the pathway and exploit it for anticancer therapy.
The p53 tumor suppressor is a key transcription factor regulating cellular pathways such as DNA repair, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and senescence. It acts as an important defense mechanism against cancer onset and progression, and is negatively regulated by interaction with the oncoprotein MDM2. In human cancers, the TP53 gene is frequently mutated or deleted, or the wild-type p53 function is inhibited by high levels of MDM2, leading to downregulation of tumor suppressive p53 pathways. Thus, the inhibition of MDM2-p53 interaction presents an appealing therapeutic strategy for the treatment of cancer. However, recent studies have revealed the MDM2-p53 interaction to be more complex involving multiple levels of regulation by numerous cellular proteins and epigenetic mechanisms, making it imperative to reexamine this intricate interplay from a holistic viewpoint. This review aims to highlight the multifaceted network of molecules regulating the MDM2-p53 axis to better un-derstand the pathway and exploit it for anticancer therapy.
7
Abstract:
Low birth weight (LBW) is an important risk factor for neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity in adults.. How-ever, no large scale study on the prevalence of LBW and related maternal risk factors in China has been published. To explore the effects of maternal factors on LBW for term birth in China, we conducted a hospital-based retrospective study of 55, 633 Chinese pregnancy cases between 2001 and 2008. Maternal sociodemographic data, history of infer-tility and contraceptive use were obtained. Their medical status and diseases during pre-pregnancy were examined by physical examination at the first antenatal care visit. Maternal medical status before childbirth and pregnancy outcomes, including body weight, infant gender, multiple pregnancy and congenital anomalies, were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and linear regression were used to investigate the relationship be-tween maternal factors and term LBW. The general incidence of term LBW was 1.70% in the developed area of China. After preliminary analysis using the univariate model, low primary education, anemia, hypertensive disor-ders, placental previa, oligohydramnios and premature rupture of membrane were predicted as independent factors of term LBW in the multivariate model. Furthermore, the decrease in annual frquencies of these risk factors were major causes of gradual decline in the incidence of LBW (from 2.43% in 2001 to 1.21% in 2008). The study dem-onstrated that among maternal factors, primary education, anemia and hypertensive disorders could contribute to LBW for term birth even in the most developed area of China.
Low birth weight (LBW) is an important risk factor for neonatal and infant mortality and morbidity in adults.. How-ever, no large scale study on the prevalence of LBW and related maternal risk factors in China has been published. To explore the effects of maternal factors on LBW for term birth in China, we conducted a hospital-based retrospective study of 55, 633 Chinese pregnancy cases between 2001 and 2008. Maternal sociodemographic data, history of infer-tility and contraceptive use were obtained. Their medical status and diseases during pre-pregnancy were examined by physical examination at the first antenatal care visit. Maternal medical status before childbirth and pregnancy outcomes, including body weight, infant gender, multiple pregnancy and congenital anomalies, were recorded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression, and linear regression were used to investigate the relationship be-tween maternal factors and term LBW. The general incidence of term LBW was 1.70% in the developed area of China. After preliminary analysis using the univariate model, low primary education, anemia, hypertensive disor-ders, placental previa, oligohydramnios and premature rupture of membrane were predicted as independent factors of term LBW in the multivariate model. Furthermore, the decrease in annual frquencies of these risk factors were major causes of gradual decline in the incidence of LBW (from 2.43% in 2001 to 1.21% in 2008). The study dem-onstrated that among maternal factors, primary education, anemia and hypertensive disorders could contribute to LBW for term birth even in the most developed area of China.
8
Abstract:
Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the general population. It is es-timated that diabetic nephropathy will eventually develop in about 40% of all patients with diabetes; therefore, prevention is critical for delaying the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease. Despite extensive efforts, medical advances are still not successful enough to prevent the progression of the disease. In the present study, we focused on the comparison of combination therapies and whether they offered additional renopro-tection. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneally administering streptozotocin (90 mg/kg) in neonatal rats and then these rats were treated with rosiglitazone (1.0 mg/kg) in combination with glimepiride (0.5 mg/kg) or with pioglitazone (2.5 mg/kg) in combination with glimepiride (0.5 mg/kg). Diabetic nephropathy markers were evaluated by biochemical and ELISA kits and renal structural changes were examined by light mi-croscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Results show that the combination of pioglitazone with glimepir-ide is more effective in amelioration of diabetic nephropathy than rosiglitazone with glimepiride drug therapy due to glycemic control, suppressing albumin excretion rate, total protein excretion rate and augmented TNF-a signal-ing during the development of streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the general population. It is es-timated that diabetic nephropathy will eventually develop in about 40% of all patients with diabetes; therefore, prevention is critical for delaying the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease. Despite extensive efforts, medical advances are still not successful enough to prevent the progression of the disease. In the present study, we focused on the comparison of combination therapies and whether they offered additional renopro-tection. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by intraperitoneally administering streptozotocin (90 mg/kg) in neonatal rats and then these rats were treated with rosiglitazone (1.0 mg/kg) in combination with glimepiride (0.5 mg/kg) or with pioglitazone (2.5 mg/kg) in combination with glimepiride (0.5 mg/kg). Diabetic nephropathy markers were evaluated by biochemical and ELISA kits and renal structural changes were examined by light mi-croscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Results show that the combination of pioglitazone with glimepir-ide is more effective in amelioration of diabetic nephropathy than rosiglitazone with glimepiride drug therapy due to glycemic control, suppressing albumin excretion rate, total protein excretion rate and augmented TNF-a signal-ing during the development of streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
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