Rubinwulff2746
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an important health problem in the direct-acting antivirals-era. HCV causes life-threatening diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Our aim was to examine whether certain single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the prevalence of HCV infections progressing to cirrhosis in the Japanese population by a genome-wide association study-based approach.
We used DNA extracted from blood specimens of Japanese subjects with the establishment of the BioBank Japan project.
We observed statistically significant differences in the frequency of 4 SNPs (rs1989972, rs2293766, rs1877033 and rs4805439) between anti-HCV-positive cirrhotic patients and controls.
Four SNPs are associated with susceptibility to cirrhosis among HCV-infected Japanese subjects, while further studies with cohorts other than those sourced from BioBank Japan, must be conducted.
Four SNPs are associated with susceptibility to cirrhosis among HCV-infected Japanese subjects, while further studies with cohorts other than those sourced from BioBank Japan, must be conducted.
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection is still one of the serious health problems worldwide, despite the existence of effective vaccines for HAV. Zinc compounds have antiviral activities against various DNA and RNA viruses. Therefore, we investigated the effects of zinc compounds on the antiviral activity of interferon against HAV.
The effects of zinc compounds with or without interferon on HAV genotype IIIA HA11-1299 replication were examined in human hepatoma Huh7 cells. Cell viability was examined by the MTS assay. Inflammasome associated gene expression was examined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.
Both zinc sulfate and zinc chloride had an inhibitory effect on HAV replication. Zinc sulfate tended to enhance while zinc chloride significantly enhanced the anti-HAV effect induced by interferon-alpha-2a. Zinc chloride significantly up-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinase 12 (MAPK12) and down-regulated 6 related genes [baculoviral IAP repeat containing 3 (BIRC3), interleukin 1 beta (IL1B), proline-serine-threonine phosphatase interacting protein 1 (PSTPIP1), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), PYD and CARD domain containing (PYCARD), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)].
Zinc chloride inhibits HAV replication and has additive effects on the anti-HAV activities of interferon.
Zinc chloride inhibits HAV replication and has additive effects on the anti-HAV activities of interferon.
The in vivo effect of abiraterone on bone mineral density (BMD) in addition to androgen deprivation therapy was examined using a murine model.
The mice were separated into the following groups control, abiraterone, castration, and castration+abiraterone. The percentage change in the ratio of bone to tissue volume (BV/TV), number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and the serum level of bone markers were compared on day 21.
The BV/TV ratio of the abiraterone, castration, and castration+abiraterone groups was lower than that of the control group. However, the change in the BV/TV ratio in the castration+abiraterone group was not significantly different from that in the castration group. learn more There was no significant difference in the serum TRAP5b level and the number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts between the castration+abiraterone and the castration groups.
The addition of abiraterone to castration did not affect BMD in the murine model.
The addition of abiraterone to castration did not affect BMD in the murine model.
Cocaine is a widely used recreational drug and is known for its nasal complications including epithelial, cartilage and bone damage. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of cocaine on ciliary beat frequency (CBF) of human nasal epithelial cells and therefore better understand its side effects on nasal mucosa.
Nasal epithelial cells of 21 healthy subjects were harvested and exposed in vitro to cocaine hydrochloride solutions ranging from 0.875% to 7%. High-speed video footage was acquired with phase contrast microscopy and CBF was analyzed with Sissons-Ammons Video Analysis (SAVA) software.
All tested concentrations led to a significant reduction in CBF compared to the control. Effects increased over time and with concentration. A mechanical inhibition of cilia by cocaine crystals was also observed.
We assume that CBF reduction is part of the pathomechanism leading to nasal complications in cocaine abuse. Considering these results, clinical usage of cocaine should be critically evaluated and restricted to select cases only.
We assume that CBF reduction is part of the pathomechanism leading to nasal complications in cocaine abuse. Considering these results, clinical usage of cocaine should be critically evaluated and restricted to select cases only.
Canine Cutaneous Histiocytoma (CCH) is a Langerhans' cells benign tumour that undergoes spontaneous regression. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of angiogenesis, a key step for tumour development, in CCH regression.
50 CCH samples were classified into 4 histological groups according to a regression scale, and evaluated for expression of vascular endothelial factor-A (VEGF-A) and its receptor VEGFR-2 as well as microvessel density (MVD).
Tumours during early stages of the regressive process had a lower MVD compared to later stages, while CCH tumoural cells showed a limited production of VEGF, but higher levels of VEGFR-2. On the contrary, tumours in advanced phases of regression showed a higher number of neovessels, probably associated with the inflammatory state and the healing process.
Our results suggest that angiogenesis may be compromised at early stages of histiocytoma development and this may be a determinant of regression in this tumour.
Our results suggest that angiogenesis may be compromised at early stages of histiocytoma development and this may be a determinant of regression in this tumour.
Cryopreservation of cell lines has been widely used in the laboratory; however, cryopreservation of organs is still considered to be difficult. The submandibular gland (SMG) of fetal mice is one of the best-characterized organs. We investigated the conditions for cryopreserving SMG rudiments.
Embryonic day 13 SMG rudiments were cryopreserved with or without a cryoprotectant. They were thawed and incubated in DMEM/F12 medium. Moreover, the influence of EGF stimulation on the signaling cascade after frozen-thawing the rudiments was analyzed by Western blotting.
When SMG rudiments were cryopreserved without a cryoprotectant, all cells in the rudiments died. However, the SMG rudiments that had been preserved in a cryoprotectant showed branching morphogenesis. Additionally, the responsiveness of signaling cascades to EGF did not differ between frozen with a cryoprotectant and non-frozen rudiments.
Cryopreservation might be a useful technology for preserving tissues from small organs, such as fetal SMG rudiments.
