Improving cellulase production by Aspergillus niger using adaptive evolution

Microbial Biotechnolog

Liposome-encapsulated berberine treatment reduces adverse ventricle remodeling after myocardial infarction

Introduction: Adverse left ventricle remodeling can be measured as a reduction in ejection fraction after myocardial infarction. Left ventricle remodeling leads to congestive heart failure and is a main determinant of mortality and morbidity after myocardial infarction. Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid extracted from barberry that has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities. Pretreatment with long-term administration of high doses of berberine has shown beneficial effects in experimental diabetes and cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury. However, the poor solubility and the short half-life in the circulation have impeded the clinical use of berberine. Purpose: To examine whether encapsulation of berberine into long-circulating liposomes could improve its therapeutic availability and efficacy to protect cardiac function in vivo. Methods: Berberine was loaded into liposomes at a concentration of 0.3 mg/ml. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated mouse macrophages RAW 264.7 were treated with free berberine or liposome-encapsulated berberine (Lipo-Berb) and analyzed for cell viability, reactive oxygen species production and cytokine secretion. C57BL/6J male mice (10-12 week old) subjected to myocardial infarction (MI) via permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery were blindly selected for intravenous injection of empty liposomes, free berberine or lipo-Berb (1.5 mg/kg). Three doses were administered at the onset of MI, and at 3 and 6 days after MI. Ejection fraction was assessed by echocardiography at baseline, 7 and 28 days after MI. Results: Free berberine improved the viability of LPS-insulted macrophages, reduced production of reactive oxygen species and inhibited the secretion of inflammatory mediators including IL-6 and TNFα. As expected these protective effects of berberine in vitro were diminished upon encapsulation into liposomes. In vivo, however, the liposome-encapsulated berberine significantly preserved ejection fraction after 28 days of MI while free berberine did not show any preservation of ejection fraction (29.5±1.9 for lipo-Berb, 18.2±3.2 for free berberine and 18.0±3.1 for empty liposomes; n=6-10;

Liposome encapsulated berberine treatment attenuates cardiac dysfunction after myocardial infarction

10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.12.042Journal of Controlled Release247127-133JCRE

Comparative genomic analysis of the thermophilic biomass-degrading fungi Myceliophthora thermophila and Thielavia terrestris

Background: The indications, complexity and capabilities of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) have rapidly expanded. Whether actual service provision and training have developed in parallel is unknown. Methods: We undertook a systematic telephone and postal survey of all public hospitals on behalf of the British Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance to identify all CMR providers within the United Kingdom. Results: Of the 60 CMR centres identified, 88% responded to a detailed questionnaire. Services are led by cardiologists and radiologists in equal proportion, though the majority of current trainees are cardiologists. The mean number of CMR scans performed annually per centre increased by 44% over two years. This trend was consistent across centres of different scanning volumes. The commonest indication for CMR was assessment of heart failure and cardiomyopathy (39%), followed by coronary artery disease and congenital heart disease. There was striking geographical variation in CMR availability, numbers of scans performed, and distribution of trainees. Centres without on site scanning capability refer very few patients for CMR. Just over half of centres had a formal training programme, and few performed regular audit. Conclusion: The number of CMR scans performed in the UK has increased dramatically in just two years. Trainees are mainly located in large volume centres and enrolled in cardiology as opposed to radiology training programmes.</p