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A Synergistic Anti-Diabetic Effect by Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3 through Adipogenic and Insulin Signaling Pathways in 3T3-L1 Cells
Although ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3 have been identified as the significant ginsenosides found in red ginseng that confer anti-diabetic actions, it is unclear whether insulin-sensitizing effects are mediated by the individual compounds or by their combination. To determine the effect of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3 on adipocyte differentiation, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to differentiate the standard hormonal inducers in the absence or presence of ginsenosides Rb1 or Rg3. Additionally, we determined the effects of Rb1, Rg3, or their combination on the expression of genes related to adipocyte differentiation, adipogenic transcription factors, and the insulin signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 cells using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Rb1 significantly increased the expression of CEBP alpha, PPAR gamma, and aP2 mRNAs. However, Rg3 exerted its maximal stimulatory effect on these genes at 1 mu M concentration, while a high concentration (50 mu M) showed inhibitory effects. Similarly, treatment with Rb1 and Rg3 (1 mu M) increased the expression of IRS-1, Akt, PI3K, GLUT4, and adiponectin. Importantly, co-treatment of Rb1 and Rg3 (9:1) induced the maximal expression levels of these mRNAs. Our data indicate that the anti-diabetic activity of red ginseng is, in part, mediated by synergistic actions of Rb1 and Rg3, further supporting the significance of minor Rg3
Ammonium Inhibits Chromomethylase 3-Mediated Methylation of the Arabidopsis Nitrate Reductase Gene NIA2
Gene methylation is an important mechanism regulating gene expression and genome stability. Our previous work showed that methylation of the nitrate reductase (NR) gene NIA2 was dependent on chromomethylase 3 (CMT3). Here, we show that CMT3-mediated NIA2 methylation is regulated by ammonium in Arabidopsis thaliana. CHG sequences (where H can be A, T, or C) were methylated in NIA2 but not in NIA1, and ammonium [(NH4)2SO4] treatment completely blocked CHG methylation in NIA2. By contrast, ammonium had no effect on CMT3 methylation, indicating that ammonium negatively regulates CMT3-mediated NIA2 methylation without affecting CMT3 methylation. Ammonium upregulated NIA2 mRNA expression, which was consistent with the repression of NIA2 methylation by ammonium. Ammonium treatment also reduced the overall genome methylation level of wild-type Arabidopsis. Moreover, CMT3 bound to specific promoter and intragenic regions of NIA2. These combined results indicate that ammonium inhibits CMT3-mediated methylation of NIA2 and that of other target genes, and CMT3 selectively binds to target DNA sequences for methylation
Dual-Organ Transcriptomic Analysis of Rainbow Trout Infected With Ichthyophthirius multifiliis Through Co-Expression and Machine Learning
Ichthyophthirius multifiliis is a major pathogen that causes a high mortality rate in trout farms. However, systemic responses to the pathogen and its interactions with multiple organs during the course of infection have not been well described. In this study, dual-organ transcriptomic responses in the liver and head kidney and hemato-serological indexes were profiled under I. multifiliis infection and recovery to investigate systemic immuno-physiological characteristics. Several strategies for massive transcriptomic interpretation, such as differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Poisson linear discriminant (PLDA), and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) models were used to investigate the featured genes/pathways while minimizing the disadvantages of individual methods. During the course of infection, 6,097 and 2,931 DEGs were identified in the head kidney and liver, respectively. Markers of protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, oxidative phosphorylation, and the proteasome were highly expressed. Likewise, simultaneous ferroptosis and cellular reconstruction was observed, which is strongly linked to multiple organ dysfunction. In contrast, pathways relevant to cellular replication were up-regulated in only the head kidney, while endocytosis- and phagosome-related pathways were notably expressed in the liver. Moreover, interestingly, most immune-relevant pathways (e.g., leukocyte trans-endothelial migration, Fc gamma R-mediated phagocytosis) were highly activated in the liver, but the same pathways in the head kidney were down-regulated. These conflicting results from different organs suggest that interpretation of co-expression among organs is crucial for profiling of systemic responses during infection. The dual-organ transcriptomics approaches presented in this study will greatly contribute to our understanding of multi-organ interactions under I. multifiliis infection from a broader perspective.publishedVersio
Effect of 5-aminolevulinic acid-based photodynamic therapy via reactive oxygen species in human cholangiocarcinoma cells
Cancer cells have been reported to exhibit an enhanced capacity for protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) synthesis facilitated by the administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). We investigated the effect of ALA-based photodynamic therapy (PDT) on human cholangiocarcinoma cells (HuCC-T1). Since protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), a metabolite of ALA, can produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) under irradiation and then induce phototoxicity, ALA-based PDT is a promising candidate for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. When various concentrations of ALA (0.05–2 mM) were used to treat HuCC-T1 cells for 6 or 24 hours, the intracellular PpIX level increased according to the ALA concentration and treatment time. Furthermore, an increased amount of PpIX in HuCC-T1 cells induced increased production of ROS by irradiation, resulting in increased phototoxicity
Recurrent Uterine Cervical Carcinoma: Spectrum of Imaging Findings
Uterine cervical carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors occurring in females. After primary treatment, patients are usually followed up with CT or MRI and the findings of these modalities may be the first sign of recurrent disease. Because earlier additional treatment by chemotherapy or radiation therapy may improve the prognosis, the early detection of recurrent cervical carcinoma is clinically important. In this article, we review the CT and MR imaging findings of recurrent uterine cervical carcinoma, and assign them to one of four groups: a) recurrence at the primary site, involving the intrapelvic organs, b) extension to the pelvic side-wall, c) metastases to pelvic and extrapelvic lymph nodes, or d) metastases to distant organs. A further contribution of CT and MR imaging is the detection of hydronephrosis due to ureteral obstruction. The cases in each group are illustrated and discussed, and since an awareness of the spectrum of imaging findings of recurrent cervical carcinoma is likely to lead to its early detection, radiologists should be familiar with the information presented
Torsional Vibration Transduction in a Solid Shaft by MPTs
In this study, we aim to investigate the feasibility to use MPTs (Magnetostrictive Patch Transducers) for torsional vibration measurement in solid ferromagnetic cylinders. MPTs consisting of thin magnetostrictive patches, permanent magnets and a solenoid coil have been widely used for elastic wave transduction in the ultrasound frequency range [1] but they have been seldom used for sonic-frequency range vibration measurement, in spite of their unique wireless transduction characteristics. While a MPT was used in Ref. [2] to perform torsional modal testing in a hollow cylinder or a pipe having relatively small torsional rigidity, no investigation has been reported yet on the use of MPTs in “solid” “ferromagnetic” shafts, common torsional power carrying elements in machines.While we will be mainly focused here on the torsional wave measurement in stationary shafts, the MPT-based torsional measurement can be also applied to rotating shafts. Because the torsional rigidities of solid shafts are much larger than those of hollow cylinders of the same radii, it is important to find optimal MPT configurations, such as the optimal number of rectangular patches to be installed around the surface of a solid shaft. Thereby, we performed numerical investigations and accordingly designed a series of experiments for torsional vibration testing in steel shafts. The actual modal testing experiments with the designed MPTs were found to predict the torsional Eigen-frequencies and Eigen-modes that agree well with the theoretical predictions. Also the relation between the measured vibration signals from MPTs and those from strain gages was checked experimentally and in fact, the experimental result favorably agreed with the theoretical prediction. Potential applications of the MPT-based torsional vibration measurement technique in rotating solid shafts for structural health monitoring are also briefly discussed
YouTube as an Information Resource for Persons Interested in Septoplasty and/or Turbinoplasty
Background and Objectives YouTube is a widely used web site. In general, many people search for medical information on YouTube. We evaluated the septoplasty and turbinoplasty videos on YouTube from an expert’s point of view. Methods We used “septoplasty,” “turbinoplasty,” and “septoplasty turbinoplasty” to search YouTube. Of the 150 videos, we eventually viewed 83. Two researchers assessed the sources, lengths, and numbers of likes, dislikes, and views. The videos were classified as “excellent,” “moderate,” or “poor” in terms of utility; we also evaluated the uploaded material and content. Results Of the 83 videos, 18 (21.7%) were excellent, 27 (32.5%) were moderate, and 38 (45.8%) were poor. We found no significant differences in length and mean likes, dislikes, and views between the groups classified as useful. Fifteen (39.5%) of 38 poor videos were by patients, and 13 (34.2%) of 38 poor videos were by physicians. When organized by content type, videos on personal experiences were significantly longer than the others. Of 20 videos on personal experiences, 15 (75%) were poor and all 5 advertisement videos (100%) were poor. Conclusion Information from YouTube on septoplasty and turbinoplasty is not yet adequate. However, since YouTube content cannot be controlled, it is necessary to upload objective and accurate videos for patients and experts in professional groups such as the medical society. Such videos should be promoted and used actively
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