MiR-498 suppresses proliferation and inflammation in fibroblast-like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis via targeting JAK1

Purpose: To investigate the effect of microRNA 498 (miR-498) on proliferation and inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs) in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: MiR-498 level was evaluated in both RA synovial tissues and RA-FLSs using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). MicroRNA-498 overexpression or knockdown was performed in RAFLSs. Proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle and inflammation induced by miR-498 mimics or inhibitor were used to explore the function of miR-498 in RA. Results: Expression level of miR-498 was downregulated in both RA synovial tissues and RA- FLSs. MicroRNA-498 mimics decreased proliferation and arrested cell cycle, whereas miR-498 inhibitor caused the opposite effects in RA-FLSs. In addition, miR-498 mimics suppressed inflammation and promoted cell apoptosis, while miR-498 inhibitor promoted inflammation and inhibited cell apoptosis in RA-FLSs. Furthermore, the effect of miR-498 on the proliferation, inflammation and apoptosis of RAFLSs was mediated by its ability to target and downregulate JAK1. Conclusion: These results indicate that miR-498 inhibits the proliferation and inflammatory responses of RA-FLSs by targeting JAK1, thus revealing a new therapeutic target for RA treatment

Periodontal Disease and Breast Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of 1,73,162 Participants

Objective: To investigate the correlation between periodontal disease and breast cancer.Materials and Methods: PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were searched up to February 8, 2018 for observational studies examining the association between periodontal disease and breast cancer. Study selection was conducted according to predesigned eligibility criteria, and two authors independently extracted data from included studies. Meta-analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis v2 software and risk estimates were calculated as relative risks (RRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Results: A total of 11 study were included. Meta-analysis indicated that periodontal disease significantly increased the risk of breast cancer by 1.22-fold (RR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.06–1.40). Amongst participants with periodontal patients and a history of periodontal therapy, the risk of developing breast cancer was not significant (RR = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.95–1.60). The association results between periodontal diseases and breast cancer were found to be robust, as evident in the leave-one-out sensitivity analysis.Conclusions: Periodontal disease may be a potential risk factor for the development of breast cancer among women, and thus effective periodontal therapy may present as a valuable preventive measure against breast cancer

Mdivi-1, a mitochondrial fission inhibitor, modulates T helper cells and suppresses the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Unrestrained activation of Th1 and Th17 cells is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). While inactivation of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a GTPase that regulates mitochondrial fission, can reduce EAE severity by protecting myelin from demyelination, its effect on immune responses in EAE has not yet been studied. METHODS: We investigated the effect of Mdivi-1, a small molecule inhibitor of Drp1, on EAE. Clinical scores, inflammation, demyelination and Drp1 activation in the central nervous system (CNS), and T cell responses in both CNS and periphery were determined. RESULTS: Mdivi-1 effectively suppressed EAE severity by reducing demyelination and cellular infiltration in the CNS. Mdivi-1 treatment decreased the phosphorylation of Drp1 (ser616) on CD4+ T cells, reduced the numbers of Th1 and Th17 cells, and increased Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the CNS. Moreover, Mdivi-1 treatment effectively inhibited IFN-γ+, IL-17+, and GM-CSF+ CD4+ T cells, while it induced CD4+ Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in splenocytes by flow cytometry. CONCLUSIONS: Together, our results demonstrate that Mdivi-1 has therapeutic potential in EAE by modulating the balance between Th1/Th17 and regulatory T cells

Aqueous Extract of Clerodendranthus spicatus

Clerodendranthus spicatus (Thunb.) C.Y.Wu (CS) is commonly used to treat kidney diseases in traditional Chinese medicine for its prominent anti-inflammatory effect and nourishing function to kidneys. In this study, aqueous extract of CS was assessed for its protective effect on UV-induced skin damage of mice. The chemical compositions of CS aqueous extract were determined by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS, in which 10 components were identified. During the experimental period, CS (0.9, 1.8, and 3.6 g/mL) was externally applied to shaved dorsal skins of mice prior to UV irradiation, daily for ten weeks. The results presented that CS (3.6 g/mL) apparently improved photodamaged skin appearance such as erythema, edema, and coarseness. The abnormal epidermal thickening was significantly reduced, and the dermal structures became more complete. The underlying protective mechanisms were associated with improving antioxidant enzymes activities including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), downregulating inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, COX-2, and PGE2) expressions, recovering collagen density, and reducing matrix metalloproteinases productions. Sun protection factor of CS (3.6 g/mL) was 16.21±0.03. Our findings for the first time demonstrated that CS had therapeutic effect on the photoaged skin. The results indicated that CS is a potential agent for photoprotective cosmetics

Association between transferred embryos and multiple pregnancy/live birth rate in frozen embryo transfer cycles: A retrospective study

BackgroundPhysicians need an appropriate embryo transfer strategy to address the challenge of reducing multiple birth rates, while maintaining the couples’ live birth rate during assisted reproductive technology.MethodsWe included 10,060 frozen embryo transfer cycles from January 2015 to March 2020 in reproductive medical center of Ruijin hospital, Shanghai, China. Patients were grouped according to the number and grade of cleavage-stage embryo or blastocysts transferred. Live birth rate and multiple live birth rate were compared among groups of women of different ages. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the risk of multiple live birth using different combinations of transferred embryos.ResultsThe transfer of double good-quality embryos was an independent predictor for multiple birth in women aged <30 years and those aged 36−39 years [<30 years: aOR =1.54 (95% CI: 1.14−2.06, P < 0.01); 36−39 years: aOR =1.84 (95% CI: 1.0−3.4, P < 0.01)]. Further, for women aged <36 years, the transfer of good-quality + poor-quality blastocysts was an independent predictor for multiple birth rate [<30 years: aOR=2.46 (95% CI: 1.45−4.18, P < 0.01); 31−35 years: aOR =4.45 (95% CI: 1.97−10.06, P < 0.01)].ConclusionsSingle-good-quality blastocyst transfer is recommended for women of all ages. When good-quality cleavage embryos are available, the choice of single or double embryo transfer with good- or average-quality embryo should depend on the age of women. Double embryo transfer with the highest possible grade of embryos is recommended for women aged ≥40 years

Tanshinone IIA Sodium Sulfonate Attenuates LPS-Induced Intestinal Injury in Mice

Background. Tanshinone IIA sodium sulfonate (TSS) is known to possess anti-inflammatory effects and has exhibited protective effects in various inflammatory conditions; however, its role in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced intestinal injury is still unknown. Objective. The present study is designed to explore the role and possible mechanism of TSS in LPS-induced intestinal injury. Methods. Male C57BL/6J mice, challenged with intraperitoneal LPS injection, were treated with or without TSS 0.5 h prior to LPS exposure. At 1, 6, and 12 h after LPS injection, mice were sacrificed, and the small intestine was excised. The intestinal tissue injury was analyzed by HE staining. Inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in the intestinal tissue were examined by ELISA and RT-PCR. In addition, expressions of autophagy markers (microtubule-associated light chain 3 (LC3) and Beclin-1) were detected by western blot and RT-PCR. A number of autophagosomes were also observed under electron microscopy. Results. TSS treatment significantly attenuated small intestinal epithelium injury induced by LPS. LPS-induced release of inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were markedly inhibited by TSS. Furthermore, TSS treatment could effectively upregulate LPS-induced decrease of autophagy levels, as evidenced by the increased expression of LC3 and Beclin-1, and more autophagosomes. Conclusion. The protective effect of TSS on LPS-induced small intestinal injury may be attributed to the inhibition of inflammatory factors and promotion of autophagy levels. The present study may provide novel insight into the molecular mechanisms of TSS on the treatment of intestinal injury

Influence of hydrothermal synthesis temperature on the structuresof two 3D coordination polymers

Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 592 2186175; fax: +86 592 2183047.E-mail address: [email protected] (S.-Y. Yang).Two 3D coordination polymers [Zn(mu(4)-dmbdc)](n), 1 and [Zn-5(mu(3)-OH)(4)(mu(5)-dmbdc)(2)(mu(4)-dmbdc)](n), 2 (H(2)dmbdc = 2,5-dimethylbenzenedicarboxylic acid) have been prepared by hydrothermal syntheses with temperature as the only variable. The structure feature is the presence of monoatomic coordination bridges, i.e. mu(3)-OH and mu(2)-O (from mu(3)-COO- of mu(5)-dmbdc) in 2 synthesized at higher temperature. The coordination number of zinc ion and the bridging number of the carboxyl group increase with the increasing synthesis temperature, resulting in the formation of the more stable and condensed phase. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved