scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Sarcocystis falcatula in Two Islands of Malaysia using Recombinant Surface Antigen 4

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Tengku-Idris Tengku Idzzan Nadzirah ◽  
Fong Mun Yik ◽  
Lau Yee Ling
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Human Sera ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Sarcocystis Falcatula ◽  
Candidate Antigen

Sarcocystosis was diagnosed worldwide by serodiagnostic tests utilising the whole parasite, for which the protozoa were maintained in vitro are more costly. In this study, antigenicity of <i>Sarcocystis falcatula</i> recombinant protein (rSfSAG4) was investigated towards the local communities of Pangkor and Tioman Islands and its seroprevalence was surveyed in these islands. A total of 348 human sera were tested using rSfSAG4 by Western blot and ELISA. High prevalence of sarcocystosis was observed in Tioman Island (80.6%) than in Pangkor Island (50.0%) by Western blot. In ELISA, the seroprevalence observed in Tioman Island was 45.9%, whereas in Pangkor Island 63.0%. In other parasitic infections, the prevalence was 34.0% by Western blot and 46.0% by ELISA. In healthy control group, 7% by Western blot and 8% by ELISA showed positivity to rSfSAG4. It is suggested SfSAG4 is a candidate antigen to measure seroprevalence of sarcocystosis.

scholarly journals Shortened platelet half-life in multiple myeloma

Blood ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 514-520
Author(s):  
E Fritz ◽  
H Ludwig ◽  
W Scheithauer ◽  
H Sinzinger
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Statistical Correlation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Platelet Factor ◽  
Healthy Control

Various defects in platelet function have been reported as being associated with multiple myeloma. In 30 myeloma patients and 15 healthy controls, we investigated platelet survival using in vitro labeling of autologous platelets with 111indium-oxine and measuring the in vivo kinetics of the radioisotope. Significantly shortened platelet half- life in patients averaged 73 hours, while platelet half-life in the healthy controls averaged 107 hours. In myeloma patients, serum levels of thromboxane B2, beta-thromboglobulin, and platelet factor 4 were significantly elevated; aggregation indices were within the pathological range; platelet counts and spleen-liver indices, however, were comparable to those of the healthy control group. No statistical correlation was found between platelet half-life and paraprotein concentrations. Our findings suggest an initial--so far unexplained-- intravascular process of platelet activation and consumption that finally manifests in shortened platelet half-life. It seems that overt thrombocytopenia develops only when the compensatory capacity of the bone marrow finally becomes exhausted. Further studies should be able to elucidate the pathophysiologic processes involved.

scholarly journals FSH Promotes Rat Follicle Development Through Inhibition of the Hippo Signalling Pathway

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tairen Chen ◽  
Mengjing Wu ◽  
Yuting Dong ◽  
Bin Kong ◽  
Yufang Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
In Vitro Culture ◽  
Granulosa Cells ◽  
Signalling Pathway ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Follicle Development ◽  
Follicle Growth ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Hippo Signalling

Abstract Purpose: Whether FSH promotes follicle growth by inhibiting the Hippo signalling pathway.METHODS: Ovaries were cultured in vitro into a control group (no intervention), an FSH group (0.3 IU/mL FSH), and a VP group (10 µg/mL vetiporfin). HE staining and follicle counts were performed at each stage after 3 hours of in vitro culture. Immunohistochemistry was performed to study the expression levels of LATS2, YAP, PLATS2, and PYAP, and their expression levels in each group were also analysed by Western blot.The number of secondary follicles was significantly increased in the FSH group, the arrangement of granulosa cells was neater, the nuclear fixation was reduced, and the number of atretic follicles was decreased in the VP group. The number of secondary follicles was significantly increased, the number of atretic follicles was reduced, and granulosa cell nuclear consolidation was reduced in the VP+FSH group. Immunohistochemistry showed that LATS2 and YAP expression levels were significantly increased and PLATS2 and PYAP expression levels were relatively decreased in the FSH group, PYAP and PLATS2 expression levels were significantly increased and YAP expression was significantly decreased in the VP group, and YAP and LATS2 expression levels were significantly increased and PYAP and PLATS2 expression levels were significantly decreased in the VP+FSH group. By Western blot, LATS2 and YAP were elevated and PYAP and PLAT2 were decreased in the FSH group, LATS2 and YAP were decreased and PYAP and PLATS were significantly elevated in the VP group, and LATS2 and YAP were elevated and PYAP and PLATS2 were decreased in the VP+FSH group.CONCLUSION: FSH promotes follicle development by inhibiting the Hippo signalling pathway.

scholarly journals A Higher Frequency Administration of the Nontoxic Cycloartane-Type Triterpene Argentatin A Improved Its Anti-Tumor Activity

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1780 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaira Tavarez-Santamaría ◽  
Nadia J. Jacobo-Herrera ◽  
Leticia Rocha-Zavaleta ◽  
Alejandro Zentella-Dehesa ◽  
Beatriz del Carmen Couder-García ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Product ◽  
Industrial Process ◽  
Annexin V ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Hct 116 ◽  
Hct 116 Cells ◽  
Induced Apoptosis

Parthenium argentatum (Gray), commonly known as guayule, has been used to obtain natural rubber since the beginning of the 20th century. Additionally, the so called “resin” is a waste product derived from the industrial process. The cycloartane-type triterpene Argentatin A (AA) is one of the main constituents of the industrial waste resin. In this study we evaluated the AA anticancer activity both in vitro and in vivo in the HCT116 colon cancer cells. The apoptosis promotion of AA was assessed by the annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay. The senescence was evaluated for SA-β-galactosidase, and PCNA was used as a marker of proliferation. Its antitumor activity was evaluated using a xenograft mouse model. The results indicated that AA-induced apoptosis in HCT-116 cells and was positively stained for SA-β-galactosidase. In the xenografted mice test, the administration of AA at the dose of 250 mg/kg three times a week for 21 days reduced tumor growth by 78.1%. A comparable tumor reduction was achieved with cisplatin at the dose of 2 mg/kg administered three times a week for 21 days. However, nude mice treated with AA did not lose weight, as they did remarkably when treated with cisplatin. Furthermore, the animals treated with AA showed similar blood profiles as the healthy control group. These data indicate the low toxicity of AA compared to that shown by cisplatin.

scholarly journals TLR4 Signaling in MPP+-Induced Activation of BV-2 Cells

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zhou ◽  
Ruihui Weng ◽  
Zhaoyu Chen ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Jing Zou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Blot ◽  
Mtt Assay ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Immunofluorescence Technique ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Sirna Interference

Aims.This work was conducted to establish anin vitroParkinson’s disease (PD) model by exposing BV-2 cells to 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and exploring the roles of TLR2/TLR4/TLR9 in inflammatory responses to MPP+.Methods/Results.MTT assay showed that cell viability of BV-2 cells was 84.78 ± 0.86% and 81.18 ± 0.99% of the control after incubation with 0.1 mM MPP+for 12 hours and 24 hours, respectively. Viability was not significantly different from the control group. With immunofluorescence technique, we found that MPP+incubation at 0.1 mM for 12 hours was the best condition to activate BV-2 cells. In this condition, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS protein were statistically increased compared to the control according to ELISA tests. Real time RT-PCR and western blot measurements showed thatTLR4was statistically increased after 0.1 mM MPP+incubation for 12 hours. Furthermore, after siRNA interference ofTLR4mRNA, NF-κB activation and the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and iNOS were all statistically decreased in this cell model.Conclusion.MPP+incubation at the concentration of 0.1 mM for 12 hours is the best condition to activate BV-2 cells for mimicking PD inflammation in BV-2 cells. TLR4 signalling plays a critical role in the activation of BV-2 cells and the induction of inflammation in this cell model.

scholarly journals Research of Vitamin D Levels Between the Tuberculosis Infected and Non – Infected Subjects in 16-25 Years of Age

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2S3) ◽  
pp. 677-680
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Income Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Large Size ◽  
Vitamin D Levels ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Questionnaire Method ◽  
Method Analysis

Aim – To compare vitamin D levels between Tb infected and non-infected subjects in 16-25 years of age. Methods – Tb patients (16-25 years) from low income group were identified from the DOT centres in Pitampura, subjects were interviewed through questionnaire method, analysis of vitamin D content of identified patients and non infected subjects were done and finally assessment of relationship between vitamin D and non infected subjects. Results- The population included 30 patients infected with Tb and 30 subjects who are non-infected, which have been tested for vitamin D. When results were compared with healthy control group it was found that vitamin D was relatively low i.e. p- <0.001.There is a high prevalence of VDD in this population. Conclusion- vitamin D deficiency is positively and significantly co related with Tb. In the present study, general population itself established to be extremely deficient in Vitamin D. Hence; this is very difficult to delineate relation within VITAMIN D and TB. In future, a multicentre study with a large size of sample needs to be carried out to elicit a relation within vitamin D status and TB.

scholarly journals Impaired In-vitro Platelet Aggregation and Secretion Tests in Children with Henoch-schöenlein Purpura

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esra Yazarlı ◽  
Pınar Işık Ağras ◽  
Yildiz Dallar ◽  
Bulent Alioglu
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Standard Dose ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Acute Period ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Platelet Secretion

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to investigate the in-vitro platelet aggregation and secretion tests in children patients with Henoch-schöenlein Purpura that recently referred to as Ig A vasculitis Methods: This is a cross-section study that included 55 patients with Henoch-schöenlein Purpura and 31 healthy children as a control group. Children who have a history of drug use, chronic diseases, and bleeding diseases were excluded from the study. Complete blood count, thrombocyte aggregation, and secretion tests were studied in both groups. These tests were re-evaluated in remission of the disease. Results: It was found that epinephrine-stimulated platelet aggregation and collagen, epinephrine, ristocetin, arachidonic acid, standard dose thrombin, and high dose thrombin-stimulated platelet secretion results were lower in the patients with Henoch-schöenlein Purpura compared to the healthy control group in the acute period (respectively P=0.014, 0,003; 0,003; 0,027; 0,034; 0,010; 0,049). When the values of patients with Henoch-schöenlein Purpura in the acute period and the remission of the disease were compared, collagen-stimulated platelet aggregation and epinephrine-stimulated platelet secretion values were found to be lower in patients with patients in the acute period (P= 0.016; 0.039) Conclusion: Impairment in vitro platelet aggregation and secretion tests in the patients with Henoch-schöenlein Purpura suggest that the tendency to bleeding in these patients may be due to platelet impairment function. Key Words: Henoch-schöenlein Purpura, platelet aggregation tests, platelet secretion tests, children, Ig A vasculitis. What’s already known about this topic? There is a tendency to bleeding in Henoch Shcöenlein Purpura patients, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, nonthrombocytopenic system purpura. What does this article add? It was found that impairment in-vitro platelet aggregation and secretion tests in Henoch Shcöenlein Purpura patients.

scholarly journals Atorvastatin Promotes Bone Formation in Aged apoE–/– Mice through the Sirt1–Runx2 Axis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Hong ◽  
Zhanying Wei ◽  
Zhaohui Qiu ◽  
Zheng Li ◽  
Chensheng Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Formation ◽  
Bone Mass ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Bone Microarchitecture ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase ◽  
Bone Resorption Marker ◽  
Related Transcription Factor

Abstract Background: Statins are the most widely used drugs in elderly patients, the most common clinical application of statins is in aged hyperlipemia patients. There are few studies on the effects and mechanisms of statins on bone in elderly mice with hyperlipemia. The study is to examine the effects of atorvastatin on bone phenotypes and metabolism in aged apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE–/–) mice, and the possible mechanisms involved in these changes. Methods: Twenty-four 60-week-old apoE–/– mice were randomly allocated to two groups. Twelve mice were orally gavaged with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 12 weeks; the others served as the control group. Bone mass and skeletal microarchitecture were determined using micro-CT. Bone metabolism was assessed by serum analyses, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from apoE–/– mice were differentiated into osteoblasts and treated with atorvastatin and Sirt1 inhibitor EX-527. Results: The results showed that long-term administration of atorvastatin increases bone mass and improves bone microarchitecture in trabecular bone but not in cortical bone. Furthermore, the serum bone formation marker osteocalcin (OCN) was ameliorated by atorvastatin, whereas the bone resorption marker tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (Trap5b) did not appear obviously changes after the treatment of atorvastatin. The mRNA expression of Sirt1, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and OCN in bone tissue were increased after atorvastatin administration. Western blot showed same trend in Sirt1 and Runx2. The in vitro study showed that when BMSCs from apoE–/– mice were pretreated with EX527, the higher expression of Runx2, ALP and OCN activated by atorvastatin decreased significantly or showed no difference compared with the control. The protein expression of Runx2 showed same trend. Conclusions: Accordingly, the current study validates the hypothesis that atorvastatin can increase bone mass and promote osteogenesis in aged apoE−/− mice by regulating the Sirt1–Runx2 axis.

scholarly journals Oroxin B Induces Apoptosis by Down-Regulating MicroRNA-221 Resulting in the Inactivation of the PTEN/PI3K/AKT Pathway in Liver Cancer

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (23) ◽  
pp. 4384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nannan Li ◽  
Wenxiao Men ◽  
Yibo Zheng ◽  
Hechen Wang ◽  
Xiansheng Meng
Keyword(s):  
Liver Cancer ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Microfluidic Chip ◽  
Pten Gene ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Mrna And Protein Expression ◽  
Theoretical Evidence

This study aims to investigate the anticancer effect of Oroxin B (OB) both in vitro and in vivo, and the molecular mechanism involved in microRNA-221 and the PI3K/Akt/PTEN pathway through modulation of apoptosis in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). DEN-induced rats and HepG2 cells based on the microfluidic chip were employed, while the mRNA and protein expression of microRNA-221, PI3K, p-Akt and PTEN were evaluated by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Based on Microfluidic Chip and DENinduced rat model, OB effectively exerts anti-liver cancer effect both in vitro and in vivo, and the expression of miR-221 in OB treated groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (** p < 0.01). The RT-PCR and Western blot results suggested the PI3K mRNA and protein in OB treated groups were both lower than those in control group and indicated the overexpression of PTEN. Therefore, OB effectively exerts anticancer effects by positively regulating the PTEN gene and then inactivating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway through down-regulating the expression of the microRNA-221, thereby inducing apoptosis of liver cancer cells. This study offers a theoretical evidence for further development and clinical guidance of OB as an anti-tumor agent.

scholarly journals Photodynamic Therapy Enhanced the Antitumor Effects of Berberine on HeLa Cells

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 413-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Han-Qing Liu ◽  
Ya-Wen An ◽  
A-Zhen Hu ◽  
Ming-Hua Li ◽  
Guang-Hui Cui
Keyword(s):  
Photodynamic Therapy ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Antitumor Effects ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
And Control

AbstractIn this study we investigated the antineoplastic effects of Berberine (BBR)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) on HeLa cells and its related mechanisms. The CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry were used to evaluate the proliferation and apoptosis of cells respectively. In addition, changes in protein expression levels were assessed using western blot. BBR at dose of 10 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally to mice with tumors and PDT treatments were performed 24 hours later. In vivo imaging systems were used to evaluate the fluorescence of BBR. In vitro, PDT significantly enhanced the effects of BBR on inducing cell apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation. The in vivo results showed that the fluorescence intensity in the PDT group was decreased compared with that in the BBR group. Tumor weights and tumor size in the PDT group were less than those in the control group; however, when BBR was applied without PDT, no significant differences were observed between the BBR and control group. The results of western blot showed that PDT enhanced the inhibitory effects of BBR on the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, that may partly explain the potential underlying mechanisms.

scholarly journals Dracohodin Perochlorate Stimulates Fibroblast Proliferation via EGFR Activation and Downstream ERK/CREB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR Pathways In Vitro

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Liu ◽  
Xiaowen Jiang ◽  
Wenhui Yu
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Wound Healing ◽  
Western Blot ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Fibroblast Proliferation ◽  
Protein Activation ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Egfr Activation ◽  
Dracorhodin Perchlorate

In recent years, an increasing number of natural plant extracts have been determined to be potential drugs for various illnesses. In this study, we investigated the effects of dracorhodin perchlorate (DP) on fibroblast proliferation, which is crucial for wound healing. Cell proliferation assays were performed by different concentrations of DP, and the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 kits. After DP treatment for 24 h, the cell cycle was checked by flow cytometer. EGFR and downstream signaling pathways ERK1/2 and PI3K were examined with DP treatment by western blot. We further determined the effects of the related inhibitors on DP-induced relative protein phosphorylation and cell proliferation. The results showed that 3 μg/mL of DP promoted cell proliferation most significantly at treatment lengths of 24 h, and the percentage of cells in the S + G2 phase increased compared to those of the control group. In western blot detection, we found that DP significantly upregulated EGFR phosphorylation and activated the downstream ERK/CREB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. Moreover, the results also showed that AG1478 abolished DP-induced relative protein activation and cell proliferation. When U0126 or LY294002 pretreated cells alone, DP-induced p-ERK or p-PI3K downstream proteins and cell proliferation were suppressed compared to those of the control group, but EGFR was not affected. In addition, ICG001 and BEZ235 collectively eliminated DP-induced fibroblast proliferation. Our findings suggest that DP-promoted fibroblast proliferation is stimulated by p-EGFR-induced activation of the ERK1/2-CREB and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathways. Our present study explored the mechanism of DP-promoted fibroblast proliferation and provided a new basis for wound healing.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document